Week 17: Pittsburgh Steelers At Baltimore Ravens

[theFRANCHISE]

cory ross has 48 yards on 3 carries

Musa smith has 46 on 14 carries

Cory ross should be are starter!

Whoa whoa whoa whoa...slow down now with that Cory Ross idea...LOL

He's only 5'6", which normally isn't a big deal when you've got someone like Maurice Jones-Drew from Jacksonville.

But he's been sporadic at best as a kick returner, and he didn't play all that well in the preseason as a running back. Better this year than last year, but not good enough to start yet.

[MKdave]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa...slow down now with that Cory Ross idea...LOL

He's only 5'6", which normally isn't a big deal when you've got someone like Maurice Jones-Drew from Jacksonville.

But he's been sporadic at best as a kick returner, and he didn't play all that well in the preseason as a running back. Better this year than last year, but not good enough to start yet.

It was a joke, dude.

[theFRANCHISE]

Though, I will say...after seeing Ross carry that huge pile, maybe he could be our 2nd or 3rd-stringer.

[MKRavens20]

Cory Ross is runnin nice today.

[MKdave]

what happened on that 3rd down play?

CBS is spasing out, as it has a habit of doing...

[MKRavens20]

Smith fumbled the snap

[theFRANCHISE]

Well, Cory Ross has saved his job for right now as a backup running back, as well as reserve kick returner.

David Pittman is...on the ropes. Another pick might remedy that.

Corey Ivy is exempt since he'll likely return as the nickelback next year, which is the position he's excelled at particularly.

Nick Grieson is saving his roster spot as a third-string inside linebacker.

Antwan Barnes is certainly playing well enough to stay on the active roster.

Troy Smith is pleading his case as the opening day starter, should he continue to play well.

I'm REALLY liking what I'm seeing with the 20-7 score at the half.

Troy just needs to cut down on the mental errors (fumbling, throwing at defenders, etc.), and he should do fine if the coaches don't rush him.

If necessary, start Boller in the first two games of next season IF Smith doesn't outplay him before the season. BUT...continue to give Smith playing time in those games. THEN start him in the first home game of the season (since the first two games are ROAD games, anyway).

[PuppyPuncher]

I came on for halftime with my own observations:

Good running by Fumbly McFumbleson.

Troy Smith is making some plays, looks good, despite a few rookie miscues.

I couldn't help but laugh after seeing Davenport run right into his own linemen and fall flat on his a**

I don't get how having big hands makes you a better NFL quarterback.

I hope this isn't Ogden's last game.

[MKRavens20]

Well I have to leave now. Let's hope they can hold the lead and finish the season on a positive note.

[theFRANCHISE]

I came on for halftime with my own observations:

Good running by Fumbly McFumbleson.

Troy Smith is making some plays, looks good, despite a few rookie miscues.

I couldn't help but laugh after seeing Davenport run right into his own linemen and fall flat on his a**

I don't get how having big hands makes you a better NFL quarterback.

I hope this isn't Ogden's last game.

I think the thing about having big hands as a QB is it makes it easier to secure the ball, especially when preventing those empty-hand fumbles when a defender swats at your arm as you throw. Also, it makes it easier to pull the ball down without having to completely secure it if there's a need to scramble. But I think that's about the only advantage.

However, I'm kinda not sure what they meant by having longer arms allowing you to play taller...I guess a bigger reach allows shorter QB's to release above their offensive linemen?

[MKdave]

I don't get how having big hands makes you a better NFL quarterback.

It means that you have a better grip on the ball so you can get more power on throws more easily, It also makes it easier not to fumble

[MKdave]

argh!

Good play to get us in to 'gimme' field goal range, just a shame we coughed it up...

[theFRANCHISE]

Going back to that nice catch & run by Derrick Mason that ended up being a fumble, it seems to me that Mason is really giving a lot more effort than some may have thought.

He could've easily have given up and just gone down, but he tried to stand up to the defender and tried to get extra yardage, but had that ball jarred loose during the initial contact by the tackler.

It's good to see that those who are on the field today are still playing as well as they can.

[theFRANCHISE]

NICE BIG GAIN by Musa Smith of 25 yards!

[theFRANCHISE]

With that TD pass from Troy Smith to Devard Darling, the score is now 27-7, and if the score holds, this pretty much gives me plenty to look forward to for next season, despite all that's happened!...

[MKdave]

more TDs!

this is going surprisingly well!

[Ravens52]

Wow this offense looks great today

[theFRANCHISE]

Best part is, even though this game means nothing to the Steelers except playoff seeding, this is a bunch of backups for the Ravens playing against the Steelers STARTING defense (minus Troy Polamalu).

The fact that Troy Smith is playing well against the starting defense of the Steelers is a big deal, and this shows me that, with the proper preparations and training in the offseason, he might be able to do something for us in the future.

[Ravenator]

....is that this is how it should have been all season long. Can I get an Amen?

[MKdave]

Robert McCune is looking like a good gunner. I always used to trade for him in madden, he's a great athlete.

[Ravens52]

Exactly, the play calling has been tremendous

[MKdave]

Go for it!

[theFRANCHISE]

Nah, we're not the Patriots, we wouldn't go for it to pour it on with 8:44 left to play in the 4th quarter and a 20-point lead...LOL

We accomplished what we needed to with that drive by giving Troy Smith a boost in confidence (despite not ending with a score), and as long as Troy's getting that experience and no one's getting hurt, that's all that matters.

[MKdave]

Nah, we're not the Patriots, we wouldn't go for it to pour it on with 8:44 left to play in the 4th quarter and a 20-point lead...LOL

I love pouring it on, It's the best part of winning!

[theFRANCHISE]

Well, looks like that score's been cut down to 27-14 right now, so as long as Troy Smith & Co. can protect the lead with a little over 7 minutes to play, we'll all have something to smile about for New Year's.

[Eurich]

Ivy sucks lol.

So does Pittman and Martin.

[MKdave]

If they win now, I'm blaming it on you Franchise!

[theFRANCHISE]

If they win now, I'm blaming it on you Franchise!

I'm...keeping my mouth shut for right now...LOL

[MKdave]

LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE FRANCHISE!

THEY'RE EVEN RECOVERING ONSIDE KICKS!

[theFRANCHISE]

The sound of Steelers fans cheering in M&T Bank Stadium bothers me...tremendously...