What Do You Think of Ray Lewis's Comments?

[Hardbaugh]

Ray is completely right.  But some fans will continue to put blind faith in Flacco, hoping that he becomes something he is not.

Absolutely!!!!  I laugh how some throw out SB MVP like it's a career ascending accomplishment. The SB is littered with marginal to decent players that won the MVP.  The facts are facts.. What has he done to build on that besides get paid??? Nothing...

 

The same group that are here whining he has no weapons are the same that were saying Flacco was going to turn it on his his sixth year.   Now all we hear is more excuses for the same play or worse than we've witnessed over the first five years.   Flacco has a strong arm and physical toughness but has too many weaknesses in his game to ever reward the Ravens in future seasons for the faith and money invested in him.

 

His completion PCT. on deep balls is among the lowest in the game yet some cultivate the image that Flacco is  great deep ball thrower.   Um........ok

[BmoreBird22]

Yea, cause this offense is known for it's high scoring ability.
 
So let me ask you a question, what do you consider a good job by the offense and what would you consider a bad job by the defense?  No one said either side had to play perfect, but I would bet if we went drive for drive, the defense puts the offense in better spots than the offense puts the defense.  Now people seem to want to give all the credit to the offense cause they finally kept their end of the bargain by DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSE TO.
 
Defense allowed 9 points against the Colts. 21 against the Broncos, scoring 6 and getting the ball back in range for another 3 to win the game, then allowed 13 to the Patriots, shutting them out for a half.  They fell apart during the second half of the SB, but so did the offense, and lets not forget who kept the Niners from scoring to take the lead.
 
Then you claim we probably held TOP.  TOP means nothing without points.  Maintaining drives is worthless if you can't finish the job or make it count.
 
It's pointless even trying to debate with blind Flacco homers.  Let's also mention that the run game was kind of efficient for the playoff run as well, as was the blocking, but now the o-line won't get credit, even with Rice trying to fumble away the teams hopes.  
 
As far as numbers as well, people who like to keep saying our 17th ranked defense was the problem, how about you go see where the offense was ranked last year.  Let me assist you, 16th.  Now, check where the defense is ranked this year and where the offense is, I'll wait.

The defense blew 10 fourth quarter leads, so leading in TOP does matter because it n prevents the defense from doing that.
The Colts were the only team in the playoffs with a negative point differential, did you expect them to drop 30 on the Ravens, at home?
The Broncos may have scored 21 offensively, but it could have been more had the special teams not stepped up. We don't know. What we do know is that the offense dropped over 30 points to win a game in 2 OT against the leagues fourth best defense.
The Patriots game was the most complete game of the playoffs. The defense held strong, but look at how much Joe Flacco turned it on. Something about Foxborough brings out the best in him. Joe and the offense were stellar.
The Ravens offense still put up 27, and you cannot argue that. 34 points is usually enough to win by a fair margin, but the defense did allow the 49ersto crawl back in and march all the way down the field. The only reason the defense didn't blow it is because the offense played so well.
I don't think anyone is saying the offense was always perfect, but Ray's comments were off base. Those wins were a team win.

[redrum52]

Absolutely!!!!  I laugh how some throw out SB MVP like it's a career ascending accomplishment. The SB is littered with marginal to decent players that won the MVP.  The facts are facts.. What has he done to build on that besides get paid??? Nothing...

 

The same group that are here whining he has no weapons are the same that were saying Flacco was going to turn it on his his sixth year.   Now all we hear is more excuses for the same play or worse than we've witnessed over the first five years.   Flacco has a strong arm and physical toughness but has too many weaknesses in his game to ever reward the Ravens in future seasons for the faith and money invested in him.

 

His completion PCT. on deep balls is among the lowest in the game yet some cultivate the image that Flacco is  great deep ball thrower.   Um........ok

The SB MVP honestly could've gone to either Jacoby or Joe.  Ray won the award, but no one really thought he deserved it.  Peyton also won it and most will say he didn't deserve, though Joe did put together a really good HALF of football.

 

Ray basically said what the Flacco apologists say, he needs weapons, but cause his answer wasn't sugar coated, with a cherry on top they're upset about it.

[BmoreBird22]

Absolutely!!!!  I laugh how some throw out SB MVP like it's a career ascending accomplishment. The SB is littered with marginal to decent players that won the MVP.  The facts are facts.. What has he done to build on that besides get paid??? Nothing...
 
The same group that are here whining he has no weapons are the same that were saying Flacco was going to turn it on his his sixth year.   Now all we hear is more excuses for the same play or worse than we've witnessed over the first five years.   Flacco has a strong arm and physical toughness but has too many weaknesses in his game to ever reward the Ravens in future seasons for the faith and money invested in him.
 
His completion PCT. on deep balls is among the lowest in the game yet some cultivate the image that Flacco is  great deep ball thrower.   Um........ok

Aqua Bolding didn't call Flacco the most talented quarterback he'd played with for nothing.

[BmoreBird22]

The SB MVP honestly could've gone to either Jacoby or Joe.  Ray won the award, but no one really thought he deserved it.  Peyton also won it and most will say he didn't deserve, though Joe did put together a really good HALF of football.
 
Ray basically said what the Flacco apologists say, he needs weapons, but cause his answer wasn't sugar coated, with a cherry on top they're upset about it.

I'm upset with him saying that Brady and Manning don't. I'm also upset that he said the defense bailed them out when they gave up 10 fourth quarter leads. If he had said Joe needs a great supporting cast, I wouldn't bat an eye.

[Strength.52]

I don't understand why people turned on Ed, but Ray is bringing this on himself. I love him to death, see my sig....but he deserves all the heat he gets. As the face of this franchise for so long, a little bit of loyalty to the people who carried him to retirement the right way isn't much to ask for. Instead, we get to hear about how Sweet Pea never would have happened if he were there. Riiight...

  No wonder you think Ray deserves so much heat - You're twisting his words ... When did he say your last sentence? People have to remove in their minds what they THINK Ray said and go back and read his quotes. What did he say that was so bad? He's paid to tell the truth and give is opinion. What he said is a perfectly reasonable opinion. Why is everybody up in arms about it?

[flynismo]

Wow, another thread getting derailed into another Flacco pissing contest by the same people...when is it going to stop? At least keep your misguided agendas in the appropriate thread.

[redrum52]

The defense blew 10 fourth quarter leads, so leading in TOP does matter because it n prevents the defense from doing that.
The Colts were the only team in the playoffs with a negative point differential, did you expect them to drop 30 on the Ravens, at home?
The Broncos may have scored 21 offensively, but it could have been more had the special teams not stepped up. We don't know. What we do know is that the offense dropped over 30 points to win a game in 2 OT against the leagues fourth best defense.
The Patriots game was the most complete game of the playoffs. The defense held strong, but look at how much Joe Flacco turned it on. Something about Foxborough brings out the best in him. Joe and the offense were stellar.
The Ravens offense still put up 27, and you cannot argue that. 34 points is usually enough to win by a fair margin, but the defense did allow the 49ersto crawl back in and march all the way down the field. The only reason the defense didn't blow it is because the offense played so well.
I don't think anyone is saying the offense was always perfect, but Ray's comments were off base. Those wins were a team win.

COMPLETELY AGREE.  If you look on one of the previous pages that is what I've said.  During the run EVERYONE did what they needed to do.  I know most will look at the the Pats game as the most complete and I find it true to an extent.   If not for the 2 STs TDs I would say the Denver game was the most complete game.  Offense kept us in, while the defense held strong and then Tucker was able to put it away.

 

The defense didn't always bail him out and the problem is that he won his second ring on one of the offenses best years so his comments look stupid to some.  I get it.

[flynismo]

No wonder you think Ray deserves so much heat - You're twisting his words ... When did he say your last sentence? People have to remove in their minds what they THINK Ray said and go back and read his quotes. What did he say that was so bad? He's paid to tell the truth and give is opinion. What he said is a perfectly reasonable opinion. Why is everybody up in arms about it?

The Sweet Pea was a metaphor for Lewis's self promotion when he talks about how we lack leadership since he is no longer there. In his defense, he also included Reed.
He is entitled to his opinion like anyone else is, no matter how self righteous the opinion may be.

[Tru11]

 

 

 

Stop making excuses for them.

 

First, let's be clear, we were referring to our playoff run where our defense allowed the most points ever during a successful playoff run. The most points ever.

 

Second, in regards to this season, I'd like to see figures where our defense ranks in the last 5 minutes of the 4th quarter. I'd wager a bet it's pretty low. In the majority of our losses, we've held TOP so I see no reason our defense should be gassed.

 

 I'll say it again since none of the defense apologists have responded, why is the offense required to play perfectly and all 4 quarters, but the defense is not?

 

As for claiming that because someone dares to criticize Ray Lewis they are not a Ravens fan...do I get to expand that to include all the Flacco bashing going on? Just wondering.

 

 

im sorry but the defense has carried this franchise since forever.

maybe thats why they get alot more credit then the offense.

 

im not sure why some of you think that the offense ans defense are on even terms here.

 

its also funny that all you can bring up the last 5 minutes of a game lol.

you do realise when we look at the WHOLE game its 9 out of 10 times the defense that shows up the most.

 

now lets break down the SB run.

 

Colts 9 points nuff said about the defense.

 

Denver: 21 points they gave up but they did score a TD and not to mention got the the crucial INT after the ravens offense failed to get in scoring position in over time.

Not to mention it was the defense that got the ball back so the offense had 1 last shot for that crucial hail mary.

Only people who look at the scoreboard are fooled into thinking the defense was terrible ............

If there is anyone to blame for the score its the special teams.

 

Patriots: the #1 scoring offense. defense gave up 13 points and forced 2 int and 1 crucial fumble.

come on give credit where credit is due.

 

SB niners: gave up 31 points.

Intresting note is that at half time the defense only gave up 6 points and dont forget the ed reed pick which lead to a failed fake FG conversion.

 

2nd half:

now 2nd half started with a jones KR and when the niners had the ball the light got cut out.

after delay the niners did get the best of the defense and put up points.

ravens then went 3 and out and bad special teams had the niners on the ravens 20. ( really want to blame the defense for this?)

ravens next drive was a rice fumble inside the ravens 30 , defense held them to a FG which was first missed but then converted after a PEN ( yeah blame the defense lol)

ravens then had a drive that ended in a FG but the niners did get big play after big play and scored quick( okay bad defense)

now do i even have to mention the niners last drive???

 

you can blame the defense for 2 bad drives after the power outage but in fairness the offense had 2 FG, an fumble and an 3 and out deep in own territory after the outage as well.

 

really the defense played alot better in 4 games then most of you are willing to admid.

 

And seriously to place a 4 game run on the same pedistal as a 17 year HOF bound career is mind blowing.

the Defense had build up more then enough credit to have a let down the the offense and no matter how anyone wants to spin it the defense has been the 1 consistent factor since the ravens where founded.

 

Also not everyone person has to agree with ray lewis but bashing a defense that defines this franchise and acting like they had nothing to do with the SB win last season is just wrong.

 

played 2 of the best QBs ever and the 2 best scoring offense and the defense limited them and forced a bunch of turnovers.

say what you want but they played great.

 

the SB the defense played great till the outage but after it they where bad but so was the offense so no idea why people put blame on them alone

most forget the last niners drive where they forced a failed 4th down lol.

 

im sorry but as great as flacco played in those 4 games, ray lewis and the defense has done it for most of the 17 seasons and they also did it in those 4 game stretch.

 

they deserve alot more credit and praise then joe flacco and the offense.

[redrum52]

im sorry but the defense has carried this franchise since forever.

maybe thats why they get alot more credit then the offense.

 

im not sure why some of you think that the offense ans defense are on even terms here.

 

its also funny that all you can bring up the last 5 minutes of a game lol.

you do realise when we look at the WHOLE game its 9 out of 10 times the defense that shows up the most.

 

now lets break down the SB run.

 

Colts 9 points nuff said about the defense.

 

Denver: 21 points they gave up but they did score a TD and not to mention got the the crucial INT after the ravens offense failed to get in scoring position in over time.

Not to mention it was the defense that got the ball back so the offense had 1 last shot for that crucial hail mary.

Only people who look at the scoreboard are fooled into thinking the defense was terrible ............

If there is anyone to blame for the score its the special teams.

 

Patriots: the #1 scoring offense. defense gave up 13 points and forced 2 int and 1 crucial fumble.

come on give credit where credit is due.

 

SB niners: gave up 31 points.

Intresting note is that at half time the defense only gave up 6 points and dont forget the ed reed pick which lead to a failed fake FG conversion.

 

2nd half:

now 2nd half started with a jones KR and when the niners had the ball the light got cut out.

after delay the niners did get the best of the defense and put up points.

ravens then went 3 and out and bad special teams had the niners on the ravens 20. ( really want to blame the defense for this?)

ravens next drive was a rice fumble inside the ravens 30 , defense held them to a FG which was first missed but then converted after a PEN ( yeah blame the defense lol)

ravens then had a drive that ended in a FG but the niners did get big play after big play and scored quick( okay bad defense)

now do i even have to mention the niners last drive???

 

you can blame the defense for 2 bad drives after the power outage but in fairness the offense had 2 FG, an fumble and an 3 and out deep in own territory after the outage as well.

 

really the defense played alot better in 4 games then most of you are willing to admid.

 

And seriously to place a 4 game run on the same pedistal as a 17 year HOF bound career is mind blowing.

the Defense had build up more then enough credit to have a let down the the offense and no matter how anyone wants to spin it the defense has been the 1 consistent factor since the ravens where founded.

 

Also not everyone person has to agree with ray lewis but bashing a defense that defines this franchise and acting like they had nothing to do with the SB win last season is just wrong.

 

played 2 of the best QBs ever and the 2 best scoring offense and the defense limited them and forced a bunch of turnovers.

say what you want but they played great.

 

the SB the defense played great till the outage but after it they where bad but so was the offense so no idea why people put blame on them alone

most forget the last niners drive where they forced a failed 4th down lol.

 

im sorry but as great as flacco played in those 4 games, ray lewis and the defense has done it for most of the 17 seasons and they also did it in those 4 game stretch.

 

they deserve alot more credit and praise then joe flacco and the offense.

I agree with the D having to play against 2 of the best offenses at home and limiting them, but can't put everything on them.  If he offense doesn't keep up, those efforts mean nothing.  The run was a team victory.  Each game we got help from offense, defense and ST.  

[flynismo]

im sorry but the defense has carried this franchise since forever.
maybe thats why they get alot more credit then the offense.

im not sure why some of you think that the offense ans defense are on even terms here.

its also funny that all you can bring up the last 5 minutes of a game lol.
you do realise when we look at the WHOLE game its 9 out of 10 times the defense that shows up the most.

now lets break down the SB run.

Colts 9 points nuff said about the defense.

Denver: 21 points they gave up but they did score a TD and not to mention got the the crucial INT after the ravens offense failed to get in scoring position in over time.
Not to mention it was the defense that got the ball back so the offense had 1 last shot for that crucial hail mary.
Only people who look at the scoreboard are fooled into thinking the defense was terrible ............
If there is anyone to blame for the score its the special teams.

Patriots: the #1 scoring offense. defense gave up 13 points and forced 2 int and 1 crucial fumble.
come on give credit where credit is due.

SB niners: gave up 31 points.
Intresting note is that at half time the defense only gave up 6 points and dont forget the ed reed pick which lead to a failed fake FG conversion.

2nd half:
now 2nd half started with a jones KR and when the niners had the ball the light got cut out.
after delay the niners did get the best of the defense and put up points.
ravens then went 3 and out and bad special teams had the niners on the ravens 20. ( really want to blame the defense for this?)
ravens next drive was a rice fumble inside the ravens 30 , defense held them to a FG which was first missed but then converted after a PEN ( yeah blame the defense lol)
ravens then had a drive that ended in a FG but the niners did get big play after big play and scored quick( okay bad defense)
now do i even have to mention the niners last drive???

you can blame the defense for 2 bad drives after the power outage but in fairness the offense had 2 FG, an fumble and an 3 and out deep in own territory after the outage as well.

really the defense played alot better in 4 games then most of you are willing to admid.

And seriously to place a 4 game run on the same pedistal as a 17 year HOF bound career is mind blowing.
the Defense had build up more then enough credit to have a let down the the offense and no matter how anyone wants to spin it the defense has been the 1 consistent factor since the ravens where founded.

Also not everyone person has to agree with ray lewis but bashing a defense that defines this franchise and acting like they had nothing to do with the SB win last season is just wrong.

played 2 of the best QBs ever and the 2 best scoring offense and the defense limited them and forced a bunch of turnovers.
say what you want but they played great.

the SB the defense played great till the outage but after it they where bad but so was the offense so no idea why people put blame on them alone
most forget the last niners drive where they forced a failed 4th down lol.

im sorry but as great as flacco played in those 4 games, ray lewis and the defense has done it for most of the 17 seasons and they also did it in those 4 game stretch.

they deserve alot more credit and praise then joe flacco and the offense.

Bottom line is, you are completely missing the point of the discussion. The defense has been bailed out by the offense just as much as the offense by the defense over the past four years. For Lewis to say otherwise is an arrogant and completely untrue thing to say.

[flynismo]

Aqua Bolding didn't call Flacco the most talented quarterback he'd played with for nothing.

Yeah but Ray is Ray, so his opinion overrides Birks opinion, Boldin's opinion, Clark's opinion (who said that Flacco was a primary reason he came to Baltimore), and all those players who voted Flacco as one of the top 20 players in the NFL.

[flynismo]

The defense didn't always bail him out and the problem is that he won his second ring on one of the offenses best years so his comments look stupid to some. I get it.

I'm glad at least some people can comprehend why his comments offend people's common sense. Just because we think his comments were ridiculous does not mean we suddenly hate him or do not appreciate what he has meant to our franchise.

[PurpleCityLights]

Most of us probably had high hopes after he handled Gino Atkins pretty well in week 17. Let's be honest. He has the potential to be good, but center is a hard position to excel at early because it requires so much knowledge. Gino has had his ups and downs, but hasn't Marshall Yanda had a lot more downs than ups this season? The offensive line as a whole has struggled a lot at times.

Not at all........Yanda is hurt plus he has to do Gino's job by calling out Fronts for him.

[flaccopoe]

I'm none debating. Who won us the ring last year? Certainly not the defense... if I had to choose a side.

You're back!!!

[funky141]

Seems like the same o' Flaccopogist up in arms again.    

Im just laughing @ how ridiculous Flacco homers will remember when its all said and done.  Ray Lewis helped build this franchise into what it is now.   A sure 1st ballot HOF.   No one can doubt what he has done for this town for football.   Go ahead and insult the guy just so you can serve your fandom of being a Flacco fan.  

 

One thing about Ray is that he always spoke the truth.  No sugar coating or anything.  He was a professional as a football player, and now he is a professional as an analyst.   If you can't take the heat, just shut up and keep your mouth shut.   Don't insult Ray just b/c you got your feelings hurt being told Flacco isn't doing well.

Agree 100 %

 

Ray Lewis quote below in my opinion is also correct.

Lewis said that in order for Flacco to flourish, the offense needs more balance with a successful running attack, meaning Flacco can’t carry the offense all on his own.

“There’s no real balance that [the] Baltimore Ravens have right now and they want to make Joe Flacco – they gave him $100 million, I understand that – they want to make Joe Flacco a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. He’s not that type of guy. He’s a system type of guy that if you have the balance – that you have running the ball, doing the things you need to do – then Joe Flacco excels.”

[flynismo]

You know what I find ironic about Rays comments of Flacco being a system guy?

Who was the one who begged the FO to draft Ngata in 2006 so that he could have clean lanes to make plays? Was Bart Scott not the guy who played clean up and took on lead blockers for Ray to come in and finish the play? Did Ray not enjoy having an arsenal of talented players around him, especially in his prime? Did this team not play better in his absence over the past few years?

[flynismo]

Agree 100 %
 
Ray Lewis quote below in my opinion is also correct.
Lewis said that in order for Flacco to flourish, the offense needs more balance with a successful running attack, meaning Flacco can’t carry the offense all on his own.
“There’s no real balance that [the] Baltimore Ravens have right now and they want to make Joe Flacco – they gave him $100 million, I understand that – they want to make Joe Flacco a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. He’s not that type of guy. He’s a system type of guy that if you have the balance – that you have running the ball, doing the things you need to do – then Joe Flacco excels.”

No more of a system guy than Luck is.

[Militant X 1]

I don't understand why people turned on Ed, but Ray is bringing this on himself. I love him to death, see my sig....but he deserves all the heat he gets. As the face of this franchise for so long, a little bit of loyalty to the people who carried him to retirement the right way isn't much to ask for. Instead, we get to hear about how Sweet Pea never would have happened if he were there. Riiight...

Great way to put it Fly and I definitely agree with you there!

 

#Mili

[gabefergy]

There was a stat put out there on twitter last week about how certain QBs fare when their defense allows a lot of points, it was an arbitrary number, set at 25 points. Tom Brady has a very good record in these scenarrios, close .500 and is the best of any current QB and probably any modern QB. The second best was Andrew Luck, in his young career he has 5-6 in this scenario. Next on the list? Joe Flacco. He is 9-12 when he D allows 25+ points? So who exactly is bailing out who? Granted he hasn't had to overcome such deficits often, which is a credit to the D, but when they have been bad, Flacco has been at his best. Most QBs are in the 20-25% range when it comes to winning these types of games. A few Notables are even worse...Kyle Boller had 0 wins when his team gave up 25 points. Its a credit to Flacco to stop up to the plate when the D is not at its best.

[PeRK82]

Not sure if anyone else has said but i will.

 

R.Lewis just doesnt do it for me as a sports analyst, he is just horrid.  I know he is new but its BAD. You can tell he doesnt look comfortable and every time he talks , it looks like he is second guessing himself. And all of his statements about the RAVENS are made so he doesnt look like a Homer.

 

I dont think he will get a contract extension.

[ravensfan520]

Ray Lewis made yet another comment about the Ravens, but it always seems to come back to him. First it was that the Sweet Pea incident doesn't happen if he's there, and now it's this. I really like Ray, but it seems like EVERYTHING is about him. He's always talking about guys and I frequently here, "If I was there, it would be this way." I don't mind the gesture, but when Ray whipped out his credit card to offer to pay for Ahmad Brooks fine, I think it was more him trying to be in the spotlight than anything else. That just annoys me.
Here are his recent comments about Ray Lewis.

"W
hen I was playing with Joe Flacco, Joe Flacco wasmaking these same mistakes
back then, but our defense always found a way to bail him out," Lewis said during ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown.

Lewis said that in order for Flacco to flourish, the offense needs more balance with a successful running attack, meaning Flacco can’t carry the offense all on his own.
“There’s no real balance that [the] Baltimore Ravens have right now and they want to make Joe Flacco – they gave him $100 million, I understand that – they want to make Joe Flacco a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. He’s not that type of guy. He’s a system type of guy that if you have the balance – that you have running the ball, doing the things you need to do – then Joe Flacco excels.”
Well, this could not be any more wrong to me. First, Joe never made these high risk throws in the past, that I saw. He was always very careful, but this season I see a Joe Flacco that's trying to do way too much and he's forcing throws. I don't think these are the same throws and mistakes. Secondly, does Ray not remember that it was Flacco who led the Ravens to the Super Bowl in his absence and carried the team in the playoffs? Ray actually held the defense back last year, and Flacco pulled that team along.
Now, as for his comments about the "elite quarterbacks who don't need a supporting cast", that's a bunch of crap to me.
Tom Brady put up his best numbers from 2007 on. What happened in 2007? He added Wes Welker and Randy Moss to his lineup. He also added Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez not too much later. Just happens to get better after that, right? No, he got much better supporting cast players. From '07-'11, Brady had two top 10 running games and ranked outside of the top 15 once and that was '11 where the Patriots scored the third most rushing touchdowns in the NFL. In '12, Brady also had the 7th ranked run offense. Did Brady sacrifice defense? Nope. From '07-'12, the Patriots defense ranked inside the top 10 five times and never ranked outside the top 15 in terms of points per game given up. That's pretty incredible. Brady also had the first, second, and sixth ranked defenses when he won the Super Bowl. So, Brady breaks out in '07, but he always had a great defense and running game from then on out. It just so happens that his receivers this year drop off in talent and he's abysmal until Gronkowski gets back.
Peyton Manning may have never had the great offensive lines or defenses, but he still had Edgerin James as a major offensive weapon at running back, and while the numbers didn't show a high octane running attack (much like the Ravens), he still had a great running back to help balance out the attack. Know how many Super Bowls he won without Edgerin James? Zero. He also played much of his career with Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark. When he goes to Denver, he still has a balanced running attack, but he adds a great defense, the best offensive line in the NFL, Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Wes Welker, and Eric Decker. That's insane. Remember, Jim Irsay did say that he thought Peyton Manning would win more IF HE HAD BETTER PIECES AROUND HIM.
Aaron Rodgers never had the greatest running games, but he played with Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb at various points. He also had Jermichael Finley. He always had amazing receivers and way too many weapons to even be considered fair at all. When he won the Super Bowl, he had the number two defense in terms of points per game allowed. Not to mention that he also has only had an offensive line rank outside the top 10 once since 2008, including the 3rd ranked offensive line in 2010. His worked offensive line was in 2009, but wasn't that the Super Bowl run where the Packers dealt with like 13 IR'd players? Or was that a year later?
Look, I'm not saying that Joe is playing great or that he's doing the best he can because he isn't, but there is no such thing as a quarterback who can "carry the team" all by himself. Every team needs some pieces in place to do great things.

Note: Just found out that the defense gave up 10 fourth quarter leads last year, but Flacco and the Ravens still went 12-4. That is carrying your team.

This was a lot to read so if I missed something I am sorry... but I will talk about the one thing I did read... Flacco did make a lot of those mistake throws but it wasn't the defense that bailed him out it was the WRs. Flacco followers will say that he placed the ball where only his guy could get it... but he is still making the exact throws but without WRs or tes that can out muscle or go up and get it they become ints. And yes Flacco is a system guy... he needs the offense to work for him to succeed. If the running game was working the passing game would open up more. He isn't the type of guy who can see the field and make adjustments like Brady or manning... he does have a better arm but lacks the football knowledge to change the game. Even when he does audible out most of the time the outcome doesn't get any better. He truely needs a reliable go to guy that he can rely on... right now he doesn't have it.

[Ravenseconbeast]

You know what I find ironic about Rays comments of Flacco being a system guy?
Who was the one who begged the FO to draft Ngata in 2006 so that he could have clean lanes to make plays? Was Bart Scott not the guy who played clean up and took on lead blockers for Ray to come in and finish the play? Did Ray not enjoy having an arsenal of talented players around him, especially in his prime? Did this team not play better in his absence over the past few years?

Ray Lewis played like a HOF for a decade before ngata ever stepped in. A decade. He won dpoy in 2000 & 2003 so his 'prime' was his earlier years.

I think you are overlooking way too much of what ray has done. The only year to really see his decline was last year, and you can argue it couldve been his torn arm.

[H8R]

There was a stat put out there on twitter last week about how certain QBs fare when their defense allows a lot of points, it was an arbitrary number, set at 25 points. Tom Brady has a very good record in these scenarrios, close .500 and is the best of any current QB and probably any modern QB. The second best was Andrew Luck, in his young career he has 5-6 in this scenario. Next on the list? Joe Flacco. He is 9-12 when he D allows 25+ points? So who exactly is bailing out who? Granted he hasn't had to overcome such deficits often, which is a credit to the D, but when they have been bad, Flacco has been at his best. Most QBs are in the 20-25% range when it comes to winning these types of games. A few Notables are even worse...Kyle Boller had 0 wins when his team gave up 25 points. Its a credit to Flacco to stop up to the plate when the D is not at its best.

 

 

Interesting point. Also, to piggyback... we're considered to have a bottom tier offense... So, for us to even be in those games speaks to what Flacco can do.

[flynismo]

Ray Lewis played like a HOF for a decade before ngata ever stepped in. A decade. He won dpoy in 2000 & 2003 so his 'prime' was his earlier years.I think you are overlooking way too much of what ray has done. The only year to really see his decline was last year, and you can argue it couldve been his torn arm.

I'm not debating Ray's status, in fact I am not even saying anything other than Ray had far more talent helping him than Flacco ever will, and since forever we have been known as a LB factory, since our scheme and glutton of talent made even guys like Hartwell look good, but yet he thinks Flacco is the one who is a system guy.

[funky141]

No more of a system guy than Luck is.

I don't think so..

[funky141]

Ray Lewis played like a HOF for a decade before ngata ever stepped in. A decade. He won dpoy in 2000 & 2003 so his 'prime' was his earlier years.

I think you are overlooking way too much of what ray has done. The only year to really see his decline was last year, and you can argue it couldve been his torn arm.

Ray was and always will be the best. Ray speaks the truth..

[flynismo]

I don't think so..

You wouldn't. Talk to me after Luck has accomplished something.

[H8R]

How about this? All of the "modern greats'  NEED a Running game to win a Bowl... Think about it.. Brady, Brees, Rodgers, even Manning.. They HAD to have a run game to get the job done. Its all in how your team is built. All I can say is, no matter what.. The best years of defense ( barring 2000 ) for the Ravens werent even enough to get them to the second round of the playoffs. Flacco stabilized the position and has done a good job of producing at a high level.