No Cowbells

Joe does not have good instincts. He has always had problems stepping up in the pocket (how many times have we seen James Harrison strip sack him coming around the edge). For years I’ve watched him wander into the D-line on unsuccessful QB-Sneaks. 9 years in the league and can’t run a sneak? That said, if he has time and comfort in the pocket he can pick apart anybody (like the super bowl run when Bryant McKinnie got out of Harbaughs dog house long enough to start next to Osemele). This season he didn’t have space to step up. Add that to some trepidation about his blown knee and you have him checking down rather than extending the play. I believe it falls to Jeramy Zuttah. A stud center needs to be a draft goal. I also believe Joe is collectible. He needs a QB whisperer like Kubiak (regardless if he likes him or not – for $120 mil. DO WHAT YOU’RE TAUGHT!). Is your QB coach and O coordinator combination at cross purposes? I hope Harbaugh understands the subtleties of the relationship.

Ravens fans will always do what is necessary to see or hear a Ravens game. Listening intently on my car radio, I screamed NOOOOO, after the BIRDS made an epic comeback against the Vikings in Minnesota and Steve Hauschka missed a game winning FG. Alas Steve was cut within the next few weeks. Siting in Michael Jordan’s bar in Chicago, I watched Billy stuff happens Cundiff missed a gimmie kick that would have sent us to the SB. When I heard Justin Tusker was a competitor for the Raven’s position, I was encouraged to see he kicked for Texas in college. Surely there can’t be a more pressure spot. Plus this guy has the courage to sing opera! Needless to say, he has lived up to my expectations. Not just for living up to pressure but also combining composer with LENGTH!!. Always dear to my heart, Matthew Stover had the first but not necessarily the latter. I have watched his attention to detail, inclusion with his snapper and holder and “another day at work” attitude. I am ecstatic Justin has realized just rewards and recognition. I love his Paytonesk marketability. However, YOU ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS YOUR LAST BIG MISS!! PLEASE PLEASE maintain your focus and dedication for delivering on the big stage.

They flashed the stats on the screen yesterday. 2 sacks 13 QB Hurries. That was in the first half. The game starts up front.......on both sides of the ball. We didn't lay a hand on ELI until Suggs finally got to him. Not sticking up for Joe. We are simply NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Agreed. Not good enough for a number of reasons; however, we win if we score after the big pass to Wallace. As soon as Joe got stuffed on the sneak (again) I knew we where destined to go on 4th down instead of a FG (AGAIN)

Every game lost this tear was winnable if we had better quarterback play. Flacco is far from elite, in fact his play is not even good. OC’s come and go and Flacco reverts back to “Same Old Joe.” OC’s come in thinking they have a game ready QB, when what is really needed is a QB whisperer to overcome Joes poor instincts. What for example is Joe’s success rate for picking up necessary small yardage on QB sneaks? Playing QB through college plus 6 years in the league and he thinks he can stand upright and wonder forward on the sneak! Not his fault he doesn’t get it right. You would think an OC or QB coach would tell him to take the ball and dive into a gap in the line, use his big body to push. It sounds like a minor thing but it’s representative of his play not improving.