The Ravens slaughtered them... why??
2006-09-11 03:03:38 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Football (American)
In a nutshell, the answer is: "They lost momentum early on and were never able to get it back."
Here's this Ravens fan's expanded take on what happened in Tampa yesterday.
Led by newly acquired veteran QB Steve McNair, Baltimore opened the game with a 9-minute scoring drive on their first possession. This gave their healthy (for a change) defense an opportunity to get pumped up and take the field like a house on fire.
It is challenging for any team to come back from an early deficit, especially a team with an inexperienced QB, and the Ravens' D took full advantage of a semi-porous Bucs' O-line to get in that inexperienced QB's face -- and stay there.
While not a bad call, the offensive holding penalty the Bucs got on their second drive didn't help them any.
What I don't understand is why Coach Gruden abandoned the running game like he did. Near the end of the first half, the Ravens led 17-0; however, any score could have given the Bucs some momentum going into the second half. But it was at that point that Cadillac Williams -- who had been getting gains of 4, 5, 6 yards on the ground -- was inexplicably swapped with Michael Pittman, who lost yardage twice in a row. And I think Cadillac only touched the ball once in the entire second half.
I put more stock in Cadillac than in Chris Simms and Michael Pittman combined. Why did Gruden stop using him when the game was still within reach (late first half/early second half, down by less than three TD's, there's still time to run as well as pass)? Was Cadillac hurt?
2006-09-11 11:30:54 · answer #1 · answered by cleopatra2u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the Ravens are vastly improved. Not only is the defense back to its previous dominance, but the offense is actually capable of putting together long drives and keeping the opponent's offense off the field. For the first time in years, they have an actual passing game.
Nonetheless, the result doesn't mean the Ravens are THAT good or that the Bucs are THAT bad. But the Ravens are for real. AFC North may be the toughest division in the league this year.
2006-09-11 10:10:03 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Ravens are going to be a superbowl contender this year. Simms may be another year away from being an NFL starter. I'd like to see what he can do against another team before I pass judgement.
2006-09-11 10:54:48 · answer #3 · answered by Johnny 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Didn't expect the Ravens to be any good, poor preparation, bad coaching - take your pick. They looked bad in every aspect of the game.
2006-09-11 10:08:59 · answer #4 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offense went south with the hurricane, blew them out got to find a better QB. defense OK.next week will be more the same again est Atlanta.
2006-09-11 11:31:04 · answer #5 · answered by xpressman5c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"What happened to the Bucs?"
They got ran over by the Raven's D. It looked like the Buc's sent out the J.V. squad.
2006-09-11 14:49:46 · answer #6 · answered by alynnemgb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They got beat by a real football team
2006-09-11 18:20:11 · answer #7 · answered by sistermoon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What happened?? Gruden said it best:
"Z - E - R - O"
2006-09-11 10:20:04 · answer #8 · answered by JusticeManEsq 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sims is so overrated it's ridiculous.
2006-09-11 11:33:56 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they couldn't run the ball or protect chris simms...
their o-line sucks like my doggie's balls!!!
2006-09-11 14:37:34 · answer #10 · answered by Huck 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋