Week 3: Browns

[flaccopoe]

BTW, we are definitely beat the Browns by at least 2 touchdowns!

[Ed_Reed20]

At this point, I really can't predict how the passing game will perform. Flacco, Zorn and Cam have reportedly taken a long look at Sunday's game but Joe's tendencies to hold the ball, his hesitancy to step up at times, his tendency to to throw off his back foot and vision won't magically improve in one week. Cleveland has a talented secondary but Joe could very well have a good game against them but I honestly don't know.

I'm positive the running game will shine though. Shaun Rogers(whose banged up) aside, I can't name a single player on Cleveland's front seven and regardless, the Ravens o-line knows how to maul. I for one am expecting at least 30 rushes Sunday.

Delhomme reportedly has a high ankle sprain so the Ravens will see Senenca Wallace. 'Nuff said.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1285121321' post='485491']
At this point, I really can't predict how the passing game will perform. Flacco, Zorn and Cam have reportedly taken a long look at Sunday's game but Joe's tendencies to hold the ball, his hesitancy to step up at times, his tendency to to throw off his back foot and vision won't magically improve in one week. Cleveland has a talented secondary but Joe could very well have a good game against them but I honestly don't know.

I'm positive the running game will shine though. Shaun Rogers(whose banged up) aside, I can't name a single player on Cleveland's front seven and regardless, the Ravens o-line knows how to maul. [b]I for one am expecting at least 30 rushes Sunday.[/b]

Delhomme reportedly has a high ankle sprain so the Ravens will see Senenca Wallace. 'Nuff said.
[/quote]

Now is not the time to feature Rice. If timing/communication is the issue in the passing game, if Joe needs to get comfortable back there once again, then now is the time to air the ball out. Cleveland's defense is improved, yes, but they are not stellar. Take off the training wheels and let 'er rip. If we can't get it done against the Browns, then we have some real issues to address. Let's find out in week 3 while we still have time to do so.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='kash96ravenstotalfan' timestamp='1284935488' post='482263']
OMG. I may just sign off the forum for tonight. Too much negativity for one loss, so early in the season. C'mon Man!
[/quote]

Ditto. Flacco never claimed to be a Brett Favre. The season's just started. I'm sure we'll do better against the Bengals during the re-match in week 17.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1285121818' post='485498']
Now is not the time to feature Rice. If timing/communication is the issue in the passing game, if Joe needs to get comfortable back there once again, then now is the time to air the ball out. Cleveland's defense is improved, yes, but they are not stellar. Take off the training wheels and let 'er rip. If we can't get it done against the Browns, then we have some real issues to address. Let's find out in week 3 while we still have time to do so.
[/quote]

By 30 rushes, I didn't mean just Rice. If this game goes the way I expect it, Rice won't have to play much in the second half.

Cam already has attempted to take training wheels off and after Sunday's game, I'm not sure if we can say Joe is ready to drop back 40 times against good defenses and lead the team to a win. The team can give Joe opportunities to bounce back and not have drop back 35+ times.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1285122961' post='485514']
By 30 rushes, I didn't mean just Rice. If this game goes the way I expect it, Rice won't have to play much in the second half.

Cam already has attempted to take training wheels off and after Sunday's game, I'm not sure if we can say Joe is ready to drop back 40 times against good defenses and lead the team to a win. The team can give Joe opportunities to bounce back and not have drop back 35+ times.
[/quote]

Cleveland is not a good defense, which was kind of my point. The offense needs a boost in the arm. They need to build confidence in each other. I think there is a good chance Joe needs to gain some confidence in his O line as well. That doesn't happen if we choose this game to hand the ball off 30 times. Air it out, get the rust off, let them get comfortable with each other.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1285123156' post='485517']
Cleveland is not a good defense, which was kind of my point. The offense needs a boost in the arm. They need to build confidence in each other. I think there is a good chance Joe needs to gain some confidence in his O line as well. That doesn't happen if we choose this game to hand the ball off 30 times. Air it out, get the rust off, let them get comfortable with each other.
[/quote]

30 rushes isn't really a huge number. Think back to the Bears game last year where Joe threw 4 TDs on 29 attempts. The team ran the ball 31 times and the game pretty much over by the middle of the 3rd quarter. I can see something similar happening this Sunday.

[big hits and ball hawks]

I agree with Ed_Reed20 on this one. It's true that the pass game needs to click more and get their timing better but we still should get back to basics in this game. The offense as a whole really needs a confidence boost, even the run game though we know they can get it done. Everyone needs their reps. If Rice and the other RBs aren't getting the proper amount of carries how do you think that'll make them feel? Even if the RBs are combining for 30 carries doesn't mean that Joe and the WRs, TEs, and RBs won't have their shot at showing of the pass game, short nd long passes included.

So I basically repeated what Ed_Reed20 said but I figure it might as well be repeated and I've yet to really say anything about this game, so I apologize to the people who don't like when everyone repeats what someone else has said.

[SuRihtanil]

It should be a interesting game... The Browns look decent this year, so I doubt they will be push overs.

[DrMoonTooth]

I think this will be a good confidence builder for Flacco. Not only is he 4-0 against the Browns, but 3 of the four games have been very solid performances. Only in the second game of his professional career did he not perform well against the Browns.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='DrMoonTooth' timestamp='1285129672' post='485590']
I think this will be a good confidence builder for Flacco. Not only is he 4-0 against the Browns, but 3 of the four games have been very solid performances. Only in the second game of his professional career did he not perform well against the Browns.
[/quote]
Flacco didn't impress during the Monday(?) night game against the Browns last season either.

[Romo Ravens]

I say we just run it down their throats the entire game. Maybe give 20-25 attempts but let those be creative, over the middle or over the top plays. I can see Rice just having a monster matchup. If our offense isn't clicking this game, we have something to worry about.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1285129969' post='485593']
Flacco didn't impress during the Monday(?) night game against the Browns last season either.
[/quote]

I agree he didn't impress but he only attempted 18 passes and completed 13 of them for 155 yards.

[Runnin Raven]

Good game to get back to basics. Get the running game going, open things up a little for Joe so maybe he can work through his progressions. Divisional game so it is critical. Special teams needs to step up and for pete's sake, let's win the turnover battle for once.

[funky141]

I agree, a heavy does of Ray Rice amd Willis McGahee on Sunday.
Ravens should be able to score 4 offensive touchdowns and one from the defense.

If not then the panic button will be in full force.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1285131198' post='485602']
I agree he didn't impress but he only attempted 18 passes and completed 13 of them for 155 yards.
[/quote]
Good point. No ints, I hope?

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1285162809' post='485704']
I agree, a heavy does of Ray Rice amd Willis McGahee on Sunday.
Ravens should be able to score 4 offensive touchdowns and one from the defense.

If not then the panic button will be in full force.
[/quote]
Um yeah totally agree. If the Ravens somehow manage to lose their home opener to Cleveland of all teams (and seneca wallace at qb)I will probably just take a week or two away from the forums so I don't have to see what kind of storm it kicks up

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1285123156' post='485517']
Cleveland is not a good defense, which was kind of my point. The offense needs a boost in the arm. They need to build confidence in each other. I think there is a good chance Joe needs to gain some confidence in his O line as well. That doesn't happen if we choose this game to hand the ball off 30 times. Air it out, get the rust off, let them get comfortable with each other.
[/quote]

Cleveland's defense has actually played pretty well overall so far. While we've played two offensively challenged teams that is besides the point.. they've done well and held their own. Our offense on the other hand has looked bad in the 2nd half both games so who knows what to expect there.

I'm not saying we're going to win because while I always hold out optimism I know we're an inferior team but it wouldn't surprise me if we at least made it somewhat competitive.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1285164971' post='485726']
Good point. No ints, I hope?
[/quote]

No, he didn't throw any picks that game.

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1285167655' post='485759']
I'm not saying we're going to win because while I always hold out optimism I know we're an inferior team but it wouldn't surprise me if we at least made it somewhat competitive.
[/quote]
There is no doubt you guys could win. Ravens cannot take this game for granted. Pittsburgh may have been guilty of that last year and we all saw what happened. Plus you're better this year, IMO.

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' timestamp='1285173369' post='485848']
There is no doubt you guys could win. Ravens cannot take this game for granted. Pittsburgh may have been guilty of that last year and we all saw what happened. Plus you're better this year, IMO.
[/quote]

Well let me rephrase.. we are not likely to win; I believe we can win any game but to put it bluntly the Ravens are better than us so the odds of us winning this game are not in our favor.

However you never know from Sunday to Sunday.

[Runnin Raven]

Thinking about it, these first two weeks have been tough. Two brutal road games, one an actual win and one winnable until the end (on a short week no less). Joe plays his worst football and we fail to get any turnovers from the opposition.

We've all seen this team play superior football. In '08, '09, and even this preseason (I know it was just preseason). Guess I'm just saying the sky is not falling and there is a great opportunity for this team. I've got to hope it starts this week with a much-needed home game.

I appreciate Brownsfan's perspective that it could be competitive. And also that the Ravens just have better personnel atm. Its time to watch this team step up and do the things they are capable of on the football field. We fans are doing a lot of things like freaking out and calling for Joe's head, but that's not how we got here. We got here by playing badass football. I for one, would like to see that this week.
/rant

[BrownsFan]

Well the week just got easier because it looks like Seneca Wallace is starting instead of Delhomme. Say what you want about Delhomme but Wallace couldn't hit the side of a mansion last week so who knows what to expect this week.

[Gtown Purple]

I think delhomme is a better overall qb but Wallace has the ability to run which has given us trouble in the past. As an example, look at last year when we played the steelers and dennis dixon.


[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1285255455' post='486465']
Well the week just got easier because it looks like Seneca Wallace is starting instead of Delhomme. Say what you want about Delhomme but Wallace couldn't hit the side of a mansion last week so who knows what to expect this week.
[/quote]

[BrownsFan]

[quote name='Gtown Purple' timestamp='1285255648' post='486469']
I think delhomme is a better overall qb but Wallace has the ability to run which has given us trouble in the past. As an example, look at last year when we played the steelers and dennis dixon.
[/quote]

He may have the ability but at least last week he never used it. He preferred to overthrow receivers by 5 yards and float passes for easy knockdowns or INTs. Wallace could improve and play better this week but if he plays like last week then we're as good as clobbered really because he flat out sucked.

[flynismo]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1285121818' post='485498']<br />Now is not the time to feature Rice. If timing/communication is the issue in the passing game, if Joe needs to get comfortable back there once again, then now is the time to air the ball out. Cleveland's defense is improved, yes, but they are not stellar. Take off the training wheels and let 'er rip. If we can't get it done against the Browns, then we have some real issues to address. Let's find out in week 3 while we still have time to do so.<br />[/quote]

i agree 100%
the only way to get the passing game in rythym is to utilize it and get these guys some game time reps, not run the ball all day.
I'd like to see at least 35 passes from flacco this week.

[Perfekt]

problem is that flacco has to do a better job scanning the field but that isnt just his fault that falls on the Oline as well.

[darklight1216]

Good article from the Browns official website:

[quote]
When Lewis hears that he has lost a step or maybe is not as intimidating as in years prior, he offers one simple suggestion.

“Fewer people that I intimidate? Ask Dustin Keller if I intimidate people!” he said. “I don’t worry about fewer people. I worry about who lines up in front of me with a football. They’re getting knocked out, period!

“He’s one of the most physically gifted human beings who’s ever played the game and that goes to passion and work ethic,” Harbaugh said. [/quote]

[url="http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-1/Lewis-still-has-it/61326a44-3835-4a69-b2a3-4c3f3c750f0a"]Lewis Still Has It[/url]

[SnOoPy]

Finally a home game. Pretty sure our Ravens are very excited!

[XxSizzleXx]

Ray Lewis simply isn't human and we are blessed to have had him for this long. There was a SI probably 3 weeks back(it was the one with the few page article on Running Backs and their longevity in the NFL) and it stated that for every year someone plays in the NFL they lose 2-3 years on the end of their life. Ray Lewis is an athletic freak(in the best way possible).

As for the Browns game this is the game that our Offense NEEDS to get into a rhythm and build some chemistry. If we don't build some chemistry and get a flow on offense I worry a little bit about the middle of our season. This is the game the offense needs to kick into gear and play on par with our defense.