Defense

[jazz1988]

 I'm just stating the obvious.  They lack leadership. Hard to be a leader when you make mistakes that cause your team games.( Harbs,Flacco).

 

 

 In Suggs case he is self promoting,  so it doesn't come off as leadership, it will be received as arrogance. He can change his approach and evolve as the leader but he has to do that. 

 

So you telling me the ravens have never lost a game when Ray Lewis was around? or should i say they have never lost a game due to a mistake by a player? 

[Sunday QB]

When the Ravens play man to man defense they look good but when they play zone defense they look bad and give up a lot in yard and points.

[callahan09]

Since we beat Miami, the Ravens defense has been terrible in the 4th quarter.  Over these last 8 weeks (7 games for us), in the 4th quarter, we are allowing (per drive):

 

7.3 plays per drive (Worst; Avg = 5.4)

43.9 yards per drive (Worst; Avg = 25.5)

2:58 time of possession (2nd worst; Avg = 2:10)

 

Our offense has had the fewest 4th quarter drives over that span, with just 15 (barely getting just 2 drives per game in the 4th quarter; Avg = 22 drives... Avg per quarter = 3.07).  Even the Saints & Seahawks have had more 4th quarter possessions than we have had over this span, and they've each played an entire game less.

 

The defense also has been allowing 50% of drives to end in a score (Worst; Avg = 27.9%) and we are forcing a punt on only 19% of drives (T-3rd worst; Avg = 34.3%).

 

Also keep in mind that over this span of games, our offense has had a higher time of possession than the opponent through quarters 1-3, holding the ball nearly 4 minutes longer in total, and the offense is getting an entire drive more per quarter than they are getting the chance to have in the 4th quarter (they average a little over 3 drives per quarter in quarters 1-3, versus 2 drives per quarter in the 4th).

[callahan09]

As an additional comment to the above, our team has either been up or down by 1 score or less for 70:06 over the past 7 games in the 4th quarter.  That's more than two thirds of the time during the 4th quarter that the game is still within 1 score for either team.  That is the very definition of the worst possible time for your defense to be letting the other team have their will with them, and yet that's exactly when it keeps happening.  It's have a tremendous effect on our ability to win these close games.  We got lucky to come out of those Pittsburgh and Cincinnati games with W's considering how our defense was letting the opponent have their way with us throughout the entire 4th quarter in both games, letting up a multi-score game turn into an overtime situation once and very damn nearly against PIT as well.

 

For what it's worth, the offense has been excellent in those 4 games that we lost over this span of time.

 

We were within 1 score for exactly 52:00 out of 60 minutes (86.7%), and during those times Flacco's stats looked like this:

 

29/40, 312 Yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs = 72.5%, 7.8 Y/A, 128.3 QB Rating

 

And Rice & Pierce together averaged 4.00 yards per attempt in the 4th quarter of those 4 losses.

 

So in the 4th quarter, the offense is alive and kicking, playing well, and the defense is squandering the thing.  Is this a pretty picture?

[Static]

Watching Heath Miller and Big Ben destroy our Defense in the 2nd quarter made me sick. Why is the defense so inconsistent. I've learned to expect that from our Offense but defense is supposed to be our rock and they almost lost the game.

[redrum52]

As an additional comment to the above, our team has either been up or down by 1 score or less for 70:06 over the past 7 games in the 4th quarter.  That's more than two thirds of the time during the 4th quarter that the game is still within 1 score for either team.  That is the very definition of the worst possible time for your defense to be letting the other team have their will with them, and yet that's exactly when it keeps happening.  It's have a tremendous effect on our ability to win these close games.  We got lucky to come out of those Pittsburgh and Cincinnati games with W's considering how our defense was letting the opponent have their way with us throughout the entire 4th quarter in both games, letting up a multi-score game turn into an overtime situation once and very damn nearly against PIT as well.

 

For what it's worth, the offense has been excellent in those 4 games that we lost over this span of time.

 

We were within 1 score for exactly 52:00 out of 60 minutes (86.7%), and during those times Flacco's stats looked like this:

 

29/40, 312 Yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs = 72.5%, 7.8 Y/A, 128.3 QB Rating

 

And Rice & Pierce together averaged 4.00 yards per attempt in the 4th quarter of those 4 losses.

 

So in the 4th quarter, the offense is alive and kicking, playing well, and the defense is squandering the thing.  Is this a pretty picture?

You can give em hell for the Steelers game, but the offense did nothing in he second half of the Bengals game and say what you want, but the offense was the cause of 10 points in the Bears game, same amount the defense gave up.  Also, being within one score doesn't mean much to me if throughout the rest of the game, you're still not doing your job.  You can point out the numbers, but the offense still needs to score more when the defense is holding guys early.  If they could pull away then it wouldn't be that close at the end.

[arnie_uk]

You can give em hell for the Steelers game, but the offense did nothing in he second half of the Bengals game and say what you want, but the offense was the cause of 10 points in the Bears game, same amount the defense gave up.  Also, being within one score doesn't mean much to me if throughout the rest of the game, you're still not doing your job.  You can point out the numbers, but the offense still needs to score more when the defense is holding guys early.  If they could pull away then it wouldn't be that close at the end.

clutch.... Or lack thereof is an issue, no matter what happened earlier. They should be getting a stop when it's needed, like a qb should be driving his team into a scoring position when it's needed. Pitts a few years ago, ne playoff game a few years ago, broncos I the playoffs, Atlanta many years ago, minny the last time we played them.

If a qb fails, he gets roasted, the defense shouldn't get a pass either

[T3hRaven]

 

Since we beat Miami, the Ravens defense has been terrible in the 4th quarter.  Over these last 8 weeks (7 games for us), in the 4th quarter, we are allowing (per drive):

 

7.3 plays per drive (Worst; Avg = 5.4)

43.9 yards per drive (Worst; Avg = 25.5)

2:58 time of possession (2nd worst; Avg = 2:10)

 

Our offense has had the fewest 4th quarter drives over that span, with just 15 (barely getting just 2 drives per game in the 4th quarter; Avg = 22 drives... Avg per quarter = 3.07).  Even the Saints & Seahawks have had more 4th quarter possessions than we have had over this span, and they've each played an entire game less.

 

The defense also has been allowing 50% of drives to end in a score (Worst; Avg = 27.9%) and we are forcing a punt on only 19% of drives (T-3rd worst; Avg = 34.3%).

 

Also keep in mind that over this span of games, our offense has had a higher time of possession than the opponent through quarters 1-3, holding the ball nearly 4 minutes longer in total, and the offense is getting an entire drive more per quarter than they are getting the chance to have in the 4th quarter (they average a little over 3 drives per quarter in quarters 1-3, versus 2 drives per quarter in the 4th).

 

 

Interesting stats.  The mods need to bestow upon thee the member title of Stat King.

 

But seriously, always nice when the numbers match what we're seeing on the field.  The question is what has changed since Miami.  It shouldn't be that they're tired, the offense has been doing much better in that regard.  Is it just that teams have gotten the tape of us and are exploiting things or what?

[redrum52]

clutch.... Or lack thereof is an issue, no matter what happened earlier. They should be getting a stop when it's needed, like a qb should be driving his team into a scoring position when it's needed. Pitts a few years ago, ne playoff game a few years ago, broncos I the playoffs, Atlanta many years ago, minny the last time we played them.

If a qb fails, he gets roasted, the defense shouldn't get a pass either

So points earlier in the game aren't needed like later in the game?  Everything has an effect and though you will be remembered more for what happens at the end don't act like the start doesn't matter either.  I personally will give a qb credit if he's failed by a team earlier and isn't able to get the job done.  You can't always blame the defense for not holding at the end, just like you can't always fault the qb for not getting it done at the end.  You need to take advantage of all opportunities.  I don't blame Joe for any of the games you mentioned.  Atlanta was a damn push off and the Vikings game got Hauschka cut.  I will say this again too, THE RULES ARE FAVORED TOWARDS THE OFFENSE.

 

 

Interesting stats.  The mods need to bestow upon thee the member title of Stat King.

 

But seriously, always nice when the numbers match what we're seeing on the field.  The question is what has changed since Miami.  It shouldn't be that they're tired, the offense has been doing much better in that regard.  Is it just that teams have gotten the tape of us and are exploiting things or what?

I think they're making adjustments and the team is playing not to lose, instead of to win.  If you look how the defense lines up, it doesn't seem like they try to confuse the opposition.  So the qbs know where the blitz is coming from and who the hot read is.  With all that info a few changes and a qb with any sense can take advantage of match ups.  That and not putting up enough points to get teams desperate.  It seems if the offense plays well the defense lets up and if the defense plays well, the offense lets up.  The first half of the Steelers game was one of the most complete halves the team had played since the Bengals game.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Interesting stats.  The mods need to bestow upon thee the member title of Stat King.

 

But seriously, always nice when the numbers match what we're seeing on the field.  The question is what has changed since Miami.  It shouldn't be that they're tired, the offense has been doing much better in that regard.  Is it just that teams have gotten the tape of us and are exploiting things or what?

I think this is it. Already mentioned it before, teams plan for long drives vs our defense later in games as they know we can't make stops for whatever reasons; there were only a few games this year when we made pertinent changes at the half to match up better with how the opposing offense played us. Just think of the team that knows us the most and how well Ben picked our D apart in both games.

[arnie_uk]

So points earlier in the game aren't needed like later in the game? Everything has an effect and though you will be remembered more for what happens at the end don't act like the start doesn't matter either. I personally will give a qb credit if he's failed by a team earlier and isn't able to get the job done. You can't always blame the defense for not holding at the end, just like you can't always fault the qb for not getting it done at the end. You need to take advantage of all opportunities. I don't blame Joe for any of the games you mentioned. Atlanta was a damn push off and the Vikings game got Hauschka cut. I will say this again too, THE RULES ARE FAVORED TOWARDS THE OFFENSE.



I think they're making adjustments and the team is playing not to lose, instead of to win. If you look how the defense lines up, it doesn't seem like they try to confuse the opposition. So the qbs know where the blitz is coming from and who the hot read is. With all that info a few changes and a qb with any sense can take advantage of match ups. That and not putting up enough points to get teams desperate. It seems if the offense plays well the defense lets up and if the defense plays well, the offense lets up. The first half of the Steelers game was one of the most complete halves the team had played since the Bengals game.

im not excusing the offense. Merely pointing out 3 qtrs mattee none of u crap the bed in the clutch. Tony Romos career is defined by that. U have to get the stop when it matters. Id rather have a clutch player than one that crumbles under pressure.

[Tank 92]

 

So points earlier in the game aren't needed like later in the game?  Everything has an effect and though you will be remembered more for what happens at the end don't act like the start doesn't matter either.  I personally will give a qb credit if he's failed by a team earlier and isn't able to get the job done.  You can't always blame the defense for not holding at the end, just like you can't always fault the qb for not getting it done at the end.  You need to take advantage of all opportunities.  I don't blame Joe for any of the games you mentioned.  Atlanta was a damn push off and the Vikings game got Hauschka cut.  I will say this again too, THE RULES ARE FAVORED TOWARDS THE OFFENSE.

 

 

 

This has been discussed previously discussed at length. You can't make suppositions about events(including scoring) that happen during the course of a game because you don't know how they would change the history/flow of the game. Ultimately the game is won/lost at the end no matter what game you are playing. Sure it is an advantage to score early and often, but what matters most is the score when the clock reads 00:00. If you are in a position to win at the end that's when performance and execution matter most.

[redrum52]

im not excusing the offense. Merely pointing out 3 qtrs mattee none of u crap the bed in the clutch. Tony Romos career is defined by that. U have to get the stop when it matters. Id rather have a clutch player than one that crumbles under pressure.

 

This has been discussed previously discussed at length. You can't make suppositions about events(including scoring) that happen during the course of a game because you don't know how they would change the history/flow of the game. Ultimately the game is won/lost at the end no matter what game you are playing. Sure it is an advantage to score early and often, but what matters most is the score when the clock reads 00:00. If you are in a position to win at the end that's when performance and execution matter most.

Good points.

[arnie_uk]

Good points.

yes in all the games we lost close at the end, if thr offense even pushed out a fg in the first half it would have been a diff scenario in the final mins. We would have been protecting a lead instead of needing to get a stop to givr the o a chance to win the game but the d couldnt do that.

If however they did and then the offense fails to win the game on the final drive flacco would get slaughtered. Unless of course someone dropped the game winning touchdown or something like that. ..

Eugh lee evans

[dirtybird10]

Watching Heath Miller and Big Ben destroy our Defense in the 2nd quarter made me sick. Why is the defense so inconsistent. I've learned to expect that from our Offense but defense is supposed to be our rock and they almost lost the game.

 

To be fair, Ben was playing lights out in the second half against our team. Now some of that may have been our defensive backs and scheme, but he looked like Tom Brady out there on us. The ball was out as soon as he took the snap. Nothing our pass rushers could have done there, except maybe drop back in coverage, because there was no time to get to him. The Steeler's offense was a smooth operating machine in the second half.

[arnie_uk]

Annoyingly deserves a bump. God that play in the last 2 minutes was horrible

[PolishRifle]

Annoyingly deserves a bump. God that play in the last 2 minutes was horrible

 

Looking back at it, I would blame the players far more than Pees. Many missed tackles made those plays for the Vikes possible.

[RavensFan34950]

This is 2 games in a row without a sack. Where's our pass rush? What happened to our run defense? Does Suggs deserve to keep his contract after falling off the map like this? Im a Pees fan but the conservative play is getting pretty annoying. When we rush 5 or 6 we cause chaos. Why doesn't he see this?

[jimmypowder]

Where are our playmakers on defense? . Let's see some picks or sacks . Very few playmakers , including Suggs . Jimmy Smith is the most improved Ravens defensive player this year . Hands down .

[TSizzle00]

Im not football expert but it seems like when we run zone coverage we give up large plays to YAC. Typically Webb will give up a big play in this situation. When in man coverage he seems to have better control and attacks the football. Even if he gives up a catch the person would go right down with a sure tackle. I am unsure what scenarios the Ravens would change to zone especially when it looked like it made the Vikings QB more comfortable throwing. 

[izvoodoo]

Im not football expert but it seems like when we run zone coverage we give up large plays to YAC. Typically Webb will give up a big play in this situation. When in man coverage he seems to have better control and attacks the football. Even if he gives up a catch the person would go right down with a sure tackle. I am unsure what scenarios the Ravens would change to zone especially when it looked like it made the Vikings QB more comfortable throwing. 

I don't think the problem so much is inherint with our ability to play zone, but our propensity to run it means QBs are looking for it a lot.