Ravens: Airing it out
Following last week's offensive explosion against the Redskins, I kind of expected Cam Cameron to come out today with a more run-oriented approach, if only to keep Rex Ryan's defense from teeing off on Joe Flacco.
It didn't work out that way. The Ravens again threw the ball much more than they ran it in the first half. Flacco was 8 for 18 for 120 yards and Troy Smith was 2 for 3 for 22 yards after taking over late in the second quarter. The Ravens ran 21 passing plays and just 12 running plays. Ray Rice got eight of those carries and totaled 29 yards and a touchdown.
The receiver distribution also was quite a bit different. Derrick Mason had three catches for 68 yards and Demetrius Williams and Le'Ron McClain had two each. Last week's leading receiver, Justin Harper, is not on the stat sheet yet.
Comments
Can Frank Walker cover ANYONE? The only positive is that when he gets burned he can't do one of his obnoxious dances
Posted by: Walker is Terrible | August 24, 2009 10:07 PM
Ahhhh the Orioles... Giving playoff hope to all the AL Central.
I wish the Orioles had some more guys hitting so the Mora problem wouldnt be so bad. Guy can still get in done in the field but hes a total liability each time he goes to the plate
Posted by: Ron | August 24, 2009 10:28 PM
The big problem with all of the pitches the Orioles have, with the possible exception of Bergeson and maybe Guthrie (if he bounces back) is their pitch count.
I guess since they are young the Orioles don't want them to pitch 120+ pitches which is ok this year but the starters are simply incapable of using 100-110 pitches and get through 6-7 innings.
Tonight we had another example, Tillman pitched ok but 5 1/3 innings, 100+ pitches? This was after he only threw 10 in the first inning so he threw 90+ pitches in the next 4 1/3 innings. You can't get competitive at that rate. Using the bullpen for 3-4 innings every night is a killer in the long run.
Posted by: Rich | August 24, 2009 10:41 PM
Rich
Yeah I think a 100 pitch count is good to preserve these guys future (you know when they go on to be yanks and sox jk) but they have to be able to use 100 pitches to at least get into the 7th. Our pen was our biggest strength earlier and now it’s totally fried.
Posted by: Tom | August 24, 2009 10:47 PM
Joe Nathan didn’t even have to strike out Matt Wieters to end the game. He could have intentionally walked Wieters to get to Mora to win the game..
Posted by: Frank | August 24, 2009 10:53 PM
3rd base is a total disaster on this team. Mora can’t hit. frank sobotka aka ty wigginton cant play it but can hit sometimes. We don’t have anybody to call up from Norfolk? If not I think this position is an ultimate priority up there with pitching this off-season.
Posted by: Ernie | August 24, 2009 10:57 PM
Ernie
Good point about 3B. But we have Bell at Bowie. He should be the Os 3B as early as next year. The downside with him from what I remember is that he hits poorly from the right side. Batting lefthanded he's very, very good. Most likely better than Mora right now with room to improve. He does needs to work on his defense however.
The Os also have Waring at Frederick. He just hit his 25th HR tonight. Waring should be with the Os in the next 2 to 3 years. I just hope he stays with the team and isn't traded as the Os need his power. Waring needs to be called up to Bowie immediately to finish out the year there to get ready for next year. It would give him a taste of what to expect for next year and even if he struggles some I doubt its going to effect his attitude much as he had a monster year at Frederick.
Posted by: Patrick | August 24, 2009 11:14 PM
Why are you people talking about the Orioles?
With all that passing didn't it seem like Flacco was chased around a little too much tonight?
Posted by: Pokey | August 24, 2009 11:15 PM
Pokey,
Its August. Just because the Orioles are usually out of it by June football starts next month.
Posted by: TED | August 24, 2009 11:25 PM