Until we win these types of games...
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 9:41 AM EDT
53 comments
...our Baltimore Ravens will still be just short of the level of those other "elite" teams. Until we can prove we can win those tough, close, last minute games against the better teams in this league, we will not be thought of in the same arena as the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers. We almost got there last year against Pittsburgh, but didn't . We thought we were there after San Diego, but we weren't. We thought we might do it in New England, but we couldn't. But, but, but....
(Read more about "Until we win these types of games..." after the 'Jump')
We can whine about the refs, the dropped balls, the interceptions, the "what-ifs" all we want, but the common denominator is that we just can't seem to get it done. We thought this year might be different from past years because of the great leaps we've made on the offensive side of the ball. That might still happen, as there is a lot of football to be played in 2009 (and hopefully early 2010). However, until we beat the "elite" teams not only at home, but on the road as well, we just don't belong in that category. Everyone knew the ESPN Power Rankings were worthless and the Ravens proved that correct, as they will free fall down to below the rest of the undefeated teams as well as behind a few of the other 3-1 teams.
Yeah, the offernse has moved the ball like never before, but the defense is also allowing other offenses to move the ball like never before as well. It used to be if we could put 20 points on the board, we would win just about every game. Not this year, as teams have learned not to bother to try to establish the run against us, but to go right to the air early and often. Run when you need to against us and you can move the ball. Attack the linebackers with the tight ends and backs and get the cornerbacks in one-to-one coverage and exploit their size. It has worked for both the Chargers and Patriots and expect the rest of the tough teams, much less everyone, to try the same recipe for success.
Offensively, while this team has proved it can move the ball through the air, it seems to forget that it can still run the ball with great success, monopolize the clock and move the chains while lessening the chances of turning the ball over. Turnovers in critical times still plague this team despite it's recent offensive success. Fumbling on the opening kickoff and throwing a poor interception in the Red Zone will continue to put us in difficult positions to win games that we know we are good enough to do.
Beating the Cincinnati Bengals might put us back alone in first place in the AFC North, but it will still not answer that important question of whether we are among the league's elite teams. Perhaps beating the Vikings in Minnesota a couple of weeks from now will help. However, until we beat the top teams in the AFC (New England, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh), we are still only pretenders, not contenders. I certainly still believe this is the year that the aforementioned "reputations" will be reversed, but until we do it, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
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Disagree at this point
A lot of “elite” teams lose to Brady and the Pats in NE. We did beat the Chargers out west when they were considered a hot preseason SB pick. I don’t think the sample size is large enough to make this assumption yet. If you want to go off the last few years then maybe, but I think this Ravens team is very different and you’d be doing a disservice to assume they will continue to have the same problems as years past. Most of our mistakes are correctable and I have faith that Harbaugh will make the necessary adjustments to get us over the hump, and we will beat elite teams this season. I am not going to pass this judgment until we play a few more games against the big boys (Vikings, Steelers, Colts).
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 9:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Check out NFL take on Athlete tragedies
http://tightend.blogspot.com/2009/10/it-was-all-good-2-seconds-ago.html
"Don't Be Afraid to Stand on a Pile of 'No's' for one 'Yes'"
by curiousg87 on Oct 6, 2009 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stop going around to every blog promoting your crappy blog.
No one cares.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Supposedly this is the blog of George Wrightster
Former Jaguars TE. Not buying it.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not "assuming" they'll have this problem all season, but...
…it is the same problem they’ve had up until now. Yeah as I said we thought we’d gotten over the hump at SD, but haven’t we seen that SD is just not that good this year, or at least so far? I’m not passing judgment on the entire season, but I am passing judgment up until this point, and rightly so.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 10:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough
I guess I didn’t get the same feeling from the loss. If anything it gives me hope that we will beat elite teams this year once we make adjustments. I think we are a more balanced team then NE and we will beat them if we play them again in Baltimore, and possibly in NE.
by DT711 on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gotta move on
They say you cant place the game on 1 play but be real, if Clayton makes the catch we win, that was better then in 2007 when Brady had the ball at the end and you knew we were gonna lose. Lets pick our heads up, use the loss for motivation, go beat the Bengals and Vikings and go into our bye week strong and re charge our batteries and tear ass the rest of the season. I think we will beat some “elite” teams this year just not all. I think we will beat the Vikings and Steelers but not the Colts cause well…we never beat the Colts. Vikings are overrated anyway, lets all remember Favre looked the same way at the beginning last year then tanked. We will be just fine for now, if we lose to Cincy, Vikings and Steelers, then start worrying.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Oct 6, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, if you remember...
…in 2007 the game ended with us on the NE 2 yard line after the Boller Hail Mary. Bart Scott’s infantile penalties got NE to kick off from our 40 yard line and we started at the 20. If we didn’t have those stupid meltdown penalties, perhaps we even win that game on that play. Now imagine what history would have written if THAT had happened and we also won Sunday. IF, IF, IF!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 6, 2009 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good ole Boller
Yea that is true, but we had already self destructed before that, thats when I knew Billick had lost control of the team is when Bart Scott went crazy, can you imagine this Harbaugh coached Ravens team going crazy and throwing flags into the stands? Harbaugh doesn’t allow that crap. Boller also threw a INT that killed us in that game, we were up by 7 points I believe while driving all the way down to our 30 yd line and Boller threw an INT into triple coverage…reciever was nowhere within 10 yards of the ball lol. But you are right…IF IF IF.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Oct 6, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But like you said
The league wants to see Pitt vs NE every year. We have to find a way to beat these guys while also getting ahead of the terrible calls the officials will make.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 6, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playing devil's advocate
The Patriots were pretty much an ignored team before 2000. Where at the 49ers of my youth? Ignored now that they don’t win.
The good teams make plays and minimize mistakes. That’s been a Patriots hallmark. The Ravens? Two turnovers and a dropped pass cost them the game against NE. The refs didn’t help, but the Ravens still could have won. Stupid penalties and blowups still hurt the team. They are often the difference in close games. I still occasionally remember Stone’s STUPID penalty in the AFC championship game that gave away a last chance. That kind of undisciplined play loses games. The Ravens need to get that under control
by drj on Oct 6, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aw screw it....
One game, against one of the greatest coaches and QB flopper of all time, that a tough combo to overcome in a road game. Right now, the Ravens are on great footing, I expect the Bengals game to make another statement. Use them as a whipping post to get the anger of this weeks loss of their mouths.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Oct 6, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We are NOT RUNNING ENOUGH!!!!! Passing’s pretty, but running controls the game AND the clock.
by JP19901 on Oct 6, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Too true
I said all this last week. Can’t argue with you Bruce. If we hadn’t given up 27 points in the first place that dropped ball wouldn’t have been for the game. I refuse to sit here all week blaming the refs for giving the Pats gifts which we all know they did, but the team made mistakes too and until they straighten them out we will not beat the big teams. Sad to lose Brendan for the whole season!!! Where is Paul Kruger??? Let Sunday go guys and focus on the Bengals.
by Rayfan1 on Oct 6, 2009 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Amen
Well said. What is up with our D? Our pass protections is pathetic. I miss the smash mouth Ravens team. We need to have an amazing defense, not a good one. Great on the run, but pathetic in the air. I don’t know if it’s personnel changes or system changes, but something has changed for the worse. What can be done to fix the D?
by Bman21212 on Oct 6, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have my issues with foxworth
as well as situational playcalling from mattison.
whenever Webb is ready to start i’d start him. Obviously they won’t do that for a while because they just cut a big ass check to the order of one Dominique Foxworth…
"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 8:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whats happened with our D?….I’ll tell you. We have an old #1 LB (yeah yeah yeah he’s smart I know but come on he’s slow) and no #2 LB. The old Ravens you speak of always had 2 above average LB’s. Ray, Sharper, Scott, etc.. We now have Mudfoot, Gooden, Burgess….arrrg. There’s your dream team. The huge contracts to Suggs and Foxworth were STUPID.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Foolishness
The huge contracts to Suggs and Foxworth were STUPID.
We are one of the top teams so far this year and we’re a dropped pass away from being the top team at this point.
I’m sure we’d be much better with Kruger starting then Suggs, right? And Frank Walker would be an upgrade over Foxworth?
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
we may not have had a choice but to sign foxworth
and i’m OK with the suggs contract. But Foxworth does need to man-up a little. Maybe he can improve. Fabian has been much better at breaking-down and wrapping-up this year. I’ve really been impressed. He’s not gonna pop chinstraps like C-Mac used to, but he can bring a ball carrier down, which he struggled with at times last year.
At some point though I’d like to see Webb take that starting gig. Probably not this year since they just cut a big ass check to Foxworth, but at some point, perhaps.
"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 7, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Foxworth, but
wanted us to sign the former Steelers DB (can’t remember his name) who left and signed a very cheap deal elsewhere. He was already in-division and daily practiced against hte guys who gave us the most trouble.
Anyone got his name handy?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 7, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arizona Cardinals
Signed Bryant McFadden
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanx!
That’s the dude I wanted us to sign, as he signed w/ the Cards for 2 years $10 million. Peanuts!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 8, 2009 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
“Foolishness”
yeah right. i like ray and ed but they aren’t game breakers at this time. you can’t tell me that Ray comes close to dominating the middle of the field. it’s not being disrespectful or mean but Ray only has moments now. it’s reality that he’s a year or 2 from retirement. i could be like everyone else and yell how great he is and he’ll be around for 5 more years but thats not the truth.
yes we came close to 4-0 BUT that wasn’t because of the D. The D wasn’t close to dominant in San Diego or NE. The D did level the Browns and Chiefs which is not saying anything. the offense is carrying this team. it’s not that balanced. our pendelum has swung.
suggs and foxworth are good but not as good as the contracts they signed. suggs got Lawrence Taylor, Strayhan type cash but he is far from that.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah right. i like ray and ed but they aren’t game breakers at this time. you can’t tell me that Ray comes close to dominating the middle of the field. it’s not being disrespectful or mean but Ray only has moments now. it’s reality that he’s a year or 2 from retirement. i could be like everyone else and yell how great he is and he’ll be around for 5 more years but thats not the truth.
Ray is not the player he was but he is still a top 5 MLB and the leader of this D. No one is claiming he is at the top of his game but he is still a vital component to this D and by the far the best option we have at MLB. Ed is off to a slow start but guess what? He was last year too, and almost won the DPOY award. I’ll give them time and not jump to new conclusions after every game.
yes we came close to 4-0 BUT that wasn’t because of the D. The D wasn’t close to dominant in San Diego or NE. The D did level the Browns and Chiefs which is not saying anything. the offense is carrying this team. it’s not that balanced. our pendelum has swung.
raven, tell me who can shut down Brady or Rivers on their fields on a somehwat consistent basis? No one can. They are superstars on playoff teams. We can’t play the Browns every week. Our D just needs to be good enough to give us a chance to win, which it has been in every game. The offense is not carrying this team. The D bailed them out with the TD vs the Pats and came up huge in the red zone multiple times against the Chargers. We are a balanced team…Some weeks the D will shine, some weeks the O, sometimes both.
suggs and foxworth are good but not as good as the contracts they signed. suggs got Lawrence Taylor, Strayhan type cash but he is far from that.
Suggs is as good as the contract he signed. If we didn’t pay him we would have lost him and someone else would have. It’s called market value boss. Suggs is playing pretty well the past few games. Foxworth may seem to be overpaid but it speaks to the dearth of quality CB’s in the NFL. He is a solid player and will look better once our pass rush shapes up. Again, its market value. Foxworth could have received the same money from other teams but chose to sign here.
Can you tell me what Lawrence Taylor money is since you brought it up?
Taylor was given a new 6-year $6.2-million-dollar contract by the Giants in 1983
Is this LT money?
The 1990 season got off to an inauspicious start for Taylor and the Giants as Taylor held out of a training camp, demanding a new contract with a salary of $2 million dollars per year.
Is 2 million a year LT money?
Why don’t we let the season play out before overreacting to every game? Its a marathon not a sprint and its foolish to jump to conclusions only a quarter of the way through the regular season.
by DT711 on Oct 7, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great sentence
The D bailed them out with the TD vs the Pats and came up huge in the red zone multiple times against the Chargers. We are a balanced team…Some weeks the D will shine, some weeks the O, sometimes both.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paying him LIKE LT or like Strayhan when he can’t hold their jocks. No shit a $ now is not like a $ then. I’m talking paying him like a dominant end. He hasn’t shown that.
Let the season unfold and don’t jump the gun? Who’s talking ‘A’
season. Their failures against the elite go back many years. Never won against NE. A beat up Welker, Moss and rusty Brady and they tank. Hines Ward out in the first quarter of the AFCC game and they still can’t stop Pitt. Ben goes 90 yards in our house to beat us. We flag ourselves to death in Brady’s big day in our house. Payton slices us up like cheese. The Giants game was a laugher.
Who talking THIS season. If it were one season I’d be relaxed and willing to let things unfold. This crap of losing to the big 3 has been unraveling for years. I’m not letting them off the hook. Maybe the Miami Sound Machine can actually start putting that noise into actions.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we split w/ Pitt
and beat Indy at home, will that be enough to convince you we changed, raven?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 8, 2009 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That would change me but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards. At this point, I associate Ray more with great motivational speeches and bowing to the Big 3 than I do that lonely SB season. Maybe some fresh blood with a better approach can get us over the hump. Some of these old guys are too used to losing to THE BIG 3.
by raven on Oct 10, 2009 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We will always be living in a Billick era according to raven. God if you are this upset about our team now, how did you hold back from committing suicide from 2002-2007?
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 8, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I knew we weren’t close with Billick. He’d screw it up somewhere so my heart really wasn’t in it. We saw some good football but were mostly entertained with Rays dance. NOW that we have a QB and some strong players on O, I care more. I can see the light and I’m hungry for a Championship. NOW, I will rip at the guys not pulling their weight were before I was satisfied with a good hit or, well, Rays dance. The same players who I enjoyed watching amusingly in the past have no excuses.
NOW, a 106 yard run back means nothing without a Championship. NOW, a nice hit on Sproles to end the game is worthless without a victory over NE. We are ready to be a great team BUT we are being held back by some who are USED to losing to good teams. We trumpet D in Baltimore but they consistantly fail to make the game ending stops we need. In Tenn. it was our new players who stepped up and prevented a loss NOT the ones who backpeddled to a loss against Tenn at home and choked vs. Pitt 3 times AND got their doors blown off by the Giants. I hope the bad energy doesn’t rub off on Harbaugh and Flacco. They are off to a bad start against the ones WE NEED TO BEAT.
by raven on Oct 10, 2009 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why is losing on the road to NE
A game we need to win? In the playoffs, yes. In week 4 when we are 3-0 going into the game, no. It would be nice but no one has ever won them all.
NOW, a nice hit on Sproles to end the game is worthless without a victory over NE
How do you figure? One win out of two is better then none.
by DT711 on Oct 10, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kruger got a few reps Sunday
and should get more as the season progresses. Dannell Ellerbe got significant time, but I still wonder what the story was with Jameel McClain?
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 7, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
your mission should you choose to accept it
is go get that story for us! why did Jameel not play?!?!?!?
"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 7, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
and yes Kruger with his speed and agility might rack up more sacks than suggs if given the time.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baltimore needs to get back to playing ravens football
If we run the ball more than we thorw it, we will more likely win. I know Cam wants Joe to keep developing, but having him throw 40+ times a game is not going to win us a superbowl. We need to get the ball in the hands of Ray, Willis, and McClain. Those three guys will lead us to the super bowl.
FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Benji5203 on Oct 6, 2009 8:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't agree more
Ray Rice coulda had 200 yards in that game if we woulda gave him 20-25 carries. We just need to start pounding the rock…that will open up the pass anymore anyway, thats how we were successful last year and now with Joe even more developed and even a better running game we can make an even stronger push.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Oct 6, 2009 10:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know I dogged Ray and Ed over the past few days and it’s for good reason. We have never beaten NE. We’ve dropped 3 straight to Pitt…you know the story. We’ve had enough points to win a few of those but guess who didn’t shut the door when it counted- our D. We have 2 of the so called biggest D leaders in the league with Ray and Ed but HOW MANY TIMES do you see them coming up short on THE BIG PLAYS (and many others).
How many times do you see Ray smack his hands together in an “almost gottem” way. How many times have we seen Ed take a gamble only to be burnt in these games. How many picks has he had in these games? How many sacks for Ray?
What I have seen is Brady and Welker beating us, Ben, Holmes, Troy and Harrison beating us, Payton and crew…over and over again. What about our “stars” who strut the field like bad asses? You know what? Screw it. They ain’t getting it done these days and they didn’t get it done in those days. Good enough for Wild Cards but not ready for prime time. Prove me wrong.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 12:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree..
Where are our playmakers?? What’s up with Ed Reed and the rest of our defense? He’s been invisible this year. Where are the turnovers & sacks. It seems that only the front 3 is really working here. I’m concerned that the Colts and Steelers will light us up. The road to the Super Bowl goes through Pittsburgh and Idianapolis and right now I don’t think we can beat either team.
by RAVENS-FAN on Oct 7, 2009 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, i think playcalling has been an issue this year
that TD to moss, Reed was subtracted from the play because Mattison sent him on a blitz! KEEP ONE HIGH!!! stupid stupid 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 7, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Last year at this time,
I recall getting on Ed’s case for not being there. What did end up with, nine INT’s and should have been DPOY? Relax everyone, we will be among the top D’s in the league and up there in O as well. I’ll take the results by the end of the year, just wait and watch.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 7, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Landry needs to step up his coverage
He is trying to play too much like a MLB. Ed Reed can cover alot of field, but not THAT much when Landry is not in position.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get back to what works
Why don’t we run more? Flacco has a great arm but we need to be more balanced. Our defense is soft too. That last run down the field by the Pats was inexcusable especially for our defense. Do we now have a really good offense and a soft defense? Is it our coordinator? Walter Football is predicting that we’ll loose to the Bengals Sunday and I’m not sure he’s wrong. What are your thoughts?
by RAVENS-FAN on Oct 7, 2009 6:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't take the Bengals for granted
We have been doing what posters here have said is a symptom of a good team. We are not getting the offense we need and for some reason our WRs are nor getting the separation we expected. Our run game is better but not elite either. From the outside we look like an easy victory. Don’t believe it. If you play at the top of your game you probably win this week end. Actually I think you are an elite team. At full strength the Steelers are as well. The Bengals are better but not quite at your level the way we are playing now.
Going into the season getting a split in the division was considered a relative long shot but though I think you get this game at home we could very well get the 2nd game as we get better every week. You must remember they the Bengals are 3-1 and short of a real fluke play could be 4-0. I do however credit Denver with the win. The point is tah we started the season with 11 of our 22 starters either new to the team, rookies or in a new position. Everything has yet to come together and we have more room for improvement than many teams.
To sum this up you guys have a great team, one of the top 3 in my estimation and you will probably win. I predict 27-17. But this is true only if you play at your top level. We can beat you and if Carson and our WRs finally come together we will have a chance even if you play well. If you have learned nothing else after 4 games you must know that unlike former Bengals teams we will not quit. We will play hard and are at our best when our backs are against the wall. Play hard and play to the end. We will. Here is to a good well reffed game of solid tough football where everyone involved is healthy and injury free for the following game win or lose. This could be a very good game to watch. I am looking forward to it without a lot of stress as I actually expect you guys to come out with win. I just want our team to make you play at your best to win it and I will be ok with it. Next time I expect a win.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 7, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I honestly think this is not going to be that great of a match-up
You guys are doing some pretty great things in the league so far, and were 1 crazy catch away from being 4-0. But you also have gotten all 3 of your victories in the last 14 seconds of the game. I can tell you that you will not have that close of a game with us in the last 5 minutes of the 4th quarter. So even though you guys could be 4-0 right now, you could also very well be 1-3.
You guys just came off a game where where you need 5 quarters to beat what may be the worst team in the NFL, in the Browns, a team we embarrassed. We just had a loss stolen from us and got a serious kick in the ass for parts of our performance. This Ravens team has never wanted to hit somebody and beat somebody so badly as they do this coming Sunday, which is not good for you guys.
Again, you guys are doing some serious things in the league right now, but I think we just are going to come out swinging.
I will say 27-10 Ravens.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Oct 7, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
JJ-
I am posting an “Ask Baltimore Beatdown” FanPost on your site and request you do the same for the rest of the week. Thanks!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 7, 2009 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope the Ravens feel the same way you do MaLoR
The Packers did and the Steelers did too. Listen I am giving your team their proper respect. They have earned it. I don’t blame you for thinking it is going to be a blowout. If I were you I probably would too. Cincy has the unpleasant habit of playing up or down to the level of their opponent. I am not asking you to respect us at this point. I’m just saying that, though it may happen, I doubt you will blow us out by more than 2 TDs anymore than I expect us to take the win. Either one could happen on any given Sunday. We Bengals fans love it when we are underdogs. That is usually when we play our best football. Remember your team is pretty well set and our team is still in the process of gelling and we are still 3-1. Yea we could be 0-4 but we could be 4-0. Could be doesn’t matter. We are both 3-1 and it could be argued that we have played a tougher schedule. I am not saying we will beat you. To the contrary I think you win. You are the better team right now. But to assume that it will be a 2 TD+ blowout – well like I said I hope the Ravens team feels that way too because if you do the advantage shifts more in our direction. I would also remember that Carson is 6-2 against you (I think) if my memory serves me.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 7, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot to add this
I think you guys miss Leonhard. I believe that part of the reason that Scott has not hit stride is that he is needed to help shore up the backfield and isn’t as free as he has been in the past to make the plays he usually does. Frankly I hope, as a Bengals fan, that the trend continues because Scott is a real player when he is free to play his game.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 7, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i miss leonhard. he was an added punch. i haven’t heard Nakamuras name all year. landry hasn’t had the same impact either. this may or may not be affecting Reed. it was Leonhard who saved the day in Tenn. last year not Ray or Reed.
by raven on Oct 7, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Trust me, Leonhard only played well
because he was next to Ed Reed. He’s been nearly invisible in NY and Ed will step up like he did at the end of the 2008 season, as he was just like this at the beginning of last year.
Of course the Bengals like being the underdogs. Other than the Browns’ games, they were always the underdogs!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Oct 8, 2009 9:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are correct sir!
We love being the underdogs and it is a good thing too as we usually are. I hate it when everyone gets on the Bengals band wagon and touts them as great. We would much rather be a unpleasant surprise. Going into a game expecting to lose is a Bengal fan’s prophylactic. It keep us from getting our hopes up and protects us from the heartbreak of disappointment. To be honest with you I don’t know how we would handle a big win on Sunday. Our whole world would be turned upside down. All of our necks would hurt as we are unused to holding our heads up that high. We need to focus on small victories to keep our spirits up. I am sure Raven fans have little point of reference here. OK a couple of years ago you got a small taste but one bad season in 10 doesn’t count. Try one good season out of ten and …. well I don’t wish that on anyone … even Raven or Steeler fans.
I really can’t say good luck to you guys for this game as we need all of the luck we can get but I do hope for a game free of big hits but no injuries that last for more than a day or so for either team. Remember we need you guys to beat the Steelers for us like we beat them for you.
BTW, say a prayer for Mike Zimmer, our DC who came home last night to find his deceased wife. He need them and they do matter. She was a great lady.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 9, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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