Ray Rice

[Kevlar]

Rice is a very capable back. The problem is he seems to be the only source of offense a lot of the time. So teams key on him, shut him down. Then Cam has to break out the crayons on the sideline and figure something else out besides hand the ball to Rice or throw the ball to Rice. It isn't as bad this year as it has been in the past. The Ravens are finally looking to get the ball into the hands of someone other than Rice at least some of the time. But when that Rice well runs dry it seems to affect the entire game plan.

[The Excellector]

The point that the OP is trying to make is that, excuses are more often made for Rice after a bad game, than for Flacco following a bad game. I agree with the OP. He threw in some over the top frustration, but I agree with the sentiment.

When Rice struggled in the playoffs the past two years, it was the offensive line's fault for not opening holes. Joe Flacco can have one bad game passing and, 'this passing offense hasn't proven that it can be a consistent threat, so let's get back to giving Rice the ball'. That's the mentality around here and around the city, and I think it's been this way for a few years.

When some posters try to show that Rice is one of those home run backs who will more consistently gain 2 yards over and over, before striking one for fifteen, other posters have decided to lean on the YPC average as the backbone to their argument.

When the passing offense gets into a rut, yes, there will be mention of dropped passes or poor protection, but there is no doubt that Flacco will shoulder the blame in the eyes of most Ravens fans. It does get frustrating after a while, because it's like nobody has jack to say when Rice has one of his 18 carry 45 yard games where they try to force feed him.

Rice's numbers have not been great as of late. Meanwhile, Pierce hasn't had nearly as much trouble gaining yardage with the touches he has received. Why is that? Is the offensive line suddenly blocking better for him? We know how Rice is, but just as much as some posters claim we try to make Flacco out to be more than what he is, the same is done to Rice. Rice is a back who will consistently give you short runs, before breaking the big one. We all know how he gets when he gets frustrated. He stops following Leach/the play in general. Harbaugh's got on him about it. Leach has got on him about it. Wilbert Montgomery has got on him about it and even Ray Lewis has talked to him about it.

Surprise, surprise, Leachisabeast, Benard Pierce needs more carries.

[leachisabeast]

The point that the OP is trying to make is that, excuses are more often made for Rice after a bad game, than for Flacco following a bad game. I agree with the OP. He threw in some over the top frustration, but I agree with the sentiment.

When Rice struggled in the playoffs the past two years, it was the offensive line's fault for not opening holes. Joe Flacco can have one bad game passing and, 'this passing offense hasn't proven that it can be a consistent threat, so let's get back to giving Rice the ball'. That's the mentality around here and around the city, and I think it's been this way for a few years.

When some posters try to show that Rice is one of those home run backs who will more consistently gain 2 yards over and over, before striking one for fifteen, other posters have decided to lean on the YPC average as the backbone to their argument.

When the passing offense gets into a rut, yes, there will be mentioned of dropped passes or poor protection, but there is no doubt that Flacco will shoulder the blame in the eyes of most Ravens fans. It does get frustrating after a while, because it's like nobody has jack to say when Rice has one of his 18 carry 45 yard games where they try to force feed him.

Rice's numbers have not been great as of late. Meanwhile, Pierce hasn't had nearly as much trouble gaining yardage with the touches he has received. Why is that? Is the offensive line suddenly blocking better for him? We know how Rice is, but just as much as some posters claim we try to make Flacco out to be more than what he is, the same is done to Rice. Rice is a back who will consistently give you short runs, before breaking the big one. We all know how he gets when he gets frustrated. He stops following Leach/the play in general. Harbaugh's got on him about it. Leach has got on him about it. Wilbert Montgomery has got on him about it and even Ray Lewis has talked to him about it.

Surprise, surprise, Leachisabeast, Benard Pierce needs more carries.

People are always making excuses for Flacco, whether that be blaming Cam Cameron or the receivers dropping balls (btw the receivers have barely dropped anything this year).

[Haloti92]

The point that the OP is trying to make is that, excuses are more often made for Rice after a bad game, than for Flacco following a bad game. I agree with the OP. He threw in some over the top frustration, but I agree with the sentiment.

When Rice struggled in the playoffs the past two years, it was the offensive line's fault for not opening holes. Joe Flacco can have one bad game passing and, 'this passing offense hasn't proven that it can be a consistent threat, so let's get back to giving Rice the ball'. That's the mentality around here and around the city, and I think it's been this way for a few years.

When some posters try to show that Rice is one of those home run backs who will more consistently gain 2 yards over and over, before striking one for fifteen, other posters have decided to lean on the YPC average as the backbone to their argument.

When the passing offense gets into a rut, yes, there will be mentioned of dropped passes or poor protection, but there is no doubt that Flacco will shoulder the blame in the eyes of most Ravens fans. It does get frustrating after a while, because it's like nobody has jack to say when Rice has one of his 18 carry 45 yard games where they try to force feed him.

Rice's numbers have not been great as of late. Meanwhile, Pierce hasn't had nearly as much trouble gaining yardage with the touches he has received. Why is that? Is the offensive line suddenly blocking better for him? We know how Rice is, but just as much as some posters claim we try to make Flacco out to be more than what he is, the same is done to Rice. Rice is a back who will consistently give you short runs, before breaking the big one. We all know how he gets when he gets frustrated. He stops following Leach/the play in general. Harbaugh's got on him about it. Leach has got on him about it. Wilbert Montgomery has got on him about it and even Ray Lewis has talked to him about it.

Surprise, surprise, Leachisabeast, Benard Pierce needs more carries.

The problem with the general theme of this argument is that it is plainly easy to see when other teams sell out to stop Rice. That these teams also verbalize their goal makes it undeniable. No such focus is given to our passing game (except perhaps in taking Rice away from our passing game, i.e. dump-offs, screens).

That said, Rice has left more yards on the field this year than last thusfar, imo. And Pierce is more dynamic and younger than our past back-ups (so should get more carries than they did, not less) I agree on those points.

[JAB1985]

People are always making excuses for Flacco, whether that be blaming Cam Cameron or the receivers dropping balls (btw the receivers have barely dropped anything this year).

I have to disagree with the "barely dropped anything this year" comment. Theyve improved, as has Flaccos completion percentage, but id hardly say there isnt still room for improvement in that area.

[leachisabeast]

I have to disagree with the "barely dropped anything this year" comment. Theyve improved, as has Flaccos completion percentage, but id hardly say there isnt still room for improvement in that area.

Jacoby has one dropped pass, Boldin has only 1 too, Torrey has 4, that's one of the lowest drop rates in the league.

[The Excellector]

The problem with the general theme of this argument is that it is plainly easy to see when other teams sell out to stop Rice. That these teams also verbalize their goal makes it undeniable. No such focus is given to our passing game (except perhaps in taking Rice away from our passing game, i.e. dump-offs, screens).

That said, Rice has left more yards on the field this year than last thusfar, imo. And Pierce is more dynamic and younger than our past back-ups (so should get more carries than they did, not less) I agree on those points.

This is true and it lends itself to the argument that I have been trying to make all season. The passing offense needs to be able to take better advantage of this, but it won't if it's put back in the closet after every little mistake or every bad game. They'll revert back to Rice, Rice will get stuffed in the playoffs and the passing offense will be asked to come out of the closet cold and win the game.

[leachisabeast]

This is true and it lends itself to the argument that I have been trying to make all season. The passing offense needs to be able to take better advantage of this, but it won't if it's put back in the closet after every little mistake or every bad game. They'll revert back to Rice, Rice will get stuffed in the playoffs and the passing offense will be asked to come out of the closet cold and win the game.

The point that your missing is that against the Steelers the passing offense wasn't working either.

[Haloti92]

This is true and it lends itself to the argument that I have been trying to make all season. The passing offense needs to be able to take better advantage of this, but it won't if it's put back in the closet after every little mistake or every bad game. They'll revert back to Rice, Rice will get stuffed in the playoffs and the passing offense will be asked to come out of the closet cold and win the game.

Where have I heard this before?

Just kidding.

I agree wih your theory/suggestion up to a point. And that point is, we can experiment or "practice" stuff in regular season games only to the extent it does not significantly reduce our chances of winning the games. I vehemently disagree with the idea we should accept extra losses, even a single extra loss, during the season and thereby risk missing the playoffs at worst, or playing on the road (vs. at home) at best, just to "practice" our passing game. The same goes for giving young backups significant time. Sure Gradkowski would look better in 2014 if he starts playing now, but if playing him now makes our on-the-field team worse, then he waits. There is a reason why teams wait until their season is "lost" (regarding the playoffs) before starting young QBs and playing backups to evaluate for the future.

[GOTA]

This is true and it lends itself to the argument that I have been trying to make all season. The passing offense needs to be able to take better advantage of this, but it won't if it's put back in the closet after every little mistake or every bad game. They'll revert back to Rice, Rice will get stuffed in the playoffs and the passing offense will be asked to come out of the closet cold and win the game.

They're passing the ball 59% of the time. That puts them 24th in rushing attempts. How can the passing offense come out cold when they pass that much of the time? They're are very few teams running the ball less than the Ravens do.

[JAB1985]

Jacoby has one dropped pass, Boldin has only 1 too, Torrey has 4, that's one of the lowest drop rates in the league.

Again thats going off an opinion of what a dropped pass is. They were much lower statistics last year from PFF and all the other sites than what many of saw during the games. Boldin having only one stands out to me. Hes had more than one. that also doesnt account for Dickson, Pitta and Rice. Even Leach has one this year. Im not arguing that theyre better, but its certainly not the best in the league either. Watching other games id say were more average this year, but still could improve overall.

[leachisabeast]

Again thats going off an opinion of what a dropped pass is. They were much lower statistics last year from PFF and all the other sites than what many of saw during the games. Boldin having only one stands out to me. Hes had more than one. that also doesnt account for Dickson, Pitta and Rice. Even Leach has one this year. Im not arguing that theyre better, but its certainly not the best in the league either. Watching other games id say were more average this year, but still could improve overall.

But as stated by GOTA, we also pass the ball 59 % of the time, and to only have that many drops is still impressive IMO.

[bmorecareful]

The point that your missing is that against the Steelers the passing offense wasn't working either.

Nothing worked against the Steelers offensively for a few reasons, no particular order:

1) Ray Rice had a bad game running the football, 2) Cam Cameron called an inconsistent game, 3) Joe Flacco was inaccurate, 4) the OL opened no holes in the running game, 5) our WRs could not beat man coverage, and 6) Dennis Pitta missed all but the first series of the game.

Those are A LOT of things to go wrong in one game. Not only did you have Cam Cameron's usual problems with putting together a workable game plan and adjusting it on the fly, you ALSO had every offensive position group play a bad game--Rice was bad, the OL was bad (at least in the run game,) and Flacco was bad. Cam Cameron has always been an anchor holding this offense down, but with all those other factors coming into play there was NO WAY this was going to be a good game particularly given the nature of offensive synergy--Rice's bad game worsened Flacco's game and vice versa, etc.

With this offense, when it rains, it pours. Very rarely does just ONE thing go wrong--it's usually several things, particularly in the passing game, and you know perfectly well by halftime what the character of the game is going to be.

The thing is, losing Dennis Pitta is getting underrated, IMO. We know that offensively the Ravens struggle to use the middle of the field on the road, the reasons for that are probably multiple and complex. Dennis Pitta has been the one pass catcher who has earned Flacco's trust over the middle and consistently gets open, even if only for short gains. Losing Pitta from the gameplan very well may have been huge, and we shouldn't underrate how significant of an effect that could have had. We don't know the gameplan so we can't know for sure, but it's worth mentioning.

[JAB1985]

But as stated by GOTA, we also pass the ball 59 % of the time, and to only have that many drops is still impressive IMO.

if thats what youre going to go by, than yes it would appear to be impressive. I dont agree with those numbers, however, and think were merely average. I just dont know where theyre getting that from. Boldin has had a 2-3 drop game this year (im forgetting which one unfortunately), that people were harping on. its not something thats exact as it is opinion based, but i would say those numbers arent 100% accurate and tend to be a little favorable to the players.

[leachisabeast]

if thats what youre going to go by, than yes it would appear to be impressive. I dont agree with those numbers, however, and think were merely average. I just dont know where theyre getting that from. Boldin has had a 2-3 drop game this year (im forgetting which one unfortunately), that people were harping on. its not something thats exact as it is opinion based, but i would say those numbers arent 100% accurate and tend to be a little favorable to the players.

It's not just PFF, FO also have our receiving core ranked pretty high.

[GOTA]

Nothing worked against the Steelers offensively for a few reasons, no particular order:

1) Ray Rice had a bad game running the football, 2) Cam Cameron called an inconsistent game, 3) Joe Flacco was inaccurate, 4) the OL opened no holes in the running game, 5) our WRs could not beat man coverage, and 6) Dennis Pitta missed all but the first series of the game.

Those are A LOT of things to go wrong in one game. Not only did you have Cam Cameron's usual problems with putting together a workable game plan and adjusting it on the fly, you ALSO had every offensive position group play a bad game--Rice was bad, the OL was bad (at least in the run game,) and Flacco was bad. Cam Cameron has always been an anchor holding this offense down, but with all those other factors coming into play there was NO WAY this was going to be a good game particularly given the nature of offensive synergy--Rice's bad game worsened Flacco's game and vice versa, etc.

With this offense, when it rains, it pours. Very rarely does just ONE thing go wrong--it's usually several things, particularly in the passing game, and you know perfectly well by halftime what the character of the game is going to be.

The thing is, losing Dennis Pitta is getting underrated, IMO. We know that offensively the Ravens struggle to use the middle of the field on the road, the reasons for that are probably multiple and complex. Dennis Pitta has been the one pass catcher who has earned Flacco's trust over the middle and consistently gets open, even if only for short gains. Losing Pitta from the gameplan very well may have been huge, and we shouldn't underrate how significant of an effect that could have had. We don't know the gameplan so we can't know for sure, but it's worth mentioning.

Shouldn't Dixon be able to step into Pitta's role? It's not like Pitta is Todd Heap. Dixon's biggest issue is drops. He should still have been able to work the middle of the field the same way that Pitta would have. The drop off from Pitta to Dixon is not huge.

[jonboy79]

This and did you also notice how poorly our TE's were attempting to block their LB's?

I seem to remember a few poeple wondering how we drafted 2 TE's in back to back picks when neither one can block a lick... especially considering how good of a draft that was for pseudo-2way TE's. Gronk obviously the leaderin that clubhouse... Hreck, even Michael Hoomanawanui would be seen as a MAJOR upgrade inthe blocking dept while not showing a huge drop off in pass catching ability..

I like Pitta as a number 2 Te/H-back motion guy for underneath routes but Dickson is a major Question mark and has been since draft day to me... Chosen ahead of Jimmy Graham, Aaron Hernandez and more... terrible pick. As obvious that day that it was a terrible pick as it is today.

[Ravenswintitle]

And when they put Bajema in to handle blocking assignments he was buried. I doubt he sees much action again...

Keep in mind this was the #1 defense, at home, big game where they brought back all of the past stars and arguably a 'must win' primetime game. We got their best shot and came out with a W. I'll take it any day of the week.

[The Excellector]

They're passing the ball 59% of the time. That puts them 24th in rushing attempts. How can the passing offense come out cold when they pass that much of the time? They're are very few teams running the ball less than the Ravens do.

Which is a good start. They need to keep it up. They've tried some screens here and some slants there. They just need to work at it. Then, they've still had there moments, like in Cleveland. They're, 'Everyone is giving us heat for not giving Rice the ball, so let's pound him into the ground' and 'We have the lead, let's just run run pass and punt so we can get the heck out of here' moments.

[The Excellector]

Boldin dropped three passes in the first quarter of the KC game alone.