Iggy’s Ravens Report – October 23, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:

Giants and Tigers! Oh my! Replacement for Baltimore Arena still under consideration.

Ravens:
Well, I expected to lose, but not like that. The first drive, offensively and Defensively, were impressive and encouraging. What followed, not so much. Front line left no time for Flacco to pass, and after the safety, he was scared to hold on to the ball past 2-mississippi. Rice was not given a chance to make things happen, and wide receivers didn’t have time to make moves and get open. Defensively, Suggs probably needs to get tested for drugs. He did not look like he was recovering from anything, except a mild strain of the flu. Other than that, we still weren’t able to pressure their QB, and the secondary was just sorry. We still have the 2nd best record in the AFC (Not much of a question who has the best record now), and we have a bye week to try and lick a few wounds. Watch out for Cleveland! If we can’t figure out how to improve productivity on the road, we could be in for a long 2nd half of the season.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – October 16, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
Let’s Go… er… um… Tigers?!

 

Ravens:
That was a costly victory. In another game where the team failed to produce any defense, the Cowboys reset the Ravens record books for most yards allowed rushing in a game. With Lewis and Webb now out for the season, and Ngata nursing an MCL, the Ravens need for several someones to start stepping up, Flacco and the O to outscore Houston, or a miracle to occur. Rushing Suggs back into the game could have devastating long term affects on his recovery. Despite entering in to this game tied for best record in the conference, the Ravens could be facing their first defeat to Houston since they entered the league. I hate to sound all doom and gloom, but the reality of the matter is we are running out luck fast, and unless Harbs can start unearthing players like Buck Showalter did this past season, we could be in for a long 2nd half to the season.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – October 9, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
Let’s Go O’s!

 

Ravens:
Ravens showed signs of 2000 with an inept offense and a defense that came up with the big plays when they needed it. Bad news is that this is NOT 2000, and offense is supposed to be lighting up the board. Thanks to a worse day by KC, the Ravens escaped with a win in what has been our sloppiest game yet this year. At least 5 dropped passes, and various other penalties and miscues spelled sure disaster if the Chefs had been carrying a worse curse. Rookie Justin Tucker was the savior, in Matt Stover still, delivering when called upon. Next up is Dallas, who has one of the top rated overall defenses in the NFL. If the Offense can’t find a way to click on Sunday, it will be a long afternoon.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – October 2, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
Nothing to Report.

Ravens:
The real refs were back… and… I remember watching real football. They didn’t adversely affect the game. They left that to the Ravens, who were so sloppy, the local pigs were licking their chops. Lets face it folks, Defense is no longer our specialty. Cleveland was a few dropped passes from embarrassing us, and don’t expect different results in Kansas City. As long as the offense can run the hurry up and keep the other teams Defense off balance, we can win. We may be 3-1, but there is a lot of questions that still need to get answered, which starts with a more consistent pass rush.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – September 25, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
NCAA Lacrosse has approved a couple changes for next season, including a 30 second shot clock instead of the subjective stall warnings. This was favorably received, although questions remain about shot clock placement for players and coaches on the field. It is unclear whether or not there will still be a time limit to clear the ball. Offensive players will now be allowed to have shooting strings up to, but not touching four inches from the top of the crosse.

Ravens:
Refereeing is what it is, and after the Monday night game, it is clear there is a problem (Green Bay’s apparent Interception that was ruled a touchdown that cost them the game.) As stated at the meeting Monday, the only real solution is for coaches to pull their teams from the field until the real refs return, but that can never happen because the coaches are controlled by the owners, and the owners are the ones locking out the officials. On to the Ravens game, the offense performed well and protected Joe enough to score some points. Special teams didn’t cost us the game, and are split seconds away from breaking one. Defense is… well… not the defense we are used to. Get used to high scoring games this year because without a strong pass rush, good quarterbacks will pick us to pieces. The Pats lost because a lack of running game prevented them from running out the clock. The defensive scheme was to “bring the house” on most plays, which makes for a very physical game, and forced the Pats to pull the TE back for blocking, limiting Brady’s options. It worked to the point that we got the win. Just stock up on the pepto. You are going to need it this season… and the kick was good!

Iggy’s Ravens Report – September 18, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
No thoughts.

Ravens:
Well, Week 1 saw Dr. Jekyll destroy the Bengals, while Week 2 produce the Mr. Hyde that we also know exists. Officiating aside, since we can’t do anything about it, the Ravens failed to produce when they needed to. They abandoned the running game, and when the passing game failed, we had nothing. Justin Tucker kept us in the game with 3 unthinkably long field goals, and had we gotten closer, I am sure Harbs would have green lighted a 60+ attempt. Defense failed to apply consistent pressure on Vick, in fear that he would hurt us with his legs, and the secondary showed signs of pre-season stupidity. This was not the team that played the week before. Now, which team will show up for Week 3?

News and Personal Thoughts:
Not thinking… Still in shock from last nights “game!”

Ravens:
Wow! What a win! Of course, the game was a lot closer until those 17 points in just over 2 minutes at the end of the 3rd and start of the 4th quarter. After that Cincinnati imploded. Offensive line held up, and the D finally got a few sacks while the Bengals were in desperation mode. Officials couldn’t spot the ball correctly to save their life, and we benefits from many blown calls (but not all). Looks like the Scab refs will be here for a few more weeks, as a schedule has been drawn thru week 5.

Iggy’s Raven’s Report – September 3, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
Congratulations to the Bayhawks – Four time MLL champions!

Ravens:
Okay, preseason is over, and not soon enough. The last game is not much of a gauge on how things might be since they played virtually NO starters. The Ravens have signed a few additional veterans after the trade deadline to try and plug some holes, but the bottom line remains that the season starts Monday night, whether we are ready or not. Cincinnati will be a good test for this team, as some critics have pegged them as the pre-season favorites to win the division. Andy Dalton has shaped up to be a very good quarterback, and will exploit our weak pass rush, and holey secondary. On offense, the Ravens will unveil their hurry-up West Coast style offense, which can leads to lots of points… or lots of punts! GO RAVENS!

Iggy’s Raven’s Report – August 24, 2012

News & Commentary
Schedule
Relevant Football Links
Predictions

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News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
None.

Ravens:
In an atypical game, the Ravens ran up the score against the pathetic Jags. They failed to present any form of offense or defense to test our players, making tough decisions even tougher come Monday, since everyone seems to have shined. Cundiff appears to be done and rightfully so. Tucker is a gem, and any team will be lucky to have him. Special teams found it better to boot the ball through the end zone because our coverage teams SUCK. The offense line held long enough for the Ravens to run their version of the hurry up/West Coast offense, and this is actually a good thing. I think Joe works better when he has less time to think about the upcoming play. The defense still showed a lack of pass rush and weak secondary, when the Jags actually were about to throw the ball. If we can do the same to Cincy on opening night, I’ll start believing things are fixed, but the reality of it is that there are still problems.

Iggy’s Raven’s Report – August 18, 2012

News & Commentary
Schedule
Relevant Football Links
Predictions

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News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
None.

Ravens:
Second preseason game is in the books with 2 kick return touchdowns called back, 0 TD’s scored (offense, Defense and “un”special teams), no pass rush, a soft secondary, and a front line that hasn’t answered as many questions as it has been raising since game 1. Once again, the Ravens showed their quick hit no-huddle style offense, which I fear will only result in more opportunities for Sam Koch to punt, and with the blocked punt later in the game, may be we need to worry about that aspect now too. Game 3 is supposed to be when most bubbles get popped, and guys are pretty much in or out, but currently, I am not happy with any of the options. One competition I will way in on is the kicker challenge. Tucker seems to be a much more stable entity than Cundiff. After a few critical let downs last season, I say give the kid a chance to make it in the pro’s. He could very well be the next Stover for us.