1812 replies to this topic

[Biggsy]

So like. What the heck is going on here?

Under-use and over-pressure. He's only seeing 1-3 targets a game. And when he gets them, he feels the need to make something big happen to prove he needs more. Then he drops the ball looking downfield before catching it. Not sure why Monken has erased him from his gameplans.

[NewMarketSean]

He dropped a ball that hit him in the chest when he was wide open. If he is going to be used less he has to take advantage when the ball comes his way.

[bmore_ken]

I was pretty critical of Macdonald in '22. He kind of deserved it. He was in over his head at the NFL level for the first half of his first season. He figured it out. And he became an elite DC.

 

So to keep it real , I was never anti McDonald. I'm still anti Monken until the playoffs start and see if Henry gets more than 5 rushes in a playoff game. Yes I'm still bitter 

[PrimeTime]

David Carr made an interesting observation on NFL Gameday Final last night/this morning. He said it's like the Ravens are running 2 different offenses within the course of a game. One is more "traditional" with Lamar under center, where he can hand the ball off the Henry or run more standard play action passes. The second offense is when Lamar is in the pistol or shotgun and there is motion, often going both ways across the formation and then misdirection after the snap. It creates a lot of problems for opposing defenses and we've seen these concepts work really well the last 2 weeks; and last night in particular.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

David Carr made an interesting observation on NFL Gameday Final last night/this morning. He said it's like the Ravens are running 2 different offenses within the course of a game. One is more "traditional" with Lamar under center, where he can hand the ball off the Henry or run more standard play action passes. The second offense is when Lamar is in the pistol or shotgun and there is motion, often going both ways across the formation and then misdirection after the snap. It creates a lot of problems for opposing defenses and we've seen these concepts work really well the last 2 weeks; and last night in particular.

When this offense is humming its truly a beautiful thing. Something we prob never thought we would see in Baltimore at one time. Oh btw, they do it by being a dominant run team. Not everything has to be pass,pass,pass in the league today. Ravens fans obsess over WRs, and yes you want good ones, but look how this team is at its most efficient under Lamar. Its not throwing 35 times a game. Never will be.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

By the way, I was talking to Ricker yesterday during the Commies game. Watching Daniels and acknowledging how good he looks in so many ways one thing I said to him was hes still no Lamar. Lamar is still truly a 1 of 1 player. Special. A true unicorn

[TwentyThirtyFive]

By the way, I was talking to Ricker yesterday during the Commies game. Watching Daniels and acknowledging how good he looks in so many ways one thing I said to him was hes still no Lamar. Lamar is still truly a 1 of 1 player. Special. A true unicorn

One day he will slow down and he wont be a unicorn. Ill be sad. This is just a really awesome experience watching him play in his prime. Some might get on me for saying this but I kinda dont care about the ring. The entertainment is enough.


Like, sure the Chiefs win the rings every year. How normal or basic do they look week to week. Its not like they are appointment watching. Lamar is.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I mean for now. He’s played 4 games. If he continues to develop as a passer he could end up being better than Lamar.

[Pedro Cerrano]

One day he will slow down and he wont be a unicorn. Ill be sad. This is just a really awesome experience watching him play in his prime. Some might get on me for saying this but I kinda dont care about the ring. The entertainment is enough

Yes it’s been a pleasure to be able to watch him in his prime. Similar to LeBron James last decade

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Yes it’s been a pleasure to be able to watch him in his prime. Similar to Jordan in the 90s

Fixed that for you. Good post!!

[Pedro Cerrano]

I knew I mistyped! Thanks!

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I mean for now. He’s played 4 games. If he continues to develop as a passer he could end up being better than Lamar.

He absolutely could end up the better passer. Hes still not gonna be a unicorn though. Ill take my unicorn appoinment tv guy

[PrimeTime]

When this offense is humming its truly a beautiful thing. Something we prob never thought we would see in Baltimore at one time. Oh btw, they do it by being a dominant run team. Not everything has to be pass,pass,pass in the league today. Ravens fans obsess over WRs, and yes you want good ones, but look how this team is at its most efficient under Lamar. Its not throwing 35 times a game. Never will be.

 

I'm stuck between 2 trains of thought....on one hand, I feel like we are going to have to find more production in the passing game. We're absolutely efficient but I have a hard time believing that we can win a championship in 2024/2025 while only throwing the ball 15-20 times a game. On the other hand, have the Ravens looked at how defenses are currently constructed (players are lighter and faster to deal with high powered passing games) and they decided to pair the most dominant back of the last decade with the greatest running QB of all time and are daring teams to stop their ground game?

[TwentyThirtyFive]

I'm stuck between 2 trains of thought....on one hand, I feel like we are going to have to find more production in the passing game. We're absolutely efficient but I have a hard time believing that we can win a championship in 2024/2025 while only throwing the ball 15-20 times a game. On the other hand, have the Ravens looked at how defenses are currently constructed (players are lighter and faster to deal with high powered passing games) and they decided to pair the most dominant back of the last decade with the greatest running QB of all time and are daring teams to stop their ground game?

I do think they are banking on teams to really key hard on taking the run away at nearly all costs. Then that will open things up for the passing game. I think there will still be plenty of opportunities for Zay, Likely, Bate, etc. BTW this is why you sign Henry. Its what we tried to tell some hard headed posters around here. Hes still a player opponents better damn well prep and gameplan for

[makoman]

I'm stuck between 2 trains of thought....on one hand, I feel like we are going to have to find more production in the passing game. We're absolutely efficient but I have a hard time believing that we can win a championship in 2024/2025 while only throwing the ball 15-20 times a game. On the other hand, have the Ravens looked at how defenses are currently constructed (players are lighter and faster to deal with high powered passing games) and they decided to pair the most dominant back of the last decade with the greatest running QB of all time and are daring teams to stop their ground game?

There was a clip of Belichick I saw somewhere talking about that. The Ravens are too physical and will run you over if you try to play nickel all day (which many teams want to do), but Lamar and Flowers and Hill and even Henry are too fast if you try to beef up and stop the run game. If we execute we are really tough to stop.

[BaltBird 24]

Teams are already selling out to stop Henry and Lamar and it hasn't worked yet. Eventually the passing game will open up. Hopefully soon, because my fantasy team needs a giant boost from Zay and Likely.

[Mackus]

I don't ever want them to fall behind but I do wish I had more confidence in them to play well when they do and the only way to build that would be to see them do it. They certainly play well from ahead.

[hallas]

One day he will slow down and he wont be a unicorn. Ill be sad. This is just a really awesome experience watching him play in his prime. Some might get on me for saying this but I kinda dont care about the ring. The entertainment is enough.


Like, sure the Chiefs win the rings every year. How normal or basic do they look week to week. Its not like they are appointment watching. Lamar is.

Lamar will probably have a good bit of his shiftiness available into his 30s if he avoids injury, but he's going to have it available far less often. We'll probably go from 5-10 designed qb runs to 2-3. But he'll still be dangerous on extended plays in the scramble drill.

[makoman]

I don't ever want them to fall behind but I do wish I had more confidence in them to play well when they do and the only way to build that would be to see them do it. They certainly play well from ahead.

They just don't get a lot of opportunities I guess. Last year, the Chiefs was the only loss that they really had to play from behind rather than blowing leads. The Rams game was a do or die end of 4th quarter drive. Chiefs this year was very close to one.

 

Prior to 2023 is a different coordinator so less relevant. 2022 had the Bengals game, 2021 had several 4th quarter comebacks.  

[Biggsy]

I don't ever want them to fall behind but I do wish I had more confidence in them to play well when they do and the only way to build that would be to see them do it. They certainly play well from ahead.

That's the thing with their style of play. Usually the game is close, or they're ahead. It's going to happen at some point. I really hope it happens in the regular season, let then get the wrinkles ironed out in the regular season, so if it happens in the postseason, they don't crap their pants.

I will say, it looks like the Ravens have taken over the Titans plan. They got the unicorn power back that just so happens to have elite speed, vision and footwork. They have the best running QB ever in the same backfield. Most teams have to create packages for their "thunder and lightning" . Or they sub them back and forth. The Ravens are unique, in that they have their thunder and lightning on the field at the same time, on every run play.

I couldn't imagine the stress a defender feels on the weakside, when he sees the ball go into Henry's belly, and knows he needs to shutdown the cut back lane, but also knows he needs to stay wide enough to try and run down Lamar if he pulls it and goes to his side. A defense is going to have to play mistake free all game to stop them both consistently.

Henry is still elite. That much is clear. But I can't wait for Mitchell to get back. Let him and Hill take about 10-15 touches a game away from Henry to keep him fresh. If the Ravens are there I'm January, and Henry is healthy, there is no way you see Monken abandoning the run game unless the other team has 9 in the box, or they're down 17+.