So, any OL doubters turning into believers now?

**NOLARavenFAN** · 09-10-2012, 09:40 PM

Very happy about the new faces, Jones, Osemele, Harewood, Upshaw, Thompson all looked very good........a good start to the season, thats for sure;

**redmike34** · 09-10-2012, 09:44 PM

Impressive game all the way around, but I'm curious... was offensive holding called even once on either team?

**bacchys** · 09-10-2012, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by pslholder96

OL gave up 4 sacks but I believe two of them were during garbarge time. Nevertheless OL held up well and Joe was in a zone today, saw the field well and got the ball out of his hand quickly. That will mask any defiency your OL might.

In years past, especially his first three seasons, if it wasn't Mason or Heap Flacco seemed to require a receiver to get three or four steps on a defender before he threw it to them, unless it was a slant or some other timing route.

He's gotten fearless putting the ball in a tight window. Two passes to Boldin, the sideline to Jones, a couple of passes to Pitta, one to Dickson and a couple of passes to Smith were all tight windows, in the perfect spot where his receiver had the best play on the ball.

The sideline pass to Jones was beautiful. He dropped it in the gap in the zone right as Jones cleared the corner but before the safety could get there.

**Corey** · 09-10-2012, 09:47 PM

I think we have the personnel to do what we want. Birk needs to be replaced. Judging by this game he is our weakest link.

**Haloti92** · 09-10-2012, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by redmike34

Impressive game all the way around, but I'm curious... was offensive holding called even once on either team?

LOL. Not that I saw. And I saw McPhee get held for sure on one play, or at least he was held enough to warrant a calll with the old refs (and I wasn't really scrutinizing every replay, so I am sure there were more "missed" calls). But I like it better like that. Call fouls that are clearly fouls, not any-little-thing-that-can-be-possibly-rationalized; if in doubt, let it go. As long as the refs are consistent, then there should be no problem officiating games in this manner.

**wickedsolo** · 09-10-2012, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by redmike34

Impressive game all the way around, but I'm curious... was offensive holding called even once on either team?

Dont believe so.

**Beau Petard** · 09-10-2012, 09:48 PM

bacchys-
It's as if Flacco has "it" now when he throws a pass.

**dandrews** · 09-10-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by Corey

I think we have the personnel to do what we want. Birk needs to be replaced. Judging by this game he is our weakest link.

He really wasnt that bad. He sprung a lot of Ray Rice draws and trap plays up the middle. He got pummeled a few times, but if he's our weakest link we're in good shape.

**lovefootball** · 09-10-2012, 09:50 PM

Flacco has always been a great QB. How many passe were thrown poorly tonight? Still a lot of great passes dropped due to good coverage or drooped balls. The Oline deserves a lot of credit and hopefully will improve even more. Leave Birk alone, he the senior man who calls out what he sees .

**Haloti92** · 09-10-2012, 09:55 PM

Originally Posted by Beau Petard

bacchys-
It's as if Flacco has "it" now when he throws a pass.

Yeah, or more like he is not afraid of getting picked (or getting yelled at by Cam, etc). He is slinging it, not "playing it safe" like I am sure he was instructed to do in the past. He simply has earned the responsibility for the decision-making, similar to the audibling (and no-huddle), and it shows on the field.

It wouldn't surprise me if he finishes the season with a few more picks than usual (and a lot more TDs obviously), but then again maybe he won't. And either way, I wouldn't care if he did, if throwing them (taking chances) leads to this kind of offensive output. I always felt that our philosophy over-weighted offensive turnovers (obviously because our defense was the water-carrier for our team up until now). I realize they are painful and can be disasterous and can lead to opponent's points, and I realize we need to win the turnover battle, etc, but at some level you can go too far in trying to avoid making them to the point you hamstring your offense and reduce your chances of winning.

**Stealthbirds80** · 09-10-2012, 09:57 PM

There were only a few of us that liked the McKinney move out of the lineup, now we see why. Next week will be a test for the tackles.

**wickedsolo** · 09-10-2012, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by Haloti92

Yeah, or more like he is not afraid of getting picked (or getting yelled at by Cam, etc). He is slinging it, not "playing it safe" like I am sure he was instructed to do in the past. He simply has earned the responsibility for the decision-making, similar to the audibling (and no-huddle), and it shows on the field.

It wouldn't surprise me if he finishes the season with a few more picks than usual, but then again maybe he won't. And either way, I wouldn't care if he did, if throwing them (taking chances) leads to this kind of offensive output. I always felt that our philosophy over-weighted offensive turnovers (obviously because our defense was the water-carrier for our team up until now). I realize they are painful and can be disasterous and can lead to opponent's points, and I realize we need to win the turnover battle, etc, but at some level you can go too far in trying to avoid making them to the point you hamstring your offense and reduce your chances of winning.

Rivers threw something like 20 picks last year and the year before Brees tossed like 68...yet folks clamor around them as elite QB's.

I agree with you. Sure, it is more of a gamble, but it could also be the catalyst for the best offensive season in Ravens history.

**wickedsolo** · 09-10-2012, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Stealthbirds80

There were only a few of us that liked the McKinney move out of the lineup, now we see why. Next week will be a test for the tackles.

Like I kept saying...you can get away with average and even below average tackles if your QB is getting the ball out quickly and the coordinator game plans effectively.

That's what happened tonight. It completely tired their DL out and took away their pass rush (for the most part ).

**JAB1985** · 09-10-2012, 10:30 PM

Ill eat some crow but i dont think anybody predicted harewood at LG and to play so well. They looked great out there. My opinion doesnt hold water to the ravens FO and coaching staff, i hope people realize that before i even sy it. Although mckinnie looked solid in garbage time and heavy sets... Haha.

**Ravenous1** · 09-10-2012, 10:38 PM

I have to admit I was like "huh" when they announced Harewood was starting. The guy played an excellent game. I thought for the most part with a few blips here and there the line was pretty damn good. Its a really good start for them as a group.

**Bhcforlife** · 09-10-2012, 10:38 PM

I will reserve judgment until after a couple more games. They played well tonight, outside of Birk, who is a real problem.

**wickedsolo** · 09-11-2012, 08:25 AM

Anyone else? Any other thoughts?

Oher and KO are better than McKinnie and Oher. Any way you slice it...I think this is the OL that they were hoping to achieve. Young, nasty, quick, and strong.

Birk, just because of his age, is going to be the weak spot and targets for DL'men, but honestly...Geno Atkins does that kind of thing to everyone. I doubt Birk gets singled out too much moving forward.

**Tyrian** · 09-11-2012, 08:27 AM

Even if Birk does, we've got a young C on the way as well. Still, long way to go, but a really good entrée for the season.

**BigPlayReceiver** · 09-11-2012, 08:27 AM

Looking at more video, and on the highlight plays alone there are multiple missed assignments, so I imagine that they were plenty throughout the game. Difference this year is that Flacco has time to absorb what the defense is showing him pre-snap, and he is getting the ball out faster. Both as designed.

**Dirt1** · 09-11-2012, 08:47 AM

I was pleasantly surprised with the OL play as well. I hadn't bought into the line that the Ravens were playing their top 5 offensive linemen, because I don't regard Harewood to be among the top 5 OL on the team. However, he played well. I thought Oher played well too. I still don't like how much ground he gives up in pass protection. A few times last night he got pushed back into Flacco, but for the most part he looked good. Oher is also a much better run blocker than McKinnie. I'll reserve judgment until after the Eagles game. The Eagles have a good pass rush, so let's see how they play in that game.