dc.

Bottom line... offense failed in this one. The first half was ugly on both sides, but the defense put it together in the second half. It still wasn't perfect, but 0 points is 0 points. And once again... if our opponent scores 17 points, we should win the game. The offense did not get it right. Hauschka's miss may have changed the game's outcome... but he certainly wasn't all of it. Flacco missed the long ball... but most of the time we didn't even need the long ball. For most of the game, our offense looked like the Billick offense... short run, short run, LONG BOMB. Why? The Bengals have shown us twice now that the solution is BALANCE. Run. Short pass. Mid pass. The long bomb isn't necessary... especially if we can't make it work. We bitched about Flacco overthrowing the long ball a few times in past games... well, now we know why he over throws... because an underthrow is a pick. And if you can't hit the throw, I'd rather have it go long. Meanwhile, why can't we hit the long ball? Because we probably don't practice it. Manning and Harrison used to run 40 yard throws in warm-ups every damn day until they had the timing right. I have a feeling we never even get to that kind of repetition because we have so many issues elsewhere. Abandon that. Ray Rice got 12 carries. I know part of that is because early he got stuffed and then we were down. But we need to run the ball. If it doesn't work, we can't just fucking give it up and start acting like we're scared of the outcome. Run the ball. Trust our offense. We were one of the league's most efficient running teams last year and nothing on our offense has changed to make that change... we can do it again if we trust it. There's a reason Ray starts finding holes later in games...

This game is going to be a huge test for Mattison and our defense. As we have discussed before, this is his first year as an NFL coordinator and only his second year in the NFL, after so many years in college. Part of our defensive struggles may be attributable to that fact. While other teams have been able to carve us up, it's taken him a bit of time to really adjust his schemes to fit this group. This week we get to see a REAL test for Mattison. Rematch time. He gets to face the same offense, same players, etc etc... what has he learned from last time? While the big game against Denver last week was great and show that he's getting us back on track, it is not a final conclusion yet. I will be far more confident in Mattison and this defense if they show significant improvement this week, against a team that we should "know" a little better.

Had a thought the other day watching Ray play... Razor Rice. (Ray-zor?) Slicing defenses... ;) hahahahahah

Exhibit A: You really think he's grinning mid-catch? "Haha, I'm so fly..." Exhibit B: Apparently grinning mid-spin/stiff-arm. "Yup, I can take my concentration away from not getting tackled to stare into the distance and smile."

I didn't mean when he blindsides people... I mean all the time... when he walks away from other players after a block, a tackle anything... The reason I've thought it is that he even has that same goofy grin on his face sometimes when he drops a pass or fumbles the ball... (ok, except when he's crying haha). But really... watch closely next time you see the Steelers play... it's not always a grin.

I think that's what we're all missing... OFFENSE. 14 points (17 from our offense) is our season low. By a pretty nice margin too. This offense should be able to score more. Bottom line. If we only allow 17 points, we should win. As bad as our defense looked in the final moments of the Bengals game, our offense needed some blame as well - because their performance the whole game was unacceptable. 17 points people. Now, we should also take into consideration that the Bengals had some bungled scoring opportunities thanks to some big plays by our defense (and bad plays by their special teams). So maybe their 17 is not their best either. But bottom line... we put up 23(+7) on Denver. We put up 31 on Minny. We put up 20+ on NE. No reason we can't move against the Bengals.

I actually have a theory that many times Ward's "grin" is just the way he breathes when he's out of breath... you know, when you're sucking wind really hard and get the painful smile? I mean, sometimes Ward is clearly laughing at somebody. And I think he's pretty dirty - he knows how to play just past the whistle and be just enough of a jerk. But I think he also looks like he's taunting/smiling a lot... but its out of breath. Just a thought.

I didn't say I like any of what is said or done on the field. I have problems with lots of it. I think that, from my perspective, 105 of the 106 players on the field on Sunday took the time to give a nod to the men they "just went to battle" against. Marshall didn't. I'm not a fan. Add that (not take it alone, but add it) to his reputation and I've got a picture in my head. The end. If it's a different picture from someone else, that's entirely fine. But I've got my info, my context, my POV... and I've got my (conclusion is the wrong word) deduction.

You say I should watch soccer and that they are required to shake hands as if it's a bad thing... We give athletes too much credit and too much leeway when it comes to things like this. We tell ourselves that's "how they have to be" and so on and so forth and we use it as an excuse for their behavior. And then we act shocked when they are bad people off the field and when they commit crimes or whatever. But it's a ridiculous standard, because then turn right back around again and want these guys to be role models. You're right... some guys can't just turn it off. They are all paid to play a game. That's what they do with their lives. They are little boys who play games for a living. But we call them men and they expect to be treated like men. Well, to me a man is a guy that can take his beating and admit he got beat and say good job to the other guy. And all the crap about "oh he was too pumped up" and "he's too competitive" and "its hard to turn off that fast." It's all a bunch of excuses. And I'm tired of excuse. I'm tired of allowing millionaires to act like little kids and then treat them like gods on Sundays. Man up. To me that means showing sportsmanship.

We'll just have to disagree. First, Mason was flagged for throwing his helmet - not for anything he said to an official. And (according to Mason as I heard tonight), the official followed him off the field to watch him do it. Whatever. I'm not putting Harbs in that boat. As for other Broncos who stormed off... remember the story... I was sitting over the tunnel. Marshall was the only one booking it for the exit. A teammate was 10-20 yards behind, but he stopped and chatted to a few guys. And you're right, he's definitely not the first and won't be the last to do it. Doesn't mean I like it. Doesn't mean it isn't an asshole move, especially when it's an old teammate seeking you out (Manning and Brady aren't best buds). And I maintain that it reinforces my notion that Marshall is a douche. His own team has apparently thought so as well at times, or they wouldn't have been discussing trading him just like Cutler.

Well, to start with, I've never liked our guys publicly barking about officials. And I wouldn't throw Harbaugh's NE tantrum (in game) in with the rest of that. And additionally, as you said earlier, Marshall and Fox were apparently pretty good friends in Denver. So to me, it only makes it less classy and more douche-y for Marshall to treat an old friend that way. You're right... we already have a rep. And I actually care that we have that rep. And I don't like it. Bottom line... Marshall, in the long run, will turn out to be as much of a cancer as guys like Owens. I believe that. And I believe that while we may want some of his talent, we want/need none of the attitude. So I'm not giving anything away to go get him. The way Marshall walked off the field was as much a statement about his feelings towards his team and teammates as it was a snub to us. I don't care that he snubbed Fox. I just think it showed his character. He left his team on the field while we ran for the door. And snubbing Fox, an old friend making an effort to seek him out, only makes me more sure of what I was seeing.

I don't know... if it was just a good ribbing, I don't think Fox would have been chasing (literally, chasing) Marshall off the field... and into the tunnel even. Marshall was clearly pissed off and totally snubbing Fox. And I want guys that want to win, of course I do. But we all trash Belichick for his snubs of handshakes when he loses. How do you think we would react if Ray or Reed or one of our guys was the one doing it? I wouldn't like it. You play. You play hard. You win some, you lose some. When you win, you don't boast. When you lose, you say "Nice game, you outplayed us." It's simple. Too many babies that get away with being "competitive" in this league.

Right... because our offense averaging nearly 30 points a game really needs that much help. But more importantly... our second year QB and second year RB and rookie offensive tackle need to be berated for their play when he doesn't like what they are doing. That's going to do great things for our team chemistry and growth. You're right, we haven't heard a peep from Marshall all year because the Broncos have been winning. But now we see them lose one game and his old tricks are back. It's one thing to be unhappy about a loss... but you didn't see Ray Lewis or any Ravens go moping off the field after losses and ignoring the other guys. And, post-game, our guys have been man enough to say that they simply didn't play well enough (a few exceptions for officials comments after NE) instead of making it seem like every other guy on the team is to blame (a la Marshall, Owens, Rivers)

www.onewinningdrive.com

www.onewinningdrive.com

Heard a good one when this was posted on Bleacher Report... The Say Ray Kid. haha

We're not "basically two games back." We're 1.5 back of Pitt. We're 1.5 and the tie-break behind Cincy. If we can win at Cincy, the tie break evens... and a win over the Broncos would give us a same-opponent advantage. It's all way up in the air... By the way, amending my previous post on chances of making the playoffs... I totally left off Jax and Hou because I didn't realize their records. Miami's big loss is good for us, though. And as Crav mentioned, we already have a tie-break over SD. It's really not that bad an outlook for us... but we do need to win some games, of course. Meanwhile... fun stat... at 5-2 the Steelers have a +38 point differential, the Bengals +35 (even after their big blowout). The Ravens at 3-3 are +39... better than both despite one more loss and 2 fewer wins. Despite all the talk of how bad this team has looked in some ways... we have to remember we've lost close games and really had opportunities (almost want to say 'should have') to win these games.

Actually, I don't dislike trends... I just don't put all my faith in them. That trend in particular isn't too hard to buy, though. We are a home field team. We are good against the AFC West. I still wouldn't be basing too much of my bet or prediction on that. I'd put more in our home record the last 3 seasons (vs anyone) than in that particular number. Remember... how many of those games were against THESE Broncos? None. How many were even against a similar team (coach, qb, rb)? None. In fact, the D has 8 new starters from last year alone... crazy.

By the way... The "Accuscore Report" on ESPN on the Ravens says we have a 40% chance at making the playoffs?? Take a guess as to what the biggest factor in that 40% chance is??? Probably that of the Ravens, Bengals, Jets, Dolphins and Chargers... 2 of those teams have to make the playoffs (again, assuming Steelers/Pats win divisions... but its a toss up either way). 2 of 5 is.... 40% Really, our odds should be better than 40%. First, we already have a win over the Chargers. Second, we have a chance to win the division (and not that slim)... which should add on to the 40% chance of making it as a wild card.

Schmuck is on to something in terms of who we're fighting for a wildcard spot (at the worst, of course... let's remember, we're only a game back of division lead even with a harder schedule than our rivals). But the Broncos are running away in the West. The Colts are running away in the South. So that leaves the Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Pats, Jets, Dolphins... and maybe you can throw in the Chargers (can you at this point though)? Two of those teams make the playoffs by winning the division... let's say that's Steelers and Pats... That leaves the Ravens, Bengals, Jets, Dolphins... and maybe Chargers... fighting for two playoff spots. If that's the way it's going to look... I actually don't dislike our odds. It's not easy... but it's not the end of the world. I mean, just like the Bengals and Steelers will beat up on us (and each other), the Jets, Fish and Pats will do that in the East. I don't think both East teams can outplay us. Which really leaves us fighting the Bengals (or Steelers) for a wild card spot for ourselves... Get it?

Also, I don't see us moving McClain back... I mean, I see us trying to get him more touches when we can, and when it won't diminish Willis' role... but McClain is a great blocker at FB and the versatility of being able to have him on the field at the same time as Rice or McGahee is really nice.

Meanwhile... anyone see the brief bit on Rolle in the Sun the other day? That many don't expect him to play at all this season... How does this guy get a contract and get on the team? How does he even pass physical? I mean, I understand it was a gamble... but it's kind of silly. We're paying him to not play all season, and knew that coming in.

I think the hate on Willis is that he wasn't brought here to be a back up... and yet, for the last two seasons, he's been extremely limited in playing time. Last year it was a symptom of injury and (in my opinion) laziness. When he did play, he was hit and miss. He turned it on late in the season, and he helped us, but he was not living up to his name or contract. This season he has seemingly had a new attitude... but I am still disappointed that we are paying him like as a premier back despite the fact that he is our #2 and goal line back. That's just silly. He's certainly been useful this season... and scored like a machine... but thank in large part to the grunt work of Rice and McClain. That's not deserving of his salary in my mind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KihPKUZni8Y Rivera spitting on the ball right before he throws his first pitch in the ALCS game last night... Hmmmmmmmmmm How does NO ONE on the field see this?

I like the ideas that play on the last name... Particularly Dirty Ray Rice.