Heroes and Goats...(Black Hole Edition)

[RAVENOUS52]

*Once again finding ourselves on the edge of the fabled Festivus Season, the Baltimore Ravens found a way to get there and begin the season anew. Though the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post may be more incendiary than a bushel of Baltimore's finest crabs on an August afternoon, I can assure you that they in no way represent the views of the fine staff of Ravens24x7.com...Or DO they??:229031_confused2:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2010-01/51422270.jpg
HEROES:

1) WILLIS MCGAHEE- Man, you've overcome a lot in your football career-- from the ACL tear in your final college game, to the torture of playing in the artic purgatory of Buffalo and the killshot you took in the AFC Championship last year. But despite the doghouse designation you received this year, you made the most of your opportunities, led the team in TDs and when we needed it most, came through with your best day as a pro. The now legendary stiff arm/pimp slap of Hiram Eugene, followed by the dive into the end zone and later, the 30-yard run to effectively end the game were all examples that when needed you are capable of jumping into the phonebooth and putting on that purple cape...:thumbup::worthy:

2) DANNELL ELLERBE- The increase in the playmaking ability of the linebackers who choose to align themselves with #52 over the years is absolutely astonishing to me, which is why I wasn't too surprised when you rose to the occassion with your best game as a pro. The undrafted part makes it all the sweeter and provides yet another example of why the saying "In Oz We Trust" is more than just a bumper sticker. Way to come up HUGE with everything on the line...:D:thumbup:

3) ANTWAN BARNES- A sack and a strip that would've made Demi Moore jealous was just what the doctor ordered to finish off the Raiduhs and begin our preparations for the playoffs... Color me impressed, dude.:patriot::thumbup:

4) RAY LEWIS- Another game with double-digit tackles and QB harassment, but additionally, your ability to bring the best out of your teammates and inspire their play (Chris Carr's words, not mine) makes you a hero whether your name is listed here or not.:worthy: BTW, How old are you again?;)

5) JALEN PARMELE- Holy Toledo!:179421: I think we've found our Kickoff Return Specialist until Lardarius returns.:thumbup: You ran hard and with a decisiveness that put us in excellent field position most of the day...Keep on rocking in the free world, my brother!:rocking:

Honorable Mention:

1. Ray Rice- A 2,000 yard season is nothing to sneeze at and I know it's just the beginning for you. Can't wait to see you make cats look silly in the playoffs...:thumbup:

2. Michael Oher- My favorite Ravens rookie with strength, footwork and a mean streak as big as a movie screen (If you're a Ravens fan and haven't seen the Blind Side yet, shame on you!)... Oh yeah, and your adoptive sister Collins is smokin hot too...:worthy:

3. Kelly Gregg- Still gettin after it, despite the busted knee, eh Buddy Lee?:thumbup: Definitely one of my All-Time favorite Ravens.:banana:

4. Todd Heap- Delighted to see your emergence toward the end of the year... If Flacco wakes up, this playoff run could be a bountiful one for the Stormin Mormon...:thumbup:

5. John Harbaugh- Less penalties and you lead us to the playoffs for the second season in a row. I don't care how we got there, you get props from me for the accomplishment, Coach...:thumbup:

http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0700/7318/160422_feature.jpg
GOATS:

1) MATT KATULA- Your career in Baltimore should end when the season does, whether your ball snapping improves between now and then or not.:mad::thumbdown:

2) JOE FLACCO- I don't know what it is about playing big games on the road man, but you seemed to regress more than Benjamin Button Sunday. Needless to say, I hope the flaming bag of poop you left on the field in Oakland won't follow you to Foxboro this week... P.S. GET RID OF THE FREAKING BALL!!:grbac::bag::grbac:

3) FRANK WALKER- I think it's almost written in the NFL Rulebook that at least once a game you must be flagged for incompetence. :grbac:

4) MARK CLAYTON- Just for taking time away from Demetrius Williams, dude. Kinda blaming Cam Cameron and Harbs a little for that happening too.:grbac:

5) ED REED- If you're where you belong on the play, Zach Miller doesn't catch that TD... And I kinda understand that you were "shaking off the rust"... But still...:embarassed:

[effo5231]

1) [B]WILLIS MCGAHEE- But despite the doghouse designation you received this year,

How has Willis been doghoused? Ray Rice is one of the best players in the NFL and he just turned in an absolutely historic season. You really think getting him the ball instead of Willis was doghousing? Hell, all the goal line touches Willis got made me feel like they were pissed at Li'l Ray.

[HoustonRaven]

Great list ... but of course, I have my two cents ...

I think I would have swapped Oher and Ray. I was very impressed with Oher's physicality and very unimpressed with Ray's pass coverage. This is the first game I could really tell the speed is not there for Ray as much as it used to be.

Which makes him a normal LB, as opposed to the Uber LB I am accustomed to. ;)

And nice to see Harbs make it out of your doghouse, if only for one week. :beer:

[RAVENOUS52]

Great list ... but of course, I have my two cents ...

I think I would have swapped Oher and Ray. I was very impressed with Oher's physicality and very unimpressed with Ray's pass coverage. This is the first game I could really tell the speed is not there for Ray as much as it used to be.

Which makes him a normal LB, as opposed to the Uber LB I am accustomed to. ;)

And nice to see Harbs make it out of your doghouse, if only for one week. :beer:

The penalties had as much to do with the props as the win, honestly.
I callem as I see them, for the mostpart and what he's accomplished since arriving as far as reaching the playoffs is very impressive.

Oh yeah, and Coach Harbaugh agreed with me as well because he gave Ray Lewis, Willis McGahee and Dannell Ellerbe each a game ball following the win...

Ray isn't as fast as he once was, but he's still decent to good in coverage, depending on our ability to pressure the QB, which clearly we did little of until we hurt Frye and Akili... I mean Jamarcus Russell entered the game. But notice how unknowns become well knowns playing beside him... and just as quickly fade away without his presence. Sunday was a prime example of that.:kewl:

[camdenyard]

I'm not sure it's fair to be slamming Katula because he has tendinitis. That's like slamming a guy with a pulled hammy for not running his fastest. I blame the coaching staff for putting him out there.

[RAVENOUS52]

I'm not sure it's fair to be slamming Katula because he has tendinitis. That's like slamming a guy with a pulled hammy for not running his fastest. I blame the coaching staff for putting him out there.

I blame enough things on the coaching staff, camden...:laugh:

I think Katula takes the blame for his performance all by himself because by going out there anyway knowingly hurt and unable to perform his job properly, to me it means he doesn't care about the team and is being selfish. And by now he has to know he's hurting the team.

[Brtnder81]

5) ED REED- If you're where you belong on the play, Zach Miller doesn't catch that TD... And I kinda understand that you were "shaking off the rust"... But still...:embarassed:[/QUOTE]


Were u in the huddle? do u know what defense was called that that was where Ed Reed was supposed to be?

[FellsPointRaven]

It amazes me how pissed off some people seem to get at Rav52's weekly compilation of Ravens warriors and miscreants. It's mostly on the money and any discrepancies are largely made up for with the decent post presentation and the thinly veiled sexual double entendres.

Having said that, I was disappointed not to see a 'Heroes and Goats - Squealer/Max's Edition' - I suspected the Goats section would have kind of dominated there - not forgetting that Roethilsdwarfbitch that was sat in the bar and who I later abused verbally in One Eyed Mike's :glasses:

[effo5231]

It amazes me how pissed off some people seem to get at Rav52's weekly compilation of Ravens warriors and miscreants.

I'm not pissed, I just disagree with the assertion that Willis was getting fewer touches because of this mythical Harbaugh "Doghouse."

[Purpleguy]

I would like to add my newborn son, Gavin, to the heroes section. Since his birth the Ravens are undefeated, and even though he was only 3 days old at the time, he watched the entire game with me without crying once. I'm hoping the Ravens can ride his mojo all the way to the Superbowl.

[psuasskicker]

5) JALEN PARMELE- Holy Toledo!:179421: I think we've found our Kickoff Return Specialist until Lardarius returns.

While I agree with most of your stuff, I think you should leave "until Lardarius returns" off your statement. Ladarius has too much value at corner, and Parmele looked terrific. Assuming this wasn't a one-time fluke and he's legit, he should be our returner permanently.

Also, you should have JaMarcus Russell in your heroes section.

- C -

[Galen Sevinne]

I would have "heroed" the coaching staff on this game. This game in Oakland was a true set up for an upset. What is underappreciated from last week is the amount of pressure on the Ravens. Oakland had no pressure...the Ravens had all the pressure.

Everyone talked about an upset and even when things were not going well during the game, the Ravens held it together under presure, on the road, against a team that had several upsets already this year to win a game that either put them into the playoffs OR with a loss, would create a disapointing season equal to those from the past.

As much criticising that coaching staff has endured this year, that win in Oakland was worthy of accolades for the coaches.

[Greg]

I would like to add my newborn son, Gavin, to the heroes section. Since his birth the Ravens are undefeated, and even though he was only 3 days old at the time, he watched the entire game with me without crying once. I'm hoping the Ravens can ride his mojo all the way to the Superbowl.

Congratulations on our new son. And he is better than me, I cried a lot . . . well, it was more swearing than crying. I am almost wanted to cry when Rice went for 5, then 6 yards on runs for a first down, then we proceeded to throw 3 times and lose yards in the process.

RUN THE DAMN BALL UNTIL THEY STOP IT!

[jonboy79]

RUN THE DAMN BALL UNTIL THEY STOP IT!

Both Willis and Ray are averaging more then 5 YPC.
That is dissgusting, especially since we were so pass - happy to start the season... well really until mid-year.

[Galen Sevinne]

run the damn ball until they stop it!

and run the damn ball until you wear them down and they can no longer stop it.

[Jeremiah W]

Part of the reason we averaged 5 ypc is because we made teams respect the pass.

We also did not have both Rice and Willis available or McClain very healthy this time last year because maybe they got too many carries during the year.

[jonboy79]

Part of the reason we averaged 5 ypc is because we made teams respect the pass.

We also did not have both Rice and Willis available or McClain very healthy this time last year because maybe they got too many carries during the year.

we also won two more regular season games....

Win the DSuper Bowl and it's all taht matters, btu I can say for a near certainty that we would have won more games if Cam had called the running play more often in the middle of the year.

[trailhiker85]

While I agree with most of your stuff, I think you should leave "until Lardarius returns" off your statement. Ladarius has too much value at corner, and Parmele looked terrific. Assuming this wasn't a one-time fluke and he's legit, he should be our returner permanently.

Also, you should have JaMarcus Russell in your heroes section.

- C -

Agreed. Webb really impressed during his (albeit brief) stint as Washington's replacement, and I'd like to think we have a keeper there as far as starting corner. Also glad to see Parmele on the Heroes list. I'd like to see him get more playing time as well.

Oh, and totally with you as regards Jamarcus Russell. Once I saw him come in as replacement for Frye I knew the Ravens would win.

[NC Raven]

Great list!

Yeah, I agree that with any luck, Lardarius will never have to return another kick for us; Parmele is doing a great job, and I'd just as soon keep Webb safe for CB duty, no matter how good his return skills are.

And also agree, it's hard to say Willis was in the doghouse when Rice is so much more dynamic; hard to take carries away from a guy like Rice; and Willis did get a ton of TDs, so I'd call it a new role, but not a doghouse.

Anyway, again, great job on the list!!!

[NC Raven]

and run the damn ball until you wear them down and they can no longer stop it.

Amen! I'm down with 12-15 carries each for LeRon and Willis and another 20 to Rice this week, with a few screens to Rice thrown in for good measure. Lets just beat the snot out of New England, then when they're gasping for air, burn 'em deep with D Wil!!!!

[psuasskicker]

Oh, and totally with you as regards Jamarcus Russell. Once I saw him come in as replacement for Frye I knew the Ravens would win.

I was on a chat program with a couple friends/family during the game and literally as he came onto the field and they announced he'd be playing the rest of the game I typed to them "Game over."

- C -

[RAVENOUS52]

It amazes me how pissed off some people seem to get at Rav52's weekly compilation of Ravens warriors and miscreants. It's mostly on the money and any discrepancies are largely made up for with the decent post presentation and the thinly veiled sexual double entendres.
Well Fells, you've got to understand that a lot of folks log onto the net to vent instead of the alternative of beating their kids/wife/dogs and I just happen to be an easy target because of H&G. But the world needs thinly veiled sexual double entendres, so I do the best I can.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sex012.gif


Having said that, I was disappointed not to see a 'Heroes and Goats - Squealer/Max's Edition' - I suspected the Goats section would have kind of dominated there - not forgetting that Roethilsdwarfbitch that was sat in the bar and who I later abused verbally in One Eyed Mike's :glasses:
Dude, I was so pissed by that loss that I didn't want to risk igniting a powderkeg on the board and so for once I showed restraint and let it go for a week. Now had we lost to the Raiders, I would've UNLEASHED HELL.:mad: And now that you've mentioned that StoolerStank, I think I'm gonna pass on lunch...:eck15:


would like to add my newborn son, Gavin, to the heroes section. Since his birth the Ravens are undefeated, and even though he was only 3 days old at the time, he watched the entire game with me without crying once. I'm hoping the Ravens can ride his mojo all the way to the Superbowl.
Congrats, brother!! Definitely add Gavin to the Heroes List and the corresponding mojo he has given us. Be sure to keep him away from any Stoolers/Browns fans for at least his first two years of life to be sure all his teeth grow in and he doesn't get a staph infection.:thumbup:


While I agree with most of your stuff, I think you should leave "until Lardarius returns" off your statement. Ladarius has too much value at corner, and Parmele looked terrific. Assuming this wasn't a one-time fluke and he's legit, he should be our returner permanently.

Also, you should have JaMarcus Russell in your heroes section.

Lardarius is extremely valuable at CB, no doubt, but I'm thinking they work him back into full game action slowly at first due to the nature of his injury. But yeah, if Parmele shows consistency, then I'd be ecstatic about leaving him there.

And don't laugh-- JaMarcus could end up as our backup QB when Troy leaves!:eek: Stranger things have happened in BMORE...:grbac:


I would have "heroed" the coaching staff on this game. This game in Oakland was a true set up for an upset. What is underappreciated from last week is the amount of pressure on the Ravens. Oakland had no pressure...the Ravens had all the pressure.

Everyone talked about an upset and even when things were not going well during the game, the Ravens held it together under presure, on the road, against a team that had several upsets already this year to win a game that either put them into the playoffs OR with a loss, would create a disapointing season equal to those from the past.

As much criticising that coaching staff has endured this year, that win in Oakland was worthy of accolades for the coaches.
I gave Harbs his props, but let's be honest-- IT WAS THE RAIDUHS. With Charlie freakin Frye starting and Jamarcus Leaf, errrr Russell seeing significant playing time in a game they wanted to get over with as quickly as possible. Anything other than a Ravens win would have been considered disasterous.

[trailhiker85]

And don't laugh-- JaMarcus could end up as our backup QB when Troy leaves!:eek: Stranger things have happened in BMORE...:grbac:




Just what we need. An offensive counterpart to Frank Walker. And I do mean offensive. The mere prospect makes me cringe.

Apart from that, thanks once more for the H&G.....

[psuasskicker]

And don't laugh-- JaMarcus could end up as our backup QB when Troy leaves!:eek: Stranger things have happened in BMORE...:grbac:

No chance. I actually think as soon as the Raiders drop him, he's out of the league. He's shown absolutely no promise to be a competent NFL QB. Draft status protects you for a bit in that and typically #1 overalls get second chances. But Russell is pretty special in how bad he's been.

Ryan Leaf's the only one that could possibly compare. Leaf got picked up by the Bucs, but was cut before the regular season.

- C -

[trailhiker85]

Ryan Leaf may be the one person in the world actually pleased by Russell's performance to date.

[Marcel#52]

5) ED REED- If you're where you belong on the play, Zach Miller doesn't catch that TD... And I kinda understand that you were "shaking off the rust"... But still...:embarassed:


Were u in the huddle? do u know what defense was called that that was where Ed Reed was supposed to be?[/QUOTE]

If you watch NFL Networks-AFC Playbook.. you'll see Reed play the WR too close looking to jump the route when he should have been playing the TE deep..

[Jeremiah W]

I doubt Russell would be out of the NFL when he is cut and think he would make a lot of sense as a backup here. His size and arm strength would give the WRs a more familiar looking throw than a guy like Smith or even Beck who looked good enough to be a better #2 than some teams have.

Russell is awful right now no doubt, but I htink there are reasons for that that could be explained and problems that could be solved.

First of all he does have incredible arm strength and pretty good accuracy. He does not really seem to know what he is doing out there, but he has not had any good NFL coaching or vet WRs to rely on in his development.

The protection there is also awful and any QB could get happy feet standing behind that O line. Some of his passes were impressive, effortless 20 and 30 yard strikes right down the middle. He has a loooong way to go in terms of ball security, reading a defense and knowing a playbook, audibles, hot routes and all the little details that add up to good Qb play, but there is no doubt that he has the potential and talent. As far as back up QBs go, you could do a lot worse. I feel like we have had many starters here not as good as he would have been, even Billick was able to win a SB with Dilfer and a lot of games with Boller, 13 with an old McNair. I like Troy Smith, but I would rather have Russell than him as a backup if the price is the same. He should at least be like a throwing machine in practice with a Qb coach and Flacco standing right next to him telling him what throw to make.

[RAVENOUS52]

Were u in the huddle? do u know what defense was called that that was where Ed Reed was supposed to be?

If you watch NFL Networks-AFC Playbook.. you'll see Reed play the WR too close looking to jump the route when he should have been playing the TE deep..[/QUOTE]

Dead on, Marcel...:thumbup:

You don't need to be in the huddle to realize that Ed screwed up on that play. The fact that he was at the same depth as Ray Lewis in coverage and the ball went over both of their heads was the major giveaway, along with the body language Reed showed as he tried to get back to Miller after it was too late.

It particularly stood out for me because if Ed keeps his assignment, he could have used the back line of the end zone as an extra defender, or at the very least knocked Miller out of bounds, nullifying the catch.:glasses::nerd:

[jonboy79]

It appears to me that JaMarcus Russell has NO INTEREST in the work it takes to become a great NFL QB. It appears that he is more then fine to survive on his $30m in Guaranteed money for the rest of his life.
I seriously wouldn't be surprised if he got cut, and made NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER to catch on with another team.

[RavenDavey]

It appears to me that JaMarcus Russell has NO INTEREST in the work it takes to become a great NFL QB. It appears that he is more then fine to survive on his $30m in Guaranteed money for the rest of his life.
I seriously wouldn't be surprised if he got cut, and made NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER to catch on with another team.

Proof positive that rookie salaries and/or contracts need to be strictly limited until they prove themselves!!!

[RAVENOUS52]

It appears to me that JaMarcus Russell has NO INTEREST in the work it takes to become a great NFL QB. It appears that he is more then fine to survive on his $30m in Guaranteed money for the rest of his life.
I seriously wouldn't be surprised if he got cut, and made NO EFFORT WHATSOEVER to catch on with another team.

Don't discount the fact that the guy is a PHYSICAL specimen.

GMs salivate over dudes with his measurables and I'm almost positive that some NFL team will attempt to rebuild this guy into a winner. Many a player has prospered after leaving Oakland...

[jonboy79]

Don't discount the fact that the guy is a PHYSICAL specimen.

GMs salivate over dudes with his measurables and I'm almost positive that some NFL team will attempt to rebuild this guy into a winner. Many a player has prospered after leaving Oakland...

I'm not... but all the physical tools in the world will get you NOWHERE without the desire to succeed. He doesn't have it... Perhaps he could outside of OAKtown, but I doubt it. I think he got his $30m and that is all he ever wanted...

[Jeremiah W]

I'm not... but all the physical tools in the world will get you NOWHERE without the desire to succeed. He doesn't have it... Perhaps he could outside of OAKtown, but I doubt it. I think he got his $30m and that is all he ever wanted...

When the game checks stop coming, maybe he will start working hard again. He got to be the #1 pick by putting in the work, then he started working on spending money.

[Marcel#52]

Proof positive that rookie salaries and/or contracts need to be strictly limited until they prove themselves!!!

I agree 120%.. a rookie scale needs to be introduces...

[psuasskicker]

I'm not... but all the physical tools in the world will get you NOWHERE without the desire to succeed. He doesn't have it... Perhaps he could outside of OAKtown, but I doubt it. I think he got his $30m and that is all he ever wanted...

I agree. Boller had physical tools too. JaMarcus is a lazy, less accurate version of Boller. What're the odds he actually amounts to anything?

Hint: Lower than Boller's odds.

- C -

[jonboy79]

I agree. Boller had physical tools too. JaMarcus is a lazy, less accurate version of Boller. What're the odds he actually amounts to anything?

Hint: Lower than Boller's odds.

- C -

At least Boller puts in almost as much effort as he puts into chasing tail. Word on teh street is that JaMarcus puts more effort into deciding how to attack his Quizno's sub then he does deciding how he will attack the next defense.

[RAVENOUS52]

At least Boller puts in almost as much effort as he puts into chasing tail. Word on teh street is that JaMarcus puts more effort into deciding how to attack his Quizno's sub then he does deciding how he will attack the next defense.

Sam Adams was the same way before arriving here from Buffalo.

Next year he's a Pro Bowler. Not saying that would happen with Russell.

Only imagining how great our backup situation would be if he did end up here following Smith's release if he could live up to even HALF his potential.:confused:

[psuasskicker]

Sam Adams was the same way before arriving here from Buffalo.

Next year he's a Pro Bowler. Not saying that would happen with Russell.

Only imagining how great our backup situation would be if he did end up here following Smith's release if he could live up to even HALF his potential.:confused:

Huge, huge difference. Sam Adams actually showed enough talent to be thought of as capable of succeeding in the NFL prior to coming here. JaMarcus isn't just contending with a bad attitude. He is largely the worst passer in the league and one of the worst regular starters in recent history with MASSIVE accuracy issues. It's not just him not learning the game and not studying (though that's part of it obviously)...it's his inability to throw the ball with any sort of accuracy.

Like I said, this guy could easily be out of the league after this season's over. I would be SHOCKED if he came to Baltimore.

- C -