Is Our Offense That Bad?

[highwater]

Denver obviously has a very good defense, but are they really that good or is our offense that bad? One thing is certain, when both McNair and Jamal play badly in the same game, we have no chance. Maybe McNair just had a bad game, but I'm losing confidence in Jamal and can't understand why Anderson didn't see more playing time in this game. He looked much better than Jamal in the few carries that they gave him. I'm not saying bench Jamal, but at least rotate him with Anderson and/or Musa more than they have been.

I don't know what to say about the passing game. I hope it was just a bad day for McNair and that he'll bounce back, but he just couldn't get anything going. The whole offense pretty much sucked. They need to do something different.

[VaRaven]

I think the answer to our questions lies in the amount of "forced mistakes", particularly when you're trying to evaluate the effect of Denver's defense. I for one didn't notice any forced mistakes (arguably), so the short answer to your question might be, Yes, they are that bad at least for the time being!

[middleriverterp]

We are definately predictable.

[Irishraven]

We are definately predictable.

We will do very well to get a win this Sunday, its gonna be a game very like the Denver game unless we start finding that end zone...what is our problem?

When we stand in the red zone our players need to pretend they are at the 40yrd line and that they are trying to achieve a first down!:thumbup:

[AZRAVEN]

It's a continuation of the same problems this offense has always had and YES it is that bad!

[Ravenator]

I don't think the whole O is bad. Jamal is done though. Mike Anderson hits the hole faster then jamal and dosen't studder step as much. Billick...and ravens fans have to realize that jamal just isnt what he was and even though Anderson is older he should be the featured back with jamal either being the spell or the third back in rotation behind musa. Jamal is only able to run forward between the tackles and when he sits behind the line dancing like he does then the linebackers fill the small holes that are there. I have heard of happy feet for QB's but jamal has a case of them as well!

[middleriverterp]

I thought Jamal was over the "Dancing Jamal" phase, but he hasn't shown the ability to hit the hole as is develops. When Anderson comes in and gets two good runs in a row, maybe it isn't the O-Line. Now the question is, will Billick change the depth chart. Something to look for on 1pm Sunday.

[FHRaven]

Yes, the offense is that bad and may not improve this season. The oline is actually pass blocking a little bit better, but now they can't seem to run block.

Jamal looks average at best and the coaching staff is going to have put in the most effective player and not worry about hurting someone's feelings.

McNair needs to get his completion % over 65% and throw more TDs than INTs.

The coaching staff needs to cut Clarence Moore and put in players who try and succeed. Not just play guys because they are tall.

FHRaven

[RavenScallywag]

watching the play, I don't think that it's someone not doing a job, or playing off...

Basically, I think we're just calling plays meant to focus on ball control, eating up the clock, and short passes. The problem then becomes, we're getting too many series where we come up short, where Jamal doesn't pickup the first down, where someone drops a pass/is overthrown. If all things are clicking, I think we'd be an average offense, because we're focusing on letting our defense give us good field position and not taking too many deep shots.

[Art-Florida]

Cut Moore, trade Jamal - quick, and activate one of the two rookie running backs, then put Chester in somewhere, either center or right guard.

While they're at it, give Qtip and Cody some playtime. Stop this shit of sitting promising young guys on the bench and quit being so loyal to veterans who are washed-up, or well on their way. If they'd have played Rabach and Bart Scott sooner...well, you fill in the rest.

[AZRAVEN]

I'm not sure we could find a trading partner for Jamal. Between his salary and his obvious lack of production I don't think anyone would want him at this point of the season. I do hope he's gone next season, of course, I wanted him gone this season and we see how that turned out. I'm all for sitting some arses on the bench and starting some new blood!

[CrowMST3k]

One of the reasons the Patriots do so well is that they dont give a flying-flea-flicker about seniority. They traded their last Superbowl MVP! Laurence Maroney is getting a lot of time because they recognize that Corey Dillon's career is in it's waning.

How are the patriots doing despite these moves?

Pretty damn good, I'd say.

Billick: grow some balls, and don't let the players coach you.

[RavensFanIAm]

Cut Moore, trade Jamal - quick, and activate one of the two rookie running backs, then put Chester in somewhere, either center or right guard.

While they're at it, give Qtip and Cody some playtime. Stop this shit of sitting promising young guys on the bench and quit being so loyal to veterans who are washed-up, or well on their way. If they'd have played Rabach and Bart Scott sooner...well, you fill in the rest.

I agree, 100%. If Chester can do even a little better then Vincent, then we're working with something.

Clarence Moore is horrible. He has no balls to grab, and plays like a punk. My son has more heart than he does... :happy:

Why give him the ball, knowing he wasn't out ther eplaying up until then? Billick was asking for an INT.

[highwater]

If all things are clicking, I think we'd be an average offense, because we're focusing on letting our defense give us good field position and not taking too many deep shots.

I think the fact that we don't take too many deep shots is part of the problem. Teams are still crowding the line of scrimmage, just like they have the past two years. Supposedly, that wasn't going to happen this year, but it is. And it will keep happening until we complete some long passes.

[FadeToBlack]

The question isn't really "is our offense that bad?" because the answer to that is "yes." The question really is "How far is the offense from becoming good?"

I believe there's one easy way to fix the running game. Start another back. That literally might have a dramatic effect on the offense. Musa and Mike's production would make the offense far less predictable to the other team's defense.

The only other bothersome question is McNair. How long will we need to wait before he starts playing like...McNair?

[deuce]

Man was that frustrating to watch. To me its not just Jamals "dancing." He is going down at first contact. It use to take 4 guys to bring him down, now if someone bumps him he ends up on the grass. Does he not have the leg strength anymore? Or is it a matter of heart. I love Jamal, but Anderson (and even Musa) are running much better right now.

As for McNair, the 4th quarter was a shit show. But he certainly wasnt the only reason we couldnt get it done offensively. I expect the passing game to improve to the middle of the league. If that happens we are in great shape.

Finally, how Clarence Less has a uniform is beyond me. I know the coaching staff and FO dont want to give up on a 6-6 receiver, but he should return his paycheck. He is a pathetic excuse for a football player.

[middleriverterp]

I forgot "Alligator Arms" was still on the roster. How predictable must you be when the only time you bring in your 6'6'' stonehands receiver is for that jumpball play in the endzone. The Denver Defensive coordinator had to know what was coming.

[deuce]

I forgot "Alligator Arms" was still on the roster. How predictable must you be when the only time you bring in your 6'6'' stonehands receiver is for that jumpball play in the endzone. The Denver Defensive coordinator had to know what was coming.

I heard Domonique Foxworth (Go Terps!) interviewd yesterday. He said when Clarence Less came in they knew exactly what pattern he would run so they put Champ on him. Clarence must have incriminating photos of someone in the Ravens FO.

[ExiledRaven]

In a word: YES

We're still trying to be average. You don't become average by trying to be average. You play to stomp on the other team's throat on offense. You don't play to take lots of time.

Jamal needs to go...a fact that about every single member of the national media has noted. Also, they slammed billick for waiting so long to put in the two backs who could do something.

McNair never throws downfield. Result? ~ once again, we have the entire defense in the box.

Denver goes for the throat right after a turnover. What do we do? Jamal for 2 yards. ....Jamal for 2 more yards....dropped pass or completed pass 3 yards short of 1st, punt.

Flame away and tell me it's on game. it's one game we LOST. It's NOT one game that the offense has been crappy. We should have beaten tampa and oakland 50-0. Once again we get to the red zone, stall, and settle for 3 after trying to run softy twice. Then on third and goal, we'll do the predictable "we're not going to run this time, we'll throw the fade route!"...it kills me.

We need to start Musa and Mike Anderson ASAP. And if McNair can't get his act together, well, this just kills me (I wanted Brees over McNair simply for the fact he'd be at 5-6 year answer)

[Merlin]

The only thing that was positive about the loss is that it might stop the coaching staff from drinking the kool-aid.

The reason why there's been so much moaning on the boards even when we were winning is that it doesn't take a genius to see that our offense is going backwards.

The question is whether the coaching staff has the cohones to make real changes instead of spinning the media.

Major changes I would make (in order)

1.) Bench Jamal -- start either Smith or Anderson
2.) Pass on first down more often -- increase unpredictability -- set up the run with the pass -- work to get McNair in a groove
3.) Bring in the best available athletes on the o-line (e.g., adam terry)

[middleriverterp]

Please let there be some changes in the starting rotation on Offense. If there is a silver lining, this loss came early against a playoff caliber team (instead of the Stains)

[highwater]

2.) Pass on first down more often -- increase unpredictability -- set up the run with the pass -- work to get McNair in a groove

I DEFINITELY agree with this. You can get away with this predictable "run on first down" mode against teams like Tampa and Oakland, but it's not going to work against teams like San Diego and Denver. We need to mix things up with the playcalling, especially on first downs.

[Sports Steve]

As much as I hate to admit it yes we are that bad. The games have went the same the entire year. Remember the Tampa game the defense scored one TD and set the offense up for another. Last year this time according to the Sun we were rated 24th offense this year we are the 29th offense. We need to make changes now.


:jester: :jester:

[RavenTD]

Our offense is built for power.I haven't seen any power except the opening drive against the Buc's.When you throw out a slow plodding offense against a fast reacting defense like the Bronco's.Then the offense looks twice as bad.
McNair is waiting a little bit to long for a WR to get open.

I'm afraid we still need that speedster out wide to make the defense honest to the home run threat.

[BertJonesMyHero]

<<< I heard Domonique Foxworth (Go Terps!) interviewd yesterday. He said when Clarence Less came in they knew exactly what pattern he would run so they put Champ on him. Clarence must have incriminating photos of someone in the Ravens FO.

Exactly- Dood can't catch a cold. Sits on the bench for months. Then they put him in on the goal line and expect him to make a play at a critical juncture of the game? What a hot steaming load. BB sucks. But we are 4-1 so we will never get rid of him.

O yea- Jamal must have a yeast infection. He is killing us with that p***y footing.

[highwater]

That jump ball to Moore really needs to be exorcized from the playbook, for all the reasons stated above. Having said that, the main reason the play was intercepted was because McNair underthrew him. It was a bad pass.

But it's also a dumb play -- the only time Moore comes into the game is for that play! Everyone sees it coming, so the only way it can work is if the execution is perfect.