Ravens365 writer Steve McNelly discusses what was just an embarrassment of an effort by the Ravens.

This Sunday at 1pm, the Baltimore Ravens will travel in Indianapolis to take on Peyton Manning and the Colts. See our game preview on ravens365.com

As we draw closer and closer to another battle with the Indianapolis Colts, we as Baltimore football fans can't help but think of the image of Mayflower trucks pulling away.

The sight of the Mayflower truck moving in the middle of a snowy night while long time Colts and current Ravens fan, Steve LaPlanche (aka Sports Steve) watches as his beloved Colts leave for Indianapolis. Why does this image still live in the hearts and minds of Baltimore Colts fans? Why is this pain still there? Two words: Robert Irsay.

Bob Irsay, since the late 1970s, had tried to get the city of Baltimore to build a new stadium. With the low attendance and poor playing by the Baltimore Colts, city officials were wary of building a new stadium. During all of this, Irsay was in negotiations with Indianapolis setting a date when they could move to Indianapolis. On March 28th, at 3:00 AM, the Colts, like cowards, loaded up the Mayflower moving van and headed up to Indianapolis. The city of Baltimore woke up to shocking and sad news that their beloved Colts were no longer going to play in Baltimore.

In 1986, the city of Baltimore and the NFL reached an agreement to drop all lawsuits against the Irsays. As a result, the city of Baltimore would be promised an expansion team in 1993. However, the NFL granted those two franchises to Carolina and Jacksonville. To make matters worse, the Colts logo and history is in Indianapolis, whether we want to admit it or not. However, Johnny Unitas and other Colts legends have since cut ties with the Colts organization and now support the new team, the Baltimore Ravens.

In 1996, Art Modell, who faced similar situations in Cleveland, moved the Browns to Baltimore and adopted the nickname the Baltimore Ravens. Three years later, the Browns returned to Cleveland with their history and logos (which is a stupid orange helmet) in tact.

So, why do we hate Bob Irsay, the fat drunk owner who moved the Colts to Indianapolis. Irsay promised over and over again and assured Colts fans that they would stay in Baltimore. Irsay took the cowards way out moving the team ILLEGALLY without league approval. We were promised one of the expansion teams, instead we were told to go build another museum. To make matters worse, we are condemned by the NFL and other fans for "stealing" the Browns from Cleveland.

Let make something very clear right now! What Irsay did is a hell of a lot worse than what Modell did. Irsay took the legacy and history of a team that was built in Baltimore and ran off like a thief in the night. Modell began a new team and a new legacy in Baltimore while leaving the Browns in Cleveland where they belong.

So Colts fans, don't tell us to stop bitching about the Colts moving. You don't know what it is like to have that happen to you. B ob Irsay is a coward and had to move the Colts in the middle of the night because he knew that there would be a riot and people would try and stop that moving truck. You had a legendary franchise fall right in your lap and now you try to claim Unitas and other Colts Hall of Famers as your own. There is only one problem, I don't see any Colts Hall of Famers who played in Baltimore attending your games. I see them attending Ravens games in the city they love them and cheered for them, Baltimore.

So Irsay, I hope you rot in hell and if you are in heaven, I hope Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop are kicking your ass right now.

THE BALTIMORE RAVENS DEFENSE

TOTAL DEFENSE: 1ST (192 yards allowed per game)

RUN DEFENSE: 1ST (64 yards allowed per game)

PASS DEFENSE: 1ST (128 yards allowed per game)

The defense has out played any offense that has been put in front of them this year. They have shut down the run, not allowing a single player to go over 100 yards (this trend dating back to December 6th, 2006 when the last player to rush over 100 yards against the Ravens defense was Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson). The secondary has not allowed a player to go over 100 yards receiving this year. The defense has continued to put pressure on the quarterback, not allowing a single passer to go over 200 yards passing.

THE BALTIMORE RAVENS OFFENSE

TOTAL YARDS: 24TH (273 yards per game)

PASSING YARDS: 31ST (136 yards per game)

RUSHING YARDS: 4TH (153 yards per game)

The running attack is outstanding due in large part to the combination of Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain. We did expect the passing attack to be a little shaky due to the fact that Joe Flacco is a rookie quarterback, but that will all change with a little seasoning.

According to nationalfootballpost.com, Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg will have season ending knee surgery today. The knee injury happened during the first week of training camp. Gregg had arthroscopic knee surgery during the beginning of training camp to try and correct the initial injury. It looked as if Buddy Lee would be okay, until trainers discovered there was a hole in the cartilage of his knee. The Ravens were monitoring his progress, but now it looks the worst for Gregg has come true and will be sidelined the remainder of the 2008 season.

The Ravens will look to fill the gap of a man who has the most tackles produced by an interior lineman (597) since 2002. Justin Bannan, who is currently 5th on the Ravens list for tackles this season, will step in to fill the role as starting defensive tackle for the rest of the 2008 season.

I do have multiple distinctions for this week. My first award is given to this little midget who needs to think before he picks fights in the NFL:

Cortland "Lucky Charms" Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan, the NFL leader in interceptions and is as big as my foot, acted like a 16 year old Sunday against the Ravens. Lucky Charms began to push and shove Ravens players on the sideline because he was getting bitch-slapped the entire game from some very good key blocks by the Ravens receivers and ends. One play in particular, Willis McGahee bowled over Finnegan for an eight or nine yard gain. Finnegan, upset because his little child-like hands couldn't bring down McGahee, shoved him down to the ground when he was clearly out of bounds. The temper tantrum cost the Titans 15 yards. Then, he had the audacity to talk back to Keith Bulluck, a seasoned veteran who has been on the Titans since Christ was born. After Bulluck shoves Lucky Charms, Finnegan gets back in his face as if he's going to take him out.

Listen up you little nugget, when Keith Bulluck is talking to you, you listen, YOU DON'T TALK BACK! You think you are ten feet tall and bullet proof just because you are having one great year in the NFL, please son, Bulluck has had nine or ten AWESOME years with the Tennessee Titans. When he tells you to STFU, you better do it and show some respect! And if McGahee runs your ass over, pop right back up, pat him on the helmet, and tell him "nice run, get ya next time". That's what an NFL player does.

Another jackass of the week would have to be those two douche-bags who hit my girlfriend Beth in the arm and then hit our car with the football. If you are going to bring a football to tailgate and toss it around, get there early and get it all out of your system. Don't throw 30 or 40 yards bombs just cause you want to look like Terrell Owens in front of your friends and the skank you picked up at Mother's. I was proud that I didn't cause a big scene like I did last time that happened two years ago which involved a shirtless irate yours truly, spitting beer, and a cell phone (I have since retired my neanderthal ways thanks to my girlfriend). Just wait until all the cars are gone then start throwing bombs. We got ours as some of my brother's friends took the football from Tweedle Dee-Dee-Dee and Tweedle Douche-bag.

The next one goes to whoever's foot I stepped on getting to my seat that almost made me fall into the next row (thanks Larry for helping me back up and avoiding a potentially embarrassing moment). I'm a very tall person and a very big person. You have to give me ample room to get to my seat. Now my knee is sore and I looked like a drunk idiot, which I wasn't even that drunk to begin with. Good news, I didn't spill my beer! I cannot stress this enough Ravens fans, HYDRATE DURING A HOT DAY! For every five beers, drink one bottle water. I didn't and I was sick and dizzy the entire ride back.

Finally, our good friend Vag Mooch. He was there again with his Ravens jersey that was too tight on him that accentuated his pregnant-like belly. Let's look at this man for a second. He has been mooching off our tailgate for two years now. He came with more beer for HIMSELF, but NOTHING for anyone else. We have two rules at our tailgate, bring your own booze and bring something that everyone can share. After two years he still doesn't get it. Emmy, Beth's supervisor at her doctor's office, and Chris came to their first tailgate with us and didn't know these rules. But because they were raised right and are not douche-bags, Emmy and Chris brought grape bombs and melon shots for everyone. Thanks guys, at least someone gets it.

The departed voice of Brian Billick must have been echoing through the Castle last week. From the conservative game plan to the quarterback play to the 91 penalty yards, yesterday's 13-10 loss to the Titans reeked of Billick's remains. Blame the ref's all you'd like for the personal foul call on Terrell Suggs in the 4th quarter on 3rd and 10 with 5:53 remaining. Clearly it was a bad call. But the point is that the imploding Titans pulled themselves together long enough to drive down the field for the game winning touchdown. The Ravens defense was nowhere to be found on that last drive. Since none of us are mind readers, we have to assume that the Ravens could not mentally rebound from that horrible call. They got no pressure on the statue known as Kerry Collins. The tight end was open on nearly every play. The Ravens fell apart. Even Frank Walker, Mr. Dumb Penalty himself, can't be the scapegoat for this one. He actually played well once Fabian Washington left the game with an apparent wrist injury. This is the type of loss we've come to expect under former coach Brian Billick. It became clear yesterday that John Harbaugh's brand of discipline, team play concept and mental toughness have not yet undone the years of Brian Billick's anything goes mentality.

If this keeps up, expect a roster overhaul in the off season. Harbaugh wants smart football players who won't let their emotions get the best of them. Joe Flacco, Harbaugh's first ever draft pick, exemplifies these qualities. While he showed us all how much of a rookie he truly is, enough can't be said for his poise after making a mistake. Yesterday was the first time he's made the same mistake multiple times in a game. Both of his interceptions (although it should have been three) came on bootlegs to the right. Flacco will learn to throw the ball away in those situations and not try to do too much. Even still, he displayed leadership in the huddle on each and every possession.

The Ravens travel to Indianapolis next Sunday in the first must win game of the season, since the Steelers beat Jacksonville last night to improve their division lead. Despite Pittsburgh's multiple injuries, they keep finding ways to win. The same can be said for the Colts who have mastered the 4th quarter comeback this season. This does not bode well for Flacco's flock because giving away games late has been the Ravens m.o. Following the game against the Colts, the Ravens have four potentially winnable games before the schedule gets dangerous: at Miami, home against Oakland, at Cleveland and at Houston. Harbaugh needs to pull this team together and come up with a big win in Indy to keep hope alive for players and fans alike. It's too early to lower expectationsa€¦ until at least next Sunday afternoon.

In what many predicted to be a break out game for Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense, the purple and black came 2 minutes short of sealing the deal against the Tennessee Titans. On a personal note, the people in my section need to learn to give the big man some room when going to his seat. I stepped on someones foot and my knee gave out, the one I had all those surgery's on when I was a kid and still aggravates me due to the wear and tear of playing high school sports. I almost fell flat on my face, but luckily, Larry was there to hold me up. Also, please stay hydrated when going to the game and drinking all morning. I didn't do that and felt dizzy and sick the whole ride home from the game. But on a better note, I got future hall of famer Jonathan Ogden's autograph!! Let's get to the Cheers and Jeers for this week:

CHEERS

The Defense: What another stellar performance from this great Ravens defensive unit. They did exactly what they were supposed to do. The defense held running back Chris Johnson to only 44 yards rushing and Lendell White to only 4 yards. The two running backs were held to no touchdowns after scoring a combined 7 rushing touchdowns in the first four games. Kerry Collins was limited only throwing 163 yards and 2 interceptions thrown.

Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain: Can't say enough about these two bulls. McGahee rushed for 64 yards, while Le'Ron McClain rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries and scored the only Ravens offensive touchdown. Some impressive defense you got down there in Tennessee, girls!

Chris McAlister: C-Mack added yet another interception to his totals this season. So far he has three interceptions this year.

Justin Bannan: Right place, right time! Way to pick that ball off big man!

Jim Leonhard: This kid continues to impress me a lot. Leonhard finished the day with seven tackles, which led the Ravens for the day.

Todd Heap: Quarterback Joe Flacco found Todd Heap four times yesterday for 41 yards, which led all Ravens receivers.

JEERS

Dumbass Officials: I know if your reading this and you are not a Ravens fan, you are probably thinking "Oh my God, the Ravens need to quit bitching about the officials!" If you watched the game, then you know why. LB Terrell Suggs was called for roughing the passer when his hand hit the head of Kerry Collins. Suggs can't just stop his momentum in mid stride when trying to bat the pass down. Get it together officials!

Joe Flacco: Yes, the Golden Boy is on my jeers list due to the costly interception at the end of the game, but overall Flacco did a great job and tried hard to get the Ravens some points yesterday to tie or win the game.

Penalties: I'm going to say this again "DON'T GET WRAPPED UP IN ANOTHER TEAM B.S. JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A HOTHEAD!!" Just play the game and don't worry about what that midget Cortland Finnegan says to you!

Now we try to move on against the struggling Colts team in Indianapolis. The Ravens will look to capture their first win against the Irsays since 2002. Keep your chin up and your head held high, Ravens fans. We have nothing to be ashamed of so far this year. We have far exceeded anyones expectations this year.