Ravens fluttering against the Wind to Indy

by raven on Oct 6, 2008 11:49 PM EDT Comment 14 comments

Your getting the Raven's at the perfect time. We're down and have started doubting the new coaches, QB and believe it or not the D. Our coaches have butchered clock management, didn't challenge a sure TD in Pitt., and feel they owe McGahee most of the carries. Our QB showed major roll out right blind spots with 2 (almost 3) picks in the exact same way. Our D played with the lead late in the fourth in both loses and couldn't close the deal. We have Flacco up against Manning. That's really the whole story and I should stop here (no comment).

With both of us at 2-2 this game is huge. Dipping to the losers bracket always brings an "iffy" reaction from fans, media and players. Can't go there. It's a shame that we have these records. With our losing season last year and a rookie QB it's a little easier to stomach. But I would expect Manning to have advantage weekly- especially this week at home. We are down..way down after two absolutely heart wrenching loses. One more punch and.....I can't do it. Make me feel a little better and tell me where you think your weaknesses are. I told you our biggest pitfalls but keep an eye on Mason (as usuall our only receiver), McClaine (a beast running back that has opened eyes) and our 3 quarter D (still crazy strong).

We dink and dunk with a good running game. We are too conservative on O and milk leads..like always. With our reliance on the running game, a few quick strikes by Manning will probably wipe us out. If we get ahead expect Mason and runs and clock watching. Retake the lead and your golden. We have the creativity to get ahead only once. It was good enough against Cleveland and Cincy- usually our perennial stocking stuffers and ego boosters. Our wings have already been clipped by journeyman QB Collins and a beat up Rothelsberger. What ya got?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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It's really

…difficult to you tell what you’re going to get this week from the Colts. We’ve shown flashes on both sides of the ball but inconsistency is killing us. On defense it’s like we’re back in the 06 regular season no Bob Sanders, missing the starting SAM backer and the continued DT woes by the Dungy era Colts. On offense the Texans game was basically Manning’s fourth pre-season game and timing with the the receivers is still a little off especially with Harrison. Again consistency from the youg offensive linemen will be huge in the Ravens game. If we can’t figure who’s got to block who we’ll be in for a long day. That’s just my take.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Oct 7, 2008 8:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The run D still isn't 06 bad

because they still aren’t giving up long TD runs.

The quote from the Jags game disaster in 2006 that summed it up pretty well was

They would have given up 600 yards if the endzone hadn’t kept getting in the way

This year the D needs to tighten down, but the DBs and LBs in pursuit are recovering. It’s not 2006 bad and barring more injuries won’t get there again.

I ain't tryin' do you, I'm just tryin do me
Last album did two, I'm just tryin' do three
-Young Jeezy "I Luv It"

by shake n bake on Oct 7, 2008 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

06

I agree but let’s be honest, we’re splitting hairs when it comes to which run defense was better/worse 06 vs 08.

IN POLIAN I TRUST

by colt44 on Oct 7, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

couldn’t have said it better myself…..colt44.

by Ayrshire on Oct 7, 2008 8:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It also depends on which Ravens team shows up

My Ravens have always, er usually played the Colts well, except for last year. We blew our wad against the Pats last year. Other than that, we always seem to play them tough, although we usually find a way to lose. We’ve gotten real good at that recently. So here’s what we’ll probably do Sunday: We’ll play great for the first three quarters, piss you guys off and give us hope. Then the fourth quarter will wind down as you drive down the field for the game winning drive. Sounds familiar for both of us, eh? Your fans will take the win and complain about your shortcomings and need for improvement. Our fans will tear their hearts out and say how well we competed, while I will be miserable for another week of coulda, woulda, should. Sucks to be us lately.

Rexx

by Rexx on Oct 7, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys could still take your division.

Pittsburgh is your only real problem, and who knows how things even out in Nov. and Dec.. I always am concerned about the Ravens matchup. I guess the x-factor is which Colts team shows up.

by coltsfanawalt on Oct 7, 2008 4:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And for how long they show up.

Hopefully, they will play like themselves for more than 15 minutes. I’d like to see it for an entire game, please.

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 7, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your quick stikes will probably eliminate our good runnung game

I would take a good passing game in place of a good running game any day. Behind or ahead, passing always has a part in the game. Get behind by 2 scores with a running team, no matter how good, and your pretty much dead in the water and at the mercy of the clock. With the Colts, I think we are cooked with leads of 10+ points if we maintain our current O pace. Cam is still trying to protect Flacco with very short/quick passes but he can’t grow doing that. Flacco had trouble rolling out and passing but he is excellent (with his height) at firing balls down over the D line for quick slants. I like his 20 yard middle of the field passes but they are rare. He puts a lot of air in the deep pass and they hang. He is a cool customer though and doesn’t get jumpy like Boller did. Look for more Heap and mega-doses of short Mason passes this week. We have a mini RB controversy with McGahee (and his big salary) and upstart/beast McClaine looking for carries. Ray Rice didn’t get a carry last week but Lorenzo Neal did !?

by raven on Oct 8, 2008 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

McClain

has been awesome. It’s interesting to see a big runner like that steal the show. I think most of us who play fantasy football have been expecting the “fluke” to cease, yet there he is every week. That is the kind of guy who could potentially give the Colts fits. I hope not.

I know you lost the past two games, but your team has looked sharp in many ways. I have enjoyed watching Flacco develop early. This is the best QB that you have had in… a long time.

Nervously anticipating our matchup this weekend.

by coltsfanawalt on Oct 8, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hope for positive game

I just want to see Flacco get 230 yards passing with some deep balls and progress. I am banking on a Pitt. collapse this year and hope we can win the “easier” games and squeek into the playoffs. That is why it is important to grow Flacco quickly. Our division is as weak as it can be. The door is open. I’m not expecting a win like I did w/ a beat up Pitt. and home vs Tenn.. We still need takeaways to stay in games but I just don’t see Manning giving us our share…that’s for sure. We can’t get behind and we’re better off going for it on 4th and bagging the FG’s.

by raven on Oct 8, 2008 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well.

You guys have an awesome D. And if they do what everyone else has been doing so far this year and put 9 or 10 guys in the box…it could get hairy. Unless, that is, this is the Sunday that Peyton has his expected “break-out” game….of course, that’s what I hope for.

I really like Flacco. I am truly impressed with this kid. I thoroughly enjoyed watching him on MNF. He has a calmness and a presence that alot of QBs never develop. In a year or two, you guys are going to be scary good!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 8, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flacco

Being cool/layed back at QB in the NFL is 3/4 the battle. That should stick out in interviews with college prospects. How skiddish head cases like Leaf and Boller won over scouts is incredible. Though he’s young, Flacco has earned a measure of respect that Boller (Screech) coudn’t do in 5 years. I can’t wait to watch this game unfold. I haven’t had the chance in 12 years to enjoy YAC’s like you have. I am in awe when Colt receivers get so wide open. You will have as many catch and run plays over 10 yards in one game than we will have in 5. Kid you not.

by raven on Oct 8, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope you're right!

"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007

by peytonsthebest on Oct 8, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So close to pity..

After our past 2 sickening loses I can’t seem to get pumped for this game. I’m trying but, like most Raven fans, I’m spent. I have a feeling the Ravens need instant 1st quarter success to maintain whatever positive feelings they have left. If we get down early I think they’re heading into that dark, self pity place for a while. I’ll be waiting for them. I wish I could say that they are young and resiliant but the D has seen this formula before and will give up if they have to carry the fight week after week. They gave up on Billick last year and rightfully so. I don’t think there will be much patience for Harbaugh simply because we’ve seen this one sided team for 10 years. And to the defenses credit it took them loyal 10 years to finally blow the whistle on Billick. But maybe the D does have something to prove because they were the ones who couldn’t stop the last two length of the field game winning drives. Maybe that cancels out the offensive blame in their minds. Hmmm.

by raven on Oct 8, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs