[News] The Breakdown: Eisenberg's Five Thoughts vs. Bengals

[thegooddoc456]

Never liked the energy of the Ravens since Harbaugh took over, but hey, they managed to squeeze out victories out of some terrible performances frequently. All prior set standards and expectations were discarded....a SB was won and it seemed like all was well. However, the handwriting has been on the wall for a few years. The Ravens were no longer ferocious, heck they could no longer play a complete football game with great effort from beginning to end, as sleep-walking through stretches of games then trying to pull out the miracle at the end now became the norm. The Ravens became a team that could get up for the Steelers game or some other big game, and then completely disappear in other games, to the amazement of the pundits. They always needed an additional emotional boost or they weren't showing up. For two seasons in a row, the Ravens offense maintained a pattern of not showing up in the first halves, then turning it on in the second halves. These anomalies, we all endured, as long as they got enough wins to get in the playoffs.

Well, the chickens have come home to roost. What we see now is a culmination of everything Harbaugh has brought to the Ravens. A soulless team with no fire and tenacity. Indeed Harbaugh seems to have an abhorrence for the trademark Ravens prideful and emotional players, who might challenge his leadership. What about Harbaugh's coaching hires? Well, in my estimation, it was nothing short of nepotism that led him to hire his father's buddy(Greg Mattison)out of college as our DC, and I won't be surprised if same is the case with the rest of his staff. It's all wrong with this team, and these are not the Ravens I know and love.

[Baller MD]

These games with Cini show the recent mistakes Ozzie and the organization has made letting Game Changers walk and draft misses. Boldin let go, Torrey let go, Jacoby let go, then Elam and Brown look like misses in draft.

 

BINGO!  You can't let all your top talent walk and not replace them.  Sooner or later it's going to show up with loses, as good individuals like Jacoby Jones and Bolden were those type of playmakers that can help win when the game is on the line.  The falloff in quality players all started with that big $120 million they gave Flacco. 

 

And the fact that 36-year-old SSS is the only one raking up monster yards despite getting ready to retire is proof positive that Flacco (and this offense altogether) would be a lot better if we had one or two more playmakers in the receiving corp.  Perriman needs to be every bit as good as they hope he'll be.  If he can ever make it to the field.  At this point he's scarily looking too injury-prone (a la RG3) before he even plays one pro game.  SMH

 

And as for the secondary, honestly, I'm not shocked we are still struggling here, as I didn't think Ozzie and company did no where near enough to improve this area.

[RavenFan67]

It seems that the Ravens overestimated Jimmy Smith's ability to cover top notch receivers. He was horrible.

[WordProphet]

I don't know if Perriman coming in is going to change much, for he has never played a regular season game in the NFL before. I mean we will see, but we thought Pitti was going to be that go to man outside of Smith Sr. how did that work out for us, when we put all our marbles in one bag. We've gotten rid of people that we should have never let go. And I think it's because we got the bighead when we won the Superbowl, for we thought we could do anything with nothing and we've been struggling ever since. I hope we've learned our lesson when you have a good thing in your hand keep it and don't let it go because you think you see something that might be better in the bush!!!

[Zeus]

Here is what is killing the Ravens: poor front office performance for about 10 years, and serious flawed picks the past 5. It is finally catching up with them because they are thin at too many positions. They are ignoring position of need. You do not need to draft 2 TE's when you drafted Crockett Gilmore the year before who looked good, when you have glaring needs at pass rush and defensive back. And they are signing average players to superstar contracts, who are not living up to billing. Jimmy Smith looks like a joke. Webb, Pitta, Monroe, Zuttah, Will Hill, etc. These are average to below average players getting top tier money. God love Pitta, but once you break your hip, you dont sign a guy to a 5 year contract. That is wasted money that is killing the overall team depth. Between Monroe who never plays and Pitta we are paying $12 mil for no performance return. If you add suggs and webb, that may be about 25% of the payroll which is out, or playing horribly. i dont see any positive results coming this season with the current effort level.

They paid Pitta stupid money but let Boldin go .... Ozzy has drafted a lot of below average guys - Elam is another Kindle

[WordProphet]

Today These are not the Ravens I know and Love, something has happened to the emotional fire that they once had for each game, they used to be feared, but now no one fears them, they used to play smash mouth football and punch teams in the mouth now the Ravens get punched in the mouth. The fire they had when Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, and Bolden was there is gone. The teams that won the Superbowls for Baltimore who really played smash mouth football are gone, matter of fact we don't even hear this team talking about smash mouth football. We don't hear John talking like that, we don't hear Ozzie talking like that, we don't hear no one on the team talking like that. Have we truly lost that fire and turned this team into something else or can these Ravens bring smash mouth football back to Baltimore, only time will tell. I mean when you look at this team the Ravens of old you just don't see, I'm just saying!!!

[H8ME]

Never liked the energy of the Ravens since Harbaugh took over, but hey, they managed to squeeze out victories out of some terrible performances frequently. All prior set standards and expectations were discarded....a SB was won and it seemed like all was well. However, the handwriting has been on the wall for a few years. The Ravens were no longer ferocious, heck they could no longer play a complete football game with great effort from beginning to end, as sleep-walking through stretches of games then trying to pull out the miracle at the end now became the norm. The Ravens became a team that could get up for the Steelers game or some other big game, and then completely disappear in other games, to the amazement of the pundits. They always needed an additional emotional boost or they weren't showing up. For two seasons in a row, the Ravens offense maintained a pattern of not showing up in the first halves, then turning it on in the second halves. These anomalies, we all endured, as long as they got enough wins to get in the playoffs. Well, the chickens have come home to roost. What we see now is a culmination of everything Harbaugh has brought to the Ravens. A soulless team with no fire and tenacity. Indeed Harbaugh seems to have an abhorrence for the trademark Ravens prideful and emotional players, who might challenge his leadership. What about Harbaugh's coaching hires? Well, in my estimation, it was nothing short of nepotism that led him to hire his father's buddy(Greg Mattison)out of college as our DC, and I won't be surprised if same is the case with the rest of his staff. It's all wrong with this team, and these are not the Ravens I know and love.

 

If I could reach through this screen and give you a hug I would because you nailed it!

 

Us, never were impressed w/John Harbaugh folk are dismissed. There's no personality, fire, or much talent on this team. He's finally got the type of players he's wanted and is being exposed for the weak coach/player evaluator he is. This team mirrors him; which is very AVERAGE.

[PalmBayRaven]

So much for our Offensive line being our strength and they were going to be one of the best? Somebody was smoking crack! What were they thinking when they said that? This Offensive Line is going to rival 2013 as one of the worst in Raven history. We have no running game and the backs we do have are inferior to the rest of our division and the league along with our wide receivers. We got nothing really and it's sad.

[Dfrm410]

The time span we scored 17 unanswered points in this game was the first time the O and D were playing well at the same time and we looked great. If we can play like that star to finish we will be a good team. We were in every game so far with a minute to go, all we have to do is fire on all cylinders. Put everything they have out there on thursday against the steelers than follow up with a win at home against the Browns and we'll be alright

[Ravensfolyfe]

I don't know what to say...speechless!

[Dfence4champs2052]

When will the Ravens realize the run-first offense if no more? Everyone else has 2 or 3 big fast receivers and the Ravens have SSS. I see promise with 3 up and coming TE's but that is it. I know it is a league of parity or is it parody, with the way this season is going but this team has few game changing athletes. I already am trying to find something positive to look forward to for next year. This team really is not very good.

 

Exactly...I hate to say this, but the stealers were a heavy running team and realized they didn't have the personnel and went pass happy. We don't have the WRs yet, but we should have been headed that way.

[Dfence4champs2052]

I disagree with a lot of the plans complaining. If you say John Harbaugh is not a good coach. Go cheer for another team because you are not a Baltimore Ravens fan. The same person saying John Harbaugh isn't a great coach is ridiculous if your going to say talking to and coaching the players is not important... You stop watching sports because I'm sure you weren't saying that when we won the Super Bowl. Plus we have been o the playoff the last seven of eight years with the majority of these coaches.Don't blame Dean Pees because injuries happen and we typically use certain players in certain formations on defense. The Ravens problems are obvious. !.) Offensively we don't have a speedy receiver to stretch the field. This set Joe Flacco in a "Land Before Time I Mean Torrey Smith" The Ravens lost to the Steelers three games in a row and Harbaugh went out in the draft next season and got a fast receiver. 2.) You can't call that a bad defense because honestly its a like the Ravens old defense and what I mean by that is a lot of fans got used to Baltimore getting off a fast start sometimes. This used to happen where the defense would eventually get tired or give up a big play against a talented team. All the teams we played are arguably stronger offensive teams than defensive. It's not showing because the offense is not putting up points at the beginning of games. When you think about the teams we played you don't think about their defense first as their strong point. I think once Breshad Perriman plays two games then everybody will see the team they envisioned us being. Permian not playing is killing the team. Harbaugh or Ozzie needs to get a speedy receiver asap to help Flacco. These games are a lot harder to win when teams know you can't stretch the field which is also hurting the run game as well... Something to think about I'm not hitting the panic button just yet.

 

 

LOL. Take your ball and go home while you're at it. Love that fan elitist attitude....pure crap.

[Popeye the sailor man]

As I was saying the beginning of this season's camp that the Ravens are full of hype and not much else, Pittsburgh's up next without Big Ben, Most likely Mike Vick will be the QB, If he beat's us then there's not much hope for this season. The Raven's are so lost, I don't think that even GOD can find them, as for the coaches, Oz and Harbough brought in a bunch of losers that were loser's on the other teams they came from, Dean Pees stinks and Marc Trestman bought his losing self from Chicago to the Ravens, Flacco's so cold that he can't get a fire started from within him, during camp, Flacco stated that Trestman and he are on the same pages, I can see that now. Good QB's are full of fire, you can even see them on the sideline firing up their players but not Flacco, he goes into this little corner on the sideline wondering where he went wrong, we need top quality receivers who can catch a ball, One thing the Ravens are good at Is SPENDING top DOLLARS for nothing, I don't believe that the player who claims to be hurt are hurt that they can't even play, why do they even care since they all mostly got paid for this season anyway where's the toughness, they just don't want to play for up and coming losers losers, they don't care if they play or not and now you see Steve Smith is having nightmares and doubting hisself, since they all got their money anyway, How many time do you see from around the NFL that lousy players became great players after the trades. Last week ,I played the $100,00 Football Parlay and I got every team right, all the Ravens had to do was beat Oakland by 7 points, Oakland's a bit better team than they were last year. Last year I won this twice and the year before once and I even put the Ravens down to lose, I'm not really what you call a hardcore gambler. Every player we let go goes on to another team and excels, how dumb are we, that's why a fool and his money are soon parted. I miss Tyrod and he's doing well with Buffalo Bills and so are the many others whom were given away. For the next 5 games, the Ravens are scheduled to play topnotch teams before the Bye Week,May God Have Mercy On Their Souls....Not much else Is new

[PalmBayRaven]

Even when Perriman comes back is it really going to matter? Can Joe even get him the ball? What has happened to his mechanics?

[RavensBaltimore]

Even when Perriman comes back is it really going to matter? Can Joe even get him the ball? What has happened to his mechanics?

Flacco is completing 65% of his passes this year with a horrible receiving corps other than a 36 year old, and we've played 2 of the most talented defenses in the league. So yes, if he actually gets a playmaker with some speed, who can go up and make a play in traffic as well, it should matter a lot. We are literally 1 play/game away from being 3-0. I would think that if Perriman is who they drafted him to be, he could more than make up for that 1 play each game that we have been lacking. Brown and Aiken have been easily shut down by single coverage all year. I think Perriman is going to require a little more attention, which should open things up for our TEs and run game.

[Ben Fish]

Let me just say that I called Justin Forsett being a fluke. I knew we had to go get someone somehow, and we didn't. Now we're stuck with a veteran backup and two rookies. Good luck carrying the entire offense, Joe and Steve.

[sami]

wow, I can believe how many of you lemmings are diving over the edge of the Ravens band wagon. Fair weather fans we don't need. Every team has ups and downs and for people to say Harbaugh isn't a good coach is nuts. Its not like were getting blown out by bad teams. We are in the fights till the end against some pretty formidable teams. With a bit of luck we could be 3-0. I'm not saying we don't have problems but everybody does to some extent. Its time to put on your big boy pants, quit your whining, and act like a real Ravens fan.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Real Ravens fans "STAND UP"! 0-3 to the Super Bowl!

[EmbraceTheGrind]

Steve Smith deserves more effort from his teammates. I want to get that man a ring, but we've got an uphill battle to do that now. we need at least 11 wins to have a near lock for the playoffs, but then again, im not sure we could win in the playoffs, so whats the point? Might as well lose and draft low if were not winning the superbowl in my opinion.

[EmbraceTheGrind]

Also, where is the fire from our defense? Where are those nasty hits that we used to throw on guys that dared to come over the middle, or when the QB scrabbled. We need to strike fear into the opponent again,and I dont care if we do it on offense or defense but SSS deserves better than his teammates are giving him, thats for certain.

[pklinwood]

If I were to call out a player that needs to step up it would be Courtney Upshaw, I saw him out of position on some key plays, we haven't seen his talent develop, I would say he's one of those players who's just happy to be on the team.

[H8ME]

Also, where is the fire from our defense? Where are those nasty hits that we used to throw on guys that dared to come over the middle, or when the QB scrabbled. We need to strike fear into the opponent again,and I dont care if we do it on offense or defense but SSS deserves better than his teammates are giving him, thats for certain.

 

There's no fire on this team. I remember after Ray retired everytime Harbaugh was asked who would be the leader(s) on the team he'd get annoyed as if it wasn't important/overrated. It's Harbaugh's team now. These are the types of players he's wanted. This team is soft, uninspired, personality challenged, and ill coached (players out of position and can't tackle) It's a matter of time before they start tuning the coaches out.

[Fullblack_RAVEN]

This team needs to fire pees. Also, i assume the entire front end of the ravens' 2015 draft (first 4 picks) will be used on defensive players. IMO, the ravens should clearly draft a defender in the first, 3rd and 4th rounds. However, i believe if the BPA in the 2nd round is a WR, the ravens should take him. Yeah, the ravens' selection of perriman has been a meh decision so far because of his injuries. However, i believe he's a good HWS (height/weight/speed) prospect who has a ton of potential. It's time for the ravens to build the skill positions around flacco. Flacco's in his prime right now yet is being wasted. His arm won't be this strong in 5 years. Draft speed options and let him unleash his arm right now before it's too late. That's how this team won the superbowl... the big play. Also, if there's a wily, cheap vet in FA that can run routes & catch the ball in traffic, get him too. It's time to build a receiving core reminiscent of the 2012 sb team but w/ more talent.

 

The defense is going to take a year or 2 to rebuild. I'm particularly concerned with their free safety situation. Kendrick lewis is an ok player but isn't the lead FS this team needs. The ravens miss ed reed more than they do ray lewis, suggs or ngata because his expertise in the back end allowed the corners to play w/ elevated confidence. That crew has looked absolutely lost since reed's departure for a reason. Will hill's a very instinctive player and is really good but benefit the most in his prior stop playing w/ a heady safety in antrel rolle. Teams used to fear throwing deep on this team because of the threat of ed reed having a jump on the route. Will hill's really good but no qb fears him to that extent, especially considering that he's our SS. No qb fears kendrick lewis at all. Cornerback's 2nd on that list but this team 100% needs a FS w/ sideline to sideline speed, instincts and smarts. They basically need someone like eric berry, lol.

[stuckonaboat13]

Whats worse the secondary or Joe's salary that he isnt even close to earning

[stuckonaboat13]

I think were picking somehwere between 9-15

1. Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State, 6-7, 317- dude is monster left tackle and exactly what we need on that line.

2. Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georgia, 6-3, 232: No one can replace suggs but this guys is not far off with his size and speed

3.Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, 6-1, 202: Smith is feeling to much pressure and needs help on the other side, Ramsey can also play safety if needed.

[Purple Dawg 96]

This team needs to open it up! Defense isn't the problem, special teams ain't the problem the Offense needs to OPEN IT UP! Keep throwing to Marlon Brown Kamar Aiken And Campy! I don't care if they drop it it will make or break them! I feel they will get better but playing "PREDICTABLE" football is killing the Ravens and the INTs are growing! LETS GO! 13-3

[RaRaRavens]

One has to wonder if we are hitting some sort of slump years. I don't think we'll ever go 3-13 with this FO we have, but we could be facing couple of years where we are not able to do better than 8-8. The reason is manifold.

 

First, drafting at the bottom is catching up to us. Our defensive core of Lewis, Reed, Suggs, Ngata is gone, but we have not been able to find another play maker with the same caliber with late first round draft picks in recent years. We have bunch of solid players, and many average players, but no game changers who could carry this team.

 

Second, our FO has pulled of some amazing moves and drafted some great players in later rounds. But they have made some shaky moves as well and they are starting to show. Among top 10 players against salary cap on the team are Webb, Smith and Hill, totaling over 15 mil against the cap.They should be the cornerstones and leading players of this secondary. They have been anything but. Same way they overpaid Forsett, a player who hadn't done anything in 6 seasons, but then pulled off a career year under arguably the best OC, who is known to make RB-s look amazing. And of course we sign him to a 3mil contract. Sure enough, he hasn't done anything since. I know we have him at a bargain price considering starting RB salaries, and we had few other options, but no one should make the mistake of thinking he's our solution for the future and a franchise RB. We seriously need to find a new starting RB in the next year or two.

 

And lastly, we have very very many holes to fill on both sides of the ball. After this year we'll need a starting WR, probably a starting G, upgrade at LT, 2-3 CBs, S, OLB, and RB. We have staggering amount of gaping holes to fill after this year, and all of these areas can not be addressed with one draft and one off-season.

 

That's why I'm afraid we are going to see couple of down years and a true rebuilding phase of this team. All I can do is hope that once we have re-stacked our team, Flacco will still be here and capable of taking us to another SB.

Edited September 28, 2015 by RaRaRavens

[boldtown]

maybe the ravens should hire a rugby coach to teach how to tackle. watching the replay there is no sense to finish. it has become players standing around as the other team runs by. what happen to the swarm mentality that has made the ravens defense legendary in the pass? the answer is difficult to achieve with a rotating coaching staff, i guess.

[slowboater]

I have one thought: This organization needs to get it's act together. The Patriots, Packers, even the Bengals have the right talent, in the right places, to win big games. We do not. We're suddenly fans of a franchise with no identity. None. Get it together.

Patriots are the class organization. Packers have had their ups and downs and the Bengals were bad for a long, long time. They are getting close to starting to have to make the same decisions the Ravens have had to make in who to pay and who to let go. The Pitta money, Rice money, Webb money.... hard to acquire top notch talent when you have no money....

[Guest darthraider8]

Slowboater you have no idea what your talking about with Cincinnati, they don't have any big name players coming up that they have to deal with contract wise nor did they spend their cap money as foolishly as the ravens did. The ravens have had a good run, ray lewis is gone, suggs might not be that far behind, they have ignored the rb postion and wr position in the draft way too long, basically they got caught with their pants down counting on subpar players at key positions, they should have never dropped so much money on older players to begin with.