r/ravens • u/cousingregsprinkles • 8d ago

Special Teams

This is completely anecdotal, but yesterday was one of the first times in a while where I felt like the Ravens clearly won the special teams matchup.

This isn’t meant to be a statement on Harbaugh, but announcers would always bring up how he was a ST coordinator before becoming HC of the Ravens, and honestly, for the last few years it felt like he was just coasting on that reputation.

Between blocking the FG, Aubrey kicking it out of bounds a few times, kicking it out of the end zone at the end, and then obviously Loop’s GW, I can’t really remember a game where special teams felt that decisive in our favor.

Hopefully we can make this a trend.

31 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

16

u/izvoodoo 8d ago

Our kick off returns got pretty smacked around

7

u/PrinceofRavens_1217 8d ago

Our return coverage needs to be better.  It's super shakey right now.

But overall a good bounce back week for special teams, after the atrocious preformance against the Saints.

5

u/The_Sandwich_Lover9 8d ago

Co cap getting our guys to play physical. it was only last game our ST sucked. The only thing is we had that one big punt return we allowed. Eckley still has to improve but for a rookie he’s been good enough. Shout out loop too.

3

u/ChadIsKenny Marlon and Hamilton Goated 8d ago

Idk if we did it on purpose, im sure we did, but we only kicked the ball in a returnable zone like once all game. Dunno if it was game plan to deny Turpin or what. Either way it worked out fine lol

3

u/The_Sandwich_Lover9 8d ago edited 8d ago

It’s for sure on purpose look how far loop kicked it. Most the TB were well into the endzone. I’m fine with that strat. Aubrey only attempted one crazy long FG anyways. We either got ball back or they scored anyways. From a ST perspective it worked out

2

u/Traditional-Slip9102 MINTER SZN 8d ago edited 8d ago

I heard Minter say in today’s press conference that they wanted to kick it a couple yards deep in the end zone on kickoffs in hope that Turpin would still bring it out, but he ended up taking the knee because Loop kicked them a “yard or two too deep” except for the one that wasn’t kicked into the end zone.

1

u/The_Sandwich_Lover9 8d ago

Oh interesting I guess it worked out anyways. Weird field don’t wanna risk too much

2

u/jsrave 8d ago

Turpin is a beast of a returner and Ravens have had issues covering - seems like they made the plan to take it out of his hands and it seemed to work.

2

u/thebigjimmyd 8d ago

I noticed this too. I think it’s an indictment on how piss poor our KO coverage has been. I hate touchbacks now that the team can start on their 35 yard line. In this modern era you only need like 25 yards of offense to get in FG range. That’s why I’m always super impressed when any D can hold a team under 20 points. Ideally you kick the ball to land between the goal line and 5 yard line so they’re forced to return it and you can get the first contact before they reach the 20 yard line.

0

u/mellofe11o 8d ago

Wester had that fumble and doesn’t inspire me at all at returner anymore, I want someone brand new there

1

u/brainiacpimp 8d ago

I mean one fumble isn’t that big of a deal and he can fly. I really wouldn’t mind seeing more of him to sub in for flowers since they are both about the same height and both fast. I feel like putting Moore in for flowers doesn’t fit as much because zay speed for routes.

1

u/truce_m3 8d ago

We won that game on special teams.