Ravens coach John Harbaugh couldn’t have asked for a better debut.
The Ravens not only defeated the defending AFC champion New England Patriots, 16-15, in their first preseason game, but they also have plenty to work on in practice this week.
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“You know what they say: ‘It doesn’t count.’ But it counts. It counts in our book,” he said. “But we have a long way to go as a football team and there are a thousand things that we start to go to work on.”
And the first thing the Ravens have to work on is the quarterback position. Kyle Boller was mediocre as the starter, completing 11 of 15 passes for 102 yards with an interception and lost fumble in about two quarters. Former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was 5-of-12 passing for 74 yards, and rookie Joe Flacco played like one.
The 18th overall draft pick out of Delaware had a debut to forget, as he failed to complete any of his three passes, got sacked twice and lost a fumble that led to a touchdown that gave the Patriots a chance to win the game.
“We did move and keep the ball, but we want to score touchdowns at the end of drives,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said, “not field goals.”
But Harbaugh didn’t even need a full night’s rest after the game in Foxborough, Mass., to name his starter for Saturday night’s preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium at 7:30 against the Minnesota Vikings: Smith.
“It is a learning curve, and we learn from this game and get better next week,” Boller said. “It is never easy in the NFL, although it is always great to get a win no matter if it is in the preseason.”
Smith played in four games last season, completing 40 of 76 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Smith led the Ravens to a 27-21 victory in last year’s season finale against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But the success of whoever is under center will greatly depend on the play of a young offensive line. The group — missing projected starting left tackle Jared Gaither and right tackle Adam Terry because of injuries — played well in spots, but yielded three sacks. The unit also struggled in run-blocking, as the Ravens rushed for a meager 35 yards on 21 carries.
The offense managed just 204 yards, 10 first downs and converted just two of 12 third down attempts.
“There’s no way to explain what it feels like to get a victory in a stadium like this, against a team like this,” Harbaugh said. “But our guys came up here to win the game. They came up here to compete, and be physical, and be disciplined, and play hard, and run, and do all the things we want to do as a football team. That’s probably more gratifying than the victory.”
