FlocksGottaFeed

This game will be a war. Most likely will have a score of 23-24 somewhere in it (23-24 for one team or the other has been in last 5 of last 7 games), but I just used it because 24 rhythms with war. This is a rivalry people. "Is the rivalry switching? I don’t know," Smith said. "I don’t know, because I kind of hate the Bengals." This assertion would be considered blasphemous if it wasn't said by a Ravens player. But he has a point given how the series have panned out lately. - Jamison Hensley ESPN Staff Writer 2015 http://www.espn.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/87229/have-the-bengals-surpassed-the-steelers-as-the-ravens-chief-rivals The only fan-base that's acknowledged it consistently through the years is the Bengals. It's time we did. Wake-up Raven Fans - let's go! It's a 20-20 match-up. Not breaking 200 replies at the eve of such a relevant game. Where's the passion? The Cowboys was a gut shot, but...it didn't knock us out. We need to act like we need to get this 21st win. To me, this is the most important game of the season. Connections Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis was Ravens defensive coordinator from 1996-2001 and earned a Super Bowl ring in 2000. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is from Perrysburg, Ohio, played DB at Miami (Ohio) and coached at Morehead State (1988) and the University of Cincinnati (1989-96). Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil played at Louisville. Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons entered NFL coaching with the Ravens in 1998. Ravens assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg was on the University of Cincinnati staff from 1992-95. Bengals strength and conditioning coach Chip Morton was assistant S/C coach for the Ravens from 1999-2001. Bengals assistant strength and conditioning coach Jeff Friday was on the Ravens staff from 1999- 2007. Ravens assistant special teams coach Chris Hewitt played at the University of Cincinnati from 1993-96. Ravens inside linebackers coach Don Martindale is from Dayton, Ohio, played at Defiance College from 1981-84, and coached at Defiance (‘86-87), University of Cincinnati (‘96-98) and Western Kentucky (2001-03). Ravens WR Chris Moore played at the University of Cincinnati. Ravens secondary coach Leslie Frazier coached with the Bengals in 2003-04 (etc.).It goes on and on. http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/11/22/first-look-cincinnati-bengals-at-baltimore-ravens/94292180/ GO Ravens!!! Let's get this '20-one' with conviction. THIS IS A RIVALRY. (Steelers and Patriots are on the list as well, of course.)

What sometimes goes completely unnoticed about the Ravens organization is that it's one of the newest in the league and has already been included in the list of "Top 10 Greatest NFL Coaching Staffs Ever". I'm fairly confident that if or win an OC change is made it will be the 'right' choice. That said, I wouldn't rule-out Marty going forward either. Who knows what this offense may do going forward? There has been steady, positive, marginal and positively note-worthy improvements in chemistry (QB-WR), O-line play (4 ranked in top 5 performance last game), running game (respectable per rush averages since), etc. What if there is even more improvement and/or we closeout the season with offensive numbers that double previous (Trestman) production? http://www.sportsgrid.com/real-sports/nfl/ranking-the-7-greatest-nfl-coaching-staffs-ever/ Further, just having this guy available, in place to step-in for the OC change this season gives me confidence in the organization. That could have gone south fast. It hasn't so far. In the case a OC change is needed during the off-season, I hope it comes from the college ranks or the leagues coaching youth movement in-order to stay in-step with the NFL's direction. I'm confident that's the path the Ravens FO will go in and STILL just confident in this team's resolve.

Turn of the Tide: We've owned the Cowboys for over a decade (4-0) until last Sunday when they finally got a 1st win. The Bengals have totally owned us for 3 years (5-0) since 2013 until this Sunday (hopefully) we'll break their run with our 21st win over them. This should be seen as another 'Official' Rivalry Game although some don't feel it's relevant enough for some strange reason. Our series is tied 20-20, they've battled with us and Pittsburgh for the division for the last decade (with multiple seasons of all 3 teams in the playoffs) and they absolutely treat every game against us as war - so why are we so pedestrian when this game comes up on our schedule? Not sure if we've ever worn our home black-on-black rivalry gear against this team. 20-20 eye test tells us this is a 'must win' for this season and seasons to come for both teams. We've got to turn the tide. GO Ravens!!!

I'm thankful for all the joy and pride the Ravens have provided for my family, friends and fans everywhere. I'm also thankful for the Ravens Forum Moderators. Looking around at other team forums around the league - if there was a NFL Championship for Forums we would win hands-down. Outstanding, knowledgeable fan-base and mods that go the extra yard to drive the conversation. Thanks for all you do mods!

Let's not get this wrong and open to apology later. Ray Lewis has one of the highest football IQ's that the game has ever seen. That fact alone makes him a "Thinking Man" without question. Any comment that he's made related to football is his thought at the time. Even if you may or may not agree with his 'thoughts' ( As someone who knows this team; and particularly in this case - Joe personally, more than almost everyone of the planet) his rights to expresses what he feels and thinks is beyond reproach. This said, his apology was a new after-thought. It was a very well thought-out after thought that was to address and/or heel any misinterpretation (there were plenty of them out there and in here) or ill feelings resulting from his original thought. As I've stated before: Ray has extroverted passion - Joe has introverted passion. No one has their level of success in the NFL without passion. Ray see's that now in Joe and I believe Joe may even understand his kind of passion a little better as well. All of this takes 'Thought'. When they're true Ravens for Life - it's all going to workout in the end (no need to take sides).

The thing that I'm most concerned about in this match-up going down the season's final stretch-run is: "How much do the Bengals love their coach?" I would image that they would run through a wall for him. That said, we better be ready to run through a wall and climb the highest Burfict barbed-wired fence to free up our offense. I think we do. Let's get loud about it Ravens Nation. No looking back. GO Ravens!!!

Okay this is it. It's 2 days after the Jerry World experience and there's still not anything out there evaluating 'What does it take for the Cowboys O-line to get called for a holding penalty?'. Is it grabbing outside shoulder pad during a touchdown pass? (Observe Above: Grabbing of Jernigan's outside shoulder pad (completely twisting and contorting his upper-body) on an inside rush that led to Dallas TD. League Rules Use his hands or arms to materially restrict an opponent or alter the defender’s path or angle of pursuit. It is a foul regardless of whether the blocker’s hands are inside or outside the frame of the defender’s body. Material restrictions include but are not limited to: grabbing or tackling an opponent; hooking, jerking, twisting, or turning him; or pulling him to the ground. (Above: Orr is being push from the side while having upper shoulder pad grabbed) In addition Mosley and Pierce are both having their outside wrists grabbed (not shown from this angle). (Above: On this Elliot run both Ravens were able to get one arm free for tackling Elliot, but Cowboys lineman are still reaching to grab again after Ravens broke free. Can a double-double holding penalty be called?) Our guys never stood a chance. That said, I'm moving-on to Cincinnati. Really, I'm moving-on to Cincinnati. GO Ravens!!! We'll still win in the end.

Have We Dropped-Off and Fallen Behind the Rest of the League? As recently as last season over 80% of NFL fans polled still declared the AFC North the 'toughest' division in football. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000648863/article/2016-nfl-division-power-rankings This season there's a buzz going around the league that maybe...just maybe we've been a little too late in adjusting to the 'New League' rules and play. 'High Scoring, Pass Happy, Hurry-up Offensive, Quick Hitting Attack, etc.' are the mantras of the day. The only team getting some credit for building the prototype team for the future is Pittsburgh with 'high-octane' offensive possibilities. How does that translate inside the division? The most unusual thing to me is that both of the last Superbowl teams' offenses during that game were strictly 'Ball Control' offenses that relied completely on their defenses. That said, is this 'New League' team model just window dressing, a mirage or a clever branding for marketing purposes? Outside of Cleveland (which still have the potential to be formidable with just a few key players in place), the rest of the AFCN is still respected, but are we still as feared and respected as we've been over the years?

Do a search on 'missed' calls in Cowboys games in the last 2-3 years and say again..."that's just silly." Just because it's not a topic of mass media conversation week to week doesn't mean it has no barring on outcomes. That's a proven. Now, do a search for the missed calls (replayed Sunday) from this game...crickets. What is holding when it comes to the 'Elite' Cowboys O-line and under-talented defensive back field? Really?

Not a liability exactly (leads team in receptions). The real liability is play calling. Why would you call a play that requires your 'catching tight-end' to block a edge rusher or any pass rusher? Jimmy Graham, Barnidge, Pitta, etc. are 'receiving tight-ends. Know your personnel and put them in the best position to succeed. Simple. Don't use him that way.

I'm with you on this one. I'm a fan that also doesn't normally go there at all (even when it is sometimes questionable and not beyond reason). This last game...? What is holding when it comes to the Cowboys? Pinning arms, grabbing hands, tearing jerseys off receivers? It's amazing and somewhat unprecedented how no post game analysis, post game article and/or replay throughout league coverage didn't even bring to attention even the most obvious officiating errors (example: End-zone holding of Aiken, no whistle personal foul of Zuttah, Holding penalty inconsistencies between our O-line and the 'vaunted' Cowboys O-line, etc.). Just saying. Normally when officiating is that obviously questionable and/or open to interpretation there is immediate follow-up reports from the league outlining missed calls, rule discrepancies and readdressing measures that may possibly fix it (although too late for this game). Do a search. You'd be hard pressed to find anything, but 'Where will Romo land?' or 'How bout' those Cowboys?'. etc. etc. etc.

Great info. Makes me like his team commitment even more.

True. Yanda is a serious, Alpha male, team oriented leader and Stanley will someday take the lead with his (and coaches and teammates) tutelage. I like the pairing of these guys on the left side, too.

Taking your words: "I was born a Raven!". You certainly play like it. Congrats from all the training rooms in the NFL that ordered more ice. Ice Up the HoF Sons!!!

This thread title should be changed to: "Can We Call Breshad Perriman a Play Every Once and Again?"

That's the thing. On the most obvious missed calls, no calls and 'big' calls, big momentum shifts and big splash plays resulted, but not in our favor. Off the cuff (will document later) at least 3 drive killing 1st downs for us (huge) and at least 1 touchdown that should have been called-back for them. That's a killer.

My brother and niece were there and just the reports of things that were out of the broadcast cameras eyes were...(clean it up)....questionable.

Our guys barely stood a chance today thanks to that and the NFL lost an opportunity to have what would have been one of the best games of the season.

Now, take that call and throw-in the Zuttah phantom holding call when Joe left the pocket and playback the real holding call that wasn't called on the Beasley touchdown when Dak left the pocket. Big plays - big game altering decisions all around. Just not consistent by any measure.

Just want to end my input with the good (We all should) Ending with a positive note. The Ugly: After half-time for some unknown reason both of our coordinators took their feet off the pedal. Why? It had their offense playing into our strengths and was completely exposing their defense before the half. What gives? The game 'critical' phantom calls that were heavily in favor of the Cowboys (Inconsistent Questionable Officiating). The commentators and replay team. There was so much questionable stuff going-on in the Dallas secondary that never got attention or a second look - it was hard to watch this game for anyone who really knows the sport. The Bad: We didn't get to silence the Raven Trolls. The Good: 1) We unquestionably out-rushed the anointed 'Gods of Rushing' in the 1st half (West, Dixon and our O-line) double rushing yards). 2) We unquestionably out-played the anointed "Gods of America's Team" all around in the 1st half. 3) Although we went into the locker room tied (see 'Officiating - Ugly and Scheme Changes' above) we showed those who really know the sport that we can beat anybody when given a fair opportunity to do so. 4) Steve Smith reached a plateau that only league greats achieve. 5) There was never a moment (even when a loss was eminent) our players gave up (character). 6) We're still 1st in our division!

He definitely pulled-back on the aggression once again. During a tied game away? Don't understand the thought process. For the most part it just allowed the Cowboys to do what they do best (short-mid passing and running the ball). That combined with momentum and down changing penalties (poor officiating)...we didn't get a chance to compete enough to win.

That's the point. 2 calls against Zuttah were phantom calls (blocking while the whistle hadn't blown and the running back was not down - the last holding call where the replay clearly showed that he wasn't engaged was Joe broke containment). Even his 1st marginal holding call was suspect given that the same technique was being used by the Dallas line all game - with no calls. Just saying...give Zuttah a break. He played hard and was key to those big run plays that we had and stopping middle pressure on passing plays.

Gotta agree with you JO. That officiating was horrific against the Ravens. Critical phantom calls and missed-calls at key times on defense and offense just kept coming. I believe this game could've been one of the best games of the season if that had been different.

Defining Passion: That's the thing. Ray has the right to his opinion like everyone should. For all that he did for the game and his era he deserves at least that. (Passion) It's about perspective and/or open-interpretation for everyone. The only thing I see going-on in this incident is that for the 1st time the Ravens are actually being mentioned for this game. Ray's definition of passion is extroverted - Joe's is introverted, but no one achieves their levels of success without it in some form. Not in the NFL. Ray is really just saying, "I love you brother, but I need you to play better (with 3 explanation points)!!!". Joe is just saying, "I hear you brother, but I got this (with a quiet period). The teammates are really saying, "Yep, we got your back Joe!!! We're good brother Ray!!!" That's what it means to be Ravens for Life. GO Ravens!!!

That's the thing. Ray has the right to his opinion like everyone does. For all that he did for game in his era he deserves at least that. (Passion) It's about perspective and/or interpretation for everyone. The only thing I see going-on in this incident is that for the 1st time the Ravens are being mentioned for this game. Ray's definition of passion is extroverted - Joe's is introverted, but no one achieves their levels of success without it. Ray is really just saying, "I love you brother, but I need you to play better (with 3 explanation points)!!!". Joe is saying, "I hear you brother, but I got this (with a quiet period). The teammates are saying, "Yep, we got your back Joe!!! We're good brother Ray!!!" That's what it means to be Ravens for Life.