Are We Really Getting Old?

[khalilasbro]

Basically..I'm annoyed and looking for some relief. 4..and what?? I stopped counting. I had very high hopes for the Ravens..and with all the smack talk I did...its coming around to be quiet in the rear end. I still believe we have the BEST team in the NFL no doubt. But with all these injuries...what can we do? Are our players really getting to that point where its time to call it quits? I CAN NOT IMAGINE A RAVENS TEAM WITHOUT RAY LEWIS..NOOOO. Maybe Edd can take on Rays leadership spot on D..but..man..its gonna be hard without him..and I see his days coming to an end quickly. I have not been to a single Ravens game..but hope to soon..I am from Chicago..so..its hard to travel to see them. I hope they can play Chicago or Greenbay so I can atlease see Ray play...ok..sorry for that. ANYWAYS..I hope that Brian straightens up or he might find himself replaced. I like him..and i think all coaches have their highs and lows...this season has just been..UNlucky for us. Next Year we need not to talk..but do. Let the media do all the talking and not say a word. I hate the way the Ravens never receive attention unless they are on the negative side of it..but hey..thats the NFL. NO more TALK. ACTION. BART, RAY, EDD, Willis..TROY..please...dont mind the media. DONT DEDICATE the game to a fallen soldier..cause its bad if u lose the game..Just go out there and play. Sean knows where your heart is..Dont think about what need to be done..just react..haha ok I sound like a coach.

[Raven07]

i personally feel as though the Future of this team....does in fact look very bright....with this young cro of young talented players whom have matured greatly and can only point to the positive sides of what teh potential of this team can become with the right practice and the proper mentorship and players "comfortable" with what's going on around them

[theFRANCHISE]

Even Mike Preston, one of the team's biggest detractors in the (ironically) local Baltimore Sun, has said that this team has a very strong nucleus of young players on both sides of the ball to build around, and I firmly believe that.

Although it's been painful to see the young guys get embarassed at times, when they've done well, it's brought a smile to my face, even for just one play.

Yes, 4-10 has been painful to watch. Yes, it hurts. But as fans, we have to stick with the team through thick-and-thin.

And though it looks like the worse is yet to come, according to national prognosticators, because of the team's age on both sides of the ball, those critics are the same ones that overlooked the Indianapolis Colts of 2006 because of the New England Patriots' "destiny," and are the same ones who wrote off the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2005 before they went on to win the Super Bowl. These are the same detractors who thought Brett Favre would go on to have a miserable season in Green Bay after an 8-8 finish in 2006, and thought Steve McNair had nothing left in the tank at the start of 2006, when the Ravens would go on to finish 13-3 with the 10th-ranked passing offense.

The media, in other words, makes assumptions that are obvious only to them. We, as fans, must have faith that this team will persevere through the hardship of this season and will be able to overcome the age factor in seasons to come. Ray Lewis' career revival these past two seasons is a prime example of a player defying the odds and naysayers. Everyone thought he was done after an injury-plagued 2005 campaign, but his dominant performance this season says otherwise, as does his 9th Pro Bowl selection of his illustrious 12-year career.

Even though this team (and by team, I mean the coaches, players, and everyone involved in the product on the field) has been disappointing this season, there will be reasons to smile in the future. It's all about faith and loyalty.

Have faith in the team, and your loyalty will eventually be rewarded. If fans of the once-lowly Cleveland Browns can finally experience the best season the team has seen since their return to the NFL in 1999, and arguably their best season in two decades, then Baltimore Ravens fans will feel that thrill again.

As for the smack talk, I find that it's unnecessary, albeit fun. I'm a firm believer in karma, and there is no need to create ill will towards a fellow football fan, regardless of their affiliation. Although certain instances call for verbal conflict, I believe that it's entirely avoidable if it's all in good fun.

Here's to a better 2008 campaign, and let's hope that this Sunday's game against the Seahawks and the following game against the Steelers give us more reasons to smile.

[Troy Smith IS the future..]

In my opinion, there are three players in their respective places to build upon.

1 Troy Smith - Offense

this remains to be seen, we will hvae a better idea sunday night whether he is a player the offense could build upon or not

2. Antwaan Barnes - Defense

I beelive this kid has got real potential to be a good player to build around at the linebacker or defensive tackle/end positions. he is doing very well

3. Yamon Figures - Special Teams

this kids got some burners and i believe he can be a great return man, not the best but atleast a solid returner from years to come.

and yes, most of the ravens are getting old...unfortunatly, but atleast there is some good young talent that the team can build upon for the future. at the moment this is a team to look out for though come next season, i will say the team will atleast be back in the playoffs for the 08/09 season.

[Raven07]

i can agree with you with that....but i think it's the Work of the Rookie's of today that will eventually end up as the starters and therefore "shaping" the future of this team and so in me saying that...i say with the added motivation of the disapointing season of this season, can only add to each player's own internal fire from within themselves....

and its with the More Practice and more training and the Players getting comfortable with one another that ultimately what is refferred to in todays world as a "team"......and in which with a group of guys Truly knowing each and every single one of his teammates out on the field....they have a slight adavantage because they are more comfortable than most others that would (lets say) "just play the game".....no thats not what its all about.....its not JUST about the Game..its about the Relationships you develop with your teammates and the memories and the laughs that you share as just trying to be "normal" people playing the game of football....its about the Different lessons in which can be taught through the concept of football, such as Hard work and Motivation and Determination and teamwork and leadership and humility and the will and inner drive to get through the hard times......its all of these things that will eventually add up and "Shape" the rookie/young players of today on this team, into the champions of tomorrow.

and i personally feel that (with the way these Rookie players/guys are developing) really shows just that.....and im really looking forward to whats in store us them and this Team in the near and far future

[smashmouth82]

Basically..I'm annoyed and looking for some relief. 4..and what?? I stopped counting. I had very high hopes for the Ravens..and with all the smack talk I did...its coming around to be quiet in the rear end. I still believe we have the BEST team in the NFL no doubt. But with all these injuries...what can we do? Are our players really getting to that point where its time to call it quits? I CAN NOT IMAGINE A RAVENS TEAM WITHOUT RAY LEWIS..NOOOO. Maybe Edd can take on Rays leadership spot on D..but..man..its gonna be hard without him..and I see his days coming to an end quickly. I have not been to a single Ravens game..but hope to soon..I am from Chicago..so..its hard to travel to see them. I hope they can play Chicago or Greenbay so I can atlease see Ray play...ok..sorry for that. ANYWAYS..I hope that Brian straightens up or he might find himself replaced. I like him..and i think all coaches have their highs and lows...this season has just been..UNlucky for us. Next Year we need not to talk..but do. Let the media do all the talking and not say a word. I hate the way the Ravens never receive attention unless they are on the negative side of it..but hey..thats the NFL. NO more TALK. ACTION. BART, RAY, EDD, Willis..TROY..please...dont mind the media. DONT DEDICATE the game to a fallen soldier..cause its bad if u lose the game..Just go out there and play. Sean knows where your heart is..Dont think about what need to be done..just react..haha ok I sound like a coach.

ray lewis will be a raven until the day he decides to retire(and then he should immediately be put on the defensive coaching staff!) yes, there is a few players who have lost a step, but ray's not one of them. i agree with you that next year it should be all play and no talk! just week by week of punishing people and when a game's over instantly focus on the next opponent. that's how true warriors win battles anyway, and football is a team of warriors going to war together and coming out together.

[The_Farm]

NO more TALK. ACTION. BART, RAY, EDD, Willis..TROY..please...dont mind the media. DONT DEDICATE the game to a fallen soldier..cause its bad if u lose the game..Just go out there and play. Sean knows where your heart is..Dont think about what need to be done..just react..haha ok I sound like a coach.

The way I see it is that this group is not that old. We have a few veterans on the team, but like was mentioned earlier, they are capable of meeting the demands made of them. Ray Lewis is still a phenomenal player. It just seems that the team gets motivated for certain games and not others. I guess when the coaches have something to fuel the players' fires, they use it well. What the team needs is for the coaches to get them motivated when there is no #21 to play for, nothing to prove by beating the undefeated team, or other motivating circumstances.

In any business, the great managers are the ones that motivate their staff day in and day out, creating a sense of pride in each employee. This correlates to the football field as the team is its own "business," and Billick is the "manager."

I, by no means, have the answer for this problem, but it really seems that the coaches need to motivate the team to keep their level of play top-notch and intense. This season has been so dry. The team comes out flat so much (paraphrase: "whoever comes out strong first is going to win this game... " -- we just haven't done this often enough this season).

I can't wait to see the birds come out strong this Sunday. If they come out with some pride, Ray-ray goes berserk and the coaches get the team going, our "Birds of Prey" are gonna eat some seagulls...

[nevermore621]

First of all this team is not old -- there are ALOT of young guys, like Troy Smith, McGahee, Barnes, Figurs, etc. And those that are aging a little are not so much beyond their prime, as EXPERIENCED. And having veteran experience on a team is invaluable. I agree with you guys that it would be hard to imagine a Ravens team without Ray Lewis -- and Smash is right, we better immediately sign him to the coaching staff!!! His leadership and intensity is what has made games like the Pats game close. (Remember Ray, Ed Reed, and Willis McGahee getting pumped up for the game, and dedicating the game to Sean Taylor? And it made a huge difference!!!) and let's not forget guys like Joathan Ogden who is still a difference maker on O line. He had a short season due to turf toe, but we can only hope he sticks around another year, and continues to give a young O line veteran leadership. I hope HE returns next year so he can go out on top, as we go back to the playoffs, and drive to another Super Bowl. And nobody is talking about McNair, but could he be a part of the puzzle, providing veteran leadership to to Boller and Smith? He is still under contract for next year, and with a great workout regimen this off season might come back next year to play. He would make a great QB's coach if he doesn't return as a player.

The rookies we have are a great foundation to build upon as we head into the future. And we need our veteran guys to provide leadership as the rookies develop into stars.

[ravenandrei]

I don't understand why in the news and media only talk about the Ravens getting old? I mean look at the Pats All there LBS are 30+ Harrison is like what 34? Moss is getting old and hes not the same guys he was. But of course noone bad mouths them. Everyone dogs Ray saying hes getting old and he's lost a step but no one says a word about Moss. Alot of other teams have the same thing going on but for some reason everyone wants to kill the Ravens every chance they get. This has been a tough year I live in Rhode Island and I talked smack all offseaon about how good the Ravens were gonna be now I gotta hear it from all these stupid Pats fans. Another thing why is it that no one talks about all the injurys we've had and how were playing with our 3-4-5 DBs? I'd love to see how many other teams could play half as good as we have with the injurys we have.

[Drkraven]

Injuries are not an excuse BUT when you have as many as the Ravens do what else can you say? It angers me the way the media, and even some fans, do not recognize that. Ravens are on their 3rd string rookie QB. The DB's have to fill in for the LB's and the corners are guys that were on the street a few weeks ago, but for some reason when it comes to Raven bashing this is not mentioned. I just don't get it. The upside is this is a lost season and the young guys have gotten some serious playing time and the coaching staff can evaluate the young talent.

The Rams are just as injury riddled and I think the Bills had half their LB corp on IR before Oct. and the Dolphins have their own issues, but neither of these teams were 13-3 last year and expected to be just as good this year.

[Barr]

Injuries are not an excuse BUT when you have as many as the Ravens do what else can you say? It angers me the way the media, and even some fans, do not recognize that. Ravens are on their 3rd string rookie QB. The DB's have to fill in for the LB's and the corners are guys that were on the street a few weeks ago, but for some reason when it comes to Raven bashing this is not mentioned. I just don't get it. The upside is this is a lost season and the young guys have gotten some serious playing time and the coaching staff can evaluate the young talent.

The Rams are just as injury riddled and I think the Bills had half their LB corp on IR before Oct. and the Dolphins have their own issues, but neither of these teams were 13-3 last year and expected to be just as good this year.

You're right but the media is looking at the record. It's all about the stats, not the circumstances. Imagine the Patriots game with just a little better offense...

[BrownsFan]

I think personally it's a combination of getting the right "young" personnel in your organization and established and proven veterans.

With Cleveland, we could not of asked for anyone better as a GM other than Phil Savage. When I read the report two years ago about him possibly being fired because of his dispute with John Collins I literally wanted to cringe. Collins was absolute garbage and the best move Lerner has made since we came back in '99 was keeping Savage and getting rid of Collins. Savage has done a tremendous job building youth and most of our star playmakers are players we can keep around for a very long time.

With that being said however, we have a couple veterans that while they may not produce (example: McGinest and Ted Washington), we have a couple that *have* produced, such as Jurevicus (who has been HUGE to this team) and Tucker on the OL. Getting the right mix is what is important and honestly, I think you all will be fine overall. Teams go through tough times it happens.. some have it longer than others. Perhaps the fact that most of you all are for lack of a better word, "pissed" about this season is because well.. nobody saw 4-10 coming. It would of been extremely difficult to replicate last season but you had to think 11-5 was manageable and reasonable at the same time.

Try and end on a good note is all I can say and with an offseason nearing, who knows what can happen.

[theFRANCHISE]

I don't understand why in the news and media only talk about the Ravens getting old? I mean look at the Pats All there LBS are 30+

Another thing why is it that no one talks about all the injurys we've had and how were playing with our 3-4-5 DBs? I'd love to see how many other teams could play half as good as we have with the injurys we have.

When it comes to the media ignoring the age the Patriots have, especially in their linebacking corps, I'll put it like this: Everyone loves you when you're winning. Simple as that.

As for the injuries, the only reason no one brings it up is because championship teams are only as good as their depth, and a team is only as good as its weakest link. Championship teams aren't supposed to make excuses, and injury, although a legit excuse, is still an excuse nonetheless.

Frankly, I never bought into the whole deal about not using injuries as an excuse until this season, when I finally learned how to cope with heartbreaking losses. When it comes to a losing record, the easiest explanation is, "It is what it is."

And sometimes, that's all it really is. Just a losing record, indicative of the team's performance throughout the season.

"It is what it is," and since we, as fans, have no control over it, we take it in stride and learn to cope, while the players and coaches will do what they have to in order to improve. It's THEIR livelihood as much as it's OUR passion, and it affects THEM far worse than it affects us. You can talk all you want about the millions of dollars in guaranteed money they'll make, but frankly, this sport is far too emotional for the players to sacrifice pride over paychecks. Most players play for love of the game, and those who play for the fame tend to fizz out.

[nevermore621]

The news media is sometimes driven by the latest controversy, and when they can't find one, they sometimes create one to drive newspaper sales, or internet hits, with the headline. They may just be being controversial, to spur on a debate. Let's face it, in one sense there hasn't been alot of good news to talk about this season, so they have gone for the controversy to spark interest.

But I think there is at least some good to be found in this year's failures. We are getting an early look at Troy Smith, and what if he excels as a starter??? We saw Kyle Boller play very well this year, not at all the stumbling bumbling rookie he once was. And we are seeing guys like Antwan Barnes play well. All is not lost -- we are having a down year.

I mean when the way "fieldgoal gate" went down in the Brown's game, and the timeout by Rex Ryan in the Pats game , maybe this just somehow wasn't meant to be. Even when we made a seemingly wise decision (after all was said) in the Dolphins game, to tie the game w/ a field goal, and go for a win in OT... Matt Stover made a rare miss of the attempted field goal, and we lost the game when Miami got the ball back. Sometimes maybe you just have to say it wan't meant to be!!!???

It's been a tough year, and things can, seriously, only get better next year. They can't get much worse!!!

[Jamal]

Well, our CB's are definitely getting old. But the rest is looking pretty good.

[Raven07]

and in drafting a CB... i feel it will enable that player to learn from the Older, more expereinced guys at that position and Practice the skills necessary over and over again until he gets it down pat AND even then continue to work hard and train hard, and always perform at a high level of play/intensty, bringing his "A" game on each and ever play, each and every down with each week that goes by And also one that continues to look for ways to improve his game play/or better himself and/or his technique to better suit him and the team so he can give the team and everyone, truly everything that he's got from within himself.