vmax Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 We have a legit QB controversy going on here in Baltimore. Definitely among the fan base. And I think in the Castle too. Today when asked about who will start, Harbaugh said, "We'll play whoever gives us the best chance to win." and then he added this surprising piece, "Everything is on the table."No ringing endorsement for Joe. Instead, "We'll play whoever gives us the best chance to win." "Everything is on the table." We have arrived at the turning point because a lot is at stake and if Lamar starts that means they have seen enough to believe and trust in him.And on the flip side it says "We're thinking and scratching our heads about you Joe and we have our doubts." I've been back and forth on this depending on reports and Lamar's performance.Here's where I'm at today. Lamar got better in his second start. He's a rookie and will make rookie mistakes, but he did not look timid, scared or that this game is too big for him. He took command.What really intrigues me is the play that didn't count. That perfectly thrown deep pass to Brown. Joe doesn't throw them that good anymore. Lamar's got a deep ball that can stretch the field. Holy Shit! We really don't know enough about what Lamar can do.Intrigue #2. Maybe a "ground and pound" ball control offense is exactly what can defeat the Falcons, Chiefs and Chargers. Keep those offenses off the field. Give the D time to rest and regroup.We played Joe and that offensive scheme against 3 good teams in the Saints, Panthers and Steelers and lost all 3. Maybe a different scheme, ground and pound, will bring different results. Here's how I read it today:Lamar will be the starter in Atlanta. If he plays well and the Ravens win, then it will be his job to lose. Quote
oldno82 Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 They'll probably claim that Joe 'isn't quite ready yet' and let Lamar start. Even if Joe is ready they may say that. The guy hasn't practiced in 2 weeks. Meanwhile Lamar has provided some real entertainment along with Gus the Bus. And I like the idea you mentioned about a ground and pound ball control offense keeping the the hot opposing offenses off the field. Start Lamar and use him sparingly on the run and use Gus as the guy who hopefully wears down the Falcon defense. Now I don't believe that means the offense goes into a shell. Mix up the runs with passes but keep the ratio in favor of the run. Agree that if they win with Lamar it'll be his job to be the starting quarterback for the rest of the season provided he can stay healthy. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 I don't see the quandary here. Under Joe the offense and team have stagnated. Under Lamar they it has been more dynamic. Obviously it is a small sample size. But Joe's time here is done and they need to move on. Lamar needs the reps to learn. Quote
OneManCypher Posted November 26, 2018 Posted November 26, 2018 This is a no brainer, your first round QB has just lead your team to two wins, he is obviously your future starting QB because of where you drafted him, and because of injury the future starts now period Quote
varaven45 Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 Time to ride Lamar and Gus the bus ! Quote
vmax Posted November 27, 2018 Author Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) Preston makes the case for Joe.... https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-joey-flacco-20181105-story.html It looks like Joe saw the doctors yesterday and was cleared to play. In Preston's scenario, he thinks the Ravens will have a running game but that was not the case with Joe at QB. Will that change so suddenly?And which Joe shows up?The Joe of the first 4 games or his last 4? Over the Ravens’ first nine games, all of which Flacco started, they averaged 5.2 yards per play, among the NFL’s five or six worst rates. In their past two, with Flacco on the sideline in sweats, they’ve averaged 5.7 yards per play, which entering Sunday’s game would have tied the New England Patriots for No. 14 overall.When Flacco was hurt, the Ravens led the league in yards allowed per play (4.8). With Jackson in, that mark has fallen further, to 4.6 per play....“When our offense is on the field, running the ball,” linebacker C.J. Mosley said, “it’s a direct correlation to us winning.”...https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-bengals-lamar-jackson-joe-flacco-20181125-story.html Edited November 27, 2018 by vmax Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 27, 2018 Posted November 27, 2018 I think Preston is wrong for wanting Joe back on the field. I think the team is better with Lamar in many ways. Quote
vmax Posted November 27, 2018 Author Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) Eisenberg is leaning the way that I'm heading.... Jackson is making plays as a runner and passer, and managing the position’s complex mechanics like a veteran. Edwards, an undrafted rookie, is plowing through tacklers. The offense is moving the chains, controlling the clock, playing with a ton of energy.Disrupting this momentum would, I think, be unfortunate.The offense wasn’t really doing anything well in the weeks before Jackson took over. The running game was stalled, ranked near the bottom of the league. The passing attack had cooled off from its hot start to the season.Quite simply, the Ravens had no identity on that side of the ball.Now, they do..."It puts so much pressure on the defense,” Ravens guard Marshal Yanda said Sunday.Think about that comment when you’re deliberating over what the Ravens should do at quarterback. It isn’t a bells-and-whistles passing attack, but the style is well-suited to facing other teams with top offenses, as the Ravens are going to do. If you can’t keep the other offense off the scoreboard, you CAN keep it off the field by controlling the clock.Sure sounds like a plan to me. Edited November 27, 2018 by vmax Quote
vmax Posted November 27, 2018 Author Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) Today I'm all in on Lamar starting in Atlanta. He gives the Ravens the best chance to win this week.Right now Harbaugh knows who he's starting. He has to. Only one guy can get first team reps this week and the winning game plan has to be ready for tomorrows practice. Now...I reserve the right to waffle like a spinless wimp.. ....got to take this week to week because Lamar is a rookie and a ton is at stake. This is no knock on Lamar. I'm talking about rookie QB's in general. Can they avoid the costly turnovers while they develop? Few do. The Ravens can't afford that right now. It's win or you're out.Yet, I'm all in on Lamar this week. Edited November 27, 2018 by vmax Quote
vmax Posted November 27, 2018 Author Posted November 27, 2018 (edited) Clifton's on board.... In just two weeks, Baltimore has vaulted from 27th in the league in rushing to 11th......Can the Ravens ride an effective running game to the playoffs? The answer is yes. Here are the league’s top eight rushing teams in order – Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers. Of those eight teams, only the 49ers have a losing record. Six of those eight teams would make the playoffs if they started today.The running game still matters, even in today’s pass-happy NFL. It matters even more in December and January when inclement weather can make throwing the football more challenging......https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/awakening-of-running-game-could-carry-ravens-into-playoffs BTW....Clifton knows his shit. four of Baltimore’s next five opponents also struggle defensively – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27th), Atlanta Falcons (28th), Kansas City Chiefs (30th) and Cleveland Browns (31st). Time to feast! Edited November 27, 2018 by vmax Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 28, 2018 Posted November 28, 2018 Eisenberg is leaning the way that I'm heading.... I totally agree. Quote
GrubberRaven Posted November 28, 2018 Posted November 28, 2018 ESPN is already reporting Lamar will start... Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 30, 2018 Posted November 30, 2018 http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/26412/could-eli-flacco-or-jameis-replace-blake-bortles-in-2019 Could Eli, Flacco or Jameis replace Blake Bortles in 2019?Joe Flacco: It looks like the Baltimore Ravens could be ready to move on from the player who helped the franchise win Super Bowl XLVII, and the Ravens could save $18.5 million by designating him a post-June 1 release or trading him after June 1. A trade would mean the Jaguars would take on his $26.5 million salary-cap figure in 2019, which means they would be investing as much as $44 million in cap space at quarterback (Bortles has a $16.5 million dead cap figure if he’s released before June 1 and $11.5 million after. Cody Kessler counts $912,000 against the cap). Flacco, who turns 34 in January, would be a good fit because he still has the arm strength to drive the ball down the field (something Coughlin lamented was missing from the offense) and remains a 60 percent passer. I don't see anyone trading for that contract. Quote
GrubberRaven Posted November 30, 2018 Posted November 30, 2018 http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/26412/could-eli-flacco-or-jameis-replace-blake-bortles-in-2019 I don't see anyone trading for that contract. You're also talking about an organization that re-signed Bortles to a contract... Quote
papasmurfbell Posted November 30, 2018 Posted November 30, 2018 Yeah that was stupid. I thought they were going to make a run at Cousins. But you would think they would not make the same bad mistake. Quote
oldno82 Posted November 30, 2018 Posted November 30, 2018 It would be possible but dumb on anyone to take on that contract. But there are plenty of quarterbacks playing 1st string who aren't as good as Flacco so who knows? If we intend to move Joe, I'd like to see us keep RGIII. Never thought I'd say that a few years ago but things have changed drastically. Quote
papasmurfbell Posted December 1, 2018 Posted December 1, 2018 Griffin is a good soldier. Also he might be able to impart in Lamar things he should not do on a football field. Quote
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