Sobering Article On The Receivers

[Ed_Reed20]

I just read this Yahoo article on the WRs. Some of what Carpenter said about Cam made me chuckle but it was a good read overall.

[url="http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AtG7159q4043Luy9APZt27o5nYcB?slug=lc-ravens010310"]Link[/url]

[Wacco4Bmore]

Good article, and I agree with it for the most part. The Ravens have always been about defense/running the ball, and despite some ups and downs, we've really seen them find their identity in the second half of the season. Kudos to the receivers for being okay with this, or for biting their tongues.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Wacco4Bmore' timestamp='1294158888' post='593064']
Good article, and I agree with it for the most part. The Ravens have always been about defense/running the ball, and despite some ups and downs, [b]we've really seen them find their identity in the second half of the season[/b]. Kudos to the receivers for being okay with this, or for biting their tongues.
[/quote]

Have they though? The Saints game aside, the o-line has continued to struggle and the RBs haven't got much yardage. On Sunday, the team couldn't get a yard on two carries to close out the game.

[FerrariFan87]

I love our group of guys. They're going to break out this postseason. Book it.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1294160311' post='593082']
I love our group of guys. They're going to break out this postseason. Book it.
[/quote]

If it wasnt happening all season, chances are its not going to happen in the post season. Its not like Cam Cameron has some hidden plays he kept from us for 16 games and now its time to unleash hell in January.....

[TDubbs]

Good read, interesting article. I understand their frustration though they are winners and they expect numbers, which is good. On passing downs we send them on Go routes and 9s and we do not have that true burner reciever threat. We really need to start giving Boldin the ball on screens, hitches,slants, outs and let him do his thing and get YAC, a bonus is that he is completely healthy. We have thrown too many of those to Housh who isnt that type of a reciever, i like him on curls, outs, 7s. Hit Mason up on some corner routes, pa flys, outs. Give ray the ball on check downs and runs and let him tear it up. Give it to McClain for a change of pace an for freshness, keep him motivated to block. Let Heap do his thing. I say we do these things and we will be golden and dallas bound.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1294160944' post='593091']
If it wasnt happening all season, chances are its not going to happen in the post season. Its not like Cam Cameron has some hidden plays he kept from us for 16 games and now its time to unleash hell in January.....
[/quote]

I see what you mean, and your point is valid, but I just can't see Boldin and Co. being held back any longer. This is why Mase came back, why we brought in Boldin and signed Housh. It's now or never.

[mdrsharon]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1294160311' post='593082']
I love our group of guys. They're going to break out this postseason. Book it.
[/quote]


let's hope.
they just need to get clear!!

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1294160944' post='593091']
If it wasnt happening all season, chances are its not going to happen in the post season. Its not like Cam Cameron has some hidden plays he kept from us for 16 games and now its time to unleash hell in January.....
[/quote]

I'm not sure that is true. I think the play calling is going to be much more creative beginning this Sunday. I might be dreaming, but it may be that we have been laying low and will "unleash hell in January". Anyway, one can hope.........

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='jt3751' timestamp='1294165003' post='593167']
I'm not sure that is true. I think the play calling is going to be much more creative beginning this Sunday. I might be dreaming, but it may be that we have been laying low and will "unleash hell in January". Anyway, one can hope.........
[/quote]

I'll have to see that to believe it. To me, an offensive coordinator doesn't scale back his play-book during the regular season, especially one could argue the lack of creativity has cost the team games.

[jus'_crAzy]

Part of me thinks we've already seen everything that Cam has to offer.

Another part of me thinks there might be a playbook hidden from the rest of the world, and we got a glimpse of it during the 4th quarter against the Falcons.

But why hold back? Why not [color="#FF0000"][b]unleash the fury[/b][/color] on everyone and everything? How do we benefit from this?

We have so many weapons in all aspects of our offense that we could theoretically use any scheme we want. But no, Cam refuses to use any other play that isn't in [b]Ed_Reed20[/b]'s other topic.

It's ridiculous.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1294160944' post='593091']
If it wasnt happening all season, chances are its not going to happen in the post season. Its not like Cam Cameron has some hidden plays he kept from us for 16 games and now its time to unleash hell in January.....
[/quote]
I think that is actually a strong possibility. We've been pretty sure we're going to the playoffs for a long time, so why not save a few plays for when it really counts. Boldin always steps up in big games. They're all big games from here on out.

[Milton145]

Those of you who are hoping Cam "unleashes hell" this postseason are only dreaming. We are what we are. Playoffs won't change anything. Remember last year vs. the Colts in the playoffs and how conservative Cam was being despite being down.

[berad]

This is it...

[quote[]
“I will do what I can to help you reach your individual goals,” he told them. “But they are second to our winning.”
[/quote]

That's the most telling quote of the whole thing. Almost every skill player has had their worst season, statistically, in recent memory, but we're having one of the best seasons, as a team, that we've ever had. It all comes down to winning and, like him or not, we've had a 12-win season with Cameron as our coordinator.

Still, I think all of our offensive problems come down to the OL. Miscues in pass-protection, sloppy blocks, and not generating a push in the running game have stymied our offense at times. At the end of the Cincinnati game, we should have been able to pick up one yard on two straight runs - that's embarrassing.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='purple.n.black' timestamp='1294170290' post='593242']
I think that is actually a strong possibility. We've been pretty sure we're going to the playoffs for a long time, [b]so why not save a few plays for when it really counts[/b]. [b]Boldin always steps up in big games.[/b] They're all big games from here on out.
[/quote]

But didn't it count against the Pats or the Steelers, when the team was playing for the #2 seed?

Isn't the goal to win every game you play? I just don't see how any coach could be so arrogant to think he could get by and win a game without opening up his play-book unless his team is playing a doormat.

Boldin is ready to go every game; he loves to compete. It hasn't been his fault he's gone entire halves without getting a play drawn up for him.

[Jabara]

Interesting article.
At least our offense didn't implode like the Bengals, we should be happy about that.
I just wish we knew what was going on behind the scenes with Harbs, Ozzie and Cam.

[ravenanchors]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294171101' post='593257']
But didn't it count against the Pats or the Steelers, when the team was playing for the #2 seed?

Isn't the goal to win every game you play? I just don't see how any coach could be so arrogant to think he could get by and win a game without opening up his play-book unless his team is playing a doormat.

Boldin is ready to go every game; he loves to compete. It hasn't been his fault he's gone entire halves without getting a play drawn up for him.
[/quote]

I couldn't agree with you more.
The article is full of the writers own opinions about Cam's philosophy but what the stats say is that the receivers are not being used.
Some fans have blamed the receivers for the problems but as this article shows, the receivers are not even being used.

[Romo Ravens]

It just kind of leaves me at a loss for words knowing that Boldin isn't being used to his strenghts. The man is a monster, yet in the last four matchups, he totalled 69 yards and zero TDs. Although I have a lot to say about the play calling, it is true that our offensive line has trouble in pass protecting, we have three of the same WR's, albeit Anquan is the best play maker aside from Rice on the offense, and Flacco is still developing.

Next year should be a better year with our offense whether Cam is still here, along with Mason and Housh. But I think it's time to make Boldin and Rice the focal points of the offense. Do we really need three possession WR's? This will more than likely be Mason's last year, so I'd like to see Boldin as the true number one, and there is absolutely no reason for him [i]not[/i] getting 5+ catches a game. I'd like to see us draft a stud WR in the draft to let him grow with Flacco, someone who can stretch the field and let Boldin work underneath, and have Reed be in the slot. I want this offense to get more creative by using Dickson and Pitta more often. It's not that hard as it seems. I don't get why the offense has sputtered along the last three years.

[ravensdfan]

I'm so tired of this "run the ball" stuff. We ran the ball more this season than last season. Naturally we are going to try to establish the running game with backs like Rice/McGahee/McClain. When it does not work though, you cannot stubbornly refuse to change course. This is what Cam does time and time again. We cannot run the ball effectively if we are not putting the ball downfield some of the time. With no downfield threat, you cannot spread the defense out or make the DBs play back. Same with trying to control the clock when we have a lead. You go to your running game to eat some clock but it does not control the clock if you cannot make a first down. You have to call plays that make first downs. That means making adjustments when one thing is not working. It means making adjustments when the defense has shut down your initial game plan. Cam never does this. He stubbornly sticks to whatever he has chosen. He has no creativity and cannot adjust mid-game when necessary. As I said, we'll most likely get past KC but this will not work against the better teams in the AFC. Cam needs a wake-up call if we want to see Dallas.

[berad]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294175187' post='593313']
I'm so tired of this "run the ball" stuff. We ran the ball more this season than last season. Naturally we are going to try to establish the running game with backs like Rice/McGahee/McClain. When it does not work though, you cannot stubbornly refuse to change course. This is what Cam does time and time again. We cannot run the ball effectively if we are not putting the ball downfield some of the time. With no downfield threat, you cannot spread the defense out or make the DBs play back. Same with trying to control the clock when we have a lead. You go to your running game to eat some clock but it does not control the clock if you cannot make a first down. You have to call plays that make first downs. That means making adjustments when one thing is not working. It means making adjustments when the defense has shut down your initial game plan. Cam never does this. He stubbornly sticks to whatever he has chosen. [b]He has no creativity[/b] and cannot adjust mid-game when necessary. As I said, we'll most likely get past KC but this will not work against the better teams in the AFC. Cam needs a wake-up call if we want to see Dallas.
[/quote]

I agree with most of what you said except for this. We've seen many creative, effective plays this season. The flea-flicker screen play to Heap in the last game is just one example.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294175187' post='593313']
I'm so tired of this "run the ball" stuff. We ran the ball more this season than last season. Naturally we are going to try to establish the running game with backs like Rice/McGahee/McClain. When it does not work though, you cannot stubbornly refuse to change course. This is what Cam does time and time again. We cannot run the ball effectively if we are not putting the ball downfield some of the time. [b]With no downfield threat, you cannot spread the defense out or make the DBs play back.[/b] Same with trying to control the clock when we have a lead. You go to your running game to eat some clock but it does not control the clock if you cannot make a first down. You have to call plays that make first downs. That means making adjustments when one thing is not working. It means making adjustments when the defense has shut down your initial game plan. Cam never does this. He stubbornly sticks to whatever he has chosen. He has no creativity and cannot adjust mid-game when necessary. As I said, we'll most likely get past KC but this will not work against the better teams in the AFC. Cam needs a wake-up call if we want to see Dallas.
[/quote]

And the one serious down-field threat the team has rarely sees the field.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1294175767' post='593327']
I agree with most of what you said except for this. We've seen many creative, effective plays this season. The flea-flicker screen play to Heap in the last game is just one example.
[/quote]

Yes that's true. There has been a creative play here and there. I meant as a matter of course though. When your O line is struggling you need to have developed some quick release plays to counter that. I do not see this out of Cam at all.

[berad]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1294177041' post='593360']
Yes that's true. There has been a creative play here and there. I meant as a matter of course though. When your O line is struggling you need to have developed some quick release plays to counter that. I do not see this out of Cam at all.
[/quote]

True, true. Agree entirely. The OL is a huge hindrance to our entire offense. at times. It's Cameron's job to find a way around it.

[D_UP]

If we bounced from the playoffs due a OC who is to arrogant to understand his stale playbook isn't working, it will such a waste of this season and another wasted opportunity for ray and ed.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='D_UP' timestamp='1294177232' post='593364']
If we bounced from the playoffs due a OC who is to arrogant to understand his stale playbook isn't working, it will such a waste of this season and another wasted opportunity for ray and ed.
[/quote]

I am stubbornly holding to the hope that there are private talks going on with Cam. That while he might stick to his love for the running game and getting the ball to Rice, he will be forced to adjust and adapt when it is clearly not working.

Baring that, I am placing all my faith in our beloved boys on D. That, though it is not fair, they will continue to step up as they have the last few weeks and carry the offense if necessary.

[CapoRocky]

History of the NFL has shown us that running the ball is most effective when you have a big RB like J. Lewis, J. Bettis, B. Jacobs, J. Riggins, J. Brown, J. Taylor, L. Csonka, E. Campbell, and L. Johnson. While Rice is very good, he is unable to make the defenders pay to the point that their legs are worn out by the 4th quarter.

[Alexir]

Only thing I agreed about this article was that our WR's our selfless and playing as a team. What they said about Cam just proves that anyone can write an article for Yahoo...

We have actually scored less points this year than we did last year and we have also punted more this year as well...Ugh.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1294178588' post='593386']
History of the NFL has shown us that running the ball is most effective when you have a big RB like J. Lewis, J. Bettis, B. Jacobs, J. Riggins, J. Brown, J. Taylor, L. Csonka, E. Campbell, and L. Johnson. While Rice is very good, he is unable to make the defenders pay to the point that their legs are worn out by the 4th quarter.
[/quote]

It doesn't matter if you're wearing out the defense when the o-line is consistently creating holes. We saw that last season but rarely has it happened this season. Regardless, this has nothing to do with the receivers.

[Alexir]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1294178588' post='593386']
History of the NFL has shown us that running the ball is most effective when you have a big RB like J. Lewis, J. Bettis, B. Jacobs, J. Riggins, J. Brown, J. Taylor, L. Csonka, E. Campbell, and L. Johnson. While Rice is very good, he is unable to make the defenders pay to the point that their legs are worn out by the 4th quarter.
[/quote]

I would like to Split Carries 50/50 between Willis and Rice. Bruise and Cruise!

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1294176449' post='593348']
And the one serious down-field threat the team has rarely sees the field.
[/quote]

Yup. Why we haven't used stallworth to open up the underneath routes I'll never know... maybe Sunday? One can only hope....