oldno82

I've been very supportive of Joe in the past but today he flat out stunk. Do I think he should benched after one bad game against a very good defense? No. But that has to be the last clunker he does this season or else everybody will be clamoring for his scalp.

its so hard to judge based on one game. He did everything right in the 3rd preseason game and there was praise everywhere. Now he has just an average game against the toughest defense in the league and a few people rush to judgement. I'll say this- the missed pass to McClain and Joe's holding the ball too long on the first play were the only real detriments I could see. Who knows how good his stats might have looked if some of the PI calls were completions instead. Todd Heap missed a sure TD but you don't hear anyone questioning him. All that being said, I'll wrap up by just saying I think Joe will be a very good quarterback for the long haul for the Ravens. He's not Peyton Manning (who else is?) and he might not even be as outstanding as Tom Brady. BUT, he's a quality QB who can take the Ravens to the playoffs year in and year out as long as he gets decent protection and has quality targets to throw to. And yes, I think he's still developing.

He also ran down Cromartie after the interception and saved a touchdown.

You're right about that.

The O wasn't that bad after it settled down. Remember, the Jets D is for real. The passing game sure made up for the lack of a running game and that was something we couldn't do in the past. Thanks to Q, Housh, and Heap. And Joe.

The big thing that worries me about tonight's game is that it will be played with such intensity there will be a ton of injuries. Something like that can cripple a team for the rest of the season. I'm an old-timer. In 1960, the Colts were 6-2 and in first place with four games to go. That eighth game was against the villainous Bears. The Colts won but were so beat up they lost the last 4 games of the season. And that was the end of the late '50s glory run. Here's hoping I'm wrong about tonight.

While going all the way to the Super Bowl would be great, I'd settle for the making the playoffs as long as we have an offense that doesn't put me to sleep anymore. The D is suspect but it is not all negative there. Carr was decent last season and the addition of Wilson, and later Webb, will help the secondary. I too have qualms about the linebackers in coverage. I saw Ray fail to cover the tight end in one of the preseason games and it wasn't pretty. Finally, the schedule is very tough. It isn't beyond the realm of possibility that we might be 0-2 after the first two games but still have a good shot at making the playoffs if injuries can be kept to a minimum and Joe is the QB we saw in the 3rd preseason game.

Good post, Max.

Good grief! That surprised me. But better it be taken care of with 13 days to the opener than during the season. We can make it without Cody for 2 weeks. And, then he'll hopefully be 100%.

The only way I'd play Ed Reed is if he's 100%. If he's having any pain or issues they should PUP him and then reevaluate after 6 weeks. But if he is 100%, I'd have to play him even though Zbi and Haruki have played quite well.

Cundiff's leg strength is impressive and he's pretty accurate. Not as accurate as Stover but he has more range. I haven't really seen enough of Graham to really decide. Based on their records in camp, I give Billy the edge.

I am absolutely in agreement with you, Max. Use Dickson and Pitta with Clayton and we'll be alright. Then we can look forward to having Donte back for a late season run.

Bulger looks like he's shellshocked from so many poundings at St. Louis. He had that deer in the headlights look. I'll give him the preseason to try and get his confidence back. For that he's going to need more playing time--time that should come at Troy's expense.

I have to agree with Thunder. Clayton is an acceptable 3rd or 4th receiver---I tend to think more as a number 4. I'd rather see Stallworth in there as number 3-he's not afraid to go over the middle and he has that great speed that one receiver has to have. But, Clayton would be adequate.

The old fight song had a lot of pzazzz and was easy to sing. I'd like to see the old tune with the new words. The biggest plus is its a tie to our old Baltimore football roots which shouldn't be forgotten just because the Colts are in Indianapolis now.

Ozzie strikes again! Another sound move so we can take the BPA when we draft.

I don't like the idea of playing a game after just 3 days of rest on any day especially when you're trying to keep players healthy. I'd rather somebody else get this dubious honor. At one time, the Lions always played the Packers on T-day but eventually Lomabardi squelched it because of all the hassles. Now you know I'm REALLY old!

I think the coaches should at least take a look at him here and if he's decent cut a Stallworth deal where we only pay him if he's on the roster come September 1.

I'd also be happy with Boldin/Walter/Stallworth/Mason or Boldin/Walter/Stallworth/Clayton.

Agree with all the above. We should sign Walter regardless of what happens with the other WR pickup but I'm hoping for Marshall/ Walter/Stallworth/Clayton! And if we can swing a #2 for Cromartie I'd give that up too.

I'm with Crav on this one. We should take Boldin in exchange for a number 2 in the draft if that will bring him here.

I would agree, Max. A B- for the year. By the way, I disagree with Preston and would give Flacco a B- for the season as well. He started out hot but something with the offense floundered in mid-season and then he got hurt. I was out of the country during the losses to the Bengals and Pats so I don't really know what happened there and thats when things started to go south.

Crav, its too early to feel bad about this. Everything goes south in DC since Snyder took over---even Gibbs didn't have success. Zorn has a reputation of being a good QB coach and he was a wide-open QB when he played. I kind of like the pick.

Dee I couldn't agree with you more. While I am and always will be a Ravens fan, there should be more humility in all of sports and the leagues, especially the NFL, ought to eliminate the strutting, prancing and dancing. Then again, I'm really old school.