GAME THREAD - BAL @ CIN. Game #1 2007

[Dont Know]

from baltimoreravens.com (http://www.baltimoreravens.com/gameday/)

Baltimore Inactives
5 K Rhys Lloyd
16 WR/RS Yamon Figurs
27 CB Ronnie Prude
38 RB Mike Anderson
50 LB Antwaan Barnes
54 LB Prescott Burgess
91 LB Edgar Jones
3rd quarterback - 10 QB Troy Smith

Cincinnati Inactives
20 CB David Jones
26 S Marvin White
34 HB Clifton Dawson
43 S Ethan Kilmer
92 DE Frostee Rucker
93 LB Richard Jeanty
65 C Dan Santucci
3rd quarterback - 3 QB Jeff Rowe

[RavenScallywag]

I've already got so many questions...

Why is Mike Anderson inactive? Why did McNair fumble?

Unfortunately, I'm going sans TV tonight...but I've got NFL GameCenter up.

[RavenScallywag]

WTF!!!!! McNair fumbles TWICE in 2 plays!!!!!???? Then Ocho Cinco for a TD!!!???

what is happening!!!!??????

[RavenScallywag]

hand off to McGahee...DO NOT LET MCNAIR THROW!!!!

[RavenScallywag]

I'm almost glad I'm not watching...this thing looks ugly enough on the website, must look WORSE on TV.

Ravens, what the hell are you doing out there????

[UKRaven]

This is a disgrace!

[RavenScallywag]

starting to look better...maybe?

[ExiledRaven]

just give the ball to mcgahee about 40 times.

[RavenScallywag]

seriously...NOT THE SAME MCGAHEE from preseason! Go baby go!

[RavenScallywag]

only down by 2...if we keep up THAT kind of offense, we've got a shot!

[drjcc]

They said on TV Mike Anderson is not there for personal reasons.

1st fumble: Either McGahee went too wide or McNair was too slow to get out on the stretch play.......missed handoff

2nd Fumble: McNair sacked and fumbled

3rd fumble rookie fullback trying to fight for extra yards gang tackled, helmet to ball.

All in all though to be down 9-7 with all that not bad.

[RavenScallywag]

Musa Smith doing ok in place of Anderson...let's go D!

[ExiledRaven]

2 pts we have plenty of time.

[ExiledRaven]

also seems that the no huddle calling plays at the line is really the only way to mess with the Ravens D

[RavenScallywag]

Why are we letting Chad Johnson smack us in the mouth!

[RavenScallywag]

Make it happen McNair!

[drjcc]

we are playing a zone coverage that Cin is picking on at times. Jaws is saying that Palmer is attacking before the LB can get wide under the WR but Bart scott just missed imo on the last long play.

Sucks no TV any other questions? I'll try to help

[ExiledRaven]

I am getting really tired of all these stupid ticky tack penalties the team piles up.

[RavenScallywag]

thanks for the update drjcc...why are we still playing this dumb zone coverage? Sure, we don't give up a big play, but they're just WALKING down the field!

[RavenScallywag]

TO Cin? Trying to ice Stover?

[drjcc]

Yes but it doesn't matter FG good 12-10 Cin

[RavenScallywag]

wish we had gotten a chance to FG off that fumbled kickoff...or maybe run it back for a TD.

Oh well...2nd half, here we come!

[Dabruise]

For those that don't know or remember, the Ravens always start slow. They start the season slow and the games slow.

To be behind by only 2 is great for them.

[drjcc]

Fudge............Hey Tex and evade and the like jam it up your @ss!............c'mon McNair pick it up

[drjcc]

Well its starting to rain a little and that usually does not bode well for Ravens but its not over yet

[RavensInBrazil]

Is it just me or is anyone else concerned about that offensive line? Sheesh...

[ffeineandsugar]

:grbac: Now is the time for all good Kyles to come to the aid of their Ravens. GAWD, but McNair can't be more than 75%. He's got to be hurt. I hope that's all it is. :(

[drjcc]

Well I think Cin is bringing the blitz more than expected on the pick they brought 7.....need to make them pay downfield

[gwidion]

:grbac: Now is the time for all good Kyles to come to the aid of their Ravens. GAWD, but McNair can't be more than 75%. He's got to be hurt. I hope that's all it is. :(

its not mcnair, its the o-line.

[RavenScallywag]

Yeah, he has NO time back there...

[Greg]

its not mcnair, its the o-line.
Was that the OL that screwed up the hand-off? How about taking a 3 step drop and holding the ball, then fumbling it? How about trying to throw a pass with 6 guys hanging on you? Sometimes you have to eat the ball and take a sack.

McNair is throwing the ball well, his poise and decision making are crap tonight.

[drjcc]

I am not going to say either or but he needs to get rid of the ball a little sooner or we have to max protect but Palmer has been going with short drops and getting the ball out where McNair makes his drop and has been holding the ball a little more........

[drjcc]

Alright a break here we go..........D'oh a challenge should go Ravens way but its in the refs hands

[RavenScallywag]

we need to become a very good team very fast

[Greg]

The Ravens are a very good team, we are winning this game except in 2 key categories that go hand in hand, turnovers and scoring.

And the thing is three of these are boneheads by an experienced QB.

[RavenScallywag]

i know, but it seems like we get a bunch of good plays, then squander it with a bonehead play or even just a bad play call...

like that last drive...we could've had a TD, the pass to Demetrius just looked like a bad call. The Clayton one not so much, but Landon Johnson has been owning us all night...

[RavensInBrazil]

This is odd, because I thought McNair's advantage was his wisdom and experience. He seems to be making horrible decisions out there, even though he's throwing the ball pretty well, all things considered

[Greg]

I think Billick's love affair with throwing caught up with us on that last series. No runs, we have had plenty of success going right after them. They are getting tired, if we can stop them we need to run it down their throats.

We NEED a turnover.

[RavenScallywag]

Uh oh...ESPN reporting Ray is playing with a torn tricep...this smells of bad news for later games, though I guess he is still playing...

[drjcc]

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111

[RavenScallywag]

Eddddd Reeeeeeeed!!!!!!!!

[RavensInBrazil]

Are the commentators completely biased or what? Ed Reed makes a spectacular play and you could hear a mosquito in the booth!

And god is Tony Kornheiser ANNOYING

[RavenScallywag]

and with one play, we're BACK IN IT! D-FENSE!!!! D-FENSE!!!!!

[BUDDAROW]

REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!

HOLY SHIT!!!!

Who'd a thunk it after that sorry assed first quarted!!!!

[drjcc]

Are the ravens playing cover 2? It seems to be confusing Cin

[RavenScallywag]

oh well, couldn't expect a 2nd TD Return...

Offense, let's go!!!!

[drjcc]

Raven in Brazil :

I think they are more stunned that the Ravens are in this game much less leading and Tirico gave it some good energy

[UKRavenStockers]

What's everyone's thoughts on Ogden here? I've got this horrible feeling we've seen him in a Ravens uniform for the last time. I've got this feeling his toe needed surgery and his delaying of his retirement or not decision meant he didn't have time to get the surgery done and now we've seen the effect, we took Gaither for a reason.

[RavenScallywag]

i think Ogden came in today to give us some momentum, seeing JO in uniform and playing...he came out to try to keep himself from doing too much damage...he's going to come back lightly and slowly.

[drjcc]

that's on McNair high and wobbly Mason was open...hopefully they overturn but I doubt it

[RavenScallywag]

ugh, why can't we get a calm moment here?

this is football, that's why...DAMN

[ffeineandsugar]

"The ball gets away from McNair" - U-G-L-Y. But you are right. The play calling is away with Billick. HE needs to calm down. Oy. I hope this gets overturned.....

[Greg]

Billick needs to realize WE CAN RUN THE BALL AND PLAY DEFENSE! That should have been right up the gut running, now a probable INT. STUPID!

[RavenScallywag]

gah...Defense, do your thing. Billick, give the reins to Neuhesiel!

[drjcc]

boy the D looked tired on that series

[RavenScallywag]

there you go...one bad pass and it's 26-20 now.

[RavenScallywag]

They were probably thinking "why the f are we out here???"

[ladyraven127]

I am so done with watching McNair not being able to play in the rain.

Another loss right on his shoulders.

Five turnovers . . . . three from McNair.

Christ . . . . at this point I'd rather watch Boller's kinetic ass in there :grbac:

[RavenScallywag]

great...not only do we need the humiliation of Cincy getting the lead back, but hey, they grabbed a 2pt conv too!!!

[ffeineandsugar]

27. Shades of that horrible Detroit game. FEH. :-(

[Greg]

The D wasn't tired, they were disgusted, we had them on the ropes and could have punched them out running the ball and instead Billick got his hard on going to throw the ball and here we are.

[drjcc]

This is still not over 8 minutes lots can happen but we need a drive and a score

[RavenScallywag]

8:48 left to go up by more than a TD...can we do it?

[Greg]

I would put 4 on McNair, he should have never tried to get that handoff to McGahee.

[ladyraven127]

Can we do it? My guess . . . NO . . . . it's raining and McNair is quarterbacking :bag:

[UKRavenStockers]

Dumb playcall, worse pass, return, quick TD, crowd back in it.

Way to make it difficult for yourselves Ravens. :mad:

[RavenScallywag]

i think that is the key stat...24 points for Cincy off Turnovers! That's just one FG without the turnovers!!!!

[RavenScallywag]

is Mark Clayton playing??? Why haven't we seen him get a catch?

[Bez513]

jesus....the injuries!

[Greg]

That's it, don't stop running the ball.

[RavenScallywag]

run some more McGahee....or do some screens/flat plasses to McGahee...

[Greg]

Did Boller and McNair change jerseys and skin color?

[drjcc]

McNair is not very accurate tonight

[Greg]

Horrid pass, McNair has been high ALL DAMN NIGHT, HORRIBLE!

[RavenScallywag]

we need a stop here...if they get anything, this game is done

[Greg]

Again, We Need A Turnover!

[ladyraven127]

I'm done . . . . wide open receiver he misses again. Someone has got to go . . . the playcaller or the quarterback . . . . take your pick :thumbdown:

[RavensInBrazil]

Well, I hope after this game that Billick's erased any Vikings-offense-revival ideas, good god. HORRENDOUS call and that was just a terrible throw by McNair. Good grief, what happened to good ol'-fashioned Ravens football?

[festivus]

Maybe we can put in Ed Reed at quarterback. Lord McNair looks like crap tonight.

[Greg]

Kornheiser blows.

[RavenScallywag]

watch the Bengals run the ball, and run the ball, and run the ball....


watch well Billick! WE SHOULD'VE DONE THAT!

[ladyraven127]

"Did Boller and McNair change jerseys and skin color?"

:rolling:

I said the same thing to Rick about half way through the second quarter.

Damnnnnnnn . . . You go Reed . . . . the defense once again doesn't want to lose.

[ffeineandsugar]

"Baltimore is not a team built for 2nd and long or 3rd and long...and McNair misses another open receiver...you've got to hit those in open situations." And the ESPN crew speaks truth again. :eyes: Lets hold 'em and pray. 7 is still doable, even with this mess. Stranger victories have been pulled out. All we need is....ED REED!!!! YES YES YES YES YES! Here we go!!!:hammer: Thanks, Haloti. AND KYLE COMES IN! :D Let's see what happens....

[Greg]

There's the turnover and now we get Boller. I am not excited about Boller coming in, just noting it.

[RavenScallywag]

Reed! Thank you! Can you just be our offense!

HA! Boller, here we come! I hope Steve is ok...GO BOLLER!

[drjcc]

Well this should stir up something one way or another

[RavenScallywag]

McClain...Staring at your defenders don't make them miss!

[Greg]

Maybe McNair's groin was causing the high throws.

[RavenScallywag]

going for it...this is pretty much it!!!!

[ladyraven127]

Oh Jesus Christ . . . did anyone give Boller his Ritalin?

[drjcc]

yeah Kyle....Mason

[RavenScallywag]

we need 7!!!!...8 if you can get it...

[ExiledRaven]

very nice, let's get this one in there

[RavenScallywag]

LUCKY!!! Kyle, don't do that again!

[drjcc]

2 plays 3 yards

[RavenScallywag]

run or pass...I couldn't make this call...

[drjcc]

1 play 1 yard......Run/Sneak or pass? I say run Flynn is too weak at C

[ffeineandsugar]

Interesting listening to the announcers to discuss the Leftwich/Boller situation. COnsidering what I heard out of JAX, I think they picked wisely. Just remember, year 4/year 5 is when some loser from the Saints with a horrid rep finally turned his career around up North. You may have heard of the guy. Name of Farve? Have faith!

[Greg]

Give it back to McGahee. Either that or a misdirection to the FB.

[UKRavenStockers]

4th and inches. Line up Justin Green behind LeRon McClain and give it to the up back and we get in.

[ladyraven127]

Huh?

Are you telling me Kyle has finally gotten a prescription to Ritalin?

[RavenScallywag]

i almost can't bear to watch

[RavenScallywag]

Offensive Pass Interference!!! WTF!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHJHHH!

Game is bought!

[drjcc]

OMG

[ladyraven127]

I call bullshit :thumbdown:

[ffeineandsugar]

And the Ravens get jobbed by Stripe city. BLEAH.

[drjcc]

Make up call

[RavenScallywag]

f'ing kidding me!!!!!!

defensive hold!!!! HAAAAAA!

[ladyraven127]

Yea . . . . take away . . . . give back . . . . asshole :alien:

[RavenScallywag]

heart attack!

[RavenScallywag]

oh wait, it's 1st down!

RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN

[Greg]

BULLSHIT PENALTY, but at least we got one back. Let it be noted Boller tied this game up, I don't give a shit how it ends.

[RavenScallywag]

keep running!

[ffeineandsugar]

Run Clock Run. Don't let the Bengals get a chance.

[RavenScallywag]

let it be known, Kyle has played great...

[drjcc]

Fuck

[UKRavenStockers]

Billick you god damned idiot!

Why with so many passes in short yardage? :mad:

[RavenScallywag]

why the f did I say that!

[ladyraven127]

Well, there you go . . . . our offense at its best.

Fuck :nerd:

[Greg]

It was a good pass, Heap needs to catch that.

[RavenScallywag]

Heap had that TD...we should've been going to OT...the off pass inter call

[drjcc]

Ravens did not to deserve to win this game....but they should have

[RavensInBrazil]

Run The Ball! Run The Fucking Ball, Billick!!!!

Oh btw, make up call my ass. That was as clean a TD as they come (a spectacular catch too) and they take it away with the worst call I have EVER seen on TV. Frankly, I'm not down on the team because the odds were stacked against us and we the defense is still lights-out

But good lord, our QBs have no time to throw and the play-calling is atrocious

[RavenScallywag]

pitiful...how many turovers? 7! 7 F-ING TURNOVERS!

what the f was that!

[festivus]

Heap should have had TWO balls in the end zone.

[ExiledRaven]

It was a good pass, Heap needs to catch that.

Absolutely. He needs to catch that.

McNair should have been pulled earlier.

[RavenScallywag]

and the trend continues, we SUCK in prime time!

[UKRavenStockers]

Heap has gotta catch that football, the ref needs to wake the hell up on the "offensive pass interference" (my British arse) and Billick's gotta remember we can run on short yardage.

In spite of 7 turnovers, our MLB playing with one arm, three new starters on the O-line, our stud DT not showing up until 3 minutes before the end of the game we still should've been going to overtime.

I'm so frustrated with another sloppy opening day performance but this team should be fine with a swift kick up the arse for the team and Billick getting a clue with his short yardage play calling.

[RavenScallywag]

watching that last play, Boller ZIPPED that thing in there...Heap should;ve grabbed it, but he threw that thing like a CRUISE MISSILE!

[drjcc]

he had to any soft toss gets knocked down picked

[RavenScallywag]

to top it all off, they got Marty Bass on the postgame!

F this sh*t, I'm out.

[BUDDAROW]

:thumbdown: Shaking head here.......Amazing game in so many bad ways..........Christ............:Bummed: :(

[donnaj]

The fact that we had a chance to win that game after 7 Turnover's is incredible. We didn't deserve to win, but we were still in a position to win and that should keep us looking positively to the heart of the team. I was pacing back and forth and disgusting with several calls, but I don't feel like the season is lost. I am concerned about the extent of the injuries we incurred tonight, but I was pleased to see a bit more poise from Boller, perhaps he is the 2nd best back-up in the NFL. I really have to question some of Billick's play calls, especially in short yardage. It seemed like Willis was getting a rhythm going and then in short yardage we go for a pass in the middle, why not try to keep pounding the ball towards the goal, we were getting positive yards each time. Two more runs and he would have been in the endzone, why go for the risky pass with a QB that has just come into the game. Time for coaches and players to study some tape, rest up and bring it on Sunday!

[donnaj]

Can we give the purple heart award to Ray!! That is an Ed Block Courage performance right there

[RavensInBrazil]

and the trend continues, we SUCK in prime time!

Which sucks, because that's the only time I get to watch them. Aaah I need satellite TV!

Frankly, someone needs to call the Ravens offices and tell them to remind Brian Billick that this is 2007, not 1997. We average, what, 5 yards a carry, and Billick goes pass-wacky on short yardage?

All in all, this is a game we should have lost, but pretty much kept it even 'til the end. Good thing we get the Pats and the Colts at home

[Mwjergs]

So much to say about this one.

-Turnovers. How does a vet team that took care of the ball so well last season, give it back so easily?
-Where's the run? McGahee and Smith ran with effectiveness. Waiting for the explanation of the Pass call on 3rd and 1. I can give you ten reasons why you run it there. A run to the outside would also be nice.
-Injuries. No major blows last season. Count them up. Is Lewis out for an extended time? Is J.O. done? McNair? After one week lots of questions.
-Should have stolen that one. Even with such a sloppy performance the D holds serve all second half until the momentum changer and keeps you in a game you have no business being in. I had my doubts about a W anyway but, they kept giving you chances.
-I guess they have make up calls in football, too.

A chance to get well right away with Jets,Cards, and Browns.