Here at Glenn Clark Radio, we always reflect on the Baltimore Ravens game in a more jovial 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.
Of course there was no game this week with the Ravens on bye so we went ahead and dished out Pats and Slaps for the season at the halfway point: The 5 Ravens most deserving of praise through 9 games and the 5 Ravens least deserving of praise.
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.
They will count down in sequential order before we name the ultimate prize — Two Pats on the Ass or Two Slaps to the Helmet. Players can appear on both lists
Without further adieu:
Glenn Clark’s Halfway Point Slaps to the Helmet:
5. S Kyle Hamilton
He’s coming around in recent weeks and I don’t think he’ll be on the season ending list. But his early struggles were real and a major part of the story.
4. WR James Proche
They needed James Proche to be a football player for them. For whatever reason, it just hasn’t happened.
3. LB Odafe Oweh
I don’t think Odafe Oweh has played poorly. I just think they needed him to be more of a big playmaker than he’s been.
2. QB Lamar Jackson
He’s mostly been incredible. There’s just been a few times (a la the disastrous fumble against the Giants) where he hasn’t made plays that have proven to be significant.
1. CB Marcus Peters
It hasn’t been all bad (he had some big tackles against the Browns for example) and I know his leadership matters but…it’s been rough.
Griffin’s Halfway Point Slaps:
5. WR Rashod Bateman
I know he’s hurt but he was supposed to be the saving grace for this already weak WR corps, when he was on the field, he wasn’t the ‘game changer’ he was cracked out to be.
4. Safety Kyle Hamilton
He’s been improving but was a liability early in the season, so much so that he wasn’t even on the field for critical downs, not what we want from #14 overall.
3. RB JK Dobbins
If you’re going to invest early in a running back, he needs to be on the field. And when he is, he just hasn’t had it.
2. EDGE Odafe Oweh
Underwhelming performance from a 1st round pass rusher. Hopefully reinforcements on the edge can help him make more of an impact but I’ve been disappointed.
1. QB Lamar Jackson
I know we could be 0-9 without him and not every loss is solely on him but if picks up one more first down in each of the three losses, we’re 9-0.
Glenn’s Halfway Point Pats on the Ass:
5. DT Justin Madubuike
He’s been really consistent from Week 1 to now.
4. OT Ronnie Stanley
I can’t believe how quickly we went from “will Ronnie Stanley ever play again?” and “will he ever be Ronnie Stanley again” to this. This is remarkable.
3. TE Mark Andrews
He’s Mark Andrews. Perhaps you’ve heard of him.
2. QB Lamar Jackson
Like he said, he’s mostly been incredible.
1. EDGE Justin Houston
If not for Geno Smith, he’d be the best story in the NFL this season.
Griffin’s Halfway Point Pats on the Ass:
5. K Justin Tucker
The man who needs no introduction, a GOAT.
4. TE Mark Andrews
He’s an elite pass catcher, forces defense to account for him, one of the best players on the team. They can win without him which is great, but they’re exponentially better with him on the field.
3. Safety Chuck Clark
To go from requesting a trade in the off-season to being not only one of our leading tacklers but a leading on the defense. A defense that has had moments and lapses, but Chuck is always there when you need him.
2. EDGE Justin Houston
The ageless wonder, he’s been everything and then some, probably an argument for him to be #1.
1. QB Lamar Jackson
Sure he hasn’t been perfect, but this would not be a 6-win team without him nor leading the division. Lamar is still an MVP-caliber QB.
We also recapped the weekend’s pick contest on GCR Monday, with the a 3-way tie between the side-bet participants, meaning Griffin Bass, Glenn Clark and Ken Zalis will have to consume a chili-covered cinnamon roll, a midwestern delicacy I believe. Heres the updated standings:
You can listen to whole segment below:
