View topic - Ratbird week

[steelblood14 Profile]

Heard this topic on the radio and wanted to see what the thoughts here were, what defines the steeler/raven rivalry the most for you?

I'd say either ward knocking out Bart Scott or Joey porter going on the raven bud after them.

[ILLSTILL Profile]

Well, obviously what makes the rivalry so great is the similarities between the teams. There's too many to count right now. A couple examples are Heap to Heath and Reed to Troy.

But it's only been probably since 2006 that the rivalry has truly heated up. That's when the Raven's have been relevant.

The games constantly go to the last second, and are always heavy hitting affairs.

But what stands out to me most is probably the destruction lain by the Ratbirds in Baltimore of '06 with them blazing to Ben with Parker clueless as to who to block, and then the game in Pittsburgh in '07 with the throwbacks in which Parker had a couple crystal pickups on Ray Lewis that setup the TD passes to Holmes. Not only that, but Silverback's first emergence in that game stands out as well.

[steelwest Profile]

Troy intercepting Flacco and returning it for the clinching TD.

I also think the hard hitting defensive mindedness of both teams defines the rivalry. It is almost imposible for either team to really run the bal and pssing is hard as well. Tough bruising games.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

Not the top but memorable from AFC championship - Ryan Clark nearly killing Willis McGahee. It was one of those games where the hitting was so hard on both teams it reminded me of two kids playing too rough with mom warning someone is going to get really hurt - then suddenly someone actallay gets their eye poked out and the fun is suddenly over.

The Onion wrote a funny story about it. If you haven't read yet try it for a good time.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/attentionseeking-willis-mcgahee-almost-ruins-steel,6544/

[Ed Burns Profile]

The intense hatred the teams have for each other. Ward knocking out Ed Reed in 2007, and Troys' pick in the AFC Title game. The similarities of the teams, and how it's always a battle of Defenses. These games are always brawls to the end regardless of the teams records going in.

[clarioncall Profile]

Flacco good for a pic now and then. Just need to be ready. Too bad Ike has boards for hands.
Unleash Timmons, our STEEL version of LT. Time for him to make his imprint on this game.
Love to see him on "delay" blitz, come around on an occupied guard with a clear path to QB just waiting to be planted.

2 or 3 of these and Flacco goes flacid. Stop the run and make him 1-dimensional. He can't run.

Otherwise, we rely on Arians for a ball-control, move the chains, mix 'em-up type game plan. ......

.....Yeah, THAT's gonna happen.

[IronCity__Man Profile]

I was surprised to see that the Raven's are giving up 4.7 per rush (lower 1/3 of NFL) but only 8.something per pass play (1st in NFL). Quite the opposite I expected given their secondary is weakened, but then again those two stats often work against each other.

Makes me feel like we could have some running room and play a conventional game plan- which we don't typically have against them. Then again, all stats are out the door when these two teams play.

[Ed Burns Profile]

I was surprised to see that the Raven's are giving up 4.7 per rush (lower 1/3 of NFL) but only 8.something per pass play (1st in NFL). Quite the opposite I expected given their secondary is weakened, but then again those two stats often work against each other.

Makes me feel like we could have some running room and play a conventional game plan- which we don't typically have against them. Then again, all stats are out the door when these two teams play.

Those stats are surprising, but like you said, all stats go out the door for this game. I heard they're getting Terrance Cody back for this game. We'll see how much he affects the success, or lack of success our run game has. Another side note for the game is the availability of Ray Rice going into the game. The Ratbirds RBs say Rice will be available, but Ratbird Coach Harbaugh said his status is uncertain.

[stillcello Profile]

1) Troys INT return in the champ game.... probably one of my top stillers plays of all time....just an amazing grab and great run into the EZ.... I lost my voice in 10 seconds yelling at the TV on that one!

2) Ben's funny fist pump after a TD pass during a thrashing of the Ratbirds on national TV a few years ago

3) Kordell, at his very short peak, throwing a perfect strike as Bobby Shaw splits the secondary and takes it to the house.... if you see the end zone camera angle on this play, it might have been the best pass Kordell ever threw.

4) hate to say it, but seeing Ray Rice line up next to Farrior on 4th and 3 last year when Dixon played and knowing that Rice would get the ball and the Ratbirds would get the first down =)

[PGHeaven Profile]

Troy intercepting Flacco and returning it for the clinching TD.

I also think the hard hitting defensive mindedness of both teams defines the rivalry. It is almost imposible for either team to really run the bal and pssing is hard as well. Tough bruising games.

That and Hines filleting Scott then yelling at the Ravens sidelines for help for man down. Man that pissed off the Rats!

[Steel Holiday Profile]

Hines Ward flattening Ed Reed (again), and then immediately calling the Ravens medical staff to come scrape him off the field. Eddie wants no part of #86 .