The ceiling of the offense (Plus Needs)

[SecretAgentMan]

Caldwell had some questionable calls, but all in all he's a much needed improvement from Cam Cameron.

 

 

Now, how good can we be on the offensive side of the ball.

 

Again, Brown has preformed well, Torrey is a good WR and got 100 yards vs Haden. If Rice's injury isn't too serious and Jacoby comes back strong, how good are we?

 

The way I see it

 

Rice (assuming his injury isn't super serious)
Pierce

Torrey(who played very well going vs a top CB)

Marlon

Stokley(who could be a move the chains WR)

Leach

 

Is a good corp of weapons. Having Jacoby and Pitta back in a month or two would help this team a lot.

 

The only REAL weakness in our weapons I see on the offense is the TE position. Clark is hella old and Dickson is crappy. Pitta might not come back the same player. So a TE might be the first pick in the draft next year. We need another one badly.

 

Now, another thing to address is the slow starts. We played a good defense, but we need to stop the slow starts. Hit the ground running, start to pile on points and then dare teams to come back vs our pass rush.

 

I think if we fix those two issues(one of them might fix itself) then this offense might be a top 15 offense. We played VERY WELL in the second half, and at the very least were able to move the ball.

 

The Defense will be good, the offense is yet to be seen

[callahan09]

I think we need to improve the run game... Ray Rice is still the featured back, with Pierce the change of pace back, so I think it's important for our featured back numbers to improve.  Since Caldwell took over, Rice has 148 carries for 528 yards, 3 tds, 4 fumbles.

 

That's just 3.57 yards per carry, 49.3 carries between TDs, 37 carries between fumbles.  These are uncharacteristically bad numbers for Rice... is it something to do with the play calling or the run game design since Caldwell (or perhaps Juan Castillo... who knows) took over?

 

Very odd.

 

Pierce has been better, but as the change of pace back, I don't think you can say that's because Pierce is actually better than Rice.

[Static]

Caldwell looked like he was using the 'Ask Madden' feature for a while in the first half but Ultimately figured it out. The reason we CAN and WILL lose games is abandoning the run. The second we went behind our play calling lost any source of logic and reason.

 

 

Also I don't remember any Play-Action. Play Action opens the deep pass, which is what Flacco does best. 

 

 

BUT, the WRs caught the balls today. We will find our rhythm, as long as the WRs can keep solid hands.

[BMORE_96]

I think deonte, marlon, torrey,and stokely are good. With jacoby, we have a great wr corps. 

 

The rbs are very balanced. Want to see juice a bit more.

 

TE is just bad. Dickson needs to have a bigger role in the passing offense. he has speed and dallas does not. Plus our o-line can get better in the run game.

 

Tne o will get better over time. I want to see dickson involved next week. Still think he can be a factor in the passing game.

[arnie_uk]

We desperately need pitta back. By December time we could have two legit outside receivers. They will open the middle of the field and pitta should shine

[SecretAgentMan]

We desperately need pitta back. By December time we could have two legit outside receivers. They will open the middle of the field and pitta should shine

Agreed 100%. Dickson sucks and Clark is glass.

 

 

Good news is that this draft class is high with offensive weapons...

[rmw10]

We need to get the OL working to get the run game going.  In the first half, McKinnie and KO were pretty brutal.  They improved in the second half, as did our running game.  It wasn't perfect by any means, but those two have to play better for both Rice and Pierce to perform up to expectations.

 

There are still concerns at TE, but we hardly targeted them today.  All TE's had 1 target each, and only Bajema and Clark caught the ball.  I'm not sure if we game planned them out of the offense or we just found success in our WR's today, but they need to be a bigger part of the offense.

 

At WR, we know what we have in Torrey.  Marlon is improving.  Stokley was worlds better since Doss could come in and spell him.  I'm actually not worried much at WR.

[SeaHawk]

This offense can be, at best, top 20. I'm not seeing anything more than that.

[arnie_uk]

We need to get the OL working to get the run game going.  In the first half, McKinnie and KO were pretty brutal.  They improved in the second half, as did our running game.  It wasn't perfect by any means, but those two have to play better for both Rice and Pierce to perform up to expectations.
 
There are still concerns at TE, but we hardly targeted them today.  Both Bajema and Clark had 1 target (and 1 catch) each and Dickson didn't have a ball thrown his way.  I'm not sure if we game planned them out of the offense or we just found success in our WR's today, but they need to be a bigger part of the offense.
 
At WR, we know what we have in Torrey.  Marlon is improving.  Stokley was worlds better since Doss could come in and spell him.  I'm actually not worried much at WR.

dickson dropped a pass on the first drive and wasnt targeted again

[rmw10]

dickson dropped a pass on the first drive and wasnt targeted again

 

Yeah you're correct.  I misread.

[RavensFanMvp]

I think the offense will be ok. If the D need time to gel with all the new faces, then the same needs to be said about the O as well. Malron Brown is looking like a stud so far this season, and Torrey has played well also.

I think once Joe and the receivers get in sync, we'll be ok. As far as Clark and Dickson goes... The one thing I can say about them is they seem to know how to get open. Whether they can hold on to the ball is another story.

Overall, our offense looked like it always have looked... Inconsistent at times, and great when they need to be. Good win though, now we move on to the Texans.
 
 

[Ravenslifer]

If we could stop dropping sure TD passes, I think this could be a very good offense - the key to me will be how quickly Dennis returns from injury and how we integrate him into the offense once he's back.  Without him the TE position is severely lacking.

[runamuk]

I am curious on what the thoughts are about the oline  this group were nearly inflappable .Is gradkowski the issue , the new oline coordinator, I don't get it Joe can not keep getting hit like this having said that I feel better overall after today things are progressing

[K-Dog]

I hate to be that guy but I REALLY think Joe just needs some time to trust his receivers.  Smith and Brown seem to be in.

I think Ed should go out and get some drinks and snacks at the next game.   Clark needs to put on his big boy pants.

If we are fortunate Pitta will make it back down the stretch.

 

We can do this.  Its just game two with a lot of new faces. 

[Malkavian Raven]

"Every journey starts with the first step."  Today, the offense took the first step and found a bit of an identity.  You can bet the Texans will be game planning for Brown as much as they do Smith.  Just need another speedy guy to replace Jones on the other side from Smith and really open up things underneath for Brown, Stokley and Dickson.

[BMORE_96]

that speedy guy we need is deonte thompson. really think the offense will get better with time.

[JoeCool#5]

1. That 3rd Quarter TD drive was vintage Cam Cameron. RUN RUN - Pass on 3rd AND LONG.
2. Flacco and the WR corp finally started to click as they balled out that drive. As they were 3/3 for 44 yards 
3. Credit the running game - they stayed with it. 
4. Minus the drop from Dickson to start the game, and the 2 drop TD pass & 2 miss FGs. The offense still did good against a division rival. They just need to keep trying establish the running game regardless if they are only getting 2 yards a carry.

[Malkavian Raven]

that speedy guy we need is deonte thompson. really think the offense will get better with time.

 

It was reported yesterday that he has been running on his sprained ankle, so if his returning next week isn't that far of a stretch that would be just what our offense needs to get after Houston.

[Militant X 1]

imo, the Ravens offensive personnel is not suited for a high flying, fast paced air assault style of offense like the Packers, Falcons, Saints or Patriots.  the Ravens just DON'T have those types of receivers that can constantly catch the ball and make plays!  and yet, they keep trying to force that style of play upon this team.  smh!  imo, we are built to run the ball (Rice, Pierce and Leach) and pass off of that play action.   there's no shame in being who you are!

 

~Mili

[izvoodoo]

that speedy guy we need is deonte thompson. really think the offense will get better with time.

Yeah, with just Torrey the middle of the defense is starting to get really crowded.

[SecretAgentMan]

imo, the Ravens offensive personnel is not suited for a high flying, fast paced air assault style of offense like the Packers, Falcons, Saints or Patriots.  the Ravens just DON'T have those types of receivers that can constantly catch the ball and make plays!  and yet, they keep trying to force that style of play upon this team.  smh!  imo, we are built to run the ball (Rice, Pierce and Leach) and pass off of that play action.   there's no shame in being who you are!

 

~Mili

We're more of a balanced team actually lean a little more to running the ball.
Flacco will take his shots, but we are a run first team
 

[izvoodoo]

We're more of a balanced team actually lean a little more to running the ball.
Flacco will take his shots, but we are a run first team
 

The biggest problem is the run blocking.  Period.  We get shy away from it, but it's been atrocious.  Seeing Denver's front and Clevelands front I want to see us play a team that isn't really physical to see if it's just the matchup or the run game itself.

[JoeCool#5]

The Ravens o-line and running game needs work. The run blocking schemes are just awful. Seeing O-Linemen getting blown up off the LOS, disrupting the running lanes, is tough to watch, almost as tough watch as the play calling. Ozzie needs to draft an OL, (Priority one) Can't remember the last time, they converted a 3rd and inches. 

 

I would say the Ravens offense is a work in progress.They just need to get more balance for the win. 

[Militant X 1]

We're more of a balanced team actually lean a little more to running the ball.
Flacco will take his shots, but we are a run first team
 

Flacco can take plenty of shots off of the play action.  they also can throw a few slants, out and in routes in there as well.  and whatever happen to the famous "Mason-comeback" routes?  establish the run!!!  pound the rock!!  wear the defense down!!  but that is just me!!

 

~Mili

[GrimCoconut]

I'm still going to be patient when it comes to Ed Dickson. I'm really disappointed in him and he's absolutely failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented to him. With that said, he had a hamstring injury late in camp so I'm still going to wait to judge him. He looks like he did pretty much every year before now. I'll judge him in about two or three more weeks. He should be ready by then. If not, then he's who we thought he was. 

[jimmypowder]

This game should have been a 28-6 win . We dropped two td passes . Those are the plays we must make to become a playoff caliber team .

[jaege]

imo, the Ravens offensive personnel is not suited for a high flying, fast paced air assault style of offense like the Packers, Falcons, Saints or Patriots.  the Ravens just DON'T have those types of receivers that can constantly catch the ball and make plays!  and yet, they keep trying to force that style of play upon this team.  smh!  imo, we are built to run the ball (Rice, Pierce and Leach) and pass off of that play action.   there's no shame in being who you are!
 
~Mili

Really. We aren't trying to make fantasy points here. We want to win REAL games. Stick with our identity and run the ball with the pass game opening from that.

[BMORE_96]

in all honesty, joe flacco is the highest paid player. so the team will try to utilize him as much as possible. so we are pass-first but not so extreme to be mistaken for the packers. something like 55-45 is ideal. and 60-40 is not bad either. pass-run ratio. it should mirror the playoff offense, but with more of an injection of caldwell's bunch formations.

 

I really want ed dickson to rekindle his 2011 rapport with flacco. we need his production.and i cant wait for deonte to come back next week to make us faster in the middle of the field. should help running game when we go 11. could be our best set against the texans.

[PolishRifle]

in all honesty, joe flacco is the highest paid player. so the team will try to utilize him as much as possible. so we are pass-first but not so extreme to be mistaken for the packers. something like 55-45 is ideal. and 60-40 is not bad either. pass-run ratio. it should mirror the playoff offense, but with more of an injection of caldwell's bunch formations.

 

I agree with that. People are drawing some bold conclusion, when Rice and Pierce rarely ran for more than 1 or 2 yards a carry.

It was the passing game, that was converting 3rd downs.

The offensive playcalling from the playoffs still made the most sense. Trying to run a balanced offense and then aggressively attacking with the pass.

[mgridda]

The ceiling this season?

 

Or the ceiling in general?

 

I think Marlon Brown is demonstrating that we have a very high ceiling as an offense. If we could, or can stay healthy: our ceiling is really high. Flacco is playing for the first two weeks with a lot of these guys. Brown, Clark, Stokley are all rather new. I think Marlon and Joe's chemistry will only grow. Torrey Smith is a beast and can be a true #1 in this league and take over games, I don't care what anyone says: he has the work ethic to get there this season. This offense just needs to 'click' and once it does, it will roll over people. To have Pitta and Clark out there will be a huge plus. I want to see what Deonte can do, coming back. IT's a shame Aaron got injured. Doss played well. We should get the ball in his hands more.

Ray and Bernard will do well. We have two good RBs. I think we left points on the board both in Denver and against Cleveland. We'll be fine, though.