Bat-mite

Ugh. Just ... ugh.

Fire the grounds crew! Just kidding.

I gave you a thumbs down because I'm betting you can't give us a salary cap breakdown that shows how the Ravens could have held on to some of the better defensive players. It is very easy to say, "Pay this guy, pay that guy!" But in reality, you have to show where the money comes from. In a salary-capped league, you have to hire young, unproven players and hope they perform well. Ozzie has a pretty good record of doing that, but he isn't omniscient. Some of our young talent hasn't worked out, and no one could have predicted that most of our seasoned players would end up injured. And it's not like you can simply fire guys and hire more guys. There's dead cap money associated with trading and/or firing players. And then you still can't pay for better guys. We are suffering from having an injury-decimated group of veteran starters, and their replacements aren't too far past college level. And maybe never will be. But the bottom line is: in a salary-capped league, you have to let people go when they get too expensive.

Man, that was a depressing article.

He was the Mike Tyson of running backs.

Yeah, I was wrong about that. Someone corrected me later.

"Ravens Need Marlon Brown To Step Up" No kidding.

What's a #1 receiver? asks Kamar. I hope you get to find out on Sunday. I think you'll know the answer once you've experienced it.

1. It's just a flesh wound. 2. History will long wonder what Flacco's stats would be like if he had an elite corp of receivers to throw to. 3. [not permitted] 4. Even if Givens is 50% ready, we need him. Just run fast and give the D something to worry about. 5. Been so long since I was 30 that I just can't think of that as old.

Whoa! Givens must be bionic! He runs in slow motion like Steve Austin! Here's hoping that Givens will prove to be a threat, and that Aiken will now have an easier time getting open.

Writers gotta write.

Well, that makes me feel better. I didn't know that. Thanks.

I wish I knew. Maybe there's nobody. But if Pitta ends up not playing this year, or playing and getting hurt, then we essentially went through the year with a 52-man squad. If he comes in and is productive, I will happily eat my words.

There was no mention of the fact that Denver, Cincy and Oakland have better defensive lines than Pittsburgh.

This is not a knock against Dennis. He's a great player, and has had great moments here in Baltimore. I met him at a charity event and I like him on and off the field. BUT ... he is holding onto a valuable roster spot, and it is probably time to put him in IR and look at next year. We have three pretty good tight ends, and not enough wideouts. Put Pitta on IR and get a deep-threat receiver.

What a cute story about our "Average Joe." My kids love that book.

I don't really follow any other teams, but it seems to me like the Ravens frequently end up with these "chronically injured" players, and they just keep them. Nobody ever scored a point by having potential. Perriman is pretty much a loss this season; Campanaro is out; Webb was of reduced caliber for several year and out a good bit; this is Suggs' second Achilles tear; Sergio Kindle fell down the steps and became useless. And, sadly, Pitta is holding a roster spot for no good reason. Of course, on the other side, we have Flacco who has never missed a snap.

Even if we do go 5-11, at least we'll come out of the season with some good speeches to remember. BTW, as for the kicking team, it was not lost on me last night how well Cox, Koch and Tucker work together. Tucker makes great kicks in part because he gets a great snap and a great hold/spin. Watching Pitt on the two failed attempts, I noticed that at least once the holder didn't quite get the laces to the front. Did that make a difference? You'd have to think so.

Agree 100%!

Thank God SSS has 10 days to get healthy and get back out there. If this had been a Monday night game, chances are he wouldn't play on Sunday.

Disappointed, but not surprised. Now what?

Is Babin active for tonight?

I'd watch that episode.

I really think we ought to go in there and beat Pittsburgh. That aren't the same caliber of team that Cincy and Denver are. And Oakland looks better this year than they have in ages. If we lose to Pittsburgh, I really will write off the season.

Tight ends will not be the reason we lose tomorrow night.