[News] Eisenberg: Ravens' Defeat To Eagles Couldn't Matter Less

[Crusader]

If it does not matter then why in the heck play them?

[Bandit666]

If you care about preseason games, you are crazy and have no life. The starters play very little. The play calling is very vanilla. Teams work on different plays to see what works or how comfortable the QB is running a formation. Defenses usually play a zone or a basic man on man, mix in a few blitzes.

[RRRRRavens]

His headline is clear hyperbole and the article borders on apologetics.

No hyperbole.  He backs it up with the logic of his story.  Where's your logic?

[rmcjacket23]

If it does not matter then why in the heck play them?

Which part are we saying doesn't matter?

 

Does the score matter? Doubtful. They don't give out any awards or benefits for winning preseason games.

 

Does how certain people play in a preseason game matter? Obviously, yes. In fact, in some cases its basically a job interview and is the defining factor between employment and unemployment, or career vs non-career.

[RRRRRavens]

If it does not matter then why in the heck play them?

Try rereading paragraph six of the story and I think you'll find the answer.

[RRRRRavens]

To say that, "it couldn't have mattered less" is to suggest that it is thoroughly insignificant and that, plainly put is hogwash.

I believe he was referring to the final score, which, when you think about it, is itself hogwash.  The only thing you lose when you lose a pre-season game is pride.  And we all know what pride goeth before, don't we.

[riseNConquer81]

If it does not matter then why in the heck play them?

Cuz the NFL likes money.

this is still a business you know.

They might be exhibitions, but even preseason games turn pretty decent profits. They're popular with fans who cant typically afford regular season tickets or PSLs and of course the ad revenue is always there along with sales of NFL game pass at $100 per membership.

Then aside from all that, there's the obvious benefits of live practice and the chance to evaluate players as backups and developmental projects.

Edited August 25, 2015 by riseNConquer81

[trevorsteadman]

The first two preseason games the coaches do not prepare for. Only game 3 is a game type environment. Games 1 and 2 is just a scrimmage to see which of the players will stay on the roster. If they can't find separation in a scrimmage they won't in an NFL game. If a corner cannot cover a receiver in a scrimmage he won't in a game. Game 3 is what they prepare for because starters play 3 quarters. If Flacco throws 2 picks next week then I would worry but as of now don't worry at all. The defense played well last season and they only lost back ups and got better people in the back end in my opinion. What I am really looking for in preseason week 3 is which of the receivers get open to lock up a roster spot. Also looking to see who will be the starting tight end in Gilmore or Williams (even though I think it will be Gillmore to start the season off but Williams has shown good play making ability already). Taliaferro was a huge loss which may keep us with 4 running backs on the roster until he is back which may knock a wide receiver or cornerback off the roster. I think we will be fine with Forsett and Allen with Juice being a 3rd string if needed but I wouldn't be surprised if they kept 4 now until he is back

[January J]

If it does not matter then why in the heck play them?

uhhhhhh to evaluate players? To practice in game situations ?yeah It's always nice to win but the final score is next to meaningless.

[Tenacious Faulker]

If we're going to have a game like this I'm glad its now and not when it counts. Harbs WILL make sure that the defense learns from this and WILL make sure that its burnt into everyone's memory. Flacco will not make these same mistakes twice. The Eagles will be a good football team in 2015 and the Ravens sat 6 O-Linemen among others making due with guards for tackles at the end. Things will get better and I'll expect a dominant performance fro them against Washington.

[whobilly]

The only thing that bothered me is how many players showed up NOT READY to play.

[Crusader]

Good news is the Ravens got beat up twice 2012 preseason but still won the SB

[robbie29]

If you care about preseason games, you are crazy and have no life. The starters play very little. The play calling is very vanilla. Teams work on different plays to see what works or how comfortable the QB is running a formation. Defenses usually play a zone or a basic man on man, mix in a few blitzes.

 

That first sentence of yours is pretty bold. I can all but guarantee that John Harbaugh cares about each preseason game. Not only does he have a life, but he certainly isn't crazy.

[LunarRover]

If any one is at all concerned about the season we are going to have, you must not be a Ravens Fan. We will be just fine. Preseason is not a time to evaluate the working machine, but to evaluate the individual parts to see who is going make it, and who it gonna get cut. Relax Fans! To me...this game helped reveal some guys that will not be on the 53m roster. So good does come from games like these. Too bad the many of the Philly fans got it twisted and are seeing it as a season victory. Thats what makes the Ravens and the Brass so great!

[mearzunkies]

WORD!

[Ravens_Flock]

It might matter plenty if that kind of "effort" shows up on the field in the regular season. Just saying. And the injury bug is certainly already raining down upon us, as it somehow seems to do every single season.

[KidNme]

This is just my opinion and I'm sure everyone will let me know if they think I'm right and whether I'm a "true fan" or not but for all the media heads that seem to think the fans are upset over the "loss" to the Eagles, I for one could care less about the score because after all, it is pre season and like you, I'm watching individual players and positions more than the score (Of course, if all the players I'm watching are playing lights out, the score would have been different but I digress). My concern is for the lack of cohesiveness on offense and defense, even on a pre season scale. Watching our "Elite" QB sail the ball over the tallest WR we've ever had, especially since the "Elite" thing has been jammed down our throats, or snippets of our players saying how "Apple Juice" the Eagles practices were (That worked out well for us didn't it?) or Mclellan's sucker punch to an Eagles lineman after the whistle and more recently, the sad excuses coming from everyone about bad radios and no game plan. It may be true but that's not how this team has rolled in the past. The Ravens org has had some serious "bad press" in the last couple years. I think it is time to make sure the motto "Play like a Raven" means what you intended it to and not what it's beginning to look like. Every time you're on TV, you're representing "US" and we expect the nose to the grind stone, no one gets into trouble and we play smash mouth football. Many of us fans will stand up for our team and brave other teams stadiums among other things in that support. Heck, I live in PA so it's double tough on us out here. If I'm investing a large amount of my income on my team, I should have a say in how it's run and Saturdays game did not give me the warm and fuzzies, especially considering all the hype from BR.com up to this point. If you talk us into drinking purple Kool-Aid in July, you have to pony up in August too! Because of that, you now have to do damage control. It just makes me feel like you believe we're all lemmings sometimes. Not cool when a Jersey costs over $100 and PSL's are more than many families make in a month.

And, know this, I didn't start looking at the NFL as a business until you all kept telling me it was. I used to just enjoy watching football on Sundays (and have been doing it for several decades). Now you MAKE us invest a lot more to keep that enjoyment going so ya, I expect a little more every time you step on that stage. You certainly get paid enough collectively for that to be our expectation.

For sports fans, we take this all on the chin too. We may not be on the field with you but in reality, we are!

I'm just saying.

[smalljaws]

What, me worry ?