Ravens being written off

[5aiah]

I'm saying I'm not exaggerating.  I do still feel the majority, though slight majority, is doubting our ability to remain among the contenders in the AFC.  It's really useless to argue about it since we are all in different areas, watching and reading from different sources.  There is no way to definitively prove one way or the other exactly how many media members, or BR writers, are writing us off.  I've seen quite a few, and more than those who aren't.  I don't have access to the local media, or simply follow the Ravens Team Stream, which are both obviously more prone to siding with the home team.  If you have had a different experience, great.  It doesn't mean I'm exagerrating, just like I wasn't when I said people had the Browns finishing ahead of us.  It didn't matter that YOU hadn't seen "one, let alone multiple" people picking Cleveland to finish ahead of us.  The fact is, there were.  Please don't say I'm exaggerating because I have had a different experience than you have.

You are quite right about that,we all have different means of following sports. I'm saying that when it comes to an objective opinion and not biased or unqualified stuff, the Ravens are less underrated than we think. I'm sure you run into alot of the garbage but I don't even follow that stuff like ESPN. The best sources are from those who actually watch and know the teams not the writers picking through stats and injury reports. I rarely encounter those because I know where to avoid. Now that I know you are talking on like a wider net of media(like people who know little of the teams they discuss and report on) we can agree that because Baltimore is a small market team(compared to the big guys) and had QB troubles for most of its history, most people are prone to bet against us. If we are talking about just all the media,than yes,the majority are biased against us. I was talking about people who really know the game( former players,coaches,announcers,and analysts, etc) and look at teams and give their piece. The fact that the Ravens were almost unanimously picked as winners of the Superbowl before the game by the panel lends credit to this. The people who know football know different. That's who I pay attention to. Ravens Nation has to get over the other people who rarely know what they are talking about.

[HockeyAndRavens]

I been avoding watching NFL AM lately becasue i'm noticing a trend from Wyche & Kriegel whenever they talk bout the team not giving any credit and keep saying the same thing when it's brought up. I know O'Hara has some nice things to say about the team and McGinest as well.

[beanfigger]

You are quite right about that,we all have different means of following sports. I'm saying that when it comes to an objective opinion and not biased or unqualified stuff, the Ravens are less underrated than we think. I'm sure you run into alot of the garbage but I don't even follow that stuff like ESPN. The best sources are from those who actually watch and know the teams not the writers picking through stats and injury reports. I rarely encounter those because I know where to avoid. Now that I know you are talking on like a wider net of media(like people who know little of the teams they discuss and report on) we can agree that because Baltimore is a small market team(compared to the big guys) and had QB troubles for most of its history, most people are prone to bet against us. If we are talking about just all the media,than yes,the majority are biased against us. I was talking about people who really know the game( former players,coaches,announcers,and analysts, etc) and look at teams and give their piece. The fact that the Ravens were almost unanimously picked as winners of the Superbowl before the game by the panel lends credit to this. The people who know football know different. That's who I pay attention to. Ravens Nation has to get over the other people who rarely know what they are talking about.

 

I was also talking about former players, coaches, analysts.  I was just talking about all of them, rather than just those who are specifically covering the Ravens.  I don't know what "panel" you are talking about, but if you are trying to imply that most former players, coaches and analysts picked the Ravens to win the Superbowl and do well this season, I have to disagree.  I think that is very far from the truth.  Maybe one specific panel that you follow did, but that cannot be considered the majority.  ESPN has a lot of flaws, but I watch it as a fan of all sports.  I don't care what the analysts think, necessarily, but I do notice what they say.  Their main problem is that they try to cover too much, and therefore are not exactly as informed on any specific topic as those who have a narrower field of study.  Mostly I look to that channel for highlights and news updates.  I have tried several times to convert to NFL Network for my football news, but I have to say that I really dislike most of their analysts, and the main news show on that Network fail to entertain me because of it.  I do watch it several times a week, however, when I get bored hearing about LeBron James or one of ESPN's other favorite sons.  However, whatever your thoughts are of ESPN, you cannot really just dismiss them as rubbish while at the same time plugging Bleacher Report.  The writers for that site are fans, not professionals.  I don't know if they get paid a salary.  Anyway, I'd be really interested in finding out where I can tap into your panel of Ravens' loving analysts.  It would be a nice change of pace.

[5aiah]

I was also talking about former players, coaches, analysts.  I was just talking about all of them, rather than just those who are specifically covering the Ravens.  I don't know what "panel" you are talking about, but if you are trying to imply that most former players, coaches and analysts picked the Ravens to win the Superbowl and do well this season, I have to disagree.  I think that is very far from the truth.  Maybe one specific panel that you follow did, but that cannot be considered the majority.  ESPN has a lot of flaws, but I watch it as a fan of all sports.  I don't care what the analysts think, necessarily, but I do notice what they say.  Their main problem is that they try to cover too much, and therefore are not exactly as informed on any specific topic as those who have a narrower field of study.  Mostly I look to that channel for highlights and news updates.  I have tried several times to convert to NFL Network for my football news, but I have to say that I really dislike most of their analysts, and the main news show on that Network fail to entertain me because of it.  I do watch it several times a week, however, when I get bored hearing about LeBron James or one of ESPN's other favorite sons.  However, whatever your thoughts are of ESPN, you cannot really just dismiss them as rubbish while at the same time plugging Bleacher Report.  The writers for that site are fans, not professionals.  I don't know if they get paid a salary.  Anyway, I'd be really interested in finding out where I can tap into your panel of Ravens' loving analysts.  It would be a nice change of pace.

On National TV, everyone who was tuned in right before the game,saw the Ravens picked as a huge majority to win the game. That was a huge chunk of the country. So before the game, to the casual fan we were the heavy favorites. Then we went out and jumped on the niners and people started turning the TV off because it was big man jumping on a little guy(supposedly). A quick survey of Superbowl predictions online comes up in favor of the Ravens as well so I stand by my statement that a slight majority had us winning.  When it comes to people who really know football they aren't as quick to write us off, we usually get a fair analysis. I find bleacher report to use more advanced stats in their articles while ESPN is more about personality,star status, and basic stats. But both cater to the masses of casual fans and get things wrong in the process. We both agree on that too. If you are referring to this season and the doubt, that is actually kind of validated since we don't even know who the WR2 is and have taken some hits and lost a lot of guys. But in terms of a fair,objective analysis, we get those from people who know football. You just have to find those people. I don't want a panel of Raven loving analysts, I want knowledgeable guys who call it how they see it. 

[beanfigger]

On National TV, everyone who was tuned in right before the game,saw the Ravens picked as a huge majority to win the game. That was a huge chunk of the country. So before the game, to the casual fan we were the heavy favorites. Then we went out and jumped on the niners and people started turning the TV off because it was big man jumping on a little guy(supposedly). A quick survey of Superbowl predictions online comes up in favor of the Ravens as well so I stand by my statement that a slight majority had us winning.  When it comes to people who really know football they aren't as quick to write us off, we usually get a fair analysis. I find bleacher report to use more advanced stats in their articles while ESPN is more about personality,star status, and basic stats. But both cater to the masses of casual fans and get things wrong in the process. We both agree on that too. If you are referring to this season and the doubt, that is actually kind of validated since we don't even know who the WR2 is and have taken some hits and lost a lot of guys. But in terms of a fair,objective analysis, we get those from people who know football. You just have to find those people. I don't want a panel of Raven loving analysts, I want knowledgeable guys who call it how they see it. 

 

I think we have found a level of agreement here.  I agree with most of what you said in this last post, although I do still believe the 49ers were picked to win the Superbowl by the majority.  I did not watch the Pregame on that one particular channel you are referring to.  I have my own things going on before the Superbowl.  I watch pregame stuff the entire two weeks leading up to the game, though, on various different TV, radio, websites.  I do agree that most knowledgeable football people know that we had a chance, and know that we'll be fine this season, but that is not what the OP or any of my posts have been about.  Its about the majority of media and fan outlets.  Vegas odds are a good way to measure general consensus.  It isn't just somebody's opinion on what they think.  The lines will shift according to how people are betting, ensuring as close to 50-50 split amongst betters so the house cannot lose.  That means, when you see things like the Ravens being underdogs by over a TD, half of the millions of betters believe that they will.  The other half just believes they will at least be close enough to not lose by that much.  When you see the over/under for our win total at 8.5 for the year, that means half of the millions of betters believe we will win less than that.  That means the majority doesn't think we will factor in the division race.  The knowledgeable football fans and analysts might disagree, and maybe make some easy money in the process, but we aren't debating what that particular cross section of people are saying.  It's what the majority of people are saying.  That's the whole point of the OP and my posts.

 

P.S.  Personally, I'm not too upset by the naysayers who don't know enough for me to respect their opinion.  It fuels our team, but you cannot deny it is out there, very loud and abundant.

[5aiah]

I think we have found a level of agreement here.  I agree with most of what you said in this last post, although I do still believe the 49ers were picked to win the Superbowl by the majority.  I did not watch the Pregame on that one particular channel you are referring to.  I have my own things going on before the Superbowl.  I watch pregame stuff the entire two weeks leading up to the game, though, on various different TV, radio, websites.  I do agree that most knowledgeable football people know that we had a chance, and know that we'll be fine this season, but that is not what the OP or any of my posts have been about.  Its about the majority of media and fan outlets.  The knowledgeable football fans and analysts might disagree, and maybe make some easy money in the process, but we aren't debating what that particular cross section of people are saying.  It's what the majority of people are saying.  That's the whole point of the OP and my posts.

 

Yeah see it is all about who and what you are watching and listening too. You missed a panel of some of the best analysts explaining that we were the team of destiny and that's why almost all of them went with the Ravens. The majority of the people watching the Superbowl likely went into the game thinking we were going to win. I guess we agree that us fans need to just get over the mainstream media and just take in the hardcore football one. It should have been happened by now though, get used to it guys. Not to mention there are huge valid reasons for both this year and last. It's not even that unfair to be honest. Now doubting a team like the 2000 squad would be an unfair.

[jdynamite]

What's new?

The past 3 years our defense were old, declining, and finished. While the offense wasn't good enough to win games, sure we had Ray Rice but, could the offense really score enough with that old defense declining... (Blah blah blah)

<<<< All the while the media ignored that at that time the only defensive members above 30 then were Reed, Lewis, JJ, Ayanbedjio for awhile. and they still performed at a high level. They never pointed out the Flaws with Cam Cameron play-calling which often left the offense stagnant, and put more pressure on the defense due to poor offensive execution and clock management.>>>>

Fast-Forward to now: Ironic isn't it that the very reason that the Ravens weren't going to make the playoffs the last few years, because of an aging defense has been addressed with FAs, drafted rookies to get both a blend of youth and veteran play and now the story is the Ravens lost all the veteran leadership, defense won't be the same (blah blah blah) fools can't make their minds up the aging defense was an asset or a liability.. lol

[berad]

What's new?

The past 3 years our defense were old, declining, and finished. While the offense wasn't good enough to win games, sure we had Ray Rice but, could the offense really score enough with that old defense declining... (Blah blah blah)

<<<< All the while the media ignored that at that time the only defensive members above 30 then were Reed, Lewis, JJ, Ayanbedjio for awhile. and they still performed at a high level. They never pointed out the Flaws with Cam Cameron play-calling which often left the offense stagnant, and put more pressure on the defense due to poor offensive execution and clock management.>>>>

Fast-Forward to now: Ironic isn't it that the very reason that the Ravens weren't going to make the playoffs the last few years, because of an aging defense has been addressed with FAs, drafted rookies to get both a blend of youth and veteran play and now the story is the Ravens lost all the veteran leadership, defense won't be the same (blah blah blah) fools can't make their minds up the aging defense was an asset or a liability.. lol

 

Quoted for truth.

 

'They won't be any good, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are old' and then

 

'They won't be any good, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are gone'

[jdynamite]

If the team had kept everyone then the story would be the Ravens defense struggled all year last season and yet they decided not to make any changes to improve the unit will this be their demise lol..

I've never put Flacco in the top 5 category, but I've always felt he was above average, and could become even better if Cam Cameron stopped micromanaging him into the dirt and called better plays that allowed the offense to attack multiple levels on the field.

I'm optimistic in the offense this season mainly because I believe that Flacco learned all he could from Cam Cameron and now he will mature and flourish with Caldwell..

[jaege]

Just stop.

Stop what? You got a crystal ball that tells you the 9ers will be winning their division against a tough Seahawks squad? Care to make a wager?

[5aiah]

Stop what? You got a crystal ball that tells you the 9ers will be winning their division against a tough Seahawks squad? Care to make a wager?

Actually I had the Seahawks winning the division before they grabbed Harvin. I thought he said the Niners wouldn't make the playoffs? The most talented defense in the NFL is getting better. They will make the playoffs bro. Stop the madness.

[display name]

I get mad too and then remember they were the same ones to wrote us off last year.

So who cares?

[Ravenslifer]

I'm pretty sure we were written off at least twice a week last year.  We got written off when Suggs went out, written off when Webb went down, written off when we were mangled by the Texans, written off after Denver, written off after losing to the Roethlsberger-less Steelers, and were written off before all 4 playoff victories.  And that's just what I could come up with in 30 seconds off the top of my head. Nobody out there wants to admit that Cam's schemes were a big hurdle, and nobody wants to admit that our defense almost has to be better than last year by default given the additions we've made.  On paper, we've upgraded at both starting safety spots, at MLB, at OLB/DE, at NT/DT, and with a healthy Webb at CB.

[display name]

I'm pretty sure we were written off at least twice a week last year.  We got written off when Suggs went out, written off when Webb went down, written off when we were mangled by the Texans, written off after Denver, written off after losing to the Roethlsberger-less Steelers, and were written off before all 4 playoff victories.  And that's just what I could come up with in 30 seconds off the top of my head. Nobody out there wants to admit that Cam's schemes were a big hurdle, and nobody wants to admit that our defense almost has to be better than last year by default given the additions we've made.  On paper, we've upgraded at both starting safety spots, at MLB, at OLB/DE, at NT/DT, and with a healthy Webb at CB.

"I love when somebody says I can't do it. And then I go do it."-Ray Lewis (miss him)

[PurpleReign92]

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.

 

Lol..

 

Hopefully Doss and Dickson will step up, but Joe + Caldwell will figure it out. Don't forget about Ray Rice and Pierce. Wouldn't be surprised to see Ray lined up at the slot and Pierce as the singleback.

There are 11 players on the field  at a time for team.  With a 100 yards to cover, because of Mckinnie's position on the team and if he messes up,  We could lose the Franchise Qb costing us our season.  Only 1 position matters heavy "every other position can be covered up by another position."

[jaege]

haha well lets just say  ill agree to disagree

By your avatar, I am assuming you to be a "hardcore 9ers" fan, so I would expect nothing less than that you would disagree.

Our divisional fight looks easier than yours. I am not writing the Steelers off, but the cap hurt them much worse than it did us, and I know the Bengals are up and coming, but Andy Dalton fails to impress. The 9ers have to face the Seahawks, who are young mean and hungry. Tough fight there.

[Cville-Raven]

CSN needs to stop hiring clowns like fred smoot.

[beasy2487]

Sometimes I get mad about the Ravens being written off. Then I stop being mad and start being the current World Champions.

[flaccopoe]

honestly I feel that our division is one of the best if not the best.......I feel bad for the Browns, they are not that bad but they usually go 1-5 0r 2-4 in our division

 

imagine if they replaced the Patriots in the AFC east......they might win that division

 

The AFC North is definitely the toughest in the conference.  If AZ improves significantly more than CLE, then the NFC West, then the NFC West will become the best division in the NFL.

[Clutch Ravens]

They write us off ever year, every year they're wrong.

 

If these "experts" were held accountable for what they spout then there'd be a brand new crew in every broadcaster every year.

[MTRavensFan]

Just listened to Mayock, Baldinger and Daniel Jeremiah on NFL Network debating "who has the most talented roster in the league?"

Mayock started it off with "I don't look at the starters, I look at the bottom of the roster." Then discussing San Fran, Seattle and Green Bay, recent injuries and their lack of depth.

And then, "Baltimore. Everybody's counting Baltimore out, defensively, they're gonna be better than they EVER were."

And Baldy, "Nobody runs practice quite like John Harbaugh right now... I'm still gonna say the Ravens are quite possibly the most talented roster in the league."

Mayock: "I'm with you 100%...Suggs, Dumervil, look at McPhee. Until somebody knocks them off that perch, let's make it unanimous." The most talented roster in the league. No mention at all of those media darling Broncos.

 

Next question: who is that one guy in TC going to have a breakout year a la Alfred Morris?

Answer: Bernard Pierce

 

I know DJ and Baldy are homers, but we are getting some media love on the national level. Which is good, cuz out here in the middle of nowhere, (outside of you guys) it's the only news I get.

[blackbird29]

I know DJ and Baldy are homers, but we are getting some media love on the national level. Which is good, cuz out here in the middle of nowhere, (outside of you guys) it's the only news I get.

 

Haha! I know that's right. I live in Virginia and all I hear is Redskins and since they moved their training camp to Richmond, it's unbearable. So I come here and get news. I try not to even go to NFL.com cause most of the people there only bash the team and it's not worth my time.

[shiri2]

Hey fellow Ravens fans. Sorry I haven't been around to chat. Its been a whirlwind here. Anyway to the task at hand. How many of you are hearing about the Ravens impending doom? I have been hearing it at work and everywhere else I turn. We lost so many players. The team is a shell of what they were. No Lewis, Reed, Ellerbe, Kruger, Pollard, Boldin, Birk, Leach and now this injury to Pitta. They dont have any receivers other than Smith.  No playoffs for the Birds. I even heard an 0-16 record thrown out there! Guess folks don't take into account the numerous signings like Dumervil, Canty, Spears, Huff, and our draft picks. Me personally I am excited for the season to start. I am gonna miss seeing Boldin and not sure about the WR situation but I don't get paid to worry about that. That's the front office's job. I am sure Ozzy has something in motion now. This team I think will be better. They are faster, younger and being under estimated. I had to get this out and vent. Getting sick of hearing about how the sky is falling and that the Ravens have to chance.

 

Everyone thinks we're done this year, especially without Lewis and Reed. And of course, they just know we won't make the playoffs.  Denver is talking all kind of smack over there at their site.

 

Over at the Broncos webpage (forums.denverbroncos.com) they're talking beaucoup smack about our upcoming match next month.  They're talking about how they're gonna humiliate us and how we won't get lucky with a hail mary and throwing bombs.  And how they don't even think we're gonna beat the Squeelas. And how we gave up 20pts in the first half against the Falcons.  And how that without Ray Lewis and Ed Reed we don't stand a chance!

 

Some of us need to go over there and set them dudes straight!

 

There's about 3 of us over there now defending our team.  I started the thread over there called "Superbowl Champ$ Return."   Look under thel section called "Broncos Football," then it's a section called "Talking Smack," and then is the thread I created called "Superbowl Champs Return."

 

[ellicottraven]

In fact if they don't write us of, how can we possibly win?

[The Raven]

Am I the only one who honestly doesn't give a hoot if they write us off or not? I feel like everyone gets so mad about it, but I couldn't care less.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Am I the only one who honestly doesn't give a hoot if they write us off or not? I feel like everyone gets so mad about it, but I couldn't care less.

 

I usually find it funny, because its never based on logic...

[beanfigger]

Am I the only one who honestly doesn't give a hoot if they write us off or not? I feel like everyone gets so mad about it, but I couldn't care less.

I don't get mad, but I can't say I don't give a hoot. I actually love it. It's funny to me, and I get excited for when the Ravens will make the "analysts" eat their words.

[jaege]

Am I the only one who honestly doesn't give a hoot if they write us off or not? I feel like everyone gets so mad about it, but I couldn't care less.

Personally, I enjoy it. Love to see self-important morons get shown up. Besides it makes for a better story after we win. You could not write a better tale of success "against all odds" than the recent playoff series. Part of the drama was the fact that everyone and Vegas had us as losing.

[ravens533]

Adam Schein listed his Nine thoughts on football teams for this year. Adam says that the Broncos won't make it to the Superbowl. They will win their division (but that is not saying much) 

 

At the same time he praise Baltimore and said that our defense is back and better than it was when we won a Sperbowl.

 

Can not believe that we are getting recognition from a national analyst.

[hawkprey]

Adam Schein listed his Nine thoughts on football teams for this year. Adam says that the Broncos won't make it to the Superbowl. They will win their division (but that is not saying much) 

 

At the same time he praise Baltimore and said that our defense is back and better than it was when we won a Sperbowl.

 

Can not believe that we are getting recognition from a national analyst.

But he is doing it because no one else is. It's clear who everyone's favorites are, so people start changing their picks to be different. It's like how everyone picks the Bengals (for no good reason), then some started to pick the Steelers. And some started to pick us.