Caldwell's Style -- What to Expect (Merged from 3 Threads)

**HKusp** · 12-11-2012, 09:13 AM

Never say never in the NFL, but I would be stunned if the Ravens were to re-hire Hugh. As was previously stated, he and Harbs did not get along. He was known as a back stabber, and he supposedly burned bridges when he left for the Raiders job.

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-11-2012, 09:51 AM

Pretty good article in the Sun: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,5748690.story

**Jsmoove** · 12-11-2012, 10:00 AM

I'm so freakin pumped!!!

**rastaman831226** · 12-11-2012, 10:00 AM

First thing first for Jim Caldwell is he's gonna have to overrule Harbaugh on the O line and put personnel in their natural positions. Osemele belongs at RG, Oher belongs at RT, Bobbie Williams belongs at RG ( with the injury to Yanda ) and most importantly, Caldwell will have to squash Harbaugh's huge ego by getting McKinnie back at LT and Harewood out of the doghouse. Oh yeah, Birk belongs in a Home. Until changes are made, this Ravens O will not improve.

**Kyle Cactus** · 12-11-2012, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by kojo

... at this point in the season, who do you think Jim should center the offensive play calling/scheme around? ...

Originally Posted by kojo

... every team has an identity on offense. what i am confused about is the polarization on where the Ravens should go as an offense. One side thinks Rice needs to get more touches and be more of the centerpiece. That would mean more run plays and dump offs right? The other thinks we dont call the right/varied types of passing plays. That (to me) indicates the offense's play calling should be focused more on Flacco passing. ...

Originally Posted by SugarRay52

... Caldwell has to go with the flow of the game ...

Originally Posted by SugarRay52

The Ravens need to be balanced and make the offense Flacco and Rice friendly, it can be done. The media are the ones who are picking sides (Flacco/Rice).

I'll second SugarRay's sentiments here. I don't think this offense can be dangerous as strictly a "running team" or "passing team."

We're not a powerful enough team when we run to ensure consistent success. Rice will have some big plays, but he'll also have stretches of low yardage plays that leave our offense in 2nd or 3rd and long.

On the flip side, we don't have an "elite" QB or WR, so we can't just fling it around the field all the time.

What this offense does have is a variety of talent that can allow for an effective balanced offense. The biggest liability IMO is pass blocking, which can be mitigated by a mix of run plays and quicker passes. When appropriate, the no huddle can really be a boost for this aspect of our offense by building rhythm and creating mismatches.

Ideally, this reduces the effectiveness of the other teams pass rush and allows you to take some shots deep. Big plays help score points, but against good D's you have to set them up.

Also, we are capable of big plays in the ground game or short passing game. Rice and Smith both make a lot of big plays from short passes.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-11-2012, 10:06 AM

The three open Caldwell threads have been merged into one .....

**ActualSpamBot** · 12-11-2012, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by rastaman831226

First thing first for Jim Caldwell is he's gonna have to overrule Harbaugh on the O line and put personnel in their natural positions. Osemele belongs at RG, Oher belongs at RT, Bobbie Williams belongs at RG ( with the injury to Yanda ) and most importantly, Caldwell will have to squash Harbaugh's huge ego by getting McKinnie back at LT and Harewood out of the doghouse. Oh yeah, Birk belongs in a Home. Until changes are made, this Ravens O will not improve.

Ingenious. No one would expect an offensive line with two right guards, no center, and three tackles!

**Kyle Cactus** · 12-11-2012, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Ingenious. No one would expect an offensive line with two right guards, no center, and three tackles!

There's no easy way to configure this group of O-Lineman. There are a lot of different ways you could do it, each with a few advantages and a lot of disadvantages.

**Ravens44** · 12-11-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Kyle Cactus

There's no easy way to configure this group of O-Lineman. There are a lot of different ways you could do it, each with a few advantages and a lot of disadvantages.

All Joe needs is a 5 second pocket and receivers given pass routes that gain natural separation like every other offense in the NFL. Configure an Oline to accomplish that.
The pass routes are in the playbook. We saw them in week 1 against the Bengals.
Crossing routes, triplets crossing, double moves, screens, flares...they were all there in week 1.
Time to dust them off.

**pat sec 527** · 12-11-2012, 10:38 AM

the biggest difference will be the fact that Caldwell and Joe will talk to each other during the game. Since they have been talking on the phone all season. At least this is step in the right direction

**wickedsolo** · 12-11-2012, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Ingenious. No one would expect an offensive line with two right guards, no center, and three tackles!

Time to run the ooopty oop.

**Jsmoove** · 12-11-2012, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Ingenious. No one would expect an offensive line with two right guards, no center, and three tackles!

this shit right here is money.

**RichmondRaven** · 12-11-2012, 11:44 AM

One thing I think we can all agree on is that everyone's flying a bit higher w/o Cam then w/ Cam. It really doesn't matter how good your game plan is if you have low EQ and no player support. We were a what you see is what you get offense; there were no wrinkles that facilitate any sort of creativeness. For example (if you remember), when Chuck Batch in the 3rd Q of our second game against them faked the WR screen out right and ended up hitting Miller on a route the virtually went straight up the hash uncovered for about 25 yds. That play drove me up the wall bc its those simple nuances that other teams work in that I feel we have no clue how to incorporate into a game plan. Hopefully this shake up brings a more open line of communication between the coaches and players.

This is Joe's offense now and he needs to command it. I saw a 35 yr old Tom Brady scramble for about 5 yds last night for a first down up 21-0 (could have been 14-0), get up mad fucking amped and every player on their sideline was going nuts. I am not saying the Flacco should be a dual threat, don't take this that way. I am saying take what you can get bc its the small things that win games.

I am all for free speech, but for the love of all the good readers of this great forum, please stop with the Norv Turner talk.

**wickedsolo** · 12-11-2012, 11:52 AM

If the players were happy to see Cam go, then that is all we need to know.

**RavensRule21215** · 12-11-2012, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by SugarRay52

The Ravens need to be balanced and make the offense Flacco and Rice friendly, it can be done. The media are the ones who are picking sides (Flacco/Rice).

That makes the most sense to me.

**RavensRule21215** · 12-11-2012, 02:36 PM

IMO, all Caldwell, or any other coach for that matter, can do, is put his players in the best possible position to win the game. We haven't even seen a single call from him so far, so it's somewhat pointless to debate what he will or won't be able to do. What I believe is that he will do a better job than Cam Cameron when it comes to making in game adjustments, using more of the play book and hopefully more of the middle of the field, sensing who is hot and who is not, taking input from the players, and forming a better working relationship with Joe Flacco. If any or all of those things come to be, then Caldwell will be a marked improvement over Cameron.

**pslholder96** · 12-11-2012, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by pat sec 527

the biggest difference will be the fact that Caldwell and Joe will talk to each other during the game. Since they have been talking on the phone all season. At least this is step in the right direction

This!! But the key is talking more often and openly.

**goodandfast** · 12-11-2012, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Guys, I wouldn't get too used to Caldwell. Nor do I think his style is relevant.

The system is not going to that much different these three games (hopefully more). And if we flame out early in the playoffs, he most likely won't be the OC next season.

Especially if Norv or Hugh are unemployed.

Hiring Norv Turner would be an egregious error. They need to get away from that entire washed up school of offensive thought.

You know what QB struggles as a result of awful protection schemes? Philip Rivers.

Give me a young gun who wants to be an innovator as opposed to one of these hacks whom the game has so clearly past by.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-11-2012, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by goodandfast

Hiring Norv Turner would be an egregious error. They need to get away from that entire washed up school of offensive thought.

You know what QB struggles as a result of awful protection schemes? Philip Rivers.

Give me a young gun who wants to be an innovator as opposed to one of these hacks whom the game has so clearly past by.

Outside of two seasons (this season and 2008 -- both injury ridden seasons), Norv's offenses have been stellar. He was always a top 5 OC as well.

Not sure where you're getting this "washed up" stuff. Unless you're relying on Cam's version as a comparison, which wasn't anything close to what Norv runs.

**Kevlar** · 12-11-2012, 04:33 PM

Reasons to feel uncomfortable about Caldwell:

Offensive coaches working with Manning only needed to know one thing. How many creams to put in Manning's coffee every morning. Manning ran the offense.

Reasons to feel confident about Caldwell:

Coached his team to a Superbowl, which is a hell of a lot more than Cam did with the Dolphins.