The Ravens Offensive Scheme

[True]

After doing some research, here are my reasons for why the Ravens offense did so poorly this year.

Cam Cameron is part of the Air Coryell discipline of offense. He worked under Norv Turner in San Diego who has his own version of the system that he used in San Diego to create an explosive offense. However, Cam’s system is more of based off of what Joe Gibbs used in his tenure with the Redskins during the 80’s when they were one of the best teams in the NFL. [b]The Ace formation.[/b] Al Saunders actually used this system himself so it makes even more sense why the Ravens used it since he was the consultant for us.

Here is what it is:
[IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/ofbm1f.jpg[/IMG]

[quote="Ace formation"]Teams that run a single-back offense typically rely on quick receivers that run great routes, balanced tight ends (blocking/receiving), intelligent, shifty running backs, fast and intelligent offensive lineman, and a quarterback that can read defenses and make safe throws under pressure. These are the main features of what makes this offense so dangerous. [/quote]

Here is why it failed to work for the Ravens:

[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2ryhevp.jpg[/IMG]

You know what team did actually make it work this season? The New England Patriots. They had Wes Welker and Deion Branch who were quick fast receivers that had perfect timing routes. They had two phenomenal rookie TEs in Gronkowski and Hernandez that were great in receiving and blocking. They had Danny Woodhead who was a versatile back, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and a HOF QB. Is it any wonder why they had the best scoring offense in the NFL? When you have all the correct pieces, this offense is highly dangerous because it is so well balanced. (It can be beat however as the Jets showed last Sunday, but I won't get into that right now)

After hearing the State of the Ravens conference yesterday and John Harbaugh saying they were going to rebuild the offense, I think I know what they are talking about. They are trying to get the best pieces for this scheme to work.

Here is what I think they envision the future of the offense to be:

[IMG]http://i51.tinypic.com/ilelq0.jpg[/IMG]

I understand finally why the Ravens drafted two TEs back to back in last year’s draft. They were the pieces of the future to what Cam Cameron envisioned this offense to be. The loss of Gaither totally screwed up the offensive line as three players played out of position, and Matt Birk isn’t as a good as a center as he used to be. The Ravens scouting [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/33178-ravens-scouting-illinois-guard-randall-hunt/"][u]Randall Hunt[/u][/url] helps add to this theory even more as fixing the offensive line is crucial to this scheme working. Now its just about the growth of the two young TEs, Flacco improving as a QB as he learns this system more, and finding another WR besides Boldin since Mason/Stallworth/Houshmanzdah are all question marks for next year.

[PuRock]

I love the effort you put into the post. And it was an interesting read about the coaching tree. I'm not entirely ready to buy into your theory at the end, but I agree with the principle.

Pretty much in summary. The O-Line stunk this year. It didn't matter what scheme we tried to use, we'd be hindered by the O-ine. We need to add some depth, this can be addressed in the draft and offseason.

I was figuring that when they say 'overhaul' the offense, they meant more the playbook. They are going to add pieces but are also going to build a playbook from scratch.

[berad]

Excellent, excellent, excellent post! If I was able to give you more +'s, I would. This is actually some substantial effort, research, and thought - not just [i]"Duh, Cameron sucks and Flacco does, too"[/i] that normally accompany a topic on the offensive system.

This actually has me hopeful and excited for our offense in the future.

[Purple Nurple]

Great post. I suppose time will prove your theory.

[True]

Thank you for your comments guys. Much appreciated.

I think I can also understand why Donte Stallworth was not used as much as we believed he would be.

Norv Turners scheme is about have two huge vertical threat WRs (Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson are perfect for this) and a TE that can dominate the middle of the field (Antonio Gates). It calls for defenses to be always vary of the deep threat making safeties play far behind, and thus opening up opportunities for the running game. The philosophy is about stretching the field and quick strikes.

However, Cam Cameron didn't use this scheme and focused more on the short to middle passing game, similar to the West Coast offense (which was based off Air Coryell). That's why possession receivers like Boldin and Mason were thought to be good for this offense since they are good at the post and comeback routes. Stallworth is a straight deep threat, and that just doesn't fit into the offensive scheme. He ran a lot of reverses because that is one of the significant plays that the Ace Formation uses and Joe Gibbs used to run a ton of it in the 80s. Cameron figured to use him for that part of his offense instead of the long passing game.

Maybe Joe Flacco with his big arm would be suited for the Norv Turner offense since its about throwing to the big outside WRs, but the Ravens don't have that kind of personnel. That's why Cameron was sticking with this scheme. It could change to the Norv Turner style if the Ravens get the right WRs, but I think they'll stick to what they have.

[Ed_Reed20]

True,

You are the quite simply the man for this post.

[ravensconvert]

Pretty much along the lines of my post in the other thread:

The Ravens offense is not complicated. It is built to do the same kind of fundamental things teams have been doing for decades. Its just two steps:

1) Get 4.5+ yards per carry.
2) Hit deep and intermediate routes off of play action.
3*) We also like to get Rice the ball in space on screens, but lets not digress.

Boom, that's the whole offensive plan. Why didn't it work this year?

1) Instead of Yanda and Oher run blocking on the right side we got Chester (garbage) and Yanda out of position. As a result we got under 4.0 YPC, nobody believed our play action, and we ended up in lots of third and long.

2) Oher is not a natural left tackle. His arms are much smaller then Gaither's. He was beat in pass coverage too often for Joe to consistently hit these slow developing routes (we use those routes because Joe's strength is those routes and they are traditionally the kind of things that open up in play action when you have a good run game. intermediate routes also happen to be routes that our WR are good at running).

3) We don't have a legitimate speedy receiver to run the deep routes, and given our lines problems in pass blocking we really needed someone who could get separation quick. Instead we had three guys running the same intermediate routes.

4) One thing we could have tried to do after recognizing these problems is to put Flacco in the shotgun more and have him try to do more short route rhythm passing west coast style. However, we have no west coast coaches (Cam is an Air Coryelle vertical style coach) and it isn't something Flacco either has experience with nor do they want the team to move in that direction long term. Was the failure to adapt in the short term a failure of coaching? Yes. But that's over and done with now. Going into next season we should address the failures of our original plan (efficient running and play action bombs) so we can make it work, not try to install a totally new system when we already have many of the pieces in place.

Solutions:

1+2) Draft (in the first round) or sign a traditional pass blocking LT. Also consider getting a center with another pick to take over for Birk should he show age.

3) First, determine why the Stallworth experiment did or didn't work and if its salvageable. Then consider acquiring a receiver of this type.

[EnVy_CaLiBeR]

Great vision and a different way to look at it from other posts.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

You really did your HW! Thanks dude, this post it nice!

[UMDan]

I think with a great line, Joe could do great. Imagine Joe with the Patriot's O-line or something like that, his numbers would be incredible if he just wasn't sacked or under pressure as much.

[Bltravens]

This is arguably one of the best posts in terms of Xs and Os Ive seen

[UMDan]

And this was a great read BTW, very thorough and the pictures help.

[ROH522155]

Thats the most effort I've ever seen put into a post. Well done.

[BloodRaven]

Two things, the system is meant to run behind king sized linemen with an emphasis on engulfing defenders, not fast linemen. Second, the Pats don't run the Air Coryell, they are a lot of differences.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1295630179' post='620314']
Thank you for your comments guys. Much appreciated.

I think I can also understand why Donte Stallworth was not used as much as we believed he would be.

Norv Turners scheme is about have two huge vertical threat WRs (Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson are perfect for this) and a TE that can dominate the middle of the field (Antonio Gates). It calls for defenses to be always vary of the deep threat making safeties play far behind, and thus opening up opportunities for the running game. The philosophy is about stretching the field and quick strikes.

However, Cam Cameron didn't use this scheme and focused more on the short to middle passing game, similar to the West Coast offense (which was based off Air Coryell). That's why possession receivers like Boldin and Mason were thought to be good for this offense since they are good at the post and comeback routes. Stallworth is a straight deep threat, and that just doesn't fit into the offensive scheme. He ran a lot of reverses because that is one of the significant plays that the Ace Formation uses and Joe Gibbs used to run a ton of it in the 80s. Cameron figured to use him for that part of his offense instead of the long passing game.

Maybe Joe Flacco with his big arm would be suited for the Norv Turner offense since its about throwing to the big outside WRs, but the Ravens don't have that kind of personnel. That's why Cameron was sticking with this scheme. It could change to the Norv Turner style if the Ravens get the right WRs, but I think they'll stick to what they have.
[/quote]

Great post!! I love it. I just have a question though. Based off of what you have just laid out, why didn't we see more Boldin across the middle than? That is where I am confused. The consensus is that he was not used in this fashion, which has always been his money maker. Not trying to argue your point, just generally confused lol.

[Moderator 2]

Awesome post! I believe most of the woes this year go back to the O line age/injury/ players out of position.

[True]

Once again, thank you for your thoughts everyone.

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1295638909' post='620449']
Two things, the system is meant to run behind king sized linemen with an emphasis on engulfing defenders, not fast linemen. Second, the Pats don't run the Air Coryell, they are a lot of differences.
[/quote]
That be more for the power running game which the Ravens did during the '08 season. Big mauler type linemen to push the front 7 of teams. This system is more towards the use of finesse OL who are quick enough to both be ready for the pass and run.

And yes the Patriots don't use Air Coryell, that was only strictly used by Don Coryell himself in the 80s when the Chargers were dominating the league in passing for 6 straight years. Ever since then different coaches (Mike Martz, Norv Turner, Jobs Gibbs, etc;) have made tweaks to the system and employed their own philosophies.

[quote name='Mick0311' timestamp='1295639327' post='620454']
Great post!! I love it. I just have a question though. Based off of what you have just laid out, why didn't we see more Boldin across the middle than? That is where I am confused. The consensus is that he was not used in this fashion, which has always been his money maker. Not trying to argue your point, just generally confused lol.
[/quote]
From what I know, it's because in this scheme you use the TEs more in the middle of the field (which the Patriots did a lot) while the WRs match up with the corners, allowing mismatches for the TEs against LBs. The Chiefs game was a great example of this. Their two corners were busy with Boldin/Mason, they stacked the box to stop Ray Rice from running, and the result was that they had to sacrifice protecting the middle of the field and Todd Heap went wild and had a career day. Is it any wonder why it looked like the Ravens played their most complete game against them?

The middle isn't designed for the WR to excel in, but more so for TEs. Kellen Winslow Sr. and Antonio Gates are prime examples of guys who dominate the middle since the WRs took up the sidelines and they exploited the matchups. That's why with two TEs you can really exploit the middle since the defense has to honor the fact that they may be in for run blocking, pass protection, or they may use the seams and run up the middle to catch passes. It explains why the Ravens drafted Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta last year because they were going to develop these guys for this exact purpose.

[bpytnjr58]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1295628431' post='620296']
After doing some research, here are my reasons for why the Ravens offense did so poorly this year.

Cam Cameron is part of the Air Coryell discipline of offense. He worked under Norv Turner in San Diego who has his own version of the system that he used in San Diego to create an explosive offense. However, Cam’s system is more of based off of what Joe Gibbs used in his tenure with the Redskins during the 80’s when they were one of the best teams in the NFL. [b]The Ace formation.[/b] Al Saunders actually used this system himself so it makes even more sense why the Ravens used it since he was the consultant for us.

Here is what it is:
[IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/ofbm1f.jpg[/IMG]



Here is why it failed to work for the Ravens:

[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2ryhevp.jpg[/IMG]

You know what team did actually make it work this season? The New England Patriots. They had Wes Welker and Deion Branch who were quick fast receivers that had perfect timing routes. They had two phenomenal rookie TEs in Gronkowski and Hernandez that were great in receiving and blocking. They had Danny Woodhead who was a versatile back, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and a HOF QB. Is it any wonder why they had the best scoring offense in the NFL? When you have all the correct pieces, this offense is highly dangerous because it is so well balanced. (It can be beat however as the Jets showed last Sunday, but I won't get into that right now)

After hearing the State of the Ravens conference yesterday and John Harbaugh saying they were going to rebuild the offense, I think I know what they are talking about. They are trying to get the best pieces for this scheme to work.

Here is what I think they envision the future of the offense to be:

[IMG]http://i51.tinypic.com/ilelq0.jpg[/IMG]

I understand finally why the Ravens drafted two TEs back to back in last year’s draft. They were the pieces of the future to what Cam Cameron envisioned this offense to be. The loss of Gaither totally screwed up the offensive line as three players played out of position, and Matt Birk isn’t as a good as a center as he used to be. The Ravens scouting [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/33178-ravens-scouting-illinois-guard-randall-hunt/"][u]Randall Hunt[/u][/url] helps add to this theory even more as fixing the offensive line is crucial to this scheme working. Now its just about the growth of the two young TEs, Flacco improving as a QB as he learns this system more, and finding another WR besides Boldin since Mason/Stallworth/Houshmanzdah are all question marks for next year.
[/quote]
This is by far the best post i have seen here to date...well done!!!

[Ravenglenn]

I'll say thanks as well. Like already mentioned, this presents hope and excitement for how the future develops for our offense.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1295628431' post='620296']
After doing some research, here are my reasons for why the Ravens offense did so poorly this year.

Cam Cameron is part of the Air Coryell discipline of offense. He worked under Norv Turner in San Diego who has his own version of the system that he used in San Diego to create an explosive offense. However, Cam’s system is more of based off of what Joe Gibbs used in his tenure with the Redskins during the 80’s when they were one of the best teams in the NFL. [b]The Ace formation.[/b] Al Saunders actually used this system himself so it makes even more sense why the Ravens used it since he was the consultant for us.

Here is what it is:
[IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/ofbm1f.jpg[/IMG]



Here is why it failed to work for the Ravens:

[IMG]http://i53.tinypic.com/2ryhevp.jpg[/IMG]

You know what team did actually make it work this season? The New England Patriots. They had Wes Welker and Deion Branch who were quick fast receivers that had perfect timing routes. They had two phenomenal rookie TEs in Gronkowski and Hernandez that were great in receiving and blocking. They had Danny Woodhead who was a versatile back, one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and a HOF QB. Is it any wonder why they had the best scoring offense in the NFL? When you have all the correct pieces, this offense is highly dangerous because it is so well balanced. (It can be beat however as the Jets showed last Sunday, but I won't get into that right now)

After hearing the State of the Ravens conference yesterday and John Harbaugh saying they were going to rebuild the offense, I think I know what they are talking about. They are trying to get the best pieces for this scheme to work.

Here is what I think they envision the future of the offense to be:

[IMG]http://i51.tinypic.com/ilelq0.jpg[/IMG]

I understand finally why the Ravens drafted two TEs back to back in last year’s draft. They were the pieces of the future to what Cam Cameron envisioned this offense to be. The loss of Gaither totally screwed up the offensive line as three players played out of position, and Matt Birk isn’t as a good as a center as he used to be. The Ravens scouting [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/33178-ravens-scouting-illinois-guard-randall-hunt/"][u]Randall Hunt[/u][/url] helps add to this theory even more as fixing the offensive line is crucial to this scheme working. Now its just about the growth of the two young TEs, Flacco improving as a QB as he learns this system more, and finding another WR besides Boldin since Mason/Stallworth/Houshmanzdah are all question marks for next year.
[/quote]

First, excellent post. Even someone not familiar with such specifics of the game can follow that.

Now, I get the scheme and it certainly would go a long way to explaining some of the offensive failure. There is no way we had the speed at WR to pull this off. I am curious as to why for the future you've removed Heap. I get that the new TEs were brought in to be groomed but do you think this year was Heap's last hurrah? Or is it that he just does not have the speed for this scheme to be successful? Just curious.

I would also say this however, it is fine to have a certain offensive scheme. It was obvious though that we did not have the personnel to run this effectively even with the shortened routes. This more goes to solidifying Cam's stubbornness in things. As an OC he should have said, hey, this is where I'm going, get me guys who can do this but then taken a look at his current personnel and implemented something that played to their strengths.

[PeRK82]

Man i hope your right, its just that Cams history really scares me and i dont think anything is going to change. Hope im wrong, i really do.

I ll be happy when i see a wristband on Flacco, then maybe i will start to believe that he can audible. Who else doesnt wear a wristband, i think Flacco is the only one. Maybe im wrong, does anyone know???

[True]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1295641330' post='620482']
First, excellent post. Even someone not familiar with such specifics of the game can follow that.

Now, I get the scheme and it certainly would go a long way to explaining some of the offensive failure. There is no way we had the speed at WR to pull this off. I am curious as to why for the future you've removed Heap. I get that the new TEs were brought in to be groomed but do you think this year was Heap's last hurrah? Or is it that he just does not have the speed for this scheme to be successful? Just curious.

I would also say this however, it is fine to have a certain offensive scheme. It was obvious though that we did not have the personnel to run this effectively even with the shortened routes. This more goes to solidifying Cam's stubbornness in things. As an OC he should have said, hey, this is where I'm going, get me guys who can do this but then taken a look at his current personnel and implemented something that played to their strengths.
[/quote]

If I remember right, next year is the last of Todd Heap's contract. I think he'll be done after that, he's been great for this organization and a hell of a player, but dealt with a lot of injuries these past few seasons. He's good, but not great enough to fill a role like Antonio Gates does for a dynamic TE. The Ravens believe Dickson/Pitta will be the future tandem and that's what I went along with.

And I can't really say anything about Cameron adjusting his gameplan. I know he's pretty much labeled as a stickler who's hard pressed to change it. Maybe that's why Harbaugh said he's going to be more involved next season.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='True' timestamp='1295641928' post='620492']
If I remember right, next year is the last of Todd Heap's contract. I think he'll be done after that, he's been great for this organization and a hell of a player, but dealt with a lot of injuries these past few seasons. He's good, but not great enough to fill a role like Antonio Gates does for a dynamic TE. The Ravens believe Dickson/Pitta will be the future tandem and that's what I went along with.

And I can't really say anything about Cameron adjusting his gameplan. I know he's pretty much labeled as a stickler who's hard pressed to change it. Maybe that's why Harbaugh said he's going to be more involved next season.
[/quote]

I like Dickson, Pitta not so much, maybe he needs more playing time.

[BmoreLAT52]

You should be our offensive coordinator.

Cam's inability to adjust scares me way more than his scheme. He is just very hardheaded.

[XxSizzleXx]

The Cam hate is starting to fade and people are finally starting to open their eyes...

[Ruairidh]

For a johhny foreigner like me to the game this post has help me understand the game a lot better not just like it, the most indepth non proffetional look at the game I have seen. You should make a career of it m8

Cheers

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1295642785' post='620504']
The Cam hate is starting to fade and people are finally starting to open their eyes...
[/quote]

Let's not get carried away lol

He would still be on the hook for not adjusting his scheme to fit the actual personnel. And there is still many just plain illogical decisions he's made throughout the season. The fact remains though, he is going to be our OC next season. I remain optimistic that they are aware there are issues and that Cam has been made aware of things he needs to work on.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1295642785' post='620504']
The Cam hate is starting to fade and people are finally starting to open their eyes...
[/quote]

No it isnt, we just know he will not be fired so everyone is just dealing with it.
If the Offense plays like they did this passed season, i wont be asking for Cams head, ill be asking for Harbs. Because he bent over backwards for him.

[AsianRice]

You know what? I have to admit this is the best post of all I read so far about the past, present, and the future of this offense. If I can give more than +1, I would do in a blink of eye. Lets bump this thread up until the season starts.

After being so down after miserable loss at Pittsburgh, this post keeps me so positive and ready for the next season.

I hope we'll get a good or great LT to make this piece to work.

PS: It's clear for me why we have to keep Cam for another year. However, Cam is still on a very hot seat.

[BloodRaven]

We didn't change philosophy, for example a power running game doesn't need power rushers, it's about picking up yards behind a blocking FB and a mauling o-line. The hard nosed yards are the crux of the system.

Consider the linemen we picked up in the last year, Kooistra, Moll, Harewood etc, all over 6'5" 320lb. True, our o-line didn't start out huge but what you described is a zone system, which would probably rules out Yanda and Gaither, our best linemen.