Let's Talk About Baltimore (AFC Championship)

[SHOWTIME]

Headed back to the AFC Championship Game!!!! Discuss.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

Hold on....let me make sure you understand me so I don't write you off as a total jabroni (when I actually think, IMO, you've been the most civil and engaging Ravens fan here.....)

I'm saying, you are a GM drafting a team to play this weekend, pulling from the player pool you have from the 4 remaining teams. You are drafting TEs and you have the first choice in said TEs.

Look me in the internet eye and tell me with a straight face you are not taking Travis Kelce with that pick.

What do you want me to do? Just bend the kene and tug off Travis Kelce? He's one of the two greatest tight ends ever alongside Gronk. There, does that make you happy? But his production is declining and Andrews has a special connection with Lamar that can't just be replicated.

I understand you're saying this weekend, so age doesn't matter as much. But does the existing connection between the QB and the TE not matter? Because part of what makes Travis Kelce who he is is his special connection with Mahomes. And Lamar has that with Andrews. They're probably the two most intertwined QB/TE connections in the entire NFL. It's not a one-for-one substitution the way it would be for many other positions or other teams.

And statistically, both Likely and Andrews outproduced Kelce this year. Likely has as many touchdowns as Kelce in half the games started. Likely's yards per target is 10.3 to Kelce's 8.1. Andrews is 8.9 to Kelce's 8.1. What do you want me to say?

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Doesn’t mean he has the ability to come back and have the same impact that TO had after a major ankle injury.

TO had 9 catches for 122 yards receiving in his return from a major ankle injury.

Are you suggesting that Andrews will have anything close to that type of performance if he plays Sunday?

Probably not the same impact as Owens. But if Andrews is able to convert some 3rd downs and Red Zone stuff for Baltimore and it leads to a close victory for them, you could say Andrews had a big impact. Example here:

5 catches, 50 yards with a TD and 4 conversions on 3rd down in a very close win for Baltimore. That would be a pretty big impact on their success if it goes that way.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive

But his production is declining and Andrews has a special connection with Lamar that can't just be replicated.

Andrews’ “special connection” with Lamar that has resulted in exactly one playoff win.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Andrews’ “special connection” with Lamar that has resulted in exactly one playoff win.

Hey, man. I'm not gonna engage with you just spamming this anymore. It's not worth my time. Letting you know now so you don't waste your own.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive

Hey, man. I'm not gonna engage with you just spamming this anymore. It's not worth my time. Letting you know now so you don't waste your own.

Look who is surrendering.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

Look who is surrendering.

I gotta give it to you guys, this place has some real character. This is the second time today someone here has told me I'm "surrendering" because I said I didn't want to bicker. Surrendering? Who says that?!

And I've seen more references to the "Lamar Hunt Trophy" in this thread than I have anywhere else in my life. As if anyone gives a damn about the name of the trophy honoring the silver market cornering family.

CP is an absolute cesspool even as far as NFL message board standards go, and I mean that as a compliment.

[FloridaMan88]

Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive

I gotta give it to you guys, this place has some real character. This is the second time today someone here has told me I'm "surrendering" because I said I didn't want to bicker. Surrendering? Who says that?!

And I've seen more references to the "Lamar Hunt Trophy" in this thread than I have anywhere else in my life. As if anyone gives a damn about the name of the trophy honoring the silver market cornering family.

CP is an absolute cesspool even as far as NFL message board standards go, and I mean that as a compliment.

You attempting to post here…

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive

What do you want me to do? Just bend the kene and tug off Travis Kelce? He's one of the two greatest tight ends ever alongside Gronk. There, does that make you happy? But his production is declining and Andrews has a special connection with Lamar that can't just be replicated.

I understand you're saying this weekend, so age doesn't matter as much. But does the existing connection between the QB and the TE not matter? Because part of what makes Travis Kelce who he is is his special connection with Mahomes. And Lamar has that with Andrews. They're probably the two most intertwined QB/TE connections in the entire NFL. It's not a one-for-one substitution the way it would be for many other positions or other teams.

And statistically, both Likely and Andrews outproduced Kelce this year. Likely has as many touchdowns as Kelce in half the games started. Likely's yards per target is 10.3 to Kelce's 8.1. Andrews is 8.9 to Kelce's 8.1. What do you want me to say?

You continue to make my point for me. It took Kelce nearly the entire season, one could argue the entire regular season, to get back to normal. Setting aside the fact that Kelce still out gained Andrews and Likely combined, my point remains that even that great chemistry takes time to rekindle when not on the field together. See Kelce game 1 (for him) and the aforementioned 4 for 26. You could even argue, although I won't here, that Jackson has been flirting with another (Likely) for over two months now. Mahomes went 1 game without Kelce, so there was no connection lost.

Look man, Mark Andrews is a great player. I'm sure next year, he will be back to being a beast. Two TE sets in 2024 are gonna be a thing for you guys. But he's not gonna do shit this weekend. Which is fine, Likely is a good player. We will definitely have to account for him. But the threat of Andrews is not going to have anywhere near the effect you think it will. And, if only for this weekend, Shannahan, Campbell and especially Harbaugh would throw their guys off a bridge for Kelce (assuming you could transmute chemistry and playbook knowledge). I can't take anyone seriously who would say otherwise.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by DRM08

Probably not the same impact as Owens. But if Andrews is able to convert some 3rd downs and Red Zone stuff for Baltimore and it leads to a close victory for them, you could say Andrews had a big impact. Example here:

5 catches, 50 yards with a TD and 4 conversions on 3rd down in a very close win for Baltimore. That would be a pretty big impact on their success if it goes that way.

I'd run to a book to take the under on catches and yards right now. I guess anyone with working hands (not looking at you Kadrious Toney) can catch a 2 yard TD so that might happen if he plays.

[DRM08]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

You continue to make my point for me. It took Kelce nearly the entire season, one could argue the entire regular season, to get back to normal. Setting aside the fact that Kelce still out gained Andrews and Likely combined, my point remains that even that great chemistry takes time to rekindle when not on the field together. See Kelce game 1 (for him) and the aforementioned 4 for 26. You could even argue, although I won't here, that Jackson has been flirting with another (Likely) for over two months now. Mahomes went 1 game without Kelce, so there was no connection lost.

Look man, Mark Andrews is a great player. I'm sure next year, he will be back to being a beast. Two TE sets in 2024 are gonna be a thing for you guys. But he's not gonna do shit this weekend. Which is fine, Likely is a good player. We will definitely have to account for him. But the threat of Andrews is not going to have anywhere near the effect you think it will. And, if only for this weekend, Shannahan, Campbell and especially Harbaugh would throw their guys off a bridge for Kelce (assuming you could transmute chemistry and playbook knowledge). I can't take anyone seriously who would say otherwise.

I don't think Kelce is back to normal. That knee & ankle stuff has bothered him all season. Won't be surprised if we find out he gets some kind of surgery in the off-season.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by KCChiefsFan88

You attempting to post here…

Remember what happened literally immediately after that (CP still won't let me post links but youtu.be/AeQk36btGdI?si=qNZPp444wES3w53H)?

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by DRM08

I don't think Kelce is back to normal. That knee & ankle stuff has bothered him all season. Won't be surprised if we find out he gets some kind of surgery in the off-season.

He might indeed. But he looked damn good Sunday night. And again, that strengthens my point to that Ravens fella. Just because athletic and genetic (even for NFL players) TO did something once, does not in any way, shape or form mean that Mark Andrews comes anywhere close to even dreaming about that or any real impact.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

You continue to make my point for me. It took Kelce nearly the entire season, one could argue the entire regular season, to get back to normal. Setting aside the fact that Kelce still out gained Andrews and Likely combined, my point remains that even that great chemistry takes time to rekindle when not on the field together. See Kelce game 1 (for him) and the aforementioned 4 for 26. You could even argue, although I won't here, that Jackson has been flirting with another (Likely) for over two months now. Mahomes went 1 game without Kelce, so there was no connection lost.

Look man, Mark Andrews is a great player. I'm sure next year, he will be back to being a beast. Two TE sets in 2024 are gonna be a thing for you guys. But he's not gonna do shit this weekend. Which is fine, Likely is a good player. We will definitely have to account for him. But the threat of Andrews is not going to have anywhere near the effect you think it will. And, if only for this weekend, Shannahan, Campbell and especially Harbaugh would throw their guys off a bridge for Kelce (assuming you could transmute chemistry and playbook knowledge). I can't take anyone seriously who would say otherwise.

Ultimately we won't know how healthy Andrews is until gameday. For what it's worth, the word has been the AFCCG is the date they've been targeting with Andrews all along. I don't think they were going to bring him back last week (or at any point prior) even if he had been technically able to go since they wanted him at full for for the AFCCG/SB. So maybe he's not as borderline this week as being a gameday decision would have you think, but rather the Ravens are being coy about his status for strategic reasons and were never planning on bringing him back until now regardless.

All due respect to Kelce. Like I said, top 2 ever. But the Ravens wouldn't trade Mark Andrews for Travis Kelce given their age and connection. And they couldn't just plug him in for one game this weekend. You might not like those answers, but you asked. Doesn't detract from what Kelce has done in his career and the value he continues to provide to KC, but the Ravens are all set at tight end between Andrews and Likely.

[Why Not?]

Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive

Ultimately we won't know how healthy Andrews is until gameday. For what it's worth, the word has been the AFCCG is the date they've been targeting with Andrews all along. I don't think they were going to bring him back last week (or at any point prior) even if he had been technically able to go since they wanted him at full for for the AFCCG/SB. So maybe he's not as borderline this week as being a gameday decision would have you think, but rather the Ravens are being coy about his status for strategic reasons and were never planning on bringing him back until now regardless.

All due respect to Kelce. Like I said, top 2 ever. But the Ravens wouldn't trade Mark Andrews for Travis Kelce given their age and connection. And they couldn't just plug him in for one game this weekend. You might not like those answers, but you asked. Doesn't detract from what Kelce has done in his career and the value he continues to provide to KC, but the Ravens are all set at tight end between Andrews and Likely.

I think this horse is dead and beaten. Again, I feel like we are spending a lot of ink on a dude who ends up not playing. We'll see. Anyway, on to the next topic regarding the game, whenever it comes up.

[OneWinningDrive]

Originally Posted by Why Not?

He might indeed. But he looked damn good Sunday night. And again, that strengthens my point to that Ravens fella. Just because athletic and genetic (even for NFL players) TO did something once, does not in any way, shape or form mean that Mark Andrews comes anywhere close to even dreaming about that or any real impact.

I agree that Kelce is coming on at the right time. Not sure whether that's coming back from injury or just turning it on in the playoffs, but encouraging for you guys either way.