Week 1 - Baltimore Ravens Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1315720914' post='783601']
Hes been here since 2010, just went blitzkrieg today, lol. All good indeed! I can't sleep!!!!
[/quote]

Man I just laughed so bad at the fourth picture in your sig, that's brilliant

The more I think about it, the more I wonder why there's so much negativity about the O-line. Granted they haven't seen any game action together for a long time or in McKinnie's case none at all but four out of five starters are back in their natural position where they dominated in '09. McKinnie won't be left without help to block Harrison on his own all game, that would just be asking for trouble. Plus, look at the flipside: Suggs and co. are more likely to make it a horror show for Ben.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1315720920' post='783602']

if the oline is ready then yes i agree.. Personally im pessimistic and wanna see the oline do work first before i say we spread it out...
Also, i have hard time believing we will spread a whole lot when our two biggest offseason signings (debateable) in leach n mckinnie are key in revamping our rushing attack..
All in all just my opinion and my main wish is that we just execute however it is we attack em
[/quote]

The approach I take with the oline is that they can't possibly be any worse then last year. People act like our oline has never played together. This is the same oline from 2009.

You just insert Mckinnie who is an perennial Pro Bowler and looking to reclaim greatest, which a young Gaither who had all the potential in the world, but couldn't stay healthy.

So I don't worry about the oline as much as most. In 09, we were dominant.

As for us not spreading out because of Leach and McKinnie, spreading that defense out doesn't mean we won't run.

Last year the same Steelers defense allowed only 62 rush yards per game. So you gotta respect that without fearing it. We'll run, but we won't just keep smashing our heads against a brick wall.

If you look at what gives the Steelers problems, its play making TEs and bunch formations. The Ravens now have the personnel to utilize both.

You hit them with bunch formations it puts press on their LBs and Safeties.

Once you get that Steelers defense on their heels you keep them there by running the ball. No matter if it's from those bunch and spread formations or you line Rice, Ricky or Allen up behind Leach and go to work.

I just think the Ravens now many ways to attack this Steelers defense.

The reason we haven't been able to beat these guys despite holding 4th quarter leads or a tie in each of the last 5 games, is because we were an offense who had to move the ball down field 1 first down at a time. You can't have that approach against a great defense like the Steelers, because the margin for error becomes so small and we've been prone to those errors.

We have to look to attack with Evans, Dickson and Smith downfield. Because even though we're young, that defense isn't good enough on the back end to hold Boldin, Doss, Pitta, Rice, or even Quan underneath.

Also if they are put in a position to not only respect use deep but to truly be concerned about or deep play ability, it forces Troy P to stay deep and out of the box. Now instead of us avoiding him, we can attack him and his weakness which is coverage.

I might be drinking the Kool-Aid early this morning, but I'm actually loving the matchups we should be able to create today.

[Mount-Cody]

Today is the day people!!!

[bmorebaby]

oh man happy Ravens Day all. I always try to sleep late on these day so i can wake up at game time but im too excited. It's on baby I hear it now "[i]flacco is looking deep, he's got a man open, and he hooks up with lee evans [the crowd: LLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!] and thats good for an 80 yard touchdown on the Ravens first play of the opening drive" cant wait.. LET'S GO RAVENS!!![/i]

[1/28/01]

I may throw up in anticipation!

[bmorebaby]

i so tired of everyone doubting us. I expected it from outside the fan base but our own baltimore sun writers. Jeezzz.

[Alexir]

[quote name='bmorebaby' timestamp='1315747633' post='783686']
i so tired of everyone doubting us. I expected it from outside the fan base but our own baltimore sun writers. Jeezzz.
[/quote]
pay no attention to them, they are always pessimistic.

[bmorebaby]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1315747708' post='783688']
pay no attention to them, they are always pessimistic.
[/quote]
yeah i know it just gets old. We are always the underdogs anyway but i like it that way

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens need to attack James Harrison today. Reports from the preseason were that he couldn't play long without getting tired because of his back surgery.

Even Harrison said he's only about 70%, so why not force him out into coverage? Everybody thinks he's a mismatch for McKinnie because he has played all preseason. However if we can force Harrison to run around in coverage trying to stay with Rice, Dickson and Pitta, it'll give the much bigger McKinnie the advantage in the run game.

U just think the Ravens are primed for a big performance and it'll jump start our season so well.

[bmorebaby]

it's amazing how slow time progresses before the game

[ROH522155]

Guys im so nervous. I dont know what I'm gonna do if we lose We gotta get this one!

[bmorebaby]

[quote name='ROH522155' timestamp='1315750250' post='783704']
Guys im so nervous. I dont know what I'm gonna do if we lose [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/sad.png[/img] We gotta get this one!
[/quote]
SLAP!!! get ahold of yourself mate. stay positive and keep your head in the game

[bmorebaby]

your an mvp for cryin out loud

[zRaven]

Ravens vs Steelers games are always emotionally draining...My heart is pounding out of my chest almost every play.

[poedacrow]

lol...just moments ago:

stiller fan in grocery store: "Guess you guys are shakin' in your boots today, huh?"

poedacrow: [b]"Nobody in Purple shakes in their boots, we're playin' some football today"[/b]


pfft...stillers


go....[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/argdancingravensblueonwkk8.gif[/img]

[ravens__]

I keep refreshing this page in an attempt to speed up the time to game time!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ROH522155' timestamp='1315750250' post='783704']
Guys im so nervous. I dont know what I'm gonna do if we lose We gotta get this one!
[/quote]

I feel the exact opposite. I feel so confident about today's game that I've had to guard against being downright cocky this week.

Its crazy. I just think that defense Wilk have their hands full all game with our offense.

Then on the other side of the ball, I think we're back to being a feared defense. We will get after Ben all game and our bigger DBs will harass those small but fast WRs.

I expect us to play press man, disrupt the timing of their offense and get after Ben heavily.

Also, I saw Ed Reed playing around the LOS more this preseason then I have the last 2-3 years combined. So that pressure from the secondary will be a huge factor today IMO.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='bmorebaby' timestamp='1315750823' post='783707']
SLAP!!! get ahold of yourself mate. stay positive and keep your head in the game
[/quote]

Haha thanks bmorebaby. I'm usually a really positive optimistic guy but these Steelers games make me so nervous!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ravens__' timestamp='1315751689' post='783716']
I keep refreshing this page in an attempt to speed up the time to game time!
[/quote]

I usually find long movies to watch. Like the Program, Remember the Titans, Gladiator, Heat, Casino, or the entire season of Spartacus, Rome etc.

However I've been charged for this game that I was up at 7am watching NFL Matchup and didn't go to sleep until 4am.

[poedacrow]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1315751696' post='783717']
I feel the exact opposite.[b] I feel so confident about today's game that I've had to guard against being downright cocky this week.[/b]

Its crazy. I just think that defense Wilk have their hands full all game with our offense.

Then on the other side of the ball, I think we're back to being a feared defense. We will get after Ben all game and our bigger DBs will harass those small but fast WRs.

I expect us to play press man, disrupt the timing of their offense and get after Ben heavily.

Also, I saw Ed Reed playing around the LOS more this preseason then I have the last 2-3 years combined. So that pressure from the secondary will be a huge factor today IMO.
[/quote]

That's how I feel! Is it too early for a Festivus Pole?

[AsianRice]

Joe is gonna have a breakout year!!

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I'm nervous about the offense. Hopefully the line shows up and the offense as a whole is more explosive than ever. Would love to see Jimmy lock down whoever he's on.

[sliceanddic3]

Could this 2 hours go any slower?? >.<

[Kwothdaraven]

fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu so nervous

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

Im ready, the question is are the Ravens ready? or are they ready to lose to the Steelers again?

[Milton145]

Ravens offense has GOT to show up and stop laying an egg against them. The key to winning is going to be our offense like always. If they don't perform then it's going to end up like always.

[hawkprey]

This is gonna be great. People are doubting McKinnie at LT? Not me. He'll do fine against a not-100% Harrison. Fine enough for our offense to take advantage of their secondary.

Ravens defense will be listed as #1 by the end of the day.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

we'll go ahead and cam will take a nap

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='AsianRice' timestamp='1315752779' post='783729']Joe is gonna have a breakout year!![/quote]

That Breakout season will have to go game by game. What better game and day to start that then today?

I call 300 yards and 3 TDs today. I stand by it and will be here to own it whether right or wrong after the game.

[PuRock]

Just finished a 6 hour drive to make sure I'm in front of my TV for Ravens-Steelers. Can't believe its almost here.