thundercleetz

Damn his arms are enormous! Very classy post by Brandon. Kid has an extremely bright future.

We really hit with Pitta and Art Jones that year but man what a terrible drafted when you consider we completely missed on our first three picks. I'm not going to question it because we won a Super Bowl a couple years later and going back in a time machine and changing one thing has unforeseen consequences. However, it hurts seeing Dez Bryant going one pick before us, and Gronk going one pick before Dickson.

Not saying you're right or wrong, just saying the zone blocking scheme was/is part of Harbaugh's long-term vision for the offense and Castillo was one step toward that. Injuries definitely played a part, and so did Castillo and Caldwell's philosophies not gelling. Regardless, 2013 probably went worse than anyone could have imagined. Things ended up working out for the best as now we have a well coached, talented offensive line with lots of depth.

Exactly my point. After Cameron was fired Harbaugh wanted to switch the the zone blocking scheme whether we needed it at the time or not. Castillo was a poor fit in 2013 but this past year he was excellent once we got an OC who's philosphy gelled. Castillo should work well with Trestman.

This is actually starting to make sense with Harbaugh's overall vision. When Harbaugh was hired back in 2008 we all thought he was going to bring Pat Shumur with him and install the Eagles, WCO with the zone blocking system. Harbaugh, as a new coach himself, went with an experienced OC in Cameron instead of Shumur who was only a QB coach at the time. When Harbaugh hired Juan Castillo as offensive line coach it was clear his intention was to have this zone scheme. Kubiak ran a WCO, but a different type than the Eagles version. After a real rough 2013 where Juan Castillo got unfairly hammered, we started to see the successful transition this past season. Now we have Trestman, who's experienced in the WCO. Not quite Kubiak's version, but not quite Andy Reid's version. Moreso what we saw from the Raiders when he was coaching Rich Gannon. Sure, he's pass happy, but look at the receiving numbers for Charlie Garner from 2001-2003, and look at Matt Forte's receiving numbers the past couple of seasons. How about Brian Westbrook in the WCO? It's touches for the running back regardless. The Ravens were successful in the playoffs this season because they were aggressive and smart with the run. They didn't try and run into a brick wall, but we're strategic with the run resulting in a high YPC. I would expect Trestman to build upon this, and if that means more receptions for the RB then so be it. I wouldn't be surprised to see us draft a running back with receiving skills high in the draft. David Johnson from Northern Iowa and Trey Coleman from Indiana are names to watch. Now with the Mornhinweg hire Harbaugh has come full circle with his vision. He has the type of staff in place where he can run that Eagles, Andy Reid WCO.

I agree with Papa no way I overspend for Forsett. It's not hard to draft a guy who can step in.

Important stat: Chicago was third this past season in TD redzone efficiency at 63.83%. Chicago was seventh in 2013 at 58.33%. We have always struggled with TDs in the redzone. Trestman had big receivers in Chicago, hopefully he'll push for a big playmaking receiver in Baltimore.

Interesting take: http://www.baltimorebeatdown.com/2015/1/20/7862111/ravens-hit-a-home-run-with-hiring-marc-trestman-as-offensive Also: @RavensInsider: Ravens have hired Marc Trestman as new offensive coordinator Trestman praised for cerebral approach to the game solid pick for sure @jeffzrebiecsun: John Harbaugh's brother, Jim, once said Marc Trestman "taught him everything" when both were Raiders assistants

That would be awkward, Cavanaugh was the OC at the University of Pittsburgh when Joe was there. Cavanaugh, working under then head coach Dave Wannstedt, chose to go with puny Tyler Palko as the starting QB and did not release Joe from his scholarship.

I like the hire a lot. Outside of Mike Shanahan, which was unrealistic, this was the best hire out there.

Nice grammar by the team's official account btw. Edit my copy and paste messed up the grammar haha

@Ravens: The Ravens have hired former Chicago Bears Head Coach Marc Trestman as the team's offensive coordinator. Discuss...

Kirby Wilson (former Steelers RB coach now the RB coach for the Vikings) was interviewed, I don't think he was a serious contender. It was down to Jim Hostler, Ravens old WR coach, and Kyle Shanahan. Then the Ravens brought in Dennison who told Harbaugh that Kubiak would be interested in the job.

Where did you hear that?

I don't know much about Trestman, but I hear he is a highly respected offensive mind. His offense was very balanced, his RB had over 100 receptions, tight end had 90 receptions, and Trestman utilized his two big receivers. Hopefully Trestman would push for a big number one receiver here. I don't think he should be faulted for having a boneheaded QB. With Gase and Knapp, unproven candidates scare me. I like having a presence of a former head coach calling plays. Kubiak had that confidence, I think Trestman has that as well.

@RapSheet: #Broncos OC Adam Gase interviews with the Baltimore #Ravens tonight, source said.

Zorn and Cam didn't get along so Zorn got the ax. Mike Shanahan is definitely the number one choice, but I wouldn't mind Gase as OC and Knapp as QB coach.

Good post. I didn't know about all of that. If he was denied in the past for no reason I certainly feel for him. I know that part of it can be extremely frustrating. I agree with you, he should have kept applying. However, you're right, there needs to be more awareness by the league on the issue. Or at least some sort explanation on the league's reasoning. I will say this, the MLB is still light years ahead of the NFL on the front of medications.

@RapSheet: #Broncos OC Adam Gase is expected to land in either Jacksonville or Baltimore, source said. #Ravens plan to interview him soon. Doesn't sound like a tough decision for Gase

Yes, Zorn runs the WCO. He's a disciple of Mike Holmgren. Ideally Mike Shanahan would be the best candidate if he wants to get back into coaching. Pat Kirwan speculated being an OC could be what Shanahan wants at this point in his career. Gets to focus on the offense, and fills the coaching itch without he pressure of being a HC. Here's my dilemma: do you hire the best OC candidate frost runs out current system, or do you hire the best PC candidate outright even if it means changing the system again?

I agree. If Gase has one good year with us he'd get a head coaching job. Knapp seems like a safe option. What about Jim Zorn?

I'm a little more sympathetic to ADD/ADHD after learning about it from my wife who has it. From what I understand prescriptions are very heavily monitored and expire easily. You meet with a doctor on a regular basis who then decides whether or not whether there is need to re-prescribe the prescription. You get busy with work, or life, you forget to schedule doctor appointments. It happens to us all. You don't want to build a long-term dependency on the drug, so ideally you don't want to be on it all the time. Also from what I understand, one can feel completely OK for months without use, but then suddenly your brain feels like it's not working properly. I've been told it's a "cloudy" feeling where you simply cannot function and even the most simple tasks seem overwhelming. That cloudiness could last for weeks/months after that, or could go right away again. I was skeptical for the longest time thinking ADD/ADHD was something that was simply over diagnosed, but I have seen the effects it has had on one's ability to function. It can be crippling. In other words, CD could have felt fine, felt like he did not need the drug and did not meet with a doctor to renew. Or he simply could have been busy or forget (he is a busy baseball player who recently had a child). Then he could have been hit extremely hard sometime last season, which could explain why he took the drug even though he knew he'd be suspended. Once you've used the drug once and experienced its effects, it can be hard to not use it when you know what you're going through can be "cured". So if I had to guess I do not think this was technical oversight or bearucratic procedure. I think this was purely on CD not seeking renewal during the appropriate timeframe. He then had an unanticipated need of the drug. Just my opinion/guesstimate.

@jeffzrebiecsun: A couple of candidates who are out there: Marc Trestman, Adam Gase, Nathaniel Hackett, Greg Knapp. Knapp was the QB coach for Houston for two years under Kubiak.

@jeffzrebiecsun: QB coach Rick Dennison and TE coach Brian Pariani are headed with Kubiak to Denver, according to a source.

@AdamSchefter: Falcons are hiring Kyle Shanahan as their OC, per league source. Shanahan and Dan Quinn planned to be package deal. @RapSheet: Adam Gase would be an option there as OC RT @ravens5rox: @RapSheet so whats with the Ravens now