State of the Franchise

[TonyTone1192]

With the first quarter of the season over TOO many of us(Ravens fans) are panicking as if the season is over. Lol Haven't you guys heard that it's not about how you start but how you finish? As of today we're 2-2 and first in the division, I will agree that the Browns(as of today) look like the best team in the division, but it honestly doesn't matter about today.

Flacco throwing for 5ints wasn't a pretty sight, but we lost by ONLY 3 points to a up an coming Bills team, on the road. Our defense has SHOCKED ME! I didn't expect these guys to come around and play this well so soon in the season and the crazier thing is that, barring any major injuries, THEY WILL ONLY GET BETTER! That's scary..

Our offense hasn't played too bad, our play calling(IMO could be a bit better... Only two runs in the second half of a game in which we were down by only 13 with 30 mins left to play :34853_doh: ) and our offensive line has been TREACHEROUS! They are not giving Joe a clean pocket to step into and deliver the ball to our play makers nor are they moving guys off of the line of scrimmage to give Rice/Pierce any room to operate.

The fact that our TE's are playing like they are the only players playing at the beach (running in sand with wet hands) and Joe doesn't have a Boldin or Pitta to throw a jump Ball to when he's in trouble, is showing in our offense AT THIS MOMENT.

If our offensive line can improve their play and I believe that we have the coaching staff to fix the problem, we WILL be a very dangerous team. Our organization has a motto that anytime our players put on that uniform they have to PLAY LIKE A RAVEN, which is discipline smash mouth football.

With the first quarter of the season down, we've shaken off the cob webs and we're in a position to make our 6th consecutive post season. As I mentioned earlier, it's not about how you start but about how you finish!!!

[easternshore97]

Are you speaking a 7th playoff appearance into existence, or did you make an honest mistake?

[TonyTone1192]

Are you speaking a 7th playoff appearance into existence, or did you make an honest mistake?

 

Lol neither... I simply stated that after the first quarter of the season we are in a good POSITION(key word there) to make the post season

[DomMcRaven]

 

we're in a position to make our 7th consecutive post season.

 

Do you mean 6th consecutive post season? 2008, 09, 10, 11, 12 and then 13 will make it 6th. I'm with you Tony Tone, the play calling and offensive line has been OFFENSIVE (and I mean that in the negative way lol). I expect these problems to be fixed no later than the bye week IMO. 

[Seseau]

Don't you dare put the Browns as the best team in the AFC North that's just unreal.

[T3hRaven]

Don't you dare put the Browns as the best team in the AFC North that's just unreal.

 

There is a chance they'll have sole possession of first place after this weekend.  The Bengals could lose to the Pats and we could lose to the Dolphins, but there's a decent chance the Browns can beat the Bills.

[TonyTone1192]

Do you mean 6th consecutive post season? 2008, 09, 10, 11, 12 and then 13 will make it 6th. I'm with you Tony Tone, the play calling and offensive line has been OFFENSIVE (and I mean that in the negative way lol). I expect these problems to be fixed no later than the bye week IMO.

Thanks on that correction.. I was getting ahead of myself. Lol

And I expect the same

[TonyTone1192]

Don't you dare put the Browns as the best team in the AFC North that's just unreal.

I agree but right now they are playing the best football out of any team in our division.

[DomMcRaven]

 

Don't you dare put the Browns as the best team in the AFC North that's just unreal.

 

I almost get nightmares for even thinking that way too lol.

[ravensfan520]

Unless the bills make a comeback we will be staring up at them... seems blasphemous but... they are playing well and we are not... and the road doesn't get any easier.

[CptJesus]

And so the prophecy comes to pass. A Weeden brings first place to Believeland

[StingerNLG]

I can't believe they just put 37 on the Bills.   We have got to get our stuff together or this could be a problem.

[Militant X 1]

I can't believe they just put 37 on the Bills.   We have got to get our stuff together or this could be a problem.

Absolutely!!!!!!!

 

~Mili

[1/28/01]

Absolutely!!!!!!!

~Mili

Yeah

[Ravensfan23]

Each week is a new week in the NFL. I actually had work to finish up so I wasn't able to watch the game after Quarter 2, but that game isn't a indication of what will happen next week and weeks to come. For all we know, the Bills overlooked the Browns after beating the defending Super Bowl Champs. Or the Browns are really just improving. But the Browns putting up 37 points to a team we just lost to doesn't mean much when the Ravens already beat the Browns imo.

 

Do the Ravens need to play better, heck yea, much better. There is no doubt about that and honestly I hope the Browns are a better team because it would only make the division better and I'm not sure the Steelers could handle that. But I also need to see more from those guys then just a win over Cincy followed up by a win over the Bills. Not taking anything away from those guys, I just wanna see more.

[Guest RBates]

I think the team will be fine.  Limit the turnovers and play defense.  That's what our team is built to do.  When we get Jacoby back we will receive better field position on starting drives. Brandon Williams will improve our pass rush rotation.  

 

We have a lot of work to do but we will be fine as long as we keep in mind that we are not an offensive team.  We play defense. The proof was last week five turnovers and lost the game by three points.  Wow 

[TonyTone1192]

I can't believe they just put 37 on the Bills.   We have got to get our stuff together or this could be a problem.

 

I'm in a bit of disbelief as well.. But the Bills' defense this season has played MUCH better @ home than on the road and one of those Browns' TD's came off of a pick six of Tuel.

[TonyTone1192]

I think the team will be fine.  Limit the turnovers and play defense.  That's what our team is built to do.  When we get Jacoby back we will receive better field position on starting drives. Brandon Williams will improve our pass rush rotation.  

 

We have a lot of work to do but we will be fine as long as we keep in mind that we are not an offensive team.  We play defense. The proof was last week five turnovers and lost the game by three points.  Wow 

 

I do agree with a majority of your statement..

But we're not trying to be known as a "defensive" team anymore.. We're trying to become balanced.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Starts w/ joe. That bills vs browns game was clear to me that bill secondary stinks. Might be a first time in a long while that weeden looked that good and didnt throw a pick. Which just shows how inept flacco is when team asks him to be pass happy QB.

Joe clearly cant play @ a elite lvl w/o a talent filled receivers. Least he can do is be a avg game manager and hope our D & ST can make magic happen.

[Tank 92]

Clueless.........

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Starts w/ joe. That bills vs browns game was clear to me that bill secondary stinks. Might be a first time in a long while that weeden looked that good and didnt throw a pick. Which just shows how inept flacco is when team asks him to be pass happy QB.

Joe clearly cant play @ a elite lvl w/o a talent filled receivers. Least he can do is be a avg game manager and hope our D & ST can make magic happen.

 

Comparing apples to oranges now?

 

Even without Trent Richardson, Browns RBs still ran for 80 yds & a TD on 28 attempts.

 

(If you need to be reminded) compare that with 24 yards on 9 attempts by the Ravens.

 

And Joe's already proven he doesn't need elite WRs--what he needs are receivers he's on the same page with and an Oline that isn't an absolute turnstile (just like every other QB)

[BirdWatcher]

Comparing apples to oranges now?
 
Even without Trent Richardson, Browns RBs still ran for 80 yds & a TD on 28 attempts.
 
(If you need to be reminded) compare that with 24 yards on 9 attempts by the Ravens.
 
And Joe's already proven he doesn't need elite WRs--what he needs are receivers he's on the same page with and an Oline that isn't an absolute turnstile (just like every other QB)

I'm not following you. The Browns averaged 2.85 yards and we averaged 2.67. I don't see a huge difference.

[The Raven]

I'm not following you. The Browns averaged 2.85 yards and we averaged 2.67. I don't see a huge difference.

 

The emphasis was on the significant difference in rushing attempts, indicating that the Browns had a much more balanced offense. Hence the word "attempts" being bolded.

[TonyTone1192]

Starts w/ joe. That bills vs browns game was clear to me that bill secondary stinks. Might be a first time in a long while that weeden looked that good and didnt throw a pick. Which just shows how inept flacco is when team asks him to be pass happy QB.

Joe clearly cant play @ a elite lvl w/o a talent filled receivers. Least he can do is be a avg game manager and hope our D & ST can make magic happen.

It starts with the o-line, then Caldwell

[Hey Diddle]

Starts w/ joe. That bills vs browns game was clear to me that bill secondary stinks. Might be a first time in a long while that weeden looked that good and didnt throw a pick. Which just shows how inept flacco is when team asks him to be pass happy QB.

Joe clearly cant play @ a elite lvl w/o a talent filled receivers. Least he can do is be a avg game manager and hope our D & ST can make magic happen.

 

Really? Wow, its funny how quickly people forget what Joe has done for us.  I wouldn't take any other QB in the NFL over Kool Joe Flacco!  All Joe does is get to the playoffs an win.  And Yes, every year he has some terrible game early in the season on the road.  It's not easy to win in the NFL you know?

[codizzle]

Really? Wow, its funny how quickly people forget what Joe has done for us. I wouldn't take any other QB in the NFL over Kool Joe Flacco! All Joe does is get to the playoffs an win. And Yes, every year he has some terrible game early in the season on the road. It's not easy to win in the NFL you know?

Not worth the time.. Some people on here just relish the negative role they fill on the boards

[izvoodoo]

I'm sure some people have questions about Flacco. 
It's not as though he's flawless.
 
But he can outplay anybody when it matters, and that's what matters the most.

[codizzle]

I'm sure some people have questions about Flacco.
It's not as though he's flawless.

But he can outplay anybody when it matters, and that's what matters the most.

Oh I definitely don't believe he is above scrutiny but there are some who obviously relish any chance to bash him

[izvoodoo]

Oh I definitely don't believe he is above scrutiny but there are some who obviously relish any chance to bash him

I think people are ungrateful.

 

Having a team that goes to the playoffs every year is difficult.  We should appreciate this time as a team. 

[Ravenseconbeast]

Not worth the time.. Some people on here just relish the negative role they fill on the boards

 

and people that only comments to harass/insult people are?

 

i have my set opinions about flacco.  but that shouldn't mean you and few of your troll friends can harass/insult people.