Reminder to take it easy on ol' Jimmy for the first couple weeks

**Shambla** · 12-10-2012, 01:53 PM

So I'm excited as anyone given today's news. Even if this season (and even Caldwell as an OC) doesn't pan out, the organization decided to make a change instead of doing the same thing for another year.

Caldwell has been with the team for less than a year, has never been an OC, and chances are he won't have time to install his own system. Meanwhile he'll be facing two of the best past rushing teams with this hodge-podge offensive line.

On the bright side I feel like OC's aren't as important as DC's. You can name great DC's like Lebeau, Wade Phillips, and the Ryan family but when I think of recent great OC's the only name that comes to mind is Billick ironically. There are OC's behind potent offenses in today's game but it's mainly because they have outstanding QB's who are allowed to do their thing -- I believe the defense is the more scheme heavy side.

I'm not asking for much out of Caldwell these next couple weeks. All I want to see is common sense: use the middle of the field, use Ray Rice if he's being effective, don't let Joe throw 50 passes on his off days, don't line up in the shotgun on 3rd and 2.

**Kyle Cactus** · 12-10-2012, 02:06 PM

Good post. We should be patient and give time for Caldwell to get going. Hopefully 4+ games will provide some insight on Joe w/o Cam and Caldwell as an OC, but without an off-season to truly prepare for this, it's not an ideal situation for evaluation.

I haven't seen anything labeling his promotion as interim, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was on a 1-year contract. Anyone know how long Caldwell's contract is for?

Either way, I think this off-season the FO will be evaluating Joe's worth as well as the worth of Caldwell as an OC and, if necessary, other potential OCs.

**JoeCool5** · 12-10-2012, 02:07 PM

My sentiments exactly. However, I think with the total disconnect between Joe and Cam showing itself multiple times over the las few years, any change is welcome, even with only three games left. I don't think anyone should feel our offense will suddenly take off now considering Caldwell has never been an OC, but he is well-respected within the organization and among the players, so I am sure they are excited for this weekend.

**RavenScallywag** · 12-10-2012, 02:10 PM

Unfortunately, not much can be gleaned from 3 weeks...

Cam's system is what we'll be running. His playbook is what we'll be looking at. His system, HIS system, is what will decide our fate this year. Caldwell may call things differently, but the plays, the routes, etc, will all be Cam's.

So if Joe looks mediocre still, you don't know if it's the same archaic system, or Joe himself.

Then, this offseason, we now have TWO decisions to make. Joe is due a contract or tag, and then do you go with Caldwell again, or make a move for Turner or someone else?

The only way this move can answer any questions is if suddenly the offense starts executing dramatically differently.

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-10-2012, 02:21 PM

Hell with that, I want results!

**Shambla** · 12-10-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

Hell with that, I want results!

Ravens drop 42 on the Broncos.

Board explodes as fans wonder "what could have been".

**rlh445** · 12-10-2012, 02:24 PM

Ha, yea right. Look, the Ravens had all this time to do it and waited until there were three regular season games left. Unfortunately for Jim, they didn't axe Cam just to let him slide for the 'first couple of weeks'. He's gonna need to do a better job than Cam has (and according to most everybody, that shouldn't be too hard right?) and do it immediately. Nature of the beast.

**Kyle Cactus** · 12-10-2012, 02:25 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Caldwell may call things differently, but the plays, the routes, etc, will all be Cam's.

I'm no expert on X's and O's but my understanding was that the Coryell system was both a system for naming plays and an overall philosophy on how to execute an offense. The naming convention necessarily will remain intact for at least the remainder of the season, but there's no reason some of the plays and routes can't change.

I don't think it would be wise to completely overhaul the formations and route concepts that we use, but Caldwell could slowly introduce some unused or infrequently used schemes. He could also emphasis different elements of the existing schemes.

**JoeCool5** · 12-10-2012, 02:35 PM

Whatever, the playbook will be the same. The point is how and when to call those plays. Cam was awful at in-game adjustments. That's what will be examined: how Caldwell manages the game. If it is with Cam's plays, then fine, but hopefully Caldwell will recognize when to get away from the run and when to get away from the pass, which is something Cam showed a lot of weakness in.

**Shambla** · 12-10-2012, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by JoeCool5

Whatever, the playbook will be the same. The point is how and when to call those plays. Cam was awful at in-game adjustments. That's what will be examined: how Caldwell manages the game. If it is with Cam's plays, then fine, but hopefully Caldwell will recognize when to get away from the run and when to get away from the pass, which is something Cam showed a lot of weakness in.

If I could sum up Cam in a nutshell, it would be as if he sat down at his dinner table Saturday night and picked fifty of his favorite plays. On game day he just stared down at his sheet and rattled each one off, never looking up to see the game.

**JustaslowZ06** · 12-10-2012, 03:07 PM

You know what, I'll take scoring less points if we have long sustined drives, utilize the middle of the field, run some quick slants and rubs when the timing calls for it. You know intelligent playcalling. Sure Cam got it right once in a while but every squirrel can find a nut here and there.

Caldwell has never called plays, but he's worked with Manning who DID call the plays and I'm sure has had lengthy discussions about how he waned things to run. If Jimmy can hand that knowledge to Flacco and let him go with a idea here and there nd a hey peyton would prob do this is this situation every once in a while and I'm happy.

**runrayrun27** · 12-10-2012, 03:35 PM

Thought the playbook/system will be similar, I do expect to see some differences that are very noticeable. These guys are professional football players, many of whom have played in different systems, I don't see it unreasonable that new plays are implemented

**Benny8444** · 12-10-2012, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by JoeCool5

Whatever, the playbook will be the same. The point is how and when to call those plays. Cam was awful at in-game adjustments. That's what will be examined: how Caldwell manages the game. If it is with Cam's plays, then fine, but hopefully Caldwell will recognize when to get away from the run and when to get away from the pass, which is something Cam showed a lot of weakness in.

This is exactly what I expect, there is nothing wrong with Cams playbook its when he uses certian plays and if he uses certian ones at all. A lot of people call our offense too basic, I know there are more than just those basic plays in the playbook but cam was not running them so our offense became predictable.

He cant make adjustments and would not turn Flacco lose, he is too basic and at time when we needed to stay with the no huddle he did not and at times when we needed to open things up he did not he stayed basic. That is where the changes will be.

**Benny8444** · 12-10-2012, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by runrayrun27

Thought the playbook/system will be similar, I do expect to see some differences that are very noticeable. These guys are professional football players, many of whom have played in different systems, I don't see it unreasonable that new plays are implemented

I agree, but none that are complicated and it will probably take two weeks of practice before we see any new plays that were not in cams playbook in the games.

So look for new plays in the NYG game and this week look for different calls as well as a more open offense and better adjusting.

**steelerhater** · 12-10-2012, 03:46 PM

I'm very happy with this, but even I have to question the timing. Kind of strange that they fire the offensive coordinator after scoring 28 points. Also, I would think that they would've used Caldwell with the defense a bit this week since he's so familiar with Manning.

**runrayrun27** · 12-10-2012, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by steelerhater

I'm very happy with this, but even I have to question the timing. Kind of strange that they fire the offensive coordinator after scoring 28 points. Also, I would think that they would've used Caldwell with the defense a bit this week since he's so familiar with Manning.

I think it was more in response to there being no adjustment after the Skins altered there defence

**Boulderraven** · 12-10-2012, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Shambla

So I'm excited as anyone given today's news. Even if this season (and even Caldwell as an OC) doesn't pan out, the organization decided to make a change instead of doing the same thing for another year.

Caldwell has been with the team for less than a year, has never been an OC, and chances are he won't have time to install his own system. Meanwhile he'll be facing two of the best past rushing teams with this hodge-podge offensive line.

On the bright side I feel like OC's aren't as important as DC's. You can name great DC's like Lebeau, Wade Phillips, and the Ryan family but when I think of recent great OC's the only name that comes to mind is Billick ironically. There are OC's behind potent offenses in today's game but it's mainly because they have outstanding QB's who are allowed to do their thing -- I believe the defense is the more scheme heavy side.

I'm not asking for much out of Caldwell these next couple weeks. All I want to see is common sense: use the middle of the field, use Ray Rice if he's being effective, don't let Joe throw 50 passes on his off days, don't line up in the shotgun on 3rd and 2.

My thoughts exactly.

**JAB1985** · 12-11-2012, 05:54 AM

While my expectations for Caldwell are tempered, Id disagree that OC arent popular and only because of their QBs. Theres plenty out their, even the great Rodgers has been/is arguably coached by 2-3 of the better offensive minds in the NFL. Sean Peyton, while HC is arguably one of the best as well and it showed this season as the team struggles with consistency. These are guys that have had success prior to their current gigs with the "elites". Tom Clements was a guy some around here wanted last year before he was promoted to OC. Not only because of his work with Aaron Rodgers but because of his resume before hand.

**kronusthebonus** · 12-11-2012, 09:55 AM

Look, it isn't as if none of the plays in the playbook work. If that was the case, we'd have the 32nd ranked scoring offense instead of a Top Ten scoring offense. It's HOW the plays are used. Can Caldwell keep a defense off balance? Can he neutralize a good pass rush with draws, screens and quick slants? The plays are in there, they just need to be called at the right time. Take shots when the defense crowds the LoS, utilize the middle of the field, call the WR screen when the corners are playing ten yards off Torrey to defend the deep pass.

It's the little things that can make this offense great. Do different things out of identical formations, keep the defense guessing, be creative!