Ravens Talk Of The Country?

[BigMike]

Man, I've been listening to the sports shows and reading stories on the internet. The Ravens are getting a lot of praise. Lots of folks are picking them to win Sunday. It all seems different. Seems like a start of a new era where the Ravens are not looked at as the bums from Baltimore. Let's just hope they live up to the hype.

[theFRANCHISE]

It's mostly because the team has changed its image through solid play and team unity. The Ravens are no longer the bad guys. The Ravens are no longer "thugs," no matter how much a small portion of the fan base wants them to be. The Ravens are slowly becoming the class of the NFL, as John Harbaugh intended.

To paraphrase what he said before Week 4 of the 2008 season, "The Ravens will become a dynasty and a model organization in the NFL."

And in his exact words in a presser, "We're going to be a dynasty. If you're not willing to say it out loud, how do you expect to get there?"

[PIG 20]

It's called Joe Flacco and Co.

People love offense.

[lowrider]

People say a lot of things but we did play the chiefs and it was close at times. It was lucky breaks but they were still close. The Ravens secondary is really going to get challenged and need to step up if we are going to win this game against the chargers. They are going to be no cake-walk. I'm finding it tough to get to excited yet. But if we play well against the chargers then I will get excited.

[BigMike]

[quote name='lowrider' date='18 September 2009 - 11:16 AM' timestamp='1253286977' post='236772']
People say a lot of things but we did play the chiefs and it was close at times. It was lucky breaks but they were still close. The Ravens secondary is really going to get challenged and need to step up if we are going to win this game against the chargers. They are going to be no cake-walk. I'm finding it tough to get to excited yet. But if we play well against the chargers then I will get excited.
[/quote]

Agreed. It's a little early to crown them and this week's game will be a good early test. However, for me, I'm already excited about this year. With good health and a little luck, I think they can go deep in the post season.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='BigMike' date='18 September 2009 - 09:27 AM' timestamp='1253287631' post='236779']
Agreed. It's a little early to crown them and this week's game will be a good early test. However, for me, I'm already excited about this year. With good health and a little luck, I think they can go deep in the post season.
[/quote]


IF YOU WANNA CROWN THEIR ASSES... CROWN THEIR ASSES!!!!

Sorry, couldn't help it.

[JEEPercreepermd]

This is interesting, I woke up with NFLTA on. Rod Woodson and Jamie Dukes were discussing the Ravens and Chargers game and to my complete suprise they were down on the Chargers and Praising the Ravens.

[FerrariFan87]

Putting up 38 points and over 500 yards of offense will make you the talk of the league Offense gets all the glory, but Defense still wins Championships...

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='18 September 2009 - 10:17 AM' timestamp='1253283456' post='236746']
It's mostly because the team has changed its image through solid play and team unity. The Ravens are no longer the bad guys. The Ravens are no longer "thugs," no matter how much a small portion of the fan base wants them to be. The Ravens are slowly becoming the class of the NFL, as John Harbaugh intended.

[/quote]

Don't tell that to Rush Limbaugh. I overheard him speaking while I was on vacation last year at my parent's place. He called the Ravens thugs. I was like, that ignorant *****!

[YYZ66]

It looks like the other 31 teams' worst nightmare is coming true, the Baltimore Ravens now have an offense! That's gotta be a terrifying thought for the rest of the league.

[William Murderface]

[quote name='BigMike' date='18 September 2009 - 09:07 AM' timestamp='1253282834' post='236740']
Man, I've been listening to the sports shows and reading stories on the internet. The Ravens are getting a lot of praise. Lots of folks are picking them to win Sunday. It all seems different. [b]Seems like a start of a new era where the Ravens are not looked at as the bums from Baltimore.[/b] Let's just hope they live up to the hype.
[/quote]

I guess keyshawn Johnson is the lone holdout then who feels that way.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

you are now entering- The Joe Flacco Experience : staring Big Mike , Centerman Birk, Mark the Speedster, the Heapster, Ricenantor, Super Crusher Mcclain, Bruiser Mcgahee , the man with the golden hands mr mason, and followed by Mr Delegation of Firstdown-a-nation.

Warming up for them is the Dark Knights of Baltimore , Staring: Raybot , T Sizzle , Mr You will get Ngata, Ed give me that Ball Reed, Mr where did that ball go Landry, Tavaris That-Hit-Wassa-Goodin, Kelly not-on-my0watch Gregg, and Mr you must pay a pryce for that run.

this line up will cause baltimore female fans to swoon, charger fans to faint and lastly the town of baltimore to erupt in celebratory mayhem!!!!!!

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='BigMike' date='18 September 2009 - 10:07 AM' timestamp='1253282834' post='236740']
Man, I've been listening to the sports shows and reading stories on the internet. The Ravens are getting a lot of praise. Lots of folks are picking them to win Sunday. It all seems different. Seems like a start of a new era where the Ravens are not looked at as the bums from Baltimore. Let's just hope they live up to the hype.
[/quote]
We'll see if the Ravens do us all a favor and Win this game to keep the haters/media off our backs. If they're finally finding the nerve to pick us to win games, we have to come through (especially 2morrow). If not, the Ravens will neva hear the end of it-(criticism)=(Bias/unBias). We could care-less if people favor the Ravens or not, we love our team. But it would be pretty cool if we can get sum respect once and for all

[RAVENS96]

After We get this Win itll be interesting just to see how We are compared to the darlings of the league like Indy, the Pats and Big Jen and the black and yellow girls from PA

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='RAVENS96' date='18 September 2009 - 09:11 PM' timestamp='1253329890' post='237077']
After We get this Win itll be interesting just to see how We are compared to the darlings of the league like Indy, the Pats and Big Jen and the black and yellow girls from PA
[/quote]
I feal indy is on a decline

[Ravensfan23]

I think this kind of attention in years past would have hurt the Ravens.

However now under Harbs I don't think it will be a problem.

The Ravens won't have to play up to the media expectations, because nobodies expectations are higher then our own.

The Ravens are just looking to be the best team they can be week to week.

Yes we could be entering a new era, but not because of the media. The Ravens have to start winning consistently and building that type of winning tradition. That all can start Sunday. The Ravens have never started out 2-0 in back to back seasons.

Sunday the Ravens can start to set themselves apart from just being a team that competes, to actually being a Elite team.

If the Ravens can continue to be good on the offensive side of the ball, we could see special things this year and years to come.

I think Ed Reed may have spoke 1 year too soon. During the playoffs he said the Ravens were the team nobody wanted to see. Well that could actually be the case this year and the next 4-5 weeks might just prove that. But of course it all starts Sunday

[raven46]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='18 September 2009 - 09:17 AM' timestamp='1253283456' post='236746']
It's mostly because the team has changed its image through solid play and team unity. The Ravens are no longer the bad guys. The Ravens are no longer "thugs," no matter how much a small portion of the fan base wants them to be. The Ravens are slowly becoming the class of the NFL, as John Harbaugh intended.

To paraphrase what he said before Week 4 of the 2008 season, "The Ravens will become a dynasty and a model organization in the NFL."

And in his exact words in a presser, "We're going to be a dynasty. If you're not willing to say it out loud, how do you expect to get there?"
[/quote]
A thug isn't a bad guy, its a person who had/has nothing but has/intends to change that and get on top. But i get your point.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='raven46' date='19 September 2009 - 09:44 AM' timestamp='1253367891' post='237139']
A thug isn't a bad guy, its a person who had/has nothing but has/intends to change that and get on top. But i get your point.
[/quote]
A thug, in the traditional sense, is a criminal for hire. But that's neither here nor there.

Either way, the team is a long way, image-wise, from what it used to be under Brian Billick -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

[flynismo]

[quote name='raven46' date='19 September 2009 - 09:44 AM' timestamp='1253367891' post='237139']
A thug isn't a bad guy, its a person who had/has nothing but has/intends to change that and get on top. But i get your point.
[/quote]

You need to smack the person who sold you that dictionary.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='flynismo' date='19 September 2009 - 11:24 AM' timestamp='1253373846' post='237185']
You need to smack the person who sold you that dictionary.
[/quote]

Hip Hop. Pfft.

[gavinMD]

As always in the spectrum of the media we are looked down on as a contender. I remember pregame before the first playoff game last year where we were getting picked to lose to Miami after we had already beat them.

I don't expect to gain much respect from beating down on the chiefs, i think flordia and tim tebow would give them a run for their money. If we want respect were gonna have to earn it this week vs the Chargers... and then again WEEK4 at new england. If we can execute in these big games and build that confidence for our offense, it will go a long way later on this year vs pitt.

And Keyshaun Johnson is an idiot.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' date='19 September 2009 - 11:53 AM' timestamp='1253375604' post='237197']
Hip Hop. Pfft.
[/quote]
You need to smack whoeva gave you the dictionary you're reading. Thug Life doesnt define Hip Hop. You must mean that so-called Gangster Rap is a culture of Thugs. Hip Hop is a different element. What you hear & see on todays Rap Videos isnt Hip Hop. But I understand how easy it is to stereo-type certain people. One or few knuckle-heads could cause another race or culture to have a mis-leading impression of his or her kind. Nas/Mos Def/Kanye= Hip Hop, Lil Wayne/50Cent/Young Jeezy= Gangster Rap. I dont know where they get this thug impression of the Ravens. Who gave them this impression?

[dethdude420]

Why is it when you have a good Defense your team is considered "thugs" or whatever, but all you do is add an offense and now everyone is singing your prases? We could win games before with just our D,all we needed was someone to not throw interceptions. (Obviously it wasn't Kyle Boller) but it seemes like no-one else gave us respect till Joe came out and threw the ball more than 40 times.

Just venting, I live in steeler country so I hear a lot of trash talk.

[funky141]

[quote]I feal indy is on a decline[/quote]
Not as long as 18 is behind center.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='dethdude420' date='19 September 2009 - 07:19 PM' timestamp='1253402351' post='237358']
Why is it when you have a good Defense your team is considered "thugs" or whatever, but all you do is add an offense and now everyone is singing your prases? We could win games before with just our D,all we needed was someone to not throw interceptions. (Obviously it wasn't Kyle Boller) but it seemes like no-one else gave us respect till Joe came out and threw the ball more than 40 times.

Just venting, I live in steeler country so I hear a lot of trash talk.
[/quote]
lol,i cant imagine what you go through in pittsburgh. I hate to see people who live in Bmore drive around with Steeler bumper sticker and seat covers. I know that just becuz you live here, doesnt mean you have to be a fan. It still sucks though. I run into Steeler fans alot at walmart, Giant, etc. We always debate. I just start a debate with total strangers just becuz I love the game that much. But as for the thug thing, you're right. On offense, you're a classy, clean cut group of guys. Not to mention that they're on all the commercials. On D, just trouble makin, Hot headed thugs who show up on commercials once in a blue

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='19 September 2009 - 10:17 PM' timestamp='1253413046' post='237398']
lol,i cant imagine what you go through in pittsburgh. I hate to see people who live in Bmore drive around with Steeler bumper sticker and seat covers. I know that just becuz you live here, doesnt mean you have to be a fan. It still sucks though. I run into Steeler fans alot at walmart, Giant, etc. We always debate. I just start a debate with total strangers just becuz I love the game that much. But as for the thug thing, you're right. On offense, you're a classy, clean cut group of guys. Not to mention that they're on all the commercials. On D, just trouble makin, Hot headed thugs who show up on commercials once in a blue
[/quote]

well after that last commercial i want troy to take a steroid test, dude not kidding I said this in weis markets to a steelers fan he got so mad "why would you say that he said " I replied , well sir its either that or he missed the boat to manhood you pick your poison . he got REAL Quiet didnt even talk to his gf who was with him . so yeah I feel you fellow fans in steeler areas that werent steeler areas until 1984

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='dethdude420' date='19 September 2009 - 07:19 PM' timestamp='1253402351' post='237358']
Why is it when you have a good Defense your team is considered "thugs" or whatever, but all you do is add an offense and now everyone is singing your prases?
[/quote]
It's because defensive football is down-and-dirty and it's not for the faint-of-heart. It's violent and relentless, and it's a whole different story when a defense is attacking an offense instead of an offense traditionally attacking a defense. The object of the game is to score points, so when a defense is practically punching the offense in the mouth by preventing the unit from doing its job, it is viewed as a corruption of the very system put in place.

Offensive plays make the highlight reel because they're flashier and more explosive. But defensive plays rarely make the cut because a good defensive play will always consist of a man imposing his will on another man and preventing him from going anywhere. Sure, people love the big hits -- but big hits don't always win football games. A solid, wrap-around tackle on 4th down could be the play of the game, but no one would ever know it because it probably won't ever make a highlight reel if it doesn't [i]look[/i] flashy.

[rastaman831226]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='18 September 2009 - 10:17 AM' timestamp='1253283456' post='236746']
It's mostly because the team has changed its image through solid play and team unity. The Ravens are no longer the bad guys. The Ravens are no longer "thugs," no matter how much a small portion of the fan base wants them to be. The Ravens are slowly becoming the class of the NFL, as John Harbaugh intended.

To paraphrase what he said before Week 4 of the 2008 season, "The Ravens will become a dynasty and a model organization in the NFL."

And in his exact words in a presser, "We're going to be a dynasty. If you're not willing to say it out loud, how do you expect to get there?"
[/quote]Oh cut the crap. Thugs!!?!! Never heard the Ravens referred to as " thugs ". Hard nosed football team- yes, but " thugs "- never. You must be hanging out in Stealer country too much. I've witnessed the surge in The Rage For Ravens Football grow in the Virginia/Carolina area since the Ravens/Titans playoff game. More than anything, folks are most impressed by the Ravens old school rough style of play. " Thugs? "- grow up.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='rastaman831226' date='20 September 2009 - 01:10 AM' timestamp='1253423426' post='237430']
Oh cut the crap. Thugs!!?!! [b]Never heard the Ravens referred to as " thugs ".[/b] Hard nosed football team- yes, but " thugs "- never. You must be hanging out in Stealer country too much. I've witnessed the surge in The Rage For Ravens Football grow in the Virginia/Carolina area since the Ravens/Titans playoff game. More than anything, folks are most impressed by the Ravens old school rough style of play. " Thugs? "- grow up.
[/quote]
Question asked to Ray Lewis before the Super Bowl: "How long have you been surrounded by thugs?" ([url="http://images.si.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0701/gallery.nfl.SBfunnyquestions/content.9.html"]SI.com[/url])

Not to mention the backlash after Bart Scott's meltdown against the Pats in 2007. And after the Ray Lewis murder trial. And after the Jamal Lewis drug charge. And so on, and so forth.

All of that, coupled with the stigma surrounding a defensive-minded football team, gave the team the label of "thugs" during the Brian Billick era. Sure, we Ravens fans knew better about our guys, but it didn't help that there was (and still is) a small segment of the fanbase that equated swagger to thuggish behavior. There's a HUGE difference between [i]playing[/i] with an attitude and [i]having[/i] an attitude.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

If the Ravens are thugs, then I'm down for some thug life!