Last week Josh Wilson, Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington all came together to make Brandon Marshall appear non-existent in their win versus the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. Again on Thursday they face an acclaimed big-body, big play wide receiver in the form of Roddy White but will the Ravens contain him.
The comparisons between Roddy White and Brandon Marshall are valid. Both receivers are ranked in the league's top ten in receiving yards and receptions. White however surpasses Marshall in both of those categories largely because of the talented quarterback throwing to him.
Atlanta Falcon Matt Ryan, like Joe Flacco, is in his third season as an NFL starter. His gradual career development has raised him to another platform in his career. After eight games, Ryan has thrown 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, led his team to a 6-2 record and become the undoubted leader of the number five offense in the league.
What makes the Falcolns' offense more dangerous, the presence of future NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez in the middle of the field or the lethal play-action pass that has become so effective in Atlanta because running back Michael Turner is running the ball so well?
Gonzalez has caught 37 passes this season and three touchdowns. Tasking Ray Lewis with covering an agile, crafty player like Gonzalez would be foolish considering how poor Lewis has been in covering tight ends this year. Mattison and the defense must decipher a way to quiet Gonzalez because he can still agitate pass defenses difficult at his seasoned age. A surmountable task the Ravens should not have a problem with.
Michael Turner is the cause of concern Thursday night. Contrary to previous seasons, the Ravens have not done a good job of consistently defending productive running attacks. In Miami's first offensive drive, Ronnie Brown was hitting his stride, collecting first downs with runs of 12 and 14 yards. Michael Turner, with 694 rushing yards on the year, can run on even the most formidable run defenses in the league and will give the Ravens defense problems. Once he gets a rhythm going, Matt Ryan will starting faking a handoff in an attempt to freeze cornerback movement and create seperation between his wide receivers and opposing defenders.
This strategy is almost certain to be utilized against the Ravens defense. Hopefully offensive plays of that kind won't hurt the Ravens too much. Washington, Webb and Wilson must be disciplined in their play tomorrow night to prevent Roddy White from getting behind them for big plays and also position themselves to effectively defend the run.
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