View Full Version : Maybe it was not McNabb it was the Ravens D.
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 11:23 AM
McNabb and the Eagles nearly hanging 50 on a respectable Cards D less than a week after getting shut out and shut down by the raven D got me to thinking about jus how dominant they have been at times this year.
They have had about 10 bad plays all season, maybe? C-Mac blowing a few coverages, a handfull of missed tackles and a dumb penalty or breakdown here or there at a very bad time, but for the most part they have been incredibly effective all year. The DB situation seems to have been sorted out and they are locking it down at an all time level latley. If they can start to force teams into the run, I don't know how average offenses will ever score without someone falling down or something. The pressure packages are back in full effect now that the man to man coverage is solid to spectacular again. Reed is free to roam and Rex is free to blitz or cover trap at will and actually dictate to the offense what they have to do to survive.
It really is incredible what the Ravens and Steelers have been able to do this season on D in a year that is breaking most of the passing and scoring records.
RavinDonnie
11-28-2008, 11:32 AM
Cardinals D is "respectable" when playing the cupcake offenses in the NFC West.
Just like the Ravens defense has feasted on the Ohio's and collapsed against the Titans, Colts and Giants and the new offense isn't anything different than what we've had the last decade.
Not bashing, just injecting some truth. Bizarre most fans have spent the last two seasons complaining about everything in the organization all the sudden can't stomach anything other than playoffs and ring of honor induction talk.
Dude, if you think the Ravens "collapsed" against Tennessee you are nuts. They got a bad call they let bother them for one drive. Unfortunately it was the most important drive of the game.
As for our offense, if you don't see the passing game is much improved, again, nuts. And Flacco has 11 games experience just out of Delaware. The kid will only get better. Our offense is quite a bit better than at most times before and is only getting better.
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 12:06 PM
Cardinals D is "respectable" when playing the cupcake offenses in the NFC West.
Just like the Ravens defense has feasted on the Ohio's and collapsed against the Titans, Colts and Giants and the new offense isn't anything different than what we've had the last decade.
Not bashing, just injecting some truth. Bizarre most fans have spent the last two seasons complaining about everything in the organization all the sudden can't stomach anything other than playoffs and ring of honor induction talk.
Not sure what the point of the injection of truth was, but the D has played well against other teams than the ones in Ohio. Both those teams do have, or did have at the time, good NFL offenses, just no defenses. The Houston Texans were #4 in the NFL on O, and got bottled up. Philly was a top 5 passing O and threw more return yards than passing yards.
The Ravens D also di shut down the Titans and Steelers for the majority of the game, just gave up unfortunate late drives with some very questionable calls helping along the way.
There really is no covering up the fact that they got gashed by the Colts and Giants on big plays, but even when you add the big plays all up, it still ranks as the #2 D in the NFL. There were some missed tackles and blown coverages, but like I said all together I can think of only about 10 in as many games. They are starting to make a lot more big plays than they are giving up, and they still have been winning the battle on the average plays, getting off the feild by stuffing the run and winning on 3rd down.
Rxdoxx
11-28-2008, 12:13 PM
Got me thinking as to the why(s) and what I came up with surprised me.
We lose a potential pro-bowler in Gregg, a former pro-bowler in CMac, Gregg's rotation Edwards, Landry for the season and others for games here and there.
The surprise was coming up with Rolle. Since he is back, it looks like Rex is able to uncork some packages that he didn't want to risk before. Didn't think Samari was a critical need to get the D humming, but from what I saw in the eegulls game, Samari's presence allowed Reed freedom from worrying and having to shade one side of the field.
Sure there are a lot of other big reasons-
Trevor has stayed healthy
Leonhard is a solid addition
Washington and Walker have been better than what we hoped for out of training camp
JJ just seems to have a shorter reaction time (experience)
We are still an injury away from going back to a good D from a great D, but definitely nice to enjoy watching this year.
Dave Lap
11-28-2008, 01:17 PM
Got me thinking as to the why(s) and what I came up with surprised me.
The surprise was coming up with Rolle. Since he is back, it looks like Rex is able to uncork some packages that he didn't want to risk before. Didn't think Samari was a critical need to get the D humming, but from what I saw in the eegulls game, Samari's presence allowed Reed freedom from worrying and having to shade one side of the field.
.
Good observation. Samari does seem to have added some spark to our D. since he came back. It does seem like Reed has been playing better since.......coincidence or not?
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 04:25 PM
Good observation. Samari does seem to have added some spark to our D. since he came back. It does seem like Reed has been playing better since.......coincidence or not?
Not. Frank Walker was playing well, but Reed was going to be looking over his shoulder a lot more often than Samari's. He is not going to need much help unless he is checking an all pro wr. Both Samari and Washington made plays on the ball while 1 on 1 on 3rd and short situations that would not likley have been trusted to other CBs, and may have opened up the run or more time for the QB.
Samari is huge for the raven covergae schemes. He was actually the #1 CB before C Mac got hurt, drawing the coverage on Edwards when the Ravens went man to man.
xmradiodave
11-28-2008, 04:31 PM
The 2008 Ravens: Crushing Teams who do not have a QB Named Manning!
I feel that sums up our season thus far. Titans and Steelers=Very close games that were lost in the last two minutes and in overtime, respectively.
RavenDavey
11-28-2008, 06:03 PM
The 2008 Ravens: Crushing Teams who do not have a QB Named Manning!
I feel that sums up our season thus far. Titans and Steelers=Very close games that were lost in the last two minutes and in overtime, respectively.
:iagree:
For some reason the "speed" of the IND defense and receivers has been a problem for the Ravens.
We were definitely in control of the Steelers and Titans!!
purplepoe
11-28-2008, 06:20 PM
Not sure what the point of the injection of truth was, but the D has played well against other teams than the ones in Ohio. Both those teams do have, or did have at the time, good NFL offenses, just no defenses. The Houston Texans were #4 in the NFL on O, and got bottled up. Philly was a top 5 passing O and threw more return yards than passing yards.
The Ravens D also di shut down the Titans and Steelers for the majority of the game, just gave up unfortunate late drives with some very questionable calls helping along the way.
There really is no covering up the fact that they got gashed by the Colts and Giants on big plays, but even when you add the big plays all up, it still ranks as the #2 D in the NFL. There were some missed tackles and blown coverages, but like I said all together I can think of only about 10 in as many games. They are starting to make a lot more big plays than they are giving up, and they still have been winning the battle on the average plays, getting off the feild by stuffing the run and winning on 3rd down.
I love how you don't care about the pass offense rank but you love to point out the rank of the defense.
Can't have it both ways bud.
PP
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 06:33 PM
I love how you don't care about the pass offense rank but you love to point out the rank of the defense.
Can't have it both ways bud.
PP
The rank of the pass offense does not matter, but the rank of the defense does. The offense has the option of running or passing. They have low passing numbers because they do not have to pass to win big. they have the 4th best rushing attack to rely on as well as the #2 ranked defense.
Now a team that is ranked #3 against the run, but can not stop the pass like the Vikes, does not have a good defense, but they do have a grea offense even though they do not rank high in passing stats.
You have too much numbers on your mind already though. Football still comes to football for about 60 minutes, and the Ravens play good football for most of those 60 minutes every week.
HoustonRaven
11-28-2008, 06:33 PM
No, wait PP ....
Remember, he claims numbers dont matter. And they DO matter.
Cant you understand?
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 06:44 PM
No, wait PP ....
Remember, he claims numbers dont matter. And they DO matter.
Cant you understand?
You can use numbers to make a point, but stats by themselves don;t prove anything. This is football we are talking about, numbers only tell part of the story.
purplepoe
11-28-2008, 06:50 PM
You can use numbers to make a point, but stats by themselves don;t prove anything. This is football we are talking about, numbers only tell part of the story.
Wow.
Are you a politician by any chance?
PP
HoustonRaven
11-28-2008, 06:55 PM
You can use numbers to make a point, but stats by themselves don;t prove anything. This is football we are talking about, numbers only tell part of the story.
Unless, of course, the discussion is about our #2 ranked defense, then it's case closed.
Jeremiah W
11-28-2008, 07:12 PM
Unless, of course, the discussion is about our #2 ranked defense, then it's case closed.
Court is still in session. I think they may creep back up to number 1 when when it is all said and done.
You can use numbers to make a point, but stats by themselves don;t prove anything. This is football we are talking about, numbers only tell part of the story.
Ohhh okay...
Dude has to be :insane:
Mad Dog Curtis
11-29-2008, 05:17 PM
Unless, of course, the discussion is about our #2 ranked defense, then it's case closed.
Number 2 based on total yards which doesnt mean a thing. Points allowed and points scored by the defense is all that matters. If yards was so important, remember that the ravens 2000 defense ranked second to the Titans that year. No records for yardage was set. The important record by the defense that was set was points alowed!
HoustonRaven
11-29-2008, 05:20 PM
Number 2 based on total yards which doesnt mean a thing. Points allowed and points scored by the defense is all that matters. If yards was so important, remember that the ravens 2000 defense ranked second to the Titans that year. No records for yardage was set. The important record by the defense that was set was points alowed!
You're missing the sarcasm here. :read
Mad Dog Curtis
11-29-2008, 05:31 PM
You're missing the sarcasm here. :read
Didnt miss it. I used your quote when I should have used others that were getting on Jeremiah.
purplepoe
11-29-2008, 05:41 PM
Didnt miss it. I used your quote when I should have used others that were getting on Jeremiah.
Then take passing rank (28th) out of the equation because it's just based on yards and base it on TDs thrown.
Ravens rank 24th in passing TDs
The point remains that some people use stats when it benefits them but when they don't they discount them. The person in question scoffed at my mention about passing rank in another thread but had no problem using defensive rank in this thread.
Your point about the Ravens in 2000 vs Tenn in 2000 is dead on.
I want my passing offense to rank higher than 24th in passing TDs. If their overall rank (yardage) is low but passing TD rank is high? No problem. The way to do that is to add some talent at the WR and TE position.
PP