NFL
By: Nathan Snell
Have you been giving out the notices as the football season approaches? Super Bowl LIX seems like a distant memory. The NBA season saw a lot…, the NHL saw some milestones, and then the MLB season has been cruising along. But football is back! But more importantly, Raven Football is back!
For the first time since January, Thursday gave us a glimpse of the Baltimore Ravens taking the field. As expected, in the first game, most starters did not suit up but did defeat the Indianapolis Colts with a score of 24-16.
- Keaton Mitchell is leading over Rahseen Ali for the No.3 running back
Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are the No. 1 and No. 2 running backs. Just like last season, along with fullback Patrick Ricard, there is only room for a third running back. Keaton Mitchell, so far, is leading for that spot. Although Mitchell was the No. 3 last season, he suffered a season-ending injury. On Thursday, Mitchell took advantage of creating a hole on the right side that led to the first Ravens touchdown in the first quarter. Mitchell finished the game with nine carries with a touchdown for 68 yards and also accumulated 21 yards on three kick returns.
Rasheen Ali, who is in his second year, is like Mitchell last year, who also faced injuries just after six games. Thursday evening, especially in the first half, nerves seemed to get the best of him, as shown by the missed chip block that led to the Cooper Rush sack. A first-down drop and then tackled for a 1-yard loss. As the game progressed, Ali broke a 69-yard return, and then on that drive he gained 19 yards, which he scored a touchdown. Unfortunately, Ali was injured during the game, according to Coach Harbaugh.
Currently, both players bring something different to the team; there are two more games to show it.
- Did LaJohntay Wester prove he’s the punt returner the Ravens needed?
Last season, Baltimore went through four punt returners, and it was frustrating to watch due to a genuine lack of consistency. Now, enter LaJohntay Wester, who presents speed and a remarkable ability as a returner even during his time at Colorado. Thursday evening, Wester put on a show running back an 87-yard punt return touchdown. While history has shown for Ravens that sixth-rounders do not make the team, could this be the upgrade Baltimore needs? Wester has a robust chance.
- Unfortunately, Tyler Loop has been put in a Box.
Tyler Loop has a lot of confidence within the Ravens organization, but the Ravens ‘ fans have also put Loop in this box of limited mistakes. Ladies and Gentlemen, the last two seasons, the writing was on the wall for Justin Tucker. It is a new era; the Ravens released John Hoyland the previous week. The reality is, Tyler will make Mistakes, and this is okay as a rookie as he grows. While Loop missed a 46-yarder wide left, which some Ravens fans began panicking, he redeemed himself with a 52-yard field goal. Loop had a great summer, and since Tucker’s release. Loop has been put in a cardboard box without even knowing it.
- Zach Orr is ready for the challenge in Year Two as the Defensive Coordinator.
The Ravens surrendered 16 points to the Colts on 78 plays. The Ravens defensively did a good job. The Colts went six of nineteen on third downs and punted six times. While we did allow 336 total yards, there were some moments. Baltimore allowed only one touchdown. Anthony Richardson felt the wrath of David Ojabo, forcing a couple of turnovers. With a young group of pass rushers, along with linebackers and a secondary that can feed families, Zach Orr has everyone brought in.
- Quarterback depth behind Lamar needs a conversation.
It is preseason, and we are working out the kinks, etc. But Thursday evening, the Ravens’ passing offense accumulated no more than 60 yards… Cooper Rush and Devin Leary led the offense. Both quarterbacks combined completed five passes on 16 attempts, were sacked once, had no touchdowns, two interceptions, and, oh yes, one of the five completions went beyond 10 yards. There were some lapses in the pass protection, but let’s break it down: Leary, with the poor making, lacked decisiveness with most of his snaps, even the redzone turnover. Rush thought it was Madden 2002 when he attempted to throw a jump ball to Dayton Wade, which was an interception.
- The Interior Offensive Line once again is an issue. Please fix it!
The last couple of seasons, I’ve been trying to understand the method to the madness of how the Ravens just haven’t seemed to address or try on their interior offensive line. Emory Jones Jr. and Garrett Dellinger are solid picks and should be developed. Andrews Vorhees looks to be replacing Patrick Mekari, who signed with Jacksonville, and then there is Daniel Faalele, a 2024 Pro Bowl alternate, who has been put in this awkward position. Despite his size, he showed Thursday evening he can get beat by speed to power, and bull rushers. This is something the Ravens must address, or it will come back to bite us down the road.
