3504 replies to this topic

[Hendoo]

Flacco and Suggs work out:

[MJM2344]

I just want it to be Sunday.

[phragle]

[ilol@u]

Heard there was a $50,000 bounty by the Ravens to whomever knocks Brady out the game.

[Turrable]

Heard there was a $50,000 bounty by the Ravens to whomever knocks Brady out the game.

[Hendoo]

http://www.midwestsp...no-respect1.jpg

Edited by Hendoo, 19 January 2012 - 02:17 PM.

[Shelterdog]

Heard there was a $50,000 bounty by the Ravens to whomever knocks Brady out the game.

Where'd you hear that?

[j44thor]

That was great up until the Rodney Dangerfield part, then it ended up 40% too long. Kind of like a lot of SNL skits.

Edited by j44thor, 19 January 2012 - 11:32 AM.

[dcmissle]

Bad karma envelopes Charm City, this its version of the day the music died --

http://news.yahoo.co...-105227649.html

Easily one of the coolest rituals anywhere at any time, now Nevermore.

[loshjott]

Bad karma envelopes Charm City, this its version of the day the music died --

http://news.yahoo.co...-105227649.html

Easily one of the coolest rituals anywhere at any time, now Nevermore.

This is a good read, as are all of her books.

[DaughtersofDougMirabelli]

Edited by DaughtersofDougMirabelli, 19 January 2012 - 02:13 PM.

[Hendu's Gait]

Let's not get too overconfident too soon.

http://www.thepostga...g-squads-2012#5

[Hendoo]

Excellent

without the stache there's another Stiller role he could double too:

[PseuFighter]

just got tickets.

holy shit.

[MainerInExile]

I went to college in Baltimore. Baltimore sucks.

Destroy!

[DrewDawg]

Here's something fun to watch to help pass the time:

[MentalDisabldLst]

just got tickets.

holy shit.

You really have a way with these things. Will you be on the roof among the light towers for this one too?

[Kilgore A. Trout]

And because it should be said anytime Baltimore comes up, and especially with a team riffing off the poor guy for its image, Edgar Allan Poe is not from Baltimore. He was born in Boston. He grew up in Richmond, VA and England. He was was stationed in Boston in the army, He lived more of his life in Richmond, Boston, England, and the Bronx than he ever lived in Baltimore.
You know the only real connection he has to Baltimore? He died there. That's pretty much it. And even then, he was just passing through Baltimore on his way home. To Richmond.
Baltimore claiming Poe as their native son is like Mexico claiming Ambrose Bierce as their own because that's likely where he was executed.

EDIT: Correction: He was on his way home to New York from Richmond when he died in Baltimore.

Edited by Kilgore A. Trout, 19 January 2012 - 09:28 PM.

[drleather2001]

This has got to be the most boring week leading up to a Patriots playoff game in years.

Jesus. I expected better from the fucking Ravens.

[Jed Zeppelin]

Can't believe it's only Friday. Doesn't help that I've been sick and haven't been able to sleep all week. The days have been devastatingly long.

[Salva135]

This has got to be the most boring week leading up to a Patriots playoff game in years.

Jesus. I expected better from the fucking Ravens.

At least our old friend Bernard Pollard has a decent quote:

"You got to look at it, that's the pretty boy, that's the man of the NFL, that's 'Mr. Do It All,' so everybody wants to hold that against me, but I don't care," Pollard said Wednesday, according to the Ravens' team site.

Bernard Pollard Addresses 2008 Season-Ending Hit on Tom Brady, Calls Quarterback 'The Pretty Boy' - NFL - NESN.com


But can I offer up a reason for most of the silence? That maybe they're all just bored - teams, players, coaches alike. The Pats have been here so many times, the Ravens have played enough tough games against us, there's just not much left to say without sounding rendundant.

What do you really want? Another Suggs quote calling Brady a pussy? yawn.
Ray Lewis saying they are more a physical team? yawn.

There's just not much to say anymore. The main characters in this series have been there, done that and have lost the enthusiasm to trash-talk each other. Ray Lewis presented Brady as the best player in the NFL in the NFLN's "Top 100" series. BB can't hide his man-love for Ed Reed. This game is all about a clash of legendary players who know what the other brings to the table and have moved past the trash talk and focused on beating each other and securing their legacies with a Super Bowl on the line. In other words, they've grown up.

The biggest stories this week having been all shitting on Flacco. Everyone else is just bored and ready to play. Kind of refreshing.

Edited by Salva135, 20 January 2012 - 03:35 AM.

[loshjott]

The Pats have been here so many times

Only a handful of Pats have played in an AFC Championship Game. It's boring because the Pats are always boring between games. And the Ravens are largely on their best behavior.

[jsinger121]

Only a handful of Pats have played in an AFC Championship Game. It's boring because the Pats are always boring between games. And the Ravens are largely on their best behavior.

Tom Brady - 5 times
Kevin Faulk - 5 times
Matt Light - 5 times
Vince Wilfork - 3 times
Logan Mankins - 2 times
Stephen Gostkowski - 2 times
Deion Branch - 2 times
James Ihedigbo - 2 times
Shawn Ellis - 2 times
Wes Welker - 1 time

Edited by jsinger121, 20 January 2012 - 08:59 AM.

[dcmissle]

This has got to be the most boring week leading up to a Patriots playoff game in years.

Jesus. I expected better from the fucking Ravens.

I can't remember them being this subdued in, like, forever. I have little doubt that if the opponent were the Steelers, much more smack would be flying.

The Ravens are deadly serious about this. Two of their hall-of-famers really want to retire, and they understand this may be their best and perhaps only shot to get Reed his ring.

Harbaugh pretty much lets them say what they want, but they are behaving themselves. I think they understand that it doesn't serve them very well to run their mouths in these circumstances. I think they regard Brady as a cold blooded assassin, that the post-season is beginning to resemble something of a Patriots' revenge tour, and that anything they say may just feed the fire.

[loshjott]

Tom Brady - 5 times
Kevin Faulk - 5 times
Matt Light - 5 times
Vince Wilfork - 3 times
Logan Mankins - 2 times
Stephen Gostkowski - 2 times
Deion Branch - 2 times
James Ihedigbo - 2 times
Shawn Ellis - 2 times
Wes Welker - 1 time

Two handfuls, then.

I tossed off that post right before leaving the house then thought about it on my way to work. I knew I had underestimated.

Only Wilfork has played on a Pats defense in the championship game.

[TheoShmeo]

I'm not convinced that the Ravens' tepid approach is optimal for them. The Patriots seemed to be attuned to all the smack being thrown around by Rexy, Cromartie and some of the other Jets last year. Who knows if Wes would have done his foot routine if the Jets had been quieter. Maybe none of that stuff matters, but I'm glad that the Ravens are giving the Pats nothing extraneous to focus on. The "no respect" angle is tired and over played, and there's no evidence that the Jets' blather gave the Pats any extra motivation last year. In sum, I think a business like week suits this NE team.

Oh, and murder them.

[RedOctober3829]

There are 4 honorary captains for the game

[RedOctober3829]

Per Gresh and Zo, they are saying Kraft announced that Steven Tyler is singing the national anthem. Ugh...Bon Jovi wasn't available?

[Mooch]

Win this for Bob Kraft.

http://espn.go.com/b...-been-my-savior

[RedOctober3829]

Win this for Bob Kraft.

http://espn.go.com/b...-been-my-savior

"You think about it, our family has been privileged to own the team 18 years and this is our seventh AFC championship game, five of which have been played at home. When I go around the league and I speak to some great players, Pro Bowl players perennially, they’ve never had the privilege of playing in a playoff game where they win. I think back to when I was sitting in the seats with my boys and our season would be over at the end of December. My sons know what it was like to have the season over, and my grandchildren, I think, are a little spoiled because we had the privilege of being in the postseason a great deal. It’s a great credit to the coach, and the coaches we’ve had here and the players we’ve had here. We hope to have a lot of fun this Sunday at 3 o’clock.”

[Al Zarilla]

Heard a stat this morning that just about says the refs are "lettin' 'em play". There have been 7+ penalties per game on average for the playoff games vs. 12+ during the regular season. Someone said did it come down from above (not Tebow) to not let it get into officials' calls maybe deciding a game. So, who's the best at holding up Ngata, Suggs, etc. on the line? Matt Light ought to have all the tricks by now. Might be better than double teaming one guy too much. I mean, there's holding on every play anyway, right. I know, this is playing with fire.

Edited by Al Zarilla, 20 January 2012 - 01:51 PM.

[Carmine Hose]

"Yeah, that's me, taking the bull by the horns. It's how I handle business. It's a metaphor."

"But that actually happened, though."

[TheoShmeo]

The Ravens have plenty of "no respect" fodder from the so-called "experts" if they want to go that route. Unless I'm missing something (and I'm sure some people have indeed picked the Ravens) , their only believer is Wickersham.

http://espn.go.com/b...diction-roundup

[Mystic Merlin]

Two NFL dot com writers/analysts - Breer and some guy named Adam Rank - picked the Ravens.

[loshjott]

Mike Greenberg picked them to win outright this morning on the radio.

[Al Zarilla]

Mike Greenberg picked them to win outright this morning on the radio.

Golic and everyone else I've seen come through there this week picked the Pats. What has Shannon not-so-Sharpe had to say? He picked the Broncos last week.

Edit, just thought that Sharpe of course spent a couple of years with the Ravens, and many years with Denver. Penciling him in for Ravens.

Edited by Al Zarilla, 20 January 2012 - 03:06 PM.

[Ed Hillel]

Rex Ryan picked them.

[Royal Reader]

Rex Ryan picked them.

Unfortunately, he didn't guarantee it.

Ed: And holy crap, they asked JEMELE FUCKING HILL for her prediction? Why not consult an astrologer while they're at it?

Edited by Royal Reader, 20 January 2012 - 03:13 PM.

[Al Zarilla]

Unfortunately, he didn't guarantee it.

Ed: And holy crap, they asked JEMELE FUCKING HILL for her prediction? Why not consult an astrologer while they're at it?

That's the one that said rooting for the Celtics is like rooting for Hitler. Jimmy the Greek got fired for less and she's still around.

[RedOctober3829]

ClaytonESPN
Other than Sebastian Vollmer the Pats should have everyone available for AFC title game.

[Royal Reader]

That's the one that said rooting for the Celtics is like rooting for Hitler. Jimmy the Greek got fired for less and she's still around.

Yeah, I know EXACTLY who she is. She's a shit NBA writer, but her football writing makes her bball writing look like Thomas Boswell.

Edited by Royal Reader, 20 January 2012 - 04:13 PM.

[jsinger121]

Limited Participation

WR Deion Branch (knee) Questionable

OL Marcus Cannon (ankle) Questionable

S Patrick Chung (knee) Questionable

LB Dane Fletcher (thumb) Questionable

TE Aaron Hernandez (concussion) Questionable

S James Ihedigbo (shoulder) Questionable

DL Kyle Love (ankle) Questionable

G Logan Mankins (knee) Questionable

LB Rob Ninkovich (hip) Questionable

OL Nate Solder (concussion) Questionable

LB Brandon Spikes (knee) Questionable

T Sebastian Vollmer (back/foot) Questionable

WR Wes Welker (knee) Questionable

LB Tracy White (abdomen) Questionable

Full Participation

CB Kyle Arrington (foot) Probable

C Dan Connolly (groin) Probable

WR Matthew Slater (shoulder) Probable

Edited by jsinger121, 20 January 2012 - 04:33 PM.

[nattysez]

At this point, the thing I am most worried about is Aaron Hernandez's noggin. The Ravens are going to go after his head from the start in an effort to trigger more concussion symptoms, so he'd better be ready.

[Jed Zeppelin]

I would expect the Ravens to go after his (or anyone's) head anyway.

Edited by Jed Zeppelin, 20 January 2012 - 05:10 PM.

[Ed Hillel]

I would expect the Ravens to go after his (or anyone's) head anyway.

Maybe Ray Lewis will punch him in the head like he did some dude last week. It's cool, though, he's Ray Lewis.

[Al Zarilla]

Is BB screwing with everybody's brain? That looks a lot more severe than I would have expected.

[Shelterdog]

Is BB screwing with everybody's brain? That looks a lot more severe than I would have expected.

Yeah, he's fucking with you. "Questionable" players play all the time; if a guy is questionable but practices every day he almost always plays. The various reporters are saying that with the possible exception of Vollmer the whole team will be ready.

I think the long injury reports are sort of an f-you to the league. Oh you want us to be transparent and follow league rules? Fine, I'll say half my team is hurt every week.

Edited by Shelterdog, 20 January 2012 - 05:22 PM.

[Mystic Merlin]

They've had a long injury report all season - there's like 12-15 guys limited/quest. every week. I'm sure they're legitimately injured, but if they're practicing and speaking with the media, they usually are good to go.

He has to list those guys as limited if they, well, are limited in any way (whether that's logging fewer snaps or sitting out certain drills, or whatever it may be). It's impossible to read anything more into the reports themselves.

Anywho, I'm not remotely worried about Hernandez - he spoke to the media after the game, has told anyone and everyone he feels fine, has practiced all week, etc. Head injuries are never good, but if he isn't displaying symptoms and thus is participating in the week's preparation, then I don't see the cause for concern.

[Al Zarilla]

Yeah, he's fucking with you. "Questionable" players play all the time; if a guy is questionable but practices every day he almost always plays. The various reporters are saying that with the possible exception of Vollmer the whole team will be ready.

I think the long injury reports are sort of an f-you to the league. Oh you want us to be transparent and follow league rules? Fine, I'll say half my team is hurt every week.

Yeah, I know he does that (as I see the other teams playing this weekend have less than half as many players listed). I thought (hope) his going further here than he usually does on the pessimistic side is gamesmanship .In fact, is this right?
Reed is only Raven on injury report


http://espn.go.com/b...n-injury-report

One Ed Reed equals many players from another team.

Edited by Al Zarilla, 20 January 2012 - 05:37 PM.

[BucketOBalls]

Yeah, I know he does that (as I see the other teams playing this weekend have less than half as many players listed). I thought (hope) his going further here than he usually does on the pessimistic side is gamesmanship .In fact, is this right?

I think he's more screwing with the media than gamesmanship really. Heck,Brady's shoulder seems to be fully healed for once.