The Giants lost to the Bengals, the 49ers to the Rams, and the Steelers to Oakland and Tennessee...

[Ravenalytics]

Point I'm trying to make is that everyone needs a little perspective. I know most of our wins haven't been pretty. But we're still 9-3. Every team has a couple of games where they just collapse.

I know most people think losing to Batch at home is unacceptable, but horrible losses like that aren't uncommon nor are they a total indictment of how good a coach and his staff is.

Everyone needs to breathe.

[esmd]

Well I never! The unmitigated gall! How dare you come in here with perspective and reasoning!!!!!!

[NCRAVEN]

Everyone needs to breathe.

Breathe? I haven't been able to do that as Ravens fan for the past 4 -5 years.

The reason (IMO) everyone is ready to throw their hands up and say "ah fuck it", is because the keep it close to the vest, limit mistakes by minimizing risk has caused this team to lose games we shoulda won and won close games that shouldn't be close.

Now I don't pretend to know whats going on behind closed doors, maybe the coaches look at the team and go "these dudes suck, we gotta play this way to have a chance". If that's the case, okay, I disagree. But judging by the same type of game plan and foot off the pedal when were up (if that happens before the 4th quarter with a minute to go) tells me this is the approach no matter what.

Breathe... yeah, maybe when the seasons over.

[kojo]

This should be stickied. If I showed most of the guys the schedule in August and told them we'd be 9-3 after dealing with the eagles, texans, chargers, steelers twice, patriots, cowboys, etc I'm sure most of them would be pleased. Thankfully the Ravens won't see a D as ferocious as the Steelers the rest of the season and the only team in the afc with a better record than the Ravens STILL has to play the patriots on the road and Colts twice. Id much rather have the Ravens problems than the Giants right now. They drop another game or two and they may not get into the playoffs at all. We drop 2 more games and could still win the division.

[bmorecareful]

Following this team is a never-ending roller coaster ride. I readily admit that I expected the Ravens to come out of the 3-game stretch of @PIT, @SD, vs PIT 2-1 and they delivered on my expectation. But once they beat San Diego the positive feelings were so strong that you just felt that grip of destiny like the team wouldn't lose again.

You assumed that the Ravens would be amped up and ready to go, after all, it's Steelers week! A chance to sweep for the second year in a row and possibly lock up the division! Team of destiny, ready to stand tall!!

Then they came out and shit the bed--offense, defense, coaching staff. A pathetic, uninspired effort that left you crestfallen and revitalized every question you ever had about the 2012 Baltimore Ravens.

It would be different, I think, if this team were prone to swoon, then get hot, then swoon again, etc. or if they had a couple flaws that were ever-present that they were able to transcend. It just seems like when it rains, it pours--ALL the flaws come out and they have NO chance to overcome them.

[Ravenswintitle]

Also take a look at how many close games there are and how many games go into overtime now. The league has parity like never before, and that's just what they strive for. One play here or there can decide a game and usually does.

[kojo]

Also take a look at how many close games there are and how many games go into overtime now. The league has parity like never before, and that's just what they strive for. One play here or there can decide a game and usually does.

Yep, I'm sure the Atlanta Falcons board must be extremely entertaining based on all the close games they've had in spite of the weapons on O they have.

[Jsmoove]

at home, division and playoff berth on the line, you have everything working for you. you got beat by a 38yr old QB, the same issues we have on the road we are now having at home , its the same old song with these Ravens the last 5 yrs we can't get it done when it counts.

[iggyman555]

cool story bro

[NCRAVEN]

Yep, I'm sure the Atlanta Falcons board must be extremely entertaining based on all the close games they've had in spite of the weapons on O they have.

Falcons are overrated anyway, they've had the easiest schedule in the league, by far.

If they make it to the Super Bowl it's only because someone else beat the 49ers for them.

[kojo]

Falcons are overrated anyway, they've had the easiest schedule in the league, by far.

If they make it to the Super Bowl it's only because someone else beat the 49ers for them.

Exactly. I was using them as the example for the quoted message to show just as they could be 11-1 they could easily have a much worse record if some of those plays went for whoever they were playing.

[Terpsfan82]

Falcons are overrated anyway, they've had the easiest schedule in the league, by far.

If they make it to the Super Bowl it's only because someone else beat the 49ers for them.

This. They will be one and done again this year.

[Captain Silver]

We lost to Charlie Fucking Batch. I don't want to hear anymore people sticking up for this lame ass coaching staff. Even if we limp into the playoffs, they will be shown the door, the will not sniff a dropped pass within the Super Bowl.

The talent is there, it is all around. Ray Rice? Hello?

Game plan is for shit. Adjustments? Ha! That's what chiropractors are for according to this coaching staff.

You think this team is going to get hot, it is going to be hot. Hot players, hot fans, and steaming hot pile of shit called by the brain trust.

[bacchys]

We lost to JAX and Seattle last year. We were Evans remembering how to squeeze a football from the Super Bowl.

This lost sucks, but it didn't end our playoff chances.

[JAB1985]

Point I'm trying to make is that everyone needs a little perspective. I know most of our wins haven't been pretty. But we're still 9-3. Every team has a couple of games where they just collapse.

I know most people think losing to Batch at home is unacceptable, but horrible losses like that aren't uncommon nor are they a total indictment of how good a coach and his staff is.

Everyone needs to breathe.

nobody wants to hear that sensical argument, theyd rather panic and blame everybody they can. Im sure the giants were glad they got rid of coughlin for losing to the dreadful redskins twice last year, it worked out pretty well for them....

[Corey]

Point I'm trying to make is that everyone needs a little perspective. I know most of our wins haven't been pretty. But we're still 9-3. Every team has a couple of games where they just collapse.

I know most people think losing to Batch at home is unacceptable, but horrible losses like that aren't uncommon nor are they a total indictment of how good a coach and his staff is.

Everyone needs to breathe.

nobody wants to hear that sensical argument, theyd rather panic and blame everybody they can. Im sure the giants were glad they got rid of coughlin for losing to the dreadful redskins twice last year, it worked out pretty well for them....

This board is unbearable when we lose. Sure be pissed that we lost, I am but damn don't throw in the towel. With the way people talk it's like we just lost a freaking elimination game or have lost 7 in a row. 9-3 means nothing. People are so busy bitching that they don't realize that the Ravens can lose two more games and still win the division. That is how big their lead is right now.

[lobachevsky]

The reason (IMO) everyone is ready to throw their hands up and say "ah fuck it", is because the keep it close to the vest, limit mistakes by minimizing risk has caused this team to lose games we shoulda won and won close games that shouldn't be close.

Now I don't pretend to know whats going on behind closed doors, maybe the coaches look at the team and go "these dudes suck, we gotta play this way to have a chance". If that's the case, okay, I disagree. But judging by the same type of game plan and foot off the pedal when were up (if that happens before the 4th quarter with a minute to go) tells me this is the approach no matter what.

It just occurred to me--& I'd appreciate it if the usual subspects like you & Cap'n Sliver would chime in on the subject--that what really, really, really pisses Ravens fans off about Harbaugh's risk-avoidancce approach isn't that it's conservative, or boring. Helzbelz, if there's any fan base in the NFL that's used to that & OK with it it's right here--it won this team a frakkin' Super Bowl, dinnit?

The really, really annoying thing about Harbaughesque football is that it's timid.

Conservative football is when you say to the opponent,

We're gonna take the air out of the ball & jam it down your throat on the ground & eat up 7-8 minutes & pound it in for 6 at the end. Try & stop us.

Or,

You stopped us? Bully for you--we'll pin you back against your own goal & dare you to move the ball against our D. We'll hit like a ton of bricks & chase your QB out of the pocket & hassle you into making mistakes--& when you do we'll jump all over them.

But the Ravens don't play like that anymore. It's almost as if they're tiptoeing through the game, not taking any chances, hold onto the ball, no passing over the middle to risk an INT, cobble together a first down here & a first down there & if you only get a FG hey, points is points, & if that doesn't work out then punt, & don't give them an undeserved short field on a kick return, & on defense keep everything in front of you, don't risk crazy blitzes, don't gamble on passes (unless you're wearing #20)...& hope to catch a break or two more than the opponent & be hanging onto the lead & no serious injuries when the final gun goes off.

(I'm trying to think of a good analogy for this but I'm coming up empty...)

Risk avoidance may be the best strategy to maximize wins without a truly dominant team, but it's really unsatisfying, because eking out* victories is not what most of us watch football to see. We want to see our team making the thrilling &/or beautiful plays &/or imposing its will on the other team. We get enough plodding--heck, we do enough plodding--in our daily lives (& while it may be the only sound & sensible way to live when you have important items like families that should not be put at needless risk, it doesn't feel much more satisfying then either).

Remember when the Flaming Thumbtacks were supposedly the class of the league & the Ravens had to go to Tennessee to face them in the playoffs? Remember what Billick said?

When you go in the lion's den, you don't tippy toe in — you carry a spear, you go in screaming like a banshee, you kick whatever doors in, and say, 'Where's the SOB?' If you go in any other way you're gonna lose.

Bluntly, that's exactly what the Steelers did last Sunday. And they made it stick.

Can you imagine this Ravens team, after a year's worth of risk-avoidance & tippytoeing & eking out, being able to do the same thing come the postseason (or the game @CIN if they need it to make the dance)? I have my doubts. And that really pisses me off.

---

* 7 of the Ravens' 9 wins (the 2 exceptions were CIN and OAK) were by 1 score or less, or should have been (gift FG late in the game @CLE)--as were 2 of the 3 losses. (No wonder the pundits said before Sunday that this was the least impressive 9-2 team they'd ever seen.)

[Corey]

It just occurred to me--& I'd appreciate it if the usual subspects like you & Cap'n Sliver would chime in on the subject--that what really, really, really pisses Ravens fans off about Harbaugh's risk-avoidancce approach isn't that it's conservative, or boring. Helzbelz, if there's any fan base in the NFL that's used to that & OK with it it's right here--it won this team a frakkin' Super Bowl, dinnit?

The really, really annoying thing about Harbaughesque football is that it's timid.

Conservative football is when you say to the opponent, Or, But the Ravens don't play like that anymore. It's almost as if they're tiptoeing through the game, not taking any chances, hold onto the ball, no passing over the middle to risk an INT, cobble together a first down here & a first down there & if you only get a FG hey, points is points, & if that doesn't work out then punt, & don't give them an undeserved short field on a kick return, & on defense keep everything in front of you, don't risk crazy blitzes, don't gamble on passes (unless you're wearing #20)...& hope to catch a break or two more than the opponent & be hanging onto the lead & no serious injuries when the final gun goes off.

(I'm trying to think of a good analogy for this but I'm coming up empty...)

Risk avoidance may be the best strategy to maximize wins without a truly dominant team, but it's really unsatisfying, because eking out* victories is not what most of us watch football to see. We want to see our team making the thrilling &/or beautiful plays &/or imposing its will on the other team. We get enough plodding--heck, we do enough plodding--in our daily lives (& while it may be the only sound & sensible way to live when you have important items like families that should not be put at needless risk, it doesn't feel much more satisfying then either).

Remember when the Flaming Thumbtacks were supposedly the class of the league & the Ravens had to go to Tennessee to face them in the playoffs? Remember what Billick said?
Bluntly, that's exactly what the Steelers did last Sunday. And they made it stick.

Can you imagine this Ravens team, after a year's worth of risk-avoidance & tippytoeing & eking out, being able to do the same thing come the postseason (or the game @CIN if they need it to make the dance)? I have my doubts. And that really pisses me off.

---

* 7 of the Ravens' 9 wins (the 2 exceptions were CIN and OAK) were by 1 score or less, or should have been (gift FG late in the game @CLE)--as were 2 of the 3 losses. (No wonder the pundits said before Sunday that this was the least impressive 9-2 team they'd ever seen.)

The Ravens coaching staff is damned if they do and damned if they don't. When they get aggressive and we lose people bitch too. Perfect example, the The hair's strip sack of Flacco in 2009. The Ravens were going for the first down in that situation, a first down that all but ices the game. They were playing to win the game. But Polamalu made a great play and every one bitched and moaned all week about how the Ravens should have been playing not lose and run the ball in that situation. Like I said, damned if you do and if you don't. Hell even when the Ravens win people bitch. People are going to bitch no matter what the team does. That's what happens in a spoiled fan base.

[NCRAVEN]

It just occurred to me--& I'd appreciate it if the usual subspects like you & Cap'n Sliver would chime in on the subject--that what really, really, really pisses Ravens fans off about Harbaugh's risk-avoidancce approach isn't that it's conservative, or boring. Helzbelz, if there's any fan base in the NFL that's used to that & OK with it it's right here--it won this team a frakkin' Super Bowl, dinnit?

The really, really annoying thing about Harbaughesque football is that it's timid.

I think what's most frustrating is that it's the same approach every week regardless of opponent.

A game that comes to mind is the Titans playoff game in 2008, we were clearly outmatched that game. The mistakes we forced them into while making few ourselves won that game. I was fine with that approach for a game like that.

The Chargers last week have a terrible o-line and a beat up somewhat undersized D. I felt (I was drinking so I don't remember the whole game) that was another keep it close, take no chances game, the Chargers suck, that game did not need to be close.


For me, it's week in week out, Go slow keep it close, if were down or up 3 play zone on D keep everyone in front of you, don't blitz (at least to exotically or too many people (don't wanna get burned)), it's okay if they move the ball, once they get in the Red Zone we'll tighten up and hope that keeps it close and low scoring.

On offense, it's run, run pass out routes and 9 routes. If we pass on 1st it's never(or hardly ever) a slant or a crossing route and if it fails it's always a run from under center to Rice up the middle.

The game plan NEVER changes until it's too close for comfort or we're down. I Will never stop watching the Ravens and I don't think the season is over, but I can't breathe when I watch this team. I know what I am going to get as far as the approach, the outcome is up in the air.

[The Excellector]

Point I'm trying to make is that everyone needs a little perspective. I know most of our wins haven't been pretty. But we're still 9-3. Every team has a couple of games where they just collapse.

I know most people think losing to Batch at home is unacceptable, but horrible losses like that aren't uncommon nor are they a total indictment of how good a coach and his staff is.

Everyone needs to breathe.

I don't give a who what, who those teams lost to.

Losing to Batch, in your own place, in a game that could have clinched the division, for a team of this caliber, is a disgrace. Inexcusable doesn't begin to describe how bad of a loss that is.