Its Clear: Things Are Foggy.

[grape drank]

with each "It's clear" thread, seems to me as though things get more and more foggy with respect to the future of the ravens not only this season but in upcoming seasons as well.

On offense, we have possibly one of the greatest WR groups in all of football, yet our passing game can't get it done. We have 2 pro bowl RB's and a pro bowl FB, and our run game can't get it done. We have an Oline consisting of pro bowlers, and first round picks, and they aren't getting it done consistently. However everyone gives themselves the authority to point a finger at a specific group for the lack luster performances we've seen. Perhaps not all year but most notably in the 4th quarter. In reality, football is a game where one unit can't make up for the lack of talent in another unit. Our offence needs to stop being segregated into RB's, O linemen, Receivers and QB. They need to play as a cohesive unit, because if the O line doesn't holt its blocks, Flacco has no time, and he cant make the pass. If Flacco has time and the receivers run great routes, but Flacco makes the wrong read, then the pass doesn't work. The RB's bust their butts, but the O line doesn't make any blocks, the RB's look bad, BUt if the O line makes great blocks, and the RB's don't choose the right holes or what have you, the running game looks bad. No one unit is at fault for our offensive struggles, improvements need to be made across the board, in some cases personnel issues (ex. O line, Matt Birk is getting older, and Cousins isn't cutting it at RT), in other cases we have all the talent in the world but lapses execution, (ex. WR's Boldin, Housh, Mason, and stallworth are what QB dreams are made of, yet we see drops like Mason had which could cost games down the stretch). And finally we have good ol' Joe, whom I feel hasn't been given a fair shot this season. If he isn't be hassled by D linemen, he's not audibling out of poor play calls, or RB's aren't picking up blitzers as effectively as we know they can!

All in all our offence has been disappointing to say the least, and need to show some drive, determination and GRIT in order to put teams in the dirt , especially in the 4th quarter. The pieces are there, Cam's play calling is improving from week to week, we just need to put them together now.

[Ed_Reed20]

I was with you till your last sentence but your main point is very true.

[codizzle]

Don't have time to read the whole poata but u took my thread title idea...props for that lol

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292366730' post='575627']
I was with you till your last sentence but your main point is very true.
[/quote]
well I say cam's play calling is improving because he at least threw in some deep passes vs the texans, so he did try to make more gutsy calls, however execution was lacking on most of them. He also tried to run the ball more which is what the ravens wanted to get back to, but Rice was met in the back field for the most part and had to make great plays for short gains. Is cam perfect yet? no, but I saw some more guts and runs, we just gotta get the execution down!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292371512' post='575738']
well I say cam's play calling is improving because he at least threw in some deep passes vs the texans, so he did try to make more gutsy calls, however execution was lacking on most of them. He also tried to run the ball more which is what the ravens wanted to get back to, but Rice was met in the back field for the most part and had to make great plays for short gains. Is cam perfect yet? no, but I saw some more guts and runs, we just gotta get the execution down!
[/quote]

The amount deep balls aren't what makes him a better play-caller to me. Not running the ball or 3rd and 2 was a huge mistake in my opinion. But if he wanted be "gutsy" and call a pass, why not run a screen or slant which would have been much more high-percentage plays?

[purple.n.black]

Didn't read all of that. But the line does confuse me some. We need this line to do better. There were times earlier this year when they did fine. So they can do fine. I think it has to come down to technique, and not audibling to pick up blitzers. We can't make our o-line gain a bunch of talent. But the coaching can at least mask it.

[grape drank]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292372156' post='575747']
The amount deep balls aren't what makes him a better play-caller to me. Not running the ball or 3rd and 2 was a huge mistake in my opinion. But if he wanted be "gutsy" and call a pass, why not run a screen or slant which would have been much more high-percentage plays?
[/quote]
lol thats why I said he was improving but not perfect like vs the steelers where he ran into a blitz on 2nd and 15. THats just stupid at least in that situation a pass isn't the worst idea, perhaps a little play action, or a screen as you said. But that would be far too logical for Cam, but at least he improved a bit.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292372935' post='575764']
lol thats why I said he was improving but not perfect like vs the steelers where he ran into a blitz on 2nd and 15. THats just stupid at least in that situation a pass isn't the worst idea, perhaps a little play action, or a screen as you said. But that would be far too logical for Cam, but at least he improved a bit.
[/quote]

I guess. It's going to have to improve a lot if this team is to go where they want to.

[RavensAllTheWay]

All I can say is do not blame Cam alone for last nights second half debacle on offense. The passing game was out of rhythym and the running game was shut down. Why? Because the O line got whipped.

And some could argue that the protection schemes we were running weren't acceptable. But the loss of Heap has had a major effect on this offense imo, mainly in pass protection. Not only that, but Rice and McClain (specifically Rice) need to do a better job in picking up the opposing blitzers. Idk how we let Bernard Pollard enter the backfield that many times in one night.

So just in regards to Cam. I still think he's a bad play caller, but it was certainly better last night than usual.

[grape drank]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1292374137' post='575795']
All I can say is do not blame Cam alone for last nights second half debacle on offense. The passing game was out of rhythym and the running game was shut down. Why? Because the O line got whipped.

And some could argue that the protection schemes we were running weren't acceptable. But the loss of Heap has had a major effect on this offense imo, mainly in pass protection. Not only that, but Rice and McClain (specifically Rice) need to do a better job in picking up the opposing blitzers. Idk how we let Bernard Pollard enter the backfield that many times in one night.

So just in regards to Cam. I still think he's a bad play caller, but it was certainly better last night than usual.
[/quote]
yeah I thought that noticing any safety blitzes would have be priority number for the ravens after the human fur ball incident. HOWEVER no adjustments were made, or if they were they were totally ineffective as Pollard went unblocked twice for sacks, and I didnt notice but perhaps got pressure on other plays

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292371512' post='575738']
well I say cam's play calling is improving because he at least threw in some deep passes vs the texans, so he did try to make more gutsy calls, however execution was lacking on most of them. He also tried to run the ball more which is what the ravens wanted to get back to, but Rice was met in the back field for the most part and had to make great plays for short gains. Is cam perfect yet? no, but I saw some more guts and runs, we just gotta get the execution down!
[/quote]

Cam called an excellent first half. Then he went to sleep on a lead yet again. And yet again, he called a pass on 3rd and 2 when he should have run the ball. He will never change and after this season needs to be gone.

[grape drank]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1292376655' post='575845']
Cam called an excellent first half. Then he went to sleep on a lead yet again. And yet again, he called a pass on 3rd and 2 when he should have run the ball. He will never change and after this season needs to be gone.
[/quote]
well I wouldnt have had a problem if it had been an intelligent, high percentage pass, with a good blocking scheme upfront. But it was not.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='grape drank' timestamp='1292376737' post='575849']
well I wouldnt have had a problem if it had been an intelligent, high percentage pass, with a good blocking scheme upfront. But it was not.
[/quote]

Even such a pass is not the right call. A run would have chewed up at least 10 or so seconds even if we did not make the first down. Add to that we could have eaten up another 40 seconds or so before punting. Houston had no timeouts left. It was not the right call at that point in the game.

[flynismo]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1292376655' post='575845']
Cam called an excellent first half. Then he went to sleep on a lead yet again. And yet again, he called a pass on 3rd and 2 when he should have run the ball. He will never change and after this season needs to be gone.
[/quote]

Actually, I liked the third and 2 pass; the Texans just guessed right. But running the ball would have definitely been a lot more 'by the book' and safer.

[ZIBBY28]

it's just tough knowing our three biggest voids could be filled with 3 guys currently on the roster (IR). I know injuries happen everywhere across the NFL, but think about it...

1. Pass Rush - Sergio Kindle (what could have been from our first pick?)
2. RT/RG - Jared Gaither (like the article on the homepage, his loss had more of an adverse effect than expected)
3. Secondary - Dom Foxworth (tough rebounding from the loss of your #1 corner)

excuses, excuses... I know. They just need to keep grinding out there, and no matter how it happens, keep winning games and get to the playoffs where anything can happen

[1/28/01]

[quote name='sarahpalinlovechild' timestamp='1292389504' post='576057']
Hello Raven fans. I am new to your board,,,even though I guess I am the dreaded enemy...A steelers fan I still hope I am welcome here. First let me set you guys straight on one thing,,,your team IS an Elite team this season. Yeah, it might look like my steelers may get the Division, and a 1st round bye. But that in no way means that the Ravens aren't one dangerous team. In fact, in my playoff scenario, you guys are the 5th seed, and end up playing at either Indy, or Jacksonville. And in either case, you win that game. I have the Jets as the 6th seed, and they will go to KC where they will get spanked in round 1. Then the Ravens go to New England, and guess what ?...you spenk the Pats right out of the playoffs. Look, styles MAKE Fights! And the FACTS are,,,the Pats may be able to " Spank " my teams Butt, as well as alot of other good league teams. But, the Ravens are usually EXPERTS at making the opponents play their style of game. You guys did it in the first game, and SHOULD have beat them in OT. Well this time in the playoffs,,,you will.


I only HOPE that my Steelers can win against what I am assuming will be KC,,,so we can have the third Raven/Steeler game to see who goes to the Super Bowl, and wins the right to " SPANK " whatever scrub NFC team comes out of there.


So keep the faith my Baltimore Brothers. Cause your team IS a great team, and definitely a threat to any team that has to face them come January.


Peace,,
[/quote]
Well stated and we appreciate the respect. Would love nothing more but to have a 3rd meeting between Baltimore and Pittsburgh!

[grape drank]

[quote name='sarahpalinlovechild' timestamp='1292389504' post='576057']
Hello Raven fans. I am new to your board,,,even though I guess I am the dreaded enemy...A steelers fan I still hope I am welcome here. First let me set you guys straight on one thing,,,your team IS an Elite team this season. Yeah, it might look like my steelers may get the Division, and a 1st round bye. But that in no way means that the Ravens aren't one dangerous team. In fact, in my playoff scenario, you guys are the 5th seed, and end up playing at either Indy, or Jacksonville. And in either case, you win that game. I have the Jets as the 6th seed, and they will go to KC where they will get spanked in round 1. Then the Ravens go to New England, and guess what ?...you spenk the Pats right out of the playoffs. Look, styles MAKE Fights! And the FACTS are,,,the Pats may be able to " Spank " my teams Butt, as well as alot of other good league teams. But, the Ravens are usually EXPERTS at making the opponents play their style of game. You guys did it in the first game, and SHOULD have beat them in OT. Well this time in the playoffs,,,you will.


I only HOPE that my Steelers can win against what I am assuming will be KC,,,so we can have the third Raven/Steeler game to see who goes to the Super Bowl, and wins the right to " SPANK " whatever scrub NFC team comes out of there.


So keep the faith my Baltimore Brothers. Cause your team IS a great team, and definitely a threat to any team that has to face them come January.


Peace,,
[/quote]

lol sounds like you don't have very much bad blood with the Ravens, are you sure you don't want to come to the dark side? haha kidding, but you're welcome back any time, and we all appreciate the compliments during these frustrating times. The steelers are also a great team, and another Steelers/Ravens playoff game would be WILD!

[RivenHale]

Can someone explain these "It's clear" threads to me? Did I miss something?

[PuRock]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1292432247' post='576321']
Can someone explain these "It's clear" threads to me? Did I miss something?
[/quote]

Its clear that you have.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I wish this "It's Clear" topic title trend would die already. It's been done to death in two weeks.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1292388651' post='576043']
Actually, I liked the third and 2 pass; the Texans just guessed right. But running the ball would have definitely been a lot more 'by the book' and safer.
[/quote]

If the Texans had not been out of timeouts, I could see your point. It would have been a more aggressive play call. The situation being that they WERE out of timeouts however, a run was the way to go IMO. You eat at least 10 or so seconds with the play itself and can run that clock all the way down before you punt.

[RivenHale]

I'm all for the throw. I just would have put him in shotgun, because you had to know they were gonna bring everybody. Give Joe a second or two more than he would have had under center.

EDIT: But then again, my resume as OC is surprisingly small, so there's that.

[UMDan]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' timestamp='1292445327' post='576534']
I wish this "It's Clear" topic title trend would die already. It's been done to death in two weeks.
[/quote]

I came into this thread only to post this. Thank you for saving me the time and effort.