What some Ravens' fans think...

xan · 10-28-2006, 12:56 AM

Just a sampling from the ExtremeRavens.com postings on the game this Sunday at the Dome:

BAL_hawk20 wrote:

I'm still really not impressed by NO. Drew Brees is a little scary but they really don't have anyone to throw to except Joe Horn, and he's a little past his prime. I think our DB's will own their recievers and we'll pound Jamal/Mike/Musa all day for the win.

Revo2001 wrote:

What scares me more about the Saints is their backfield threats. They've done well at making defenses keep an eye on both Reggie and Deuce and I definitely beleive that's led to a lot of the success they've had offensively.

millz58 wrote:

I totally agree, I felt we did give that [Panthers] game away by dropping our "MO" as a running team. Regarding the NO backfield, they are definitely the setup for Brees & passing game, but I think Rex, D & co. will have had plenty of time to scheme against this with the bye 'n'all, so there are no excuses in my mind for our D not containing them. The trick will be with our own O (isn't it always?) against their 9th ranked passing D but rather poor (22nd ranked) run D. As long as we actually STICK WITH THE DAMN RUNNING GAME we should do okay, especially since we don't want the Oline pass-blocking too much more than we need them to in order to keep McNair (****, Boller, whoever) in one piece. We'll see; this could be the real statement game for the Ravens, and if they come out any less than gritty, focused and physically dominant in the trenches, I'm going to be pissed as hell first and then worried later.

varaven45 wrote:

But I will say, without any reservation, we have no chance in this ball game if we don't pound the ball with the three headed monster (mostly Jamal). By that I mean our featured back has got to run for at least 100 yards and there must be good balance in the run/pass game.

The Saints give up 4.9 yards per carry on the ground (one of the NFL's worst), while they are second to the Bears in the NFC in yards allowed through the air. So, if we get in a shootout and are forced to pass, we are dead meat.

This team needs a good grind it out game and return to old school, smashmouth D.
If we do this, its a competetive game. If not, its over and it gets ugly early.

and from vmax, the moderator, who wrote:

The Saints are on fire and a team that knows how to find ways to win. The Ravens are borderline in that respect.
Factor in that the Saints are playing at home before their fans and it's easy to see this will be one pumped up team looking to build upon their momentum. If you saw the Saints at home on MNF, then you know it will be very loud. Not good for the O.
The Saints have the 6th ranked offense in the NFL primarily due to their passing attack. They are loaded with weapons in Brees, McAlister, Bush, Horn, Colston and Conwell. A very good offensive line led by Jammall Brown and Jon Stinchcomb provide the protection. They can put up the points.
The Panthers did not have to run the ball to move the chains and score on the Ravens D. They will face a similar test Sunday.

The Saints also give up the points. The 13th ranked defense is 21st against the run and 9th vs the pass. Charles Grant and Will Smith anchor a good defensive line that will test the Ravens O line.

The Ravens come in with McNair (comming off a concussion), a new OC. .. ...and a running game that is stalled.
Ravens Special Teams has got to stop the bleeding because the Saints Special Teams will bleed you.

The 3rd ranked Ravens defense (3rd run/7th pass) has to show up very strong for a chance to win this game and the offense has to play as mistake free as possible.

All in all I sense a foreboding that this could be the defining game for the Ravens. 3 consecutive losses puts them at a crossroads for the season. While not out of their division race, it may be that whomever of the three doesn't win the division will miss the playoffs. It may come down to tiebreakers. Since the NFC South plays the AFC North this season, this counts as a "mini-division" game as it affects tiebreaks within the division.

This game has much more impact than many have originally estimated given where these teams are today. At the top of the division, the Saints might think wrongly that they could "afford" to lose this one, but that would be a mistake as the Falcons are already 1 up on this section of the common schedule. Without a feared offense, the Ravens have to invent ways of winning; coming into this season this was probably penciled in as a win. There seems to be a "whadthefug's going on here" syndrome with the fans and the coaching staff.

If this game turns on the Ravens, it could well be a romp. There has to be a killer instinct on the Saints' part Sunday. Get this team down and down early, they WILL panic because the safety's off the button and the gas is leaking.

Savant · 10-28-2006, 05:16 AM

I agree with them on some things. If it does become a passing attack, they will lose. The yards per carry our defense gives up are decieving. How many of our oppontents have had the luxery of pounding out the ball. And as much as they blab about how we give up 4.9 ypc, Duece has the same average. While Jamal Lewis has a 3.6 ypc and has 6 more carries than Duece does. Plain and simple, Ravens do not have a balanced attack. And I doubt having the head coach calling the plays is gonna do much for them. As good as their defense is, they are prone to give up big plays. Our offense is too diverse to hone in on. The one thing I would be concerned about is Todd Heap. He has four touchdowns so far. But I'm sure Gibbs is working up another great game-plan.

hagan714 · 10-28-2006, 09:38 AM

it ,has been a while since we played a smash mouth offense. thats if they try to run. heap will be a handful. LBers got some good practice in the Phili. , Atlanta games but Todd is a top 5 TE in the NFL for a reason. we always facing good TE. so he will be kept in check most of the game. my money is on scott

Savant · 10-28-2006, 12:31 PM

Harper would really help with Heap sunday. Sucks that the kid is gone for the season. But I like to think back to the Atlanta game when they were still one-dimensional. I'm not sure how much Billick is gonna try to shake it up, but I don't think any team is gonna come in to try to run it down our throats and win.

10-28-2006, 12:56 AM	#1
xan Professor Crab and Site Donor 2014 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Princeton Posts: 3,369 Blog Entries: 34	What some Ravens' fans think... Just a sampling from the ExtremeRavens.com postings on the game this Sunday at the Dome: BAL_hawk20 wrote: I'm still really not impressed by NO. Drew Brees is a little scary but they really don't have anyone to throw to except Joe Horn, and he's a little past his prime. I think our DB's will own their recievers and we'll pound Jamal/Mike/Musa all day for the win. Revo2001 wrote: What scares me more about the Saints is their backfield threats. They've done well at making defenses keep an eye on both Reggie and Deuce and I definitely beleive that's led to a lot of the success they've had offensively. millz58 wrote: I totally agree, I felt we did give that [Panthers] game away by dropping our "MO" as a running team. Regarding the NO backfield, they are definitely the setup for Brees & passing game, but I think Rex, D & co. will have had plenty of time to scheme against this with the bye 'n'all, so there are no excuses in my mind for our D not containing them. The trick will be with our own O (isn't it always?) against their 9th ranked passing D but rather poor (22nd ranked) run D. As long as we actually STICK WITH THE DAMN RUNNING GAME we should do okay, especially since we don't want the Oline pass-blocking too much more than we need them to in order to keep McNair (****, Boller, whoever) in one piece. We'll see; this could be the real statement game for the Ravens, and if they come out any less than gritty, focused and physically dominant in the trenches, I'm going to be pissed as hell first and then worried later. varaven45 wrote: But I will say, without any reservation, we have no chance in this ball game if we don't pound the ball with the three headed monster (mostly Jamal). By that I mean our featured back has got to run for at least 100 yards and there must be good balance in the run/pass game. The Saints give up 4.9 yards per carry on the ground (one of the NFL's worst), while they are second to the Bears in the NFC in yards allowed through the air. So, if we get in a shootout and are forced to pass, we are dead meat. This team needs a good grind it out game and return to old school, smashmouth D. If we do this, its a competetive game. If not, its over and it gets ugly early. and from vmax, the moderator, who wrote: The Saints are on fire and a team that knows how to find ways to win. The Ravens are borderline in that respect. Factor in that the Saints are playing at home before their fans and it's easy to see this will be one pumped up team looking to build upon their momentum. If you saw the Saints at home on MNF, then you know it will be very loud. Not good for the O. The Saints have the 6th ranked offense in the NFL primarily due to their passing attack. They are loaded with weapons in Brees, McAlister, Bush, Horn, Colston and Conwell. A very good offensive line led by Jammall Brown and Jon Stinchcomb provide the protection. They can put up the points. The Panthers did not have to run the ball to move the chains and score on the Ravens D. They will face a similar test Sunday. The Saints also give up the points. The 13th ranked defense is 21st against the run and 9th vs the pass. Charles Grant and Will Smith anchor a good defensive line that will test the Ravens O line. The Ravens come in with McNair (comming off a concussion), a new OC. .. ...and a running game that is stalled. Ravens Special Teams has got to stop the bleeding because the Saints Special Teams will bleed you. The 3rd ranked Ravens defense (3rd run/7th pass) has to show up very strong for a chance to win this game and the offense has to play as mistake free as possible. All in all I sense a foreboding that this could be the defining game for the Ravens. 3 consecutive losses puts them at a crossroads for the season. While not out of their division race, it may be that whomever of the three doesn't win the division will miss the playoffs. It may come down to tiebreakers. Since the NFC South plays the AFC North this season, this counts as a "mini-division" game as it affects tiebreaks within the division. This game has much more impact than many have originally estimated given where these teams are today. At the top of the division, the Saints might think wrongly that they could "afford" to lose this one, but that would be a mistake as the Falcons are already 1 up on this section of the common schedule. Without a feared offense, the Ravens have to invent ways of winning; coming into this season this was probably penciled in as a win. There seems to be a "whadthefug's going on here" syndrome with the fans and the coaching staff. If this game turns on the Ravens, it could well be a romp. There has to be a killer instinct on the Saints' part Sunday. Get this team down and down early, they WILL panic because the safety's off the button and the gas is leaking.
	Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger." Hobbes: "Common lament."

10-28-2006, 05:16 AM	#2
Savant 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 275	I agree with them on some things. If it does become a passing attack, they will lose. The yards per carry our defense gives up are decieving. How many of our oppontents have had the luxery of pounding out the ball. And as much as they blab about how we give up 4.9 ypc, Duece has the same average. While Jamal Lewis has a 3.6 ypc and has 6 more carries than Duece does. Plain and simple, Ravens do not have a balanced attack. And I doubt having the head coach calling the plays is gonna do much for them. As good as their defense is, they are prone to give up big plays. Our offense is too diverse to hone in on. The one thing I would be concerned about is Todd Heap. He has four touchdowns so far. But I'm sure Gibbs is working up another great game-plan.
Savant 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 275

10-28-2006, 12:31 PM	#4
Savant 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 275	Harper would really help with Heap sunday. Sucks that the kid is gone for the season. But I like to think back to the Atlanta game when they were still one-dimensional. I'm not sure how much Billick is gonna try to shake it up, but I don't think any team is gonna come in to try to run it down our throats and win.
Savant 100th Post Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 275

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10-28-2006, 09:38 AM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	it ,has been a while since we played a smash mouth offense. thats if they try to run. heap will be a handful. LBers got some good practice in the Phili. , Atlanta games but Todd is a top 5 TE in the NFL for a reason. we always facing good TE. so he will be kept in check most of the game. my money is on scott