BLOG: Key To Thursday's Game? No Injuries
The Baltimore Ravens begin their 2011 pre-season in Philadelphia against the talented Eagles. While the Ravens have said goodbye to a number of veteran players, Philly has been loading up with Pro Bowlers and are considered a strong contender to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
As with the beginning to any pre-season, you tend to look at some key position battles and you pay attention to the younger players on the team and hope they prove themselves to be quality NFL players. With the purge of Derrick Mason, Todd Heap and Kelly Gregg, among others, the Ravens certainly have plenty of unproven talent.
To me, however, the thing that is of the utmost importance tonight for Baltimore is that everyone stays healthy.
Sure. I'm curious to see how the receivers look and how Sergio Kindle will perform. I'm also excited about seeing Jah Reid and O'Neil Cousins battle it out at RT. Can Tyrod Taylor play QB? I can't wait to find out.
But what I don't want to see is a major injury. With the long lockout, play might be a little rusty and players may be more vunerable to getting hurt. I would assume coach John Harbaugh will proceed with caution as far as handling his expected starters. Of course, football is a contact sport and one play can ruin a season.
Hopefully, Baltimore will get out of Philadelphia with a better idea of the talent level of the team and will get out of there unscathed, as well.
BH
