September 10th, 2007 8:44 pm
by Pro Set
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
First half thoughts
This first drive has been an absolute disaster for Baltimore thus far. With an illogical starting script of 4 pass plays, and a wasted timeout, things need to sharpen up. The only bright spot is the high catching ability of Ravens WR Demetrius Williams.
The Bengals receivers look like they only need a couple of seconds to get open. That will put serious pressure on the BAL secondary. The BAL pass rush will have to step up.
What a terrible attempted running play from QB McNair to RB McGahee. McNair never even got close to the correct position. It is the responsibility of the QB to put the ball in the basket, so to speak. This one must be on the QB.
The Ravens made a good stop here, but will have to limit turnovers. The missed FG is a lucky break for BAL, and as nice as the missed FG return was, the lateral at the end of the play was an unnecessarily dangerous attempt to force a big play.
Drop back, sack, forced fumble: just an unbelievably poor start for BAL. There is something to be said for 3 carries between the tackles and a deep punt, if necessary. It’s called strategy and patience.
Drop back, good pocket presence, deep corner pattern: touchdown reception to Bengals WR Chad Johnson. CIN finally cashes in on its good fortune and Johnson shows his great speed to fly by the BAL secondary. The deep throw by CIN QB Carson Palmer was just first class football. Missed PAT always takes some gloss off a score.
BAL 0-6 CIN
Ravens finally looking like a semi-professional team, until, wait a minute, another fumble. Lost fumbles on 3 consecutive drives on the road in the division is a hurdle that few teams overcome to win.
I like the CIN emphasis here on moving the chains after the third FR. Eschewing the deep pass, Bengals moved the ball well and ran between the tackles. With Ravens LB Ray Lewis down to one arm, the horse collar penalty was the result. Of course, if BAL continues to turn the ball over, all the Bengals would need to do is run up the middle and kick deep. The suspect CIN FG unit will only be an issue if BAL can hold onto the football.
BAL 0-9 CIN
If the Ravens aren’t fumbling the ball, they’re dropping passes. Ravens WR Mark Clayton simply has to catch that third down pass. I think that the Ravens need to switch to slashing running plays, rather than the slower developing counter-action plays. Good to see TE Heap get involved in the passing game.
Finally the BAL defence can show up in the CIN half. And they respond with a nice stop. I know that people will see it as being too conservative, but I think that the Bengals need to pound away with RB Rudi Johnson. With a 9-0 lead, CIN should tire out the Ravens defence and set up a deep play-action strike to catch out Ravens SS Ed Reed playing the run.
Now BAL has finally settled down. McNair making some clutch third down throws. McGahee running hard over left guard. Williams catching the high pass again. They’re down to the 5 yard line now. Must score possession. And RB Musa Smith obliges over right guard. Despite the utter disaster so far, the score line is manageable. An 88 yard TD drive is exactly what BAL needed.
BAL 7-9 CIN
The Monday Night Football crew is much better for the presence of Ron Jaworski. But Jaws holds the party line and does not embarrass the awful, moralistic, puritanical, Mike Tirico, when Tirico just described the WR Johnson end-around as a ‘reverse’. Anyway, lovely third down reception over the shoulder by WR Johnson to convert. Then another excellent catch and run. Palmer throws the ball superbly. Ravens need to be careful about blitzing. I want to see BAL stop the run on early downs and put the pressure on Palmer. And so they do, forcing the punt. Ravens take over with a touchback.
Quick pass to Heap, then McGahee over right guard is super football. After a penalty, I love the 1st and 20 screen pass call. But the Bengals destroy the 2nd down running play. Again it was a slow developing lead draw. No need for this. Slashing running plays are better. Anyway, nice 3rd down pass to Heap but the air under the ball allowed Bengals FS Dexter Jackson to hit Heap and force the drop.
After a personal foul on the punt return, CIN gets an extra 15 yards and starts just shy of midfield. CIN should try to ensure that this drive (starting with 3 mins and change left in the half) is the final drive. With good receptions by WR Houshmandzedah and WR Johnson, the Bengals reach 1st and 10 at the BAL 28 at the 2 min warning. Two quick short receptions and an injury timeout leads to 3rd and 4 for CIN. An incompletion will allow BAL time for a drive. CIN should have run the ball and killed the half either way. Nice kick by K Scott Graham.
BAL 7-12 CIN
What can BAL do with 63 seconds left? Ravens KR BJ Sams is a stud, in my opinion, and hits the left sideline return past midfield. Ravens should play it carefully and guarantee a FG attempt. And they do! Great call Billick to run with Smith and get inside the 30 of CIN. After the good pass and catch, the spike kills the clock at 21 ticks left. Nice throw to the right front pylon, unlucky to get such good coverage. Must kick FG for Ravens K Matt Stover. Kick is up and good. Great job Ravens. In the worst first quarter effort I’ve seen for ages, BAL trails by only 2 pts.
BAL 10-12 CIN Halftime
Posted in Mike Tirico, Steve McNair, Ron Jaworski, Chad Johnson, Willis McGahee, Carson Palmer, Monday Night Football, Analysis, Game, ESPN, NFL on television, NFL Players, NFL | No Comments »