Halftime notes as Ravens trail Colts 14-12
We've got a good one here in Baltimore as the Ravens trail the Colts, but only by two, 14-12.
Here are a few quick-hit thoughts on the first 30 minutes of play:
- The Ravens hung with the Colts in the first half and might have even outplayed them, but the difference so far is that Peyton Manning and company have gotten touchdowns while Baltimore has gotten field goals. Joe Flacco and his boys need to do a better job once they get inside the Colts' 30-yard-line, and they need to start coming away with 7's. You can't hang with Manning by only getting field goals.
- On the plus side, Billy Cundiff has gone 4-of-4 on field goals as a Raven, including two kicks that were in the mid-40's. Those were no gimmes. The ex-Cowboy now has tens of thousands of new friends in the Baltimore area.
- Matt Stover had a quiet first half in his return to Baltimore, making both extra point opportunities but not getting a chance to attempt a field goal. I guess that's what happens when Manning is running your offense. Most of his drives end in punts or they end in the end zone.
- After hearing from the coaching staff all week that Paul Kruger was going to have to step up with Terrell Suggs out with a knee injury, we have barely seen the rookie linebacker at all so far today. It's been a lot of Jameel McClain and Dannell Ellerbe rotating in with Tavares Gooden, but little (if any) Kruger.
- Demetrius Williams has been getting his first significant playing time of the season, as he's replaced Mark Clayton a good bit in the first half. Clayton doesn't appear to be injured, as he finished the half and seemed to be moving well, but it's nice to see D.Wil getting a few reps.
- Haloti Ngata has looked good despite the fact that he's still battling an ankle injury. He got a good burst off the ball in the first half, and got good penetration into the Colts' backfield. On one play when the Colts had a fourth-and-one, he got such a good jump off the snap that center Jeff Saturday had to tackle him to the ground, drawing a holding penalty. That penalty forced Indy to punt.
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Categories (click for archive)Dan Kolko | Ravens News |












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