Ravens vs. Rams: 5 Things We Learned in the Ravens' 31-17 Loss to the Rams

Thank goodness the preseason is over.

The Baltimore Ravens held out most of its stars Thursday night, and it showed.

The St. Louis Rams, however, didn't follow the same strategy. Quarterback Sam Bradford started and played a good amount. Bradford had his way with Baltimore's defense, completing 11 of 16 passes for 175 yards and three touchdowns.

All in all, it was a uneventful game for the Ravens. Many of players on the bubble didn't take hold of the precious opportunities right in front of them.

The final 53-man roster will be made official at 9 p.m. EST Friday.

Until then, here is a list of five things learned from the Ravens' final preseason game.

1. Deonte Thompson Will Make the Ravens' Roster

On a night where most Ravens looked bad, Deonte Thompson made sure he looked good.

Thompson led all receivers with six receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown. He also returned three kickoffs for 94 yards (31.3 yard average). If that wasn't enough, he was a mainstay on kickoff coverage.

What more does a rookie need to do that Thompson hasn't already done this preseason?

He's made tough catches, long catches, and touchdowns. He, too, has been a spark on special teams.

No guarantees, but Thompson should be a Baltimore Raven at 9:01 p.m. Friday.

If not, rest assured he won't have to wait long for a call from another team.

2. Poor Pass Coverage

The Ravens showed poor pass coverage from their linebackers and defensive backs early in the game.

There was miscommunication and missed assignments, allowing Rams' receivers to run for three touchdowns within the game's first 17 minutes.

Not only that, but there were too many missed tackles for the coaches to count.

Sure there were a couple of backups and mostly third-string players on the field at the time. But these same players never looked this bad in the preseason.

It makes you wonder about the true value of linebacker Ray Lewis and free safety Ed Reed.

Say what you want about their physical condition, but their communication and ability to galvanize a defense is simply rare.

3. Sergio Kindle Makes You Scratch Your Head

Linebacker Sergio Kindle had an awful roughing the passer penalty early in the second quarter that was painfully obvious.

Bradford had gotten rid of the ball, and though he wasn't blocked into Bradford, Kindle proceeded to commit the blatant penalty, right in front of the referee.

Kindle's troubled time line since he became a Raven:

• Kindle was drafted by the Ravens on April 23, 2010.
• On July 22, 2010, he fractured his skull after falling down two flights of stairs in Austin, Texas.
• On September 23, 2010, the Ravens reached an agreement with Kindle that would pay him $282,000, even though he didn't play that season. This move allowed Kindle to workout at team facilities and receive treatment from the team's medical staff.
• On December 26, 2010, Kindle was arrested at 4:09 a.m. for driving under the influence.

Sure, it was just one bad play (albeit a really bad one).

But how much more slack can the Ravens give Kindle before they cut him loose?

They paid him over a quarter of a million dollars to do nothing. They gave him every opportunity to make it.

Right now, it doesn't look good for him.

4. Bernard Pierce Is Progressing Well

Running back Bernard Pierce had eight carries for 27 yards on the night. Nothing special.

But it was the way he hit the holes and ran with purpose that showed coaches he is turning into the player they hoped he would be.

Pierce did fumble a kickoff—that was recovered by the Ravens—but played well, all things considered.

Running back Ray Rice is obviously the biggest part of Baltimore's offense. But with that comes a need for someone to spell him when the season gets arduous.

Now that he's healthy, Pierce looks like he's on track for a nice season.

5. Tyrod Taylor Is Enough Insurance

Quarterback Tyrod Taylor was one of the few Ravens who had a good game. He was 8-of-12 for 58 yards, and ran once for 22 yards.

Joe Flacco hasn't missed a game in his four-year career. But in the event he needs a backup, Taylor looks to be a suitable replacement.

Taylor's mobility and arm strength pop out right away.

Upon further review of his game, you'll notice an advanced knowledge and command of the offense, as well as crisp footwork and a calm demeanor.

Nobody is saying he should start. But if Taylor were to see significant playing time, Ravens' fans ought not to fret, especially considering the quarterbacks of the Ravens' past.