Combine Press Conference

[papasmurfbell]

Take that last game.  He played like trash the first half.  The 2nd he played well.  But you pissed a half away.  To little to late.

i agree it’s coaching.  From hs through to when monk got here.  He was not coached up on how to play the qb position.  It was here is your play if it’s not there take off.  You can get away with that until you get to this level.  Then coordinators and defensive stars start breaking you down looking for those weaknesses.  You can’t be having basic skills being taught in the nfl.

[tsylvester]

I said it then, I will say it now. Lamar has been, clearly, working on becoming a pocket passer, primarily.

We saw that the 1st year Monk was here, great competition % from the pocket, buying time, throwing on the run. The result?

Top 5 offense in passing, in redzone in 90+ yard drives.

But he will still leaving yards on field, either from not running or from holding the ball too long, getting sacked or throwing it away.

He was clearly torn on when to take off and when to dump it down, often missing a wide open runningback in the flat.

Shoot, his mother even went public telling him to run sooner.

Last season, we do not know what the issue was, family life getting in his head, bad line, injuries, who knows, but he was clearly was not playing- throwing nor running- as he did previous years, especially the one before.

Harbs blamed Monk, the Biscuit blamed all of them and here we are.

I expect Lamar will have worked it out, the timing on running vs buying time, this season. Be more like other qbs in the league who can run, like Allen, but know when to... 

[oldno82]

You hit the nail on the head. If he can be more decisive about the timing and if the new coaching works out, he could have a really good year.

One thing I will add is that he can't let himself get down when events don't go his way. He needs to be more even keeled during a game that will have it's ups and downs, I think he tends to get down on himself and that hurts his leadership and confidence.

[papasmurfbell]

24 minutes ago, tsylvester said:

I said it then, I will say it now. Lamar has been, clearly, working on becoming a pocket passer, primarily.

We saw that the 1st year Monk was here, great competition % from the pocket, buying time, throwing on the run. The result?

Top 5 offense in passing, in redzone in 90+ yard drives.

But he will still leaving yards on field, either from not running or from holding the ball too long, getting sacked or throwing it away.

He was clearly torn on when to take off and when to dump it down, often missing a wide open runningback in the flat.

Shoot, his mother even went public telling him to run sooner.

Last season, we do not know what the issue was, family life getting in his head, bad line, injuries, who knows, but he was clearly was not playing- throwing nor running- as he did previous years, especially the one before.

Harbs blamed Monk, the Biscuit blamed all of them and here we are.

I expect Lamar will have worked it out, the timing on running vs buying time, this season. Be more like other qbs in the league who can run, like Allen, but know when to... 

we neve4 saw Lamar being chased down from behind by dl.  I saw it several times last yr.  I figure he is running a 4.5 now.  He is dramatically slower.  As the run erodes bc speeds the first thing to go and he is one dimensional defenses will take away that middle he loves so much more and more.  He will be less and less productive.  He has never had to be a true pocket guy.  I think the yrs to teach him how are in the past.  I figure he has 3 yrs of starting ability left.  The next 2 will be a retooling/rebuild so those yrs are wasted.  That 3rd yr will look pretty bad.  Don’t be on the hook for him past that.  
I have yet to have anyone tell me a running qb who played a longtime with quality play.

 

10 minutes ago, oldno82 said:

You hit the nail on the head. If he can be more decisive about the timing and if the new coaching works out, he could have a really good year.

One thing I will add is that he can't let himself get down when events don't go his way. He needs to be more even keeled during a game that will have it's ups and downs, I think he tends to get down on himself and that hurts his leadership and confidence.

if ifs and buts… 

[oldno82]

I think he's got to complete the transition soon to pocket passer. I think he's got the ability to do it but just not sure how motivated he is to do it. Coaching here would be a big help. You're right about him being chased down from behind last year and a loss of speed. Not sure if it's all due to age and wear and tear or if his injuries hampered his quickness.

The most important thing for Lamar right now, and for the Ravens, is for him to sign an extension that alleviates the cap hits.

[papasmurfbell]

I think it is too late at 30 to do that.  This is remedial.  You fine tune in the nfl.  With practice limitations there isn’t time to teach like the past.  That again is why being at otas is so important.  Ge5 as much pt as possible,  he sees it as not important. 

[tsylvester]

Again, why was he chased down? Because he rarely ran full speed last season. When he did, he darted in & out of possible tackles and went down to avoid hits, until his back injury.

Why was he not running at full speed sideline to sideline? To give him self a chance at throwing deep.

This goes back to my point; last season, for a reason we will not know, he was very hesitant, indecisive, on when to run even in making his reads. Why? Who knows, maybe still part of his learning to be a different type quarterback. Maybe because Bateman, who was nursing injuries, couldn't get separation and Flowers was double teamed.

Don't get me started on the old man they brought in who hasn't been able to get separation on a route in five or 6 years. Why do you think KC let him go so quickly and easily....

So a lot went into last season's regression on offense, including the pass poor line play, all of which affects Lamar 

[papasmurfbell]

His full speed is far lower than it once was.  In all athletics speed is the first thing to go.  I recall twice he was breaking for his life and he was chased down by dl.  Hell in 24 he was starting to get caught by dl see the raiders game.

[oldno82]

He doesn't need to be as fast as he was a few years ago if he continues his development as a pocket passer this year who is mobile enough to pick up yardage on the ground when the opportunity presents itself. Josh Allen is big but isn't fast but he can pick his spots to run when needed. That is what I want to see Lamar accomplish.

[oldno82]

A much bigger problem that just might come about is what if Lamar and EDC can't negotiate an extension? Does Lamar sulk and become a problem child?? Do the Ravens believe they then have a cancer in the lockerroom? And then what do they do? Trade him? Cut him and  eat the dead cap?

What are the realistic viable options in that scenario?