N 'if' L: What if Joe Flacco's Hail Mary in Denver fell flat?

[beanfigger]

If you think about it, he's actually complementing the Ravens by saying only they could have beaten the Patriots and 49ers.  He's saying the Broncos wouldn't have been able to do what we did, and the Patriots wouldn't have, either.  Look for the silver lining and have fun with these types of things.  I still cringe when I think of the end of that video, though.  Flacco as a Brown?  Nauseating.

[Bltravens]

I doubt that. Matt Ryan just has different skills and fits a different version(one where you throw 40 times) of the Ravens he must have had. Matty Ice would still be a good QB and clutch as well. That being said because of how different they are they both would struggle in the others position.

Ill never think Ryan could survive in the AFC North passed the first half of the season. Doesn't have the arm strength. Hes a great QB but if he lucked out for where he plays.

[ThePurpleWall]

I don't live in if world.

[ratedr]

It really is pathetic how defensive this place gets. It's like anytime that the Ravens are criticized by someone who isn't a certified Ravens fan (and occasionally by someone who isn't perceived as enough of a Ravens fan), the whole forum acts like the whole world is out to get the poor Ravens.

Take this case for example. Dave Dameshek says that the Ravens forcing overtime on a 70 yard bomb with 30 seconds and change left on the clock was improbable, and, as a thought experiment, muses about what might have happened if it hadn't worked. Rather than laughing along with what is obviously a joke, the OP decides that Dave Dameshek obviously is just using this as a smokescreen to criticize the Ravens and that every writer on NFL.com is also out to get the Ravens.

I'm not saying the Ravens don't get disrespect from people, but can we take off the tinfoil hats and admit that maybe every criticism isn't meant as a put down from a media that's out to get us?

I agree. I was surprised to see so many take this as an insult.

[Ravenfano3]

N "if" L is a tongue in cheek, light hearted video segment.  I say take it for what it is, laugh a bit, and dont take it seriously.

[5aiah]

Ill never think Ryan could survive in the AFC North passed the first half of the season. Doesn't have the arm strength. Hes a great QB but if he lucked out for where he plays.

Haha, are you kidding me? He isn't some noodle arm(Dalton isn't even a noodle), his throwing power is fine. I have a lot of pride in the AFC North as well, but cmon.

[ratedr]

Haha, are you kidding me? He isn't some noodle arm(Dalton isn't even a noodle), his throwing power is fine. I have a lot of pride in the AFC North as well, but cmon.

I don't think Ryan would do well in the AFC North honestly. I don't trust him outdoors in cold weather. That awful playoff game against the Giants last year comes to mind.

[BirdWatcher]

What if we had a sense of humor? Would we laugh at this crap instead of getting all bent out of shape?

[jaege]

He is just taking known elements and blowing them out of proportion for humor and it was funny.

Lots of disgruntled Bronco's fans were calling the Jones pass a "miracle", rumors were spread that the Cards and the Browns would have been interested in Flacco had we released him, and Ray is known to get emotional on the field. And Joe was called the Uni-brow. All fair grist for the mill, and nothing really slanderous. As a fan base we need to lighten up before we get to be known as the curmudgeon fans. Its not always about us.

[akacrow]

Look at all the hypocrites, crying and whining, about the supposed crying and whining of others.  If it is a joke, it is a lame joke.  

[Tank 92]

The N if L thing doesn't bother me a bit.  Calling The Bomb a hail mary does.  Just ignore the troll.

[Ravenslifer]

There usually pretty funny dude. It's a joke people, jeez.

 

When it's the same lame thing over and over again, it gets tiresome.  We get it - Dameshek is a Steelers fan who has no love for Joe.  So every other segment of his has to in some way take a shot at Joe?  Dameshek's stuff was funny the first 30 times I saw it, now it's just old.

[5aiah]

When it's the same lame thing over and over again, it gets tiresome.  We get it - Dameshek is a Steelers fan who has no love for Joe.  So every other segment of his has to in some way take a shot at Joe?  Dameshek's stuff was funny the first 30 times I saw it, now it's just old.

Sigh, as soon as he does a Ravens based "what if" video its all about Dameshek is a Steelers fan he's hating on us. The only legit criticism in this thread is that he might have blew his load too early with this particular one and that being the "steelers fan who has no love for Joe" he might decide to make a part 2 later. Lmao.

[5aiah]

I don't think Ryan would do well in the AFC North honestly. I don't trust him outdoors in cold weather. That awful playoff game against the Giants last year comes to mind.

It does take a certain breed of QB to make a living out here doesn't it.

[1/28/01]

Keep banging you head against the wall, Nave. It starts to hurt eventually and you'll just learn to skim over the crap posters.

Sad part is there are more and more of these "crap posters" as of late.

[jaege]

I was watching some of his other "N if L" videos and he does seem to hold the Ravens and their players in a somewhat negative light. I wonder if he has ever done one that features the Steelers?

[arnie_uk]

Can people not take a joke? This article is a joke and he has done almost every big talking point in recent years. Its a bit of fun. Just happens to be our turn. Take it for what it is

[Jalxsu]

People really need to get over themselves and stop being too sensitive.

 

I really can't see how it's Ravens bashing. Look at his other videos, he'll make them about any big talking point in the NFL, no matter which teams they involve.

 

According to some of our fans, you're a massive Ravens hater if you dare to think that Flacco isn't one of (if not) the best QBs in the league, and anything other than a prediction that the Ravens will sweep the AFC North on the way to other SB appearance means you're an idiot who knows nothing about football.

 

We were not great in the regular season last year, and it'd be a huge shock if our post-season run continues in to the upcoming season. We are a good team, but nothing in sport is guaranteed. Different people have different opinions, and I'm sure if you supported a team other than the Ravens, you would be able to see where these analysts are coming from.

 

Be realistic guys, and stop taking offense so easily!

[5aiah]

People really need to get over themselves and stop being too sensitive.

 

I really can't see how it's Ravens bashing. Look at his other videos, he'll make them about any big talking point in the NFL, no matter which teams they involve.

 

According to some of our fans, you're a massive Ravens hater if you dare to think that Flacco isn't one of (if not) the best QBs in the league, and anything other than a prediction that the Ravens will sweep the AFC North on the way to other SB appearance means you're an idiot who knows nothing about football.

 

We were not great in the regular season last year, and it'd be a huge shock if our post-season run continues in to the upcoming season. We are a good team, but nothing in sport is guaranteed. Different people have different opinions, and I'm sure if you supported a team other than the Ravens, you would be able to see where these analysts are coming from.

 

Be realistic guys, and stop taking offense so easily!

Realism is frowned upon, at least until we lose a game and then people become pessimists.

[poescrows]

I did a direct tweet to DD on this. Told him the difference between a hail mary and a bomb: "if Flacco throws it, you call it a hail mary. If Ben throws it, its a magnifently thrown long pass to a tightly covered WR". To date, I haven't gotten a return tweet from him......wonder why?

[poescrows]

Can people not take a joke? This article is a joke and he has done almost every big talking point in recent years. Its a bit of fun. Just happens to be our turn. Take it for what it is

Problem is arnie, Daves not joking. He actualt sees the Ravens in this context.

[NaveSenrag]

Problem is arnie, Daves not joking. He actualt sees the Ravens in this context.

In what context? His only direct statement that concerned the Ravens' ability was calling the pass "improbable", and anyone who tries to say that forcing overtime on a 70 yard pass with 30 seconds remaining is anything other than improbable is nuts. If you don't believe me, go back to he game thread and read the posts from the possession leading up to the pass.

 

Not to mention that a little reading between the lines shows that he thinks no one else in the AFC could have beaten either the Patriots or the 49ers, considering he has the Broncos falling to the Patriots and the Patriots falling to the 49ers.

[poescrows]

The context that he is a Steeler fan and therefor will never see the Ravens in a good light. And the second direct statement dissing the Ravens ability is calling the pass a "Hail Mary" in the article title in the first place. If Ben had thrown it, you can bet your arse he wouldn't be refering to it as a "Hail Mary".

[mg90]

I love the fact that the Ravens get an absolute minimum of respect no matter what. Let them write the headlines so the team can post it in the locker room. And let the excuses come from the Broncos or Pats or whoever. Why don't we ask the Broncos 'what if Peyton signed elsewhere?' I like that one better.

[Free Agent]

I like the NifL videos. Honestly, Dameshek's opinion doesn't bother me because he's a fantasy guy, he knows very little about real football.

[Bltravens]

Haha, are you kidding me? He isn't some noodle arm(Dalton isn't even a noodle), his throwing power is fine. I have a lot of pride in the AFC North as well, but cmon.

I never said he was noodle armed, but his arm strength and lack of has been critized by Falcons fans as well on multiple occasions. You're acting like I said he wouldn't win games or something. He wouldn't do well in this division, especially come November. How I feel watching him play in anywhere but the South. Then his absolutely sweet game in New York two years ago was a real doozy.
Everyone is moulded by circumstance, I think Ryan is very fortunate to be where he is.

[PurpleCityLights]

a "Hail Mary" pass is when all the WRers run to the endzone & there a jump ball.......That being said!!!! When one WRer gets behind the D to catch a deep pass thrown to him, BY DEFINITION it isn't & will never be a "Hail Mary" pass.

P.S Stop trying to steal my QBs thunder, He beat Denver with his arm & make the same play again in the Super Bowl against the 49ers for another TD to J. Jones.

[GrimCoconut]

Eh. Another reporter or analyst says something controversial and we're surprised or up in arms about it why? This is nothing new and I thought it was more of a joke than anything.

[Ravenslifer]

Eh, I'm over it.  Just wish Dameshek would find a new hobby other than taking shots at Joe all the time. 

[RavensAllTheWay]

I did a direct tweet to DD on this. Told him the difference between a hail mary and a bomb: "if Flacco throws it, you call it a hail mary. If Ben throws it, its a magnifently thrown long pass to a tightly covered WR". To date, I haven't gotten a return tweet from him......wonder why?

 

Because he knows that you're upset and he doesn't want to waste time dealing with you.  Dave has ripped and even shamed Ben before.  He shamed the hell out of his beloved Steelers when we killed them on opening day in 2011, and then again, when Cincy ended their season last year.  Hell, last I saw, he thinks both us AND Pit will miss the playoffs this year, and that Cincy will take the division.

 

He would still call it a Hail Mary and still think of it as lucky and fluky even if it was Ben.  He would still do a "What If" segment on it also.