Gregg placed on IR; Ravens sign DT McKinney
I was thinking the same thing myself. Phillips looked good in the pre-season; I was surprised when the Ravens cut him; I'm glad to see him back, even if it's only on the PS -- for now, anyway. (Wednesday | post #19)
Referee explains penalty call on Suggs
Total BS call -- total BS explanation to try to sweep it under the carpet. And don't even get me started on the whole thing about Haynesworth throwing Flacco to the ground on an unabated to the QB offside THAT WASN'T EVEN CALLED A PENALTY. There's just something very wrong going on when it comes to the officiating of Ravens games. I'd love to be a fly on the wall during their pre-game preparations. A tape of the Haynesworth play ought to be forwarded to the league by the Ravens FO so that an appropriate fine can be levied against him. He should have been ejected. And maybe a suspension as a result of that play could be forthcoming. (Monday Oct 6 | post #16)
That's exactly what I was screaming. I was never one to be shy about calling out Billick for lacking a feel for the game. But for Pete's sake -- what game was Cameron watching? Was it not obvious to him that McClain was having a monster game, and McGahee was not? So why in the world would he decide to call McGahee's number and not McClain's? It makes no sense, and was one of the main reasons we lost. I'm fed up with this nonsense from people who are getting paid a lot of money and can't seem to figure player whos having a good game from one who's not. And where was Rice today? He wasn't listed on the inactive list. But I sure didn't see him come into the game -- even once. What's up with that? I can understand Cameron trying to narrow down the offense a bit for Flacco, but his decisions in other areas leave a lot to be desired. (Sunday Oct 5 | post #201)
Yeah. That should have at least been a major penalty on Haynesworth. Or he should have been ejected. But nothing is even called except his offside. And Suggs gets hit with a totally bogus call. When is this **** going to stop? However, even with that, the Ravens lost because of a number of factors; not just that one lousy call. But calls like that do get old week in and week out. (Sunday Oct 5 | post #196)
Typical Preston report card: Totally off. Totally meaningless. (Wednesday Oct 1 | post #95)
Pressure environment for QBs Monday night
I think -- given the difficulty of the schedules of all the AFC North teams -- the division might be won with an 8-8 -- or even a 7-9 -- record. Therefore, every single game is critical, IMO. Not only that, but there's a distinct psychological advantage to beating all 3 AFC North rivals in turn. And it gives players something to really shoot for as far as the rest of the season goes. Being 3-0 is definitely different/better than 2-1, even if we can then turn around and beat the Steelers on our own turf. Sweeping them is just so much sweeter. (Sunday Sep 28 | post #57)
Pressure environment for QBs Monday night
To me, even though I'm not the biggest Rolle fan in the world, the key to the game is going to be how Ryan fills Rolle's shoes. If it's Walker/Ivy, look out; if it's Washington/Martin, I think we stand a much better chance. Either way -- as you said -- it's going to be a very exciting, relevant game. In fact, the entire Ravens sesaon could very well hinge on this one game. GO 3-0 overall, and 3-0 against division rivals, and we could very well solidify our position atop the AFC North. 2-1 just doesn't cut it the same way. I have some reservations about Rolle being absent, but I still think this is a game we can -- and need to - win. (Sunday Sep 28 | post #53)
Bannan emerges from back of line
I wish I had your confidence in Heap and Stover. I think both of them are throwbacks to a totally different coaching staff; I think Heap has genuinely reached the point of diminishing returns -- a combination of him having missed all of training camp coupled with the collection of injuries and hits he's had since he's been a Raven, although from what I've read, his blocking has been better this year. As far as Stover goes, I think we better be seriously looking at a replacement. I hope the team doesn't do one of their classic over-payments to him because of his history with the team. There comes a point where everybody has to hang it up; and I think Stover is at or neat that point in his career. As far as the game analysis goes, I think a key is going to be the absence of Rolle. It all depends on who Ryan plugs in. If it's Walker or Ivy, I think we're in trouble. If it's Washington or Martin, I think we'll be ok. (Sunday Sep 28 | post #25)
Pressure environment for QBs Monday night
And even when he did, he barely gained 40 yards/game the past 2 years. I predict that the Ravens are going to stuff the Steelers running game, hound the wits out of Ben, and execute a somewhat conservative, but varied offense involving solid O-line play, RB touches to all 3 RBs, with Lorenzo Neal and McClain in for "jumbo" package downs, and allow Joe Flacco to expand his comfort zone when it comes to the passing game. I think it'll be a good, hard fought game that the Ravens will win. Watching the amount of time the O-line has been giving Joe, AND the quickness in his drops/releases, I honestly don't see him suffering very much at all at the hands of the Steelers. (Saturday Sep 27 | post #32)
Bannan emerges from back of line
1. I wonder if you had any questions as to why Mason felt the need to drop down to his knees on two separate occasions, when the ball really wasn't thrown THAT low -- effectively ending the yardage gained on those plays. 2. I wonder what your thoughts are now on Todd Heap and Matt Stover. 3. I agree that Monday night is going to be a tougher test. But considering how many times the Eagles sacked Ben, in conjunction with his shoulder/arm soreness, I think the Ravens attack on Ben is going to far outweigh the Steelers attack on Joe. Also, the absence of Hampton for the Steelers helps our cause as well. (Saturday Sep 27 | post #23)
Bannan emerges from back of line
Wohoooo! Where ya been? I very much enjoyed our exchanges last year, and look forward to many more this year. (GHT & I felt like we were stranged all alone on an island for the past 5 months. LOL) And yes, just seeing the difference in the young O-line and the creativity and sanity of Cameron, Harbaugh, and Matsko is palpable. I really don't care what the final W/L record is this year -- for the first time in over a decade I feel as if the Ravens are finally headed in the right direction -- building the offsense from the O-line; using shifts and surprise elements; not being afraid to spread the rock around to the RBs; etc. Now, we need a top tier WR, the continued growth of Joe Flacco, and we should be in better shape than any other AFC North team for years to come. (Saturday Sep 27 | post #21)
Early misses don't diminish Stover's value
We already had one -- Rhys Lloyd. Who is now starting for the Panthers. And Piotr Czech didn't miss a single FG attempt in the preseason. But we cut him as well. Ozzie better wake up and smell the missed opportunities. (Saturday Sep 27 | post #21)
Bannan emerges from back of line
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Bills for providing us with both Bannan and Leonhard. (Thursday Sep 25 | post #9)
If I want to buy another plane ticket in November, then sure. I haven't decided yet. (Thursday Sep 25 | post #49)
