Bye Week Report Card

[The Raven]

Quarterback: B-

Joe Flacco has played at an elite level at times but has played atrociously at others. Inconsistency is his biggest flaw. He has shown that he has the ability to carry the team on his back, but he can't be relied upon to do so. He needs to cut down on his interceptions. He's made some silly mistakes. He's made some brilliant throws. He needs to bring it in the second half of the season and become the elite quarterback that he has so often shown flashes of becoming.

Runningbacks: A

Not much needs to be said here and for obvious reasons. Rice, Pierce, and Leach and making a killing in the running game. Rice's pass protection leaves much to be desired, but Pierce and Leach have been solid in that regard.

Wide Receivers: C

Our receivers have shown really inconsistent hands thus far in the season. These drops are a contributing factor to our inability to convert most of our third downs. Separation is a glaring issue for this group, as it has been for years. However, when they have been in their zone, they have played dominantly. Consistency is an issue for this group as it is for our quarterback.

Tight Ends: B-

Drops, a lack of yards after the catch, and poor blocking have plagued our tight ends. Pitta has been Joe's most reliable target, but teams have been game planning for him lately. We need to get the two of these guys more involved on third downs and in the red zone.

Offensive Line: C+

Pass protection has been this group's weakness. While they have had a few strong performances, they have gotten Joe destroyed on numerous occasions. They have done a great job opening up holes for Rice and Pierce. This unit has improved from last year. One area they have improved in is converting short yardage situations. Inconsistency continues to be a theme that permeates our offense.

Defensive Line: D

The defensive line has shown no glimpses of a strong pass rush ability. A failure to stop the run is an uncharacteristic weakness displayed by this year's unit. Ngata is the only bright spot in this unit. If we want to continue our streak of winning records and playoff appearances, this unit needs to drastically improve. Cody, Kemo, McPhee, and Jones have been disappointments.

Linebackers: C

I'll begin with the outside linebackers. Kruger has been a huge disappointment. He hasn't gotten much pressure this year, and he's been pathetic in run defense. The front office put a lot of trust in him to replace Jarret Johnson, and he's squandering his opportunity. McClellan has been solid. He hasn't been special, but he hasn't shown to be a glaring weak spot either. Upshaw has been our best defensive player so far, in my opinion. He's only recorded a half of a sack, but he has gotten more pressure on the QB than most. He has recorded 29 tackles in 7 games which outs him on pace for a respectable 66 season total. The veteran Paul Kruger has only put up 16 tackles. Upshaw has set the edge very well and has recorded a few tackles for loss. He's been my favorite defensive player to watch so far.

The inside linebackers have been awful. Missed tackles are not uncommon for them this year. Pass coverage is a weakness; tight ends have had more success against us than usual. McClain and Ellerbe are having issues taking on and shedding blocks. I expect this unit to rebound after the bye.

Defensive Backs: D

Cary Williams can neither cover not tackle. Jimmy Smith has been picked on less, but is still putting on a lackluster performance. Tackling is an issue for this group. Even Pollard, who is well known for his ability to hit and tackle, has been struggling. Reed's tackling is suspect as usual, but his coverage has been more than adequate.

Tucker and Koch both get an A for obvious reasons.

[BenMir]

So far potential probowlers:
-RR27 (Even without carries the whole league knows he's elite)
-Big Vonta Leach (I want to see the one to tell him he's not elected).
-Torrey Smith (I have a feeling he'll make it.)
-Marshall Yanda
-Haloti Ngata
-Sizzle (Yeah, 1 game.. but what a game)
-Koch (Maybe)
-Justin Tucker (Or in his full name.. "Hell yeah! Justin Tucker is MONEY")
-Jacoby Jones as a returner.

Saddens me to see that we barely have defensive players.. but what can you do? (Fire Pees)

[ellicottraven]

Offense - C
Defense - D
Special Teams - B
Coaching - C

[tctony]

[b]QB - B+[/b]

Flacco's characteristic inconsistency has emerged again. Flashes of great at times. Must get Ray Rice involved more, perhaps through audibles.

[b]RBs - A[/b]

Ray Rice is his beastly self but needs more touches IMO. Leach is the best, and Pierce has shown potential.

[b]WRs - B+[/b]

Torrey, Anquan, Jacoby and Pitta have each had individually excellent games. However - they have never really all clicked at the same time. Jacoby is the #3 guy we have been missing. The unit has "A" potential but needs to work better together.

[b]OL - C+[/b]

Better at run blocking. They are very weak in the middle. Losing Grubbs was a mistake.

[b]Dl - D[/b]

Maybe I'm being dramatic, but these guys have stunk it up. Ngata is still banged up and IMO misused. Cody is underperforming his potential. We need a solid #3 guy to have a 3 man DL. Upshaw has shown potential. I only give them a D because Suggs is returning.

[b]LBs - C[/b]

Ray was underwhelming. McClain has regressed. So has Ellerbe... but back to the potential he was showing before. Hopefully Ellerbe and McClain, as well as McClellen work well together. We are missing Jarret Johnson.

[b]DBs - B[/b]

Webb was a stud before getting hurt. Cary is not as bad as everyone thinks. Jimmy Smith is a potential bust IMO. Pollard started hot but has faded slightly. Ed Reed is not playing up to his contract.

[b]Special Teams - A+[/b]

Tucker.

[b]Coaching - B-[/b]

Harbaugh needs to be more involved and assertive with his coordinators. Does he have the knowledge to do that? Cam Cameron and Joe Flacco share one thing - inconsistency. Dean Pees is awful. Still, we are 5-2. We will see how they utilize this bye week.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1351456046' post='1205072']
Offense - C
Defense - D
Special Teams - B
Coaching - C
[/quote]Offense -(C-) Has not been that good all season. Cincinnati seemed to be their best game. Offense struggles when we need a play.
Defense -(D-)Has been horrible. Everyone remaining patient with Pees is starting to annoy me. Don't take a job if you before you read the job description.
Special Teams.B

[Guest RBates]

Coaching (C-) Defense (D) Offense (C-).......Lets face it. We have not been good on either side of the ball. The only bright spot is special teams, Thanks Jacoby..


(This offense) has not been great in one game this season. They played good at home against Cincinnati. That was probably their best game. Other than that we have been average at best, but when we have been bad we have been really bad.

(This defense) I can't even comment on this. Pre-injury we were bad. Now we have completely slipped into some other category. I just can't bring myself to say this. Our [b]DEFENSE [/b]is pathetic.
Dean has to go i'm sorry. No more debates, no more excuses. Get yourself together!!!!!!!!!

[The Raven]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1351503529' post='1205339']
Coaching (C-) Defense (D) Offense (C-).......Lets face it. We have not been good on either side of the ball. The only bright spot is special teams, Thanks Jacoby..


(This offense) has not been great in one game this season. They played good at home against Cincinnati. That was probably their best game. Other than that we have been average at best, but when we have been bad we have been really bad.

(This defense) I can't even comment on this. Pre-injury we were bad. Now we have completely slipped into some other category. I just can't bring myself to say this. Our [b]DEFENSE [/b]is pathetic.
Dean has to go i'm sorry. No more debates, no more excuses. Get yourself together!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]

Disagree with you on the offense. I like our offense. We're on a cold streak, but the offense played noticeably well against New England and Dallas. The offense put up 24 points with only 20 minutes of possession against Dallas.

[display name]

QB: B
RB: A-
OL-D
WR/TE: B+
DL-Z-
Linebacker-C+
Secondary-C- (A lot has been on the lack of pass rush.)
Special Teams-A+
Coaching-D+

[The Raven]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351526926' post='1205462']
QB: B
RB: A-
OL-D
WR/TE: A-
DL-Z-
Linebacker-C+
Secondary-C- (A lot has been on the lack of pass rush.)
Special Teams-A+
Coaching-D+
[/quote]

I'm curious why you gave the WRs/TEs an A. Could you elaborate?

[display name]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1351527090' post='1205463']
I'm curious why you gave the WRs/TEs an A. Could you elaborate?
[/quote]
I'll lower it to a B+, but they have not been a problem.

[The Raven]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351527178' post='1205464']
I'll lower it to a B+, but they have not been a problem.
[/quote]

I think their lack of separation and inconsistent hands are a pretty substantial problem.

[display name]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1351527287' post='1205465']
I think their lack of separation and inconsistent hands are a pretty substantial problem.
[/quote]
The bad hands really only showed up in one game.

[The Raven]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1351527355' post='1205466']
The bad hands really only showed up in one game.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

[Markus92]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1351527287' post='1205465']
I think their lack of separation and inconsistent hands are a pretty substantial problem.
[/quote]
Its hard the get separation when your running 25 yard routes and when your halfway through your qb is on his back lol...

[sliceanddic3]

QB: A-
-Flacco has been a game changer in some games and a sloth in others. But I still put most on Cam.
RB: A
-Obviously one of the best in the NFL, Rice needs more carries.
WR: B-
-Separation. When we learn how to do this, our corps will be deadly.
OL: C
-They've held up better than we've expected, but not great, barely solid.

DL: D-
-Almost no pressure whatsoever, something needs to be fixed or we'll have trouble throughout the playoffs.
LB: C+
-Before Rays injury, he was 4th in tackles. I think Ellerbee and McClain will hold up well without him. Suggs is back, which will help emensly.
CB: C-
- Cary and Jimmy need to step up. Or we'll get picked apart by a lot of average QBs. Reed and Pollard are bright spots.
ST: A
-Tucker/Koch. That is all.
Coaching: C
-Harbs needs to make some decisions soon.

[jimmypowder]

QB - A at home D away =B- Jeckle & Hyde act continues
RB -A Elite Rice needs more touches
Receivers/Te - B - would have been B but not enough separation in many games too many drops
OL - D pitiful pass blocking ,ok run blocking Major problems where elite Grubbs used to be
DL - F Zero pass rush ,getting pushed around like pansies
Linebackers- D not making tackles , can't pass cover anyone ,rarely any QB pressure Thank God Sizzle is back !
Secondary - D without Webb this group of Carey & Jimmy couldn't cover Frankenstein .
Special Teams - A. Excellent play with Jacoby,Koch and Tucker playing well .
Coaching - D Cameron back to his old tricks Pees is terrible Harbaugh gives em both too much leeway
Put a leash on those puppies !

[Dudeman]

I like this thread a lot A++

QB=B- Flacco could use a little more time in the pocket and a little more seperation from his receivers. But he also needs to speed up the clock in his head and throw the ball away more often. In the beginning of the year and in the pre-season he looked a little more decisive. He has a tendancy to try to be extra tough like Rothlisberger and try to do too much which results in splash plays for the defense. Not taking sacks, not getting the ball tipped at the line of scrimmage, and some of the INTS are Joes fault.

RB=A- This group can and should be the best in the NFL. Ray Rice is uncoverable in the open field, and should be used a lot more on 3rd and short. Vonta Leach is a clear fan favorite, and is vastly under-used. Pierce would start on a lot of other teams right now.

WR=C+ Torrey Smith is under utilized, and somehow targeted at the wrong times. Doss and Jones should get more targets. Anquan goes hot and cold at times and should show up in the red zone more.

TE=B- Pitta started the season with his hair on fire and has cooled since. Dickson is good for a drop a game.

OL=C- This group started off exceeding expectations and have stumbled a bit down the stretch. Starting to see different players at the LG position, and this group needs to pass protect better.

DL=D+ The injury to Ngata has rippled throughout the DL and there isn't anyone in this group that can beat anyone one on one. Losing Redding hurts, as does Mckinney. The run D starts upfront and someone as big as Cody shouldn't be getting pushed around. Inside pass rush is nonexsistent at times. Upshaw and Kruger are steadily improving.

LB=C This group is taking on more lineman than they should, and thats really the end of the story. They look OK against the pass, but need to be more proactive and diagnose run plays a little quicker.

DB=D This group is really under-performing and losing Webb hurts a lot. They need to play better as a group. Cary is improving, but he was playing better last year. Jimmy needs a confidence boost. Why don't we play more press coverage??

ST=B+ No news is good news, and Jacoby Jones makes our kick-off returns dangerous.

Coaching= B- With the turn-over in personnel from D-Coordinator, free agents, and injuries we could be a lot worse than 5-2.