Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Who was the Better Acquisition: Steve Smith Sr. OR Justin Forsett


Well folks we are 6 weeks into what has been an interesting season so far not just in Baltimore but all over the league. Before the season started we were looking like a pretty solid team. We had a decent draft class headed by C.J. Mosley who has become a tackling machine in the middle. We also made a few pickups in key areas. We first had to solve a major issue with our team, the line. We picked up Zuttah to solidify the middle of the line. What about those key skill spots? Of course I am talking about the ageless wonder, Steve Smith Sr., and Justin Forsett. Which one was a better pickup?

We never were the same last season without a veteran presence at receiver. Boldin's departure and Pitta's injury took its toll on our passing game. Insert Smith Sr. who not only fulfills the veteran presence, he is also doing what he used to in his prime! He is setting NFL receiving records at the age of 35, no one has been this dominant this late in their career. I can't name a time when we had a receiver with over 100 yards 4 out of 6 games. Through those 6 games he has 35 catches, 573 receiving yards and 4 TDs. Call a nerd or a calculator if you don't want to do the math but he is on pace for over 1,500 yards receiving this season. That would be more than Pitta has in his career! It would easily shatter the team record of 1,201 set by Michael Jackson(not that one, the other one) back in our inaugural season of 1996.


This past weekend allowed for some more records to be broken when Joe Flacco was the fastest QB ever to pass for 5 TD passes, 1 going to Steve Smith Sr and 2 going to Torrey Smith (no relation). For years this has been a run heavy offense that beat you up for 4 quarters on both sides of the ball. Of course this offense has a very good running game. That is all due to Justin Forsett.

Forsett leads the league in yards per carry (6.4) and is fifth in yards (408). Like everyone else this past Sunday he had his best game of the season snagging his first 100 yard game of the year. Forsett followed Kubiak from Houston and thank goodness because where would this offense be without him? It is hard to predict what Taliaferro can/would do if given the chance.We all have seen what would happen to Bernard Pierce. A man I have affectionately called "Mr. Glass" since his rookie season due to his ineptitude to make it through an entire year without getting hurt. He doesn't seem to have the burst or familiarity that Forsett does with this system.

The edge for me goes to Forsett. Giving Ravens fans what we missed so much last season. Wait, you mean if they give it to the back twice he'll have a first down? If Rice/Pierce did that last year on 4 downs we would have a turnover on downs. Forsett has been this running game's savior during the Rice saga and Pierce's injury/fumble issues. Many fans saw this possibly happening because of Forsett's success in Houston and Seattle. Also his familiarity with Kubiak and his blocking/rushing scheme (which is similar to what we used last year with backs that didn't work) has helped. His patience waiting for holes to open up has helped him blow up big runs (tied for the league lead with 6 runs of 20+ runs) which in turn helps Smith Sr. get open for a big play action pass.

It's great to have arguments with fans about a topic like this. Who would have thought Smith or Forsett would be having the seasons they are having? Forsett has turned a running game around that was absolutely miserable last year. Smith Sr. somehow looks like he is 26 again. Whatever it is, I just hope they keep dominating the way they have so far, it means more wins for the Ravens if they do.

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