About Steve Hasler

March 29, 1984. Steve Häsler was attending college in Gambier, Ohio when the phone rang in his dorm room. His parents were calling with disturbing news – our beloved Colts had poured the entire organization into Mayflower vans and left town. For the next four autumns, Steve was forced to watch football with Browns fans, unsympathetic to the plight of losing a hometown team. By 1987 he was back in Baltimore, working in advertising, and attending the Towson Fourth of July every year just to hear the Baltimore Colts Marching Band play the old fight song as they waddled by. It made his mother cry every year. And yes, he called his old Ohio roommates back in 1995 just to make sure they heard the news that he once again he was going to have a team to root for. Steve has been opining on all things Ravens pretty much since the invention of message boards. You may know him as Shas.

Ravens Report Card: First-quarter grades

Posted on October 9, 2011 by Steve Hasler

As the players head off on their first semester break during this bye week, let’s break down their performances through the first four games of the 2011 season. At 3-1 and leading the AFC North, including a 1-0 mark in the division, the team is about right where they realistically hoped to be at this juncture. But there is always room for improvement. We’ll whip through a summary of the MVP standouts to-date, followed by the individual unit grades. OFFENSIVE MVP Bryant McKinnie While McKinnie may not be the best … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 34, Jets 17

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Steve Hasler

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Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Jets 17 October 2, 2011 Remember how crazy it was when Rex coached in Baltimore? His defenses terrorized opponents and then pleaded with their offensive teammates not to screw it up. Well, it must have been Rex Ryan tribute night in Baltimore Sunday when he brought his Jets into town because the Ravens defense stomped on a New York offense that literally couldn’t protect itself. “Hey, Rex, we’re over you,” seemed to be the message as the Ravens defense set a new franchise record with … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 37, Rams 7

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Steve Hasler

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REARVIEW MIRROR BALTIMORE RAVENS 37, ST. LOUIS RAMS 7 September 25, 2011 Coming into the third game of 2011 the talk around Baltimore was whether the Ravens had suffered an emotional let down in a bad loss to the Titans the week prior, and could they bounce back this week against a Rams team desperate to avoid a 0-3 start? The Ravens did more than bounce back. They trounced St. Louis 37-7. They looked so dominate, in fact, that many observers will see this as proof that the Titans loss … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Titans 26, Ravens 13

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Steve Hasler

Tennessee Titans 26, Baltimore Ravens 13 September 18, 2011 Coming off a physically dominating win over the rival Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens ventured into Nashville feeling unbeatable. And they swore there would be no letdown against the Tennessee Titans. The game plan was easy. Stop All-Pro running back Chris Johnson and make retread quarterback Matt Hasselbeck beat them. He did. Doubling up on the Ravens 26-13 in a game that wasn’t even that close. The Ravens secondary had no answer for Hasselbeck, Kenny Britt, or former Steelers receiver Nate Washington, … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 35, Steelers 7

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Steve Hasler

Ravens Report Card Baltimore Ravens 35, Pittsburgh Steelers 7 September 11, 2011 The Baltimore Ravens handed the Pittsburgh Steelers their asses. There, I said it. And boy did it feel good, and strange, for Ravens fans who witnessed this 35-7 Ravens beat down of their division rivals, eight months removed from their gut-wrenching playoff loss to the Steelers to complete the 2010 campaign. A win this decisive definitively answered so many offseason questions about how the Ravens would respond. Could Joe Flacco finally overcome his 0-6 all-time record against a … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 21, Falcons 7

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Steve Hasler

Ravens Report Card Baltimore Ravens 21, Atlanta Falcons 7 September 1, 2011 If you’re squeamish, you may want to stop reading right now. If you’re the kind of person who slows down at an accident scene, then this is the report for you. Because the Ravens and the Falcons played a train wreck of a football game that in the end–and yes, yours truly stayed through the bitter end–gave the Ravens’ backups a 21-7 win over the Falcons’ reserves. While coach John Harbaugh may tell you that he always wants … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 34, Redskins 31

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Steve Hasler

Rearview Mirror Baltimore Ravens 34, Washington Redskins 31 August 25, 2011 Another week, a different story. For the second straight week the Ravens offense put more than thirty points on the board, but this time it came in a comeback, 34-31 win over the Washington Redskins. The tight margin of victory is not the only difference between this week and a lopsided victory over the Chiefs a week ago. Against Todd Haley’s arrow-headed group we ignored the starters and place our collective entire focus upon the new faces and the … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 31, Chiefs 13

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Steve Hasler

Baltimore Ravens 31 Kansas City Chiefs 13 August 19, 2011 Two-hundred and twenty-two days. That’s how long it’s been since the Baltimore Ravens had tasted victory. The opponent? The Kansas City Chiefs, who soundly lost to Baltimore 30-7 in a playoff mismatch. At first glance, Friday’s 31-13 victory by the Ravens over the Chiefs Friday was a bit of Déjà vu. But the score is where the similarities end. The stakes were completely different this time. Not to say that nothing was at stake. In fact, games like this represent … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Steelers 31, Ravens 24

Posted on January 16, 2011 by Steve Hasler

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 31 BALTIMORE RAVENS 24 JANUARY 15, 2011 It was a remarkable first half. In a rivalry where scoring in the low 20’s is usually enough to seal a victory, the Ravens had the Steelers right where they wanted them: up 21-7 at half, thanks to a missed field goal and a series Steelers miscues converted into Ravens points. But then again, putting teams right where they want them turns out to be the last place this Ravens team has wanted to find itself in this season, as season … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 13, Bengals 7

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR BALTIMORE RAVENS 13, CINCINNATI BENGALS 7 JANUARY 2, 2011 The good news: the Ravens defense finally exorcised a demon by controlling Carson Palmer and a Bengals offense that had come into Baltimore very hot. For much of the game the Ravens were dominant defensively. By halftime the Bengals running backs had totaled just 23 yards on 10 carries while Palmer was being harassed into what amounted to a 50 passer rating. But then in the fourth quarter, like so many fourth quarters for the Ravens this season, a … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 20, Browns 10

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR BALTIMORE RAVENS 20, CLEVELAND BROWNS 10 DECEMBER 26, 2010 Twas the day after Christmas, when all through the stadium Barely a creature was stirring — you could sense the tedium. The Ravens’ points were hung on the scoreboard with care In hopes that the playoffs would soon be there. Apologies to Clement Moore. There are some games where you’ll do anything to make it sound more interesting than it was. This snorefest was one of those games, despite the stakes. The Ravens beat the Browns 20-10 to nail … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 30, Saints 24

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Steve Hasler

DECEMBER 19, 2010 The experts outside Baltimore and the pessimists closer to home didn’t see this one coming. The Ravens defense was too tired, they said, coming off a short week and a harrowingly close finish in Houston. The offensive line had lost its luster, unable to protect or push its way past opposing defenses. That’s what the doubters believed, based upon recent history. And for a while, it looked like the doubters were right as the reigning Super Bowl champion Saints came to town, needing a win to keep … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 34, Texans 28

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR BALTIMORE RAVENS 34 HOUSTON TEXANS 28, OT DECEMBER 13, 2010 Awkward. How else do you describe the Baltimore Ravens? They resemble an awkward teen, delighting you one moment when their full potential shines through, scaring the hell out of you the next with boneheaded moves. Will they ever grow up? They better, with just three weeks left in the regular season to figure things out before they enter the grown-up world of the NFL playoffs. The Ravens made child’s play out of the Houston Texans in the first … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Steelers 13, Ravens 10

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR PITTSBURGH STEELERS 13, BALTIMORE RAVENS 10 DECEMBER 5, 2010 You hear coaches say it all the time. Teams need to play sixty minutes of good football to win games. They say it, because it’s not a cliché. When the Ravens played a sloppy second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a 13-10 loss was the painful lesson delivered. The Steelers outlasted the elements, and the early beating delivered to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to patiently work their way back on top in the fourth quarter. Along the way the Ravens … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 17, Bucs 10

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Steve Hasler

BALTIMORE RAVENS 17, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 10 November 28, 2010 Thanks to workman-like performance the Ravens outlasted a talented but young Tampa Bay Buccaneers team for a 17-10 victory, running their home record to 5-0 on the year. For fans of pristine football this was no beauty contest. Any sense of continuity was up-ended by sixteen punts between the two teams, and interrupted by some shaky officiating and a handful of injuries. While Tampa lost starting safety Cody Grimes to a leg injury, the Ravens saw Le’Ron McClain and Michael … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 37, Panthers 13

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Steve Hasler

BALTIMORE RAVENS 37, CAROLINA PANTHERS 13 November 21, 2010 John Harbaugh doesn’t like to answer questions about his safety Ed Reed’s laterals during interception returns. We know this, because the coach bristled when asked about it this week on his radio show, prior to Sunday’s trip to Charlotte to meet the Panthers. It’s a question the conservative head coach is certain to continue to hear for a couple more days after Reed snagged his 50th career interception Sunday and promptly pitched the ball to fellow safety Dawan Landry, who took … Continue reading →

REPORT CARD: Falcons 26, Ravens 21

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR ATLANTA FALCONS 26, BALTIMORE RAVENS 20 NOVEMBER 11, 2010 Sixty-five seconds… That’s how long a ragged Baltimore Ravens defense needed to hold-up at the end of the game in order to preserve a most unlikely comeback win. But hold up they did not. Instead, they broke down in the home stretch, once again, dropping to 6-3 in a season littered with down-to-the-wire scoring. The fact that the Ravens had somehow managed to grab a 21-20 lead in the game’s final seconds was remarkable, given their atrocious first-half play, … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 26, Dolphins 10

Posted on November 7, 2010 by Steve Hasler

BALTIMORE RAVENS 26, MIAMI DOLPHINS 10 NOVEMBER 7, 2010 For the third consecutive game against an AFC East opponent, the Ravens held a 20-10 fourth-quarter lead. In the previous two contests collapses by the Ravens defense allowed the Patriots and Bills to claw back and push the game into overtime. Not this time, as the Ravens won going away, 26-10. Their recently maligned defense tightened in the second half and allowed the Dolphins to rush for just 11 yards, while helping to build a 20:27 to 9:38 advantage in time … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 37, Bills 34

Posted on October 25, 2010 by Steve Hasler

REARVIEW MIRROR BALTIMORE RAVENS 37 BUFFALO BILLS 34, OT October 24, 2010 Déjà vu fourth-quarter collapse ends with overtime win. The scene was sickeningly similar. For the second week in a row the Baltimore Ravens were facing a rested AFC East opponent coming off their bye week. And like the Patriots before them, the Bills had just roared back from a ten-point, fourth-quarter deficit to shockingly send the game into overtime. Again this week, the Ravens won the toss and had the first shot to win in overtime. But again, … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Patriots 23, Ravens 20

Posted on October 17, 2010 by Steve Hasler

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 23, BALTIMORE RAVENS 20, OT October 17, 2010 The crowd was dead. Their Patriots defense had just allowed the Baltimore Ravens offense to take fifteen snaps in their opening possession, and march from their own six to the Patriots eight to take a 3-0 lead. With memories of the quick work the Ravens had made of the Patriots in the playoffs last season, unhappy murmurs swirled through Gillette Stadium. Opening drives that consume more than half the quarter will do that to a hometown crowd. The Ravens … Continue reading →