Okay our great city and my great University have suffered some horrendous losses in my lifetime. But this one might have been the worst. There have been big losses–Super Bowl III to the Jets, 1969 World series Loss to the Mets, 2 7th game losses to the Pirates, the Final Four loss to Duke, the Orange Bowl defeat to Florida. There have been painful losses, the playoff loss to Green Bay on Chandlers failed kick ruled Good, Michigan State’s miracle shot to end Greivis’ Terrapin career and perhaps the greatest 2 minute run ever by a Terp, Jeffrey Maier stealing a victory in the playoffs, etc, etc. BUT we actually won this game until Lee Evans was stripped of a perfect pass from Joe. How could this happen to us? The ball was in his hands. And then like we were granted a reprieve , all Billy had to do was kick a 32 yard FG to give us a 50-50 chance to win. I feared he wasn’t ready for this prime time situation. Ever since his injury to his plant leg, he has not been the same.
Okay let’s analyze –should Cundiff even have been kicking. From the second he got hurt his kickoffs faltered–his distance disappeared—Harbaugh would not even let him try a 51 yard FG to tie the game..Shayne Graham was a more than adequate replacement. Graham was more experienced, been around longer, etc. The Ravens got away without a backup QB but should Cundiff have been kicking?
Shannon Sharpe said it right after the game, Brady was this, Vince was that, but THE SCRIPT WAS PERFECT FOR A RAVENS WIN-Only a drop by Lee Evans and a shank by #7 turned this — nothing else. I am sick like you are. Harbaugh stuck up for Cundiff post game but can we ever forget this.
Joe Flacco , as I predicted was almost magnificent. Brady wasn’t. Only the interception and under throwing Torrey early on the 42 yard pass separated Joe from a perfect game. Please sign him , get an adequate backup or if Tyrod is the that guy let him play more next year.
Torrey, Vernon Davis and yes Laquan Williams did Maryland proud yesterday, all coming up big in Championship games. Laquan’s excellent special teams play probably assured him a spot on next year’s roster.
The third and 3 draw play late in the game was an unthinkable call. The first 3 series were a disaster for the Ravens but give the Patriots credit. I wonder if cmaeron survives this loss with Hue Jackson now in the open market. That will probably be decided quickly.
Ray Lewis post game comments were miraculous. He is the true warrior. I don’t want him to retire and he isn’t. He refused to point any fingers, rightly saying no one man loses a game. ( I am not so sure). But he emphasized that everything will be ok because the City of Baltimore has the back of the Ravens.
But in summary, this is what makes me sick–the game was won. But I guess not. The pain will last for a long time. Ten years ago when the Ravens were destroying the Giants on the way to a Super Bowl victory, I pointed to the scoreboard with many of my Baltimore friends in attendance and said remember this moment because we may never live to see it again. Yesterday just proves how right that statement might turn out to be. The next few days will be tough. Welcome to our nightmare!!!!
freddy from boca
the jets over the colts and mets over the o’s. pirates twice over the o’s, nc state over terps in acc final and packers over colts in the “missed field goal” game were worse for me. one reason is i wasn’t in balto when the ravens came to town and though i rooted for them early on i couldn’t embrace the team because of modell and what he did to the city of cleve..which is what irsay did to baltimore. it’s much easier to root for the ravens today because of local ownership. real tough loss. hopefully the criticism of flacco will subside. he played great. the offensive and defensive lines were sub-par though.
· 11/12/2019