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Editor's note: Ravens questions for Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston can be submitted on game days from halftime until three hours after the game. Selected questions are published in a Q&A on baltimoresun.com later in the week. Listen to Mike Preston every Monday from 4 to 6 p.m. on Fox 1370 (AM) Sports.
Bert: Should the Ravens have challenged the apparent touchdown pass to Derrick Mason at the end of the first quarter? It seems worth a challenge/timeout to get a touchdown.
Mike Preston: According to Ravens coach John Harbaugh, his assistants didn't get a chance to see the replay upstairs in the press box, and his angle on the field showed that Mason didn't have possession. I don't think Mason had possession either, and he certainly didn't act like it when the official ruled him out of bounds.
Usually when Mason thinks the ref has made an incorrect call on whether he controlled the ball, he gives you more gyrations than Elvis. This time, he did almost nothing.
My gut feeling says that the Ravens just blew the call all the way around. In that situation with the game being on the road and for first place in the division, I would challenge that call that early in the game. A touchdown would have given the Ravens a big lift.
The challenge was worth a timeout.
Pat: Is it just me or did the Ravens' offense get way too conservative down the stretch? Joe Flacco can make plays; the coaching staff should have given him a chance.
Mike Preston: Your comments are interesting. There are some people who thought the Ravens should have been conservative late in the third quarter when Flacco was sacked, fumbled and the ball was returned for a Pittsburgh touchdown. There are some who thought the Ravens should have opened it up on their last drive in regulation with only one timeout and the ball at their own 13.
At this point, I don't always agree with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, but overall, he calls a pretty good game. I've been impressed with the play selection and variety of plays. He has a feel for the game.
I thought the Ravens' offense outplayed the Steelers in the first half, and the Steelers outplayed the Ravens in the second. I'll take Cameron over the coordinators on the previous staff anytime. It's not even close.
Ryan: Do you think the Ravens would have defeated the Steelers if they'd had Samari Rolle and Dawan Landry in the secondary? The two plays that really burned them were the third-quarter touchdown by Santonio Holmes and the long catch by Hines Ward that set up the field goal in the fourth quarter.
Mike Preston: That's like asking me if the Steelers would have beaten the Ravens by more if running back Willie Parker and defensive tackle Casey Hampton had played. The Ravens can't pin the loss on injured players. They have to get better at pass blocking, particularly, the tackles. The Ravens have to tackle better and get more production out of the running game. They have to cut down on the stupid penalties, and Flacco has to protect the ball better.
I can't blame the loss on injuries. And since I can't blame it on Brian Billick or Kyle Boller any longer, my cynical side says the Ravens lost because of execution and the lack of fundamentals.
Dave: What did you make of Jarret Johnson's personal-foul penalty? Are we seeing the same old penalty-prone Ravens?
Mike Preston: Johnson just made a dumb mistake, even though I can't fault him for taking a shot at Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. The Ravens had plenty of stupid penalties, but this is not the same old team. In the past, national TV games meant Showtime at the Apollo for the Ravens. I've seen far worse from this team than what I saw Monday night.
Actually, I saw safety Ed Reed and cornerback Chris McAlister very animated at times, but they maintained their composure. Harbaugh has talked about changing the culture of this team, and he has, but changing the culture can take years. You just don't walk into the locker room and say, "Damn it, I'm here and changing the culture."
Changing the culture also involves changing the personnel, and right now Harbaugh is still playing with Billick's players. Before we make a final judgment on the discipline factor, Harbaugh deserves some time, certainly more than three games.
Now, if it's the same two or three years from now, then we're back to square one.
Jay: While all the early attention this season has been on Joe Flacco and the offensive line's support of the running game, what do you think of Jared Gaither's progression as a pass-blocking left tackle so far this year?
Mike Preston: Gaither is improved from last season. He played well the first two games but struggled against Pittsburgh. I think people need to understand that the Steelers have a great defense, too, and yes, their players do make plays. Gaither needs to become more flexible, and get better bend out of his knees. Because of his height, he tends to stand up at times letting opponents get under his pads. But after three games, I'd give him a B.
Vinnie: It seems that we only had one receiver -- Mason -- the entire game. What do you think of the performances of Mark Clayton, Todd Heap and Demetrius Williams so far this season?
Mike Preston: Who? Are they on the roster?
Just kidding. Clayton was open in the back of the end zone Monday night, but Flacco threw a bad pass. Heap has been helping in pass protection. Williams is just a fast guy with a bizarre hair style. It's apparent Flacco has a comfort zone with Mason, but the Ravens will have to work the other receivers into the offense.
Actually, in the first two games, the Ravens did a decent job of spreading the ball around. On Monday night, Flacco stayed with Mason. As I've said before, Mason and Clayton are possession-type receivers. The Ravens need a burner on the other side of the field opposite of either Mason or Clayton.
Ben: What are your thoughts on why the Ravens' defense seems so much better this year than last?
Mike Preston: Both starting cornerbacks have been fairly healthy as opposed to a year ago, when they missed extensive time because of injuries. Also, linebackers Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are in the final years of their contracts. Scott and Lewis are having excellent seasons.
Why?
They both want mo' money, mo' money and mo' money.
John: Willis McGahee doesn't seem capable of being a workhorse back. Maybe it's time for more of Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice?
Mike Preston: McGahee runs hard and should be the top back because he has the most talent of the three. I like the three-headed monster concept, but I would have gotten Rice more playing time in the fourth quarter against the Steelers.
Nathan: Isn't it time to explore other options at kick returner? Yamon Figurs was terrible against the Steelers.
Mike Preston: If Figurs has room and time to think, he's your man. If they are barreling down on him, kiss the ball goodnight because he is probably going to fumble it. With Figurs, you roll the dice. If you want ball security, then Jim Leonhard might be your man. If you want a chance to take it all the way, then you gamble with Figurs.
Tom: Do you think the Ravens will end up re-signing Terrell Suggs after the season?
Mike Preston: Yes, and he's going to get a lot mo' money, mo' money and mo' money.
Bert: Should the Ravens have challenged the apparent touchdown pass to Derrick Mason at the end of the first quarter? It seems worth a challenge/timeout to get a touchdown.
Mike Preston: According to Ravens coach John Harbaugh, his assistants didn't get a chance to see the replay upstairs in the press box, and his angle on the field showed that Mason didn't have possession. I don't think Mason had possession either, and he certainly didn't act like it when the official ruled him out of bounds.
Usually when Mason thinks the ref has made an incorrect call on whether he controlled the ball, he gives you more gyrations than Elvis. This time, he did almost nothing.
My gut feeling says that the Ravens just blew the call all the way around. In that situation with the game being on the road and for first place in the division, I would challenge that call that early in the game. A touchdown would have given the Ravens a big lift.
The challenge was worth a timeout.
Pat: Is it just me or did the Ravens' offense get way too conservative down the stretch? Joe Flacco can make plays; the coaching staff should have given him a chance.
Mike Preston: Your comments are interesting. There are some people who thought the Ravens should have been conservative late in the third quarter when Flacco was sacked, fumbled and the ball was returned for a Pittsburgh touchdown. There are some who thought the Ravens should have opened it up on their last drive in regulation with only one timeout and the ball at their own 13.
At this point, I don't always agree with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, but overall, he calls a pretty good game. I've been impressed with the play selection and variety of plays. He has a feel for the game.
I thought the Ravens' offense outplayed the Steelers in the first half, and the Steelers outplayed the Ravens in the second. I'll take Cameron over the coordinators on the previous staff anytime. It's not even close.
Ryan: Do you think the Ravens would have defeated the Steelers if they'd had Samari Rolle and Dawan Landry in the secondary? The two plays that really burned them were the third-quarter touchdown by Santonio Holmes and the long catch by Hines Ward that set up the field goal in the fourth quarter.
Mike Preston: That's like asking me if the Steelers would have beaten the Ravens by more if running back Willie Parker and defensive tackle Casey Hampton had played. The Ravens can't pin the loss on injured players. They have to get better at pass blocking, particularly, the tackles. The Ravens have to tackle better and get more production out of the running game. They have to cut down on the stupid penalties, and Flacco has to protect the ball better.
I can't blame the loss on injuries. And since I can't blame it on Brian Billick or Kyle Boller any longer, my cynical side says the Ravens lost because of execution and the lack of fundamentals.
Dave: What did you make of Jarret Johnson's personal-foul penalty? Are we seeing the same old penalty-prone Ravens?
Mike Preston: Johnson just made a dumb mistake, even though I can't fault him for taking a shot at Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward. The Ravens had plenty of stupid penalties, but this is not the same old team. In the past, national TV games meant Showtime at the Apollo for the Ravens. I've seen far worse from this team than what I saw Monday night.
Actually, I saw safety Ed Reed and cornerback Chris McAlister very animated at times, but they maintained their composure. Harbaugh has talked about changing the culture of this team, and he has, but changing the culture can take years. You just don't walk into the locker room and say, "Damn it, I'm here and changing the culture."
Changing the culture also involves changing the personnel, and right now Harbaugh is still playing with Billick's players. Before we make a final judgment on the discipline factor, Harbaugh deserves some time, certainly more than three games.
Now, if it's the same two or three years from now, then we're back to square one.
Jay: While all the early attention this season has been on Joe Flacco and the offensive line's support of the running game, what do you think of Jared Gaither's progression as a pass-blocking left tackle so far this year?
Mike Preston: Gaither is improved from last season. He played well the first two games but struggled against Pittsburgh. I think people need to understand that the Steelers have a great defense, too, and yes, their players do make plays. Gaither needs to become more flexible, and get better bend out of his knees. Because of his height, he tends to stand up at times letting opponents get under his pads. But after three games, I'd give him a B.
Vinnie: It seems that we only had one receiver -- Mason -- the entire game. What do you think of the performances of Mark Clayton, Todd Heap and Demetrius Williams so far this season?
Mike Preston: Who? Are they on the roster?
Just kidding. Clayton was open in the back of the end zone Monday night, but Flacco threw a bad pass. Heap has been helping in pass protection. Williams is just a fast guy with a bizarre hair style. It's apparent Flacco has a comfort zone with Mason, but the Ravens will have to work the other receivers into the offense.
Actually, in the first two games, the Ravens did a decent job of spreading the ball around. On Monday night, Flacco stayed with Mason. As I've said before, Mason and Clayton are possession-type receivers. The Ravens need a burner on the other side of the field opposite of either Mason or Clayton.
Ben: What are your thoughts on why the Ravens' defense seems so much better this year than last?
Mike Preston: Both starting cornerbacks have been fairly healthy as opposed to a year ago, when they missed extensive time because of injuries. Also, linebackers Ray Lewis, Bart Scott and Terrell Suggs are in the final years of their contracts. Scott and Lewis are having excellent seasons.
Why?
They both want mo' money, mo' money and mo' money.
John: Willis McGahee doesn't seem capable of being a workhorse back. Maybe it's time for more of Le'Ron McClain and Ray Rice?
Mike Preston: McGahee runs hard and should be the top back because he has the most talent of the three. I like the three-headed monster concept, but I would have gotten Rice more playing time in the fourth quarter against the Steelers.
Nathan: Isn't it time to explore other options at kick returner? Yamon Figurs was terrible against the Steelers.
Mike Preston: If Figurs has room and time to think, he's your man. If they are barreling down on him, kiss the ball goodnight because he is probably going to fumble it. With Figurs, you roll the dice. If you want ball security, then Jim Leonhard might be your man. If you want a chance to take it all the way, then you gamble with Figurs.
Tom: Do you think the Ravens will end up re-signing Terrell Suggs after the season?
Mike Preston: Yes, and he's going to get a lot mo' money, mo' money and mo' money.
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