What Happened To The 3 Headed Monster?

[Reed_4_President]

This is one of the BIGGEST questions i have. Why did Coach & Cam stop using the 3 HEADED monster this year!?. Last year we used it SO MUCH.
Last year we RAN the ball more then we PASSED which helped Flacco out a ton! & wernt so predictable. Why did coach change the play calling around SO much this year then last when it worked so well. (This is very FRUSTRATING! and confuses me daily)
Now i would UNDERSTAND if it didn't work but it helped us win A LOT of games PLUS get into the PLAYOFFS and DO VERY WELL!.. were just so predictable?!.
Anyways now were close to possibly getting that WILD CARD if we can keep winning & the teams we face are not ALL that great.. (except Steelers) which makes me believe we will get the wild card "SO" lets start running that 3 headed monster pleaseeee!.
I guarantee fans will NOTICE A HUGE difference in our play if they actually start using it again!. STOP the RAY RICE show its getting OLD and VERY predictable and in fact annoying.
I am sick of seeing every game him getting the ball! when we have such other GREAT BACKS-(teams would die to get) now lets change it up these last few games a bit! for gods sake. On the 1 yd line and we couldn't even get in for the score against indi! POOR, POOR COACHING.
Last year we would have used McClain to punch it in and it would have worked!. Anyways not trying to get off topic here.. & sorry if people find this POST dumb or are SOLD on Rice as it seems many raven fans are and will think what were doing NOW is great but i am just really CONFUSED why we stopped it. We rely to much on passing and giving it to RICE. It has BECOME SO PREDICTABLE we will not get FAR this year if we KEEP THE SAME PLAY CALLING.
Were in the HUNT for a wild card NOW is the time we should START using all 3 of our backs!, and all of OUR WEAPONS.. and JUST pound that ball down their throats. If it's not broke don't fix it!.
I notice when we involve McClain, McGahee, Rice we do so WELL, better then we are doing this year. Wish i could just get threw to Coach to go back to the run game more!! and GET RID of the ray rice show!, or have LESS of it. For some reason we just are not USING all of our weapons this year.. what a WASTE OF TALENT on the side lines.
I am starting to think fans are so SOLD on the ray rice show they forgot about the 3-headed monster and how it took pressure off flacco and how well it worked!! for us.

[Alexir]

Well I'm sure has to do with Character, Adversity, Playing like a Raven or one of those other crappy mottos Harbaugh uses......

Seriously though, our team was much better last year versus a harder schedule....and we had about 20 guys on IR....[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]

[Ravens_Fan13]

well losing neal hurt us because with neal and mcclain that was a monster in itself...with ray emerging as a superstar and mcgahee taking steps back in his career mcclain also needs to learn alot more at the fullback position.

[theFRANCHISE]

Of course fans are sold on the Ray Rice show -- he's second in the league in yards from scrimmage behind the Titans' Chris Johnson. Why [i]wouldn't[/i] you get the ball to the unit's best playmaker? Last year, people were complaining that Ray Rice wasn't getting the ball enough!

Additionally, it looks as if McGahee is starting to show a little more rust again; when he's been given the ball on consecutive touches in consecutive drives, he's been stopped for little-to-no gain more often than not. Part of that has to do with timing in which he gets the ball, as well as blocking, but another part may just be that McGahee has lost a step. That's not to say that he can't be a valuable contributor, but Cam Cameron goes with the hot hand for a reason.

And McClain has gotten the ball more-and-more the past couple of games, so the multi-pronged running attack [i]is[/i] making a return -- but that doesn't mean it has to be at the expense of the aerial attack.

We Ravens fans are a unique breed in that we've wanted a great passing game for [i]so long[/i] while we had success running the ball, and now that we finally have success passing the ball, we want to run the ball again.

[Ravens_Fan13]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 01:14 PM' timestamp='1259946872' post='301843']
Of course fans are sold on the Ray Rice show -- he's second in the league in yards from scrimmage behind the Titans' Chris Johnson. Why [i]wouldn't[/i] you get the ball to the unit's best playmaker? Last year, people were complaining that Ray Rice wasn't getting the ball enough!

Additionally, it looks as if McGahee is starting to show a little more rust again; when he's been given the ball on consecutive touches in consecutive drives, he's been stopped for little-to-no gain more often than not. Part of that has to do with timing in which he gets the ball, as well as blocking, but another part may just be that McGahee has lost a step. That's not to say that he can't be a valuable contributor, but Cam Cameron goes with the hot hand for a reason.

And McClain has gotten the ball more-and-more the past couple of games, so the multi-pronged running attack [i]is[/i] making a return -- but that doesn't mean it has to be at the expense of the aerial attack.

We Ravens fans are a unique breed in that we've wanted a great passing game for [i]so long[/i] while we had success running the ball, and now that we finally have success passing the ball, we want to run the ball again.
[/quote]

Agree with you 100%

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Ravens_Fan13' date='04 December 2009 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1259946630' post='301841']
well losing neal hurt us because with neal and mcclain that was a monster in itself...with ray emerging as a superstar and mcgahee taking steps back in his career mcclain also needs to learn alot more at the fullback position.
[/quote]

[H8R]

The power formation is back and THIS is the time of year inwhich it will be the most effective. McClain is fresh, he will get more carries from now until the end of the season ( whenever that might be). I think Willis will have a few good carries, I hope he can come on strong. The bottom line is, as long as we get the W I dont care about how it happens.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 12:14 PM' timestamp='1259946872' post='301843']
Of course fans are sold on the Ray Rice show -- he's second in the league in yards from scrimmage behind the Titans' Chris Johnson. [b]Why [i]wouldn't[/i] you get the ball to the unit's best playmaker? [/b]
[/quote]

If Cam doesn't start spreading the ball around more, Rice won't be fresh if and when we get to the playoffs. We didn't have a healthy Rice last year and if we want any shot at the promised land, he needs to be fresh/healthy.

[funky141]

[quote]theFRANCHISE, on 04 December 2009 - 12:14 PM, said:

Of course fans are sold on the Ray Rice show -- he's second in the league in yards from scrimmage behind the Titans' Chris Johnson. Why wouldn't you get the ball to the unit's best playmaker?


If Cam doesn't start spreading the ball around more, Rice won't be fresh if and when we get to the playoffs. We didn't have a healthy Rice last year and if we want any shot at the promised land, he needs to be fresh/healthy. [/quote]

Ray Rice is young and "keeping him fresh talk" is BS. He is the Ravens best player and the best player gets the ball. Of course you need quality back ups like a McGahee and McClain to spell Rice time to time but in no means does McClain or McGahee equal a Ray Rice. Rice is a good pass catcher and a tough runner to bring down, ride the back as long as you can, they don't come around often.

[Reed_4_President]

WERE to easy to figure out on offense.... the ray rice show needs to stop i will stick behind that no matter what is said about it. And of COURSE McGahee is a BIT rusty he NEVER GETS THE BALL. This YEARS offense Last Years offense<-- def WAY BETTER play calling, and a BETTER Joe Flacco since last year he didn't have to THROW as much because McClain, Rice and McGahee chewed up so MANY yards.. less obvious on what we were doing as well....

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='04 December 2009 - 01:52 PM' timestamp='1259952772' post='301898']
If Cam doesn't start spreading the ball around more, Rice won't be fresh if and when we get to the playoffs. We didn't have a healthy Rice last year and if we want any shot at the promised land, he needs to be fresh/healthy.
[/quote]
With the situation the team is in, they can't afford to take their foot off the gas; if that means cramming nothing but Rice down their throats (lol) the rest of the way, then so be it -- that's if it gives the team the best opportunity to win. So far, with as competitive as the team's been this year, it's looking like it.

You can't hold back when you've got your back against the ropes or else you're playing to lose. That's not saying that the coaching staff shouldn't trust McGahee or McClain as much, but if they're feeding them the ball [i]just[/i] to conserve Ray Rice for later on down the line, what happens if there [i]is no[/i] "later on down the line"? They should only do what comes natural, and if teams aren't figuring out how to stop Ray Rice, why bother?

The Titans don't take the ball out of Chris Johnson's hands, the Vikings don't take the ball out of Adrian Peterson's hands, etc. If it works, it works.

[funky141]

[quote]WERE to easy to figure out on offense.... the ray rice show needs to stop i will stick behind that no matter what is said about it. And of COURSE McGahee is a BIT rusty he NEVER GETS THE BALL. This YEARS offense Last Years offense<-- def WAY BETTER play calling, and a BETTER Joe Flacco since last year he didn't have to THROW as much because McClain, Rice and McGahee chewed up so MANY yards.. less obvious on what we were doing as well.... [/quote]

Would you rather lose than have Ray Rice win you ball games. You say McGahee "is a bit rusty" than why should he be on the field unless to give Rice a break. Doesn't make sense. Last years offense was with a rookie QB and the defense played much better than last year. I don't think the offense is the problem this year but the defense giving up to many points and causing game changing penalties. Plus the kicker missing a game winning field goal in Minnesota doesn't help either.

[funky141]

[quote]The Titans don't take the ball out of Chris Johnson's hands, the Vikings don't take the ball out of Adrian Peterson's hands, etc. If it works, it works. [/quote]

Nails, hammer, sealed....

[H8R]

[quote name='Reed_4_President' date='04 December 2009 - 02:12 PM' timestamp='1259953933' post='301908']
WERE to easy to figure out on offense.... the ray rice show needs to stop i will stick behind that no matter what is said about it. And of COURSE McGahee is a BIT rusty he NEVER GETS THE BALL. This YEARS offense Last Years offense<-- def WAY BETTER play calling, and a BETTER Joe Flacco since last year he didn't have to THROW as much because McClain, Rice and McGahee chewed up so MANY yards.. less obvious on what we were doing as well....
[/quote]


the Ravens are almost better in EVERY offensive catagory this year compared to last season. The yds per game for rushing is the ONLY thing I've seen decline.
Do yuo remember how oftne LT got the ball in SD in his prime? How about Edgerin James? All of thos eteams were solid and put together a nice offense.
Ray Rice is the kind of steal from the second round that teams DREAM abouyt. He can do it all. Heck, he'd have a bunch of 100yd rushing games if we gave him the ball more then 15 times per game on a regular basis. There was no 3 headed monster towards the end of last season, this year we have a chance for it.
Ray Rice will bust a big one this week! The kid is a playmaker, all purpose, must be involved in the game plan type guy. He will only get better. I see no signs of him being tired. Man, you guys would have really complained about Marshall Faulk getting the rock soo many times.....

[theFRANCHISE]

The thing that most people forget is that the Three-Headed Monster didn't happen by design; it was a backup plan when the primary back in Willis McGahee had nagging injuries. Not only that, but it was Cam Cameron testing out his personnel and seeing how he could adjust his playbook and gameplan to the guys he was putting on the field. In other words, Cam getting the most out of his players, as he did in San Diego.

This trend of utilizing an all-purpose back to overkill is nothing new with Cam Cameron; don't people remember this same trend with LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego? Remember when he had LT, Michael Turner, [i]and[/i] Darren Sproles in the backfield and how he used the backups sparingly -- and they were still successful for it? You go with what works, even if there's other talent to be used. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

That's not to say, of course, that a rotation of snaps wouldn't be nice. And everyone ideally wants balance on offense. But, not everything goes according to plan on gameday, and if someone is making plays and producing, you don't seek to reduce their touches just for the sake of balance. Balance for the sake of balance is fools' gold for a coach.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='04 December 2009 - 10:46 AM' timestamp='1259945209' post='301834']
Well I'm sure has to do with Character, Adversity, Playing like a Raven or one of those other crappy mottos Harbaugh uses......

Seriously though, our team was much better last year versus a harder schedule....and we had about 20 guys on IR....[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/34853_shakehead.GIF[/img]
[/quote]
We also had a far more dominating and imposing defense. We also had a better run blocking C in Jason Brown. Besides your not going to win the Super Bowl running the ball unless your the 2000 Ravens, which no team will be ever again possibly with the rule changes. Most importantly your not going to beat Pittsburgh running the ball down the teeth of their defense. We tried it last year, didnt work out too well.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 01:16 PM' timestamp='1259954183' post='301912']

The Titans don't take the ball out of Chris Johnson's hands, the Vikings don't take the ball out of Adrian Peterson's hands, etc. If it works, it works.
[/quote]
Exactly you'd have to be nuts to take the ball away from Rice, we dont have another back capable of the big plays. Sure McGahee and McClain are nice changes of pace because its good to hit the defense in the mouth every now and then, but to take the ball away from a guy who has 1400 yards from scrimmage already is just pure lunacy.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Reed_4_President' date='04 December 2009 - 01:12 PM' timestamp='1259953933' post='301908']
WERE to easy to figure out on offense.... the ray rice show needs to stop i will stick behind that no matter what is said about it. And of COURSE McGahee is a BIT rusty he NEVER GETS THE BALL. This YEARS offense Last Years offense<-- def WAY BETTER play calling, and a BETTER Joe Flacco since last year he didn't have to THROW as much because McClain, Rice and McGahee chewed up so MANY yards.. less obvious on what we were doing as well....
[/quote]
Less obvious? We ran the ball more than any team in the league by far. How is that less obvious? If anything last years offense was ridiculous predicatble. Run on 1st down no matter what. 2nd and mid, PA, 2nd and long run again, 2nd and short run. 3rd and short run, 3rd and mid PA. You guys wonder why we couldnt score against Pitt or teams with good defenses, hell I knew what was coming half the time and I dont study film like those guys.

[TSizzle00]

Cant use 3 RBs when one of them is a FB. Ravens need another good FB so McClain can get more snaps

[Ravens_Fan13]

[quote name='TSizzle00' date='04 December 2009 - 04:51 PM' timestamp='1259959903' post='301991']
Cant use 3 RBs when one of them is a FB. Ravens need another good FB so McClain can get more snaps
[/quote]

I agree but we can also use the jumbo package in that situation i think thats the best formation to run mcclain out of.

[Ed_Reed20]

I don't know about McGahee but McClain was getting a good amount of touches and demolishing the Steelers before he went down with the chest injury. Hopefully, he continues to get his touches.

As for McGahee, I found it interesting that both Chris Collinsworth and Harbaugh had a similar take on him in that you can tell what type of game he's going to have depending on what he does his first few carries. People have always said McGahee gets better with touches but that isn't a good trend when you're a back-up RB. If he takes advantage of thre few carries he gets early, he'll see more touches as the game wears on.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

heres something we got a kid in the mix now , 6'3 270 and he is a FB , our 3 headed monster grew another head efectively now a hydra once head 4 is good with the blocking schemes we can make a thumper package take our jumbo and make it a titan so to speak , same jumbo formation but we take our new fb ali and put him infront of mcclain now lets see em stop us!!!!!!

[DMT]

[quote name='Ravens_Fan13' date='04 December 2009 - 12:10 PM' timestamp='1259946630' post='301841']
well losing neal hurt us because with neal and mcclain that was a monster in itself...with ray emerging as a superstar and mcgahee taking steps back in his career mcclain also needs to learn alot more at the fullback position.
[/quote]

Everyone seems to forget about Neal

[Dubs]

as much as id love another FB its not needed, that spot is needed for a defensive player imo. Plus McClain does his best running as a single back. We just need to use him more and be more creative in our running plays, with FB handoffs, tosses, and bring back all the motion

[Mick0311]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 10:14 AM' timestamp='1259946872' post='301843']
Of course fans are sold on the Ray Rice show -- he's second in the league in yards from scrimmage behind the Titans' Chris Johnson. Why [i]wouldn't[/i] you get the ball to the unit's best playmaker? Last year, people were complaining that Ray Rice wasn't getting the ball enough!

Additionally, it looks as if McGahee is starting to show a little more rust again; when he's been given the ball on consecutive touches in consecutive drives, he's been stopped for little-to-no gain more often than not. Part of that has to do with timing in which he gets the ball, as well as blocking, but another part may just be that McGahee has lost a step. That's not to say that he can't be a valuable contributor, but Cam Cameron goes with the hot hand for a reason.

[b]And McClain has gotten the ball more-and-more the past couple of games, so the multi-pronged running attack [i]is[/i] making a return[/b] -- but that doesn't mean it has to be at the expense of the aerial attack.

We Ravens fans are a unique breed in that we've wanted a great passing game for [i]so long[/i] while we had success running the ball, and now that we finally have success passing the ball, we want to run the ball again.
[/quote]

That's the key right there, I honestly believe that we are going to see more and more of it as the year draws to a close. We all know that punishing running games punish more late in the season, and this unit is punishing and fresh. They have hardly been used in tandem, and I would wager that we are going to see what we saw last year in the all important December month. Can't wait.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Mick0311' date='04 December 2009 - 06:26 PM' timestamp='1259969193' post='302108']
That's the key right there, I honestly believe that we are going to see more and more of it as the year draws to a close. We all know that punishing running games punish more late in the season, and this unit is punishing and fresh. They have hardly been used in tandem, and I would wager that we are going to see what we saw last year in the all important December month. Can't wait.
[/quote]
I alluded to it slightly when the Ravens' passing attack was 2nd in the league much earlier in the season, but I had put it out of mind when the losses started accumulating. The idea is, a strong ground attack and a bend-but-don't-break defense is a traditional formula for winning a championship, especially in adverse weather conditions. However, the complement to a strong ground attack is also a good short-to-intermediate passing game. Teams don't need to throw deep because it's more difficult for receivers to go deep when they're hurting or when the cold is affecting their extremities, among other factors. Complete the short stuff and it can get longer and longer.

Flacco should have plenty of practice with that, considering all the checkdowns he's made lately.

[Jamal]

I just want to see more McClain. The man is a beast who runs people over. Not that I have a problem with Rice getting most of the carries, it would just be better strategy against defenses.

I can care less about Willis. McClain and Rice are our future, and I think its pretty obvious he wont be here next year.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

What is the real complaint about? Our running game was dominant against Pittsburgh, utilising all 3 backs - but centred around Ray Rice. If that worked against Pittsburgh's stout defense, I'd stick with it!

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Dubs' date='04 December 2009 - 05:50 PM' timestamp='1259967052' post='302065']
as much as id love another FB its not needed, that spot is needed for a defensive player imo. Plus McClain does his best running as a single back. We just need to use him more and be more creative in our running plays, with FB handoffs, tosses, and bring back all the motion
[/quote]
I think McClain would like a FB when he runs or at least the guards and center block better on runs up the gut.

[Betweenthetackles]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='04 December 2009 - 02:16 PM' timestamp='1259954183' post='301912']
With the situation the team is in, they can't afford to take their foot off the gas; if that means cramming nothing but Rice down their throats (lol) the rest of the way, then so be it -- that's if it gives the team the best opportunity to win. So far, with as competitive as the team's been this year, it's looking like it.

You can't hold back when you've got your back against the ropes or else you're playing to lose. That's not saying that the coaching staff shouldn't trust McGahee or McClain as much, but if they're feeding them the ball [i]just[/i] to conserve Ray Rice for later on down the line, what happens if there [i]is no[/i] "later on down the line"? They should only do what comes natural, and if teams aren't figuring out how to stop Ray Rice, why bother?

The Titans don't take the ball out of Chris Johnson's hands, the Vikings don't take the ball out of Adrian Peterson's hands, etc. If it works, it works.



The vikings against the Bears on Nov 29th threw to Chester Taylor (remember him) 6 times and he ran it 4 for a total of 10 touches for 81 yards. Adrian Peterson had 25 rushes and 2 pass receptions for nearly 100 yards. So your comment that the Vikings don't take the ball out of the 109 mph speed demon is completely false...Check your sources before you spout off.






[/quote]