varaven45

All good posts. If you had told me at the beginning of the season, starting with a rookie QB, we'd be 9-5 at this point and in the playoff hunt, I would have called you "nuts". Sure, we failed to deliver a KO punch yesterday and the loss, like the Tennnesse game, will come back to haunt us when its comes to playoff considerations. Flacco didnt deliver the goods yesterday but has had a helluva season, played with a great deal of poise, and is clearly the future leader of this O. As everyone has said, the guy just needs some tools. The big time possession guy - Anquan Boldin type - is certainly needed. A healthy running game w/o McGahee will help. I personally think a McClain and Rice backfield is the real future deal (perhaps w/ another power runner to replace McGahee). Final thought -As I was watching Flacco walk off the field last night, he looked like a beaten warrior who had just lost a heavyweight fight in the final round. While the loss was very disappointing, I believe Joe grew up as a player and man, and the future of a Flacco led team looks very bright.

Amen. Its them or Tennesse and the Stealers are peaking right now, the Titans are not. More importantly, we are a big receiver, a McGahee less offense, and a fortified pass defense away from being at the next level. I think we can accomplish that during the offseason.

Yep. Time to draft or pick up another FA RB.

which translates to Bosox getting Tex (got keep up with the Joneses)

Its interesting but when you look at former/current Rave coaches: Billick - offensive guru, Marvin Lewis - defensive guru and Harbs - special teams guru - all of them as head coaches have fallen short in their respective areas of expertise.

Two chances of getting Tex: slim and none and slim left town. ;)

It sounds like McClain is our guy with Rice, if healthy enough, as a change up back. I dont see McGahee playing this game. I would have preferred a healthy 3-headed monster at RB. Of course, I dont see either team running the ball effectively.

Thanks Yager ! Here's hoping that you are spot on !

1. How well will we wrap up Big Ben this game ?. We missed him on a few occasions in the last game (I have never seen a luckier QB in my life) and it killed us on the TD pass to Holmes (I believe). This is a huge key in this game. We have to got to sack this guy multiple times and/or force him to run for his life ! 2. I am wondering who is going to pick up RB Mewelde Moore. I dont know any of our LBs can keep up with this guy - he's fast and shifty. The Steelers are going to run this little dump off play 2-3 times (maybe more). It killed us the last time in the OT loss when Moore ran for about 25-30 yds (before Reed's game winning FG). Rex needs to scheme and smother this guy, esp. on 3rd down plays. 3. We have got to be mentally tougher than the Steelers this game. We cant let Hines Ward get in our heads again. I believe our guys (JJ, Suggs) have learned to punch the other guy in the mouth, shut up, and then play the game. Bart Scott needs to wrap up and sack Big Ben, shut his mouth, and get ready for the next play. 4. In spite of the Steelers run D (which is like ours), I am wondering whether we can run the ball hard enough and effectively to open up the pass game. Joe is going to be blitzed from all directions and the OL has got be ready. A solid running game with LeRon or the 3 headed monster is essential. 5. Has Joe matured enough and learned from the first game to avoid costly errors and game changing plays ? Cam, Joe and the O line has got to account for Harrison, Woodley and Troy P. If Joe gets in trouble (and he will) he needs to take care of the ball or get rid of it quickly. Thoughts anyone ?

We are going to need a Superman performance from Reed against the Stillers ! Go Reed, Go Ravens !

Former Dolphin, huh ? Student of Cams from last year or is he a rookie ? Curious.

Looking back on Sunday night, I was really impressed with how much this team has progressed this year. This team really appears to be on a mission and is playing with a lot of confidence. Specific things (good and bad) I observed: 1. Ed Reed is an amazing athlete and student of the game. Sans the occasional hot dogging, brain farts, the guy is amazing and an all-pro. 2. Our kickoff return guys - Leonard, Figurs , etc. - are a real work in progress. Figurs looks lifeless and Leonard is just not a return guy (though he plays hard). 3. Something is wrong with McGahee. I have seen too many games this year where he plays uninspired ball, puts down the ball, or looks lethargic. There were 2 plays where McGahee lost nearyl 10 yards and almost lost the ball - he could have cost us the game. I am wondering whether we should sit Willis and just play McClain and Rice. 4. Ray Ray is still playing at an amazing level. He was superlative and just adds to so much energy to the D. Say what you want about the guy, there is no other Ray. He is not replaceable but I sure hope we have a guy waiting in the wings. 5. Our offense was flat most of the night. I know much of it was weather related but Joe struggled much of the night. His TD pass to Mason was severely underthrown (I was in that end zone corner) and it was almost picked by Laron Landry. Again , I think was just a tough night to throw the ball. Looking ahead, we all know the Steelers game is going to be a war. From what I have saw last weekand and from our earlier OT loss at Heinz field, we need to do/fix the following: 1. We have got to wrap Ben up this game. We missed him on a few occasions (I have never seen a luckier QB in my life). If we dont, well get burned big time again. 2. We have got to account for that Mewelde Moore guy. Mark my word, the Steelers are going to run this little dump off play 2-3 times (maybe more) to Moore. It killed us the last time in the OT loss. Our LBs have got to watch this guy. 3. We have got to be mentally tougher this game. We cant let Hines Ward get in our heads again. Punch the guy in the mouth, shut him up and let him play his game. 4. We are going to have run the ball hard enough and with enough frequency to opne up the pass game. Joe is going to be blitzed from all directions and the OL has got be ready. 5. The O has got to account for Harrison, Woodley and Troy P. If Joe gets in trouble (and he will) he needs to take care of the ball or get rid of it quickly. Its going to be war on Sunday. We need to win this war !

Crav, I am still thawing out my toes, dude ! There were a scattering of Skids fans, including one of my sons ( yeah, I know ), in the house. After Reed's fumble return for a TD, Skids fans could hardly be heard all night. The only time they woke up was after Flacco's pick late in the 3rd Quarter and McGahee's fumble. Otherwise, it was a quiet bunch most of the night. FYI- I have now seen Ed Reed do a trifecta twice against the Skins; once in 2004 at Fedex (Reed causing Brunell fumble, recovering ball and running it in for a TD), and then Sunday night at M & T (stripping Portis, recovering ball and scoring TD). Skins fans must have nightmares of Ed Reed ! :P

My 2 cents - This game is a coin toss and boils down to who wins the TO battle and capitilizes on the other teams errors. Either way, I'll be at the game and screaming at the top of my lungs ! GO RAVENS!

I hate to put it on one game but this game is everything and maybe decides whether we make the postseason. If we win, we are 9-4, and have a decent shot against Pittsburgh, then who knows. If we lose, I dont know .......? But first we got the Skins and I will be there Sunday night (Section 139) rooting my boys on ! Go Ravens !!

I know Crav, its gets you juiced up ! I dont mean to sound like a sourpuss, but I wish Scott would just shut his damn mouth and get some sacks. Crap, Harrison and Timmons at Pittsburgh are scarping up sacks left and right, and what does Scott have ? A couple maybe. I just wish the guy would zip it and put up some sacks, starting Sunday night !!

Hey Bart, Shut up and focus on the damn Skins this Sunday. Let the punk Hines Ward do his thing and focus on that guy next week.

Yagersports, Cowboys D awful, huh ? They are 9th in the NFL in total D and comparable to Philly in YPG. Plus, we are playing the Cowboys in Big D; I'd call that about as formidable as our playing Philly at M & T. Suffice to say, the next 3 opponents will be a good litmus test of how far we have come and whether we deserve to be in the playoffs.

Lets see if the Ravens could do their part, starting prime time this Sunday night !

McGahee is tough bird to figure out. Either he is one lazy rascal or a guy on life long vacation without luggage ! :P

Exactly. In fact, a guy called in the other night on WBAL's Steve Davis/John Harbaugh's show and inquired about Preston's ill advise Sun article abou the so called "doghouse" players or guys who werent buying in to Harbaugh's system. He mentioned among others Rolle, Willis, Reed, and Todd Heap (if you can believe that). Harbaugh was dumbfounded by the mere mentioning of the news and apparently doesn't read any of this garbage. Nonetheless, he was very surprised and responded that he felt bad for the aforementioned players since he indicated these guys, in his opinion, were team players, having great seasons, and all trying to achive the same goal of winning. I personally felt bad for Harbaugh being put on the spot and having to address such idiotic comments. I dont even live in B'more but Preston's reputation is even known here in southeastern Virginia. The guy has just gone way overboard and is out of line. Somebody needs to take this guy out behind the woodshed and.....

Yes, especially against formidable defenses. I dont believe any of our offensive outbursts were against any stout, defensive teams - Browns, Texans, Eagles (maybe) and Bengals. That all changes this Sunday and with the next 3 opponents-Skins, Steelers & Cowboys are top 10 D's.

Its time to exorcise the Prime Time Demons ! Max/Crav, isnt this where you insert a clip from "the Exorcist" ? ;)

Crav, What up ? You are starting to sound like me, fella. I dont like this game either. Its a trap game and after last week's whooping of Philly, we might just be little cocky and overconfident. Thats Harbs and the teams challenge. We'll see Sunday. Happy Thanksgiving to All! VARAVEN45 .

Well put !!