[News] Late For Work 11/28: Internet Practically Drooling Over Justin Tucker; 6 Ravens-Bengals Takeaways

[BR News]

At some point, Ravens offense will need to play a complete game. Flacco earns high PFF grades behind strong offensive line. Harbaugh receiving praise for intentional safety. Burfict 'rebranding,' but still a 'jerk.'Another game, another DB talks smack to Smith Sr.

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[crazyboutravens]

Why does this offense spend so much time trying to fool the defense instead of taking them out and beating them up. We will not do well until we take our best
players and use them. Wallace, Perriman, and Smith should be our way to generate a great offense. Instead we hardly ever use them. Just plain dumb.
2 targets for Wallace and Perriman and 4 for Smith will not get it done.

[potomacpitbulls]

There have been people comparing the 2016 Raven’s to the 2000 Ravens. The funny thing is both teams are similar in many ways. The defenses have similarities, but you would have to give the nod to the 2000 team. Both special teams’ squads had or have the overall team point’s scorer and MVP, their kicker. The offense on both teams was or is pathetic. You could argue that the 2000 team had better RB’s, but the 2016 team has the better WR’s. But both teams QB’s acted or act more like game managers than field generals. The other interesting thing is that all three teams the Ravens faced in the playoffs to get to the Super bowl Denver, Tennessee, Oakland could or should make the playoffs; only time will tell if they share a Lombardy together.

[TheRavengers]

Nice to get the Bengals monkey off our back after 3 years.

[TheRavengers]

18 minutes ago, potomacpitbulls said:

There have been people comparing the 2016 Raven’s to the 2000 Ravens. The funny thing is both teams are similar in many ways. The defenses have similarities, but you would have to give the nod to the 2000 team. Both special teams’ squads had or have the overall team point’s scorer and MVP, their kicker. The offense on both teams was or is pathetic. You could argue that the 2000 team had better RB’s, but the 2016 team has the better WR’s. But both teams QB’s acted or act more like game managers than field generals. The other interesting thing is that all three teams the Ravens faced in the playoffs to get to the Super bowl Denver, Tennessee, Oakland could or should make the playoffs; only time will tell if they share a Lombardy together.

I'd say our offense is "better" than the 2000 team, though some of that can be attributed to the fact that there was a 5-game stretch back then where the team didn't score a TD at all, and still won 2 of those games. 

[VermontRaven]

13 minutes ago, potomacpitbulls said:

There have been people comparing the 2016 Raven’s to the 2000 Ravens. The funny thing is both teams are similar in many ways. The defenses have similarities, but you would have to give the nod to the 2000 team. Both special teams’ squads had or have the overall team point’s scorer and MVP, their kicker. The offense on both teams was or is pathetic. You could argue that the 2000 team had better RB’s, but the 2016 team has the better WR’s. But both teams QB’s acted or act more like game managers than field generals. The other interesting thing is that all three teams the Ravens faced in the playoffs to get to the Super bowl Denver, Tennessee, Oakland could or should make the playoffs; only time will tell if they share a Lombardy together.

I see your overall point about the QBs playing mediocre, but I would never call Flacco a game manager.  A game manager doesn't force the ball.  Flacco is known to take risks, which is why he has high INT numbers. 

[bioLarzen]

I dunno how any Ravnes-fans aren't just sick of two things said aftear just about every single game:
- the offense needs to start playing better
- the number of penalties must go down...

... and then NOTHING happens in either department. I haven't seen an inch of development from the O throughout the season, ergo I see no sensible reason to expect that all of a sudden they'll start functioning and playing better. ANY game in the remainder of the season where the O scores over 20 points will be a bonus - but frankly, I don't necessarily see that. This is an O which constantly plays mediocre at best, and completely ineffective at times. This season we'll go exactly as far as the D and Tucker take us. Not an inch further. And hopefully, the first day we're out of the race Norv Turner gets a phone call from Ozzie...

As for the penalties, it seems to be a constant thing of the Harbaugh-era. I'm sick and tired of Harbaugh stand in front of the mic after every game and declares that the stupid and unnecessary penalties must be eliminated - because I know what is gouing to happen: nothing. The next week we are gonna see the same boneheaded and unnecessary penalties giving second chances for the opponent, or giving away great plays from our team...

At this point I see a coaching stuff which is largely incapable - or reluctant - to address issues that have been present for long. One which seems reluctant to make quick in-game adjustments.

Sorry, but I still can't see one single game on our remaining schedule I could honestly say we are the favourites of. No, not even the Dolphins game. I don't say we are gonna win no more games - but we won't be the favourites.

And this time we cannot even blame it on the injury bug like last season... No, this time it's more than blatantly obvious that something malfunctions on the O big time. Something that probably needs some major intervention, not just minor tweakings.

I think a good OC would be a great start.

Edited November 28, 2016 by bioLarzen

[VermontRaven]

Top offensive grades:
OT Rick Wagner, 84.6
QB Joe Flacco, 81.6
C Jeremy Zuttah, 81.2
FB Kyle Juszczyk, 79.9
OG Vladimir Ducasse, 76.2

So nice to see 3 offensive linemen on the list, especially Zuttah who has been getting slammed by fans. (and Yanda's note even one of them)

 

Top defensive grades:
S Eric Weddle, 80.8
ILB CJ Mosley, 80.0
S Lardarius Webb, 78.4
OLB Elvis Dumervil, 77.9
NT Brandon Williams, 77.3

Glad to see Doom back.  Plus, also good to see Webb up there.  He seems to get a lot of unjustified criticism from fans.  He hasn't been making spectacular plays, but I think he has been playing a lot more solid than many fans believe.

Edited November 28, 2016 by VermontRaven
added a bit more

[fusuymada]

Every game I sit and ponder before the game starts, what are we going to do this week that is going to change the way things have gone with our offense. I envision some long throws that open up the running game, or even some run game to pull some safeties in. I imagine this will be the week Joe actually sees a blitz and checks into a play and scores (he has done that before with Wallace, once). I imagine play calling won't be the same repetitive run and pass plays we have seen since week one and we will be able to keep a defense on their heels. I sit and imagine every thing I can think of to make this team better but when I watch the game I just get confused about what happens at the castle during the week. I can see all this really hard work and dedication and planning and we come out and do something different than we have done all week and I can lay my head down and sleep well knowing that the team is hard at work and the status quo just isn't okay.

However, after watching game after game where everything from input to output is identical to the last 5 game, I am convinced that there is an Animal House frat party that goes on there 24 hours a day, a lot of hilarity and fun and they go out and play on Sunday and produce what one would expect if they sat around and partied all weekend. I would love to go one day and just see from top to bottom, meeting rooms, before practice workouts, practice, after workouts, etc... I can not believe that there are that many grown men working on generating plays that get receivers open, run plays that develop holes. and blocking schemes that allows Joe more time than a brief glance before dropping it off to his back and that they are at it 80 hours a week.

[bioLarzen]

19 minutes ago, TheRavengers said:

I'd say our offense is "better" than the 2000 team, though some of that can be attributed to the fact that there was a 5-game stretch back then where the team didn't score a TD at all, and still won 2 of those games. 

I think out present O has much better players than the 2000 team had. Back then they had Jamal Lewis, Sharpe, Ogden, Stover - and then mediocrity all accross the board. So, that they weren't a very good O was kinda natural. This time, on the other hand, we are much better talent-wise on the O - and compared to that the O is a constant blunder. Honestly, if at the start of the season someone said that with no key injuries the O will make 20+ points in 5 out of their 11 games... how many of us would have said you take the deal? If they said we'll only score more on 2 of our 10 opponents (we've played the Browns twice) than their scored-on average (the Raiders and the Steelers, one single point difference in the latter case), would that have sounded OK to any fan?

And then we haven't even mentioned that quite a considerable part of the score came from Tucker - and a lot of times after the O failed to come even close the red zone...

 

This is easily the most frustrating O I've ever seen in Baltimore.

[The Mom Gene]

After Burfict hits Smith the SECOND TIME... then he stands over him. Isn't that "taunting"??? But then he flops and Steve gets the penalty. Have we really become the WWE?

[hereweare]

13 minutes ago, fusuymada said:

Every game I sit and ponder before the game starts, what are we going to do this week that is going to change the way things have gone with our offense. I envision some long throws that open up the running game, or even some run game to pull some safeties in. I imagine this will be the week Joe actually sees a blitz and checks into a play and scores (he has done that before with Wallace, once). I imagine play calling won't be the same repetitive run and pass plays we have seen since week one and we will be able to keep a defense on their heels. I sit and imagine every thing I can think of to make this team better but when I watch the game I just get confused about what happens at the castle during the week. I can see all this really hard work and dedication and planning and we come out and do something different than we have done all week and I can lay my head down and sleep well knowing that the team is hard at work and the status quo just isn't okay.

However, after watching game after game where everything from input to output is identical to the last 5 game, I am convinced that there is an Animal House frat party that goes on there 24 hours a day, a lot of hilarity and fun and they go out and play on Sunday and produce what one would expect if they sat around and partied all weekend. I would love to go one day and just see from top to bottom, meeting rooms, before practice workouts, practice, after workouts, etc... I can not believe that there are that many grown men working on generating plays that get receivers open, run plays that develop holes. and blocking schemes that allows Joe more time than a brief glance before dropping it off to his back and that they are at it 80 hours a week.

Since cleveland Marty has made multiple changes to the offense??? Whether that's using the hurry up, bunch formations, rub routes, substantially more crossing and drag routes, or getting RB's the ball in space. Waiting for Gilmore to get back so there's a TE involved too. (Pitta is just used in short yardage routes)

Edited November 28, 2016 by hereweare

[stixfix69]

We started the season with 2 rookies manning the left side of the O-Line, and now we have Yanda playing LG, i think the job the O-Line has done has been vastly under-rated......We have been in every game, and now that the O-Line is someone stable i do expect better things...Although the defense has always been the face of this team, and they are playing great ball considering Orr is a first year starting ILBer, Rookies Judon, and Pierce are getting a lot of reps....I think it has always been about staying in the race late in the season with so many Key changes on both sides of the ball, and peak at the end....And that is where we are, first in the north with 5 games to go, remember everyone said 7-9 team no playoffs, yet here we are in it, and we actually control our own destiny...I will take it......

[stixfix69]

Just be happy we aren't the Browns.....Seriously, a winning tradition and attitude goes a long way in this league, and we have been a pretty consistent franchise....

[TheConquerorWorm]

I dunno how any Ravnes-fans aren't just sick of two things said aftear just about every single game:
- the offense needs to start playing better
- the number of penalties must go down...

... and then NOTHING happens in either department. I haven't seen an inch of development from the O throughout the season, ergo I see no sensible reason that all of a sudden they'll start functioning and playing better. ANY game in the remainder of the season where the O scores over 20 points will be an aded bonus - but frankly, I don't necessarily see that. This is an O which constantly plays mediocre at best, and completely ineffective at times. This season we'll go exactly as far as the D and Tucker take us. Not an inch further. And hopefully, the first day we're out of the race Norv Turner gets a phone call from Ozzie...

As for the penalties, it seems to be a constant thing of the Harbaugh-era. I'm sick and tired of Harbaugh stand in front of the mic after every game and declares that the stupid and unnecessary penalties must be elimionated - because I know what is gouing to happen: nothing. The nest week we are gonna see the same boneheaded and unnecessary penalties giving second chances for the opponent, or giving away great playes from our team...

At this point I see a coaching stuff which is largely incapable - or reluctant - to address issues that have been present for long. One which seems reluctant to make quick in-game adjustments.

Sorry, but I still can'tz see one single game on out remaining rster where I could honestly say we are the favourites. No, not even the Dolphins game.

And this time we cannot even blame it on the injury bug like last season... No, this time it's more than blatantly obvious that something malfunctions on the O big time. Something that probably needs some major intervention, not just minor tweakings.

I think a good OC would be a great start.

Until this team gets playmakers on offense, it wont matter who the OC is. Fact of the matter, SSS, Perriman & Wallace can't get open against solid coverage. There was a replay in Sunday's game that showed all of them covered - it happens all the time which is why Flacco is forced to hang onto the ball or hit the checkdown. West is another plodding RB. Dixon has some spark & explosiveness so I think that's going in the right direction and I think he will take over full time sooner than later. I think they are easing him back after his injury.

Holding & Illegal formation calls have zero to do with coaching. Holding happens when the o-lineman gets beat and right now - the makeshift offensive line doesn't have the talent to not get beat (except Stanley, Yanda). You can coach a guy on proper footwork, technique, etc but when he lines up against a guy that's better than him - it's not going to matter - he's going to Hold and he's going to False Start. What's the alternative? Bench Zuttah and replace him with what? Or worse, tell him to not hold and let the d-lineman crush your $100 million QB? Illegal formation is pretty simple - can't cover the TE and have to be set for 1 sec. It's up to the QB to make sure everyone is set. And it's up to the player to know if he is on the TE side or not - not much coaching there. Again, what's the alternative - Bench your best Wrs? It's not your Driver's Ed teacher's fault that you got a speeding ticket.

We only have so many o-linemen, so until they can be replaced with quality starters, it's going to continue to happen regardless of who the coach is - you gotta run what you brung.

Nobody's calling out Gary Kubiak or Belichick even though they have almost as many holding & false starts as the Ravens. All are working with patchwork o-lines.

[TheConquerorWorm]

LOL @ "Alpha Dawg" Vontaze Burfict getting punked by a 5'9" 37 year old WR. You would have been laughed off my high school team for that and you're supposed to be an NFL LBer? (Dick Butkus is SMH & LMAO). Despite what some on here say, I'm glad this "alpha dawg" clown is not on our team.

[TheRavengers]

32 minutes ago, bioLarzen said:

I think out present O has much better players than the 2000 team had. Back then they had Jamal Lewis, Sharpe, Ogden, Stover - and then mediocrity all accross the board. So, that they weren't a very good O was kinda natural. This time, on the other hand, we are much better talent-wise on the O - and compared to that the O is a constant blunder. Honestly, if at the start of the season someone said that with no key injuries the O will make 20+ points in 5 out of their 11 games... how many of us would have said you take the deal? If they said we'll only score more on 2 of our 10 opponents (we've played the Browns twice) than their scored-on average (the Raiders and the Steelers, one single point difference in the latter case), would that have sounded OK to any fan?

And then we haven't even mentioned that quite a considerable part of the score came from Tucker - and a lot of times after the O failed to come even close the red zone...

 

This is easily the most frustrating O I've ever seen in Baltimore.

Frustrating isn't even close to how everyone's feeling. Just like last week, the offense put up a good drive that resulted in a touchdown on their first possession and then they basically disappeared from there on out, but this time we actually won. Every drive they put up a few first downs and moved the ball and then all the production just stopped when they got to the RedZone or close enough to it. Now that I think about it, I remember when Flacco went long and Perriman had a perfect diving catch, only for him to not keep a hold on the ball. Perfect throw too.

That being said, I'm glad to see we took advantage of no AJ Green and won, as we should have. 

[metalraven]

I wonder if Tucker will be the first kicker to get a vote for MVP? haha..but seriously, I'd vote for him. Without Tucker, we're probably 0-10

[FloridalovesRavens]

I'll take wins like this any day. Just need my blood pressure medicine at hand. Go Ravens.

[FloridalovesRavens]

After Burfict hits Smith the SECOND TIME... then he stands over him. Isn't that "taunting"??? But then he flops and Steve gets the penalty. Have we really become the WWE?

Looks like it. Terrible penalty. Should have been off setting ones. Burfict will get what is coming to him I'm sure.

[metalraven]

Top offensive grades:
OT Rick Wagner, 84.6
QB Joe Flacco, 81.6
C Jeremy Zuttah, 81.2
FB Kyle Juszczyk, 79.9
OG Vladimir Ducasse, 76.2

So nice to see 3 offensive linemen on the list, especially Zuttah who has been getting slammed by fans. (and Yanda's note even one of them)

 

Top defensive grades:
S Eric Weddle, 80.8
ILB CJ Mosley, 80.0
S Lardarius Webb, 78.4
OLB Elvis Dumervil, 77.9
NT Brandon Williams, 77.3

Glad to see Doom back.  Plus, also good to see Webb up there.  He seems to get a lot of unjustified criticism from fans.  He hasn't been making spectacular plays, but I think he has been playing a lot more solid than many fans believe.

I agree. Webb has actually been awesome. He's made a few errors here and there, but it's his first season at this position. But I think putting him back there was a great call.

[metalraven]

After Burfict hits Smith the SECOND TIME... then he stands over him. Isn't that "taunting"??? But then he flops and Steve gets the penalty. Have we really become the WWE?

Hahaha - I was wondering the same thing. That was Vontaze "Vlade Divace, Derrick Fisher" Burfict.

[TheRavengers]

Question: I was just listening to 105.7 The Fan on the radio and they mentioned Kamalei Correa. I was wondering exactly why he wasn't out there this game or some of the last few, is it because he's shown he's not ready or because everyone's so confident in our current starting LBs that we don't need him just yet?

Edited November 28, 2016 by TheRavengers

[stixfix69]

SSS, and Vonte have reputations, but of course the refs pick on the little guy.....:)

[eze17]

Where's all the people on this web site who were screaming for the Raven's to get rid of Doom because he was injured? Still think he can't play? Sure looks like he's got some gas in the tank to me...

[Moderator 3]

2 hours ago, TheRavengers said:

I'd say our offense is "better" than the 2000 team, though some of that can be attributed to the fact that there was a 5-game stretch back then where the team didn't score a TD at all, and still won 2 of those games. 

I believe we actually won 3 of them :-)

[DBsRAVENS]

Every game I sit and ponder before the game starts, what are we going to do this week that is going to change the way things have gone with our offense. I envision some long throws that open up the running game, or even some run game to pull some safeties in. I imagine this will be the week Joe actually sees a blitz and checks into a play and scores (he has done that before with Wallace, once). I imagine play calling won't be the same repetitive run and pass plays we have seen since week one and we will be able to keep a defense on their heels. I sit and imagine every thing I can think of to make this team better but when I watch the game I just get confused about what happens at the castle during the week. I can see all this really hard work and dedication and planning and we come out and do something different than we have done all week and I can lay my head down and sleep well knowing that the team is hard at work and the status quo just isn't okay.

However, after watching game after game where everything from input to output is identical to the last 5 game, I am convinced that there is an Animal House frat party that goes on there 24 hours a day, a lot of hilarity and fun and they go out and play on Sunday and produce what one would expect if they sat around and partied all weekend. I would love to go one day and just see from top to bottom, meeting rooms, before practice workouts, practice, after workouts, etc... I can not believe that there are that many grown men working on generating plays that get receivers open, run plays that develop holes. and blocking schemes that allows Joe more time than a brief glance before dropping it off to his back and that they are at it 80 hours a week.

LMBO, I know right!

[rmcjacket23]

Where's all the people on this web site who were screaming for the Raven's to get rid of Doom because he was injured? Still think he can't play? Sure looks like he's got some gas in the tank to me...

Well we were never getting rid of him this year, but I can't imagine he's back next year under his current salary/contract. Just not getting the production out of that price tag at this point.

[Bat-mite]

We are now in the interesting situation that, in order to make the postseason, all we have to do is match Pittsburgh. If they win, we have to win. If they lose, we get a game of breathing room. That, of course, is assuming that Cincy doesn't win out and we and Pittsburgh lose out.

[Fastynart]

Tucker is the best player on our team, bar none. We would be nowhere without him. Still waiting for Flacco to get his head out of his behind and play more than one good series. The ineptitude of the offense starts with him. Three and outs in the fourth quarter are unacceptable. Why in the world do we always throw short of the marker on third down? It is just plain stupid and drives me insane. Good to see Dumervil make a play and Suggs get in the backfield. All too often Andy Dalton had way too much time still. Young is a star in the making at corner. He plays tough, close, not like most of the Ravens who play 10 yards or more off of the receiver. Perriman makes one catch a game then disappears. Great catch though.