[News] Late For Work 10/21: Joe Flacco Isn't The One Who Has Regressed

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Trade requests changing. The difference between 2014 and 2015 Ravens defenses. Williams vs. Ngata.

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[Bat-mite]

Some teams make the decision to sacrifice defense in order to build a superior offense. Others, like the traditional Ravens, built a superior defense at the cost of offense. And some try to have a good offense and defense, but neither is off the charts.

 

I think the Ravens this year were looking to be the third kind of team-good offense and good defense. But on the offense, Perriman didn't work out, Pitta isn't ready to play, and now Smith Sr is dinged up.

 

On defense, we lost Suggs and Webb, and our secondary never really got to where it needs to be. So instead of good O/good D, we have become mediocre O/mediocre D. And mediocre teams won't win very many games.

Edited October 21, 2015 by Bat-mite

[iluvpurple]

I am thinking there is enough EVERYWHERE on this existing team to improve, it is not just one player..... At this point in time with having a 1-5 record, perhaps there is a higher element of stress, and needing to be better that is backfiring for most of the players. They kind of need to just go out and play like they know they always have, remove the pressure, and just have "fun", if you want to term it that way, no more pressure-cooker games......

And that picture of Justin Forsett with his babies, is an award winner for sure!! What a beautiful pic!!

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Like the vid says - there's not a lot of talent!!

Shame on Harbs and Oz for not recognizing this because it was extremely apparent to a lot of us fans!

[The Greek]

hope we trade some vets for draft picks.

[Ravenshine]

I am thinking there is enough EVERYWHERE on this existing team to improve, it is not just one player..... At this point in time with having a 1-5 record, perhaps there is a higher element of stress, and needing to be better that is backfiring for most of the players. They kind of need to just go out and play like they know they always have, remove the pressure, and just have "fun", if you want to term it that way, no more pressure-cooker games......

And that picture of Justin Forsett with his babies, is an award winner for sure!! What a beautiful pic!!

Yeah, loosening up will definitely help them. When I watch games I don't see a team that doesn't care, I see a team trying hard and a bit tense looking. Understandable considering only one win thus far. It puts everyone in a sense of urgency. But they should do the opposite in a way, and as you say, find "fun" in the challenge and to get a win. It's interesting to me as we are all debating this team...and they head to Phoenix to play Monday which is symbolic of THE Phoenix, the mythical bird that dies and rises from its ashes in rebirth. A complete transformation and 180 turn of direction. That's what this team needs, a rebirth. And leaving the past dead and in the past.

[objective view]

Not sure I would call it regression BUT, Flacco is not picking up wide open receivers, he looks to SSS then dumps the ball off and on many many occasions there are MULTIPLE receivers running wide open! Joe has never really been good at running his progressions but Kubes worked with him to read on the drop back, seems like he has forgotten those lessons.

[RaRaRavens]

With the way the players on this team have performed so far, who do we have to send to the Pro Bowl?! Yanda, of course. Probably Williams. Questionably SSS, some other WR-s just might outperform him by the end of the year. Doubtfully Koch, cause I'm afraid he'll get snubbed again. And that's that. Which says a lot about individual performances as well.

[surfdude]

What's up with the NFL screwing the Ravens with the schedule lately ? This year its brutal and last year their were weeks that were tough as well. Seems like the Patriots , Steelers and others have more friendly schedules. Don't get it ............ back out WEST once again.

The schedule this year has been in my opinion the #1 thing as to why we stink. Teams like to have the home games early rather than late. Things are just more comfortable and easier to get in a groove early and then take it onto the road. Ravens haven't been able to get into groove traveling and playing in hustle environments. Not cool NFL not cool at all.

[jravens13]

Flacco is the same old Flacco. We just learned more about him this year, and what he needs around him to be a winner. He needs a competent defense, a good coordinator, good o line, and weapons to throw to (AKA Veteran WR's since we can not develop WR's). The Hensley article is misguided, but I agree with some of his points.

[The Mom Gene]

Kyle Arrington wasn't benched... he was hurt...

[trevorsteadman]

Flacco has missed receivers and that is partially because of his offensive line not giving him enough time and receivers struggle to get open consistently. This leads to him throwing off his back foot and making terrible decisions. Trying to track where all other 21 players on the field are when he has to make a decision in under 3 seconds is ridiculous. Our offensive line was superb with Kubiak here and now it is middle of the pack if not lower. My question is why is it now bad again like 2013? I'm still wondering if Kubiak's zone scheme overlapped on Castillo's scheme... And now with Trestman here in a slightly different offense we are seeing it cave in. I still don't understand how a team who was ahead of the superbowl champions last year in the playoffs until the final minutes is now 1-5 with no huge loss in talent over the offseason... Losing Suggs hurts but I don't think it would hurt the defense that much...

[Godfather A]

Flacco is currently on a pace for 4275 passing yards. His completion percentage is the highest it has been since 2010. His yards per throw is less than half a yard lower than his career average. While there have been some bad plays, overall he is not statistically a lot different than he has been in the past.

[ryananth]

I don't trust those pressure and sack stats. It's not a true comparison. We're blitzing a whole lot more than last year. We are getting the same pressure this year but using more people to rush the qb.

[Ravensfansince03]

Our front office should just stop signing free agent DB's almost all of the big name ones they have signed since Harbaugh cut BErnard Pollard have been huge dissapointments. First it was Michael Huff

[Ravensfansince03]

I don't trust those pressure and sack stats. It's not a true comparison. We're blitzing a whole lot more than last year. We are getting the same pressure this year but using more people to rush the qb.

 

We have a mediocre D-line AT BEST, even with Dumervil. I've never seen this team have such a weak D-line

[Ravensfansince03]

hope we trade some vets for draft picks.

 

Great, give away more of our vets so that this team will be in an even bigger hole smh.

[Purple Dawg 96]

Numbers don't Lie people do I mean make "EXCUSES"! I refuse to believe that Joe can't find no other WR but Triple " S " but he is finding Defensive player's wide open! Lost by 5pts and he gave them 6pts on "TURNOVERS"!

[ryananth]

We need to ID the clown in the NFL office who keeps doing the Ravens wrong. We rarely get a prime time home game. 5 road games out of the first 7 of the season is ridiculous. Especially with two west coast back-to-back trips of those 5. Hopefully Bisciotti has asked for details of the home and away schedule making process.

[Ravensfansince03]

I cant lie, trading Steve Smith to a team that actually has a good chance to make it deep in the play-offs is a good idea. Solely because it is sad that Steve Smith has to be around this sorry excuse of a team we have this season.

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

"Flacco has proven he can lead a team deep into the playoffs and even to a Super Bowl title when given the right weapons." Absolute key sentence here. Flacco is this year what I have always thought he was, an above average/good QB. As much as people think they are cap/money analysts by criticizing Flacco's salary, that is just the going rate for an above average/good QB who can win games in the right situation. When too many weapons are taken away PARTICULARLY DEEP threats to match Flacco's strength (BIG ARM), it shows his glaring weaknesses. Unfortunately, this year the Ravens just don't have the extra 'it' factor in any phase of the game. There are no Jacoby splash plays on special teams, not enough defensive stops, turnovers, or TD's, and no over the top explosive offensive plays other than wearing out SSS again before the 2nd half of the year. The fact the all the games were so close says to me that they are not terrible (as in never getting blown out). However, those 1 or 2 plays in any of the phase of the game that was there last year are clearly missing and making the Ravens a Bad/Below average team.

Edited October 21, 2015 by RavensFanThick&Thin

[Ravensfansince03]

How many times will Flacco go to the podium after a sorry game and say "i made a stupid pass" etc before he STOPS MAKING STUPID PASSES!

[callahan09]

"In the past 16 years, just 2 NFL teams have opened a season w/ 5 of their first 7 games on the road: 2000 Ravens & 2015 Ravens"

Just ridiculous. I said when the schedule was unveiled that it was unfair, but nobody agreed. I still think it's unfair. No excuse for our record, but it's obvious that between this schedule and our injuries we've had a lot riding against us to start the year, unfortunately.

[steelcityraven]

What DB has played well since Pees got here? Has anyone defensive player found success since Pee Got here? I can think a very few? McPhee seemed to play well under Pees..(albeit inconsistent) Suggs did (but he is TZSizzle). Mosley had a great Rookie year but inconsistent this season. BWllliams has played very well but that may be due to his super high talent level also. Dumervil but has also struggled this season. So basically two...Sizzle and BWilliams.... Maybe Doom? No a single DB has played well since Pees got here and very few others! (in other words... it seems to me that the superstar will continue to play at a high level bc they are superstars.. but if you are not one of the elite superstars in this league.. you will struggle in DPees Defense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ravens4life86]

This is great news... Just read Pitta article. Ive been saying it all year, let the man play since he wants to. Istill dont have faith in this team but if Pitta is 70% of his old self with Smith Sr... The other TEs I have more faith they can turn this season around to a. 500 record

[757RavensFan]

Constantly throwing INTs off your back foot is regression in my book.  An 8 year season vet shouldn't still do this.  At least not as often as Flacco has this year. 

Edited October 21, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[January J]

We have a mediocre D-line AT BEST, even with Dumervil. I've never seen this team have such a weak D-line

are you kidding me? Our d line is probably the biggest strength of this team and our run defense is top notch. Suggs going down obviously hurt things a bit but if we can add a young dominant passs rusher in the offseason we have the peices in place to have one of the strongest d lines in the league.

[757RavensFan]

"In the past 16 years, just 2 NFL teams have opened a season w/ 5 of their first 7 games on the road: 2000 Ravens & 2015 Ravens" Just ridiculous. I said when the schedule was unveiled that it was unfair, but nobody agreed. I still think it's unfair. No excuse for our record, but it's obvious that between this schedule and our injuries we've had a lot riding against us to start the year, unfortunately.

 

Did you complain about all of the home games towards the end the season? "IF" we were in the playoff hunt around week 10, all the home games on the back end of the schedule would be a HUGE advantage for us. 

Edited October 21, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[trevorsteadman]

Flacco is currently on a pace for 4275 passing yards. His completion percentage is the highest it has been since 2010. His yards per throw is less than half a yard lower than his career average. While there have been some bad plays, overall he is not statistically a lot different than he has been in the past.

Just think of all those dropped touchdown passes this season... I count at least 8 or 9... Receivers need to catch those. I remember looking at something that said that Flacco had 1300+ yards that could have been since 2011 before this season that were from dropped passes. That does not include yards after the catch. Flacco is not the problem. 

Edited October 21, 2015 by trevorsteadman

[salamander]

I really hope that the Ravens FO made their displeasure with the schedule known loud and clear with the NFL. The Ravens surely have significant other issues but 5 out of 7 games away to start the season is an inexcusable and unacceptable extra hurdle no team should have to overcome. You can bet the farm that the favored Pats would not have been handed a schedule with the disadvantage of 5 out of 7 away games, including multiple tough west coast trips.

Edited October 21, 2015 by salamander