During the 33-14 dismantling of the Giants, significant players made major strides. Joe Flacco led the bunch, throwing for over 300 yards and playing virtually perfect. He must have read my last article. While #5 did play great, he has to keep it up throughout the playoffs if he wants to earn respect.
Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce had efficient games as well, both going over 100 yards. Many were surprised to see such a breakout game for the offense, but there was one guy who wasn’t – Jim Caldwell.
The Ravens knew coming into the year that a Caldwell offense would emerge, it was just a matter of when. Caldwell displayed on Sunday that his acquisition was a major step forward for Joe Flacco and Co.
It all started with a key play-call that started off the game and led to a first-possession TD. Bernard Pierce took a beautiful pitch on a 3rd-and-1 for a 15-yard gain, a play on which Flacco ran the college-style “option.” Joe said that he audibled into the play, the type of which we would never see in a Cam Cameron offense; it’s about time Baltimore learns the word “creative.”
Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith were not only utilized in expanded roles, they were used over the middle. Wait… what? The Ravens using the middle of the field?
Do you believe in Miracles?
Caldwell utilized the intermediate passing game to perfection. The game plan was full of crossing routes and innovative “in routes,” something Joe Flacco seems to thrive with.
Speaking of Mr. Flacco, Caldwell has discovered a new option in the offense. Flacco was perfect rolling out this game. He looked agile and mobile, like Ray Rice has always commented on. Rice always says that if given the chance, we will see that Flacco is quite the “play-maker”. Flacco has one of the better play-action moves in the NFL.
Sure, it’s only been two games, but Jim Caldwell has already proven that he provides a crucial spark to a potentially great Offense.
