I'm starting this blog late in the season, so let's dive right in.

Before the season began, I decided that 5 things needed to happen in order for 2008 to be declared a successful season. Obviously the Ravens' success to this point has changed expectations --- with a 7-4 record and five very winnable games remaining, not to make the playoffs would be a real disappointment. And yet, for all the success we've had, this is still a rebuilding year, with a rookie QB and a rookie head coach.  So whatever happens over the next five weeks, and wherever this team ends up, the focus has to remain on the future (even if that future has come much earlier than anyone in Baltimore dared hope).

With that said, here are my 5 keys to a successful season, which I will revisit after each game. By the end of 2008:

Continue reading "Week 12 Pre-Bengals thoughts"

1. The development of Joe Flacco:

This was one of those games where the stats speak for themselves. 19 of 29 (65.5%) for 280 yards (14.7 yards/completion, 9.6 yards/attempt) and 2 TDs, with no interceptions. (Though there was a botched snap.)  Better yet, he returned to the form he'd shown against Cleveland and Houston, spreading the ball to all his receivers. Derrick Mason caught 6 balls, but Mark Clayton caught 5 and Todd Heap and Ray Rice both caught 4. And despite their injuries along the D-Line, the Bengals brought a respectable amount of pressure --- maybe they're still a softer defense than the Giants or the Eagles, but Flacco rarely had all day to survey the field and pick and choose his targets. The pressure is only going to increase over the next month, and if Flacco can keep finding guys in addition to Derrick Mason, the Ravens are going to have a much better chance of winning. Especially considering the running game has been less than dominant the past three games. (Against the Giants, they ran 26 times for 121 yards, but 57 of those yards came from Flacco's scrambling; against the Eagles they rushed 40 times for 110 yards, or 2.8 yards/carry; against the Bengals, they were better, but they still only managed 3.4 yards/carry against the 24th ranked run defense.)

Continue reading "Week 12 Post-Cincinnati Bengals Thoughts"