Chykie Brown Defended By Media, Justin Forsett Deserves To Start

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) runs through Baltimore Ravens defensive back Chykie Brown (23) tackle during the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Lunchtime Links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption. Today we find the media coming to the defense of Chykie Brown for his performance on Sunday, why Justin Forsett deserves to start Thursday, and the frustrations of watching Joe Flacco.

Media Comes To Defense Of Chykie Brown

We admit, Chykie Brown is a bit of a punching bag around these parts. But as most Ravens fans know by now, he is stretched as a starter. And he is really stretched as a starter defending A.J. Green one-one-one. But the mainstream media is coming to the defense of Brown Monday morning, which seems a bit odd.

Jon Meoli at the Baltimore Sun says that the 77 yard touchdown Brown gave up to Green (which ultimately sealed the loss for the Ravens) put an “unfair spotlight” on him. John Harbaugh defended his player as well, addressing the play after the game. “It’s a matter of a great player that got a step behind us and made a great play., Harbaugh said. Chykie got his hand in the air. He was beat by a step, though. He should stay on top there, and he knows that.”

Meanwhile, Jamison Hensley at ESPN comes right out and tells us not to blame Brown for the Raven’s loss (even though he gave up the winning score). Hensley points out that Brown held up OK outside of that play, and places blame on the offense for not holding up their end of the bargain.

The Ravens should have never left Brown alone covering Green deep, plain and simple. But then again, he should have never started this game either. The team’s confidence in him, despite his penchant for consistently giving up big plays, is puzzling. And Jimmy Smith should have played shadow coverage the entire game on Green. Why wouldn’t you put your best corner on the opposing team’s best wide receiver?

“Frustrating” Joe Flacco and Steve Smith Admit Faults

Steve Smith told the media that the team “played terrible” following Sunday’s loss, and Joe Flacco admitted that the Ravens played “about as bad as you can.” And Jamison Hensley doesn’t pull any punches either as he calls Flacco “the most frustrating quarterback in the NFL.”