Is Harbaugh on the Hot Seat Yet

[ellicottraven]

If we don't win double digit games and either miss the playoffs or get in as a wild card only to lose in the first playoff game, I think Harbaugh is gone. Otherwise Harbaugh's reign continues for several more years.

[Adreme]

1 hour ago, PurpleCity5 said:

There will no excuses in losing to teams we should beat. Biscotii is probably grinding his teeth at the thought the we lost to the Redskins at home, and to the Jets at New York, both are games we should have won. Maybe losing to the Redskins has some meaning considering the replacement at OC, but Trestman's days were numbered anyways. If you can't pull out the win vs Washington than beat the Bengals week 17 and make the postseason. 

I think this season will be a no-excuse season for Harbaugh unless we have another injury plagued year. 

Yes and due  to the Ravens schedule the teams the Ravens should beat plus splitting the tough games only really gets you to 10 wins which is why I say 9 or 10 wins is the expectation 

[allblackraven]

1 hour ago, PurpleCity5 said:

There will no excuses in losing to teams we should beat. Biscotii is probably grinding his teeth at the thought the we lost to the Redskins at home, and to the Jets at New York, both are games we should have won. Maybe losing to the Redskins has some meaning considering the replacement at OC, but Trestman's days were numbered anyways. If you can't pull out the win vs Washington than beat the Bengals week 17 and make the postseason. 

I think this season will be a no-excuse season for Harbaugh unless we have another injury plagued year. 

Truth is, there aren't that many teams on our 2017 schedule for which you can honestly say that we should beat them, considering how we did since the SB win.

[Adreme]

25 minutes ago, ellicottraven said:

If we don't win double digit games and either miss the playoffs or get in as a wild card only to lose in the first playoff game, I think Harbaugh is gone. Otherwise Harbaugh's reign continues for several more years.

I can't tell if you are overestimating the Ravens or greatly underestimating the opponents but it's a tough schedule next year.  It's going to be a fight for 10 or 11 wins to take the division.

[ellicottraven]

1 hour ago, Adreme said:

I can't tell if you are overestimating the Ravens or greatly underestimating the opponents but it's a tough schedule next year.  It's going to be a fight for 10 or 11 wins to take the division.

I hope I'm not overestimating the Ravens! I don't think its totally unexpected that we better have a really good winning season next year especially going by the past 3-4 yrs. You really believe that getting to 10 wins is tough? I'm not discounting what you're saying, but if its true I don't think Harbaugh makes it.

[Glen1024]

1 division title in 9 years should be unacceptable....I agree with those who say 11 wins as the expectation, better coaching and we could've hit that mark this year....also can we please dominate somebody we dominated only 1 game this year every game we play shouldn't be so close, whether playing the jags/browns or upper echelon teams we always play the game close. I would like to see us DOMINATE teams were supposed too

[Adreme]

Ill make it simple.  The Ravens home games next year are the division opponents as well as Houston, Indy, Detroit, Chicago, and Miami.  Those are all pretty winnable games so being 6-2 or 7-1 at home would not surprise me.  However the road opponents are the division opponents and then Oakland, Minnesota, Green Bay, Tennessee, and Jacksonville.  Other then the Browns who are going to be free wins I could make an argument that the Ravens are underdogs in EVERY one of those other road games. Green Bay is really good, Oakland with there starting QB is in the championship game at least, Minnesota was pretty good despite not having there starting QB and are a good home team, Titans are a team ascending quickly and either them or Houston are likely the class of the division next year.  Other then the Browns Jacksonville is probably the weakest road game the Ravens have but they always play the Ravens tight and they have been quietly building a team as well so do not sleep on them either.

 

Basically I see 10 wins being the goal of that schedule with that probably being enough to win the division if the Ravens can pull it off.

 

Edit:  In those 9 years you have a LOT of playoff appearances pllayoff WINS AND a Super Bowl so it seems rather silly to be like "well you made it further in the playoffs then the division winner but you didnt actually win the division so we will hold that against you"

Edited January 19 by Adreme

[rmcjacket23]

2 hours ago, Adreme said:

Ill make it simple.  The Ravens home games next year are the division opponents as well as Houston, Indy, Detroit, Chicago, and Miami.  Those are all pretty winnable games so being 6-2 or 7-1 at home would not surprise me.  However the road opponents are the division opponents and then Oakland, Minnesota, Green Bay, Tennessee, and Jacksonville.  Other then the Browns who are going to be free wins I could make an argument that the Ravens are underdogs in EVERY one of those other road games. Green Bay is really good, Oakland with there starting QB is in the championship game at least, Minnesota was pretty good despite not having there starting QB and are a good home team, Titans are a team ascending quickly and either them or Houston are likely the class of the division next year.  Other then the Browns Jacksonville is probably the weakest road game the Ravens have but they always play the Ravens tight and they have been quietly building a team as well so do not sleep on them either.

 

Basically I see 10 wins being the goal of that schedule with that probably being enough to win the division if the Ravens can pull it off.

 

Edit:  In those 9 years you have a LOT of playoff appearances pllayoff WINS AND a Super Bowl so it seems rather silly to be like "well you made it further in the playoffs then the division winner but you didnt actually win the division so we will hold that against you"

Don't think we can make any assumptions or guesses about "winnable games" at this point until we see what those teams rosters look like. 

Every single year there are teams that people think will be good that aren't, and vice versa.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Knowing Coach Harbs is not upgrading his defensive Coaching staff, Will the Ravens be Better next season, or Worse? 

[PurpleCity5]

On 1/19/2017 at 3:18 PM, allblackraven said:

Truth is, there aren't that many teams on our 2017 schedule for which you can honestly say that we should beat them, considering how we did since the SB win.

Well, looking at this season, we shouldn't have lost to the Jets(Let's not forget they were up by 10 against NY) and Bengals. Those teams didn't have any playoffs aspirations, and we certainly should have beaten a team that can only put up 16 at M&T. 

The thing is, if the Ravens got a win against NY and Washington, they would probably be playing for the division against Cincinnati(IDK what the tie-breaker would be there).

Looking back at our 2014 season, we made the playoffs primarily because we took care of business against bad teams. Not one team on that schedule we lost to that was below .500.  

Biscotti has playoff aspirations, if we lose to a team as bad as the Jets, and have those games be a reason we miss the postseason, then I think Harbaugh is toast. 

[allblackraven]

10 minutes ago, PurpleCity5 said:

Well, looking at this season, we shouldn't have lost to the Jets(Let's not forget they were up by 10 against NY) and Bengals. Those teams didn't have any playoffs aspirations, and we certainly should have beaten a team that can only put up 16 at M&T. 

The thing is, if the Ravens got a win against NY and Washington, they would probably be playing for the division against Cincinnati(IDK what the tie-breaker would be there).

Looking back at our 2014 season, we made the playoffs primarily because we took care of business against bad teams. Not one team on that schedule we lost to that was below .500.  

Biscotti has playoff aspirations, if we lose to a team as bad as the Jets, and have those games be a reason we miss the postseason, then I think Harbaugh is toast. 

Exactly - if we couldn't beat Jets this bad, what gives us the right to say any game next season should be an easy win?

Even in 2014, we got in thanks to Chiefs win over Chargers week 17. We did play OK that season but still relied on others to go through. As far as I'm concerned Harbaugh should have been relieved of the post after this season.

[AsianRice]

After watching Steelers vs Pats, I see some dry ice on Harb's hot seat......

[Purple_City39]

10 hours ago, allblackraven said:

Exactly - if we couldn't beat Jets this bad, what gives us the right to say any game next season should be an easy win?

Even in 2014, we got in thanks to Chiefs win over Chargers week 17. We did play OK that season but still relied on others to go through. As far as I'm concerned Harbaugh should have been relieved of the post after this season.

In 2011 we couldn't beat the Jags.  How did that affect our 2012 season?

[allblackraven]

1 hour ago, Purple_City39 said:

In 2011 we couldn't beat the Jags.  How did that affect our 2012 season?

Jets in '16 are just one example. We went 8-8, while in 2011 we lost the conference game on a stupid non-catch and missed FG. 

My original comment said - what gives us the right after last 4 seasons, not only after losing to Jets. We aren't playing good football for quite some time now.

[Purple_City39]

47 minutes ago, allblackraven said:

Jets in '16 are just one example. We went 8-8, while in 2011 we lost the conference game on a stupid non-catch and missed FG. 

My original comment said - what gives us the right after last 4 seasons, not only after losing to Jets. We aren't playing good football for quite some time now.

Well, at this stage in the we're simply working on assumptions, right?  As of now, I have to assume the front office was honest when they said they wanted more good CBs.  We can directly relate at least 1 loss (likely more) to having 1 above average CB who got hurt with no adequate replacement.  If they keep their word, we are better than an 8-8 team.

We all believe we win at least 1 more game if we simply run the ball more and have balanced play calling.  Well, the front office also talked about that plus the o-line.  They brought in Gregg Roman to show they were serious about that.

We also saw a lot of bad plays due to lack of chemistry between QB and WR.  The QB has already committed to working on that in the offseason for the first time in who knows how long.

There's really no reason to believe the 2017 team will perform the same or worse than the 2016 if just these things see a slight improvement.  Considering Baltimore isn't a team that gets blown out often, little improvement can lead to a big change.  For example, a better backup QB, or #2, and we beat the Giants (9-7).  A win there, and we still have a shot at a WC spot in week 17 and we don't see the completely unmotivated team that we saw that week.  That's 1 small change that potentially added 2 wins.

The powers that be in Baltimore have earned some faith imo.  People complained about the drafts, then look at the 2016 draft.  People talked about the problem of avoiding character risks in the draft, they've changed their stance on that outside of domestic violence.  I see coaches, execs, and players that sound like they refuse to not have another season without a winning record and playoffs.  I've seen an owner call players out by name for the first time ever.  An owner strongly suggest that people at the top and players haven't been doing as great as they should.  I'm seeing a completely different approach, verbally so far as they can't do anything else yet, than what the team has done in forever.  

Since 2000, this team has never had 2 non-winning seasons in a row.  I have no reason to believe everyone involved won't make sure that streak doesn't continue.  I can't speak for everyone else, but this is what "gives me the right" to believe that this team won't be anything other than improved in 2017

[frozen joe flacco fan]

56 minutes ago, Purple_City39 said:

Well, at this stage in the we're simply working on assumptions, right?  As of now, I have to assume the front office was honest when they said they wanted more good CBs.  We can directly relate at least 1 loss (likely more) to having 1 above average CB who got hurt with no adequate replacement.  If they keep their word, we are better than an 8-8 team.

We all believe we win at least 1 more game if we simply run the ball more and have balanced play calling.  Well, the front office also talked about that plus the o-line.  They brought in Gregg Roman to show they were serious about that.

We also saw a lot of bad plays due to lack of chemistry between QB and WR.  The QB has already committed to working on that in the offseason for the first time in who knows how long.

There's really no reason to believe the 2017 team will perform the same or worse than the 2016 if just these things see a slight improvement.  Considering Baltimore isn't a team that gets blown out often, little improvement can lead to a big change.  For example, a better backup QB, or #2, and we beat the Giants (9-7).  A win there, and we still have a shot at a WC spot in week 17 and we don't see the completely unmotivated team that we saw that week.  That's 1 small change that potentially added 2 wins.

The powers that be in Baltimore have earned some faith imo.  People complained about the drafts, then look at the 2016 draft.  People talked about the problem of avoiding character risks in the draft, they've changed their stance on that outside of domestic violence.  I see coaches, execs, and players that sound like they refuse to not have another season without a winning record and playoffs.  I've seen an owner call players out by name for the first time ever.  An owner strongly suggest that people at the top and players haven't been doing as great as they should.  I'm seeing a completely different approach, verbally so far as they can't do anything else yet, than what the team has done in forever.  

Since 2000, this team has never had 2 non-winning seasons in a row.  I have no reason to believe everyone involved won't make sure that streak doesn't continue.  I can't speak for everyone else, but this is what "gives me the right" to believe that this team won't be anything other than improved in 2017

Think what you want but that won't make your dreams come true. This team has real problems to face and they start at the top of the organization. I you think we had an excellent draft in 2016, think again. Other than Ronnie Stanley, who else distinguished himself? Now, you can add an ILB to the laundry list of needs we have heading into the offseason. One has only to compare our team's on the field performance with the playoff teams to see that we are not a playoff caliber team. Its true that we came within a play of beating the Steelers. All that proves is that we are not that much worse than them. It does not mean that we can contend against teams like New England or Atlanta. Our team has a lot of work to do to regain its past glory and it won't happen by wishing it will be so. The organizational culture must change and how will that happen without a new coaching staff? Offense sells tickets, defense wins games and coaches win championships. If you don't believe it, just ask Bill Belichick or Dan Quinn.

[Adreme]

Other than Stanley, Lewis is certainly going to be starting on the O Line next year and was startingto look really good before his injury, Young was a surprise stud this year taking the other starting spot for himself, Judon looked really good in his limited snaps and Dixon will probably either be the Ravens starting Running Back or the short yardage back for years to come.

 

I know you have a narrative so you have to ignore the draft being great but you have to be wearing blinders to not see it was a great draft.

[allblackraven]

1 hour ago, Purple_City39 said:

Well, at this stage in the we're simply working on assumptions, right?  As of now, I have to assume the front office was honest when they said they wanted more good CBs.  We can directly relate at least 1 loss (likely more) to having 1 above average CB who got hurt with no adequate replacement.  If they keep their word, we are better than an 8-8 team.

We all believe we win at least 1 more game if we simply run the ball more and have balanced play calling.  Well, the front office also talked about that plus the o-line.  They brought in Gregg Roman to show they were serious about that.

We also saw a lot of bad plays due to lack of chemistry between QB and WR.  The QB has already committed to working on that in the offseason for the first time in who knows how long.

There's really no reason to believe the 2017 team will perform the same or worse than the 2016 if just these things see a slight improvement.  Considering Baltimore isn't a team that gets blown out often, little improvement can lead to a big change.  For example, a better backup QB, or #2, and we beat the Giants (9-7).  A win there, and we still have a shot at a WC spot in week 17 and we don't see the completely unmotivated team that we saw that week.  That's 1 small change that potentially added 2 wins.

The powers that be in Baltimore have earned some faith imo.  People complained about the drafts, then look at the 2016 draft.  People talked about the problem of avoiding character risks in the draft, they've changed their stance on that outside of domestic violence.  I see coaches, execs, and players that sound like they refuse to not have another season without a winning record and playoffs.  I've seen an owner call players out by name for the first time ever.  An owner strongly suggest that people at the top and players haven't been doing as great as they should.  I'm seeing a completely different approach, verbally so far as they can't do anything else yet, than what the team has done in forever.  

Since 2000, this team has never had 2 non-winning seasons in a row.  I have no reason to believe everyone involved won't make sure that streak doesn't continue.  I can't speak for everyone else, but this is what "gives me the right" to believe that this team won't be anything other than improved in 2017

We all hope but our wishes don't entitle us to talk in terms of "easy win next season". We lost our best WR and we are likely parting ways with our starting RT. Considering there isn't much in FA to try and beef up the O line, who is Roman going to work with, Hurst still?

On defense we already lost our starting and very good linebacker. Suggs and Doom are going to be year older, so are Webb and Weddle. We're likely to part ways with our starting NT and our secondary needs more depth than just a CB opposite from Jimmy Smith.

Everyone involved can declare all the determination in the world to have a winning season next year but it's going to be a big struggle to improve the team in all the areas it needs to be improved in. 

Edited January 23 by allblackraven

[Purple_City39]

2 hours ago, frozen joe flacco fan said:

Think what you want but that won't make your dreams come true. This team has real problems to face and they start at the top of the organization. I you think we had an excellent draft in 2016, think again. Other than Ronnie Stanley, who else distinguished himself? Now, you can add an ILB to the laundry list of needs we have heading into the offseason. One has only to compare our team's on the field performance with the playoff teams to see that we are not a playoff caliber team. Its true that we came within a play of beating the Steelers. All that proves is that we are not that much worse than them. It does not mean that we can contend against teams like New England or Atlanta. Our team has a lot of work to do to regain its past glory and it won't happen by wishing it will be so. The organizational culture must change and how will that happen without a new coaching staff? Offense sells tickets, defense wins games and coaches win championships. If you don't believe it, just ask Bill Belichick or Dan Quinn.

Hmm.

1.  Do you really think the 2016 draft was bad?  Dixon, Lewis, Pierce from the undrafted pool?  The only good player was Stanley huh?

2.  Why is ILB added to the list?  We lost a formerly undrafted player at the position.  In the last decade, do you remember how many undrafted ILBs have started and played well for Baltimore?  Not saying it's some guarantee but that's clearly a position the Ravens fill fairly easily.  With how much they reportedly liked Onuwasur, they may already have that filled.

3.  In one post you say the only way to compare is to compare to playoff teams, then ignore that we beat the Steelers convincingly enough and were an arm stretch away from sweeping them.  They were a playoff team, right?

4.  So you think you need the a change coaches to change outcomes?  Let's go back to those Steelers you referenced.  Tell me who their coaches were in 2012 and 2013 when they went 8-8 both years, and then go check out the fact it was the exact same coaches in 2014 when they won the division.  Maybe you don't like the Steelers.  How about the superbowl team, the Atlanta Falcons?  Same HC, OC, and DC this year that they had last year when they were 8-8.  I bet they regret not firing their coaches.....

[Purple_City39]

2 hours ago, allblackraven said:

We all hope but our wishes don't entitle us to talk in terms of "easy win next season". We lost our best WR and we are likely parting ways with our starting RT. Considering there isn't much in FA to try and beef up the O line, who is Roman going to work with, Hurst still?

On defense we already lost our starting and very good linebacker. Suggs and Doom are going to be year older, so are Webb and Weddle. We're likely to part ways with our starting NT and our secondary needs more depth than just a CB opposite from Jimmy Smith.

Everyone involved can declare all the determination in the world to have a winning season next year but it's going to be a big struggle to improve the team in all the areas it needs to be improved in. 

Same format

1. Why is Hurst the only option you mentioned?  Is it because it helps your narrative?  Are we done with FA and the draft already?

2. Yes, we lost one of our 4-5 undrafted starting ILBs.  It's gonna be impossible to replace him (/sarcasm)

3. NT and CB.  Do we have time to replace them at all or are we forced to go into the season with this current roster?  Negativity is fun and all I guess

[allblackraven]

10 minutes ago, Purple_City39 said:

Same format

1. Why is Hurst the only option you mentioned?  Is it because it helps your narrative?  Are we done with FA and the draft already?

2. Yes, we lost one of our 4-5 undrafted starting ILBs.  It's gonna be impossible to replace him (/sarcasm)

3. NT and CB.  Do we have time to replace them at all or are we forced to go into the season with this current roster?  Negativity is fun and all I guess

1. FA is terribly bad as far as O linemen go. If you're looking at draft, what's the likelihood you'll find starters with your picks?

2. It takes time to go from undrafted to starting LB at the level Orr played at

3. We don't know who will the replacements be. 

You confuse negativity with realism. We are middle-of-the-pack team since we won SB in 2013. One good season since then is an exception, not a norm. Middle of the pack teams would be really cocky claiming easy, sure wins in the coming season, knowing we face 6 playoff teams from this year. And appart from bringing Roman in, we haven't yet changed much - Pees is still here, so is Marty. So is Harbaugh.

Edited January 23 by allblackraven

[Steve0x]

Why are we still talking about this? They're never going to fire Harbaugh. 

[PurpleCity5]

14 hours ago, allblackraven said:

Exactly - if we couldn't beat Jets this bad, what gives us the right to say any game next season should be an easy win?

Even in 2014, we got in thanks to Chiefs win over Chargers week 17. We did play OK that season but still relied on others to go through. As far as I'm concerned Harbaugh should have been relieved of the post after this season.

I don't know about that, we should beat teams that we're better than period. I would also look back on the 2011 season and say that we had no business losing to the Seahawks or Jaguars, take care of business there and Patriots are coming to Baltimore. 

We got in thanks to the Chiefs, but we put our-self in the position to make the post season because of the teams we beat. 

[ellicottraven]

Is John Harbaugh on the hot seat?

He isn't.

He isn't? 

Yes he isn't

 

..... for now.

[RavensDieHard21]

This is an all so important season for everyone in this organization. We go 8-8 or under and we are going to see Harbaugh pack his bags. We need to nail this draft and strategically nab players that can still contribute at a solid level and not pick out of the recycled players bin. 

Harbaugh is a an above average to good coach. He is not elite by any means though. He is not as good as BB, Jim Harbs, Carroll and perhaps even Rivera and McCarthy as well. But he is top 8. 

The strengths of Harbs is that he seems to connect with most players, he's enthusiastic, has a strong resume and is creative for our ST. 

His weaknesses are clear though. He doesn't contribute any extra creative play calling to either offense or defense. Tends to make bone headed mistakes in close games, accepting the penalty in the Raiders game that allowed them to get the TD. Not taking the points in Giants game when we were obviously outmatched at the goaline. He also seems to lack preparation for big games and the ability to influence in game adjustments. Just look at NE game. 

I hope he proves us wrong, but if we go 8-8 or under I want a defensive minded coach that can make one side of the ball dominant. 

[hen826957]

On 1/19/2017 at 6:54 PM, Adreme said:

Ill make it simple.  The Ravens home games next year are the division opponents as well as Houston, Indy, Detroit, Chicago, and Miami.  Those are all pretty winnable games so being 6-2 or 7-1 at home would not surprise me.  However the road opponents are the division opponents and then Oakland, Minnesota, Green Bay, Tennessee, and Jacksonville.  Other then the Browns who are going to be free wins I could make an argument that the Ravens are underdogs in EVERY one of those other road games. Green Bay is really good, Oakland with there starting QB is in the championship game at least, Minnesota was pretty good despite not having there starting QB and are a good home team, Titans are a team ascending quickly and either them or Houston are likely the class of the division next year.  Other then the Browns Jacksonville is probably the weakest road game the Ravens have but they always play the Ravens tight and they have been quietly building a team as well so do not sleep on them either.

 

Basically I see 10 wins being the goal of that schedule with that probably being enough to win the division if the Ravens can pull it off.

 

Edit:  In those 9 years you have a LOT of playoff appearances pllayoff WINS AND a Super Bowl so it seems rather silly to be like "well you made it further in the playoffs then the division winner but you didnt actually win the division so we will hold that against you"

For me l think they will be a wild card team next year 9-7 or 10-6, be the 6 seed and just barley sneak in. I don't see us winning the division this year. 

[Davesta]

Was it more John or ray Lewis / ed reed during those playoff & Super Bowl runs. What has John done since they left? We'll see how next year goes 

[frozen joe flacco fan]

On ‎1‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 6:29 PM, Purple_City39 said:

Hmm.

1.  Do you really think the 2016 draft was bad?  Dixon, Lewis, Pierce from the undrafted pool?  The only good player was Stanley huh?

2.  Why is ILB added to the list?  We lost a formerly undrafted player at the position.  In the last decade, do you remember how many undrafted ILBs have started and played well for Baltimore?  Not saying it's some guarantee but that's clearly a position the Ravens fill fairly easily.  With how much they reportedly liked Onuwasur, they may already have that filled.

3.  In one post you say the only way to compare is to compare to playoff teams, then ignore that we beat the Steelers convincingly enough and were an arm stretch away from sweeping them.  They were a playoff team, right?

4.  So you think you need the a change coaches to change outcomes?  Let's go back to those Steelers you referenced.  Tell me who their coaches were in 2012 and 2013 when they went 8-8 both years, and then go check out the fact it was the exact same coaches in 2014 when they won the division.  Maybe you don't like the Steelers.  How about the superbowl team, the Atlanta Falcons?  Same HC, OC, and DC this year that they had last year when they were 8-8.  I bet they regret not firing their coaches.....

You're entitled to your opinion even if its wrong.

1. The 2016 draft was OK but it was not great like many of the Ravens homers and brass want us to believe. It did not resolve two of our most glaring deficiencies at the cornerback and the pass rushing positions. It provided us with a starting O-lineman and possibly two but our O-line was grossly mismatched this year compared to that of Pittsburgh, Dallas, Atlanta, NE and the other playoff teams. Heading into the offseason, we need a legitimate center, a right tackle and a left guard. That's all! Did you see a center named Mike Pouncey pull and block for Le'Veon Bell on a run around the corner in the playoff game against the Chiefs?

2. I added an ILB to the list to replace a pretty good undrafted player neamed Zach Orr. Didn't he lead our team in tackles and intercept four passes? I hope you're right about Onuwasur. Time will tell.

3. Yes, Pittsburgh was a playoff team but they weren't that much better than us. I assume you would agree. One of the main differences in their team and ours is that they started three rookies on defense. Saying we were within an arm stretch away from beating a team that is not much better than us is not saying much. The NFL is now saturated with a lot of mediocre teams. Most of the playoff games were decided by lop-sided scores. Currently, there are a small number of teams who are head and shoulders better than all the rest and then there are the also-rans like us.

4. I don't believe I referenced the Steelers' coaches when I said we need a change in the culture of this team. I referred to Bill Belichick and Dan Quinn. Its evident that the Falcons made some good off-season moves that resulted in a vastly improved team. We didn't!

As long as you want to make believe we're heading in the right direction, I guess that's your prerogative. To me, denial is not just a river in Egypt. This team has to some wholesale changes to make before it can expect to get back into the playoffs. There are just too many holes to fill (no pun intended). 

[rossihunter2]

35 minutes ago, frozen joe flacco fan said:

You're entitled to your opinion even if its wrong.

1. The 2016 draft was OK but it was not great like many of the Ravens homers and brass want us to believe. It did not resolve two of our most glaring deficiencies at the cornerback and the pass rushing positions. It provided us with a starting O-lineman and possibly two but our O-line was grossly mismatched this year compared to that of Pittsburgh, Dallas, Atlanta, NE and the other playoff teams. Heading into the offseason, we need a legitimate center, a right tackle and a left guard. That's all! Did you see a center named Mike Pouncey pull and block for Le'Veon Bell on a run around the corner in the playoff game against the Chiefs?

2. I added an ILB to the list to replace a pretty good undrafted player neamed Zach Orr. Didn't he lead our team in tackles and intercept four passes? I hope you're right about Onuwasur. Time will tell.

3. Yes, Pittsburgh was a playoff team but they weren't that much better than us. I assume you would agree. One of the main differences in their team and ours is that they started three rookies on defense. Saying we were within an arm stretch away from beating a team that is not much better than us is not saying much. The NFL is now saturated with a lot of mediocre teams. Most of the playoff games were decided by lop-sided scores. Currently, there are a small number of teams who are head and shoulders better than all the rest and then there are the also-rans like us.

4. I don't believe I referenced the Steelers' coaches when I said we need a change in the culture of this team. I referred to Bill Belichick and Dan Quinn. Its evident that the Falcons made some good off-season moves that resulted in a vastly improved team. We didn't!

As long as you want to make believe we're heading in the right direction, I guess that's your prerogative. To me, denial is not just a river in Egypt. This team has to some wholesale changes to make before it can expect to get back into the playoffs. There are just too many holes to fill (no pun intended). 

1.) you never judge a draft by what positions come out of it, but by the players that came out of it - and we ended up with 4-5 starters which is unprecedented from a rookie class - including a starting corner...

2.) i agree

3.) ok so you're suggesting we didn't get close and that's fair but what you are also admitting as that the entire AFC is way behind the patriots as well considering the steelers were in the conference championship game - now i agree that the nfl (and particularly the AFC) is saturated with mediocre teams - but that has been the case for a few years and yet the afc has won 3 of the last 4 - in the playoffs, funky things can happen so of course the important thing is getting there which is why it is not invalid or insignificant for him to suggest that we werent far off the level of a conference championship team

4.) I think it's hard to suggest that we werent vastly improved as a team - we literally improved our wins total by 3 in one year - so I would suggest we are heading in the right direction... that's not to say that we couldnt regress or that it might amount to nothing but to say instantly that there is no evidence of progression is to ignore the facts

[usmccharles]

1 hour ago, Davesta said:

Was it more John or ray Lewis / ed reed during those playoff & Super Bowl runs. What has John done since they left? We'll see how next year goes 

Or was it.....Ray Rice, Torrey Smith, Jacoby Jones, Boldin, Joe Flacco, Pitta, Ed Reed, Ray lewis, Ngata, Suggs, Jimmy Smith......

Yea, im guessing it has something to do with the amazing roster we fielded....but thats none of my business.