Ravenous_Ravens

I don't care it's high or low draft pick, but sweeping the Bengals is good in my book.....perfect ending season game to start with great optimistic approach for next year....

Finally a good mindset. As a coach you are always looking to ways to motivate you team. Sweeping a divisional opponent that has given you trouble in recent years is definitely worth getting up for. It also provides you recent footage of what can work against them heading into the next season. Success breads success, so one should always be looking to win, regardless of situation.

If you intentionally lose all 16 games, you get the first pick in the draft.

Actually this is "How to Get Fired: 101"

I have to question releasing Dumervil and keeping Jimmy Smith. Dumervil had one injury that hurt him this season, since the very first game Smith played in he has been injured to some extent. That needs to stop. We all love Smith when he plays, he just doesnt play enough to justify that cap hit.

Hurst is a bum. Why he would start at right tackle instead of putting Alex Lewis in there to see what he could do is just insane. I am still trying to figure how Hurst is on the team after causing Flaccos injury last year and basically being a turnstile, it makes no sense to put him out there. It has made no sense for him to even be on this team.

There has to be a serious look at Castillo as our Offensive line has been in a downward spiral since Andy Moller left. Regardless of why Moller left, or was terminated, we need to clear the ranks of Harbaughs buddies who were at the eagles with him. Ozzie and Steve need to sit him down and tell him we really need skilled people at these positions, especially since Harbaugh is only a special teams coach. It is time to clear the Ravens of the nepotism that gets Harbaughs buddies hired and actually hire coordinators based on their skill and abilities, not just that they used to work with the Eagles.

Ozzie and Steve need to take a tighter control of the reins in this next year and not allow Harbaugh to make the decisions he makes regarding coaches, personnel and in game decisions. Let us not forget there was a run of three straight games that we barely lost and had Harbaugh not made poor decisions like going for it on fourth when a FG was money in the bank. Had we just not decided to be outrageously aggressive, we could have won the division and still lost to the Steelers and the Bengals had Harbaugh just been a little smarter about his decisions. There would have really been no need to even sweat this as the Raiders, Redskins and Jets games could have and should have been victories and the loss was directly because of Harbuagh's aggressiveness.

Harbaugh's aggressiveness comes from his belief in his team to get the job done. I would be much more concerned if he never showed faith in his team to get the task accomplished. Trying and failing is a part of being successful. No one is perfect in all matters, and it stands to reason you will miss at some point.

I will agree the running game strategy needs addressing, but it has little do with Andy Moller. The fact is since Juan Castillo took over, they left the Zone Run Scheme which was very successful. Seriously!? Why would anyone stop doing what is working and working well. A few years or run game regression should be proof enough that was a horrible decision. Waiting for Harbaugh to step up and say the current run game strategy just is not good enough and we had great success before making this change. Changing what works is the all time most boneheaded move you can make as a coach or manager, on par with purposely derailing your future success.

Dummervil is not going anywhere. Jimmy Smith is not going anywhere.
They are too valuable to this team and face it, it is difficult to find good pass rushers and corners. Don't be surprised to see several CB/S drafted this off season in a deep CB class. Pretty much impossible to not draft another pass rusher as well. Also hopeful that KC can be more of a factor next season, but that depends on the coaching staff putting him in a position to succeed. It did him no favors by changing his position while making the adjustment from college to pro ball. He rarely saw much game time at all, which only makes this off season even more critical for his development.

Just let Tucker attempt a 70 yarder FG this week!!!

There is literally nothing to lose now. I'm sure Bengals would love to see history in the making too. Do it and give all the fans something to really talk about in a otherwise run of the mill game.

He got paid I consider that a success but I hope he learns how to BLOCK!

Pitta can block. He may not be the best blocking tight end, but if you look at his overall skill set it more than makes up for average blocking. Not many TE's can run routes and catch like Pitta, not to mention have that toughness. Don't let two hip injuries lull you into thinking he's soft.

I respect Yanda for playing out of position to take pressure off his shoulder and help the line. Wish Jimmy Smith had that play through pain mindset, I'll give him a pass for the high ankle sprain, but there has been many times he is hurt and doesn't suit up, always happens to be big games too.

Cannot compare the two injuries. High ankle sprain basically makes it darn near impossible to run at full speed and make the required cuts out there to cover a WR. He would play, no doubt in my mind, but he would only become a big target to pick on.

Yanda playing through injury had more to do with, among other things, the ability to still play at a high level.

Reality is no one gets to the NFL and is not a tough player/personality, it is practically a requirement from the first day you strap on your bucket.

All any Raven needs to do to find a great character in the locker room is look to Yanda. This man does it all and never complains and has great success despite facing challenges. To play on the line, one of the most physical positions with an injury out of position and still be graded among the best is just insane.

Well winning is always good and helps to keep everyone focused on what it takes to win. Either way this game goes though will not matter much. Draft pick aside, winning means tougher schedule next season. Draft pick order would really only move slightly. It will still be a good position, better than many years past picking around 22-24. I would sit Joe and let Mallet play, if Joe gets hurt you can image the out cry. Mallet has shown capable of playing to a high level and still gives a fighting chance to win, plus he earns a nice contract, might as well get some use out of it when you can.

The next time Ozzie goes to a draft WR throw out all the things they look for and go against the grain. He might be great at drafting defensive players but the lack of hitting on a WR deserves some attention now. Cannot continue to use top picks and at best get a WR #2. Lots of question marks at this position heading to next season. Mostly who will step it up, outside the veteran Wallace. Lots of young players that need to really prove themselves plus Campanaro is still not a lock to stay healthy, a risky adventure when making any decision on him. Aiken is another question mark, he makes big plays occasionally, but never gets enough targets to get into a grove.

Get someone that is an offensive guru in the building. The Ravens know defense, but the other side of the ball suffers, not from lack of talent or ability but mostly from lack of understanding. Proof, IMHO, is the fact Kubiak in a single season gave this teams offense a real pulse that would not fade away at the first sign of good competition. Also with the current roster and youth movement, there is a lot to like to attract a good offensive mind. At the very least a good WR scout with proven track record.

Changes are simple IMHO.

A) Run game got going, but really the problem is the fact they went away from what worked wonders, the ZONE RUN SCHEME. It's simple why it works so well, the blocking schemes are more straight forward so linemen can go lay the lumber. All those holding penalties on running plays could definitely go away with making a return to zone run scheme. Looking a Juan Castillo, because he was the proponent that brought about this change and has yet to show better results in the years since.

B) Draft more CB's. Don't just say your going to address it and then wait until half way through the draft again. This defense would have absolutely caused problems for any team with a solidified back end. Pass rush would get home more often even. A secondary player should be drafted in within the top 3 rounds each year until the secondary is no longer a weakness. Another bigger bodied CB would do wonders, for when Jimmy is banged up or whoever. * Part of my critique is the fact that with Tray's passing, they never really addressed this position last year as much as recovered from the off season tragedy.

C) Upgrade the offensive playbook. Without looking at stacks or stats, this offense under performed its ability too often. There were a few good glimpses of firing in all cylinders, but it cannot take over half way into the season to get to that point.

PLUS SIDE) The roster is in a relatively good position going into next season. A few FA that would be great to retain like BW and Wagner. Hopefully they can work out a fair deal. Other than an immediate need at secondary depth/talent wise, this next upcoming draft the Ravens should be able to throw out the positions and just grab best available every round. There is a great young core of players to build around now. Good thing this draft is supposedly deep at CB.

Either way this game goes, this game will help ready the victor for the road ahead in the post season. Call it a playoff dress rehearsal.

Need to come out strong and take the crowd out of the game. Joe, keep your foot on the gas. Gang tackle and swarm to the ball.

Whether Ravens make the playoffs or not this season, one thing is for certain, this next game will be a sudo-playoff game for both teams and fans.

Bold prediction, this is the year Ravens sweep the division. Won't be easy but nothing worth doing comes easy.

Run game was only exposed as the Ravens seemed more focused on ensuring the secondary was not exposed. Run Defense will be back to form for Steelers game, hopefully Smith is able to return as well.

With the way West has been working and running the ball, do not stop. If you want to wear teams out, you run the ball all game. When the fourth quarter comes around, the opponents defense will flat out be gassed and you will have also kept your defense nice and fresh.

Need to have a clean game next week. So selfish penalties that could literally cost the season.

This upcoming draft is supposedly deep at CB..

The winds of change are in the air. Good to see Trump reaching out to those working and involved with bettering the community scene for future generations to come. (Ray, Brown, PB, etc) A strong society starts with a solid foundation.

Just a gut feeling but I see Reynolds making the jump as a returner before Campanaro. He has had time to work on his skills and adjust and has stayed healthy. Campanaro is still a bit rusty and the injuries make me somewhat hold my breath every time he takes to the field. If he can stay healthy he is a difference maker. The argument that a younger returner could add value at another position is true, but with so many WR's already it is hard to see who would be losing snaps to give way. Reynolds also adds the ability for trick plays, being a QB in collage. Flea flickers and options anyone? lol

Let Lewis heal up as much as possible for now. Would be nice to possibly give Yanda a game off to rest/heal shoulder before end of season if a post season birth is still looking within reach.

Although the Ravens aren't in the post season yet, this is the healthiest I can remember their roster being late in a season. It would seem to bode well for a deep run, but need to take care of business first this Monday night. Father time will catch up with Brady sooner or later. Too many bust SSSr. chops about being old~er, comparatively Brady is a dinosaur. The difference is SSSr can take his licks and keep ticking. Brady rarely gets hit, until this Monday night.

I believe we can shut down their running game, but they will stay committed enough to set up play action and 1-3 step drops from Brady. I doubt we'll be given much time for Suggs and Doom to lay hands on Brady before he has passes out to receivers running slants and comebacks before they hit their breaks. Really have to disrupt his throwing lanes with long arms and some mixed coverages. I really think we have a good shot here.

Go Ravens!

Almost sounds like some Brent Urban plays are gonna be needed. He has those long ball swatting deflecting type hands.

The Patsies are the best team in the NFL at overcoming injuries. That is because no matter who is out there, they know the system inside and out. Heck, they went 3-1 without Brady. (Remember the year Brady was out all season and they went 11-5?) This team is a well oiled (cheating) machine. Gronk being out will not overly affect them adversely. But, being a Ravens defender, you have to like NOT having to guard Gronk.

Your point is somewhat accurate. Yes they are doing well and did well without Brady. However they also haven't played the strongest of teams either. Monday night will reveal just how strong both clubs are at this point in the season.

Bold prediction: Ravens take it to the Pats and come out with a win and is the last time they meet this season. Pats get knocked out before they can play Ravens in post season.

Suggs has played extremely well, especially through dealing with the biceps injury. Really hope the younger guys around him are soaking the Ravens warrior mentality in for when they are the ones carrying that torch. A pass rusher playing with a biceps injury is like playing with one hand tied behind his back, and he is still dominating and making big plays.

Funny how everyone is quick to point out a vastly different Pats roster but seemingly overlook a much improved younger Ravens roster. Time for the flock to feast, silence the critics and all of Gillettte stadium. Knocking Brady back down to earth after his record last week is the cherry on top. It's all there for the taking. Time to get er done!

If Flacco keeps "the pedal to the metal" as he put it, the Ravens will continue to be successful on offense. Maybe not 4 TD's from Flacco every game but you don't always need a blowout to win. Keep spreading the ball around an teams will not be able to simply game plan around a primary target.

Forgot the part where the Brady poster was there for a dart board. Need adequate motivation to hit the bulls eye.

Speculating only, I would say as good a coach as Bellicheck is, his personality may not have been as good a fit for Baltimore team culture. Players and coaches here seem to be very open and warm, not that BB cannot be, but he is a tight lipped, all business all the time type (from what is revealed to the outside public).

Gotta love the way Suggs has been leading by example even playing through the biceps injury. He smells opportunity knocking and this team has a real shot, without any major setbacks.

The one thing that concerns me is if the weather is not good and we have to rely on the run. Do we have enough power to win that way? I'm not sure where the Pats stand against the run. Anyone help me?

They are ready to get it handed to them mainly by way of the T West Express. Dixon will juke them outta their pants. With this current TE unit the run will not be an issue.

I'm calling it now: Break performance from Matt Judon. Defense will play great and the young lions will feast on Brady.