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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Apr 24, 2007
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I couldn't help but laugh when Prisco said, "They [the Ravens] also have to realize that they can't win a Super Bowl with the quarterbacks they have on the roster." Is he serious? If only they were back in the glory days of Trent Dilfer. THEN they could win the Super Bowl. After all, it all goes down to the quarterback, right? The sad thing is that he made that comment about one of the teams in very recent memory that actually DID win a Super Bowl without a great quarterback. The Bucs did the same thing a few years back. And Chicago went to the Super Bowl two years ago without a good quarterback. Too bad they didn't have Dilfer on their roster, they might have won it!
Anyways, the point I'm trying to make is that defense CAN win championships. It doesn't always, but it can. Would the Ravens be a better team with a good quarterback. Of course! Who wouldn't be? But would they be a better team if they focused so much on offense that they let the defense regress? Probably not. I think it's probably best to have a bad offense and a #1 defense than to have a so-so offense and a #10 defense.
So anyways, I want to hear from Ravens fans why their team did poorly last year. In 2006 they gave up around 12.6 points per game, and although they lost in the first round of the playoffs, they lost to the eventual champion Colts. And held them to 15 points. So all in all, it was a very good season. Last year they gave up 24 points per game, nearly double what it was the year before. So my question is, did the defense do worse because they're older, slower, less talented, etc.? Or was the offense sucking and keeping the defense on the field, turning the ball over too much, etc.? Because if the defense is getting worse, I think they need to draft defense to keep the unit elite. But if the offense is making the defense look worse than it is (as was the case for my Chiefs last year), then by all means draft some offensive players.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Nov 18, 2007
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Well chiefsfan129 to answer your question the defense didn't worse it got hurt. At times this past season we played with our 4 and 5 corners as the starters. So many teams aka the Colts and Steelers beat us deep and beat us deep often.
It also didn't help the offense was 3 and out so often the defense spent a ton of time on the field. If we can sustain a drive i am not saying score every possession but have like a 6-8 play drives and move 30-35 yards our defense would be more energized and could make more plays.
Also many times our quarterback would make a costly error either a fumble(Steve McNair) or we threw an interception. Now these problems don't sound to bad but when the opposing defense returns it into your redzone it is.
In the 2008-2009 season if our defense is able to stay healthy and our offense can be half way dependable we have a legit chance at the playoffs if not we are headed for another long year.
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:May 25, 2007
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You can get by without great quarterback play when your defense is so dominating - the Ravens & Buccs Superbowl wins and the Bears getting to the Superbowl in 2007 are prime examples.
But, when the defense is not as fearsome and gives up more points, then it can't cover up the offense's deficiencies and this highlights the need at quarterback.
I still think the Ravens should give Troy Smith a real chance, he was an outstanding college quarterback who can make all the throws and reads, the only reason he went so low in the draft was because he's less than 6ft tall.
But then again, Emmitt Smith was too small right?
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Reputation:96
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 13, 2007
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The first two posters both gave reasons why a good QB is so important, although its not the point either was trying to make.
they lost to the eventual champion Colts. And held them to 15 points.If you hold a team to 15 points and lose, your offense most likely played horribly. Not necessarily the QBs fault, but in this case a lot of it was.
Also many times our quarterback would make a costly error either a fumble(Steve McNair) or we threw an interception. Now these problems don't sound to bad but when the opposing defense returns it into your redzone it is.I don't think I have to explain this one. But if your QB is turning over the ball over "many times", yes, it does sound that bad.
Teams winning a championship without an above average QB are the exception. Just because a team did it once doesn't mean they can do it again - in fact they are probably pushing their luck trying.
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 29, 2007
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I really don't think the Ravens need a QB who has a very good arm or above average accuracy, I think they need somebody who is smart enough to not hold onto the ball and take sacks/fumbles or to throw it into bad situations and give up INTs. McGahee is a monster, you can ride him and throw the playaction when necessary.
The Ravens are never going to be so far behind that a QB will have to carry them unless the offense gets them there first. I would say if Chad Pennington came on the market or the Ravens could get decent value in a trade for him that is somebody they should be targeting.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:May 31, 2007
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Emmitt Smith didn't have to see over the top of the linemen like a QB though. That being said, size isn't an absolute deterrent for a QB. Drew Brees is barely 6 feet (no matter what the press release tries to tell you), and Doug Flutie had success as a little guy as well. I would be curious to see how he has done in camps and practices. Maybe he's progressing well, and that's why they keep saying they aren't as bad as people think at the position?
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Reputation:95
Level:Superstar
Since:Feb 15, 2007
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I'm putting a little bit of it on the loss of Adalious (i can't spell) Thomas's departure between those two seasons...the man is a monster
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Reputation:93
Level:All-Star
Since:Aug 29, 2006
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The Ravens Superbowl win that year was a fluke. You need points out of the passing game. I am not sure anyone realizes this is that the Bucs when they won the Superbowl had the Fourth Ranked passing attack. Look at the previous winners Patriots - Tom Brady, Indianapolis - Peyton Manning, New York Giants - Eli Manning, Steelers- Ben Rothesberger. Quarterbacks are more important than any one position of the defense because they have more impact, Strahan vs. Eli Who is more important to the Giants success. It's obviously Eli. Without Strahan the defense is still pretty good, but without Eli the offense is dismal.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Apr 19, 2007
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A fluke in the same way having one of the best defenses of all-time is a fluke? Yeah, I don't think so.
"I couldn't help but laugh when Prisco said, "They [the Ravens] also have to realize that they can't win a Super Bowl with the quarterbacks they have on the roster." Is he serious? If only they were back in the glory days of Trent Dilfer. THEN they could win the Super Bowl. After all, it all goes down to the quarterback, right?"
Prisco's right, whether you want to accept it or not, but he's not entirely right. A more accurate sentence would be "[The Ravens] also have to realise they can't win a Super Bowl with the quarterbacks they have on the roster O | |
