Swayne tells the cold hard truth

[vmax]

From Mike Preston....

 

 

 

"We're done if we don't have a running game," said Harry Swayne, the Ravens' director of player development and a starting tackle on Denver's Super Bowl teams. "If we don't, it's going to be a tough year. We have to be patient, because there is a learning curve. It's not just that it's a new offense. A large part of the change is a new philosophy."

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-0805-20140804,0,1957912.column#ixzz39YmiRKsX

 

What is everybodys game plan for the Ravens this year?

Stop the run.

 

Swayne says be patient...there's a learning curve...can these guys execute it?

They better, because the Ravens start out with the Bengals and Stealers.

They can't afford too long of a learning curve.

[Robjr83]

As long as the gruesome twosome of Gino and $hitley are one the sidelines the line will be better.

[varaven45]

Bingo - Rama ! And unfortunately I don't know that we have a legit running game, even with Ray Rice.

 

We blew our shot at drafting a good young running back by whiffing on several - Terrence West, Andre Williams just to name a few. I am not confident in our OL - although it has to be better than last years' unit.

 

In short, Swayne hit it right on the head but I am

not sure we addressed it. Compared to the rest of our division, I'd put our running game dead last which is a huge concern going into the season.

[oldno82]

From Mike Preston....

 

 

 

What is everybodys game plan for the Ravens this year?

Stop the run.

 

Swayne says be patient...there's a learning curve...can these guys execute it?

They better, because the Ravens start out with the Bengals and Stealers.

They can't afford too long of a learning curve.

Yeah, I agree and I don't think we'll learn to execute it fast enough to win more than 1 of the first 3 games. By mid- season they'll probably get it down. And that just might not be too late with our easier schedule at that point.

[Tornado700]

They'll throw the ball alot this year. Short dump offs, intermediates, and everything else. Don't get too alarmed folks.

[varaven45]

Not alarmed but not expecting strong line play or a strong running game.

[rastaman831226]

Finally someone has the grit to openly admit that the Air Flacco Show hasn't gotten it done and can't get it done. Thankfully, it's now back to the good ole successfull run first philosophy.

[varaven45]

But the two are obviously closely intertwined: no run; no pass. That's why it didnt work last year, but did two years ago. If we ain't running, and still passing on 3rd or 4th and 1 to go (eyes rolling), we all know where the season is headed. With no running attack, there's no Air Flacco, Air Brady, Rogers, etc.

[Robjr83]

I think that GB game showed it best. 4 tries and you cant get a yard.

[varaven45]

Yep. You can't have an offense without a running game just like you can't make chicken salad with chicken poop which pretty well describes our running game last year.

[oldno82]

Yeah, I agree with varaen. And all we really know at this point is the Ravens' own media hype. Maybe the pre-season games will show us something but we probably are going to have to wait until the first game before we can get a good outlook for this team.

[vmax]

 

 

Passing Game Ahead Of Run Game?

Everybody and their dogs know that Gary Kubiak’s offensive system is predicated upon the passing game working off of a zone run-first foundation. However, Kirwan thinks the run game is behind the passing game at this point, and says the Ravens may have to win through the air the first couple of games of the season.

“I caution all Ravens fans that [the run game] will take time to develop.” Kirwan said. “After watching practice, I feel the passing game is ahead of the run game, and this might be an offense that passes to set up the run.

“Can the new running game be ready for Weeks 1 and 2? No Ray Rice and a new zone scheme against Cincinnati and Pittsburgh is no easy task. I would think Flacco will be trying to win these games through the air because this scheme might take a month of regular-season games to get right.”

The jury is still out on that prediction.

The run game is facing the Ravens’ stingy defensive front seven in practice. And while Rice may be suspended for the first two games, former Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick believes Pierce is a better fit for Kubiak’s system because he is a big, physical back who is a one-cut runner.

According to Hensley, Pierce has been the best running back in training camp thus far.

“He played in a similar running scheme in college, and he has had the best transition to Kubiak's stretch, zone-blocking runs,” Hensley wrote. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Late-For-Work-86-Analysts-Can-See-CJ-Mosley-Winning-Defensive-Rookie-Of-Year/0e50b3ca-293d-4519-8c19-c5efa22444dd

[varaven45]

We will start (emphasis added) to get some answers tomorrow night. Then we'll know right out of the gate in weeks 1-3.

[cravnravn]

Finally someone has the grit to openly admit that the Air Flacco Show hasn't gotten it done and can't get it done. Thankfully, it's now back to the good ole successfull run first philosophy.

 

No run = No pass, No pass = No Run..No O-Line, as we witnessed last year = No Air Flacco show, it doesnt take a Preston to tell us that

[varaven45]

Amen Crav !

[Tornado700]

I just hope that all you pessimistic boobs got a little excited at our first offensive drive. Just a taste of things to come. Rice/ Pierce looked great. Rick Wagner and Oline looked great. Flacco looked great. Both tight ends looked great. 80 yards in 8 plays, and they made it look easy against a very good S.F. defense.

I'm not going to lie. Most of you know- it -all nay sayers make me sick in the stomach.

[vmax]

If the Ravens run like last night they will run all the way to a Super Bowl.

[varaven45]

Last night was a great display of winning football in an exhibition game.

If we can build on this and carry it over to the regular season, we could

experience success this year.