Colts Defense vs the Ravens

[Smonroe]

Everyone wants to talk about how good our offense has looked.  The line is playing decently, and Luck has been incredible.

 

But let's talk about the defense.  Even with the last two game, I don't think it's looked much better than average.  It took a few lucky plays, drops, and really poor passes to make the D look so good.

 

I think Davis is playing great.  Toler maybe good, Butler very good, and the D Line and ILBs are good against the run for the most part.

 

But we all know there's no one putting fear in any OT's we've faced.  The LBs have shown they can't cover the TE's very well, and we're not even trying to stop a mobile QB (although that may not be an issue on Sunday).

 

So, how do you think the Ravens will attack the D?  What is their strength?  Can we pressure Flacco?

[TKnight24]

Stop Steve Smith

[Stephen]

Steve smith and torey smith

[PeterBowman]

Freeman being back should help some with the covering the linebackers thingy

[Smonroe]

Stop Steve Smith

 

I didn't watch the Panthers game, but from what I understand, they have a very good defense.  I'm sure that was their plan too.

 

Without knowing the Panthers, I'd say our CBs may be better than theirs, but that may just be homerism.

 

I think our offense can score on anyone, and has this year.  I just don't know if our defense can stop a good team.

[BlueCollarColts]

Going to have to continue to get creative with some LB blitzes to get not only Werner/Walden chances at the QB but also Jackson/Freeman and even Landry/Corner blitzes as well. Would like to see our secondary continue to play well after solid back to back weeks, especially our safeties. I doubt we will have Art Jones back, so we need to stop the run which I think we have done a good job at so far this season, and make Flacco beat us. Should be a good game but I think we should win. 

[TKnight24]

Freeman being back should help some with the covering the linebackers thingy

Eh, Pitta is out for the year so their TE corps took a shot. Clark will still productive I guess.... Is nowhere near the threat he was here in Indy. For once this season, our LB's may actually be able to cover a TE

[BlueCollarColts]

I didn't watch the Panthers game, but from what I understand, they have a very good defense.  I'm sure that was their plan too.

 

Without knowing the Panthers, I'd say our CBs may be better than theirs, but that may just be homerism.

 

I think our offense can score on anyone, and has this year.  I just don't know if our defense can stop a good team.

Our CB's are better than Carolina's. 

[Dark Superman]

At least Pitta is out.

[TKnight24]

I didn't watch the Panthers game, but from what I understand, they have a very good defense. I'm sure that was their plan too.

Without knowing the Panthers, I'd say our CBs may be better than theirs, but that may just be homerism.

I think our offense can score on anyone, and has this year. I just don't know if our defense can stop a good team.

Our CB's are better than Carolina's. But still, it's Smitty. He's gonna eat. The question is do you only let him eat his appetizer, or are you giving him the full course meal?

[Dark Superman]

Eh, Pitta is out for the year so their TE corps took a shot. Clark will still productive I guess.... Is nowhere near the threat he was here in Indy. For once this season, our LB's may actually be able to cover a TE

I thought Clark retired?

[TKnight24]

I thought Clark retired?

I could've sworn I saw him catch a pass vs the Panthers. Might've had a flashback

[Smonroe]

Eh, Pitta is out for the year so their TE corps took a shot. Clark will still productive I guess.... Is nowhere near the threat he was here in Indy. For once this season, our LB's may actually be able to cover a TE

 

Yeah, I don't think Dallas Clark will be a problem.

 

However, I expect Daniels to get lot's of attention (since he's actually on the team).

[Dark Superman]

I could've sworn I saw him catch a pass vs the Panthers. Might've had a flashback

I'm positive he's retired. He wore 87 for them.

[TKnight24]

Yeah, I don't think Dallas Clark will be a problem.

However, I expect Daniels to get lot's of attention (since he's actually on the team).

That's who it was!!! Daniels.

Sorry, I was wrong. Yeah, had a flashback and thought it was Clark

Daniels still isn't exactly a great TE. We should handle him fairly well

[Dark Superman]

I could've sworn I saw him catch a pass vs the Panthers. Might've had a flashback

Were you thinking of their fullback who wears 44 Kyle Juszczyk

[Smash Mouth]

I thought Clark retired?

He did retire.  They have an old nemesis: Owen Daniel.  The key for our defense is getting off the field on 3rd down.  We have seen Kubiak's offense in Houston.  Run the ball, Zone blocking, throw to the TE's, run the ball, throw play action and run the ball. Have to stop the run on early downs.  Manusky then has to get pressure on Flacco and not let him get confident.

[Smonroe]

That's who it was!!! Daniels.

Sorry, I was wrong. Yeah, had a flashback and thought it was Clark

Daniels still isn't exactly a great TE. We should handle him fairly well

 

Yeah, I figured that.  Daniels is a smart vet, but I don't think he has the speed he once had.  Plus, doesn't it seem like he gets hurt every year?

 

Also, (and this may be me having flashbacks) but didn't we have Justin Forsett in for a cup of coffee one preseason a while back? 

[SubZero]

I think our line played fine. Wimbley, Casey, and Klug are really good pass rushers and Luck didn't get sacked.

But the key i think is getting consistent pressure.

[TKnight24]

Were you thinking of their fullback who wears 44 Kyle Juszczyk

I just remember the commentator saying "Dallas Clark" Idk if he was saying the Raven's miss him or what but Clark was mentioned in that broadcast. Idk

[TKnight24]

Yeah, I figured that. Daniels is a smart vet, but I don't think he has the speed he once had. Plus, doesn't it seem like he gets hurt every year?

Also, (and this may be me having flashbacks) but didn't we have Justin Forsett in for a cup of coffee one preseason a while back?

Think we did, not sure. Grigson has made so many moves in his era alone..... I've lost track of Colts moves over the years

[Dark Superman]

I just remember the commentator saying "Dallas Clark" Idk if he was saying the Raven's miss him or what but Clark was mentioned in that broadcast. Idk

I miss him in his prime.

[Superman]

I just remember the commentator saying "Dallas Clark" Idk if he was saying the Raven's miss him or what but Clark was mentioned in that broadcast. Idk

 

Clark retired as a Colt, the team had a whole press event for him.

[TKnight24]

I miss him in his prime.

Man what? I still remember the opening play down in Miami when Peyton threw him a TD for like 80 yards!

[Smonroe]

Think we did, not sure. Grigson has made so many moves in his era alone..... I've lost track of Colts moves over the years

 

Just checked.  We had Forsett back in 08 for a few games.  I think we tried him as a KR. We let him go and he went to Seattle.

 

He's doing pretty well for the Ravens.  I guess he's their starter now until Pierce comes back.

[IndyD4U]

I'm excited to see Toler and Davis shut 'em down

[TKnight24]

Just checked. We had Forsett back in 08 for a few games. I think we tried him as a KR. We let him go and he went to Seattle.

He's doing pretty well for the Ravens. I guess he's their starter now until Pierce comes back.

Yeah, him & Tali-Whats his Face are doing well

So well I cut Peirce from my FF team

[PeterBowman]

Man what? I still remember the opening play down in Miami when Peyton threw him a TD for like 80 yards!

and that ended up being one of the Colts longest possessions that night too lol

[TKnight24]

and that ended up being one of the Colts longest possessions that night too lol

Exactly. Miami killed us with that wildcat. Back when Ronnie Brown was actually relevant

But Peyton came through when it mattered

[chad72]

PIs and Flacco's "throw it up there" philosophy is always an X factor.

 

Kubiak's bootlegs and zone blocking to free up the RBs is something to watch. 

 

Colts' D have to limit receptions by RBs which has been a BIG problem, IMO.

[Smonroe]

Back to the topic.  The Ravens were obviously feeding S. Smith yesterday.  The Panthers apparently were shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers and bad O line play.  Daniels was the second most targeted receiver.

 

I think they'll play exactly as Smash Mouth said earlier in the thread.  Ball control, run the ball, short passes to the TE.

 

But if Flacco gets comfortable with no pass rush from us, they're going to go over the top to the other Smith.

[BOTT]

Not having Mathis is going to start showing up against the better teams

[chad72]

Back to the topic.  The Ravens were obviously feeding S. Smith yesterday.  The Panthers apparently were shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers and bad O line play.  Daniels was the second most targeted receiver.

 

I think they'll play exactly as Smash Mouth said earlier in the thread.  Ball control, run the ball, short passes to the TE.

 

But if Flacco gets comfortable with no pass rush from us, they're going to go over the top to the other Smith.

 

If we give them a short field with turnovers, they will bury us. Their D is potent enough to force the issue, so Luck and the O staying patient without turnovers is key.

 

I would be shocked if we hit 30 vs the Ravens on O. It will be more like a 27-23 kind of game.

[Smonroe]

If we give them a short field with turnovers, they will bury us. Their D is potent enough to force the issue, so Luck and the O staying patient without turnovers is key.

 

I would be shocked if we hit 30 vs the Ravens on O. It will be more like a 27-23 kind of game.

 

I'm going up for the game and I happened to be there the last time they were in Indy.  I think it was the Colts first win at LOS.  We drubbed them.  I'd love to see a repeat of that game, but would be more than happy with your score if we're on the winning side.

[krunk]

I like the fact that we are playing against an offensive system that we have faced twice a year for some years now.  Their system is very familiar because Kubiak used it with the Texans.  The key to that system is the running game, which we are good at stopping other than the Philadelphia game.  I don't really respect who the Ravens have at running back since Ray Rice got suspended.  I wouldn't be surprised if we could stop them with a 7 man front if we play things right.

 

The other key to me is stopping Flacco from hitting us with the deep bomb shots.  I watched the rewind of the Panthers/Ravens and Flacco kept going for the deep ball every single time the Panthers were in man coverage. Especially single high safety.  We've got to contain that stuff!  I don't fear the Ravens tight ends at all.  I think there is something wrong with us if we can't cover Owen Daniels because we've been shutting him down for a while now.  I don't see how it's going to be any different come Sunday.

[chad72]

I'm going up for the game and I happened to be there the last time they were in Indy.  I think it was the Colts first win at LOS.  We drubbed them.  I'd love to see a repeat of that game, but would be more than happy with your score if we're on the winning side.

 

Yeah, me too. A W is a W against a quality opponent, no matter how it comes.

 

After throwing 62 times in their first game that they lost, they have helped Flacco with the run game. So, everything starts with stopping the running/catching prowess of the RBs and Steve Smith. They use Steve Smith all over the field. If he can't beat you deep, he will go across the field after breaking your jam. 

 

Defensively, their safeties in the middle are suspect in pass coverage, so expect Reggie Wayne to have a good game again.

[tfunky14]

I could've sworn I saw him catch a pass vs the Panthers. Might've had a flashback

Clark is retired....

[The Old Crow]

I think the Ravens will play ball control against the Colts. They have a three headed running back corps in Foskett, Tellifaro, and Pierce. They were last in rushing last year, and I think they are around 8th at 134 yards per game. Harbaugh will want to keep Luck off the field so they will try to establish the running game , and then sprinkle passes to Steve Smith and Owen Daniels. If the Colts load the box, Flacco will throw the bomb to Torrey Smith. They also have 6 foot 5 inch Marlon Brown as a receiver , and red zone specialist.

When you are on the road, and have to face Luck, you don't want him beating you with maximum possessions . Flacco generally plays worse on the road in the regular season than he does at M & T Bank Stadium. The playoffs are a different story and he plays well on the road at that time. He had a 137 passer rating against Carolina, but I wouldn't expect that this week. As our secondary is weakened , Joe has to keep our defense off the field.

[The Old Crow]

I like the fact that we are playing against an offensive system that we have faced twice a year for some years now. Their system is very familiar because Kubiak used it with the Texans. The key to that system is the running game, which we are good at stopping other than the Philadelphia game. I don't really respect who the Ravens have at running back since Ray Rice got suspended. I wouldn't be surprised if we could stop them with a 7 man front if we play things right.

The other key to me is stopping Flacco from hitting us with the deep bomb shots. I watched the rewind of the Panthers/Ravens and Flacco kept going for the deep ball every single time the Panthers were in man coverage. Especially single high safety. We've got to contain that stuff! I don't fear the Ravens tight ends at all. I think there is something wrong with us if we can't cover Owen Daniels because we've been shutting him down for a while now. I don't see how it's going to be any different come Sunday.

The Ravens really aren't missing Ray Rice and his 3.1 yards per carry. I think our three RB's are averaging 4.5 yards per carry. The O line is very good , but our LT is Hurst, a great undrafted free agent out of North Carolina. He is filling in for Eugene Monroe, who will probably be out a month. The Ravens helped this kid by lining up tight ends on his side to chip defensive linemen, and blitzing linebackers. Still, no sacks in the last three games.

[ProblChld32]

Stop Steve Smith

Im with you on this one Bro Double Smith make them go to that other guy that's been living in Smith's shadow. Oh and stop the run early. They like to pound the rock to open up that play action.