What the Ravens can learn from Superbowl 49

[PDO]

The Ravens had a great season.  They're a team that consistently uses almost every avenue to grab talent available....

 

... but there is one that is consistently ignored.

 

Two of the most important players this years Superbowl were Chris Matthews and Brandon Browner.

 

What did they both have in common?

 

Both were STUDS in the CFL.  A league that Baltimore once dominated in.

 

The Ravens, while being an elite team for at least the entire time under John Harbaugh, have completely ignored the CFL.  They ignored Cameron Wake.  They ignored Jerrell Freeman.  They ignored the little known Chris Matthews who almost became a Superbowl MVP.  They ignored Brandon Browner.  They ignored Duron Carter.

 

Why?

 

 

It might be the biggest mistake this front office consistently makes.

 

Does the league consistently create all-pro's?  Obviously not.  But to not even ever work these guys out....?  It's dumb.

[redrum52]

How many year have th Ravens been in existence and hiw many great players has the CFL actually produced?

that was some awful playcalling. I won't be watching ESPN or NFLN for a WHILE...

[K-Dog]

What makes you so sure we ignored the CFL?

[redrum52]

What makes you so sure we ignored the CFL?

This too. Didn't we try to get Carter?

[JustinB]

Biggest thing I learned from the Superbowl is that we were only a corner or 2 away from playing in the game, god i want Jimmy back

[TSizzle00]

I learned that nobody is going to be talking about that deep ball Flacco threw in the divisional round after seeing Wilson get picked off at the 1.

[Ravenslifer]

We should learn 2 things - 1) you need to have great corners - a healthy Jimmy will go a long way towards that end.  2) You need a receiver everyone fears to help scheme your other guys open - that could have been Dennis for us this year.  Assuming those to come back healthy, we're all set for another run.  In fact, even without those two, we were in control of the game against the Pats until our own mistakes cost us, just like our own mistakes cost us against the Steelers in the 2010-2011 playoffs.  If anything, it goes to show you that in the postseason, if you can limit your turnovers and apply some pressure to the team, then you don't have to get too crazy trying to go for big scores or look for big interceptions.

[757RavensFan]

I learned you never throw a slant pattern on the 1 yard line when you have the most powerful RB in the NFL on the field. 

 

I also learned, that as much we hated Cameron's play calling, even he would have ran the ball in that situation. 

 

Just dumb!!

[berad]

All I know is that Trestman and every offensive coach in the league should have been taking notes on what NOT to do on the goal line with Lynch in the backfield.

 

More than that, we know that you need receivers who can beat man coverage and/or creative scheming to get guys open. The Patriots used all sorts of route design to free guys like Edelman or Amendola. The Seahawks pretty much played straight forward and had nothing until Chris Matthews used his whole frame to catch that deep ball - good case for MVP had the Seahawks won.

[redrum52]

I learned you never throw a slant pattern on the 1 yard line when you have the most powerful RB in the NFL on the field.

I also learned, that as much we hated Cameron's play calling, even he would have ran the ball in that situation.

Just dumb!!

Cam would've called 4 verts there...

Or an end around.

[jdynamite]

Cam would've called 4 verts there...

Or an end around.

Lol to the End around....

[jdynamite]

All I know is that Trestman and every offensive coach in the league should have been taking notes on what NOT to do on the goal line with Lynch in the backfield.

More than that, we know that you need receivers who can beat man coverage and/or creative scheming to get guys open. The Patriots used all sorts of route design to free guys like Edelman or Amendola. The Seahawks pretty much played straight forward and had nothing until Chris Matthews used his whole frame to catch that deep ball - good case for MVP had the Seahawks won.

Honestly when he threw that int. I immediately told my brother, man they threw that so if Wilson got the game winning TD he would be mvp. If Lynch runs it in then he becomes the hero Super Bowl mvp 100+ rushing yards 2 TDs ( if he scored ) and what happens they walk up him to do the Disney interview and to give him mvp trophy and interview and it becomes will he speak, will he embarrass the league on national tv.

Let's just avoid all that and throw.

Smh.

[4everraven]

What the Ravens can learn is what Belichick did. He went all in to improve what he perceived as the team's two weakest areas that were keeping the Patriots from another SB title. His secondary and running back. Regarding the secondary, cap friendly or not he went and got Revis and Browner. And that was brilliant. Their secondary sealed the wins against the Ravens and Seahawks. As for running back, despite the baggage he picked up Blount once he was cut by the Steelers. So the lesson the Ravens should learn is fix your team's problem areas, don't continue to put band aides on them. Fix the #1 WR once and for all. Stop the seasoned over the hill veteran band aide. Let Torrey go, he's not a fighter, too passive. Signing him just keeps the WR problem being an issue. Regarding secondary, go get the guys to fix it! Never should have left Graham go, would not have cost all that much to keep him. FS Byrd, Ravens should have outbid New Orleans for him. Granted injuries were the issue with the secondary, but are Webb, Asa, and whoever at SS going to be the answer? Do you really have confidence in that? Even Will Hill, I think is a big question mark. Bottom line is Belichick and the Patriots with the same cap as the Ravens and every other team in the NFL fixed the team's glaring weaknesses and as a result won a SB. The Ravens must do the same. No more band aide approaches. Plus we have to realize the Ravens window with Flacco is probably beginning to close now that he's 30. How many more good seasons from him? Five, six, maybe seven. The Ravens FO is very good, but I think it operates too much with a long term vision for success. Contrast that with the Patriots approach this year, immediate success and it worked, SB win. Ravens have to get into that mode now in order to capitalize on Flacco's remaining years.

[Ravenseconbeast]

I've learned that Seahawks made a mistake on that last call.

Also learned patriots are still getting away with things and always will

[Tiz]

So 1 out of 53 players have cfl experience yesterday and the take away is baltimore should get one too lol.

Let's just cut everyone and rebuild cfl/afl wise just to cover all bases

[ratedr]

Biggest thing I learned is that the Pats were exceptionally lucky to run into another team with a depleted secondary. And I learned that their fans are still the worst scum of the Earth.

[Tru11]

there are numerous teams who pursuit these players so its probably not a case of us not working them out rather then a player picking certain teams to work out for and sign with.

 

wake and freeman would had less perspective signing with us then the teams they picked simply because  we already had players for those positions who would not be easy to unseat or take snaps from.

 

browner same situation and with carter as well.

 

you need to understand that these players usually look for a team where they have the most chance to get snaps.

[rmcjacket23]

I'll put this as politely as I possibly can...

 

If the biggest takeaway you got from the SB is that the Ravens need to target more CFL players, its time to stop watching professional football at EVERY level.

[rmcjacket23]

Biggest thing I learned is that the Pats were exceptionally lucky to run into another team with a depleted secondary. And I learned that their fans are still the worst scum of the Earth.

Was inevitable though... Seattle has been remarkably healthy, particularly on defense, for several consecutive years now.

 

The law of averages catches up to every single team in the league regarding injuries, and Seattle isn't immune to it.

 

Plus, I could care less about the Sherman or safety injuries, because they were largely irrelevant in the game or the gameplan. The Lane injury hurts, but again, its football, so its sort of expected.

[ratedr]

Was inevitable though... Seattle has been remarkably healthy, particularly on defense, for several consecutive years now.

The law of averages catches up to every single team in the league regarding injuries, and Seattle isn't immune to it.

Plus, I could care less about the Sherman or safety injuries, because they were largely irrelevant in the game or the gameplan. The Lane injury hurts, but again, its football, so its sort of expected.

Lane was massive.

Tharold Simon coverage in playoffs:

75 snaps, 205 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT

Other Seahawks CBs combined:

273 snaps, 238 yds, 0 TD, 4 INT

[Tru11]

Lane was massive.

Tharold Simon coverage in playoffs:

75 snaps, 205 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT

Other Seahawks CBs combined:

273 snaps, 238 yds, 0 TD, 4 INT

 

yeahlosing Maxwell first and then lane killed that defense.

[Drew P]

The Ravens had a great season.  They're a team that consistently uses almost every avenue to grab talent available....

 

... but there is one that is consistently ignored.

 

Two of the most important players this years Superbowl were Chris Matthews and Brandon Browner.

 

What did they both have in common?

 

Both were STUDS in the CFL.  A league that Baltimore once dominated in.

 

The Ravens, while being an elite team for at least the entire time under John Harbaugh, have completely ignored the CFL.  They ignored Cameron Wake.  They ignored Jerrell Freeman.  They ignored the little known Chris Matthews who almost became a Superbowl MVP.  They ignored Brandon Browner.  They ignored Duron Carter.

 

Why?

 

 

It might be the biggest mistake this front office consistently makes.

 

Does the league consistently create all-pro's?  Obviously not.  But to not even ever work these guys out....?  It's dumb.

 

Ozzie should Google my mock drafts. I had Matthews on mine a few years ago as a late round selection he has good size and  put up good numbers in the SEC. Dont forget most players come from the college ranks in the US.

[Militant X 1]

What the Ravens can learn from Super Bowl 49 is.....to get to and win the Super Bowl!

[AsianRice]

stay calm....

[Willbacker]

What the Ravens have learned. If you ain't cheating you ain't trying.

[codizzle]

Left with the thought that we desperately need to find the next Sizzle.. Great pass rusher/ elite run stopper and excellent dropping into the flat

Should see a lot more offenses follow suit to what patriots did all playoffs with their quick passing game

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

All I know is that Trestman and every offensive coach in the league should have been taking notes on what NOT to do on the goal line with Lynch in the backfield.

 

More than that, we know that you need receivers who can beat man coverage and/or creative scheming to get guys open. The Patriots used all sorts of route design to free guys like Edelman or Amendola. The Seahawks pretty much played straight forward and had nothing until Chris Matthews used his whole frame to catch that deep ball - good case for MVP had the Seahawks won.

 

The  patriots offensive schemes are crazy.Josh Mcdaniels is the Rex Ryan of OCs.

[Tiz]

Left with the thought that we desperately need to find the next Sizzle.. Great pass rusher/ elite run stopper and excellent dropping into the flat

Should see a lot more offenses follow suit to what patriots did all playoffs with their quick passing game

Secondary depth will help. New England forcing teams to go nickel puts secondary in bad spots

[JacktheRaven]

What did I learn? If Brady, Belichek & the Pats are the best of all time, The Ravens have a lot of hope. Am I being too cynical to say, that I'm not impressed with the pats at all?

[Tank 92]

What the Ravens can learn from Super Bowl 49 is.....to get to and win the Super Bowl!

It's all in the master plan Mili.......they want the 50th anniversary SB! You know how hard it is to go back to back. lol