RightOffRussell Check in on Ravens – Jets
Although this is a little late in coming (there was some other news that set things off the other day, I think), our friends at Right Off Russell were able to attend the Ravens game the other night as credentialed members of the media and wanted to file a report from Bawlmer.
Thanks to the Jets Blog I had the chance to take in last night’s Jets/Ravens pre-season game from the pressbox as a Ravens fan disguised as Jets media. It was a cool experience for me. The first two people I saw when I entered the media lounge were Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and ESPN’s Mike Tirico, who were enjoying a pre-game chat. Enough of my name dropping, here are my thoughts on the contest:
– The game was very hard fought and competitive for a pre-season match. John Harbaugh said it was the most intense pre-season game he has been involved with since coming to Baltimore, in fact he said it was like a regular season game. I am sure some of that has to do with Rex Ryan coming back to town, but it also shows that both Harbaugh and Ryan are tough competitors who want to win any game they are involved in. There is probably also some degree of “proving” themselves … one to the other.
– Mark Sanchez showed some signs of life in the 2nd quarter after a rough start. He settled down some and was helped by a good rushing attack and some key third down plays, especially the screen pass to Leon Washington. Sanchez did look lost the first few times he dropped back, he struggled with pressure and just did not see some defenders. Of his first 3 passes 2 should have been picked for TDs and one was into heavy coverage. He has lots of room to grow, but as the game progressed he settled in and made some nice throws. What was more important was that Sanchez got better at recognizing where the pressure was coming from and where the ball needed to go based on his blitz reads.
– Leon Washington is fun to watch. I noticed some discussion on the TheJetsBlog game thread about Washington’s contract status. He is a heck of a weapon, but the type of weapon that I think needs to be used in certain spots to be effective. It will be tough for the Jets to re-sign him if another team offers him #1 back money, but which I’m not sure he is capable of shouldering that load.
– The Jets defense showed some flashes, but they did struggle against the Ravens 1st team offense when the blitz was picked up. I don’t think they cover well enough when they blitz to not get burnt. Lots of teams have that problem and Darrelle Revis was out last night, but that could be something to watch as the season progresses.
You can read more of their thoughts and pictures from the game on their site.
Images: Ravens/Jets
Jets/Ravens 1st Half Impressions
Ravens Offensive vs Jets: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Jets Ravens Defensive Grades
25 Responses to RightOffRussell Check in on Ravens – Jets
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fonzie says:
Darrell,
You sound like a child. Like I have said before “When it is all said and done and on ‘THAT’ play when the front seven of the defense plays against the front five or six of the offense, will the jets defensive seven dominate the line? I don’t care if you have four players with the talent of revis in the secondary. You can’t win games without help on the line. This is the greatest flaw the jets have on the team right now. Its greater than the lack of support the offensive line has right now as you can see a rotation system is starting to set in.
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Led says:
The 1st team defense gave up a few first downs on excellent throws by Flacco against tight coverage and one deep ball over Drew Coleman, but Flacco was only 8 of 18 with 6 YPA. Without Revis. And the run defense was, if not dominant, than at least very effective. Without Jenkins. So I think the Ravens game is reason for optimism on the defensive side of the ball. On the offensive side, the Jets ran the ball almost at will. Without Woody. The QBs were very shaky, as was the pass blocking, but that’s not surprising given the quality of the Ravens defense, the type of looks they were giving and the lack of game planning by the offense.
The two pick sixes change everyones view of the game and make it seem as if the Ravens dominated, when in fact the Jets largely won the battle in the trenches. I’m certainly nervous about Sanchez and the receivers, but I feel quite good about the rest of the team.
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Chris says:
Fonzie.
Couldn’t agree more. The aging, thin and sometimes ineffective front of the Jets is a major concern.
The Jets face very formidable Qb’s this yr and even w Revis, if there is lack of pressure, especially in bringing 5+, the secondary will be in trouble. Rhodes is not a man guy, jury still out on Sheppard and I don’t know about Lowery/ Leonhard/ Carroll taking on speedy slot receivers…
Matt Ryan, Delhomme, Brady (x2), Schaub, Peyton, Brees give us 7 games where the passing attack could be in high gear for the opponent. Chad twice and Garrard could also present problems if some of their WR’s emerge a bit.
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neauone says:
Just one name Kris Jenkins! The Ravens would have played a little differently, image not having Haoti on D! How would have the game turned out then? 2 of the starting OL were out of action up until that game. All in all I was happy with what I saw.
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RJF says:
guys we have to understand one thing. until tannebaum, rex, and schotty feel comfortable w/ the wr’s that we have….. leon is not getting that contract he desires at least not yet.. thats the snag in negotiations
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Marquise says:
Hey Bassett 2 sets of eyes really are better than one… You sound like a undercover Sanchez hater…. Watch Mike Martz ananlysis on nfl.com…. Clemens just can’t cut it in the NFL… Sanchez 09 and beyond…
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starz31 says:
RJF, so you’re saying they want stay cap-flexible? That’s good point. Bent, break it down for us.
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Jack says:
Jets 3.7 yards rush/attempt
Ravens 2.9Jets 4 sacks for 29 yards
Ravens 1 sack for 6 yardsJets tackled for loss 1 for -3 yards
Ravens 3 for -11 yardsJets first downs 18
Ravens 13Jets 3rd down efficieny 55%
Ravens 35%Jets points by offense 20
Ravens 7This while playing without the two best players on defense including one of the best nose tackles in the league and the starting right tackle.
I’m not sure what game some of you were watching but the Jets ran at will on the Ravens vaunted D with a significant piece of their O line missing and held their rushing game down without their best run stuffer. Having one of the best shut down corners in the league on the field might have helped a tad too.
Stop with the pessimism. The Ravens got 14 points on two gift wrapped interceptions. Sure, we are going to take some lumps with a rookie QB but the defense playing wihout significant pieces in only their second live test in a completely new system held it’s own with the best D in the league.
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Bent says: starz31 – It’s possible that the WR situation is holding up the Leon deal, but I very much doubt it. They could afford them both in 2009, even if they both got extensions, because the cap number in the first year is usually relatively low. It’s 2010 where affording him would be a problem because they’ve already committed a bunch of money and, as noted elsewhere, have a few other guys to extend. They have some flexibility, but not that much.
I think the hold-up in the Leon deal is the stubbornness of the agent, because there is an impasse in terms of total money, guaranteed money and when the extension kicks in. The Jets have tabled several offers (in which if one of those elements moves in Leon’s favor, one of the others will move in the team’s favor) and Keels has apparently responded each time with “you’re breakin’ my balls, man” and then slinked off to tweet about how “locked in” he is.
Back on topic – thanks to the RoR guys for a decent recap. Both teams were missing guys, I think he was fair and balanced and they each have plenty to look forward to (mostly on defense, in both cases).
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Kirk says:
Marquise
i agree, martz’s breakdown of sanchez was great. sanchez is the future and i am pumped about it
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http://www.nfl.com/videos/new-york-jets/09000d5d8122a30a/Is-Sanchez-the-right-choice
for anyone who didnt see martz’s breakdown of sanchez..they start talking about sanchez at 2:20 and martz breaksdown his performance against the rams at 4:20
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whoops..meant martz brokedown sanchez’s performance against the ravens
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Harlan Lachman says:
Jack, preseason stats are meaningless. Many of the stats are achieved by players who will not be on the team or play unless in dire circumstances against players who will not be on the team or are not likely to get much PT.
The biggest things are that Flacco only got one TD and a FG against a D without its two best players.
The other huge thing is that according to some experts, Sanchez pick six was actually the right read and progression — just poorly executed. I think as a rookie, that is a better sign than the reverse. He knew what to do. With experience, he, his teammates and the coaches will work to limit the physical mistakes that don’t provide an open escape route on a check down.
I am more worried about the one dropped by Lewis where Sanchez locked in on the WR and made it easy.
Finally, I wonder if Rex will be locked in to Tom Yards and a cloud of punts or will give Leon more plays. I suspect our offense will look better with Leon and Shonn getting the bulk of the carries.
h
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Zartan says:
Led, most realistic view ive seen. i kinda made the same comments in a previous post.
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Bent says:
Caption for the photograph above. The DH is saying “Huh…where’d my sandwich go?”
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Bent says:
And Bart Scott is saying “Dammit Vernon, sit down – only you could be out of position when you’re supposed to be sitting on the bench”
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>>Jack, preseason stats are meaningless.
Not all of them. Specifically, the ones I noted showed trends. The Jets overall were strong on D and that is the biggest “rookie” on this team and the one that will have the greatest impact. Flacco, playing against mostly the starting D was 8 for 18 for 120. The two starting running backs Rice and McGhee were 16 for 52 also mainly against the first team D.
If you go back and look at the D the Jets have played recently it has been a passive read and react type D. It had flashes of strength but it often became passive and predictable and good QB’s picked it apart. This in turn put enormous pressure on the O as the games became shootouts.
If the D can run this attack defense with some level of proficiency, and they clearly have the talent to do it and are excited about playing it, they have the chance to make the field much shorter and the game much easier for the O and our rookie QB. This is the formula that has been used in Baltimore for years (not just last year, remember the Super Bowl Ravens), it was used in Pittsburgh, it has even been used in NE. Yes, Brady has been exceptional but he has also had the good fortune of playing with a dominant D his entire career.
If all stats are meaningless in the pre-season then the player who make them are too.
Both of Sanchez’s interceptions can be chalked up to rookie goofs. I agree, had Sanchez put some air into the first one it likely would have ended up in a nice game based on a good read. The second was a rookie mistake of looking a defender into the pass route. Both of these are easy to fix and I’m sure they have already been addressed countless times with Sanchez. Given what of have seen from him at USC and so far this summer I feel confident he is the type to learn from his mistakes. More importantly, his teammates seem to believe in him.
The D and special teams along with a strong ground game are the keys for this team this year. Sanchez’s passing is down the list just as it was for Flacco last year. So far, I’m good with the progress of all of them save the very questionable punting.
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BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
See…that’s why I love this blog so much. Anyone can voice his/her opinion and if their is a question concerning the cap, all you’ve gotta say is:
“Bent, break it down for us….”
sweet!
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Yeah starz, thats exactly what i’m saying. As stated before their really monitoring this wr situation close and thats not leaving any rock unturned “per say”. wether its trades, waiver wire….etc. To land Marshall is gonna take nothing less than a 1st in 2010 and a 3rd in 2011 or a 1st and david harris. In return we’ll have to give Marshall “Roddy White” money and thats 7-8 mil a year and about 48mil, w/ 24-26mil guaranteed. Thats a lot granted, giving leon 4.5mil a year and 10-12mil guaranteed. Now i understand that we wont have much of cap hit this year, but 2010 and beyond WOW! Plus w/ Mangold, Brick is coming up soon. Were gonna have to restructure a lot of deals. Now imagine if we dont trade the “Hulk” David Harris. now he’s due a raise also.
We should just keep our current wr core. its hard to examine talent when you never turn the lights on. THATS THE PRICE OF DOING BUSINESS WHEN YOU DONT DRAFT WELL. OVERPAYING!
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chuck says:
pitouita- “ok sione your shoes are clean now”
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it actually looks like pouha is letting out a big fart
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
m,,,m
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green dream says:
Thanks Kirk,
Martz is a QB expert, no question and he seems very confident in the kid. I guess we should too. Remember he turned Bulger from a no name kid from WV into a Pro-bowler and A guy from the Arena league inot one of the greatest passers in modern history. I’m sold. GO JETS, GO FRANCHEZ
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You say “Darrelle Revis was out last night” as if it was an afterthought. Ya’ think mebbee he might have been able to hold up just a wee-bit better in man coverage than Lowery? Sheppard was serviceable, but not having (arguably) our best defensive player on the field was the #1 reason that Flacco had such success on the many long 3rd downs he faced.