[News] Justin Forsett, Terrance West Want To Lead Better Run Game In Cleveland

[BR News]

The Ravens are still working through who their lead tailback will be, and Sunday’s game against the Browns may be a good measuring stick. The Ravens have had success running against Cleveland in years past. It’s a homecoming, of sorts, for West.

View the full article

[dirtybird66]

to me having a feature back allows for continuity between a back and the O-LINE.theres also new rules where you have to really have stronger,mauling lineman and we don't,i wish the RAVENS would of picked CONNER MCGOVERN the strongest o-lineman in the draft and atleast inserted him on running plays.rotate like every other position.

[griffrb]

I believe our offensive Achilles is with the OC play-calling and its commitment to the run game, and the linemen itself - they don't believe in the OC who talks run game but passes 66% of the time. Trestman inspires no confidence. He was a safe hire from a stability/continuity standpoint (who else would hire him?) and forced to learn our offense, and is almost a carbon copy of Cam Cameron. Jets had 123 yards rushing on 36 attempts against the same focused defense last night. Let's see how this turns out this season. Go Ravens!

[fusuymada]

I believe our offensive Achilles is with the OC play-calling and its commitment to the run game, and the linemen itself - they don't believe in the OC who talks run game but passes 66% of the time. Trestman inspires no confidence. He was a safe hire from a stability/continuity standpoint (who else would hire him?) and forced to learn our offense, and is almost a carbon copy of Cam Cameron. Jets had 123 yards rushing on 36 attempts against the same focused defense last night. Let's see how this turns out this season. Go Ravens!

I think our O-Line is suspect. I know I sound like a broken record but there has been constant criticism of Castillo, not only from fans, but from the media as well. He has one good year with Kubiak in 2014 and it seemed like all his failures from when he first got here til now were forgotten with that one year. I am not now nor was I ever sold on him. With the new rules governing blocking, the zone blocking scheme is virtually obsolete, but he still teaches it and it is still failing us.

The only way to keep McCown from having one of his usual days against us is to be able to run and keep him off the field. If we can keep the Browns from gaining any sort of continuity or momentum we will be fine, but I made the Cam Cameron comparison earlier in the week as well and we are traveling down that same path again.

[billiejean]

to me having a feature back allows for continuity between a back and the O-LINE.theres also new rules where you have to really have stronger,mauling lineman and we don't,i wish the RAVENS would of picked CONNER MCGOVERN the strongest o-lineman in the draft and atleast inserted him on running plays.rotate like every other position.

So switching a back doesn't allow continuity between a back and the OL but swiching OGs is fine? Everytime you put the guy in the D would know it is a run. I am not familiar with the new rules that you speak of. What are they?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I believe our offensive Achilles is with the OC play-calling and its commitment to the run game, and the linemen itself - they don't believe in the OC who talks run game but passes 66% of the time. Trestman inspires no confidence. He was a safe hire from a stability/continuity standpoint (who else would hire him?) and forced to learn our offense, and is almost a carbon copy of Cam Cameron. Jets had 123 yards rushing on 36 attempts against the same focused defense last night. Let's see how this turns out this season. Go Ravens!

You do realize that the Jets getting 123 yards rushing on 36 carries is pretty much identical to our rushing performance if the volume of carries were equal. We ran 22 times for 73 yds i believe. 3.3 ypc. At that same clip, on 36 carries we wouldve had 118 yds rushing. A 5 yard difference.

Throw in the fact that nearly 1/3 of our carries came in the 4th qtr when we were trying to run out the clock in obvious run situations against stacked boxes, and its reasonable to assume that if we had the volume the Jets had more evenly dispersed across 4 quarters, we may have even had a better day running the ball.

Btw, the biggest complaint on Cam Cameron was his over commitment to the run game. Run on 1st and 2nd down, pass on 3rd and long, with the occasional PA long pass for good measure. We're talking about a guy who attempted to use Anquan Boldin in his prime as a deep threat. Trestman under utilizes the run game, and focuses a lot on the short passing game. In fact, he did a lot of pass on 1st and 2nd down, and then a shot gun run on 3rd and long.

That couldnt be more polar opposite to Cam Cameron.

[eze17]

We need Trestman to be more committed to the run, especially more than 15 carries over three quarters, than to have a definite featured back. And I don't understand Trestman's remark that "we need to see more of the backs" before deciding if one should get more playing time. Wasn't that why we had training camp and pre season games for? The second game into the season and you still haven't made up your mind? I know Forsett didn't play much, but West looked really sharp, and before the injury Dixon seemed like the real deal. Based on that, i'd let West carry the rock at least a dozen times in the first half, and put Forsett in as needed, wether to give West a breather if he's doing good, or subbing him out if he's not gaining decent yardage. Come on man, running the football isn't that complicated as they are making it seem...unless of course you really just want to be a pass happy offense, which Trestman seems to like.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

  44 minutes ago, griffrb said:

I believe our offensive Achilles is with the OC play-calling and its commitment to the run game, and the linemen itself - they don't believe in the OC who talks run game but passes 66% of the time. Trestman inspires no confidence. He was a safe hire from a stability/continuity standpoint (who else would hire him?) and forced to learn our offense, and is almost a carbon copy of Cam Cameron. Jets had 123 yards rushing on 36 attempts against the same focused defense last night. Let's see how this turns out this season. Go Ravens!

I think our O-Line is suspect. I know I sound like a broken record but there has been constant criticism of Castillo, not only from fans, but from the media as well. He has one good year with Kubiak in 2014 and it seemed like all his failures from when he first got here til now were forgotten with that one year. I am not now nor was I ever sold on him. With the new rules governing blocking, the zone blocking scheme is virtually obsolete, but he still teaches it and it is still failing us.

The only way to keep McCown from having one of his usual days against us is to be able to run and keep him off the field. If we can keep the Browns from gaining any sort of continuity or momentum we will be fine, but I made the Cam Cameron comparison earlier in the week as well and we are traveling down that same path again.

When, other than 2013 when we were starting Gino Gradkowski and AQ Shipley... probably THE WORST C/G tandem in the history of football.... has there been criticism of Castillo - let alone constant criticism?

He came in right before the 2012 playoffs to coach our line, and the improvement there was probably the single largest factor in our offense turning around. More than firing Cam Cameron and hiring Jim Caldwell. Flacco having ample protection is what allowed him to go on his historic run. Castillo likely had a sizeable hand in our 2012 SB run and win.

Yea, in 2013 the OL was awful and people wanted to blame Castillo, but now with the evidence of just how down right awful Gino and AQ were/are - it's tough to blame Castillo when that year was but a blip on an otherwise lengthy career of developing great lineman, and his units having success.

2014 we had personnel and had a dominant OL again. Kubes had a hand in that for sure, but Castillo is the one who had to teach and implement Kubiaks zone blocking scheme.

And in 2015, again, we were starting Hurst at LT and Urschel/Jensen at LG/C after Zuttah was IR'ed and KO swung to LT. Thats an UDFA LT and a 2nd year guy playing for the first time ever at C, and later overseeing the transition of KO to LT for his first time and Urschel switching from LG --> C. Plus the bevy of injuries at QB and RB, its tough to blame all the offensive struggles on the line.

Let's give 2016 some time before writing this off. Castillo is now overseeing a line thats starting two rookies on the left side. And they look really good! A mid-round former tackle starting day 1 at guard.... yet Castillo cant coach??

He's overseen the development of KO, Wagner, Urschel, Jensen, Stanley and Lewis... all effective starters or quality depth; and guided the further development of Yanda who went from very good RG to unanimous, hands down best guard in football since Castillo got here.

Yea... but the guy is just terrible.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

  1 hour ago, dirtybird66 said:

to me having a feature back allows for continuity between a back and the O-LINE.theres also new rules where you have to really have stronger,mauling lineman and we don't,i wish the RAVENS would of picked CONNER MCGOVERN the strongest o-lineman in the draft and atleast inserted him on running plays.rotate like every other position.

So switching a back doesn't allow continuity between a back and the OL but swiching OGs is fine? Everytime you put the guy in the D would know it is a run. I am not familiar with the new rules that you speak of. What are they?

No more cut blocking... which was the primary block used on the backside of zone runs. Now that you cant do that anymore it does effect zone blocking schemes to a degree....

But the whole switching guards idea -- yea i agree with you there. Doesnt make sense at all.

And not being able to cut block doesnt render zone blocking useless. It's not like its the guys on D chasing the play down from the back side that stop stretch zone runs for losses. If you can properly block up front and just slow the backside guys down you can still use it to great effect.

It just requires better communication, technique and understanding - which is going to take a little bit of time with two rookies starting on the left side.

[stixfix69]

On offense, just go deep, we got the guys to do so....:)

[Crusader]

That's up to your offensive line and play calls runningbacks. Same issues we had the last three years.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Should be a statement game for West. There is plenty of motivation for him to get up for this one. A) Earn a bigger role in the running game B) Show Cleveland fans they were wrong to part ways with him C) Be a key to winning the game with a strong performance D) hit the end zone for the first time this regular season.

That being said Forsett and Allen are not going to lay down either.

[The Greek]

end of the season state of the ravens top 2 points of empahsis were to improve the running game and the pass rush. at the end of the season we shall see if those 2 areas were improved. so far after 1 game the pass rush is leading the running game. rb by committee is not the best solution. i feel a back needs consecutive reps to get into a rhythm. this is what happens when you do not play your starters more than one series in the preseason. i bet we draft a rb within the top 3 rds next year and hopefully it is jamal lewis 2.0. we need a bruiser that wears down defenses. wish taliaferro would stay healthy so we could see what this guy can do on a regular basis. o-line needs to blow guys off the ball and open the running lanes. 

Edited September 16, 2016 by The Greek

[January J]

1 hour ago, Ravenous_Ravens said:

Should be a statement game for West. There is plenty of motivation for him to get up for this one. A) Earn a bigger role in the running game Show Cleveland fans they were wrong to part ways with him C) Be a key to winning the game with a strong performance D) hit the end zone for the first time this regular season.

That being said Forsett and Allen are not going to lay down either.

Exactly. I think he punches the ball down Cleveland's throat all day long.

[MayIBeFrank]

I have West and Forsett in Fantasy and am thinking of playing both over Jeremy Hill, who's going up against the Still Curtain. I'm not sure though.

[Ravenshine]

Good. Looking forward to seeing a more established run game this Sunday as well as racking up more 7pt drives. I'm excited!!!

[purpledown]

love our running game this year , will get better when Dixon gets back.

[Fastynart]

Well, the good news is that it won't take much to have a better running game than that pathetic excuse for one we saw against Buffalo. The bad news is the same line who failed to open holes for our backs are in there again this week. Besides the nonexistent running game, they are going to get Joe killed. What is the matter with Pees? If his quarterback has no time, no pocket, and no protection, why not have him misdirecting and rolling out instead of staying put and getting hammered? Is it just me folks?

[20306cab]

Well, the good news is that it won't take much to have a better running game than that pathetic excuse for one we saw against Buffalo. The bad news is the same line who failed to open holes for our backs are in there again this week. Besides the nonexistent running game, they are going to get Joe killed. What is the matter with Pees? If his quarterback has no time, no pocket, and no protection, why not have him misdirecting and rolling out instead of staying put and getting hammered? Is it just me folks?

Trestman? I've seen many a game where the offense was a lot more pathetic than last week. They DO have a QB, RB and two WRs coming off serious injuries. As well as a TE who hasn't played in two years and a couple rookies protecting Joe's blindside. Let's face it, you're not going to get much more than that out of average Joe. 250 yards, 1 TD, no turnovers, (although he gets credit for a fumble, that was not his fault) and no jump balls turned into another pick six, thank God. Let's see how they do with a little more playing time together. It would be great, if they could put another 50 or so yards up on the ground. They DID show some improvement as the game wore on. Ran it in the fourth quarter, when the Bills knew they were going to run.

[Purple Dawg 96]

The pass opens up the run! This is not rocket science so coach I'm sorry but there is a magic formula! Smh you hit them up and open up there Defense it will leave "GAPEING HOLES" but if a Defense don't respect your passing game the run will suffer severely and then the finger pointing calling out certain players for no reason at all when the whole plan is whack or is the QB whack?! We pass more than we ran against the bills last week but where are the points?! Passing win games not the run big ben breaking records left and right opening up holes for his RB hitting up Antonio Brown down field and what are we doing oh that's rite we want to run the ball to be successful smh let me be a WR then and get that "FREE" money and watch them run into a brick wall constantly! Everyone got the memo Baltimore wants to run and they are waiting so OPEN IT UP! 278 passing isn't enough in this league! PERIOD! I liked the RBs performance last week what I wanted to see was more and more strikes down field that 300 plus Joe is whom I fell in Love with now he got the job locked we don't get that anymore it's run run run the boat gently down the field! Smh

[dirtybird66]

with the new rule changes on running plays,the RAVENS should have drafted stronger guys in the run game,like CONNER MCGOVERN types,they didn't,but KUBIAK did,huh,what does he know? or me for that matter as i tried to ask them before draft day to look at some strong slobberknockers.now we got two guys that are far better at pass protection,i also asked for DREW BREES when he became availible,i also told them to never give a RB. a big money contract before the RAY RICE signing.but what do fans know? i know this will never happen either,but i'm going on record to rotate guys in on the O-LINE that can run block better on first down,just like every other position,the right tool for the job.

[dirtybird66]

The pass opens up the run! This is not rocket science so coach I'm sorry but there is a magic formula! Smh you hit them up and open up there Defense it will leave "GAPEING HOLES" but if a Defense don't respect your passing game the run will suffer severely and then the finger pointing calling out certain players for no reason at all when the whole plan is whack or is the QB whack?! We pass more than we ran against the bills last week but where are the points?! Passing win games not the run big ben breaking records left and right opening up holes for his RB hitting up Antonio Brown down field and what are we doing oh that's rite we want to run the ball to be successful smh let me be a WR then and get that "FREE" money and watch them run into a brick wall constantly! Everyone got the memo Baltimore wants to run and they are waiting so OPEN IT UP! 278 passing isn't enough in this league! PERIOD! I liked the RBs performance last week what I wanted to see was more and more strikes down field that 300 plus Joe is whom I fell in Love with now he got the job locked we don't get that anymore it's run run run the boat gently down the field! Smh

also i looked around at the hardest possible offense to defend and it's the spread offense with the power run game,QB. in the shotgun with quick release passing,crossing patterns,slants,funny,just what PITTSBURG is doing this year.

[dirtybird66]

The pass opens up the run! This is not rocket science so coach I'm sorry but there is a magic formula! Smh you hit them up and open up there Defense it will leave "GAPEING HOLES" but if a Defense don't respect your passing game the run will suffer severely and then the finger pointing calling out certain players for no reason at all when the whole plan is whack or is the QB whack?! We pass more than we ran against the bills last week but where are the points?! Passing win games not the run big ben breaking records left and right opening up holes for his RB hitting up Antonio Brown down field and what are we doing oh that's rite we want to run the ball to be successful smh let me be a WR then and get that "FREE" money and watch them run into a brick wall constantly! Everyone got the memo Baltimore wants to run and they are waiting so OPEN IT UP! 278 passing isn't enough in this league! PERIOD! I liked the RBs performance last week what I wanted to see was more and more strikes down field that 300 plus Joe is whom I fell in Love with now he got the job locked we don't get that anymore it's run run run the boat gently down the field! Smh

also to your point,it spreads the defense and opens up the running game,trestman said we would go to a quick release passing game,but i didn't see it sunday.

[dirtybird66]

I researched the hardest offense to defend and it's the spread offense power run,it puts the QB. in the shotgun most of the time with quick release crossing routes and slants which also to the point allows big holes on run plays,pass sets up the run,theres more to it,but puts the most pressure on a defense and helps out the O-LINE as they don't have to hold protection as long and stops defenses from wedge blocks,doubling up on lineman.huh,looks alot like what PITTSBURG is running.