It's only preseason? Preseason game 2 thoughts

[JoeyFlex5]

after the starters played against the falcons, should we keep saying its only preseason? or is there something to be worried about? i have been faithful the whole offseason about our offense as a whole, ive been confident in doss and thompson, ray rice and pierce, ive been confident about dickson, our line, and juice, but juice has been unheard of, dicksons injury is probably much worse than what harbs is telling us, and after this first half tonight, im feeling much less confident about everything else. it is still preseason, but man we looked awful tonight. im not pushing the panic button yet, ill wait til regular season for that, but who actually still feels confident that we'll look noticeably better in the regular season?

[Ravenslifer]

Do I keep needing to reference the 2007 New England Patriots who went 2-2 in the preseason, and the 2008 Lions who went 4-0?  

[Tank 92]

pre season sucks.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Yeah, we can still say it's only preseason. Just ask the 2008 Lions. Is it okay to feel concerned after how bad we've been playing tonight, so far? Sure, that's fair. Personally, I'm not overly concerned but I am a bit frustrated with certain things. If there's a time to play bad, this is the time because it is only preseason.

[JoeyFlex5]

fully understand but its not about the final score(referring to the pats and lions) its about what our starters are showing us. i mean good god the starters looked dreadful. and sure were probly not opening our playbook, but you would still hope you see a better showing, they look lost, and completely flat. its almost like theyre complacent with a super bowl win last year and they're settling

[EternalRavensDefense]

I love it when people overreact to one preseason game.

It remind me of last year preseason game 2 against the Lions when the first team offense didn't score a touchdown. The Lions beat us 27-12.

Flacco went 7-12 for 79 yards and Ray Rice had 5 carries for 12 yards. Everybody was freaking out over the loss and how Calvin Johnson abused our team with 5 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown. It was hilarious just like now.

In the end, the Lions ended up 4-12 and we won the Superbowl.

So, people can lose their mind all they want too, it has no meaning on the regular season.

[GrimCoconut]

We don't game plan in preseason or at least not until the third (which is the game most like a regular game). 

[SirPainsalot]

When was the last time the offense and defense exploded in the first quarter, right off the bat?

 

Never, we always had slow starts.

 

Now last year with the offense, we did great first two quarters, especially at the second. However, preseason is not crunch time. I'm satisfied with the touchdown Flacco and Torrey scored.

[TDubbs]

It's Preseason lol, we're the defending Superbowl Champions, I'm not concerned the least bit, we will be just fine. 

[youne]

One good thing to take away from these first couple games is our depth. Our 2nd and 3rd stringers dominate the other teams'. That may sound like a joke, but when it gets into December and every player is nicked, THOSE are the things that can make a real difference as well.

[JO_75]

I'm not worried one bit, all I'll say is this, we lost 4 out of our last five in the regular season before going on that Super Bowl run. Next week we should see a bit more of the starters and game plans really coming together.

[Gordo52]

It's only preseason.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

It's only preseason.

It's only preseason?

[Gordo52]

It's only preseason?

I think. With all the panic I'm not entirely sure though.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

I think. With all the panic I'm not entirely sure though.

I guess panic is just a year round thing around these parts lol.

[Moderator 3]

Harbaugh refuses to show anything during preseason. The penalties will be dealt with, probably tomorrow. Lots of teaching moments from this game.

[RavenFan28105]

we're ALWAYS vanilla during the preseason which is why we're so good come Week 1 ever year. It seems like they barely open the playbook in preseason and come week 1 when it opens up, no one knows what to do which is why we've been so dominate. So I wouldn't be too worried about it.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Few of these players dont belong in 1st team. Harbaugh needs to make the right choices and cut the fat out of the team. Bring in the guys that has promising talent and let them grow.

mellette, furstenburg, asa jackson, matt elam impressed. They belong more 1st team reps.

[The Oakland Cathedral]

we're ALWAYS vanilla during the preseason which is why we're so good come Week 1 ever year. It seems like they barely open the playbook in preseason and come week 1 when it opens up, no one knows what to do which is why we've been so dominate. So I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Lol Cam opening up the super vanilla play book to regular vanilla lol or vice versa however you wanna look at the meaning super and regular in that context.

[Grendelwulf21]

how did we look last preseason? we won the SB, so we can't fully judge our team yet

[TimC91]

Glad to see the 4th quarter comeback today, hopefully wont have too many 'down to the wire' situations this year. Looks like a few kinks were shown tonight but pulled out eventually. Would like to see more big rush plays to give us something to look forward to as well as Joe's cannon before the season comes. 

[hawkprey]

how did we look last preseason? we won the SB, so we can't fully judge our team yet

Same as this year. Starters got everyone whiny, backups won the game. Except for the game against Jax where we tried out our no-huddle and it worked well.

[GTRavens]

Atlanta's starters beat us up last year, too. Nothing to worry about.

[ratedr]

We looked meh in preseason last year aside from game 3. Same with 2 years ago, and even in game 3 Flacco threw a pick-6. The star of that game? Lee Evans. That should tell you how much preseason translates to the regular season.

That said, that was as bad as I've ever seen the starters look.

[Ragin'Raven]

Pre-season is more for the players and coaches than the fans. Yes, it's nice to see football, but wins and losses don't really mean much at all at this point. You can win ugly, which is what some can say tonight, and it doesn't mean much. Winning ugly means you still played ugly.

[Moderator 3]

Pre-season is more for the players and coaches than the fans, in my opinion. Yes, it's nice to see football, but wins and losses don't really mean much at all at this point. You can win ugly, which is what some can say tonight, and it doesn't mean much. Winning ugly means you still played ugly.

Rather than look at it as winning ugly, I think it was winning with grit and determination. I'd say that shows a lot about the character of our team.

[berad]

Only players that really looked bad were AQ Shipley and Jah Reid - getting blasted all night. Also Jimmy Smith is still playing like he did his rookie season ('he was in great position, he just has to look for the ball' as the receiver catches it right in front of him) and getting toasted.

No real rhythm on offense and I think Caldwell is holding the starters back for some reason. Tyrod was throwing deep with the second team, but Flacco is limited to throws < 10 yds down the field (except for his first pass, which was nullified by an AQ Shipley penalty).

[PolishRifle]

Pre-season is more for the players and coaches than the fans, in my opinion. Yes, it's nice to see football, but wins and losses don't really mean much at all at this point. You can win ugly, which is what some can say tonight, and it doesn't mean much. Winning ugly means you still played ugly.

Week 3 is significant though. That's when the actual team is supposed to show up. The final dress rehearsal. If the 1st team offense doesn't perform again, than we do have genuine cause for panic.

[Ragin'Raven]

Rather than look at it as winning ugly, I think it was winning with grit and determination. I'd say that shows a lot about the character of our team.

True, no thanks to the first string though. They played horribly. It took the ones fighting for a roster spot to step up and do something.

[K-Dog]

At least it was an exciting game.
I put more stock in the second half than I do the first.