[News] With Jimmy Smith Sidelined, Ravens Defense Can't Stop Cowboys Offense

[Raven1995]

WOW, one guy goes down and you can't win? That says your organization is built on shaky ground.

Not the Organization, but they one 1st round Corner drafted next year would be uplifting to the defense and the whole team, one big ripple effect.

[Raven1995]

We need another big corner and a center. Why did we abandon the run? Oh well, the Cowboys ARE pretty good.

I agree we need a Center, someone like Maurkice Pouncey. In a way the Cowboys Defensive line was better than our Offensive line which kept committing penalties, except for the Zuttah hit on the sideline which was terrible.

[Raven1995]

  12 hours ago, PalmBayRaven said:

I'm not blaming defense for this loss. They have at least played at high level. No the total blame goes to the ineptitude of the offense and more specifically Joe Flacco who has dubious honor of the worst Quarterback in the NFL 2016.

Then you weren't watching the game. Joe was fine. Far from perfect but was fine. Penalties killed at least three drives. The officials screwed us and injuries finished us off.

Nice Hear a Person with Reason instead of someone with a misplaced Vendetta.

[Raven1995]

The truly sad thing is, that like Flacco said, the Cowboys were completely beatable for us. But at one point it was as if our guys lost the will to win (outside of SSS ofcourse). It's not unheard of that a team loses momentum and players lose focus a bit, but that's when team leaders must step up. Players like Lewis and Reed would have never let the defense get sloppy like that. I remember times when Birk was pumping up O-line on the side. At the moment, this team does not have leaders like that. And that's why I prefer vocal leaders. Not stoic ones like Flacco.

Lewis and Reed are Hall Of Famers with their Talent. Reed would take away half the field away from a quarterback, that says more than yelling which Reed did very little of.

[Raven1995]

  4 hours ago, RaRaRavens said:

The truly sad thing is, that like Flacco said, the Cowboys were completely beatable for us. But at one point it was as if our guys lost the will to win (outside of SSS ofcourse). It's not unheard of that a team loses momentum and players lose focus a bit, but that's when team leaders must step up. Players like Lewis and Reed would have never let the defense get sloppy like that. I remember times when Birk was pumping up O-line on the side. At the moment, this team does not have leaders like that. And that's why I prefer vocal leaders. Not stoic ones like Flacco.

I woulddn't call Flacco a leader in any way. He's play QB is the only reason why some people have to refer to him as that

A Leader can't make an Offensive Line not Commit Over 100 Yards in Penalties. He can't Play Cornerback when Jimmy Smith is out. He Can't make Dennis Pitta Learn How to Block. He Can't make the Referees call Pass Interference when it Happened though out the game.

[fusuymada]

So far we have had a number of starters miss games. Say what you will. Flacco played pretty good for a guy who just came off of a surgery to repair two ligaments in his knee and doesn't miss a snap. doesn't miss a game, barely misses a practice, yet we have have people eating up roster spots that simply produce when convenient. If Ray wants to talk about Joe and his motivation, how about Jimmy Smith, big contract guy for his position, supposed leader, but he is no more outspoken than Flacco and misses time, Where is the Ray Lewis speech regarding him and his lack of effort. Elvis Dumervil has played this Ravens team since we went 5-11. He made sure he wasn't going to be part of that again so he has an excuse every single game as to why he can't go out and participate. He is high dollar, high profile, but I don't see him doing much leadership. Where is his Ray Lewis speech about lack of effort and lack of motivation for Elvis. Ronald Stanley who is our #1 draft pick who has barely played more games than he has sat and was a full participant in practice and not play. He's a rookie but as the #1 overall team pick then he should be grabbing the reins and start at least getting the snap count right. Where is the Ray Lewis speech about motivation and dedication.

Why do we have coaches who put players like Stanley, Dumervil, etc being full participants in practice and eating up time that the people who will really be playing in the game are now not getting.

I don't get it, you can pick on every player you want but when it comes down to it, it is poor coaching decisions.

[Raven1995]

At this late point in a season, each team deals with injuries. Yes, Jimmy was out and Wright/Powers/Young gave up plays (Wright's covergae in the PI play was so bad, I doubt his ability to play in this league), but in my view, the passing game was opened up in the second half by Witten over the middle especially. There was bad alignment between webb/wedlle and Mosley/Orr in my view. AND: we did not have enough push on the edge at DL giving Prescott so much time in the second half, I hardly could not believe it. Even with Jimmy, how to cover TE and WRs of every team with that much time in the pocket?

What me concerns offensively is the play of TE group and Zuttah. Even though he played most games in this patchwork o-line, he is the worst one. He makes mistakes in pass and run blocking and commits key penalities week over week. Also, the center sets the tone of the o-line. I think we never replaced anything close to Birk after SB- his retirement is constantly overlooked as major setback for the offense since then! Pitta plays bad over the last weeks as well. He struggles to get open (maybe it is also wrong play calls as we are not using it much, only WR crossing/slants routes) and his blocking skills markably dropped. I see no effort in blocking. TE group was considered a really promising one, but injuries and bad play piled up. This takes felxibility away from the passing and running game.

Apart from that, we are still having chances to make the playoffs. 8-8 is realistic and may suffice. Key is to win the home games and cross fingers Cincy beats the Steelers in a couple of weeks.

Agree and Agree. 2013 with Gino Gradkowski was tough to watch. AJ Green might be out for the year which helps our games but makes the Pittsburgh/ Cincy game in the Steelers favor

[Raven1995]

Stop it. IF Jimmy did play the results would have been the same. This team is just not good enough. To many roster fillers drafted over the last eight years have killed us along with the majority of the early picks being MIA.

Did You watch the Game against the NY Giants, when Smith Shut down Odell Beckham in the first half. He had to leave and in the second half Manning and Beckham played pitch and catch to about 200 yards. The Game would of totally been different Yesterday if Jimmy smith was playing.

[Raven1995]

One reason to see whats wrong with this team is look at the payroll. Second you have a 60 year old picking players and 67 year old running defense in today's NFL.

I agree the Payroll is out of whack, but a persons age Doesn't mean anything.

[Raven1995]

Joe did fine. He was mobile when he needed to be and was spot on his throws for the most part. He had time to throw but no one was getting open often enough.
Dallas is a good team but they were beatable. I'm starting to think our coaches are to blame here. Soft zone D is always our down fall but we do it all the time. A lot of our guys were saying that Dak was taking advantage of the check downs but I saw Dak throwing to his guys that had 10yds cushions. Don't need check downs when your WR's are getting 12yds a pop easily plus, Dak was throwing the ball in under 3 seconds. Geesh wright stinks up the joint and is not a good player at all. On our Offense, Why did we abandon the run, not only was it working but you have to stick with it for it to wear down the Defense and eat some clock (Just like Dallas did!!) On D, we switched to a soft zone and again, just too many penalties. Harbaugh said that the game dictated us throwing it in the 2nd half but we were tied at the end of the half and when Dallas got a TD, that means we need to start chucking it all over the place? Run the ball, eat up the clock and make it a game!
Most of these are coaching decisions.

I thought the same thing until I factored in the Penalties. The Offensive Line Just couldn't hold up, but they could hold onto the other team for penalties.

[Raven1995]

Lack of talent. Gutless Defensive play calling and an average QB at best...blah

Agree with the first 2, the 3rd one is just Blah.

[griffrb]

We're .500 for a reason. We're just not that good. To be leading the division at this point and still in the hunt, I'll take it. I'm suspecting we will miss the playoffs because we're just not that good. Going 4-2 will be a major accomplishment and still may not be enough to make the playoffs at 9-7. The playoffs have started!

[gr2522]

The Ravens pass rush helped the secondary in the first half. However, in the second half, the front 7 run out of steam and allowed Dak to pick the secondary apart. At this point all I can say is Go Ravens!!!!

[TheConquerorWorm]

The Ravens have failed to address the corner back situation. We drafted tavon young which was good but we need another corner with size that can be our number one if jimmy gets hurt. (An he's hurt a lot) Every year it's the same stuff that we deal with.

While I agree, it's not as easy as it seems. The Ravens need O-line, pass rush, Cornerbacks, explosive RB & legit #1 WR. Considering that 90% of all players drafted in Rounds 3-7 are BUSTS and considering that 50% of all 1st Round picks are BUSTS - it's difficult to fix glaring needs and can take several years.

To me, it's a salary cap issue - the NFL put the salary cap in place so that the league is full of a bunch of 8-8 teams. Sure you have a couple of really good teams and a couple of stinkers, but for the most part you can group all the other teams together. Every team has the same issues. The NFL wanted parity and this is the result.

[RabidRavensfan]

Ravens are like Politicians....they say all the things we want to hear, but never fix it!!! I for one am happy that the Ravens suck, gives me more time on Sundays to do things with the family.... knowing in the back of my head, that they are probably losing, or on the verge of losing. I am so tired of the same 'ole crap, year in and year out.

[Drew P]

Hester has to go asap

[araveninwaconc]

Hester has to go asap

true he is a waste of money no advantage there! It is time for him to retire. He does nothing for us. He is done. Just taking up roster space?

[araveninwaconc]

Ravens are like Politicians....they say all the things we want to hear, but never fix it!!! I for one am happy that the Ravens suck, gives me more time on Sundays to do things with the family.... knowing in the back of my head, that they are probably losing, or on the verge of losing. I am so tired of the same 'ole crap, year in and year out.

This is what happens when we are used to winning! Losing in the past was not an option!

[araveninwaconc]

  17 hours ago, BallsoHard622 said:

The Ravens have failed to address the corner back situation. We drafted tavon young which was good but we need another corner with size that can be our number one if jimmy gets hurt. (An he's hurt a lot) Every year it's the same stuff that we deal with.

While I agree, it's not as easy as it seems. The Ravens need O-line, pass rush, Cornerbacks, explosive RB & legit #1 WR. Considering that 90% of all players drafted in Rounds 3-7 are BUSTS and considering that 50% of all 1st Round picks are BUSTS - it's difficult to fix glaring needs and can take several years.

To me, it's a salary cap issue - the NFL put the salary cap in place so that the league is full of a bunch of 8-8 teams. Sure you have a couple of really good teams and a couple of stinkers, but for the most part you can group all the other teams together. Every team has the same issues. The NFL wanted parity and this is the result.

You have a point! Look at Greenbay! They look like the raven Arron Rodgers looks like flacco? Cant tell the difference except Rodgers is very mobile still

[araveninwaconc]

The Ravens pass rush helped the secondary in the first half. However, in the second half, the front 7 run out of steam and allowed Dak to pick the secondary apart. At this point all I can say is Go Ravens!!!!

That's why it pays to be deep on that front 7 line at least 10 deep. The regulars couldn't keep it up! Dummerville playing hurt dosent help us either! More importantly Wright and Powers should not be on the team next year. They have too much experience to play like they play. We need to stop this free agency picking up secondary and draft! should have kept Monroe and osem and draft hargraves, or some damn body. It could not hurt us any more. Weedle is not that good either. WE need to stop digging in other peoples garbage and go to the super market!

[araveninwaconc]

  4 hours ago, KidNme said:

Joe did fine. He was mobile when he needed to be and was spot on his throws for the most part. He had time to throw but no one was getting open often enough.
Dallas is a good team but they were beatable. I'm starting to think our coaches are to blame here. Soft zone D is always our down fall but we do it all the time. A lot of our guys were saying that Dak was taking advantage of the check downs but I saw Dak throwing to his guys that had 10yds cushions. Don't need check downs when your WR's are getting 12yds a pop easily plus, Dak was throwing the ball in under 3 seconds. Geesh wright stinks up the joint and is not a good player at all. On our Offense, Why did we abandon the run, not only was it working but you have to stick with it for it to wear down the Defense and eat some clock (Just like Dallas did!!) On D, we switched to a soft zone and again, just too many penalties. Harbaugh said that the game dictated us throwing it in the 2nd half but we were tied at the end of the half and when Dallas got a TD, that means we need to start chucking it all over the place? Run the ball, eat up the clock and make it a game!
Most of these are coaching decisions.

I thought the same thing until I factored in the Penalties. The Offensive Line Just couldn't hold up, but they could hold onto the other team for penalties.

I saw many penalties that were not called on the cowboys! Plenty!

[araveninwaconc]

We're .500 for a reason. We're just not that good. To be leading the division at this point and still in the hunt, I'll take it. I'm suspecting we will miss the playoffs because we're just not that good. Going 4-2 will be a major accomplishment and still may not be enough to make the playoffs at 9-7. The playoffs have started!

This is in our hands. Our division sucks this year! It seems every division has gone through this and it will continue to go around! It will hit another division next year. Remember 7-9 playoff contenders? NFC West NFC south, has all been in recent years. We usually carry three to the playoffs! Not anymore. Besides we should make it because we are 3-0 in the division and play pitt one more time and cinn twice! Remember aj green is gone!!!!!!! Cinn has nobody and they play like it! So I believe we are blessed to be the best of the suckest division?

[araveninwaconc]

  5 hours ago, whobilly said:

Stop it. IF Jimmy did play the results would have been the same. This team is just not good enough. To many roster fillers drafted over the last eight years have killed us along with the majority of the early picks being MIA.

Did You watch the Game against the NY Giants, when Smith Shut down Odell Beckham in the first half. He had to leave and in the second half Manning and Beckham played pitch and catch to about 200 yards. The Game would of totally been different Yesterday if Jimmy smith was playing.

Tellim again!!!!!!!!!!!

[araveninwaconc]

  4 hours ago, Drew P said:

Lack of talent. Gutless Defensive play calling and an average QB at best...blah

Agree with the first 2, the 3rd one is just Blah.

Blah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ya right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crusader]

  16 hours ago, Crusader said:

Come next year only Weddel and Young would be the only players I would keep. J Smith is just another Webb.

Please, Smith is still in his prime, Webb can't play corner anymore. smith is of high value. When he was out in the second half against the Giants the defense fell apart, we need him bad, very bad.

Jimmy Smith is WEBB 2.0 He already had just as many injuries and he 28.

[PersianRaven]

The Cowboys got away with a few penalties which is nothing new. What I don't understand is the second half coverage. In the first half we were able to pressure the QB, but in the 2nd half Dak was dumping the ball to Witten, Elliot and Beasley with ease and they were gaining yards and first downs like a college game. Who's to blame there? Def not the QB. Our Defensive SCHEMES are still vanilla and that always haunts us. We do NOT have a swagger. We do for only 2 quarters.

[RavensBaltimore]

Going back to 2014, when Jimmy Smith got hurt, our secondary took a nosedive. Last year, our secondary was horrible until Smith got back into reasonable football shape, and they were pretty good in the second half of the season. The secondary had been complete garbage in the game and a half without him this year. I guess that says a lot for Jimmy, but it's not good to be so dependant on 1 player.

[purpledown]

Jimmy Smith would not have made a difference.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Defense did their job held cowboys under 30 pts and big Zeke under a 100 yds ! I knew the Ravens needed 30 pts to get a win because all the other teams are getting it off the Cowboys defense and if the Offense played ball our Defense prolly would have done better! This new contract is killing us! Smh

[NeilfromBarbados]

I think it's foolish to believe that if Jimmy Smith was on the field that we would have limited them somehow. The Cowboys have been rolling over everybody this season. The offense needs to be able to score more points. Period.