We got rid of our OC last year and yet, we’re still having the same problems this year, only worse. The blocking scheme isn’t working. Our WR’s still aren’t getting separation. Is it time to get rid of the coaches? Go Ravens! ~ Jimmie Martin
Jimmie, it’s probably premature to get rid of anyone at this point. The Ravens are after all (3-3) and very much in the mix of the AFC North race. That said there’s plenty of blame to go around including the coaching staff but instead of pointing fingers, let’s view these problems for what they really are – opportunities to improve.
Although the Ravens have lacked consistency, they believe that they are improving each week. The biggest obstacle and therefore the biggest challenge and opportunity for improvement lies with the offensive line. This won’t improve overnight and until they gel it is up to the coaching staff to develop a game plan that shifts some of the burden away from the players through better schematic design.
The Ravens tip their hand way too much with personnel packages, cadence and pre-snap gestures and tendencies. They need to shake all of that up and make opponents think a little more. In doing so they slow the defense down and that opens up possibilities while increasing the effectiveness of the offensive line.
Why do the Ravens wait until it’s too late to start playing offense? Why don’t they play like it matters from beginning to end? ~ Wayne Bazillionaire Mooney
It is somewhat mind-boggling that the Ravens don’t unleash Joe Flacco and allow him to operate the way he did down the stretch in 2012. Clearly he’s more comfortable in a more rapid-paced environment. They’ve scored only 10 points in the first quarter this season, 7 of which came on the team’s second offensive drive of the season in Denver. Since then they’ve scored just 3 points and have been shutout in the first frame in 4 of their last 5 games.
Maybe we should all start wearing t-shirts that say, “FREE FLACCO!”
How can other teams with what appears to be less talent at key positions, move the ball better and score more points than the Ravens’ offense? Is it really just a bad scheme and/or poor play-calling? ~ Rants N Ravens
Play calling has a LOT to do with the Ravens struggles and the offense’s predictability is frighteningly similar to the offense directed by Cam Cameron. Interestingly though, it looks a lot different than the one directed by Offensive Coordinator Jim Caldwell while using Cameron’s play book.
The common denominator is John Harbaugh and you have to wonder if he is the one influencing this run-run-pass redundancy.
The middle of the offensive line is not good this year. Is Gradkowski to blame? Would Shipley be any better? ~ Kevin Heinz
Gino has been pretty bad this season but then again (and surprisingly) so have Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda, both of which are less than 100% physically. They will be tested by the Steelers and Dick LeBeau and if they fail, AQ Shipley could get his chance after next week’s bye. Shipley was (4-1) as a starter for the Colts in 2012. So far Gino is (3-4).
