Browns Vs. Ravens: 3 Reasons for Pessimism

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens players huddle as a television camera and microphone are held above against the Denver Broncos during the AFC divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Rallying Point

The Ravens have been under attack for the Ray Rice situation for the whole season. It came to head last week before their Thursday Night game against the Steelers but flared up again yesterday. Following Roger Goodell’s not so great press conference, ESPN’s Outside the Lines released a report showing how the Ravens organization did not handle the Rice situation well:

"For its part, the NFL — which in other player discipline cases has been able to obtain information that’s been sealed by court order — took an uncharacteristically passive approach when it came to gathering evidence, opening itself up to widespread criticism, allegations of inconsistent approaches to player discipline and questions about whether Goodell gave Rice — the corporate face of the Baltimore franchise — a light punishment as a favor to his good friend Bisciotti. Four sources said Ravens executives, including Bisciotti, Cass and Newsome, urged Goodell and other league executives to give Rice no more than a two-game suspension, and that’s what Goodell did on July 24."

The Ravens dispute what is included in the report and say they will address next week.

For the team on the field this could be another rallying point. Now not only is one of their teammates, ex by the time Week 2 started, under attack but the entire organization. Ozzie Newsome, a Browns Hall of Famer, is beloved by players across the league and especially on the Ravens. Steve Bisciotti, the Ravens owner, is spoken of highly as well by players. While the Ravens may not condone what is being reported they could simply want to protect their own and show it by their play on the field.

What reasons do you have for pessimism tomorrow?