[Blogs] Late for Work 1/19: Players Excited About Pagano Hire

[BR News]

When Ravens former Defensive Coordinator Greg Mattison decided to take the same position at the University of Michigan, the Ravens quickly announced the promotion of Secondary Coach Chuck Pagano.

Heading into his 28th season of coaching, Pagano is relatively unknown among Ravens fans, but players are well-acquainted with him and appear to be very excited about the news.

“Pagano is well-liked in Ravens locker room,” tweeted MASN’s Dan Kolko. “Source says majority of players would approve of his promotion to defensive coordinator.”

Perhaps nobody knows the new defensive coordinator better than cornerback Fabian Washington, who played for Pagano for a combined five years while in Oakland and Baltimore.

“He believes in his guys,” Washington told Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson. “There’s probably going to be a lot more blitzing. He’s an aggressive guy.”

According to reports, Pagano was considered for the defensive coordinator job two years ago, prior to Mattison being hired. Reports also indicated that the Raiders may have been interested in him for their defensive coordinator opening.

“It’s way past overdue,” Washington told Wilson. “He should have been a defensive coordinator already in the NFL. Chuck is one of the best coaches in the league, period.

“I promise you’ll see that next year, whatever scheme the Ravens run. I’m pretty positive it will be pretty much the same thing, but he will definitely put his twist on it.”

Washington explained that Pagano was responsible for calling the Ravens’ third-down plays and “you could bet your bottom dollar” he would correctly predict what opposing offenses would do.

Pagano also has a long history with safety Ed Reed that extends back to Reed’s high school days. Pagano was the secondary coach at the University of Miami in 1996 and traveled to Destrehan High School in an attempt to recruit Reed.

As we know, Pagano was successful in luring Reed to Miami. Under his direction, Reed became an All-American while the two developed a close bond.

“Coach Pagano is like a father figure to me,” Reed said in early November. “A lot of my success has been because of the mentality he brought to me. … Coach has watched me evolve from a 17-year-old kid to a 32-year-old man. Even to this day, I look up to him. He has always helped me find a way.”

After a single season of working with Pagano, cornerback Josh Wilson is already convinced of his credentials.

“Chuck’s completely, in my view, a great coach and deserves it,” Wilson told National Football Post. “He knows what he’s doing. Chuck is going to be a great defensive coordinator. It’s not going to be any kind of, ‘Can he get the job done?’

“Everybody knows he can handle it.”

Why Did Mattison Leave?

As PFT.com’s Gregg Rosenthal wrote, sometimes it’s revealed after the fact that a coach on the way out was often “gently nudged to leave.”

“In this case, it appears that Mattison truly wanted to head back to college,” stated Rosenthal.

Mattison and Head Coach John Harbaugh have a tight relationship, but Mattison is also close with Michigan Head Coach Brady Hoke. The two worked together under Jack Harbaugh at Western Michigan and under Lloyd Carr at Michigan.

Additionally, Mattison has family in Michigan. His daughter, Lisa, lives in Ann Arbor and is having a baby soon.

More Changes On Horizon?

BaltimoreRavens.com confirmed that teams throughout the league have sought permission to interview other Ravens assistant coaches and have been granted that permission.

The team has not given specifics on who those coaches are, but here are a few of the rumors:

The Baltimore Sun’s Jamison Hensley said there are two teams that have shown interest in Ravens Senior Offensive Assistant Al Saunders. The first is the Oakland Raiders, but the second is unknown.

During the press conference announcing Hue Jackson as the Raiders’ new head coach, Jackson said Saunders isn’t the Raiders offensive coordinator yet, but is a candidate.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Seattle Seahawks are considering Quarterbacks Coach Jim Zorn for their offensive coordinator position, a choice that would be “popular in Seattle’s locker room.”

There are conflicting reports on whether the Cleveland Browns are interested in Zorn. Zorn coached with now Browns President Mike Holmgren in Seattle.

The News-Herald in Northern Ohio reported that Zorn could “be in line for the offensive coordinator position.” But just hours later The Cleveland Plain Dealer said Zorn is not a candidate.

How Labor Uncertainty Could Be Influencing Cameron Decision

The Baltimore Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg opened up his blog saying that his theory is completely speculation and not based on any inside information.

But Van Valkenburg wonders if a lingering labor dispute could be influencing Harbaugh’s decision to keep Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron, especially considering the unlikelihood there will be organized team activities this offseason.

That would mean no mini-camps, no passing camps and maybe a shorted training camp before the start of the 2011 season, assuming an agreement will be reached in time for regular-season games to be played.

“If the Ravens wanted to install a new offensive system, they’d have a hell of a time cramming it into three weeks of training camp,” wrote Van Valkenburg. “With so many free agents, and only so much cap space, it’s going to be hard enough just to integrate new pieces.

“Asking the Ravens offensive players to learn new terminology and a series of entirely new formations and base packages is simply too much to cram into a short time period. If you think the Ravens offense was inconsistent this year, imagine what a potential mess [it] might be with less time to practice plus unfamiliar schemes.”

What Are The Chances Of Bisciotti Stepping In?

In a question and answer session, a fan asked the Sun’s Ken Murray what the chances are that Owner Steve Bisciotti steps in and tells Harbaugh that Cameron will be re-assigned?

Murray said that if enough fans express their displeasure, Bisciotti could listen and take action. But Murray added that Bisciotti will be very interested in General Manager Ozzie Newsome’s opinion on the situation.

“If Ozzie feels Cam needs to be replaced, he’d make that recommendation and it’d carry a lot of weight,” wrote Murray. “If Ozzie feels [the offensive troubles are] more on Flacco and not Cam, then I expect Cam to stay.”

Quick Hits

• Harbaugh is among 28 nominees for the inaugural Don Shula NFL Coach of the Year award. [NFL Communications]
• John Eisenberg suggests five moves the Ravens should make this offseason. [CSNBaltimore.com]
• Peter King named linebacker Ray Lewis and tackle Marshal Yanda to his All-Pro team. Surprisingly, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata didn’t make the list. [SI.com]
• If you have the time, this is an excellent and in-depth fan guide to the NFL labor dispute from Michael Silver. [Yahoo! Sports]
• Murray believes the Ravens should have let quarterback Marc Bulger play this year because he thinks Bulger could have run the offense better than Joe Flacco in a number of games. [The Baltimore Sun]

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/01/19/late-for-work-119-players-excited-about-pagano-hire/]View the full article[/url]

[GoingUpTop]

Ok so all we gotta do is get Ozzie to be on board with getting rid of Cam?

Anybody got his cell or email on here?

[Lightlock]

"Murray said that if enough fans express their displeasure, Bisciotti could listen and take action."

If that's the case, somebody please put up a poll asking whether Cam should stay or go. I'd bet that an overwhelming majority would make it pretty clear what they think.

[RayVN5227]

Does Ozzie by chance read the blogs? Hopefully he does. Enough people on here and facebook alone are calling for Cameron's head. If Mr. Bisciotti reads these blogs, print the stuff off and show Ozzie, I am sure he will see how much we Raven fans want change. If it is Flacco to blame, then what are they going to do about it? I don't think he should be the scapegoat, but who knows if Harbaugh would throw him under the bus to protect Cameron, or, if in fact Cameron would (which would be the most likely scenario). He (Flacco) has improved every year and the fact that the Offensive Line needs an overhaul to give him time should be considered. Also letting the stubborn one permit Flacco to call plays and audible more would be a step in the right direction.
LET'S GO FANS, TIME TO FLOOD THE BOARDS, EMAIL, WHATEVER FORM OF MEDIA WE CAN TO RID OURSELVES OF THE ARROGANT ONE, CAM CAMERON !!!

[ravenhaven12]

Did anyone else's world get a little brighter when they read "There's probably going to be a lot more blitzing, he's an aggressive guy." Mine sure did.

[masonz85]

Yeah fire the offensive coordinator who was able to produce 24 points against the the number one defense! Ravens fans are honestly a joke, if we won on on Saturday no one would be calling for Cam. Cam didn't let us down, the defense and inability for the receivers to execute at key moments in the game let us down.

[payaso78]

@masonz85 the point is not he score 24 agains the best deffense the prolem is can never push the gas in the offense to get more point and put it away all thos game

[Rob H]

masonz85 obviously only watched the playoffs.

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

Did anyone else read the "Labor uncertainty issue?" If that does happen, whether fans like it or not Cam is the best option because it makes no sense to start a whole new offensive system and cram it into the players heads in three weeks. If the labor agreement works out before the offseason, I wouldn't be surprised if there was a new coordinator in the headlines...

[PuRock]

If I were Mattison I'd leave. With all the scrutiny he has been getting in Baltimore. It's just not worth it. Such high expectations when you coach our defense.

[RayVN5227]

masonz85 forgets that 7 of those points in that game came from the defense and that only 3 points came in the 2nd half. Sure, he doesn't drop balls, but he does call the plays. Why get so damn conservative in the 2nd half? it wasn't the first time that happened. Ok, say the D let them down. Play the majority of the half and see how you feel. The offense going three and out does not help the defense at all.
Also, yea, with respect to the labor uncertainty, if he is to stick around, which does appear likely, then both Ozzie and Bisciotti need to give him an ultimatum. Stop being so damn arrogant (this comes from a former player) and let your QB be able to audible. Stop holding back this offense that for two years now has been "so close".

[nightxtrain]

the loss in the playoffs falls on flaccos sholders but throughout the season cam hasnt exactly called explosive plays or tried to push the ball down feild partly because we dont have a reciver that can be a deep threat

[REEDisSICK]

I have heard rumblings on Flacco should be sat or traded, this is absurd. All he does is put the ball where these guys can catch it and they dont make the play. Poor guy could have just as many come back wins as someone like aaron rodgers if clayton caught the pass on 4th down in NE last year and then the plays agianst Pitt are just another couple examples. We need someone like austin collie, jordan shipley, the year we won the superbowl it was brandon stokley. We need a sure handed reciver that will make the defensive repsect his tight routes a la Wes Welker. Our WRs are great, but maybe not as clutch as we all had hoped.

[stixfix69]

Washington explained that Pagano was responsible for calling the Ravens%u2019 third-down plays and %u201Cyou could bet your bottom dollar%u201D he would correctly predict what opposing offenses would d0........So my question to FW is....why did you get so abused on 3rd downs......:)

[balfan23]

masonz85 - Wow, I rarely if ever respond negatively to others comments here - but I can't hold back on this one. We're a joke, are we?

Produced 24 points? I hardly call a strip sack for a TD as the Offense putting up points. Yes, it was wonderful that they scored 2 TDs in the first half after the make-up pass interference call and the D got a fumble that put us in the red zone.

Your putting this loss on the D? Are you serious? The D handed the Ravens this game on a silver platter and the offense dumped it on the floor. They looked like lost little children on the field for the majority of the 2nd half.

IF we would have won the game, we wouldn't be calling for Cam's head? REALLY, that's quite an observation - but that's a mighty big IF.

Look - I was standing behind Cam for most of the season and felt that much of his criticism was unwarranted - but we've reached a point where there is little doubt there is mounting mutiny among the players on that unit. Listen to their comments. Veiled jabs at the OC right and left. Surely, he's not to blame for everything, but I feel like there is the need to move on.

Yes, some fans are irrational - but don't blanket the fan base cause you're basically calling me a joke and I don't like it.

[Free Agent]

I hope Steve Bisciotti is checking these baltimoreravens.com blogs, because he will have overwhelming evidence to fire Cam Cameron. We fans do not want him back.

Nothing personal to Cam, but his playcalling certainly did not do the job as our "upgraded" offense was worse than last years' offense.

[danyons]

I think one of our major problems is gone (Greg Mattison).Our D lost the game the second half several times this season, maybe it was fatigue maybe it bad play calling but something has to change. I Also think that is Cam cannot come up with a better play calling scheme for the second half then he need to be looking for a new job as well. keep the 'D'off the field. We have lost our running game this year and tried to give it all to Flacco. We are a RUN N GUN team. Lets bring it back like it should be. Flacco is a great Q back but lets not stress him out.esp against those Steelers lol.

[mec15]

I think I'll leave the personnel decision making to the Ravens organization. I doubt Ozzie needs my (fan) input.

Go Ravens!

[coreyadams]

Well put a poll article up on Cam writers!
Let us fans vote on a poll.

[BEACHBOY]

Van Valkenburg's comment doesn't hold water. Seemed like we only ran a dozen plays on offense all year (Ray Rice off tackle, dump off to Rice, reverse to Stallworth, come backer to Mason, button hook to Heap, quick out to Boldin, etc.) So I think the offense could learn 12 new plays in three weeks if there is a lockout, lol.

[balfan23]

Mec15 - yes the comment that "if enough fans express their displeasure, Bisciotti could listen and take action" is absurd.

Teams don't make personnel decision based on a referendum by the fans. If there is the kind of mutiny among players brewing on the offense that I sense there is, then THAT will be what would cause Biscotti to take action - not fan's opinions.

[CaptainTimo]

I am a big fan of this move, and I hope he takes the 3-man rush with him.

%u201CThere%u2019s probably going to be a lot more blitzing. He%u2019s an aggressive guy.%u201D
- Thank god

[RayVN5227]

baltfan,
You are correct, it comes from talking to the players. I said that yesterday on another post. Bisciotti needs to get offensive input and then address the situation. If all recall, the same thing eventually did lead to Billick getting canned. Mr. Bisciotti will do the right thing.

[boldtown]

so the only coaches not up for the Shula award are the coaches that got fired. it must be a close race....

Secondly, Zorn should be continuing as the ravens quarterback's coach. Flacco was better this year and showing signs of improvement. after all a diamond doesn't sparkle until it gets polished.

[Raven'sFan]

Sad to say because I really had/have high hopes for Flacco, but I wish they would have brought Bulger in against the Steelers...

[OrganizedChaos2052]

Right now, I believe that if Marc Bulger is the better QB and is ready to play, we need to let him play this year and let Joe develop from the bench because Marc is an experienced guy and can lead this offense in ways Joe can't and let's face it; Ray, Ed, Kelly, and many other guys aren't going to be here in 5 years, and Joe most likely will be.

Our chances to win a Superbowl and growing slimmer by the minute. We have to do what's best to win NOW, not later.

[TreTheRaven]

Get rid of bleeping Cam! This offense deserves a new face lift and these fans need it to happen as well to save our stress levels!

Thank you, Steve. (If you even see this.)

[Ravenc85]

they need to hire Zorn as coordinator he has worked with flacco all this year and he was a QB so he seen what flacco seen and also he know what plays flacco will do good in

[brwils]

Cameron is as rigid as Harbaugh. A good OC would have developed a system to match existing personnel, or, would have chosen the best personnel to run his system. Instead, Cam implemented his system, called his plays, and stubbornly refused to ever give Bulger a chance even though he is a much better fit for what Cameron wants to do. Clearly, Flacco is best in the shot gun/spread offense. He is slow getting back from center and slow reading defenses while dropping back.

If Harbaugh really was concerned about the labor dispute (which I think gives him too much credit) then the easy answer is to dump Cam and install Saunders. A change in philosophy and play calling or personnel would do wonders.

[blackbird39]

I will put it simply. Cameron is not the majority of the problem. He has been an OC for along time. Flacco has been a proffesional QB for 3 years. He came from Dela....where? Flacco has all the physical attributes, but is dumb as a box of rocks. In any proffesion, if you keep making the same mistakes, they fire you. Fire Homer Simpson and get someone who can do the job.