Ray Rice

Baltimore’s offense line will have the advantage over New England’s front three, so Ray Rice figures to have holes to run through. It’ll be the second and third levels of the Patriot defense that figures heavily in the final score. Jerod Mayo and Rob Ninkovich are playmakers at the linebacker position, but they’ll need to keep tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta in their peripherals. (Not that Flacco really gets it to his tight ends enough.) Baltimore’s offense doesn’t have a ton of wrinkles to it, as was exposed last week against the Texans. Anquan Boldin doesn’t get nearly enough targets, but he’s never deep. Torrey Smith only runs a go-route, so as long as Kyle Arrington or Devin McCourty don’t get beat off the block and the safeties Chung and Ihedigbo stay deep, the Patriots shouldn’t have an issue keeping the Ravens off the scoreboard. With all the pressure on Joe Flacco, you’d think it would be the time for him to rise to the occasion. I’m not buying it. He’s slow in the pocket and doesn’t get the ball out quickly. That means the Patriots could get a few good hits on Joe. If you see Flacco struggling on third down and the kicking unit coming on the field early, the Ravens will be in trouble.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 AFC Championship"

A fourth quarter Ray Rice fumble and a field goal from Colt kicker Matt Stover put the icing on the Indy cake, ensuring they will host the AFC Championship next week at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Colts offense was crisp and in rhythm all night long in spite of their extended layoff. Manning had a typically average day (which is still awesome), even as his running game could not accumulate over 50 yards. He spread the ball to seven difference receivers on his 30 completions as the Raven secondary could do nothing but watch. Indy's defense was the real highlight, forcing the Ravens offense into three turnovers and five punts after their opening drive field goal. If they can build off this performance, they're ready for anyone in the NFL.

Continue reading "Manning's Colts prove too much for ..."

The Colts will need to shut down Ray Rice and the running game in order to give Manning and the offense the most possessions possible. 

Analysis: Joe Flacco will need to throw the ball more than ten times today, despite the Ravens' hopes. Freeney must take those opportunities to plant Flacco, especially on third down. If the Colts defense can stay fresh, they can hold the Ravens running game under wraps. Baltimore can't have unnecessary penalties or beat themselves if they hope to keep up with the Colts, because they can't match Indy's point output.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Divisional Saturday"

(If you dad was a Pats fan two years ago.) Ray Rice took the opening hand-off 83 yards to the endzone to put the Ravens up 7-0 en route to embarrassing Bill Belichick's Patriots 33-14.

 

Continue reading "WTF of Wild-Card Weekend: Ravens ..."

Running back Ray Rice has the ability to pound the ball as well as catch passes out of the backfield for sophomore QB Joe Flacco. Receiver Derrick Mason hasn't been as dependable in recent weeks, but he still managed another 1000-yard season. Tight end Todd Heap caught 6 touchdowns this season, second on the team. Keep an eye on wide-out Demetrius Williams, who might be Flacco's best downfield threat. On defense, safety Ed Reed should be healthy enough to play after nursing a groin injury for part of the regular season. Ray Lewis is as demonstrative as ever, but that defensive line featuring Haloti Ngata and Trevor Pryce will be the biggest factor in whether Baltimore can pull off the upset.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Wild-Card Sunday"

rly explosive, they have found a more balanced attack in recent weeks thanks to the re-emergence of Ray Rice at running back. Joe Flacco has regressed slightly in his sophomore season and will throw at least two ripe for the picking passes. If the Bear defense can capitalize on those mistakes, then they have a fair chance of leaving the wintry field with a victory. I'm not holding my breath though.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Chicago Bears ..."

The Ravens can't afford to forget about Ray Rice and the running game, or they'll simply have no chance. Keeping Manning on the sideline is the only way to win.

(4-5) New York Jets at (6-3) New England Patriots

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 11"

          The crystal ball was two up and two down for the week.  Even though that is an improvement, it still doesn’t cut it!  Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only…or I would be in the poor house!  Let’s take a look back and see what happened: 

Continue reading "Week 5 Review"

          

           Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots, was accused by Al Davis of “tampering” with Randy Moss prior to their trade a year ago.  The Raiders received a 4th round pick as compensation in the deal.  Davis alleges that the Patriots had a secret workout with Moss prior to the negotiations, which would violate NFL rules.  Bill (here’s a surprise) denies the accusation. 

Continue reading "...Then It's Probably A Duck!"

           This week two head coaches were relieved of their duties…fired!  First, Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, and now, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, why?  Jim Haslet replaced Linehan.  What’s the difference, the Rams are horrific!  Kiffin is being replaced with O-line coach, Tom Cable…who?  Yeah, that’s right, I never heard of him either! 

Continue reading "Instant Gratification"

           Once again, my crystal ball failed me.  I don’t understand what happened…I shined it up last week.  I even purchased a stand for it…so now it sits on top of the mantel.  I’ve treated it with the utmost respect.  For who?  For what?  (Yes…that was a shot at Ricky Watters!)  Once again, I was one up and three down last week…not good…awful…embarrassing even!  I have to do something different for next week…maybe I will punish it…have it stand in the corner…or give it a time-out!  Something has to give…and I’m not backing down!  Let’s take a closer look and see what went wrong: 

Continue reading "Week 4 Review"

sp;  The other day, Rashard Mendenhall (Rookie RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers) sent his buddy, Ray Rice (Rookie RB for the Baltimore Ravens) a text message.  So why is that football news?  Because LB Bart Scott of the Ravens made it so!  Mendenhall’s text was only intended for his buddy Ray.  It claimed how great of a day Rashard was going to have against the vaunted Raven’s Defense. 

Continue reading "Bulletin Board Material"