varaven45

1. Ed Reed is a pro bowler but his liability on returns and free lancing is killing us. Would this team be better off with him moving on ? 2. Does our WR playmaker com via draft or free agency. If the latter, who ? Vincent Jackson, Brandon marshall, Miles Austin ? 3. Our OL is obviously key. I am not sure Gaither is our future LT and Oher may be the best fit there. Will we switch or possibly let Gaither go ?

I tell you what is going on. In addition to having WRs, we need a WR coach-someone to actually show our receivers what to do, how to get open.

Joe has no toys. You give him weapons like Brees, Warner, and even Manning, then he can put up some damn points. But when McClain drops a pass in red zone, our guys drop balls all night,dont get separation or fight for balls, your QB is going to look bad - like Brady last Sunday. I have confidence in Joe, none in our WRs.

This team and Flacco has 0 receivers. No threats, no one the scare the opposing D, no one to get separation, no one to fight for a ball. Unless this team wants to ruin Flacco, we better get a cadre of receivers. Make no mistake, we have an OL, we have a beast RB, we have a QB, we have got to pick up an actual group of WRs and another TE.

It blows my mind that we havent ben able to run roughshod over a smaller Colts D. For once, I would love to see us exorcise this demon and pound the rock.

Great plan, Been. Now to execute.

We'll see. I actually like SD. I think Sanchez will hit a "wall" and the Jets vaunted D wont be able to contain all the Chargers weapons. Derrel Reavis (sp?)cant play all 11 D positions (yeah I know they have Harris, Scott, Leonard). Like ours, it should be a helluva game.

Cleetz, Sounds good. Who will we meet in the championship game, SD or NY ?

Cleetz, I guess we could just agree to disagree. We are a 10-7 team (9-7 before NE)that needed a pretty dang perfect effort (defense and run offense) to beat a Pats team who we had never beaten and who hadnt lost in playoffs at home for over 30 years (1977). Given Joe's paltry numbers (4-10 + 34 yds) and dinged up condition, everything else (sans the muffed punt) had to be almost perfect. Did u really see Bradys 2-3 picks, Rays sack, Rice's 83 yd scamper, 160 yds plus ? C'mon. We will need a similar feat - near perfect performance in several (not all) areas - to dismantle the Colts and come away victorious. As a minimum, we have to pound the rock and stop the opposing QB (as well if not better as we did in NE game). After all, they are 14-2. Can we do it ? Sure. Will we do it ? I sure as hell hope so.

Can you say "scream like banshees" ! ?

Cleetz, Didnt mean to discredit the team. It was a huge win - a landmark victory. I was articulating that the formula for last Sunday's success was dependent upon several factors - each of which had to play our perfectly. They did and we did. We will need another near perfect performance again this Sunday to be victorious. As an aside, its been an awesome year I am very excited about this team and its future. I just let the business and reality part of me creep into the conversation. Thats me . GO RAVENS !

Yep. The wheels and hips looked OK there, huh ?

There is not doubt that Flacco is not the same guy we saw earlier this year. Either by being dinged up or losing some confidence, he is not throwing with the same authority. I was encouraged by his downfield throw to D Will early in the second half of Pats game. It was a good throw and DWill has got to make that catch. Still, on another pass, he nearly threw a pick six that NEs CB (Springs ?) should have caught. Whenever the season ends, we can all take solace that Flacco generally improved this year and with an offseason of rucuperation (and some weight traing) and a signficant WR pickup, he can make even greater strides in 2010. With our running game and improved OL play (pass protection) and a legit big time WR (enjoyed by other elite teams), Flacco should take a bigger step in 2010.

OutsideRzAce, I am with you and not ready to get drunk on the Purple Kool Aid. We beat a vulnerable Pats team, with a gimpy QB and a defense with many holes. In short, we caught them at the perfect time and all the planets aligned for us last Sunday. Like VMax, Crav and yourself, I believe we can win at Indy. Once again, the planets will have to align except this time we will need to: Frustrate Manning and shut down a more stout (than NE) WR corps - Wayne, Garcon, Collie, and Clark (TE). Mannings needs to receive the Brady treatment from Sunday (if not worse) Continue springing the 3 headed monster loose - Rice and McGahee have to have huge games - in order to keep Manning off (or minimize his presence) on the field. Flacco has got to remain upright and our OL needs to come up huge in pass protection. We cant let Freeney and Mathis taking over this game. If they do, its all over in a hurry. Flacco needs to make good, not great, throws and our WRs need to make big catches. Mason, Dwill, Clayton, K Wash and Heap need to make critical receptions. Like last Sunday, we have to come out VERY FAST and take the crowd out of the game. We cant play from behind. Flacco is not capable of putting up huge numbers and we cannot afford to abandon the running game. If we do the above, we might be successful this week. Regardless, its been a good ride so far. Here's hoping it continues another week.

Take away the running game and not sure you have much more. Hmmh. After watching yesterdays game, sounds pretty familiar huh ?

Our three headed monster needs to have a huge day. I am convinced that we have to shove the ball down NE's throats right from the get go. This will allow Flacco more time and to work in some play action. Plus, it will help keep Brady and Co on the sideline.

Cleetz, Have you noticed Joe's tendency to almost always overthrow his receivers while he on the run. I am wondering if that is purely a throwing mechanic problem. Its amazing how he can throw a perfect ball (e.g. opener vs KC TD pass to Clayton) but miss the easy throws (your example plus the missed pass to Heap ealier in Raider game). In fairness to Joe, he's had a boatload of dropped balls - Clayton, Mason. Lets see if QB and WRs can get on same page this Sunday.

Thats my boy !

Crav, Let me guess, 15-1 and punch your playoff tickets now ?

I like this guy sans the hairdo. In fact, he reminds me alot of Webb (similar intensity and hairdo). These two guys (along with Ngata, Zibs, Nakamura) could be the future leaders on the D.

Good post. I believe the single largest factor in this game will Be Joe's ability to handle and beat the blitz. After his effort against Oakland (and you know Bellichick is all over that), Joe is going to have to win this game. He wont have the luxury of a huge running game this Sunday. NE will stack box and make Joe beat em. This will be Joe's opportunity to take the next step. He will either step forward (win) or backward (lose). There will be no in between here.

No patsies on this schedule - only possible exceptions are Tampa and Buffalo. Everyone else is a bubble or playoff team. Very comparable to this years schedule.

Grubber, Dont forget... in no order of priority... Stack the box. They will not let Ray or Willis run. They arent worried about Flacco and our WR corps.

Joe needs a legit group of WRs - our guys are serviceable, thats it. Give him a true deep threat, a big possession guy, and a few slot receivers, then he has a chance to put up big numbers. Lets not forget this guy is in his second year. Next year will be a true test, provided we get him a suppporting cast.

Crav, Indeed. Flacco just needs quality toys at the WR position - a true deep threat and a big, possession guy. We do that then watch Bazooka Joe take off !