Due to untimely injuries, the O-Line has taken many hits. When drafting for this season the Ravens took the high route in securing their team of last season to not have any major changes. But now, as injuries lead to an alarming rate, one wonders if the paycheck is worth the loss? Does having players on the team injured really keep the team going? In other words, those who are not important but injured are not doing much but being selfish. Selfish by not keeping healthy but also preventing the team from getting a healthy replacement. But the moral question is: What is the price$?
As a fellow Pacific Islander, I see Haloti as a rare find to the NFL for his quickness and impressive strength. But as seasons of being thrashed around physically and mentally come to an end, the body can only tolerate so much. The Raven's team has reported Haloti on the injured list, no specifics on what it is but an reported injury means a lot. It means the trainer had to see the head coach, then the head coach had to see Haloti to confirm the injury then from there the head coach goes to their publicist and reports the injury. It's a longer process but basically that's how being reported on the injured list goes. By the looks of it, the coaches shouldn't have had so much pride in the brotherhood of their players because then they would have drafted some decent replacements.
Now the team has to tend to injuries as the season is coming, meaning that there isn't a full dedication to winning the game as just sustaining injuries from getting more severe. Though Haloti was a highly drafted pick from University of Oregon, one goes to wonder if he can stand on his own two ankles without grinding his teeth in pain. Surely Haloti is a great player but no player has won the game sitting on the sideline injured. As entertainers, they should hold themselves to a higher perspective for what they're paid to do: perform. If the American people wanted to see injured "talented" players, we'd pay cable to watch the Bad Girls club.
As the title states the thesis, the conclusion is that the effectiveness of the Raven O-line is weak. This is not their season, nor was the last. Hopefully someone on the team stops being nice and just gets real. Let go those who are performing to their pay rate and bring up young talent, thirsty for the public light because there is a greater chance they will "entertain". Where has Ray Lewis gone? It seems that the "brotherhood" within football to protect your fellow man on the field as well as off the field is destroying the level of play some teams used to hold. The Ravens were a threat but now just blow smoke.
Hopefully coaches on the team take drastic measures to show that they're serious about winning. Or they can just fall back as players play for money and not for the passion of the game. You can tell passionate players from paycheck players. In the end, the passionate players give the public a well paid-for show and fill stadiums across the nation. Let it be known, best wishes to the Ravens but it's time for a reality check. Winning games is more important than having friends to invite for Thanksgiving. Get over it. People who win games, get more friends. Done.
