Redskins/Ravens Match Ups Talking with Baltimore Beatdown

by Kevin Ewoldt on Aug 20, 2010 1:30 PM EDT in Redskins Analysis

Another day, another game, another tryout for the Redskins' bubble players. I caught up with Bruce Raffel, who runs SB Nation's Ravens site, Baltimore Beatdown. Just like last week for the Bills game, we exchanged a few questions on match ups. Bruce also answered questions on how dire their Cornerback situation is, if Baltimore fans would want a yearly Redskins/Ravens match up rivalry, who will be Baltimore's fantasy studs, and a much needed Doug Dutch update.

Hogs Haven	Baltimore Beatdown
Devin Thomas will see a lot of snaps with the 1st team offense as the #2 WR...who will he be facing in the first half?	At the Ravens Training Camp Thursday, the #2 corner was journeyman Travis Fisher. However, it looks like Chris Carr should be back and might suit up and therefore, he'll go up against Thomas. Fabian Washington looks to be our #1 CB right now, but he could move all over the field and might match up w/ Thomas as well. The Ravens have been bitten by the injury-bug lately, so no one will really know until gametime.
Trent Williams will be playing most of the first half, who will he likely be seeing in 1-1 coverages and blitzes?	Looks like it could be a mix of Terrell Suggs, Cory Redding and on passing downs, either Paul Kruger or Antwan Barnes. Suggs should be our best pass rusher, but Redding was given the Franchise Tag just a few ears ago by the Lions. Kruger has put on weight and has looked solid in camp and Barnes is more of a pass rushing specialist.

How will the Ravens defense be this year with so many top CBs out and Ed Reed still a ways out? Has BAL hit the panic button yet? Is this the decade the Ravens O has to carry the team?

I've been saying for a while that if the Ravens have a decent pass rush, I couldn't care less who the DB's are back there. However, the opposite is also true in that if we don't put pressure on the QB, it wouldn't matter if we had Darrelle Revis or Namdi Asomugoah (spelling?) at corner! Overall, with the front seven we still have, we might not be top one or two, but I'd be surprised if we're not top five or so once again. Anytime we have Ray Lewis out there, we will be just fine.

Who will be the fantasy studs and duds on the Ravens? Does Heap have anything left?

Ray Rice should be a top five fantasy pick and while our wideouts are solid, the balls mght end up being spread around so much that no single receiver ends up a fantasy stud. QB Joe Flacco should make a lt of plays and while not a stud (yet), he would be a solid 2nd QB on your fantasy roster. Always consider the Ravens defense as a top fanasy defense. Duds? Todd Heap is healthy and playing well but with the two new TE draft picks, Heap's time might be limited and therefore not so favorable. Also, for a guy only having just over 100 carries last year Willis McGahee still finished in the top five in TD's scored although it might be hard to replicate that in 2010.

We had this discussion on our site earlier this week, what are your thoughts on a Ravens vs Skins rivalry? Do you think there is one and would be your standing if the NFL wanted to pit us against each every year (like MLB does).

Might work out well as us Ravens fans certainly have no love for our DC NFL neighbors. As long as the 'skins keep playing from the basement of the NFC East, I'd be glad to have my Ravens help your 'Skins get a higher draft pick every year (oh, zing!).

Last question: How is the CB situation and how is Doug Dutch faring?

Corner is definitely a weak link right now but as I said earlier, if the Ravens can muster up a solid pass rush, who the corners are will be irrelevant as the QB's will have to get rid of the ball quickly and if no pass rush, any decent QB will pick us apart regardless of whom the DB's are. Doug Dutch is learning the system and apparently the Ravens were looking at him oming out of college so they jumped at the chance to get him for a backup QB that was expendable. He is far behind on the depth chart but then again, with our injuries, who knows who will step up next? Peace!

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Question:

Does anyone recall what happened to the Steelers last year when Troy Polamalu got hurt and started missing games? Their Secondary started getting torched. And they had one of the best Front 7s in the league (finishing the season with 47 sacks). This notion that a defense just needs a decent pass rush is ridiculous. There has to be balance.

by VA_Skin on Aug 20, 2010 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Completely Agree

he made it seem as though the secondary was irrelevant simply because of the strength of the front seven. I know they have a solid team, but like the old coach says “If you’re going to blitz like that and you can’t get to the QB, you better have good corners or you’re going to give up some serious yards”. Again I’m not saying that they have a bad defense, It’s just that you can’t overlook your weaknesses.

by TerpsAllTheWay on Aug 20, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree and you took the words right out of my mouth

He’s dismissing his teams weakness because of a supposed pass rush. Yeah, he’s makes it sound easy. What’s happens when the pass rush gets stuffed or they just can’t get to the QB or they just dont pass rush or there is audible to the screen pass or the 10 other ways an offense can counter.
This is a luxury fans have from the stands. Fortunately for Ravens fans, he’s not running the team in any capacity. I’m sure the Ravens will account for this and make the appropriate adjustments to the best of their ability.

by skinsymets on Aug 20, 2010 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw what happened

The Bengals swept the division last year and it looks like they will do it again.

by liger99 on Aug 20, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

#1 Troy is a special player.....however...

for him it is much more than X’s and 0’s than actual physical explosiveness, If a CB is watching the WR come down the tree he knows he has help on the inside route, so does the WR, brutal help at that, the linebackers know that Troy has a bead on RB’s coming out…..he is the Mike Singletary of that defense and OC’s will adjust accordingly, OC’s were much more bold when he is out, so our his teammates, we have Fletcher, who fills a different role but can be counted on. I hope someone can step-up to that level for us at safety, it can be a difference maker……(free safety and flanker are my old positions, and I was thrilled to hear “flanker” come up here again….I thought that word was long gone. Peace.

by MagicHat on Aug 20, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions

The first quarter or so should be a great matchup for both teams

Regardless of the outcome and score, we can take away a lot from this preseason game. for one we can gauge where our starters are in terms of grasping their respective schemes, as well as, determining their composure. I’m a little curious to see how our Offensive Line handles their blitz packages. I also want to see how our front seven responds to the run ~~- we looked like BP last week trying to stop the oil spill~~- hopefully we can read their Offense and stop the run. If we can contain Ray Rice it will go a long way for us. Something that’s been overlooked about Haynesworth is his performance last week, Hopefully he continues his performance.

by TerpsAllTheWay on Aug 20, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

I’m also a little curious to see how our Offensive Line handles the Ravens' blitz packages.

The 2008 game was a disaster as was the game against the Steelers.

by Jefferson1935 on Aug 20, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Their defense's objective and now ours

“In this league, you average 10 to 11 possessions on offense a game,” Haslett said. “And if you can get three turnovers, that gives your offense 14, and that gives the team we’re playing against eight. So our number one goal is to create turnovers, get the ball out, [make] interceptions, [cause] fumbles.”

Read originial ==>> Fredericksburg.com – ‘Skins’ defenders turning ballhawks – page 1 FLS http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2010/082010/08212010/570023#ixzz0xGTcdr84

by Jefferson1935 on Aug 21, 2010 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Rivalry..

i would love it, but if history is anything, it’s temporary. Once the Ravens have a few bad years they will call up the old Mayflower Company on a snowy night!

by brettpedigo on Aug 20, 2010 5:04 PM EDT reply actions