[Blogs] Late For Work 1/18: Wow. Never Cross Suggs When It Comes To Joe

[BR News]

Wow. Never Cross Suggs When It Comes To Joe

Terrell Suggs has one message for all the naysayers.

Don’t. Count. Joe. Out.

There aren’t words to describe the power with which Suggs has in the video below when defending his “boy.” 

You get the feeling that the 6-foot-3, 260-pound linebacker could jump through the screen to knock some sense into Flacco’s critics, who are buzzing louder than ever after Flacco and Co. garnered just 227 total yards against the Houston Texans’ No. 2 ranked defense Sunday.

“I would never count Joe out. I would never count Joe out,” Suggs told ESPN’s First Take. “My quarterback can go out and beat anybody. My quarterback can go out and beat anybody. Anybody.”

Statistically speaking, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Ryan and Philip Rivers are often times put on a higher pedestal than Flacco.

But Flacco continues to win games.

“My boy can go and play with the best of them,” Suggs said. “That’s why we’re in the position that we’re in. And a majority of the league is at home watching him play. My quarterback has been in the playoffs every year he has been in the league. Three of the four years my quarterback has won double-digit games. Every year he’s won playoff games. So, when it comes to comparisons, there’s not a lot of quarterbacks you can compare to my boy cause some quarterback still ain’t got they first playoff win yet, but my boy has been there every year.”

World Focused On Three Words: Reed, Flacco, Rattled

You’ve seen the headlines.

Ed Reed gave a 14-mintue interview to SIRIUS NFL Radio on Monday.

 

Ed Reed On Joe Flacco

And from those 14 minutes, the world is focused on three words: Reed, Flacco and rattled.

In a majority of the articles I’ve read, for whatever reason, writers excluded Reed’s powerful statements about his confidence in Flacco’s ability to match the production of New England’s offense.

When asked if Flacco and the offense can keep pace with Brady, Reed didn’t blink.

“Oh yeah, definitely,” he said. “Without a doubt.”

“I think Flacco can have a breakout game, especially after last week. I know he’s p.o.‘ed about what happened and his performance. He could feel a little rust coming off of a bye week and not going full speed as much. So I know he is definitely coming back to show himself off.”

But instead of focusing on that, headlines around the web are focusing on Reed’s analysis of the Ravens’ offensive production against the stout Texans’ defense.

It’s analysis that Reed admits is “hearsay” and “you never know what somebody else is seeing.”

 Embedded is a snippet of Reed‘s remarks, provided by the NFL Network.

Boston Globe Jumping The Gun?

The Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy is looking one game beyond the Ravens and the AFC championship, dreaming of a shot to exact revenge on the Giants for spoiling New England’s perfect season and beating them in Super Bowl XLII.

“The Patriots have to beat the Ravens. The Giants have to beat the 49ers. It’s destiny,” wrote Shaughnessy. “Four years after history was derailed in the Arizona desert, the Patriots are going to get another shot. Belichick and Tom Brady finally will have a chance for that elusive fourth ring and they get to do it against the same coach and quarterback who broke New England’s heart in February of 2008.”

But ESPN blogger Dan Graziano points out that Shaughnessy’s article may be “gun-jumping” because the Ravens are still standing in the way Pats’ way.

And Baltimore isn’t going to just roll over.

“I don’t know. I feel like I’m out on this limb by myself, but for all of Tom Brady’s considerable gifts, I think he and his fans are smoking the drapes if they think the Patriots are going to win three playoff games with that excuse for a defense,” wrote Graziano. “I feel almost certain that the Ravens, who know how to (a) win playoff games in Foxborough and (b) make a stop, will beat them this weekend. And while I have no idea at this point how to pick the NFC Championship Game, I think whoever wins it will and should be the favorite to win the Super Bowl.

“I don’t think it’ll matter, though. As much as New England might want to see a Super Bowl XLII rematch, if the Giants do manage to win Sunday I think we’re a lot more likely to see a rematch of Super Bowl XXXV — the one for which the Giants’ fans will want revenge.”

Suggs vs. Uggs

Baltimore Native Josh Charles – and perhaps Hollywood’s biggest Ravens fan – has given the Patriots-Ravens game an unofficial title.

Suggs vs. Uggs.

Uggs refers to Tom Brady, who promotes the popular shoes Uggs.

Charles, who stars in “The Good Wife” on CBS, tweeted that title minutes after the AFC championship matchup was set.

Brady was asked about Suggs vs. Uggs on his WEEI radio appearance, per ESPN’s Jamison Henlsey, and said, laughing, “Maybe I’ll send him a few pairs to soften him up before the game.”

Quick Hits

• Peter Schmuck is calling for one more impact game from Suggs. [The Baltimore Sun]
• Check out this video detailing how Suggs stepped up to lead the defense when Ray Lewis went down for four games with a toe injury. [BaltimoreRavens.com/NFL Network]
• Bill Belichick’s take on Flacco: “They’ve won a lot of games, and I think that’s the big thing. A quarterback has to do what his team needs him to do to win, and Joe has done that. I don’t know how to improve much on 11-5 and 12-4, and they just keep doing it.”
• Jack Harbaugh said he hasn’t thought about the possibility of his sons coaching against each other in the Super Bowl. [ESPN]
• Baltimore’s chances of upsetting the top-seeded Patriots in the AFC championship game is projected at a solid 40.7 percent, according to the numberFire crew. That means it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Ravens advanced to the Super Bowl based on how the computer sees the teams. [ESPN]
• Battle of the elite … the Patriots’ top-ranked offense will face the Ravens’ top-ranked defense Sunday. Which team will prevail? Cris Collinsworth joins Charles Davis and Steve Mariucci to discuss. [NFL Network]
• A good debate about the major talking points heading into this weekend’s AFC showdown: the answer for Wes Welker, why the Ravens are prepared for the Pats’ two tight ends and slowing Brady. [ESPN]

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/01/18/late-for-work-118-wow-never-cross-suggs-when-it-comes-to-joe/]View the full article[/url]

[Mystigo_Dragon]

Hear the whole Ed Reed interview before judging his words! He didn't diss Joe, he just wants him more focused, perhaps than he was last week!

After all, he was on the field!

T-Sizzle, wouldn't expect anything else! He's the "Bad cop" to Ray Lewis' "Good cop"! lol

[TDubbs]

Thats my man Suggs you tell em!

[Mad Scientist Too]

I think one of the activities the Raven's organization needs to plan for going into the off season is a course on "How to Deal with the Media". for all the players.

[RF4L52]

Compare Brady's first 4 years as a starter to Flacco's. Brady after starting for 4 seasons: 13919. Flacco's after 4 seasons: 13816. Brady's completion percentage: about 62%. Flaccos percentage: about 61%. Flacco has thrown 6 less INTs and 17 less TD's. The only thing Brady has on Flacco is TD's, but when you take into account that when the Ravens get into the red zone they run it with Rice then the difference in Flacco's and Brady's TDs makes sense. The only real difference between Flacco in his first four seasons and Brady in his first four is that Flacco hasn't won a Super Bowl, yet. That could change in a few weeks. STOP HATING ON JOE!

[BKeyser]

Let's not forget that the first three years in journalism school for declared sports writers is centered around understanding and mimicking the mannerisms of 11 year-old girls. If you can't turn a statement into controversy, you won't last in that business.

That being said, some of what Reed hit on is absolutely true and I think it all points to game-planning and the ability to adjust in-game. That's been the biggest failing for the Ravens this year. Does anyone think Joe Flacco doesn't measure up to Tavares Jackson or Blaine Gabbert? Come on. We didn't lose four games due to a lack of talent, we lost because of poor preparation, and the unwillingness to admit and address that during the game.

Joe will be fine in Ladytown, as long as the coaching staff doesn't let him down.

[The Greek]

its a shame so much is pointed to joe but i truly believe he will have a solid game sunday as long as the o-line holds up and the receivers catch the ball. go ravens!!

[balfan23]

I've been one to complain from time to time about media coverage. Even the best NFL teams have their flaws, but it sometimes seems to me that the media likes to focus on our flaws more than our strengths. Perhaps that's due to the media's love affair with offense, offense, offense, or maybe it's just my own bias.

Ed Reed's comments seems to validate what the media has been saying about Joe all along. I'm not sure but that may be better than the approach taken by other players and coaches of defending him at all costs.

Colin Cowherd this morning made the point of Reed's comments validating his own, but also pointed out that we Raven's fans shouldn't go off the deep end over it. He said Joe won't carry his team to a Super Bowl championship, but still is certainly good enough to win it. He just needs more help than some other QBs in the league. He indicated that people who think NE is going to blow us out are crazy. Bottom line, we as Ravens fans should matter what people think of Flacco or how much credit he will get if we win ... as long as we win.

Makes sense to me.

[ghost1986]

You tell em, Suggs. There are some very good QB's at home now watching these games. Any given Sunday. This is the part of the playoffs where it helps to have a good Defense. If you have a good QB (like we do) and a good Defense, you can go all the way as long as you execute. But I loved the Sizzle video.

[BleednPurple]

I didnt get to hear the whole interview, but i keep having to hear the garbage that the media is saying about this and they make it like Reed was bashin Joe for 15 minutes...They would never show the good things that he says about Flacco...this is just gonna make it even sweeter when we smack the hell out of Pats this weekend...The whole media is gooing to owe Flacco and the Ravens a sincere apology

[RavenSokratez]

Suggs, that's how you have your QBs back. After hearing Reed's comments about Flacco being rattled, I thought, dang he's throwing Joe under-the-bus, but seeing all of his comments it puts it in a whole new light. The media takes snippets of a message and twists it to make noise. That sucks. With that said, the Ravens need to come out and put their foot into the Patriots back-side. We will win this game. Raven Nation - Go Ravens!

[Purple-Ops]

T. Sizzle does not care about S. "Brain-less"
How does he have a job...I mean really?

[les humility]

Two questions: Why does negative sell news? Why do we buy it? It's a shame that controversy gets more play than success. Go Ravens!

[UBenSugged55]

How typical of NFL/ESPN. Instead of reporting the facts they have to twist and contort everything they can to try and make something up negative about us. It's like they try to turn football into some sort of soap opera every chance they get. So sick of it and am boycotting these media sources for the rest of our Superbowl run.

In my opinion I think they are just bitter because they can no longer ride the jockstraps of the Steelers and Timmy Tebow. And because they have all been proven wrong when they said only high powered offenses can win in this league anymore. Just exposes the talking heads as what they really are....talking heads.

[scrock]

I love Suggs' passion and I love that he's got his QB' back...I think Joe can do it too, Im really disappointed in Ed Reed...unless thats his way of motivating Flacco

[Purple-Ops]

Oh and btw reed had not imtention to take shots at anyone on the team for those comments. It was motivation if anything. There are blowing up the nfl site blogs calling a bad sport.....even "steeler fans" guys
it has Gotten wayyy over proportion

[baltravens]

So Ed said that Joe got rattled Sunday. So what. ...He did not say that Joe played poorly or had a weak performance Sunday.

[Billy2448]

Suggs, I'm expecting a big game from you. Ngata I'm expecting a INT, Ray I wanna see you show those young TEs you still own the middle of the field, knock their heads off. Reed, this game will show how great you are in coverage. Ravens, pain is temporary, glory is forever! Defense has to step up, Flacco prove all these naysayers wrong. This is OUR year, win it for Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and the city of Baltimore!!

[les humility]

@UBenSugged55...ESPN is trying to sign Tebow to cover our game.

[Zeus]

The pats have allowed 29 plays this year of 80 yards or more....Rice is gonna have fun Sunday

[SmashMouth7]

Not disappointed in Reed at all, we know Flacco can play but he wouldn't have so much critism if he performed better. Somebody needed to address that and why not come from someone that without a doubt want him to perform and win. I guess all Reed has done for this organization is now not valued because he spoke the truth. The best safety in the league trying to tell his QB to be better and yall acting like it's wrong.

If a QB dont listen to the best safety in the league who QB's study all day and night to beat than something is wrong, very wrong. Think about that, the elite QB's love Reed but hate that he isn't on their team. Listen to Reed if you want to beat the best, he is the best.

[Bitter5]

People in NE already thinking that they are in SB. they are accounting Ravens in between.

[Berkeley_Raven]

When we are willing to admit it, we are our own harshest critics. Ed's been around. He's gotten into QB's heads, and understands when they are rattled. He called it like he saw it. He didn't say Joe sucks. Just that Joe wasn't playing well.

[ravemane]

whether he said or it was twisted reed was right and flacoo as well as the o-line must play lights out this sunday if we want to win

[scrock]

Guys will need to step up, Cody, Arthur Jones, Pernell McPhee, Paul Kruger, Redding, Jameel, and of course Suggs. Since Suggs will get the focus of the attention guys like Kruger and McPhee will need to put on some pressure. Guys like Cody, Ngata, and Redding will need to command double teams to free up their guys to get after it

[RavensMANIAC!!]

Love it!! Besides, our team has something the Patriots will never have: Swagger.

[RavenArmor]

I can't get mad at Ed for this but I can say the whole offense last Sunday was mediocre and not just Flacco. When your O-line is doing a bad job of blocking so that even Ray Rice can't move a whole lot, its hard for the QB to move around too. With that in mind, I hope our playbook has expanded a bit so that they can truly play lights out on Sunday, take the Pats down a notch and go to Indy.

[heycuf]

Everybody's thinking the game is going to be New England's offense vs.Baltimore's defense.The game is going to be one by Baltimore's offense dominating New England's defense.You have to give props where props are due.Flacco & Co. have battled some tough defenses and still owns a winning record.How many true tough defenses have New England beat?

[Billy2448]

I think Ed was also right on putting some of the blame on the offensive coaches..coughcoughCAMCAMERON. He's the one who should get all the blame.

[92de52fence55]

i like the fact that everyone is saying the ravens are going to loose i think they will play the best game they have all year. but i am still really nervous i think suggs is gona have 3 sacks after skip bayless lit him up on tv