Thoughts on Jamal? (1 Viewer)

[Banger]

The numbers look good 18-78 and a touch (4.33 ypc). It's certainly better than I was expecting against one of the best run defenses in the league. I saw all his preseason runs and he didn't look tenative or dance behind the line like he did last year. He seemed to have the leg drive back and was the bruising back he was a year or so back. I didn't get to watch the game but how did he look, like he did in preseason?

 

[gbill2004]

He won't have his 2000 yard rushing season again. But they way he looked on Sunday, I could see him putting up 1200-1400 yards, 10 TDs, and a few hundred receiving yards...

He looked really good.

 

[Avery]

He looked to run strong. This is the first action I've seen of the Ravens with McNair at the helm and it seemed to really open up the running game to have a legit passer back there. Running lanes seemed to be wide open and Jamal hit them and finished strong.

Also to take note, Musa got some carries in relief of Lewis and looked quite powerful and decisive as well. If Lewis goes down, I don't think the Ravens running game will miss a beat.

 

[Banger]

He looked to run strong. This is the first action I've seen of the Ravens with McNair at the helm and it seemed to really open up the running game to have a legit passer back there. Running lanes seemed to be wide open and Jamal hit them and finished strong.Also to take note, Musa got some carries in relief of Lewis and looked quite powerful and decisive as well. If Lewis goes down, I don't think the Ravens running game will miss a beat.

That's the way they looked in the preseason. McNair makes a huge difference with his ability to make teams respect the pass/scramble as well as keep drives alive. Jamal's biggest fantasy problem has always been his TD totals. With the Ravens ability to move the ball this year I can definitely see him getting 10+ td's this year if he stays healthy.

 

[roadkill1292]

I thought Jamal ran well but I still have reservations about the O-line's consistency. The Ravens got off to a quick lead yesterday, which helped open up the run lanes, and McNair's presence certainly helps keep defenses from loading up against the run as much as they have in the past. He will have some solid success against smaller defenses but you may want to consider playing the matchups when he goes up against a really good run defense.

He's still a beast when Ogden opens up a hole on the left side and he can get to running downhill against the LBs and DBs.

 

[Banger]

I thought Jamal ran well but I still have reservations about the O-line's consistency. The Ravens got off to a quick lead yesterday, which helped open up the run lanes, and McNair's presence certainly helps keep defenses from loading up against the run as much as they have in the past. He will have some solid success against smaller defenses but you may want to consider playing the matchups when he goes up against a really good run defense.

He's still a beast when Ogden opens up a hole on the left side and he can get to running downhill against the LBs and DBs.

That's what I thought yesterday and was surprised to see him run for a 4.33 clip and TD against one of the top run d's in the league.

 

[Avery]

I thought Jamal ran well but I still have reservations about the O-line's consistency. The Ravens got off to a quick lead yesterday, which helped open up the run lanes, and McNair's presence certainly helps keep defenses from loading up against the run as much as they have in the past. He will have some solid success against smaller defenses but you may want to consider playing the matchups when he goes up against a really good run defense.

He's still a beast when Ogden opens up a hole on the left side and he can get to running downhill against the LBs and DBs.

I'm not sure I understand when getting a lead helps you open up the run lanes. Actually, I would think the contrary because the other team would be more inclined to key on the run knowing that the Ravens would be focusing on the ground game.

 

[gbill2004]

I think Lewis is back to being an every week starter - if not as a #1 RB, definetely as a #2 RB.

I'm debating on whether to start Lewis or Droughns next week as my #2 RB...

 

[Banger]

I think Lewis is back to being an every week starter - if not as a #1 RB, definetely as a #2 RB.I'm debating on whether to start Lewis or Droughns next week as my #2 RB...

Jamal @ home vs. Oak? Regardless of who Droughns is playing (cinn) I'd start Jamal.

 

[Acrobat7]

Also to take note, Musa got some carries in relief of Lewis and looked quite powerful and decisive as well.

you might want to check that again... but they do have nice depth with Anderson and Musa. what's the status of PJ Daniels btw? thought, he'd get some touches as he may have a role in BAL in the next years.

 

[Otis]

He looked better than I thought he would. That said, his YPC was down under 3 until he ripped a 20 yard run up the middle. I'm not discounting his long run, but I'm only saying that he had many runs for little or no gain up to that point.

 

[Banger]

He looked better than I thought he would. That said, his YPC was down under 3 until he ripped a 20 yard run up the middle. I'm not discounting his long run, but I'm only saying that he had many runs for little or no gain up to that point.

True. On the opening drive he ran for 2, 5, 12, 3, 3, 7 and 4 yards (36) and then ran for 8 yards in his next 9 carries but finished with runs of 9 and 27. Facing TB run defense at home, who are one of the best run stopping defenses in the NFL, it's not really that surprising.

 

[roadkill1292]

I thought Jamal ran well but I still have reservations about the O-line's consistency. The Ravens got off to a quick lead yesterday, which helped open up the run lanes, and McNair's presence certainly helps keep defenses from loading up against the run as much as they have in the past. He will have some solid success against smaller defenses but you may want to consider playing the matchups when he goes up against a really good run defense.

He's still a beast when Ogden opens up a hole on the left side and he can get to running downhill against the LBs and DBs.

I'm not sure I understand when getting a lead helps you open up the run lanes. Actually, I would think the contrary because the other team would be more inclined to key on the run knowing that the Ravens would be focusing on the ground game.

That's a reasonable conclusion. But defenses that are trailing can't afford to pack it in there against an efficient pass offense that can afford to take a few chances going downfield. While it's true that the Ravens are primarily a running team still, McNair was taking shots downfield even with a fairly comfortable lead yesterday. In a situation like that, one mistake in the secondary and it's Game over, man. Game over.