2011-2012 NFL Season Thread

[Memorex]

Rewind to Sunday Nov. 13th at Candlestick Park

San Fran. 27 NYGiants 20


we've been here before...

And both have improved a great deal since.

[AR]

Flacco made the throws when it counted. The offensive line did him zero favors and was the most troubling aspect of the game. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis showed a lot of heart. I like their chances in New England where they have won in the playoffs before but obviously anything can happen.

[Ehwmatt]

Flacco made the throws when it counted. The offensive line did him zero favors and was the most troubling aspect of the game. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis showed a lot of heart. I like their chances in New England where they have won in the playoffs before but obviously anything can happen.

Ed, I'm curious: what's the general Baltimore fan sentiment like regarding Flacco? Do they like him? Wish for a better QB? Think he can still develop? ...?

Here in Cleveland, I'd say there's probably a 50-50 split on Colt McCoy:

1. 50% feel we've seen enough and that he doesn't have the physical tools to be solid in the NFL, notwithstanding that he hasn't even played 2 full years and had to learn an entirely new (and probably obsolete) system under an inept offensive coordinator/head coach with terrible receiving weapons and an injured feature back.

2. The other 50% feel we need to see more and like Colt's toughness. They attribute his mediocre results so far to not having enough weapons. I don't think many think he's great already, but they do think we need to see what he can do with more offensive weapons and a better right side O-line.

I waver back and forth between two camps. Seeing Balti and San Fran in their respective conference championships leads me to believe that we need to build the team and see what Colt can do. If we need someone else, we can go out and get him in another year or two.

[AR]

Flacco made the throws when it counted. The offensive line did him zero favors and was the most troubling aspect of the game. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis showed a lot of heart. I like their chances in New England where they have won in the playoffs before but obviously anything can happen.

Ed, I'm curious: what's the general Baltimore fan sentiment like regarding Flacco? Do they like him? Wish for a better QB? Think he can still develop? ...?

Here in Cleveland, I'd say there's probably a 50-50 split on Colt McCoy:

1. 50% feel we've seen enough and that he doesn't have the physical tools to be solid in the NFL, notwithstanding that he hasn't even played 2 full years and had to learn an entirely new (and probably obsolete) system under an inept offensive coordinator/head coach with terrible receiving weapons and an injured feature back.

2. The other 50% feel we need to see more and like Colt's toughness. They attribute his mediocre results so far to not having enough weapons. I don't think many think he's great already, but they do think we need to see what he can do with more offensive weapons and a better right side O-line.

I waver back and forth between two camps. Seeing Balti and San Fran in their respective conference championships leads me to believe that we need to build the team and see what Colt can do. If we need someone else, we can go out and get him in another year or two.

Matt, Flacco takes a ton of heat in Baltimore. Even more than he does nationally. the fact is though he is the best QB the Ravens have had and has done nothing but win, with the exception of a Super Bowl. Yesterday I saw him make some very crucial passes when it mattered, but his stats have regressed from last year. Still, I think he is good enough (aka like Eli Manning) to win a Super Bowl and the Ravens should stick with him. Elite? No. But 2 elite QB's went out yesterday and Flacco is still there.

I've seen quite a bit of McCoy. He is tough and does not have enough weapons. In the Browns case I would bring in competition for him and make him win the job - which he very well might. He's an advantage to have on your squad. Not someone I would kick to the curb at all. Not sure he is the answer, but is definitely part of the puzzle if that makes sense.

[YoungJRNY]

Elite? No. But 2 elite QB's went out yesterday and Flacco is still there.

I think THIS is the time for Flacco to get above the "below-average" mark as his status-quo as a quarterback. Two elites might be out of the dance, but Flacco's awful performance was backed up by an obvious defensive struggle. To go to the Super Bowl, you need offense and a QB to lead. Patriots have the best to do it within the AFC. We'll see what Flacco is made of as a PERSONAL QB to his offense to get over the hump because his defense WILL give up points to Brady. The key matchup in my eyes for Baltimore is Ray Rice VS the New England defensive front. If Bellichick makes them one-dimensional, bye-bye Baltimore. If Rice gets going, Baltimore has a GREAT shot at victory.

[AR]

Elite? No. But 2 elite QB's went out yesterday and Flacco is still there.

I think THIS is the time for Flacco to get above the "below-average" mark as his status-quo as a quarterback. Two elites might be out of the dance, but Flacco's awful performance was backed up by an obvious defensive struggle. To go to the Super Bowl, you need offense and a QB to lead. Patriots have the best to do it within the AFC. We'll see what Flacco is made of as a PERSONAL QB to his offense to get over the hump because his defense WILL give up points to Brady. The key matchup in my eyes for Baltimore is Ray Rice VS the New England defensive front. If Bellichick makes them one-dimensional, bye-bye Baltimore. If Rice gets going, Baltimore has a GREAT shot at victory.

Ok but what happened to the Saints?

The Ravens have won with Flacco in a playoff in the Patriots house before......

You're right, he does need to step it up, but I felt the Texans were the toughest test and they got past it. The Offensive line killed him yesterday and he did throw a few nice ones.

[S2M]

Ravens won that game for ONE reason, and one reason only - Jones muffed that kick.

And yes, The Ravens beat a NE team in NE - WITHOUT Wes Welker.

Let's see the Crows win a game without Ray Rice....just saying.

[Enigma869]

The Ravens have won with Flacco in a playoff in the Patriots house before......

They sure did and when the did it, Welker didn't play, and Gronkowski and Hernandez weren't even on the team. I'm not saying the Ravens can't win, because they certainly can. That said, nothing that happened two years ago is going to have any impact on either team in this game. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed (along with Tom Brady, who isn't exactly 23 years old) all know that they aren't getting that many more cracks at the Lombardi Trophy. I think this will be a great game (and I hope for that, because I was bored to tears during the Denver game). I see it as a TD game, regardless of which team wins.

[AlteredDNA]

Williams leaving Saints to become Rams' DC, re-unite with Fisher
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8 ... line_stack

Not a big surprise, but will be interesting to see who gets brought in - Spagnuolo seems to be a leading candidate...

[AR]

The Ravens have won with Flacco in a playoff in the Patriots house before......

They sure did and when the did it, Welker didn't play, and Gronkowski and Hernandez weren't even on the team. I'm not saying the Ravens can't win, because they certainly can. That said, nothing that happened two years ago is going to have any impact on either team in this game. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed (along with Tom Brady, who isn't exactly 23 years old) all know that they aren't getting that many more cracks at the Lombardi Trophy. I think this will be a great game (and I hope for that, because I was bored to tears during the Denver game). I see it as a TD game, regardless of which team wins.

It will be a great game. Should be fun.

Let's see the Crows win a game without Ray Rice....just saying.

He is playing.

[Enigma869]

the fact is though he is the best QB the Ravens have had

Not saying much given the Ravens have been an NFL team for all of 20 minutes and have the likes of Kyle Boller and Trent Dilfer in their past. I actally think Flacco comes across as an arrogant douche in the press conferences I've seen with the guy. He has this really smug attitude like he's something special, and given the fact that he's never finished as a top 10 QB in the league, I'm not really sure where that attitude comes from. It's always been very easy for me to root against guys like that and hope they get bitch slapped.

[S2M]

NE -41
BAL - 17

No one is stopping Welker/Gronk/Hernandez. If NE comes out in the hurry up, game over. Sizzle and Homocide will be Tebowing on the sidelines with oxygen masks on their faces. If at any point in the game Baltimore has more than three 3 and outs, game over. And if they do not force a NE turnover, game over.

They only way NE loses this game is if they totally implode.

[AR]

the fact is though he is the best QB the Ravens have had

Not saying much given the Ravens have been an NFL team for all of 20 minutes and have the likes of Kyle Boller and Trent Dilfer in their past. I actally think Flacco comes across as an arrogant douche in the press conferences I've seen with the guy. He has this really smug attitude like he's something special, and given the fact that he's never finished as a top 10 QB in the league, I'm not really sure where that attitude comes from. It's always been very easy for me to root against guys like that and hope they get bitch slapped.

He has no attitude at all. He gets bitch slapped at every press conference. Why the hate?

[AR]

NE -41
BAL - 17

No one is stopping Welker/Gronk/Hernandez. If NE comes out in the hurry up, game over. Sizzle and Homocide will be Tebowing on the sidelines with oxygen masks on their faces. If at any point in the game Baltimore has more than three 3 and outs, game over. And if they do not force a NE turnover, game over.

They only way NE loses this game is if they totally implode.

Recall the LAST playoff game in New England?



Look it is going to be a great game but if you think the Patriots are putting 41 points on the Ravens you are a turd.

[AR]

The Ravens have won with Flacco in a playoff in the Patriots house before......

They sure did and when the did it, Welker didn't play, and Gronkowski and Hernandez weren't even on the team. I'm not saying the Ravens can't win, because they certainly can. That said, nothing that happened two years ago is going to have any impact on either team in this game. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed (along with Tom Brady, who isn't exactly 23 years old) all know that they aren't getting that many more cracks at the Lombardi Trophy. I think this will be a great game (and I hope for that, because I was bored to tears during the Denver game). I see it as a TD game, regardless of which team wins.

There are players on both sides that didn't play. Anquan Boldin right?


It's a pick em with the advantage to the Pats because it is a home game. S2M's 41-17 makes me laugh though.

[AR]

NE -41
BAL - 17

No one is stopping Welker/Gronk/Hernandez. If NE comes out in the hurry up, game over. Sizzle and Homocide will be Tebowing on the sidelines with oxygen masks on their faces. If at any point in the game Baltimore has more than three 3 and outs, game over. And if they do not force a NE turnover, game over.

They only way NE loses this game is if they totally implode.

Would you like to put money on your team scoring even over 30 points against the Ravens?

[Enigma869]

He has no attitude at all. He gets bitch slapped at every press conference. Why the hate?

I call them as I see them. I've seen three different clips of him over the past month, and the guy just comes across as a douche. I know nothing about the guy, other than the games I've watched him play. At the very least, he's in dire need of a media coach. He just comes across like he thinks he's the man and far too superior to be talking to the "pee on" media people.

[Enigma869]

There are players on both sides that didn't play. Anquan Boldin right?

With all due respect, Boldin couldn't carry Welker's jock. The guy ranked 32nd in yards, 48th in catches, and 76th in TD's this season and had similar rankings last season with Baltimore. He's an okay player, but nothing special. Far more physical tools than Welker will ever have, but Boldin isn't as good as New England's top 3 receivers!

It's a pick em with the advantage to the Pats because it is a home game. S2M's 41-17 makes me laugh though.

That we agree on. I wouldn't sweat it. If you follow this thread, it's pretty much his pick every week. In his opinion, the Patriots will blow out every opponent they face and nobody deserves to be on the same field with them. That said, I actually do agree with S2M that if New England doesn't turn the ball over and Brady is on his game, New England won't lose this game. They're simply not good enough to win if Brady doesn't come to play.

[Enigma869]

Would you like to put money on your team scoring even over 30 points against the Ravens?

I actually don't think 30 points is all that far-fetched. Hell, Baltimore gave up 34 to the Chargers, and the Patriots have a far superior offense. If someone had to pin me down on a score, I'd pick New England to win the game 27 to 24. I don't think the Patriots can win this game scoring fewer points than that. You may be right, about the under 30 thing, but it certainly wouldn't shock me if the Patriots hung a crooked number on Baltimore.

[Don]

In all four of the Raven's losses this year, they were held below a hundred yards rushing. Flacco had six interceptions over those 16 quarters also.
Stuff the box and make Joe throw it seems to be the best defense.

[conversationpc]

CBS wants Tebow for broadcast team -- this weekend!

If that annoys a lot of people, I'm all for it!

[Enigma869]

In all four of the Raven's losses this year, they were held below a hundred yards rushing. Flacco had six interceptions over those 16 quarters also.
Stuff the box and make Joe throw it seems to be the best defense.

I would be STUNNED if Flacco was the reason for a Baltimore win. If Baltimore wins, it will be because of the same reason that have ever won a game since their existence...DEFENSE! It's obviously a game Baltimore could win. The Patriots aren't exactly the best defense in the NFL, so they'll give up some points. I just think Baltimore needs to play a near perfect game to beat the Patriots, because they are a limited offensive team. Baltimore will have all the confidence in the world, given that they just beat New England two years ago in the playoffs. Brady threw three picks in that game, and if he does that again, Baltimore will win again. I just don't see it (Brady giving the ball up three times again) happening twice. I know this. Both of these teams will come into this game with a false sense of security. The Patriots defense is flying high, after playing their best game of the season against a very bad Denver offense, and Baltimore is flying high after their effort against a third string QB.

[Don]

Aside from Roethlisberger, the only semi-decent QBs the Ravens faced this year were Rivers and an 'over the hill 'Hasselbeck. Both losses.
I think The Raven's defense is living off of reputation and abysmal opponent offenses this year.
An all pro quarterback like Brady should expose them unless he just has a simply awful game because of not bringing it himself.

I'm pulling for the Ravens and 49ers by the way, but a lot of things are going to have to go right for them and wrong for their opponents to make that happen.

Eli Manning is really elevating his game right now and his receivers are beasts, I keep waiting for the G-Men to collapse but they seem to be getting stronger and stronger.

[AR]

CBS wants Tebow for broadcast team -- this weekend!

Awesome!

[AR]

All good guys. We will see what happens. Appreciate being back on MR.

[Enigma869]

I'm a Ravens and 49'ers fan to. Balti, just because I'd like to keep it in my Division, and the 49'ers because of former Bengal Justin Smith, who I loved when he was here. A fucking BEAST from Missouri. I'd like to see him win Sunday, but lose to Balti in the SB as long as the AFC North brings it home. What's weird is, I fucking HATE Baltimore and Ray Lewis and gang. And I HATE San Fran because of our 2 Super Bowl losses to them.

That's my take..

I actually think the Giants are the best of the four remaining teams, and easily the most balanced.

[YoungJRNY]

Elite? No. But 2 elite QB's went out yesterday and Flacco is still there.

I think THIS is the time for Flacco to get above the "below-average" mark as his status-quo as a quarterback. Two elites might be out of the dance, but Flacco's awful performance was backed up by an obvious defensive struggle. To go to the Super Bowl, you need offense and a QB to lead. Patriots have the best to do it within the AFC. We'll see what Flacco is made of as a PERSONAL QB to his offense to get over the hump because his defense WILL give up points to Brady. The key matchup in my eyes for Baltimore is Ray Rice VS the New England defensive front. If Bellichick makes them one-dimensional, bye-bye Baltimore. If Rice gets going, Baltimore has a GREAT shot at victory.

Ok but what happened to the Saints?

The Ravens have won with Flacco in a playoff in the Patriots house before......

You're right, he does need to step it up, but I felt the Texans were the toughest test and they got past it. The Offensive line killed him yesterday and he did throw a few nice ones.

I really don't re-call seeing any bigtime throws. Baltimore's touchdowns came from a couple yards out after Houston's short field turnovers (and also a Ray Rice screen that almost went the distance.) I've seen him just put the ball up in the air and his receivers (Lee Evans & Anquan Boldin) make a couple acrobatic catch's for their QB and simply made him look good at that juncture. Everytime I saw Flacco play, and it's quite often, he seems to rest way too much on the deep ball and the occasional pass interference, yellow flag way too often. If it wasn't for deep throw, desperate heeve's against Arizona earlier in the year and multiple yellow flags on top of it, Baltimore would of been an overall 8-1 at home rather than 9-1. I just think Flacco has to show more-game than he's has shown this season for him to get the respect he thinks he deserves.

[Angel]

CBS wants Tebow for broadcast team -- this weekend!

That would be awesome....and in related news....looks like he'll be starting again next season, too!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/fox-elway-agree-tim-tebow-earned-start-2012-221258523.html

[YoungJRNY]

CBS wants Tebow for broadcast team -- this weekend!

That would be awesome....and in related news....looks like he'll be starting again next season, too!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/fox-elway-agree-tim-tebow-earned-start-2012-221258523.html

That message should be alarming to Tebow fans. They didn't say the job is his and that's that. They said he deserved the shot to go into the 2012 season as the starter, which means he's destined to be replaced if you read between the lines.

New year, new changes, new draft, new free agents, new head coach's, new hires, new coordinators & new philosophies. The NFL is changing RIGHT now around us as we speak.

Lets look at the AFC WEST. The San Diego Chargers have decided to listen to their QB and keep continuity in Norv Turner. Phillip Rivers is coming off a terrible season to his standards and is destined to be the next big-step quarterback. The Oakland Raiders have officially cleaned house and have a GM wanting to get this thing turned around for the Silver and Black, following an 8-8 season while Carson Palmer, the best QB since Rich Gannon to graze their roster, will have a full season to get it right with a healthy Darren McFadden returning. Romeo Crennel is a defensive mastermind who has a GREAT defense to work with in Kansas City. Denver, in my eyes, is stepping backwards with Tim Tebow. John Elway obviously wanted to go with an actual QB but the "W's" that came along with Tebow has FORCED him into giving Tebow the role for now & will probably have only 8 games to perform at a PEAK level.

I won't be surprised to see Denver in the basement at the end of next season, winning 6 games at best.

[Rick]

CBS wants Tebow for broadcast team -- this weekend!

That would be awesome....and in related news....looks like he'll be starting again next season, too!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/fox-elway-agree-tim-tebow-earned-start-2012-221258523.html

Good for him. After reading about him taking handicapped kids and their families to games and paying for everything, then spending time with them after the game, I'm finding it harder and harder not to like the guy. With some good QB coaching, he may turn out to be a pretty good contender. He's got great mobility and the heart to win. If we could just get the media to quit swinging from his junk, it would help him quite a bit with the haters.