huntrgathrr

The defense and the running game won this one. Steelers however are really bad so we can't get too overjoyed here. But it's a little justice, winning a game we should have lost while losing the first 3 we could have won.

Unless Ozzie gets us a couple of good receivers we are in big trouble. I'd start with Reggie Wayne. There are quite a few guys out there that could help us.

But the defense really showed a lot of heart. Will Davis may be the piece they were missing.

I left the game feeling the Steelers lost it rather than the Ravens won it. Tucker made up for his misses against Denver and Cincy. His game winner in of 52 yards in Pittsburgh late on a cold night was special. I posted earlier that the loss of Suisham would cost the Steelers 2-3 wins this year and this was one of them. Thank you Lord.

We did do one thing we were supposed to do against this weak Steeler defense....RUN THE BALL. We had 190 yards rushing and that gave us the chance we needed to win the game. Forsett's 150 was very encouraging. Our offensive line dominated the Steelers up front. Good thing because Flacco was less than special. If you told me Flacco would turn it over twice and Vick not once I would have garuanteed a Steeler victory. Thank god their kicker stinks.

Ozzie needs to get a WR with speed ASAP. One that can take the top off a defense. Maybe the 49'ers would consider a trade for Torrey, something like Arther Brown for Torrey and throw in a mid to late round pick if they want it.

In the meantime, we need to send Brown and Waller deep almost every play. With their size they can make the defenses respect the deep ball and get them out of 8 in the box which is killing our run game. Smith can get open underneath as well as MAxx to give Joe an outlet.

But we are in a tough spot of having to throw deep first to open up the run. Plus the offensive line has to play better. Play action is useless when you can't run the ball.

But we have faced 2 of the best defenses in the AFC so it is understandable to have only limited offensive success. Truth be told, we have had the lead in all 3 games late in the 3rd or in the 4th quarter. The defense was very good at times but inexplicably folded when the game was on the line. Daryl Smith and Upshaw dropping easy interceptions probably cost ud the games against Denver and Cincy. The b.s. call against Will Hill nullifying his interception against Oakland cost us that game.

This team has the ability to go on a run a get back in the picture. But it MUST start tonight against Pittsburgh. They are missing Ben, Pouncey, Suisham and Shazier. If we can't win this game then we might go 0-16.

Waller, Campanaro and Smith should be taking all the snaps at WR. Aiken and Brown are playing terrible. This offense can't run the dang ball so they are screwed. They get shut out until the other team is up by 2 TDs. Then the other team loosens it's defense and we start to move the ball with Steve Smith and Gilmore who is now done. The defense can't play well when the game is on the line.

They will be lucky to be 8-8. I would cut Perriman and let him recover on the street. He's worthless, damaged goods. Get rid of him and bring back Butler. Perriman is just one aggravation after another. A complete bust. Get it over with and cut him. Maybe that will help him recover.

Inconsistent is the hallmark of this years team. They don't play 4 quarters. They have had a good chance to win all 3 games but are undisciplined, committing way too many penalties that tears the heart out of the team. The lack of a pass rush and the inability to run the ball are disturbing. I knew we were going to lose the game when Upshaw dropped an easy interception. Daryl Smith did the same thing against Denver. Failing to capitalize on other teams mistakes is demoralizing to the entire team.

If they don't rock the Ben-less Steelers Thursday then they have almost zero chance to recover this year. Plus it will mean that they will have under performed in 4 straight games and are just not a very good team.

I'm disappointed in Trestman and Pees. They are not getting their players in a position to win and share a large role on the 0-3 start. Both jobs should be on the line.

Every game we spot the opponent a big lead (Denver 9-0, Oakland 10-0 and Cincy 14-0). That's poor coaching. Our game plans suck.

The Ravens have shown how to turn a 3-0 start into an 0-3 start. Ultimately that falls on Harbaugh. What a shame.

The defensive breakdowns in the 4th quarter of every game are unforgivable. The offense failing to show up in the 1st half of every game is unforgivable.

Is it possible for this team to play well for 4 quarters??? I really don't know.

The D was woefully unprepared and allowed too many plays by the Raiders. Yet they weren't horrible. They produced a 3 and out then a turnover on the 2 drives prior to the final game winning drive by Oakland. Hill even got a turnover on that drive which negated by a horrible call.

What I feel was the problem was 4 field goals by the offense. We were dominating them at the line of scrimmage and moved the ball at will. To come up with a field goal on our last drive was pathetic. They were on their heels and could stop nothing we did. Terrible play calling on the final drive.

Bottom line is we lost 2 very close games on the road and the officials had a lot to do with it. That isn't the end of the world. What troubles me is the "penalties" at the end of the game.

Seattle, Philadelphia, the Colts and the Ravens are all 0-2. These are 4 playoff teams.

The bookmakers got murdered on Sunday of opening week. Even i went 12-2 against the spread. They lost a fortune. So right on cue, every upset that could occur happened the following Monday night and Sunday. On the yahoo national survivor pool 800,000 out of a million were eliminated. The bookies made back all their money and then some. Kind of odd to say the least, unless you consider the money.

Worst offensive game plan and in-game adjustment I have see for many years as a Raven fan. Yet if we just don't turn it over, we still win the game. The interception looked almost intentional. There was no pressure and no reason to think Smith could have caught it. He was blanketed by Talib. Joe could have run for 5 yards that play. It looked like the game was fixed and somebody forgot to tell the defense. One attempt downfield over 20 yards???? Sounds like somebody wasn't trying.

The defense played lights out against a potent Bronco offense in Denver. No Touchdowns allowed says it all. If the offense doesn't let them score we win the game. Such a shame to see Flacco/Trestman lay an egg in their first game but the Bronco's defense played very well also. Disappointing outcome.

If Flacco and Trestman can't do any better than that this team will end up 8-8 with the best defense in the NFL. Absolutely horrible.

Defense was as good as it gets....Offense was horrible. Sad that Flacco looked sooo bad. He acted scared the whole game, like he was afraid to take a hit. He lost a game that the defense won, it was entirely his fault. Then to not score in the red zone at the end was his way of making sure HE lost the game. Hate to say it, but if Renner was in there we win that game. Terrible way to start the season.

Right. I'm nervous as heck knowing the Ravens should win this game but wondering if they will. The only thing that could stop them are turnovers and a lack of execution. They are the better team but they have to cash that in.

The Ravens are the class of the AFC this year. Contenders are KC, SD, Texas, Buffalo and the Colts. NE, Denver, Pitts, and Cincy all miss the playoffs.

The Eagles have the best team in the NFC. They will play GB or Sea to go to the Super Bowl.

In an I-95 Super Bowl I have to give the edge to the Eagles although it will be too close too call.

There isn't a person on the planet that can predict the outcome of this game. The Ravens have the edge in personnel but Denver has the home field. The key questions will be decided on the field and will determine the outcome: 1. Can Baltimore get consistent pressure on Manning due to Denver's weakened offensive line? 2. Can Denver run the ball which will allow Manning to roll out and make play action effective? If the answer to these 2 questions is no then Denver doesn't have a chance. As a drop back passer against Baltimore Manning has no chance. 3. Can Baltimore's offensive line open up running lanes for Forsett?? If they do then Joe will have a field day with play action and the occasional downfield bomb. Denver's secondary is not up to full strength and that could cost them.

Baltimore has the edge in this game but execution and turnovers will tell the story. Although Kubiak is aware of Crockett Gilmore, I think he proves to be the game breaker. But make no mistake about it, this game will be won in the trenches and that is where Baltimore wants it.

Baltimore 33 Denver 24

Webb hasn't shown anything for years now. But this might be the perfect role for him to step into. This is now a veteran secondary with 2 potential pro bowlers in Hill and Smith. Webb will only have to do the light lifting, Smith will carry the mail.

Webb definitely needs to prove it on the field but this might just be a role he can handle. For sure he isn't a shutdown corner any more but with seasoned pros like Arrington, Smith, Hill and Lewis he might just fit right in.

Fingers crossed. Our defense might just be more than Denver can handle with their weakened offensive line. We are certainly better than we were at any time last year.

I like Flacco and Trestman's chances on the other side of the ball. Without one of their starting corners and the heavy lifting being done by the O line we could easily wear out Denver's defense.

I give the Ravens the edge in this one but execution and turnovers will decide what should be a very close game.

I'm nervous already.

Kubiak should have stayed as an offensive coordinator. He has a good chance to implode in Denver this year as a HC. Both KC and San Diego look better than Denver. How will Elway feel about Kubiak when he finishes 3rd in the division. I think Elway made a terrible move in firing John Fox. It was just a cry baby move because he hadn't won a super bowl. They have had a very good team for a long time. I doubt Kubiak get's anything more out of his players than Fox did.

If they open up with a loss to the Ravens, Kubiak's job will already be in jeopardy.

This is going to be a very close game. I think we have the overall edge in personnel but execution and turnovers will determine the outcome. Both teams know each other very well so that isn't a big difference maker.

I think the weakness in Denver's offensive line will prove to be the edge that we exploit. Pass coverage by our linebackers will be the area they try to exploit.

Baltimore 27 Denver 24.

The key to beating denver is exploiting their one glaring weakness, the offensive line. Our D needs to put Manning on his back and shut down the run. That is how we win the game. losing their starting corner will help soften a pretty good secondary. hopefully trestman can put in enough wrinkles to keep Kubiak guessing.

Letting Toussaint go was really stupid. I thought he was better than Allen or McGee. We can get him back though when Bell returns in 2 weeks.

Did someone grab Butler? They may bring him back as well.

Urban will go to IR once they decide who to acquire as a KR. Right now I bet they activate Ross if he looks good in practice.

Oh, the Giants claimed Asa....so be it. They routinely claim Raven players but then end up releasing them a year later. It's almost like a pipeline!!

Well, they will either bring him back or get another KR/cornerback to replace Urban when they move him to IR. Unless they plan on bringing back Butler.

So the 53 looks like this:

OFFENSE (26)

Flacco, Schaub (2)

Forsett, Taliaferro and Allen(3)

Zuttah, Monroe, Hurst, Urschel, Wagner, Jensen, Yanda and Osemele (7)

Pitta, Boyle, Williams, Gilmore (4)

Smith, Waller, Perriman, Aikens, Campanaro and Brown(6)

Cox,Tucker and Koch(3)

DEFENSE(27)

Williams, Jernigan, Davis, Canty and Guy and Urban(6)

Brown, Smith, Smith, Upshaw, McClellan, Orr, Upshaw, Suggs and Dumervil (9)

Webb, Smith, Melvin, Arrington and Walker (5)

Trawick, Levine, Brooks, Hill, Elam and Lewis (6)

Elam, Urban and Pitta are all headed for IR so that leaves Ozzie some room to bring back at least 3 players or make some new acquisitions. IMO we are seriously short at corner so I wouldn't be surprised to see Jackson or Vaughn or both return. Also defensive line is really thin as well. I didn't know Tyson was that badly injured so IMO we need to add a starting quality D lineman. Bikuldi and Butler are also candidates to return as well. I think Urban or Pitta will get the PUP label.

IMO it is strange that Elam and Urban just didn't go to IR earlier so we didn't have to expose so many players. Bikuldi wasn't on the cut list so maybe they did move Pitta, Urban or Elam to IR.

Webb is playing poorly at corner and as far as I'm concerned is expendable. Melvin is playing better than he is. So let Webb return kicks. at least he won't fumble, hopefully. He is still a pretty quick, shifty runner. I actually thought they would keep Vaughn and cut Webb.

I hope Ozzie has a few moves left. We need a corner back badly. A returner would be nice as well...I thought he would have snapped up Jennings and Holliday, both would have been signficant upgrades.

I also see no harm in letting Campanaro return kicks for as long as he stays healthy which probably won't be very long at all.

Right ....Urban goes to IR. PUP/IR will go to Pitta probably.

Tyson and KLM make the 53 man with Bikuldi to practice squad.

They will keep Smith, Arrington, Melvin and Walker but only 2 of the following make the team: Vaughn, Jackson and Webb. I think they cut Vaughn but I would cut Webb.

They will keep Forsett, Allen, Taliaferro and Toussaint. McGee gets cut.

Heck...throw them for a total loop and let our guys go wild..play a 1-6. Put williams in the middle and play Suggs, Dumervil, Smith, Smith, Upshaw and Mosely behind him. No one would know who is rushing the passer, who is stopping the run and who is doing what.....!!!! we have great talent ...put it on the field. Nobody will know who to block.

We don't know how good Brown is because he has been continually behind 2 of the best. Can we move him to the out side?? No team needs 3 middle linebackers. Ozzie's philosophy of best player available resulted in the selection of Mosely which requires Brown to wait til Smith retires. Get creative Dean...line up 5 LBs: Suggs, Dumervil, Upshaw, Smith and Brown behind Williams and Jernigan and let them rock the world. 4-3 or 3-4.....how about a 2-5???? With the best linebacking group in the NFL, get them in the fkng game.