Gameday ritual.

[RavenTD]

Ok, so we live thousands of miles away from the action.So I wondered how my fellow Raven fans away from the pond,set up for their Raven gameday ritual.

First I watch the Pontel DVD of the Raven game from the previous week.
Which I sometimes do while working out on my Total Trainer.[Got to
stay in shape during football season].
I get cold ones for the fridge,and something to chew during the course of the game.

I put my Raven jersey on.Fire up the pc, switch on NFL Field Pass to listen to the Ravens radio crew.Open up the NFL.com game stats page.
Open up Sephy's gamethread.And prepare to post my emotions.
Open and reply to UKRaven emails.

Jump up and down when the Ravens score,which can be dangerous wearing earphones.And if you have your pet cat curled on your lap,and he hasn't had his claws cut in awhile.

Make the wife a drink during a timeout,just to keep her happy.

There you have it.Three hours of purple frenzy thousands of miles from M&T.

[Hrafn]

Here is another example of purple fever far away from it's source:

Sundays are spent worrying if my not-so-very-secret-but-to-sensitive-for-this-forum source of live tv coverage will come through once again. To calm my nerves I read the various boards and game previews from Aaron and Tim. Gametime is downloaded as soon as it is uploaded here.

I make sure to eat before the game starts (6h time difference) to minimize distractions during the game. Eating usually is accompanied by listening to the pregame show on Field Pass and watching ESPN, CBS or FOX, sometimes more than one jumping between them dodging commercial breaks.

Then it's gametime and most of the time, live coverage. If not trusty old Field Pass at least gives me audio.

Outfit consists of one of my jerseys and usually a hat, which is surprisingly useful for throwing around in disgust, without causing to much damage to the apartment, when boneheaded mistakes kills drives or gives up chunks of yards.

If the Ravens play well the hat usually finds itself lying on my desk as it gets a bit hot jumping up and down shoutning when the Ravens score.

[UKRavenStockers]

I'll post my ritual later though it may be changing this year and I may even miss a few games :eek:

I'm joining a five a side league at Uni and the games are on sundays nights, direct clash with Ravens games. But I can 'record' the game and I always prefer playing sport to watching it, there's nothing like watching a Ravens game but I'd always prefer to play any sport than watch.

[RavenTD]

The good thing about listening to the game on radio.Brings back memories of the good old days[yes, only older people have good old days:D ] of listening to Armed Forces Radio under the bedsheets.

I get my DVD 5 days later to stew over what went right or wrong.Its expensive,but I wouldn't have it any other way,other than being there.

[Sephy]

Aw, all you cute UK Ravens remind me of how I am when I watch Liverpool play. Its like borderline pathetic and devotion all at the same time :)

[RavenTD]

borderline pathetic

I'm sure if any of my workmates knew how I carried on about the Ravens.
Those two words would probably enter their vocabulary.But as long as I'm
having fun and the wife doesn't get to left out,I say screw them.:eng:

[UKRavenStockers]

Aw, all you cute UK Ravens remind me of how I am when I watch Liverpool play. Its like borderline pathetic and devotion all at the same time :)

A Liverpool fan, ewww, there's far too many of them over at Terp Town as it is, do they have some sort of mind control on that board for the dirty scousers?:laugh: :thumbup:

[Sephy]

Hah, I followed the Reds long before all the bandwagoners at TT did.

They're the best team in the world, though.

[camdenyard]

Your system is in for a shock on 9/17.

You'll need to get up early that day - and I mean no later than 7:00 - and arrive at the tailgate spot no later than 9:00AM (hopefully earlier). By then, you will see a mass of purple building unlike anything you've ever seen before. Purple vehicles in many shapes and sizes. More purple jerseys than you can count. And you have not seen anything yet.

Excitement will be like electricity in the air. The home opener. Look to the north across the parking lot, past the train tracks you will see M&T Bank Stadium in all of its red brick, steel and glass glory. Smiles will be all around.

By 9:15 many of the typical tailgaters will have arrived including Yours Truly. You'll be handed a cold beer if you don't already have one. The smells of bacon will waft across the small grass strip. Some guys will already be throwing footballs around the lot which is still not full of vehicles.

Before long, the rest of the grills will be fired up. A cornucopia of meats will be sizzling - hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, barbequed ribs, pork loin...and the beer will flow. And the hope will build.

Before long, the lots will be chock full and a great mass of people will be partying as far as the eye can see and quite a bit further out. Music will blare. Jello shooters will be downed. Cigars will be lit. Some people will be selling T-shirts or Ravens hats. Football talk will abound. Steve McNair is in town. Life is good.

Before you know it, it will be 12:00 or so and time to shut down the grills, down another couple beers, shake hands with your tailgating mates and put your game face on. Think "Gladiator" and you won't be far off. The walk to the stadium will take only 10 minutes, but the crowd will be thick and you'll be able to feel your pulse rise. A shot of adreanaline here, another there...wow you'll think, this is a lot different than I'm used to.

Once through the line (queue) into the stadium, you'll pick up your game program and make your way to whatever level you are sitting in. The mass of people will sometimes interfere with where you want to go, but it's all good...everyone is in purple. Ah, you will spot some Black Oakland Raider jerseys here or there, but by and large it will be a purple mass.

Once you make your way to your section and walkup the ramp...it all unfolds in front of you. That green field, surrounded by 70,000 purple seats. The first time you see it, your breath will leave you. This is it.

The excitement builds as the crowd does, during the pregame ceremonies. As the teams are introduced, many will already be at a fever pitch. And once that ball is kicked off, it's time for war.

Between the tailgate, the game and the aftergame tailgate, you are guaranteed to be completely wiped out.

.
.
.

In reality, it's nothing like this on gameday.

It's BETTER!

[Greg]

I would attest to that, but I didn't want to get their hopes up too high. But I can't wait! Bought the ribs today!

[camdenyard]

I'll be getting the pork loin fresh from one of the better butcher shops I know a couple night before, and will be marinating it until early Sunday.

I don't think anyone will be walking away hungry.

[FellsPointRaven]

CY - that was beautiful. Brought a tear to my eye.

Also, I see someone got 'cornucopia' on their word of the day toilet paper today.

[RavenTD]

Great picture you painted there Camden.

I can't wait for this bit though.


Once you make your way to your section and walkup the ramp...it all unfolds in front of you. That green field, surrounded by 70,000 purple seats. The first time you see it, your breath will leave you. This is it.

I'm going to suck that view in.And stamp it on my lifelong memory cells right there.Get a little choked up.[This has always been an impossible dream for me till now].

What is it,10 days till takeoff from Heathrow.And already I'm starting to pace like a caged lion.

[The Fanatic]

CY,
That was an outstanding post right there!!:thumbup:

That was like serious purple poetry!!:worthy: :patriot:

[Drkraven]

Once you make your way to your section and walkup the ramp...it all unfolds in front of you. That green field, surrounded by 70,000 purple seats. The first time you see it, your breath will leave you. This is it.
I feel that way every home game the last 9 years.

[UKRavenStockers]

Salivating like pavlov's dog after reading that post, less than a fortnight now, getting so close.

[Sephy]

You can't use terms like fortnight when you get here, though :)

[Admin Steve]

Wow Camden, very moving. Almost brought a tear to my eye.

[BirdFan]

And Camden only described one tailgate lot. You have to walk to the top of the bridge and take a look around. There will be purple as far as you can see.

[UKRavenStockers]

You can't use terms like fortnight when you get here, though :)

I can't? Not in the lingo over there then?

[Admin Steve]

I can't? Not in the lingo over there then?

Nope, but look on the bright side...you can go up to groups of Raider fans and say "Bollocks you wankers" without having to worry about hospital bills.

Unless one or more is a UK Raider :jester:

[crowdog89]

Damn CY, your post was magic, simply magic. I've seen one pre-season game, looked at some film from previous years...looked at my wonderful tickets and parking passes....and still was not juiced up quite the way I wanted to be.

Then I read your post and now I am ready! Is it game day yet?

http://www.boomspeed.com/crowdog89/happy046.gif

I'm looking forward to them ribs. I think I'll bring some pre-made beef kabobs.
I bought them at wal-mart a few weeks back and cooked 'em on the barbie and they were great. So, I'll buy a couple of boxes of 'em and bring 'em with me.

[Irishraven]

A Liverpool fan, ewww, there's far too many of them over at Terp Town as it is, do they have some sort of mind control on that board for the dirty scousers?:laugh: :thumbup:

Ewww, i agree...but they have some nice someone in that city :D

My gameday ritual is always so differnt...i have a few to chose from...

I alway get up early and put everything Raven that I own on! Then i sit get my laptop and tune into streamtv and watch some pre game footage...order the beers and pizza and chill out till the games are all over....

BTW - I'm a Villa fan...its weird having our owner being the same owner of the clowns!!!:grbac:

[Admin Steve]

BTW - I'm a Villa fan...its weird having our owner being the same owner of the clowns!!!:grbac:

Well as Villa fans, you probably know what it is like to be Browns fans :)

That last FA Cup was when? In the 50s?

[RavenTD]

Just as a reminder. I hope you all hit the scales and gave Camden plenty of + reputation for that post to end all posts.:thumbup:

[crowdog89]

Thanks for the reminder to do that TD....I did it.:thumbup:

[Irishraven]

Well as Villa fans, you probably know what it is like to be Browns fans :)

That last FA Cup was when? In the 50s?#

haha no...try the league, super cup in 1980/1981 and the Coca cola cup in 1994 and throw in 2nd place in the first prem league season in 1992/1993, right behind man scum:D

[The Fanatic]

One other thing I thought of that CamdenYard left out.

Can't guarantee it, but usually the Air National Guard does a fly over at the end of the national anthem with 4 fighter jets at the opening home game of the season.

Can't speak for everybody, but I usually have the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when they do it.

[Greg]

Yeah, for opening day you need to hit the seats about 12:45 instead of 12:57 like usual. I enjoy the whole thing.

[Admin Steve]

One other thing I thought of that CamdenYard left out.

Can't guarantee it, but usually the Air National Guard does a fly over at the end of the national anthem with 4 fighter jets at the opening home game of the season.

Can't speak for everybody, but I usually have the hairs on the back of my neck stand up when they do it.

Yup. A-10s from the Maryland Air National Guard at Martins. Each of them has a Ravens insignia on the fuselage just below the front-most part of the cockpit. This was the only pic I could find but it's there

http://www.mdang.ang.af.mil/0-Pa/IMAGES/a-10.jpg http://www.profootball24x7.com/forum/images/other/a-10.gif

[Dusty728]

Camden,
WOW, i made the mistake of reading that at 11:50pm. I am now pumped up and wide awake and ready for gameday. I have to go to bed now and try to sleep.
When I do get to sleep I will dream about that probably lol :thumbup:

[UKRavenStockers]

A-10 Tank Busters eh? Nice to have a fly over, but surely you could get some more attractive planes to do it ;)

[Admin Steve]

BTW, anyone notice during preseason that 'Anthem Dude' has obviously been told to speed it up. No more Boyz 2 Men version of The Star Spangled Banner :patriot:

[Greg]

It was much better. Are you Brits cool with that song? I mean it does commemorate your ass kicking in the Baltimore harbour (English spelling) and also the Battle of North Point.

[Sports Steve]

Up at 7AM get in all my Ravens gear for the game. Get breakfast at Mickey D's. Go to the bar where my bus meets have a couple of beers. When we arrive at the tailgate eat and drink A LOT. Then around 1 1/2 hours before the game start to put on my 45 lbs. of beads. I then head for my seat in section 138 Row 6. I like to get in the stadium in time to see our Ravens warm up for the game. When the real game starts the war begins. God only one more week to wait.


:jester: :jester: :jester:

[RavenTD]

The A10 Thunderbolt is one of my fav planes,it looks like it takes no prisoners,
its not to be messed with.The Raven logo just makes it look sweeter.The flyover will be cool,especially when the jets vibrate your ribcage.

I've heard the Star Spangled Banner probably 10,000 times more than our own national anthem.And it still stirs my heart strings. Thanks to that poem from Baltimore.

Ours isn't to shabby though.

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.

O Lord our God, arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks;
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save The Queen.

Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.

From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

Greg,we are well over that ass kicking.I even threw my Redcoat away in the trash last week.:069:

[camdenyard]

TD,

If you like the song maybe you should make a quick stop at Ft. McHenry. It is practically right around the corner from the stadium.

[RavenTD]

If I had more time,and was by myself or with the wife.I'd probably checkout the American Civil War sites.As I have just read up on it.

I don't know if I was an American in a former life,if there is such a thing.
But I have always had something inside me pulling me towards your great country.Even when I was a 5 year old kid,and I got got on a bus with my Mum.After 10 minutes drive around London,I asked my Mum if we were in America yet?

Why I said this I don't know,because I had no TV to watch in those days.And no real brains knocking around in my head either.But that has stuck with me 35 years later.:patriot:

[UKRaven]

I think Camden's reference is a Colonial war one - that's the one after the Independence war. The Colonial war was the one where we (Brits) burned Washington to the ground - but could not get passed American guns into Baltimore's harbour.

History buffs will advise?

[RavenTD]

Yeah I knew what Camden was on about.I was adding I would also like to checkout Gettysburg and other Civil War sites.I am more interested in that than the War of Independence.

[Art-Florida]

That was an interesting war. Britain was distracted by this Frog named Bonaparte. (thankfully, from our point of view) and it made the odds more even.

The Brits kicked ass in Washington (too bad someone doesn't burn it down again now, and with all the politicians present.) The yanks got over-ambitious and tried to invade Canada, where they had their butts soundly rebuffed.

The boys from Blighty had their comeuppance though, in Chesapeake Harbor, and even more so, in New Orleans. (another prime location for 'Urban Renewal')

Bottom line: a draw. GB again demonstrated military skill, but americans announced they would no longer tolerate power plays in the western hemisphere, or having their sailors forcibly "recruited".

[Greg]

Gettysburg is just a 20 minute ride up the road from Westminster (training camp) and Antietam, site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, is west about an hour.

If you have the time you can do Fort McHenry, the fort Francis Scott Key was watching get bombarded when he wrote the words, in about 2-3 hours.

[52RAYVENS]

The A10 Thunderbolt is one of my fav planes,it looks like it takes no prisoners,
its not to be messed with.

The tank that flies. The Warthog!http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n173/52RAYVENS/Copyofimage0011.jpg

[UKRavenStockers]

The A10 Thunderbolt is one of my fav planes,it looks like it takes no prisoners,
its not to be messed with.The Raven logo just makes it look sweeter.The flyover will be cool,especially when the jets vibrate your ribcage.

I've heard the Star Spangled Banner probably 10,000 times more than our own national anthem.And it still stirs my heart strings. Thanks to that poem from Baltimore.

Ours isn't to shabby though.

God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save The Queen.

O Lord our God, arise,
Scatter our enemies,
And make them fall;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks;
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save us all.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
God save The Queen.

Not in this land alone,
But be God's mercies known,
From shore to shore!
Lord make the nations see,
That men should brothers be,
And form one family,
The wide world over.

From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!

Greg,we are well over that ass kicking.I even threw my Redcoat away in the trash last week.:069:

I'm pretty meh on our anthem unless it's being belted out by about 70,000 rugby fans at Twickenham, then it kicks ass and gets you fired up, that's how national anthems should be 'sung'.

[UKRavenStockers]

If I had more time,and was by myself or with the wife.I'd probably checkout the American Civil War sites.As I have just read up on it.

I don't know if I was an American in a former life,if there is such a thing.
But I have always had something inside me pulling me towards your great country.Even when I was a 5 year old kid,and I got got on a bus with my Mum.After 10 minutes drive around London,I asked my Mum if we were in America yet?

Why I said this I don't know,because I had no TV to watch in those days.And no real brains knocking around in my head either.But that has stuck with me 35 years later.:patriot:

Being partial to History I'd go along with that too, given more time I'd love to explore the historical attractions in MD.

[Admin Steve]

If you like history, go to the 'Block'. That's historical. And so are some of the strippers!

[UKRavenStockers]

:eek:

[Irishraven]

If you like history, go to the 'Block'. That's historical. And so are some of the strippers!

:laugh: I knew i missed something when i was there!!!:p

[Greg]

I have seen some of those strippers as I believe has Francis Scott Key. I wouldn't tip them with your hand and your dollar.