[News] Eisenberg: Hardest Parts Of Running Game Reboot Still Lie Ahead

[BR News]

The Ravens owner clearly stating his desire for more offensive balance, followed by a coaching shakeup, will help. But the Ravens still need to bulk up their offensive line, add a breakaway threat in the backfield and get buy-in from their play caller.

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[TorryGundy]

Every time we have a run game conversation I get confused.

Here are my questions. If everyone says 4 out of the 5 parts of our line was so good, can a bad center really wreck an O line or are we over valuing some of the other parts?

Why did we not run behind our full back more?

Why are all of the coaches surprised we did not run more, don't they call the plays?

Why are we staying an a Zone scheme when it only worked the Kubiac year, our line was made to maul not finesse?

[griffrb]

I thought you were selling purple kool-aid this morning this morning on the run game being fixed. Your last two paragraphs confirms you are not.

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

You could start by actually calling Running plays

[ellicottraven]

Get buy in from the play caller? Well since he got a brand new lease of life, he better buy in hook, line and sinker or he'll be out of a job before he can spell 'job'.

[TheConquerorWorm]

Every time we have a run game conversation I get confused.

Here are my questions. If everyone says 4 out of the 5 parts of our line was so good, can a bad center really wreck an O line or are we over valuing some of the other parts?

Why did we not run behind our full back more?

Why are all of the coaches surprised we did not run more, don't they call the plays?

Why are we staying an a Zone scheme when it only worked the Kubiac year, our line was made to maul not finesse?

We had 9 different starting O-line combinations this year. And yes a bad center can wreck an o-line (pressure up the middle destroys any offense)

Because Juice is a horrible run blocking FB. Good pass blocking, good at catching out of the backfield. horrible at run blocking (See 4th & Goal vs. Giants or Safety vs Pats)

You call the plays based on game situations. 2nd & 3rd and long because of penalties - you don't run the ball. Down by 20 in the 1st Quarter to the Browns, you don't run the ball. Down by 17 to Brady in the 2nd quarter, you don't run the ball. Defense has 9 guys in the box, you don't run the ball. Defense is run blitzing, you don't run the ball. It's not until the game is over that you see the stats.

No team runs just one scheme (just like no team plays just a 4-3 or 3-4 defense). We ran plays in a Zone scheme & a Power Scheme.

[KingJames757]

This is getting redundant, and it’s extremely irritating. Fix it permanently or stop talking about it. Drafting has been horrendous the previous three years and quarterback play has been mediocre ( we let go of Tyrod who actually could have helped us). We are one dimensional and every team is aware of the game plan before the game even starts. Stop serving us “pee” and calling it lemonade!!!!!

[whobilly]

This is getting redundant, and it’s extremely irritating. Fix it permanently or stop talking about it. Drafting has been horrendous the previous three years and quarterback play has been mediocre ( we let go of Tyrod who actually could have helped us). We are one dimensional and every team is aware of the game plan before the game even starts. Stop serving us “pee” and calling it lemonade!!!!!

Tyrod could have helped? Backup QB's play out their four years and sign with another team who over pays them.

[whobilly]

Key to Running Game Reboot. RUN THE BALL MORE THAN 8 TIMES A GAME.

[Raven1995]

This is getting redundant, and it’s extremely irritating. Fix it permanently or stop talking about it. Drafting has been horrendous the previous three years and quarterback play has been mediocre ( we let go of Tyrod who actually could have helped us). We are one dimensional and every team is aware of the game plan before the game even starts. Stop serving us “pee” and calling it lemonade!!!!!

Tyrod's Coach lost his Job, I don't think Tyrod could of helped us.

[birdseye]

Great article. I would argue one point though, which kind of goes hand in hand with what you are saying; that KD and TW can't break a long run. How many times did either back make it through the line of scrimmage before contact. Its impossible to break runs with any consistency when you have to fight just to get through the line of scrimmage every run. If Dixon has the holes Zeke has in Dallas he would have popped numerous long runs, he is faster than ray rice was coming out of school and RR could flip the field.

[Raven1995]

  40 minutes ago, TorryGundy said:

Every time we have a run game conversation I get confused.

Here are my questions. If everyone says 4 out of the 5 parts of our line was so good, can a bad center really wreck an O line or are we over valuing some of the other parts?

Why did we not run behind our full back more?

Why are all of the coaches surprised we did not run more, don't they call the plays?

Why are we staying an a Zone scheme when it only worked the Kubiac year, our line was made to maul not finesse?

We had 9 different starting O-line combinations this year. And yes a bad center can wreck an o-line (pressure up the middle destroys any offense)

Because Juice is a horrible run blocking FB. Good pass blocking, good at catching out of the backfield. horrible at run blocking (See 4th & Goal vs. Giants or Safety vs Pats)

You call the plays based on game situations. 2nd & 3rd and long because of penalties - you don't run the ball. Down by 20 in the 1st Quarter to the Browns, you don't run the ball. Down by 17 to Brady in the 2nd quarter, you don't run the ball. Defense has 9 guys in the box, you don't run the ball. Defense is run blitzing, you don't run the ball. It's not until the game is over that you see the stats.

No team runs just one scheme (just like no team plays just a 4-3 or 3-4 defense). We ran plays in a Zone scheme & a Power Scheme.

I agree on everything except not running in certain instances. The Philly and Cincy game at the goal line. Both times should of run. I think the coaches are in a bad mind set and try to out think the other team instead of going at them. They have great success on pitch outs and WR sweeps but they only use it once or twice a game and abandon it.They need to throw the kitchen sink at defense's. Run Campanaro 3 or 4 times a game, Run Wallace a few times, 5 pitch outs, and Flacco's Knee should be better, so "Make" him run 4 times a game. Juice and Pitta are Horrible Blockers so Maybe have Boyle in the Backfield on a 5 or 6 plays a game. This is just off the top of my head, and don't get paid to coach so the Offensive coaches are on the Hot Seat from Day One in September, see you then.

[RavensDieHard21]

1 hour ago, TorryGundy said:

Every time we have a run game conversation I get confused.

Here are my questions. If everyone says 4 out of the 5 parts of our line was so good, can a bad center really wreck an O line or are we over valuing some of the other parts?

Why did we not run behind our full back more?

Why are all of the coaches surprised we did not run more, don't they call the plays?

Why are we staying an a Zone scheme when it only worked the Kubiac year, our line was made to maul not finesse?
 

Our line two years ago was meant to maul, especially the interior. Outside of Yanda and some flashes from Lewis, we had more of a finesse line. Stanley and Wagner are decent run blockers, but right now neither are going to block their man into oblivion then move to the next level the way I. Which Yanda does and KO did. Stanley has the potential though. 

[balfan23]

All the talk about what we lost after the super bowl season revolves around the obvious departures of Lewis, Reed and Boldin. Rarely do I ever hear anyone mention Matt Birk. That guy was a mainstay in the middle of our O line and was one of the best FA pickups we've ever had. Our run game has basically not been right since he left, with the disastrous promotion of Gino the following year and the up-and-down performances from Zuttah. 

[Football]

An interesting article. I think getting a Center will help tremendously. I watched LeVeon Bell follow Maurice Ponsey several times Sunday night for the Steelers and thought if we only had a Center like that! Perhaps draft a replacement for Yanda as well. Someone that can back up the interior line for a year or two.

I also think we need a good line coach and the realization that Gary Kubiak's zone blocking scheme is the offense we should build on. Why we went out to get Trestman was confusing to me. Our QB, love him or hate him is an extremely good deep passer. Why have him throw check down passes. Sticking to a run game that opens the deep ball and incorporate more slants etc will be very helpful for Flacco. His release may have been faster but I doubt he looked at all his options. He is and never will be a Tom Brady and why should he if he can accurately hit some 40-50 yards down the field when protected? Anyone remember Ken Stabler and the Raiders offense in the 70's?

West, Dixon, Buck Allen, and Juice also need to be used more creatively. I was very happy to see we gave the ball to Juice when he scored in Pittsburgh. Why he isn't used as a runner at least 2-3 times per game is beyond me. I still wonder why our ex Navy QB wasn't tried in the backfield at all. He scored a lot of touchdowns running out of the backfield. He understands running lanes, that's how he was second in college on the lifetime TDs scored. To think we have the #1and 2 lifetime NCAA touchdown scorers on our team and don't have themon the field 75-80% of the time is silly. They were playmakers before, put them out there and see what they can really do for you.

I really think we have more than enough backs who can get a 20 yard gain, we just need blockers. Speaking of blockers, if John Urchel is good athlete, why don't we use him as a huge blocker. It's a shame to see him regress some this year, but I think the offensive coaching staff was at best below average. I hope Greg Roman can at least right the sinking ship some.

[axisofeeble]

Gee.....we need O-line help if we are to run the ball WOW! Thank God we hired a new coach instead of a big center,tackle,guard. Flacco might be "elite" if he had time to throw,let's hire a new QB coach....or better yet a new WR coach instead of a route running YOUNG "elite" pass catcher.

[balfan23]

This article basically says to get the run game going we not only need to beef up the O line, but also get a break-away threat in the backfield. Given we clearly need help at WR as well, that leaves little resources left to address problems on defense. I like the sound of getting ourselves to be dominant up front and make the run game a threat again, as maybe, just maybe it will allow Flacco to return to his previous level of play and then we'll just have to hope that the defense can hold up enough to allow us to win games. 

[MTRavensFan]

28 minutes ago, balfan23 said:

All the talk about what we lost after the super bowl season revolves around the obvious departures of Lewis, Reed and Boldin. Rarely do I ever hear anyone mention Matt Birk. That guy was a mainstay in the middle of our O line and was one of the best FA pickups we've ever had. Our run game has basically not been right since he left, with the disastrous promotion of Gino the following year and the up-and-down performances from Zuttah. 

I thought at the time, Birk was the one we'd miss the most. Turns out we're still missing him. As much as I love Urschel,  I just don't know if he has the physicality to get it done, and I hope we address the position this off-season. 

[Drew P]

33 minutes ago, balfan23 said:

This article basically says to get the run game going we not only need to beef up the O line, but also get a break-away threat in the backfield. Given we clearly need help at WR as well, that leaves little resources left to address problems on defense. I like the sound of getting ourselves to be dominant up front and make the run game a threat again, as maybe, just maybe it will allow Flacco to return to his previous level of play and then we'll just have to hope that the defense can hold up enough to allow us to win games. 

Yeah and they have two unknowns in Crockett and Maxx. Crockett might be Camp 2.0 and Maxx at this point has fallen behind Boyle

[GMAC]

Kubiak showed us how to execute the zone blocking scheme to perfection. Then he leaves and it's as if all that knowledge left with him. Harbaugh needed to be the one to insist we build on that great season, but we've had two forgettable ones since.

[ravensnj]

Besides, upgrading the Center position, I believe the running game will be fine. We just needed OC commitment. Towards the end of the year, West and Dixon were complimentary toward what I believe was a very formidable ground game whether rushing or receiving from the backfield.

However, if we need that explosive piece, we can opt for my favorite player in the upcoming draft, Christian McCaffrey. Hopefully, he slides to us in the 2nd round, as I have us going corner or receiver in the first. He can also jump outside or in the slot, at the drop of the hat.

[Crusader]

You could start by actually calling Running plays

They would actually have some to call some.

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

  2 hours ago, balfan23 said:

All the talk about what we lost after the super bowl season revolves around the obvious departures of Lewis, Reed and Boldin. Rarely do I ever hear anyone mention Matt Birk. That guy was a mainstay in the middle of our O line and was one of the best FA pickups we've ever had. Our run game has basically not been right since he left, with the disastrous promotion of Gino the following year and the up-and-down performances from Zuttah. 

I thought at the time, Birk was the one we'd miss the most. Turns out we're still missing him. As much as I love Urschel,  I just don't know if he has the physicality to get it done, and I hope we address the position this off-season. 

The only thing good about urschel is his math skills guy is NOT an NFL center

[jsarrocohome@yahoo.com]

This is getting redundant, and it’s extremely irritating. Fix it permanently or stop talking about it. Drafting has been horrendous the previous three years and quarterback play has been mediocre ( we let go of Tyrod who actually could have helped us). We are one dimensional and every team is aware of the game plan before the game even starts. Stop serving us “pee” and calling it lemonade!!!!!

Tyrod is Terrible

[Crusader]

Every time we have a run game conversation I get confused.

Here are my questions. If everyone says 4 out of the 5 parts of our line was so good, can a bad center really wreck an O line or are we over valuing some of the other parts?

Why did we not run behind our full back more?

Why are all of the coaches surprised we did not run more, don't they call the plays?

Why are we staying an a Zone scheme when it only worked the Kubiac year, our line was made to maul not finesse?

"Specifically, extending Joe Flacco’s contract with a boatload of new guaranteed money before they were forced to and when he was coming off a down season can be debated. Spending precious salary cap space on an old tight end in Ben Watson, who was promptly injured, after the team had been decimated by injuries in previous seasons was another head scratcher. And choosing a pair of defenders on Day 2 of the draft, Kamalei Correa and Bronson Kaufusi, who did not have the pedigree or NFL ready bodies to provide instant coffee was suspect." There a lot of that going around.

[Adreme]

What is the cause of the disconnect between where Zuttah graded out (9th best Center in football) and how people view his value.  If he is as good as his grade said then why is he the issue and if not how did he get that grade?

[Purple Dawg 96]

Gotta get another RB 6ft 230-240 lbs like Willis McGahee and B. Pierce! I like whom we have now but in the draft gotta get another big back because Willis was a beast and Pierce was rite on track but we all know how that ended! I just don't want to wear our backs out when we have all this fire power at WR!

[Ravensfansince03]

We do need a CLEAR franchise RB. We could have kept Rice..but that's another topic. The problem though, is our staff focusing the emphasis on Flacco, and not the entire team. They somehow think that Flacco is Brady material or something, and that if we simply put in WR's that have speed, then we will score TD's like hotcakes at Denny's. That does not work. If anything the team with the most successful offense has possession, clutch receivers. Not a bunch of receivers that have good 40 yard dash numbers.

That brings me to my next point, should we draft a QB with potential to lead this team? When they paid Flacco all that money, was it center this teams success around the talent of Flacco? Or was it just to compensate him for what we believed he could do for us. I only ask that because, say for instance we draft a QB, who given the opportunity shows better instinct than Flacco. Would our staff bench Flacco, or would they start him simply because he is taking up so much cap space. If the ultimate goal is for this team to be successful, then it should not matter that the person who is making the most money is the one on the field.

The main focus should be having the players on the field that put us in the best position to win, or who makes the most plays. Long story short, lets draft a backup QB, who has potential. I was just watching a tape about Brady back at Michigan and it made me think. Think how this team can get lucky and find a QB between the 4th and 6th round. A QB that can turn this franchise completely around. That may be more important right now than having us fans go through this torturous phase of waiting for Flacco to break out. He's very slow, and more energetic and competitive QB, along with a bigger more electrifying RB could be all this team needs to really be successful for years to come.

[Raven in ATL]

i see lots of fingers being pointed around in the article, but they are skipping a big Juan if you ask me....

[Raven in ATL]

Gotta get another RB 6ft 230-240 lbs like Willis McGahee and B. Pierce! I like whom we have now but in the draft gotta get another big back because Willis was a beast and Pierce was rite on track but we all know how that ended! I just don't want to wear our backs out when we have all this fire power at WR!

what is this firepower at WR you speak of???