Ravens Roost 4

Ravens:
We didn’t lose! And actually, we gained a little with the Browns and steelers losing. The Ravens signed Free Agent Running Back Bernard Scott to strengthen our backfield with Rice and Pierce nursing injuries. This weekend starts a string of 8 must win games, but Cleveland will be no cake walk. Jason Campbell put up good numbers against an undefeated Kansas City Team, only losing by 6 points. In our first meeting in Baltimore, the Ravens depended on 2 second half touchdowns to post a win, but this time it’s in Cleveland, where they seem to bring extra venom for some reason.

Ravens:
We SUCK. Can you find a more descriptive term? We gave up gobs of yardage on the ground to a team that averaged 60 yards a game, we still can’t run the ball, and pass protection still had it’s lapses. Our pass rush bordered on non-existent, and we once again posted only mid-teen on points. It’s a bye week, and Harbs has some asses to kick for 2 weeks. Losing to the steelers is inexcusable with the way their season has been going. We need answers, and we need them now, because if a trip to Cleveland doesn’t right this ship immediately after the bye week, it’s going to be a long 2nd half to this season.

Ravens:
The Ravens inability to establish themselves on offense produced this loss. A heavy dependency (again) on a passing attack using yet to be proven receivers because the running game went no where cost the Ravens the game as was exhibited on the 4 failed running plays inside the 5 yard line that resulted in a turnover on downs. More creativity needs to be employed to open up running holes and to protect Flacco from more punt-like INTs (last week), and the sack-fumble at the end of the first half which gave them a second chance at those 3 points they just conceded to us on their previous possession with the wide right kick. The fumble and the failure to punch the ball into the end zone cost us the game. Not to mention, our pass rush put up 3 early sacks on Rodgers, but then failed to produce another one throughout the rest of the game. This was another game that will haunt us down the road, but not as much as next weeks matchup could. The trip to pittsburgh is a MUST-WIN to maintain pace within the division, and to squash any dreams they might have after their first win last week against the Jets. A loss will virtually tie us with them, with both teams sporting 4 losses on the season.

Ravens:
A Raven’s Win! What is more important? Miami proved that they need an offensive line by giving up 6 sacks to the Ravens to lead the league in sacks allowed, while the Ravens are getting false hopes in their ability to run the ball. Suiting up only 3 WRs, the Ravens resigned Brandon Stokely today after cutting him on Saturday in a strategic move (?) that brought in an extra TE that we did not use. The Ravens are obviously in a high stakes poker match, trying to get the right personal on a per game basis, and they are going to need it this weekend against the ever dangerous Aaron Rodgers, who could mimic the week 1 debacle in Denver, if the Ravens can’t find a to tighten up their secondary, or further increase pressure on Rodgers, which could also be disastrous given his ability to throw on the run.