Despite playing in the league for 14 years, Lewis is still one of the best inside linebackers in the game. On the Panthers' first possession, he was flying around making tackles and bringing energy to the Ravens.
But one thing the Ravens should prevent is having Lewis cover a tight end or running back down the field. He hasn't been effective in that area since 2007. Remember when San Diego exposed him with tight end Antonio Gates that season?
Lewis gave up a 32-yard pass to Panthers tight end Jeff King. He should be used more in blitzes than in pass coverage.
Calm down, rookie
Ravens right offensive tackle Michael Oher was called for illegal procedure on the team's first possession, which hurt because the Ravens went from second-and-goal at the 1 to second-and-goal at the 6.
The Ravens need to calm their prized rookie down. He should have gotten called for the same thing several plays earlier and has been too quick to move before the snap count on other plays in the preseason, but the refs weren't at the top of their game.
By the way, if head coach John Harbaugh is smart, we won't hear about any more phone calls to Matt Stover this week.
He might actually have to make them, and maybe Stover won't answer.
Tight, high
There isn't much you can say about Flacco's 9-yard touchdown pass to Heap in the left corner of the end zone in the first quarter. The pass was tight, high and delivered where only Heap could catch it and two Panthers couldn't.
Surprise start at tackle
The surprise move of the night was Brandon McKinney starting at defensive tackle in place of the injured Kelly Gregg. Last year when Gregg missed the entire season with a knee injury, Justin Bannan started in place of Gregg, and Bannan played extremely well.
Bannan played later in the game Saturday night.
Also, you notice now that Ravens safety Ed Reed doesn't tackle anymore with his shoulder, but just tries to bring down opposing runners or receivers by grabbing them and slinging them to the ground. He appears to be protecting himself from having further neck damage.
Exciting acceleration
The Panthers have two good defensive ends in Tyler Brayton and Julius Peppers, and the Ravens gave them ultimate respect.
There were a lot of plays in the Ravens' passing offense that looked a lot like last year. The Ravens kept in tight ends and running backs to chip on Brayton and Peppers.
Actually, Oher turned in a solid game, but left offensive tackle Jared Gaither struggled. Meanwhile, Rice makes a screen pass look exciting with his acceleration.
A top weapon
Ravens punter Sam Koch is a free agent at the end of this season, but general manager Ozzie Newsome should have re-signed him to a new contract Saturday.
He is one of the top weapons on the team, and easily one of the best punters in the NFL. He's a major key in the team winning the field position game on Sundays.
