Season in a microcosm....one play

**NCRavensFan** · 12-23-2013, 10:17 AM

As I reflect on one of the most horrific games in team history, it struck me that one play in the game really summarized the whole season at once.

The 4th and 1 from the 4.

It had all the elements of the 2013 Ravens.

Just the fact that we had to be in a 4th down situation there to begin with
A terrible play call
A terrible play call .... following a time out!
A hand off to Ray Rice who can't get a yard and a half.
The O-Line with no push
Futility
Failure

That play defines the 2013 Ravens for me.

**GaTechRavens** · 12-23-2013, 10:18 AM

Why would a team with a winning record be defined by failure?

**NCRavensFan** · 12-23-2013, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by GaTechRavens

Why would a team with a winning record be defined by failure?

Because they have blown a lot of games and should have had this thing wrapped up a long time ago.

**GaTechRavens** · 12-23-2013, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by NCRavensFan

Because they have blown a lot of games and should have had this thing wrapped up a long time ago.

Save that for the Texans. A team with a winning record is not defined by failure. My God, we have spoiled fans...

**pslholder96** · 12-23-2013, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by NCRavensFan

As I reflect on one of the most horrific games in team history, it struck me that one play in the game really summarized the whole season at once.

The 4th and 1 from the 4.

It had all the elements of the 2013 Ravens.

Just the fact that we had to be in a 4th down situation there to begin with
A terrible play call
A terrible play call .... following a time out!
A hand off to Ray Rice who can't get a yard and a half.
The O-Line with no push
Futility
Failure

That play defines the 2013 Ravens for me.

If anything that play defines our offensive failures and the biggest one is lack of red zone success. Ranked 28th and probably dropping.

**alien bird** · 12-23-2013, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by GaTechRavens

Save that for the Texans. A team with a winning record is not defined by failure. My God, we have spoiled fans...

It's all relative. Considering the Harbaugh Era, which includes five straight trips to the playoffs, a 54-26 regular season record prior to this year, a 9-4 playoff record with at least one playoff win every season, three AFC title appearances and a Super Bowl victory, then 8-7 and in danger of missing the playoffs is a relative failure.

**The Excellector** · 12-23-2013, 11:02 AM

As upset as I was yesterday, I have to role with GaTechRavens on this one. Nobody is supposed to be able to lose the amount of players that they lost and still even be in the discussion for a playoff birth. Do you know how many teams would be in a transition year and only go 4-12?

**Derf** · 12-23-2013, 11:02 AM

Then after that play RR jawing with Harbaugh about the play and the National TV audience saw it.

**The Excellector** · 12-23-2013, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by Derf

Then after that play RR jawing with Harbaugh about the play and the National TV audience saw it.

I wonder what that could have been about...

**pslholder96** · 12-23-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Derf

Then after that play RR jawing with Harbaugh about the play and the National TV audience saw it.

Glad someone mention it but it's clear that RR wasn't happy about something and Harbaugh giving him the "What do you want me to do" look.

**ravenfever_com** · 12-23-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by GaTechRavens

Save that for the Texans. A team with a winning record is not defined by failure. My God, we have spoiled fans...

Word :word Total Agreement ... We have the most spoiled fans in football. We went to the playoff in Flacco and Harbs first 5 years, won the Super Bowl last season and have a winning season with a chance to make the play offs again. Baltimore .... be Thankful we have the RAVENS !!!!!

GO RAVENS !!!!

**HotInHere** · 12-23-2013, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by alien bird

It's all relative. Considering the Harbaugh Era, which includes five straight trips to the playoffs, a 54-26 regular season record prior to this year, a 9-4 playoff record with at least one playoff win every season, three AFC title appearances and a Super Bowl victory, then 8-7 and in danger of missing the playoffs is a relative failure.

What else is relative is that these were also all playoff teams a year ago: Texans, Vikings, Redskins, and Falcons. A lot of people had a Texans-Falcons Super Bowl penciled in for this season.

If this is what a "down year" looks like in Baltimore, I'll take it.