With a chance to take control of the AFC North, the Ravens failed and highlighted issues we’ve seen too many times before. Here are 5 things I’m thinking.
Fire Marty Mornhinweg?
We’ve all seen this before, time for the twitter polls, radio callers, and the fan base to express their frustrations with Marty Mornhinweg and the Ravens offense and rightfully so. That being said, when is it time to point the finger somewhere else? John Harbaugh has had five offensive coordinators since 2008, firing two of them during the season. I’ll make it clear, I am a Harbaugh supporter; I believe he’s done great things for this ball club; however, it’s time he starts to take responsibility for this offense. Harbaugh is responsible for the scheme this offense runs, he’s responsible for putting players in the right position to succeed, and he’s responsible for using the talent he has to find a way to win. If he’s unable to do so, then maybe it’s time the front office takes away his power to hire his own coordinators. Or maybe it’s time this front office realizes Flacco won’t be here much longer and it’s time they start drafting players on the offensive side of the ball. Firing Mornhinweg won’t fix this offense; the issues run from the front office to the head coach.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
Will Alex Collins Get Another Chance?
Last week I stated Collins deserves more carries, this week I stand by my endorsement. Collins has coughed up the football two times on 25 carries this year, a troubling trend. However, Collins seems to be the only playmaker on what has been a historically bad offense through the first four weeks of the season. In the past, if you gave up the football, you’d quickly find yourself in Harbaugh’s doghouse, this year seems to be different. Perhaps Harbaugh knows this offense is in desperate need of Collins big plays, regardless of his tendency to fumble.
Defense Giving Up Too Many Big Plays
So remember all that talk about this defense being as good as the 2000 Ravens defense? Maybe it’s time we put that to rest. Time after time, this defense is being gashed on the ground and through the air; it’s time to figure it out. Without a strong defense, this team has no hope of making it back to the playoffs.
The Ravens Are Who They Are
An incompetent offense, poor offensive line play, poor QB play, inconsistent defense, and poor coaching, that’s the current state of the Ravens. The Ravens have plenty of time to turn this season around but it’s hard to imagine given the fact they continue to face the same issues they have endured over the past few seasons.
Offensive Line Will Continue To Struggle In Oakland
According to Pro Football Focus, Flacco was sacked four times, hit six, and pressured on 14 of his dropbacks. Matt Skura and Jermaine Eluemunor haven’t played well as they both continue to rotate at the right guard position. Skura had a PFF grade of 33.6 and Eluemunor posted a grade of 38.4, giving up a combined two sacks, two hits, and three hurries. Things won’t get any easier this Sunday, as Khalil Mack is next on the schedule.
Robert grew up in Severna Park, MD and currently resides in Locust Point, Baltimore and is an avid sports and Ravens fan who has prior experience writing and working for Pro Football Focus. He is a 2014 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in kinesiology and is currently working as a full-time certified personal trainer while also working on completing his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.