OTL: “Big Boy Football” Coming to The Bank?

We probably saw a little less of Derrick Henry last Thursday than we imagined going into the game.

This year’s big (literally) free-agent signing was thought to be the key to unlocking Baltimore’s defense, as him and Lamar Jackson, along with two dangerous tight ends, would be able to line up every play with the ability to take advantage of a mismatch, no matter how the defense aligned.

Go big and clog the middle? Lamar to the outside. Load up on speed guys to contain Lamar? Henry leaves cleat marks on your chest. And then you have the two tight ends who can line up tight, or detach from the line to create more space.

But after that initial drive, Henry was kind of leashed for the rest of the game. Part of it was because of how the Chiefs were playing. Part was game circumstance. Part was Lamar judging this game to be one that would require a super-human effort from him, and the MVP strapping the offense to his back.

Regardless, Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce sees this week’s match-up as a physical affair where he anticipates a healthy dose of Derrick Henry.

Can Raiders handle ‘big boy football’ Ravens will bring in Week 2?

“Yeah, big boy football,” Pierce said of facing Henry, per RaidersWire. “Strap it up, like I said, hardhat mentality. Grab a cup of Advil from Chris [Cortez] in the training room. It’s going to hurt.”

The thought of the article was that the Raiders had such a difficult time handling former Ravens JK Dobbins and Gus Edwards last week against the Los Angeles Chargers, that this week could see much more of the same.

“Oh, and when Henry isn’t running through guys, Lamar Jackson will run past them or throw over them,” wrote Levi Damien. “This defense better find its run defense, and figure out how to play ‘big boy football’ or this could be a long day in Baltimore.”

Let’s hope it is a very long day. You know, for the Raiders, obviously.

Per an article on si.com, the Raiders have a lot of positive things to say about the Ravens. Star receiver Davante Adams believes Lamar Jackson is truly in a league of his own in one regard.

“Going into my 2021 season, I felt like … broken tackles was the area that I really wanted to focus on and push and make better,” Adams said. “I was literally finding myself watching Lamar Jackson highlights in my locker before the games. Dude changed the game. He’s the best, in my opinion, best ball carrier ever. You know, no matter what position you want to talk about, I don’t think anybody’s as big of a threat to carrying the football.”

It’s an interesting statement, and one that could create a ton of discussion at your local bar. Is Jackson better running the ball than Barry Sanders? Jim Brown? Adrian Peterson? It might be a stretch to suggest that, seeing as how running backs do that one thing and focus the entirety of their efforts on that, but could one put Lamar Jackson in the class of best open-field runners ever?

I don’t think it’s out of the question.

Right guard continues to be a question mark with the Ravens, at least amongst the fan base. Daniel Faalele has been holding down the spot most of the summer and into the start of the season, and a lot of Ravens fans are scratching their heads over why Ben Cleveland is not playing instead. Last year, in limited snaps, Cleveland posted a PFF score of 68.2. Faalele, in just the one start this year, posted a mark of 60.6. Both gigantic linemen scored better in pass protection than in the run game.

Mike Preston addressed this a little in his mailbag column in the Baltimore Sun.

Mike Preston’s Ravens mailbag: Answering questions about Lamar Jackson’s running and more | COMMENTARY

“… believe me, if the Ravens thought Cleveland was better, he would be in the starting lineup,” wrote Preston. “Remember, Cleveland was a third-round draft pick out of Georgia in 2021 and Faalele was a fourth-rounder in 2022.

“Both are big maulers but both have problems with their knee bend and in pass protection. Neither moves well nor makes blocks into the second level. But the Ravens have to play these guys after losing three starters on the offensive line from a year ago and partially because of Jackson’s new contract signed last offseason. People forget that when you pay a quarterback top dollar, it leaves the team with other weaknesses, and it shows up within a year or two.”

One of the big plays in that loss to the Chiefs was a busted coverage where Marlon Humphrey allowed rookie Xavier Worthy to get behind him for an easy touchdown. It appeared right away that Humphrey was handing off Worthy to a safety who wasn’t there, and watching Humphrey’s immediate reaction, it was clear that was the case.

Well, the mystery is apparently solved.

“That [mistake] was on me 100%,” said Hamilton, per the article. “I was supposed to go back to the half, I played the wrong call. It wasn’t on [Defensive Coordinator] Zach Orr. It wasn’t on Marlon [Humphrey] or anybody else. It was on me. If you watch the play, you can probably tell that we’re missing a half safety. I got kind of mixed up. I take the blame for that.”

It’s not the first time a coverage was busted early in the season. Getting that stuff tightened up going forward is imperative, however.

Also of note:

.@DaGorilla4 made it more Likely#NextGenStats powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/qtjo82KJRn

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2024

Today’s Injury Report: pic.twitter.com/GUjAJbwSGj

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2024

Harbs’ practice shirts always have a message pic.twitter.com/AY9GjavWjy

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 11, 2024

Trenton impressing the vets

See more WIRED: https://t.co/CTUirzQSFQ pic.twitter.com/BVxq30mUjL

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 12, 2024

“It’s not about the what you do, it’s about who you do it with.”
Joe D and Jacoby are forever in our hearts.

Watch WIRED https://t.co/CTUirzQSFQ pic.twitter.com/no8PXu9YVh

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 12, 2024

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Source: https://russellstreetreport.com/2024/09/12/out-to-lunch/otl-big-boy-football-coming-to-the-bank/