Ravens Shut Out Browns

The Ravens went into Cleveland an angry team after losing to the Bengals last week. They managed to beat the Browns, but honestly I was expecting more. The shut out is obviously huge for the defense, but the offense has sputtered the last couple weeks despite one of the hottest starts in the league.

A couple items to note:

• Ray Rice continues to get more carries than McGahee. The gap will only widen as the season progresses into the second half. Rice leads the team in rushing and receptions. Rice gets better (especially as a double threat) and McGahee gets older.
• Cleveland does not have a receiver. I mean, there are players listed at WR, but that’s about the extent of it. Josh Cribbs is the most dangerous special teams player in the league (Percy Harvin might give him a run for his money), but is not a full-time wide out. Rookie  Mohamed Massaquoi has shown flashes, but nothing more. When your best receiving threat is Mike Furrey, you have problems.
• Cleveland does not have a quarterback. Brady Quinn threw two picks tonight, one of them returned by Baltimore for six. You do have to give some credit to the Ravens defense, but come on, 13 for 31 is not acceptable. That’s JaMarcus Russell bad. Should they be giving third-stringer Bret Ratliff a shot to see if they have anyone worth salvaging in the QB spot?

Peace out Pigskin lovers.

Larry Johnson to the Bengals

ESPN is reporting that Larry Johnson will sign with the Bengals.

Gut reaction: The move does actually make a little bit of sense considering that Cedric Benson is a bit gimpy after Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. Benson has resurrected his career this season with the Bengals, so why can’t Johnson do the same?

Coach Marv Lewis did say that Johnson would be nothing more than a backup player, and actually fourth on the RB depth chart behind Benson, Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard. Now, I don’t entirely believe that statement, but it’s what came out of the coache’s mouth.

Troubled players have a history of doing much better when they start over with a winner. This year, the Bengals happen to fit that bill. Look at Randy Moss (New England), Corey Dillon (New England) and even Cedric Benson. There is less for them to complain about, and honestly less is expected of them. This means they can do what they get paid to do, which is simply play some football.

I would not expect much from Johnson for at least a couple weeks, but if Benson takes a while to recover he could actually be starting towards the end of the season. If Benson recovers quickly, I doubt Johnson will see more than a few snaps a game.