Ravens have talent to win, but do they have chemistry to win?

[letitgosometimes]

The Ravens' shift to younger players is part of the evolving NFL that replaces players like new cellphone software releases.  Will the Ravens' talent overcome the lack of chemistry to win the division?  The answer will be revealed one play at a time, one game at a time.  Chemistry takes time and patience.      

Edited September 5, 2016 by letitgosometimes
missing "do"

[K-Dog]

It will come in time.

Few teams have solid chemistry in September. 

[RaineV1]

I think the chemistry on offense will be fine. Flacco already likes throwing to Wallace. Moore and Perriman are practically built for Flacco's strengths. And the line should be able to hold together fairly well.

On defense, we have Mosley, Suggs, and now Weddle to keep everyone on the same page and build chemistry.

[Militant X 1]

Personally, I love these few words from coach Harbaugh's interview.....

"We're either going to be good or we're not!  It's what we DO not what we SAY...we can talk about it all we want!"

 

[Maryland]

5 hours ago, letitgosometimes said:

The Ravens' shift to younger players is part of the evolving NFL that replaces players like new cellphone software releases.  Will the Ravens' talent overcome the lack of chemistry to win the division?  The answer will be revealed one play at a time, one game at a time.  Chemistry takes time and patience.      

Actually, as @Filmstudy has pointed out in some of his recent posts, the age of this team is at somewhat of a barbell distribution, with a lot of very young and a lot of very old players. Ravens players currently have an average age of 26.43 years, 27th in the league in average age (with #1 being the youngest).

The age of this team is actually old rather than young at a number of positions. I think the lack of middle-aged players might be the fallout from missing on too many draft picks from 3-4 years ago. Ideally you'd have a roster loaded with good starting talent on rookie deals, but missing on draft picks hurts this distribution. For example, if guys like Terrance Brooks, Matt Elam, Bernard Pierce, Taliaferro, Campanaro, our TEs, and/or our P/K returners had been successful, we would be younger at those positions and have a more even distribution of experience on our roster, creating a younger roster. However, to fill out the roster, the Ravens brought in veterans like Weddle (31), Forsett (30), Benjamin Watson (35), Devin Hester (33), and Steve Smith (37) to help patch holes in the roster that exist due to certain prospects not living up to expectations.

Edited September 5, 2016 by Maryland

[FlocksGottaFeed]

On 9/5/2016 at 4:31 AM, Maryland said:

Actually, as @Filmstudy has pointed out in some of his recent posts, the age of this team is at somewhat of a barbell distribution, with a lot of very young and a lot of very old players. Ravens players currently have an average age of 26.43 years, 27th in the league in average age (with #1 being the youngest).

The age of this team is actually old rather than young at a number of positions. I think the lack of middle-aged players might be the fallout from missing on too many draft picks from 3-4 years ago. Ideally you'd have a roster loaded with good starting talent on rookie deals, but missing on draft picks hurts this distribution. For example, if guys like Terrance Brooks, Matt Elam, Bernard Pierce, Taliaferro, Campanaro, our TEs, and/or our P/K returners had been successful, we would be younger at those positions and have a more even distribution of experience on our roster, creating a younger roster. However, to fill out the roster, the Ravens brought in veterans like Weddle (31), Forsett (30), Benjamin Watson (35), Devin Hester (33), and Steve Smith (37) to help patch holes in the roster that exist due to certain prospects not living up to expectations.

Very interesting...

Ravens starters in Super Bowl XLVII was 28.9, the 10th oldest lineup to play in the Super Bowl.

We're eerily close to the same team chemistry and make-up of our last Super Bowl team. I see it as a good sign.

[letitgosometimes]

Chemistry is developing with each game.  Ravens are moving as a unit in the right direction and maintaining momentum. 

[letitgosometimes]

Ryan Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2011, they know something about the importance of quarterback chemistry on the entire team's motivation.  It is time to change the chemistry of this team.  Mallett brings a different wrinkle to the offense and may be just the spark to ignite the offense.  Mallett is strong armed and healthy. Ravens must give Mallett a shot or suffer the consequences of ineptitude. Ravens' chemistry is dependent on leadership.  They are desperate for leadership.  Do not allow another week to pass without Mallett leading this team forward.  It is not about Joe's injury; it is about chemistry - a change is required.  Mallett will help the Ravens regain their signature.   

[Steve0x]

Thats up to professor Harbaugh to fix 

[letitgosometimes]

Harbs: Have all the players spell "Chemistry" before the game; they have synergy to prove on the gridiron.   Focus on swarming the football, blocking through opponents and playing smart penalty-free football.  Gain the momentum with team “pick-me-up” football.  Use the no-huddle offense to galvanize a two-minute game mentality.  Birds of feather stick together; it is time to fly in syncopated formation – with each player benefiting from another.      

[52liveforever]

Defensive chemistry is there. Offensive chemistry is nowhere close. 

[Maryland]

12 minutes ago, 52liveforever said:

Defensive chemistry is there. Offensive chemistry is nowhere close. 

In watching Ryan hook up with Julio on timed routes so reliably, it reinforces in my mind just how important it is for the QB and WRs to build chemistry. That's what you lose when Perriman doesn't have the preseason to practice with Joe. Hopefully more time together will get Perriman going. 

[letitgosometimes]

9 hours ago, Maryland said:

In watching Ryan hook up with Julio on timed routes so reliably, it reinforces in my mind just how important it is for the QB and WRs to build chemistry. That's what you lose when Perriman doesn't have the preseason to practice with Joe. Hopefully more time together will get Perriman going. 

Spot on MPB!

Edited November 5, 2016 by letitgosometimes
typo

[ravensnj]

We need to pick up the offensive pace. Run faster routes, and have Flacco hit the receiver in stride. Hopefully, past the first down marker. Waiting in the pocket every down to throw a bomb is killing us. Where's the bootleg? 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

5 minutes ago, ravensnj said:

We need to pick up the offensive pace. Run faster routes, and have Flacco hit the receiver in stride. Hopefully, past the first down marker. Waiting in the pocket every down to throw a bomb is killing us. Where's the bootleg? 

Agreed. We also need to rotate edge rushers on defense more and challenge our youngsters to get pressures, get sacks and just make plays. Whatever happened to those 'exotic' defensive pass rushing schemes that we ran at the end of our last AFC Championship game season? (Suggs and Doom lining-up over the center, 4 rushers lining-up on one side, CBs and Safeties middle blitzes, etc.) Is that suddenly against NFL rules? We need more creativity back.

[The Raven]

Hmm. Chemistry. I see little on the left side of the offensive line, due to the constant rotation there. That's problematic due to our scheme requiring linemen to be perfectly in unison. 

I see some chemistry between Joe and some receivers. He's got good chemistry with Perriman and Chris Moore. He hits them in stride frequently and just seems to have a good connection, if they could hold on to the ball dammit. Joe and Kamar definitely have chemistry, but Kamar is, well, physically limited.

On defense, we had brilliant chemistry on the back end, until the injuries started piling up. 

Injuries are just killing whatever chemistry we started this season with.

[January J]

11 hours ago, Maryland said:

In watching Ryan hook up with Julio on timed routes so reliably, it reinforces in my mind just how important it is for the QB and WRs to build chemistry. That's what you lose when Perriman doesn't have the preseason to practice with Joe. Hopefully more time together will get Perriman going. 

Not even just preseason he didnt have any of camp. Last year either. Some fans downplay it but thats a big deal. They've had strictly 7 games to figure each other out. That's basically it. Give it some time. I truly believe perrimans gonna be a true number 1 in the next few years.

[ravensnj]

39 minutes ago, FlocksGottaFeed said:

Agreed. We also need to rotate edge rushers on defense more and challenge our youngsters to get pressures, get sacks and just make plays. Whatever happened to those 'exotic' defensive pass rushing schemes that we ran at the end of our last AFC Championship game season? (Suggs and Doom lining-up over the center, 4 rushers lining-up on one side, CBs and Safeties middle blitzes, etc.) Is that suddenly against NFL rules? We need more creativity back.

Amen.

[KBoum]

On 2016-10-29 at 2:14 PM, letitgosometimes said:

Ryan Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2011, they know something about the importance of quarterback chemistry on the entire team's motivation.  It is time to change the chemistry of this team.  Mallett brings a different wrinkle to the offense and may be just the spark to ignite the offense.  Mallett is strong armed and healthy. Ravens must give Mallett a shot or suffer the consequences of ineptitude. Ravens' chemistry is dependent on leadership.  They are desperate for leadership.  Do not allow another week to pass without Mallett leading this team forward.  It is not about Joe's injury; it is about chemistry - a change is required.  Mallett will help the Ravens regain their signature.   

Is this dude serious ? Sorry I've been out of the boards for quite some time this is kinda funny

[letitgosometimes]

1 hour ago, ravensnj said:

We need to pick up the offensive pace. Run faster routes, and have Flacco hit the receiver in stride. Hopefully, past the first down marker. Waiting in the pocket every down to throw a bomb is killing us. Where's the bootleg? 

In stride and with pride - Joe needs to throw the leather on target.  When Joe's timing is on, he is gold.

[letitgosometimes]

35 minutes ago, KBoum said:

Is this dude serious ? Sorry I've been out of the boards for quite some time this is kinda funny

The Ravens must find a "match" to light a fire in the offense.  If a player is not one hundred per cent healthy, he is better on the sidelines.  The Ravens are at the nail biting stage of the season and need a solid quarterback to lead the offense.  If Joe is a go, great, if not, Mallett has beaten the Steelers and can do it again. The bottom line: everyone is replaceable; the team must move forward with their best talent available.

[flynismo]

2 hours ago, KBoum said:

Is this dude serious ? Sorry I've been out of the boards for quite some time this is kinda funny

You've been gone a while...but the more things change, the more they stay the same...

[ALPHA]

Sometimes chemistry comes down to believing in the system, coaches and players around you. once players stop believing they stop fighting and its over.

[Cillmatic]

On October 29, 2016 at 2:14 PM, letitgosometimes said:

Ryan Mallett was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2011, they know something about the importance of quarterback chemistry on the entire team's motivation.  It is time to change the chemistry of this team.  Mallett brings a different wrinkle to the offense and may be just the spark to ignite the offense.  Mallett is strong armed and healthy. Ravens must give Mallett a shot or suffer the consequences of ineptitude. Ravens' chemistry is dependent on leadership.  They are desperate for leadership.  Do not allow another week to pass without Mallett leading this team forward.  It is not about Joe's injury; it is about chemistry - a change is required.  Mallett will help the Ravens regain their signature.   

It's crazy that I missed this comment. This needs to go in the hall of fame.

[rmcjacket23]

18 hours ago, letitgosometimes said:

The Ravens must find a "match" to light a fire in the offense.  If a player is not one hundred per cent healthy, he is better on the sidelines.  The Ravens are at the nail biting stage of the season and need a solid quarterback to lead the offense.  If Joe is a go, great, if not, Mallett has beaten the Steelers and can do it again. The bottom line: everyone is replaceable; the team must move forward with their besTt talent available.

There isn't a single player on the roster who actually plays that is 100% healthy. Not one.

So under your logic, we MUST forfeit the game. We don't have enough 100% healthy players on the team to field a team. 

Just call the game off and move on.

Plus I think the whole "everybody is replaceable" myth got shattered to pieces a long time ago with countless examples of why this isn't true.

[RayRayRaven]

49 minutes ago, Cillmatic said:

It's crazy that I missed this comment. This needs to go in the hall of fame.

id like to see if mallet is shocked and rocked in the pocket.  flacco still isn't over his knee injury now his arm is hurt and hes under the td to int Mendoza line.  this poster is correct to give mallet a chance

[rmcjacket23]

16 minutes ago, RayRayRaven said:

id like to see if mallet is shocked and rocked in the pocket.  flacco still isn't over his knee injury now his arm is hurt and hes under the td to int Mendoza line.  this poster is correct to give mallet a chance

What, precisely, has Ryan Mallett done in his career or even recently to warrant EARNING a starting QB opportunity in the NFL?

He's not some charity case. He shouldn't be given anything.

[letitgosometimes]

Chemistry is what chemistry does - find it and do it.  Everyone in the NFL expects the Ravens to win today; the players must make the integration happen with smart football, execution, and penalty-free play.  Baltimore shines this afternoon with the right chemistry - slam home first place!

[ravensnj]

1 minute ago, letitgosometimes said:

Chemistry is what chemistry does - find it and do it.  Everyone in the NFL expects the Ravens to win today; the players must make the integration happen with smart football, execution, and penalty-free play.  Baltimore shines this afternoon with the right chemistry - slam home first place!

We need the players in the trenches to play hard for the entire 60 minutes to win this one. Make a strong pocket and protect Joe.

 

But, the way we have been playing, 4 Losses by a total of 19 pts, I don't expect a win, I expect a close game. 

 

Still fearful that our offensive misery will continue..... 

 

[ellicottraven]

On 9/4/2016 at 11:36 PM, Militant X 1 said:

Personally, I love these few words from coach Harbaugh's interview.....

"We're either going to be good or we're not!  It's what we DO not what we SAY...we can talk about it all we want!"

 

That sounds pretty clairvoyant but also says nothing to me!