oldno82

The O-line was magnificent. The tackles handled the outside pressure and Yanda, Harewood, and Birk (yes Birk) were a solid wall that allowed Joe to step up into the pocket and into his passes.

The first quarter was horrendous and the D was porous nearly all game. But the offense picked themselves up and got straightened out. Huge kudos to Torrey Smith, Ray Rice, Flacco, and Cam.

I don't think I could play tonight. A real shame for the family's loss.

I have mixed feelings and can't really get a good read on this game. If our defense doesn't get a pass rush on Brady, he could have a field day. And I hope our week 1 offense shows up and not the one we showed in the second half against the Eagles. Looks like a high scoring toss-up.

Pees is not impressing me so far...I missed the 'wreak havoc' philosophy of Pagano. Actually, losing Pagano may have had even more impact than losing Jarret Johson and Redding.

He said so after the game and Harbaugh did too.

I'm thinking our defense doesn't have the talent it used to. Ed and Ray are older, (hell Ed won't or can't tackle), there's no Terrell, Johnson and Redding are gone and haven't been adequately replaced, and when Pollard's hurt its open season over the middle.

I absolutely agree with you Max. Keep the uptempo, speed it up a bit, and run the ball on 3rd and 1 in those situations. Its still a mystery to me why they allowed Philly to substitute and not run on 3rd and 1 and 4th and 1 with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. The story on Pitta being targeted so much was that the Eagles started jamming our wide receivers at the line in the second half and only Pitta was able to fend them off most of the time. What does that say about our wide receivers' coaching???

Our defense isn't up to past standards either: we've given up 808 yards in just 2 games and 592 have been through the air.

OK, here's the facts: http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Did-The-No-Huddle-Disappear/bf2632c6-f8d3-4106-af32-00e87e77bfd1

I'm pretty sure they started off using up-tempo but they slowed it down mid-game and then seemed to abandon it until the last 'drive' but I can't remember positively.

Hey Crav, I'm trying to be positive here.

Pressure on our offensive line was also intense. We had real trouble pass blocking against their ends. Our 2 OTs were unable to stop the outside rush. Pitta caught a lot of passes but by the time the second half rolled around Joe was going downhill. Again, I suspect that was due to his ribs---and the Eagles pass rush.

Quote from John Eisenberg on the Raven's website: "Up-Tempo Offense Still Best Approach Even though they lost a game with offensive malfunctions playing a key role, the Ravens shouldn’t lose their gall and start drifting away from the up-tempo approach they have adopted. Sunday notwithstanding, going with the style offers so much of a higher ceiling on that side of the ball. It’s the best decision they’ve made on offense in awhile because Flacco is comfortable in the system and the unit is less predictable and more dangerous. Things broke down in the second half Sunday largely because the line didn’t protect Flacco well enough; that needs to change. Also, when the running game is working, use it. But those mistakes and hiccups don’t mean it’s not a good idea anymore. It still is."

Ray rushed 16 times in the game. He's not built to take the pounding of 25-30 snaps at running back. They could have passed to him more in the second half. I really don't think Ray is anywere near being disgruntled. I think that's wishful thinking from a Steelers' fan.

The first half and second halves were like two different games. I think the Ravens defense really missed Pollard after he got hurt and it must be more than a coincidence that Joe collapsed in the second half after taking a rib injury. From the sideline shots I saw it looked like he was in pain. The refs stank too but you can't do anything about that. The defense is missing the pressure that Suggs, Johnson, and Redding supplied last year. There was some pressure on Vick but not nearly like there would have been if those guys had been in there. I fear the defense is going to be a letdown this year. Cam, whom I praised last week, was slow to realize Joe was hurt/not himself in the second half and should have run the ball when we had it 3rd and 1 on the last series we had at the end of the game. All we needed was about 20-30 more yards to give Tucker a decent shot. When you go 5 for 28 in passing in the second half, something is drastically wrong. Its been mentioned in the Sun that our receivers started getting jammed at the line in the second half and couldn't get open except for Pitta. The Eagles made adjustments at halftime and we didn't. Without Pollard our defense doesn't have enough of that 'fear' component that its had for the last dozen years. Time to regroup and get healthy with the Pats, who also lossed, coming to town next Sunday.

Its over. Ugh!

We need Boldin right now and better protection for Joe.

I dunno...

Well Dee we have time to get a FG so here goes.

Not crazy...the thought crossed my mind too.

You're right, Dee. Should not have been a PI on Jones. At least Tucker's hot today.

When in doubt go to Rice.

TUCKER!!!

Delay of game---sloppy.