Ravenous_Ravens

The 2016 Ravens have only begun. The game against the Fins was the primary ignition kicking in for this journey to the promised land. Believe it or not this Ravens team will give Brady more fits than past teams. The reason is simple, before Brady could primarily focus on Ray and Reed. Now it is not so obvious who to really focus and game plan around as contributions keep coming from every position at critical moments to make the difference. It won't be an easy game, but give the Ravens defense the element of surprise plus the best run defense in the NFL. Got a good feeling about the pass rush this week with Gronk out.

Would love to see Webb pick Brady clean once or twice this next game. Bonus points if he takes it to the house.

I'll admit I was one of those that mentioned Webb as overpaid for his position, earlier this season. Glad to be proven wrong. Great game Lardarius and keep it going. Would be great to win another SB with you out there playing in the big game. I'll add, he is a very selfless individual who is always willing to move around where ever the team needs him.

No need to worry about run balance as far as numbers go. Run balance is really just about keeping teams defenses honest so they cannot force you into being one-dimensional (run only or pass only). I'll also add, if something is working don't go breaking it. Time to go and light a fire in Foxborough and send the Pats packing. It will be a hard fought game, but ultimately Ravens will prevail. The difference will be the fact the Ravens get their PATS.

Was a good game. Stay humble. This game is done and in the books. Time to take care of business on the road in Gillette stadium. Take note, if this offense can build a lead, this defense can certainly close out games. Pats game is very winnable if everyone comes to play for each other. Be ready to deal with a noisy stadium and unruly fans.

I agree with your point but there needs to be some balance considerations also. It is a long season and you want to be able to play strong throughout the season and hopefully playoffs. The cold weather games coming should see move of a running attack. Like the article states, defenders don't always like hitting so much in the cold weather and footing often favors offensive play makers. Sounds good with this West-Dixon combo going and relatively fresh going into December.

If there was any player who could handle the move it was Forsett. He is a classy player and found his footing elsewhere. He displayed great humility moving on and was a great player to have been around this organization.

Awarding a single point on the kick off is a great idea. It also plays in favor of the recent change to move the kickoff spot up the field. At least instead of the ball just sailing out the end zone, which still occurs frequently, add the excitement of watching the kicker try to hit what is really a very long FG. It also provides teams with an alternative solution to closer small point gaps created through 2 pt conversions, etc. I would even be in favor of the receiving team (offense) gaining extra 5 yards on the spot if you miss the attempt and the ball goes out the end zone, just to add a little risk/reward to the decision. Catching the ball in the end zone would only bring the ball out to the current spot. The ability to score a single doesn't mean every kicker would go for it every play. Sometimes you would purposely want to kick a returnable ball to try and pin the opponent deep in their end. Also a single point does not mess with the flow of the game very much except in a very tight game, within 3 points (FG). Anything more than that and a single is just not going to matter much. One small consideration that would need to be determined with trials, is if the current kick off spot is a fair spotting to give all kickers a reasonable chance to kick a single. Many people see the current kickoffs, especially with rule changes as automatic commercial breaks to replenish food, drinks, bio, etc. Make the play interesting again with less

Good I am not the only one to see this error make it to the press.

Time to practice the old two legged slide right on your big 'ol butt Flacco. Just get them dangling legs in front and and recline like it's your own personal Lazy-boy moment.

Even IF Marvin Lewis accepted the penalty, it was going to be risky. Either the Ravens end up backed up too far for the FG and either punt to pin them deep, not exactly ideal late in a tight game, or gamble for it and maybe make the conversion. He knows Harbaugh is a ST coach and obviously has some fake plays in his back pocket. Most coaches would have made the same choice to concede the 3 points to avoid being pinned deep. It almost paid off too if not for a fumble to close the game out, essentially. That safety on the other hand was so well executed, that no one even rushed Cox for at least 8 seconds. Definitely won't be seeing that play called for a few years now.

Where are all the critics that said the Ravens paid too much for a kicker now? Money well spent, especially since kickers generally rack up a significant amount of points over a season not to mention the clutch kicks when you need them.

Penalties are definitely an issue but for arguments sake put things into perspective. The reality is in years past with an older roster on average, the penalties were fewer mostly due to experience having gotten past the bad habits, etc. With a much younger roster in general it should be expected to some degree that penalties will be an issue for a bit, which we are seeing now. Call it growing pains. It is very rare to experience real growth at anything without first struggling, after all mistakes are the greatest teachers, they are not biased.

I could care less what he (Boyle) says. It is what he does moving forward that matters now. That aside he brings some much needed blocking ability and pass catching threat element.

Not a certainty. It would definitely make things tougher to make the playoffs though.

Agreed. I'm just not so sure how ready Web is to make a switch. Playing safety is much different and he doesn't quite have the same burst he used to. But they did keep Elam so they should make the switch. Web will bring a lot of experience, even if he is just a bit slower.

Gonna need some PA this week to keep Bengals defense guessing and spread them out. Do not stop toting that rock. Be smart when to run and keep the defense honest. Pass game will benefit if they can run the ball effectively. Keys to game are: 100 yards rushing, play stout defense and do not turn the ball over or commit avoidable penalties. Get back to Ravens football, games are won and lost in the trenches.

I get Dallas has a decent run defense but when you can run with success as we all saw in the first half, why abandon it completely? Need a balanced approach to keep the opposing defenses honest. Passing game would have been wide open if they stuck with the run, or get continue to get gashed up the middle.

If any player has to rely on other players to get them fired up to play, that is a weak excuse. It is each man's responsibility to prepare themselves to play to the best of their ability. To try and suggest that that is on Joe's shoulders is a low blow. These are professional athletes earning big dollars. Even if Joe were to take Ray's take and become more fiery, let's not forget what makes Joe great, his ability to stay calm and not wilt under pressure. Yes he has bad games, but I never see him give up mentally and check out even when things are not going great. Once you get involved in trying to pump up team mates all the time, it makes it very difficult to not ride those waves of emotion without bottoming out in bad situations.

There is something to be said for being too uptight especially before the game even starts. Seeing comfortable, relaxed players during the week outside of team practice, etc is a good thing. Suggs has been performing even with the injury so no need to panic. It's when a player isn't showing results on the field you start to worry.

Man the first T.West replay, if Stanley keeps blocking up field he could have blocked #51 and probably sprung T.West to the house. #51 was the only one that forces the cut back into the defenders. Just saying, and I'm sure he's seen and will learn from it.

This is the game where people will be forced to face the fact the Ravens Defense is more than legit when it holds Elliott to under 100 yards and gives Prescott fits. Here's hoping Joe takes is serious to out perform his rookie opponent QB.

There is something to be said for clarity in communication.

The best players get the nod on game day, keeps the competition in high gear and keeps players from slacking. Also the opponent they play and the game plan factor in too. One good game does not mean too much in the scheme of things. Gotta prove you can do it week in and week out consistently.

BW is a freak of athleticism. I still remember watching him nimbly walk on his hands, something I've never even seen a man of his stature attempt, let alone do successfully. Or the story about him manhandling port-o-potties by himself. It was supposed to be a joke on the new guy, except he fooled them when he moved it himself. They should make a secret play for him where he gets a nice run, once he gets going, no one is gonna stop him in short yardage situations...