vmax

Trying to find a place to put more Titans information.... ..............................Ravens......-- --Titans-- Category............ Stats..... Rank.. Stats.... Rank Total Offense....... 324.0..... 18.... 313.6.... 21 Rush Offense....... 148.5...... 4..... 137.4..... 7 Pass Offense....... 175.5..... 28..... 176.2... 27 Points Per Game... 24.1...... 11..... 23.4.... 14t Total Defense...... 261.1....... 2.... 293.6 .....7 Rush Defense....... 81.4........ 3.... 93.9....... 6 Pass Defense....... 179.7....... 2... 199.8...... 9 Points Per Game.... 15.3....... 3 ....14.6....... 2

How do you hire a guy who lost his players respect and couldn't stop a slide?

It's the Browns! So it has to be ass backwards. You hire the GM first so he can put his stamp on the team...find the HC he wants and can work with....but not Can'tLerner. Now Kokinis and Manginin are friends from what I hear so it should bwork out...if they sign Kokinis he must be given full and final authority over all personel matters or he can't leave the Ravens.

There goes Kokinis

Great!

Saturday during the day will be 51 and showery, then as the game starts the winds will pick up and temps will fall into the 30's during the night, winds will gust to 28 mph, there will be a great wailing, fans will set their heads on fire, throngs will leap into the Cumberland river.....

I don't think it's a question of "not good enough" cleetz. This 2008 defense is a pleasure to watch. Ravens fans know good, dominating defense and we are watching it once again. Saturday we were treated to seeing this D turn the heat up higher. Seriously...who thought they'd get 4 INT's and a fumble against the leagues best offense at protecting the ball? That is a huge statement about dominance. In my head I don't see this D as "less than". I see them like Harbaugh says...Ravens. Let me define my understanding of "Ravens Football"...it tough, physical, fast, smart, disciplined and tenacious. The 2000 unit set this standard and franchise trademark. It's the Ravens calling card. This 2008 Ravens defense is filling that bill exactly. The 2000 D wasn't the worst thing to happen...it was the best. Ozzie and his staff know the type of player they need to play defense at this level...and the type of coaches too...and they keep finding and getting them year after year. "We know who we want to be" is a saying you could give to the front office and coaching staff. Lot's of teams don't know how to pull this off in this age of parity. I knew I was watching perhaps a once in a lifetime event as that 2000D smashed the points surrendered record. I don't expect anybody to come close...and it does not diminish what our 2008 D is doing. It makes it all the better because they have hit the bar and are bending it. It gave the Ravens a personality, an identity,...it's winning football at it basic core value greatness.

The Sun poll is definately a homer vote. This game is a toss up so I can see Ravens fans voting Ravens in such an evenly matched game...it's a "hope vote"....and that's how I voted. I do think this is a winnable game for the Ravens if they avoid the costly turnover. Here's some Vegas odds....

Agreed. Derrick Mason is great and I want him back on the field but they need another consistant playmaking receiver...prefferably one who can stretch the field. If they don't get 2 very solid corners...they will not sniff the playoffs next year. I'm basing that on CMac not returning and Rolle retireing. Washington will be back as a starter so that leaves one starter and one quality backup as needs...Washington seems injury prone although he is a gammer.

The 2000 group was the best ever...I can list a ton of reasons but to name 1...I knew I was watching history when I watched that group. Here's a litmus test. In 2000, if the Ravens scored 10-13 points, I knew the game was a win. How many points would make you feel comfortable with this 2008 group? We can hope this 2008 D is close but they have already given up 1 TD in the playoffs...that's all the 2000 unit surrendered. They shut everybody out in the 4th quarter during the playoffs. Opponents attempted 161 passes against them in 4 playoff games...only 1 went for 20+ yards and none went for touchdowns. They faced the best offenses in the NFL in the playoffs and shut them down. We can hope the 2008 squad plays close to that standard. I will say they are "damn good" scarey, dominant....I know I'm seeing something very special...just not history. Even if the Ravens win the Super Bowl I would say this defense ranks 'up there', 'near' but not equal to or better than the 2000 Ravens D.

Here's an update...the Ravens won't let Kokinis make a lateral move...Browns have to make him a GM with full authority.

I've heard some media comments that Greeg might not be able to comeback from his injury. They are more of the rumor/hint/concern type of reports. It seems A decent amount of the local media feel CMac won't be back....they also agree McGahee will be a Raven next year due to CAP implications. I don't see how the Ravens can rationalize putting the large amount of CAP money into the linebacker position to keep all 3.

A week off sure would help as far as healing from the many injuries. But....They didn't have a week off when they played in Jan 2001. The advantage of the Wild Card there is confidence comming off a win, momentum, nothing to lose, the Ravens will play faster for the first quarter or two...that week off will leave some Titan rust. The game tempo wratches up a notch in the playoffs and the Titans haven't tasted that yet. The Titans did get shut out their last game (lost 2 out of the last 3)...so they are not on a roll. BTW...the Titans are another team that "came out of the blue". I don't think anybody expected them to win their division....schedule was reletively soft also.

Preston makes a good point here... They give up the short pass but not the long ball...nothing over their head. Yielding the short pass has not run the score up or created a big hole for the offense. It did sustain two game winning drives that cost the Ravens. It also keeps the D on the field...wearing them out. "How many TD drives did they get Sunday?"

Thanks for the update...I'll listen in to Ngata tonight. I want to see another of these Ravens appearances in Baltimore...

I like this response from Joe...

That's how I see what this Ravens/Titans game will come down to. Who cracks first? Who makes the costly mistake or turnover? Which teams wears out physically and mentally first? I see it comming down to the 4th quarter. Just like the Jan. 2001 playoff game. The Titans have an excellent defense and they are a very stingy #2 in points allowed. Both teams are physical and rely on pounding the rock. Something's got to give. It will be a war of wills and attrition. If the Ravens are to win, then they will have to beat and beat on the Titans until their offense or defense cracks in the 4th quarter. This will be a full 60 minute game with every second being important. I think if the Ravens pull out a win, then they will go to the Super Bowl...just like they did in their Super Bowl playoff run. It could come down to a moment and play like this...

Thanks for the update cleetz. It was funny to hear that when he first signed, he pulled up to the Ravens complex in his grandmothers 1990 Volvo. Then the guy gives his mother a lawn mower out of his sigfning bonus! There could be something Wacko with Flacco...

I'm giving Joe a "B" grade for the following reasons. 1. He played with an experience handicap because he's a rookie. The fact that he did not panic, look confused and force throws was very important. Control what you can control and Joe did that. Tons of experienced QB's cave in the playoffs. 2. He ran for the put away TD in the game. Joe is a weapon and threat in many ways. At the goal line teams have to account for him as a runner. He also ran for at least 2 first downs. Heads up performance. 3. Did not commit the costly turnover. Did not commit a turnover period. That's winning playoff football. Now...his completion percentage was not good despite making some incredible throws. He will have to be very accurate Saturday against a great D and secondary if the Ravens hope to win.

dc...you're incredible!

No other way to say it...the Ravens defense crushed them. Made them look inept, ugly and confused...like their 2007 team. Nobody anywhere saw 5 turnovers comming except Peter Schmuck who called for 2 Ed Reed INT's in his pre game blog.

Here's a few from Don Banks...I agree with most of them. I feel terrible for Ed...he's by far the best defensive player in the NFL. We are watching something very rare.

Eating crow is a harsh and nasty business cleetz. It takes carefull work and preperation serving it. besides... "When's the last time we corrupted anybody?" There's OTR... but he finished college. dc...he hasn't flunked out of college yet. Now this guy asked for it...perhaps you could say his ego begged for it. He spoke with authority...certainty...went on at great length to educate us poor and unfortunate clods as to why the Ravens would lose.

It's been a while since I saw a poster set himself up so perfectly for an egging. 5 turnovers! LOL!

"I am legit man just seeing if anyone was intrested in buying tickets. I really don't like the ravens but, I respect them and I wouldn't screw someone out of their money."