I thought long and hard about this blog. What to write without being obvious? I do not think it is possible. I believe that at times like this, the truth must be the topic, all variety of moments that transpired in the Baltimore Ravens victory over the hated Pittsburgh Steelers.
Let us start with the media. Be it in print, on TV, or via the internet, it was a given that the overwhelming number of “experts” picked the Steelers to win. Last Friday I called it to one of my co-workers, I said the Baltimore Ravens were engineered to beat the Steelers, even wrote about it in my blog. Not that I am above doubts, I was gravely concerned that my blood pressure was going to cause me to black out in the 4th quarter.
Yet the mighty Steelers, who felled the great Tom Brady, who shot up the charts as the best team in the AFC last week did what? They lost. They lost to their nemesis, the Baltimore Ravens.
This IS why they play the games. Sure, Baltimore should have beaten the Titans and Jaguars, but they did not. They played those teams and lost. Just like the Steelers were supposed to beat the Ravens, but guess what, they still have to play the game.
I am also VERY disappointed in Deion Sanders. You lost mad points in my book to say that the Steelers are the best team in the AFC after losing to Baltimore twice. I would expect that from Merrill Hoge, but not you.
I decided to listen to local radio this morning. There is this foolish notion of grading a team by positions: QB, RB, WR, LB, O-Line, D-Line, Secondary, and Special Teams. Idiotic. Grades are for school or for beef, and some rare cases, donuts. But I digress; the game is about points, wins and losses.
Joe Flacco, you need not worry about a grade, you took the entire alphabet from 70,000 Steeler fans and left them with only a lot of F’s – which I am sure were used in a certain word quite colorfully. That is what football is. It is watching your favorite team’s 4th year quarterback, backing up what he said about being a top quarterback and marching his team 92 yards down the field to score the winning touchdown. Brady did not do this last Sunday in Heinz Field, but Flacco did.
They say it is bad form to take pleasure in the misery of others. I soaked up that misery of the tens of thousands in that stadium like a sponge. Nay gorged myself on it. There are few things on the planet as satisfying as knowing a Steeler fan suffers because of a loss. Not just any loss, a loss to the “Rat-Birds” as they affectionately call us. Yes, these Rat-Birds poked your eye out and are now feeding on the corpse of your playoff hopes.
But the praise doesn’t end with Joe. It goes to the offensive line. It goes to Ben Grubbs who showed he can ball. It goes to the much maligned Michael Oher who played a penalty free game. It goes to the receivers who despite drops throughout the game, came up clutch. It goes to Torrey Smith who played through mistakes to come out a hero. It goes to Terrell Suggs and the front seven, who made a game changer. It goes to the unheralded corners and defensive backs. It goes to the coach and his coaches. It goes to Billy Cundiff, who despite missing a field goal made ones that made the difference. It goes to a TEAM.
A team of men went into Pittsburgh as underdogs and came out wolves, who stole the meat of victory from the team that has too often come away with such victories.
But, do not forget, this game could have easily been a loss. This victory is not hollow, but it shows the degree in how great a rival the Steelers are. We came out on top true enough, but I held that outcome in doubt until the team showed me that they are at this point the team to beat in the AFC.
A browse around the internet, or find a large rock and flip it over, and you will see the Steeler faithful pointing to the referees or injuries. Much like what was said here in Baltimore when the Ravens lost heartbreakers. But in the end, great teams find a way to win, to overcome. This is a great team and it just took a huge step.
Now on to the really fun stuff, how AWESOME was it to see Ray Lewis ring Hines Ward’s bell? The longest tenured dirty player in the league just go blasted. They called that a stinger? No. He was loopier than box of Fruit Loops. I did not think it was a dirty hit. No where near the crown leading spear that Clark got called for. You can not honestly say that a lot of NFL fans of the other 30 teams did not mind seeing “Cheap-shot-smiley” getting blown to bits by Ray Lewis. Ray Lewis doesn’t need a nick name. The name itself inspires power and fear into the hearts of the opposition’s players who must cross his path.
Seriously people, Baltimore is lucky, we have had two legendary players in our hometown sports: Cal Ripken of baseball and Ray Lewis in football. Get out there and see this man, because the likes of him may never come around again.
Last bit of housecleaning before I go is this. Amnesia. Forget this win. The season is half over and the Ravens have yet to play their best ball. 6-2 at the halfway mark, with a legit shot of getting home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Seattle now stands in the way of the quest of immortality. Now is the time to catch fire, now is the time to start crushing teams, and go roaring into the playoffs. Relish today, but be mindful of tomorrow.
