Preacher

From an outside perspective - I get the frustration, trust me. Steelers have had the same problems for years. Starting in the last couple games of the 2008 season, our defense started giving up one or two TDs in the fourth quarter almost like clockwork. I bring that up because of the parallels - I'm wondering why the Ravens are going through similar issues to the Steelers especially since both teams have historically had a philosophy of run first, stop the run, smashmouth football philosophy, both aged out a core of vets over the last 3-4 years including a safety each that should both be 1st ballot HOFers, and have won SBs in the last 5 years.. So, part of it may be coaching, but I doubt you can put the majority of the weight of error there (as much as we would like to). The game has changed in the last seven years to tremendously favor a passing attack, and refs seem to call 4th quarter passing penalties tighter than any other time. Seems to me the problem then lies, for both teams, in (1) the struggle to rebuild a new defense since the old one aged out, (2) having to address a new reality in the NFL concerning passing, and (3) the fans' wrong perception of reality in today's NFL. What do I mean by that last one? Take a look at the 4th quarter comeback leaders in the NFL since 1960. If you include Peyton Manning, then 5 of the top 11 QBs are still active in the NFL for career 4th quarter comebacks. An even more telling statistic is 43 4th quarter come-from-behind victories this year in the NFL, up from 31 last year. On average, that's 1 out of every 6 games sees a come-from behind victory, or 3 games per season per team (again, on average). As much as I hate it, the new reality just may be 4th quarter comebacks.

Thanks, I appreciate it. Strange how much our seasons followed each other. Our early wins, then the losing streak, followed by our later winning streaks seemed to be almost parallel. Good luck again the Bungles next week. Here's hoping the Ravens get out of there without injury—or their wallets stolen. Don't know, I was never on that board. SteelersFever, where I originally posted blew up in 2011(ish) with a new owner that tried to charge for access. From it, SteelersUniverse was created, and that's where still post, although a smaller group ended up back on SF when the new owner realized his mistake. I don't know how it is on this board, but things seem to get stale on (most) Steelers boards after a while. You can only read so many "Fire Tomlin!" or "The Defense Sucks!" etc. etc. before it gets monotonous. Same goes with where I post, but at least there, there seems to be quite a few people with good football knowledge.

Although not here often, I usually at least stop by during Steelers/Ravens week (or, since I'm on a Raven's board, Ravens-Steelers week), but I've been so busy this fall I've barely posted on my Steelers forum. Nonetheless, I wanted to stop by and congratulate you all on both the first game and a hard fought game last night - and to post a few observations: Game Observations 1. Juszczyk had a beast of a run. If he has that much heart and leg drive, I'd suggest giving him the ball more often than 5 times a year. Sure, he's not going to turn into a halfback, but with that kind of heart, I'd give him the ball in two-back sets and in short yardage situations and see what the kid can do with it. 2. Pitta was a pain in the arse from the Steelers perspective. I don't know why he isn't utilized more in your offense. Sure, he's had 4 seven-reception-plus games, but He's a good pressure relief valve for Flacco. 3. If I had to pin the Steelers win on one thing, I think it'd be on your surprising inability to shut down Bell and the run game. Surprising, because Bell usually has his worst games against the Ravens. But last night, by him running as well as he did (even though he had some trouble in the 2nd and 3rd quarter), it forced your secondary to account for him, leaving the passing lanes open. 4. I don't know if it was just me, but the game seemed to lack that little extra emotion that usually accompanies these games. Maybe it was because the AFCN was at stake and both teams didn't want to hurt themselves. I don't know. Or, it could be because Hines Ward, Troy P. Ed Reed, and Ray Lewis are no longer playing. General Observations 1. I've decided I hate Steelers-Ravens games. One day, one of these games is going to give me a !%#!$#&! heart attack. I don't mind the intensity, I love the rivalry, but these "Last team to touch the ball might win" games are taking years off my ticker. 2. Terrell Suggs after game interview = very classy. It epitomizes this rivalry - deep-seated respect born of similar makeup, ownership style, and philosophy of football. I'll be honest with you all. It's gotten to the point that, when the Ravens are in the playoffs and the Steelers aren't, I find myself secretly cheering for the Ravens because I respectfully hate them so much . . . if that makes sense. It's more like cheering for the brother you have an intense rivalry with. When it goes outside the family . . . I'll pop by a few times over the next couple of days as I'm in a lull right now with my work. Wish I would've gotten here before the game, because it's somewhat bad form to post only after a win, but I hadn't been by yet.

Just heard about this on my home forum and wanted to come on over and offer my condolences. Times like this we're reminded football's just a game and there's real human beings wearing opposing colors and jerseys. Also, props to John Harbaugh for his heartfelt letter. Well-written and tasteful, which is difficult to achieve with that kind of letter under these circumstances.

Yeah, it doesn't look that bad. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens/cap/2016/ They're almost at 5 mill in space as is next year. Restructure Flacco's and Smith's cap alone and the team'll be standing with over 23 M in cap room.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much. This year's Ravens reminds me of the 2003 Steelers - just a few adjustments and the Steelers had a 15-1 season the next year. The Ravens will get most if not all their star players back next year, and a hunger to prove this year was a fluke. I'd be more shocked if the Raven didn't challenge for the AFCN title next year.

Haven't been around much this year. Life is just too busy. But when I heard I thought about everyone here. Dang, and I thought my Steelers were snakebit in the injury department this year. To lose both players in the same game . . . Here's hoping they all come back strong next year.