NFL 2021

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Also feck to the fact I keep forgetting there is a blimmin bye week now. Keep getting excited that the opener is Thursday only to remember it’s not. It’s like blue balls.
 
Sounds like everyone but Max wants this off.

Edit: Ffs
 
Raoul said:
Not the end of the world, especially given that they were better without him two years ago. Edwards, plus Lamar running is more than enough to be effective. Their true problem is in the passing game.
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The true problem looks like it'll be the OL still. Despite Zeitler being a good pick up, I don't think Villanueva is going to cut it at RT, Bozeman isn't really shining at C and the LG is a toss up.

Given the protection Jackson can make the reads and throws. I still think getting rid of Hurst was a daft call. I love Gus, think he's an underrated, tough inside runner, but we need that more versatile RB that's a threat in the passing game.

Better hope Watkins and Proche really come on strong.
 
DavelinaJolie said:
The true problem looks like it'll be the OL still. Despite Zeitler being a good pick up, I don't think Villanueva is going to cut it at RT, Bozeman isn't really shining at C and the LG is a toss up.

Given the protection Jackson can make the reads and throws. I still think getting rid of Hurst was a daft call. I love Gus, think he's an underrated, tough inside runner, but we need that more versatile RB that's a threat in the passing game.

Better hope Watkins and Proche really come on strong.
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I see the Ravens' fundamental problem as not being one of individual players, but of overall strategy. They were dead last in the NFL in passing last year, which means they are over-relying on the running game, which is making them one dimensional and easier to figure out by opposing defenses. Until that changes, they are going to continue to flatter to deceive. Invest in a proper WR and they will see improvements.
 
Raoul said:
I see the Ravens' fundamental problem as not being one of individual players, but of overall strategy. They were dead last in the NFL in passing last year, which means they are over-relying on the running game, which is making them one dimensional and easier to figure out by opposing defenses. Until that changes, they are going to continue to flatter to deceive. Invest in a proper WR and they will see improvements.
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They invested a first found pick in a WR, unfortunately he's gotten injured, they brought in Watkins. That's enough of an upgrade for what they need to do. They were dead last in passing because the OL couldn't pass block (especially after Stanley went down) and Jackson was running for his life. Early in the season Ravens fans were going mad because they were passing in situations that screamed out for a run, and vice versa.

You could stick prime Calvin Johnson in this offense and they will still be a primarily run oriented team because their game is clock control and grinding down a defense, and it works until it doesn't; just like every other team in the league, they have days where they just get beaten. If you want to throw shade on the Ravens passing game, one of the biggest problems is the dated and predictable route combinations they run, hence why they brought in a pass game specialist over the off-season.

If you watch Jackson week in week out, he has the ability to make the throws throws, he goes through his reads, but when he is hurried his mechanics break down (particularly how he sets his feet) and he throws it in the dirt. If they want to mount more of a passing threat they need less predictable passing schemes and to give Jackson a bit more time to throw.
 
DavelinaJolie said:
They invested a first found pick in a WR, unfortunately he's gotten injured, they brought in Watkins. That's enough of an upgrade for what they need to do. They were dead last in passing because the OL couldn't pass block (especially after Stanley went down) and Jackson was running for his life. Early in the season Ravens fans were going mad because they were passing in situations that screamed out for a run, and vice versa.

You could stick prime Calvin Johnson in this offense and they will still be a primarily run oriented team because their game is clock control and grinding down a defense, and it works until it doesn't; just like every other team in the league, they have days where they just get beaten. If you want to throw shade on the Ravens passing game, one of the biggest problems is the dated and predictable route combinations they run, hence why they brought in a pass game specialist over the off-season.

If you watch Jackson week in week out, he has the ability to make the throws throws, he goes through his reads, but when he is hurried his mechanics break down (particularly how he sets his feet) and he throws it in the dirt. If they want to mount more of a passing threat they need less predictable passing schemes and to give Jackson a bit more time to throw.
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Its fine if they are going to remain run oriented as its unavoidable with a player of Lamar's skillset. They do need to balance it out with proper receivers - and by proper, I mean someone who can catch 90 or more balls a year to reduce the predictability of the running game. Lamar's schtick worked well in year one, but opposing defenses have quickly figured out how to mitigate his running, which resulted in the Ravens losing several more games last year. That's only going to continue this year unless they can diversify their play calling with more passing.
 
DavelinaJolie said:
...Okay.
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I meant year two. See the reduction in productivity from year (2019) two to year three (2020). Less passing yards, and less rushing yards, despite having added Dobbins in year 3. Being one dimensional generally gets found it quickly by opposing NFL D coordinators.
 
No matter how talented a player or team is at any one thing, as soon as you become predictable you become beatable. It’s fine against low quality teams but as soon as you face a true quality team, they can overcommit in one way without compromising so heavily in others. It’s no surprise the Ravens IMO therefore are often beaten by the top tier teams but not by others who can’t commit without weakening in this way. I think the issue with the Ravens is exactly this, and that their running game does need to be complimented better by passing. It’s ok to be focussed on one but you can’t make it so that the top teams can play completely for it. Whether there are other issues like a poor O line, bad route trees, or whatever, it’s that imbalance in my view which keeps them hampered against the top opposition.
 
I remember seeing something about them focusing more on the passing game with Watkins and Bateman, as well as Duvernay who is maybe as fast as Hollywood, getting involved. This makes that proposition even more prominent without J.K.

Like @DavelinaJolie is getting at, you have to keep an eye on the OL. Their offenses have looked fun, but they are not actually that complicated. Your blocking execution has to be perfect.
 
Organic Potatoes said:
I remember seeing something about them focusing more on the passing game with Watkins and Bateman, as well as Duvernay who is maybe as fast as Hollywood, getting involved. This makes that proposition even more prominent without J.K.

Like @DavelinaJolie is getting at, you have to keep an eye on the OL. Their offenses have looked fun, but they are not actually that complicated. Your blocking execution has to be perfect.
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Losing a hall of fame calibre guard to retirement and a top five LT for half the season had a big impact. I think the Ravens did well to get into the playoffs, especially after that loss to the Steelers when they were missing over 10 starters (including Lamar).
 
rpitroda said:
No matter how talented a player or team is at any one thing, as soon as you become predictable you become beatable. It’s fine against low quality teams but as soon as you face a true quality team, they can overcommit in one way without compromising so heavily in others. It’s no surprise the Ravens IMO therefore are often beaten by the top tier teams but not by others who can’t commit without weakening in this way. I think the issue with the Ravens is exactly this, and that their running game does need to be complimented better by passing. It’s ok to be focussed on one but you can’t make it so that the top teams can play completely for it. Whether there are other issues like a poor O line, bad route trees, or whatever, it’s that imbalance in my view which keeps them hampered against the top opposition.
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Which is precisely what happened last year. The Ravens became predictable because everyone focused on stopping Lamar, and in the process his team lost 3 more games than it did in 2019. This trend will continue unless they address the disparity between run and pass.
 
It does not really surprise me in his case. It's a shame that he is still earning a lot of money.
 
Given the high %s of vaccination in the league, there are surprisingly a lot of high profile players who are in that small unvaccinated %.
 
rpitroda said:
No matter how talented a player or team is at any one thing, as soon as you become predictable you become beatable. It’s fine against low quality teams but as soon as you face a true quality team, they can overcommit in one way without compromising so heavily in others. It’s no surprise the Ravens IMO therefore are often beaten by the top tier teams but not by others who can’t commit without weakening in this way. I think the issue with the Ravens is exactly this, and that their running game does need to be complimented better by passing. It’s ok to be focussed on one but you can’t make it so that the top teams can play completely for it. Whether there are other issues like a poor O line, bad route trees, or whatever, it’s that imbalance in my view which keeps them hampered against the top opposition.
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Well, their QB can't throw the ball so that passing game isn't happening anytime soon.
 
rpitroda said:
Given the high %s of vaccination in the league, there are surprisingly a lot of high profile players who are in that small unvaccinated %.
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Think that's just because the lower profile players know they're expendable and not getting vaccinated means they probably get cut. Likes of Wentz, Newton and Cousins know they're not getting cut so are free to be morons and potentially cost their team by missing games/practice.
 
Let’s face it, Lamar Jackson’s arm/form leaves a lot to be desired. He’s prolly in the bottom 5 of starting QBs in terms of throwing ability. His elite level running makes up for a lot of his shortcomings though.
 
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