Why We Lost and Why We Could Have Won
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 2:28 AM EDT
89 comments
With the Baltimore Ravens coming off their first loss of the year, many will be examining throughout the rest of the week what the Ravens did to in fact receive the loss and what they could have done to get the win. In a game like this there are a million factors that contributed to a 21-27 Ravens loss, some that should be taken lightly and some that will be taken with serious action involved.
Baltimore is in pain after a game like this where a victory and 4-0 start was clearly within reach, but the people out there who have been with us from the start and continue to stick with our beloved purple and black need to let this one go and focus on the Bengals next week. So to start things off, lets fess up to our loss today in New England and take a look at why we lost this game. I really cannot say too much about the players, because most of them looked great with what they had to work with. Feel free to add anything else in the comments to why we lost or what we could have done to win. There are so many.
- Play Calling: Even though the Ravens were able to yet again have big numbers and put up 363 total yards of offense, the stats can be deceiving. Today looked to be the worst coaching performance of the year for Cam Cameron. This is not to say that some of the plays called were terrible, because many, many great plays were executed. However, the balance just did not seem to be there. What stands out is the 16 rushing attempts between Rice and McGahee. As much of a transition that we would all like to see, our style of football is still smash mouth. Flacco had 47 pass attempts today, 20 of which were incomplete. Take away 10 or so of those passing attempts and convert them into runs, the game could have really had a different turn out. The passing attack has been great all season, but we dominated the Patriots on the ground today by rushing for an average of 6.8 yards per carry and abandoned one of the strongest aspects of our game many times. 3rd and 1, we sneak with Flacco. 4th and 1, we run with McGahee. Don't we have a pro bowl fullback in LeRon McClain? Oh, wait he did not see a single carry or pass all day.
- Clock Management: Tom Brady is good, really good. Bill Belichick is good, really good. So when you allow for these two masterminds to stay on the field for nearly 35 minutes, a loss is almost inevitable. Yes, we were very close to the win, but having the ball for only 25 minutes today is a difference in the 6 points that New England beat us by. Again, a healthy balance of what was a dominating rushing attack could have made the difference here.
- Return Game: You would think that a player who turned what was once the 32nd ranked return team in Tennessee to the 1st ranked return team would be able to have some serious success for us right? Wrong. Chriss Carr has looked nothing of an improvement over Yamon Figurs. Not once today did he ever it ever look like Carr would break a tackle, which he didn't. And a fumble on the opening kick-off? Come on now Chris. There is a reason you were taken out for rookie Lardaius Webb, who had his first return taken 38 yards and set us up perfectly. I think change is upon us in Special Teams. Yes, I know that we were playing from behind most of the game, but we definitely could have afforded to turn some of those incompletions off of 47 pass attempts into a few more runs.
- Tackling: Multiple first downs were gained by the Patriots because of poor tackling. Poor tackling on what is a very average RB group that seemed to find the gap pretty well on the dump off pass. There were multiple plays were the initial tackle was the difference between a scoring drive or not.
- Mark Clayton: I really hate to put the burden of a loss on one player, but that dropped pass killed us. Joe did everything you could ask for on that drive and set us up to get the first. Joe threw a perfect pass and Mark, who is usually sure handed, could not pull it in. Keep your head up though, Mark.
- Officiating: Decided to leave this as the last one because we should not blame this totally on the way that the game was officiated today. The referees were not the ones who put the ball in the end zone for 27 points. But were they a part of it? Yes. Two phantom roughing the passer calls, one of which had Terrell Suggs pushed from behind and skimming the leg of Tom Brady. Brady then resorted to pointing and jumping up and down asking for the flag and was later seen smiling. When have we ever seen a roughing the passer call with a QB standing up, jumping for a flag? Hmmmmmmm......... To anyone who would like to see the Ravens' reactions to the officials, here you are.
Yes, this team did a few things today to show that we deserved to lose. However, there were many positives to this game that we should take for granted. Check out why we could have won after the jump.
- Joe Flacco: Yes, he is a reason we could have won today. The man amazes all of Baltimore every time he sets up behind center. It is incredible what this second year QB is able to do in any situation. Joe was able to work with what ever was given to him and made things happen. If you did not think we were not going to win that game in the last 2 minutes, you are crazy. Joe is special and we should all be thankful to have a player like that on our team.
- Randy Moss: The fans and media have been quick to jump on the secondary as of late, but today we should give credit. We must remember that it is Tom Brady, and holding him to 258 yards passing is not that bad. But what we should be impressed with is holding arguably the most physically dominating WR in history to just 3 catches for 50 yards and a TD that even Travis Taylor could have caught. Very happy to see our group shut down Moss like they did. If Moss would have been able to find his groove in this game, we would have stood no chance to win this game.
- Defense: I was quick to jump on the tackling, but all around defense was solid today. After the fumbled opening kick-off, we were able to hold a fresh Patriot offense to 3 points. Then, we were able to give Joe and crew one more shot to get the victory. We did let up some plays, but in the end this group made some plays when we most needed them. The Patriots had not fumbled in 29 quarters before today. Changing that along with recovering the fumble for a clutch touchdown is a positive. Brady was able to put some numbers up on us and give his defense a good enough cushion to force us to do some things we did not want to do. Again, we shut down the run for the most part and left them one-dimensional. Yet, Tom Brady as that one dimension is a pretty good deal.
- Running Game: The running game was on point today, just like it has in the first 3 weeks. Rice seemed unstoppable on the first tackle. He was all over the place and had 103 yards on only 11 carries and why Cam Cameron decided to give up on this at various points in the game, we should be given an answer. This turnout could have gone our way if Rice saw 20-23 carries. But 16 total rushes between Rice and McGahee with no sight of McClain was not smart.
- Heart: This team could have won because of the heart it has. When Tom made a play, we made a play back. When their defense made a stop, ours came right back and made one back. We were not given that much to work with today, but our team made the most of it and really gave it all that they could. There is a lot of heart on this team, and it will show again and again throughout the season.
This was tough. We do not like this feeling. But nothing gives a team like ours a kick in the butt like a loss like this. Good things are going to come from this loss and you will see a different Raven team for the rest of the season. We have too much to look forward to with this group to get down on ourselves after losing to one of the greatest franchises in NFL history. We are passed it and going back home to play the Bengals, a team that needed nearly 5 quarters to beat the helpless Browns. Stick with it Baltimore, good things are coming.
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Also T-Gooden was out, so Ellerbe had to start.
He’s just not quite ready to start yet….
If alcohol didn't exist the Irish would conquer the world.
by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 5, 2009 6:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Where was Jameel McClain?
I thought he was the backup to T-Gooden and had played real well when in there. I also saw Kruger in for at least one play as a rush end.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
why was Gooden out ? also they need to say that the PF to the knees was the issue should have been illgeal block in the back because the O-lineman threw suggs in to Brady. also should do they need to figure some rules changes for personal fouls .
Carr you need to get better or get out
by 2000 ravens on Oct 5, 2009 8:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
T-Gooden was injured last week and inactive today
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hope this isn’t a new trend we have. The injury bug hit us really hard yesterday.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
gaither could be tragic
they couldn’t fit him in the MRI machine. Hopefully his injury isn’t as bad as it looked.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have sorry LB’s anyway. Can’t stop shit. Can’t stuff the short yard downs and don’t provide goal line D help. Put Kruger in at LB so we can tackle someone.
by raven on Oct 5, 2009 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no. it’s obvious. watch the the San Diego game and the Pats game. our LB’s are scarecrows against any decent passer. not kidding.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We have very good LB's, a top 5 unit easy
It is our pass rush that is a bigger problem. No LB can hang with Wes Welker or other WR’s when the QB has all day. We have also been playing great pass offenses and when teams can’t run on us, they are going to have some amount of success through the air. They’re professionals too.
We have sorry LB’s anyway.
Thats crap. I guess our sorry LB’s have nothing to do with our amazing success against the run, right?
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Love our LB
But we NEED to get a true DE to rush the passer. Trevor Pryce is/was a great true DE who tore it up rushing the QB. Suggs is good at it, but not Freeney, Peppers, Mario Williams good. Suggs has to do too much as a LB to be as great of a pass rusher as he was when we drafted him. He has taken on new assignments now and is a LB more than a DE.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need Kruger to mature fast
Earn that nickname Freddy
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
no i’m not kidding..our LB’s aren’t very good. thank Ngata and Gregg for stuffing the run. i call it like i see it. ray’s my favorite player but he left a lot to be desired on sunday. HAVE YOU re-watched the game yet? did you watch the LB play? who’s the 2nd good LB on the team? who???
by raven on Oct 8, 2009 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jarrett Johnson
I think he has played exceptional so far this season. You would be crazy to think other wise. The man does not miss a tackle.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 8, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good LB's
Suggs
Lewis
Johnson
This is widely thought among NFL people. It’s not debatable that these players are “good.” Good players don’t always have good games every week.
Jury still out on Gooden, McClain, Barnes, Ellerbe….
Again, they might not have had a great game last week, I’m not arguing that….I’m saying they are good players in this league and any team would be lucky to have them. There body of work speaks for itself.
I’m done with this until you find one unbiased person to agree with you that we have sorry LB’s. Saying that our LB’s have no influence in us being the top D against the run is incomprehensible. Your mind is made up and I don’t really care to try to convince you anymore.
by DT711 on Oct 8, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
do me a favor and watch ray sunday and honesty tell me he hasn’t really dropped off from, say 2 years ago. he’s slower to the line on the run (especially goal-line packages) and is having issues in pass coverage.
by raven on Oct 10, 2009 1:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who can’t jam the run and leave their ass exposed? Besides, our d-line is swallowing up runners. Gregg, Ngata in the center… How about Rays attempted stop on Brady when Brady snuck it in from 2 yards out. Ray ended up with his back to the line and pushing like he was trying to move a fridge with his shoulders. What type of help is that.
by raven on Oct 10, 2009 1:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just heard that the NFL is going to iniate a new QB Rule
Under the New “Brady Belt Rule” any defensive player who makes contact with a QB below the belt, for any reason, will receive an automatic Unsportsmanlike Penalty and the offense will receive an automatic first down and 25 yards. Furthermore, any defensive player interfering with the throwing action of the Quarter Back by way of contact above the belt will receive the same punishment. If for any reason, the QB is brought down to the ground by way of legal contact (the 1/2in belt region on the QB) from a defensive player, said Defensive player will be immediately ejected and will receive a $10,000 fine. To prevent this new rule from affective play to much, the new rules will only be in effect whenever Tom Brady is on the field.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Oct 5, 2009 8:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually to make the calls easier,
they are just going to give Brady a yellow flag to stick in his belt to throw whenever he needs a penalty to extend a drive after an incomplete pass he wants to blame on somebody else.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Couldn't say it better
Maybe Brady should just go ahead and wear his red practice jersey during games so everyone knows where he is at and will be able to avoid him.
by hokey pokey on Oct 5, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MaLoR - Thanks...
…for the great story and the help on a Monday morning. You said most of my thoughts exactly. Keep ’em coming.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
2:38am!?
Even think of getting a decent night’s sleep or are you like me and can’t wind down after a Ravens game. To me, that’s staying up until close to midnight, though.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crazy right?
Funny part is I had to get up at 630 today. Good 3 hours of sleep. Had a paper to write which I put off for about 5 hours because of the heart break the loss brought me.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Beer
You want to sleep good drink about 15 beers ,that always helps me
by section117 on Oct 5, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
15? Lightweight....
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just Wait
until you hit 30 years of age. I am going to be 38 next Sunday and I still can drink with the best of them as I Celebrate my birthday for 2 weeks straight
by section117 on Oct 5, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bruce, you see what i'm saying about Mattison's play calling now?
He blitzed Reed to put Foxworth in a one-on-one with Randy Moss when they were easily within reach of a TD! YOU ALWAYS KEEP ONE HIGH! NEVER LEAVE A CB 1-ON-1 IN A POSSIBLE TD SITUATION!!!!
it’s not too late for him to learn, but that reed blitz was STUPID STUPID STUPID
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't necessarily agree
See where Foxworth was playing Moss? all the way to the sideline, giving Moss the entire field to work with. Seems like more of a positioning problem and we needed toblitz more as Brady had all day to throw.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he gave him an easy read. sure, Moss could have been better covered in that one-on-one situation. But you always, always keep one single high. We’re known to do that, and under Mattison we’ve been playing more zero-high (meaning no safeties high).
As far as that play is concerned, you can’t convince me otherwise. You keep Reed in single high and that TD doesn’t happen.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This from Bob Ryan this AM:
But the fact is the rules are the rules, and both calls were legit. Players must adapt; it’s that simple. Lewis has his facts straight, and his feelings are easy to understand. This is not the game he used to know. But it’s the one we’ve got, and if the Ravens don’t play it as it’s now written, this won’t be the last time they’ll be singing this particular song after a tough loss.
It’s tough to “adapt” when you are stumbling or pushed toward the QB on a pass rush. Likewise, is a lineman, who is also struggling against a blocker, supposed to not try to block a pass if he is in the vicinity of the QB for fear of touching the QB near the head?
The fact remains the Ravens committed a few more errors against a team where the margin for error is slim to none. Move on and kick ass the next time they play. There’s no other choice.
by drj on Oct 5, 2009 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
what sucks about the rules
is that they go against every instinct a coach tries to put in the heads of his players. You’re supposed to go full-steam from snap to whistle every play—the rules shouldn’t inhibit that instinct by forcing players to second-guess their aggression. last time I checked, the QBs play a contact sport too.
I see Ryan’s point, but how can you ignore the obvious fact that these new rules SUCK?!?!? Rodney Harrison was talking about it, and he’s a PATRIOT! He hates the rules too!! I bet if you did an anonymous poll of QBs in the NFL, maybe 1 of the 32 starters on any given week would say that they need the Brady Rule to protect them. Maybe. I wouldn’t be surprised if even Tom Brady doesn’t like the Brady Rule.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
But I hate that this is going to bet he topic of conversation for the week. It makes us all seem way too bitter and we have to remember that we made alot of football mistakes as well. Were the penalties huge, of course they were. But we missed tackles, misread WR setups, had poor offensive balance when we were DOMINATING on the ground, and played from behind the whole game.
Lets try not to sound like what most people are already making us out to be, whiny little b*tches. We lost to a hell of a team, and lets just take it out on Cinci this week.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
bottom line
we didn’t lose because of those penalties. we lost because we missed opportunities to score. Be it the miscommunication that led to the INT, or the dropped passes by clayton, we missed opportunities. We could have scored more point than the other team, but we didn’t simple as that.
Ryan has a point though. The rules are what they are and the Ravens need to learn to play within those rules. I hate those rules, but they are what they are.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bob Ryan can choke on Tom brady’s sausage. Are you forgetting that Ryan writes for the Boston globe? Of course his dumbass is going to tell us to follow the rules. He is a Brady nut rider.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nonetheless
he is right.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No he is not. The Beatdown crew is right about each and every single thing about the NFL and about the Ravens. GOD!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i agree
Ryan is right. He’s not that much of a homer either. He’s one of the great sports writers of today.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is he correct?
I’m looking for the wording of the rule. A quick search comes up with this:
Defenders who are knocked to the ground no longer can lunge into quarterbacks if the play is still ongoing.
Owners pass four rules in an attempt to make the game safer
The NFL continues the re-writing of the rule book
Suggs wasn’t knocked to the ground and lunging. He was falling and pretty much missed Brady’s leg. The refs were overzealous on this call. The other helmet contact was tick-tack to the letter of the law (as I read it).
by drj on Oct 5, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope. We are wrong, the NFL is right. They are always right. Brady was roughed up really badly during that play. Guess that is why he was smiling.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
let me clarify
while I think that the call was wrong, I think that Ryan’s central point is right: that we need to learn to play with the new rules. The rules suck, which was Ray’s point, but we need to learn to play by them.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't stop inmid flight
especially if you’re pushed from behind or even swatting at the QB’s moving arm and miss. Expectations need to have intent before the flag is thrown.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
im agreeing with you dude
the call was bad b/c he was pushed and the ref wasnt even going to throw that flag until brady looked at him and requested it.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 6, 2009 8:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
5 plays/stat
There are only 5 plays/stats that should be the biggest highlights of why we lost this game. Offense played well, defense played decent, coulda been better but that isnt a play or a stat.
1st play- 10 seconds into the game, the worst return man if Ravens history coughs it up, not exactly the best way to set the tone Chris Carr.
2nd play- Haloti Ngata roughing the passer call on 3rd & 9, terrible call on a drive that scored into a touchdown.
3rd play- Terrell Suggs roughing the passer on 3rd & 8 I believe. This call was worse then the Ngata one, and I recall Joe Flacco getting crushed 3 seconds after he threw the ball once with a no call, Chris Berman and Tom Jones pointed it out on their analysis from the game and basically said these new rules are the Michael Jordan rules of football for Tom Brady and also added Tom Brady isn’t as tough as quarterbacks from the 70’s 80’s and 90’s seeing as the NFL is never gonna allow Tom Brady’s fingernail to ever get touched again, Tom Jones even added and I quote “The NFL can’t fine us so we can talk about the refs all we want”, thats saying something when unbiased commentators comment on the refs that harshly, it must mean something is wrong.
4th play- Mark Clayton dropped pass on 4th & 3 that was right in the numbers. Clayton had 3 chances to catch this ball, first with his hands (which is textbook fundamentals you learn in pee-wee), Second when he it hit him in the 8 and the 9, and third after it popped out and he still had an eye on it. If Clayton makes this catch its 1st & 10 inside the 20 with 1 timeout and a fresh set of downs, you can open the playbook here while we had the momentum, its a tough pill to swallow, but hopefully this puts some fire into Clayton and something positive can come out of that dropped pass.
5th- (stats)- The Ravens carried the ball 17 times and passed 47 times. Ray Rice had 11 carries for 103 yards…9.4 yards a carry people, thats not even to mention the chunks of 11-12 yards he was picking up on the screens and drop off passes. In 2007 we established the run of this team when we were a terrible team and we almost beat the Patriots with McGahee rushing for about 150 yds and 2 TD’s. 9.4 yards a carry is astonishing and it saddens me we didn’t use Rice more, especially when against the Pats you wanna keep Brady off the field. Hopefully next week against Cincy we can run it down their throat cause we need to just beat them up and take our frustration out on them.
Those are my 5 things that define why we loss this game, I think everything else is secondary. Malor said most of that in the post, I guess mine is a simpler version. Lets pick our heads up and kick some ass here next week.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Oct 5, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cory Ross was a pretty bad return man too. Chris Carr has made me scratch my head all year as to why he took Figurs’ place. Maybe the new no-wedge rule has something to do with it?
by bigmac1124 on Oct 5, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Figurs wasn't good either
But Figurs still knew how to return, I dont even think Carr has a clue what to do once he gets it. LeDarius Webb better be in there more cause hes not afraid to take a hit and gets up some speed and tries to find a hole, it seems to me Carr prances to the tacklers stops and tries to dance his way through, but gets crushed and makes himself look like an idiot.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Oct 5, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You will see a lot more Webb
starting next week.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We better
Ozzie took a big wet crap with the signing of Chris Carr. And just to think that I actually got excited about him. My 25 pound rat terriers could do better on kickoff returns than Carr could. Then again, my dogs are the fastest things on the planet.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think its all Ozzie's fault
Carr was a different player last year, a very good one. Oz had know way to know his play would fall off like it has, but he is the GM so some blame goes to him.
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
great points. what a waist of a rushing game. how do you look at McGahees 130 the last time (with a worse o-line) and say “hmmmm, i think i’ll pass my ass off.”
by raven on Oct 6, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This just in.
Countless Roethlisberger jerseys have been spotted in the area. A major climb in sightings in comparison to the past 2 weeks. No Redskins, yet.
Scott Hines
by shines on Oct 5, 2009 10:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Yea I have seen many skins jerseys so far around campus. No steelers yet, but the day is young still. The day is too nice out to not have steeler fans gloating over a win where they had yet another 4th quarter meltdown and allowed 28 points to SD in about ten minutes. Mendenhall all of a sudden is the second coming of franco harris.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its not like Steeler fans have had a lot to feel good about this year, can you blame them for wanting to be happy over a win even if it was far closer then it should have been?
by archon095 on Oct 5, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Na man
Enjoy it. You beat one hell of a team. I just like busting your balls, as I do any Steeler fan. You guys say how much we suck, I say how much you suck. Just how life goes brotha….
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We’re 2 -2 and playing like crap, I’ll take it. This week just shows it’ll still be the head to head games that determine the division.
Just like it should be.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 5, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've only watched a few Ravens games to date
Joe is definitely impressive, and your offense is definitely up there with your stout defense. I hope Jared Gaither is OK, the X-ray info looked promising. My family is praying for him; we hate to see players get hurt. I’ll wish you good luck with the rest of your season, but I don’t think you’ll need luck. The Ravens are the real deal.
Until our paths cross again.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well played
and thanks for the good banter fromyou and your fans. Real class in this arena. Stay well.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am getting into some trouble over there. Not too much, but starting to.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a fan of football first and the Patriots second
As a martial artist, you respect the guys who give you a good fight. I respect the Ravens, they punched us in the face.
I personally think we got a few good shots in as well. The fight could have gone either way.
I like tough divisions and a tough conference. The Patriots are stronger now for having played you, and the Ravens are stronger for playing us. Best wishes with the Bengals: more honing for the sword.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You need to wish the Bengals luck. Not going to be pretty for them and we will bring them right back down to earth.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poor Bengals, I don't envy them.
Sayeth the Raven, “Nevermore”.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Oct 5, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will be rooting for the Bengals in that game, man that loss hurts.
For them to win and start all the “We’re going to win the division,” and “We don’t get any respect” crap before falling apart and watching the Steelers and Ravens move ahead of them.
by Phantaskippy on Oct 5, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yea
After the loss we just took yesterday and how it was snatched from our hands, you better believe that we are going to come right back and make a statement by bringing the Bengals back down to earth. They feel as if they are on the top of the world right now and we just want to kill every opponent we face. Bengals are in serious trouble.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i like what Bill Simmons says
he talks about how we have the ability to turn wins into blowouts, which shows you the difference between a playoff team and a SB contender.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Problem is....
..we win the games we’re supposed to and lose the ones we’re supposed to. Need to win the games we’re supposed to lose in order to be the champs.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't tell raven that
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hmm...
When watching Flacco he seemed very good and under pressure. Looking at the numbers, he looks average. I don’t know what to make of you guys this year so far. Defense weaker, Offense stronger. Patriots definately aren’t the same. We will have to wait and see with a few more games…
by Bleed-Black&Gold on Oct 5, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If 300+ yards a game
two out of four times and over 250 yards the last game is average, then so be it. what then would you call Big Ben- above average? Gee, what a surprise. This year will be different. We can’t wait and I’m sure neither can you.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 5, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the mere fact that we don’t play until week 12 pretty much guarantees absolute carnage on the field.
"I know where you're at, man. You had it all, and now it's gone. It's torn a hole in your soul bigger than my Escalade. So you turned to the drugs, the alcohol. Pornography, free-basing with OJ, human trafficking, dog fights slash orgies... darkness."
-- Craig Robinson as Reg Mackworthy in Season 1, Episode 5 of Eastbound & Down
by jackmca on Oct 5, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry, i should have specified, I was talking about the New England game. I didn’t see the chiefs, chargers, or whomever else yall played. This past game was the first one of the Ravens that I have been able to see since they are not in primetime and CBS decides not to broadcast their game in my area unless they are playing someone good.
by Bleed-Black&Gold on Oct 5, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i am so ready for next week's game against the bengals.
We just need to get back to what we are good at.
1. running the ball down team’s throats and controlling that clock
*use ray, willis, and leron more than we did yesterday. we have proven we can throw the ball when needed but we are one of the best rushing teams in the league and should start controlling that clock the way we did last year. The pats did not have an answer for ray rice and we should of kept giving him the rock. On the 3 and 1 and 4 and 1 at the end of the game, i do not understand the single back formation and why we did not use mcclain. No will will stop him from gaining one yard in two plays.
2. We need to get our special teams going. Carr is more worried about fumbling the ball than giving us good field position. it is so obvious as he is running up the field switching the ball back and forth during the return. Hope to see Webb next week.
3. Can’t blame clayton for the loss because we are a team, but you gotta catch those. that is your job and that is what you get paid to do.
4. Don’t understand why we saw so much Ellerbe over MClain. I think he played a fine game, just wondering where MClain was.
The Good
1. Joe can play. I trust him whenever and wherever to get it done. He always gives us a chance to win.
2. No body can tackle ray rice on their first try. He is so shifty and made so many big plays for us when our backs were against the wall. Keep giving the guy the ball. Rice is a playmaker.
3. Our secondary did a great job yesterday for the task they were given. Minus the hiccup where foxworth fell and moss scored, i thought they did a great job shutting an elite receiving corp down. I am still waiting for Reed to catch his stride but we all know its only a matter of time. Landry did a great job but just has to make sure he doesn’t miss the easy tackles.
4. Michael Oher was a beast at left tackle. For a rookie to be thrown into that position in only week four on the road against the patriots, he did an amazing job. He protected Joe’s Blind side and pushed that side of the d line all over the field. Just hope Gaither is ok and comes back soon.
Other than that, i think we played a great game. it just was not our day and the ball did not bounce for us. We will move on and continue to extend our lead in the division. We are a great team and should not hold our heads low or be ashamed of the loss. Can’t wait for next week boys
by ryantz on Oct 5, 2009 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Cincy's defense has been pretty decent
this year with the addition of a healthy Keith Rivers and rookie Rey Maualaga, who I thought we might grab in the draft, at their LB spots. However, barely beating the Browns in Cleveland gives me hope that the same Bengals from last year are still there.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We are resigning Prescott Burgess
From Mike Duffy.
A report from Scout.com’s Adam Caplan said the Ravens will sign linebacker Prescott Burgess off the New England Patriots’ practice squad.
The report also states that linebacker and Pro Bowl special teamer Brendon Ayanbadejo will land on Injured Reserve to clear a roster spot for Burgess. Ayanbadejo sustained what he called a torn quadriceps muscle in Baltimore’s 27-21 loss to the Patriots on Sunday.
The team has not yet released any public information regarding roster moves this week.
Burgess was originally a Ravens sixth-round draft pick in 2007, but was traded to New England on Sept. 22 for a conditional draft pick.
He was released after less than a week and re-signed to the Patriots’ practice squad on Sept. 30 after clearing the waiver wire, where all teams – in order of lowest to highest winning percentage – have a chance to sign him to their active rosters. If a practice squad player is still under his developmental contract, a team must place that player on the active roster to acquire him.
Burgess left Baltimore as the team’s leading special teams tackler with five stops after two games. His addition could ease some of the burden Ayanbadejo’s loss would mean for special teams, while his versatility can bring depth to the defense. Burgess has seen time throughout his career at both inside and outside linebacker.
Ayanbadejo currently owns four special teams tackles and 17 stops on defense to go along with one sack and one interception.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has his regular Monday press conference scheduled for 3:45 p.m. today, and further clarification will likely come out of that.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 5, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The call i was most pissed about was the unsportsman like conduct called on Harbaugh. I never in my life seen any ref make that call. John was pissed about the previous call and said “It was a bullshit call” and the bitch ass ref throws a flag on him? WOW!!
FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Benji5203 on Oct 5, 2009 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I say we hit Palmer hard and late all day. Take the flags, screw the game and keep drilling him to send a message across the league. Open season on QB’s.
by raven on Oct 5, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not enough credit, too much blame.
Yes, Clayton should have caught the ball, but that was an incredible drive with several amazing plays. You can’t count on hitting them all. But think big picture… Flacco was unbelievable! He got hit hard all day long. Twice he got sandwiched by blitzers from both sides. Most quarterbacks would not get up from one of those hits, and Flacco took two and just kept coming. He was calm in the pocket while it collapsed around him. That’s hard, especially for a sophomore QB. We saw Ryan last week, and Flacco is better, stronger, and more poised. I don’t know how the Patriots will end up this year, it’s still a work in progress, but I can’t wait for you guys to crush the smug Steelers. Good luck Ravens.
by OldPatsFan on Oct 6, 2009 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
thank oldpatsfan. that’s classy. you could have rubbed it in. one of those hits on flacco you mentioned should have been a personal fould as well. what the QB sissy rules have done is penalize good rushing teams. your better off staying back and not risking hitting the babies.
by raven on Oct 6, 2009 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks
We saw Ryan last week, and Flacco is better, stronger, and more poised.
Its funny that almost everyone who has watched game film of both QB’s seem to favor Flacco, yet all the fans who casually look at stats or draft position think Ryan is way better.
We all saw this in the off season when fans of opposing teams were expecting a “sophomore slump.” One Chiefs fan even tried to say that Tyler Thigpen was a comparable QB due to their stats being similar from last year. Joe is showing the rest of the NFL what we already knew. This year has been and will continue to be Joe’s coming out party on the national stage.
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love that assessment
of Ryan and Flacco from a team that faced them in back to back games. No favoritism, just equal comparison that saw what we Ravens fans believed all along. Thanks!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As usual, Ray said it best
“That ain’t no personal foul if you still smiling.”
by brian71490 on Oct 6, 2009 12:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
PITT vs. NE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
The way the NFL wants it. Every year. How disappointed was the NFL when 11-5 NE didn’t get in last year?
by raven on Oct 6, 2009 1:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The INT to Boden was just as bad a Bollers in the last NE meeting. Not even close. We are so damn snake bit! I can’t take it. UNF"N real!!! This is soooo friggin old I don’t want to see Raven purple for a month. It makes me vomit. Ruins my whole week. I’m so pissed I could trade Ray and Reed while there worth something. Get me a Rodney Harrison or a Dawkins type so we can start layin’ people out. No more huggy tackling and shoulder to shin BS. I am sooo thankful we don’t face the Giants this year. Jacobs and Bradshaw would drag everyone behind our D-line into the endzone.
by raven on Oct 6, 2009 1:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Let it out man
This game showed that we are good enough to beat the Pats in NE, even with poor officiating and numerous mistakes. We were one dropped pass away from having first and goal and a great chance at the win.
With Brady at QB they have one twenty something games in a row in Foxboro. There is no shame in this loss. The Ravens will learn from their mistakes against an elite team. This loss will makes us better then blowouts against bottom feeders.
I obviously am upset we lost but I’m not down at all. I think this game proves we are a complete team and if we cut down on correctable mistakes, we can beat any team, anywhere.
So let out all of your trade Ray nonsense, raven. (I bet your glad we didn’t trade him before the SD game.) We will be back on track next Sunday after we mash the Bungles and continue on our goal of a top seed and first round bye in the playoffs.
This game should not dampen your outlook for the season at all.
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
While I still think we could have won
and should have in my opinion,…you cannot say “we are good enough to win in NE,” as we are just good enough to lose in NE.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we are good enough
But until they prove it, your right.
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
SAY IT AIN'T SO JOE!
It’s funny how everyone reflects on Joe with pure sunshine. Are we not allowed to talk about Joe? Well I am going there!
- Derek Mason has got behind the defense more than once this year and Joe failed to throw it far enough. Fortunately the balls were deflected and not intercepted. Had Joe hit Mason in the end zone, the game flows different.
- - Mark Clayton gives the defender an out an up but Joe stares him down. So the defender stares back and Joe and when he realizes that Joe is not throwing it to the end zone he waits for the interception.
In both cases, had Joe delivered the ball, we’d have scores on the board that we did not…sad!
by MrStraightBall on Oct 6, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Plus how many times
did you see him throw off his back foot and not get enough zip on the ball? Ouch!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is the Mason TD he is talking about above. Joe had plenty of time in the pocket to set his feet and zing it down field, but for some reason stayed on his back foot and it just got tipped. Had he stood tall on the pass, he would have been able to throw it 5-10 yards farther and it is another TD to Mason.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steeler Fan here!
Calm down before you start swinging swords at my head fellas. I despise the Ravens as much as you guys despise the Steelers but I have a high level of respect for your team and our matchups are my favorite to watch out of any other matchup.
with that said, after watching your game on Sunday, I felt sick to my stomach. I have always hated the Patriots for their sore-loser coach and their “Queen Brady” protected by the officials. The calls were pathetic and they led me questioning why brady even wears shoulder pads? This guy has had the priveledge of standing behind a great offensive line his whole career and when someone finally breaks through the wall and gets near him, it’s automatically roughing the passer. The Brady-led Patriots have a long history of keeping drives alive off of flags. I’m not trying to be one-sided on this issues because the call does go both ways sometimes, but it’s ridiculous the treatement Brady gets.
We all remember the “Tuck Rule,” right? It’s just amazing how this league kisses Brady’s ass. Flacco is a great QB, Roethlisberger probably one of the greatest scramblers of all time, but these guys don’t even get half as much credability as Brady, ESPN just loves that guy and it all trickles down to the officials. Look at Favre, 3 months ago everyone hated him, but after one miracle play against the 49ers, he is GOD! Now they call penalties on defenses because why? They don’t want the 40 year old premadonna getting hurt and missing the rest of the season…..WELL DON’T F****** SUIT UP THEN!! Like Ray Lewis said, QB’s have jerseys on to, and unless a person actually has played football or any sport in particular, it is close to impossible to come to a complete stop after running full speed at a target.
The league is slowly turning into the NBA (and basketball is my favorite sport) as far as officiating goes. Polomalu and Ryan Clark get penalized now for “dangerous hits” pfff hahaha what kind of BS is that? Even Ray Lewis is getting criticized for his hits, ITS FOOTBALL PEOPLE! Don’t let Hockey become more masculine then football.
Enough of my rambling, I’m sorry for your loss guys and can’t wait to face you in the season, you guys got screwed by the “Brady-train.”
by SteelChad88 on Oct 6, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thanks man
Agree with everything said. You think if Suggs was falling to the ground and skimmed Ben’s thigh pad, they would throw the flag? Hell no. Same with Flacco. It is pretty ridiculous that when you play the Patriots, you play the officials to.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Its Telling
That Ray and Co. did not get fined for their post game comments….
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said Steel. If a Pitt fan was upset over the bad calls on us, I guess the worlds on our side! I never like to see a team get cheated- even the Steelers. It takes the honest victory out of things and leaves an empty feeling. I’d rather get schooled.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 12:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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