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The 2011 Ravens offense will be a work in progress and probably will not hit full stride until game 3 or 4 of the regular season. That means surviving the Steelers, Titans, Rams and Jets and comming out of that stretch in the playoff hunt. That means more slow starts in games. It means getting occasionally hot and then disappearing for for awhile. Joe Flacco, the Ravens passing game and rushing attack have had a patchwork offensive line to work with and this has limited productivity. Eventually, the starting line will be McKinnie LT, Grubbs LG, Birk C, Yanda RG and Oher at RT. How soon that groups starts a game and get's into a groove only time will tell. It may not be opening day. Thursday night only Grubbs played in his natural position. It starts and ends with the line. Ask Manning and Brady. To Ravens fans who are watching Flacco closely to see if he's taking that next step I say, "Good Luck!" You're going to be frustrated as hell. Joe looked better moving in what pocket he had. He also has to get used to his new receivers. He looks 'just about on' with Bouldin. He looks like he's got it down with Evens. Who the #3 receiver will be is unknown. The #4 too, if they go 4 wide which they should do in the redzone. Torry Smith is now a developmental project so don't count on him. Reed, Williams and Doss you can count on. He still is working out the kinks with his TE's...but that is improving. This 2011 Ravens team has to have a strong rushing attack for the offense to be effective. The line determines if it will be good, bad or mediocre. Once again, just like last year in the pre season, Cam has overlooked the running game and they will pay dues for this. The Ravens hardly ran the ball last pre season and the Running game went south. This year the Ravens have only run on 72 of 189 offensive snaps. To make matters worse, it's 0 snaps with the eventual starting line. In defense of Cam...he's very limited in doing what he wants to do. He has to be carefull. He can't ask units to do what they cannot do at this time. He has to get more protection packages in for Joe which will limit receiver options...which will limit...you get the picture. I like the potential starting roster. I think they will get hot this year and be better than last year. But at what time in the season that happens I don't know. If it will be too late to make the plaoffs...I can't tell. I do think this will be one hellova playoff team if they can hang in through the early adversity that they face.

They trimmed the roster by 9 players...

With the exception of 1 play, I really enjoyed watching Thursday nights game. About 40 players, who will not make the team, were fighting for a few roster spots. They have had minimal time to showcase their talents. Watching them not quit and battle back for a win showed me how deep in talent this team is. Don't think the Ravens are deep? Scouts from 12 NFL teams were at the game looking to improve their rosters. There will be some good finds amoung the cut players. I wish them well. I was rooting for them and looking for the next Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Adelious Thomas excetera. Players who are either undrafted or late round picks that emerge from the pack and go on to have good careers. Players like McPhee, LaQuan Williams, Anthony Allen, and Ramone Harewood. It was good seeing Kindle and Kruger pressure the QB. The Ravens need one or both of these guys to step up and make the impact they believe they can. Just one of them at full potential will make the pass rush very scary. And let's give a round of applause to Brian Mattison! Here's a guy fighting for his last breath to make this team. A defensive lineman who has been the Ravens center for the whole pre season. A guy who is a practice squad player and is now out of options: Either he makes the final roster or he's a gonner. Is he back up or starting center material for the NFL? Probably not. But he's definately what the organization refers to as "A Raven". Little things....Cody, Ngata, and McKinny were bring pressure in the middle and pushing in the pocket. Pollard smaking someone in the mouth.. Cary Williams making a strong argument to start. And 1 emerging bright spot. Tyrod Taylor is beginning to really impress me. You have to take in the big picture. He's been thrown to the wolves. No OTA's or camps...rookie QB...Tight CAP space...garbage at back up QB available on the market. Flacco had only 1 starter, Grubs, on the O line playing in the position that they will be playing opening day. It really huirt his effectiveness. Guess what Taylor had? Guys who never played together! And receivers who have never started in an NFL game. The Ravens need him to develop right now, today! And he's answering the bell. And...once again, for another year, Ravens fans have bragging rights over the Potomac Drainage Basin Indigenous Persons fans. "..and they were sent out into the weeping and knashing of teeth..."

AUGUST 25TH 2011 THE LAST TIME RAVENS FANS EVER HAD TO SEE THE WIDE RECEIVER END AROUND.

NO MORE END AROUNDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT NEVER WORKS!!!! NEVER! TEAR IT OUT OF THE PLAYBOOK AND BURN IT RIGHT NOW! SEE A SHRINK IF YOU CAN'T HELP CALLING IT. GET HELP! STOP IT>>>>STOP IT NOW! NEVER AGAIN!!! WE DO NOT EVER WANT TO SEE THAT PLAY AS LONG AS WE LIVE!!!!!!!!!! THE WHOLE LEAGUE GETS IT! WE GET IT! WE ARE NOT STUPID DUMBIES! YOU HAVE A FAST RECEIVER SO YOU HAVE 1 PLAY AND 1 PLAY ONLY FOR HIM BUT THE DEFENSE WILL NEVER KNOW THIS AND BE FOOLED!!! YOU WANT TO BURY HIM AND RUIN HIS CAREER LIKE STALLWORTH! AND KILL DRIVES! PUT 50 POUND ANKLE WEIGHTS ON YOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYERS INSTEAD! STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP ITSTOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT NEVER EVER FOOLS ANYBODY!!!!!!! NEVER! IT BURNS! IT HURTS US!!!!!!!!!!

Carr is nursing some minor injury. Foxworth obviously has not fully recovered. He does not have the speed back yet. He certainly was schooled. Webb needs to get his head in the game. At times he played hard nosed aggressive football and other times he was out of it. Jimmy Smith will definately start vs the Steelers. Carr will be the nickle. They might go with Williams and take their licks.

This is so sad. He was a great pitcher and man. Listening to the radio today...if only Mike could hear it...he'd know how much he was loved.

It gets WORSE!

Just hope he doesn't fall down some steps varav... :biggrin:

Update!

Please head out to sea Irene..

This is interesting. He obviously needs a lot of coaching and development. He' paid a high price for his transgressions and hopefully has become a better character. Yea..once again the Ravens have a guy with a ton of raw physical talent...like Hardwood for instance. Now if they can develop them they could have some real gems.

Here's one local residents experience...

Bichiotti, Harbaugh and Ozzie were not happy with last years offense. They basicly blew it up this off season. Bichiotti and Ozzie were talking about getting Lee Evens before the lock out started.It was a surprise to us but not to them. You knew they had planned to get rid of Heap and Mason long ago when they sent out the season tickets and their pictures were not on any of them. The salary cap is part of it too. Steve has said, "What I try to do is remind the football guys sometimes that if Joe is almost as good as Harry, and Harry costs four times as much as Joe, then it would be in our best interests to get Joe on the field.” You can learn a lot about all the moves by reading into that. They are having a ball watching Cam cook in their oven. It's basicly, "Cam. We are very unhappy. Look at us Cam. We're.. not.. happy." They want the heat of him. A lot of heat because only massive doses of extreme pain will force Cam to change some of his ways. BTW...I like the changes. Now to see if they were right.

I agree on most points with Prisco here... Just 1 of many messes in the NFL.

Things are looking up. Now the question is: Can Oher get acclimated to RT and McKinnie get in shape and learn the blocking assignments by 9/11? The Steelers are definately going to try and confuse the shit out of this new line and come from everywhere. I think all this has happened because Cam, Ozzie and Harbaugh realized that Reid would get abused at this stage of his development

There's a very real possibility we could get hit pretty hard by Irene some time around Saturday night/ Sunday morning... You know the drill...lights, candles, water, food, sump pumps, generators, tie the kids down, don't park under any trees, get rid of anything outside that could fly around and renew your contact with God...

yea...my head tells me that he fails the physical. But when I drink some purple kool aid I get this vision of McKinnie in football shape in about 4-6 weeks. Then A line of Mckinnie at LT, Grubbs, Birk, Yanda and Oher at RT. Better yet for me... I loved Cousins at guard. He was a traffic cop moving guys away from Joe. Did you see him open that hole for Rice's 27 yard TD run? Reid sealed the right side and Cousins road graded a hole you could drive a mid size car through. The media talks about Leach's block but it was Cousins who looked like a man amoung boys. Now it was 1 preseason start...but maybe he has more gamew at guard then say Grubbs whose contract is due next year. He might. This could be one hellova line.

Not sure what to think about this....hope it's true... While most fans were whinning and flippin out that the Ravens didn't sign anybody to make this team better, it is now possible that Ozzie has thrown egg in their face with Leach, Evens and McKinnie. He'd definately bringing in a ton of linemen.

He's fat and out of shape...meaning too slow to play. Lot's of red flags around this guy. First thoughts: The Ravens just let Gaither go and got an older version. Now...if the Ravens can get him back in shape in say a month or so...and...if a change of scene is what he needs and motivates him...then this could be a steal. They could be a very good line...maybe dominant if McKinnie's head is back in the game. Low risk (CAP wise)...high reward. I want to know if he wants to win or just wants a paycheck.

Like most fans, I wanted Gaither to succeed. He just didn't want to.

I wrote about Reed and Taylor and there are other bright spots to emerge from Friday nights game. Jimmy Smith and Cary Williams had some shinning moments and some "Welcome to the NFL moments". Williams knocked down 3 passes with his long arms and then he was schooled by Copper for the TD. Smith in his first start, while taken to class by Bowe, was with him every step of the way. "I thought that I had good coverage on all the plays, but I've got to figure out a way to get that ball out," Smith said. "It's not like college because it's the pros, but I felt comfortable. I tried the slow the game down, but I still have the rookie jitters because it's the first game for me really getting out there. "I went against a Pro Bowler and I felt like I had blanket coverage. He just made great catches. Just to get my feet wet gave me confidence, more confidence to see what you really expect out of a Pro Bowl receiver like that." While this tandum may not be the starting CB's opening day it's beginning to look like their size, speed and physicallity will definately be used in certain mathup and coverage packages. Running to the outside just got harder for Ravens opponents. I'm starting to feel very comfortable with the Ravens secondary for 2011. A Void is Filled Great news for Ravens fans. We can now chant "Leeeeeeee!" Some of the void from Todd Heaps departure has been filled. Evens was 3 for 3 for 68 yards and a 22.7 ypc. He ran over the middle, caught an out route and then the 43 yarder. Flacco had his timming down with Lee. I still think this is why Joe over threw Bouldin on the deep balls. One guy is slower than the other and Joe has to get that into his brain... The great news is the Ravens have a #2 WR!. Teams cannot double Bouldin and shut down 2 rookies who are in their 1st year development stage. Vonta Leach A lot happened on 1 play. Leach made a statement when he wiped out that linebacker. Everybody woke up except the victim. The crowd went wild, the offense caught that energy, and blocked very well to let Rice run for a 27 yard TD on the next play. Gang....Smashmouth football is back in the Ravens offense! Behind that play is the mind of Cam Cammeron. It's the 2nd preseason game. He's experimenting. He wants a pass catching fullback threat in his offense. He loves the idea of Leach in the open field with the ball. He knows Leach caught 25 balls in 2007....20 in 2009. Can he do that here? Jah Reid He didn't give up a sack. He improved from last week. That's all you can ask for from a rookie who has been thrown into the fire. He's becomming this years 'Iron Man'. Minutes after he signed his rookie contract he was on the practice field and took every snap at RT during a 3 hour, hot, mid afternoon August day. He played every snap Friday night. “I had a little more confidence in what I was doing,” the third-round draft pick said. “I felt like I knew a little more about what was going on out there. I was able to match the opponent’s speed. So I’m pretty excited, but I know I have a long way to go.” Matteson A few words of encouragement from Kelly Gregg..“It was like practice going against him. He is doing great. He has a bright future.” The run game was there. 24 carries for the team for 114 yards and 4.8 ypc. Anthony Allen looked smooth for the few runs he had. Ricky Williams had 4 runs for 14 yards but it was his downfield, between the tackle runs that showed the Ravens might have their answer for 3rd and short. Nice TD run for Parmele. McPhee At worst he'll be a valuable back up. At best he can be a difference maker with his nasty intensity. The guy is so close to mauling a QB or RB. He's eating up O linemen...the Ravens have a good find here. "The guy has what we call Raven traits," Pagano said. "He plays like a Raven. I mean, he's relentless. He's a violent, violent football player. So, this guy is a great kid. He doesn't say anything; he just comes in here every day and he's like a sponge. "He's soaking everything up, and then he comes out to practice and he's just going at a thousand miles per hour. He's nonstop, and he's getting better every day. I think his production in the game is just a byproduct of what he's doing during the week." Pollard I think they have their #2 safety. Sure tackler...punishing one at that. Add him to the physicallity of Smith and Williams and the D is getting 'more' smashmouth too. Kindle and Paul 'Freddie' Kruger. Kruger is really comming on. Look out Jarrett Johnson (who had a real solid outing]. I think the light bulb will go on for Kindle...he's starting to get it. He almost blocked 2 punts...would have blocked them if his technique was better. It showed his explosive burst. It will be interesting to see how Pagano finds a use for their talents.

Somebody had to bail out Tyrod Tayor. What I could see at the stadium, that you can't see on TV, is that when Tayor was running around looking lost and pressured, it was because his receivers were not getting open. He had nobody to throw too. Then Reed gets in the game and drops the first pass thrown to him. "I was just a little anxious,” Reed explained. “I saw Tyrod giving me that look, and it was a good feeling. Then I just wanted to catch it so bad and get up the field and make a move on the receiver that I moved too fast and dropped the ball.” My brother, who wears a Ravens jersey with 'Berry' on the back of it to honor Raymond Berry, brought up a Berry quote, "If your hands can touch it, then there's no excuse for not catching it." I'm paying attention to Reed because it's sink or swim time for him and he can really help this team if he plays to his potential. We use Berry's mantra to evaluate all Ravens receivers. The only reason they are on the field is to catch the ball. That's all they have been training for, and if they are inconsistent in this most crucial of areas, then as my brother yells..."Go sit on the bench!". In general,. the Ravens receiver issues over the years has been one of the #2 guys who could not be relied upon, on game day, to get open and catch the ball. They've had some decent #1's but the pool behind them has been murky as hell. Drops are drive and team killers. Ask TJ [who still doesn't have a job]. Sidenote: Evans was 3 for 3 for 68 yards and a 22.7 ypc...we have our #2! To add to this point, Brian Billick has stated that the success of a season boils down to about a dozen plays. I agree. Think about it. Last year the Palamalu hit on Joe. TJ's drop. Bouldins TD drop. Wilsons INT and overtime TD to win the Houston game...to name a few. It all boils down to beating yourself or finding ways to win in a 60 minute game. Reeds response to the drops was to step up and prove he can be a very dependable receiver. He showed me what a ton of Ravens receivers have failed to do over the years: He responded. It was pure football enjoyment from this fans perspective to watch him because I got to see one more thing: Taylor can throw very well. All he needs is help. Somebody who gets open and catches the ball. Yes, it was against 2's and 3's. Yes, Taylor is still a raw rookie, but he's making progress in a very short time frame. The man has an incredible amount on his plate and a tenth of the time to digest it. I'll say this: He looks far better than Tory Smith did. He is the Ravens best option as the back up QB for this year. Looking at the scrap heap of QB's who are available, I say don't waste the roster spot. They can't handle game pressure. They are not playmakers or even game managers. 'IF' Tyrod would have had a full preseason of mini camps and workouts, then the Ravens probably would be in decent shape if Joe misses a game or two. Now, situation as it is, don't blame Taylor, because I think he has what it takes. He just lacks the time, reps and experience to probably be impactfull against starting defenses in the NFL this year. Then again, he might surprise us. At this time, which is way too early to tell, I think he will be a dependable option by next years opener.

How Do Crazy People Go Through The Forest? They Take The Psychopath What Kind Of Coffee Was Served On The Titanic? Sanka. What Do You Call Cheese That Isn't Yours? Nacho Cheese. How Are a Texas Tornado And a Tennessee Divorce The Same? Somebody's Gonna Lose A Trailer. A congressman was seated in first class next to a little girl on an airplane. He turned to her and said, "Do you want to talk? Flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger." The little girl, who had just started to read her book, replied to the total stranger, "What would you want to talk about?" "Oh, I don't know," said the congressman. "How about global warming, universal health care or stimulus packages?" as he smiled smugly. "OK," she said. "Those could be interesting topics but let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass. Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty but a horse produces clumps. Why do you suppose that is?" The legislator, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, "Hmmm, I have no idea." To which the little girl replies, "Do you really feel qualified to discuss global warming, universal health care or the economy when you don't know crap?" Then she went back to reading her book. Two little boys, ages 8 and 10, are excessively mischievous. They are always getting into trouble and their parents know if any mischief occurs in their town, the two boys are probably involved. The boys' mother heard that a preacher in town had been successful in disciplining children, so she asked if he would speak with her boys The preacher agreed, but he asked to see them individually. The mother sent the 8 year old in the morning, with the older boy to see the preacher in the afternoon. The preacher, a huge man with a deep booming voice, sat the younger boy down and asked him sternly, "Do you know where God is, son?" The boy's mouth dropped open, but he made no response, sitting there wide-eyed with his mouth hanging open. So the preacher repeated the question in an even sterner tone, "Where is God?! Again, the boy made no attempt to answer. The preacher raised his voice even more and shook his finger in the boy's face and bellowed, "WHERE is GOD?!" The boy screamed & bolted from the room, ran directly home & dove into his closet, slamming the door behind him. When his older brother found him in the closet, he asked, "What happened?" The younger brother, gasping for breath, replied, "We are in BIG trouble this time!" "GOD is missing, and they think WE did it!"

He gave Manning $90 million and I bet he feels like he's comming out of a blackout like his Dad thinking "I did what!?!" "Well Jim, I can still do commercial!."