Preston Article: Patriots knew plays, offense dysfunctional

[PerpetuallyBored74]

When Mike Preston actually blames someone other than Joe, you know it's got to be so obvious that even he can't deny it.

 

Here's a summary of the "highlights" from his article on the game against the Patriots (with my commentary added in parenthesis):

 

** A Ravens' team source claims that the Patriots defense were calling out our plays as we were running them.

Literally.

Using the codewords 'airplane' if they read it was going to pass, and 'car' if they believed we were going to run. (Many of us have suspected that this was likely, but now to have possible confirmation that it's true?)

 

** Both of our tackles use an easily recognizable pass blocking stance whenever its a pass play, no matter the down or distance. However, they use more of a square stance oriented toward the line of scrimmage whenever its a run. So, they're both giving away what type of play it is to the opposing defense. (We have 2 offensive line coaches, yet neither sees this? Or if they do, they make no effort to fix this?)

 

** When running out of the shotgun, the running backs almost always move across Flacco for the hand-off. When the Patriots saw this, they always countered by run-blitzing their linebackers through the gaps between the center and guards to hit our running backs while they were still in the backfield. (I've noticed this too. Isn't this something that's easily fixable?)

 

** Juan Castillo changed the terminology for not just our run blocking, but also our pass blocking, even though he's supposed to be just the "run game coordinator". (Could this have contributed to the communications issues that our offensive line has had this year?)

 

** Even though during the playoffs last year, Flacco was given more free reign to call his own plays once Caldwell became OC, and responded with a historic post season performance, this year the reins have been tightened once again (Harbaugh's doing?)

This year, Jim Caldwell and Jim Hostler, our WRs coach have been putting together the game plans and calling most of the plays (Why Hostler? He was a failure as an OC at San Francisco, lasting only 1 year there!! Is it a coincidence that he gains greater input and our offense tanks, just like it did for the 49ers?)

 

** Flacco, according to Preston, is not too happy with having much of the control of the offense taken from him (AGAIN!) even though he seems to play more "more efficient when running the two-minute offense and making his own calls" (Which we've all noticed!)

 

** Apparently, Caldwell and Hostler prepare for each game by creating a script with 125 plays.

A script that they don't like to deviate from, regardless of the way the game is being played by both us and our opponent. For example, even when the Patriots switched to double zones to cover our receivers, instead of countering with crossing routes (obvious adjustment), our playcallers stuck to their (precious) script and kept sending our guys downfield!! (*speechless*)

 

** There's actually more, but I don't feel like continuing, so just read the rest for yourselves in Preston's article (if you want to be outraged and/or disheartened).

 

Here's the link for it:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-1224-20131223,0,5829128.column

[gabefergy]

Mike Preston huh

[ratedr]

Preston is a windbag but I do like that he doesn't stick to the company line.

Also inb4probablemerge

[The Raven]

Mike Preston is usually right. I read his columns often, and this year, he's been on point. He's right again.

[gabefergy]

I don't disagree that the offense has been poor. I've been pretty vocal about the play calling as well.

To me this sounds like he got a few quotes from a player and wrote a story on something that wasn't really there. Sensationalism if you will.

Go watch the film. The offense actually moved the ball well for most of the game. The run game was working despite the pats knowing what was coming...

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Frustrating that Joe can't call his own plays

[gabefergy]

We lost because of turnovers and two horrendous play calls/coaching gaffs.

[The Raven]

I don't disagree that the offense has been poor. I've been pretty vocal about the play calling as well.

To me this sounds like he got a few quotes from a player and wrote a story on something that wasn't really there. Sensationalism if you will.

Go watch the film. The offense actually moved the ball well for most of the game. The run game was working despite the pats knowing what was coming...

 

Definitely not sensationalism.

 

Yeah, maybe. Rice had 3.9 YPc and Pierce had 3.1 YPC, if you call that working. Flacco was sacked four times, the most times in about a month, and he had under 60% completion and 6.7 yards per attempt. Not the most efficient.

[The Raven]

We lost because of turnovers and two horrendous play calls/coaching gaffs.

 

I can get behind that

[gabefergy]

Definitely not sensationalism.

Yeah, maybe. Rice had 3.9 YPc and Pierce had 3.1 YPC, if you call that working. Flacco was sacked four times, the most times in about a month, and he had under 60% completion and 6.7 yards per attempt. Not the most efficient.

Those rushing numbers are better than what they have been all season.

How much of that was due to Joe's knee though? He clearly lacked his normal mobility and ability to step into his throws. Also there were several drops. I didn't see anything in this game that suggested the Pats had some kind of leg up.

[The Raven]

Those rushing numbers are better than what they have been all season.

How much of that was due to Joe's knee though? He clearly lacked his normal mobility and ability to step into his throws. Also there were several drops. I didn't see anything in this game that suggested the Pats had some kind of leg up.

 

Yeah, but hardly effective.

 

I think Preston was using evidence from the Pats game to suggest a problem that has been consistent through the entire season.

[Bltravens]

Preston is quite generally a ( not nice) with how he expresses himself, but his football opinion is usually pretty accurate.

Put it this way, would it surprise any of us if Flacco had his leash put back on?

[gabefergy]

Yeah, but hardly effective.

I think Preston was using evidence from the Pats game to suggest a problem that has been consistent through the entire season.

Its possible. Tendencies are out there for teams to see. I haven't liked Caldwell's play calling at all this year. The scheme and flexibility with personnel has been a breath of fresh air, but in game I have been underwhelmed.

[gabefergy]

Preston is quite generally a (not nice) with how he expresses himself, but his football opinion is usually pretty accurate.

Put it this way, would it surprise any of us if Flacco had his leash put back on?

I think Flacco has much more influence than most of us realize.

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Mike Preston huh

 

I know Preston is always stirring the pot, but he's never gone this far before with his claims. (AFAIK anyway).

 

And where there's smoke, even if it's mixed with a lot of blustering hot air, there's still usually some sort of fire.

[gabefergy]

I know Preston is always stirring the pot, but he's never gone this far before with his claims. (AFAIK anyway).

And where there's smoke, even if it's mixed with a lot of blustering hot air, there's still usually some sort of fire.

No doubt there is something there. My guess is its not anything that far out of the norm though.

[berad]

Preston likes to fabricate sometimes but it does not take a rocket scientist to crack our offensive playbook

[ratedr]

I mean, this along with McKinnie pretty much confirms what we've been saying about Castillo.

[bpytnjr58]

The Patriots involved in controversy....Boulder dash!

[AsianRice]

Preston likes to fabricate sometimes but it does not take a rocket scientist to crack our offensive playbook

lol....if we fans know our playcallings, so do the Pats....We have no creative playcallings to help our WRs get opened...

 

 

We really need a OC for real....

[runamuk]

We lost because of turnovers and two horrendous play calls/coaching gaffs.

this ^^^^

 

the ravens poor execuetion and horrid playcalling  caused that blow out .add joe being injured and less mobile. my gf who has no football knowledge can guess when we are running the ball the patriots didn't need help .

[runamuk]

lol....if we fans know our playcallings, so do the Pats....We have no creative playcallings to help our WRs get opened...

 

 

We really need a OC for real....

I am  willing to bet a ton that Castillo is our next oc.

[ratedr]

I am willing to bet a ton that Castillo is our next oc.

Oh my God if that happened...

[gabefergy]

I am willing to bet a ton that Castillo is our next oc.

I'll take that bet. There is 0 chance that happens.

[ratedr]

From ESPN:
To be honest, it didn't take an NFL player to call out what the Ravens were going to run. In the first half, before the game got out of hand, the Ravens ran the ball on all but two first downs and threw the ball on all five third downs.

[ravensdfan]

You only have to watch this season to know that they put the leash back on Flacco. It makes zero sense given what he did when given control last season and once again proves what I've been saying all year.

 

We need to clean house on this coaching staff this season and give Joe this offense.

[PoeDinkum]

Taking the article at face value I'm a mix of emotions--both disgusted and relieved.

 

Disgusted because given the benefit of the doubt it verifies what a few on here have been speculating, that the coaching has been the root of the offensive struggles, especially regarding Magic Juan's mishandling of the running game. Worse it emphasizes the vanilla game plans and lack of improvisation from Caldwell. 

 

It also points out what most of us have agreed on -- that the lack of execution by the players on offense has stagnated their efforts to defend their crown. As we all know, no confidence in coaching or belief from players, and they will not do what is asked of them. At its worst, it also alleges that coaches lack full trust in Joe and that this team source finds that insulting, not to mention Joe's frustrated by this.

 

Relieved because while this is also speculation, though backed by an anonymous team source, it begins to offer explanation to what we have all seen this year. My takeaway from this read is where there is smoke there is fire and hoping for us to somehow gel or put it together for one complete game is futile. We've seen what we have seen and intensely debated these things over and over this year--it's clear to me that there will be more coming out after season's end this week.

[runamuk]

I'll take that bet. There is 0 chance that happens.

and I am praying your right .

[ratedr]

Castillo might just be the worse hire in Ravens history.

Combine him with Gino sucking and it was just a recipe for disaster.

[AsianRice]

I am  willing to bet a ton that Castillo is our next oc.

Ozzie really wants to know how much your a ton means cuz if it's too little in his eyes, he'll let it slide....