Carson Palmer Isn’t Scared Of The Ravens
Carson Palmer makes his return to M&T Bank Stadium, a place he’s extremely familiar with as he was a member of division rival Cincinnati Bengals from 2004-2010. Palmer has faced some of the best Ravens defenses the team has had to offer and he’s still come out of the matches with a 9-4 overall record in 13 games.
The Ravens’ recent struggles against rookie quarterbacks the past two seasons have been well documented and things were no different when Palmer began his career. In his first game at M&T Bank Stadium, Palmer led the Bengals back from 17 points behind, throwing for 200 yards and three touchdowns in the forth quarter. The Bengals won the game 27-26.
Last week, Palmer’s Raiders lost to the Buccaneers but he tossed the ball 61 times, accumulating 414 yards, four touchdowns and did throw three interceptions. Somewhere, Cary Williams is licking his chops to inflate his AFC leading interception total (which have consisted primarily of “easy” picks). Palmer has been known to donate a few passes to the defense throughout his career.
Prepare to be DIERDORFED on Sunday
As if Ravens fans didn’t need another excuse to attend the only home game for the month of November at M&T Bank Stadium…
CBS will throw the duo of Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf on the headsets to broadcast the Ravens hopeful confidence booster versus the Raiders. Dierdorf hasn’t had many people telling him, “hey, good job on the broadcast, buddy” and doesn’t expect to become any less annoying on Sunday.
Looks like those at home will mute their TV’s and listen to the call on 98 Rock of Jerry Sandusky, Qadry Ismail and Stan White instead.
Goose-egg
The word “Goose” is a familiar word to previous history involving the Raiders and Ravens. Many remember the colorful antics of former Ravens defensive tackle, Tony Siragusa, more commonly known as “Goose”. During the 2000 AFC Championship game, Siragusa pancaked and buried Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon into the turf in front of the home crowd in the feared “Black Hole”.
In four attempts, the Raiders have never won in Baltimore.
East > West
Under John Harbaugh, the Ravens have an 8-1 record against the AFC West. Cross country travel seems to be too much for West Coast teams to handle as they kickoff to their equivilent of 10 a.m. The Ravens have won 10 consecutive home games against the western divisions (both AFC and NFC).
Getting To Know You ~ Q&A With Dennis Pitta
If you could add one person to Mount Rushmore, who would it be?
The person who invented the burrito. (laughter) I really enjoy burritos, and I especially love Mexican food.
What’s the best advice you’ve heard lately?
“Don’t be an idiot.” Dwight Schrute said on the show, ‘The Office.’ Whenever you are about to do something, you should think, ‘ Would an idiot do this?’ If he would, then you shouldn’t do that. I don’t think of it all the time, but it’s really good advice.”
What is a word you can use to describe this year’s Ravens team?
“Family is one [I can think of].” I haven’t been around any other teams in the NFL, but the people that come in and out of this building, they always make a comment about how this locker room is different, and our team gets along so well. We treat each other as family, and I think that’s what helps us be successful on and off the field here.”
They Can’t Watch The Red Zone Channel Due To Work, So They’re Just Good In The Red Zone Instead
The Ravens defense has received plenty of flack this season by putting up some of the worst numbers in franchise history. There has been a bright spot with this squad though, which consists of a mix of usual starters and backups due to injuries.
They’re really good in the Red Zone.
Throughout the first half of the season, the Ravens defense ranks 3rd in Red Zone touchdown percentage at 39.4%. They trail the Chicago Bears (36.8%) and Miami Dolphins (37%).
The Ravens have only allowed 13 Red Zone touchdowns in 33 attempts this season.
While the league caters the the offensive side of the ball, giving up only three points on a drive is primarily looked at as a win, especially when the opposition moves inside your twenty yard line.
Joke Time
A guy walks into a bar with this dog. The bartender says, “Sorry. No pets allowed.”
The man replies, “This is a special dog. Turn on the Raiders game and you’ll see.”
The bartender is curious and decides to turn on the game.
The guy then tells the bartender, “Watch. When the Raiders score, my dog does flips.”
The Raiders happen to kick a few field goals, and each time the dog jumps and flips.
Impressed, the bartender yells, “Wow! That’s some dog you got there! What happens when the Raiders score a touchdown?”
The man replied, “I don’t know. I’ve only had him for seven years!”
Connections With The Bad Guys
- Ravens OLB Paul Kruger will be facing his brother-in-law this weekend. Raiders back OL Tony Bergstrom married Krugers’s sister, Jessica. Kruger and Bergstrom played together at the University of Utah during the 2008 season.
- Ravens G Bobbie Williams spent seven seasons in Cincinnati blocking for now Raiders QB Carson Palmer. Together, the unit helped the Bengals win the AFC North twice during their tenure.
- In 1982, the Baltimore Colts selected Leo Wisniewski in the second round of the draft. Wisniewski would play in Baltimore until the team relocated to Indianapolis and started a family of his own. His son, Stefen, is currently an offensive lineman for the Raiders.
