Dear Mr Caldwell, why did you run on 10/12 first downs in the first half

**iggyman555** · 01-20-2013, 10:31 PM

sincerely,
Ravens Fans

**Maelstrom** · 01-20-2013, 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by iggyman555

sincerely,
Ravens Fans

Dear iggyman,

I did it to setup the Patriots for the second half.

Sincerely,

Jim

**ActualSpamBot** · 01-20-2013, 10:37 PM

Buwhahaha. This is Jim's MO in two out of three playoff games. And probably would have been in all three if not for Trindon Holiday.

Play conservative physical ball in the first, and mop up in the second.

Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is how the Air Coryell is designed to be executed.

**iggyman555** · 01-20-2013, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by Maelstrom

Dear iggyman,

I did it to setup the Patriots for the second half.

Sincerely,

Jim

lol. i just want someone to ask him that.

**bacchys** · 01-20-2013, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is how the Air Coryell is designed to be executed.

Exactly. I don't have a problem with them pounding the ball early in a game. It does put pressure on the defense, but the defense has come together and kept them in the game while Caldwell works the opposing the defense.

**lovefootball** · 01-20-2013, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by iggyman555

sincerely,
Ravens Fans

Belicheat was famous for making 2nd half adjustments. Caldwell gave him nothing in the first half to adjust to. Caldwell called a great game and Ravens win. If cam was here still, your question would have been appropriate.

**iggyman555** · 01-20-2013, 11:33 PM

i dont get it tho if you play ultra conservative you most likely are playing from behind in the second half. wouldnt you want to get a lead and play with the lead, then the O can be more unpredictable?

**duffybr** · 01-20-2013, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by lovefootball

Belicheat was famous for making 2nd half adjustments. Caldwell gave him nothing in the first half to adjust to. Caldwell called a great game and Ravens win. If cam was here still, your question would have been appropriate.

Because Ali's message before the game said Rope a Dope.

Try not to bitch when your team hands the Patriots what is probably their worst ever defeat

**bacchys** · 01-20-2013, 11:39 PM

That's not being "ultra conservative." It's being smart. Granted, you still need the offense to make some plays in the passing game, and you need the defense to hang tough. But pounding the rock early and often is like a boxer delivering body blows in the early rounds: you're not looking for the early knockout, you're looking to take away his wind.

I would like to see more playaction early. Not a lot, but some. But I don't have a problem with running for 2-3 yards on first and second down most of the time. That puts you in third and six or less most of the time, and that's a lot more manageable than third and ten or eight.

Pound the rock. Move the chains. When the defense tries to take that away, put it over their heads. The Coryell Way.

**Bigfish** · 01-20-2013, 11:40 PM

In the first half the field position averaged something like the 11 yard line. I understand being conservative and avoiding a turnover with the short field. But Lovefootball has a good point.

**Haloti92** · 01-20-2013, 11:46 PM

I actually agree with the OP's premise, even if he is half-joking. We ran it too much, hitting the same holes, on first down early in the game. There are other ways to achieve the same goals (bringing up the safeties, etc). Short passes for one, or even more misdirection runs.

I also agree that the game situation never made it clearly the wrong thing to do, i.e. the Pats were not chalking up TDs and forcing our hand (the game was still close, etc). But I think that the establish-the-run to open the passing game can also work in reverse and is dependent on what the other team is doing (which can be determined in less drives/series/sets of downs than a full half's worth). I think establishing-the-pass to open the running game is a viable option and it also gives Joe the benefit of getting into rhythm so he doesn't face a bunch of 3rd and longs (after 2 stuffed runs) as his first opportunities to throw in the game.

Obviously, Caldwell gets an A for tonight's game, but I think an A+ would have been a little more variety on 1st down early, or making the adjustment he eventually made at an earlier point in the game. 7 points in the first half was a bit low, and I really don't think the "only 7" strategy really helped "create" the 21 in the second half as much as some might argue.

**Mike B** · 01-20-2013, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by Bigfish

In the first half the field position averaged something like the 11 yard line. I understand being conservative and avoiding a turnover with the short field. But Lovefootball has a good point.

Good point...and tonight is not a night to question the AFC Champs!!

Celebrate people

**alienrace** · 01-20-2013, 11:50 PM

Caldwell had me screaming much of the game, but in the end, I have to say he called a great game, other than the inexplicable throwing the ball with 7 minutes to go. Honestly I was screaming, just run the fucking ball 3 times, and the game is all but over!!! But, they got the ball back, and he did the right thing, and kudos to the o-line getting the job done when the game was in the balance.

**Raving Sports Fan** · 01-21-2013, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by alienrace

Caldwell had me screaming much of the game, but in the end, I have to say he called a great game, other than the inexplicable throwing the ball with 7 minutes to go. Honestly I was screaming, just run the fucking ball 3 times, and the game is all but over!!! But, they got the ball back, and he did the right thing, and kudos to the o-line getting the job done when the game was in the balance.

You & me both when there was 7 mins left up 15 take those seconds off the clock

**iggyman555** · 01-21-2013, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by bacchys

That's not being "ultra conservative." It's being smart. Granted, you still need the offense to make some plays in the passing game, and you need the defense to hang tough. But pounding the rock early and often is like a boxer delivering body blows in the early rounds: you're not looking for the early knockout, you're looking to take away his wind.

I would like to see more playaction early. Not a lot, but some. But I don't have a problem with running for 2-3 yards on first and second down most of the time. That puts you in third and six or less most of the time, and that's a lot more manageable than third and ten or eight.

Pound the rock. Move the chains. When the defense tries to take that away, put it over their heads. The Coryell Way.

so you dont think the niners will be ready for runs on first and second down, then it will put us in third and long? i dont get it, we should try to score and be ahead and not rely on the D to make stops

**Hammerhead** · 01-21-2013, 12:04 AM

Caldwell gets a pass from me tonight. When he put the game in Joe's hands, it all turned around. We handed the Pats their only AFCCG defeat in their house. And this is the first time Brady and Belicheck have lost to the same team twice in a season. Just amazing. Caldwell has one more tryout for the OC position but if he continues this way, I can't see them denying him. Nor should they.

**bacchys** · 01-21-2013, 12:08 AM

Originally Posted by iggyman555

so you dont think the niners will be ready for runs on first and second down, then it will put us in third and long? i dont get it, we should try to score and be ahead and not rely on the D to make stops

First, I don't know what the game plan is going to be in Festivus Maximus. Second, as long as you're getting positive yardage with the runs, it ain't broke. The Pats have a good front seven against the run, they were ready for the first down runs, and the Ravens consistently got positive yardage. The second down plays were mixed up more, even early. The pass in the flat to Leach for their first first down was on second down, as I recall.

So they weren't quite as predictable/conservative as they were for a stretch in the second half against Denver. Even all you get is two yards, you're making money on those early run plays, especially with as big as our o-line is.

They should be able to run more no-huddle in the SB. I think they should, whether they're running or passing. Go out with a heavy formation, pound the ball, get back on the ball, and pound it again in a hurry. Even with a two tight end set, they can challenge down the field with Pitta and Dickson (more Pitta, obviously). Caldwell and Pees are going to need to look at their own tendencies throughout this stretch run and look for ways to exploit the 49ers trying to game plan off of them.

But I don't think you want to get too far away from the Coryell philosophy even with that. The Ravens have a good running game, and it's been working. Use it. They rushed for 121 yards on 33 carries today. That's not a bad day at the office.

**alienrace** · 01-21-2013, 12:14 AM

I was stunned to see that the Raven outrushed the Pats, I would have never guessed it.

**RavensRule21215** · 01-21-2013, 12:16 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Buwhahaha. This is Jim's MO in two out of three playoff games. And probably would have been in all three if not for Trindon Holiday.

Play conservative physical ball in the first, and mop up in the second.

Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is how the Air Coryell is designed to be executed.

I'm definitely not a fan of that approach.

**Ravenous1** · 01-21-2013, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

Caldwell gets a pass from me tonight. When he put the game in Joe's hands, it all turned around. We handed the Pats their only AFCCG defeat in their house. And this is the first time Brady and Belicheck have lost to the same team twice in a season. Just amazing. Caldwell has one more tryout for the OC position but if he continues this way, I can't see them denying him. Nor should they.

The job is Caldwell's already IF he wants it (which I am guessing he would). Even if god forbid they have a rough game in 2 weeks, reality is they have shown enough potential that he has to get the opportunity to continue next year IMO. The guys still out there are not knock your socks off good enough to justify going a different direction.