The NEW Ravens and the media

**Merlin** · 09-10-2008, 06:38 PM

This "us against the world" attitude was greatly encouraged by Billick and his paranoia grew to the proportions of the X-Files fifth season by the end.

I'm not sure that Harbaugh is going to go in this direction. See him as much more of a positive person who is not going to encourage that type of behavior that spiraled into the Detroit game among other things.

**Merlin** · 09-10-2008, 06:39 PM

This "us against the world" attitude was greatly encouraged by Billick and his paranoia grew to the proportions of the X-Files fifth season by the end.

I'm not sure that Harbaugh is going to go in this direction. I see him as much more of a positive person who is not going to encourage that type of behavior that spiraled into the Detroit game among other things.

**Khaine** · 09-11-2008, 09:43 AM

Dude, it isn't (or wasn't) just a Billick paranoia... Out there (near B-town) you get decent semi positive Ravens news... outside that area we may as well play in the CFL... so sad but true.

**Losac** · 09-11-2008, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Khaine

Dude, it isn't (or wasn't) just a Billick paranoia... Out there (near B-town) you get decent semi positive Ravens news... outside that area we may as well play in the CFL... so sad but true.

Not exactly. We don't get a ton of press because we're a relatively small market team. Not to mention the national media loves the big time QB's with sexy offenses, so teams like the Colts, Patriots, Cowboys and Giants get all the attention. I think around the nation the perception of the Ravens is what it has been for the entire Billick era - great defense and mediocre to bad offense with bad QB play.

Billick played up the whole "us against the world" mentality for his entire reign. It worked in the 2000 Super Bowl run, but did wear thin after. And like it or not, the way the national media treated the Ravens did have something to do with Billick's condescending attitude starting with the 2000 playoffs. He talks to reporters like he's the smartest man in the room, so I guess those reporters liked to point out how this so-called offensive genius could never develop a decent offense or QB in 9 years.

Hopefully the Harbaugh/Flacco era will help change that perception.

**ravenjoe** · 09-11-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jeremiah W

...They did not give the 2006 any love, but this team could be better by the playoffs than that one.

I completely agree - this team (IF it stays healthy) should be better than that team for several reasons: 1) Defense will be as good (if not better) than that unit; 2) Offense will definitely be better (with the possible exception of the QB); 3) Coaching will be much better.

**Khaine** · 09-11-2008, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Losac

Hopefully the Harbaugh/Flacco era will help change that perception.

this we can agree on...

But even after the 13-3 year or 2000 etc... we get no love...

Guess I just get tired of the fact that ever out here I can fine a squeeler bar or a brownstain bar... but in 4+ years I've only met 5ish Ravens fans...

I need more to make the first California Roost darnit!

**Losac** · 09-11-2008, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by Khaine

Guess I just get tired of the fact that ever out here I can fine a squeeler bar or a brownstain bar... but in 4+ years I've only met 5ish Ravens fans...
:

Chalk that up to Pittsburgh and Cleveland being such lousy, depressing, grim places to live that people move away, but retain their loyalties. People stay in Bmore and this is definitely Ravenstown!

**Sports Steve** · 09-11-2008, 10:31 AM

I don't think the out of town media thinks anymore of us. After listening to many this week I think they think we just beat a bad team in the Bengals.

I hope we can make all of them eat crow real soon.

**HoustonRaven** · 09-11-2008, 10:37 AM

SS,

With respect, I disagree.

The media here is pretty much chalking this up as a loss for the Texans. Simply put, they are very concerned for our D, in particular our LB's. There is a story in the Houston Chronicle that is basically all about Ray. The other big story is how are they going to establish the running game. Without the ability to pound it on the ground, they will have to rely on Schaub and their lone stud WR -- Andre Johnson.

All it will take is a simple double-team on Johnson and a constant blitz.

**Jeremiah W** · 09-11-2008, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Sports Steve

I don't think the out of town media thinks anymore of us. After listening to many this week I think they think we just beat a bad team in the Bengals.

I hope we can make all of them eat crow real soon.

Not even a mention about the Bungles were favored and pretty much intact.
The Ravens did not get nearly as many lucky breaks as they did and still beat one of "the best QBs" into a more pitiful production than the previous playcaller here in harm city produced.

I doubt Kyle Boller ever had a day quite that bad. Somehow the fact that the Ravens normally make the all pro QB they face play worse than Kyle or who ever we have at QB is over looked. That does not even really bother me until they start slurping on some other teams defense and not even a mention of the Ravens.

The Ravens style has always been to ugly up the game, slow it down and beat you up. The way our defense makes Qbs who we know are good look, I find it somewhat annoying that we never like to credit the other teams defensive efforts.
The Bungle defense played pretty well. They bent but did not break very often, and made almost every play they had a chance to.
The Ravens left a lot more plays on the turf than the Bungles did. Suggs should have had at least on pick and they over ran a few sacks.

**Rochardrik** · 09-11-2008, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by ravenjoe

I completely agree - this team (IF it stays healthy) should be better than that team for several reasons: 1) Defense will be as good (if not better) than that unit; 2) Offense will definitely be better (with the possible exception of the QB); 3) Coaching will be much better.

Let me understand this. You're saying that Flacco will not be as good as Dilfer was in 2000? Wha... Huh?... Did you watch some other games than I did in 2000? Dilfer? WTF? We won in spite of him... not because of. AND imo, Flacco was a major "because of" in Sunday's game!... And don't look now, but HE will get better!!!!

**ravenjoe** · 09-11-2008, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Rochardrik

Let me understand this. You're saying that Flacco will not be as good as Dilfer was in 2000? Wha... Huh?... Did you watch some other games than I did in 2000? Dilfer? WTF? We won in spite of him... not because of. AND imo, Flacco was a major "because of" in Sunday's game!... And don't look now, but HE will get better!!!!

Read the ORIGINAL post - it read, "They did not give the 2006 any love, but this team could be better by the playoffs than that one".....

**Khaine** · 09-11-2008, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Losac

Chalk that up to Pittsburgh and Cleveland being such lousy, depressing, grim places to live that people move away, but retain their loyalties. People stay in Bmore and this is definitely Ravenstown!

Yeah, in spite of living smack between Disneyland the the beach... If The Wife(tm) and I won the lottery we'd move back

If for nothing else we miss Purple.

**psuasskicker** · 09-11-2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

SS,

With respect, I disagree.

The media here is pretty much chalking this up as a loss for the Texans. Simply put, they are very concerned for our D, in particular our LB's. There is a story in the Houston Chronicle that is basically all about Ray. The other big story is how are they going to establish the running game. Without the ability to pound it on the ground, they will have to rely on Schaub and their lone stud WR -- Andre Johnson.

All it will take is a simple double-team on Johnson and a constant blitz.

That's really funny cause Vegas has the line (last I checked, before the news that the game's location may have to change due to Ike) at Balt +4.5.

- C -