Neal Could Block the SUN!!

How many times do we have to draft a Linebacker and a pass rusher? How many times do we have to watch ozzie miss on guys year after year and then have to go into the next draft with the same needs as the year prior because ozzie keeps missing? Its really pathetic to watch.

Totally agree. The players he doesn't miss on we tend to groom up and watch walk away for big paydays. Be nice to keep some of that talent (looking at you Brandon Williams). Be nice for Oz to nail this draft and bring in the depth we need to improve.

Never liked Juan Castillo.  The scheme he implemented seemed to take far too long to implement.  Players seemed to struggle with assignments.  Forsett was able to make it work but only with Kubiak running the show.

More change please- 8-8 ain't good enough next year!

No problems with Mr. Bisciotti. If he did fire folks and act the fool, than we are no better than Irsay. I'll take a calm head at the helm of the ship.

May take a few years and a new coach but a calm headed owner behind it all will bring this team back to the promised land.

Harbaugh wants the easy to coach, no resistance type players. I'm amazed that Sizzle minds his P's & Q's and hasn't fired off a Bernard Pollard type of approach. Harbaugh would not be able to coach a Suh, Icnogito, or Sherman type of character. These are the type of players that have character questions but can change a game. No, they are not the best players in the NFL, nor are they the best examples, just off the top of my head players that are loud and strong in personality. The type that Harbaugh shies away from. Quite obvious that Ed and Ray were running this team and Harbaugh got to reap the results. Pollard called it out and was released. Don't even bring up Pollard's drop off in performance during the run to SB47, the man had 3-4 broken ribs and was still trying to lay the hay.

Bottom line, time to move on from Harbaugh and bring back the fiery players that can't stand losing and strike fear in opposing teams.

2 hours ago, trevorsteadman said:

Yeah it can't be because the team underachieved on the o-line that limited the Ravens to the bottom 5 in the league in rushing and the team is yet again in the bottom 5 of the league at paying wide receivers yet again for how many consecutive years in a row?

But yeah let's continue to bash on the quarterback and only the quarterback.

So annoying to hear the quarterbacks get too much praise during wins and too much blame during losses.

The line about underpaying wide receivers is just ridiculous.  You're point than is that had the team ponied up the money on WR's that Flacco would suddenly be a contender? 

So money solves everything, right? 

moving on.....

2 minutes ago, Hardbaugh said:

The Ravens can't build an elite offense because of the limitations the guy who touches the ball on every play has.

 

End of story.

Well let's hang on a second before we post these types of statements......

I mean if Flacco read the play book, this team would be much more capable.

Whether we draft for D or O, can we still trust in Ozzie?

Not sure that any of the present powerhouse teams follow the "best player available" approach to the draft.  Perhaps instead looking at our needs and deciding which players are available and building based on strengthening weakness will serve us better.  How many years of decent drafts filled with "the best player at the time" can we continue through and still not be a solid team?

28 minutes ago, callahan09 said:

There is a lot wrong with this post.  First of all, we've seen Flacco's wrath.  Second of all, Flacco's ice in his veins approach to the position has absolutely been a net positive.  Remember when he drove us down the field for a go-ahead TD drive in Pittsburgh with the division on the line? Oh yeah, the defense crapped it away, that's right.  His mechanics are a symptom of a lot of flux and inexperience at the offensive line and recovering from a season-ending injury.  He improved a lot as the season went on and the line got more stable and his injury was more in the rear view.

 

He can't get the ball past the line of scrimmage and out of bounds to avoid intentional grounding? I have no idea what you're talking about.  The play I think you're referring to was ruled intentional grounding because he didn't get out of the tackle box, but it did go out of bounds and past the line of scrimmage.  Besides the point that the refs got it wrong anyway because there WAS a receiver in the vicinity.  

Mallet played in the Cincy game, not the Pittsburgh game.  And he threw a quick interception on a badly underthrown ball when he had full protection in the pocket to step into the throw (something that Flacco actually didn't have the benefit of in that very same game because he was under pressure from 3 and 4 man rushes all game long). But whatever.  You just seem to want to nitpick.

I agree there is a lot wrong with your post.

Living in a "remember when world" doesn't cut it in the NFL.  2008 was a great season and we almost got there, but that has nothing to do with our present situation.  I stand by my posts that Flacco is not a student of the game and does not put in the work mandated by his top $$$ contract.

You have no idea what I am talking about yet come up with the play where he threw the ball into the ground?  Fairly certain in the Bengals game Flacco failed to get the ball out of bounds past the line of scrimmage.  This is a penalty and not one that a well prepared and knowledgeable QB makes with minimal pressure on him.

You are correct- "Mallett" came in for <3 mins in the Bengals game.  Putting him in for the second half would have made more sense from an experience stand point.  This is a forum board though, so I guess since you pointed out an error, you win, give me a break.

On 1/3/2017 at 10:00 PM, JoeyFlex5 said:

There's this thing called a players union. 

Also, this isn't high school football, these are grown men with families who already dedicate their entire lives to staying in shape and perfecting their craft and they already have next to no personal time for 4-5 months out of the year already. They're humans, not machines.

I was about to point out the CBA myself.

We'll let Rudy stay in the game until he learns not to get run over anymore.........

On 12/31/2016 at 9:56 PM, Wisdom said:

Single factor, I don't know however, I do know Flacco's poor play and awful decision making coupled w/ his multiple interceptions played a huge role in the Ravens missing the playoffs.  A very uneventful, crappy season and I suspect with Flacco as QB next year will be more of the same for he hasn't shown us much to suggest otherwise.  He needs to perfect his craft or get out of the league.

Agreed!

I have towed the Flacco is Elite mentality for years now.  After the last few seasons, I really don't think Flacco cares.  Never see him upset or fired up, I know "ice in his veins" and "Joe-Cool", but I'm over it.  Even an icy personality will get mad or vent once in awhile. They say "beware the wrath of a patient man", when do we see Flacco's wrath? 

I honestly believe most of our problems start with Joe just not working hard at his position.  Sure a few years ago with GOAT as his MLB and Reed getting him the ball back, Joe was able to get something done and cashed in.  Since then he has gone belly up.  Look at his mechanics, back foot throws, can't even get the ball past the line of scrimmage and out of bounds to avoid intentional grounding.  This is just a uninterested QB that is happy to count his money, raise his family, and move on from football soon as the contract is up. 

Move on from Flacco sooner than later and this team has hope.  Stay with him and we will continue to see bone head plays on the upswing.  Mallett is next man up, and not letting him play until <3 minutes left in Pittsburgh was a mistake. 

22 minutes ago, rossihunter2 said:

i know you think we misuse timouts and we do sometimes but other teams "waste" them too but you just dont watch as closely see andy reed, hue jackson, marvin lewis, or in qb terms i saw a few times this season brady calling timeout with the playclock winding down - every team has these issues and to be honest i thought the ravens cleaned up their act significantly this season in that regard - the obligatory timeout and pointless challenge that became memes in the 2015 season surprised me when they happened in 2016 because we went long stretches without them happening

You can't be serious?

I agree that all teams face the play and game clock for 60 minutes each week of the season.  Yes, I have watched Brady, Roethlisberger, and both Manning's need to call the occasional time out for a bad play call, formational, or similar concern.  We tend to burn 1-2 time outs per game just trying to get organized.  I don't agree that it has gotten better.  Stayed the same maybe, but improved, no.

35 minutes ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

I can agree that this team seriously lacks a sense of urgency with the clock winding down. Would like to know what you feel they need to do to fix it?

Aahhh- I see it's the you found the problem so you have to fix it mentality- fair enough and since you asked-

1) Be aware of the play clock.  I see other teams pump their hands towards the sky and get the play clock reset when applicable.  I have never seen Flacco or any other O' player make this motion.  If not able to reset the clock, at the very least be aware that you either have 40 or 25 seconds to run a play.  Flacco, in his 9th year, should be highly cognizant by now that he does not have limitless time to stand around and then run a play at his desired time.

From a coaching stand point- be aware that a play clock is running and if you're $120M QB is ignorantly standing around, radio in, send a player, burn a flare, do something to wake him up and get moving.  For the QB and coaching staff to miss the play clock all together and have to take a time out <2 minutes into any game or quarter is ridiculous.

2) Excessive clock waste while losing is just unpalatable from a fan standpoint.  The game in New England was not over, yet the Ravens entire staff allowed 6 minutes to burn off the clock.  Why?  Not like they were struggling for a play.  Time and time again, players were jogging to the line or the line was set and Flacco would take his time getting into formation.  Makes no sense.  Run the no huddle or the sugar huddle.  At the very least burn less than half the play clock between plays.  This starts with the coaching staff and needs to run through the players.  A sense of urgency when losing.  Simply controlling the clock and realizing that a large amount of the 4th qtr has burned off and you have not moved the ball should put a fire under their collective butt.  Not to mention, we had already wasted time outs early in the 2nd half because of point 1.

Either way- be aware that this is a clock management game.  Whether its game or play clock, be aware of it.

I would really love to see Harbaugh, Mornhinweg, and Flacco all get in a room and watch when and how other teams use time outs.  I cannot stand the number of times we're calling time out in the first quarter because the wrong personnel are in, or the play never materialized, or Flacco just didn't see to realize that a play clock existed.  Every time this happens it comes back to bite the team later on when we are down >3 pts and running under 2 minutes.  Just ridiculous. 

Not even going to get started on the 6 minutes of wasted time in the New England game.  Zero hustle back to the line, no play call existing, and no hurry up in place.  Just like we were winning the game.  Sadly, we do this far too often and act like we are winning and fail to manage the clock.

Would really look professional or like the team cared if either of these two issues could be fixed in the off season.

Thanks for the replies.  Based on the comments above, I made a waiver swap and let Alex Smith go and grabbed Matt Barkley. 

Now the choice is Matt Barkley v. Redskins or Joe Flacco v. Steelers. 

Based on the two defenses, I'm leaning towards Barkley who has over 300 yards in his last few games going against a Redskins team that had allowed 350+ in their last few games.  Of course to make things complicated the forecast is rain in Chicago. 

Really need to get this right as I'm in the championship and want them green backs!!

In all honesty I try to watch these games and remain as calm as possible.  After years and years of watching the Ravens get blown out by nobodies or blow away teams away that no one saw coming, I just try to chill and watch the drama unfold.  I was honestly calm and predicting an Eagles come back on Sunday.  This team is just so chaotic in performance you never know. 

Of course, a few single malt scotch always help with that calm feeling!

Folks

I made it to the Championship round at my favorite pub.  Now I need one last push to take home the fame and glory!

I have Joe Flacco through thick and thin and was able to survive some of his less productive outings with a solid roster.  This past week I grabbed Alex Smith (KC QB) of the waiver wire as a stop gap in case Flacco was sporadic in performance against Philadelphia (best option available).  Between Miami, New England, and Philadelphia I have no clue which Joe will show up this weekend.  I think 20 solid points from Smith would be better than a feast or famine Joe.  Not saying that Smith is the better of the two, but maybe the better option this coming week.  Thoughts?
 

Alex Smith is up against the Titans

Joe Flacco is up against the Steelers (of course)

Break down the "worst play call" in Raven's history:

1) The Eagles LB was standing straight in front of Joe and he still threw it to him.

2) Waller broke to the right and Joe threw behind him and to the left. 

So a 9 year SB MVP QB throw a ball straight to a wide open opposing linebacker which proves he can't read Crap!  Add in the Waller broke right and to the middle of the field and you have two possibilities, Waller went the wrong way or Joe threw to the wrong spot.  I would say being as Waller is in his sophomore season, been out for a chunk of games that he most likely studied the play book.  Now Joe, may have been distracted by counting his money or playing with his kids and just didn't really know the play.  Either way, HE THREW TO A WIDE OPEN LINEBACKER!!  After 9 years and all this money, he should at least be smart enough to only throw to people wearing the same shirt as him.  

Bottom line- bring on Mallett as he at least cares about winning or losing.

Sorry Kevin but there are a lot of excuses in this post. Normally, I find these articles motivating and are my regular favorites. Saying crowd noise is why we let 5 minutes run off the clock is a poor excuse at best. Maybe the SSS comment is true, wasn't there either. I would however prefer to think that a senior WR heading to Canton, is sick of Flacco and his hot and cold play style. Maybe, just maybe, an butt chewing from SSS is what Flacco needs to wake up and play ball. I'm beginning to think that January Joe is a historic icon that is gone forever.

The truly sad thing is I'll be watching this game with a die hard Eagles fan and neither of us has much hope left for our teams this season. 

The present level of play and lack of conviction is below expectations to say the least.  When the 9th year head coach is just realizing in retrospect that his team let the opportunity to win slip away due to poor clock management, hope is fading. 

So many good points about this horrible effort at NFL caliber football.

The Tucker onsides was a complete debacle.  Fine, if you want to go for the onsides, do it!  Knock off the flaming river dance preliminary.  Harbs ain't fooling nobody with that.

Flacco needs to lead receivers.  Perriman and Wallace can fly, yet time and time again slowing down to let the ball catch up to them.  Mile High Miracle never happens with these pathetic throws.  Zero touch on throws to the RB to boot.  Seems like Dixon and West are trying to catch 90 mph fastballs from 5 yards away.  Of course the balls are a foot behind them to ice the cake.

Harbaugh needs to understand that he is not a legendary coach because of the SB47 result.  He needs to coach this team like his job depends on it because it does.  Sick and tired of the jogging to the line while we trail and zero input from the coach to clean this mess up.

Vanilla play calling maybe because Joe doesn't want to study the plays long enough to make the team better.  Much easier to count his cash and play with his kids then play winning RAVENS football.  Bring on Mallett!  We may lose a few while he learns the big leagues but at least he'll give a Crap!

1 Hour

Can't Wait!

Keep the refs out of this game.  If the yellow starts flying only towards big purple, its curtains.

Parity may come into this.  If the league really wants a wild play off race keeping the Ravens Chaos rolling in the thick of things, they'll get a wild ride!

Go Ravens!

This has been gone so long and now its back. Make it go away.

This is stupid

End this mess!

Not funny, childish, and a waste of bandwidth.

It would be great of this front office to keep at least two familiar targets for Flacco. Every year Joe has to rebuild confidence in new targets. As hard as Flacco throws it takes WR some time to get used to the speed of his passes. Need proof? Clark never wore gloves until he came to Baltimore.

Ozzie is great with all picks except WR. Year after year we struggle to develop a solid WR corps. Smith is a huge talent, blind squirrel and a nut. Doss is not worth keeping around. Reminds of of David Reed, thank God he is gone.

Keep JJ pay him and have two familiar faces on the field with Joe.