The “It’s Over”, the Offense, and the Turnovers

[UPennChem]

Again, the performance was shit on offense. Can't blame anyone other than the players for the lack of execution, but....

The Bengals are currently starting the worst 2 LBs in the league. 2 rookies that are clearly not ready are taking all of the snaps there. What did we do to take advantage of that? Nothing really. No quick hitters through the middle of the field. Abandoned a run game that was actually working. Todd's random strokes of genius (misdirection pitch to Keaton for a TD) don't make up for that porous game plan.

I've been saying for years that Todd is awful.

When everything is going swimmingly such as the OL allows for a strong run game, the pass catching personnel is legit, and Lamar is healthy... things will rock on offense. But that's such a useless "duh' thing to say.

It was even during those good times that four things were clear to me.

1) Todd's constant cutesy play calling exposed him. He clearly had a weird feel for things. And I couldn't believe or stand that he would force things that weren't working.

2) Situationally, even then he was really predictable.

3) He cowered in big moments and would throw out good gameplans because he was scared.

4) Wayyyyy too often when the offense was doing well you could directly attribute it to Lamar executing backyard football instead of a pro offense.

Todd is not and has not been an above average OC in Baltimore. At best he's been the epitome of mediocre.

 

[gtalk12]

Assuming you are making a point and didn’t just typo:

1. there’s a reason all that talent isn’t in Pittsburgh rn
2. Even if we tried to trade for him he clearly wasn’t coming here from Pittsburgh on a trade
3. WR is not the issue with this team, at least talent wise
4. Ojabo losing literally every last bit of explosiveness would’ve been hard to predict, given modern medical treatment, and for all people’s complaining about the lack of investment in the line, he, at the time, was a real good value to try to pick up in round 2

1. Biggest reason is because they did not have a QB that could get him the ball and he lacked maturity.
2. I was not bringing it up bc I felt like they should have traded for him
3. A receiver that can come down with some tough catches is absolutely an issue this team has/continues to have
4. I hate the pick. That very year before the draft they let 3 receivers go (one was a trade Brown that got us Lindy, no complaints) We went into that season with
-James Proche
-Demarcus Robinson
-Sammy Watkins
-Bateman-who ended up getting hurt
-Devin Duvernay

How can we look at this group and say we did not need a receiver? How? Likely and Kolar got drafted that very year too.

Our pass rush back then was nowhere near as bad as it is now. I get your point though.

 

[OURavensFan]

I don't feel quite as grim as most of you. I felt like we should have won this game but shot ourselves in both feet, punched our own dicks and then tripped on our shoelaces. 4 brutal turnovers, at least 3 of which were barely earned by Cincy, we just gave them the ball. Throw in the BS Zay call and that's 5 HUGE mistakes that stole possessions and touchdowns from us and left our defense on the field all game long until they finally cracked.

But I saw some good signs. The OLine I thought had a 2nd straight solid day, I'll wait for the film nerds to confirm it but Lamar had time and henry had holes. Lamar was HORRIBLE, not just to's but missed throws, BUT, he looked 100% healthy. The quickness and speed were back, of all the knicks he's had i think it was trusting the hammy that was keeping him in 3rd gear. Also the defense looked legit against a good offense, they only cracked in the 2nd half because they were out there ALL DAY (and even then it was Burrow to Chase bailing them out on 3rd & long time and again with Wiggins out).

I can't blame Harbaugh, it's not like he made bad decisions or they committed a ton of penalties. It was Lamar and Likely with some absolute bonehead turnovers that wrote the script for this game.

I don’t even understand how Lamar fumbles sometimes, that one felt like the Bills playoff game. The turnovers and the OPI was the game, I hope we destroy them in 2 weeks. It’s already been insufferable the media is going to ride it hard too

 

[drjohnnyfever]

A problem across many seasons now is that they do not deal with adversity well, especially when it comes from self-inflicted errors. You could argue the same thing about what we'd call a "bad" call by the refs. They look like the air almost completely leaves the balloon. Maybe they catch it and get a little air into it, but not without appearing defeated by whatever causes it to deflate.

 

[OURavensFan]

I've been saying for years that Todd is awful.

When everything is going swimmingly such as the OL allows for a strong run game, the pass catching personnel is legit, and Lamar is healthy... things will rock on offense. But that's such a useless "duh' thing to say.

It was even during those good times that four things were clear to me.

1) Todd's constant cutesy play calling exposed him. He clearly had a weird feel for things. And I couldn't believe or stand that he would force things that weren't working.

2) Situationally, even then he was really predictable.

3) He cowered in big moments and would throw out good gameplans because he was scared.

4) Wayyyyy too often when the offense was doing well you could directly attribute it to Lamar executing backyard football instead of a pro offense.

Todd is not and has not been an above average OC in Baltimore. At best he's been the epitome of mediocre.

Lamar had to scramble for 9 seconds and Likely barely got open, idk what’s going on with this offense but I won’t be upset if Monken is gone

 

[Simba]

I felt like when we weren't kicking ourselves in the nuts we actually looked like the old Ravens in spurts. 4 drives killed by turnovers, 3 of those were already driving deep, the Zay penalty wiped out a TD and the first Lamar fumble effectively wiped out 2 drives since we were backed up on our goal after the stop. Both TD drives were bang bang TD. And the drives we were moving Henry was churning and chunk plays were there.

6.1 yds/play FFS. Lamar just gave that game away (with assists from Likely and the Zay call).

Yep I agree. Again, the passing stats don't look terrible for Lamar, but the film is going to tell a different story. Far too many missed layups that put us behind the 8 ball. It's not exclusively him, but he was a significant part of the problem. Compound that with the questionable game plan and the rest of the players around him also making mistakes and you get a disaster.

 

[UKRaven1827]

Ball security. Ball Security. Ball Security.

 

[Simba]

I've been saying for years that Todd is awful.

When everything is going swimmingly such as the OL allows for a strong run game, the pass catching personnel is legit, and Lamar is healthy... things will rock on offense. But that's such a useless "duh' thing to say.

It was even during those good times that four things were clear to me.

1) Todd's constant cutesy play calling exposed him. He clearly had a weird feel for things. And I couldn't believe or stand that he would force things that weren't working.

2) Situationally, even then he was really predictable.

3) He cowered in big moments and would throw out good gameplans because he was scared.

4) Wayyyyy too often when the offense was doing well you could directly attribute it to Lamar executing backyard football instead of a pro offense.

Todd is not and has not been an above average OC in Baltimore. At best he's been the epitome of mediocre.

I think it's subjective. I wouldn't call him mediocre by any means. He put up 2 absolutely bonkers offenses in the last 2 years. I won't deny there has been a game here or there (especially in the playoffs...) where he shit the bed, but I find it hard to complain about the totality of his tenure prior to this year.

The struggle this year is that he doesn't have the personnel to execute his vision, yet he keeps trying the same things over and over with poor results. Simply need to adjust for the personnel you have.

 

[gtalk12]

I think it's subjective. I wouldn't call him mediocre by any means. He put up 2 absolutely bonkers offenses in the last 2 years. I won't deny there has been a game here or there (especially in the playoffs...) where he shit the bed, but I find it hard to complain about the totality of his tenure prior to this year.

The struggle this year is that he doesn't have the personnel to execute his vision, yet he keeps trying the same things over and over with poor results. Simply need to adjust for the personnel you have.

That's my biggest issue, where are the adjustments considering the personnel and how they have been playing?

 

[Simba]

A problem across many seasons now is that they do not deal with adversity well, especially when it comes from self-inflicted errors. You could argue the same thing about what we'd call a "bad" call by the refs. They look like the air almost completely leaves the balloon. Maybe they catch it and get a little air into it, but not without appearing defeated by whatever causes it to deflate.

If there's anything that becomes Harbaugh's undoing, it's this. We make a mistake and we reel. There's no mental toughness. No mental fortitude. We make a mistake and we compound it with more mistakes.

 

[OURavensFan]

That OPI pisses me off, Chase pushes off every play

 

[gtalk12]

That OPI pisses me off, Chase pushes off every play

He really didn't have to do it either imo.

 

[JAAM]

Why was the one Lamar play ruled a fumble? That seemed like the wrong call. People want to say 0TDs in 3 games for Lamar but I there were 3 that should have happened in this game, super frustrating, at least the season isn’t over

This season has been over for us brother lol

 

[JAAM]

I’m excited to see what staff the next head coach brings in. I hope he’s an offensive minded guy

 

[UKRaven1827]

I’m excited to see what staff the next head coach brings in. I hope he’s an offensive minded guy

Do you really got confidence we will make a change. Harbaugh got a long list of excuses at the ready. EDCs best buddy.

I think we stuck with Harbs.

 

[UKRaven1827]

Lamar had to scramble for 9 seconds and Likely barely got open, idk what’s going on with this offense but I won’t be upset if Monken is gone

If Likely isn’t getting open on those he’s gotta go this offseason man. His thing is that he’s amazing in scramble drills but he didn’t block well, couldn’t hold on to the ball. Give Kolar more snaps and stop investing so much in to the Tight end position I beg,

 

[gtalk12]

looking back at some of the turnovers.

First turnover the right side of the line collapsed and they got to Lamar (maybe held on too long) and they fumble at the goaline. Bengals get held and turn the ball over on downs

After that it’s a punt from the endzone after failing to move the ball up.

Defense holds to a FG

Next drive, go down the field and Likely fumbles right before going into the endzone. Gave up an opportunity to go up 14-6

Bengals go down and kick another FG

Ravens get the ball and Lamar drops a dime to once again put the Ravens up 14-9 and instead (and you guys can pick refs or player) we fail to execute and it’s called back, sack, then punt

Left 2 touchdowns on the field before the end of the half.

Turnover on another sack leads to another FG

They get into scoring position and ball is tipped for an INT thanks to Likely getting man handled.

This is comical, ridiculous.

 

[OURavensFan]

If Likely isn’t getting open on those he’s gotta go this offseason man. His thing is that he’s amazing in scramble drills but he didn’t block well, couldn’t hold on to the ball. Give Kolar more snaps and stop investing so much in to the Tight end position I beg,

He’s surprised me this year, maybe he just isn’t good. Andrews is way better

 

[OURavensFan]

looking back at some of the turnovers.

First turnover the right side of the line collapsed and they got to Lamar (maybe held on too long) and they fumble at the goaline. Bengals get held and turn the ball over on downs

After that it’s a punt from the endzone after failing to move the ball up.

Defense holds to a FG

Next drive, go down the field and Likely fumbles right before going into the endzone. Gave up an opportunity to go up 14-6

Bengals go down and kick another FG

Ravens get the ball and Lamar drops a dime to once again put the Ravens up 14-9 and instead (and you guys can pick refs or player) we fail to execute and it’s called back, sack, then punt

Left 2 touchdowns on the field before the end of the half.

Turnover on another sack leads to another FG

They get into scoring position and ball is tipped for an INT thanks to Likely getting man handled.

This is comical, ridiculous.

Gave the game to them, and now all I gotta hear about is Burrow

 

[JAAM]

Do you really got confidence we will make a change. Harbaugh got a long list of excuses at the ready. EDCs best buddy.

I think we stuck with Harbs.

I think a change is going to happen. Might just be cope, but the team as a whole looks uninterested. EDC can step aside and let Steve take care of business. EDC helping Harbs move since they’re neighbors is gonna be real awkward though