The first half
It's a good topic if we're talking about the Orioles, but not as much when we're focusing on today's Ravens-Titans game.
Joe Flacco looks more like a rookie today, which was absolutely going to happen. It's not like the kid's been throwing for 400 yards every weekend. He has one interception, and only a review prevented him from having two. Both times, he never saw the defender in front of him. Kyle Boller would have been booed off the field.
The two teams combined for 14 penalties, ruining the flow of the game.
Offensive tackle Adam Terry left the field on a cart with a sprained knee. He's having an X-ray taken as I type this entry.
Matt Stover missed a 45-yard field goal attempt with 14 seconds left in the first half that would have given the Ravens a 6-3 lead.
The Ravens chose to surrender their final timeout with those 14 seconds remaining, rather than allow officials to count off 10 seconds. Then they tried the field goal, which made no sense. Why give the Titans the ball with more time on the clock (they took a knee, so it didn't matter, but still...)
Still no sign of Ray Rice. Even Lorenzo Neal has a carry (for three yards).
Todd Heap has three receptions, and would have gotten a fourth if the play hadn't been blown dead. He needs to become more involved in the offense, no matter how badly the Ravens need the extra blocking on the line (shockingly, they miss Jonathan Ogden on the left side).
The best hit of the day was delivered by Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck on the opening drive of the third quarter, and it came against one of his teammates. Bulluck shoved cornerback Cortland Finnegan, who kept jawing at the Ravens and officials after another late hit. Bulluck apparently heard enough and retaliated. Finnegan went flying backward and was restrained by two Titans.
I'm looking forward to the Ravens wearing their purple jerseys at home. I know white is cooler on a sunny day, but the fans are dressed in purple. The team should match.
The Ravens should go back to the drawing board on that sideline pattern Flacco keeps trying to throw to Mason. It needs work. I wonder if Flacco is staying after practice, as Unitas and Berry used to do.