[News] The Breakdown: Eisenberg's Five Thoughts At Pittsburgh Steelers

[fusuymada]

The defense has gotten a lot of credit for a secondary that continues, year after year, to give up critical scores, easily, to opposing teams.  For years we have played bend don't break that ends up breaking in the 4th quarter.  The scheme doesn't work in today's passing NFL. You can't keep blaming Flacco and the offense, they have put up numbers the last couple games to win and the defense collapsed. As much as we have screamed at Marty and Joe, in the grand scheme of things, it is Pees defense that continues to fail us year after year. We need to figure this secondary thing out and resolve our corner issues. Smith wilts like a soft soft.  Every tough game he can't suit up or leaves in the first half, and our other side needs a good long outside corner so Young can play the slot. How does out defense fold up like this year after year after year, because it's Pees scheme that fails us year after year.

Edited December 26, 2016 by fusuymada
Addtl info

[GageRage]

Defense let them drive the last few minutes their heart was not in it this game maybe xmas made them lackadaisical no pass rush at all let him roll to the right all night.... Offense had no play makers other then SSsr (i feel for the homie). Flacco's contract is holding alot of people back from staying and making a better team. Be a Brady and let loose for some options. 

[haarvik]

1 thing that bothered me a lot bout this game and the nfl in general, not trying to be "Mr Conspiracy" but it puts doubt in your mind about integrity of the games not being fixed.
1) how in the world is Sizzle on the bench for final drive of the game? Or he was atleast until they got down into the redzone. Dont tell me he needed a breather, not like that excuse doesnt work when the games on the line.
2) Steve Smith sr? He was a ghost in the 2nd half especially in the redzone when he dominated 1st half. Thats fishy.

Those things make my antennas perk up and sound the alarms

Been saying this for a while. I predicted a Cowboys/Patriots superbowl 2 months ago. Too many suspect plays.

[pocket]

  7 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

1 thing that bothered me a lot bout this game and the nfl in general, not trying to be "Mr Conspiracy" but it puts doubt in your mind about integrity of the games not being fixed.
1) how in the world is Sizzle on the bench for final drive of the game? Or he was atleast until they got down into the redzone. Dont tell me he needed a breather, not like that excuse doesnt work when the games on the line.
2) Steve Smith sr? He was a ghost in the 2nd half especially in the redzone when he dominated 1st half. Thats fishy.

Those things make my antennas perk up and sound the alarms

Been saying this for a while. I predicted a Cowboys/Patriots superbowl 2 months ago. Too many suspect plays.

There is nothing to break down.. This football team is terrible. Everyone should be ashamed. If they were less concerned with celebrating, cultural favors, and taking instagram photos. Maybe they would learn how to catch, and play football.

[TorryGundy]

First Proud of Dem boyz in Purple!

Second, this is how good we are, not quite playoffs, but better than most. Figured as much from the beginning.

There will be some changes

Zuttah - Gone. He is horrible. He purposely looks off Lb's and tries to combo block instead of releasing and getting to the second level defender. Most of the cut back runs that go no where is because he can not get to the weak side backer. He also is immediate pushed back on pass protection.

We need a 5 tech. Guy, and whoever else in that spot never gets their named called. We can not push a pocket up the middle if 2/3 of our three man line just holds still.

We need a 3 tech to compliment Brandon on passing downs, the guy does not move forward, great run stopper. We need a push too.

Doom, bye bye. Can have a situational pass rusher that has no snap left.

CB's we all know

Last , and this is tough. Pees got to go. I love him. He is top 10 DC in the NFL. But there is a reason the Pats let him go. He can get you a consistently good D. HE can not produce a D that can win for you. We need that since we have to keep Joe. And we get what we get with that.

[The Greek]

next season will be critical for harbs. if he misses the playoffs again he could be fired. he really needs to evaluate his coaching staff and make changes. some good coaches have been fired thus far that could be upgrades to the staff. front office needs to draft better and handle contracts better so we can retain our younger players that produce. go ravens!!

[Militant X 1]

And after watching the Steelers roar back to beat them in the fourth quarter, it’s pretty clear what the Ravens are missing – big-time playmakers. No, few teams, if any, can match Pittsburgh for sheer offensive firepower with Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, so the Ravens are hardly alone in feeling lesser by comparison. And the Ravens did control the game for long stretches with their offense, so they do have playmakers of their own. But they ground out long, slow drives, inch by inch, if you will, while the Steelers all but flew through the air when they got going. It’s tough to win that way, and everyone was already aware that the Ravens need to develop some young playmakers, but the lesson was driven home in heartbreaking fashion Sunday.

^ So NOW....after that loss and getting bounced out of playoff contention....you want to mention about developing the "YOUNG PLAYMAKERS" when fans like myself have been saying that all season long? 

[btfan2]

Defense let them drive the last few minutes their heart was not in it this game maybe xmas made them lackadaisical no pass rush at all let him roll to the right all night.... Offense had no play makers other then SSsr (i feel for the homie). Flacco's contract is holding alot of people back from staying and making a better team. Be a Brady and let loose for some options. 

He did that last off - were you paying attention?

[btfan2]

The defense has gotten a lot of credit for a secondary that continues, year after year, to give up critical scores, easily, to opposing teams.  For years we have played bend don't break that ends up breaking in the 4th quarter.  The scheme doesn't work in today's passing NFL. You can't keep blaming Flacco and the offense, they have put up numbers the last couple games to win and the defense collapsed. As much as we have screamed at Marty and Joe, in the grand scheme of things, it is Pees defense that continues to fail us year after year. We need to figure this secondary thing out and resolve our corner issues. Smith wilts like a soft soft.  Every tough game he can't suit up or leaves in the first half, and our other side needs a good long outside corner so Young can play the slot. How does out defense fold up like this year after year after year, because it's Pees scheme that fails us year after year.

Couldn't agree more. Bend don't break works kinda with sub par teams. Pats, Squealers, ah not so much. Play not to lose and you lose, it's the mindset that makes it fall apart. Play not to get hurt and you get hurt.

[BiggMack91]

next season will be critical for harbs. if he misses the playoffs again he could be fired. he really needs to evaluate his coaching staff and make changes. some good coaches have been fired thus far that could be upgrades to the staff. front office needs to draft better and handle contracts better so we can retain our younger players that produce. go ravens!!

he should be fired this year he lost us 4 games this year and I'm sick of his crappy coaching if you can even call it that and honestly we need an offensive mind at head coach not this wanna be special team coach

[objective view]

The defense has gotten a lot of credit for a secondary that continues, year after year, to give up critical scores, easily, to opposing teams.  For years we have played bend don't break that ends up breaking in the 4th quarter.  The scheme doesn't work in today's passing NFL. You can't keep blaming Flacco and the offense, they have put up numbers the last couple games to win and the defense collapsed. As much as we have screamed at Marty and Joe, in the grand scheme of things, it is Pees defense that continues to fail us year after year. We need to figure this secondary thing out and resolve our corner issues. Smith wilts like a soft soft.  Every tough game he can't suit up or leaves in the first half, and our other side needs a good long outside corner so Young can play the slot. How does out defense fold up like this year after year after year, because it's Pees scheme that fails us year after year.

Offense left 2 that's 2 gift interceptions down tight on the table settling for field goals versus 7. The offense was not ok.... Agree that the corners are an issue as well as safety's, where was the safety help on the long pass interference against Tavon????

IMO .... Pees is not the problem, we are lucky to have him. Caliber of players are the problem and a general lack of execution. Tavon HAS to get his head around on that pass and with it's inside position it was a possible interception and Game Over! That is not PEES .

[Crusader]

You are not going to win against the elite teams selecting draft picks that don't play. Where are your high draft picks making a difference?

[bioLarzen]

If we take all playoff and other other implications of the game away, it was actually a pretty good showing - especially compared to how the team fared most of the season. Shame it all came to nothing.

A "fun" fact: as much as the O has been (mostly rightfully) scrutinized all along the season while the D has been (equally rightfully) lauded for being a top D of the league, I cannot help noticing and noting that last night marked the third time this season that all the D should have done was to stop the opponent's O one last time - and they failed. We had the lead on the Raiders, the Giants and the steelers with no more than a two-minute drive - or even less - left from the game - and yet our heralded D allowed them to march down the field and score. And then we didn't even mention the pats game where we didn't have the lead, but were within sight to at least tie the game... If anyone's still wondering if this D is to be compared to the legendary 2000 D - this isn't what truly great D's do.

So, the season is practically over for us - who cares about the Cincinatti game now, honestly... But this might actually be a blessing in disguise. I know I'm probably nowhere near reality, but I sooooo hope this was the last season we had to endure Harbaugh at helm. It was a great run, he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory, and had in general a really successful stint - but apparently it's over, he's flamed out. Blatant playcall, time management and other decision-related blunders, his obvious inability to address the problems at OC... and an apparent neglect of the O side of the game altoghether... I do believe his time in Baltimore should be up. It would be the best for both parties to move on. He'd surely have a new job in 5 minutes (the Rams or the 49ers would probably scoop him up right away), and he would be great once again - something I don't think he can be in Baltimore anymore. And the Ravens could have a fresh start. I'm sure there are coaches out there who would at least bring the promise of something this team was sorely missing the past 3-4 saeasons: to play to the roster's strengths. Of course I'm nowhere near the position to make justified suggestions, but coaches like the young Shanahan guy, with Norv Turner at OC (though I believe he'll land a HC job...)... or other coaches we don't even know about... Honestly, how many of us knew John Harbaugh even existed before he was appointed HC? Who knew the ST coach of the Eagles? Not many of us, I'm sure. And he worked out big time. I'm sure there are a handful of such coaches, hitherto nameless and unknown to most of us fans, who could work out just as well as Harbaugh has.

I know I'm being a dreamer here about his firing. His overall figures are still impressive, this season's not gonna be a losing one... it's only the tendency that's worrying. His first non-playoff season could be explained away by the exodus of leadership after the SB win. His second non-playoff season could be explained by the massive wave of injuries. But this time, there's no explanation. I firmly believe that this is at least a playoff-caliber roster, and this time even the injury bug was merciful on us. Nope, this time it was entirely on the coaching stuff - and the buck must stop at the main guy: Harbaugh. Unfortunatrely, it probably won't. It took a massively losing season to fire Billick, when it was bloody obvious for seasons that he had been depleted. I fear Harbaugh will get a third and then a fourth chance to ruin a perfectly good opportunity. The fact that we've missed the playoffs could be used to our advantage: we could start looking for a new HC ASAP, not with a month handicap when most of the best possible candidates are already taken...

If Steve does decide to pull the plug on Harbaugh, I'll happily take missing the playoffs as the price. This team needs a new HC - and NOW. And I'd wish Harbaugh all the best and success with his next HC gig - preferably not in Cincinatti...

[bioLarzen]

... and it's the morning you wake up realizing it's 8 months until the next meaningful game for the Ravens.

 

... and also, next week is probably the last game with Brandon Williams in purple...

Gulp...

Edited December 26, 2016 by bioLarzen

[Bigjon5477]

Is it just me or did the Non-existence of ravens defense and the Non calls on pitt (holding) make it look like this game was scripted?

[btfan2]

I hope we can draft high in the 2017-18 season!!! And we need a new OC and DC for the ones we have stunk up the place and a new head coach for we have not made the playoff for a while with the ones we have, maybe a change is needed!!!

I Truly think Harbaugh has to go, his old BFF coaching staff has proven they can't hack it. Costello can't put an average "O" line on the field, Morningweg can't design or even call a decent game and Pee's is ok, but; bend don't break at the end of games doesn't work.

****Mediocrity***** is all your ever going to have with John

We need to go back to rough and tumble aggressive smash mouth football. Because even if you lose the game's at least fun to watch.

[btfan2]

We only made the playoffs once since Ray Lewis & company left and the one time is credited to Kubiak. Bye Harbaugh, you clearly have nothing for us in Baltimore. People keep saying OC & DC when the true problem is the HC.

amen

[btfan2]

We only made the playoffs once since Ray Lewis & company left and the one time is credited to Kubiak. Bye Harbaugh, you clearly have nothing for us in Baltimore. People keep saying OC & DC when the true problem is the HC.

amen

[sizzlingdoom]

As much as Flacco had a down year. I think he played very well last night and don't mind him staying around. However, I've NEVER seen a season coached so horribly. Cost us 4 games at the very minimum. Gross, unfair, and painful to watch. Steve Biscotti- we all love the Ravens. Please help us all out. Harbaugh needs to GO! This team should be 13-3 with a bye and possibly home field advantage throughout. Instead, because of coaching, we didn't make the playoffs.............hmmmmm

[sizzlingdoom]

Til next year boys

[ravens4life86]

The worst part is waiting til April to get a little bit hyped hoping they do what we ask in the draft and get these nasty,PlayLikeARavens guys. Not Mr Nice guys that Harbaugh likes. And then they fail us on that too.

Steve B better put his foot down at State of the Ravens address. Ravens fans patience are thin, his has to be. No playoffs, no teams identity, fan enthusiasm leaving. He has got to see whats going on with this organization, and lack of Smashmouth football, and lack of Raa Raa Swagger filled brash young centerpiece defensive players fans identify with (Ray,Sizzle,Ngata,Ed of the next gen) has fans feeling uninterested in this team after back to back no playoff years.

Critics will say Cj Mosley centerpiece, B.Williams. Grant Mosley is a very good pro bowl caliber Ilbr if like Ray had or luke Kuechly has, he gets those big Ngata,Williams Star Lutylelei NT/Dt eating up Og/Ocs so he can run free and get 4 ints a year and play great in space. But likely Ravens will lose Brandon Williams a franchise defensive player, and must draft another.


All because Flacco is playing like a average Qb, and you cant be average for 20million.

[Rav'n Maniac]

Sorry John but, I don't feel we need more weapons. We do need to develop them better, What we need is a couple more quality linemen at the center and guard positions and some strong pass rushers on the edges and one more good shutdown cornerback would help.

For next year, we need to strengthen our run game and fix our zone coverage once and for all.

[The Greek]

the front office is as much to blame as harbaugh. harbaugh will be here next season but his butt will be on the hot seat.

[sami]

We have the offensive weapons, what we need is better line play. We also need better Defensive line play. I think we have the right players for both lines just not the right coaches.

[dirtybird66]

the KEY to the entire season in my opinion was not messing up on the trade to draft RAMSEY instead of STANLEY.yeah,STANLEY'S pretty good,but to have 2 shut down corners all year long,especially the final drive of this game would of been the difference all season long.with J.SMITH out,we could of turned to RAMSEY as J. SMITH has been hurt his entire career,the RAMSEY blunder was the KEY difference for us all year long,in my opinion.and never playing ZUTAH in any game,as he alway's made the critical mistakes at the worst possible times.boy the odds makers sure will shake his hand at the end of this season.

[PurplenBlackFan2392]

If we take all playoff and other other implications of the game away, it was actually a pretty good showing - especially compared to how the team fared most of the season. Shame it all came to nothing.

A "fun" fact: as much as the O has been (mostly rightfully) scrutinized all along the season while the D has been (equally rightfully) lauded for being a top D of the league, I cannot help noticing and noting that last night marked the third time this season that all the D should have done was to stop the opponent's O one last time - and they failed. We had the lead on the Raiders, the Giants and the steelers with no more than a two-minute drive - or even less - left from the game - and yet our heralded D allowed them to march down the field and score. And then we didn't even mention the pats game where we didn't have the lead, but were within sight to at least tie the game... If anyone's still wondering if this D is to be compared to the legendary 2000 D - this isn't what truly great D's do.

So, the season is practically over for us - who cares about the Cincinatti game now, honestly... But this might actually be a blessing in disguise. I know I'm probably nowhere near reality, but I sooooo hope this was the last season we had to endure Harbaugh at helm. It was a great run, he led the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory, and had in general a really successful stint - but apparently it's over, he's flamed out. Blatant playcall, time management and other decision-related blunders, his obvious inability to address the problems at OC... and an apparent neglect of the O side of the game altoghether... I do believe his time in Baltimore should be up. It would be the best for both parties to move on. He'd surely have a new job in 5 minutes (the Rams or the 49ers would probably scoop him up right away), and he would be great once again - something I don't think he can be in Baltimore anymore. And the Ravens could have a fresh start. I'm sure there are coaches out there who would at least bring the promise of something this team was sorely missing the past 3-4 saeasons: to play to the roster's strengths. Of course I'm nowhere near the position to make justified suggestions, but coaches like the young Shanahan guy, with Norv Turner at OC (though I believe he'll land a HC job...)... or other coaches we don't even know about... Honestly, how many of us knew John Harbaugh even existed before he was appointed HC? Who knew the ST coach of the Eagles? Not many of us, I'm sure. And he worked out big time. I'm sure there are a handful of such coaches, hitherto nameless and unknown to most of us fans, who could work out just as well as Harbaugh has.

I know I'm being a dreamer here about his firing. His overall figures are still impressive, this season's not gonna be a losing one... it's only the tendency that's worrying. His first non-playoff season could be explained away by the exodus of leadership after the SB win. His second non-playoff season could be explained by the massive wave of injuries. But this time, there's no explanation. I firmly believe that this is at least a playoff-caliber roster, and this time even the injury bug was merciful on us. Nope, this time it was entirely on the coaching stuff - and the buck must stop at the main guy: Harbaugh. Unfortunatrely, it probably won't. It took a massively losing season to fire Billick, when it was bloody obvious for seasons that he had been depleted. I fear Harbaugh will get a third and then a fourth chance to ruin a perfectly good opportunity. The fact that we've missed the playoffs could be used to our advantage: we could start looking for a new HC ASAP, not with a month handicap when most of the best possible candidates are already taken...

If Steve does decide to pull the plug on Harbaugh, I'll happily take missing the playoffs as the price. This team needs a new HC - and NOW. And I'd wish Harbaugh all the best and success with his next HC gig - preferably not in Cincinatti...

I couldn't agree with you any better! I will say that I've always liked arbs and think he is a good coach but at the same time I've noticed that he doesn't seem to have that same fire as before we won the SB or even the two years after where we played competitively...he has clearly lost his touch but he also shouldn't take full blame, the Entire Coaching Staff has been Horrid! it's much like when a team loses more than not the blame gets set on the QB (he's the head guy) just like The Head Coach gets most of the blame so I see your points and Do Agree, I just don't think the fault is his and only his...remember our motto is The Team, The Team, The Team. #RavensFlock #BeatCincy #9-7

[TheConquerorWorm]

32 minutes ago, dirtybird66 said:

the KEY to the entire season in my opinion was not messing up on the trade to draft RAMSEY instead of STANLEY.yeah,STANLEY'S pretty good,but to have 2 shut down corners all year long,especially the final drive of this game would of been the difference all season long.with J.SMITH out,we could of turned to RAMSEY as J. SMITH has been hurt his entire career,the RAMSEY blunder was the KEY difference for us all year long,in my opinion.and never playing ZUTAH in any game,as he alway's made the critical mistakes at the worst possible times.boy the odds makers sure will shake his hand at the end of this season.

Ramsey is overrated. What's the Jags record? How good is that defense? How many pass yards a game do they give up? I don't want a guy that literally cries on the bench "I'm tired of losing...boo hoo".

NOT PLAYING LIKE A RAVEN!!!!

 

 

 

[MadStorkSociety]

  30 minutes ago, dirtybird66 said:

the KEY to the entire season in my opinion was not messing up on the trade to draft RAMSEY instead of STANLEY.yeah,STANLEY'S pretty good,but to have 2 shut down corners all year long,especially the final drive of this game would of been the difference all season long.with J.SMITH out,we could of turned to RAMSEY as J. SMITH has been hurt his entire career,the RAMSEY blunder was the KEY difference for us all year long,in my opinion.and never playing ZUTAH in any game,as he alway's made the critical mistakes at the worst possible times.boy the odds makers sure will shake his hand at the end of this season.

Ramsey is overrated. What's the Jags record? How good is that defense? How many pass yards a game do they give up? I don't want a guy that literally cries on the bench "I'm tired of losing...boo hoo".

NOT PLAYING LIKE A RAVEN!!!!

https://streamable.com/t3q5

 

 

 

I don't have a problem with a guy tired of losing. Some guys just phone it in and cash the check.

[Raven1995]

"Ravens need more playmakers" - More like Ravens need to utilize playmakers. This coaching staff is something man. Every week Dixon outplays West, yet West gets more reps. Every week we talk about running the football and proceed to throw 70% of the time. How do we not take shots with Wallace deep? Or allow Perriman to win jump balls in the redzone? Using Pitta past 5 yards. Feeding SSR and allowing him to get yards after the catch.

The "high completion" short passing game was our offensive identity this year (along with many 3 & Outs). Flacco finally gets to 4000 yards but we all know that isn't the recipe for success.

Pees usually does a great job against Pittsburgh but that soft prevent that allowed Steelers WR's to stop the clock (every time) on the final drive was terrible. After Juice picked up that first down, I wanted him to knee it at the 1. Run more clock and score. Sucks to suck John.

How do we not take shots with Wallace deep? Poor Blocking, West and KJ got Flacco blown up by missed blocks. We need a new Center , Left tackle and maybe a Right Guard if we lose Wagner to free Agency. Hopefully Joes Knee will be better next year, because he has to run or make the appearance of running to keep the defenses honest

[Raven1995]

Is it just me or did the Non-existence of ravens defense and the Non calls on pitt (holding) make it look like this game was scripted?

Scripted? I thought so. The announcers kept talking about the Steeler's like they were winning and never Mentioned they sucked in the 2nd and 3rd quarter. I Guess the NFL network had their agenda and 2 football shows afterwards on Former Steelers to keep people around for. Also, a former Steeler in the Booth what a nice touch.