Hopefully between now and March, the end of the current labor agreement, the offensive coaches will be working long hours with Joe so that he can better read the opposing defenses. Joe can rest once the players are locked out so now is not the time to take it easy. Joe's inability to grow is the major factor in the Ravens' offensive woes. I believe that problem is on the QB coach, not the OC coordinator. I also believe that Cam was factoring Joe's lack of growth into his play calling although that doesn't explain the long throw/interception to Todd Heap. That's another mystery yet to be solved.

What I don't understand about Cam's offense is why Stallworth was not used once he was activated for games. This puzzle still needs to be solved.

Hopefully, the Ravens will focus on having the #1 rated D B/C until Joe has that breakout year the O can't be counted on to deliver the SB trophy.

For now, it's satisfying to know that the defense is nolonger being run by a career college coach.

All of the problems with this offense (or really any offense, for that matter) can be traced back to the offensive line. It's impossible for me to say whether those problems have more to do with the the coaching or the player personnel, but I am encouraged by the firing of John Matsko -- at least the honchos are looking in the right place. Maybe now we can get a top of the line left tackle?

Bingo, Adam. Any team should have its offensive line in place before it even builds its stadium!!!

>All of the problems with this offense (or really any offense, for that matter) can be traced back to the offensive line. It's impossible for me to say whether those problems have more to do with the the coaching or the player personnel, but I am encouraged by the firing of John Matsko --

I agree, and the injury to Gaither compromised a team strength as did Oher being dinged up on his knee.

I found it amazing the team did as well as it did having only 1 legitimate pass rusher in SUGGs.

i would like to see the ravens resign all or the majority of the free agent players. it would be in the best interest of football to have a new labor contract in place before next seasn. hopefully that can be done

Look, Cam was to blame for what happened this season. Bottom line (As Ray Lew would say), we don't have a "great" Q B, we don't have "great" rbs, we don't have "great" tes, and we don't have "great" wrs. We have good and very good players in all the aforementioned positions, and as such, should play to our strengths, not try to force too much with players that don't fit into a certain scheme.

Case in point: 14-point lead going into the 3rd quarter against Pittsburgh:

1st drive - 1st Down - Pass play-RESULT: Sack

2nd drive - 1st Down - Pass play - RESULT: Sack

3rd drive - 1st Down - Pass play - RESULT - INT

Why the hell did Cam keep calling pass plays on first down in that scenario? He has done it all year, and lest we forget, WE LOST THE LEAD 9 TIMES IN THE 4th QUARTER THIS YEAR! Sometimes you have to play with a lead. Is Pittsburgh good against the run? Absolutely. But put big Le'Ron and Willis back there and pound the crap out of them, put us in 2nd or 3rd and manageable, and let's work the clock a little. Jeez, it ain't too freakin' hard, now, is it??? Cam's gotta go. He's never won jack in his tenure anywhere, and he ain't gonna do it here. Just ask Brees how his trade to New Orleans has turned out. He was under Cam in San Diego, and last I checked, yeah , San Diego has won alot of games and put up some good numbers, but they have any Super Bowls during that time? NO! Period. Get rid of that guy, he's a detriment to our team's progress!

Who wrote their scripted answers? George Orwell? Hu Jintao? Seriously, why have a press conference if you aren't willing to say anything.

Missing Rex's honest answers more and more. But, we did learn that Harbs definitely fits in with Steve B. and Ozzie...all doublespeak.

What!?

They are the executives of a multi-million dollar corporation...Do you ever here a CEO of a large corporation "keep it real"...What do you expect?

I heard that they are frustated and they will do what they need to do to get better.

Perhaps Wayne and Company keep it real on the fry line but in the corporate world you are expected to present yourself as a professional.

Schmuck where is your head? What sports town are you covering? The Baltimore Ravens had 2 wrenching loses to the Steelers this year. A Steelers team with no offense, and the Ravens with both games in the bag; the Raven coaching and offensive players along with Webb, STUNK up the joint. These were not just football games. Baltimore pride was at stake. We had the better team by far. Those offensive losers: Rice, Birk, should be run out of town. Rice was far overrated and this past season showed it. McGehee should have been far more involved all year long. They greatly embarrassed Baltimore and all Raven fans. What they did in the last 2 Steelers games should not be overloooked or taken lightly, as you suggest. I thought you got paid to write not kiss a^s.

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Pete's reply: Okay, Rich, we'll do it your way. Let's fire everybody and see how good the Ravens do against the Steelers next year.

People.... People.....

Anyone notice that Matt Cassel was named to the Pro Bowl team? Against the Ravens, he looked like a lost rookie. Can anyone imagine how this guy would have looked against a Def like the Steelers?

That's perspective when talking about Joe.... Gain some people.....

Joe's going to be a very, very rich young man as soon as the CBA is worked out. He'll be getting an extension that knocks your socks off.... WHY?

Because all you have to do is look around the NFL to see how MOST teams are DESPERATE for QB's the likes of Flacco.

So keep comparing Joe to Brady, Manning, Big Ben and the rest of the A's... but when you do so, look at where they were at year #3.

A guy like Ben has always had 'real' tools..... not Ravens type of tools. Can anyone imagine Ward dropping that TD pass? Can anyone imagine Wallace dropping a 20 yard first down pass on 4th down at the end of the game? You can't...because they don't.

Boldins was the biggest drop in the history of Ravens football. The score would have been 28-24 for 4 mins left in the game. With that, Ben's philosophy would have dramatically changed. There would have been no bomb on 3rd and 19, as Ben surely wouldn't thrown a desperate pass that he admittedly would have been as good as a punt if intercepted.

But... it's all a moot point fella's... Why? Because the Ravens so called great receivers couldn't catch the ball.

So enjoy watching Matt Cassel in the pro bowl folks...... While you're doing so though, remember how pathetic the guy looked against just the 10th ranked def in the league....

And while we're talking about Matt's..... Check out the #'s of the wonder boy in Atlanta and compare them to Joe's. And also see how many playoff games the guy has won.

Perspective people... I realize it's difficult for many Baltimore fans... But it's time you attempt to learn a little bit about what it is you're watching.

Flacco is likely about at top 12 QB, which puts him in about the top 1/3rd of the league or so. There are a ton of worse QB's and many that would simply not give this team a chance to win, check Cleveland, Arizona, San Fran, Miami, Tennessee, Carolina, Oakland, etc.... He's going to get better, but it all starts with the O Line protecting the kid. He's starting to look like Boller back there from getting hit so much. And whoever said we don't have great Running Backs is NUTS! Ray Rice is an elite talent and has carried this team on his shoulders at times. You can't fault him for not being able to consistently run behind a line that doesn't open lanes and can't keep opposing Defenses out of our backfield. One more pass rusher opposite Suggs who can truly bring it consistently and bringing Gaither back to Left Tackle and moving Oher back where he belongs and this team will look completely different next year. The ability to run for positive yardage and not give up sacks can not be underestimated. That's why we lost the Steelers game, too many 3rd and 18's in the 2nd half. This team can't win that way, but they can win every game if they are getting consistent 2nd and 4 opportunities and we can open the playbook. Have patience, have faith...it took Bill Cowher 13 years to win a Superbowl...Tom Landry even longer. We have a great team to cheer for, stick with them Baltimore.

@ Adam

The Steelers had OL issues all season long. They prevailed because they have a playmaker at QB. Plain and simple, lets stop blaming the line.

Who'd you have in mind Geno? Where are you going to find a better QB off the street that doesn't know our offensive system? So Flacco is not Ben, we already knew that. So Ben extends plays way beyond what every QB not named Vick in the NFL does, we knew that too. Flacco has to get better for us to win it all, no question, but when we shore up the O line, he will get better. Not every QB handles the pressure the same way, and unfortunately Joe gets flustered. Even more reason we need to protect him and be able to run block and set up more manageable opportunities.

Geno,

What an idiot.... You prove how Raven fans may be the dumbest in the country. Where do people like you come from?

Get rid of the dumbest SPORTS REPORTER on the total Baltimore Staff. The SCHMUCK is a SCHMUCK and should be sent to timbucktoo!

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Pete's reply: It's spelled TIMBUKTU, Einstein.