Caldwell has my vote to stay!

[Sizzlebshu]

He needs to get a bit more creative with the running game (running it straight up the middle several times hoping to just out physical them wasn't smart. Some stretch plays would have been nice.), but that may come with experience. I still think we need a more experienced guy to install his own system, because I just dont think Caldwell is capable of creating his own without basing it off Cam's (this is still Cam's system people, just tweaked to emphasize easier throws for joe via playcalling instead of forcing the ball deep down the sideline).

[Gordo52]

I agree, I want him to stay. I want to see how he would do with his own playbook next year. He's still using Cams!

[Raven Hammer]

Caldwell has done a good job so far. As good as he is doing with Cam's playbook it worries me to thing of changing. However the ravens prefer to promote from within if they can. So i think it's allready a done deal if he doesn't get Head Coaching gig.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1358092226' post='1309355']


QB coach? What's wrong with Caldwell filling both positions?
[/quote]

I liked Zorn back at QB coach. It's always nice to have varying minds on offense, so that things stay creative or adjustments can be made

[cobrajet]

I give him the stamp of approval.

[omar586]

for all those people that said get a new OC after the season, needs to go back to sleep, caldwell did a great job especially after basically thrown to the fire and asked to ride the ship out of mess.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Sizzlebshu' timestamp='1358097936' post='1309511']
He needs to get a bit more creative with the running game (running it straight up the middle several times hoping to just out physical them wasn't smart. Some stretch plays would have been nice.), but that may come with experience. I still think we need a more experienced guy to install his own system, because I just dont think Caldwell is capable of creating his own without basing it off Cam's (this is still Cam's system people, just tweaked to emphasize easier throws for joe via playcalling instead of forcing the ball deep down the sideline).
[/quote]

The Ravens aren't changing systems imo. Harbs has all but said it. Caldwell will be asked just to tweak things a little more then he has already.

Harbs wants the offense to run like the defense. The System stays the same, but the principles change according to the DC. Nolan, Ryan and Chuck we man across the board, blitz heavy type guys, while Mattison was more of a pressure with 4, zone coverage and Pees utilize a bit of it all, but seems to favor zone coverage.

They System has never changed, just the principles and how it's run. The offense will be the same. Flacco and his weapons are comfortable within this offense, plus it's nothing wrong with the system. The system has had this offense knocking on the door of explosive for the last couple years.

The issue has been, the principles, schemes and concepts imo. The offense will continue to be a vertical offense, but the way those vertical shots are set up is completely different. There are only a handful of offensive systems and every OC uses them, then puts their own touch on it.

We won't see much difference in the offense next year, from what we've seen in 4 of the last 5 weeks. There will be different schemes and concepts each week based on the opponent.

[ellicottraven]

I don't think we need to rush into this quite yet! I would like us to control the clock some more and see a better mix of plays in our play calling. I still think we are relying too much on the big plays and not as much as moving the chains slowly but surely with runs, short and intermediate plays, etc... just my point of view for sustainability in the long term....

[Free Agent]

Yes, Caldwell is doing a good job.

But imagine a real offensive coordinator with his own playbook and playcalls... a la Hue Jackson.

Id love that.

[Raving_Heathen]

Hue Jackson, Norv Turner, Ken Whisenhunt... they're bigger, flashier names with proven track records as OC, but I agree that Caldwell should be given a chance if he wants it. The biggest reason I'd like to see him retained as OC is because Flacco has just seemed like a different QB the last several weeks. His procket presence and ability to extend plays has gotten better, and the ball comes out of his hands much quicker. At times with Cam, Flacco just looked like a statue behind the line-- even stepping up in the pocket seemed like too much effort for him. Also thanks to Caldwell, we have a serviceable OL. So yeah, I'd like to see him back.

[Bravens292]

Norv Turner is in Cleveland now.. stop mentioning him already !

[jdynamite]

[quote name='Bravens292' timestamp='1358123162' post='1310500']
Norv Turner is in Cleveland now.. stop mentioning him already !
[/quote]

I mentioned it a few times in here that Norv was reported to sign with The Browns, and Hue Jackson to The Panthers took away my Top 2 candidates if the team decided not to bring Caldwell back as OC.

I've always mentioned that I'd like Jim Zorn brought back as QB Coach / offensive assistant.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1358117206' post='1310283']
I don't think we need to rush into this quite yet! I would like us to control the clock some more and see a better mix of plays in our play calling. I still think we are relying too much on the big plays and not as much as moving the chains slowly but surely with runs, short and intermediate plays, etc... just my point of view for sustainability in the long term....
[/quote]

We've already seen an increase in shorter passing routes. With slants, seams etc that were rarely utilized. Yes we still depend on chunk plays but the difference has been that some of the big yardage plays are developed and setup with other plays. Rather than just constantly throwing deep and never having any short routes to at least force the defense to cover underneath.

With cam Cameron all four WRs will all run deep long developing routes with the secondary sitting on top of them because they had no threats underneath or over the middle to cover.

I would like to see more slants, smoke screens and drags to give WRs more opportunities to create in space. But it has been good so far considering he's using Cams playbook and making good in game adjustments.

[ThePurpleWall]

[quote name='bMore Heathen' timestamp='1358089738' post='1309291']
I think Caldwell has earned the opportunity to stay next year. I don't think he gets another HC job in the next couple of years, so I think we will be good in that regard.
We will need a good QB coach, new Oline coach, and new WR coaches next year. These units have underperformed and change is needed.
As for Rice getting the ball on every first and most second downs, the Broncos started playing the pass. If you have both safeties deep, you have to run it at them. If anything this is a sign that Caldwell has the ability to see what the defense is doing and adjusting to it. Something Cam has never done.... EVER!!!!!
[/quote]

[callahan09]

One thing I'd like to see change is the propensity to call low-percentage passes. We all talked about making it easier for Flacco by calling high-percentage passes to get him into a rhythm, and honestly we haven't been doing this since Caldwell took over. It seems like we're actually calling an even higher rate of low-percentage throws, but the difference is that we're completing those throws at a much greater rate now. It's hard to argue with the results, but it's also hard to believe we can keep getting away with completing 50% of throws that under Cam were being completed at a rate closer to about 30%.

What's the difference? Why are we more successful at the same sort passing plays now?

Well, it might have to do with the running game. Under Cam, we were running the ball only 43.3% of the time compared to passing 56.7% of the time. That came out to 27.6 rushes per game, and 36.1 passes per game, for a total of 63.7 plays per game.

Under Caldwell, we're running the ball 50.8% of the time, compared to 49.2% passes. That comes out to 36.2 rushes per game, and 35 pass plays game, which means we're getting of 71.2 plays per game.

Not only are we running the ball more, but we're getting 4.48 yards per attempt under Caldwell, whereas we were getting 4.23 yards per attempt under Cam.

So it seems like running the ball more has lead to the passing game having an easier time of making completions. We're still calling way too many low-percentage passes in my opinion.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1358096127' post='1309458']
I wouldn't worry about that. He isn't going anywhere if we want him. He was a head coach last year and didn't show many signs of cutting it at that level. And he won't be leaving for another OC position elsewhere. He has limited experience and besides, why not stay with the team that took a chance on you at that level?
[/quote]

jags could have a look at him... developing that young copy of a qb they've got and all... but I guess he'll stay for another year, show what he's really made of by getting the Ravens to be a top 5 offense and then go for a good HC job

[cwfRaven]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1358083668' post='1309171']
It concerned me that we fed Rice the ball on nearly every first down and many second downs in the 2nd half. The last thing we need is to fall back into the predictable play calling of Cam. It's hard to argue with the play calling in a game where we put up 38 points however. (35 in regulation).
[/quote]

Exactly.

[da#1ravensfan]

Caldwell should continue being the OC and QB coach for next season.

[Salt]

I like him. And god I do not miss Cam Cameron even for a minute.

[bpytnjr58]

He has earned a shot to stay on as OC besides i do not hear any talk of interviewing anyone right now.

[callahan09]

In the game this weekend, we ran the ball on two thirds of our first downs. 20 out of 30 first downs, to be exact.

I personally consider a first down run to be a success at 4+ yards, with differing degrees of failure at the yardages less than that. Based on how I like to break them down, we had the following results:

Loss: 0
No Gain: 2
1 Yard: 4
2 Yards: 4
3 Yards: 6
4+ Yards: 4

Based on a simple measure of 4+ = success, 3- = failure, that was 20% success.
Based on my weighted measure of 4+ = 1, 3 = 3/4, 2 = 1/2, 1 = 1/4, No Gain = 0, Loss = -1/2, we had 57.5% success running the ball on first down.

We averaged just 2.65 yards per rush play on first down.

By the way, we also called 9 pass plays on first down. Just 30%. If you're wondering why pass attempts plus rush attempts does not add up to 30 first down plays, it's because we also had a fumbled snap, which I'm not counting against rush attempts or pass attempts.

Anyway, on our 9 pass plays on first down, Flacco was sacked 0 times, and threw the ball 9 times, resulting in 6 completions. So that's a 66.7% straight completion percentage on first down, but I also have my proprietary formula (OK, self-invented, not so much proprietary because I'm about to share with you my formula, making it public and free to use), which is Interception = -1, Sack = -1/2, Incompletion or 0 Yard Completion = 0, 1 Yard Completion = 1/4, 2 Yard Completion = 1/2, 3 Yard Completion = 3/4, 4+ Yard Completion = 1... leads to a success rate of the same 66.7% (3 incompletions, plus 6 completions of 4+ yards).

Averaged 10.78 yards per pass play on first down.

So by my formulas, we had 66.7% success passing versus 57.5% success rushing, and 10.78 yards per pass play versus 2.65 yards per rush play. But we ran the ball 66.7% of the time, and passed just 30% of the time.

Thought this was interesting.

[flynismo]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1358083589' post='1309167']
I agree i want Caldwell.
[/quote]

Hey, we agree on something! Must be a full moon

[frozen joe flacco fan]

It is premature to appoint him as the new OC. We need the best OC who will be available. The 1st Denver game I viewed as a practice game for him. The Giants game went well and the Cincy game was not a good test for how good the starters could do under Caldwell. WRT the playoffs, he undoubtedly had special knowledge of both the Colts and the Broncos since he was formerly the head coach in Indy. He should be more familiar with Peyton's tendencies than anyone in our organization with the possible exception of Ray Lewis. How he calls the next game against NE will be a much better test of his instinct. A couple of Indy fans I spoke to at the Playoff Game against Indy have very little use for Coach Caldwell. I will agree that the offense seems to be perking up but the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned.

[RavenFanatic1327]

i agree. i really want him to stay and continue to call plays. the offense actually looks like a great offfense full of playmakers in this years playoffs

[flaccopoe]

I knew and said many times that Caldwell would be a great offensive coordinator for the Ravens. He coached one of the best offenses of our generation, Peyton Manning's Colts. Naturally, this would greatly benefit his knowledge of offensive schemes. He coached a very QB-oriented offense, which would give him good insight into how to mentor Flacco.

[Ravenslifer]

As far as the actual playbook, I'm pretty sure Caldwell mentioned when he took over that he wouldn't be "re-inventing the wheel" in-season. So the plays the players are running are still Cam's plays (which proves to me once again that Cam is one of the worst situational playcallers in the NFL), which is why I think we're calling so many deep passes - in addition to the fact that I think the gameplan was to attack Denver's secondary with the deep ball. I don't expect to be running the same type of plays deep throws in the future, because I don't think that's Caldwell's style, but for now what we have going is working out okay.

[ravensdan]

Caldwell has made most of the adjustments we have all been calling for all year as has been well documented in this thread. I don't understand the fascinations with these old has been names such as Norv Turner etc... As anyone should be able to see by how the Raven's coaching staff is raided every year, they know what they are doing. They will determine if Caldwell is the guy to continue to drive this offense to a new level or if he has reached his limit. If anyone new is brought in they should be a young fresh mind that can be on the cutting edge and ahead of current defenses. offensive coordinator is not the place to go back to a blast from the past. Personally I would throw whatever money it would take to get urban Meyer to come over, however I am sure there are lesser known guys who the Ravens could interview most of us would not be that familiar with.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='callahan09' timestamp='1358172264' post='1311330']
One thing I'd like to see change is the propensity to call low-percentage passes. We all talked about making it easier for Flacco by calling high-percentage passes to get him into a rhythm, and honestly we haven't been doing this since Caldwell took over. It seems like we're actually calling an even higher rate of low-percentage throws, but the difference is that we're completing those throws at a much greater rate now. It's hard to argue with the results, but it's also hard to believe we can keep getting away with completing 50% of throws that under Cam were being completed at a rate closer to about 30%.

What's the difference? Why are we more successful at the same sort passing plays now?

Well, it might have to do with the running game. Under Cam, we were running the ball only 43.3% of the time compared to passing 56.7% of the time. That came out to 27.6 rushes per game, and 36.1 passes per game, for a total of 63.7 plays per game.

Under Caldwell, we're running the ball 50.8% of the time, compared to 49.2% passes. That comes out to 36.2 rushes per game, and 35 pass plays game, which means we're getting of 71.2 plays per game.

Not only are we running the ball more, but we're getting 4.48 yards per attempt under Caldwell, whereas we were getting 4.23 yards per attempt under Cam.

So it seems like running the ball more has lead to the passing game having an easier time of making completions. We're still calling way too many low-percentage passes in my opinion.
[/quote]

Completely disagree. The Ravens are call really high percentage passes, they just aren't being complete. NFL Network will replay the Broncos game at 8pm tonight, watch it.

You'll see Caldwell calling really good drive starting plays, for the first time, I thought he ran that ball a bit too much on 1st downs in the second half, but I think it was because the Broncos started playing off coverage.

Flacco rolling out of the pocket usually results in high percentage completions, Flacco missed Dickson on a corner route that was really high percentage, but it seemed to be a disconnect and Joe missed him. There are others, but I will agree that the Ravens were much more aggressive in this game, but I loved it.

I really don't think Joe's completion percentage is a good indicator of what you are suggesting. To start the Broncos game, both of Flacco's first 2 passes were high percentage, but Boldin dropped the one on 2nd down. The 3rd pass was the one to Dickson I mentioned. It was a high percentage throw to get the Ravens off their goalline but Joe missed it.

In the Colts game, Flacco had 4 drops and all came on high percentage throws. The 2 endzone throws to Doss, and rollout to Doss(Flacco's fault too) and a option route to Rice. If those 4 passes are caught, then Flacco is 16/23 69%.

In the Broncos game, Flacco, missed 3 open WRs, Torrey twice and Dickson once, and had 2 drops by Boldin and Jones. If those 5 throws are completed, then Flacco's would have been 23/34 67%. So imo, Caldwell is doing a great job of putting Joe in positions to get into a rhythm early. As good as Flacco has been over the last 5 weeks or so, he's still a bit streaky and i'm sure that's what he'll focus on improving on this offseason.

Also, you have to take in to account the defense playing to the high percentage routes, and that's why deep throws are coming open more. All high percentage routes, don't result in small completions, sometimes the DB bites on that high percentage routes just a little too much and allows a guy to get behind him. That's exactly what happened on Torrey's first TD, Caldwell called crossing routes which held the safeties and allowed Torrey to work 1on1 outside. With no safety in the middle of the field, Flacco had plenty of space to just throw it up and let Torrey run under it.

Even though it was a deep pass down field, that was actually a high percentage play.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1358204830' post='1312296']
As far as the actual playbook, I'm pretty sure Caldwell mentioned when he took over that he wouldn't be "re-inventing the wheel" in-season. So the plays the players are running are still Cam's plays (which proves to me once again that Cam is one of the worst situational playcallers in the NFL), which is why I think we're calling so many deep passes - in addition to the fact that I think the gameplan was to attack Denver's secondary with the deep ball. I don't expect to be running the same type of plays deep throws in the future, because I don't think that's Caldwell's style, but for now what we have going is working out okay.
[/quote]

The Ravens are not gonna go away from being a vertical passing team, they'll just do a better job of what Caldwell has started to do, set them up instead of just running all 9 routes. The thing Caldwell has done was give Flacco a full range onfield. Flacco has the option to attacking any area of the field and with this great arm strength he has the ability as well. Because of this, you'll often see Flacco attacking deep, were most QBs wouldn't even be able too.

[dacoats]

Caldwell would of had a perfect season if it wasn't for Polian and Manning screwing it up

Manning cost Caldwell a Super Bowl and what should have been a perfect season

the guy got a bad rap because Manning choked calling his coverages and audibles in the Super Bowl and Jets the nest year.

Our fans used to kill JC but it wasn't his fault. It was Mannings fault, 100%.

If you guys keep him it is a good move