Ravens Report Card???

[steelerhater]

Okay, I'll defend myself a bit here.

I realize the popular thing to do is to blame Cam for all losses. And to give everyone an F when the team loses.

And I realize that the easy assumption to make when the team loses is to conclude that Ray Rice didn't touch the ball enough. It's easy to look at his 6.5 yards per carry average and say, hey, run the ball all day long with him and he gets 200 yards on the day.

But I argue that part of the reason he was able to run effectively is the game plan, which I applaud, and which I believe was leaps and bounds smarter than what we saw two weeks ago in Pittsburgh, despite a better result.

I liked the approach of spreading the field and pressuring the Steelers to drop back into coverage, opening up running lanes (a hallmark of the Air Coryell system that Cam came out of).

Had the gameplan called for run, run, run, I argue that Rice's production would not be nearly as good as it looked. And besides, take away the 34 yard touchdown where he should have been tackled at the line, and his numbers don't look all that impressive.

Starting late in the second quarter, Rice's carries were for 1, 2, 3, -1, 0, and the 34 yard TD where he should have been tackled for a loss.

Had Cam kept running the ball like that, with three and outs, and then kicked the ball to the Steelers, I guarantee there would be the same harsh criticism of how conservative the offense was, and how scared Cam was to let Joe throw the ball.

Hell, even when they failed to move the ball at the end of the game and were forced to punt, Koch sent it 57 yards to the Steelers 11 and the Ravens defense still failed to hold the lead.

Take another look at the critical Flacco fourth-quarter sack/fumble after the Reed interception. It was typical of what the game was like for the Ravens. The Steelers have seven in the box and are playing one-deep. I don't know what the hell Flacco is doing. The ball should be going to an open Dennis Pitta on the forty, and thrown before he comes out of the break, because he's very much open. Torrey Smith is running a post pattern and has a step on the corner in the middle of the field. Ray Rice is there for a dump off underneath for anyone who thinks he was the magic answer.

There is nothing wrong with the play call, but Oher can't slow down Harrison and Flacco pats the ball three times too many.

No one was complaining when two plays earlier when Flacco hit Boldin for six. And no one was saying run the ball more after the next play, a run that went for -1. They did get Pitta involved on the very next play, and Oher and Flacco screwed the pooch. Not sure how that's on Cam.

I also liked how they were creative enough to get Leach involved and use Rice to draw defenders away from the flat.

My view of this game was that it was a decent gameplan spoiled by receivers who dropped balls, a left tackle who couldn't stop anyone, a quarterback who seems to have lost his way this season, and a general lack of intensity facing a wounded rival whose backs were against the wall.

Look, I would have liked to have seen a few more running plays, too, and I would like to see the route trees consist of some more rubs and unpredictability. But on my list of why the Ravens offense failed last Sunday, the gameplan and playcalling were WAY down the list of problems from my perspective.

Frankly, if I'm grading Harbaugh, Pees, and Cam, Cam gets the best grade of the bunch. Why is no one concerned that for 12 weeks now the defensive secondary can't all get on the same page and receivers are constantly open in the middle of the field?

Let's not be afraid to place blame on players when it's the players who are failing to perform.

When you game plan for more of a passing attack and your quarterback has a horrible game, it isn't going to be pretty. Maybe Cam doesn't like to ue the middle of the field because he figures that if Flacco is going to keep sailing balls over the heads of his receivers, its better to do it on the sidelines.

[StingerNLG]

Sorry, gotta disagree here. McKinnie hasn't worked hard in practice and has basically already checked out for the season.

I also have to ask based on what info? He's been silent to the media, and so have the Ravens on him.

[StingerNLG]

John Harbaugh wants to win football games. So did Brian Billick. So does every single coach in the NFL. He'd rather hold a grudge then put the best players on the field?

I don't think so. I've never been a John Harbaugh cheerleader, but I will still give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows more about what the players' capabilities are, given his 24/7 access to them, than I do, sitting here at this computer.

I am typically a John Harbaugh supporter. However, if he continues to feel that this OL is the best 5 guys he can put out there based on what we have all seen from them, then I have to question his decision making.

There is no doubt McKinnie is in the Harbaugh dog house. And we all know there is one. Of course Harbaugh wants to win. But that doesn't mean is putting the best 5 OL guys out there.

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Coaches deserve a Zzzzzzz for letting the team sleep on the Steelers & CHARLIE FREAKING BATCH

[B-more Ravor]

I also have to ask based on what info? He's been silent to the media, and so have the Ravens on him.

Feel free to email some of the guys in the press, if you'd like.

[esmd]

My view of this game was that it was a decent gameplan spoiled by receivers who dropped balls, a left tackle who couldn't stop anyone, a quarterback who seems to have lost his way this season, and a general lack of intensity facing a wounded rival whose backs were against the wall.

Good point. I agree completely.

Frankly, if I'm grading Harbaugh, Pees, and Cam, Cam gets the best grade of the bunch. Why is no one concerned that for 12 weeks now the defensive secondary can't all get on the same page and receivers are constantly open in the middle of the field?

Let's not be afraid to place blame on players when it's the players who are failing to perform.

Also good points. I dunno if I can blame Pees completely with the 3rd and 4th stringers (not to mention guys from the PS) that we're running out there right now. The defense gave us 270 total yards in the 2nd half alone, and should've given up a lot more than the 90 that they did in the first half. If Flacco had the lack of pressure and wide open receivers that Batch did, he'd have hung 400+ yds passing on the Steelers.

As for the o-line, they've got issues, but I don't think McKinnie is the answer. KO I think is okay. Really they need a new C (who knows if Gradkowski can step up next year), and I'd like to see them try to find a LT this offseason and move Oher to LG. But for now, I think they're stuck with what they've got. A lot of ppl worried about the o-line before the season, and it seems to have come to fruition.

One thing that does frustrate me, and I put this more on Flacco than Cam, is the continuous forcing of balls down the field. I don't mind them taking some shots, hell, I like it. But when things are sputtering, and you're forcing it downfield into double and triple coverage every 2-3 plays, that's an issue. Not only do you risk INT's, but it contributes greatly to those 3 and outs that seem to plague the offense. If the deep route is double or triple covered, then someone has to be open underneath, whether it's a dump off to RR, a TE, or the other WR on a shorter route or going deep across the field. Ppl like to rip Cam for that, but the QB has his progressions, and it's on him to throw it to the open guy.

[StingerNLG]

Feel free to email some of the guys in the press, if you'd like.

sure thing. I'll get Mike Preston online.

this is the same press by the way I read and hear also saying that this is not the best offense line on the field and why isn't Bryant McKinnie out there.

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[Shas]

I dunno if I can blame Pees completely with the 3rd and 4th stringers (not to mention guys from the PS) that we're running out there right now.

Hmm. Good point. I should take into consideration how many players down they've been. Although, the communication issues have really been there from day one, back when only Suggs was missing (well, and JJ and Redding if you count them).

As for the o-line, they've got issues, but I don't think McKinnie is the answer. KO I think is okay. Really they need a new C (who knows if Gradkowski can step up next year), and I'd like to see them try to find a LT this offseason and move Oher to LG. But for now, I think they're stuck with what they've got. A lot of ppl worried about the o-line before the season, and it seems to have come to fruition.

McKinnie is clearly not the answer, I agree there. Birk has played better this year than last. But I worry about expecting much from Gradkowsi. Grubbs now looks like a big loss to me. Osemele is way ahead of projection and Oher way behind. I think the line is okay. You can win with them if all else is working.

One thing that does frustrate me, and I put this more on Flacco than Cam, is the continuous forcing of balls down the field. I don't mind them taking some shots, hell, I like it. But when things are sputtering, and you're forcing it downfield into double and triple coverage every 2-3 plays, that's an issue. Not only do you risk INT's, but it contributes greatly to those 3 and outs that seem to plague the offense. If the deep route is double or triple covered, then someone has to be open underneath, whether it's a dump off to RR, a TE, or the other WR on a shorter route or going deep across the field. Ppl like to rip Cam for that, but the QB has his progressions, and it's on him to throw it to the open guy.

I can't argue with this too much. It's Cam's philosophy and why they liked Flacco to begin with...the deep ball. On the plus side Flacco has avoided too many INTs for a team that does force it deep a lot. On the minus side I do feel like they limit their options when they try to balance the need to avoid INTs with the desire to throw deep with the desire to use Rice/Leach and the TE. I wish Cam's offense had more of a profile that made sense. Too clever for his own good.

[B-more Ravor]

sure thing. I'll get Mike Preston online.

this is the same press by the way I read and hear also saying that this is not the best offense line on the field and why isn't Bryant McKinnie out there.

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As my PM to you said, it's from guys that are far more reputable that Preston.

[StingerNLG]

As my PM to you said, it's from guys that are far more reputable that Preston.

Well, in this case listening to the radio and reading the newspaper, your PM information isn't "iron clad" afaiac.

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[B-more Ravor]

Well, in this case listening to the radio and reading the newspaper, your PM information isn't "iron clad" afaiac.

Your prerogative............

[StingerNLG]

Your prerogative............

As is yours my friend. But let me ask you the question, media aside. Do you as a watching fan believe we have the best 5 people starting on the line?

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[s.r.genovese]

As is yours my friend. But let me ask you the question, media aside. Do you as a watching fan believe we have the best 5 people starting on the line?

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The WITH McKinney was not very great last year. And that was with a Pro Bowl LG who is no longer on the roster. The dude's effort when he IS on the field is clearly lacking. Everyone can see he is whiffing on blocks. So why is it so hard to believe that his effort on the practice field is also lacking?

[JMUpurkfool]

The bottom line is this.

Is KO a better left guard than Jah Reid? Obviously this is speculation but judging from his performance at RT I think he could go a good job at LG.

Is Oher a better LT than KO? After seeing KO whiff on a couple guys in the last few games I think it's safe to say that Michael Oher is a little better at that position.

Is McKinnie better than Oher at LT? As a pass blocker, no doubt. As a run blocker, not at all. But if we're gonna keep passing way more than we run than I think McKinnie is a better option at LT.

Now this doesn't account for the logistics of practicing all the position changes and learning the assignments but from a skill standpoint I think that's the best line up.

[B-more Ravor]

As is yours my friend. But let me ask you the question, media aside. Do you as a watching fan believe we have the best 5 people starting on the line?

If McKinnie was in shape "enough" and motivated "enough" as he was last year, then he should be starting.

If he's not, then I would say, yes we are.

[StingerNLG]

If McKinnie was in shape "enough" and motivated "enough" as he was last year, then he should be starting.

If he's not, then I would say, yes we are.

I'm not speaking in hypothetical "ifs" though. I absolutely do not believe that the best offensive line we can have out there to protect Joe Flacco has Michael Oher at LT, Jah Reid at LG, and KO at RT.

So we are simply on different ends of this one.

[B-more Ravor]

I'm not speaking in hypothetical "ifs" though. I absolutely do not believe that the best offensive line we can have out there to protect Joe Flacco has Michael Oher at LT, Jah Reid at LG, and KO at RT.

So we are simply on different ends of this one.

Yes, I guess we are.

I would certainly agree that McKinnie of 2011 would be our best LT, but I don't think the McKinnie of 2012 is (unfortunately).

[Kevlar]

Yes, I guess we are.

I would certainly agree that McKinnie of 2011 would be our best LT, but I don't think the McKinnie of 2012 is (unfortunately).

Are there escalators in McKinnie's contract that the Ravens are trying to avoid?

[landspeed]

I'd say C for coaching, with points taken off for time clock management and not giving Ray the ball enough in the fourth.

The coaches didn't drop five balls, give up 300+ in yardage, sailed balls over Torrey's head or commit rather stupid penalties.

I think we held them to under 100 yards in the first half. They took off in the second half. That is coaching, not the players.

Deep passing plays are very low percentage plays, obviously Joe was off sunday with his deep balls. WHY DO YOU KEEP THROWING IT DEEP? Where are the crossing patterns? Outside of the first drive I didnt see any quick slants all day. Where are some WR screens, bunch formations, something over the MIDDLE. We complete 84% of our passes over the middle.

[landspeed]

John Harbaugh wants to win football games. So did Brian Billick. So does every single coach in the NFL. He'd rather hold a grudge then put the best players on the field?

I don't think so. I've never been a John Harbaugh cheerleader, but I will still give him the benefit of the doubt that he knows more about what the players' capabilities are, given his 24/7 access to them, than I do, sitting here at this computer.

Let me just throw a few names out there.

Dannell Ellerbe, Antwan Barnes, Jared Gaither, Willis McGahee.

Specifically Dannell Ellerbe and Antwan Barnes

Keeping Dannell Ellerbe off the field, simply because he show boated after a INT for TD in the PRE SEASON is simply inexcusable. It was a complete detriment to the team and its success.

Antwan Barnes showed so much promise when going after the QB, but he ended up in the dog house. Then was essentially cut(4th or 5th round pick, MAYBE). Then he goes on to have like 18 sacks over the next 2 seasons.