FlocksGottaFeed

2 hours ago, DomMcRaven said:

Are you going to be on one of the other forum sites?

Hopefully.

It's been real. It was great that we at least had this forum, this space for awhile. I truly appreciate each and everyone here for simply being here and sharing a thought. No matter if we agree or disagree, it's the sharing that matters no matter where we get that opportunity to share again. Thank you my brothers and sisters eternal.

FlocksGottaFeed...out (Just rather sign-out than be taken-out).

4 inches.

The Hester-thing: I was shocked that anyone would pick him up after his last Ravens game, but I was happy to see him ball-out back at his old team stadium. He had nothing to lose and played with pride, determination and reckless-abandonment. He found it and found himself again in that game. I wish he had found it with us, but as a football purist I still appreciated the opportunity to see him perform like like that just one more time (even if it wasn't for us).

The AFC QB Super Bowl Elite-thing: Funny stuff, yet pretty inventive journalism in hindsight. Just saying...why in last 14 years? Why not last decade? Maybe it was to get more responses or to go back to the pre-SkyGate wins for the Patriots or to add the Cowher era to the Tomlin Era or what???

Let's just do the normal 'every' decade-thing: 10 year AFC QB Comparison 5-5 (Elite Club)

• Brady 1-2

• Ben 1-1

• Manning 2-2 (Denver and Idie Teams)

• Flacco 1-0

Only QB undefeated in the Super Bowl this decade Brees, Rogers, Eli and Flacco. You see what I did? That entire topic is sadly irrelevant.

The Steelers/Patriots-thing: Don't care who wins that one.
Wait a minute...I just changed my mind. My hate for the Patriots far out weighs my contempt for the Steelers understanding that I would prefer rooting for another root-canal. That said, I would like for the Patriots to win in such an embarrassing performance from both teams that it leaves each team looking forward to the off-season even before the SB has been played. Belichick does a live FB locker-room feed announcing his retirement after another embarrassing SB loss, Brady loses his Uggs endorsements and Kraft shrinks 3 more inches which would officially give him Hobgoblin status for the next Marvel movie...you feel me?  

5 hours ago, BiggMack91 said:

ogden also didn't give up a sack until his second year an that was 1 all of his second season but only gave up 26 for his hole career

Different era - different game. Those numbers will most likely never be seen again.

• Passing attempts have nearly doubled.
• Rushing specialist and schemes are more advantageous.
• Team speed per defender is off the charts.
• New blocking rules surrender more defensive advantages.

Not to take anything away from Ogden (HoF), but at the same time not to take anything away from this youngster. He deserves all the accolades. There's only one Ogden and hopefully when it's all said and done...people will be saying the same about Stanley.

45 minutes ago, dirtybird66 said:

hypothetical question,if you could trade QB.FLACCO for KURT COUSINS and brought in PIERE CARCON and DESHAUN JACKSON,wood you take it??

NO! I don't like that!!!

That said, I would love to get D Jax to fill SSS vacancy. He's got a Ravens-edge. You like that?

1 hour ago, Ravenseconbeast said:

So when do we have the cap to get back into contending for Lombardi again?

With the projected increase of 11-15 million cap increase, I would say it's very likely. It will take some creative contract restructuring, position drafting, releases, etc. but they'll get if done. The question is if we want to go for it in 2017 (max it out) or under invest and conserve cap to re-position for 2018 (scale-back).

I hope we go for broke. We're just a few players away from competing to winning it all.

18 hours ago, ALSKAN RAVEN FAN said:

Lets get it straight " Perriman has a long ways to go" to be a true #1 WR n the NFL anyone that does not see that is either delusional and flat out drinking the purple kool-aid or just not very smart. Lets be clear I am not saying he cant be a #1 NFL WR but he has got a lot of work to do to get to that point.

Really can't agree that he's got a "long" way to go. There's just not enough games played or targets recorded to honestly evaluate that. Perriman's 1st season is similar to many recent 1-3 year #1 receivers currently.  

For Example: Comparing Antonio Brown's 3rd Season - His potential level is on pace.

BP: 33 receptions - 66 targets - 499 yards - 15 yd average - 53 yd long - 3 TD
AB: 66 receptions - 105 targets - 787 yards - 11.5 yd average - 60 yd long - 5 TD

How would that have looked if Perriman got double the targets (66 like Brown) this season and/or next season? We just don't know.

Based on similar comparisons to several #1 receivers league-wide with similar 1st-2nd-3rd year numbers one would have to honestly reserve over-evaluating potential and projecting growth after only one year of play. Purple Kool-aid or not. There's just not enough there to see yet. Once he gets #1 targets per game we'll have more to access.

19 minutes ago, -Truth- said:

I'm personally not overly thrilled with the move. For a team with our passing quantity, our outside routes may have benefited from a bit more variety. Taking the Dallas game as an example, roughly 11 of the 17 passing plays ran in the first half involved both outside receivers running the same route, most of which were double hitches and double nines. Kamar Aiken had the only double move in that span. Dallas was comfortable in press-man on the outside with a sprinkle of Cover 2 otherwise, and our outside WRs were unsurprisingly ineffective on those 11 plays, amassing 25 yards on 2 catches on 5 targets, one being a failed conversion against soft coverage on 3rd and long. For a team that quite literally led the league in passing attempts, it was an alarming issue and one that was sometimes seen too often throughout Mornhinweg's tenure as our OC this season. We're inviting corners to sit on the routes after the first break. It's part of the reason why we were 1st in passing attempts and 5th worst in yards per attempt.

In addition, and this is beating a dead horse at this point, but I hope that our balance takes a rapid shift from the previous few seasons. Joe Flacco finished 2nd to Drew Brees in attempts this year by a single throw, which he would've surpassed had he not sat for Ryan Mallett. Last season, he was on pace to finish 2nd to Philip Rivers by a single throw. In 3 of the last 4 seasons, Flacco's averaged over 40 attempts per game, and the results haven't been favorable. We're looking at 53 TDs to 49 INTs and a 6.4 YPA. That's not meant as a direct slight to our QB, especially since it's something that's happened just 6 times in the last 4 years. In-between those years lies a balanced 2014 where he had what may have been a career season. And yes, injuries, inconsistencies among skill positions/OL and unspectacular run blocking didn't help, but the most frustrating aspect of this year was the fact that we had two very capable runners and a mostly healthy OL down the stretch, yet we continued to heave the ball on first downs and attempted to dig ourselves out of holes on the following downs when the former ones ended in incompletions. It just wasn't a working formula and the lack of creativity didn't aid the situation. I'm obviously cheering for Mornhinweg to right the ship next season since his performance could significantly impact our standings next season, but I'm skeptical at this point. I hope I'm proven wrong.

I'm with you. I hope I'm proven wrong, as well. At some point we have to put the team first.

23 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

So you don't think Marty can elevate Joe but you think he should be the QB coach?

You can be a GREAT QB coach and never be an OC and be a part of a GREAT Offensive Team. Just saying.

9 hours ago, RaineV1 said:

Brady didn't give up any of his salary. He still got every dollar in his contract, just through different methods that didn't count against the cap.

Good point. I was 'Camp Marty' during the interim, but think he would have serve better back in his QBC role for Joe.

Firstly, nobody hates Brady as much as I do (who hasn't been committed, yet.). When I used "i.e. Brady..." as it relates to contracts it was not as if I didn't already know how those contracts go. I've detailed it several times before. I used that point knowing that all agents and franchise QBs and players have the power to influence their franchises to better their teams. When change is needed in-order for the team to succeed and ultimately elevate team direction they utilize it.

It's simple. They just say "Make it happen!" publicly. There's no money lost. There's just more trust, belief and resolve communicated to everyone else on the team. That's what leadership looks like. That's an open acknowledgement that this individual (Joe) would prefer his offensive unit to be considered 'elite' above all other things. The weird-thing about this is if you research when they stopped questioning if 'elite' QBs were actually elite - it was after the entire offensive unit was crowned first. 

More importantly to this topic: Marty offers our franchise QB Joe a comfort-zone of complacency. This will only result in mediocrity thinly masked in stats (i.e. Completion and Tight-end Records set recently) - not successful team outcomes and/or championships if this continues.

Pitta and Joe love the Marty decision, but does anyone else...really? Ask yourself: Is Joe or the rest of the offense better-off due to this? Why is Marty here as OC? This most likely can't be about OC 'continuity' (Admittedly, we don't historically do that. ). It can only be about a 'comfort-zone'. That doesn't win Super Bowls. 

19 hours ago, Ravensfan23 said:

4. Are you kidding me? Seriously? I know Flacco had a down season and he'll probably get beat up all offseason until he performs well next season, but you can't be serious with this. Address his ego? What NFL player doesn't have a ego? I'm sorry but i want every single one of my players thinking they are the best at their position and giving their teammates that confidence as well. 

There are very few that are truly 'the best' at their positions.
The real challenge is working to make others acknowledge that you truly are one of the best at what you do.

Very good overall statement; however, I think you've missed my point on this one. The 1st question you have to ask is, "Did Marty improve Joe's play or not this season?" If you feel he has than we simply have a difference of opinion.

It's my opinion that he did not based on games coached. I was in 'Camp Marty' the entire time during his interim duties as OC because of the continuity and familiarity aspects of Joe and his relationship with the team. A mid-season change like bringing in someone else would have been too much, but a change is needed now.

Marty is not the answer. You believe he'll right the ship, but I see more of the same. He's no Kubiak - who had so much league-wide respect that demanded Joe's respect. On the other hand, Marty pretty much pandered to Joe's ego which hampered Joe's play and didn't challenge his resolve (examples: Pass to Run ratio especially when the run was abandoned while averaging good gains, allowing Joe to run too many short 'comfort-zone' pass plays for minimal gains and calling many plays that didn't highlight/maximize the strengths of the other skill-players based-on situational awareness.

Yes, every NFL player has an ego, but every NFL player should also not let ego get in the way of development. Joe's problem is not arm-strength, ball placement, the playbook, etc. It's mental. He's said on several occasions that he wants to be considered 'elite' and I truly want that for him, but it's not about what you say - it's what's displayed. There has been a noticeable regression since our last appearance in the AFC Championship. Marty should have been allowed to continue-on as a QB Coach after this season. He's not the type of guy who can turn our offense around nor elevate Joe.

My thoughts are really about the rest of the offense. The Dixen and West paring could be one of the best tandems in the league, our o-line could also be elite and with 2 of the fastest receivers in the league...? We'll let's just say it's not all about Joe's ego it's about the team. Marty coached to Joe's ego - not the unit.

Does Our Organization Really Want to "Help Joe"? Really?

Here's the deal: If we really wanted to help Joe the 1st thing to do is to acknowledge and accept who he is. He will never likely be a top-tier QB by the end of his career. He is a reasonably efficient QB who if put in the right conditions can have 'top-tier' QB games from time to time. I'm still a fan of Joe's, but I think our organization is completely missing the boat on what it would take to elevate his play and make it more consistent. More play makers, coaching continuity and dedication are good, reasonable wishes, but Joe's more important need is urgency. It's mental beyond everything else.

1. Firstly, have him admit to himself that he's not a top-tier QB currently although he's had a few great games (playoffs and SB). This will only challenge him to work harder to get to that goal and/or humble him enough to know that he must sacrifice enough to help the entire offensive unit to become top-tier. This may mean giving-up some of his salary to procure more talent around him (i.e. - Brady).

2. Coaching/Continuity: The Marty-thing was a mistake. It won't help Joe to get there at all. The best move would have been to keep Marty as a QB Coach (only). That's adequate continuity. He should have just remained as a season fill-in and continue his earlier role because of his amicable relationship with Joe, but change is needed.

3. Bring-in a new OC that runs the current system, but lights a fire under Joe and doesn't allow him to dictate his play, scheme or even allow him to over-assess his development. Start with the most difficult variations of the current scheme during the off-season and stay with them.

4. Lastly, address his ego before it's too late. Yes, Joe has a huge ego. Examples of this are the "I don't want to be lining up at Z and X. I want to line up behind center..." wildcat rant even though the play averaged over 10 yards per attempt, on the ELITE question "I mean, I think I’m the best," he said back then. "I don’t think I’m top-five, I think I’m the best. I don’t think I’d be very successful at my job if I didn’t feel that way. I mean, come on." and his consistent insistence on not audibly out of bad play calls, work with the entire receiving core and skill players during off-seasons and generally not accepting critic even when it's due.

This said, it's mental. If the organization wants to truly help this soon to be 10 year veteran QB and elevate the team as well, challenge is resolve - don't pander to his comfort-zone. He performs better in that role and so does the rest of the team.

Does Our Organization Really Want to "Help Joe"? Really?

Here's the deal: If we really wanted to help Joe the 1st thing to do is to acknowledge and accept who he is. He will never likely be a top-tier QB by the end of his career. He is a reasonably efficient QB who if put in the right conditions can have 'top-tier' QB games from time to time. I'm still a fan of Joe's, but I think our organization is completely missing the boat on what it would take to elevate his play and make it more consistent. More play makers, coaching continuity and dedication are good, reasonable wishes, but Joe's more important need is urgency. It's mental beyond everything else.

1. Firstly, have him admit to himself that he's not a top-tier QB currently although he's had a few great games (playoffs and SB). This will only challenge him to work harder to get to that goal and/or humble him enough to know that he must sacrifice enough to help the entire offensive unit to become top-tier. This may mean giving-up some of his salary to procure more talent around him (i.e. - Brady).
2. Coaching/Continuity: The Marty-thing was a mistake. It won't help Joe to get there at all. The best move would have been to keep Marty as a QB Coach (only). That's adequate continuity. He should have just remained as a season fill-in and continue his earlier role because of his amicable relationship with Joe, but change is needed.
3. Bring-in a new OC that runs the current system, but lights a fire under Joe and doesn't allow him to dictate his play, scheme or even allow him to over-assess his development. Start with the most difficult variations of the current scheme during the off-season and stay with them.
4. Lastly, address his ego before it's too late. Yes, Joe has a huge ego. Examples of this are the "I don't want to be lining up at Z and X. I want to line up behind center..." wildcat rant even though the play averaged over 10 yards per attempt, on the ELITE question "I mean, I think I’m the best," he said back then. "I don’t think I’m top-five, I think I’m the best. I don’t think I’d be very successful at my job if I didn’t feel that way. I mean, come on." and his consistent insistence on not audibly out of bad play calls, work with the entire receiving core and skill players during off-seasons and generally not accepting critic even when it's due.

This said, it's mental. If the organization wants to truly help this soon to be 10 year veteran QB and elevate the team as well, challenge is resolve - don't pander to his comfort-zone. He performs better in that role and so does the rest of the team.

An Inspirational Warrior. I'll always be thankful for having the opportunity to witness your greatest.

1 minute ago, Militant X 1 said:

What is the "true" meaning of that motto or creed?

Surely, it can't be this junk we've witnessed this season, let alone this game vs the Bengals today?

 

Take that 1st sentence and flip it around (Inspired, pride-full, no-quit and all-out competitive effort with a touch of nastiness added.).   

Just one of the plain UGLIEST, uninspired, pride-less, defeated and disenfranchised efforts I've ever seen from our franchise. And the mere fact that it was Steve Smith Sr.'s last NFL game makes it UNPRECEDENTEDLY heartless.

We've been coming into games flat while closing out this season (Patriots, Eagles and Steelers) and failing to putting together 4 quarters of winning football, but this game....we lacked competitive focus throughout. Breaks my heart.

The Good: We have the building blocks (or more appropriately based on this season "rebuilding blocks") to right the ship, but we need our nastiness back. There's talent, but it's obviously going to take more to get it back to 'Playing Like Ravens' literally. 

The Ugly: Those earlier losses that we should have won (at the very least) two or three of them.

The Bad: We just got beat. There's really no one or unit that cost us this one. We just got beaten on Christmas Day by a great play.

The Good: It was one of the "Great Games of the Season and Our Rivalry" - nobody can argue that.

The Reason for the Season: We've come back from one of the worst seasons ever, but we still have a little more of a way to go to get back to that top 8 team that wins Super Bowls. That said, I believe we're on an upward trajectory and shouldn't ever look back. That's the only Christmas Gift that I wanted to see (upward trajectory) when the 2016 schedule was announced.

Still Ravens for Life. 

Re-post from News: A Simple Thank You Might Do...

It's very easy to play devil's advocate about Hester's signing in hindsight, but the reality of how and why he got here is more much complicated. At his tryout and eventual signing there were very little options out there and we desperately needed someone dependable to take on the returning duties. That said, a proven veteran returner 1st ballet HoFer candidate (although beyond his prime) was the reasonable choice to make good game time decisions. This was critical to address the 'new' league kick-off rules that included 25 yard-line touch back protocol.

I imagine that the thought would be that he simply catches most balls and takes a knee or fields punts cleanly when needed. However; like most teams experienced this year, the new rules only increased the returners responsibilities more (kicking short of the goal-line and more exotic angled and more problematic punting schemes and techniques. The game left Hester behind and vulnerable. He still managed to get reasonable production 180 yards on punts and 466 yards kick-off returns which was close to his 2014 average (his last great season before injury in Atlanta). I just really wanted him to break one last big one this season for us, but...oh well. However, we still should show a little more class in thanking him for whatever he contributed to our team at the very least. Thanks for adding the Ravens to your legacy.

That said, his last game was a definite wake-up call. The release was justified and merciful. He has obviously fought his last battle and deserves to exit with grace.

Good luck Devin to you and your family in your journey going forward.

10 hours ago, arnie_uk said:

It was 3rd down. we kicked a fg next play 

Good observation Arnie. Yes I'm (painfully) aware that it was 3rd and 4, but that's why you just ground it - less risk. It is always much better to ground the ball at an eligible receivers foot when you're in a 'dead play' situation than to take a sack. You just don't lose yards on sacks alone. You tend to lose game momentum, create more uncertainty on the line, risk QB injury and give your opponent more fire.

We simply had the wrong play at the wrong time and were fortunate we didn't get our QB injured and have an elite kicker that could at the very least still get points out of the drive. Just saying - we got completely out-schemed on that play. Have to give credit were credit when it's do. The 'Empire' won this episode.

5 hours ago, Sir Spooky said:

It's 6 on 6 or should be at least. I think Juice looks like he was blocking cuz it doesn't like he was sneaking out to run a route. 

If there was more time, Flacco could have maybe attempted a throw to Pitta in the back corner of the endzone. 

No time to step-up. You just throw it at Juice's foot and live to see another down.

7 hours ago, codizzle said:

Here's a game to play.. can you spot how many glaring problems there are in this one screenshot 

(ninkovich sack play)

We simply got out schemed on this down. 6 rushers - 4 patterns at the 1st down marker - no outlet receivers - dead play.

It's very easy to play devil's advocate about Hester's signing in hindsight, but the reality of how and why he got here is more much complicated. At his tryout and eventual signing there were very little options out there and we desperately someone dependable to take on the returning duties. That said, a proven veteran returner 1st ballet HoFer candidate (although beyond his prime) was the reasonable choice to make good game time decisions. This was critical to address the 'new' league kick-off rules that included 25 yard-line touch back protocol.

I imagine that the thought would be that he simply catches most balls and takes a knee or fields punts cleanly when needed. However; like most teams experienced this year, the new rules only increased the returners responsibilities more (kicking short of the goal-line and more exotic angled and more problematic punting schemes and techniques. The game left Hester behind and vulnerable. He still managed to get reasonable production 180 yards on punts and 466 yards kick-off returns which was close to his 2014 average (his last great season before injury in Atlanta). I just really wanted him to break one last big one this season for us, but...oh well. However, we still should show a little more class in thanking him for whatever he contributed to our team at the very least. Thanks for adding the Ravens to your legacy.

That said, his last game was a definite wake-up call. The release was justified and merciful. He has obviously fought his last battle and deserves to exit with grace.

Good luck Devin to you and your family in your journey going forward.   

What this reinforces to me is Weddle's leadership. The measure of a leader could not be more levitated than the class, manhood and unselfishness he displayed immediately after the game. He accepted his responsibility for that final TD and didn't make excuses and/or pass blame for the loss even though he arguably had another 'All-Pro' total game performance (red-zone interception and a big down, drive stopping sack, etc.).

Unlike Brady's earlier 'brat-like' screaming, over-reactionary tirade directed unfairly at anybody and everybody but himself for an over-thrown pass that probably should have never been thrown in the 1st place, Eric 'manned-up'.

When you're competing on at that level - you're going to take risk to impose your team's will and resolve. The last gamble he took unfortunately just didn't pan-out. Win or loss...I'll still take Weddle's leadership over Cry Brady's any day of the week.   

11 minutes ago, football knowledge said:

Gifted wrapped those 14 pts.. thanks to Cyrus Jones and Matthew Slater.

Yes. Kind of like the gift wraps our ST gave points away on. That's football, but not any 'special' knowledge needed.

No really. No 'football knowledge' needed on that point.