10 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

BSL: Evaluating The Ravens As They Prepare for Houston
http://baltimorespor...ife.com/?p=4655

[You Play to Win the Game]

Good write-up, Chris.

I do think this is the week they fully commit to a "need to outscore you" offense/game plan. They can't afford to do the ball control game and end up with 3 points on some drives, and stalled drives on some drives, to just give the ball over to Foster/Schaub/Johnson/Daniels to put us in a hole. They're all playing fairly well right now, and I think we get run all over on Sunday. Need to score early and often to have a chance, and while they're a good defense, we can beat them.

Obviously not expecting a win, but unlike a lot of other folks, it wouldn't surprise me if we did win either.

[ravens8589]

Good write-up, Chris.

I do think this is the week they fully commit to a "need to outscore you" offense/game plan. They can't afford to do the ball control game and end up with 3 points on some drives, and stalled drives on some drives, to just give the ball over to Foster/Schaub/Johnson/Daniels to put us in a hole. They're all playing fairly well right now, and I think we get run all over on Sunday. Need to score early and often to have a chance, and while they're a good defense, we can beat them.

Obviously not expecting a win, but unlike a lot of other folks, it wouldn't surprise me if we did win either.

Call me crazy, but I do expect to win. Why? Because I am still not completely sold on Houston. I feel as though they have benefited from a soft schedule while Baltimore got run down by a clumped schedule early, and that is not to excuse the putrid performance on defense. Houstons offense is not very explosive and if they make Schaub have to beat them with his arm, they can definitely win this game.

If you guys ever want to read my stuff on the Ravens and my weekly power rankings, I write with Lance on Burning down the yard.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Because I am still not completely sold on Houston. I feel as though they have benefited from a soft schedule while Baltimore got run down by a clumped schedule early, and that is not to excuse the putrid performance on defense. Houstons offense is not very explosive and if they make Schaub have to beat them with his arm, they can definitely win this game.

I know that Houston is just 14th overall in Total Offense (18th in Passing, 6th in Rushing), but I have plenty of respect for the Texans offense. Schaub might not wow you physically, but he is accurate and consistently productive. Obviously Johnson is awesome. Walter is a good 2nd WR, Daniels a talented TE. Two talented RB's in Foster and Tate.

Defensively they are 6th overall (7th against the Pass, 7th against the Run). Watt is a monster. Brooks Reed, and Conor Barwin on the outside is scary. Joseph, and Jackson at the corners is pretty good.

To me, few teams have as much pure talent as Houston.

I do think the Ravens can beat them, not sure this week is going to go well though.

[DuffMan]

Good write-up, Chris.

I do think this is the week they fully commit to a "need to outscore you" offense/game plan. They can't afford to do the ball control game and end up with 3 points on some drives, and stalled drives on some drives, to just give the ball over to Foster/Schaub/Johnson/Daniels to put us in a hole. They're all playing fairly well right now, and I think we get run all over on Sunday. Need to score early and often to have a chance, and while they're a good defense, we can beat them.

Obviously not expecting a win, but unlike a lot of other folks, it wouldn't surprise me if we did win either.

If the Ravens can get a couple of quick scores early in the game and get out to an early lead maybe that can take away a bit of their ability to run the ball as Houston will be trying to play catch up.

[ravens8589]

I know that Houston is just 14th overall in Total Offense (18th in Passing, 6th in Rushing), but I have plenty of respect for the Texans offense. Schaub might not wow you physically, but he is accurate and consistently productive. Obviously Johnson is awesome. Walter is a good 2nd WR, Daniels a talented TE. Two talented RB's in Foster and Tate.

Defensively they are 6th overall (7th against the Pass, 7th against the Run). Watt is a monster. Brooks Reed, and Conor Barwin on the outside is scary. Joseph, and Jackson at the corners is pretty good.

To me, few teams have as much pure talent as Houston.

I do think the Ravens can beat them, not sure this week is going to go well though.

Don't get me wrong, I definitely think they are a very good team overall and are one of the most complete teams in the league, I just don't want to chalk it up a loss before even playing the game. No reason to believe Baltimore can't go in there and take them out.
I feel like that defense has a lot to prove after getting chewed apart in every aspect of the game last week and the reason for their struggles are all correctable. The Ravens pride themselves on the next man up mentality and unlike a lot of teams, they have the ability to back that up.
Houston is very good and scary but very beatable at the same time. Wouldn't be surprised if we lose, but wouldn't be surprised in the least if we win either.

[DuffMan]

http://sportsillustr... ... =hp_t12_a0

Wasn't sure exactly which thread to put it, so I posted it here. Great article from Don Banks on how the Ravens plan to move forward after losing both Lewis and Webb.

[Mike B]

Good Article Chris and also, I think Don Banks sums up where we are going pretty well.
I think we need to let Joe do what he does best, run the no huddle both home and on the road. He seems to have a better flow when in it. It is on Joe know, and frankly I think he is up to the challenge.
One other thing, the no huddle should not mean no running the ball. You can run the ball out of the no huddle as easy as pass it.

[BSLChrisStoner]

One other thing, the no huddle should not mean no running the ball. You can run the ball out of the no huddle as easy as pass it.

I agree. Growing-up, my favorite team was the early 90s Buffalo Bills, who utilized the K-Gun. Thurman Thomas didn't have any problems running out of a no huddle.

[MKlein76]

Despite just returning to practice, Terrell Suggs is targeting and expecting to play vs. the Texans.

Despite returning to practice only Wednesday from a torn Achilles in April, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is targeting and expecting to play Sunday versus the Houston Texans, according to league sources.

Sources said that even Suggs' family and friends have plans to travel to Houston in anticipation of watching him stage one of the quickest returns from this type of significant injury that any athlete ever has.

"Yes, that's still the plan," one source texted Thursday.

http://espn.go.com/n... ... ource-says

[Chris B]

Wait,what!?

If he's not able to help, let him rest longer. Hell, keep him out until November if you have to.

Id rather lose this game without Suggs than win it and lose him again.