The flags are back up and we’re still steaming about the Ravens 31-24 loss to the Steelers in the AFC Divisional playoff round. Now we begin to go through the grieving process together. There have to be certain questions asked as we piece together the Ravens disappointing exit from the playoffs.
Today, my question is does the John Harbaugh/Joe Flacco duo have what it takes to win a Super Bowl?
As I watched the Jets run through New England and advance to their second straight AFC Championship game, I realized that the Ravens don’t have the fire or the swagger that they did when they won it all in 2000. The Ravens are soft. When Rex’s Jets jumped out to an early lead on the Pats they kept the pressure up, they continued to keep Tom Brady off the field, threw him to the ground and kept running their offense the same way they did in the first half.
Baltimore took a 21-7 lead in the first half and snoozed through the remaining thirty minutes. This isn’t unusual though, the Ravens did this all season. In fact the only game they played for a full four quarters was last week against Kansas City. I’m not sure what’s being said in the locker room at half time, but whatever it is it isn’t motivating a team who arguably has more talent than any of the other 31 teams in the NFL. That’s got to be put on John Harbaugh.
Remember last season when fans were saying “wait until Joe Flacco has some weapons?” Well, he did this season and did nothing with them. In fact, they got worse this year moving down from 13th to 22nd in total offense between 2009 and 2010. I stand by my opinion that we didn’t learn anything about Flacco’s ability or future from his play this season. Maybe he was shackled by Cam Cameron’s play calling or maybe he’s just not a leader.
We heard the Ravens say that Joe doesn’t even audible, even when a future Hall of Fame safety is lining up to blitz from his blindside. Even the punter, Sam Koch, called an audible this season. You can tell me all you want that Joe Flacco was ranked among the top 10 QBs this season and that’s great. But I haven’t seen a strong ability to throw down field and that killer instinct just doesn’t seem to be there.
But what’s the goal for this franchise? Owner Steve Bisciotti said that he wants to be in it every year. Three years, three playoff runs. I guess he got what he wanted. Shouldn’t the goal be to win a championship?
We’re all emotional this week and I realize that I’m being very critical of a team who has made the playoffs three straight seasons. But the Ravens underachieved this year and you have to wonder why.
Nice guys don’t win. Did you see Bart Scott tell ESPN that the Pats couldn’t even stop a nose bleed? He’s a winner with an attitude.
If the Ravens want to win the big game, they have to get their attitude back. That’s what gang green did and they defeated both the Colts and the Patriots on the road. Baltimore should follow Rex Ryan’s example.
I agree totally. I have never been sold on Harbaugh, the spectator coach. Oh yea, sure, he's a delegator. Nothing wrong with that…that is, until you have to overrule errant coordinators. We all know why he delegates. Because the dude was never a coordinator himself! Family pedigree is BS! Running special teams under Reid in Philly — never known as a genius, BTW — qualifies you to be considered to move up to OC or DC. Not head coach. His interview skills must have impressed Bisciotti, who had no football resume himself, BTW. Bisciotti's ego couldn't take being in a room with a brash ego like Rex. But with a nice, professional, articulate dude like Harbaugh? Of course. Perhaps this was Bisciotti's first dumb business decision.
In addition, the suits made a mistake when they focused on landing a bunch of WRs thinking that would open up the offense. The key to opening up the offense is getting Flacco coached better (Zorn — really now?) and an offensive line that can give Joe quality time to think so he can make better decisions and set up his throws better. In case no one has noticed, Joe doesn't display the quickest mind, quickest feet, quickest throws, etc. He doesn't wing line drives, he floats blimps most of the time. People — that is not the definition of a strong arm. And in fact, everything is in slow motion with this guy, including his emotions. So if you're going to stick with him, then get him better protection. Another upside is that a better line will get our running game to the dominant role it should be in.
I agree that the line needs to get much better. The Gaither situation really blew up in the Ravens faces. Flacco's arm strength is not the issue. Ability to make quick decisions is more of the issue if you ask me.
…I bet he can throw a ball 60 yards from his knees throw a goal post.
I am not sure he is Kyle Boller good, but….
What a breath of fresh air you are raginrick. Yes, you CAN be a fan yet not agree with EVERYTHING the team does. Just like Billick got called to the carpet by Biscuit, it's Harbaugh's turn now. He's gotta look at his staff and re-examine whether or not he went too far overboard with his dictitorial style.
Couldn't fully disagree with you. To me, the blame HAS to be placed on the entire coaching staff. Rex's team is where they are because he and his coaching staff know how to motivate their team. Ray Lewis can't be the only person leading the charge. I think it's time for a new offensive and defensive coordinator, keep John, and work on the off season in developing a better secondary. It seemed this year that all teams had success throwing against us.
We would have followed Rex's lead if Rico Suave Bisciotti hired him instead of a career Special Teams Coach who acts like he's coaching the Cape St. Clair 11/12 year olds…
Punishing Ray Rice for fumbling by sitting him for two series… Get real Harbaugh!
I'm waiting to hear Harbs explanation for that one. Made no sense to me at all. It seemed like a discipline thing considering the fact that Rice looked healthy on the field. If that's the case, it's ridiculous.
I think the talent on the Ravens is overrated. If anything it is their toughness that keeps them in games, but we all saw it Saturday, when the team needed big plays noone stepped up to make them. The Ravens have not been able to put teams away because they have an average to below offensive line, that could not get a consitent running game going all season and struggled to get the tough yards. They also have 4-5 above average player' s on defense and 2 of them (Lewis and Reed) are on the down side of their careers.
You can argue that the Steelers and Jets are tougher than the Ravens, and maybe you would be right, but I think the real gap is in the talent. Both have better talent on defense. The Jets have a much better offensive line and the Steelers have a QB that plays his best when his team needs it most.
The Ravens are close, but they are not there. Seems like it has been that way since 2006.
Wait, wait, wait….the Jets and Patriots have better tallent on defense than the Ravens?!??! Are you kidding me?!??! IF and that's a big IF, that's true, tthink about this…Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, and Trevor Pryce all played for thhe Ravens and all could have bbeen retained. Quite frankly, I think that assessment is wrong and the Jets are NOT more talented on defense. Perhaps Pittsburgh is, but again, didn't the Raavens have James Harrison on their practice squad?
I'm tired of the excuses. The Ravens had four receivers with 500+ catcches, did all of them get old this year? They failed to utilize their otther ""deep threat" receiver who had 2 catches all season, but hey, he looked great on those end-arounds that he ran EVERYTTIME he came on the field. Talk about tendacies?!?
This team won despite this coaching staff.
MGW, I never said anything about the Pats defense and I am by no means saying that the coaching staff was great this year, but yeah I think the Jets and Steelers are better on defense than the Ravens and that they have decided advantages in other areas. I would trade any of the Ravens corners for Revis and Cromartie in a hearbeat, and the Jets have more speed at LB and more athleticism and depth on the D-line.
Plus I am not sure how bringing up Scott (who the Ravens FO wanted to sign), Leonhard and Pryce (who was and is washed up) shows the failing of the coaching staff. Same thing with releasing Harrison. Those examples enhance my point that the issue is talent. The Ravens are good at draftign players, but they need to get better. Especially better at scouting and drafting talent at WR and O-line.
And for all the catches the wr's had coming in did any of them impress you this year? Heap was the only memeber of the 500 catch group that played at or above expectations imo. When it mattered most Saturday it was players that failed not coaches.
Sorry, I meant Pittsburgh, not NE. My keyboard was on the fritz this morning and I was struggling to get my posts in.
I find it interesting that you come back on line and the first thing I see is "GO JETS, Beat Pittsburgh".
Is it any wonder there is such bad blood between the 2 franchises. In all honesty, I echo Ryan Clark's comment when asked who he was cheering for in yesterday's game: NY or NE?
"Neither," he said, "I only cheer for my own team!" Food for thought…
CSF- Glad you find it interesting. That's why it is called a rivalry. We don't have to play nice in a rivalry. Maybe in Canada where everybody gives their tax money away for mediocre health care, its okay to love everyone. That's not how it plays out here in the states.
Are we a bunch of sore losers? Hell yeah! What we won't be doing is taking the advice of the Steelers players who found the need to make constant cheap shots throughout the game. Late hits. Headbutts. If they don't play nice, we don't have to.
For someone who loves the Steelers so much, you spend a lot of time here making friends with MGW and 2488. They can give all the handshakes and congrats they want to, they have their own agenda.
As for me and the rest of the REAL RAVENS COMMUNITY…….GO FREAKING JETS! PITTSBURGH, GO TO HELL!
That's how it plays out : Mediocre health care? Don't believe the hype Sadler; our health care is very good. You're buying into a skewed right wing agenda. No one in this country ever lost his home because his child was ill. You can have your guns and extreme views.
Maybe you should stick to discussing football or do you ascribe to the Rex Ryan school of thought?: Make it personal.
OF COURSE IT IS EXTREMELY PERSONAL! THIS IS A RAVENS BLOG.
As for other things, I along work with the rest of my team on keeping this site working. So if I want to throw Canadian Health Care under the bus, its my prerogative. For what it is worth, i have a cousin who is a doctor in Ontario. I've heard my share on how "Great" your health care is…..
I'd love to know what you think my agenda is. I've never made it a secret that I do not care for Harbaugh. When I point out things that I see in him that lead me to these beliefs, it's only to strengthen my side of this argument. Is that an agenda? Do you have say so in who coaches the Ravens? Can I change your mind, or the mind of others? Wow, I am POWERFUL. I guess the other commentors today, raginrick, etc. all have the same agenda. Wally Williams, who said Saturday night that the team has no "tough guys" outside of Lewis and Reed has an agenda? I guess Peter King of SI has an agenda? I guess Mike Preston has an agenda? I guess Derrick Mason has an agenda? I guess LeRon McClain has an agenda? You get my point. If someone doesn't agree with everything a team does, is that Agenda?!?
Does Mark have an agenda with the Orioles? I say he does. It's to point out the things maybe others don't see or refuse to see.
MGW/2488- My only real complaint is that it appears that you are happy when the Ravens fail, because it proves your point. That may not be your intent, but that is what is communicated.
One thing is for sure boys, the Ravens played like crap on Saturday. Whether it was Ozzie's or Harbs or Biscotti's or Flacco's fault….. the end result sucked. We can sit hear and complain about it all day long. What I will not take is Steelerfan coming into my house and telling me what it is.
And yes, Mark has an agenda against the O's. Yes, I think it is a bit ridiculous at times. But boy is that dude passionate about them. At least i know he wants them to win.
Chuck – If you are in middle school, please disregard this comment..
Grown ups do not use "LOL". It's a phrase used by teenaged girls and young middle schoolers.
Again, if you are in middle school or a teenage girl, please forgive me.
Joe's only big mistake to me was that interception. He was pretty good the rest of the game. He's had to deal with these diva receivers that can't catch balls in crunch time, plus he has to play against the refs too as a Raven. If Boldin had made that TD catch and that ref hadn't made that bogus call returning that TD, things would have been different. And Housh's drop, Rice's fumble, Birk's messed up snap….I don't see how you can pin this all on Joe. He is still very young, we all forget that. Aaron Rogers couldn't beat Brett Favre until he was 41 and hurt for godsakes.. Rogers was warming the bench in the beginning, Joe had to start right away. Rogers didn't win his first playoff game til this year. He is three years ahead of Joe. Joe has alot of good years yet and you Ravens fans are lucky to have him. Trade him to my team I'll take him!
I agree, except for the part about " trade him to my team"…you cannot blame one player( and a talented one at that) for a loss. There were a lot of lucky breaks, fumbles etc. on both sides of the ball. Joe made mistakes, so did Ben; it really came down to Steeler tenacity and experience. In my humble, but "uppity" (are you reading this, Ravens2488?) opinion!
CSF – I have to be honest, I rooted for the Jets yesterday like they were MY team. Unlike our politically correct robot of a coach (here I go again with my AGENDA) Rex is funny, entertaining, and a winner. You can say what you want – his foot fetish, his Bubba appearance, his diarrhea of the mouth, but here he stands, his second season in a row, in the AFC Championship game. He talks the talk and walks the walk. Just my preference, not saying it's right, just like that style. Go Rex!
Hey, never said I didn't like Rex; every circus needs a clown, right? You don't think all Steeler fans weren't rooting for them??? Home game vs a trip to Gillette? No contest.
Rex is not the kind of coach I would like personally but hey, he works for the Jets. What will be fun is to see how he will "make it personal" with the Steelers.
Keep up your evil plot…
"Steeler tenacity and experience" my ass. It was stupid mental errors.
I like you better when you hated just Gilbert Blythe and not everything and everyone else.
I come from a family of doctors, two of whom went to the States and came back after 2 years tired of dealing with HMO's. No system is perfect but mentioning it all is irrelevant.
You lost….Stick to football and stop whining…
CSF- you are a guest in my home. Remember that. I can whine all I want. You don't like it, go somewhere else.
My "Agenda" is starting to work. Just got off the phone with McClain, one of the guys who spoke out about his role and the offense this season – he just tweeted that he "doubts he'll be back next season".
My evil plot is starting to materialize.
As for McClain, he can take his crap somewhere else. For whatever minimal production he brings to the table, he loses in his on-field antics. It will be nice to see a few less personal fouls next season.
YEAH! I mean we already have the "power back" Willis McGahee. Right?
Wrong. McClain was just another piece that Cameron didn't utilize this season. He'll be missed.
Well, it looks like status quo as Harbaugh has announced that Cameron will be back.
If you are a FOH (friend of Harbaugh) you are pretty much safe.
The showing this offense put up on Saturday should alarm every single Ravens fan. It seems that some don't wanna admit what's really going on and will continue hang their hats on what has not become a typical season.
This season was supposed to be the season to take the giant step. Instead, they wimped out on the biggest stages (at NE, Pitt, at Pitt in playoffs) and are watching once again.
Look, the Ravens are a team that's good. Sometimes very good. But they aren't a great team and have shown that over and over when everything is on the line.
AMEN, Brother Mark, Amen.
It's like Groundhog Day with the Ravens. I called this back in August and only missed it by one game. (let's not discuss my baseball predictions) I said 11-5 and one playoff win. Admittedly, I had them losing in the second round to Indy. They had too much talent not to be one of the 6 best teams in the AFC, everyone knew that, it was what would happen when the bright lights shined in the big games. Same old same old, they can beat the second tier teams – KC – and can even beat Pittsburgh when the third string QB plays, but they can't beat the elite teams when it matters.
I still contend this team is wound up like a top, afraid to make a mistake, afraid to take a chance and that comes from the top down, including Stevie Biscuit.
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