varaven45

Glad we dumped Gaither but we stil havent adequately filled the LT void. The revolving door between McKinney, Oher et al, is a bit disconcerting. With no reliable QB backup currently on the roster, we need bonafide play at the LT position. Imagine if Flacco ever gets dinged up and Tyrod Taylor or Painter has to lead the team. Just saying.....

Yeager, I hope you are right. I agree the pre-season is a lousy litmus test for team performance but it does yield a body of work for evaluating individual performance - technique , coverage , etc. Smith looks a bit stiff and not quite in game shape just yet. Perhaps it's a back issue; maybe not. Bottom line: he better have game and be ready to shut down beginning Sept 10. Without as strong a pass rush as last year's, he and Webb (and Williams) will have their hands full this year.

Max, SomethIng doesn't seem right . Either the guy is still hurt and covering it up or he doesn't have "it" as a pro CB. With the absence of a formidable pass rush, our secondary is going to be exposed this year, On the other side , Joe and the offense will need to have monster games this year. It's a dang good thing Joe is running the no huddle. We could see many 35-31 type games this year !

After having watched at M & T and again on tape delay, here's my take : Offense - the O line is improving albeit in small strides. It held its ground against a formidable D line which is encouraging. The running game, however, is still a concern. Case in point: right before our second field goal, end of 1st Q, the O failed to register a 1st down on a 3rd and 1. We actually failed to complete two back to back passes on 2nd and 1 and 3rd and 1! Someone has to explain why this team cannot convert a simple 3rd and 1 via the run, whether it's exhibition or regular season. Either we aren't capable or just don't want to ; either way, it's becoming an increasingly bigger issue for this offense. Passing wise, Joe looked good especially without all his regulars. It would have been nice to see the starters and Joe at least once in the pre-season. We'll have to assume they will be ready and in-sync for season opener. In terms of the defense, the line played well . Aside from the garbage TD near the end, the D line kept the running game in tact most of the night. The pass D was awful. Keeping in mind that it was up against a very talented pass offense, the D was still very suspect and ineffective. Our lack of a pass rush and inconsistent secondary was on full display Friday night. Unless Dean Pees and the D are sand baggin it, this defense is going to struggle against the upper tier pass offenses this season - Pats, Texans, Steelers, Giants and others. Special teams wise, I thought this group played well. Koch was his normal , reliable self, and Cundiff and Tucker both kicked well. Harbs has a tough choice on his hands. Both the kicking and punt coverage units were strong. The return units need to fix the illegal block issues on the return; otherwise we put up 2 special teams TDs. In short, I think Joe and the O are going to have to carry this team. That means dinged up Pitta, Dixon and Smith better be ready to go Sept 10 and stay healthy all season. The O Line, as discussed, is a work in progress but will be critical. If we can't convert 3rd and short again this year, it will put a lot more pressure on Joe and the offense. The D, without Suggs and JJ,looks rather ordinary this season. The LB corps appears to be the weakest link and will struggle against offenses with strong TEs - see New England. Looking forward to the seasons opener on Sept 10 ! Go Ravens !

Max, You are far too kind . I was at the game and saw a pretty weak effort More later ........

Max, You are right . He and the kid Asa Jackson both have moxey and a nose for the ball. They r keepers.

Bazooka Joe needs to carve up the Lions D tonight ! Go Joe , Go Ravens !

Wanting and doing are 2 different things. If the FO wants joe to push tempo they better unleash Bazooka Joe now !

Man, exhibition game aside, that effort was embarrassing. Zero first downs against the Falcons D in the 1st Q ? Zero first downs against Falcons D in 1st Q ? Are you kidding me ! That wasn't even vanilla offense . That was 0 offense . I thought Cam, Flacco and the O was past this dysfunctional stage ? Ouch !

Which makes their winning record all that more amazing Max !

Dang Crav , should have looked you up done there. My brother lives in New Smyrna and I usually see him a few times a year. I'll let you know next time I'm down. Meanwhile, stay away from that water !

. Crav, I think that Florida drinking water is getting to you my man ! I know, I was just down at New Smyrna Bwach and Cocoa Beach

Yep Max and playing .500 ball. If we win 80 ball games it will exceed all my expectations for a team without a bonafide infield (sans maybe Hardy) and a solid pitching rotation. All things considered, this team has vastly overachieved. Who knows ; in a couple years we might be viable?

Who is our No 3 TE ? Is Algae Crumpler still out there ? Any other TE s out there for a short term deal ? I'm sure the Oz has finger on the pulse .

Crav, Don't know about 9-7 record . In fact , who knows what their record will be - lots of variables. The biggest concern is the left side and center of the OL. We didn't adequately address in the offseason and it could come back and bite us. Joe could be on his arse one too many times this season. Otherwise, I like the direction the team is going and excited about camp and preseason already . Go Ravens !

Is Jim Leonard worth picking up as a backup, spot starter or regular in case Reed holds out or goes out for significant time this season ?

Our infielder corner situation is an embarrassment. It's one of the reasons - along with horrific pitching and pathetic hitting - that this team is beginning its obligatory southward trek southward in the AL East. Guys like Buck. Adam Jones , Weiters , Markakis must be going ballistic and wondering what the hell they are doing on this team.

Yesssssss!

Not having a good feeling about this man. I hate these unsigned situtations - often leads to hammys, early season rustiness, injuries. Cmon guys, make the power call to Rice's agent and get er done !

Max, You are right . This offense is punch less w/o Rice. We can't give em the moon but the FO ought to be able to slot him in there between Foster and mcCoy $ . Let's go Ozzie and Biscuit !

Ozzie & Co are playing a little Russian roulette here. We don't want a Rice -less offense this season or have a long holdout. It's time to do the deal !

They got shut out by a journeyman relief pitcher who wouldn't make most teams roster. Having said that , is the FO going to be a player or watch us slide in AL East ? As Morgan Freeman said in Shawshank Redemption, " get busy living or get busy dying". It will be one or the other for this team. For about the last 15 years it's been the latter. What's it going to be now ?

Thats right, by California relief man, journeyman, spot starter with a > 7 ERA. Brad Mills ? Are you kidding me ? I think our offense just hit an all time low. We are going to need more than Markakis (when he returns). If the FO is really, really, really serious about winning, you have to make some kind of move to shore up the O. Something.

Yeah baby ! And just think....the first pre-season game is almost a month away !!!!!!!!!!