oldno82

Also well said. We have a franchise qb and they need to protect him better. Mike Preston had a blog post where he said Joe is reminding him of Testeverde. I beg to differ. Vinny wasn't a bad qb but he was interception prone at crucial times. Flacco definitely has his head together more.

Yes! We do agree. The problem is offensive playcalling and coaching. Papa is right too that we need to look at what other teams did with similar talent that we have. On the offensive line we have two number one draft choices, Oher and Grubbs, a third round pick, Chester, and Yanda does a good job. Birk, I don't know if he's history or not---just haven't watched him enough to know for sure but there is talent there and that is what leads me to say offensive line coaching needs a lot of work.

While I don't think he's quite toast yet, Cousins is very close to being a complete bust if he doesn't show a great deal of improvement in these last 3 weeks.

Dee, as I said, I'm not knocking Ray Rice but he just isn't a power back like Jamal. Many times I've seen JL hit a solid wall right at the line, bounce off, and run off tackle down the field breaking tackles as he went. Plus, Jamal had the size and strength to carry the ball all those carries in a game. RR doesn't appear to have that kind of durability given his size. Ray is more of a back who hits a hole very quickly and moves downfield with great quickness, but I don't think we can 'pound the ball' with him given our offensive line's lack of charge off the ball (to say nothing of how the line has so much trouble pass protecting). Thus its hard for our offense to tire out an opposing defense like we used to do when Jamal was here. We need to take advantage of RR's elusiveness in the open field; use him more on swing passes out of the backfield, run more sweeps, and get him more away from traffic because it looks like this line just can't open up enough lanes on a consistent basis for him.

I don't think this offense can 'pound the ball' anymore like it used to. Not only is the offensive line not as powerful on the run but Ray Rice is not Jamal Lewis who bowled over defenders even when they were stacked 8 and 9 in the box. Don't get me wrong---Ray is a great multipurpose back, but he doesn't have the power Jamal had to make something happen when there is no hole. Again, Cam needs to adapt his system to the talent available not the other way around. More slants, more Boldin screens, more use of Stallworth and Housh, and use Ray Rice to keep defenses honest. I am beginning to think Cam is the biggest problem. He's definitely talented, but he micromanages Flacco too much, doesn't use the shotgun and no-huddle enough, and doesn't use Ray Rice properly. He has to change---be changed.

100% right!

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.