The unkindness
A Baltimore Raven fan blog.
I am sure that all have noticed that the Baltimore Ravens major slump in recent years. Without a winning season in three of the last four years it is hard not to have noticed. There are many reasons given to explain this slump. Loss of team leaders, poor drafting, injuries, and a lack of playmakers, being the main few I have read or heard about. However, I wanted to look more closely at one position group that has had a rough few years. Continuity of a line. Wikipedia states that the concept of a line was an ancient one introduced to describe an object with negligible width and depth. In NFL terms, it is not the lack of depth that defines a line, but the permeance of the starters. Those five big guys up front set the tempo, dictate the tone and stabilise the offense. They play a part in every offensive play in a way that I’d argue is a close second only to the quarterback. And those big guys must work together as a unit. Because of this last point I believe that a major factor in the Ravens slide to mediocracy is the frequent changes at offensive tackle, offensive guard and centre. Does steadiness equal success? In 2012 when winning the Superbowl 4 linemen started 85% plus of the total snaps. Then in 2014, our only other winning season, again four players played at least 87% of the total offensive snaps. Both centres started every game in these seasons and there was a fifth player that played two thirds of all snaps. What does this all mean. It means that the centre to quarterback exchange was settled. The oft overlooked designation of the O-line assignments would have been stable. Regardless of if it was Flacco calling the Mike linebacker or the centre it would have been the consistent throughout all 16 games*. All that pointing and shouting before the snap. That is often this communication between the QB and the O-line to let them know how they are going to successfully block all the defensive players. Does this consistency equate to success? No, not automatically. But as the last two seasons have shown. Not having this continuity is a quick way to a terrible season. Continuity of change. In recent seasons the only constant has been that constant change. Last year, Jensen, Urschel, Alex Lewis and Vlad Ducasse shared snaps at left or right guard. Pro-bowler Yanda had to switch from the right side to the left due to a shoulder injury. Lewis started at left-tackle on three occasions and there was another game with James Hurst as the starter on the blindside. This all meant that between week 4 and week 9 the starting linemen almost always had someone different alongside them. 2015 was another tyre fire along the O-line. Zuttah, Urschel and Hurst each played 50% of all the offensive snaps. And Ryan Jensen was in for nearly 40% of the offensive snaps. This season was also notable for having three players start under centre and KO starting at left-tackle. All in all, the last two years have seen injuries cause much change and tinkering in order to get five starting linemen on the field. Now don’t misinterpret this as player criticism. It is not. Understanding and trust amongst players is built by playing continually together. On a running play a guard need to know when to time the release to the second level from a double team. This small nuisance is key to turning a 3 yard gain to a 4 or 5 yard gain. In pass protection, the tackle having faith in the man his inside means there is no hesitation in driving back out of his stance. I even heard a lineman on a podcast say, when playing centre, it was as basic as knowing where the guards foot was going to be on any particular play. It is these small unseen actions that become muscle memory through repetition. And the muscle memory may be all thrown off when 6’6” Alex Lewis is replaced by 6’3” John Urschel. The final line.
Remember the offensive line positions demand five of the least athletic players to act as one. Whilst a rabid bunch of nutters, try to hit and beat them to the ground. All to protect, the teams star quarterback, and prevent him from getting destroyed. It is in this context of huge 300+ pound men having to move in unison that having the continuity of play and practice is priceless. I believe that if we’re to turn our fortunes around this is a group to watch through training camp and pre-season. We need both a consistent line and an above average level of play from these 5 to 6 men to have some offensive success. It is also my belief that with a potentially improving defence we don’t need the 2017 offence to be historic. We need the 2017 offense only to be average and we could turn an 8-8 2016 into a 12-4 play-off run. And a stable steady O-line is the foundation on which a sturdy balanced offence is built. Finally what would I like to see from the Ravens big men? At a minimum, I hope to see Stanley, Yanda and Lewis start 16 games at the same position. I'd like to see the generally young group prove they could be a future strength for 3-4 seasons. I hope that Lewis and Stanley prove they will be 3 to 4 year starters. Optimistically I’d like to see Stanley show he’s the perennial pro bowler that his draft position and improving play last year suggested. And with my UK bias, I’d love to see my Englishman, Jermaine Eluemanor dominate at either right-tackle or guard. Cheers Gareth *In brief defining the mike linebacker lets the linemen know what their blocking assignment will be and which direction they will block to.
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Gareth Luscombe 17.07.2017 Finding the NFL.
Growing up in the UK I followed the traditional route of playing, watching and following soccer. I completed the 1998 premier league sticker album. I played Championship Manager circa 2003 to the point I had Staylbridge Celtic winning the Uefa Cup in 2026. Soccer was my life and my life was soccer. I am not sure when but slowly I noticed this other type of football. American football. Around the turn of the new millennium I recall watching late night coverage of first baseball and then American football. This was all clandestinely as a teenager, watching channel 4 or 5 late at night, sometimes with the volume off but pictures on. Over time this became something I would look forward to on a Sunday night. Staying up deliberately to watch late night channel 5 NFL coverage. It took a good season of watching before the explanations of Mike Carlson helped me to grasp more than the basic rules. And then his in studio demonstrations and pre-game telestrations meant I could start to understand formations, tactics and some basic technique. The next step. The first Superbowl I can remember was Superbowl 37. I turned off at halftime with the Raiders down 20-3 to the Bucs. At some point between then and Superbowl 40 I became an avid follower of the NFL. One vivid memory was a Monday night game and being blown away that they were playing whilst heavy snow was falling. It was a Steelers vs Ravens clash at Heinz field. The terrible towels were going, the heat was rising from player heads, and the quarterback’s breath visible in the night air. I knew I went away after this and looked up the AFC North and decided. I want more of that. Around the same time, I realised I liked defensive football. Actually, to clarify. I liked, and still do like, defensive players that try and annihilate an opponent. Players that play with little disregard for their own body, whilst trying to destroy someone else’s body. The only offensive player I liked was Jeremy Shockey, tight end of the Giants. Otherwise Brian Dawkins, Adalius Thomas, Troy Polamalu, Brian Urlacher and Shawne Merriman were the type of players I enjoyed watching. These were the players I would sign to my Madden dream team on the playstation. With this new perspective I also began to enjoy watching the two lines go head to head. Players like Brett Kiesel, with his big beard, breaking Carson Palmers knee in the 2006 play-offs. Haloti Ngata as a young rookie going up against the gnarled veteran Alan Faneca. I still didn’t commit to a team though. And only parked my allegiance as far as the AFC North. This state of sitting on the fence lasted indefinitely. Every year I would follow the AFC North and then root for the division winners throughout the playoffs. This wasn’t a sustainable approach. And I soon realised it was like supporting, Manchester United, Manchester City, Stockport County and Oldham Athletic. I had to make a choice. Becoming a Raven. Luckily for me this choice was made simple. Firstly because the Baltimore Ravens are obviously the best team in the AFC North. But more pragmatically it is because in 2012 I became friends with a group of people from Montgomery County, Maryland. They invited me to visit Baltimore in November 2014 and as part of the trip I was treated to my first ever NFL game. I was so fortunate to be given the full day experience with some Raven season ticket holders. The people, the tailgating, and the atmosphere was unlike any sporting event I’d been to before. And in stadium the pomp, glitz and show didn’t stop. I was instinctively jumping up at every first down. Then screaming repeatedly at every rival third down. And even despite watching a late loss to the Chargers I came away buzzing, wide-eyed. From that day forward I was purple. I threw myself at following the team. Following the draft, learning the practice squad players, trying to understand team strategy and study the history. And with great defensive players like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed and a team traditionally built around playing proper hardnosed football I was sold. That is how over ten years I went from a soccer fan to an avid Raven fan. 1.Stephane Nembot, T Nembot was an undrafted rookie last year. If you don’t know about his background it is worth listening to his episode on the official raven’s podcast “The lounge”. In short, he grew up in Cameroon and only started playing football late in high school after originally hoping to play basketball. He has all the physical attributes at 6’6”, 320lbs, 34 ⅝” long arms and massive 10 ¾” hands. According to mockdraftable.com he is also in the 91st percentile of all tested offensive tackles having completed 32 bench reps during pre-daft testing. And the scariest thing is his draft profile from NFL.com describes him as having a “lean frame that could use longer trips to the training table”. Could this guy legitimately play at 350lbs?! If he can show the technique and balance to convert his physical ability in to playing ability he could be a surprise starter at right tackle. At a minimum to make the team he has to have improved his footspeed he could be a backup swing tackle having played both left and right tackle in college. Either way I am intrigued to see him in preseason in pads hopefully running over some defensive linemen. 2. Ricky Ortiz, FB The undrafted rookie from Oregon State has a great chance to be this years undrafted rookie to make the roster. Following in great footsteps like Michael Pierce, Bart Scott and my favorite Justin Tucker! He was brought in as a fullback but the versatile player also played tight-end during his time with the beavers. The 23 year olds main competition is Taliaferro who is also looking to prove himself as a FB after being drafted in 2014 as a running-back. This camp battle is likely to come down to a combination of who has the best hands out of the back field and who can be the most reliable pass blocker. Look to see who is willingly throwing their helmet in to the on rushing opponent during pre-season to determine the likely winner of this camp battle. 3. Keenan Reynolds, WR/KR Keenan Reynolds is probably the least likely to find the field this year from this list. But if he can make the big leap needed he could be an exciting addition. Last year’s sixth round pick is the all-time leading touchdown scorer in college football history playing, as a running QB in the Navy triple option scheme. Last year he transitioned from QB to WR and kick returner. Spending his season on the practice squad learning the craft last year he was far from making the active game roster. With the continued injury concerns to Michael Campanoro and no clear kick-off or punt returner being drafted this year there are two avenues to the active roster for the elusive runner. I think his best shot is to excel in the return game. If Campanaro keeps getting hurt and he can show the electric running skills to take bubble screens or a wide receiver reverse for big gains he could be the fifth or sixth receiver on the roster. In honesty, I think he’ll end up on the practice squad again. But I won’t be surprised if he does make at least one splashy play in pre-season with a 50 yard plus run after catch for a high-light reel touchdown. *you heard it here first!* 4. Patrick Onwuasor, ILB Who would have predicted Zachary Orr going from special teamer to leading tackler last year? Certainly, not me. But after entering camp last year and making headlines for his aggressive play. This year he could make headlines for making the starting team. Onwuasor played in every game last year. On special teams that mainly and the odd snap here and there covering for small knocks. However, the undrafted free-agent out of Portland State was handed a starting role in the last game against the Bengals. Harbaugh wanted to test some of the youngsters and see what they could do. And Onwuasor was steady making 7 tackles in the game. He played strong safety when he started college but has transitioned to linebacker in the NFL. Listed at 6’0” and 217lbs he may need to show up to training camp with a bit of extra bulk if he wants to claim the starting spot. But if he has done that while maintaining his safety coverage skills and 4.62 40 speed, he could be a good mobile backer alongside Moseley. 5. Nick Boyle, TE
With the sad loss of Dennis Pitta and the exclusion of Darren Waller due to a drugs violation the competition at tight end has already been cut down. Maxx Williams is coming back from a knee injury and concussion issues last year, Benjamin Watson missed all of last year with an Achilles tear and Crocket Gillmore suffered a torn hamstring and self-confessed “broken back” last year. That leaves Nick Boyle as the sole tight end not injured or returning from injury. Boyle is entering his third year in the league and has the opportunity to increase his playing time. He has already proven himself as a proficient blocker playing in 11 games as a rookie. Then last year participated in all 6 games after his 10 game PED suspension. Whilst he only has 24 total receptions so far. He has taken those catches for an average 8.2 yards per reception. If the Delaware graduate can stay away from the PEDs then he is prime position to become a key player next year. He can block in the running game. And has good enough hands to be a threat in the short and medium passing game. Could Boyle become Flacco’s new safety valve with the absence of Pitta? |