Marshall Faulk's Paying Attention

[organizedchaos007]

When most analysts have talked about us lately, its the same thing over and over again. Baltimore's defense is long in the tooth, we lost heap and mason and havent upgraded enough to compete with a team we will never aparently beat when Ben is playing. Joe flacco isnt ready to take that next step and get over the Pittsburgh hump etc. etc.

Last night on "no huddle" the round table went through their list of the FA winners this offseason. And of course Marshall was last and seems to be the only analyst who gets it. Not only did he deam us one of the top FA winners of the offseason, but he took it a step further. Something ive been saying for weeks now around here. He said we did EVERYTHING we possible could in concerns of upgrades to beat the one team in the league we have to beat to win the AFC North and get a home playoff game.

He pointed out that we have upgraded everything that went wrong for us last year. We had a horrible Oline last year, and it was especially suspect against the steelers. So now our line looks like this ...
Mckinney, Grubbs, Birk/Gurode, Yanda (at his natural position, will be huge in the run game), Oher (his natural position (hes a monster at RT). With this line, Rice is poised to have his best year to date.

We added Leach who is an upgrade over McClain (true). and dont slip on Leach and not being able to catch out of the backfield... he has good hands and will truck someone with the quickness. Thing is.. he didnt HAVE to do that with the texans, look at all the weapons they had. Oh ... and further upgrades pass pro.

He spoke about Evans being an upgrade over Mason (love you Mase, but you've been upgraded). Evans will not only rejuvinate his career here with a GOOD QB in Flacco, but he is gonna open up so much for Boldin, Doss, Rice, Dickson underneath and in the intermediate passing game. We have had NO threat like Evans for years and years.... this will specifically assist us in either (putting games out of reach early against Pittsburgh, OR allowing us to continue to make plays in the 4th when we need it).

He talked about Dickson being an upgrade over heap (heap love you too, but Dickson is an upgrade), hes faster, has hands similar to doss, hes athletic, is MUCH improved with blocking, and hes another deep threat that will stretch the steelers defense, which we havent been able to do in the past. its why nothing underneath opens up when we need to sustain drives and convert 3rd downs.

He talked about Pollard as and upgrade over Landry (true), hes actually better against the run, hes a BEAST when it comes to contact, and hes better in pass coverage... even tho it will be zibby in on passing downs. Oh... and he can blitz... which leads me to my next point

Another major concern we had last year, was penetration, and getting to the QB. First of all he mentioned Pagano and his mentality, and how that alone will produce more pressure, more sacks, more turnovers , and more mistakes by offenses in general. And second he talked about players like Kruger (who has had amazing progression from middle of last season till now, hes CONSTANTLY getting pressure), the fact Cory Redding will have a breakout year.. and hes already showing hes poised for that being his second year in the system and finally going out there and doing what we hoped he would do. Talked about McPhee from the swamp, and his motor, and his ability to get to the QB and has a nack for making plays. The fact we have a HEALTHY Johnson (which is HUGE), AND have kindle making his way in.

And finally he talked about our secondary.. and being another problem for us , especially against the steelers. He pointed out our upgrades/progression/depth at the CB position. Adding 2 bigger bodied, longer, press corners in the draft, and the emergence of Williams from last preason till now, we will be able to press WR's for longer when plays break down and Ben gets out of the pocket (where he has beat us and the end of games over... and over... and over again.

This is why im excited for this season... for the first time in forever, I feel like we pretty much fixed EVERY problem we had in years past that havent allowed us to handle Pit the way we should. Ozzie and Co. did an amazing job. Im glad we have flown under the radar w/ the media, but im atleast glad atleast SOMEBODY was actually paying attention.

On a side note.. the second Marshall finished (he was last) ... Sapp jumped in and said ... but Joe's gotta beat Ben... blah blah... well guess what sooner or later, Joe is gonna start spanking the steelers, this is the time...

[The Raven]

Marshall's now my favorite analyst.

Unfortunately, [i]Sapp is right[/i]. We have to beat Ben before we deserve to be called better. We have to beat Ben to be considered a contender.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1315531447' post='781645']
Marshall's now my favorite analyst.

Unfortunately, [i]Sapp is right[/i]. We have to beat Ben before we deserve to be called better. We have to beat Ben to be considered a contender.
[/quote]
couldnt agree more, Im just tired of hearing it. This has/will be our best oportunity.

[Corvus]

Always liked Marshal, in fact he and his Rams were what started to get me big into football as an adolescent. But like you said, we know all of the upgrades the team has made on paper, we'll finally get to see them in action in a couple of days, so even though its amazing to see a positive NFL network voice for us, I'm just ready for us to prove all the others wrong and have tuned all of them out by now..

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1315532184' post='781661']
Always liked Marshal, in fact he and his Rams were what started to get me big into football as an adolescent. But like you said, we know all of the upgrades the team has made on paper, we'll finally get to see them in action in a couple of days, so even though its amazing to see a positive NFL network voice for us, I'm just ready for us to prove all the others wrong and have tuned all of them out by now..
[/quote]
Yea ive always liked Marshall, even tho he hated on us all last year lol, but hes cool in my book. And I agree with you completely

[H8R]

Yup, I saw the same thing. He's really a student of the game. Not just a dumb muscle head.

[RavenousBG]

Like you said, Marshall paid attention.
There are a few analysts here and there who have paid attention.

I really think the big thing is how the younger players will get better throughout the year as they experience regular season Ravens football.

[ball hawkin 20]

Great to hear that from one of my favorite all time players, and a great analyst (Use to live in STL back during the Greatest Show on the Turf). Sapp is once again being an idiot. I'm happy someone from the NFL network finally gets it.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1315532660' post='781672']
Yup, I saw the same thing. He's really a student of the game. Not just a dumb muscle head.
[/quote]
he definitely is a student of the game, so is Solomon Wilcotts, and Brian Baldinger

[Gordo52]

I agree 100% So far all our moves look like ugrades. Im more confident heading into this year then the past 2. I know were going to make playoffs, and I know we can beat any AFC team. But can we do it under pressure? Have to wait and see. Joe in his 4th year, I think he can. I really hope we dont play GB though in superbowl. Packers are scary.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315533813' post='781690']
I agree 100% So far all our moves look like ugrades. Im more confident heading into this year then the past 2. I know were going to make playoffs, and I know we can beat any AFC team. But can we do it under pressure? Have to wait and see. Joe in his 4th year, I think he can. I really hope we dont play GB though in superbowl. Packers are scary.
[/quote]
I have a gut feeling about this year, its similar to what I felt during the 2006 season, where we just had so many guys who at one point or another made that one play when we needed it and were under pressure. Packers are scary.... they are scoring at will, its kinda pityful.

[Pitts200]

Game 1 isn't your best chance to beat Ben, more like game 9. It's going to take awhile for your offense to gel with all the changes. Come week 9, the Ravens should be clicking on all cylinders. I think the game this Sunday belongs to the Steelers for the sole reason of continuity.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1315534419' post='781702']
I have a gut feeling about this year, its similar to what I felt during the 2006 season, where we just had so many guys who at one point or another made that one play when we needed it and were under pressure. Packers are scary.... they are scoring at will, its kinda pityful.
[/quote]
Ravens I feel are the AFC packers maybe. Except their a QB team with an elite QB and were a RB team with an elite RB. But what theyre doing in GB Is like, not fair lol. Theyre the second youngest team in NFL. Theyre starting a dynasty. We started ours 3 years ago but beat ourselves in the games that really mattered.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1315534672' post='781707']
Game 1 isn't your best chance to beat Ben, more like game 9. It's going to take awhile for your offense to gel with all the changes. Come week 9, the Ravens should be clicking on all cylinders. I think the game this Sunday belongs to the Steelers for the sole reason of continuity.
[/quote]
Could be right, I feel your wrong, your continuity is just as much an advantage for us defensively and offensively, and all our new pieces is more like a film study nightmare... or lack of film that is.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315534674' post='781708']
Ravens I feel are the AFC packers maybe. Except their a QB team with an elite QB and were a RB team with an elite RB. But what theyre doing in GB Is like, not fair lol. Theyre the second youngest team in NFL. Theyre starting a dynasty. We started ours 3 years ago but [i][b]beat ourselves in the games that really mattered[/b][/i].
[/quote]
every big game I think we lost, you could point to acouple plays where we just totally shot ourselves in the foot.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1315535027' post='781720']
every big game I think we lost, you could point to acouple plays where we just totally shot ourselves in the foot.
[/quote]
Yup. Which makes it so much harder to take.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315535108' post='781723']
Yup. Which makes it so much harder to take.
[/quote]
yea, does kinda leave a bitter taste in ya mouth huh? lol.... MAN im ready for sunday..

[Gordo52]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1315535262' post='781725']
yea, does kinda leave a bitter taste in ya mouth huh? lol.... MAN im ready for sunday..
[/quote]
I know watching this game just pumps me up so much. God I missed football lol

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1315535345' post='781729']
I know watching this game just pumps me up so much. God I missed football lol
[/quote]
amen to that. Ive definitely had the itch, this year could be extremely exciting.

[ellicottraven]

I saw the show on NFL network and I agree with you that Marshall Faulk seems to know precisely how well the Ravens stacked up on their roster! He is the smartest player analyst out there by a mile! He is thoughtful, analytical and very intelligent in his remarks... Michael Irwin is somebody whose expressions are the only thing I seem to focus on when he speaks, and I swear I don't hear or understand anything he seems to say!!! Warren Sapp much the same thing! Warner on the other hand seems slow in his thought process and is so admiring of Marshall that he defers to him any chance he gets! LOL...

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1315535862' post='781741']
I saw the show on NFL network and I agree with you that Marshall Faulk seems to know precisely how well the Ravens stacked up on their roster! He is the smartest player analyst out there by a mile! He is thoughtful, analytical and very intelligent in his remarks... Michael Irwin is somebody whose expressions are the only thing I seem to focus on when he speaks, and I swear I don't hear or understand anything he seems to say!!! Warren Sapp much the same thing! Warner on the other hand seems slow in his thought process and is so admiring of Marshall that he defers to him any chance he gets! LOL...
[/quote]
funny, I kinda noticed that also lol. Yea irvin... thinks hes dion

[latenighthero]

Man the Pack look fantastic, there's so many great teams in the league this year. It'll be tough to win the SuperBowl.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='latenighthero' timestamp='1315537426' post='781762']
Man the Pack look fantastic, there's so many great teams in the league this year. It'll be tough to win the SuperBowl.
[/quote]
saints dont look to bad either.. but we expected this, just not "quite" like this lol

[lowrider]

Funny how people "don't care" when someone says something bad but loves it when someone says something good..... But of course I love when someone says good things about us

[Marcus]

ESPN Mark Schlereth picked us to win the Super Bowl

[Shadowalker]

That's basically summing up our Offseason. Well everything he said looks great on paper, just wish I could tell you that super bowls were won that way?!!?!

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

If anything this shows that he does his job well because he knows our roster inside out. I often feel that people giving their opinions on teams don't value some of the moves that they make.

One comment you made is that we've fixed all the problems that we had last year. I do agree with you but there are always other problems that surface. For example, coming off of the '09 season I would not have expected our O-line being our biggest problem in 2010, albeit down to injury. Last offseason we also thought we had our best WR corps possibly ever which didn't work as well as we'd hoped. I'm just saying that it's rare to have a "problem free" year, be it injuries or just someone underperforming.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1315569473' post='781885']
If anything this shows that he does his job well because he knows our roster inside out. I often feel that people giving their opinions on teams don't value some of the moves that they make.

One comment you made is that we've fixed all the problems that we had last year. I do agree with you but there are always other problems that surface. For example, coming off of the '09 season I would not have expected our O-line being our biggest problem in 2010, albeit down to injury. Last offseason we also thought we had our best WR corps possibly ever which didn't work as well as we'd hoped. I'm just saying that it's rare to have a "problem free" year, be it injuries or just someone underperforming.
[/quote]
You make good points, and im sure something will surface, or possibly injuries. I just feel like this is the best starting point we've been at, since well... as far back as I can remember.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

We may have a SB team but we are going to need to get younger to continue to be competitive. We are only old in a few positions but they are HUGE for us.

[Marc2k6]

For some reason I also picked the Ravens to the Super Bowl and win! Of course Marshall Faulk would notice all of those thing, the guy is an grade A+ student of the game and just think he was almost a Raven. I can not wait until Sunday!!!!