Of the Ravens five Pro Bowlers, zero of them come from the offense. Baltimore’s offense is filled with stars from Ray Rice, to Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin, but none of them are going to Hawaii with Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and Billy Cundiff.
Our question of the day is simple, is Cam Cameron to blame?
The Pollyannas will be all over this one…"how can you question a team with five Pro Bowlers…be happy" "they have 11 wins and are heading to the playoffs for a third straight year". Look, the truth is, if they don't play better in the playoffs than they did during te regular season, they will not last long. A lot of fans are saying they will turn it up a notch in the playoffs as if having home field advantage and a bye meant nothing to the team and they can some how kick in another gear come playoffs. I hope all these people are right, but to me this is still a team who under achieved, given their talent. Is it too late to kick it in gear? Of course not, but I'm not sure that was the game plan.
You could say that for any team (except maybe NE). Look at Pitt against the Jets, Philly, Atlanta, and then the Jets. Since when is 3 straight years in the playoffs not a good thing, and in case you forgot, the Ravens only have 1 home playoff victory and squandered 2 other home playoff games they should have won under BB.
True, we have talented players (every team does), but we also have glaring weaknesses. The DB's are good, but not great (except for Reed) and very capable of being beaten by good receivers. Both the O and D line are solid, but inconsistent. Linebackers are good, but not great. Receivers are all possession types, and are rarely wide open. On any given day we could win or lose against anyone in the league. That's just today's NFL.
Charles – nothing wrong with going to the playoffs in consecutive years. It's exactly what Marty Schottenheimer did for so long in KC. Where is he now, what team does he coach?!?
MGW – that's poop. How can you get on the Ravens (or Marty for that matter) for not bringing home the Lombardi Trophy? The reality is that there's a lot of parity in the NFL. Once you get to the playoffs, it's the cream of the crop – any of those teams (minus the NFC West representative) have a realistic shot at winning the Super Bowl. Flacco has won 3 road playoff games in 3yrs, and you're critical of him. You'll probably be right; as the overwhelming odds would say the field has a better chance to win the Super Bowl than the Ravens…but you can say that about any team.
RGB – where/when was I critical of Flacco?!!
"Underthrows receiver, doesn't seem like the brightest guy, doesn't have the command Matt Ryan does of the Falcons offense, etc." Not this thread, just sayin'…playing your game to have you like that little fish on the rod like you do Pol. haha
So every weak I have to agree with everything everyone on the team does? I can't be critical? Sorry, that's not me. When I was 10 I used to think my teams did no wrong, but now I can objectively look at the teams I root for and critique their performance.
It's good to be objective, but I think it's reasonable to be happy and optimistic about the Ravens right now. It's not like we're talking about the Orioles here…
When you grow up, will you try out for you high school team too?
Hey Sizzle, Congrats on the Pro Bowl. So glad you could visitus……………….
Sizzle – thanks for laying off the sweets this past offseason and giving the team a heckuva year!!!
The Colts put up 7 consecutive seasons of 12+ wins in the regular season, thus giving them many home playoff games over that stretch. Yet I ask you, how many Super Bowl rings down Peyton Manning have? No more than Ray. We have an elite football team here in Baltimore, period. So if 1 of the other 11 very good teams in the playoffs wins the Super Bowl, rather than saying "I told you so, Harbaugh and the organization heads are bums, etc.," you should tip your hat and say "good season, we made the playoffs 3 straight years…" because that's all you can really ask for. Anything can happen in single game elimination, it's all about getting hot at the right time.
They are getting just what the owner demanded, a consistent playoff team. Biscotti set the mark and the team achieved it. Good for them!
So MGW, what you're saying is that this team should be scoring 40 pts a game? I think that's highly unlikely even with the talent the Ravens have on offense. Those teams don't come around too often. I'll admit they have a good amount of talent on offense, but i don't expcect them to win by three touchdowns every game. I expect them to win, period, and they have. Three years into a rookie QB and rookie Coach and they aren't doing so bad.
Again, words I never uttered.
The team is loaded with talent and I expected more than a fifth seed in th playoffs. They cannot beat Pittsburgh unless the third string QB starts, they cannot beat a healthy Brady, and it looks like their other nemesis, Peyton Manning, looms in the first round.
Getting to the playoffs is great, but don't expect much after that. The team has a lot of talent and can get by with that talent in the regular season, but when Xs and Os come in to play in the post season, Harbaugh and staff are weak there and they get exposed.
I wouldn't call us your typical fifth seed in the playoff though. We struggle against the Bengals (I think Palmer is 9-3 against us in his career?), but they're 1-6 on the road this year and we're 6-1 at home. Odds are we'll be going into the playoffs at 12-4, which will probably be 3rd best in the dominant AFC. I think you're overlooking the CLE/PIT game as well. The Brownies have lost 7 games this year by 7pts or less (meaning they could very easily have a winning football team with a few bounces the other way). The Steeler are banged up and quite frankly overrated – their offensive line is terrible, which has made them unsuccessful running the ball of late, and the man with as many rape allegations as Super Bowl rings has spent as much time on his back as he has standing up. As long as the Browns don't give away points on offense, I think the game will come right down to the end. Not saying it will happen, but there is a chance that we're the #2 seed going into the playoffs.
I hope you're right, RGB. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year bud!
Hate to say this but here's my prediction…
One and done in the Playoffs unless their first game is against the Colts then they lose the 1st Playoff Game….
RGB – The Ravens an "Elite" team? Come on… The Ravens are a good team that beats the teams they should (below .500 teams) but lose to the good teams… Yes they beat the Saints which was a good win abeit they almost blew it in the end… Yes they beat the Steelers only because the Steelers had a 4th stringer at QB…
Look at the teams that took them to the end as the Ravens almost blew the game – They did lose to the Bengals, barely beat the Bills, Texans, Browns (1st game), Buccaneers… These are teams that the outcome of the game should not have come down to a final possession. This is why I have no confidence in the Ravens when they play the decent teams in the Playoffs.
And you know what? Not saying the Ravens will lose but if they play the Chiefs, I think the Chiefs will make it a real close game and possibly win it.
The Ravens are an "elite" football team. If not, who is?
Games usually come down to the end – that's the nature of the NFL. We lost to the Bengals, but I'll chalk that up to them having our number, they always beat us. We "barely" beat the Bills and Texans (though the final score was only 17-10, I don't consider the TB game to be close because they were never really in the game), but every team has games like that – you can say the same about the Steelers. The Bills "should" have beat the Steeler rather than "barely" losing in overtime. Steve Johnson's drop at the end of the game made even Travis Taylor blush. Or how about that travesty when the officials gave Pitt the game they really lost against Miami. How about the "elite" 13-2 Patriots who got stomped earlier in the season by the Jets, DESTROYED by the BROWNS, and "barely" beat a Matt Flynn run GB team just a couple of weeks ago? Point being, this is the NFL…you shouldn't expect to blow anyone out.
We beat the Steelers with a 4th string QB in, but did they look better the 2nd time around even with Ben? We "barely" lost that game, and it was given away at the end. Our other 3 losses were "barely" on the road. I've already discussed the Cincy game – as for the other 2, COME ON MAN! We're going to really cry about losing last minute to ATL and NE on the ROAD?! Remind you, they're a combined 23-5, just sayin'.
Further, here's my count of how we've faired against playoff teams this year: 3-3. NYJ, NO, PIT vs NE, ATL, PIT. 4 of those were on the road, and they all came down to the last drive – expect the same in the playoffs. To say we beat the teams we should and can't play with the good teams is a joke. Don't know who's telling that lie, but I can look at the results and see differently.
RGBYHAGBJU – Put down the freaking "California Cornflakes" already… You already gave me a headache this morning with your mindless dribble… I see you as nothing but a Ravens Apologist… Lets do this… Lets wager a double Crabcake Platter from G&M's the Ravens don't make the Super Bowl. You in?
Are you giving me 6:1 odds here (since there's 6 AFC teams)? As I've stated above to MGW, the NFL is competitive, and the odds are you'll be right and we won't go to the Super Bowl…we're one of quite a few very good teams in the field. If we lose, it won't be because we can't beat the good teams – 12-4 (even 11-5) is nothing to sneeze at. Hell, if you don't think we can beat good teams, you should love 6:1 odds even – they're probably not as good of odds as I'd get betting elsewhere considering we're probably going to have to be road warriors.
That said, you talk like we should be the underdog every game. So less than 50% to win each game (.5*.5*.5 = .125), you think it should be even higher than 8:1 odds, so 6:1 should be a great bargain for you. I'm not a Ravens apologist or stupid enough to give even odds on any single team going to the Super Bowl.
RGB- who are you? you are amazing…….
Sadler – I sense sarcasm… anyhow, I'm just somone who's been reading this site for a while, that's tired of those clowns MGW and Ravens2488 dogging Harbaugh and the Ravens, so I figured I'd fire back some facts at them.
No sarcasm intended. While I like 2488 and MGW personally, their actwhen it comes to Harbs and the Ravens gets old.Welcome to BSR, you are a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for the welcome!
BGRWUAIHD is a breath of dogcrap… You know what BGRHAUNMDG, I will give you 6-1 odds the Ravens don't make the SB. You on for the double Crabcake Platter from G&M's? Come on "Stat Boy", I just called your bluff!
What? We got some man-love going between BGRNAUEHBSOP and Sadler?
RGBNAMDSTBPWA has done nothing but spout mindless dribble… Hell, he talks in circles so much that I can't understand what he's talking about… Like I said, he gave me a headache first thing this morn… Its like he had the munchies from pulling the "All-Nighter" and decided to post that garbage while chomping on some "Cheetos"…
Just because you can't understand it doesn't make it not right. B)
Good, so 6 double crabcake platters if I win then? Good, I'll be eating lunch in front of you and MGW for 2weeks.
What is this garbage? "Thanks for the Welcome"… Huh? Oh man, this is getting good….
RGBPMJMEUITSBA – You need to come over to MGW and my side as we are the voice of reason when it comes to Harbs… Now Sadler has a partner to go against the very popular, always annoying "MGW/Ravens2488" duo… However, Sadler does speak with some good points but you RGBANHEWBY make me want to stick nails in my eyes with how you think and write…
You don't even know who MGW is… Now, we will have to meet at G&M's after the 1st Playoff game so you can pay up on my Double CrabCake Platter… In fact, I may want your buddy Sadler there to watch me eat that delicious Maryland blue crab meat with the wonderful gravy drenched fries and creamy cole slaw….
Your tune is going to change if the Browns win this weekend and the odds swing in my favor this. We haven't had a home playoff win since beating Denver in our Super Bowl year, it would be nice to snap that streak.
RGB, you are a breath of fresh air. I try to talk to 2488 and MGW but they keep speewing the same garbage so I lose interest. Plus I know these clowns presonally so there is some underlying mancrush issues with BB vice the hatred for Hardballs. These clowns are always hedging their bets by bashing the Ravens then can get excited when they win. As stated above, they know the %'s are in their favor since its so difficult to get the ring. Welcome to the club brother!!
Yeah Sadler, I don't know them, but sounds like I'll meet them when 2488 owes me some crabcakes. I look forward to telling them "I told you so" as the Ravens move on to play on the biggest stage of all.
2488…. Want to meet for brunch on Sunday? I'm going to the game with Zachy.
Depends… Usually on Sunday morning I'm getting food ready for the game… Where you looking at and what time?
Pole???? You finally woke up from your hibernation? You get tired of MGW and myself because we are spot on with our assessments of Harbaugh and we constantly put you in your place… You are one of my closest friends Pole, I love you like a brother, but boy do I run circles around you with all the facts I throw out…
Maybe the issues you had as a kid followed you to adulthood and you have problems debating others. You even told me that when you were a baby and took your first steps, your old man tripped you…
I2488, I don' recall you giving any signficiant facts to back anything you say about Hardballs. Quite the opposite, Harbs numbers are very good and the team has flourished under his tenure. I will agree with you on the O's but I will still go to games because I enjoy taking my son.
Harbaugh is about to get a contract extension after this season, regardless of the outcome of the playoffs. That being said, if he goes "one and done" in the playoffs, look for that extension to be maybe just a 3 year deal as Biscuit will not throw the bank at a coach who is just good enough to get to the playoffs. I still see shake ups if they go out early, including the naming of a new offensive coordinator before next season. Look, he may be the victim of his own success setting the bar so high with playoff appearances each of the last three years.
Well MGW, you may be right because all signs are looking at Cameron as the fall guy… Of course, with some good D-Coordinators getting ready to be on the market, me thinks that they should fire Harbaughs fathers best friend, Mattison, and sign either John Fox or Marvin Lewis…
I still find it extremely odd that Biscotti hasn't resigned Harbaugh yet. Am I saying there is something fishy going on? Not really but it is odd it hasn't been done yet. Two questions on this…
4. Is Biscotti sold on Harbaugh?
b. Is Harbaugh looking to be a free agent coach so that he can work the system for more money?
R. Does the impending Lockout have anything to do with it?
15. Is Biscotti waiting to see how Harbaugh does in the Playoffs?
Q. Was I wanted as a kid? Once I asked my old man if I could go ice skating on the lake and he told me “wait till it gets warmer”…
Pole – I understand you don't agree with me on the the Ravens and Harbaugh but I did get you to open your eyes on the O's so maybe I'll change your mind with Harbaugh. BTW, what is your take on the Derrek Lee signing? Also, got some stuff on my desk at work for you…
I agree with you on the Lee signing. The guy is on the downward side of his career and they'll still be looking for a 1st bagger after next season. La Roche would have been a much better fit.