Ravens: Anatomy Of A Drive
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 28, 2011 3:02 PM EST
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In the Baltimore Ravens 16-6 Thanksgiving night victory over the an Francisco 49ers, the key part of the game that gave the Ravens the lead that they would not surrender was their 16-play seven and a half minute, 76-yard drive in the third quarter that culminated with a Joe Flacco to Dennis Pitta eight-yard TD pass on the first play of the fourth quarter. A time-consuming, clutch executing team effort that mixed in the run and pass that moved the ball downfield breaking the game open while breaking the hearts of the 49ers defense.
Along the way, the Ravens proved to not only San Francisco, the rest of the NFL, their fans but most importantly themselves, that they could play a complete game and dismantle another quality opponent, as they are now 5-0 against teams with winning records in the 2011 season. While they are having problems on the road against the lesser teams, they have proved all season long that they can play with and beat the best the league puts up against them on their schedule.
Take a look at the details of what is easily the most impressive drive of the Ravens season thus far:
The 16-play drive included four rushes and twelve passes. Three of the runs came from Ray Rice and the other by Ricky Williams, although none went for longer than Williams' five yards. The twelve passes went to seven different receivers and only TE Dennis Pitta caught more than one and his second catch was the most important, an eight-yard TD reception to end the drive. It was the first career TD catch for the second year tight end out of BYU, and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Flacco was eight for twelve throwing the ball on the drive, but five of those completions went for first downs and he was four for four on third downs to keep extending the drive. To look further inside the details of the incredible efficiency of the 16-plays, only three went for ten yards or more, the longest a 15-yard pass to TE Ed Dickson.
The drive used up the last 7:30 of the third quarter and continued for the Flacco-to-Pitta TD pass on the first play of the 4th quarter. It followed the 49ers 13-play, 80-yard drive that took the first half (7:30) of the third quarter, but only resulted in a 52-yard David Akers field goal that temporarily tied the game at 6-6. For the entire second half, the Ravens only had the ball for three drives, not including the three Flacco kneel-downs that ran the final seconds off the game clock.
The drive was a model of efficiency and the difference in the game. The ability to manage the down-and-distance with key plays at crucial times as evidenced by the four-for-four third down completions, prove that the Ravens can play with and beat anybody in the NFL as long as they can control the ball and not make mistakes, inopportune penalties and turnovers that can kill a drive.
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Take a look at the details of what is easily the most impressive drive of the Ravens season thus far:
It was good and all, but not better than this one.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Good pic
Torrey’s face has pure joy written all over it. He’s almost looks ready to do some cart wheels. It’s easy to be a fan of his / Ravens.
you remember that play, from that game, on that day. sweet, right?... right...
Gotta love Suggs
"The white tight end, baby! He’s always there when you need him. The white tight end … he’s American Express. He’s everywhere you want to be, don’t leave home without him."
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
I found nothing wrong with it. If anything, it was funny. Hearing the Sounf FX, I could hear JJ say “THE WHITE MAN!” in celebration.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
I didn’t say it was right or wrong… I’m curious as to the significance of Pitta’s skin color and why it was important enough for Suggs or anyone else to mention it… is it an inside joke?
It certainly doesn’t sound appropriate for all ears…
It certainly doesn’t sound appropriate for all ears…
It’s not like Pitta was referred to as “White Devil” or “Cracker-Ass Cracker.” What’s the issue here?
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
is it an inside joke?
There has always been the inside joke that white men are not that great of athletes compared to black men. Maybe that is what Suggs was getting at.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
I feel like it’s just the good-natured jostling of a sports team…not different than the jokes we’re used to comedians saying – chris rock type of humour. I’m glad he doesn’t think that race is so taboo that he can’t make light of it.
Montreal Canadiens///Toronto Blue Jays///Baltimore Ravens
i agree that there is an absence of malice but what is the significance of the color of pitta’s skin and why is it important enough to be mentioned in public?
maybe pitta’s nickname is “the white man?” just wondering…
The significance of his skin colour is that suggs is a black guy, and pitta is a white guy. So he was making light of having a white guy as a tight end for whatever reason – cultural, prevalence of white men as tight ends in the nfl, etc.
I’m sure that in the locker room there’s a lot of joshing of that sort. Heck, there’s a black guy in my hockey beer league and we sometimes make non-offensive jokes about black/white dichotomy.
Montreal Canadiens///Toronto Blue Jays///Baltimore Ravens
Is it Donald Brashear?
(Just kidding…)
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Nov 28, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions
Oh,
so he’s actually good at hockey?
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Nov 28, 2011 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
Nah, he’s not great (pk is amazing though). But he only started 5 years ago at age 40, and has made commendable progress!.
Montreal Canadiens///Toronto Blue Jays///Baltimore Ravens
I played in college
and then taught adult beginner ice hockey.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 28, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5ekG-3_fcs
Montreal Canadiens///Toronto Blue Jays///Baltimore Ravens
Yes they were mic’d up, but it was said on the sideline not at the podium after the game. They are all on the field joking around like any team does. I’m pretty sure they are not worrying about what they say. Should they stop cursing on the field as well because someone might hear?
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
i’m very clear in my reasoning and questioning
I’m very clear in my responding directly to a quote from your post. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill because Suggs simply called Pitta “the white tight end.” Maybe you should be a little more clear about whose ears this isn’t appropriate for, because I don’t see it.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
again… it’s all in my post.. go back and read it carefully and then respond to my questions instead of coming up with your own questions… that will create something called a “dialogue”
Against my better judgement, I’m trying to create a dialogue by finding out who shouldn’t hear Pitta described as “the white tight end.” You typed it and I’m responding to it. If you can’t handle it, then don’t type it.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
I’m not as impressed by your judgment as tour seem to be..
A better question would be who IS supposed to hear a player described as white, black, or creole
by Evan Skev on Nov 28, 2011 4:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
lol
I thought you just had jealous hatred toward Steeler fans. It turns out, you are just a sensitive little girl, and bitching about things is the only way you can deal with the bad choices you’ve made in your life.
This message will self destruct
Who the hell's interrupting my Kung Fu? - Black Dynamite
With two D's, for a double dose of this pimpin'
other players?
The guys he was talking to? You want to do “mic’d up”, you’re going to hear some inappropriate comments made by players…and that wasn’t even one of them by NFL Standards
TO BILL BRASKY!!!
by jackmca on Nov 29, 2011 3:39 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Definitely. It’s very insensitive to make a credit card joke during an economic contraction fueled in good part by widespread credit insolvency. Poor form, Sizzle.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
by Ampallang on Nov 28, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Happens right before you declare bankruptcy. Basically can’t pay your bills with the assets you currently have.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
fail
I’m 99% sure he knew that, lmao s’all good tho.
Btw I love how when I try to post something and SB nation craps out it shows me a picture of a cringing Jackie Chan
TO BILL BRASKY!!!
by jackmca on Nov 29, 2011 3:41 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Just having a little fun with the boys
by Evan Skev on Nov 29, 2011 7:30 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Is Flacco staying?
sorry for the tangent. I want to get a jersey for a girlfriend and I was gonna get Flacco but he needs to renew his contract after this year right? What are the chances he leaves?
What are the chances he leaves?
I’d say 80-90% he leaves. We have missed out on the likes of Marc Bulger and Troy Smith, and we aren’t about to let Tyrod Taylor go to another team for a season than be drafted by the CFL.
Only way he stays is if he gets his completion percentage into the mid 80s or low 90s. Anything less than 85%, bye bye Joe.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
Buy the jersey if you like… Flacco is here to stay.
by Evan Skev on Nov 28, 2011 7:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
“a” girlfriend? How many do you have? No wonder Malor never gets any tail… Guys like you
by Evan Skev on Nov 28, 2011 11:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
He's just messing
Flacco is here to stay, get her that jersey if you want
Joe Flacco for life.
by Dr. Disrespect on Nov 29, 2011 12:13 PM EST up reply actions
New Campaign: Pitta over Dickson
I’m sorry but I had the chance to watch this man burn my college fball team time and time again. Although I love what Dickson can bring to the table. He must be primarily viewed as a receiver. Pitta is a la Wes Welker. The man finds the open seams and has the best hands I’ve ever seen. Not only can he add a consistent element to the passing game, but he blocks, blocks the way TE should block. I’m sorry but Dickson cannot / refuses to block. He constantly blows blocking / chip assignments and probably has more drops than Torrey Smith to this point. I like Pitta. I not only think he’s undervalued but, underused.
I like the way we use BOTH of them. They are two totally different molds of TE’s, and each do some damn good things for our offense. Pitta is a first down machine, underneath type player and Dickson is a down field threat, creates space with his speed and athleticism. It is not like Dickson is having a bad year, he is having a great season actually.
I have absolutely no problem with Dickson having a good game, then Pitta having a good game.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
agreed I think we are using them perfectly right now. Both bring very important attributes to the offense and they should just continue to do what they have been doing.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Agreed with everyone here but
if you had to pick one right now, just one, who would it be? I might have taken Dickson before the season began, but now I’m all over Pitta.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 29, 2011 9:49 AM EST up reply actions
I don’t know about Gates. In Gates prime that’s arguably the best receiving TE ever. Wouldn’t put Dickson that high up there.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Dickson is having a hell of a season. He is 8th in receptions of all TE’s in the league, not too bad. He also has been a better scoring threat so far this year than Pitta.
Flacco has to trust his receivers to make catches, but shouldn’t throw towards coverage. He needs to attack deep more often, but shouldn’t hold onto the ball so long. He needs to show more awareness in the pocket and move to extend plays, but nothing good comes of him leaving the pocket. He should run with the ball if nobody’s open, but he definitely can’t run with the ball.
Flacco should have the awareness of Roethlisberger, the elusiveness of Vick, the control of the offense of Manning, the leadership of Brady, the accuracy of Brees, and the arm strength of … Flacco? - Ampallang
See Harbs comments on the drive
in an answer to my question to him at the end of yesterday’s press conference in Tuesday’s 11am post.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Nov 29, 2011 9:50 AM EST up reply actions
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