MERGED: Are The WRs Getting Open?

[Ed_Reed20]

Watching yesterday's game, there were a number of times when Joe dropped back, had time to throw the ball but simply couldn't find anyone worth throwing the ball to. Part of the problem was Cam going max protect and just sending out two WRs. However, there were also a few times when Joe failed to hit Boldin, who was wide open.

Still, I was reading some analysis on Rotoworld and they said Boldin has been "struggling to separate for months"(in addition to not getting plays designed for him) and that overall, the WRs "aren't getting consistent separation". [url="http://www.rotoworld.com/content/clubhouse_news.aspx?sport=nfl&majteam=bal"]Here's a link to the page[/url].

I was wondering what some of you thought on this issue.

[flynismo]

I've noticed Boldin hasn't been getting open as much in years past. And it's not just him; there have been many times that Flacco has not had an open man to throw to; or at least have a reciever with useable seperation when he is under pressure. It's one of the biggest factors why some people think Flacco holds the ball too long...there's just no one to throw it to.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

I wouldn't necessarily say ALL of our receivers are having trouble getting open. The comeback routes w/ Mason have been money all year long, Housh has been doing fairly well these last few weeks, Heap has been having a career year, and rice has a checkdown as expected. However, I agree Boldin has been too quiet, and I find it insane that we are not dialing up plays designed for Boldin. I think we should be doing everything we can to get the ball in his hands, as he is one of the best in the YAC category. I think those quick throws and bubble screen should be going to him instead of Housh.

[Romo Ravens]

It's hard to get separation when you even have a Safety shadow you in the slot and the defense rolls coverage his way, which is a reason why Mason and Housh are getting a lot more thrown to them as of late. Teams aren't letting Boldin beat them, but luckily we have so many weapons on this team, we can win with Boldin having another quiet game.

Edit - Q actually needs about 175 yards to get to 1,000. I don't know what to think of a WR not reaching 1,000 yards in this talented offense. So I'll just blame Cam.

[rlh445]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1293436290' post='586243']
I've noticed Boldin hasn't been getting open as much in years past. And it's not just him; there have been many times that Flacco has not had an open man to throw to; or at least have a reciever with useable seperation when he is under pressure. It's one of the biggest factors why some people think Flacco holds the ball too long...there's just no one to throw it to.
[/quote]

I can def. say that I've been screaming and throwing beer cans around when Flacco has five+ seconds in the pccket and either just stands there, runs when a DL gets to him, or checks it down to Rice but the fact is that our receivers sometimes have problems getting separation. I'm not sure why this is occurring but it is. I have to blame the receivers at this point. Joe has never been shy about throwing the ball into tight (TIGHT) windows..but he's nobody's fool.

[rlh445]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293437318' post='586255']
It's hard to get separation when you even have a Safety shadow you in the slot and the defense rolls coverage his way, which is a reason why Mason and Housh are getting a lot more thrown to them as of late. Teams aren't letting Boldin beat them, but luckily we have so many weapons on this team, we can win with Boldin having another quiet game.

Off topic, but Q needs about 135 yards to reach 1,000 on the season. I know it's not that huge of a deal if he doesn't get it, but I'd be lying of I said I wouldn't care. I hope Cameron dials up his number come Sunday
[/quote]

Please don't take offense. Why do you care if Boldin exceeds one thousand yards? Is he on your fantasy team or..? And really, this isn't a question aimed at you..more like a question that is aimed at a lot of posters and fans in general who feel like Boldin isn't getting enough looks as if that's a slight on him. It's a compliment. He's definitely being looked at as the number one wideout on the team, and is being treated as such. It's harder to get the ball to a guy that's being purposefully taken out of the equation. It's not like we're not going to him, but we're not gonna go to our best wideout every play.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1293437846' post='586260']
I can def. say that I've been screaming and throwing beer cans around when Flacco has five+ seconds in the pccket and either just stands there, runs when a DL gets to him, or checks it down to Rice but the fact is that our receivers sometimes have problems getting separation. I'm not sure why this is occurring but it is. I have to blame the receivers at this point. Joe has never been shy about throwing the ball into tight (TIGHT) windows..but he's nobody's fool.
[/quote]

I dunno why it's happening either; especially when we have three of the best route runners in the game. Somehow I'll find a way to blame Cam lol ...
But no doubt that Flacco will let it rip in a heartbeat if he thinks that he has a chance at making a dicey throw; especially when he knows the guys he is throwing it to are guys who can and will fight for the ball.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1293437988' post='586264']
Please don't take offense. Why do you care if Boldin exceeds one thousand yards?
[/quote]

Actually, I want to see him make it to a 1000 yards too. Coming into the season, he averaged more YPG than any WR in league history, I want him to maintain that pace. Not for any kind of fan bragging rights; I just want to see him be successful as an individual and be a first ballot HOF ... him and Randy Moss are my two favorite WR ever; so I think the same about Randy.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1293437988' post='586264']
Please don't take offense. Why do you care if Boldin exceeds one thousand yards? Is he on your fantasy team or..? And really, this isn't a question aimed at you..more like a question that is aimed at a lot of posters and fans in general who feel like Boldin isn't getting enough looks as if that's a slight on him. It's a compliment. He's definitely being looked at as the number one wideout on the team, and is being treated as such. It's harder to get the ball to a guy that's being purposefully taken out of the equation. It's not like we're not going to him, but we're not gonna go to our best wideout every play.
[/quote]

I had Andre Johnson and Hakeem Nicks, I didn't need Anquan. But he's been my favorite WR since his Arizona days. It's a little selfish, and hard to explain, but for him to reach the 1,000 yard mark once again in his career is something I would be proud of him to do. But he more than likely won't get it this year, so there is 2011, then 2012 and so forth. Once he is the focal point of this offense along with Rice, and we don't have Housh, Mason or Cameron, his numbers will prove once again why he's one of the best.

[rlh445]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1293438152' post='586266']
I dunno why it's happening either; especially when we have three of the best route runners in the game. Somehow I'll find a way to blame Cam lol ...
But no doubt that Flacco will let it rip in a heartbeat if he thinks that he has a chance at making a dicey throw; especially when he knows the guys he is throwing it to are guys who can and will fight for the ball.
[/quote]

Indeed. I don't think it has anything to do with him being scared to throw that ball if he thinks his guys can catch it. Is it Cam? I can't really blame him at this point because Flacco has the time and he has the receivers..it's just not getting done.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293438469' post='586268']
I had Andre Johnson and Hakeem Nicks, I didn't need Anquan. But he's been my favorite WR since his Arizona days. It's a little selfish, and hard to explain, but for him to reach the 1,000 yard mark once again in his career is something I would be proud of him to do. But he more than likely won't get it this year, so there is 2011, then 2012 and so forth. Once he is the focal point of this offense along with Rice, and we don't have Housh, Mason or Cameron, his numbers will prove once again why he's one of the best.
[/quote]

He doesn't need the numbers to prove it to me or you; we already know the man is a monster,
And sadly, even when he has put up the numbers (which was every single season of his career up until this season), people always seem to discredit him anyway. Christ, I remember one article I read over the summer even questioned whether or not Q is capable of being a #1 WR.

[flynismo]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1293438644' post='586270']
Indeed. I don't think it has anything to do with him being scared to throw that ball if he thinks his guys can catch it. Is it Cam? I can't really blame him at this point because Flacco has the time and he has the receivers..it's just not getting done.
[/quote]

I was just joking about Cam lol ... ever since Clayton left, I've been looking for a new whipping boy. Cam has made a good case for the position this season


BTW- Speaking of throwing it into tight windows, did you see the TD pass to Housh today??

[rlh445]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293438469' post='586268']
I had Andre Johnson and Hakeem Nicks, I didn't need Anquan. But he's been my favorite WR since his Arizona days. It's a little selfish, and hard to explain, but for him to reach the 1,000 yard mark once again in his career is something I would be proud of him to do. But he more than likely won't get it this year, so there is 2011, then 2012 and so forth. Once he is the focal point of this offense along with Rice, and we don't have Housh, Mason or Cameron, his numbers will prove once again why he's one of the best.
[/quote]

That's fine. All you had to say was, 'I have a man-crush on him', and I would've understood. I understand that stuff, but the fact is that I like what Boldin has done this year. He's caught the passes Joe thought were advisable to throw, he's blocked the Hell out of opposing defenses, and he's never complained once about it. I don't care if he breaks 1,000 yards or 10,000..I just want him to continue to contribute in any way he can which he has been doing.

Boldin's the new toy. Everyone wants to see him catch 12343242345 yards and score 2342454325 points, all because he was supposed to do that as soon as we knew he would be here. But the fact is that he is the focal point of every defense we've faced, and every defense we will face in the postseason. You let a guy like Anquan run around catching the football from a guy like Flacco and your team is going to be hurting reallllllly badly before the second quarter. He's double teamed and shadowed at all times. We're just not utilizing schemes that guys like Boldin would be able to use to get free. A lot of times we're running two WR sets with a HB option..and that's not going to do it. I agree that Cam needs to adjust his stuff so that Boldin has more of a chance to get open and rough up defenses.

[reediddy]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293437318' post='586255']
It's hard to get separation when you even have a Safety shadow you in the slot and the defense rolls coverage his way, which is a reason why Mason and Housh are getting a lot more thrown to them as of late. Teams aren't letting Boldin beat them, but luckily we have so many weapons on this team, we can win with Boldin having another quiet game.

Edit - Q actually needs about 175 yards to get to 1,000. I don't know what to think of a WR not reaching 1,000 yards in this talented offense. So I'll just blame Cam.
[/quote]

Absolutely, that's the luxury of this offense. To be able to throw to two other Pro bowl WRs when Boldin is being locked up. Give credit to Joe Haden, he played well on Boldin today, from what I saw he was with him step-for-step.

On 1,000 yards, I hope he gets those 175 next week against Cincy.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1293438659' post='586271']
He doesn't need the numbers to prove it to me or you; we already know the man is a monster,
And sadly, even when he has put up the numbers (which was every single season of his career up until this season), people always seem to discredit him anyway. Christ, I remember one article I read over the summer even questioned whether or not Q is capable of being a #1 WR.
[/quote]

I agree. Then you look at Fitzgerald's numbers drop a bit, and finally realize how much worth Anquan Boldin really has.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1293438469' post='586268']
I had Andre Johnson and Hakeem Nicks, I didn't need Anquan. But he's been my favorite WR since his Arizona days. It's a little selfish, and hard to explain, but for him to reach the 1,000 yard mark once again in his career is something I would be proud of him to do. But he more than likely won't get it this year, so there is 2011, then 2012 and so forth. [b]Once he is the focal point of this offense along with Rice, and we don't have Housh, Mason or Cameron, his numbers will prove once again why he's one of the best.[/b]
[/quote]

I really like Q but he's definitey slowed down since his days at Arizona and unless Reed develops considerably this off-season, the team would still need a complimentary WR to roll coverage and allow him to produce.

I definitely agree Cam's absence may raise his numbers but in my opinion, Q doesn't have the explosiveness anymore to make big plays as the only major recieiving target on a team, like Roddy White.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

I believe they're right as far as it's the routes they have him run along with the fact that the Ravens don't have a huge vertical threat.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='EnVy_CaLiBeR' timestamp='1293439238' post='586281']
I believe they're right as far as it's the routes they have him run along with the fact that the Ravens don't have a huge vertical threat.
[/quote]

It's just moronic to me that Q doesn't get more designed plays.

The vertical threat is Stallworth but because of Houshmandzadeh and Mason, he doesn't get a lot of snaps.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293439375' post='586282']
It's just moronic to me that Q doesn't get more designed plays.

The vertical threat is Stallworth but because of Houshmandzadeh and Mason, he doesn't get a lot of snaps.
[/quote]
Yeah, Stallworth is a deep threat but he just doesn't scare anyone as opposed to in Arizona when Boldin had Fitzgerald.

When in doubt.. Blame Cam for that! lol

[littleray27]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1293437988' post='586264']
Please don't take offense. Why do you care if Boldin exceeds one thousand yards? Is he on your fantasy team or..? And really, this isn't a question aimed at you..more like a question that is aimed at a lot of posters and fans in general who feel like Boldin isn't getting enough looks as if that's a slight on him. It's a compliment. He's definitely being looked at as the number one wideout on the team, and is being treated as such. It's harder to get the ball to a guy that's being purposefully taken out of the equation. It's not like we're not going to him, but we're not gonna go to our best wideout every play.
[/quote]

Yeah you are absolutely right about him not getting looks because he is looked at as a number one here. He got way more looks in Arizona because he also had Fitz on the other side. I mean that can be a good thing for a hell of a compliment, but we also need him to make some more plays, not saying he needs to dominate every single game. But he sure needs more than 1/2 catches a game. And not saying that's Joes fault either. We got him for a reason, and I feel like we have used that to maybe 50% give or take this season. Any way he was still a great pick up and has helped this team out alot.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='littleray27' timestamp='1293440226' post='586294']
Yeah you are absolutely right about him not getting looks because he is looked at as a number one here. [b]He got way more looks in Arizona because he also had Fitz on the other side.[/b] I mean that can be a good thing for a hell of a compliment, but we also need him to make some more plays, not saying he needs to dominate every single game. But he sure needs more than 1/2 catches a game. And not saying that's Joes fault either. We got him for a reason, and I feel like we have used that to maybe 50% give or take this season. Any way he was still a great pick up and has helped this team out alot.
[/quote]

He also got more looks because Warner played faster than Joe does but more importantly, the coaches knew his strengths and got him the ball in space, or at least where he could run at a DB and try to break tackle.

[scrock]

I think Joe plays it safe and doesn't want to force the issue either, so when Boldin has coverages his way he may decide to look elsewhere and yes they arent always open.

Todd Heap being out hurts...Dickson was targeted once yesterday so that tells you how confident Joe is in him to this point. TJ had a man draped all over him on that TD so Joe can get the ball in there.

I've been saying stuff for weeks about Boldin needing to be worked back into the gameplan. They need to get him going early in the game, run some plays just for him. We need to be firing on all cylinders for the playoffs.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

OK, so we've gotten Rice established, Mason and Housh are now getting balls, I even saw Boldin open in the endzone, and many other times yesterday, why not target him?

Are we saving him for the playoffs?

[AsianRice]

[quote name='OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL' timestamp='1293455520' post='586342']
OK, so we've gotten Rice established, Mason and Housh are now getting balls, I even saw Boldin open in the endzone, and many other times yesterday, why not target him?

[b]Are we saving him for the playoffs?[/b][/quote]

LOL, hey dude I hope so.....Cam better unleashes his playbook designated to Boldin YAC.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

Its funny, I was watching the Cowboys/Cards game, and was fussing at the Cards QB to just throw it to Fitzgerald. Finally with the game on the line and 4th down, they finally did. This is dejavu for us, I mean Boldin can only decoy so much, just like Rice getting established, so does Boldin - he is a playmaker!

[AsianRice]

[quote name='OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL' timestamp='1293458140' post='586358']
Its funny, I was watching the Cowboys/Cards game, and was fussing at the Cards QB to just throw it to Fitzgerald. Finally with the game on the line and 4th down, they finally did. This is dejavu for us, I mean Boldin can only [b]decoy[/b] so much, just like Rice getting established, so does Boldin - he is a playmaker!
[/quote]
I hope it works cuz it sounds awesome, but it works for Rice though. Hopefully, we can unload Boldin threat in the playoffs with Rice in the backfield.

[FerrariFan87]

I think most of the problem is in the play design... Boldin never was a burner, and certainly isn't one now. He's perfect for the slot, but Cameron refuses to put him in there consistently.

[GER-Guard #70]

maybe cam keeps his real playbook in his backpocket for the playoffs and than we see games like last year against the patriots . I dont think so....

But sometimes it makes me nerveus to see obvious playcalling like 2 te sets with max protec so even the last .... defender can think about the options flacco would have.

[Jamal]

Look, its pretty simple. Cam isn't using Boldin to his strengths.

First of all, 2 WR sets makes it very easy on a defense, and second of all, Q is sent on streaks for 75% of the plays, which just boggles my mind. I am just dumbfounded watching our games. Its makes no sense whatsoever.

[True]

Mason plays to his strength with that great comeback route. Him and Flacco have perfect timing and 90% of the time the ball is caught. But with Boldin I am unsure of why Cam doesn't use him more across the middle with slants, crossing, drag, or even screens. Boldin has way too much talent and skill to be so underused and his abilities are not being used well in this offense. He has been awfully quiet these past few weeks (in fairness the Ravens did run quite a lot the last 2) and I hesitate to say it is because he's always doubled covered, that's what usually happens when only 2 WR are going out for routes.

They have to figure how to use Boldin closer to the LOS about 5-10 yards, instead of 15-20 yards deep. Boldin excels in the short passing game and I only see it happen a couple times a game.