The importance of keeping your quarterback comfortable can't possibly be overstated.

[bmorecareful]

Not sure this deserves its own thread, but if you watched the Texans game last night Schaub looked absolutely awful. His mechanics completely fell apart, his accuracy was terrible, he was jittery in the pocket, missed open receivers, etc. etc... a terrible display of quarterbacking.

Schaub is a very good and underrated QB with some of the best offensive talent in the league around him. But the Patriots found a way to make him uncomfortable and take away the things he relies on. Bracketing Andre Johnson, spying Foster on the checkdown, and clamping down on Owen Daniels in the red zone. Bill Belichick's defensive mantra has always been to take away what a team does best and see if they can beat you with something else. Despite having terrible defensive talent his defenses always seem to hit their stride right around this time.

Just a reminder that quarterbacks are creatures of habit, and ALL of them will struggle horribly when you get them uncomfortable and out of rhythm. It happened to Schaub last night, it's happened to Flacco many times, look at how poorly Tom Brady plays when he starts taking hits or how Peyton Manning can throw 6 interceptions in a game when he's deceived by coverages that confuse him pre-snap.

Here's hoping that Jim Caldwell makes more of an effort to get Flacco comfortable and playing the kind of football that meshes with his skill set and supporting cast.

[The Excellector]

Quarterbacks need to get into a rhythm and nothing gets Joe Flacco into a quality rhythm more than the no-huddle offense. All of a sudden, he's using the pump fake, manipulating the defense, even shuffling his feet when he gets time.

He's not the type of QB that you can slow down and think is going to remain just as effective.

[Paintballguy]

Quarterbacks need to get into a rhythm and nothing gets Joe Flacco into a quality rhythm more than the no-huddle offense. All of a sudden, he's using the pump fake, manipulating the defense, even shuffling his feet when he gets time.

He's not the type of QB that you can slow down and think is going to remain just as effective.

Cameron rarely helped Flacco get into a rhythm. If Flacco was struggling, I never really saw Cam call any easy high percentage passes.

This is where I think Caldwell will be huge. Caldwell understands how to run an effective offense.

[pslholder96]

The first three years Joe has been somewhat coddled and the last two including this year he's taken on more responsibility in terms of audibling and checking out but nevertheless he was still handcuff somewhat. In can be argued that it was either Cam's Stubborness or lack of trust in Joe. The next 4 games (including at least one playoff game) will be an audition on several fronts. Can Joe step up to the next level now that he'll get more flexibility and can this Joe-Caldwell relationship prosper in a different capacity. It's time to turn Joe loose to see what we really have in him.

[ravenjoe]

Quarterbacks need to get into a rhythm and nothing gets Joe Flacco into a quality rhythm more than the no-huddle offense. All of a sudden, he's using the pump fake, manipulating the defense, even shuffling his feet when he gets time.

He's not the type of QB that you can slow down and think is going to remain just as effective.

+10

[JohnBKistler]

This is where I think Caldwell will be huge. Caldwell understands how to run an effective offense.

And he demonstrated this when/where?

[BigPlayReceiver]

Cameron rarely helped Flacco get into a rhythm. If Flacco was struggling, I never really saw Cam call any easy high percentage passes.

This is where I think Caldwell will be huge. Caldwell understands how to run an effective offense.

Troof!
Cam's idea of rhythm was a 5YO regardless of coverage.
Caldwell/Peyton...a quick slant. However...the OL have to tie up the upper arms of the DL or else it will be bat-down city. I mentioned it b/c they certainly aren't used to doing it.



G3

[HKusp]

I don't think Schaub is underrated. If anything he is over rated.

[LC_Ravens_87]

At the very least, Joe is going to feel less encumbered out there down the stretch run. Long term I suppose we will see if he has it in him to run the show so to speak.

But at the very least, I think you see a lot of frustrated guys on offense start to amp up the play in these 3 huge games coming up.

[wickedsolo]

I don't think Schaub is underrated. If anything he is over rated.

How about just...rated?

[Paintballguy]

And he demonstrated this when/where?

His whole career. Look at what he did at Wake Forest then with Brad Johnson at Tampa and of course Peyton. Peyton credits a lot of his success to Caldwell. In the end of the day I have more faith in Caldwell then Cameron by far. Caldwell has been on Super Bowl teams. He knows what it takes to run a good offense.

[Paintballguy]

And he demonstrated this when/where?

His whole career. Look at what he did at Wake Forest then with Brad Johnson at Tampa and of course Peyton. Peyton credits a lot of his success to Caldwell. In the end of the day I have more faith in Caldwell then Cameron by far. Caldwell has been on Super Bowl teams. He knows what it takes to run a good offense.

[Captain Silver]

Not sure this deserves its own thread, but if you watched the Texans game last night Schaub looked absolutely awful. His mechanics completely fell apart, his accuracy was terrible, he was jittery in the pocket, missed open receivers, etc. etc... a terrible display of quarterbacking.

Schaub is a very good and underrated QB with some of the best offensive talent in the league around him. But the Patriots found a way to make him uncomfortable and take away the things he relies on. Bracketing Andre Johnson, spying Foster on the checkdown, and clamping down on Owen Daniels in the red zone. Bill Belichick's defensive mantra has always been to take away what a team does best and see if they can beat you with something else. Despite having terrible defensive talent his defenses always seem to hit their stride right around this time.

Just a reminder that quarterbacks are creatures of habit, and ALL of them will struggle horribly when you get them uncomfortable and out of rhythm. It happened to Schaub last night, it's happened to Flacco many times, look at how poorly Tom Brady plays when he starts taking hits or how Peyton Manning can throw 6 interceptions in a game when he's deceived by coverages that confuse him pre-snap.

Here's hoping that Jim Caldwell makes more of an effort to get Flacco comfortable and playing the kind of football that meshes with his skill set and supporting cast.

I disagree with your talent assesment of the Patriot defense. Spikes, Hightower, Wilfork, Talib. That defense is on the rise, to go with that offense, and I quote the great John Mcclane:

"I don't know what the fuck it means, but you got some bad-ass perpetrators and they're here to stay."

[GOTA]

I don't think Schaub is underrated. If anything he is over rated.

I agree. Schaub is an average QB with a lot of talent around him and a very good offensive coaching staff.

[Jsmoove]

exactly G, shcuabb is a game manager, how many come back behind victories doe he have? you put ther texans behind with 2 TDs or more and they are in trouble offensively, they run the ball effectively and manage the clock effectively, scuabb just make a couple key passes here and there based of what they do on the run. He is way overrated. Put him under center here? lets see if could do what joe did with the same sitaution and same talent he would fold like a lounge chair. Coaching, Oline, talent and a solid defense is what Schuabb has working for his success.

[Ravens44]

Part of making your quarterback comfortable is putting him and his supporting cast in the best possible situation to succeed. This is something Cam never understood or even tried. It was always about making players fit his offense instead of the other way around. Adapt the offensive strategy to your players.

Joe needs to look downfield and see his receivers running free like most quarterbacks in the league.
then he doesn't have to thread needles with every throw AND most importantly, doesn't stand back there like a statue looking for someone to get one yard of separation.

PLAY DESIGN based on the skill players' best attributes.
And keep the gas pedal down so there is no way an opponent has a chance to come back and steal a win.
I think Joe is right on the edge of going either way...breaking into a very very good quarterback or dropping off a cliff.
This change will give him a chance to become a little comfortable before the playoffs.
I am very optimistic at this moment.

[Tucker: M&T Sec 527]

.Here's hoping that Jim Caldwell makes more of an effort to get Flacco comfortable and playing the kind of football that meshes with his skill set and supporting cast.

This isn't the first time the Ravens faced a "good boss, dick boss" with Flacco, Like we would in our workplaces, Flacco preferred to deal w/ and felt more comfortable around the "good bosses" (Zorn and Caldwell)and skeethed having to deal w/ creep "dick boss" (Cam).

Last time the team kept dick boss and sent good boss packing, The next step in evaluating Joe is isolating and removing the Cam Cameron variable.

[Boulderraven]

The main thing is Caldwell will let Joe do what he is comfortable with, Cam never did. Jim will make adjustments to what the defense is doing, Cam never did. Jim has been on SB winning teams, Cam never has. Jim will listen to his players, Cam never did.
I think the Ravens will feel pumped up and motivated now Cam is gone most importantly. The Ravens will have a huge emotional boost with Ray back and Cam gone. The defensive struggles had nothing to do with Ray, he is still the smartest player on the feild.

[Haloti92]

Schaub has played exactly 77 regular season games for Houston. Flacco has played 77 regular season games for us.

Schaub has 9 Fourth-Quarter Comebacks and 12 Game-Winning Drives. Flacco has 6 Fourth-Quarter Comebacks and 11 Game-Winning Drives.

FYI

[ravensnhokies]

Schaub has played exactly 77 regular season games for Houston. Flacco has played 77 regular season games for us.

Schaub has 9 Fourth-Quarter Comebacks and 12 Game-Winning Drives. Flacco has 6 Fourth-Quarter Comebacks and 11 Game-Winning Drives.

FYI

Guess Schaub's 3yrs at Atlanta doesnt mean anything??? Come on...