Losing Williams
The Ravens placed receiver Demetrius Williams on injured reserve today, which means they go to Cleveland without their top deep threat. That's certainly bad news, but maybe not as bad as it might seem.
Williams caught a 70-yard touchdown pass against the Raiders (left), but that was more the result of a coverage breakdown than Williams' ability to lose a defender deep downfield. Fact is, until that touchdown play, Williams had averaged two catches and about 18 yards receiving per game. If Yamon Figurs is healthy enough to run at full speed, his return should be enough to make the Browns pay some attention to the vertical possibilities.
The bigger concern may be the likelihood that Chris McAlister is done for the season. The Ravens definitely need him in the defensive secondary this week with Browns QB Derek Anderson likely to be flinging the ball all over the place.
Comments
I agree with you Peter. Also what do you think of our rookie class of WRs stepping up?
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Pete's reply: I don't know. I think Roy Williams would have helped, but the price was too high. This is something that will have to be addressed in the offseason.
Posted by: Steve Sievers | October 29, 2008 7:19 PM
If McAlister can't play, the only things that won't be flying all over the place are penalty flags.
Posted by: EC | October 29, 2008 7:32 PM
How about Jim Leonhard on the corner, McAlister as the deep threat, and Yamon Figurs in a refresher couse in football basics (like "never handle a punt inside the 20").
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Pete's reply: That might be an interesting idea if Chris was healthy and in his prime.
Posted by: logiopath | October 29, 2008 8:34 PM
Hey Pete, I know you're not the football guy per se, but as Mike Preston's only credentials seem to be that he played football at Towson a few decades ago and that he's fat, I figure you probably have just as good an answer. Didn't Marcus Smith shine in camp, or am I just remembering incorrectly? It seems like he has the whole physical package, and I look forward (I think) to seeing him on the field. Thoughts?
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Pete's reply: I'm not that tuned in to what they thought of him in preseason, except that they liked him and felt like he had to do a better job of catching the ball. He's been inactive all season, so we'll have to wait and see if this opens something up for him. I'm guessing now since the Ravens signed a veteran today.
Posted by: Travis Taylor | October 29, 2008 10:07 PM
Aside from the blown coverage last Sunday on the Williams touchdown doesn't Flacco have the longest pass reception this year? Think of the possibilities ... keep up the playground stuff!
Posted by: Dukehoopsfan | October 30, 2008 11:33 AM