Baltimore allowed Falcons WR Julio Jones to record 109 yards and a touchdown in just one quarter of preseason football last Thursday.
This week, the starters are in for an ever bigger challenge -- defending Detroit's Calvin Johnson. One school of thought would be that if the Ravens had their hands full with Jones, what would Johnson be able to do?
Defensive coordinator Dean Pees said the key is gaining momentum with a fast start defending Detroit. Against Atlanta, the Falcons got the best of Baltimore early.
"That's the thing that disappointed us Thursday," Pees said. "We got off to a slow start and we don't want to let anybody drive the ball on us, let alone go down and score on the first possession."
Cornerback Cary Williams took some heat for allowing Jones to catch two tough passes on him, one down the left sideline and one over him in the end zone. Pees chalked it up to the Falcons wideout making better plays.
"Like I tell these guys, they are on scholarship too, they are allowed to make plays," Pees said. "The biggest thing is you have to forget it and go on."
Cundiff to kick first: Special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg said the plan for Friday's game against Detroit will be to send Billy Cundiff on the field first for field goals. The only field goal attempt taken last week against Atlanta was by rookie Justin Tucker, who made a 36-yarder.
"We're trying to get both guys the same number of kicks," Rosburg said. "Billy is going to go out first and then we'll see how the game plays out. You'd like to get a number of field goal opportunities for both guys but you really can't say how it's going to play out."
In practice Tuesday, Cundiff made six of seven kicks with a long of 52. This made up for Monday's practice, where he missed attempts from 24 and 34 yards away. According to The Baltimore Sun, Cundiff has made 74 of 89 kicks while Tucker's made 82 of 87 this preseason.
Oher, Yanda receive perfect scores: Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said T Michael Oher and G Marshal Yanda graded out close to 100 percent after the first preseason game.
"Everybody else probably had a miscue here or there," Cameron said. "But everybody did something exactly the way we wanted it done."
Back at practice: DE Pernell McPhee (knee) returned to practice Tuesday after sitting Monday's session out. CB Asa Jackson (hamstring) also practiced for the first time after getting injured against Atlanta.
Injury report: WR Jacoby Jones (leg), WR David Reed (ACL), S Ed Reed (undisclosed), LB Josh Bynes (vertebrae), LB Darryl Blackstock (groin), OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles), LG Bobbie Williams (ankle), WR Torrey Smith (ankle), TE Ed Dickson (shoulder), WR Devin Goda (undisclosed), TE Dennis Pitta (hand) and DT Ryan McBean (broken ankle) did not practice.
Follow Ravens reporter Jason Butt on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLBAL.
Ravens Notebook: Starting secondary gets ready for Lions' Calvin Johnson
The Ravens allowed Falcons receiver Julio Jones to record 109 yards and a touchdown in just one quarter last Thursday.
By
Jason Butt
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2 min read