Where do we go from here? How is it possible to play one of the best teams in league history toe-to-toe for 58 minutes, and then lay down in the second half against one of the worst? In a season already in shambles, Ravens fans suffered the ultimate indignity of watching their underachieving team tank against the winless Dolphins. They might as well have played against the real thing in Sea World while they were in Florida. But then again, the Ravens would have been out of their element, just as they have been for much of this year.
The game itself was pretty forgettable, but the decision to kick a field goal when the Ravens were on the goal line is unforgettable – and unfathomable. Kicking a field goal to tie the game at the end of regulation is smart football when you’re in the playoffs – or have anything to play for, for that matter. But when your team is 4-9? What did we have to lose? Draft position?
The Ravens, even with injuries to several of their starters, are still too good and too talented to go winless for 8 straight games. Not even in the dark days of 1996, when the club couldn’t even afford to populate their practice squad, have fans seen such dispiriting football. Brian Billick talks about the “character†of this team. How about something we haven’t seen in 2007 – like 60 minutes of football?
The next two weeks the Ravens will play two teams fighting for playoff position. The Seahawks have won their division but are fighting for the 3rd seed in the NFC – and will be doing so in the loudest stadium in the league. The Steelers just had their heads handed to them, at home, by a Jacksonville team that wasn’t expected to play well in bad winter weather. It’s not inconceivable that Pittsburgh could wind up a 6th seed in the AFC. Think they’re going to rest any vets on December 30th?
Try again.
4 and 12, here we come.
The only thing that’s keeping me interested for the rest of the season is the chance to see Troy Smith run the offense. Sure, I see rookie mistakes, inexperience, and indecision, but I also see something sadly lacking in the quarterback position this year – excitement, poise, and pocket presence. But Coach Compu-Speak has dashed the hopes of many Ravens fans by insisting that Kyle Boller will start in Seattle. Billick said that “Kyle played very, very well.â€
Huh? Looked like the same old Boller to me! Sure, he got mauled a couple of times when Jason Taylor took Marshall Yanda to the woodshed, but I think that Troy would have evaded at least half of those sacks and knock downs.
We all know what Kyle can do – and can’t do. The Ravens can’t answer that question regarding Troy Smith unless they play him. Brian, give us something to look forward to over the next two weeks while Steve Bisciotti (hopefully) rethinks his decision to bring you back.
Play Troy Smith.
Photo provided by Rick Noppenberger
