Stepping into the Great Unknown

Week 1 Preview:

Oh, cruel irony, must the Bengals face Willie Anderson eight days after releasing him? Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has reportedly met with him today about joining the divisional rival and aiding an inexperienced offensive line there. With the off-season retirement of comparable legend, Jonathan Ogden, Willie could provide the same leadership and guidance that Ogden once fulfilled. It’s also safe to say that Big Willie knows our team inside and out and gives Baltimore the ultimate scouting report on us. If I were new Ravens coach John Harbaugh, I would let Willie talk into the headset that communicates signals to the defensive captain’s helmet. He could recognize every formation we line up in and is an expert on our tendencies. The mistake of letting him go could become quickly magnified.

Outside of that dreadful possibility, the Bengals match up well against a banged-up, inexperienced Ravens squad. Rookie Joe Flacco has been anointed their starting quarterback and running back Willis McGahee has been bothered by a knee problem all preseason. Bengal killer Ed Reed has a nerve issue in his shoulder and neck and told a Baltimore radio station that if the injury required surgery, it could be career-threatening. Defensive veterans like Trevor Price, Chris McAllister, Patrick Surtain and even Ray Lewis are all in the twilight of their careers. They have serious concerns at wide receiver and have been searching for a play maker in that department for years. Wide out Mark Clayton has the speed to be that kind of player but came away without a touchdown last season.

Still, there are some players to game plan against in Baltimore. One is Todd Heap. The pro-bowl tight end is the perfect safety-valve for a rookie quarterback. He runs excellent routes, has sure hands and is a legitimate red zone threat. Safeties and linebackers are going to have to play him close and make tackles when he gets the ball.

Another player to think about is rookie running back Ray Rice. Rice from Rutgers is a power runner with decent speed. He’s a nice compliment in the running game and gives Coach Harbaugh some solace if McGahee can’t give it a go Sunday.

On defense, outside linebacker Terrel Suggs is always a handful for Levi Jones. Sometime he beats Jones one-on-one. Other times, his presence alone makes the difference. When he and defensive end Price load up one side in their 3-4 defensive set, it proves difficult for our blocking scheme to pick up the blitz from the opposite side. Safety blitzes are dangerous in those scenarios and the blocking emphasis goes to the running backs and tight ends. It’s essential the Bengals pass protection handle the exotic blitzes the Ravens have worked on all summer. Keep our boy off the turf and intact.

The Ravens have three big d-lineman, Suggs on the outside and Ray Lewis in the middle. If those players are consistently neutralized, our passing attack should have the advantage over an aged, slow secondary, particularly without Ed Reed.

Another concern is our coverage team on kickoffs. Last week against Indy we allowed wide open running lanes and paid for it. Raven return-man Yamon Figurs is too fast to let him build up steam untouched. And the best way to keep a struggling offense in the game is through big special teams play and helpful field position.

I expect Flacco to make the obligatory rookie mistake here and there, and a good defense creates turnovers when that happens. We should blitz him hard early, smack him in his mouth to remind him it’s the NFL, and force him into quick decisions. The wrong thing to do is to drop back into zone and dare him to throw into small holes. Why allow an inexperienced quarterback to feel comfortable dropping back to pass? Get it into his head early that he could get hurt playing this game.

Like the rest of the Bengal world, I’m very anxious to see how Chris Perry can hold up for an entire game. Kenny Watson and DeDe should get a combined 10 to 15 carries to take some of the load off of Perry, but look for the former first-rounder to see close to 20 carries if everything is going as planned. With he and Utecht added to this year’s attack, the intermediate passing plays - especially on third downs - should be less of a concern.

Will Chad be able to take a hit? Will Housh be his normal self after not playing at all in the preseason? Will anyone step up in their places if the star receivers can’t pull it off? Will the Bengals karma worsen with the forceful removal of Willie Anderson? God, I hope not.

We head into ‘08 with more uncertainty than ever under Mean Marv. I don't know if we'll be favored going into Sunday’s game, but I’m still picking us to win.

Bengals 24, Ravens 13

Mojokong - “I only have friends because I’ve killed all my rivals.” - KRS One