Baltimore Ravens

3 Things Baltimore Ravens Fans Are Insanely Tired Of

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:47 p.m. ET

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Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) loses the ball after it was stripped by Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) during the second quarter of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Three Things Baltimore Ravens Fans Never Ever Want To See Again…

When you sign up to become part of the Ravens flock, you’re signing up for something pretty special. Being a Baltimore Ravens fan is being part of one of the most passionate groups in the world of sports. However it is kind of like an iPhone agreement of terms and conditions. Nobody takes the time to read it and there are some things in there that nobody likes. It’s not like your going to stop using your smartphone, you just hope Apple gets their act together. Like Apple lovers, Ravens fans aren’t going anywhere. They are however, waiting for a nice upgrade.

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With that in mind here are three things that Ravens fans never want to see again. If you did away with these three things, Ravens fans would see their blood pressure go back to a normal level and all would be good with the world. These three things are the ticket to stressful Sundays and tense muscles. Today we’re going to take a look at the most frustrating and most mind boggling parts of the Ravens experience.

We don’t complain just to complain. Today we’re letting it be known that we want our team to step up their game. By telling them the things they need to stop doing, we’re just giving constructive feedback. When you parents yell at you, they don’t stop loving you. Today I’m going to yell at John Harbaugh and company, but I’m not going to stop loving the purple and black.

Sep 25, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (center) talks with wide receiver Steve Smith (89) after a altercation with Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey (not pictured) following a game at EverBank Field. Baltimore Ravens won 19-17. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

1. Slow Starts:

Remember when Brian Billick gave a tutorial on how to go into the Lion’s den? Well the basic principle was that you go into the game with a mission. Starting the game slow makes everything harder. The Ravens are essentially the college student who believes staying up all night to do a paper is a good idea. When the Ravens are pressured to perform they usually do it. When the game starts it seems like they don’t have a sense of urgency.

I am of the belief that if you can do it in the fourth quarter, you can do it the entire football game. Why does this team wait for the switch to be flipped to begin playing their best football? To me this is an attitude. Just like necessity is the father of invention, desperation gives birth to a sense of urgency. The 20-2 start against Cleveland is a good example of this. Squandering a 16-7 lead just to get it back at the end in Jacksonville, is a perfect example of this.

The Ravens need to eliminate slow starts. They need to never feel comfortable when the game starts. When this team is comfortable the gas pedal isn’t slammed against the car’s floor. Baltimore deserves the purple and black’s best from start to finish. Why did they have to wait until late in the second half to get the Ravens fan base with their hopes up? A fast start against the Raiders may have led to a different result.

May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman walks off the field after the OTA at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Running Routes Short Of The Sticks

It’s 3rd and 8 so don’t you know what’s coming? The defense certainly does. Marc Trestman, the offensive coordinator that actually makes us miss Cam Cameron, will call a four yard pass and ask the receiver to make a miraculous effort to move the chains. It’s as predictable as a Progressive Insurance commercial. It’s as uneventful as a sitcom that gets canceled after eight episodes. It’s as frustrating as not being able to open an “easy open” container.

The concept is to rely on yards after the catch, thinking that the defense isn’t going to allow anything deeper. There is some logic to it but ultimately it is bad math. When eight yards is needed, routes running beyond eight yards is usually a good idea. Four yards plus two after the catch doesn’t equal eight.

While we’re on the subject can we stop with the play-action pass to Kyle Juszczyk in the flat? Last year we did it on almost every first down. It’s better this year but it’s still not good. It’s predictable and it’s called too frequently. Maybe we can trow less two yard passes that are set up for nothing while we’re on it. At the very least, let’s actually try to move the chains while passing on third downs.

Sep 21, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; A general view of a penalty flag thrown by a official during a game between the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers at Ralph Wilson Stadium. San Diego beats Buffalo 22 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

3. A Lack Of Discipline

The purple and black were on their way to a huge defensive stop. Instead Terrell Suggs lined up off sides against the Raiders. It’s hard to get on Suggs too much for this because he is one of the greatest players in franchise history. It’s still wildly annoying though. The Mike Wallace taunting penalty was simply frustrating. There’s no need for that kind of thing on the football field. I generally hate taunting as a penalty, but you cannot bring it upon yourself.

It just feels like this team has a lack of discipline sometimes. It really boils down to not doing the little things that make it harder to win. Don’t line up over the line of scrimmage, don’t let emotions get the best of you. It’s not the first time we’ve seen things like this in a Ravens game.

At the end of the day the Ravens just need to stop doing things that make it harder than it has to be. Getting off to a slow start makes every play more critical. Bad play-calling doesn’t allow talented players to be successful. Stupid penalties are simply unacceptable. The Ravens fans want to see these three things end in Baltimore.

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