Second look at ravens game...

[firstdayfan]

Just rewatched the first half and let me say that it's not nearly as bad as I thought. Honestly it was just sloppy play. The penalties really slowed down the offense and the only thing that worked against the defense was four straight screen plays and poor footing on the field. Other than that I actually feel that we fared better than last years first preseason game...which says a lot considering the young players. Here are a few observations after watchig the tape:

1) I don't think Derek landri got nearly enough credit for the push he got throughout the game. He was who flushed out bulger on norwoods sack/fumble.

2) Everette brown looked to be a step off in the wrong direction...seemed like he was always there but just out of position enough to not make the play.

3) I thought it was just my eyes the first go around but I think we will all have to get used o clausens ducks...throws the ball very similar to mcnabb. Kind of a spiraling Quaker that could be tough to catch.

4) fiametta did a heck of a lot more than throw that one block that sprung Williams. He had about three other nice ones plus a couple grabs...looks lightyears better than last year.

5) special teams blunders cost the panthers 3 points and gave the ravens 3 points with the long return. A 6 point swing that can't happen for us to e successful this year. We should fire Danny crossman!!! Oh...wait...we did that already.

[Lumps]

Yea I mean we lost but we didn't get our asses kicked too hard. Yay! Optimism! Optimism YAY! WE ARE TEHBEST!!;!11!

[CatMan72]

I agree, 1st team performance was not as bad as I thought on the 2nd watch when the emotion was removed from it.

[Lumps]

we will be fine as you said penalties were a bitch for us along with dropped passes which was a momentum killer.

I still want to see Clausen start a preseason game against 1st teams. Good time to test, its preseason no pressure.

[firstdayfan]

Take away those gross penalties and moores numbers would have been fine...and the defense pressured the qb's all night will playing a very soft coverage scheme. What more can you ask for??? Now all we need is to improve this week against an even better defense and an even better run game. Should be a good test.

[MurkN]

3) I thought it was just my eyes the first go around but I think we will all have to get used o clausens ducks...throws the ball very similar to mcnabb. Kind of a spiraling Quaker that could be tough to catch.

You would think someone who has had a coach since they were 10 years old would know how to throw a spiral. Well who am I to judge his balls.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Generally speaking I dont think preseason is ever really as bad or as good as we perceive. From a team aspect it is very hard to tell.

1. Offenses are purely base vanilla.

Much more difficult to pick up blitzes which can cause a domino effect for the offense. Can't get in rythm and constantly pressured.

2. Coaches are evaluating individuals and lineups so they are more likely to sub here or there to see what works.

Some things to watch and may be foretelling if they continue through all games include

1. Penalties: Not just 1 game but consistent.

2. Dropped Balls

3. Special Teams

4. Long Snapper and FG kicker

Just my 2 cents

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Everything I've read on Clausen praises his arm strength and his ability to throw the football with pace and precision. Those awkward spirals he threw the other night aren't characteristic I don't believe. A soaked football is difficult to grip and certainly weighs much more so I'd be willing to be that had something to do with it. The couple wobbly balls were due to him just having to put everything he had into the pass due to the ball and conditions thus taking away some finesse.

[Wither]

You would think someone who has had a coach since they were 10 years old would know how to throw a spiral. Well who am I to judge his balls.

Yeah, he wasn't doing too good of a job with the throws IMO. They had two slow-motion shots of two different throws and they both looked very unstable.

Again, Fiametta was very impressive.

[Lumps]

clausen has wet wobbly balls

[Wither]

clausen has wet wobbly balls

How would you know?

[Lumps]

How would you know?

Why would you want to know?

[gmonet]

we will be fine as you said penalties were a bitch for us along with dropped passes which was a momentum killer.

I still want to see Clausen start a preseason game against 1st teams. Good time to test, its preseason no pressure.

I have come to see many, many..well many losses due to penalties oft indirecty through incentive losses. Gross, I ignorantly believe, is the major Panther if not the NFL king of Falsies! The guy is great, but I was not feeling the love on Thursday...but I was Yeungling'd and pizzed over the "roll" he was on.

Still, I was thinking Baldymore...newbies up the wazzu...short term starter time..and figgered shee at, a 6-9 point loss is oky doaky with me, if we just doan give 'em the easy QB run in...I was half happy!

[KillerKat]

Mortty Ivy looked terrible on the miss tackle on the PR. Yeah there were others that missed too but he had a direct line to the returner and he wiffed big time.