Al Saunders

[Ngata92NT]

Really good article by the Baltimore Sun about assistant coach Al Saunders:

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-saunders-0718-20100708,0,3951661.story"]LINK: BaltimoreSun.com[/url]

Ozzie and Bisciotti have done a great job in developing an excellent coaching staff here in Baltimore. Saunders has the winning mindset; he sets an example for the players and works hard to help them improve. Harbaugh has also been phenomenal IMO (Saunders compares him to Don Coryell, Dick Vermeil and Marty Schottenheimer) and together with Cameron and Mattison will put on a spectacular show for us next season.

What's your impression of our new coaching staff going into this season? We obviously can't truly judge them before the season starts. But based on what we saw the last two seasons with Harbaugh, Cameron, and Mattison - and also the resume of the new coaches (Peas, Zorn) what do you expect from this them next season?

[Rav'n Maniac]

Great article! We are fortunate to have such a well rounded coaching staff. We may have more coaching experience here than any other team in the game.

What I expect to see is a prolific offense, the likes that has never been seen in the Ravens short history. We will see Joe take the next step with coach Zorns' guidance and perch himself among the elite.

The "D" will be a different story. Although I do expect to see improvement, I don't see them reaching the heights of the 2000 "D", not yet anyway. We're probably a few years away from that. The coaches have no control over the injuries sustained and until we can get our key players back, 100% healthy and performing at an elite level of play, it will be slow moving forward.

The one area we have tons of room to improve is the pass rush. Although heavy emphasis has been placed on this, to me, this is our biggest concern. Last season, our pass rush was virtually non-existent, especially against the shotgun. With the abilities our players possess and the proper game planning/scheming we should be able to create a relentless pass rush. Of course, this will fall on coach Mattison and from what I've seen, my expectations aren't high. I will reserve my opinions till the start of the season.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' date='18 July 2010 - 07:44 AM' timestamp='1279457046' post='434051']
Great article! We are fortunate to have such a well rounded coaching staff. We may have more coaching experience here than any other team in the game.

What I expect to see is a prolific offense, the likes that has never been seen in the Ravens short history. We will see Joe take the next step with coach Zorns' guidance and perch himself among the elite.

The "D" will be a different story. Although I do expect to see improvement, I don't see them reaching the heights of the 2000 "D", not yet anyway. We're probably a few years away from that. The coaches have no control over the injuries sustained and until we can get our key players back, 100% healthy and performing at an elite level of play, it will be slow moving forward.

The one area we have tons of room to improve is the pass rush. Although heavy emphasis has been placed on this, to me, this is our biggest concern. Last season, our pass rush was virtually non-existent, especially against the shotgun. With the abilities our players possess and the proper game planning/scheming we should be able to create a relentless pass rush. Of course, this will fall on coach Mattison and from what I've seen, my expectations aren't high. I will reserve my opinions till the start of the season.
[/quote]

Mattison has a very traditional defense which relies on getting pressure from the defensive line. His system can work if our D-Line can get after the quarterback. With an increased emphasis on pass rush (including the addition of Monachino, Peas, Kindle, and Redding as well as some tips from McCrary) and a healthy and fit Suggs we should have an improved pass rush.

And while our D may not be as dominant as in years past, an improved offense will improve the defense as well. Keeping the defense off the field and eating time with our running game will mean less possession for the other team and a fresher defense on our team. And with the new passing attack we have we'll score touchdowns, not field goals, and playing with the lead will allow our defense to play aggressively instead of conservatively.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' date='18 July 2010 - 10:40 AM' timestamp='1279467654' post='434080']
Mattison has a very traditional defense which relies on getting pressure from the defensive line. His system can work if our D-Line can get after the quarterback. With an increased emphasis on pass rush (including the addition of Monachino, Peas, Kindle, and Redding as well as some tips from McCrary) and a healthy and fit Suggs we should have an improved pass rush.

And while our D may not be as dominant as in years past, an improved offense will improve the defense as well. Keeping the defense off the field and eating time with our running game will mean less possession for the other team and a fresher defense on our team. And with the new passing attack we have we'll score touchdowns, not field goals, and playing with the lead will allow our defense to play aggressively instead of conservatively.
[/quote]
You make some very good points and with all due respect I have nothing against coach Mattison and his traditional defense [u][i]if it works[/i][/u]! But, as you said, and I quote: "His system can work [u][i]if[/i][/u] our D-Line can get after the quarterback.", unfortunately last season, with virtually the same players, it didn't work so well. Hopefully, our new additions, both coaches and players, will find a way to make it work.

I agree with you that our new offense will help minimize the amount of time our "D" is on the field, keeping them fresh. I also agree that playing with a lead [u][i]could[/i][/u] allow our "D" to play more aggressively but, that will only happen if coach Mattison calls for it.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' date='18 July 2010 - 08:44 AM' timestamp='1279457046' post='434051']
Great article! We are fortunate to have such a well rounded coaching staff. We may have more coaching experience here than any other team in the game.

What I expect to see is a prolific offense, the likes that has never been seen in the Ravens short history. We will see Joe take the next step with coach Zorns' guidance and perch himself among the elite.

The "D" will be a different story. Although I do expect to see improvement, I don't see them reaching the heights of the 2000 "D", not yet anyway. We're probably a few years away from that. The coaches have no control over the injuries sustained and until we can get our key players back, 100% healthy and performing at an elite level of play, it will be slow moving forward.

The one area we have tons of room to improve is the pass rush. Although heavy emphasis has been placed on this, to me, this is our biggest concern. Last season, our pass rush was virtually non-existent, especially against the shotgun. With the abilities our players possess and the proper game planning/scheming we should be able to create a relentless pass rush. Of course, this will fall on coach Mattison and from what I've seen, my expectations aren't high. I will reserve my opinions till the start of the season.
[/quote]
To compare any defense to the 2000 Ravens defense would be tough, and to expect any defense to even come close to what they did is even tougher. They will be improved. I think Mattison worked out most of the kinks around mid season last year. He'll have this D playing at a high level this season too

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='18 July 2010 - 12:36 PM' timestamp='1279474564' post='434106']
To compare any defense to the 2000 Ravens defense would be tough, and to expect any defense to even come close to what they did is even tougher. They will be improved. I think Mattison worked out most of the kinks around mid season last year. He'll have this D playing at a high level this season too
[/quote]
Sorry, but I wasn't comparing this "D" to the 2000 version and I don't expect them to come close. We may never see the likes of the 2000 "D" here again. No one knows for sure. I did say I expect to see improvement, and that's because of coach Mattison, not in spite of him.

[Fred Sanford]

With guys like Dean Pees and Al Saunders, our coaching staff is like an army of former generals serving as lieutenants and captains. We're as stocked there as on the roster itself.

As for the 2000 D, I doubt we'll ever see a team give up that few points again. Passing offenses have become much more sophisticated, and of course strict enforcement of illegal contact, roughing the passer, and pass interference. It's for the casual fans who just want to see big pass plays from big name QB's to dazzle the eye.

[Corvus]

I think all of the newer coaches are already helping us be a better team. Saunders, Zorn, Pees, Monachino, all of those guys (especially Saunders) bring tons of coaching experience to our team and we will see the results when we are whipping everyone this year.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Fred Sanford' date='19 July 2010 - 09:24 PM' timestamp='1279592698' post='434709']
With guys like Dean Pees and Al Saunders, our coaching staff is like an army of former generals serving as lieutenants and captains. We're as stocked there as on the roster itself.

As for the 2000 D, I doubt we'll ever see a team give up that few points again. Passing offenses have become much more sophisticated, and of course strict enforcement of illegal contact, roughing the passer, and pass interference. It's for the casual fans who just want to see big pass plays from big name QB's to dazzle the eye.
[/quote]

Yes the 2000 defense was probably the best ever. But there's no reason we can't create an even better one in Baltimore. When we learn to adapt to the rules and reduce the penalties the Ravens can still be a dominant defense. We know how to draft the right players (or Ozzie does at least haha) and we know how to bring the best game out of those players. The passing rules are pretty ridiculous but it's possible that NFL policy will change. I think we have plenty of time in the future for some classic defenses.

[Perfekt]

Now ask yourself this question would you rather have the 2000 team or the 2010 ravens? im going with having a offense and defense so the 2010 ravens. Analyst always use to say if the ravens had a offense they would be dangerous. Well guess what we still have a heck of defense and one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. So who wants war?

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Perfekt' date='21 July 2010 - 01:49 PM' timestamp='1279738164' post='435427']
Now ask yourself this question would you rather have the 2000 team or the 2010 ravens? im going with having a offense and defense so the 2010 ravens. Analyst always use to say if the ravens had a offense they would be dangerous. Well guess what we still have a heck of defense and one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. So who wants war?
[/quote]

I agree in principle but we haven't even seen the 2010 Ravens play yet so I wouldn't jump to conclusions right away.

[BmoreSports09]

[quote name='Perfekt' date='21 July 2010 - 01:49 PM' timestamp='1279738164' post='435427']
Now ask yourself this question would you rather have the 2000 team or the 2010 ravens? im going with having a offense and defense so the 2010 ravens. Analyst always use to say if the ravens had a offense they would be dangerous. Well guess what we still have a heck of defense and one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. So who wants war?
[/quote]

The 2000 Ravens. They were Super Bowl Champs, the 2010 Ravens still have to earn it. Until they do you can't compare the 2.

[JohnJohnson]

[quote name='Perfekt' date='21 July 2010 - 02:49 PM' timestamp='1279738164' post='435427']
Now ask yourself this question would you rather have the 2000 team or the 2010 ravens? im going with having a offense and defense so the 2010 ravens. Analyst always use to say if the ravens had a offense they would be dangerous. Well guess what we still have a heck of defense and one of the most dangerous offenses in the league. So who wants war?
[/quote]

The 2000 Ravens would get penalized into oblivion in 2010. It's a different era, of course I'd take the 2010 Ravens.