[News] Eisenberg: Ravens Embracing Disappointment? Not A Bad Idea

[BR News]

Nothing motives pro athletes more than failure, so keeping last year’s 5-11 record at the forefront of the Ravens’ minds could be very effective.

View the full article

[Space11jams]

I think that would be a great idea to put 5-11 on the back of a tshirt. Something like that can be used for inspiration. You hear it all the time when guys talk about things they had to go through in their early life. Mike Evans for example. Look at what he went through and how he took that experience and used it to become who he is today. The sun still shines even on cloudy days. Our cloudy day was 5-11. Our sunshine is the playoffs and hopefully a SB.

[Ravensfan23]

I love that the younger players are pissed at going 5-11. As a fan I look at last season as an aberration due to injuries but to see the players use it as motivation throughout the off-season is refreshing. It shows their commitment level and passion is high. It shows the Ravens Way didn't retire with some of the vets. Losing is not tolerated here no matter the cause. I love it. 

[eze17]

I applaud player's wanting to improve on last season; I also don't think its healthy to dwell on losing either. If you put yourself in to bad a mindset, it can spiral downwards if you start losing. Oh no, here we go again mentality, which a team does not need. I'd rather go with the positive than the negative: if I play to my best ability, then we have a good shot at winning. I don't consider this a scrub team, so I don't expect the players to feel that they have to take chances and play over their limits to win.

[harfordravenfan]

Getting rid of a major injury bug the past two years will go a long way. But I agree that they should embrace last year as motivation, play relentless, and get back into the playoffs 

[Winchester]

Like the attitude. Losing is not an option for the ravens. Players like Kufusi Henry Ron Stanley Chris moore Dixon have very good natural talent and work ethic. Ravens brought in the best training nutrition expert in the league to help players get stronger and more explosive. And those guys will get stronger and faster and more athletic to tack on to their technique and will be impact players!! And ravens will compete for the afc trophy!! Behind Campanaro Perriman Mosley Jernigan Jensen yanda Urschel Wagner and this hard working draftclass

Edited May 31, 2016 by Winchester
Add on

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Failure is nothing more than a measuring stick for how close or how far you are from success. Anyone would be a fool not to learn from their failures. Successful people enjoy much success because of enduring much failure. The key is to not let failure define you and realize it is only conditionally set until you rise to the occasion. Knowing what or how not to do something will always steer you in the right direction, the same as knowing what to do. They are just two different ways to understand one common topic.

[stixfix69]

I think all those close games we lost which we could have won, is really the difference between success and failure.....Had it gone our way in all those close games, the attitude would probably be a lot different.....Having said that, 5-11 set us up for drafting pretty insane talent, and always picking high in each round.....11 picks, and i think 11 UDFA, and the UDFA class isn't to shabby....With all this youth, we just reloaded, and have the potential to be good for the next 2-4 years......

[ellicottraven]

I suppose the senior players for the Ravens have to take note of the passion and leadership Jernigan displayed. In fact, I would like to see Flacco be pissed about last season as well. Believe it or not, players really respond when their de facto leader - QB is passionate about losses and shows it. Whether it is in Flacco's personality or not, he needs to learn to display it so he can inspire his team mates. Believe me I like Flacco's easy going, down to earth and nonchalant personality most days, but on occasion I would like to see him angry and pissed at how the season went last year. That is part of his job especially when you're the face of the franchise and being paid top QB money.

[Ravensfan23]

42 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

I suppose the senior players for the Ravens have to take note of the passion and leadership Jernigan displayed. In fact, I would like to see Flacco be pissed about last season as well. Believe it or not, players really respond when their de facto leader - QB is passionate about losses and shows it. Whether it is in Flacco's personality or not, he needs to learn to display it so he can inspire his team mates. Believe me I like Flacco's easy going, down to earth and nonchalant personality most days, but on occasion I would like to see him angry and pissed at how the season went last year. That is part of his job especially when you're the face of the franchise and being paid top QB money.

And how do you know he hasn't? Not attacking your opinion but I'm amazed that after 7+ years people still view Flacco as this quite, non-controversial guy that doesn't wanna ruffle anyone's feathers. That's just not true. 

Flacco speaks his mind, he chews out his teammates when need, I still remember him demanding answer from referee Walt Anderson while on the sidelines. He pushes teammates to raise their level of play. I can't recall one player past or presence who I've heard say they didn't respect, nor felt they couldn't follow Flacco, yet fans continue to think he lacks leadership qualities and abilities. 

I'm willing to bet Joe Flacco isn't just sitting back being ho-hum about the team being 5-11 last year. 

[MTRavensFan]

Amen.

Anybody questioning Joe's leadership or passion clearly didn't watch him hobble back out there on a busted knee to secure a W in a game that was basically meaningless at that point. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. 

[BmoreB]

@John Eisenberg... I love the idea for the t shirts lol ... you should seriously try pitching it to Harbaugh lol... at the very least have one made just for him :)

[FloridalovesRavens]

Amen.

Anybody questioning Joe's leadership or passion clearly didn't watch him hobble back out there on a busted knee to secure a W in a game that was basically meaningless at that point. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. 

You got that right!!!

[FloridalovesRavens]

Getting rid of a major injury bug the past two years will go a long way. But I agree that they should embrace last year as motivation, play relentless, and get back into the playoffs 

I really never saw the Ravens give up on any game last year. They kept the pedal to the medal in the games I watched. To me they were and are relentless. Go Ravens.

[Ravensfan23]

48 minutes ago, MTRavensFan said:

Amen.

Anybody questioning Joe's leadership or passion clearly didn't watch him hobble back out there on a busted knee to secure a W in a game that was basically meaningless at that point. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. 

Action always speak louder then words to me. Flacco doesn't have to rehab at the Castle, but he's there everyday and I heard he's the first in last out. Flacco doesn't have to be on the sidelines watching "voluntary" OTAs. Steve Smith, Watson and Wallace all mentioned Flacco as a big reason to sign here. 

I think there is 0% chance the Ravens would bring a ticking time bomb like Smitty in if they thought Flacco lacked leadership and toughness. Flacco will be a huge reason why this team gets back to their winning ways

[sami]

I suppose the senior players for the Ravens have to take note of the passion and leadership Jernigan displayed. In fact, I would like to see Flacco be pissed about last season as well. Believe it or not, players really respond when their de facto leader - QB is passionate about losses and shows it. Whether it is in Flacco's personality or not, he needs to learn to display it so he can inspire his team mates. Believe me I like Flacco's easy going, down to earth and nonchalant personality most days, but on occasion I would like to see him angry and pissed at how the season went last year. That is part of his job especially when you're the face of the franchise and being paid top QB money.

I think Flacco has his say and can bring some heat in the confines of the locker room, but he doesn't call people out in public. Ive never heard one player on the team say Flacco doesn't have fire or isnt ultra competitive.

[mearzunkies]

I think all those close games we lost which we could have won, is really the difference between success and failure.....Had it gone our way in all those close games, the attitude would probably be a lot different.....Having said that, 5-11 set us up for drafting pretty insane talent, and always picking high in each round.....11 picks, and i think 11 UDFA, and the UDFA class isn't to shabby....With all this youth, we just reloaded, and have the potential to be good for the next 2-4 years......

And to think the team was down multiple keep players. They will be better this season. Playoff bound better

[mearzunkies]

  4 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

I suppose the senior players for the Ravens have to take note of the passion and leadership Jernigan displayed. In fact, I would like to see Flacco be pissed about last season as well. Believe it or not, players really respond when their de facto leader - QB is passionate about losses and shows it. Whether it is in Flacco's personality or not, he needs to learn to display it so he can inspire his team mates. Believe me I like Flacco's easy going, down to earth and nonchalant personality most days, but on occasion I would like to see him angry and pissed at how the season went last year. That is part of his job especially when you're the face of the franchise and being paid top QB money.

I think Flacco has his say and can bring some heat in the confines of the locker room, but he doesn't call people out in public. Ive never heard one player on the team say Flacco doesn't have fire or isnt ultra competitive.

People want crazy loons like Rivers and Cutler now a days. Give me Joe any day over those 2 average Qb's

[ellicottraven]

3 hours ago, Ravensfan23 said:

And how do you know he hasn't? Not attacking your opinion but I'm amazed that after 7+ years people still view Flacco as this quite, non-controversial guy that doesn't wanna ruffle anyone's feathers. That's just not true. 

Flacco speaks his mind, he chews out his teammates when need, I still remember him demanding answer from referee Walt Anderson while on the sidelines. He pushes teammates to raise their level of play. I can't recall one player past or presence who I've heard say they didn't respect, nor felt they couldn't follow Flacco, yet fans continue to think he lacks leadership qualities and abilities. 

I'm willing to bet Joe Flacco isn't just sitting back being ho-hum about the team being 5-11 last year. 

You speak with so much conviction about what Flacco is thinking or potentially doing. It almost seems like you've seen Flacco in the flesh being a dynamic leader and in the locker room! All I'm saying is I would like to see it displayed a little. Again like I previously stated this is not to ridicule Flacco nor be his ardent apologist - it's just my observation.

Like I stated very clearly I like Flacco's calm demeanor but sometimes it is important to display the passion that Jernigan showed today. Flacco had a longer presser than did Jernigan, but I didn't see him talk about how upset he was about the last year. Not that he wasn't but he wasn't vocal about it. Jernigan was clearly affected by it and brought it up without being asked. I expect Flacco to be the same way, because if he does it, then it works in more ways than one.

[ellicottraven]

3 hours ago, sami said:

I think Flacco has his say and can bring some heat in the confines of the locker room, but he doesn't call people out in public. Ive never heard one player on the team say Flacco doesn't have fire or isnt ultra competitive.

Hey Sami! Nobody is asking him to call out anybody and it wouldn't matter if anybody did because he wouldn't comply. This isn't about that but about being more vocal than he's been and showcase that hidden passion that everybody seems to know about.

[Ravensfan23]

2 hours ago, ellicottraven said:

You speak with so much conviction about what Flacco is thinking or potentially doing. It almost seems like you've seen Flacco in the flesh being a dynamic leader and in the locker room! All I'm saying is I would like to see it displayed a little. Again like I previously stated this is not to ridicule Flacco nor be his ardent apologist - it's just my observation.

Like I stated very clearly I like Flacco's calm demeanor but sometimes it is important to display the passion that Jernigan showed today. Flacco had a longer presser than did Jernigan, but I didn't see him talk about how upset he was about the last year. Not that he wasn't but he wasn't vocal about it. Jernigan was clearly affected by it and brought it up without being asked. I expect Flacco to be the same way, because if he does it, then it works in more ways than one.

No need to get defensive, I never said you didn't like Flacco, or you couldn't ridicule Flacco, or someone needed to be a apologist for Flacco, hell I even said I wasn't attacking your opinion, but i'll say it again, I'm not attacking your opinion, your observation or anything else. All i asked was how do you know Flacco didn't or hasn't voiced his displeasure with the 5-11 season with his team mates that he rehabs with daily? Flacco hasn't been asked about the 5-11 season in any of the interviews i've seen.  He's been asked about his knee, the contract, the new weapons, having the same OC, but never how the 5-11 season motivates him. 

Jernigan was clearly asked about how the 5-11 season motivated him this offseason. It's not something that he lead the presser off with or brought up on his own, he was asked that question. Flacco wasn't asked that question in his presser.

Again like I said, i'm amazed that people are still asking Flacco to change or show more leadership after 7+ successful seasons 

[ellicottraven]

12 minutes ago, Ravensfan23 said:

No need to get defensive, I never said you didn't like Flacco, or you couldn't ridicule Flacco, or someone needed to be a apologist for Flacco, hell I even said I wasn't attacking your opinion, but i'll say it again, I'm not attacking your opinion, your observation or anything else. All i asked was how do you know Flacco didn't or hasn't voiced his displeasure with the 5-11 season with his team mates that he rehabs with daily? Flacco hasn't been asked about the 5-11 season in any of the interviews i've seen.  He's been asked about his knee, the contract, the new weapons, having the same OC, but never how the 5-11 season motivates him. 

Jernigan was clearly asked about how the 5-11 season motivated him this offseason. It's not something that he lead the presser off with or brought up on his own, he was asked that question. Flacco wasn't asked that question in his presser.

Again like I said, i'm amazed that people are still asking Flacco to change or show more leadership after 7+ successful seasons 

Now, now about somebody being defensive....

[OzzieBisciotti]

Ozzie didn't make this team significantly better this year- I say we go 6-10 this year. We overpaid an aging safety and an aging TE. The line is questionable and Breshard who? Elam who? Arthur Brown who? Suggs is old and Dums is getting up there... Flacco is Flacco, probably overpaid on him. While he doesn't stink, he's not elite- otherwise, he would've willed a couple of wins last year on his own. To his defense, Oz didn't really give him any receivers to work with last year- injuries are an excuse. Washington also had a bunch of injuries, but they made it to the playoffs last year with a QB that they paid $600k last year, although he's going to get $20M this year. The team down south also got a shut down corner in Norman, and what did Oz do during FA? Exactly... nothing, our secondary will suck again next year- same old defense- definitely not the Ravens of how we knew them in the past when people actually feared us- that team is now the Bronco's defense. We've also fallen back behind the Squeelers and the Bungals- talent wise. Eric and Oz shouldn't be given a lifetime pass- this team doesn' t make the playoffs this year either- sorry folks.

[chsbasebalplayer]

Ozzie didn't make this team significantly better this year- I say we go 6-10 this year. We overpaid an aging safety and an aging TE. The line is questionable and Breshard who? Elam who? Arthur Brown who? Suggs is old and Dums is getting up there... Flacco is Flacco, probably overpaid on him. While he doesn't stink, he's not elite- otherwise, he would've willed a couple of wins last year on his own. To his defense, Oz didn't really give him any receivers to work with last year- injuries are an excuse. Washington also had a bunch of injuries, but they made it to the playoffs last year with a QB that they paid $600k last year, although he's going to get $20M this year. The team down south also got a shut down corner in Norman, and what did Oz do during FA? Exactly... nothing, our secondary will suck again next year- same old defense- definitely not the Ravens of how we knew them in the past when people actually feared us- that team is now the Bronco's defense. We've also fallen back behind the Squeelers and the Bungals- talent wise. Eric and Oz shouldn't be given a lifetime pass- this team doesn' t make the playoffs this year either- sorry folks.

Washington also played in the worst division in all of football.

[usmccharles]

6 hours ago, OzzieBisciotti said:

Ozzie didn't make this team significantly better this year- I say we go 6-10 this year. We overpaid an aging safety and an aging TE. The line is questionable and Breshard who? Elam who? Arthur Brown who? Suggs is old and Dums is getting up there... Flacco is Flacco, probably overpaid on him. While he doesn't stink, he's not elite- otherwise, he would've willed a couple of wins last year on his own. To his defense, Oz didn't really give him any receivers to work with last year- injuries are an excuse. Washington also had a bunch of injuries, but they made it to the playoffs last year with a QB that they paid $600k last year, although he's going to get $20M this year. The team down south also got a shut down corner in Norman, and what did Oz do during FA? Exactly... nothing, our secondary will suck again next year- same old defense- definitely not the Ravens of how we knew them in the past when people actually feared us- that team is now the Bronco's defense. We've also fallen back behind the Squeelers and the Bungals- talent wise. Eric and Oz shouldn't be given a lifetime pass- this team doesn' t make the playoffs this year either- sorry folks.

Whats up Mr Positive. If you think our offseason moves and draft didn't improve this team, then I would love to hear what you would have done.  Let me guess, go get Norman who had one solid year as a shutdown corner, then go get Deion Sanders and get Megatron out of retirement.  Its very easy to sit here and whine about things you don't like in life, but if you don't add in anything of value to the conversation, you are just a whiner. 

Truth is, our secondary improved drastically over the second half of the season. Weddle may not be an elite athlete or talent but he is smart and will help communication back there which is what we really need.  Jimmy will be healthier.  Im not a fan of the Watson signing, but I understand it with Boyle being suspended and Gilmore's status up in the air.  We added Wallace and will get BP back, lot of potential there.

Bengals have one of the, if not the, most talented roster in the league and cant win a playoff game.  Yea, wish we could be them.   We swept the Steelers last year.

You sound like you just want some big names to come in, makes you sound like you just became a Ravens fan because anyone who follows this team knows we don't go after the big names which is why it was shocking we even signed Weddle and Wallace. 

All I read was our entire team is over paid, im jealous of Washington, bla bla bla....just a bunch of whining.  Try adding something in, its very easy to identify a problem, suggesting a solution takes though, clearly something you didn't bother with. 

[J.O.14]

Ozzie didn't make this team significantly better this year- I say we go 6-10 this year. We overpaid an aging safety and an aging TE. The line is questionable and Breshard who? Elam who? Arthur Brown who? Suggs is old and Dums is getting up there... Flacco is Flacco, probably overpaid on him. While he doesn't stink, he's not elite- otherwise, he would've willed a couple of wins last year on his own. To his defense, Oz didn't really give him any receivers to work with last year- injuries are an excuse. Washington also had a bunch of injuries, but they made it to the playoffs last year with a QB that they paid $600k last year, although he's going to get $20M this year. The team down south also got a shut down corner in Norman, and what did Oz do during FA? Exactly... nothing, our secondary will suck again next year- same old defense- definitely not the Ravens of how we knew them in the past when people actually feared us- that team is now the Bronco's defense. We've also fallen back behind the Squeelers and the Bungals- talent wise. Eric and Oz shouldn't be given a lifetime pass- this team doesn' t make the playoffs this year either- sorry folks.

Weddle is one of the best safeties in the league. He is very smart, and will help with our communication issues we have had since Ed left. Webby going to safety could be a great move. He is a great tackler, has ball skills, and has good speed to cover a lot of range. We added 3 pass rushers through the draft/UDFA, if one of those guys, along with Z. Smith can't rush the passer, then we just need to clean house at OLB. I hope Perriman lights it up this year, to prove people like you wrong because the guy had an injury (which happens in football believe it or not). And speaking of Washington, what the heck have they done lately to make me think we should start being like them? Lose in the wild card round? Wow that's impressive. Norman could very well be a system player, and we will find out. We don't need to dish out a ton of money to a guy who had one good year, in a system where he was surrounded by superstars. We have improved a lot from last year.

Our defense will be better. If you think otherwise, tell me how we didn't improve? Our offense probably has the most weapons we have had since 2012, and honestly, we look better on paper than we did that year. If your gonna bash what we do, go be a skins fan.

[J.O.14]

I suppose the senior players for the Ravens have to take note of the passion and leadership Jernigan displayed. In fact, I would like to see Flacco be pissed about last season as well. Believe it or not, players really respond when their de facto leader - QB is passionate about losses and shows it. Whether it is in Flacco's personality or not, he needs to learn to display it so he can inspire his team mates. Believe me I like Flacco's easy going, down to earth and nonchalant personality most days, but on occasion I would like to see him angry and pissed at how the season went last year. That is part of his job especially when you're the face of the franchise and being paid top QB money.

I'm sure Flacco isn't happen about going 5-11. He is busting his tail in rehab at the castle everyday, which he doesn't have to. I'm sure he is providing a lot of insight and help to the young players learning the offense. He is a leader on our offense, and this team. We don't see anything about Flacco except what we see on Sundays, and I'm sure if we did, our opinions would change a lot.

[rmcjacket23]

10 hours ago, OzzieBisciotti said:

Ozzie didn't make this team significantly better this year- I say we go 6-10 this year. We overpaid an aging safety and an aging TE. The line is questionable and Breshard who? Elam who? Arthur Brown who? Suggs is old and Dums is getting up there... Flacco is Flacco, probably overpaid on him. While he doesn't stink, he's not elite- otherwise, he would've willed a couple of wins last year on his own. To his defense, Oz didn't really give him any receivers to work with last year- injuries are an excuse. Washington also had a bunch of injuries, but they made it to the playoffs last year with a QB that they paid $600k last year, although he's going to get $20M this year. The team down south also got a shut down corner in Norman, and what did Oz do during FA? Exactly... nothing, our secondary will suck again next year- same old defense- definitely not the Ravens of how we knew them in the past when people actually feared us- that team is now the Bronco's defense. We've also fallen back behind the Squeelers and the Bungals- talent wise. Eric and Oz shouldn't be given a lifetime pass- this team doesn' t make the playoffs this year either- sorry folks.

I guess some fans just need to look at themselves in the mirror and decide if they want to win March or if they want to win January.

Because those guys that win March never seem to win January...

You sound like a March guy to me.

[MTRavensFan]

17 hours ago, sami said:

I think Flacco has his say and can bring some heat in the confines of the locker room, but he doesn't call people out in public. Ive never heard one player on the team say Flacco doesn't have fire or isnt ultra competitive.

Exactly. 

And in his pressers he never throws anyone under the bus,  he always shoulders the responsibility,  even when it's not his fault. That's the kind of leadership teammates love. 

As far as Weddle, his experience as field general was sorely needed,  and whether he's lost a step or not is debatable. More to the point,  he's played with Shareece, who goes way back with Jimmy, who's played with Webby for years - the chemistry is already there. These guys are amped and excited to be playing together; and there will be no butting heads over whose directing coverages and assignments. Add Frazier to the mix, and we could be looking at something really special this year. Our secondary, which has played so poorly due to lack of both talent and leadership,  could end up being the strength of the team, and I can't wait to watch!