National Anthem... and other observations:

**pslholder96** · 09-24-2012, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by esmd

BTW, I think 90% of the D's issues right now are on Carey Williams. He's the weakest link in the chain, IMO. I wanted them to bench him last night in the 4th quarter and run Smith, Brown, or Graham out there. I was thinking they couldn't have done any worse. Williams did get a pass defensed on the Pats final drive though, so at least he was resilient and kept at it. He's a major problem though, IMO. QB's and WR's all over the NFL are salivating when they watch him on film.

Yes Cary sometimes lacks ball instincts but let's be fair. It was Tom Brady back there slinging it all over the place. I'll reserve judgment until he goes up against guys like Brandon Weeden.

**pslholder96** · 09-24-2012, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Ravens44

Here's an observation and a good one.

In the 4th quarter, Suggs was put on the big screen and he proceeded to pump up the crowd, but MOST importantly, he was jumping up and down while waving his arms.
His injury is definitely healing well and hopefully he has been able to push it enough in rehab to get ready to come back in November.

Speaking of Suggs he tweeted something to the effect of "3 down, 3 to go"....me thinking he could make an early return?

**Strange Bru** · 09-24-2012, 12:48 PM

I just love the fact that before every home game at Heinz Field they all sing a song about Baltimore's defense, not the Ravens Defense. You may be able to win a beer bet with a Steelers fan with this one.

**BcRaven** · 09-24-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Speaking of Suggs he tweeted something to the effect of "3 down, 3 to go"....me thinking he could make an early return?

Love to see him ready to play the Browns (in Cleveland) after the BYE week. Not sure it's realistic, but if it is that would pump some power into our defense... Bc

**esmd** · 09-24-2012, 01:04 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Yes Cary sometimes lacks ball instincts but let's be fair. It was Tom Brady back there slinging it all over the place. I'll reserve judgment until he goes up against guys like Brandon Weeden.

My counterpoint to that is this is not a one game issue. Last season Williams was burned a lot because he plays so far off of the ball. And he had issues in Philly as well (although he wasn't alone). He's just not very good, IMO.

**esmd** · 09-24-2012, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Speaking of Suggs he tweeted something to the effect of "3 down, 3 to go"....me thinking he could make an early return?

Love to see him ready to play the Browns (in Cleveland) after the BYE week. Not sure it's realistic, but if it is that would pump some power into our defense... Bc

Let's take this at face value here. 3 down and 3 to go means he'd be active on Week 7 for the Texans game in Houston on 10/21! I can only hope that actually turns out to be the case!!!!

**Fcowher** · 09-24-2012, 01:19 PM

"Dreaded O"? You have got to be kidding me. If we in Baltimore choose to emphasize one word in the song than so be it. The song was written here about what happened here and in no way are we showing any disrespect toward the National Anthem by screaming the "O". It is OUR song! Get over yourself. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**RedSkins Fury** · 09-24-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

What does that even mean? I don't like it. Sorry if that bothers you.

It's doesn't bother me... You are free to do and think what ever you wish. What I meant is... It's just a song. A simple song does not represent what I feel and think. I feel like the O's chant brings the entire stadium together as a united family, like the anthem. The music of our anthem is sung to an old classic British drinking song... what's wrong with having a little fun with it?

I think the anthem is a public display that we all take too seriously, and overdo with the taking off the hat and the hand over the heart. To be entirely correct the hand over the heart is for the "Pledge", not the Star Spangled Banner.

And, the next person that yells at me to stand up for the Hillbilly Anthem (Proud to be an American) is gonna get an "Angry Bird"... lol.

**dandrews** · 09-24-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by RedSkins Fury

It's doesn't bother me... You are free to do and think what ever you wish. What I meant is... It's just a song. A simple song does not represent what I feel and think. I feel like the O's chant brings the entire stadium together as a united family, like the anthem. The music of our anthem is sung to an old classic British drinking song... what's wrong with having a little fun with it?

I think the anthem is a public display that we all take too seriously, and overdo with the taking off the hat and the hand over the heart. To be entirely correct the hand over the heart is for the "Pledge", not the Star Spangled Banner.

And, the next person that yells at me to stand up for the Hillbilly Anthem (Proud to be an American) is gonna get an "Angry Bird"... lol.

Agreed. Just a song. There are much worse things to be offended over

**BcRaven** · 09-24-2012, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by esmd

My counterpoint to that is this is not a one game issue. Last season Williams was burned a lot because he plays so far off of the ball. And he had issues in Philly as well (although he wasn't alone). He's just not very good, IMO.

esmd, I'm with you on this, and I'd like to add that CW in his 5th NFL season does not have a single INT to his name... Bc

**darthpemo** · 09-24-2012, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Bhcforlife

Yeah, I don't see how you can blame one guy when the entire defense has been shredded the past two games. People wanted to say "It's just because they were playing Vick and were scared of him running if they blitzed..." or something along those lines after the Eagles game, well, not so much. I knew going in Brady was going to shred the defense because...for the most part...Pees won't blitz, and they don't have the players to generate a rush with four guys.

other thoughts:

What has happened to Kruger and McPhee? Less so for McPhee, he's been decent, but Kruger has done nothing. Not sure how much longer Kruger is going to be starting with Upshaw continuing to make plays - although he doesn't really get much rush either. That might be the best thing for Kruger, to be honest. Put him back in the pass rush role he thrived in last year.

Also think it's interesting how Dickson has gone from the starting TE to basically not even playing. Deservedly so, because he stinks and Pitta is good, but it's interesting how quick they were to make that change and basically make Dickson irrelevant in the current offense.

The defense was able to pressure on the last two drives and I think it was Kruger who pressured and scared Brady into a bad pass on his final attempt.

I am not convinced that Pees has got a good enough handle on the match ups to say whether or not a player is being asked to perform a less than optimal role or not yet... some of the corner blitzes were pathetic.

**Ravenswintitle** · 09-24-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Fcowher

"Dreaded O"? You have got to be kidding me. If we in Baltimore choose to emphasize one word in the song than so be it. The song was written here about what happened here and in no way are we showing any disrespect toward the National Anthem by screaming the "O". It is OUR song! Get over yourself. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it when I hear the O, especially since we moved away from MD. My son and I do it at road games and there's always enough Raven fans to make the home crowd look at each other with that 'what was that' look on their face.

**RedSkins Fury** · 09-24-2012, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by darthpemo

The defense was able to pressure on the last two drives and I think it was Kruger who pressured and scared Brady into a bad pass on his final attempt.

Felt more like a "get rid of the ball so he didn't take a sack" than a legit pass... but They dialed up some pressure when they had to. I'd like to see it a little earlier in the game and more often.

**pslholder96** · 09-24-2012, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by esmd

My counterpoint to that is this is not a one game issue. Last season Williams was burned a lot because he plays so far off of the ball. And he had issues in Philly as well (although he wasn't alone). He's just not very good, IMO.

True he did start to regress last year but the scheme itself asks our DBs to play 10 yards off the ball. Why that is I don't know but it frustrates the hell out of me. The ravens have been known to bench DBs (remember Fabian Washington) so we'll see what happens with Cary after the bye because I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt until then.

**Ravens44** · 09-24-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by esmd

Let's take this at face value here. 3 down and 3 to go means he'd be active on Week 7 for the Texans game in Houston on 10/21! I can only hope that actually turns out to be the case!!!!

Wow, that would be incredible! I only hope he is ready and not pushing it too soon.
It could also mean that he could start practicing but not actually being active come game day until he gets his game legs so to speak.

**Mista T** · 09-24-2012, 02:19 PM

Officiating was about as bad as what we've seen from the regular refs. I don't agree with the current hysteria about replacement refs. Actually, thinking back to some of the giveaways due to Brady's whining, I think last night's officiating was better than past Patriot games.

Meh ... the National Anthem singer was OK, but not in the same league with Martina McBride's rendition before last season's Jets game. Rather than bringing in outsiders, I would have preferred watching our own Mishael Miller sing to the national audience.

I don't shout "O" because it would be disrespectful, but have no problem with others performing the O's chant.

I am really glad that Cary Williams turned down the Ravens offer.

**esmd** · 09-24-2012, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

True he did start to regress last year but the scheme itself asks our DBs to play 10 yards off the ball. Why that is I don't know but it frustrates the hell out of me. The ravens have been known to bench DBs (remember Fabian Washington) so we'll see what happens with Cary after the bye because I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt until then.

I disagree. Watch Webb and to a lesser extent Smith, and then compare that to Williams. Now, obviously Webb is an all-pro caliber CB, but Smith plays closer up to the WR than Williams does. I think it's because Williams doesn't have great speed, and has to play off of the WR to compensate so he doesn't get burned deep.

**StingerNLG** · 09-24-2012, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Fcowher

"Dreaded O"? You have got to be kidding me. If we in Baltimore choose to emphasize one word in the song than so be it. The song was written here about what happened here and in no way are we showing any disrespect toward the National Anthem by screaming the "O". It is OUR song! Get over yourself. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get over myself? That's unnecessary. I don't care if you love doing it or not. I do not. I have respect for the National Anthem that way.

Next person to disparage anyone who likes or dislikes the O in the anthem will be treated as a personal insult and breaking forum rules. You like it? Great. You don't? Happens to also be acceptable here.