What Did You Learn This Season?

[Ed_Reed20]

I just got done reading Sun writer Kevin Van Valkernburg's "Five Things We Learned..." column for the entire season. [b]It was a GREAT read and I [i]highly[/i] recommend it to any Ravens fan.[/b]

[url="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2011/01/five_things_we_learned_about_the_ravens_this_season.html"]Article link[/url]

So in honor of the article, I'm creating this topic for people to discuss what they learned. I'll start.

Having read the article, I learned the Ravens attempted to switch to a zone blocking scheme this season to give Rice even more running room. Gaither's injury and absence torpedoed that though.

[cursona pirate]

Great article!
One thing he did not put on there is that karma does not exist

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

I learned that the OC doesn't like adjustments or audibles. That Ed Reed makes a HUGE difference in our secondary. Also, that we choke in the 2nd half of games.

[bce086]

That we need an explosive speedy Desean Jackson type receiver.

[XxSizzleXx]

That no matter the amount of talent on either the offense or defense in the end you still have to execute.

The importance of trench play on both sides of the line is absolute key.

Didn't realize we ran a zone blocking scheme this year along the Oline, it sure didn't look like it, it was noticeable that Rice had a tougher time running this year. There were numerous times where he could of bounced runs outside this year, so get the scheme back the way it was.

[kagejb]

I learned to not read fan comments below the article.

[SaVaGe]

That I have a strong heart from all of the late game collapses.

[darklight1216]

I learned that despite the new faces, Baltimore is still the same one dimensional team.

[63bru]

I learned that it doesn't matter how bad the Bengals are, we will always struggle with them. I learned beyond doubt that speed kills. Our defense is fast, and our offense isn't. One unit excelled this year, and one didn't. I learned that John Harbaugh is the man, squeaking out 13 wins (counting playoffs) with a mediocre offense and a constantly tired defense. I learned that success on first down and avoiding long third downs is key to sustaining drives. I learned that while Ed Reed is a beast, life post-Reed will be survivable.

[Gremraven]

I learned Cam Cameron sucks at play calling...

[bauer77]

i learned not to watch a ravens-steelers game with my wife, because the end didnt result well lol

[Richmond_Raven]

I learned that i really hate the steelers even more because they are going to the superbowl

[Richmond_Raven]

i also learned i need a profile picture for my profile

[FerrariFan87]

I learned that we have a looooooong way to go before we can be considered to be in the same league as the Steelers... 3 Super Bowls since '05? If they win, that's pretty much a dynasty.

[bpytnjr58]

I have learned that the more i hate on the Steelers the more they win.

[Jamal]

I learned that there is no such thing as karma.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1295840418' post='622572']
I learned that we have a looooooong way to go before we can be considered to be in the same league as the Steelers... 3 Super Bowls since '05? If they win, that's pretty much a dynasty.
[/quote]
But this is the age of parity. Dynasties don't happen anymore.

[ravensdfan]

I learned that no matter what, we will have to beat the Steelers and some referee bias in any playoff game with them. I learned that while there may be such a thing as karma, apparently it doesn't apply to football.

[cubbies]

what did I learn?. Our big money shots wideout cant catch a ....ball in critical situations. Our offensive coord didnt use ray rice, mclain, boldin properly. The defence was, once again, left alone in the dark, and forced to win games by themself most of the time (houston game).

We had the tendency to give too much separation on man to man coverage against opposing wideout in critical situations.

We beat ourselves up all year long......once again.

Its the same review of ravens football in the past few years, not playing to potential, not playing smart, not playing turnover free playoff football.

This ravens offence is the least opportunistic *playoff* team in the past 50 years, at least. Prove me wrong everyone!!

[Moderator 2]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1295841099' post='622594']
I learned that there is no such thing as karma.
[/quote]

Agreed of the Steelers and their fans would not win another game

[ravenswoman]

I learned the Ravens/Flacco, no matter how confident, are on the tier below elite teams/QBs..........for now. I guess I just learned, I haven't lost hope.

[ghost1986]

I learned we know how to give up leads in the second half. Reed is still the best safety in the NFL. Steelers are the most overrated team in the NFL. We can't beat them with Big Jen under center. And I also learned not to expect us to utilize WR's we spent a lot of money on.

[Jabara]

I've learned a lot more about the game of football, which happens every year, but especially who is and who isn't to blame after a loss, and more of an understanding of the team and the coaching staff as a whole.

I learned that apparently in the Atlanta game, Cam and Harbs were going to bench Flacco in the 2nd half, but Zorn talked them out of it. (Flacco did have a good 2nd half)

I learned that Gaither really doesn't want to play for us, even if it takes being choked to do so.

I learned that it's true that the Ravens really can't beat the Steelers when Ben is in the game.

I learned a little tidbit about Rex's wife...

I've learned to lessen the superstitions that I usually have while watching a Ravens game.

I learned not to listen to Jeremy's "concrete lock of the week" from 105.7 the fan.
(and that he loves to dress in drag)

I've learned how to not get so bent out of shape about a horrific loss, as well as to visit this forum after one...

I've learned to actually respect the Steelers organization.

[Bltravens]

That without the defense run by aging HOF veterans, we would be like a 4 or 5 win team. I hope when Ray/Ed goto the HOF the presenter says "the greatest MLB in the history of the game, without him and his defensive partners in crime their team would have a perennial top 10 pick".

1120 snaps on defense are you kidding me, the offense ran 797(I think I added that right) by comparison. The defense was on the field for like 330 more snaps than the offense. God help us when Ray/Ed are gone.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1295852197' post='622839']
That without the defense run by aging HOF veterans, we would be like a 4 or 5 win team. I hope when Ray/Ed goto the HOF the presenter says "the greatest MLB in the history of the game, without him and his defensive partners in crime their team would have a perennial top 10 pick".

1120 snaps on defense are you kidding me, the offense ran 797(I think I added that right) by comparison. The defense was on the field for like 330 more snaps than the offense. God help us when Ray/Ed are gone.
[/quote]
I learned not to be too depressed by the truth of this post...

[Shammy]

The Ravens are that good they just need to believe in it themselves

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I learned that:

- Flacco is still well on his way to being 'elite'.

- Reed is the best safety in the league.

- Cam Cameron should have, and probably would had it not been for the point mentioned in the article, lost his job.

- Three man rush = Fail.

- We are the only team capable of beating us. Not once did we lose when we didn't throw the game away.

[ghost1986]

Well put. I'm praying Ray doesn't leave this year. When he goes, it's going to be extremely difficult to watch these games. I think Reed has a few more years in him. And Jabara, I've been telling everybody about Gaither, but they just skip over me and continue to praise him as the best LT we've ever had, clearly forgetting Jonathan Ogden who played with us until his ankles couldn't take it anymore.

[bmorefan444]

I've learned that no half time lead is big enough.
I've learned that Flacco is still improving.
I've learned that big hits aren't suppose to be fun to watch.
I've learned that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still game changers.
I've learned to stop blaming games on the refs. (Its hard not to sometimes)
I've learned to respect Big Ben, but not his beard.
I've learned to root for the PACKERS!

[Rav'n Maniac]

I've learned to reserve judgment on players past performances until they prove they can be effective in our system. No more paper champions!