oldno82

As we were saying: https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-roquan-smith-trade-impact-20231102-vedot2ajsrcdlg5qhvhth5hciq-story.html

Hard to figure what the Bears were thinking of after watching Roquan for a year now. He's made Queen into a near-star and just invigorated the whole defense. He's a great leader and great for a face of the franchise. Definitely worth a 2nd round pick.

And hopefully we'll get to see our Geno pick off their Geno this week.

Thanks again, Dee!!!

I concur. And a lot of the other fan sites are just crazy...they've been harping on EDC all year. I think he's done a good job with this team and they shouldn't forget last year's deal for Roquan which invigorated the whole defense. I don't think Keaton Mitchell, the practice squad back, has gotten a real shot yet. He was in for two or three plays and pulled a hammy. He might have the burst we could use if he can get and stay healthy. The offensive line has me a bit worried because they are inconsistent. I'm pretty sure Ronnie Stanley has lost a step due to his bad ankle injury. Moses is inconsistent. We could use some young'uns here via the draft next year. In fact, that might be the priority. Other than not being consistent with the line play they did alright getting a W. When opposing teams are dropping 8 into coverage it's got to open up the running game. That calls for an in-game strategy shift and that wasn't there until late in the game and then the defense wore down. I think this team will be alright. If one looks at the rest of the NFL, even the best teams look funky now then and lose games. At least we won this one. Seahawks game will be a solid test. I think we'll do well.

Thanks!!

Agree with your analysis! The offensive line did not do well and they couldn't get the ground game going so Lamar was always looking at 8 dropping in pass coverage. Now comes the tough part of the schedule. No more weak teams after now. At least most games are at home. Special teams have been a weak point all season so far. We miss our previous ST coach?

Thanks, Dee for all you do. So glad we have you! how do we send you a message when the site is down? Do we just click the 'contact us' button?

Interesting remarks about how chemistry takes longer now that starters aren't playing in the pre-season and I agree with him that it's better to start healthy in the regular season than play in 'exhibition' games. So maybe now, with the regular season games they have behind them and the obvious talent in the new receivers and the line, it makes sense the Ravens have come together to put it all together. We'll know more after the Cards game. The trick here is to not let up either in-game or between games.

I don't think, from what I've read on several sources, that the Ravens are swelled up with ego or even full satisfaction after the whipping they gave Detroit. They will take care of business against the Cardinals. I do NOT expect another runaway victory. I think we'll find a competent victory over a struggling team.

I pretty much said the same thing in the thread to the other topic. You beat me to it. I should have read here first.

They do have to show they can do it on a weekly basis. Sure there will be always be a week or two were even the best teams have an off day, even KC, but I do want to see them playing solidly like yesterday most of the time. They have played very well in the first halves for the most part. Monken has turned the pass game around as long as we don't have a multi-player game of the dropsies. We just have to concentrate on playing as well in the second half as the first. Yesterday the Ravens were dominant. I think they would have beaten any team in the league yesterday. Now the task is to play the same way against a very weak Cardinal team. I'm hoping we don't play down to the level of competition next week or have a day when they feel all they have to do is show up to win. That motivational part will be on Harbaugh and it's something he's done pretty well over his career: don't have your team have a swelled head when playing inferior teams. I think they'll beat Arizona easily but it could be a trap game if we aren't prepared. I was glad to see Lamar's demeanor after the game yesterday. He pointed out there were some areas they had to work on which is a good thing. The team has a chance to do something really special this year and right now I think they'll succeed. One final note: if you give Lamar time to pass he'll carve you up as well as any quarterback in the game. The O-line was tremendous as was his ability to move in the pocket until a receiver got open. And the defense was just 'wow'.

Right, Dee! Momentum is key.

This was a breakout game for the Ravens. They should know now if they execute they can beat anybody. But they need to stack wins like this one. Things are definitely looking up.

What a great game for the Ravens! Thorough domination of a really good football team. Probably Lamar's best game. He was outstanding in the opener a few years back against Miami but the Lions were a hell of a lot better team now than that year's Dolphins. I could not find a single flaw in Lamar's game today. Monken's play calling was superb and his preparation for the offense was just out of this world. Defense was just as good. They were all over Goff early and mid-game and cut off the LIons's offense at the knees. THIS is the kind of win I've been waiting for. A totally complete game by the O-line, receivers, quarterback, running backs, defensive line, linebackers and secondary. A true whipping put on the Lions.

I too would like to see Mitchell get some carries. Our running game needs a shot in the arm though I think it's more the line blocking than the backs. We'll need both a running and passing offense clicking if we want to beat the Lions. Funny, with Roquan back there I'm not too worried about our defense. I think it can hold it's own against anybody. I also think Monken will get the offense sorted but it may take another week or two. We did all say it would take several games for his offense to sink in with the players and execution. No matter what, I'd rather watch his offense than Roman's any day.

If they can achieve that I'll be a happy camper. And we just might beat them.

One thing for sure that isn't helping is the run game isn't doing well when we're ahead. I believe the backs, Gus and Hill, are giving it everything they've got but the blocking just isn't there this year. No holes. Maybe a lack of emphasis on run blocking in practice is to blame. The pass protection has actually been pretty good and Lamar has shown a new ability to get the ball out faster. But if you can't get the run game going, go back to the pass game. Slants and quick outs with an occasional medium to deep ball to keep them off balance. Our team has become one I think where they have to use the pass to set up the run rather than the usual vice-versa. One thing they shouldn't do is rely on Lamar running in the red zone which I saw too much of. One, it isn't working and Two, he's going to get hurt in the scrum down there.

The Ravens offense has a lot of potential but they can't seem to kill off opposing teams. I think that for whatever reason the play calling sucks when they have the lead. I don't know on who's shoulders that falls but somebody ain't doing the job in the second half. I just re-watched last week's game and that fact stood out as paramount to me. We should have kicked ass after we got ahead.

Yup the pressure has been solid. Great scheming by McDonald according to Clowney who loves playing for him. I'm looking forward to this game. Might just be a very good one.

They will be the best team we've seen so far. Like you said, we need to play a game where we limit dropped passes, fumbles, and risky coaching decisions. Our defense is good and they will be ready to play. The offense is the big question. We also have to play the game with a psyched up spirit on both sides of the ball. And dammit we have to be consistently good throughout the whole game for a change.

Oh…OK. I guess I didn’t realize a team could do that with the cap. I thought since it was salary and not a bonus they’d have to eat the whole thing in this year.

Queen has been a monster this year. I'm not so sure it will be easy to replace him with somebody who has equivalent production. It is true Smith made him better. I have a feeling we'll miss Queen next year though. Agree that it's more prudent to keep Stone than Williams. Makes the most sense both cap and availability wise. Speaking of cap space, we signed OBJ to a one year $15 million salary contract but when I look at Sportrac's cap table it shows we'll carry $11 million in dead money in 2024 for him. Can someone explain why that is?

Regarding above, see https://theathletic.com/4968567/2023/10/17/ravens-patrick-queen-geno-stone-contracts/

The Lions are a good team. The Ravens look like they're getting ready to turn the corner into playing up to their potential. Just wish the offense would look as good in the 2nd half as they do in the first. Not only are they playing inconsistently between games they are doing so in-game. Monken's opening drive game plan has been flawless but something is still lacking as the game progresses. Appears to be a mixture of poor execution and questionable play calling as game moves in to the second half.