My Self-Deprecating Losers' Mentality

[theFRANCHISE]

I know people will call this a losers' mentality -- and rightfully so.

But I will gladly take a playoff loss to the Patriots just because:

1) The Ravens are in the postseason in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in franchise history.
2) The Steelers are out of the playoffs.
3) The Ravens are well-represented in the Pro Bowl.
4) There's no shame in losing to an extremely talented team like New England in their own home.

Now, keep in mind, of course I want our Ravens to pull off the upset -- but with the season as bad as its been, the playoffs were just a nice surprise and a win over the Pats would be an even nicer one.

So now I have thrown all expectations out the window and I'm just looking forward to a good game this weekend. If we have a playoff run, even better. And if we have a Super Bowl run, I will gladly eat my words and wear my embarassment like a badge of honor, just to see our boys hold up a Lombardi Trophy.

Do other people feel the same way?

[LilyRaven]

I'm just happy we're in too. I've got some choice words for some people tomorrow. *nasty grin*



Seriously though, even one more week of Ravens' football is good in my book.

[MagicianCamille]

Yeah pretty much. A lot of people are overlooking the fact that we haven't been even remotely successful back-to-back since the year after our Super Bowl year. Gotta hand it to the veteran leaders and the coaching staff, though we love to hate on them. It's nice to feel good about following Ravens football in consecutive years.

That said, it's time to keep cheering them on and see how we stack up against this year's playoff teams.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I feel that if we keep giving up yards on defense via the Penalties we will be a short lived play off team. If we can stop getting the penalties and Welker being hurt and maybe not playing we can beat the patriots. Seems like we just are not giving Flacco enough time the last few games to get a decent pass off so we also need more Willis, Ray and great run blocking down field.

My gut always says anytime Brady is playing he can win but i would LOVE to see Suggs smack him out of the game early.

[FlaccoFlicker]

this team is growing in the right path i see us being a dominate force soon,alot of fabs want it now,but soon we will destroy this league

[ravensfolife]

Just happy to get in....

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

After all the adversity,the highs, and lows. Blowout wins and heart breaking loses, I feel ya Franchise!

[Moderator 3]

I'm also "just happy to get in" but I'll be a whole lot happier if we kick New England's butts. We CAN beat them.

[theFRANCHISE]

I think it's one of those things where, unless it's a close game, I won't be as heartbroken to see a loss this weekend. I have zero expectations, so this wouldn't affect me as much as last year's playoff loss or the 2006 loss to the Colts.

[mdrsharon]

Brady has hurt ribs, but has been playing anyway.
We should have beat them last time, but won't talk about the dropped pass.
We are going all the way.
we won the Super Bowl as a wild card and we can do it again.
we are all in.

[Guest maryland1]

Agree. At work, I picked the Ravens to go all the way, just like Mike Ditka did, though my confidence has been shaken since week 3 due to our inconsistent play and attrocious penalty rate. At this point, I'm happy that we made it to the playoffs, especially knowing that we locked the door to the playoffs on the Steelers.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 January 2010 - 06:27 PM' timestamp='1262564836' post='330032']
I think it's one of those things where, unless it's a close game, I won't be as heartbroken to see a loss this weekend. I have zero expectations, so this wouldn't affect me as much as last year's playoff loss or the 2006 loss to the Colts.
[/quote]
Man dont bring up 2006, that was the last year of a dominating defense. The last remnants of the 2000 super bowl winning team/defense. That should have been our walk into the sunset, before a rebuild. Winning on sick defense, too big, too fast, too strong, too smart. And McNair's championship to sail away on.

Sad Face lol

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='03 January 2010 - 07:36 PM' timestamp='1262565382' post='330062']
Man dont bring up 2006, that was the last year of a dominating defense. The last remnants of the 2000 super bowl winning team/defense. That should have been our walk into the sunset, before a rebuild. Winning on sick defense, too big, too fast, too strong, too smart. And McNair's championship to sail away on.

Sad Face lol
[/quote]
That was the worst possible time for McNair to peak.

[Chi_Town_Raven]

I'll take it too. BTW Wes Welker is injured. Might not make it for the game. If he does, bye-bye chances at winning.

[MsMarvel73]

Yeah. Your feelings are pretty much mine too, Franny.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' date='03 January 2010 - 07:39 PM' timestamp='1262565542' post='330068']
I'll take it too. BTW Wes Welker is injured. Might not make it for the game. If he does, bye-bye chances at winning.
[/quote]

Torn ACL [u][b]AND[/b][/u] MCL. I HIGHLY doubt we'll see Welker in the playoffs this season.

[FerrariFan87]

I will never be happy with a loss, but the fact the Squealers were knocked out on account of us makes this season worth that much more, regardless of what happens in New England, who will be without Welker due to a torn ACL and MCL as stated above

[Ravnet]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='03 January 2010 - 07:14 PM' timestamp='1262564074' post='329972']
1) The Ravens are in the postseason in back-to-back seasons for only the second time in franchise history.
2) The Steelers are out of the playoffs.
3) The Ravens are well-represented in the Pro Bowl.
4) There's no shame in losing to an extremely talented team like New England in their own home.[/quote]

Sure, Franchise, but last year we went 11-5 and went to the AFCCG; this year, we went 9-7, and could exit in the first round to New England.

In the aforementioned scenario, we regress significantly from last season, and our defense continues to age.

Considering that we'll need new new wide receivers, new cornerbacks, and possibly new kickers/pass rushers/safeties/tight ends, we're going to be in a partially-rebuilding mode.

This may have been our year to peak, and we regressed.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' date='03 January 2010 - 07:39 PM' timestamp='1262565542' post='330068']
I'll take it too. BTW Wes Welker is injured. Might not make it for the game. If he does, bye-bye chances at winning.
[/quote]

Even if he was healthy, I like our chances. Anything can happen once a team makes the dance..

[Militant X 1]

i hear you Franchise....however.....i am not just happy that the Ravens are in the playoffs! they can beat the Patriots (if that is who they will face).

remember....Mark Clayton dropped a pass in a potential game winning drive over the Patriots this season.....IN FOXBOROUGH! plus...the Patriots are not the "juggernauts" that they use to be. i am not gonna pub up another team by selling our boys short! sure....we all are dissappointed in their play this season...and rightfully so. but now....since they are IN THE PLAYOFFS.....

.....anything can happen!

.....any team can win! (including our Ravens)

that is how i am looking at it!

[Chi_Town_Raven]

All I know is, if Fabian, Webb, Reed, Gaither, and Suggs were all back here playing 100%, we'd be a VERY dangerous team. Right now.......... I'd say unstable.

[Ravnet]

[quote name='Chi_Town_Raven' date='03 January 2010 - 07:44 PM' timestamp='1262565849' post='330090']
All I know is, if Fabian, Webb, Reed, Gaither, and Suggs were all back here playing 100%, we'd be a VERY dangerous team. Right now.......... I'd say unstable.
[/quote]

Fabian Washington stinks, Suggs has been horrendous this season, and Reed is a giant gamble at this point in his career.

We're just not a good enough team this season.

[MJSMOOTH]

I glad we won but we won't win 1 game sorry to say we r like a hurt solider who just made it to base but then then base blows up if any of yall understand that

[ravens_4life]

i am just happy we got in and knocked the steelers out. thats my revenge for last years loss. wes welker is hurt i dont know the status if he will play or not. i am watching espn right now to find out. we are running the ball very well so i say we have a fighting chance.

[mdrsharon]

Living on the west coast, I go to Vegas and I bet the Ravens to go all the way at several different times of the year when the odds were different and at different sports books.
Either way , if we can do it, I will be pretty happy.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='PARavensgirl' date='03 January 2010 - 07:40 PM' timestamp='1262565602' post='330074']
Torn ACL [u][b]AND[/b][/u] MCL. I HIGHLY doubt we'll see Welker in the playoffs this season.
[/quote]

I feel bad for Welker because he's a heckuva receiver, but man, I hope he's hurt... just slightly of course. Miraculous recovery in, oh, about a month.

[TSizzle00]

anyone else impressed with the run defense? They seemed like they were taking a step back in recent weeks.

[BuckWilds]

[quote name='mdrsharon' date='03 January 2010 - 07:47 PM' timestamp='1262566037' post='330104']
Living on the west coast, I go to Vegas and I bet the Ravens to go all the way at several different times of the year when the odds were different and at different sports books.
Either way , if we can do it, I will be pretty happy.

[/quote]

Delaware has sports betting too, sorta.

[ChiTownRavens]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='03 January 2010 - 07:03 PM' timestamp='1262566995' post='330150']
anyone else impressed with the run defense? They seemed like they were taking a step back in recent weeks.
[/quote]

Yea i was hecka enjoying how good they were today. But like people said before, im just glad we have another week of Ravens football! But im going to be so mad if they dont give 110% effort against the Patriots

[miller31time]

I'm in the same boat. This team, as currently constructed, is not Championship-caliber in my opinion. We have too many glaring holes (no consistent pass-rusher, terrible corners, etc). I am hoping that these weaknesses are addressed in the off-season through the draft, free agency and, if necessary, trades. But for now, I'm having a good time watching this team.

Has this season been frustrating at times? Absolutely, but next year is when my expectations will be at a point where just making the playoffs or just winning a 1st round game will not suffice. This season? It will do just fine.