Sunday games thread

[RavenScallywag]

Holy cow! Don't look now, but SD might actually fell the Colts! Granted, it wouldn't have been as suprising as Jags beating the Pats, but that's probably the upset I least suspected. Still a close game, but SD is up 21-17 at the beginning of 4th Quarter.

If Colts AND Cowboys lose today, we may be looking at hiring a HC in the next week or so!

[RavenScallywag]

Ok, C'MON GIANTS! If you win today, both our playoff team candidates can be brought in for their second interviews this week.

I think Caldwell is probably lower on the list than Garrett, but he's higher on my list, due to HC experience at WF and more time as an assistant in the league.

[purplepoe]

Some of the worst refereeing I have ever seen in that Colts game.

That PI call was most definitely the worst I've ever seen.

Hell of a job by the Chargers.

PP

[The Fanatic]

Some of the worst refereeing I have ever seen in that Colts game.

That PI call was most definitely the worst I've ever seen.

Hell of a job by the Chargers.

PP

I was like flipping out watching some of that crap today.

That PI call was some of the most bogus crap I've ever seen.

I'd at least like to think the receiver would actually be touched by a defender in some way, shape or form before you throw a flag.

Unbelievable!!

[Greg]

I guess we are rooting for the NY football Giants so we can get on with hiring Garrett? In that case, YEAH TOOMER!

[RavenScallywag]

I'm rooting for the Giants, but damn, look at Barber! He's got to be their starter going into next year now, and he's going to be damn dangerous.

[Sephy]

Marion Barber? He basically started for them all year.

Also that illegal contact foul they just called was HORRIBLE.

[RavenScallywag]

well, he was "officially" listed as starter tonight, which might not be a huge deal to their game play, but i think it's a symbolic move to recognize his talents.

[UKRavenStockers]

Kevin Gilbride just mailed it in on two straight drives with some weak ass second down play calling.

[camdenyard]

Too bad, Tony.

At least you have Jessica to pound. I guess.

P.S. The correct Manning won today. Not a bad day.

[RavenScallywag]

Goodnight, sweet Romo!

There should be some activity in OM this week, what with Caldwell and Garrett both available now.

[HoustonRaven]

Would have been cool to see the all-Manning Super Bowl (with Eli getting the win, of course).

I dont see where anyone beats the Pats though. I think the Colts were the last best hope.

[purplepoe]

That game might be Jerry Jones' excuse to fire Phillips and keep Garrett.

Just a thought.

PP

[HoustonRaven]

Good Point, PP ....

This loss may have cost us our future head coach.

[Dont Know]

Too bad if that were to happen. I liked that Garrett wasn't afraid to call throws past the 1st down markers on 3rd and long.

[Purpleguy]

Too bad if that were to happen. I liked that Garrett wasn't afraid to call throws past the 1st down markers on 3rd and long.

Yeah, notice how we did the same thing after McNair finally took a seat. Do some of you people even watch the games?

[RavenScallywag]

If Wade Phillips is fired, what do you think of bringing him here as HC? Granted, he fell apart towards the end of the season and post-season, but he did a pretty good job all in all. Don't know what he's like as far as controlling the locker room, but I think he'd be a nice pickup here.

[Purpleguy]

If Wade Phillips is fired, what do you think of bringing him here as HC? Granted, he fell apart towards the end of the season and post-season, but he did a pretty good job all in all. Don't know what he's like as far as controlling the locker room, but I think he'd be a nice pickup here.

Is he even remotely better than Billick?

[purplepoe]

If Wade Phillips is fired, what do you think of bringing him here as HC? Granted, he fell apart towards the end of the season and post-season, but he did a pretty good job all in all. Don't know what he's like as far as controlling the locker room, but I think he'd be a nice pickup here.

The guy has never won a playoff game.

Are you starting to see a pattern with all the potential retreads that have been discussed?

They've done nothing more and sometimes less than the guy we just fired.

The Cowboys just did the exact same thing we did last year in the playoffs.

And I'd be willing to bet the Giants don't go on to win the SB like our opponent, the Colts, did.

PP

[RavenScallywag]

That's true, but if we're looking at this as a change of message move, we just need to find a good coach who doesn't let their players get away with childish egos or camp creampuff.

So in that regard, maybe Phillips isn't a good idea. He let Romo go off with Jessica Simpson for a week in Cabo...

But think of this as well: we all thought SD was nuts for hiring Norv Turner last year, and he not only sucked in postseason, he sucked in regular season too...Now look where he is. Sometimes, a change of scenery and a good team is all you need.

[Purpleguy]

But think of this as well: we all thought SD was nuts for hiring Norv Turner last year, and he not only sucked in postseason, he sucked in regular season too...Now look where he is. Sometimes, a change of scenery and a good team is all you need.

We offer the change of scenery, but are far from a good team.

[purplepoe]

But think of this as well: we all thought SD was nuts for hiring Norv Turner last year, and he not only sucked in postseason, he sucked in regular season too...Now look where he is. Sometimes, a change of scenery and a good team is all you need.

You need good players and that is what SD has.

This goes back to the same point I've been making.

We don't have nearly enough talent, especially on offense, to be considered anything more than an average team.

No coach or coordinator is gonna make that much of a difference.

AJ Smith in SD knew he had a very talented team. He had a HC that he basically had no relationship with so he canned him for another HC where the communications lines would be up and running.

And now they are in the AFC Champ game.

It's got very little to do with Schottenheimer leaving or Turner coming in. Both guys had the knock of laying eggs in the playoffs. Last year SD had that NE game won if that DB just goes down to the ground after picking off Brady.

It's all about the players.

PP

[RavenScallywag]

Purpleguy, I disagree...

QB is a mess, I will give you that. Our RBs are pretty strong, and our OL is getting better and younger, which will be a big fix to our offensive woes. Our WRs and TEs have some injury/age concerns, but we've got some great young talent in Demetrius Williams, Mark Clayton, and DVD (to a lesser extent).

Our DL, aside from Suggs, is pretty good, with Gregg, Ngata, and Pryce. Our LB starters are aging (Ray and Bart), but we've also got some great young talent (JJ, Antwaan Barnes, Prescott Burgess). Our CBs need some work, but when healthy, CMac and Rolle are one of the best CB pairs in the NFL. And Ed Reed is an outstanding S, while Dawan Landry is better than average as a starter, at worst.

I can't speak at length about the state of SD when Norv took over, but they also didn't have the injuries we had. I know WR was, and still is, a weaker position for them.

[ladyraven127]

Not for nothing but this Camp Creampuff shit is getting old. Just because players are not made to practice in pads and full contact everyday is not a bad thing. The Deadskin players credit them staying so healthy and fresh towards the end of the season is Gibbs letting up on full contact practices.

Should all the players be made to come to camp? You bet ya. Should they be made to stay at camp with the rest of the team? You bet ya. Should they be made to beat the living hell out of each other during camp? Not so much.

Can you imagine the team we would have fielded this year if they had had full contact camp? Well, I guess you don't have to imagine . . . . look at the crap that played most of the year.

Somtimes change is good . . . . being a disciplined team does not mean that your training camp has to mean full contact every day in pads.

Billick is gone. Fine. That does not mean everything he did was crap. Your owner created a monster when he allowed gave the lockerroom his ear and then sided with them. You'd better hope that he learned his leason with whoever is coming in here or we are in big trouble.

Of course, this is just my opinion :bag:

[purplepoe]

Purpleguy, I disagree...

QB is a mess, I will give you that. Our RBs are pretty strong, and our OL is getting better and younger, which will be a big fix to our offensive woes. Our WRs and TEs have some injury/age concerns, but we've got some great young talent in Demetrius Williams, Mark Clayton, and DVD (to a lesser extent).

Our DL, aside from Suggs, is pretty good, with Gregg, Ngata, and Pryce. Our LB starters are aging (Ray and Bart), but we've also got some great young talent (JJ, Antwaan Barnes, Prescott Burgess). Our CBs need some work, but when healthy, CMac and Rolle are one of the best CB pairs in the NFL. And Ed Reed is an outstanding S, while Dawan Landry is better than average as a starter, at worst.

I can't speak at length about the state of SD when Norv took over, but they also didn't have the injuries we had. I know WR was, and still is, a weaker position for them.

Our QB being a mess cannot just be brushed aside. Sorry, but it's a major issue. I know PG will harp more on the OL than the QB but both are serious sources of concern.

I completely disagree with your assertion that we have great young talent at receiver. Mark Clayton has been a major disappointment. He was the 22nd overall pick and hasn't come close to meeting expectations. He doesn't have the size to be a legit #1 and his injuries are a major concern. Mason is getting older and is obviously a possession guy. In fact, he's the definition of a possession WR. Williams has some physical talent but is far from a sure thing. DVD couldn't get on the field for 4 years. Sorry, but he's got a long way to go to be considered even a #3. Heap's a great TE but this season was a waste and he's not getting any younger. The fact that we rely so much on him and our passing game is affected so much when he's out shows me that we have serious problem at WR.

The defense is still solid but really, our CB depth is putrid. Pryce is on the wrong side of 30 as is Ray. There's definitely more reason to be optimistic about the D than the O but there are still major concerns IMO.

Speaking of depth. Take a look at SD today. Both their starting QB and starting RB go down. Their stud TE is playing on one foot. Yet they plug in guys and manage to beat the defending SB champs on the road in a divisional playoff game. The fact that they won is pretty stunning in and of itself. Couple that with doing it without your QB and RB for basically the whole 2nd half and it's even more impressive.

I don't mean to sound like a pessimist but I just see the Ravens with alot of issues on both sides of the ball that might not be fixed all that fast.

PP

[purplepoe]

Not for nothing but this Camp Creampuff shit is getting old. Just because players are not made to practice in pads and full contact everyday is not a bad thing. The Deadskin players credit them staying so healthy and fresh towards the end of the season is Gibbs letting up on full contact practices.

Should all the players be made to come to camp? You bet ya. Should they be made to stay at camp with the rest of the team? You bet ya. Should they be made to beat the living hell out of each other during camp? Not so much.

Can you imagine the team we would have fielded this year if they had had full contact camp? Well, I guess you don't have to imagine . . . . look at the crap that played most of the year.

Somtimes change is good . . . . being a disciplined team does not mean that your training camp has to mean full contact every day in pads.

Billick is gone. Fine. That does not mean everything he did was crap. Your owner created a monster when he allowed gave the lockerroom his ear and then sided with them. You'd better hope that he learned his leason with whoever is coming in here or we are in big trouble.

Of course, this is just my opinion :bag:

Rack it.

The camp creampuff stuff is such a red herring.

When we had the best W/L record in November and December back in the day, everyone applauded Billick and the way he ran camp.

Then we start losing more frequently during those months and it gets attributed to "camp creampuff"?

Ridiculous.

Whats even more ridiculous is the fact that Preston came up with that term and people bought it. As if Preston had an unbiased opinion about Billick. Puleeeze. He's made his living bashing the guy. I dunno what he's gonna do with a new coach. At least he's got 1 more year of Boller so he can direct more of his crap towards him.

PP

[Greg]

That's true, but if we're looking at this as a change of message move, we just need to find a good coach who doesn't let their players get away with childish egos or camp creampuff.
Ditto on the camp creampuff nonsense, these guys (except McNair apparently) come into camp in shape, there is no reason to work them hard. It is all about practicing together and learning each other and the playbook, not getting in shape.

And this shouldn't be about changing messages, it should be about getting better and if the next HC doesn't do that I will ask each and every Billick basher to own up.

[Purpleguy]

Purpleguy, I disagree...

QB is a mess, I will give you that. Our RBs are pretty strong, and our OL is getting better and younger, which will be a big fix to our offensive woes. Our WRs and TEs have some injury/age concerns, but we've got some great young talent in Demetrius Williams, Mark Clayton, and DVD (to a lesser extent).

Our DL, aside from Suggs, is pretty good, with Gregg, Ngata, and Pryce. Our LB starters are aging (Ray and Bart), but we've also got some great young talent (JJ, Antwaan Barnes, Prescott Burgess). Our CBs need some work, but when healthy, CMac and Rolle are one of the best CB pairs in the NFL. And Ed Reed is an outstanding S, while Dawan Landry is better than average as a starter, at worst.

I can't speak at length about the state of SD when Norv took over, but they also didn't have the injuries we had. I know WR was, and still is, a weaker position for them.


I'm going to say that it is impossible to evaluate the QB situation until we have a solid line a legit receivers. The only sure thing is McNair. He's a washed up hack.

You present alot of ifs and buts in your scenario. Yes, we have a young o-line, but I've yet to see any sign of real talent. Where you were taken in the draft has no bearing on your actual ability to perform in the NFL. We have seen that in our WR selection. Travis Taylor was #10 overall, huge bust. Clayton, #22, nowhere near a #1 receiver. DWill is nothing but speculation at this point. All I know about him is he was open alot when McNair played, but McNair couldn't get him the ball. DVD and Patrick Johnson were two 2nd rounders that never panned out.

This team is a wreck offensively. In 10 years Ozzie has failed to put together all of the pieces. Nobody is saying pro-bowlers at every position, but you need a strong o-line, at least one receiver that scares defenses, and a solid running game. Give me those pieces then we can start giving QBs a strong evaluation.

We also need to strongly consider tossing the malcontents. Ray Lewis isn't going to put us over the top next season. He wants one more big payday. Are we going to tie up our cap for an aging, disgruntled MLB when we have so many other needs? Trade him now while he still has some remote value. Ogden needs to go as well. Rolle should probably go as well, and C-Mac needs to get with the program. Suggs should be franchised until he shows he doesn't rely on Trevor Pryce. There is no reason to break the bank on him this season.

[camdenyard]

We also need to strongly consider tossing the malcontents. Ray Lewis isn't going to put us over the top next season. He wants one more big payday. Are we going to tie up our cap for an aging, disgruntled MLB when we have so many other needs? Trade him now while he still has some remote value

Ray had an excellent year and is still top 10-15% LBs in the NFL. Our D went to shit when he left the Miami game. This was no coincidence.


Ogden needs to go as well.

He also is better than 80% on the LTs out there when HEALTHY and in GAME SHAPE. Neither of which he was last year.


and C-Mac needs to get with the program.

What program would that be? He's money when healthy. Oh, that's right...he wasn't.

[RavenScallywag]

In my opinion, our OL is headed in a better direction. Yes, in recent years it's been crap. But, we've invested some pretty high draft picks in getting players we think can step in and take over...

Jason Brown, though some will bash this notion, was probably the bright spot of our OL this year. Rarely did I see him blow an assignment or give up a big sack.

Yanda was very promising at RT, considering 1) this was his rookie year and 2) he was converted from G. Not sure if this will be the position they want to keep him at, but I think he showed promise there which he should be able to build off of this year.

Grubbs has looked pretty good his rookie year. I wouldn't say he's solid yet, but hopefully in camp this year he can show enough improvement to step in and start. I am of the opinion that these young OL, they're going to get beat around and look bad a little before they start to get better. I think Jason Brown is a good example.

Chester and Terry, can't say much there. Terry has never really looked good, Gaither has good prospects, so maybe Terry can play good enough to allow Gaither to develop some. Chester, he can't be much worse than Flynn, can he?

[highwater]

If Wade Phillips is fired, what do you think of bringing him here as HC?

First of all, Jerry Jones swears that Phillips is coming back and that he won't be fired, and second, I wouldn't want him anyway. I'd much rather see us pick up Garrett.

[RavenScallywag]

my gut is just saying that Jerry Jones might go ahead and fire Phillips to make way for Garrett. It's crazy, but so is Jerry Jones.

If that happens, and Caldwell takes over for Dungy like I'm expecting, our next HC may very well be a Schottenheimer (either Marty, or Brian, who ESPN reported would likely be our #2 choice...I'll call it a rumour until I see more proof though).