RavenManiac#7

It IS amazing how many times players in our secondary, and sometimes linebackers as well, have not been able to make catches on passes that should have been Easy interceptions. And, I agree, that the secondary is not what we would like, but our pass rush doesn't seem to be much to write home about either. Frankly, I don't know Which is weaker, the secondary or the pass rush. And the lack of an affective pass rush definitely will affect how well the secondary does. Give NFL QBs enough time, and No secondary will be able to cover receivers indefinitely. The two go hand in hand.

Your comment here reflects why I always respect your posts. Of course, no two people are going to agree with each other Every time, but even in the instances when we might not be in total agreement, I always respect your opinions, jacket. I've always found you to be a sensible and informed fan.

In reply to two posts on here, I agree that Kamar Aiken had a very good night. There's no doubt about that. But, in no way, shape, or form, should he legitimately be called a #1 receiver. The fact that he IS Our #1, says a lot about the overall quality of our receiver corps. Yes, I know that SSS is out, but he may not be back. And Perriman, he Does have the potential to be a #1, but to date he is an unproven commodity. Now, Jeremy Butler. I agree that he is better than Marlon Brown, who has become a Huge disappointment after his promising first season Two years ago. But, again, these guys, Aiken and Butler, are role players, three of four receiver sets players. Camp is Great, if he could only stay on the field. Bottom line is, I guess I'm saying that we still have one of the weakest receiving corps in the league. Nevertheless, last night's game had a Most exciting ending. I Do appreciate the effort our receivers are giving but, honestly, our best right now, Aiken, is probably a #3 receiver, by NFL standards, at best. What an incredible ending though, huh? Let's just enjoy that for a while, OK?

It's really a shame that we got into another one of those money situations with Monroe. We cut him, we got big time dead money. He's Definitely Not worth the money he's being payed, even when he Is on the field. And to make matters worse, Hurst isn't even Close to being an adequate fill in for him. Oh, to have had a crystal ball in our contract negotiations with Monroe. With good LTs being So hard to find, we thought that he was our best, if not only, option. He certainly wasn't top tier, but we at least thought that he was adequate. Boy, were we wrong. He's been a Huge mistake and waste of money. But, we're pretty much stuck with him. I think our only hope is to try to find a bit more talent at LT in the off season. But, with so many needs do we look for one of the best coming out in the first round? I think probably not. Ozzie, you're really going to have to earn your money on this problem. I have no idea what you can do to help this situation. All I know is that we just lost our QB because we don't have a LT.

I couldn't agree with you more, Sami, and I played the same way. In fact, I probably played with Too much reckless abandon, because I suffered, literally, dozens of injuries, with fully eight of them requiring surgery. So, I can Definitely relate to what you're saying. But, there's a difference between "tanking", which I would Never condone or support, and evaluating. I'm just advocating for the Ravens to get Everybody some playing time on the field IN real games in order to better decide who we want to build with and who we want to part ways with. Every player we put out there Will, undoubtedly, be playing the very best that they can, because they know that they're future careers depend on it whether it's here or somewhere else. I think that our players will play to win. I just want to see everybody be given the chance to show whether or not they belong here. We have to do our best to determine what our needs are and to prioritize every one of them. But, by all means, try to win!

Monroe can't stay on the field and when he Is playing, he's Very soft. He's been a Huge disappointment and Definitely is Not the answer. Hurst does not seem to be a viable alternative. It seems quite clear that protecting Joe's blindside much more effectively is one of our top needs. As for the Rams, it is simply a dirty football team. Fisher and his DC have a reputation and it won't go away with his team playing the way it does. If the Ravens were the Only team saying so, he might have an argument. But, that simply isn't the case. After what his DC did in New Orleans, why in the world would Fisher ever hire him if he wanted to have a reputation as a clean play endorsing coach? Fisher and Williams deserve each other. They are of the same mold.

I, also, hope that Matt will flourish. I Always hope that for All our Ravens players. But, Dawg, you're a Hard man! Joe Flacco has won So many more games than you claim he has lost for us. Honestly, can't you see that? Just look at All the records he holds for his outstanding, and unparalleled, play in his first years in the NFL. I mean, he holds a Lot of records, man! And do you Really believe that the Ravens would Purposely hold Matt back to make Joe look good? And if the team even tried, do you honestly think that Matt would follow along with that? He has the rest of his career to think about. I can't believe, for even one second, that Matt would not go out there and try his absolute best to perform to the best of his abilities. I really think that your disappointment of losing that One game that would have given us a spot in the Super Bowl has made you extremely bitter towards Joe. You blame him for that One pass, disregarding Every other play that happened in that game that helped contribute to its outcome. It seems like ever since then, you look for everything you can find to pin on Joe that will portray him in a bad light. I think that you are in the vast minority that actually think that Joe is "finished", as you say. Some like him more than others. And some aren't fans of him at all. But, I really believe that you are in a class of your own when it comes to "Flacco Haters." Dawg, there are a LOT of QBs in this league, starting QBs, that are not nearly as good as Joe is. And there are a Lot of teams in this league that would Gladly trade their starting QB for Joe Flacco. I just think that your opinion of him might be just a bit clouded. You don't have to be a big fan of his, but for our teams' sake, you should probably try to get behind him a bit more and hope for him to be successful, because I seriously doubt that the Ravens have No plans to replace him any time soon as our starting QB.

McCown never impressed me either, Until I watched him play earlier this year against Us. He was Very impressive that day. I would encourage you to look up his stats for that game and, also, look at the outcome. Out of the two QBs that will start Monday night, I'm only seeing One who has been impressive in even One game in the last few seasons, and it's not our guy.

It's been apparent for a long time that you are not a fan of Joe Flacco. It's, also, been apparent that you are, and were when he was here, a big fan of Tyrod Taylor. I, also, liked Taylor, and I thought that he would win the starting job at Buffalo. I'm very glad that he did, and I am happy for him. That said, Joe Flacco is our QB and, despite your opinion of him, if you are truly a Raven fan perhaps you should back him just a bit more. Quite frankly, even though I like/liked Taylor, I Never, for One moment thought that he should have been our QB over Flacco. Joe is the superior talent. The honest truth is that Tyrod is playing for a better team than Joe is and has better weapons at his disposal. That Does make a Big difference. If you can't realize that playing year after year with way inferior receivers affects a QB's stats, performances, and sometimes even mental condition, then I suspect that you, yourself, have never played under such adversity. Actually, Joe ha shown an incredible ability to Not let his continual lack of adequate weapons get inside his head. He Never complains. He Always puts blame on himself, Even when things aren't his fault. And his success rate far outweighs what it should be given his surrounding players. It's OK to be a Tyrod Taylor fan, but if you truly are a Raven fan, I urge you to try a little harder to give our own QB a little love and understanding. Just one fellow fan's thought. No harm implied or meant at all.

I don't know if the way this season has gone could be affecting Tuck. Harbs talks about mechanics, and that's certainly a big factor. But, kicking is a lot of a mental thing too. Confidence means a lot. I still believe in Tuck. Wonder if this "off" season (for him) will affect what he'll get from the Ravens in his contract negotiations. Not much has been too great about the Ravens this year, but I still want Tucker back next season.

It sounds, to me, like we're not disagreeing at all. I said he's needed weapons his whole career, and you're saying the same thing, at least throughout this season, as you put it. And I said he needs better protection, which sounds like what you're saying, as well, when you say we need better tackles. So, just what are you disagreeing with me about, bud?

I've been a "RavenManiac" since season one. Because I love my team immensely, I can remember one other time that I, actually, thought it to be in our best interests to lose as many games as possible, basically all of them. That was when I was totally convinced that Brian Billick had to go because he had, obviously, lost the locker room. And I figured that the only way Bisciotti would fire Billick was if we piled up loss after loss. Now, I find myself with the same thought. For our best interests, I hope we lose all our remaining games. It's for a different reason this time. I want us to get the best draft choices that we can get because it's blatantly obvious that we have a Lot of needs, we're rebuilding, and the playoffs are ABSOLUTELY out of the question. So, my brain tells me that, again, in the best interests of the team we should lose. But, herein lies the problem. Even knowing that, my Heart doesn't seem to allow me to hope for that when the games are actually being played. My brain and my heart are definitely at odds with each other. My brain sees the value in losing, but my heart wants us to win All the time. So, what happens is that I tell myself All the time, I hope we lose today. And then the game starts, I'm watching, and I find myself rooting like the dickens that we find a way to pull it out and win the game. I mean, I'm rooting and screaming like a banshee for that win. It's kind of crazy, but that's what happens to me week after week. It happened to me when I wanted Billick gone, and now it's happening to me when I want the best draft choice we can possibly get. Life can sometimes be confusing and difficult for a "RavenManiac."

Heck, I had No idea about those incredible stats! Maybe he's the answer! LOL

Your #4 thought, the penalties. You say that it's been a problem all season but, actually, it's been longer than that. We were bad in that department last year too. It's just gotten worse this season. Listen, this just Has to fall onto the coaches at some point. Yes, it's a shame that our players seem to lack the ability to play with an adequate level of self discipline and, also, the lack of intelligence to realize the game situation and to play accordingly. But, since this seems to be the case, given the length of time that this problem has been an issue, at what point do we look at the coaches and expect them, especially the HC, to find a way to reel these players in and do whatever it takes to give them the incentive to play with enthusiasm, yes, but, also, with more intelligence and self control? Fines, short stretches on the bench, WHATEVER it takes. Cutting marginal players like repeat offenders Asa Jackson and Jeremy Ross doesn't appear to be having Any impact or message to, or on, these players. When this just continues and continues, and just shows No signs of improvement, it really makes me wonder just how much respect these players have for Harbaugh. I can't believe that he hasn't talked to the team about this but, if he has been, it certainly doesn't appear to have made any difference or improvement. Our team has been among the leading teams in having penalties accessed. Consistently. Please, Harbs, do Something. Don't lose these players or the locker room, if you haven't already. Somehow, some way, you have to clean this up. It has contributed greatly, among other things of course, to where this team is right now. It is just SO frustrating and difficult to watch week in and week out, over and over. I'd just like, so much, to see us start to turn in the right direction with this persistent problem.

Actually, the Squealers have a lot of players on IR too. Going into this game, both them and us had within one or two of the same number on IR. So, stating that we have the most by a "substantial margin" isn't really accurate. That doesn't change the fact that we lost both our QB And our #1 RB in the same game. While Joe was placed on IR, I haven't heard whether Justin's season is over yet after breaking his arm. I Did, though, hear one description of the break as being grotesque. That certainly doesn't sound good or promising. Nevertheless, I'm just pointing out that, although this has been a season to forget, we are not alone in our IR numbers.

The weapons need has been there for Flacco's whole career. The poor man needs better protection just as much. He is one tough hombre, but even His luck has run out on him in this season of horrors.

KO must be dinged up right now because Jensen was playing, but when he's healthy again we Really should give this a look see. I'm pretty sure that KO played LT in college so he Does have some experience at the position. So many people have seen the sense in this and suggested it, including myself. What are the coaches seeing in practice that doesn't want them to try it? I wonder. Have they just given up on the idea of re-signing KO? Perhaps, given Ozzie's past MO.

Because Boyle is walking around in a boot right now.

Actually, Ross DID have problems with fumbles on returns. That's almost Certainly the reason that Detroit got themselves someone more reliable and made Ross available. Now, with the lack of quality in our receiving corps, I do believe that Ross did show a little bit there that could help us. But, nothing really major. Heck, nobody we have as a receiver is anything special. Givens might just be the best we've got right now. Aiken is Never going to be a #1 receiver and the fact that he's Our #1 says all that needs to be said about the quality of our receiving corps. Poor Joe. He's got Nobody.

Awesome post! I have felt the same way and have been saying so all season. I am SO disappointed in some of our fans, in the way they have fired off so much negativity, and worse, towards this young man. Perhaps some of them don't realize just how much potential this guy possesses. I've been supportive of him since the beginning, liking the choice in the draft, and truly hopeful that Ozzie has Finally broken his unfortunately poor record of drafting 1st rd receivers. I Still think he may have done so. Injuries are a part of football and, yes, this one was particularly disappointing and hurtful to our team's success. But, the Real problem has been the way the team has handled it and been, probably, less than honest or, at least, forthcoming with more accurate information about it. I just hope two things. One, Perriman, with a full year to heal properly, gets on the field next year and shows why he was considered to have the abilities and talents to become a #1 receiver in the NFL. And two, that all this trash that's been directed his way by a lot of this fan base has not soured his feelings towards the Ravens. Let's face it, besides all he has had to endure from these fans, the mishandling by the team of accurate and honest information about his injury has definitely added to the negativity generated in so many of the posters on here. All of what he has gone through this year could very well have soured the way he feels about the Ravens and IF he Does shine for the next few years, I have to wonder how he's going to feel about re-signing with us. I really think it would be in the best interests of both the team and Breshad, that we, the fans, get behind this young man and support him in a much more positive way. He very well Might turn out to be that #1 receiver we've been looking for forever.

I agree with everything you said except about being happy with Ozzie trading down with our first round pick. We have enough picks already. I think we should Use the, most likely, highest pick we've had in a very long time. Not having access to the blue chippers, the very best prospects coming out each year has helped get us to where we are at.

I've read, and experienced, the same thing that you said about this injury. Different things come into play with the length of recovery. I agree totally with what you said about the way this whole situation has been handled and can only hope that it hasn't affected how Perriman feels about the organization. Remember, he's a young man, a rookie, and the way his injury has been handled by this team has, just as you say, brought into question his character, fortitude, and, I would add, commitment. I just hope this hasn't created any scars other than the tiny ones from the scope procedure. I'm Still very anxious to see what he will bring to the field, even if it won't be until next year. I hope that, with a full year to heal, he will be frothing at the bit to show what he can do.

State your sources for these claims. If you can't do that, you shouldn't have made them.

Finally, Harbs calls out a couple of players. It was long overdue. Oh, he might have had a word or two to say about someone in the past, but this was more, and Very well deserved. Asa could be gone any day and it wouldn't surprise me. If he can't help on ST, he's a wasted spot on the roster because he's really, really weak as a DB. Ross will stay because we need him as a receiver. He hasn't exactly shined, but he's shown enough and we're weak there. I think his return job is gone, though. He did the same thing in Detroit. That's why they replaced him and made him available. It's just his MO as a punt returner. Keep it up, Harbs. When a player needs called out, do it. By the way, you missed some people.

Yeah, jacket, you're probably right that Dumervil will get fined, but won't that be by the league, not Harbaugh? And you make a Very good, and valid, point about benching him. I most Certainly would agree with you that benching should be on an individual basis. Like you say (hello Asa), but I am not advocating that Harbs bench Doom long, just a series or two, max, to send a team-wide message that this stuff has to stop. And if someone wants to argue fairness, hey, Asa and every other player can improve their overall play to deserve the "short-term benching" privilege that Doom would have because of him earning it by making himself so valuable to our team. Jacket, maybe I'm just getting So frustrated with these dumb penalties that I Am coming up with the wrong ideas. But, it just seems like Something has to happen to try to lessen them. I've Always respected your posts, so, I'll admit, you have me second guessing my thoughts on this one.