3 Headed Monster (and More)-q&a With Coach Cam

[bce086]

Link: [url="http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/story/11849120?tag=tabSet_headline_div"]http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfo...et_headline_div[/url]

Nothing but good news in this article.


[b]Rice [/b]- "Obviously, Ray has had a tremendous offseason. They all took look-squad, they all worked with the first unit and the second unit. We're just interchanging backs with both units. There are going to be times this year where you're going to see both of those guys if not all three of those guys in the game at the same time."

[b]Mclain [/b]- "You know, I've read that everybody thinks we've moved him back to fullback and I'm not sure where that came from. He's a running back. That's the way I view him. To me, Lorenzo Neal is a fullback, and a great one. Le'Ron, to me, and I felt like this when I saw him in college, is a potential running back. He's also a guy that can play fullback, play tailback, and actually we're going to use him a little bit at tight end this year."

[b]McGahee [/b]- "He's been full speed [at the team's last minicamp] and has looked as good as he's looked since I've seen him. I'm just optimistic. He missed the entire training camp last year and he should come into training camp this year ready to go, which is exciting."

More info on Flacco, our receivers...

Read and lets discuss!

[lowrider]

It's good to hear how positive Cam is on our offense. John Harbaugh's best moves he made was to hire Cameron and Hue Jackson. Those two are doing wonders for our team.

[slugz1]

Is there anything else about the Ravens offense that you'd like to brag about or might be of interest to the football world?

Cameron: Everybody's excited about what we've done, and I can speak for our offense when I say that we don't think we've done anything. That's the good news. Last year, we gave up the second-fewest sacks in the organization's history, and we gave up way too many sacks in everybody's mind. We had the fewest or second-fewest number of turnovers in the team's history and we feel like we turned the ball over way too much. That's what I like about our guys -- we led the league in time of possession and there were still several opportunities where we could have stayed on the field longer. I really like our guys' approach, they're excited about the direction we're headed, but in no way do our guys think we've even scratched the surface of what we can and will be.

This is my favorite part.

[Alexir]

I mean if you want McClain to be a running back why the hell did you let Lorenzo Neal sign with the raiders....

Don't understand you Cam. Jason Cook better be freakin great then.

[bce086]

[quote name='Alexir' post='201273' date='Jun 18 2009, 01:11 PM']I mean if you want McClain to be a running back why the hell did you let Lorenzo Neal sign with the raiders....

Don't understand you Cam. Jason Cook better be freakin great then.[/quote]


yea i agree... so who the hell is gunna be the FB now? I understand it will prolly be Mclain 50% of the time... but what about the rest?! Is Cook ready to step right in? Cuz i doubt it.

[bce086]

I also find it interesting that Cam says: "Joe never kept us from expanding it. Last year we were really trying to develop our offensive line because we had a lot of second- and third-year guys, but they're further along so that should allow us to expand more. With Joe, there really wasn't a lot we couldn't do because of him".

It sounds like he is going to be incorporating 2 tight end sets, and allowing Flacco to throw over the middle a little more, depending on how well the line matures and settles in for him.

[samic]

i am really optimistic about our offense this season. many people are talking about us not picking up a WR, but i feel with the development of flacco and the WR's we have on our roster in addition to the players we've added, our offense can truly do some great things this season. remember our o-line struggled a lot last season and needed help from the TE's and RB's. Flacco is also speeding up his process and our WR's are working like hell to get better. We are basically adding by improving and that works too. we don't necessarily have to go out and sign the biggest FA on the market. I for one am very enthusiastic about what our offense can do this season and hope we play lights out. I want us to be able to bury teams early and put them away so they aren't hanging around in the 4th where they can win the game. here's to no more close games!!! except maybe the steelers, those are always close. I hate the steelers!!!

[JEEPercreepermd]

I've been exited about our offense since last season. I mean, we haven't seen a quarterback throw 50,60,70 yard TD passes here since Vinny T. I think it all starts and ends with the Offensive line. If we can give the receivers that we have more time to get open deep, joe will find them. If the Offensive line doesn't need as much help from TE's, We can use them better in the passing game. All of that on top of the fact that i'd expect the Ravens to have one of the best running games in the NFL this year. We can sit here and talk about WR's all day long, but if the O-line succeeds then most likely the entire offense will benefit from it.

[ravensfan160]

[quote name='bce086' post='201282' date='Jun 18 2009, 01:30 PM']yea i agree... so who the hell is gunna be the FB now? I understand it will prolly be Mclain 50% of the time... but what about the rest?! [b]Is Cook ready to step right in? Cuz i doubt it[/b].[/quote]
He did go undrafted but then again with the demand for true FB's so low, how many even got drafted? So I don't think thats an indication of his talent as much as it would be for say a WR or QB. All I remember about him is he has great size and strength. Not to oversimplify the position but we'd basically just be asking him to run into people so he could be our lead blocker this season. Not Lorenzo Neal talent, but he's younger and we'll probably go with some more 1 back/2 TE sets this year anyway.

[bce086]

[quote name='ravensfan160' post='201306' date='Jun 18 2009, 02:34 PM']Not Lorenzo Neal talent, but he's younger and we'll probably go with some more 1 back/2 TE sets this year anyway.[/quote]

This is true, and I would like to see that actually. With 2 TEs and or 3 WRs lined up, defenses wont be able to stack the line on us anymore. This means the FB wont be AS important, and they hopefully wont be able to distinguish between run and pass plays.

Cam did mention having 2 TEs lined up for passing as well.

But he also mentioned that all 3 RBs could be on the field at the same time... ooohhh Cam you've got me excited for football.

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='ravensfan160' post='201306' date='Jun 18 2009, 02:34 PM']He did go undrafted but then again with the demand for true FB's so low, how many even got drafted? So I don't think thats an indication of his talent as much as it would be for say a WR or QB. All I remember about him is he has great size and strength. Not to oversimplify the position but we'd basically just be asking him to run into people so he could be our lead blocker this season. Not Lorenzo Neal talent, but he's younger and we'll probably go with some more 1 back/2 TE sets this year anyway.[/quote]

Yeah I agree. I don't think FB will be a problem because it never has been. Whoever we plug in there has success, because we don't ask them to do much. Just hit bulldoze people. Ovie, Justin Green, Sam Gash, Ricard, McClain, Neal...have we ever had a problem at FB?

[lowrider]

"4. Who are some sleepers on the roster?

The Ravens like tight end Davon Drew, the fifth-round pick out of East Carolina. He'll take a year or two to develop, but he could become a starter. Two others to keep an eye on are cornerback K.J. Gerard and fullback Jason Cook. Gerard (6 feet 1, 187 pounds) is a rookie free agent out of Northern Arizona. He had 19 career interceptions, and the Ravens like his nose for the ball. Cook (6-0, 235 pounds) is a free agent out of Mississippi. The Ravens need a fullback to back up Le'Ron McClain, and Cook could become McClain's lead blocker in short-yardage situations."

That's Mike Preston's take on Cook. I feel like the fullback situation will take care of itself. I'm not gonna worry about it.

[berad]

[i]"He will definitely get carries like he did last year."[/i]

What Cam said about LeRon, made me smile

[wolfzie06]

Anyone else excited to see Ray Rice this year?

[#1 D]

[quote name='berad' post='201385' date='Jun 18 2009, 05:21 PM'][i]"He will definitely get carries like he did last year."[/i]

What Cam said about LeRon, made me smile [/quote]

i hope he's right..but if he gets those carries, who will block for him? will it be more of a singleback set? will we acquire a FB? man im concerned about this halfbck-fullback situation, because we need another fullback to have similar success to last season.

[berad]

[quote name='#1 D' post='201416' date='Jun 18 2009, 05:52 PM']i hope he's right..but if he gets those carries, who will block for him? will it be more of a singleback set? will we acquire a FB? man im concerned about this halfbck-fullback situation, because we need another fullback to have similar success to last season.[/quote]

Yeah but Cameron's no dummy, he knows the value of a good FB; why do you think he had Neal here in the first place? I'm sure he's got something figured out and, as someone pointed out, great FBs always seem to spring out of nowhere in Ravens camp.

[#1 D]

[quote name='berad' post='201427' date='Jun 18 2009, 05:57 PM']Yeah but Cameron's no dummy, he knows the value of a good FB; why do you think he had Neal here in the first place? I'm sure he's got something figured out and, as someone pointed out, great FBs always seem to spring out of nowhere in Ravens camp.[/quote]

true true cam knows what he is doing...but with the extended role of HB and FB I would assume McClain would get a bit tired...? idk cam cam probably has that question figured out by now, but its still lurking around in my head. ugh.

[berad]

[quote name='#1 D' post='201431' date='Jun 18 2009, 05:59 PM']true true cam knows what he is doing...but with the extended role of HB and FB I would assume McClain would get a bit tired...? idk cam cam probably has that question figured out by now, but its still lurking around in my head. ugh. [/quote]

Yeah, a valid concern. I don't know what to tell you other than Cam is a good choice and I'm sure he's going to make good choices.

[darklight1216]

Cameron: You know, I've read that everybody thinks we've moved him back to fullback and I'm not sure where that came from. He's a running back. That's the way I view him.

>.< Ahhh!!!! Full backs [i]are[/i] running backs!

Great find though. Thanks for posting.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

[quote name='Alexir' post='201273' date='Jun 18 2009, 01:11 PM']I mean if you want McClain to be a running back why the hell did you let Lorenzo Neal sign with the raiders....

Don't understand you Cam. Jason Cook better be freakin great then.[/quote]

guys I read it as this the cerberus package is what they should call it when they do what cam said:There are going to be times this year where you're going to see both of those guys if not all three of those guys in the game at the same time. So there's no real pecking order right now."

[bce086]

[quote name='wolfzie06' post='201412' date='Jun 18 2009, 05:50 PM']Anyone else excited to see Ray Rice this year?[/quote]


VERY I think he is gunna have a huge role this year, getting 1000 total yds. I'm looking for a lot more screen passes and tosses his way. He's put on weight, they've said he is quicker... he's got a great work ethic.

It's going to be a very fun season I have a feeling.

[McBurks]

I see Cam swithcing a lot of our offense around especially the TE's and RB's.

[Jesse Conroy]

Good stuff.

[Ravensfan23]

I think it's great that we are a little over 1 month away from camp and most fans are worried about a backup FB. That tells me that things are lookin pretty good for the Ravens.
'
Now as far as the FB position. I think many are reading too much into it. McClain will be the FB for majority of the rushing attempts. He will get carries on short yardage and to close out games(see WAS game).

We first have to understand why LO Neal was brought into camp last season. He wasn't signed because we needed an extra FB for our offense to be effective. No he was signed because we knee that McGahee was banged up and the chances of him being that reliable RB was slim. Ray Rice was a rookie and Cam knew that McClain would be seeing a lot more carries. So that extra FB was a little more important last season.

However this year a healthy McGahee and Rice will dominate the carries for the Ravens. McGahee and Rice had a combined total of 277 carries last season while McClain had 232. Like i said i don't see him getting nearly as many carries this year. I see his total more in the range of Rice's last season at about 100-120, that an average of about 8-10 carries a game.


I look for the Ravens to open things up a lot more this year. Last year we had a young offense with an even younger offensive line. So running the ball 35-45 times a game was more of a neccessity then a preferred style. Look for more single back sets, to get an extra recieving option on the field.

The reason Lo Neal was let go was because he is a one dimensional FB(even tho he is great at that dimension), so really having him as your backup is a wasted roster spot. Cam will be able to do so much more, and Flacco would have a added option to pass to if a TE was motioned into the back field as that lead blocker for McClain.

Now i know many will be up in arms because i said having one of the greatest FBs in history a wasted roster spot, but for that reason is why i don't think Jason Cook makes this team. You are lookin at a roster full of some young quality talent and little spots avaliable, Cook won't be added to this roster just to be a lead blocker for 8-10 times a game. Cam will either line McClain up in the backfield alone, or have a guy like Edgar Jones or Quinn(if healthy) motion into the back field and handle those duites.

[akacrow]

The Ravens offense needs to work the seams. We will be using more two TE sets to get receivers in the middle of the field. Ravens WRs aren't built to go across the middle, this is why we have a log jam at TE. All we need is one FB if we are only going to be in the I form less than 40% of the run plays. IMO our offense will be similar to the 2006 Colts.

Cook will not start this year he is a project and will be on the PS. He is @ 230 pounds no way he has the size to run block in the AFCN.

[Purple Punishment]

I think McGahee is going to have a monster season this year. I know we are going to be spliiting carries between the 3, I think that hit he took was the wakeup call for a sleeping beast

[go4ravens]

Ngata could probably be a good fullback. I'm not saying he should be, but he'd probably lay some pretty intense blocks.

[slugz1]

Lo Neal has help L-Train out to become a better blocker and to give a lil insight on the same and his lil secrets to blocking so well. Leron has a chance to become a better FB than Lo. Leron is bigger,faster,stronger and more powerful. THat means more bulldozing, bigger holes and more long runs. Leron blocked for mcgahee in 2007 and Willis topped over 1000 yards so i dont see why he cant don it again. Which one would you be scared of? Leron coming full speed ahead or Lo?

[bce086]

[quote name='slugz1' date='28 June 2009 - 04:54 PM' timestamp='1246222456' post='204212']
Lo Neal has help L-Train out to become a better blocker and to give a lil insight on the same and his lil secrets to blocking so well. Leron has a chance to become a better FB than Lo. Leron is bigger,faster,stronger and more powerful. THat means more bulldozing, bigger holes and more long runs. Leron blocked for mcgahee in 2007 and Willis topped over 1000 yards so i dont see why he cant don it again. Which one would you be scared of? Leron coming full speed ahead or Lo?
[/quote]

Your right, Mclain is bigger (260 lbs 6' compared to Lo Neal at 5'11" 255 lbs) but who would I be more scared of? Easy, LoNeal!

But I think running behind Neal should have taught him some great things last season.

[Twoo]

I have to admit, I'm really excited about this season. McG healthy again, Rice bulked up big time and McC back at fullback but still able to get carries. We're going to have a monster season rushing...