CLICK HERE FOR MY OFFICIAL NFL RAVENS BLOG
MY UNEDITED BLOG IS BELOW.
THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
This was the biggest game of the season. I was worried that the Ravens I didn’t want to show up might show up. They showed up. I get the same feeling when I know my paranoid schizophrenic cousin might show up to important family events like weddings, funerals and court. When he’s on his meds, he’s ok. When he’s not, his day usually ends the same way the Ravens ended their season – with an ass-whoopin. The Ravens scored three points, had four turnovers and committed seven penalties for 64 yards. I’ve seen old ladies put up better numbers playing ping pong. When Ed Reed and Ray Rice are fumbling, you know it’s gonna be a long day.
Grandma ain’t scared!
Simply put, the Colts were better than the Ravens Saturday night. They played smarter and faster and took away the running game. What else can you say about Peyton Manning that hasn’t already been said? The guy is phenomenal and he has our number. Peyton says it’s not easy playing against the Ravens but he makes it look like he’s throwing against fans that were just pulled out of their seats.
Does this dude own a mirror?
After the pain fades remember this, Joe Flacco is only a second year quarterback. Getting to the AFC Championship game in his first season and the AFC Divisional game in his second season is incredible. Let’s not forget we have a second year head coach and a second year running back. The offensive line is young and talented and the defense is among the elite every year. A play-making wide receiver here, a shutdown corner there…smells like the makings of a dynasty to me.
Next up…a long off-season. Eddie Reed – don’t retire. Give us a few more years.
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.
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
CLICK HERE FOR MY OFFICIAL NFL RAVENS BLOG
MY UNEDITED BLOG IS BELOW.
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
CLICK HERE FOR MY OFFICIAL NFL RAVENS BLOG
MY UNEDITED BLOG IS BELOW.
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
CLICK HERE FOR MY OFFICIAL NFL RAVENS BLOG
MY UNEDITED BLOG IS BELOW.
THE NFL HAS AN IMAGE TO UPHOLD. SO DO I.
Why I Hate The Bengals
Let’s just get to it. We have to play the Bengals twice a season. They’re in the AFC North. Nothing we can do about it. The NFL set it up. We go to their place once and they come to our house once. But it’s not like playing the Stillers or the Browns. Win or lose it never seems to be eventful. It’s just something necessary that has to happen.
Playing the Bengals twice a year is like when you were a kid and you had to see that one aunt who you couldn’t stand…twice a year. You really didn’t want to see her. It was never eventful. But you had to. Your parents set it up. “She’s family.” Then they hit you with the sales pitch. “She has a pool.” It’s an above ground pool. And it’s October now. When we head to her place, it’ll be November. At that point it’s freezing and there’s enough shit in her pool to kill Lochness.
It’s always the same ol with her. She never seems to better herself. Then your parents tell you, “She just bought a new Cadillac!” And you think, “Ok. Maybe she’s finally steppin it up.” When you get to her place, what’s sitting in her gravel driveway? An 86 Eldorado. Covered in rust. New? My ass. New to HER!
That aunt is just like the Bengals. Can’t keep a good man – even when she has a bad year and she’s still lucky enough to land one. And when she gets one? She doesn’t know how to treat em. They don’t wanna stay. They’re never happy. And most of em have rap sheets a mile long.
The Ravens are gonna handle the Bengals the same way you’d handle your aunt; make short work of em and send em back to Cincy in that 86 Eldorado.
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.
It hurts. Physically and emotionally. Like the time Bill Gramatica lept in absurd celebration, tore his ACL and missed the rest of the season.
The Ravens lost a heart breaker to the Patriots on Sunday and it came down to the final drive. The Ravens were right where they needed to be. They had momentum & they were moving the ball with ease – a few yards here, a first down there. Completion after completion. You could feel it building. Joe Flacco has em on the ropes! We’re gonna score and win this game!
And then? A perfect pass for first and goal. Dropped. Game over. The excitement, the rush, the screams of joy…gone. Just like that.
I’ve had that feeling before. At my girlfriend’s place. She was looking hot, we both had a few drinks and things were heating up. I was right where I needed to be. I had momentum and I was moving with ease – a bra here, panties there. Completion after completion. We felt it building. It was inevitable. I was gonna score!
And then? Doorbell. Her parents. “We brought Taboo!” Game over. The excitement, the rush, the screams of joy…my erection…gone. Just like that.
I don’t mind losing. Been doing it most my life. It’s the way we lost that stings. Fundamentals. It always comes back to the basics. You could look at a number of plays that hurt the Ravens but the one that everyone will remember is Mark Clayton’s dropped pass. I’m not saying catching a potential game saving pass, under pressure, with other professionals trying to stop you, while thousands of fans scream at the top of their lungs is easy. It’s not. But when you get paid millions of dollars to do it? Catch the damn ball! If you were paid millions of dollars to make creamed corn, wouldn’t you make the creamiest damn corn anyone’s ever had? You’d have to for that kind of $! If not, you’re fired. You’re not getting another opportunity next week. They’ll find someone else to make the creamed corn. Someone younger, quicker, smarter and better. Who knows? Might be Mark Clayton.
Next up, the Cincinnati prison squad, AKA, the Bengals.
New England. See ya’s in the playoffs…
Kuh Kaw!
- Ryan Sickler, Ravens Blogger
