Rav'n Maniac

I have never been a proponent of building a team through free agency. I would much rather build through the draft and pay our own guys once they have proven their worth. We have been fortunate to get good players like Mason, Q and Smith through free agency but outside the wide receiver position and D line we have failed to find good talent. Some have been serviceable but most have been disappointments, especially the DB's we have brought in.

There is no doubting the type of player and man that Steve Smith is after that presser. I'm just disappointed his final game is away and our fans don't have the chance to send him out right.

Why is it that we always have to finish our season on the road in Cincinnati? All the while, Cincinnati and Pittsburg get there final games at home. Is there a little bit of schedule favoritism going on here or are the NFL schedule makers just that stupid that they don't realize they keep doing the same thing over and over and over.

Not having Orr and Wagner on the field this week may cause the team some problems. At least Hurst won't be protecting Joe's blind side, He'll at least be able to see it coming if Hurst whiffs.

If Harbs isn't the problem, then he has to be the solution. When the HC doesn't have the X's & O's background, he has to hire and depend on his coordinators to lead the team. He hasn't done bad with the defense and special teams selections but, his offensive hires leave a lot to be desired.

Steve Smith Sr. - A player that has always shown that his play and passion define him, along with a few choice words for anyone trying to cover or tackle him.

A true Raven who was never the tallest on the field but man, did he cast a giant shadow,

Best Wishes Steve and Thank You #89!

51 minutes ago, balfan23 said:

I know most people are clamoring for something new, but I have a feeling this is going to be the approach. The revolving door at OC is a problem and I do think they are going to want to see what Marty can do given the reigns from camp through a season.  

I agree that it is a problem. I'm hoping to see them build a beast of an offense with downright nasty and unstoppable play calling. We need a sound minded, gifted and accountable OC to accomplish this and I'm just not sure Marty is the answer. We know that we need to strengthen the center of the line and that we need to keep drafting WR's  until we find the right group that can do damage consistently. The question then becomes is Marty a strong enough personality to develop these players and take full advantage of that along with correcting the occasional issues Flacco always seems to have. Imo, I haven't seen anything that says Marty is "that" guy.

On our final kickoff, they should have kicked a line drive down the center of the field to force a return. That would have taken some time off the clock giving the Steelers less to work with on offense.

Rex should just become a podiatrist since he has such a thing for feet.

45 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

No he wouldn't. 

Lol, you took me seriously? Nobody knows what BB would do in any situation until long after he's done it. You have to admit though that at times he does make some surprising moves.

Here's what some think outside the organization. Some of the comments are priceless.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/12/27/dont-expect-john-harbaugh-to-be-this-years-surprise-firing/

58 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

You realize the clock doesn't start until the returning team touches the ball, right?

Yes, just didn't say it right.

The real question is what would BB do if here. On D he would cut Suggs, Doom, & Webb and let BWill walk, filling the spots in the draft. On O he would trade Flacco to Cleveland, L.A. or San Fran and draft a QB in the 6th round to take us to multiple championships.

Bad pass rush or bad scheme? Can't it be both?

I feel one of the hottest topics this offseason will be the Bobby Boucher syndrome that has plagued this team. Our waterboys are just bad. They are constantly shoving bottles in players faces that don't want H2O, streaming their facemasks and missing their mouths or splashing their faces. Heck some of these guys don't even realize that many of the players wear clear visors.

Yeah, I'm in one of those kind of moods today and have absolutely nothing of significance to offer. 

The only complaint that I have is that our situational football absolutely sucks. We score a TD leaving 1:18 on the clock and what do we do? We kick the ball out of the end zone taking no time off the clock. I was screaming for them to kick the ball on a line drive down the center of the field so that the clock would start the moment the ball hit the field and would force them to return it. We could have easily shaved as much as 15 or more seconds off the clock in that scenario.

Yeah, I know I'm just a lowly, insignificant fan and my opinion means absolutely nothing but, come on, these guys get paid to make this kind of decision and continually blow it. 

I'm ready for a coaching staff change. We need a new direction with a strong, offensive minded head coach that will help us catch up with the rest of the league. Someone who will push Joe and hold him accountable for his poor play at times.

I really wish this game meant more, As it is, the best thing about this game is being able to see Steve Smith in a Ravens uni one final time making plays for this team.

It's a shame we have to play Steve's last game away. He doesn't get to enjoy his own fans having a chance to give him a proper farewell on the field. Thank You Steve.

Then there's also what happens with Tyrod? L.A., San Fran?

"Quarterback situation: Tyrod Taylor's contract should be an asset, but he looks like a goner in Buffalo. Rapoport reported that the Bills will bench Tyrod Taylor this week in favor of EJ Manuel, Whaley's hand-picked quarterback from the 2013 draft. Taylor is coming off one of the best games of his career and a season where he comfortably fit in the middle of all NFL starters."

I'm interested in seeing Steve Smith perform one last time in a Ravens uniform. I wish the game was at home so he could experience the full appreciation this fan base would send him out with. Thank You Steve!!!

And if we play our hearts out, we can end the season on a high note and beat the Bengals. With a Broncos and Titans loss would make us the best 9-7 team, not going to the playoffs in the AFC. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

^^^Awesome post and so true! I would only add that because Harbs is so dependent on his coordinators, he has no choice but to live and die by them. He has to face the fact that he hasn't made the best decisions in his selections at coordinators or there wouldn't be as much turnover as there is.

I am ready for a different direction and hope Steve makes the best decision for the team and fans.

I hope everyone had an outstanding Christmas (with the exception of the game loss). Here's to the New Year bringing health, happiness and prosperity for all along with a downright nasty and unstoppable offense for next season.

10 hours ago, JO_75 said:

The game drew 14.8 million, beating the previous record of 10.7 million which featured the 49ers vs.... the Ravens. 

The Harbaugh Turkey Bowl and our rivalry with the Steelers draw ratings, who knew. 

Yeah, the draw is a lot of people outside of Bmore just love hoping for and seeing the Ravens get beat.

This would be the perfect train of thought if this game had any real meaning to it. Win this one and we will be the best 9-7 team in the AFC North. Gives me goosebumps just to say it. lol