thundercleetz

Makes me think that this is truly a rebuilding year for Harbaugh. He sees an offensive line scheme he likes, and that's how he wants his team built. We all wanted Harbaugh to have more input on the offense so here it is. I wonder what Caldwell thinks of Castillo? That is great to set up a system for long-term success. However we do not seem to have current guys with the skill set for this system. It seems like Harbaugh is willing to sacrifice some rough patches this year. Unless things drastically change we are in line for some new faces on the offensive line next season. Yanda, KO and Monroe (brought in for this scheme) will stay. We will need a new LG/RT (depending on where KO plays) and center. It's kind of like a team transitioning from a 4-3 to a 3-4, but on the offensive line. It's going to take some time to get the guys we need and or guys used to the system.

That's how I interpreted it too max. He didn't sound bitter at all, so there must be a lot of truth behind what he is saying.

Wow this is a really informative interview by McKinnie. I wonder how this will all shake out.

We are fine at running back. The line is the problem. Whether it is the scheme or talent I don't know. But it better get figured out soon!

It's a free check so why not? People are always going to go to Ravens games and buy team gear. While the average fan might get priced out in the mid-Atlantic there are plenty of well-off people to fill the stadium. And while stadium revenue is significant, these lucrative, long-term TV contracts are what keep owners' pockets deep. As far as playing nice in Annapolis, it's a balance. While the team is locked in a lease absolutely they have to play nice. As that lease is coming up (2023 I think?) the team has the state by the balls. There's a good chance the Redskins are going to leave for DC within the next twenty years, so I'd expect M&T Bank stadium is in line for a major renovation in 2023-25 on the state's tab to keep the Ravens locked up for a long time.

The recievers in general have been very impressive. Torrey has become a true number one receiver who can do everything on the field. Doss has made some very tough catches, and while he's not the fastest guy, Doss is very elusive when he has the ball. Do not forget Marlon Brown, here is a guy who completely beat the odds. To go from an undrafted free agent less than a year off an ACL tear to producing at all in your rookie year is very impressive. He should only get better as the year goes on. Even Deonte Thompson has shown flashes of being a solid player. Throw Pitta and a healthy Jacoby back into the mix and we are just fine at WR. Now we just need the line to give Joe some decent protection.

Bingo. I'm far from a medical researcher, but I want to think if a cure for breast cancer is found science wouldn't be too far off from curing other types of cancer. Any type of cancer research is good IMO.

I don't think you're being rational or intelligently objective here so I'll agree with your original statement, no point in arguing.

I guess it's Caldwell's fault that Gino blew multiple blitz pick up calls that resulted in Flacco being rushed and or hit?

Caldwell is hardly the problem. Find me an OC that could make this offense work with this offensive line. You won't. And if you did the guy would become someone else's head coach within a year. KO has already come out and said his back is bothering him and will not be 100% until he gets surgery this offseason. I guess we'll have to work with that. Monroe looked better this week. However Gino is still a MAJOR liability at center. We get no push in the middle and defenses are killing us with blitzes in the A gaps. Worst of all Gino's play effects KO and Yanda's effectiveness big time. I think we all took Birk forgranted. As for Ngata: I think injuries have just taken their toll on him. I'm not sure if he'll ever be completely healthy again. He'll make a play ever once and awhile that will remind you why he was great. In my opinion Ngata should be a part time player. This offseason I'm sure Ozzie will present him with a paycut or release option.

Pittsburgh just kicked our ass at the LOS on both sides of the ball. Our secondary played great. Flacco and the recievers look good. We should just run the whole game out of the no huddle shotgun because the run game is worthless. The offensive line is a huge problem. Anyone else think that Ngata is a liability out there? I'm not positive what his cap number looks like next season but I have to think he's not going to be worth whatever he's going to get...

Happy belated birthday!

Joe Rogan talks about dreams a lot. Apparently nicotine patches will make you have real lucid dreams. If you're not used to nicotine and try a whole patch allegedly your dreams can even seem too lucid.

Here is something scary to think about: Jamal Lewis was twenty-six years old when he started his decline and the "dancing" before hitting the hole that frustrated us fans so much. Jamal had his 2,000 yard season in 2003 and a good, but injury plagued, season in 2004 (ankle injury coupled with jail time where he did not get sufficient rehab). Everyone was expecting a huge season in 2005, when Jamal should have been hitting his prime. We all thought we had an elite running back but Jamal was never the same after 2004. It's a shame because I think Jamal's later years, while he was an effective short-yardage and goal-line power back, makes us forget how explosive and a big play threat Jamal was from 2000-2004. Rice is a lot different than Jamal. Jamal had two serious knee injuries and a serious ankle injury that became chronic by the time he was 26. Jamal also had a higher center of gravity than Ray. Rice has never had a major injury, but he has taken a lot of hits in his college and professional career. I really hope Ray rebounds to his explosive self, but we have to be reminded by Jamal that there is a possibility Ray might not.

I'm not doctor but from everything I've read this seems like a long-term move. Manny is young and a season is long. If he misses the first month of next season that is no big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Well I'm excited to see how your young guys play out for your team the rest of the year. My point: your old guys got you to 0-5 and your cap situation is not enviable.

The good news is we are a young, rebuilding team instead of an old, bad team (the Steelers). We'll get better as the year goes on. Sure we may only win 8-9 games but this team is built well for the future. Take condolence in that we won the Super Bowl and are going to be competitive every week with this young team. Bottom line, you can mask a lot of weaknesses, but you cannot mask a bad offensive line. Maybe it is time to give Shipley a shot at center.

I feel bad for Gonzo. He came back soley for a SB ring and now he has to put up with a super crappy season.

Would you consider trading Wieters at all? Sure he is very durable and his defense is elite. However his bat has been disappointing for the calibur of prospect he was. Both Wieters and Davis are representated by Boras. Do you think we have a chance of extending both guys? This team is built to win now.

Easy calls all around, Torrey for O, Suggs for D, and J Tuck for ST. Webb and Doss get honorable mentions for gritty performances. Webb got beat up a little in the first half, but he never lets it go to his head. Webb played excellent in the second half locking down Wallace. Doss is not the fastest guy, but is very elusive with the ball in his hands. He did an excellent job of tracking that deep ball by Flacco and locating it for the catch at the last moment as it dropped from the air. Suggs, no explanation needed. He is playing the best football of his career. He is a legitimate candidate for DPOY. Torrey is incredible. He has truly turned into a complete receiver and is a threat on every level of the field. He is making diving catches down low, going up high for balls over DBs, and his YAC ability is incredible. Torrey has stepped up big time in the absense of Boldin and Pitts. He is shaping up to have a Pro Bowl season. I have to give props to Flacco too. He was harassed all day, but was standing tall in the pocket making very difficult throws. For as much as he was rushed (officially hit six times), he only took two sacks. Not many QBs in the league can do what he did yesterday. By the way, here is why ESPN's QBR stat is so great. Flacco only had a normal QB rating of 73.6, but his QBR was 79.5 (out of 100, which is a good game). Tannehill on the other hand had a QB rating of 86.1 but a QBR of 39.7 (50 is average). This stat accurately reflects that Flacco made a lot of tough plays, was not faulted for the poor offensive line play, and ultimately won us the game.

The offensive line is the achilles heel for the team at this point. McKinney was getting driven back into Flacco on nearly every drop back. At this point, Monroe has to be an upgrade over McKinney and certainly help the overall play. Does anyone know if KO was benched or injured? Either way, he hasn't been playing well the past few weeks either. I have to think a lot of that has to do with playing next to an inexperienced center instead of one of the all time greats at the position.

Clark has played solid since his week one disaster.

This team is really close to being great IMO. I feel like we won the World Series when Machado avoided a scare with his knee injury. We just needed to get out of this season healthy and get ready for next season. We have a GREAT core. Jones, Machado, Crush, Wieters, Hardy are all solid players (still expect more from Wieters on offense). Pitching we have four solid starters locked in with Tillman, Bud Norris, Chen, and Gonzalez. As far as what we need: solidify the bullpen. I'm feeling good about the starters. I believe Gausman can be our fifth starter. He started out rough but he had great success and got good experience as a long reliever. Gausman has an incredible fastball-slider combo. He just needs to get the change up down. I'd try and re-sign Feldman and go with the six starters above. Bundy being able to contribute in anyway is a bonus. On offense I really like what we have. I love Valencia. I think he could be a platoon outfielder and full time DH. Flaherty and Schoop are certainly talented enough to compete for the second baseman job. Another full offseason for Manny and he should be even better next season. Jones, Davis and Hardy are givens. We just have to hope that Markakis and Wieters can have rebound years. Maybe just sign another bar for depth. This team is close and they have great chemistry. Back-to-back winning seasons, this team is not going anywhere!

I interpret this as we are really excited with what we have in Deonte Thompson and Marlon Brown. Brown looks to be taking over slot duty full time now, as Doss is the only other receiver on the roster that can play slot. The offense last week was starting to move when Torrey was the the flanker, Deonte was the split-end and Brown was in the slot. Then Deonte got a cheap shot and had to leave with a concussion. I'm looking forward to seeing what this WR combination will do this week. Throw in Jacoby coming back to rotate in and we are just fine.

@RavensInsider: Dennis Pitta not practicing obviously, but encouraging sign to see him catch passes off JUGGS machine