The Offense Is Growing Up, Starting To Gel

[scrock]

A big deal has been made of Joe Flacco's struggles this year. The national media (or just the media in general) will look at the stats and say, 'Joe just isn't getting it done, he's too inconsistent'.[b] In the first 9 games only twice did Flacco have a QB rating of 100 or better and his completion % was at a career low.[/b] The reasons for the struggles were clear to me, they should have been clear to any Ravens fan or local media.

After the lockout ended Ozzie and the team made the decision to get younger, we needed more speed, which was true. Bye bye Mason, c-ya later HEAAAAPPP....enter Lee Evans, Torrey Smith, thats more playing time for two relatively inexperienced TEs in Dickson and Pitta. No offseason programs made it tougher but we were good enough to win anyway....Yes, the Ravens got the speed they wanted but the offense has been a work in progress all year. Early on it was guys not running the right routes, then the team got away from the run game (which seems to happen once a year with Cam)...no run game, well the pass game was already a work in progress, Lee Evans was injured all year, Torrey had to step up...too many dropped balls

Finally, Cam has remembered the run game, that is why Leach was brought here in the first place wasn't it? Why we signed Yanda....because he's a mauler, he's nasty..[b].In the last 4 games Joe has had a QB Rating of 100 or better 3 times, his completion % is up, 63% vs Cincy, 65% vs San Fran, 43% at Cleveland (drops, bad weather, and they ran it all day), 74% vs Indy..[/b].the offense went thru growing pains, but the run game is healthy, the young guys are starting to play like veterans, the dropped balls still need to go down (i only remember 1 from the Indy game) but right now when the games matter the most the Ravens offense is showing signs of maturing

I have maintained all year that it wasn't all Joe Flacco's fault but he's the QB and so he gets the majority of the blame, this offense was going through growing pains, luckily we were able to win most of those games...we lost a couple we shouldn't because during the year we abandoned the running game, and at a time where the passing game just wasnt hitting on all cylinders...not saying they are now either, its still a work in progress but i think we may be turning a corner, this is the time of year to keep getting better and the offense may finally be making that push....this could be a special year if everything turns out right

[OUravensfan]

I hope this is the year. I can't take it anymore, this is so stressful... Are we going to win the division, is Pitt going to drop a game, We will get the #1 seed, Who we will play in the playoffs? ahhh, I can't take the suspense anymore, I just want the playoffs to arrive. I can't wait.

All that said, if Joe continues to throw Red zone TD passes we are in great shape for the playoffs.

[cursona pirate]

Flacco and Torrey i think are really fused. also Pitta has really stepped up this year(last year I thought to myself he is going to be good)
Pitta has replaced Todd Heap. Rice is just on fire lately. So yeah overall the offense is getting together at the right time! GO RAVENS!

[T3hRaven]

The development of Torrey Smith has been the key to this season. Him and Flacco are starting to gel, and it has me excited not only for the end of this year but also next year. His catching, while still shoddy at spots, has improved a ton while he's been here, and that 40 time from the combine had to be mistimed cause this kid can fly down the field.

I'm waiting for the bashing of Flacco after the season for the poor completion percentage, despite the fact that has fixed itself over the course of the season. It really wasn't his fault, he's still a solid 60% guy (in a terrible offensive system, which is impressive in and of itself), yet they'll probably praise Eli despite the fact he didn't break the 60% mark until well into his career.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1323737517' post='905158']

I have maintained all year that it wasn't all Joe Flacco's fault but he's the QB and so he gets the majority of the blame, this offense was going through growing pains, luckily we were able to win most of those games...we lost a couple we shouldn't because during the year we abandoned the running game, and at a time where the passing game just wasnt hitting on all cylinders...not saying they are now either, its still a work in progress but i think we may be turning a corner, this is the time of year to keep getting better and the offense may finally be making that push....this could be a special year if everything turns out right
[/quote]

I've got the feeling this is going to be a special year too. I think you have to be a Ravens fan to understand it. The media types look at box scores and stats but never get a feel for those little things we see over the course of a season - Joe's improved timing and confidence with his new receivers , the O-line coming together as a unit , RR and Vonta forming a bond - stuff that happens at such a slow pace and in such tiny increments that it can't be noticed by outsiders. Heck , for all I know , I might be imagining it myself.

I think it's real though , and will continue. By the playoffs , all we need is a capable offense , not an elite one , because we have the defense to stop any offense. I want to see the defense prove that beyond doubt over the next three games - with no-mercy , shutdown games - so both the O and the D can go into the playoffs knowing we can win every game without scoring a ton of points.

We can win the SB pretty much like we won it in 2000. This defense is probably not quite as dominant as that one was , but it's close , and our QB and offense are potentially much better than what we had back then.

[redrum52]

Yes everything is starting to gel and Flacco has been pretty consistent since the Cards game. People look at the numbers and say hes not doing much but if youre an actual fan you see him making the 3rd down passes when he needs to. His passes are getting more accurate, hes evading pressure and getting the ball out to his receivers faster(something I did get on him for in the past). Hes also starting to get the trust in his receivers to throw where it should before before the routes complete. I'm really noticing the progress this season and the league might have to first dominant team on offense and defense if we can hold onto Pagano for a few more years. Outsiders don't and wont see the potential til its too late. I really like whats brewing here and it seems like everyone has faith in one another to get their job done. Its like the stars aligned for us to make this run, everything is starting to click and what better place for the Ravens to take the chip than in Indy.

[JoeCool#5]

Joe is doing great. Considering he is making great decisions on obvious passing situations of 3rd and longs after running 2x in a row. He keeps drives alive and thats all we can ask.

[Ravenslifer]

I think most long-time fans knew there would be growing pains with this offense and Joe in particular this year. Hey, I said it before the season that I expected an early slump - I just didn't think it would take this long for the offense to grow out of it. But in years past there were always those fans who kept saying Flacco sucks, blah, blah, blah. These days, a surprising number of former detractors have started hopping aboard the Flacco train.

The problem I have, though, is that people keep seeing us not reaching the Superbowl as a sign of failure, and then instantly blaming Joe. The last two guys to win Superbowls so young were Roethlisberger and Brady. Both were helped enormously by their defenses (Roethlisberger played abysmally against the Seahawks and yet the Steelers still won). And both are heading to the HOF someday. So think about that, for a second. Since 1990, maybe 4 quarterbacks who won Superbowls will NOT eventually get into the HOF - Rypien and Hostetler, who won all the way back in 1991 and 1990, respectively, Trent, and Brad Johnson. Now lets mention the others. Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Brett Favre, John Elway, Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Eli Manning (maybe a HOF?), Ben Roethlisberger, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers. Conclusion - in all but extreme circumstances, it takes a pro-bowl caliber QB, if not an outright Hall of Famer, to even win a Superbowl. To get there and win one is, therefore, very, very difficult, and the fact that in 4 seasons Joe's put us in position to do it every year, and every year looks like he's taken another step, is a very encouraging sign to me. The real question is, do I and the rest of the fans have the patience it takes to let Joe grow and take the next step? Because we might not win it all for another 10 years (ala Elway). But from what I've seen, I really believe that if Joe is given the chance to grow, given a system that works well for him, and given the talent around him he needs, we can and will win it all.

[Fricknmaniac]

It really makes you wonder how this season might have been different if Lee Evans hadn't been injured.

He was a major factor week 1 without making a catch and missed a number of the next games. And that's when Torrey Smith took over and grabbed the starting job. Evans and Flacco really seemed to have some good chemistry in the preseason.

I can only speculate, but I think we'd probably have been better earlier in the season with Evans, but I think we're in a better position now, late in the season, with Torrey Smith.

[scrock]

I was thinking about this today, the Tebow story is huge and there was like 5 topics back to back all about Tebow and the Broncos winning a couple games on the Monday Night countdown...I haven't heard anyone talking about what the Ravens and Joe are accomplishing, making the playoffs 4 years in a row..Joe is the winningest QB since he came into the league

I think we can make it to the Superbowl for sure, Joe is cool under pressure and that's what you want from your QB

[scrock]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1323748001' post='905325']
It really makes you wonder how this season might have been different if Lee Evans hadn't been injured.

He was a major factor week 1 without making a catch and missed a number of the next games. And that's when Torrey Smith took over and grabbed the starting job. Evans and Flacco really seemed to have some good chemistry in the preseason.

I can only speculate, but I think we'd probably have been better earlier in the season with Evans, but I think we're in a better position now, late in the season, with Torrey Smith.
[/quote]

I look back and think if we didnt drop those games we were supposed to win we would be undefeated along with the Packers and we wouldnt be biting our nails hoping to win the division...but maybe it happened for a reason and the team has really come together this past month

[Fricknmaniac]

And honestly, as much as those losses hurt at the time, if you had to pick three games to lose, those three games are ideal. I'd rather have losses against crappy teams than have quality losses. Because quality losses are the games that cost you tiebreakers. As the Steelers know first hand.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1323748139' post='905329']
I was thinking about this today, the Tebow story is huge and there was like 5 topics back to back all about Tebow and the Broncos winning a couple games on the Monday Night countdown...I haven't heard anyone talking about what the Ravens and Joe are accomplishing, making the playoffs 4 years in a row..Joe is the winningest QB since he came into the league

I think we can make it to the Superbowl for sure, Joe is cool under pressure and that's what you want from your QB
[/quote]

Some people are talking Super Bowl for Tebow. The same people who said the Ravens will never win one with Joe.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='Fricknmaniac' timestamp='1323748446' post='905336']
And honestly, as much as those losses hurt at the time, if you had to pick three games to lose, those three games are ideal. I'd rather have losses against crappy teams than have quality losses. Because quality losses are the games that cost you tiebreakers. As the Steelers know first hand.
[/quote]

It could have been a little better. We should have beat the Titans and instead lost to Arizona. That would have given us one less AFC loss , against a slightly weaker opponent record-wise , plus we already proved that we would have had no problem losing to Arizona if we'd tried a little harder.

Of the three losses , the only one I find truly embarrassing now is the one to the Jags. Seattle and Tenn still have shots at wild card berths , and neither looks as bad as we thought they were at the time we played them. The Titans might have even pulled off a win against the Saints on Sun if Hasselbeck doesn't get hurt , though Locker played well as backup.

Even the Jags loss makes more sense now when you see how good their pass D has been this season. While we should have won all three of those games , compared to how I felt earlier , now I don't think they detract as much from our overall record.

[a20havoc]

[quote name='OUravensfan' timestamp='1323737869' post='905162']


All that said, if Joe continues to throw Red zone TD passes we are in great shape for the playoffs.
[/quote]

On Sunday, the announcers were talking about Joe not getting the TDs in the Red Zone and like one play later he sent one in. lol. Whatever, guys.

[a20havoc]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1323748139' post='905329']


I think we can make it to the Superbowl for sure, Joe is cool under pressure and that's what you want from your QB
[/quote]

You bet. That play on Sunday where he connected with Dennis in the end zone was a prime example. I think several other QBs would have just tried to run it in. It looked like he was on the loose long enough for the Colts to lose cohesion and he took advantage of it.

[a20havoc]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1323754356' post='905419']

Seattle and Tenn still have shots at wild card berths , and neither looks as bad as we thought they were at the time we played them.
[/quote]

I just watched the Seahawks/Rams game. Actually, Seattle played a good game.

[Fricknmaniac]

Actually the loss to the Titans is the reason we weren't able to clinch a playoff spot this week, interestingly enough. If we had lost to any other team with a worse record than the Titans, the win against the Colts would have punched our ticket. The only conceivable scenario where the Ravens miss the playoffs basically involves the Ravens in a two-way tie with the Titans for the #6 seed and losing because of that head-to-head matchup.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='a20havoc' timestamp='1323755198' post='905427']

On Sunday, the announcers were talking about Joe not getting the TDs in the Red Zone and like one play later he sent one in. lol. Whatever, guys.
[/quote]

Wait, did they say he's "bad" in the Red Zone or he just doesn't throw passes in the Red Zone? Because if you look at our stats, it's obvious that we run it down there almost exclusively, while teams like Green Bay, Atlanta, and New Orleans almost always throw in the Red Zone first. Even last year when Joe put up 25 TDs, he only threw 2 TDs that were 10 yards or less. 20 of his touchdowns came on passes that were between 11-30 yards.

[TXRaven]

The offense is coming together nicely. What the media does not seem to understand is you don't need 300 yards passing to be a great QB. Flacco has been making some great reads. He's not perfect but good enough for me. The recievers have dropped some well thrown balls from time to time but are making some key catches as well, and the run game is starting to click. (#44 was worth every penny), and for the most part the Oline has really come together.

[Twistidfunk]

I Agree. Seems like we were still figuring things out earlier this season. Seeing what we had and what worked. Well, we found the recipe finally and having Grubbs come back was a huge piece of the puzzle. Our running game has been awesome. Run the ball and play great defense is how you win a championship.

I know the league is pass happy now but if you can run the ball you can control the clock and keep those pass happy qb's off the field. With a good defense coming up with some crucial stops that will be all she wrote. The Ravens can do this and they are showing they know how to do it.

[scrock]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1323750964' post='905371']

Some people are talking Super Bowl for Tebow. The same people who said the Ravens will never win one with Joe.
[/quote]

yeah well those people are fools, thats blasphemy

[scrock]

[quote name='TXRaven' timestamp='1323778950' post='905484']
The offense is coming together nicely.[b] What the media does not seem to understand is you don't need 300 yards passing to be a great QB.[/b] Flacco has been making some great reads. He's not perfect but good enough for me. The recievers have dropped some well thrown balls from time to time but are making some key catches as well, and the run game is starting to click. (#44 was worth every penny), and for the most part the Oline has really come together.
[/quote]

This is true but then you are labeled a Game Manager...and in todays world of fantasy football Joe Flacco isnt ever going to be elite probably..because this is the AFC North and we want to run it, stop the run and pass it when its needed or to hit the quick strike

[orlandoraven]

Good topic. I was thinking during the game that we've never had these many good pieces on offense. Steve Young was mentioning yesterday on ESPN that the offense is loaded with talent but it just hasn't been used properly this year. There's a lot of options for Flacco and the offense. The Colts game was a perfect blend with the run/pass. I do realize it's the Colts defense but if we get past the Steelers theirs not much defense remaining with NE, Saints, Packers.

[scrock]

[quote name='orlandoraven' timestamp='1323804307' post='905819']
Good topic. I was thinking during the game that we've never had these many good pieces on offense. [b]Steve Young was mentioning yesterday on ESPN that the offense is loaded with talent but it just hasn't been used properly this year. [/b] There's a lot of options for Flacco and the offense. The Colts game was a perfect blend with the run/pass. I do realize it's the Colts defense but if we get past the Steelers theirs not much defense remaining with NE, Saints, Packers.
[/quote]

Yeah, I really think with a good offensive system in place we would consistently be a top scoring offense, this isnt Cam bashing or anything..at least Im not trying to but with all the weapons we have we shouldnt ever struggle to move the ball. You look at the offensive systems in place in New England, New Orleans, Green Bay, even Detroit and San Diego...our team is loaded with talent and Cam at times just doesnt know how to use it properly

I think this is his last year, he got to stay around this year because of the lockout and it would be too much to try and install a new offense with no offseason....I think next year we go out and get someone who runs an offensive system that uses the talent, you always want to fit your system around the players, not fit the players into a system they arent made for