Something Very Interesting

[scrock]

This was from a article from yahoo

". Why Baltimore is heading into the playoffs with a Fox News mentality on offense: You know, ultra-conservative, and turning “fair and balanced” into an ironic battle cry. The Ravens (12-4) held on for a 13-7 victory over the Bengals and, as the No. 5 seed in the AFC, open the playoffs next Sunday against the AFC West champion Chiefs in Kansas City. [b]They’ve won four consecutive games, but they don’t seem to have legitimate momentum, and the notion of them winning four more games to secure a second Super Bowl championship seems dubious even to some of the people in their locker room. “Only if the offense plays well,” one Baltimore player told me Sunday. “Every week we play to the level of our opponent.” Another Ravens player said he was mystified by the team’s unwillingness to “air it out,” saying, “If not, we’re one and done.” The player noted that the Bengals’ Jerome Simpson(notes), a newly installed starter in the wake of injuries to Chad Ochocinco(notes) and Terrell Owens(notes), “had twice as many targets and catches than all of our wide receivers combined.” [/b]He’s almost right: Targeted 14 times, Simpson caught 12 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown; Derrick Mason(notes), Anquan Boldin(notes) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes) were thrown to a collective nine times and caught seven balls for 60 yards and zero TDs. Having witnessed the Ravens’ impressive 30-24 victory over the Saints two weeks ago, I’m still convinced they’re capable of competing with anyone. Yet if they want to win a championship, I believe coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will have to be bolder than they were on Sunday.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmcvD5y2.gvhF000Rwjiv5hDubYF?slug=ms-morningrush010311

Those are some of my same concerns as well....

[Ed_Reed20]

I wouldn't be surprised if that second player was Mason. I want the best for this team but that there's such a clear disconnect between the players and coaches puts damper on my hopes for a deep play-off run.

[purple_pride]

from what ive seen with this offence. we cant just "air it out" why? caus the line doesnt last long enough add to that that joe holds the ball a bit longer maybe cause the wide outs are not getting open or he doesnt trust what he sees. either way. airing it out might end up with more picks more sacks more fumbles. un till the line holds long enough for joe to air it out. i wouldnt want cam to go to K.C airing it out .

[Twoo]

Cam played a VERY conservative game against the Bengals for a reason- there was no reason to beat the crap out of our receivers when we're going to be a wildcard team regardless of a win or liss.

If we're conservative against the Chiefs then we can all tar and feather Cam- but using the Bengals game to judge his OC playcalling skill is ignorant and pointless.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294094028' post='592327']
I wouldn't be surprised if that second player was Mason. I want the best for this team but that there's such a clear disconnect between the players and coaches puts damper on my hopes for a deep play-off run.
[/quote]
Disconnect with Cameron, I think the players like Harbaugh as a HC and I think Harbaugh must have some type of extremely good management skills to keep the locker room from exploding. That or Lewis has far more influence than we even thought possible. On the defensive side of the ball I think the players actually do like Mattison, and while they might not like how they dont attack all the time but understand why he doesnt. Mattison's gameplan against the Saints could only help solidify the relationship with Mattison, plus I think Mattison enjoys bouncing ideas off of other players and actually listening to them, regardless if he uses the idea. Its funny after all these years of never having an offense, then finally getting one that was serviceable, then thinking we could have an offense that would put up points, we still rely on the defense to win us games. I mean 70 plays last Sunday against the Bengals is ridiculous, after 5 turnovers, you put the defense back on the field time and time again, Ray is 35 and Ed is physically breaking down. Honestly how Ray hasn't absolutely lit into Cameron yet is beyond me. I said it before but how much more does the defensive side of the ball have to give before someone on offense figures it out.

It's like we sold our offensive souls for the 2000 SB run and greatest single season defense ever or something ridiculous.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1294094764' post='592353']
Disconnect with Cameron, I think the players like Harbaugh as a HC and I think Harbaugh must have some type of extremely good management skills to keep the locker room from exploding. That or Lewis has far more influence than we even thought possible. On the defensive side of the ball I think the players actually do like Mattison, and while they might not like how they dont attack all the time but understand why he doesnt. Mattison's gameplan against the Saints could only help solidify the relationship with Mattison, plus I think Mattison enjoys bouncing ideas off of other players and actually listening to them, regardless if he uses the idea. Its funny after all these years of never having an offense, then finally getting one that was serviceable, then thinking we could have an offense that would put up points, we still rely on the defense to win us games. I mean 70 plays last Sunday against the Bengals is ridiculous, after 5 turnovers, you put the defense back on the field time and time again, Ray is 35 and Ed is physically breaking down. Honestly how Ray hasn't absolutely lit into Cameron yet is beyond me. I said it before but how much more does the defensive side of the ball have to give before someone on offense figures it out.

It's like we sold our offensive souls for the 2000 SB run and greatest single season defense ever or something ridiculous.
[/quote]

Mike Preston has said that Mason and Harbaugh have gotten into shouting matches a number of times on the sidelines. Overall though, the main disconnect is between the offensive players, particularly Joe, and Cam.

How much the defense is put on the field is simply a crime.

[CapoRocky]

Mason knows that he is going to retire at the end of the season and that this is his last chance at the big dance.

[JohnJohnson]

We don't have any short passing game (not sure why). Our o-line can't consistently hold up long enough to let deep, or even intermediate routes develop. Flacco isn't particularly good when he's forced out of the pocket, even when he's running right.

[Malkavian Raven]

[font="Century Gothic"]Perhaps the players should just get a "Varsity Blues" mentality & say to hell with the coaching staff and just call their own shots in the huddle. Just line-up in the same formation as the play being called & audible in the huddle. What are they going to do? Pull all 11 starters? (LOL)

I know it sounds ridiculous, but if the players are so concerned, then they need to come forward -- not to the media -- but to the coaching staff & above. They are obviously capable of much more than they've been given the opportunity to show.

[i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

[quote name='Twoo' timestamp='1294094704' post='592347']
Cam played a VERY conservative game against the Bengals for a reason- there was no reason to beat the crap out of our receivers when we're going to be a wildcard team regardless of a win or liss.

If we're conservative against the Chiefs then we can all tar and feather Cam- but using the Bengals game to judge his OC playcalling skill is ignorant and pointless.
[/quote]
It would have been nice to see an offense, air it out, get a big lead, and rest Reed and Oher before they get hurt worse.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1294097759' post='592413']
[font="Century Gothic"]Perhaps the players should just get a "Varsity Blues" mentality & say to hell with the coaching staff and just call their own shots in the huddle. Just line-up in the same formation as the play being called & audible in the huddle. What are they going to do? Pull all 11 starters? (LOL)

[b]I know it sounds ridiculous, but if the players are so concerned, then they need to come forward -- not to the media -- but to the coaching staff & above.[/b] They are obviously capable of much more than they've been given the opportunity to show.

[i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]
[/quote]

But what would that achieve though? [i]Someone[/i] would still have to call the plays.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I think that a balls-up from Cam in the playoffs and he's done. No way will the organization keep hold of a guy who's obviously underachieved all season then cost them the playoff game [i]on top of[/i] the fact that it seems numerous players are downright dismayed with how badly the offense plays at times.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Twoo' timestamp='1294094704' post='592347']
Cam played a VERY conservative game against the Bengals for a reason- there was no reason to beat the crap out of our receivers when we're going to be a wildcard team regardless of a win or liss.

If we're conservative against the Chiefs then we can all tar and feather Cam- but using the Bengals game to judge his OC playcalling skill is ignorant and pointless.
[/quote]

I hope you are right but Cam's history this season says different. He lacks any creative play calling abilities and no killer instinct. For some reason, Cam hates passing. The only game where he tried to air the ball out was the one game when he shouldn't have and that was Week 2 against the Bengals. When your running game is working and your O line/QB struggling, why do you abandon the run and pass 40+ times? I hope the team ignores him completely to be honest, and just goes out there and does their own thing.

[bdravens]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294095139' post='592358']
Mike Preston has said that Mason and Harbaugh have gotten into shouting matches a number of times on the sidelines. Overall though, the main disconnect is between the offensive players, particularly Joe, and Cam.

How much the defense is put on the field is simply a crime.
[/quote]
I feel like that's simply how Mason is. He's obviously been frustrated this year, but here's how I feel: he's a hothead, but I DO like him. How many times has he cost us 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, whether it be throwing a ball 80 yards for some reason after the catch, or relentlessly arguing a call to a ref. Like someone said, this is most likely his last chance unless he comes back..again, but speaking out either does great things, or breaks a team apart. I think we have the players to win the Super Bowl. If our defense wasn't forced to play 70-80 snaps, we could very easily be a 15-1 team right now. But that's not the point. I think we are the only team in the AFC that can beat New England at this point, but we'll see.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294099296' post='592450']
I hope you are right but Cam's history this season says different. He lacks any creative play calling abilities and no killer instinct. [b]For some reason, Cam hates passing. The only game where he tried to air the ball out was the one game when he shouldn't have and that was Week 2 against the Bengals. When your running game is working and your O line/QB struggling, why do you abandon the run and pass 40+ times?[/b] I hope the team ignores him completely to be honest, and just goes out there and does their own thing.
[/quote]

I lost you here. He "hates passing" but frequently abandons the run? To be fair, the team has run the ball this season more than they did last. Still, we've seen him go away from the run too often.

[Romo Ravens]

How hard is it, after 16 games, to finally realize what you're doing wrong and fix your mistakes. I have no sympathy for this guy anymore. He's lost us games that we should have won. I'll be furious if he's brought back and I'm glad that the players are voicing out their opinions because it's frustrating to have such a talented offense and just sputter along the entire season. Changes need to be made as soon as the offseason comes

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294100002' post='592467']
I lost you here. He "hates passing" but frequently abandons the run? To be fair, the team has run the ball this season more than they did last. Still, we've seen him go away from the run too often.
[/quote]

You misread. I said the[b] one time [/b]he decided to air it out. When did he go away from the run other than the Bengals' game in Week 2?

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1294100209' post='592472']
How hard is it, after 16 games, to finally realize what you're doing wrong and fix your mistakes. I have no sympathy for this guy anymore. He's lost us games that we should have won. [b]I'll be furious if he's brought back[/b] and I'm glad that the players are voicing out their opinions because it's frustrating to have such a talented offense and just sputter along the entire season. Changes need to be made as soon as the offseason comes
[/quote]

Me too. I'd feel like any Superbowl hype for next season would be pointless.

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294100218' post='592473']
You misread. I said the[b] one time [/b]he decided to air it out. When did he go away from the run other than the Bengals' game in Week 2?
[/quote]

He does it from time to time in no specific games, usually when it's seeing a fair amount of success.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294098071' post='592429']
But what would that achieve though? [i]Someone[/i] would still have to call the plays.
[/quote]

[font="Century Gothic"]Then do as I stated previously, just call another play in the huddle that uses the same formation. Cam can't stop it & he's not going to pull all 11 starters.

[i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294100218' post='592473']
You misread. I said the[b] one time [/b]he decided to air it out. When did he go away from the run other than the Bengals' game in Week 2?
[/quote]

I don't think he ran the ball enough against the Browns in the first game or against the Bills, even when the Ravens pulled ahead. 16 total carries by the backs against the Falcons was low and he certainly abandoned the run early on. There were certain situations in both Steelers games and the Texans game where he didn't run the rock either.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1294100581' post='592480']
[font="Century Gothic"]Then do as I stated previously, just call another play in the huddle that uses the same formation. Cam can't stop it & he's not going to pull all 11 starters.

[i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]
[/quote]

Players not listening to coaches isn't really a recipe for success.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1294100439' post='592478']
Me too. I'd feel like any Superbowl hype for next season would be pointless.



He does it from time to time in no specific games, usually when it's seeing a fair amount of success.
[/quote]

Our running game has not been that successful this season. Other than the Saints' game. It was having a fair amount of success in Week 2 against the Bengals before he abandoned it but it is the passing game he has abandoned week after week after week. It is successful in the first half getting us a lead and then he goes back to Rice, Rice, Rice, punt in the second half. Tiring out our defense to the point where Mattison is forced to go into that soft zone because they are too tired to go man to man and allowing all those comebacks.

[Bltravens]

Honestly, we need Willie Beamon.....ya I said it


"Well screw you coach, I aint buyin your brand!"

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1294101044' post='592488']
Honestly, we need Willie Beamon.....ya I said


"Well screw you coach, I aint buyin your brand!"
[/quote]

Why not? He'd give the Suggs package new meaning.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294100999' post='592486']
Our running game has not been that successful this season. Other than the Saints' game. It was having a fair amount of success in Week 2 against the Bengals before he abandoned it but it is the passing game he has abandoned week after week after week. It is successful in the first half getting us a lead and then he goes back to Rice, Rice, Rice, punt in the second half. Tiring out our defense to the point where Mattison is forced to go into that soft zone because they are too tired to go man to man and allowing all those comebacks.
[/quote]

I agree, but Cam tends to try different things when what he's already doing is working. The running game has been left for a few plays when Rice pulls a couple of five or six yard gains.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1294100209' post='592472']
How hard is it, after 16 games, to finally realize what you're doing wrong and fix your mistakes. I have no sympathy for this guy anymore. He's lost us games that we should have won. I'll be furious if he's brought back and I'm glad that the players are voicing out their opinions because it's frustrating to have such a talented offense and just sputter along the entire season. Changes need to be made as soon as the offseason comes
[/quote]

I agree with you 100% , ive been saying it all yr.

I dont care if we win the superbowl this yr or not, i still want him gone.
And i want Josh Mcdaniels as the new O.C (look what he did with the Broncos offense this passed yr, come on ,Kyle Orton ,he sucks and he was looking like a pro bowler)

I think if he was offered the job for O.C he would take it too, with seeing how much talent is here.

I think Derrick Mason will be back next yr if we get a new O.C

[RoflDogs]

Like I've said many times

The Ravens will not accomplish anything significant with Cam Cameron calling the plays (Unless the defense magically shuts out everybody, which isn't very likely)

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1294116155' post='592807']
I agree with you 100% , ive been saying it all yr.

I dont care if we win the superbowl this yr or not, i still want him gone.
And i want Josh Mcdaniels as the new O.C (look what he did with the Broncos offense this passed yr, come on ,Kyle Orton ,he sucks and he was looking like a pro bowler)

I think if he was offered the job for O.C he would take it too, with seeing how much talent is here.

I think Derrick Mason will be back next yr if we get a new O.C
[/quote]

What did McDaniels do that was so impressive? Orton put up gaudy numbers in part because the Broncos had no running game -- a running game whose blocking scheme McDaniels altered.

I understand he was a part of some great things with the Patriots and maybe he deserves some credit but when you have one of the greatest QBs of all time throwing to one of the best WRs of all time, a really good offensive line and a fine supporting cast, is it that that hard to field a great offensive unit?

[RavensAllTheWay]

I definitely think McDaniels would do a hell of a lot better than Cam. HOWEVER, I'm not gonna worry about other candidates/possibilities until after the season.

[RoflDogs]

The only reason why I would not want McDaniels is that he's probably looking to get another head coaching gig, and I want consistency of coordinators with Joe (I've been pretty willing to keep Cam, but he just flat out sucks and needs to go)