I'm Blind!: Parts Of The Ravens' Future That Aren't Clear

[hawkprey]

What is still a mystery about the Ravens? The strange lack of running game? Will Cody's presence increase? What about the play of D-line last game? Will it continue?

Also, what do the Ravens need to establish heading into the playoffs? Put down the crystal ball, rabbits foot, and spooky fortune-telling devices and be honest, you have no idea about anything. So guess what factors will be a problem in the rest of the season.



[color="#8B0000"][u](Since many of the posts are mine, feel free to thumb up/thumb down the following posts you agree or disagree with.)[/u][/color]

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291759914' post='566416']
What is still a mystery about the Ravens? The strange lack of running game? Will Cody's presence increase? What about the play of D-line last game? Will it continue?

Also, what do the Ravens need to establish heading into the playoffs? Put down the crystal ball, rabbits foot, and spooky fortune-telling devices and be honest, you have no idea about anything. So guess what factors will be a problem in the rest of the season.
[/quote]

Uh I don't care how much pressure we get. If teams can pick on our CB's, they're going to get completions.

We need to utilize Ed Reed more. Why have a ball-hawk if all he does is discourage QBs to throw near him?

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764299' post='566519']
Uh I don't care how much pressure we get. If teams can pick on our CB's, they're going to get completions.

We need to utilize Ed Reed more. Why have a ball-hawk if all he does is discourage QBs to throw near him?
[/quote]

Wrong. Pressure is paramount.

I'm hoping Dawan can continue to improve on tackling. He did have a career high tackles last game...

And Ed is used perfectly fine. What we need is more Pitta. I wasn't sold on Dickson and against dominant defenses, he just doesn't block well enough. Blocking with this line is crucial.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764430' post='566524']
Wrong. Pressure is paramount.

I'm hoping Dawan can continue to improve on tackling. He did have a career high tackles last game...

And Ed is used perfectly fine. What we need is more Pitta. I wasn't sold on Dickson and against dominant defenses, he just doesn't block well enough. Blocking with this line is crucial.
[/quote]

Ugh. Dawan. He's still on the chopping block. The guy is inconsistent in coverage.

I like Pitta, but I feel that down the line, Dickson will be more useful. We need to worry about making quick plays, not giving Flacco time.

On the defensive side, I think Cody will be a valuable asset. Just not on all downs. But he should definitely be used more on rushing downs.

[flynismo]

Lol...i dont if it is worse talking to yourself, or how crazy the 'other guy' in your split personality is haha

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764562' post='566525']
Ugh. Dawan. He's still on the chopping block. The guy is inconsistent in coverage.

I like Pitta, but I feel that down the line, Dickson will be more useful. We need to worry about making quick plays, not giving Flacco time.

On the defensive side, I think Cody will be a valuable asset. Just not on all downs. But he should definitely be used more on rushing downs.
[/quote]

I'm still worried about the health of Heap and McClain. These guys need to be okay down the stretch. We saw what happened when we have a TE who can't block. How can you deny the importance of time? Remember those two big completions? What did Flacco get? Time in the pocket!


[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1291764573' post='566526']
Lol...i dont if it is worse talking to yourself, or how crazy the 'other guy' in your split personality is haha
[/quote]

Oh. Did you want something? We're kind of busy here.

[flynismo]

No, carry on lol...

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764750' post='566534']
I'm still worried about the health of Heap and McClain. These guys need to be okay down the stretch. We saw what happened when we have a TE who can't block. How can you deny the importance of time? Remember those two big completions? What did Flacco get? Time in the pocket!
[/quote]

Okay, well aren't you worried about turnovers? I mean Ed hasn't gotten an interception in weeks. We've all seen how important they are from last game.

Cam's offense will work well in a game where the defense can turn the ball over. Turnovers don't just give you more possessions, they keep other teams from scoring on that drive. A passive offense and an aggressive defense is the key to success. You can't be crazy on both sides of the ball. We need to focus on getting the ball back to the offense.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291765049' post='566541']
Okay, well aren't you worried about turnovers? I mean Ed hasn't gotten an interception in weeks. We've all seen how important they are from last game.

Cam's offense will work well in a game where the defense can turn the ball over. Turnovers don't just give you more possessions, they keep other teams from scoring on that drive. A passive offense and an aggressive defense is the key to success. You can't be crazy on both sides of the ball. We need to focus on getting the ball back to the offense.
[/quote]


We need BALANCE on offense. The run game. Run blocking. More attempts. The more you run the ball, the tougher you make it on their D-line, and you increase the effectiveness of the play action which Flacco excels at.

We're not going to the Super Bowl unless we can manage the clock. Not against the elite QBs of today's game. Hopefully McKie will be active this Monday.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291759914' post='566416']
What is still a mystery about the Ravens? The strange lack of running game? Will Cody's presence increase? What about the play of D-line last game? Will it continue?

Also, what do the Ravens need to establish heading into the playoffs? Put down the crystal ball, rabbits foot, and spooky fortune-telling devices and be honest, you have no idea about anything. So guess what factors will be a problem in the rest of the season.
[/quote]


[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764299' post='566519']
Uh I don't care how much pressure we get. If teams can pick on our CB's, they're going to get completions.

We need to utilize Ed Reed more. Why have a ball-hawk if all he does is discourage QBs to throw near him?
[/quote]


[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764430' post='566524']
Wrong. Pressure is paramount.

I'm hoping Dawan can continue to improve on tackling. He did have a career high tackles last game...

And Ed is used perfectly fine. What we need is more Pitta. I wasn't sold on Dickson and against dominant defenses, he just doesn't block well enough. Blocking with this line is crucial.
[/quote]


[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764562' post='566525']
Ugh. Dawan. He's still on the chopping block. The guy is inconsistent in coverage.

I like Pitta, but I feel that down the line, Dickson will be more useful. We need to worry about making quick plays, not giving Flacco time.

On the defensive side, I think Cody will be a valuable asset. Just not on all downs. But he should definitely be used more on rushing downs.
[/quote]


[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764750' post='566534']
I'm still worried about the health of Heap and McClain. These guys need to be okay down the stretch. We saw what happened when we have a TE who can't block. How can you deny the importance of time? Remember those two big completions? What did Flacco get? Time in the pocket!




Oh. Did you want something? We're kind of busy here.
[/quote]


[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291765049' post='566541']
Okay, well aren't you worried about turnovers? I mean Ed hasn't gotten an interception in weeks. We've all seen how important they are from last game.

Cam's offense will work well in a game where the defense can turn the ball over. Turnovers don't just give you more possessions, they keep other teams from scoring on that drive. A passive offense and an aggressive defense is the key to success. You can't be crazy on both sides of the ball. We need to focus on getting the ball back to the offense.
[/quote]

[img]http://518fever.com/wp-content/uploads/asdimoro/confused.jpg[/img]

[Ed_Reed20]

Hawkprey brings up some good points but [i]hawkprey[/i] really knows his stuff.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291765222' post='566546']


We need BALANCE on offense. The run game. Run blocking. More attempts. The more you run the ball, the tougher you make it on their D-line, and you increase the effectiveness of the play action which Flacco excels at.

We're not going to the Super Bowl unless we can manage the clock. Not against the elite QBs of today's game. Hopefully McKie will be active this Monday.
[/quote]

Sure that sounds nice, but can we run the ball? 3-4 yard runs aren't going to cut it against high-octane offenses. We have the receivers to spread the ball well, we need to go with what works. Give it up, Cam has made it evident that we're not a run offense anymore.

[XxSizzleXx]

Jared Gaither returning, Haloti Ngata's long term contract, the next ILB after Ray, Kindles Health, Development of Paul Kruger/Art Jones/ Terrence Cody, return of Dominique Foxworth, Playoffs and the Draft.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1291765313' post='566549']
Hawkprey brings up some good points but [i]hawkprey[/i] really knows his stuff.
[/quote]

We're having the most intelligent conversation on the forum. Not my fault we're the only ones who don't just banter about some meaningless garbage. But between you and me, this guy's an idiot.

[XxSizzleXx]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291764430' post='566524']
Wrong. Pressure is paramount.

I'm hoping Dawan can continue to improve on tackling. He did have a career high tackles last game...

And Ed is used perfectly fine. What we need is more Pitta. I wasn't sold on Dickson and against dominant defenses, he just doesn't block well enough. [b]Blocking with this line is crucial.[/b]
[/quote]


Hopefully they can get going at some point and get some push going and actually open up some holes themselves, like most of the other Olines do in the league. Honestly is surprising to see how much our Oline regresses without Gaither.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1291765313' post='566549']<br />Hawkprey brings up some good points but <i>hawkprey</i> really knows his stuff.<br />[/quote]


my favorite point was this gem...

"why have a ballhawk like ed reed if all he does is discourage the QB from passing near him?"

priceless, lol...

[UMDan]

Okay, this thread is hilarious.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1291765752' post='566557']
my favorite point was this gem...

"why have a ballhawk like ed reed if all he does is discourage the QB from passing near him?"

priceless, lol...
[/quote]

That's a valid point. Ed's job shouldn't be to just have a nice name. He still needs to make plays. It's frustrating when all he does is get a few tackles. (And I'm sure many Ravens fans feel Mattison is not using him to his full extent, though he does have some free range.)

[Gremraven]

So should we send Hawk to the "Special" place? I think we should

[hawkprey]

Okay really? We still need better coverage in the middle of the field. If it's true we can get pressure with just a few rushers, why can't we get Gooden or McClain to cover someone over the middle? I'd like to see Ayanbadejo in on 3rd and long. I hear he's great in coverage.

Our corners are the way they are and they're not going to stop everything. But there's no excuse for a defense this aggressive to have guys running down the middle of the field. What happened on the Pittsburgh touchdown? Exactly.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291765483' post='566553']
We're having the most intelligent conversation on the forum. Not my fault we're the only ones who don't just banter about some meaningless garbage. But between you and me, this guy's an idiot.
[/quote]

Agreed

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291766363' post='566571']
Okay really? We still need better coverage in the middle of the field. If it's true we can get pressure with just a few rushers, why can't we get Gooden or McClain to cover someone over the middle? I'd like to see Ayanbadejo in on 3rd and long. I hear he's great in coverage.

Our corners are the way they are and they're not going to stop everything. But there's no excuse for a defense this aggressive to have guys running down the middle of the field. What happened on the Pittsburgh touchdown? Exactly.
[/quote]

I'll actually agree. Checkdowns are killing us on 3rd down. We need to pay more attention to blockers that decide to get off the line.

But you're overestimating the importance of passes over the middle. Just like you said, they're going to make a few plays on the CBs. They're always going to make a few plays. There's a universal solution to every defensive problem - pressure. Get to the QB and don't try anything fancy (Suggs). Just bring him down. That's what we needed in the Steeler game.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291765893' post='566561']
That's a valid point. Ed's job shouldn't be to just have a nice name. He still needs to make plays. It's frustrating when all he does is get a few tackles.
[/quote]
All he gets is a few tackles? So he should be expected to have an INT every single week? Oh, no. He hasn't had an INT in the last 2 weeks. Let's completely neglect his career best 5 deflections against Tampa Bay, at least 1 of which would've been a turnover had it not bounced off of his hands. And how exactly should we utilize him better? Should we send him on blitzes, and leave Landry to cover the middle 1/3? Especially when you just pointed out his struggle in coverage?

Reed has likely THE best ability on disguising his coverage, so assigning him with an exact location where to be isn't playing playing to his strengths. He's the first person every passing attack will game-plan against. But maybe he should give up a few big plays just so they could target him again. Then he can fill the INT quota. Afterwards, maybe he can pass that information on to Asomugha. I'm sure all the Raider fans are upset that he's shutting down WRs all too much, so QBs don't throw his way neither.

[Shawn`]

what...the..

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291766545' post='566575']
I'll actually agree. Checkdowns are killing us on 3rd down. We need to pay more attention to blockers that decide to get off the line.

But you're overestimating the importance of passes over the middle. Just like you said, they're going to make a few plays on the CBs. They're always going to make a few plays. There's a universal solution to every defensive problem - pressure. Get to the QB and don't try anything fancy (Suggs). Just bring him down. That's what we needed in the Steeler game.
[/quote]


Is it my fault I have high expectations for a Ravens defense?

Pressure does nothing against quick throws. Brady will tear us apart that way and Ben can escape the pocket to buy time. That's why we have trouble against those guys. The benefit of dropping DB's and waiting for a throw is you have a great chance to make a play on the ball which exactly what this defense can do. When we drop 8, we may not get to the QB in time, but we should have guys ready to pick the ball at a moment's notice.

BTW check your PM.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='-Truth-' timestamp='1291766684' post='566579']
All he gets is a few tackles? So he should be expected to have an INT every single week? Oh, no. He hasn't had an INT in the last 2 weeks. Let's completely neglect his career best 5 deflections against Tampa Bay, at least 1 of which would've been a turnover had it not bounced off of his hands. And how exactly should we utilize him better? Should we send him on blitzes, and leave Landry to cover the middle 1/3? Especially when you just pointed out his struggle in coverage?

Reed has likely THE best ability on disguising his coverage, so assigning him with an exact location where to be isn't playing playing to his strengths. He's the first person every passing attack will game-plan against. But maybe he should give up a few big plays just so they could target him again. Then he can fill the INT quota. Afterwards, maybe he can pass that information on to Asomugha. I'm sure all the Raider fans are upset that he's shutting down WRs all too much, so QBs don't throw his way neither.
[/quote]

Not just INTs, sacks and pressure. (One of me, there's two) was just saying that he's not being used to his potential. Part of me feels like the way Mattison plays Ed is allowing other teams to gameplan for him easily. Face it, most of Eds interceptions have been poor throws by bad QBs. What's he going to do against a playoff-caliber QB if he's playing Mattison-style conservative?

[Gremraven]

I don't even know what is going on. Should we just let Hawk argue with his new friend?

[Florida Ravens Fan]

Lol, I thought my computer was messing up..

[hawkprey]

Okay, this thread is getting off-topic. Mods? Please delete all posts that aren't mine or Hawkprey's.

As I was saying, we should use blitzes more exotically. I'm not sure if Mattison is slowly beginning to do this, but we seem still too plain on 3rd downs. Not that all blitzing is good, but if you're going to blitz, you want someone to come untouched. Overload blitzes work, where are they? Also, shouldn't Zibby still have a part in the defense? We could go 3 safeties instead of Nakamura as a nickel. Zibby can fill in for Reed while he roams free.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1291768085' post='566607']
Okay, this thread is getting off-topic. Mods? Please delete all posts that aren't mine or Hawkprey's.

As I was saying, we should use blitzes more exotically. I'm not sure if Mattison is slowly beginning to do this, but we seem still too plain on 3rd downs. Not that all blitzing is good, but if you're going to blitz, you want someone to come untouched. Overload blitzes work, where are they? Also, shouldn't Zibby still have a part in the defense? We could go 3 safeties instead of Nakamura as a nickel. Zibby can fill in for Reed while he roams free.
[/quote]

There you go with Reed again. God. He's FINE. What we need is creative play-calling on offense. Put the monkey off the defense's back. Don't you understand? It's the offense we should be worried about and a lack of run game. If you want a good defense, you need a clock-eating run D to help. We should stack the box with run blocking and shove Rice down their throats.