dc.

Outside of this game... I agree with your sentiment, dapetes. The NFL is the only major sport to not have a fully professional officiating staff. In other words, a group of guys who do nothing but ref. MLB umps and NBA refs might have other jobs in the off-season, but they do nothing but work for their league during the season. Many NFL refs have day-to-day jobs as lawyers, etc midweek. Lock these guys up and school them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQexVe-bA4M

14 points in 3 games... 10 today to Dallas, maybe a few more but not too much as only 3 min remaining. 24 points in 4 games. That's one hell of a start. Worried about our record at all? Haven't exactly faced a premier offense yet... still get to play SD twice, Pats, Ravens, Giants... so plenty of good offenses to come... But still, in our record-setting season, we allowed 30+ at one point to Jax. At this point, they could afford a couple 30's before they really worry... 24 points in 4 games. 6 a game.

Actually, I think it was Reed yelling he didn't touch him. And then "We didn't touch him." Also heard Harbaugh yell, clear as day, "That's a bullshit call" The flag followed closely. But as much as some would like to think, I'm sure that's not what got him the flag. It's not like the officials know when the camera/mic is nearby. I didn't mind Harbaugh's penalty too much. I think his attitude is "I will lose my cool... you keep your cool" to the players. And for the most part they did on the field. This off the field? eh.

Reed got in on it a bit too... Nothing too bad here, really, but some complaints. Both say it didn't change the outcome necessarily, but it wasn't helpful, obviously. http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nfl/news/story?id=4531578

Apparently went off for a good bit about bad officiating. And, oddly, Mike Preston is agreeing with him and saying the officials were horrible. Preston always hates bad officiating talk. I think a few of the spots were bad (not sure Brady was in the endzone on the first TD). And I think all of the roughing calls (even that one on Flacco) were questionable. Just pansy football. But they didn't cost us the game. I really think the only call that was absurdly silly was the offensive interference on Mason, following a defensive holding call on a similar pay on Carr. Oh well... most players kept it shut... Ray went wild. Waiting for video.

Haha... I still think you're misunderstanding. I think the play call on the Moss TD was flawed. If the play is going to require a chuck of a big receiver... and your CB can't do it... you can't call that play. That simple. They did great 99% of the time today... but they exploited that weakness on the play where it mattered most.

Cleetz... 17 rushes will never win a game like this. Never. That simple. We were in the game thanks to a couple of big defensive plays... but not because our offense was overwhelming. In fact, our second offensive TD was set up by Rice's big run, wasn't it? Rice was all over that defense... should have been that way all day. Keep their offense off the field. That's the name of the game.

I think you're misunderstanding, Cleetz. I didn't mean to criticize their overall play. I only meant to say that that one play was a symptom of a mismatch. It's a disadvantage we either have to deal with (not give up the help coverage) or change (don't know that finding a big CB is possible right now). In other words... we have small corners. They played well most of the day, were much better about finding the ball most of the day. But they are going to be weak when it comes to making hits and chucking receivers. And on that play, specifically, it really bit us in the butt. Brady and BB took advantage of it.

buuuuuuuuuump. ;)

Seeing the TD where Reed blitzed and nearly took out Brady, but Brady put the ball up to Moss for the inside TD... couldn't help thinking that it really wasn't Foxworth's fault. Foxworth's job there is to chuck the receiver, hit him once, hit him hard enough to disrupt the timing... play over. But Foxworth, Washington, Carr... they just aren't big enough. Especially not against Moss. McAlister might have made that chuck... but nothing you can do when the guy just outmatches you in stats. Liked the play call, but we need to find a way to get our corners more physical.

The lack of McClain bothered me too - especially in short yardage. I put the blame on Cam too... sure the blog repost is coming soon. But its here... www.onewinningdrive.com

I don't mind him on D... but his time as a returner should be done. He didn't even make it to the 20 on his other two return chances. Just silly. Take the knee 5 yards deep. I don't think he was that outstanding as a returner in Tenn either... so let him play on D... give Webb the ball on kicks and punts. At least he can sprint to the 20 before the defense finds him.

Well... I think Harbaugh certainly learned something from BB.

Absolutely bogus misuse of the rule by Brady/Belichick... and the refs let them get away with it. The ball was obviously a FULL YARD short of the first down. You can't ask for a measurement on that, and you shouldn't be granted it. That was just a free timeout... given away by the officials. The stinginess on the roughing calls has been bogus too (even on the Flacco call - though glad they were consistent). The second call, Brady didn't even come close to going to down... but was all too happy to turn around and ASK for the flag. And receives it. Stupid. RUN THE BALL, CAM

Yeah... but picking the Ravens D to NOT give up 100 yards... or even to have an opponent not top 100 as a team... that's not that tough or unpredictable. lol

This Friday, Oct 9, at 5pm. So we pretty much have a full week of voting left.

I for one am actually very happy about this. I think he provides the veteran and fatherlike leadership our young guys need. And while we may not see it, he is behind every one of his players 100% I point to his ejection and suspension a few months back following a bad Red Sox series and then a bad call in (I think) Chicago. The umps didn't give Nolan Reimold home on an overthrow because, as they told Trembley, he wasn't running hard and didn't make it to second base in time. Trembley accepted that, waited for Reimold to find him at inning's end, and asked him, "Nolan, don't lie to me, were you running? Did you get to that bag?" Nolan said "Yes, coach. I hustled. I was there." Without a hesitation, Trembley bolted back onto the field (at inning's end, after the first talk with umps) and laid into the whole crew. "YOU LIED TO ME! YOU LIED TO ME! DON'T TELL ME MY PLAYERS DIDN'T HUSTLE! DON'T YOU CALL MY PLAYER LAZY!" Tantrum in post-game followed as well. Suspension shortly after. So what? Well, if you're 23 years old like Nolan or Wieters... or if you're 20/21 like Tillman... and you see/hear your coach support you like that... doesn't that affect how you play for him? Trembley is a hardass, but a players coach. These kids love him. Welcome Back, Dave!

WOOOOOOOOOOO! We're all the way up to #2 in the Ravens category!!! C'mon guys, keeeeeep it up! Longevity is the key here. We can win this!

I hate to continually ram this down everyone's throats... but please please please. http://data.baltimoresun.com/mobbies/#Ravens We started out weaker than expected and weaker than I would have liked... but in the Ravens category we have moved from near the bottom to 4th. And personally, I know our blog is better than the three ahead of us. Our goal is a Top 3 finish in at least one of the categories and the voting is really really close, so every vote really does matter. Take that minute at the end of your day today and throw a few votes our way! And make sure you mention the blog to your friends watching football this weekend - they'll find the contest on their own if they find our site!

Yeah, but that's after a lackluster game against New England. Our stats and rankings might take a dip this week too, you know. But you also can't compare 2-3 games this year and call it a day. Last year the Falcons had a Top 10 offense, including a rushing game better than the Ravens!

to quote one of my favorite movies and great little line from it... Hello Back!

And if you've got any old friends from ESPN (or real friends from "life") feel free to pass it along...

Denver is not looking like a pushover right now either... for either of us.

Already on board with that... don't think the Steelers can handle your pass rush, I think you'll shut them down offensively. Just tell Carson to stop throwing to the other team.