Looks Like We Are Once Again Underdogs

[scrock]

ESPN's Monday night crew talked about the AFC North and asked whether they'd win the same amount of games as the year before or lower, basically you when your choice is the over or the under.

No body thinks the Ravens are going to win 10 games which is fine with me because every time the media counts us out we play better, I rather enjoy being the underdogs.

Their reasoning is they dont think the young receivers are going to develop and when it comes to the Steelers they always seem to make that extra play to win the game. So far Flacco hasn't been able to do that against them....so a lot of people don't even think we'll make the playoffs again.

Very interesting takes, I think people are overreacting the OL we have shown during the preseason, none of those guys will be starting. If Joe gets good protection back there its all over man..haha, Boldin and Evans, with Dickson and Pitta and Ray Rice is the best pass catching RB in the league.

I think David Reed, Tandon Doss, and Torrey Smith can come on at their own pace and we'll be good. Although I think David Reed is ready right now, same with Doss....Torrey might take a little longer.

They did say something that kind of upset me, they said how can the Ravens/Steelers be rivals? Doesn't the other team have to win some games when it counts? Teddy Bruschi said when he was in New England he didnt think the Colts were rivals because they just steam rolled them all the time...until Peyton finally beat them and won the Super Bowl.

I say good, fine with me...I like the Ravens as underdogs!!!

[Gordo52]

They all must of forgot we have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

well Tedy Bruschi was a consummate underachiever so his opinion is null really considering he never really impacted those games except getting torched by dallas clark. And seriously if it is the online they are worried about Bryant is by far a better LT then than Oher who is an all pro RT so our oline just got really solid.

Our receiver's in my mind it is no question we got better, I even like Dickson more than heap struggling to make the games.

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, they just did a More or Less segment with the terrible MNF crew.Tirico would ask Gruden and Jaws if a team would win more or less than a certain amount of games.

Pittsburgh - 11 Games:
Gruden: More, Jaws: More

Baltimore - 11 Games:
Gruden: Less, Jaws: Less

Cleveland - 6 Games:
Gruden: More, Jaws: More

And I turned it off.

[hawkprey]

How are our receivers not an upgrade? Evans over Mason and Reed/Doss/Torrey over Housh. Also Dickson might be a better catcher than Heap (who is still a great receiver in his own right).

See? This is just analysts being analysts. It's like when they discounted the Steelers for not having Roethlisberger for 4 games. So? AFCN was built on defense.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1315004561' post='774900']
Yeah, they just did a More or Less segment with the terrible MNF crew.Tirico would ask Gruden and Jaws if a team would win more or less than a certain amount of games.

Pittsburgh - 11 Games:
Gruden: More, Jaws: More

Baltimore - 11 Games:
Gruden: Less, Jaws: Less

Cleveland - 6 Games:
Gruden: More, Jaws: More

And I turned it off.
[/quote]

[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/34853_doh.GIF[/img] I doubt they've even looked at our schedule. I think there's about 4 or five games where we shouldn't be considered heavy favorites and that's it. If we play anywhere near our best for most of the season it should be a walk in the park.

[mhead66]

The way to shut them all up is to win the AFC North.

[mhead66]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1315005220' post='774917']

[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/34853_doh.GIF[/img] I doubt they've even looked at our schedule. I think there's about 4 or five games where we shouldn't be considered heavy favorites and that's it. If we play anywhere near our best for most of the season it should be a walk in the park.
[/quote]

Truth.

We play FIVE games against teams that were above .500 last year - the Steelers twice, Indy, SD and the Jets. We were 12-4 last year, so even if we lost all 5 of those games (which [b]isn't[/b] happening), we'd still be 11-5...

[ravensfan2424]

Anybody else notice that ESPN always says we only won 11 games, when we actually won 12...

[Purple Nurple]

News flash. We are always the underdog. So what?

Like mhead said, win the division.

[tsale4506]

Ive began to notice that despite the availability of information ESPN has for it's analysts, they don't seem to be using it! (Prime ex: Ashley Fox). Let everyone sleep on us I say. Can't do anything but help the players get hungrier!

[D_UP]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1315011655' post='775035']
News flash. We are always the underdog. So what?

Like mhead said, win the division.
[/quote]
cosign...who care's what they say or think.

[The Black Bird]

I think we play better as the underdogs. We will shut a lot of people up when week one gets here.

[Pitts200]

No offense, but the Ravens get just the right amount of respect they deserve over the past few years. Yes, you are the only team to win a playoff game the past 3 years, I understand that. But I'm not being insulting, you guys have yet to make it to the Super Bowl and Joe has not shown he is a playoff champion, so what kind of respect do you feel you deserve? It's not like you guys are getting lumped into Cleveland territory.

And what you guys may see as upgrades this year is slightly based off speculation, so don't think I'm insulting what you consider an upgrade, Im just looking at this like an analyst.

So lets look at this unbiased, the Steelers have gone to 1 of ever 2 super bowls the past 6 years and the Ravens haven't gone to any? The Steelers are bringing back pretty much their entire team, so now based on this knowledge preseason, why would you not pick the Steelers?? They have proven they have the team chemistry to make it to the Super bowl despite odds.

I'm not saying its going to turn out like they call it, but the facts are the facts, the Steelers are the easy pick for a favorite.

[poedacrow]

Doesn't matter what the analysts say.

Doesn't matter what visiting stiller fans say.

53 Men in Purple and Black decide this teams fate.

And that's good enough for me.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315014543' post='775069']
No offense, but the Ravens get just the right amount of respect they deserve over the past few years. Yes, you are the only team to win a playoff game the past 3 years, I understand that. But I'm not being insulting, you guys have yet to make it to the Super Bowl and Joe has not shown he is a playoff champion, so what kind of respect do you feel you deserve? It's not like you guys are getting lumped into Cleveland territory.

And what you guys may see as upgrades this year is slightly based off speculation, so don't think I'm insulting what you consider an upgrade, Im just looking at this like an analyst.

So lets look at this unbiased, the Steelers have gone to 1 of ever 2 super bowls the past 6 years and the Ravens haven't gone to any? The Steelers are bringing back pretty much their entire team, so now based on this knowledge preseason, why would you not pick the Steelers?? They have proven they have the team chemistry to make it to the Super bowl despite odds.

I'm not saying its going to turn out like they call it, but the facts are the facts, the Steelers are the easy pick for a favorite.
[/quote]
Not speaking for anyone else here, but IMO...

I don't think anyone here is claiming we deserve more respect, or should have higher expectations stated, by analysts, then the Steelers are getting. I personally don't expect analysts to universally pick the Ravens to win the division, until we beat Roethlisberger - which would indicate that we ARE relatively equal.

I object to these prognosticators claiming we'll do worse than last year, with a far easier schedule. On paper, after all the personnel changes in Baltimore, I don't think we've necessarily taken a step back - even if we're the same strength as last year, how can these analysts say we'll only win 10 games, when we won 12 games last year with a harder schedule?

[Pitts200]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315015397' post='775086']
Not speaking for anyone else here, but IMO...

I don't think anyone here is claiming we deserve more respect, or should have higher expectations stated, by analysts, then the Steelers are getting. I personally don't expect analysts to universally pick the Ravens to win the division, until we beat Roethlisberger - which would indicate that we ARE relatively equal.

I object to these prognosticators claiming we'll do worse than last year, with a far easier schedule. On paper, after all the personnel changes in Baltimore, I don't think we've necessarily taken a step back - even if we're the same strength as last year, how can these analysts say we'll only win 10 games, when we won 12 games last year with a harder schedule?
[/quote]

I see what you mean as a step back, but we all know that basing a current season record off opponents prior year record isn't telling. The standard in the NFL is 11 games to win a division. So you have to think, based on looking at the schedule, Cleveland may be harder and you swept them last year, perhaps this year they surprise the Ravens or Steelers once.

I think analysts just base a season as a whole and figure, why look at teams records from last year only, what if they are getting better. And for the Ravens as a 12 win team last year, there really isnt much more improvement, that's already a very solid record?

I'm just saying, when we look at the possible record for the Ravens it is based off the teams that were easy last year to also be as easy this year, perhaps that won't hold true because no one knows.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315016068' post='775095']

I see what you mean as a step back, but we all know that [b]basing a current season record off opponents prior year record isn't telling[/b]. The standard in the NFL is 11 games to win a division. So you have to think, based on looking at the schedule, Cleveland may be harder and you swept them last year, perhaps this year they surprise the Ravens or Steelers once.

I think analysts just base a season as a whole and figure, why look at teams records from last year only, what if they are getting better. And for the Ravens as a 12 win team last year, there really isnt much more improvement, that's already a very solid record?
[/quote]
There's some truth to this, but we also can't assume the stronger teams will be equally as strong - Indy won't make it to 10-6 if Peyton is out for any length of time, and I don't think the Jets will equal their 11-5 record from last year.

Pittsburgh was also 12-4 and has an easier schedule - arguably easier than the Ravens. The only difference in the schedules is the Steelers play the Patriots and the Chiefs, and the Ravens play the Jets and the Chargers. Personally, I think of those four teams, the Chiefs are significantly weaker than the other 3 teams - and you guys get to stop their run game.

But I'm sure you think that the Steelers, getting Willie Colon back, getting Antonio Brown & Emmanuel Sanders as they enter their prime (and Brown has looked good in preseason), and Ben's excellent preseason - all indicate your team is improved. You - like us - have an easier schedule, on paper. Aren't you equally optimistic?

You can't assume that the teams on your schedule, if they aren't the same as last season, don't get [b]worse[/b] - instead of better...

[Crabcakes&Football]

Wouldn't have it any other way. We are a dangerous team when everyone counts us out.

[JohnJohnson]

Honestly, we should be underdogs in the division. The Ravens can win 11 or 12 games this season. Problem is, the Steelers can probably win 12 or 13. The Ravens have to play well just to keep up with the Steelers, and hopefully we'll end up on top. We also need to keep up in the division for tiebreaker reasons (last season the Bengals loss hurt a lot).

And I don't know why Bruschi talks, everything the Patriots did is tainted. I wonder if Manning was a victim of the cheating more than anyone...

[mhead66]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1315017902' post='775112']
Honestly, we should be underdogs in the division. The Ravens can win 11 or 12 games this season. Problem is, the Steelers can probably win 12 or 13. The Ravens have to play well just to keep up with the Steelers, and hopefully we'll end up on top. We also need to keep up in the division for tiebreaker reasons ([b]last season the Bengals loss hurt a lot[/b]).

And I don't know why Bruschi talks, everything the Patriots did is tainted. I wonder if Manning was a victim of the cheating more than anyone...
[/quote]
One thing we don't have to worry about this year - losing to the Bengals.

Yeah, I said it.

I'm not superstitious - because I've seen Cincinnati. They've [b]really[/b] regressed... and Andy Dalton is in for a loooooooooooong year.

[JohnJohnson]

Ok, well now the Browns are probably a bigger threat. We just can't have a worse division record than the Steelers and expect to win the division. And last season pretty much every game was close. We barely beat the Bengals at the end of last season, although they had Palmer. But you never know.

[bmoreravens4life]

I don't get why everyone thinks the Ravens are so bad this year. Sure they lost some of their star players but look at the caliber of players brought in. With Oher being at RT, his pro bowl position, and McKinnie coming in for LT, Flacco has two giant players to each side of him protecting him. Flacco was sacked like 40+ times last year and still threw for 25 tds and only 10 ints. This is Flacco's 4th year, both in the league and as a starter. So many people fail to realize that very, very few QBs come into the league and start immediately and produce as much as Flacco has.

When Lamaar Woodley made that comment earlier this year that Flacco would never win a superbowl everyone took it as disrespect to him and saying that he said he was not a good QB. This actually is not the case. After diving into the comment by a few analyst Woodley explained his comment saying that he's not denying Flacco of his ability but saying he won't win because the Steelers are there. Now, if a rival team player says that he doesn't think Joe is a bad QB then why is the rest of the league attacking him.

Flacco showed last year that he has all the ability in the world, made some mistakes sure but he is still growing in this league. Analysts fail to realize that the Ravens have brought in even more weapons on both sides of the ball. Ed Reed is healthy, coming off of an 8 pick season after missing 6 games. With the development of the new WRs and and CBs the Ravens have all the potential in the world. Flacco has the targets this year and the ability, IMO, to pass for 30+ touchdowns. He finally has that deep threat in Evans and 2 big physical receivers in Boldin and Doss. Not to mention the two TEs replacing Heap and the 3 headed monster of a running game they have available. Within a year or two Ravens will no longer be underdogs, although they are always hated on.

I can't wait til this season starts, next sunday I'm celebrating my Bday eating some wings, drinking some beers and watching the Ravens soar over the Steelers. The next year or two will be the defining seasons of the Ravens and prove that they are contenders and that Flacco WILL be an elite QB.

[RavenousBG]

Sell the Ravens a little short. That's a good thing. We don't have the face on our franchise that the press likes enough. But Flacco is going to ascend this year.

We start the year good. We end great.

The young players get better throughout the year. Jimmy Smith, Cary Williams, Torry Smith, Tandon Doss all get better late in the year. The oline will solidify late in the year. The defensive backfield will solidify late in the year.

I expect that Joe will have his best year, his most prolific year. 4k yards is in sight. Maybe even 30 Tds but I doubt Joe is looking for that. But look for him to be at even lower than 10 Ints.

It's okay that we are underdogs.
Let's be the unseen sharks in the water.

You gain accolades and acceptance after you win a Superbowl.
Then Joe will be an acceptable face of the franchise and NFL in the national media's eyes.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1314999792' post='774806']
They all must of forgot we have Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
[/quote]

No they know we have Ray & Ed, because without them they wouldn't be able to say our Defense is "old" while the Steelers all have aging players of their own, in which they have the # 2 oldest Defense in the league but hey it's a good thing for the Steelers to have aging players but we'll falter because of a "aging defense."

That's fine, I don't care. They can make all the excuses they want in Week 1 when we do beat the Steelers, but fact is... none of it matters. Games aren't won with your mouths, something Rex Ryan learned last year in Week 1 and has learned every year since declaring the Jets would win the Super Bowl, Games are won on the field and that is what matters most.

[ratedr]

We should be underdogs. This is not quite a rebuilding year, but it's definitely a retooling year. I don't think we put it all together soon enough to win the division.

Steelers 12-4
Ravens 10-6
Browns 7-9
Bengals 1-15 (they're looking at the Andrew Luck sweepstakes)

[dontbnvus]

I am getting so I could care less what they say in the media. I also dont believe that you have to win a super bowl to get respect with the talking heads. Hell, you can even have you butt handed to you in the first play off game and still get respect ( if you are some teams) I like the Ravens being under dogs. I think they like it that way too. I also think this team will improve as the season goes on. The division title for me is not as important as making the playofffs.When we make the playoffs, I am sure we can put together a run to make it to the SB. And yes that includes beating the Steelers when it counts the most.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1315024564' post='775182']

No they know we have Ray & Ed, because without them they wouldn't be able to say our Defense is "old" while the Steelers all have aging players of their own, in which they have the # 2 oldest Defense in the league but hey it's a good thing for the Steelers to have aging players but we'll falter because of a "aging defense."

That's fine, I don't care. They can make all the excuses they want in Week 1 when we do beat the Steelers, but fact is... none of it matters. [b]Games aren't won with your mouths, something Rex Ryan learned last year in Week 1 and has learned every year since declaring the Jets would win the Super Bowl, Games are won on the field and that is what matters most.[/b]
[/quote]

I'm not sure Rex has learned that lesson yet lol. He never seems to be able to keep his mouth shut when it comes to heralding the Jets as future Super Bowl champions. That is probably the biggest reason I'm glad we have Harbs as HC. Losing to the Steelers in the playoffs is humiliating enough but it would be even worse if the coach was predicting Super Bowl wins every year.

[FerrariFan87]

I guess the Steelers' patented post-Super Bowl hangover isn't being taken into account... or in general, the Super Bowl hangover of the runner-up. Oh well, let's just win September 11th to hush the critics, if for only a week.

[PurpleChaos]

I've never been a fan of predicting records for the season . However I will say that I definitely see us hitting some bumps in the first quarter of the schedule while the O line finds itself and our other mixed bag of what if's pan out. Ultimately we finish strong but this slow start and snags seal our fate in the end of either not making the playoffs or losing out on tie breakers once again putting us on the road.

My prediction
No Super Bowl this year...and possibly a few after if Ray and Ed walk