The good, bad, and really sad, Week 8 edition

[Deflated Football]

First off, you mentioned playoffs. Secondly, its been proven that Flacco locks in on Sr and others can in fact get open. Flacco just loves himself some Sr.

Now THAT'S cute and funny! Flacco has thrown to SSS so much because Marlon and Kamar cannot consistently gain seperation. And why not dream for a playoff run? I admire your losing mentality.

[RavensFanMania]

Aiken really stepped up with the loss of Steve Smith.  Givens had some nice plays as well.

 

I sincerely hope Steve Smith isn't hurt as badly as it seemed, but if that's the last I saw of him in a Ravens uniform, it's been a damn good journey.  The guy played his heart out here and I have immense respect for the guy.

Don't know about that.  I definitely don't think he is going to want to go out like that.

[BmoreRavens732]

Defense needs to learn to force turnovers. We will consistently be at a disadvantage because of their inability to do so.

I agree. But you can't force turnovers when playing soft. Turnovers are usually generated by aggressive play. Pees is to damn soft.

[PurpleCity5]

Good game, defense at least stepped up when it mattered most. 

[StingerNLG]

First off, you mentioned playoffs. Secondly, its been proven that Flacco locks in on Sr and others can in fact get open. Flacco just loves himself some Sr.

 

If only they caught the ball when he threw it to them, maybe he wouldn't lock onto the only reliable weapon he had.   Don't worry though, now you get your wish.  Kamar Aiken/Marlon Brown it is!   The dynamic duo!   Tha gamechangers finally get their chance to shine!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

did you see that banged up team we played? if the chargers had weddle at least...

Did you see that banged up Ravens team the Chargers played?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Now THAT'S cute and funny! Flacco has thrown to SSS so much because Marlon and Kamar cannot consistently gain seperation. And why not dream for a playoff run? I admire your losing mentality.

That may be true but it doesn't change the fact that he does lock in on SSS and it's caused at least 4 crucial interceptions that I can think of off the top of my head.

Aiken played well against Pitt once Sr went out and played very well again today when he went out. Plus Givens, Ross and Juice all made plays.

These guys got open. We're definitely better with SSS on the field, but it's true that Flacco locks in too much on him and tries to force feed him.

And with SSS out, why was Aiken considtently open? How did Givens and Ross make plays if they can't get open? They may not do it as consistently as you'd hope for, but they do get open... And it's a fact that Flacco has often neglected other open targets and chose to force balls into tight coverage to SSS.

It's not a knock on SSS or pumping up Aiken, Givens or Ross (don't know why u keep throwing Marlon in - NO ONE has mentioned him in a positive light)... It's just a noticeable issue in Flaccos game.

SSS should always get the most targets. The other guys aren't #1 or even #2 receivers and don't get open consistently enough. But locking in on SSS and not going through progressions is a problem. And refusing to do it because you're assuming the other options won't be open is just a bad excuse. It let's the D know where he's going and has often led to horrible interceptions. It's a problem.

If Joe can spread the ball around and play his best football so far this year without his best target on the field, and can make generally scrub WR's look decent... Then he should definitely be able to so that, only better with SSS on the field.

But he hasn't bc of the locking on and tunnel vision.

Regardless of the excuse you want to give it's been a problem... And miraculously it wasn't one after SSS went down.

Same goes for late against Pitt.

Edited November 2, 2015 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[Deflated Football]

It's basically what you're implying though. Since you think that we won't make the playoffs (which is probably true), we should just go forward with what we have on offense which is a huge mistake. Going into the season with Kamar as the number three before BP got hurt was a mistake. Kamar and Marlon will be the number one and two, respectively, when we play Jacksonville, and you're fine with that?

[ellicottraven]

I loved the way Flacco kept plays alive today by buying time with his feet. Our o-line seriously needs to get it's poop together.

Watch your language sir! 

[1/28/01]

It's basically what you're implying though. Since you think that we won't make the playoffs (which is probably true), we should just go forward with what we have on offense which is a huge mistake. Going into the season with Kamar as the number three before BP got hurt was a mistake. Kamar and Marlon will be the number one and two, respectively, when we play Jacksonville, and you're fine with that?

Yes, I'm fine with it because this is the real world and not Madden. You make moves this late in the season when you're a game or two away or a position or two away from competing. We're not, unfortunately.

[ellicottraven]

The thing about this Ravens team is that somehow despite our record, Harbaugh has kept team spirits up and playing with determination and for each other. Kudos to Harbaugh for keeping the team together and not allowing dissent.

[DomMcRaven]

The thing about this Ravens team is that somehow despite our record, Harbaugh has kept team spirits up and playing with determination and for each other. Kudos to Harbaugh for keeping the team together and not allowing dissent.

I said it earlier in this thread, but I love watching Harbs getting fired up after a young player makes a nice play. 

[usmccharles]

The thing about this Ravens team is that somehow despite our record, Harbaugh has kept team spirits up and playing with determination and for each other. Kudos to Harbaugh for keeping the team together and not allowing dissent.

ans people were saying it's time to move on from him, ha. I see him being here for quite some time

[flynismo]

I really don't even care about the game right now.....Smitty

[52520Andrew]

The good: We won

The bad: Worse draft position now

The really sad: You all know

[stampedehero]

Steve is ultimate Raven.   RESPECT to the player who leads others and proves his value every time he enters a stadium.  Some Charger players offered their respect too.  

 

We have a bye.  Cleveland plays the Bengals....  We CAN escape the basement and watch the Browns slide there.  

[stampedehero]

I said it earlier in this thread, but I love watching Harbs getting fired up after a young player makes a nice play. 

Right with ya Dom    (Blazers back)

[stampedehero]

The Good: I'm critical of Trestman but I think he called a good game. He just needs to stop being so conservative and get players involved more often.

The Bad: Defense again not shutting down opposing QBs. I'm not sure what happened on the play where Floyd was wide open for a 70 yard TD, but that was a critical 3rd & 10.

Ugly: The officiating. Good lord, Kyle Arrington didn't touch the guy and got called for PI. They really didn't want to give us that safety. Being at the stadium, I was waiting for a manure chant when they were so bent on not giving us a safety. So the RB stopped waiting for a hole to open, Officials rule forward progress was stopped? Yet Chris Johnson gets tackled to the ground and his progress wasn't stopped?

Really Ugly: Feel so bad for Steve. He doesn't deserve to go out like this. I hope Steve reconsiders retirement just so he can go out on his own terms next year.

Agree   That stadium atmosphere  is unique.   You witnessed an epic game.  I went to the Browns game and came out with the other silent victims

[stampedehero]

Hey......  all of the draft advocates should save their depression for the end of the season.  

 

Lets ENJOY the win and RESPECT  the mighty Steve Smith!.  

[FoxRox75]

Of course losing Steve Smith Sr. is just awful; I sincerely hope his recovery is smooth and quick. It would be pretty depressing if that is indeed how his career ends. I did predict we'd get this win, so there you go; typical defensive struggles again, having trouble covering anyone. Offense seemed decent though - it was nice to see Flacco not throwing any picks this time. At least we finally got a home win. For those only concerned about the draft pick, I wouldn't worry too much; we barely even won today, and it's not likely we're going to win many more games.

[January J]

Good: Flacco's hands -- reaching out to one hand the ball on Urschel's errrant shotgun snaps

 

Bad: Gillmore also left the game with an arm injury.

 

Sad: If Gillmore's injury impacts or prevents him from playing. We might have lost our 2 most productive pass catchers today.

  wow I didn't hear that. Hopefully it's nothing serious, but atleast he will get an extra week to recover.

Not sure if it's been mentioned earlier in the thread, but Joe seemed to put more zip on the balls than he usually does imo. More low-arching laser shots and less balloon floaters that are 'easily' intercepted. 

Nice to see Joe play an INT-free game for a change.

I think he may have gotten the message. He had been asked the question by reporters why he was throwing off his back foot so much, so I think that was in the back of his mind and he adjusted.

[PurpleCity5]

Maxx Williams only played 3 snaps compared to Boyles 23....Well....

[BmoreBird22]

Maxx Williams only played 3 snaps compared to Boyles 23....Well....

Have to believe the ankle was still bothering him. 

[Shammy]

Givens Looks promising he has great speed along with ross on the flipside why is marlon brown even suting up this guy is a waste of a suit up give the spot to a young hungry guy .. I thought the defense played well besides the secondary , Kendrick Lewis is The worst DB ive seen on the ravens since Deron Jenkins

[DomMcRaven]

Right with ya Dom    (Blazers back)

It seems that we can never beat the Suns. It's starting to annoy me. 

 

Givens Looks promising he has great speed along with ross on the flipside why is marlon brown even suting up this guy is a waste of a suit up give the spot to a young hungry guy .. I thought the defense played well besides the secondary , Kendrick Lewis is The worst DB ive seen on the ravens since Deron Jenkins

Worse than Chykie Brown? Lol, but I agree. I'm so done with Lewis at this point. 

[berad]

Bittersweet win with Steve going down but I was very glad to see the W

 

Flacco was outstanding. Most impressive was corraling some of those errant snaps. The offense was focused and productive, despite two big losses mid-game. He was under some pressure but this was a really good game for him.

 

RBs were average. Nothing special from them, especially considering San Diego has one of the worst rushing defenses in the NFL. We went away from the running game at times because we weren't getting traction. Juice had a huge catch down the sidelines, that was nice.

 

WRs made plays. So tough with Steve going down, the guys behind him are unknowns to anyone who doesn't follow this team closely. They stepped up. Love what I see from Givens and think his role should expand greatly, similar sentiments for Ross. Kamar came up big, made some nice catches that we needed. Crockett did his thing, he's so strong and will break your tackle or drag you along. Heard he had an injury, though, no sure what or what severity.

 

OL had some issues. Hurst was abused. Urschel struggled on the snaps after Zuttah went out, everyone saw that. Yanda must've had some issue early in the game because he was sidelined for a series, Urschel replaced him. The RBs made some solid blocks in pass-pro when called upon.

 

DL did a good job, saw lots of Brandon Williams and Jernigan getting to the backfield. The Jernigan sack on Rivers was outstanding, those are the flashes of dominance you can see from him. The move he put on the interior lineman (I think it was a rip, can't find the replay) was a beauty, he left the guy grasping for air as he charged to Rivers. He's done that before, I love seeing it.

 

LBs were average. Mosley struggled at times, his wrist is bothering him and he went to the sideline because of it at one point. Daryl Smith was solid. Didn't see much from the OLBs, seems like the Chargers OL stymied them. Maybe I'd change my rating to 'below average'.

 

DBs were outmatched at times. Miscommunications were (and are) a common thread. Individually, I don't know that you can single out one guy as being that bad. Floyd beat Webb 1-on-1 for a TD. Allen went up over Lewis and Jimmy for his TD. Other times were we played 8 yds off on 3rd and short, only to be completed in front of our face. Hill played a great game, a few big plays.

 

ST was great, earned the game ball. Koch was nailing punts, coverage kept Jacoby from doing anything too. Tucker made all of his kicks and every kcikoff was a touchback. Asa had the XP block which may or may not have been offsides. Awesome performance.

 

The refs made a ton of questionable calls / decisions. This happens across all games and all weeks. The league really needs to look into what is happening - consumers are noticing. The 'unnecessary roughness' on Melvin Gordon? Please....

[stampedehero]

The thing about this Ravens team is that somehow despite our record, Harbaugh has kept team spirits up and playing with determination and for each other. Kudos to Harbaugh for keeping the team together and not allowing dissent.

That is a good point.   Think of all the teams that enter that depression.  I think the Vikings hade the worst  experiences.

[GrimCoconut]

Man I sure miss Jacoby Jones. He had such an impact yesterday.

[rmcjacket23]

Man I sure miss Jacoby Jones. He had such an impact yesterday.

I see what you did there...

[JEEPercreepermd]

Am I the only one in panic mode because of SSS missing the rest of the season and Marlon/Kamar will now be our number one? Ozzie seriously can't expect a run to get into the playoffs with Flacco's starting WR's.

Dude, we weren't making the Playoffs before he got hurt. No need to panic.