Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston answers a selection of reader questions following the Ravens' 37-7 victory over the St. Louis Rams.
Ron: Mike, in your opinion, can Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin, and a healthy Lee Evans develop into a good enough receiving corps to win a Super Bowl?
Mike Preston: Sure they can, Ron. You have great speed on the outside, and great hands working the middle in Boldin. You also have two established veterans in Boldin and Evans working with a rookie in Smith. Also, don't forget those two young tight ends, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta. Dickson has good hands and a lot of speed. He could become a deep threat, joining Evans and Smith. They key, as it appears now, is getting Evans healthy, even though his absence could work out well for Smith, who needs the experience. There is a lot of potential with this receiving group.
Eric: John Harbaugh and the Ravens talk about being a team of class and a team that plays sportsmanlike football. During two of our three games, I have seen our coaching staff act in a way that is very disappointing and unsportsmanlike. Trying to throw and score touchdowns in Games 1 and 3 when the game is over is absolutely playing in an unsportsmanlike manner. If I were calling the plays against the Ravens and they were throwing late in the game when the game is over, I would blitz everyone and take serious shots at Joe Flacco and would not be concerned with possible roughing-the-passer penalties as the game is over. Additionally, I would understand if players happen to run into the kicker during the extra point, which sounds like happened in the Rams game. If you are going to try to run up the score late in the game when the game is out of hand, then you suffer the consequences. Blitzing Sam Bradford and taking shots at him late in the game is also wrong. I have no idea who is making these calls, but it needs to stop or I believe cheap shots against our players and injuries will result. I hope you have the opportunity to ask the coach during a media session. I have coached baseball and basketball at the high school level. Only coaches without class coach this way.
Mike Preston: Eric, I understand your point, and Harbaugh has crossed the line as far as sportsmanship. I understand what he was trying to do against the Chiefs in the preseason, and I had no problem with him sending a message to the Steelers. But there was no need to attempt to run up the score on the Rams. Those kinds of things always come back to haunt a coach later. Harbaugh needs to wise up. As professionals, the best respect always comes from your peers, and his might be slipping.
Greg: Why do Coach Harbaugh and his staff insist on leaving starters in when the game is completely in hand? Is it arrogance or stupidity? If Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis or other starters got hurt when the Ravens were up big in the fourth quarter, that would have been one very hollow win, and playoffs might even be jeopardized. It is a long season, so why not get starters some rest/keep them from a needless injury, and get the backups some experience? Seems kind of obvious, doesn't it? What gives?
Mke Preston: John has tried the use the excuse, at least offensively, of getting his young receivers, running backs and offensive line more playing time together. I thought that was understandable in the preseason and the first two weeks of the season, but that excuse is getting old and tired. It's apparent that Harbaugh just wants to run up the score. He recently talked about how low the percentages were of starters, particularly quarterbacks, getting hurt in those situations, but why even play the percentages? Why risk your entire season by having some irrate defender take a cheap shot at Flacco or Rice? Why have Ngata in the game at that point on some meaningless short yardage situation? After all, he and Terrell Suggs are your best defensive players.
After last season, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti wanted Harbaugh more involved with the offense. General manager Ozzie Newsome called it the "evolution of a coach." We're still seeing it. With age and experience come wisdom. Harbaugh needs to become smarter.
Bob: Is the secondary of the Ravens now the weakest part of the entire team? If that is not the case, what part of the Ravens is now the weakest?
Mike Preston: Bob, I would say the secondary and the offensive line are running neck and neck. But, it's not like the Ravens are the Rams. If given time, both could become strengths by the end of the season. The offensive line needs more time to play together, and the Ravens have some good young players in the secondary in cornerbacks Cary Williams, Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith. I think a lot of teams would like to have the Ravens' problems right now.
Samuel: Why does the offense continue to use Vonta Leach on those screen plays? Ricky Williams looks like the guy for those plays to me.
