Just give the ball to Ray Rice!!

**hokiefan** · 10-21-2012, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by FadeToBlack

I too was upset they decided to abandon the run so quickly. This team doesn't lose by 30 points if the playcallers on the Ravens sideline don't panic and go into passing mode that saw more batted balls than a fem-dom porno.

Exactly. Texans had 38 minutes TOP. 3 and out passing eats NO clock. We knew the defense couldn't be out on the field all game, and thats exactly what this offense did. The Ravens had 7 possessions in the first half. 3 Points.

**rharris1986** · 10-21-2012, 05:48 PM

And when they get to the opposing teams' 40 yard line let Tucker kick a field goal.

Originally Posted by Uli2001

That's all I have to say. Thank you.

**bmorecareful** · 10-21-2012, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by hokiefan

Exactly. Texans had 38 minutes TOP. 3 and out passing eats NO clock. We knew the defense couldn't be out on the field all game, and thats exactly what this offense did. The Ravens had 7 possessions in the first half. 3 Points.

Sure, the Ravens could have ran the ball more. I don't think running the ball 5 or 10 more times wins them the game, but they could have done it. But when the Ravens win with a pass-first gameplan, no one complains. It's only when they lose that people complain about not running the ball enough. You almost get the sense that fans think that if Rice gets 25 rushes a game, then the referees are just going to stop the game and declare victory for the Ravens. That's not going to happen.

Our DL could have earned some time on the sidelines for themselves if they would have gotten some stops. But they let the Texans put together several long drives in the 2nd and 3rd quarters--the Texans were 4-6 on 3rd downs in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

**hokiefan** · 10-21-2012, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Sure, the Ravens could have ran the ball more. I don't think running the ball 5 or 10 more times wins them the game, but they could have done it. But when the Ravens win with a pass-first gameplan, no one complains. It's only when they lose that people complain about not running the ball enough. You almost get the sense that fans think that if Rice gets 25 rushes a game, then the referees are just going to stop the game and declare victory for the Ravens. That's not going to happen.

Our DL could have earned some time on the sidelines for themselves if they would have gotten some stops. But they let the Texans put together several long drives in the 2nd and 3rd quarters--the Texans were 4-6 on 3rd downs in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Defense forced 3 punts to start the game. The offense scored 3 points and gave up 2 points. Raven's had the momentum until the crappy play calls in the end zone. We paid Rice $$$$$$$$$$$, you run it three times when you start on the 3. Any good team does that. If you don't get the first down, punt and try again. Cam tried to get cute and it swung the momentum.

I'm not going to say the defense played well. They made mistakes and penalties (a lot of 15 yards + 1st down). I expected them to give up 30 points. The hope was we could have sustained drives, eat up clock and score more. Wishful thinking, obviously.

**leachisabeast** · 10-21-2012, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Sure, the Ravens could have ran the ball more. I don't think running the ball 5 or 10 more times wins them the game, but they could have done it. But when the Ravens win with a pass-first gameplan, no one complains. It's only when they lose that people complain about not running the ball enough. You almost get the sense that fans think that if Rice gets 25 rushes a game, then the referees are just going to stop the game and declare victory for the Ravens. That's not going to happen.

Our DL could have earned some time on the sidelines for themselves if they would have gotten some stops. But they let the Texans put together several long drives in the 2nd and 3rd quarters--the Texans were 4-6 on 3rd downs in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

There's a reason why we win way more games when Rice touches the ball 20 times or more and we win a lot more games doing that then when we pass a load more. Flacco just isn't that QB.

**srobert96** · 10-21-2012, 06:06 PM

It is not either run or pass. It is a healthy mix and being creative and that is what Cam lacks. Cam goes run heavy and teams gear up to stop it and the Ravens end up in a bunch of 3rd and longs. Cam has no feel for the game. The Ravens cannot line up against the team and run it when they are expecting the run. They could not do it last year with a much stronger oline and they can't do it this year. It is not the run/pass mix but rather the poor scheme and play calling. The Ravens pass offense is quick outs and deep throws down the sideline. That may work in high school football but will not work in the NFL. This offense would neuter any QB in the league. It puts way too much pressure on the oline. I have been watching red zone and NFL games all day and the Ravens are the only team that rarely has wrs that are open.

**srobert96** · 10-21-2012, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

There's a reason why we win way more games when Rice touches the ball 20 times or more and we win a lot more games doing that then when we pass a load more. Flacco just isn't that QB.

That is also misleading. Your RB always gets more touches when winning and your QB gets more throws when losing. There has got to be balance. Against decent to good teams we are not going to impose our will. Could not do it last year against the Texans and Pats in the playoffs and can't do it this year with a weaker oline.

**Beerracuda** · 10-21-2012, 06:11 PM

And the surest ways to slow down a pass rush is with slants and screens. Not only do they not give the defense enough time to get to the QB, but they also force the defense to back off to defend the pass. Cam Cameron's offense very rarely has any of that, which is why the opposing teams always seem to get pressure on Flacco (that, and a porous O-line).

**goodandfast** · 10-21-2012, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Beerracuda

And the surest ways to slow down a pass rush is with slants and screens. Not only do they not give the defense enough time to get to the QB, but they also force the defense to back off to defend the pass. Cam Cameron's offense very rarely has any of that, which is why the opposing teams always seem to get pressure on Flacco (that, and a porous O-line).

Actually, they called plenty of slants and screens. Nearly every ball batted at the line came on some kind of quick pass. That's ultimately a combination of our oline not getting their hands down and the defenders making great plays.

**Beerracuda** · 10-21-2012, 06:17 PM

I don't remember any of those batted passes being slants or screens. Seems like all of them were the usual out patterns.

**hokiefan** · 10-21-2012, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Beerracuda

And the surest ways to slow down a pass rush is with slants and screens. Not only do they not give the defense enough time to get to the QB, but they also force the defense to back off to defend the pass. Cam Cameron's offense very rarely has any of that, which is why the opposing teams always seem to get pressure on Flacco (that, and a porous O-line).

The O-Line was horrible, but there was no adjustment to the play calling to HELP them out. Did Joe even run outside the hash marks (besides the one QB sneak where he tripped over his own feet)? Joe doesn't spin well, and doesn't run away from the pressure. Admittedly, this game, the pressure was coming from left right and center.

**bmorecareful** · 10-21-2012, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by goodandfast

Actually, they called plenty of slants and screens. Nearly every ball batted at the line came on some kind of quick pass. That's ultimately a combination of our oline not getting their hands down and the defenders making great plays.

I agree 100% that the plays that could have won us the game were quick-hitting pass plays to pull their defense out of the box to open up the run and give our offense options. Yes, they were getting a lot of batted balls at the line, but you CAN work around that.

How about quick bootlegs, QB sprint passes, hard play-fakes, or true WR/TE screens to the outside? Don't expose the throwing lane to their defenders--move the pocket, move the throwing lanes, use some deception.

They actually DID run a sprint pass play at one point--I can't remember when it was, but Flacco took the snap, sprinted right, and looked downfield, but there wasn't anything there. THAT was a good play to beat their defense, unfortunately it didn't work and they never tried it again.