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One question has been answered this year. It is now clear that Flacco needs a decent supporting cast to win games. Somehow the thought existed out there that he could simply "make everybody around him better". I don't know how many times I read that one... but I doubt we will see it again any time soon.

No question it is time to consider the draft and next season. They need to trim the roster without creating a ton of dead money... like they were facing the last two years. They need to start drafting smart... what was a Ravens trademark until a few years ago. Anyone know how Rice and Pitta count next season towards dead money?

Among the Raven's problems which doomed this season is one that stands out. Our batting average concerning our early draft picks has taken a beating in recent years. We need to get this figured out or we will be at the bottom looking up for a long time.

There are still some Ravens playing like Ravens... but not nearly enough to turn this team around. Time to start working on the draft.

Two more thing to watch... will the Ravens get a 4th quarter lead for the "D" to cough up? If so how many times?

It's gotten to the point where everyone in the stadium knows that in the 4th quarter the Ravens defense will cave in as many times as required to lose the game. How can that be turned around? I would start with a hard look at our draft process which has gone from the best to something akin to the Raiders. If we don't get a handle on this we will be on the bottom looking up for a long time.

Williams is still playing like a Raven... but he can't do it alone.

A rare bright spot on defense.

When considering what has brought us to a 1 and 4 record, the aspect that jumps out at the observer is how poorly our higher draft picks have performed. We better get a handle on that issue or we will be stuck at the bottom of the league looking up for a long time.

This is the number one draft pick bowl.

The season is over and it's time to plan for the future. Lots of questions to consider on both sides of the ball... not to mention the F.O. and coaching staff. One point most will not mention... our batting average on high draft picks has taken a beating in recent drafts. Need to figure out what is wrong here prior to the upcoming draft or next year will be a re-run of this one.

Re-arranging the chairs on the deck of the Titanic.

One thing he left out... PFF ranks Flacco 36th in the league in QB performance. Did he suddenly forget how to play? I doubt it very much. I think there is a much more likely explanation and it goes beyond injuries.

Whatever the official line from the Ravens may be we all know our owner is no fool. This is clearly a lost year... we need to be focusing on being the best we can be next season. That will certainly include changes on both sides of the ball as well as in the F.O. and/or the coaching staff. I for one have faith in the owner at a minimum.

One position at which we are still strong is at Owner! I'm betting he is thinking hard about changes that need to be made for next year... Harbs, Ozzie and Mr. B are going to have some lengthy talks in the not too distant future.

It's over all right. Time to start planning for next year. We should finally get a low pick and it may be time to move a few veterans who still have some value. More to the point we need to look at both coordinators. We have absolutely no "D", and the "O" is sputtering badly every time we get to crunch time. Did I mention... we need a much more cap-friendly number out of our QB for next year.

In spite of a couple of pre-season fumbles Jackson looks like our best bet. Fumbling is something that can be cured.

I thought it was overkill when we drafted two tight ends; especially as well as Gilmore was playing by the end of the season. Might just pay off now.

If I recall correctly that one loss to the Browns knocked us out of the play-offs the year before last.

Do I understand correctly that he is done for the year due to placement on the IR?

The problems run much deeper than the schedule... let's hope the Ravens understand as much.

I don't think Peas has the right personnel to play his normal soft style of defense... time to re-examine his style or try a new D.C. On the other side of the ball the O.C. seems to have no clue yet as to how to get the ball into the end zone when it comes to nitty-gritty time. The team needs a good shake-up or to start thinking about their draft position for next year.

I feel bad for Steve Smith... no matter the level of effort he displays and no matter what he racks up in terms of scores and yards the team lets him down.

Time to start thinking about the draft... it looks like we will have the best pick in a very long time.

Looks like we will get a very, very low draft pick next year...