Baltimore Ravens Thread

Paully D

$55,000 fine for the Ball Hawk. No suspension.

mikemac1

The offical forum is ok, nothing wrong with it

The unofficial forum is far heavier and full of cap analysis and filmstudy of the offensive line, other stuff too
Serious debate. Some serious arguments too!

Just a bit of extra reading if you wanted a bit more the casual fan chat on the offical forum

http://russellstreetreport.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?3-Ravens-24x7

Don't have to register if you don't want, reading is fine

Paully D

mikemac1 wrote: »

The offical forum is ok, nothing wrong with it

The unofficial forum is far heavier and full of cap analysis and filmstudy of the offensive line, other stuff too
Serious debate. Some serious arguments too!

Just a bit of extra reading if you wanted a bit more the casual fan chat on the offical forum

http://russellstreetreport.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?3-Ravens-24x7

Don't have to register if you don't want, reading is fine

Cheers Mike. I actually signed up about a month or 6 weeks ago, think it was during the Browns game on the road but haven't been back on their since. I enjoyed the discussion on therre during the game, I'll have to post more often over there.

Paully D

Baltimore Ravens ‏@Ravens
Ray Lewis told the team today "this will be my last ride."

:(:(

Pudsy33

Paully D wrote: »

Baltimore Ravens ‏@Ravens
Ray Lewis told the team today "this will be my last ride."

:(:(

That's mighty depressing We'll just have to win it all for him!

Dannell Ellerbe has been great this season, but we're a bit light there. Will we take an inside linebacker in the first round?

GoldFour4

Fantastic career he's had, nothing to be ashamed about, DPOY for two years and a super bowl mvp.

spiralism

Glad i've a Ray Lewis jersey coming in the post now. Probably my favourite opposing player in the NFL. Probably the greatest LB to ever walk the earth. Legend. It's not going to be the same without him

kevohmsford

I have only been watching American Football this season. Ray Lewis is an incredible player and role model and I am sure will always be involved in football in some capacity.

mikemac1

kevohmsford wrote: »

I am sure will always be involved in football in some capacity.

He has declared many times he will not be going into coaching

Ed Reed will be a coach someday but not Lewis

Lewis will be out of football now apart from his sons in high school and college

Justin10

I have no clue about Ravens but I read he is going to be a linebackers coach on twitter?

mikemac1

I ready doubt it, it's been discussed for years and years.


If he becomes a LB coach, it'll be at college level in Florida, not the NFL

Paully D

Interesting watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3K06KdFr0w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n33YsoUyqro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WULp4gMqBsQ

Paully D

Pro Football Focus ‏@PFF

Credit to Bryant McKinnie. Had played 132 snaps before today, then goes & only gives up 1 hurry (on a wicked spin move) to Dwight Freeney

Pudsy33

What does everyone think about next week? A repeat of the game in Baltimore? Or will we have a chance? I feel like it'll be close, but maybe that's because I'm still on a high from yesterday!

Paully D

Pudsy33 wrote: »

What does everyone think about next week? A repeat of the game in Baltimore? Or will we have a chance? I feel like it'll be close, but maybe that's because I'm still on a high from yesterday!

A comfortable victory for Denver unfortunately. The spread of around 9 is right, I think they'll win by 10. No shame in losing to that team and Manning though, they're going to the Super Bowl IMO.

Paully D

Matt Zenitz ‏@mzenitz
Per a league source, impending free agent Paul Kruger is expected to command a contract in the range of 5 years/$40 million after the season

mikemac1

The Sergio Kindle experiment is over, cut from the practice squad

Waste of a second round pick

Fans were dreaming of huge hits like this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVnDFZrTpQ

Jolly Red Giant

Paully D wrote: »

A comfortable victory for Denver unfortunately. The spread of around 9 is right, I think they'll win by 10. No shame in losing to that team and Manning though, they're going to the Super Bowl IMO.

The outcome of the game will depend on two factors -

1. How bad the injury is to Ryan Clady - if Manning is without his LT then the Broncos offence could be out of sync. Denver has no one of any quality to replace Clady.

2. Can the Broncos defence take Ray Rice out of the game? If Denver stops the Ravens running attack, then Miller and Doom will knock Flacco all over the pitch.

Morrisseeee

mikemac1 wrote: »

Fans were dreaming of huge hits like this

I've never understood why 'hits' like this are 'celebrated' so much ,
ie..............it's about as manly as hitting a woman

Pudsy33

Weather forecasts suggest it could be approaching 0 degrees in Denver on Sunday, with a 30% chance of snow.

Does anyone think it could be great equalizer? Personally I'd just like to see a game in the snow

PokeHerKing

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Weather forecasts suggest it could be approaching 0 degrees in Denver on Sunday, with a 30% chance of snow.

Does anyone think it could be great equalizer? Personally I'd just like to see a game in the snow

My iPhone weather app says -6 to -12, would love a snow game as well!

Jolly Red Giant

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Weather forecasts suggest it could be approaching 0 degrees in Denver on Sunday, with a 30% chance of snow.

Temperatures are predicted at 21 degrees Fahrenheit - the cold will be a far bigger issue rather than the snow.

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Does anyone think it could be great equalizer? Personally I'd just like to see a game in the snow

The weather will significantly favour Denver for two reasons -

1. Cold weather makes the altitude of Mile High an even bigger factor than it already is - it is far harder to breathe at altitude in the cold weather.

2. Cold weather has a big impact on offensive play - far fewer big plays (which the Ravens rely on) and it favours the more efficient offense (and the Manning powered offense of the Broncos is more efficient than the Ravens with Flacco)

Pudsy33

Jolly Red Giant wrote: »

Temperatures are predicted at 21 degrees Fahrenheit - the cold will be a far bigger issue rather than the snow.


The weather will significantly favour Denver for two reasons -

1. Cold weather makes the altitude of Mile High an even bigger factor than it already is - it is far harder to breathe at altitude in the cold weather.

2. Cold weather has a big impact on offensive play - far fewer big plays (which the Ravens rely on) and it favours the more efficient offense (and the Manning powered offense of the Broncos is more efficient than the Ravens with Flacco)

Funnily enough, the fans on the Ravens message board seem to think the opposite. The ball will be solid and heavy, and if Manning has one question mark over him its his arm strength. Flacco has no worries in that regard.

If it snows, it could come down to who can run the ball efficiently. The Ravens are better equipped for a trench fight!

Morrisseeee

Pudsy33 wrote: »

The ball will be solid and light.
If it snows, it could come down to who can run the ball efficiently. The Broncos are better equipped for a trench fight!

FYP :pac:

Some interesting stats, but of course stats don't win football games:
Ravens have scored 16.75 points on the road this year and Flacco has a 77.3 NFL QB rating.

The Broncos are 13-3 all-time at home in the playoffs, which is tied for the second-best home playoff record (minimum of five games).

Manning has won nine straight starts against the Ravens, including the playoffs. That’s the second-longest active winning streak by a quarterback over a particular opponent. Coincidentally, Flacco has the longest, he won 10 straight against the .....??....

^^ fill in the blank above

matthew8

Browns. Too easy.

spiralism

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Funnily enough, the fans on the Ravens message board seem to think the opposite. The ball will be solid and heavy, and if Manning has one question mark over him its his arm strength. Flacco has no worries in that regard.

If it snows, it could come down to who can run the ball efficiently. The Ravens are better equipped for a trench fight!

One thing worth pointing out in that regard - If Flacco is looking deep and depending on the big play he's going to need Oher to have the game of his life. Miller and Dumervil were up his arse all game in week 15 and if he's going to want to go bombing it downfield his protection will have to be unreal.

Im not really that confident but are you sure you're better equipped for a trench fight? We ran all over you guys a month ago and completely cleaned up on both lines.

Paully D

spiralism wrote: »

One thing worth pointing out in that regard - If Flacco is looking deep and depending on the big play he's going to need Oher to have the game of his life. Miller and Dumervil were up his arse all game in week 15 and if he's going to want to go bombing it downfield his protection will have to be unreal.

Im not really that confident but are you sure you're better equipped for a trench fight? We ran all over you guys a month ago and completely cleaned up on both lines.

McKinnie played pretty well last week, he'll be at LT. Only gave up one pressure despite playing very little all year (that was his first start). Oher gets bullied no matter where he plays unfortunately

Spiralism I really wouldn't worry about it. I think we had our big day last week with the Lewis send off at home and can't see anything other than a Broncos win here unfortunately. You'll be in the Super Bowl.

Jolly Red Giant

Pudsy33 wrote: »

Funnily enough, the fans on the Ravens message board seem to think the opposite. The ball will be solid and heavy, and if Manning has one question mark over him its his arm strength. Flacco has no worries in that regard.

If it snows, it could come down to who can run the ball efficiently. The Ravens are better equipped for a trench fight!

Fans on the Ravens message board have got it wrong.

1. Ability to handle the ball in cold weather is far more important than a big arm.
2. A big arm is not an advantage in cold weather. WRs have a huge problem because catching a ball in cold weather is like catching a concrete brick - the harder its thrown the harder it is to catch and hold it.
3. The key to passing the ball in cold weather is a short-range and intermediate passing game.

The Broncos have a distinct advantage in all three areas outlined above.

1. Running the ball in cold weather is difficult - the ball can be difficult to hold, easier to strip it etc. However, the biggest problem is the pounding a RB takes in the cold - each hit is far more punishing. Furthermore - with the altitude, breathing in cold weather is like breathing with an elephant on your chest, particularly if you are not acclimatised. The Broncos will rotate Moreno, Ball and Hester (with McGahee possibly doing some spot play) - the Ravens have Ray Rice.
2. The Broncos have comfortably managed to contain the run this season. The biggest problem for the Broncos defence has been short passing routes by RBs and TEs under the defensive cover. I expect the Broncos to be able to contain Rice.
3. The Ravens DL will struggle significantly in the altitude (its the reason why the the Broncos have been so prolific at home in the play-offs). The cold weather will make it even more difficult and Manning is likely to go no-huddle for a lot of the game.

Now - I expect this game to be a lot closer than the game a few weeks ago. The Ravens are not as bad as the almost 30 point difference (excluding the garbage time TDs) in that game. Yes, the Ravens have Lewis and Suggs (who is not 100%) - the Broncos will have Kuper and McGahee. Furthermore - Lewis was exposed in the short passing game in the wildcard game and Manning will be using that a lot on Saturday. I expect (and hope) the Broncos win - possibly by 10 points. However, with the weather conditions and the altitude, if the Bronocs get an early lead and Doom and Miller can pin back their ears and go after Flacco - it could get ugly for the Ravens

Paully D

Jolly Red Giant - Interesting post but I just have to pull you up on one thing, we have Rice and Pierce. Pierce has been very good this year and was one of the main reasons we won last weekend, he stepped up when things weren't going well for Ray. We definitely have a 1-2 punch at the running back position who will rotate, it's not just Rice.

Jolly Red Giant

Paully D wrote: »

Jolly Red Giant - Interesting post but I just have to pull you up on one thing, we have Rice and Pierce. Pierce has been very good this year and was one of the main reasons we won last weekend, he stepped up when things weren't going well for Ray. We definitely have a 1-2 punch at the running back position who will rotate, it's not just Rice.

Pierce was held out of practice yesterday with a continuation of the ankle problems he has been suffering from over the past two weeks.