The Schmuck Stops Here: Ravens: No-cuddle offense - Some say it’s better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt. I disagree.

Okay, I know nobody came here to read me gloat about that unlikely Cal State Fullerton victory over UCLA early this morning on ESPN, so let's resume the conversation about the Ravens' 16-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns.

There are two pretty clear sets of people here. Those who think the Ravens proved they are not a playoff-caliber team by failing to score in the first half against the feeble Browns, and the glass-half-full crowd that thinks any road win is a good win.

I'd like to be in the glass-half-full crowd, but after watching the Ravens manage one significant offensive play in 60 minutes of what could loosely be described as football, I can't even find the glass.

That's right, the long pass to Derrick Mason that set up the only Ravens offensive touchdown was really the only play of any consequence by Cam Cameron's offense, which is going to have to look a lot more like the Ravens did in September to have any chance of competing with Peyton Manning and the Colts this weekend.

Whenever the Colts come to town, it opens old wounds for football fans in Baltimore, but I doubt anybody's going to have time for that this week. There's plenty to worry about right in the here and now.

Comments

Your last graf hits the nail on the head. This is the first time the Colts have come to town that I'm not thinking about the history and the nonsense and the hatred. Maybe the playoff loss took care of all that, or maybe it's the prospect of trying to figure out how this 5-4 team that seems destined to disappoint can possibly take on the 9-0 juggernaut that is Indy.

Either way, I think the wounds are closed, and I just want a win and hope of salvaging this season.

Posted by: alphapnumerics | November 17, 2009 4:03 PM

Can't hate the Colts anymore. They beat that ass Belichik and Tom 'the whiner' Brady. Good job and best wishes in the Super Bowl, Peyton.

Posted by: JonH | November 17, 2009 4:11 PM

Last nights game was an embarrassment. They scored one offensive TD against the Browns. One. Against the Browns.
I used to be one of the ones who really got up for the match-up, but now I just close my eyes and wait for it to be over.
Manning and the Colts are going to dissect them like a lab animal.

Posted by: Roy | November 17, 2009 4:11 PM

The 2000 Ravens were 5-4 after nine games, also...just sayin'...

Posted by: Ray Venn | November 17, 2009 4:18 PM

I got lots of time for the wounds to reopen, and they're gonna reopen even wider after the Clots rip the Ravens a new one on Sunday. I remember back in May and June when folks on this blog were praying for football season to come. Well, it's here. Ain'tcha all glad now?

Posted by: dave taylor | November 17, 2009 5:27 PM

I still hate the Colts

Posted by: ravenczar | November 17, 2009 5:36 PM

Yes Dave, I am glad it's football season. Give me the Ravens over the O's any day of the year.

Posted by: Other Dan | November 17, 2009 5:49 PM

I called your radio show last year, Peter, and told you "I'm a militant ex-Baltimore Colt fan, and my two favorite teams are the Ravens and Anyone-Playing-the-Colts." Nothing has changed. Those announcers last night ripped into the Ravens' Cleveland history, and showed anti-Modell signs, but nothing how they got to keep their colors and history. We still have to see horseshoes on someone else's team.

Posted by: jerry | November 17, 2009 7:33 PM

Ravens 31, Colts 26

Posted by: waspman | November 18, 2009 11:49 AM

whether it's the 69 jets/mets,or rosenbum selling out to irsey, history remains.
the ravens wil be lucky to 8/8;that's a fact!!

Posted by: mike bohle | November 18, 2009 4:58 PM