MERGED: Mourning After and Similar Threads

[scrock]

My heart is still heavy even the next morning. But I'm proud as hell for the team, the coaches, they all balled hard out there. Joe Flacco played good enough to win and honestly everyone knows if Lee Evans made that catch that kick wouldn't have mattered.

Its a bright future for sure but this one hurts...but then again, everyone(every loss) hurts

[ravensdfan]

So, the morning after I've gained a little perspective.

Honestly, my biggest heartache was the thought that Ray and Reed would leave us , one without a ring and one without that 2nd ring. I'm hoping they are both solid in their intent to return next season.

Now, I have this:

No fear. I remember how we (us around here) used to bemoan playing this team (Steelers) or that team (Colts & Patriots). Always worrying because, well, they just seemed to have our number. Or our secondary wasn't good enough. Or Joe couldn't win a shoot out. No more. We proved in NE that we have a winning formula that can compete with ANYONE anywhere.

Our youngster gained some valuable post season experience as well.

I hate hearing "next year" all the time but I think it holds true this time around. We have to keep our FAs this season. I can't think of anyone we can let walk off the top of my head. Not this time. We need some O line help, most likely a Center and we need Ray's next in line so he can learn directly from Ray. Do your magic Ozzie.

Chin up guys. We WILL be ready next season.

[Ravenslifer]

I'm going to keep posting this until it happens, but if this loss was Cam Cameron's last game coaching for Baltimore, it will be the most positive thing that could have happened in a loss.

Joe proved that without a good o-line and with drop-happy receivers he could get the job done. The defense proved that it could survive without Ray Lewis. Our young players will only get better. This one really, really stings, but if positive changes come out of it, that's what really matters now.

[jaege]

In retrospect it was a good season.

1. We swept the Steelers
2. We Swept the division
3. We won the division
4. We made it to the AFCC in the playoffs.


Not as good as I would have liked, certainly. We would all like to win the SB every year. Still the team did well, and now we can fire the idiot (Cam) and se what a great team that is NOT being poorly coached can do.

[Sizzlebshu]

Looking to the future, I have no idea how the Ravens are going to resign Grubbs, Rice, Flacco. Flacco is not getting a new deal this year if Grubbs and Rice get new deals. The franchise tag we will put on rice will prevent us from acquiring any huge addition out of FA so anyone hoping to get Bowe, Colston, or Vjax sorry but I doubt it will happen without players restructuring their contracts big time. Hell we will probably have to cut players just to get this resigning done. We are gonna have to hope Ozzie finds some amazing gems in this draft to bolster this team both offensively and defensively (cause our players are starting to get older Suggs - 28 goin on 29, Lewis - 36, Reed 33, Ngata 27). I doubt we will be able to use FA in the next 2 years because of all these signings. The window isnt closed but we are getting dangerously close now. This was definitely a year we couldnt afford to lose.

[pureraven]

I agree with jaege...we did have a good season, best of all we swept the squeelers.

Good job to the Raven players.....Cam please go away!!!

[scrock]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1327321506' post='968134']
Looking to the future, I have no idea how the Ravens are going to resign Grubbs, Rice, Flacco. Flacco is not getting a new deal this year if Grubbs and Rice get new deals. The franchise tag we will put on rice will prevent us from acquiring any huge addition out of FA so anyone hoping to get Bowe, Colston, or Vjax sorry but I doubt it will happen without players restructuring their contracts big time. Hell we will probably have to cut players just to get this resigning done. We are gonna have to hope Ozzie finds some amazing gems in this draft to bolster this team both offensively and defensively (cause our players are starting to get older Suggs - 28 goin on 29, Lewis - 36, Reed 33, Ngata 27). I doubt we will be able to use FA in the next 2 years because of all these signings. The window isnt closed but we are getting dangerously close now. This was definitely a year we couldnt afford to lose.
[/quote]

Ozzie and those guys have shown time and time again they are the best at what they do, I have faith the team we field next year will once again be one of the best

[scrock]

Its nice to hear the media guys talk about how the Ravens had this game, Joe played great, better than Brady

,,,but its still so depressing right now

[cobrajet]

I had the worst night sleep in a long time. I feel like a train hit me the morning. I am not angry, just still upset. I still love my team and realize in the grand scheme of life things could be a million times worse. Like when I think of that poor coach from Pittsburgh that is in a medically induced coma that needs ALL of our prayers.

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1327321659' post='968139']

Ozzie and those guys have shown time and time again they are the best at what they do, I have faith the team we field next year will once again be one of the best
[/quote]

Yes in Oz I trust, but the problem is we havent had to with so many big name FA coming up at the same time in recent memory. I am sure he will get it done, but its not going to be easy and we will probably not be able to use FA as I'm sure we are flirting pretty heavily with the cap as of now.

[RedFire]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1327321506' post='968134']
Looking to the future, I have no idea how the Ravens are going to resign Grubbs, Rice, Flacco. Flacco is not getting a new deal this year if Grubbs and Rice get new deals. The franchise tag we will put on rice will prevent us from acquiring any huge addition out of FA so anyone hoping to get Bowe, Colston, or Vjax sorry but I doubt it will happen without players restructuring their contracts big time. Hell we will probably have to cut players just to get this resigning done. We are gonna have to hope Ozzie finds some amazing gems in this draft to bolster this team both offensively and defensively (cause our players are starting to get older Suggs - 28 goin on 29, Lewis - 36, Reed 33, Ngata 27). I doubt we will be able to use FA in the next 2 years because of all these signings. The window isnt closed but we are getting dangerously close now. This was definitely a year we couldnt afford to lose.
[/quote]


lol at nagta being old...there are a few college players that age, haha. Suggs is walking muscle...he ain't slowing down, only can get better.

we got a junior seau in ray lewis. if ed reed is healthy....he can still get it done.

i don't even know how to improve skill wise...i mean we had enough talent, just didn't make plays.

[delgato64]

I'm curious why the 4th quarter last minute touchdown catch was not allowed...it appeared to be a catch in the endzone, is there a time of possession rule....?? many times the receiver catches the ball and then spikes it immediately....??

[DWplayer]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1327321902' post='968145']
I had the worst night sleep in a long time. I feel like a train hit me the morning. I am not angry, just still upset. I still love my team and realize in the grand scheme of life things could be a million times worse. Like when I think of that poor coach from Pittsburgh that is in a medically induced coma that needs ALL of our prayers.
[/quote]
Thank you for that.

[Markus92]

All of know that we outplayed the Pats on both sides of the ball.....Flacco played OUTSTANDING.... We had more rush yards, passing yards, takeaways, and TOP then the patriots which was the formula needed to win.... As much as i we all dislike cam, he deserves credit because he called a pretty good game... Pags was great too.... Ive never put the loss of a game on one person but although evans made plays (that he is expected to make)throughout the game, he allowed an Undrafted rookie named ??Sterling Moore?? simply just want the game more than him....Superbowl on the line I'm sorry you should be holding onto that ball for dear life... i really feel that Lee blew that game but yet again maybe is just the "mourning" after feeling...


...........Oh yeah Sterling Moore is a rookie with 2 Pass deflections this season(his career)... While Lee Evans is a 8 year vet with 43 career TD's.... Yeah man gotta make that catch

[timpa]

Everyone-


As easy as it is to blame the kicker ( understandably) - on this one......we can go waaaaayyyyy back to look at why this loss happened.

I've always felt that Harbaugh doesn't have his teams ready for the games that are considered

"easy wins".....He seems to get them fired up for Steelers games, Playoff games, etc....

But folks - we lost two games on abysmal performances in the regular season -

vs. Jacksonville and Seattle.....Had our team been mentally prepared to win those two easily winnable games -

then YESTERDAY'S game would have been at home....and the Pats would have lost by ten.


In life - we look at the most obvious things - and throw blame....when in reality - it's a completely different

cause and effect taking place. Not being ready for those mid-season "easy games" vs. Seattle and

Jacksonville - is the REAL thing that kept Baltimore from playing in the Super Bowl.

So Harbaugh - until your team can win the games that it's supposed to win in the regular season- you'll end up just like you did yesterday , always saying " We were THIS close".....

[Sizzlebshu]

[quote name='RedFire' timestamp='1327323468' post='968165']


lol at nagta being old...there are a few college players that age, haha. Suggs is walking muscle...he ain't slowing down, only can get better.

we got a junior seau in ray lewis. if ed reed is healthy....he can still get it done.

i don't even know how to improve skill wise...i mean we had enough talent, just didn't make plays.
[/quote]

well i said getting older not old. Even though our D is at the upper echelon and possibly best in the league, we arent at our full potential yet. Mcphee will develop into a terror on the end opposite Ngata so we will improve there and hopefully Cody will improve. We still need a dominant rusher opposite Suggs to take pressure off him and let him play at a most effective level. Then theres the o line and need for a dominant receiver. That is a lot of problems to address especially without FA.

Like you said we had enough talent to win it, but there is definitely room for improvement and spots we have to improve on and shore up for the future. Not having FA to help assist in that process makes this a bit tougher as every draft pick will be vital and the effect of drafting busts or players that cant make impacts quickly are increased.

[vonbonds]

I feel the same exact way. There are few opportunities to make a SB and you have to TAKE it when given the chance. I am still feeling sick.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

even rookies make big plays guys Moore did just that truth be told man near cover that ball up but hind sight is 20 20

[1/28/01]

Is there like a pill I can take? I mean, really? Another dropped ball by a WR to end our season? Clayton a few years ago! Mason against Pitt! Boldin/Housh against Pitt! And now Evans against NE!

There should no one doubting Flacco anymore! He gets us in position time and time again, but his teammates fail him!

[scrock]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1327321902' post='968145']
I had the worst night sleep in a long time. I feel like a train hit me the morning. I am not angry, just still upset. I still love my team and realize in the grand scheme of life things could be a million times worse. Like when I think of that poor coach from Pittsburgh that is in a medically induced coma that needs ALL of our prayers.
[/quote]

sleep? i dont think i slept as much as i tossed and turned

its sickening to know WE HAD THE TEAM TO WIN IT ALL.....but we didnt execute in the clutch, Evans got to make that catch, Cris Carter was just saying he would have broke the defenders arm holdin onto THAT Ball

[scrock]

its a lot easier to face defeat when the guys on that team go out and play like they did, losing is never easy but when they laid it all out there and played their hearts out...i got to applaud them, i give them much respect

its going to hurt a while, but there is always next year

[Guest RBates]

The morning after i didn't drink and still have a hangover. I'm sick someone please call a specialist in heart break medicine. The best team still has to make excuses for why we lost. My confidence in Billy is gone............sorry. We need a kicker.

[Guest RBates]

UHHHHHH Billy Cundiff..............

[scrock]

yeah, and i dont know if kickers have a strong history of recovering....i think once they go bad they just fall off with their confidence

so thats a real possibility once again, Miss Money Matt Stover

[azriverrat]

I left Balto in 1969 but remain loyal to the sports teams. Ray Lewis is right about winning and losing as a team. It's never about one player. Don't forget how critical home field advantage is at this level of play. If anyone thinks that Flacco still has something to prove they must be blind. His calm and cool demeanor on the field reminds me of Johnny U. Our team came to play and they played their hearts out. You guys should still have a parade and now I am going online to order some crabcakes.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1327327861' post='968273']
yeah, and i dont know if kickers have a strong history of recovering....i think once they go bad they just fall off with their confidence

so thats a real possibility once again, Miss Money Matt Stover
[/quote]
Ray Finkle was never the same!

[Ravens Fan in Ontario]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1327327861' post='968273']
yeah, and i dont know if kickers have a strong history of recovering....i think once they go bad they just fall off with their confidence

so thats a real possibility once again, Miss Money Matt Stover
[/quote]
They don't...please refer to Scott Norwood (Buffalo

[scrock]

gave the contract to Billy too fast haha....darn it all to hell

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1327328107' post='968287']
gave the contract to Billy too fast haha....darn it all to hell
[/quote]
Not to be a downer, but how can you laugh at that? Right now, that thought makes me sick to no end.

[ghost1986]

I couldn't sleep. I kept dreaming of "What if Joe hit Torrey Smith on that one deep ball over the middle? What if Lee Evans made that catch? What if Cam Cameron was ditched before the flight up to New England?" It so sucks. I'm not even watching the Super Bowl. I have an extreme hatred for both teams.