WHAT’S GOIN’ ON?
TL,
I noticed on your blog that WNST gave you the elbow and forced you off the air. I also read where FANMAN opined that there might be some jealousy on the part of Bruce Cunningham and that may have been the driving force behind GAMETIME getting the boot. That got me to thinking…I never recall Bruce ever acknowledging your radio show or website on his program and I found that to be unusual, you know? I did hear you mention his show and Aaron Wilson but never the other way around. In fact I remember Bruce saying something to the affect that anyone can put together a website and then call themselves a member of the media. I wondered about that when he said it and then FANMAN’s comment made me think more about it.
And then there was your little dig at him about Ronnie Prude. What gives? I enjoy both of your shows. What’s wrong with having two quality Ravens shows on the air? As far as I see it, the fans lost out on this exchange.
Can’t we all get along?
Joe B., Perry Hall
Joe,
I can’t speak for Bruce and I didn’t hear his comments about our site or websites in general whichever the case may be.
Am I a member of the media? Well I can tell you that I’ve always considered myself a fan first and through the good graces of the Ravens, they’ve allowed us access to the players, coaches and front office. In essence we combine that access with the passion of a fan and deliver 24×7. We bring that same passion and work ethic to our show GAMETIME and WE are our harshest critics. Nothing that Bruce says or doesn’t say will change that.
I won’t hesitate to tell you that I’ve always enjoyed the Saturday Ravens Show on WNST. And as long as Aaron Wilson is part of that show, I always will. When WNST first introduced us on their Morning Show, I stated clearly and unequivocally that Bruce’s show set the bar for Ravens-centric programming. And we will do our best to try and match it for the benefit of our listening audience.
We’ll be back with GAMETIME, I can promise you that!
As for my comments on Bruce referring to Ronnie Prude as Perdue three times, I didn’t make the mistakes – he did. I simply pointed them out just as I would if the scoreboard operator made the same mistake three times or if Kyle Boller tripped three times. Well ok, I admit I reported on Kyle after only two trips…but you get the point. It wasn’t personal and I wish Bruce well. Now had he screwed up three times on Mathias Kiwanuka I may not have said a word.
Can we all get along? Why not? Let’s do it!
Why can’t we be friends, why can’t we be friends, why can’t we be friends….
TL
YOU GUYS AREN’T TOO SAPPY
TL,
While it seems everyone is praising the play of McNair, as well as Mike and Musa Smith, I can’t help but wonder why no one is commenting on the play of Gerome Sapp. He did a stunning job as SS especially in a new system. He made several excellent tackles and coverage plays that really helped me relax on what was going to happen with that position. He did so well I was even thinking, "Will Demps who?"
Ben, Jarrettsville, MD
Ben,
I didn’t quite see Sapp’s play the way you did. He made a very nice play in the end zone on a pass from Eli Manning intended for Plaxico Burress. That I recall. So I looked at the official stats and he only registered two tackles, one after a 7 yard completion to David Tyree and another in the second quarter when he assisted Dennis Haley to stop rookie RB James Sims for no gain – the same James Sims who had 7 carries for -3 yards.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Sapp (after all he does a weekly piece for us) and I’ve been saying that the concerns over the other safety position are overblown in my opinion because Demps hasn’t played well for a couple of seasons. Sapp is capable of filling Demps’ shoes but comparing his performance to that of McNair and the two Smiths is a bit of a stretch for me.
Good overall effort though and I really liked his positioning on Burress in the end zone. That’s a play that Demps would not have made last year.
Welcome home Gerome,
TL
TICKING AWAY THE MOMENTS THAT MAKE UP A DULL DAY
TL,
You wrote [in your Post Game Analysis]:
Mike,
Tony,
What I think would be neat, would be a weekly break down of how teams will attack the Ravens, and vice versa.
For instance, I don’t think many teams will try and run a 2 TE set and run on our Steeler Package, as that is a man for man match up we win 99% of the time. So, how do people attack the Ravens defense? Three wide sets? Pro formation with play action? Match up issues, etc. And since we have a balanced team for once, I think it can really be fun.
So, on another note, what do you think is the over/under for the number of false starts by the O-line at home this year?
Mark Considine
Mark,
I’ll put that over/under at 12 but maybe I’m being optimistic. I know that you’ve been to camp so you know that the offensive line has worked extensively on the hard count to keep defenses off balance. I hope they maintain the discipline that they seem to be developing in camp.
Good points about the matchup issues against the Ravens. It should be fun to watch and the versatility of the Ravens’ defense should work to their advantage against most clubs. The one team that seems to present matchup problems for the Ravens is Cincinnati. That’s why it’s important to develop some of these young DB’s like Prude, Martin and Pittman. The Ravens won’t face the Bengals until week 9 (Game # 8). That should help the Ravens as the rookies gain valuable experience.
Interesting that Rex refers to that personnel package as “Steeler” isn’t it?
Why don’t you steel away,
TL
RELAX DON’T DO IT
TL,
You wrote [again in Post Game Analysis]:
The stats will show a pick six. What they won’t show is that McNair properly read a blitz and found one of his hot reads in Devard Darling. The stats won’t show that the inexperienced receiver cut off his route – a cardinal sin for a receiver particularly in a blitzing situation.
YOURS is the only publication that EXPLAINED why the interception happened. I didn’t panic when I first read it, but I did think it was a bit uncharacteristic of McNair. Now, with the information in context, it makes complete sense – McNair DID do the right thing, and got hung out to dry by a receiver not doing his job.
Thanks for the COMPLETE info and context!
Bill Duck, Salisbury, MD
Bill,
It’s my pleasure and my job…media member or not!
It’s all good,
TL
