Ravens-steelers

[ravenjoe]

I know alot of you out there don't like hearing me bring up the upcoming '09 season's meetings with the dreaded Stillers. But, hey, I can't help myself. The following is a quote from SportingNews.com on the top rivalries in the NFL. I know the Stiller fans will say they own the Ravens; but this is a new year:

"1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
In retirement, John Madden didn't leave us with enough onomatopoeia to describe all the hard-hitting, head-snapping, clock-cleaning and slobber-knocking that happens when Baltimore and Pittsburgh trade blows. The NFL's most visceral rivalry isn't for the faint of heart, stomach, mind or body. This is physical football at its best.

The defenses fly around smacking everything, but the offenses also have enough tough personalities to stand up and fight for every extra yard. Two players who come to mind immediately are Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis(notes) and Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward(notes).

The teams clearly are the class of the AFC North, and playing each other three times a season might become a habit."

[RavenTD]

The teams clearly are the class of the AFC North, and playing each other three times a season might become a habit."

I like that part the best.As much as I hate the black and puke.There is no one I like watching the purple & black play more than them. Its a heavy weight fight that goes the distance,and everyone gets their moneys worth. With both teams seemly head and shoulders above the rest of the AFCN,why shouldn't thes matchups be showcased for what football is all about,and how it should be played...Bloody and dirty.

[Mista T]

:iagree:

It's not Army-Navy, but it is, at the moment, Ravens-Steelers is easily the top rivalry of the NFL. There's really no close 2nd!

Those old "traditional" rivalries that go back to the 30s to 50s era e.g. Bears-Packers are just stuff for the history books. The more recent rivalries, e.g. Redskins-Cowboys, aren't relevant anymore as one or more of the rivals have fallen into mediocrity. Oakland-Pissburgh? Miami-Jets? These former nationally followed rivalries have faded into merely local events.

[Beerracuda]

Totally agree. Although I think Eagles-Giants might be a distant second as far as current rivalries go. However, I don't care for either team, so I don't really have much interest in the match up.

Of course, Browns fans will claim that their games against the Squealers are a rivalry. Yeah right.... win a few from time to time and maybe you can be considered a rivalry.

[ravenjoe]

..win a few from time to time and maybe you can be considered a rivalry.

Geez, I can't remember the last time the freakin Browns beat the Stillers - someone help me on this one.

[Jeremiah W]

Geez, I can't remember the last time the freakin Browns beat the Stillers - someone help me on this one.

The Clowns do not beat them like Clemson can not beat UNC.

I always kind of liked the Steelers. I also liked my rival HS teams, and really looked forward to those games way before the season started. Even the ones we never beat and really hated, I never really hated, just really wanted to beat them down severly as possible in a legal manner. I knew they were good, and got tired of waxing the scrub teams that were all just warm ups.

There are always certian guys and certian fans you can not stand, but for the most part I have always got along great with my rivals and rival team fans. This one Steelr fan I used to work with and I were ultra competitve, and constantly debating, playing cards, hoops and occasionally hanging out drinking beers and watching sports. Other than where we were from and who we root for, we have a lot more in common than most Raven fans I know.

The rivalry aspect of football is what makes the big games special regardless of records, and right now the Ravens Steelers are as good as any in any sport over the last 10 years. They have always brought out the best in the Ravens and represented the division well when they beat us. It is hard to root for them even when they Peyton, but hard not to respect them.

[ravenjoe]

The rivalry aspect of football is what makes the big games special regardless of records, and right now the Ravens Steelers are as good as any in any sport over the last 10 years. They have always brought out the best in the Ravens and represented the division well when they beat us. It is hard to root for them even when they Peyton, but hard not to respect them.

My sentiments exactly! And, these are my feelings exactly whenever I praise and post respect for messieurs Roethlisberger and Ward - two fierce competitors who one has to admire, regardless of the team they play for.

[Rxdoxx]

The rivalry aspect of football is what makes the big games special regardless of records, and right now the Ravens Steelers are as good as any in any sport over the last 10 years.

To expand that a little...
Would Ali have been as great without Frazier? We can argue Holmes is lesser in stature because he had no Smokin Joe to define him.
It is just not the rivalry, it is also how good these 2 teams are that makes the rivalry move to the national stage and increases the fame of both of the teams. The locals know how good the teams are and the bitter depth of the rivalry.. the nation has woken up to it and if it keeps up for some more years it will become legendary like NC/Duke, RedSox/Yankees, Celtics/Lakers... not quite there yet where you can be on a cruise somewhere and mention Ravens/Stillers and get a guarenteed reaction, but it is close.

[Mista T]

I also liked my rival HS teams, and really looked forward to those games way before the season started. Even the ones we never beat and really hated, I never really hated, just really wanted to beat them down severly as possible in a legal manner.

I was the opposite for high school and college. I was much more interested in meeting the chicks from nearby opposing high schools than caring about our jocks winning football games. And College Park was primarily a drinking and basketball school when I attended; Byrd Stadium was more like the Ravens tailgate lots, with security guards winking & nodding as we would sneak in beer while slipping them tips. Also, many of my friends attended Virginia (our closest "rival"), which was great for road trips to Charlottesville -- I really couldn't get into the rivalry thing while staying free at their frat houses.

In any event, I was much more into the Colts than h.s. or college sports. Still that way today, with the Ravens.





There are always certian guys and certian fans you can not stand, but for the most part I have always got along great with my rivals and rival team fans. This one Steelr fan I used to work with and I were ultra competitve, and constantly debating, playing cards, hoops and occasionally hanging out drinking beers and watching sports. Other than where we were from and who we root for, we have a lot more in common than most Raven fans I know.



I'm just the opposite, again, Jeremiah. I could never imagine myself being interested in chasing one of those toothless women, or being civil towards one of the yinzers who try to taunt me in my own stadium by waving his little yellow rag. Fuck 'em .... I hate all things Steelers, starting with their fans, all the way to Hines Ward and Ambassador Rooney! I am looking forward to the yellow piss-rag bonfires this Fall.

[ravenjoe]

In fact, we have had more success vs them than most teams and one of their own fans blogged that Ravens play Steelers football more than any other team.

That said, Im a bit fearfull they might own us this year because Ozzie didnt get Flacco any weapons. All that protection could go for naught.


Slight correction: the Steelers play Ravens football more than any other team...

Just remember, smash-mouth football is won in the trenches, and to that end, Oz did magnificent during this offseason (and previous offseasons)!

First prediction of the year: The Stillers Will Lose when they attend M&T this coming year!

[Beerracuda]

Geez, I can't remember the last time the freakin Browns beat the Stillers - someone help me on this one.

October 5, 2003 by a score 33-13.

Since the return of the Browns' franchise in 1999, the Browns vs Squealers record is 3 wins 18 losses (including 1 playoff loss). 3-18!!! Some rivalry!

[UKRavenGordon]

Nothing gets me fired up like a game against 'THEM'. I don't think I sat down for a second of our three game against them last year. It still stings that the idiot officials thought Holmes was in the endzone. It still stings that they reached the Superbowl and not us. But this? This is...


...

OUR YEAR!!!

[Beerracuda]

But this? This is...


...

OUR YEAR!!!

The only thing that bothers me is that when expectations are so high, we seem to disappoint. Conversely, when we aren't expecting much, we have a great year. Last season, especially. But also in 2000. After the '99 season, none of us expected the Ravens to win the Super Bowl. All we wanted was a shot at the playoffs. Last season, many people were predicting a 4 or 5 win season. 2006 seemed like our year, until we laid a steaming pile at the feet of the Colts.

Speaking for myself, the most memorable seasons were the ones when we weren't expecting to do much. After making it to the AFCC game last season, I'm afraid that for some people, anything less than the Super Bowl will be a disappointment.

[Mikerobe]

Beeracuda, anything less than a Super Bowl win will be a disapointment my friend.
We can no longer follow the hit or miss years of the Billick era, there is a new attitude in town and it goes by the name of Harbaugh. This team will always be prepared for battle with the new no nonsense attitude Harbaugh has brought to the team.

And I see a little revenge this season as far as the black and yellow are concerned. And yes Sqeeler fans it is yellow, the same color as the double line on the roadway. They don't call it the gold line now do they?

There is something about Sqeeler fans that I just can't stomach. It must be the Neanderthal attitude they carry around, and the lack of basic hygene. Together it makes for 1/3 of a human being.

[Greg]

ROETHLISBURGER GOES DOWN!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHIXQzY-TEw

And no, I don't care if I spelled it wrong.

[RavenTD]

Well I still hope it remains running the ball down each others throat till the last man is standing.And they don't turn into pass orientated football as the Steelers are turning to.I know if it wins you football games you have to go with it. But blue collar football is running into the wall and watching snot fly out of a defenders nose.

Oh, and the hard hitting that makes you dream for an ice bath.Something that dies a death with tackles from the secondary and not from your DL or LB's.Unless you get that skull shuddering sack.

[ravenjoe]

MikeRobe and RavenTD...I agree with your sentiments 200%, and equally on Sundays. And, Greg, I just replayed 'The Hit'. That was the second, most exciting moment I've ever experienced at M&T, the first one being the game-winning TD pass from the Bankers to Shannon Sharpe in the Jacksonville win in our SB year. That hit on Big Ben was simply Awesome, one which we as Ravens (and Steelers) fans will Never forget!!!

[Rochardrik]

My sentiments exactly! And, these are my feelings exactly whenever I praise and post respect for messieurs Roethlisberger and Ward - two fierce competitors who one has to admire, regardless of the team they play for.

BLECHHHHHHHHH! and Double BLECHHHHHHH!

[Beerracuda]

BLECHHHHHHHHH! and Double BLECHHHHHHH!

:word What he said. Fuck those 2.