[News] Late For Work 9/26: 9 Takeaways, Including Jalen Ramsey-Steve Smith Feud And Ravens Atop AFC North

[BR News]

A 5-0 start not out of question for Ravens. Credit Ravens’ ‘great’ defense for best start in seven years. Ravens have an identity: they know how to win. Justin Tucker worth every penny of contract. Good sign for Terrell Suggs. Is C.J. Mosley headed for another Pro Bowl season? Something is wrong with Ravens run game.

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[Dorota]

That's a good comeback from Steve Smith Sr! I laughed.

As to Tucker, I've drafted him for my FF team 3rd year in a row. And with my talent benching scoring RBs (Jeremy Hill and LeSean McCoy this week) in favor of guys who don't get to the endzone, Tucker has got me some ugly wins too. Might be this week as well, since with 15 points he's my best scoring player on the active roster.

[BMORE = BEASTING]

Testman needs to go!

[BMORE = BEASTING]

We are playing a team this weekend with 200% more wins than our past three opponents combined. Stop with turnovers!

[bvotie]

Before this game I wished the trade deal on draft night to get Ramsey worked out. Now, especially after looking at his choice of words, I don't think he would have fit into the mold of "Plan Like a Raven". I totally understand players being emotional, but that was straight disrespectful - to The Mr. Smith of all people. You are a rookie talking to a potential HOFer, on a team that's 0-3, and you just lost.

Too afraid to talk to his face, yet calls him out inside the locker room... I think we all get that because I wouldn't say it to his face either. Show some class, show some respect. 3-0 vs 0-3. Win vs Loss. 16.3 years vs 0.3 years. All-Pro vs. Hasn't Even Been Here Long Enough to be Considered (let alone done it). #RespectThat

[krnraven]

Can we stop with Flacco is Elite crap? How many TDs and picks did he throw this past Sunday?
Trestman is the fault for our run game woes resorting to sweeps and outside pitches to get yards. Opponents will start keying in on this. Next entire practice should be dedicated to running the ball inside. full pads day. Bring back the zone stretch!!

[RavenLunatic]

I need to see the media start talking about Trestman. It is as if they are purposely
avoiding the topic. The bottom line is that his offense does not look prepared going into games. There is very little adjustment, in-game. And the overall production is pedestrian. With all the weapons we have, we should be averaging over 300 yards/game and at least 3 TDs. Average.

[BMORE = BEASTING]

I need to see the media start talking about Trestman. It is as if they are purposely
avoiding the topic. The bottom line is that his offense does not look prepared going into games. There is very little adjustment, in-game. And the overall production is pedestrian. With all the weapons we have, we should be averaging over 300 yards/game and at least 3 TDs. Average.

Agreed!

[BMORE = BEASTING]

Can we stop with Flacco is Elite crap? How many TDs and picks did he throw this past Sunday?
Trestman is the fault for our run game woes resorting to sweeps and outside pitches to get yards. Opponents will start keying in on this. Next entire practice should be dedicated to running the ball inside. full pads day. Bring back the zone stretch!!

Agreed!

[fusuymada]

I have said from day 1 that Trestman got here that he does not know how to call a game that actually utilizes a run game. No where he has every been has he done that. He has always been a pass first, backs out of the backfield and tight end pass play type of play caller. This isn't going to change. Then to add more misery, they change the run scheme by mixing in other types of run schemes and even some of the O-Lineman were quoted as saying that we are running a bunch of different schemes trying to figure out which one works best. The thing that I think really stands out to me is that Harbaugh is going to stand up and say we dont need a preseason. Here we are going into week 4, our QB has barely thrown to the receivers he has and it is obvious, we are still messing around with the run game to "SEE" what works, passes are thrown where routes aren't being run but yet we don't need a preseason. I love Harbaugh but he could not be further from wrong in making that statement. Obviously practicing against ourselves didn't help the receivers, the running backs, the quarterback or the OC, but we don't need a preseason. People get injured, it happens in every game, you have to build a team that has depth in the NFL now and you just can't ignore preseason whether you like it or not.

[TheRavengers]

LOL @ Ramsey trying to talk down to Steve Smith of all people. That's funny to me.

[drillem]

Coaching means a lot. The one year Kubiak was here we saw the difference. The run game was excellent. Could it be Trestman is not or man?

[A Fish Called Yanda]

I have said from day 1 that Trestman got here that he does not know how to call a game that actually utilizes a run game. No where he has every been has he done that. He has always been a pass first, backs out of the backfield and tight end pass play type of play caller. This isn't going to change. Then to add more misery, they change the run scheme by mixing in other types of run schemes and even some of the O-Lineman were quoted as saying that we are running a bunch of different schemes trying to figure out which one works best. The thing that I think really stands out to me is that Harbaugh is going to stand up and say we dont need a preseason. Here we are going into week 4, our QB has barely thrown to the receivers he has and it is obvious, we are still messing around with the run game to "SEE" what works, passes are thrown where routes aren't being run but yet we don't need a preseason. I love Harbaugh but he could not be further from wrong in making that statement. Obviously practicing against ourselves didn't help the receivers, the running backs, the quarterback or the OC, but we don't need a preseason. People get injured, it happens in every game, you have to build a team that has depth in the NFL now and you just can't ignore preseason whether you like it or not.

I'm still wondering how much the banning of chop blocking is affecting the Ravens. If you asked me - I'd say its having a massive effect. ZBS relies so heavily on chop blocking to set up the run, and we've been running that for years. I don't think it's as simple as "Trestman sucks at calling run plays" that so many of us fans seem to believe.

[RaRaRavens]

"SOMETHING Wrong With Ravens Run Game"?! Are you freaking kidding me?! It's a very specific someone that is behind the faults and his name is Mark Trestman.

Our run game will NEVER be consistently effective until Trestman is calling our offense. The speed at which he abandons run game is astonishing and the predictability of his run calls, as rarely as they do come, is pathetic.

I'm sure we'll have one or two games where the run game works and I'm sure the media will immediately start praising the return of the run game. But the fact of the matter is that once we start facing some real defenses who shut down our passing game and pressure the QB, we'll be lucky to score 3 points if Trestman is calling plays.

[RaRaRavens]

Also what bothers me about Trestman is that he always talked about how he is going to keep Kubiak's system that obviously suited Flacco very well. Overly simplified, Kubiaks system was I-form/lead blocker run game + play action passing game. I think I've seen the I-form less than 10 times this season.

Fact of the matter is, Trestman has flat out abandoned Kubiak's system that worked wonders and installed his own abomination that rarely runs the balls, run calls are unimaginative and predictable and play action passes are forced in without any running game whatsoever.

I'm seriously afraid of the tail end of our season because, that joke of a game plan will get us shut out once we're facing defenses who have a clue of what they're doing.

So sick and tired of watching another offense with pro bowl caliber players getting washed up because of a shh OC.

[dhartm2]

I can only hope the reason Timmy Jernigan's name is absent from this article is that he's got a solo post coming up later today. Dude has been balling and is a standout on what looks to be a good defense.

[potomacpitbulls]

As bad as the running game was the first two weeks, I thought they would give Buck Allen a shot this weekend. With him inactive for a third straight week, I wonder what he did to get in to Harb's dreaded doghouse?

[reed20fence]

We don't run the ball well because we don't honestly care about running the ball well. If the majority of your run plays are out of the shotgun and a basic run behind the guard or a sweep where every single defender is standing there watching the entire play develop, you really think it's that hard to stop? They've been defending basic runs like that since their peewee days.

Comparing our commitment to the run game (and I don't blame Trestman, it's a philosophical choice by the team) during Kubiak and after Kubiak is a joke. Kubiak's offense by its very design produces 1,000 yard rushers, and works the passing game out of run plays.

Right now the only function we envision for running the ball, as a franchise, is to: (1) keep a defense balanced and (2) run the clock if we're winning at the end of the game.

That is all. And we're 3-0 despite a non-existent run game.

[respecttheRaven]

It's not just Trestman and his play calls. Trestman basically used Kubiaks offense last year, but I am pretty sure that he has implemented his own starting this year.  Kelechi Osemele  is a HUGE missing link this year, not to mention that Zutta has been playing horribly!! You know something is not right when Yanda has already gotten 4 penalties against him. Is there something wrong with our running game? Yes, there sure is, but IMO it's not just play calling. Just remember what a BEAST K.O was.....he is scary good!!!  

[TheConquerorWorm]

Can we stop with Flacco is Elite crap? How many TDs and picks did he throw this past Sunday?
Trestman is the fault for our run game woes resorting to sweeps and outside pitches to get yards. Opponents will start keying in on this. Next entire practice should be dedicated to running the ball inside. full pads day. Bring back the zone stretch!!

What's wrong with the Ravens running game is that their running backs are slow, plodders. There's no speed, no explosiveness, no elusiveness. Forsett & West are solid "jack of all trades" RB's but master of none and they were getting caught from behind in the hole, not making people miss, etc. Zone stretch + slow RB = Fail!

Also, Buffalo has a Top 10 defense this year and the Jags have an excellent run stuffing defense. We got so far behind in CLE, that there was no run game. Let's see what we do against Oakland who has one of the worst run defenses.

The O-line is just coming together. You have 2 rookies starting! Add in the mediocre play of Zuttah and the unusual struggles of Yanda and it's no wonder the run game is struggling.

I personally thought that Trestman called a great game. Jax was clearly playing the deep ball and taking Mike Wallace out of the picture. Telvin & Posluszny had the run game locked down. So, the Ravens adjusted to what worked - running play action and attacking the soft areas in the zone. Joe did an excellent job executing (21 straight!).

You do what you have to do to win the game. Cleveland has a Top 5 Rushing offense - rather be them?

[creigle]

If you look at the picture of Smith in Ramseys face, I don't fault Ramsey too much. The game was over, so should be the trash talking. What happens on the field should be over once 0:00 is on the clock in the 4th quarter. If the roles were reversed I would be happy that our guy didn't take the bait after the game and get into a fight that would end with a fine and or suspension.

Then he only answered the reporters questions when asked....yes he may have gone a bit over board with the old man reference.....but if the roles were reversed, I'd rather a Raven not get into a fight and only answer the questions.

Smith had a hell of a game and was a very important part of the win, he uses his game attitude to get himself in game mood, and that's fine with me. But he didn't need to get into Ramseys face after the game.

[rmcjacket23]

Can we stop with Flacco is Elite crap? How many TDs and picks did he throw this past Sunday?
Trestman is the fault for our run game woes resorting to sweeps and outside pitches to get yards. Opponents will start keying in on this. Next entire practice should be dedicated to running the ball inside. full pads day. Bring back the zone stretch!!

The good news is... TDs and INTs aren't what makes a QB "elite".

Like Flacco or not, he was easily one of, if not the, best offensive player on the field yesterday for the Ravens.

[harfordravenfan]

1 hour ago, A Fish Called Yanda said:

I'm still wondering how much the banning of chop blocking is affecting the Ravens. If you asked me - I'd say its having a massive effect. ZBS relies so heavily on chop blocking to set up the run, and we've been running that for years. I don't think it's as simple as "Trestman sucks at calling run plays" that so many of us fans seem to believe.

Agreed, seems no matter how many times it's said... It still falls on deaf ears

Edited September 26, 2016 by harfordravenfan

[krnraven]

Umm... TD/ INT ratio does matter. It matters a lot, especially when you call someone elite. Defense and Tucker balied him out again. Now, I like Joe and he's good. Best QB we ever had. But he's not not elite. not even close. Next thing you will tell me is Shareece is elite lol

And the banning chop blocking is not the reason. Look at the Broncos offense humming right along with a 7th round pick QB.

I see plenty of our run plays where just the design of the run play is horrible. Dixon will not be able to change that.

[ryananth]

Along with Suggs' achilles, Steve Smith's seems to hold up pretty well too. Smith was even prepared to go twelve rounds after the game!!

[ryananth]

Let's not have any more 5-0 talk until we get to 4-0

[Flamengo1265]

It was good to see Zachary Orr making some plays. If he and CJ stay healthy our ILB situation will be good. Even Correa made a couple of plays. D-line looked good when they dialed up the pass rush. The least impressive things? The running game and Breshad Perriman.....he looks like an alligator on in-routes.

[Ultimanick]

Our running game does suck. But I did notice ALEX LEWIS getting benched for Ryan Jensen. Maybe we start to see John Urshel back as well.
Did anyone else notice Terrance West running better with Jensen in the game?

[RavenLunatic]

It's not just Trestman and his play calls. Trestman basically used Kubiaks offense last year, but I am pretty sure that he has implemented his own starting this year.  Kelechi Osemele  is a HUGE missing link this year, not to mention that Zutta has been playing horribly!! You know something is not right when Yanda has already gotten 4 penalties against him. Is there something wrong with our running game? Yes, there sure is, but IMO it's not just play calling. Just remember what a BEAST K.O was.....he is scary good!!!  

A good OC puts his players in a position to excel. You don't make it to the NFL if your not a good player. The team is not a well oiled machine on offense. With all the talent we have, it should be.

Plenty of other teams, with less talent are better.

JAX has the 16th ranked defense and we looked horrible.

yesterday:
Perriman, 2 receptions for 22 yards
Wallace, 3 for 34 years

That's over 10 yards/reception. Yet the Ravens could only muster 5 catches between the 2 of them?

Granted Smith and Pitta combined for 14/127

For an OC with a pass happy reputation, he sure doesn't impress me.
Flacco 29/40 for 214. 2 INTs, no TDs

PEDESTRIAN

[ellicottraven]

The running game not playing well and Yanda and Zuttah not playing well is not a coincidence imo. The O-line is going to get better as will the run game with the return of Dixon. The passing game will get better when the chemistry and timing between Flacco and his receivers improves with time. It'll be after the 5th game that we can expect this team to be firing on most cylinders. We want them to be firing on all cylinders come playoff time! Go Ravens.