Off To Miami

[Ravenator]

After looking over the final three games of the season, and after watching the Ravens' performance as a whole it is clear to me about one thing. Even with McCalister and Rolle out, our defense can still get most of the job done. Nothing against the two, but that's how good our defense is. As far as our offense goes, one thing stands out from the rest. Start Troy Smith. Now that they have seen it for their very own eyes, maybe the Ravens' organization can start using the great resources they have been avoiding to talk about this entire season.

I know this topic has seemed to have been drawn out for the past weeks/months, but the truth is that Troy Smith put up almost as many points in 2 MIN as Boller was barely able to in the entire game. This was ALSO done on his DEBUT game against the Colts ( I don't care if it was their second string or not). This answers all the questions that have been in Brian Billick's head that he has been pondering all season long.

...Don't even try to dispute this, because in the back of your head you know I'm right. Change for this offense is in order...

[Ravens52]

As much as I hate to say this. We can't really judge Troy's performance because it was against most of the Colts back-ups.

[noy]

Er. Are you kidding? Our defense gets the job done against the run without those two, but pass wise, no way in hell are we the same. Even with them in, Rolle can get burned quite a few times and every occasion Chris gets beat. There's a reason we got smashed by the colts, and it was because Manning knew about our corners. It might not be a factor next week because Miami sucks that much, but against Seattle and then the Steelers again?.....

If we have any sense, we will draft a nasty corner in the 1st round, because our two boys are getting a little too old to be getting it done.

But starting Troy would be nice to see, Miami's defense can be compared to the last 2 minutes he saw against the colts

[Ravens52]

Er. Are you kidding? Our defense gets the job done against the run without those two, but pass wise, no way in hell are we the same. Even with them in, Rolle can get burned quite a few times and every occasion Chris gets beat. There's a reason we got smashed by the colts, and it was because Manning knew about our corners. It might not be a factor next week because Miami sucks that much, but against Seattle and then the Steelers again?.....

If we have any sense, we will draft a nasty corner in the 1st round, because our two boys are getting a little too old to be getting it done.

But starting Troy would be nice to see, Miami's defense can be compared to the last 2 minutes he saw against the colts

I never questioned our defense....

[noy]

"After looking over the final three games of the season, and after watching the Ravens' performance as a whole it is clear to me about one thing. Even with McCalister and Rolle out, our defense can still get most of the job done. Nothing against the two, but that's how good our defense is."

I'm not saying you did, you were glorifying them when clearly they are quite bad against the pass.

[bmorelover]

I don't think we should be too sure yet. Miami might beat us, the way our luck has been this season. If we go into this game "knowing" we will win, we're gonna lose. And that would be the worst loss of all this season.

I think they should put Smith in, and see what he can do. He seemed capable last night, for the few minutes he played.

[JonM229]

And also that playing the Dolphins would be kinda like going up against the Colts 2nd team defense.

[ravensfan1996]

Well i cant agree at all with those comments. Without mccallister and rolle, teams throw at will on us. The patriots game was the first game with both of them back since game 2, and we had more pressure on brady then we have had all year on any QB.

Without them, as we saw last night, we give up the easy TD, and they march down the field, be it manning, anderson, or rothlisberger. Its a huge whole in our D without both of them.

As far as troy goes, last nights 3 mins doesnt prove anything. He was a playing 2nd string D, with 3 mins to go, and their D was "defending" a 31 point lead...playing very soft. I agree he looked ok, but didnt prove anything. Only proof would be to see him play a full game, then to see him be consistent in playing that way for a few games. Like Boller, he has had his shots, but if you only look at the pats game and the vikings and packers games in 2005, you could be like look how well he played...but he cant play that way for even 3 games in a row!

I dont want us to pull a "boller" with troy by putting him in too early, before he is ready. If we are going to "test" him out its against the dolphins because seattle and the steelers would be tough of a game for a rookie. But i see the ravens staying with boller just to end out the season.

[bigmacattack2123]

Well i cant agree at all with those comments. Without mccallister and rolle, teams throw at will on us. The patriots game was the first game with both of them back since game 2, and we had more pressure on brady then we have had all year on any QB.

Without them, as we saw last night, we give up the easy TD, and they march down the field, be it manning, anderson, or rothlisberger. Its a huge whole in our D without both of them.

As far as troy goes, last nights 3 mins doesnt prove anything. He was a playing 2nd string D, with 3 mins to go, and their D was "defending" a 31 point lead...playing very soft. I agree he looked ok, but didnt prove anything. Only proof would be to see him play a full game, then to see him be consistent in playing that way for a few games. Like Boller, he has had his shots, but if you only look at the pats game and the vikings and packers games in 2005, you could be like look how well he played...but he cant play that way for even 3 games in a row!

I dont want us to pull a "boller" with troy by putting him in too early, before he is ready. If we are going to "test" him out its against the dolphins because seattle and the steelers would be tough of a game for a rookie. But i see the ravens staying with boller just to end out the season.

Very good point...but as others have mentioned...that 2nd string D is comparable to that of Miami's 1st string. And yes as much as I'd love to see him start and play...I also don't want us to pull another "boller". We ruined boller there's no question about that. There is sooo much opportunity cost at stake no matter what you do next week. We can't put the team on a rookies shoulders not with the way we've been playing. That in mind you'll kill what lack of confidence and dignity Boller has left by starting Troy next week. At the same time though - we'd be missing out on a golden opportunity to see just what Troy has learned, see what he can do, and how much he has learned. I saw someone mention on a board at some point to split up the snaps this week. I agree, but maybe let Boller start if he doesn't impress anyone (which by the way in order to do so he needs to make the dolphins look like an 0-13 team not a team with something to play for) after a few drives hand it over to Troy and run the ball 60-70 percent of the time to keep him calm as he could be playing for a win. As opposed to just playing to play like last night. Regardles off last nights circumstances I was thrilled with what I saw. And listen to the almighty football god madden! He praised Troy almost as if he could turn out to be our Brady or Romo not necessarily their calibur but a guy who just arises storybook style. Oh yea, kind like his entire career? Whoever is reading this and is not familiar...do some research...he won that heisman for a reason.

[ReED jucate]

Troy Smith put up almost as many points in 2 MIN as Boller was barely able to in the entire game. This was ALSO done on his DEBUT game against the Colts

If you will remember, boller did this multiple times after McNair had trouble. The fact is at that point your no longer playing a hungry colts D. It would be nice to see Troy get alot more snaps though. I would like to see him and Boller alternate every other drive or so we are not risking Troy getting seriously injured and he can get some real experience. It was also nice to see Figurs run a route. We will be a young team like Greenbay soon so its nice to see our talent develope.

[Jamal]

Our defense can get the job done without our 2 starting CB's? You obviously haven't watched any Raven games.

[RvnInPa]

Er. Are you kidding? Our defense gets the job done against the run without those two, but pass wise, no way in hell are we the same. Even with them in, Rolle can get burned quite a few times and every occasion Chris gets beat. There's a reason we got smashed by the colts, and it was because Manning knew about our corners. .

I was thinking the same exact thing, where has this guy been, or what games was he watching? the Steelers and Colts tore apart these young guys....wow please take off the purple glasses once and awhile people

[Raven07]

manning (as well as Brady) are one of the few Quarterbacks in todays league that Spend litterally hours apon hours studying the playbook and studying their upcoming opponent and as a result....they come up Big in the situations when they are Most of all, needed.

[MJSMOOTH]

if we lose then we suck

[JonM229]

I know someone else mentioned it, but tickets for the game are going for a whopping 5 bucks on stubhub.com. I'm tempted to drive down just since it's so ridiculously cheap.

[Raven07]

lol nice but it depends on What type of seating YOU want....Nose Bleed seats or very close to the action.

[JonM229]

I could still get decent ones for around 30-40.

[minford]

I could still get decent ones for around 30-40.

I'd do it if I were you. Besides, when are you gonna have another chance for to see the Ravens live?

[JonM229]

Well, I did just see them two weeks ago. I was more glad to see them at home more than anything.

[ravensfan1996]

Yep $5 sounds about right, a few weeks ago it was $8, then $6 and now seems $5. Those are for upper deck nosebleeds. But a team thats 0-13 its pretty easy to get tickets.

We paid $158 a ticket!! yeah! back in august before the season started. Got good seats, but its one of those things, we needed 5 together, and 5 is always tough to find. So went with the sure thing instead of waiting til now, of course now we should have waited. oh well.

Jon-try and make it, there are going to be lots of ravens fans in Miami this weekend. (actually most are staying in ft lauderdale). Im leaving thursday morning. (Sunday will be my 3rd time to see them in 13 days!)

[Raven07]

lol my my, how the times have changed so quickely with the ticket prices...

[JonM229]

If I go, I'll probably drive down Sunday morning.

[Raven07]

arrive a little early.....i'll have to stick with watching the game on the TV lol