Ravens week 1 PC

Disturbed · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

GM Disturbed :

Today was a great victory that came at a costly price for us. We lost starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe for 3 weeks with a torn pectoral muscle. We have all the confindence in the world that young backup Matt Leinart can step in and do a good job for us. Before anyone decides to go out starting a "quarterback controversy", Bledsoe will return to the starting lineup once he is healthy.

Turnovers hurt us in this game as they lead to all 13 of the Bengals points. A interception inside our own 30 yard line was turned into 3 points by thier offense. On the following kick off Chad Morton fumbled the ball at our 20 and gave possession right back to the Bengals. Once again they turned that into 3 points. Finally, they intercepted a Drew Bledsoe pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Offensively I felt we played solid. I was really happy with the way Fred Taylor continued to give us a great effort after starting the game with only 12 yards on his first 10 carries. He went on to finish with 114 yards and carried it 34 times.

The passing game was solid except for the 2 interceptions. Bledsoe did a wonderful job spreading the ball around to all 4 of our very talented receivers. He also connected with running back Fred Taylor on a long 58 yard touchdown pass that showed why we are so excited about having Taylor here.

The defense was amazing. Even though they put up 13 points on us I felt like it was a shut out for our defense. I wasn't sure we had the talent to match up with the Bengals but we stepped up in all phases and each player handled thier defensive assignments. We held a very good running back in Rudi Johnson to only 32 yards. We limited talented quarterback Carson Palmer to 171 yards and 0 touchdowns. Also he completed just over 50% of his passes.

Overall I was surprised at how dominant we were today. The one huge negative I felt was that we had no sacks. I felt we could have gotten more pressure on the quarterback but I will take it if this is the way the defense plays every week.

Any questions?

TheBillster · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

In some comments to the media you were very pessimitic about the season of your team. Now with this nice start into the season can you tell us what are you thinking now of your team, what are your expectations? More optimism or was your "pessimism" just understatement after the many changes your team went through the off-season?

Disturbed · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBillster

In some comments to the media you were very pessimitic about the season of your team. Now with this nice start into the season can you tell us what are you thinking now of your team, what are your expectations? More optimism or was your "pessimism" just understatement after the many changes your team went through the off-season?

I think we went out and played an exceptional game. I don't know if we have the talent to play to this level every game or if we are just over estimating the ability of the Bengal offense. Either way I have to say that I am very pleased with how the defense played today.

These guys will have to play that way every week if we expect to compete.

bfy222 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

What can you say about Fred Taylor's performance today, and the double threat dimension he brings to your offense? Can we expect production like this from him on a weekly basis?

holyjabroni73 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Fred played very well for you today as well as Drew. Do you think your gameplans will change with Matt leading your offense now? Will you approach the other games the same as this one, or will you be running a bit more to take the pressure off of Matt?

Your D played very very well. If your offense holds up you should be one of the favorites when playoffs come around. Are there any positions you might be looking at where you feel you need to possibly make a move for improvement, or is your team set at this time?

titansrule · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Comparing Jamal and Fred...Where do you think one trumps the other?

What did you think of Troy Williamson's first game...?

Short · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Going into the preseason, it wasn't clear which players in your secondary would be playing where. With their good performance in limiting Carson Palmer, is this the way it is going to stay all season, with Lucas and Jones at CB and Coleman and Demps at safety? Or will there be some changes later in the season to get your young guys, specifically Fabian Washington, more playing time?

Disturbed · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by bfy222

What can you say about Fred Taylor's performance today, and the double threat dimension he brings to your offense? Can we expect production like this from him on a weekly basis?

I really hope he can. When we brought him into Baltimore the idea was to use him in more than just the running game.

Taylor was consistant all day after a rough start and allowed us to control the ball and the game. I can't say enough what that will mean to us as the season goes on if it continues.

As far as expecting it week to week, I don't expect to see him carry the ball 30+ plus times but in terms of how we used him, yes thats what you can expect to see this season.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by holyjabroni73

Fred played very well for you today as well as Drew. Do you think your gameplans will change with Matt leading your offense now? Will you approach the other games the same as this one, or will you be running a bit more to take the pressure off of Matt?

Your D played very very well. If your offense holds up you should be one of the favorites when playoffs come around. Are there any positions you might be looking at where you feel you need to possibly make a move for improvement, or is your team set at this time?

Our gameplan will stay the same in that we will try to get balance out of it. We aren't looking to be run dominant or pass dominant. We want balance. In the next few weeks with Leinart at the helm I don't think you will see any kind of change as far as our approach to the game goes.

I don't see us moving any players or looking to acquire. I made some bone head decisions this past offseason that has put our team in a bad cap situation so for now we will be standing firm on what we have.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by titansrule

Comparing Jamal and Fred...Where do you think one trumps the other?

What did you think of Troy Williamson's first game...?

Jamal is a great back. He has unequaled power. They are different style runners. Fred isn't nearly as physical as Jamal.

I do feel like we are a better team in the sense that the team used to rely on Jamal to get the job done or we lost. Now without him we are looking to use everyone in the offense.

Williamson did fine. He fit well into our scheme and was productive. I look for him to continue to be productive. He might not get as many chances as some other receivers because of how we rotate our receivers in and out but when he does get the chance to shine I think he will.
--------------- Madden 2007 Next Gen football ---------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Short

Going into the preseason, it wasn't clear which players in your secondary would be playing where. With their good performance in limiting Carson Palmer, is this the way it is going to stay all season, with Lucas and Jones at CB and Coleman and Demps at safety? Or will there be some changes later in the season to get your young guys, specifically Fabian Washington, more playing time?

Actually Jones didn't start at CB. Scott Starks started and will continue to do so. We like what that young man brings to the game. Jones and Washington will see time in Nickel and Dime situations but for now that is all.

I don't see any changes coming in thier playing time this season unless one of them really steps up thier games. As with Leinart you can see we are patient about letting our young guys develop before we put them into games.

Ghs · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

As a 2 time national champion, if Leinart produces next week will we see a quarterback controversy?

titansrule · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Reporter from the floor jumps in to answer the question:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disturbed

Bledsoe will return to the starting lineup once he is healthy

Ghs · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-2006

Isn't that what starts controversies? He comes back and doesn't perform as well as Leinart was.

Disturbed · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghsstrtkl65

Isn't that what starts controversies? He comes back and doesn't perform as well as Leinart was.

I don't see where there would be any controversy. Bledsoe is our starter. He will be our starter. There will not be any controversy.

David · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006

So, you're saying that even if Leinart comes in and has pro-bowl caliber numbers in the games that he replaces Bledsoe and IS winning games, that you'll pull the hot youngster for an aging QB coming off an injury?

(Gotta love the media. :P)