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Remember Dwayne Starks...skinny, scrawney Dwayne Starks? Marvin held him back...no chucking...just read and react. Dwayne was able to jump the short routes from that position or run deep.

2 weeks ago the Ravens were 2 games up on the Steelers and 1 up on the Bengals. They were #1 in some of the national power polls and now it's all shits and giggles. They are now in the same bed as the Steelers looking up at the Bengals who have 3 divisional wins already. They went from a great start with things falling favorably in place for them to 'can't handle success and stay focused'. The Offense will rebound but that D...they are unrecognizable. Right now I'm pissed off. Soon that will wane to just disappointment. But what a wasted opportunity to win the division and make the playoffs...and yes...I know there's a lot of football to be played and it's the NFL where anything can happen...but...shit!

One thing Leonard could do: He could tackle. Landry is hit or miss.

That was the one perfect call of the game...3rd and 10 I think....Clayton has Hall beat...just the throw was bad.

I know the Ravens couldn't keep them and I'm fine with that but they also haven't been able to replace Bart and Leonard. Landry is not getting the job done and neither are any of the LB's they are using to replace Bart. And I know we had to let Rex go but Mattison is a drop off as the DC...plain and simple. He has less to work with, but he's still got a ton of talant on that D and they are playing....soft.

10 penalties for 70 odd yards...total lack of discipline and focus. Ray had plenty of time to let up and miss. He either had a brain fart or 85 was in his head. Now...I didn't have the luxury of TV to see if any were bogus. but the last one...on Foxworth????...that was right in front of me and it was pure bs. That was a great defensive play.

Take a peek... They'll beat the Lions...Browns...Raiders... 9-7 season at this level of performance.

True story...4th quarter at the game... Me: "Is Billick calling the plays?" Fan in front of me: "You didn't hear? They made him an Offensive Consultant this week." My brother: "Watch, they'll throw a 2 yard pass to Ray Rice." Holy Shit!...Flacco throws a 2 yard pass to Ray Rice!...who incredibly keeps his feet and makes the long gain TD run.

It was a blatant Cheap Shot. That's when I knew for sure this defense has real problems that won't get fixed overnight.

It definately was a personal foul...late hit and unnecessary. It really pisses me off that he did that.

I was at the game dc where I can see everything. Gooden was a wasted body on the field...like playing with 10 guys.

The Bengal offensive line is not that good...so the Ravens pass rush if officially bad now that we've had 5 games to whitness...nothing. Until the Ravens get 1 very solid corner, then yes...this is the demise of the Ravens D. Might need a DC to right this ship.

I blame the coaching staff. Mattison cannot find ways to pressure QB's...his secondary breaks down. Cam dialed all the wrong plays today. His gameplan was poor with no in game adjuistment. Harbaugh's players were undisciplined...the penalties showed that....and the team as a whole was not fast and they were not physical....well...a couple of guys showed up.

The defense couldn't stop the run. They couldn't stop the pass. They couldn't pressure Palmer...that is bad folks...the Bengal O line is not that good...at all...but the Raven D made them look great...dominant. They couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. The offense couldn't get the ball on a day when the Ravens were slaughtered in the Time of Possesion battle. When the offense had the ball but couldn't sustain a drive to give the D a rest...much less score points. They couldn't run. They couldn't pass against the 26th ranked pass D. The O line was lethargic. The Bengals tried to give this game away while they were marching up and down the field. It was 2 plays only that kept the Ravens in the game. Ed Reed's INT for a score and Ray Rice's 2 yard catch and incredible run for the touchdown. One team played showed up today knowing what was at stake. It was not the Ravens.

So tell me crav... .......can sit I in my seat at the game today in peace and bliss and not have one worry about the outcome? Or did this disturbing thread title totally ruin what remote chance I had of enjoying today?

I found the rest of Cam's statement on this issue and I think he makes some valid points...especially about touches being more important than runs/passes...

wow... I'll say it...I think some fans are thinking it... With all respect to Zimmer and his family, I hope this doesn't turn into one of those "Inspired Games" like Farve had when his father passed away. I don't want to see a Bengals D looking like the 2000 Ravens D on Sunday.

Are those stats from a fantasy football article? Those guys love to play these mind games. It doesn't matter who's catching them....giving up 15 passes for 20+ yards is not good. I think the Ravens D can, and will, improve on this.

That's what I was thinking Been. There has to be a better balance throughout the season so come playoff time they are prepared to bring it on from anywhere. There's weather like you said...the defenses are better, pass rushers better, better corner play...if teams stop the run you better be able to throw and if the QB and WR's have an off day you better be able to run. Even the Colts with the great Peyton Manning, Harrison, ect did not win a Super Bowl until they found a successfull running game that post season. But Cam is on to something and he's winning the stat battle this year to support his argument... Last year, because Joe was a rookie, the Ravens ran 592 times and threw 433 for 20 rushing TD's and 16 passing TD's. This year the trend is reversed with 154 passes and 118 rushes...8 passing TD's and 7 running....wow!...that's one hell of an increase in scoring through 4 games! I guess it's a good thing not being able to figure out what Cam is going to do...run or pass?...if we knew the basic offensive idenity so would everybody else...

OK guys...you win...you put my in my place.

This game is huge for the Bengals...

Way to step up Bart!

One more thought...I expect a big game from Kelly Washington and Clayton...Hall will cover Mason but the #2 WR's have been killing the rest of the Bengal secondary. Remember last year? Clayton threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason on a trick play and then made a one-handed, 70-yard touchdown catch. He beat Hall for a 45 yard catch in the 1st quarter.

Sitting inside these stadiums is like sitting inside the Yellow Pages.