Have The Ravens Become Trendy?

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Just wanted to run this by everyone.

With our revamped, high-powered offense, have the Ravens become more trendy? By that I mean, do you think this is getting us more time in the press and more fans who like high scoring teams?

I know a lot of new supporters jump on the wagon of high scoring squads. Noticed a lot of new users on here in the last week or two also.

Thoughts?

[XxSizzleXx]

Offense is the way to more fans so of course the Ravens will get more coverage than normal, but the reason I became a fan was because of #52 and this D.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Trendy or not, I was a Ravens fan back before there was an offense. People who are jumping on us because of our high powered offense do not know true Ravens football. So it's bound to happen when your team is successful, more fans, for better or for worse. Just gotta deal with it as it comes.

[Gtown Purple]

I don't like the word trendy as much as I like the word adaptive. The ravens adapted to the nfl. Trendy or not, it's what they had to do to win football games. The days of scoring 10, 13, or 16 points and suffocating the opposing offense are going to be few and far between at least for the foreseeable future. Offense has taken the lead over defense around the league and the ravens are just keeping pace.

[theFRANCHISE]

Offensive plays make the highlight reel more often than defensive plays. Offense is flashy. The media likes flashy. The people like flashy. And if flashy is trendy, then therefore, the Ravens have become trendy. At least that's how I'm looking at it.

And let's be honest, we only appreciate defensive football because of all the years we've had to suffer through having a poor offense. Now that we finally have an offense that can put up points, a lot of us don't know how to react and assume that the sky is falling.

[beetus]

The typical Sunday football fan likes to see the huge pass plays and flashy offense. Let's face it, pounding the ball and playing good defense is just not that exciting to most people (I think it's great lol). I think the reason why the Ravens have gotten more PT is not only because the offense is playing great, but that we are a complete team.

[Ed_Reed20]

The national media may be taking notice now that the team has a legitimate passing game but I really don't care. It's an overused philosophy but running the football and playing defense are what win championships in the NFL.

[PuRock]

Considering the Ravens have one of the smallest media markets. I wouldn't really call it being trendy....more like expansion. And deservingly so.

[wbirkhead]

When I first read the title of this post (before reading the subtitle) my mind went off in a totally different direction, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot recently.

Have the Ravens brass (Ozzie and co.) become trendy?

The simple fact is that the NFL has made a HUGE effort over the past 5-10 years to make this a league dominated by high-powered offenses and franchise quarterbacks. You need look no further than this board where the 2nd longest current thread (behind the "KILL CLAYTON!" thread) is about the officiating, and more specifically about Roughing the Passer calls. Do you think that because of this Ozzie has transformed his idea of what a winning team looks like?

Sure, defense is still important, the Squealers are a prime example of that, but even they turned into a heavily passing offense last year. In my opinion, the NFL has made it near impossible to win the way we used to win, and I think Ozzie knows that. This has been banging around in my head because of how our team seems to be slowly changing its identity, as well as in response to all of the "Our Defense Sucks" threads.

If this is the case, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss the old days, but it might just be part of the natural progression of the league. What do you guys think?

[dzcwluvspurple&black]

Trendy or not trendy - it doesn't matter because true Ravens fans love our brand of football - Grit and Determination. Rather it is the "D" or the "O" it's all about Ravens football.

The offense definitely keeps you on the edge of excitement, now, knowing that a big play could happen at any time.

[YYZ66]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='08 October 2009 - 01:23 PM' timestamp='1255019039' post='251761']
When I first read the title of this post (before reading the subtitle) my mind went off in a totally different direction, but it's something I've been thinking about a lot recently.

Have the Ravens brass (Ozzie and co.) become trendy?

The simple fact is that the NFL has made a HUGE effort over the past 5-10 years to make this a league dominated by high-powered offenses and franchise quarterbacks. You need look no further than this board where the 2nd longest current thread (behind the "KILL CLAYTON!" thread) is about the officiating, and more specifically about Roughing the Passer calls. Do you think that because of this Ozzie has transformed his idea of what a winning team looks like?

Sure, defense is still important, the Squealers are a prime example of that, but even they turned into a heavily passing offense last year. In my opinion, the NFL has made it near impossible to win the way we used to win, and I think Ozzie knows that. This has been banging around in my head because of how our team seems to be slowly changing its identity, as well as in response to all of the "Our Defense Sucks" threads.

If this is the case, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss the old days, but it might just be part of the natural progression of the league. What do you guys think?
[/quote]

Absolutely! Just about every change made in the NFL recently is to help the offense, especially the passing game. I'm sure the casual fans would rather see a 48 - 42 shootout as opposed to a 13 - 10 defensive struggle. And I'm sure the NFL is looking to increase its fan base, not only bringing in new fans, but also to make the casual fans into hardcore fans.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='08 October 2009 - 11:59 AM' timestamp='1255017567' post='251750']
It's an overused philosophy but running the football and playing defense are what win championships in the NFL.
[/quote]
That's actually only half-true.

The reason why people emphasize a strong rushing attack and stout defense is because both factors are unaffected by the weather, for the most part. I take more stock in having a strong offensive start (aerial attack or not) and then pounding the ball more as the season wears on. In other words, finding balance on offense [i]throughout[/i] the season, not necessarily within a single game. Having a balanced offense doesn't necessarily mean calling as many pass plays as run plays, but rather, being able to win on offense either way. A team that knows how to balance its offense will generally find a way to overcome adversity on the road in winter, when playoff hopes are in the balance and again when the postseason begins.

As for having a stout defense, it's more important for the defense to simply [i]do its job[/i] all season long than try to pile up stats of any sort. That means ending drives on third down and stopping teams in the red zone. That doesn't necessarily mean racking up turnovers (though those are always nice) or getting sacks on a regular basis. Solid, defensive football is all-weather, all-surface, all-world.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='08 October 2009 - 01:04 PM' timestamp='1255021467' post='251790']
That's actually only half-true.

The reason why people emphasize a strong rushing attack and stout defense is because both factors are unaffected by the weather, for the most part. I take more stock in having a strong offensive start (aerial attack or not) and then pounding the ball more as the season wears on. In other words, finding balance on offense [i]throughout[/i] the season, not necessarily within a single game. Having a balanced offense doesn't necessarily mean calling as many pass plays as run plays, but rather, being able to win on offense either way. A team that knows how to balance its offense will generally find a way to overcome adversity on the road in winter, when playoff hopes are in the balance and again when the postseason begins.

As for having a stout defense, it's more important for the defense to simply [i]do its job[/i] all season long than try to pile up stats of any sort. That means ending drives on third down and stopping teams in the red zone. That doesn't necessarily mean racking up turnovers (though those are always nice) or getting sacks on a regular basis. Solid, defensive football is all-weather, all-surface, all-world.
[/quote]

I agree. I firmly believe you should be able to run the ball effectively throughout the season but balancing your offense as the season wears on isn't wrong either. And that's why I believe this team will be successful because as the seasons goes on, the o-line will gel even more and the running lanes will really begin to open up.

And by [i]playing defense[/i], I didn't mean to wreak havoc like the Dome Patrol or the '85 Bears but you definitely have to get off the field and stiffen in the red-zone.

[BloodRaven]

Since we're not a huge market team we still have to take a regular ref shakedown to keep us in line. Can't be winning all the time now.

As for the bandwagon rookie posters I see rolling in... yeeeuck. You see I was a standout rookie poster, Baltimore Ravens Forum ROTY in 2006-07 if I remember correctly

[darklight1216]

Winning is trendy.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='08 October 2009 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1255021946' post='251797']
I agree. I firmly believe you should be able to run the ball effectively throughout the season but balancing your offense [b]as the season wears on[/b] isn't wrong either. And that's why I believe this team will be successful because as the seasons goes on, the o-line will gel even more and the running lanes will really begin to open up.

And by [i]playing defense[/i], I didn't mean to wreak havoc like the Dome Patrol or the '85 Bears but you definitely have to get off the field and stiffen in the red-zone.
[/quote]
I'm glad you understood the qualifier of "as the season wears on," as I noticed a lot of people complaining about how we've been passing the ball too much. Though that was a valid complaint against the Patriots because of how they couldn't contain Rice and McGahee, the previous three games were aerial displays, and rightfully so. If it works, it works. You don't change the gameplan just to achieve balance.

If you have success throwing the ball, there's no reason to stop throwing the ball in that particular game. Conversely, if you have success running the ball, there's no reason to take carries away from the running backs in that game. However, taking into account game situations, the latter may not be so prudent when playing from behind with little time left, obviously.

My point is, balance is an overrated concept within a single game; you abuse whatever advantage you can get, and you maintain that advantage until the other team has an answer for it.

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='08 October 2009 - 01:36 PM' timestamp='1255023382' post='251818']
Since we're not a huge market team we still have to take a regular ref shakedown to keep us in line. Can't be winning all the time now.

[b]As for the bandwagon rookie posters I see rolling in... yeeeuck[/b]. You see I was a standout rookie poster, Baltimore Ravens Forum ROTY in 2006-07 if I remember correctly
[/quote]

Just because someone's new to the message boards doesn't make them bandwagoners. I've been a huge Ravens fan and in the stands for every home game since '98, but I didn't join this board until this season. Posters should be judged on the merit of their posts, not how long they've been members.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='08 October 2009 - 12:50 PM' timestamp='1255024230' post='251834']
Just because someone's new to the message boards doesn't make them bandwagoners. I've been a huge Ravens fan and in the stands for every home game since '98, but I didn't join this board until this season. Posters should be judged on the merit of their posts, not how long they've been members.
[/quote]

I personally hold you rookies to a high standard. If you don't know football then at least be funny. Give yourself an identity outside of a terribad e-name..

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='08 October 2009 - 02:01 PM' timestamp='1255024915' post='251845']
I personally hold you rookies to a high standard. [b]If you don't know football then at least be funny.[/b] Give yourself an identity outside of a terribad e-name..
[/quote]

Agree with you on that one. I just like talking football with other people who like football and are Ravens fans, or are just entertaining. As far as your last comment, I gave up "totally awesome" e-names when I gave up AOL dial-up in the mid-'90s. Sorry I don't have any X's in my name, guess I'm just a n00b and totally not l33t enough to post on here. FTW!

[Shadowalker]

Does "trendy" win Superbowls?

[hammer]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='08 October 2009 - 08:11 AM' timestamp='1255003862' post='251663']
Offensive plays make the highlight reel more often than defensive plays. Offense is flashy. The media likes flashy. The people like flashy. And if flashy is trendy, then therefore, the Ravens have become trendy. At least that's how I'm looking at it.

And let's be honest, we only appreciate defensive football because of all the years we've had to suffer through having a poor offense. Now that we finally have an offense that can put up points, a lot of us don't know how to react and assume that the sky is falling.
[/quote]

That is an excellent analysis....Now Dr. Phil, back to the point about..... LOL. But I do agree.

[mhead66]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='08 October 2009 - 02:16 PM' timestamp='1255025779' post='251852']
Agree with you on that one. I just like talking football with other people who like football and are Ravens fans, or are just entertaining. As far as your last comment, I gave up "totally awesome" e-names when I gave up AOL dial-up in the mid-'90s. Sorry I don't have any X's in my name, guess I'm just a n00b and totally not [b][u]l33t[/u][/b] enough to post on here. [b]FTW[/b]!
[/quote]
Not a h4x0r, are you?

And what does Fort Worth, Texas have to do with anything?
Welcome aboard...

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I think some have misunderstood my initial post - I'm [i]not[/i] advocating us being trendy by any means. [u]I'm a Ravens fan because I like defense[/u]! I was just asking if people think we have become more appealing to everyday fans who would have once dismissed us as 'boring' or 'one-dimensional.'

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='mhead66' date='08 October 2009 - 10:13 PM' timestamp='1255054391' post='252054']
Not a h4x0r, are you?

And what does Fort Worth, Texas have to do with anything?
Welcome aboard...
[/quote]

HAHAHA, to be honest, I had to look up what FTW stood for, now that it's started popping up [b]everywhere[/b] on the net.

[Ravens549]

lol!
No, our offense is just out-playing our defense for once.

[markmullen]

[quote name='wbirkhead' date='09 October 2009 - 11:07 AM' timestamp='1255100853' post='252178']
HAHAHA, to be honest, I had to look up what FTW stood for, now that it's started popping up [b]everywhere[/b] on the net.
[/quote]

Speaking of internet speak, what does IMO mean? It's all over the place.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='08 October 2009 - 03:39 AM' timestamp='1254987547' post='251649']
[b]Offense is the way to more fans[/b] so of course the Ravens will get more coverage than normal, but the reason I became a fan was because of #52 and this D.
[/quote]


Bingo. The NFL and many (perhaps newer) fans prefer offense and scoring. It IS the trend for the foreseeable future. So yes, any team that can meet that requirement will likely rise in any popularity contest.

[PuRock]

[quote name='markmullen' date='09 October 2009 - 02:12 PM' timestamp='1255111961' post='252250']
Speaking of internet speak, what does IMO mean? It's all over the place.
[/quote]

In my opinion.

It's tough keeping up with internet and text lingo. I'm constantly having to look things up.

[Gtown Purple]

How many thought that would ever happen?


[quote name='Ravens549' date='09 October 2009 - 12:20 PM' timestamp='1255105223' post='252210']
lol!
No, our offense is just out-playing our defense for once.
[/quote]

[wbirkhead]

[quote name='markmullen' date='09 October 2009 - 02:12 PM' timestamp='1255111961' post='252250']
Speaking of internet speak, what does IMO mean? It's all over the place.
[/quote]

It means "In My Opinion"

You'll also see IMHO which means "In My Humble Opinion"