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Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Questions for the Ravens Blogger

Hey Daily Norseman, it's Bruce from Baltimore Beatdown, SB Nation's Baltimore Ravens blog. This week we get the fine pleasure of trying to deal with your undefeated team to try to get back on track after two disappointing losses in games we could have won. Meanwhile you are just rolling along with an old man at QB that you used to hate with a passion and now love with the same. Your running game is the best and your defense is solid as well. This will truly be a real tough one for us, but we plan on bringing the hard hitting style of football that we are known for by the rest of the league, but unfortunately, by the refs as well (ouch).

Anyway, post your questions about the game and I'll stop back to respond from a Ravens point of view. At the same time, feel free to do the same over at The Beatdown. However, remember to be nice and you better bring it, as while our fans might not have the quantity of other sites on SB Nation, but we are knowledgeable and know our football.

I usually say that us Ravens fans are "loud, proud and purple," but I guess you Vikings are too! See you!

This FanPost was created by a registered user of The Daily Norseman, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the staff of the site. However, since this is a community, that view is no less important.

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Corners

I’ve been hearing some negative pub about your corners recently. The breakdowns of your recent losses usually start with poor CB play. Could you please give us a lowdown on who your CBs are and what your take is on their play thus far this year? We’ve developed a better-than-expected recieving core over here and if the CBs aren’t up for it, they could be toast.

by Jayrome007 on Oct 14, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Totally agree

 Our DBs in general have been pretty poor but rather than bash them, I look at part of the problem that has been the pass rush, which has not gotten enough pressure on the QB. You know with your defense, the better the pass rush the better the DB’s look. Without a rush, any DB will get beat.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Mostly our secondary is becoming weak.

Ed Reed is losing his speed and awareness and he is lining up in too much man-coverage. I guess this is mostly because Gregg Madison doesn’t know how to use him right. Dawan Landry has his moments, but is inconsistent and lacks awareness. Our corners are absolutely terrible, Chris Carr is slow and small. ( Don’t forget bad a special-teams, This is probably the main reason we signed David Tyree.) Domique Foxworth has the right build to be a good corner but we need to remember that he can only cover one wide receiver at a time. This brings my to my next subject; worst but not least, Fabian Washington. He is small, slow, afraid to take a hit, and is blind in awareness, So I can pin-point what our 1st round pick will be next year. So this is the low-down on our secondary. Good luck and enjoy the game, it will be a good one. :D

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 17, 2009 4:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who will Oher be matched up against?

How has he been performing? A lot of us were split between Oher and Harvin during draft day. Which rookie will have more of an impact in this game? Oher has a pretty mean d line to go up against.

"American made, White Trash raised, and Bad Ass engraved"

by Viking Frog on Oct 14, 2009 9:16 AM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Oher has been incredible

he has started at RT but since LT Jared Gaither got hurt in the Pats game, he switched over to LT. He will ultimately be our LT for the future, but Gaither’s game status is still undecided. Either way, Allen will be a real tough matchup for them. As far as comparing Oher to Harvin, you only truly hear an o-linemen’s name when they do something wrong., and Harvin may have been a steal for you.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This game scares the piss out of me.

The once 3-0 Ravens are staring .500 in the face after giving up a 100 yard rusher for the first time in 39 games. Think they’ll be playing hard?

Anyway, how’s your young buck Flacco been holding up against pressure? The Vikings are sure to get at least in his face a little, so I’m curious as to how he’s been doing in situations where he has to read and react fast. I know he was playing lights out early in the season, and I’m wondering if that’s what caused him to fall off just a little in the past few games.

Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com

Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!

by Manimal on Oct 14, 2009 9:19 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Flacco has been cool, calm and collected

His mistakes (two INT’s in the RZ) have just been poor decision making. We’ll see more pressure from you than we probably have from anyone. Flacco tends to hold onto the ball too long but still appears cool under pressure. This will be a great test for him in the dome with the noise.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is why his nick-name is "Joe-Cool"

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 17, 2009 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You guys are near the top in run Defense,

but pretty far down in passing D. We’ve been seeing a lot of 8 men in the box (for obvious reasons) – do you think the Ravens will do that a lot or trust their D and play a little more straight up?

What’s your biggest concern; our passing game or running game?

Does Baltimore tend to blitz a lot?

Thanks

by Migrant lurker on Oct 14, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Prior to last week's loss to Cincy

I would have tended to think we’d even stop AP but after CEDRIC BENSON (?) got over 100 yards on us, now I’m worried again. We can’t put 8 in the box as our DBs keep getting burned. We also have not blitzed enough in my opinion, which has led to QBs having too much time to puck our secondary apart.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We need to stop the run this week

Because the Purple Jesus isn’t slowing down, and let’s be honest, Besides Percy Harvin you guys don’t really have that big of a wide-receiver to burn us deep.

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 17, 2009 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bernard Berrian

Averaged over 20 yards per catch last year as our No. 1…I’d say not bad. Add an emergent Sidney Rice to jump balls, Shiancoe the TE up the middle, and you have more than enough receiving threat.

by Jepp The Viking on Oct 17, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

Rice is under rated (your Rice, not ours). With a good QB, the receivers will get the ball.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 17, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The penalties

Do you think the Ravens will get a grip on the penalties against them this week? I think (and correct me if I am wrong) that the fans and the team think some key penalties against you guys were questionable, at best. Either way, will the Ravens find a way to avoid and correct those issues?

Also, what do you feel is the Ravens’ single biggest weakness this season so far? Strength?

by Figgs on Oct 14, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The penalties have killed us

but I’m one never to blame a team’s loss on the refs. That said, we have to realize that they are waiting for us to commit any infraction so they can throw the flag. The difference between Favre and Brady is that after a questionable hit, Brady whines for the flag while Brett gets up and taps the opponent on the helmet saying “good hit, bro.”

Our strength is our running game and the lack of respect our passing game gets, which is much improved. Our weakness tends to be boring playcalling in tough games and the inability to stop the offenses in key situations.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, he asked you what the RAVEN’S biggest strengths and weaknesses were. Your answer sounded oddly similar to the analysis of the Vikings this year.

by Jayrome007 on Oct 16, 2009 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, take away a couple of poor plays by the Ravens

and we’d each have a team in purple that was 5-0 heading into this game. Yes, oddly similar, but much different records- for now.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bruce?

Are you there, Bruce? :D

by KC612 on Oct 14, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I was walking in the Mall of America and I saw someone that made me decide on the spot, that as much as I love the Vikings, if wearing their jersey ever causes me to resemble grimace, I will be forced to change my team…

by dkerfoot on Oct 15, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oops – wrong spot. Sorry

by dkerfoot on Oct 15, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who is the most awesomely purple?

Vikes, Ravens, or Grimmace from McDonalds.

by Jepp The Viking on Oct 14, 2009 11:56 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

The thing of nightmares...

Visit:
http://www.vikingvigil.com

Skol Vikings!
Woot Woot!

by Manimal on Oct 15, 2009 8:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

WTF is he anyway?

A tear drop? A gum drop? A drop of shite?

by Jepp The Viking on Oct 15, 2009 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was walking in the Mall of America and I saw someone that made me decide on the spot, that as much as I love the Vikings, if wearing their jersey ever causes me to resemble grimace, I will be forced to change my team…

by dkerfoot on Oct 15, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The Vikings helmet

is so classic, reminding me of Fran Tarketon with that one bar across scrambling. When I was a kids, I bought his book, “Better Scramble Than Lose.”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

good game

The Ravens have fallen on hard times lately, I expect their best whan they play us. Teh team in purple will win

by iowaron on Oct 14, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I hate our white uniforms

they make the Ravens offensive and defensive lines look fat!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Um, it might not be the uniforms.

Judging from our white uniforms, it might just be the guys on the O and D line wearing them.

by ericj69 on Oct 16, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it makes

your guys inside look fat in the white unis as well as it does to our guys!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

What is the key to beating the Week 6 Ravens?

Will the Ravens passing attack rebound? Is taking away Mason and tackling Heap the key to limiting the gains there? Does the late addition of Tyree speak anything to the teams limits on offense/ passing game? How many of Rice’s receptions are in the screen game?

Where do Rice and McGahee have the most success running the ball, inside or outside the tackles?

by LoveHate on Oct 14, 2009 6:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Great questions...

…I fully expect the pass game to improve to closer to the first four games than they looked against Cincy. Stop Mason by blanketing him w/ your best (Winfield?), and take away the run, making us try to beat you in the air. Tyree shouldn’t make much of an effect. Rice’s receptions are short in the flats on the screens type. He runs off tackle or outside, while Willis is more of an inside guy, tied w/ AP I believe for TD’s so far.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hi Bruce, Welcome

I need to vent a little bit about McGahee & Rice.
McGahee has been awsome showing that he is still all purpose(not just a goalline back). So now Rice is back and gets all the touches. I just cannot come to grips with Willis being reduced to goalline after his early season brilliance.
I mean he left a lot of defenders licking theyre wounds!!!
Not to take anything away from Rice but you have to physically pound a defense all over
the field not just in the red zone. I think if the coach gave McGahee a small share of the mid-field touches it would benifit all.
OK I feel better now…………Any thoughts on this Bruce? Thanx!!!!!!

A bird in the hand is worth about 10.99 at KFC and makes me lick my chops
Yummy!!!!!

by kdog69 on Oct 14, 2009 7:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

PS

I have McGahee & Flacco on my fantasy team

A bird in the hand is worth about 10.99 at KFC and makes me lick my chops
Yummy!!!!!

by kdog69 on Oct 14, 2009 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was wondering....

but we fans totally agree and were crazy Willis didn’t get more touches last week. We have the 3 headed monster but got away from it the past two weeks and coincidently lost both games. Perhaps we’ll go back to it but you guys are so tough up the middle it might not matter.

Flacco may be a decent play in Fantasy because if we’re behind and can’t run, he’ll air it out.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How would you explain the Ravens offense?

Example:
I know the Ravens like to run, but how much. 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 ?
And when they run, do they run up the gut, or do they stick to the ends.

How reliable is their passing game, and what do they like to do. Do they stretch the field a lot, or do they mostly check-down?

by chaosg on Oct 14, 2009 9:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

A lot of us Ravens fans

are thrilled with the improvement in the pasing game but still want to see us pound the rock on the ground more than pass. We were known for running it and defense and both have dropped off lately. We are more of a between the tackles team than outside and our passing game is designed more for short sideline or curl routes than over the middle ones but we go long a few times to keep the defense honest. Personally I think we’ll need some quick long strikes to keep up Sunday.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is Ray Lewis showing his age?

Other than stopping Sproles to seal the win against the Chargers, I hear Ray Lewis is not his old dominant self anymore. Comment(s) please.

by Odin on Oct 14, 2009 10:18 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ray is not much of a pass coverage guy

and certainly is not the guy he was years ago. But he is still the best motivator and knowledgeable player on the field and that helps with great conditioning and positioning. As long as our DT’s keep guys off f him, expect to see him in the pile of tacklers almost every time.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Coach Ray

Kind of off topic here, but do you see R. Lewis becoming a D. coordinator after his playing days are over? I potentially see him sort of like a Rex Ryan as a great motivator and intimately involved with his defense.

by zebano on Oct 16, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I could see him as a great Linebackers Coach

But something tells me he is not interested in being a DC or head coach,aqs he might just want to sit around, count his money and hang out at the “U.”

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 9:06 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How is the Ravens o-line

Specifically regarding J Allens match up. Who is going to be tagged with trying to handle Allens rush?

THOMPSON IS A MORON

by 4 where-ever on Oct 15, 2009 10:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Our o-line is one of our best strengths

as long as we stay healthy. However, LT Jared Gaither (6’9", 330#) is hurt and may not play again. That leaves rookie Michael Oher to move over to his natural position and while he has been good and will be great, Jared Allen is by far the toughest test he’s had so far. Expect us to double Allen perhaps with an extra TE and use a lot of three step drops to offset his rush abilities. God help us though.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 15, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

How do you think the Ravens compare against the rest of their division

Mainly Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

When you go to somebody's house, you don't crap on their floor. Being a fan of one team does NOT give you license to be a dick to fans of another.

Corollary: When people are visiting your house and behaving themselves, them being a fan of a different team is NOT a reason for you to piss in their beer.

Brought to you by Carl's Jr.

by Robert Rence on Oct 15, 2009 1:52 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Despite our loss to Cincinnati

I still think we are a better team than the Bengals and will get our revenge when we play in a few weeks in their house. I also am not anywhere as impressed as last year about the Steelers but when they beat us three times last season, until we prove we can beat them….

As far as Cleveland, well nevermind….

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Steelers

To me they seem like a team that looks bad a lot of the time including having various flaws and somehow they are always winning.

by Salty on Oct 16, 2009 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Winners always find a way to win

and Pittsburgh has done it when they’ve needed to. They certainly miss Troy Polamalu, but they are real tough at home and not so tough (this year) on the road. I’d bet on each of you, but at home only.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sounds like the Vikings Doppleganger...

Kind of scary:
Us: Old stud QB
You:Young Stud QB
Us: Young bruising RB, old finesse RB
You: Old Bruising RB, young finesse RB
Us: Young Center
You: Old Center
Both teams wear purple, run first, good D, relative unknown receiving corps…

Should be a good game…

by ctowner35 on Oct 15, 2009 2:59 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I was thinking the same thing

Both have boring play calling, were great running teams that just this year were able to finally wing it out. Both have solid run defenses and shaky passing D. We both even wear purple. Super scary…

By the way thanks for coming over appreciate it.

by Grime on Oct 15, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No problem, looking forward to it

when we saw the game on the schedule, I wanted to see how we match up against the best RB in the league. I also wanted to go to Lambeau Field and am still considering going there. Did you know this will be the first night game in December in Lambeau EVER? Gee, I wonder why….because it’s too damn cold during the day, duh!!!

Anyway, two very similar teams that perhaps will meet again in a warmer climate, say in February?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Funny story about Lambeau.

3 Winters I went to see the Bears Play the Packers, I went with no shirt and No Pants, and was part of the human wall that said GO BEARS! in Body paint. Here comes the funny part, I pissed my pants because it was so cold and didn’t notice until I got back to the hotel. ( The pee actually froze to my my boxers, Brrrrrrr I can still remember The faces in the lobby when I came in the doors with an exclamation mark painted on my chest and Yellow underwear.) Those were the days……

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 17, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

THAT is funny....

Good luck on the rest of the Raven season….think they will come back and be in the race for a playoff spot, personally….Flacco is really good and Rice has a huge potential as well….

I would rather be IN the Arena than watching from the stands...That is my life!
* Read Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the Arena" if you need further explanation...

by vikingfanfrom afar on Oct 20, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can you risk a run blitz against Farve?

I know the Ravens like to try both pass blitz and run Blitz through the whole game. Can they afford to gamble against Farve with three good receivers?
  Seems to me that the Ravens have laid off that style this year suggesting a weak secondary.
Your opinion?

by lifelongvike on Oct 15, 2009 3:15 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Actually, one of the things that frustrates us Ravens fans is

that we do not blitz ENOUGH! We send four and sometimes five, but rarely bring the house which we would like to see more often. Not getting pressure on Favre worries me more than sending six in and hoping he can’t just wing it out to his receivers. While the Patriots and Chargers receivers outmuscled us, I’m not as scared of yours as theirs. At the same time, our WR’s don’t have too many teams squirming either.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Baltimore Beatdown

Baltimore Beatdown sounds like whats going to happen. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

by iowaron on Oct 16, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Hopefully, it's meant

to be what we’re doing to you, not the other way around!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ah, friendly smack talk

A rare sighting indeed.

by Figgs on Oct 16, 2009 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bruce is right

Good old Baltomore Broce says it right " Hopefully its meant to be what were doing to you"

Vike Fans Know what Jared will do to you. We quit hoping when we traded for him.

However, heres hoping for a great defensive battle.

by lifelongvike on Oct 16, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm looking forward to this matchup.

Bruce, is there anything right off the top of your head that we should be concerned with/watch for that wasn’t covered in any of the other questions?

I piss people off on a fairly regular basis. I cherish my right to speak my mind, whether I sound like an uneducated savage or not. I've never been accused of keeping what I think a secret, nor will I ever. Don't like it? I don't care.

by IABerserker1 on Oct 16, 2009 3:58 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Actually, your guys

have been pretty solid on all fronts, while being confident but not laying down the unnecessary bogus trash talk. I’ll make my prediction on Sunday’s post, but here’s a hint: I smell upset!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Oct 16, 2009 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

bad joke

Personal fouls in this game → purple on purple crime

by Salty on Oct 16, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

" Oh the Humanity!"

R.I.P. Tony Fein
May God watch over you wherever you are now and may you be in a better place. We will never forget you!

by Baltimore Warrior on Oct 17, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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