Schefter: Caldwell to be Ravens QB coach

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-30-2012, 07:24 AM

Seems odd, although I know it's just a QB coach... his offenses were pass happy with very limited run game. I am sure they have a plan for how he can help Joe but it just seems like an unusual fit, similar to Zorn.

**wickedsolo** · 01-30-2012, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by FHRaven

So the Ravens decided after the 2010 season that there were "too many" coaches telling Joe different things and they fire the QB Coach. Coincidentally, it was also Joe's best season statistically. Joe is so pissed off about it he actually raises his voice and gets a bit angry.

So then in 2011 the QB takes a step backwards in performance and the Ravens decide that he again needs a QB coach. Just 12 months after they thought he didn't.

I like the additional of Caldwell but this seems a bit dysfunctional. Makes me question the top level decision making when it comes to coaching staff.

There definitely seems to be a little bit of head bumping going on.

I think most of the coaching staff understands that Cam's offense isn't the most QB friendly offense and they need to be proactive about the situation.

Cam is known to be stubborn and in the past the relationship between Cam and Joe has been strained, to say the least. Just by bringing in a guy that knows what the hell he's talking about can give Cam an extra set of eyes from the perspective of the QB and it gives Joe an extra set of eyes from the perspective of a coordinator.

This is a good move and through all of the Cam BS this season it gives me hope that Harbaugh, Ozzie, and Bisciotti realize that they need to be more proactive about the offense.

Next on the list (hopefully) fire Andy Moeller's ass and get a better OL coach.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-30-2012, 07:28 AM

Tweet - they are putting Caldwell in charge of timeouts.

**wickedsolo** · 01-30-2012, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

Tweet - they are putting Caldwell in charge of timeouts.

Haha, hopefully that's a joke.

**rharris1986** · 01-30-2012, 07:32 AM

Can we save the agony of 16 Cam Cameron offensive game plans right now and make him the new Offensive Coordinator.

**wickedsolo** · 01-30-2012, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by rharris1986

Can we save the agony of 16 Cam Cameron offensive game plans right now and make him the new Offensive Coordinator.

Let's see how the off-season goes, shall we?

I'm on the fence too, but they kept him for a reason and it is not nearly as superficial as "he is boys with Harbs".

Bisciotti and Ozzie aren't exactly status quo guys and I don't get the impression that Harbaugh is either.

**pslholder96** · 01-30-2012, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by NickM

So the Ravens lose their successful defensive coordinator to the Colts and in return, the Ravens get Colts' failed head coach. Brilliant. The only possible conclusion is that the Ravens have decided to give up after almost getting into the Super Bowl. If they end up at the bottom, as they likely will, they will have no one to blame but themselves. This is profoundly stupid.

Wow. Great first post! So with the hiring of a single coach the ravens have mailed it in? Brilliant

**pslholder96** · 01-30-2012, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by FHRaven

So the Ravens decided after the 2010 season that there were "too many" coaches telling Joe different things and they fire the QB Coach. Coincidentally, it was also Joe's best season statistically. Joe is so pissed off about it he actually raises his voice and gets a bit angry.

So then in 2011 the QB takes a step backwards in performance and the Ravens decide that he again needs a QB coach. Just 12 months after they thought he didn't.

I like the additional of Caldwell but this seems a bit dysfunctional. Makes me question the top level decision making when it comes to coaching staff.

On the surface it may seem dysfunctional but I think the Ravens are acknowleging that making Cam do double duty as an OC/QB coach was a failed experiment.

**pslholder96** · 01-30-2012, 07:44 AM

Borrowed this stat from another forum but I thought this stat was very telling. This hiring gives us something to look forward too.

Caldwell was the QB coach in Indy from 2002-2008. During Manning's first four years in the league, without Caldwell, his QB rating was an average of 85.2; the four years after Caldwell took over, his average rating jumped to 103.3.

**Teavo** · 01-30-2012, 07:51 AM

Jim "Blank Stare" Caldwell. OK. I suppose it's fine. It doesn't address the real offensive coaching issues we have (unless Caldwell is being positioned as a potential successor to Cam) but it probably can't hurt, might even do a little good.

I can't say I'm ready to shout, "Championship!!" like the majority of posters in this thread. Caldwell seems to me to be a fairly routine hire.

Here's the reason to curb the collective enthusiasm: Caldwell might help Joe a little but he won't be in a position to change much about the offense as a whole, if he's even talented enough to do that. He could be Jesus Christ with a coach's whistle but Cam Cameron still outranks him and we all know how much Cam listened to the last QB coach. Maybe this time it works out better, who knows, but unless Caldwell (or anyone!) takes over play-calling duties from Cameron I won't be ready to start the party like you guys are.

**Ghoulahoo** · 01-30-2012, 08:02 AM

I suppose I'm not in the "yesssss, what a great hire" camp. He will need to prove he can be successful at the NFL level without a QB named Manning. If Joe doesn't have Manning's skills, how exactly can Caldwell help him? Let's just say I'm going to bein the "cautiously optimistic" camp.

**TheFlacco** · 01-30-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by NickM

So the Ravens lose their successful defensive coordinator to the Colts and in return, the Ravens get Colts' failed head coach. Brilliant. The only possible conclusion is that the Ravens have decided to give up after almost getting into the Super Bowl. If they end up at the bottom, as they likely will, they will have no one to blame but themselves. This is profoundly stupid.

What's the weather like up in Pittsburgh?

**pslholder96** · 01-30-2012, 08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Ghoulahoo

I suppose I'm not in the "yesssss, what a great hire" camp. He will need to prove he can be successful at the NFL level without a QB named Manning. If Joe doesn't have Manning's skills, how exactly can Caldwell help him? Let's just say I'm going to bein the "cautiously optimistic" camp.

I don't think everyone is proclaiming instant success but simply a step in the right direction in regard's to Flacco's developement. Not many QB's have manning skills but Caldwell's hiring will help Joe better understand the intricacies of the game (i.e better pre-snap reads, selling the play action, filmstudy). Finding out first hand some of Peyton's best practices can only help Joe further his game.

**bmorecareful** · 01-30-2012, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by Teavo

Jim "Blank Stare" Caldwell. OK. I suppose it's fine. It doesn't address the real offensive coaching issues we have (unless Caldwell is being positioned as a potential successor to Cam) but it probably can't hurt, might even do a little good.

I can't say I'm ready to shout, "Championship!!" like the majority of posters in this thread. Caldwell seems to me to be a fairly routine hire.

Here's the reason to curb the collective enthusiasm: Caldwell might help Joe a little but he won't be in a position to change much about the offense as a whole, if he's even talented enough to do that. He could be Jesus Christ with a coach's whistle but Cam Cameron still outranks him and we all know how much Cam listened to the last QB coach. Maybe this time it works out better, who knows, but unless Caldwell (or anyone!) takes over play-calling duties from Cameron I won't be ready to start the party like you guys are.

This. At this juncture, nothing can cure Cam Cameron except for stripping him of play-calling and game-planning duties. The biggest problems with this offense are predictability, poor in-game adjustment, and badly designed passing schemes. All of those are on Mr. Cameron's door and no one else's.

Flacco might improve in pre-snap reads, etc., but unless there's a synergistic improvement in the schemes on the field it won't matter. Cameron will continue to call the Cam Special 2 sideline iso routes, TE curl, and RB flat, opposing DCs will be licking their lips. It's just too easy to defend this passing attack and that's not a function of QB performance.

**bensmotorcyclehelmt** · 01-30-2012, 08:13 AM

Substance -wise, I'm not sure the difference between Caldwell and Zorn.

But it was obvious this year that the decision to get rid of Zorn was a bad one. Cam was worried about the playcalling, not Flacco's mechanics/footwork. And this move, to me, signals that cam's "absolute power" over the offense (that was exhibited by the firing of Zorn) is gone.

So I guess I like this move...I think.

I guess if Caldwell can make Flacco more consistent, that would be a plus.

**Ravens27Girl** · 01-30-2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jess

From Florio's article at PFT

I'm sure those threads will be in full force now.. sigh

Honestly, imo.. Manning isn't an upgrade at this point. He's one sack from never walking again.. He'd never survived a season in the AFC North..

I would definitely agree with this. Given Peyton's age and the nature of his surgeries, he is too much of a liability. Besides, I'm still confounded as to why there is even any talk of Manning coming here. Joe is a great QB and will only get better. We need to appreciate what we have in him and stop all the talk and speculation of Manning coming here. Sorry to have to dampen the hope of all the Flacco haters out there.

**Ravens27Girl** · 01-30-2012, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by NickM

So the Ravens lose their successful defensive coordinator to the Colts and in return, the Ravens get Colts' failed head coach. Brilliant. The only possible conclusion is that the Ravens have decided to give up after almost getting into the Super Bowl. If they end up at the bottom, as they likely will, they will have no one to blame but themselves. This is profoundly stupid.

Not any more stupid than your first post on here.

**B-more Ravor** · 01-30-2012, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by bensmotorcyclehelmt

Substance -wise, I'm not sure the difference between Caldwell and Zorn.

But it was obvious this year that the decision to get rid of Zorn was a bad one. Cam was worried about the playcalling, not Flacco's mechanics/footwork.

I'm not sure that getting rid of Zorn was the mistake. Not replacing him with another QB coach was probably more the mistake. Zorn and Cam - and their philosophies - just didn't mess.

Hopefully, this time around, they thought that through a little better and Cam and Caldwell are a better fit.

**ravenjoe** · 01-30-2012, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

Next on the list (hopefully) fire Andy Moeller's ass and get a better OL coach.

Perfect!

**Justlovemybirds** · 01-30-2012, 09:07 AM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

Borrowed this stat from another forum but I thought this stat was very telling. This hiring gives us something to look forward too.

Caldwell was the QB coach in Indy from 2002-2008. During Manning's first four years in the league, without Caldwell, his QB rating was an average of 85.2; the four years after Caldwell took over, his average rating jumped to 103.3.

I can dig this!