Redskins
Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for Ravens head coach Brian Billick to play his starters for more than a series tonight against the Redskins. Usually, the starters make only a cameo appearance in the final preseason game, but the Ravens didn't play well last week against the Vikings. Actually, they were horrible and lacked passion and intensity. Playing the starters extensively might risk injury, but it also might shock a team that has been notoriously slow coming out of the starting gate every year. Billick might need to try something different. After all, his butt is on the line this season. It's either win or get fired. This might wake some of the players up, and let them know that he isn't playing around anymore. The new Billick might need to try something different because the old Billick would just let this time slide going into the regular season.
Comments
The absolute key to success for the Ravens tonight and through the season will be the play of the offensive line. If the o line continues the sub par play it has exibited over the past two seasons and last week in Minnesota, it won't matter who the quarterback is. In order for McNair or Jamal to succeed they're going to need protection and open holes. Kyle Boller's main problem has been poor protection. In 2000 the Ravens were unbeatable with a very mediocre quarterback whose line gave him time to throw and opened holes for the running backs. All of this hoopla about who is the starting quarterback is meaningless if he spends the entire season being chased around the backfield.
Posted by: Charles Russell | August 31, 2006 7:47 AM
Mr. Russel's last sentence says it all.
Posted by: Ray Nowowieski | August 31, 2006 7:14 PM
On at least 3 occasions against the 'Skins, the O-line provided protection, the receiver ran through coverage and was streaking toward the end-zone and Kyle could not deliver the ball!! Will the Ravens brass ever admit drafting that kid was one of the worst mistakes they ever made??
Posted by: rick savard | September 3, 2006 1:59 PM