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I am thinking that the inflated passing stats will balance themselves out as we start getting into the colder weather and cameron starts leaning on rice more. Seems like his mo has been to air it out early season then put it more in rice's hands come nov/dec.
This is the $64,000 question.Quote:
Originally Posted by ballhawk
In the past the team could lean on the ground game and solid defense, however, the defense this season almost necessitates an effective passing game.
If you look at the Pats, they play in inclement weather, but that doesn't prevent Brady from throwing the ball effectively. Same deal with Rodgers in GB.
I think that this season we will see Joe and the Ravens O continue to lean on the passing game, especially if Torrey continues to grow into one of the more dynamic receivers in the game. I also believe that an aspect of this year's passing attack that is being understated is how well Flacco is distributing the ball. Through the first 4 weeks, 5 WRs have caught balls; from 2008-2011, only 4 WRs had receptions in any given season.
Looking at the production from our number 3 receivers from 2008 through today, Jacoby Jones is well ahead of the pace set by his predecessors. He has caught 9 balls through the first 4 games, compared to Demetrius Williams' 13 total receptions in '08, Kelley Washington's 34 total receptions in '09, Houshmanzehdah's (sp) 30 total receptions in '10, and Lee Evans' 4 total receptions in '11. While Jones is on pace for 36 receptions this season (only 2 more than K.Wash's 34 in '09), Washington totaled only 431 yards for the season, while Jones has already accumulated 170 through 4 weeks, putting him on pace for over 600 yards total for the year.
Obviously projections rarely hold true as the season progresses, given injuries and other variables. However, the extent to which our number 3 receiver has been involved in the offense leads me to believe that what we are seeing is more than taking advantage of the weather and is instead indicative of an overall shift in both talent and philosophy for the offense. In other words, in past seasons, the potential for dynamic plays through the air was limited to one or two options while today, Torrey Smith, Ray Rice, and Jacoby Jones are all threats to score from anywhere on the field. For that reason, I fully expect the team to continue down the path they are on because retreating to a run first offense makes the team markedly worse because it limits their ability to score from anywhere, at any time.
Well the offense is 22nd in 3rd downs. The second half of the Eagles game and throughout the Browns game the offense stalled and couldn't sustain legitimate drives which forced the defense to go right back on the field. That's why I made the thread that the offense cannot continue to go through long stretches where they can't string 1st downs. The offense needs to be more efficient (like start off with more higher completed throws to get Joe and everyone in rhythm or avoid going deep twice in one set of downs or avoid continuously going deep an entire first half when the offensive line is getting beat) and consistent so they aren't putting the D in difficult situations like they did 2 out of the 4 games and even in the entire first quarter of the Patriots game. Of course defenses are going to be able to stop them randomly during the game but the long stretches is the problem. The offense being able to stay on the field and the defense being able to get off the field will be huge going forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by LukeDaniel
I think we will have a top 5 scoring defense in the end. Vick had a very good accuracy game and Brady is a beast. Cincinnati has an explosive o and the browns appear to have a lot of potential on o.
Scoring is up across the board, but I think the ravens have top 5 talent on defense and will be there when Suggs returns and the schede balances out a bit. KC should help bring the defensive numbers down a bit, and other defenses ranked above us will get lit up as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gatorman82
Im not commenting either way, but its absolutely hilarious to me that back to back posts referenced the exact same stats and used them to support opposite conclusions. Just goes to show you can use statistics to argue anything you want sometimesQuote:
Originally Posted by pslholder96
Not really.Quote:
Originally Posted by NjRavensFan
The first statement is accurate the second one is not.
For the second statement to be accurate, we would have to be about 23 or worse rank wise. Then we could say we have a "problem", that would be in the bottom 1/3 of the league.
13th is not a "problem" or anything to show a negative conclusion in the least bit.
giving up lots of pass yards usually results in picks. Ravens have 4 which is tied for 13th in the league (5 teams have that many)
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/te.../interceptions
hopefully more picks down the road.
And if Cary Williams could turn around & play the ball, we could be much higher...Quote:
Originally Posted by sailorsam
Great research LukeDaniel.
The problem with "bend but don't break" defenses is that they tend to break at the worst possible time, e.g. a playoff game against a top 5 offense. The defense can't get off the field, they give up a bunch of points, and when they need a stop in the 4th quarter, they're too gassed to make it happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by LukeDaniel
imagine this "bend or don't break" defense against Manning in Denver with the thin air. Pressure from the front 4 has to get much better. We have 3 beasts up front btween Ngata, McPhee and Cody/Kemateu, they should be able to get more pressure. Until that changes, I don't see too much changing on the D's rankings with yards given up and getting off the field. Also, 6 rushing TD's in the first 4 games is not very Raven's D-like.....that needs to tighten up too.Quote:
Originally Posted by moose10101
Those "beasts" main job isn't to get to the QB, that is the job of the OLB's/other blitzers off edge or up middle. The Dline responsibilities are more geared towards stopping the run, not getting sacks. They of course can push the pocket but again, getting to the QB is just icing on the cake referring to those guys you mentioned.Quote:
Originally Posted by RavenousD
The bottom line is we are sending heavy pressure in spots just to get to the QB, leaving the secondary helpless in a lot of cases in man coverage situations.
I would bet without looking at the numbers that is where we are getting burned most, and why the secondary/pass defense numbers are what they are.
And that isn't changing anytime soon, due to Suggs being out. Just the way it is.
Probably gonna keep sending the house, in turn giving up big plays on the back end here and there.