oldno82

The lack of quick WR slants has been a mystery to me. We do need to throw them more. We used to use them when we had Mark Clayton early on but for some reason we've gotten completely away from it.

This is really good news. He's been a great player and Oz and Bisciotti did the right thing. Plus, it frees up some desperately needed cap room. Now, if we can just beat the Rams!

Yup. See my post on team wide collapse.

Many thanks, Dee! Its a well run board.

Well, guys, it was awful! The offense stunk, the defense stunk, and the special teams weren't so hot either. The Ravens came out flat and I blame the coaching staff for that. Despite all the stuff we heard about the Ravens never letting down, they sure let down today. The running game was inconsistent. The passing game was way off for Flacco, the receivers, the pass protection, and the play calling. The defense looked outclassed by Matt Hasselback---no excuse for that. I think we gave up close to 350 yards passing to the Titans. Hasselback killed us with quick passes that exposed our lack of coverage. The CBs were lousy and even Ed Reed didn't play well. We can't afford another effort like that this season. We've already given up the one game advantage we had on Pittsburgh.

If sitting him for a week would cure him, this is the week to do it. Let David Reed and Torrey Smith be the speed burners in his place.

I love purple kool-aid too, but I do see a closer game than last week's. The Ravens will prevail however.

I think it is a concern....but I also think the Ravens will have enough to beat Tennessee. I agree that Harbaugh has been very good in getting his teams ready to play.

I wouldn't be surprised if he retires at the end of this season.

Me too!

I was out of the country and missed watching the game live but I recorded it and saw it last night before I knew the result. What a cool game! What a way to start the season! Kudos to Cameron, Joe, Ray Rice, Suggs, Ngata, Cary Williams, Webb, Mckinnie and others. I've been waiting a long time for the Ravens' offense to be entertaining and they sure did that yesterday. Like Max, I don't know why Jimmy Smith is covering kickoffs---he's potentially too valuable to be doing that. I hope he's back quickly. Otherwise, just a great GREAT game!!!

Not comfortable at all!

I have grave doubts about this team, but since I feel like I have do a projection, I'll say 11-5. And, I think we beat the Colts.

All my thoughts exactly! Good write-up! Torrey Smith has been a disappointment so far but as you noted there are many bright spots. And while I'd love a Super Bowl or reaching the playoffs, I do think this team will be better at the end of the season than last year's version and it will have more upside for the future.

I was no fan of Cousins at tackle. Just wasn't quick enough and allowed way too much pressure on Joe. Thought he might have a shot at guard. Kind of amazing he got let go in the very first round of cuts: just 2 weeks ago he was our starting right tackle! Just goes to show you how fast things can change and the poor situation our offensive line was or is in. Hopefully, the line straightens out with McKinnie, Yanda, at Oher playing at their best positions but it may be a work in progress for the first month or so.

Calls like that make me wonder how much have things changed...but he did incorporate Lee Evans quickly into the offense, or Joe did.

I think you've got to play him at LT and move Oher to RT because that gives us the strongest line (assuming McKinnie came to play). McKinnie's contract is for just 2 years---maybe by that time Oher will be ready for LT and they can play Reid at RT.

If Levoir shows this week that he can play and succeed, I'd like to keep him. Good offensive lineman are a short commodity and so important.

18 days is probably just enough time for Oher to get reacclimated to RT and McKinnie to get in shape. I'm a little less certain if the unit can get optimum cohesion and know the blocking assignments by then. But I do think thats one thing that will improve. Could be a number of false starts until they get to know each other well. We'll see. Maybe the first team OL ought to play at least a half in the last preseason game to learn how to work together. Don't know if Birk will be ready by then but the rest could probably use the work as a unit. I think you're right that Ravens' brain trust learned that Reid, who I think has a lot of potential, was just being asked to do too much to be ready to go up against the Steelers.

Gee guys, this could be huge for the Ravens! And I don't mean his size . If he plays at the level he's played at before and Oher does the same at RT (without pouting, hopefully) the line could be awesome. I'm starting to get really good vibes about this team. That purple Kool-Aid is fantastic!

Just a note: he still has to pass his physical before the contract kicks in so I think we're covered.

Its a a good move especially considering what was out there but he HAS to get himself in shape. If he does, we'll also be in great shape.

Thats how I see it too unless this guy functioned at a high level for the Pats. Sounds like NE wasn't just cutting him, they were trying to save money.

Sounds like good news to me...We need to keep improving, though.

I've been and continue to be a Flacco defender but he hasn't showed top 5 talent in the first 2 games. Maybe he will by Sep 11. He'd better or else it will be a long season.