Keeping Jim Caldwell: Pros and Cons

[FlocksGottaFeed]

It was there at times. We definitely ran a good bit of no-huddle. The point is the offense was firmly put on Flacco this year. He was in full control at the LoS and we ran the offense how he wanted, out of the shotgun.

Agreed. Joe ran the offense he wanted, how he wanted and when he wanted for the most part. I'm not saying that to discredited Joe. That's what a franchise QB is suppose do. That being said, when you put a 'newly' established franchise QB (based on his new contract) and a newly 1st year OC in their 'real' 1st year together, there will be bumps in the road. The transition would have been a lot smoother had there been a dynamic, big play-maker, vocal, respected leader in the locker-room and practice field that could act as a sounding-board.

For example: Caldwell thinks that the offense needs more creativity. He looks at the talent he has to work with and decides to tweak it a bit by adding in some wildcat plays. Joe is a little unsure about it. He's a competitor that wants the ball and control. Besides, how would that look to the team? The 'dynamic/respected/vocal' knows what Joe is thinking and explains to him: "It's all good Joe. You're the man and will take us again to the promised land. It don't matter how we get there. Things are working right, now. Let's do whatever it takes with what we're working with to just win, baby." Long story short - We need to need that type of leadership this upcoming season. There's been a lot of great draft-pick opinions, but if it's not a dude that can say, "Let's go with it and if it don't workout just give me the ball and I got you're back!" - I'm not convinced that that's what we need and the Caldwell/Flacco relationship will get better with a sounding-board and a little more trust.

We've always had 'dynamic' player leadership and I believe that's what we'll find this off-season whether through the draft or free agency (especially on offense). Just putting it all on Joe thing or any franchise player just doesn't work for us.

[Moderator 3]

I want an OC that will throw a couple screens in the game-plan

They tried, repeatedly. Our wonderful o-line couldn't execute it.

[Wisdom]

I guess John Harbaugh made his decision.   Jim Caldwell will remain the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator next season thereby, affording him the opportunity to field his own offense instead patching up the one he inherited for the past year or so.  Let’s get A.Q Shipley, Michael Oher and Gino Gradkowski out of there and we may just have something.  By the way, Jah Reid needs to go too

[Jokerraven]

I have no problem with Caldwell but I do think any coach with a made up title needs to go .One oline coach is all  that's needed. Maybe some continuity will bring a better offense. give him the proper personnel a good oline and more weapons. He had to manage on the fly by the first regular season game  two of Joe's targets were gone and bit players in there place (no offense to clark or stokley) Marlon was a rookie once they covered torrey we didn't have allot of options.

[TXRavensFan]

I guess John Harbaugh made his decision.   Jim Caldwell will remain the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator next season thereby, affording him the opportunity to field his own offense instead patching up the one he inherited for the past year or so.  Let’s get A.Q Shipley, Michael Oher and Gino Gradkowski out of there and we may just have something.  By the way, Jah Reid needs to go too

 

My theory is that Caldwell was trying to transition the offense to a style more like what he had in Indy with Mnning and Tom Moore (and it looked pretty decent for the first half of the Broncos game). I think that's also why they brought Castillo in.

 

Unfortunately, injuries (Pitta, Osemele, Rice, Pierce, etc. etc.) and lack of talent on the O-Line halted the transition, and they reverted back to the previous playbook more than expected, since it was already a known constant, while still incorporating some of the new elements (single back, spread formation, 3-wide base, etc),

 

Hopefully, with a full offseason, a healthy Osemele, and maybe Wagner and Jensen inserted into the line, they can continue with the transition. It'd be interesting to see how Joe does in that offense; Indy basically destroyed the league for a decade running about 15 plays from that offense.

[TDubbs]

Indy basically destroyed the league for a decade running about 15 plays from that offense.

 

While I do agree with the comment .. It was Manning, Wayne, Harrison, Clark dominating that playbook, most of which was Mannings creation. So I'd temper expectations slightly. 

[Mt. Crushmore]

The Lions are thought to have interest in him for their head coaching spot.

 

https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/418178140314144768

[Wisdom]

My theory is that Caldwell was trying to transition the offense to a style more like what he had in Indy with Mnning and Tom Moore (and it looked pretty decent for the first half of the Broncos game). I think that's also why they brought Castillo in.

 

Unfortunately, injuries (Pitta, Osemele, Rice, Pierce, etc. etc.) and lack of talent on the O-Line halted the transition, and they reverted back to the previous playbook more than expected, since it was already a known constant, while still incorporating some of the new elements (single back, spread formation, 3-wide base, etc),

 

Hopefully, with a full offseason, a healthy Osemele, and maybe Wagner and Jensen inserted into the line, they can continue with the transition. It'd be interesting to see how Joe does in that offense; Indy basically destroyed the league for a decade running about 15 plays from that offense.

 

Solid point, I'm very excited about Wagner, Jensen and Osemele and I think they will be good players for us.  

[torreysmith_is_amazing]

The Lions are thought to have interest in him for their head coaching spot.

 

https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/418178140314144768

wow!!

[Wisdom]

Wow, good for him!  Did you see one for Castillo?

[GrimCoconut]

The Lions are thought to have interest in him for their head coaching spot.

https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/418178140314144768

I also read in the link that it's probably due to the Rooney rule and they makes sense, unfortunately.

[ravefan52]

The Lions are thought to have interest in him for their head coaching spot.

https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/418178140314144768

Makes sense, get Stafford the coach that helped Peyton and Flacco become what they are. Stafford obviously has the skill just needs to be coaches up a bit. I think it could work.

[5aiah]

My theory is that Caldwell was trying to transition the offense to a style more like what he had in Indy with Mnning and Tom Moore (and it looked pretty decent for the first half of the Broncos game). I think that's also why they brought Castillo in.

 

Unfortunately, injuries (Pitta, Osemele, Rice, Pierce, etc. etc.) and lack of talent on the O-Line halted the transition, and they reverted back to the previous playbook more than expected, since it was already a known constant, while still incorporating some of the new elements (single back, spread formation, 3-wide base, etc),

 

Hopefully, with a full offseason, a healthy Osemele, and maybe Wagner and Jensen inserted into the line, they can continue with the transition. It'd be interesting to see how Joe does in that offense; Indy basically destroyed the league for a decade running about 15 plays from that offense.

And no one could stop them. They ran the same stuff the entire era.

[Wisdom]

I have no problem with Caldwell but I do think any coach with a made up title needs to go .One oline coach is all  that's needed. Maybe some continuity will bring a better offense. give him the proper personnel a good oline and more weapons. He had to manage on the fly by the first regular season game  two of Joe's targets were gone and bit players in there place (no offense to clark or stokley) Marlon was a rookie once they covered torrey we didn't have allot of options.

 

I agree!

[52N19]

the perplexing issue with our receivers fro the last several years has been lack of separation. i can't believe this is all do to our receivers. i've got to believe much of this is due to play design. i don't know how good caldwell is but anything he did with peyton manning is irrelevant. manning could make none look good.

[5aiah]

the perplexing issue with our receivers fro the last several years has been lack of separation. i can't believe this is all do to our receivers. i've got to believe much of this is due to play design. i don't know how good caldwell is but anything he did with peyton manning is irrelevant. manning could make none look good.

You don't want to believe the truth, but instead blame the coaching staff. We don't have a quality route runner at the wide receiver position, our best route runner and best hands is Pitta who is our TE. Some of it is due to the system because its built to send two receivers deep, but aside from that we lack natural agile route runners either way

[edthehead]

No, its the best idea. I'm going to stand firm and say that he needs another year with adequate talent on the field before we can truly judge him. Most of the people calling for his head are ignorant of the intricacies on how coaching works and how walking into certain systems can influence what you practice and as a result, what you can call on game day. We are all in the dark when it comes what really goes on during the most I  important part of play calling(practice) but yet we call for the guys head. 

I really understand what you are saying , he was only given a 1 yr contract for the oc , I think an oc should have experience to better make game time adjustment, then the reason i would prefer a new and experience oc is ,,, They have their on plays. We were beyond bad on offense , we were horrible and he should go.  I  fully understand the intricacies that goes into calling a play and executing ... COACHES COACH , PLAYERS PLAY, 

[DomMcRaven]

Well wasn't Ed Dickson like one of the worst run-blocking TEs this year?

[PerpetuallyBored74]

If you can't run the ball OR set up effective screens OR pass protect against basic pass rushes (not even blitzes) you can't execute the Air Coryell, since it's designed to use the run to set up the deep pass with play action.

It doesn't matter who the QB is either (almost**) because even an elite QB can't complete passes to WR's who aren't open before the pass rush gets to him.

And that's also what running the ball and screen passes are for: to deter the use of the blitz.

You're also supposed to use pre-snap motion and shifts which for some inexpicable reason we rarely do.

Instead, we constantly send our 2 fastest WRs downfield on sideline routes, which is not how you're supposed to run the Air Coryell. There's supposed to be more variety and deception.

 

Essentially, we have been running a watered and stripped down version of the Air Coryell and it's made our offense too easy to prepare for and defend against.

 

So, the question is who's fault is that.

And can Caldwell either correct what's wrong with our AC system or replace it with something that will still work with our personnel.

 

** Even with a weakened running game after Edgerrin James left, the Colts still had no trouble executing play-action because Peyton was so adept at faking the hand off that not only would he constantly trick the safeties and linebackers into biting on the play action, he'd also sometimes fool the TV cameras and commentators!

[IrishRaven87]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter4m

Lions are scheduling an interview for their HC job with Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, per league source.

 

Looks like the FO might not have to decide on this one!

 

Edit: didn't see the above post earlier! 

[PolishRifle]

 

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter4m

Lions are scheduling an interview for their HC job with Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell, per league source.

 

Looks like the FO might not have to decide on this one!

 

Edit: didn't see the above post earlier! 

 

 

Rumored to be the Rooney Rule in effect. I doubt, he would draw that much interest after this regular season, if it were not for him being a minority coach.

[IrishRaven87]

Rumored to be the Rooney Rule in effect. I doubt, he would draw that much interest after this regular season, if it were not for him being a minority coach.

 

Have to admit I'm not too up to date on the ins and outs of this rule but it seems ridiculous to me! Surely if you are thought to be good enough for the job or not as the case may be then so be it.

[JO_75]

The Lions are thought to have interest in him for their head coaching spot.

 

https://twitter.com/MarkMaske/status/418178140314144768

 

If we can get Calvin Johnson in return, I'm all for it!

 

In all seriousness, Detroit can have him, this will force us to hire a new OC.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

As Bill Clinton once said, "Its the economy, stupid!"

Well, its the play-calling, stupid, and stupid is as stupid does. We need an offensive genius, not a former head coach who had never called plays in the NFL. Hire someone like a modern day Vince Lombardi. There are a lot of them out there on the market, e.g., Kyle Shanahan and Gary Kubiak. The trouble is that Coach "Harbs" is to insecure to hire someone of their caliber. We also need someone who can teach our O-line how to pass block and run block w/o giving away the plays with their poor footwork. There have just been too many times when three of our interior linemen had their hands full blocking two inside pass rushers and other times when the five interior linemen couldn't block four pass rushers, Coach Castillo. In all fairness to the O-line, I suspect that some of it may have been to injuries to Yanda, Osemele and Gradkowski that have come to light. That being said, Gino has a lot to learn if he wants to anchor the O-line. Flacco's already been sacked more times in six years than Johnny Unitas was sacked in his long career in the NFL. Something has to be done n the offseason to revamp the O-line or Joe's career will be an abbreviated one.  

[ratedr]

No doubt a Rooney Rule interview.

[Ravenskid52752]

No doubt a Rooney Rule interview.

its not its rumored to be him as head coach and lovie smith as D Corr. they want a culture change in detroit right now only him and lovie smith have interviews. there president really wants to interview him no ronney rule with jim maybe wiith lovie but not jim because he can help Matthew stafford as a QB coach and help fix his mechanics.  also he might up for the penn state job too i heard.

[ratedr]

its not its rumored to be him as head coach and lovie smith as D Corr. they want a culture change in detroit right now only him and lovie smith have interviews. there president really wants to interview him no ronney rule with jim maybe wiith lovie but not jim because he can help Matthew stafford as a QB coach and help fix his mechanics. also he might up for the penn state job too i heard.

Lovie Smith is a far better candidate than Caldwell imo. Don't know how anyone can look at our offense and say "I want THAT guy," though to be fair Detroit has much better talent than we do.

[NaveSenrag]

its not its rumored to be him as head coach and lovie smith as D Corr. they want a culture change in detroit right now only him and lovie smith have interviews. there president really wants to interview him no ronney rule with jim maybe wiith lovie but not jim because he can help Matthew stafford as a QB coach and help fix his mechanics.  also he might up for the penn state job too i heard.

Yeah. He's a great QB coach who has been a part of two teams that are well known for having winning cultures. It makes sense if you're Detroit.

[ratedr]

If Caldwell does get a HC gig somewhere though I'll be very happy for him. I hope he stays here as a QB coach but we'll see.

[Gorillaz MD]

The shotgun is the one thing that did work

An effective offense needs to use several different formations. I know that's stating the obvious, but it was painful to watch this year.