[News] Late For Work 12/2: Predictions For Evenly Matched Ravens-Dolphins Game

[BR News]

Ravens rush defense has an edge over Dolphins. Rob Gronkowski expected to miss next week’s Ravens game after unexpected back surgery. Javorius Allen posts message after fellow former USC running back was fatally shot.

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[Bat-mite]

I am getting stoked for this game!

Sorry to hear about Gronkowski. He's a great player and I hope he heals well. But, of course, I can't help but be thrilled with the improvement of our chances against the Pats.

[JacktheRaven]

Did Ray's comments make any sense to you?

[BigUgly]

I think our Defense can neutralize Ajayi so l one as they aren't on the field all day. That means the offense will have to establish some semblance of a running game, convert those 3rd downs, and avoid turnovers.

I'd like to see more of the offense we ran in the first series in each of the last two games, with Joe under center as it gives the O-Line a chance to get in a groove and gives Joe more options in the passing game. The timing seems off on the running plays from the 'gun, as the back gets to the hole just as it closes.

If we beat the Phins, and sweep the Stillers and Bengals, we should win the division. Entirely possible if the offense continues to improve.

[respecttheRaven]

12 minutes ago, JacktheRaven said:

Did Ray's comments make any sense to you?

To be honest? No........Truthfully a lot of what he says I don't truly get, some times he goes on and on. Ray Lewis was a awesome player, and I loved his enthusiasm on the field. Public speaker?.....not so much. He meant what he said about Joe, and only apologized because some people called him out on it. 

[fusuymada]

I am getting stoked for this game!

Sorry to hear about Gronkowski. He's a great player and I hope he heals well. But, of course, I can't help but be thrilled with the improvement of our chances against the Pats.

I am with you with being psyched for this game. Even with our quick start I just didn't seem to have the same fanaticism that I usually show. Comments have been negative and I find myself looking for the bad and not the good. I think I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in several areas. Flacco has never been a warm weather qb. He has always thrived when it gets cold and other teams have trouble throwing into the wind, handling the ball and moving downfield. Never bothered Flacco. Add it that the it is just looking by his movement out of the pocket that he is feeling himself again. That's a good thing. Marty is starting to get a feel for the team, and its clear he has been trying different things to see what works. I know what hasn't been working, timing routes. That was a Trestman leftover where Trestman was trying to get Joe to get the ball out faster with timing routes. Isn't working for whatever reason and time to get Joe back to hitting open receivers. Game after game we just keep getting closer with our offense and I look for us to make this our statement game and go out here and slam Miami. Warm weather team coming into a cold environment, with our run defense, cold weather and wind playing on Tannehill, this is our type of game and the type we have dominated in the past.

[Bat-mite]

1 minute ago, fusuymada said:

I am with you with being psyched for this game. Even with our quick start I just didn't seem to have the same fanaticism that I usually show. Comments have been negative and I find myself looking for the bad and not the good. I think I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel in several areas. Flacco has never been a warm weather qb. He has always thrived when it gets cold and other teams have trouble throwing into the wind, handling the ball and moving downfield. Never bothered Flacco. Add it that the it is just looking by his movement out of the pocket that he is feeling himself again. That's a good thing. Marty is starting to get a feel for the team, and its clear he has been trying different things to see what works. I know what hasn't been working, timing routes. That was a Trestman leftover where Trestman was trying to get Joe to get the ball out faster with timing routes. Isn't working for whatever reason and time to get Joe back to hitting open receivers. Game after game we just keep getting closer with our offense and I look for us to make this our statement game and go out here and slam Miami. Warm weather team coming into a cold environment, with our run defense, cold weather and wind playing on Tannehill, this is our type of game and the type we have dominated in the past.

I'll buy that!

[Crusader]

Either way, one of these teams will be able to say they beat a team with a winning record. If the Ravens say things are coming together then now would be a great time to see some progress. Just balance & no penalties would be a great start. Save the complete package for New England.

[KidNme]

Although he was a great player, I've never been a big Ray Lewis fan and the more I hear him speak, the more he shows he's a huge narcissist.

[KidNme]

I'm hyped up for this game but I'm really excited about playing NE next week.
There's so many things I want to see. We need to get out of the Miami game healthy for one then, I want to see us hammer Lady Brady all game long. I want to see Brady on the sidelines throwing his helmet and yelling at his players and I want our guys to be the obvious bullies on the field. Smacking their TE's and WR's down without making penalties.
I'm breaking out all my Mojo rituals for that one! Anyone know where I can buy Ravens Boxers? :-)

[Massaro]

Ray Lewis was a great player for several years, but lately I have no idea what his problem is. If I were him I would just stop talking to the media because every time he opens his mouth he sounds very stupid

[Tdot.to.Bmore]

To me Ray Lewis can say anything he wants about this organization lol. He brought us two superbowls and the best defense in NFL history.

Ray keep doing you!

[budman]

25 minutes ago, Tdot.to.Bmore said:

To me Ray Lewis can say anything he wants about this organization lol. He brought us two superbowls and the best defense in NFL history.

Ray keep doing you!

For real. People getting on Ray for criticizing Flacco but people on here do it all the time. Go figure. The man does have a tad of experience.

[Bat-mite]

19 minutes ago, budman said:

For real. People getting on Ray for criticizing Flacco but people on here do it all the time. Go figure. The man does have a tad of experience.

It is different when a fan rants on a forum than when a person of the notoriety of Ray Lewis does it in public.  I don't think too many people disagree with what Ray said (some do), but he is not a nameless, faceless fan like we are, frustrated with a mediocre season.  He is a paid professional, and supposedly Joe Flacco's friend.

[usmccharles]

3 minutes ago, Bat-mite said:

It is different when a fan rants on a forum than when a person of the notoriety of Ray Lewis does it in public.  I don't think too many people disagree with what Ray said (some do), but he is not a nameless, faceless fan like we are, frustrated with a mediocre season.  He is a paid professional, and supposedly Joe Flacco's friend.

But he is also an analyst.  Its part of the job, if that's his opinion then it shouldn't matter.

[eze17]

Did Ray's comments make any sense to you?

Great football player, but speaks like mushmouth from Fat Albert.

[OriolesMagicPlease]

What kind of apology was that? "I'm sorry you are not like me, not everyone can be as great as me". It was personal. If you choose to say it as an "analyst" at least stick to what you said, or don't say it at all.

And I think we have a good shot to win in New England.

[Crusader]

To me Ray Lewis can say anything he wants about this organization lol. He brought us two superbowls and the best defense in NFL history.

Ray keep doing you!

RIGHT ON! Lets see Joe do that on his back.

[sp3ctor]

I felt from the moment Ray made the statement, that it wasn't about criticizing Joe. It was about Ray itching to be a part of the team again. Joe's own father called him dull. Jimmy Fallon's superlatives segment hilariously voted Flacco to be most likely to yell out "Let's party!" then stare at a wall for 3 hours. We know Joe is not a ra-ra kinda guy, which I love about the guy. The last thing a QB needs is to be a ra-ra kinda guy. The QB should be level headed, always. Joe Montana wasn't a lively guy. He was the original Joe Cool and it showed in his play. But sometimes teams get into funks that require a leader to step up and shake them out of it, and Ray Lewis could very well be the greatest leader of all time. He was the General for 17 years and even though he doesn't always make sense, his passion is unquestionable. There isn't another player in the league that comes close to that level of passion, and that is what I believe Ray was really saying when he made those comments. It was sorta like Ray sitting on the sideline waiting for Joe to come off the field so he could pull him aside and help him get out of the funk he was in, only he couldn't because he isn't on the sidelines anymore. That's what this was all about, Ray missing the game and feeling frustrated because it's out of his control. That's why he didn't pan out as an analyst. Analysts spew nonsense all the time (I'm looking at you Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, and Michael Irvin), but to them the nonsense they spew is the typical nonsense players-turned-analysts say. Ray couldn't leave the field and the passion he has for the game behind, which is a shame because you'd think that would make the best analyst.

Anyways, that's just my two-cents. Go Ravens!

[metalraven]

I felt from the moment Ray made the statement, that it wasn't about criticizing Joe. It was about Ray itching to be a part of the team again. Joe's own father called him dull. Jimmy Fallon's superlatives segment hilariously voted Flacco to be most likely to yell out "Let's party!" then stare at a wall for 3 hours. We know Joe is not a ra-ra kinda guy, which I love about the guy. The last thing a QB needs is to be a ra-ra kinda guy. The QB should be level headed, always. Joe Montana wasn't a lively guy. He was the original Joe Cool and it showed in his play. But sometimes teams get into funks that require a leader to step up and shake them out of it, and Ray Lewis could very well be the greatest leader of all time. He was the General for 17 years and even though he doesn't always make sense, his passion is unquestionable. There isn't another player in the league that comes close to that level of passion, and that is what I believe Ray was really saying when he made those comments. It was sorta like Ray sitting on the sideline waiting for Joe to come off the field so he could pull him aside and help him get out of the funk he was in, only he couldn't because he isn't on the sidelines anymore. That's what this was all about, Ray missing the game and feeling frustrated because it's out of his control. That's why he didn't pan out as an analyst. Analysts spew nonsense all the time (I'm looking at you Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, and Michael Irvin), but to them the nonsense they spew is the typical nonsense players-turned-analysts say. Ray couldn't leave the field and the passion he has for the game behind, which is a shame because you'd think that would make the best analyst.

Anyways, that's just my two-cents. Go Ravens!

You're spot on. And what Ray stated with Whitlock absolutely made sense. Was it articulate? No. Ray is not an eloquent speaker. One thing about Ray, is what he says is unscripted, and he doesn't care about being politically correct. But he did make sense. He made it pretty clear that he was acting as if he was on the sidelines. The dude loves the Ravens, and he wants them to succeed. He was just saying what he'd say to Joe in person. And I feel his apology was genuine. Plus he was right.

[Rav'n Maniac]

My prediction for the game:

We'll have Phins to the left, Phins to the right and we'll break their streak downtown.

[stampedehero]

Regarding Gronk: I'm glad he is not going to play us next week. Have we ever hosted the Pats at M & T? We always have to play there! Meanwhile, the Fins are playing good D and our O plan better take that into serious consideration. The team should play revenge for that debacle game last year in Miami Gardens