The surface of Baltimore's stadium is not the reason you won't see Donovan McNabb tonight. The real reason is Buddy Ryan's kid Rex. He runs the Ravens #1 rated defense.
Ryan is one of the main defensive innovators in the National Football League. He was taught by Buddy to attack both the quarterback's mind and body. Once you start throwing the ball against one of the Ryans, he also has a brother who is defensive coordinator of the Raiders, their whole obsession is destroying your quarterback. Rex has learned well and has taken the element of disguise to another level.
I was talking to Otis Smith, current Eagles volunteer assistant coach, former Eagles player and member of two New England Patriot Super Bowl teams, and he let me know how much Bill Belichick valued the element of disguise and surprise. That was the Patriots formula for beating Peyton Manning. Each game they reinvent the defense for the next team they're facing. Rex Ryan has combined his Dad's methods and the philosophy of Belichick and become one of the most feared and respected defensive coordinators in the business. Like his Dad he believes in punishing the opposing quarterback.
Rex Ryan is not opposed to having linebackers and defensive linemen lined up any where on his defense. There's not a player on the field which he won't send at the QB on a blitz. If he finds a gap in your protection, you can believe he's going to go after it. I remember when Buddy called a blitz and it got there, you didn't even have to look to the sideline to know that another one was coming on the next play. I love the way Rex has utilized the same tweeners (players who can play both LB and defensive line). Tweener are very multi-talented. They can rush the passer or drop in coverage equally as well which makes them great elements of disguise.
Getting back to Donovan not playing tonight, Andy and Marty Mornhinweg want no parts of having McNabb in there against a blitz happy member of the Ryan family. He could put in some type of exotic blitz package that could wind up having Donovan carted out of there.
