Does Anyone Really Think This Team Is Ready For Week 1?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315190994' post='777437']

And those are all good points, and just goes to show that its a good thing i dont have to be the one game planning or anything like that. Im sure you guys have about as much faith in your coaching staff (i at least hope you do at least) and FO that we steeler fans do. When it comes down to it, all we have on hear is our opinions and our feelings on how things will turn out. So yeah, thank god for football, and that goodness its back in one week. [b]As long as we have #7 lining up behind center, I will pull for him to beat the ravens every day of the week[/b]
[/quote]

To be honest I think that's our biggest hurdle to get over.

People wanna keep talking about how Flacco has to play better against the Steelers, well Ray, Ed, Suggs, Ngata and the rest of our defense need to play better against Ben.

It's not Flacco who Ben always seems to find a way to make a play against to put his team ahead late in games.

However this year I feel it'll be different.

Mainly because we finaly have a complete team imo.

In years past our defense would completely shut down you offense, but because we couldn't score points offensively, those late games heroics from Ben were made possible.

Or our offense has put up points and by points I mean like 24 points, but our defense couldn't get any pressure on Ben to get him off the field.

I think this year, the Ravens will have a well balanced team with all 3 units excelling at a high level.
I think your guys lifetime will get a bit shorter this year

[colljb9]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1315190661' post='777430']

Every team can do a 4 WR set, and I believe the point is not to be a team that excels at it, but to keep LeBeau from doing anything crafty with Polamalu.
[/quote]

I agree completely. In order to run a 4 WR set effectively you need some time in the pocket (improved offensive line who needs to GEL, they do not need time to play at high levels, we are one of the few teams in the nfl where every single offensive lineman has been or plays at a pro bowl level), you need a mix of speed and possession guys (speed = smith, evans, reed, Possession = boldin, doss, williams), and a quarterback who can flat out sling the ball and makes good decisions (yes flacco threw an interception against the redskins, but he only threw 10 last year to 25 touchdowns, he makes great decisions with time and has a top 5 arm in the nfl)

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1315191637' post='777460']
However this year I feel it'll be different.

Mainly because we finaly have a complete team imo.

In years past our defense would completely shut down you offense, but because we couldn't score points offensively, those late games heroics from Ben were made possible.

Or our offense has put up points and by points I mean like 24 points, but our defense couldn't get any pressure on Ben to get him off the field.

I think this year, the Ravens will have a well balanced team with all 3 units excelling at a high level.
I think your guys lifetime will get a bit shorter this year
[/quote]

I think we improved at corner and that will be crucial. Not only is Foxworth back, we have 2 guys who are bullies and can disrupt routes. Getting past their O-line was no problem and shouldn't be this year either, so to have cornerbacks who can jam a receiver for the first few seconds is crucial. I'm usually not worried about deep passes with Ed in the backfield, and with Webb not on the outside I think we're good.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1315192206' post='777472']

I think we improved at corner and that will be crucial. Not only is Foxworth back, we have 2 guys who are bullies and can disrupt routes. Getting past their O-line was no problem and shouldn't be this year either, so to have cornerbacks who can jam a receiver for the first few seconds is crucial. I'm usually not worried about deep passes with Ed in the backfield, and with Webb not on the outside I think we're good.
[/quote]

Yea, also we didn't have a lot of moving parts on defense last year. Even guys like Fitzpatrick were able to breakdown our defense and have success, so a guy like Ben was definitely capable.

This year, he'll have to identify if Pollard or Webb are coming from the secondary, who's dropping off the LOS, where exactly is Ed lining up. All on top of holding the ball longer like you said because we have guys that can press now.

I don't think they will run the ball on us at all, so 3rd and long should be a common thing on Sunday.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315188148' post='777356']

That big play will probably be Troy running and jumping over the line and forcing flacco to fumble
[/quote]

Nah. He'll be too busy with the mirror admiring his hair.

[FerrariFan87]

If we can't figure out Pitt by now.. I dunno what to say really. We'll just have to wait and see.

[colljb9]

I really see this game depending, more than any other players or group of players...on terrence cody. Our offense has the tools and weve talked about our offensive line enough already. As mentioned in the post above i dont think the steelers will be able to run the ball...and this really depends on cody. If he is a force in the middle like he was at alabama, then we will force pittsburgh into a lot of third and longs. Pagano will bring the pressure on these downs and instead of dropping back we will force ben into mistakes. i know its an outside the box player but cody to me really could make or break this run defense.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='colljb9' timestamp='1315193673' post='777502']
I really see this game depending, more than any other players or group of players...on terrence cody. Our offense has the tools and weve talked about our offensive line enough already. As mentioned in the post above i dont think the steelers will be able to run the ball...and this really depends on cody. If he is a force in the middle like he was at alabama, then we will force pittsburgh into a lot of third and longs. Pagano will bring the pressure on these downs and instead of dropping back we will force ben into mistakes. i know its an outside the box player but cody to me really could make or break this run defense.
[/quote]

Yeah, Cody needs to eat up blockers to open things up for Ray and McClain. If he can do that, I think we'll have as good a chance as any.

[Doctor Who?]

The real key will be if Baltimore can get Roethlisberger on the ground..that seems to be the real issue for you guys, is getting to him and bringing him down. If you cant do that, your team will be in for a long day come sunday, because Ben looks to have the offense running wide open

Baltimore will run as well on Pitt as Pitt will run on Balt

[berad]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315194151' post='777509']
The real key will be if Baltimore can get Roethlisberger on the ground..that seems to be the real issue for you guys, is getting to him and bringing him down. If you cant do that, your team will be in for a long day come sunday, because Ben looks to have the offense running wide open

Baltimore will run as well on Pitt as Pitt will run on Balt
[/quote]

The Ravens can get to Roethlisberger, it's tough to get him down. I get flashbacks to 2007 when Roethlisberger shook off Trevor Pryce like a toddler. Ugly game.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1315194341' post='777511']

The Ravens can get to Roethlisberger, it's tough to get him down. I get flashbacks to 2007 when Roethlisberger shook off Trevor Pryce like a toddler. Ugly game.
[/quote]

yeah thats why i said getting him on the ground (not sure why i later said getting to him, so ignore that, lol). They can get to him, they just have issue getting him on the ground.

shaking off pryce is your first flashback? i woulda thought it was the 5 tds in the first half [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/268213.gif[/img]

[AsianRice]

Well, it's best to tackle a big dude by tripping him like wrapping his feet.....

[berad]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315194589' post='777514']

yeah thats why i said getting him on the ground (not sure why i later said getting to him, so ignore that, lol). They can get to him, they just have issue getting him on the ground.
[/quote]

Well the two go hand-in-hand. It's just a reminder of how far we've come. Five TD passes in the first half... 2007 was terrible.

EDIT: Saw your edit and, yes we won the second half, though! 7-0 Ravens! /homerism

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1315194725' post='777517']

Well the two go hand-in-hand. It's just a reminder of how far we've come. Five TD passes in the first half... 2007 was terrible.

EDIT: Saw your edit and, yes [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/sad.png[/img] we won the second half, though! 7-0 Ravens! /homerism
[/quote]

see, you can be proud of that....lol

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1315193580' post='777499']
If we can't figure out Pitt by now.. I dunno what to say really. We'll just have to wait and see.
[/quote]

I don't think it's a case of figuring them out, as much as getting over our own mental mistakes.

Think about the last 5 times we've played them. We've seemingly outplayed them expect for the last 4 minutes of the game.

We don't have to figure out that Troy P is on the line and he's blitzing, we just can't have our LT fall asleep and not block him.

We don't have to figure out how to win the field position battle and have a punt return go for a TD, we just have to have guys smart enough not to hold on the play.

We know what the Steelers wanna do and what they will do, we just have to play smart and beat it.

[H8R]

Pittsburgh has never played Paganos defensive scheme, we know what Dicky will bring... I bet Bernard Pollard would have stopped Isaac Redmond....

The Ravens got faster and younger, but also got more Veteran Leadership and proven players..... Hmm, Bisciotti said he was going to do that at the "State of _the Ravens" press conference! Somehow, I think he pulled it off!

We know what time the game is and where its being played.... The Ravens will be there. I'm thinking Harbs and Company will continue the trend of winning home openers! This team might just have the right mix for greatness!

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='latenighthero' timestamp='1315191307' post='777445']
It's not smack, he's just sharing his opinion.[b] I don't see why people have to be so combative on this board [/b]and can't just respectfully disagree.
[/quote]

there was nothing combative about my post.

~Mili

[RavenousBG]

We are as ready as we can be. More time would have been beneficial to all but you saw two schools of thought with our team and with the Steelers. The Steelers stood pat with their vets. That mad them more ready for the season because there weren't a lot of key players that needed to learn their system. I will work for them early, could hurt them late if those vets tire.

The Ravens went with the partial youth movement and made moves for some free agents. We have some new blood at some key positions. That may hurt us early but help us late in the season when this team will be much stronger than it is in week one.

The Steelers can't expect to be much better late in the season than they are right now but the Ravens can expect that if the youngsters and new blood understand the system better and play more instictively because of the higher comfort level.

We are as ready right now as we can be and that may result in a loss to the Steelers but I wouldn't worry unless the Steelers win by blowout. IF the Ravens win this game... Whoa! Get ready for a ride you won't forget!

[BadMin]

Yes I Do

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJJ3rX1PjQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsJJ3rX1PjQ[/url]

BadMin

[Thepurplehaze]

God yes. I literally can't wait for this game. I think I'm gonna pull a Cartmen and freeze myself until Sunday morning...
Can't wait to seen Jimbo swat away some Hines Ward slant passes.

[Raven43hike]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1314989430' post='774606']
I think its about time Steelers ran out of their lucky charms.
[/quote]
I agree the tide is turning

[baltravens]

My educated guess is that the Ravens are ready to go. The one thing that you are forgetting is that these guys are professionals and in most cases are getting paid millions of dollars to do their jobs. I understand the strike-shortened offseason, but the players had to be happy to have a shorter time sweating getting ready for something most of them have [u]supported [/u]less mandatory or required time already to prepare for a regular season.

[cursona pirate]

I think due to this lockout poop stuff no team is REALLY ready for week 1. thats just my opinion.
The running backs this year will do very good on offense because there isint much syncing stuff involved as passing to receivers.
I think we can win every game this year. Any team can beat anyone on any given sunday people!

[lowrider]

It's going to be an awfully loud stadium. All I know is I wouldn't want to be the Steelers this year. Even the "evil and spiteful" Mike Preston said we are going to be better this year. I thought our team was balanced last year. The Oz has outdone himself this year

[Raveman]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1315322285' post='778793']
I think due to this lockout poop stuff no team is REALLY ready for week 1. thats just my opinion.
The running backs this year will do very good on offense because there isint much syncing stuff involved as passing to receivers.
I think we can win every game this year. Any team can beat anyone on any given sunday people!
[/quote]


Some teams are more ready than others. The Ravens have players who are still learning the position while the Steelers are mainly revamping their playbook. I really do think the only difference for the Steelers Defensively is that LeBeau has had a shorter time to change up and create new looks.

[berad]

[quote name='lowrider' timestamp='1315322663' post='778799']
It's going to be an awfully loud stadium. All I know is I wouldn't want to be the Steelers this year. Even the "evil and spiteful" Mike Preston said we are going to be better this year. I thought our team was balanced last year. The Oz has outdone himself this year
[/quote]

If Mike Preston is being positive, you know we have a pretty good shot.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Are we ready ???

hmmm....

Solidified O-line..check
Franchise QB..Check
Explosive RB..Check
Balanced WR's...check
All-World FB..Check

Young and aggressive Dline Check.
Flexible and quick LB's..check
Talented and physical secondary..Check

Best kicker punter tandem in the league.. check

I think we got it