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Giants Preview: Offense Tested…By Cam

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While the Ravens do want to see their offensive starters click in the unit's most extensive workout coming this Saturday against the New York Giants, a lack of blockbuster yardage at M&T Bank Stadium would be no reason to panic. That's because Coordinator **Cam Cameron** wants to learn more about his unit by occasionally putting it in "difficult situations."

 "I'm really trying to put on some ankle weights a little bit at times in the preseason to find out some things that we might not find in the normal part of the season," Cameron said on Thursday.

"I want to see the quarterback get completions when we get bad looks, when the defense really has the advantage."

That's not to say a lack of yardage is completely excused, but Cameron isn't worried about the offense eventually reaching its potential.   

At this point, Cameron wants to use the Giants game to get the best look at what he has at his disposal in the coming year. He will see at least one half from quarterback Joe Flacco and the rest of the Ravens' "ones."

Some starters will play into the third quarter, especially along the offensive line, which is not expected to have tackles **Jared Gaither** and **Oniel Cousins**.

"You're still working on fundamentals, your foundation, the nuts and bolts of what you're trying to do, and sometimes that doesn't always show up in the passing game, per se," said Cameron.

Good thing the Giants will present a tough challenge for the Ravens' passing attack.  

According to reports out of The Big Apple, New York's pass rush has the potential to return to the NFL's elite status. The secondary added former first-round safety Antrelle Rolle this offseason.  In addition, cornerback Terrell Thomas returns after leading the Giants in both tackles (101) and interceptions (five) in 2009.

Still, Flacco said he isn't worried about the lack of preseason numbers, even if he is looking forward to having a partial game plan against a formidable opponent.

"It's the preseason, so you don't want to show some things, and some things you're going to show because everybody knows you do them anyway," Flacco said.  "We didn't game plan too much for the first two, and we'll game plan a little bit for this one.

"It's not really about what plays we're running, we're just trying to go out there and effectively run the plays that are called."

3 Players To Watch on the Bubble
Prince Miller, CB: The undrafted free agent from Georgia has a great opportunity to make the team as a returner, as the Ravens are still looking for someone to seize that spot, whether on punts or kickoffs.  Miller has done both, and done them well.  He boasts a 57-yard punt return and took his only kickoff return a respectable 22 yards.

Demetrius Williams, WR:Williams has been battling an ankle injury, but he stressed his desire to play Saturday.  The former fourth-round draft pick is also battling a tough numbers situation at his position, so he must play to show coaches that he can stick around as a receiver* *because Williams doesn't do anything on special teams.

Ramon Harewood, OT:The big Barbados native will get his share of opportunities with a depleted corps of Ravens tackles.  Harewood has shown impressive athleticism, but he still needs to work on getting a feel for the professional game.

3 Things for the Ravens to Win Protect Flacco:The Ravens will be starting **Tony Moll** on the right side of the offensive line, and it won't be an easy night against the Giants' talented first-team defensive ends, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanunka.  Moll showed well against the Washington Redskins last weekend, but New York is an even bigger test in the passing game.

Cover Across the Middle:The Redskins strafed the middle of the field, taking advantage of matchups of tight end Chris Cooley and speedy wideout Santana Moss against Ravens linebackers. Giants quarterback Eli Manning can't have a big day throwing to the likes of Kevin Boss (tight end) and Hakeem Nicks (3rd wideout) when they're floating in that mid-range space.

Stop the Run:It's a no-brainer, but the Ravens' run defense faces a tough task with the 264-pound Brandon Jacobs and diminutive but tough Ahmad Bradshaw in the backfield.  Those two had great success against Baltimore when these two teams met in 2008.  The Ravens haven't forgotten.

2009 TALE OF THE TAPE

Ravens                          Category                           Giants

9-7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2009 Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8

Won 3. . . . . . . . . . . . Longest Streak . . . . . . . . . . . .Won 5

  1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Points Scored . . . . . . . . . . . . .402

  1. . . . . . . . . . . . Touchdowns Scored . . . . . . . . . . .46

  1. . . . . . . . Rushing Touchdowns Scored . . . . . . . .14

  1. . . . . . . . Passing Touchdowns Scored . . . . . . . .28

  1. . . . . . . . . . Touchdowns on Returns . . . . . . . . . .4

  1. . . . . . . . . . . . . Points Against . . . . . . . . . . . . .427

  1. . . . . . . . . . . Touchdowns Allowed . . . . . . . . . . .54

  1. . . . . . . . Rushing Touchdowns Allowed . . . . . . . .21

  1. . . . . . . . Passing Touchdowns Allowed . . . . . . . .31

  1. . . . . . . . . . . TDs Allowed by Return . . . . . . . . . . .2

29:18. . . . . . . . . . . Time of Posession Avg.. . . . . . . . . . .28:26

+10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turnover Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-7

52.6%. . . . . . . . . Red Zone TD Pct. For . . . . . . . . .48.2%

41.9%. . . . . . . . Red Zone TD Pct. Against . . . . . . .67.7%

26.2. . . . . . . . . . . . . KOR Avg. For . . . . . . . . . . . . .20.9

20.3. . . . . . . . . . . . KOR Avg. Against . . . . . . . . . . .21.0

7.4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PR Avg. For . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.9

7.6. . . . . . . . . . . . . PR Avg. Against . . . . . . . . . . . .9.2


2009 FINAL RANKINGS

Ravens

Giants

Category

Stats

Rank

Stats

Rank

Total Offense

351.2

13

366

8

Rush Offense

137.5

5

114.8

17

Pass Offense

213.7

18

251.2

11

Points/Game

24.4

9

25.1

8

Total Defense

300.5

3

324.9

13(t)

Rush Defense

93.3

5

110.8

14

Pass Defense

207.3

8(t)

214.1

15

Points/Game

16.3

3

26.7

30

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