Ravens Report Card: 8/2/2018 (Hall of Fame Preseason game)
The Baltimore Ravens opened up the NFL preseason with the special Hall of Fame extra preseason game versus the Chicago Bears. The Ravens beat the Bears 17 to 16. The big story was Lamar Jackson’s debut for the Ravens. For the full recap go here.
Quarterbacks: Robert Griffen III started the game for the Ravens and played very well. RGIII went 7 for 11 with a touchdown and an interception. The interception was not RGIII’s fault as it went through the hands of wide receiver Breshad Perriman.
Josh Woodrum was the most surprising quarterback he was perfect on throws going six for six for 37 yards. Woodrum also had the longest run of the game with a 17 yard run. Woodrum is a guy playing to get on the practice squad.
Jackson played the last part if the game and made some good plays and had a touchdown and an interception. Jackson went four for ten for only 33 yards. Jackson only had a 42.9 quarterback rating and needs to improve his accuracy. I think Jackson did well for his first taste of NFL action. Jackson’s performance was stellar but there were some plays he made he can build upon.
The Quarterbacks had a 68.1 rating combined, which is not good but there was eight sacks allowed and they were all under pressure. The Ravens only had a combined 81 passing yards.
Grade B
Running backs: the Ravens had 113 rushing yards but most if those yards came from the quarterbacks. Gus Edward’s saw the most running attempts for the Ravens and only had 35 yards on ten carries. The Ravens did not give carries to any running back that is expected to be on the roster. Grade D
Wide Receivers: Breshad Perriman caused an interception much like he did several times last season. The Ravens spread the ball around. Tim White was impressive as was Jordon Lasley. No wide receiver really got a chance to shine because so many players got a chance to play. Grade C
Offensive line: By fair the most disappointing position for the Ravens. Depth at offensive line is paper thin. The offensive line allowed eight sacks to mobile quarterbacks is terrible. RGIII and Jackson are two of the most agile quarterbacks in the league but even they did not have a chance to except the sacks. The depth at offensive line is concerning. Grade F
Overall Offense: The offense was held down by poor offensive line play. Grade C
Defensive line: The defensive line started off giving up big plays but made adjustments and had a solid game. The Ravens only gave up 65 rushing yards and forced four sacks . The Ravens have always been deep on the defensive line and this year looks no different. Grade B+
Linebackers: Kamalei Correa stole the show for the Ravens who had three sacks. Correa is looking like someone who wants to steal a starting spot for the Ravens. Correa had an interception as well. Undrafted rookie linebacker Chris Board put himself on the map leading the Ravens with seven tackles. Grade B+
Secondary: The Ravens allowed 211 passing yards which is not impressive. Defensive back Chuck Clark had one of the Ravens two interceptions. The Ravens secondary will be strong this year. Nothing to worry about. Grade C
Overall Defense: The defense was solid, the Ravens are deep on defense and their will be a lot of competition among undrafted rookie free agents to make the roster. A late drive by the Bears is something that has happened way too often the past three years for the Ravens. Grade B
Special Teams: Kaare Vedvik took on kicking and punting duties for the Ravens and was perfect. Vedvik averaged 48.1 yards per punt and hit all the kicks. Grade A
Coaching staff: The coaching staff did a good job getting the Ravens ready for this game. I thought the coaches did a great job sharing the snaps between the quarterbacks. The Ravens have been pretty much injury free this training camp so fair which is something in the past that has been a problem. Grade B+
Overall: The Ravens won the Hall of Fame game, an extra preseason game. This is a great extra game for rookies and second year players. Grade B
