The Good And The Bad

[PurpleRulz]

The Good:

1. Adam Terry played well. He is our future at LT. He is not a RT, but he is a pretty good LT.

2. Kelly Gregg is the most underrated player in football. Period.

3. Our defense is Super Bowl quality depth-wise and talent-wise.

4. Our running game is Super Bowl quality depth-wise and talent-wise. I like how we are splitting up the carries.

5. Sam Koch has really turned it on. He is shaping up to be a very good punter in this league. Good height and distance on his punts, and great accuracy in pinning the defense within the 20. Koch was very good on kickoffs.

6. The YAC that Mark Clayton got on his catch.

7. Our special teams was beast on today. BJ Sams had a good day running the ball.

8. Dawan Landry has solved our worries at SS. Landry is money.

9. Ronnie Prude's INT. I am liking this kid as well.

10. Can we pick UDFAs or vcan we pick UDFAs. Prude, Sams, Gregg, and Bart Scott!


The Bad:

1. Steve McNair was inaccurate on today, but he will be fine in the coming weeks.

2. The OL was terrible and Tony Pashos has to go. We must sign a tackle this week and send Ogelsby to the PS.

3. JO injured, but looks like he'll be fine.

4. When will this Clarence Moore experiment end? I would loved to see Demetrius Williams get the throws that Moore got today.

5. The Red Zone. The OL actually cost us in the redzone with Pashos and Flynn's penalties. We cannot have sloppy OL play against a good team. We should have been up either 18-0 or 21-0.

[ChrisQ]

Clarence Moore actually caught that pass in the endzone, it was just a little overthrown and carried him out of bounds. The second time McNair just heaved it into the stands.

Special teams defending kickoffs was atrocious. They weren't staying in their lanes and that Carr dude was getting big returns nearly every time.

7 returns, averaged 29 yards per return. That's horrible.

[Beerracuda]

My grades for the game:

QB: C- Not a good day for McNair. The only thing that kept him from getting a D is his TD pass, which was perfect.

RB: B It would've been a B- if it wasn't for the final half of the 4th quarter.

OL: C The Raiders were getting into the backfield too often today. Mike Flynn himself brought down the grade one whole level.

WR/TE: C Were they even in the game today? I might be too harsh on them, considering McNair's inaccuracy. Clayton's late catch and run brought it up a bit.

DL: A Stuffed the run pretty well, and kept pressure on the QB, including a safety, and fumble recoveries.

LB: A Ray in his prime, and Bart Scott getting into the mix. Good game from both.

DB/S: B Some good hits, but CMac is showing problems with good receivers. He still has a discipline problem, even though some of those calls against him were very ticky tack.

K/P: A+ Stover is accurate as usual. Koch had an amazing game!! Booming punts kept the Raiders deep in their end for most of the game.

COACHING: D Some very VERY questionable play calling today, not only in the redzone, but also in the 4th quarter with a comfortable lead. Totally unacceptable in my book.

I worry about Cleveland next week, unless McNair can at least have an AVERAGE game.

[Ravens0587]

ofleseby is the one that tipped a pass that I think a.d. picked off

[highwater]

Special teams defending kickoffs was atrocious. They weren't staying in their lanes and that Carr dude was getting big returns nearly every time.

Very true -- I was yelling at the TV when we kept giving up those long kickoff returns. There seems to be something fundamentally wrong with our kickoff coverage.

And while I love McNair's poise, he threw some wounded ducks today. It almost seems as if there is something wrong with his arm.

On the positive side, our defense looks awesome. I know it's only two games, but we've outscored the opposition 55-6 so far. And our run defense has been great. A very nice start to the season.

[GreenWave52]

Here are my thoughts though I will preface this with I'm prety buzzed and kind of tired.

THe Good:

Sam Koch had maybe the best punting day I can remember a Ravens punter having. This kid is AMAZING. Booming sixty while hitting a coffin corner was unreal.

Our rookies (Ngata, Landry, Williams, Prude) look GOOOOOOD.

Our d-line was great and so were the LBers (especially Ray Ray). Ok I'm too drunk to do this. Lets just skip to:

THe Ugly (but with a positive twist). Steve McNair. He played about as bad a game as I think he could and we still looked ok on O. I know he can play better, and that is what I find so positive. We still played decent "Ravens" offense with Steve at his worst. When Steve starts clicking we will dominate.

[StingerNLG]

Just got back from the game. Last week I talked about the offense and how concerned I was, and I got yelled at.

Anyone else now getting as concerned as I am yet? False starts, holding penalties, DELAYS OF GAME. BJ Sams and the defense handed the offense short fields on the first three posessions and all they could get were three field goals?? And are we back to running the ball or throwing short routes on 3rd and long and hoping to get YAC?

And I'll tell you something else. On the 2:00 touchdown drive, McNair better buy Derrick Mason TWO beers tonight because Mason bailed Steve out on that tipped pass by Todd Heap. That was some heads up play. The spin move on the 5-6 yard line wasn't too shabby either.

Our defense was as usual, dominant. Walters did all he could against our defense, but he just couldn't get anything going. C-Mac pretty much took care of Randy Moss.

I'll always take the win, but we had BETTER get this offense under control before we leave Cleveland or we're going to start really having trouble when we play actual good teams and not the Raiders and Browns.

[Ravens'N'Hoos]

I'll always take the win, but we had BETTER get this offense under control before we leave Cleveland or we're going to start really having trouble when we play actual good teams and not the Raiders and Browns.


That's true, but let's keep it in perspective: The Raiders are still an NFL team. They're a bad NFL team, but things got a little out of hand this week with media and other predictions of a 51-3 type of win. They are a team in the National Football League. Rarely will it be easy to lock in a W against another NFL team, even a bad one, before the 4th Q. The defense was flat-out amazing; the offense did what they had to do. Is there room for improvement? Of course - But this is Week 2, and we have a new QB. I'd much rather have the opportunity to continue working on existing problems while hopefully continuing to win with this classic Ravens formula than worrying about these problems in Week 10 or 13 or so.

The offense sets up the defense for the win while continuing to gel. And we've outscored a good team on the road and a bad but desperate, proud team at home 55-6. I'll take that in Week 2 coming off a 6-10 season.

[Ravens'N'Hoos]

but CMac is showing problems with good receivers. He still has a discipline problem, even though some of those calls against him were very ticky tack.


I'll concede the discipline issue, but come on - CMac OWNED Randy Moss today. Some of his fouls were arguably smart - taking the 5 yd illegal contact to prevent a big play.

[darb72]

"Last week I talked about the offense and how concerned I was, and I got yelled at."

Just from last week. I've been saying there is something wrong with our offense for years now, and all I've heard is that we need a QB.

Less than 50% passing.
3.6 YPC.
6-18 on third down.
One TD from inside the redzone.

I didn't lay the blame all on Redman, Blake, Boller or Radio and I won't blame it all on McNair. But it's pretty obvious that our offense is missing a lot more parts than just a QB.

[highwater]

[QUOTE=darb72I didn't lay the blame all on Redman, Blake, Boller or Radio and I won't blame it all on McNair. But it's pretty obvious that our offense is missing a lot more parts than just a QB.[/QUOTE]

I thought the offense looked a little confused -- illegal procedure penalties, illegal formation penalties, time-outs because they didn't get the play in on time, and on and on. It was actually pretty sloppy at times. I hope it's just a case of McNair still getting acclimated to the new team, the new offense, etc.

Speaking of confused offenses, I noticed that both teams called all of their timeouts in the first half -- I'm not sure I've ever seen that before.

[camdenyard]

4. Our running game is Super Bowl quality depth-wise and talent-wise. I like how we are splitting up the carries.

What game were you watching? We got stuffed more times than I care to remember.


7. Our special teams was beast on today. BJ Sams had a good day running the ball.

As it has been noted, our kick coverage was awful today.

[StingerNLG]

As it has been noted, our kick coverage was awful today.

Our coverage was awful, but you have to give B.J. Sams his due today. He really had a couple nice bursts through the holes he WAS given.


But this is Week 2, and we have a new QB. I'd much rather have the opportunity to continue working on existing problems while hopefully continuing to win with this classic Ravens formula than worrying about these problems in Week 10 or 13 or so.

But the problem is that the problem has been the same for 6 years. I'm not joking, people in our section today were actually saying things like "Wow, new high dollar QB, same old offense.". You can't fix the fact that guys like Mike Flynn can't block, and no one could create running lanes for the RB's.



the offense did what they had to do.
I can't go with that today. Today's game was more a case of the Raiders just being a horrible team and Aaron Brooks outright sucking.

After the 3rd field goal when the offense started ON THE FREAKING OAKLAND 29, the next three posessions were 3 and outs for a total of......5 yards!! After the touchdown (which I again put squarely on Derrick Mason), we had two more 3 and outs to start our offense in the 3rd quarter for NEGATIVE 16 YARDS!! We had to punt 7 times today.

Don't get me wrong. A win is a win is a win, and we're 2-0. The Raiders are a team we were SUPPOSED to beat. But if we weren't playing the Raiders today, and we were playing a good team, I think we would have lost this one. The Bengals, Steelers, Colts, and half the NFC would have beaten us today. Even with our awesome defense.

[highwater]

I can't go with that today. Today's game was more a case of the Raiders just being a horrible team and Aaron Brooks outright sucking.

Brooks was only in the game for the first half of the first quarter, but I agree with your point -- the Raiders are bad, and they gave us numerous opportunites to put this game away early, but we didn't take advantage of those chances.

McNair doesn't seem to be on the same page as the receivers, with the exceptions of Mason and maybe Heap. I think this will improve as the season progresses, but right now, they don't appear to be in sync.

And I'm tired of bringing it up, but our pass protections still sucks.

[F Angelos]

Just got back from the game. Last week I talked about the offense and how concerned I was, and I got yelled at.

Anyone else now getting as concerned as I am yet? False starts, holding penalties, DELAYS OF GAME. BJ Sams and the defense handed the offense short fields on the first three posessions and all they could get were three field goals?? And are we back to running the ball or throwing short routes on 3rd and long and hoping to get YAC?

And I'll tell you something else. On the 2:00 touchdown drive, McNair better buy Derrick Mason TWO beers tonight because Mason bailed Steve out on that tipped pass by Todd Heap. That was some heads up play. The spin move on the 5-6 yard line wasn't too shabby either.

Our defense was as usual, dominant. Walters did all he could against our defense, but he just couldn't get anything going. C-Mac pretty much took care of Randy Moss.

I'll always take the win, but we had BETTER get this offense under control before we leave Cleveland or we're going to start really having trouble when we play actual good teams and not the Raiders and Browns.
You should have known that after only 3 penalties last week that we would make up for it this week! Overall I'm not concerned in the least. This is the NFL nobody plays great every week. If we had scored a couple of more TD's in the first half how would that have guaranteed that we'd win next week? One game doesn't portend how we're going to play the following week. We could go into Cleveland and whip their ass or lay an egg, who knows? If Flynn doesn't hold on the first TD run we'd have a completely different perception on how we played. We'd be talking about a 32-6 win with 3 offensive TD's.

[StingerNLG]

Brooks was only in the game for the first half of the first quarter, but I agree with your point

Yes, but Brook's first quarter was responsible for 9 of our points. Two fumbles in a row.



This is the NFL nobody plays great every week. If we had scored a couple of more TD's in the first half how would that have guaranteed that we'd win next week? One game doesn't portend how we're going to play the following week. We could go into Cleveland and whip their ass or lay an egg, who knows? If Flynn doesn't hold on the first TD run we'd have a completely different perception on how we played. We'd be talking about a 32-6 win with 3 offensive TD's.

You're right, it doesn't mean what we'd do the next week. We won big at home last year the final two home games then went to Cleveland and laid an egg. My point is that what I saw today was the same old thing we've been seeing the last 6 years. Defense creating plays and the offense either going 3 and out or some OL penalty nullifing a touchdown (just like the Cleveland game). False starts, holding, TWO illegal formations, delay of game.

If Flynn doesn't hold. I know, we all know. If Ogden isn't ineligible downfield on the TD shovel in Cleveland we win that game. It's always "well, if the OL didn't do this", or "if Pashos just didn't hold on that play".

Many of us just didn't walk out of M&T today with that warm and fuzzy feeling. We were happy for the win of course. But talking to people as we were walking to our cars, the concern was definitely there.

[FHRaven]

"Last week I talked about the offense and how concerned I was, and I got yelled at."

Just from last week. I've been saying there is something wrong with our offense for years now, and all I've heard is that we need a QB.

Less than 50% passing.
3.6 YPC.
6-18 on third down.
One TD from inside the redzone.

I didn't lay the blame all on Redman, Blake, Boller or Radio and I won't blame it all on McNair. But it's pretty obvious that our offense is missing a lot more parts than just a QB.

Yeah, if another QB on this team put up those stats people would screaming for his head, irregardless of the win.

I'm not panicing after 2 games but McNair looked bad. No thanks in part to a big old helping of Flynn & Company. For now I'll hope McNair is still learning the offense and by the quarter pole he won't be posting 50% completion rates.

On the plus side, the 2 minute offense looked decent for the first time since Billick arrived!! :D

FHRaven

[RavenFanatic2k6]

2. The OL was terrible and Tony Pashos has to go. We must sign a tackle this week and send Ogelsby to the PS.

If we sign another tackle, it won't be Oglesby going. Maybe you need glasses but he was out there manning one of the CB spots for half the game today.

[StingerNLG]

On a slightly positive OT note: The QB that everyone THOUGHT we were going to get, Kerry Collins, looked like absolute GARBAGE today.

[PurpleRulz]

I will stand by my assessment of the STs. While there were coverage issues, for this to be the second week of the regular season, they are playing well. Most of my overall assessment for ST is based on Koch and Sams who both were very good today. Folks, remember that our unit is learning a new scheme from a new ST coach.

Camdenyard, I was watching the same game you watched. Did you see the TD run by Anderson? Did you see Musa running over the defenders leading to MA's run? Did you notice Jamal's 70 yards rushing? As a UNIT, our RBs are beast, and they did this with the OL stinking horribly today. I stand by my assessment.

Stinger, I understand where you are coming from, but McNair is learning the system and will get better. To borrow Angelos's phrase, Stinger, "I know you heard that tune before," but we have not had a QB with McNair's talent to place faith in. Besides, if Boller is starting, we probably lose today. It is one thing to have the faith that a young raw QB will develop, but another thing to hope that an alltime QB great will come around. We haven't seen the best of McNair yet.


RF2K6, Oglesby did tip that pass to Thomas, but he was getting torched as well. I'd rather go with Ronnie Prude and Corey Ivy and place Evan back on the PS, and then sign a RT.

Whose available to sign as a RT?

[StingerNLG]

Stinger, I understand where you are coming from, but McNair is learning the system and will get better. To borrow Angelos's phrase, Stinger, "I know you heard that tune before," but we have not had a QB with McNair's talent to place faith in. Besides, if Boller is starting, we probably lose today. It is one thing to have the faith that a young raw QB will develop, but another thing to hope that an alltime QB great will come around. We haven't seen the best of McNair yet.


Well, let's look at the stats though. There is nothing statistically that comes out of today's stats that says Boller would do any worse. He's had plenty of his own games with these-type stats. Like I said, Sams gave the offense a short field the first time, and the Raiders/defense did it again twice, and all we got was 9 points. Had that have been Boller his head would have been called for by halftime.

The problem again wasn't just McNair's throws, although 50% passing for 143 with 1TD/1INT is not that good. But penalties and lack of blocking by the offensive line, players dropping balls (Wilcox), all adds up. And once again it's the defense that keeps the game firmly in hand.

I just think after all this time, I want to see the offense operate different for more than one week before I believe that now our 8th new QB makes this offense better. I'm starting to believe it's the philosophy that has to change, which will facilitate other player changes.

[PurpleRulz]

I just think after all this time, I want to see the offense operate different for more than one week before I believe that now our 8th new QB makes this offense better. I'm starting to believe it's the philosophy that has to change, which will facilitate other player changes.


Looks like our offensive leaders agree with you. See my other thread.

[StingerNLG]

I just did. I'm glad JO is speaking up. He's got to be frustrated too!

You've known me a good while now PR. You know I've complained about the offensive as a whole while everyone else on the old board blamed the entire thing on Boller. Now with a brand new former MVP QB, we're still seeing the exact same offensive. And today, it really was like watching a carbon copy of other games the last few years, Boller and even before that. And that is frustrating. And I know there are people out there, like Gary Stein and his hissy fit today on the radio that we can't compare Boller to McNair because McNair was this and that and so on. Well, on the other hand, shouldn't a QB of McNair's calibur, no matter what the offense, be able to complete more than 50% of his passes for 3.6YPA?

That's why until the offense can prove otherwise to me, I still see the same thing. And it's a shame because if this does keep up, and I pray it doesn't, we will have taken yet another great QB from another team and reduced him to rubble. I don't want to see that again, but I'm not excited about the prospects yet.

[Heap86]

The Good and The Bad?

Defense: Good

Offense: Bad

That about sums it up.

[Greg]

Gregg,
Gregg was a Bungle, I think a 6th round pick, who was cut (may have been an undrafted FA for them).

[GirlsKickButt]

I just did. I'm glad JO is speaking up. He's got to be frustrated too!

You've known me a good while now PR. You know I've complained about the offensive as a whole while everyone else on the old board blamed the entire thing on Boller. Now with a brand new former MVP QB, we're still seeing the exact same offensive. And today, it really was like watching a carbon copy of other games the last few years, Boller and even before that. And that is frustrating. And I know there are people out there, like Gary Stein and his hissy fit today on the radio that we can't compare Boller to McNair because McNair was this and that and so on. Well, on the other hand, shouldn't a QB of McNair's calibur, no matter what the offense, be able to complete more than 50% of his passes for 3.6YPA?

That's why until the offense can prove otherwise to me, I still see the same thing. And it's a shame because if this does keep up, and I pray it doesn't, we will have taken yet another great QB from another team and reduced him to rubble. I don't want to see that again, but I'm not excited about the prospects yet.

I'm with you Stinger. I walked out yesterday with the same feeling..."different QB, same output". It was the most frustrating win I've ever watched.

8 QBs and yet, most fans (including an idiot 2 seats down from me) now they have an "MVP" QB, wants to make excuses for him. And of course, those excuses didn't hold water for Boller.

IT'S THE OL AND THE OFFENSIVE PHILOSPHY THAT ARE THE PROBLEMS!!!

[Mobtown]

It was the most frustrating win I've ever watched.


You guys are a tough crowd. It's game 2 in a purple uniform and while I wasn't thrilled by Mac's performance yesterday either, it is WAY to early to tearing the guy down.

[GirlsKickButt]

It's only game 2 for McNair, but it's been SIX YEARS of the same stuff. It's not McNair, Boller, Grbac or Difer. It's the system.

And McNair has had PLENTY of reps in the Ravens system. If it were that, you'd see more passes behind the WRs and hesitation in decision making.

McNair's passes yesterday were a lot of worm-burners (mostly because he couldn't step up into his throws due to Flynn & Vincents poor pass protection).

[StingerNLG]

You guys are a tough crowd. It's game 2 in a purple uniform and while I wasn't thrilled by Mac's performance yesterday either, it is WAY to early to tearing the guy down.

We're tearing the entire offense down. Hell, the offense tore itself down. Look at Preston's report card. Look at Aaron Wilson's article on this site called "SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE". And that's what it was. It's another year of hearing how much the OL has improved and are ready to play, and how Steve Mcnair's simple presense makes them better. Then they step on the field and look just like Mike Flynn and Keydrick Vincent.

It's not just McNair. It's the OL and the philosophy, just as GKB said. I seriously did hear people actually say out loud "New QB, same offense" yesterday as we walked out of the stadium. I am truly not making that up.

And GKB, you sit what, 4 sections down? Why didn't you call????

[Ravens'N'Hoos]

Well, let's look at the stats though. There is nothing statistically that comes out of today's stats that says Boller would do any worse. He's had plenty of his own games with these-type stats.

There's no real way to know how Boller would've done because, obviously, he didn't play. You can make the argument you did, or, just as credibly, you can argue Boller likely would've lost his composure when the pocket shrank time after time and - for as many bad throws McNair made or was forced to make yesterday - Boller very well could've had more.

Yes, the passing game left a bad taste in our mouths yesterday, but one overriding point meriting some optimism about the offense is that even when the passing game has an off day, McNair is still able to manage the offense and move the chains consistently. Moving the chains is more important than good passing stats or even scoring more than 1 TD in most cases because it keeps our defense rested, and the defense is still the key to Ravens wins.

[StingerNLG]

Yes, the passing game left a bad taste in our mouths yesterday, but one overriding point meriting some optimism about the offense is that even when the passing game has an off day, McNair is still able to manage the offense and move the chains consistently.

8 plays, 25 yards, FG
5 plays, 20 yards, FG
7 plays, 11 yards, FG

That was with short field. And that's great actually because we all argued that the Colt game last year should have been 9-0 at halftime. But we were sold by the FO and all the fans believed our offense just by having McNair on the field would march down and score touchdowns. At this point the game should have been 21-0 at the most.


Then the rest of the Ravens offense decided to help Steve understand the Raven's system a little better:
3 plays, 5 yards, Punt
3 plays, -2 yards, Punt
3 plays, 2 yards, Punt

Three seperate posessions, 5 total yards,

7 plays, 65 yards, Touchdown

A good drive with was also saved by a GREAT heads up catch by Derrick Mason off the tipped fingers of Todd Heap.

3 plays, -11 yards, Punt
3 plays, -5 yards, Punt

Yes, -18 yards. That is minus 18.

6 plays, 18 yards, Punt
7 plays, 11 yards, Field Goal
1 play, Interception
6 plays, 17 yards, Punt

So if moving the chains consistent was a factor in yesterday's game, I don't know where it happened other than a spurt here and a spurt there. 7 punts is not moving the chains. Going negative yards on consecutive possessions is not moving the chains.

As far as TOP, there became a point where the offense only had the ball for 1 minute here, 1 minute 30 there. That's not keeping the defense fresh either.

Anyway, I know you can't judge what Boller would or would not have done yesterday. He could have had a Denver game, or a Minnesota game. I was strictly speaking out of statistics and numbers.

[FHRaven]

Man I knew it was ugly while I was watching it but when you post the drive-by-drive stats it's even worse. :grbac:

Still, I'm not getting worked up, good or bad, over 2 games. The 3 games following next week should give us more of a barometer on the offense.

FHRaven

[highwater]

Let's just be thankful we were playing the Raiders, and that it was at home. We would have been in trouble playing a playoff caliber team yesterday at home, and probably would have been in trouble playing practically anyone on the road.

But we managed to pull out a win while struggling on offense. No one seems to be in denial over this, including the players themselves, so they know improvement is needed.

And yet we still got a win -- it sure beats last year's second game, or do I need to remind anyone how ugly that offensive performance was?

[PurpleRulz]

Two things.

1. We are 2-0. We beat one team we were not supposed to beat (Bucs) and another that we were supposed to beat.

2. We have always started the season sloppy. If there is a time to get ourselves together offensively, it is during the first three games. Once the Chargers come to town, it will be on. (No, I am not concerned about the Stains).

[AZRAVEN]

I'm as concerned about our offense now as I was when Boller was playing. Steve McNair is an experienced vet I don't see why he should still be having problems with basic plays. I was pretty impressed with the performance last week until I saw the egg Tampa Bay laid again this week. I'm beginning to think it will be another long year offensively for us. I am not impressed so far.

[Mr.Boh]

Wow. Just wow. While all is not perfect with our beloved Ravens Offense, McNair wasnt just going to step in and be a perfect fit. We are lucky we have a soft opening 2 for everyone to adjust. And even then Tampa wasnt supposed to be an easy win.
Last year the Colts had the perfect offense. But no ring. same goes for cinncy. There are so many intangables in this game that teams that look perfect on paper will rarely if ever succeed. We should be happy to have 2 put away towards the goal for now, and see where the next few weeks find us.

[RAVENOUS52]

The Good:

1) C-Mac prevented Moss from being a factor Sunday
2) HEAVY HITTERS on defense were explosive...helmets spontaneously combusting off the heads of our opponents and all!!
3) Bart Scott and A.D. are two unbridled STUDS...
4) Stover and Koch punching their tickets to Hawaii?
5) Ray Lewis may be the best defensive player I've ever seen...Never cease to be amazed by his dominance on a football field...
6) The Ravens crowd once again held it's own...

The Bad:

1) Our offense was OFFENSIVE in a deodorant commercial sort of way...P.U.!!!
2) Still haven't identified a legit deep threat yet...(Moore is less, IMHO)
3) If I had a dollar for every ridiculous penalty we commit...I'd have my own skybox by now...
4) Is J.O. OK?

[sailorsam]

agree, agree, agree. I really liked the Koch punt that Prude 'fair catched' at the five, in the third quarter; that led to the safety. I haven't heard anyone mention that catch; wow.
the D is definitely championship caliber. and like everyone else, I'm sick of the O. six, seven years of this.
As long as the O can crank out a couple of drives for 10 points or so, AND NOT TURN THE BALL OVER, this team can make the playoffs, but then they'll need to step it up.
One real good thing about the McNair era; only 1 turnover in two games. that alone marks an improvement.
here's hoping the O-line gels and McNair makes plays as he gets more comfortable. I wonder if his arm hurt, on some of those throws. hate to admit it, but the Raider's Walter was the best qb on the field yesterday.
The Ravens are deep at WR at RB; what can we call Jamal/Mike/Musa? how about JaMiSa? this may be the best three-deep corps in the league.

[highwater]

hate to admit it, but the Raider's Walter was the best qb on the field yesterday.

Let's not get carried away. Although the CBS announcers seemed to think Walter was the player of the day, he was 10 for 27 with three picks and no TDs. McNair had a poor game but he sure was better than that.

Then again, McNair didn't have to play against our D.

[ravensfan86]

The biggest difference in my mind between last year's season finale and this seasons game facing the Browns is Steve McNair. Although he is struggling to some degree, he still has alot of composure and it translates to his team mates. Are there wrinkles for him to iron out? No doubt, but when he is on, like the first drive against Tampa he can be very effective and keep the chains moving.

His touch pass to Heap for a TD hasn't been seen in these parts for quite some time! I know I am drinking the SM cool aid. But he will improve and at some point carry this team on his back. He does it every year in his career. Its kind of scary when you think that he is only going to get better and more effecient along with this tenacious defense!