By Larry Carney, WMAR-TVTake one game against the Cleveland Browns and call me in the morning. The Browns are exactly what the Ravens need to get its playoff hopes back on track.
The Ravens biggest weakness is their pass defense. The perfect remedy is the Browns passing attack, which is the worst in the NFL.
QB Brady Quinn gets the start. Maybe he learned something on the sidelines since the last Ravens game. Even if he did, is he skilled enough to make plays?
Quinn reminds me of what the Ravens had in Kyle Boller. Physically, Quinn has all the skills to be an NFL Quarterback. But, he’s just missing the intangibles.
Quinn doesn’t feel the pocket collapsing. He feels pressure when it’s not there. He’s too mechanical and slow going through his progression.
The Ravens struggled this year defending the pass. CBs Fabian Washington and Lardarius Webb are both listed as questionable. Washington hurt his thigh last week. Webb has the flu.
Hope Webb can go and Washington can’t. That’s the best case scenario for Baltimore.
Webb stepped up last week, filling in for Washington in Cincinnati. Bengals QB Carson Palmer struggled once Webb came into the game.
On offense, expect the Ravens to hand out a heavy dose of smash mouth football. Cleveland ranks 31st stopping the run.
Ray Rice, Le’Ron McClain and Willis McGahee will run all over the Browns. McGahee will even score tonight. When’s the last time you heard that?
Cleveland fans are expected to protest the game, by not sitting in their seats at kickoff. The Ravens will give them what they want, blowing out Cleveland 34-9.
