- Joined
- Jul 21, 2007
- Messages
- 28,161
- Reaction score
- 7,435
Registered Members experience this forum ad and noise-free.
CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.ahhh the luck of the hail mary
Ya know, luck is a funny thing. Everybody here wants to talk about how lucky the Jones pass was. Nobody wants to say Sterling Moore's play last year or the missed chip shot FG was lucky, or that Denver was lucky to score two special teams TD's.
Truth is, sometimes guys make very unlikely plays. It happens to every team. Ascribing the Ravens success to "luck" and the Patriots success to "skill" is just something to make you feel good before game day.
Ravens VS Patriots.
History shows a very close game... no matter where played.
Ravens set and then broke a playoff offensive production record.. their defense is no longer all-world.
Patriots Offense is the Patriots Offense... been there done that.
The Key is if the Ravens pass-rush which has been very good of late can bother Brady enough to compensate for their overall defensive 'drop off' which is not as bad as claimed.. it depends on what stats you believe are relevant.. seasonal or last half.. last half including playoffs show the Ravens as a Top 10 defense and their Pass Rush as Top 5.
That will probably be enough with their improved Offense. A solid 450 yds/game Unit.
On the touchdown pass that bailed out the Ravens, the Broncos' safety has already admitted that he screwed up by going for the INT instead of just doing his job. That's not the same as the Moore play (Moore did what he's taught to do in cases where he's beaten) or the FG kick (the kicker did what he's trained to do, but he just missed it). You're trying to set up a false equivalency where proper/improper execution is the same as a failure to put one's self in position to execute.
Split hairs much?
While it's true that Caldwell got too reliant on run-run-pass at the end of the game, that was not the case for most of the game, or the Colts or Giants games.
As for play calling, a few things are different. One, he's moved Flacco around in the pocket more. Two, we have been more aggressive on first and second down - that regressed in the two OT periods in Denver, but it's clear the offense has some new life with Caldwell as the OC.
Three - most importantly- Bryant McKinnie. If anyone is responsible for Flacco's improved play, that's the guy right there.
You can call it luck all you want, I guess. Whatever makes you feel good.
When did I ever say it is luck? I did say that Flacco throws some horrible deep ball passes that the WRs have to make great plays on to make the play. That isn't luck. It takes a lot of athletic ability for Smith and Boldin to catch some of the passes Flacco throws.
As for McKinnie, he defenitly has helped, but the one thing the Pats have which neither the Colts nor the Broncos have is an inside pass rush.
No, the Patriots offense is not the "Patriots offense" of past years. This time the Patriots have a serious running game, which can take advantage of a Ravens defense that has been gashed by the run all year. The Patriots have not used a hurry up like the one they have used this year.
This Patriots offense is quite a different beast than past years.
What is so serious about the Patriots running game this year ??
Here's the question for Ravens fans. Given Belichick's history, it should be what this game is going to come down to:
Assuming the Patriots adjust to shut down the deep ball, can Flacco consistently take his team up and down the field?
Their commitment to the running game, its much more explosive and effective than in previous years. No team ever feared Benny.
What is the YPC of this new running force ?
please explain Flacco's sub 60% completion rate in the last 2 games, and his inability to execute any sustained drives.Ravens are averaging 180+ yards rushing per game the last 6 games.. Caldwell is using more of the middle of the field now.. we have the Tight-Ends and a strong possession type receiver to do it.. don't see what about the Patriots Defense matches up that well in this category..
Unless they can generate a lot of pressure with only their front 4.. Flacco is more than capable once he is comfortable in the pocket to play the intermediate game.. Ray Rice, Boldin, Pitta, ****son are good targets.
Here's the question for Ravens fans. Given Belichick's history, it should be what this game is going to come down to:
Assuming the Patriots adjust to shut down the deep ball, can Flacco consistently take his team up and down the field?