Live from the Purple Crab Cake: Ravens blank Skins, 23-0

11:11 p.m. — Just a few injury notes to pass along.  John Harbaugh confirmed that Marcus Smith sustained a severe knee injury in tonight’s game, speculating that it could be an ACL.
Troy Smith re-entered the game late in the fourth quarter after John Beck had an undisclosed injury.  Harbaugh does not believe the injury is serious.
Safety Haruki Nakamura suffered a “stinger” but should be fine.
10:35 p.m. — Gano misses a 28-yard field goal as time expires.  Tough break for the rookie in the kicking competition.  Final score:  Ravens 23, Redskins 0.
10:28 p.m. — Troy Smith is back in at quarterback.  This is definitely an interesting development.
After Jason Cook recovered a fumble, Matt Lawrence just picked up 14 yards and a first down.
10:26 p.m. — The Redskins continue to look terrible offensively and are in danger of being shut out.
Ernie Wheelwright nearly blocked the punt.
10:24 p.m. — Paul Kruger just picked up the sack on Brennan, showing great speed off the edge.
I’ve been singing his praises during training camp, so it’s nice to see him deliver in his first preseason game.
10:19 p.m. — Beck just completed a 64-yard pass to little Jayson Foster.
Peerman scores the touchdown from seven yards out, as he made a nice cut to get into the end zone.
Ravens 23, Redskins 0
10:12 p.m. — Just to give you a picture of how much better the depth in the secondary is, Frank Walker, a starter in the AFC Championship game, is playing in the fourth quarter of a preseason game.
This is no knock on Walker, but it shows how deep the secondary is, and the team still awaits the return of Samari Rolle.
10:06 p.m. — On first down, Beck is nearly picked off by defensive end Jeremy Jarmon.
He then hits Peerman on second down for a gain of six yards.
Harper just dropped another pass on third down.  He needs to use his hands to catch the ball instead of trying to trap it with his body.
The Ravens go for it on fourth down, and Beck throws one at the feet of Ernie Wheelwright.  Washington takes over at their own 38-yard line.
10:00 p.m. — Beck just completed a 13-yard pass to sixth-round pick Cedric Peerman, but it’s seven yards shy of a first down.
Sam Koch punts it down to the six-yard line, leaving the Redskins with poor field position to start another drive.
9:58 p.m. — We’ve reached the end of three quarters, and the Ravens hold a comfortable 16-0 lead over the hated Redskins.
9:55 p.m. — Cousins was just called for a holding penalty and continues to have a tough night.
The Ravens definitely need to explore a veteran option at the tackle position to back up Jared Gaither and Michael Oher.
9:54 p.m. — John Beck is now at the helm for the Ravens offense.
Smith finished 12 of 28 for 188 yards and a touchdown.  While the completion percentage isn’t very good, Smith did a great job running the two-minute drive on the team’s lone touchdown of the night at the end of the first half.
9:51 p.m. — Colt Brennan is sacked by Tom Zbikowski on third down, forcing a Redskins punt.
9:44 p.m. — Derrick Martin just picked off Colt Brennan.  The former corner is adjusting to the safety position, and the interception will certainly help his case for a spot on the 53-man roster.
9:41 p.m. — Cam Cameron was not satisfied with his starting offense settling for field goals instead of touchdowns.
“The three penalties in the first half hurt us.  We can correct those.  We held the ball and moved the ball early, but we have to score touchdowns, not field goals.  Ball security was very good, and we’ve worked hard on that.”
9:39 p.m. — Greg Mattison had some halftime thoughts on his defense.
“The turnover at the end of the second quarter was big, and our offense took it right down the field for the touchdown.  Before that, we were sound.  We need more pressure on the quarterbacks, especially in passing situations.”
9:36 p.m. — The action is moving quickly in the second half, as the Ravens begin a drive at their own 23-yard line.  Jalen Parmele is shaken up, and we have an injury timeout.
9:33 p.m. — Here are a few quotes about the Ravens’ performance in the first half:
Flacco:  “It felt great to be out there.  As an offense, everything felt really good.  I was happy with the way our receivers and running backs were moving.  Our line did a heck of a job for being their first time out there.”
Kelly Gregg:  “It was a little nerve-racking, but it’s really great to be back.  I was just soaking everything up.  There were a few butterflies, but it was a lot of fun to be out here pounding again with the guys.”
Ray Rice talking about Michael Oher:  “He’s ready to play.  He’s physical.  He got out there and got a jump on people.  He just needs to continue to get better each game.”
9:24 p.m. — On 3rd and 15, Smith throws it away.
Graham Gano makes the 39-yard field goal, making the score 16-0.
9:22 p.m. — Smith with a 37-yard completion to Yamon Figurs who keeps his feet in-bounds.  Figurs will need more plays like that to solidify a spot on the 53-man roster.
On 3rd and 5, Smith hits Lawrence for a gain of 11, moving the chains and setting the Ravens up at the Skins’ 16-yard line.
9:20 p.m. — The second half is underway, and the Ravens begin the drive deep in their own territory.
Smith has really been impressive and just threw a first-down completion to Harper.  It’s clear these two have a solid chemistry.
Oniel Cousins gets called for holding, pushing the ball back to the 15.
9:09 p.m. — We’re still trying to find out more about Marcus Smith
Flacco was 9 of 15 for 103 yards.  A solid outing and hopefully enough to sil
9:01 p.m. — Cartwright rushes for 5 yards to close out the half.  Ravens lead, 13-0.
8:58 p.m. — Smith with a great pump fake and throws the 19-yard touchdown pass to Harper.  These two have hooked up repeatedly in Wesminster, and they find the same magic tonight.
Hauschka’s extra point makes the score 13-0.  The Ravens have thoroughly dominated this one.
The drive covers 10 plays, 69 yards, and lasts 107.  You have to be impressed with Troy Smith’s work in the two-minute drill.
8:57 p.m. — On 3rd and 4 from the 32, Smith hits a slant to Harper who makes the catch for the first down and takes it to the 19.  Smith spikes the ball with 19 seconds remaining.
On the next play, Smith tries to hit Harper in the end zone, but it falls incomplete.
8:55 p.m. — Orakpo gets in there again and hits Smith as he tries to throw.  I’m very impressed with the rookie from Texas.
Smith then completes a 14-yard pass to Lawrence, and the Ravens have the ball at the Washington 38 yard-line.
8:54 p.m. — After Smith completes passes to Edgar Jones and Matt Lawrence, the Ravens are all the way up to their own 48.  The Ravens use their final timeout with 59 seconds remaining in the half.
8:53 p.m. — On 3rd and 6 from the 30, Collins does not get the snap off in time and is called for a delay of game.
Now, 3rd and 11 from the 35, Collins completes a pass to Keith Eloi who then gets stripped by Tom Zbikowski.  The ball is recovered by Dwan Edwards.
8:47 p.m. — Fred Davis fumbles the ball after making the catch.  Prescott Burgess forced the fumble.  The Redskins recover at the Baltimore 34, and we’ve reached the two-minute warning.
8:43 p.m. — The Redskins are finally moving the ball after Malcolm Kelly makes a nice catch on third down with Chris Carr defending.  Kelly again snatches one for a gain of seven, setting up 2nd and 3 from their own 48.
8:41 p.m. — Thank goodness we can finally stop talking about the silly Michael Vick to Baltimore rumors.  Vick has signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
8:39 p.m. — Harper fails to bring another pass in on third down.  The Redskins are getting some heavy pressure on Troy Smith.  Cousins is having a difficult time blocking Orakpo, the Redskins’ first-round pick.
The Washington offense takes over at their own 11-yard line.  You know Jim Zorn wants to see a positive drive here.
8:36 p.m. — It’s nice seeing Michael Oher back in the game after suffering a nasty gash to the forehead.
Smith just lofted a nice touch pass to L.J. Smith for a gain of 35 yards.  A healthy L.J. Smith would give the Ravens a nice duo at the tight end position.
8:34 p.m. — The Ravens force the Redskins to go three-and-out, as the second-team defense is now in for the Ravens.
Lardarius Webb returns the 55-yard Hunter Smith punt to the 24.
8:31 p.m. — On third down, Cousins had a difficult time trying to block Brian Orakpo and gets called for holding.  The pass falls incomplete, and the Redskins decline the penalty.
After the punt, the Skins will start at the 22.
8:27 p.m. — Justin Harper can’t come up with a low—but catchable—pass from Smith.  He has blazing speed but needs to show the ability to catch the ball in traffic.
On second down, Smith throws high but Harper cannot rein it in with a defender ready to unload on the young receiver. It certainly isn’t a good start for Harper, a guy whose praises I’ve been singing over the last few weeks.
The Ravens take their second timeout on 3rd and 10.
8:26 p.m. — Troy Smith is your new quarterback.
Flacco finishes 9 of 15 for 103 yards.  A steady preseason debut that hopefully silences some critics.
Campbell was 3 of 6 for 38 yards.
8:25 p.m. — Barnes and Ellerbe combine on the tackle on the kickoff.
Todd Collins is the new Redskins quarterback.  Barnes almost picked off a pass in the flat intended for Eddie Williams.
On third down, Haruki Nakamura punches the ball away from Hagans, forcing another Washington punt.
Carr has some trouble fielding the punt but recovers and returns it to the 32-yard line.
Injury update: Washington’s Lorenzo Alexander has an abdominal strain, and his return is questionable.
8:21 p.m. — After a short pass to McGahee fails to pick up the first down, Hauschka makes the 36-yard field goal.  He’s 2-for-2 tonight.
Not a bad drive from the Ravens, but the Smith drop really hurt.  The drive lasts 14 plays and spans 71 yards.  It took 6:36.
8:19 p.m. — Flacco completes a third-down play to Marcus Smith, picking up the first down.
McGahee displays some nice moves in the open field as he picks up 16 yards.
Flacco with a beautiful pass over the defender that’s dropped by Smith.  That’s a ball that needs to be caught.  After another incompletion to Williams, it brings up 3rd and long from the 26-yard line.
8:13 p.m. — The quarter ends with a five-yard completion to Rice coming out of the backfield.
At the end of the first quarter, Ravens lead the Skins, 3-0.
8:12 p.m. — Flacco’s screen pass to Rice is blown up for a loss after Ben Grubbs could not block Byron Westbrook in the open field.
On 3rd and 9, Flacco hits Washington for a gain of 15 and a first down.  Nice start for the new Raven.
8:09 p.m. — On first down, Flacco hits Mason for a seven-yard gain on the quick out.  Le’Ron McClain lining up in the slot two plays in a row.
Kelley Washington catches a 16-yard pass, moving the chains.  The former Bengal and Patriot has been impressive in camp.
Rice picks up seven yards on first down, as the Ravens are all the way up to their own 40.
8:04 p.m. — On 3rd and 7, Antwan Barnes nearly sacks Campbell, forcing the incompletion.
During the punt return, Jameel McClain is called for holding and will move the Ravens back to their own 10-yard line.  You just know special teams penalties drive Harbaugh crazy.
8:02 p.m. — The Redskins will begin their second drive at their own 23.  Campbell completes a 15-yard pass to Antwaan Randle El.  The Ravens didn’t get much pressure up front on the play.
Ray Lewis and Ed Reed already appear finished for the night.
8:01 p.m. — Flacco’s pass is broken up by DeAngelo Hall on third down, intedned for Mason.
Steve Hauschka hits the 21-yard field goal, and the Ravens take the 3-0 lead with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter.  The highlight of the drive is the 34-yard completion to Rice coming out of the backfield.
You have to be pleased with the Ravens’ opening drive.  It lasted 13 plays, covered 67 yards, and took 5:47 off the game clock.
8:00 p.m. — Oher has been taken to the locker room with a gash on his forehead.  It appears he will need stitches after taking a shot to the head just a few minutes ago.
Joe Reitz has checked in at right tackle for the Ravens in Oher’s absence.
7:58 p.m. — After the timeout, the Ravens give it to McGahee straight up the middle for the first down.  Michael Oher comes off the field bleeding.
On 2nd and goal, Flacco cannot connect with Mason and throws it out of the end zone.  On 3rd and goal from the 3, Washington takes their first timeout.
7:52 p.m. — Willis McGahee has checked in at running back and takes the hand-off for a gain of five yards.  Despite Rice’s strong showing in training camp, the coaching staff is pleased with McGahee’s work in Westminster also.
Flacco keeps it on 3rd and 3 and takes a pretty good hit but comes up just short of the first down.  It will be 4th and 1, and John Harbaugh will use a timeout to ponder what to do.
7:48 p.m. — Rice just caught a short pass over the middle and galloped 34 yards to the Washington 17.  The 5-7 back provides so much versatility in the backfield, and it’s easy to see why the Ravens are so high on the former Rutgers star.
After Rice rushes for two yards, Kedric Golston is slow to get up for Washington.
7:46 p.m. — Flacco’s first-down attempt is batting in the air at the line of scrimmage by Andre Carter.  The ball helplessly falls incomplete.
On second down, Ray Rice shows good speed getting to the edge and picks up six yards.
Kelley Washington lines up as the No 3 receiver on third down before Demetrius Williams catches a slant for an 11-yard gain.  It’s nice seeing Williams on the field and contributing.
7:44 p.m. — The Ravens’ offense will start their first drive of the season from their own 30-yard line.  It will be interesting to watch how well Oniel Cousins performs in Jared Gaither’s absence.
Cousins has had a strong training camp so far.
7:43 p.m. — On 3rd and 6, the Ravens bring the pressure as Campbell throws incomplete, intended for Marques Hagans.
Chris Carr is back deep to return the punt.
7:39 p.m. — The Redskins’ opening play results in a first down in a swing pass to Ladell Betts.
Two plays later, Jason Campbell completes an 11-yard pass to Cooley.  Skins moving the ball well early.
7:39 p.m. — Dannell Ellerbe immediately makes his presence known by bringing down Rock Cartwright.
7:37 p.m. — The Redskins win the toss and elect to receive.
Steve Hauschka will handle all kicking duties in the first half.
7:36 p.m. — Ravens’ captains are Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Kelly Gregg, Matt Birk, Justin Bannan, and Trevor Pryce.
7:27 p.m. — The starting offense is being introduced to the customary U2 song “Where the Streets Have No Name.”
Ray Rice is the first player announced, and Micheal Oher received a nice ovation from the home crowd.
Derrick Mason is the last player announced, and it’s clear the Ravens’ faithful are glad to have him back after a brief retirement.
7:18 p.m. — Tonight’s referee will be Walt Anderson.  Rounding out the officiating crew is Scott Dawson, Phil McKinnely, Byron Boston, Jimmy Buchanan, James Coleman, and Billy Smith.
7:12 p.m. — Looking around the lower bowl of M&T Bank Stadium, there’s a sprinkling of Skins fans but not as many as I thought there would be.
The Ravens are going back to their locker room after warming up.  Fifteen minutes until kickoff!
7:08 p.m. — I’m a bit surprised to see Ed Reed out there tonight after wearing the red jersey for most of training camp.  I figured the Ravens would hold him out until the second or third preseason game.
Mason will play despite dislocating a finger only two days ago.
I’d be surprised if we see Reed or Mason for longer than a series or two.
7:02 p.m. — Oniel Cousins will start at left tackle in Gaither’s place.  Defensively, Paul Kruger will take Terrell Suggs’ spot with the first defense.
Ladell Betts will get the start at running back and Devin Thomas will line up at receiver for Washington.  On the defensive side of the ball, Fred Smoot will start at corner and Kedric Golston will take Haynesworth’s spot at defensive tackle.
6:58 p.m. — The Ravens announced they have waived receiver Thomas White.
6:56 p.m. — The Ravens have released their inactives for this evening, and they include Terrell Suggs, Mark Clayton, Jared Gaither, Marshal Yanda, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Samari Rolle (PUP), Lamar Divens, and Biren Ealy.
Sitting out for the Redskins will be Carlos Rogers, Clinton Portis, Anthony Alridge, Reuben Riley, Jeremy Bridges, Randy Thomas, Santana Moss, and Albert Haynesworth.
6:40 p.m. — The Ravens specialists are out on the field, and Ed Reed is dressed and appears to be playing.
Reed’s status throughout training camp has been a mystery with him sporting the red non-contact jersey for most practices.
6:16 p.m. — Still no word on the scratch list.
The Ravens will be dressed in all white tonight.
5:46 p.m. — Tonight marks the first time the Ravens have opened the preseason at home since 2007 when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 29-3.
This will be the fifth preseason meeting between the Ravens and their hated neighbors to the south.  The preseason series is tied, 2-2.
In the series that really matters, the regular season, Baltimore enjoys a 3-1 all-time lead.  The most recent meeting was last season’s 24-10 victory for the men in purple on a cold Sunday night in December.
5:24 p.m. — Derrick Mason is out on the field working out and catching passes.  It seems like Mason may attempt to play, but I still suspect we won’t see him for long.
5:19 p.m. — I’m live at M&T Bank Stadium, watching a handful of players warm up—kicking around a soccer ball, no less!—after a heavy rain just passed through the area.  The sun has just peaked out as I type this.
Kickoff is just over two hours away, and we’ll update you on the injury report as soon as we get word.  At this point, Mark Clayton (hamstring) and Terrell Suggs (heel) are the only players ruled out for the game, but there are several players whose status is unknown including Marshal Yanda, Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams, Todd Heap, Jared Gaither, Ben Grubbs, Trevor Pryce, and Brendon Ayanbadejo.
Stay with us throughout the game, as we’ll be offering analysis, providing injury updates, and answering your questions here at WNST.net!