I was sitting by my computer screen and watching the Raven-Steeler game. For 58 mins, it looked like all the other games I have seen since 2008 I became a fan of Ravens. We fought, we leaded early and we somehow gave the lead away. I was frustrated. I was questioning whether I was just wasting my time again. 

Then came the last drive.  Watching Flacco drive the offence done the field was exciting...and nerve-wracking. Let's face it, it was never easy for Joe Flacco. Not that it should be easy, hell, it's the Pitt Steelers, the #1 pass defence in the league. But for Joe, he usually doesn't have much help. Remember in 09 the Viking's game? How we stormed back from a double digit deficit? I remembered Joe was hit like a red-haired step child, to borrow the phrase, and keep delievering good passes despite being hit. He drove us to a makable winning field goal. Only Steven Hashka, whatever his last name is, missed it. That would be a nice coming-out party too, against Brett Farve, but all for nothing. 

It didn't get easier for him. Remember the dropped touch down passes by our recievers in the Steeler game in 2010? Remember the fourth down pass vesus Patriot's game that would give us a first down had it not just bounced off the chest of TJ? For that matter, remember the other game vs Patriot, Mark Clayton dropped that pass? 

Hell, it was not easy last night in the final drive either.  Torrey smith dropped the touch down pass. Aquan Boldin dropped the first down pass. But this time, it's different. Joe kept coming back. Torrey hanged on to the touch down with 8 seconds to go. 

All I have to say is, Great job. Let's keep it up. Now I am firmly a believer. 

At this point of season it seems that our team resumes this annoying identity: we play one half good football. Period. No matter whom the opponents are. Lately it becomes more disturbing trend: we play good on the first half of football and sit on the lead only to wait for our defense to collapse. 

So what's the problem? if there is an single important thing that you want to point out, what is it? Some might say it's Cam. Some might say it's the rush three. I tend to agree with the Baltimore sun writer Kevin whose last name is so long that I can't spell it right: all the problems, directly or indirectly, trace back to the woe of offensive line and Jared Gaither might be the single most important loss in the preseason. Let's face it, Oher is not a good left tackle now and it's not clear that he will ever be. He was a great right tackle. Other offensive linemen changed out of their natural position to play. Also, it might prove a mistake to let Jason Brown go. Matt Birk is showing his age. 

The coaches are doing part of their jobs. Our running game, let's be honest, was not working last night and the only time I remember it working like a charm is the bronco's game. What do you expect Cam to do? pound his head against the same wall again and again and expect to work? it's the very definition of madness. The pass play is the high percentage play right now and I have no problem they went with it. 

Joe is doing his job, mostly. I mean, peyton manning is this best QB ever. what happens when he is sacked 5-6 time and hurried 7-8 times a game? he throw 4 interceptions! two pick 6! this is frankly happening to Joe flacco every frigging game. You expect him to be immune to pressure? don't kid ourselves. 

So what can we do to fix it? Honestly, I don't know. maybe there are some magic potion they can use to make our O-line smarter and better all of sudden. Maybe they need an Oline only meeting. Maybe they need run more creative screen plays or whatever to reduce the pressure. Until this Oline problem is solved, we would have to be very lucky to win a superbowl. 

Disclamer: by no means I am a baseball expert . This is only my opinion. If it can serve as the starting point of a good discussion, I will be glad. 

Having watched a lot of O's game this year (on TV, of course :)) and witness the debut of several young pitchers and their ups and downs,  I want to give my opinions on what they should work on to make their game better. First and foremost, something positive, it seems that all of them have very good mental makeup, which is essential for success in MLB. Secondly, everyone(maybe minus Berken) has good enough stuff to be successful. They also have flashes of Brilliance(in the case of Bergesen, simply brilliance). It is reasonably to  believe their futures will be great. 

Now comes the suggestions. 

Bergesen: Stamina. That's the only thing I can think of. If he can pitch the way he has been pitched and work up his stamina, he could be a work horse for us for years to come. He has good command and is the most polished rookie we have right now. If he has good stamina, he can work 7+ almost everytime he pitch. 

Hernadez: Command of all his pitches. He has great stuff and is strong. The problem is that he is simply not efficient enough and always get himself into trouble or into fatigue by throwing too many balls. In order for him to be reliable, his command simply has to improve. 

Matusz: Fast ball command and consistency. He is supposed to be a good control guy. It seems that, however, he relies on his off-speed stuff too much. He has a good fast ball, use it! 

Tillman: Fast ball location. Maybe pick up a cut fastball or two simmer or something. His fast ball right now is too straight and if it's not a good location, it would get crushed. I am suprised by his off-speed stuff though. i was under the impression that his breaking ball is not that good. 

Berken: Well, Berken is a good guy. However, he simply has to improve his command and pick up a sinker or something. Right now he has to be very accurate in order to succeed, that simply won't happen. You can't realisticly expect you have all your pitches working everytime you pitch. His future might be in the pen. 

That's all that I can think of right now. Thanks for your time to read the post.