This version of Letters 2 TL takes a look back on some of the topics brought up by our readers that even today still have lingering effects. It’s interesting how just a little time can change our individual and collective perception of things going on in and around the Baltimore Ravens. With 5 weeks to go to Super Bowl XLI, more change is an almost certainty.
NOTHING REMAINS QUITE THE SAME
(August 7, 2006)
Tony,
Just checking in. I am the guy from the Castaway Travel Crew and I am checking in to see what’s happening? I am so ready for this season. I’m hoping that Pashos can step up his game and the draft looks like it did us pretty well. A buddy of mine and I bought a Purple Bus (short one of course) and we are ready to tailgate this year after ten years with our friends at Della Roses. If you hear of any parking spots we are looking. Love the Key West slide show in "Fun Stuff"! Damn I wish I was there. I need to change attitudes and latitudes!!!
Long Live the Conch Republic!
Al Brown
Al,
Congrats on the bus. Tell Tony D. and the gang from Della?s I said hey! Good folks there and all they do is drink beer and play smash mouth football. Not a bad way to live life I must say. But a better way is to change attitudes and latitudes. I haven?t been down there to the Conch Republic since February and I?m dying to get back. Unfortunately, that will have to wait. Hey, here?s a dream scenario. We all head down to Miami in February to watch the Ravens win the Super Bowl and then head on down to the Keys in that Purple Bus of yours.
As for Tony Pashos?he?s worked very hard and while he?ll never be a great player, he can be a good player and provide some consistency and stability at that right tackle position. I expect a good season from the scrappy alumnus of the Fighting Illini.
Too much, magic bus,
TL
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
TL,
I have been on vacation for the past week and this is the first time I have seen your new website. I will need to get used to it. One thing that I can tell you now that should be eliminated immediately is the message board. Too often it allows non-believers the chance to post how stupid they are. Your site was always refreshing in that you acted as a filter to such non-sense. I do like the "new" site and wish you the best finding a new home for GAMETIME.
Dan Frey
Dan,
Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed. I too struggled with the idea of a message board but after seeking the advice and opinions of some who have more experience than I do with such boards, I was convinced that there is a way to intelligently provide these forums to those that enjoy them and treat them with respect. There are tools to weed out those that seek to undermine the integrity of the message board and the enjoyment of others. We’ll implement them and I think that in the end, it will be the right choice. I hope in time you will agree and I trust you will tell me again if you don’t.
Give it a little time and then shoot me another note. Your input is important.
Let’s send an SOS to the world,
TL
CAMDEN YARDS FREEZEOUT
(September 22, 2006)
TL,
Love your site but stick to football. Tony I am sure that your motives are pure toward the station that chose to dump your show (an enjoyable show I might add). I find it hard for anyone to pass judgment from on high about an effort that by all accounts is from the heart. Will it draw attention to the station? Of course it will. What attention has the empty stands all year brought? Nothing! Attention is what is needed here not your analytical apathy.
Angelos doesn’t care because he is assured by MLB of a minimal profit. Will he be embarrassed yes; and I will pay my cheap seat ticket to do so. Protest by nature never accomplished the goal of the dreamer and leader, but they are part of the process of change. People like you and others never affect anything. According to you Rosa Parks should have not taken the seat on the bus in protest. She did it for herself. Stop taking such a condescending attitude.
Maybe if Peter Angelos was owner of the Ravens and no one gave a damn about 24X7.com you would feel different and you would be participating in some protest because 24X7 would stand to gain from it. Your alternatives do not make sense. People want "Real" major league baseball run by a real baseball organization. That is why your tax money built that stadium and Angelos better make a decent effort to provide. They do not want a minor league, nor do they want to go 40 miles after we the tax payers built that midget a platform for his product.
Bob Blizzard
Bob,
Love your emotion bro. Never let it die.
Gee, where do I start with this masterpiece? How about with that passing judgment comment?
I offered an opinion. Just as you have. If you really think this rally which was supposed to have from 3,000-10,000 participants but only registered 1,000 by most accounts will make a difference, you are kidding yourself. Do I want change? Of course I do. How does one affect that change, I’m not sure. What I am sure of is that it certainly isn’t by going to Camden Yards, plunking down your $9 per and leaving in the fourth inning. If Nike was held by a majority shareholder and they started to put out garbage products, what would you do? You would spend your money elsewhere. One day that shareholder would come to his or her senses and mend their ways to bring you back if they had the proper incentives to do so.
But with MLB, the league’s "braintrust" helped pave the way for Angelos to offset his losses at the gate with MASN. So what is his incentive now?
Do you really think that Angelos was embarrassed? More than likely he was laughing at the "demagogue" and happy for the extra nine grand in his pocket.
Look, I hope I’m dead wrong on this rally and that it really does help. But comparing this to Rosa Parks while others including the ?demagogue? have compared it to the Berlin Wall, come on. To compare this rally to the stand Rosa Parks took is an insult to Parks. She took a stand for her civil rights. The only civil right you have regarding the Orioles is whether or not to spend your hard earned dollars at Camden Yards or elsewhere. Otherwise, you have no civil rights when it comes to the Orioles or MLB.
In the end, Nestor’s efforts deserve the publicity that this rally has provided him. And when it’s over, that’s the only thing that he’ll get from his hours of dedication to a cause that never ever had a chance to succeed from the start if the ultimate goal was to change Peter Angelos or affect his sale of the team.
If anything, it could all end up making it harder for the Orioles to attract free agent talent to Baltimore or top shelf scouts that might help the farm system.
And by the way, if Angelos owned the Ravens, 24×7 probably wouldn’t exist and we wouldn’t be engaging in this highly enjoyable exchange.
Rally on,
TL
TAMPA 2 LITTLE?
Hey Tony,
I’ve been pondering a question that I can’t quite get my head around, so I thought I’d throw it your way.
It’s about the Ravens offensive line and their varied success handling protection, particularly against a Tampa-2 type defense. Mike Tomlin was a hot name as a defensive coordinator when the Vikings hired him, in part because of his ties to Monte Kiffin, Dungy and Lovie Smith and the Tampa-2 scheme, right? And we saw how much trouble the Ravens line had protecting against the revamped Vikings defense.
So I was expecting the Tampa defense, which by all accounts is more proficient at it than the Vikings should be, to really give the Ravens trouble in a more meaningful game. Yet the Ravens line held up pretty well. Why?
My understanding about the Tampa-2 is that coordinators like to drop safeties into coverage and have defenders swarm to the ball and intimidate in the defensive backfield (I assume that?s why I kept seeing Mason catch and drop to the ground last Sunday). Which means, upfront, they are relying on a lot of gap technique to get a pass rush and speed off the corners to get to the quarterback.
Was it simply dome noise that explains the difference in the Ravens being able to handle this attack in Tampa, but not in Minnesota? Was Ogden that much better than Terry? Did McNair do a better job dumping off? Did Tampa execute poorly?
What did you see? What are the implications for the line the rest of the year, especially on the road against athletic fronts?
Thanks,
Steve Hasler
Steve,
I think there are a few reasons why the Ravens were more successful against Tampa than they were in Minnesota.
First, the Ravens actually game planned for Tampa. They had objectives in mind and a strategy to exploit Tampa’s weaknesses and address their strengths. Secondly, I think their pacing was much better in and out of the huddle allowing them time to set and make adjustments at the line of scrimmage.
Third, they did a much better job on first down during their scoring drives — particularly the opening drive. Staying out of second and long situations is important to this offense when it comes to protecting the passer.
As for the future against athletic fronts on the road, if the Ravens face second and third and long situations and they don’t have a good tempo about them, they will be in trouble and once again relying on their defense to bail them out. If they are successful on first down particularly early in the game, the Ravens will be hard to beat.
All the best,
TL
FIRST DOWN!
Tony’s recent article regarding the key to the Raven offense is first down was very good. My question is: Is this still Brian Billick’s offense with Jim Fassel using it or has Jim added his own twist? I agree we run too much on first down. It’s great to establish the run because it is our bread and butter but we have got to mix it up. Since we have little breakaway speed with Mason and Clayton, then put Demetrius Williams out there. I wanted to see him run the corner at least once instead of Clarence Moore. Put Williams in the slot against a linebacker. This is starting to look like a Kyle Boller offense because McNair didn’t have sufficient work with it because he signed late. Let’s open it up more against Cleveland this Sunday.
Gregg Gummer, Nottingham
Gregg,
The offense is Jim Fassel’s. It has been throughout camp. I’m sure Billick has some influence depending upon the game situation. The running on first down is ok, but the Ravens need to not only mix up the run v. pass ratio on first down, they need to mix up the types of running plays they use along with the formations to create doubt in the mind of defenders. Now the Ravens are far too often sitting in a standard set and inviting 9 into the box. No matter who is at QB, it will invoke memories of a Kyle Boller led offense which suddenly doesn’t appear to be all Kyle Boller’s fault.
As for the receivers, I think there’s a way to get deep without being a blazer. The Ravens have practiced a route that when executed properly is indefensible. In this route, the receiver runs a sideline streak and gets the defender to turn his back to the quarterback. The moment that he does he stops and turns to the quarterback. The ball has already been thrown and by the time the defender reacts, the pass is already completed. With Mason’s and particularly Clayton’s ability to run after the catch, that 20-25 yard pass can become a big gainer after the reception.
As for Demetrius Williams, the rookie looks like a playmaker and I agree, the Ravens should give him a chance to show it. Clarence Moore is a one-dimensional player and the Ravens have an offense with too many limited players already.
Time to open it up,
TL
LOUD, PROUD AND PURPLE
TL,
I have a football etiquette question for you?
I am a loud and boisterous fan when I’m at the stadium – but never use foul language or derogatory comments. I cheer and sometimes whistle loudly when the Ravens have a good play, get a 1st down, score, sack, etc? While on defense, I yell on every play while the opposing QB approaches the line and tries to get the play off.
About 5 minutes before the end of the game I commented to the guy sitting in front of me about a Ravens play and he snapped-back -"I really wish you’d just shut the F@$& up for awhile". Another person two seats away commented they thought they were deaf.
I hadn’t realized I was [upsetting them] until that point. They never turned around or complained. Others around me were cheering the same way I was – but maybe not as loud.
I feel bad because I ticked these people off and probably have to sit behind them the rest of the season. I’d like to apologize at the next game and offer to tone-down my enthusiasm. Yet, I still want to cheer and make noise. I honestly believe the fans had an impact on the Raiders inability to get the ball snapped and check-offs made on Sunday. Billick applauds the fans for generating the noise level they do when the opponent has the ball.
I understand that they are ticket holders and entitled to enjoy the game in the seats they purchased. Yet, I too paid for my tickets and should be entitled to enjoy the game and cheer for the team, even contributing the noise while we’re on defense. I have a dilemma. Quiet-down to appease the people in front of me or continue to cheer and yell and continue to irritate the group in front.
I’m really not doing anything wrong, I’m just loud.
Your thoughts?
Mitch Hooper
Mitch,
"Fan" as I’m sure you know is short for fanatic, which by definition means marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea.
You aren’t doing anything wrong. Keep doing what you are doing and don’t give into the whine and cheese neighbors of yours. Be respectful as I know you are but you have every right to make as much noise as you want to support your team just as they have the right to sit on their thumbs. You aren’t complaining about their lack of enthusiasm, right?
Look if you go to the pool and you sit near the water’s edge, don’t complain if you get wet. Your neighbors need to wake up. If they want to be enveloped in silence, tell them to save money and go to the theatre.
Rave on,
TL
STAND BY YOUR TEAM
(October 19, 2006)
TL,
These are critical times for the Ravens team, organization, and fan base. There seems to be a lot of sniping going on lately, and this applies to the fan base as well (just visit the 24×7 message boards).
Team unity is one element that always characterized the 2000 Ravens’ leadership; team support during a 5 game TD drought; and a fan base that was still very much appreciative of the fact that the NFL returned to Charm City. Unless the team and fans forge a unified front here, I am fearful that this year is going to end up just like last year, and the Ravens team, as we currently know it, will be blown up at year’s end. So, let’s get with it fellas. There is a lot of football yet to be played. Fans, support the team, they really need it right now! And, players, quit the whining, and support one another, regardless of the circumstances! Expend your energies on the field — not the sidelines. The true leaders on this team need to step forward, just like in 2000.
RavenJoe, Sykesville, MD
RJ,
I’m probably dating myself here but your note just took me back to high school typing class. If you ventured down that “career path†with me you will remember “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.†Thankfully I took that class, otherwise, you’d be reading this like next Thursday…
Look, we’ve been down this road before — no less than twice and each time we reached a fork in the road. We chose the right path one of those times, in 2000. Then after a 5-4 start and on the heels of 21 consecutive quarters without a touchdown, the Ravens got their groove on and we remember vividly how that season ended.
In 2004 after their best start of 7-3, the team went the opposite way. They came unraveled and missed out on the playoffs.
Which path will they follow this season? Time will tell yet as you point out it’s way too early to jump off the bandwagon. After all, the Ravens are in first place in the AFC North.
To the future,
TL
ONLY ONE CHEF NEEDED
TL,
Two Sides To The Fassel Firing — Which Is Right? As I sort through the aftermath of the Jim Fassel firing it seems clear that the problem existed on two levels. First, there is the obvious problem of the offense struggling. And second, there was the root-problem of poor communication on the sidelines and in the meeting room between Jim and his fellow coaches and players.
In his press conference Brian Billick explained the benefit of making this move by saying something to the effect of, "We will be successful because the offensive system will be interactive with the players, they will understand it, and they will believe in it."
As he said that I can’t help but be reminded of the infamous Steve Biscotti press conference where Brian pledged to adopt a more "horizontal style of leadership" where players would be listened-to, and where coaches would be held accountable…to "change it or explain it." Thinking about the state of mind of befuddled players like J.O., Jamal, and Derrick, it seems clear now that Fassel collided head-long with Billick’s pledge to Steve Biscotti to be more open. On the other hand, Fassel made it clear to ESPN that he wasn’t very happy or open about shared decision-making when it came to offensive game planning.
"Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve gotten the offense up and running pretty fast," Fassel said. "It didn’t happen here and the reason I believe is that I wasn’t in full control. This has been building for quite a while and finally I went to Brian last week and said, ‘Look Brian, you’ve always run a good offense and I’ve always run a good offense, but the bottom line is somebody has to be in charge. Somebody has to pull the trigger and it can’t be two guys."
So, Tony, who is right here? Is Brian a micro-manager who put Jim in an impossible situation? Was Jim in the same tangled situation that young Kyle Boller found himself in, with too many voices in his ear? Or was Jim Fassel too proud? Was the former head coach a bad fit as coordinator here, where Billick’s "horizontal style of leadership" seems to demand input from players, coaches, owners, and ball boys?
Steve Hasler
Steve,
It’s certainly an interesting situation if nothing else. The way I see it, Billick did allow the coordinators to make the calls just as he was allowed to by Denny Green when he was the O.C. in Minnesota. But both of Billick’s coordinators had the same ingredients to work with — Billick’s playbook. If two chefs are given bad produce and Grade B meat, how can they produce a culinary treasure?
It very well could be the system. Perhaps the system is force fed upon the offensive personnel instead of developing the system around the talents of the personnel. When Billick had success in Minnesota, the talent available to him was very different than that here in Baltimore. The highest rated offense he’s ever produced was in 2001 when they finished 14th as a team offensively. That was behind the guidance of Elvis Grbac.
You touched on something that I believe is worth watching. The exact quote from Billick was, “We’ll continue to try to present as complex a picture to the defense as we can, but stay true to the integrity of the talents of our players.â€
His interpretation on the field of this statement will be extremely interesting to watch.
Rave on,
TL
BLOCK ON
(October 25, 2006)
Hey TL,
This is my first time writing so I just wanted to start of by saying I love the site. I can’t go a day without checking it.
If you would have told me at the beginning of the season the Ravens would be 4-2 going into the bye I would have been ecstatic. That being said it is obvious the offense needs some kind of spark; at least to make it more consistent. I have a few questions/comments I wanted your take on.
First, do you think with Billick taking over the offense again we will change blocking scheme of the offensive line back to drive blocking? It just seems like we played better ball with that style, plus, our players seem more suited for that. And was it Fassel’s idea to change to zone blocking? I think a lot of the running game’s problem has been the change in blocking schemes and Jamal’s tip toe dance which could be because of the new scheme.
I think with Brian being more open to player input than Fassel (wow never though I’d say that) things will improve a bit. Let’s face it Ogden, Mason, Jamal, and others never complained about the system until Fassel got involved so my take on that would be they must not hate the system as much as some news papers make it seem. I just wanted your take on the chances of the blocking scheme changing and the impact you think Billick taking charge of the offense will have.
Rave on,
Jason Dicembre, Dundalk
Jason,
Thanks for the props on the site. We’re happy and proud to be part of your day.
As for the blocking schemes, I believe it is all intertwined. Jim Fassel utilized Brian Billick’s system and plays. Certain plays will rely upon a certain blocking scheme. Incumbent upon the coaches is to make the right calls given the personnel. I’m not convinced that is being done.
When I spoke with Edwin Mulitalo and asked him to compare Offensive Line Coach Chris Foerster’s style to former OLC Jim Colletto, he said that Foerster stresses technique while Colletto focused more on a strategy and a game plan for the offensive line. He seemed to prefer the later.
Do I expect the Ravens to alter their blocking scheme going into Week 8? No I don’t. I do think that you will see more varied play calling and such plays may call for more zone blocking which in my opinion is something the Ravens are better at than one on one blocking. The more varied play calling will keep defenses guessing and the more they guess the more they are on their heels and the better the Ravens rushing attack will be. And if this team has post season aspirations, they need to run the football. Steve McNair’s best seasons were complimented by a solid rushing attack.
Speaking of which, Jamal Lewis’ often discussed pitter-patter style is merely him buying time while reading his blocks. Some backs slide while others almost come to a near stop while allowing their blocks to develop. Jamal keeps his feet moving. The difference over the past couple of years versus his historic run in 2003 lies in his lack of burst and the congestion in the running lanes. The Ravens predictability has placed enormous pressures on the offensive line. If there are 9 defenders in the box and you have two receivers, the defense has at least a one man advantage.
I think the Ravens will be better with Billick in command of the offense. But then again, he doesn’t have very big shoes to fill.
It’s Getting Better All The Time,
TL
PAPER THIN
(November 21, 2006)
Hey Tony,
First, I wanted to tell you that there were a couple of things you were completely correct on (before it became the majority opinion). This included the belief that McNair would become a real difference on the offensive side of the ball. Next, was that the offensive line could improve in pass protection. Last, was the quality of this years’ draft. All spot on.
One thing that I thought from the beginning was the weakness of the secondary. You’ve pointed it out in [a recent Lombardi’s Way]. I don’t know what the problem is, but I have to tell you that my sense is that its Ed Reed. Don’t have anything to back this up, but my thinking goes along these lines. A couple of years ago I remember him just walking away from [Mike] Nolan on the sideline as Nolan was trying to talk to him. Ray had to become an intermediary. (My point is that despite his ability to make big plays – this is undeniable— perhaps he also has a side that is un-coachable).
Next, in last week’s game there was a few seconds after the secondary had been burned on a play, where the camera showed Ivy (I think it was Ivy) coming up to Reed with his arms out with an “what-the-hell-happened†look on his face and Reed almost stiff armed him in a gesture which seemed to me to be saying “I don’t want to talk about it.â€
Did you see that?
This is paper thin, of course. It’s just that my sense is that one thing that’s going on this year a lot (which also happened from time to time last year too if you think about it) is that “communication†breaks down as a result of Reed freelancing. The real question is how can communication break down with the crew that we have out there. Something weird is going on.
What do you think?
Bill in Northeast
Bill,
I think that the communication issues are directly tied to Reed. And they really aren’t all communication issues in my opinion. To me most of the break downs in coverage, particularly on the big plays, are directly linked to Reed freelancing and I think now teams are using his overzealousness against him. I think Reed wants to be the playmaker. He lives to be the playmaker. The problem is when playing centerfield it’s hard to be that guy. Therefore he cheats a little, a little more and just when his fully taken the bait, good QB’s are using that against Reed.
Lavar Arrington comes to mind. He was once a premier athlete but he couldn’t stay with his assignments. He was brought up as a free lance player and the boundaries of and assignment didn’t sit well with him. As a result the Redskins ate up big dollars just to get rid of him.
I’m not suggesting that Reed’s issues are that dramatic, but it does bear watching. I think he craves the spotlight and wants to make the highlight reels. His unnecessary interception return against Tennessee is evidence of that. His needless return cost the Ravens field position and it could have cost them 3 points and in that case the game.
Someone needs to get to Reed and I’m not sure anyone is reaching him right now. The best thing that we can hope for is that he makes a big play while sticking to his assignment. Perhaps that will get him to trust in Rex Ryan’s game plan a bit more. Until he does, there will be other times when Samari Rolle or Chris McAlister are hung out to dry. Let’s just hope the opposing QB doesn’t see it.
Living on a lighted stage,
TL
