FlocksGottaFeed

The Good: We came to play and showed effort throughout proving 'next man up' works. Had we loss with a full compliment of our best players - then there's time for panic. Hated the results, but it was exciting to watch. In hindsight after looking at that (4th and goal over and over again) series of events, that's how I want my Ravens to play with 2 shots that close. Make them stop you. Go hard. Harb did that. It was a great call by Marty and if not for some missing players (key injuries) and a few missed blocks - West walks in for the TD. Untimely penalties did us in here. Nothing else. We looked a little less polished/experienced at times, because...we are and a lot of positions and fill-in roles. Yet, still out-performing teams in many critical stats (i.e. - less turnovers usually means a win). We almost had this one. We will get the next.

That's a great cliché, but that's why it's a cliché. There's always an element of luck in any game. On that particular play, most times 2 defenders would never collide like that (very low probability) and take each other out of the play. Everyone who ever played or watched the game honestly knows - a little luck is always in the equation - good or bad. http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/nfl-win-probabilities-for-week-5-dont-forget-luck/?_r=0 Yes highly competitive, hard working, talented 'winners' still play a major role in every outcome, but OBJ believes it. His words: "As much as I like Reese he got really lucky with this pick." That said, we could use a little more luck, too. Just saying.

There are several bust in the HOF that were called bust (negatively) as well. We're 6 games in.

People sometimes underestimate the impact that simple 'luck' plays in a game. When our corners basically collided on the last OBJ game-breaking TD to basically free him up to go in untouched - that wasn't so much of a Super Human feat - that was chance. OBJ should marry that kicker's net. We've been pretty competitive this season, but we could still use just a little more luck.

The Good: We didn't lose any ground in our division. Has there ever been a weekend when every AFC North team loss? The Bad: We're starting to develop a 'new' identity around the league that I truly don't like: "Bend them and they will break." Passiveness. The Ugly: Not being able to at the very least make teams adjust or stop teams from doing the obvious things they're comfortable with in any given situation. Passive un-Aggressiveness.

Bold Thought (Don't like predictions) - Joe Cool will have a big day, the Running Game will dominate the Giants D and at least 3 Giant turn-overs will result... Yeah. That's the ticket.

Interesting. Earlier this week a large majority picked the Giants. Now a small majority pick us. https://www.pressboxonline.com/2016/10/13/with-melo-trimble-back-terps-ready-to-roll Wait a minute. That's just a local small majority.That's still ok. I'm with them. GO Ravens!!!

This ^^^^^^ Perfect!!!

There's some glaring contradictions, irrational processing and over-reach in Lombardi's scribe, but these really bothered me. Drafting and Scouting = Glaring Contradictions: Lombardi's 2016 Mock Draft for 1st round (Ravens picking 4th) take's Vernon Hargreaves III (went Tampa Bay to picking 15th) So far in 5 games this guy has only (done nothing) recorded 2 pass defenses and nothing else. If my mock was that bad - how can I criticize the Ravens? Home Fan Base Support = Irrational Processing: Using the fan attendance as a singular measuring stick as an argument lead-in "Just look around M&T Bank Stadium during home games. Thousands of upper deck seats are empty and more visiting fans invade..." Really? Could the fan support have more to do with current economic challenges, the progressively growing move to just watch at a sports bar or home for a better viewing experience (and follow the entire league play for fantasy, etc.) or maybe because the entire league is experiencing similar fan participation issues without mentioning "Identity" once? He would have been better served just writing a piece examining the new 'identity' of a NFL fan in this case. There are plenty of facts out there. Organizational Conflict - Over-reach: The sky is falling!!! The sky is falling!!! Where? Lombardi said "Harbaugh’s staff has regularly consisted of older coordinators who don’t present a threat to his throne should things go awry..." How many head coaches have come directly out of the Ravens Organization in the Harbaugh Era? At least one won the last Super Bowl. Leslie Frazier is only 3 years older than, Bobby Engram is just 43, Richard Angulo just 36, etc. The majority of the coaching staff are younger and his Special Teams Coach is just 5 years older. Didn't Harb also start-out as a ST Coach? Game of Thrones - He should summons a dragon and take-out everyone mentioned. Further, when you're 'game-of-thronin' who needs a coaching staff, scouting team, GM or a freaking Owner? That would over-reach. There will be a new identity formed, but what that identity 'at the end of the day' will be more based on the players, not the organization. The league rules, FA contracting, personnel scheming, etc. changes before they hit training camp. Fortunately, we have been one of the finest FO (GM, Scouts, Coaches) in the league to stay competitive in spite of all that. This message has been approved by FlocksGottaFeed

Agreed. Hence...the OC change.

Okay cool Mili. That was too much explanation, but I appreciate the effort. I don't presume anyone's nationality in a forum or care for that matter. We're all just avatars. As I've said before - we're both saying that the Ravens 'identity' thing hasn't been established. Agreed. The only difference I have with you is I think it will be a totally 'new' identity that we haven't seen before and the players will play more of a role in what that identity will be. Now, the proverb you gave does support that concept. It's a 'new' translation of an old African proverb that inspired Shakespeare's later version and later your friend's version. The only thing that was out of context is when you added - There's an old African proverb that states; "Be who you is cause you can't be who you ain't!". The 'old' African proverb simply was 'Know thy self.' Why not give it the credit that it deserves? It's inspired 1000's of years of self reflection including Shakespeare's translation of it. It really doesn't matter what nationality you are. Maybe it will inspire our Ravens toward a 'new' identity, as well.

When I think about which team has the most pressure on them, I'd have say the Giants. They are in the 1st year of exiting a long term head coach. We just had a OC change. Eli is in his 13th season (the number of seasons when Payton got traded). Joe is in his 9th and progressively growing his career QBR. They are home after their star player OBJ has imploded nationally. We're away with nearly any locker-room tension (that I've heard about). Based on relatively equal offensive under-performances and an unquestionable statistical team defensive edge that the Ravens have heading into this game - I'd have to say we're still in good position to get this one. The pressure has to be greater in the Giants locker-room and with the NY Media, but the urgency for both teams on the field is equal. Ravens...no pressure. Just get this one. GO Ravens!!!

It's next 'men' up! With this many starters potentially out...it's gotta be. The upside: Giants are 'next men up' too.

Oh, I'm sorry that's why that exact quote can't be found anywhere in a search. My bad, but I did find these African quotes: "To thine own self be true..." Shakespeare (inspired by a century old Sindabele African proberb) - "Know thyself". That said, if your African friend rephrased it at the time with such an use of broken English it is within reason (maybe he's just learning the language or has added his own spin to it), but that doesn't make it an African Proverb it makes it your friend's homage to a proverb. As far as the Ravens 'identity' aspect of your comment goes...I completely agreed with most of what you said so where am I wrong, again? The Ravens can't jump back in time to become what previous teams were. They must and will form a NEW identity based on who they are here and now and putting an empathize on what they do best . Before you answer remember - To thine own self be true and know thyself.

Great! Seems like the majority of 'predictions' have us in the underdog role, again. Now that's when we play best. I think many will be eating crow this coming Sunday. Good morning... GO Ravens!!!

The proverb aside (spoken in no African language ever spoken - correct me if I'm wrong, but who said that? Really.) I agree with most of what you've stated 'identity' wise. I was definitely one of those fans who mentioned this weeks ago. It seems someone at RSR has been trolling to find subject matter here. It's cool. I don't think that old version of the Ravens 'Smash Mouth - Black and Blue - 3 headed Monster Attack' will ever resurface again because the league has changed to effectively minimize the ultra-aggressive play that would normally compliment those schemes. No, we haven't formed a new identity yet, but it will have to be a 'new' identity not the old. My hope is that we look at our talent and what they do best and just scheme to the players we have and...and....wait on it...Eureka!!!! A new identity is formed.

Most fan bases with a rookie and a 2nd year player in his 1st season (rookie year) would be totally content with 1 drop after 5 games. http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2016/ Granted our offense hasn't been productive enough by any means of the imagination, but focusing on 1 drop or 2 directed at the rookies isn't a very good or honest assessment. The OC change may rectify our offensive ineptitude or not, but most would have to honestly make the assessment of our receiving core to be above average (based on recorded stats). According to these relative, professional, documented findings - our team averages less than 1 drop per activated targeted player in team receptions.

I think he's more like Dez (potentially). He struggled a little on very catch-able balls earlier in his career. The catch BP made on the Josh Norman injury was absolutely grade A. He's got the potential. That end-zone toe tap thing wasn't an easy catch and didn't lose the game for us. It was an incredible pass and required an equally incredible (if not more incredible) catch to make it all work against one of the top 5 corners in the game. To go right at Norman in crunch time tells us how much this team believes in his potential. Hopefully as the season continues we won't consistently be in these 'panic mode/do or die' scenarios and expecting miraculous results.

Playoff Joe I wouldn't trade for any QB in the league.

Suggestion Action Plan for the Giants: Let the fans script the 1st 20 offense plays Let the fans script the last 20 offense plays Had this happened our last 2 games we'd be 5-0 right now. Just a thought.

OH the humanity!!! I'm not sure that I can remember a more poorly schemed offensive performance. Trestman was utterly lost. It cries-out for audibles and I don't think that happened either. There's no way that this should not have been a Ravens win. I'm starting to think that Trestman may need to be put in Witness Protection and relocated to an unnamed country that's never heard of 'Situational Awareness' or football. Embarrassing. Really wanted him to workout, but...naw.

Based on last year's blatantly bad game changing, mind-blowing, blown and questionable calls that had an enormous affect on some of our games and overall 2015 record (3-5 at home & 5-11 overall) what is your opinion on how new rules (Chop Blocks, Taunting, Receptions?, 25 yard-line for Touch-backs, 2 Strike Personal Fouls Ejections, Game Clock Reviews, etc.) are impacting or not our team. http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/3/23/11288894/nfl-rules-changes-chop-blocks-cut-blocks-legal-illegal-explanation There still seems to be a lot of grey areas and there have been some very controversial calls leading to win/lose records already in this season. We've seen a lot of crazy stuff since the Ravens were formed, but is it getting better or worst for us going forward?

Just to open the conversation...I think that at least 2 new rules have already impacted our team schemes and approaches: New Chop-Block Rule - It's why we're seemingly systematically abandoning our 'Zone Strength Blocking' Scheme: As Harb prophetically stated his objections this summer it has changed the game. It's almost possible to execute without the 'old chop-block' technique. The emergence of West and Dixon along with our O-line success will validate the scheme change. We've always been able to adapt-and-adjust. The Kick-off Rule - We've got one of the prolific, elite kickers in the game. Only lesser kickers suffered there. nuff said. Don't know what's going to happen going forward for us, but it's been light and day from negatively, bad penalty calls on us this season. Refs get a B- (good, but missed a couple) and rules get a A- (pretty good) so far as we're concerned. I voted 'Better' for that although (If it changes) I'll be the 1st to change my vote.

Agreed. What gets me is we're pretty much in the same position at this point of the season as our last Super Bowl 2012 team statistically with a history of always being in the playoff hunt for a great majority of the time (with the exception of last year) in the Ozzie/Harbugh Era. If those same dudes from the NFL network (video posted earlier in this thread) have completely changed their tune from the 1st week to this week of season (check week one broadcast...Anti-Ravens brutal) and are now picking us to make some noise - why so much negativity here? I'm all in right now. Not to repeat 2012, but to win this next one at the very least. After this one just repeat the statement that preceded this one until we are statically eliminated from the playoffs. See - there's some 'positive' here to talk about.

Good point. A valet point. Though I think it's possibly got something to do with doubt over actuality. Last season was a perfect storm of 'whatever bad can happen - happened...' but this is not the case so far this season. We're healthier with more talent, more continuity, improving weekly and in position to compete with most teams in the league tomorrow and win. If the progress and a little luck (unlike last season) continues at this rate I can comfortable see that changing to '...any team in the league and win.". There's no doubt that we could and should have a great opportunity to beat Washington Sunday (per almost every pregame prediction), so what gives? Any given Sunday anything is possible, but shouldn't just that only in this case drive us away from last week to the possibility of this one? I just say: "We got this." until it's proven differently (especially this season). GO Ravens!