Trevor Pryces' absence is huge! To state that the Ravens fielded their A team without Pryce being there is just incorrect. There has been no pressure on opposing quarterbacks without Pryce in the game. Once he comes back, I think that we will see a renewed team.
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Jimmie,
I stand corrected in the sense that I agree that Pryce is a bigger loss than first glance would suggest. He was, after all, the team's sack leader in 2006. But I'll still stand by the comparison between the 2005 and 2007 teams. The '05 team was much more riddled with key injuries and guys playing a half speed than this team.
-- Bill O.

Bill,
I did not think this team was Super Bowl caliber coming into the season, but I certainly didn't expect this. Last year we had several flat performances and were lucky enough to win (Browns and Titans). This year, we are losing those flat performances. I doubt that the players are looking at last year and thinking "we'll pull this out like we did then". However, there certainly is a severe lack of focus. I saw it in the preseason and simply wrote it off as preseason. At Cincy, I wrote it off as a bad game. Now, I am seeing a pattern of under-achievement, lack of focus, and poor execution. I have a hard time believing these guys are having great practices all week and then turning in a stinker like this. I haven't minded Billick's light training camps in the past because the team is generally ready to play come the season (at least after the first game or two) and injuries have been minimal. However, this year seems to be the exception. The team has been in a daze since the start. Billick, to his credit, seems to be at his best under these kinds of circumstances. He has been able to inspire his players to play at another level when they are down. Here's to hoping the Browns game is the "down" they need and Billick is up to the task. If not, it is going to be a long season.
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Cam,
I can only add what is clear to everyone. They should be favored in the next three games ... they need at least two and maybe all three.
-- Bill O.

Bill you are truely an eternal optimist.like I said perpetually disfunctional offense /turning point in the history of our defense.You can only run a car for so long without oil before it breaks down .the fact that this defense has endured through so many years of abuse says to me that it is truely the greatest of all time,Grbac leads the leauge in passing 2 years in a row ...,doesnt matter... McGahee runs great... doesnt matter..in the world of motor oils Billick is a mixture of crisco and elmers school glue.
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Wow, can I borrow that metaphor sometime. That's a gem
-- Bill O.

There are two aspects of this defense that need to be considered here.

1. Samari Rolle did not play as bad last year as the stats may have indicated. Our FS, Mr. Reed, loved playing every other position than FS, and leaving Rolle out to dry alot last year. Near the end of last year, he did a better job of playing center field and only then, did the interceptions rack up for him. With that said, Rolle has played a more physical game this season. His absence is missed. McAlister won't make very many mistakes like that and he has been here long enough for us to know that. However, we need to get Rolle back and quick. Someone give him some coffee to offset that medicine of his(If that would work).

2. Trevor Pryce's injury is not only bad period, but magnified with the injury to Rolle. Pryce and Suggs reaked havoc last year, because neither one could be double teamed. Now, teams can double Suggs, because Dwan is not the answer. That means that more has to be done with blitzing to put pressure on the quarterback, which means the DBs will be left on an island more often. In Corey Ivy, we are pretty much leaving a nickel back on an island on one side of the field. It is a snowball affect and this defense is not going to get much better until they get healthy or Ronnie Prude all of sudden improves overnight and takes over the #2 spot (I have high hopes for him in the future).

The penalties do hurt and that falls on Billick and keeping these guys focused. I only feel that way with the young guys though. Not VETERAN Steve McNair pulling delay of games and intentional grounding penalties. He was already inaccurate as it was. The recievers made him look alot better than what he was last year. Now, he has a groin injury and he sailed too many sure touchdown passes yesterday, I don't know how I didn't change the channel. Boller is not the Boller of old and I have said it before, this is not the same Heap/Lewis only talent around the QBs of old. Boller can move the ball, limit the mistakes, make the proper throws and with zip. Once more, he knows the system well. McNair cannot make the necessary throws, is making bad decisions consistently, and looks so confused out there. There is alot that needs to be done. One step at a time though. Start Boller. If McNair is going to play like Boller used to anyway, you might as well put in the guy that can at least make the throws and get to the line on time.
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Doug,
Thanks for the thoughtful note. Particularly your take on Rolle. As far as the QB situation goes, there's a problem there that's ready to boil over. Like you, I'm seeing passes continue to sail. Maybe I'm guilty of selective observation but it appears that the Ravens can neither go over the top or consistently to the sidelines. And if the Ravens don't start stretching the field, opposing defenses will play tighter and tighter against the underneath game. I'm not the type to push the panic button. But I do not think that Billick will let this situation go on indefinitely if it doesn't begin to straighten out.
-- Bill O.

Trevor Pryce, and also what is Jonathan Ogden, our perrenial pro-bowl left tackle, is he just chopped liver?
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I guess we've all gotten use to life without JO.
-- Bill O.

It's time! Boller has been the best quarterback on the Ravens since the beginning of training camp. (In fact, if the morons had been more on their game, they might have realized that he was a pretty good quarterback last year, and even the year before, but even Manning couldn't win with two seconds to throw max.

Give McNair a gold watch, and let's move on with the youth. Boller is STILL very young, and maybe he can make something of this season. That display yesterday by McNair was simply pathetic. He had all day to throw, and couldn't hit anything.

BILL your my boy ,you can use any of my metaphors ,like I said ,I want you at all my cookouts and christmas functions.....just bring some alkaseltzer