A little perspective......

[52decleetzu]

On the right track.....

Indy-4-0
NE-4-0(soon)
Pitt-3-1

The middle of the pack.....

Jax 2-1
Tenn 2-1
Cleveland 2-2
Baltimore 2-2
Houston 2-2
Denver 2-2
Kansas City 2-2
Oakland 2-2

In trouble.....

Buffalo 1-3
Jets 1-3
Cinci 1-3(soon)
SD 1-3

Soa re we really ready to fire the entire staff,QB and all the players right now? The AFC for the most part is a big jumbled mess up until this point,and frankly none of those teams in the middle scare me too much.We have more talent here than a couple of those teams combined,especially if we can get some injured players back for the stretch run.

I think its time to take a chill pill.

[btownraven]

On the right track.....

Indy-4-0
NE-4-0(soon)
Pitt-3-1

The middle of the pack.....

Jax 2-1
Tenn 2-1
Cleveland 2-2
Baltimore 2-2
Houston 2-2
Denver 2-2
Kansas City 2-2
Oakland 2-2

In trouble.....

Buffalo 1-3
Jets 1-3
Cinci 1-3(soon)
SD 1-3

Soa re we really ready to fire the entire staff,QB and all the players right now? The AFC for the most part is a big jumbled mess up until this point,and frankly none of those teams in the middle scare me too much.We have more talent here than a couple of those teams combined,especially if we can get some injured players back for the stretch run.

I think its time to take a chill pill.

The concern is the schedule. This is supposed to be the "soft" part of the schedule. We're 2-2 with 1 loss to an "in-trouble" team and we have 4 games against "on the right track" teams left. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has 1 game left (at NE) against those teams and they're already ahead of us in the division. We've got a steep mountain to climb to win the division.

If we get the wild card we spend the playoffs on the road. In 41 years only 1 team has won 3 road playoff games and won the Super Bowl.

Other than last year, this team shows no urgency early in the year and is desperately spending the rest of the year in catch-up mode (see '04 & '05). We've seen this story before and it's getting old.

[52decleetzu]

The concern is the schedule. This is supposed to be the "soft" part of the schedule. We're 2-2 with 1 loss to an "in-trouble" team and we have 4 games against "on the right track" teams left. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has 1 game left (at NE) against those teams and they're already ahead of us in the division. We've got a steep mountain to climb to win the division.

If we get the wild card we spend the playoffs on the road. In 41 years only 1 team has won 3 road playoff games and won the Super Bowl.

Other than last year, this team shows no urgency early in the year and is desperately spending the rest of the year in catch-up mode (see '04 & '05). We've seen this story before and it's getting old.

So none of those other teams in the AFC have tough schedules right?? Just like we all penciled in SD as a loss right?? Or we can predict the future with which teams are going to be good at certain points in the season before it started right?

I know I for sure had the Browns and the Raiders in the mix at this point.

[camdenyard]

Perspective?

We have three teams that should be cupcakes ahead of us. Yeah, they should be if the Ravens are focused and motivated to play.

We win those, and we are 5-2 heading into the bye. If you'd have asked me if 5-2 at the break would be acceptable, I would have said "yes".

[52decleetzu]

Perspective?

We have three teams that should be cupcakes ahead of us. Yeah, they should be if the Ravens are focused and motivated to play.

We win those, and we are 5-2 heading into the bye. If you'd have asked me if 5-2 at the break would be acceptable, I would have said "yes".

Exactly,especially with our best d line men out and our #2 corner out the past 2 weeks and beyond.

I am a little bit more worried about Buffalo though now that Trent Edwards is in there.Lee Evans woke up from the dead and Edwards seemed to move the offense quite well yesterday.

[Fanman]

5-2 at the bye week would be fantastic...I would be happy w/ 4-3 now.

FM

[btownraven]

So none of those other teams in the AFC have tough schedules right?? Just like we all penciled in SD as a loss right?? Or we can predict the future with which teams are going to be good at certain points in the season before it started right?

I know I for sure had the Browns and the Raiders in the mix at this point.

Is your goal to make the playoffs or to win the Super Bowl? If it's to make the playoffs, I agree with you. If it's to win the Super Bowl, we're already in trouble.

Why? It is infinitely more difficult to win the Super Bowl as a wild card. The VAST majority of Super Bowl champions won their division (something like 35 of 41). We're only a game back in our division but our remaining schedule is more difficult than Pittsburgh's and we're already 0-2 in the division (the only team without a division win). Pittsburgh already has a division road win, which we'll only get if we win at Pittsburgh.

If the Ravens don't win the division, then you have to look at the wild card, which in all likelihood means you have to win 3 games on the road to make it to the Super Bowl. Only 1 team out of 41 has won 3 playoff games on the road and then won the Super Bowl. When we won the Super Bowl we at least hosted one game.

Hey, a lot can happen between now and January. Manning and/or Brady could go down. Pittsburgh could collapse. But the Ravens would be in much better shape if they had taken care of their own business these past 4 weeks. Injuries or not, if the Ravens play the way they are capable of they beat both Cincy and Cleveland. And they keep themselves in strong position for the ultimate goal - the Super Bowl. Instead they have a MAJOR uphill battle. That's why people are upset.

[RAVENOUS52]

I'm concerned, but not upset. We do need to grind out the next 3 games until our injury status improves, which will build the confidence of our defensive backups who have been pressed into action and give us a morale boost headed into the rough part of our schedule.

If our previous performance during the winter months holds true after that, we should be in pretty good shape for a playoff run and beyond.

[btownraven]

I'm concerned, but not upset. We do need to grind out the next 3 games until our injury status improves, which will build the confidence of our defensive backups who have been pressed into action and give us a morale boost headed into the rough part of our schedule.

If our previous performance during the winter months holds true after that, we should be in pretty good shape for a playoff run and beyond.
I hope you're right. It just feels like 2004 all over again - bad losses early (Cleveland & 0-3 KC that year), Pittsburgh comes out of nowhere & gets off to a great start, and a brutal closing schedule (that year it was Indy, Pittsburgh, & NE on the road after Thanksgiving).

While the Ravens got to 7-3 after starting 2-2 that year, they should have been 8-2 or 9-1 (and they needed to be). The early bad losses and the brutal closing schedule left no margin for error. When the Ravens did slip up in that collapse against Cincy, they ended up 9-7 and out of the playoffs.

[JimBone]

Untill Billick realises Mcnair isn't the answer we're in big trouble. McGahee averaged 7.4 yds/carry and only ran the ball 14 times. Pathetic.

[52decleetzu]

Untill Billick realises Mcnair isn't the answer we're in big trouble. McGahee averaged 7.4 yds/carry and only ran the ball 14 times. Pathetic.

The only thing I did not like about how many times we ran the ball was the first drive when we came out throwing.If we would have come out the opposite trying ot run first Willis probably would have had close to 20 carries at the end of the day which is fine with the defecit we were running with during the game.After that we got in the hole so quick that the 2nd half we couldnt just "run the ball" because we didnt have time to do that.21 points is a heck of a defecit to comeback from with our offense.As an example when Detroit got down big to the Eagles early the week before last their top 2 RB had 8 carries between the BOTH of them at the end of the game.....EIGHT total.

[yeahravens]

Perspective, how about reality? The reality is the Ravens just got smoked by one of the worst teams in the NFL. To beat the best you have to be able to make the Browns punt more than once!!!!! The play calling is pathetic in the red zone, just like it has been since 1999. Tony Banks could move the team from 20 to 20, but that year the defense didn't give up any points.

This year they SUCK, yeah they SUCK!!!!! They are no more the rubix cube they were last year. Their blitzes are like a hanging slider, ineffective and give up home runs. The secondary can't communicate AGAIN! Nor can they cover one on one. Anyone who bitched about the Jamal non-TD forgot that there was NO WAY we were going to stop them on the 5 inch line.

The worst part about this year's team, the absolute worst part, is that we FINALLY have a good offensive line, and we are losing.

The only thing that will change things is to accept that you don't have the personel, and go back to the Tampa 2 that got us through 2000. Exposing lousy db's by ineffective blitzes is not the answer.

Note to Billick, low percentage plays do not work in the red zone! The lob, the obvious run with a fullback, the SAME EXACT PLAY TO HEAP OVER AND OVER!!!!!!!

We do not play to our strengths on offense or defense, bottom line. That is why 78% of the voters said we will not make the playoffs.

You have a QB with 12 years experience, where is he calling a no-huddle or audibling out of a play? You have small quick recievers, where are the spread formations and quick hits that we get burned on? (in the red zone) You have a weakness at defensive back, give them help! You have a LB crew designed to stop the run but not pass defend, why are you putting them in that position? Put Suggs and Barnes on the ends, keep everything in front of you, and make a team plod their way down the field.

You can only take chances if you are able to make up for the mistakes! We cannot do that now.

[Rochardrik]

Perspective, how about reality? The reality is the Ravens just got smoked by one of the worst teams in the NFL. To beat the best you have to be able to make the Browns punt more than once!!!!! The play calling is pathetic in the red zone, just like it has been since 1999. Tony Banks could move the team from 20 to 20, but that year the defense didn't give up any points.

This year they SUCK, yeah they SUCK!!!!! They are no more the rubix cube they were last year. Their blitzes are like a hanging slider, ineffective and give up home runs. The secondary can't communicate AGAIN! Nor can they cover one on one. Anyone who bitched about the Jamal non-TD forgot that there was NO WAY we were going to stop them on the 5 inch line.

The worst part about this year's team, the absolute worst part, is that we FINALLY have a good offensive line, and we are losing.

The only thing that will change things is to accept that you don't have the personel, and go back to the Tampa 2 that got us through 2000. Exposing lousy db's by ineffective blitzes is not the answer.

Note to Billick, low percentage plays do not work in the red zone! The lob, the obvious run with a fullback, the SAME EXACT PLAY TO HEAP OVER AND OVER!!!!!!!

We do not play to our strengths on offense or defense, bottom line. That is why 78% of the voters said we will not make the playoffs.

You have a QB with 12 years experience, where is he calling a no-huddle or audibling out of a play? You have small quick recievers, where are the spread formations and quick hits that we get burned on? (in the red zone) You have a weakness at defensive back, give them help! You have a LB crew designed to stop the run but not pass defend, why are you putting them in that position? Put Suggs and Barnes on the ends, keep everything in front of you, and make a team plod their way down the field.

You can only take chances if you are able to make up for the mistakes! We cannot do that now.
Pretty good observations. Did you send this to BB?:rolleyes:

[flraven]

Well, according to the Sun, Rolle practiced today with no apparent problems, and Pryce was there participating in stretches. So maybe there is some hope.

Link to Sun story (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/football/bal-ravens1003,0,4676093.story)

[camdenyard]

Not a bad post fron YEAH, although I diagree with his statement "...Exposing lousy db's by ineffective blitzes is not the answer". McAlister and Reed are far from lousy, they are two of the best at their positions. But they are gamblers and they can't defend if a QB is given 5 seconds. Nobody can.

The RZ offense...I have put a fair amount of thought into this, and have watched a lot of other teams work the zone. The biggest problems I see are:

1. The plays selected usually take far too long to develop. DBs and LBers have plenty of time to react.

2. We don't spread the field much. I've never understood the goal line "heavy" package - 2 TEs, I formation. It's an invitation to the defense to pack in. And of course, we run right up the gut where they are waiting for the RB.

3. Very few quick slants as was alluded to. 1-2 step drops and fire. Seriously, how many of our TD passes actually go to WRs? Don't you think other teams see this?

4. When Jamal was here, at least in his prime, the quick pitchout and sweep to the outside on goal line situations almost ALWAYS resulted in a TD. But I have not seen this used in 2007, even though we have the prototype back to run it. This one really gets me.

[Jggjaron]

I have to agree wit 52decleetzu lets all take that chill pill

[ravenwoman]

Everything looks good on paper. All of us are being so presumtuous that we will win the next 3 games. I have yet to see one game this year where we were in control and totally dominate. How many turnovers (including interceptions) does Steve McNair have this year? I bet he leads the league in that dept.

The ultimate goal each year is to win the Super Bowl. Otherwise, you arel like the rest of the 31 teams--losers.

[yeahravens]

Not a bad post fron YEAH, although I diagree with his statement "...Exposing lousy db's by ineffective blitzes is not the answer". McAlister and Reed are far from lousy, they are two of the best at their positions. But they are gamblers and they can't defend if a QB is given 5 seconds. Nobody can.

The RZ offense...I have put a fair amount of thought into this, and have watched a lot of other teams work the zone. The biggest problems I see are:

1. The plays selected usually take far too long to develop. DBs and LBers have plenty of time to react.

2. We don't spread the field much. I've never understood the goal line "heavy" package - 2 TEs, I formation. It's an invitation to the defense to pack in. And of course, we run right up the gut where they are waiting for the RB.

3. Very few quick slants as was alluded to. 1-2 step drops and fire. Seriously, how many of our TD passes actually go to WRs? Don't you think other teams see this?

4. When Jamal was here, at least in his prime, the quick pitchout and sweep to the outside on goal line situations almost ALWAYS resulted in a TD. But I have not seen this used in 2007, even though we have the prototype back to run it. This one really gets me.

MacAllister and Reed are not the lousy db's I was talking about, but they did give a HR in Cleveland. I was referring to Ivy, Prude, and Pittman.

The double TE set confuses me also, I like to take LB's off the field and bring in 3rd and 4th db's who shouldn't match up well with our recievers and are not as stout against the run.

Quick slants EXACTLY, let the smaller quicker guys utilizes their strengths

Seriously though, does Billick have no confidence in McNair changing plays ala Manning to get the match ups?

[festivus]

Double TE sets should be good for us. Assuming one of the TE's is Todd Heap, you *are* getting a favorable matchup in terms of pass coverage, and the second TE can either run routes or help Yanda or Terry block at the edges.

Plus on stretch or screen plays then can throw blocks in space.

Nothing wrong with our double TE sets because we have effective TEs.


Seriously though, does Billick have no confidence in McNair changing plays ala Manning to get the match ups?
What? What the heck does this even *mean*?

Everyone is so smart here, making elaborate guesses about what goes into (a) instituting a game plan, and then (b) calling plays *from* the game plan, I swear I must be the only one who thinks that the time Brian Billick *and* Rick Neuheisel spend preparing all week is something other than picking their noses.

[ExiledRaven]

Playcalling may or may not be the best.

But really, most of this is execution plain and simple. Line isn't blocking well enough, McNair might not be getting the ball in the right spot.

Cop out sure, but that's what's going on

[yeahravens]

Double TE sets should be good for us. Assuming one of the TE's is Todd Heap, you *are* getting a favorable matchup in terms of pass coverage, and the second TE can either run routes or help Yanda or Terry block at the edges.

Plus on stretch or screen plays then can throw blocks in space.

Nothing wrong with our double TE sets because we have effective TEs.


What? What the heck does this even *mean*?

Everyone is so smart here, making elaborate guesses about what goes into (a) instituting a game plan, and then (b) calling plays *from* the game plan, I swear I must be the only one who thinks that the time Brian Billick *and* Rick Neuheisel spend preparing all week is something other than picking their noses.

I don't doubt that Billick spends a lot of time working on game plans and not on his snot canal.

Regardless of how many hours he puts in, what are the results????? Maybe since we are all stupid you could explain the many reverses he has called in the red zone over the past few years. Or maybe, you could make us understand how much game planning goes into the Lob pass to Clarence Moore, or should I say to Champ Bailey.

He may even be taking night classes on how to manage your time outs inside of two minutes. But what do we know? We are just fans, we have only watched, let's see, 30,000 football games in our lives. We drink beer and bang our heads against the wall to ensure we learn absolutely nothing about the game and strategy. Hell when I play Madden I punt on first down.

Give me a break! If you want to follow blindly, put on your wool sweater and be a sheep. If you choose to ignore mistakes, stick your head in the ground and be an ostridge. While your at it, go by some Oriole tickets.

[52decleetzu]

Update....

On the right track...

NE 5-0
Indy 5-0
Pitt-4-1

The middle of the pack...

Jax 3-1
Tenn 3-1
Ravens 3-2
Houston 3-2

Cleveland 2-3
Oakland 2-3
Kansas City 2-3
San Diego 2-3
Denver 2-3

In trouble...

Cinci 1-3
NY Jets 1-4
Buffalo 1-4 (soon)
Miami 0-5

Top 3 look like division winners at this point and playoff "locks" although it is very early for the Stealers as their schedule has been very soft like ours.Have to give them credit though,they look good so far and dont appear to have many chinks in the armor and the defense looks great.

Out of the next 9,I still think the Ravens have more talent than ay of these teams except SD....by far.Jax and Ten have been OK at best,yeah they are both 3-1 but they really havent been impressive at all so far.Houston I think is on track for 9 or 10 wins or so and one of the wild cards,they have been winning despite not having AJ out for the last 3 weeks and Schaub looks like he is the real deal.I would imagine that SD will take control and win the West,they are miles ahead of all the other teams in that division who all have serious issues looming.Denver will lose Henry in a month and the offensive line that drives the running game is now down 2 starters,and they have essentialy a rookie at QB who is very sporadic from game to game.KC has no offesne to speak of,and Oakland well Im not buying into that team at all for obvious reasons.Cleveland is probably a 7-8 win team at best as well with another young inconsistent QB at the helm and a lack of real talent on the defensive side of the ball.

The only team in trouble that could possibly make a run is Cinci of course,but they go on the road to KC this week and manage to lose,you can stick a fork in them as well.There is no chance they can go 9-2 down the stretch starting out 1-4, just not happening.The KC game is a HUGE make or break for them because they have the Jets at home after that which should be an easy win and if they can real off 2 in a row to get to .500 they will have some momentum back and be right in the thick of things..All the other teams are obvoiusly done,they are just bad and if they get lucky they might win 5 or 6 games at best.

[Rochardrik]

Everything looks good on paper. All of us are being so presumtuous that we will win the next 3 games. I have yet to see one game this year where we were in control and totally dominate. How many turnovers (including interceptions) does Steve McNair have this year? I bet he leads the league in that dept.

The ultimate goal each year is to win the Super Bowl. Otherwise, you arel like the rest of the 31 teams--losers.
I'd bet Steve doesn't lead the league after the B(Romo)seltzer debacle in Buffalo!:rolleyes:

[Galen Sevinne]

Top 3 look like division winners at this point and playoff "locks" although it is very early for the Stealers as their schedule has been very soft like ours.Have to give them credit though,they look good so far and dont appear to have many chinks in the armor and the defense looks great.


The Steelers schedule might be easy like ours but they are waxing these teams not relying on last minute field goals or praying that the other team doesn't score i n the last minute to win. Unfortunately the Steelers look like they righted their ship.

[Merlin]

Some very good facts in Football Outsiders this week that support the worries

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2007/10/09/ramblings/dvoa-ratings/5585/

Ravens past strength schedule rated by current performance of teams # 31
Ravens future strength of schedule # 1 -- Steelers future strength of schedule is # 18

The data would suggest that we're not as good as we hoped (last year at the end of the year we were at the top of the statistical rankings) but not as bad as we think -- we're #8 in total DVOA -- #19 offense / # 5 defense / #5 special teams

[btownraven]

Some very good facts in Football Outsiders this week that support the worries

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2007/10/09/ramblings/dvoa-ratings/5585/

Ravens past strength schedule rated by current performance of teams # 31
Ravens future strength of schedule # 1 -- Steelers future strength of schedule is # 18

This is what scares me and why I'm disappointed so far. We knew that we HAD to get off to a good start given our closing schedule to be a legit Super Bowl contender. And that was before we knew how good Pittsburgh would be.

[52decleetzu]

Late week 6 update.....(***with Sagarin schedule rankings also***)

On the right track....

NE: 6-0 (22nd)
Indy: 5-0 (21st)
Pittsburgh: 4-1 (31st)
Jax: 4-1 (24th)

The middle of the pack....

Ravens: 4-2 (32nd)
Tennessee: 3-2 (3rd)
San Diego: 3-3 (5th)
Kansas City: 3-3 (11th)
Cleveland: 3-3 (20th)
Houston: 3-3 (12th)

In trouble....

Denver: 2-3 (8th)
Oakland: 2-3 (26th)
Cinci: 1-4 (4th)
Buffalo: 1-4 (2nd)
NY Jets: 1-5 (14th)
Miami: 0-6 (15th)

Well wouldnt you know the Ravens have played the easiest schedule so far...but wait the Stealers are right behind us so we compare fairly well to them considering half our team is hurt right now,and have been for most of the season.They had a few guys out last week,and that was it so lets not crown their ass just yet!!!!

Bills have played a very tough schedule so far,they wont be a pushover especially with who wont be on the field for the Ravens.

Its going to be a battle down the stretch for those two wildcards,probably have about 5 teams fighting for 2 spots by the time it is all said and done.

[52decleetzu]

Week 7 is in the books.

On the right track....

NE: 7-0 (22nd)
Indy: 6-0 (21st)
Pittsburgh: 4-2 (31st)
Jax: 4-2 (24th)
Ten: 4-2 (3rd)

The middle of the pack....

Ravens: 4-3
Kansas City: 4-3
San Diego: 3-3
Cleveland: 3-3
Denver: 3-3

In trouble....

Houston: 3-4
Oakland: 2-4
Cinci: 2-4
Buffalo: 2-4
NY Jets: 1-6
Miami: 0-7

[52decleetzu]

Week 8 is in the books.

On the right track....

NE: 7-0
Indy: 6-0
Pittsburgh: 5-2
Jax: 5-2
Ten: 5-2

The middle of the pack....

Ravens: 4-3
Kansas City: 4-3
San Diego: 4-3
Cleveland: 4-3
Denver: 3-4
Buffalo:3-4

Finished.........

Houston:3-5
Oakland: 2-5
Cinci: 2-5
NY Jets: 1-7
Miami: 0-8

After week 8 we can pretty much eliminate 5 teams from the playoff race,if you have 5 losses in the AFC you would have to go 8-1 or 9-1 to have a shot and that isnt happening.Somehow,someway the Jags and Titans keep finding a way to win,I have to think this eeking the wins out will catch up to both teams eventually but a win is a win and we need them to start losing.

As far as the middle of the pack teams its still up in the air.I dont like our chances in Pittsburgh this week, and realistically this game could determine if we make the playoffs this year.If we lose to go to 4-4 I dont see us going 6-2 down the stretch......matter of fact 5-3 would be good with how hard the schedule is.This is a make or break week for us......in Pittsburgh struggling on offense.Could 9-7 get in? Maybe,but that is a long shot when it comes down to tiebreakers and what not.

Not looking good unless we win this week as a 9 point dog ion the road.

[Bez513]

Realistically we'd have to go 6-3 in the last 9 games. We have to take Cincy, Cleveland and Miami and somehow steal 3 games from NE, Pitts (2X), Indy, SD and Seattle.

That's a HUGE task. Cincy and Cleveland beat us already. 6 wins with this schedule with the current team will not happen. We still have a chance of course but we need the offense to pick it up...if they play like they have we have no chance against these teams.

[HoustonRaven]

Realistically we'd have to go 6-3 in the last 9 games.

So 10-6 .... I dont know if that will cut it this season. If it does, that may well end up being the final spot in the wild card. We MUST beat Pittsburgh. If we lose, its not "over" but we would sure be in the ground with one foot in the grave.

[Fanman]

10-6 is a must to sniff the playoffs almost every year. One little tidbit about the schedule so far: there has been a distinct pattern for the Ravens this year

L, W, W, L, W, W, L

Based on this they will win vs Pittsburgh if the pattern holds true. I know I am grapsing at straws here. :>)

FM

[UKRavenGordon]

We will play the Steelers close. I don't know if we'll win but we'll be there at the end of the game. Our 6-10 season we went into Pitt on Monday night. AW at QB, Chester Taylor at RB. And their SB season. I can't remember the final score but I seem to remember us losing on a last second field goal.

We're better than that team. They aren't as good as they were that year. We are coming off a bye after they just had a divisional game (which yes they walked but divisional games have a rep for being more psyhical in general.

This is a team which loves the underdog label. If Billick is as smart a motivator as I think then this will be everywere at Owings Mills.