Preston Article: Patriots knew plays, offense dysfunctional

[Militant X 1]

Mike Preston doesn't bother me like he does some in here.  I like watching him on Touchdown Baltimore.  But, I definitely see two (2) things brought out in his article that may have a huge affect on how these cats (our offensive squad) have played this season.  They are:

 

A. The Ravens don't have much offensive chemistry.  First-year run game coordinator Juan Castillo changed the terminology in the running and passing game. That was a mistake. The Ravens had just won a Super Bowl and should have stayed with the same system. If anyone should have changed, it should have been Castillo, especially because the Ravens had three of five starting linemen back from the championship squad. Castillo wanted more of a finesse, zone blocking scheme, whereas the Ravens had used more of power, knock-them-off-the-ball plan in 2012. The offensive linemen complained to Harbaugh and the Ravens made some adjustments midway through the season, but the line still isn't comfortable with Castillo.  And the offense hasn't been the same.

 

B. Once Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as the offensive coordinator late last season, Flacco started calling more of his own plays. That put Flacco more at ease. But this season, Caldwell and receivers coach Jim Hostler put together game plans and call the plays. Flacco seems to be irritated at times and at one point Sunday appeared to brush off Harbaugh.  It's a strange situation.  Whenever a quarterback gets paid big money like Flacco, they usually run the show on game days. Flacco doesn't, but he is more efficient when running the two-minute offense and making his own calls.

The Ravens like to stay with their 125-play script.

 

Here's what I see to be the issues based off the article.  Castillo, Caldwell and Hostler....Coaching!  That is the issue with this offense!  Smh!  No wonder why Joe Flacco looks horrible at times and draws so much fire from analysts and even from some of us here and others at times because of his gameplay.  The man is handcuffed!  Again!  Smh!

 

But, I also want to put this sincere question out there to all of the so-called; "Flacco-lovers" and "Flacco-apologists" here.  My sincere question is: 

 

What is it about Flacco; that even after dropping $120 mil on him; the FO, Harbaugh and the Coaching staff STILL refuse to let him call his own plays? 

 

#Mili

[runamuk]

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...

remember this post and you idiotic response.watch  and see

[PurpleCityLights]

Frustrating that Joe can't call his own plays

How long have I been saying this & everything else in Mike's article...

[runamuk]

Mike Preston doesn't bother me like he does some in here.  I like watching him on Touchdown Baltimore.  But, I definitely see two (2) things brought out in his article that may have a huge affect on how these cats (our offensive squad) have played this season.  They are:

 

A. The Ravens don't have much offensive chemistry.  First-year run game coordinator Juan Castillo changed the terminology in the running and passing game. That was a mistake. The Ravens had just won a Super Bowl and should have stayed with the same system. If anyone should have changed, it should have been Castillo, especially because the Ravens had three of five starting linemen back from the championship squad. Castillo wanted more of a finesse, zone blocking scheme, whereas the Ravens had used more of power, knock-them-off-the-ball plan in 2012. The offensive linemen complained to Harbaugh and the Ravens made some adjustments midway through the season, but the line still isn't comfortable with Castillo.  And the offense hasn't been the same.

 

B. Once Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as the offensive coordinator late last season, Flacco started calling more of his own plays. That put Flacco more at ease. But this season, Caldwell and receivers coach Jim Hostler put together game plans and call the plays. Flacco seems to be irritated at times and at one point Sunday appeared to brush off Harbaugh.  It's a strange situation.  Whenever a quarterback gets paid big money like Flacco, they usually run the show on game days. Flacco doesn't, but he is more efficient when running the two-minute offense and making his own calls.

The Ravens like to stay with their 125-play script.

 

Here's what I see to be the issues based off the article.  Castillo, Caldwell and Hostler....Coaching!  That is the issue with this offense!  Smh!  No wonder why Joe Flacco looks horrible at times and draws so much fire from analysts and even from some of us here and others at times because of his gameplay.  The man is handcuffed!  Again!  Smh!

 

But, I also want to put this sincere question out there to all of the so-called; "Flacco-lovers" and "Flacco-apologists" here.  My sincere question is: 

 

What is it about Flacco; that even after dropping $120 mil on him; the FO, Harbaugh and the Coaching staff STILL refuse to let him call his own plays? 

 

#Mili

Castillo was on the sideline  with a head set on calling plays while the offense is on the field . the last three home games same thing . he did not say anything into the mic while the defense is.on the field .so joe is not calling plays .

[redravenfan]

this isn't new McKinnie confirmed most if not all of the it when he left the ravens .

[redravenfan]

Castillo was on the sideline  with a head set on calling plays while the offense is on the field . the last three home games same thing . he did not say anything into the mic while the defense is.on the field .so joe is not calling plays .

 

he was calling something at the detriot game too I don't think your far off its been 15 weeks  with a putrid offense . McKinnie said the same thing and that john was on board with the new scheme knowing we could piss away the whole year. I think joe found a way to win despite no run game . I would not be surprised f caldwell is out and Castillo is in. they have done nothing about him breaking our offense  ....hes not going anywhere.

[runamuk]

he was calling something at the detriot game too I don't think your far off its been 15 weeks  with a putrid offense . McKinnie said the same thing and that john was on board with the new scheme knowing we could piss away the whole year. I think joe found a way to win despite no run game . I would not be surprised f caldwell is out and Castillo is in. they have done nothing about him breaking our offense  ....hes not going anywhere.

run game coordinators wouldn't be calling  the runs in a game the offensive coordinator calls them

[ravensdfan]

Mike Preston doesn't bother me like he does some in here.  I like watching him on Touchdown Baltimore.  But, I definitely see two (2) things brought out in his article that may have a huge affect on how these cats (our offensive squad) have played this season.  They are:

 

A. The Ravens don't have much offensive chemistry.  First-year run game coordinator Juan Castillo changed the terminology in the running and passing game. That was a mistake. The Ravens had just won a Super Bowl and should have stayed with the same system. If anyone should have changed, it should have been Castillo, especially because the Ravens had three of five starting linemen back from the championship squad. Castillo wanted more of a finesse, zone blocking scheme, whereas the Ravens had used more of power, knock-them-off-the-ball plan in 2012. The offensive linemen complained to Harbaugh and the Ravens made some adjustments midway through the season, but the line still isn't comfortable with Castillo.  And the offense hasn't been the same.

 

B. Once Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron as the offensive coordinator late last season, Flacco started calling more of his own plays. That put Flacco more at ease. But this season, Caldwell and receivers coach Jim Hostler put together game plans and call the plays. Flacco seems to be irritated at times and at one point Sunday appeared to brush off Harbaugh.  It's a strange situation.  Whenever a quarterback gets paid big money like Flacco, they usually run the show on game days. Flacco doesn't, but he is more efficient when running the two-minute offense and making his own calls.

The Ravens like to stay with their 125-play script.

 

Here's what I see to be the issues based off the article.  Castillo, Caldwell and Hostler....Coaching!  That is the issue with this offense!  Smh!  No wonder why Joe Flacco looks horrible at times and draws so much fire from analysts and even from some of us here and others at times because of his gameplay.  The man is handcuffed!  Again!  Smh!

 

But, I also want to put this sincere question out there to all of the so-called; "Flacco-lovers" and "Flacco-apologists" here.  My sincere question is: 

 

What is it about Flacco; that even after dropping $120 mil on him; the FO, Harbaugh and the Coaching staff STILL refuse to let him call his own plays? 

 

#Mili

 

I wish I had a sincere answer for you. We all saw what happens when we give Joe more control during that post season run. We even see it now in how better our offense performs in a 2 min drill (where Flacco has more control) and the no-huddle (again, where he has more control). We are simply more successful when Flacco is given more control.

 

I can only surmise that it is a control issue with Harbaugh or they think Rice will not get touches. I don't know but it is piss poor coaching when the evidence is right there before your eyes.

[5aiah]

What is it about Flacco; that even after dropping $120 mil on him; the FO, Harbaugh and the Coaching staff STILL refuse to let him call his own plays? 

 

#Mili

They obviously feel that he isn't as qualified to do those things like other QBs are. To be honest im more inclined to go with the coaches. We as fans say Flacco should be running the show and he can do this or that but the coaches know better. Flacco is crazy confident and he wants to push his limits and show he can do it all but he is probably doesn't fully acknowledge his weaknesses and that's why he's upset when they reign him in. I prefer him to be that way but im glad the coaches have the balls to stand their ground.

[Jokerraven]

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.

I said this same thing in another post . if john ozzie and steve can't see what a mess this is then they certainly aren't looking hard enough

[gabefergy]

Castillo was on the sideline with a head set on calling plays while the offense is on the field . the last three home games same thing . he did not say anything into the mic while the defense is.on the field .so joe is not calling plays .

How do you know how is calling plays? That's pure speculation. Harbaugh talks into his mic too, does that mean he is calling plays too?

Coachws have mics for a reason...to communicate with each other.

[Bltravens]

Castillo's should be hooked up to a Mcdonald's drive thru.

[ratedr]

They obviously feel that he isn't as qualified to do those things like other QBs are. To be honest im more inclined to go with the coaches. We as fans say Flacco should be running the show and he can do this or that but the coaches know better. Flacco is crazy confident and he wants to push his limits and show he can do it all but he is probably doesn't fully acknowledge his weaknesses and that's why he's upset when they reign him in. I prefer him to be that way but im glad the coaches have the balls to stand their ground.

I agree with this. That said the lack of variety in the playcalling is absolutely the fault of the coaches.

[Bltravens]

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

Obviously he has more influence than we realize because we're not there.  So its a bit of a fallacy to say that.

 

Whatever influence he has, its not enough.  I refuse to believe Flacco would be like "ya its cool to run the ball 98% of the time on 1st down."  "Nah, I don't need easy drive starter completions in the flats or little hitches to get my rhythm and timing down, lets just go yard dog, especially on 3rd and 3s."

[Bruce_Almty]

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

Is that you Bisciotti? Get the h... outta here.

[gabefergy]

Obviously he has more influence than we realize because we're not there. So its a bit of a fallacy to say that.

Whatever influence he has, its not enough. I refuse to believe Flacco would be like "ya its cool to run the ball 98% of the time on 1st down." "Nah, I don't need easy drive starter completions in the flats or little hitches to get my rhythm and timing down, lets just go yard dog, especially on 3rd and 3s."

Then why does everyone say he isn't given enough control? Flacvo is very involved in play design and putting together game plans. He has control to audible at the LoS. He isn't calling his own plays outside of the 2 min drill, so maybe we can see more of thst .

[5aiah]

I agree with this. That said the lack of variety in the playcalling is absolutely the fault of the coaches.

I concur. Their actual playbook is bland and unoriginal when it comes to passing the ball.

[ravensdfan]

I agree with this. That said the lack of variety in the playcalling is absolutely the fault of the coaches.

 

Last year's post season run proves you all wrong.

[Moderator 2]

I know what I see when Joe is in the no huddle or hurry up he does his best and moves the team THEn he is calling the shots. As an aside this from a Texans player http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/01/antonio-smith-patriots-are-either-spying-on-us-or-scouting-us/

[Militant X 1]

I wish I had a sincere answer for you. We all saw what happens when we give Joe more control during that post season run. We even see it now in how better our offense performs in a 2 min drill (where Flacco has more control) and the no-huddle (again, where he has more control). We are simply more successful when Flacco is given more control.

 

I can only surmise that it is a control issue with Harbaugh or they think Rice will not get touches. I don't know but it is piss poor coaching when the evidence is right there before your eyes.

It seems to be that way!

 

They obviously feel that he isn't as qualified to do those things like other QBs are. To be honest im more inclined to go with the coaches. We as fans say Flacco should be running the show and he can do this or that but the coaches know better. Flacco is crazy confident and he wants to push his limits and show he can do it all but he is probably doesn't fully acknowledge his weaknesses and that's why he's upset when they reign him in. I prefer him to be that way but im glad the coaches have the balls to stand their ground.

I'm kind of leaning this way as well in reference to how the coaches truly feel about Joe Flacco.  For whatever reason of theirs...they have simply not turned him loose!  In spite of all of the coaches praise of him and all of Coach Harbs; "Joe is our guy!" statements at the pressers, an incredible Super Bowl run, MVP and a new $120 mil contract.....they have still chosen to handcuff the man after 6 seasons!  It's a shame and down right pathetic!!!!

 

#Mili

[jazz1988]

I concur. Their actual playbook is bland and unoriginal when it comes to passing the ball.

 

A playbook is only as good as the Holder  or should I say the coordinator. I'm pretty sure there are some really good  passing plays in the play book Caldwell is using

[gabefergy]

It seems to be that way!

I'm kind of leaning this way as well in reference to how the coaches truly feel about Joe Flacco. For whatever reason of theirs...they have simply not turned him loose! In spite of all of the coaches praise of him and all of Coach Harbs; "Joe is our guy!" statements at the pressers, an incredible Super Bowl run, MVP and a new $120 mil contract.....they have still chosen to handcuff the man after 6 seasons! It's a shame and down right pathetic!!!!

#Mili

They have handcuffed via personnel more than anything. That's the real problem. It comes down to the philosophy of all that matters is wins. Winning pretty or winning ugly makes no difference. Well we saw this year at some point, you need the players to even win ugly. Flacci can't do it all himself. I'm hoping Ozzie and company make the necessary moves this off season to remedy the situation.

[flynismo]

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

In some ways, I think so too. I mean, they did let him hand pick Doss. I think that he has a say in how the scheme is structured, things of that nature...but as far as running the offense on the field, I just don't see it.

[runamuk]

How do you know how is calling plays? That's pure speculation. Harbaugh talks into his mic too, does that mean he is calling plays too?

Coachws have mics for a reason...to communicate with each other.

everything on these forums is  pure speculation . yes it could be used to communicate with the other coaches on the field  when he was in the booth he didn't wear one then suddenly he has a headset and he is on the sideline. i'm not a conspiracy nut its just common sense .and yes harbs does call plays in every behind the bench video in the superbowl etc etc .

[flynismo]

It seems to be that way!

I'm kind of leaning this way as well in reference to how the coaches truly feel about Joe Flacco. For whatever reason of theirs...they have simply not turned him loose! In spite of all of the coaches praise of him and all of Coach Harbs; "Joe is our guy!" statements at the pressers, an incredible Super Bowl run, MVP and a new $120 mil contract.....they have still chosen to handcuff the man after 6 seasons! It's a shame and down right pathetic!!!!

#Mili

Of course, this is speculation on our part, but it certainly has looked that way since day one. And it is infuriating. When Caldwell took over, we were excited because during the transition, Flacco seemed to Havre a little wiggle room. Now we are here again.

[5aiah]

A playbook is only as good as the Holder  or should I say the coordinator. I'm pretty sure there are some really good  passing plays in the play book Caldwell is using

 

Most playbooks have a lot of the same plays but when it comes to what they are willing to call on a usual basis Ravens has really basic stuff. They use stuff that they see work against other teams every now and then but mainly keep at it with the basic principles of spreading the defense and finding match ups horizontally and vertically that can be exploited via Joe's rocket arm. There is a reason they don't use more complex stuff and I think its the same reason they don't let Joe have a bigger role in the offensive play calling.

[Militant X 1]

Of course, this is speculation on our part, but it certainly has looked that way since day one. And it is infuriating. When Caldwell took over, we were excited because during the transition, Flacco seemed to Havre a little wiggle room. Now we are here again.

I don't think it is!  The article sited a "team source".  Plus, we've seen this same pattern last season ourselves.  The ineptness of the offense and how the offense actually performed and executed better when Joe had control of the offense through the Gun, No Huddle and 2 min drills last season and some this season as well.  To me these are striking similarities that can't and shouldn't be so easily dismissed.  It now appears to me that Cam Cameron was the scapegoat!  He goes out....Caldwell comes in!  Sure, we gained a spark and go on a serious run to the Superbowl.  But now, this year under Caldwell; we're still seeing what I call "cameron tendencies" in our offensive play calling and yet, the man himself is coaching LSU.  So, how is that?  lol! 

 

#Mili

[5aiah]

I don't think it is!  The article sited a "team source".  Plus, we've seen this same pattern last season ourselves.  The ineptness of the offense and how the offense actually performed and executed better when Joe had control of the offense through the Gun, No Huddle and 2 min drills last season and some this season as well.  To me these are striking similarities that can't and shouldn't be so easily dismissed.  It now appears to me that Cam Cameron was the scapegoat!  He goes out....Caldwell comes in!  Sure, we gained a spark and go on a serious run to the Superbowl.  But now, this year under Caldwell; we're still seeing what I call "cameron tendencies" in our offensive play calling and yet, the man himself is coaching LSU.  So, how is that?  lol! 

 

#Mili

Bout damn time someone else said it. All this Cam bashing over him not handing Flacco the keys and stale playcalling and now people are finally seeing its not the coordinator who is in charge of all this. Cam was a scapegoat and a necessary sacrifice to push that team to the next level. Most of the gripes people had with him had more to do with the direction of the offense decided from the top and now we see the evidence. 

[gabefergy]

everything on these forums is  pure speculation . yes it could be used to communicate with the other coaches on the field  when he was in the booth he didn't wear one then suddenly he has a headset and he is on the sideline. i'm not a conspiracy nut its just common sense .and yes harbs does call plays in every behind the bench video in the superbowl etc etc .

The OC calls the plays.

[runamuk]

The OC calls the plays.

exactly