[News] What Has To Change For Ravens Defense To Finish?

[sharkh20]

This all feels like when out offense sucked and everyone was like, it isn't the coordinator, the players just aren't executing! Well guess what, it was the coordinator, just as it is the coordinator this time. Dean has been squandering talent for too long. Please, for the love of god, find somebody else. Preferably someone who doesn't scheme like a kittycat.

[KidNme]

It's funny, if "I" were playing for the Ravens, I don't believe I would need anyone to lift my spirits in order to play this game. If you love it, play like you mean it. If you're in it for the paycheck, go to the NBA, I don;t want you.

We don't NEED a ray Lewis in the locker room, we just need players who want to play. If you REALLY want to play, (or keep your job as a coach) you work tirelessly to hone your craft. You move salt shakers around during dinner, figuring out plays and schemes that will best use the talent you have to beat the next team coming up. You watch every calorie and carb you eat, get your rest and eat your veggies and wake up every day to start your workout routine. Game film is the only thing that's on your TV or cell phone from training camp through the playoffs and you analyze the man that's going to be in front of you next week and figure out how to exploit his weaknesses and if he has none, you better plug in more workouts and game tape. Anything short of that is NOT playing like a Raven and is a slap in the face to the rest of your team and to your fans. Know your job and do it like you mean it and I've got no problem with you. Coaches and players alike....If you think you're a star or something special and don;t need to put in the work, you can go to NE.

[bigcatfrank1]

Anyone see 38 year old Manning rollout and deliver a TD pass knowing that LB never got touched on the opposite side. He saw, watched his line move right, rolled right and put the ball on the mark.

heck Flacco could run for the first down every 3rd and 3 if they would just use some darn play calling. Roll out !!! Give Joe some movement and options

[rmcjacket23]

This all feels like when out offense sucked and everyone was like, it isn't the coordinator, the players just aren't executing! Well guess what, it was the coordinator, just as it is the coordinator this time. Dean has been squandering talent for too long. Please, for the love of god, find somebody else. Preferably someone who doesn't scheme like a kittycat.

So what was the problem in 2013? The personnel or the coordinator?

[Crusader]

John not surrounding himself with yes men. He purged this team now you see what kind of team he strives for. Well he got it. Ozzie also needs to do some sole searching.

[Crusader]

John purging all the players he did not like i.e Ray crew. Now he has ALL his personnel . How's that working?

[rmcjacket23]

 

So what was the problem in 2013? The personnel or the coordinator? It was the purge of players 

John did not like and wanted his type of player now you see it this year.

 

That was in reference to the offense. There was no offensive purge.

 

The whole Harbaugh mutiny thing has been debunked as a fan myth several years ago.

[Ravensbest52]

Here's an idea, how bout you activate a guy you just picked up to provide a pass rush! I dont think it would be that hard to send in a guy on third down and tell him to go get the qb smdh. Whats there to learn seriously, I'm a firm believer that Pees needs to go at the end of the season. Its almost to the point where as a fan you hope that we dont make the playoffs cause if we do, they keep him smh. But go ravens either way

[MYTH420]

The last 2 weeks? This has been going on for 2 and a half years. I'd fire Pees now and send a message. But it won't happen unless it comes from Ozzie or Steve, because Harbaugh doesn't have the balls.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

A new DC

[jbcissom]

I took a lot of flack for this several months ago, but the Ravens (more specifically Ozzie) is reaping what they sowed. Suggs should have been cut or restructured to keep McPhee and/or Ngata. Instead, Ozzie let McPhee walk (which he happens to be the only bright spot for the Chicago Bears pretty much... the guy made captain his first year there for crying out loud); and he sent Ngata packing, and all he is doing is making plays for the Detroit Lions. Just like other secondaries and how the Pittsburg defense used to be, the Ravens defense is getting too long in the tooth. Build around Mosley, and do it fast.

[AZRaven520]

Hopefully somebody was watching and listening to Ray on MNF.. Get more physical on defense and jam up those receivers. It makes everybodys job harder when the WRs run free.

[Baller MD]

As I said on another article, we can talk about how bad the defense has been all day long (especially during attempts to get a critical stop late in games); however, the offense is just as much at fault.

Why does it seem our offense only comes to life after the 2nd half or only when we're down by double digits? The fact that we can consistently come back from these double digit deficits says we have the capability to score but we're being too conservative on offense to start games. This is the NFL. You can't keep showing up for only half the game and expect to win. Trestman, Flacco and company need to do a better job of sustaining drives and scoring throughout the game. This will no doubt take some pressure off the defense. I guarantee they'll have something left in the tank for those late stops. But what do you expect when the D has had to basically set up camp on the field during most of the game? Furthermore, the D wouldn't have to make a stop no how if we could actually win decisively for a change.

And this pattern of slow starts has been going on since we won the SB; however, it's only now being exposed because key defensive (and offensive) players are gone. We have hardly any play-makers to compensate for the slow starts. SSS obviously can't do it by himself.

[Baller MD]

Hopefully somebody was watching and listening to Ray on MNF.. Get more physical on defense and jam up those receivers. It makes everybodys job harder when the WRs run free.

 

I know right!  Ray Ray was pretty pissed and is embarrassed watching these soft defenses, in particular he was pissed watching that Ravens game and seeing his once feared D get manhandled.  He said hey, if the refs are gonna make the call anyway, give them a reason.  Play like a Raven dang it!  Embarrassing. 

[AZRaven520]

I know right! Ray Ray was pretty pissed and is embarrassed watching these soft defenses, in particular he was pissed watching that Ravens game and seeing his once feared D get manhandled. He said hey, if the refs are gonna make the call anyway, give them a reason. Play like a Raven dang it! Embarrassing.

Yeah.. I can imagine the locker room version of those TV seconds would be epic..

Edited September 29, 2015 by AZRaven520

[Underdogsontop!]

Fire Dean Pees and PLEASE!!!! bring in RAY LEWIS as our new DC! He'd fire up the whole team, coaches and fans......

[BigUgly]

The defense's issue is either personnel, scheme, or technique. The first is on Ozzie, the rest is on coaching. Since Ozzie is infallible (in the eyes of ownership) it falls on Pees to take the lions-share of the responsibility. The scheme has to generate pressure on the quarterback, put defenders in the right place to make plays, and be adjusted when ineffective. Players need to understand the scheme and not be lost when it comes time to understand their responsibilities. They also need to have proper positioning in coverage and MAKE A TACKLE. yes, those are player responsibilities, but when failure in technique is this consistent, that has to fall on coaching. This defense has been quietly suspect since 2012, and now its flaws are evident for all to see.

[Derrel]

Jimmy Smith is embarrassed! So much for our 'shutdown' CB.

[Crusader]

One thing Ozzie needs to do a better job selecting draft picks. Like I said 2013 draft is killing the Ravens.Second the defense coaching staff got too conformable but it has been slipping away for years.

[Crusader]

Again, since Edd Reed left there is no one, not players or coaches with the experience in this area. They should have brought Edd back one year to teach these guys the position. I got Neg a lot but now you see why. I almost threw up when I heard Cory  Graham left. Depending on Ozzie this team will not make the playoffs for the next three years.

[Prino61]

We have way too much talent on this defense to be getting beat like this. That tells me 1 or 3 things, we lack leadership, a good gameplan or a combination of both, in this case i think its a combination of both. We need to fire Pees ASAP(hire a more aggressive D.C) and bring in some veteran leadership

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Is Babin suiting up this week? Or are we just paying him to stand on the sideline?

[heycuf]

Where are the true Ravens?This isn't the Ravens defense.RIP "Organized Chaos".Gone but not forgotten.We can't tackle,don't know the defensive schemes,can't get to the QB.Even in Ed Reeds old age(that's what ya'll called him)he can do better than this.I know Sizzle is a Bad Man,but c'mon man!?!?He's one guy.So everybody else decides not to play because he's out.As far as offense,you might as well kept Torrey Smith.Thank you Steve Smith Sr.for not letting us look too bad.As far as the rest of the receivers,bench them and play all three tight ends.I thought Marlon Brown,Whaller and Aiken would take advantage of this opportunity but I guess not.

[Drew P]

I recall 2 years ago when Arthur Brown actually took the field he was used on third down in blitzing situations.I know he sucks in coverage but who doesn't on the Ravens? They should bring him in for A gap pressure on passing downs.. nothing else is working.

[RavenManiac#7]

To be honest, holding leads late in the game has been a problem for a while now. I remember hearing Harbaugh say something to the effect that he'd like to see our defense put up a stop to win a game because we hadn't done it about eight years or so. Now, I realize that he was speaking while he was frustrated and that he was exaggerating, but the mere fact that he said that indicates that it's been an ongoing problem for quite a while, that it is Not just a recent problem that has crept up on us. Our defense has just slowly gone into a steady decline. Pees is Not helping, is Not the answer, doesn't Have the answer, and is a Big part of the problem in my opinion. I just don't think we're going to see very much of an improvement as long as he's here. He's gotta go. No doubt. If only Harbs could figure that out.

[RavenManiac#7]

Fire Dean Pees and PLEASE!!!! bring in RAY LEWIS as our new DC! He'd fire up the whole team, coaches and fans......

I'm pretty sure he doesn't want the job. And even if he could be talked into it, I don't think Harbaugh's ego would allow it to happen. That's a shame because I would absolutely LOVE to see it happen.

[RavenManiac#7]

As I said on another article, we can talk about how bad the defense has been all day long (especially during attempts to get a critical stop late in games); however, the offense is just as much at fault. Why does it seem our offense only comes to life after the 2nd half or only when we're down by double digits? The fact that we can consistently come back from these double digit deficits says we have the capability to score but we're being too conservative on offense to start games. This is the NFL. You can't keep showing up for only half the game and expect to win. Trestman, Flacco and company need to do a better job of sustaining drives and scoring throughout the game. This will no doubt take some pressure off the defense. I guarantee they'll have something left in the tank for those late stops. But what do you expect when the D has had to basically set up camp on the field during most of the game? Furthermore, the D wouldn't have to make a stop no how if we could actually win decisively for a change. And this pattern of slow starts has been going on since we won the SB; however, it's only now being exposed because key defensive (and offensive) players are gone. We have hardly any play-makers to compensate for the slow starts. SSS obviously can't do it by himself.

I've been saying this for a long, long time now. Our offense is notorious for starting so slowly. Very rare is the game that our offense shows up ready to play. It's been an ongoing problem that's needed to be fixed for a long time. Pees needs to be fired and I'm talking like immediately. Trestman is extremely suspect himself. I think he was a bad hire. I know he's not interested in the job, but the best thing that could happen for our defense is for Ray lewis to take over as our Defensive Coordinator. And Ed Reed should take over as our defensive secondary coach, and I think he just might be Interested in taking that job. What a dream scenario that is. Ray Lewis, Defensive Coordinator, Ed Reed, Secondary Coach. I think we would actually see immediate results. If nothing else, I guarantee you'd see our intensity level sky rocket immediately. Of course, we all know that Harbaugh's ego would get in the way of that happening. What a pity. Just curious, if our choice was between Ray & Ed, or Harbs, how many of you think we would, or should, be in the market for a new HC? Again, just curious if, indeed, that choice presented itself.

[Underdogsontop!]

I'm pretty sure he doesn't want the job. And even if he could be talked into it, I don't think Harbaugh's ego would allow it to happen. That's a shame because I would absolutely LOVE to see it happen.

Yeah I know..... Just wanted to say it even though the chances of that are slim.

[PurpleDoc]

Pees needs to go!! A major Problem is in 4th quarter, if we manage to have a lead, D starts playing conservatively - worthless "prevent defense" which prevents nothing. They put 3 guys up front and 8 drop back to cover passes. Incredibly, despite 8 guys downfield, opponents still complete pass after pass, march downfield and score. What is wrong with this scenario. Agree with everyone else stating our O plays only half a game; waking up in the 2nd half. If they do play a game where they look alive in the 1st half, they fall asleep in the 2nd half. Flacco stands there and just looks around; how about showing some leadership on the field like Manning or Brady.

[RavenManiac#7]

we have lost good position coaches on both sides of the ball and they were replaced with coaches that are either not as good teachers or they are integrating their own style and techniques that are not working. does new england ever lose coaches. brady has been blessed to be in the same offense his whole nfl career and runs that offense on his own because he knows it from front to back. flacco has had 4 off coord.. would be nice to have continuity

Continuity would be nice, IF we had the RIGHT coaches, which I do not believe we have. Pees has been here a while and his defense has done nothing but regress. On offense, you might have a point, But, the only good OC we've had was a one year rental, Kubiak. I don't believe Trestman is the answer. Just look at his track record. The thing he's been most consistent at is getting fired. It happened so many times he was going to retire. I heard him say that myself. People on here point out that our success has forced us to draft from way down in each round, but how much of an excuse is that, really, when we see the Cheatriots and the Steelers doing the same thing and their combined record right now is 5-1. Someone on here pointed out that our players are really not That bad or we would be getting blown out. We haven't been, and that's important because I agree with that poster that that indicates our problems lie in coaching and execution. I just honestly believe that our coaching staff is not a good one. The execution problem is not just the players' fault. Sure, it is to Some extent, but the coaches have to take some responsibility for that as well. It's their job to get the most out of their players, and I suggest to you that isn't happening. The coaching staff is poor, we have a leadership void, and I'm afraid that we are showing signs of developing a loser's mentality. It's past time for Harbaugh to fire Pees, have a Serious sit-down with Trestman, put him on a short leash, and either get the position coaches to improve or get them gone. This team needs a Serious shake up before it's too late if, in fact, it isn't already. Harbaugh, just remember this; you're all warm and fuzzy with Bisciotti right now, but how long do you think that is going to last before you, yourself, starts feeling your seat getting noticeably warmer? I really think it's time for you to act and send a SERIOUS message that resounds through this entire team, players And coaches.