Ravens at Giants: A View from the Ebony Bird
By Curt Macysyn
The New York Giants (2-3) take on the Baltimore Ravens (3-2) in a key inter-conference match-up on Sunday. With both teams riding losing streaks, at least one team will leave MetLife Stadium with their season intact. GMEN HQ caught up with our sister site, The Ebony Bird, to get a view from the other side from site co-expert Chris Schisler.
Ebony Bird Q&A
GMEN HQ: The Ravens started out 3-0, did they just lose a couple close games? Or was their start a bit misleading?
Schisler: I think it’s a bit of both. The Ravens could easily be 5-0 right now. However, each game was close. 0-5 could have happened too. The offense has been horrible (and that’s putting it mildly). The Ravens defense has been dominant. Half of this team is carrying the entire workload.
The Ravens beat the Bills 13-7. They then gave Cleveland a 20-2 lead, before realizing they had to play hard to win the game. They squandered a 16-7 lead over the Jaguars, but found a way to win in the end. Even in victory this team has had problems.
The Ravens are a talented team. They’re full of potential at every position. Only one side of the ball is showing that potential. Until that changes, I don’t know what to tell you.
GMEN HQ: How will the offense be different under Marty Morhinweg than it was under Marc Trestman?
Schisler: The Ravens will get back to the run game. Terrance West is going to be the next star running back in football. When Trestman was the play-caller, he kept the backs on a leash. Mornhinweg is going to let the dogs out. The run game helps out a banged up offensive line.
Joe Flacco’s greatest weapon has always been attacking down the field with the play-action pass. Trestman was so pass happy, that nobody bought the play-action. Plus a dink and dunk offense is never going to be Flacco’s style. Mornhinweg was the quarterbacks coach for a reason, he’ll help Flacco out.
GMEN HQ: The Ravens have been known as a strong defensive franchise for a long time. Has that changed? Tell us about one defensive player who operates under the radar.
Schisler: The Ravens have not had a dominant defense since 2011. Now they have one of their best units in franchise history. This defense is playing incredible. They rank third overall in defense. They’ll give up a big play every now and then but nobody sustains long drives against this defense.
Zach Orr is playing great at the inside linebacker spot. With C.J. Mosley missing this game (probably), Orr really needs to continue his stellar play. Orr has been phenomenal. He is aggressive to the ball carrier and great in coverage.
GMEN HQ: Is John Harbaugh’s job in jeopardy with another subpar season? Or does he have enough capital to get by?
Schisler: If the Ravens are under .500 again, it would be hard for owner, Steve Bisciotti. Harbaugh has won a playoff game in six of the past eight seasons. That Super Bowl ring doesn’t hurt his cause either.
If the Ravens go 8-8 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs, I think he’ll keep his job. If this team wastes a great defense and goes 7-9 or worse, it will be very interesting.
GMEN HQ: Tell us one thing you like about this team and one thing that you would change.
Schisler: Well I love the defensive front. Brandon Williams is the best nose guard in football. Timmy Jernigan is having a great year. Lawrence Guy is a dependable defensive end. Brent Urban is a beast. That defensive line is nasty, and that’s a compliment.
The linebackers are playing other worldly. Orr and Mosley are a poor man’s [Luke] Kuechly and [Thomas] Davis. Terrell Suggs is a legend. The young guns are making up for a hampered Elvis Dumervil as well.
The one thing I would change is their need to do everything the hard way. This team gives me a near heart attack every Sunday. They’re undisciplined, they’re their own worst enemy, and they waste chances. Enough is enough with that.
GMEN HQ: Give us a prediction.
Schisler: I want to say the Giants get crushed here, but I know it will be close. My confidence is at an all time low. With six starters pegged as doubtful for this game, give me the Giants 17-14. The defense will give the purple and black a chance. However with three offensive lineman out and our best receiver as well, this could be ugly.