One Dimensional Opponents

[20ReedsAll]

This is the first year in the NFL that I've seen "experts" make nothing at all of all the one dimensional teams in the playoffs, especially in the AFC. Usually you hear something like, "Well Im concerned about the lack of balance on this team", etc.

Indy, NE, and San Diego all figure to be highly one dimensional in the playoffs, and all the "experts" seem to overlook that. Not only do these teams have poor rushing attacks, but they have equally suspect rush defenses. Like I said, first time in a while that much isn't being made about this in the media.

If the Ravens go back to the winning formula of power running, and add in play-action with a matured Joe Flacco, we should see unexpected success. Controlling the clock would keep Brady, Rivers, and Manning on the sideline.

I feel like these teams actually play to our strengths. Most of the success passers have had against us have been through play-action(seriously, check it out: most big passing plays have been play action). The lack of a running game should allow our depleted secondary to expect the pass, and give us some much needed turnovers.

Basically, I'm just trying to point out that we're one of the more balanced teams in the AFC postseason, and that the "superpowers" of the AFC all lack this balance. Should figure to work into our advantage.

[Bosanac]

That one dimension will be our undoing if it ends up to be passing.

[T-Sizz]

[quote name='20ReedsAll' date='04 January 2010 - 04:06 AM' timestamp='1262592395' post='330579']
The lack of a running game should allow our depleted secondary to expect the pass, and give us some much needed turnovers.

[/quote]

Look at the raiders game early on, all they were doing was passing and we had trouble forcing incompletions. That concerns me.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='T-Sizz' date='04 January 2010 - 06:46 AM' timestamp='1262605593' post='330612']
Look at the raiders game early on, all they were doing was passing and we had trouble forcing incompletions. That concerns me.
[/quote]
Oakland is a solid rushing team, so IMO the Ravens game planned for Oakland to come out and try to run the ball, keep the game close and see what happens. Oakland did the opposite. They are coming out with 3 and 4 WR's and throwing it all over the place.In the 3rd quarter the D started defending it much better, although it didn't seem like it because whenever they would force an Oakland punt, the Offense would go 3 and out.

[Integrity]

Giving up yardage to the pass isn't always a bad thing. Eventually the other team runs out of field and passing in the redzone becomes alot harder because our zones shrink. In a best case scenario, we would allow these teams to move down the field but then force a field goal rather then giving up 6. At the same time, we would have to run the ball effectively, control the clock, and match the oppositions' field goals with touchdowns. Its alot to ask for, but its possible.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='Bosanac' date='04 January 2010 - 01:50 AM' timestamp='1262595047' post='330582']
That one dimension will be our undoing if it ends up to be passing.
[/quote]


Exactly, elite passing teams kill us. Joe has responded well at times (against SD especially), but the man looked lost yesterday, so we cannot hang our hat on that quite yet. We are a bi-polar team, which sucks, but it also means we can do damage. It all depends on which Ravens team shows up. This is where we need our veterans to earn their pay, they will make the difference.

[Trilogique]

[quote name='Mick0311' date='04 January 2010 - 12:46 PM' timestamp='1262623595' post='330739']
Exactly, elite passing teams kill us. Joe has responded well at times (against SD especially), but the man looked lost yesterday, so we cannot hang our hat on that quite yet. We are a bi-polar team, which sucks, but it also means we can do damage. It all depends on which Ravens team shows up. This is where we need our veterans to earn their pay, they will make the difference.
[/quote]
He looked lost because the OL wasn't giving him any pocket time. And to make **** worse, Asomugha had Mason shutdown the whole game.

And we all know Clayton can't get separation.

Flacco did fine yesterday for how little he passed.

[Ravens549]

[quote name='Bosanac' date='04 January 2010 - 03:50 AM' timestamp='1262595047' post='330582']
That one dimension will be our undoing if it ends up to be passing.
[/quote]
Exactly right.
Everytime I see a qb look to the center of the field, I know we are typically in big trouble.
I would rather these teams be dimensional to the run.

[WinnipegRaven]

[quote name='Bosanac' date='04 January 2010 - 02:50 AM' timestamp='1262595047' post='330582']
That one dimension will be our undoing if it ends up to be passing.
[/quote]
Atleast we don't have to contend with Welker going mental underneath all game.

[bce086]

[quote name='Trilogique' date='04 January 2010 - 12:25 PM' timestamp='1262625943' post='330778']
And we all know Clayton can't get separation.
[/quote]

Sure he can, Clayton gets mroe seperation than Mason a lot of the time. Flacco just doesn't fidn him when he's open, or else he over/under throws him when he finally does find him. He's always watching Mason and Rice, by the time he gets to checking Clayton, there is no more seperation. It's hard to be open for a long period of time against a NFL team.....

[Trilogique]

Clayton pretty well sucks dude that's my point. The guy has had one good season. I'd rather see how D-Will or Washington does in his spot.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='Trilogique' date='04 January 2010 - 10:25 AM' timestamp='1262625943' post='330778']
He looked lost because the OL wasn't giving him any pocket time. And to make **** worse, Asomugha had Mason shutdown the whole game.

And we all know Clayton can't get separation.

Flacco did fine yesterday for how little he passed.
[/quote]


I'm talking about all aspects here, running almost two yards past the line of scrimmage and overthrowing your target is looking lost. He looked lost and panicked when pressured. It's OK to criticize the guy every once in a while. I love me some Joe, but he had a bad game yesterday.

[funky141]

[quote]This is the first year in the NFL that I've seen "experts" make nothing at all of all the one dimensional teams in the playoffs, especially in the AFC. Usually you hear something like, "Well Im concerned about the lack of balance on this team", etc.

Indy, NE, and San Diego all figure to be highly one dimensional in the playoffs, and all the "experts" seem to overlook that. Not only do these teams have poor rushing attacks, but they have equally suspect rush defenses. Like I said, first time in a while that much isn't being made about this in the media.

If the Ravens go back to the winning formula of power running, and add in play-action with a matured Joe Flacco, we should see unexpected success. Controlling the clock would keep Brady, Rivers, and Manning on the sideline.

I feel like these teams actually play to our strengths. Most of the success passers have had against us have been through play-action(seriously, check it out: most big passing plays have been play action). The lack of a running game should allow our depleted secondary to expect the pass, and give us some much needed turnovers.

Basically, I'm just trying to point out that we're one of the more balanced teams in the AFC postseason, and that the "superpowers" of the AFC all lack this balance. Should figure to work into our advantage. [/quote]
Interesting point but does it really matter what the media think or say? These teams (San Diego, New England and the Colts) have very good QBs and they will torch bad DB's. Brady for example complets short passing plays as a run play with Welker. (Welker was injuried but his back up ended up with 100yd receiving last week) You could say the same with Rivers with Sproiles and Gates. What I'm trying to say is the so called superpowers use the short/medium passes to complement their run game.