Iggy's Raven's Report - 24 September 2009

Commentary | Schedule | Relevant Football Links | Predictions

Commentary

Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Okay everyone, get used to it. Last team who has the ball can win or lose the game. Unless some major changes take place, our defense is no longer the staple which holds us together. The offense produces, and we will live and die by the pass, as we use it to open up the running game. The defense will stop the run, but the secondary? Posers! A good quarterback will club us like a baby seal. Special Teams has not been too special to us either. We will continue to win the games that we should win, but don't expect to win too many of the games that we aren't supposed to win. A new age is upon us as we finally got what we wanted, but what was the price? Playoffs may be in our future this year, but don't count on making it to the show.

Back to the game, I thought the Chargers were going to drive the field and put up a winning score with minimal time left. However, the Chargers failed to pay attention to the plays run earlier in the game. On a passing play in the 3rd quarter, Rivers dropped back, and Ray Lewis shot the gap, and darn near had a sack. Fast forward to 4th and 2 with the game on the line, the Raven's ran the same counter-gap defensive alignment, and took out Sproles for a loss, and a Raven's win. We were lucky that the 2 fumbles we produced, didn't bounce the wrong way (Flacco recovery and kickoff fumbled out of bounds).

Final thoughts on the game: Would someone please explain to me why when a receiver goes out of bounds and comes back in, he can't be the first to touch a pass, but a kick returner can plant one foot out of bounds, and catch the ball for a "kickoff out of bounds" penalty? Just curious.

Orioles: 2-16 against the Dread Sox. Ain't going to go too far when you drop 16 game to 1 team in a given season. My 98 loss forecast is still standing unaltered this week, although I am starting to wonder if we might be able to escape with 97 losses. Nah. 98 it is.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): No new news.

Alouettes: The Alouettes defense held CFL rushing leader Fred Reid to only 18 yards on 11 carries and forced four turnovers in a 33-14 victory over the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-8) on Sunday afternoon. Avon Cobourne led the way with two touchdowns and Damon Duval went 5-for-5 on field goals for Montreal (9-2).

The Als will next visit the 2nd place Hamilton Ti-Cats (6-5), for a Friday Night matchup.

Blast: No new news.

Mariners (See website for more details): Henry Scott, a standout performer at Kenwood High School of Essex, Maryland and a two-year letterman for the Maryland Terps has re-signed with the Baltimore Mariners indoor football team. In addition, they also resigned Richard Johnson, the Baltimore Mariners’ all-time leader in tackles, an All-American at Milford Mill Academy, and a record breaker for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Finally, the Mariners will hold an open tryout on October 10th for anyone who dreams of playing professional football (Mitch?)

What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, nevermind. No one is reading this anyway, so I will just butcher things up however I please, and you won't know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!

Schedule

2009 Preseason
Date	Opponent		Time	Result
Thursday, August 13	Washington Redskins		1-0-0	W 23-0
Monday, August 24	New York Jets		2-0-0	W 24-23
Saturday, August 29	@Carolina Panthers		3-0-0	W 17-13
Thursday, September 3	@Atlanta Falcons		4-0-0	W 20-3
2009 Regular Season
Date	Opponent	Record	Time	Result
Sunday, September 13	Kansas City Chiefs	1-0-0	1:00 PM	W 38-24
Sunday, September 20	@San Diego Chargers	2-0-0	4:15 PM	W 31-26
Sunday, September 27	Cleveland Browns	13-7 Overall 7-3 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 4	@New England Patriots	0-4 Overall 0-2 Road	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 11	Cincinnati Bengals	15-11 Overall 9-4 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 18	@Minnesota Vikings	2-1 Overall 0-0 Road	1:00 PM
Sunday, November 1	Denver Broncos	4-3 Overall 3-0 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, November 8	@Cincinnati Bengals	15-11 Overall 6-7 Road	1:00 PM
Monday, November 16	@Cleveland Browns	13-7 Overall 6-4 Road	8:30 PM
Sunday, November 22	Indianapolis Colts	2-7 Overall 2-3 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, November 29	Pittsburgh Steelers	10-18 Overall 6-8 Home	8:20 PM
Monday, December 7	@Green Bay Packers	1-2 Overall 0-2 Road	8:30 PM
Sunday, December 13	Detroit Lions	1-1 Overall 1-0 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, December 20	Chicago Bears	1-2 Overall 1-0 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, December 27	@Pittsburgh Steelers	10-18 Overall 4-10 Road	1:00 PM
Sunday, January 3	@Oakland Raiders	5-1 Overall 1-1 Road	4:15 PM

Relevant Football Links

NFL: Tie Breaking Procedures

Iggy's Predictions

Week 2
- Baltimore (+3½) over Chargers. Trip out west can always be rough, but the Chargers had a short week and I like the matchup If Norv would have tried again for a TD pass at the end of the first half, they might have beaten us
- Jax over Arizona (+3½). Was the Cardinal trip to the SB a fluke? This is a hard road trip after last weeks loss Jax might be the South cellar dweller this year
- Atlanta over Carolina (+6½) but take the points. Carolina isn't as bad as they looked last week... nor is Atlanta as good. Carolina made a late showing... but it was too little too late
- Green Bay over Cinincy (+9½) but take the points. I saw signs of a defense in Cincy... Palmer's back. Now do I start Palmer or Flacco on my Fantasy team?
- Tennessee over Houston (+6½). This matchup always seems to favor Tennessee Houston is showing more than potential so far this season
- Minnesota over Detroit (+9½), but take the points. I keep telling myself that the Lions have improved. Notice to the Lions: Game is 4-15 minute quarters
- Pats over Jets (+3½). Pats were awakened last week in Buffalo, but Jets should put up a good battle, just not enough to cover. Rex Ryan has convinced the Jets that they are not losers after all
- Saints (+1½) over Philly. Saints are the real deal, Eagles aren't. I can't add to that first comment.
- Raiders (+3½) over KC. I think the Raiders might actually be decent this season. Decent doesn't mean playoffs, of course.
- Skins over Rams (+9½), but take the points. I just can't lay off that nearly double digit odds. The odds themselves out produced the Redskins!
- Seahawks (+1½) over Niners. I hate to go against my Niners, but this matchup favors the more experienced Hawks. Singletary is starting to awake the days of old, but still no Montana
- Bills over Bucs (+4½). I don't care what time of the year: Bucs in the North? My money goes to the other team. AFC East is looking real exciting. Now if we can just get them to beat the crap out of each other, our lives will be that much easier in the long run.
- Broncos over Cleveland (+3½). Clevelands struggles will continue. Cleveland? They still have a team? We'll find out this week!
- Team that must not be named over Da Bears (+2½). These points are way low in this mismatch. Where did these bears come from?
- Cowboys over Giants (+2½). Home opener in that palace? I'm glad we didn't draw that straw! WTF?
- Dolts over Fins (+3½). Recent history favors Indy. ...If the fins could have only covered the TE...
- This Week: 9-7 Straight Up; 8-8 Against the Spread
- Season: 20-12 Straight Up; 15-17 Against the Spread
Week 3
- RAVENS over Browns (+13½) but take the points. We will score a lot... and so will they (assuming they find the time to pass).
- Pats over Falcons (+4½) but take the points. Colts seem to enjoy close games this year.
- Packers over Lambs (+6½). Rams could give the Lions company on the list of infamous records this season.
- Texans over Jacksonville (+3½). Two teams going in opposite directions... fast!
- Pheagles over KC (+9½). Philly will be looking for blood after that drubbing by the "not-so-Ain'ts" last week.
- Giants over Tampa (+6½). Giants are strong yet again. Bucs are struggling.
- Niners (+7½) over Vikes. Niners have turned a corner. This should be a prime time matchup.
- Wershington over Detroit (+6½), but take the points. This one could go either way.
- Jets over Tennessee (+2½). Rex Ryan is "Da man"
- Seattle (+2½) over Chicago. Bears will still be hung over from taking out defending stupid bowl champions
- Saint over Buffalo (+5½). Can somebody stop that Offense... and that defense.... and that special teams... from scoring? Terrell who?
- Team that must not be named (TTMNBN) over Cincy (+4½) but take the points. TTMNBN has been struggling on O. Don't be surprise if Carson Palmer puts up some good numbers for 2nd week in a row.
- Oakland over Denver (+1½). Another 2 teams going in opposite directions, but these guys always make for an interesting matchup.
- San Diego over Miami (+6), but take the points. Chargers rebound, but only barely.
- Colts (+2½) over Cards. Colts are better than the Niners that took out the Cards in the opener.
- Cowboys over Carolina (+9½). Dallas gets that first home win, and try to resist running up the score.

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net