10 Reasons Why We'll Be Back in the Playoffs Next Year

[JoeyFlex5]

discuss it all you want, but the REAL reason we will be back in the playoffs, is #1. joe flacco with a supporting cast that is at least mediocre(instead of awful) will carry this team to the postseason. our defense has been rebuilt, and if we give our defense a chance to play with a lead more often, then the 4th quarter collapses wont happen. 

[JoeyFlex5]

No but some of the "reasons" seem like excuses for the mediocre year we had. San Fran was in the Super Bowl last year and got a tough schedule but they were back in the NFC Championship game this season. Playing easier teams might help you get to the playoffs, but does it actually prepare you for them? If you beat the good teams, maybe you are more battle tested. I also don't put much stock in the "hangover" theory either. In the 70's, how come the Steelers never suffered that Super Bowl hangover? Lastly, injuries happen to many teams, we suffered a lot last year too, and Seattle had their share this year. You have to win, even with the injuries.

 

I agree with a lot of your points, which may increase our chances (for example some of the younger players getting more playing experience last season and us drafting a little higher this season), but we got work to do. I was disappointed in the play of a few guys last season and IMHO some are better than that. Honestly, I would like to see some more fight this coming season.

the 70s were a different time where FA and salary cap didnt make it so hard for GM's to maintain a championship roster. after the first super bowl half that steel curtain defense probably wouldve fell apart if they played in this generation

[3-4ravdef509]

No but some of the "reasons" seem like excuses for the mediocre year we had. San Fran was in the Super Bowl last year and got a tough schedule but they were back in the NFC Championship game this season. Playing easier teams might help you get to the playoffs, but does it actually prepare you for them? If you beat the good teams, maybe you are more battle tested. I also don't put much stock in the "hangover" theory either. In the 70's, how come the Steelers never suffered that Super Bowl hangover? Lastly, injuries happen to many teams, we suffered a lot last year too, and Seattle had their share this year. You have to win, even with the injuries.

 

I agree with a lot of your points, which may increase our chances (for example some of the younger players getting more playing experience last season and us drafting a little higher this season), but we got work to do. I was disappointed in the play of a few guys last season and IMHO some are better than that. Honestly, I would like to see some more fight this coming season.

 

Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but there's a reason why we haven't had a repeat champion since the 2003-04 Patriots. In fact, most Superbowl winners miss the playoffs the following year or are one and done in the playoffs. Part of it is salary cap limitations and getting a tougher schedule, and other teams gunning for you to be sure. But there are several players who definitely suffered from hangover symptoms. The most obvious is Flacco. While the rest of the offense sucked just as hard, Flacco clearly forced more throws than he' ever forced and made a lot of decisions that I think we're based on a false sense of security from playing so well in the post season and Superbowl. Tying Joe Montana's record I'm sure gave Joe the thought process that he's one of those qbs that can just make any throw anytime anywhere. I think to a certain extent he got cocky. Most of our returning players, and even some of the new ones seemed to almost take for granted that we'd win enough games to make the playoffs. By the time reality sunk in, we were in a hole just too big to climb of.

 

And the easier schedule will help us get to the playoffs. I didn't say it would prepare us for the playoffs, that's a completely different conversation. My post was about making the playoffs, not how well we'll do once we're there. To that point you may be right, but there are still some challenges on our schedule to be sure.

 

Nothing is black and white, but I believe in what I said as it relates to this team moving forward.

[cobrajet]

Well, you're entitled to your opinion, but there's a reason why we haven't had a repeat champion since the 2003-04 Patriots. In fact, most Superbowl winners miss the playoffs the following year or are one and done in the playoffs. Part of it is salary cap limitations and getting a tougher schedule, and other teams gunning for you to be sure. But there are several players who definitely suffered from hangover symptoms. The most obvious is Flacco. While the rest of the offense sucked just as hard, Flacco clearly forced more throws than he' ever forced and made a lot of decisions that I think we're based on a false sense of security from playing so well in the post season and Superbowl. Tying Joe Montana's record I'm sure gave Joe the thought process that he's one of those qbs that can just make any throw anytime anywhere. I think to a certain extent he got cocky. Most of our returning players, and even some of the new ones seemed to almost take for granted that we'd win enough games to make the playoffs. By the time reality sunk in, we were in a hole just too big to climb of.

 

And the easier schedule will help us get to the playoffs. I didn't say it would prepare us for the playoffs, that's a completely different conversation. My post was about making the playoffs, not how well we'll do once we're there. To that point you may be right, but there are still some challenges on our schedule to be sure.

 

Nothing is black and white, but I believe in what I said as it relates to this team moving forward.

I respect that and IMHO, I think we will be better this coming season. I am excited over some of the coaching changes and looking forward to seeing how Ozzie will enhance our struggling offense.

[Guest Moderator 6]

We have the 5th easiest schedule this coming year.  If you assume nothing changed from last year, we will be in the playoffs next year.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24446032/nfl-strength-of-schedule-raiders-at-no-1-colts-at-no-32

[The Mom Gene]

You guys gotta remember too...  Yes we lost Lewis, Reed, Kruger, Ellerbe, McClain (injury), Birk, etc... what was it?  9 starters?...  Sure, we picked up Caity, Smith, Huff (bust), Spears (bust), along with Elam... then face the schedule and not to mention a severely bad running game, partially due to a bad o-line...  I was thinking we would be so much better than we did...  but hey... C'est.La Vie.  On to 2014.

[52520Andrew]

All I know about last season is that I will never underestimate the Center position again. If we get good play at Center, then I think we will be right back in the hunt. The question is will we?

[Bravens292]

We have the 5th easiest schedule this coming year.  If you assume nothing changed from last year, we will be in the playoffs next year.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24446032/nfl-strength-of-schedule-raiders-at-no-1-colts-at-no-32

 

Thats the exact opposite of last year. We had the 5th most difficult last year. Feels good to not face the top teams this year.

[Cville-Raven]

1. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

2. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

3. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

4. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

5. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

6. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

7. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

8. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

9. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

10.Bengals still have Andy Dalton

[The Mom Gene]

Get us an O-line and I can say ...Two players in my opinion....  Marlon Brown and Torrey Smith.

If we get to keep Jacoby?... Bonus...

[Poes Crows]

Here's my top ten reasons we'll be back in the playoffs next year, in an upwards progressing order or importance.

 

10.) One year removed from losing Raven idols Ray Lewis and Ed Reed

Explanation: If someone told me five years ago we'd be in the playoff race and barely fall short with an 8-8 record the year after we lose both Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, I would have thought that to be a positive. The fact that is followed a Super Bowl victory made it more disappointing in a way, but losing two players like that, especially one who was basically the heart beat of our team, definitely comes with an adjustment period.

 

Uh Huh, the other way to read it is that we were vulnerable at Safety last year and what has changed since then?  We also drafted a middle linebacker on the smallish side that did not really play.  It may be there is no improvement or even further regression in those areas. Daryl Smith may not be back.

 

9.) Young players learning from valuable starting time

Explanation: Players like Elam, Brown, Smith, the other Brown, etc got a lot of good and bad experiences to build upon this year. Hopefully we get a true FS and put Elam in the SS spot where he's more suited. Marlon could be poised for a breakout season next year. And Smith is playing like the shutdown corner he was in college.

 

It's very hard for this fan to adopt the "Safety out of Position" argument.  It's a concept that doesn't inspire confidence. Our corner strength is one of our stronger attributes and it hide the safety weakness. It will be very surprising if other teams don't take more deep gains over the top against us next year.

 

8.) Hangover will wear off.

Explanation: I'm sure for the players who were retained from that winning roster, they probably thought things were going to pan out differently. I'm not suggesting that they didn't put in their all, but I'm saying nothing prepares you for being at the top and then having to defend that position with everyone gunning at you more than ever.

 

Hmmm....not really following the hangover concept at all.

 

7.) Mediocrity in the AFC

Explanation: The most dominant team in the AFC got blown out in the Super Bowl...nuff said. Eisenberg wrote a good article about it after the Superbowl, and we're poised to make a comeback because we're going to be (see #6)

 

Interesting, the mediocre teams in the AFC Championship both had their way with us.

 

6.) Reinventing our offense

Explanation: I love Joe, but we rarely win when he throws it all over the place. The truth is, he and the rest of the team play better when we're focused on being a physical, wear you out offense that can throw an 80 yard bomb over your heads at a moment's notice. After how bad the running game was last year, I'd be shocked to see Ozzie not target offensive lineman and maybe even a running back in the middle rounds of the draft to put a notice out to Rice and Pierce that nothing is set in stone. But the improvement won't just come from new players, but from our new OC as well.

 

The key being if we retain both our Tackles and whether Osemele returns to form from surgery, as well as, whether we step up the play at center. That's a lot of ifs. Not to mention the lack of a genuine 3rd down conversion receiver.

 

5.) Missing playoffs will make our seasoned vets hungry again

Explanation: Well, duh.

 

And as K-dog added: "If any thing I will add to number five and that MOST of the team is pissed about an 8-8 record last year."

 

One could argue we were fortunate to finish 8-8 and rarely has a Championship winner played so erratically in the year following the Championship.

 

4.) Hopefully a healthy roster

The most overlooked story last year, largely overshadowed by our underwhelming offense (no run game and Joe being sloppy with the ball), was how many critical injuries we incurred. Jones, Pitta, Dickson, Brown, Rice, and other players missed anywhere from major time to at least a few weeks. Ngata again played hurt all year and Suggs fizzled out after week 10.

 

Agreed here. Avoiding the injury bugaboo could move us up some, as could drafting wisely. We'll see.

 

3.) In Ozzie we trust

 

If any other General Manager had made the mistakes Oz made last year, he'd be history.  There's little trust remaining and he's on notice regarding Bisciottis watch list if one has been paying attention.

 

2.) Softer Schedule, better Draft selection.

Explanation: There's a reason most teams don't make the playoffs five years in a row with three conference final appearances and a Super Bowl win: the league makes it hard. It finally caught up to us, but with the softer schedule and picking below 20 for the first time since the draft that nabbed Flacco and Rice, we're primed for a rebound.

 

The schedule does not look that soft from this perspective, agree a good draft is essential, but we've been hit and miss in the draft for a number of years now.

 

1.) Joe Flacco. He had a tough year, but all things considering it could have been worse. Only Rodgers could have stepped in and played better, and that's a fact. Brady could have played better, but not with our coaching staff. Manning would have been injured 3 games in. Brees needs a good running game as much as Flacco does. Nay sayers be gone, Joe Flacco is what he is, and that's a championship caliber qb and I'm sure he's taking this offseason seriously to take time to hone his craft and prove that playoff run wasn't a fluke.

 

Flacco threw 19 TD's to 23 Picks for the lowest rating of his career.  He must step it up for us to have any chance of reaching the playoffs. To this view the greatest chance of that is to reestablish a bona fide running attack with an offensive line that is currently in shambles.

[The Raven]

1. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

2. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

3. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

4. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

5. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

6. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

7. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

8. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

9. Bengals still have Andy Dalton

10.Bengals still have Andy Dalton

 

11. The reason we weren't in the playoffs this year is because of the Bengals and Andy Dalton, just pointing that out. They did beat us week 17, after all.

[Cville-Raven]

11. The reason we weren't in the playoffs this year is because of the Bengals and Andy Dalton, just pointing that out. They did beat us week 17, after all.

Yes they did beat us but that was hardly because of Dalton. This year I see us sweeping them without Gruden and their DC. I mean the guy threw what...like 8 ints against us in two game, he is terrible.

[3-4ravdef509]

 

Here's my top ten reasons we'll be back in the playoffs next year, in an upwards progressing order or importance.

 

10.) One year removed from losing Raven idols Ray Lewis and Ed Reed

Explanation: If someone told me five years ago we'd be in the playoff race and barely fall short with an 8-8 record the year after we lose both Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, I would have thought that to be a positive. The fact that is followed a Super Bowl victory made it more disappointing in a way, but losing two players like that, especially one who was basically the heart beat of our team, definitely comes with an adjustment period.

 

Uh Huh, the other way to read it is that we were vulnerable at Safety last year and what has changed since then?  We also drafted a middle linebacker on the smallish side that did not really play.  It may be there is no improvement or even further regression in those areas. Daryl Smith may not be back.

 

That's a fair point. I was speaking more to their losses from a leadership and emotional impact. Their actual play was missed mainly in crunch times. The defense played well statistically, but in crucial moments would collapse. Also, there was no one to match wits with the high caliber quarterbacks anymore, thus Manning and Brady had their way with us in two separate blow outs. But tbh, I thought as a whole the defense out performed expectations, or at least my expectations.

 

9.) Young players learning from valuable starting time

Explanation: Players like Elam, Brown, Smith, the other Brown, etc got a lot of good and bad experiences to build upon this year. Hopefully we get a true FS and put Elam in the SS spot where he's more suited. Marlon could be poised for a breakout season next year. And Smith is playing like the shutdown corner he was in college.

 

It's very hard for this fan to adopt the "Safety out of Position" argument.  It's a concept that doesn't inspire confidence. Our corner strength is one of our stronger attributes and it hide the safety weakness. It will be very surprising if other teams don't take more deep gains over the top against us next year.

 

Idk why it's a hard argument for you to adopt. He's clearly a Bernard Pollard type safety, a hard hitting run support guy. He clearly belongs at SS instead of FS.

Other than that I agree, we are very vulnerable to the big play, and it showed down the stretch. We also have no answer for covering bigger TEs over the middle. I would like to point out though that there's no such thing as a team that is good at everything. You have to maximize your strengths, try to mask your weaknesses and pray for a little luck to win in this league.

 

8.) Hangover will wear off.

Explanation: I'm sure for the players who were retained from that winning roster, they probably thought things were going to pan out differently. I'm not suggesting that they didn't put in their all, but I'm saying nothing prepares you for being at the top and then having to defend that position with everyone gunning at you more than ever.

 

Hmmm....not really following the hangover concept at all.

 

Let me rephrase: After you win and are crowned world champion, ever professionals will let that to some extent go to their heads. The effort was there, but it was no where near the amount of effort and passion and sweat and blood that the 2012 Ravens exuded on their championship run. The heart of the lion is still there, but his mane was shaved and claws clipped in a matter of speaking. (That might have been a terrible metaphor, but hey, I said 10 points and I needed 10 points! lol. ) 

 

7.) Mediocrity in the AFC

Explanation: The most dominant team in the AFC got blown out in the Super Bowl...nuff said. Eisenberg wrote a good article about it after the Superbowl, and we're poised to make a comeback because we're going to be (see #6)

 

Interesting, the mediocre teams in the AFC Championship both had their way with us.

 

....but the afc champion got blown out by the Nfc champion...my logic still stands.

The pecking order in the AFC is the Broncos, the Pats, and then a major drop off down to the Chiefs, Colts, and then basically everyone else is on an even playing field. In the NFC, you have the hawks, the Saints, the niners, the eagles and the packers who are all better than pretty much every team in the AFC, and then the Cowboys who are better than 90% of the AFC. Heck, the Vikings took a lot of good teams down to the wire, even us remember? (Not that we were a good team, but you get my point)

 

6.) Reinventing our offense

Explanation: I love Joe, but we rarely win when he throws it all over the place. The truth is, he and the rest of the team play better when we're focused on being a physical, wear you out offense that can throw an 80 yard bomb over your heads at a moment's notice. After how bad the running game was last year, I'd be shocked to see Ozzie not target offensive lineman and maybe even a running back in the middle rounds of the draft to put a notice out to Rice and Pierce that nothing is set in stone. But the improvement won't just come from new players, but from our new OC as well.

 

The key being if we retain both our Tackles and whether Osemele returns to form from surgery, as well as, whether we step up the play at center. That's a lot of ifs. Not to mention the lack of a genuine 3rd down conversion receiver.

 

Pitta and Brown together I think could make up for the loss of Boldin, assuming we don't find another option to throw into the mix. The o-line can't get much worse, and Ozzie hasn't a perfect track record, but I know we won't put another squad out there next year with an o-line as bad as last year's.

 

 

5.) Missing playoffs will make our seasoned vets hungry again

Explanation: Well, duh.

 

And as K-dog added: "If any thing I will add to number five and that MOST of the team is pissed about an 8-8 record last year."

 

One could argue we were fortunate to finish 8-8 and rarely has a Championship winner played so erratically in the year following the Championship.

 

One could say we always play like that (erratically) and we just had some bad breaks. We never play really well in the regular season, it's usually more of a "good enough" ugly winning style.

 

4.) Hopefully a healthy roster

The most overlooked story last year, largely overshadowed by our underwhelming offense (no run game and Joe being sloppy with the ball), was how many critical injuries we incurred. Jones, Pitta, Dickson, Brown, Rice, and other players missed anywhere from major time to at least a few weeks. Ngata again played hurt all year and Suggs fizzled out after week 10.

 

Agreed here. Avoiding the injury bugaboo could move us up some, as could drafting wisely. We'll see.

 

3.) In Ozzie we trust

 

If any other General Manager had made the mistakes Oz made last year, he'd be history.  There's little trust remaining and he's on notice regarding Bisciottis watch list if one has been paying attention.

 

Oz is allowed to make mistakes because he hits more than he misses. Stability is better than firing and hiring someone else unproven in most situations (see the Browns)

 

2.) Softer Schedule, better Draft selection.

Explanation: There's a reason most teams don't make the playoffs five years in a row with three conference final appearances and a Super Bowl win: the league makes it hard. It finally caught up to us, but with the softer schedule and picking below 20 for the first time since the draft that nabbed Flacco and Rice, we're primed for a rebound.

 

The schedule does not look that soft from this perspective, agree a good draft is essential, but we've been hit and miss in the draft for a number of years now.

 

I didn't say it was soft, just softer. And all teams are hit and miss...it's not like you know which players are gonna pan out and which ones aren't. There's a factor of uncertainty, and like I said before, we hit more than we miss, especially for picking so late in the draft as often as we do.

 

1.) Joe Flacco. He had a tough year, but all things considering it could have been worse. Only Rodgers could have stepped in and played better, and that's a fact. Brady could have played better, but not with our coaching staff. Manning would have been injured 3 games in. Brees needs a good running game as much as Flacco does. Nay sayers be gone, Joe Flacco is what he is, and that's a championship caliber qb and I'm sure he's taking this offseason seriously to take time to hone his craft and prove that playoff run wasn't a fluke.

 

Flacco threw 19 TD's to 23 Picks for the lowest rating of his career.  He must step it up for us to have any chance of reaching the playoffs. To this view the greatest chance of that is to reestablish a bona fide running attack with an offensive line that is currently in shambles.

 

Agreed. I'm critical of Joe to a fair point. He played poorly last year. One year doesn't define a career, or a person. I feel confident in saying Joe's best years are ahead of him. He's not perfect but the Aaron Rodgers and Brady's of the Nfl aren't exactly grown on trees. With Joe we know what we got at least, and I'll eat crow if I'm wrong, but I can't envision a scenario where Joe doesn't win at least one more Superbowl in his career.

 

[K-Dog]

 

 

Here's my top ten reasons we'll be back in the playoffs next year, in an upwards progressing order or importance.

 

10.) One year removed from losing Raven idols Ray Lewis and Ed Reed

Explanation: If someone told me five years ago we'd be in the playoff race and barely fall short with an 8-8 record the year after we lose both Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, I would have thought that to be a positive. The fact that is followed a Super Bowl victory made it more disappointing in a way, but losing two players like that, especially one who was basically the heart beat of our team, definitely comes with an adjustment period.

 

Uh Huh, the other way to read it is that we were vulnerable at Safety last year and what has changed since then?  We also drafted a middle linebacker on the smallish side that did not really play.  It may be there is no improvement or even further regression in those areas. Daryl Smith may not be back.

 

That's a fair point. I was speaking more to their losses from a leadership and emotional impact. Their actual play was missed mainly in crunch times. The defense played well statistically, but in crucial moments would collapse. Also, there was no one to match wits with the high caliber quarterbacks anymore, thus Manning and Brady had their way with us in two separate blow outs. But tbh, I thought as a whole the defense out performed expectations, or at least my expectations.

 

9.) Young players learning from valuable starting time

Explanation: Players like Elam, Brown, Smith, the other Brown, etc got a lot of good and bad experiences to build upon this year. Hopefully we get a true FS and put Elam in the SS spot where he's more suited. Marlon could be poised for a breakout season next year. And Smith is playing like the shutdown corner he was in college.

 

It's very hard for this fan to adopt the "Safety out of Position" argument.  It's a concept that doesn't inspire confidence. Our corner strength is one of our stronger attributes and it hide the safety weakness. It will be very surprising if other teams don't take more deep gains over the top against us next year.

 

Idk why it's a hard argument for you to adopt. He's clearly a Bernard Pollard type safety, a hard hitting run support guy. He clearly belongs at SS instead of FS.

Other than that I agree, we are very vulnerable to the big play, and it showed down the stretch. We also have no answer for covering bigger TEs over the middle. I would like to point out though that there's no such thing as a team that is good at everything. You have to maximize your strengths, try to mask your weaknesses and pray for a little luck to win in this league.

 

8.) Hangover will wear off.

Explanation: I'm sure for the players who were retained from that winning roster, they probably thought things were going to pan out differently. I'm not suggesting that they didn't put in their all, but I'm saying nothing prepares you for being at the top and then having to defend that position with everyone gunning at you more than ever.

 

Hmmm....not really following the hangover concept at all.

 

Let me rephrase: After you win and are crowned world champion, ever professionals will let that to some extent go to their heads. The effort was there, but it was no where near the amount of effort and passion and sweat and blood that the 2012 Ravens exuded on their championship run. The heart of the lion is still there, but his mane was shaved and claws clipped in a matter of speaking. (That might have been a terrible metaphor, but hey, I said 10 points and I needed 10 points! lol. ) 

 

7.) Mediocrity in the AFC

Explanation: The most dominant team in the AFC got blown out in the Super Bowl...nuff said. Eisenberg wrote a good article about it after the Superbowl, and we're poised to make a comeback because we're going to be (see #6)

 

Interesting, the mediocre teams in the AFC Championship both had their way with us.

 

....but the afc champion got blown out by the Nfc champion...my logic still stands.

The pecking order in the AFC is the Broncos, the Pats, and then a major drop off down to the Chiefs, Colts, and then basically everyone else is on an even playing field. In the NFC, you have the hawks, the Saints, the niners, the eagles and the packers who are all better than pretty much every team in the AFC, and then the Cowboys who are better than 90% of the AFC. Heck, the Vikings took a lot of good teams down to the wire, even us remember? (Not that we were a good team, but you get my point)

 

6.) Reinventing our offense

Explanation: I love Joe, but we rarely win when he throws it all over the place. The truth is, he and the rest of the team play better when we're focused on being a physical, wear you out offense that can throw an 80 yard bomb over your heads at a moment's notice. After how bad the running game was last year, I'd be shocked to see Ozzie not target offensive lineman and maybe even a running back in the middle rounds of the draft to put a notice out to Rice and Pierce that nothing is set in stone. But the improvement won't just come from new players, but from our new OC as well.

 

The key being if we retain both our Tackles and whether Osemele returns to form from surgery, as well as, whether we step up the play at center. That's a lot of ifs. Not to mention the lack of a genuine 3rd down conversion receiver.

 

Pitta and Brown together I think could make up for the loss of Boldin, assuming we don't find another option to throw into the mix. The o-line can't get much worse, and Ozzie hasn't a perfect track record, but I know we won't put another squad out there next year with an o-line as bad as last year's.

 

 

5.) Missing playoffs will make our seasoned vets hungry again

Explanation: Well, duh.

 

And as K-dog added: "If any thing I will add to number five and that MOST of the team is pissed about an 8-8 record last year."

 

One could argue we were fortunate to finish 8-8 and rarely has a Championship winner played so erratically in the year following the Championship.

 

One could say we always play like that (erratically) and we just had some bad breaks. We never play really well in the regular season, it's usually more of a "good enough" ugly winning style.

 

4.) Hopefully a healthy roster

The most overlooked story last year, largely overshadowed by our underwhelming offense (no run game and Joe being sloppy with the ball), was how many critical injuries we incurred. Jones, Pitta, Dickson, Brown, Rice, and other players missed anywhere from major time to at least a few weeks. Ngata again played hurt all year and Suggs fizzled out after week 10.

 

Agreed here. Avoiding the injury bugaboo could move us up some, as could drafting wisely. We'll see.

 

3.) In Ozzie we trust

 

If any other General Manager had made the mistakes Oz made last year, he'd be history.  There's little trust remaining and he's on notice regarding Bisciottis watch list if one has been paying attention.

 

Oz is allowed to make mistakes because he hits more than he misses. Stability is better than firing and hiring someone else unproven in most situations (see the Browns)

 

2.) Softer Schedule, better Draft selection.

Explanation: There's a reason most teams don't make the playoffs five years in a row with three conference final appearances and a Super Bowl win: the league makes it hard. It finally caught up to us, but with the softer schedule and picking below 20 for the first time since the draft that nabbed Flacco and Rice, we're primed for a rebound.

 

The schedule does not look that soft from this perspective, agree a good draft is essential, but we've been hit and miss in the draft for a number of years now.

 

I didn't say it was soft, just softer. And all teams are hit and miss...it's not like you know which players are gonna pan out and which ones aren't. There's a factor of uncertainty, and like I said before, we hit more than we miss, especially for picking so late in the draft as often as we do.

 

1.) Joe Flacco. He had a tough year, but all things considering it could have been worse. Only Rodgers could have stepped in and played better, and that's a fact. Brady could have played better, but not with our coaching staff. Manning would have been injured 3 games in. Brees needs a good running game as much as Flacco does. Nay sayers be gone, Joe Flacco is what he is, and that's a championship caliber qb and I'm sure he's taking this offseason seriously to take time to hone his craft and prove that playoff run wasn't a fluke.

 

Flacco threw 19 TD's to 23 Picks for the lowest rating of his career.  He must step it up for us to have any chance of reaching the playoffs. To this view the greatest chance of that is to reestablish a bona fide running attack with an offensive line that is currently in shambles.

 

Agreed. I'm critical of Joe to a fair point. He played poorly last year. One year doesn't define a career, or a person. I feel confident in saying Joe's best years are ahead of him. He's not perfect but the Aaron Rodgers and Brady's of the Nfl aren't exactly grown on trees. With Joe we know what we got at least, and I'll eat crow if I'm wrong, but I can't envision a scenario where Joe doesn't win at least one more Superbowl in his career.

 

 

 

 

That hurts to read.

[52520Andrew]

That hurts to read.

 

And you decide to quote it lol 

[K-Dog]

And you decide to quote it lol

Yeah I was aware of the irony.

[3-4ravdef509]

That hurts to read.

 

 

Yeah I was aware of the irony.

 

LOL.

 

Moral of the story: no more 10 point threads.

 

Summed up in one point: can't see us staying down for that long. The division alone is wide open, and the conference's only powerhouse looks vulnerable.

[JEEPercreepermd]

If the season started TODAY. We wouldn't be a playoff team.

We have got to plug up that Oline before the offense can get better.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Yes they did beat us but that was hardly because of Dalton. This year I see us sweeping them without Gruden and their DC. I mean the guy threw what...like 8 ints against us in two game, he is terrible.

Agreed. They beat us in week 17 because our team had checked out already. It was obvious halfway through the pats game the week prior that they had quit.

[2triplezero]

1 through 5......If our O-Linemen will play like a well-oiled machine with a blocking scheme that they are familiar with!

6. That Castillio guy must utilize the O-Line talent to the best of their strengths...just like our old O-line coach did for all those years prior to last year's...."bait and switch" operation....there is a reason why the saying: "If It ain't broke....don't fix it!" has a meaning.

7. If OC Kubiak can keep his Offensive unit staff on the same page and firing on all cylinders.

8. If Coach Pees can keep that fire lit under our D-Unit.

9. When our DBs develop a line of communication in that secondary.

10. If and when Joe....the running backs....tight ends.....and receivers play like they are joined at the hip and bouncing to the same rhythm.

When these things are accomplished we will once again be feared and dominate the NFL like the days of old!

As you can see.....I live and breathe PURPLE and BLACK!!! Go-o-o-o-o-o RAVENS!!!!!

[52520Andrew]

Yeah I was aware of the irony.

 

I would hope so but you are not making things any easier lol

[52520Andrew]

Agreed. They beat us in week 17 because our team had checked out already. It was obvious halfway through the pats game the week prior that they had quit.

 

I have to disagree there. We battled back to tie the game and had we won, we would have been in the playoffs. I don't think we would have won the super bowl or even the first game but I think our guys wanted that win. As for the Pats game, yeah they quit on that one once it got too out of hand.