They're not who we thought they were.

Due to my contributions for Russellstreetreport.com I rewatch (painful as it is sometimes) the  previous days Ravens game.  As I watch the games for a second time I always have notes jotted 

all over paper in my 5 year olds handwriting.  So I figure, let's put it to use for something.

The Secondary

It's been a couple years now since the Ravens could rely on #20 in centerfield to bail out cornerbacks on deep pass plays. 
Last night the Ravens trotted out a secondary that consisted of Lardarius Webb, Matt Elam, Dominique Franks, Chykie Brown, Darian Stewart, and Anthony Levine.
I can't believe Ben Roethlisberger threw 6 touchdown passes against that stellar squad of UFA's and injury ridden scrubs!
These guys wouldn't start for 27 teams in the NFL right now, aside from L Webb. 
That's not to say that Lardarius has even been that impressive so far this year.  At some point the Ravens are going to have to start thinking about moving L Webb to free safety but that's a
I don't know if it's communication issues or just a flat out lack of talent but any time this defense goes to a full zone, it's a disaster. 
Darian Stewart is consistently late backing up cornerbacks on deep passes.  You would think Chykie Brown is covering Victoria's Secret Models the way he refuses to try to track the football.  Dominique Franks has dropped about 4 interceptions so far this season.  The bust flag is being set at half mast for Matt Elam right now.  Anthony Levine can make some plays on Special Teams but that's where he belongs, not trying to cover Antonio Brown in a game that can diminish any hopes at a division crown.
How long until Jimmy Smith is back?
conversation for another day.
Baltimore being forced to take a corner in the first round this year is a real possibility.
 
Terrell "Hacksaw" "T-Sizzle" Suggs - Ball So Soft University

Remember back when Ray Lewis and Ed Reed left the Ravens and everyone said:
"It's fine, Suggs will take over as a leader on Defense"
Yeah, not quite.
Last night, Terrell Suggs breaks out the "late hit" on Legarette Blount.  The penalty bothered me.  The hit by Suggs did not.
What did bothered me is that he's busy barking at the Steelers sideline as opposed to talking to his teammates telling them to not let this game get out of control. 
The only thing Terrell Suggs lead last night was the dismantling of his own team.
Leader?  I don't think so.
While we're on the subject Suggs likes to talk about he gets up for Steelers games.  That's not so true either, he's got one sack against the Steelers since the 2011 season opener.
The only thing he Hacksawed last night was the Ravens gameplan on D.
 
CJ Mosley

The rookie out of Alabama (Roll Tide) is no doubt on pace for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors but he had a rough night trying to contain Le'Veon Bell.  Up to this point I'm not really concerned, I think we have a big enough sample size that would show that he will get better and adjust with time.
 

O-Line

I don't know what's going on week-to-week with the offensive line, some weeks they look unstoppable, some weeks it looks like they're getting paid for a mob hit on Joe Flacco. 
At this point the only thing I can point to is the competition.  The Ravens had huge success running the ball and protecting Flacco against the miserable NFC South but in the division and against the Colts, they've struggled.
Eugene Monroe had a particularly bad night Sunday, making 300-year old James Harrison look like JJ Watt.
 
Back to the drawing board boys, this team is not what we thought they were...

Check out the Russell Street Riot every Wednesday and the TV Geek every Tuesday on Russell Street Report, along with my spots on the Coaches Buzz around 7:30 every Monday night on 1300 AM.