With Rightful Early Concerns About Our D, Now I'm Starting To Worry About Our O

[wayne]

Man, I have notice that our O isn't clicking like it was in the first half of the games we have played. I liked that Joe was more undercenter today with us handing the rock off more but when Joe drops back and has a good while in the pocket, I see alot of times he has to take off running due to no one being open. When a replay goes into effect and it shows the WR's running their routes, it seems like everyone is running deep routes with the exception of Rice. Why do we rarely use quick slants when teams man up on us which we have been seeing alot of or why don't we use drag routes? When you see the Pats or Colts play, they constantly have drags and slants mixed in with a few WR's running deep routes. What are yall opinions of our offensive play lately?

[PSG_Mud]

Personally?

Lack of discipline, and leads to lack of intensity. I feel like alot of the younger guys are playing focused and hard with the exception of a few. Play calling is only the half of it. There is no fire with a large portion of the team meaning there is a leadership issue, probably with the coaches.

[hammer]

I don't think you can judge anything about the "O" from this game. The Browns are so bad, that [b]it is hard to get up (hyped) for that team[/b].

The "O" will be on full throttle when Indy comes to town. They won't have to worry about getting up for that one, for sure.

[BMOREHAWAII]

[quote name='wayne' date='16 November 2009 - 08:19 PM' timestamp='1258438750' post='284256']
Man, I have notice that our O isn't clicking like it was in the first half of the games we have played. I liked that Joe was more undercenter today with us handing the rock off more but when Joe drops back and has a good while in the pocket, I see alot of times he has to take off running due to no one being open. When a replay goes into effect and it shows the WR's running their routes, it seems like everyone is running deep routes with the exception of Rice. Why do we rarely use quick slants when teams man up on us which we have been seeing alot of or why don't we use drag routes? When you see the Pats or Colts play, they constantly have drags and slants mixed in with a few WR's running deep routes. What are yall opinions of our offensive play lately?
[/quote]
I think today was like preseason...seeing what options they have and what works.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

I think the deep routes are to clear the way for Flacco to check down to Ray Rice. Rice is our best offensive weapon and I think Cam is just trying to give him more field to work with. The browns LBs covered him pretty well out of the backfield tonight. We need to get some other guys involved. I like our WRs but they are not explosive AT ALL. D-Will and J.Harper are our best "big play" guys but I guess they aren't consistant enough to get on the field. I like Kelly in the slot, but it would be nice to see him or D-Will get a shot downfield. They have the body and the size to go up and snatch a ball out of the air.

[ItFigurs16]

A few games ago, they were tearing apart teams with Kelly running a like 10 yard slant into the middle of the field. They got a lot of first downs that way. It seems like either Cam has something againt this route, or they would rather go deep. Its not like Flacco does not have the gun to make the quick passes. I hate to say it, but if we are turning into more of an "O" team, then we should take a few notes on routes from Indy and the Pats because no one does it better.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='BMOREHAWAII' date='17 November 2009 - 01:49 AM' timestamp='1258440582' post='284271']
I think today was like preseason...seeing what options they have and what works.
[/quote]

if i could +5 you I would. Im glad Kruger suited up and Webb got some time!

[ravensfan160]

The problem is all of a sudden our receivers can't get open. On a couple occations they showed the downfield coverage and nobody was open. It was just like the Cincinnati games. Maybe Mason woke up one day a few weeks ago and realized he's 35 years old. Or maybe Clayton really wants the bust label to be permanently etched on his forehead. Either way our lack of playmakers at the receiver position is starting to catch up to us.

If it wasn't for a missed tackle on a quick comeback route and a pair of interceptions on defense I don't know if we put more than 3 or so points on the board. Our offense looked bad!

[Runnin Raven]

I'd really like to see more power running with Willis/McClain. And I know Ray Rice is a beast. But I'd like to see us pound a D into submission and the spring Rice on them here and there. Maybe open up some passing game for Joe.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Runnin Raven' date='17 November 2009 - 09:02 AM' timestamp='1258466536' post='284361']
I'd really like to see more power running with Willis/McClain. And I know Ray Rice is a beast. But I'd like to see us pound a D into submission and the spring Rice on them here and there. Maybe open up some passing game for Joe.
[/quote]
Do you think maybe the Ravens are falling victim to their own success? I'm starting to think that Joe is starting to look for the short dumpoff to Rice a lot sooner and more often than he used to because its been so successful. Maybe instead of throwing it into tighter than he may like coverage he's settling for the dumpoffs now whereas before he gunned it downfield. I noticed a little Boller happy feet in the pocket yesterday. Gulp!

[darklight1216]

[quote name='hammer' date='17 November 2009 - 01:48 AM' timestamp='1258440532' post='284270']
I don't think you can judge anything about the "O" from this game. The Browns are so bad, that [b]it is hard to get up (hyped) for that team[/b].

The "O" will be on full throttle when Indy comes to town. They won't have to worry about getting up for that one, for sure.
[/quote]
That's no excuse. They didn't play Cleveland like that last time and they shouldn't have done it this time around either. Let's not forget that the offense scored a grand total of one offensive touchdowns and one missed field goal last week against Cincy, and they only had one offensive td in the first Cincy game too.

That isn't lack of enthusiam, that's just bad football. In fact, it's Brownsworthy football.

Receivers aren't getting open, the celebrated offensive line can't stop anyone, and our quarterback has turned into Captain Checkdown. Was anyone else positively horrified to see Kyle Boller come on the field for a few plays?

I'm beginning to think that our offense is going the way of our defense.

[funky141]

[quote]That's no excuse. They didn't play Cleveland like that last time and they shouldn't have done it this time around either. Let's not forget that the offense scored a grand total of one offensive touchdowns and one missed field goal last week against Cincy, and they only had one offensive td in the first Cincy game too.

That isn't lack of enthusiam, that's just bad football. In fact, it's Brownsworthy football.

Receivers aren't getting open, the celebrated offensive line can't stop anyone, and our quarterback has turned into Captain Checkdown. Was anyone else positively horrified to see Kyle Boller come on the field for a few plays?

I'm beginning to think that our offense is going the way of our defense. [/quote]

Interesting write up. I tend to agree, the Ravens offense I thought for sure would put 21 pts on the board against the Browns.

[neepo13]

I wish we'd run the hurryup/no huddle a little more. Other than that the untouchable Cameron's play calling has been pretty crappy all season but we cant say that around here. Its like we run the same packages every single week. Why not mix it up a little bit? If LJ Smith is active why not throw him and Heap on the field at the same time? Can we get a 4 wr set? I mean what the heck are we saving this stuff for? Later in the season... it is later in the season and our season is about to be over.

[neepo13]

[quote name='hammer' date='17 November 2009 - 01:48 AM' timestamp='1258440532' post='284270']
I don't think you can judge anything about the "O" from this game. The Browns are so bad, that [b]it is hard to get up (hyped) for that team[/b].

The "O" will be on full throttle when Indy comes to town. They won't have to worry about getting up for that one, for sure.
[/quote]

Are you serious? They had the same damn problems at Cinci. They didnt even look like they got off the plane. They were playing for the division lead, what the hell is the excuse for not getting hyped up to play them?

[Irishraven]

[quote name='funky141' date='17 November 2009 - 02:18 PM' timestamp='1258467499' post='284386']
Interesting write up. I tend to agree, the Ravens offense I thought for sure would put 21 pts on the board against the Browns.
[/quote]

As I mentioned in another post - we were never under any serious pressure. The Browns were a team fighting for their lives and simply don't have the talent. We did what we had to do but took a whole half to get going.

I said before the game that I would be happy to win by 2 TDs.

The plays will come, the team will gel on both sides - its all to play for this Sunday!

[Magnusmd]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='17 November 2009 - 09:13 AM' timestamp='1258467234' post='284377']
That's no excuse. They didn't play Cleveland like that last time and they shouldn't have done it this time around either. Let's not forget that the offense scored a grand total of one offensive touchdowns and one missed field goal last week against Cincy, and they only had one offensive td in the first Cincy game too.

That isn't lack of enthusiam, that's just bad football. In fact, it's Brownsworthy football.

Receivers aren't getting open, the celebrated offensive line can't stop anyone, and our quarterback has turned into Captain Checkdown. Was anyone else positively horrified to see Kyle Boller come on the field for a few plays?

I'm beginning to think that our offense is going the way of our defense.
[/quote]

Exactly, receivers are not getting open. Flacco got sacked so many times because no one can get open. Flacco needs help and the receivers for the most part are not helping him

[PuRock]

[quote name='BMOREHAWAII' date='17 November 2009 - 01:49 AM' timestamp='1258440582' post='284271']
I think today was like preseason...seeing what options they have and what works.
[/quote]

Then it is apparent. The options are limited.

[PuRock]

[quote name='hammer' date='17 November 2009 - 01:48 AM' timestamp='1258440532' post='284270']
I don't think you can judge anything about the "O" from this game. The Browns are so bad, that [b]it is hard to get up (hyped) for that team[/b].

The "O" will be on full throttle when Indy comes to town. They won't have to worry about getting up for that one, for sure.
[/quote]

Disagree. You can't stick up for the offense in this game. Maybe you can't get hyped for the Browns. But 1) They looked hyped the first time we played them & 2) Our record was an average 4-4, that should be enough to get hyped about.

[hammer]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='17 November 2009 - 10:13 AM' timestamp='1258467234' post='284377']
That's no excuse. They didn't play Cleveland like that last time and they shouldn't have done it this time around either. Let's not forget that the offense scored a grand total of one offensive touchdowns and one missed field goal last week against Cincy, and they only had one offensive td in the first Cincy game too.

That isn't lack of enthusiam, that's just bad football. In fact, it's Brownsworthy football.

Receivers aren't getting open, the celebrated offensive line can't stop anyone, and our quarterback has turned into Captain Checkdown. Was anyone else positively horrified to see Kyle Boller come on the field for a few plays?

I'm beginning to think that our offense is going the way of our defense.
[/quote]

I really don't think it's woth arguing the point, but you kinda just revealed that you have never played at a high level of competitive sports.

Of course there is no excuse for it, but it is a clear part of human nature (to play [b]"up-to" or "down-to"[/b] your level of competition. It's induced by chemical hormones released into our bodies such as; (1) adrenaline, (2) endorphins, (3)dopamine, and (4)testosterone.

It's either there or it's not. Blackboard stuff can sometimes work in releasing these chemical hormones into the brain. Great motivators (which Harbaugh is still working on) can sometimes stimulate these chemical releases in players too (billick was actually very good at this early on in his tenure).

[McBoller]

[quote name='BMOREHAWAII' date='17 November 2009 - 01:49 AM' timestamp='1258440582' post='284271']
I think today was like preseason...seeing what options they have and what works.
[/quote]
Nope...a game like that you have to make a statement. CRUSH THEM. Its a division game and its Monday Night Football for crying out loud. Its not like they were trying anything earth-shattering on offense. No trick or gadget plays, no deep pass attempts. It was just the same-old same-old and it wasnt working the same way it didnt work against cincy in those two games...

If anything, we held back on purpose to fake out the colts so to speak...not give them any accurate film to study that has anything to do with what we're going to do to them. I highly doubt that, but it makes some sense.

[hammer]

[quote name='PuRock' date='17 November 2009 - 11:52 AM' timestamp='1258473158' post='284511']
Disagree. You can't stick up for the offense in this game. Maybe you can't get hyped for the Browns. But 1) They looked hyped the first time we played them & 2) Our record was an average 4-4, that should be enough to get hyped about.
[/quote]

Look guy, not to argue the point, but did you see these Browns who showed up last night? This was NOT AN NFL TEAM. They came onto the field and immediately assumed the "dying cockroach position."

They hate their coach, they have no talent, the QB situation is laughed at (even in their own lockerroom). You have to realize that these players talk to each other? The ravens know they would be playing in an organized scrimage last night.

[Child Of Humanity]

The only problem with this is it appeared to me that your O-line was getting blown back on the line thereby eliminating chances to open holes. Not sure if they were just not on their game last night or if the Browns are better than their record shows. But Your line is gonna have to get some push and open some lanes for your Backs. Either that or you need to use your speedsters to take it outside. Either way, I hope they pull it together next week. Would love to see you guys take the Colts down.

[quote name='Runnin Raven' date='17 November 2009 - 09:02 AM' timestamp='1258466536' post='284361']
I'd really like to see more power running with Willis/McClain. And I know Ray Rice is a beast. But I'd like to see us pound a D into submission and the spring Rice on them here and there. Maybe open up some passing game for Joe.
[/quote]

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

I think that Cam should start with the "no-huddle" scheme from the start. Joe seems to be most comfortable with that. Let Joe throw the ball early, just as he did in the beginning of the season. Once Joe gets his confidence, he seems to play better. He needs to get that confidence earlier, rather than later, in the game. Also, our O line does not seem to be providing Joe with protection. Is that to be blamed on the scheme or the players? Hope we all play like Ravens this sunday, we might need some divine intervention. The law of averages has to be in our favor to beat the Colts, after all the losses to them.

[BRYAN1146]

[quote name='wayne' date='17 November 2009 - 01:19 AM' timestamp='1258438750' post='284256']
Man, I have notice that our O isn't clicking like it was in the first half of the games we have played. I liked that Joe was more undercenter today with us handing the rock off more but when Joe drops back and has a good while in the pocket, I see alot of times he has to take off running due to no one being open. When a replay goes into effect and it shows the WR's running their routes, it seems like everyone is running deep routes with the exception of Rice. Why do we rarely use quick slants when teams man up on us which we have been seeing alot of or why don't we use drag routes? When you see the Pats or Colts play, they constantly have drags and slants mixed in with a few WR's running deep routes. What are yall opinions of our offensive play lately?
[/quote]

i agree were not running any deep routes which keeps the defense honest wether you complete the pass or not . and if you watch flaco hes checking down to a running back on almost every pass play . he barely throws to mason anymore and the one guy who catches the ball kelley washington barely gets any passes thrown to him maybe 2 times a game maybe. i dont know whats going on but the 1st 3 games this season we looked like we were going to the superbowl and now we will be lucky i mean lucky to get a wild card spot.

[shraven]

i will always be a fan no matter what but im sick of seeing wasted talent. it also gets old seeing the same plays over and over again. and clearly its not working.i mean having that much trouble beating cleveland c'mon man. get it together or its over.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='17 November 2009 - 07:50 AM' timestamp='1258465806' post='284345']
...our lack of playmakers at the receiver position is starting to catch up to us.

[/quote]
DING DING DING DING DING!!!!!!!
We have a winner! Exactly what I've been saying since this preseason. Just one true playmaker at the WR position would really open up this offense! That's the one piece we are missing. Mason is getting old and Clayton just.....well, you know. The Flacco and Rice show isn't that hard to defend when every other option on the field can be covered 1-on-1.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='I*Bleed*Purple' date='17 November 2009 - 07:43 PM' timestamp='1258505003' post='285062']
DING DING DING DING DING!!!!!!!
We have a winner! Exactly what I've been saying since this preseason. Just one true playmaker at the WR position would really open up this offense! That's the one piece we are missing. Mason is getting old and Clayton just.....well, you know. The Flacco and Rice show isn't that hard to defend when every other option on the field can be covered 1-on-1.
[/quote]
Too bad we didn't make use of fragile Todd Heap when we had the chance.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='hammer' date='17 November 2009 - 05:59 PM' timestamp='1258502391' post='285015']
Look guy, not to argue the point, but did you see these Browns who showed up last night? This was NOT AN NFL TEAM. They came onto the field and immediately assumed the "dying cockroach position."

They hate their coach, they have no talent, the QB situation is laughed at (even in their own lockerroom). You have to realize that these players talk to each other? The ravens know they would be playing in an organized scrimage last night.
[/quote]

The Giants went into Paul Brown Stadium with that attitude last year and got torched. To be honest, I don't think this team deserves to be in the playoffs. They certainly aren't playing like they want to be.

[wayne]

I rarely ever see us run slant and drag routes, when you get blitzed to death with man coverage, thats a route that should be ran by someone nearly everytime! Making excuses for the Ravens b/c we played the Browns is BS too. You don't see the Pats play up to the level of their competition, they are always looking to put up as much points as they can on their opponent ( see Titans vs the Pats this year ). We need to get it together b/c we don't need our D finally getting it together, then our O fall apart!

[RavensAllTheWay]

Problems with the Offense:

1) play-calling: A QB rollout to the left side when the QB is right-handed? A halfback pass on third and 2 right into traffic? Unbalanced line on third and 1 with McClain in the backfield and we do play-action? (that was week 2)Run on first and second down, pass on third down. How many times did we see that last night? Either we're passing too much or we're running too much. We have yet to find the perfect equilibrium. At least we saw McGahee and McClain get some carries last night. That was a big positive.

2) Offensive Line: I don't have the slightest idea why our line is getting pushed around every week. We were so good at the LOS early in the year, but in these last 3 games, there have just been way too many breakdowns. This forces Flacco to check the ball down to McCalin or Rice. I am SO sick of all the checkdowns on third and long, but when you don't have time to look downfield, what else can you do? The O-line has to pick it up.