[Blogs] At First Glance: AFC Championship

[Purple&Black]

i think this is so painful bc all we heard all week is how good tom brady and this offense is and we did a great job containing them, but to know you had a trip to the super bowl locked up only to have it stripped from the hands of evans and then a chance at overtime negated by a bad kick just leaves a sore taste in your mouth. if we werent the better team and we lost. i would not be as upset

[NSU98]

Well as bad as we may feel and can put our emotions in these forums how do you think the players feel? So let's move on to next year.

What do we need?

A young pass rusher like Pierre Paul?
A big tall receiver to throw jump balls to?
A 1st round linebacker or safety?

or look at free agency again for these pieces?

[cobrajet]

This game was a surprise to me. Broncos ran for 133 last week and we could not get our run game going? They did not beat us passing they ran it for their two scores. The last two plays of the game were both heartbreaking beyond words.

Upset about the first bogus flag on Webb costing us an INT and leading to their first FG.

[bioLarzen]

[quote name='NSU98' timestamp='1327279491' post='965884']

Why you say the defense died tonight? They got the offense the ball back with a chance to win or tie? A chance to win the game resulted in a dropped pass, a chance to tie the game resulted in a missed field goal? Everything that people thought would go wrong for us (Flacco and our defense against their passing game) didn't go wrong. Flacco gave us a chance to win and our defense got the ball back for the offense to have a chance? I'm not understanding your assessment.
[/quote]

I couldn't help noticing that the D actually performed better during the time Lewis was injured. I don't want to say I wouldn't be happy seeing him back next season - it's just that those weeks showed that even if he retires his replacement is solved, even if we don't go for Patrick Willis [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.png[/img]

As for Reed... The problem is that the guys finds it harder and harder to fight through a season. When he's OK, he's still a huge factor. But it's about the last off-season to find a replacement for him - because, quite frankly, I don't see that on our current roster... Maybe Pollard, because he's a heck of a player - but it wouldn't be his natural position.

bio

[NSU98]

I still say our type of team has the recipe to get to the super bowl. We don't get overwhelmed when we hear the name Brady, Manning, Roethlisburger, etc. We go out and compete. So there can be too many changes. Now I do believe Cam has to be evaluated very carefully. But I can't remember us ever firing Coordinators. Our D-Coordinators always got head coaching jobs and our offense never mattered so I'm not sure who where our O-coordinators before Cam (seriously)?

[Barry S]

Well it's official the Ravens are playing Marty ball, that's the tag the teams going to get now. Can't win the big one, one thing I can say it was very entertaining, they stayed in it to the end.

[bioLarzen]

[quote name='NSU98' timestamp='1327279938' post='965967']
Well as bad as we may feel and can put our emotions in these forums how do you think the players feel? So let's move on to next year.

What do we need?

A young pass rusher like Pierre Paul?
A big tall receiver to throw jump balls to?
A 1st round linebacker or safety?

or look at free agency again for these pieces?
[/quote]

I say O-line and safety. The O-line was terribly two-faced this season. One game they were like champs, next week they were like a sieve... I guess they were a huge factor in what many people saw as Flacco's inconsistency.

We don't yet know how long Birk stays. If he decides to retire, we have Gurode, so a C is not an immediate necessity, though finding a good future C in the draft might be a good idea.

And, as I already said, the eventual successor of Reed. That's also a must, because I'm afraid we're lucky if we can have him back for one more season...

Not to mention Flacco, Rice and Grubbs - all three should be re-signed, of course. I don't think any sane man would even for a moment entertain the idea that Rice and Flacco won't get a contract. As for Grubbs... He might be out next season - I'm afraid we won't be able to match contract he'll get elswhere. So, unless he makes a really huge commitment like Yanda did last off-season (basically staying here for less money he could get elsewhere), he'll probably go. And then reinforcing the O-line becomes a double necessity.

bio

[dayday]

D. Mason decided not to come back here. The Ravens offered him a contract but he decided to go with the Jets. That is what he get. The Ravens didn't need D. Mason they needed for Lee Evans to hang on to the ball. The WR's played well today. All of them. A. Boldin 101yds. T. Smith 82yds and Lee Evans had a good day ( except for the end ) to. This game made me proud of Joe and the team period. I know it hurts but through all the heart break I was left proud. People though we may lose this game by double digits. Our offense couldn't match the Pats. Well we played better than the Pats. The players can't be into moral victories but me being a fan I can be one. IAM PROUD OF JOE, and THEW RAVENS. Next year this lose is going to push us into the SB. AS fans we need to be POSITVE about what we seen.

[No.20alltheway]

People saying that mason should of played in this game are forgetting the 3 or 4 unsportsmanlike penalties he would probably of generated, aswell as getting in the face of Flacco who is our franchise. Mason was great while he was here, but by no means do I feel he would of been an upgrade for us.

[NSU98]

[quote name='bioLarzen' timestamp='1327280053' post='965984']

I couldn't help noticing that the D actually performed better during the time Lewis was injured. I don't want to say I wouldn't be happy seeing him back next season - it's just that those weeks showed that even if he retires his replacement is solved, even if we don't go for Patrick Willis [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.png[/img]

As for Reed... The problem is that the guys finds it harder and harder to fight through a season. When he's OK, he's still a huge factor. But it's about the last off-season to find a replacement for him - because, quite frankly, I don't see that on our current roster... Maybe Pollard, because he's a heck of a player - but it wouldn't be his natural position.

bio
[/quote]

I think the defense still playing well without Lewis is a reflection on Ozzie Newsome and how he puts a team together. A team shouldn't be totally destroyed because one player is missing. Look at the Colts situation. You lose one guy (a damn good guy), but you are a totally different team. The found out quickly that they didn't have a great team, but a great individual that kind of hides things. But Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will chose when they will leave. The Ravens don't let their top draft picks go easily. Guys like A. Thomas, Bart Scott, etc. weren't top picks and actually we got more out of them than we were paying them. Well Kyle Boller was a bust lol but these are hall of fame guys who can still play the game.

[Gameplan]

I'm watching Cundiff run out and the play clock is running. Why was he not the first guy out there? He should have been This was not a play where we are trying to out think the Pats. They have 3 time outs left. One play.......3 points and go to overtime. That's all. If the Ravens are trying to keep the Pats from icing him then our probelm is coaching. Just let him get set. If that means use the last time out then use the last time out.
The offense did what they needed to do. The defense did what they needeed to do. With the game on the line I really don't blame Cundiff. What is the coaching staff doing?????

[RavenousBG]

[quote name='NSU98' timestamp='1327279491' post='965884']

Why you say the defense died tonight? They got the offense the ball back with a chance to win or tie? A chance to win the game resulted in a dropped pass, a chance to tie the game resulted in a missed field goal? Everything that people thought would go wrong for us (Flacco and our defense against their passing game) didn't go wrong. Flacco gave us a chance to win and our defense got the ball back for the offense to have a chance? I'm not understanding your assessment.
[/quote]

I'm speak of defense as a whole, not simply the Ravens. The league has moved continually to an offense dominated sport. I see it in everything. Everyone sees it in the rules but even in coverage of the games. The Ravens were said to have no chance because it seems to be a defense dominated team. When teams are rated it is QB, RB, WR, OL and then Defense as a whole. It's a copy cat league. The Patriots just made the Super Bowl with a team that passes the ball short and has a defense that is full of undrafted FAs and late round draft picks. If the Giants win it further cements the idea that Offense is the most important thing. It's part of the reason that teams that play great D are usually afterthoughts. We have Flacco and I think we are going to try to ride him to a Super Bowl so even we are saying it in a sense. We need to score more. That's what we are saying.

But as far as us dying on defense. Well, let's wait and see if Ray or Ed retires. If that happens then we did die a little. I hope this isn't the last game we see these guys.

[bioLarzen]

OK, I've just read Lewis won't retire. Good.

bio

[AZ Ravens Fan]

Why wasn't the Evans strip in the end zone reviewed? It look like he had 2 feet down before the strip?? Why didn't Flacco run for the first down instead of throwing to a covered receiver? . Why didn't Harbs call a timeout to get his field goal team set? All these unanswered questions and we have to wait till next year. Unbelievable, and gut wrenching loss for all of us.

[NSU98]

[quote name='bioLarzen' timestamp='1327280222' post='966003']

I say O-line and safety. The O-line was terribly two-faced this season. One game they were like champs, next week they were like a sieve... I guess they were a huge factor in what many people saw as Flacco's inconsistency.

We don't yet know how long Birk stays. If he decides to retire, we have Gurode, so a C is not an immediate necessity, though finding a good future C in the draft might be a good idea.

And, as I already said, the eventual successor of Reed. That's also a must, because I'm afraid we're lucky if we can have him back for one more season...

Not to mention Flacco, Rice and Grubbs - all three should be re-signed, of course. I don't think any sane man would even for a moment entertain the idea that Rice and Flacco won't get a contract. As for Grubbs... He might be out next season - I'm afraid we won't be able to match contract he'll get elswhere. So, unless he makes a really huge commitment like Yanda did last off-season (basically staying here for less money he could get elsewhere), he'll probably go. And then reinforcing the O-line becomes a double necessity.

bio
[/quote]

You can never had enough good lineman. The only problem I have is when we say we need to replace Lewis or Reed is "are there really more guys like Ray Lewis or Ed Reed that come around often?". I know they talk about P. Willis being the next Ray Lewis but Ray may go down as the best Inside Linebacker EVER...are they saying that about Willis at this point in his career?

[bioLarzen]

[quote name='AZ Ravens Fan' timestamp='1327280703' post='966085']
Why wasn't the Evans strip in the end zone reviewed? It look like he had 2 feet down before the strip?? Why didn't Flacco run for the first down instead of throwing to a covered receiver? . Why didn't Harbs call a timeout to get his field goal team set? All these unanswered questions and we have to wait till next year. Unbelievable, and gut wrenching loss for all of us.
[/quote]

It was reviewed later - as I hear - and found a correct call. Sad, but we have to deal with it: it was an incomplete pass.

bio

[dayday]

This is not the time to be blaming the coaches. All around we out played the Pats. That is a tribute to the coaches. I have a hard time if anyone question J. Harbaugh.He probably coached one of the best games he was here and he had some good ones. He is the best coach that we have ever had in our short history. Even though the WHOLE team for the most part played well ( except the 2 plays in the 4th Qtr) especially the offense I do believe Cam Cameron WILL NOT return. His contract end this year and he wont return. I know most people like that but personally I don't know. Just because sometimes when a successful team make changes somethimes it don't turn out the way you want. Atleast the first season. I will support my team either way.

[bioLarzen]

[quote name='NSU98' timestamp='1327280855' post='966103']

You can never had enough good lineman. The only problem I have is when we say we need to replace Lewis or Reed is "are there really more guys like Ray Lewis or Ed Reed that come around often?". I know they talk about P. Willis being the next Ray Lewis but Ray may go down as the best Inside Linebacker EVER...are they saying that about Willis at this point in his career?
[/quote]

Well, we HAVE to replace them eventually... Lewis said he'll be back next year, so his successor has to wait one more year. And we'll see about Reed.

bio

[Raven-n-Rantin]

Yeah, um actually the best coach we have had in our short history is Brian Billick, sorry..... And yes, it is very appropriate to blame the coaches, because as usual, Cameron's play calling was abysmal, and Harbaugh let his emotions become a liability (not calling time to set the field goal team is just one of many examples)....It's just so sad, because the players did almost all they could have done

[Baltimoreravenfan]

The defensive holding penalty that went uncalled before the missed kick was what lost the game for us this is the NFL these last two games AFC, NFC, championship games and the Superbowl all plays should be check no matter what, yeah Evens dropped the ball and Cundiff missed the field goal, but honestly we could of had a 1st down at the two yard line if it was not for that called missed. I don't blame Cundiff and Evens for losing the game I blame the Refs for not doing there job if that flag would of been giving we would of had four chances to put it away, I would have to say if we would of had that chance and we didn't get in then we can blame the players.

Great year guys we beat Pitt and that was all I wished for but we went a bit farther we won our division and won all home games even the playoff one that was at home so my hats off to the team yeah this will sting, I'll always be a fan no matter what lose or win....

[rmcjacket23]

All I can say is... based on a lot of the bonehead posts I've seen on this blog, I'm so very grateful that some of the people posting on here have nothing to do with the decision making of this team.

I would seriously question the intelligence of any person who thinks we would be a better team with Mason on our roster. I mean I always shrug off the ignorance of "fair-weather" talk show callers who actually believe that Tyrod Taylor is the best QB on this team, because I just assume they are too stupid to recognize talent.

At the end of the day... there's a reason why Mason isn't on a roster right now, and there's a reason why Shayne Graham isn't on a roster right now either. If every team in the league doesn't think they are worthy of a roster spot, that's good enough for me.

[rmcjacket23]

"Yeah, um actually the best coach we have had in our short history is Brian Billick, sorry..... And yes, it is very appropriate to blame the coaches, because as usual, Cameron's play calling was abysmal, and Harbaugh let his emotions become a liability (not calling time to set the field goal team is just one of many examples)....It's just so sad, because the players did almost all they could have done"

Maybe. Cam's play calling was better than I expected, and it was surely more creative than normal. He actually threw on 1st down and ran bootlegs often, which disguised our inability to pass protect consistently. His 3rd and 3 draw play was typically bad, but that's one of the few calls I can recall (and there's usually at least 3-4 that stick in my head).

I don't have a problem with not calling a timeout for the FG. Do you really want to make your kicker think about it more?

[hughw]

no bellyachin` here---ravens played well---didn`t make key plays in the end--don`t whine about refs----didn`t make a play in the final 30 seconds---simple as that-- it`s their own fault---nobody else`s

[RavenArmor]

Okay now that I've calmed down significantly, I can say that there were some really bad penalties called, and not called in some places that helped tip the game to the Pats, particularly a helmet-to-helmet shot on Pitta that was right in front of the refs. I also remember calling a run play in shotgun formation on 3rd down towards the end of the game, which was stupid for many reasons, when a simple throw would've let us score something by then.

[Ravendeb]

OK, this was a great game! The Ravens played their hearts out. I am so proud of my team. It hurts, that they lost, but I am excited about the potential of our young players moving forward. Ray said he was not retiring and I am sure Ed Reed will be back, too. Thank you Ravens, for a great season!

[Purplezone410]

all I can say is my heart is broken its still RAVENSNATION

[purplehaze52]

Couple things to keep in mind.... If Cundiff isn't any good from 51 when we passed on a FG opportunity...and he can't make a 30 yarder, then we simply don't need him. I could make 30 yarders in Junior High... beyond that and the Evans drop, isn't it a mystery that the hoodies didn't get flagged for offensive holding, or defensive pass interference or illegal contact all day? I promise you that our #55 and #92 got held repeatedly, and I have it on film!

[NSU98]

[quote name='RavenousBG' timestamp='1327280584' post='966064']

I'm speak of defense as a whole, not simply the Ravens. The league has moved continually to an offense dominated sport. I see it in everything. Everyone sees it in the rules but even in coverage of the games. The Ravens were said to have no chance because it seems to be a defense dominated team. When teams are rated it is QB, RB, WR, OL and then Defense as a whole. It's a copy cat league. The Patriots just made the Super Bowl with a team that passes the ball short and has a defense that is full of undrafted FAs and late round draft picks. If the Giants win it further cements the idea that Offense is the most important thing. It's part of the reason that teams that play great D are usually afterthoughts. We have Flacco and I think we are going to try to ride him to a Super Bowl so even we are saying it in a sense. We need to score more. That's what we are saying.

But as far as us dying on defense. Well, let's wait and see if Ray or Ed retires. If that happens then we did die a little. I hope this isn't the last game we see these guys.
[/quote]

Yeah the offense still get people in the seats and win you regular season games, but I still believe in the playoffs defense wins championships. That's why in the NFC the final two teams are defensive teams and the two explosive offenses (Packers and Saints) didn't even make it to the conference finals. There really weren't any explosive offenses in the AFC during the regular season except for the Patriots and you saw what a decent defense did to their offense stats. Our defense got us the ball back with less than two minutes left and gave us a chance and their defense prevented us from getting into the endzone and I don't want to talk about the kicking game because anytime you put the game in the kickers hand you are in trouble. In this game I can think of more defensive plays and offense.

[bmore_kman]

[quote name='ravne05' timestamp='1327279317' post='965860']
I will beat this to death until next season Mason should have been a Ravens uniform but Harbaugh pride got in the way and that pride should have his job looked at very seriously.
[/quote]
You clearly have forgotten (or chosen to ignore) that Mason was a free agent this past off season and HE CHOSE to go elsewhere...

[ekrich]

lee evans time 2 go cundiff time 2 go dennis pitta starting te dickson cant catch