oldno82

Great article by Preston. Maybe Bisciotti will read it. Then again, it probably wouldn't make any difference. I think he believes listening to the fan base is a waste of his time. By the way---WHEN IS THE GREAT POST-SEASON PRESS CONFERENCE with B., Newsome, Cass, and Harbaugh? I'll watch it if just for laughs.

I'm sick of Harbaugh's platitudes like this one (which he said today) too... Harbaugh said. “And I’m excited about that going into next year.” He's always excited and says things will be great. Unfortunately, I think we just saw a season that is now 'normal' for the Ravens. What he should be saying is that there's a lot of hard work ahead and changes are coming.

Well, it's obvious that this franchise is fatally f---ed up and is not open to the changes it needs to make in both coaching and the front office in order to become one of the NFL's better teams. Instead, I foresee a long declining period of mediocrity with falling attendance, and interest, followed by Bisciotti selling rather than fixing the team. What a downer...

Geat article and on point. Harbaugh’s teams have decreased in toughness year by year to the point where there are no more team leaders. And not having the team charged up to play Sunday is inexcusable!

I agree but don't know if a worthy quarterback should be taken by us in the first round because I'm not sure one will still be there at 16. I'd like to hope so. But, regardless we've got to draft Joe's replacement sometime in the top 3 rounds. And we also have to draft offensive playmakers...WR and TE. Hopefully, Yanda, and Lewis will be back to stabilize the offensive line so I say take skill positions with guys who can take over a game. It's going to take several years but in the end they could have a very good team if they draft properly and dump Flacco in '19.

I'm ready to bite the bullet too. We need a team-wise and front office purge. It will be a tough 3 years but I'll hang in there as long as they start making good moves and have a solid plan. I hope Bisciotti wakes up this time, dammit! BTW, bring Pagano back as Defensive Coordinator. Nothing was ever as good again as his 'organized chaos' defense.

It's going to be very important for the Ravens to score first because I think the Bengals will just lie down then. If the Bengals get on the board first, watch out!

Agree...the running game sets up the play action. Worried that Collins is fatigued from all the effort he puts in.

Schmuck hits the nail on the head too: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck-blog/bs-sp-this-is-no-time-for-ravens-to-hold-a-grudge-20171224-story.html

Not only was that a good summary of the quality of the current team it also raises the point that Ravens fans don't like or respect this year's edition of the team. The Steelers and Pats have a bad game and get a pass. The Ravens have a bad game and get jumped on and some fans don't show up for games that are already paid for. Now, I will be the first to agree that this year's team is no better than the best of the mediocre and below. I do not feel this team is playoff worthy. No WR's that scare the opponents, average running attack, average defense and most of all, until lately, an offense that is less exciting than watching paint dry. Add to this the fact that most of the fans are jaded. There's been such a long run of really good Ravens teams and stars that the current falloff of the last 3 years has a lot of people jumping off a cliff. They really, really, need to draft a true offensive super skill player this year who brings excitement to the team. They ideally would also add another one of that description by free agency. I'm sorry to see the empty seats in the stadium but I also understand why people aren't showing up and giving this team a pass. We as fans have to stay loyal even in down years and down periods. Otherwise, we're just making ourselves ready for the next big team relocation when Bisciotti sells.

Great coaching by D'Allessandris and Roman have rebuilt the offense part of the way to where it needs to be. And along came Alex Collins out of nowhere. Yes things are improving but they still gotta finish and then let's see how decent they are in the playoffs. Yes, I'd much rather be talking about all that than 'how are we ever going to rebuild the team?' mode I was in before. But it's still there, lurking. This week I'm especially interested in seeing how the young WR's do. With Maclin out they all are getting their shot.

If they get a solid lead, I agree. You don't want to take your foot off the pedal but I think Collins needs a rest. Joe not so much but he should sit if possible. We'll just have to see how it all pans out...are the Colts interested in giving us a hard time or more interested in getting their season over with.

Max, I sure hope it continues. I have my doubts but I’m rooting for them. I agree though...the OL coach and Greg Roman have done a really good job with the scraps they were left to deal with.

Yeah, OC's have been a mess here for years and years going all the way back to the Billick era. But I am impressed with the offensive line coach and also what Roman has done for the ground game.

Nice win. Hope they play as well the next 2 weeks the way they have the past 3. I was glad to see them sit and rest Collins. He was getting hit pretty hard and the run blocking was more difficult against the Browns' defense. I don't need to see him get hurt when the game is in hand. Good running by Buck too. Crazy on that play where Joe got whacked. Wish they'd take that play out of the book.

Completely agree. I think this has a real good chance of being a loss.

And let's not forget that Antonio Brown, Bell, and Ben are three of the best as they've proven over several seasons now. Pitt's D stunk too. And yes. 38 points should have won it.

The Steelers’ inactives are quarterback Joshua Dobbs, offensive linemen Daniel McCullers and Matt Feiler, linebackers Ryan Shazier and Tyler Matakevich and defensive backs Joe Haden and J.J. Wilcox. jeff.zrebiec@baltsun.com

I thought Haden was out for this game?

Then I'll start to believe.

Hate to say it but looks like a Pittsburgh win this week. I just dont think we can stop Bell, Brown, and Ben. They have too many weapons especially with Jimmy Smith down. Plus our offensive line still needs to prove itself in protecting Joe. And their defense has given up way even less ypg this year than us. Steelers 24 Ravens 13.

I foresee the refs going wild in this game calling penalties.

Ray did say something (finally) that makes some sense but I think whomping on a defenseless player who’s not involved in the play should be forbidden. I’m thinking particularly about the Hines Ward block.

Well, before I eat the fruitcake I'm going to have to see some week to week consistency. BUT, I've never been this tempted to eat fruitcake before.

Hit the nail on the head.