Let's Talk About The Offense: Where are the TDs?

[Poes Crows]

one thing WE DO MISS about boldin was that he was a great blocker and would cut in and knock off a linebacker or SS

 

I think everyone here knows where I stand on Boldin.

 

Agreed he brought far more to the Raven's offensive equation than his stat package. I'm still sick about it.

[JEEPercreepermd]

IMO there are two main problems

1. O-line. We get absolutely zero push up front, no holes for the backs to hit. Also, pass protection is terrible.

2. Play calling. The Ravens offense is just as vanilla as it was under Cam Cameron. The crossing route is to Caldwell what the go route was to Cameron. There is absolutely no imagination with the offense. When the oline and backs have proven that they can't get 1 yd when it's needed be it in goal line offense or 3rd/4th down offense..why in the world are we not just going empty package out of the shotgun, and putting rice in the slot..try to get the ball in his hands in space, spread the D out ect..

Now, to our lack of TD's from over 20 yds

1. We can't pass protect. Plain and simple. There have been numerous times when we've had a receiver deep, but Joe gets pressure.

The saving grace for us though may be that IF we can get into the playoffs, none of the AFC playoff teams..aka Denver, NE, Indy are exactly the 85 Bears. KC's defense is stout, but I doubt we'll be playing them.

[callahan09]

I had seen someone ask about when was the last time the home offense scored at least 2 touchdowns and the defense held the opposing offense to no touchdowns, and the home team lost...

 

So I did a little research.  There's more to do on this but as a preliminary statement I can tell you about a few facts (these stats are going back to 1940):

 

There have been 1024 games where the home team held the visiting offense without a touchdown, and the home offense scored at least 2 touchdowns.  Out of those 1024 games, only 14 of them were lost by the home team, including Ravens @ Lions this past game.

 

That's a 0.986 win percentage for the home team!

 

The last game before this one to meet this criteria was KAN @ CLE, 2010-09-19.

 

But there have only been 2 other occasions in NFL history where it was done without the visitor scoring any points other than off Field Goals!  11 out of the 14 involved either special teams returns or defensive scores to catapult the visitor to victory.

 

The other 2 that were like our win (the visiting team scored only on Field Goals, and the home offense scored multiple TDs):

 

OAK @ SDG, 2000-10-29

PHI @ HOU, 1972-11-12

 

The only area of this study that I'm deficient on is situations where the home team scored multiple touchdowns, but their offense did not... such games, if there have ever been any, are not included in this analysis.  I'd be curious to get those stats as well, but for now, the stats on this specific scenario are just as interesting.

[Poes Crows]

Callahan,

 

You sure like stats.  Just don't see the science in it.

 

We had 3 turnovers to None.  That's how you overcome that odd percentage.

 

There were other factors. Key Penalties. Officiating. Drops.

 

Lastly our kicker. He may be the best in the league.

 

Detroit is a dysfunctional team, that was our chance to beat them there and it showed up. We could have beat them by not having to settle for field goals. But in the end we beat them with themselves.

[gooftroop]

First and goal from the eight always seems to be followed by a run play which leaves second and goal from the seven...

[3-4ravdef509]

So many teams gameplan these plays, and I know you all see them on Sundays, where the OC gets a receiver or back wide open in the flat or a rub that gets them open over the middle...we seem to be behind in that area. All of Joe's touchdowns are in tight coverage, and I haven't seen a receiver run wide open all year.

[Alexir]

Isn't welker a former QB too?  

he was a running back

 

Edelman was a QB

[izvoodoo]

he was a running back

 

Edelman was a QB

That's the one.

[xxhighriser]

I smile at having a horrible running game and redzone offense, if we get it together we will have another run

[PolishRifle]

Work in progress = the Ravens offense this season

 

Remember, when couldn't decide whether to run or to pass more often? Remember when the wildcat lit some fire under Joe's behind? Remember when the Ravens just couldn't move the ball AT ALL on opposing defenses? Remember, when our OL could neither run block or pass protect?

 

Well clearly, we are graduadly (and unfortunetly very slowly) improving in all those areas. The whole TD drought is one other issue the offense is trying to solve.

[Tank 92]

I smile at having a horrible running game and redzone offense, if we get it together we will have another run

 

 

It is kinda scary thinking what the O could be with a run game.  Maybe it happens.

[Militant X 1]

They just showed this on the NFL Network about the Ravens offense:

 

Total..........Rank 29th

Scoring......Rank 25th

Rushing......Rank 29th

Passing......Rank 20th

Red Zone...Rank 29th

 

Well, we all know our offense has been pretty much lame and atrocious all season long.  And yet, at this point; It doesn't even matter!  The Ravens are 8-6, on a 4 game win streak and in control of their own destiny.  They need to finish strong with wins over both the Patriots and Bengals!

 

#Mili

[1/28/01]

They just showed this on the NFL Network about the Ravens offense:

Total..........Rank 29th
Scoring......Rank 25th
Rushing......Rank 29th
Passing......Rank 20th
Red Zone...Rank 29th

Well, we all know our offense has been pretty much lame and atrocious all season long. And yet, at this point; It doesn't even matter! The Ravens are 8-6, on a 4 game win streak and in control of their own destiny. They need to finish strong with wins over both the Patriots and Bengals!

#Mili

And yet, people still like to think the D is to blame. Hahahaha!!

[cursona pirate]

And yet, people still like to think the D is to blame. Hahahaha!!

[Bruce_Almty]

In the modern day NFL where the rules favor the offense, the Raven have regressed this year. We have the QB capable of leading the offense but not the coaching staff or game planners or the support players. Our "stars" on offense are: Flacco, Ray Rice, Yanda, Monroe, Oher, Pitta, Torrey & JJ but most of these guys took this year off from stardom. Torrey is about the only one having a decent year but he disappears from many games where opponents have a shutdown corner.

Where are the TDs??? Don't ask the coaches, they don't have a clue because if they did they would have fixed the problems. Ozzie is good at revamping an offense or defense by changing out the players, time for him, if Harbaugh won't, to change out the coaches. It will be interesting to see what moves Ozzie makes this offseason.

[ravens rule]

First of all we need a line that can pass block/run block. Second we need to burn this atrocious playbook. Third simplify things for Flacco because no way should his completion % be under 60 % for the third season in a row. We need to stop going deep all the time and use the whole damn field like patriots/saints.

[allblackraven]

Fix the O-line (don't care if it's a scheme or bad quality players - just fix it), sign blocking TE who can catch and watch most of our problems go away. Perhaps new OC and line coaches would help.

[K-Dog]

we are saving all our TD's for the post season....

[ccflraven]

The whole offense stinks caldwell oline wr's rb's qb no probowlers. I like most fans love all players but the truth is from flacco to rice to yanda to smith they just stink this year there really is no one position you can say is the reason they are so bad this year.

[The Raven]

The whole offense stinks caldwell oline wr's rb's qb no probowlers. I like most fans love all players but the truth is from flacco to rice to yanda to smith they just stink this year there really is no one position you can say is the reason they are so bad this year.

 

There isn't just one position to blame, you're right. There are four positions to blame. LG, C, RT and WR.

[redrum52]

we are saving all our TD's for the post season....

You mean when we're playing Madden?

[RavensIQ13]

Here's whats going on with the offense. We're too limited in what we can do. We're too injured. Our offensive coordinator is not creative enough to outmatch a seasoned Defensive coordinator. And there's no element of keeping the defense on their heals because for the most part they already know what's coming. It probably doesn't help any that we telegraph our plays with our situational formations on obvious passing and running downs. You and I probably shouldn't be able to sit at home on our couches and accurately guess what the plays going to be.  Yet how many of you find yourselves yelling at the TV because for whatever reason the obvious isn't obvious enough for our offensive coaches? It just seems like when it matters most we don't have any successful "go to plays". More importantly our offense just doesnt have any rhythm or continuity. And tese problems are not a secret to anyone.Teams know it. We know it. Fans know it. The ballboy on the other sideline knows it. It's as obvious as the sun is bright. 

 

To add insult to injury It doesn't help that we have zero rushing attack whatsoever to speak of. When you can't run the ball AT ALL - especially in the redzone, you're not going to score a whole lot of TDs. When you cant convert a 3rd &1 because you're too inept to run the ball 3 feet, you're not gonna score a whole lot of TDs. So, that leaves the dreaded "passing game"... but our passing options are limited and our offensive line is freaking horrendous so a whole lot of good that does us.

 

Our o-line's ineptitude this season has been more frustrating then pathetic and we all know its been pretty bleeping pathetic... 16 games into the season and they still havent figured out how to pick up a simple blitz off the edge our slow down the rush without holding? They cant pass protect to save their jobs and when you can't pass protect everything just collapses from the start. Basically 2 things happens as a result of it: 1. The play doesn't have enough time to develop and 2. The quarterback gets sacked or flushed out of the pocket which causes the play to breakdown and the odds of converting go down drastically. It's hard to be successful when you have to overcome self inflicted wounds every play.

 

It's hard to execute when you're not consistently in sync as a unit. It's hard to have success when you set yourself up for failure and call weak plays in critical situations time in and time out. Its hard to overcome injuries and adjust. But the main problem for our lack of touchdowns and our offensive woes are simply the troubles we've been having up front. Every play starts at the line of scrimmage and if it doesn't start well its probably not going to end well. The best way to sum it up is this: It doesn't matter how fast or how strong or how talented you are, if you have a broken ankle you're probably not gonna win a footrace. Our offensive line is our broken ankle and our generic play calling is the never ending hill that we have to climb every series. I guess what im trying to say is out offense sucks. But look, even with all that being said - as long as we're still in it, we'll always have a chance to win. Even if our offense is an inept pile of wet cow poop that's only good for shoveling into a bag and forgetting about.

[jimjim5]

In reading this article in the Sun by Mike Preston. Preston touched on several points that were discussed earlier in the season, such as the poor play calling and offensive line scheme changes. However, Preston mentions that the team doesn't deviate from the script and that the Patriots knew when the team was running or passing and would call it at the line.

 

I've got to believe this source is probably a player. If one player voices his discontent, you've got to figure there's more than one guy that feels "disgust(ed)" with the the predictability of the offense.

 

The real question is, Will the team/FO make the right changes to fix these issues, or will it be status-quo for the FO and Harbaugh regime?

 

What say you?

[ratedr]

Was just about to post this. Very damning if true. Would confirm what some of us thought about Harbaugh being the issue and not Cam.

[Jillester]

If changes aren't made, our hopes for better standings next season will be obliterated.  It is a sad state of affairs within The Castle if this is the actual case scenario.  Yet....I'm not surprised. The writing has been on the wall for some time.  Some folks need to remove their purple goggles to see the obvious.

[Bruce_Almty]

If Mike Preston's article is true it shows that Flacco is not a leader of the offense but rather a company man doing what he's told even when he knows it not in the best interest of the team. His offense, Joe Flacco's offense, this year has been pathetic and everyone knows it and the opposing teams can read it. They have the offseason to correct the situation.

Go Ravens

[Bruce_Almty]

we are saving all our TD's for the post season....

we are saving all our TDs for next season....

[arnie_uk]

If Mike Preston's article is true it shows that Flacco is not a leader of the offense but rather a company man doing what he's told even when he knows it not in the best interest of the team. His offense, Joe Flacco's offense, this year has been pathetic and everyone knows it and the opposing teams can read it. They have the offseason to correct the situation.
Go Ravens

if prestons article is true, its not flaccos offense and never wwill be

[flynismo]

We need a superstar "bring it down double coverage beating " TE or WR. We have 2 very good but not elite options in torrey and dennis with an inconsistant x factors in jacoby and marlon.

as we dont have a running game it also makes us more predictable. Ozzie get us a superstar wr in the draft please.

That would be nice. I hope we get us a guy like that. And Marlon just might develop into that guy.

Honestly, simply fixing this disaster at Ol would solve 80% of our problems. If we were a threat to run it into the endzone from anywhere, a la Jamal, not only would our run game get us some scores, but our passing offense would benefit greatly as well.

[Bruce_Almty]

if prestons article is true, its not flaccos offense and never wwill be

Flacco is always going to own it whether he runs it or not.