Miami Dolphins Know Your Enemy: Baltimore Ravens
The year was 2007, week 15 when the Baltimore Ravens traveled to then Dolphins stadium to play a scrappy Miami Dolphins team led by quarterback Cleo Lemon and coached by Cam Cameron. Miami would go on to win that game in overtime and shock coach Brian Billick and the Ravens. After the game, a celebration for the ages took place.
Who can forget then owner H. Wayne Huizenga jumping up and down in the owner’s box on the verge of tears? I was probably on the verge of tears myself as I’m sure many of you were as well. It was a great win indeed. Unfortunately it was our only win that season but that’s neither here nor there. Week 2 of the 2017 preseason is upon us and the Baltimore Ravens once again travel to South Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins. Here is your preview of the Baltimore Ravens in this week’s Know Your Enemy.
Last Match up- 12/4/2016 Ravens Won 38-6
Head to Head- Ravens lead series 8-6 (Includes Preseason)
Offense
Quarterback Joe Flacco is nursing a back injury so he is not expected to play Thursday or in any preseason games. However, he is expected to be ready for week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ryan Mallett started the Ravens first preseason game against the Washington Redskins and didn’t look as good as many Raven fans had hoped. Mallett played the entire first half against the Skins and struggled, going 9 of 18 for 58 yards. The Ravens have flirted with free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick this offseason but have yet to offer him a contract.
If Mallett continues to struggle in preseason, and Raven fans continue to apply pressure (they have started kneeling in the parking lot at Ravens practice) expect Ravens brass to maybe take another look at Kaepernick to back up starter Joe Flacco. Mallett should again get the call as starting quarterback against the Dolphins with Josh Woodrum and newly signed Thaddeus Lewis (yes, former Buffalo Bill Thaddeus Lewis is still in the league) both seeing time at quarterback Thursday night.
The running back position is also a little thin for Baltimore. Kenneth Dixon injured his knee and is out for the season. That leaves Terrance West and Danny Woodhead to carry the load. Woodhead is coming off a torn ACL that cut his 2016 season short. West had 5 touches for 23 yards and a touchdown last week against the Redskins. Also seeing time at running back will be Javorius Allen, Bobby Rainey, and Taquan Mizzell.
Wide receiver may be one of the strengths of this Ravens team. Former Dolphin Mike Wallace lines up opposite Jeremy Maclin as starting receivers, with 3rd year pro Breshad Perriman (who’s been nursing a hamstring injury) also seeing significant time in the offense. All three receivers sat out last week against the Redskins. Michael Campanaro, Chris Moore and Chris Matthews handled the bulk of the receiving duties last week. Miami can probably expect more of the same this week.
The Ravens tight end position has been up in the air this season. Last year’s starter Dennis Pitta is out for the season with a hip injury. The Ravens also lost Crockett Gillmore (knee injury) for the season. Benjamin Watson could become the new starter if he can show that he is fully recovered from the torn Achilles he suffered last preseason. Other tight ends on the roster include Larry Donnell, Maxx Williams and Nick Boyle. It is anybody’s guess who will be the Ravens starting tight end this season.
Finally on the offense, the offensive line for the Ravens has looked a lot like the Dolphins offensive line this preseason. Whoever is healthy gets to play. Left tackle Ronnie Staley hasn’t practiced this week so don’t expect him to play Thursday night. Left guard Alex Lewis is out for the season with a shoulder injury that needs surgery. Lewis’s top backup Nico Siragusa was lost for the season earlier in camp with a knee injury.
Right tackle James Hurst has been moved to left guard, and then left tackle since Stanley has been out. Matt Skura is currently playing left guard and newly signed Austin Howard is playing right tackle. Pro bowl right guard Marshal Yanda is coming off of shoulder surgery he had done in the offseason. At center it looks like four year pro Ryan Jensen will get the call. Basically it’s been a game of musical chairs along the offensive line for the Ravens. Now that I have confused myself (and probably all of you) trying to piece together the Raven offensive line, it’s on to the defense.
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Defense
It always seems as if every year the Ravens have a dominant defense no matter who they have on the field. This year seems no different. The Ravens have high hopes for their defense this year and last week against the Redskins they did not disappoint. The defense held the Skins to just 3 points. The Ravens front 7 looked dominant for the limited time they were on the field. Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is still the captain of the defense, however he is 34 years old and it’s hard to imagine him playing at a high level much longer.
Joining Suggs at outside linebacker is 2nd year pro Matthew Judon who has looked explosive at times. The Ravens drafted outside linebacker Tyus Bowser out of Houston and Tim Williams out of Alabama, however neither rookie has been unable to unseat Judon, or Suggs in the starting lineup. At inside linebacker the Ravens have pro-bowler C.J. Mosley and also 2nd year pro Kamalei Correa.
Brandon Williams, who signed a 5 year, 54 million dollar deal this offseason, anchors the defensive line. Undrafted 2nd year nose tackle Michael Pierce and defensive end Brent Urban (who dominated in limited action last week against the Skins) start alongside Williams for the Ravens. Rookie defensive end Chris Wormley will also see time on defense as well.
In the secondary the Ravens line up Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr at cornerback, with Eric Weddle and former Arizona Cardinal Tony Jefferson also roaming the backfield. The Ravens also drafted former Alabama corner Marlon Humphrey 16th overall in this year’s draft to add some depth to the secondary. This Ravens defense has the potential to be great this season. With all the injuries on offense and also the lack of a top tier running back, the defense is going to have to be great for the Ravens to have any hope of making the playoffs.
Special Teams
All-world kicker Justin Tucker has struggled a little bit in camp this offseason, however special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said he isn’t worried. Tucker did hit a 59 yard field goal last week against the Redskins right before the half. I would say Rosburg has nothing to worry about. At punter the Ravens have 12 year pro Sam Koch.
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