Further review
While the officials claimed they did not go to the instant replay booth to review Phil Dawson's 51-yard game-tying field goal, I bet there was someone from upstairs in the league booth telling the head official he blew the call, and get it right. It would have been embarrassing for the league to make the wrong call, so I bet there were a lot of instructions coming through the official's headset.
Anyway, and most of all, they got the call right even though it was disappointing to the Ravens and their fans.
The Ravens have lost four games in a row, but middle linebacker Ray Lewis might be playing his best football in recent years. Lewis had 16 tackles against the Browns, and he was all over the field, running sideline to sideline. Lewis left the locker room without making any comments last night, but his body language spoke volumes.
And so did his play on the field.
In three straight games, the Ravens have failed to pick up blitzes or pressure up the middle. The Browns got to quarterback Kyle Boller at times with only five rushers, so the Ravens shouldn't have been outmanned. I don't know if it's the quarterback's fault for lack of recognition, or the center making the blocking assignments. But until the Ravens stop it, it's going to keep happening week after week.
It's sad when you have to say this because it tells you how bad this season has become, but at least the loss to the Browns was exciting and interesting, unlike the previous two weeks.







Comments
It was a very interesting game, sorry that the Ravens did not win. I was happy to see Darling step it up a little. He appears to have pretty good strength and speed.
CLE's last min field goal was good. I hate to admit it but the refs made the right call. Strange play, it almost looked (to me) that the ball bounced off the net and came out. The refs called it "no good" on the field. Everyone was like, "YEAH!" Good enough for me and we all walked out to the corridor. I grabbed a bunch of those foam things that M&T handed out as memorabilia of the best Raven’s game of 2007. I could not believe we were called back in. CLE won the toss and I knew it was over. Cribbs had been unstoppable all game and he had another good return. Another FG attempt, “good.” Game over. Browns fans were having the time of their life at M&T. I left those foam things on the seat. Ravens fans were too stunned to be angry. How sad was that game?
Posted by: Jan-Ryder | November 19, 2007 1:26 PM
Mike, that's exactly what I thought about someone telling Morelli that they got the call wrong when he was on the headset. If that back judge had been so adamant about it, they wouldn't have initially ruled it no good in the first place. They looked at each other and signalled no good, if he had been sure it hit the support he would've expressed that opinion right then and there. I think the back judge may have suspected it hit the support and voiced that opinion when they talked, but I don't think he was necessarily convinced of it. Morelli just used him as a convenient excuse rather than admitting that he had heard the call was wrong over the phone. I understand the point of the league getting the call right, but you have to follow proper procedure. You can't just make things up as you go along because a rule or procedure is unfair or doesn't properly correct a referee's mistake. That's something that has to get evaluated in the offseason rather than during the course of the game.
Posted by: Ron M. | November 19, 2007 1:42 PM
Officials make bad calls in just about every game, baseball, basketball, football, and bad calls can make or brake a team. For the Ravens I think this might be the straw that brakes our back. Remember, earlier this season a bad call by an official cost Todd Heape a touchdown and the game for the Ravens. When it comes to officiating the Ravens always seem to come up short in the luck department. Maybe we're not taking good care of the Refs when they arrive. Maybe Bisciotti needs to send some fruit baskets out for the Holidays.
Posted by: Joe | November 19, 2007 2:18 PM
2nd and 2 at the Cleveland 30 with about 40 seconds on the clock and one time-out left. How about forgetting the pass plays and try running up the middle for your first down. Then, run the clock down to 4 seconds if it doesn't work, call your time out, try your field goal and, most probably, walk off the field a winner giving your opponent NO CHANCE to come back in regulation? That's what the focus of today needs to be, not a screwy field goal call that was ultimately right.
Posted by: John Smyth | November 19, 2007 2:22 PM
Yeah, I agree with John Smyth. And no more excuses that the defense is expecting the run on those short yardage downs. Brian, you've called a pass enough now that the defenses don't know what you will do. Please believe me and run the damn ball!
Posted by: Almost Former | November 19, 2007 4:18 PM
Hey Everyone! The Raven's stink this year! Hate to break it to you, or if you have not figured it out for yourself...they stink bad. Ok...the field goal was good, so what are we complaining about here? For once, the refs make the right decision and get the call right. Yeah, it really sucks that our team loses, but how did the Ravens get in this predictiment anyway? How about play calling - play calling - play calling! Congrats to Billick for calling a swell first half that helped wear the defense down into the dirt (RIP). Also, who is the special teams coach??? Do we not have anyone capable of making a tackle anymore? Or better yet - even able to do returns, other than Ed Reed? Reed is still a great player, but really is not a good return specialist.
Bottom Line...stop the whine. Realize, this team needs to be re-built. Sorry Ozzie, age has caught up. Oh...also, how come every football game that I turn on, the teams I watch seem to have no problems at least sustaining offensive drives at some point. Billick = 'offensive genius'....HA! Maybe the fact that when he was considered that, he had Randy Moss and Cris Carter and Randall Cunningham in his prime. Those guys can make plays by themselves, even when the O coordinator has no clue (Billick).
Time for changes. Season is done. At this point, try and get some picks or something.
Any real offensive guru's out there need a coaching job?
Posted by: Jamster | November 19, 2007 4:44 PM
If you want to debate a questionalbe call, debate why Ngata was not ejected for cold-cocking Browns tackle Joe Thomas in the first quarter. As for the field goal, the refs made the right call the right way--the rest is sour grapes. If Ravens fans want someone to blame, blame stubborn arrogant Billick. He knew full well what the officials were discussing when he ordered his team off the field in an bogus attempt to sneak off with the win and by doing so left his team unprepared for OT. If that's not enough for you, he also arrogantly refused to concede the Ravens' inability to stop Cribbs and so kept kicking to him even in OT, which ultimately cost Baltimore the game. For God's sake, stop whining.
Posted by: Spokane, WA | November 20, 2007 9:46 AM