Looks Like We Are Once Again Underdogs

[Natty Boh]

Well we should be the underdogs this year. The Ravens have a lot of young players that need to be groomed.

[bmoreravens4life]

Just because Ray and Ed are getting older does not mean they can't play with the same fire and tenacity they've been known to play with. Ray may be a little slower, but still has the same intangibles and intelligence as ever. Last year he notched total of 139 tackles, 4 pass deflections 2 sacks 2 forced fumbles and 2 int with one touchdown. Now, for a 15th year player at middle line backer those stats were not too shabby. I'd still take Ray over any middle line backer except maybe Patrick Willis. If Ray has the speed around him he will still continue to be a force. Even without it. Ray is just one of those players that knows the game inside and out and applies that every week. He may not be able to chase down backs anymore, but that's where T Suggs and some others come in.

Now with Ed Reed, no one can say he's lost anything. He played 10 games last season and notched 8 ints. Doesn't look like age is affecting him at all. If you average it out he was on pace for a record season notching 12-13 picks. Don't let the age of the players fool you. Both players are still feared by every team and will continue that way until they retire. They will be able to mentor the younger players with anything they need and help them get the most out of their ability. The great thing about these two guys is they know the game and what EVERY player needs to do, not just what THEY need to do. Within a year or two Baltimore's defense should be back to the good days where no team could run and feared to pass. Hopefully Ray can still play by then, I think if he continues his workouts, which I know he will, and plays with his same tenacity, he has another couple years left in the tank.

[hugostiglitz]

its all talk, but thats their job to speculate. anything can happen on sunday, whoever plays hardest and make the least amount of mistakes walks away with the win. i hope the ravens can win the games they need to so they can get a playoff spot, hopefully at home.

[Militant X 1]

underdogs? nothing new there!

~Mili

[bengtc]

why wouldn't we be underdogs, we can't beat Big Ben

[lowrider]

[quote name='bengtc' timestamp='1315114671' post='776459']
why wouldn't we be underdogs, we can't beat Big Ben
[/quote]
Unfortunately your right. But thats why this year is different!

[Corvus]

As I've said in other threads and as we all know already, nothing new to see here and who really cares? What is getting me is I am wondering what 2011 schedule the media is looking at with these predictions. The AFC North gets the AFC South and NFC West this year which as I said in a similar thread yesterday, is an easy 6-7 wins for the Ravens AND the Steelers, yet I have even seen a few talking heads down on the Steelers (albeit not as much as our team). Add in 2 wins vs the Bengals and at least 1 vs the Browns and those areat least 9 wins for both teams in those 11 games alone. The Ravens, if i am not mistakened, are actually favored by Vegas in something like 13 this year (2nd Pitt game, San Diego, Indy I think are the only ones we are not favored to win), and we're gonna win less than 10 games? Right...can't wait to prove them all wrong, starting week 1.

[ellicottraven]

It almost feels like ESPN has an ongoing vendetta against the Ravens. Any time they can root against them, they do so with gusto!

I think this has to do with a small miscalculation on their part. They are making the assumption that there are a lot of steelers fans moping around the ESPN world. There is only two ways they can pick up traffic from these trolls.
a: Praise the Steelers
b: Hate on the Ravens

So I am canceling my insider access after my term is done! That is one small way I can protest and I wish other Ravens fans did the same... let us hurt them as much as we can till they can do some honest reporting!

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='bengtc' timestamp='1315114671' post='776459']
why wouldn't we be underdogs, we can't beat Big Ben
[/quote]

Yes Mr. Troll you are right on the money! Sometimes superior teams take a long time to work as a unit, and inferior teams work as a unit and beat superior teams... does that answer your question? The Ravens over the past 3-4 years have been superior man to man by a wide margin, but haven't played as well together as the inferior Steelers have... since this is a team sport, we need to work as a unit and this is the year of the RAVEN!

[CapoRocky]

We should win 12 games. I don't believe that the Ravens are the underdogs. We are going to beat the stuffing out of just about everyone on our schedule. This is the year that we start to score big and make everyone notice.

[CapoRocky]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1315146405' post='776549']
As I've said in other threads and as we all know already, nothing new to see here and who really cares? What is getting me is I am wondering what 2011 schedule the media is looking at with these predictions. The AFC North gets the AFC South and NFC West this year which as I said in a similar thread yesterday, is an easy 6-7 wins for the Ravens AND the Steelers, yet I have even seen a few talking heads down on the Steelers (albeit not as much as our team). Add in 2 wins vs the Bengals and at least 1 vs the Browns and those areat least 9 wins for both teams in those 11 games alone. The Ravens, if i am not mistakened, are actually favored by Vegas in something like 13 this year (2nd Pitt game, San Diego, Indy I think are the only ones we are not favored to win), and we're gonna win less than 10 games? Right...can't wait to prove them all wrong, starting week 1.
[/quote]

SportsBet in Vegas has the over-under for the Ravens at 11 games. If we win 12 games, then you will win the bet.

[CapoRocky]

Two things that I want to see this year:

(1) Flacco beats Rothlisburger

(2) Ravens beat the Colts.

[CapoRocky]

Hey, 12-4 will get us to the playoffs. From there, we need to roll.

[Raveman]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1315054238' post='775289']
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.
[/quote]


Analysts should be pointing out that Pittsburgh is notorious for having Super Bowl hang overs. The only reason i believe they are dismissing it is because they were on the losing end this time around.

[Ravensstrike4424]

im not shocked at all

[rob321]

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

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.
[/quote]
ravens fan all the threw but i can understand where hes comin fromthe browns are a better team then last year can they beat us no the bangels will be lucky to win a game and pukeberg is really startin to get old alot of there players will be showing there age this year hopefully teams spread them out this year pollomalo is a liability in coverage

[Pitts200]

[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]

Everyone who gave this a negative vote shows your complete homerism. You guys are claiming that veterans like Reed and Lewis help your team but then when you lose veterans like heap and mason, it's for the better because they were losing a step.

Then you claim that you've upgraded at those positions with some guys who are unproven and just because they are suppose to have potential that you expect the analysts to recognize this based off their crystal ball and assume these guys will be all pros.

I'm not saying the Ravens shouldn't get respect, I'm just saying, you can't expect them to be considered the favorites in 100% of circumstances.

Also, please reply directly to my original quote and explain what I said that was not truthful.

[ed.s52]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315198550' post='777579']

Everyone who gave this a negative vote shows your complete homerism. You guys are claiming that veterans like Reed and Lewis help your team but then when you lose veterans like heap and mason, it's for the better because they were losing a step.

Then you claim that you've upgraded at those positions with some guys who are unproven and just because they are suppose to have potential that you expect the analysts to recognize this based off their crystal ball and assume these guys will be all pros.

I'm not saying the Ravens shouldn't get respect, I'm just saying, you can't expect them to be considered the favorites in 100% of circumstances.

Also, please reply directly to my original quote and explain what I said that was not truthful.
[/quote]

I like how you completely ignore the fact that Lewis and Reed are on a completely different level than Mason and Heap. They are arguably the best at their positions in NFL history, and have still shown production which Mase and Heap haven't done nearly to the extent Reed and Lewis have.

Also, the only position we have claimed that at is TE. Why? Both Dickson and Pitta have shown ability and OBVIOUSLY the coaches think they can be quality players if they cut Heap without signing another TE.The analyts should recognize TE won't kill our offense, or even be a true negative. Thats all I expect, even if they did label the position as a little below average which would be understandable.
Still, Bryant McKinnie should be at the very least adequate if he plays at a level anywhere near what he has been playing at, Lee Evans should be a boss if he plays how good he did in Buffalo with a much worse supporting cast, Williams, Pollard, and Gurode are all good players. That, on top of guys like Kindle, Foxworth and Reed being healthy is just another positive. Plus we have a lot more youthful pieces we added.

Who says they should be considered favorites. Its just ridiculous a good amount of analysts suggest BAL isnt even on PIT's level, despite the numerous upgrades, as well as a good amount suggesting we won't make 10 wins, or even the playoffs.

Personally, I consider us and PIT on an equal pedastool, even if we are younger. Its simply insensible to say that a team that has improved from last year, with an easier schedule, that got 12 wins last year is thought to not even make 10 wins in some analyst circles.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='Raveman' timestamp='1315166594' post='776799']


Analysts should be pointing out that Pittsburgh is notorious for having Super Bowl hang overs. The only reason i believe they are dismissing it is because they were on the losing end this time around.
[/quote]

well they lost super bowl 30, and the following season won the division, so by all accounts we should win the division this year as well

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1315018523' post='775114']
One thing we don't have to worry about this year - [b]losing to the Bengals.[/b]

Yeah, I said it. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]

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

Oh man, what is it about us and trap teams? I'm starting to worry about the Cards game.

[Yurtle]

Analysts' opinions mean nothing. Being an underdog or being favored to win have nothing to do with the media's perception of a team. Vegas makes you an underdog or not. In fact, the Ravens are pretty heavy favorites. They are favored to beat Pittsburgh in week 1, and are favored to actually win 14 or their 16 games. So while a lot of fans seem to enjoy being looked down upon because it gives them a chip on their shoulder, that is not the reality. The Ravens are one of the most favored teams and the money reflects their place as one of the best teams in the league.

[reediddy]

I was listening to the BS Report podcast and Bill didn't even go over the Ravens over-under for the season, just completely forgotten! That kind of ticked me off a bit. Who cares that we are underdogs? Who cares that no one is jumping in circles over our signings. Every Raven fan knows we have undoubtedly upgraded our team in the offseason and will be a force this year. 12-4, AFC North champs

[mhead66]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1315202769' post='777598']

Oh man, what is it about us and trap teams? I'm starting to worry about [b]the Cards game.[/b]
[/quote]
Not with them coming all the way East. Plus, they play the Steelers the week before.

We always used to struggle against the Bengals or Browns at least once a year, but Cincy looks awful, and Colt McCoy can be rattled. We'll stop Hillis, and he's not ready to carry the Browns to an upset by himself. I think those four are automatic wins this year.

Other than the Steelers, many of the games that concern me are at home, which is huge. We lost 4 last year, and 3 were road games - NE, Cincy and ATL. Most of our non-division road games are against teams we match up well against - the Titans, the Jags, Seattle and St. Louis - and the only scary road game is at San Diego.

At home we have the Jets, Houston and Indy - but home field advantage, for us, is huge. Indy may be missing Peyton and the Jets... well, all I have is one word - Mark Sanchez.

All in all, in comes down to whether we can beat the Steelers... as usual.

[H8R]

Mods are gonna have a busy week. The trolls are mounting quickly....