RAVENS VS VIKINGS - MY POSTGAME THOUGHTS!

In two games, Jesse Mentor's preseason defense has given up a total of 10 points. And I know some of y'all might be thinking, "Ah, it's just preseason. It's no big deal." Well, to me, it is because when you look at this defense that has been full of backups, depth guys, first, second, maybe some thirdyear players as well. You could think, "Oh man, they're going to be sloppy. They're going to be missing a bunch of tackles. They're going to be having a lot of blown coverages." [snorts] But no, it has not been a lot of any of that stuff. They have been tackling well. They've been flying to the ball. Like you would think the way that this preseason defense has been playing, it's looking like they're in like week five or six or something like that. They are really getting things. They're really understanding it and they are really just having a full comprehension of exactly what Jesse Mentor wants them to do. The way he's been dialing up pressures. Like last week we thought it was bad. This week it got even worse. Like Jesse Mentor is still a bully. He's still a mad man and he's just straight up not nice at all. But that's what we want in our head coach. We need him to be nasty with it. So, shout out to Jesse Mentor. Shout out to way the way he has this team just rolling and things are going smoothly. This week there were a little more penalties than there were last week, but overall things are still looking very crisp. Let's get into it. But I'm here to share my postgame thoughts from the game that we watched between the Baltimore Ravens and the Minnesota Vikings where the Ravens came out victorious 13-3 in week two of the preeason. And we'll start with the defense cuz again they were flying. Even if there would be some times when because there were some plays where some guys were a lot more open than they were last week. But even if somebody was open, they weren't open for very very long. And you saw the Ravens defense swarm. The pressures in this game. They were pressuring the quarterbacks like crazy. I I I even remember like the the pressure is what ended up getting them to not give up a touchdown in this game because if you recall Walters who had a rough couple of plays throughout this game, but then he came through at the very end with that interception, but Walters had given up. Oh, it was a big play. JJ McCarthy faced pressure, but he was able to elude it. Threw that ball downfield and Walters was one-on-one with the receiver. The receiver made an amazing catch, amazing play. Vikings had great field position. They were so close to getting a touchdown. I was for sure that they were going to get it, but Ravens defense got a stop on first. I'm like, "Okay, cool." They got a stop on second. I'm like, "Okay, cool." Then third down, they got another stop. I'm like, "All right, okay, cool. What these Vikings about to do?" Of course they're going to go for it preseason, right? They right on the goal line. Why not? JJ McCarthy dropped back. And initially when I saw the him throw that pass, I'm like, whoa, he he sailed it way too high. Why why would he do that? But it was brought to my attention that because of pressure, somebody was in his face that caused him to throw the ball a lot higher than he wanted to. So Ravens got a nice goal line stop. So this like this defense, man, this defense and this has not been a bend but don't break defense cuz they really ain't been bending too much. Um so that that play that they gave up that deep ball that was like an anomaly so far uh this preseason cuz they ain't really give up nothing deep like that in week one. and and this week two game against the Vikings. I think that was really the that was probably the longest completion for the Vikings all game long. Really the longest play in general. But other than that, the the Ravens, they were all over the Vikings quarterbacks. Um looking at the the the sack numbers cuz I know the sack they what we get like four sacks, something like that. Let me let me look for it. We got Oh, excuse me. My apologies. We got five sacks. five of them. Uh, one of them was Keandre Jackson where Jesse Mint again, he he he dialed up pressure and with the sack that Keandre Jackson got. Um, he he obviously got the sack. But what was crazy about it was that if he didn't get it, somebody else was going to get it because there were two other Ravens that were right in the quarterback's face. Uh, and then we look at uh, Burke, Ethan Burke. That man has been going crazy with it. the sack that he got, he literally took the right tackle. He said, "All right, you know what? Come along for the ride with me, will you? I need a buddy." So, he escorted THAT RIGHT TACKLE ALL the way back to the quarterback. Then he said, "All right, your exit's here." And pushed that right tackle to the side, brought down a quarterback, and I think he al a pass deflection too on another play. So, shout out to him. Um, oh, Chandler Rivers, I forgot they they sent him on a blitz, too. Jesse man, this man say preeason or not, I don't care that it's preseason, I'm sending everybody. Everybody's going to get there. So, somebody eventually get to that quarterback, they're going to mess something up. It It has been so nice to just watch this defense. Oh, and Mike Green on his sack. I I got to look at them to just cuz I We got so many sacks, I forgot about it. I thought we had four, we got five. Um, but Mike Green on his sack to where did he beat the right tackle or the left tackle? I forget what it was, but it looked like the quarterback was getting ready to throw that ball. Looked like the quarterback was not getting ready to get sacked, but Mike Green said, "Yeah, no, I'm going to go ahead and bring you down right now." So, that was nice to see. And then, oh, Rashad and Benny, he had got a sack, too. So just the production in the pre and I know it's preseason but still is so encouraging to when you think about players that do have a lot more experience, players that are a lot more I don't want to say they better than a lot of the guys that were out there playing in this game, but players with more of a resume. It it makes us that much more excited for when we do see the starters out there in this system and again for yet another week and I have to keep highlighting this because it's so important. These are rookies, secondyear players, first years, some third year play but guys with not much experience and there's nobody looking around like hey what am I supposed to do? Hey where do I need to get lined up? I don't I don't know where to go. Nobody's been looking around like that. And this is a first year head coach. This is a brand new defense. It's a brand new offense. But you don't got players looking around looking lost. And that says a lot, especially cuz again, these are young, young, young young guys out there on that field right now. So, the fact that things have been going as smoothly as they have been, that says a whole lot about this coaching staff and just the way that they've been teaching uh these players the system. So that that has been such a beautiful thing. Um the tackling in this game, they did miss a couple tackles here and there, but overall the tackling it was pretty good. Just like last week, the tackling was good. Uh the Ravens were literally swarming. If somebody had the ball, the Ravens would be swarming to them. They forced a fumble. uh one where oh I forgot who had wrapped up the ball carrier first but then Jay Higgins came over and then they end up forcing a fumble so that was a nice turnover. We talked about the interception that Walters got that was another turnover. So this like that's what we want to see this Ravens defense forcing turnovers. They're like hey like I know we talked about it all offseason especially since we hired Jesse Mtor and whatnot. We know the Ravens, they wanted to get that old thing back when it came to their defense, but from everything that we've seen so far, it really seems like it's getting ready to happen. So, this defense, they they they were lighting stuff up. Uh just looking at the total yards for the Vikings, um they had, let's see, they had 299 total yards. They actually they got more first downs, more total yards than more total plays than the Ravens. They got more all of that. So you would think if a team is getting more yards, more plays, all that, oh, they got to have more points, right? No, not at all. Not today. So that's that's crazy. But that's amazing by the Ravens. Like they really held it down. So I I hadn't even realized that. So again, shout out to this Ravens defense for making that happen. And shout out to Jesse Mentor. Shout out to Anthony Weaver as well, our official defensive coordinator. Um this this is going to be special. They they really setting this thing up to be so special and and such a big turnaround from what our defense was before. This video is sponsored by Courtyard. Now, if you've never heard of Courtyard before, it's an online marketplace where you can collect, sell, buy, and rip packs of graded sports cards right from your phone. Courtyard has over 1 million collectors, and every card is PSA, CGC, or BGS graded and vaulted. Plus, you can see the real-time odds before you rip. And if you end up pulling a card that you don't want, they even have an instant buyback option. Head over to Courtyard and use my code HMA at checkout for 15% off. The links are down below in the description, but again, use my code at courtyard hmma for 15% off at checkout. And don't forget to tell them that I sent you. Ravens offense in this game. We got to have some conversations because look, [sighs] undrafted rookie free agent out of Yukon, Joe Faniano, man, he just he looks the part. He really does. And I know Tyler Huntley is going to be QB2. The contract gives him that QB2 spot. The experience gives him that QB2 spot. But if it was just strictly based off of these preseason games that we've watched, then Joe Feniano would honestly be QB2. And y'all know I love Tyler Hunt, especially with him being a Florida Raven, too. You know, I'm biased to my Florida Ravens, but Joe Faniano has been doing everything the right way in so many different ways. Joe Faniano, he ain't afraid to push that ball downfield. Joe Faniano, even when pressure is in his face, he makes the quick decision and he makes the right decision. It's so crazy to see. Like there was a play where uh it was third and goal and I think the Ravens were like maybe on the 10 yard line cuz there had been some penalties and whatnot so they got backed up. But anyway, it was third and goal. So Joe Fiano snapped the ball. Vikings sent it. Like Brian, he sent it. Pressure was in Faniano's face right away. Hot Reed. Dayton Wade goes up and get it. Beautiful completion. Cuz when the play was live, I was thinking, "Oh, uh-oh. That ain't looking." Nope. Joe Fiano said no. Quick decision, smart decision, accurate decision. There was another play where he threw the ball. I think it was to to Quest and it was like in between like three defenders. This is a crazy catch, but a crazy throw too by Joe Fenan. It man and it's and like I said, I I know Tyler Huntley is going to be QB2 [sighs] and this is a tough part of the preseason cuz you fall in love with these players and you're like, man, we got to find a way to keep him. If we don't keep him, somebody else going to get and with Joe Feniano, I don't think Ravens are going to keep three quarterbacks on the roster. I think they're going to keep somebody on the practice squad and then have that person as QB3. Um, but oh, see now I forgot the rule. So, real quick, remind me if for QB3, do they have to be on the active roster and just be inactive but be like that emergency quarterback or can they be on the practice squad? I I forgot the rule with that. Um, cuz I was going to say if they can do that and they and a QB3 be on a practice squad then yeah, they will carry two QBs. But if they have to be on the active roster, ooh, that would be a little bit different right there. Um, but yeah, let let me know in the comments section how that goes cuz I forgot. But anyway, [snorts] looking at the numbers, Joe Feniano went 15 out of 20, 123 yards, one touchdown. Oh, and a nice nice touchdown to Leonte Wester. And see, I appreciated that because he kept giving him opportunities. The first pass to Leonte Wester, he threw it to him. Leonte Wester dropped it. Second pass he threw to Leonte Wester, he set him up. That was a hospital ball. So, o man. Uh, Leonte Wesley got whacked, but I think on that play he I'm not sure if he caught it or not, but there was a rough in the pass, so Ravens ended up getting a first down. But then the third time was the charm and he found Leonte West on the left side of the field and Lejante West got some yak and got the touchdown. It It was just beautiful, man. And it was nice to see Leonte Wester get to celebrate in the end zone. We look forward to him getting some good endzone celebrations on some nice punt returns. going to get some kicker return for touchdown too. Cool. But we're looking forward to it. So that that was just nice from him. And again, Joe Feniano, he he looks poised. He looks comfortable. Uh he does not seem to get rattled easy. Again, this is an undrafted rookie free agent quarterback. He ain't got no NFL experience. He looks like he does, [snorts] but he don't. And he was just out there just he just look good, man. He looked good. Sometime he was taking what the defense was giving him. some thought he was taking it from the defense like this man he he really looked upon me man so I'm I'm interested to see how the Ravens do this with Joe Feniano again I know they're not going to make him QB2 I I again if it was if it was not based off of money and even if it was based a bit on experience but if it was not based if money ain't have anything to do with it then I think he could he could push forward it possibly but it's obviously based on money and based on experience, too. So, we'll see. Um, Huntley's numbers are five for eight for 63 yards. Uh, and Austin Reed, he he just got in at the very end where they were just running the ball anyway, closing it out. So, um, it's it's I I I just I don't think he's right now has a shot at QB3 simply because of how well Joe Feniano has been playing. Um, as far as running the ball, Jonathan Ward, he got a whole lot of carries this game. Um, well, not a whole lot, he got 10, but he was out there a lot. Uh, and with him, he reminded a lot of people of Gus Edwards. A lot of Ravens fans in the chat while we were live streaming, they were missing Gus Edwards, uh, because they saw that 35 and just how tough and how hard he was running. Um, it just brought back some nice memories. Now, we know with him, uh, he he's not going to make the roster. Uh, because again, Ravens got four running backs that they're keeping. They said Adam Randall, he was dealing with some things, dealing some So, he got some type of injury that he's dealing with. Hopefully, ain't nothing crazy. That's what Jesse M was saying after the game, but that's why he didn't play in the game. But, Ravens have Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, uh, Adam Randall, Rasha Ali. So, that four that's four running backs. So, any of the other running backs, they nine times out of 10 not going to make the roster. Uh but it's important to put on a good showing anyway. Uh Taliva, he didn't get many carries. He was not really involved much in this game in the run game. Uh and neither was Dante McMillan. Um so and Ravens really couldn't really run the ball well anyway uh in this game. So they weren't really breaking off any big runs. The longest run that the Ravens had uh was eight yards and that was by Joe Faniano. And that was when they were like kind of backed up uh in their own end zone and Joe Fiano got pressure, but he he just ran out. He almost got the first. He came close, but he ain't quite get it. Uh receiving Josh Quz, three receptions for 46 yards. Uh nobody really went crazy in the receiving game. Like technically Leonte Wesson got five catches, but it were five catches for 24 yards. So we didn't get any like explosive plays that too many explosive plays down the field. did get the one to to Tez Walker and that was from was that from Tyler Huntley or from Joe Feniano? I think it was from Joe Feniano. Um, you know what? I can actually check cuz Joe No, I can't check. Um, but I'm pretty sure it was from Joe Feniano, but hey, I I could be wrong. Um, [snorts] but he so that that that was nice from Tails Walker because he he always get involved in preseason. It's just a matter of are they going to have him do that in the regular season, too. So, that's going to be interesting to see. Uh Jacobe Lane, who obviously got a lot of eyes on him. He had one catch for nine yards. Uh he wasn't really involved in this game much at all. Uh Elijah Sat, he had that one catch toward the very end of the game where he caught it and broke and tried to turn up field, but he ended up going out of bounds. Um so yeah, the the passing game was nobody was really going crazy, but again, a lot of different people got to get at least one catch, got some passes thrown their way. Uh so that was nice to see. Um the offensive line, that's another thing, too. The offensive line, they weren't really giving many lanes for the running backs to get through like that. Uh they Ravens kept trying to toss play. That seemed to be their favorite try to their favorite run to try to run. Uh in this game, it just was not working though. Um but back to the offensive line. As far as pass blocking, you saw Tyler Huntley out there with this offensive line and it just looked like it was getting to him. Looked like it was getting to him. looked like the just the pressure, the consistent pressure was just bothering him. But then when Joe Fiano was out there, he was still getting pressure too, but he just handled it a lot different than Huntley had in this game. Um, so that was that was significant to to see again just a rookie. He's a rookie. He's a rookie and how he he wasn't playing like no rookie to me. Um, but this Ravens offense, it was it wasn't explosive this game and not nearly as explosive as they were last game, but we did see some nice flashes. Special teams, I don't know if I've ever seen a stat line like this from a punter before. This is crazy. Ryan Egley, he had six points for 332 yard. Have y'all ever seen a stat line like that from a punter? And I know this was a defensive game, but 332 yards. He averaged 55.3 yards per punt. Got two of them inside the 20. His longest was 60 yards. That That's crazy. But shout out to him. And he a rookie rookie punter, by the way. Now, let's get to the kicking game. Tyler Loop, because um it was we were into the second quarter. Everybody's like, man, like we ain't been moving the ball. We ain't been scoring no points. like what's happening? We want to see some Tyler Loop. We want to see him be put on the spot. We want to see him in a tough situation. And he had to kick a 49yd field goal and that that would qualify as a long field goal and it was right down the middle. They said Tyler Loop had a great week of practice and it showed in this game when he made that kick. So again, a lot of eyes are on Tyler Loop. A lot of pressure uh continues to be on Tyler Loop because again being a kicker that's a tough job. It's a tough job. It's a lot of pressure cuz you're not always going to get a bunch of opportunities to go kick over and over and over and over and over again. So when your number is called, you could have been sitting there on the sideline the whole game just chilling. Then your number is called, it's like, oh yeah, just go out there and win a game. That's tough. It's tough spot to be in. So hope Tyler Little continues uh to do well. Although Jonte Wester, our return, our only return man in this one. Um he had one kick return for 29 yards. So, that was nice to see him on kick returning and getting some nice yards. And he had two punt returns uh for 31 yards. So, nothing crazy there. Um but as far as special teams, the the highlight of the special teams, it was in the kicking and punting game today. Ravens coaching, like we talked about at the top of the video, like Jesse Men, you got these boys flying around uh on defense. On offense, I did appreciate Declan Doyle making some adjustments even in preeason to where the Vikings defense, they were blitzing a lot. Um, they hey, they just like us, but they were blitzing a lot. And there were some times when Declan Doyle would call some screens to beat those blitzes, and they were working. So, he called it, he didn't keep on running them over and over and over, but he called them in a timely and orderly fashion to where he going to just, all right, they bliss all the time. We going to do a screen. We going to do another screen. We're going to do another screen. But he he spaced them out. He did not make them predictable. And there was even a time where um I think Dayton Wade, he had got a screen from Feniano and I was like, "Oh, I I don't think I would have called that." But it worked. It worked and it got them a bunch of yards. So that that was really nice to see from Declan Doyle. Now, um as far as penalties, we we got back to our normal selves in this game because, uh the Ravens had nine penalties for 80 yards. The Vikings had nine penalties for 73 yards. So we were right there neck and neck with each other with penalties this time. Um so that was hey they they got to get that cleaned up. That was more of the expectation like last week. Like last week we had I think three penalties. We looking around like who who is this team? But this week was a bit different. So again this what preseason is for. Get stuff cleaned up um so you can go to the regular season just knocking it out the park, man. Uh and that's what we want to see uh from this football team. But an an even bigger stat than the penalties. Well, yeah, it is it is an even bigger stat. Uh turnovers. Vikings had two, Ravens had zero. So, that's what we want to continue to see more of. The Baltimore Ravens uh defense forcing turnovers and the Baltimore Ravens offense not committing any. So, we had a lot of fun watching this game. Um, I I loved it. I appreciate everybody that came through for the live stream. Thank you very very much for that. Uh, make sure so you don't miss any live streams and you don't miss any updates on the Baltimore Ravens. You subscribe to the channel, have your notifications turned on, and leave a like on the video. Click that thumbs up button. I appreciate you. We are in for a fun, very, very busy, very, very hectic week. It's going to be crazy because by the end of the week, the Ravens got to get down to 53 men on the roster. So, it's going to be a lot of action, especially after the last preseason game against the Commanders. But, yeah, and then they got the joint practice with the Commanders before that. So, it's it's going to be a very, very uh busy week this week. But again, so you don't miss anything so you can be right there along for the ride, subscribe to the channel, had a notification turned on, and leave a like on the video. I love y'all. I appreciate y'all so much. And we out. [music] >> [music] >> The flock flies to the wise. It's a wonderful thing. Look what vision and [music] commitment is and some discipline brings. When a becomes one, the moon swings and the flock [music] sings for another ring. Man, we tuning in to engraving vids in that scene tonight. Team keep it clean. Hold it down the spot to ignite a [music] name in the lights. The north star ain't feeling far when you run that north every year. That's just going [music]