Is Our Championship Window Closing?

[PuRock]

[quote name='Steelpride' timestamp='1295791401' post='621540']
Here is the difference between the Ravens and the Steelers.

Ravens say "We are not going to lose this game."
Steelers say "We are going to win this game."

There is a big difference in those two statements.
[/quote]

I'm pretty sure we are saying "We are going to win this game", they just have a strange way of saying it.

Same way some guys have a strange way of showing love.

[RavenDude11]

Big Ben is still a ******.

[funky141]

[quote] cubbies, on 22 January 2011 - 10:44 PM, said:

We wasted a lot these past years. We feel to execute, to put games away, we beat ourself in most of our elimination playoff games.

The leaders of this team, (ray, reed and mason) wasted a lot of chances to win something before retiring. Im not sure, if i was one of them, that i will like to comeback. Our defense is elite since 2000, but the offense feel to execute since that time also (dont catch the ball or bad...very bad play calling). It must be frustrating for these 3 to see great teams like that just not capable to play up to potential.

At some point, our defense will be less stellar, we take it for granted since 2000 that our defense will rank top 5. But someday (maybe next year), well need our *offense* to cover our defense FOR ONES. The way this *offense* is being *cameron called* these days, our best chance to win anything in the upcoming years is to rely on our defense and sp ONLY, regarless of our *offense*.

We are the worst clutch playoff contender offense in the history of nfl. We have wasted the most of our pro bowling defense for years. Our offense fumbles, use WRONG players (like housh) and ignoring GOOD players (like Mclain-dickson-pitta) and isnt able to CATCH BALLS for first down or 3-and-goal opportunity.

To answer the question: yes i feel that our championship window is closing fast!!! (i will sadly say that she's dead since we lost to steeler last week. (This offense will never get it, we made the same mistake in the steeler playoff game and texans game. This purple offense has not give anytime to his defence since Trent Dilfer era.


Where to begin:

Its fail, not feel...
The "Dilfer days" gave less offense
We're not the worst clutch offense "in the history of the NFL"
How are McClain, Dickson and Pitta better than Housh?

There's more, but Im done for now.....anyone else want to pick up where I left off? [/quote]
Actually its "failed.
I think cubbies was trying to say that the defense is getting up there in age. The last 5-7 years this Ravens defense was topps in the the league, the best some might say. Yes you can draft or sign a free agent but non will compare like a Ed Reed or a Ray Lewis. Those two guys will retire soon and its their window that is closing not the Ravens per say.
As for the "worst clutch offense in the history of the NFL". He was referring to the offense struggles against the Steelers in the playoffs. Up 21 points at half time and nothing after that.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' timestamp='1295720387' post='621061']
It really grinds my gears when I hear experts say this. Every single year, they continue to tell us "The Ravens championship window is closing" blah blah blah....Apparently ours has been closing for some 5 or 6 years now at least...I believe that with the great people that run our organization, we will be in great shape for years to come. What do you guys think?
[/quote]

I personally feel our window is closing, we cant just keep making it to the play offs every year, a team cant do every yr, especailly in our divison. Other teams are getting better too in our divison. The Browns are bound to get better, possibly make it to the play offs soon, you seen signs of their talent. And you cant forget about the Bungals. I think next season is going to be the toughest Divison run we are going to face in a long time. The Browns are only missing a few pieces, same with the Bungals. So we better be on Fire next yr.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1295793723' post='621551']
That's all good and all, its just pouring salt in the very fresh wound with the condescending approach of some of your posts.
[/quote]

Yea really, if we were going to the SB and beat the Stealers he sure as heck wouldnt be saying that, or not even be on this site for that matter. I think hes on here anyways because have you even been to the Stealers forums.


Two words-- No Class

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1295900988' post='623247']
I personally feel our window is closing, we cant just keep making it to the play offs every year, a team cant do every yr, especailly in our divison. Other teams are getting better too in our divison. The Browns are bound to get better, possibly make it to the play offs soon, you seen signs of their talent. And you cant forget about the Bungals. I think next season is going to be the toughest Divison run we are going to face in a long time. The Browns are only missing a few pieces, same with the Bungals. So we better be on Fire next yr.
[/quote]

Divisional foes getting better doesn't mean the Ravens can't either. Also, while I feel the position can be overrated by the national media, QB is the most important position in the league and the Ravens have found their own of the future. You can't say the same for either Cleveland or Cincy right now as McCoy has questions to answer and Palmer could very well be released.

[RL52TheGreatest]

I don't see how the so-called "window" is closing when we've made the playoffs 3 years in a row and have won at least 1 playoff game in each of those years. Ray and Ed may be getting close to retirement, but even after they leave, we have quite a few pieces in place to remain competitive for years to come and we're only going to add more.

[MLGWL20]

the only reason why the national media says this is because the 2 best defensive players of the last decade and arguably the best all time at their positions are going to retire within the next 3 years but they forget that we have one of the best front offices in the game and always draft great

[theFRANCHISE]

Everyone said the Ravens' championship window was closing back in 2006. Look what's happened since then.

Everyone also says that the Steelers' championship window will eventually close, but they keep making it back into the playoffs.

I don't buy into the concept of championship windows closing, when teams will always find a way to get into the playoffs, both by design of their success and by others' misfortunes.

[RavensAllTheWay]

We may have a down year or two, but we'll never have an extended period of time without being playoff bound. Not gonna happen as long as we have Oz at GM.

I got two words. Front office.

Front office is arguably the main thing thats kept the Steelers as consistent winners. And ever since Bob Kraft has been the owner in NE, they've been consistent winners as well. The reason why the Redskins, Bengals, Titans, Cowboys and other teams will NOT be contending for the SB very often and have small windows is because of mismanagement.

We missed the playoffs the first four seasons of our exsistence, but since 2000, we've claimed a SB title and been to the playoffs 7 times out of 11 seasons. We've only missed the playoffs two or more years in a row once.

[ravenswoman]

I believe the only Championship window closing is for our veteran players, which is sad. They will be greatly missed when they go. But I believe we have a great core of young players. Hopefully, Ray Lewis's attitude rubs off on them before he leaves. If not you can count on Ray Rice to pass it along. You know he is listening.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1295899599' post='623222']
Actually its "failed.
I think cubbies was trying to say that the defense is getting up there in age. The last 5-7 years this Ravens defense was topps in the the league, the best some might say. Yes you can draft or sign a free agent but non will compare like a Ed Reed or a Ray Lewis. Those two guys will retire soon and its their window that is closing not the Ravens per say.
As for the "worst clutch offense in the history of the NFL". He was referring to the offense struggles against the Steelers in the playoffs. Up 21 points at half time and nothing after that.
[/quote]
Wrong - The first misuse should have been "fail" and the second "failed"...
And, we (the Ravens) were not up 21 at half...

[Steelpride]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1295901380' post='623253']
Yea really, if we were going to the SB and beat the Stealers he sure as heck wouldnt be saying that, or not even be on this site for that matter. I think hes on here anyways because have you even been to the Stealers forums.


Two words-- No Class
[/quote]


Condescending? That is one word that no one would use to describe me. I am a steelers fan, so what. I also believe in sportsmanship and a part a part of being a sportsman is being competitive. Look at our division, the Bengals, Browns, Steelers and Ravens. There are only two teams in this division that are competitive, and neither of those teams are from Ohio. Oh and by the way, I am a member of their boards also. Why? Because I love football.

Now as far as my comments in this thread is concerned, it was just to point out that there are different parts to winning. Talent, luck, and attitude are three of them. The Ravens have the talent, the luck just comes naturally either for or against you on any given day. The attitude is the one that will really get you though. Look this up if you don't believe me. The steelers head to head are above all three teams in the division. That tends to set an expectation of winning, where as being behind sets an expectation of hoping not to lose. That is not being condenscending either, that happens with all sports and all teams.

[BigMike]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1295912087' post='623425']
We may have a down year or two, but we'll never have an extended period of time without being playoff bound. Not gonna happen as long as we have Oz at GM.

I got two words. Front office.

Front office is arguably the main thing thats kept the Steelers as consistent winners. And ever since Bob Kraft has been the owner in NE, they've been consistent winners as well. The reason why the Redskins, Bengals, Titans, Cowboys and other teams will NOT be contending for the SB very often and have small windows is because of mismanagement.

We missed the playoffs the first four seasons of our exsistence, but since 2000, we've claimed a SB title and been to the playoffs 7 times out of 11 seasons. We've only missed the playoffs two or more years in a row once.
[/quote]


Good post. We are lucky. This is a very young franchise with a pretty good record. Hopefully more good things will be in the future.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1295900988' post='623247']
I personally feel our window is closing, we cant just keep making it to the play offs every year, a team cant do every yr, especailly in our divison. Other teams are getting better too in our divison. The Browns are bound to get better, possibly make it to the play offs soon, you seen signs of their talent. And you cant forget about the Bungals. I think next season is going to be the toughest Divison run we are going to face in a long time. The Browns are only missing a few pieces, same with the Bungals. So we better be on Fire next yr.
[/quote]

Colts have done it for what? 8 years now? It is one year. I've seen nothing that says that Reed or Lewis are retiring so the window for our vets is not closed. Mason has one more year on his contract so I figure he'll be back next season as well. One thing this organization is good at is not getting caught in that complete rebuilding year. I am sure they are aware of what positions need some young talent to fill and learn before our vets take their final bow.