oldno82

I suspect the fact that our OL depends more on finesse than brute strength and the lack of use of a big back hurts us down there when we run.

Sunday, we die, not do.

He's the only guy I want cut with the exception of the low-priced, low-ability DBs. And he would be the biggest cap savings.

I'd say what worse can happen to this team than what has transpired over the past year but I'm afraid to ask. Ngata should be traded or released next year. If he's gone we save so much in cap that it offsets the dead money by 8.5 million. And we need all the cap space we can create to rebuild (or is it 'build') the secondary and add a big fast target with good hands for the offense. Ngata has been a very good player but whoever gave him, a DT, a contract like he has ought to have known better.

They think this Sunday.

Best, Worst PFF Grades Below are the best and worst grades handed out to Ravens players from PFF for their performances against San Diego: Best Grades QB Joe Flacco: positive-6.6 RG Marshal Yanda: positive-3.7 LB Daryl Smith: positive-2.8 SS Jeromy Miles: positive-2.3 WR Torrey Smith: positive 1.9 Worst Grades WR Steve Smith: negative-4.3 OLB Courtney Upshaw: negative-4.2 OLB Pernell McPhee: negative-3.9 LT Eugene Monroe: negative-3.9 OLB Elvis Dumervil: negative-2.2 Flacco earned his highest PFF grade of the season Sunday, with Kiernan Hogan calling the Ravens’ signal caller “excellent.”

The pass defense is in freefall and some of the blame falls on Ozzie. This past summer we moved Elam from FS to SS and brought in Darrian Stewart as the FS, a position for which he isn't suited (in fact, he doesn't play that well anywhere). We let Corey Brown go because of the cap but really didn't have a replacement. Now in his defense, it's hard to say this is the main cause. Injuries killed us and the depth is not there. Either Webb is still hurting from his back or his ability has just deteriorated. Losing Jimmy was the clincher. Most of the guys playing in the secondary for us are just names to fill positions; talent is piss poor. They're not breaking that much (any more) but bend don't break keeps the defense on the field too long in the game. How many leads have we let get away because we couldn't end the game with a rested defense?

I agree with your analysis.The future is pretty bright if Kubiak stays. If he leaves and his system doesn't survive here we'll be in trouble. One thing I've noticed about Joe, and it also affects his completion percentage, is that he likes to go deep even when it's not open, He does much better when he adheres to the Kubiak system of quick release, intermediate passes and a strong ground game. I think Campanaro will help here. Getting a good running back is pretty easy these days (in fact Taliaferro just might be the long-term solution there). We definitely need a beast receiver and that seems to be a strength in the next draft. Cornerback help is going to be tough. Smith and Webb have to stay healthy and nothing in their track record gives me confidence here. We need to find two cornerbacks and a safety. Elam keeps showing me every week that he's not an NFL class safety. At least so far.

We shouldn't have to blitz to bring pressure. The front four didn't get penetration very often and when they did Rivers had already let the ball go. We have a great front four against the run but it's below average in bringing the heat.

He's tall enough, Max, but I guess I'm looking for a freak around 6-5 245 lbs. with speed and good hands. I know that's a tall order and we never draft for need anyway so I doubt we'll get a guy like that.

There's a lot of truth in There's a lot of truth in that. And I do blame the bend don't break philosophy also. It's too passive and gives too much control to the opposing offense. It's a pussy approach to defense.

We could use a big, tall receiver. But there were plenty of points scored by the Ravens in this game.

Good post. Something we should all remember.

The Offense did do its job. Thirty-three points will win 9 out of 10 with even an average D. I knew if we didn't rush Rivers he'd tear up the secondary and he did. The secondary couldn't stop the intermediate pass nearly all game. It was there for the taking and Rivers took it. Watching Rivers work the sidelines with his receivers on their last drive was hideous. We might as well as just give it to them. Which we did.

I thought he was deciding what he wanted to eat on the flight back.

If Rivers has time the Chargers will beat us easily. But I think our pass rush gets to him. 24-21, Ravens.

Right! He ought to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Yeah, I did see it. It looked like a Fast Food's menu gone berserk!

I'm not quite ready to declare for sure yet it, but it's beginning to look to me like Elam is a flop.

We've all said it at one time or another: The Ravens have solidly displayed their inconsistency. They've got to get over that on the offense if they really expect to make the playoffs. It may take an 11-5 record to ensure that they make it.

Yup. I don't think Monroe is having a good year. He is probably playing hurt. Great win. Forsett looks like he was made for the Kubiak offense.

And jumping from buildings.

Crap! Is this thread still alive??

Unfortunately, that's how I see it too.

You're spot on Spen.