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Joe Flacco completed four out of ten passes for 34 yards and the Ravens turned the ball over twice. You can’t win playoff games with stats like that especially against the Patriots in Foxboro. But the Ravens did and they did it with a punishing running game and a nasty defense. It was total domination. It’s clear to me that the Patriots are a different team when they’re not cheating.
On the first play from scrimmage, Ray Rice broke loose for an 83-yard touchdown run that set the tone for the game. By the end of the first quarter it was 24-0. The Ravens kept their foot on the Patriots throats and never let up. They played fast and physical on both sides of the ball. The running game was unstoppable with Rice, McGahee and McClain combining for 27 points on 52 attempts. The defense was relentless forcing Tom Brady into four turnovers and the offense capitalized scoring 20 points off those mistakes.
I have to give credit where credit is due; Frank Walker – you played a very solid, physical game. Let’s be frank, Frank – until today’s game, you’ve been paid to do card tricks on the team plane.
Hey Ray, pick a card.
Most importantly Frank and the team played smart, committing only three penalties for 15 yards. It’s good to have Ed Reed back doing what Ed does. And how about Ray Lewis? In his words, “You can’t hurt this! I’m a machine, jerk!” He is a machine. The guy is absolutely phenomenal. Ray led the team with 13 tackles and had a huge sack on Brady.
The Ravens know what lies ahead of them and so do the fans. This is the postseason – one bad game and it’s over. In the words of Apollo Creed, “There is no tomorrow!”
Any fighter wearing this outfit deserves to die in the ring.
Next up, our old team. If the same Ravens show up in Indy it could be a long day for Peyton Manning and the Colts. If not, it could be a long offseason.
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
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THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
Crime is nothing new to Baltimore and the Ravens should’ve been arrested for the beating they gave the Bears on Sunday. Joe Flacco threw a career high four TD’s to three different receivers. It was nice to see Todd Heap snag a couple without spraining something. Demetrius Williams decided to show up and he played well. If he can keep it up, this offense could become a real threat. And Derrick Mason just keeps on doing what he does although his Michael Jackson dance is probably the worst end zone celebration in the NFL. That said, Mason could do the Rerun for all I care as long as he keeps scoring.
Was Rerun French?
The defense looked rock solid, forcing six turnovers. The offense actually capitalized by scoring TD’s instead of field goals. That’s what separates good teams from great teams. Injuries continue to take their toll on the Ravens and another big one has been added to the list. Rookie corner, Lardarius Webb, is out for the season with a torn ACL. It couldn’t come at a worse time. Webb and Domonique Foxworth have been playing great. At this point, we’re left with Chris Carr and Frank Walker. That’s like Vance & Coy Duke replacing Bo & Luke Duke. There’s no comparison and ultimately it could ruin everything.
Turkey ham is no substitute for real ham.
Frank Walker is one of the most undisciplined players in the league. He makes bonehead mistakes week after week. However, I have to give credit where credit is due – Frank did intercept a Jay Cutler pass…and then threw the ball and was flagged for a delay of game penalty (I’m taking the credit back now). What in the hell is wrong with you Frank? You haven’t had a problem holding on to things all season – jerseys, grudges, the past – you couldn’t hold on to the ball? That’s the kind of stupid penalty that costs your team in the playoffs.
And then there’s the Special Teams. They looked special…again. Bad snaps, missed field goals, poor coverage and giving up points lose playoff games. Isn’t it ironic that when a position coach becomes a head coach, his strength becomes his weakness?
Next up, the Steelers. This one is gonna be brutal. Every season it seems like this game is a must win for a spot in the playoffs. Here we go again…
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
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THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
I’ve been sick with the flu for a week now. Feel like I’ve been nailed to my bed. Not nailed in it but nailed to it – the difference between the two is HUGE. Just like the difference between a good Ravens football team and a lousy one.
Sunday, I scraped myself out of bed and made my way to the couch to watch the Birds. I wasn’t sure if I’d see the dominating team that beat the Broncos or the team that lost to the Bengals earlier in the season. I got my answer. The Ravens played like I felt. Like absolute dog shit. From week to week, I have no idea which team is going to take the field. The Ravens are still holding on – and I don’t mean holding on to a shot at the playoffs – I mean holding on to the jerseys of every player that runs right past them. And this time it wasn’t just the defense. The offense had their share of problems too. But the DB’s on this team are some of the worst I’ve ever seen play for the Ravens.
*Note to any NFL quarterback: if you wanna move the ball down the field on Baltimore, just put it in the air. You probably won’t get a touchdown that way, but you’ll get a slew of pass interference penalties that will set you up nicely inside the red zone. Then, you’ll get the TD.
After the game, I went out on my balcony for some sun and fresh air and a little bird landed next to me. We got to talkin. He told me things were kinda rough in his life right now, not to mention winter is coming. He just lost a close friend in a freak accident. Said he was headed to FLA to chill and relax and think about things for a little while. Then he flew away. Just like that. His friend’s name? Playoffs.
Run down, run over and run into the ground
This season isn’t totally over but winning the AFC North is. There’s a lot of football left to play and the Ravens can turn things around. They need to get a grip on themselves and not every player on the opposing team.
Next up, Cleveland. I know you think this is an easy one. Guess again…
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
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THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
The Birds got a big win against the Broncos on Sunday and everything is back to normal. Quick note: Frank Walker was on the bench. Coincidence? No way. (See my WEEK 6 BLOG for further details)
The offense looked great. Joe Flacco was nearly flawless and Ray Rice is proving to be unstoppable. The D was back to doing what it does, limiting the Broncos to 200 total yards. And the Special Teams finally showed up. Hauschka bounced back with three FG’s and a big congrats to Lardarius Webb for his 95-yard kick return for a TD. The Ravens were hitting on all cylinders.
Throughout the bye week I heard a lot of the media say that the Ravens were only 3 plays away from being 6-0 and that the Broncos were soft. Guess what? Shoulda, woulda, coulda. I’m only three payments away from being six months behind on my credit cards or else I’d have good credit. And my grandmother is soft. Soft as they come. But she can still bring the wood. Has moves like Jimmy Snuka. I’m just sayin, it wouldn’t be odd to see her try this shit off her kitchen table.
Superfly
We’re 4-3. The good news is that we know the Ravens are capable of beating anyone in the league. The only way to prove it? Buckle down, kick some ass and make the playoffs!
It starts next week with a huge division game against the Bengals. See ya’s in Cincy.
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
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THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
44 yards out. For the win. In a dome. Perfect conditions. Wide left. I have two words for you. MATT STOVER. Now, I don’t want to put ALL the blame on Steve Hauschka because, frankly, Frank Walker deserves MOST of it. I have faith that Steve Hauschka will make game winning kicks. But Frank Walker? Frank Walker sucks! Plain and simple. I don’t even know how to be nice about it. If he were a little kid in a Pop Warner game, I wouldn’t know how to sugar coat it (honesty is a character flaw). I’d have to tell the kid, “Hey. I know you’re hurting…and you should be. You stunk it up out there today.” Walker should’ve been benched after the Bengals game for his sorry play. And he should be cut after his “performance” against the Minnesota Vikings. Frank Walker couldn’t cover a book! Right now, I could put on a Ravens uniform, in the shape I’m in, and do the same job Frank Walker does. How do you cause pass interference the way he does and STILL let the guy catch the damn ball?? I’m telling you. I can do that. I can hold jerseys and ride a guy’s back like a pack mule. And I don’t make the money Frank Walker makes. If you were paying me to make mistakes, like we pay Frank, I’d be rich!
My sources tell me this guy is still available. Cut Frank Walker, sign this dude and let him do his thang!
*Quick thought: This guy is smiling and having a good time in his adidas. What’s wrong with the lady in pink? Look at her mug. You can’t be happy for him? I hate haters.
3-3 is not where I’d thought we’d be going into the bye week. The pass defense is a mess! Any QB in the league can pass on us. Kyle Boller would look like Johnny Unitas against this defense.
I’m working on being positive (It’s a new year’s resolution that’s still hanging around) and I have faith in the Birds. Our offense looks great and I know John Harbaugh, Ray Lewis and Ed Reed will get this thing figured out. It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. I just wish Frank Walker would run his ass off of our team.
Next up, the undefeated Broncos. Stay positive, Ryan…
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
CLICK HERE FOR MY OFFICIAL NFL RAVENS BLOG
MY UNEDITED BLOG IS BELOW.
THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
Sing it with me!
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show.
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Bout Joe Fla-a-co!
Awwww yeah! Woo! Feel it?? That’s the good stuff right there! Now, I know some of you are gonna say, “Take it easy. It was only the Browns.”
Say what you want, but I’m keeping it positive. The birds were hitting on all cylinders Sunday. They needed to make a statement – not just to the Browns but to the NFL. Statement made.
Playing the Browns reminds me of the time in high school when I had to wrestle a kid with no legs. He had them during weigh-ins but when we hit the mat? Nubs.
If I won? Big deal. I beat a guy with no legs. If I lost? I’d never hear the end of it.
I was damned if I did and damned if I didn’t…and I’ll be damned if I was gonna lose to a kid with no legs. I pinned him in seconds!
And that’s exactly what the Ravens did to the legless Browns, limiting them to 186 total yards. They took away the running game, the passing game, special teams AND Brady Quinn’s job. Probably took Mangini’s job too. Did you see the look on Derek Anderson’s face after his second pick? I had the same look on my face but for completely different reasons.
This game was important for the Ravens and this was the first time we’ve played the new Cleveland Browns without a member of the old Cleveland Browns (Matt Stover) on our team. Joe Flacco and the offense put their foot in Cleveland’s brown ass and never let up. 479 yards of total offense, the D picked up 4 INT’s, and did you see the two laterals? No team in the NFL plays defense like the Baltimore Ravens. And now we have an offense to go with it. Joe Flacco is the real deal. Baltimore, we finally have our QB!
This Sunday, it’s up to Foxborough to face Belichick and the Pats. If you wanna rank among the elite, this is the dragon you need to slay.
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
