Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston will reply followers’ questions all through the Ravens season. Coming off Baltimore’s 38-6 win in Week 7 towards the Detroit Lions, loads of questions stay heading right into a Week 8 matchup towards the Arizona Cardinals.
Here’s Preston’s take:
(Editor’s notice: Questions have been edited for size and readability.)
With the commerce deadline looming, is there a selected participant/place that you just assume the Ravens ought to pursue to strengthen the roster? — Paul in Orlando
The Ravens are in the identical form as a number of groups. They may use some assist in many areas, together with working again, offensive line and out of doors linebacker. That may change in per week or two, however proper now the Ravens are 5-2 and there don’t appear to be any massive names on the market who would have a major affect akin to center linebacker Roquan Smith did final 12 months when he was acquired from the Chicago Bears. Except Tennessee Titans working again Derrick Henry. Can you think about that man within the Ravens’ backfield?
It could be wishful considering proper now, however you by no means know which participant could be out there. You have a look at a few of the older gamers on the Ravens’ roster akin to exterior linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy and huge receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and wonder if they’ll maintain up for your entire season.
Why do you assume the Ravens offense has been so inconsistent, notably within the second half of video games? — Andy in Hagerstown
I believe you may have a look at halftime changes and the dearth of a killer intuition. The Ravens have had massive leads in a number of video games this season, so the emphasis isn’t on making adjustments however seeing what the opposing staff does to gradual them down. I’m undecided there was that sort of preparation, regardless that the Ravens completed robust towards Detroit final week.
Even when doing effectively, coordinators have to plan for adjustments by the opposition and determine what their counter will likely be. Some have mentioned the Ravens have been conservative on offense within the second half, however that’s not true. They’ve made errors and been inconsistent, particularly passing the ball. They’ll want to enhance in these areas in the event that they need to advance deep into the postseason.
If Marlon Humphrey is taken into account a “lockdown” cornerback, why is it that opposing groups are recurrently throwing to the receiver he’s overlaying? — Jan
I’ve by no means thought-about Humphrey a lockdown or shutdown nook. I believe he’s an excellent participant and competes extraordinarily onerous, however there aren’t very many shutdown corners within the NFL much like Deion Sanders or Darrelle Revis. Once a staff finds one, they don’t allow them to depart.
Do you assume the performances by the working backs on Sunday put an finish to potential commerce rumors? Both Justice Hill and Gus Edwards had rushes of 20-plus yards; is the working recreation’s potential extra reliant upon the dominance of the offensive Line than who the working again is? — Seth Goldstein
Nope. There is at all times a necessity for working backs as a result of they’re so liable to harm, however I don’t see the Ravens making a commerce until they’ll improve what they have already got. Both Hill and Edwards are restricted; Edwards is nice at working inside and Hill has the velocity and burst to get exterior and in addition turn out to be a weapon within the passing recreation on third down. The Ravens, although, would love a extra full again who can do all of these issues, and that was speculated to be J.Okay. Dobbins’ function this season earlier than he tore his Achilles tendon in Week 1. At this level, the Ravens will likely be open to a commerce pending the price and whether or not it will be a major improve for your entire offense, not simply the working recreation.
The approach Patrick Queen, Geno Stone and Justin Madubuike have been enjoying to this point this season, have all of them priced themselves out of coming again for the Ravens subsequent season? Or do you see a state of affairs the place at the very least 2 of the three return? — Paul in Orlando
I mentioned earlier than the season began that Queen was going to have a giant 12 months as a result of he has a complementary participant at center linebacker in Smith and is coming into the ultimate 12 months of his rookie contract. If I have been Queen, I might check the open market as a result of his velocity and expertise make him enticing. The similar will be mentioned for Madubuike, who has improved every of his 4 seasons. His quickness and penetration permit him to disrupt the working recreation, however he has additionally turn out to be a drive as a cross rusher. He hasn’t maxed out his potential but.
It will likely be onerous for the Ravens to re-sign each, particularly since they signed Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract extension towards the top of final season. As for Stone, he’s had an distinctive first half of the season. He is an especially clever participant who depends extra on consciousness than athleticism and is prepared to profit from each alternative. It all is determined by the Ravens’ wage cap scenario and bids from different groups, however all three have earned themselves a giant payday.
With each Smith and quarterback Lamar Jackson beneath massive contracts, the Ravens may need hassle re-signing any of these gamers, with the potential exception of Stone.
Have a query for Mike Preston? Email sports [email protected] with “Ravens mailbag” within the topic line and it may very well be answered in The Baltimore Sun.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com