Next Game: Vs New Orleans Saints

[bmorefan444]

[quote]We have a tendency to jump out ahead and then let the other team catch up.[/quote]

Sounds like another team I know....
This is good news for us though. Our offense doesn't function in the second half unless we are playing catch-up. I would rather have a small deficit to overcome than a lead to protect.

[True]

Glad to have knowledgeable Saints fans in here. Thanks for your informative comments.

I was wondering how the offensive line of the Saints is doing this year? From the few games I've seen of the Saints, Brees has great protection and likes to step up in the pocket to make laser like throws. Is the OL great at picking up the blitz? How about when defenders try to force themselves into the middle to not allow Brees to step into his throws. Is it because of bad protection or decision making that Brees is throwing an unusual amount of picks. I'd like to see how the Saints are in the trenches.

[LickenKittens]

Forgive my ignorance, but I've read allot of complaints about your o-line. I thought you guys have a solid group of young guys who were playing well. I obviously don't follow your team closely, so what's up?

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='LickenKittens' timestamp='1292427626' post='576253']
Forgive my ignorance, but I've read allot of complaints about your o-line. I thought you guys have a solid group of young guys who were playing well. I obviously don't follow your team closely, so what's up?
[/quote]
That was the general consensus coming into the season, especially with Jared Gaither in the lineup. With JG on IR, combined with Oher's move to LT, all of that seemed to go up in smoke. I think we'll be very solid moving forward (next year) but this year has become kind of developmental.

As for the game, total respect for the Saints and the Ravens will have to dig very deep for a win. Of course its possible. QB pressure on D and 3rd down conversions are key. Really, it means being able to run the ball. If we cannot run the ball we cannot win IMHO.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='LickenKittens' timestamp='1292427626' post='576253']
Forgive my ignorance, but I've read allot of complaints about your o-line. I thought you guys have a solid group of young guys who were playing well. I obviously don't follow your team closely, so what's up?
[/quote]
They can't run block or protect the passer. Otherwise things are great.

[flynismo]

[quote name='LickenKittens' timestamp='1292427626' post='576253']<br />Forgive my ignorance, but I've read allot of complaints about your o-line. I thought you guys have a solid group of young guys who were playing well. I obviously don't follow your team closely, so what's up?<br />[/quote]

coming into the season, our OL (on paper) was unbelievably talented. Speaks volumes when Matt Birk is the weak link of your OL.

Then Gaither went on the IR, that's a huge loss. Oher moved to LT, and cant seem to get comfortable there. So now we have an OG playing RT (Yanda--who just got moved back to OG last week), Birk is playing like he's 50, and we have bums like Chris Chester and Oneil Cousins fighting over the other starting spot.

What was once one of our biggest strengths is now a glaring weakness...they are playing horribly this year. Flacco is 5th in sacks, and our running backs are averaging over 1 YPC less than last season.

[LickenKittens]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1292428805' post='576264']
They can't run block or protect the passer. Otherwise things are great.
[/quote]

ROFL That was great. Thanks to everyone for the info.

The bad thing about o-lines is when they're having problems, it's hard to fix mid season. We were having issues earlier and I thought we were a .500 team at best before the Steelers game. I honestly thought we were gonna get killed. Our o-line didn't play great that game, but that was the beginning of the turn around.

Truth be told, our front four doesn't generate a consistent pass rush. They're solid at holding their blocks against the run. We have to blitz to generate any pressure. If your offensive coordinator is smart, he'll dial up some screens.

[PuRock]

[quote name='LickenKittens' timestamp='1292430508' post='576296']
ROFL That was great. Thanks to everyone for the info.

The bad thing about o-lines is when they're having problems, it's hard to fix mid season. We were having issues earlier and I thought we were a .500 team at best before the Steelers game. I honestly thought we were gonna get killed. Our o-line didn't play great that game, but that was the beginning of the turn around.

Truth be told, our front four doesn't generate a consistent pass rush. They're solid at holding their blocks against the run. We have to blitz to generate any pressure. [b]If your offensive coordinator is smart, he'll dial up some screens.[/b]
[/quote]

That's a bad statement to make around these parts. Partly because he isn't smart. If you want an effective blitz, just bring your safety down to the left side of our OLine. We won't pick up the blitz. He'll be allowed to have a free "gunning" at our quarterback.

[tweety]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1292388620' post='576042']
This game could get ugly, Ngata has to be in pass rushing beast mode this game to disrupt Brees from stepping into his throws and going through his progressions. Even if Suggs wins his matchup every down, Brees steps up in the pocket about as good as anyone else. We need to score points on offense to win this game...and I mean more than we normally score.
[/quote]
Hopefully Suggs will be able to take the inside and force Brees out the pocket.

[RivenHale]

[quote name='Kwothdaraven' timestamp='1292392868' post='576082']
You legitimately cant see a way that a 9-4 team beats another 9-4 team at home? Come on man. Thos team has played by far their best games at home, which is where they will be. Plus a dome team in 30degree weather is coming to our house. I know brees can pick apart just about anyone, but he has had a tendency of throwing picks this year. And being on the road in cold weather will make it even harder. Also, they have no running game, like us
[/quote]

...okay, fair point. Maybe I was being a little defeatist after Monday night.

[Finally]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1292383205' post='575965']
I have to say, you Saints fans are the most level headed and amicable group to visit the forum. You represent the champs very well. Thanks for the insights. I think you have a really good shot at the win, but you never know with the nasty weather that is predicted. That might give us the edge. I expect a really good game either way.
[/quote]


That is because you guys are so soft on your own chance to win. They have no reason to debate.

Keep in mind that this team you are nervous about facing lost to the Cardinals this year with Max Hall starting.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292432552' post='576327']
Keep in mind that this team you are nervous about facing lost to the Cardinals this year with Max Hall starting.
[/quote]

This is very true.

[bpytnjr58]

Fortunately this is a home game and not down in the Dome of Doom. I hope the coaches are looking at a lot of the Saints/Bengals game film for this one. As someone else stated hopefully the cold will affect their offense.

[Schinz]

How do the dynamics of this game change if it were to be played in a snowstorm? The latest computer models are now trending toward the possibility of an East Coast snowstorm Sat night/Sunday. I am not saying it will happen, but the odds are a lot better today than they were yesterday!! Thoughts?

[flynismo]

[quote name='Schinz' timestamp='1292435195' post='576386']<br />How do the dynamics of this game change if it were to be played in a snowstorm?  The latest computer models are now trending toward the possibility of an East Coast snowstorm Sat night/Sunday.  I am not saying it will happen, but the odds are a lot better today than they were yesterday!!  Thoughts?<br />[/quote]

I don't see it changing much.
On a side note, thank god our DB's no longer fall and trip over their own feet anymore, else playing in the snow against Brees would have been disasterous

[flynismo]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292432552' post='576327']<br />That is because you guys are so soft on your own chance to win.  They have no reason to debate.  <br /><br />Keep in mind that this team you are nervous about facing lost to the Cardinals this year with Max Hall starting.<br />[/quote]


haha, you have been dying for us to whoop the Saints, haven't you? Hopefully we will oblige.
I won't snitch on you for being an ATL fan to the Saints fans here, your secret is safe with me!

[NeoZer0]

[quote name='Schinz' timestamp='1292435195' post='576386']
How do the dynamics of this game change if it were to be played in a snowstorm? The latest computer models are now trending toward the possibility of an East Coast snowstorm Sat night/Sunday. I am not saying it will happen, but the odds are a lot better today than they were yesterday!! Thoughts?
[/quote]

Weather.com not predicting snow

[Bltravens]

If we had last years offensive line I'd feel alot better about this game and our ability to dictate the pace of the game on the ground. But considering we're the worst ypc team in the league, that doesnt look likely. Flacco vs Brees round 1 fight!

[PuRock]

[quote name='NeoZer0' timestamp='1292435601' post='576397']
Weather.com not predicting snow
[/quote]

Only one computer model has a heavy snow storm in the mix. All the other models haven't predicted this storm...yet. What makes it more interesting is that the one model that is predicting the snow storm has been the most accurate for our area's winter.

But you won't see weather.com or any other weather outlet predicting it until other models pick up the storm as well.

But it will have an affect. We saw the Saints struggle in the cold last year against the Redskins (their only cold game down the stretch) as well as the game in Cinci. Payton is like 1-4 in games where the weather is below 40 degrees. So there is a slight advantage to us. But generally anytime you play a dome team, speeds are affected as grounds are harder. It does affect dome teams much more than outdoor teams.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292432552' post='576327']
That is because you guys are so soft on your own chance to win. They have no reason to debate.
[b]
Keep in mind that this team you are nervous about facing lost to the Cardinals this year with Max Hall starting.[/b]
[/quote]

Cant blame you for hitting us with that one. But coming into the season, the Saints had a notorious problem of playing down to an opponents level, add in injuries and the offensive line issues, inconsistency was a problem.

Cant believe we lost to the Browns and the Cardinals, but do you honestly believe we aren't better than those teams? The Saints will not be coming into Ravens stadium expecting anything but a tough hard fought matchup.

Like I said, my Saints CAN be beat, and I laid out the reasons why. But the Ravens have to be prepared to play for 60 minutes. I've seen Drew put up 14 points in less then 2 minutes.

The past 6 games the Saints have gotten their act together, and have gotten happy. If we had to play the Cards or the Browns again, I doubt the same out come will happen.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

[quote name='bpytnjr58' timestamp='1292433063' post='576338']
Fortunately this is a home game and not down in the Dome of Doom. I hope the coaches are looking at a lot of the Saints/Bengals game film for this one. As someone else stated hopefully the cold will affect their offense.
[/quote]

If anything, the cold weather affected our defense in that game. Our offense was fine, hitting big play after big play. Offense killed it self with penalties, but that's not the norm. Saints are one of the least penalized teams in the league, but in that game we had 11 for 100 yards, which is basically touchdown for the other team. The Defense was sluggish and allowed the Bengals to come back from a 14 point deficit. I doubt they will be that sluggish again.

The whole weather thing is a bit over rated. The only thing that affects our offense is wind and rain, cold and snow does nothing. Drew played at Purdue, and a lot of our receivers played college up north.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='LickenKittens' timestamp='1292430508' post='576296']
Truth be told, our front four doesn't generate a consistent pass rush. They're solid at holding their blocks against the run. We have to blitz to generate any pressure. If your offensive coordinator is smart, he'll dial up some screens.
[/quote]

LOL. Our coordinator and the word smart should never be in the same sentence.

[Finally]

[quote name='bornnraisedwhodat' timestamp='1292436513' post='576416']
Cant blame you for hitting us with that one. But coming into the season, the Saints had a notorious problem of playing down to an opponents level, add in injuries and the offensive line issues, inconsistency was a problem.

Cant believe we lost to the Browns and the Cardinals, but do you honestly believe we aren't better than those teams? The Saints will not be coming into Ravens stadium expecting anything but a tough hard fought matchup.

Like I said, my Saints CAN be beat, and I laid out the reasons why. But the Ravens have to be prepared to play for 60 minutes. I've seen Drew put up 14 points in less then 2 minutes.

The past 6 games the Saints have gotten their act together, and have gotten happy. If we had to play the Cards or the Browns again, I doubt the same out come will happen.
[/quote]



You weren't better than those teams in those games. They both beat you by 2 possessions. The truth is we don't know who you are this year. You have the second best record in the NFC but you have also had the easiest strength of schedule of any team in the NFC up to this point. You have won, what, 2 games against teams with winning records (Pits, Bucs)?

Brees is a scary man with the ball in his hands and you have gotten healthier but does that explain dropping a game against the worst representative of the worst division starting one of the worst qbs to play this year?

I look at a team like the Colts who have been destroyed this year on injuries and there is no question in my mind they would beat the cardinals with whatever qb they trot out.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292439290' post='576444']
You weren't better than those teams in those games. They both beat you by 2 possessions. The truth is we don't know who you are this year. You have the second best record in the NFC but you have also had the easiest strength of schedule of any team in the NFC up to this point. You have won, what, 2 games against teams with winning records (Pits, Bucs)?

Brees is a scary man with the ball in his hands and you have gotten healthier but does that explain dropping a game against the worst representative of the worst division starting one of the worst qbs to play this year?

I look at a team like the Colts who have been destroyed this year on injuries and there is no question in my mind they would beat the cardinals with whatever qb they trot out.
[/quote]

I like you. We are going to need you around on Thursday when a lot more opposing fans show up.

[Finally]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292439488' post='576445']
I like you. We are going to need you around on Thursday when a lot more opposing fans show up.
[/quote]


I will be around.

On our official board the thread I have dedicated to Falcons being Ravens fans has now turned to your cheerleaders lol. I'd post a link but I am not sure if that is against the rules or not.

[berad]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292440150' post='576448']
I will be around.

On our official board the thread I have dedicated to Falcons being Ravens fans has now turned to your cheerleaders lol. [b]I'd post a link but I am not sure if that is against the rules or not.[/b]
[/quote]

Go for it. As long as it's NFL and/or Ravens-sanctioned, it's good.

[Finally]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1292440382' post='576450']
Go for it. As long as it's NFL and/or Ravens-sanctioned, it's good.
[/quote]


http://life.atlantafalcons.com/topic/3907305-and-just-like-that-now-we-are-ravens-fans/

[bornnraisedwhodat]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292439290' post='576444']
You weren't better than those teams in those games. They both beat you by 2 possessions. The truth is we don't know who you are this year. You have the second best record in the NFC but you have also had the easiest strength of schedule of any team in the NFC up to this point. You have won, what, 2 games against teams with winning records (Pits, Bucs)?

Brees is a scary man with the ball in his hands and you have gotten healthier but does that explain dropping a game against the worst representative of the worst division starting one of the worst qbs to play this year?

I look at a team like the Colts who have been destroyed this year on injuries and there is no question in my mind they would beat the cardinals with whatever qb they trot out.
[/quote]

Max Hall was 17/27 157 0 TD's and 1 INT. He didnt do anything to us.

Brees threw 3 picks and 2 returned for TD's one one their only offensive TD was some fluky lucky play were we caused a fumble and their offensive linemen landed on it in the endzone. Special teams were sucky as usually we gave them great field position all day so they can get some field goals. We beat ourselves that day, period. Saints came in thinking they would walk away with an easy W and were not focused. But if you guys think you are going to see those same Saints your in for a rude awakening.

I agree, I am curious to see who the Saints are this year. We faces the lowly NFC West and lost to some pretty bad teams, but when we had to face a good team like Tampa (who we stumped) or Steelers (who we beat) We've rose to the occasion. And we were a missed OT FG away from beating the Falcons.

With that said, I envision an tough game that will come down to who has the ball last and who takes better care of the ball.

[Rinbee]

[quote name='NeoZer0' timestamp='1292435601' post='576397']
Weather.com not predicting snow
[/quote]
Anyway, unless it's a blizzard I don't think snow is as much of a problem as the cold, or rain. It's not supposed to be bitterly cold either. Anyway, NO is a professional football team and while the conditions of M&T (weather, fans) provide some home field advantage, The Saints will come to play. I'm sure the team is not banking on bad weather to help them, but we'll certainly take any advantage we get. I'm more concerned our the Raven's physical condition, especially the defense after two consecutive gruelling games, and a short week of rest.

[johnmike72]

I tell you what if our defense plays like they did in the second half of the houston game,we wont have a chance against the saints.So hopefully Mattison realizes his mistakes and corrects them.And as for Cam there is no hope for him.