Matt Birk Says Ravens Rarely Win Pretty
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 17, 2012 6:00 PM EST
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In a story posted by Sports Radio Interviews, Baltimore Ravens veteran center Matt Birk says he wasn't surprised by the tough game the team played against the Houston Texans in the 20-13 win this past weekend. He noted that the Ravens rarely win pretty by most others standards, but obviously couldn't care less as long as his team gets the win.
He joined KFAN in Minneapolis to talk about this and other issues and as a veteran in the NFL as well as coming from Harvard, when Birk talks, we should listen. He has an easy way about him, and in the few times I've been able to ask him questions, he always gives thoughtful responses, well stated and tries to get in a bit of that dry sense of humor.
Birk was asked about playing with Ed Reed and while you should click on the link above for the entire interview, this is just part of what Matt said about the Ravens All-Pro free safety:
"He’s Ed Reed. You’re not quite sure what greatness looks like, and then you see Ed Reed up close and you know exactly what it looks like."
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he said the O line needs to play better and the OC needs to let Joe play his game because Joe got rattled against the tough Texans D
of course… this all will be condensed to “Joe. Rattled” By Ed Reed
Dont buy into the BS…
Reminiscent of Santonio Holmes dissing the Jets OLine,
with the biggest difference being Ed Reed isn’t a punk like Holmes.
Flacco’s biggest flaw is he just stands there. He seems to lack mobility. Therefore, he can only perform well when his OLine perfoms well. I see the Pats going after him more than they went after Tebow, who they were worried about losing contain on because of his ablity to evade tackles and take off running. Pats brought out a 5-2-4 look against Denver, really a 3-4 look with the OLBs up front to set the edge against the run and allow the big-guys to push against the interior of the Bronco O-Line. I won’t be shocked if we saw something simiar, except this time respect is being paid to the 2 TEs and Ray Rice with some LBs chipping near the LOS. This time they won’t be worried about the OLBs losing contain on the QB, there’ll be worried about pushing the pocket back into Joe Flacco and the Ravens run-game. We’ll see if Reed’s advise helps or hurts that O-Line.
It is what it is
I believe the biggest flaw Joe has which cannot be corrected
is that by the time he sees the opening to throw to, it is too late as he is tall and long and therefore has a long, slow delivery which usually results in the ball getting there a bit too late, after the window of opportunity has closed. That makes it look like he is throwing into coverage when in reality, the coverage was not there when he started his release.
However, when he is in rhythm and throws immediately after planting to his initial read, his mechanics are almost flawless, his arm as strong as any, and his accuracy very under rated. Its just when he must look for other options not named Ray Rice where he can slip up.
On the other hand, once he takes off, while in past years it was rarely good for him to throw on the run, he is MUCH better at finding the open guy and actually releases it faster while moving to his right. His accuracy is down on the move, but his release is a bit quicker, and his decision-making greatly improved.
For once, and this past Sunday on the goal line was a prime example, Id love to see him run a naked bootleg. The worst thing that happens is that he gets dragged down for a loss, but I think he would beat the defense to the pylon. Worth a try IMHO.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 17, 2012 8:34 PM EST up reply actions
we are clueless on 4 and 1. i think we have tried everything. but, on 4th and inches even a three toed sloth can QB sneak it. never know why we run little rice into the teeth of the d when we have a much heavier back in wait….though he is a fumble risk.
here’s another adaptation to modern day football. put a RB in at QB and QB sneak it. it’s inches for gosh sakes.
I'd be worried about a RB taking a snap.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 17, 2012 9:45 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed
I’m waiting for that naked bootleg call, Joe’s faster and more athletic than he looks. I’m surprised they don’t have more designed run plays for him (oh wait, CAM).
There was one play that infuriated me concerning the receivers though, I think it was when Joe got sacked, but correct me if I’m wrong. Basically, when they showed the replay, it showed Joe scrambling and trying to make a play and literally, NONE of the receivers were even trying to get open! They were just standing shoulder to shoulder with their corners, hoping something magical would happen
I’m not saying Joe’s perfect by any stretch, but I pity him when I see Green Bay or NE or San Diego’s receivers: more often than not, they’re usually open by like a yard or two…Joe always seems to have to squeeze it in a tight window.
Agreed. Not often do we have much separation and I think a lot of that has to do with scheme. It’s too predictable. They do struggle to improvise though. We may have one of the worst WR groups at improvising when Joe is scrambling. Joe has actually done a decent job this year at making people miss in the pocket the problem is he does and nobody is working their way back to him and getting open. Joe needs to just throw it away sometimes, but he’s trying to make a play and getting nothing from his receivers.
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
One of the reasons while I still feel we may need to draft another receiver. preferably one with some size and hands.
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 hope we manage to get Flacco a great receiver
…w/o having a sucky year a la Detroit-Megatron, Bengals-Green
Everyone spoke about how Rodger’s receivers dropped 8 balls in their game…welp, Flacco’s receivers had 5 drops and not a word about that.
Well, one of them won, and the other was having excuses made for him, that’s probably why Raven drops weren’t mentioned.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
I'm saying in our losses and overall poor offensive play is not 100% on Joe
but the receivers lack of quality play is rarely mentioned in that regard. All in the life of a QB I guess though
Well, all in the life of a quarterback who is not an ESPN golden boy. If you’re talking about media, if you’re talking about fans on here, it seems some blindly love Flacco, some blindly hate him. The ones that blindly love him will make any excuse to take any blame away from him when you guys lose, even if it’s mostly his fault. The ones that blindly hate him will pin the entire failure of the team on him every time.
Maybe it will make you feel better to know that there are only about 6 or 7 fan bases that don’t have the same constant qb discussions that you guys have?
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
We feel fine…just talkin about Ravens football before the conference championship
How’s your mock? Is roth playing in the Pro Bowl now? Weird
by Evan Skev on Jan 18, 2012 2:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
haha I feel a little better
As long as he wins a Super Bowl, I don’t think any argument against him will matter at that point.
I love Flacco, but I know he still needs to improve. He can still make boneheaded plays, but I really want to see him with a different OC (you know the drill). I just don’t understand the criticism he takes. I think when you make the playoffs and advance a little bit, you’re in the national media a lot when you lose (not like Matt Ryan, where he loses first round or doesn’t make the playoffs, people enjoy his regular season successes).
The criticism he takes could be based on a couple things. For one,
1) When a team has the kind of defense that Pittsburgh or Baltimore has every year, people always move to discredit the offensive players of that team.
2) Outside of the game in Pittsburgh this year, he usually chooses his prime time games to stink up the place, where more people are watching.
3) His demeanor. Eli Manning is the same way. People just don’t like his calm and chilled out ways.
And of course, what you said at the bottom.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
I agree 100%
This is something that (yeah, I hate to say it but….) the Steelers’ receivers do really really well, and have done it for a long time. It is a mindset and a technique, I think, and it can be learned. But the OC has to teach it and practice it. Joe has done some good Ben impersonations at times, and he can throw on the run. If the receivers learn how to get open, whether it is zone or man, he will “improve” markedly.
holmes straight dissed his teammates… Reed’s criticisms are directed at the coaches not his teammates… therefore it is not “reminiscent” of what mr wake and bake said… it is the opposite
Brady’s biggest flaw is he gets rattled when he gets hit and makes poor decisions. He seems to lack the ability to play when pressured by a pass rush… similar to Sanchez. If you get to him early, he gets nervous. Pagano knows this and will send Suggs, McPhee, Pollard and Kruger to victimize the weak points of the O line… the schemes your boys will see wont be found on Ravens film. This is a very tough, very fast, very hungry D led by a couple of Hall of Famers and anchored by guys who are the best in the league at their craft
Coaches are part of the team,
and Holmes was sort of doing that too.
BTW, contrary to popular belief, Brady is more often than not better against a blitz than a more traditional 3-4 man rush.
It is what it is
Yup
There’s a show on baltimoreravens.com called 1 winning drive, where they show behind the scene clips during the game. In a handful of them, Joe and Ed actually communicate more than you would think an offensive and defensive player would. Reed is not a malicious or problem-starting guy, so to compare him to that prima donna diva in Holmes is not even credible.
As usual, this will be blown out of proportion, but hey! That makes us more of an underdog and we relish that
funny thing…i can accept a loss IF we are dedicated to the run early and get stopped. at least we make a team prove they can stop the run. losses to me are very empty when nothing is established- succeed or fail. you need to dedicate the game plans in chunks. when your all over the place nobody gets into a groove.
if we would have lost to the texans it would have been very very empty because we had no offensive plan. it didn’t exist. turnovers and rare circus catches saved the day. 2 weeks to plan for that…that’s what has me worried.
Don't even talk about it
I actually believe, like the 49ers and Giants, that defense wins championships and Brady will go down the same way that the Saints and Packers did.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 17, 2012 8:35 PM EST up reply actions
“I don’t know how much of the play-calling, he could have made audibles or anything like that, checks or whatnot, man, but it just didn’t look like he had a hold on the offense, you know, of times past,” Reed said. “You know, it was just kind of like they was telling him to do, throw the ball or get it here, you know, get it to certain guys. And he can’t play like that.”
—Ed Reed
This is a thinly-veiled indictment of the coaching staff from a veteran player who happens to be an indispensable part of a championship run. Some people will try to interpret it as criticism of Flacco in hopes of getting plenty of clicks and making some Google Ad money.
by Evan Skev on Jan 17, 2012 8:42 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
reeds 100% right. we need players to speak up more often about poor coaching. billick and cavanaugh were around waaayyyy to long. cam’s butt puckering shows up in flaccos hesitancy. let flacco call the plays. it cant hurt. better yet, let rice call the plays…at least he’d get his 25 carries.
We need to get Rice more involved in the passing game as well. His receiving numbers have been down the last two games. I believe he had 20 yards last game and 8 the game before.
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
For the record, does anyone else feel good about this game?
I don’t know, I just feel we’re so battle tested and a lot of our veteran guys know what’s at stake and I feel they’ll rise to the occasion. Joe has played the Pats very well (not just OK) over the years, and I expect a great game from him. If Rice can break 100 yards rushing, we’ll be good.
I feel decent about it. I feel we are extremely balanced on both sides of the ball and can pick up other groups that aren’t playing well at the time whereas I feel Brady has to have a monster game for Pats to win. We just have to figure out how to slow him somewhat which is easier said then done because I don’t see them having an effective run day at all and we should be able to consistently move the ball on their D all day unless Cam has anything to say about it.
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 think our team is pissed off. i think they will stick it to the pats pretty good. nothing can replace a bunch of starving, angry, 1/2 crazed veterans who have put in the time. gronks and hernandez are baby faces. while talented, they don’t have a clue to the enormity of this game. i think they will be overwhelmed and make uncharactoristic drops under pressure. i think our intensity will win out. the ravens are a little different this year.
suggs and rice used to be a little goofy and playful with the media and in general. now they are just flat out angry. i think they are flat out sickened by being second fiddle. from boldin to leach to pollard to ray to ed to suggs to rice to flacco to ngata these guys have been bitter all year. they’re ready to explode on someone and i think that happens this sunday.
I Hope
You’re right, my friend. Brady is standing on his head right now, and that scares me. There are few guys that can take over a football game, and Brady is one of them.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
My friend posted this on another site so credit to him for this
But here’s a huge matchup! On one side, you have Wes Welker, who has caught more balls than any receiver this season (122) at a 4th ranked 72.2% completion rate. He has 1569 receiving yards, a sum that’s second only to Calvin Johnson, with 734 of those being after the catch (which leads the league by a hefty 118). He’s caught 10 TD’s (counting his one last week) which makes him 6th in the league at catching TD’s, while also causing 12 Missed Tackles.
On the other side, LaDarius Webb has had a monster season at Cornerback, by allowing only 54.6% of passes to be completed his way. He’s only allowed 634 yards (with 175 of that coming after the catch) this season and has not allowed a single touchdown to be scored on him all season. He has 7 Interceptions (counting the two last week) while also directly breaking up 12 passes, for a staggering 19 Passes Defended, which is third only behind Darelle Revis and Joe Haden of New Orleans. He leads all Cornerbacks in passer rating against at 44.8 if you count last weeks game, and is 5th in the league at 55.6 without last week.
by Mysterious on Jan 18, 2012 9:12 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm aware haha
Shouldn’t have blindly copy and pasted my friends post! Most of it proves pretty interesting though!
by Mysterious on Jan 18, 2012 7:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
sorry, but that is not so
check your sources
Once again
I know Haden is a Brown. Like I said, my friend posted this analysis on some forum and I thought it was interesting so I blindly copy and pasted!
by Mysterious on Jan 18, 2012 7:35 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Apparently he meant Jabari Greer
Explains where the “New Orleans” part came from!
by Mysterious on Jan 18, 2012 10:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
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