There's Always A Bright Side...

[#1 D]

I know people, the ravens lost to the BROWNS, the B-R-O-W-N-S, but hey, its not the worst of situations to lose on.(no offense brownsfan, the browns are a load better than last season)

--The steelers lost to the Cardinals in other news, so it doesn't really mean that we got in a bigger gap for first place in the AFC North.

--Did anybody notice McGahee's great performance? 104 yards on 14 carries!! only 14 carries! that definitely sets a brighter future for those tougher games...

--I know the defense unraveled, but remember that were missing our starting veteran cornerback rolle (i kno hes not so good)and is better than ivy and more importantly were not with our best pass rusher, Trevor Pryce. So theres nothing but a better defense for the next week, against

San fransisco

I know that the Ravens lost and that totally ruined my weekend and the 2 days ahead, but we have to move on...right?

[Raven07]

yea i was thinking about it that way..but thats absolutely no excuse for the turnovers, and not being able to convert drives into Touchdowns....i mean it seems as though the passing game isnt working for us right now...revert to the running game!....if we do that then, it will eventually open up the holes and gaps in the defense for McNair to throw into to recievers.....anyone else feel this way? i know i sure do

Our Next Opponent..the 49er's also lost, so thats good.....we still need ALOT of offensive and defensive work, not just a tweak here and there...there has to be something done about this ASAP!

[1st and ten]

They played today with do desire !

[Slick]

I'm not too worried about this loss. I've said before i think the Browns got talent and they sure brought their A game so yeah it's a tough loss but not a season-ending one. We'll be in full swing mid-year when Pryce is back in top form (not necessarily right when he returns...but maybe he'll have a major effect once his cast is completely off) and Samari is back after his...illness (anybody know about that? everything I've read about Samari's medication reactions and such tell me it's for an undisclosed illness. If someone knows what's wrong I'd like to hear it.) We can still have a good season, there's always gonna be a rough patch here or there but we have a whole season ahead of us so let's see how it plays out.

McGahee stunned me today with how well he ran. Did anybody else see the play where he stuffed 2-3 defenders running one way, then cut it back all the way around the other end of the field for a big gain? amazing! whoever said McGahee had a nasty stiffarm was right, as some of them Browns were straight eatin' his hands lol. We definately need to give him more carries....14 for 104 was it? thats pretty nice, even more so considering he had a screen pass once or twice. He said he really wanted to help the team out well I think he most definitely did but he needs to be more involved, the offense looked rushed the whole game. Slowing it down with the run and getting solid yardage on the ground will do wonders in opening up the receivers more.

I think the Ravens need to think about a 2 quarterback system. McNair can go in and play through the first half (when healthy, many of his throws were weird and off his back foot) and Boller can clean up to keep Steve healthy. Plus the game-time for Boller will increase his value in the inevitable future when he becomes our starter (assuming he continues to play at a high level of course) and might ever be able to bring us back into the game. I honestly think Boller could've given us an edge in a comeback in the second half and I was honestly disappointed he wasn't played. McNair said he didn't have an ego about getting pulled before, and that he only cares about the W, so give the kid a shot.

I don't think McNair gives us the deep threat, which is why I believe swapping in Boller for the second half of any future game would do wonders for this team. If McNair controls the game the first half with a nice mix of runs, play action and short to mid range passes defenses would get frustrated because it is a very efficient style of play when utilized correctly. Bringing Boller into the mix would add another threat for defenses to answer for, and he needs to develop game-time experience with those deep passes because he's got the talent he just needs a break.

What sucks:

-we lost

-offense was bad

-defense was bad

-special teams was bad

The bright side?

-the season is young

-important parts of our team are young and are maturing quickly

-McGahee may be coming into his stride for running this season

-key players will return to play once Pryce and Rolle are better

-it can only go up from here

[Drkraven]

After the 3rd series I had resigned my self to the loss (hopefully Brownsfan went to bed ). Stover usually does not miss, Figurs has been solid, D looked flat and O dear God the Offense. I was so not sold on McGahee as a FA signing, but he has proved me wrong I am happy to say. I am not ready to give up, its not a sprint its a marathon. Indy and NE still look formidable, but SD, CIN, asd PITT all look beatable.

[Slick]

well apparently it was windy so its not really Stover's fault, he can't make 'em all the time, just like he can't win games for us every time. just most of them lol. as for Figurs I was disappointed int he fumble, but it was just a well-placed hit by the defender, right on the elbow to jar the ball loose. our Defense concerns me so long as Rolle and Pryce are out, and even may beyond that. McGahee well...yeah I love that kid lol.

you are 100% correct, and I like how you phrased it, the NFL season is more like a marathon than like a sprint. Just cuz you start fast doesn't mean you'll finish strong. Indy and NE are damn good, but no team right now is unbeatable. I am especially happy to see that point proven against the Steelers (go Cards!). Cincy doesn't seem to have a chance if they keep playing the way they do, and San Diego seems to have caught the Norv Curse.....hahaha sucks for them

[Raven07]

i think that We all know what McGahee is cabable of doing with the ball in his hands...with his elusiveness and consistant speed and burst....i think that Raven Fans shouldnt at all be surprised at how well he carried the ball because we ALL knew he was cabable of doing so and getting those extra yards..he's a great athlete...i think we should be more surprised at the way McGahee was handled (only 15 carries).....its like what LT said last week about barry sanders...something about that when Barry sanders was running the ball and he was being tackled for those losses of yards and short gains...the people were all talking about him and how he's not breaking away and what not, but in the Back of their minds they Knew it was coming, that break through of when Barry just ran through the defenders..those big runs for yards...was coming.. and eventually they had.... so i think that this is a similar situation with McGahee, give him the ball more, you'll see more production out of him and you'd see more 100 yard games...its Coming, Billick just has to start thinking straight lol

[ragnorok99]

Yeah, the play where McGahee stiffarmed multiple people to the ground before deciding he'd rather run down the other side of the field for 30 yards was pretty sweet.

Hopefully our D will get back on track against the 49ers. Pryce and Samari should be back soon, if not this week.

[Raven07]

yea i would think that our Defense will get back on track...Samari should be back this week...Pryce i would think would probably be back in action at around the following week (if everything is going smoothly and accoringly to plan)

[dsizzle007]

Slick, good analysis, and i agree totally with most everything you said. I have plenty of things that im looking forward to in the weeks to come. I've seen MANY bright sides to the team this year considering all circumstances.

Offense: Honestly... has moved the ball AT WILL .... (between the 20's). I mean lets be real, we have ALOT of f%&king weapons on our offense. Everywhere you look! Unfortunantly we lost both our starting TE's ... RIGHT after Wilcox just came back . But Wilcox is a toe injury, no biggy, he'll start Sunday im almost possitive. Heap (pulled muscle in lower thigh), hopefully he'll be atleast questionable against SF. even QUINN!!!!!! Quinn played his a** off when he was asked to step up in that situation. He made the plays he was asked to. He was an outlet for Mcnine, his blocking assignments he did decent with, and after his 4th catch, he starting drawing the double team. AS A 3rd STRING TE lol. Score!! Willis is amazing, every week hes getting better. With performance and athleticism, but numbers also. Receivers: everyone of them is a threat, all have amazing hands and concentration. Mason in the slot.... bingo!! Mcnine, realistically, (other then turnovers this season) is playing damn well.... And you have to realize, he was injured EARLY in our first game of the season. Its hard as hell to be a quarterback with a groin injury lol. He's still a good quarterback. O-line, Terry on the left, yanda on the right ?? its WORKING lol... give JO some time off... let his a** heal up please. We're doing fine without him. 1 sack in last 3 games? 2 maybe? im not sure. Oh by the way, im sure you see the holes that we are creating!!!!!! They are huge... not like last year when Jamal couldnt hit the holes "fast enough" before they closed. We're good, we are one of the top 10 offenses in the league statistically (despite a horrible red zone offense, missed field goals, and putting points on the board). All that is hand in hand tho. And on top of that, it was windy in CLE sunday, and you seen the browns field? ... the grass , its a HORRIBLE, PATCHY a** field. Mclain, after his shady first start at CIN, hes made good blocks, protected the ball, and caught the ball out of the backfield. All we can ask from our FB. I feel bad for Ovie in ATL tho .... other then all that damn money he has in his wallet rofl.

Defense: We have some key injuries, Trever... the pass rush.... PLEASE COME BACK TREVER!!. Edwards, .. doin ok, but not producing what we need him to. Needless to say, Justin Bannan ended up coming in for him,... not sure if it was injury related or not. Rolle, people talked so much trash about him last year... when in actuallity, the couple times he was burnt, wasnt his fault. And this year, was playing GREAT before he got sick. Hes also a HUGE part of our "D". Once again tho, pass rush from Trever, and boarderline shut down corner from Rolle, hand in hand... they work together, and its not happening with Edwards and little Ivy on the outside. OH, JJ... Jerrid Johnson, im pleasantly surprised in his growth in just acouple games. Preseason.... i felt violated when i watched him play. He was HORRIBLE. And now, he stepped up... and im happy and confident with him taking over for AD. Naturally.. i miss AD but thats just cause it was AD lol.

Special Teams: Yamon, i love you already man, as does everyone else im sure lol. Hes one of the top return men in the NFL, kick returns and punt returns. Up until this last week, hes been protecting the football. (Which is really all we need him to do: protect the football, get us to the 30+) Our unit itself, is decent. Prescott is contributing, and looks like Gary Still's knee is better.

Im looking forward to 2 things here.

1: going in and DOMINATING SF's offense this weekend. Rolle should be back, Trever not till after the bye.

2: In the end of the year... when teams are pushing for the playoffs, ... we should be healthy and focused.

[Slick]

thanks d, you too. i think our defense has been actually pretty damn good, besides the secondary (for obvious reasons of course). Our front 7 has had tremendous success in stopping the run but our backup CBs just havent been pulling the weight they should be. our pass rush is lacking without pryce, but as both of us said that shouldnt be a problem when he comes back. I don't know how many times i can praise McGahee's growth but im just really freaking happy to have him with us. he seems really determined to make some plays for this team and really give us an edge, and his play has only proved his dedication isnt all smoke and mirrors. i think youre right, San Fran won't be able to pick up a W against us, with Rolle back our coverage should be back on par. Even more so, the Ravens are ALWAYS hungry after a loss, they'll be wanting to go hard the rest of the year after what happened with the Browns. If they really did need a wake-the-F-up call this season, the Brown's MUST BE THAT CALL. This lost hurt our team's pride, and now we want nothing but pure and utter domination for the rest of the year

[dsizzle007]

We will pull it together soon enough, this weekend might just be that breakout game. Im looking on tvguide.com now to see if it will actually be on tv here in va beach. im damn sure hopeing so.

[Raven07]

oh i have no doubt in my mind that we'll put it together....when Rolle and Prye offically "come back" we'll be back in business, our defense just seems to be missing that "extra" little something or boost (if you will) our defense needs

[organizedchaos52]

oh i have no doubt in my mind that we'll put it together....when Rolle and Prye offically "come back" we'll be back in business, our defense just seems to be missing that "extra" little something or boost (if you will) our defense needs

If we show a simple game plan these next few weeks, Smash mouth running, simple 4-3 cover 2 defense, I see a 5-2 team going into monday night in pittsburgh with pryce back. I forgot to add that when Jo returns the running game should be even better. A hall of fame LT makes a huge difference.

I'm seeing that in the next few games the other teams should score no more than 16 a game, as their all struggling on offense.

[Raven07]

yea JO makes a huge difference whenever he's out on the field...but let's not Rush him back you know?..i mean the first or second play of the 1st game of the season he was bull rushed and it caused the injury to occur....yea we'll play hard smash mouth football style once everyone is virtually back, seeing how the Running game is very effective and seeing how McNair just seems to have a little more trouble (probably due to the injury he suffered a few weeks ago) we should resort back to our old style of Football of running the ball, and passing a little less, that'll negate the Defense and it'll also give McNair the rest he needs to be FULLY back up to par and up to strength...PLUS it'll (more than likely) bring our turnover ratio WAY down

[JonM229]

You guys can't forget to mention that 14-2 isn't that bad of a record at all.

[Raven07]

lol yea thats a thought but our offense and Defense is still trying to establish themselves this year.....our running game and Willis McGahee has really proven his value he's becoming really comfortable with our running game and seems to be a heck of alot more comfortable than he was in the pre-season and the first week or 2 of the season\

i think McGahee will continue to do good...not great but good, as he's been getting better and better with each game and each experience......and i think that McNair will hold onto the Football alot better than he has in the previous weeks, and throw the ball efficently, scoring a few TD's in the process, i feel like Rex Ryan and our Defense will be Looking and Determinded and will be deadly sack and Interception hungry and force Trent into turnover situations..hopefully it'll all work out for us in the end, at the end of the day