oldno82

Excellent points! Plus, I don't know how many noticed but when Housh was ragging on the officials for a non-PI call and going on too long loud and loud with it, Joe yelled at him to get back to the huddle.

Hey! Funny and accurate at the same time...this post gets a 10!

I absolutely agree. And it wasn't just once, there were numerous blitzes off the edge we didn't even block. Joe is going to get killed one day.

Joe is a good quarterback. The problems are with the O-line as has been stated on this board. I'm not sure about Cam's playcalling and micro-managing of the offense either. We could certainly use O-line help in the draft, but the defense needs someone else to pass rush---and its time we found a LB to eventually replace Ray Lewis. All in all we have more needs than I thought we would when the season started. Its been a disappointing season to see us waste valuable resources like Boldin, Housh, and Donte.

Well, I know Joe can throw a slant because that used to be one of his specialities with Mark Clayton in his first year. For some reason, Cam has gotten away from it.

You simply can't blame Joe for that play. I saw tape of the Jets first game against the Pats and the same thing happened to the mighty Tom Brady--Hit from the blindside and fumbled. I also saw two other plays just this past weekend in the NFL when the same thing happened. I think the offensive line blew its line calls on that play.

I think Max and Crav are right. This goes just beyond Joe or Cam. Joe seems to have what it takes. I watched some tape of this throws to Boldin last week and they were just beautiful. He is the franchise quarterback we're looking for BUT he's not completely there yet. The last pass that bounced to Dickson was poor and important. He did take the blame for that and his explanation was reasonable. No qb is perfect, not even Manning as the last several games have shown. The play were Joe was sacked/stripped by Polamolu was beyond his control and was due to a foul up in pass protection by the line. The line has had problems being consistent this year. The running game needs a some more emphasis when Ray Rice is in there. Run blocking seems fine at times and horrible at others. Pass protection is inconsistent and hurts Joe and the passing game. I think we may need a coaching change on the OL as they don't seem to be progressing but this is just a guess. Or perhaps the talent on the OL is overrated?? Cam does a lot of things right and a some things very wrong. Again, consistency is what's missing here. If Boldin is double covered most of the time, and it seems he is, we've got to be able to get the ball to Housh and Stallworth. I'd like to see us try a spread formation as that seems to give teams like both the Pats and Jets fits. We've got the quality receivers to spread out the defenses. It would be neat to see a 3-4 wide receiver set and Joe in the 'gun but Cam hasn't been doing it. Maybe he doesn't trust the pass protection. Anyway, I appreciate the thoughtful answers. Lets beat the Texans!!!

I can only see what's on the TV so its hard for me to tell what is going on downfield. So, I'm asking for your guys opinion. Do you think the inability of the passing game to really take off considering the wealth of talented receivers we have is more on Joe or on Cam? Are receivers really wide open downfield and Joe doesn't see them? Is he limited to going with just his first read and then a dump-off because Cam has him on a leash? Do we have any WRs ever get open over the middle and then fail to get the ball to them or is sideline passes the only way Joe can go? Is our pass protection suspect and why? Just what the hell is going on out there, guys? Especially, you all that have been to the games. And why the hell doesn't the media give us some insights into this? Isn't that their job?

I have seen the tape of those screens and can't figure out why we don't use them. Also, what happened to slants over the middle to the WRs?

If indeed its true that Flacco is under orders not to audible and the offense is ticked off about it, then I presume they feel Flacco has the knowledge of what to do but isn't allowed to. If that is true, Cam needs to change that immediately and start spending more time with Joe developing the game plan. On the other hand, maybe it means Joe doesn't possess the ability to know what to do---THAT would be even more disturbing. My guess is that its the former but its hard for an outsider to really know.

I absolutely agree that this team lacks any inclination at all towards having a killer instinct. And its killing THEM!

Last night's ending was brutal but not completely unexpected. The offense has been underachieving all season long. Mason is right, this time, we he says the offense should be putting up more points every game---there's too much talent on this offense for us not to have both a terrific passing game and running game. There appears to me to be problems with the coaching---specifically, Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line. The line occasionally breaks down so that you don't get that feeling of confidence in the pocket you should have. I don't think much of what's wrong with the offense is Joe's fault. He doesn't call the plays and I don't even think he's given much latitude to audible out. Where was our line blocking calls on the Polamalu play? He came in uncovered at full speed right off the line---Flacco didn't have a chance. There were several plays of qb's being sacked and fumbling when hit from the blind side in several of yesterday's games. You don't see that happening to Brady or Manning. And the play calling absolutely sucks. With weapons like Ray Rice, Boldin, Housh, Donte, Mason, and Heap this offense should roll like New Orleans'. My gut feeling is we need a new Offensive Coordinator and Offensive line coach. Otherwise, next year, if there is an NFL next year, will just bring more of the same. Now, I can only hope this team isn't so demoralized that they go into the tank starting next week. Its not outside the realm of possibility they could lose to the Texans, Saints, Browns, and Bengals (again) if their tail is between their legs.

Like you, Spen, I understand what the sentiments are about winning being the most important thing, but I heartily agree that a team has to have SOME measure of entertainment value as well. This year, more than any in a long time, the Ravens' offense is indeed entertaining. I just wish they could do it for a whole game.

You've got to be kidding.

I hope Gaither makes it back but I'll be surprised if he doesn't wind up on IR.

I think Simms is right too. We should use the shotgun more. I think I read somewhere that Cam said a few weeks ago that the shotgun will get more usage as time goes by.

Dammit. I think Joe's the best qb the Ravens have ever had, Vinny included. He's tough, makes the hard throws, is cool, poised and solid. I'm tired of all the nitpicking and whining by some of the fans. No he's not Peyton Manning but he doesn't need to be. We've got ourselves a franchise quarterback after many years in the wilderness and I'm behind him!

BmoreHon and Max, I think you both have valid points. Joe was crushed on that first play. It must have felt awful and maybe it did screw him up for the game. And I too have thought they have too many guys giving input to Flacco. That can confuse anyone. Of course, the question is, whom do you do listen to?

Good post. Two tough defenses on the road in 6 days is, well, tough to handle. Flacco wasn't sharp though he looked fine on the drive that opened the 3rd quarter. Play calling was not the best. Ray Rice was getting good yards but we gave up on him. I don't know what the heck the problem is with us and the Cover-2 but Cam better get to work. I think our offense is better than it showed so far as talent is concerned. I look for a BIG day from them this Sunday and competent performances from here on out. Otherwise, it will not be a 'Super' season.

I've been very supportive of Joe in the past but today he flat out stunk. Do I think he should benched after one bad game against a very good defense? No. But that has to be the last clunker he does this season or else everybody will be clamoring for his scalp.

its so hard to judge based on one game. He did everything right in the 3rd preseason game and there was praise everywhere. Now he has just an average game against the toughest defense in the league and a few people rush to judgement. I'll say this- the missed pass to McClain and Joe's holding the ball too long on the first play were the only real detriments I could see. Who knows how good his stats might have looked if some of the PI calls were completions instead. Todd Heap missed a sure TD but you don't hear anyone questioning him. All that being said, I'll wrap up by just saying I think Joe will be a very good quarterback for the long haul for the Ravens. He's not Peyton Manning (who else is?) and he might not even be as outstanding as Tom Brady. BUT, he's a quality QB who can take the Ravens to the playoffs year in and year out as long as he gets decent protection and has quality targets to throw to. And yes, I think he's still developing.

He also ran down Cromartie after the interception and saved a touchdown.

You're right about that.

The O wasn't that bad after it settled down. Remember, the Jets D is for real. The passing game sure made up for the lack of a running game and that was something we couldn't do in the past. Thanks to Q, Housh, and Heap. And Joe.

The big thing that worries me about tonight's game is that it will be played with such intensity there will be a ton of injuries. Something like that can cripple a team for the rest of the season. I'm an old-timer. In 1960, the Colts were 6-2 and in first place with four games to go. That eighth game was against the villainous Bears. The Colts won but were so beat up they lost the last 4 games of the season. And that was the end of the late '50s glory run. Here's hoping I'm wrong about tonight.