varaven45

Its beginning to smell and look like 05. Like I said earlier, its sort of become the yo-yo success mantra of this team. Good one year, bad or mediocre the next. We cannot seem to string together two consecutive winning seasons, can we ?

Nuff said. We need a "new Cmac" circa 2010 draft

Max, You nailed it. Sock (God rest his soul) would have agreed. There is something about this organization where it cannot or at least has not sustained a multi-yr winning program. Win one season, lose (or fall short) the next. Its like a yo-yo. Thats been our mantra. Dont know the reason just know its reality. d is I dont thrs is

Agreed. There's your 8-8 season. That should give us a decent pick - a 15-20th overall pick. That should net a decent CB or WR.

I wish I knew. I am just a fan trying to understand this team's problems. Our secondary's problems seem to be related to 3 issues: lack of focus, leadership, discipline and coaching insufficient talent and/or injuries (Washington, Reed) lack of consistent, pass rush For the first issue, we have to change our coaching, leadership, culture and personnel. If not, we can expect the same results. Second issue - we have to draft well and make up for last years missed opportunities for S and CB. Injuries are part of the game and we need some depth to step up. A physical, tall shutdwon CB, instead of our midget CBs, would help tremendously. Third issue-like second issue, we've got to draft or acquire some legit pass rushers. Suggs, JJ and an aging Ray Ray aint going to cut it anymore. Jury is out on Ellerbe, Gooden and McClain. Maybe we arent coaching these guys either. Regardless, our opponents are killing Flacco, while our D doesnt seem to match the physicality, desire and intensity of our opposition. Bottom line: we need to acquire, properly coach and motivate our pass rushers. We havent had a serious pass rushing force for 2-3 years. We need help and it wont happen overnight.

Its old, young, bad, undisciplined and poorly coached. Now can I tell you how I really feel ?!

TCleetz - Well put. Out pathetic technique and culture all goes back to coaching. Its not being taught or being followed through. Its been this way for the past several years since we lost our DB coach (I believe his name was Donnie Henderson ???). If Harbs doesnt change this in the offseason, we are looking at this undisciplined play for several more years. God help us.

Yep. I'll do you one better. On the next 1st and goal from the 1 yd line, how about we let Flacco run three sneaks to get 1 yd. BTW - anyone notice last night Aarons Rodgers 5 yd gain on a QB sneak. How is it that other team's stuff our QB sneaks but our D seems to give up 1 yd or more on most QB sneaks.

Next year, we need to start Webb at once corner, pick up another via draft or free agency. Keep Washington and Foxworth for nickel package or depth. If Reed retires (from neck problems), we need to acquire 2 new safeties via draft or FA. Keep Zib and Nak for depth. While we are at it, we need a secondary coach who teaches tackling, cover skills and discipline. Wow, what a concept. The good news: the secondary cant get much worse.

I am ready, Crav. Here are are my priorities: CB (2) WR (2) LB DL (pass rusher) TE S

Harbs is going to have to shuffle his coaching staff and personnel this offseason. I am sure changes are a comin !

Oh well, another unispired, listless effort from our .500 team. Pack owned the LOS from the get go. Pack showed up; we didnt. We woke up at 17-0, thanks to a few TOs. Cam and Joe took a huge step back tonight and who the hell called the two short kickoffs in a row after we recapture the momentum and trailed by three. That guy needs to be shot ! Joe needs some damn weapons. We have no one that strikes fear into the opposition. Ozzie, get Joe a couple big, strong toys in the offseason before the guy loses his confidence. Time to rejuvenate the D, too, with some speed, tacklers and guys who actually know how to wrap up cover. Our secondary coach (whoever it is) needs to go. Preston should have an easy time grading the game !

Crav, why dont you guys order your Super Bowl tickets while you are at it ? You guys are getting way ahead of yourselves here and your expectations for the next 5 games (while very desirable) are unrealistic, given the team's .500 level of play this year and inability to win big games on the road. Sorry to be the Debbie Downer but I am not seeing the win at either GB or Pitt. Even the seemingly easy wins vs Detroit, Chi town and Oakland may be tough. We could easily stub our toes at any one of those games- see Cincy Oakland game last month. Lets see what happens Monday night and whether we can unleash the 3 headed monster.

Hip hip hooray !!

Good point Crav. Time to move on to the Pack and Rodgers and entirely different QB play (compared to Dixon).

Holes indeed. I dont know about major but they are holes for sure: Secondary - replace Wash and Foxworth. keep Webb. Groom a replacement for Reed. LB- granted Suggs is out but we dont have a viable pass rusher or tackling machine. Need to groom another replacement for Ray. Ray is making too many tackles after a 5-7 yd pickup-see stats from last night. Gooden aint cuttin it. We are kiddin ourselves if we think our current LB corps (even with a healthy Suggs) is cuttin it. DL- got to get replacements for Gregg and Pryce, sign Ngata. Keep Edwards for depth. Need to pickup up a pass rushing DL or DE. WR- we are 2-3 years too late on this. Got to acquire or draft a BIG, FAST playmaking WR for the first time in Ozzie's regime. Pick up a second one for depth and or to replace D Will or Clayton. KR/PR - if we dont pickup a WR who can double as KR/PR (aka DeSean Jackson), need a legit kick or punt returner. These are the holes as I see it. If we fill half these holes with top notch players, we become a 10 to 11 win team next year. if we do better, we will secure more wins. if we do nothing, we stay an 8-9 win team.

Papa, I concur. if our D couldnt completely shut down a 5th round rookie with a grand total of 1 pass attempts (prior to last nights game) in our house, how will it fare against Rodgers in Lambeau ? With our weak pass rush, Rodgers, Driver and Jennings should put on a clinic Monday night. I dont have a good feeling. Good thing its an out of conference game.

Cleetz, Good points. Agreed we need to pound the ball and keep Rodgers off the field as much as possible. Is McClain OK (after getting dinged) ?

Aside from the Stillers game in late December, the Packers are the biggest challenge left on our regular season schedule. According to NFL stats, they have the #1 total D and #6 total O(and NFL's 3rd rated QB). Green Bay (and perhaps) the Titans are arguably the hottest teams right now. We had to fight and scrap against a Dennis Dixon led team (with his grand total of 1 pass experience) and eke out an OT victory in our house, no less. Given last night's performanne, how do we compete against the Pack in Lambeau ? No saying they are unbeatable, but how do we approach this game ?

Exactly. We blew our shot at the playoffs when we lost to Cincy twice and blew the Indy game. Its all about pride now and beating the Stealers !!

OutsideRzace: You read my mind about McClain. I distincly remember the Steelers - esp Farrior - praising McClain and how difficult he was to tackle. Maybe if we unleashed McClain and the 3 headed beast we might solve our rushing woes plus take a little pressure off Joe-Lord knows he needs it. Not only that, if we pumped up our runing game back up, it would naturally open our passing game/play action-even with our slightly above average WRs. Hell, what have we got to lose. Mix it up a little, Harbs and Cam !!

DC, Great post ! A few thoughts on Flacco and the O. Flacco doesnt have a good enough supporting cast. Case in point: Favre has an allworld cast and has thrown waht 3 ints this yr. Last yr, with a serviceable O, he was an int machine. Joe needs toys ! On the running game: we are underutilizing our talent. Rice is getting his touches but we arent pounding McLain and Mcgahee enough. Remember last year, esp the Dallas game ? We arent using the running game effectively and efficently. We need it on Sunday against the Squealers !!!

Joe may not be an average QB but his performance and offense are very average. In essence, that keeps him average. There is no doubt, he has incredible poise, character and upside. He just needs time, talent and proper direction from Cam to step up to the next echelon of QBs. For whats its worth, my son recently spoke to a Delaware alum and sports medicine professional who tended to Joe a few years ago (senior year). He said Joe is a very humble person, a real man of honor and integrity. I love this kid and feel he's a budding NFL star and a fine example that our young people can look up to. stat

Yep. We are 5-5 for a reason, eh ?

Its clear that both the Ravens and Joe are "average". What's key is this organization realizing the fine line between winning and losing, and between being an average team and a playoff team. If we had won JUST 1 of the lost games (NE, Cincy (2), Indy and Minny), then we are in the hunt. Last year (w/no expecations/pressure to win) we won many close games (yes, we lost a few too -Steelers). The point - a few more toys - playmaker WRs and TE - make us a better than average team. This organization cannot squander the opportunity Flacco brings this team the next several years. We sqaundered the "D" for several years and the D is now going to become good or better than average. The D still has big holes and needs a fortified secondary, a young Ray Lewis (not that he can be replaced), and a stealth pass rusher. But the O has got to get a legit WR, someone to go vertical. Ozzie, Harbs and Cam need to get it together ! BTW- why didnt we consider Chris Chambers? Matt Cassell and he lit up the Steelers yesterday. Just saying.