Steve Davis: Game Balls For Unlikely Ravens
Now that the dust has settled on the Ravens blowout of Tampa Bay, how about a few extra game balls.
Sure, Flacco was the obvious and deserving choice. He obliterated the record for quickest to throw 5 TD's in a game. Roethlisburger did it in 28:09, which is almost a full half. Flacco did it in 16:03, which is barely more than a quarter. Flacco may not set too many passing records, but when you break a record by doing something in almost half as much time, that may stand for awhile.
That said, how about the rookie class stepping up.
Flacco had all day to throw, and his blind side was protected by undrafted rookie left tackle James Hurst and 5th rounder John Urschel. Game balls.
Michael Campanaro, a 7th rounder out of Howard County was in the line-up for an injured Marlon Brown and his welcome to the NFL moment with his first catch and TD. Game ball.
Crockett Gilmore, 3rd rounder, caught his first two ball, and Lorenzo Taliaferro, picked in the 4th round, had 2 runs for 29 yards. Kamar Aiken may not be a rookie, but no one ever heard of him before, and he caught his first TD. 3 more game balls.
I've got more to give out.
Justin Forsett only had 6 carries last year. He ran for over 100 yards for the Ravens, and has the highest yards per carry in the NFL. Game ball.
And finally, right tackle Ricky Wagner was drafted in the fifth round last year. The thought seemed to be that the Ravens needed to get a veteran to replace Oher. He has stepped in and done a good job. He gets a game ball too.
Hey, I don't pay for them so what do I care.
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