Disappointed

[Malkavian Raven]

[font="Franklin Gothic Medium"]As a loyal fan of the Ravens organization, I have to say that I am as equally disappointed in certain members of these forums as they are of my team. I say “[i]my team[/i]” because it’s apparent there are more capricious fans than I lead myself to believe previously. Here lately, that mentality has spread like wildfire and it is a bit abrading.

Even more surprising is the rising number of “[i]fans[/i]” who have been there from the beginning and they too are complaining. Did you forget 1996 to 1998? 2002? 2005? 2007? Six years out of this teams fourteen year history they’ve finished below the .500 mark, if their losing bothered you then as much as it did now you wouldn’t be here. So, the way I see it, you were lying when you said you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re lying to yourself now.

I get it if you’re frustrated with how the season is going because I feel the same way. The difference between us is I’m able to let a loss go when the fourth quarter ends. Why? Because it’s in the record books and my attention is focused on the next opponent. I also have an understanding that a team can be on top of their game one year and struggling the next, just take a look around the league and you’ll see we’re not the only ones this year.

Steelers were the league champions last year but if their season keeps going the way it has been, they’ll be sitting at home in January.

It would seem the real problem is that you’ve been spoiled. John Harbaugh came into last season as a rookie coach with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco and as doubtful as we all were, the Ravens were firing on all cylinders and they made it all the way to the conference title game.

Then the off-season wasn’t kind to us by any means. The loss of kicker Matt Stover, middle linebacker Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan; so we had to make adjustments and we continue to make adjustments. If you’ve listened to any of Harbaugh’s interviews, you’ll hear him say repeatedly, “[i]We’ve got to get better.[/i]”

He is very aware of his situation, he is reminded of it constantly by members within the Ravens organization, the media, sports analysts and not to mention the whole city of Baltimore.

Lets remember, there are fifty-three players on a team and some of them show up to play on Sunday while others don’t. The challenge is telling the difference. Cameron and Mattison are playing the “hot hand” right now. Why? I couldn’t tell you, you’d have to ask them.

As for blaming individual players, there isn’t a single player alive that didn’t step onto that field every week and not make a difference, that didn’t want to be the unknown x-factor, that didn’t want to be the game changer. You do the best you can and you have to want it more than the guy on the other side of the ball, something you’d know if you ever bothered to lace up a pair cleats.

Lastly, there’s been a lot of talk about “[i]to heck with character[/i].” Now that Suggs has “[i]shamed[/i]” the Ravens organization, we think now would be a good time to bring onboard more “[i]bad elements[/i].” Why? Do we really want to turn our team into the Dallas Cowboys of 2008?

Furthermore, don’t even say that only “[i]rough around the edges[/i]” individuals make good football players. There are dozens of players in the league right now that have more character than entire teams. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees just to name a few. Not because of their on field accomplishments but their off field presence as well.

I, truly, have been there since the beginning and I’ve taken every hard fought loss like a nail in the coffin but not once did I think about turning my back nor did I lash out at them. I bit my tongue and banged my head against the wall, somehow fourteen years later I’m still here and still proud of them even in defeat.

Just remember, it’s easy to live vicariously through a television set and make all the right calls in hindsight. Try your hand at calling it from the sideline as it’s happening and see how you fair.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, all I want is to see this “[i]civil unrest[/i]” come to an end and the morale within the fan base lifted. That’s it.

Thanks to those who took the time to read this.

[right][b]~ Malkavian Raven[/b][/right][/font]

[RavensAllTheWay]

To be honest with you, I was gonna make a forum like this, but backed out for fear of being ripped on. But much respect to you for making this forum. I think it's about time someone made one like this, so great job. I especially agree with what you said in the 3rd paragraph. You deserve lots of praise

[Purple Punishment]

Very Very Good 1st Post!!!!!

Welcome to The Flock....what too you so long to get here?

[big jake]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' date='09 December 2009 - 11:40 PM' timestamp='1260420051' post='308672']
[font="Franklin Gothic Medium"]
Even more surprising is the rising number of “[i]fans[/i]” who have been there from the beginning and they too are complaining. Did you forget 1996 to 1998? 2002? 2005? 2007? Six years out of this teams fourteen year history they’ve finished below the .500 mark, if their losing bothered you then as much as it did now you wouldn’t be here. So, the way I see it, you were lying when you said you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re lying to yourself now.
[/quote]

Trust me you really don't know. More and more people are complaining because we've been patiently waiting for our team to get better and succeed. No one forgot about all those other seasons. Honestly, I was equally as disappointed as I am now for all those other seasons and its because I care. And anyone who criticizes other people for "caring" then we all know who the true fans are here.

[theFRANCHISE]

Preach on.

Bottom line, this is the fickle nature of fanhood. Fans hold the players to such high expectations, especially after such a successful season, that those expectations aren't always realistic -- especially when growing pains are bound to happen. We were just fortunate to have seen those pains delayed a season, and we're only now experiencing them. But for growing pains, this season certainly hasn't been all bad; in losing games in the 4th quarter by no more than 13 points and averaging less than a possession per loss entering the Packers game, the team has been more competitive than in years past. Sure, this sounds like a cop-out for moral victories, but the fact that the team's only obstacle is their ability to finish speaks to how much easier those problems can be fixed than others.

Finishing involves fighting through adversity. Sounds like a rah-rah speech, but it's true. Once the team experiences enough of this adversity, it'll leave a bad enough taste in the players' mouths that they learn to finish games. They learned the hard way last season against the Titans in the regular season and the Steelers three times. They'll learn again this season. Either way, building a championship-caliber team takes time, and time is something that can't be rushed.

[demented ferret]

Great post and I agree. We all need to keep our faith in our team. Some seasons will be better than others but we need to show our team that we stand with them whether they win or lose.

[JO_75]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='10 December 2009 - 12:03 AM' timestamp='1260421418' post='308680']
Preach on.

But for growing pains, this season certainly hasn't been all bad; in [b]losing games in the 4th quarter by no more than 13 points[/b] and averaging less than a possession per loss entering the [b]Packers[/b] game.[/quote]

Franchise, you bring up a good point and I just want to bring up another point that in the midst of all this doubting and griping at the team that everybody seems to forget. I'm going to use the Green Bay Packers as my example:

Last year Aaron Rodgers took over this team and did pretty well. They finished 6-10. The problem they had last year is the problem Ravens are having this year, not finishing games. Looking at the Packers results from last year, 10 of the losses came in 7 games where they loss by 4 or fewer points. Green Bay in the off-season fixes their defense, adds BJ Raji and Clay Matthews to make the transition to a 3-4 defense under Dom Capers. Now you look at GB, the way they played against us, they are peeking at the right time and gaining momentum heading into the post-season. They could be that suprise team that with the improvement of the defense and how well Rodgers is playing could knock off the Saints and advance to the Super Bowl and continue the old saying that Defense Wins Championships.

Now I look at the Ravens and their losses, NE(lost by 6), CIN(3 Points), MIN(2 Points), CIN(10 Points), Indy(2 Points),GB(13 Points). That's a total of 36 points we have lost our games by this year, meaning we are on average 6 points short of winning. If they make the right adjustments in the off-season and adding the right players through FA and Draft we could do what Green Bay did and go from losing games by a few points to a great team and back into the playoffs.

[Militant X 1]

MR...i really liked your post and agree with some of it bruh.

however....i am a "true" Ravens fan....PERIOD! win or lose...i bleed Ravens purple! however...my "fanhood" for the Ravens doesn't mean that i have to be the "happy-go-lucky" camper about my team every second, of every minute, of every hour, or every day or of every year when "my" team is playing piss poor imo!

MR...we are FANS!! we are excited when we win....and pissed when we lose! we express our frustrations by throwing things on the ground, kicking the table or sofa on a bad call, screaming and yelling at the T.V. over an interception, fumble or pass interference and we post our disgruntleness on the Ravens forum as a form of release. that is the nature of the beast! MR....we are FANS! this has been one of those types of seasons for us. the majority of our games lost have been by close-calls. our offense has been extremely below that which is mediocre for nearly 6 games now and unable to score at will. we have become a one-trick pony in the passing game by only throwing the ball to Mason on sideline outs and comeback routes. and our RB...who is extremely talented is our lead reciever. the RB! you see...it has been the same ole' same ole'. our defense has played average at best and is nowhere near the dominant pass rushing, pass coveraging, take aways and QB sacking machine that it has been in years past and that we "true" Ravens fans are accustomed to.

growing pains? rookies? new personnel? new system? okay...if that is what most cats here choose to call it. but that doesn't negate the fact that the Ravens have looked awful, sluggish and lethargic (up to this point) on both sides of the ball this season. if you watch shows like [b]Ravens Xtra, the John Harbaugh Show, Touchdown Baltimore, Purple Passion[/b] etc (i do).....what will you hear from the analysts about the Ravens? you'll hear basically everything that you are reading on these forums (both positive and negative) almost word for word. i wonder if their Ravens "fanhood" is questionable as well?

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' date='09 December 2009 - 09:40 PM' timestamp='1260420051' post='308672']
[font="Franklin Gothic Medium"]As a loyal fan of the Ravens organization, I have to say that I am as equally disappointed in certain members of these forums as they are of my team. I say “[i]my team[/i]” because it’s apparent there are more capricious fans than I lead myself to believe previously. Here lately, that mentality has spread like wildfire and it is a bit abrading.

Even more surprising is the rising number of “[i]fans[/i]” who have been there from the beginning and they too are complaining. Did you forget 1996 to 1998? 2002? 2005? 2007? Six years out of this teams fourteen year history they’ve finished below the .500 mark, if their losing bothered you then as much as it did now you wouldn’t be here. So, the way I see it, you were lying when you said you’ve been here since the beginning or you’re lying to yourself now.

I get it if you’re frustrated with how the season is going because I feel the same way. The difference between us is I’m able to let a loss go when the fourth quarter ends. Why? Because it’s in the record books and my attention is focused on the next opponent. I also have an understanding that a team can be on top of their game one year and struggling the next, just take a look around the league and you’ll see we’re not the only ones this year.

Steelers were the league champions last year but if their season keeps going the way it has been, they’ll be sitting at home in January.

It would seem the real problem is that you’ve been spoiled. John Harbaugh came into last season as a rookie coach with a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco and as doubtful as we all were, the Ravens were firing on all cylinders and they made it all the way to the conference title game.

Then the off-season wasn’t kind to us by any means. The loss of kicker Matt Stover, middle linebacker Bart Scott and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan; so we had to make adjustments and we continue to make adjustments. If you’ve listened to any of Harbaugh’s interviews, you’ll hear him say repeatedly, “[i]We’ve got to get better.[/i]”

He is very aware of his situation, he is reminded of it constantly by members within the Ravens organization, the media, sports analysts and not to mention the whole city of Baltimore.

Lets remember, there are fifty-three players on a team and some of them show up to play on Sunday while others don’t. The challenge is telling the difference. Cameron and Mattison are playing the “hot hand” right now. Why? I couldn’t tell you, you’d have to ask them.

As for blaming individual players, there isn’t a single player alive that didn’t step onto that field every week and not make a difference, that didn’t want to be the unknown x-factor, that didn’t want to be the game changer. You do the best you can and you have to want it more than the guy on the other side of the ball, something you’d know if you ever bothered to lace up a pair cleats.

Lastly, there’s been a lot of talk about “[i]to heck with character[/i].” Now that Suggs has “[i]shamed[/i]” the Ravens organization, we think now would be a good time to bring onboard more “[i]bad elements[/i].” Why? Do we really want to turn our team into the Dallas Cowboys of 2008?

Furthermore, don’t even say that only “[i]rough around the edges[/i]” individuals make good football players. There are dozens of players in the league right now that have more character than entire teams. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees just to name a few. Not because of their on field accomplishments but their off field presence as well.

I, truly, have been there since the beginning and I’ve taken every hard fought loss like a nail in the coffin but not once did I think about turning my back nor did I lash out at them. I bit my tongue and banged my head against the wall, somehow fourteen years later I’m still here and still proud of them even in defeat.

Just remember, it’s easy to live vicariously through a television set and make all the right calls in hindsight. Try your hand at calling it from the sideline as it’s happening and see how you fair.

I mean no disrespect to anyone, all I want is to see this “[i]civil unrest[/i]” come to an end and the morale within the fan base lifted. That’s it.

Thanks to those who took the time to read this.

[right][b]~ Malkavian Raven[/b][/right][/font]
[/quote]
man, i said the same thing before, but, they(haters i call em) wont see it your way. they just throw around terms like "tough love" and "own worst critic" then they will scoff at you and tell you that your stupid for your blind faith and that your just a homer

[Ed_Reed20]

Great first post man. Your points were rational and really put things in perspective.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

[quote name='big jake' date='09 December 2009 - 10:01 PM' timestamp='1260421306' post='308678']
Trust me you really don't know. More and more people are complaining because we've been patiently waiting for our team to get better and succeed. No one forgot about all those other seasons. Honestly, I was equally as disappointed as I am now for all those other seasons and its because I care. And anyone who criticizes other people for "caring" then we all know who the true fans are here.
[/quote]
alot of ppl wernt with us for some of those seasons we have alot of young posters ive noticed. some things in life just arnt instant gratifacation i dont care how much money you put into it sometimes you cant buy your way out of rolling with the punches. being a fan of a franchise is a love affair. a relationship. you can take the good with the bad or be an abussive/overcritical a hole.

[Reddawn36]

I agree with your sentiment on how we are spoiled.. and then point out the fact that last year we were projected to be horrible, (like 4-5 win terrible) but we came out of no where (to other teams anyway... just ask the cowboys) and made a run to the AFC CG with a rookie coach and QB

unfortunately that set the bar awfully high for the both of them

what people fail to realize is we still have players from the billick era... in the billick era we were inconsistant, one year we would be good, next we would be bad.... with harbaugh the good so far has been the CG in which we all remember, the bad being at worst I see 8-8, which is still an improvement over 5-11

I guess what I'm saying is that with harbaugh so far, the good has been very good, and the bad hasn't been nearly as bad as previous years

don't get me wrong, during that packers game I had to turn the T.V. off otherwise I probably would have "executed" it if I saw another P.I. call

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='09 December 2009 - 11:56 PM' timestamp='1260420963' post='308675']
To be honest with you, I was gonna make a forum like this, but backed out for [b]fear of being ripped on[/b]. But much respect to you for making this forum. I think it's about time someone made one like this, so great job. I especially agree with what you said in the 3rd paragraph. You deserve lots of praise
[/quote]

so what... these forums are meant to be used to debate/state your opinion.... you shouldn't EVER let other peoples opinion's influence you

because at the end of the day no one else matters except for the people you care for... and the people who care for you

[Ed_Reed20]

Even though I agree that we as fans were spoiled by the instant success Harbaugh, Cam and Flacco had last year, I'm getting sick of the roller-coaster ride that this team goes on year-to-year. I love the Ravens and looking at what Ozzie is building, this team will likely be competitive for a long time but the inconsistency of this team has been maddening. It wasn't going to happen in one year but to me, this team shouldn't be 6-6 and right now.

[12th man]

I agree with what you are saying about being a fan but sometimes you just have to vent venting doesn't mean you don't bleed purple or that you don't love your ravens it's just the passion. There's nothing wrong with being critical of the team some of it is needed to be said and some not but that's the nature of being a fan. Tuff love is ok love is love of the game ,the players ,the coaches. But make no mistake I will call it like i see it and it doesn't change my love for the team as a whole.

[mdrsharon]

Wow, what a good assesment of our current status.
I will be a die hard fan no matter what place our team ends up in(I even still root for the sad state of the O's), as, this is who represents us.
I wish we could do a little better though when on national TV, and I still am optomistic about the playoffs and hopefully championship.
I do not think it is a matter of being spoiled - when you remember going to the Super Bowl - that feeling of winning -you want that to happen again ,so much, that anything less won't do.
I watch every game thinking we will win. When we lose it IS a disapointment because this year there were many games we were so close to winning.
But through time, growth, selection of good new talent, and coaching, we will be there again.
Go Ravens!!

[Alexir]

I don't mind a losing season and thats not why everyone is upset. I mind that our coaching staff isnt being changed and we arent making any changes to our gameplan or to players we put on the field.

But congrats on your first post about how high and mighty you are and how you were there from the beginning. You are cool. How was Twilight?

I've had enough of these posts about how we are bad fans for wanting to vent and wanting better for our team. Its great you are so optimistic but some people expected big things out of the Ravens after reaching the AFCCG last year. Remember how we were in 2001 and 2007 coming off those big years? If people weren't fans they wouldnt be on this damn website talking about the frustrations of the teams.

Fan stands for Fanatic. You are going to get Fanatic responses. Sorry the forums aren't all about rainbows and lollipops.

Im surprised you made a thread about this since you just joined the forums last night. Don't read the forums if you don't like it.

[XxSizzleXx]

We're still going to the playoffs.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Reddawn36' date='10 December 2009 - 11:40 AM' timestamp='1260463234' post='308811']
so what... these forums are meant to be used to debate/state your opinion.... [b]you shouldn't EVER let other peoples opinion's influence you[/b][u][/u]

because at the end of the day no one else matters except for the people you care for... and the people who care for you
[/quote]

EXACTLY!!!!

once again...just because we are disappointed in our Ravens play this season and voice it...doesn't mean that we are not legitimate "fans" of the Ravens! that's what "true" fans do! and i NEVER let anyone else's opinion on this board or these threads shape my own.

[Tighthead420]

Another shut-the-hell-up-and-never-crticize-the-team post? I am beginning to think the FO is sending spies in here to make these topics.

I understand where you are coming from, but fans getting upset about this season is a legitimate emotion. It's not as if they were undefeated and lost one game and people are complaining. NO...they have been awful recently, and as fans we can and will call them on it. They were expected to at least make the playtoffs, and now are very likely not going to. It's the same old crap from this franchise. One year they shock the NFL by being good, the next the shock by being less than average. The most frustrating part is that they really ARE better than this, yet every other year they take a huge step back from where they were. So trying to figure out why on an internet message board makes me not a fan?

You do make a point that the bar was set VERY high for them this year. Still, the coaching and play we have witnessed in those losses (and even some of those wins) makes us want to drive off a cliff. Since that is very counterproductive to life, we have to vent by other means. Hence the fan boards. Fan boards are [b]OPINION[/b] writing for the most part. And, as such, emotion will come into the posts. It is unavoidable...so instead of trying to tell everyone not to do it (which is futile) just ignore it if you hate it so much.

[ttoney]

I totally on everything you said.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Tighthead420' date='10 December 2009 - 03:14 PM' timestamp='1260476082' post='308928']
Another shut-the-hell-up-and-never-crticize-the-team post? I am beginning to think the FO is sending spies in here to make these topics.

I understand where you are coming from, but fans getting upset about this season is a legitimate emotion. It's not as if they were undefeated and lost one game and people are complaining. NO...they have been awful recently, and as fans we can and will call them on it. They were expected to at least make the playtoffs, and now are very likely not going to. It's the same old crap from this franchise. One year they shock the NFL by being good, the next the shock by being less than average. The most frustrating part is that they really ARE better than this, yet every other year they take a huge step back from where they were. So trying to figure out why on an internet message board makes me not a fan?

You do make a point that the bar was set VERY high for them this year. Still, the coaching and play we have witnessed in those losses (and even some of those wins) makes us want to drive off a cliff. Since that is very counterproductive to life, we have to vent by other means. Hence the fan boards. Fan boards are [b]OPINION[/b] writing for the most part. And, as such, emotion will come into the posts. It is unavoidable...so instead of trying to tell everyone not to do it (which is futile) just ignore it if you hate it so much.
[/quote]

^ i co-sign this!

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='Alexir' date='10 December 2009 - 02:07 PM' timestamp='1260472055' post='308893']
I don't mind a losing season and thats not why everyone is upset. I mind that our coaching staff isnt being changed and we arent making any changes to our gameplan or to players we put on the field.

But congrats on your first post about how high and mighty you are and how you were there from the beginning. You are cool. How was Twilight?

I've had enough of these posts about how we are bad fans for wanting to vent and wanting better for our team. Its great you are so optimistic but some people expected big things out of the Ravens after reaching the AFCCG last year. Remember how we were in 2001 and 2007 coming off those big years? If people weren't fans they wouldnt be on this damn website talking about the frustrations of the teams.

Fan stands for Fanatic. You are going to get Fanatic responses. Sorry the forums aren't all about rainbows and lollipops.

Im surprised you made a thread about this since you just joined the forums last night. Don't read the forums if you don't like it.
[/quote]
I agree with your post. As fans, I believe we have the right to post our opinions about the players/coaches. I Love the Ravens, and always will - but that does not mean that I won't ever criticize them. Our team is better than our record indicates and really wish someone could tell me why we are not playing to our full potential. Has Harbs "holier than thou" attitude turned off the team, and has he lost the locker room? Why did we change both the O & D schemes this year? We don;t seem to be using the schemes that took us to the Championship game last season. Why is that? Also, to MR - we didn;t lose Stover, we let him go. Furthermore, I'm glad that you can let go of a loss at the end of the 4th qtr, I however need at least a day or two to recover. Does that make me less of a fan than you? I think not. Go RAvens

[Ravnet]

I half agree with Alexir in that its pretty damn stupid to question someone's "fanhood" because they are upset about their team's performance, but on the other hand, ****ing endlessly is just as ignorant.

[quote]Because it’s in the record books and my attention is focused on the next opponent.[/quote]

Honestly, I don't mean to be grouchy, but this is my biggest pet-peeve when it comes to sports fans; we're not players, and as fans, I would say that our job is actually to be revisionists.

[quote]It would seem the real problem is that you’ve been spoiled[/quote]

Agreed.

[quote]He is very aware of his situation, he is reminded of it constantly by members within the Ravens organization, the media, sports analysts and not to mention the whole city of Baltimore[/quote]

If this is supposed to imply that we shouldn't criticize Harbaugh just because he has good intentions, then I completely disagree.

[dan21236]

I am a fan. We all are fans. I am certain if we were all in a room together,watching a game,we'd all be hollering , having a good time and but banging our heads against the wall when things didn't work out.We'd all have different opinions. But I would not think any less of you, because we are all fans and it's just a football game.

Suppose we couldn't talk to each other during that game and had to type everything.It's easy to read one thing when the writer meant something different.That's what this forum is. All of us trying to express ourselves with the written word. Some are great at typing their feelings and some are not. BTW, you did an excellent job of expressing your thoughts.


Don't judge or be critical, it's just a forum. Read what you want and take it all with a grain of salt.

Just my opinion.

[goravensd]

Nice post, but you have to realize that we are all just sharing our thoughts here. If we get mad at something, whether it is play calling, execution, coaching, whatever we feel has not been done right in any given game, and we can't let it go it's not because we're not true fans. We all know that there are ups and downs, that doesn't mean that we won't be frustrated when we are down. Sometimes we feel that we have an idea that could fix things, and we want to share it, it doesn't mean we're not true fans. There is a reason coaches are coaching, players are playing and we, fans, are watching, so don't be disappointed at us for sharing our ideas.

[BloodRaven]

I believe you are never defeated unless you give up, for example, it doesn't matter to me that we got eliminated in the playoffs by Pittsburgh last season because the boys gave EVERYTHING and I was proud of that.

There was nothing to be proud of in that loss the Green Bay.

[Alexir]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='11 December 2009 - 02:34 AM' timestamp='1260516842' post='309379']
I believe you are never defeated unless you give up, for example, it doesn't matter to me that we got eliminated in the playoffs by Pittsburgh last season because the boys gave EVERYTHING and I was proud of that.

There was nothing to be proud of in that loss the Green Bay.
[/quote]

Heart is my thing. If we play with Heart, I dont care if we lose. We have played very flat lately though.

[ChiTownRavens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='10 December 2009 - 01:07 PM' timestamp='1260472055' post='308893']
I don't mind a losing season and thats not why everyone is upset. I mind that our coaching staff isnt being changed and we arent making any changes to our gameplan or to players we put on the field.

But congrats on your first post about how high and mighty you are and how you were there from the beginning. You are cool. How was Twilight?

I've had enough of these posts about how we are bad fans for wanting to vent and wanting better for our team. Its great you are so optimistic but some people expected big things out of the Ravens after reaching the AFCCG last year. Remember how we were in 2001 and 2007 coming off those big years? If people weren't fans they wouldnt be on this damn website talking about the frustrations of the teams.

Fan stands for Fanatic. You are going to get Fanatic responses. Sorry the forums aren't all about rainbows and lollipops.

Im surprised you made a thread about this since you just joined the forums last night. Don't read the forums if you don't like it.
[/quote]

Now this is the quote of the thread. Fans + bashing are vital to breaking down a teams performance. Im sorry if you think that we should be ashamed of ourselves but in reality we are the ones that keep the fanbase alive and kicking. And i totally agree with Alexir's first paragraph, basically sums up everything that everyone is talking about.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Tighthead420' date='10 December 2009 - 03:14 PM' timestamp='1260476082' post='308928']
Another shut-the-hell-up-and-never-crticize-the-team post? [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img] I am beginning to think the FO is sending spies in here to make these topics.

I understand where you are coming from, but fans getting upset about this season is a legitimate emotion. It's not as if they were undefeated and lost one game and people are complaining. NO...they have been awful recently, and as fans we can and will call them on it. They were expected to at least make the playtoffs, and now are very likely not going to. It's the same old crap from this franchise. One year they shock the NFL by being good, the next the shock by being less than average. The most frustrating part is that they really ARE better than this, yet every other year they take a huge step back from where they were. So trying to figure out why on an internet message board makes me not a fan?

You do make a point that the bar was set VERY high for them this year. Still, the coaching and play we have witnessed in those losses (and even some of those wins) makes us want to drive off a cliff. Since that is very counterproductive to life, we have to vent by other means. Hence the fan boards. Fan boards are [b]OPINION[/b] writing for the most part. And, as such, emotion will come into the posts. It is unavoidable...so instead of trying to tell everyone not to do it (which is futile) just ignore it if you hate it so much.
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you know what I have been a fan of this team since inception I want you to know that you need to pipe down . the poster is right we need to back off and let things work.