ESPN

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:01 PM)

Thanks for joining the chat for today. Just returned from the start of practice, where Ray Rice is fully suited up. Looks like there is a good chance he will play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.

Rich (New Jersey)

Hi, Is Baltimore's 2-1 start a surprise and with a 1-0 record in the division do the Ravens feel confident they can either win either a division title or wild card spot in the playoffs?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:03 PM)

Rich: I'm not really surprised that the Ravens are 2-1 at this point. I expected them to lose at Denver (not get routed, of course) and beat the Browns and Texans. As far as winning the division, this is a two-team race between the Ravens and Bengals. It will likely come down to the season finale against Cincy.

pj (midlo)

Hi Jamison, likelihood Torrey finds endzone (with the ball in his hands) this week vs Buffalo - how do you expect Bills to cover him (man to man on an island, man to man with help over top, Zone, etc) anywhere to determine what type of passing defense a team plays or %s they use if they mix it up?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:05 PM)

PJ: The Bills gave up two deep touchdown passes last Sunday against the Jets. You get the feeling the Ravens will test the Bills downfield this Sunday, especially if they can establish the run and set up the play action. And, if the Ravens go deep, Flacco is targeting Torrey Smith.

Phillip (Georgia)

Do you think Ozzie will make a trade to upgrade the Ravens receiving options? If so, who are possible targets? Thanks.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:06 PM)

Ravens aren't making any trades. They value their picks too much. And please don't mention the possibility of Josh Gordon. If the Browns are trading him, which I don't believe, they won't ship him to a division rival. The Ravens seem set with Smith, Brown and Stokley at WR and with Clark and Dickson at TE.

Bobby (Baltimore)

Is Ed Dickson just being kept around since he knows the offense and provides depth because it seems he is a non factor?? What is the plan with him??

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:08 PM)

Dickson is actually a good blocking tight end. He still has value that way and that's how the Ravens are using him right now. The Ravens seem like they're going to give Dickson a few weeks off in terms of the passing game. I wouldn't write him off just yet. He stayed after the walkthrough to catch more passes. The Ravens could get more out of him down the road. He needs more confidence right now.

Kevin (Baltimore)

Do you think Deonte Thompson will play this weekend and if so, in what capacity?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:11 PM)

It could be a case where Thompson is ready to play but the Ravens don't need him. He was out at the media viewing portion of practice today. But Thompson is a receiver-returner, and that's a role being filled by Tandon Doss right now.

Dominic (Irving, Texas)

How much talk is there in Raven nation about Flacco receiving a super star contract but so far this season only playing like a bus driver/trent dilfer?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:14 PM)

Flacco hasn't looked like the Super Bowl MVP, but I wouldn't necessarily downgrade him as much as you. The biggest factor is his supporting cast. You can't expect Flacco to be a 4,000-yard thrower without Boldin and Pitta. He has struggled early in games but he's made the key plays in the second half, especially third downs. Flacco has been a factor in the Ravens' wins. They're not winning in spite of him.

Dan (Chicago)

How does Rice's presence on the field impact the passing game?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:15 PM)

If Rice can generate some big plays, it will force a safety down in the box. That will help the Ravens to go over the top. Also, Rice plays a big role in the passing game. He's only averaging 4.4 yards per catch, but you know he can deliver a big play on a short pass.

Brad (Lynchburg, VA)

Does the Party Bus incident combined with the Aldon Smith incident cast a bad light on the two Super Bowl coaches from last year?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:16 PM)

Let's put this in perspective: the Aldon Smith situation is much more serious than a party bus. For the Ravens, no one was arrested or seriously hurt. Don't get me wrong, it's embarrassing. But the incidents are completely different.

Greg (Hanover, PA)

While Joe Flacco didn't put up big numbers in the Texans game he was efficient and didn't turn the ball over. Do you think Joe understood that he didn't need to take chances and just took what the defense gave him? I feel like he knew exactly what needed to happen for the team to win the game and played well. Is this what the Ravens paid him for, to be the guy who knows how to win and doesn't feel obligated throwing for 300+ and 3 TDs every game (but has certainly shown he can do it if need be)?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:19 PM)

The Ravens' expectations for Flacco are different now than when they signed him to that big deal because the circumstances are different. You bring up a good point. A big reason why the Ravens have won is because Flacco hasn't forced things. The bottom line with Flacco is wins, and no one has won more than him since coming into the league in 2008.

Tom (Illinois)

what are fans thoughts about paying so much for Flacco but him not producing like a 100 million dolar QB?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:20 PM)

Are Packers upset at paying Aaron Rodgers more money and their team is 1-2?

Brad (Lynchburg, VA)

After all of this Ray Lewis leadership talk, I am very surprised about the players quick reactions calling Lewis out on this. Maybe Lewis wasn't as heralded in the locker room as the media made him out to be.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:21 PM)

Ray Lewis was a respected leader when he was here. The players are reacting to someone attacking the leadership of the team. It doesn't matter if this was Ray Lewis, Steve Young or Trent Dilfer. Of course, it makes more headlines that it's Ray Lewis.

Tony (PG County) [via mobile]

Why are the Superbowl champs not getting the respect they are due?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:22 PM)

The memory of that dismantling by Peyton Manning is still on many people's minds.

Michael (Cincinnati) [via mobile]

What is ESPN waiting for? The Cleveland Browns need a team reporter. It is week FOUR. ESPN is discriminating against the loyal Browns fans. Bush league. "Browns Links" is insulting. Execution of the team concept is a complete failure because of.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:22 PM)

Be patient.

Brad (Lynchburg, VA)

Any chance the Ravens are shopping around for another RB in to pick up as a stop gap since Rice and recently signed Draughn are nicked up?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:23 PM)

With Rice practicing today, there really is no need to add another running back. The Ravens are fine to go with Rice and Bernard Pierce. Tandon Doss will take over Draughn's role as the kickoff returner if he has to do so.

Rod (Baltimore) [via mobile]

It seems that Dallas Clark is getting more opportunities to make plays than Ed Dickson so is Ed in the doghouse?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:24 PM)

Dickson needs more confidence. When he is catching balls again in practice, I expect him to show up in the passing game again. The Ravens haven't written him off.

Steve (Baltimore)

Does Ryan Jensen seriously have a shot to be the Ravens starting center in a few weeks?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:25 PM)

I wouldn't pencil him in just yet. But the Ravens like him a lot, and it's telling that he wasn't placed on IR. The Ravens want him on this team for a reason.

Dominic (Irving Texas)

tell tony in PG country it doesnt help when they lose 8 starters on defence and arguably their top defensive weapon in the playoffs last year in Anquan Boldin

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:25 PM)

Message delivered.

Joe (Jupiter, Florida)

Why did Graham get taken out of the starting lineup?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:25 PM)

Graham allowed three touchdowns in the season opener.

Bill (Baltimore)

Who are the top priorities for the Ravens to sign to extensions?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:27 PM)

Dennis Pitta was at the top of the list. Art Jones, who has been Warren Sapp the past two weeks, is also a FA at the end of the year. Jacoby Jones will also become a FA, but he didn't help himself with the party bus.

Dominic (Irving, Texas)

all im saying is that hes having the production of Alex Smith with double or tripple Smiths contract

Dominic (Irving, Texas)

To greg in Hanover... i just feel like you dont pay a guy limousine money to drive a city bus

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:28 PM)

Let's not bring up anything related to "bus" this week. Thank you.

Ravenous128 (Columbia, MD)

You miss our snarky commentary, JH. I know you do.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:29 PM)

I miss the use of the word "snarky." Thanks for that.

Michael Zeitlin (Baltimore)

How concerned do you think the coaching staff is by the performance of the offensive line on running plays? Do they feel they have a good handle at where the breakdowns are or is this something that we will continue to see as a problem going forward?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:30 PM)

Let me put it this way: If the Ravens can't run the ball against a Bills defense that has given up 155 yards rushing per game, then it's time to worry. This is a big game for the Ravens' ground game to establish itself again.

Darrell (Bmore)

Do you like interviewing Joe Flacco? Do you find him to be dull?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:30 PM)

You could make that case about Flacco in the first five seasons. He's actually been one of the best quotes this year. He's honest and not holding back.

Ryan (Clemson)

How would you grade Jimmy Smith so far? Do you think he has a future as the corner opposite Lardarius Webb?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:31 PM)

Jimmy Smith has played better each week this year. He's being more physical and making plays on balls. This is what the Ravens have wanted from Smith. If he can keep this up, he definitely has a future opposite Webb.

Darryl (Baltimore)

JH - first time in one of your chats, but a long time reader of your blog. Great work. How would you rank Flacco among the elite QB's? Who in your mind is definitively better?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:33 PM)

Definitely better: Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. As I write this, I think of last year when Flacco outplayed Manning and Brady in the playoffs. Thanks for reading, Darryl.

Darrell (Bmore)

Should I start Rice in fantasy this weekend or wait another week?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:34 PM)

If Rice doesn't produce big points this week, he may never will this year.

michael (VA)

how long before it catches up to baltimore that only there defense is winning games and the offense is playing terrible

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:36 PM)

The Ravens' offense is going to have to show up for Week 6 against Green Bay. The Ravens can't expect to win by scoring less than 28 points.

Raven (Out of the Nest)

Any chance you can get ESPN to go back to the old style of commenting on articles?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:37 PM)

I honestly don't know.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

  (2:38 PM)

Thanks for all of the great questions. Talk to you next week. Same day, same time. Hope you have a great rest of the week.