Ravens Offense: Power And Speed

[True]

According to [url="http://espn.go.com/nfl/notebook/_/page/lastcall1101/john-clayton-last-call"]ESPN Stats & Information[/url], Ray Rice and Ricky Williams had 88 yards on 16 carries up the middle of the Steelers' defense. That's a 5.5 yard per a carry average. I believe this is a good example of just how great Marshall Yanda is at RG with providing Matt Birk with excellent leverage and allowing the RB to push the pile and get tough yards along with Vonta Leach leading the way. This is straight up power running with "I'm coming right at you and I dare you to try and stop me"

As I re-watched the game I noted how fast the offense looks in space and how they created mismatches with the TEs going up against the LBs. Joe Flacco made some big plays taking advantage of play action and having 4 passes of 20+ yards or more. But the real money is in the YAC (yards after catch) and how much quicker the Ravens offense looks.[list]
[*]Ed Dickson - 41 yards
[*]Ray Rice - 37 yards
[*]Dennis Pitta - 27 yards
[*]Anquan Boldin - 21 yards
[/list]
The run game is the most crucial part of the offense because of having a dynamic back in Ray Rice can help carry an offense which is supplemented with a quick strike passing game with either short passes to the young TEs or a deep pass to Lee Evans who draws a ton of coverage.


A combination like this creates a versatile and diverse offense where teams will have to constantly be on their toes because if they stack the box: Play Action or Deep Pass or play zone/man coverage you just pound them with the power running game. It is still early, but I'm liking how this offense is looking so far.

[Ed_Reed20]

Good post.

Tough inside yards and yards after the catch were major issues last season. To think the offense produced so well against one of the stingier defenses [i]and[/i] the passing production only featured one WR are great signs for its true potential.

[baltravens]

We executed Sunday and Cam finally did what an offensive coordinator is paid to do. As long as Cam keeps it up and our running attack and passing game complement each other we will be playoff-bound with the Super Bowl in our sights. ...Oh, yeah, stay healthy my boys, the Ravens.

[Kinda_Dante]

Wow that's impressive! Our o-line has become one of our strongest positions

[BloodRaven]

Ed Dickson and Pitta are MONEY. Dickson has even learned how to block.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1316050585' post='791606']
Ed Dickson and Pitta are MONEY. Dickson has even learned how to block.
[/quote]
Yeah, I was going to mention that his blocking was exceptional (at least in comparison to where it was thought to be).

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1316051490' post='791623']
Yeah, I was going to mention that his blocking was exceptional (at least in comparison to where it was thought to be).
[/quote]

Yeah he was even turning their vaunted linebackers around. It's weird because even for a rookie pass catching TE his blocking was horrible last year.

[SackinU]

The O line and TEs played exceptionally - Lets hope they keep it up

[Bltravens]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1316050585' post='791606']
Ed Dickson and Pitta are MONEY. Dickson has even learned how to block.
[/quote]
I noticed this too good catch. Dickson kicks out Polamalu on the first run of the game all by himself and totally seals him off from the play. Dickson has the potential to be a very legit TE in this league.

[BmoreInBmore]

I was really surprised at how well Dickson looked Sunday. I was not high at him at all going into this season. But, its hard to ignore his athleticism. Cant recall any plays where he shined in blocking but hopefully he continues to contribute in the passing attack.

[Gordo52]

We always had the Elite Defense. Last year we had elite special teams. This year elite offense? [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/th_cancers.gif[/img]

[T-ray]

Dickson could very well be a top 3 TE in the league in the next 3 years...... bold, yes, but reasonable, also yes.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1316128777' post='792449']
We always had the Elite Defense. Last year we had elite special teams. This year elite offense? [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/th_cancers.gif[/img]
[/quote]

I wouldn't say it was an elite ST. Cundiff and Koch, yes. Not the returners.

Maybe this years offense. We showed a flash of brilliance, but its only a flash right now.

[quote name='T-ray' timestamp='1316129074' post='792456']
Dickson could very well be a top 3 TE in the league in the next 3 years...... bold, yes, but reasonable, also yes.
[/quote]

Maybe. He's got the potential, I think he can do it.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1316129287' post='792460']

I wouldn't say it was an elite ST. Cundiff and Koch, yes. Not the returners.

Maybe this years offense. We showed a flash of brilliance, but its only a flash right now.



Maybe. He's got the potential, I think he can do it.
[/quote]
Idk Reed was good when he returned! And when you got a Kicker and a Punter who can do what Cundiff and Koch does I think thats elite

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1316124841' post='792371']
I noticed this too good catch. Dickson kicks out Polamalu on the first run of the game all by himself and totally seals him off from the play. Dickson has the potential to be a very legit TE in this league.
[/quote]

Both of out TE's are flashing that potential, we're starting to look like the Pats with our two TE sets.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='BloodRaven' timestamp='1316050585' post='791606']
Ed Dickson and Pitta are MONEY. Dickson has even learned how to block.
[/quote]
wait wait your telling me this now some one fire heap we get a 2 for one wait ozzie beat me to it

[The King]

The term "power and speed," could be perfectly used to describe Ray Rice. The guy has got to be one of the best RBs in the league going between the tackles, because he can break tackles and flip it into high gear to break away. He may not have the straightline speed of Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden, or Chris Johnson, but he makes up for it by being an every down back with determination and the ability to pound the ball in in short yardage situations, not to mention the fact that he has an incredible ability to keep himself standing when other backs would be going to the ground.

Ed Dickson is also a guy with a great mix of speed and strength. I believe he was number one in the bench press amongst TEs at the combine as well as having great speed and size for the position. Definitely a matchup we can exploit in the middle of the field.