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Why Patriots compared Ravens' ball carriers to 'speed skaters'
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- Why Patriots compared Ravens' ball carriers to 'speed skaters'
BALTIMORE – K’Lavon Chaisson called them “speed skaters.”
When studying film of the Baltimore Ravens ’ offensive players, it was noted that their ball carriers ran loose with the ball. The motion in which they carried the football resembled someone in the competitive form of ice skating.
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That’s why the emphasis all week for the Patriots was punching out the ball. As it turned out, practice made perfect.
The Patriots ’ defense forced two fumbles in Sunday’s comeback win over the Ravens, including a crucial one by Chaisson in the fourth quarter.
“The ball gets a bit loose from the body,” Chaisson said. “If you ever watch the speed skater roll, how they kind of move in their body, figure it’s kind of how a couple of ball carriers move with the ball. We already knew that was going on. A couple of guys put it on film already. So, we’re going out there and make that play.”
Entering this matchup, the Ravens had 18 fumbles on the season. On Sunday, the Patriots ’ defense took advantage of that to turn the tide of this game.
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In the first quarter, Drake Maye was intercepted in the red zone with the Ravens already leading, 7-0. After the turnover, Baltimore picked up three first downs and looked like they would add to their lead. However, at 1:51 of the first quarter, Jaylinn Hawkins forced a fumble on Derrick Henry , and Craig Woodson recovered the ball.
Hawkins said the Patriots practiced “punch outs” every day at practice, noting Ravens ball carriers were “loose with the ball.”
“That was the biggest thing, (biggest) coaching emphasis on takeaways. It was like, all right, let’s go out there and just try to get takeaways,” Hawkins said. “That’s the biggest thing. And we knew punching was one of the ways we could get takeaways. And I’ve seen that I had an opportunity. I spun off a block, and I swung like Mike (Tyson), you know what I’m saying? I was blessed enough for it to come out, so I thank God for that. But, it all started early in the week in practice.”
The Patriots’ offense had two turnovers in the first half. In the second half, the defense forced a turnover to secure the comeback victory. After the Patriots retook the 28-24 lead, with 2:07 left, Chaisson punched the ball out, forcing a punt on Zay Flowers .
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Marcus Jones recovered the ball with 1:57 left on the clock.
“We’ve been working on that all week,” Chaisson said. “Something to emphasize heavily is to get the ball out. We knew they had a couple of speed skaters on their side of the ball, the ball getting a little loose from their body. So obviously that’s the time to make a play and see ball, get ball.”
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