[News] Late For Work 9/13: AFC North Once Again Looking Like One Of NFL's Best Divisions

[dirtybird66]

no wonder JENSEN is second string,he has a tiny BUTT, lol!

[dirtybird66]

well,looks like LEWIS'S son will have his choice of football or basketball.

[dirtybird66]

I would say it would be easier to face a non-mobile QB.

[eze17]

Should be no surprise the AFC North is dominant, every now and then one of the big three have a bad year but usually bounce right back (yeah baby, that will be us this year!). Yes, the squealers and bungles look great, but when we play them (or they play each other) it's always a smash mouth football game that could go either way. Really, you can never count the brownies out when they're playing a divisional game. As much as I want to see the other three teams in our division lose, you have to respect that this is THE toughest bracket to be in. You win this division, you've earned it. Really, you get a wild card coming out of the AFC North, you feel you can match up against anybody, the competition is so good...

And it was nice to see Perriman snag his first NFL catch. I'm hoping he can prove all the nay-sayers wrong and be a good addition to this team. Congrats on your first catch my man, you've got a lot of supporters out there!

[hen826957]

On September 13, 2016 at 11:02 AM, Corvus said:

It's just one week I know but the country can keep jumping on the Steelers' jockstraps all they like. We all knew their offense would be good but that defense just proved exactly what most of us already knew about it. A better team would've made them pay for giving up almost 400 yards. I think the Bengals take it next week on the back of a defense that can actually get after the QB.

I'm actually rooting for the Steelers in this game. Im starting to hate the Bengals more than the Steelers and besides we got the Steelers number lately.

Edited September 16, 2016 by hen826957

[hen826957]

Personally I am just plain tired of the ineptness of the Offense whether that is the line or Joe Flacco. I always get so excited in Preseason thinking this will be the year. NOT! Same old same old. Offense goes into a shell and doesn't do squat.

Give the offense time. It's only one game.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

it always seems i think we upgraded soooo much every off season and noone in our division can possibly be better than us,then i watch CINCI give away all their key players and win with one receiver even though dalton sacked 8 times,then watch PITT. dismantle the SKINS with an offense that i thought we would look like,lot of quick strikes and their secondary was not suppose to look great and then i hear their not even at full strength? plus all in our division have better O-LINES,where does that put us again? 3rd in the AFC north,i guess their right? sucks,we just can't win!

Cincy barely won their game and not even facing the best of the best. Yes they are a good club but that doesn't mean they automatically repeat the efforts of last season.

All of Dalton's plays are simple zone read concept based reads, which means they haven't changed much from last season, trying to keep Hue's system in place. Take that away from Dalton and his old habits will come back. All the hand offs he reads the perimeter for defenders and if he gets a favorable look he pulls it and throws quick, else he lets the RB keep it. So simple. The only wildcard is how you handle Green.

One thing Joe needs to practice more is lofting up deep bombs before the receiver is open so they can run under it and make the catch in full stride.

At this point Pit, Cin, Bal, Cle.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

  5 hours ago, PalmBayRaven said:

They need Urschel to play Center and sit Zuttah if he plays like he did on Sunday.

Gotta give the O-line time to gel.  We're starting 2 rookies on the left side and to throw a new center into the mix and then expecting them to run on all cylinders is a giant task.  

Hmm well I guess when your QB was knocked out the previous season and then you draft to better your o-line so you can better protect you QB you can afford to not demand much.

For the number of QB hits/sacks they gave up that is just unacceptable. One or two sacks/hits is fine. More than that and you gotta be concerned at least somewhat. Joe needs to help his line out by always getting the ball out by the 3 second mark and ensure he is not giving up easy pass rush lines/paths to the QB by his positioning inside the pocket.

[DBsRAVENS]

Personally I am just plain tired of the ineptness of the Offense whether that is the line or Joe Flacco. I always get so excited in Preseason thinking this will be the year. NOT! Same old same old. Offense goes into a shell and doesn't do squat.

I agree 100%.

[Fastynart]

Well, the Steelers and the Bengals look like the AFC North will be tough, and kudos to the Ravens defense, but the offense, oh the offense. Good grief! How can you not move the ball and score on Buffalo, especially in your own stadium? The O Line was awful. Joe took a beating and the play calling did nothing to get the pressure off of him. The running backs never had a chance to get going as defenders were on their backs before they got to the line of scrimmage. The Ravens were darned lucky to be playing inept Buffalo. This lousy offensive performance gives me cause to worry about Cleveland, and then, a much improved Jacksonville team in week 3. The real Ravens better show up the next two weeks. Those on the offense sure didn't this past Sunday.

[January J]

The Steelers caught more breaks last night that i could count on two hands. They aren't as good as all of the pundits are claiming. The redskins gameplan was just awful combined with a bunch of lucky breaks for Pittsburgh. Slow down Antonio brown and they're nothing special. Deangelo Williams is pretty good for his age though.

Edited September 13, 2016 by January J

[OUravensfan]

3 hours ago, hen826957 said:

I'm actually rooting for the Steelers in that game. Im starting to hate the Bengals more than the Steelers and besides we got the Steelers number lately.

 

2 hours ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Cincy barely won their game and not even facing the best of the best. Yes they are a good club but that doesn't mean they automatically repeat the efforts of last season.

All of Dalton's plays are simple zone read concept based reads, which means they haven't changed much from last season, trying to keep Hue's system in place. Take that away from Dalton and his old habits will come back. All the hand offs he reads the perimeter for defenders and if he gets a favorable look he pulls it and throws quick, else he lets the RB keep it. So simple. The only wildcard is how you handle Green.

One thing Joe needs to practice more is lofting up deep bombs before the receiver is open so they can run under it and make the catch in full stride.

At this point Pit, Cin, Bal, Cle.

Dalton is overrated, take away AJ Green and what would he look like? He under threw the TD and Green still made it look good.

 

Our offense needs to improve and I think it will, hopefully the defense has turned the corner for real this time.

Edited September 13, 2016 by OUravensfan

[Doomville]

Personally I am just plain tired of the ineptness of the Offense whether that is the line or Joe Flacco. I always get so excited in Preseason thinking this will be the year. NOT! Same old same old. Offense goes into a shell and doesn't do squat.

ya. I have just given up on it at this point because quite a bit of blame falls onto joe. Joe is a great qb but he is just above average in reg season, not elite. It's the truth. I wish it wasn't but it is

[CaliRavenFan]

I dont know why you guys are hating so much, Bills Defense is hands down better than anyone else our Division faced. I was extremely happy with the game and besides the bad snap we had a solid game. I know everyone wants to be the highest scoring team in the league but all that matters is the win. We had plenty of time to score another touchdown when we ran the clock out but it wasnt needed. At least wait until week 4 before you start complaining and comparing.

[Purple Dawg 96]

This has been the best Division since I've been born! "ESPECIALLY" when it was the AFC Central I'm jus sayin ain't nuthin changed! But now whomever wins the North "Should" win the Super Bowl! "SHOULD"! And the Ravens beat a good bills team Sunday whom I respect and I think they will build off that after looking at the film! I want that Joe back that threw nuthin but strikes when he wanted a starting job! That Joe was "RELENTLESS"! This Joe need a running game smh! Not so "RELENTLESS"!

[Maryland]

I know it was a rhetorical question, but in response to "Would we want it any other way?," I would certainly take a red-carpet to the playoffs every year like the Patriots get by playing in the AFCE over playing in a division that is stacked every year. I mean, it's honorable and somewhat brag-worthy to have our division routinely have 3 playoff contenders, but just give me the easy ride instead.

[sizzlingdoom]

  16 hours ago, Corvus said:

It's just one week I know but the country can keep jumping on the Steelers' jockstraps all they like. We all knew their offense would be good but that defense just proved exactly what most of us already knew about it. A better team would've made them pay for giving up almost 400 yards. I think the Bengals take it next week on the back of a defense that can actually get after the QB.

I'm actually rooting for the Steelers in that game. Im starting to hate the Bengals more than the Steelers and besides we got the Steelers number lately.

Wait, What?!? Why would you EVER be rooting for the steelers? EVER???

[OUravensfan]

7 hours ago, Maryland said:

I know it was a rhetorical question, but in response to "Would we want it any other way?," I would certainly take a red-carpet to the playoffs every year like the Patriots get by playing in the AFCE over playing in a division that is stacked every year. I mean, it's honorable and somewhat brag-worthy to have our division routinely have 3 playoff contenders, but just give me the easy ride instead.

Not for anything, it is not coincidence Manning and Brady have dominated the AFC and yet play in the easiest divisions for the last 15 years. They would of still had great careers that's not what this is but had Brady been in the North he's not making all those Championship game appearances since he wouldn't be propped up to a bye week each year. 

It disgusts me, it's almost unfair 

Edited September 14, 2016 by OUravensfan

[OUravensfan]

3 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Wait, What?!? Why would you EVER be rooting for the steelers? EVER???

I've pulled for the Steelers over the Bengals in almost every single matchup since I moved to Cincinnati in 2003 with exception of situations where Baltimore needed Cinci to win, which never happened of course.

[trevorsteadman]

1 hour ago, OUravensfan said:

I've pulled for the Steelers over the Bengals in almost every single matchup since I moved to Cincinnati in 2003 with exception of situations where Baltimore needed Cinci to win, which never happened of course.

I still root for the Bengals? Why? I see them as the less superior team and if the Ravens want a shot at the division title the Steelers need to lose. I see Cincinnati as less of a threat this year with who they have lost.

[RavenSwag]

I know it was last year and we have Weddle and Webb back there instead of Hill and Lewis but the way Josh McCown torched our secondary for those 2 games, I am a bit nervous. Cleveland normally plays us tough anyway but we'll win by 8 points.

[OUravensfan]

36 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

I still root for the Bengals? Why? I see them as the less superior team and if the Ravens want a shot at the division title the Steelers need to lose. I see Cincinnati as less of a threat this year with who they have lost.

I think Cininnati is the more the complete team, Boyd will fill in for Sanu and Jones and Lafaell can as well, he already has a quarter of Sanu's production after one game. As you saw, all that matters is AJ Green and eventually Tyler Eifert.

[balfan23]

10 minutes ago, OUravensfan said:

I think Cininnati is the more the complete team, Boyd will fill in for Sanu and Jones and Lafaell can as well, he already has a quarter of Sanu's production after one game. As you saw, all that matters is AJ Green and eventually Tyler Eifert.

Unfortunately, who needs complete when you've got the kinds of offensive threats that the Steelers have. Ben is just ridiculous. Brown is going to likely be the most productive WR in the league. They've got Coates filling in nicely for the suspended Bryant and Williams filling in nicely for the suspended Bell. An example of what Ben can do that makes you just say - how did he do that? - was the snap that hits the turf ... he picks it off the ground, barely even looks downfield and puts a 35 yard strike right on Coates. Its crazy. 

Maybe Cincinnati is a more complete team, but the Steelers are still the Steelers ... unless it is the last couple games of the season and they are out of it, I will always be looking for them to lose no matter who they are playing. 

[Ravenshine]

Well, we might as well face (and beat) McCown and co (rather than RG3) cause we need to be tough enough D to face the other teams in our Div. My opinion tho is Pittsburg with decimate the already injured Bengals this week and I don't think long term Cincy will stay on top (as they've done past years). Even Browns may pass them. We on other hand need to keep pace with Steelers so that when we face them we're ready.

[OUravensfan]

4 minutes ago, balfan23 said:

Unfortunately, who needs complete when you've got the kinds of offensive threats that the Steelers have. Ben is just ridiculous. Brown is going to likely be the most productive WR in the league. They've got Coates filling in nicely for the suspended Bryant and Williams filling in nicely for the suspended Bell. An example of what Ben can do that makes you just say - how did he do that? - was the snap that hits the turf ... he picks it off the ground, barely even looks downfield and puts a 35 yard strike right on Coates. Its crazy. 

Maybe Cincinnati is a more complete team, but the Steelers are still the Steelers ... unless it is the last couple games of the season and they are out of it, I will always be looking for them to lose no matter who they are playing. 

 

4 minutes ago, Ravenshine said:

Well, we might as well face (and beat) McCown and co (rather than RG3) cause we need to be tough enough D to face the other teams in our Div. My opinion tho is Pittsburg with decimate the already injured Bengals this week and I don't think long term Cincy will stay on top (as they've done past years). Even Browns may pass them. We on other hand need to keep pace with Steelers so that when we face them we're ready.

Part of this is recency bias in the fact that we match up better against Pittsburgh than Cincinnati. I still think we have a better chance beating Pitt and would love to play them in the Championship game this year.

[Ravenshine]

  56 minutes ago, balfan23 said:

Unfortunately, who needs complete when you've got the kinds of offensive threats that the Steelers have. Ben is just ridiculous. Brown is going to likely be the most productive WR in the league. They've got Coates filling in nicely for the suspended Bryant and Williams filling in nicely for the suspended Bell. An example of what Ben can do that makes you just say - how did he do that? - was the snap that hits the turf ... he picks it off the ground, barely even looks downfield and puts a 35 yard strike right on Coates. Its crazy. 

Maybe Cincinnati is a more complete team, but the Steelers are still the Steelers ... unless it is the last couple games of the season and they are out of it, I will always be looking for them to lose no matter who they are playing. 

 

  55 minutes ago, Ravenshine said:

Well, we might as well face (and beat) McCown and co (rather than RG3) cause we need to be tough enough D to face the other teams in our Div. My opinion tho is Pittsburg with decimate the already injured Bengals this week and I don't think long term Cincy will stay on top (as they've done past years). Even Browns may pass them. We on other hand need to keep pace with Steelers so that when we face them we're ready.

Part of this is recency bias in the fact that we match up better against Pittsburgh than Cincinnati. I still think we have a better chance beating Pitt and would love to play them in the Championship game this year.

Yep, Pitts-Bal Championship game would be great to see. It's been a while. And we need pay-back.

[Crusader]

Steelers vs Bengals I hope they beat the crap out of each other.

[hen826957]

12 hours ago, sizzlingdoom said:

Wait, What?!? Why would you EVER be rooting for the steelers? EVER???

Steelers are a less concern than those Bengals and plus l respect them more. I'm only rooting for them in this match up. We can beat the Steelers. But some reason l hate the Bengals more because they keep beating us with AJ. Green in late touchdown passes. 

[sizzlingdoom]

  On 9/14/2016 at 0:46 AM, sizzlingdoom said:

Wait, What?!? Why would you EVER be rooting for the steelers? EVER???

Steelers are a less concern than those Bengals and plus l respect them more. I'm only rooting for them in this match up. We can beat the Steelers. But some reason l hate the Bengals more because they keep beating us with AJ. Green in late touchdown passes. 

Gottcha. I thought you were saying you were rooting for the Steelers vs the Redskins......Didn't understand that. I think we have a tougher time vs the bengals too

[Cawtious]

On ‎9‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 9:09 AM, billiejean said:

Urchel played worse than Zuttah last year. Heck, Urchel played worse than Jenson did last year. Yea, center is a cerebral position, but you also need to have the strength. When Urchel didn't have help from a guard, many of the times he was put on skates into the backfield. It is possible that he gained some strength in the offseason, but with him being injured for so many weeks its hard to tell how he is going to do in a real game. That said, I read somewhere today that he was cleared to play, so it will be interesting to see where he fits. If Zuttah really struggles in the game they could most definetly take him out. What I am unsure of is the fact that the depth chart (yea I know its unofficial) has Jensen as the back up center. The reason for this, I assume is that Urchel was penciled in as the starting left gaurd before his injury. Because he was the starter I am sure he got all of the reps at the guard position. I just wonder if he as able to take any reps at center. That is all speculation though. We may just have to wait and see.

I think we'll see Urschel and Hurst dress and Jensen will be inactive.  Urschel seems to have Harbs favor right now, and while Jensen has played a smattering of Tackle, I don't see them opting to Jensen and Urschel as the backups.  If Wagner were injured, I can see Yanda sliding out to RG and Urschel being planted at RG.  If Stanley were injured (perish the thought) then Hurst would enter at LT.  I think that is the crux of the matter.  I don't think they'd want to have that scenario happen without a "true tackle" in reserve.

Last year, Urschel was the primary backup (G/C).  I don't know that he's lost that position yet.

I just don't see Zuttah losing his job right now.  If he did, then I think you'd probably see Urschel at Center and Jensen as the primary G/C backup. 

My personal feelings are that Jensen is a stronger and more aggressive player than Urschel, hands down.  Chaos math is no substitute for horsepower and attitude in the trenches.  His scoring by outside sources (if you take any stock in that) shows he  tends to be better on game day than either.