Tag: Daniel Faalele

Giants’ Brian Burns says brutal blindside block by Ravens was just football

New York Giants LB Brian Burns took a brutal blindside block against the Baltimore Ravens but says it’s just the nature of football.

New York Giants edge rusher Brian Burns joined an elite group on Sunday when he sacked Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the first quarter.

It was Burns’ eighth sack of the season, making him the eighth player in NFL history to record 7.5 or more sacks in each of their first six seasons to begin their career.

It didn’t come without a price, however. Burns nearly got taken out shortly after by the Ravens’ massive offensive tackle Daniel Faalele on a blindside hit.

Burns said he was “beat up a bit” after the game but the hit didn’t end his day. The Pro Bowler was able to return a few plays later to finish the game but make no mistake, he got his bell rung.

“Yeah, he lined me up. I was focused on Lamar as he was trying to get outside. And yeah, he kind of just blindsided me,” Burns told reporters.

“I feel like if he wanted to probably hit me harder because I wasn’t looking. But still felt it. Yeah. Football.”

The Giants’ pride took quite a hit as well after they lost their ninth straight game. Burns knows what losing is coming from the Carolina Panthers, who drafted him in the first round back in 2019.

During his five seasons in Carolina, the Panthers never won more than seven games in a season and recorded double-digit losses every year.

“I don’t know,” Burns said when asked what the feeling of the locker room was after the Giants suffered through the 35-14 loss to Baltimore. “It really wasn’t too much talking after this game. Probably get a better feel on Monday.”

Well, Monday is here and things don’t look much better.

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Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Ravens fall to 7-4 as offense sputters in 18-16 loss to Steelers in Week 11

Lamar Jackson will have to wait a few weeks to get that much-needed win over the Steelers after the Ravens sputtered in neutral for most of the afternoon in an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh at Acrisure Stadium.

The NFL’s No. 1 ranked quarterback in QBR, Jackson was 16-33 passing for 207 yards (6.3 avg), one touchdown, one interception, and a 66.1 rating, the lowest of this season.

Jackson had four carries for 46 yards, while Derrick Henry was held to 65 yards (5.0 avg) on 13 carries and one rushing touchdown, tying the single-season franchise record for touchdowns.

Zach Orr’s maligned defense held Pittsburgh to 4-16 on third downs and 303 total yards, but Pittsburgh held the football for 36:22, compared to Baltimore’s 23:38.

The Steelers held the Ravens ‘ top-ranked offense to 329 yards and just 124 yards rushing. Justin Tucker’s two missed field goals will further magnify the two-point loss. On the day, Tucker was 1-3 on field goal attempts, while Steelers kicker Chris Boswell was a perfect 6-6, including a 57-yard field goal.

Baltimore will quickly regroup before a massive Monday night matchup against Jim Harbaugh and the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

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Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Top photos from the Ravens 35-34 win over the Bengals on Thursday Night Football

Underused pass catcher Tylan Wallace had three catches for 115 yards (38.3 avg) and one touchdown, including an 84-yard catch and run that resulted in Lamar Jackson’s longest touchdown pass of his career, as Baltimore held on for a 35-34 win at home on Thursday night. Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase almost spoiled the Purple Rising party, as the former LSU star logged 11 catches on 17 targets for 264 yards (26.4 average) and three touchdowns, with a long of 70 yards for a touchdown.

In another near-perfect performance, Jackson was 25-33 passing for 290 yards (8.8 avg), four touchdowns, zero interceptions, and a 141.4 rating. His AFC North rival, Joe Burrow, did his part for the Bengals, hanging in the pocket as he went 34-56 passing for 428 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions.

The Ravens defense allowed 470 yards, as Cincinnati was 8-16 on third downs.   Baltimore was sloppy on the night, with 11 penalties for 81 yards.

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Injuries to key DBs highlight Ravens’ struggles with pass defense in loss to Browns

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware they could exploit the secondary.

Those who call the NFL a league of parity (not “parody,” OMG! That common malapropism drives me insane) could certainly point to today’s 29-24 win by the Cleveland Browns over the Baltimore Ravens.

Worst beat first in the AFC North division as Baltimore’s five-game win streak ended, as did Cleveland’s five-game losing skid.

Jameis Winston, who many football pundits have declared “washed” for some time, finished 27 of 41 passing for 334 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions while leading the Browns’ offense to heights that had not been seen under their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson this season.

The Ravens entered this game dead last in the league in pass defense, so the Browns were well aware the secondary was a position group that could potentially be exploited.

And things worsened for Baltimore even before a single pass was thrown, as Nate Wiggins (illness), Marlon Humphrey (ankle), and T.J. Tampa (IR) were all ruled out.

More change was still to come in the defensive backs position group, as Marcus Williams was benched for being largely ineffective this season. The Ravens’ pass defense has been a persistent problem this year, but it’s not as bad as it may seem.

Baltimore is so stout against the run that opponents consistently find themselves having to rely on their passing attacks heavily. Also, the Ravens entered the day in first place, with a 5-2 record, and teams with winning records tend to find themselves ahead, and even well ahead, most of the time.

And what do you do when you’re behind, often well behind?  You pretty much have to pass.

So, while today was undoubtedly a shocking surprise defeat, all is not lost.

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Ravens take a step back in shocking 29-24 loss to the Browns in Week 8

Baltimore has a penchant for blowing late fourth-quarter leads, but on Sunday, the Ravens took a step back toward the inconsistent unit that lost two straight to start the season.

In what can only be described as a shocking loss, the Cleveland Browns had their most impactful performance without Deshaun Watson in a 29-24 victory over first-place Baltimore in Week 8.

Lamar Jackson started the game 6-6 passing but finished 23-38 passing, for 289 yards (7.6 avg), two touchdowns, and zero interceptions with a 101.8 rating. Just like Baltimore had their five-game winning streak snapped, star running back Derrick Henry came back to earth, rushing for only 73 yards (6.6 avg) and one touchdown on 11 carries.

After missing two practices during the week with an ankle injury, second-year wideout Zay Flowers posted another 100-yard game, logging seven catches for 115 yards on the afternoon.

Zach Orr’s defense played without two starters at cornerback, and Jameis Winston carved up the Ravens. The former Heisman Trophy winner went 23-38 passing for 334 yards and three touchdowns.

The Browns took the lead when Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland erased weeks of frustration.

Baltimore will now look to regroup with Bo Nix and the upstart Broncos heading to M&T Bank Stadium in Week 9.

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Could the Ravens’ offensive line look completely different against the Cowboys?

Ravens’ offensive line will look different against the Cowboys

During his last press conference of the week, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh did everything but hint at changes coming to the embattled offensive line.

Baltimore has been inconsistent upfront through two games, and last Sunday’s shocking loss to the Raiders saw Maxx Crosby earn AFC Defensive Player of the Week after dominating the Ravens’ revamped offensive front.

“I think it’s still a competition,” he said when asked about any possible changes. “It’s still up in the air for certain spots.

“You probably will see some different guys in different spots. That’s just part of it.”

Roger Rosengarten has looked impressive during his snaps at right tackle, and Patrick Mekari could slide over at right guard for Ben Faalele. The undervalued Ben Cleveland could also be in line for more snaps in the rotation.

Baltimore’s offensive line will certainly need to perform well against a Cowboys defense led by one of the NFL’s best pass rushers, outside linebacker Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.

John Harbaugh on potential offensive line changes: ‘We’re always going to play the best players’

The Ravens gambled on youth this offseason by letting both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson walk in free agency while trading away right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets. This decision looks quite questionable after an 0-2 …

The Ravens gambled on youth this offseason by letting both starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson walk in free agency while trading away right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets.

This decision looks quite questionable after an 0-2 start to the 2024 season, with the most significant issue being a struggling offensive line with three new starters. This has led to questions about whether the team will change the starting lineup, particularly at right guard and right tackle. 2022 third-round pick Daniel Faalele has started both games at right guard to start the year, while versatile veteran Patrick Mekari has handled most duties at right tackle, with rookie second-round pick Roger Rosengarten rotated in on occasions.

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh was asked if he would consider changing the offensive line following the team’s 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.

“Yes, I’m just going to look and try to coach the guys and keep getting better with the guys,” Harbaugh said. “I’ll look at the tape, and we’ll see. We’re always going to play the best players; that’s part of it, if that is what your question is. We’ll always try to do that.”

Ben Cleveland is the obvious replacement at right guard if Harbaugh decides to bench Faalele, while Rosengarten would take over full-time duties at right tackle from Mekari. Cleveland has performed well when given the opportunity in previous seasons, and Rosengarten appears to offer more pass protection than Mekari.

 

 

Ravens vs. Raiders: Top photos from Week 2 matchup at M&T Bank Stadium

The Ravens have gone from a Super Bowl hopeful, to a team searching for answers after a shocking 26-23 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.

The loss dropped Baltimore to 0-2 on the season, while creating more discourse centered on the offensive line, secondary, run-pass ratios, and Lamar Jackson. The disappointing loss also creates something of a hotseat for head coach John Harbaugh with a difficult matchup against the Cowboys looming.

Here are the top photos from Week 2.

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John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

John Harbaugh says Ravens have made a decision on starting offensive line for Week 1

The Ravens are about 24 hours away from trimming their roster down to a 53-man juggernaut. With the season opener at Kansas City closing in, head coach John Harbaugh has an idea about his starting offensive line in this crucial season.

Following Monday’s efficient practice, Harbaugh told the media a decision has been made, although he didn’t reveal.

Andrew Vorhees, the 2023 seventh-round pick out of Southern Cal who spent his entire rookie season on the non-football injury list as he recovered from a torn ACL, will start at left guard.  Daniel Faalele, a 2022 fourth-round pick trying to become this franchise’s Jordan Mailata, will start at right guard.

Veteran Patrick Mekari has split first-team reps with second-round rookie Roger Rosengarten throughout camp. Still, he’s probably better served being the sixth man and a guy who can play four or five positions.

Tyler Linderbaum will start at center, while Ravens rookie seventh-round pick Nick Samac should make the roster as his backup.

Josh Jones, Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, and Tashawn Manning should make the roster and give Baltimore a solid ten-man unit.

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3 big questions for the Ravens coming out of preseason finale

We’re looking at 3 biggest questions or concerns for the Baltimore Ravens coming out of the preseason finale

The Ravens completed their preseason with a 30-7 loss to the Packers on Saturday afternoon. While the coaching staff works to trim the roster down to 53 players, we’re looking at the three biggest questions for a club searching for a Super Bowl berth.

Baltimore had the NFL’s best record in 2023 but could not defeat the Chiefs at home, suffering a 17-10 loss to Kansas City in the AFC Championship game at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens added Derrick Henry to the running back position and have Isaiah likely ascending as one of the top young tight ends in the league.  Even with a stacked roster, there are still questions, and we’re looking at the three most significant concerns coming out of the preseason finale.

1. Ravens’ offensive line depth

Baltimore will will likely roll with a group that includes Ronnie Stanley, Andrew Vorhees, Tyler Linderbaum, Daniel Faalele, Roger Rosengarten, Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland, Josh Jones, Sala Aumavae-Laulu. The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season and then added Derrick Henry during the free-agency frenzy. The team saw Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson depart via free agency, while Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets. Baltimore has the offensive talent to be explosive and dominant, but can the offensive line be physical at the point of attack while giving Lamar Jackson time to be efficient in the passing game?

2. Can Trenton Simpson develop into an All-Pro?

Simpson will replace Patrick Queen at one linebacker spot, and Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr prepared the former Clemson star linebacker.

Simpson played into the third quarter of the preseason finale to get more game reps for the second-year linebacker, and he even came away with a big interception. Simpson doesn’t have to be dominant from Day 1, but he has the athleticism and physicality of a future All-Pro.

3. Can Lamar Jackson achieve postseason success

Lamar Jackson will enter year 7 in the NFL, having never passed for over 4,000 yards in a regular season. Thanks to Derrick Henry’s arrival and Isaiah Likely’s emergence, Jackson will shatter his career-high 3,678 passing yards from 2023. That won’t matter if the Ravens flame out in the postseason. Jackson’s career playoff record is 2-4, and he has a passer rating of 75.7, 1,324 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions in six playoff games. Baltimore hired Todd Monken last off-season to take his talents to the next level while adding more weapons like Derrick Henry to mesh with Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely, Mark Andrews, Rashod Bateman, Keaton Mitchell, Nelson Agholor, and more.