You know the drill! But if you’re new, here at Glenn Clark Radio, we always try to reflect on the most recent Ravens game in a more convivial manner. In retrospect, we like to choose five players on the team who — depending on the outcome of the game — deserve a ‘Pat On The Ass’ or ‘Slap To The Helmet.’
The rules are simple: pick two players on defense, two players on offense, and one “wild card” (an offensive player, defensive player, special teamer or coach) who stuck out from the pack.
Just another complete team loss as the Ravens showed how deficient they are in most every aspect of the game as they lost 17-3 to the LA Rams at home yesterday. You know what that means, Glenn and Griffin have some Helmet Slaps to hand out:
They will count down in sequential order before we name the ultimate prize — Two Slaps to the Helmet. That one player who one single Slap just wouldn’t sit right.
Without further adieu:
Glenn Clark’s Week 5 Slaps:
5. S Malaki Starks
He needed to slip out on the Higbee touchdown but did a hell of a job of defending air instead.
4. EDGE Mike Green
Maybe the Ravens have a big swing to make in a trade. If not, Mike Green has to be a bigger part of the story. He finished with three tackles but was never a factor in the rush. In fact, NFL’s Next Gen Stats offers an “average separation from QB” stat that measures plays where a player is rushing. The Rams’ top edge rusher (Jared Verse) averaged 3.5 yards of separation from the QB. The league average is 4.57 yards of separation. Green was at 4.94 yards yesterday.
3. QB Cooper Rush
Very little was expected. Far less was delivered.
2. OL Coach George Warhop
A lot of guys are avoiding the wrath here, starting with John Harbaugh and Todd Monken. But the continued penalties and failures of the O-Line (even on a day where they managed to run the ball) are staggering. It’s his turn to feel the wrath.
1. WR Zay Flowers (two slaps)
We don’t want to beat him up because we know he’s just trying to make plays because the team stinks. We know he’s a bigger part of the solution than others. But inevitably, these were two gamechangers. There’s no pass to be given. Inexcusable.
Griffin Bass’s Week 5 Slaps:
5. EDGE Mike Green
Struggled with second defensive guy, really both defensive guys, since yesterday at face-value was such an upgrade of anything we had seen all season. Anyway, Green was once again handed a huge opportunity on a silver platter and threw up all over himself, doesn’t impact the game in coverage nor at the LOS. Offered very little after playing almost every down following the Tavius Robinson injury.
4. LB Trenton Simpson
The Kyren Williams play up the sideline on 4th down absolutely sticks out like a sore thumb to me. He interfered and still couldn’t make a play. That was the play of the game, and who is Stafford picking on? #32
3. QB Cooper Rush
Holy smokes does this guy suck at QB. Zero instincts, the interception was horrendous, yet the incompletions on 3rd and 4th down might have actually been worse.
3. WR Zay Flowers
The fumbles are absolute back-breakers, but it’s like the Henry fumbles, you’re not where you are without Zay. Either way, you can’t win a game with one your best players putting the football on the ground multiple times.
1. HC John Harbaugh (two slaps)
It’s an everything problem, I can’t pick just one coach or one individual player. Why are we coming out of timeouts and having our QB throw it away on 4th down? Coming out of timeouts and leaving Puka Nacua wide open? It’s the little penalties, false starts and jumping offsides. It’s all of it and something has got to freaking change.
You can listen as the boys explain their lists and recap the weekend in the GCR Picks Contest by by clicking the audio player below. Also find the updated standings in the Picks league:
And here is an update on the ‘Pats/Slaps’ scoring after the Ravens fall to now 1-5 on the season:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox
