We Took A Huge Step Back

[poedacrow]

Its Cam's fault...again...let's trade for Michael Vick...not enough passes not enough runs...sheesh!!

[funky141]

Relax Ravens fans, it will be fine, and no the sky is not falling, just a tough loss. Same negative BS is posted in the Colts forum after a tough loss.
Ravens will still post a playoff team and should go deep in the playoffs.

[Marc2k6]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So 4-2 is a huge step back or is it more over reaction to a loss in a great game?

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Whilst I don't think we stepped back per se, it showed we still have a fair way to move forward on both sides of the ball.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' timestamp='1287358280' post='511289']
Some of this play calling has me baffled.

[b]Why we perserve with runs against stacked boxes is beyond me[/b]. Spread the defence out for goodness sake, its not rocket science. We're bottling ourselves up whilst enabling defenders to double cover on our receivers.

Also the number of sideline routes is becoming ridiculous. Where are the post patterns? You don't need to double team receivers who are breaking to the outside and aren't a threat of beating you over the top after making their first move.

Wake up Cameron & co.

The vanilla play calling on both sides of the ball is largely responsible for this loss.
[/quote]
Yeah, the running game had me confused also. Cam was probably waiting for us to break that really long run we broke last year in the playoffs. He was going by the just keep pounding the rock attitude. But it never broke and their run defense showed no signs of weakening even as the game grew late. Again, they totally schemed against the run this week, yet we still over relied on Rice. The WRs were in single coverage most of this game while the Pats stacked the box.....nope, let's just keep checking it down, playing right into the opponents hands. That's on everyone, Cam included.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1287358546' post='511305']
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So 4-2 is a huge step back or is it more over reaction to a loss in a great game?
[/quote]
Well do you agree when I say that we have more improving to do then we thought?

[McBoller]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1287358541' post='511303']
Relax Ravens fans, it will be fine, and no the sky is not falling, just a tough loss. Same negative BS is posted in the Colts forum after a tough loss.
Ravens will still post a playoff team and should go deep in the playoffs.
[/quote]
exactly...

hello, has anyone looked at the schedule recently? The worst is behind us. So to come out of that 4-2 Im ecstatic. I mean, seriously LOOK at the schedule. 9-2 going into the steelers game is totally reasonable.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='McBoller' timestamp='1287359037' post='511324']
exactly...

hello, has anyone looked at the schedule recently? The worst is behind us. So to come out of that 4-2 Im ecstatic. I mean, seriously LOOK at the schedule. 9-2 going into the steelers game is totally reasonable.
[/quote]
At the Falcons is gonna be tough and I thought that even before our loss today. At the Texans will also be tough. But at least they have no defense. At home against the Steelers could go either way and at home against the Saints is probably a win for us late in the year.

These are our 4 hardest games left imo. At least on paper....we'll see how they actually play out, along with our other games.

[B0nez]

I understand what your saying. But a huge step back is a bit much. Ravens tho did take a step back. A loss will do that to any team. But now that Ben is back for the Steelers there is less room for stupid mistakes in our division for example like the "Leron Mcclain" personal fail that really destroyed our chances on a good drive. or the holding in the back field call that turned into a huge loss of yards. not to even mention the 2 false starts we got. Ravens were doing so well but they seemed to mess up today. Not to even bring up the poor choice John made to punt when it was 4th and inches. We most likely would have got the first down.But no John had to make a bone head move that could of pretty been a scoring drive weather it be 3 or 7. To be honest Joe in over time seemed like a deer in headlights like he didn't know what he was doing. made some poor choice'es as well. I'm just glad Mr. ED Reed Comes back next week. cause Zibby it not that great. Time to give the master is spot back.

[poedacrow]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1287358440' post='511298']
I didn't say we were done for but for some reason, you think I did.
[/quote]
lol...I think it was the "huge step back" thingy that gave me that impression...silly me....

[Clutch Ravens]

Jeeeeeze.

Another "Sky is Falling" thread?

We didn't take a "huge step back" we just didn't close out a hard-fought game against one of the best teams in the NFL that happened to have 2 weeks of Belichek preparing them for this game.

Still don't like having Cam as offensive co-ordinator though. Thankfully it's his last year with us.

[jusraven]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1287359399' post='511340']
At the Falcons is gonna be tough and I thought that even before our loss today. At the Texans will also be tough. But at least they have no defense. At home against the Steelers could go either way and at home against the Saints is probably a win for us late in the year.

These are our 4 hardest games left imo. At least on paper....we'll see how they actually play out, along with our other games.
[/quote]

The Ravens has a way of making every game close no matter what. I am beginning to believe that's the game plan. I've noticed that the better the offense plays the worst the defense plays. There's no knockout punch even with the tools they have.

[IMissMattStover]

ths is rediculous. Im as upset as anyone over today's loss, but its not the end, and its not all Cam's fault. just back off and watch to see how this turns out.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='jusraven' timestamp='1287361528' post='511422']
The Ravens has a way of making every game close no matter what. I am beginning to believe that's the game plan. [b]I've noticed that the better the offense plays the worst the defense plays.[/b] There's no knockout punch even with the tools they have.
[/quote]
That's actually a good point. I've noticed that too and I've also noticed the offense playing worse when the defense plays better.

With the expection of a few easy wins at home last year, the offense and defense really never played well at the same time and the team had for the most part had failed to come together and play well together. Today that really wasn't the case. Today, we built the late lead together and gave it away together. Don't forget special teams...

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='poedacrow' timestamp='1287359561' post='511345']
lol...I think it was the "huge step back" thingy that gave me that impression...silly me....
[/quote]
I can't wait to see us take those same steps forward again.

[Juviebest]

Cam Cameron needs gone. He's so overrated

[Juviebest]

[quote name='Marc2k6' timestamp='1287358546' post='511305']
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! So 4-2 is a huge step back or is it more over reaction to a loss in a great game?
[/quote]

I don't know bout you, but it's not a "great" game if we lose.

I'm a Ravens fan bleeding purple. No silicone here.

[ravenanchors]

This wasn't a step backwards but it wasn't a step forward either.
Pats are a good team, but we should have won. The coaches just can't get us over that hump.

This is the same scenario that has played out over the past 2 years when we play good teams. (Colts, Pats, etc...)

The Ravens have the players to win it all.
but they don't have the coaches with the strategy or mindset to win it all.

This was a perfect example of losing because of bad judgement by the coaches. Unfortunately we will lose again for the same reasons. Next time it will be in the playoffs.

Harbaugh needs to take play calling away from Cam.

[Raven43hike]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1287351916' post='510952']
How is a 23-20 loss to a team that had two weeks to prepare and has one of the greatest coaches and QBs of all time taking a huge step back? Seriously...

Sure, it was painful loss and I'll be angry about it till next Sunday but this L wasn't a "huge" step back dude.
[/quote]
I agree it was not huge but for Baltimore to take the next step to becoming a great team is when you have a great team down in the forth quarter finish them off don't go conservative.

[I AM LEGEND]

We were up 10 in the second half...and our offense and defense didn't play particularly well during crucial times...






I can see how some may think we took a step back

[PuRock]

The way I see it:[b]This team over the last few years keeps taking two steps forward then one step back. [/b]

This game was that one step back. Now we can look forward to the two steps forward.

[Bullet Six]

[quote name='McBoller' timestamp='1287359037' post='511324']
exactly...

hello, has anyone looked at the schedule recently? The worst is behind us. So to come out of that 4-2 Im ecstatic. I mean, seriously LOOK at the schedule. 9-2 going into the steelers game is totally reasonable.
[/quote]

Ok, I see what the problem is. You guys are still stuck on the Boller-era Ravens, where a playoff appearance is the goal. Looking at the schedule doesn't mean ANYTHING! We can win every single game from here on out, but guess what??? The Patriots and teams like them don't go away in the playoffs!

If we want to be in the SB, we have to close these types of games. If not, we will be one and done in the playoffs. Championship teams don't blow games they should win.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bullet Six' timestamp='1287424234' post='512492']
Ok, I see what the problem is. You guys are still stuck on the Boller-era Ravens, where a playoff appearance is the goal. Looking at the schedule doesn't mean ANYTHING! We can win every single game from here on out, but guess what??? The Patriots and teams like them don't go away in the playoffs!

If we want to be in the SB, we have to close these types of games. If not, we will be one and done in the playoffs. [b]Championship teams don't blow games they should win.[/b]
[/quote]

But they also win games you could argue they have no business winning-which this team has done twice this season. It was bad loss yesterday but let's not make this team to be out to be chokers.

[Bullet Six]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1287424786' post='512506']
But they also win games you could argue they have no business winning-which this team has done twice this season. It was bad loss yesterday but let's not make this team to be out to be chokers.
[/quote]


If there is any game that we have no business winning, then we have no business thinking this team is a SB contender. We are able to beat anybody, anywhere.

By no means do I think we are chokers. I do think we can be a SB contender, but we HAVE to adjust. Mostly, Cam has to adjust and allow Flacco to change plays when needed, and trust him more.

Cam has a throttle on this offense, and needs to let it loose.

[UMDan]

though i'd prefer we be AFC North champs, we tend to do better in the playoffs as the wildcard team.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bullet Six' timestamp='1287425311' post='512514']
If there is any game that we have no business winning, then we have no business thinking this team is a SB contender. We are able to beat anybody, anywhere.

By no means do I think we are chokers. I do think we can be a SB contender, but we HAVE to adjust. Mostly, Cam has to adjust and allow Flacco to change plays when needed, and trust him more.

Cam has a throttle on this offense, and needs to let it loose.
[/quote]

That's your opinion. You can look back at SB-winning teams from every year and see games they were either fortunate to win or actually let slip through their fingers.

I'm not denying this team should be able to beat anyone but some games, things just don't go favorably.

I certainly agree that Cam needs to adjust and am semi-confident he will.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Bullet Six' timestamp='1287424234' post='512492']
Ok, I see what the problem is. You guys are still stuck on the Boller-era Ravens, where a playoff appearance is the goal. Looking at the schedule doesn't mean ANYTHING! We can win every single game from here on out, but guess what??? [b]The Patriots and teams like them don't go away in the playoffs!

If we want to be in the SB, we have to close these types of games. If not, we will be one and done in the playoffs. Championship teams don't blow games they should win.[/b]
[/quote]
Sometimes Championship teams get lucky. Look at Pitt in '08. They faced SD, an 8-8 team that they own, Baltimore a team that they owned, and the worst defense that had ever made the Sb. Indy, Tenn, NYG, and someone else (Philly?), all of the teams they had lost to in the regular season were all conveniently disposed of. Last year, Indy only had to face two 9-7 wildcard teams to get to the big game. You never know, Baltimore might get a break.

Also, the Patriots didn't disappear last post-season, but it didn't matter, did it? The Ravens might actually learn to be aggressive for four quarters because of this game. All signs point the other direction, but hope springs eternal.

[Bullet Six]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1287425560' post='512521']
That's your opinion. You can look back at SB-winning teams from every year and see games they were either fortunate to win or actually let slip through their fingers.

I'm not denying this team should be able to beat anyone but some games, things just don't go favorably.

I certainly agree that Cam needs to adjust and am semi-confident he will.
[/quote]

Yea, your right, some games don't go favorably. But this game at Foxborough, went just fine until coaching screwed it up. We didn't lose that game because the Pats were the better team, we lost that game because our coaching pulled back and let them back into it.

[Bullet Six]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1287427681' post='512578']
Sometimes Championship teams get lucky. Look at Pitt in '08. They faced SD, an 8-8 team that they own, Baltimore a team that they owned, and the worst defense that had ever made the Sb. Indy, Tenn, NYG, and someone else (Philly?), all of the teams they had lost to in the regular season were all conveniently disposed of. Last year, Indy only had to face two 9-7 wildcard teams to get to the big game. You never know, Baltimore might get a break.

Also, the Patriots didn't disappear last post-season, but it didn't matter, did it? The Ravens might actually learn to be aggressive for four quarters because of this game. All signs point the other direction, but hope springs eternal.
[/quote]

So you want to ride on LUCK to get to the SB? We have a team that can get there on talent and skill. Patriots are lucky that Cam throttled back and clammed up in the 4th and OT.

As for the Patriots not going away last year - They got bumped in the first round because they weren't that good of a team. They got beat by just about every good team on their schedule. They had a fairly cupcake of a schedule last year. We were kind of similar as them last year where we didn't really beat any great teams, but we squeaked by and made it in the playoffs. Yea, we won in Foxborough in the wild card round, but someone had too. We were slightly better than them, that's why we got bounced in the next round vs the Colts.

I hope and think you are right about us learning to be aggressive for 4 quarters for now on.

[baltravens]

I am giving congrats to the Patriots and playing AT HOME had a lot to do with their victory.
Look at the tape, if we cannot cover WE CANNOT WIN. After all, we will rebound since the toughest part of our schedule is over.
We can bring it together and gel better with getting Reed back on the field. WE TOOK NO STEP BACKWARD, it was the Jets, Bengals, Squeelers, and Patriots on the road that we had to overcome, and we ended up 4-2.

The million-dollar question yesterday was what DB looked bad? Well, Webb stood out as looking bad.