Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 21, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
In a surprise move, bucking 60 years of history, Maryland announced that they will be moving to the Big 10 for the 2014. This will be beneficial for Football Basketball, Baseball and Soccer, but detrimental to Lacrosse. The Big 10 will reported pay the $51M ACC separation fee, and Maryland stands to make $24.7M in broadcasting revenues (as opposed to the ACC’s $17M), with an anticipated increase to somewhere in the mid-$40M within 5 years. Lacrosse will suffer, no longer belong to the ACC. The Big 10 has no organized lacrosse league with only a handful of schools fielding teams, insufficient to hold a conference tournament and well short of the requirements to establish an automatic NCAA bid. Maryland could join an associate league, like the ECAC (Loyola) in Men’s lacrosse, or just play independent. Most notably, Maryland may suffer on the recruiting front without their ACC alliance with perennial powerhouses such as Duke, Virgina, and North Carolina. And, of course, leaving ACC buys local law enforcement about 10 years of riot-free route 1 traffic, without the twice a years Duke basketball games!

Ravens:
The Ravens did not win on Sunday night as much as pittsburgh gave the game away. The stealers failed to run the ball, left in an obviously injured Leftwich, failed to manage the clock, and lost the turnover battle. The Ravens, on the other hand, failed to produce any semblance of offense. Granted pittsburgh has the number 1 ranked D in the NFL, we still had no game plan AGAIN. The stealers made our defense look good. An injured 2nd string QB was rather ineffective, and the return of Suggs had the stealer O-line so confused, they didn’t know how to stop Kruger from breaking free. That pressure covered for the holes in the secondary, although the reserve players covered the field well. This week, the Ravens will need to do more against a better offensive team that isn’t running around like a chicken with it’s head chopped, as pittsburgh was doing on Sunday. Rivers will dissect us given the chance, and these west coast trips also seem to revive the twilight zone (No, not the cheesy teenage vampire books/flicks… we’re talking the realm where anything can happen.)

Continue reading “Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 21, 2012”

Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 13, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
College basketball has started with Maryland losing on the road to defending national champion Kentucky. Maryland started slow, but came out strong in the second half, and even took a brief lead late in the game, before losing by 3. Although a loss, it shows good potential to start the season.

Ravens:
In an effort to show we don’t always play down to the level of our opponents, the Ravens came out strong and kept pushing the envelope all game as they stretched the field, and proved opportunistic on special teams. Defense played tough, but still showed holes in the secondary. Despite the team record 55 points, the 3 take aways (to our 1 give away) plus the excess of Oakland penalties helped set the tone for the game. Unfortunately, an analysis of the stats showed that Oakland out-gained the Ravens, matched them in first downs, and won the time of possession battle. Rushing yards was very low against a team that allowed a rookie to gain 251 yards the week before. Although a lot can be said for a convincing win, the real second half of the season starts this Sunday night in pittsburgh (prime time, per usual) where a win will create a 2 game buffer in the division, and a loss will drop us to 2nd place. This must win game starts a nasty stretch of games that can make or break this season, despite our present #2 conference standing… all this drama, and THEY might not have Brainlessberger!

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Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 6, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Towson is planning to discontinue their Soccer and Baseball programs, much to the chagrin of students and alumni… Loyola is favored to win the MAAC in Basketball this season, after last years trip to the NCAA tournament.

Ravens:
When the dust settles, a W is a W. Moving on to the next game, the Ravens are back at home where they have been nearly invincible lately, demonstrating their Dr. Jeckyl offense. This is a must win, as the remaining schedule could be rather nightmarish if we truly have not turned the corner. After a rookie RB posted 251 yards on Oakland last week including 4 runs of 40+ yards (first time since 1930), the Ravens should be planning a strict heavy Rice diet on Sunday. The defense did better last week, but remember that it was Cleveland. Peas called the game from the booth, and this may have marked a turning point in his coaching style as he was better able to see the field and provide guidance and adjustments. This game should be a win where the Ravens tune up the changes made during the bye week in preparations for back to back road games where the Ravens first travel to arch-enemy stealer country and then head to the west coast for a twilight zone game in San Diego, where it feels like we play (and lose) every year. With stealers regrouped and posting the leagues best defense (again) despite all the injuries, the Ravens need to find a way to keep their opponents off guard, and our defense off the field in coming weeks. The future starts now.

Continue reading “Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 6, 2012”

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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?

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