Midseason reports

Sporting News, The, Nov 11, 2002

Baltimore Ravens

www.sportingsnews.com/nfl/teams/ravens

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: With or without ILB Ray Lewis, the defense must continue to carry the team. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan has picked up where predecessor Marvin Lewis left off by emphasizing team speed, pursuit and the need for players to stay on their feet. The defense has played reasonably well, and that's because Nolan was smart enough to maintain Lewis as the focal point of the unit. The offense continues to struggle under coach Brian Billick and coordinator Matt Cavanaugh despite the presence of four first-round draft picks. Every year, the Ravens go through a dumbing-down period and simplify the offense, but it's time Billick and Cavanaugh looked at the design and their staff. Billick is solid at organization and motivation and has a strong competitive spirit. But great coaches know their weaknesses and compensate for them. Billick's weakness is X's and O's, and he needs to find someone who can make up for that.

NEWCOMERS ANALYSIS: Despite having 18 rookies or first-year players, the team has been competitive in most games. The defensive rookies have made the most impact. RE Tony Weaver has played surprisingly well and runs extremely well for a 300-pounder. He'll continue to improve after missing a lot of training camp because of an ankle sprain. S Ed Reed is starting to make big plays and is making the kind of impact the team anticipated.... What's even more impressive is the solid contributions of undrafted rookies, notably NT Ma'ake Kemoeatu and SS Will Demps. Kemoeatu is in the regular rotation and has performed well as a run stopper. Once he learns to pass rush, he could dominate inside. Demps is slow in coverage recognition but is around the ball a lot and likes to hit.

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Ravens played over their heads in the first half, but that likely won't happen in the second. Many rookies hit the wall at about the 12th game, and if that happens, the team will be in trouble. The Ravens must determine the quarterback of the future. Will it be Jeff Blake, who has a strong arm and great mobility? Or will it be Chris Redman, who was solid until sustaining a back injury? Blake can make throws Redman can't, but Redman is younger and still developing.--Mike Preston

MIDSEASON GRADES

QUARTERBACKS      C
RUNNING BACKS     C 
RECEIVERS         C-
OFFENSIVE LINE    C
DEFENSIVE LINE    C-
LINEBACKERS       B
SECONDARY         C-
SPECIAL TEAMS     C-
COACHING          C 
OVERALL GRADE     C

MVP ILB Ray Lewis missed four games (shoulder) but was the NFLS's best players before the injury.

BUST SS Anthony Mitchell lost his starting position and has contributed little in the nickel and dime.

PASSING        Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long

Redman          182      97   53.3   1034     36
Blake            77      43   55.8    527     64

PASSING        TD   Int.   Rating   Sacked

Redman          7      3     76.1       11
Blake           2      4     64.2        7

RUSHING        Att.    Yds.   Avg.   TD

J. Lewis        159     646    4.1    3
Blake            11      47    4.3    1
C. Taylor        11      36    3.3    0

RECEIVING       No.    Yds.   Avg.   TD

Heap             34     365   10.7    4
J. Lewis         33     253    7.7    0
T. Taylor        28     428   15.3    1

SCORING         XPM     XPA    FGM    FGA   Pts.

Stover           14      14     11     13     47

PUNTING         No.    Yds.   Avg.   Blk.

Zastudil         44    1823   41.4      0

KO RETURNS      No.    Yds.   Avg.   TD

Tate             17     356   20.9    0

PUNT RETURNS    No.    Yds.   Avg.   TD

McAlsiter        17     122    7.2    0

SACKS: Boulware 5.0, McCrary 2.0,
Weaver 2.0.

INTERCEPTIONS: Harris 2, R. Lewis 2,
Reed 2.

Buffalo Bills

www.sportingsnews.com/nfl/teams/bills

WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED: The Bills' lethal vertical passing game will be tough to stop the rest of the season. QB Drew Bledsoe, rejuvenated after his trade from the Patriots, is playing the best football of his career, and WRs Eric Moulds and Peerless Price are one of the top tandems in the league. RB Travis Henry has given the offense needed balance. If he overcomes his fumbling problems, Henry should establish himself as an elite back by the end of the season. The defense has shown it can stop one-dimensional offenses, but it gets overmatched when facing more diversified attacks.

NEWCOMERS ANALYSIS: If Bledsoe stays healthy, he could threaten Dan Marino's single-season record for passing yards (5,084).... The Bills added some solid free agents. MLB London Fletcher has been the same sideline-to-sideline playmaker he was with the Rams, DE Chidi Ahanotu has been a sturdy run defender and a surprisingly good pass rusher, and C Trey Teague, a tackle for the Broncos, has helped solidify an improving line.... Rookies RT Mike Williams, WR Josh Reed and SS Coy Wire have been key contributors. Williams brings a physical toughness to the offensive line. Reed has been a reliable complement to Moulds and Price with his strong hands and route running. Wire is a strong tackler with good instincts but must clean up mistakes in pass coverage.