Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Matchup to Watch: Ravens/Patriots Divisional Round Edition

I hope you all are done rubbing it in the face of our hated rival that we have eliminated them from the postseason. Get it out of your system and feel the hate flow through you as we get ready for the Pats. We all know that cocky New England fan who loves his Soooooooox and his Pats, we hate that guy (ugh!). If you think we aren't big fans of the Pats imagine how some of our defensive guys feel towards their pretty boy offense!

With this week's upcoming divisional game a lot of things have been tossed around in the papers(or as the kids might call it "the internets") between a few foes from each team. Just to keep you all informed (I am here for you after all) here is the matchup we should be keeping our eye on during the game (and postgame) this Saturday afternoon. Of course I have to be talking about Matt Elam and Brandon Lafe...nah, I couldn't even type that with a straight face.



That Quarterback for the Patriots VS. that Linebacker from the Ravens

One person who couldn't be happier to play the Patriots once again in the playoffs is Terrell Suggs. He has made it known how he feels about Brady by never referring to him by name. Brady in his recent comments about Suggs said he was "phenomenal" and "the leader" of our defense. Here is Suggs' response, "Say what? Did they record him? I would love to see his face." The interesting thing about Suggs is how he talks up our hated rival Ben Roethlisberger like he can walk on water, going on and on about his accolades. When asked about Brady and the Patriots, it is a whole other story. Suggs has discussed their inability to win a championship since Spygate, called them "pricks," and mocked Brady's hairstyle among other things. Suggs was asked about his opinion of the Patriots and Brady while on E:60 for an interview, "I don't think that's appropriate for camera. I don't like him. He don't like me. I don't like his hair. I don't like his smug attitude."


This has been going on for quite some time, He infamously left Brady off of his Pro Bowl ballot back in 2010(Brady's MVP season), voting for Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yeah, that Ryan Fitzpatrick. When asked about it Suggs shrugged it off replying, "he probably didn't vote for me either." More than likely he wouldn't vote for Suggs because of his inability to play well against a Ravens defense with a healthy Suggs. He has four sacks of Brady in his career (one in the playoffs), while Brady hasn't been Brady like. In three playoff meetings he has only thrown for 713 yards, 3 TDs and 7 interceptions. With the Ravens going on to win two of those three games. Sure I know it is not all Suggs out there but Brady has always been pressured in our three games in the playoffs by our line. Saturday he will not only have to deal with the likes of Suggs but Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil as well. That line of his has been shaky and if Brady has no time to make decisions those interceptions are going to come again straight to (as we call them around Purple Reign) the Legion of Whom. 

Look at it this way. In the one game without Suggs that we faced Brady he had his best game. Throwing for 335 yards and a touchdown with nearly completing 70% of his passes. Most importantly, no picks. 

The animosity towards Brady...er all our opponents (which we all find amusing here in Baltimore) comes from Suggs. He just doesn't care. We always had Ray Lewis as the minister, always preaching and saying his motivational prayers before each game. Suggs has always been the fun guy who says what he wants when he wants. Who can forget his interviews during Pittsburgh week in Steeler hatred themed t-shirts. Who can forget, "God can have his (Ben Roethlisberger's) soul but his ass belongs to me." First of all, where are the t-shirts, posters and living billboard with that on it. Screw "protect this house" put his quote on the billboard next to 95 outside of M&T Bank stadium. 

Hopefully we can turn some of that animosity into a victory on Saturday. No one should be happy with just eliminating the Steelers, marching on to the Super Bowl in the same season would be much sweeter. 

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