Cam is Staying but Must Hire a QB Coach, per Mikey Donuts

[leachisabeast]

The Broncos I'll give you.

The 49ers aren't an AFC team, and they do have a weapon that far outshines any of ours: V Davis.

And don't forget Crabtree either.

The Bengals I'd take over ours fairly comfortably. Gresham, Simpson, Green.

We don't have a wealth of talent in the recieving department, and even what we do have, outside of Boldin, is incredibly young and inexperienced.

Sorry I miss read your post, didn't see you only said AFC teams.

And one player doesn't make your whole entire receiving corps great. Although like I said, we probably do need to add another WR, maybe there could be good value in the second round, lets see...

[Ravens27Girl]

I put no stock in anything Mike Preston has to say. I'll believe it when I read it from a more reliable source. If true though, I feel like it's a double edged sword.... it would take a losing season with a poor offensive performance for them to get rid of Cam apparently. As long as we have winning seasons, Cam's job is secure. So unless we can hope for a losing season (which we cannot do), we're stuck with the schmuck.

Eeking a win by the skin of our teeth is not the way we want to win games but Cam has a knack for pulling back on the throttle when we have a lead which has been one source of frustration for Ravens fans. Another frustration is the way we play up or down to the level of our competition...this bit us big time this year with our losses to the Jags and Seahawks (and almost the Cardinals). Three things I want to see out of Cam: 1) get more creative in his gameplans no matter who our opponent is, 2) make in-game adjustments as needed; 3) don't let off the gas pedal when we get a lead.

The thought of Cam staying is depressing though. I thought we would have Pagano here and Cam gone, not the other way around.

[Tyrian]

Flipside:

a.) Well, we have reached the playoffs 4 years and won a game in each. The D in all of those 4 years has not been a 2006, let alone a 2000. So, it can't be that terrible (despite the obvious frustrations)

b.) We may actually have speed on the outside to run an Air Coryell. Even this year, we've had a rookie with no TC and Lee Evans who was out most of the year. Another target, preferably someone above 6'4" would be ideal. Before that, we've had the personnel to run a WCO far better than the AC.

c.) Joe's entering his fifth year. It's also up to him to mould the O as he sees fit just as much as the O-coordinator. That's what the best QBs do.

d.) The O would look a lot better if the targets we do have can actually catch the damn ball on a more regular basis. If Hostler ends up going to Miami or so, that may help.

e.) The main concern is really the O-line. Yes, the playcalling doesn't help at times - sometimes, the total opposite. However, with a full offseason, it's not up to Cam to fix that - that's Ozzie's job (with the OL coach to make it better. A new one of those would help).

An improved O-line and one more target would give Cam all he needs. If he then screws up, then it's going to be on his shoulders.

Gotta be positive.

And hey, we may need a QB coach and Peyton could end up retiring due to injury. What a peculiar event that would be, Manning as Flacco's QB coach (not that it would happen).

[rharris1986]

When the game against the Patriots started I asked my wife what the first Ravens play would be. She said that she thought it would be a Ray Rice run pretty much straight ahead. I don't think anyone needs to say another word about the Ravens offense under Cam.

Isn't it funny how they moved up and down the field in the last three quarters of the game - when they decided to use Joe the way he should be used - IN A PASSING OFFENSE STUPID (directed at Cam Cameron of course)!

The Ravens next year with Cam as OC - 9 wins - 7 losses - NO PLAYOFFS.

If Cam is still OC don't be surprised if Joe does not sign a contract extension - in order to force the team's hand at the end of the 2012 season.

[BmoreKrazy]

You'd take Boldin and Torrey over AJ Green and Jerome Simpson? Andre Johnson?

Dude...drugs are bad for you.

I thought Jerome Simpson was on drugs or at least selling them

[wickedsolo]

I thought Jerome Simpson was on drugs or at least selling them

Something like that, but the drugs Simpson uses give him the ability to flip over defenders for TD's.

[Honest John]

I don't agree with this at all. Name me one team w a "high-flying" offense that doesn't have better recievers than the Ravens. We had Anquan Boldin, a rookie, and nothing else for most of the year. That isn't a good set of recievers. I'm sorry. That said, I think it's something that could be diversified. And that is something that doesn't neccesarily take the firing of CC to happen.

Again, this to me is a message board meme. Plenty of teams, even right now, in the NFL run a variation of our offense and are highly prolific.

The idea that the offense that CC runs here is inherently outdated is false.

1..I don't doubt that there is some validity to what you say. But sometimes, not always, the development of WR's is in part due to the system. What I'm getting at is that for years we have heard that the Ravens' WR's 'can't get separation.' They don't get the kind of separation that the WR's on the potent passing offenses do, and it's fair to question how much of that is the design and how much is the lack of talent. Mark Clayton 'couldn't get separation' here under Cam or Billick but when he went to STL all of sudden he could. It is a combination of talent and design.


2. This is not a one year issue. It's at least a 4 year issue.


3. That's the question. The need for some change and diversification was apparent going into this year and it didn't happen. It is fair to question whether Cam can or will diversify.

4. Just look at the formations run by NO, NE, GB, then look at Cam's. The same formations over and over again are easier to defend, and the likelihood of defensive mistakes is lessened. One of the reasons for NO's success is that the multiple formations used put a lot of pressure on the defense and coverage errors result. Yes, they have some great receivers. The question is would they be that good in Cam's offense, and would the Ravens' WR's and passing game be more productive with someone else.

Sorry, haven't figured out how to break up the quotes. HJ

[Paintballguy]

I thought Jerome Simpson was on drugs or at least selling them

He just got indicted on some drug charges which could potentially equal 1-5 years in jail.

[wickedsolo]

I agree the O-line is the point of greatest concern on the O side of the ball.

What worries me, is I just don't see how they manage to upgrade it much w what else we need to do this offseason, and what we have to accomplish it.

I agree and I think there are going to be some more players hitting the road than we as fans thing.

I don't see them re-signing Grubbs, although they'll try.

Foxworth, Carr, BA, McClain, Evans, JJ, Redding, McKinney, Kris Wilson, etc...

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they figured out ways to can every single one of those guys. They're going to need cap space for their rookies and I'd expect them to really look hard in free agency for a key piece or two just like last year with Leach and Pollard.

[Teavo]

When the game against the Patriots started I asked my wife what the first Ravens play would be. She said that she thought it would be a Ray Rice run pretty much straight ahead. I don't think anyone needs to say another word about the Ravens offense under Cam.

So true...

I think we will continue to make the playoffs though. Cam hasn't stopped us from getting that far. What he'll do is hold us back from getting to the top of the mountain. He'll be just conservative enough, just predictable enough, get just a little too little out of his receivers... enough... to fall short again and again.

He's too good to fire in a heartbeat, but not good enough to get us where we want to go.

2011: "Cam failed again but we'll keep him because there's a lockout and we need continuity. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses."

2012: "Cam failed again but we lost Pagano and we need continuity. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses!"

2013: "Cam failed again but we couldn't find any exciting names to replace him with. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!"

2014: "Cam failed again but we've been to the playoffs seven times in a row so we can't fire him. But this year Cam MUST prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

2015: "Cam failed again but it's because Anquan Boldin is old and should retire. But this year Cam MUST prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

2016: "Cam failed again but it's because LeMarcus Whoozat was a pretty bad left guard for us. But this year Cam *MUST* prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

...

2047: "Cam failed again but it's because he's old and senile. Give the guy a break he's about ninety years old. Too bad we haven't won a Super Bowl since 2000. I wonder why?"

[DarthCorvax]

Ugh.

Definition of insanity anyone?

Discuss ...

Someone must take Brick's avatar and put a Raven in it.

Or will this QB coach be devising schemes and calling plays instead of Cam?

[BmoreBrawla]

I know. The Ravens are SO fucking insane for wanting to repeat as much as possible that saw them a dropped pass, and shanked field goal, away from going to the Superbowl.

Wholesale changes are neccessary after such a pathetic year!!!!!

Why do you think it even came down to that? 20pts on the worst D in the league.

[wickedsolo]

Why do you think it even came down to that? 20pts on the worst D in the league.

I would tend to agree, but the Patriots D showed up that day. They didn't play like the 31st ranked D. They weren't lights out, but when you can get pressure with 3 guys up front, you're doing something right.

[akashicrecorder]

So true...

I think we will continue to make the playoffs though. Cam hasn't stopped us from getting that far. What he'll do is hold us back from getting to the top of the mountain. He'll be just conservative enough, just predictable enough, get just a little too little out of his receivers... enough... to fall short again and again.

He's too good to fire in a heartbeat, but not good enough to get us where we want to go.

2011: "Cam failed again but we'll keep him because there's a lockout and we need continuity. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses."

2012: "Cam failed again but we lost Pagano and we need continuity. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses!"

2013: "Cam failed again but we couldn't find any exciting names to replace him with. But this year Cam must prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!"

2014: "Cam failed again but we've been to the playoffs seven times in a row so we can't fire him. But this year Cam MUST prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

2015: "Cam failed again but it's because Anquan Boldin is old and should retire. But this year Cam MUST prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

2016: "Cam failed again but it's because LeMarcus Whoozat was a pretty bad left guard for us. But this year Cam *MUST* prove he can do the job. No excuses!!!!!"

...

2047: "Cam failed again but it's because he's old and senile. Give the guy a break he's about ninety years old. Too bad we haven't won a Super Bowl since 2000. I wonder why?"

Loved this.

[B-more Ravor]

Why do you think it even came down to that? 20pts on the worst D in the league.

People really need to stop repeating this mantra. The Pats were the 2nd worst D in yards allowed, not points allowed.

The Pats were 15th in points allowed at 21 ppg (19 ppg at home).

So, if you're going to say that the Ravens only scored 20 points on the Pats (which really should have been 27, unless you are going to blame Evans' drop on Cam), then you have to compare that with the correct statistical ranking.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

People really need to stop repeating this mantra. The Pats were the 2nd worst D in yards allowed, not points allowed.

The Pats were 15th in points allowed at 21 ppg (19 ppg at home).

So, if you're going to say that the Ravens only scored 20 points on the Pats (which really should have been 27, unless you are going to blame Evans' drop on Cam), then you have to compare that with the correct statistical ranking.

Thanks...that "we scored 20 points ont he 31st defense in the league" crap was annoying the hell out of me.

As for Cam, I don't think anybody is happy that he is coming back, but all the doom and gloom crap is dumb. When we need to make plays in our last 2 playoff games, Cam/Joe has put us in position to make them only to have our recievers drop passes at crucial times...Boldin go ahead TD drop with 3 minutes left in the game and TJ's drop to keep our last drive alive in Pitt last year, and Evans drop (to go along with our OL getting manhandled on a 3 man rush on the play before the FG that if Joe had a little more time and stayed in the pocket, Boldin was open at about the 10 and probably could have at least gotten out of bounds) on Sunday.

People forget that we've won 28 out of 32 games and had our OC and QB putting our guys in position to win these playoff games and perhaps get to the Superbowl, only to have players...the players, fail to make the routine play.

I think some are of the "anybody but Cam" mindframe...while I myself would like them to uncover someone else out there, I'd say some of you should be careful of what you wish for...beleive it or not, there ARE worse OC's out there than Cam...firing him just to fire him may not be the answer.

[B-more Ravor]

I think some are of the "anybody but Cam" mindframe...while I myself would like them to uncover someone else out there, I'd say some of you should be careful of what you wish for...beleive it or not, there ARE worse OC's out there than Cam...firing him just to fire him may not be the answer.

I've thought he was gone that last 2 years, but at this point, the names out there (Childress, Hue) haven't been really appealing to me.

That said, Mike Sherman is a name that would be interesting, now that it appears he's not getting the TB HC job (after having a 2nd interview).

[NOLARavenFAN]

I would tend to agree, but the Patriots D showed up that day. They didn't play like the 31st ranked D. They weren't lights out, but when you can get pressure with 3 guys up front, you're doing something right.

Lets give them credit....I agree. I didn't think fat Vince could go a whole game. I was wrong.

[wickedsolo]

I've thought he was gone that last 2 years, but at this point, the names out there (Childress, Hue) haven't been really appealing to me.

That said, Mike Sherman is a name that would be interesting, now that it appears he's not getting the TB HC job (after having a 2nd interview).

Actually, Mike Sherman is a guy who I'd be interested in as the OL coach if they're set on keeping Cam.

Apparently Sherman is interviewing with Miami right now for the OC position.

[trailhiker85]

A lot of people seemed to get hung up on this "31st ranked defense" thing where the Pats are concerned. Clearly they aren't as bad as that. As others have pointed out, New England is more stingy with points than they are with yardage. And the Ravens did get roughly 400 yards net offense, which isn't at all shabby.

Getting back to the topic of coordinators, I can't believe we lost Chuck Pagano so quickly. Sigh. Murphy's Law, I guess. Chuck leaves but (at least for now) Cam stays. I know it's not confirmed at this point, and that more changes could be in the offing, but this doesn't give me a warm & fuzzy looking ahead to the 2012 season. Could the Ravens find an OC better than Cam given who might be available? I don't know. But I'm not sure how much difference a new QB coach would really make as long as ol' Cam is in there calling the same predictable game plan. And the Ravens have a very tough schedule next year.