The Raven

22 minutes ago, rmw10 said:

Waller's blocking was actually one of his strong points coming out of that Georgia Tech offense than ran the ball 9348 times a game.  That's why many people actually had him as a TE coming out of that draft.  He at least has some concepts of how to block.  It's teaching how how to block inline that will be the work in progress.  That's where I think Roman could actually help quite a bit.  He's got some of the "basics" down already though.

Yes, I would agree. I think he also needs some more bulk and work on pad level to be effective at in line blocking. I have no doubt he has the basics down. I think it's a matter of gaining and using functional strength to drive ends off the line.

20 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Still issues with finishing. 

I agree with this assessment. Gillmore is vastly overrated as a blocker, whether due to health or whatever. It's actually hard to watch him try to seal the backside on weak side runs. It doesn't even look like he's trying if the run is the other way.

Boyle is our best blocker among the tight ends. Maxx is good but doesn't always mow guys down. I do like his ability to seal and wall off. Waller, unexpectedly, is a little more than adequate as a blocker. He showed good movement on scoop blocks and second level blocks. Still a ways to go when it comes to actually driving a guy, but pretty great stuff from a former wide out.

20 minutes ago, Virginia 55 said:

Brandon williams stats are on par with last season. I dont see any issues in his game. He's been healthy and he's a model Raven. You talk about being pushed into the linebackers?  

 

That's what happens to a good defense when the offense is so inept.  

 

Our defense is priority for me.  Our offense will never strike fear in the hearts of any defense unless we develop a stellar running game (which is likely) because throwing the ball is not our strong suit. 

 

 

Debating Flacco should be almost automatic at this point.  He doesn't bring the IT factor to the game and he doesn't deserve to get paid like he does. At this point i could care less how we offload him, just get him outta here.

Brandon Williams was routinely getting pushed back and/or losing control of his gap in the last four weeks of the season. Sure, his tackles were on par with last season. A lot more were just further downfield.

That's a fool's mindset. You dislike Joe so you just want to focus on defense? That's like buying food without the pots and pans to cook it in. You need both sides.

You still haven't answered the question. Can you comprehend it? I'm asking how we can deal with the massive cap hit we're faced with if we were to cut or trade him. Do you understand how the cap works?

This is definitely a hit from a player development standpoint.

I disagreed with his use (or Trestman's or Marty's or whoever's) of the tight zone, and I think Castillo's love for vertical sets -- even in the run game -- is stupid, but I think we'll miss him as a player developer.

Why Greg Roman isn't full fledged OL coach, I have no idea

No god please no

Unfathomable to me that we didn't force Pees into retirement and offer Frazier the job.

Whatever. Change is change. Maybe we needed it. Fresh faces on the coaching staff may do us good

Quick note: We stuck with the zone, but we transitioned to using more tight zone than wide zone. Why? I don't know. Tight requires a quality center. Wide is harder to run now with out cut blocking, but it would have worked better with our personnel, except Alex Lewis, who isn't the most nimble guy.

When Greg Roman was with the 49ers, it was primarily gap and power. Possibly because Frank Gore was a better fit for that than zone.

57 minutes ago, January J said:

Not sure why Judons on that list. ZDS and Shareece wright had to be the biggest disappointments.

I guess I included him just because he hadn't yet reached his potential and had streaky play. Unfair to say he didn't meet expectations.

1 hour ago, Virginia 55 said:

CAM???? Done Deal????? His supporting cast was terrible

You vastly underestimate the impact his offensive line had last year as opposed to this year. I believe his oline and his defense also took a step back, as did his performance.

1 hour ago, rmcjacket23 said:

No, I do see it that way.

My point is that committing to run the ball when you aren't effective at running the ball is extremely unlikely to yield more points being scored. I'm not even sure how you score any more points by running the ball when you're not effective at it. I think in a lot of cases fans actually don't care about scoring my points... they just want us to run the ball so we can pretend to be the 2008 Ravens again, or because they want to be able to say they were "balanced", despite that balance not appearing to yield much difference on the scoreboard, which is supposed to be the goal.

And how exactly are they incomplete illustrations again? Those are teams that have legitimate gripes with not running the ball enough, because they were good at it when they did. 

The gripes that fans have towards the running game are focused on the wrong place. Volume means nothing if you're not using that volume to achieve something. Get better at running the ball... then watch us run it more. Its not rocket science. 

Running the ball more changes how a defense plays you. A lot of times, we faced cover 2 with two safeties deep, because we couldn't run the ball and all we did was throw short.

You run the ball more, and that safety is going to creep closer to the box. You'll see more single high looks. Now, you might also see cover 3 which sucks, but running the ball keeps the defense honest.

15 minutes ago, jazz1988 said:

Greg Roman is regarded as pretty versatile with his  blocking scheme according to what I have read about him . The Ravens have try to be versatile with their blocking scheme as well so I don't expect a big  change  with the blocking scheme .

9 minutes ago, Deflated Football said:

What kind of system would Roman implement if not zone? Sorry, not good with offensive line talk. 

Greg primarily runs gap and man, with zone sprinkled in.

Looking at tweets from reporters, it seems Ozzie and Harbaugh want a stronger offensive line. Also hearing rumblings that we're bringing in Greg Roman, or at least hoping to. I wonder if this signals a shift away from zone. Zuttah and Wagner are both relatively weak guys. Not very strong. Wagner's good but just not that strong.

It would make sense if we switched it up. Wagner is strictly a zone guy, as is Zuttah. Letting a top five RT go makes sense if he isn't a scheme fit.

I'm seeing people say that Zorn's been out of the game a while or that he's weird, but I'm not seeing anyone question Zorn's ability.

He has a solid track record. Other than 2014, Joe's best year was probably under Zorn.

The NFL is kind of insiderish, which might prevent Zorn from getting the job, but I see no reason why Zorn shouldn't be seriously considered.

7 hours ago, rossihunter2 said:

i doubt the system will change, and i doubt much language will change - what will probably change is the philosophy and use of players within the system as well as playcalling

Why do you think the philosophy will change but not the system? It's the same guy calling the plays. If this season showed anything about Marty it's that his philosophy hasn't changed since he called plays for the Eagles.

1 minute ago, Ravensfan23 said:

Julio Jones played in 14 games, had 83rec 14,000yds and 6TDs. 14 out of 16 games isn't missing half the season. Not to mention the 2 games that Julio missed were the 9ers and Rams, I'd hardly call them studs defensively. I give Matt Ryan all the credit in the world for what he's done this season, but if we're calling a spade a spade, well. 

Seeing as thought both SSS and Wallace had better  production than Sanu and Gabriel i'd say you're right to say SSS and Wallace are better, when you have a freak that can put up 300 yards a single game and often draws double if not triple teams, I'd say it's safe to say he impacts coverage for those guys. Again calling a spade. 

Also, Kyle Shanahan is the next Josh McDaniels. Just wanted to throw that in there

8 minutes ago, Ravenseconbeast said:

Im pretty sure Mike Wallace and SSS is better than Gabriel & Sanu.  With Julio missing half a season Ryan led Falcons to a bye-season.

Tom Brady has Edelman and another random receiver that pads stats every game.    Don't tell me Edelman is a premier receiver.  He drops at least +5 balls a game but Brady still moves the chain.   

If you play great, you can move the chain and score points.   

If you told me with SSS & Mike Wallace that a QB will go 11TD in 11 games to start the season that is no good.   Whatever way you want to spin it.

Offensive line is more important than wide receivers.

Also: see the system.

Also also: see the Patriots' punishing running game.

Also also also: see the Patriots' balanced attack.

Are you caught up now?

3 minutes ago, Ravensfan23 said:

I know the weak division has a lot to do with it, but Brady has only missed the playoffs like one time his entire career. I can't stand him, but I respect his greatness. It doesn't matter who he has around him, the combination of he and Billcheat will find a way to get it done by hook or crook

He may have a recycled cast every year, but I don't think he's ever had a supporting cast as weak as Joe has had.

Tom Brady has had some mediocre receivers and backs, but he has always had a top ten offensive line (many years top five) and a system that anyone that can catch can thrive in.

5 minutes ago, JonnyBaltimore said:

Experience says Not Joe Flacco.

So, you can't name a single quarterback who can thrive without a solid supporting cast, nor do you even attempt to.

Folks, this is all wrapped up.

2 minutes ago, JonnyBaltimore said:

We are expecting him to play up to his salary and to the salary as other QBs in that class.

It's pretty clear you did not read that.

FLACCO is NOT a QB that can carry a team to the playoffs. So knowing that, then surround him with player's that can carry the load.

Name one quarterback that could carry their team to the playoffs without a solid supporting cast.

Just now, Ravensfan23 said:

You do realize that this is exactly what the Packers did for Aaron Rodger right? Green Bay has surrounded Rodgers with a host of 1st and 2nd round talent offensively and done their best to not only build a good offense but keep it intact for years. Nelson, Cobb, Adams, Lacy, Bulaga and Spriggs are all 1st and 2nd round picks. That's a total of 6 out of 10 offensive players around Rodger drafted no later than the 2nd round. That doesn't mention Richard Rodgers and Ty Montgomery are 3rd round picks. That's a total of 8 guys who the Packers have drafted in the top 3 rounds to surround Rodgers with, which doesn't include Cook who was signed as a FA. More importantlymost of these players have grown with Rodgers in the same system. 

I'm not saying that Flacco is on the same level as Rodger, but when people suggest that Flacco needs good players surrounding him and other QBs don't, I have to question if the person that said it actually pays attention to other teams. 

I hadn't realized the Pack invested that much draft capital into their offense. Incredible.

I'd say nonachievers. 

Joking aside, I think we were underachievers, and I say that because I think we have a lot of players -- Judon, ZDS, Jernigan, Campanaro, etc -- who have unfulfilled potential and just failed to meet expectations.

6 minutes ago, Ravensfan23 said:

So I'm watching the Packers vs Giants game and the Pack are up 31-13 with less than 4 minutes remaining in the game. After 3 consecutive successful running plays that gained a total of 19 yards, the Packers proceed to throw the ball on 2nd and 5 from the 9 yardline and it's viewed as a great play call. Picture that. Almost the same exact situation that has many Ravens fans pissed at Marty and led to the worse call of all times saga, it was viewed as a great play call by McCarthy. So what's the difference? Is it because Flacco threw a Int and Rodgers completed his pass for a 1st down? Is it because they were up by 3 scores instead of 2? Or is it just a case of both offenses looking to deliver the kill shot to their opponent but the Ravens players failed to execute?

I never had a problem with the decision to throw the ball, just would have like a better play selection. But I'd be interested in hearing what some of you thought about McCarthy's decision to throw the ball in that situation

I liked our call and I liked that call #UnpopularOpinion

The result of the call doesn't make the call bad.

6 hours ago, Brandon Grist said:

Our Problem Is More Of A Scheme Fit We Need To Have A Base 4-3 Defense A 3-4 Scheme Isn't The Solution Especially In Our Sun Packages When We Have Two Down Lineman How Can We Expect 2 Lineman To Get To A Quarterback When He Has Five We Simply Get Out Muscled

You have a fundamental misunderstanding of the English language and of how defensive formations work.

3 hours ago, Willbacker said:

Castillo brought the zone blocking scheme to Baltimore period. Yanda was a big complainer of the change from power run scheme to zone block as were others.

http://www.espn.com/blog/baltimore-ravens/post/_/id/12104/castillo-confident-ravens-can-run-the-ball

http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/ravens-zone-blocking-scheme-whats-wrong/

While the Ravens may have used some sprinkles of the zone scheme during the beginning of Harbaughs years here when Castillo got here it became full blown out zone scheme all the time and our running game has suffered. When Kubiak came on he kept Castillo cuz of their same philosophies.

Unless you can source this, I'm calling BS. Yanda said Castillo ruffled feathers and added new wrinkles, but he never complained.

McKinnie and Oher complained, but that's what lazy players do.

1 hour ago, Ravenseconbeast said:

Has anyone broke down the dead money & savings cap to see the chance of us keeping both Brandon & Wagner?   

CC: @B-more Ravor