Report from Baltimore
 

Still trying to calm down from the game, a few observations from sec. 130 row 15, not far from Gaffney's winning catch:

* Ravens fans and players are angry and bitter over this one. An old guy decked out in Ravens gear a row down from me was crying afterward and the young drunks were throwing things, screaming obscenities at the refs, etc. It was wild in there. The Ravens players were trying to pick fights with Patriots on the field after Gaffney's score, lots of pushing, shoving, etc.

* Raven fans felt Gaffney didn't have control of the ball when he stepped out of bounds during the touchdown. Too bad for them. :D

* Raven Samarie Rolle said on the radio he is going to file a complaint with the league and talk to BOTH his agent and a lawyer about a referee (No. 110) who referred to him as "boy" several times on the field. :o

* Couldn't understand why we didn't have Gostkowski squib kick on that last kickoff instead of force the touchback.

* The Patriots played without passion most of the game and the Ravens clearly wanted it more ... for the first three quarters, at least. We were getting manhandled on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Ogden is gigantic and McGahee looks bigger and stronger than he did with Buffalo -- maybe that's because I was seeing him up close. I was amazed at how easily the Patriots were getting pushed around.

* Bruschi is no longer a force; he is constantly getting beat physically out there. Seymour is still showing very little ... The whole defense looked like it was sleepwalking for most of the game -- defensive backs whiffing and letting guys get wide open a la Philadelphia last week. We were lucky, lucky, lucky that Baltimore played not to lose at the end and lost its composure with stupid penalties. Also very lucky the Ravens called timeout right before Brady got stonewalled on fourth and one. Otherwise, game over.

* Fans were LOUD and very into it. Nobody in the lower bowl sat down the entire game.

* Weather was much colder outside the stadium; bowl shape and close confines kept a lot of the wind out and most of the crowd noise in.

* Ravens were introduced as a team, Ray Lewis didn't do his introductory 'hood dance.

* Ravens marching band does a halftime show and plays between quarters from seats in the south end zone. Sort of a weird college-style vibe that seems out of place.

* Our cheerleaders look a lot better than theirs, plus they have male cheerleaders along with them that sort of takes the edge off wanting to watch them much.

* I came away feeling like we stole one, but you just knew Brady would pull it out after so many chances given us at the end with Baltimore continually shooting itself in the foot.

* I want to see us stick to the running game more, if for no other reason than to give the team some toughness and chew up a bit of clock.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

You made it out of there alive with Patriots gear on?

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

Gives the opportunity for a big return.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

Great POVs from the belly of the beast, TS. I'm going to sleep now; I'll post some replies tomorrow (= later today).

One question: should I wear my NEP sweater in public here in Baltimore, without fearing for my life?

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

Yes -- hat and jacket. I watched my back, believe me. The buddy I went with is a Ravens fan. I kept my celebrating to myself. There were Pats fans there, but not thousands like in Buffalo.

Your call. These folks are pretty pissed. They went into the game not expecting much, then really believed they could win, then when we snagged it from the at the end, their whole season came crashing down on their heads.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

Extremely, extremely unlikely.

The coverage would have been all over whoever first touched the ball.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

This lack of passion is disturbing. Is it the age of the D, the long season weighing on veteran players? Otherwise it is strange. Usually this is the time of year the Pats kick it into gear. But the D has been leaky for weeks, disguised by blowout after blowout. But in the big games, against the big teams, they have made numerous physical errors, slipshod tackling, etc. It is so unlike BB's defenses (other than 2005, and even that D kicked it into gear down the stretch). To not get up for MNF is bizarre. This team will have to win the SB with offense. The D is proving surprisingly mediocre. Right now Indy looks more solid on both sides of the ball, with young energetic players on defense who enjoy physical contact. Hopefully BB can correct this, if he has enough to work with.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

My take as well. This is particularly disturbing as Pats get ready to host a Ravens clone at the Razor on Sunday that uses a similar strategy but is much better than the Ravens. The D needs attention ASAP!

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

I couldn't agree more with your statment concerning the defense usually coming toghether at this time of year. In the past when people complained about the D I responded "its early,the defense doesn't start really jelling until Nov, or Dec." Well its Dec. and it hasn't happend yet,but it better happen soon.

Re: Report from Baltimore
 

The problems, as I see them:

* Defensive backfield looks a bit uncoordinated, and Rodney is getting picked on in coverage.

* Seymour is not Seymour.

* Bruschi and Seau are showing their age. At least Seau is a bit more physical than Tedy, but we're just not tough up the middle.

* We're already missing Colvin.

* The pass rush isn't materializing into something to be feared.