Middle of Ravens line struggling
In the past two games, the middle of the Ravens' offensive line has had problems run blocking, especially in short-yardage situations.
The two struggling the most are right guard Chris Chester and center Matt Birk. With Chester, the Ravens can always insert Marshal Yanda in short-yardage situations. With Birk, he remains the Ravens' best option, but the Ravens might have to give him help more often, or keep the play to the outside.
-- Mike Preston
Comments
Mike,
The whole team is struggling. If you look at the middle of the defensive line, it's struggling also, the Colts where 25 yards from 100 yesterday & did just enough to keep the ravens honest. So they can't stop the run and can really run that effectively.
Posted by: james | November 23, 2009 1:44 PM
Again i will stand by my guns in regards to the off season personal decisons by this team.They were lousy, jason brown was only 25 years old and was in the prime of his career, he was turning into a all pro center and was one of the reasons we got so much push up the middle last year. Lorenzo neal was the guy that opened the holes on the short yardage situations and only made 850,000 last year. he would have come back in a heart beat but again the ravens chose to go in another direction. Look ray lewis is finally starting to look like the slow old man that he is, he shouldn't have been resigned thus freeing up money to keep that young offensive line in tact. Jarret johnson is the best defensive player currently on the field and is by far more valuable then suggs. After watching harbaugh coach this year there might be some truth to the rumor that REx Ryan actually was running the majority of the football team last year. Harbaugh looks to be way over his head .I could go on and on about the decisons that were made this past off season but if the truth be known the higher ups made some horrible decisons .End of Story.
Posted by: blancione | November 23, 2009 2:26 PM
it's SO nice to see someone finally mention Lorenzo Neal! his impact last year was immeasurable! the decision not bring him and Stover back this year have really cost the team. i understand the desire to build around younger players, but you still have to win football games.
Posted by: SD Raven | November 23, 2009 2:41 PM
Mike Preston wrote:
"But the blame can't be put entirely on the offense. Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis looked stiff and tired Sunday and has become a liability on passing downs."
Thank you Mike Preston for finally telling the truth about this overpaid has been (my words, not yours). You, Mike Preston have been telling the truth about this team from day one and you have been getting blasted; called everything from a hack writer to a racist. Thanks Mike for keeping up the integrity of reporting by being honest.
Posted by: Just the Facts | November 23, 2009 3:51 PM
Matskos is in love with Chester but Birk and Chester next to each other is the weak link - this is affecting Flacco and the run up the middle. They have to put Marshall Yanda in if they want to have any chance to improve. Seems the coaching staff is more interested in proving they're right than in using the best players (see Stover gone, Webb not being used, Yanda not being used, McClain not being used much).
Posted by: SXS | November 23, 2009 5:10 PM
It never made any sense to me that Birk left Minn.to come to lovely Baltimore. I really don't know if he is doing good or bad, but maybe not so good? Please advise.
Posted by: Rich | November 23, 2009 5:30 PM
Ryan wasn't the head coach, but his strong presence on the sidelines last year guided the team towards making the right decisions. If I may say, Harbaugh doesn't have the necessary instincts that make for really good play calling. He can't read ahead, and seems confused at times. I wish that Rex Ryan had been chosen as head coach. The players knew him and a few even went with him. We, now, need them.
Posted by: jim | November 23, 2009 5:32 PM
I'm pretty sure that a Sun reporter callled Matt Birk "another home run for Ozzie Newsome" during training camp. Now he's the weak link on the offensive line. I wish you guys would get your stories straight. You're confusing the heck out of Baltimore football fans.
Posted by: Bernie | November 23, 2009 10:21 PM
You see how when the team loses people start throwing all kinds of BS out their. 1. The defense front line is not getting pressure either . 2. Matt birk is a good addition at center. 3. Chris Chester has been the weak link penalties missed blocks etc. 4. I guess you not realizing that we have to sign a good number of players next year biggest one Haloti Ngata. 5. Needs at WR,CB possible in the draft. 6. I agree Neal was the best option opening up holes. Is it me or Mclain doesn't want to block sometimes. 7. Look at the Jets record ( enough Said ). 8 . I would like Harbaugh to stop being the nice guy and chew some people out. Btw has anyone seen Price lately.........
Posted by: 410 - Monster | November 24, 2009 8:42 AM
The drive to the playoffs start Sunday night...PLAY OFFS? PLAY OFFS? PLAY OFFS!...are we at that point right now?
Posted by: Chaz | November 24, 2009 9:03 AM
Mike you are right! Matt Birk has been a disappointment. He is also keying his snap to the defense.
Posted by: RiseNConquer | November 24, 2009 6:26 PM