Ravens Notebook: Defense compares Tony Romo to Ben Roethlisberger
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| Ravens remain concerned about Tony Romo's ability to extend plays. (US Presswire) |
The Ravens are well aware of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, considering the Ravens have to face him twice a year in the AFC North.
With the Ravens players watching film in preparation for Dallas this week, they see a lot of similar characteristics in Cowboys QB Tony Romo to what Roethlisberger likes to do offensively.
Both have an innate ability to extend plays with their legs, yet not necessarily in an attempt to run for first downs. Both quarterbacks can evade sacks and roll out of the pocket while continuing to search for open receivers.
"(Romo) is actually a really dangerous quarterback," defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said. "He can move around really well in the pocket, and when he escapes, he makes plays. He's kind of like Roethlisberger in that way, where he tries to extend plays and look down the field and throw it and he does a really good job at it."
The key for Baltimore will be to contain Romo from running free. The Ravens defense expressed that one of the ways to stop the Cowboys offense is to force Romo into quick decisions with an inability to escape pressure.
"We want to cage him and keep him in the pocket," defensive end Arthur Jones said.
To do that, the Ravens front seven will need to do a better job of getting after the quarterback. Before the Chiefs limited themselves to just 18 passing attempts this past Sunday, the Ravens had given up more than 300 passing yards in three consecutive games.
"(Romo) can make any throw," safety Bernard Pollard said. "I think for our defense, we have to continue to get pressure on him, to get him out of his groove. This guy, when he's hot, he's one of the best in the league."
Beating press coverage: The Ravens receivers had a difficult time getting off press coverage against Kansas City on Sunday. They should see more of the same against Dallas corners Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne this week.
Dallas' base defense is a cover 1 with the corners lined up in man coverage. But no matter the scheme, the corners are physical and like to jam at the line of scrimmage. Quarterback Joe Flacco said the short passing game is going to have to come through this week if the Ravens are to move the ball down the field.
"We're going to have to be on our game underneath in order to get the job done and play well," Flacco said. "Just the things I talked about -- run precise routes, hit them on the front shoulder with the ball and allow them to grab the ball, and it might be a catch and tackle, here and there. As long as we continue that, then I think we will move the ball a little bit and continue to move the chains."
Injury report: DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder) was limited in practice Wednesday. OL Jah Reid (calf) fully participated.
