What If You Were The Offensive Coordinator?

[Pitts200]

Being a steelers fan, I can empathize with you guys when you feel the game has been called poorly from an offensive standpoint. Many Steeler fans blame Bruce Arians right after many loses.

So I pose the question, how would you utilize the Ravens offense this year.

Do you want to see Joe throwing the ball 40 times a game? Do you want to see him not use RR as a security blanket as much?

Do you want to open up the field and look long to Evans?

Obviously there are pros/cons to quick strike offenses and slow grind it out drives.

So how would you run the Ravens offense for 2011?

[BloodRaven]

Less predictability, oh look, another screen followed by the end around.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

First off I would get McKinnie in decent shape.

After that I would probably throw out cam's playbook and burn the page with the end around on it. Then we would get together and set the depth chart which would probably be something like Q/Evans/Reed/and Doss. Then we would take the field and have 4 receiver's stand on the field just to see what it felt like and then we would start running plays.

I would have Evans running End arounds....haha Ok that is a lie He would be running deep crosses, 9 routes, posts, skinny posts, sluggos, and seam routes.

I would have boldin runnin the in's, out's, slants, ya know the stuff he is good at.

I would have Reed running complimentary routes to Evans although on the same side as Q.

Doss would be on the side with Evans running routes that can get him one on one with a safety and test the waters with how much more speed he ahs than the safety if not he would be running flag routes and things of that nature.

I would have Dickson one on one with a linebacker and exploit the mismatches with deep routes.

Ray would be running a lot of draws, and some screens, he would also get his chances between the tackles.

Flacco throws it about 35 times, and Rice gets 20+ carries.

[Pitts200]

So is the consensus that most Raven fans want it to be a wide open offense this year. Wouldn't that leave Leach in limbo considering that most fullbacks aren't ideal for that kind of situation?

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314834848' post='772091']
So is the consensus that most Raven fans want it to be a wide open offense this year. Wouldn't that leave Leach in limbo considering that most fullbacks aren't ideal for that kind of situation?
[/quote]
No.

I want to return the focus to the run game. I know this is gonna drive ER20 (and a lot others) crazy, but that's always been our strength. Why fix what isn't broken? I wanna see the unbalanced line. No more end arounds/reverses.

I want our offense to find effective ways to get the ball into the hands of playmakers like Boldin, without having Flacco potentially getting destroyed in the pocket.

And I'll take Flacco going 14/15 for 200-some yards any day, rather than have him throwing 30+ times per game. Throwing a lot doesn't always lead to productivity.

Efficiency.

[Alexir]

I would build my offense around the running game because Joe works amazing with play action and Ray Rice is a pro bowl running back with a nice set of hands on him. I like the screen passes. But I do agree that we have to go deep sometimes. I would also utilize the middle of the field more.

End arounds and reverses are for Boise state, not the NFL.

[CorvusCorax]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314833979' post='772085'] [b]So I pose the question, how would you utilize the Ravens offense this year.[/b] [/quote]

1st Play: End Around to T. Smith. They'll never see it coming...

[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/rimshot.gif[/img]

[The Raven]

Run the ball. Play action. I wanna go back to smashmouth football. "Three yards and as cloud of dust" Not quite, but something similar. Little more passing than that. I wanna see 60-40 run-pass.

[K-Dog]

I would do some thing OTHER than run, run, pass, punt.

[Pavli123]

If i was the OC I would win the Super Bowl every year with this kind of talent.

[SecretAgentMan]

There should be if you were the defensive cordinator. But I agree get Mckinnie into shape, stop doing end arounds, run draws, get the Tight Ends involved more, and use Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeach to block his own receptions.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1314835092' post='772092']
No.

I want to return the focus to the run game. [b]I know this is gonna drive ER20 (and a lot others) crazy, but that's always been our strength. Why fix what isn't broken?[/b] I wanna see the unbalanced line. No more end arounds/reverses.

I want our offense to find effective ways to get the ball into the hands of playmakers like Boldin, without having Flacco potentially getting destroyed in the pocket.

[b]And I'll take Flacco going 14/15 for 200-some yards any day, rather than have him throwing 30+ times per game. Throwing a lot doesn't always lead to productivity.[/b]

Efficiency.
[/quote]

Because the NFL has clearly changed. Running the ball efficiently and even effectively is now seemingly more of a luxury than it is essential winning games.

I love watching an offense demoralize the defense by pounding the rock, but nowadays, the top ones are all beating teams primarily through the air.

Against the top play-off teams, the Ravens aren't going to win with Joe putting up those numbers.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1314840004' post='772153']

Because the NFL has clearly changed. Running the ball efficiently and even effectively is now seemingly more of a luxury than it is essential winning games.

I love watching an offense demoralize the defense by pounding the rock, but nowadays, the top ones are all beating teams primarily through the air.

Against the top play-off teams, the Ravens aren't going to win with Joe putting up those numbers.
[/quote]

Agreed, the top teams are primarily passing offenses, I believe a strong run game can still do alot for you. For one, because of the shift to the passing game, run defenses in general are not as good as in prior years. Defenses don't focus as much on stopping the run. Second, if you run it well enough, you should dominate time of possession, giving your defense more time to rest, and to keep the other team's offense off the field. You can't beat Manning on defense, you gotta beat himon offense. Keep him off the field, and you win, because I'm pretty sure he can still outscore most teams. Just an example.

And of course, I just like ramming the ball down the other team's throat. I like physical, aggressive football. Not wussy passing. lol

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314833979' post='772085']
Being a steelers fan, I can empathize with you guys when you feel the game has been called poorly from an offensive standpoint. Many Steeler fans blame Bruce Arians right after many loses.

So I pose the question, how would you utilize the Ravens offense this year.

Do you want to see Joe throwing the ball 40 times a game? Do you want to see him not use RR as a security blanket as much?

Do you want to open up the field and look long to Evans?

Obviously there are pros/cons to quick strike offenses and slow grind it out drives.

So how would you run the Ravens offense for 2011?
[/quote]
It's a quarterback driven league and I want to see the Ravens reflect that. Trying to run the ball down the Steelers, Patriots, or Colts throats hasn't worked, doesn't work, and won't work as long as they have great quarterbacks.

[Gordo52]

I want them to run the Ish out of the ball! And have our defense be elite again. I want the rep of ahard nose football team.

[The Raven]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1314841381' post='772174']
It's a quarterback driven league and I want to see the Ravens reflect that. Trying to run the ball down the Steelers, Patriots, or Colts throats hasn't worked, doesn't work, and won't work as long as they have great quarterbacks.
[/quote]

Good argument... Running the ball doesn't work against them because they have good QBs. Maybe its just that our offense has been generally incompetent, in all aspects, and as Rice is our greatest threat, they just chose to shut down the run game. Since the pass game hasn't worked, they just play the run. Maybe thats it. Also, QB's do not play defense. That would be just bad to watch Manning try and hit somebody. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.png[/img]

[PuRock]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314834848' post='772091']
So is the consensus that most Raven fans want it to be a wide open offense this year. Wouldn't that leave Leach in limbo considering that most fullbacks aren't ideal for that kind of situation?
[/quote]

I wouldn't say that. I want a balanced attack. Let the run open up the pass. We have a strong right side of the O-Line. with a great FB. Use that to our advantage. My problem with the way our offense is run stems from being too predictable and not using guys strengths.

Similar to the 2010 Texans.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1314841381' post='772174']
It's a quarterback driven league and I want to see the Ravens reflect that. Trying to run the ball down the Steelers, Patriots, or Colts throats hasn't worked, doesn't work, and won't work as long as they have great quarterbacks.
[/quote]

Trying to run against the Steelers is like smashing your head into a brick wall.

But did you SEE the playoff game against NE two years ago? How can you possibly say running the ball hasn't worked, doesn't work and won't ever work when it worked to PERFECTION against them? Flacco didn't do anything at all and we crushed them.

Not trying to argue that the running game is more important than the passing game or anything like that. But you can definitely win games running the ball, what about the Jets reaching the AFC championship game the last two years?

[Ngata92NT]

For the Ravens, it's absolutely essential that we get the running game going into overdrive. Quality > Quantity, I strongly believe last year our #1 problem was the running game, which was just pathetic. Of course, if the quality isn't there, we shouldn't bang our heads against the wall either. If you're only getting 3 yards a carry, you have to air it out and stop running play action half the time.

There needs to be a balance between run and pass, which we've had so far. I believe Cam does a good job of balancing the two aspects. But often he makes the wrong choice at the wrong time. Go with whatever is working!

I would LOVE to see Flacco in shotgun wayyyy more often. In fact, it's the only thing that's going to take this offense to the elite level. But we also need a devastating rushing attack so that we can give Flacco manageable situations instead of facing 3rd and long. A strong rushing attack will keep the chains moving and the offense on the field and give Flacco more time to use that cannon arm of his.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1314847602' post='772248']
For the Ravens, it's absolutely essential that we get the running game going into overdrive. Quality > Quantity, I strongly believe last year our #1 problem was the running game, which was just pathetic. Of course, if the quality isn't there, we shouldn't bang our heads against the wall either. If you're only getting 3 yards a carry, you have to air it out and stop running play action half the time.

There needs to be a balance between run and pass, which we've had so far. I believe Cam does a good job of balancing the two aspects. But often he makes the wrong choice at the wrong time. Go with whatever is working!

I would LOVE to see Flacco in shotgun wayyyy more often. In fact, it's the only thing that's going to take this offense to the elite level. But we also need a devastating rushing attack so that we can give Flacco manageable situations instead of facing 3rd and long. A strong rushing attack will keep the chains moving and the offense on the field and give Flacco more time to use that cannon arm of his.
[/quote]
Agree.

You must run to get in favorable 3rd down situations and to make play-action effective, but the Packers showed the way to beat the Steelers - with a spread offense.

Of course, a good O-Coordinator takes what the defense gives him.

But, as mentioned above, if we're going to run a 2-back set (Rice + Leach) with a TE, that leaves only 2 WRs. Against the Steelers, they can put their corners and Ryan Clark against Q + Evans, bring 5-6 pass rushers and still have Polamalu floating - [b]not [/b]a good combination.

Pittsburgh almost surpassed the 2000 Ravens NFL (modern-day) record in rushing yards allowed - you cannot sustain drives running against them.

I think we have to protect Flacco with one back (or Leach) and spread their defense out... just hoping that McKinnie can return to his former Pro-Bowl level, and keep them off Flacco.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1314847234' post='772246']
Trying to run against the Steelers is like smashing your head into a brick wall.

But did you SEE the playoff game against NE two years ago? How can you possibly say running the ball hasn't worked, doesn't work and won't ever work when it worked to PERFECTION against them? Flacco didn't do anything at all and we crushed them.

Not trying to argue that the running game is more important than the passing game or anything like that. But you can definitely win games running the ball, what about the Jets reaching the AFC championship game the last two years?
[/quote]
I'm a little frustrated by the Ravens insistent emphasis on the run game even when it doesn't work for them. I probably should have expounded.

You're right in saying that the game against NE did work out well, but as Tom Brady pointed out: that is one win in 8 (9?). The Ravens have been emphazing run first mentality for so many years and how many wins do they have to show against those three teams when their star qbs are playing? Asking Flacco to shred the Steelers D like Brady is probably asking too much, but after one of those guys throws a 40 yard pass for a td, I want to see something other than run, run, pass, and punt.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314848558' post='772258']
Agree.

You must run to get in favorable 3rd down situations and to make play-action effective, but the Packers showed the way to beat the Steelers - with a spread offense.

Of course, a good O-Coordinator takes what the defense gives him.

But, as mentioned above, if we're going to run a 2-back set (Rice + Leach) with a TE, that leaves only 2 WRs. Against the Steelers, they can put their corners and Ryan Clark against Q + Evans, bring 5-6 pass rushers and still have Polamalu floating - [b]not [/b]a good combination.

Pittsburgh almost surpassed the 2000 Ravens NFL (modern-day) record in rushing yards allowed - you cannot sustain drives running against them.

I think we have to protect Flacco with one back (or Leach) and spread their defense out... just hoping that McKinnie can return to his former Pro-Bowl level, and keep them off Flacco.
[/quote]

Absolutely, like I said the running game is a huge asset but if it's not working, trying to force it causes the offense to grind to a screeching halt. Especially against the Steelers you have to create match-up problems against their weak secondary. You can't get stuffed in the backfield on 2nd down and then try to fend off Harrison and Woodley on 3rd and long every time.

Then again, you can't abandon the run completely, you have to take advantage of the superior talent we have at running back and fullback. Out of the sets with Vonta and Rice, play-action fakes, screens to Dickson, or release routes for Leach and Rice could be pretty effective, in addition to the obvious running plays.

The Packers did one other thing right that we didn't, they didn't take the foot off the gas pedal! When you've got the Steelers in a bad situation, you can't just hole up like a coward and try to run out the clock. They'll make a comeback EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. You have to maintain the rhythm of the offense, when they expect you to be conservative you take risks and be aggressive. Keep THEM on their heels and out of rhythm instead of letting the fire on offense sputter and die.

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1314840004' post='772153']
Because the NFL has clearly changed. Running the ball efficiently and even effectively is now seemingly more of a luxury than it is essential winning games.

I love watching an offense demoralize the defense by pounding the rock, [b]but nowadays, the top ones are all beating teams primarily through the air.[/b]

Against the top play-off teams, the Ravens aren't going to win with Joe putting up those numbers.
[/quote]
Can't really disagree with that. But with our current roster, do you really think we can be that effective through the air? I just think that our personnel dictates that we are a run first team.

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1314845156' post='772226']
I wouldn't say that. I want a balanced attack. Let the run open up the pass. We have a strong right side of the O-Line. with a great FB. Use that to our advantage. My problem with the way our offense is run stems from being too predictable and not using guys strengths.

Similar to the 2010 Texans.
[/quote]
[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1314847602' post='772248']
There needs to be a balance between run and pass, which we've had so far. I believe Cam does a good job of balancing the two aspects. But often he makes the wrong choice at the wrong time. Go with whatever is working!
[/quote]
You people and your "balance". I just wanna run a Zero-Gut play 17 consecutive times in a single drive for a TD. Is that too much to ask? [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/34853_brickwall.GIF[/img]

In other news, my scenario just made Matt Birk wanna retire.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Ngata92NT' timestamp='1314849446' post='772265']

Absolutely, like I said the running game is a huge asset but if it's not working, trying to force it causes the offense to grind to a screeching halt. Especially against the Steelers you have to create match-up problems against their weak secondary. You can't get stuffed in the backfield on 2nd down and then try to fend off Harrison and Woodley on 3rd and long every time.

Then again, you can't abandon the run completely, you have to take advantage of the superior talent we have at running back and fullback. Out of the sets with Vonta and Rice, play-action fakes, screens to Dickson, or release routes for Leach and Rice could be pretty effective, in addition to the obvious running plays.

The Packers did one other thing right that we didn't, they didn't take the foot off the gas pedal! When you've got the Steelers in a bad situation, you can't just hole up like a coward and try to run out the clock. They'll make a comeback EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. You have to maintain the rhythm of the offense, when they expect you to be conservative you take risks and be aggressive. Keep THEM on their heels and out of rhythm instead of letting the fire on offense sputter and die.
[/quote]
Good post.

I agree that you can't go into a pass-only offense against Pittsburgh. If they don't respect the run, Harrison & Woodley will just tee off and rush Flacco every play, and they'll be free to use corner blitzes or Polamalu in a bilitz more effectively.

Also, the speed of their LBs (especially Timmons) decreases the chances of effective swing & screen passes to Rice. I think 8-12 yard quick slants down the middle, past the LBs but in front of the safeties is the best gameplan. Dickson could be instrumental in this.

NE has given the Steelers fits over the years - in one game (I think it was '08 or '09) Brady started out the game with 25 consecutive passes... and the Pats won.

The key word is [b]QUICK[/b] slants. Flacco won't have the time for slow developing longer passes.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1314851069' post='772275']
Good post.

I agree that you can't go into a pass-only offense against Pittsburgh. If they don't respect the run, Harrison & Woodley will just tee off and rush Flacco every play, and they'll be free to use corner blitzes or Polamalu in a bilitz more effectively.

Also, the speed of their LBs (especially Timmons) decreases the chances of effective swing & screen passes to Rice. I think 8-12 yard quick slants down the middle, past the LBs but in front of the safeties is the best gameplan. Dickson could be instrumental in this.

NE has given the Steelers fits over the years - in one game (I think it was '08 or '09) Brady started out the game with 25 consecutive passes... and the Pats won.

The key word is [b]QUICK[/b] slants. Flacco won't have the time for slow developing longer passes.
[/quote]
You definitely bring up some good points, Its also how GB kept the steelers D on their toes.

As most people have said, having a good balance of run/pass is key. I dont think that we need to do one over the other.... except during certain instances. Yes this is a passing league, and because of this.. we cant just RUN the ball... there is to many talented offenses that will just run the score up on us, even if we can control the clock. However, I think once we have a 10+ point lead... its smashmouth football, and we have to be able to SUSTAIN long/clock eating drives. But until then, I think for the most part, we have to be able to do both, plain and simple.

[RoflDogs]

I'd go West Coast with some spread variations here and there. I think that would be the system in which Joe would thrive in the most

[gabefergy]

If I was OC, I would run more of a spread offense. I dont necessarily mind Cam's offense, but it is too dependent on the power run game IMO. Picking up Leach should certainly help the team be more efficient at running the ball, but I also want to see a lot of single back sets.

I think our offense works best when we have 2 TEs or 3WRs on the field. I love the versatility of Dickson and Pitta. Both of these guys are capable at both lining up tight to the formation or flexed out. This would allow Joe to find the mismatch and exploit it. I also love how effective Ray RIce can be when he has some space to operate.

I dont think I need to mention how effective Joe can be when he is allowed to operate out of the Shotgun either. I would like to see more of it.

[littleray27]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314833979' post='772085']Being a steelers fan, I can empathize with you guys when you feel the game has been called poorly from an offensive standpoint. Many Steeler fans blame Bruce Arians right after many loses.

So I pose the question, how would you utilize the Ravens offense this year.

Do you want to see Joe throwing the ball 40 times a game? Do you want to see him not use RR as a security blanket as much?

Do you want to open up the field and look long to Evans?

Obviously there are pros/cons to quick strike offenses and slow grind it out drives.

So how would you run the Ravens offense for 2011?[/quote]

Man you have made alot of people happy with this topic. You have no idea how many OCs there are on here, well you probably do now. Madden 0 w/e and the NFL are two different levels. Yes I know you didn't mention Madden, but I did.

[Radinho84]

[quote name='Pitts200' timestamp='1314833979' post='772085']
Being a steelers fan, I can empathize with you guys when you feel the game has been called poorly from an offensive standpoint. Many Steeler fans blame Bruce Arians right after many loses.

So I pose the question, how would you utilize the Ravens offense this year.

Do you want to see Joe throwing the ball 40 times a game? Do you want to see him not use RR as a security blanket as much?

Do you want to open up the field and look long to Evans?

Obviously there are pros/cons to quick strike offenses and slow grind it out drives.

So how would you run the Ravens offense for 2011?
[/quote]
Coach Tomlin, is this you??

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I just want to see us be efficient and effective. If we're going to try to be a run first team then we need to make sure we're gaining more than 4 yards per carry, otherwise we're not getting it done well enough. A lot of this obviously comes down to the O-line which we've made an attempt to improve. I don't necessarily agree with being "run first" so to speak as I think it's now the time for Flacco to assume the leadership and the responsibility for this offense. I think he's now good enough to throw the ball 25-30 times a game and get it done for us. It just requires us to execute properly, which we couldn't do last year.

We also need to make sure that our plays are tailored to our players' strengths. No more of this "square peg into a round hole" business that I thought I saw a lot of last year. Let Evans, Dickson, Torrey and Reed go deep and let Pitta, Q and Doss run the shorter, underneath routes. Make sure Rice is an option whenever possible.