The Baltimore Ravens demolished the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the preseason, 29-0. While it’s only preseason, any win is a win in the NFL, so we’ll take it.
But really, the preseason is for seeing which players shine or falter under the lights. As the Ravens look to put together their best 53-man roster, they’ll review the film from each game and see which players put together good games and which ones hurt the team.
Against Jacksonville, Baltimore had quite a few players impress. But not everyone was perfect, even in such a lopsided win. To help figure out which players helped or hurt their cause, I’ve picked out the biggest studs and the biggest duds from Thursday night’s win over the Jaguars.
Stud: LB Patrick Onwuasor
Onwuasor isn’t in danger of losing his starting job this season. But taking over for an All-Pro in C.J. Mosley, who left in free agency, is a daunting task. Onwuasor was charged with leading the Ravens defense and setting the tone, which he did immediately.
Onwuasor came out with serious intensity, something that can be infectious, especially among the younger players. While he didn’t play very long, he made Jaguars wide receiver DJ Chark regret trying to bring a short catch inside, cracking him so hard it echoed throughout the stadium.
It might seem like a small thing, but it’s a continuation of Onwuasor’s development into a true impact starter in the middle of the defense — historically a very important role.
Dud: LB Kenny Young
Young is in the running for serious playing time this season next to Onwuasor. He started the night off strong, destroying Jacksonville’s quarterback. But he was just a little too inconsistent on the night for a guy that was expected to be competing for a starting job this summer.
Young backed up that big hit with a blown coverage on the next play. It allowed the Jaguars to get themselves out of a big hole right on their own goal line, picking up a first down and boosting their confidence. Even though it didn’t really matter given the final score, those types of miscues are bad when they’re against a team’s backups and deadly in the regular season, when games matter.
Stud: DL/FB Patrick Ricard
Ricard really should be the player of the game. He played Baltimore football both on offense and defense, just blowing people up on a regular basis. He caught a linebacker, stopping him cold to spring running back Kenneth Dixon on one of his big runs early in the game. On defense, he was in the backfield often, putting up two sacks and generating a lot of pressure.
Ricard really needs to earn his roster spot with his play on defense, and he put together the type of game that will get him there.
Stud: CB Cyrus Jones
You can’t pick off a pass and then return it for a touchdown and not make this list.
Jones also performed well as a punt returner, fielding three fair catches without a mistake. That might not sound like a lot, but preseason is typically where those types of issues pop up, especially in the very first game, when there might still be some rust to work through.
Jones isn’t making this team solely as a punt returner, though. With the Ravens giving wide receiver Willie Snead and even quarterback Trace McSorley some chances at the job in training camp, Jones has to play well on defense too. He did that tonight, and his touchdown ensured the coaches remember his name when roster cuts happen.
Dud: QB Trace McSorley
For his very first NFL game, you can’t be too hard on how McSorley performed. But with Robert Griffin III out of the preseason with a broken thumb, McSorley isn’t going to get a better chance to showcase what he can do and make a case for a roster spot. His play tonight just didn’t cut it.
McSorley wasn’t helped by some big drops from his wide receivers, but most of his throws were just off target. He also had a terrible interception where he stared down wide receiver Miles Boykin and threw the ball inside, right to the cornerback. Completing 40.9% of his 22 attempts isn’t going to get McSorley onto the 53-man roster.
Stud: K/P Kaare Vedvik
Vedvik is competing for a roster spot, just not on the Ravens. Baltimore has made it clear they’d like to trade Vedvik this offseason. And Vedvik’s trade value took a steep climb after his showing tonight.
Vedvik connected on four field goals, including one from 55 yards. He also hit on both of his extra-point attempts. But we’re not done there, folks. Vedvik also punts, booting two for 58 and 53 yards. There are kickers and punters in this league who can’t hit 55-yard field goals or punt the ball 58 yards, and Vedvik does both.
I’d expect Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta to have a few voicemails tomorrow morning from other teams seeing what it’ll take to make a trade. For Vedvik, who suffered a traumatic assault on a Baltimore street last year that ended his season prematurely, that’s a huge comeback.
