The Ravens ran 67 scored snaps (excludes accepted penalties which result in no play, kneels, spikes, and special teams plays that result in a run or pass).
Hurst: James regressed from his outstanding start against the Jets. He allowed a QH to Dupree on a delayed blitz (Q2, 3:10). I charged him with 2/3 of the sack when he was bulled then shed by Heyward (Q3, 7:33) to first force Griffin forward into a tight space, then collect the sack with James’ position compromised. He also allowed a full penetration when bulled then shed by Heyward to blow up Edwards’ run for a loss of 1 (Q2, 2:00). The last play might not have gone for a loss under less sloppy conditions, but James lost the edge. Of 7 missed blocks, 3 were losses at the LoS. In addition, he moved to level 2 on a pass play, which went unflagged (Q2, 12:09). Hurst made 2 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and made his only pull. He had a highlight combination on DE Isaiah Buggs then LB Vince Williams in level 2 (Q1, 10:05).
Scoring: 62 plays, 50 blocks, 7 missed, 1/4 pressure, 1.5 QHs, 2/3 sack, 39 points (.63 per play). That’s a D+ after adjustment. His grade includes a subjective adjustment for Dupree (.06), but had I scored the QH as a 2/3 charge (same as a pressure), because Griffin could have unloaded the football in response to the pocket being compromised, he would have finished with a low C.
Bozeman: Bradley had another above average game. He had a partial charge for the PD by Heyward on the final offensive snap for the Ravens (Q4,0:30). Of 10 missed blocks, 5 were losses at the LoS (4 to Heyward and 1 to OLB Anthony Chickillo), 3 were missed pulls (1 slip), and 2 others were L2NB. He had 6 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and connected on 12 of 15 pulls. He delivered a pair of highlight combination blocks, the first of which on Heyward then ILB Devin Bush (Q2, 0:26) left Hill with some easier tackles to break on his powerful 8-yard TD.
Scoring: 67 plays, 56 blocks, 10 missed, 1/2 pressure, 55 points (.82 per play). That’s a B with adjustment. Despite having his lowest raw score of the streak (by .01), it was Bozeman’s 7th consecutive game with a B or better. He has improved significantly as pass blocker beginning with the week 7 game at Seattle:
Through 6 weeks: 430 scored snaps, 13.75 pressures, 1.67 QH, 3.67 sacks
Weeks 7+: 603 scored snaps, 13.5 pressures, 2.33 QH, 0 sacks
Mekari: Patrick had his best game of the season. He had a half share (with Hurst) of the QH when shed/pancaked by Heyward (Q1, 2:47) who used his length effectively to slip Patrick. Heyward again quickly shed and pancaked Mekari for a half penetration (Q3, 13:21) on which TJ Watt (unblocked) forced Edwards’ fumble. He missed 6 blocks, 4 of which were losses at the LoS (1 “shed”, 1 “gave ground”, and 2 “slipped”). He had 1 block in level 2 and was successful on his only pull. He did not register a pancake. His highlight came on Hill’s 18-yard TD run when he blocked Schobert twice in level 2 (Q4, 3:45).
Scoring: 67 plays, 59 blocks, 6 missed, 1/2 pressure, 1/2 QH, 56.5 points (.84 per play). That’s a B with adjustment.
Ehinger: Parker started at RG and struggled in an effort that included 5 snaps at RT. He got a half share of the sack to end the Ravens first drive (Q1, 8:43) when he failed to pick up the stunting OLB Watt. CB Mike Hilton also rushed unblocked on the play. His other full charge was a pressure to NT Javon Hargrave by bull rush (Q2, 0:37). Of his 3 missed blocks, none were losses at the LoS (Slipped, L2NB, PNB). He made 2 blocks in level 2, delivered 1 pancake, and connected on 1 of 2 pulls. His highlight was a combination to tee up Hargrave for Brown then block S Terrell Edmunds in level 2.
Scoring: 43 plays, 37 blocks, 3 missed, 1.25 pressures, ½ sack, 1 false start, 28.5 points (.66 per play). That’s a D with adjustment.
Brown: Orlando continues to play well. He failed to pick up the delayed blitz of ILB Vince Williams, which resulted in a QH (Q4, 10:38). That was a tough charge, since he was forced to abandon a block on DE Tyson Alualu in order to pick up Williams. He was beaten outside by Watt, who blew up Griffin’s run for a loss of 2 (shared penetration) and allowed the Steelers defender to take a heavy punch at the ball (Q2, 3:54). He missed just 1 block (L2NB). Zeus made 3 blocks in level 2 and made 5 pancakes (aided by a wet field). He was not assigned to pull and I did not score him for a highlight.
Scoring: 67 plays, 64 blocks, 1 missed, ½ penetration, 1 QH, 60 points (.90 per play). That’s an A with adjustment.
Powers: Ben finally made his debut and was outstanding. He did not have any negative plays. Among 4 misses, he was driven back by Hargrave (Q2, 10:07) then pancaked on a play where he appeared to be blocking on ice skates. He had 1 other loss at the LoS and 2 L2NBs. He had 2 blocks in level 2 and connected on his only pull. His highlight was a combination to tee up DT Dan McCullers for Mekari then block ILB Bush to the echo of the whistle in level 2 (Q2, 3:54). That last play drew an irate post-play response from Bush, which is always a sign a lineman is doing his job well.
Scoring: 29 plays, 25 blocks, 4 missed, 25 points (.86 per play). That’s an A with adjustment.
It’s dangerous to make big statements based on small sample sizes, but it appears the notion that the deactivation of Powers for the first 15 games was probably not an indictment of his technique, but a desire to have the 6th and 7th linemen minimize positional disruption in the event of an injury. Hurst, Mekari, Ehinger, and Grasu were all activated in prior games as backups with Powers inactive. All can be explained by the need to have a backup tackle or center, positions Powers did not play in the preseason.
Grasu: Hroniss was in for 1 play, a highlight combination on Alualu then Bush (Q4, 11:14).
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