FlocksGottaFeed

Just an observation: Last week about this time (1 day before the game at 3-0) there was seemingly much more interest in the up-coming game. This week there seems to be much more forum interests in the game that was (last week). Check the numbers. Double the conversation. Highest this season. Is it a lack of interest laced in apathy, empathy or non-belief in this team or season? Is it just that we prefer to criticize rather than focus on the positive? Or is it something else? I hope it gets better, because win or lose these are our Ravens and in my heart - we always have the ability to win the next. The last game is a done deal - win or lose. Beat Washington. GO Ravens!!! We got this.

Expecting to see very little of the Kubiak Era ' stretch-zone running scheme' this game based on the return of Dixon, the recent success of West and the exit of Forsett. We've entered a new Era at a critically, perfect time (based on the Washington's team low defensive performance) to dominate the line-of-scrimmage and completely regain an 'identity'. It should get interesting. GO Ravens! 200+ yards rushing - 200+ yards passing.

Agreed. This is not a 'Rivalry' game but because it's not some feel that they're obligated to create a narrative when none exist. For the most part, there's been nothing but respect and acknowledgement between both organizations and players. I wish there was something else there to hype this thing, but...(not trying to create a false narrative.)

After re-watching some of the Browns vs Washington game highlights, I think this could really be a great game for us. Washington's offense doesn't have any quit in them and will step-on-the-peddle once they exploit any weakness no matter what the score. Their defense has under-performed, but can make real-time adjustments when their talent allows, but there's not a lot of talent to go around. For the most part Pyer toasted Norman (their most talented) at will through most of the game and the rest of the secondary got over 90 yards in penalties Ravens Offense Keys to the Game: Start fast and find the weakest match-ups early and put-the-foot-on-gas and exploit it until they adjust Once they adjust...repeat 1st bullet above. There will always be 'new' holes and adjustments - not a lot of talent there. Challenge them with deep routes every series. They are very penalty prone on their covers. Ravens Defense Keys to the Game: Use lots of front 7 substitutions and keep pressure on Cousins - impose our will early and throughout. Don't allow DeSean to get behind us and sure-tackling in front of us Don't give them penalty yardage and they become a very different team. GO Ravens!

Early predictions seem to favor the Ravens in this one. That said, there aren't many story-lines being discussed around the league to drum-up more interest except for Ravens and Washington forum chatter (Note: Whatever you do - don't go to the Washington forum. Wow. It's beyond description.). The SSS and Josh Norman 'Trash Talk' buzz is being thrown around, but I don't think that narrative will have any life considering they most likely won't match-up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33qXBXnKjtE Interesting. If we get this one we'll be 4-1 and at the very least 1st ranked in the toughest division in the league, but there's been nothing but...crickets...throughout the league. What would become the narrative once we get this one? In hindsight, that's okay with me. We know what's up. Go Ravens!!!

Ravens are currently 4th in passing defense, 5th in rushing defense, 2nd in total defense, etc... We are 12th (middle to low of the pack of teams) in sacks. Once that sack number goes up to just the top 6 group of teams...our secondary will be called 'elite'. That's how it works. There's no way to separate the front 7 from the secondary in actual performance rankings. It's always as the front 7 goes - the secondary goes. The front 7 first - the secondary 2nd.

There is a definite improvement over last years, but we're still not completely there. I think that it will come down to how much pressure and sacks our line can get on the QBs. If they are winning those battles - we become a winning secondary. I'm starting to think that it's called "Secondary" for those exact reasons - at least for me.

It could be...according to NFL Rules. In this case a reschedule who probably happen. Emergencies and Unfair Acts Emergencies -- Policy The National Football League requires all League personnel, including game officials, League office employees, players, coaches, and other club employees to use best effort to see that each game -- preseason, regular season, and postseason -- is played to its conclusion. The League recognizes, however, that emergencies may arise that make a game’s completion impossible or inadvisable. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, severely inclement weather, natural or man-made disaster, power failure, and spectator interference. Games should be suspended, cancelled, postponed, or terminated when circumstances exist such that commencement or continuation of play would pose a threat to the safety of participants or spectators. Authority of Commissioner’s Office

I would agree. It seems as the NFL definition of 'Drops' has been changed to add to how the definition of 'Pass Defended' translates for DBs. Interesting.

Found stats that were close and Perriman's read exactly what you posted - 0 drops. http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2016/ http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/baltimore-ravens-team-stats?season=2016&week=0&category=RECEIVING Interesting.

Agreed. Very interesting. I wish for more transparency, as well. He said Justin wouldn't be used because we were looking for a 'spark'...? Does this mean that we are changing our blocking schemes back to a 'pre-Kubiak' Era and Justin wouldn't better fit or is he really saying, "He simply got beat-out and has lost a step and we're freeing him up hoping he finds a better fit out there to continue playing if that's his choice..." Sometimes I wish I had a FO Decoder Ring.

I would agree with Eisenberg on the idea of what they want the Ravens to be "Play it conservatively close, minimize the offensive big play risks and rely on your kicker and defense to win...". If I'm interpreting this right - Boring, Measured Football. They're not there yet and I hope they never get there. It seems this pursuit of controlled outcomes would eliminate any natural progression for the players to form their own culture or contribute to it. Maybe our organization believes that's how future championship teams will be built based on 'analytic data', but without incorporating 'maximal risk', controlled chaos, unpredictability and allowing the dogs to set the attitude from time-to-time...we are playing ourselves. If we didn't have the talent, I'd be okay with such a measured approach, but that's not the case. Let the talent play up to it's level! If that means we blow-out a team from time to time then so be it. That's a confidence builder not calculated in 'analytic formulas'. That's how winning cultures are formed.

Class act. I'm sure he'll be called-on to play some downs in a limited role for some team this year and beyond. He'll probably extend his career a few more years that way. Only wishing him the best. Wow...that happened.

The 'great' Beli-cheat has made several similar so called 'mistakes' before (i.e. last Super Bowl they won, failure to use TO when it was a fore gone conclusion that Beast-mode would get the call to seal the game with hardly anything left on the clock), but he got lucky because Pete got stupid). That said, at the very least Harb played the odds analytically correct (as head coaches should do); however, he failed to realize how fatigued and rattled his defensive unit was and how proficient their offense was (2nd Ranked) at the time, but that's not totally his responsibility. The DC and OC have more responsibility to assessing the probabilities based on the opponents and their players potential to perform and win the play (Situational Awareness). Several times in the past, Raven Leaders and Team Captains would voice their assessments as well. None of that happened. Even with that - the final outcome can still go the other way. It's not chess or checkers - it's roulette. A 'Bang-Bang' judgement call based on probability ended-up being a critical factor in the final outcome. On any Sunday that's why we play the game. Reminder: That 'mistake' is only a 'mistake' when some how it doesn't workout.

There's a little too much emphasis being put-on Wright's performance Sunday. Admittedly, he stuck-out like a sore thumb on big game changing plays, but there have been several admissions from other Ravens on the field that a few of those blown coverages were not his alone. In addition, on 2 of those Crabtree TDs Carr had 4.5 seconds to release the ball with minimal or no pressure whatsoever. That's an eternity in today's NFL. Carr wasn't even touched after releasing the ball. Nobody was close. Yes, several things went wrong for Shareece and it looks really bad, but several things went wrong with blown team assignments that led to it. There are very few top 20 receivers in the league that can't get open with 4.5 seconds. I said before the game that Crabtree (their hot receiver) should have been Jimmy's assignment and Cooper (who still doesn't have a single TD this season) should have been Wright's assignment with 'one-over-the top' in order to force the Raiders to make more adjustments, but...they had the luxury to go to their most productive receiver any time they needed something. We knew what was coming and still showed confusion. Growing pains, but a teachable moment only. Wright might not see the field again, but I'm more concerned with the confusion and missed assignments that happened out there. If that's not addressed (it already is being addressed) it doesn't matter who replaces him.

Just a little added levity: The Good: At the end of the day...there will be very few 'unbeaten' teams left in the league at this point of the season and no team since the 1972 Dolphins accomplished that perfect season (a major miracle even for those days) and it hasn't been repeated in years. We loss a game. So what??? Given it's the very 1st NFL loss for every rookie (plus Perriman) on our team (Pre-season 4-0 and Regular Season 3-1), but it was inevitable. Our team didn't see a 'complete' blow-out embarrassing loss like the Steelers last week or the Bengals and Browns complete breakdown games. We were competitive enough to the last whistle sounded. At the very least, we can take a 1 point loss (although I think it could have been the other way) this early in the season as an inevitable teachable moment for our team collectively. At the end of the day we're still have only one loss and are tied for 1st in the AFC North at the very least and still are one of the only teams with one loss left. One loss by one point - respectively to one of the best offenses in the league (Although we should have won)...we're still in the hunt.

Agreed. Less predictability in the run game offensive scheme combined with Dixon could change the attack.

I'm going with WW2 (Webb/Weddle) on defense knowing that our front 7 have to get constant pressure/sacks/hurries to allow them to shine in a big way.

The Raiders have not been very successful playing on the East Coast and currently... With our Ravens being ranked 2nd Defensively and the Raiders ranked 31st Defensively - a 29 position difference With the Raiders being ranked 4th Offensively and our Ravens ranked 25th Offensively - a 21 Position difference Wouldn't it be interesting if the final score ends up being a 29-21 Ravens home win?

Keep it coming and don't wash it unless you washed it before this win Mili. Who would have ever thought we'd be 1st in the North and undefeated right, now? Just us Raven Fans. Beautiful. CJ with 2 INTs and doubters saying pass defense is his weakness? They can keep talking...

Agreed. The most obvious thing that I like about CJ is "he wants to make that 'play' and always has. That trumps his 'perceived' weaknesses. To me that's what gives him a strong leadership quality and Ravens Swag. He can be relentlessly self-driven. 2 ints for wins in 2 games...nuff said. I'll take it.

Agreed but, I think Crabtree offers the biggest threat as far as offensive scheme this season and Jimmy has historically been able to neutralize him. I see that as a more likely match-up with another DB and 1 over the top with Cooper. Wright could have landmark comeback game (4 games in) with help this game. Crabtree needs to be neutralized 1st and an aggressive blitz package from Pees could pay heavy dividends towards our pass rush: and alternatively, the success of our defensive backfield play. Team and Scheme - makes dreams.

He was a Pro Bowl alternate once for Ngata. - keep this tear up - He'll be a Pro Bowl 1st pick looking for an alternate. What ever comes after that...no worries. Ngata played 8 years, helped to win a SB and was happy with us making very reasonable money before his mega deal. If Jernigan has that kind of track record and success, he should be able to garner a similar deal. I'd be just as happy for him. That said, the cap is going-up substantially these upcoming seasons and 100 million dollar contracts may just be modest signings for proven game-changers compared to previous years. In Oz I trust. Show him love, too.

Agreed. These Raiders DBs (similar to last year's but a little more talented) seem to want to play 'big' play defense in a high scoring shootout. That said, a well laid-out 'dink-and-dunk' aggressive pass 1st scheme should suffice. A 2.5 to 3.0 short to mid-range passing game should get them overly anxious and prone to mistakes. By not calling for deep throws from Joe early, you not only save him from unnecessary punishment from their bash-squad (They can bring pain), but it may be able to free-up easier rushing yards as the game progresses. Quick Pass 1st - Run 2nd - (disguise formations) Big Hitter Long Passes 3rd once they commit.

Early match-ups giving us a very slight edge, but an edge none the less.. http://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=400874666 As absent as our run-game has been - they have a double digit lead in rushing, but our passing defensive numbers more than doubles their performance. It should come-down to elevating our offensive production and defensive play.