Next up : Patriots

[StingerNLG]

To look at this from a neutral party. I would suggest Buffalo's front 7 as a pretty good unit and they did beat the Pats week 17 and yes the Patriots didn't play that game full strength.

Agree, Brady has played a normal year but not MVP.

 

Healthy Gronk is a huge difference and to not agree with that is a big mistake.

 

O. Daniels is not a great TE, serviceable one but not great.

 

It doesn't matter if S. Smith is not afraid of Revis, Revis is not afraid of him either, wash.

 

You can't expect PI penalties for T. Smith, it's like banking on turnovers are going to happen in the Raven's favor.

 

And Flacco does play well in big games and I expect him to do the same Saturday.

 

there

 

 

Much of my hyperbole was just that, because the guy I was quoting was just as ridiculous.

 

However, I still put our front 7 over Buffalo's.  We do have a complete package in our front 4 AND we can rotate in and out without a drop in quality.   Timmy Jernigan was dominant until he got hurt and ended up not completely missing Ngata.  McPhee is also a very capable pass rusher.   And the Ravens can rush 4 normally AND stop the run with 4 which allows for more pass coverage by the LB's and safeties.

 

And I actually do expect at least two PI calls for Torrey Smith.   He leads the league in that for a reason.   He outruns DB's so they have to grab him.   Browner is physical, but he cannot outrun Torrey.   So I expect him to be happy to give up PI yardage before he lets Torrey get the ball and take off.

[BmoreBird22]

So you're going to lose respect for an entire fan base because of a few cocky fans?  Makes sense.

That, and the entire amount of media from the Boston area that are spewing out massive amounts of Ravens hatred. It's just classless

[StingerNLG]

See I agree with this. In a quick pass offense, where the pressure is coming from can make all the difference in the world. That fact is magnified by Brady's lack of any real mobility...by the time Suggs or Doom comes around the corner, Brady will often already have gotten the ball out. But when you come straight up the gut, now you are talking about washing Brady out of the pocket and forcing him to either throw on the run or make plays with his feet. As a Ravens fan, I very much like the idea of the latter scenario.

 

HOWEVER, Suggs has also proven over the years he can drop back into shallow coverage too.   That's how he came up with the pick against the Steelers, and he has intercepted and batted passes at the line before.   Ngata is good at that too, but Suggs can do it.   I think if the Ravens get comfortable blitzing a LB when they think Brady will throw hot, Suggs may be able to get his hands on something.

[McClusky]

That, and the entire amount of media from the Boston area that are spewing out massive amounts of Ravens hatred. It's just classless

 

I mean stuff like that isn't exactly unique to Boston. For example on my ride into work this morning, I heard a cut from a Baltimore radio show where they had a NE writer on, and then proceeded to ask him nothing besides what type of a fuss Brady was, and dropped him when he predicted the Pats would win.

 

Media everywhere sucks.

[McClusky]

I mean stuff like that isn't exactly unique to Boston. For example on my ride into work this morning, I heard a cut from a Baltimore radio show where they had a NE writer on, and then proceeded to ask him nothing besides what type of a Fuss Brady was, and dropped him when he predicted the Pats would win.

 

Media everywhere sucks.

 

I didn't realize that your site changed words, instead of just *ing them out. Obviously they didn't ask him what kind of a fuss he was

[funky141]

Much of my hyperbole was just that, because the guy I was quoting was just as ridiculous.

 

However, I still put our front 7 over Buffalo's.  We do have a complete package in our front 4 AND we can rotate in and out without a drop in quality.   Timmy Jernigan was dominant until he got hurt and ended up not completely missing Ngata.  McPhee is also a very capable pass rusher.   And the Ravens can rush 4 normally AND stop the run with 4 which allows for more pass coverage by the LB's and safeties.

 

And I actually do expect at least two PI calls for Torrey Smith.   He leads the league in that for a reason.   He outruns DB's so they have to grab him.   Browner is physical, but he cannot outrun Torrey.   So I expect him to be happy to give up PI yardage before he lets Torrey get the ball and take off.

Got ya..

[Neal Could Block the SUN!!]

5+ sacks is an awful lot against the Pats. Brady is someone who will tend to plant a pass in the dirt moreso than to take a sack. He hasn't been sacked 6 times yet this year, with some pretty sketchy line play at points. I don't doubt that the Ravens will get consistent pressure, but I don't think that necessarily means consistent sacks.

As much as a defensive fans wants the sack, if we can get Brady to throw into the dirt often, we can impact this game tremendously.  More passes complete to terra firma, the less complete to Gronk!

 

Appreciate your discussion!  Good Luck this weekend!

[callahan09]

Brady did not have an MVP season. Gronkowski did. By the very literal meaning of the term.

That offense and Brady were not very good before Gronk got healthy and started dominating. Gronk is the cog that makes that offense churn. He is their MVP, and it isn't even close.

Seeing the difference in Brady from when he has had a healthy Moss, or Welker, or Gronk, vs not, is absolutely telling as to how much a QB's production can hinge on his weapons.

Brady has often in his career had a game-changing, dominant pass catcher to reliably get the ball to in any situation. Thus, he has often had great numbers. When he hasn't had that player, he hasn't had great numbers.

That is the problem with using stats to talk about QBs. Those stats are telling about the offense as a unit, not the QB.

Joe doesn't have Brady's numbers, but he has also never had anyone even close to Moss, Welker, or Gronk.

[BmoreBird22]

I mean stuff like that isn't exactly unique to Boston. For example on my ride into work this morning, I heard a cut from a Baltimore radio show where they had a NE writer on, and then proceeded to ask him nothing besides what type of a Fuss Brady was, and dropped him when he predicted the Pats would win.

 

Media everywhere sucks.

I try to avoid a lot of media outlets for that very reason. I read the Ravens articles and a few others that I know write in a respectful manner, but blogs, no chance I go there.

[1/28/01]

22 degrees with a "real feel" of 6 tomorrow at kickoff. This should be fun!

[callahan09]

22 degrees with a "real feel" of 6 tomorrow at kickoff. This should be fun!

Was like that here in NJ yesterday. I honestly don't know how they play in that cold. It is brutal.

[I AM LEGEND]

My 3 x-factors for this game are Forsett, Daniels and Kamar. I expect both Smith's to have their hands full. The middle of the field with kamar,Brown and Daniels will be huge. But if Forsett can go out there and have one of those once and a lifetime games..I'd take that.

[1/28/01]

My 3 x-factors for this game are Forsett, Daniels and Kamar. I expect both Smith's to have their hands full. The middle of the field with kamar,Brown and Daniels will be huge. But if Forsett can go out there and have one of those once and a lifetime games..I'd take that.

I'd add in Camp (if he sees the field) as well.

[1/28/01]

Was like that here in NJ yesterday. I honestly don't know how they play in that cold. It is brutal.

Yeah, the last few days here (MD) have been brutal as well. Although, today was in the mid 30's and it was almost "warm".

[fake punt]

That, and the entire amount of media from the Boston area that are spewing out massive amounts of Ravens hatred. It's just classless

 

Oh, I get it now. It's classless when fans of other teams hate yours, but it's not classless when your fan-base largely hates another team. Makes sense now. Thanks for the clarification. 

[1/28/01]

Oh, I get it now. It's classless when fans of other teams hate yours, but it's not classless when your fan-base largely hates another team. Makes sense now. Thanks for the clarification.

Nah, comes with the territory in sports. Every fan base has clowns, tweeners and respectable dudes.

[1/28/01]

Like the fact that I hope Brady gets utterly pummeled all game, BUT lives to see another day. That makes me respectable

[monkeycatt]

i LOVE to hate the steelers and the patriots, with great passion does my contmept run.  this doens't mean i don't respect the teams, quite the contrary.  i mean, as annoying as they are, you cannot deny that they both have a pedigree of wins, great players and especially, superb coaching.  (well, BB not really tomlin).

half the fun is good-natured trash talk before and after the games.  it would be boring otherwise.

[Neal Could Block the SUN!!]

Oh, I get it now. It's classless when fans of other teams hate yours, but it's not classless when your fan-base largely hates another team. Makes sense now. Thanks for the clarification. 

Brother- you'll find more sympathy for your plight here

 

If you're going to stay on a Ravens forum and whine about the local culture, it's going to be a long day.......

[RavensPunkXVX]

i LOVE to hate the steelers and the patriots, with great passion does my contmept run.  this doens't mean i don't respect the teams, quite the contrary.  i mean, as annoying as they are, you cannot deny that they both have a pedigree of wins, great players and especially, superb coaching.  (well, BB not really tomlin).

half the fun is good-natured trash talk before and after the games.  it would be boring otherwise.

 

I'm the same way. I have conversations with my dad where I say I hate those two teams, but you gotta respect Ben, Brady, and BB. He's a Skins fan, but watching Ravens games with me, he has been conditioned to hate them as well. Said he respects Ben more because he takes his hits and keeps on ticking. Brady complains too much. 

I hope the defense plays smart and hits the target areas. Can't afford to give up 15 yard penalties for a slap on the helmet. 

[arnie_uk]

So 50 pages of this post talking about how stats don't matter, previous player performance doesn't matter, and that all that matters is the W going in the history books, but you two disagree.

So the '09 game doesn't count because it was 5 years ago, the play scheme wasn't balanced, and it would not be effective to jump to a lead in the same manner???

Roger that- regardless it was a WIN. I'll take a win anyway it occurs. If Kubiak runs 50 times because we are grinding the Pats down, fine by me. You two can complain about the scheme not being a legit win because the calls weren't balanced.

We'll see what happens Saturday night. I'll take any win, any formula, and any occurrences that result in the Ravens moving on to capture the Lamar Hunt Trophy!

we aren't talking about 09 we are talking about tomorrow. And we won't win if we run 40 times and Flacco only throws for 30 yards. It just will not happen.

[StingerNLG]

Got ya..

yeah, the truth of the matter is I'm at peace no matter what happens tomorrow. For everything that's happened to the Ravens this year they have exceeded my expectations to the season. And taking the Steelers out was icing on the cake.

Do I want the Ravens to win tomorrow? Absolutely.

Do I think the Ravens can win tomorrow? Yes.

But if they come up short, I will be ok.

[Hardbaugh]

yeah, the truth of the matter is I'm at peace no matter what happens tomorrow. For everything that's happened to the Ravens this year they have exceeded my expectations to the season. And taking the Steelers out was icing on the cake.

Do I want the Ravens to win tomorrow? Absolutely.

Do I think the Ravens can win tomorrow? Yes.

But if they come up short, I will be ok.

Exactly the way I feel. 

[BMORE_96]

yeah, the truth of the matter is I'm at peace no matter what happens tomorrow. For everything that's happened to the Ravens this year they have exceeded my expectations to the season. And taking the Steelers out was icing on the cake.

Do I want the Ravens to win tomorrow? Absolutely.

Do I think the Ravens can win tomorrow? Yes.

But if they come up short, I will be ok.

 

Exactly the way I feel

if we lose, i think of the seahawks game against the Falcons. The seahawks looked really talented and could've won it all against us ravens. the next year they win the superbowl. With the team healthy next year(Jimmy Smith, Wagner,Pitta,Jackson,Urban,Lewis-Moore) and another solid draft executed by the Wizard, we should be complete on all sides of the ball. Defense(run defense, secondary, pass rush) and offense(O-line,the run game whether its forsett, yeldon, etc) and flacco at the helm of the pass game(with an additional weapon or two)). The window is open for a couple more years and should never completely close with Harbaugh,Ozzie,Decosta,Biscotti. Let's go Ravens!

[fake punt]

Like the fact that I hope Brady gets utterly pummeled all game, BUT lives to see another day. That makes me respectable

 

Yep! Totally.

[fake punt]

Brother- you'll find more sympathy for your plight here

 

If you're going to stay on a Ravens forum and whine about the local culture, it's going to be a long day.......

 

I give the folks over there the same crap. 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Yep! Totally.

There's a reason why fake punts don't work the majority of the time. Just saying.

[ellicottraven]

Boy! What I would give to have Flacco continue his playoff mystique for a couple more games!! Come on Flacco, make the national media eat humble pie buddy and make your HC look good with his prophecy!!!

[BmoreBird22]

Oh, I get it now. It's classless when fans of other teams hate yours, but it's not classless when your fan-base largely hates another team. Makes sense now. Thanks for the clarification.

If you can find me articles like the Boston Globe one, which claimed 98% of America hates the Ravens, I'll eat my words, but until then, I haven't seen anything bad

[HoldingCall]

I believe this thread is much more active then last week's Next up: Steelers.