oldno82

Flacco to Boldin TD!!! Flacco is really clicking with No 82 Torrey Smith. It actually reminds me a bit of the old Unitas to Berry days!

Flacco is really sharp on the short and intermediate passes.

The Ravens look like the team with the superior talent---but, they're just not clicking on 3rd downs.

I guess Gaither's only (and I mean ONLY) interested in the money not doing the job. And we would do ourselves a favor by picking up a legitimate backup QB if any are available. I'm not happy with Tyrod or Curtis at this point.

Williams made a major mistake by not taking that deal. He hasn't shown me much so far this preseason and he was offered $15 million for basically having one good (not great) year. I would have taken the contract.

I'm not ready to dump Jimmy Smith yet. He looked real good when he played last season. Cornerback is a very tough position because when you screw up its seen by everyone and every CB is going to screw it up once in a while. Last year Smith looked like he really had the ability and was learning. He's taken a step back this year---so far. I don't know why thats happened but he has been hurt and has missed a lot of practice. But its too soon to give up on him.

This is what I saw too: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-mike-preston-ravens-offense-showed-some-positive-signs-friday-night-20120818,0,1857224.story

I think Jimmy thinks if he flaps his arms he can fly???

I'll have to check what I recorded again but I thought LaQuan dropped or should have caught at least 3 more passes. I was disappointed in him last night.

I have to agree with Preston. For the first time since the '90s I'm more worried about the Defense than the Offense. Never thought I'd be saying that.

I think Pitta is a better blocker but neither can block as well as I'd like them to.

I'm beginning to think you're right about this one, Papa.

I hope he's OK enough to play next week. I think we are going to need all 3 CBs with the quality of QBs we're facing this year.

I'm getting concerned about this guy. Is he injury prone?

Yeah, you gotta love Flacco's attitude. They should also utilize the shotgun a lot more.

I'd like to see Tucker get a full game in the pre-season. Based on last year's performance and the shorter kickoff field I'd go with Tucker at this point.

I agree that a healthy Birk and McKinnie will help a lot but the thing is can Joe survive until they're ready to play? He really took some nasty hits in Atlanta. Imagine what a real Defense would do.

Beautiful, Max! Simply beautiful!!

I'm not quite as optimistic as you are, Max, about the O line. I saw Joe get crushed by a blitzing middle LB who wasn't even touched on the way in. Stuff like that can kill your QB. The D was also a mess, I agree. No pass rush in first quarter at all. It was lame. Maybe Upshaw can provide a spark next time. All that said, it was just the first pre-season game. And the Falcons definitely came out smokin' for a lead early. The effort the Falcons put into this first pre-season game stunned me and probably the Ravens as well. Hell...I thought it was just supposed to get guys feet wet! (I REALLY liked our no huddle offense though!)

I'm sure a lot of these guys are told to make extreme statements just to keep everybody watching. Its all about the ratings, not really informing you.

Ogden was such a pleasure to watch with that big wingspan he had. He was also a superior run blocker. I miss the guy.

Only 4 days until we play him. I'm soooo glad to have football back at last!

No problem, Flacco. If Birk & Williams have anything left in the tank and if Osemele is productive we'll probably be OK. I'd like to see Gino get worked in there as well.

I hope so, Crav. I'd really like to see Osemele and Gino become good first stringers, if not this season then next. I do think each one has potential. Osemele seems to be really strong and Gino is tough and something else a Center needs to be: smart. But I don't want to get excited too early.

Anybody see how Gino did at practice today?