Vs Broncos..

[Fan_Down_Under]

Hey everyone!

I hope I haven't just made a new thread for no reason and hit a nerve already haha.
As I said in my intro post in 'fans unite' Im Matt from Australia, very new to NFL
and I've chosen after alot of (uneducated) decisions, that the Ravens
will be the team Im going to stand behind!!

Just puting it out there to hear from some much more experienced people about this weeks game against the undefeated broncos, have we got a good shot? Honestly? I dont want it to sound like Im being negative but I also don't know enough to know.... embarrassing.. haha.
This will only be my 2nd game whilst actually following a team, and Ill be doing my best to find a way to watch it here in Aus, but so far Ive only been able to watch some videos here and there about the Raven's season thus far and it sounds like its coming down to their defense.. (What would I know though )

Anyway, I hope this doesn't tread on anyones toes, just wanna get in the game as much as I can and I hope I can learn from the devoted fans of the team Ive chosen here!!!!

(If I shouldnt have put this up just lemme know )

Thanks!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Moderator 2]

Welcome!

Hopefully Ed Reed has 2 ints for a score on Defense and Joe Flacco has another 300 passing. I hope the Defense is able to stop the running game of the Broncos.

[hammer]

Hey mate! Welcome to the board....Er, Uhm... I mean American football!

If you are serious, it might be helpful if you provide us with some idea of how much you DO KNOW about the game.

Kinda like a pre-assessment, know what I mean. Then we can just kinda "chime-in," where we "fit-in." Just my opinion.

[Fan_Down_Under]

Cheers to the both of you! I really appreciate not being laughed out of the forums, although honestly, with my experience, I wouldnt be surprised haha.

To be honest, I might as well be treated as if I know NOTHING! about the game, I dont know small bits and pieces and have been reading up myself over a few weeks, but its hard when its completelely independant with no comparison etc to the terms etc.

SO really, it would just be easier to say Im a complete newb than it would be me listing the minute amount I do know ha ha, but I am willing to learn everything I can about the game ASAP, and also about the Ravens !

Cheers again!

[hammer]

[quote name='Fan_Down_Under' date='31 October 2009 - 01:53 AM' timestamp='1256968407' post='268699']
Cheers to the both of you! I really appreciate not being laughed out of the forums, although honestly, with my experience, I wouldnt be surprised haha.

To be honest, I might as well be treated as if I know NOTHING! about the game, I dont know small bits and pieces and have been reading up myself over a few weeks, but its hard when its completelely independant with no comparison etc to the terms etc.

SO really, it would just be easier to say Im a complete newb than it would be me listing the minute amount I do know ha ha, but I am willing to learn everything I can about the game ASAP, and also about the Ravens !

Cheers again!
[/quote]

Ok. Well here's my recommendation - watch the game Sunday and write down some questions of particular plays. That would be a good and intelligent start.

[Fan_Down_Under]

Ok, will do,

Thanks mate!

[VA_Fan]

Welcome to the Flock!

If you have time, take a look at the link below and that will pretty much tell you everything you need to know about American Football. We can help you along the way as well.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_football"]All About Football[/url]

[Moderator 2]

That Wiki link is pretty good, so is this one [url="http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/beginnersguidetofootball"]NFL basics[/url] there are also links to the rulebook if you are interested. It takes a couple seasons to really learn all the nuances, I thought I was pretty well versed until my son started playing JV this year--I have learned a bunch about line play and tackling going over stuff with him.

[Fan_Down_Under]

Fantastic, thank you heaps for the links, Im going to read them now

[Pääjärvi]

Look out for Flacco . Joe Flacco

Welcome mate, seriously it's great to have fans new to the game willing to learn about it and cheer for the Ravens .

[BmoreRav]

One thing worth looking into is the NFL Game Pass which is live streaming of games for fans outside of the US! Since we're into Week 8 of the Season the price of a Ravens season ticket has been reduced to $79.99 (around £88 AUD). With that you get the previous 6 regular season games on demand, the rest of the regular season games live and on demand and you also get Total Access, GameDay, America's Game and Playbook on demand and constant live streaming of the NFL Network.

The streams are in HD aswell which looks perfect on my Laptop! Or you can even hook your PC up to a HDTV and watch it on the big screen!

[Sizzle]

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='Sizzle' date='31 October 2009 - 10:57 AM' timestamp='1257001041' post='268759']

[/quote]



Keep an eye on your six for this guy, mate.

[ROH522155]

You need to learn about the team's history so heres a link to the Ravens wikipedia page.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens



And heres a link to the team history page on BR.com

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/History.aspx

[ROH522155]

Oh and welcome to The Flock!

[dan21236]

enjoy the team.

[TomskyDe'Raven]

We do have to watch out for Broncos D'bs.. They do got HOf's but with our ability to munipulate blocking schemes we should be alright.. Look for Lyron McClain and Todd Heap to be blocking a lot of Denever D'bs....For a Raven win and back to contention welcome to the Ravens.....Cheers!!!!!

2 kudos Ricky Ponting!!!!!

[AwakenTheDemon]

As for the game itself, the second half should be the most exciting part of the game itself. The Broncos excel on defense in the second half, and the Ravens excel on offense in the second half. So it's going to come down to the wire.

As for football itself, everything I learned about the game, I learned from watching the games themselves. Reading about the rules, positions, and such will help, but watching a few games a week intently will help out even more. I've been trying to tell my girlfriend that, haha (I figure, she has to watch it if she's with me on sundays and monday nights, so she may as well get into it).

[quote name='TomskyDe'Raven' date='31 October 2009 - 03:04 PM' timestamp='1257019449' post='268844']
We do have to watch out for Broncos D'bs.. They do got HOf's but with our ability to munipulate blocking schemes we should be alright.. Look for Lyron McClain and Todd Heap to be blocking a lot of Denever D'bs
[/quote]

They have two Hall of Famers in Dawkins and Bailey. And to be honest, Dawkins hasn't done much of anything this year, so I wouldn't be overly concerned with him. Especially not with Flacco under center. What does blocking have anything to do with Defensive backs, unless they are blitzing. The Denver defensive backs only have 2 sacks altogether, so that's not even a concern either. LaRon McClain and Heap may have to block a little bit more than usual for the defensive line, yes. But with Gaither most likely back, our offensive line should stand up pretty well to the Broncos defensive line.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Welcome! It's always nice to have new people aboard the ship! Obviously I'm biased but I think you made the best decision when you chose to support the Baltimore Ravens! I don't know if you already know the history behind football in Baltimore,Maryland so here's the quick run though (so you can understand the rivalries and such behind some of the games)

The Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts) were the first NFL team in Baltimore, they were at one time a premier NFL team featuring one of the greatest Quarterbacks in NFL History Johnny Unitas (Johnny "U" for short) The Colts were moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis in the middle of the night with out anyone knowing about it until moving trucks were seen leaving Memorial Stadium (the home of the Colts and the Baltimore Orioles) Despite our best efforts Baltimore wasn't able to keep the name Colts or any of the records of the great players that played here.

13 years later in 1996, the Cleveland Browns were moved from Cleveland to Baltimore by Art Modell. Modell decided to leave the Cleveland Browns name and history with the city of Cleveland and start over with the Ravens.

In the Ravens short history, they have won a Super Bowl, a few AFC North Division Championships, and appeared in the AFC Championship Game last season. They have also drafted a few future hall of fame players such as Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis,and Ed Reed.

The Ravens most hated rivals include: The Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns,Cincinatti Bengals, and the Indianapolis Colts.
The Ravens motto is "Play like a Raven" it means to play hard every single play, play with class, play smart,play with emotion,and play as a team. Or at least that's what I get out of it. LOL anyway, hope that bit of info helped!
GO RAVENS

[TomskyDe'Raven]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='31 October 2009 - 04:45 PM' timestamp='1257021917' post='268865']


What does blocking have anything to do with Defensive backs, unless they are blitzing.
[/quote]


I'm refering to Db's=Deep backs=Safties/corners......
I saw Chris Chester run infront of Willis and level out a cornerback so just for information we do block db's.......

[Chi_Town_Raven]

[quote name='TomskyDe'Raven' date='31 October 2009 - 06:04 PM' timestamp='1257026646' post='268896']
I'm refering to Db's=[s]Deep backs[/s][color="#FF0000"]Defensive Backs[/color]=Safties/corners......
I saw Chris Chester run infront of Willis and level out a cornerback so just for information we do block db's.......
[/quote]

[AwakenTheDemon]

Who calls them "deep backs"? Safeties and Corners are Defensive Backs. Exactly the same thing as what you call "Deep backs", so you're not really "correcting" me, just proving my point.

And I'm not saying we don't block defensive backs. However, unless they are blitzing or every now and then in a running situation when the defensive backs are playing the rush, there's really no blocking going on there. Even in running situations, most times a block is used to open up a hole for the running back, and after they break through the hole, they use their speed, evasion, and stiff arms/jukes/spins/what-have-you to avoid any defensive backs in their path. So unless the defensive backs are playing the rush, there's not a whole lot of blocking when it comes to them.

[hammer]

Ok, with acknowledgement to all of the visiting professors who have selflessly provided you with text references and study materials, now is the time for football geometry. This is a lecture so please have your pen and paper in the ready position.

[b]Mr. Wilson’s scruffy-old balls[/b]
Wilson has been making the official NFL football since 1941. The two parties recently extended their contract through 2011, according to the NFL, which would mark the 70th anniversary of the partnership.

[b]"Tough Branding-Iron Sized Balls"[/b]
The NFL introduced its first specialty "pigskin" in January 1986, with a one-time Super Bowl XX logo football. A unique imprinted football has been used in each Super Bowl since and, more recently, in other special games, such as those on Thanksgiving.

[b]In America, Size of the balls matter..... a lot![/b]
The length of the NFL game ball is 10 7/8 to 11 7/16 inches from tip to tip. The circumference is 27¾ to 28½ inches if you measure along the laces. The circumference is 20¾ to 21¼ around the fat side of the ball, measuring perpendicular to the laces.

[b]It's still a ******[/b]
The football is handmade with variations is due to factors such as temperature and humidity, along with human error, as each ball is still handmade.

[b]"White Balls"[/b]
Old-time football fans might remember seeing photos and game clips featuring a white football. It existed during the 1951 season, the first year of night football in the NFL. It was intended to deflect weak stadium lighting and illuminate the ball, according to Wilson spokeswoman Erin Quinn. The process of creating white leather “was too intricate to warrant the consistent use of this endeavor,” she said.

[b]"Stripped Balls are not normal"[/b]
You might have noticed that the footballs used by the NCAA – also made by Wilson – have half stripes of white around each end. These serve no purpose other than to differentiate the college football from the pro football. However, the NFL dipped into white-striped footballs once – in Super Bowl VIII. You can see the stripes clearly in this photo of Miami’s Larry Csonka doing what he did all day: using the Minnesota defense as his personal pigskin ****.

[b]"College kids have smaller balls"[/b]
College teams have a choice of using one of two footballs, according to Wilson spokewomen Quinn and Molly Wallace. One version is the standard size of an NFL football. The other has dimensions that are roughly a half-inch smaller than the dimensions of the NFL ball.

[b]"Pig Balls or Cow Balls?"[/b]
“Pigskin” is arguably the most commonly used word here and a word that instantly makes all of us think of autumn days tossing around, well, the ol' pigskin. But it turns out the pigskin has never been made from pigskin. “The theory is that the bladder originally used was a pig bladder,” said Wilson's Wallace. “But the outer part of the ball has always been cowhide.”

Hope that cleared things up a tad for you "bloke."

[AwakenTheDemon]

No offense to your well put post, but how does anything you just posted help him understand the game of football? He's asking for help on understanding the game, not how big the ball is, what it's made of, or if it's striped or not.

I can see it now. The guy is watching a game with his friend. The offense is on their 3 yard line, they snap the ball, the quarterback is under pressure and floating around the goal line. He's sacked, but at first it seems like it may be a safety.

Friend: "Wait, was that a safety? I couldn't quite tell. What do you think?"
New Guy to Football: "Uh... a football is 10 and seven eighths inches long. Which is smaller than a college football, because college guys have smaller balls."
Friend: "Yeah... okay. Good, they're reviewing the play. Thanks anyways."

[Tank 92]

You made an excellent decision in choosing the Ravens as your Team! We are working to build a perennially consistent franchise that will be competitive year after year. As with most sports, there are a lot of nuances and obscure rules that you will become familiar with over time by watching and reading. In the interim, enjoy the competition and only leave your seat for a Foster's during time outs and half time!

To answer your original question, we have an excellent chance to beat the undefeated Broncos. If you have looked into the history of the Ravens, you know that we have had one of the most feared defenses over the last 10 years, but have had issues on that side of the ball this year. Look for our ability to bring pressure on Kyle Orton, the Broncos QB. Hopefully we worked out some things over the break to improve the pass rush. In my opinion, this is the most important factor in getting back to having the formidable defense we have been in the past. Although we now have the unprecedented ability to put a lot of points on the board, you do not win championships by trying to just outscore the other team. Defense wins championships.

[mhead66]

[quote name='jt3751' date='01 November 2009 - 08:00 AM' timestamp='1257080453' post='269040']
You made an excellent decision in choosing the Ravens as your Team! We are working to build a perennially consistent franchise that will be competitive year after year. As with most sports, there are a lot of nuances and obscure rules that you will become familiar with over time by watching and reading. In the interim, enjoy the competition and only leave your seat for a Foster's during time outs and half time!

To answer your original question, we have an excellent chance to beat the undefeated Broncos. If you have looked into the history of the Ravens, you know that we have had one of the most feared defenses over the last 10 years, but have had issues on that side of the ball this year. Look for our ability to bring pressure on Kyle Orton, the Broncos QB. [b]Hopefully we worked out some things over the break to improve the pass rush. In my opinion, this is the most important factor in getting back to having the formidable defense we have been in the past. Although we now have the unprecedented ability to put a lot of points on the board, [u]you do not win championships by trying to just outscore the other team. Defense wins championships[/u].[/b]
[/quote]
+1

[Mahatma_Sloth]

the key to this game imo is to pressure Denver QB Kyle Orton into making mistakes with our passrush. we will have to do this with our front 7. these are our players ligned up in the tackle box or between the offensive tackles which are positioned at either end of the offensive line. the front 7 consist of defensive tackles(1 in the 3-4[3 dts and 4 lbs] or 2 in the 4-3) defensive ends and linebackers(lb). We were known for exotic defenses that would confuse protection schemes. you would never know who would blitz (when you send more and/or diffrent players to passrush other than the d line like linebackers cornerbacks and safties) and who would drop off to cover the pass play. our corners and safties havent looked like they should this year because we run a defesive scheme(under new d cord. Greg Mattison) that dosent really take advantage of the fact that this team was built for blitzing and agressive defense not coverage

[HDG-52]

Hey Fan Down Under you should be able to search on the internet and find programs where you can pay and watch whatever NFL games you want from your computer . I found two websites for you 1st is www.NFL.Football-LiveonPC.com which does not say how much it is to sign up and 2nd is www.watch-nfl-football-online.com and that says it is $29.90 to sign up . Now read da fine print because I have not ever used these and cannot guarantee , just trying to help ya see the game . There are websites that say you can view for free but we all know that nothing comes free just search it and see what you come up with . Also our game is at 1pm today ( Sunday ) . Not sure how far ahead of us or behind you are on da clock . Enjoy and GO RAVENS !!!!!!!! Thanks for your support Brotha .

[Fan_Down_Under]

Heyt everyone, thank you all for your help so far, Ive teken everything into account and read pretty much everything that;s been sent my way! Plus Ive searched around a bit more as well.

RAVENS WON! RAVENS WON!! HAHA GO TEAM!

I was unfortunately unable to watch the game today (4 am here and not aired) but Im working on the suggestions Ive recieved from others about paying to watch online, I think thats the way ill go, just havent been able to get around to it yet, but I did keep up with the scores as often as a I could and was yelling at the compiter loudly since I had to be up at that time any way!! haha.

I also did watch about6 half of the 46ers vs Colts game, as it was 1 of the 2 they aired here this morning, so I picked up a few different bits and pieces.

Gotta love that 20 yard throw to Mason for that touchdown in the 4th quarter, was able to watch a couple of highlights so far hehe

Thanks again!! and GO RAVENS!

[T-Sizzle55]

Congratulation you have made a wise decision to get into following the NFL and to root for a tough and proud team like the Baltimore Ravens. I truly believe that you cannot get a real sense of our team without learning about our city. The players are representatives of the great and historic city of Baltimore. The Baltimore harbor was where the Star Spangled Banner, our country's national Anthem, was written. Baltimore is known as a blue collar town that loves hard work, but also enjoys a great party. We are big into sailing and seafood. Some of the people here take sailing as serious as they take football.

Our road has not been an easy one, but filled full of adversity and hardships. We once had a great team known as the Baltimore Colts who are famous for for winning the 1958 World Championship. It was the first ever National Football League game to go into sudden death overtime. The final score was Baltimore Colts 23, New York Giants 17 and still known to this day as "The Greatest Game Ever Played." Later down the road the Colts were stolen from us in the middle of the night when the owner sold the team to Indianapolis, hence the current Indianapolis Colts you see today. Baltimore stayed in a footballess limbo for 12 long long years with no team until we got the owner of the Cleveland Browns to move his team to Baltimore. We wanted our own identity so we changed the name and the colors. We took a state wide vote and selected the "Baltimore Ravens" after the famous Baltimore writer Edgar Allen Poe's story "The Raven".

Learn about Johnny Unitas. He is a football legend and a state treasure so much we put a bronze statue of him in front of our stadium. He wore the jersey #19 which is why you will never EVER see a Raven wear the #19 jersey.

To get a good feel of our emotional history you should watch the documentary of "The Band That wouldn't Die". It's a fantastic movie that accurately describes how Baltimore lost the old Baltimore Colts and gained the new Baltimore Ravens. I think it will help you to get a sense of the strong football culture here and why we have such a deep and passionate love for our team. I also think you would enjoy our victories even more if you know the team's background, which will make you the best and loudest fan there.

The 5 part series of The Band That Wouldn't Die
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh0f6voXp9g
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmYiTPC2AtM
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P2HfX41TzY
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HJpNmxLS1E
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt7FNrb96kM


PS: If you run into my family in Melbourne tell them I said what's up!