Preston Article: Patriots knew plays, offense dysfunctional

[TSizzle00]

This was painful to read

[The Mom Gene]

Mike Preston huh

I never put much accreditation in Mike Preston's articles.  I have always ALWAYS felt that for some reason, he has a hard spot for the Ravens.  I have not seen many (if any) articles that compliments or gives high praise to our team...until he had to when they won the Super Bowl.  The Baltimore Sun writer who also posts his articles on FB and other social media sites...  consistently is cutting down our Ravens team....  Consistently.  And I have written to them and told them how much I didn't appreciate it too.  I don't pay much attention to Mike Preston AT ALL!

[Dr. Kelley]

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

You sure about that? Harbaugh loves him, and on paper he has a resume that supports him being an oc as much as caldwell does. What's to stop it from happening? Harbs has made his intention clear to keep his buddies in house a la pees, spags, juan, and he even held onto cam years after he should've been fired. I don't see how there is a "zero" chance.

[hawkprey]

Mike Preston (based on the summary here) is totally right on this. Caldwell and Hostler don't seem to know what they're doing. We abandoned the no-huddle and giving Flacco control that won us the Super Bowl and went with a run blocking scheme that we should've never attempted looking at our personnel. We took control away from Joe and are telegraphing our plays. No wonder the ground game can't get going. No wonder the receivers can't get separation. 

 

Get a real OC in here or let Flacco run the offense how he wants. Whoever's in charge needs to be put on notice or fired because it's clear that they're failing.

[Ravensfan23]

I wouldn't go so far to say that Ozzie didn't want to build around Joe, it's not like Flacco has had that contract for years, this is the first year of his contract and to be fair to Ozzie losing so much on defense kind of tied our hands to focus on that side of the ball "this" year. Guys like Doss, DT, Dickson and Jacoby were supposed to be the guys we counted on to help our offense get through this year, while paired with Torrey, Pitta, Rice, BP and Flacco. I don't think the offensive talent is the issue, I think it's coaching. It's plain to see that Castillo wasn't a good choice because he wanted things to be his way(much like Cam). Great coach if his players buy into the scheme but our offensive already had an identity and Castillo just didn't fit it.

 

I think Caldwell is a much better QB coach then OC and that's understandable. I credit him with a lot of the improvement in mobility and pocket awareness we see in Flacco. But as a OC he isn't the answer. We need a young, creative guy who isn't afraid to stand up against "The Raven Way" on offense. We can go back to Billick and Cavanaugh and see the same issues with the offense we have now. We rely way too much on the run game and are so uncreative in the passing game. I really dislike this system and how it's run for Flacco. The system is ok if run better, but it's not.

 

The Pats don't have to spy on us to know the plays because they are basically the same each week. We're not gonna get creative, we're not gonna show you different looks, we're not gonna make you show your hand often. Flacco is really good when given control and I can't understand why we don't do it consistently. I could see if he failed when given control or just seemed to make Romo like decisions when it mattered most, then I'd  understand why you don't put the ball in his hands. But that's not the case, I've been saying for years, Flacco is great in the 2 minute drill and uptempo/hurry up offense because it plays to his strengths. I'm not saying do that all the time, but that should be a huge part of our offense because it'd put a ton of pressure on defenses.

 

The Pats game was really bad for me, not just because how poor the offense looked at times, but mainly because you know that your QB isn't able to be himself fully, yet you refuse to put him into high percentage plays. I think someone else made a great point. This team is all about winning and we don't care how ugly it is, A Win is A WIn. That's cool, but at some point you gotta maximize your teams potential and I don't think we do that. I think we try improving the offense, but as soon as things don't go as plan, we are just back to trying to pound the run game. I'm not sure it'll change anytime soon. Especially if we manage to make it into the playoffs and win a couple games.

[5aiah]

Mike Preston (based on the summary here) is totally right on this. Caldwell and Hostler don't seem to know what they're doing. We abandoned the no-huddle and giving Flacco control that won us the Super Bowl and went with a run blocking scheme that we should've never attempted looking at our personnel. We took control away from Joe and are telegraphing our plays. No wonder the ground game can't get going. No wonder the receivers can't get separation. 

 

Get a real OC in here or let Flacco run the offense how he wants. Whoever's in charge needs to be put on notice or fired because it's clear that they're failing.

I strongly disagree. I think the higher ups made the right choice to select this year as the year to move toward a more diverse run game going forward. Injuries and slow development(Oher) have wrecked the plan and the offense but I think it was necessary because the straight up power run game alone isn't the answer going forward. i said before the season started that this year was all about the coaching and its rung true. Castillo just hasn't been able to complete the move in time possibly. Our coaching staff always looks to balance out certain groups during the regular season on both sides of the ball so that we have more options and are harder to game plan for. This often comes at the expense of doing what we are best at and winning games in the regular season but it hasn't been a problem until now and to be honest I don't think most people have even noticed it. This year was the offensive line's turn and it didn't go as smoothly and it exacerbated the issues with the receivers while hampering our long time strength of running the football. The reason the receivers cant get separation is because they are not good at it. They are highly specialized and none of them in the art of running routes. People keep saying the OC needs to get fired but instead they are actually calling for Harbaugh/Newsome's head instead. Those are the guys who are spearheading this strategy and system. There is a reason Cam was fired late season and it had nothing to do with Caldwell being a better play caller.  

[Jokerraven]

I strongly disagree. I think the higher ups made the right choice to select this year as the year to move toward a more diverse run game going forward. Injuries and slow development(Oher) have wrecked the plan and the offense but I think it was necessary because the straight up power run game alone isn't the answer going forward. i said before the season started that this year was all about the coaching and its rung true. Castillo just hasn't been able to complete the move in time possibly. Our coaching staff always looks to balance out certain groups during the regular season on both sides of the ball so that we have more options and are harder to game plan for. This often comes at the expense of doing what we are best at and winning games in the regular season but it hasn't been a problem until now and to be honest I don't think most people have even noticed it. This year was the offensive line's turn and it didn't go as smoothly and it exacerbated the issues with the receivers while hampering our long time strength of running the football. The reason the receivers cant get separation is because they are not good at it. They are highly specialized and none of them in the art of running routes. People keep saying the OC needs to get fired but instead they are actually calling for Harbaugh/Newsome's head instead. Those are the guys who are spearheading this strategy and system. There is a reason Cam was fired late season and it had nothing to do with Caldwell being a better play caller.  

I do think your right about who wanted to spearhead this new blocking system. I guess my point is this ok they estimated that it could take 10 weeks when it failed miserably , and it has why not stop it and find something that works with our players. now we are at week 17 and this new system has done nothing but injure our players and jeopardize the entire season.  I think most fans are accepting of change to better the team not injure the entire offensive line. why didn't they stop when ko was hurt, or yanda, or rice to stop . and now our best chance of making the playoffs , Joe flacco is hurt .that's why people are calling for coaches to be fired. Rice and yanda were pro bowlers not anymore thanks to Castillo. Oher used to play solid not good not great but solid , not anymore. at some point harbs Castillo or ozzie should have said look this isn't working we were wrong and fix it . instead of blaming Rice, yanda, gino, oher and flacco.

[Jokerraven]

I wouldn't go so far to say that Ozzie didn't want to build around Joe, it's not like Flacco has had that contract for years, this is the first year of his contract and to be fair to Ozzie losing so much on defense kind of tied our hands to focus on that side of the ball "this" year. Guys like Doss, DT, Dickson and Jacoby were supposed to be the guys we counted on to help our offense get through this year, while paired with Torrey, Pitta, Rice, BP and Flacco. I don't think the offensive talent is the issue, I think it's coaching. It's plain to see that Castillo wasn't a good choice because he wanted things to be his way(much like Cam). Great coach if his players buy into the scheme but our offensive already had an identity and Castillo just didn't fit it.

 

I think Caldwell is a much better QB coach then OC and that's understandable. I credit him with a lot of the improvement in mobility and pocket awareness we see in Flacco. But as a OC he isn't the answer. We need a young, creative guy who isn't afraid to stand up against "The Raven Way" on offense. We can go back to Billick and Cavanaugh and see the same issues with the offense we have now. We rely way too much on the run game and are so uncreative in the passing game. I really dislike this system and how it's run for Flacco. The system is ok if run better, but it's not.

 

The Pats don't have to spy on us to know the plays because they are basically the same each week. We're not gonna get creative, we're not gonna show you different looks, we're not gonna make you show your hand often. Flacco is really good when given control and I can't understand why we don't do it consistently. I could see if he failed when given control or just seemed to make Romo like decisions when it mattered most, then I'd  understand why you don't put the ball in his hands. But that's not the case, I've been saying for years, Flacco is great in the 2 minute drill and uptempo/hurry up offense because it plays to his strengths. I'm not saying do that all the time, but that should be a huge part of our offense because it'd put a ton of pressure on defenses.

 

The Pats game was really bad for me, not just because how poor the offense looked at times, but mainly because you know that your QB isn't able to be himself fully, yet you refuse to put him into high percentage plays. I think someone else made a great point. This team is all about winning and we don't care how ugly it is, A Win is A WIn. That's cool, but at some point you gotta maximize your teams potential and I don't think we do that. I think we try improving the offense, but as soon as things don't go as plan, we are just back to trying to pound the run game. I'm not sure it'll change anytime soon. Especially if we manage to make it into the playoffs and win a couple games.

quoted for truth.

[5aiah]

I wouldn't go so far to say that Ozzie didn't want to build around Joe, it's not like Flacco has had that contract for years, this is the first year of his contract and to be fair to Ozzie losing so much on defense kind of tied our hands to focus on that side of the ball "this" year. Guys like Doss, DT, Dickson and Jacoby were supposed to be the guys we counted on to help our offense get through this year, while paired with Torrey, Pitta, Rice, BP and Flacco. I don't think the offensive talent is the issue, I think it's coaching. It's plain to see that Castillo wasn't a good choice because he wanted things to be his way(much like Cam). Great coach if his players buy into the scheme but our offensive already had an identity and Castillo just didn't fit it.

 

I think Caldwell is a much better QB coach then OC and that's understandable. I credit him with a lot of the improvement in mobility and pocket awareness we see in Flacco. But as a OC he isn't the answer. We need a young, creative guy who isn't afraid to stand up against "The Raven Way" on offense. We can go back to Billick and Cavanaugh and see the same issues with the offense we have now. We rely way too much on the run game and are so uncreative in the passing game. I really dislike this system and how it's run for Flacco. The system is ok if run better, but it's not.

 

The Pats don't have to spy on us to know the plays because they are basically the same each week. We're not gonna get creative, we're not gonna show you different looks, we're not gonna make you show your hand often. Flacco is really good when given control and I can't understand why we don't do it consistently. I could see if he failed when given control or just seemed to make Romo like decisions when it mattered most, then I'd  understand why you don't put the ball in his hands. But that's not the case, I've been saying for years, Flacco is great in the 2 minute drill and uptempo/hurry up offense because it plays to his strengths. I'm not saying do that all the time, but that should be a huge part of our offense because it'd put a ton of pressure on defenses.

 

The Pats game was really bad for me, not just because how poor the offense looked at times, but mainly because you know that your QB isn't able to be himself fully, yet you refuse to put him into high percentage plays. I think someone else made a great point. This team is all about winning and we don't care how ugly it is, A Win is A WIn. That's cool, but at some point you gotta maximize your teams potential and I don't think we do that. I think we try improving the offense, but as soon as things don't go as plan, we are just back to trying to pound the run game. I'm not sure it'll change anytime soon. Especially if we manage to make it into the playoffs and win a couple games.

Ugh, I gotta go and you are the type of guy I need time to read and write long in depth paragraphs with but I disagree with just about everything you said but you certainly know the talking points and whats going on, its just that we disagree on who Flacco is. Ill be quick and get back on later.

 

1. The Team is built around Joe already the talent just isn't good enough and the coaching could be a bit better in the receiver department in my opinion. It has everything he needs at receiver, in theory. He is a rocket arm QB with specialized receiving corps that he can use for different situations. He has a major deep threat(Torrey), a secondary deep threat(who can make plays in space(Jacoby), a red zone threat and playmaker(Marlon), two possession receivers(Doss and Mellette), a vertical threat TE(Dickson) and a route runner and possession TE(Pitta) all combined with a balanced HB who can make serious plays in the receiving game. For the type of QB Joe is this is a dream setup, he can use his magnificent arm to make throws no one else can(and hide his weaknesses), lob 50-50 balls to a 6'5 target, strike down field to receivers who are burning defenders deep, dump off to a back who can convert 4th and 29s, and have a security blanket TE who can run sick routes even too much for cornerbacks at times.

 

2. The biggest thing about your post is "The Raven Way" because for some reason people aren't understanding that this has been going on forever and the OC actually matters little in terms of direction. They are always hung out to dry as scapegoats resulting in a temporary boost to morale of the team and appeasement of the fan base. Remember when a big deal was made when we fired our OC and handed playcalling duties to head coach Brian Billick? Remember how things took off and it seemed like that was the cure but then it went back to business as usual? Billick never wanted to fire Cavanaugh because he knew it was systemical but Ravens Nation needed someone head. I don't think its possible to have someone come in and stand up to "The Raven Way" because its so deeply rooted. It's like when the president makes all these promises before he/she is elected and then once in office the people who have been working alongside the previous one tell him he isn't going to be able to keep this or that one. Some things just don't change, or might not even need to. 

 

3. The creativity and deception in the Raven offense is supposed to come from a feared run game and drawing up good play action to compliment it. Until the run game comes back to Baltimore we can forget about deceiving any quality defense. 

 

4. The situation with Flacco is in the middle of the debate of Production vs Ability. Flacco's weaknesses don't inspire any true confidence in him being a full time field general with control over the offense and the option to run no huddle on a consistent basis. The problem is he has done it successfully many times but I think it is more a product of situation,luck, and ability than just ability as many Ravens fans seem to think. Because he has made it work before it only makes him believe even more in his abilities even if it doesn't match up with the production. This creates a situation where Ravens fans think he would be best doing it and he does as well but perhaps the coaches know better from watching him in more than just the games and developing him themselves. They are the objective party here so I will take their word for it and it backs up what I see from Flacco. Not to compare Flacco to Tebow, but Tebow was the last big debate in Production vs Ability but instead of it being about whether he can have a bigger role in the offense it was about whether he could be an NFL QB at all. That's just an example of this debate in other situations. To me Flacco's weaknesses aren't conducive to him being a full on "Field General".

 

5. To me the Ravens are all about developing in the early part of the season and working on our weaknesses(the passing game, off man coverage) and then buckling down and getting into playoff mode in the latter part. That's why we saw more running (last season) and more press coverage (this season) in the later parts. To get into the playoffs in Ravens form. The problem was that this(the zone blocking scheme) was too big of a job when you factor in all the leaders we lost and the injuries we suffered but it had to be done regardless. If Matt Birk was still here it might not be so awful. In my opinion it was still the best thing to do for our future and ZBS will be a big part of our run game going forward I hope. So I think we try to maximize our potential early and then fall back on what we know works later, but this year our past strength had become a weakness that consumed the entire offense.  

[TDubbs]

 

The Pats game was really bad for me, not just because how poor the offense looked at times, but mainly because you know that your QB isn't able to be himself fully, yet you refuse to put him into high percentage plays.

 

I agree with the entire statement. And to add to this specific point; Flacco has to wait for someone to get open by at least a step. That's tough to do as a QB, causes him to overthink, hold on to the ball and causes inefficiencies.

 

He's not able to throw the ball to a 'Covered' WR and let him make a play on the ball in the air like he trusted Anquan to do (Pitta obviously can though). Using the Bears pair of receivers as an example, having those guys gives QB's massive confidence, (Ask McCown). I'm confident that Ozzie/DeCosta have identified this, and will find a solution going forward. 

[5aiah]

I do think your right about who wanted to spearhead this new blocking system. I guess my point is this ok they estimated that it could take 10 weeks when it failed miserably , and it has why not stop it and find something that works with our players. now we are at week 17 and this new system has done nothing but injure our players and jeopardize the entire season.  I think most fans are accepting of change to better the team not injure the entire offensive line. why didn't they stop when ko was hurt, or yanda, or rice to stop . and now our best chance of making the playoffs , Joe flacco is hurt .that's why people are calling for coaches to be fired. Rice and yanda were pro bowlers not anymore thanks to Castillo. Oher used to play solid not good not great but solid , not anymore. at some point harbs Castillo or ozzie should have said look this isn't working we were wrong and fix it . instead of blaming Rice, yanda, gino, oher and flacco.

Because we have a backup center at LG and had injuries at receiver(Pitta and Jacoby) and Halfback(Rice and even Pierce). Oh and TWO FBs we don't use. They are doing the best they can with what we have.

[redravenfan]

5. To me the Ravens are all about developing in the early part of the season and working on our weaknesses(the passing game, off man coverage) and then buckling down and getting into playoff mode in the latter part. That's why we saw more running (last season) and more press coverage (this season) in the later parts. To get into the playoffs in Ravens form. The problem was that this(the zone blocking scheme) was too big of a job when you factor in all the leaders we lost and the injuries we suffered but it had to be done regardless. If Matt Birk was still here it might not be so awful. In my opinion it was still the best thing to do for our future and ZBS will be a big part of our run game going forward I hope. So I think we try to maximize our potential early and then fall back on what we know works later, but this year our past strength had become a weakness that consumed the entire offense.  

I read and reread your entire post and the previous post you quoted. zbs  has injured four players on our line including our quarterback, wrecked two probowlers careers no way rice or yanda  will see the probowl this year. destroyed an above average run game and provides no pass protection at all . Joe flacco has been sacked 42 times and hit so many more , if anyone knows the exact number post it.  and you hope we continue this insane idioctic system. why in the world would you want to . My father coached soccer for years one thing he always said you design plays around the players strengths,,,zbs does not fit our players . If they continue with it I hope people, like my parents who own psl  not renew or sell them because 15 years to wait for another superbowl win so john and his friends can experiment is not fair to the fans who support the team with thousands of dollars a year. zbs is a terrible system and should not be used here, its bad enough they pissed this season away because of it .

[Guest Omerta]

I am all for innovation. I would love to see Scott frost in a ravens pool, that said why is it bad to run what we had Kat year. The offense seems to get revamped every year. Their is no understanding of roles. I also understand the evolutions of players like Torrey being able to run shirt and intermediate routes and his hands, that said he is what he is for a short time. Speed is fleeing in the NFL, for two years you are the fastest, then you are just above average.

We did not need Castillo to come in and reinvent the wheel. Power run and play action still works and the personnel we had fit the identity. Why deviate I guess is the question. Note of we draft Ebron and Watkins and we decide to go to a vertical offense than fine. But why are we paying leach ? Why draft juice?

As to flacco why not take the training wheels off ? It is a win win for the coaches. If he balls out then they look like geniuses. Now if he flips they validate the decision to micro manage.

The OC I don't see the debate, we need a new one. I am not confident in any of our coaches offensive prowess. For the sake of not having the thread I will not speak on Harbaugh.

[DomMcRaven]

Look, I love my Ravens. I always had, always have and always will. A few games could have easily been won (against Bills, Packers, Steelers, etc.) if our offense could score at least 24 points. Turn those 3 losses into wins and we already have the division locked. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, right? Our defense is ranked 9th overall! That's pretty DAMN good (well except the fourth quarter). I give Ozzie a BOATLOAD of credit for that. 

If what Mike Preston said is true, I am outraged by our coaching staff. When our coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball is so damn arrogant and predictable, we deserve the record we have. You would think a competent OC and "run-game coordinator" would adjust their schemes to fit the personnel, but no, what they said was best for the team and nobody else better refute that. But let's be honest, coming into this season, most of us including me thought we would 10 games. But did anybody expect the running game to be a weakness instead of a strength before the preseason? What about Dennis Pitta being injured like that? Or Ed Dickson and most of the receiver corps having a serious case of drop-itis? Or what about the offensive line as a whole being this so god-awful? Anything can happen in the NFL. Though, I strongly believe that if Dennis Pitta started the entire season, we would have had a winning record, but that doesn't matter now. Hopefully Ozzie can make some major offenses on our offense..............and our coaching staff for that matter.

[5aiah]

I read and reread your entire post and the previous post you quoted. zbs  has injured four players on our line including our quarterback, wrecked two probowlers careers no way rice or yanda  will see the probowl this year. destroyed an above average run game and provides no pass protection at all . Joe flacco has been sacked 42 times and hit so many more , if anyone knows the exact number post it.  and you hope we continue this insane idioctic system. why in the world would you want to . My father coached soccer for years one thing he always said you design plays around the players strengths,,,zbs does not fit our players . If they continue with it I hope people, like my parents who own psl  not renew or sell them because 15 years to wait for another superbowl win so john and his friends can experiment is not fair to the fans who support the team with thousands of dollars a year. zbs is a terrible system and should not be used here, its bad enough they pissed this season away because of it .

You have to fully install the system and then see the results. It only pissed away a season(if it indeed does) because of injuries to Pitta and KO. Pro bowl is a joke and has no relation to actual football, just a popularity contest. Its not an idiotic system its one that makes our run game harder to gameplan for once it reaches it potential. Also which players on the line that will still be here? Monroe is fully capable of ZBS and Yanda can be as well. Oher is the definition of solid and durable but he just isn't smart enough to fully pick up the scheme. He relies on strength more then technique and footwork. He will be gone soon. 15 years till the next win, are you serious? It was 12 years from the first one that we captured our second and we need to be grateful for once that we are in the hunt every year. I know about having high standards trust me, but at some point you have to look at what you have relative to what others have. Not to mention that ZBS will make the offense even more fun to watch eventually then just power run football and sets the stage for a hyper explosive run game once we get different backs down the road. ZBS is about the future. This was the best year to install it even if it took longer than expected with our current group of guys. Be patient.

[runamuk]

We did not need Castillo to come in and reinvent the wheel. Power run and play action still works and the personnel we had fit the identity. Why deviate I guess is the question. Note of we draft Ebron and Watkins and we decide to go to a vertical offense than fine. But why are we paying leach ? Why draft juice?

As to flacco why not take the training wheels off ? It is a win win for the coaches. If he balls out then they look like geniuses. Now if he flips they validate the decision to micro manage.

The OC I don't see the debate, we need a new one. I am not confident in any of our coaches offensive prowess. For the sake of not having the thread I will not speak on Harbaugh.

I agree 100 % but im also willing to bet Castillo goes no where next year . if anyone's head rolls it will be Caldwell. Our offense wasn't broke there was no need to fix it .  we need a young energetic creative offensive mind to ensure our 120 million dollar investment does well.

[runamuk]

You have to fully install the system and then see the results. It only pissed away a season(if it indeed does) because of injuries to Pitta and KO. Pro bowl is a joke and has no relation to actual football, just a popularity contest. Its not an idiotic system its one that makes our run game harder to gameplan for once it reaches it potential. Also which players on the line that will still be here? Monroe is fully capable of ZBS and Yanda can be as well. Oher is the definition of solid and durable but he just isn't smart enough to fully pick up the scheme. He relies on strength more then technique and footwork. He will be gone soon. 15 years till the next win, are you serious? It was 12 years from the first one that we captured our second and we need to be grateful for once that we are in the hunt every year. I know about having high standards trust me, but at some point you have to look at what you have relative to what others have. Not to mention that ZBS will make the offense even more fun to watch eventually then just power run football and sets the stage for a hyper explosive run game once we get different backs down the road. ZBS is about the future. This was the best year to install it even if it took longer than expected with our current group of guys. Be patient.

its still not working.joe has no protection the backs have no openings. anything that takes longer then a season to bear fruit in my opinion is not worth it . McKinnie was traded  because he is not a fit for zbs. I can't imagine another year of joe running for his life taking all of these hits getting sacked every time his drop backs and  takes more then half a second . I have watched this team since day one have had season tickets every single year, watched as we tried qb after qb . finally we get a franchise qb who is a winner and the coaches decide to experiment and eventually injure the most expensive player on our team one that can not be replaced like a running back, over a scheme and offense that wasn't broken to begin with . I guess the argument could be made that's what backups are for ok well our backup took less then two minutes to score 14 points for the other team .

I respect your opinion but I agree with redraven if they decide to continue with this nonsense because JOhns buddy needs a job then psl owners need to pull there support for the team . I know how long its been between superbowls and I'm not willing to wait ten years for another superbowl. with the defense ozzie rebuilt this year we were primed to repeat . zbs is the reason we will not .

 

I agree 100 percent the probowl is a joke.

[redravenfan]

You have to fully install the system and then see the results. It only pissed away a season(if it indeed does) because of injuries to Pitta and KO. Pro bowl is a joke and has no relation to actual football, just a popularity contest. Its not an idiotic system its one that makes our run game harder to gameplan for once it reaches it potential. Also which players on the line that will still be here? Monroe is fully capable of ZBS and Yanda can be as well. Oher is the definition of solid and durable but he just isn't smart enough to fully pick up the scheme. He relies on strength more then technique and footwork. He will be gone soon. 15 years till the next win, are you serious? It was 12 years from the first one that we captured our second and we need to be grateful for once that we are in the hunt every year. I know about having high standards trust me, but at some point you have to look at what you have relative to what others have. Not to mention that ZBS will make the offense even more fun to watch eventually then just power run football and sets the stage for a hyper explosive run game once we get different backs down the road. ZBS is about the future. This was the best year to install it even if it took longer than expected with our current group of guys. Be patient.

I think you missed the point. I just feel like its an abject failure .and fans should have been told from day one when checks were being written for tickets, that we were pissing this season away so we can break what works well and rebuild it cause we are bored. I bet 5 mintues after they had no income this experiment would have been stopped. you call what run game we have hyperexplosive run game? whats your definition of one that sucks so bad your the laughing stock of the nfl?

[ravensfan520]

Watching that me made me sick and well most of the offense this year has made me sick. I dont know if its all on the play calling and not just the execution more. For example the play where Flacco tried to throw to Jacoby down the sideline when he had pitta for first down. We run the ball and block against one of the best line in football but suck against a middle of the pack d (pats). We have always survived with the big plays but this year they are not there. Thats on execution or lack of players. Flacco has been off a lot and the rbs are not hitting any holes. It seems that they are waiting behind the line instead hitting a hole and following anybody. The backs are always getting tackled from the backside. The wrs are speed first guys and not really good route runners hence we fair well in the 2 minute drill when the defenses are in soft coverages not wanting to get beat deep. I would go as far as saying that even if Flacco had total control it wouldnt fair any better. It would still revolve around our basic scheme unless Flacco starts drawing up back yard plays in the huddle. This offense is still Cam system with Caldwell behind the mike. Its time to remold it and reteach Flacco about the short routes something he has never faired well at.

[Jokerraven]

Because we have a backup center at LG and had injuries at receiver(Pitta and Jacoby) and Halfback(Rice and even Pierce). Oh and TWO FBs we don't use. They are doing the best they can with what we have.

sad that it didn't work out. even sadder that the concept injured players. it sounds like it may have made the team better .

[BirdWatcher]

runamuk: you're not WILLING to wait another 10 years for a Super Bowl? Considering there are 32 teams, I'd be thrilled if someone could guarantee me a Super Bowl every 10 years.

[CorvusCorax]

I think we all shake our heads when we hear "Alaska" loll

 

If I get a Flacco autographed picture, I want him to write "Alaska! Alaska!" on it as well! lol

[Purple Nurple]

"Alaska Alaska" has been translated to "shots!" With my crew.

[Militant X 1]

I think we all shake our heads when we hear "Alaska" loll

Not only do I hate hearing "Alaska...Alaska" but I also dislike watching Joe hold his hand up with his fingers after they've run a play so they can quickly come to the line and run another play.  These signals seem to be very predictable!

 

#Mili

[5aiah]

sad that it didn't work out. even sadder that the concept injured players. it sounds like it may have made the team better .

The concept didn't injure them. One was a freak accident the other was the result of KO's lack of durability. Again it will make us better and more versatile on offense in the future. Its close to the difference between man and zone cover defense. No matter how good you are in man coverage when they know its coming it can be game planned for and its effectiveness lessens. The Ravens understand they are late to the party when it comes to ZBS and are trying to catch up. Its funny because one day ZBS is going to be commonplace and probably work well for us and you people will finally understand why we did it and why we installed it during a reload(the closest thing we will ever have to a rebuild) year.  

[runamuk]

runamuk: you're not WILLING to wait another 10 years for a Super Bowl? Considering there are 32 teams, I'd be thrilled if someone could guarantee me a Super Bowl every 10 years.

no im not willing to wait. not when we can field a top flight offense and the defense ranked 9 in the league  why should we. the patriots are always in it for ten plus years and we definitely , at the beginning of the year , had the players to repeat . until Castillo happened. Joe Flacco is very talented when we drafted him and I saw him play I said superbowl here we come many times. and now  hes injured . I'm not willing to go through ten years or more of looking for a quarterback or for our 120 million dollar qb  to be on ir just because John's friend Juan needed a job .

[runamuk]

The concept didn't injure them. One was a freak accident the other was the result of KO's lack of durability. Again it will make us better and more versatile on offense in the future. Its close to the difference between man and zone cover defense. No matter how good you are in man coverage when they know its coming it can be game planned for and its effectiveness lessens. The Ravens understand they are late to the party when it comes to ZBS and are trying to catch up. Its funny because one day ZBS is going to be commonplace and probably work well for us and you people will finally understand why we did it and why we installed it during a reload(the closest thing we will ever have to a rebuild) year.  

rice and flacco have both been durable players and neither was injured from a "freak accident " all of these injuries were a result of poor blocking .Running rice into a brick wall repeatedly is no accident .

 

I guess we have to disagree . I don't think this scheme benefits our players nor are they suited to it  and our current season bears that out . we go from the champions to bottom of  the league in every statistical category except sacks on Joe and interceptions. from the top of the league to the laughing stock of the league in less then one year  . trust me looking like the jags on the field every sunday is going to have the stadium  filled like the jags empty they can't even give tickets away

[5aiah]

its still not working.joe has no protection the backs have no openings. anything that takes longer then a season to bear fruit in my opinion is not worth it . McKinnie was traded  because he is not a fit for zbs. I can't imagine another year of joe running for his life taking all of these hits getting sacked every time his drop backs and  takes more then half a second . I have watched this team since day one have had season tickets every single year, watched as we tried qb after qb . finally we get a franchise qb who is a winner and the coaches decide to experiment and eventually injure the most expensive player on our team one that can not be replaced like a running back, over a scheme and offense that wasn't broken to begin with . I guess the argument could be made that's what backups are for ok well our backup took less then two minutes to score 14 points for the other team .

I respect your opinion but I agree with redraven if they decide to continue with this nonsense because JOhns buddy needs a job then psl owners need to pull there support for the team . I know how long its been between superbowls and I'm not willing to wait ten years for another superbowl. with the defense ozzie rebuilt this year we were primed to repeat . zbs is the reason we will not .

 

I agree 100 percent the probowl is a joke.

RBs are replaceable, the scheme is becoming outdated to be used alone, and the offense wasn't going to win another Superbowl anytime soon in its previous state it was just going to get worse and harder to improve. Patience.

 

I think you missed the point. I just feel like its an abject failure .and fans should have been told from day one when checks were being written for tickets, that we were pissing this season away so we can break what works well and rebuild it cause we are bored. I bet 5 mintues after they had no income this experiment would have been stopped. you call what run game we have hyperexplosive run game? whats your definition of one that sucks so bad your the laughing stock of the nfl?

The Ravens organization is a smart one and knows why this must be done. If the fans decide to turn their backs on them im sure their are more who can fill the seats. This season isn't over and taking into account the major changes we instituted while still staying in the hunt this season its a testament to the strength of our team and organization.

[5aiah]

rice and flacco have both been durable players and neither was injured from a "freak accident " all of these injuries were a result of poor blocking .Running rice into a brick wall repeatedly is no accident .

 

I guess we have to disagree . I don't think this scheme benefits our players nor are they suited to it  and our current season bears that out . we go from the champions to bottom of  the league in every statistical category except sacks on Joe and interceptions. from the top of the league to the laughing stock of the league in less then one year  . trust me looking like the jags on the field every sunday is going to have the stadium  filled like the jags empty they can't even give tickets away

That's the problem. What players are you referring to on the line because Yanda and Monroe can do well in this scheme and its more about the future as well. Also to compare our fanbase to the Jags is laughable. The stadium will be packed regardless.

[redravenfan]

RBs are replaceable, the scheme is becoming outdated to be used alone, and the offense wasn't going to win another Superbowl anytime soon in its previous state it was just going to get worse and harder to improve. Patience.

 

The Ravens organization is a smart one and knows why this must be done. If the fans decide to turn their backs on them im sure their are more who can fill the seats. This season isn't over and taking into account the major changes we instituted while still staying in the hunt this season its a testament to the strength of our team and organization.

you can seriously sit there and say you think that this joke of an offense is going to get us into the post season? with a straight face?