Cry the Raven, "Never[beentherebef]ore!"

The clock just ticked over to the two-minute warning, better known as "time for Peyton to run the score up in Baltimore as they've burned all of their time outs, missed two opportunities for the lead, and have little-to-no hope in this game."

Think about it:

If the new kicker Billy Cundiff doesn't pull a Steve Hauschka on his FIFTH field goal attempt in the game, the score right now would be 18-17, Ravens.

If the offense could get into the redzone and then penetrate the goal line, the score would be 35-17, Ravens.

If Joe Flacco didn't force the ball to leading rushing-receiver Ray Rice... the score could possibly be 22-17, RAVENS.

This isn't about Cam Cameron coming up with more creative plays or the defense stepping it up. The defense did its job; the offense needs to seal the deal on their end of the field.

This isn't about Cundiff or Haushcka, because there should be no reason a team should rely on their kicker.

And there should be no reason big-time Ravens, such as Ed Reed, should be ruining opportunities to win. Champions know how to win championships because they've been there before: The veteran Ravens aren't playing like they've been there before.

The Bengals are Legit

I'm not surprised the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon. Instead, I'm appalled by the lack of intensity the Ravens played with until the last quarter.

When the 3-3 Ravens defeated an undefeated Bronco's team at home, there was hope. The NFL-fined hit by Ray Lewis on Chad Ochocinco initiated discussions about a brutal beating a second opportunity could offer. Ochocinco's sweat-free message to Raven's linebackers Lewis and Terrell Suggs furthered those discussions. Analysts reminisced Ochocinco's last messaged delivered to the Cleveland Browns' defense, and how Ochocinco had a mere three catches in that game.

Ochocinco had more positive yards in the first half of this game than the entire Baltimore offense. Of course, it's easy to do that when the Ravens' offense has the ball for one-third of the game - and the majority of that time was gained during the fourth quarter.

This game cannot be blamed on referees.

This game cannot be attributed to Haloti Ngata's absence.

This game cannot be blamed on Steve Hauschka's missed field goal.

This game cannot be blamed on Frank Washington and Dominique Foxworth's inability to control Ochocinco.

This game was not caused by Joe Flacco's two interceptions.

This game is not a result of penalties.

This game was not a game, but a mockery... because the Bengals are finally legit.

The Bengals, who had four wins last year, have an offensive line, a defensive line, a quarterback who can hit receivers who can actually catch.

The Bengals are making it a point to terrorize teams that once made a mockery of them, and they are good at it (at least for the time being).

Ocho don't like Stinko

Bengal's wide receiver Chad Ochocinco mailed carepackages to Baltimore linebacker's Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs. Inside, he included deodorant so that they "wouldn't sweat."

As everyone gears up for the game on Sunday, major couch potatoes are thriving on the "tension" Ochocinco has just created between him and Lewis, who was fined for a hard hit in their last meet.

What these drama fiends are forgetting, however, is that Ochocinco is an avid admirer and friend to Mr. Lewis.

And that's my two cents...worthless in today's economy.

Not to fear, the Ravens were 2 and 3 last year!

It happens in every sport. On paper, one team is supposed to dominate another. Because of the week before, one team will go on a rampage and leave the other team for dead. One team is supposed to have the physical edge, the didactic experience, and the guidance to bounce back.

The Baltimore Ravens were supposed to be that team on Sunday.

Instead, they oversimplified the situation.

Cincinnati marched 80 miles down M&T Bank turf to reap 7 points and trash the paper, erase the week before, and initiated that overwhelmingly didactic experience.

Suddenly slurs were passed around that screamed “Overrated,” “Underthrow Joe,” “Low-ball Harbaugh,” and that imitated the cooing sounds of the baby-faced defenders shunned by the city. Baltimore had turned.

Its purple wave of enthusiasm blackened, swallowed in the blame of referees, players, coaches.

When Baltimore lost in New England, they were angry. The referees were the culprits. The Patriots had assistance, the advantage, the victory. And Baltimore should have set out on a vengeance as claims of an AFC title preview were calculated into a grand scheme.

The ship sank well before Cincinnati’s bus pulled into Baltimore. Like a good crew, the coaches must have went down with it.

A normally animated, overly aggressive football team, the Baltimore Ravens franchise has become passive. The offense was out of sync without Derrick Mason’s contributions. Long balls were dropped (pun intended) in favor for short, quick screen passes to Ray Rice. Touchdown generating Willis McGahee was absent as was Choo Choo Train LeRon McClain.

In the past, when the offense was down, the defense could always pick it up. This isn’t the case anymore – and it’s not because of the loss of Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, Jim Leohnard…

Baltimore asked for a balanced team, and they received. It’ll breed strong defensive players, assuming the mentality stays the same, and with a couple of deep threats, the offense will be more powerful. Superbowl contention isn’t decided in week five, unless you’re the Redskins.

The Ravens will be strong – not explosive offense strong or top-of-the-line-defense strong; but if the coaches play their cards right, the Ravens will remain a contender.

Long-time, no love...

I realize it's been awhile since I last wrote...ranted...whatever you want to call it.

As a Raven's fan, I'm happy with the first two weeks of the NFL season. McGahee ran through the invisible screen that was the Charger's defense, and Flacco looked pinpoint perfect in the opening drives of week one.

And of course, Ray Lewis has shown that 14 years hasn't worn him down just yet (ask Mr. Sproles).

My original intention was to write a quick blip on the Charger's-Raven's match up, but after seeing facebook updates on Sunday and Monday nights...I've decided to rant instead.

It's week three of the NFL season. The undefeated Titans of last season cannot pull together a win. Cutler threw four interceptions in an opener, and responded with a faultless game the next week. The Jets, under Rex Ryan, have yet to give up an offensive touchdown. And to no surprise, tons of Redskin's fans are already predicting the unemployment of head coach, Jim Zorn.

This is where I, as any other true fan should, get upset at other fans. The Redskins are 1 and 1. That is one win, one loss. A victory at home, a loss on the road against division rival: The Giants.

And here are some of the facebook updates that follow:

bauer that was the most unsatisfying win ever. Why did I have to be born a 'Skins and Terps fan? I essentially watch the same game twice every weekend. Can't wait to lose to the Lions next week.

bauer It's time for Jason Campbell to go....NOW.

berry a wins a win...but come on....9 freakin points and kneeling it with less than 2 min left on the Rams' 2 yd line ...gimme a break

Kinna

We did win but not by skill, we SUCK!

I can see frustration. I understand frustration. When Kyle Boller was starting in purple, I remember Ravens' fans acting this exact same way...just not this early in the season.

But if you're going to be miserable for an entire season, why put yourself through it?

I'll laugh at these jerks when the Skins' offense solidifies and they're contenders for the NFC title.

Effort VS Ego

I've been meaning to write...but with all the Mason retiring-not retiring drama, the Orioles (especially the veterans on the Orioles' staff) not powering their potential, and Big Ben's "pay-off," I just haven't mustered up the ability. Sorry for the lack of specifics.

The other day, Anita Marks, and her more pleasurable foil Scott Garceau, began arguing about players hustling all the time. Anita - who let me reiterate: I am not - argues that EVERY player doesn't always play 100 percent. Scott says, "show me the play Ray Lewis doesn't give 100 percent on."

Though I know Anita is right in that some players coughbrianrobertscough don't give 100 percent all of the time. Adam Jones has had his moments of blunder; Nick Markakis could have caught some of those balls between him and Roberts; Roberts - well, he'll be in here later, too.

But I agree with Scott. Has Ray Lewis ever been in a game and not hit someone as hard as he could have? Or has Nolan Reimold - though he has something to prove - never stretched his legs down that first base line as quick as he can when the ball is in play.

This is a good transition for my next point.

Reimold is a wonderful offensive surprise, and in my opinion, a necessity to this team. For more on his stats, check out Krem's latest post "Appreciating Nolan Reimold." I'm more impressed by how hard the kid (if I can call him that) tries - the effort, after all, is what makes baseball a timeless and exciting past-time (otherwise, it would be golf).

The switch-hitting Jesus, better known as prospected sensation Matt Wieters, doesn't seem to hustle every play. Don't get me wrong - I think Wieters will be a GREAT player...one day...but could the prophecies of his MLB-ability have encouraged a pompass veteran attitude on the field?

I know his swing isn't going to look as though it's the hardest swing ever taken. First off, great hitters don't swing to their full potential - it causes more harm than it does good. And I'm aware he's not Speedy McSpeedster that the outfield trio is. And I know his pop-times are still getting used to the McSpeedsters on other teams as well as the speed of delivery from his new mound-mates.

When he first came up, I was worried that Wieters might have too much pressure on him. Now I'm concerned that being told he's the messiah of the Baltimore ball club is viewed as a free pass on his part. And I'm not impatient - I'm not asking for four hits every ten at-bats. Or perfect throws to second base - yet. I'm not one of the Baltimore fans who expected a kid to come up from the minors and turn the dismal second half of a typical Orioles' season into a suddenly optimistic playoff run.

Since I said Roberts would return in this rant...here he is:
I once argued that Roberts wasn't trying hard...that I was frustrated with him. I'm still frustrated with him...but more because I can't figure out what is going on...if it's a health-issue, I hope he finds out about it soon. If it's because he plays lefties too far up the middle, I hope he moves a little towards the first-base line. And for the sake of not using another ellipsis, I'm calling this rant quits.

Big Ben Better Watch Baltimore

The rivalry between Baltimore and Pittsburgh breached boiling point after the Titans left the divisions and both defenses flourished with hard-hitting reputations; but that's no secret. Kind words are rarely shared between the fans of these two teams. Insults range from the city landscapes to city residents to city representatives wearing numbered jerseys - and that's no secret either.

Even the L.A. Times acknowledges the rivalry:
No NFL rivalry is drenched in more bad blood than Steelers-Ravens, which also happens to pit the league's two top defenses. (2008)

On the Steeler's behalf, Hines Ward has said:
"They're all hated. Anybody in purple, they're hated. It's a respect, but there's no love for them. They're not inviting me to come out and eat crab cakes with them."

This vibe extends into the stadium seats as fans tormet each other with hisses of disrepect. Ever worn black and gold in a field of purple at M&T? Or vice versa. My advice: just wear black. Rumor has it fans are beat just for wearing the rivals colors. But I'm getting off topic now (and losing my journalistic integrity)...

Anyway, my original intention is to discuss how bad Big Ben is going to have it when he returns to Baltimore this season. In wake of his sexual assault case, Steeler's fans may look forward to a new breed of harrassment at M&T this fall.

After all the Ray Lewis murdered someone insults, after all the Jermaine Lewis sold crack insults, after all the our team takes after our city insults... Ravens fans will want to jump on this opportunity to fight back.

I doubt that players will say anything. Despite their mutual hatred, the players maintain enough professionalism to avoid those comments. The fans, however, may not have any couth - and I am a Baltimore fan willing to admit that.

And as a Baltimore fan, I hope Big Ben's situation clears up only so that there's no excuse for him when the Ravens pound the Steeler's three times this year.