The Big Question: Is Ravens' offense elite?

[cravnravn]

 

Will the trade for three-time Pro Bowl receiver Anquan Boldin make the Baltimore Ravens an elite offense next season?

 

Boldin brought up an interesting point this week during his introductory news conference with the Ravens.

 

Despite leaving former Arizona Cardinals teammate Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin believes he could see less coverage in Baltimore.

 

"The way they run the ball here is unbelievable. They're just the opposite here of what we were in Arizona," Boldin explained. "[The Ravens], they will see eight-and-nine-man fronts, and [the Cardinals] see six, seven, eight guys in the secondary. So, hopefully when guys try to stack the box, that's when I will come into play."

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/10408/the-big-question-is-baltimores-offense-elite

[vmax]

I've got some "If's" here...you know what they mean...

 

I'd say top 10 if they bring back Mason or somebody who can put up similar numbers and draw the same attention from defenses.

If Stallworth stays healthy and plays like a 'man on a mission' they could push 'elite'.

If Joe Flacco takes the next step in this, his 3rd year. He has to be able to read and react fast and utilize the whole field.

[yagersports]

I've got some "If's" here...you know what they mean...

 

I'd say top 10 if they bring back Mason or somebody who can put up similar numbers and draw the same attention from defenses.

If Stallworth stays healthy and plays like a 'man on a mission' they could push 'elite'.

If Joe Flacco takes the next step in this, his 3rd year. He has to be able to read and react fast and utilize the whole field.

 

Absolutely.....if Flacco learns to audible and for cryin out loud....throw over the middle! That's our biggest weakeness as a passing offense. The Monday night Packer loss was a perfect illustration. Packers were in a 3-4 most of the night and as soon as the ball was snapped, both inside linebackers would make a beeline for the sidelines because they absolutely knew that Flacco would not throw over the middle.

 

Flacco needs to be able to throw the slant consistently with accuracy.

[cravnravn]

I dont have any "If's" with Joe, we've all seen it for the past 2 years, our WR's SUCK..It cost us a trip to the SB in 08, then again in 09, we had no no answer for what the Colts threw at us.

[thundercleetz]

It is still early to be asking this question. We still have the rest of free agency, we still have the NFL Draft. What if we bring back Mason, then add a pass catching tight-end like Greshem? Our offense looks a lot differed then.

[cravnravn]

Our Offence already has a different look, our foes are SKEEERD, I know that just from "cruzin" around other boards, Squeeler and Bungle fans now retort to the Joe Sucks come backs..They are absolutely shaking in their boots..

 

By week 1, teams will no longer dare Joe to beat them, I guarantee that in week 1 whoever we play, we dare us to go up top, and when Flacco hits Boldin or Mason on the first drive for 6, then what?

 

We will be like a complete O of rookies, they play back, Ray Rice will tear them a new one, they come up, Joe will TORCH them...Man I hope we open vs the Bengals..

[varaven45]

It is still early to be asking this question. We still have the rest of free agency, we still have the NFL Draft. What if we bring back Mason, then add a pass catching tight-end like Greshem? Our offense looks a lot differed then.

 

 

I am with Cleetz on this. Its a bit premature to speculate on our "eliteness". We still have got questions :

 

1. Mason ? Are we signing him. If not him, who ?

 

2. Q should give us our "posession guy across the middle " but we still need a deep threat. I am not sure Stallworth is that guy.

Maybe we get in draft.

 

3. TE ? Yeah, if we get Gresham or another draft pick. Dont think Heap has got much left in tank. Even my 86 jersey is looking a bit ragged.

 

 

4. LT. Last but not least, we cannot sell this matter short. We need to either tie up Gaither or, if we replace w/ Oher, make damn sure we have the

OL nailed down. We are just getting stability on the OL; would hate to shake it up even by losing just 1 player.

 

 

As an aside, its dang refreshing that we are finally starting to surround Joe with real toys. Lets hope this is the start of something good !

[thundercleetz]

I am with Cleetz on this. Its a bit premature to speculate on our "eliteness". We still have got questions :

 

1. Mason ? Are we signing him. If not him, who ?

 

I have a strong feeling that Mason will be back, if he does not retire. Where else would he go? No one else is going to give him the money he wants. Ozzie is playing this like the Ray Lewis situation last year. Let TO get his contract first to set the market. Flacco really wants Mason back, the chemistry between those two is very important, our front office recognizes that as does D-Mase. If D-Mase went somewhere else, he would have to learn a new offense and get used to a new QB. Does he want to do that at this point in his career? He must realize the opportunities he will have in this offense with Q on the other side and Flacco moving into his third year. It is only a matter of time before Mason re-signs, IMO.

 

 

 

2. Q should give us our "posession guy across the middle " but we still need a deep threat. I am not sure Stallworth is that guy.

Maybe we get in draft.

 

The good thing about getting a guy like Q is that it will open up so many opportunities for other players. Q does everything on the field, and if Mason comes back, it will be easier for a speed guy we draft to find his nitch in our offense. Look at the Steelers with Ward and Holmes, Mike Wallace was able to find his spot in the offense and contribute immediately as a deep threat. Even if Stallworth does not pan out, if we get a speed guy in the draft like Emmanuel Sanders or Taylor Price, they will have an easier time getting deep with Q and Mason at WR. Although I have heard that Stallworth is working very hard. If we can use Stallworth like the Pats used him as a #3 receiver back in 2007, he will be very effective for us stretching the defense and catching drags to pick up YAC.

 

3. TE ? Yeah, if we get Gresham or another draft pick. Dont think Heap has got much left in tank. Even my 86 jersey is looking a bit ragged.

 

You have to think we are going TE sometime early in this draft. Gresham definitely seems like an Ozzie-pick. He is a big body with big-time blocking potential. At the same time he is an excellent athlete with superb, natural pass catching abilities.

 

 

4. LT. Last but not least, we cannot sell this matter short. We need to either tie up Gaither or, if we replace w/ Oher, make damn sure we have the

OL nailed down. We are just getting stability on the OL; would hate to shake it up even by losing just 1 player.

 

For 2010, I think this matter is pretty much settled: Gaither will be the LT and Oher will be the RT. What we do beyond 2010 is anyone's guess. I would like to lock-up Gaither long-term, but Ozzie might be inclined to play this one out. What if Gaither struggles with injuries again and Oher does an outstanding job of playing LT? Or even better, Oniel Cousins could do a great job at RT. I can see why Ozzie would play this one out, as risky as it is. Gaither should be staying put this season however, I hear there is no interest in a team giving us their #1 to sign him.

[varaven45]

I have a strong feeling that Mason will be back, if he does not retire. Where else would he go? No one else is going to give him the money he wants. Ozzie is playing this like the Ray Lewis situation last year. Let TO get his contract first to set the market. Flacco really wants Mason back, the chemistry between those two is very important, our front office recognizes that as does D-Mase. If D-Mase went somewhere else, he would have to learn a new offense and get used to a new QB. Does he want to do that at this point in his career? He must realize the opportunities he will have in this offense with Q on the other side and Flacco moving into his third year. It is only a matter of time before Mason re-signs, IMO.

 

 

 

 

 

The good thing about getting a guy like Q is that it will open up so many opportunities for other players. Q does everything on the field, and if Mason comes back, it will be easier for a speed guy we draft to find his nitch in our offense. Look at the Steelers with Ward and Holmes, Mike Wallace was able to find his spot in the offense and contribute immediately as a deep threat. Even if Stallworth does not pan out, if we get a speed guy in the draft like Emmanuel Sanders or Taylor Price, they will have an easier time getting deep with Q and Mason at WR. Although I have heard that Stallworth is working very hard. If we can use Stallworth like the Pats used him as a #3 receiver back in 2007, he will be very effective for us stretching the defense and catching drags to pick up YAC.

 

 

 

You have to think we are going TE sometime early in this draft. Gresham definitely seems like an Ozzie-pick. He is a big body with big-time blocking potential. At the same time he is an excellent athlete with superb, natural pass catching abilities.

 

 

 

 

For 2010, I think this matter is pretty much settled: Gaither will be the LT and Oher will be the RT. What we do beyond 2010 is anyone's guess. I would like to lock-up Gaither long-term, but Ozzie might be inclined to play this one out. What if Gaither struggles with injuries again and Oher does an outstanding job of playing LT? Or even better, Oniel Cousins could do a great job at RT. I can see why Ozzie would play this one out, as risky as it is. Gaither should be staying put this season however, I hear there is no interest in a team giving us their #1 to sign him.

 

 

 

Good stuff Cleetz. On the Gaither situation, we just need to protect our investment. I would like to see us lock him up long term unless we find someone better. Dont see that happening and dont like Cousins as the solution at either tackle. Backup ? OK. Thats just me.

[thundercleetz]

Take this for what it is worth, but the insider over on the Orioles Hangout Ravens board posted this about Cam Cameron. His info is usually legit, he tracked the whole Boldin situation before it happened. Here is what he said:

 

Well....

 

There is a rift between him and Joe. It's one of things that pushed Hue Jackson to move on.

 

Flacco, with Jackson's support, wants more say in the gameplan and wants the ability to adjust it during the game. Cameron does not give him much input and won't adjust the game plan based on what Flacco suggests during the game.

 

It boiled over in Indy. Cameron changed the entire game plan on Friday night and didn't let Joe or the offense know until Saturday.

 

Cameron is a little old school and wants to give Joe his assignment and expects Flacco to execute it. Joe just wants the ability to change the plan based on what he is seeing in the defense.

 

It's a fundamental difference right now.

 

Cameron also annoyed the front office with his pestering for a top of the line WR. The Ravens give their coaches and staff a lot of lateral movement to do what they think is best. What they won't allow is a coach to challenge the system with which the Ravens work in. Cameron tried that and was rebuffed.

 

When these conflicts arise between a coach and a player, its the player who wins out. I'm not talking about behavioral issues or detrimental conduct, I'm talking about different football philosophies.

 

When Flacco grows into the capable QB that he is becoming and becomes a leader of the team, it's not going to matter who is calling the plays. Joe will do what he feels is best and if Cameron doesn't like it he will end up elsewhere.

 

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93826

[cravnravn]

When Flacco grows into the capable QB that he is becoming and becomes a leader of the team, it's not going to matter who is calling the plays. Joe will do what he feels is best and if Cameron doesn't like it he will end up elsewhere.

 

I dont agree with that at all, only 1 qb has done that and that was Unitas..Joe aint no Johnny....Yet

[ForceEight]

Good stuff Cleetz. On the Gaither situation, we just need to protect our investment. I would like to see us lock him up long term unless we find someone better. Dont see that happening and dont like Cousins as the solution at either tackle. Backup ? OK. Thats just me.

I completely agree. Folks who were commenting recently that they wouldn't mind seeing Gaither go for that first round compensation seem to have forgotten how incredibly awful Cousins was at RT last season.

[vmax]

I completely agree. Folks who were commenting recently that they wouldn't mind seeing Gaither go for that first round compensation seem to have forgotten how incredibly awful Cousins was at RT last season.

 

 

Cousins = Kip Vickers

[yagersports]

I don't like the sounds of a rift bet cam and flacco. That's not good, hopefully it will be something that winning will fix.

 

As for the Gaither stuff wow we went round and round with that on another thread lol.

[vmax]

I'm not buying any of this Cam/Flacco rift stuff....some fans have too much time on their hands with fertile imaginations.

 

just because Cameron has what could be a much-improved wide receiver cast doesn’t mean he plans on calling more pass plays.

 

Cameron pointed to the New Orleans Saints as an example. In 2008, the Saints led the NFL in passing attempts with 636 and completed 64.9 percent of the time. Last year, when it won the Super Bowl, New Orleans ranked 15th in the league with 544 attempts. Only this time, the Saints completed the pass 69.5 percent of the time.

 

Cameron’s goal this year is for the Ravens to complete 70 percent of their passes. “It’s doable,” he said.

 

“Just throwing the ball more doesn’t translate to more points. Will we throw it more? That can happen. But the biggest thing for us is being efficient. I think you’ll see a more efficient passing game and better execution.”

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2010/03/Cameron_Makes_Plans_for_Wideouts.aspx

[SpearSrai]

I don't like the sounds of a rift bet cam and flacco. That's not good, hopefully it will be something that winning will fix.

 

As for the Gaither stuff wow we went round and round with that on another thread lol.

 

I'm glad there's a rift, because that means Flacco isn't ignorant to the situation, and that he is seeing the same stuff that we're seeing. Cam is apparently the only one who doesn't get it.

[RavenMad]

Perhaps Cam did get it. He just knew that the WRs we had sucked so there was no point in having Joe throw more incompletions than necessary.

[faaaaaaq]

A second year QB versus a lifetime coach and OC. It could be worse, we could still have Brian Billick calling the plays.

[yagersports]

Well, to answer the question title of the thread......yes we are now elite!!!!!!! Pitt better be ready. Also.....this year we finally exercise the Colts Curse.......we're finishing that team off.

[yagersports]

OOOOpppppssss.........I did a CRAV!!!!!!!! lol

[BMoreHon]

OMG. I forgot about Adam Terry until I just heard that the Colts signed him....That is a pretty nice position to be in on the offense IMO.

[cravnravn]

I'm glad there's a rift, because that means Flacco isn't ignorant to the situation, and that he is seeing the same stuff that we're seeing. Cam is apparently the only one who doesn't get it.

 

Two ways too look at this so called "rift"

 

1. Joe has taken the next step in becoming this teams field general. A general will voice his opinion at whoever. Manning does this all the time.

 

2. Cam is clueless.

 

I think we can exclude #2, Cam is a good OC and Im glad Joe is stepping up to voice his opinion, after all Joe is the one out there reading these defenses. So yes, this IS a step towards eliteness.

 

Since 2000 only one other player in the NFL has more YAC than Q, and that would be Steve Smith..

 

So we have a QB that is taking the next step to solidify that this is HIS team, now we have 2, A-1 Quality receivers that both averaged over 1000 yards last season.

 

If this isnt a step towards eliteness, I dont know what is.