Should Eagles fans and Ravens fans be disgusted (1 Viewer)

[Itchy Amos]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing.

The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game.



So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?

I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

 

[greenline]

All I know is the Ravens players kept saying this was their SuperBowl so I would imagine they were fired up on MNF to try and knock NE off. It's not exactly the same as playing the Texans on Sunday at 1pm.

 

[TheBigDog]

I can understand players being hyped up and having a little extra adrenaline flowing for a huge game against an undefeated team...but I really don't know if it has anything to do with that, I think they just happened to play a good game, sometimes teams have a good game, sometimes teams have a bad game. I don't know why that would mean they shouldn't question any horrible, blatantly erroneous calls by the officials that stole victory from their hands...who are you, Belicheat in disguise?

 

[Chase Stuart]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing. The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game. So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

This is why I've always believed that Marty Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches in history. He takes teams with mediocre talent and gets them up for every game, compiling incredible records. When his overachieving team reaches the playoffs and more talented teams are playing up because it's a big game™, he loses because his squad is inferior.

 

[Itchy Amos]

All I know is the Ravens players kept saying this was their SuperBowl so I would imagine they were fired up on MNF to try and knock NE off. It's not exactly the same as playing the Texans on Sunday at 1pm.

This beatifully illustrates my point. It wasnt the super bowl. It was a week 13 game. So they want to win a week 13 game more than weeks 1-12? Why is that? The only explanation that I can see is that they want all of the talking heads on ESPN to say how great they are, but they are not willing to put in the consistant effort it takes to actually be great. Perhaps if they had played and prepared with the proper level of professionalism throughout the year, they would have been better prepared to beat the Patriots.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I was actually thinking about this today. Yeah you should be upset.

 

[renesauz]

I've been upset about the Eagles for this exact reason all season. I wholeheartedly believe that they are better then a 5-7 team. Let's not forget a tight week one loss to Green Bay, or an inconceivable last minute meltdown to Chicago.

I am angry with my team, not because they suck, but because THEY SHOULDN'T suck...and the game against the Pats proved it to me.

 

[encaitar]

It is a sad tribute to any team when they show that they have the talent to compete, but not the mindset to do it every week. In this case I blame the team leaders. That means coaching, but also includes guys like McAllister, Lewis, and Reed. You look at guys like Tom Brady, or Peyton Manning and they won't let their team play below its ability. You look at coaches like Cowher and it's the same thing.

As a fan, you should feel dissappointed in the Ravens, because last night they showed they could compete with a team that many argue is one of the greatest of all times. If they have that ability and miss the playoffs, it's a sad testament.

 

[HoTnickZ]

I've been upset about the Eagles for this exact reason all season. I wholeheartedly believe that they are better then a 5-7 team. Let's not forget a tight week one loss to Green Bay, or an inconceivable last minute meltdown to Chicago.

I am angry with my team, not because they suck, but because THEY SHOULDN'T suck...and the game against the Pats proved it to me.

Starts with the QB's. With that said, I'd be less upset as a Ravens fan. They have always been a team led by their defense and that defense has been decimated. With Mcnair at the helm, the already small margin for error got even smaller. Things just lined up right for this game, it's possible there was an extra bit of motivation but that was them at their very best until it all fell apart. I wouldn't be surprised if they go back to their disappointing ways the rest of the way again, after that timeout call, I'm sure they lost the defense again.

 

[baldbird]

I've been upset about the Eagles for this exact reason all season. I wholeheartedly believe that they are better then a 5-7 team. Let's not forget a tight week one loss to Green Bay, or an inconceivable last minute meltdown to Chicago.

I am angry with my team, not because they suck, but because THEY SHOULDN'T suck...and the game against the Pats proved it to me.

As a huge eagles fan i agree 100% this team is way better then the record shows . Its been a big let down year . Not that the eagles dont have talent they do . They just need to play at a higher level each week. they lost some close tuff games . Thats been hard to take . But they will bounce back next year i have faith.

 

[Intergalactic Kegger]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing. The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game. So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

This is why I've always believed that Marty Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches in history. He takes teams with mediocre talent and gets them up for every game, compiling incredible records. When his overachieving team reaches the playoffs and more talented teams are playing up because it's a big game™, he loses because his squad is inferior.

I never looked at it that way. That's quite possibly the best argument for why Marty is a good coach I've ever heard.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing. The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game. So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

This is why I've always believed that Marty Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches in history. He takes teams with mediocre talent and gets them up for every game, compiling incredible records. When his overachieving team reaches the playoffs and more talented teams are playing up because it's a big game™, he loses because his squad is inferior.

I never looked at it that way. That's quite possibly the best argument for why Marty is a good coach I've ever heard.

Besides the fact that he has over a .600 win% as a head coach?

 

[HoTnickZ]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing. The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game. So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

This is why I've always believed that Marty Schottenheimer is one of the greatest coaches in history. He takes teams with mediocre talent and gets them up for every game, compiling incredible records. When his overachieving team reaches the playoffs and more talented teams are playing up because it's a big game™, he loses because his squad is inferior.

I never looked at it that way. That's quite possibly the best argument for why Marty is a good coach I've ever heard.

Besides the fact that he has over a .600 win% as a head coach?

The question is has he really coaches teams with mediocre talent though? I'm not saying he hasn't, but would anyone like to prove this.

 

[DropKick]

When I watch the Patriots or Colts play, they invariably seem to be trying as hard as they can to win. They always appear to be well prepared and focused. It doesnt seem to matter who they are playing. The Patriots had all that they could handle against both the Eagles and Ravens. Watching those games, it appeared that both of those teams were capable of being very, very good. I keep hearing about how they each "got up" for the game. So the Ravens and Eagles tried harder than they normally do? Did they somehow prepare differently? I think that this points to a lack of consistant focus on their part, especially for games that are somehow less important. If I were a fan of one of these teams, I wouldnt bother spending too much time complaining about some call that a referee just made, I would be wondering how on earth two teams that looked that good could have played with so little purpose for the whole year. Why cant these coaches properly motivate their players? What is wrong with these players that they need some extra motivation to do their job to the best of their abilities?I think that more time should be spent by the media talking about what these narrow losses say about the team that lost instead of painting them as some tragic victim. Am I wrong here?

Football is a game of emotion. I do believe teams can be "fired up" under some circumstances. I've heard many players talk about the excitement of Monday Night and the awareness that the nation is watching.No, the Eagles and Ravens have nothing to be ashamed of... they both played tightly contested games that didn't go their way in the end.