The Ravens philosophy

[Purple_ICE 81]

Any smart GM will tell you that defense is more important than any other area of a football team. You could say the QB is the most  important area, but you can see that with guys like Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Andy Dalton and Alex Smith if you give them a great defense and a good running game you can supplement a more mediocre QB. If Russell Wilson did not have Marshawn Lynch and the NFLs #1 defense he would not be in the super bowl right now.

 

I think smart GMs understand that you can find a game managing QB in the mid rounds of the draft and focus on vamping up your defense and running game in order to compensate for lack of  an elite passing attack. And I think this is the same philosophy the Ravens follow and I think we will continue to be this type of team for years to come. This year is an exception because we are doing an offensive overhaul, an overhaul that we have needed for a very longtime now...but obviously we are an organization that likes to focus on acquiring defensive players in free agency and the draft. Since the new era of the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 we have never had a great offense, in fact we have always had a more mediocre offense excluding our rushing attack as Ray Rice put up 4 or 5 consecutive 1000 yard seasons before this year. This is what I think needs to change for us we need to become a more consistent offense, but I do not see our system changing all that much. Whoever we hire as OC will likely deploy a similar run oriented offense with focus on PA passes and opening up big pass plays. While I believe a west coast system similar to what the SanDiego Chargers ran under Ken Whisenhunt in 2013 would be more beneficial, I just do not think we will shy away from what lead us to alot of success in the past 5 seasons including a SuperBowl victory.

[Purple_ICE 81]

If you're making this argument five years ago, maybe there's something to it.  In this new era of the NFL, it's impossible to compete without a QB.  This places greater emphasis on the offensive side of the ball to be successful since so much money on a competitive team is going to be automatically tied up over there.  Offenses are too explosive now, you need a team that can score points to win.  That old defense wins championships adage might have worked before, but I don't believe it does anymore.  

 

But I understand what you're saying and there probably is some truth to a lot of it.  I'd just like to believe we're in the middle of a philosophical shift towards the new NFL.

 

 

Dont agree with this at all, the 49ers have made it to 3 straight championships and 1 super bowl with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick under center.  You do not need an elite QB if you have an elite running game and elite defense all you need is a game manager who can make some plays. 

[Ravensfan23]

That wasn't really the case, though.  The defense held the Colts to 9 points in a game where the offense struggled in the first half.  The defense held the Broncos to 21 points over a span of nearly 6 quarters, and also chipped in a pick-six, and a second interception on the Broncos side of the field that resulted in the game winning field goal (admittedly the offense had to contribute a lot here because of the two special teams touchdowns).  Then the defense held NE to 13 points.  That's arguably the two best quarterbacks in the league that the defense held in check in back-to-back games.  Lastly, the 49ers, where things started out well but started to crack after the blackout and Ngata going down.  Still, that's what, basically 16 quarters of solid play out of 18?  The offense was amazing at times and were a huge contributor as well, but it seemed like a team effort rather than one side having to carry the other.

In terms of philosophy, here's an interesting link that shows money spent on offense and defense.  The Ravens have one of the higher amounts of cap space tied up on defense.  It also seems like they're better evaluators of talent on offense than defense.  How many dud quarterbacks and receivers have they drafted?  They always seem to find some diamonds in the rough on defense.

It's not a fact of being better evaluators on defense imo, because it's far more easier to find quality defensive players simply because you have 18-22 players getting on the field each game. It's easier to use the talent of young players on defense because you can rotate them in each game. However most offensive positions like QB and Oline you don't rotate, so it's harder to develop guys on that side of the ball imo.

Then the biggest thing about development of WRs and Oline imo is the system, in fact the system has a lot to do with the defensive success as well. If we didn't use a hybrid defense that allowed tweener players to get action we probably wouldn't be as successful at developing players on that side of the ball. But while we adjusted to thee new NFL on defense, we never really seemed to come around on offense. We kept that same old school tough approach for many years, but the players available in the draft rarely fit our system especially considering we draft so low all the time. This is why I feel Shanahan would be the best fit because all our players seem to fit what he does already. We have a bunch of catch and run WRs, most of the olineman we've drafted since 2008 actually fits the ZBS and the QB we have hits his offense well imo.

The Ravens have more money tied up into defense right now because we simply have better performers on defense right now, but it's changing. Flacco, Rice, Yanda, Torrey, Pitta, Monroe will all have fairly big contracts on offense while, Jimmy and Webb will be the only big contracts on D, after Suggs and Ngata of course.

[HoldingCall]

The key to winning football games haven't changed as much as the media and others have led fans to believe. With exception, defense can still win championships. A defensive player performance can still change the outcome of a game as quickly as the best offensive player. But rule changes and officiating shifts toward protecting offensive players have caused a change in the philosophy of many organizations toward the path of least resistance. Not to overlook the success of elite QBs like Brady, Bree, Manning and Rogers who tend to make the game exciting and bring in the revenue. 

 

The play by Richard Sherman to end the 49er's run as well as the Raven's defensive stand inside the 10 yard line at the end of the SB last season reinforces the need of a defense that can seal the deal. 

[HoldingCall]

It's not a fact of being better evaluators on defense imo, because it's far more easier to find quality defensive players simply because you have 18-22 players getting on the field each game. It's easier to use the talent of young players on defense because you can rotate them in each game. However most offensive positions like QB and Oline you don't rotate, so it's harder to develop guys on that side of the ball imo.

Then the biggest thing about development of WRs and Oline imo is the system, in fact the system has a lot to do with the defensive success as well. If we didn't use a hybrid defense that allowed tweener players to get action we probably wouldn't be as successful at developing players on that side of the ball. But while we adjusted to thee new NFL on defense, we never really seemed to come around on offense. We kept that same old school tough approach for many years, but the players available in the draft rarely fit our system especially considering we draft so low all the time. This is why I feel Shanahan would be the best fit because all our players seem to fit what he does already. We have a bunch of catch and run WRs, most of the olineman we've drafted since 2008 actually fits the ZBS and the QB we have hits his offense well imo.

The Ravens have more money tied up into defense right now because we simply have better performers on defense right now, but it's changing. Flacco, Rice, Yanda, Torrey, Pitta, Monroe will all have fairly big contracts on offense while, Jimmy and Webb will be the only big contracts on D, after Suggs and Ngata of course.

Perhaps it's more likely to draft a first round bust on offense than on defense. Offense is more about timing and precision while defenses disrupt. We all know that it's easier to destroy (disrupt) than to build.  

[frozen joe flacco fan]

That wasn't really the case, though.  The defense held the Colts to 9 points in a game where the offense struggled in the first half.  The defense held the Broncos to 21 points over a span of nearly 6 quarters, and also chipped in a pick-six, and a second interception on the Broncos side of the field that resulted in the game winning field goal (admittedly the offense had to contribute a lot here because of the two special teams touchdowns).  Then the defense held NE to 13 points.  That's arguably the two best quarterbacks in the league that the defense held in check in back-to-back games.  Lastly, the 49ers, where things started out well but started to crack after the blackout and Ngata going down.  Still, that's what, basically 16 quarters of solid play out of 18?  The offense was amazing at times and were a huge contributor as well, but it seemed like a team effort rather than one side having to carry the other.

In terms of philosophy, here's an interesting link that shows money spent on offense and defense.  The Ravens have one of the higher amounts of cap space tied up on defense.  It also seems like they're better evaluators of talent on offense than defense.  How many dud quarterbacks and receivers have they drafted?  They always seem to find some diamonds in the rough on defense.

Interesting link. I assume you mean they have been more successful evaluating talent on the defensive side.  With the exception of Flacco, Rice, T. Smith and Ogden, I would agree that we've had better success drafting defensive players.

 

Joe Flacco and his offense bailed out the defense on more than one occasion last year and this year. Check out his stats on game winning drives in his career. Our run defense stunk up the field last year and this year. The entire team struggled down the stretch but Joe Flacco never flinched or lost faith and played lights out in the playoffs (no pun intended). That's an irrefutable fact! Three of the final four teams in the playoffs this year are led by QBs who were outplayed (when it counted) in last year's playoffs by our QB. That's another irrefutable fact!! Cut Joe some slack. Purely and simply, Joe Flacco is why we won the games with the Colts, Broncos, Patriots and the 49ers, not because of the stellar defense we played. AND he did all of that while playing without a new contract.

 

As a former coach of youth football and basketball, I used to instill in my players a winning philosophy by saying "there's only one reason to play the first half of a game and that's to get to the second half. Keep us close and we'll win it in the second half." That philosophy served us well and served the Ravens well in come from behind wins. I'm sure you've watched enough college football games to realize that the best team isn't always ahead at half-time. Great teams make adjustments in the locker room at half-time and finish strong by wearing down their opponents in the second half. That is something the Ravens were not good at this year in particular. Sometimes it is due to a lack of conditioning and other times its due to a lack of something else.

[Poes Crows]

Arnie UK brought up an interesting theory.

 

What's clear is that our Front Office is conflicted.

 

We have been a defensive team but recent changes in the game have given passing a bigger role and wa la...Flacco gets 120 million.

 

Contrary to that as of last weekend most of the playoff teams were featuring the run.

 

Once again, what is clear is that our Front Office is very much wrapped up in twine and trying to figure out how to untangle themselves. 

[Militant X 1]

This OC hire is so important because the Ravens Way isn't and should go anywhere. If anyone actually took the time to read any of my post doing the season on how to fix the offense I actually mentioned changing the Ravens Way. My posts tend to get long so I'm sure many just over looks them lol, but changing the Ravens Way is how I said i'd start to fix things. However now I don't agree with that position now. I agree with the stance of not changing things just making tweks and adjustments to the offense. Now let me say that I feel the offensive system should change, but we can continue to keep the same philosphy. We can continue to be a physical run team but also open things open and be explosive with Joe. We don't have to be pass happy and finesse to be a strong passing team. We don't have to be a 3 yards and a cloud of dust running team, run on every first down to be a strong run team. I strongly feel this organization follows the model of the NE Pats from ownership on down and I see this offense being a lot like the 2007 offseason for the Pats. The offense will change but core of what we do won't change. This is why I think Shanahan should be the new OC because the system he'll bring will allow us to continue our philiosphy. Physical rush game, creative, explosive pass game and balanced. I feel that once we get the right system, Ozzie will start to have much more success drafting and adding talent to the offense like he does with defense.

 

I've been constantly saying this as well.

 

#Mili

[Corvus_corax]

Is there an organisation wide belief in running the ball and playing good Defense? I don't know. But I'll tell you what - I hope there is! That is exactly the kind of team we have always been and exactly the kind of team I hope we will continue to be. It's who we are. It's our calling card, our identity.

 

Teams can throw the ball like crazy during the regular season and put up pretty numbers doing it but look what happens when the cold weather comes in and it's play-off time - teams start running the football more. Unless you are a dome team, you will find it very difficult to succeed in the post season if you can't run the ball well and/or play good Defense. I really hope the Seahawks win the Superbowl this week as it would be so great to see a team built on running the ball and quality Defense winning it all. That really would be one in the eye for Roger Goodell and his cronies who seem hell bent on trying to turn the NFL into an outdoor Arenaball league with their pass friendly rules.

 

If there's one thing I hate about the modern day NFL it is the way so many people seem to be obsessed with the passing game and the way the media obsess over QB's(Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in particular). Give me some old fashioned, hand in the dirt, smack 'em in the mouth action. That's REAL football.

[Bruce_Almty]

T3hRaven, on 22 Jan 2014 - 4:45 PM, said:

...  That old defense wins championships adage might have worked before, but I don't believe it does anymore.  

We are about to find out on Sunday if that adage is true-- Manning and all his targets with a middling defense vs Seattle's great defense and so so offense. NFL brainiacks will be reviewing the pros and cons of each team for a long time to come I think.

[Bruce_Almty]

TDubbs, on 22 Jan 2014 - 5:02 PM, said:

...

So, to answer the question, yes it is an organization decision for this team to be based that way. Ozzie has always set the tone from the onset of the franchise. Ozzie is obsessed with 'Value' in a player. He feels, with his talent evaluation, why pay a WR, or CB etc. top dollar when he thinks he can find a guy somewhere in the draft who can produce close enough for cheap. Meanwhile, valuing the elite level talent enough to make sure they stay around, (Ray Lewis, J.O) for their entire career. This directly correlates to our last offensive guy drafted being Oher.....

Steve Bisciotti also has an 80-20 rule: if you can get 80% of someones production for 20% of the cost, go for it.

[Bruce_Almty]

Jokerraven, on 22 Jan 2014 - 5:31 PM, said:

....RSR does produce some thought provoking accurate articles even if the writers are fans .

I'd rather have fans that are writers than writers that are employed by the organization.

[cursona pirate]

I don't think I could put it any better than that.

It's funny you mentioned the Pats, because they happen to be a team that can run the ball and pass the ball efficiently.

With a usually crappy defense. We could have both if you think about it. Patriots do follow a value method as well. Who were the wrs this year? Amendola from the Rams?

[HoldingCall]

I believe the OC selection shows the Ravens intend to get back to a balance. Looking at the final four playoff teams I see all have good offenses and defenses. Naturally some are better offensively while others better defensively.

 

New rule changes have affected the way officials officiate the game and I see it as more the factor than I see differences in offenses or defenses in the way of ability.

 

The question of whether the league is shifting from run first to pass first I think depends on which teams you are discussing rather than the league as a whole. In the past few years teams have shifted somewhat to defend the pass therefore coaches have shifted to improve their run games.

 

I've read post on whether and run first or a pass first is best and whether a strong offense is more important that a strong defense. To judge it based on the team that wins the Superbowl is not the answer but having a balance between a good offensive, good defense; a good passing game and good run game is the correct answer, and do not over look the importance of special teams

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens Philosphy is to do things the Ravens Way. Like it or not the Ravens have a way of doing things and it won't change. We have a strong belief that a good run and and good defense wins more games late in the season then being pass happy and i'd agree. We believe that our offense should be as tough as the toughest defense we'll face all season and we believe that defense shows up in trianing camp every year. We believe that a bunch of hard working guys will give you more then the most talented guy, which is why I feel we don't trade up often in the draft. Hard work beats talent. We belive that things should be balanced and whatever stats come of it cool. Your backend should be as good as your front 7 on defense, your run game should be as good as your pass game and you should be able to lean on either to win a game. What organization puts as much effort into special teams as we do, but also gives guys like Corey Graham, B.A and Gary Stills a shot to make a name on defense?

The Ravens Way is special and rare. There's a reason why player want to play here and coaches want to coach here. There's a reason why Eric D turns down GM offers. Yea he's the GM in waiting and he's getting paid like a GM, but I think being here means a lot to him. There is a reason why guys like Cary Williams and Pollard compare their current team structure to that of the Ravens. There is a reason why Shannon Sharpe told Trevor Pryce if you ever get the change go play for Baltimore. There is a reason why a guy like Derrick Mason decided to retire a Raven despite spending so many years in Ten and playing his final year in Houston.

For the first time ever, I think we finally got the right OC that can bring things together and make this offense run like the defense. Yea Kubiak will leave sooner then later, but his impact will last a very long time much like the impact Marvin Lewis left. We are about to become an explosively balanced offense and it won't matter how many runs or pass we attempt. This scheme alone will leace DCs staying up at night thinking how to defend it and the talent will just make it worse. We are finallyy about to be able to consistently score points on offense and have a defense that can get after people. Not to forget a strong Special Teams Unit. I see the vision and I love the direction. But the Ravens Way hasn't and Isn't gonna change, we just finally got a coach who can get the most out of all our offensive guys and don't need great talent to do so. I think we'll finally be good on offense, defense and special teams, that'll just make the Ravens Way more recognizable because others will be forced to take notice.