4&4 Halfway Point Inventory

[vmax]

The Ravens have 2 shut outs and that's impressive despite their mediocre record. It says something "is there" to work with and build on.

 

The Path to being a Playoff Caliber Team:

1. Defeat the teams with equal or lesser records. They defeated the Browns, Bengals and Raiders. Teams with similar or lesser records. That's a positive as far as this team is not totally hopeless or devoid of talent. The loss to the Bears is disturbing.

2. Win games in your division. They are 2-1 in division wins.

3. Win games in your conference. They are 4-2. That's good as far as tie breakers.

4. Defeat teams with winning records. They lost to 3 teams with winning records. This says they are not ready to play with the Big Boys. They basically were slaughtered by the Vikings, Stealers and Jaguars. This is a clear sign of a mediocre or less than mediocre team.

5. Defeat Playoff caliber teams. Maybe you can stretch the Raiders into this category but the were missing Carr.

6. Win at home. 2-2. Heading in the wrong direction here.

7. Win on the road. 2-2. This is not that bad actually. For example win 6-7 home games and 3-4 road games and you are knocking on the door.

 

Right now at 1pm, 10/29 the Ravens are actually at the #8 spot to make the playoffs in the AFC, but that should drop as the games unfold today.

14th ranked offense. 17th in points per game. This ranking will also change at the close of todays games

27th ranked defense. [b'BUT....6th in points surrendered.[/b] That should improve at the close of todays games. Not too shabby.

They have the 7th best rusher in the NFL in Collins. 1st in ypc with a solid 6.

They have the 27th ranked QB....

They have thev #1 tackler in the league in Mosley.

Jimmy Smith is emerging as one of the top CB's in the league.

Tucker Is Fabulous as we know.

Koch is the #1 punter in the NFL.

 

They are +5 in Give away/Take away's . Ranking #5.

Ravens lead the league in interceptions with 12. It's been a long time since we've seen this.

#9n in sacks.

23rd in getting off the field on 3rd down. Not good.

 

My take: We know about the ridiculous amount of players who are hurt and on IR but, all in all, that means nothing. They can't field a healthy team and the NFL does not award handicaps. So they are doing really bad here.

They have 8 games left. They are not going 6-2 with this squad. No playoffs this year.

4-4 may be a stretch.

I will look for any signs of life where they are taking a step forward as a playoff caliber team. Not for this year, but something to build on for next season.

I will look for playmakers and what solid core they have to build upon for next year. There is something solid to build on. Identifying it is vague and difficult because nobody can stay healthy.

I will not waste one minute thinking about the draft until the season is over.

 

Final Take: Show Me and Win Now!

Edited October 29, 2017 by vmax

[oldno82]

Yeah, if they ever start beating teams with better records, even once in a while, it will be a very positive sign but I don't think that's in the cards this year.

 

Some other notes:

 

I have given this guy all the time in the world but Perriman looks like another WR bust for the Ravens. Highly disappointing!

 

Collins is the real deal. Reminds me a bit of Leveon Bell. If he stays consistent for the rest of the season with this awful O-line we have, I'll feel comfortable at running back.

 

Pleased with Boyle.

 

Weddel is past his prime.

 

Humphrey's is impressive!

 

Looking forward to having Yanda and Lewis back next year.

 

How is Jensen really doing? I get conflicting feelings about him. At least he's stopped become a penalty machine.

 

What happened to Correa, Bowser, and the rest of the picks after Humphrey? Not much return on these guys.