Thought of the Day II: Ravens fans respond

March, 24, 2009
Mar 24
1:30
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By James Walker

Posted by ESPN.com's James Walker

In our latest "Thought of the Day" post in the AFC North, we examined the topic of the Baltimore Ravens asking the league not to play the Pittsburgh Steelers at night in Heinz Field this upcoming season.

On Monday, Steeler Nation had its say.

Tuesday we open the forum for Ravens fans:

Drew from Baltimore writes: In response to the thought of the day. You can't say that the ravens are babies because they don't want to play their division rivals on national tv for the 4 year out of 5. That's not even including the playoff game. The last time I remember a night game in baltimore was when Kordell Stewart was qb. As a die hard fan we deserve to get the night game this year. You can have it next year after we get our lombardi trophy.

Reader from Laurel, MD writes: James, Making this request (not playing the Steelers in prime time) sounds like a whimpy thing to do, but we always seem to get the short end of the stick on scheduling. For example, following the Raven's Super Bowl year, we opened at home at 1pm versus Chicago, and our one Monday Night game was on the road against Tennessee, a division rival that we beat in the playoffs. Maybe Biscotti thinks it's time that we start being treated more even-handedly.

Eric from Baltimore writes: I understand people baggin on the ravens for not wanting to play Pitt on prime time as they get their rings. Also, when is the last time Pitt played the Ravens in Baltimore on a prime time? I may be wrong but i cannot re call a date.

Aaron from Parkville writes: I noticed you haven't posted anything defending the Ravens decision to request not to play in Pitt on prime time. Well although I can not whole heartedly agree with their decision. Someone has to make the point whats fair is fair. 3 out of 4 seasons in Pitt on Prime time? Home field advantage is huge and anyone who has been to a primetime game knows its even more so during this time. Who wants to start their season out like that? This also sounds a little weak so I am going with being a poor sport and not wanting to have their noses rubbed in the celebration of last year.

Justin writes: James - I got something for your Pittsburgh fans who takes issue with Baltimore asking for some fairness when it comes to our nationally televised games with P-burgh: Historically speaking, the Ravens don't get much love with schedules. Remember the year we won the super bowl - and how we opened up the 2001 season on Monday night football (as is the tradition for super bowl winners)? Yeah - me either, b/c the league gave the Monday night game to the Giants (super bowl losers). The level of condescension coming out of the Burgh is why it is easy to view them as a hate-worthy franchise like the Yankees.

Austin from Charleston, SC writes: When the Ravens requested not to play the steelers in the opening game, it wasn't a special request. All 32 teams submit scheduling requests to the league. All the Ravens want is some balance. Play a prime time game in Baltimore for once.

Matt from Frederick, Md. writes: The Ravens-Steelers rivalry is one of my favorites as a Steelers fan, but the hatred is not as evident from the Steelers side as it should be. Baltimore pretty much takes one of two games from the Steelers each year (except this past, thank god). That makes for a much more intense rivalry than the Steelers and Browns. And playing against RayRay, Ed Reed, and Bart Scott is something I enjoy watching (bless your heart, Rashard Mendenhall). That being said, I respect their right to not want to watch a Super Bowl celebration, but I think Week 1 and 2 would be great times for the two teams to meet, so the players are recovered from their injuries by the playoffs.

Tony from College Park, MD writes: James, I don't get why Pittsburgh fans think this is a sign that the Ravens are afraid of the Steelers. This move makes perfect sense for the Ravens for several reasons. First, no matter how much we all think they should, the networks are not going to make both Ravens-Steelers games during primetime this year. They're just not. Second, is this not considered a rivalry?? I know Pittsburgh swept the series last year, but the year before that was a split and the year before that, the Ravens swept them. So why not give equality? The Steelers haven't had to play a primetime game in Baltimore since 2003, and if the Ravens were to play under the lights in Pittsburgh, it would make that 4 of the past 5 seasons. The last reason is because of the baseball schedule; Baltimore has to play on the road during weeks 2 and 4 of the football season. If the Ravens played on the road during week 1, that would mean the second best team in the AFC last year would have to play on the road 3 of the first 4 games of the season. The Ravens already got the raw end of the deal on scheduling last year (not having a true bye week the entire season), they just want some equality this year.

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