Tag: todd

Will the Ravens use a double-team to block Raiders’ DE Maxx Crosby?

If the Baltimore Ravens want to avoid a Week 2 upset, they will need to limit the disruption of Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.

Indeed, the Baltimore Ravens have the personnel needed to have offensive success versus the Las Vegas Raiders in week 2. However, with apparent offensive line struggles, the Ravens cannot allow defensive end Maxx Crosby to be disruptive this afternoon.

The Los Angeles Chargers used a heavy ground attack to defeat the Raiders last week, and it makes sense for offensive coordinator Todd Monken to follow suit. Nevertheless, knowing Monken, the Ravens will attempt to sequence intermediate and deep passing plays at a higher frequency than the Chargers. 

Monken better have a plan to keep the pocket from collapsing on quarterback Lamar Jackson, and that might require him to use a double-team to block Maxx Crosby. The Ravens were near the top of the league in sacks allowed last season, and Jackson’s frustration with his revamped offensive line was very evident in week 1.

Ultimately,  the Ravens want to avoid a Week 2 upset. In that case, they’d be wise to double-team Crosby and give running back Derrick Henry as many rushing attempts as possible to weary the Raiders’ defense.

Todd Gurley not a fan of his recent play being labeled ‘vintage’

Georgia football great and LA Rams superstar RB Todd Gurley is not a fan of his play being called “vintage Todd” by his QB Jared Goff.

The Los Angeles Rams have been doing what they should have done for the past year: feeding their all-pro running back.

Todd Gurley’s knee and his lack of playing time has been one of the most talked about head-scratchers since the Rams’ Super Bowl loss to the Patriots where Gurley was basically irrelevant.

This season, Gurley has been used, but significantly less than one would expect from a player of his caliber.

Until recently, that is. The past few weeks, head coach Sean McVay has been feeding his workhorse the rock and letting Gurley get after it. When healthy, there may not be anybody better at carrying the football than the Georgia great.

Last week, in a win over the Seattle Seahawks, Gurley scored a touchdown that featured an absolutely nasty stiff arm.

When referencing Gurley’s recent level of play and when discussing the above stiff arm, Rams quarterback Jared Goff referred to the run as “vintage Todd.”

That did not sit well with Gurley.

“Sounds like I suck and then made a good play,” Gurley said when mentioning the “vintage” label. “Not my first time stiff-arming nobody. Just a regular stiff-arm.”

Also, since Gurley has seen decreased playing time, he has been nothing but cool about it in the media. He would often make remarks noting that it’s a team sport and that the best players play.

From this quote below, I sense he’s done with that.

He knows what he’s capable of and he knows the team benefits when he touches the ball 25 times a game.

“You don’t really have to explain too much,” Gurley said, via Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times. “You see the results over the last couple of years, when you’re running the ball, stuff is going well, stuff is opening up, so it’s like, not too much really to explain.”

For McVay, if he wants any shot at making the playoffs this season, a goal they are close to accomplishing, he knows what needs to be done.

Prepare for big Gurley numbers down the stretch.