Before any of you try to give me a hard time about not hating in a long time think about this. How hard is it to hate on anyone when you are trying SO hard to figure out what you like about your crapfest of a team? I have an answer for you, pretty damn hard. Now I could easily have complained about the Rams, Dolphins or this week's fabulous opponent the Chiefs but no. I can't do it. Baltimore won't let me.
It has come to my attention that because we are terrible many "fans" have decided to tune out, not giving one iota about this team. That to me is a problem. If you are a "fan" I believe you stick through thick and thin. This season is pretty damn thin, Calista Flockhart thin. So I think some of us need to remember the reason why we should keep tuning in.
1) Duh, football season is only 4-5 months out of the year
The same people that are bitching that they won't watch Ravens games anymore this year, who have sold the remainder of their season tickets and who are probably communists (that last part may or may not be true) are going to be the same ones bitching there is no football until August come March. No one can have it both ways. I mean, do what most fans do. Bandwagon hop. Just stay the hell off social media ya poser! We know you haven't been a Panther fan since '99 and don't gimme that AFC/NFC team bullshit. I don't want to hear it. I'm just saying, want a better viewing experience? Watch anyone else in the division races UNLESS, they are in the NFC East.
2) Jarvaihudflkjahl Allen
Point being, stop trying to say his first name. You couldn't even say Ngata right commentators, you damn sure aren't saying Javorius correctly. Call him Buck, we in Baltimore are huge fans of Buck.
Shit, wrong one. Either way, we here are interested to see how both of them are going to do. Allen has shown that he can in fact be productive out of the backfield and possibly could give Forsett a run for the starting job. Taliaferro has been injury prone in his short career and it is clear (so far) that Allen is more dynamic out of the backfield as a receiver than he is. While Allen has yet to clear the 100 yard rushing mark he did drop a 100+ yards receiving against the Browns. Yes I know, they are terrible but he still did it! We need to figure out what we have back there because we really don't have any solid players at the running back position who have proven to be a dominant force for more than one season.
3) K.O. is LT
Okay, I promise not to bash Eugene Monroe too much in this section. I mean, if I do he might be out all of next season with damaged pride and low self esteem. Since coming to Baltimore, Monroe has been lackluster and injured. Not a good combination. Osemele, on the other hand, has been very productive as a guard and is going to be a free agent in the offseason. With the Ravens extending Yanda they can't put all that money towards the guard position. However, if Osemele dominates as a left tackle they can make it rain in his general direction. They threw him right into the wolves this past week with Seattle and it isn't like its going to get better moving forward. Chiefs, Steelers and Bengals all have an impressive pass rush that should really test whether or not Osemele can achieve man among bitches status. For our sake, let's hope he does.
4) Flaccups?
Honestly, this hurts to watch on Sunday. However, as fans we have to wonder who will be there to backup Flacco if this knee injury prolongs the start to his 2016 season. Add to the equation massive whiny pants Ryan Mallett who has led the league in complaining (a technique he learned in New England I'm sure) this season. Both Schaub and Claussen have been seen taking reps with the first team this week but you have to figure that these last few weeks will decide who will still be on the roster next season. From what I have seen (Mallett isn't even in the conversation) Schaub hasn't played himself out of the job if he in fact wants it next year. Claussen managed to not completely ruin the game until the second half when he realized, "Shit, I'm Jimmy Claussen! I have only won 1 NFL game in my career and this defense is hard. Sherman looks like he wants the ball, I'll throw to him!'
That being said expect either Schaub or Mallett to start the final two games. It all depends on how Harbs(or his QB) is feeling.
5) Would a real Wide Receiver Please Stand Up?!?
Honestly there are only a couple of names that stand out from our receiving core. One of them is technically a tight end. Kamar Aiken has been improving over the past few weeks and Dan Brown(as the last man standing in a decimated tight end depth chart) has been very impressive. If there is one thing this team can clearly do, it's seeing talent and developing that talent in tight ends. Makes sense with Ozzie at the helm. Amusingly enough Brown was cut from the practice squad the day after Thanksgiving(as a wide receiver). Only to be signed after sooooooooooooooooo many injuries. With that out there we really need to see what guys like Jeremy Butler, Chris Givens and Kaelin Clay. Clay has been impressive in the return game but hasn't done much else. Butler has been more involved the past two weeks so we shall see. All in all as fans and analysts alike, we need to keep an eye on this for the future,
If there is one thing that has been proven this season is that this team lacks depth. Anywhere. More than anything the remainder of this season is about improving that depth. Not only in our roster but our sanity as fans. So cheer up Baltimore, it's only going to be one down year. Right? RIGHT?!?!
