[Blogs] Late For Work 10/25: Suggs Sounds Off

[BR News]

Suggs Sounds Off

Monday night’s offensive performance was one of the worst in franchise history.

But if you ask outside linebacker Terrell Suggs, it didn’t have to be that way. The loquacious linebacker feels Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice should have been more involved to help the offense while it struggled.

Of the 146 total offensive yards Baltimore mustered, Rice was responsible for 65 on eight carries and five receptions.

“I don’t really know what the game plan was, but when I have a Pro Bowl running back and I see he is not getting his touches, I’m going to feel a certain type of way about it,” Suggs said in the NFL Network video below. “He’s a good guy. He wants the ball and I think we should feed him. Ray Rice is a phenomenal player and you have to use your phenomenal players.”

Rice started off on the wrong foot when he lost the ball on his third carry of the night. Prior to that, he hadn’t fumbled in 522 consecutive regular-season touches (NFL’s longest streak).

Jaguars counterpart Maurice Jones-Drew also had a hard time holding onto the ball, letting it hit the ground three times. The Ravens could only recover one, however, and ended up surrendering 105 yards on 30 carries to Jones-Drew. He’s the first back to break the century mark against the Ravens’ defense this season.

“On offense [Jacksonville] kept it simple – they ran the ball,” Suggs told CSNBaltimore.com. “I believe Jones-Drew had 30 carries and I believe his backup had 10, maybe 15 carries. But it baffles me that Ray Rice only had [eight] carries. This is a Pro Bowl running back we’re talking about. They fed their horse and he toted the ball. So we got to feed our horse.”

Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron explained that Rice’s carries were limited because there were an overall limited number of plays on offense. The Ravens struggled to stay on the field after not converting any first downs in the first half, tying a franchise record.

“Hey, I agree with him whole heartedly,” Cameron told media. “In every game, we have to make sure Ray Rice is involved.”

Suggs also identified receiver Anquan Boldin as a player who should have been more involved. Boldin caught four balls for 40 yards and a touchdown. While the number of catches wasn’t bulky, Boldin was targeted 12 times, the most of anyone on the team. The person with the second-most targets was Rice with eight.

“I have to question how many catches Anquan had,” Suggs said. “We got guys on this team that can do some great things. We have to use those guys. It’s that simple.”

One of the Ravens’ goals this season is to earn a home playoff game, but with Monday’s 12-9 loss, the team now finds itself a half-game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. If the Ravens don’t find a way to snatch the top spot back, that possibility will wither away.

“The Ravens should have learned their lesson last year, when a Week 2 loss in Cincinnati helped tip a divisional tiebreaker in Pittsburgh’s favor, forcing the Ravens to open the playoffs on the road in the wild-card round,” wrote SI.com’s Chris Burke.

Baltimore has now left the door open for a similar fate this season.

“If we don’t get the first-round bye, it’s our own fault,” said Suggs.

Dilfer On Pollard’s Penalty: Refs Are As Confused As Anyone

Nothing was as bad as the Ravens’ offense Sunday, but the officiating might be second on the list (not that the refs can be blamed for the loss).

Three fumble calls were overturned after head coach challenges in the first half. But no call was more criticized by the ESPN crew than the personal foul penalty called on safety Bernard Pollard when he crushed Jaguars running back Deji Karim.

Pollard was flagged for a helmet-to-helmet hit on a defenseless player after he separated Karim from the ball on a key third down in the third quarter. The penalty led to a field goal that gave Jacksonville a two-score lead.

Television replays showed Pollard using his shoulder to deliver the blow.

“If I hit you with my shoulder and my head is across your chest, why is that a personal foul?” asked ESPN’s Stuart Scott on SportsCenter after the game.

“Well it’s not. And I think that’s the whole key,” responded Trent Dilfer, ESPN analyst and former Ravens quarterback. “This is a key drive, Jacksonville [is] driving, they’re going to be off the field, Bernard Pollard comes up and this is as clean as they come. His helmet is across the jersey, he wraps up, he doesn’t launch, he doesn’t drive the receiver into the ground.

“This is a travesty what is going on in the NFL. They are taking one of the most beautiful parts of football, and that is the contact, out of it.”

Dilfer said Pollard’s penalty was the culmination of bad unnecessary roughness calls being made this season. As a former quarterback who suffered 14 concussions, Dilfer said he is for player safety but it has become “a joke.”

The point was repeatedly made that the officials are not to blame.

“Refs have to be kind of gun shy based on the kind of pressure the league is putting on them,” said Scott.

Added Dilfer, “The league, not the refs – I want to make this very clear: we talk to them before the games. Every week we’re out there, and they just [say], ‘Trent, we can’t say anything. It’s as hard for us as anyone out there.’”

Hensley: Offense A Roadblock To Super Bowl

The last time the Ravens’ defense did not finish the season among the league’s Top 10 was in 2002. For nine long years Ray Lewis and Co. has set the example of what a dominant defense looks like.

During that same time, the offense has never finished in the Top 10. The closest it’s gotten is No. 13 in 2009.

That trend has continued so far this season with the defense ranked No. 1 and the offense ranked No. 22.

“The biggest roadblock to the Baltimore Ravens’ path to the Super Bowl isn’t the Pittsburgh Steelers or the New England Patriots,” wrote ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “It’s the Ravens’ offense. In Baltimore, it’s always been the offense.

“The coordinators (from Matt Cavanaugh to Jim Fassel to Brian Billick himself) and quarterbacks (from Trent Dilfer to Kyle Boller) change, but the struggles on offense remain the same. … Ray Lewis and this defense have been good enough over the past decade to get back to the Super Bowl, and probably multiple ones.”

Flacco’s Missed Opportunity

With just under two minutes remaining in the game, quarterback Joe Flacco got the ball at the Ravens’ 20-yard line with an opportunity to drive his offense the length of the field for a game-winning touchdown drive.

“This was the type of game that keeps coming up when people debate Joe Flacco’s place among NFL quarterbacks,” wrote Burke. “Flacco had a chance Monday to pull the Ravens up and deliver an undeserved victory. Instead, down by five with 1:43 left, he threw an incomplete pass well out of bounds, then tossed an interception to Drew Coleman.”

The debate will ensue whether Flacco is to be solely blamed for the loss. CSNBaltimore.com’s John Eisenberg said Flacco looked as lost as anytime in his career.

“But in his defense, his protection was poor and his receivers couldn’t gain any separation,” Eisenberg added. “If you had to pinpoint one offensive problem that was the most crucial, it would be the line’s struggles. It couldn’t run block and couldn’t keep the Jaguars’ pass rush off Flacco.”

While Flacco and Rice could have played better, Burke argued “all the talent in the world can only do so much” if the offensive line can’t hold up.

“At 4-2, Baltimore remains in fine shape for a playoff run, and quite frankly, the Ravens should make the postseason again,” Burke said. “There’s just no way to forgive Monday’s offensive — in every meaning of the word — performance.”

Quick Hits

• JasonLaCanfora: Ravens better hope they get G Ben Grubbs back for that Steelers game. They’re gonna be licking chops at the OL tape from this game [Twitter]
• RossTuckerNFL: Another example of why refs shouldn’t throw flags on those hits [like Pollard's]. Review video next day & issue fine if necessary to deter behavior. [Twitter]
• JasonLaCanfora: Ravens coordinator Cam Cameron refuses to go no-huddle shotgun. Kinda strange but he’s done it before [Twitter]
• PMGleason: That was Coach Harbaugh’s 5th replay challenge this year and 4th that’s been overturned in the Ravens’ favor. [Twitter]
• RayRice27: Tough one this is when we will see who is really with us and to the fantasy owners I promise you a better performance next week #Ravens [Twitter]
• Ant_Allen: Damn we got some loyal fans we appreciate y’all [Twitter]
• untouchablejay4: Its not that we lost,.. its how we lost!!!!! [Twitter]
• brendon310: Wish I coulda had more self control but I’m not wired like that. Had to scratch n claw to get here, gonna keep fightin my tail off to stay. [Twitter]
• TorreySmithWR: Thats a tough one…but it’s a long season our defense played great…our offense will get back on track [Twitter]
• vleach44: Tough loss for us tonight defense played lights out n kept us in the game we did not do our part of offense the Jags kick our [butt] on to next [Twitter]

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/10/25/late-for-work-1025-suggs-sounds-off/]View the full article[/url]

[Forevermore20]

Its the routes that kill us every time. basically the play calling. its very vanilla. We don't do anything to confuse the defense.. What you see is what you get. Zorn was the scapegoat last yr. No one to cover his @ss this year. If we don't go to the super bowl, both Cam and Flacco will be in question. Under Zorn, Flacco had his best year statistically. You fire that guy? Yet you keep the guy calling the plays? lol... I mean really think about this. Flacco has his best year, throws only 9 or 10 picks, looked solid throughout the year and then you fire his coach? instead of the guy who calls the plays and can't get his receivers open? We go and get speed and he still can't get receivers open. You have to wonder the logic behind this. Play calling will kill us when it matters most once again. In addition to that, Cundiff leads the league in touchbacks, jags barely moved the ball all game, and you neglect to kick the ball deep? Nerves? I don't understand this crap. Not fair to the defense, not fair to the fans.

[JeezyTheSnowMan]

Translation to what Suggs is really saying: FIre Cam Cameron

[Berkeley_Raven]

"Nom nom nom..." That's me eating my words from last week...enough with the mental letdowns, already!

Suggs' tweet sums it up. It's not that we lost, but that the Jaguars dominated us for 58 minutes. That's the style of play we're known for, and they beat us with it. Mystigo_Dragon, you're absolutely correct, the Ravens need to get back to smash-mouth, dominate the line football. But whatever they end up doing that's successful, they need to do it consistently. The Titans and the Jags are two wins we should have had easily, and now we have to look up at the Steelers in the division lead...Just gotta take care of business from here on out.

Not bashing Flacco, but will question Cam. Flacco floundered out there, but how much of his lack of success is due to the plays that were given to him? Only the TD drive was successful, and it ate up too much clock...even Harbs was getting angry. When the line isn't protecting, and no one gets open, you make people get open by design...Cam changed nothing. I'm not saying fire him now, but at the end of the season, take a good, long look at our offensive progress this past four years. How much has Cam helped Flacco, and how much has Flacco helped Cam? I'm for keeping Joe, so you already know my answer...

One last thing...the humidity was 65% at kickoff...slick footballs leading to all of the fumbles, as opposed to hard hitting? Or a little of both?

[Kleermynd Raven]

Cam should go...sad thing is Harbs & Co. are in such denial, it probably won't happen. Bring in someone who will take what Cam is doing (because we can't have a complete overhaul) but tweak it a bit. Better play calling, personnel decision, schemes, BETTER ROUTE COMBINATIONS. Use crossing patterns for goodness sake. This is the same team we saw against PITTS Week 1. However, this is also the same OC we have had since...sigh

[Kueef]

Flacco is still learning. We need a vet on the team to teach him a thing or two.

[AKPapi]

Flacco played a horrible game, there was subpar O line protection, but what really gets me is the play-calling. We didn't run Rice on 2nd and 3rd downs with short yardage multiple times. Also, the onside kick was idiotic considering how dominating our defense was the whole game. Finally, Flacco is completely unprepared and unskilled at running the no-huddle / hurry up offense. The seconds melt away while he looks to the sideline and gets his troops together. This, I believe, is probably mostly attributable to the lack of proper coaching and preparation. College and even high school quarterbacks run quicker hurry up offenses than Flacco.

The coaches (mainly Cam) need to do a better job preparing their guys and there's no excuses for the poor play of Flacco and the O line.

[respecttheRaven]

This is Sugg's nice way of saying that Cams plays stink!!

[mason85]

Maybe they should hold the refs accountable, say the next day review the tapes and fine the refs for bad calls. That will stop all the flag throwing. They get paid , start hitting them in the pockets, not just the players.

[AJ Kohn]

The ref's caused the Jaguars to score to make it 9-0, if it instead had been 6-0, the ravens would have scored the touchdown and NOT had to kick an onside kick. Then the jaguars would have the ball on their own 20 with 2 minutes left down by one against the Ravens defense. I like those odds for the ravens, therefore the refs are to blame for the loss.

[Patricia_NC]

Can't say it enough.............Giving the weapons on this team to Cameron is like giving an ouzi to a 3 yr old......it may fire once in a while but he really doesn't know what to do with it.

[blackbirdforlife]

"Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron explained that Rice's carries were limited because there were an overall limited number of plays on offense." What the HELLo kind of statement is that!? Seriously, you just admitted that you purposely underprepared. When your "limited number of plays" aren't working, go no huddle! It worked when you finally let Flacco do it, but it was too little too late. Thanks cam, this loss rests on your shoulders.

[coreyadams]

Suggs, you got good character.
You stood up for Flacco last week.
Keep your spririts high!

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

The O line sucke

Flacco was worse

Cam once again the worst.

[JeezyTheSnowMan]

Is there anyway us Raven fans can get '"Fire Cam Cameron'' in the Webster dictionary?

Definition: Fire Cam Cameron means to fire some idiot who doesn't know how to call plays during situation. This could go for anyone.

Syllables: 5
Noun

[SanDiegan Raven]

I'm done! I've supported Cam long enough! This was the straw that broke it! This is absolutely un-called for! FIRE CAM! Put someone that knows how to adjust! Put someone that knows how to use the plethora of talent at his feet!

If you can't produce with this team you have no business in the NFL. It is a privilege to be a coach, not a right! FIRE CAM! FIRE CAM! FIRE CAM!

He is not a Raven and he doesn't coach like one! We need Ravens here in Baltimore! Now I understand why so many people laughed at me here in San Diego when I was excited we got Cam! They knew what to expect! I obviously didn't!

FIRE CAM! FIRE CAM! The plays are fine we need a new playcaller! If we don't there is no Supe Bowl! Did you see Ray Lewis' face? Do you hear the frustration from Suggs? Everyone knows the problem!

GET HIM OUT OF HERE! HE IS NOT A RAVEN!

[Ravensfan4life2010]

Almost forgot this weeks matchup will be awesome Jimmy Smith vs Larry Fitzegerald epic, IMO Jimmy is the only cb we got that can give Fitzgerald a hard time my opinion

[Keeper_85]

Ok, I have tried to not be to hard on the offense but this is just down right ridiculous. The line looked like a sieve, they couldn't stop anything. Joe as one of you supporters, I am starting to wonder? If Cam calls a crappy play change it and deal with him later, stop doing what's not working. I have to also agree with the rest of the Raven Nation its time to say goodbye to Cam he just isn't the O-coordinator that we need. Lastly, my hats off to the Ravens D you guys are insane and the reason I love watching the Ravens play. Awesome game, you guys won. As for the offense%u2026well you know what needs to be done and you should be buying dinner for the D

[J.O.14]

I feel bad for our defense, our offense is horrible and we will never win in the playoffs with a offense like that, we might not make it actually!!! Flacco didn't play good, but like they were saying our recievers we not getting open. Im going to say this and might get bashed but i honestly think we miss Derrick Mason. He always found a way to get open. Before we had boldin, mason had 2 1000 yard seasons, yeah we didnt have another good reciever, but he still got open. That curl route we ran about a billion times last night that never worked would have worked with mason. We always did that with him and probably completed 8 out of 10 everytime. He found a way to get open and flacco trusted him. Boldin doesnt do that, and i dont believe that he is a true number one. He doesnt get good seperation and him and flacco look like they still don't have that chemistry that him and mason had. I miss mason and i think our whole offense does. We need evans back and we need him back now.

Our defense is great, i feel bad for them. This is gonna be one of the best Defenses we have had and its gonna be a disappointment if they can't show what they can do in the playoffs if our offense can't back them up...

[virgod]

i seen alot of 2-25 and 3-35 last night thanks to bad o-line play and penalty's in the first half. Once we stopped getting holding and false start penalty's we started moving the ball well.

[Popeye the sailor man]

Cam Cameron needs to go,out out Cameron and Joe Flacco needs to stop being his puppet.PERIODDDDD

[blackbirdforlife]

"JasonLaCanfora: Ravens coordinator Cam Cameron refuses to go no-huddle shotgun. Kinda strange but he%u2019s done it before [Twitter]"

[anonymousravenfan85]

If only national TV showed more then one view of the field so fans could see the recievers routes and the defense coverage and the whole play so people could see its just not flaccos stupid descions but that he has no choice to throw it in tight spots because our recievers are not getting seperation and that starts with the cam he draws routes for.recievers but doesn't draw up plays routes are suppose to help open up.your primary target and confuse the d and we have no plays like that I'm not saying off with flaccos head until I see him play with a different offensive coordinator

[SanDiegan Raven]

I'm sick of hearing about the refs! This game shouldn't even had been close enough to be effected by refs!

This is on CAM! Jaworski even noticed that we were getting dominated in this garbage scheme! When you're playing tons of man against you, motion and bunch formation! My brother and I noticed it right away! Why can't a seasoned veteran coach?

CAM MUST GO! HE IS NOT A RAVEN! HE DOES NOT COACH ANYTHING LIKE A RAVEN!

The offensive line is terrible because the coach and playcalls are terrible! These guys have a combined 505 years of experience. You mean to tell me they don't know how to play football yet? GET OUT OF HERE WITH THAT!

IT IS ALL ON CAM AND IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO GO!

[J.O.14]

our o-line was terrible. and like someone said, i am a flacco supporter, but what is going on. He needs to take charge and if he doesnt like something or its not working CHANGE IT!! Grow some balls and do something about it!! I am really starting to wonder about the guy, i will back him up through thick and thin, but if he doesnt perform then maybe we need to look at someone else...i know if we had a good quarterback then this team would be the best team in the league, by far....

[jek81791]

the refs arent confused they are retarded if you dont know if you should throw the penalty flag that should be a key indicator to not throw the penalty flag

[BmoreKing]

I am one of the few that supported Flacco, but he fails miserably on every prime-time stage he plays. How are we suppose to win a Super Bowl being the biggest prime-time stage there is. He is clearly holding us back. Might be time to make a change.

[gametyme]

This is a little off subject but i missed near the end of the game when the Jags were kicking off. Did the refs stop the kickoff so the Jags could get 11 men on the field? Or was it somthing else?

[sircharles06]

suggs is 100% right and cam needs to be fired.....his schemes only work on weak or old defense....We are a running team period.... run to open up the pass....and flacco sucks he needs to be mirco manage he will NEVER be n elite quarterback in the league hes too scary I can see it in his eyes like a punk in the streets!!!

[SanDiegan Raven]

Of course Cam is going to agree "whole heartedly" because he sucks! He knows it's his fault! I supported him and said we should support him because we're stuck with him!

Forget that craap! Get his A55 out of here! I'm sick of it and so is the rest of Baltimore and Ravens fans all over the country/ world!

CAM DOES NOT DESERVE TO BE CALLED A RAVEN!