nj_ravens

is he the head coach?...no?...So what's the issue?

THank you. Bumping this because everyone needs to read it. I get the frustration but everyone is freaking out unnecessarily.

I agree. This wasn't a "designed" triple team, that's just how the coverage went.

Effectively you are right, but they might lose to the Bengals on Sunday. Then if we lost to the Eagles we would just have to match them in week 17.

You shouldn't give up on your team until they are eliminated. "Team just isn't any good"....no. The Browns aren't any good. Even if we end up at 8-8 we're "half good" so to speak. You can't just say we aren't any good when we've won games and are in the playoff hunt. Even if they go 1 and done, who cares? We were 5-11 last year. Remember?

Except most places I read reported that he was mad "at Flacco" almost as fact, not opinion, and people interpreted it as fact in the comments, as you obviously have. Sure, he should have asked in the interview, but he did give inside information from the trainer that is directly contradictory to the media... Smith has a hjistory of getting pissed off, but he also has a history of saying "you can never over throw me".

The hate really amazes me. Joe has messed up plenty and most certainly deserves criticism. He does need to do better, no doubt about that. The money he is paid is thrown around constantly, but it is often forgotten that is what quarterbacks cost. They make more than the other positions on the field. I believe a lot of the vicious hate is rooted in jealousy of his wealth and success. "it is often forgotten that is what quarterbacks cost" No- $120 million is what TOP TIER Quarterbacks cost. Joe is currently bottom tier (lower than 25th), and has been 3 of the 4 years since his postseason run. That is where a lot of the frustration comes from. How is he lower than 25th if he's 5th in passing yards this year? are you talking QBR or something? What is he 25th at? And wrong, $18mil+/year is now starter money, not just top tier money. Joe makes a little more because, in case you forgot, he won us a Superbowl. Sure you want him to be better, but he got his market value. Tyrod is making $18mil a year for crying out loud.

I agree with you, but that TD wasn't Elam's fault, and he didn't fall down. He stumbled, sure, but didn't fall. And I'd argue he stumbled because his instincts and his assignment were clashing. His assignment was to cover in front of him, but then he sees Hogan streaking past him, and no Weddle over top. He got stuck in the middle.

They need to run the ball, and run, and run. 52 passes to 15 runs is Terrible. You can't have Play Action if the Defense Knows you are going to throw it all the time. When Kubiak was Coordinator he kept running and Forset got most of his yards late in the game.The Patriots had a zone dense and rushed 3 players alot, and we didn't run? The OC needs to get on the ball on say "Run". Run the ball when you're down 20 points and see how many games you win...... We weren't down 20 points the whole game. If you're down 1 score, or even 10-12 points, running the ball shouldn't be off the table. That is asinine. I remember last year when Peyton stole the job back from Brock. On the series that won him the job back, and brought the team back to take the lead, I don't think Peyton threw a single pass. All he did was read the defense, change to the correct run, and let them go to work. And they marched down the field and scored. We need Flacco to be able to make those reads and audibles. Marty needs to have the b@lls to run from behind....and not just that stupid shotgun power play, although we are admittedly getting better at it.

I mean technically yes. The issue is that if you can't beat Philly at home, there's really no rational reason to think you're going to beat Pittsburgh and Cincinnati on the road. I'm not saying we will technically be eliminated from playoff contention, because I don't believe we can be eliminated even if we lose and Pittsburgh wins. Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground. "Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground. " ^^ This comment is correct, and I tend to agree. But you originally said this, below: "...because there are no hypotheticals if we lose. " Yes. Yes there are hypothetical if we lose. We can still hypothetically make the playoffs, as you acknowledged, with some help.

DId you watch the game? We were in it until the very end, despite a horrible first half. Obviously, I am very disappointed that we lost and how we played for much of the game, but to say it was an "easy win" by the Patriots is "a laugh-er" I bet the Patriots are hoping they don't see us again in the playoffs! We are nowhere near the same team that went to New England in 2012 and 2013. Brady will dissect us all day just like he did Monday night. They put us back in the game with two terrible plays on special teams. "They put us back in the game with two terrible plays on special teams." Why do we not get credit for forcing a fumble. I'll give you 1 terrible play by Cyrus, but we EARNED that second turn over, just like they earned their blocked kick. Dude didn't drop it. We forced it out. Special teams are just as important as offense and defense, and the plays made in those situations are often the most pivotal. I hate the thought process of "oh if it weren't for these special teams plays". It's part of the game. That's why our head coach, and BB for that matter, were special teams guys.

Of course he did. That's what happens when a receiver runs straight down the field and nobody even moves towards him for coverage. Every college QB in the country throws a TD pass there. Also, backup WRs typically don't play 72% of their teams offensive snaps, which is what Chris Hogan does. If Chris Hogan is a backup WR, than Mike Wallace and definitely Steve Smith, are backup WRs as well. "That's what happens when a receiver runs straight down the field and nobody even moves towards him for coverage. Every college QB in the country throws a TD pass there." I agree with a lot of your sentiment, but 1) there are some pretty bad college QBs out there and 2) I'm pretty sure that was a presnap read between Brady and Hogan, and Brady caught Weddle doing too much. Not every QB is going to make that read (and possible route audible) and catch the best safety in the league out of position. It was a savvy Brady play.

It's not a comment that Michael Floyd was released, it's a fact. We don't need him. We have better talents. Again I believe that our problem on offense is not talent but leadership and scheme Yea. Seems like they don't practice enough together. That safety... Lol. That safety was a good play by the Patriots, after a poor play by Hester. Yes, the offense needs to not get blown up there, but sometimes you just need to give the credit where it is due. I don't put that safety on them as much as I give it to the Pats.

That is correct. They "release" to the safeties sometimes in coverage. If you watch the play, you see Elam release the receiver, and Weddle misses the release... He began to step forward, and was late to the coverage. My husband said that when it happened. Just because Idiot Gruden calls it that way doesn't make it so. He made several different observations last night... and I thought.. HUH????? He's a Cheatriots lover. Like when he blamed Flacco for the pass that hit Wallace between the 1 and 7 in stride and got dropped....I lost a lot of respect for Gruden on that one.

Joe grew up in south Jersey (Audubon). He only went to U Del for college, and that was after transferring from Pitt.

" I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence." Well, you would be wrong. Our secondary is better than that year. And they play better when Smith is in the game. These are facts. We could still lose the game, and we could still get torched in the secondary by Brady and they would still be a better unit than 2014. Your objective view is not very objective. You said facts, where are they. Someone is wearing the home colors in their perspective and someone is being objective. You might want to check out PFF's ratings for J. Smith ... First of all, PFF is not gospel. I don't care for their grading. It is based on opinion, and I do not always share the opinions of the graders, especially when it comes to players they don't like, such as Flacco. Those graders don't always know what that player's assignment was. Their analysis, while sometimes insightful, isn't always accurate. All that being said, here's some numbers for you: Current Defensive rank: 1st overall Current Ranking, Points given up: T-1st with NE Current Pass Defensive rank: 7 overall with 222 ypg, 21 TDs, 14 picks Current 3rd down efficiency: 33% allowed, ranked 1st 2014 2014 Defensive rank: 25th 2014 scoring rank: 25th 2014 Pass Defense Rank: 10th overall, 248 ypg, 22 TD, 11 picks. 2014 3rd down efficiency: 40% allowed, ranked 17th If you recall, our secondary was depleted by injury, especially towards the end of the year. Here's an article grading them. http://thebaltimorewire.com/2014/12/10/baltimore-ravens-secondary-grading-player/ with some praise for Mr Smith. Chykie Brown was on this team. how easily we forget. Do you remember who started vs NE? Rashaan Melvin, and a deteriorating Webb. With Elam in the Slot, I believe. With basically no backup corners. So are you really trying to make a point that our secondary is not better than 2014? I could keep going and get the stats for how the 2016 defense has played with Jimmy in, vs how they played without, but that should be obvious to anyone with eyes who watched this team this year. So where are your stats Mr. Objective? I've presented mine.

" I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence." Well, you would be wrong. Our secondary is better than that year. And they play better when Smith is in the game. These are facts. We could still lose the game, and we could still get torched in the secondary by Brady and they would still be a better unit than 2014. Your objective view is not very objective.

Because he was a triple option QB who we wanted to turn into a kick returner so we could take advantage of the skill set that allowed him to have a good career at Navy.

"The Ravens definitely would not have won if Tucker wasn't playing" - Well, good thing he was. That's why we payed him. "Harbaugh wouldn't take him out" You don't take out your Super Bowl Winning QB. You just don't. "He didn't do squat this game either. If you eliminate the first drive, he did absolutely nothing that any mediocre quarterback couldn't do. " If you eliminate his TD drive, but count the pick that wasn't his fault, of course it's going to look like he played a bad game. You are blinded by your hate. Reject the dark side.

They were counting on Clay, Camp, and Reynolds. They didn't work out for various reasons ranging from fumbles to injuries to slow development/position change. Had to sign someone before the start of the season. Why not the GOAT? Yea, he may be having a bad year, but he is still the best returner ever. Sure, it may not work out, but that doesn't mean it wasn't the right move at the time.

"If some of you can give Joe more time to get himself together Devin needs the same thing! " It's not anywhere close to the same situation.

#10 is literally the same thing as the topic. A "solid, healthy, functioning" offensive line would be able to block, no? That's the whole premise. Come on, you just wanted to get to 10 on your list. Also, it may (not will, but "may") help solve 2, 7, 8, and 9. Obviously Flacco SHOULD be playing better if the blocking is better. And if there is more time to block, then deep routes might actually have time to develop (possibly giving rise to playmakers). And if they are blocking better and functioning better, there should be less holding calls and false starts by definition. There's a lot to gripe about, like your other 5 points. But you should be able to recognize the importance of having all of the offensive line starters healthy through your frustration.

You can stay in Dallas. Peace.

Why do you deserve to know? "Your "deceptive tactics" are clearly of no benefit to the team." Based on what? Something can benefit the team and the team can still lose. It's in the best interest of the team to not say anything. Just ask BB.

Let's revisit this at the end of the year shall we? They've just played a tougher schedule thus far and still have a better record. I've seen most of their games in their entirety and they are a much better team than us. They still have the best WR and RB in football and a borderline elite QB. I hate the Steelers as much as anyone but they have clearly surpassed us. They're a team with enough talent to make some noise in the playoffs. Also, they have a borderline elite QB who tore his MCL and may be out for our game...soooooooo