Merged...Positive Perspective for 2017

[VermontRaven]

1) Very winnable game (especially with Fitzpatrick starting)

2) Bye week coming at a great time to help us get healthy (Stanley, Yanda, SSS, Jimmy Smith, Dumerville, Suggs, Wagner, Mosley, Hester--and I'm sure others) all will benefit from an extra week of rest after this one.

3) VERY good chance to be tied for division lead after this (we win, Steelers lose to Patriots -BigBen) 

4) Offense showing some signs of life under Marty.

5) Tavon Young being "thrown into fire" will help him as the season goes on.

6) Our running game is revived under West (even with makeshift Oline)

7) Bengals struggling

8) 2 of our losses are to NFC teams which will benefit us if we end up in a tie for a Wildcard (although that's a bit pessimistic for this thread since as stated above, we still have a REAL shot at taking the division!)

9) Ravens have had a chance to win EVERY game, which give me confidence that we will "steal" a couple games the "experts" expect us to lose.

10) Lewis getting experience at G and T, which will benefit us down the stretch and in the future.

 

 

[Rav'n Maniac]

13 hours ago, Moderator 3 said:

We try, but the constant feeding of them makes our job almost impossible.  In fact, I've requested a warning for Troll Baiting/Feeding. 

 

I don't envy the job you and the other mods do here, nothing but respect. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

9 hours ago, redrum52 said:

The Giants aren't world beaters and relying on other teams to fail doesn't make our team a success.

 

The positive is Tucker is money.  If only we got to see him a few more times.  Credit to West as well.

So Pitt dropping a few games bc of Big Ben's injury, and hoping for us to take advantage of that and gain the division lead wouldnt make us successful.... but us dropping a couple very close games while our entire OL is out injured, and losing some top Defensive playmakers means our team is an indictment on us?

So when we benefit from other teams dealing with injuries, well that doesnt count. But, when we narrowly lose close games while dealing with heaps of injuries we are just terrible.

Dont get it.

And this isnt necessarily aimed at you... but Steelers have a banged up Big Ben and suddenly theyre getting blown out by the Dolphins... THE DOLPHINS ladies and gents.

We're trotting out the walking wounded, and a ton of backups and we're in it til the death against everyone we play, for better or worse. Yet, we're the bad team.

The Steelers than, in essence, are one injury away from being bottom feeders, while we're competitive with the half the team gone. One of these things is not like the other. One of these things just isnt the same...

And youd think with all those playmakers - Antonio Brown, Leveon Bell, Ryan Shazier, Sammie Coates, Deangelo Williams, Markus Wheaton, Heyward... i mean all these game breakers - they can overcome some poor QB play, and him getting banged up right?

Dolphins < Giants. 

[darklight1216]

My biggest positive for this season might be Dennis Pitta. I really thought his career was over afterthe second hip fracture. He's proving me wrong. 

 

I also have to hand it to Jimmy Smith. He makes a huge difference on the field. 

[jboy19]

There's a ton of parity in the AFC right now. I don't think any teams running ahead right now. Even the Patriots have only beat one winning team and that's the Texans, who are pretty terrible. Things are getting better for the team though, even if the scoreboard results aren't lining up yet, the playcalling has improved post-Trestman and young players are getting some good playing time- they're having struggles, but nothing too far outside of what would be expected.

[Gtown Purple]

I liked the direction of the offense on sunday. We scored 23 points while having another 3 taken off the board and multiple drives short circuited by penalties.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

3 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

I'm one who believes the Steelers are terribly over hyped, to begin with.  I'll just ask you flat out, do you think we're a good team?  From what you have seen so far, would you say we're currently good or were good, even when  "healthy?"  I would ask if you've seen any improvement from week one, but wouldn't be fair since the injuries have piled up, so I'll ask this.  What do the Ravens do well?

 

And the Steelers looked like they were going to lose with Ben anyway.  They're notorious for dropping games like that.

I do think we're a good team.

Without CJ and when Jimmy went down the D suffered for sure, but with them this defense was tops in the league. We've seen for quite some time that having a D you can hang your hat on, and even a marginal offense can win you games.

And I never expected the offense to come out firing. Just too many new pieces or pieces returning from injury for everything to click right away. Throw in injuries and an OC change and just forget about it.

But, we get this win at the Jets and then the bye week couldnt come at a better time. We get healthy there and get ready to roll the 2nd half of the season. Healthy, yes I do think this is a good team. And, once healthy, a team that will get markedly better after the bye week.

 

What we do well:

• Generate turnovers
• (recently) run the ball
• make big plays when necessary
• Tackle
• Limit big plays on offense (sans Giants 2nd half and 1st qtr Browns)
• Pressure QBs late in games 

What we arent doing well (and why we're losing)

• Staying healthy
• Playing mistake and penalty free football (self-inflicted wounds are #1 cause of all 3 losses)
• Generating consistent pressure early in games
• keeping a clean pocket (was better against Giants)
• Taking advantage of red zone opportunities

 

We are playing good defense, and winning the turnover battle. Two big keys to winning games. First 3 games we made the big play when necessary to win. Last 3 we havent.

We're now running the ball well. I fully expect that when this line is healthy, and Marty's had the bye week to get his offense implemented to his liking we're going to see a much more consistent and effective offense. We wont be prolific, but we'll be opportunistic.

Are we a great team? No. But there arent any, anymore. Salary caps, Free Agency, the CBA and the evolution of college footbal have really changed the game and make it really hard to be really good.

But, we are a good team. And definitely good enough to contend. If the difference between the Steelers (who most consider a top 2-3 team in the AFC) and the Dolphins is a slightly injured Big Ben, then the margin for victory is slow slim in this league its almost non-existent.

85% of everyones games, the good teams and the bad teams, will come down to a few plays. A few opportunities that you either take advantage of or you dont. That's every week in every game. Injuries to key players typically derail good teams. Yet we're still right there, a couple plays away from 6-0.

Penalties have killed us. They can literally be the difference between 6-0 and 3-3. We're a very good team thats suffering key injuries, and is beating itself right now.

 

But I have confidence in us getting the right guys back, and cleaning up the stupid mistakes and competing. 9-7 might be good enough this year. It mostly likely will be for the WC, possibly even the division. 10-6 definitely will be.

And we're still there. We're right there. We'll be in every single game; and they will start falling in our favor. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

2012 we lost 4 out of 5 to end the season. Injuries and OC issues derailed us. Then we got healthy, made the coaching change and rolled.

This year is eerily similar, but the reverse will happen. We have a rough stretch early in the season... we've made the coaching change, we'll get healthy after the bye tied for 1st place in the division and then we're gonna roll.

Just watch.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Here we go, rest of the season prediction. I was pretty close through the first 6 weeks. I predicted 11-5 originally, which with 1 game off is now 10-6. Still right on track.

 

Jets -  W (secondary is awful now; dont know whether we face Fitz or Geno - either way woo hoo! and Deckers gone making their offense predictable and less explosive)

*BYE*  (perfect timing to get key players back and for Marty to analyze what's worked, what hasn't and time to install what he wants for the rest of the way)

Steelers - W (smack the Steelers around in a game that will decide 1st place.. establish our attitude/mentality for the rest of the season)

Browns - W (we roll them. Big blow out this time around. we wont forget how we started the last one)

Cowboys - L (If Romo is back we win this one, but if they stick with Dak which they should theyre a legit team. Dez should be back too)

Bengals - W (we're going to sweep them this year; this is a team in trouble)

Dolphins - W (their D cant stop us; Joe puts up 4 TDs and Perriman explodes for his best game yet, 150 yds and 2 TDs)

Patriots - L (this is our big test; we play them tough, comes down to a 2 minute drill in which Brady converts and they win; sets up Grudge Match in playoffs)

Eagles -  W (I believe this is last game Lane Johnson misses; theyve since cooled off and Dallas is running away with division. Beat them in a tough game)

Steelers - L (cant see us sweeping them again; they need this one to stay in the hunt in the division and WC. Get the win they need and division comes down to last week)

Bengals- W (we reverse the trend and we sweep them for once. Must win game for the division and to keep the WC out of tiebreakers and all that non-sense. Set the tone for how we're going to play rolling into the playoffs. Bengals give us their best as theyre out of playoff contention but would like nothing better than to ruin our season. Game gets SUPER chippy, and several Bengals get ejected. Close game until they completely lose it in the 2nd half and we roll to an easy one)

 

10-6

AFCN Division Winners. 4th playoff seed, and we face either the Steelers or Bills.

Should win that which sets up a match with the Broncos. We win and face the Patriots in the AFCCG. Grudge match win and SB here we come!

Hows that for positivity!?!?! lol. Over the top, yea... but i do actually believe in 9-7, 10-6 record and playoffs. The play off picture is a stretch, but then again so is predicting any team to roll through the playoffs and onto the SB.

 

I submit - the season is not lost. In fact, it's right where I want it.

Edited October 18, 2016 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[TuckerTime9]

I must say with 20 of the last 22 being 1 score games, every sunday is super exciting for better or for worse

[AsianRice]

Exciting? Stanley is very close to come back, Yanda is on track, and hopefully Jimmy is cleared to play this Sunday.

 

Our team has lots of fire power when healthy and even play with 1 leg, we can almost pull out a win.  Our guys were trying too hard and as a results, we ended up with too many penalties.  If we just relax and play fundamentally, we should pull out a win.

 

PS: love the positive thread....

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Whooooo.... Just thought I'd step in here for a minute. It's getting crazy out there.

I love my team win or loss the Ravens all day. Ok. I'm good.

Thank you. Keep this going or we won't be able to have this sanctuary and any inkling of levetity. It's needed.

[CorvusMagnus]

Been afraid to post in the other feeds, a few things to add:

• If last year proved anything it is that this team will fight for Harbaugh to the last second of the last game, we've been in  worse, we can find a way out.
• The majority of penalties on O in the last few games have been OL holding. If you're beat and have to choose between a free shot at the QB or holding, you hold. Health and stability will fix these issues on their own.
• As disappointed as I am with KC so far, I believe he will find a way at OLB by the end of the season. We stunted his growth cross training at ILB, Boise clearly didn't teach him squat, but I think he will develop enough to be serviceable.
• Pierce just makes me smile, he is a young Brandon Williams with pass rush upside we got as an undrafted player, it doesn't get much better then that.
• If the run game continues as it has and the OL protection improves even a little, I think Breshad will explode. He is already beating people regularly at the perimeter, give him a steady diet of unhurried rockets from Flacco and we'll see our own version of the Rothlisberger/Bryant connection

[RaineV1]

21 minutes ago, CorvusMagnus said:

Been afraid to post in the other feeds, a few things to add:

• If last year proved anything it is that this team will fight for Harbaugh to the last second of the last game, we've been in  worse, we can find a way out.
• The majority of penalties on O in the last few games have been OL holding. If you're beat and have to choose between a free shot at the QB or holding, you hold. Health and stability will fix these issues on their own.
• As disappointed as I am with KC so far, I believe he will find a way at OLB by the end of the season. We stunted his growth cross training at ILB, Boise clearly didn't teach him squat, but I think he will develop enough to be serviceable.
• Pierce just makes me smile, he is a young Brandon Williams with pass rush upside we got as an undrafted player, it doesn't get much better then that.
• If the run game continues as it has and the OL protection improves even a little, I think Breshad will explode. He is already beating people regularly at the perimeter, give him a steady diet of unhurried rockets from Flacco and we'll see our own version of the Rothlisberger/Bryant connection

That has been a problem with Boise State prospects, especially on defense.

[K-Dog]

You shouldn't be afraid to post stuff like that.

[MTRavensFan]

2 hours ago, FlocksGottaFeed said:

Whooooo.... Just thought I'd step in here for a minute. It's getting crazy out there.

I love my team win or loss the Ravens all day. Ok. I'm good.

Thank you. Keep this going or we won't be able to have this sanctuary and any inkling of levetity. It's needed.

Come on in, and close the door 

Winds are howling, and the blizzard's getting deep out there, but we've got a fire going, and room for all in this negative-free zone. Might even be able to scrounge up a bottle of brandy or two.

And, oh, yeah, we've also got Sunday Ticket,  so win or lose we can still cheer on our beloved Ravens.

[ALPHA]

The positives for me is that we have a young team and an experienced, not terrible QB.

[trevorsteadman]

8 hours ago, CorvusMagnus said:

Been afraid to post in the other feeds, a few things to add:

• If last year proved anything it is that this team will fight for Harbaugh to the last second of the last game, we've been in  worse, we can find a way out.
• The majority of penalties on O in the last few games have been OL holding. If you're beat and have to choose between a free shot at the QB or holding, you hold. Health and stability will fix these issues on their own.
• As disappointed as I am with KC so far, I believe he will find a way at OLB by the end of the season. We stunted his growth cross training at ILB, Boise clearly didn't teach him squat, but I think he will develop enough to be serviceable.
• Pierce just makes me smile, he is a young Brandon Williams with pass rush upside we got as an undrafted player, it doesn't get much better then that.
• If the run game continues as it has and the OL protection improves even a little, I think Breshad will explode. He is already beating people regularly at the perimeter, give him a steady diet of unhurried rockets from Flacco and we'll see our own version of the Rothlisberger/Bryant connection

Couldn't agree more... Most penalties were holding and that is because of the constant switching of players on the O-line. Second I agree with what you said about Correa. People get mad at the Ravens for drafting players they called maxed out at the time... Examples of this are Elam and Arthur Brown in my mind... Players that looked like they would be solid contributors right out of college even if they didn't have the highest of ceilings... But just like everything fans complain about stupid things like the Perriman thread calling him a bust after 6 games when he missed basically two entire offseasons and he has probably been the most consistent receiver at getting open... He needs to hold onto those easy catches but still it is not like he hasn't shown anything... Look at the pass last week early against New York and the catch in the first game against the Bills. We have drafted developmental players to try to get players with higher athletic ceillings and the fanbase won't give them time to get accustomed to the NFL. 

[Cawtious]

23 hours ago, Gtown Purple said:

I liked the direction of the offense on sunday. We scored 23 points while having another 3 taken off the board and multiple drives short circuited by penalties.

Right now, we are not an offensive juggernaut.  But we are in every game and we're not getting blown out.  We are a "play here, no penalty there" from being the victor.  As Harbs has said.......that is fixable.   This Jets game should be interesting.  The key matchup is going to be our OL vs. their DL.  They have a talented front.  I think we win this one on the strength of a great ground attack.  Prediction 28-17  GO RAVENS

[Rav'n Maniac]

On 10/18/2016 at 9:51 AM, Gtown Purple said:

I liked the direction of the offense on sunday. We scored 23 points while having another 3 taken off the board and multiple drives short circuited by penalties.

And we scored that without 1 passing TD.

[Cawtious]

12 hours ago, CorvusMagnus said:

Been afraid to post in the other feeds, a few things to add:

• If last year proved anything it is that this team will fight for Harbaugh to the last second of the last game, we've been in  worse, we can find a way out.
• The majority of penalties on O in the last few games have been OL holding. If you're beat and have to choose between a free shot at the QB or holding, you hold. Health and stability will fix these issues on their own.
• As disappointed as I am with KC so far, I believe he will find a way at OLB by the end of the season. We stunted his growth cross training at ILB, Boise clearly didn't teach him squat, but I think he will develop enough to be serviceable.
• Pierce just makes me smile, he is a young Brandon Williams with pass rush upside we got as an undrafted player, it doesn't get much better then that.
• If the run game continues as it has and the OL protection improves even a little, I think Breshad will explode. He is already beating people regularly at the perimeter, give him a steady diet of unhurried rockets from Flacco and we'll see our own version of the Rothlisberger/Bryant connection

Filmstudy pointed out that Joe has ATS (Adequate Time and Space) about 46% of the time.  If we push that number into the 60% realm, Joe will start lighting people up (or at least hit them in the hands, giving them an opportunity to make a catch).  We're not that far off of getting our offense in a position to put more points on the board.

[Ravenshine]

To add to the positives here...Not to take anything away from a Trestman as a person...but watching Marty on the field gave me some excitement...the passion in his eyes and his contact with players this way (which watching from home I could notice when the camera was on him) made me feel he's got more of a 'go-get em' approach. I feel that's what we've been looking for...you know, someone roused up a bit, and so it's nice to see it happening. 

[VermontRaven]

Stanley and Wagner both practicing.  Definitely a good sign that they may be back for this Sunday. 

Jimmy Smith practicing (in non-contact jersey)-Means he is progressing through the concussion protocol to be allowed to practice, so there is hope he will be cleared to play by Sunday.

[Cawtious]

22 minutes ago, VermontRaven said:

Stanley and Wagner both practicing.  Definitely a good sign that they may be back for this Sunday. 

Jimmy Smith practicing (in non-contact jersey)-Means he is progressing through the concussion protocol to be allowed to practice, so there is hope he will be cleared to play by Sunday.

Stanley - Lewis - Zuttah - Jensen - Wagner sounds pretty good for Sunday.......  Having Jimmy back would be good!  Now, let's see if Joe's little issue is just that and he's back on the field Sunday.

[MTRavensFan]

1 hour ago, VermontRaven said:

Stanley and Wagner both practicing.  Definitely a good sign that they may be back for this Sunday. 

Jimmy Smith practicing (in non-contact jersey)-Means he is progressing through the concussion protocol to be allowed to practice, so there is hope he will be cleared to play by Sunday.

Oh, that is all great news!

[Militant X 1]

Terrance West.

Throwing more deep balls.

Harbaugh's belief that the offense can get a 4th & 1

[Militant X 1]

Flacco's deep pass to Wallace.

[K-Dog]

2 minutes ago, Tank 92 said:

Guessing you missed the post  below that's on the first page.

 

It seems on message boards in general many people read the title and then post away.  Or just scan posts...

[Moderator 3]

4 minutes ago, K-Dog said:

It seems on message boards in general many people read the title and then post away.  Or just scan posts...

Or don't read at all. :-(

[Ravensfan23]

I know this team has a lot of issues, but I think there are only 3 main issues limiting this team and I think all are fixable. 

1. Oline play. The Oline seems to be getting better and better at run blocking, however the issue is pass pro. I think this improves with Stanley and Wagner returning this week and will get even better once Yanda returns. I think J5 has been mediocre thus far this year, but I think it's a result of being uncomfortable in the offense right now. He's getting beat up far too much so far and he's also throwing to 3 new WRs, there is clearly a disconnect in the pass game but I think that will improve once the oline improves. 

2. Redzone offense. If the Ravens score 1 extra TD in the Red zone each game, they are undefeated and some of these games aren't even close. Not sure why guys like Waller, Brown and Gilmore aren't height and size down there more often but I think it'd help. Also a guy like Perriman who has good leaping ability. I can't remember the Ravens running any fades this year and the few I saw last year was in the direction of SSS and Aiken. Also I'd like to see, Wallace, Perriman, Moore or even Hester used on that same jet sweep that Camp scored vs the Steelers last year. That stretches the defense down there. Even if you don't hand it off that end has to at least respect it. If the Ravens can improve in this area they'd put so much more pressure on other teams, while leaving themselves more margin for error. 

3. Undisciplined play. I don't know which one of these issues rank the highest but this is the one that drives me nuts each game. I posted in the game thread how the Ravens offense is the #1 defense in the NFL this year and it's because of those penalties. I know all teams say this, but I can't recall any lost where the Ravens didn't flat out beat themselves. I know many people are hot with Harbs for taking points off the board on 4th downs but I think that's a direct result of not having confidence in the team to take advantage of scoring opportunities on a regular basis. The amount of times this offense crosses midfield or even gets inside the 35 but come away with no points because a penalty not only stalls a drives but drives us backwards is crazy. Even with a poor redzone offense with the close nature of the games we've played a FG would greatly improve our odds of winning. 

I didn't mention anything about the defense because I feel the defense has played well enough to win each game, including the Raiders and Giants. Of course I would love to see more pass rush, but I think for what they lack in sacks they are making up for in turnovers. Also they aren't missing nearly as many tackles on those short passes that kills us vs teams like the Pats. I like where the defense is, I feel the offense needs to catch up. I think they will and things will turn around after the Bye week.