The Raven

We need to beef up the line to help Joe and the running game, they said. We're not going to re-sign Rick Wagner, they said.

I think the most reliable way to survive these days is to be a good offense with an opportunistic defense. If I were to build a team, that's how I'd do it. In order to have the defense we have, we've had to invest a LOT of draft capital in the front seven, and it hasn't paid off. Our pass rush is anemic and we haven't gotten a lot of picks in recent years, other than this one. Sure we have a top five young MLB and a top five nose, but what did that really do for us? Not saying they're bad players. Williams is arguably an outdated model, and Mosley is a MLB, which, these days, is not a really impactful position, unless they can man cover the top tight ends, which Mosley can't. They are run stuffing positions. I'd be inclined to build around a pair of pass rushers (inside or outside) and two strong DBs. Those are the defensive building blocks you need today. A pair of pass rushers and a pair on the back end. We don't really have those building blocks. DL and DB need to be our talent-focus on defense. On offense, I like the idea of investing everything in the line, and getting a couple sure-handed receivers that fight for yards, a bruising running back, and a Gronk-type tight end who can block, catch, and break tackles. (I'm saying Gronk type, not Gronk level). If it sounds like I'm describing the Patriots, it's because I am. OL, QB (of course), and either WR or TE need to be the focus areas on offense, if you ask me. If your line is good enough, a no name like Justin Forsett will be good enough. If that no name can catch, then that's even better. Having a top five tight end adds a lot to an offense. Blocking, mismatches galore, and the chance for a lot of YAC after broken tackles, along with the occasional jump ball.

Not happy about not locking up Wagner. To me, he's the clear pick over Williams. Not even close to me. I think we'll see Alex Lewis do better at RT than at LG but still. That opens up a hole at LG and possibly a hole at center, too.

I get what you're saying, and that makes sense. Kinda makes me wish, too, that Kamar was used more. He wasn't the quickest off the line, but he generally had a good release and good route running, as well as the ability to fight for the ball. I like the Kenny Britt idea. What I really liked about Kamar -- that is also crucial in a WCO -- is his ability to get YAC. If you ask me, that's where we struggled a lot. Horizontal offenses can be explosive but only when you're getting YACs.

It may. We have struggled with conditioning if you ask me, especially on the dline. Changing asst. ol probably won't change much, and it sounds like a scapegoat, but let's see.

I'll just say that it says a lot that we let Kubiak do whatever he wanted with the staff, and he chose not to fire Castillo.

Trying to learn here. Why aren't they good fits, and what should we look for?

Well, I'll own that. But... question... If Castillo was really the one with universal say over schemes, why has our blocking scheme changed so much, while he remains the constant? Hmm. Regardless of that point, I'm not blaming Castillo when we've had such terrible players on the line. He turned a rookie into a top five left tackle and made Alex Lewis good enough to hold his own at LT. He turned Ryan Jensen from a small school nobody to one of the best run blockers on the team. Rick Wagner has also developed into a top three right tackle. KO went from RT, to LG, to LT under Castillo and then got paid and is a top five overall lineman. When you look at the facts, it doesn't make logical sense to blame Castillo.

What sucks is that during his three or four year skid, we failed to retain every player that DID turn out.

And I guess concluding that the players suck just isn't good enough for some people. Or worse, concluding that Ozzie didn't do enough for the oline until it was too little and too late.

For the millionth time, Castillo is not responsible for the run scheme. He is solely responsible for technique. Harbaugh has even said that. He hasn't had that "run game coordinator" title since 2013. Oh, and in 2013 he had an oline with AQ Shipley, Giino Gradkowski, and Mike Oher. Two of those guys aren't in the league anymore. In 2015 and 2016, he's dealt with a Zuttah that regressed terribly, constant injuries, and a revolving door at left guard. If you want to blame someone for poor oline play, blame Ozzie for not addressing it.

okay yeah that's a good idea

Do you have a thought process or do you spout out spontaneous thoughts?

My head hurts.

Nobody cares. Want to add something substantial?

Aiken doesnt fight for the ball? You really just started watching this year, didnt you?

He had to go out of his way to be so oblivious to the fact that we do in fact run a zone scheme. That's not his first time thinking we don't run one. Anyway, the idea that you have to pick either a good defense or a good offense is archaic and overly simplistic. I realize it's probably easier to live in a world where things fit nicely into square boxes, where we can say "this is a defensive team that is bad at offense" and vice versa, but, well, that's just simple-minded. What we should focus on building AND retaining is a dominant offensive line and a dominant defensive line with a couple playmakers in the secondary. To win on defense, you need sacks and you need picks. You don't get stops anymore. You get turnovers. So focus on that. On offense, running the ball is crucial. It controls the clock, it converts third downs, and yes, it literally changes the coverage and formation a defense runs against you. Get a good oline and get some role players (that can catch) at receiver. And, a good line keeps the QB clean.

I can understand why we're sticking with Marty, but I don't support it. I get that maybe we want to give him a chance with his own system and an improved roster, but... I just didn't have any faith in his play calling

False. He went back as a DL coach six years after he retired as a player. Two of the four years he was there as a coach, they had losing seasons. Their best season with Greene as DL coach was 1989 when they finished 2nd in the division at 9-7, won a wildcard spot, and lost in the divisional round.

What gives me concern is that those comments are on the team's website in front page story. That could very well be the PR machine doing damage control before the news is confirmed that Marty is here to stay for a year. It's all about controlling the narrative. If the team says "Marty's here to stay. We need continuity," it's a good look. Especially with two big names like Joe and Pitta. As a reporter myself, I think the PR folks are getting ahead of the story. PR messaging frequently reflects internal discussions and goals.

I mean, that's what the spin machine would have us believe about a fan favorite.

All you have to do to beat Pitta at run blocking is try. I don't think he cares at all about blocking.

If Moore could have got on the field more, I think he would have grown more. He had some disappointing drops early on but flashed potential.

Yes, yes I did.

You should have seen our WR play BEFORE Engram. Bobby Engram is a fine WR coach. Nothing special but not the problem. Kamar no name Aiken nearly had 1000 yards under Engram. Look at Aiken's development. Went from a complete no name to a solid third receiver. One of the better route runners on the team. In 2014, Engram's first year here and Torrey's last, it looked as if Torrey finally learned how to run a route. It wasn't his best season statistically, but he finally looked like he took a step further. I'm blaming play design. I'm seeing technical progress from players. That's all a position coach can do.