NFL Network Experts Say Ravens "can't win"

[RayToShinningRay]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315494629' post='780984']

Is younger always better?
[/quote]
That's a good point, but if the knock on our D is that they got older than that is an inaccurate knock. I think we have enough experience in the box and deep that some young, brash aggression on the corners is a good thing.

[Borris]

All that needs to be said are that analyst don't determine the games, the players do. If it were up to the analyst, we may never win a game. Here's something to acknowledge, Chris Berman picked us to lose every game the year we won the superbowl. Every regular season game, every playoff game, and in the Superbowl. Just some food for thought.

[ellicottraven]

Yeah sure we can't win if those nincompoops were suiting up to play the Steelers instead of the real Ravens!

Accuscore (ESPN) ran a game simulation 10,000 times and the Ravens won 57% of the time... mathematically that means we are 32% better than them statistically speaking.

Maybe all those pundits believe in the underdogs which the Steelers will be when they visit the Ravens!

[i]<Deleted.>[/i]

[colljb9]

thats why theyre on nfl network and not espn and nbc or fox

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315504498' post='781151']
Why does everyone think the Steelers have such a bad secondary?

2010 Defensive Passing Statistics.

Steelers - 214 yds/game
Ravens - 225 yds/game
[/quote]

"Bad secondary" is a relative term. Their front seven outshines them.

Also, the passing yards for the Ravens last year is deceptive since we'd get upon teams in the first half, then let them pass on us the rest of the game in hoping they wouldn't have enough time to catch up. It sounds as stupid as it was. Thankfully Mattison's college-style defense is back at college.

[Doctor Who?]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315504498' post='781151']
Why does everyone think the Steelers have such a bad secondary?

2010 Defensive Passing Statistics.

Steelers - 214 yds/game
Ravens - 225 yds/game
[/quote]

how dare you bring facts into this one sided argument..

[Gordo52]

we da best, we da best, we da best!

[latenighthero]

[quote name='Doctor Who?' timestamp='1315523288' post='781477']

how dare you bring facts into this one sided argument..
[/quote]
Haha ya I get teamed up on whenever I do that as well.

[The Raven]

Stats aside, the Steelers secondary does indeed suck. Their pass rush/Dick Lebeau makes them look better. A lot better. At least that's my opinion. I will say, I think Ike Taylor is an underrated CB. But Ryan Clark is overrated.

[Ravenut1]

Just remember boyz and girlz, Ravens had Squeelers on the ropes all three games last year and gave it away late two times. It won't happen this year. Flacco is too smart and talented to let it happen again. I can see us running away with the game this Sunday; and yes the talking heads will make excuses for the Squeelers, especially the Chin.

[SecretAgentMan]

These so called experts just know how to play the game, not haw to predict. This is how you prdict.
Ravens
Advanteges
RB- With Leach leading the way, Rice is already hard to take down, this makes it tougher
TE- We have (potentially) 2 good TE, they have One
OL- Every one of starting our O -Line is pro bowl caliber or has been to a pro bowl. Pitsburgh has One
DL, let me brake it down
Ngata, can single handedly collapse to pocket, and is an athletic freak
Redding is a solid pass rushing veteran
Cody,Jones, and Mcphee could be studs
Secondary
If Smith lives up to his potentiel, than we instantly win

I admit they have a better QB, better LB, , and a tie at WR

[SecretAgentMan]

These so called experts just know how to play the game, not haw to predict. This is how you prdict.
Ravens
Advanteges
RB- With Leach leading the way, Rice is already hard to take down, this makes it tougher
TE- We have (potentially) 2 good TE, they have One
OL- Every one of starting our O -Line is pro bowl caliber or has been to a pro bowl. Pitsburgh has One
DL, let me brake it down
Ngata, can single handedly collapse to pocket, and is an athletic freak
Redding is a solid pass rushing veteran
Cody,Jones, and Mcphee could be studs
Secondary
If Smith lives up to his potentiel, than we instantly win

I admit they have a better QB, better LB, , and a tie at WR

[The Raven]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1315525392' post='781546']
These so called experts just know how to play the game, not haw to predict. This is how you prdict.
Ravens
Advanteges
RB- With Leach leading the way, Rice is already hard to take down, this makes it tougher
TE- We have (potentially) 2 good TE, they have One
OL- Every one of starting our O -Line is pro bowl caliber or has been to a pro bowl. Pitsburgh has One
DL, let me brake it down
Ngata, can single handedly collapse to pocket, and is an athletic freak
Redding is a solid pass rushing veteran
Cody,Jones, and Mcphee could be studs
Secondary
If Smith lives up to his potentiel, than we instantly win

I admit they have a better QB, better LB, , and a tie at WR
[/quote]

I think our LB's are almost equal, but they [i]destroy[/i] us at WR. Not even close to a tie imo.

[latenighthero]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1315525392' post='781546']
These so called experts just know how to play the game, not haw to predict. This is how you prdict.
Ravens
Advanteges
RB- With Leach leading the way, Rice is already hard to take down, this makes it tougher
TE- We have (potentially) 2 good TE, they have One
OL- Every one of starting our O -Line is pro bowl caliber or has been to a pro bowl. Pitsburgh has One
DL, let me brake it down
Ngata, can single handedly collapse to pocket, and is an athletic freak
Redding is a solid pass rushing veteran
Cody,Jones, and Mcphee could be studs
Secondary
If Smith lives up to his potentiel, than we instantly win

I admit they have a better QB, better LB, , and a tie at WR
[/quote]
They also have a pretty good D-line though, I'd say that it's a draw as well.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1315526954' post='781579']

I think our LB's are almost equal, but they [i]destroy[/i] us at WR. Not even close to a tie imo.
[/quote]

Not being a homer, but our lbs aren't really that close at all.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1315525390' post='781545']
These so called experts just know how to play the game, not haw to predict. This is how you prdict.
Ravens
Advanteges
RB- With Leach leading the way, Rice is already hard to take down, this makes it tougher
TE- We have (potentially) 2 good TE, they have One
OL- Every one of starting our O -Line is pro bowl caliber or has been to a pro bowl. Pitsburgh has One
DL, let me brake it down
Ngata, can single handedly collapse to pocket, and is an athletic freak
Redding is a solid pass rushing veteran
Cody,Jones, and Mcphee could be studs
Secondary
If Smith lives up to his potentiel, than we instantly win

I admit they have a better QB, better LB, , and a tie at WR
[/quote]

Gees, talk about purple and black glasses. You are saying that because you have 2 tight ends that you have the advantage. You do realize your 2 tes have a total of 11 career catches? So you are saying you'd take your 2 guys based on their "potential" vs a very proven veteran. Sorry but you are wrong on this one, completely.

So I won't really go any further on everything else.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315527912' post='781597']


Gees, talk about purple and black glasses. You are saying that because you have 2 tight ends that you have the advantage. You do realize your 2 tes have a total of 11 career catches? So you are saying you'd take your 2 guys based on their "potential" vs a very proven veteran. Sorry but you are wrong on this one, completely.

So I won't really go any further on everything else.
[/quote]
I hate to agree with a Pitt fan (especially this week), but yeah, the post you quoted is laughable!

[Pitts200]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1315539584' post='781787']
I hate to agree with a Pitt fan (especially this week), but yeah, the post you quoted is laughable!
[/quote]

Ha, thanks, and just because we are fans of opposing teams doesn't mean we toss logic out the window when trying to be unbiased. But I understand that you need to overlook part of every fanbase that only knows their team and assumes another team cant possibly have better players.

Either way, good luck Ravens, I guess all you guys need to do is have 8 or 9 guys live up to their "potential" and everything will be fine.

Ok ok, i was kidding on the last put, but seriously good luck but not too much and lets hope for no serious injuries.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1315507835' post='781216']

"Bad secondary" is a relative term. Their front seven outshines them.

Also, the passing yards for the Ravens last year is deceptive since we'd get upon teams in the first half, then let them pass on us the rest of the game in hoping they wouldn't have enough time to catch up. It sounds as stupid as it was. Thankfully Mattison's college-style defense is back at college.
[/quote]

I guess I can also make an excuse for the Steelers secondary too. You know the Steelers run the Cover 2 zone and the corners literally play 8 yards off the ball to stop any long plays and keep everything in front of them. Now they do this all game, so everyones basis that the Steelers secondary sucks is mostly true, I am not completely arguing that. But look at the stats and see who gives up the least long bombs every year on defense, it's typically the Steelers. Also, the Steelers get a bad wrap because people are use to them not giving up 300 yard passers but if you look around the league it's almost common practice against most other teams.

Now I'm not looking for people to agree that we have a good secondary because it is a weak spot, but by no means is it as weak as everyone makes it out to be. I can pull out stats that will definitely compliment this statement if wanted.

Edit: Ok I couldnt help it.

So since 2007 the Ravens only had a better pass defense yardage wise 1 time out of 4 years.

Edit:: I guess someone has a grudge against me and gives every one of my posts a -1. I might as well start earning those negs and start really being honest about your team.

[YardBirds]

Same ole' song and dance from a group of analysis that don't know squat about this team or its' city.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315560504' post='781864']

I guess I can also make an excuse for the Steelers secondary too. You know the Steelers run the Cover 2 zone and the corners literally play 8 yards off the ball to stop any long plays and keep everything in front of them. Now they do this all game, so everyones basis that the Steelers secondary sucks is mostly true, I am not completely arguing that. But look at the stats and see who gives up the least long bombs every year on defense, it's typically the Steelers. Also, the Steelers get a bad wrap because people are use to them not giving up 300 yard passers but if you look around the league it's almost common practice against most other teams.

Now I'm not looking for people to agree that we have a good secondary because it is a weak spot, but by no means is it as weak as everyone makes it out to be. I can pull out stats that will definitely compliment this statement if wanted.

Edit: Ok I couldnt help it.

So since 2007 the Ravens only had a better pass defense yardage wise 1 time out of 4 years.

Edit:: I guess someone has a grudge against me and gives every one of my posts a -1. I might as well start earning those negs and start really being honest about your team.
[/quote]

Well you are comparing your secondary, which has the benefit of tremendous pressure on the quarterback, to a team that used to rush 3 and drop everyone else into coverage. I've never seen that work for any team, and we used to do it all 2nd half. Just look at the numbers Fitzgerald, Schaub, Ryan, and some other QB's put on us when we played that style of defense. They all threw 50-60 passes because of that soft style of defense. And 40 of those throws were in the second half.

I'm not gonna say Pittsburgh's secondary is bad. It's above average. But ours was far better than it should have been because of those second halves. I don't know why we started doing it in the middle of the season, but we were #1 after the first few weeks and in the playoffs.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1315586980' post='782077']

Well you are comparing your secondary, which has the benefit of tremendous pressure on the quarterback, to a team that used to rush 3 and drop everyone else into coverage. I've never seen that work for any team, and we used to do it all 2nd half. Just look at the numbers Fitzgerald, Schaub, Ryan, and some other QB's put on us when we played that style of defense. They all threw 50-60 passes because of that soft style of defense. And 40 of those throws were in the second half.

I'm not gonna say Pittsburgh's secondary is bad. It's above average. But ours was far better than it should have been because of those second halves. I don't know why we started doing it in the middle of the season, but we were #1 after the first few weeks and in the playoffs.
[/quote]

And that's why I hate arguing which team is better at this or that because I won't lie, I only watch the Ravens occasionally so for me to make a bold statement about your team and its secondary would be foolish.

[WhoDatRavenFan]

The Ravens can definitely win. The defense will be good again. Once again, it will come down to the play of Joe Flacco. This is his fourth year in the league. He has yet to win an AFC North title, beat the Steelers and win the Super Bowl.

The Defense will be good. Indeed, when a team has players like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, and Ed Reed, any game will be winnable. It is True that Lewis and Reed are getting old. But they can still play. I believe drafting Jimmy Smith was a plus.

The Offense is still a work in progress. Joe Flacco must prove that he can win the big game. In particular, he must beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the three years Flacco has led the Ravens to the playoffs, the Ravens lost to the rival Steelers twice. He must correct this flaw. Ray Rice is still the workhorse of the offense. The Ravens may have upgraded the wide receiver position by bringing in Lee Evans.

I do believe John Harbaugh is a good coach. It has probably been frustrating (particularly in the playoffs) for the last couple of years.

The Ravens do have a tough schedule. I predict a 10-6 or 11-5 record. Of course, predictions are nothing...results are something!

[Ravens Beast]

Doctor Who? will be THE most negged person this forum has ever seen. Mark my words.

Ravens got better. Steelers didn't. Ravens win.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Ravens Beast' timestamp='1315613011' post='782392']
Doctor Who? will be THE most negged person this forum has ever seen. Mark my words.

Ravens got better. Steelers didn't. Ravens win.
[/quote]
Nah, edreedfromtheu will hold that title, even though he is a Ravens fan ( I think).

[Ravens Beast]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1315613703' post='782401']
Nah, edreedfromtheu will hold that title, even though he is a Ravens fan ( I think).
[/quote]
A question that will never be answered in confidence.

[ravensfan160]

All I know is I can't take any more arrogant Steeler fans. If you read their message board you would think we are the Carolina Panthers and Wallace, Brown, and Sanders will all have 200+ yards and 2 TDs. It's beyond silly.

What's not silly is I think we surprise everyone and run it effectively. I'm not saying we will dominate in the run but I think it will be must more effective with 360 lb McKinnie, Yanda at his natural position, and Oher at RT. I really want Gurode to play center because he's bigger than Birk and has proven he can handle Hampton by himself when he was in Dallas. We ran the ball well against them back in Joe's rookie year with a similar offensive line. We also had Lorenzo Neal that year and now we have Leach. Running the ball will set up Evans on play action.

[eandb17]

We let the game do the talking.

[Pitts200]

[quote name='ravensfan160' timestamp='1315622373' post='782487']
All I know is I can't take any more arrogant Steeler fans. If you read their message board you would think we are the Carolina Panthers and Wallace, Brown, and Sanders will all have 200+ yards and 2 TDs. It's beyond silly.

What's not silly is I think we surprise everyone and run it effectively. I'm not saying we will dominate in the run but I think it will be must more effective with 360 lb McKinnie, Yanda at his natural position, and Oher at RT. I really want Gurode to play center because he's bigger than Birk and has proven he can handle Hampton by himself when he was in Dallas. We ran the ball well against them back in Joe's rookie year with a similar offensive line. We also had Lorenzo Neal that year and now we have Leach. Running the ball will set up Evans on play action.
[/quote]

I said this before, but against the Steelers its not run that sets up the pass, its vice versa. That's why NE has halfway decent success running against us.

[Ravensstrike4424]

[quote name='Ravens Beast' timestamp='1315613011' post='782392']
Doctor Who? will be THE most negged person this forum has ever seen. Mark my words.

Ravens got better. Steelers didn't. Ravens win.
[/quote]

i thought doctor who is a steeler fan