Ravens Offensive Line, Where Are You?

[theFRANCHISE]

Though much of the blame is deservedly pinned on Joe Flacco's poor decision-making and the wide receivers' inability to get open against the Bengals' tough defense, the atrocious outing that the Ravens offensive line had today should be grabbing headlines locally.

The saying that the game is won in the trenches was put on display today, as Flacco was afforded very little protection, while Carson Palmer enjoyed much success through the air while staying upright for most of the contest. The poor performance by the Ravens offensive line created a cascade effect: with poor blocking came pressure that hurried throws from Flacco and stuffed Rice behind the line, save for a couple of big runs.

Michael Oher and Marshal Yanda had particularly bad showings today, as they were beaten numerous times, causing the pocket to collapse and forcing Flacco's hand before routes could develop. Oher, in particular, let go of several blocks, while Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth maintained his blocks even at the risk of drawing holding penalties.

Blame can be assigned all around to the entire offense, but skill players often live and die by the play of the offensive line. The Ravens offensive line did not perform at the level needed to beat a tough division rival and, as a result, Baltimore is now 1-1.

[scrock]

Ravens have played like crap two weeks in a row, lucky to be 1-1

On offense that is...defense has been Okay!

[RoflDogs]

Gaither better be back soon

I thought Oher had a decent game, but either the receivers weren't getting open, or Flacco was hanging on to the ball too long

[The Raven]

I agree that the O-line had an average showing, but Flacco had AT LEAST 3 seconds to throw every play. Many plays, he had 5 or more seconds. It's challenging to protect longer than 5 seconds. Flacco needs to make quicker reads. The OL does need to better, but Flacco needs to get rid of the ball sooner.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1284927406' post='481627']
Though much of the blame is deservedly pinned on Joe Flacco's poor decision-making and the wide receivers' inability to get open against the Bengals' tough defense, the atrocious outing that the Ravens offensive line had today should be grabbing headlines locally.

The saying that the game is won in the trenches was put on display today, as Flacco was afforded very little protection, while Carson Palmer enjoyed much success through the air while staying upright for most of the contest. The poor performance by the Ravens offensive line created a cascade effect: with poor blocking came pressure that hurried throws from Flacco and stuffed Rice behind the line, save for a couple of big runs.

Michael Oher and Marshal Yanda had particularly bad showings today, as they were beaten numerous times, causing the pocket to collapse and forcing Flacco's hand before routes could develop. Oher, in particular, let go of several blocks, while Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth maintained his blocks even at the risk of drawing holding penalties.

Blame can be assigned all around to the entire offense, but skill players often live and die by the play of the offensive line. The Ravens offensive line did not perform at the level needed to beat a tough division rival and, as a result, Baltimore is now 1-1.
[/quote]

Once Gaither's back, Yanda moves back inside and our O-line will be back to full strength. Having Chester in at Guard is a liability and it's showing. Oher is playing very well, but I put most of the blame on Cameron and Joe for their inability to make adjustments and call plays to beat pressure.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Gaither needs to be at LT when he returns. We rushed Oher and I knew this all along.

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1284927705' post='481643']
I agree that the O-line had an average showing, but Flacco had AT LEAST 3 seconds to throw every play. Many plays, he had 5 or more seconds. It's challenging to protect longer than 5 seconds. Flacco needs to make quicker reads. The OL does need to better, but Flacco needs to get rid of the ball sooner.
[/quote]


Are you forgetting the "mississippi" in between counting 1, 2, 3? I don't think Flacco had 2 seconds the entire first half.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1284927943' post='481670']
Are you forgetting the "mississippi" in between counting 1, 2, 3? I don't think Flacco had 2 seconds the entire first half.
[/quote]
And that was with a lot of max protection.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1284927943' post='481670']
Are you forgetting the "mississippi" in between counting 1, 2, 3? I don't think Flacco had 2 seconds the entire first half.
[/quote]

I dont think so, I'll rewatch the game and let you know. There were bad moments, but in general, he had 3-5 seconds, which is plenty of time.

People were saying that Flacco was going to be "elite" this year.

Manning, Brees, and Rodgers are elite QBs, and all get rid of the ball in 3-5 seconds.

[Myron Brown]

The line was there. Where was Flacco?

[RoflDogs]

Chris Chester should not play. I'd rather have Cousins at RT than Chester at RG

[Ed_Reed20]

The offensive line was definitely poor in pass protection today. Even when Joe was able to get passes off, I saw him get leveled a number of times.

I'm praying Gaither returns two weeks from now(I don't believe the team will need him much next week) and the pass protection improves.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1284928126' post='481693']
I dont think so, I'll rewatch the game and let you know. There were bad moments, but in general, he had 3-5 seconds, which is plenty of time.

[b]People were saying that Flacco was going to be "elite" this year.

Manning, Brees, and Rodgers are elite QBs, and all get rid of the ball in 3-5 seconds.[/b]
[/quote]

People said many things going into the season, it's not like they were guaranteed to happen.

Manning, Brees and Rodgers have quick releases but for the most part, they are awarded fine pass protection and are very familiar with the weapons around them.

[MagicianCamille]

The defense has not given up a touchdown in the two games we've played. The offense has only scored two total.

The NFL is too offense-friendly now when it comes to penalty rules for us to win games the same way we did in 2000. That simply doesn't work anymore.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

If Gaither is not back by Week 4, lol at what the Steelers defense will do to that line.

[mhead66]

The Bengals did get considerable pressure, but Flacco was only sacked [b]once[/b] for 4 yards. Pressured, sure - but not [b]that[/b] pressured, to throw four interceptions.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1284928425' post='481737']
The Bengals did get considerable pressure, but Flacco was only sacked [b]once[/b] for 4 yards. Pressured, sure - but not [b]that[/b] pressured, to throw four interceptions.
[/quote]
Two of the four interceptions spoke to the pressure that was applied; sacks aren't always an accurate barometer of the pressure applied. The other two picks were due to good coverage on the part of the Bengals defense.

[hawkprey]

Did anyone notice how Flacco always seems to get sacked on back-to-back plays? If I'm not mistaken, he was sacked twice in a row this game but the second one had a penalty on it. This is something I wanted to bring up last season but I was reminded of it again. When Flacco goes down, 50% chance he goes down on the next play.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1284928348' post='481725']
People said many things going into the season, it's not like they were guaranteed to happen.

Manning, Brees and Rodgers have quick releases but for the most part, they are awarded fine pass protection and are very familiar with the weapons around them.
[/quote]

Since when does Rodgers get good pass protection?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1284928642' post='481761']
Since when does Rodgers get good pass protection?
[/quote]

I said for the most part. The o-line takes a lot of the blame but Rodgers holds onto the ball a lot too.

[Shawn`]

When is Gaither coming back by the way?

It wasn't a good showing at all for them, I called the poor offensive line play against this defense but I didn't expect this bad of a performance.

[itlstl7]

You have 3 awesome possesion receivers in Housh, Mason, and Boldin... a great receiving RB in Rice... and HEAAAP! If anything the offense is completely set up to handle the pressure... except for QB

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='itlstl7' timestamp='1284929011' post='481813']
You have 3 awesome possesion receivers in Housh, Mason, and Boldin... a great receiving RB in Rice... and HEAAAP! If anything the offense is completely set up to handle the pressure... except for QB
[/quote]
You can have all the weapons you want, but if there's no chemistry, then all of that is moot. The 2007 Patriots and their assemblage of talent is an anomaly, largely because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's collective talent.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1284929261' post='481842']
You can have all the weapons you want, but if there's no chemistry, then all of that is moot. The 2007 Patriots and their assemblage of talent is an anomaly, largely because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's collective talent.
[/quote]

Agreed. Looking back, expecting the Ravens to field a top-notch offense out of the gate was foolish. The addition of so many weapons is great but you still need chemistry and with a still-developing QB that takes time.

[jusraven]

Whatever the reason Flacco and the offense has produced just 10 points per game. Many bad throws today!

[itlstl7]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1284929261' post='481842']
You can have all the weapons you want, but if there's no chemistry, then all of that is moot. The 2007 Patriots and their assemblage of talent is an anomaly, largely because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's collective talent.
[/quote]

So is the issue the O-line or the lack of chemistry?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='jusraven' timestamp='1284930219' post='481930']
Whatever the reason Flacco and the offense has produced just 10 points per game. Many bad throws today!
[/quote]

Again, you can't expect an offense starting a third-year QB, four new receiving options and missing it's starting RT to be a juggernaut.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='itlstl7' timestamp='1284930381' post='481942']
So is the issue the O-line or the lack of chemistry?
[/quote]
I would say that there are alot of issues, but that's just my opinion.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='itlstl7' timestamp='1284930381' post='481942']
So is the issue the O-line or the lack of chemistry?
[/quote]

It's both, in addition to the problems with Joe.

[jusraven]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1284929261' post='481842']
You can have all the weapons you want, but if there's no chemistry, then all of that is moot. The 2007 Patriots and their assemblage of talent is an anomaly, largely because of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick's collective talent.
[/quote]

Sorry that wasn't a lack of chemistry but just some bad throws and a lack of looking over the field. Don't fault the receivers on this one, today Joe broadcasted his throws and had a generally bad day. It happen sometimes! Time to move on to next week.