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Fran The Fan - IT'S A TRAP!

Posted On: 10/10/07

Written By:

Fran "The Fan" Vojik

Whadda ya know……another Sunday, another underachieving performance by the Ravens offense. 9 points! 9 points!! You've got to be kidding me! The Boston Red Sox scored as many runs in the ML playoffs. The Black Birds have some serious issues to contend with: injuries, lack of focus and tempo, no pass rush, periodic bad play on the part of the defensive backfield, and, of course, lack of offense, particularly in the red zone. Analysis is not my normal forte on this web site but since everybody in town has their own take on what’s wrong, here’s my two cents.

1. Injuries: The team is taking on the look of one, big band aid. This week the Ravens lost Mike Flynn and Adam Terry to leg injuries. As I write this, the severity of both injuries and the prognosis of recovery are both uncertain. The Ravens are crawling to the bye week. It looks like the Ravens best receiver, Todd Heap, a tight end mind you, will play on Sunday but I wouldn’t rush anyone back. Keep Ogden, Terry, Pryce, Rolle, Wilcox, Heap and yes, even Steve McNair, on the bench until they’re good to go.

Prognosis: Good. This bares watching, since no team makes it deep into the playoffs with the injuries the Ravens have suffered. But none of the injuries at this point are season-threatening. Keep everybody who’s not healthy on the sideline until the Steelers game on November 5th.

2. Lack of Focus and Lack of Tempo: The Ravens continue to be flagged for dead ball fouls such as illegal procedure and delay of game. They continue to burn time outs every game when they don’t get the play off on time.

Prognosis: Poor. The procedural muffs can and should be cured during practice - actually they should have been cured in training camp – and Chris Foerster should school his young line to recognize the cadence of whomever is quarterbacking and block out all else. Practice, practice, practice. As for the delay of game penalties and timeouts, this is all on Billick, Rick Neuheisel, and Steve McNair. The plays need to be called on time and executed smartly. But the Ravens have been making these mistakes for years and I don’t see it changing any time soon.

3. Pass Rush & Secondary Lapses: We all know what Trevor Pryce brings to the d-line. But it appears the Ravens miss Samari Rolle more than most of us thought. The lack of a pass rush just exacerbates the problem. Chris McAlister continues to give up at least one big play a game.

Prognosis: Good. See Number 1 above. When the Ravens get back some of their walking wounded and generate a consistent pass rush, this will help the secondary.

4. Lack of Pass Offense. The lack of pass production is embarrassing. I could write a whole column on this. The Ravens consistently throw underneath coverage and fail to stretch the field. Is it because our receivers don’t run the routes correctly? Is it that they can’t get separation from d-backs? Poor play calling and selection? Is Billick afraid to throw slants and deep patterns across the middle? And if so, why?

Prognosis: Black. Billick is delusional when it comes to this offense. You know how Albert Einstein defined insanity – doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The entire play calling philosophy needs a regime change, period.

Sunday Prediction: The Ravens are playing their second of three games against the league’s Tomato Cans. With some luck, offensive innovation, and smart defense, the Ravens should go into the bye 5-2. But as for Sunday, look out - TRAP GAME! The Ravens are favored by 91/2 with an over/under of 37 but there’s no way I’m laying 9 points against any opponent at this point. The Rams are 0-5, but they have to win sometime. Once again, until the Ravens offense gets untracked, I’m going with the dog and the under – and keeping my fingers crossed in Section 134. Score: Ravens 20, Rams 13.