Ravens being written off

[billick]

The Ravens are reloading, not rebuilding.  Most of this would have been done last season, but the season before we came so close.

 

We may be 1 year (one ),behind in the process but the Trophy was worth. This team will win @ least 10 games, and make the play offs. If that is an off season, so be it.

 

The team we beat, 49ers, are a coming monster. Did we get a thank you card for Boldin ?

 

Do not look for a banner year from Joe. Our leading receiver from last season was our halfback. Maybe we just need more hype ?

 

At least we have enough offensive weapons.

[5aiah]

I haven't seen us getting written off. We have gotten a fair shake when it comes to the media so far. At least reputable sports media. It was going to a heck of a battle for the division title before we lost Pitta. Most are still saying we are in the hunt if not winning it. A lot of people have the Broncos winning the conference and for good reason. If you are saying picking the more talented teams in the conference to win, is writing us off, then yeah they are, but that isn't my definition. But they usually acknowledge that we are hard to bet against. 

[beanfigger]

I haven't seen us getting written off. We have gotten a fair shake when it comes to the media so far. At least reputable sports media. It was going to a heck of a battle for the division title before we lost Pitta. Most are still saying we are in the hunt if not winning it. A lot of people have the Broncos winning the conference and for good reason. If you are saying picking the more talented teams in the conference to win, is writing us off, then yeah they are, but that isn't my definition. But they usually acknowledge that we are hard to bet against. 

 

I think it's about 60-40 writing us off.  More than half of the people I hear in the media (I'm not in Baltimore) say we will struggle to get 8 or 9 wins.  Vegas actually has the over/under for wins this year is 8.5 for our team.  I've heard many people claim we will be in a battle with the Browns to stay out of the AFC North basement.  One quote I heard was, "For the Ravens to make the playoffs this year would take one of the greatest coaching efforts in the history of the NFL."  This was on ESPN.  NFL Network consistently features analysts trashing the Ravens and their chances this season.  It's like most of the media simply stopped paying attention to our offseason after the first week with all the losses, and they only resurface to further disrespect us when something like the Pitta injury comes about.

 

However, there are still some media outlets who haven't completely written us off, but it is still the minority.  One ESPN analyst stated (before the Pitta injury) that he believes the Ravens might be the most "underrated" team in the AFC.  This is clearly in response to most of the media not giving us a chance to contend this year.  I will say that most of the media gave our draft picks at least some love, though.

[beasy2487]

I wouldn't "write" the ravens off... but I don't see a back to back SB wins .. I see you guys taking the division again but falling in the playoffs..

Thanks! Hopefully the collective maturity level of the 9ers has improved enough to get you all back deep in the playoffs now that an entire offseason has been committed to dismantling the pistol.

[RavenDomination87]

I've often been puzzled by the Ravens hate in the media. Not sure if it's envy of our front office (Ozzie is the boss!!) and lengthy success. I'm not sure if it's because of the history of having a loud, aggressive and intimidating defense that has disrespected their beloved Tom Brady on several national occasions since 2009. I'm not sure if it's because we're Baltimore and not some other more visitor-friendly city. Disrespecting our team because they don't respect our city. However the hate is obvious. For instance, how the heck do you place the Bengals ahead of us as the clear favorite in the AFCN when they're 1-3 against us and the only reason they beat us last season is because we rested Flacco and Rice? 
 
Yes, I understand many Superbowl champs don't repeat...some don't even make the playoffs. However I've never seen the media writing champions off before the season even begins. Yet they're doing it to the Ravens.

[flaccopoe]

The Ravens are ALWAYS written off, so I'm sadly used to this...

[GTRavens]

People forget 2002, when the Ravens lost even more starters - and unlike this offseason, the players that team lost included several players who still had Pro Bowl ability. They plummeted all the way from (a much worse) 10-6 to....7-9. That's it.

 

Oh by the way, they also lost prime Ray Lewis after five games.

[K-Dog]

I dont think the RAVENS have ever been written ON.

[Militant X 1]

Ray Lewis went out, Ravens are done.

Suggs went out, Ravens are done.

Webb went out, Ravens are done.

McKinnie ate too many burgers, Ravens are done.

Joe Flacco is their QB, Ravens are done.

 

And...to all of that the Ravens have said......

 

Kiss the Ring!!!!!

 

~Mili

[rlh445]

This is every year.

 

Don't we always go through this? I feel like I always read this kind of stuff. It's commonplace. I'm not being rude. I'm just saying this shouldn't be surprising. Lol. I'm not being abrasive here. Just saying this isn't anything abnormal at all. We're always being written off, even when Ray was here. 

 

Every year.  Every freakin' year.  I don't even care at this point.  'Once we win the Super Bowl we won't be doubted!,'.  Obviously that claim was off the mark.  I just want our guys to come out, play hard and win some games!  Let's make it six straight years of reaching the playoffs and I'll be super stoked.

[jaege]

I wouldn't  "write"  the ravens off... but I don't see a back to back SB wins .. I see you guys taking the division again but falling in the playoffs..

It is hard for anyone to repeat. That is a given, but getting to the playoffs is half the battle, and this team WILL be in the playoffs. I cannot honestly say the same for the 49ers.

[5aiah]

I've heard many people claim we will be in a battle with the Browns to stay out of the AFC North basement.  One quote I heard was, "For the Ravens to make the playoffs this year would take one of the greatest coaching efforts in the history of the NFL."  This was on ESPN.  NFL Network consistently features analysts trashing the Ravens and their chances this season. 

It's not that I don't believe you but I haven't heard that much trashing on NFL network and i don't watch ESPN(for obvious reasons). On NFL network,NFL.com,and Bleacher Report we get our fair shake.

[5aiah]

 I cannot honestly say the same for the 49ers.

Just stop.

[SteelersProphet]

BAL's still better than the Steelers!  CIN's going to be tough, though.  BAL's D should be top-notch again anyway, what with all the youth and the players recovering from injuries accrued from the last season.

really........earlier you said the steelers will get 11 or twelve wins.......it would be shocking if we get 12 wins but are the third best team in the division.......you have to make up your mind

[flaccopoe]

really........earlier you said the steelers will get 11 or twelve wins.......it would be shocking if we get 12 wins but are the third best team in the division.......you have to make up your mind

 

At no time have I contradicted myself.  Both BAL and CIN have improved in the offseason, while PIT has some serious questions at offense.  All 3 teams could easily have double-digit wins.  Check out the video I sent you, btw.  It's relevant to this debate.

[SteelersProphet]

At no time have I contradicted myself.  Both BAL and CIN have improved in the offseason, while PIT has some serious questions at offense.  All 3 teams could easily have double-digit wins.  Check out the video I sent you, btw.  It's relevant to this debate.

has any team in the history of the sport fell to third in the division with a 12-4 record.........

 

and your kidding yourself if you think BAL doesn't have as many if not more question marks than PIT

 

also that video is full of the same garbage they say about us every year.........as demonstrated by this topic im sure you can relate

[flaccopoe]

has any team in the history of the sport fell to third in the division with a 12-4 record.........

 

also your kidding yourself if you think BAL doesn't have as many if not more question marks than PIT

 

also that video is full of the same garbage they say about us every year.........as demonstrated by this topic im sure you can relate

 

Let us compare the 2 teams:

 

Flacco>Ben

Smith, Jones>both Browns, Cotchery and Burress

Rice>better than all of PIT's RBs combined

 

I think both BAL and PIT have similar situations at O-line and TE (injuries).  I also like BAL's youth at D.  PIT has a much older D.

[5aiah]

Let us compare the 2 teams:

 

Flacco>Ben

Smith, Jones>both Browns, Cotchery and Burress

Rice>better than all of PIT's RBs combined

 

I think both BAL and PIT have similar situations at O-line and TE (injuries).  I also like BAL's youth at D.  PIT has a much older D.

No Sanders? Also I would say Rice and Pierce combined beat all of pit RBs. Flacco is a huge question(sorry Poe) vs Big Ben. 

[SteelersProphet]

Let us compare the 2 teams:

 

Flacco>Ben

Smith, Jones>both Browns, Cotchery and Burress

Rice>better than all of PIT's RBs combined

 

I think both BAL and PIT have similar situations at O-line and TE (injuries).  I also like BAL's youth at D.  PIT has a much older D.

 

ummm just like when you called Dumervil a CB I think you have a fundamental lack of understanding of who is on the steelers........first off both browns? there's Antonio brown who is on par with Smith but I might give the edge to Smith......you totally forgot Sanders who is better than Jones. you also forgot wheaton who is a promising young rookie who is going to be a solid contributor.

 

also Heath might miss a couple weeks......that's nothing compared to out for the season.....

 

our D has been "old" for five years and yet its always in the top 10......so that argument is "old"

[flaccopoe]

No Sanders? Also I would say Rice and Pierce combined beat all of pit RBs. Flacco is a huge question(sorry Poe) vs Big Ben. 

 

I wasn't sure where Sanders landed himself on the roster.  Anyway, Flacco doesn't have the injury/age concerns than Big Ben has.  Ben can't keep taking hits forever.  Flacco also has a better cast of WRs and RBs to help him along.  We'll have to see what Bell brings to the table.

[flaccopoe]

ummm just like when you called Dumervil a CB I think you have a fundamental lack of understanding of who is on the steelers........first off both browns? there's Antonio brown who is on par with Smith but I might give the edge to Smith......you totally forgot Sanders who is better than Jones. you also forgot wheaton who is a promising young rookie who is going to be a solid contributor.

 

also Heath might miss a couple weeks......that's nothing compared to out for the season.....

 

our D has been "old" for five years and yet its always in the top 10......so that argument is "old"

 

You forgot Justin Brown, WR out of Oklahoma.  We'll wait and see how Miller recovers from his injury.  And there's no denying players such as Polamalu have slowed down.

[SteelersProphet]

You forgot Justin Brown, WR out of Oklahoma.  We'll wait and see how Miller recovers from his injury.  And there's no denying players such as Polamalu have slowed down.

oh ok I guess I wasn't thinking about our 6th string wide receiver, when you didn't mention our 2nd or third

 

but our D is still top ten every year....who cares what players play well....the fact is it sill performs at a high level

[easternshore97]

Key to the Ravens defense right now is

1. Rotation - depth. Lots of it. Guys that can play
2. Versatility - so many guys that can play in different places. Heck Courtney Upshaw was lining up at DT last season

[flaccopoe]

oh ok I guess I wasn't thinking about our 6th string wide receiver, when you didn't mention our 2nd or third

 

My bad.  Though, I didn't want to list every WR on both teams, for the sake of being to-the-point.  Anyway, I think BAL's #1 and #2 receivers are better than PIT's.  The supporting WR casts on both teams are pretty similar, i.e. young and unexperienced.

[SteelersProphet]

My bad.  Though, I didn't want to list every WR on both teams, for the sake of being to-the-point.  Anyway, I think BAL's #1 and #2 receivers are better than PIT's.  The supporting WR casts on both teams are pretty similar, i.e. young and unexperienced.

 

so when your comparing receiving talent you decided to compare your starters to our back-ups?

 

I don't think you know much about the steelers........but jones is a number three receiver...he is not a number two IMO 

[flaccopoe]

so when your comparing receiving talent you decided to compare your starters to our back-ups?

 

I don't think you know too much about the steelers........but jones is a number three receiver...he is not a number two IMO 

 

I kept an close eye on them throughout last season.  PIT should be a very interesting team to watch this year, what with the changes at WR and the fight for the RB position.  Miller's injury just makes the WR situation all the more urgent for the 1st 4 or so games he'll miss.

[flaccopoe]

 

 

How would you compare BAL and PIT's O-lines?

[SteelersProphet]

I kept an close eye on them throughout last season.  PIT should be a very interesting team to watch this year, what with the changes at WR and the fight for the RB position.  Miller's injury just makes the WR situation all the more urgent for the 1st 4 or so games he'll miss.

I think sanders and brown aren't question marks at all.......our third spot will be either wheaton or cotchery......cotchery has proven he can handle it, and if wheaton wins it he deserves it so im not worried there......miller will be fine as well

 

How would you compare BAL and PIT's O-lines?

IDK yet.......our O-line could be great if it stays healthy but we don't have a lot of injury depth.......so a few injuries and we are back in the same boat we are always in

[5aiah]

so when your comparing receiving talent you decided to compare your starters to our back-ups?

 

I don't think you know much about the steelers........but jones is a number three receiver...he is not a number two IMO 

I think steelers WR corps much better than ours but our RBs better by far.

[5aiah]

I think sanders and brown aren't question marks at all.......

I concur. They are legit starters but can wheaton step in for wallace?