Has Joe Lost His Mojo?

[YABOY]

joe will be fine that dope on the steelers didn't become great until his fourth year

[Shawn`]

Joe is having way too much fun out there.

[img]http://upnextinsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/128982815238283014.jpg[/img]

[RavensAllTheWay]

It's sad because Flacco played really well yesterday before the int. I hate to say that the int killed his effort but it kinda did. (notice how I said HIS effort and not the whole team's effort)

Is he really having a sophmore slump though? I can honestly say I don't think so. His stats are better this year, but the only difference is that we as a team were better last year. Please don't tell me that when a team loses, it's all the QBs fault. The whole thing doesn't fall on Flacco's shoulders. So no, not a sophmore slump, but he needs to get back on track anyway.

On another note, isn't it weird that Matt Ryan and the Falcons are on the exact same boat as us??

[YABOY]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='23 November 2009 - 04:03 PM' timestamp='1259010187' post='291595']
It's sad because Flacco played really well yesterday before the int. I hate to say that the int killed his effort but it kinda did. (notice how I said HIS effort and not the whole team's effort)

Is he really having a sophmore slump though? I can honestly say I don't think so. His stats are better this year, but the only difference is that we as a team were better last year. Please don't tell me that when a team loses, it's all the QBs fault. The whole thing doesn't fall on Flacco's shoulders. So no, not a sophmore slump, but he needs to get back on track anyway.

On another note, isn't it weird that Matt Ryan and the Falcons are on the exact same boat as us??
[/quote]
it's like whenever we win the falcons win flacco & ryan might meet in the superbowl one year

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='Alexir' date='23 November 2009 - 01:06 PM' timestamp='1259003201' post='291499']
I will say I think playcalling has a lot to do with it. I mean seriously Cam, you are going to have a designed QB boot against Freeney? Child Please
[/quote]
I noticed that as well and started yelling at the TV - "Are you F*****G SERIOUS!"

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='23 November 2009 - 01:44 PM' timestamp='1259005458' post='291535']
They made each other great. That said, its hard not to notice how not one but two noname rookie receivers are having big years. Two of his top 3 WR from a year ago are gone and he hasn't missed a beat.
[/quote]
That's what having "the elite" QB of the league and an outstanding O-line will do for a rookie WR. It's not that the WR's are all that good. It's Manning, his vision and amount of time he's given which makes the WR's look so good.

[POPS1]

No question Flacco's pick was a huge mistake. But honestly, I'm a lot less concerned about Flacco than I am other aspects of this team. Being unable to punch it in from less than a yard out three times is inexcusable. Asking McGahee to carry the ball twice in those situations is inexcusable. Ray Lewis missing the tackle on the TD is inexcusable. Receivers seemingly unable to get separation from defenders consistently is inexcusable. Haloti Ngata getting yet another personal foul in a critical situation is inexcusable. Giving up two late times out as Harbaugh did is inexcusable. Ed Reed foolishly trying to lateral the ball on the punt return rather than getting down, stopping the clock with 17 seconds left, and giving Flacco two shots at getting us into FG range is inexcusable. Joe looks like he's hitting the perverbial sophomore slump. It happens and he'll recover. But, the other mistakes are most troubling. The defense actually played pretty well. The new kid kicked five field goals. Flacco moved the team into scoring position. Those are all positives. But, not enough to outweigh the inexcusable negatives.

[Moderator 2]

I think Joe's ankle/foot is bothering him from when Jared Allen rolled up on him a couple of times.

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='23 November 2009 - 07:48 AM' timestamp='1258980487' post='291210']
Joe has 2,455 yards, 12 TD's and 8 INT's. He's got an 89.1 passer rating and is doing arguably better than his career peer, Matt Ryan. Joe's an amazing talent who I've been watching since his Blue Hen days and I think his talent is fine and he's progressing well. Joe's only in his second year and will be great for a long time, right?

That's my concern - for the first time since I started watching Joe play I've got the feeling Joe has lost a little of his decisiveness, his unspoken mojo. I'm just worried his edge is getting rounded by thinking too much or by scattered attention. His so-called slump seems to be more of an issue of focus and fire than ability. Someone tell me I'm just imagining it.

I'm worried about the dump-offs and the red zone INT's. I'm worried the same kid that caught passes and ran down the field last year is losing focus, but I hope and believe I'm wrong and I'm just worried about nothing. Regardless, he's doing well. Our 5 losses? Those teams (counting Cincy twice) are 41-10.

What do you think? Joe's fine, right?
[/quote]

The oline has taken steps back from its dominant start of the season and that has attributed in his struggles. Not so much the tackles but from the guard position.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='23 November 2009 - 01:53 PM' timestamp='1259002430' post='291486']
Sophomore slump, anybody?
[/quote]

I think so. Both Joe and Matt Ryan have been brought down to earth this season.

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='ravensfan160' date='23 November 2009 - 08:49 AM' timestamp='1258984177' post='291238']
Does anyone else think its odd that as Rice becomes more of a threat that defenses need to account for, Joe is struggling? That to me doesn't make any sense so it brought me to only one conclusion.

Joe is starting to look for the checkdown to Rice more and more quickly than he did before. Before Rice was such a threat out of the backfield Joe was constantly looking down the field even when he scrambled. He was being compared to Roethlisberger in that regard. But now he's hesitant in throwing downfield because he doesn't want to make a mistake when he can just dump it off to Rice.

Anyone else feel this way?
[/quote]
I also think WRs are not getting open. Clayton is almost never open Period

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='23 November 2009 - 01:53 PM' timestamp='1259002430' post='291486']
Sophomore slump, anybody?
[/quote]
Hes playing better then he did last year how could he be in a slump LOL

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='YABOY' date='23 November 2009 - 03:49 PM' timestamp='1259009380' post='291584']
joe will be fine that dope on the steelers didn't become great until his fourth year
[/quote]
Ben? Didn't they go to the super bowl his second year??

[bossman419]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='23 November 2009 - 05:45 PM' timestamp='1259016305' post='291664']
Ben? Didn't they go to the super bowl his second year??
[/quote]
Trent "I love to criticize good QB's" Dilfer made it to a super bowl.... I think that Ben's D and Running game had to do with alot of his success early in his career.

[The Mom Gene]

Joe has not lost his mojo.... There is a common thread that refers to a "sophomore slump"... I have heard it before many times.... Just a few months ago, everyone was bragging about how our Offense had picked up and we were turning the tables on this side of the ball... Now everyone wants to hammer this poor guy. He's in his second year. I think he's done very well so far. I believe it was Theismann who said that "Joe was Ben in a different uniform".

Let's give this poor guy a chance folks.

GO RAVENS!!!

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' date='23 November 2009 - 09:04 AM' timestamp='1258985085' post='291246']
[size="5"][b][font="Comic Sans MS"]PLAY TROY SMITH! [/font][/b][/size]
[/quote]
OMG Let's not turn this into another Joe vs. Troy thread. Joe is our starter.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='23 November 2009 - 05:37 PM' timestamp='1259015847' post='291658']
I also think WRs are not getting open. Clayton is almost never open Period
[/quote]
Last year, D-Mase was Joe's go-to guy. This year it is Ray Rice. Joe really needs a big WR to throw those deep passes to. Joe will be fine. I expect we will draft a WR next year. I'd be mighty surprised if we don't

[shraven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='23 November 2009 - 03:00 PM' timestamp='1259002802' post='291493']
Sadly, that's probably the case. And it's being made worse considering the best weapon he has is a 5'8 RB.*

It's an frustrating situation though. I personally believe Cam needs to open up the offense more and get Heap and Washington more involved, especially down the middle of the field. However, part of me also feels the team needs to run the ball more like they did last year.
[/quote]
Good call that way you cant be wrong however cam cant do the same.We can all come on here and say should have did this or that they watch film of the other team and know what we should be able to do with what we have.The players then need to make it happen and thats the bottom line.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='kash96ravenstotalfan' date='23 November 2009 - 07:25 PM' timestamp='1259018739' post='291689']
OMG Let's not turn this into another Joe vs. Troy thread. Joe is our starter.
[/quote]
Joe and Troy....lol....funny it sounds like Joe Buck and Troy Aikman

[rlh445]

Meh, it's just like the minority of the board was saying in the pre-season..Joe doesn't have valid targets, period. Mason is probably the best wideout the Ravens have ever had but his best years were spent on the Oilers and he can only do so much. It's sad that every game this season (and last) I have been screaming for Joe to throw the ball..I mean a lot of times he has ample time..and yet he is moving around, looking for someone and NO ONE is open enough for him to want to pull the trigger. It's sad..and yet it's a fact that the Ravens needed to upgrade at WR this offseason and decided not to. And when the Ravens looked pretty good through three games, all I saw on this board was 'Ha, and who said we needed a wide receiver?,'. I did. I said it, and I meant it then, and I mean it now. We need someone who can consistently get open, play after play, or at least demand a double team so that our other guys have a chance to get some separation. Joe's not in a sophomore slump, teams have figured out our very basic schemes (thanks Cam) and are just flat out shutting them down..even the Browns.

[hammer]

[quote name='RavensClaw52' date='23 November 2009 - 03:10 PM' timestamp='1259003443' post='291503']
I am not concerned with Joe, I am concerned with Cam and our WR's. I really dont think the coaches have faith in our WR's, it looks like they are giving them a high school playbook to study. The o-line played fantastic yesterday, and for basically nothing, our o-lines played worse, given up 10 yard chunks of sack yards and we still convert and score touchdowns.
[/quote]

Bingo! Everyone knows that I am a Cam guy, but Cam has lost his way. The same things I raved about Cam earlier in the season are the same things that he has lost his way on (imaginative, clever, passing on running downs and running on passing downs, misdirection, and passing to set up the run). Cam has become the "cowardly lion" searching for his heart, as he turned his focus NOW to "balance" and "time of possesion."

There was a time when Cam's ONLY game-plan was POINTS SCORED! Remember when we were averaging over 30 PPG with fans complaining about running the ball more often? Fans actually were dillusional enough to blame the offense for the defense' inability to get off the field. As if they couldn't even see all those silly penalties extending drive after drive.

Well, I guess the "chickens have come home to roost." We are finally a very balanced offense. Whoo! Hoo!

[Bazooka Joe]

[quote name='Zhamtao' date='23 November 2009 - 07:48 AM' timestamp='1258980487' post='291210']
Joe has 2,455 yards, 12 TD's and 8 INT's. He's got an 89.1 passer rating and is doing arguably better than his career peer, Matt Ryan. Joe's an amazing talent who I've been watching since his Blue Hen days and I think his talent is fine and he's progressing well. Joe's only in his second year and will be great for a long time, right?

That's my concern - for the first time since I started watching Joe play I've got the feeling Joe has lost a little of his decisiveness, his unspoken mojo. I'm just worried his edge is getting rounded by thinking too much or by scattered attention. His so-called slump seems to be more of an issue of focus and fire than ability. Someone tell me I'm just imagining it.

I'm worried about the dump-offs and the red zone INT's. I'm worried the same kid that caught passes and ran down the field last year is losing focus, but I hope and believe I'm wrong and I'm just worried about nothing. Regardless, he's doing well. Our 5 losses? Those teams (counting Cincy twice) are 41-10.

What do you think? Joe's fine, right?
[/quote]


Joe is playing hurt. That ankle is still messed up from the Vikings game.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

Coz writing off his career due to some struggles is a good idea... not!

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

I feel a great offensive game coming for us Sunday Night. some retards are ready to chase Flacco out of town. Receivers need to get open first! You think hes checking down to Rice for fun?? yeah, but of course. I rather him do a checkdown instead of forcing it. He tried to squeeze that pass in to Rice in the middle of the field and got picked off. He was trying to make something happen, for god sake we cant punch the ball in at the one. open your eyes and learn football. (not directed to anyone with sense)

[Purple Punishment]

I blame the Coaching Staff and the FO, the FO more over though for not going out and getting somebody that Joe can throw those bombs to. Theres not enough seperation being gained on the sidelines for Joe to throw comfortably so he is normally putting the balls out of reach for both the defender and receiver. We need somebody to get out there and not just beat the defenders by a step or 2 but by 5-7 like Andre Johnson and Brandon Marshall does quite a bit.

I blame the coaching staff for 2 reasons. 1) Not recognizing that our 2nd most reliable receiver and our "Deep Threat are now sitting in the 3 and 4 spots on the depth chart. Not taking anything away from Clayton or Mason. They do the best they can every game. Heart goes a long way with me. and 2) For not recognizing that our receivers can't get open on deep routes or burn secondarys and not gameplanning for that. I rarely see slant routes, fades or receivers cutting across the field at 10+yds out. I have seen these once or twice and they seem to be effective but then we go right back to post routes, or come backs. Its too predictible and Joes play suffers on account of that. I mean think about the Colts game how Mase ran that comeback route but the CB picked up on it so fast he was able to break up the play.

How can Flacco thrive when we dont have a dominant receiver, or run variety in our routes on pass plays. Everyone wonders why he is dumping off to Rice, well theres your answer in my opinion

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I don't see why using Rice is such a problem, no-one is better at making things happen than Rice is. He breaks tackles and makes guys miss left right and centre!

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='26 November 2009 - 02:55 AM' timestamp='1259222107' post='293929']
I don't see why using Rice is such a problem, no-one is better at making things happen than Rice is. He breaks tackles and makes guys miss left right and centre!
[/quote]


its hilarious watching him make people fall on there faces when he jukes them. you can always count on him to make the first guy miss.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='BohBalmerOsbohs' date='26 November 2009 - 07:57 PM' timestamp='1259222242' post='293931']
its hilarious watching him make people fall on there faces when he jukes them. you can always count on him to make the first guy miss.
[/quote]
Exactly. I mean what is better than an unmarked 5 yard checkdown when you have a back who can turn it into a 40 or 50 yard gain. I like our receivers but none of them are going to lose defenders the way Rice does.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='26 November 2009 - 02:55 AM' timestamp='1259222107' post='293929']
I don't see why using Rice is such a problem, no-one is better at making things happen than Rice is. He breaks tackles and makes guys miss left right and centre!
[/quote]

Most definitely cannot disagree here. I dont understand what the big deal is either. Rice leads the team in receiving yards mainly because our guys arent getting open. I think Joe does a wonderful job in diagnosing the plays and he knows he can put it to a recevier when they are open. he makes great throws, even some that the best in the league cannot. They just arent getting open fast enough

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='26 November 2009 - 02:55 AM' timestamp='1259222107' post='293929']
I don't see why using Rice is such a problem, no-one is better at making things happen than Rice is. He breaks tackles and makes guys miss left right and centre!
[/quote]
I think the issue is that [i]no one[/i] else is making things happen.