Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Questions for the Ravens Blogger

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 9:53 AM EST

[Note by TexSkins, 12/04/08 12:57 PM CST ] Be kind to our neighbors. Oh, and answer any and all of their questions. Good stuff, Rexx.

Hey Hogs Haven! It's Rexx, the blogger over at Baltimore Beatdown. Perhaps you've seen some of my comments on the other recent FanPosts. Now you have the chance to dispense with all the trash talking and get down to serious business by asking me some questions about specific parts of this weekend's game in Baltimore. I'll stop back throughout the rest of the week to repsond. At the same time, come on by our site and post your thoughts as well. We like to hear other teams' perspectives (unlike the Cleveland Browns' site) and would love to do so with you guys. You have a huge following, while we are just a relatively new (one year) group of small, loyal but knowledgeable fans.

Hope to hear from you soon!

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Front and Center...

1st question: How come every time I start McClain, he doesn’t get in the end zone?

2nd: How good is Harbaugh?

That’s it for now. Feel free to ask questions here… or to have any of your readers do the same.

Yes, I am a nerd.

by TexSkins on Dec 4, 2008 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Answers:

1. Fantasy Football: You’re asking me? I’m way in next to last place, started Matt Cassel against the Steelers but sat him for those two 400+ yard games. No further comments needed.
2. I’m in the minority of not too thrilled with Harbaugh. I like how he surrounded himself with two great coordinators and has taken a mature, calm almost hands off approach to the game. At the same time, I haven’t been thrilled how he has handled the Red Challenge Flag opportunities and have seen some rookie mistakes. Overall, though at 8-4, you’ve got to give him tons of props. If we were 4-8, we’d be all over him. Look at Romeo Crennel, Marvin Lewis and Norv Turner. Ouch!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

90% approval rating...

Your that 1 out of 10 rexx

Life is nothing but Beats & Rhymes

by Matchz Malone on Dec 4, 2008 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks

for the post and the postings. Its keeping things lively here, and that’s great. I’ve never been much interested in the Ravens, but you and your fans have forced me to see that the Ravens are for real this year. What convinced me was Football Outsides’ DVOA. Baltimore is playing well, and matching up against difficult opponents. This week it’ll be two closely matched teams going at it.

My question: who do you think makes the biggest impact on the Ravens D and why?

TTB!

by Ach on Dec 4, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions

That's an easy question

Obviously, there is no way to overestimate the effect of Ray Lewis on the entire team. He is not just the best MLB to ever play the game, he is the best prepared to play. No one studies tape like he does and stays in the type of shape he keeps himself. He is a mentor to players all over the league and is the respected King of the U. of Miami Alumni in the NFL. He motivates guys on both sides of the ball and keeps them focused both on or off the field. Despite the naysayers, he is still the best MLB in the NFL and the fastest sideline to sideline as well. Keep an eye on our DT, Haloti Ngata who keeps the o-linemen off of Ray. Don’t forget about Ed Reed, as he singlehandedly beat the Skins last time we played. Also weakside LB Jarret Johnson is a beast and vastly underrated. There is so much to talk about on the defensive side, and so many would be stars on other teams, but there is still no one like RayRay!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 6:03 PM EST up reply actions

Doup

I should have asked about the Ravens O. Ray Lewis was a no brainer.

TTB!

by Ach on Dec 5, 2008 6:43 PM EST up reply actions

Closet Ravens Fan, but a Redskin at heart

Started my life as a colts fan until that 2am morning exit, moved and have stayed as a Fan of the Redskins ever since.
No hard feelings to the Ravens, but will be here to hear from everyone when the Raven’s offense scores 10 points or less, and to answer your other question. If your Defense/Special teams add 14 more points then it will be game set match for the Ravens, only 7 added to the Ravens offense’s 10 it’ll be a knock down 4th qtr who has the ball last type of game. Sorta, what I expect a low scoring affair which goes down to the wire.

What is the biggest reason the change this season from last and how did it occur with a rookie QB and headcoach?

by dr WNC on Dec 4, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Offensive Changes

This is definitely not your father’s Ravens offense. They are 10th in the league in scoring and have won their past six victories by an average of over 19 points per game, regardless of who they were playing. They have scored over 30 points four times and over 40 as well, while the Skins have not gone over 29. The defense has not given up an offensive TD since the 2nd quarter of the Giants game over 10 quarters ago and forced the lowly Bengals to go 3 and out NINE times last week!

However, your question is about the offense and I have to give the first credit to O-Coordinator Cam Cameron. He may have failed as a head coach but has nailed it here in Baltimore. Joe Flacco is big, confident and has a cannon for an arm. He sees the field real well and therefore does not make a lot of mistakes. The running backs all have taken the lead being the star and are fresh for the stretch run, as #1 RB Willis McGahee didn’t even play last week, resting up for this week. The o-line has been the biggest surprise, as they are young and have suffered some notable injuries. The oldest guy was 25 years old before we picked up Cincy’s Willie Anderson, a 12 year vet. It all starts in the trenches and the o-line has opened up holes for the runners and protected Flacco so he can stand tall and find his open receivers.

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 6:09 PM EST reply actions

This season, Joe Flacco has played it cool, calm, and collective. However, he is still a rookie, so his chances of making a mistake simply because this is “new territory” for him are increased.

WAS
PIT
DAL

Those are three tough football games coming up, and your odds of winning the division aren’t great. You’re in the driver’s seat at the wildcard slot right now, but I think two of these three games are must wins for Baltimore. The Ravens’ defense will be prepared, so here is the question finally:

What are your expectations surrounding Joe Flacco being able to handle the “pressure” of this stretch of games, starting this week against the Redskins? Or, do you think he’ll still be the same ol’ Joe Flacco.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Dec 5, 2008 10:12 AM EST reply actions

"same 'ol Joe Flacco"

The Joe Flacco that I’m thinking about may not be the same one you are. Mine is the guy that has QB’d us to six wins in seven games, not throwing an interception in the six victories. My Joe Flacco has looked calm under pressure, except in the two drubbings we took on the road. He might have fumbled in our loss at Pittsburgh but still drove us downfield for the tying score to send the game into OT, where we ultimately lost, but he still didn’t look too bad.

The stretch for us is pretty much the Pittsburgh and Dallas games. This game against Washington, while not an easy one, is not in the class of those two. It’s a home game and the Redskins are nowhere near the level of the Steelers or Cowboys right now. I can easily see us taking care of Washington and holding home against Pittsburgh. If so, then a loss at Dallas is not unreasonable to expect and that could have us on our way to 11-5. Now all we need is for Dallas to beat Pittsburgh this weekend and Tennessee to do the same in week 16.

As you can see, I am not worried about Flaco, as he is a rookie and may make some rookie mistakes, but he has proven calm and poised so far and I think our veterans will help him continue his progress.

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 5, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions

Thanks for the answer. One of the reasons I asked is due to how Derek Anderson played last year. He started red hot in what was basically his rookie season, but then faded during the last stretch when the pressure was on to win. I understand that Flacco/Anderson have two very different styles, but ’twas curious nonetheless.

However, I think Flacco actually faces a tougher game against the Redskins, even with him being at home, than against the Cowboys on the road.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Dec 5, 2008 8:31 PM EST up reply actions

I take all games as serious ones...

Unless its against the Bungels… LOL… But him getting November Offensive Rookie of the Month must mean hes doing something right, right?

Life is nothing but Beats & Rhymes

by Matchz Malone on Dec 6, 2008 4:09 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree

Flacco sometimes holds onto the ball too long. The Redskins do not rush the passer anywhere near as good as the Cowboys, who are more athletic up front. Washington’s secondary is better than Dallas’ but if Flacco has time to throw, anyone will get open sooner than later. Derek Anderson didn’t seem like the main reason the Browns tanked this season. Their defense gave up too amny points for DA or even Brady to make a difference. To me, DA is still the better QB, but the Cleveland media and fans dictated the move through their overall impatience with the lack of success this year.

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 6, 2008 4:05 PM EST up reply actions