Suggs: Big Words - Big Game

There's a first time for everything, last year it was the Dolphins first and only win of the season, in week 7, 2008, the Ravens grabbed the franchises first win in eight tries in MIA. It also marked the first career TD for T Sizzle, in what has been a fantastic young one. Suggs is known for his relentless pursuit of the QB, hard hits and fast play, so it was a shock to me and others that he had yet to get in the end zone. The Ravens score so frequently on Defense one almost takes for granted or assumes all the stars score and do so often. His score was more than just 7 point or momentum. It set the tone...but that's not the reason it meant so much. It was his off field comments during the week prior about needing a Ravens win or the season may be lost. Players could and would wonder mentally or just toss in the towel on the season. Suggs and his TD kept hope alive for the season and showed this Ravens team that he is there to fight the good fight with them. That he can back up his words, help the cause, and not just be a stone thrower. Jump on my back.... I'm here to win. And on Sunday in Miami Win they did.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

Same Old Song and Dance?

Could you say this is the same old story with the Ravens? Sure, you could say that… I won’t, the Ravens Defense held them in the game, keeping the Titans to just 13 points. And yes, the last drive was helped by a terrible call against the Ravens. But this is NOT the same Ravens teams of past. It’s not all D and no O. Listen… I know 10 points is unacceptable, ROOKIE QB, ROOKIE HEAD COACH, TOP FLIGHT TITANS DEFENSE. These things will happen. As many may know I work for Sirius XM Satellite Radio and I was on our morning show Monday where this game came up. The host and producer said to me “same ole Ravens” and I had to disagree. The past regimes stunk on offense because they could not score. These current Baltimore Boys are learning to run the ball, and well, while teaching a youngster Pro Football. This team and scheme is to keep the Ravens in the game. We have seen over the first four games that this team can score. The Titans are a really good team. They are much better on Defense, like the Ravens, but find ways on Offense. Just look at their QB situation. Kerry Collins is not a world beater, but he is or is supposed to be the calming force. Dump it off to the rookie back Chris Johnson, hit the TE’s in the middle and only if needed throw way down field. Dink and dunk, chip away and play field position. Does that sound familiar? It should, it’s just like the Ravens, Jags, Steelers & Redskins the past few years. Those “other” teams mentioned have all been to the playoffs in the last few years. It’s one way to win. The other is the Cowboys, Giants, Pats, Cardinals, etc…offense and lots of it, while holding on trying to win. More than one way to skin a cat and the Ravens know the way they do it is with D. Try to minimize mistakes on O and walk out winners. It’s going to happen; a Rookie QB will throw some bad ones. Flacco did and now needs to learn from them. The key is not making the same mistakes twice. This team had little to no expectations to start the year, and I’m not saying the people in purple could not and should not be 4-0, but in my mind going into every game this year the Ravens have a shot. That is not something I would have said, written or thought 5 weeks ago. There will be ups and downs, always is, but this team will continue to fight and have a chance. Hard loss Sunday lets all bounce back Monday!

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio

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Defending Consistency

It may seem like the theme of my Raven blogs are similar, and they are. The reason: This team is at the very least consistent and like most know, it starts with the D. Ray Lewis gets lots and lots of love and rightfully so, but did you notice just how much face time our boy Ed Reed got on MNF? Tons and that man needs it and deserves it, although he may not want or like it. Is there a more silent, laid back, stone cold beast in the defensive back field... I don't think so. Glad the people at ESPN showed some equal love. Ok so on to the football, we knew the game was to be physical but it bordered on dirty. Sure I'd like the Ravens to win all of their game, you could even say I'm a fan, but damn anyone could see the Steelers were playing a bit dirty. That said the Ravens matched the intensity, played hard and kept the Steelers on their heels almost all night long. While most look at Reed, Lewis, Kelly, Suggs and others... don't over look a 6-4 345 nose tackle named Haloti Ngata. That guy is a monster. He fills holes in the run game, takes on two guys with ease, gets down field when needed. Hands up in the pass game and comes up with interceptions when most would, maybe, get a deflection. This team / franchise does such a fantastic job of drafting on the "other side" of the ball. They have a high draft pick who turns out great, they grab mid round guys who turn out good and they take flyers on late round guys who show up huge on specials and in reserve. Now with a new staff and a realistic approach on Offense I see no reason why this team going forward will not be consistently in the playoff picture. Yes, they lost to the Steelers in a tough game that Baltimore should have, could have, won. Yup it hurts, but it's life, it's football, it happens. Not everything goes our way all the time, but don't get the results confused with what we all saw. The Ravens are a pretty strong bunch, they are growing with a young QB and he will take his lumps. We saw it Monday, but Rome was not built in a day and he seems to not make the same mistakes twice. That's about all you can ask of him three games in. Three games people. I'm not sure about you but I'm in this for the long haul. Just like the stock market, it has ups and downs but in the end this team has the right approach for long term success.

Glenn Younes
Sirius XM Satellite Radio