Si - Don Banks Giving Ravens Some Love

[Twistidfunk]

I couldn't believe my eye's! Is Don Banks a Marylander?!

[url="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/08/30/afc.north.preview/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a2"]http://sportsillustr...p&sct=hp_t11_a2[/url]

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[color=#000000]In the eight-division NFL alignment, no one matches the AFC North's record of featuring two heavyweight teams that have remained dominant for the division's entire existence. In the nine seasons since the AFC North started play in 2002, it has been the big bruisers from Pittsburgh and Baltimore staying far ahead of the struggling Ohio contingent (otherwise known as the Bengals and Browns).[/color]
[color=#000000]The results tell just how wide the competitive gap has grown: The Steelers (six) and Ravens (five) have accounted for 11 of the division's 14 playoff berths and seven of the nine division titles from 2002 on. During that span, Pittsburgh (11-4) and Baltimore (4-5) are a combined 15-9 in the playoffs, with the Steelers making three different Super Bowl trips and winning two rings. The combined ledger for the Bengals and Browns in the AFC North? Three playoff trips, two division titles (both for Cincinnati) and an 0-3 postseason record.[/color]

[color=#000000]Read more: [url="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/08/30/afc.north.preview/index.html#ixzz1WbllrX1p"]http://sportsillustr...l#ixzz1WbllrX1p[/url][/color]




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[color=#000000]And there's little reason to think the division's storyline won't follow the same familiar script this year. The defending AFC champion Steelers remain loaded, the Ravens are the only team in the NFL to win a playoff game in each of the past three seasons and the Browns and Bengals are starting over with a new head coach (Cleveland's Pat Shurmur) and new starting quarterback (Cincinnati rookie Andy Dalton), respectively. It's possible the Browns could take another healthy step toward respectability, but anything other than a 1-2 division finish by Pittsburgh and Baltimore, in some order, would register as one of the stunners of the year in the NFL.[/color]
[color=#000000][b] Baltimore Ravens[/b][/color]

[color=#000000][b]What the Ravens do best[/b]: Limit the damage on the scoreboard.[/color]
[color=#000000]Baltimore's defense only ranked 10th-best in the league in terms of yards allowed, but that's missing the point. What the Ravens defense has always done is stiffen up when it matters most. Baltimore allowed just 16.9 points per game last season -- third-lowest in the NFL -- and 10 times in 18 games (including playoffs) the Ravens held an opponent to 15 points or fewer. That kind of performance will keep you in most every game, and give you a chance to keep knocking on the door of the Super Bowl, which Baltimore has done in all three seasons of the John Harbaugh coaching era.[/color]


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[color=#000000]Read more: [url="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/08/30/afc.north.preview/index.html#ixzz1Wblhuofm"]http://sportsillustr...l#ixzz1Wblhuofm[/url][/color]
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[stormie]

Thanks for posting, great article. Finally, we hear some positive points!

[BirdWatcher]

Sorry I had to cut down the amount of the article that was quoted. We're only allowed to post SHORT quotes when copying external, copyrighted, material.

[lowrider]

Si.com always gives the Ravens a lot of respect. Good to see someone believes in us. I was starting to get tired of all the threads thinking everyone is against us.

[Twistidfunk]

I see. Well the link has some photos so you got that too, haha

Very refreshing to finally see someone talk about the Ravens as a legit contender and actually having them topple the Steelers

Don't bother watching Peter King's take...more typical media Flacco criticism. I am more worried about our secondary and o-line than Flacco. Stupid media.

Call me crazy but I hate going into the season with a starting rookie corner and Cary Williams. I would be more confident with Chris Carr out there with one or the other but not both. Foxy has me VERY concerned. I am surprised the media doesn't talk about something other than Flacco.

[Gordo52]

Cant wait for week 1. With Paganos aggresive playcalling style were gonna be able to get to Ben. Our improved secondary should help us against Pittsburghs talented WRs. Joe finally has Evans with is the deep threat hes never had and always needed. Boldin should improve alot also considering the addition of Evans, his 2nd year here, improved chemistry with Joe. "Im so excited" *Ray Rice voice*

[Twistidfunk]

I really really want to go to the Opening Game. Last game I was in Pittsburgh...it would be nice to go to a home Pitt game

My wife has a birthday party on Sat and living in New York it would be a lot of driving after something like that...rough morning and all. I don't know though, I am still debating...haha

[Pitts200]

Based on how the AFCN has pulled an easy card this year with it's schedule, I'm outright baffled how he thinks the Steelers & Ravens will combine for 11 loses.

I don't care if he says the Ravens will win the division but if he is assuming the Ravens win both the games against the Steelers, where the heck are the other 5 loses coming for the Ravens?

[Twistidfunk]

agreed Pitts, I don't see it either

[Militant X 1]

our Ravens just have to go out there and perform to the best of their abilities week in and week out! they gotta stop self-destructing in the "BIG" games. that is the time for the cream to rise to the top! our boys have what it takes and i believe this season will be a turning point in the franchise. let's gooooo Ravens!

~Mili

[757RavensFan]

Don Banks is usually wrong more than he's right. I hope for our fandom's sake he's right on this one.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1314812420' post='771782']
Don Banks is usually wrong more than he's right. I hope for our fandom's sake he's right on this one.
[/quote]

All of them are.

[Corvus]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1314812420' post='771782']
Don Banks is usually wrong more than he's right. I hope for our fandom's sake he's right on this one.
[/quote]

I've found that Banks and most of SI's writers are usually pretty objective and good with analysis, its ESPN, NFL Network, and the CBS, Yahoo, and FOXes that are biased and flat out wrong in the face of fact most of the time, just my opinion. Banks usually is one of the few that always has something positive on our team...

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314795485' post='771614']
Based on how the AFCN has pulled an easy card this year with it's schedule, I'm outright baffled how he thinks the Steelers & Ravens will combine for 11 loses.

I don't care if he says the Ravens will win the division but if he is[b] assuming the Ravens win both the games against the Steelers[/b], where the heck are the other 5 loses coming for the Ravens?
[/quote]

I don't think he is assuming that. I expect that we split with the Steelers and then there's a strong possibility that we lose to the Colts and the Chargers. We'll have to play well to beat the Jets but the rest of the schedule [b]should[/b] be wins assuming we play at a level we're more than capable of.

[Ravens Lover]

Defense wins championships, and we've got the top 2 defensive players in the league and the best DT as well GO RAVENS!!

[sflegend89]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1314794067' post='771601']
Sorry I had to cut down the amount of the article that was quoted. We're only allowed to post SHORT quotes when copying external, copyrighted, material.
[/quote]

Yes, because sportsillustrated would pursue someone on a forum for copyright infringement

[flynismo]

[quote name='sflegend89' timestamp='1314822773' post='771925']

Yes, because sportsillustrated would pursue someone on a forum for copyright infringement
[/quote]

I really don't think that's the point. More to do with respecting copyrights and the hard work people do.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Hey at lest they wont be the one's looking stupid in February unlike Jamie Dufus.

[colljb9]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1314795017' post='771610']
I see. Well the link has some photos so you got that too, haha

Very refreshing to finally see someone talk about the Ravens as a legit contender and actually having them topple the Steelers

Don't bother watching Peter King's take...more typical media Flacco criticism. I am more worried about our secondary and o-line than Flacco. Stupid media.

Call me crazy but I hate going into the season with a starting rookie corner and Cary Williams. I would be more confident with Chris Carr out there with one or the other but not both. Foxy has me VERY concerned. I am surprised the media doesn't talk about something other than Flacco.
[/quote]

I agree with you there and maybe carr could cover ward, but Pittsburghs other wide recievers are fast, really fast. I think only williams or smith could keep up with them running down field, and as we talk about pagano bringin pressure that means a lot of single coverage. Personally i would love to see smith on ward as we finally have a big, physical corner i wanna see jimmy smith put hines ward right on his [profanity deleted].

[sflegend89]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1314827316' post='771992']

I really don't think that's the point. More to do with respecting copyrights and the hard work people do.
[/quote]

No one is claiming that work as their own, we're discussing an article. As long as you site your source and credit the author you can quote the article to be discussed.