0_o

This is a game that puts the media on our bandwagon again. Which will be important moving forward because this team is a team that's exceptionally responsive to criticism. We're a young, inexperienced but gifted defense that's waiting to be acknowledge. We have a "we want to be recognized as great" defense. Which is great because it translates into "we must do what has to be done" mentality. This is a game that can elevate that mentality and really take us to the next level. This is a defense where the greater the expectation the greater the focus. These players want to be a part of "the ravens way" no matter what we have to do type defense. I'm not worried about the Cowboys, their hype or their running game and here's why: Timmy Jernigan, Brandon Williams, CJ Mosely, Terrell Suggs, Michael Pierce, Lawrence Guy, Zachary Orr, Eric Weddle. Our front seven is savage. No one team is going to dominate them. No one. The more a team tries to run against us the better we become, the better chance we have at winning and that's telling because the Cowboiys currently have the #1 ranked rushing attack. However, the outcome of this game will be determined by the Quarterback play. If Romo were playing paired with this rushing attack, I would be concerned. But Dak Prescott Is their Quarterback and he's not a player that comes to mind when I think of "Ravens beater". I see an inexperienced rookie Quarterback who has executed well to this point but isn't expected to win 'by himself' and immediately I'm reminded of Dean Pee's strengths. Quarterbacks that can single handedly beat the Ravens are the seasoned, instinctive, accurate type Quarterbacks that excel in offensive philosophy and execute well in the passing game. Ben Roethlisburger, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning....quarterbacks that have that killer instinct to move the ball at will. Dak Prescott screams rookie QB who has exceeded expectations because 'he's not required' to win games on his own but rather let the run offense carry the burden. I believe this game plays right into our hands on multiple levels and might be the exact game we need if we want to develop a championship mentality...but here's what has to happen for us to win. Joe Flacco. Joe Flacco has to wake up and realize his Superbowl MVP potential all over again. Joe is the type that plays his best when he feels slighted and over the last 2 years I think he's been playing too "content". He needs to play like he has something to prove again. We need our offensive line to play well but more importantly I think it's time for one of those "clutch Joe Flacco games". And by that I don't mean the 30 of 50 for 175 yards, with 2 interceptions and 0 TD...3 of 17 first downs type games. I mean the 22 of 30, 300 yds, 2 td, 0 interception type games where we're converting those key 3rd downs and keeping the opposing defense in suspense. Call a spade a spade. Enough with the excuses. Enough in waiting for this offense to find it's groove. Joe Flacco needs to be called out. This guy has to step up and get over that knee injury. He needs to be the definitive leader. He has to be the one that brings the champion mindset to this offense. As someone who has experienced an ACL tear and ACL surgery, I can tell you it is an injury that really tests the confidence you put into your recovery. It is without a doubt the biggest obstacle in Joe Flacco's way right now. There is a mental roadblock that he hasn't fully overcome yet and it's clear it's interfering with his throwing mechanics. But you know what? He's being paid bazooka mullah right now..and needs to realize, so what if I get hurt a second time I need to play like bazooka Joe again. He needs to abandon that fear of stepping up and stepping into whatever a defense throws at him. Once that mentality clicks we're good. How long will it take? I have no idea. But we have too much talent on this team to be limited to this bull ship anemic offense that we've been forced to settle with. Step it up Joe. It's time! ...and if you do sooner than later, by the time the playoffs come around we will be the team no one wants to see again. We will become the Ravens of old and if we can reestablish THAT...there will always be a chance to win no matter who the opposition is.

Sometime in 2016 we're actually going to use Justin Tucker...right?? That being said I think it's time for some Royal Farms chicken

No offense to those of you running around screaming the end of days are here but this team is still very talented and will be in the playoffs contending at the end of the year. We have a run game, we just don't know how to use it yet and don't forget Defense wins championships...ours is top 3. You can jump off the bandwagon now but as painful as these last 2 losses have been we're still built for the playoffs. But i get it, we keep finding new ways to make it tough on ourselves. Which is becoming overly frustrating. We should have never signed Jimenez. My thing is how many games are we going to have to sacrifice before we wake up and learn to get out of own way?? I know Harbaugh is all about overcoming adversity and all but when it's self induced...yeah just a waste of time. Hopefully we snap out of it before it's too late. Just remember our SB run started with a change at OC. Harbaugh has already proven he can make the tough call if it comes down to it... with all that being said KICK THE FIELDGOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After Dean Pees moves on, reach out to Ray Lewis and tell him we want Baltimore Defense back.

Suggesting Ray Lewis as a DC is just an obvious idea that makes sense to me. This team isn't lacking talent. It's not lacking Coaching. It's lacking identity and leadership. We don't have the right temperament. Hall of fame linebacker running our Defense on Sundays doesn't sound like such a bad idea. Im ok with that. Maybe theres an adjustment period where it takes time but give me a break, we already know what his football IQ is and what his commitment level is like. The X's and O's can't be match with Ray Lewis. Of course he's bringing that to the table. He's been surrounded by it his whole life. He would adapt easily. He would also teach our younger players how to play with some heart. Now I havent been watching Ray Lewis on ESPN lately. So maybe his rah rah is being worn out but Ray Lewis + our defense just seems like that's the way it's suppose to be.

No, I think Ray Lewis needed time away from the organization for a little while. 17 years. He needed to step away and take a breath. I'm sure the passion for the game is still there. The desire to compete. I could see him putting the analyst thing on hold and coming back. Certainly his leadership would be tremendous for us. Especially to a young team. He would command that entire defense from day one. The other coaches would coach and he would lead....and call the plays.

Never coached?? If you think Ray Lewis was just a player all these years then I don't know who you've been watching. Why do you think his teammates called him the General? Who do you think switched defenses in-and-out at the last second when he didn't like what he saw ? Who do you think Ed Reed learned from? He taught Ed Reed how to read the film in a new way, and Ed Reed became a Hall of Fame safety. Imagine what he could do if he taught film session to an entire defense...Seriously dude? You dont think Ray Lewis could handle calling a play? He did it for 17 years... I gotta say I'm a little shocked by that. But whatever floats your bubble, bubble boy

We're not a bad team we just don't have any leadership. And by leadership I mean, players stepping up. These losses aren't being made by the coaches. No one is stepping up. It's time to stop making excuses and start holding the players accountable.

Well since the "season's over" you guys might as well turn off the TV and go about your merry way. No need in being upset every Sunday, right? However, if you go to turn your TV back on during the playoffs and happen to notice the Ravens playing the dark horse roll as a wild card - just remember - you're not allowed to root or celebrate for them because you revoked your fan card in week 5 of the regular season. Wah, wah, wah.... No worries though, after the playoffs are over you can always reapply for a new seat on the bandwagon. Hell you might even be able to get a window view the way everyone is jumping ship. cheerios fairweather fans

The Great Collapse The Holy Secondary The Marshmallow Wall The Hold and Grabbers The Baltimore P.D. (Passive Defense) Embarrassment << (My favorite)

As much as these 4 losses have stung we're still only 2 games back in the wild card race with 11 games remaining in the season. Yes losing sucks and it makes people feel a certain way but those 4 losses were by an average of 4 points and honestly could have gone either way. The fact is, we're not getting blown out of games. We're contending all the way to the final minutes and we're playing competitively. Granted a 1st year offense, injuries, and penalties have made it a difficult start but these aren't things we cant overcome. Don't fall inline with the rest of our naive fans who think the season is over. It's going to be a fight to stay in contention but it's looking as though 9 wins will be enough to claim one of the wild card spot this year and i have faith our team can rebound. Take a look at the rest of the conference. 1.) Patriots 5-0 2.) Bengals 5-0 3.) Broncos 5-0 4.) Colts 3-2 ----------------- 5.) Jets 3-1 > Wild Card #1 6.) Bills 3-2 > Wild Card #2 ------------------ 7.) Steelers 3-2 8.) Browns 2-3 9.) Raiders 2-3 10.) Chargers 2-3 11.) Titans 1-3 12.) Dolphins 1-3 13.) Ravens 1-4 14.) Chiefs 1-4 15.) Texans 1-4 16.) Jaguars 1-4 This is our remaining schedule and opponents current record: 6.) 49ers 1-4 7.) Cardinals 4-1 8.) Chargers 2-3 9.) Jaguars 1-4 10.) Rams 2-3 11.) Browns 2-3 12.) Dolphins 1-3 13.) Seahawks 2-3 14.) Chiefs 1-4 15.) Steelers 3-2 16.) Bengals 5-0

Good news is there should be plenty of room on the bandwagon now that everyone is jumping off. Let's separate the real fans from the fake. When we turn the season around and go on a run there wont be any refunds on your fan cards. If we would have won in OT the story line would have been about us being playoff bound yada yada. Instead, we lose by 3 points and now our fans want us to tank the season for draft picks. Weak.

We won't miss the playoffs because the AFC is weak. To put it in perspective, if the playoffs were to start a month from now we would currently be 1 game back in the wild card standings. -2 of our 3 losses game from teams who are currently undefeated and atop their division. Of which, the Bengals and Broncos have arguably the 2 best defenses in football right now.... keep in mind our offense is in it's 1st year under a new coordinator so a rough start was expected. -4 of our next 6 games are at home with a bye week sandwiched in between. -Of these next 6 games coming up, 5 of those teams currently have a combined record of 7-13. To put THAT in perspective, our first 4 opponents currently have a combined record of 12-4... We lost 3 games by a combined 14 points...2 touchdowns. We've dropped more touchdowns then that this year... This team is not a bad team. We've hung in their toe to toe with the best the AFC has to offer right now, on the road, and came up short by less than a touchdown in each loss. Each of which came down to the last drive in the last minutes of the game. We'll get the kinks ironed out. We always do. We'll contend for a wild card spot as always. And hopefully the Bengals come through like only the Bengals know how and choke away the last half of their season like they always do.. The Bengals started the 2014 season 3-0 and lost the division. The Steelers started the 2014 season 3-3 and won the division. The 2014 Ravens were the only AFC North team to win a playoff game... we're only 1-3 and we have an easier road ahead of us then we had at the start of the season. If you hit the panic button now you're going to miss the ride. One of the things i cherish the most about the 2012 season was never giving up on our team even though there was every reason to do so. Don't hang up your fan card now only 4 games into the season. We'll make the playoffs...and we'll be a different team come January then we are now. A better team. This is how we roll every season. The Ravens without adversity wouldn't be the Ravens!

Marc Trestman should not be our offensive coordinator. QB coach? Offensive assistant? Offensive adviser? Ok, maybe... He'll have his moments. Fans will give him time and their patience. However, once the honeymoon period ends and reality bubbles to the surface, I think everyone will begin to see why this was a bad fit. Especially, after having success under Gary Kubiak and being teased by what a real NFL offense should look like. Trestman will be a liability if he can't get the players to buy-in or if he strays from the foundation we built last year. Kubiak's genius was in his simplicity - the complete opposite of Marc Trestman; whom, will hit gold from time to time but is bound to over-think his way into a lot of costly decisions. Which will get old rather quickly. As long as his duties are relegated to play calling and Joe Flacco - our offensive staff will adjust accordingly. If he oversteps his boundaries anywhere else and tries to change the recipe, this offense will regress. I'm not saying this to be pessimistic or skeptical...I'm just saying most of you here probably aren't too familiar with Trestman's schemes and coaching style - the more familiar you become well, I think the more impatient you'll grow. However, the optimist in me realizes our defense will be the strength of our team moving forward and as long as we don't abandon the run heavy concept, we'll be right back in the mix of things next year. Just caution yourselves on expectation from Trestman. Enjoy: Trestman's message to the Fighting Illini http://youtu.be/jpXK99lgENE?t=2m25s

Great post. I believe you represent the sentiment that the majority of Ravens fan share. The one's that are always on here harping the worst, well, i guess you have to understand the thing about misery is it needs company. So it finds it's way to the forum boards and tries to bring down the spirit of what it means to be happy about our team. Haven't taken one snap this year and already people are quick to write the season off, these players have yet to take one snap in the NFL and already people are quick write this draft off as a failure. If ever a time to be hopeful and optimistic as fan, it's now. Thanks for bringing some positivity to the board. Good vibes. I appreciated your vent and enjoyed the read.

You couldn't be further from the truth. It's almost as though you aren't even trying to give an honest assessment. Whatever profile your read on the kid is wrong if that's your take on it because it's obvious you haven't watched him play. You don't have to like the pick but dont go making stuff just because... Urschel has a shot at starting at Guard this year. He's a technically sound linemen who drops the anchor in a hurry and understands the concept and the totality of a blocking scheme. He will be a key cog on our line at some point he just has to go out and earn it. We absolutely found a gem with this guy, Intangibles are off the chart, and he's definitely not a weak player mentally or physically. His potential at Center is the most intriguing. If you have any doubts all you need to do is look up his tape. Maybe Penn State has a couple full games online somewhere. To be honest, Gino might not even make the roster.

3rd round pick is reasonable maybe an additional late round pick. Remember Anquan was moved for a 6th round pick when he was 32. As far as cap, that's not a problem. Cap can be as flexible as you want to make it. The main issue Andre has with the team is their lack of commitment to winning right now. They didn't address the QB situation, which is likely going to take another year or 2 to fully resolve. He doesn't want to wait through the growing pains of a young rookie's development and he doesn't want to learn a new offense for a team that hasn't shown signs of building a contending roster. Also, the writing is on the wall with his current deal. After this year he's likely to be cut due to his back-loaded contract, which, is another year of his value diminishing on the market. The Patriots will make a push but Baltimore would be the front runners. This is where we have the advantage with Gary Kubiak's offense - 1.) He already knows it, 2.) Flacco is a major upgrade over Schaub - and he knows it, 3.) He's very familiar with our post-season success, 4.) The Castle is a Veteran Paradise, 5.) He want's to win now, 6.) Gary Kubiak, 7.) Gary Kubiak, 8.) Gary Kubiak, 9.) Rick Smith and Ozzie are very, very close. Scratch my back I'll throw you a 3rd round pick to scratch yours...that kind of thing. People wonder why receiver wasn't as a big of a priority as some thought it should've been...well, maybe it's because there are plans on the back burner that won't take affect until after the June 1st designation....where comp picks and accelerated salary cap won't factor in

Brent Urban is a 2nd round prospect who's talents are off the charts but was given a 3rd round grade because of injury. The fact that we were able to get him at the bottom of the 4th round was incredible. His player comparison is to JJ Wat because that's how highly rated his NFL potential is. Maybe the name isn't as familiar to you as it should be because he was a trench guy on a Virginia team, but somewhere on this board I broke him down and dropped some clues. Keith McGill/Brent Urban was the goal. Once McGill came off the board we were certain Urban wasn't going to make it to us. The fact that we got him anyway is like doing a slam dunk, down by 1 just before time expires in the 4th quarter. On a side note: -We were in trade talks with the Rams for our 17th overall pick. They were going to pony up the house for Zach Martin - 2nd & 3rd this year + 1st next year. The plan was to take the blockbuster then trade back into the 1st, but the Cowboys nixed that. -We would have taken Mosely in the top 10. -If Mike Evans made it passed Tampa we were going to trade up for him. -Lorenzo Taliaferro is the biggest sleeper prospect you've never heard of. There were only a few backs targeted to fit Gary's scheme and Lorenzo was one of the names a top the list. When he turns into our version of Adrian Foster the grumbles will turn into smiles and the complains will turn into cheers. -Urschel is a gem. Period. There are good players and then theyre are special players. Urschel is special. -Crocket Gilmore is a Gary Kubiak player, a Raven type of player. He's going to play a big role in what we can accomplish on offense. Look forward to 3 TE sets this year. He'll eventually become the 1-2 punch to Pitta that will compliment our run game beautifully. This draft was special. IA lot of starters were drafted this year and then exciting news is we're still not done making moves. People need to hold tight and enjoy the process..

Speaking in general - not towards you. If you're foolish enough to think your expert opinion is of the same caliber of those who actually do this for a living, then you're foolish enough not to be taken seriously. So what's the point of assuming you know better? Not only that, but then the urge to whine about something you're not qualified to even speak on. If someone got on a forum board that represents your job and what you do for a living, then posted how incompetent you are at what you do and criticized how bad you are at doing it, despite them having no experience, no understanding, no idea how to even do your job, i bet your double standard wouldn't apply then. I'd be willing to bet you wouldn't take what those people had to say seriously because how could you? In fact I'd even be willing to bet you would considered those people to be babbling, ignorant little idiots who don't know what the hell theyre talking about. Minutes after the draft you have people saying how horrible this draft was as though they're experience at using the internet to look up other peoples opinions of prospects in order to form their own, gives them credibility to make that kind of ridiculous accusation. It's like saying Ray Lewis doesnt know how to play football because I know how to watch football, and then having the nerve to get out of the stands, walk on to the field, call timeout, go up to him, look him dead in his eyes and with a serious face try to teach him how to play. Why does everybody have to be so negative all the time?? Always have to find something to complain about? Something to be upset over. It's never going to be good enough, ever!! Why?....What's the point of enjoying the Ravens if all you ever do is complain about them? You all know who you are. If this team makes you so unhappy then go find a new one. I'm tired of the tiny minority of Ravens fans who only see the worst in our team, in our coaches, in our players, in our front office always complaining. Always voicing their opinions. You don't represent the majority. You just talk louder.

Anyone who thinks we would trade Torrey for Andre is unrealistic and naive at best. Anyone who thinks Andre Johnson isn't worth having on our team is just foolish... On a side note, Santa brought me a brand new High Def flat screen this year for my bedroom. So I have no beef with Saint Nick.

Wow, it's shocking to see some of the responses here. A lot of salty people. It's funny because they just dont realize how great of a draft this was. I mean this could go down as one of our greatest drafts of all time. With our first pick we selected a top 10 player with All-Pro potential. With our 2nd round pick we selected a big time play maker, a top 20 player, a player whom for most of you will soon become your new favorite Raven (the irony). With our 3rd and 4th round picks we selected three players with second round grades all of which are going to have an immediate impact on the field. We drafted what potentially could be one of the biggest gems in the entire draft with John Urschel in the 5th. We selected a QB in the 6th round who has franchise quarterback type of potential.and we knocked our udfa signings completely out of the ball park. If Campanaro transitions his game into the NFL we're going to have a special little man, with a big heart, making huge plays, every Sunday, for a very long time. It's sad to see all the bitterness from people who just have no clue, no idea, no concept of what they're talking about. I guess your youtube research outweighs the thousands of hours, dollars, personnel, manpower and time spent making this draft possible, huh? Your scouting website that Google found for you clearly is the know-all, be-all of what's what when it comes to prospects, except that it's not...you're mad that we passed on your favorite prospect because he wasn't good enough to make our team. Deal with it. Go root for the Browns if you feel a certain way about it. You're whiny attitude will fit right in. You say you bleed Black-n-Purple, talk a good game about Ozzie is the best ever, then turn around and show no loyalty to the man responsible for bringing you 2 Super Bowls, is the main source of your Ravens pride, gives our city an equal chance at contention year-in and year-out, has done nothing but succeed on a Hall of Fame level, drafted Hall of Fame players, makes big time moves and continues to churn out talented rosters that always find a way to win. In Ozzie you trust, except for when you don't because you're to busy disrespecting him and his personnel team on a forum board as though you actually know something that's worth mentioning. I don't know what's more annoying, delusional Steeler Fans or bandwagon Raven Fans who don't know how to be anything but pessimistic and ungrateful.

Been awhile since i've checked in...How'd you guys like the draft? We stepped up to the plate and hit a grandslam this year. Although skimming through the forum boards it appears the majority of people haven't realized how special this group is just yet. In due time i guess..put it to you this way, if extra +'s were allowed this draft would be an A++ in terms of value. Anyway, im really here to breakdown Andre Johnson's soon to be tenure as a Baltimore Raven and what it's going to take to acquire him. For one let's talk about his contract and it's impact on the Texans Salary Cap. Andre Johnson has about $34.5 Million remaining on his contract over the next 3 years, which occupies about $46 Million in cap space. Quite a hefty price tage for an aging wr on a team that's rebuilding. This year he's due to earn $10 Million in base salary, a $1 million roster bonus and will count $15.6M against their 2014 cap. If the Texans were to release him today they would trigger an accelerated cap hit of about $12M (the prorated bonus of his final 3 years) that would immediately count against their current cap, only saving slightly over $3.6M in cap space. That's not enough cap to warrant releasing their premier Wr and biggest playmaker on offense. However, if they waited until after June 1st to trade him, the accelerated cap hit could then be spread out over the next 2 years, lessening the hit. This year they would absorb only $4.6M in cap (the prorated bonus scheduled for 2014) and $7.3M would accelerate to next years Salary Cap (prorated bonuses of 2015, $4.64M & 2016, $2.67M ). By trading Andre Johnson after June 1st, the Texans would save $11 Million in cash and $11.5M in Cap Space as well as acquire any future draft picks and/or players of value. So how does this impact us? Well, for one, we would have to make a fair trade with Rick Smith (who just so happens to be one of Ozzie's closest friends). Two, the trade would have to be of value...most likely draft picks. Three, Andre Johnson's contract would need to be renegotiated. Despite Andre Johnson counting $46M in cap space over the next 3 years for the Texans, if traded to Baltimore, we would only be responsible for $34.5M (given he played out his entire tenure) Assuming Andre Johnson isn't willing to accept anything less than that, we would have to cleverly manipulate his contract to fit under our limited cap space. He's pretty much Guaranteed $11M this year and is due to make $11.5M next year. So with that in mind here's an example of how it could be done: 5 years / $43.5 Million including a $10M signing bonus and $21M guaranteed BS = base salary SB = signing bonus OB = option bonus (2014) SB: $2M + BS: $1M = $3M cap hit (2015) SB: $2M + OB: $2.25M + BS: $1M = $5.25M cap hit (2016) SB: $2M + OB: $2.25M + BS: $5M = $9.25M cap hit (2017) SB: $2M + OB: $2.25M + BS: $7.5M = $11.75M cap hit ------------------------------------------------------------------released (2018) SB: $2M + OB: $2.25M + BS: $9.75 = $14M cap hit / $5.5M cap savings Of course this is just a rough example of how a contract could be worked into our salary cap given we only have $6.2M in cap space. You can tweak the numbers however you'd like but the real questions are: how much $$ would he be willing to sacrifice in order to play for a contender and how much value would we have to give in return to acquire him?

I wasn't prepared for this, too funny.

Signing a player like Steve Smith allows us to add production without having to sacrifice future draft picks. Free agents that have been released then signed, aren't equated into the compensatory draft pick formula that determines which rounds you would be compensated in if deemed eligible for losing contributing players in free agency. For example: If we are awarded a 3rd round compensatory pick for losing Arthur Jones to the Colts, signing an unrestricted free agent like Eric Decker negates that pick. It's the equivalent of trading a 3rd round pick for the rights to pay him $8.5 Million a year. Instead, signing a very good veteran WR like Steve Smith, who can contribute and offer significant production for a cheaper price + retaining that 3rd or 4th round compensatory draft pick, is by far the more sensible and affordable long-term investment. However, just because you sign him, doesn't mean you cant also draft a 1st round WR to take over as his heir apparent in the pending years. He's 34, if we could get 1 or 2 productive seasons out of him it's worth pursuing.