Constructive Suggestions to Improve Now

[Moderator 3]

We have 9 more games to go and, frankly, I don't want to see a repeat of yesterday.  So, skipping the fire this guy and cut/bench that one, what can we do NOW to put a better product on the field?

Will getting some of our injured players back help enough?  Will we even get them back?

I'd like to consider this in a business-like way.  Do we need better "tools" or do we just need to use the ones we have better?  If the former, how do we acquire them (keeping in mind cap restrictions)? If the later, how do we do that?

For example: do we need better WRs or do we just need to find and use the strengths of the ones we have.  How?

 

(And please, for the love of all we hold holy, leave thoughts of cutting/benching Flacco out of this.  If you have a constructive suggestion on how he can improve, I'm all ears, but I've heard enough "he sucks" and everything he does wrong. I want to know how to fix it.)

 

[codizzle]

Penalties need to be addressed. I feel like that is something that obviously can be addressed with the current team backups or not. 

 

[Moderator 3]

1 minute ago, codizzle said:

Penalties need to be addressed. I feel like that is something that obviously can be addressed with the current team backups or not. 

 

But how? Many of them are from poor technique, but practices are so limited that there's little time to work on technique.  Should we take 30 minutes of practice time each day to focus on that? 

[Glen1024]

My opinion the talent is there but they need to find their identity on offense again. The last 2 off seasons with tressman at the helm the offensive identity has been in flux with a pass first love the shotgun coordinator instead off running first and pushing the ball downfield in the passing game.

Injured players coming back will help obviously but what would help more is to joe back playing from under center more bringing back the balance we've had before

[GrimCoconut]

First, I think we need to stop moving away from the run. You have to stay at it and keep trying even when it doesn't work because we saw yesterday that while the Jets didn't succeed early against our run defense, they eventually broke it and got yards. That's how it goes in the run game. You need to keep at it, and we frankly abandon it too much and too early. It needs to stop because it's putting too much pressure on the OL  and Joe Flacco and even the WR. Once the run game is gone, the defense can predict we're passing and it becomes easy. I think we need to throw more 2TE sets with Waller and Pitta to beat linebackers (although having Revis on Pitta didn't help) and have some sets where we have two RB in the backfield having both West and Allen back there where one's the receiving RB and the other is the runner. It'll give Joe a checkdown option (Allen), and give him the option to hand-off to a better runner in West (not as good of hands). 

Second, I think we need to go for more interior pressure through the A-gap. Our interior DL is our strength, and we aren't getting it done on the edges so go for the interior A gap using Brandon Williams to open the hole for a linebacker like Correa who gets washed out when touched. I'm not talking about a full-on blitz, but sending a LB up the middle would help. I think when Wright returns, he should be focused on using the sideline and put a safety on top of him to get the inside route should the WR motion inside because Wright can't defend the inside. 

[Tank 92]

The only chance we have is to fix the O line. If we don't get Stanley and Yanda back and keep them healthy we're done. And I think there has to be a better option at center. Zuttah has reached a new low and it is debilitating. 

[Inqui]

I wonder if the Saints would be interested in swinging a trade for Max Unger in the same way we traded for Monroe. If you think things can't get any worse, just see what's going on over there - and their QB looks likely to sod off after this season, commencing a full-blown rebuild. And if we landed Unger that'd address a HUGE part of our offensive struggles single-handedly.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

4 minutes ago, Inqui said:

I wonder if the Saints would be interested in swinging a trade for Max Unger in the same way we traded for Monroe. If you think things can't get any worse, just see what's going on over there - and their QB looks likely to sod off after this season, commencing a full-blown rebuild. And if we landed Unger that'd address a HUGE part of our offensive struggles single-handedly.

I'd give a second rounder.... No questions asked. We suck at drafting those anyway. 

[MTRavensFan]

Wow. Can the team please hire @GrimCoconut in any capacity whatsoever?  All excellent ideas.

Beyond that, two weeks of ice and ibuprofen should do wonders for Flacco's throwing shoulder. Accuracy should improve with rest.

[Inqui]

8 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

I'd give a second rounder.... No questions asked. We suck at drafting those anyway. 

I haven't been following the draft class this year much (so correct me if I'm wrong) but it looks like C is pretty meh this year, especially compared to other positions. And the less said about this coming FA group, the better. Assuming the Packers lock up Tretter (which is the Packers way) AQ Shipley will be a top five player at that position on the market. Let that sink in for a minute.

[MTRavensFan]

12 minutes ago, Inqui said:

I haven't been following the draft class this year much (so correct me if I'm wrong) but it looks like C is pretty meh this year, especially compared to other positions. And the less said about this coming FA group, the better. Assuming the Packers lock up Tretter (which is the Packers way) AQ Shipley will be a top five player at that position on the market. Let that sink in for a minute.

Amen. On a playoff team, no less.

[Wildabeast88]

43 minutes ago, Moderator 3 said:

But how? Many of them are from poor technique, but practices are so limited that there's little time to work on technique.  Should we take 30 minutes of practice time each day to focus on that? 

Penalties are huge a lot of them are lack of discipline. Offsides, false start, illegal formations. Also the delay of game penalties are awful. We need to hold the players accountable for the bone head penalties like that. The holding, block in the back, illegal contacts, and to an extent the PI calls are generally poor technique which is on the position coaches, lineman keep your shuffle and keep your hands inside the shoulder pads. CBs need to know you can't sneeze near a WR with out it being a flag Maybe our WRs like every other team should ask for flags on CBs for PI, just saying. From a coaching side the play calling in the red zone throwing a bunch when we were balanced to get there and the taking points off the board to go for 4&goals has cost us games.

[pep_meister]

I don't want Max Unger. He will come here and have 2 hip injuries, turf toe, a torn achilees, a torn bicep, narcolepsy and an mcl/acl/plc injuryno thanks

 

wasn't monroe and stanley known for being reliable and never being injured until they came here?

Edited October 25, 2016 by pep_meister

[Inqui]

5 minutes ago, MTRavensFan said:

Amen. On a playoff team, no less.

As bad as Zuttah is, he could genuinely be the best option until the 2017-18 offseason at least if we don't trade for someone. That's really not a nice thought.

[MTRavensFan]

9 minutes ago, Inqui said:

As bad as Zuttah is, he could genuinely be the best option until the 2017-18 offseason at least if we don't trade for someone. That's really not a nice thought.

I know. I said it after the SB, the player we would miss most was Matt Birk, more than Lewis, Reed, or Boldin. I keep hoping Urschel will grow into that role, but it hasn't happened yet. 

[gtalk12]

I wish we would not go away from the run as quick as we do. Also, we need to figure out what is wrong with the route running, there was a replay of a 3rd down we failed to convert and it showed all 3 of our WR's going deep in a straight line...Am I the only one who has a an issue with that play calling? Where are the bunch formations? cross routes? play action passing? where is all the things we use to do?

 

I feel like a better play calling scheme to help adjust the fact Flacco has to throw the ball quicker and sticking to the run would go a long way. Open the playbook up...

 

Nothing we can really say about the defense, they are doing a great job in my opinion. Any fumble recovery or INT just drop straight down just in case lol

Edited October 25, 2016 by gtalk12

[Moderator 3]

I'm seeing some good stuff here, thanks.  Let's save the draft talk for the Draft Forum, though. That doesn't help us NOW.

[Ravensfan23]

Unfortunately I think in order to improve a couple of players have to be benched. 

I personally think we could use some better tools but don't think it's needed. When i go back and watch the games to break down what actually happened, this team isn't far off being a really good team. I know it's hard to believe but it's not. There are a few plays here and there that if Flacco has just a split second more, it's a TD instead of a poor throw or a 40 yard completion. So that's where i'll start. 

I find it hard to believe that his offensive line will not improve with the return of Stanley and Yanda. Stanley has held up well at LT and Yanda is well Yanda. Getting Stanley back moves Lewis, who is doing his best but isn't a NFL LT back to LG were he's a better option than Urschel imo. Wanger isn't as dominate as he was under Kubes but he's a solid RT. Getting Yanda back will make that right side of the line much better imo. I think Zuttah has to be benched. Not knocking him or making a knee jerk reaction but he's been consistently bad all season. He had a could decent games vs the Redskins and Giants but overall he's been poor. I think the coaches need to spend the Bye week getting either Urschel, Jensen or Skura up to par. I think that fixes the oline enough to allow this offense to consistently move the ball throughout the game. 

Honestly after watching the games without emotion tied to it, I really like what Marty is doing with the passing game. The route are running away from defenders much more than with Trestman and the route combinations are better. He's really allowing guys to get creative with their routes and use their speed to get open instead of just run the route like it's drawn on paper. Unfortunately this is exposing some guys, mainly the TEs and Perriman. The lack of speed at the TE position is showing up all over the field. Over the last 2 weeks there has been numerous occasions where Marty has gotten Gilmore or Pitta matched up vs a LB down the seam or on a wheel route but they couldn't get on top of the route quick enough. Don't get me wrong Pitta is playing great, but speed isn't his game. I think getting Waller more targets would help. When he is on the field he gets into the second level of the defense so fast. I'd insert him over Gilmore. With Perriman it's his poor route running. He does a pretty good job of using his speed to get open but his craftiness in his route running is lacking so he telegraphs his routes most of the time. That's something we'll have to deal with while he develops. That's where no training camp shows up the most imo. I think that will only improve with time. Getting SSS back healthy will help the offense.

Flacco hasn't played well, but I would like to see him with enough time to go through his progressions and allow routes to develop, then we'll see how well he can play. He has to start stepping into his throws. I think improving his mechanics will improve his play. 

Not sure if the what we can do about Webb's lack of speed on the back end. Will Davis has Safety experience from his time in Miami and would definitely add some speed back there but i'm not sure if he's an option. 

I'd replace Hester with Asa. I know Asa has had fumbling issues, but he has also shown to be a dynamic return guy and I just don't think Hester has it. He seems timid and indecisive back there. 

[FastEddie]

Defense has been good enough to win games, sadly offense is looking bleak. OL is a must if nothing else. Zuttah is our #1 liability besides Lar Dar.

Run game is a close second.

[Moderator 3]

6 minutes ago, FastEddie said:

Defense has been good enough to win games, sadly offense is looking bleak. OL is a must if nothing else. Zuttah is our #1 liability besides Lar Dar.

Run game is a close second.

And your suggestions are??

[bMore Heathen]

Stop throwing it 50 times a game and RUN the ball. 

[RaineV1]

1 hour ago, Inqui said:

I wonder if the Saints would be interested in swinging a trade for Max Unger in the same way we traded for Monroe. If you think things can't get any worse, just see what's going on over there - and their QB looks likely to sod off after this season, commencing a full-blown rebuild. And if we landed Unger that'd address a HUGE part of our offensive struggles single-handedly.

Maybe we could trade Williams for Unger. We have Pierce who can fill in at NT for Williams, and the Saints badly need help stopping the run. They could even get behind the idea of Williams and Rankins being a great DT duo moving forward.

[K-Dog]

1 hour ago, Tank 92 said:

The only chance we have is to fix the O line. If we don't get Stanley and Yanda back and keep them healthy we're done. And I think there has to be a better option at center. Zuttah has reached a new low and it is debilitating. 

I think this is the most significant first step.  I really am starting to think Joe is rattled.  He is a leader and he can't get HIS job done and it is completely out of his control.  I know that must be frustrating, and it seems to me, when Joe gets frusterated things start coming apart quickly.  
I am just not smart enough to see beyond this.  This is clear and obvious.  Joe is being rushed and hit WAY too much.  When Joe gets into a groove and feels safe and comfortable, he is damn near unstoppable.  While Yanda and Stanley are the first step in the o-line they are not the only.  I don't know who is out there for the picking.  Maybe Matt Birk is bored and needs something to do on Sundays I don't know.... I think a center is the next step.  Even if we have to sacrifice a valued player elsewhere for a trade it might just have to be done.

You are right.  With this o-line, Joe will not finish this season.  Mallett will not do much better if at all.  With this the season is done.

 

[usmccharles]

Run the damn ball.... Please? 

[K-Dog]

4 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

Run the damn ball.... Please? 

I agree, but this o-line needs to make holes big enough for a RB to run through.  Right now the holes are just big enough for a tennis ball with some healthy velocity to go through.

[Ravenseconbeast]

-Stay on the field on offense.  Stall, squeeze last seconds off the clock.   You keep the opponent's talent off the field.   That was the way we use to play it.   We go 3rd and out way too fast.

-Our plays doesn't always have to hit the ballpark.  Just have to move the chain.  Slowing the game down will also give the players to play mistake free.  We are hurrying too fast.  

-And if your QB sucks, put the ball on the running backs.  Control the passing count.  He very rarely is accurate on anything above short dinks& dunks and has no field awareness. It is also very easy to tee off Flacco, b/c all defensive player knows he is completely blind on field awareness.  Let him be a game manager and limit his throwing repertoire.  

-If we can move the chain and have time and use the strength vs talent, we might be able to win.  

[FastEddie]

1 hour ago, Moderator 3 said:

And your suggestions are??

1. Replace Zuttah

2. Cut/Trade Webb

3. Run more

[MTRavensFan]

Really interesting commentary by Louis Riddick on ESPN after the game tonight on how offensive line play has deteriorated across the board in the NFL .

"Offensive line play has really taken a dip over the last couple of years because of what offensive coaches are teaching college players, which is basically nothing that transfers. So they're behind the eight-ball..Offensive lineman need practice. They don't get enough of it. That's why they're at a serious disadvantage, and it's having a trickle-down effect on the quality of play of Offense."

So, concentrate on fixing the OLine, the rest will follow.

[PurpleCity5]

1. Offense needs to address the problem of slow starts. That has to be the biggest focus of the bye week. Its killing this team. Slow starts forces you to play close games, close games gives you a good shot of losing. Simple. Start fast and it's not too much to expect you to blow out a team time to time. I don't care if these guys are proffesionals, if you're a good team like the Patriots, Steelers, Broncos then you should give a beatdown to some weak teams. Yeah, you're going to have a close one, but winning by double digits won't kill you. Gosh, the last time we won a game by double digits regular season game was in 2014 against the Cleveland Browns week 17. If you don't win a game by double digits once this year than that will be 2 years since you have won a game by double digits. That's just awful.

 

2. Find a way to get back to the Run. Don't run away from the run even if it isn't working. I can understand getting away from it playing 3 scores down but in a 1 score game you never get away from the run. That's just a no no. 

 

3. With Stanley back at LT, we need to do something with the back up just in case. I like Alex Lewis future at RT but I'm having problems with him on the left side. He has committed penalties on big plays that have just killed drives that would have resulted in points. Exp: Terrence West big run that put the Ravens on the 1YD Line, and some plays against the Giants, don't remember who made them but he had a big hand in killing a drive. 

4. You got your #1 and #2 WR in Steve Smith Sr. and Mike Wallace, but who is your #3? At the moment I would have to go with Kamar Aiken, he has been making plays lately and its something that he does. He deserves more targets honestly and I really think that he still the same player, just in a funk. I like Breshad, but at the moment he is not playing well. He will make a big play but disappear after that. I have nothing against him because it isn't his fault. It just sucks that he's missed so much time. I just think that at the moment, he's not ready yet. I personally think Aiken has more to give, he's not a guy affected by injury but rather the lack of targets. What has Pitta done recently? What has Breshad done? I don't think they've done anything to take targets away from Aiken and bury him in the depth chart, get him more involved. 

 

[RavensDieHard21]

We need more 2 TE sets with a more consist commitment to the run. I acknowledge that facing the Jets made this tough to do with a banged up line, but despite the odds, we still seen West run for 50 yards before being brought back by a ticky tacky holding call. 

Using more Gilmore/Pitta sets allows us to keep extra blockers in for the run game as well as set up great play-action passes, particularly crossing routes where our athletic TE's can get favorable match ups with LB's. It also allows Joe to get the ball out fast for decent pick ups when needed to get rid of it fast. It is no coincidence that almost every game Joe eclipses 40 or more passing attempts that we lose. We should be running the ball between our crowded backfield at least 25-30 times per game. Keep the defense in close so that when Joe can make a play deep, we are either scoring or getting points of the drives.