Matchups: Defense vs Colts

0:00Hi folks, welcome to the episode of Film Study. This is Ken McHusic and it's time for this week's matchups episode for the defense here as I'm joined again this year by Frazier to far my co host Frazier how you doing. I'm doing good Ken, I'd like to be back on for another Raven season. A lot of excitement, a lot of new change. Really one of the true unexpected week ones we've had in recent years on what to look for. Meaning we don't know what's going to happen in a lot of ways because the new coaching right yeah completely agree absolutely well let's jump right into it as you know folks we do to each on the on defense and on offense please look for the offensive pod pod that'll be out tomorrow. But the defense is here today I'm going to start with the Ravens defensive line versus the cults offensive line in the run game now little background first the Ravens really need to contain Jonathan Taylor in this game. The the the the cults top back he's been good after contact to 3.52 yards per carry was fifth the national footballing that's a pf f recording of it. There is a lot of differentiation of definition of what contact means that offense effectively leads you to different yards after contact numbers.

1:18But anyway you look at it Jonathan Taylor is going to be one of the better backs in the league in terms of yards after contact. He was 352 Henry was 359 last year. 68 mistakles forced on 323 carries is 0.19 per carry Henry was only at 0.14 last year was the second worst year of his career the worst in fact since his rookie year. But Taylor a darn good tackle breaker when he's up there in in Terry Henry territory there are a few guys better be John Robinson right now really dominating the NFL and in that category. 4.7 yards per attempt in total for Taylor 1.38 of that is yards before contact with that's high but Henry for example is at 161 to give you a relative size that any any comments on the backs here before go on with what I think the line needs to do. Yeah I think you make really good points about Jonathan Taylor I think he's probably coming in with a chip on his shoulder this year in terms of people aren't putting him in that hierarchy of Derek Henry's sake on Barkley be John Robinson they really I think he's looking to get to that next paycheck and starting off the year what it bang is probably what he's really focused on the beginning of the year so I think the Ravens are going to be keen to that making sure he's not a focal point of the offense.

2:37Yeah definitely a major weapon that the Colts had both in the run in the past games but let's talk about the run game here because that's what this particular element was the Colts led the league in gap runs last year and Taylor in particular big gap runner in terms of usually gap runners the big thing they try and do and this is true of all running backs but it's more true of gap runners they try and get the level to for first contact because they tend to be the better tackle breakers and we've kind of seen that in some of the other numbers. The Ravens need to manage space and maintain their gap discipline in this game they do have a size advantage at the line of scrimmage particularly if they were to put both Jenkins and Jones on the field which would be an interesting option for the Ravens I think in this game to try some one three Jenkins Jones to try and mitigate that gap runs game some it'll be lots of duo blocking in this game I expect to see you know obviously double teams they've got a massive right tackle the Colts do and they have a lot of Quentin Nelson at left guard who's a earth mover as well. The edge defenders certainly need to keep the plays turned to the inside that should be young and Robinson on early downs if we see what we expect to see I think it'll be Mike Green and Hendrixson on a lot of the passing down the

4:02game and I went through last year where he does that and the inside linebackers and Hamilton need to find that first contact in the backfield so that's my summary of that what do you have to say about that. Yeah I really agree with you especially on the inside linebackers I'm looking for real quantum have a real active game. I'm making statement early to let us know that I'm back and really last year was a fluke maybe a little bit by the defensive coordinator and his guidance but under Jesse Menter he wants to make a statement be the leader along with Hamilton who has a funny tidbit is listed as a DB not a safety. Yeah whatever you listen as a high that. Yeah but it's just looks like he's going to be probably playing a lot more in the box probably next to Rauquan on crucial downs this year. Moving on to my next point I have the Ravens linebackers versus the Colts pass attack specifically looking for Trenton Simpson and Rauquan to be able to protect that second and third level throw.

5:07We have had past. I mean I sorry pass defense issues in the previously in terms of getting to the spots or giving up those throws those digs over the middle not being able to be keen on what's behind you and this is a big year for Trenton Simpson until Teddy Buchanan's ready to go 100% he needs to be able to carry his and the load and really going to be. Trying to see if he's going to get caught on the play action fake or is he going to take fall steps are going to get him in trouble in the past game and that's where I'm really focused on. Is there going to be less thinking this year for linebackers and more reading react that we're used to in the Ravens defense. Pretty darn good year honestly for both Trenton and Rauquan in coverage last year Rauquan a lot about seven yards per target playing in the middle of a defense and certainly had some problems and Trenton was good he was under five yards per target last year.

6:11I don't have a requirement not only in that level two level three area but also to take care of Jonathan Taylor the receiver and that's that's very important to make shadowing him. I think Taylor had over 50 targets last year so is they're not shy about using him. You should probably get the ball out four times in this game and that rave is he to be there and ready to stop him. Specifically going to see how they're going to platoon that middle linebacker are they just going to rotate Simpson and Hamilton in that role or could we see Teddy this week on a limited snap count or also can we see. Yeah, we can see that we see he gains get on a rotational basis whether it's on first down or second down. Okay, I've got my predictions on that no higgins at all and I don't think we'll see Buchanan either I think they may just dress three linebackers for the game. They may bring up one from the practice squad so we might see Delica activated for the game potentially but I don't believe that Buchanan's going to play I think he's on the roster because he'll return at some point.

7:19And I don't think he's going to start when it gets back I think it'll be Simpson's job to lose even though we had big hopes for this see for Buchanan taking a step forward this year. She's got a break away she's all alone she's going she's going. Oh no wrong goal kiddo it's chaos out there there's stomachs don't have to be introducing cultural kids probiotics plus electrolytes sugar free more hydrating than water alone from the number one pediatrician recommended brand. Youth soccer is never boring but your kids stomachs should be culturel probiotics this science of a boring gut see website for details. All right, I'll move forward my next one is the Ravens secondary versus the very talented set of Colts receivers. This is a game where I'm not sure if we'll see fixed sides from Humphrey and Wiggins because you have some very specific target types and Alec Pierce has been the leagues premier deep threat the past two years he's at 11.9 yards per target in each of the last two seasons that's phenomenal.

8:23His success rate this is an interesting one to watch his success rate is essentially his catch rate because he is a dot is so deep that every time he makes a catch it's essentially a first down. And obviously that a success. He's a fairly even split of left wide receiver rate wide receiver so you can play that act so you can be over on the right side as well and it may just be a case where they want Wiggins to follow him and kind of try and take away that that deep threat on an island is it be interesting to see if they really think they could do it that way or they have to rotate safety help to do it. But if they could use Wiggins only on Pierce that would obviously be a big advantage Josh downs is primary slot wide receiver he's a tough match up for Hamilton on early downs but he has size limitations to the only about five nine so either rivers or Keon Martin should be able to contest him very well I think in dime and the Ravens always seem to do what they can effectively with Hamilton on early downs playing in that slot position.

9:23Keenan Allen is now 34 years old he's more white or he was more last year with the chargers a right wide receiver than a light what a left wide receiver and he's a better match up for Humphrey honestly so if they this could be a game where they really try and just roll with those guys in that way to the extent that those are the two on the field or two of the three on the field they could do really well with that match up directly and then war on a very straightforward match up for. Hamilton good player but Hamilton is plenty big to cover him when when these flux 12 or a 2 by 2 or even a 3 by 1 wide I think Hamilton is a is an excellent match up for him one of the things I'm a little concerned about is the Colts may go 3 by 1 wide with the with the one being the tight and war and to effectively take Hamilton out of the match up process on the strong side of the field. Which by the way that could be a big advantage for the Colts if they're able to do it if they think they can win like that.

10:30Yeah and I think the receiver are really worried about could potentially be Pierce because of the different lineman that he has across the field whether it's left or right he doesn't really have a certain side so like you said it's going to be hard for either way specifically I want Wiggins on it. Yeah I want Wiggins on Alex Pierce just in terms of the recovery speed that he brings it at table because Pierce can be a burner and then we have of course like you said Josh downs we're going to look for Martin and reverse to be able to step up and that slot role. Do you think we'll see a lot of dime yes this game. I mean it makes all kinds of sense against the team like the Colts for a couple reasons first of all you still pose the threat of war on on third down and you want to you want to be able to use a dime back almost in a man coverage role against war and but also you want to get a a shiftier slot corner out there to take care of Josh downs on some potential for a south throw so yeah I think we'll see I think we'll see absolutely what I expect to be the standard this year which is big nickel on early downs and dime later.

11:43Yeah big nickel up so with that being said my next match up is the Ravens Sim and since her situational pass rush versus the Colts pass protection. Big theme that we had last year and really the years passes getting pass rush not just in general but in the most crucial points in the game something that. Jesse Menter has really emphasized all year is being your best when your best is needed and I think this first game is something we really need to show out of the gate that we can close games close halves close quarters and really. Not have to send the house that we've done with. Martin sorry or wake Martin day yep that we have a make Martin they'll sending the house and getting pressure that way I think Mike McDonald and Jesse Menter has shown us that we can use some pressure in terms of confused in the offensive line and their blocking scheme and sending more than what they have in terms of their slide and I think.

12:53This Colts offensive line is a veteran offensive line so it could be a little troublesome Jonathan Taylor is really good in pass for us well which really builds what blows to his greatness as a running back but really i'm looking for them to. Bring the skies really looking for those corner but says the slot corner but says Hamilton off the edge sending trend on these just fire zone but says and really. Seeing how we can generate more pass rush pressure and putting real onus on the offense to be. Damn near perfect the move the ball downfield Stephanie a good pass blocking line one of the best in the in the NFL that the Colts have one guy is a little bit weak potentially is Jalen Travis a rookie last year I had a pretty damn good season frankly for a rookie. But he's six six seven six eight three forty he may have a lot of trouble with the quickness and the bend of a Mike green on that right side so that's what i'm really hoping is the good match up for the Ravens that they're able to exploit.

13:54Alright always a pleasure talking football with you Frazier will cut it out right here for the defense and we'll come back to the offense tomorrow but tell folks what they can talk football with you online. No you guys can reach me at twitter slash x at f underscore rave eight that's f underscore r a v eight alright other folks out there please send your questions of film study mailbag at gmail dot com if you're listening this on Wednesday please come up come out and join us at the elephant in the room between seven and nine p.m. for a live show on 105 seven the fan we're really looking forward to that doing it with Femi I am the day show. And hopefully you can make it there for phrasier to par this is Ken McEusex and goodbye we'll talk to you next time on match ups.