Confessions Of A True Fan(Atic)?

[ellicottraven]

Folks I have a confession and the reason for this confession is to ascertain I am not the only one that felt this way after the Ravens lost to the Squealers in the playoffs!
I was on vacation for the last few weeks of the regular season into the playoff loss we had against Pittsburgh. I was out of the country with no access to the internet. I literally had a relative call me every five minutes as the games were going on giving me a synopsis. I was elated beyond words when we beat Kansas City! I could not stop chirping on the boards when I had internet access gloating about our RAVENS and their march to Dallas! Well sadly I could not get a phone line connection on the day they were playing Pittsburgh and found out that the Ravens had lost after leading 21-7 in the first half. Keep in mind most of these games were played in the wee hours of the morning where I was. I was utterly devastated to the point that I felt totally empty and the stranges thing happened. I did not go to NFL.com or ESPN.com or Baltimoreravens.com till the SB friends! This from a person who literally spends half his free time on all things Ravens! I was in total grief! I could not explain the emptiness I was feeling. I was filled with anger, despair and a loathing for the Steelers that was inexplicable. Don't get me wrong I hated them prior to our loss too. But not I despised the thought of their existence. What made it worse was the Steelers playing the Jets in the Conference championship. I did not want either team in the SB but I knew one was getting in... well what I would like to know from you guys is - was I the only one in this ultra dark place after our playoff loss or were there several like me? Tell me there were others that felt that deep sense of despair that I did. It will go a long way in making me feel better.
However after the Steelers loss (I watched the entire game btw), I feel rejuvenated. Back to feeling normal and looking forward to the Ravens issue 2011! This is the longest post but I had to get this off my chest! Please comment and give me your feeling after the Ravens lost to the Steelers!

[SouthernRaven]

I'm right there with you. I went to the game in Pittsburgh, braving the low class fans they have and sporting my Jersey proudly. I can't even explain the feeling walking out of that stadium after we led 21-7 at half. I don't believe I have ever felt that low. It was beyond sadness, there was a lot of anger mixed in as well. I tell you, after witnessing the behavior of Steelers fans, I too have a new found deep rooted hatred for all things black and yellow. I saw a grown man spit in a girls face sitting beside me, only because she was a Ravens fan, she had not said a word the entire game. This man was probably pushing forty while she was maybe twenty at the most. It was the dirtiest lowest thing I had ever seen. After witnessing this it was a much tougher loss. I can't wait until we absolutely crush those low class citizens next season. Go RAVENS!!

[Alexir]

This is why I don't want Harbaugh to get an extension. He can't seem to inspire the team to play 60 minutes. We go 3-24 in the second half? are you kidding me? I don't wanna blame the defense for the 3 turnovers by offense in our own end but damn, it was just an ugly game that was poorly coached.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1297316339' post='637160']
This is why I don't want Harbaugh to get an extension. He can't seem to inspire the team to play 60 minutes. We go 3-24 in the second half? are you kidding me? I don't wanna blame the defense for the 3 turnovers by offense in our own end but damn, it was just an ugly game that was poorly coached.
[/quote]

When a team consistently fails to play 60 minutes for an entire season, don't the players deserve some blame too? You say Harbaugh doesn't "inspire the team to play 60 minutes". You can do everything right in meetings, practices, pre-game, in-game and half-time but players still have to play the game.

The Ravens never seemed to have a problem closing opponents out in 2009. What changed? We know the o-line wasn't as good and as such, the running game wasn't as effective. In addition, the defense was older in some key areas and the one rookie who was primed to contribute immediately didn't play a snap all season.

As for the play-off game, I don't see what exactly the coaches did that hurt the team's chances of winning against the Steelers.

[Jabara]

I'd have to say, after the Ravens lost at home to the Steelers you should have been in a dark place, as you say.
We lost it all then, in that game.
We can go back and say that didn't put us out of the running, but it didn't help either.
That was basically the end. Fans can challenge that all they want, but that was the moment we called it quits.
We never stepped up to the big games.
The Steelers, the Pats and the Falcons. The Bengals hurt too, but really, that lose was crazy.
We didn't deserve the SB.
And afterward you can tell who was upset by who or what through twitter, facebook, etc.
The players don't seem to keep those things to themselves, nor apparently are they told to.

[Alexir]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1297317294' post='637163']
When a team consistently fails to play 60 minutes for an entire season, don't the players deserve some blame too? You say Harbaugh doesn't "inspire the team to play 60 minutes". You can do everything right in meetings, practices, pre-game, in-game and half-time but players still have to play the game.

The Ravens never seemed to have a problem closing opponents out in 2009. What changed? We know the o-line wasn't as good and as such, the running game wasn't as effective. In addition, the defense was older in some key areas and the one rookie who was primed to contribute immediately didn't play a snap all season.

As for the play-off game, I don't see what exactly the coaches did that hurt the team's chances of winning against the Steelers.
[/quote]


I kind of think that is a cop out. We just saw what the Packers did with the next guy up through all of their injuries. Our organization could of totally made adjustments but kept doing the same thing over and over again. When you have a lead, finish the team. Run up the score! If the run game isn't there, don't force it especially against the Steelers.

[PuRock]

I was in this dark place two years ago more so than this year. I left the message board for the entire offseason after the loss (which is a tough thing for me). I didn't watch the Superbowl, I didn't even want to talk football.

This year was easier. Perhaps I knew the Steelers/Jets weren't going to win. Plus we didn't send the Steelers directly to the Superbowl. But I hear ya.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1297317294' post='637163']
When a team consistently fails to play 60 minutes for an entire season, don't the players deserve some blame too? You say Harbaugh doesn't "inspire the team to play 60 minutes". You can do everything right in meetings, practices, pre-game, in-game and half-time but players still have to play the game.

The Ravens never seemed to have a problem closing opponents out in 2009. What changed? We know the o-line wasn't as good and as such, the running game wasn't as effective. In addition, the defense was older in some key areas and the one rookie who was primed to contribute immediately didn't play a snap all season.

As for the play-off game, I don't see what exactly the coaches did that hurt the team's chances of winning against the Steelers.
[/quote]
Absolutely the players get some of that blame, but the coaching was terrible the entire game. The offense was horrible all game long. The defense was not in position to make plays. So we can say that the offensive coach and defensive coach also had bad games. All of this falls on the head coach.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1297345682' post='637242']
I kind of think that is a cop out. We just saw what the Packers did with the next guy up through all of their injuries. Our organization could of totally made adjustments but kept doing the same thing over and over again. When you have a lead, finish the team. Run up the score! If the run game isn't there, don't force it especially against the Steelers.
[/quote]

How exactly is it a cop out?

The Packers lost players but their best players are among the best in the game and their best player period happens to play the most important position on the field.

I'm pretty sure the organization did make adjustments. When you're hamstrung in numerous areas on both sides of the ball though, you can tweak things all day, those flaws usually come to ahead.

Obviously you don't force the run against the Steelers. However, you have to have a very good QB to compensate for the lack of a running game. Rodgers, Brees and Brady aside, I don't remember any QB having much success against the Steelers last season.

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1297651561' post='639323']
Absolutely the players get some of that blame, but the coaching was terrible the entire game. The offense was horrible all game long. The defense was not in position to make plays. So we can say that the offensive coach and defensive coach also had bad games. All of this falls on the head coach.
[/quote]

You can't be serious. The offense certainly was horrible but despite that, the team had built up a 14-point lead. The defense wasn't in position to make plays? Six sacks, a defensive touchdown, another turnover, and 3rd and 19 on the biggest third down of the game(in hindsight) says differently.

Put it all on one person but last time I checked, football is a team game.

[NinjaTurtle]

I sulked for a while, I couldn't believe ow badly we imploded.

It was very frustrating.

[gumbleton]

I smashed my tv with a cricket bat before running outside, throwing one of my shoes at a nearby bird, ripping my shirt off and running down the street half naked screaming "I HATE LIFE" at the top of my lungs

(I was still a Baltimore fan at this stage)

[NinjaTurtle]

[quote name='gumbleton' timestamp='1297663858' post='639421']
I smashed my tv with a cricket bat before running outside, throwing one of my shoes at a nearby bird, ripping my shirt off and running down the street half naked screaming "I HATE LIFE" at the top of my lungs

(I was still a Baltimore fan at this stage)
[/quote]

You must have been pretty heartbroken....

[GTRavens]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1297316339' post='637160']
This is why I don't want Harbaugh to get an extension. He can't seem to inspire the team to play 60 minutes. We go 3-24 in the second half? are you kidding me? I don't wanna blame the defense for the 3 turnovers by offense in our own end but damn, it was just an ugly game that was poorly coached.
[/quote]

The 4th quarter results are troubling, but I'm tired of hearing about these "60 minutes." No NFL team has ever played the full 60 minutes in any game, ever.

[Jillester]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1297317294' post='637163']
As for the play-off game, I don't see what exactly the coaches did that hurt the team's chances of winning against the Steelers.
[/quote]

Seriously? I must have been watching the game from a different angle the entire time. Players must execute just as coaches must adjust according to the rhythm of the game. It was a lose-lose situation in both cases.

[Ravens Lover]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1297316339' post='637160']
This is why I don't want Harbaugh to get an extension. He can't seem to inspire the team to play 60 minutes. We go 3-24 in the second half? are you kidding me? I don't wanna blame the defense for the 3 turnovers by offense in our own end but damn, it was just an ugly game that was poorly coached.
[/quote]

I don't want to start blaiming Harbs yet, It wasn't his fault that Rice fumbled after 450 possessions, It wasn't his fault Boldin dropped a TD pass, it wasn't his fault the ref called a really questionable hold that called back a TD

[Marc2k6]

Yeah I was down after that loss, I could not believe we did not win that game. The sun no longer shined in my life until the steelers loss in the Super Bowl, now the sun shines bright!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Jillester' timestamp='1297684782' post='639463']
Seriously? I must have been watching the game from a different angle the entire time. Players must execute just as coaches must adjust according to the rhythm of the game. It was a lose-lose situation in both cases.
[/quote]

Yes, seriously. When I think back to the game, I remember giveaways, drops and lapses in coverage killing the team, not bad play-calling from either the OC or DC.

[kagejb]

[quote name='gumbleton' timestamp='1297663858' post='639421']
I smashed my tv with a cricket bat before running outside, throwing one of my shoes at a nearby bird, ripping my shirt off and running down the street half naked screaming "I HATE LIFE" at the top of my lungs

(I was still a Baltimore fan at this stage)
[/quote]
Does that mean that you're not a fan anymore?

[ellicottraven]

Thanks for the many responses to my once felt quandary... I am now a resurgent and high flying Raven, the most intelligent bird by the way! GO RAVENS!!!

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='gumbleton' timestamp='1297663858' post='639421']
I smashed my tv with a cricket bat before running outside, throwing one of my shoes at a nearby bird, ripping my shirt off and running down the street half naked screaming "I HATE LIFE" at the top of my lungs

(I was still a Baltimore fan at this stage)
[/quote]
What kind of bird was it? And this is somewhat similar to my experience, except I don't own a cricket bat. I ignored my phone with incoming texts/calls froom Ravens and Steeler fans. Went and chugged as much as my body could handle. Then I did that 2 more times. Then went outside and tried to run off my anger. Sadly once my hears sped up I was one angry man lol

[blackfeather]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1297314954' post='637149']
Folks I have a confession and the reason for this confession is to ascertain I am not the only one that felt this way after the Ravens lost to the Squealers in the playoffs!
I was on vacation for the last few weeks of the regular season into the playoff loss we had against Pittsburgh. I was out of the country with no access to the internet. I literally had a relative call me every five minutes as the games were going on giving me a synopsis. I was elated beyond words when we beat Kansas City! I could not stop chirping on the boards when I had internet access gloating about our RAVENS and their march to Dallas! Well sadly I could not get a phone line connection on the day they were playing Pittsburgh and found out that the Ravens had lost after leading 21-7 in the first half. Keep in mind most of these games were played in the wee hours of the morning where I was. I was utterly devastated to the point that I felt totally empty and the stranges thing happened. I did not go to NFL.com or ESPN.com or Baltimoreravens.com till the SB friends! This from a person who literally spends half his free time on all things Ravens! I was in total grief! I could not explain the emptiness I was feeling. I was filled with anger, despair and a loathing for the Steelers that was inexplicable. Don't get me wrong I hated them prior to our loss too. But not I despised the thought of their existence. What made it worse was the Steelers playing the Jets in the Conference championship. I did not want either team in the SB but I knew one was getting in... well what I would like to know from you guys is - was I the only one in this ultra dark place after our playoff loss or were there several like me? Tell me there were others that felt that deep sense of despair that I did. It will go a long way in making me feel better.
However after the Steelers loss (I watched the entire game btw), I feel rejuvenated. Back to feeling normal and looking forward to the Ravens issue 2011! This is the longest post but I had to get this off my chest! Please comment and give me your feeling after the Ravens lost to the Steelers!
[/quote]

WOW.... I FELT EXACTLY THE SAME WAY.... and I had to watch it on TV. However, I have put a little more blame on the Ravens and their secondary.... You just don't give up a 3rd and 19 when the game is on the line like that. Other than a terrible holding call on the Ravens Punt return...I felt a bad feeling coming on. That said OUR DEFENSE needs
to get much better next year.... I want a more aggressive approach to blitzing the opposing QB's. AND Hopefully they
will draft and excellent CB...One we desperatly need for next year.

[Militant X 1]

imo...threads like these just keep picking at old wounds and when that is done, the scab never forms and the wound is never healed.

umm...the Steelers LOST in the Superbowl! Ravens nation was vindicated by watching our foes (Steelers) "luck" in games run out on the biggest stage with millions watching. plus, Wines Ward's mouth was shut! overall...it was a good day!

now.....move on and let it go!

a new season is on the horizon!