Spitfrnd
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 6,923
Yes, you have to believe.Well
The WASHINGTON REDSKINS are the best !
ok, ok, .... maybe next year ?
football season is here!!!!!!!!!! (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter sammy719
- Start date
Warrior
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Messages
- 15,276
Aside from THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND, folks also root for the Ravens in Cleveland as the Ravens are in fact the old Cleveland Browns before their carpet bagger of an owner packed the team up and moved them to Baltimore.
But other than Ohio and THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND, folks across the US generally cannot stand the Ravens. It's their style of play and in general they are not a very likeable team. Plus those purple and black uni's are God awful.................
But other than Ohio and THE GREAT STATE OF MARYLAND, folks across the US generally cannot stand the Ravens. It's their style of play and in general they are not a very likeable team. Plus those purple and black uni's are God awful.................
sammy719
Major
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2007
- Messages
- 6,649
Their style of play is rough, no nonsense, balls to the wall defense, and if it was the raven defense on your favorite team you would love them, simple fact, I do not care for Eli or Payton, if they were Ravens would it be different??...hell yea, I'd love'em!!!!!as far as uniforms they could wear socks and draws for all I care as long as they win baby...Sammy
Spitfrnd
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 6,923
As to carpet bagger owners, Indiananopolis set the standard less we forget.
I don't think that is any more the case than for the Giants or the Patriots and as used to be the case for the Raiders (when their defense was scary
). Generally outside their home territory, teams that win with defense are disliked and those that win with offense are liked. The Raven uniforms are indeed not great but then the uniforms properly due a Baltimore team were in fact stolen by that carpet bagger owner. It is my perception that people will have a few (or one) favorite team, not care one way or the other about most, and hate a few teams. In my case these likes or dislikes were firmly cemented as a young fan. I keenly support the Redskins and the Ravens. The Ravens are new to this area (Wash.-Balto.) and replace my former favorite, the original Balto. Colts. I am in no position to know how the rest of the country feels. I just support my teams. So good luck to all teams left in the playoffs unless they play the Ravens. Gotta support the home teams. -- lancer
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,431
All this Ravens talk made me ponder the Ravens, a raven, that black bird, who ceaselessly caws. Forsooth and without further ado, one of the great poems by one of our great poets, Edgar Allen Poe, written in 1846:
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never- nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or devil!-
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never- nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or devil!-
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked, upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!
Russell
Sergeant
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
- Messages
- 703
Well who would have thought that football would have us talking poetry.
The fact that you posted the poem encouraged me to actually read it, something I did my best to avoid in high school.
Will the Ravens win again - nevermore. It's going to be cold in Steeltown.
As I'm sure you know, you have another local wonder, Wallace Stevens, Pennsylvania boy I think, who also wrote about black birds. Here it is:
The fact that you posted the poem encouraged me to actually read it, something I did my best to avoid in high school.
Will the Ravens win again - nevermore.
It's going to be cold in Steeltown.As I'm sure you know, you have another local wonder, Wallace Stevens, Pennsylvania boy I think, who also wrote about black birds. Here it is:
jazzeum
Four Star General
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2005
- Messages
- 38,431
Well, I guess time it's time to re-pick the games.
Eagles v. Cardinals - A very hard game to pick. Who would have thought that the Cardinals would be hosting a Championship game. They played well last week (that's an understatement) but despite their record, I don't think Carolina played that great this season. However, Arizona is pretty good at home. On the other side, this might be the Eagles time: they're hot right now and McNabb/Reid have raised themselves from the ashes after that disastrous Bengals game and the Ravens benching. It's a different team right now and the leaders of the league in September/November will be watching the game the same way we are: at home. As the Giants showed last year, if you get hot at the right time, the seeding doesn't matter.
In a close game, the Eagles.
Ravens v. Steelers. This could be reminescent of an old style 40s/50s game. Teams that usually have beaten the other team twice in the regular season go on to win the third time (11 out of 18). I think the difference are the offenses. Ravens offense is just not there yet and Roethlisberger is a little better. It will be a close game but I think the Steelers will prevail. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Ravens somehow tough it out in a very close game dominated by defense.
Eagles v. Cardinals - A very hard game to pick. Who would have thought that the Cardinals would be hosting a Championship game. They played well last week (that's an understatement) but despite their record, I don't think Carolina played that great this season. However, Arizona is pretty good at home. On the other side, this might be the Eagles time: they're hot right now and McNabb/Reid have raised themselves from the ashes after that disastrous Bengals game and the Ravens benching. It's a different team right now and the leaders of the league in September/November will be watching the game the same way we are: at home. As the Giants showed last year, if you get hot at the right time, the seeding doesn't matter.
In a close game, the Eagles.
Ravens v. Steelers. This could be reminescent of an old style 40s/50s game. Teams that usually have beaten the other team twice in the regular season go on to win the third time (11 out of 18). I think the difference are the offenses. Ravens offense is just not there yet and Roethlisberger is a little better. It will be a close game but I think the Steelers will prevail. Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Ravens somehow tough it out in a very close game dominated by defense.
tdubel
Major
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 6,639
Great points and I feel much the same. Although, I feel just a little more confident in my Steelers after seeing last week's performance, they are finally firing on all cylinders, here is hoping to a rude awakening given to the Ravens. I really want to get that 6th ring~!
TD
theBaron
Major
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2008
- Messages
- 10,338
I'm pulling for the Iggles, of course. They do tend to pick up and play harder at the end of the season and in the post season, after giving us fans fits for most of the fall. I'd like to see a Turnpike Bowl, Eagles vs Steelers, it would nice for us Pennsylvanians to have that to warm our hearts throughout the rest of this climate change winter.
Prost!
Brad
Prost!
Brad
Russell
Sergeant
- Joined
- May 15, 2007
- Messages
- 703
Two Pennsylvania teams in the Superbowl; would that be a first, two teams from one state in the Superbowl?
Unlike Brad I don't think a Steeler-Eagle bowl will warm my Canadian heart (-24 C today = about 15 F) but that's what I expect to see. Like Jazzeum I think the key element in the Raven-Steeler game will be the Raven's more vulnerable offence. With the Cards and Eagles, I think, the Eagles will rush the quarterback and disrupt the that pass offence. The concerns for the Eagles are which McNabb will show up and maybe crowd noise with the closed roof.
Whatever, it should be a good Sunday.
Unlike Brad I don't think a Steeler-Eagle bowl will warm my Canadian heart (-24 C today = about 15 F) but that's what I expect to see. Like Jazzeum I think the key element in the Raven-Steeler game will be the Raven's more vulnerable offence. With the Cards and Eagles, I think, the Eagles will rush the quarterback and disrupt the that pass offence. The concerns for the Eagles are which McNabb will show up and maybe crowd noise with the closed roof.
Whatever, it should be a good Sunday.
Warrior
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Messages
- 15,276
I'm going Cardinals/Steelers, setting up another great offense vs great defense Super Bowl. The Steelers/Ravens game has all the makings of a classic AFCCG.
Although I am picking the Steelers, why do I feel like the Steelers will be down 14-10 with 10 seconds left and as Big Ben scrambles to find an open reciever, he decides to run it in and fumbles on the one inch line, recovered by the Ravens.
The way the Ravens season has gone, that would be a fitting finish as they once again eek out a win..............
Although I am picking the Steelers, why do I feel like the Steelers will be down 14-10 with 10 seconds left and as Big Ben scrambles to find an open reciever, he decides to run it in and fumbles on the one inch line, recovered by the Ravens.
The way the Ravens season has gone, that would be a fitting finish as they once again eek out a win..............
tdubel
Major
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 6,639
George, are you trying to jinx me?? I agree, but I think the Ravens luck should finally run out. Everyone but Sammy on the board admits that last week, they got pretty darn lucky on a few plays of Titans fumbling inside the 5, I don't see the Steelers doing that nor any team getting that lucky 2 weeks in a row. I think the better team will win tomorrow, although, everything is great on paper, you just never know until the game, the Steelers need to play flawless football tomorrow as we have seen the Ravens are able to capitalize on anything given to them.
Go Steelers, I would really like to see a 28 - 10 victory. If we can get moving offensively early and sting the Ravens, I like our chances.
TD
Warrior
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- May 12, 2005
- Messages
- 15,276
Best of luck Tom and JR tomorrow; as a Patriots fan, I've had my fair share of AFCCG's this decade (five to be exact) and the night before was a pressure cooker.
Bottom line is whatever happens is out of your control, so just enjoy it no matter the result because you never know when the whole thing will blow up and your team is on the downward slope (just ask any 49er's fan), so have fun and may the best team win (and they should)..........
Bottom line is whatever happens is out of your control, so just enjoy it no matter the result because you never know when the whole thing will blow up and your team is on the downward slope (just ask any 49er's fan), so have fun and may the best team win (and they should)..........
Spitfrnd
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 6,923
Well that is not exactly accurate. I don't agree that the Raven's win against the Titans was luck. Good teams make their own luck. They cause turnovers and capitalize on them. That is what the Ravens did last week and it is how they have played most of the season. The Steelers may win today but they had better bring their A game, which they often do not. Win or lose, the Ravens have had an excellent season to date, even if they don't have the name and uniforms they deserve.
Baltimore and Pittsburgh have played some great games; maybe this will be one.
Louis Badolato
Lieutenant General
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 17,274
Both the Steelers and the Ravens have top notch defenses, and questionable offenses. The defenses will dominate, and the winner will be the team that makes the fewest mistakes on offense, and whose defense capitalizes best on the opposing offenses mistakes. I think this one is too close to call, but I would give the slight edge to the Steelers, as Big Ben has already got a ring, and no matter how well Flacco has played, this is his first Championship game at any level.
The Eagles should beat the Cardinals, but then the Falcons and the Panthers should have beaten them as well. If the Cardinals play the way they did the last two weeks, running the ball, stopping the run, and stretching the field to their great wideouts, they will beat the Eagles. The Eagles could never beat the Giants with Plaxico Burress, and the Cardinals have two wideouts of that caliber in Antoine Boldin and Fitzgerald.
The Eagles have to rely on their defense, as their offense is very hit or miss. You never know which McNabb is going to show up. He is either a worldbeater or a complete waste of space. If I were the Cardinals I would concentrate on stuffing the run, and force McNabb to beat them. He either will or he won't, and at this point, having played three straight good games (the first of which was great, the next two just good enough) he is due to come out and lay an egg.
The Eagles should beat the Cardinals, but then the Falcons and the Panthers should have beaten them as well. If the Cardinals play the way they did the last two weeks, running the ball, stopping the run, and stretching the field to their great wideouts, they will beat the Eagles. The Eagles could never beat the Giants with Plaxico Burress, and the Cardinals have two wideouts of that caliber in Antoine Boldin and Fitzgerald.
The Eagles have to rely on their defense, as their offense is very hit or miss. You never know which McNabb is going to show up. He is either a worldbeater or a complete waste of space. If I were the Cardinals I would concentrate on stuffing the run, and force McNabb to beat them. He either will or he won't, and at this point, having played three straight good games (the first of which was great, the next two just good enough) he is due to come out and lay an egg.
tdubel
Major
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2007
- Messages
- 6,639
Well that is not exactly accurate. I don't agree that the Raven's win against the Titans was luck. Good teams make their own luck. They cause turnovers and capitalize on them. That is what the Ravens did last week and it is how they have played most of the season. The Steelers may win today but they had better bring their A game, which they often do not. Win or lose, the Ravens have had an excellent season to date, even if they don't have the name and uniforms they deserve.
To clarify my use of luck, I agree that the Ravens defense is one of the best, however, if you look at how many yards TN got and the ease with which they got them, I think there was a little bit of luck on the Ravens side to cause those turnovers when they did. Anyway, all out the window now, it all depends on which team shows up, I am hoping the Steelers team that took the field last week is the one that shows up today, if that happens, it will take a spectacular effort to beat them.
TD