Great points telling people not to panic. Of course I'm not happy with the way the team has played. But despite that, we are still 2-1. There's still plenty of time to fix the problems. I'd rather peak in December/January than now.

Mike,
Is there any chance that BB coached under JoePa at PSU? Therir offenses and play calling both have a lot in common and nothing that is good. At least your man, KB came to the rescue again this week. How many punt/KO rtns from Figurs this year??

Mike- Just have to start this off by saying you are the best. I love reading your articles.

The Ravens are as I expected them to be. I hoped it would be different but like you said they are just average. I'm married to a die hard Pats fan and let me tell you it is not easy this year!!! haha The Ravens need Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Peyton Manning to all get season ending injuries to have a shot at playing in February. So sad but true. I'm dreading the December 3rd game against the Pats. I might have to leave town!!

Steve McNair is starting to worry me with his inability to take care of the football. Meanwhile, Boller has played sharp in all three games this season and has 0 turnovers.

The book is out on our defense and it is titled "Hurry Up Offense". We will be forced to get pressure with the front four which won't happen as often with Trevor Pryce hurt. Perhaps, a move putting Jarret Johnson to DE would help, but who is ready to take over at LB for him? It is bad enough that QBs pick on Rolle. Now, rolle is hurt. The answer is so simple for this arrogant though. Tackle in the fourth quarter. We have a favorable schedule to take us to 6-1 going into the bye week. It would seem that a 12-4 record is feasible as they can improve over the season. However, these problems do need to be taken care of before the second half of the schedule shows up.

Good point about people judging things way too early. The 2000 team was 5-4 at one point and the offense stunk. But the team gelled and won 8 straight. So to say that we know which teams are going to be good in January is a stretch.

The Ravens WILL get better provided they get/stay healthy. The offensive line should gel as they gain experience. They will be a different team after the bye week when the competition becomes much more difficult.

I agree completely. The jury is still out, but the Ravens look like a .500 football team.

Wow! an article not filled with doom and gloom? From Mike Preston? I am amazed. I think what Mike says here is very true. We do have our problems. Our lack of focus late in games is a concern. Our secondary is terrible....again. However, I too am optimistic that they can get it turned around and improve when it counts,...late in the season.

I wouldn't say our secondary is terrible, it's just not terribly deep.....McCallister and Reed are still 2 of the best at their position, although where Reed was on some of those deep balls to Bouldin I'd love to know, and Landry is still young.....but the depth at DB isn't good, we really do not have a good 3rd corner, and it would be nice if that's addressed in next years draft, this D is starting to show some age, and with the great draft for the O line this year, and the youth at Wideout and RB, I'd be willing to bet that Ozzie will address the needs in the offseason quite well

A win is a win, no matter how ugly it was.

I'm just as cynical and sarcastic as the next guy when it comes to Compu-Coach and "Billick Ball", but winning is all that matters at the end of the day. They'll give this team confidence and allow them to gel as a unit before the tough second half.

As for this week's edition of "Billick Ball", can anyone trace a link between Compu-coach and Marty Schottemheimer? The similarities in game management are scary. Marty liked to build a lead and then play conservative which often allowed teams back in, Compu Coach likes to build a lead and then play.......(I'm still looking for an adjective or adverb)which allows teams to comeback. Surely there is a link between these two guys somewhere in the past.s

Billick needs to get back to basics in the second half of games. If you're sitting on a big lead, run the ball.

Your right on as always.I would even take it a bite further and say theyre are quite a few dysfunctional/ lack of identity teams..If the Dallas Cowboys and Green bay Packers can just come out of not even knowing what kind of situations or seasons they would have and be the 2 best teams in the NFC..coaches and management personnel around the leauge are being seriously overpaid