Entering last night's game, the talk was that the Rams dominated the Raven's in the two practices. Coach Harbaugh described them as ok performance by his team when pressed by media. It was well known that Rams would not use starters except for a couple of guys. In fact, in the Ram's broadcast with Siciliano, Schraeger, and Burleson had tape of the dominant practices to show in response to possible sketchy performance of the Rams back-ups on the field, ready prepared for broadcast.
Not only did Harbs come out with his starters in all phases, he used a fast tempo offense against the Rams defense in the opening series. Not only did this make it hard for the Rams vanilla scheme defense, Wade couldn't change personnel easily....7 points after the extra point.
Flacco and the #1's stayed on the field for another couple of series, and then Flacco was replaced by Jackson(?) with the rest of the 1's still on the field....The scoring continued.
The Raven defense was on the field as well, testing the kids on the Oline (except for Brown), with future HOFer Terrell Suggs beating his man like a rented mule, at times.
Situational football or saving face? I think it was a little of both for the Ravens HC.
Not only did Harbs come out with his starters in all phases, he used a fast tempo offense against the Rams defense in the opening series. Not only did this make it hard for the Rams vanilla scheme defense, Wade couldn't change personnel easily....7 points after the extra point.
Flacco and the #1's stayed on the field for another couple of series, and then Flacco was replaced by Jackson(?) with the rest of the 1's still on the field....The scoring continued.
The Raven defense was on the field as well, testing the kids on the Oline (except for Brown), with future HOFer Terrell Suggs beating his man like a rented mule, at times.
Situational football or saving face? I think it was a little of both for the Ravens HC.
