The Baltimore Ravens will hit the road for the first time in 2014 as they visit Dallas for a preseason game against the Cowboys. The running game was in full effect last week against the San Francisco 49ers. They were also able to string together three very solid joint practices with the 49ers. Here are five things to watch in the Ravens vs Cowboys match up this weekend:
1. Can the Running Game Continue to Thrive?
It’s been well documented how the Ravens have adapted to Gary Kubiak’s zone scheme. The NFL got to see how well the rushing attack can work when the Ravens rushed for 237 yards. Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce and Lorenzo Taliaferro all looked solid. Pierce and Taliaferro looked especially at home in the zone scheme. Taliaferro excelled in a similar offense when he was at Coastal Carolina but it was from a spread formation. Pierce is built for the zone scheme and had success with the same offense when he was at Temple.
A large part of the running game’s success will depend on the Ravens offensive line. Offensive line coach, Juan Castillo talked about how the line is coming along. “We have been working really hard in practice. The combinations when you do it like that over and over, the guys get a good for it and the backs get a good feel for where the cuts are. It wasn’t just the numbers when looking at tape. The combination blocks and guys firing off the ball. That’s what we want, guys to come off the football and be physical. We want every group to do that and have some fun.”
Jeremy Zuttah, Kelechi Osemele and Eugene Monroe are athletic linemen. Watch how they come off the ball and make their way to the second level of the defense. Marshall Yanda’s physical nature will also be a factor. When the line and the running backs are in harmony, the cutback lane opens up for the back to make his cut and get up field. Gino Gradkowski is a starting caliber center that will get a lot of time against the Cowboys second unit. Jah Reid and Ryan Jensen are two players to watch on the right side of the second team offensive line.
2. Which Young Wide Receivers Will Standout?
Kubiak spoke about there being a fierce competition for the final spots within the receiver core. “All of our guys are playing well. Kamar [Aiken] and DT [Deonta Thompson] have had an excellent competition going on and then you have the rookie guys in JB [Jeremy Butler] and Jace [Davis]. They all will get plenty of opportunities against the Cowboys.” He continued; “Mike Campanaro is suited for the slot position but he can really run. He can go outside and do the things that we need him to do.”
Kamar AIken has been the standout in camp. He is developing into a solid possession receiver working slants and a variety of underneath routes. He will be one of the first young receivers to get snaps on Saturday because he has been the most consistent young receiver.
Jeremy Butler scored his first touchdown as a pro last week. Butler will get plenty of opportunities to work from the slot position. He’ll be able to use his 6-2 218 pound frame to get position when he runs quick outs and comebacks from the slot.
Deonta Thompson and LaQuan Williams have both been vertical options in practice. Tyrod Taylor has been able to find them on deep passes off of play action. Rookie quarterback Keith Wenning has thrown some perfect drop shots down the field to them in practice. When he is in the game, look for the Ravens to work a more up tempo and rhythmic offense as they utilize his pinpoint accuracy. Kubiak said that they will really take a good look at Wenning so expect to see him take a lot of reps against the Cowboys. That will be a good thing for the young receivers that have established a strong rapport with Wenning.
3. Timmy Jernigan
Jernigan has been a star in camp. The coaching staff has seen exactly what made them feel that Jernigan was a value pick in the second round. He has continued to get pressure against the Ravens offensive line in practice. Dean Pees lit up when asked about Jernigan during a recent presser. “He’s quick, explosive, everything that we saw on film. He was a good draft pick. We really like him. Timmy is out there and I am pleased with where he’s coming. Talking to the San Francisco coaches, he was one of the guys that they said was a good player.”
The Cowboys have a steadily improving offensive line so it will be good seeing Jernigan when he checks in early in the game against the first team. He will play primarily at the three technique which is normally manned by Haloti Ngata. Watch how Jernigan uses his quickness off the ball and strength at the point of contact when he goes against the Cowboys second team offensive line. He will continue to be a standout as he makes a push for a significant role in the defensive line rotation.
4. Tramain Jacobs
Jacobs is one of the undrafted freee agents that the Ravens signed to compete at corner. He has primarily lined up at the left corner spot. Lardarius Webb is not likely to play against that Cowboys and that should bode well for Jacobs because Webb would normally line up at left corner. He will get to work against two of the Cowboys smaller, shifty receivers in Cole Beasley and DeWayne Harris. At 6-3, Devon Street will pose an intriguing match up for Jacobs as well. Tony Romo is expected to play in this game. That will push more second team reps to Brandon Weeden, so don’t be surprised if the Cowboys pass the ball a lot against Jacobs and the Ravens reserve defense. Jacobs will surely get his chance to build on the momentum that he has generated throughout camp.
Jacobs has been a favorite of the coaching staff. Coach Pees in particular, is high on Jacobs. “He’s a really good young talent. The upside on him is great. Usually you can tell if a guy has a ways to go and will get there or you call tell if he will always have a way to go. He’ll get there. He’s a good young football player. I see a lot of promising things from him. He’s going to be a really good player down the road.”
5. C.J. Mosely
Mosely was a standout player in the first preseason game. He was able to make an impact on the defense with his athleticism and instincts. The preseason will give Mosely an opportunity to continue to make the transition to the NFL before the regular season kicks off. This is something that linebackers coach, Don Martindale explained recently. “Preseason games are important. It helps C.J. get caught up to the speed of the game. Look at the first couple of plays against San Francisco. After them, it sunk in and he played well. He got to do what he’s done all training camp but just at a different speed. It seems like he’s been here three years. He catches on so fast. He’s very instinctive.” Martindale continued; “It’s just time. He’s going to be a really good player. He just needs time and more games.”
The Cowboys will use some three receiver packages which will force the Ravens to go to their nickel defense. There may be some opportunities for Mosely to lockup with the slot receiver or the Cowboys very athletic tight end, Gavin Escobar. Watch how Mosely uses his natural ability in coverage. Running backs DeMarco Murray and Joseph Randle both like to bounce runs outside. Be sure to also watch his lateral quickness flash as he works from sideline to sideline to close in on the ball carrier.
Follow on Twitter: @TDavenport_PPI
Email: turron@proplayerinsiders.com
