Ravens Studs and Duds @ the Falcons

Next time, it’s for real. The reserves got their last audition for the Ravens coaches, and coaches on other teams looking to fill needs. The Ravens fell to 1-3 to wrap up the preseason with a 20-19 loss at the Atlanta Falcons. Here is who stood out, and who stood out for the wrong reasons in the last tune up. 

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     Studs

Zach Orr – Made an instinctive tackle on a cut back by the Falcons ball carrier. The hole was wide open and Orr may have saved a TD with his shoe string, last ditch effort. A holding penalty also saved the TD. Regardless, hell of a play to change direction and seek that counter run out.

Arthur Brown – He flashed blitz down on the goal line, and caught the attention of the QB. The QB took his eyes off the snap for a split second as Brown appeared to charge in. Brown’s action caused a fumbled snap, but the ball careemed right to the ball carrier who leand in for the score. Later Brown appeard to force a fumble on a big hit in the open field on a receiver. Kapron Lewis-Moore came up with the ball on the bottom of the pile. The play would be reviewed, and the refs ruled that the receiver didn’t make a football move. Either way, looked like fumble, but a broken up play regardless. He did however fail to wrap up a returner on a punt, leading to a long return by Atlanta.

Matt Schaub and Marlon Brown – It was Schaub’s job to lose tonight, more than it was Bryn Renner’s to win. Schaub did everything perfect going 7 for 7 for 88 yards. 64 of those 88 yards went to Marlon Brown, who secured three grabs. He also tracked the deep ball well hauling in a 41 yards pass in one on one coverage. His night was over early, telling me that the coaches saw all they needed to see to put him on the 53-man. 

Carl Davis – Picked up a sack to end the half, taking Atlanta out of field goal range. He had to use brute strength to beat his man and get to the QB. Nothing easy about it. He played most of the night, getting in a lot of reps. Had a batted ball to his credit as well.

Brennen Beyer – Beyer notched two sacks on the night. The broadcast team mentioned that Coach John Harbaugh feels Beyer is a practice squad candidate. He earned it tonight. Question is, would he make it through waivers, or be claimed by another team?

Terrence Magee – Likely the closest player to the bubble. Also likely the guy with the most on the line. He could go from bubble, to Justin Forsett’s primary back up. He averaged 4.1 YPC on nine attempts. Buck Allen, six attempts for 10 yards. 1.7 YPC. Magee has won the preseason battle with Allen. 

Daniel Brown – He blocked a punt inside of one minute to play, setting the Ravens up in the red zone, down by seven. Then two plays later, he catches the TD pass to make it a one point game. (Ravens failed on the two point conversion). No chance he makes the roster. But good on him, and maybe he earns a practice squad role with the effort. 

Side note: Renner was 18 of 24 for 128 yards and a 2 TDs on the night. Heck of a preseason for that guy.  

    Duds

Anthony Levine – Fooled in the red zone on the Falcons first drive which ended in a TD. He was caught looking in the backfield and the QB looked him off where he wanted to go. Later he would commit PI on a deep ball, setting up the Falcons on the Ravens 30. A fringe guy for a couple years now, I don’t think he earns a spot this year.

Za’Darius Smith – Stood up often. He’s a guy we were hearing praises about every day at practice. But in games, if a blocker squares him up, it’s over. Smith seem to excel when he gets a head of steam, similar to Pernell McPhee. But as an edge rusher, depth behind Suggs and Dumervil, he needs to work on his technique more. He’ll make the roster, but needs some coaching up. Nothing wrong with that. McPHee, and another guy named Paul Kruger needed some seasoning too, and it paid off later on.

Robert Myers – He missed a block, miscommunication seemed to be the reason. It cost the Ravens on 3rd and short as Buck Allen was taken down five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Later, a late hit that was clearly well after the play. Inexcusable penalty, right after the 52 yard punt return by Jackson. Takes the Ravens out of field goal range. (They would get some of the yardage back and Justin Tucker would drill the FG). With the depth on the O-Line, I don’t see a spot for him. If he can’t hack it against third and fourth stringers…

Asa Jackson – Can’t get of of his own way. One step forward, two steps back. He tripped, Kyle Boller style, costing them a TD on a punt return where he tried to juke the punter, instead of running by him. Kudos for the 52 yards, but could have been much more. Later, for the second straight game, he fumbled on a punt return attempt. The Falcons turn it into a TD. Are the impressive returns enough to secure a spot for him? Fumbles are a killer though, and his return game is about all he has going for him. Not much to write home about in pass coverage from this game. 

James Hurst – A bubble guy, and he allowed a 4th quarter sack. Practice squad, and cut players usually play in the fourth quarter of this game. Cannot be allowing a sack here. 

Terrell Suggs, Courtney Upshaw, Elvis Dumervil, Daryl Smith – These guys were late to the field when the second half kicked off. Get out there and support the rookies fellas!

Side note: The Ravens backup squad was outscored 104-59 over the four preseason games. Is the Ravens depth a major concern?