[News] Late For Work 11/3: Is Ben Roethlisberger A Diva? Brian Billick And Kordell Stewart Disagree

[BR News]

Pittsburgh columnist says Steelers are drawing Ravens at bad time. Both teams getting heathy at the same time. Playoff odds for Ravens and Steelers.

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[Minionhunter]

I wonder if the Ravens are trying to turn Darren Waller into a Matthew Slater type special teams ace type player.

Harbs has continuously praised Matt for his abilities and presence and Belicheck for his smart sense to keep Slater as a special teams captain and a coach on the field. Waller would have to quit smoking weed, but could fill a role there if he is smart enough.

Edited November 3, 2016 by Minionhunter

[PurpleRainBlackVeins]

If the Ravens keep playing like this at home all of their home games will start to feel like road games because fans will not be in attendance. Steve better wake up and make some changes soon!

[potomacpitbulls]

Bo Smolka should also point out:

In the 2nd round we could have had Sean lee and Emmanuel Sanders instead of Sergio Kendle and Terrance Cody.

In the 3rd round we could of had Jimmy Graham instead of Ed Dickson.

In the 4th round we could of had Kam Chancellor instead of Dennis Pitta.

The draft is a crap shoot. We could play what ifs all day long like:

What if the Patriots in the same draft at pick 113 took Dennis Pitta and the Ravens took Aaron Hernandez at pick 114?

What if in the 5th round the Ravens took Greg Hardy instead of Arthur Jones?

 

[rmcjacket23]

If the Ravens keep playing like this at home all of their home games will start to feel like road games because fans will not be in attendance. Steve better wake up and make some changes soon!

Umm... Steve makes money off butts being in the seats, regardless of whether they are Ravens or other teams fans.

[whobilly]

If the Ravens keep playing like this at home all of their home games will start to feel like road games because fans will not be in attendance. Steve better wake up and make some changes soon!

It's the sign of the times. Secondary ticket markets provide visiting teams fans greater access to tickets. The games against the Steelers and the Eagles will have that home game feel for them not us.

[whobilly]

I wonder if the Ravens are trying to turn Darren Waller into a Matthew Slater type special teams ace type player.

Harbs has continuously praised Matt for his abilities and presence and Belicheck for his smart sense to keep Slater as a special teams captain and a coach on the field. Waller would have to quit smoking weed, but could fill a role there if he is smart enough.

Special Teams is where he can contribute something because it's sure not at TE or WR. Where are all those people who were saying Waller was going to create matchup nightmares?

[poescrows]

31 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Umm... Steve makes money off butts being in the seats, regardless of whether they are Ravens or other teams fans.

True, but he makes ALOT more if the seats have Raven fans in them.

[whobilly]

Just have to tell it like it is. Big Ben is the toughest SOB in the NFL.

[Minionhunter]

  1 hour ago, Minionhunter said:

I wonder if the Ravens are trying to turn Darren Waller into a Matthew Slater type special teams ace type player.

Harbs has continuously praised Matt for his abilities and presence and Belicheck for his smart sense to keep Slater as a special teams captain and a coach on the field. Waller would have to quit smoking weed, but could fill a role there if he is smart enough.

Special Teams is where he can contribute something because it's sure not at TE or WR. Where are all those people who were saying Waller was going to create matchup nightmares?

He might be adjusting to TE right now while excelling on ST (just like he did last year). I do think he looked good in preseason at TE and made good contested catches, however the offense is designed right now for Joe to Dennis at TE, they will need to create more opportunities for Waller at TE if they want him there to see if he has got it or not.

That is why I'm curious about ST because he seems pretty darn good as a gunner right now and that was how Slater started out (Slater was a WR but not great at it). I just have a feeling that Harbs wants a ST captain and field general and Waller has insane build for a speedy ST gunner. I could see them developing him in all aspects of ST, if he proves reliable (no weed smoking).

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, poescrows said:

True, but he makes ALOT more if the seats have Raven fans in them.

Why exactly?

I mean I understand that, long term, fans of the home team would stop coming to games if the seats were being overrun by visiting fans. But the team makes the same amount of money on a ticket sale regardless of who the fan is. 

In reality, resellers would be part of the problem for this. Ticket brokers and resellers buy individual and season tickets in bulk and then sell them online to literally anybody who has the money to pay for them.

BUT, at the same time, if Ravens fans decided that they were no longer willing to pay reseller prices for the tickets, and visiting fans of better teams would, then that's how you find a stadium full of visiting fans. 

[Minionhunter]

  6 minutes ago, poescrows said:

True, but he makes ALOT more if the seats have Raven fans in them.

Why exactly?

I mean I understand that, long term, fans of the home team would stop coming to games if the seats were being overrun by visiting fans. But the team makes the same amount of money on a ticket sale regardless of who the fan is. 

In reality, resellers would be part of the problem for this. Ticket brokers and resellers buy individual and season tickets in bulk and then sell them online to literally anybody who has the money to pay for them.

BUT, at the same time, if Ravens fans decided that they were no longer willing to pay reseller prices for the tickets, and visiting fans of better teams would, then that's how you find a stadium full of visiting fans. 

I think you are right on Jacket. The only thing might be spending on Ravens gear and things in stadium, but while in my estimation that would be a non-trivial revenue stream, it would hardly account for the majority of revenue for games.

Plus there is this, 80% of ticket sales are split with other owners, the luxury box ticket sales are kept for the team. This is the high source of profit for the owner and why everyone wants a new stadium with as many luxury box seats as possible so they can maximize their own profit relative to the general seating profit (which gets split out and shared).

[Ravenshine]

If the Ravens keep playing like this at home all of their home games will start to feel like road games because fans will not be in attendance. Steve better wake up and make some changes soon!

Changes? Yeah like sell/move the team elsewhere...then who loses? Fans. For being selfish. Win lose or tie Ravens till we die. Support your team regardless. Unless they just give up trying. They ain't doing that so why desert them?

[bioLarzen]

“Do these guys have a legitimate point or are they just bitter old Ravens who never beat Ben in a big game? I lean hard toward the latter.”

Oh, Mr. Joe Starkey... OK, let's go there:

1.) EVERY game is a big game in the NFL;
2.) Especially the Ravens v. Steelers games.
3.) Mr. Starkey, you seem to have forgotten about the playoff game 2 seasons ago... in Pittsburgh... Or even that does not count as a "big game" for you?

[Minionhunter]

“Do these guys have a legitimate point or are they just bitter old Ravens who never beat Ben in a big game? I lean hard toward the latter.”

Oh, Mr. Joe Starkey... OK, let's go there:

1.) EVERY game is a big game in the NFL;
2.) Especially the Ravens v. Steelers games.
3.) Mr. Starkey, you seem to have forgotten about the playoff game 2 seasons ago... in Pittsburgh... Or even that does not count as a "big game" for you?

Right on Bio! I was thinking the same thing. Plus the Ravens were never Tebow'ed out of the playoffs....

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Bo Smolka @bsmolka
This is the time each year I point out that the #Steelers drafted Antonio Brown 1 pick after Ravens drafted OL Ramon Harewood #RavensTalk

^^^^ OUCH!!!!  Ozzie and the FO messed that one up!!!

Edited November 4, 2016 by ibleedpurpleandblack

[rmcjacket23]

28 minutes ago, Minionhunter said:

I think you are right on Jacket. The only thing might be spending on Ravens gear and things in stadium, but while in my estimation that would be a non-trivial revenue stream, it would hardly account for the majority of revenue for games.

Plus there is this, 80% of ticket sales are split with other owners, the luxury box ticket sales are kept for the team. This is the high source of profit for the owner and why everyone wants a new stadium with as many luxury box seats as possible so they can maximize their own profit relative to the general seating profit (which gets split out and shared).

Correct. Merchandise sales in-stadium would be the only major profit differential, and my guess (could be wrong) is that most Ravens fans would purchase merchandise online or find a much cheaper avenue than buying in-stadium, which is probably the costliest way to purchase merchandise.

I could actually see that concession sales may actually increase when more road fans are in the stadium, depending on the travel length. Perhaps not for a Redskins or Eagles game, but a WC team coming east with a lot of visiting fans means they are likely staying in hotels in the area. That means likely no driving/commuting a long distance, thus possibly increasing the likelihood of excessive alcohol purchases.

[AsianRice]

Stop the nonsense hindsight analysis cuz if anything involves with what if, it isn't legitimate discussion cuz nobody knows the future.....

[CQ1]

The real question is or isn't he a diva, but who is the more complete QB, Flacco or RBerger?
There is a LOT more than just having a strong arm. Go ask Cutler about that.

[CQ1]

Stop the nonsense hindsight analysis cuz if anything involves with what if, it isn't legitimate discussion cuz nobody knows the future.....

Good call AsianRice. Its senseless banter.

[CQ1]

Bo Smolka @bsmolka
This is the time each year I point out that the #Steelers drafted Antonio Brown 1 pick after Ravens drafted OL Ramon Harewood #RavensTalk

^^^^ OUCH!!!!

Nice!

[CQ1]

  2 hours ago, PurpleRainBlackVeins said:

If the Ravens keep playing like this at home all of their home games will start to feel like road games because fans will not be in attendance. Steve better wake up and make some changes soon!

Changes? Yeah like sell/move the team elsewhere...then who loses? Fans. For being selfish. Win lose or tie Ravens till we die. Support your team regardless. Unless they just give up trying. They ain't doing that so why desert them?

Would the owners invest or use a faulty or more inferior product- at any point in their business career ?

[CQ1]

Just have to tell it like it is. Big Ben is the toughest SOB in the NFL.

Yes. Facts are facts!

[fusuymada]

starting to get that Ravens-Steelers rivalry blood pumping. Didn't have it Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday I came out of the depths of despair I have been in since we were 3-0, today I am starting to buy into the reverse psychology of the Steelers writers. By tomorrow I will be on board with the Ravens and by Saturday, I will be arguing with my to be son-in-law who is a Steelers fan. I totally forgot those two losses to the Ravens knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs last year and that they have lost the last 3 or 4 straight to the Ravens. The Steelers definitely should be motivated.

For all the Harbaugh criticism I listen to in Baltimore I wonder, are we the only one who sees the Harbaugh flaws and we are way off base or does he just have everybody else in the world fooled. I really don't think it is the last so regardless of how we feel about the roster, most people believe he is getting the most out of the talent he has.

[Tdot.to.Bmore]

  55 minutes ago, Minionhunter said:

I think you are right on Jacket. The only thing might be spending on Ravens gear and things in stadium, but while in my estimation that would be a non-trivial revenue stream, it would hardly account for the majority of revenue for games.

Plus there is this, 80% of ticket sales are split with other owners, the luxury box ticket sales are kept for the team. This is the high source of profit for the owner and why everyone wants a new stadium with as many luxury box seats as possible so they can maximize their own profit relative to the general seating profit (which gets split out and shared).

Correct. Merchandise sales in-stadium would be the only major profit differential, and my guess (could be wrong) is that most Ravens fans would purchase merchandise online or find a much cheaper avenue than buying in-stadium, which is probably the costliest way to purchase merchandise.

I could actually see that concession sales may actually increase when more road fans are in the stadium, depending on the travel length. Perhaps not for a Redskins or Eagles game, but a WC team coming east with a lot of visiting fans means they are likely staying in hotels in the area. That means likely no driving/commuting a long distance, thus possibly increasing the likelihood of excessive alcohol purchases.

You're arguments are usually valid but this one is just wrong. As a Raven fan who attends games all the time from Toronto i always end up buying items from the stadium. You have to consider all the Raven fans that are coming from other states or countries as well that are eager to get official Raven gear.

As to your second point, im sure it goes both ways. Even Raven fans that live in the city usually don't drive to the game. Ive witnessed MANY fans walking or taking the train to the game.

Just look at it this way. Say there's 50,000 Raven fans in attendance on a good day. lets just say out of the 50,000 that 2% of those people buy merchandise at the stadium. Also lets just say they spend roughly $150 a person. That's $150,000 in sales right there. That might not be a lot compared to the revenue of ticket sales, but its def something.

[VermontRaven]

11 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

I totally forgot those two losses to the Ravens knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs last year and that they have lost the last 3 or 4 straight to the Ravens.

Steelers were in the playoffs last year. Remember, Burfict took out Antonio Brown.  Granted--it COULD have knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs, but the Jets choked in Week 17.

[rossihunter2]

1 minute ago, VermontRaven said:

Steelers were in the playoffs last year. Remember, Burfict took out Antonio Brown.  Granted--it COULD have knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs, but the Jets choked in Week 17.

It knocked them out of the potential chance for a bye and a home game which forced them to play the bengals and essentially knocked them both out though

[Purple Dawg 96]

Some people in squeeltown call Big ben a drama queen but he always comes through under extreme pressure!

[eze17]

starting to get that Ravens-Steelers rivalry blood pumping. Didn't have it Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday I came out of the depths of despair I have been in since we were 3-0, today I am starting to buy into the reverse psychology of the Steelers writers. By tomorrow I will be on board with the Ravens and by Saturday, I will be arguing with my to be son-in-law who is a Steelers fan. I totally forgot those two losses to the Ravens knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs last year and that they have lost the last 3 or 4 straight to the Ravens. The Steelers definitely should be motivated.

For all the Harbaugh criticism I listen to in Baltimore I wonder, are we the only one who sees the Harbaugh flaws and we are way off base or does he just have everybody else in the world fooled. I really don't think it is the last so regardless of how we feel about the roster, most people believe he is getting the most out of the talent he has.

Harbs gets plenty of criticism from sources outside Baltimore, but he also has a lot of respect for his accomplishments, something some of the local fan base/media tend to ignore and focus only on the "what have you done for me right now" mentality. If we were to get rid of Harbaugh, he would immediately have suitors lining up to hire him, both NFL and major colleges. Every single coach in football history has had some flaws, but it's always the local team supporters who are the most relentless in bringing up their faults. Always has been, always will be.

[dirtybird66]

is a diva,anytime you keep hitting him and get him down he quits.period.