Is Juan Castillo the problem?

[bravensfan52]

With KO out for the rest of the season I think we just took a major blow 

[The Raven]

Yeah. Maybe Castillo and Caldwell connect better in the booth.

They also said that Castillo will be gone at the end of the year.

 

Did they really? Wow. Was that from the organization or the radio station that passes off rumors and speculation as factual sports news?

[GrimCoconut]

Did they really? Wow. Was that from the organization or the radio station that passes off rumors and speculation as factual sports news?

Vinny and Rob said it. I mean you can believe what you want. There's nothing official and I doubt there will be until the season is over if it is true. We don't make public moves like that. They could be telling the truth. We'll know at the end of the year.

[jimjim5]

Vinny and Rob said it. I mean you can believe what you want. There's nothing official and I doubt there will be until the season is over if it is true. We don't make public moves like that. They could be telling the truth. We'll know at the end of the year.

Yep. Folks on the message boards got to realize that the the media has connections that we don't have. They are one contact away from being insiders. Therefore, I will take it as much more than spectulation or conjecture.

[The Raven]

Vinny and Rob said it. I mean you can believe what you want. There's nothing official and I doubt there will be until the season is over if it is true. We don't make public moves like that. They could be telling the truth. We'll know at the end of the year.

 

I hope it's true just so it'll shut up the idiots that believe in Harbaugh's buddy buddy conspiracy. 

[easternshore97]

Steve Spagnola. Dean Pees. Cam Cameron. Juan Castillo
 
I stopped hating on Dean when he turned the 2nd half of the 2010 season around, and also when he made adjustments all last season (i.e. lining up Upshaw at DT and it working). They all bring strengths to the table, and I have no problem with Dean or Steve, but none are superior.
 
The idea of bringing in a run game coordinator to me sounded like adding another chef in the kitchen...or one more Chief for the Indians. Wasn't necessary. Ravens were "a strong running team" for years and years and years...so 2 weeks before playing in the Super Bowl, you probably don't really need to hire a run game coordinator
 
They fired Jim Zorn - who was known to develop QBs. Flacco didn't like it. http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/sports/ravens/ravens-joe-flacco-on-jim-zorn-firing-i-m-not/article_c0c9e8ec-2bec-11e0-8a92-001cc4c03286.html
 
I don't think Zorn was a "buddy" of John

[jazz1988]

Yeah. Maybe Castillo and Caldwell connect better in the booth.

They also said that Castillo will be gone at the end of the year.

 

Hmmm interesting but If its true I don't think the ravens should fired Castillo . I think he can still be a valuable assets to the team just as a consultant and especially when it comes to finding good offensive tackles/offensive linemen through the draft.

[jimjim5]

I hope it's true just so it'll shut up the idiots that believe in Harbaugh's buddy buddy conspiracy.

Wouldn't it prove them right? Confused.....

[jimjim5]

Hmmm interesting but If its true I don't think the ravens should fired Castillo . I think he can still be a valuable assets to the team just as a consultant and especially when it comes to finding good offensive tackles/offensive linemen through the draft.

You love Castillo for some odd reason, Jazz. Are you sure you're not related?

[easternshore97]

Wouldn't it prove them right? Confused.....

He's saying that it would potentially show something to the effect that Harbaugh is hiring based on merit. By firing him, it would undermine the notion that he hired merely over loyalty and being pals

[jimjim5]

He's saying that it would potentially show something to the effect that Harbaugh is hiring based on merit. By firing him, it would undermine the notion that he hired merely over loyalty and being pals

Got it. Thanks. Still can't escape the connection they have. Harbs has a very high level job. He knows wrongs must be corrected. So a change would inevitably need to take place.

[jazz1988]

Steve Spagnola. Dean Pees. Cam Cameron. Juan Castillo

 

I stopped hating on Dean when he turned the 2nd half of the 2010 season around, and also when he made adjustments all last season (i.e. lining up Upshaw at DT and it working). They all bring strengths to the table, and I have no problem with Dean or Steve, but none are superior.

 

The idea of bringing in a run game coordinator to me sounded like adding another chef in the kitchen...or one more Chief for the Indians. Wasn't necessary. Ravens were "a strong running team" for years and years and years...so 2 weeks before playing in the Super Bowl, you probably don't really need to hire a run game coordinator

 

They fired Jim Zorn - who was known to develop QBs. Flacco didn't like it. http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/blogs/sports/ravens/ravens-joe-flacco-on-jim-zorn-firing-i-m-not/article_c0c9e8ec-2bec-11e0-8a92-001cc4c03286.html

 

I don't think Zorn was a "buddy" of John

 

The ravens run game was ranked  4th in 2008,5th in 2009, 14th in 2010,1Oth in 2011, and 15th in 2012 .Overall the ravens running game has been up  and down  but there best years were in 2008 and 2009.  The last time Castillo was a  offensive line coach for the eagles they had a run game ranked 5th in   the  league(in year 2010) and I don't blame John Harbaugh for bringing in Castillo to help improve the ravens run game, since it hasn't been in the top 5 range ever since year 08 and 09

 

Jim Zorn was a good quarterback coach and when he went on to be the chiefs quarterback coach (after he was fired as a raven) he eventually was fired as well. He's still unemployed to my understanding  and  Joe Flacco may have disliked him being fired  but I get the feeling he disliked it more because him and jim became good friends

[jazz1988]

You love Castillo for some odd reason, Jazz. Are you sure you're not related?

 

I don't love Castillo but I just like to be logical.

[easternshore97]

The ravens run game was ranked  4th in 2008,5th in 2009, 14th in 2010,1Oth in 2011, and 15th in 2012 .Overall the ravens running game has been up  and down  but there best years were in 2008 and 2009.  The last time Castillo was a  offensive line coach for the eagles they had a run game ranked 5th in   the  league(in year 2010) and I don't blame John Harbaugh for bringing in Castillo to help improve the ravens run game, since it hasn't been in the top 5 range ever since year 08 and 09

 

Jim Zorn was a good quarterback coach and when he went on to be the chiefs quarterback coach (after he was fired as a raven) he eventually was fired as well. He's still unemployed to my understanding  and  Joe Flacco may have disliked him being fired  but I get the feeling he disliked it more because him and jim became good friends

Happy to debate all the time, and always respectful of differing opinions, but please - let's be sure to keep things in context. Again, let's keep things in context. 2008, 2009, and 2011 all sound like successful years to me - rushing that is.  Hopefully everyone can agree on that. 2008 was the jumbo format and combo of Leron and Willis. 2009 was Ray's breakout year.

 

2010 Offense as a whole was not good. 2012 Offense as a whole was not good. Let's not isolate stats from reality.

 

I think anyone who went and coached a QB for the KC Chiefs in 2010 or 2011 or whenever would have likely been fired. That's not a fact, but again, let's try not to isolate stats/past performance from reality

[Grapple Raven]

Anyone have a link to the The Fan show today with Vinny? 

[jazz1988]

Happy to debate all the time, and always respectful of differing opinions, but please - let's be sure to keep things in context. Again, let's keep things in context. 2008, 2009, and 2011 all sound like successful years to me - rushing that is.  Hopefully everyone can agree on that. 2008 was the jumbo format and combo of Leron and Willis. 2009 was Ray's breakout year.

 

2010 Offense as a whole was not good. 2012 Offense as a whole was not good. Let's not isolate stats from reality.

 

I think anyone who went and coached a QB for the KC Chiefs in 2010 or 2011 or whenever would have likely been fired. That's not a fact, but again, let's try not to isolate stats/past performance from reality

 

I understand what you saying but in Football stats reflect on how good you are as a team .  I'm well aware of how good  the ravens run game was in 2008,2009,and 2011 and I m well aware of how it look in 2010 and 2012  but at end of the day it all about getting better/ not accepting less but more.

 

If I'm  a head coach I must always analyze my  team performance and this involves stats along with others; Theres no way in the world a head coach should look at the run game stats I listed from years 2008-2012 then  feel like the run game doesn't  need improvement . 

 

If I had  a defense, passing game, run game, special team and etc ranked 10th in the league but I know  there is a coach whom can help elevate such stats from last  then I'm going to hire him and  add another great mind to my staff because its all about getting better.

 

I acknowledge that Jim Zorn was a good quarterback coach but I find it strange that some one so good is still unemployed which could be many reasons why(maybe he wants to take a break from football).  I believe you mention Jim Zorn was fired because he wasn't buddy buddy with John Harbaugh but honestly if it was some kind of friction between him and John Harbaugh /other staff members is it really wise to keep him around?

[PurpleCityLights]

Anyone have a link to the The Fan show today with Vinny?

If you go to the website 105.7 the fan.com you should be able to play back todays show.

[easternshore97]

I understand what you saying but in Football stats reflect on how good you are as a team .  I'm well aware of how good  the ravens run game was in 2008,2009,and 2011 and I m well aware of how it look in 2010 and 2012  but at end of the day it all about getting better/ not accepting less but more.

 

If I'm  a head coach I must always analyze my  team performance and this involves stats along with others; Theres no way in the world a head coach should look at the run game stats I listed from years 2008-2012 then  feel like the run game doesn't  need improvement . 

 

If I had  a defense, passing game, run game, special team and etc ranked 10th in the league but I know  there is a coach whom can help elevate such stats from last  then I'm going to hire him and  add another great mind to my staff because its all about getting better.

Touche. But the fact that the overall offense is weak does not mean the run game itself needs changing. Your offense isn't lighting it up all over the field so that means we as a defense can figure out how to soften your run game. 

 

Perhaps you picked the wrong thing to tweak on offense. How much better would the run game have been in the Jamal Lewis era if the pass game was just as prolific?

 

Out of curiosity since you pointed out 14th and 15th ranked rushing, how many more yards did the top 13 and 14 teams have than the Ravens?

[jimjim5]

If you go to the website 105.7 the fan.com you should be able to play back todays show.

 

Good info. I really want to hear their insight. I felt like a housewife from the 80's that missed the weekday stories when I heard his news.

[runamuk]

105.7 The Fan had reported on the Vinny and Rob show that Moeller had resumed his role as OL coach and that Castillo would be in the booth.

I heard that show then a friend sent this link http://russellstreetreport.com/bengals-loss-puts-ravens-back-in-division-race/

It's Russell street but they have been accurate on some articles It says the same thing Moeller is back in charge .

[Poes Crows]

 

Wasn't McKinnie the only Free Agent Veteran retained?

 

Several negative factors merged: McKinnie's age; McKinnie's opinion of the ZBS; Osemele's Injury; Yanda's Recovery; Gradkowski's inexperience; and maybe most significantly, the ZBS and Castillo.

 

Add to those "Line Factors", now we know both Rice and Pierce were hurt.

 

In retrospect McKinnie was right and now he's gone. (Why do I hear French music and see Harbs with his hand tucked inside the breast of his coat?)

 

So now we have a new left side of the Line and no 4th or 5th round picks next year.  If we make the Playoffs, not going to make an issue of the draft picks. But if we don't those picks are likely to be more valuable in the 4th and 5th rounds than they have been in the past 5 years.

[ravensdfan]

 

 

Wasn't McKinnie the only Free Agent Veteran retained?

 

Several negative factors merged: McKinnie's age; McKinnie's opinion of the ZBS; Osemele's Injury; Yanda's Recovery; Gradkowski's inexperience; and maybe most significantly, the ZBS and Castillo.

 

Add to those "Line Factors", now we know both Rice and Pierce were hurt.

 

In retrospect McKinnie was right and now he's gone. (Why do I hear French music and see Harbs with his hand tucked inside the breast of his coat?)

 

So now we have a new left side of the Line and no 4th or 5th round picks next year.  If we make the Playoffs, not going to make an issue of the draft picks. But if we don't those picks are likely to be more valuable in the 4th and 5th rounds than they have been in the past 5 years.

 

 

How do we have no picks? We gave up a late round for Monroe, we gained a conditional late round for McKinnie.

 

Seems to be a wash.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

How do we have no picks? We gave up a late round for Monroe, we gained a conditional late round for McKinnie.

Seems to be a wash.

Monroe's price was a 4th and 5th and we're most probably getting a 7th for McKinnie... and then we need to send a 7th to the Colts for Shipley... but we're getting at least a comp 4th for Kruger, maybe a 5th for Ellerbe and two 6ths for Reed and Williams

[berad]

So now we have a new left side of the Line and no 4th or 5th round picks next year.  If we make the Playoffs, not going to make an issue of the draft picks. But if we don't those picks are likely to be more valuable in the 4th and 5th rounds than they have been in the past 5 years.

With all the incredible, irreplaceable guys we didn't re-sign we're sure to get a ton of high conditional picks, correct?

[ravensdfan]

Monroe's price was a 4th and 5th and we're most probably getting a 7th for McKinnie... and then we need to send a 7th to the Colts for Shipley... but we're getting at least a comp 4th for Kruger, maybe a 5th for Ellerbe and two 6ths for Reed and Williams

 

Yes I did forget about Shipley and I thought it was only one pick for Monroe.

 

You're correct though as well that we should be getting numerous comp picks.

[Poes Crows]

With all the incredible, irreplaceable guys we didn't re-sign we're sure to get a ton of high conditional picks, correct?

 

No, not a Ton.

 

We'll get some, but its calculated vs the Free Agents signed. You know, in the words of the all powerful and mighty Front Office, "The guys necessary to rebuild the defense."

 

Or in other words, the Incredible, Irreplaceable, Defense Building guys that we Absolutely, Positively, had to sign.  You know, the guys that we just Had to Have, as in the words of Banzai the Hyena from The Lion King, "I just gotta have a wildebest!", and then we cut them. Huff, Spears...and others about to face the axe.

 

But the key is supplemental or compensatory picks are awarded at the END of the round.  Lets say we finish 6-10. It would be nice to draft 6th or 7th each round, but if we have compensatory picks they'll be 33 or later. 

[berad]

No, not a Ton.

We'll get some, but its calculated vs the Free Agents signed. You know, in the words of the all powerful and mighty Front Office, "The guys necessary to rebuild the defense."

Or in other words, the Incredible, Irreplaceable, Defense Building guys that we Absolutely, Positively, had to sign. You know, the guys that we just Had to Have, as in the words of Banzai the Hyena from The Lion King, "I just gotta have a wildebest!", and then we cut them. Huff, Spears...and others about to face the axe.

But the key is supplemental or compensatory picks are awarded at the END of the round. Lets say we finish 6-10. It would be nice to draft 6th or 7th each round, but if we have compensatory picks they'll be 33 or later.

Spears and Huff actually don't count against our compensatory picks because they were cut by their 2012 teams.

[jazz1988]

Touche. But the fact that the overall offense is weak does not mean the run game itself needs changing. Your offense isn't lighting it up all over the field so that means we as a defense can figure out how to soften your run game. 

 

Perhaps you picked the wrong thing to tweak on offense. How much better would the run game have been in the Jamal Lewis era if the pass game was just as prolific?

 

Out of curiosity since you pointed out 14th and 15th ranked rushing, how many more yards did the top 13 and 14 teams have than the Ravens?

 

I understand when you mention  "the fact that the overall offense is weak does not mean the run game itself needs changing" but considering  that the ravens passing attack was ranked 15th in the league last year(it's there best ranking in Joe Flacco era) it gives me the impression the ravens  had faith  in their  passing game  to continue to  improve especially with   Jim Caldwell as their offensive coordinator.

 

The run game ranking last year wasn't bad (ranked 11th) but I see John Harbaugh wanting better which is why Juan Castiillo was sign . The Patriots had a passing attack ranked 4th in  the league and a running game ranked 7th in the league  and maybe John Harbaugh had those same intentions(or more) for the ravens offense with the combine minds of Jim Caldwell and Juan Castillo.  The ravens o-line was ranked 20th last year which could be another reason why Juan Castillo was bought in and  right now they are ranked 16th in league even with their  problems. 

[izvoodoo]

I understand when you mention  "the fact that the overall offense is weak does not mean the run game itself needs changing" but considering  that the ravens passing attack was ranked 15th in the league last year(it's there best ranking in Joe Flacco era) it gives me the impression the ravens  had faith  in their  passing game  to continue to  improve especially with   Jim Caldwell as their offensive coordinator.

 

The run game ranking last year wasn't bad (ranked 11th) but I see John Harbaugh wanting better which is why Juan Castiillo was sign . The Patriots had a passing attack ranked 4th in  the league and a running game ranked 7th in the league  and maybe John Harbaugh had those same intentions(or more) for the ravens offense with the combine minds of Jim Caldwell and Juan Castillo.  The ravens o-line was ranked 20th last year which could be another reason why Juan Castillo was bought in and  right now they are ranked 16th in league even with their  problems. 

Also it's a little but of a mixed bag.  If you're 4th in passing you're going to open up some running lanes.  See some 6 man fronts.

[redravenfan]

Spears and Huff actually don't count against our compensatory picks because they were cut by their 2012 teams.

Do we get any draft picks for the retired players ?