Hey Cards Fans!

[StaticRaven]

I see PurpleReign's already visited. He's a good guy. Runs his mouth, but he'll be here after the game to wish you guys luck for the rest of the season and give you his opinions.

You guys seem to be under the (mistaken IMHO) impression that you'll be able to move on our D. I see a lot of misconceptions on this board, as I read over your thoughts on the Ravens.

Rush Defense:

Shipp might be good. Might be really good. Good or Bad, he's a Power Rusher and the Ravens eat power rushers for lunch. There are no "if's" "and's" or "but's" about this. Don't be too hard on him after the game today. Want some proof? Any of ya'll heard of Jerome "The Bus" Bettis? Check out his YPC against the Ravens over the past 4 or 5 years. You won't get much. He always seems to develop some phantom injury Ravens week. Know why? Because the Steelers play us twice a year. They KNOW what we do to Power Running Backs. Ray Lewis and Ed Hartwell are, quite possibly, the best run stopping ILB Tandem in the league. You will find no better.

1 Running Back has broken 100 against the Ravens this year, and that was LT with about 109. William Green (not saying much) and Priest Holmes (Saying much) were both shut down.

You will not run on this defense. I'm not being cocky, I'm not trying to be offensive, I'm just stating a fact.

Peter Boulware - Ray Lewis - Ed Hartwell - Terrell Suggs.

Is there a better linebacking corps in the league?

Regarding the Pass Defense - I'm not going to go over it all, but I'll point you to an article on Sunspot:

http://www.sunspot.net/sports/football/bal-sp.ravens12oct12,0,1201712.story?coll=bal-sports-football

Here are some quick blurbs:

"He hasn't seen anything like this," linebacker Ray Lewis said. "Just like last year with Jeff in practice: When we wanted to quiet Jeff's mouth, we knew how to quiet Jeff's mouth out. We just go out and intercept all his passes. But Jeff has never seen us serious."

After a terrible start in Pittsburgh, the Ravens have quietly moved up to No. 9 in the league against the pass.

Quarterbacks have completed a solid 59.7 percent of their throws against the Ravens but have averaged a scant 6 yards per attempt

In their past three games, the Ravens have surrendered only three passes of more than 20 yards -one in the past six quarters.

Pass Rush:

Terrell Suggs and Peter Boulware on the outside. Ray Lewis blitzing up the middle. How long do you think Blake is gonna have to throw? How long till he starts his fumbling and crappy decision making?

Pass Defense:

You guys have one WR threat. Boldin. Boldin will be shutdown by C-Mac and Ed Reed. There are no questions about this.

I'm not gonna get into our Offense. The league knows what the Ravens offense is: Jamal Lewis & Todd Heap.

Strangely, desipte facing 8 in the box EVERY game, I don't think Jamal has had a single game with less then a 4.5YPC average. Our backup RB (3rd down RB) is averaging 4.7 YPC without building up a rythm! Musa Smith, our 3rd round pick was rated by the Ravens (Quite possibly the best drafting FO in the league) as a top 20 pick that we snagged in Round 3. He's a mini Jamal Lewis.

Todd Heap: Anyone watch the Denver MNF game last year?

I'm not trying to be offensive or cocky. I'm just stating facts. I don't fear Marcel Shipp, I don't fear Boldin, and I sure as hell don't fear Jeff "Mr. Fumble" Blake.

Don't get too hopeful about the Ravens overlooking you guys tho. Brian Billick has *never* let his team overlook another team. Christ, we make a living of teams overlooking us.

-SR

 

[KingofCards]

I agree that we will have a hard time running the ball this game.

But, it isn't like you guys have some Cadillac offense.

I predict a zero - zero tie.


Honestly, this game will be won by turnovers. Whichever team has more turnovers will lose.


Kyle Boller will make some mistakes. Your defense might cause turnovers.

This is a game we might steal.

So you live in Baltimore?

 

[Pariah]

Good post, Static. The Ravens are much better than I thought they would be this year. When Boller gets some experience under his belt and a big play WR to compliment Taylor, that offense will be damned good. If the defense can stay together for a few more years (I don't know what kind of cap situation or contract status the defense is faced with) I think you guys will be back in the superbowl sooner than later.

As for this week, the best arguement I can muster for the Cards winning is "any given Sunday..." If the Ravens don't bring their A game and the Cards do, AZ may squeek out a win. The Cardinals DO have more talent than even some people on this board give them credit for, but it's rarely, if ever, utilized to it's potential.

 

[Skkorpion]

Okay, I'm convinced. A 2-2 team in a weak division is unbeatable. We should just mail this one in. 52-0 Ravens.

 

[JeffGollin]

You guys seem to be under the (mistaken IMHO) impression that you'll be able to move on our D.
We don't know whether we will or won't. But we have to take our best shot as we see it. (Otherwise why play the game?)

Looking at your strengths/weaknesses and ours as well, it's hard not to notice that the Raves no longer have Siragusa and Adams and might be more vulnerable if we run straight at you than letting your mobile LB's chase us. This is bolstered by our having to use Shipp (a tough north-south runner) and a big, strong (albeit underperforming) offensive line.

I'm also terrified of your bookend OLB's (Boulware and Suggs) coming after Blake on pass plays - and feel we need to keep our passing attack quick-developing (3-steps) in order to keep Jeff relatively safe and healthy.

And, of course, you can't take your eyes off Ray Lewis.

Tall order, but I think most folks posting here are trying to figure out the best way to beat you rather than predicting we will.