MIS-FIRES: As fans gnash their teeth for two weeks the Ravens have to tear apart the first part of the season and figure out what can be done to right the ship for the final run. They have dug a hole and will have to scrap and claw their way through the last nine games to make a push at the Playoffs. Fans do not have an inside view of the Team so we can only guess at why this team is looking like it has a malaise that may knock it out of the playoff run sooner rather than later.

 1. Injuries: ...

PITTSBURGH 19 - BALTIMORE 16 (3-4) : A very disappointing game in the AFC North that puts the Ravens in a difficult position going into the Bye. Although I did not have a good feeling about a game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh with their season on the line, it was a winnable game and the team was not up to the challenge.

 The Defense was ripped by a running game that limped into the contest as one of the worst. The Steelers were able to move the ball at will, and came up with trick plays ...

GAME DAY IN PITTSBURGH: An AFC North match-up that has historically been like a street-fight and decided by less than 7 points. These teams punch/claw/smack to see who is the last man standing. The biggest thing to be concerned about after who wins is how many casualties are listed on Monday. That defines why people get psyched for a Steelers' game every year. 

 The Coaches and Players know what is going on in the Castle and on Sundays. We as Fans have a limited knowledge, but are vested with ...

PURPLE FRIDAY : This is Steelers Week - and yet it feels lackluster. Is there a Super Bowl Hang-Over for Fans too? Or is it because this team is 3-3, has stumbled/fumbled/bumbled their way through the first six games; showing no spark, no imagination and no passion in four quarters of each game. There are problems with the O-Line, vanilla Play-calling and big injuries.

 1. There are 10 games left, so it is hard to identify something as "crucial". The Ravens are one game back of the Bengals and...

THE NEW WEEK: So the Ravens get ready to face the Steelers on Sunday in Pittsburgh, and neither team is getting any Love. Of course, based on how they have started the 2013 Season it is hard to see two powerhouses in the AFC North - or even any team in the North that "wows" you.

 I would say that listening to Sports Radio this week is tough. I do get the assurance that I am not the dumbest sports fan on the block, so there is that benefit. There are so many of the callers who (1) Play Madden a...

GREEN BAY 19 - BALTIMORE 17 (3-3) : The score does not reflect how the game was played. Aaron Rodgers was able to move his team and escape the rush, chewing up the clock when it was needed and getting away from the pressure when it was applied. The Ravens were able to stay close but failed to play like a good team. For a Home Game, this was not a strong performance.

 1. The Offense continues to struggle. The running game is a Total Failure; starting with the O-Line. There are no holes and Rice...

GAME DAY: A damp, misty, and probably rainy day in Baltimore for the Ravens to host the Green Bay Packers. The Ravens have a good home record and have not lost to an NFC Team under Harbaugh here. The Packers are one of the teams that the Harbaugh-led Ravens have not beaten (albeit one game in GB).

 Rain can benefit a passing game, since receivers know their routes and defenders have to adjust too quickly. Rodgers is one of the best QB's, has a quick release, and has an arsenal of good receiver...

MIDWEEK MEANDERINGS: I have not had a chance to view the recordings of the last two games, but I have seen some clips of various plays. As of now, here are some thoughts from being at the games and how the season has developed through five games:

 1. The trade for Monroe is a help, but whatever is the problem for the O-Line needs to be fixed. Flacco was slow to get up several times in the last two games and some of the shots made me cringe. Although I understand that throwing Shipley into the ...

BALTIMORE RAVENS 26 - MIAMI DOLPHINS 23 (3-2): Getting to bed at 2:30 AM after the trip to Florida makes for a LOOONNNNGGG Monday. But it was a fulfilling return with a win under the belt. The Ravens made it happen - even if it was not at a prime performance.

 1. Dickson and Doss suddenly appeared on the scene. Dickson's first catch was an excellent play and he made things happen (like he was supposed to before). Doss ran some good routes and made the plays at the right times. I am not sure if...

GAME DAY IN MIAMI: Reporting from a hot place for football. The Baltimore Ravens face the Miami Dolphins for a fight to get the team back on track. 

 The Offense needs to get on track and the team needs to keep from slipping behind the Mighty Browns. Stokley was cut and Bajema was re-signed but the run game has got to get on track. They need to return to the road-grading blocking to get the game set. Finesse is not a Baltimore staple so let's just smack them in the mouth.

 While I sweat through...

PURPLE FRIDAY: The Ravens are still a work in progress. The line has been a glaring weakness and the receiving corps is a problem. There are quite a few injuries in the latter and a new face is joining the former. 

Facing Miami this week will be tough. Keep an eye on Ellerbe, since he will want to prove that he is worth what the Dolphins were willing to pay. He will be an issue. And Wallace will look to slice up the secondary; if he can hold onto the ball.

This will be a tough test of a morphin...

TRADE: Ozzie Newsome cherishes draft picks - oh wait !!! So he gives up a fourth and a fifth for a LT to replace McKinnie ? Did Bryant make a promise he did not keep ? Not play hard ? Not take his job seriously? Shocking !!!

So now we have to see the roster moves to free up a spot and how the cap room will be met. Monroe is 26 and in the last year of his contract. Is he the answer? When can he absorb the playbook? And will McKinnie remain a Raven for long?

What intrigue this early in the season...

FIVE PICKS: When you see that stat you automatically think it is on the QB. Although I have not watched the TV version of the game I did see the highlights on the interceptions. Flacco did make some questionable throws, but there are a lot more issues.

1. Two of them came off the receivers' hands. Flacco does have a tendency to throw it high and let receivers go up and get them; but not everybody can do that. Dickson and Clark had the ball hit their hands and bounce in the air. As an aside, th...