Half Season Check-Up: Biggest Surprises

Oct 21, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) against the Houston Texans during the first half at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

The Ravens have raced out to a franchising tying best start with a 5-2 record, enough to lead the AFC North. Everything hasn’t gone as planned for the Ravens, they have had some let downs along the way, but they have also had some pleasant surprises.

The Play Of Kelechi Osemele

Most people had Osemele penciled in at either LG or as a backup until he was better prepared to handle his role. Almost no one predicted that Osemele would be a day one starter at right Tackle and would play very well in the role. Osemele has had a couple bad showings, but overall he has exceeded practically everyones expectations.

Terrell Suggs

Did anyone expect Suggs to be back before the halfway point of the season? I sure didn’t. Suggs not only returned over a month before he was expected to return, but he looked like he was in midseason form doing it. Suggs return was barely short of miraculous and it should give Ravens fans hope for the defense moving forward.

Bernard Pollard

One of the few bright spots on the Ravens defense has been Pollard. Pollard has been all over the field making plays at a fairly high rate. He has had some lapses in coverage but overall he has been above the level he set for himself last season. The only knock on Pollard has been the missed tackles, that said, Pollard isn’t the only member of the Ravens defense that has suffered from this affliction as nearly every Ravens defender has been missing tackles at a higher rate then I can ever remember.

Jacoby Jones

Jacoby Jones has stepped in and immediately become the no.3 WR the Ravens have been looking for going on 3 years now. Jones numbers aren’e eye popping, but he has been drawing coverage away from Boldin and Smith and seems to have eliminated his drop problems from the past. Jones has also excelled on kick returns, he already has a touchdown and several returns across the 40 yard line. He has brought a spark to the Ravens offense and special teams.