If We Want To Win The Superbowl We Must...

[EyeSeeTDsInBmore]

What do you think needs to change, happen, or we need to keep doing?

[berad]

We need to score more points than the team we're playing!

Really, though, here's what I think...

- [b]Joe Flacco needs to step his game up this post season[/b], relative to the past two. In 08 and 09, let's face it, Joe really didn't do [i](or have to do)[/i] a whole lot to help our team win in the playoffs. This year, though, if our running game can't get going, the offense falls on the passing game. I'm expecting some good things from Flacco.

- [b]The offensive line needs to solidify.[/b] They've been the weak link the entire year. Blown protections, little/no push in the running game, penalties, and a slew of other things have plagued this unit. It really all starts and ends with the OL. Super Bowl-winning teams have dominant offensive lines, ours needs to become at least a consistent one for us to have a reasonable shot.

- [b]The defense needs to continue playing at a high level.[/b] Since that Houston game, they seem to have taken it up a notch - impressive, since they ratcheted it up during/after the Atlanta game, as well. The entire defense has taken its play to another level: the DL is vastly improved, our linebackers are playing as well as they have all year, and the secondary is remaining consistent. I'm enjoying it.

- [b]Sign a good long snapper.[/b] I don't want to lose a game because of a high snap or some other shenanigans. Harbaugh was an ST coach so I think he'll know a good one when he sees them. That player just has to have enough confidence to not [i]Hauschka[/i] us... Yes, I used it as a verb.

[McBoller]

continue to run the ball...Flacco is a stud for sure, but if we flirt with 200yds rushing all he needs to do is convert 3rd downs through the air and get a couple easy ones off of play-action.

[McBoller]

another thing is we need to adjust better...lets say the running game doesnt get going. we cant just force it and keep handing off for 1 and 2 yd gains. Switch gears and spread it out.

Same goes on D...just keep doing what those guys have been doing of late.

[Ed_Reed20]

I'll just touch on one dynamic that needs to change and continue happening.

[u][b]The utilization of the WRs needs to change.[/b][/u]

To me, Mason's curl route is the only staple of this passing game involving the WRs that's consistent and executed well. I'm tired of mentioning all I'd like to see done with Q, Stallworth and Houshmandzadeh but the passing game's stagnation in key moments is proof it isn't sophisticated enough.

[u][b]The defense has continue being opportunistic.[/b][/u]

There's no one element the defense really excels in but if they can continue to force turnovers, at least in big situations like they've done for three straight weeks, it could go a long way to winning the Lombardi.

[AsianRice]

[b][/b][quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293512609' post='586897']
I'll just touch on one dynamic that needs to change and continue happening.

[u][b]The utilization of the WRs needs to change.[/b][/u]

To me, Mason's curl route is the only staple of this passing game involving the WRs that's consistent and executed well. I'm tired of mentioning all I'd like to see done with Q, Stallworth and Houshmandzadeh but the passing game's stagnation in key moments is proof it isn't sophisticated enough.

[u][b]The defense has continue being opportunistic.[/b][/u]

There's no one element the defense really excels in but if they can continue to force turnovers, at least in big situations like they've done for three straight weeks, it could go a long way to winning the Lombardi.
[/quote]

If Cam can turn those turnovers into pts, then we're talking about business.....

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='AsianRice' timestamp='1293513188' post='586903']
If Cam can turn those turnovers into pts, then we're talking about business.....
[/quote]

Players still have to execute.

[lgcs27288]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1293512212' post='586888']


- Sign a good long snapper.
I don't want to lose a game because of a high snap or some other [size="3"][b]shanahans[/b][/size]. Harbaugh was an ST coach so I think he'll know a good one when he sees them. That player just has to have enough confidence to not [i]Hauschka[/i] us... Yes, I used it as a verb.
[/quote]

[berad]

[quote name='lgcs27288' timestamp='1293514384' post='586925']

[/quote]

Definitely none of that, either

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293512609' post='586897']
I'll just touch on one dynamic that needs to change and continue happening.

[u][b]The utilization of the WRs needs to change.[/b][/u]

To me, Mason's curl route is the only staple of this passing game involving the WRs that's consistent and executed well. I'm tired of mentioning all I'd like to see done with Q, Stallworth and Houshmandzadeh but the passing game's stagnation in key moments is proof it isn't sophisticated enough.

[u][b]The defense has continue being opportunistic.[/b][/u]

There's no one element the defense really excels in but if they can continue to force turnovers, at least in big situations like they've done for three straight weeks, it could go a long way to winning the Lombardi.
[/quote]
Yeah about the offense. Watching Aaron Rodgers against the Giants gave me an even better look at how basic and simple our offense is compared to good ones in the league.

Idk any other team in the league that doesn't allow the QB to change plays at the line or use audibiles. That will help Flacco quicken the pace of the game and go into the no huddle that he does well in. Watching the offense, it looks like were just plain slower and less athletic at the QB and WR positions, which is probably true as Joes dropbacks, PA fake and release all take pretty long.And it seems like the receivers aren't getting open, watching Joe stand back there all day but end up checking it down for no gain.

But you're completely right. The comeback route throws are the only ones that work consistently. Other teams also have quick slants, more crossing routes etc...

Perphaps Joes knowledge of football and reading defenses is low for an NFL QB. Idk, that's speculation. But regardless, Cam doesn't do so many things that need to be done in order for this passing game to reach the top and carry us against ANYONE when asked to.

[HaX]

wear all black in the playoff games

[Shammy]

1. Stay Healthy

2. Execute Better

3. Dont Commit Costly penalties

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1293515556' post='586935']
Yeah about the offense. Watching Aaron Rodgers against the Giants gave me an even better look at how basic and simple our offense is compared to good ones in the league.

[b]Idk any other team in the league that doesn't allow the QB to change plays at the line or use audibiles.[/b] That will help Flacco quicken the pace of the game and go into the no huddle that he does well in. Watching the offense, it looks like were just plain slower and less athletic at the QB and WR positions, which is probably true as Joes dropbacks, PA fake and release all take pretty long.And it seems like the receivers aren't getting open, watching Joe stand back there all day but end up checking it down for no gain.

But you're completely right. The comeback route throws are the only ones that work consistently. Other teams also have quick slants, more crossing routes etc...

Perphaps Joes knowledge of football and reading defenses is low for an NFL QB. Idk, that's speculation. But regardless, Cam doesn't do so many things that need to be done in order for this passing game to reach the top and carry us against ANYONE when asked to.
[/quote]

Joe [i]is[/i] allowed to make changes at the line and call audibles. At least, he was during the Saints game.

[Jabara]

It's really as simple and as stupid as saying let our playmakers make plays.
Focus on the team aspect.
Joe is young, and came from a small school, but let him loose.
If he fails, then you know what to fix next season.
Our offense is flooded with playmakers, allow them to play the game.
Let Housh make a great move on a DB to make a great catch, let Mason run an amazing route and make a play, throw the ball to Boldin and let him physically beat his man to the ball.
Use Stallworth's speed down the field.
Give the ball to Rice, and design runs that benefit his style of running, not just power up the middle, leave that to McClain, and please give him the ball more on those types of downs, same goes with McGahee, balance the run attack as not to wear out Rice, or make it too predictable.

Our defense is starting to wake up, even though a few key positions are bothered by age.
Don't just wait until we have a lead to rush the passer.
Rush more often, but keep the coverage tight.
That of course may not work so well against the QB's we are to face in the playoffs, but at the same time, when you don't rush, you tend to allow an elite QB to sit in the pocket and pick apart our DB's which is an issue.
If you give an elite QB less time to sit in the pocket and evaluate what is going on, it is less likely they will beat our DB's, even though they are playing better.
And honestly I want to say, if you can hit the QB, hit him, don't worry about a fine, we'll find a way to pay it for you.
If an elite Qb can beat a blitz, it's usually not going for a 50 yard TD, rather a short pass especially with Reed in the backfield.

We need to convert on third down, and also to stop the other team on third down, that has been an issue all season. It's almost a sure thing that the other team will convert on third down. That may not be factually true, but it always feels that way.
And please, find a legit long snapper in place of Cox, that is a huge blow to the team, bigger than most fans may think or that may be talked about in the media.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1293530008' post='586983']
It's really as simple and as stupid as saying let our playmakers make plays.
Focus on the team aspect.
Joe is young, and came from a small school, but let him loose.
If he fails, then you know what to fix next season.
Our offense is flooded with playmakers, allow them to play the game.
Let Housh make a great move on a DB to make a great catch, let Mason run an amazing route and make a play, throw the ball to Boldin and let him physically beat his man to the ball.
Use Stallworth's speed down the field.
Give the ball to Rice, and design runs that benefit his style of running, not just power up the middle, leave that to McClain, and please give him the ball more on those types of downs, same goes with McGahee, balance the run attack as not to wear out Rice, or make it too predictable.

Our defense is starting to wake up, even though a few key positions are bothered by age.
Don't just wait until we have a lead to rush the passer.
Rush more often, but keep the coverage tight.
That of course may not work so well against the QB's we are to face in the playoffs, but at the same time, when you don't rush, you tend to allow an elite QB to sit in the pocket and pick apart our DB's which is an issue.
If you give an elite QB less time to sit in the pocket and evaluate what is going on, it is less likely they will beat our DB's, even though they are playing better.
And honestly I want to say, if you can hit the QB, hit him, don't worry about a fine, we'll find a way to pay it for you.
If an elite Qb can beat a blitz, it's usually not going for a 50 yard TD, rather a short pass especially with Reed in the backfield.

We need to convert on third down, and also to stop the other team on third down, that has been an issue all season. It's almost a sure thing that the other team will convert on third down. That may not be factually true, but it always feels that way.
And please, find a legit long snapper in place of Cox, that is a huge blow to the team, bigger than most fans may think or that may be talked about in the media.
[/quote]
well said! Let Joe loose vs the Bengles, give him 3 plays to use each snap, let him decide/audible based on what he sees

[Tiznut]

Continue to force turnovers on defense give the offense short fields and simply impose our will offensively and defensively on every one

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1293530008' post='586983']
Use Stallworth's speed down the field.
[/quote]

Or, how about using his speed near the line of scrimmage on screens, slants, drags and crossing routes like every other team in the league does?

It's really amazing that an OC with Cam's experience can only draw up fly routes to get Stallworth involved.

[flaccorice27]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293514296' post='586924']
Players still have to execute.
[/quote]

Players are executing, executing Cam's terrible play calls

[VA_Fan]

All we need to do is play exactly like we did in the Saints game and we could go all the way.

[flaccorice27]

[quote name='VA_Fan' timestamp='1293550862' post='587064']
All we need to do is play exactly like we did in the Saints game and we could go all the way.
[/quote]

True, but we don't have good enough play callers to play the same every week. He has to change it every week and make bad calls like pass on 3 & 1-3

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293516997' post='586951']
Joe [i]is[/i] allowed to make changes at the line and call audibles. At least, he was during the Saints game.
[/quote]
The only time I remember seeing him call his own plays though was the Panthers game. And I didn't get to watch the Saints game, I had to listen to it on radio.

[Militant X 1]

everything for the Ravens....from the coaching staff, QB play, O-line protections, HB/FB running game, WR route running...getting open and making big plays, defensive QB pressure resulting in sacks, fumble recoveries and ints from the secondary and special teams MUST BE on point throughout the playoffs!

[RavensAllTheWay]

Most importantly, we have to finish.

[DevilsLuck]

We just need to keep doing what we've been doing and we'll be fine. GO Ravens!!!

[Jamal]

Cam needs to be gone...

But more realistically, he needs to at least give Flacco a little more freedom in the playoffs.

[bpytnjr58]

Get past Manning and Brady.

[Romo Ravens]

Not lose

[AlaskanRavensFan]

Start fast and finish strong and the Ravens will be just fine.

[Ravenseconbeast]

O-line. Pay attention. Im looking at you Oher, Matt Birk.

[dpatrickguy]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1293550665' post='587056']
Or, how about using his speed near the line of scrimmage on screens, slants, drags and crossing routes like every other team in the league does?

It's really amazing that an OC with Cam's experience can only draw up fly routes to get Stallworth involved.
[/quote]

I feel like every team in the league knows that if Stallworth is in, he's going deep. Tis a shame...