Ravens Offense Doing What They Said They Would

[Twistidfunk]

Aight, so 4 games in and I have had some time to go back and think about some of these games.

I remember reading an article before the season started and Ozzie and Harbs and Cam said they wanted to get up on teams early and then pound the ball in the second half.

I don't have stats on hand but based on my observations we sure as hell seem to be bursting out of the gates in the 1st quarter.

Week 1 The offense was tossing the ball at will early on. Flacco was on fire. Then the ground and pound in the second half with our defense annhilating Roethlisberger

Week 2 Titans game we got shut down. Flacco was off. Lee was hurt. We didn't use our rookies and TE's effectively. Couldn't run Rice either. Ricky Williams had a crucial game turning fumble I remember. Then we got down in the game and we were off synch.

Week 3 Rams succumbed to an aerial show then ground and pound.

Week 4 Flacco was tossing the ball all over the place. Goin deep and almost experimenting spreading the ball around. 2nd half we decide to start running the ball finally...We were up so much it was as if the Ravens didn't care and just wanted to play around with some big plays. With the way the defense was playing, I actually didn't mind it.

I think we can expect to see this throughout the season and it is a good recipe for the NFL these days. Get up on a team and then hold the ball in the second half. Also, Ray Rice is the man. We are going to need him down the stretch and later in the season this becomes all too important. We need him healthy and fresh for the playoffs. The less he takes the rock and pounds into the line over and over the healthier he will be from getting beaten by linebackers and d-linemen. Ofcourse, Ray out of the backfield is awesome so he should still get his play action passes but getting tackled downfield by DB's is better than linebackers.

I like the recipe and it seems to be working so far with exception to the Titans. I think Cam needs to recognize when it is and isn't working though. When the other team has the ball more in the 1st half of the game, it is time to make adjustments and keep the D off the field, something I thought would happen but didn't in Tennessee.

[RivenHale]

The BEST thing, I thought, was Cam adjusting to Joe's rickety performance in the Jets game. It took a little longer to make the switch to a run-first scheme than I wanted it to, but Cam got the message sometime in the second half, around the fourth quarter: Joe's having a bad night. It happens. You know who isn't having a bad night? Ray Rice. You know who kept getting the ball after that? Ray Rice. That's the sort of flexibility I want out of a coordinator. When Tom Brady was having a crap second half in that Buffalo game, they sent him out and kept telling him to win the game for them. They lost because everyone was shell-shocked that Brady had a bad performance and no one seemed to notice that Ridley and Woodhead could run all over the Bills.

[Jamal]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1317758640' post='816081']
The BEST thing, I thought, was Cam adjusting to Joe's rickety performance in the Jets game. It took a little longer to make the switch to a run-first scheme than I wanted it to, but Cam got the message sometime in the second half, around the fourth quarter: Joe's having a bad night. It happens. You know who isn't having a bad night? Ray Rice. You know who kept getting the ball after that? Ray Rice. That's the sort of flexibility I want out of a coordinator. When Tom Brady was having a crap second half in that Buffalo game, they sent him out and kept telling him to win the game for them. They lost because everyone was shell-shocked that Brady had a bad performance and no one seemed to notice that Ridley and Woodhead could run all over the Bills.
[/quote]
Yeah, well thank god we were playing the Jets, because if we were playing a high powered offense, it might have been a little too late.

Cam adjusted when just about everyone in the country knew the passing game wasn't working.

[RavensFan2110]

Flacco needs to get his act together. He can't keep doing what he did during the Jets game. It will end up costing us a game or two.

[RivenHale]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1317759018' post='816090']
Yeah, well thank god we were playing the Jets, because if we were playing a high powered offense, it might have been a little too late.

Cam adjusted when just about everyone in the country knew the passing game wasn't working.
[/quote]

Like I said, I wish it'd happened sooner. The bad thing is that this was an improvement. Last year, Cam would have walked into the locker room after the game and gone, "Guys, we should have run it more."

[Twistidfunk]

I didn't mind how late he adjusted in the Jets game. We were up and our defense was just insane. I was never worried once during the Jets game. I think it was more of an opportunity to get Flacco in tune with some of our new guys. Better to do it now than in December. Similar to what they did in the Rams game.

If it were another team with a QB other than Sanchez, I would have liked running the ball starting in the 3rd qtr

[AsianRice]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1317759690' post='816107']

Like I said, I wish it'd happened sooner. The bad thing is that this was an improvement. Last year, Cam would have walked into the locker room after the game and gone, "[b]Guys, we should have run it more[/b]."
[/quote]
lmao....The old days.....I hope I don't ever see that again; we need Cam to be proactive during the game. When things not working, change it, and when things working, don't abandon it.

[RavensFan2110]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1317760271' post='816112']
I didn't mind how late he adjusted in the Jets game. We were up and our defense was just insane. I was never worried once during the Jets game. I think it was more of an opportunity to get Flacco in tune with some of our new guys. Better to do it now than in December. Similar to what they did in the Rams game.

If it were another team with a QB other than Sanchez, I would have liked running the ball starting in the 3rd qtr
[/quote]

Prior to the game, I was really worried. Jets are a decent team, and we had the same win/loss ratio prior to the game. And when I saw the way our offense was playing, I would've sworn we were screwed. We're lucky though, we have an amazing defense.

[Runnin Raven]

Good post OP - I think you're right about the change in philosophy. They're not afraid to chuck it around, that's for sure. I wanted more balance in the Jets game because it felt like that would make both aspects of the game better. Something like 60-40 pass-run ratio. Looking at the schedule I think their will be a lot more success throwing the ball. Also would have liked a little more Dennis Pitta targets.

[colljb9]

I really liked that screen we ran when we had both dickson and pitta in the backfield and pitta got the screen and ran for like 12 yards. Both our tight ends are pretty quick, great pass catchers, and even getting better in blocking. I really wanna see both these guys get involved more especially when flacco is struggling with his accuracy. I really hope evans comes back for the houston game even if he is not quite 100%, but he should be after 2 weeks of rest. Hes a verteran presence whose speed still needs to be somewhat checked if he has a slight injury and smith takes the top off the defense. This most importantly should open up the run game because at least one of our tight ends is a downfield threat and evans and smith both obviously are. Then with Rice, a defense just cannot gameplan for so many threats.

[ratedr]

When A-Rod went against the Jets last year, he had a comp % of 44% (15/34, 170yds). The Packers still won though, because the defense shut out the Jets offense. Sound familiar?

Good defenses make QBs look bad. Nothing new. Flacco needs to be more consistent, but I believe that will come with time. After actually watching the games, I'm not seeing too many of the boneheaded mistakes that plagued him in the past. Most of the issues rest on timing, which was to be expected. The bye could not have come at a better time, as Flacco now has an extra week to work with the new offense.

I thought we'd be 2-2 heading into the bye, so to be 3-1 is great. As far as I'm concerned, the team is playing at maybe 65-70% of its full potential, so there's reason for optimism.

[ball hawkin 20]

It's only been 4 weeks, and we've had 2 good offensive games against less than amazing secondarys. Not sold on our passing attack.

[T-ray]

I'm pretty sold on the passing game. Whats not to love about it?? Flacco is still inconsistent, but he looks much better as a player overall, and showed it last night with that Big Ben-esque rush elude and throw to open man play. Of course the timing is off; there was hardly an offseason at all, there are several new faces, and he's working without his security blankets Mase and Heap.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='RavensFan2110' timestamp='1317759033' post='816092']
Flacco needs to get his act together. He can't keep doing what he did during the Jets game. It will end up costing us a game or two.
[/quote]

It cost us the Titans game and what did we do in that game, we ran it.
I think im the only one that thinks we need to pass it , if the deep ball isnt working then do dump offs to the te or short curl routes. The run game to me really doesnt work (except for late in the 4th quarter) , thats the only time we were running it up the middle and getting penetrationwe do sometimes get a big run gain once in a while though.

If we are going to run it then i say run it to the sides, i think its more effective honestly.

[Alexir]

A lot of people put the blame on Flacco for the offense failing against NYJ and Titans but what did Ray Rice do as a rusher in those games? How many times were are guys getting separation?

[Raven146]

Our rookies were abused by vets, who knows what they can get away with and what it takes to throw off timing. A little pull here a shove there and suddenly the deep balls are gone. Hopefully they learned something. The offensive line needs to hold out, they did OK the 1st quarter , then simple stunts and they were pushing wind. They were moving across and letting defenders through casing the pocket to break in under 2 seconds. They have to give time and hold the pocket. The running games needs to be improved. We have the players for a power run game but our motion is for cutbacks .
If were going to go to the run for game control , then we have to get first downs with the run. Once we committed to the running game and it stalled , the pass has to be an option. Giving the ball over on three and outs is going to cost us a game.
If your going to control the clock control it. Three and outs cost us a lot of games last year. Cam is trying so hard to out guess his opponent he is falling right into his same old format. Called the same play three time is a roll and got stuffed, what did he expect. His offense isn't working and has not worked. Flacco calling time outs because he did not get the play from Cam is pathetic. How do we know he didn't get the call ? Because he did not step into the huddle and turned around to Cam and threw his arms out.

[Militant X 1]

we'll see how things go offensively after the bye.

~Mili

[Raven146]

[quote]we'll see how things go offensively after the bye.[/quote]

Agree, Houston will be a tough game, and after their spanking of the Steelers , I would think they will be looking to make a statement on the Ravens. I have a lot of faith in our defense at home, but this may be the best team we have seen this year. In my opinion we will have to have the offense working all 4 quarters, and if we play them like we did the jets and give them the ball that many times, we will pay the price.

[jaege]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1317756740' post='816046']
Aight, so 4 games in and I have had some time to go back and think about some of these games.

I remember reading an article before the season started and Ozzie and Harbs and Cam said they wanted to get up on teams early and then pound the ball in the second half.

I don't have stats on hand but based on my observations we sure as hell seem to be bursting out of the gates in the 1st quarter.

Week 1 The offense was tossing the ball at will early on. Flacco was on fire. Then the ground and pound in the second half with our defense annhilating Roethlisberger [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img]

Week 2 Titans game we got shut down. Flacco was off. Lee was hurt. We didn't use our rookies and TE's effectively. Couldn't run Rice either. Ricky Williams had a crucial game turning fumble I remember. Then we got down in the game and we were off synch.

Week 3 Rams succumbed to an aerial show then ground and pound.

Week 4 Flacco was tossing the ball all over the place. Goin deep and almost experimenting spreading the ball around. 2nd half we decide to start running the ball finally...We were up so much it was as if the Ravens didn't care and just wanted to play around with some big plays. With the way the defense was playing, I actually didn't mind it.

I think we can expect to see this throughout the season and it is a good recipe for the NFL these days. Get up on a team and then hold the ball in the second half. Also, Ray Rice is the man. We are going to need him down the stretch and later in the season this becomes all too important. We need him healthy and fresh for the playoffs. The less he takes the rock and pounds into the line over and over the healthier he will be from getting beaten by linebackers and d-linemen. Ofcourse, Ray out of the backfield is awesome so he should still get his play action passes but getting tackled downfield by DB's is better than linebackers.

I like the recipe and it seems to be working so far with exception to the Titans. I think Cam needs to recognize when it is and isn't working though. When the other team has the ball more in the 1st half of the game, it is time to make adjustments and keep the D off the field, something I thought would happen but didn't in Tennessee.
[/quote]


Agree completely.

I do not necessarily agree with those who say that Joe's performance was off. I think it had more to do with the Jets defense. specifically the secondary. The Jets have arguably the best pair of CBs playing the game today. Their pass rush was also good, it was a Ryan defense which is tough to score on. Fortunately Joe works with one of the best defenses in the league, so they picked up where the offense let off.

[Tiz]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1317765508' post='816197']


It cost us the Titans game and what did we do in that game, we ran it.
I think im the only one that thinks we need to pass it , if the deep ball isnt working then do dump offs to the te or short curl routes. The run game to me really doesnt work (except for late in the 4th quarter) , thats the only time we were running it up the middle and getting penetrationwe do sometimes get a big run gain once in a while though.

If we are going to run it then i say run it to the sides, i think its more effective honestly.
[/quote]

Partially agree. Dont think we need to pass more but agree that if the deep ball isnt there then take some short to intermediate passes.

Its like madden, we throw deep repeatedly because joe has a strong arm but fail to reel it in if timing isnt there.

[Greatness]

[quote name='RavensFan2110' timestamp='1317759033' post='816092']
Flacco needs to get his act together. He can't keep doing what he did during the Jets game. It will end up costing us a game or two.
[/quote]


Thing is though, Flacco doesn't do what he did against the Jets. First game in his 4-year history that he statistically played that bad. More of an aberration than anything else in my opinion. Like it's been noted, we moved the ball how we liked in quarter one. Then the game was pretty much over and then Flacco started going Air McNair through throwing all over the place. However, there was no excuse for his plain bad accuracy, but don't say it like he does this all the time which wouldn't be true.

[RavensFan2110]

[quote name='Greatness' timestamp='1317801402' post='816624']


Thing is though, Flacco doesn't do what he did against the Jets. First game in his 4-year history that he statistically played that bad. More of an aberration than anything else in my opinion. Like it's been noted, we moved the ball how we liked in quarter one. Then the game was pretty much over and then Flacco started going Air McNair through throwing all over the place. However, there was no excuse for his plain bad accuracy, but don't say it like he does this all the time which wouldn't be true.
[/quote]

I'm not, I'm just saying that we can't afford to have Flacco doing that every game.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='RavensFan2110' timestamp='1317821691' post='816698']

I'm not, I'm just saying that we [b]can't afford to have Flacco doing that every game.[/b]
[/quote]
Well, thank goodness he doesnt

[Mick0311]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1317758640' post='816081']
The BEST thing, I thought, was Cam adjusting to Joe's rickety performance in the Jets game. It took a little longer to make the switch to a run-first scheme than I wanted it to, but Cam got the message sometime in the second half, around the fourth quarter: Joe's having a bad night. It happens. You know who isn't having a bad night? Ray Rice. You know who kept getting the ball after that? Ray Rice. That's the sort of flexibility I want out of a coordinator. When Tom Brady was having a crap second half in that Buffalo game, they sent him out and kept telling him to win the game for them. They lost because everyone was shell-shocked that Brady had a bad performance and no one seemed to notice that Ridley and Woodhead could run all over the Bills.
[/quote]


yeah, I have to depart from you there. He should have went run waaaaay earlier. I know we have been down on him for letting off the gas too early, but c'mon man, it was pretty clear that the Jets offense was not going to make a comeback. When we decided to hit them with Rice and Williams, they were very effective. There were numerous times where I was screaming "Why are we still throwing the ball?!?" It was obvious to just about everyone that Joe was a bit off his game last Sunday.

[BmoreRavens732]

I'm really about to stop coming to these threads...I'm tired of hearing people jump all over flacco!!! It's really getting old. When he has good to great games no1 praises him like how they jump on him when he has a bad to decent game...and I'm tired of hearing the D has to carry Joe! Remember when he won the game against Pitt last year in week4 when the D almost let Charlie batch beat em...who? Exactly!!! Or vs the falcons when Joe basically won for us but the D lost or vs NE where Joe put up the points but the D lost again or vs BUF if it wasn't for Joe we would of got blown out literally...or vs HOUSTON where the D almost lost yet another time when Joe put the game away in the first half....or vs Pitt in the playoffs where the D found another way to lose n this is just off the top of my head there is def more...but no Joe had 2 bad games with brand new WR's but1 in Q n basically 2 new TE's not to mention there still basically rookies n the wideouts are rookies lmao....but hey let's bench or even cut the guy over 2 bad games with rookies haha smh

[Gordo52]

Joe gets nervous on primetime games it seems.

[Twistidfunk]

I think Flacco is a fine QB.

I expect us to keep going for the throat in the 1st qtr and the 2nd qtr if it is working the rest of the season. 2nd half is the Ray Rice Show.

[keebl3rs]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1317843689' post='816964']
I think Flacco is a fine QB.

I expect us to keep going for the throat in the 1st qtr and the 2nd qtr if it is working the rest of the season. 2nd half is the Ray Rice Show.
[/quote]

So long as it's not [b]all[/b] pass first half and [b]all [/b]run in the second half like the Jets game. I like some variety in my play calling.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Mick0311' timestamp='1317830890' post='816803']


yeah, I have to depart from you there. He should have went run waaaaay earlier. I know we have been down on him for letting off the gas too early, but c'mon man, i[b]t was pretty clear that the Jets offense was not going to make a comeback[/b]. When we decided to hit them with Rice and Williams, they were very effective. There were numerous times where I was screaming "Why are we still throwing the ball?!?" It was obvious to just about everyone that Joe was a bit off his game last Sunday.
[/quote]

And we should base the outcome of our games on speculation, does not sound like a good plan. Or you can take the bellichek approach and put up 40 or 50 points and say good night. GB does that too those teams seem to win a lot......

[Mick0311]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1317855940' post='817097']

And we should base the outcome of our games on speculation, does not sound like a good plan. Or you can take the bellichek approach and put up 40 or 50 points and say good night. GB does that too those teams seem to win a lot......
[/quote]


Yeah, exactly. GB and NE. Rodgers and Brady. Not a guy who didn't complete a pass for nearly three quarters. I love me some Flacco, but he was off, and the running game was looking good enough to move the chains. My point is that Cam showed a complete lack of flexibility. GB and NE do that because they can. We are headed in that direction of possibilities, but we are still not there yet.