varaven45

Crav, Do you think we can work a deal with the Raiders and give em Zorn for Hue Jackson. I dont really see where Zorn is contributing- seems more like subtraction by addition or just too many cooks. Either way, Cam and the offensive staff just need to let Joe play. He's getting that "deer in the headlight" look. He just needs to return to raven offense - pound the rock, mix in some play action, and dont become so damn pass happy. Since we have Pittsburgh next weekend, we need to re-establish our running game NOW!!!! Joe will be running for his freakin life in Pittsburgh unless we have some sort of running attack. Its time to unleash the 3 headed monster against Cleveland this Sunday.

Bingo ! We could easily be 0-2. Time to play Raven ball, pound the rock, and let the D play D. Take the pressure of Joe and let him grasp the offense. If not, Bulger needs to be ready in the bullpen.

Really ? Thats cool ! It looked like Joe just overthrew McClain and the announcers - tv and radio - commnented so. I guess Joe cant run and catch the dang ball too !?

Max, Good points. I appreciate your constructive comments. Lets hope Joe's prcgress continues this Sunday in Cincy !

After Monday Night snotknocker (thanks Max!), comments and afterthoughts about Joe's apparent flaws are resurfacing. Once again, we are hearing that Joe is still afraid to throw across the middle, he's throwing off his back foot, and he's overthrowing some easy passes - missed TD pass to LeRon McClain. Maybe, since it was his first game, he was just a bit rusty (good gosh,Sanchez was horrible). Maybe it was the Meadowlands crowd and the noise. Maybe its part of the normal QB maturation process and he is just fine. Dont get me wrong, Joe is a fine QB and his future looks very bright. We cant expect a Joe Montana or Johnny U in year 3, but I am wondering if some of his flaws are correctable or whether what we see is what we are always going to get. Thoughts ?

Their defense will keep them in every game. When Sanchez gets it together and Santonio Holmes returns, they will be formidable. Keep in mind, Crav, we won last night's game by 1 pt. We were a TD saving tackle by Sam Koch (on Leonard) from losing this game. In the end, the Jets will be in the mix.

Yep. Losing can be a humbling experience. Rex just got good dose. I still look Rex and the Jets to bounce back

The O and ST's played like crap, D was solid and we still won, old Ravens style. We are 1-0 and will take it. Shut up Rex !!!!

This game reminds me of that ugly MN opener vs the Bengals (about 3-4 yrs ago). Ugly game. Dont know what it is - this team just doesnt play well on Monday night openers. It would be nice if we could exorcise our demons !!!

Who will back up there bravado tonight; The F Bomb dropping Rex Ryan and his cocky, swagger filled, Hard Knock Jets or John Harbaugh and his more subdued, but supremely confident and talented Ravens ? We'll know in 6 hours, eh ? !

Good points RavenMad ! The No Huddle offense is about the only scenario by which I see us beating the Jets D. It will be a great test for Joe and the new look offense.

52, I like your idea - the screens and quick hitters might just work. Rex is blitzing the crap out of Joe; from everywhere and anywhere. Cam is going to need a helluva game plan - it is going to be tough moving on this bunch.

Been looking at the Jets D to find any weaknesses. I cant find anything. They are solid and stout on the DL, LB, CB and S. Damn they are impressive, plus they have depth in the secondary. Anyone see a weakness ? How do you think Cam should approach/attack ?

Per Balt Sun: Rex Ryan fires back at Le'Ron McClain On Monday, Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain said he was happy that the New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis ended his holdout and would play the season opener because the Jets would have "no excuses." Jets coach Rex Ryan delivered the counter-punch on Tuesday. "I don't know what's wrong with Le'Ron," Ryan said. "He said something about there's no excuses ... He must have us confused with somebody else. I don't think we make any excuses. Last year, we didn't have our starting 11 guys on defense for a single game and yet we led the league. Ryan added, "We don't make excuses. All we do is produce ... And that's what we're planning to do Monday night." Is this really worth firing back at ? Sounds like Rex has too much time on his hands !

Good points, Max and Crav ! In my opinion, the prospects for this team are teetering on greatness vs. mediocrity. Our offense, sans the OL (RT), is vastly improved. To me, it hinges on the OL & Bazooka Joe. After the first four games, esp Jets, Cincy and Pittsburgh, we'll see what we have got. Talk about teetering, we could be either sitting pretty or in a big hole after the first four games. The D is intriguing - lots of athleticism, experience and tenacity. As you said, the LB's pass coverage abilities are a concern but I'm more concerned about our corners. The corner position has been largely ignored by the FO during the draft; its going to bite us in the butt again (i.e. against Cincy, NE, NO, Houston). I am not as optimistic as Max when it comes to the contribitions of L Webb, Wash and the pickup from Seattle. The pass rush could mitigate the deficiency if T Sizzle, JJ, Ray and the DL step up. Either way, its going to be a helluva lot of fun this season. I cant wait to see if Cam, Bazooka Joe & his receiving corps will take it to the next level. If so, the sky is the limit !!

True, Crav, provided that our OL gives Joe the time to comfortably deliver. If Rex and Marvin routinely send the house and Joe is running for his life, we still may not find out. Plus, Housh may need a few weeks in the saddle to get the rythym. Lets see.

Holy Guacomole .....................! How did we do that ! More toys for Flacco. Christmas comes early in BMore and I am loving it ! Yes !!!!!!!

Thank god the game ended with no apparent injuries (except for Harbaugh's pride). The second team and backups are scary. Sam Bradford for NFL MVP ! Troy Smith was a great college football player. Our 2nd team OL is very scary abd gives you the shakes ! No good reason for a 4th NFL exhibition game. An O's game or watching paint dry might be more entertaining. Cant wait for season opener vs J-E-T-S !!!

And as a result, we understand why Troy Smith was a helluva Heisman trophy winning college football player but is not an NFL starter. Maybe Cleveland is still a viable destination. The real question: We are keeping Troy Smith on the roster because ................?

Regardless of what the office says, I could see "Sherrif" Goodell sucking up to the RustBuckets and reducing it to 3 games. Think of the headline, "Rothlisberger returns for Ravens game". I wouldnt put it past Goodell.

Max et al, You really have to wonder how Seattle feel for this deal -and I thought we really got hosed on the John Beck for Doug Dutch (redskins) swap. I mean Josh Wilson - who is a starter or part time starter - for a conditional pick. CBs are at a premium. Maybe its that Seattle's best coffee ! Either Pete Carrol or Seattle's GM owe Ozzie and the Ravens big time - maybe Ozzie or Harbs has some special scoop on Carroll (he did leave USC mysteriously) - or Seattle's GM is an idiot. Whatever the case, Wilson looks like a gamer and he's got to be an upgrade over Travis Fisher - who is arguably in the same class if not worse than Frank Walker. Nice work Oz !

Lets hope so. We'll need him and his extra wide body in week 2 for Cincy and Cedrick Benson.

The town wont; Ray will. He'll know.

Hey Max, can we borrow John Beck (from the Skins) for 1 night ? Hell, we gave up Beck - a 2nd rounder and arguably a legit NFL backup - for a Doug Dutch. Now that we ditched Dutch, we essentially got "zero" for Beck. I am still mystified.

I tend to agree with Max. Reed in his prime was a beast. He is as a HOFer. One of the best to play the game. But what about now? With his neck impingement, hip problem, lack of contact the past several months and preseason, and his penchant for streetaballing it, maybe its time to transition now with Nak, Zib and Hamlin. It takes time - weeks and months - to develop the right team chemistry. Maybe its time w/o Reed ? Its only a matter of time. This topic will rear its head again soon with Ray Ray.