[News] Late For Work 12/26: Eight Takeaways From Ravens-Steelers Christmas Classic

[BR News]

Cruel way to lose. Ravens will do some 'soul searching' after defense collapses. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat. Should Juszczyk have fallen short on purpose? Waller revived memories of Lee Evans. Suggs adamant about returning. Offseason priority? Pass rush. Take a moment to appreciate.

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[b93333]

The Raven's biggest off-season need is for Mr. B to take a hard look at this organization... especially the FO.

[ravens4life86]

Classic my backside. 
All year long proof they needed pass rush and they waited til what the 5th round to get Judon to try an address it last year..smh. Grant it last years draft on paper and in game with Stanley,Young,Dixon,Lewis,Judon look good.
But no excuses for not taking a no.1 bonefied pass rusher when the owner puts the organization on notice. If they dont address that 1 possibly 2 times in the 1st 3 rounds, people should be fired.
You cant have sizzle lead team in sacks.
You gotta draft the next Suggs in his prime or Von Miller..15 sack a year Dpoy type guys..

[BKeyser]

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

[Tank 92]

“Darren Waller evoked memories of Lee Evans, and not in a good way,” wrote The Baltimore Sun’s Edward Lee.

Did this guy even see the play?  In no way, shape or form was the Waller play anything like the Evans gaff.  Lee had plenty of time to secure the ball.  Flacco's pass to Waller was perfect, but the DB got his hand in there at the same time as the ball. Just an outstanding defensive play. 

[ravens4life86]

Prevent Defense....only thing it ever did was prevent you from winning.
Id rather go diwn with Rex Ryan swinning sending a full house every play..then sitting back 10 yards off line of scrimmage letting gr8 qbs slice up your soft zone

[jar2260]

Sorry, but Pitts last drive was a gift, we played to protect against the home run and they walked down field, even getting out of bounds!
We gave up to much room! Should have played straight and made them work harder!

[Ravensfansince03]

If I'm Ozzie Newsome I would be doing everything I can to get Rex Ryan in here as DC. enough said.

[Ravensfansince03]

“Darren Waller evoked memories of Lee Evans, and not in a good way,” wrote The Baltimore Sun’s Edward Lee.

Did this guy even see the play?  In no way, shape or form was the Waller play anything like the Evans gaff.  Lee had plenty of time to secure the ball.  Flacco's pass to Waller was perfect, but the DB got his hand in there at the same time as the ball. Just an outstanding defensive play. 

Wow that's the same thing I said when he dropped the pass in the end zone. I had a deja vu of when Lee Evans dropped the TD pass years ago in the playoffs. That cost us the game

[Ravensfansince03]

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

I just said the same thing to my uncle. The mentality of this team is not the same. There is a lack of determination, and a lack of wanting to put fear in opposing offenses. Ozzie needs to get Rex Ryan back in here. I don't know if that will solve the problem but it damn sure will help if we bring in a coach that knows exactly how this defense is supposed to carry themselves.

[picke]

Our new prevent defense should amount to preventing Dean Pees from protecting a lead in the 4th quarter.

[Ravensfansince03]

This defens has the same problem as last year.

Not enough violent angry defenders. Defenders that strike fear in opposing QB's

[picke]

Too many "if only's" for one game and one season. We could all add our own, like, "if only" we had played better during that 4-game losing streak instead of talking so much about how we have to get better after another loss.

[dirtybird66]

so fitting that ZUTAH commited the penalty that really cost us the game/division,he's done it all year long,he should not of even been in there on such a crucial drive.

[dirtybird66]

should of,could of,would of,this should be the MOTTO of the 2016 RAVEN'S.

[The Greek]

20 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

1 hour ago, BKeyser said:

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

I just said the same thing to my uncle. The mentality of this team is not the same. There is a lack of determination, and a lack of wanting to put fear in opposing offenses. Ozzie needs to get Rex Ryan back in here. I don't know if that will solve the problem but it damn sure will help if we bring in a coach that knows exactly how this defense is supposed to carry themselves.

or gus bradley, todd bowles if he gets canned. pees is a descent dc but he is not creative when it comes to blitzes and the defense doesnt seem to play with a nasty swagger under him. they struggled against the better teams

Edited December 26, 2016 by The Greek

[dirtybird66]

prevent defense only prevents a team from winning,you put a qb under pressure the whole game until the last drive when you need it most.suddenly a qb say's hey,this is great,i can just pick a defense apart all the way down the field.

[DBsRAVENS]

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts." That's John Harbaugh and his soft BFF coaching staff's contribution to the Ravens.

[DBsRAVENS]

“Darren Waller evoked memories of Lee Evans, and not in a good way,” wrote The Baltimore Sun’s Edward Lee.

Did this guy even see the play?  In no way, shape or form was the Waller play anything like the Evans gaff.  Lee had plenty of time to secure the ball.  Flacco's pass to Waller was perfect, but the DB got his hand in there at the same time as the ball. Just an outstanding defensive play. 

Thank you. Sometimes it's just a great defensive play.

[dirtybird66]

i'd like to know how many people now would of took the trade to bring in RAMSEY,instead of STANLEY? if he was there in the seconday,i think we would of stopped the drive,in hindsight.

[dirtybird66]

i know everyone in that stadium and all the RAVEN'S fan's everywhere said to themselves,ok,we scored,now we'll let the other team march right down the field,it's happened all year long,every game except the MIAMI game.

[FishingRaven]

Would love to see Steve B. replace Harbs with Josh McDaniels.  Maybe then we'd have an offense and beat the Pats.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Opportunities in the redzone and they came away with FGs instead of Touchdowns! This game should not have ended the playoffs hopes loosing to teams you should have beaten ended the run for a Lombardi Trophy!

[Black&purple#55]

Dean pees must let go man, i cant stand this "PLAYING SCARED" defence

[pocket]

34 minutes ago, DBsRAVENS said:

1 hour ago, BKeyser said:

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts." That's John Harbaugh and his soft BFF coaching staff's contribution to the Ravens.

How many times did they run the ball; how many times did they need to throw in the flat.. The only players trusted to catch a football are DP and SS; the old injured guys. Most of the roster - staff won't be there. 

Edited December 26, 2016 by pocket

[JamesA119]

I agree with all the points expounded by the first 4 fans on this board today. I think 1. Ozzie needs to stop the mentality of bargain basement shopping especially when it comes to DBs. Most fans that have followed this team know what I'm talking about. DBs win championship. Save money elsewhere.
2. When you have a home grown proven talent like KO, leave no stone unturned in signing him. I know we can't sign every player that comes up for contract. As a GM it should be a badge of honor to retain the best talents. I often hear fans say something to the effect "... is not worth that money" Really? How much would a win last night worth to you?
3. Flacco played extremely well last night, but I think the organization over estimated his ability at least on a consistent basis. If he had been consistent enough, we might have lost this game last night but we're still heading to the playoffs. They gave him too much money especially on the current contract. The first contract was more understandable but they were hoodwinked by Flacco's agent on the second one. If you remember Flacoo hadn't done much since his first contract when he was signed to the second one.
4. If you are looking for the renaissance of the traditional Ravens D, you are not going to find it with Dean Pees. His philosophy is set. He has been in charge since 2012.
5. I believe Harbaugh is a good leader of men, but his love affair with everything ex -Eagles is killing this team. They are the Eagles and we are the Ravens. The Eagles never won any championships in football. Remember the washed out former Eagles pass rusher ( his name escapes me right this minute ) that he signed last season that only lasted a couple of games. We have former Eagles personnel all over the team; Castillo, Mornhenweg. Why is this important? Because this predilection to settling for a coach or player based on perceived prior reputation could be costing us talents. Even though Hester was not a former Eagle but he was only signed based purely on reputation not current status. So we await for the signing of Tyrek Hill of the chiefs 10 yrs from now instead of finding our own Tyrek Hill today.
6. Overall coaching. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Breshad Perriman has a flaw with the way he catches the ball, and that's why he has drops in every game. It's on tape. This is his second season, so why does he continue with that bad habit. If he can't change let Moore get the reps.

[DBsRAVENS]

  59 minutes ago, BKeyser said:

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

I just said the same thing to my uncle. The mentality of this team is not the same. There is a lack of determination, and a lack of wanting to put fear in opposing offenses. Ozzie needs to get Rex Ryan back in here. I don't know if that will solve the problem but it damn sure will help if we bring in a coach that knows exactly how this defense is supposed to carry themselves.

I said earlier in the year, this team was soft because of Harbaugh and his BFF staff and I got so many "How can this team be soft with the number 1 ranked defense?"

Well if you couldn't see it before, it's all so crystal clears after last night's loss with 78 seconds left in the game.

You can keep the SOFT number ONE defense rankings, real Raven fans want a defense that is nasty, feared and brings the pain when closing out games.

[TheConquerorWorm]

Dean pees must let go man, i cant stand this "PLAYING SCARED" defence

Pees blitzed almost every play in the final drive. How could you even watch that game and blame the coaches? The players on defense choked, period. Where were Suggs, Doom, Judon, Jernigan on that final drive?

[TheConquerorWorm]

44 minutes ago, Ravensfansince03 said:

1 hour ago, BKeyser said:

This is just another in a series of cultural defeats. By that, I mean that the culture of this organization is: play soft with a lead. It's been going on for years. I'm quick to blame Dean Pees, who I think is as awful a coach as there is in the NFL, but this lack of killer instinct may originate higher up.

We won the Super Bowl, barely, on the backs of Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin and the emotion of Ray Lewis' last season. Since then, we've probably blown more leads and given up more points in the last two minutes of a half than any team in football. That's not individual players, that's a mentality. That's a culture.

Yes, we need a pass rush. And shut-down corners who can stay healthy. I'm all about #BringBackRex. Rushing 3 or 4 against 5 or 6, giving pro quarterbacks all day to survey the field and playing linebackers in space is a recipe for quick opposing scoring drives and teams prove it over and over again in this league, yet there are some coaches (Dean Pees) who simply know no other way to game plan.

It has to end.

So Ozzie should look at his scouts and head coach, and Harbaugh should look at his coordinators, but if we're not going to put up 35 points a game, then we need to learn how to keep up the pressure when we have a lead, and we'll never get there under the current culture.

"Play Like A Raven" has come to mean "fold when it counts."

I just said the same thing to my uncle. The mentality of this team is not the same. There is a lack of determination, and a lack of wanting to put fear in opposing offenses. Ozzie needs to get Rex Ryan back in here. I don't know if that will solve the problem but it damn sure will help if we bring in a coach that knows exactly how this defense is supposed to carry themselves.

Rex Ryan is a choke artist and the NFL has passed him by. Look at all the 1st Round picks on that Bills' defense and they looked like garbage. He style of defense doesn't work in today's NFL.

It's fairly obvious that Rex's only success was riding the coattails of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Chris McAlister & Haloti Ngata when they were in their prime.

#RexSayNo

Edited December 26, 2016 by TheConquerorWorm

[Moderator 3]

3 minutes ago, TheConquerorWorm said:

Rex Ryan is a choke artist and the NFL has passed him by. Look at all the 1st Round picks on that Bills' defense and they looked like garbage. He style of defense doesn't work in today's NFL.

It's fairly obvious that Rex's only success was riding the coattails of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs, Chris McAlister & Haloti Ngata when they were in their prime.

#RexSayNo

I don't want either Ryan anywhere near this team.  All ego, no coaching.