Duh Bears!!

It was another Sunday playing the dregs of the NFC North in less than optimal conditions.  First, the Detroit Lions mailed it in a rainstorm, and then the Chicago Bears masqueraded as Cubs, one day after a record-setting December blizzard.  For all the hoops the Bears jumped through to get to Baltimore, and as badly as they played when they got here, they should have stayed in the Second City.

Props to the Stadium Crew

I have to give HUGE PROPS to the crew who worked the weekend getting the stadium, parking lots, and walkways ready for the game.  As late as 9AM, WBAL-TV ran an on-site report of the clean up activities at the Purple Cupcake and the crew was still dumping snow on the field.  I thought – No Way! - We’ll be sitting in snow for the game for sure.  My companion and I were shocked when we entered the Stadium and found it almost immaculate. 

Mike Preston of the Sun should have added the stadium crew to his list of “A” grades for the game.  Great job – a great, great job!  Now it’s time for my Section 134 Studs and Duds.

STUDS

Joe Flacco had his best ratings day ever, finishing with a quarterback rating of 135.  What a difference it makes when you have time to throw.  Most importantly, he didn’t seem to get banged up in this game and Joe walked without that noticeable limp we’ve seen the past several weeks.

The Ravens offensive line attacked the Bears from the outset and gave Flacco plenty of time to work through his progressions.  Oniel Cousins continues to impress, Ben Grubbs is stepping up his game, and Marshall Yanda has re-solidified his place at right guard. 

Heeeaaap!!!  Todd Heap had 5 catches and 2 TDs.  Where have you been?  Oh yeah, until this past Sunday you’ve been busy chipping rush ends for Joe Flacco or blocking for Ray Rice.  Question - Will we see you downfield or in the backfield this Sunday at Heinz Field?

DUDS

Matt Katula and the Special Teams had a bad game.  One snap was low on a PAT, another was high causing a missed field goal, and the Bears’ only score came on a short punt with missed tackles. 

Coaching Staff:  What the hell was Ladarius Webb doing on the field playing special teams when the game was already well in hand?  We’re already thin in the defensive backfield and Webb is just too valuable right now to waste his talents defending a punt.  Now he’s lost for the year.

Willis McGahee has officially reached Stinko status. Let’s see, ole’ Willis had 4 carries for 9 yards, muffed a couple of passes, and caused an illegal procedure penalty.  Either he’s rusty and needs more play, or he just doesn’t give a crap anymore.  If it weren’t for the danger of wearing out Ray Rice, I wouldn’t play him, period.

Jay Cutler is not a Raven (thankfully) but he earns a place here for his quarterback rating of 7.9.  That’s right a 7.9! And yes that is a decimal point!

NEWS & NOTES FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE:

Brett Favre is truly Lord and Master of all he surveys.  Sunday night, Minnesota was ahead 7-6 but Favre was getting the stuffing beat out of him by the Carolina Panthers.  Brad Childress wanted to pull his paycheck out of the game but, after a “heated discussion,” Lord Favre announced that he was staying in the game.  I guess we know who wears the pants in the Vikings clubhouse.

Talking Heads.  Some play by play announcers are just plain idiots.  Case in point:  CBS announcer Gus Johnson announced Oakland’s game-winning pass against the Broncos by saying “Jamarcus Russell, coming off the bench just like Johnny U!!”  Hey Gus! Let me speak for all Baltimoreans who remember the Greatest Quarterback in NFL history:  I DON’T THINK SO. 

C-Mac Coming Back?  Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh refused to rule out the re-acquisition of long time Raven Chris McAlister and serial malcontent to bolster a badly depleted secondary. 

Fran’s Take: Ozzie must be hitting the eggnog early.  C-Mac ran himself out of town last year and has been totally out of football until he was picked up for a drive through by the New Orleans Saints.  The Saints, who really need the secondary help, thought so much of him that they cut C-Mac after two games.  Don’t do it, Ozzie!

Mike Holmgren has accepted a 50 million dollar, 10 year deal with the Browns to become their President, General Manager, Football Czar, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, presumably.  As is usual in the Mistake on the Lake, he’s already getting advice from those who have no business giving it – like Browns “senior advisor” and HOF great Jim Brown, who says Eric Mangini should be retained because he won the last two games.

That’s the problem with that organization and their fans.  I know those people.  They think that anyone who’s worn the Brown and Orange is automatically a football expert.  You know, he’s a “Cleveland Guy.”  Jim Brown has never coached, never drafted, and never immersed himself in the day-to-day operations of a professional franchise.  Same for executive wanna-be Bernie Kosar, who’s done nothing but manage himself into bankruptcy and a messy divorce.  If I were Holmgren, my first decision would be to run these guys out of the organization.  They’re a distraction he doesn’t need.

It’s Armageddon on the Monongahela.  The game the NFL wanted when they configured the schedule earlier this year is here.  The game is late in the season and, as usual, hugely meaningful.  The Ravens were immensely helped by the Broncos’ loss as well as losses by the Dolphins and the Jets.  The path is clear: win both games and we’re definitely in the playoffs. 

Unfortunately, I think it will be much harder than that.  I can’t see the Ravens beating our hated rivals with a secondary that could feature Frank Walker or Chris Carr at corner and possibly no Ed Reed.  I think the Ravens will take it on the chin in Pittsburgh. While a loss won’t kill our chances, I think we’ll all be scoreboard watching January 3rd in Oakland. 

Steelers 24 Ravens 13.