Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco is learning that the game is played at two speeds in the NFL. There is the speed played by sorry defensive teams such as the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals, and then there are fast defensive teams such as the Eagles and Giants.
Flacco hasn't progressed in the past two weeks. It appears the game is moving too fast, and he is trying to get acclimated again. Some of his decisions are in slow motion.
It's either that or he has hit the proverbial rookie wall.
Go with hot hand
According to fullback-halfback Le'Ron McClain, there is no logical reasoning in how offensive coordinator Cam Cameron subs his halfbacks.
But Cameron needed a better feel for the game yesterday. McClain was the hot runner during the first two series of the game, and then he disappeared for the rest of the first half.
Also while we're at this, please use McClain at the goal line. Sometimes Cameron gets too cute instead of playing smash-mouth.
A sign?
McNabb and the Eagles were hit for a delay-of-game penalty on their first possession.
No one asked him what happened, but I bet McNabb didn't know there was a play clock in the game, just like he didn't know an NFL game could end in a tie in overtime.
Isn't that special?
Why is it that when assistants become head coaches, their areas of expertise often become the weakest part of the team?
Billick came to Baltimore as an offensive genius, and the Ravens didn't have much offense in his nine seasons here. Marvin Lewis went to the Bengals as a defensive guru, and Cincinnati has had one of the worst defenses in the league during his tenure.
Harbaugh comes to Baltimore with the reputation as a special teams whiz, and the Ravens struggle, including allowing a 100-yard kickoff return yesterday on which Quintin Demps was never touched.
Psst. Psst. News flash: Steve Hauschka gets more distance on his kickoffs, but Matt Stover is a much better tackler.
Defense steps up
After allowing 207 yards rushing against the Giants last week, the Ravens were on a mission. They held the Eagles to 206 yards of total offense and only 86 rushing yards.
"We needed this," said Ravens defensive tackle Justin Bannan. "That was a pretty good offense we faced. They have lit up a lot of people up."
Listen to Mike Preston every Monday from 4 to 6 pm on Fox Sports (1370 AM).
