51 replies to this topic

[BR News]

Keep an eye on the Pro Bowl fullback. He’s a pivotal figure in the run-pass debate.

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[Ravensanalyst]

Why not use Leach as a third down back in the backfield for passing situations, I mean we have to use him somehow and instead of run blocking he`s pass blocking. It`s a possibility isn't it? Plus he stays on the field so we can also run too, and it won`t be as obvious.

[iluvpurple]

Seriously?!! Ray and Vonta, "a total of 14 touches each" in the Houston game? I'm really starting to wonder if the Ravens are serious about winning games this season!! I've never been one to be a pessimist with the Ravens and the way they play, but this is insane!!! This needs to be addressed immediately if the plan is to WIN!!!!

[Dwayne10000Watts]

Totally agree here. Get back to that smash-mouth run game and get these guys their touches. After the run game is established (well-established), then air it out/no-huddle. It's how this team is built. And, we better start doing it (every game). Go Ravens!!! :)

[Ngata Chance]

Tire the defence with the run. Leach is made to lay people out. Why not let him do it?

I'm no football coach, but holy cow, that seems pretty simple.

[RavenManiac#7]

There's no question that Leach can block. The question is can the OL block. Rice is great. Leach is great. Our OL is far from great. They are undependable and very inconsistent. It is extremely hard to establish the run with an OL like ours. We can only hope that they can find a way to perform better and with more consistency.

[Bill Mueller]

From Ravensanalyst

"Why not use Leach as a third down back in the backfield for passing situations, I mean we have to use him somehow and instead of run blocking he`s pass blocking. It`s a possibility isn't it? Plus he stays on the field so we can also run too, and it won`t be as obvious."

Absolutely! Flacco is getting sacked four times a game and Ray, God bless him, is not quite big enough to pass block everybody who gets through our Swiss cheese OL. He gets run over a lot. So bring Vonta in for play action and let both him and Ray pass block.

[ellicottraven]

Between Cameron and Flacco, we are unfortunately getting away from what has been successful for us in the past, a good balance of the run with short and intermediate passing. For whatever reason, we have become an ineffective (on the road) no-huddle team which cannot convert regularly on 3rd downs, which in turn gets us off the field very quickly... this isn't going to cut it, as we move into November and December. So get off your horses, and start running the ball - dang it!

[ReginaldColeman1]

Sure Ray should run more. Is Biscotti calling the plays? But it all starts with both lines and the d backs. They went out and improved the receiving corps and the special teams. Now find a qb who can play w/o blockers up front? There are none. Not Brees. Not Rogers. I don't think Flacco was ever the right guy for this team unless u wanted Trent Dilfer to stay in the pocket and pass to Ray after glancing down field. But if I were to make as much as Ray and TS and Joe I wouldn't give a darn either.
In the end it comes down to the front office and the ownership. They make the calls. It's their team.

[jimgiampaoli]

Leach can run the ball. In case you don't remember, Cam, Franco Harris ran the ball. Jerome Bettis ran the ball. No, you probably don't remember. For you,that's the foggy past.

[MTRavensFan]

In case nobody's noticed, the guy can catch, too.

[TheCityThatReeds20]

this article makes me sick. Its a shame EVERYONE but the ravens coaches can see we have one of the best tandems with leach and rice in the backfield and they are extremely under utilized, especially on the road. Who cares if the league is becoming a pass-happy one? With the qb plus the running game we shouldn't be discussing issues like this. There has to be a happy medium here. Of course flacco wants to throw more, he's a friggin qb. The point is ray rice needs his carries and that's the bottom line. We have an explosive offense when we aren't one dimensional. I am sick of hearing about this because this is an obvious fix. Please give him his touches and everything will be fine in raven nation.

[ReedINT20]

how about: torrey and jacoby on the outside, boldin on the inside, leach and rice left and right of flacco in the shotgun, any problems here?

[HarleyOG]

We have solid reveivers, maybe even pro-bowl caliber (Torrey Smith). We have a good QB who can make all the throws and read defenses and has a chance to be elite. Thats all well and good, but we have a first team All-Pro RB and FB.
Somebody that didnt know the Ravens but knew the players would easily say we are a running team that can take shots downfield while pounding it down their throat. Its obvious thats what our offense is built for, so maybe we should move a little closer to it.

[Stephenjr]

Cam is blaming Joe for changing to pass plays,point is Cam is full of it because Leach isn't on the field in the first place for there to be a run play!! Leach is the best fullback in the league and Rice is probably the best Running back in the league this team needs to start using both of them!! Cam dosen't understand how to use play action at all!! There is a reason his Dolphins went 1-15 when he was head coach!! Harbs we the fans have been telling you Cam needs to go for years now!! Please start to listen and find us a someone who has some kind of offensive IQ to be the OC!!

[NeilfromBarbados]

The Ravens have had lots of success in the ground game, so I'm not sure what the problem is. Everyone on this board is right - let's balance this thing more, and let Leach, monster that he is, go out there, block, run and catch. He is a monster, and Rice learned this last season. This tandem, along with Flacco, Boldin and T Smith got us into the AFC champ game, and almost into the SB. Should we try doing what works?

Edited by Grapple Raven, 03 November 2012 - 03:54 PM.
Profanity edited

[Stephenjr]

Harbs you need to take some advice from your brother because he has the perfect mindset!! We are built just like the 49ers except we have a better QB!! You can still run the ball in this league!! look at New England this year they are also a perfect example!! Cam has to get that passing league crap out of his head because it's tearing our team apart,the offensive and defensive side is suffering!! We are truly lucky to be 5-2!!

[Grapple Raven]

No one would dispute that the Ravens are better with Vonta on the field. The problem is with who devises the personnel packages, play calls, and game strategy...ya know THAT guy!

[Gashman]

Um....Does CAM know this?

[slowboater]

Just because the NFL has become a pass-friendly league, doesn't mean the Ravens have to be always a pass-first team. I still say the Ray Rice is the most important player on offense besides Joe.... and of course, Cam.

So use Ray..... and with Ray comes, as he frequently states, with the reason for his success, Vonta. Cam just can't get out of his own way in trying to turn Joe into a Manning.