[News] What You Missed vs. New England Patriots

[BR News]

Why so many checkdowns from Joe Flacco? Marshal Yanda gets helmet ripped off, but no flag is thrown. Ronnie Stanley not letting anyone past him.

View the full article

[KidNme]

In the Miami game, the middle of the field was open all day long and we tore them up with it. I'm sure Billichick watched the film and game planned to take the middle away so that wouldn't happen again. The fact that our coaches never even gave that a thought when initially game planning for them or even make adjustments after they saw it consistently is my issue with them. The delayed handoff to West worked but we only saw that a couple times. The pass wasn't working so why didn't we try to wear them down with the run? Other teams we've played this year ran against the best run stoppers in the NFL but stuck with it and even mentioned they wore us down because they stuck with it. Although this is a complicated game, it isn't rocket science.
Our coaches seem to be the weak link here.

[MadStorkSociety]

In the Miami game, the middle of the field was open all day long and we tore them up with it. I'm sure Billichick watched the film and game planned to take the middle away so that wouldn't happen again. The fact that our coaches never even gave that a thought when initially game planning for them or even make adjustments after they saw it consistently is my issue with them. The delayed handoff to West worked but we only saw that a couple times. The pass wasn't working so why didn't we try to wear them down with the run? Other teams we've played this year ran against the best run stoppers in the NFL but stuck with it and even mentioned they wore us down because they stuck with it. Although this is a complicated game, it isn't rocket science.
Our coaches seem to be the weak link here.

Yes, in game adjustments do seem to be our weakest link.

[merryjman]

To summarize: our vanilla offense was outsmarted by some great NE coaching, and Tom Brady outsmarted the best defense in the league. Not hating, just facing facts :)

[birdseye]

In reference to the check downs point. I Think what were missing is the fact the NE did this all game and we never adjusted. We had only had 3 people running routes (outside of the checkdown) vs their 7 guys in coverage... do the math, Joe ain't Mike Vick. Thats is called being a step behind the D coordinator and having a predictable gameplan. Marty clearly isn't the answer, Make a move for Norv Turner this offseason!!!!!

[steelraven]

New England did the same thing the Bengals do when they play the Ravens, but they do it better. They played zone all night. It just amazes me that as long as Flacco's been in the league he still doesn't know the weakness in zone coverage's. He has options at the line and doesn't use them. What he said in his press conference after the game, "they thought the Patriots were going to run more man to man," let's me know all I needed to know about him. He never made any adjustments at the line, he just threw it to his check down all night long. Watching the Ravens offense was like watching paint dry. If you don't have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis on the other side protecting you, you can't rely on that defense to bail you out, especially against Tom Brady. I don't really care too much for Flacco but I'm really disappointed in his play and preparations for that game.

[The Greek]

way to go stanley. you are one of the very few positives in an otherwise weak and below avg. offense.

[The Greek]

flacco has reached his peak in baltimore imo. would love to see him prove me wrong with another title run but i just do not see it. he is not a leader and cannot carry a team on his back for the $$ he is making. i still feel they should see what they could get for him in a trade to free up that contract if there is a team that would in fact be interested in him and the remainder of his contract. still blows my mind that they have not been able to draft or even develop a stud receiver since 1996. brittle jimmy will never be healthy for a full season and cb has been an issue for several years and the fo knows how bad things can get when brittle jimmy is out yet they never did anything to remedy the situation. keep restructuring players contracts who are not as productive any longer and it bites us in the butt because we are stuck with them for even longer when $$ should have been spent to retain guys that were making the plays and had youth on their side. harbs really needs to get it right with the next oc or next season may be his last and the front office needs to get it together. go ravens and go to all the teams we need to win to help us out!!

Edited December 14, 2016 by The Greek

[SCravenfan]

Our needs is a smart OC that can make adjustments. Better OL and CB. What you missed was an old fashion butt whipping by the patriots. Lord I hate the Patriots but they destroyed us in every aspect of the game. I hope we see them again this year. Bring on Philly and let's open up and destroy them.

[Minionhunter]

This was an offensive coaching failure stright up. Failure to have a plan for this type of defense, and slow play when we needed hustle at the end. I wouldn't be surprised if Earwig was trying to make Joe look bad because the impression from last week was Joe looks good when they use his suggestions. Marty is not the OC for this job.

[dirtybird66]

maybe we should of played that defense.

[JD08]

Patriots did the same drop 8 all game, but still the OC went with pass pass pass, barely ran the ball at all, we need to get back to our identity, running the ball, we was never known for a great air attack, trying to be what we are not, we've always played our best when there's a balance attack

[Crusader]

Whats really bad is the Ravens were probably the healthiest they been late in a season in a very long time. (except Jimmy who is always getting hurt) Why is it one guy goes down and the season is practically over?. Last year it was Suggs. Ravens are what boxers say "Have a Glass Jaw".

[RavensDieHard21]

54 minutes ago, The Greek said:

way to go stanley. you are one of the very few positives in an otherwise weak and below avg. offense.

I am pumped to see what he can become for us. He looks great against the pass and is an intelligent player. Imagine once he has a full offseason program with experience and is able to focus on getting stronger and mastering his craft. He will be a bad boy 

[RavensDieHard21]

24 minutes ago, SCravenfan said:

Our needs is a smart OC that can make adjustments. Better OL and CB. What you missed was an old fashion butt whipping by the patriots. Lord I hate the Patriots but they destroyed us in every aspect of the game. I hope we see them again this year. Bring on Philly and let's open up and destroy them.

Need an innovative OC with an identity. Our line-- when intact-- is actually very good. But it is a line assembled to protect the QB, not so much to bulldoze running lanes.  Yanda is a mauler, but outside of him, everyone else is avg to below avg run blockers. I pray we keep Wagner and add another a young guard or center that can bury defenders at the line like KO did. 

[RavensDieHard21]

9 minutes ago, Crusader said:

Whats really bad is the Ravens were probably the healthiest they been late in a season in a very long time. (except Jimmy who is always getting hurt) Why is it one guy goes down and the season is practically over?. Last year it was Suggs. Ravens are what boxers say "Have a Glass Jaw".

Rupturing an achilles or tearing an ACL is far from being comparable to a glass jaw. 😂 having a bad shoulder and not playing, or a mild sprain/ broken finger would more closely fit that description. Football and health is all based on good or bad fortune. 

[callahan09]

1 hour ago, steelraven said:

New England did the same thing the Bengals do when they play the Ravens, but they do it better. They played zone all night. It just amazes me that as long as Flacco's been in the league he still doesn't know the weakness in zone coverage's. He has options at the line and doesn't use them. What he said in his press conference after the game, "they thought the Patriots were going to run more man to man," let's me know all I needed to know about him. He never made any adjustments at the line, he just threw it to his check down all night long. Watching the Ravens offense was like watching paint dry. If you don't have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis on the other side protecting you, you can't rely on that defense to bail you out, especially against Tom Brady. I don't really care too much for Flacco but I'm really disappointed in his play and preparations for that game.

What option at the line was he supposed to use, exactly?  Since you seem to think you know more about running an offense than Flacco does, or than our offensive coaches do, I'm legitimately curious to hear your answer.  They were dropping 8 back into coverage all game, while we've got 3 or 4 guys running routes, and we don't even know which 8 guys are dropping back into coverage, because they were disguising that until after the snap, sending a random 3 guys to rush the passer each snap.  Wasn't Flacco doing the right thing by taking the checkdown when nobody else was open?  But our checkdown guys weren't doing very much with the football after they got it in their hands.  I also think people keep forgetting that this is a simplified offensive because there are so many inexperienced pieces and team chemistry is low due to so many new players who aren't familiar with the team/system (heh, as if you could call it that when we're on the 5th OC in 5 years, and the 2nd one this year), players who missed a lot of the off-season due to injuries (Perriman, SSR, Flacco), offensive line shuffles due to injuries, rookies, etc.  Even with simplified snap counts and minimal adjustments at the line, we still screw up the blocking scheme a lot where we get two guys blocking the same guy and nobody blocking the free pass rusher, and we get among the highest number of pre-snap penalties in the NFL.  The team isn't cohesive enough, coaching hasn't been consistent enough, and the number of inexperienced players and lack of team chemistry all lead to a dumbed down offense that's mistake prone.  I want to know what adjustment he was supposed to take to go against a weakness in their zone coverage.  Where/what was the weakness, specifically?

 

[Maurice0094]

I think the Ravens moving Yanda to LG is a great help to Stanley. I would make it a permanent move. Alex Lewis needs to get stronger and his best position might be on the right side either at guard or tackle if Wagner leaves via free agency.

[pocket]

I think the Ravens moving Yanda to LG is a great help to Stanley. I would make it a permanent move. Alex Lewis needs to get stronger and his best position might be on the right side either at guard or tackle if Wagner leaves via free agency.

"The refs miss calls given the difficulty of the job.." Get that out of here. And as for the offense, if people can't get separation along with flacco not overthrowing. Then a bunch of people are going to get fired next season.

[Tdot.to.Bmore]

  2 hours ago, steelraven said:

New England did the same thing the Bengals do when they play the Ravens, but they do it better. They played zone all night. It just amazes me that as long as Flacco's been in the league he still doesn't know the weakness in zone coverage's. He has options at the line and doesn't use them. What he said in his press conference after the game, "they thought the Patriots were going to run more man to man," let's me know all I needed to know about him. He never made any adjustments at the line, he just threw it to his check down all night long. Watching the Ravens offense was like watching paint dry. If you don't have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis on the other side protecting you, you can't rely on that defense to bail you out, especially against Tom Brady. I don't really care too much for Flacco but I'm really disappointed in his play and preparations for that game.

What option at the line was he supposed to use, exactly?  Since you seem to think you know more about running an offense than Flacco does, or than our offensive coaches do, I'm legitimately curious to hear your answer.  They were dropping 8 back into coverage all game, while we've got 3 or 4 guys running routes, and we don't even know which 8 guys are dropping back into coverage, because they were disguising that until after the snap, sending a random 3 guys to rush the passer each snap.  Wasn't Flacco doing the right thing by taking the checkdown when nobody else was open?  But our checkdown guys weren't doing very much with the football after they got it in their hands.  I also think people keep forgetting that this is a simplified offensive because there are so many inexperienced pieces and team chemistry is low due to so many new players who aren't familiar with the team/system (heh, as if you could call it that when we're on the 5th OC in 5 years, and the 2nd one this year), players who missed a lot of the off-season due to injuries (Perriman, SSR, Flacco), offensive line shuffles due to injuries, rookies, etc.  Even with simplified snap counts and minimal adjustments at the line, we still screw up the blocking scheme a lot where we get two guys blocking the same guy and nobody blocking the free pass rusher, and we get among the highest number of pre-snap penalties in the NFL.  The team isn't cohesive enough, coaching hasn't been consistent enough, and the number of inexperienced players and lack of team chemistry all lead to a dumbed down offense that's mistake prone.  I want to know what adjustment he was supposed to take to go against a weakness in their zone coverage.  Where/what was the weakness, specifically?

 

Maybe run the ball with a delayed hand off or some screen plays. Throwing the ball two yards behind the line of scrimmage wont get you anywhere. Also how could you blame the players for not making plays once they got the ball? They were literally surrounded after they caught the ball.

[Jonah DeVito]

"We had to throw to check downs all game because they were dropping 8 guys in coverage" SO RUN THE DAMN BALL UP THEIR THROATS AND MAKE THEM STACK THE BOX!!

[steelraven]

  2 hours ago, steelraven said:

New England did the same thing the Bengals do when they play the Ravens, but they do it better. They played zone all night. It just amazes me that as long as Flacco's been in the league he still doesn't know the weakness in zone coverage's. He has options at the line and doesn't use them. What he said in his press conference after the game, "they thought the Patriots were going to run more man to man," let's me know all I needed to know about him. He never made any adjustments at the line, he just threw it to his check down all night long. Watching the Ravens offense was like watching paint dry. If you don't have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis on the other side protecting you, you can't rely on that defense to bail you out, especially against Tom Brady. I don't really care too much for Flacco but I'm really disappointed in his play and preparations for that game.

What option at the line was he supposed to use, exactly?  Since you seem to think you know more about running an offense than Flacco does, or than our offensive coaches do, I'm legitimately curious to hear your answer.  They were dropping 8 back into coverage all game, while we've got 3 or 4 guys running routes, and we don't even know which 8 guys are dropping back into coverage, because they were disguising that until after the snap, sending a random 3 guys to rush the passer each snap.  Wasn't Flacco doing the right thing by taking the checkdown when nobody else was open?  But our checkdown guys weren't doing very much with the football after they got it in their hands.  I also think people keep forgetting that this is a simplified offensive because there are so many inexperienced pieces and team chemistry is low due to so many new players who aren't familiar with the team/system (heh, as if you could call it that when we're on the 5th OC in 5 years, and the 2nd one this year), players who missed a lot of the off-season due to injuries (Perriman, SSR, Flacco), offensive line shuffles due to injuries, rookies, etc.  Even with simplified snap counts and minimal adjustments at the line, we still screw up the blocking scheme a lot where we get two guys blocking the same guy and nobody blocking the free pass rusher, and we get among the highest number of pre-snap penalties in the NFL.  The team isn't cohesive enough, coaching hasn't been consistent enough, and the number of inexperienced players and lack of team chemistry all lead to a dumbed down offense that's mistake prone.  I want to know what adjustment he was supposed to take to go against a weakness in their zone coverage.  Where/what was the weakness, specifically?

 

Changing the route of the WR's is one option, Crossing routes are other options. If he done that he would be checking down to the RB all game. What defense wouldn't want you to check down for 2 or 3 yards every play? That's simple math. How does a QB say after the game they thought they would run more man to man? That sounds to me that you really didn't have a plan going into the game if that's what you thought. What QB (not even an elite) in his right mind would go into a game that ill prepared? Having your WR running the same route on every play is elementary, and idiot would know that. What I saw Brady doing is how a $150 million QB plays and run a offense with lesser talent the what Flacco has. Did you even watch the game Monday night? For the most part Flacco stay clean the whole night so I know you didn't watch the game. The only missing piece to the line was the RG and his replacement has been there for the last 4 games, so what shuffles are you talking about? 1st and 10 at the one yard line, the defense has 9 in the box, why the hell would you run the ball in the teeth of the defense on their strong side? A play action seems more logical. The Raider have the most penalties of any team in the NFL and they still find ways to win, so I don't want hear anything about penalties. The reason the offense is dumb down is because of Flacco. And like I said earlier his comment after the game prove my point.

[DBsRAVENS]

The Ravens could help themselves offensively by spreading the offensive formation, instead of the tight bunch formation shown. Place WRs outside the numbers or on the numbers so they have room to operate if a slant route is needed. That formation played right into the defenses hand. SMH! I can't believe all the folks in the Ravens' organization are walking around on eggshells when it comes to this team not having an offensive identity. I thought Raven's football was run the ball, play action, and play tough defense.

How do they expect an offensive line to be effective when all they do is take blows from on coming pass rushers? Offensive lineman need a chance to fire off the ball and deliver some blows, give the running game a chance.

[DBsRAVENS]

"We had to throw to check downs all game because they were dropping 8 guys in coverage" SO RUN THE DAMN BALL UP THEIR THROATS AND MAKE THEM STACK THE BOX!!

Somebody, give this man a prize and a job on the Ravens's offensive staff! Seriously!

How can you have a staff of offensive coaches and nobody can make a suggestion or adjustment?

[robbie29]

What you missed against the NE Patriots...

The same thing we've missed all season--> An offense capable of playing more than 10 minutes of football.

[bigcatfrank1]

  2 hours ago, callahan09 said:

  4 hours ago, steelraven said:

New England did the same thing the Bengals do when they play the Ravens, but they do it better. They played zone all night. It just amazes me that as long as Flacco's been in the league he still doesn't know the weakness in zone coverage's. He has options at the line and doesn't use them. What he said in his press conference after the game, "they thought the Patriots were going to run more man to man," let's me know all I needed to know about him. He never made any adjustments at the line, he just threw it to his check down all night long. Watching the Ravens offense was like watching paint dry. If you don't have Ed Reed or Ray Lewis on the other side protecting you, you can't rely on that defense to bail you out, especially against Tom Brady. I don't really care too much for Flacco but I'm really disappointed in his play and preparations for that game.

What option at the line was he supposed to use, exactly?  Since you seem to think you know more about running an offense than Flacco does, or than our offensive coaches do, I'm legitimately curious to hear your answer.  They were dropping 8 back into coverage all game, while we've got 3 or 4 guys running routes, and we don't even know which 8 guys are dropping back into coverage, because they were disguising that until after the snap, sending a random 3 guys to rush the passer each snap.  Wasn't Flacco doing the right thing by taking the checkdown when nobody else was open?  But our checkdown guys weren't doing very much with the football after they got it in their hands.  I also think people keep forgetting that this is a simplified offensive because there are so many inexperienced pieces and team chemistry is low due to so many new players who aren't familiar with the team/system (heh, as if you could call it that when we're on the 5th OC in 5 years, and the 2nd one this year), players who missed a lot of the off-season due to injuries (Perriman, SSR, Flacco), offensive line shuffles due to injuries, rookies, etc.  Even with simplified snap counts and minimal adjustments at the line, we still screw up the blocking scheme a lot where we get two guys blocking the same guy and nobody blocking the free pass rusher, and we get among the highest number of pre-snap penalties in the NFL.  The team isn't cohesive enough, coaching hasn't been consistent enough, and the number of inexperienced players and lack of team chemistry all lead to a dumbed down offense that's mistake prone.  I want to know what adjustment he was supposed to take to go against a weakness in their zone coverage.  Where/what was the weakness, specifically?

 

Changing the route of the WR's is one option, Crossing routes are other options. If he done that he would be checking down to the RB all game. What defense wouldn't want you to check down for 2 or 3 yards every play? That's simple math. How does a QB say after the game they thought they would run more man to man? That sounds to me that you really didn't have a plan going into the game if that's what you thought. What QB (not even an elite) in his right mind would go into a game that ill prepared? Having your WR running the same route on every play is elementary, and idiot would know that. What I saw Brady doing is how a $150 million QB plays and run a offense with lesser talent the what Flacco has. Did you even watch the game Monday night? For the most part Flacco stay clean the whole night so I know you didn't watch the game. The only missing piece to the line was the RG and his replacement has been there for the last 4 games, so what shuffles are you talking about? 1st and 10 at the one yard line, the defense has 9 in the box, why the hell would you run the ball in the teeth of the defense on their strong side? A play action seems more logical. The Raider have the most penalties of any team in the NFL and they still find ways to win, so I don't want hear anything about penalties. The reason the offense is dumb down is because of Flacco. And like I said earlier his comment after the game prove my point.

Your twisted view of Flacco vs Brady is a joke. They cannot be equally compared for one thing even though one scored 23 and the other 30 points, however if your analogy were correct then the same thing would apply to the Ravens defense vs the Patriots defense which by the way shut down SS sr., Wallace, Aiken, Pitta and Perriman in order to force the check downs. But you fail to mention that the Patriots also had 2 sacks, 1 Int, 1 safety, 1 blocked FG that had nothing to do with Brady. So you cant compare one player and not every player. The fact is that the Patriots as a TEAM made the plays. When a receiver makes a catch and runs for 80 yards he makes his QB look pretty darn great! Even if it was the DB's mistake.

The Ravens needed playmakers on Monday night- not ball droppers, they needed a kick returner-not kick return ball watchers, they needed good clean positive plays- not penalty makers, yes they needed positive yardage pass plays- not 2 yard checkdowns, they needed positive yardage running plays- not 8 running plays the whole 1st half. So give Brady his due, but Joe Flacco ( who by the way had 307 yds 2 TD) is not going to go out there, block, pass, run the rout, catch the ball and score the touchdown by himself dude. So you better start looking for a better "dumb down story"

[The Greek]

  2 hours ago, Jonah DeVito said:

"We had to throw to check downs all game because they were dropping 8 guys in coverage" SO RUN THE DAMN BALL UP THEIR THROATS AND MAKE THEM STACK THE BOX!!

Somebody, give this man a prize and a job on the Ravens's offensive staff! Seriously!

How can you have a staff of offensive coaches and nobody can make a suggestion or adjustment?

this is why i posted earlier that the offense needs a complete overhaul and harbs better make the right choice at oc or he may be on the hot seat next season. i was telling my buddies why was flacco not changing the play to the run when he saw the players begin to drop back.

[bigcatfrank1]

  2 hours ago, Jonah DeVito said:

"We had to throw to check downs all game because they were dropping 8 guys in coverage" SO RUN THE DAMN BALL UP THEIR THROATS AND MAKE THEM STACK THE BOX!!

Somebody, give this man a prize and a job on the Ravens's offensive staff! Seriously!

How can you have a staff of offensive coaches and nobody can make a suggestion or adjustment?

We need a power back, West doesn't put 2 plays back to back. He needs a coach to tell him. Give me 2 big gainers in a row!!! Then he can get a down off. If he could do that he would make it on the Ravens, if not hes gone!

[sizzlingdoom]

"We had to throw to check downs all game because they were dropping 8 guys in coverage" SO RUN THE DAMN BALL UP THEIR THROATS AND MAKE THEM STACK THE BOX!!

Seriously. So Ridiculous. Even when they try to hand us 2 tds inside the 10 all we do is throw. Why didn't Tavon shadow Edleman. Why are both Harbaugh's so clueless about time management? We got outcoached big time, and Joe is terrified in the pocket whether there's pressure or not. We won't win in the playoffs like this

[Rav'n Maniac]

We were from top to bottom, side to side totally outcoached and outplayed in this game. They executed, we didn't. It's as simple as that.