Ravens not inflicting their will on short yardage situations?

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

It might just be me but in the last couple of years it seems like in short yardage situations the Ravens dont seem to inflict their will on opposing defenses like they used to in years past. For example 4th and short or even 4th and goal and the RB and whole offensive front just seem to get pushed around. Sometimes the RB seems to twinkle-toe the situation instead of putting his shoulder down and pushing threw or even going over the top but that could be because the O-line seems to get no push at all. Just wondering what other fans thoughts were on this?

[TDubbs]

Its personnel based mainly I think. I mean go back to Jamal Lewis/Ogden and the boys obviously we're smashing them at the line. Even with McGahee we were still that downhill smash mouth rushing attack. In the last couple years we've obviously been making strides to be a better passing team, so maybe you lose some of that 4th and goal smash mouth style. 

 

As long as we quit with the QB sneaks I'll support whatever we do in those short yardage situations. Flacco is the worst QB sneaker, and thats fine. But when we ask him to sneak he exposes himself and more often than not takes an unnecessary hit. 

[K-Dog]

I appreciate the irony of your emoticon Alaska...

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

That could change if Taliaferro keeps improving.Like TDubbs said,we haven't had a smash mouth RB since Leron and Mcgahee.Zbo is physical and can push a pile if need be.Also,Flacco is not that bad of a sneaker.He's one of the biggest and strongest QB's in the league.The only QB sneaks I remember failing this year were the ones at the goal line against the steelers.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

That could change if Taliaferro keeps improving.Like TDubbs said,we haven't had a smash mouth RB since Leron and Mcgahee.Zbo is physical and can push a pile if need be.Also,Flacco is not that bad of a sneaker.He's one of the biggest and strongest QB's in the league.The only QB sneaks I remember failing this year were the ones at the goal line against the steelers.

Yes Taliaferro is a big man and has been able to run downhill some this season for sure. I think  TDubbs was mostly concerned with the shots Flacco takes when he sneaks the ball.

 

I appreciate the irony of your emoticon Alaska...

Thanks

 

Its personnel based mainly I think. I mean go back to Jamal Lewis/Ogden and the boys obviously we're smashing them at the line. Even with McGahee we were still that downhill smash mouth rushing attack. In the last couple years we've obviously been making strides to be a better passing team, so maybe you lose some of that 4th and goal smash mouth style. 

 

As long as we quit with the QB sneaks I'll support whatever we do in those short yardage situations. Flacco is the worst QB sneaker, and thats fine. But when we ask him to sneak he exposes himself and more often than not takes an unnecessary hit. 

I like the point you make. You bringing up J.Lewis and Ogden is the type of AFC North smash mouth running I was talking about. Inflicting your will on the other team. Ravens had J.Lewis and Tenesee had George and the Steelers had Bettis.

[berad]

They're better this year than last but it is still hit or miss. I agree that Taliaferro sometimes does twinkle-toe or try a quick juke but then loses all of his momentum before first contact and we get stopped.

Thing is, I'm really happy with the interior of our OL - KO, Zuttah, and Yanda - so it's frustrating.

[The Raven]

We struggle on 3rd and 1 because we aren't mean enough. Zuttah and Monroe aren't physical or nasty. You simply can't convert 3rd and 1 with a center who doesn't like to play nasty.

[Inqui]

I've said it before, but I wouldn't mind seeing us take a leaf out of the Patriots' book and try a couple of quick passes in those situations. Keep the defence honest for not just that game, but for future ones.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

They're better this year than last but it is still hit or miss. I agree that Taliaferro sometimes does twinkle-toe or try a quick juke but then loses all of his momentum before first contact and we get stopped.

Thing is, I'm really happy with the interior of our OL - KO, Zuttah, and Yanda - so it's frustrating.

I do like the additions and we are definitly better than last season.

 

I've said it before, but I wouldn't mind seeing us take a leaf out of the Patriots' book and try a couple of quick passes in those situations. Keep the defence honest for not just that game, but for future ones.

I like the idea of keeping the defense honest in all situations.

[Inqui]

I like the idea of keeping the defense honest in all situations.

 

Put LT in the backfield and there's no reason you couldn't power to a first down if you chose to. It's not a complex play.

[3-4ravdef509]

I actually liked to increase in amount and effectiveness from qb sneaks this year (minus Joe jumping over the pile). Wonder where it's been post couple weeks