tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518999264103251377.post3447727017288699209..comments2023-07-02T04:32:09.689-04:00Comments on Oblong Spheroid: Flacco For MVPChris Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04996455466572610983noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518999264103251377.post-20496523824636936032009-09-28T00:25:38.133-04:002009-09-28T00:25:38.133-04:00It's been fun, and it was very nice to steamro...It's been fun, and it was very nice to steamroll an inferior (divisional) opponent today. But I'm interested to see how the Ravens offense gets Belichicked next week.<br /><br />There are plenty of models to look at for an offense like this. I pointed out to Chris earlier, the 2004 Chargers:<br />http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sdg/2004.htm<br />These Ravens don't have the explosive talents at TE and RB that those Chargers had: but the Ravens 3-headed RB can match or exceed LDT's totals from that year (as they did last season), and Heap could get 75%+ of Gates' numbers that year. The Ravens top 2 WRs are better.<br /><br />Other good comps are the 2004 and 2006 Patriots. <br />http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2004.htm<br />http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2006.htm<br />In 2006 Brady threw 24 TDs but no receiver got more than 4; and they had RBBC. The 2004 offense was more potent; Corey Dillon had a great season. But his numbers should easily be duplicated/exceed by the Ravens committee couldn't duplicate; and the Pats top receiver that season had only 875 yards.<br /><br />It's not uncommon for teams to win like this. A key component is a D that keeps getting the ball back, giving more opportunities to the offense.JimZipCodehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10910763846618963025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518999264103251377.post-8762544323436691392009-09-25T11:48:52.724-04:002009-09-25T11:48:52.724-04:00I told you.I told you.JimZipCodehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10910763846618963025noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6518999264103251377.post-26866363048737187792009-09-24T20:34:27.500-04:002009-09-24T20:34:27.500-04:00LOL...
I wrote an article for profootball24x7.com...LOL...<br /><br />I wrote an article for profootball24x7.com (which as of my writing this, hasn't yet posted) going into detail about the offense, and more specifically, what Flacco's doing in it. I called it "an efficient offense," which it very much seems to be.<br /><br />The article focuses primarily on the fact that the offense is completely balanced, and is putting up frankly shocking numbers while completely lacking an explosive player. Not one play more than the 31 yard TD strike late in the 4th quarter against the Chiefs. Like you said, none of these receivers could strike you as "good," much less "great."<br /><br />While I was at the Chiefs game, at half time I was in the tunnels with my dad and one of the guys that sits by us. We talked about our receivers and I said the big problem we have is that we've got a bunch of possession receivers. Guys that are really good at getting ten yards down-field, cutting out or in or back or whatever, finding a hole in the zone, catching the ball and getting a first down.<br /><br />But we don't have a single play-maker. No one that can get deep. No one that's bigger and tougher and can out-muscle a DB (or, god forbid, a LB) in the end zone on a jump ball. No one that can catch a ball on the fly and put a sick move on someone and break it the distance. Any play longer than 40 yards from this passing game will be due to flukes, same as last year. A broken coverage here, a DB that trips over his feet there.<br /><br />But so far that just hasn't been an issue. Flacco's great at putting the ball where it needs to be. He plays within himself, and Cam has completely built the offense to focus on all these guys' strengths and hide all of their weaknesses. I think there have been maybe two or three deep routes run where it wasn't a decoy. Once in the red zone we hand it off to McGahee or pass to Heap or dump off to try to get a guy to make a play.<br /><br />The offense isn't gonna finish #2 in the NFL. I have no illusions about that. But top ten? Yeah, almost definitely (barring a Flacco injury). Possibly even top five. It's nice to see the offense finally able to lend a supportive hand when the defense has an off-day...Chris Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04996455466572610983noreply@blogger.com