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Letters 2 TL - LETTERS 2 TL: CAN BILLICK DO WHAT FASSEL COULDN'T?

Posted On: 10/25/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi
LETTERS 2 TL: CAN BILLICK DO WHAT FASSEL COULDN'T? LETTERS 2 TL: CAN BILLICK DO WHAT FASSEL COULDN'T?
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
 
Great article TL,
 
What's going to be interesting is watching Brian Billick shove his offense down everyone's throat to prove that he's right and everyone else is wrong!  Here's hoping that the resident "genius" proves us all wrong....otherwise, we're in for a very long season!!!
 
Jerrold Brotman
 
TL,
 
Your article was very poignant and on the mark!  This upcoming game against the Saints is much like their first game against the Bucs - a statement game!  A loss could send the team reeling; however, a win might give them a much needed shot of confidence heading into the Bengals game, and beyond.
 
We shall see. 
 
RavenJoe 
 
Tony,
 
Are the ravens now like the Redskins?  Brunell... apparently, not getting it done?  Could Campbell be in there soon?  We have the same situation here. Yes, we won 4 games but I don't think that Steve Mc Nair impressed anyone.. I'm no expert just JOE FAN but to hear JAWS on ESPN, DITKA the rest of them, they don't view the Ravens as even a threat in the AFC...
 
I READ YOUR PIECE WITH GREAT INTEREST. .Very thought provoking.
 
Harry O', Sykesville, MD
 
To All,
 
It’s interesting to see how so many games are viewed as statement games for the Ravens.  The opening game against the Bucs was to see if the team could show well on the road against a playoff team.  They did.
 
Then there was the Cleveland game – a place where they’ve struggled offensively.  To lose there would negate the advantage they gained in Tampa.  They won albeit ugly.
 
Then there was the Chargers’ game.  The Ravens up to that point were 3-0 but all wins were at the expense of winless teams.  A win against the Chargers would legitimize their season to date.  They won again.
 
Since they lost to a tough Denver team on the road on Monday Night and then to a team many predicted would win Super Bowl XLI, the Carolina Panthers.
 
The national “experts” are so fickle.  One week they exalt the Chargers as the league’s best team – the next week they are condemning them.  One week Steve McNair is the savior and the next week the Ravens are not a legitimate contender.
 
We’re always in a race to do everything here in this country.  Let’s just enjoy the games one week at a time, hope the Ravens do their best and improve one week at a time and then at the end of the season if they’ve made the right amount of deposits without overdrawing the account, maybe the team can extend its season further into January.  There are really no dominant teams and everyone can be beaten.  It’s an old cliché but true nonetheless, “Any given Sunday.”
 
Having said all that, I do agree the Saints game will be another statement game.  Even a loss doesn’t necessarily mean the season is in the tank.  I just think that they need to look better offensively and give them something to build on.  If it’s the same thing as Fassel’s offense, it could get ugly and for that reason more than anything else, I see the Ravens needing to step up offensively.
 
Personally, I have a good vibe about Sunday.  I think the Saints failures defending the run will enable the Ravens to finally get the running game going again.  Even though it was a preseason game last year, the Ravens first team really handled the Saints defensive line.  I see more of the same and a Ravens win.
 
Rave on,
 
TL
 
BLOCK ON
 
Hey TL,
 
This is my first time writing so I just wanted to start of by saying I love the site. I can't go a day without checking it.
 
If you would have told me at the beginning of the season the Ravens would be 4-2 going into the bye I would have been ecstatic. That being said it is obvious the offense needs some kind of spark; at least to make it more consistent. I have a few questions/comments I wanted your take on.
 
First, do you think with Billick taking over the offense again we will change blocking scheme of the offensive line back to drive blocking? It just seems like we played better ball with that style, plus, our players seem more suited for that. And was it Fassel’s idea to change to zone blocking? I think a lot of the running game's problem has been the change in blocking schemes and Jamal's tip toe dance which could be because of the new scheme.
 
I think with Brian being more open to player input than Fassel (wow never though I'd say that) things will improve a bit. Let's face it Ogden, Mason, Jamal, and others never complained about the system until Fassel got involved so my take on that would be they must not hate the system as much as some news papers make it seem. I just wanted your take on the chances of the blocking scheme changing and the impact you think Billick taking charge of the offense will have.
 
Rave on,
 
Jason Dicembre, Dundalk
 
Jason,
 
Thanks for the props on the site.  We’re happy and proud to be part of your day.
 
As for the blocking schemes, I believe it is all intertwined.  Jim Fassel utilized Brian Billick’s system and plays.  Certain plays will rely upon a certain blocking scheme.  Incumbent upon the coaches is to make the right calls given the personnel.  I’m not convinced that is being done.
 
When I spoke with Edwin Mulitalo and asked him to compare Offensive Line Coach Chris Foerster’s style to former OLC Jim Colletto, he said that Foerster stresses technique while Colletto focused more on a strategy and a game plan for the offensive line.  He seemed to prefer the later.
 
Do I expect the Ravens to alter their blocking scheme going into Week 8?  No I don’t.  I do think that you will see more varied play calling and such plays may call for more zone blocking which in my opinion is something the Ravens are better at than one on one blocking.  The more varied play calling will keep defenses guessing and the more they guess the more they are on their heels and the better the Ravens rushing attack will be.  And if this team has post season aspirations, they need to run the football.  Steve McNair’s best seasons were complimented by a solid rushing attack.
 
Speaking of which, Jamal Lewis’ often discussed pitter-patter style is merely him buying time while reading his blocks.  Some backs slide while others almost come to a near stop while allowing their blocks to develop.  Jamal keeps his feet moving.  The difference over the past couple of years versus his historic run in 2003 lies in his lack of burst and the congestion in the running lanes.  The Ravens predictability has placed enormous pressures on the offensive line.  If there are 9 defenders in the box and you have two receivers, the defense has at least a one man advantage.
 
I think the Ravens will be better with Billick in command of the offense.  But then again, he doesn’t have very big shoes to fill.
 
It’s Getting Better All The Time,
 
TL
 
Tony,
 
I never thought my e-mail [last week] week would be so prophetic. No, I don't have the winners on the next Laurel card!  But the Fassel firing/forced resignation will have profound effects on the team not only this year but for the next few years.
 
If you read the reports online and in the paper, and say half of them are true, something had to happen. If Fassel was bickering with Billick over control of the game plan and play calling, if he was half-stepping it in his role as offensive coordinator, if he was bickering with the rest of the staff and causing a near player revolt on the offense, then he had to go. No question.
 
This puts Brian Billick squarely under the microscope.  No Cavanaugh or Fassel to take the heat from the fans and the press. Billick's right - his job is on the line. And he's started off badly.....the resigning of Clarence Moore is unfathomable.  He's only good for an alley op in the end zone, provided he's not being guarded by a shutdown corner like Champ Bailey. Did you notice how many teams snapped him up when Moore's name hit the waiver wire? What a waste of a roster spot.
 
But the Fassel firing may have some unexpected benefits.  Billick will definitely hold the players accountable. If Jamal Lewis is griping about the game plan and his playing time, Brian will scheme the plan to run Jamal's legs off - and bench him if he doesn't produce. Put up or shut up.  If he sticks with a consistent game plan (AKA team identity) it should quiet the Ogdens and Masons. It will reduce by one (but a big one) the number of voices in Steve McNair's ear. Again, a more consistent message.
 
But the only way this will work is to keep his hands off the rest of the game plan.  Rex Ryan, don't bother me. Frank Gansz, special teams are all yours, baby. And Brian's consistent message will have to produce results. Anything but a spot in the playoffs will result in HIS name on the head coach's waiver wire with probably more to follow. This will have a profound effect on a team that's moving closer to a huge 2002-like salary dump.
 
It will be interesting to see how things play out.
 
Regards,
 
Fran from Glen Burnie
 
Fran,
 
I don’t think that the Ravens wanted to really shed Clarence Moore from the roster just yet.  I think waiving him was necessitated by a thin special teams unit.  That week Mike Smith was down, Corey Ivy was down and Gary Stills was questionable.  Dennis Haley was needed on special teams, particularly if Stills couldn’t go.  Moore was probably picked as the player to waive for the reasons you suggest – he’s very one-dimensional and has little value on any roster the way he’s currently being utilized.
 
As for Billick’s future, he’s certainly under the scope.  National reports are beginning to service suggesting that the Ravens expressed interest in Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz last season prior to giving Billick another shot.  Billick has that shot and so far so good albeit with a downward trending bullet.
 
There’s no reason to press any panic buttons just yet.  The season is manageable.  As we’ve seen in the past, teams that stay alive and then get hot at the right time can win championships in today’s NFL.  There are no dominant teams.  The Colts have defensive issues and have been a bit lucky to stay unbeaten while the Bears have to be worried that Rex Grossman’s bubble may have burst into a mushroom cloud on Monday.
 
Billick will certainly be challenged.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he hasn’t contacted friends Mike Shanahan and Andy Reid who for years have been very involved in the play calling during games.
 
Like you said, at the very least it will be interesting.
 
Cheers,
 
TL

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Posted On: 10/25/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi

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