[News] Harbaugh: Defense Has To Get Off Field

[sp3ctor20]

Why did we find it necessary to draft a safety in the first round and a ILB in the second when we just paid Joe a fortune to win games for us? Don't get me wrong, I feel Elam has played well so far, but he wasn't necessary. We need tight ends, we need a center, we need WR and depth on the line. Joe could have been going on an epic rampage, throwing for 300 every game if he had any viable targets on the field that aren't Torrey Smith who's constantly in choke coverage or going up against a shutdown corner. An undrafted rookie free agent shouldn't be our leading TD receiver, and Jacoby Jones shouldn't be our #2 guy.

[bioLarzen]

@BioLarzen the fact that you can compliment Flacco after this game is amazing to me are you serious! Flacco was out played by a 3rd string QB!

 

Yes, I do think he was very good - given the support he got. Campbell had a good day because he got a better protection. Or, at least that's how I see it.

 

bio

[singin1]

Defense is what has kept us in the game. Hey "Harbs" - STOP with the same "we have to do a better job, I feel confident, blah blah blah". Your game clock management sucked and that is on you. You bringing in Juan Castillo and allowing him to change our run block scheme is on YOU. Where is the leadership? It is pretty clear that Ray Lewis was the leadership and not the coach. IT IS OBVIOUS that you need to get a better understanding of your team. Oh, and by the way, stop with the "I'm not going to get in all of that". You are a coach, NOT a politician. Special teams has been off and that is your specialty?

[bioLarzen]

Why did we find it necessary to draft a safety in the first round and a ILB in the second when we just paid Joe a fortune to win games for us? Don't get me wrong, I feel Elam has played well so far, but he wasn't necessary. We need tight ends, we need a center, we need WR and depth on the line. Joe could have been going on an epic rampage, throwing for 300 every game if he had any viable targets on the field that aren't Torrey Smith who's constantly in choke coverage or going up against a shutdown corner. An undrafted rookie free agent shouldn't be our leading TD receiver, and Jacoby Jones shouldn't be our #2 guy.

 

Hindsight... At the time of the draft, we still had Pitta and a Dickson at TE who had a rather good playoffs - so, it didn't look like we were in a dire need of a TE.

 

As for C: the first C selected after our #32 pick was pick #107, in the fourth round, a player who played 2 games this season... Doesn't sound like a definite upgrade on someone who's had one whole season to learn under Birk. Little did we or the coaches know it back then that Gradkowski wouldn't be an instant success...

 

I don't think we definitely need a WR. Torrey Smith is still effective, Marlon Brown is now "officially" a real thing, Doss is getting to be the WR we were hoping him to become, and Thompson had good moments. And Stokley is still out... A very good WR would always be welcome of course - but I don't think WR is one of our top 3 immediate needs.

 

bio

[bioLarzen]

This organization has experienced "roughly" 4 games of exceptional offense in their entire 17 year existence, our playoff run last year.

 

That's a little bit unfair. Although I agree that a phenomenal O was seldom the Ravens' trademark, we had quite a few games where our O was very good and effective  much more effective than v. the Colts last season's Wild Card round, for example.

 

bio

[bioLarzen]

Last sentiment: I would really, really love to see Harbaugh come out and explain what the bye week was used for. Because whatever it was, it clearly had 0% effect. And wasting the bye week is one of the capital offenses in the NFL. I would hate to see this one unexplained.

 

bio

[Rave-O]

Yes, I do think he was very good - given the support he got. Campbell had a good day because he got a better protection. Or, at least that's how I see it.

 

bio

I respect ur opinion Bio, but Campbell did not get better protection than Flacco he was just more mobile and threw more accurately especially into tight coverage.

[H8R]

I can agree with you on that but where are the scores they are supposed to be putting up on the scoreboard?

It works both ways... where are the goose eggs on the other side? It's simple to me.... I EXPECT more from the defense, as it's supposed to be a strength . It's supposed to be dominant. We knew the offense was going to be a work in progress.

[Zeus]

Blah blah blah, same after game speech we have heard after each loss. Bottom line Harbs has no idea how to fix this

[H8R]

I respect ur opinion Bio, but Campbell did not get better protection than Flacco he was just more mobile and threw more accurately especially into tight coverage.

One thing about Cleveland and Norv in general... They'll have big guys on the outside. The QB doesn't have to be super accurate just as long as the guys go up and get it.

[H8R]

Blah blah blah, same after game speech we have heard after each loss. Bottom line Harbs has no idea how to fix this

Sure he does.... it's Justine having the roster to do it... which is questionable.
If we could have EVER had a run game this season, we would be a pretty darn good team.... but we dont

[The U]

No Ray Lewis, no Ed Reed = No leader on defense. T-sizzle can't do it all by himself. Ngata and others have to step up. Jimmy Smith doesn't seem to be developing like a first rounder should. He does alot of goofy. It's going to be a long season.

[riseNConquer81]

whatever.....we're gonna sit around and blame this on the defense now?
no.

They, as usual, did what they were supposed to do, and the offense...as usual, didnt learn how to score until the second half.

Stop trying to make the Castillo experiment work, fire him already. and get off this "stay committed to the [totally ineffective] run" mess and help the defense out.

[sami]

The problem is very simple. Its the o-line. If we could run, even just a bit, we could sustain drives and get some points. The o-line needs to play smash mouth football and until we do we'll be lucky to win another game.

[ellicottraven]

I didn't care to listen to Harbaugh's post game presser. As I see it, it is the same old tired explanation. "We are close and we need to figure out a way to get over this hump. We are stalwarts and we will overcome any adversity. Our schemes are not a problem. It is just little things here and there that need to be corrected. All in all I believe in the leadership of our team and we still have a long way to go. It isn't the coaching or schemes, I assure you... "

This is what I have heard over every loss we have suffered. So, this time isn't going to be any different I am assuming. What does it really matter. We lost back to back division games to the bottom 2 teams in the division. Simple. We lost after a bye which we hadn't done before. If you notice, every time someone brings up the fact that we have never lost after this or at M&T in so long, it happens! We lose! I am just so afraid of becoming a bad team again, it frightens me to become a team that languishes in the basement of the league from here on out....

So, unless coaching changes are made or we are told that this is a season we have given up on by team management, I'll continue to be disappointed in our team.

[The Greek]

huge flacco fan but he sucked today and did not act like a leader. defense played well and does not deserve to be crucifed. this loss falls on the offense and i hope harbs finally agrees with me that he needs to find a oc that can lead this offense with creativity. oooooohhhhhhh p.s. the o-line stinks especially gino and the oc caldwell. if the run does not work than find another way to feed ray rice but he did not do that. we won superbowl so i will not be greedy but this team can do better

[The Greek]

harbs i love you like the rest of the real fans on here but stop being a nim rod. u know that you must make changes to the coaching staff so dooooooo it. bengals are celebrating big time at your expense mr. harbs

[MDguyCeCo]

Harbaugh, if you want the Defense OFF the field, then for the Love of God, DO something about it.... Since you brought in your old 'patna' Juan Castillo... well? how did that work out for Philly? not to mention, our Running game is the Worst in the NFL....

[MDguyCeCo]

Thank God, that Ray got OUT when he did... this is AWFUL....
Baltimore Ravens could not beat Rising Sun High School ( who's only win is due to opponent no-show forfeit....)

[TorryGundy]

Ngata is the problem. We get no rush up the middle. He is supposed to be a beast 3-4 NT. That means he should play a 0 technique. right over the center and control both A gaps while drawing a double team. He cant so we really dont play a 3-4 we play and 4-3 under becuase he cant do it. And in a 4-3 under he plays a 1 or 2 technique shading to the centers shoulder and controls both A gaps but realy going 1 on 1 with a center or Guard. He is supposed to drive upfield since they dont draw a double. HE cant do that! Then Jones is supposed to use his speed to knife through the b gap but he dosent have the stamina and keeps falling. Canty is getting a double to his side but he has to push the pocket in not keep it flat. So our 0nly pressure comes from two 9 techniques in whach you chip them , add a TE or slide up in the pocket. Thats why on third down all the browns did was step up on the picket and throw down the field. HE is not worht his cap space and the inability to pay for good lineman around him. COdy not playing up to potential has set us back as a francise combined with Ngata quick fade.

[sgkoteen]

In response to Harbaugh: Our defense is tired. They get 2 minute breaks in between Flacco 3 and outs all game. Not the first time this pattern has haunted us this season. Not the second either.

[BoominRaven]

the d is tired because we can't run the ball.... fire your buddy castillo and MAYBE we can win a couple more games this year

[HutHut]

"The defense has failed to get opponents off the field late in games to give Joe Flacco and the offense opportunities to mount fourth-quarter comebacks."

Well, maybe if the offense wouldn't go 3 and out so much throughout the game (because the O-line can't block) it wouldn't be so darn critical for the defense to make a stop in sudden death. THAT is the "trend" here.

[tbird]

Harbs is still spouting the same BS about the little things. Hey, having an offense that is terrible is not a small thing. It is a big deal and tweaking small things won't fix it. Get rid of the run game coordinator, trash the zone blocking scheme, and run the ball out of the I formation. Don't use Doss in in a timeshare with Marlon Brown. Brown is the man. Doss is inconsistent and his hands are questionable. Ed Dickson stinks. Get rid of him and bring back Bajema for the rest of the season.

[shiri2]

there's enough blame to go around to everyone. the "whole team" is outta sync. Offense: not blocking, therefore no running room or running back waiting too long to make a decision what direction to run. defense: not putting a spy on Campbell, allowing too many BIG plays (4 & 1. ST: mishandling the kick-off (resulted in a Brown's TD), Kock not pinning the Browns deep in their own territory toward the end of the game.

[shiri2]

I don't think they'll scrap the ZBS cause I read somewhere that it's the best blocking system in the NFL (it's more efficient and effective when run properly they say). The Texans seem to do a good job running it, although they stink this season (2 - 6). The article also said it's more complicated than the PBS (power blocking scheme). Once the Ravens master it, our run game will return. So this appears to be a learning season, cause who knew or who knows how long it will take for them to get this new scheme under their collective belts? This problem is making our whole team look like crap! The FO will probably not abandon this scheme cause they've invested too much time in it this season already. To abandon it, it would mean carrying this problem of learning this system into next season, and none of us want that.

[asham27]

And your top running backs has to be able to get at least 2 ypc.

[stone fresh]

Glad we got Ed and Ray rings while we still could

[RavenzOz]

no, Castillo has to get off the gravy train.

Seriously this line of let's put up with sucking for 9 weeks so that we can implement a new OL scheme just for the sake of it is just fubar.

And yep, I am losing a bit of respect for Harbaugh for his inability to take any of the blame himself or on behalf of the coaching staff, his finger pointing is getting a bit old.

[ravenstime]

Give Harbs a break, man. He hasn't ever dealt with this much inconsistency. He's a proven winner, and maybe we need a shake-up by firing a coach like last year, to get these guys some fire. I don't know who's on the chopping block, it may be J. Castillo, but it sure ain't Harbaugh, and I don't think we should even consider that. I mean, look around the league; there's a lot of teams that were very good last year, that are struggling this year, such as Atlanta, Pitt. (below .500), and Houston. Pitt. and Oak. lost by more points than we lost to Denver. Pitt. lost by 24 and Oak. lost by 29, but you'll never hear the media give them as much heck as we got losing by 22 (49-27) to Denver. The media is in love with Pitt., but in reality, NE gave them such a beating today. Something to smile about today!