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Linthicum Heights, MD – Dan checks in from the “Ball-i-more” area with a helping of show notes and Saturday night Whispers . . .
You know what is strange about Joe Flacco’s performance in St. Louis. While he did throw three touchdown passes, he also threw 21 incompletions. That incompletion total is very unimpressive considering how bad the St. Louis secondary is . . .
Bill Belichick, generally makes good moves, but he really messed up trading Richard Seymour. He still had a lot of football left when he traded him, and the New England Patriots really miss him.
Also, another personnel area Belichick needs to take some heat on is in his secondary – he’s missed on a number of cornerbacks in recent drafts, and also first round safety Brandon Meriweather.
You saw how Ryan Fitzpatrick lit them up last week. All Belichick’s secondary misses are coming back to haunt him.
He misses Scott Pioli . . .
I interviewed Matt Slauson on Sirius this morning, and he trashed Joe Namath. It was good radio. I was caught by surprise. I’ve never seen this side of Matt . . .
While Buffalo is much-improved this year as a team, their defense is still 26th in the league, and they aren’t that hard to move the ball on . . .
The weather in Baltimore is awful tonight – cold and rainy . . .
I got into an animated debate in the press room this week with Manish Mehta and Jeane Coakley.
They both feel I’m to hard on Mark Sanchez.
I feel he has a lot of moxy and toughness, and has flashes of brilliance, but is too inconsistent.
They both argued that he’s still young.
I’m cognizant of the fact that he’s just in his third year, and that he can still get better.
I never said he’s a finished product.
But with that being said, his youth can’t be a shield from criticism. He’s a third-year quarterback who is making over $17 million this year.
While I think he can get better, that doesn’t mean he is immune from criticism when he forces passes to Derrick Mason two weeks in a row that were both picked.
The big question is – can his accuracy get better?
Some people will say it’s hard to improve in this department.
We shall see.
And if he continues is inconsistent play, I will continue to fairly criticize him.
His age only grants him so much slack . . .
Look for the Jets to go after Ravens left tackle Bryant McKinnie, perhaps with new signing Aaron Maybin.
You get the sense that Maybin is going to play his butt off in Baltimore.
First off, he’s ecstatic to get another chance in the league.
Secondly, he’s from Baltimore.
The Jets are going to get his best on Sunday night.
The Jets brass alarmed was a little troubled by their lack of defensive speed in the Front Seven in Oakland, and feel Maybin can help some.
He might not be the most physical player, but the 240-pounder can run like a safety . . .
Surprisingly the Jets are staying at a hotel by the Inner Harbor in Baltimore. The reason I say this is surprising is they generally isolate themselves more than that . . .
Derrick Mason was an emormous resource of Ravens information this week . . .
Premium will return late Monday afternoon.