Ravens 'Game Ball Of The Week'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 8, 2011 3:00 PM EST
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Last week in the Baltimore Ravens 30-27 last second victory over the Arizona Cardinals, we gave the Samsung 'Game Ball of the Week' to WR Anquan Boldin for having a solid game against his former team. This week, he had another monster game in the Ravens 23-20 almost-last-second victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Boldin finished with seven receptions for 88 yards and was targeted ten times.
In the Ravens 92-yard game winning drive, Boldin caught four huge passes from QB Joe Flacco. Three of them extended the drive, resulting in first downs, including the one fourth down play. Those numbers would be enough in most weeks to earn the 'Game Ball of the Week.' Not this week.
Flacco finished with an even 300 yards passing, almost a third of them on that final clutch drive, as his arm accounted for all 92 yards. Coming through at that point in that game in that stadium on national TV when everyone, yes everyone thought he would fail, should be enough to get the 'Game Ball of the Week.' Not this week.
Rookie WR Torrey Smith may have dropped a few crucial passes that could have won the game earlier than his TD catch with eight seconds left did. Five receptions plus that game-winner could definitely earn him the 'Game Ball of the Week.' Not this week.
This week, the Samsung 'Game Ball of the Week' is being given to a guy a bit more in the background of the victory than the aforementioned individuals. second year tight end Dennis Pitta only caught five passes from Flacco during the game, but all five of his receptions resulted in first down. That's a "clutch-rate" of 100%. Every single time he touched the ball Sunday night, he gave the Ravens four more downs to try to score.
In fact, on four of Pitta's five catches, the Ravens went on to score on that drive. Only on the one where they did not score, it happened when placekicker Billy Cundiff inexplicably missed a 40-yard FG attempt, his first miss inside of 50 yards this season. As good as the other named players above, without Dennis Pitta's five almost forgotten receptions, the Ravens probably do not win this game. Thus, we are proud to toss one more ball in the direction of Dennis Pitta, the Samsung 'Game Ball of the Week.'
(See more on Dennis Pitta's performance at BaltimoreRavens.com)
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No doubt PItta was huge, but come on. How do you give the game ball to anybody, but Flacco?
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Yea, Joe was the catalyst behind that entire game. Pitta was awesome with his 5 catches all on 3rd down conversions, but Joe was far and beyond the star of that game.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Pitta was clutch on third down, but I think Flacco was even better. Wasn’t he something like 12 of 14 for third down conversions?
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
Yes.
Including a game-winning TD pass.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Nov 8, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yes he was. Most ever converted against against Pittsburgh since the merger.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
and first QB to put 300 yards on them this year.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Plus, only team to score 20+ points on them this year….and we’ve done it twice now.
"Is adult entertainment killing our children, or is killing children entertaining adults?"
-Marilyn Manson
by StuckInUtah on Nov 8, 2011 4:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So we all agree while Pitta's performance was awesome, Flacco was even better and deserved the game ball of the week?
I mean, come on, give this guy a break! He deserves this much!
Can't argue the facts
Ravens were 14-21 on third down, an insane number of chances to extend drives. I just thought that Pitta was so EFFICIENT with his five touches and wanted to recognize making the most of his contribution.
Of course, Joe deserves it. No question. But just trying to spread the wealth around.
aka 'Rexx'
I just thought that Pitta was so EFFICIENT with his five touches and wanted to recognize making the most of his contribution.
I recognize that a lot knowledge and skill go into finding seams and getting open, and that Pitta has really improved in this regard. But I don’t recall him really making any circus catches, either. I think credit for those five first down receptions really has to be split between both Pitta and Flacco. Beyond that, Flacco was also responsible for so much more, including an additional seven or so first downs.
Of course, Joe deserves it. No question. But just trying to spread the wealth around.
I’m all about making sure everybody deserving gets their kudos. I assume this means that Flacco will eventually get one of your game balls, though. Flacco engineers what many are calling a career-defining last minute drive against the Steelers, and Pitta gets the game ball. Flacco leads us on seven scoring drives against the Texans, but Cundiff, who didn’t kick a field goal from 50+ and kicked from an average of just 37 yards out, gets the game ball. Flacco leads a massive, 27 point comeback against the Cardinals, simultaneously proving that he can excel when put in a position to do so, and Boldin gets the game ball. Flacco puts up personal best stats against the Rams, and Smith gets the game ball. Let’s not forget the common link in all of these moving forward.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
Gameball, yea, Falco wins it. He slays the monster. Saves the World. Gets the girl.
bow chic-a wow wow
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
by El.Dude on Nov 8, 2011 7:46 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
True
Flacco could have and probably should have gotten the game ball for each one of those games. But then this gets a little boring.
Just trying to think outside the box.
aka 'Rexx'
Lay off Bruce, everyone
we all know the obvious big performers in the games, I like how Bruce shines a little light on players who don’t get a ton of recognition and make big time plays. Let’s just be happy that there are so many choices for a game ball in a Ravens Steelers game.
I agree, D. I think Malor should be temporarily banned for insubordination and conduct unbecoming a whatever he is.
by Evan Skev on Nov 8, 2011 11:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
What?
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Both played great
I have watched my DVR rec of this game 3X. Bsides the game winning catch, my favorite offensive play was the Flacco to diving Pitta on one of the third downs. The catch was a thing of beauty but after a couple replays i noticed the flat footed long toss while under pressure. Thing of beauty. If it was in black and white it might be mistaken for U to Berry.
Here’s a good article reliving the game.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
If you're converting them,
I have no problem with 3rd downs (and I’d say converting 2 out of every 3 is good enough). Each 3rd down means we ran 3 plays, holding the ball for approximately 45-60 seconds (of game time) for each set. Notice the ToP difference at the end of the game (I think it was 37.5 to 22.5). Don’t tell me that wasn’t a large part of the Pitt rush being non-existent on the final drive.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Nov 8, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
We killed them in TOP battle
Over 33 minutes for us. Those third down conversions extended play. We ran a whopping 77 plays in the game, about 15 or so more than average, meaning that like five more series than typical.That is HUGE.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
The game is highlighted on Versus Wednesday at 10p,
with players mike’d up and add’l video not yet seen before.
aka 'Rexx'
It should be a good one.
NFL network is also showing a program Wed at 12 about intimidation and the Ravens / Steeler rivalry.
wish i had cable
So I could watch this. I looked into nfl rewind today, but my computer is too old and crappy
by GayleG on Nov 9, 2011 1:20 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
Yea, I don’t get playing dress up with pets either.
The caption nailed it. It is the slowness, of the cat’s fall, that is effing hilarious.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
That's A
Frickin’ riot!!!
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
I'm not used to all this Flacco love . . .
I hardly know how to act. I guess I can wear my #5 proudly, as always!!
Michael Oher is so fast off the ball that he only appears to be off-sides.
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