54 replies to this topic

[SportsGuy]

Maybe it is belaboring the point, but there were some plays in the second half that were brilliant. The TD to Pitta was a play where Joe stepped up and out of the rush end, mathis maybe, and drilled a pass to Pitta who got the TD. (Great block and hustle by Torrey).
The second sideline bomb to Boldin was dropped right over his shoulder. The timing pattern in front of the Ravens bench and the TD were well thrown.

Also the throw to Boldin that was complete but they called the phantom PI on Anquan.

WR had no separation in first half...Joe had nowhere to throw. He didn't play poorly in the first half but he wasn't effective either. For whatever reason Caldwell wasn't using the middle of the field in the first half.

[SportsGuy]

Joes QBR was 89.5.

[SportsGuy]

Joe is first QB ever to win a playoff game in each of his first 5 seasons.

[Mike B]

Also the throw to Boldin that was complete but they called the phantom PI on Anquan.

WR had no separation in first half...Joe had nowhere to throw. He didn't play poorly in the first half but he wasn't effective either. For whatever reason Caldwell wasn't using the middle of the field in the first half.

Agreed, we definitely made some adjustments. The Colts were sitting on the shorter routes in the first half, jamming our Wide outs a lot. The second half, we ran more deep stuff and our WR's were able to run by them.

We heard about Luck all week and in one interview on 105.7, some Indy reporter picked the Colts because he did not trust Joe.
Joe was the better QB today.

[bnickle]

Also the throw to Boldin that was complete but they called the phantom PI on Anquan.

WR had no separation in first half...Joe had nowhere to throw. He didn't play poorly in the first half but he wasn't effective either. For whatever reason Caldwell wasn't using the middle of the field in the first half.

I think that is a perfect characteraztion of his 1st half play. And its standard procedure at this point with Joe. If Wrs get seperation and he gets some time and space he usually plays well. I will say this in regards to what Mike B posted. I say this only because I heard Jaws say on one of the ESPN radio shows a few weeks ago after the Giants game. He said, Joe is often forced to try and make really tight, difficult throws because of the lack of seperation by his WRs. Jaws flat out said that these Wrs don't get great seperation in general. I guess I want to point that out because a lot of people bitch about Joe's accuracy. He does have a tendency to overthrow but he's also trying to make a lot of difficult throws which contributes to his poor comp % at times. Joe is a rather accurate QB all things considered. To be at 60% with some of the low % throws he is often asked to make is pretty good.

[SportsGuy]

I think that is a perfect characteraztion of his 1st half play. And its standard procedure at this point with Joe. If Wrs get seperation and he gets some time and space he plays well. When those around him don't he doesn't play well. I will say this in regards to what Mike B posted. I say this only because I heard Jaws say it on I believe Mike and Mike a few weeks ago after the giants game. He said, Joe is often forced to try and make really tight difficult throws because of the lack of seperation by his WRs. Jaws flat out said that these Wrs don;t get great seperation in general. I guess I want to piint hat out because a lot of people bitch about Joe's accuracy and he does have a tendency to overthrow at times but he's also trying to make a lot of difficult throws or even throws balls away which contributes to his poor comp % at times. Joe is a rather accurate QB all things considered. To be at 60% with some of the low % throws he is often asked to make is pretty good.

And if he tried to be even more accurate, he ends up throwing picks.

Btw, Kruger is a beast and is becoming a complete football player...he isn't there yet but it's coming.

[bnickle]

And if he tried to be even more accurate, he ends up throwing picks.

Btw, Kruger is a beast and is becoming a complete football player...he isn't there yet but it's coming.

I worry Kruger is playing himself out of Baltimore. Got to think he is one of the top 5 OLB/DE on the FA market.

[Mike B]

I worry Kruger is playing himself out of Baltimore. Got to think he is one of the top 5 OLB/DE on the FA market.

Kruger and Ellerbe both. I felt Ellerbe have gotten the contract, McLain did in the off season. Now it may cost more.

Kruger has become the high motor guy we drafted. He has really developed some impressive pass rush moves.

[bnickle]

Kruger and Ellerbe both. I felt Ellerbe have gotten the contract, McLain did in the off season. Now it may cost more.

Kruger has become the high motor guy we drafted. He has really developed some impressive pass rush moves.

Yeah, we might only have the ability to retain 1 of them. Why I asked last week which of the 3 of Ellerbe, Kruger, Williams you keep. BTW....I agree with the majority who said it would be between Kruger and Ellerbe but Cary really has turned himself into a solid NFL CB.

[Mike B]

Yeah, we might only have the ability to retain 1 of them. Why I asked last week which of the 3 of Ellerbe, Kruger, Williams you keep. BTW....I agree with the majority who said it would be between Kruger and Ellerbe but Cary really has turned himself into a solid NFL CB.

I am hoping for 2. Ellerbe and Kruger.

[SportsGuy]

@PFF: Credit to Bryant McKinnie. Had played 132 snaps before today, then goes & only gives up 1 hurry (on a wicked spin move) to Dwight Freeney

[SportsGuy]

Yeah, we might only have the ability to retain 1 of them. Why I asked last week which of the 3 of Ellerbe, Kruger, Williams you keep. BTW....I agree with the majority who said it would be between Kruger and Ellerbe but Cary really has turned himself into a solid NFL CB.

@PFF_Khaled: Paul Kruger got the highest grade of any Raven. Contract expires at end of year - he just gave his agent more material to work with

[MikeAD]

@PFF_Khaled: Paul Kruger got the highest grade of any Raven. Contract expires at end of year - he just gave his agent more material to work w ith

The players who become available after this season ends is large. Most of them are making their case for a payday. We've all said this window was closing and most of pointed to last season as the last chance. It appears we go an extra year. We need to win this year and retool. Win or loose I feel we retool and are still a playoff team, but damn its not going to make the average fan very happy.

[Mike B]

The players who become available after this season ends is large. Most of them are making their case for a payday. We've all said this window was closing and most of pointed to last season as the last chance. It appears we go an extra year. We need to win this year and retool. Win or loose I feel we retool and are still a playoff team, but damn its not going to make the average fan very happy.

You are probably right. Every team needs to re-invent themselves and it might be our turn.

[Mackus]

Really dominating second half performance by the Ravens.

I thought the first half looked a lot like the Houston/Cincy game. One team was clearly outplaying the other, but the scoreboard didn't reflect it. in the second half, the scoreboard matched the continued dominance.

Really great games from a lot of guys today. Kruger was an animal. Boldin had one of those games where he just makes every possible play he can. Torrey Smith didn't have a huge game receiving, but he threw two fantastic blocks which led to each of the first two touchdowns. The reconfigured line did a real good job giving Joe time and when he was rushed, Flacco looked pretty elusive, avoiding pressure and making several plays. I thought he only had 2 or 3 bad throws, only one of which really should have hurt the team (the dropped pick that Torrey helped break up), but he made some phenomenal throws in the second half. The TD play to Pitta was a really nice play.

The play in the first half was largely just as good as in the second, but we didn't take advantage of several opportunities where all we had to do was catch or hold on to sevreal not-that-difficult-to-catch balls (and one absolute gimme). Reed and Lewis both dropped picks. Doss dropped 3 balls including back-to-back catchable ones in the end zone, Jones dropped a fairly easy would-be 3rd down conversion. Had we made even half of those plays, the score would have been even wider in the first half.

Really the only person who probably isn't feeling so great about their individual performance is Ray Rice. Two fumbles is completely uncharacteristic for him. Gotta think he bounces back strong next week.