[News] Late For Work 9/15: Does Ray Lewis Think Ravens Can Win AFC North?

[Bat-mite]

No offense, Ray, but we aren't a one-man team. We will overcome. Let's go clobber Oakland this week and get our swagger back. Glad to see Suggs staying with the team. He can lead from a wheelchair, and it is his leadership that the team will miss the most.

[Ravensfansince03]

Hopefully Brent Urban comes back strong. At least we still have Dumervil so if Za'darius can show up then we should have two good speed rushers coming from both edges. We just need guys like Carl D. B. Williams Jernnigan & Canty to stuff that middle. But damn you really cant replace the leadership of Suggs, Ngata is gone.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Ravensfansince03

[Minionhunter]

757 is correct - see footballzebras.com for the rules talk the insider reporters all look at. They were the first to point out that kickers were protected players during the entire play of a kick and the steelers were really awful when they broke Cincinnati's kickers jaw by illegally hitting him in the head (and they were improperly not penalized for it). Some reporter at a big network mentioned them, After hearing that I have been reading their work ever since. They also tell who the refs will be for the upcoming games so you know if you will get Jerome Boger'ed or Clete Blakeman'ed in addition to rule analysis. One of the still useful, low key, neutral sites. Think about it it is referee and rules analysis.

[fusuymada]

We are concerned about pass rush but we didn't play Timmy Jernigan last game. Also, Arthur Brown spent a lot of time in the back field during the preseason and I would be interested to see if he can put some pressure on the edge. Z Smith is still too fresh, Upshaw isn't a pass rusher and McLellan just isn't. I think we need to get creative in that spot and with Jernigan and Urban back, we should do well. What happened to Ricky Wagner, he just was horrible. He was one of the top rated right tackles by PFF last year in the whole league, he wasnt even good enough to call bad, he was that atrocious. Denver is good, but our returning offensive line was supposed to be our strength. I have to wonder what is going on with that line.  Monroe has never impressed me if you follow my comments.  I made a comment after going to training camp just how spindly legged Monroe was and he was pushed all over the place by the second string.

Edited September 15, 2015 by fusuymada

[Minionhunter]

The falcons picked up Jake Long. The two guys I would like to see the Ravens workout are Pryor and Moss. They were both working out with Antonio Brown this summer and all involved seemed to think everyone was good enough to play at a high level. I just would like to see some outside the box thinking about WR at least until Perriman is back. It just seems like we have no deep threat right now. Moss or Pryor would provide that. I think we are ok on defense.

[Smoke0121]

Terrell Suggs' loss is certainly a blow to the defense, but I think everyone is getting too wrapped up in the fact that he's the last remaining member of the "old guard". Do you guys think Terrell Suggs is the only person in the locker room with a voice? We have TOO much young talent on the defense for the loss of Sizzle to seal our doom. My guess is Jimmy Smith steps up and becomes that voice. Remember in 2013 when James Ihedigbo nearly cost us a home game against the Bengals? Jimmy Smith (2 years younger) was on the sideline ripping him apart! Ihedigbo promply went out the next series and caught the interception to seal the game.

Let the defense grow, Ravens fans, and trust the system. We will be fine.

[drillem]

Old guard, new guard. The team is only what 18 years old or so. If old guard means the guys who were on the team when it started, I'd say that is poppycock. The team, any team is a dynamic force that changes daily. Some of the best players in the league are "new guard" new players. I say let's wait and see what this current group can do before we pass judgement about who's going to be able to win the AFC North title, etc. It's also just too early to do predictions. Cincy played the most useless team in football this week and is the recipient of a win. Big deal. I cannot draw any conclusions from that. Can you?

[rmcjacket23]

The falcons picked up Jake Long. The two guys I would like to see the Ravens workout are Pryor and Moss. They were both working out with Antonio Brown this summer and all involved seemed to think everyone was good enough to play at a high level. I just would like to see some outside the box thinking about WR at least until Perriman is back. It just seems like we have no deep threat right now. Moss or Pryor would provide that. I think we are ok on defense.

1. Moss is old and can't play anymore. We saw that YEARS ago. No point in discussing something that isn't going to happen.

 

2. I don't see what value Pryor brings to the team. He can't make the 53 man on teams with worse talent offensive than us, and I don't see any scenario where he's active on gameday.

 

Don't think its realistic to consider either as an option, and there's no indication the Ravens are looking at either of these guys. We've known we wouldn't have a deep-threat WR for many weeks now, and we didn't address it then. Don't really see what changed to make us what to address it now.

[HoldingCall]

The falcons picked up Jake Long. The two guys I would like to see the Ravens workout are Pryor and Moss. They were both working out with Antonio Brown this summer and all involved seemed to think everyone was good enough to play at a high level. I just would like to see some outside the box thinking about WR at least until Perriman is back. It just seems like we have no deep threat right now. Moss or Pryor would provide that. I think we are ok on defense.

Unless there is time to develop, throwing to a deep route runner can be very dangerous. Fix the OL blocking first and slow down the pass rush. Get TEs involved in the passing game and a deep threat will become very effective. 

[January J]

we absolutely have to win the north if we want to make the playoffs. way too many teams will be fighting for those 2 wild card spots. i think denver and buffalo will get them.

[RavensFootballFan]

Without Ngata in 2014 (3-1). Without Suggs in 2012 (5-1). There is a longer list of Ravens having winning records after major injuries. Next man up is no motto, it is the real deal, the Ravens way. The Ravens will bounce back once again like they have done countless times since 1996. Harbaugh will see to it no cylinder is skipped.

[RavensBaltimore]

Ray Lewis is overreacting big time. In 2012, we were basically without Suggs for the whole season, because he never even came close to getting his explosiveness back that year. He even admitted that he wasn't himself on SB media day. Plus, Webb missed the entire postseason, and he was by far our top CB that year. Jimmy was still developing. Also, Suggs being out isn't as bad as having 5 CBs, including our best, on IR like last year. Our defense is in better shape than it was last year, when we destroyed the Steelers in the playoffs and almost knocked off the eventual SB champs. I believe Perriman is better than Torrey, and I don't expect our line to get dominated again like they did in Denver, and I think Trestman will make some adjustments, so our offense could end up being at least as good as last year, too.

[757RavensFan]

we absolutely have to win the north if we want to make the playoffs. way too many teams will be fighting for those 2 wild card spots. i think denver and buffalo will get them.

 

So you're picking KC to win the AFC West?

[January J]

So you're picking KC to win the AFC West?

yes i am.

[January J]

but either way there will be several teams in the mix for those 2 spots. whether it be either of those 2, San diego, Miami, Buffalo, Houston, cinci, pittsburgh. the north has a tougher schedule than most too so its not gonna be easy, but were definitely up for thye task.

[ksk316]

Unless there is time to develop, throwing to a deep route runner can be very dangerous. Fix the OL blocking first and slow down the pass rush. Get TEs involved in the passing game and a deep threat will become very effective. 

Agree. The offensive line is a mess. What happened to Wagner? Even if Monroe returns I am not sure he is the answer at LT.

We need to fix this and our running game first and then think about WR's. To me Denver was too good to start the year.

I'll wait a couple of games more to see how we adjust.

[ittwasntme]

im leaving the boards till the end of the year, because in week 1 you all sound idiotic blaming players and couches when this loss was a team loss, the broncos look like an early 2000s ravens, where they sent the house and played man, and look at the success. We could have done the same thing but pees thinks to much. when he rushed manning and played press we have way better success. SOOOO if it was anyone who lost us the game its Pees but even at that its not a statement worth arguing. the end result of this is stop for god sake its week 1. quit just quit the boards are filled with idiotic comments it seems. and remember this game was against peyton and we held him to 150 passing yards. MANNING of all people.

[Crusader]

I agree Baltimore just does not have enough to win those extra games. Case in point..Denver

[January J]

im leaving the boards till the end of the year, because in week 1 you all sound idiotic blaming players and couches when this loss was a team loss, the broncos look like an early 2000s ravens, where they sent the house and played man, and look at the success. We could have done the same thing but pees thinks to much. when he rushed manning and played press we have way better success. SOOOO if it was anyone who lost us the game its Pees but even at that its not a statement worth arguing. the end result of this is stop for god sake its week 1. quit just quit the boards are filled with idiotic comments it seems. and remember this game was against peyton and we held him to 150 passing yards. MANNING of all people.

didnt you just blame a coach?

[RicknRoll]

So no one but me thinks Denver's #30 should have been flagged for pass interference on that last play. Can someone help me understand? Am I seeing things wrong? I know I'm getting older but really?

[Minionhunter]

1. Moss is old and can't play anymore. We saw that YEARS ago. No point in discussing something that isn't going to happen.

 

2. I don't see what value Pryor brings to the team. He can't make the 53 man on teams with worse talent offensive than us, and I don't see any scenario where he's active on gameday.

 

Don't think its realistic to consider either as an option, and there's no indication the Ravens are looking at either of these guys. We've known we wouldn't have a deep-threat WR for many weeks now, and we didn't address it then. Don't really see what changed to make us what to address it now.

It is more the gaming the other team and making them waste energy on things. Joe is amazing and can throw. If we had Moss I think that other teams would have to game plan for him.  Same with Pryor plus both have size. Even if we never used them. The last slot on the 53 is a rotating spot. Rotating a tall burner in on game day would make teams wary until Perriman comes back. 

 

I am of the opinion that few other teams can do to us what Denver did on Sunday , they may try but they won't get it done. The Texans did it last year, Denver this year. I think our line will be fine, especially with a speed threat, key word threat. 

 

I also am off the opinion that Bobby has done a great job shaking up this WR corps, but may be having trouble coaching up the separation techniques or whatever. I would like to see a little more outside the box gamesmanship regarding the WR position and I think brining in or at least threatening to bring in a known or perceived threat plays that. Gary I think did that for us last year keeping 7 and we got Kamar out of it. We didn't get Diggs this year (Boyle there?) maybe we could trade MN for him with some of these extra picks a round higher for MN for next year. Just something to shake things up a little. But maybe Perriman will be back earlier (and he is staying off twitter unlike Taliaferro). But I am of the opinion that he is likely 'just' healed around now at 6 weeks and will be ready at 8 weeks (6-8 for PCL sprain). 

 

I really like your perspectives rcmcjacket23 

[ksk316]

im leaving the boards till the end of the year, because in week 1 you all sound idiotic blaming players and couches when this loss was a team loss, the broncos look like an early 2000s ravens, where they sent the house and played man, and look at the success. We could have done the same thing but pees thinks to much. when he rushed manning and played press we have way better success. SOOOO if it was anyone who lost us the game its Pees but even at that its not a statement worth arguing. the end result of this is stop for god sake its week 1. quit just quit the boards are filled with idiotic comments it seems. and remember this game was against peyton and we held him to 150 passing yards. MANNING of all people.

Hypocrites leave the board.  *lol*

[catgirl54]

Ray may be overestimating the importance of linebackers (guess why??). It takes a whole team, and even with Suggs gone, we are in better shape on defense this year than last. I'm more worried about the protection for Flacco. Still can't believe that hit he took that looked like (was) a horse collar. At first I thought his head hit the ground and I thought, "There goes the season." Those guys have got to step up.

[Ravensfolyfe]

Say whaaaat!

[FloridalovesRavens]

Bad loss. Not only the game but one of our best players as well. Man when the stuff hits the fan for the Ravens it comes down hard. Get things together guys and go for the throat. Go Ravens.

[Ravensfolyfe]

I love you Ray,but fall back,we got this fam.

[mearzunkies]

Speed or not it still takes time for the route to open up. The O-Line MUST step it back up. I feel good about the team!!

[gooftroop]

Yes, most definitely, the O-line must step up. But, just as important, the number of "obvious passing downs" be reduced.

[MTRavensFan]

So no one but me thinks Denver's #30 should have been flagged for pass interference on that last play. Can someone help me understand? Am I seeing things wrong? I know I'm getting older but really?

No,it's not just you.

In fact, I was at the game, and even the Denver fans I went with agreed it should have been called, they were just happy that it wasn't.

They knew we had them beat, and they are very nervous about the decline of Manning.

[smolina2o1]

First game of the season and honestly losing Suggs for the years hurts more than the loss. Suggs is the leader of this team, in my opinion, a lot of people say Joe but in reality its 55. He is unquestionably the most respected player in that locker room. He carries himself as the leader of this team and he does it effortlessly, Flacco is more of a let my play do the talking for me kinda guy, which is admirable but not when u make the decisions that he made on Sunday against the Broncos. Our offensive line really had the biggest issues with dealing with the Denver pass rush but thats just not an excuse anymore, I'll be the first to say it and i don't care who disagrees, Eugene Monroe is overrated and overpaid. He has yet to complete a full season for the Ravens, coming from a trade with the Jags that was one of the reasons he stood out to the front office, his durability. He didn't miss a single start in 6 years in Jacksonville. Now its rare that he doesn't get hurt, I could almost bet any kind of money that the Ravens aren't really questioning this already and looking for a replacement. Next years draft I'm positive that they will be looking at the best left tackle prospects. Money being wasted on Eugene Monroe could easily pay Yanda more for an extension or even extend KO and keep the middle of this OL intact. #EugeneIceUpSon