GreenWave52
12-12-2006, 04:39 PM
Especially Ngata with his DRoY vote. But there is praise all around. Here is the Ravens snippit:
In more news, the score was Baltimore 13, Kansas City 3 with 12 minutes remaining and Chiefs facing fourth-and-6 on the visitor's 39. That cannot be the punting team coming on the field -- Aaaaaiiiiiiiyyyyyyeeeee! I rent my garments and cried aloud to the football gods, but it was too late. You're down by two scores in the fourth quarter and you are punting from the opponent's 39! Needless to say as the punt boomed TMQ wrote the words "game over" in his notebook, and I barely even need to mention the Ravens took the ball the other way for the touchdown that sent the home audience headed up the tunnels to the parking lot. NFL coaches will do anything to shift the blame from themselves to their players, but this fraidy-cat punt took the cake. Plus with Baltimore's defense so difficult to drive against when, exactly, did Herm Edwards think he was going to get a better opportunity to mount a comeback?
This raises the question of the Baltimore defense. The Bears have been producing spectacular defensive stats plus turnover touchdowns, though teams such as Buffalo and Philadelphia are producing turnover touchdowns too; turnover touchdowns depend to no small amount on luck. The Broncos' defense was hot in the first half of the season when it was playing conventionally, though now it is fading down the stretch as, predictably, coaches begin to call blitzes and surrender big plays. The defense I wouldn't want to face right now is the Baltimore Ravens'. As of last night the Nevermores' defense has passed Chicago's, and is allowing the fewest points in the league. They've got power personnel at every position. Linebacker Bart Scott, undrafted out of Southern Illinois in 2002, is having a terrific season. The Baltimore secondary is strong, including Samari Rolle, whom Tennessee considered washed up; the defensive ends are strong, including Trevor Pryce, whom Denver considered washed up. Rookie tackle Haloti Ngata has made Ray Lewis a hot commodity again, by tying up the middle and keeping blockers off No. 52. (Ngata is the defensive Rookie of the Year; the Bills and Raiders, which considered then passed on Ngata in the draft, might regret that decision for a long time to come.) Coordinator Rex Ryan, son of the blitz-addicted Buddy, has resisted the urge to go blitz-wacky, instead usually playing a conventional position-oriented scheme. And linebacker Adalius Thomas has been all over the field, making a legit bid for the league's defensive MVP. Thomas plays special teams, too. For the Baltimore defense, it's Super Bowl Run: The Sequel.
Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/061212
In more news, the score was Baltimore 13, Kansas City 3 with 12 minutes remaining and Chiefs facing fourth-and-6 on the visitor's 39. That cannot be the punting team coming on the field -- Aaaaaiiiiiiiyyyyyyeeeee! I rent my garments and cried aloud to the football gods, but it was too late. You're down by two scores in the fourth quarter and you are punting from the opponent's 39! Needless to say as the punt boomed TMQ wrote the words "game over" in his notebook, and I barely even need to mention the Ravens took the ball the other way for the touchdown that sent the home audience headed up the tunnels to the parking lot. NFL coaches will do anything to shift the blame from themselves to their players, but this fraidy-cat punt took the cake. Plus with Baltimore's defense so difficult to drive against when, exactly, did Herm Edwards think he was going to get a better opportunity to mount a comeback?
This raises the question of the Baltimore defense. The Bears have been producing spectacular defensive stats plus turnover touchdowns, though teams such as Buffalo and Philadelphia are producing turnover touchdowns too; turnover touchdowns depend to no small amount on luck. The Broncos' defense was hot in the first half of the season when it was playing conventionally, though now it is fading down the stretch as, predictably, coaches begin to call blitzes and surrender big plays. The defense I wouldn't want to face right now is the Baltimore Ravens'. As of last night the Nevermores' defense has passed Chicago's, and is allowing the fewest points in the league. They've got power personnel at every position. Linebacker Bart Scott, undrafted out of Southern Illinois in 2002, is having a terrific season. The Baltimore secondary is strong, including Samari Rolle, whom Tennessee considered washed up; the defensive ends are strong, including Trevor Pryce, whom Denver considered washed up. Rookie tackle Haloti Ngata has made Ray Lewis a hot commodity again, by tying up the middle and keeping blockers off No. 52. (Ngata is the defensive Rookie of the Year; the Bills and Raiders, which considered then passed on Ngata in the draft, might regret that decision for a long time to come.) Coordinator Rex Ryan, son of the blitz-addicted Buddy, has resisted the urge to go blitz-wacky, instead usually playing a conventional position-oriented scheme. And linebacker Adalius Thomas has been all over the field, making a legit bid for the league's defensive MVP. Thomas plays special teams, too. For the Baltimore defense, it's Super Bowl Run: The Sequel.
Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/061212