[News] Eisenberg: AFC Needs To Get Its Butt In Gear To Catch Patriots

[BR News]

Plus, the Ravens were not one outstretched arm away from enjoying the Pittsburgh Steelers' success.

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[ravens4life86]

The patriots or cheaters have had a very big advantage over the afc for 2 decades because they play in the weakest division in the afc, so they are almost guaranteed 11 wins regardless of Brady, Matt Cassell or even Jimmy G probably.

You can argue the south but those teams are competative and turning a corner, you have 2 possibly 3 franchise qbs with Andy Luck, Marriota and if a Qb whisperer could fix Bortles. Houston always brings defense.

Ravens are the 1 team thats always been able to go into NE and beat them or put up a legit fight.
Gotta rebuild the defense, more pass rushers,CBs, Lbr/S
Beef up Oline and find a couple weapons

[ellicottraven]

With the way we are playing on offense and defending a rare lead near end of games, coupled with unimaginative coaching and drafting, we are staring at Mr. Doom (not Elvis, the other one)! I think we need 'TALENT' on this team.

Talent on the coaching staff with young, creative minds coordinating both our offense and defense and a HC that is also an Xs and Os kind of coach. Motivation can only take a team so far. Belichick is a classic example of a grumpy man who doesn't care about overt motivation (like John does) but focuses instead on the opponents' weaknesses and puts together a game plan (exploiting even limited talent he may have) to defeat the opponent. That is the kind of coaching temperament we need. Harbaugh doesn't bring it for no fault of his. He's simply not that type of coach.

As for player talent, we're severely lacking in that department as well. Okay, so the Patriots may not be talented across the roster as well you may say. But, then they have a cerebral, angry and motivated QB who'll whip them into shape or else... we don't because Flacco seems to believe that all his fellow offensive players are old enough to understand because they're professionals and paid like him too (very logical thinking but...). It's not going to cut it in this uber competitive NFL. So things must change in that we need to amass playing talent at every level of the offense for us to even think of challenging to be SB champions year in and year out.

Finally, the front office is stuck in the rut of mediocrity for too long. I cannot fathom the reasons for this slide. But my guess is the answer lies in these 3 scenarios. A) Ozzie has lost his magic as has Eric DeCosta and Horitz (unlikely).
B) Harbaugh is too involved like is rumored (insists on taking players with high moral character and special teams participation over pure talent and ability - very likely cause). C) We have lost too much scouting talent to poaching by other NFL teams (likely). Or it could be some combination of all three. Unless we figure out which of these reason is the cause for our mediocre to less than mediocre drafts lately, we are facing Mr. Doom all over again.

[CQ1]

To simplify: The Ravens need to get THIER butt in gear.

[budman]

38 minutes ago, ravens4life86 said:

The patriots or cheaters have had a very big advantage over the afc for 2 decades because they play in the weakest division in the afc, so they are almost guaranteed 11 wins regardless of Brady, Matt Cassell or even Jimmy G probably.

You can argue the south but those teams are competative and turning a corner, you have 2 possibly 3 franchise qbs with Andy Luck, Marriota and if a Qb whisperer could fix Bortles. Houston always brings defense.

Ravens are the 1 team thats always been able to go into NE and beat them or put up a legit fight.
Gotta rebuild the defense, more pass rushers,CBs, Lbr/S
Beef up Oline and find a couple weapons

Agree to your division reference. I would love to see re-alignment of divisions. Imagine if AFC North consisted of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England and Cinci. No way New England sweeps every year. I have always stated that being in that weak division helps them greatly.

[griffrb]

John, you're spot on. Good to see an article from the team's writers that isn't looking at the team through rose-colored glass, but as it truly is. I think some of the writers have lost credibility.

It's not an alternative fact that we're not amongst the AFC elite. We have a ways to go in putting the proper bricks in place to return to that level and sustain it. It could very well take several more years just to get back to the playoffs. That's not a popular thought, but it's a very real possibility.

Every season is a major rebuild for us, not just a reload, because we lack franchise altering players who are in their prime. Joe is a good QB, but he can't carry a franchise. Sugg is very good for his age but he's past his prime. CJMosley is very good but isn't dominant yet. BWilliams, he'll prosper and anchor someone else's defense for years to come. JSmith is injury prone thus is unreliable.

Every year it's discussed how we lack explosiveness and the need isn't filled. We sign stop gap players for a year at a time and they just collect check. We draft players who can't get on the field and stay like MElam who after 4 years will be gone and thus wasted a 1st round pick. The only dominate area of our team is the kicker JTucker. The kicker?

We have seven players selected for the Pro Bowl when only 3 are legit: Yanda, Weddle, Juice. I can't count a long snapper and barely can count Juice, though I like his play. Orr was a better ILB than Mosley was this past season. His loss will be felt on the defense next season, but glad to know he has a full quality of life ahead of him.

So, we'll wait through the off-season, read the stories of who is released, who is signed, and who is drafted. We'll wade through the mini-camps and OTAs and hear how good the players and the team is. We'll get pumped for the training camp and see a few preseason games, which actually is a great indicator of what type of team we have, despite Ozzie saying it takes 4-6 games to assess. I differ with him on that. The 2017 season will start and we all drink the purple drink and say, "Play Like a Raven!"

[whobilly]

I have a crystal ball. The Patriots go 5-1 or 6-0 in division. Finish at 13-3. Host the AFC Title Game. AGAIN. Go to Super Bowl. AGAIN.

[whobilly]

  1 hour ago, ravens4life86 said:

The patriots or cheaters have had a very big advantage over the afc for 2 decades because they play in the weakest division in the afc, so they are almost guaranteed 11 wins regardless of Brady, Matt Cassell or even Jimmy G probably.

You can argue the south but those teams are competative and turning a corner, you have 2 possibly 3 franchise qbs with Andy Luck, Marriota and if a Qb whisperer could fix Bortles. Houston always brings defense.

Ravens are the 1 team thats always been able to go into NE and beat them or put up a legit fight.
Gotta rebuild the defense, more pass rushers,CBs, Lbr/S
Beef up Oline and find a couple weapons

Agree to your division reference. I would love to see re-alignment of divisions. Imagine if AFC North consisted of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England and Cinci. No way New England sweeps every year. I have always stated that being in that weak division helps them greatly.

Agree about the weak division to some extent. On the other hand they win 12 to 13 games just about every year so they must be beating other teams as well. It will come as no surprise if once again they host the AFC Title game in 2018 and Advance to the Super Bowl. AGAIN.

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

To beat brady you either have to "A" have aaron Rodgers at QB scratch that off the list or "B" you have to have a good running game that you actually use and a big time defense that's how you beat patriots and since flacco is our QB we have to go with plan B Not picking on Flacco but just telling the truth he's a little better than average but most times you have to be great but we can beat them with flacco if we run the ball more win TOP and play solid Hard Hitting D In TIGHT man coverage brady will pick zone D alive

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

I say in FA stop worrying about a 4th or 5th round comp pick That usually doesn't make the team anyway and go out get a playmaker on Off or Def and stop always getting and overpaying for older players you can only draft so many good players a year and when you have a lot holes to fill this will help

[krnraven]

To simplify: The Ravens need to get THIER butt in gear.

Ditto!! We have better players than Pats overall. Our coaches need better game plans and adjustments.

[MadStorkSociety]

I say in FA stop worrying about a 4th or 5th round comp pick That usually doesn't make the team anyway and go out get a playmaker on Off or Def and stop always getting and overpaying for older players you can only draft so many good players a year and when you have a lot holes to fill this will help

I've been saying for years we need to stop focusing on quantity of picks and focus on quality of picks. Unfortunately, we have so many holes now that we need both. Missing ILB, DB, rusher and (if Williams goes) DL. We need OL, WR and fire on the offense.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

[Purple Dawg 96]

The Ravens are the only team that can beat the pats at home! It all comes down to our QB and the play calling! The Ravens were getting back in that game on MNF but that pass over the top knocked the air out of our sails! Brady big ben and even Aaron Rodgers are getting hit and moving the pocket etc and getting it done so blaming the O line every time things don't go rite is getting old! Joe needs to do pump fakes and you gotta send two WRs long on opposite sides of the field to stop the over and under coverage the pats do so well and it will open them up for our TEs to do some damage and so on! We should have 4 Super Bowls 1st 2000 was the 1st, the 2nd when Troy stripped Joe, 3rd was in 2012, and the 4th was that very very very bad pass to Torrey that should not have been thrown! The Ravens have what it takes just can't keep gift wrapping Super Bowls for the squeelers and pats!

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

  2 hours ago, jsarrocohome@yahoo.com said:

I say in FA stop worrying about a 4th or 5th round comp pick That usually doesn't make the team anyway and go out get a playmaker on Off or Def and stop always getting and overpaying for older players you can only draft so many good players a year and when you have a lot holes to fill this will help

I've been saying for years we need to stop focusing on quantity of picks and focus on quality of picks. Unfortunately, we have so many holes now that we need both. Missing ILB, DB, rusher and (if Williams goes) DL. We need OL, WR and fire on the offense.

We need Fire on Off, Def and Coaching staff

[whobilly]

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

Don't get me wrong, I do not like the Pats even a little bit. On the other hand, a team that consistently wins 12 to 13 games a year is beating other teams outside of their division and conference.

[The Greek]

  4 hours ago, CQ1 said:

To simplify: The Ravens need to get THIER butt in gear.

Ditto!! We have better players than Pats overall. Our coaches need better game plans and adjustments.

the key is the adjustments. too late before they make them if they make them at all. pees needs to stop going into safe mode when we have leads. if john cannot get him to do that than john should turn in his resignation

[Raven1995]

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

More like 5 to 6 wins every year. We have 2 teams, Cincy and Pitt that give us fits. Brady is like 30 and 2 against Buffalo over 17 years. Cleveland always plays us tough and was even competitive in 2002 and 2007. Jets have had a few good years and Miami had one good year back in 2008 when Brady was out for the year, go figure. Those extra wins guarantee home field advantage. In 2011 if we had a Home game against NE we would of been in the Super Bowl.

[The Greek]

  4 hours ago, ravens4life86 said:

The patriots or cheaters have had a very big advantage over the afc for 2 decades because they play in the weakest division in the afc, so they are almost guaranteed 11 wins regardless of Brady, Matt Cassell or even Jimmy G probably.

You can argue the south but those teams are competative and turning a corner, you have 2 possibly 3 franchise qbs with Andy Luck, Marriota and if a Qb whisperer could fix Bortles. Houston always brings defense.

Ravens are the 1 team thats always been able to go into NE and beat them or put up a legit fight.
Gotta rebuild the defense, more pass rushers,CBs, Lbr/S
Beef up Oline and find a couple weapons

Agree to your division reference. I would love to see re-alignment of divisions. Imagine if AFC North consisted of Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England and Cinci. No way New England sweeps every year. I have always stated that being in that weak division helps them greatly.

wish we could have had the pats in our division when brady was younger. with him gone in another few years it would not be the same

[FloridalovesRavens]

  3 hours ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

Don't get me wrong, I do not like the Pats even a little bit. On the other hand, a team that consistently wins 12 to 13 games a year is beating other teams outside of their division and conference.

Yes they do but a lot of those games are in their house. They can control lots of things in their own back yard. I can't believe they are entirely on the up and up. I do not like cheaters.

[whobilly]

  1 hour ago, whobilly said:

  3 hours ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

Don't get me wrong, I do not like the Pats even a little bit. On the other hand, a team that consistently wins 12 to 13 games a year is beating other teams outside of their division and conference.

Yes they do but a lot of those games are in their house. They can control lots of things in their own back yard. I can't believe they are entirely on the up and up. I do not like cheaters.

They play eight games on the road like every other team. They went 8-0 on the road. They went 6-2 at home. Not many teams run the table on the road. Don't like it but I gotta respect it.

[whobilly]

  3 hours ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

More like 5 to 6 wins every year. We have 2 teams, Cincy and Pitt that give us fits. Brady is like 30 and 2 against Buffalo over 17 years. Cleveland always plays us tough and was even competitive in 2002 and 2007. Jets have had a few good years and Miami had one good year back in 2008 when Brady was out for the year, go figure. Those extra wins guarantee home field advantage. In 2011 if we had a Home game against NE we would of been in the Super Bowl.

"IF" Lee Evans holds onto the ball we are in the Super Bowl that year. I agree that the AFC "Least" is horrible. On the other hand the Patriots do win 12 to 13 games a year so they must be beating other teams outside of their division and conference. They ran the table on the road this year. 8-0. I don't like it a little but you gotta respect it.

[BigUgly]

We just have to win our division, something the Ravens have trouble with. Little to no shot of avoiding a playoff game in Foxboro, but it is sure easier when you have a BYE or first round home game.

To beat NE, you have to be able to shut down their small but shifty receivers. That means press man coverage and a decent pass rush, with pressure up the middle. Brady hates moving laterally. When we play 10 yards off in a zone and don't put pressure on Brady, we get torched (just like Pittsburgh did).

[JamesA119]

Pats are a good club, not that I am a fan. However they also have greatly benefited from being in a division where the competition is not great enough to really challenge for the division. IMHO this accounts for 3-4 wins every season, which is also the difference of making the playoffs and not, as well as having home field advantage versus not. My point is, while a good club, they have a lot of outside factors that also play a big role to their success. Any team that can win their division so many years in a row, pretty much uncontested does not play a very competitive division. Competitive implies the skill/talent level is roughly the same (overall). The reality is the Pats division is so far from competitive, and to be a team involved in several rule breaking scandals only adds salt to the wound and sullies the reputation, rightfully so.

I do not subscribe to your argument that the reason the patriots have been very successful for almost 2 DECADES is because they are in a weak division, and that being in a weak division is equivalent to a 3 - 4 game mulligan. This year they went 14 - 2. 5 - 1 in their division and 9 - 1 against non divisional opponents. Patriots usually win 13 to 14 games year in year out, so that should put that argument to rest.

I have to tell you that I never root for the patriots. I will root for any other team playing the patriots any day and twice on Sundays, but you have to agree that they are the most focused, most serious, most over achieving team in recent memory. What worries me with your line of thinking is, it's that same line of thinking that makes excuses for Flacco, and Ozzie. My dad would say to me when I brought a bad grade home "that kid that excelled in the test does not have 2 brains"
It sounds like we are giving the Ravens an excuse for not being as great as the Patriots. You can see that winning just seems to mean a little more to Brady than Flacco, or Belichick than Harbaugh or their front office than ours. We won't come out and say that, but what we put in, be it the QB, or the coach who gets out-slicked by their coach. Just how many times have you seen our team try a flee - flicker? Or our QB quicken the snap count to catch that defender before he runs out if the field, or before the entire defense is set? I mean there are multiple examples of one team using every thing within their power to win, while the other doesn't.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Ravens need to get their rears in gear to catch the Patriots. I dont care about the rest of the AFC teams.

[usmccharles]

Without a pass-rush and a good run game, we wont be able to over-take the Pats, but maybe we need to worry about winning our own division.  Yes, i know we can win as a wild card....but still. 

[mearzunkies]

The patriots or cheaters have had a very big advantage over the afc for 2 decades because they play in the weakest division in the afc, so they are almost guaranteed 11 wins regardless of Brady, Matt Cassell or even Jimmy G probably.

You can argue the south but those teams are competative and turning a corner, you have 2 possibly 3 franchise qbs with Andy Luck, Marriota and if a Qb whisperer could fix Bortles. Houston always brings defense.

Ravens are the 1 team thats always been able to go into NE and beat them or put up a legit fight.
Gotta rebuild the defense, more pass rushers,CBs, Lbr/S
Beef up Oline and find a couple weapons

I agree with almost all of this post. They push the "red line" so tight that it is like they cannot get caught. It is mind blowing what that franchise has done with BB as HC. Even less Brady they won...

[lowcountryraven]

There is no question that the Belichik/Brady Pats being in the AFC East helps them get 2 or 3 more wins per season over then the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals AFC North which usually gives them home field advantage in the Playoffs. Even with a mediocre team they squeak out 9 or 10 wins and win there division. Anyone saying anything different regarding this one fact does not know football. Home field advantage in the Playoffs and/or a bye week is a big deal. Have they ever made the playoffs as a wildcard??????Having stated that fact, they are coached well, limit mistakes on the field and they do take advantage of every little advantage to win, including taping defensive signals and deflating footballs in cold weather. It is really hard to root or respect that team who has been caught cheating twice.

Ravens are the only team to go up to Foxboro and win 50% of Playoff games but we all know it should of been more. The Pats do not have a good record on the road in Playoff games. This puts more emphasis on the above point about going 6-0 or 5-1 or at worst 4-2 in your division every year. and getting home Playoff games. I am not a hater just making the case. If Patriots play Ravens in Baltimore this year, Ravens will win.

[JamesA119]

There is no question that the Belichik/Brady Pats being in the AFC East helps them get 2 or 3 more wins per season over then the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals AFC North which usually gives them home field advantage in the Playoffs. Even with a mediocre team they squeak out 9 or 10 wins and win there division. Anyone saying anything different regarding this one fact does not know football. Home field advantage in the Playoffs and/or a bye week is a big deal. Have they ever made the playoffs as a wildcard??????Having stated that fact, they are coached well, limit mistakes on the field and they do take advantage of every little advantage to win, including taping defensive signals and deflating footballs in cold weather. It is really hard to root or respect that team who has been caught cheating twice.

Ravens are the only team to go up to Foxboro and win 50% of Playoff games but we all know it should of been more. The Pats do not have a good record on the road in Playoff games. This puts more emphasis on the above point about going 6-0 or 5-1 or at worst 4-2 in your division every year. and getting home Playoff games. I am not a hater just making the case. If Patriots play Ravens in Baltimore this year, Ravens will win.

They play 10 non divisional games but only 6 divisional games.
They usually win 13 to 14 games a year. Rarely 12 games. I never know them to win 9 or 10 games

[usmccharles]

37 minutes ago, JamesA119 said:

They play 10 non divisional games but only 6 divisional games.
They usually win 13 to 14 games a year. Rarely 12 games. I never know them to win 9 or 10 games

Starting from this season going back to '02

14, 12, 12, 12, 12, 13, 14, 10, 11, 16, 12, 10, 14, 14, 9

That is absolutely insane. 

From 86 to 60 they won double digit games 6 times....6....freaking times.

Edited January 25 by usmccharles