[News] Late For Work 11/21: Eight Takeaways After Cowboys Beat Ravens

[BR News]

Honestly, the loss didn’t change too much in the big picture. After losing Green and Bernard, some are counting Bengals out of playoffs. Ravens need J. Smith to make playoff run. Cowboys DB says he has ‘no respect’ for S. Smith. Yanda is a ‘straight-up tough dude.’ Cries for more runs surface again.

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[Bat-mite]

Well, the game went the way I expected, of course, not the way I hoped. We looked the best we have this year, I thought.

Officiating was horrible. My wife, who is usually very even-keeled, said to me, the "the officials seem really biased." Well, I guess it's like boxing: if you are the underdog, you have to win by a knockout.

Ravens dominated the first half, but Dallas figured us out and had the tools in the second half. Sign of a great team if they can assess what's wrong at half-time and make adjustments.

Still, we were outclassed. Not much defense in the backfield, and their O-line is the best in the game.

From here on out, we just need to match Pittsburgh. If they win, we have to win. If they lose, we can afford to lose.

[TheRavengers]

It felt like a really tall order to go to Dallas and beat a legitimately good Cowboys with the type of offense we had, while clinging on our defense to clamp down on Zeke (though we did keep him out of the endzone).

[crazyboutravens]

Jimmy get back not so sure. He spends as much time on the bench hurt than on the field. I would much rather the DBs play up close to the receivers than 15yds
back Go ahead and give up the big play and then at least we get the ball back quicker rather than suffering through 13 and 15 play drives by the opponents.

[Derrel]

one other observation. The Ravens defense wore down again in the second half. Mediocre performance and couldn't get off the field allowing Dallas to have the ball for 20 minutes to collect an easy win for them. Line play seems to be good but pass defense and pass rush non existent again this year. Nearly every Dallas offensive play was successful to let them pull away. Disappointing.

[Derrel]

Well, the game went the way I expected, of course, not the way I hoped. We looked the best we have this year, I thought.

Officiating was horrible. My wife, who is usually very even-keeled, said to me, the "the officials seem really biased." Well, I guess it's like boxing: if you are the underdog, you have to win by a knockout.

Ravens dominated the first half, but Dallas figured us out and had the tools in the second half. Sign of a great team if they can assess what's wrong at half-time and make adjustments.

Still, we were outclassed. Not much defense in the backfield, and their O-line is the best in the game.

From here on out, we just need to match Pittsburgh. If they win, we have to win. If they lose, we can afford to lose.

if they make the playoffs, one and done...like the Os.

[SUGGStobeDUMED]

Has Webb defended A pass this year?? It is 5 years over due..Cut Him Loose This Offseason

[crazyboutravens]

To prove my point about playing receivers closer maybe they would get a big play or two but they would not have run over 20minutes off the clock in the second half. Our two touchdown drivers took 6 mins 23 seconds off the clock. Give our
offense the ball more and they would score more.

[WordProphet]

The Ravens made me truly proud of them yesterday in the game against the Cowboys, they played awfully well, excepts a few plays in the secondary, seeing that they had to play the Cowboys and the refs!!! The Cowboys were holding the Ravens in the inzone and outside of the inzone on the playing field, and the refs refused to make calls against the Cowboys that should have been made!!! One thing I know for sure, if the Cowboys had lost that game, the Romo thing would have came back to the front of all the news networks, and the bringing back Romo chant would have surfaced once again and that would have opened up a can of worms for the Cowboys front office!!! Seeing that the owner of the Cowboys is a top dog among the owners of the nfl they refused to let that happen and so the refs robbed the Ravens of winning this game!!! For every time we made a play to moved forward, the refs called a penalty against the Ravens to push us back, seems like this is the nature of the nfl today, for they choose who they want to be Superbowl champs and go about trying to make that happen, just like when the lights went out in the super dome for 45 minutes in the Superbowl when the Ravens beat the 49ners!!!

[crazyboutravens]

I would really like to know if all the penalties against us really really penalties. I have noticed a lot of ticky tack crap against us. John give us a report. Let us know
but I assume there might be some biased by officials.

[TheConquerorWorm]

I don't see how anyone can say the Ravens abandoned the run in the 2nd half. After a holding call put the Ravens in 2nd & long in the middle of the 3rd quarter (they punted), Baltimore only got the ball twice after that - the 1st time down 14 points in the 4th Quarter and the 2nd time with 1:50 remaining down by 10. Dallas chewed up over 20 minutes of clock in the 2nd half.

[law215]

The big away from this game is that it proved where the Ravens have failed in personnel and coaching.

1. Pass rush - Correa was supposed to add to that but is a non-factor after 10 games. He is making his way to the long line of 2nd round picks that are not working out.
2. CB:: Smith or no Smith, Ravens can't handle a good receiving corp. They don't have the speed and skill in the secondary
3. Offensive line: Ravens need better talent at C, G
4. Coaching: only 14 carries to back averaging 5-6 yards a carrying. smh
5. DAK looked like a QB in charge of the offense and Flacco after 9 yers needs development. I wonder if he gets its him, but his comment " we should beat them but not with the guys we have" is disturbing.

6. What good team do you expect the Ravens to beat on the road? undisciplined, poor play at QB, suspect oline, inconsistent pass rush, poor secondary play.

Time to change things in how we draft and coach. This "winning football" comments from Harbs and Joe's coulda shoulda woulda is getting old.

[stixfix69]

Flacco played like a rook, and Dak played like a veteran.....

[PalmBayRaven]

The Ravens made me truly proud of them yesterday in the game against the Cowboys, they played awfully well, excepts a few plays in the secondary, seeing that they had to play the Cowboys and the refs!!! The Cowboys were holding the Ravens in the inzone and outside of the inzone on the playing field, and the refs refused to make calls against the Cowboys that should have been made!!! One thing I know for sure, if the Cowboys had lost that game, the Romo thing would have came back to the front of all the news networks, and the bringing back Romo chant would have surfaced once again and that would have opened up a can of worms for the Cowboys front office!!! Seeing that the owner of the Cowboys is a top dog among the owners of the nfl they refused to let that happen and so the refs robbed the Ravens of winning this game!!! For every time we made a play to moved forward, the refs called a penalty against the Ravens to push us back, seems like this is the nature of the nfl today, for they choose who they want to be Superbowl champs and go about trying to make that happen, just like when the lights went out in the super dome for 45 minutes in the Superbowl when the Ravens beat the 49ners!!!

What were you watching? Really? Flacco and his back foot lobs at least 3 of them? How about the offense disappearing? Just like in the Super Bowl which we almost lost because of it. I am not proud of Flacco frankly I am embarrassed this year.

[WordProphet]

And Yanda, played like a man on a mission, he's a straight up stud, played left guard like he's done that forever, best I've ever seen that position played on the Ravens!!! Shout Out To Marshal Yanda, JOB WELL DONE!!!

[eze17]

Yet once again, too many penalties and abandoning the rush attack...and as for Dallas dominating time of possession, that is something that happens when you QUIT running the ball like we did. It would have been nice to at least try and use our rushing attack so we didn't look utterly one dimensional, but as all season has shown us, the Raven's will try to use Joe's arm to get the offense going. Which is not working. TWO called rushes in the 2nd half? And anyone wonders why we dropped this game...I've tried not too put everything on Harb's shoulders this season, but that many bone-headed penalties (especially this late in the season), and giving up on any kind of ground game, are both pointing directly at the coaching staff not being on top of things. Luckily we are playing in a weak division so we may still get to go to the dance, but we're not going to be there long unless some people get their heads out of their u-know-whats...

[Bat-mite]

40 minutes ago, Derrel said:

if they make the playoffs, one and done...like the Os.

No doubt.

[potomacpitbulls]

To me the offense lacks imagination. Where were the O-Line shifts and the motions we saw in the Steelers game? Joe had success rolling out in the first half, and then they stopped doing it in the second half. Joe is at his best when the ravens run a no huddle hi-tempo shotgun style offense. That doesn’t necessarily mean you stop the running the ball either. Pound the rock!!!!! The Ravens have enough capable RB’s to run the hell out of the ball. I love Juice, but I am tired of seeing him on every third down play in a one back set.

[bioLarzen]

I agree with what the article says: this wasn't a L that changed a lot in my mind about the Ravens. There are W's which despite being W's still leave you angry - tkat the back-to-back W's v the Chiefs and the cowboys in 2012 for example: we won both games, but mainly because the opponent played even worse than we did. On the other hand, there are L's that just won't make you especially angry or sad - because your team didn't lose for playing badly, but simply the opponent was better. If you're not the best team in the league, that can happen. This L was this category. The Ravens O played better than I expected. Note: I'm not saying they played well - just better than I thought they would. And the D was good - just not fantastic. And they would have to be that to avoid the L. So, all in all, I was happy about Sunday - becxause of the news about AJ Green. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy about him being injured - I'm happy because his absence will almost surely be YUUUUGE next Sunday... The Bengals have a 5-game winning streakopn us, but if they didn't have Green, they wouldn't have, that's a fact. So, on the balance, an L against the Cowboys (a non-conference team) AND the prospect of Green sidelined is a better Sunday trhan a L and having to face Green next Sunday...

There is, however, one thing that maddened me considerably abot this Cowboys game: that "two-minute drill"... I must make it clerar that I've always been a solid member of the pro-Flacco team, and I still am.  That, however, won't keep me from saying again that he is having a disastrous season. Right now I'm not even convinced he's a better option than Mallett. NOW, not in general. And the best example was that comedy the O presented as their final drive... Less than 2 minutes and 2 scores to make, he made throw after throw to the middle, with no real chance for the targets to make it out of bounds. And then - and this was the real blood-boiling paert... Flacco just jogs up to the LOS, with no apparent sense of urgency whatsoever, like time was of no concern at all... That gentlemen's tempo alone made it impossiblée to even create the chance of another possiession if they scored... which they didn't, because I'm, quite sure they lostz at least 30 seconds with the constant passes to the middle, and Flacco's apparent unineterest in at least making it look like he was in any kind of hurry... I'm not saying of course that we lost because of that - but that alone took away any chance of a win...

So, to sum it up, I still beleive in the guy - but this season he's been just plain bad. It would be time he stepped his game up a notch (or two... or ten...) - but I can see absolutely no sign of that. I know it wopn't happen for multiple reasons, but I do think Mallett would at this point make a more promising option for the O for something promising to happen... NOW. Not in general.

[bioLarzen]

40 minutes ago, SUGGStobeDUMED said:

Has Webb defended A pass this year?? It is 5 years over due..Cut Him Loose This Offseason

 

As a SS his prime job isn't pass defense, but tackling. And as such, this last game he had the second most tackles, and is usually among our top tacklers - so, I guess he's been doing a good job. Judging an SS by the number of deflected passes is like judging a RB by his deep pass catching ability: not necessarily fair.

[Bat-mite]

15 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

There is, however, one thing that maddened me considerably abot this Cowboys game: that "two-minute drill"... I must make it clerar that I've always been a solid member of the pro-Flacco team, and I still am.  That, however, won't keep me from saying again that he is having a disastrous season. Right now I'm not even convinced he's a better option than Mallett. NOW, not in general. And the best example was that comedy the O presented as their final drive... Less than 2 minutes and 2 scores to make, he made throw after throw to the middle, with no real chance for the targets to make it out of bounds. And then - and this was the real blood-boiling paert... Flacco just jogs up to the LOS, with no apparent sense of urgency whatsoever, like time was of no concern at all... That gentlemen's tempo alone made it impossiblée to even create the chance of another possiession if they scored... which they didn't, because I'm, quite sure they lostz at least 30 seconds with the constant passes to the middle, and Flacco's apparent unineterest in at least making it look like he was in any kind of hurry... I'm not saying of course that we lost because of that - but that alone took away any chance of a win.

Sadly, that's been the story all year.  No sense of urgency.  Walking up to the LoS nonchalantly.  Running the ball with :30 on the clock and a need for a TD.  Unfortunately, it didn't start yesterday.  I have screamed at the TV in every one of these close losses in which we needed to score in the last minute or two.

[eze17]

I would really like to know if all the penalties against us really really penalties. I have noticed a lot of ticky tack crap against us. John give us a report. Let us know
but I assume there might be some biased by officials.

No, they are real penalties. You may be able to say a couple of them are close, or even needlessly called, but most of them are simply bone-headed mistakes by professional players who should know better. And it's been happening all season long. If officials come into a game knowing that a team is playing undisciplined football, they're bound to be keeping an eye out for infractions. And the Raven's have been playing sloppy all season. So you can certainly find fault with the refereeing on some plays, but the majority are simply our fault. Can't make any excuses when your guilty.

[metalraven]

I don't see how anyone can say the Ravens abandoned the run in the 2nd half. After a holding call put the Ravens in 2nd & long in the middle of the 3rd quarter (they punted), Baltimore only got the ball twice after that - the 1st time down 14 points in the 4th Quarter and the 2nd time with 1:50 remaining down by 10. Dallas chewed up over 20 minutes of clock in the 2nd half.

I was thinking the same thing. Of course they abandoned the run, they barely had the ball, and when they did, they didn't have time run the ball. Silly people only look at the numbers, yet fail to look at T.O.P.

[CQ1]

Yes- much of the run goes by the wayside when you find yourself down- especially by 2 or more scores / time left.
Joe actually had decent pocket presence and ran with the ball! Asides from that- the loss eclipses everything else.
Yes- "Iron forges iron", however, while 5-5, we may want to start forging something else.......perhaps....like forging ahead !

[CQ1]

  48 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

There is, however, one thing that maddened me considerably abot this Cowboys game: that "two-minute drill"... I must make it clerar that I've always been a solid member of the pro-Flacco team, and I still am.  That, however, won't keep me from saying again that he is having a disastrous season. Right now I'm not even convinced he's a better option than Mallett. NOW, not in general. And the best example was that comedy the O presented as their final drive... Less than 2 minutes and 2 scores to make, he made throw after throw to the middle, with no real chance for the targets to make it out of bounds. And then - and this was the real blood-boiling paert... Flacco just jogs up to the LOS, with no apparent sense of urgency whatsoever, like time was of no concern at all... That gentlemen's tempo alone made it impossiblée to even create the chance of another possiession if they scored... which they didn't, because I'm, quite sure they lostz at least 30 seconds with the constant passes to the middle, and Flacco's apparent unineterest in at least making it look like he was in any kind of hurry... I'm not saying of course that we lost because of that - but that alone took away any chance of a win.

Sadly, that's been the story all year.  No sense of urgency.  Walking up to the LoS nonchalantly.  Running the ball with :30 on the clock and a need for a TD.  Unfortunately, it didn't start yesterday.  I have screamed at the TV in every one of these close losses in which we needed to score in the last minute or two.

Great point! I bet that Mallett can be as better / better than Joe- contrary to what people are basing their sentiments / facts on.
Mallett did beat Pittsburgh last year- with less weapons. He has more than likely 'matured' while he has been here.
I wish they would have a fan vote, either Flacco or Mallett. I know that the brass does not want a controversy given they are paying Joe a pooload of money. Lets vote......or picket M and T !

[ravens4life86]

My favorite part Ravens avg 6.7 yards a carry yet only 16 runs. Totally abandoned the run.
Clean house if these clowns cant follow the ideology of this organization..Run the ball 30x and win T.o.p., keep defense freah, win the game

[Bat-mite]

I think it is unfair to assume that Mallett would walk right off the bench and start winning games.  I'm not sure what our long-term solution needs to be, but right now, Joe has the advantage of being out there on field for every snap.  I don't know what chemistry he has with the receivers, but is more than Mallett right now.

 

Mornhinweg, or somebody, needs to figure out what is going on with Joe, and how to fix it.  Maybe they already know, and just can't fix it.  But putting Mallett in there would look to the world like we have given up on the season, and I don't think that's the message we want to send.

[metalraven]

  43 minutes ago, Bat-mite said:

  1 hour ago, bioLarzen said:

There is, however, one thing that maddened me considerably abot this Cowboys game: that "two-minute drill"... I must make it clerar that I've always been a solid member of the pro-Flacco team, and I still am.  That, however, won't keep me from saying again that he is having a disastrous season. Right now I'm not even convinced he's a better option than Mallett. NOW, not in general. And the best example was that comedy the O presented as their final drive... Less than 2 minutes and 2 scores to make, he made throw after throw to the middle, with no real chance for the targets to make it out of bounds. And then - and this was the real blood-boiling paert... Flacco just jogs up to the LOS, with no apparent sense of urgency whatsoever, like time was of no concern at all... That gentlemen's tempo alone made it impossiblée to even create the chance of another possiession if they scored... which they didn't, because I'm, quite sure they lostz at least 30 seconds with the constant passes to the middle, and Flacco's apparent unineterest in at least making it look like he was in any kind of hurry... I'm not saying of course that we lost because of that - but that alone took away any chance of a win.

Sadly, that's been the story all year.  No sense of urgency.  Walking up to the LoS nonchalantly.  Running the ball with :30 on the clock and a need for a TD.  Unfortunately, it didn't start yesterday.  I have screamed at the TV in every one of these close losses in which we needed to score in the last minute or two.

Great point! I bet that Mallett can be as better / better than Joe- contrary to what people are basing their sentiments / facts on.
Mallett did beat Pittsburgh last year- with less weapons. He has more than likely 'matured' while he has been here.
I wish they would have a fan vote, either Flacco or Mallett. I know that the brass does not want a controversy given they are paying Joe a pooload of money. Lets vote......or picket M and T !

1) A fan vote? That's asinine. If fans could dictate which players start...you know what? Never mind. No need to even explain why that is ridiculous.
2) Flacco has been bad this year. But if you think Mallet is the answer, then you're crazy. He had a couple of good games, and that's it. No proven track record as a starter; which is why he's a career pine rider. He's a great backup to have, though.

[billiejean]

The Ravens made me truly proud of them yesterday in the game against the Cowboys, they played awfully well, excepts a few plays in the secondary, seeing that they had to play the Cowboys and the refs!!! The Cowboys were holding the Ravens in the inzone and outside of the inzone on the playing field, and the refs refused to make calls against the Cowboys that should have been made!!! One thing I know for sure, if the Cowboys had lost that game, the Romo thing would have came back to the front of all the news networks, and the bringing back Romo chant would have surfaced once again and that would have opened up a can of worms for the Cowboys front office!!! Seeing that the owner of the Cowboys is a top dog among the owners of the nfl they refused to let that happen and so the refs robbed the Ravens of winning this game!!! For every time we made a play to moved forward, the refs called a penalty against the Ravens to push us back, seems like this is the nature of the nfl today, for they choose who they want to be Superbowl champs and go about trying to make that happen, just like when the lights went out in the super dome for 45 minutes in the Superbowl when the Ravens beat the 49ners!!!

i truly hope this is satire. Refs making calls for the Cowboys so there is not a qb controversy?? Not to mention that even if the Cowboys did lose there would be no controversy. If they lost, Dak would have a record of 8 and 2 which is pretty darn good.

[omar586]

when are the coaches gonna learn, that when u get away from the running game, we lose. period. we weren't in a hole harb, stop making crap up, had we ran the ball more to the outside and stuck with the run game, i think we win, but u come out in half time and start sling it for 3 and outs, eventually your D gonna collapse.