The missed kick, deflating as it was, was not the Ravens' problem yesterday. Poor offense and kick returns in the first half, poor defense and an awful secondary the whole game - that's what caused the Ravens to lose. The missed kick was just the final moment of pain.

Same with the Orioles early this season, showing tons of promise, staying in games, just finding ways to lose.

11-5 is not out of the realm of possibility. 10-6 may put them in the playoffs too. Lose to the Colts, split with Pitt. You are right, Bengals aren't that great and I think they will fade, the Jets and Marrrrrk San-CHEZ stink (not sure how, I thought Rex Ryan was the Vince Lombardi, Dick Labeau and Jesus rolled into one?)

It is never one play that loses you a game. Gonzai said it best it was "just the final moment of pain".

However, if the Ravens get a spot toward the middle of the field off the Ray Rice run instead of to the left hash the kick would have been good and the game won. One or two more yards likely won't make the difference but centing it would have. The play caller (Cameron) and runner (Rice) have got to try a center up the ball on the field.

Who was in Ed Reed's body yesterday? Whoever it was certainly can't play football. He was every where but were the ball was.

Which 3-3 would you like to be rooting for? Baltimore? New York Jets? Jacksonville? Houston?

Personally, I still like the Ravens. That's not to say I'd pick a Raven if going position-by-position.

The Ravens at 3-3 are essentially tied with those three other teams for the sixth playoff spot. I don't feel like looking at tie-breakers but they are also tied with San Diego (2-2) and they already have that tie-breaker.

The Ravens are one game behind the other wild card spot (Pittsburgh, 4-2), and they still have to play them twice. The Ravens are also one game behind the division leader (Cincinnati, 4-2), and they have a rematch against them.

The Ravens were 3-3 last year, then made the adjustments necessary to come together as a team.

The Ravens' head coach fired the offensive coordinator (his pal) three years ago during the BYE week at 4-2 for the greater good of the team.

Maybe the team will adjust. I don't expect the defensive coordinator (the head coach's pal) to be fired since the head coach came from a special teams background, but something needs to be done.

Whatever, it is not time to panic. It is time to improve.

As for Hauschka, let him ghet a body of work before he starts getting a label. Stover has had slow starts under Billick and Harbaugh, and missed a would-be game winner versus Miami two years ago for Miami's only win. The snap sucked. The kick was still makeable. It is only one attempt. Meanwhile, let's hope the defense improves and the offense doesn't keep waiting until the second half to show up.

Re: the spot of the kick--you have to assume that the run was totally for placement. It would have been easy to reposition towards the middle, but it must have been to the left because of Haus' preference. We all wish it had been in the middle, but he must feel the strongest coming from the left. Inches!!!

I actually believe that we are on the verge of great things. NO WAY does Denver come in ourhouse and win. People should stop doing down-the-road math and take it game-by-game. I know Ozzie will make a move in these two weeks and get another CB in here, even if it is a former Raven. Yes, I mean McAlister. It might be time to mend fences.

Braven

Well said Pete. The L stings but I was proud of the Ravens yesterday. Most teams would have mailed it in down 14-0 on the road. We've lost three games by a combined total of 11 points. It's not time to panic.

I agree Pete, the fact that he missed a kick shouldn't doesn't mean he is a loser, nor stigmatize him for the rest of his carreer.

That being said, one of the little details a team with championship asperations needs to attend to is to send a proven kicker out there when the game is on the line. The kid should never have been put in that situation.

This was the nightmare scenario that many feared, his first high pressure kick, on the road, seconds left and the game in the balance.

I think it is fair to say he choked, even his own comments after the game bear that out. Nor will it be any easier the next time, as he will bear the baggage from this event.

Newsome and Harbuagh tried to get away with saving a roster spot and carrying a rookie kicker and it has cost them dearly.

Yes there are many other reasons why the Ravens lost yesterday, and some of them may not be fixable this year.

I felt sorry for the kid, and I hope he gets a chance to redeem himself, and once the games reume I think we will find out pretty quickly if he is going to make it.

Good to read smart fan comments instead of the usual bunch of harcdcore crap fan...
you all guys are right, painfull loss, but proud to see our player fight till the end with our forces and weaknesses...
Harbaugh can build something on this defeat... i'm proud of my ravens today even if i'm also bleeding purple ... a new season will start after our bye week, and we are gonna rock the opposition!

Everyone seems to conveniently forget that Stover missed two critical field goals in games against Pittsburgh last year. And we lost both games by 3 points.

It's not Hauschka's fault that he was put in a position to fail. It's Harbaugh's -- he has made some serious mistakes that make me call his judgement into question.

Not keeping Stover is a major mistake, and we all saw this coming. Hauschka is not significantly better on kickoffs, and the roster spot we were trying to save has not been used smartly. We have LJ Smith doing nothing; Paul Kruger doing nothing; and too many DB's who aren't carrying their own weight.

Add Mattison to the list of failed judgements too. It's apparent he has no feel for defending against an NFL offense. He's over his head. There is no movement on the defense, no creativity, and they look lost in the secondary.

Harbaugh: I thought this was "correctable"? I don't know if it is correctable. Is sure is Horri-baugh.

Well said Pete. I don't think that I would have felt any more comfortable with Stover kicking that 44-yarder. He lost his ability to kick the long ball a while ago. Furthermore I believe that the Ravens seriously need to improve their secondary. Ladarius Webb needs to replace Frank Walker, and Mattison needs to take a close look at Zibikowski and Nakamura. Overall I believe that the Ravens need to get more pressure from their D-line if Mattison is going to stick with a four man rush. That will work wonders for the CBs and the safties.

They wasted a BUNCH of time on that final drive because Clayton did not get out of bounds.

Hey Pete,

I thought of the Ravens being a better team than other similar 3-3 teams - before the season. But maybe they truely are only in the 'middle' of the pack as far as actual talent goes? I mean...'hats-off' for what they could muster with the players we have, but I still say our team is a few big players away from being able to compete with the 'elite' teams. We need at least 1 'shutdown' corner, and maybe a top notch WR. Imagine what Flacco could do if he had that one 'nasty' weapon he could throw to that demands double teams? I say if we can had a corner who we could stick on the other team's go-to WR, we may not even have a loss yet. I bet that coaching has a 'little' to do with what the secondary is experiencing, but we have to face it...our corners are not good. 9 times out of 10, we are going to get torched by big, tall wideouts that have decent speed. Oh wait...that already happens! Also, what is this team's fascination with Frank Walker? Since when has the guy done anything positive for the team...in regards to winning?

Like I have been saying in the past...Let the rookie Webb have a shot at defending the pass and let him learn. He seems to have great upside as far as talent. Also, since we are paying D-Williams money to be a WR...lets teach him to be a corner. I would gamble at this point and see how capable ALL our players are...at EVERY posistion. Just a thought...since there is not really anyone to be had (other than C-Mac) to help with the secondary.

But hey! If the offense would have been hot like they were in the second half, we may have won yesterday...right?

Easy to speculate after the fact.

Why not give Pacman Jones a shot? He'd probably play for free to prove himself, and Ray Lewis would keep him in line. I mean, we're already rumored to be looking for all time distraction Terrell Owens.

The most perplexing thing to me is the defensive tackles were supposed to be a strength of the defense and it hasn't been. Do you remember the days when Ray Lewis would fly around the field making Sports Center highlights weekly? The main reason for Lewis being able to run around with reckless abandon on every play was because an offensive lineman never got past the defensive tackles and Ray rarely got blocked. I thought with Ngata and Gregg clogging up the middle Ray could put his cape on and fly again. The pourous defensive line has krytonized Ray and allowed him to be a mortal and not immortal. Whassup with that?

"The Jets and Bengals both lost yesterday. The only team running away right now is the Denver Broncos, which might actually be a good thing if they can hold on to edge the Chargers in the West, since the Ravens hold the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Chargers if they end up competing for a wild card spot."

Hate to tell you, but your analysis here is wrong. If you examine the schedule, assuming the Steelers take the division (because you didn't mention them), the team to beat in the AFC is actually the Bengals. Yes, they lost yesterday, but their schedule is much, MUCH easier than the Ravens in comparison. I walked past two guys talking today, and one said "the Ravens can easily be 11-5" and I almost fell down laughing. That's kind of insane. The only teams I see the Ravens CLEARLY beating are the Raiders, the Lions, and the Browns. The other seven games are either 'not a chance in Hell' or 'only if they get really lucky'. If they bring it like they did yesterday against the Steelers, the Colts, the Broncos, or even the Bengals again, they had better pray for a 7-9 season...

the defense had no pass rush...the
special team play was terrible..
the defense has weakness in the
line-linebackers-secondary..age and
lack of skill are evident.

the defense had no pass rush...the
special team play was terrible..
the defense has weakness in the
line-linebackers-secondary..age and
lack of skill are evident.

I agree Pete. This is week 6, not 16. There is still a lot of football to go. As a football fan, that was one exciting game. As a Raven's fan, it was as heartbreaking as it was exciting.

John,

Shouldn't the real "Special Team's Guru", John Harbaugh, ensured the play call to center the ball for the field goal attempt? The Harbaugh Honeymoon is over. We heard all the preaching about "character" and "Team unity" then we have Snoop Dog show up as an invited guest at Training Camp and now Ozzie has supposedly called about TO. Preaching "character" and "unity" is easy when you're winning.

Dear Ed Reed: Please show Foxworth, Washington, Carr and Landry how to cover a pass play without playing piggy-back.

Dear Mr. Harbaugh & Mr. Cameron: When the best layed plans aren't working, please make changes prior to midway thru the 3rd quarter.

Dear Matt Stover: Baltimore misses you.

I've said it before - Vegas had Ravens over/under for wins at 8.5 and SI predicted 9-7 (and a wild card). I thought that made sense before based on the schedule and still makes sense - not sure why all the locals thought we'd be breezing to a 12-4 finish.

That being said, I agree with a couple of earlier posters. Stover makes it in a dome (that's why Indy is perfect for him). Why aren't Hauschka's kickoffs any longer than Stover's were the last couple of years?

A Ravens loss does not mean a lost season. Where is the fan base? The bye week came at the right time. The Ravens will finish 13-3.

A Ravens loss does not mean a lost season. Where is the fan base? The bye week came at the right time. The Ravens will finish 13-3.

Here's why the kid missed: he's too smart. Football is best played by unself-conscious guys with IQs between 85 and 105, who can give themselves to it totally without recognizing its inherent absurdity. This guy, with his master's in neuroscience, can't do that: his mind and imagination are too active, he understands that in the long run it really doesn't matter. Not that it's just a game but that it's just a trivial pursuit. He'll never make it. Ozzie, get us a dumber kicker please.

Here's why the kid missed: he's too smart. Football is best played by unself-conscious guys with IQs between 85 and 105, who can give themselves to it totally without recognizing its inherent absurdity. This guy, with his master's in neuroscience, can't do that: his mind and imagination are too active, he understands that in the long run it really doesn't matter. Not that it's just a game but that it's just a trivial pursuit. He'll never make it. Ozzie, get us a dumber kicker please.

I think we need to replace Landry, Fabian, and Foxworth with Nakamura, Zbikowski, and Webb. It could not be any worse. Release Carr and Walker and sign T.O. Put T.O. in the secondary

The problem is Mattison.

Since Dave Trembley's option was picked up...

FIRE FRANK WALKER!

We will drop both to Pittsburgh. We will lose in Cincy. Indy will blow us off the field. We will drop to Denver, Chicago, GB because they have strong QBs or huge recievers.

Our secondary has stopped NO ONE except Cleveland.

Ravens go 6-10 at best. Believe that. If you think otherwise you are giving Mattison a pass and fooling yourselves. Harbaugh and Ozzie blew it this offseason in major fashion. Why we aren't frantically trying to sign/trade for a real cornerback today is beyond me and shows the level of self-deception over at the Castle. This is a team in trouble.

6-10 for 2009 and the fans shaking their heads wondering why we were sold a line of BS in preseason about this is our year and talk of Super Bowl.

You have to be kidding me. what a mess.

The problem is Mattison. AND when has Frank Walker done ANYTHING except one small portion of a game. If benching Washington and inserting Walker is the answer, we are in trouble. And where is the safety help including Landry? Haven't seen him ALL year. 13-3? No way. 9-7 with an outside shot of 10-6 is realistic unless we can steal one somewhere.

I am a diehard Steeler fan. What I have observed this season about the RAvens is this: The defense is very old, oline is very suspect and qb is skiddish under pressure. They will never survive the STeelers potent offensive attack or the manical renegade defense. When they play good teams, they falter. Sure, they can win against the low lifes of the league. Good Luck to be 8-8 and missing the playoffs.!!!!

GO STEELERS!!!! STAIRWAY TO SEVEN!!!!

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Pete's reply: I agree that the defense isn't the same defense it was, but the QB didn't look skittish to me on Sunday. He got his head handed to him and still would have won the game if they make a routine field goal. Give the guy a little credit. And our guy probably will wear a helmet if he buys a Harley.

Mattison still hasn't learned to pressure QBs. Got to help the cornerbacks. Our defense is the Oriole' bullpen - can't hold leads.

Walker can't over anyone.

Cameron doesn't recognize what an opposing defense is good at stopping - it takes him too long to figue out what works better, running or passing.

Whatever it takes to lose, the Ravens now do. They're the Orioles in purple and white.

The morning after is exactly right i feel like I got really drunk last night and woke up next to Peter Schmuck. Stover absolutely makes that kick. I want blood. Mattisons. Peter have you ever seen this defense so seemingly unmotivated? So vanilla?

The morning after is exactly right i feel like I got really drunk last night and woke up next to Peter Schmuck. Stover absolutely makes that kick. I want blood. Mattisons. Peter have you ever seen this defense so seemingly unmotivated? So vanilla?

Stopping calling him a rookie kicker. Gano was the rookie. Our lines will come together after the bye and all will be well. That Martin trade is hurting us now but we will overcome this during the bye. Remember the practice squad stash-aways.

StlrFan, that was the dumbest critique of the Ravens yet. Flacco skiddish under pressure? Did you even see him yesterday. Flacco had pressure in his face all day and made some great throws.

The Steelers are far from a potent offensive attack. Not even close. The Ravens can and will beat them.

Stopping calling him a rookie kicker. Gano was the rookie. Our lines will come together after the bye and all will be well. That Martin trade is hurting us now but we will overcome this during the bye. Remember the practice squad stash-aways.

Pete we can try and blame everybody for not winning the last 3 games but the real blame falls on the front office for putting these defensive players out on the field. Ozzie has been terrific over the years with the draft and picking up players via free agency but this year he deserves a F for the players that he acguired, Foxworth, carr, lt smith, birk is ok and kelly washington has been good so far. We don't have one serviceable defense corner on this team and if the truth be told landry and ed reed due to injuries isn't even a shell of the ball player he use to be. Our pass rush is non exsistent and people keep saying that the ravens will make corrections after the bye week. Well we will have the same players after the bye and they aren't going to get any better, pryce old and washup, haloti and gregg no pass rush whats so ever, suggs, completely out of shape and to fat and slow, bannnon, duwane edwards and mCkinney pust more pressure on the ob then the starters. They still haven't come close to filling scott shoes. Offensively this team has made great strides but with the remaining teams that we have to play our defense will still get eaten alive, there isn't any other way to say it. You can try and suger coat this all you want but outside of jarrett johnson , and ray lewis this defense stinks. Suggs look like he was carry a trailor attached to his back yesterday.

"The morning after"

Now I have that stupid song in my head. Thanks, Pete. I have a sudden urge to rent the Poseidon Adventure.

The problem with the Ravens is the secondary. Dominique Foxworth couldn't cover when he was at Maryland, but at least then he could tackle. Now he can't even do that. The only thing Fabian Washington is good for is at least 2-3 pass interference calls a game. Please bring back Chris McCallister and what is the deal with Samari Rolle?

The problem with the Ravens is the secondary. Dominique Foxworth couldn't cover when he was at Maryland, but at least then he could tackle. Now he can't even do that. The only thing Fabian Washington is good for is at least 2-3 pass interference calls a game. Please bring back Chris McCallister and what is the deal with Samari Rolle?

groundskeeper-as much as i love our steelers,i don't think you give your team credit.without aaron smith,our o line will struggle.our secondary is very suspect.our passing game is strong,but in the end i'm sorry to say that the division will go to the ravens. your o and d will peak soon.hope i'm wrong,but think i'm right.

The Ravens did not upgrade in the off-season at wide reciever. Their secondary is awful. I think this is Ed Reed's last year. Our real coach is now in New York with our defense. Ozzie and his staff can't pick players. Look at all the 2nd round busts we have had in the last 8 years. Yesterdays problems was on all 3 phases of the game. If you play offense in the first half. You don't have to rely on a field goal in the closing seconds of the game.

The secondary cost the Ravens the last two games. What we need is a taller and much more physical corner, and move Fabian to nickel.

Also, I don't like the way Haushcka's kicks. It just looks sloppy compared to Stover's

I don't blame the kicker, I was just happy that they had enough of an offense to actually get back in the game and get it to within a FG.
The secondary is downright scary though. Any QB worth his salt is picking them clean this season, and now they can't even stop the run. I was afraid letting Rex go would come back to bite them, but I didn't expect them to get bitten so hard so soon.
Is it possible that the lack of a pass rush is because the league has started treating big name QB's like china dolls this season? Anemic pass rushes seem to be widespread this season all over the league as players are getting 15yd. penalties for barely touching a QB, especially a big name like Manning or Brady. It's a trend I don't like. Defensive football games are fun too, and now it seems the ideal is to have every game end 35-33.

sorry,i meant d line.

I am not excusing Hauschka for the missed FG, but he didn't lose the game. What he didn't do was win the game for the Ravens. The theme of the year continues. The Ravens defense lost this one. A defense must slam the door on a team when you lead with three minutes left.

I'm not pressing the panic button yet, but the schedule doesn't get any better from here on.

The good news is that Joe Flacco and Ray Rice look like pro bowlers. Another great draft, Ozzie. Just do us a favor, try your hardest to make a trade before tomorrow. We need a pass rusher and a corner that can cover. That 16 million for Foxworth was money poorly spent!

No one has mentioned the poor play calling on the final possession.
The Ravens had about 26 seconds to take two shots at the endzone. Incomplete passes only take about 4 seconds. Instead they run to a hash mark and spike Leaving this kid with all the responsibility on his shoulders.
Moving forward, how will he do kicking off real grass and winter weather elements to contend with.

Great game with a tough ending. The team is going to work out the issues.

What I don't get concerns the officials. The Vikings were teeing off on Flacco all day with no flags butt whenever one of our defenders gets close to the opposing quarterback we get called for roughing the passer. How about a little review by the league?

Here's a question...on the Vikings second TD, was that an illegal pick on them? I'm not in any way blaming the refs on this L, I'm just curious cause it looked illegal.

Pete

I'm in agreement with you. The braintrusts need to develop a little better pass rush and a little better coverage.

Everyone seems to forget that all 3 losses came down to the last series on defense, so despite all the panic they are not that far off.

Its entirely possible that a few personnel changes can make the difference.

We all seem to forget that 2-3 weeks before the end of the season Indy won the Super Bowl everyone was writing them off because they just could not stop the run no matter what they tried, and not stopping the run was the killer in post-season.

All of the AFC teams are vulnerable at this point. Nobody has a lock on anything.

Denver is undefeated but their luck has been the opposite of the Ravens.

Indy still has trouble with the run.

NE looks like they are coming on but might peak too soon.

Pitt has lost some of their defensive power too.

Our (Ravens) problem is at the safety position. The CBs aren't getting much help.

Reed and Landry are no where to be seen on big pass plays...they are two busy freelancing for the big interception.

Years ago Reed had the speed to recover from bad choices. Now he's not even in the play.

Give Tom Z and Carr an opportunity to see what they can do. Can't get much worse.

One day until the trade deadline, and it is clear that for Baltimore the lack of a star-caliber CB represents the difference between a team that would be clearly the best in the league and one that is 3-3 and facing an uphill struggle for the playoffs. Ozzie- make a deal NOW to get the CB this team needs, don't waste this opportunity when one move could secure this team's spot in the Super Bowl.

I've even gone ahead and done the legwork. Out of the top 20 CBs in the league- these are the ones that are likely unavailable due to playing on a team with playoff aspirations:

Champ Bailey (Broncos)
Asante Samuel (Eagles)
Nate Clements (49ers)
Darrelle Revis (Jets)
Antonio Cromartie (Chargers)
Antoine Winfield (Vikings)
Rashean Mathis (Jaguars)
Marcus Trufant (Seahawks)
Terrence Newman (Cowboys)
Dunta Robinson (Texans)
Charles Woodson (Packers)
Leigh Bodden (Patriots)
Kelvin Hayden (Colts)
Bryant McFadden (Cardinals)
Al Harris (Packers)
Dominique Rogers-Cromartie (Cardinals)

That amounts to 16 of the best CBs presumed to be off the market. Which leaves a clear set of CBs for Newsome and his team to focus their energies on:

1) Nmamdi Asomugha (Raiders): this would be an extremely difficult trade to pull off, as Asomugha is the NFL's best and is just entering his prime. He was just locked up for three years, but the contract is extremely pricey ($29m guaranteed in years 1 and 2, and if Oakland wants to keep him in year 3 he gets the average of the top 5 QUARTERBACK salaries). At any rate, the Raiders are 2-4 and at least two years away from putting a good team on the field, so the contract amounts to a waste of money when they should be rebuilding. Al Davis should at least hear out an offer including numerous draft picks, possibly involving a cheetah or roadrunner. Asomugha would make the Ravens the best team in the league, so that has to be worth something.

2) Cortland Finnegan (Titans): Suffering from a nagging hamstring injury, but could have potential if Newsome believes he'll come back strong.

3) DeAngelo Hall (Redskins): With the Redskins tanking Hall could possibly be picked up in exchange for young players and/or picks. With 3 INTs on the year, he is as promised- a solid turnover producer but weak on tackling and run support. I think the Ravens could work with that.

4) Eric Wright (Browns): Unlikely to gain a young player on the rise from a division rival, but worth mentioning. With Mangini aggressively remaking the team, he may just listen.

There you go- one all-pro and three with question marks accompanying their significant strengths. Regardless, the addition of any one of these to the Ravens secondary would be a clear improvement. It would immediately shift Foxworth to the #2 CB slot, where he is better suited, put Washington on the bench, and get Frank Walker off the team for good- which alone would be worth the cost of the trade (and possibly Carr too, with the impending return of Rolle and rise of Webb). It would also allow the Ravens to attack more at the line of scrimmage, cover for Landry's weakness after a disappointing start of the year, and dramatically improve the Raven's turnover ability (imagine a ball hawk on both sides of the field! Teams would no longer be able to throw away from Reed).

Ozzie- every trade can happen for the right price, and this one would be invaluable to the Ravens chances this year and next. MAKE THIS TRADE!!

Stopping calling him a rookie kicker. Gano was the rookie. Our lines will come together after the bye and all will be well. That Martin trade is hurting us now but we will overcome this during the bye. Remember the practice squad stash-aways.

The Vikings!! Who have they BEATEN Lately???

A Bunch Of NOBODY'S!!!

Until next time we meet......

GO VIKINGS!!

SKOL!!!!

The SCHMUCK STOPS HERE!

The reason you don't see Ed Reed in your picture on tv is because Favre was not throwing anywhere near him. What you should focus on is Landry who missed not only many tackles but also looked lost on his coverage assignments (ie, what the hell was he doing on that touchdown? There was no one behind him yet he did not commit to Shancoe - WHO WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM!)

Pete, two things:

1. Why didn't the run play on 3rd go to the center of the field so Hauschka wouldn't have to kick from the left hash?

2. What, if anything, is being said about that fact that Hauschka rarely reached the end zone with his kickoffs yesterday? Isn't that a primary reason that Stover was not retained? One of the kicks was outside the 15 and that's in a dome with no wind!!

Pete,
ravens finish 8/8.
no playoffs-over!

I recall that back in October 2000, that if anyone had told me that the Ravens would be in the Super Bowl, I would have spit in their eye.

Let's not panic just yet

Why am I am Harbs the only two people who noticed Haushcka had to kick out of a bad snap?

Katula has been less than relaiable this year. Lots of ugly snaps.

Kaeding missed the same FG tonight, just from a little further out, but more left.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: It was a so-so snap. He should still have made the kick.