As we “wait all day for Sunday night,” let’s take a look at the stats, quotes, notes, and plenty more to get ready for Ravens-Steelers, c/o Casa Mia’s White Marsh.
KNOW THY ENEMY
SERIES HISTORY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
S Eric Weddle on what the Lions win & offense’s performance does for the team’s confidence:
“We’re a confident bunch, and I think over the last three weeks, we’ve been building towards the team that we envisioned, and we’re playing well at the right time. That’s the biggest thing. The team that’s playing the best in December, and is most healthy and strong going down the stretch, usually gets in [the playoffs] and makes noise. We haven’t done anything yet. We’re just still in the mix. We’re still trying to find our way. Our offense really showed [Sunday] that they can carry us in stretches when we need it. Going forward, these last four games, we’re going to need that high level of play every week.”
Former Steelers CB Ike Taylor on the Ravens:
“You have a stingy defense – a young stingy defense that is led by a fountain of youth kind of guy with Terrell Suggs and with a good running game. The Baltimore Ravens are not bad. You want to talk about one of the scariest teams, I believe, in the AFC? It would be this team right here, the Baltimore Ravens, because they have a coach who knows and can adjust for playoff January football.”
The MMQB’s Peter King on naming S Eric Weddle one of his Defensive Players of Week 13:
“Weddle, 32, showed a little bit of everything he’s brought to Baltimore in hi nearly two years since leaving the Chargers in free agency in the 44 20 win over Detroit. And he showed how much he has left. On a safety blitz early in the second quarter, he sacked Matthew Stafford from the blind side, popping the ball loose. The Ravens recovered and returned it to the Detroit 36. In the second half, Weddle picked off a Lion pass and returned it 45 yards for an insurance score. Big day for a valuable player.”
OLB Terrell Suggs on his legacy as a Raven:
“From the moment I played my first snap in the NFL, I’ve only been one type of player, one brand of player. I cherish and relish every game. I love being a Raven, and it’s who I am. It’s in my DNA. Like I said before,I only know one way to play. And that’s The Raven Way.”
WR Mike Wallace on how good this team can be if the offense is clicking like in the Lions win:
“We can be Super Bowl-good. I said it last week and the week before: Our defense is championship-ready. It’s about our offense being championship-ready. If we do our part, we’ll get there. If we don’t, we won’t get there. But I have all the confidence in the world in my guys. I love these guys, and I know we’ll go in the right direction when we need to, which is right now. Stay tuned.”
GETTING TO KNOW YOU~ Q&A with Eric Weddle
Your season-long beard has become a trademark. How did that become a thing?
“It started five years ago. I saw a picture of my dad – he was 20 or 21 – in Mexico fishing. He had 20 Dorado at his feet, and he had this big ol’ beard. I’d never really grown a beard before. So, I wondered, 1) Could I grow a beard? And 2) If I can, I have to beat my dad. That’s how that started, and everyone thought it was the next craze; people loved it.”
You speak highly of Ravens director of performance Steve Saunders. Explain why.
“Once the season came around, we started our own program. It really helped me. I work out five days a week. Monday is a full-body right after the game, with a run and a lift. Tuesday I do legs. Wednesday I do upper body. Thursday is for explosive movement with core. Friday I do arms – that’s our ritual; it’s called ‘Armageddon.’ Saturday is for stretch and warmup for the game. I’ve never felt this healthy, because he is taking me to a new level.”
How has it been with the addition of S Tony Jefferson?
“I love his personality, ambition, how sincere he is and that he’s not a guy who thinks he’s arrived – he’s very willing to learn. He’s confident and exudes that energy to everyone. When he got here, we instantly clicked. He’s the little brother I never had. I see so much potential in him.”
Describe the Ravens’ defense:
“Relentless, tenacious, physical, hardworking and tough.”
What makes Ravens-Steelers special?
“It’s usually two great teams going at it, and usually the division is on the line. It’s a playoff atmosphere. There’s so much history behind it. I was on the outside looking in up until last year, but as a football fan, you always look forward to watching that game on Sunday Night Football. You always knew they were going to play on Sunday night, and it always came down to the wire. Someone was always going to make a big play, whether it was Troy [Polamalu], Ed [Reed], ‘Sizz’ [Terrell Suggs] or Joe [Flacco]. It’s one of the few rivalries that still matter in this league.”
What are the challenges with playing at Heinz Field?
“Pittsburgh is one of the greatest places to play because of their fans. The biggest challenge is just weathering the storm. There are certain points in the game where you can feel it; you can feel a momentum change. You just have to weather that storm for a few plays, and then everything calms back down. They play that song, ‘Renegade’ by Styx, and it’s like something clicks. Those are the things you have to get through. We have some veterans on this team that can calm the young guys down when things start getting crazy.”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Ravens WR Mike Wallace was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2009 draft and spent four years in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore LB Steven Johnson was with the Steelers for the 2016 season and played for Pittsburgh for one game in 2017 before signing with the Ravens.
Injured Reserve CB Brandon Boykin spent the 2015 season on the Steelers’ team.
Steelers RB Fitzgerald Toussaint started his career as a rookie free agent with the Ravens in 2014.
Steelers LB James Harrison was signed to the Ravens’ offseason roster in 2004.
Steelers inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky(1998) and defensive backs coach Carnell Lake (2001) played the final seasons of their NFL careers with the Ravens.
Steelers WRs coach Richard Mann served in the same capacity for the Baltimore Colts (1982-84) and Ravens (1997-98). In 1985, Mann was hired as the wide receivers/tight ends coach for the Browns, where he coached Ravens GM/executive vice president and Hall of Fame TE Ozzie Newsome (1978-90).
LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT
Adam took care of this one pretty well this week. Head on over to his two-minute drill to see plenty more where this came from.
