Just Chill Out!

[Dudeman]

Ok I hate losing as much as the next person. But in the spirit of the holiday season, I am going to give you some [b]positives[/b]! [b] O_o[/b] imagine that!

See I am not your neighborhood negative Nancy, why feel down over something that really isn't life or death? The nfl season is a roller coaster ride, like that or not.

So here are your positives for this week.

A.) Clinching a[b] play-off berth[/b] is huge. Next on the docket, [b]go San Fran[/b]!

B.) Any injuries on the report? Nothing of note? Ok next positive.

C.)[b] Torrey Smith[/b], fast and as explosive as hell. Let them underestimate us in the play-offs!

D.) Marshal, Marshal, Marshal, Collinsworth has a new man-crush.

E.) Time to cut off the ugly [b]fu man chu[/b], my wife truly hates this thing, and it's starting to get cold out-side! So it's officially play-off beard time.

So if you think of any more, hit me back in responses below. Don't agree? Well Happy Holidays to you too.

[b]--The Dude[/b]

[JohnnyBoy8102]

The loss was Ray Lewis' fault.

[berad]

I definitely agree with this sentiment, most people wouldn't have made this thread until a Tuesday night, though. Props to you. The 24-hour rule is in full effect and it's meltdown mode.

[Markus92]

i guess a positive is that our team had a preeetyyyy embarrassing wake up call which we can argue was well needed.... We were getting a little too cocky and got exposed.... hopefully colt Mccoy isn't friend with Phillip rivers lol

[rave62]

here is my take - playoff mean nothing if we lose to Steelers again - and we just gave them the upper hand.

We never got off the beach in SD - walked around like we were on vacation and when we got slapped early on - reacted like we belong in a Southern California state of mind - all is cool - no rush or sense to get urgent - even though the game was ours to take in 1st half. Coach John H gets F for lack of atttiude required by team given this time of year; Coach Cam C gets F - let Joe just hang out be cool, it might come around; Joe Flacco gets F - looks cnfused not cool when he just hangs out (we should have put Tyrod T in after 1st Quarter), that might get him to pay attention and talk to the offensive collection of vacationers so some urgency may have started to creep back into our game. You lost me (great talent - sucky attitudes) guys, all losses (except to Titians) were due to the same reasons and attitudes. signiing off - one very unhappy Raven Fan (think i will go on vacation now - maybe come back after you get your act together.

[Ed_Reed20]

The clinched play-off berth is the only major positive to me, but even that is tainted considering the team could have been one step closer to a play-off berth as the [i]#1 seed[/i] with a win tonight.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1324271453' post='912510']
The loss was Ray Lewis' fault.
[/quote]

????

[ratedr]

If SD wins out, we're in trouble. Guess who we'll see in the first round...

[Dudeman]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1324271590' post='912519']
The clinched play-off berth is the only major positive to me, but even that is tainted considering the team could have been one step closer to a play-off berth as the [i]#1 seed[/i] with a win tonight.
[/quote]

That's really the big negative isn't it? Seems like every chance we get to step into the window of the conversation as the best team in the Afc we put out the clunker. Now we go back to the Steelers are better than the Ravens (regardless of a win or loss on MNF) and we gotta keep rooting against them. It'd be nice to be able to put them in the rearview mirror for a change, but we may as well grab the bull by the horns on this one. I said that in a previous thread, and it always seems to come down to us or them.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1324271724' post='912528']
????
[/quote]

The team didn't have the FIRE they had when they dominated the Colts, Browns, and 49ers' Offenses. Since Ray didn't play in those games but played today when they layed an egg, it must be all his fault.

He should have played better and not given up so many receptions to Jackson/Floyd.

(Not the sarcasm in the above post)

[Dudeman]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1324271987' post='912544']

The team didn't have the FIRE they had when they dominated the Colts, Browns, and 49ers' Offenses. Since Ray didn't play in those games but played today when they layed an egg, it must be all his fault.

He should have played better and not given up so many receptions to Jackson/Floyd.

(Not the sarcasm in the above post)
[/quote]

Lol, you had me a little confused too, but I read your point loud and clear. I saw that knee jerk reaction earlier too. The Colts, Browns, and 49ers were home games against terrible offenses. It could be a good thing to get the wake-up call before the play-off stretch. We also must build an offensive game plan that can keep pace better in games we have to play against potent offenses.

[Jillester]

Forget about the loss...it'll go away only to haunt us later....as usual.

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='Dudeman' timestamp='1324272189' post='912563']

Lol, you had me a little confused too, but I read your point loud and clear. I saw that knee jerk reaction earlier too. The Colts, Browns, and 49ers were home games against terrible offenses. It could be a good thing to get the wake-up call before the play-off stretch. We also must build an offensive game plan that can keep pace better in games we have to play against potent offenses.
[/quote]

Agree 100%.

[RavenLurker20]

[quote name='ratedr' timestamp='1324271801' post='912533']
If SD wins out, we're in trouble. Guess who we'll see in the first round...
[/quote]

bring them in the playoffs, they chokers. But they kick our butts left right and center tonight because of not adjusting to the game

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Dudeman' timestamp='1324271845' post='912538']
That's really the big negative isn't it? Seems like every chance we get to step into the window of the conversation as the best team in the Afc we put out the clunker. Now we go back to the Steelers are better than the Ravens (regardless of a win or loss on MNF) and we gotta keep rooting against them. It'd be nice to be able to put them in the rearview mirror for a change, but we may as well grab the bull by the horns on this one. I said that in a previous thread, and it always seems to come down to us or them.
[/quote]

Indeed. That's what's so frustrating about the situation the team has put itself in. They could theoretically travel to Pittsburgh in roughly a month despite beating them twice in the regular season. Unbelievable...

[ravensdfan]

Positives huh?

Okay. Harbs and Joe are the first coach/QB tandem to get to the playoffs in each of those first 4 seasons.

We clinched a playoff berth so no matter how it feels, our season isn't over.

A major wake-up call might not be a bad thing for us before making a playoff run.

If we do wind up having to go into Pitt to go to our SB, hey, we've already beaten them there once with Ben at the helm. We can do it again.

Steelers are yucking it up at our expense right now. They still have to play tomorrow night and sometimes Karma can be mean. lol

[JO_75]

One more thing....... Ravens were 12-4 when they won the Super Bowl, just saying.

[Trilogique]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1324275837' post='912695']
One more thing....... Ravens were 12-4 when they won the Super Bowl, just saying.
[/quote]
I don't think the 2000 Ravens played this poorly in their losses, either. That's the difference.

But as someone said, maybe a wake up call before the playoffs is a good thing.

[theFRANCHISE]

Suggs stated plain and simple that the team was horrible tonight and need to play better.

That's it. There's nothing to explain and nothing to predict. The team is fine. A couple of bad games don't write the chapter on a season that isn't anywhere near finished. Otherwise, we wouldn't even bother with the postseason and would've just crowned the Packers already for having the best record in the NFL.

Here's the thing: the #1 seed would be a nice luxury -- but if the #1 seed doesn't automatically win the Super Bowl. You still have to play the games.

[reediddy]

I've mentioned this in other boards but I want to reiterate: Our main problem all year seems to be focus. I proposed the idea that our team MAY have come out flat after knowledge that we clinched the playoffs, which was determined after the early games. Also, Chargers MAY have come out real fired up after seeing they still had a shot at the division with the OAK and DEN losses. Just an idea.

I agree 100% with the OP, it's one game, watch the film and learn from your mistakes, come out and take it to the Browns. There's nothing we as fans can do now but root for the 9ers to git'r'done tomorrow and for our Ravens to win out and let the chips fall where they may. It's disappointing that we didn't take advantage of the position we had, but nothing can be done.

[UMDan]

The sky isn't falling. There are so many worse organizations in this league and we've got a pretty good one. We have struggles on the road. It wasn't too difficult to predict this outcome, honestly. Especially with Webb out, it was a key injury tonight with a great receiving team like SD. We'll regroup and hopefully Jim Harbaugh's crew will help us out tomorrow night. Honestly, most years I wouldn't mind road playoff games but this year it's questionable whether we can handle that. If Pitt loses tomorrow, we still can get a home playoff game if we beat Cincy and Cleveland.

[Grapple Raven]

@ Dudeman...Thanks for the post, it is refreshing to read something with a clear perspective and a little optimism. It was definately a strange "any given Sunday" in the NFL today, but I know the Ravens will rebound, refocus, and come out the better for it!
After watching Cory Redding's interview tonight, you could clearly see the devastation in his demeanor and the hear the disappointment in his voice. I couldn't help but to think how he and his teammates don't need us to tell them what they already know.
Hopefully, the disappointment subsides quickly, the sun comes out tomorrow and the "chicken littles" realize that the sky isn't falling! The Ravens are moving on and I am moving on with them, to the playoffs! Not every teams' fans can say that, now can they?

Go Ravens!!!

[jaege]

Clinching the playoffs, is nice. [size=1]woo hoo! [size=4]But we cannot seem to get to the SB from a wildcard. We are a bit iffy on the road, particularly this season, just in case no one has noticed. Besides I could smell that 1st seed and division title. It was right there for the taking...and the Ravens just didn't have time to bend down and pick it up. Bummer. [/size][/size]

[size=1][size=4]Yes, the title is not technically gone, but does anyone really think that the Steelers are going to blow this chance we just gave them and drop the ball? I really do not think so. I think the Steelers are going to go ahead, earn thier paychecks, take care of thier business, do what has to be done and win out. Something our Ravens do not seem to be able to do.[/size][/size]

[funky141]

Its not that the Ravens lost to the Chargers but how they were beat. The Chargers dominated the Ravens.

[Ravens549]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1324294877' post='912857']
[size=1][size=4]Yes, the title is not technically gone, but does anyone really think that the Steelers are going to blow this chance we just gave them and drop the ball? I really do not think so. I think the Steelers are going to go ahead, earn thier paychecks, take care of thier business, do what has to be done and win out. Something our Ravens do not seem to be able to do.[/size][/size]
[/quote]
This.
As much as I despise the Steelers, they do seem to get into a mode in which they get it done. We remind me of the scene in Tommy Boy where we get a gift and end up destroying it.

[a20havoc]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1324272640' post='912585']
Positives huh?

Okay. Harbs and Joe are the first coach/QB tandem to get to the playoffs in each of those first 4 seasons.

We clinched a playoff berth so no matter how it feels, our season isn't over.

A major wake-up call might not be a bad thing for us before making a playoff run.

If we do wind up having to go into Pitt to go to our SB, hey, we've already beaten them there once with Ben at the helm. We can do it again.

Steelers are yucking it up at our expense right now. They still have to play tomorrow night and sometimes Karma can be mean. lol
[/quote]

It's good to see some folks with 1,000+ posts under their belts showing the optimism. The Ravens still have some fight left in them this season.

[jagans]

I dont know how many of you have ever played football, but points are hard to get in this game. When you do not get points that should be gimmes, like a field goal from the 20 yard line it does something to you in your guts. You work your way down the field, hoping for 6, and something happens where you dont get it. OK, you say, but at least we take the consolation prize of three, You think "hell, even I could kick one from there". The (Pro) kicker steps up to the ball who, for some reason is too stupid to adjust his approach angle to the ball to compensate for the slice that he always kicks. You stand there thinking "Oh Crap, he is going to do it again" and you get nothing. Your confidence level falls through the floor, and your opponents confidence goes through the roof. You see this as an omen, and it haunts you for the rest of the game. I dont care if you are a pro, or a high school player, you are human, and it affects you.

We need to get rid of cundiff right now. He is a momentum killing demoralizer. Doesent anyone else see this????? How many ex soccer players are out there that can kick better than this guy??????

[PuRock]

[quote name='funky141' timestamp='1324295223' post='912859']
Its not that the Ravens lost to the Chargers but how they were beat. The Chargers dominated the Ravens.
[/quote]

That's what bugs me the most. A loss can always happen. But its the way we lost. The Chargers didn't even punt in the game. We are going to meeting teams that can negate our pass rush just like the Chargers.

[Adam Jones]

[quote name='ratedr' timestamp='1324271801' post='912533']
If SD wins out, we're in trouble. Guess who we'll see in the first round...
[/quote]

That's not completely true, they need Denver to lose BOTH of the last two games (Buffalo,KC)

[tonyg6996]

Hey I agree man. Remember the last few season where we were struggling until the end for a wild card spot? I know we have bigger aspirations this year, but we would have killed for that in years past.

p.s. Very dude like of you