Baltimore Ravens Thinking They Are Not Getting Enough Respect

What’s in a word?

Aretha sang about it, Ali G gives out much of it, and athletes constantly, incessantly talk about how they never get the amount that’s due to them. It’s one of those things that fuels that competitive spirit and will do so time and time again. Bulletin-board material can be powerful stuff when applied correctly.

So it’s no doubt that after the Ravens thumping of the Dolphins last Sunday, the team was using that long used tactic to fuel their fires. Alright Rex, you’re up

“Nobody has respected this team until right now, and that’s fine with us,” Ryan said. “Tough on everybody else, just right for us.”

Listen to the talk shows, the papers, and the blogs and the fans will echo those comments over and over. Nobody respects the team. All the big shots from the big networks, like that Sgt. Slaughter look-a-like Bill Cowher to ESPN blowhard Chris Berman all picked against Baltimore all year long.

Even Vegas was against them as they were favored in only two games this season. The voting for some of the top individual awards helped the cause too.

Rookie head coach John Harbaugh, whose no-nonsense approach helped guide these guys back on track didn’t receive a single vote for Coach of the Year. NOT ONE! Sure, I’ll give you Mike Smith’s and Tony Sparano’s teams were worthy, but NO votes?

Joe Flacco. Baltimore’s golden armed wonder boy has two Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week awards and a Rookie of the Month award to his credit. He joined only two other rookie quarterbacks in history to win their debut playoff game. Matt Ryan and Matt Forte certainly are no slouches. But, please NOT A SINGLE VOTE?

Ed Reed. He is clearly one of the greatest safeties to ever play the game. His athleticism is bananas, so much so that there are even some whispers about putting him in on offense. It’s true that two-thirds of the earth is covered by water and the rest is covered by Mr. Reed. He at least garnered some consideration and finished third in the voting.

Now, everyone in purple is angry and fired up and feeling frustrated. Well, just take all that rage and feeling left out and channel all of it to Tennessee this Saturday. Because our old friend Jeff Fisher isn’t exactly a fool he was at least smart enough to say the right things.

“Obviously, they got plenty of respect from us. You know, if that’s the way you want to handle and motivate, then so be it.” said Fisher

That’s all well and good since some odd moons are aligning for another deep run for the Ravens. Super Bowl in Tampa, Divisional playoff against the Titans, Defense playing at a high level. It’s all coming together and then there will be no choice but to acknowledge the obvious.