Late Night Ravens Stream of Consciousness, Part Two

Now, as far as the offense goes, even if they don't do a single thing this entire offseason besides resign Jason Brown, the offense will be better next year. Why? Second year in a system instead of the first. Second year quarterback instead of a first. Your primary two runningbacks not named McGahee will be in their second year running the ball instead of the first. The offensive line may actually be healthy, and even if they're not, they can't be more banged up than they were this year. 

That being said, no matter what or how, the Ravens will upgrade at the wide receiver position this offseason. I don't care how they do it. Well, I do, but let's just say I don't for this sake right now. They could do it in free agency, or they may do it with a first round draft pick, or they may do it with a second round draft pick, or they could trade for one. Either way, they will get a wide receiver, and that will make them that much better.

How much better? Enough so that it will compensate for how far the defense will fall. The offense was ranked 18th this past year. If you put a great receiver on this team and Flacco progresses as he should, the offense may even crack the top 10 next year. A top 10 offense + a top 10 defense = success. 

Almost done. To elaborate more on the wide receiver position, I'm glad reports are now that TJ Houshmandzadeh is not going to be a Raven next year, because he's exactly the kind of wide receiver they don't need. He talks a lot, and he's a possession guy. Derrick Mason fills that role wonderfully. I see some mock drafts with the Ravens taking a Percy Harvin, the small speedster from Florida. He's also exactly the kind of guy the Ravens don't need. Mark Clayton fills that role wonderfully. Who do the Ravens need? They need Darrius Heyward-Bey, who can run by most corners in the NFL, or they need Anquan Boldin, who will out-physical all corners in the NFL to get by them, and has the same effect. How are they going to get either one of those guys? Well, Heyward-Bey will be simple to get. Odds are he will be there when the Ravens look to draft at pick 27. There's a slight chance a team like the Dolphins will take him a pick or two beforehand, but odds are against it. Now, there's no chance at all he's still around for them in the second round, so if they want him, they're going to have to pick him with the first round.

I'm not sure this is the most prudent option, though, and I'm looking at Anquan Boldin (pictured, left) when I say this. Is Anquan Boldin worth a first round draft pick in the NFL? I'm not sure. Teams really value their first round picks; it takes an awful lot to give up one. I think the Cardinals, however, in looking to trade Boldin, will look for a first rounder. I think the Ravens will play with this offer, but Ozzie Newsome recognizes value, and I don't think he would do it. That's why (and of course this could change in the two and a half months before the draft) I see the Ravens taking a cornerback in the first round, maybe Alphonso Smith out of Wake Forest. That would leave the Cards seeking a second rounder for Boldin, and they will certainly get their fair share of offers for that. 

Listen to the situation that unfolds itself now. What are the Ravens needs for this offseason? 1) Wide receiver. 2) Cornerback. 4) Anything else. There's that much of a separation. I'm of the opinion that, if the situation plays out like I imagined there, the Ravens would trade their second and third round picks with a team like Detroit who has a very high second round pick, then trade that pick to the Cardinals for Boldin. It makes perfect sense. Why take an unsure thing with a second round pick in the draft when you can get a sure thing with it instead at the position you need? Just a thought there. 

I recognize that this entire post was speculative, and a lot has to go right to make me look like a guy who knows anything at all here. Look at these previous two posts, though, and if you have a problem with anything I've proposed, I would like to hear it. I recognize it's just as likely that Anquan Boldin is a Cardinal next year as everything I've talked about going my way, but it's just a string of thoughts that make sense to me. Hopefully they make sense to the Ravens. 

Posts to look for in the coming days:

1. How A-Rod kicked a recovering baseball world in the face. 

2. The overblown Ray lewis interview. 

3. The ACC vs. the Big East in college basketball.

4. Where Maryland stands after the GT game. 

(Photo Credits: USA today)

AFC Championship: Why the Ravens Are Heading to Tampa

I abandoned the 12-part post thing as you can tell. This makes more sense; Tyler knows much more about the Steelers than I do, and neither of us really knows about the NFC. So if you were really looking for a Cardinals-Eagles preview, go to ESPN. As a rebuttal, here are my five reasons why the Ravens will emerge victorious today. 

Reason #1: The Steelers have already beaten the Ravens twice this year. Normally, that means that the Steelers would have the advantage here, but if you think that, you don't know the Ravens. Still instilled from the Billick era is a sense of pride in this team unmatched in any I know. Also instilled is a sense of undeniable hatred for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens are admittedly an arrogant bunch, but this will definitely play into their hands. There's no way the Ravens let the Steelers beat them three times in one year. 

Reason #2: I don't know how beating a 4-12 and 9-8 team qualifies you as world beaters. The national media absolutely fell in love with the Steelers this week. They were on the cover of SI twice in a row, and the latest prognostication trend has been to shy away from predicting a close, hard fought game, and to say the Steelers are going to win along the lines of 27-10. Since the week 15 game - a truly epic game that showed just how much separates these two teams (a half-inch, if you recall), the Steelers have lost handedly to the Titans, beat a Browns team that quit in Week 10, had a bye, and then took care of a San Diego team that was only there because for some reason they have the Colts' number. In that same time frame, the Ravens beat the Cowboys in their last game in Texas Stadium, destroyed the Jaguars to clinch a playoff spot, walked all over the Dolphins in Miami, and made enough clutch plays to escape Tennessee with a win. You tell me who has more momentum.

Reason #3: I can fully envision a scenario in which the Steelers rely too heavily on Willie Parker for too long. That's been another theme of this Steeler resurgence: the resurgence of Willie Parker. I will be the first to admit that Parker was awfully impressive in gaining 146 yards against San Diego last week. However, that was against the Chargers' run D, ranked 11th in the league. I know, still solid, but not Baltimore's. Plus, there is Parker's history against the Ravens; he has never gotten over 70 yards. You can talk about what Chris Johnson did all you want, but Chris Johnson is faster than Parker is. Also, the Ravens were playing on a 6-day week last time, and they're playing an 8-day week this time. 

Reason #4: No matter what parts are around them, lined up in the middle linebacker spot for the Baltimore Ravens today will be Bart Scott (pictured, above) and Ray Lewis. You forget how good Ray Lewis truly was against the Steelers in Week 4 this year until you go back and watch the game. It was the most dominating performance by any Ravens player all season. Then, there is Scott, who seemingly plays two good games a year, both against the Steelers. These two players, being - and I kid you not - 2 of the 4 defensive starters from the beginning of the year who are still playing healthy, will anchor this defense, and will be the reason Parker will go nowhere. Suggs is going to play, but even if he doesn't, then the Ravens would go to the 4-3, stick Marques Douglas at defensive end, and line Scott up at the outside linebacker to he can blitz Ben all day. He will rush the passer with a scary fervor. 

Reason #5: As the saying goes, big time players make big time plays in big time games. No matter how much the offense struggled against the Titans and the Dolphins, if you look back at the games, plays were there that were left on the field. The offense has done a brilliant job of holding onto the ball and the defense has done a fantastic job taking it away. They played the two most turnover-savvy teams in the league these past two weeks and stole the game away from both because of the turnovers. Still, that may not be enough against the Steelers, and I expect rookie Joe Flacco to rise up the occasion. Remember what happened in the Dallas game after he fumbled on the 5? He led them down the field in a tone-setting drive that only netted three, but gave the offensive confidence for the rest of the game. Remember what happened in the Jacksonville game when Jacksonville went up 7-0? Flacco went off the deep end, completing something like 11 of 12 passes for 200 yards in the second quarter alone for three consecutive TD drives. Remember what happened in the Miami game when they up 3-0? The very next drive, Flacco led them down the field for the tying score. And remember what happened when Tennessee tied the game at 10? Flacco led the team down the field for the game tying field goal. He's done it all season. When he's needed to make a play, he has - more often than not to Derrick Mason (pictured, right), the Steeler Killer. He may need to make several plays today, and I think he will.

I'm saying the Ravens come away with this one, 17-16. 

And because I'm 6-2 so far on my picks for this postseason, better than 12 of the 13 "experts" on ESPN, I'll pick the other game. In upset II, I like the Cardinals 27-17. 

Baltimore Ravens: What I Thought I Knew

Now that my heart rate has recovered from a crazy divisional playoff weekend, it's time to do a little posting. This is going to be a 12-part posting about every team in the playoffs. For each team, I am going to do a little post about what I thought I knew, what I know now, and what I expect. 

What I Thought I Knew Heading into the Playoffs: RAVENS

1. It is impossible to move the ball consistently against their defense. Post-divisional round analysis: FALSE

Please don't get me wrong here. The Ravens still have the second best defense in the NFL. However, both the Dolphins, and, to a much larger extent, Titans were able to move the ball on this Baltimore defense, and they did it the same way. Largely forget that running the ball exists, and throw short curls and slants. The reason is two-fold. The Ravens bring exotic blitzes that confuse quarterbacks and offensive lines, but if you get rid of the ball quickly enough, it doesn't matter. The other reason is that these routes will be open, because Samari Rolle and Fabian Washington are both finesse quarterbacks who will play five yards off you at all times. 

2. You can't beat the Ravens deep. Post-divisional round analysis: TRUE

The reason for this is one of the same reasons as number 1. Rolle and Washington both can't tackle anyone to save their souls, but they can run with everyone and don't let anyone get behind them. The bigger reason is that if you throw a ball in-bounds more than 30 yards in the air against the Ravens, it is just as likely to be picked off by Ed Reed, one of the greatest free safeties in NFL history, as caught by one of your receivers. And if Reed picks it off (pictured, above), it's coming back the other way. 

3. Joe Flacco doesn't lose his composure - ever. Post-divisional round analysis: TRUE

Flacco (pictured, right) hasn't been pristine by any means in his first two games. Less than 50% completion rate in his first game, 50% in his second. It hasn't been because he's been rattled, though. Sometimes he's just inaccurate. He's a rookie. It happens. You know he hasn't been rattled because he hasn't turned the ball over once, or even taken a sack yet in the playoffs. Now that's impressive. 

(Photo Credits: AP)

Thoughts from the Ravens-Cowboys Game

It's been 24 hours, and I still can't get over that game last night. There was so much to say about it, and I wanted to write about it immediately, but I just couldn't stop relishing in the victory for the Ravens. Looking back on the day, here's what I have to say about it. 

1. Derrick Mason made me proud to be a fan of the Baltimore Ravens. He is, inarguably in my mind (Rod Woodson and Shannon Sharpe supporters may disagree), the greatest free agent pickup in Baltimore Ravens history. We all saw what he did, between the adjustment he made to the ball going across the middle, getting the fumble recovery, and how he completely lost Terrence Newman while running with one arm to get open for the touchdown reception. 

He did all that after needing to helped off the field three times for re-aggravating a dislocated left shoulder, and not being able to lift his left arm up in the air at all. You could see the pain in his face with every step he took, but he persevered like none other. 

As Mason (pictured) went into the locker room with about four minutes left in the second half, the announcers said that his return was doubtful. To who? Every Ravens' fan I know knew exactly what was going to happen. He was going to go in, get a couple shots of cortisone right in the left shoulder, and be back for the second half. 

One last note on Mason. He does not have near the physical tools that Terrell Owens has. Owens is bigger, faster and stronger. Owens also cries after games, whines when the ball doesn't come to him enough, and quits on routes. Mason has had to put up with Kyle Boller, Steve McNair, and the rookie season of Joe Flacco during his four seasons in Baltimore. He hasn't complained once. He is the soul of this offense, and I can't wait to be there next week when the offense comes out of the tunnel and he is last. 

2. We knew this one was going to happen: the Cowboys lost the game, the Ravens didn't win it. At least watching NFL Network's post-game coverage would tell you that. I recognize that the Cowboys have a larger fan base than the Ravens, but come on. At least pretend that the Ravens should get equal media coverage. Instead, we got to watch Tony Romo and Owens talk for about ten minutes apiece, then watch Roger Staubach talk about a play that happened over 30 years ago. 

3. Think before you start criticizing Madden and Michaels again. Papa was decent as the play-by-play guy, but did Deion Sanders say anything productive during that entire game? Don't get me wrong, either. I love Prime Time. I have a number 37 Deion Sanders Baltimore Ravens jersey, in fact. He needs to stick to highlight shows, though, and not serve as the color guy. Marshall Faulk started off terrible and got better. He at least knew what he was talking about. Neither Faulk nor Sanders, though, can stay in one octave for an entire sentence. 

4. I thought the Ravens were going to win last night for the same reason they did win. That reason is that Tony Romo is one of the worst big-game quarterbacks in NFL history. Let's not be too quick to glorify the Ravens' defense last night. Tashard Choice has 90 yards and would have had a lot more if the Cowboys stuck the run. Owens, Witten and Austin were all open several times throughout the night; Tony Romo just couldn't hit them. 

Just to clarify, this would normally make my second point null and void, were it not for Baltimore's offense. They stepped it up in a huge way and are the reason the Ravens won this game.

 

5. If you tell me that Sam Koch is the team's MVP, I won't argue with you. How many weeks in a row is it now that Koch has been absurdly good punting the ball? He is better at putting the ball inside of the 10-yard line than anyone I've ever seen. The fake field goal sprint was amazing, too. He has played a huge role on this team, and fans should never overlook just how crucial he has been in helping the Ravens win the all-important battle of field position. 

Quick hits now ...

6. Perhaps the best part of the entire game was McGahee looking like he finally got back on track. Without Ray Rice, that could be huge. 

7. In the past 5 games, Ed Reed has six interceptions. And two fumble recoveries. And one fumble forced. And a sack. And touchdowns.

8. As bad as Matt Stover is outside of 4o yards, is there anyone better than him within 40? No.

9. I liked the volume of the "O" during the national anthem and the "HEEEEAP" during the game. I've always thought that Ravens' fans were underrated travelers. 

10. Flacco played a man's game last night. His first fumble was inexcusable. You have to know that guy's there. Nonetheless, he took a beating the entire night, and kept getting up and making clutch throws. He did hit the rookie wall a few weeks ago against Washington, ran back into it last week, and finally crashed through it this week.  

(Photo Credits: AP)

Baltimore, why are you so enamored with John Harbaugh?

After three straight losses - two of which the team should have won and one that was an utter blowout - Ravens fans are still in love with the whole John Harbaugh thing.

Why?

All I'm hearing from people is "Wow, so Flacco sucks" or "Our O-line is not living up to expectations."

It just seems funny to me that last year - with virtually the same exact team - the Ravens struggles were all Brian Billick's fault. This year, though, Harbaugh can do no wrong.

Never mind the numerous balls he should have challenged, but didn't (Derrick Mason in the endzone?). Never mind the press conference lies (two weeks ago, Kelly Gregg would be back in a couple weeks; now he's on the IR). Never mind the fact that the Ravens came into Indy with the single worst possible game plan they could have had.

The Ravens have a team with a poor offense, with poor discipline, and that can't play consistently. Gee, Billick could have done that.

They are who we thought they were

Steelers 23, Ravens 20.

A bit disappointing for me, obviously, but I can tell you that this was a great game to watch, and I wasn't even too upset after it. This game reaffirmed a couple things I already knew about both teams.

1. The Steelers have offensive line troubles. They could not really run the ball at all, and Big Ben was being pressured all game. He did not get sacked that many times, though, which leads us to ...

2. I am willing to admit it. Big Ben is a very good NFL quarterback. His ability to maintain contact and still make a play is phenomenal, and he really showed it tonight. He won the game with his toughness. And because they won the game, I will say what I've said before ...

3. The Steelers are the class of the AFC North. They will most likely win the division this year. But because the Ravens gave them such a game ...

4. It may not be the Ravens season this year, but as a fan, I love the direction this franchise is heading. We are not that old on defense. Lewis, Reed, and Pryce are all old, but we have pieces behind all of them that can step in. And as far as the offense goes, its so young its amazing they're doing anything right now. The Ravens need some receivers, but other than that, they will be fine. I can say this confidently because ...

5. Joe Flacco is a rookie, but he will be good in this league. He showed he was a rookie in fumbling a snap, and fumbling on two sacks tonight. The Ravens told you he was a rookie when they didn't decide to go get a score when they got the ball back with 1:40. But the truth of the matter is that Flacco played better tonight than almost anyone expected him to. He made some very clutch throws, and showed he could find the open man. He lacks some pocket presence, but there are many NFL veterans who still struggle with that. I have been on several message boards and I can tell you that the Steelers are worried.

In conclusion, the Steelers won a game that they were expected to - and deserved to - win. It will be interesting to see how both teams do on their short week against tough opponents.