It is not easy being a Baltimore Ravens fan. Last season the injury bug attacked the defense; this season it switched to the offense where it attacked several players.
After attacking tight end Dennis Pitta and wide receiver Jacoby Jones, it got to running back Ray Rice in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Rice suffered a hip flexor strain in the fourth quarter and is listed as day-to-day.
“That’s the indication, that it’s not anything that’s really serious,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said Monday. “We’d be looking at it if we thought it was. It will just be day-to-day with him.”
Thankfully the Ravens bounced back after their crushing loss to the Denver Broncos in week one to beat the Browns 14-6.
After the game, linebacker Terrell Suggs said it best:
“Feels good to get a win,” he shouted to everyone in the room. “Now people can stop looking at us funny.”
The defense came together, but the offensive woes continued. The win wasn’t pretty, but then again Ravens wins rarely are.
The offense struggled in the first half with just 122 yards; they went 1 for 7 on third downs. Flacco went 22 of 33 for 211 yards and one touchdown. Only two of Flacco’s 22 passes went to tight ends.
After the Browns led 6-0 at halftime, the struggling offense came to life in the second half. Rookie wide receiver Marlon Brown scored a touchdown.
The defense got to Browns quarterback Brandon Weeden who left the game early with a thumb injury. He was sacked five times and hit 12 times.
I’m hopeful for the defense, but I worry about the offense. Flacco is doing his job, but his receivers aren’t.
I like what I see from Marlon Brown. I liked him during the preseason; he brings a new excitement to the field. The Ravens can’t afford to lose more players so I can only hope the injury bug is full and goes away soon.
Zennie Abraham