Ask a Ravens Fan.
by AV23 on Aug 30, 2011 11:09 AM EDT
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Didn't see one up here yet, so just thought I would go ahead and throw one up here. I'll just start off by saying I have a lot of respect for your organization and the fans we have talked with on the beatdown have been very classy. Our Teams will be linked for quite some time due to our young QB's, so it's a good idea to get to know each other. So fire away and I'm sure other's will join me as well.
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Thanks for starting this!
Love the fact that fans can get together and respectfully talk about their teams.
So, my question to you would be: What do you see as your team’s biggest weaknesses right now?
Right now our biggest weakness is the O line. We really struggled there last year because of injuries and were struggling again early pre-season. However, we have been missing Birk and Yanda during the preseason so they will take over as C and G. Then with the new aquisition of Bryant Mckinnie we will now be moving Oher back to the right side where he dominated. Interior of the line will be solid for sure, but we had questions on our tackles. Oher is a beast on the right, but just couldn’t figure it out at LT. Now Mckinnie is the big question mark that we don’t know what we really got, but at least now we only have one potential hole instead of two. I feel a lot more confident in our line, but it will take time for all of them to gel together and we have to wait and see how Mckinnie performs and if Birk can stay healthy.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Follow-up
Couple of things: Any concerns about the age of the defense?
Also – do you have any questions you’d like to throw our way?
Our aging defense is a giant myth. We actually are pretty young. Ray who’s 37, Reed 32, Redding and Johnson are 30 and every other person including backups are all under 30. We already have Johnson and Reddings replacements on the team as well. I don’t think we have Ray and Reed’s permanent replacements, but we do have young guys behind them who are capable of being starters in this league. The media just think the D is old because Ray and Reed are getting up there and while they will be missed and never truly be replaced the D will be here for quite awhile.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
True point
Of course, when you think of the Ravens D – those are the two guys you think of, but your point is well taken.
Yeah which is why the media has overblown our age. Ray is the face of the Ravens and Reed is one of the best to ever do it at his position, so the media thinks once they are gone so is our D. It will be a very sad day when they hang it up, but we still have more talent then the majority of teams on our defense and I’m sure we will be adding a MLB next year in the draft. Also we have one of the top talent evaluators in the league and is unreal when drafting defensive players in the 1st round. Not counting Jimmy this year we have drafted 7 or 8 defensive guys in the 1st round and all, but one went to multiple pro bowls and the one who didn’t was a starting CB on our Super Bowl defense which is one of the best of all time. That’s a pretty solid track record which is why we are confident that we will also add additional talent.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Please Rec
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by Dave Choate on Aug 30, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
Rec'd
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by Caleb Rutherford on Aug 30, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
One day
He will stop doing that
"He has lived up to the legendary billing... And the legend is born in Calvin Johnson!" -Wes Durham
by sportsfan4life2012 on Aug 30, 2011 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions
The day my gentle mind snaps like a twig
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I hope he doesn't.
I draw great amusement every time.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Aug 30, 2011 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions
What sort of feelings are you getting from the fans around you on Flacco?
I hate asking the obvious question, but does the fanbase as a whole really trust Flacco as the franchise QB enough to win it all?
I would say the majority does, but there are the few that really have him on the hot seat this year. Flacco has taken a lot of criticism over the summer and everybody’s big thing is he needs to beat Pitt when it counts and when Ben is playing. If we can’t beat Pitt this year I think there will be a lot of people calling for his head, so he definitely has the pressure on right now. I personally think he’s done everything he needs to do. He went from an 80 QB rating his rookie year, to 88 to 93. We would like him to play better in playoffs and he had a great game against the chiefs last year, but struggled with Pitt (most QB’s do). I don’t think the criticism is completely fair, but it is what it is and Flacco is definitely under a microscope this season.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Follow Up
How has the acquisition of Evans changed the look of your passing game? Will this acquisition change how Flacco will be graded this year – at least in your eyes?
So far, it has changed it very much. Evans is exactly what we have been looking for at WR. Flacco has maybe the strongest arm in the league, and we needed a guy to take advantage of that. Evans is not only one of the best deep threats in the league, but of all time. His TD/Catch ratio is like 7th or 8th all time, and I am sure most of you can guess who is above him.
Evans will finally be the one player that opens up the underneath game for us, which is the style we like to use to bury teams.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
I believe so. We haven’t had a true deep threat in who knows how long. We always felt that was a key piece Flacco never had because it shrinks the field and when you play the defenses we play in our division it makes it too easy on them. Evans and Flacco look like they have been playing together for years. Evans is averaging a little over 20 yards a catch in the pre-season and that’s something we are not used to. It’s also a big year for cam cameron because his play calling has been so inconsistent. He has really held Flacco back a bit, but it looks like he’s finally giving Joe the keys to the car so now we just got to wait and see.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
He has really held Flacco back a bit, but it looks like he’s finally giving Joe the keys to the car so now we just got to wait and see.
This sounds extremely familiar to Falcons fans. Flacco and Ryan both getting the training wheels off could make for some legitimately interesting young QB talk throughout the league.
Agreed. We have not been too happy with our OC. It’s not just holding Flacco back, but just his overall play calling has been very suspect. Many of us were calling for him to get fired last year because even players questioned the calls. He’s on the hotseat this year as well and if our offense doesn’t show much improvement I think he will be gone.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
We might have the same OC!!
Us falcons fans have been calling for the firing of mike mularkey for a few years now. He’s extremely vanilla, and doesn’t understand how to utilize talent. If he doesn’t relaese Ryan this year with the talent around him (Jones, White, Tony. HD) then I 100% expect MM to he gone.
by dirtybirds233 on Aug 31, 2011 12:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah I can feel you there. For some reason Cam only likes to use our speed guys on end arounds which never works. He was very predictable and at times our offense would go stagnant. We have all the tools this year, so no excuses for them not to be properly utilized. I will say he looks a little better play calling this pre-season, so we will see what he does in the regular season.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
The end arounds too?
Are Mike Mularkey and Cam Cameron twins by any chance?
They must have been separated at birth.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
No, let's be fair to Cam Cameron
I don’t see Flacco rolling to both sides of the field (effectively playing 1/2 the field) 3-4 times a game. If they are twins, Cam definitely got the brains.
maybe not that, but Cam has never heard of a slant and also only likes to run 12-15 yard comebacks or outs with guys who run a 4.8 and a line who struggles with pass protetction. I’m hoping he finally got the idea that those combinations are probably not going to give you a successful passing attack.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Do YOU, as a Ravens fan, believe Flacco is better than Ryan?
I know you hear and probably participate in this debate a lot.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
Oh boy.
That is a debate that has the tendency to get ugly in a hurry.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Aug 30, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
what do you think are the odds of a Falcons vs Ravens Superbowl this year?
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Aug 30, 2011 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Ravens and Falcons would be great. I feel both are legit contenders, but are not given the props they deserve. We constantly get ranked behind teams we beat and you guys had the best record in the NFC last year. Both teams have as good of shot as any.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I’m not really into that argument. Both IMO are franchise QB’s and you make a case for you guy I make a case for mine and in the end nothing gets resolved. But yes of course I do :)
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Good for you.
I’d steer clear of that argument to. There can be a case made for both sides, but as a biased Falcons fan, I want no part of that debate. Ever.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Aug 30, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
too*
freak my typos sideways. “to” always bothers me the most.
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by Caleb Rutherford on Aug 30, 2011 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah we have the same thing with Steelers fans on Reed Vs. Polamalu, so we are used to these long debates that go nowhere.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
It's funny
that after the ’08 draft many thought that somehow the NFL had magically changed and every first round QB would emulate Ryan & Flacco. Both are a great combination of the right person with the right organization. Mark Sanchez is not their league. Stafford & Bradford would probably have health issues even if they were with better organizations. IMO the only young QB in the Ryan/Flacco league is Josh Freeman.
agreed. Ryan and Flacco are definitely changing how coaches think. Now a lot of them are pushing these young guys to start and most of them aren’t ready. The thing that really helped Flacco and I’m sure Ryan is the same case that we have really strong run games.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Run game
taking Rice in that same draft didn’t hurt matters. How hard do you laugh at Jax for trading up to get Derrick Harvey and the Ravs “settling” for Flacco?
But what do I know? I wanted to trade down to get Ellis, Mayo, or Otah – and picking up Henne or Brohm with the extra 2nd round pick.
Yeah it worked out great for us. I remember some analyst saying Flacco was a huge reach and we should have went Henne or Brohm then he also said Rice wasn’t a good pick. Glad we didn’t. I was hoping for Limas Sweed over Rice. Glad that didn’t happen.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
On Flacco/Ryan
I remember reading an interview our GM Thomas Dimitroff gave about the 2008 draft. At the time, our #3 pick had come down to Glenn Dorsey or Matt Ryan. He did say that if we had picked up Dorsey, his plan was to snag Flacco later in the draft – so our GM also thought very highly of Flacco as well.
We could throw out stats until we all turn blue in the face, but I think both of our QBs need to have good performances in the post-season to shake off some of the criticism. Once that happens, the argument of “who is better” will probably be moot.
What do you mean you think Flacco is better than Ryan?!?
Didn’t you see Ryan’s bleached hair when he came to TC – man, does Flacco even have a wife? Better yet, has Flacco ever dated someone with such a reputable name as Sarah Marshall?
No?
I didn’t think so.
I guess this debate is over.
I kid, but really, you handled that well. I really like the Raven’s fan base. You all are a classy bunch. I feel that the whole Ryan vs. Flacco thing is overly hyped by the media and less hyped by the fan base. Obviously we get frustrated when the comparisons come seeing how they are two very different QBs – they are both great in their own rights, but one is an apple, the other is an orange. Sure, they are both fruits (not in a gay way), but they serve different purposes on different teams.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Aug 31, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
And yes, Flacco does have a wife. And a very good looking one at that.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Woah! I just looked her up
Joe Cool’s Wife > Matty Ice’s Wife
No offense to Matty’s wife… she is pretty for a female basketball player…………
Well, at least we know who’s wife would win in a brawl :)
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Aug 31, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Flacco's wife can play center in football!
http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/07/08/flacco-wedding-pics-revealed/
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Flacco actually got married this off season and can Ryan pull off the famous Flacco unibrow? I think it will be like the Brady and Manning debate (not that I’m saying they are on their level), but I think they will always be linked the way those two are and you can feed stats and wins all you want, but at the end of the day you have two really solid QB’s.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
by AV23 on Aug 31, 2011 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
HEY RAVENS CAN YOU THROW US SOME D BACKS WE ARE IN DIRE STRIGHTS, WE WILL SUCK IF THIS KEEPS GOING ON , BIRDS START LOOKING FOR SOME HELP CAUSE WE CAN;T KEEP DOING THIS ALLYEAR WON;T WORK
by east side steve on Aug 30, 2011 6:51 PM EDT reply actions
I have a strange feeling that you are not a Falcons' fan
or a middle school graduate
"You come at the king, you best not miss."
by a hooter's baby on Aug 30, 2011 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, gonna need you to stop doing the all caps thing
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Maybe he wants you to know that he is YELLING
…. perhaps he feels there is a major concern at OUR NB POSITION…
I do agree though… ALL CAPS IS ANNOYING.
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Aug 31, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions
sure we can trade you one for Julio.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
When you watch Blind Side
Do you helplessly grin when the credits roll and it shows Oher being drafted? I would.
by FalconfanPhil on Aug 30, 2011 7:33 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Love the movie, but honestly Oher hasn’t worked out so great on the blindside. He really struggled last year and it’s continued this pre-season. That’s why we are switching him to his better position of RT and we signed Mckinnie. With that said he has a phenomenal attitude. He has welcomed Mckinnie with open arms and didn’t complain at all about moving to the right side. Great team player and is a pro bowl caliber RT.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Just pretend Flacco is left-handed.
Then Oher lives up to his casted role. Brilliant.
by PurpleDRANKnotJUICE on Aug 30, 2011 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Foxworth
I can’t belive we let him go, but at the same time it seems the Ravs overpaid. Then he got injured, how is the recovery coming and will he start.
Another question – who was the biggest dissappointment last year ?
Foxworth definitely hasn’t earned that payday yet. He came on strong towards the end of 09 then missed all last year and still isn’t there yet. Last week was his first game with a lot of action and he got burned a few times. Mixed reviews on him from Ravens fans, but quite a few wouldn’t mind him being cut or traded. Biggest disappointment last year has to go to Oher. We were really confident that he was going to be a very solid LT for the next 10 to 12 years, but lead the league in false starts and got beat quite a few times. The line in general was a mess last year, but this year we believe will be much improved as they build more chemistry.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Dont break no legs this time around Killa!
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Aug 31, 2011 9:55 AM EDT reply actions
lol we will do our best. We do send guys from everywhere literally and the pass rush has looked exciting again in Baltimore, so no promises jk.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
That said, do y'all have MV7's new address?
How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!
by AnOldBird on Aug 31, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah
you can do that to him again and I would be okay with it.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Sep 1, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
A couple questions.
1.) How has Anthony Allen looked in the Purple and Black? We enjoyed his limited time at Georgia Tech running over Florida State DB’s. Granted with most Tech RB’s there is always going to be pass protection questions.
2.) What is the status on Sergio Kindle. Is this his make it or break it year. I know the injury really hurt you guys but I thought he was a steal in 2nd round. Will he ever regain form?
Ron Artest = Ron (sm)Artest - He Is The Most Interesting Man In The World
by JoshChildressAfroIsCure4Cancer on Aug 31, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
1) Awesome. He is a fan favorite over here and he has looked great so far. Dropped a TD pass last game, but coach said he actually has some of the better hands on the team. We feel we really got a steal in the 7th with him. Once Ricky is gone we think he will take the power back role.
2) Kindle has looked healthy all off-season. He still has a quick step and actually almost blocked 2 punts the game before. He needs work in pass coverage, but all signs are pointing to a healthy return. He’s a little raw, but the athletic ability shows and we look forward to him contributing. I don’t think it’s a make or break year for him though. It’s his first real season
and he’s showing the same athletic ability he showed before. We are very excited to have him back.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Ray Rice had a bit of a down year in 2010
Do you expect him to bounce back and be an elite back again in 2011?
Full disclosure: I love Ray Rice.
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I expect a big comeback for Rice. Last year our line was truly a mess. He could never get into the 2nd level and that killed the big plays for him. Even though the line has some question marks still they will be much better especially running the ball and on top of that we signed vonta leach.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
All bias and homerness aside, I could very well see Rice getting around 2,200 total yards of offense this season and 10-13 total TD’s. We have the best fullback since Lorenzo Neil, and while some pople say the position is overrated, not in an offense like ours. We have already seen a brand new Ray Rice in these few snaps he has gotten in preseason.
Add on top of that a MUCH improved O-Line, and things are looking up. We have one of the best interior run blocking lines in the league with our guard combo (I think Marshall Yanda is the best pulling Guard in the league) and putting Oher back at RT, he can be pro bowl caliber on that side much like he was in 2009.
This could very well be a season where we see Rice in talks with MVP.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
The best fullback since Lorenzo Neal
Iss Ovie Mughelli. From Pro Football Focus:
“The premier fullback in the NFL, Mughelli ranked #1 each of the last two seasons PFF rankings. But with 36 yards on the ground, 126 in the air, and 1 touchdown, he’s not a factor in the fantasy game. Everyone seems to agree Mughelli was an All-Pro this year. As the fullback spot becomes a dying art, we’re inclined to agree.”
Your welcome for Mughelli…
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
He's a favourite around here
I suppose Leach isn’t a bad consolation.
Well today is game day fellas. It’s been fun chatting it up with you guys. Very classy group and hopefully next time we do this it will be at the end of January. Good luck to you this season.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Same to you
Thanks for the good chat and honest answers. Good luck to your team – unless we meet in February.
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