Week 1 - Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos

[balfan23]

It was underthrown and could have easily been picked off had the defender been playing the ball. Joe was picked off the same way at the end of a game last year with the same pass.

The defender couldn't play the ball, He was beat and flailing. Yes, it was ever so slightly under thrown. Then blame the throw, not the approach of putting the ball over an LB into the hands of a 6'6" TE. 

[sflegend89]

It is so silly to be cheering for the Ravens one second and then trashing the team when they lose. True fans stick with the team through thick and thin. Disappointed, sure, but to get mean when the team loses? Where does that come from? Relax people, it is a long season. Encouragements, not disparagements is what makes fans and teams stick together as well as motivate players to try better next time. Do you think Harbaugh belittles his team after loses like this one? Of course not, he encourages them to get better. We should do the same.  

 

That's the way it typically goes on here. If SSS makes that catch or Flacco throws that ball another foot further in front of Gillmore the same fans trashing them in a loss would be praising them in a win. Football truly is a game of inches. The Suggs news stings but overall I feel good about where we stand in the AFC after this game. Our offense is only going to get better with more game reps together for the young guys and more continuity with Trestman, our defense is the best it's been in years. If you aren't excited about our defense after this game I don't know what to say, we made an explosive offense that will light people up this year look pedestrian. 

[Raven'evermore]

It is so silly to be cheering for the Ravens one second and then trashing the team when they lose. True fans stick with the team through thick and thin. Disappointed, sure, but to get mean when the team loses? Where does that come from? Relax people, it is a long season. Encouragements, not disparagements is what makes fans and teams stick together as well as motivate players to try better next time. Do you think Harbaugh belittles his team after loses like this one? Of course not, he encourages them to get better. We should do the same.  

 Absolutely. 

[Purple Nurple]

I'm more upset about losing sizzle than I am the game

[JoeyFlex5]

Trestman gave this game away. When we thew on 1st down, we ended up converting that set of downs into a 1st down 8/10 times. When we ran on 1st down, we only ended up with a first down on just 3/11 sets of downs. That reminded me of Cam Cameron, run on every 1st down, and let them tee off on Flacco on 2nd and 3rd and long.

just re-read that again... we threw on first down 10 times, we ran on first down 11 times, and you are saying we ran the ball on first down too much? nearly a 50/50 split in playcalling, for a run based offense, facing maybe the best pass rush/secondary combo in the league, with an injured LT.. think before you type.

[balfan23]

Sad news on Suggs, wish him a speedy recovery. Upshaw is next man up and am confident he will do a good job. 

Upshaw is a spectacular edge setter. One of the reasons why (along with an impressive performance by the interior) DEN RBs were pretty much running into a brick wall most of the game. 

 

He's just not what we need in terms of getting at the QB. We'll have no choice but to try to have him improve in that capacity. We need to be able to get pressure without blitzing all the time and losing Suggs greatly diminishes that capability.

 

We need help, but that kind of help doesn't grow on trees. It is not sitting around waiting for a place in an NFL starting line up. How many snaps are we now having to fill at OLB? A lot. We have very little options fill them. Upshaw will play more, but he'll need help, cause Dumervil can't stay on for every snap and be effective. Smith, McClellan. Ugh, it put a real monkey wrench in the plans. 

[Raven'evermore]

On a good note, we adjusted very well in the 2nd half.  Just couldn't get it in the end zone, but also went up against a great secondary.  Even better, kept Peyton from getting a touchdown.  Even if he is getting older, I think that says a lot. 

[RavensFootballFan]

Trestman gave this game away. When we thew on 1st down, we ended up converting that set of downs into a 1st down 8/10 times. When we ran on 1st down, we only ended up with a first down on just 3/11 sets of downs. That reminded me of Cam Cameron, run on every 1st down, and let them tee off on Flacco on 2nd and 3rd and long.

 

Not Trestman's fault. For one Denver's defense is one of the best, they were lights out today. Not Trestman's/Flacco's fault if there were not enough separations/below par pass protection today as Denver has two elite CBs just like our defense was lights out today with our top CBs. Just was not our day facing the way Denver's defense played today. Give Denver credit instead of trashing Trestman. The offense got schooled today, not all is lost, the offense can only get better with lessons learned today. We nearly won, we should not have to hang our heads and go around blaming whoever. We fought hard, till the end, it's all we can ask for, especially at Mile High. 

[K-Dog]

Most here predicted a loss anyway.

It was a better game than I expected.

[RavensFootballFan]

That's the way it typically goes on here. If SSS makes that catch or Flacco throws that ball another foot further in front of Gillmore the same fans trashing them in a loss would be praising them in a win. Football truly is a game of inches. The Suggs news stings but overall I feel good about where we stand in the AFC after this game. Our offense is only going to get better with more game reps together for the young guys and more continuity with Trestman, our defense is the best it's been in years. If you aren't excited about our defense after this game I don't know what to say, we made an explosive offense that will light people up this year look pedestrian. 

 

I agree. Am pretty proud how good our defense was against Manning. The offense will be fine in the long run. 

[allblackraven]

Upshaw is a spectacular edge setter. One of the reasons why (along with an impressive performance by the interior) DEN RBs were pretty much running into a brick wall most of the game. 

 

He's just not what we need in terms of getting at the QB. We'll have no choice but to try to have him improve in that capacity. We need to be able to get pressure without blitzing all the time and losing Suggs greatly diminishes that capability.

 

We need help, but that kind of help doesn't grow on trees. It is not sitting around waiting for a place in an NFL starting line up. How many snaps are we now having to fill at OLB? A lot. We have very little options fill them. Upshaw will play more, but he'll need help, cause Dumervil can't stay on for every snap and be effective. Smith, McClellan. Ugh, it put a real monkey wrench in the plans. 

Yeah, unless ZDS grows up in a hurry or Pees becomes outrageously creative we are going to miss Sizzle for that pressure big time.

Edited September 14, 2015 by allblackraven

[sflegend89]

Too bad Aldon Smith isn't still on the market... I would actually take a risk on him if he was

Edited September 14, 2015 by sflegend89

[allblackraven]

I agree. Am pretty proud how good our defense was against Manning. The offense will be fine in the long run. 

It was good effort on D but I'd like to see the same against some younger (and good) QBs.

[RavensBaltimore]

just re-read that again... we threw on first down 10 times, we ran on first down 11 times, and you are saying we ran the ball on first down too much? nearly a 50/50 split in playcalling, for a run based offense, facing maybe the best pass rush/secondary combo in the league, with an injured LT.. think before you type.

It wasn't really a 50/50 split in play calling. Taking out the 2 min drill, we passed on 5 first downs, with an 80% success rate, and we ran on 11 first downs, with a 27% success rate. We shouldn't run the ball just for the sake of being a run based offense. This offense has NEVER been good as a run first offense. Never. Not once. Flacco has been so much better in the playoffs because we have mostly put the ball in his hands and been aggressive from the start. That's when our offense is at its best. Being "run first" has always forced us to rely on our defense. It holds us back. Had we let Flacco throw some more high % passes on 1st down, we wouldn't have been in so many obvious passing situations on later downs, and they wouldn't have been able to tee off on him like they did.

[RavensFootballFan]

Upshaw is a spectacular edge setter. One of the reasons why (along with an impressive performance by the interior) DEN RBs were pretty much running into a brick wall most of the game. 

 

He's just not what we need in terms of getting at the QB. We'll have no choice but to try to have him improve in that capacity. We need to be able to get pressure without blitzing all the time and losing Suggs greatly diminishes that capability.

 

We need help, but that kind of help doesn't grow on trees. It is not sitting around waiting for a place in an NFL starting line up. How many snaps are we now having to fill at OLB? A lot. We have very little options fill them. Upshaw will play more, but he'll need help, cause Dumervil can't stay on for every snap and be effective. Smith, McClellan. Ugh, it put a real monkey wrench in the plans. 

 

Yes, I agree it is a major set back but I believe Upshaw and Pees will find a away. At least teams won't run against Upshaw cause like you said, hard to run through that wall of Upshaw. Pees will get creative with blitzes to make up for lost of Suggs till hopefully Upshaw proves he can get to QB. Upcoming Oakland game is perfect game for Upshaw and Pees to tinker on what will work or not without Suggs before we face tougher teams. After that, Bengals comes to Baltimore and we could be in first place at end Bengals game. 

[The Mom Gene]

Wow. The game was ours to take in the end.

I actually thought we were going to pull this one out....  Poor Suggs....  Poor Ravens Dee...

[RavensBaltimore]

Not Trestman's fault. For one Denver's defense is one of the best, they were lights out today. Not Trestman's/Flacco's fault if there were not enough separations/below par pass protection today as Denver has two elite CBs just like our defense was lights out today with our top CBs. Just was not our day facing the way Denver's defense played today. Give Denver credit instead of trashing Trestman. The offense got schooled today, not all is lost, the offense can only get better with lessons learned today. We nearly won, we should not have to hang our heads and go around blaming whoever. We fought hard, till the end, it's all we can ask for, especially at Mile High. 

When we threw on 1st down, we were able to get quick passes for positive yds, and we were less predictable on later downs. A big reason why they couldn't protect Joe is because we kept getting stuffed on 1st down, and then they pressed our receivers came after us on all the 2nd and 3rd and longs. It wasn't working. It was the same thing killing us over and over, and we should've made adjustments sooner. Again, we were successful 80% of the time when we threw on 1st down. 4/5 before the 2 min drill, and 4/5 during the 2 min drill.

[JoeyFlex5]

It wasn't really a 50/50 split in play calling. Taking out the 2 min drill, we passed on 5 first downs, with an 80% success rate, and we ran on 11 first downs, with a 27% success rate. We shouldn't run the ball just for the sake of being a run based offense. This offense has NEVER been good as a run first offense. Never. Not once. Flacco has been so much better in the playoffs because we have mostly put the ball in his hands and been aggressive from the start. That's when our offense is at its best. Being "run first" has always forced us to rely on our defense. It holds us back. Had we let Flacco throw some more high % passes on 1st down, we wouldn't have been in so many obvious passing situations on later downs, and they wouldn't have been able to tee off on him like they did.

for starters, there is no such thing as a high percentage throw with the wr corps we are fielding. 

 

also, where are you getting this idea that we are only successful as a pass heavy offense? we have had MOMENTS where we excelled as a pass heavy team, like in the playoffs when our OL was playing lights out and we had a complete group of wrs. lets just disregard the scrap heap of wr's we are fielding right now and look at our history... it is well known that our offense has ALWAYS played at its best with a balanced attack, and if the run isnt working, then the pass game probably wont work either.

[salamander]

I actually thought we were going to pull this one out....  Poor Suggs....  Poor Ravens Dee...

Yup, really felt calmly confident that we had a good chance to eek out a win in that last drive. Almost pulled it off. Feel a lot worse about the loss of Suggs than the loss of the game.

[RavensFootballFan]

When we threw on 1st down, we were able to get quick passes for positive yds, and we were less predictable on later downs. A big reason why they couldn't protect Joe is because we kept getting stuffed on 1st down, and then they pressed our receivers came after us on all the 2nd and 3rd and longs. It wasn't working. It was the same thing killing us over and over, and we should've made adjustments sooner. Again, we were successful 80% of the time when we threw on 1st down. 4/5 before the 2 min drill, and 4/5 during the 2 min drill.

 

I understand what you are getting at but if we kept on passing on first down, then that would end up being predictable eventually. I think the Ravens did a good job mixing pass and running plays on 1st down. Problem was not play calling, it was our offensive line was not able to open up holes and move their defense around to give our running backs a chance on most running plays. I think today we passed on first down more than usual. Trestman tried to mix it up, the rest is up to the linemen, Denver's defense was just too good today, just was not our day on offense is all. Trestman will correct any lessons learned today and get better. 

[RavensBaltimore]

for starters, there is no such thing as a high percentage throw with the wr corps we are fielding. 

 

also, where are you getting this idea that we are only successful as a pass heavy offense? we have had MOMENTS where we excelled as a pass heavy team, like in the playoffs when our OL was playing lights out and we had a complete group of wrs. lets just disregard the scrap heap of wr's we are fielding right now and look at our history... it is well known that our offense has ALWAYS played at its best with a balanced attack, and if the run isnt working, then the pass game probably wont work either.

No such thing as high percentage throws? Even before the 2 min. drill, Flacco was 5/5 on 1st down attempts, with 3 of those 5 going for at least 7 yds. 100% seems like a high pct. to me. That's why we were successful so often when we threw on 1st down. We got positive yds, which makes us less predictable on later downs, so they can't just pin their ears back and come after Joe.

 

I don't think our offense would have been great today no matter what, but running the ball on almost every 1st down repeatedly put us in bad situations and made it easy on their defense. We had much more success when we threw on 1st down, so we should have done that more often. It's not about being run or pass heavy, or balanced. It's about doing what works best in each situation.

[RavensBaltimore]

I understand what you are getting at but if we kept on passing on first down, then that would end up being predictable eventually. I think the Ravens did a good job mixing pass and running plays on 1st down. Problem was not play calling, it was our offensive line was not able to open up holes and move their defense around to give our running backs a chance on most running plays. I think today we passed on first down more than usual. Trestman tried to mix it up, the rest is up to the linemen, Denver's defense was just too good today, just was not our day on offense is all. Trestman will correct any lessons learned today and get better. 

I really hope Trestman does make adjustments after today. Also, I was not suggesting that we pass on every 1st down, but, before the 2 min drill, we had 11 rushing attempts and only 5 passing attempts on 1st down. Flacco was 5/5 on those 1st down attempts, for 3, 4, 7, 7, and 9 yds. Those positive gains led to less predictable 2nd and 3rd downs, and since the Broncos weren't stopping us when we threw on 1st down, we should have done it much more often. As bad as our O-line and receivers played, we actually had something that worked the few times we tried it, but we chose to go away from it, until we had no choice in our final drive.

[RavensFootballFan]

I really hope Trestman does make adjustments after today. Also, I was not suggesting that we pass on every 1st down, but, before the 2 min drill, we had 11 rushing attempts and only 5 passing attempts on 1st down. Flacco was 5/5 on those 1st down attempts, for 3, 4, 7, 7, and 9 yds. Those positive gains led to less predictable 2nd and 3rd downs, and since the Broncos weren't stopping us when we threw on 1st down, we should have done it much more often. As bad as our O-line and receivers played, we actually had something that worked the few times we tried it, but we chose to go away from it, until we had no choice in our final drive.

 

Maybe this game will be the start of Trestman passing a little more often on first down. The offensive line had a meltdown today. Had they opened holes today, we likely would not have needed that last drive to try to win. Most teams are pass happy on first down when far behind, the Ravens did not need to reach for the panic button till the last drive. While there were more passes in final drive, the blocking also got better in the final drive. 

Edited September 14, 2015 by RavensFootballFan

[Ravensfansince03]

I did, lol.   I think we will get another one before this game is over too!

 

it was you!

[bmorpizzy20]

I think we got use Camp more underneath, we gotta get that ball out of Flacco hands quicker and get those LBs out the box. I like Kubiak's offense from last year but I think Trestman has to add his personal touch on the offense.