What does Billick need to do to stay on board?

**AZRAVEN** · 09-08-2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by 24x7 Admin

Let me be the devil's advocate for a moment. What say you all about the scenario where he doesn't make it through the season. With the exception of Oakland and Cleveland, the first 6 games are tough. How many times have we looked past an easy opponent and lost in a big nasty way. I'm almost more worried about Oakland than the Bucs because of the team's penchant for waltzing into what should be easy games and losing.

So, in an 0-6 scenario, does Billick make it past the Bye week. Does JF take the reigns?

In this scenario I think Billick would definitely be gone, and as distasteful as it would be to me, Fassel would become interim coach.
I must say, I'm finding it very interesting how now that McNair is here we suddenly have a problem with the OL. Last year the prevailing belief seemed to be that it wasn't the OL at all but our inept quarterback.

**Mista T** · 09-08-2006, 10:58 AM

I must say, I'm finding it very interesting how now that McNair is here we suddenly have a problem with the OL. Last year the prevailing belief seemed to be that it wasn't the OL at all but our inept quarterback.

And the year before that: it was Matt Cavanaugh!

**Purpleguy** · 09-08-2006, 11:06 AM

For many of us, it has been the o-line for a number of years.

**hurting** · 09-08-2006, 11:15 AM

I'm not saying you have to have a pro-bowler at every position, but I'd rather have 5 solid guys than one high paid tackle and 4 scrubs.

For many of us, it has been the o-line for a number of years.

Exactly. I have been complaining about this O-line since 1998. If you watch any other good to average team in the NFL, the QB actually has time to make a 7-step drop, set his feet, and then throw. How many other teams have had their QB sacked on a running play?

For those saying people are only now complaing about the o-line must be referring to the old Boller Bashing threads on the other board. If you mentioned that the O-line was inadequate over there you were insulted and told a good QB can make the O-line better.

Or that you were a Boller appologist if you mentioned the inadequacies of the O-line. In the circles I run most people have been complaining about the oline for over 5 years now. Hell the O-line wasn;t even that good in our Super Bowl run. I had recently watched some of the old games from that year thinking "how the hell did Banks get that ball off" He had to throw the ball without even completing his drop due to the pressure.

Flynn might be a great guy, and Mulitallo is a pillar of the community, but hell I know plumbers and accountants that are pillars of the community, they aren' playing pro football and nither should most of these guys on our O-line.

**WxKevin** · 09-08-2006, 11:18 AM

For many of us, it has been the o-line for a number of years.

Exactly! And if we did blame it on the O-Line then we were "Boller Huggers". The QB and RB will only be as good as the O-Line. Period.

**Purpleguy** · 09-08-2006, 11:21 AM

Flynn has had more NFL players plow through him than the Hilton sisters.

**AZRAVEN** · 09-08-2006, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by hurting

For those saying people are only now complaing about the o-line must be referring to the old Boller Bashing threads on the other board. If you mentioned that the O-line was inadequate over there you were insulted and told a good QB can make the O-line better.

Or that you were a Boller appologist if you mentioned the inadequacies of the O-line. In the circles I run most people have been complaining about the oline for over 5 years now. Hell the O-line wasn;t even that good in our Super Bowl run. I had recently watched some of the old games from that year thinking "how the hell did Banks get that ball off" He had to throw the ball without even completing his drop due to the pressure.

That is what I was referring to, I remember getting pummelled regularly at draft time when I would complain about our lack of attention to the OL. I also was called a "Hugger" for implying that the OL was significantly responsible for our offensive ineptitude. It is amusing and refreshing to see it now acknowledged as a problem.. Now, if only we could convince the powers that be maybe the problem could be seriously addressed.

**BaltimoreRon** · 09-08-2006, 12:16 PM

- Keep the team competetive
- Keep the team focused and together
- Win on the road
- Stop the bickering with the press

I don't think we need to make the playoffs for Brain to keep his job. I think making the team competetive this season will be enough. I'm reminded of the patience the Steelers brass has had with 'the chin'.

Do you think that type of patience is good or bad in today's NFL? I personally think it is good, especially if the coach has a decent track record.

**Ravensarge** · 09-08-2006, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by BaltimoreRon

- Keep the team competetive
- Keep the team focused and together
- Win on the road
- Stop the bickering with the press

I don't think we need to make the playoffs for Brain to keep his job. I think making the team competetive this season will be enough. I'm reminded of the patience the Steelers brass has had with 'the chin'.

Do you think that type of patience is good or bad in today's NFL? I personally think it is good, especially if the coach has a decent track record.

DITTO

**AZRAVEN** · 09-08-2006, 12:58 PM

I think the kind of patience you are citing, Ron is essential in today's NFL. Things can go one way or the other very quickly and knee jerk reactions do nothing to improve the situation. After this past off season I'm just not sure Bisciotti has that kind of patience. Time will tell..

**BaltimoreRon** · 09-08-2006, 01:13 PM

I'm not sure about Steve's patience, either. Like you said, time will tell.

One other thing that could cause BB his job, which I forgot about, is breakdowns on the road like last seasons' game in Detroit. I think a game like that this season will make Brian's seat that much hotter.

**towsonraven** · 09-08-2006, 01:18 PM

Anthing short of a winning season, and I think, the Ravens make a change. Although 8-8 might be enough to buy him another year, especially if we have another spat of injuries, just my opinion

**StingerNLG** · 09-08-2006, 05:18 PM

With people really starting to come around on this OL problem, I am starting to believe that we need to take a closer look at Ozzie at the same time we look at Billick. Our OL has lacked talent and that isn't Billick's fault. Blame him for locker room problems or lack of motivation. But don't blame him for being stuck with Mike Flynn and his giant contract.

As for the OL, anyone who doesn't still believe the OL is the most important part of the offense need only to have watched the Steelers last night. The Steelers OL literally swallowed up the Miami defensive, even on blitzes. And they made Charlie Batch look like a freaking pro-bowler. I've never seen a backup QB chuck the ball downfield so much.

**GreenWave52** · 09-08-2006, 05:55 PM

Sting, while Ozzie may not value certain positions in the way we like there is no way he gets fired. We are at minimum one onf the 3 best drafting teams in the league. He also hired a coach that won us a Super Bowl. Ozzie has earned the right to hire the next head coach of this franchise (Kirk Ferentz).

I still think that good and bad teams come and go, so if we hold onto Billick during the lean times it will probably come back around in his favor at some point.

**Sephy** · 09-08-2006, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by 24x7 Admin

Let me be the devil's advocate for a moment. What say you all about the scenario where he doesn't make it through the season. With the exception of Oakland and Cleveland, the first 6 games are tough. How many times have we looked past an easy opponent and lost in a big nasty way. I'm almost more worried about Oakland than the Bucs because of the team's penchant for waltzing into what should be easy games and losing.

So, in an 0-6 scenario, does Billick make it past the Bye week. Does JF take the reigns?

I can't see Billick getting canned midseason under any scenario that isn't some kind of sex scandal.

**Sports Steve** · 09-09-2006, 11:35 AM

If we start 0-6 Billick would be fired. However I can't even see that happening. Even in my worst dream

**flraven** · 09-09-2006, 11:48 AM

I kinda think BB will stay regardless of whether we make the playoffs, and as Greg pointed out, how well the team composes itself. The meltdown in Detroit better not repeat itself, it would show that Billick is not in charge of his team.
Even if BB goes, I'm not sure Fassel is the one Bisciotti would pick. Who would succeed him, Mariucci? Is there a better guy out there?
I'm hoping that the team makes the playoffs and goes deep in them!

**Ravens0587** · 09-09-2006, 12:02 PM

it would be nice to have the chiefs or bengals oline

**StingerNLG** · 09-09-2006, 01:56 PM

Sting, while Ozzie may not value certain positions in the way we like there is no way he gets fired. We are at minimum one onf the 3 best drafting teams in the league. He also hired a coach that won us a Super Bowl. Ozzie has earned the right to hire the next head coach of this franchise (Kirk Ferentz).

But are we GreenWave? To be honest, I think we need to see how Chris Chester, Dan Cody, Adam Terry, and Jason Brown work out first. Getting Ray Lewis and Jon Odgen was brillance. That was also now 10 years ago. Getting Todd Heap was brillance. That was 5 years ago. In the meantime the offensive line has been a chief concern since Leon Searcy went down, and we've goofed it up constantly with guys like Ethan Brooks (I'll never forget the 2004 Cleveland Game 1), Orlando Brown, Keydrick Vincent and picking Mike Flynn to stay at center over Casey Rabach. And then passing over guys in FA that at the least could have held our line in check while these rookies come up the system.

In the meantime multiple quarterbacks get injured behind our offensive line, and we now have to RELY on Steve McNair to HOPEFULLY be able to beat blitzes every time.

Ozzie has to take some responsibility for this. I realize it's an unpopular opinion to have, but I think Ozzie's gone blameless for the team's problems for way too long.

**AZRAVEN** · 09-09-2006, 02:37 PM

Ozzie gets to many free passes. He has had not only his share of success but also some major clinkers. Besides, I think you must evaluate not only the drafts but the free agent acquisitions and that has also been spotty IMO. So I would rate him as slightly above average. My biggest beef is with the philosophy they hold, that any fat guy can be a lineman. As we have seen, not so!