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We talked a lot about Joe Flacco after his outstanding performance in the first game of the season. However, Flacco is often a topic of conversation, something the Ravens are good at dealing with.
Head Coach John Harbaugh made Monday laugh when asked if he had seen a "different" Flacco this season.
"It's the same Joe Flacco," Harbaugh said. "Nobody has taken charge of his body, he is not a different person, it is the same guy who does his job as well as possible. That's really all there is to it.
Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs has been with Flacco since he was rookie in 2008. Suggs agreed with Harbaugh's assessment that Flacco knows how to handle the ups and downs of his starting quarter .
"We know what Joe is capable of doing," Suggs said after Sunday's game. "We practice with the guy. We know how hard he works. In this league, win, lose or draw, no matter what your level of play, if you lose, you know that the quarter will always take revenge. So, he understands that. We understand that. We must have his back.
Flacco was clearly on pace Sunday, completing 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Only four quarterbacks earned top quarterback odds (ahead of Monday night's game) to 121.7 in Week 1 of Flacco. Whether Flacco looks different or not this season, he works clearly.
Janarion Grant & # 39; s Debut at Returner was not boring
He almost scored a touchdown with a sparkling 51-yard return that allowed Justin Tucker to score on the pitch. But Janarion Grant also smothered a kick and was lucky that the ball went out of bounds afterwards, allowing the Ravens to maintain their position following a frantic race.
As an unmanned rookie who has struggled to form the team, Grant knows that every return is crucial. His aggression helped him find a job. Now he must avoid the turnovers to keep him.
"It was just my technique (on the fumble)," said Grant after the 47-3 win. "I opened my shoulders a little further to the right. If I had stayed square, I would have taken the ball without any problem. You must be aware of it, especially in these conditions. You must protect the ball. This is the first thing.
Grant may not have to face harsher conditions than in today's season. Grant must continue to show he will avoid turnarounds, the kind of mistakes that can change the momentum of a game.
"I thought he had done well, he did not do a good job on the one that obviously bounced off his chest," Harbaugh said. "It's a left-handed drummer who turned the ball over and led it. The ball was slippery, but it was never placed in front of the ball. … It's something he really needs to learn quickly. But other than that, I thought he was doing a very good job. Got North and South, protected football, played a big role for us. I was happy with that.
The Ravens already knew Grant had the ability to play watching his band at Rutgers where he scored eight touchdowns. He again showed this explosiveness on the return of 51-yard shots, when he broke several tackles and put the crowd at the M & T Bank stadium at his feet. Grant was angry, he did not score a touchdown, but it was still an impressive comeback.
"I know I broke a few tackles, but I could not have gone that far without my teammates," Grant said. "Very rewarding. Just show the coaches what I can do with each piece. "
Grant will face another test Thursday night, returning punts in his first road match in the regular season against the Cincinnati Bengals. It did not look like Grant planned to lose his aggression.
"We still have a lot of games ahead," said Grant. "I can not wait to take one home."
Contains Bengals RB Joe Mixon Will be the focal point for the defense of crows
After eliminating LeSean McCoy from the Bills (seven carries, 22 yards), the Ravens will face another defeat on Thursday in Joe Mixon. On Sunday, in the Colts win, Mixon had 17 runs for 95 yards and one touchdown, as well as five passes for 54 yards.
"It reminds you of Le'Veon Bell," said the kidnapper in linebacker C. J. Mosley. "Very physical on the line of scrimmage and he can play in the passing game. He is a global threat. We just have to make sure we do our best to contain it.
Mixon's team-mate, AJ Green, said after the Bengals' 34-23 win he thought Mixon should be in the same category as the Pittsburgh Bell and Los Angeles Rams, Todd Gurley of the Rams from Los Angeles. Does Mosley agree?
"In due course, yes," said Mosley.
The safety of Ravens Tony Jefferson was ready to congratulate Mixon for another reason. Jefferson and Mixon both played college football in Oklahoma.
"We produce some very good baseball players," Jefferson said with a smile. "Shout at Joe. It's really turned into a complete back. He can catch out of the backfield, and he has obviously done a great job in running the rock. "
The challenge of the short week is more physical than mental
The Ravens have little time to prepare for Thursday's game in Cincinnati, but they face a familiar opponent of the AFC North. The quick recovery of their body after Sunday's game will be a priority for the players.
"I think it's more physical, to prepare guys to play," said Harbaugh. "It's a tough sport. It's a physical game. It's really four days and we'll be back there. Getting the good from your body is probably the most difficult thing.
For Ravens and Bengals, this is the opportunity to reach 2-0 less than two weeks into the season and quickly take the lead in North AFC.
"The games keep coming," Harbaugh said. "Not as fast as baseball and basketball, but it's close."
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