Each week, Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley will answer fans' questions about the Ravens. To submit a question, e-mail sports@baltsun.com. Write "Hey, Jamison" in the subject field and provide your name, the city you live in and phone number so we can verify the e-mail.
HEY, JAMISON: Am I the only football fan in America who is totally fed up with the pathetically consistent inconsistencies of the referees?!? It looks like they cost the Green Bay Packers the game Sunday.
The Ravens' defense looked so much better Sunday in large part because the refs did not call "breathing on you" fouls.
Will an owner care enough to do something about it if his team loses the Super Bowl on a blown call, or has NFL commissioner Roger Goodell muzzled everyone?Richard GreenbergDallasHEY, RICHARD: My suggestion to the NFL is to get younger officials.
I understand that experience helps. It just seems that officials are making bad calls or missing right ones because they are out of position. The NFL is a fast and physical sport. Younger officials would be better suited to handle the speed of the game.
Of course, we should all realize that these officials are under a great deal of pressure and scrutiny. A decade ago, these blown calls weren't as evident because it seemed that there were fewer cameras and fewer replays. Human error is part of the game, but the NFL can help limit it with younger crews.
HEY, JAMISON: First off, I can't describe how incredible not only the end result, but also that first quarter was against the New England Patriots. Simply surreal.
With that said, I am nervous that the Ravens will not be able to force as many turnovers and capitalize from great field position against the Indianapolis Colts. How do you think the defense will perform physically against the Colts on turf? Do you think the Ravens have what it takes for another four-turnover game?
Also, I understand the Ravens did not need Joe Flacco against the Patriots, but to have two games in a row on the road in the playoffs against teams like the Patriots and Colts, I would expect he needs to step his game up. If he's injured so badly that it's affecting his performanace, will Troy Smith play?Ari PlautPikesvilleHEY, ARI: Talk about surreal - I thought I saw Flacco limping the other day. Then, on Wednesday, the quarterback wasn't even on the injury report.
I really want to see Flacco's doctor. I've had this pain in my back for months. Maybe I can get that cured just as quickly as Flacco's hip. So, don't expect Troy Smith to play. Heck, the way Flacco heals, Smith doesn't even need to make the trip.
As for the Colts' defense, the Ravens already saw it on turf this season because M&T; Bank Stadium uses a synthetic turf that is similar to the one at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But there is a difference in playing the Colts' defense in Indianapolis. With the crowd screaming when the Ravens' offense is on the field, the Ravens' offensive tackles won't be able to hear Flacco's cadence.
That means the tackles won't have the edge in knowing when the ball is snapped and likely will be slower off the ball in trying to block Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. Advantage: Colts defense.
HEY, JAMISON: It seems like most teams have captains selected who wear the "C" patch on their uniform. Why don't we see that with the Ravens?Scott EllisHuntersville, N.C.HEY, SCOTT: The Ravens don't wear them because they never wanted to isolate two or three guys for an entire season.
The team decided not to wear the patches in the first season they were allowed (2007) and maintained that stance even when John Harbaugh replaced Brian Billick as head coach. The Ravens regularly rotate the captains who are present at the coin toss before each game.
Back in 2007, the Ravens were among six teams that decided not to honor their captains with that season-long designation. That number dipped to four teams in 2008. This past season, the Ravens were one of eight teams that went the weekly route; the others were Atlanta, Green Bay, Jacksonville, the New York Jets, Oakland, Philadelphia and St. Louis.