Jamison Hensley wrote yesterday that the Ravens' loss to the Bills shouldn't be put on the shoulders of Joe Flacco. After Joe threw 5 interceptions, that's a tough argument to make, but I actually think he's correct. One only has but to take a look at the circumstances surrounding Joe Flacco's performance in this particular loss to get an idea of where the blame truly lies.
The Ravens running game is currently at its worst state during the Harbaugh era if not ever. The Ravens only rushed for 24 yards yesterday, and that's not for lack of talent. The Ravens have two talented tailbacks in Rice and Pierce with the best fullback in the game leading the way in Vonta Leach. The Ravens are also returning 4 out of 5 pieces of an offensive line that performed outstandingly through the playoffs and in the Super Bowl last season. So why can't this cast make anything happen on the ground? The Ravens hired Juan Castillo to be their "run game coordinator" and this was clearly a bad idea. The idea was almost certainly an effort to replace the Ravens' current line coach, Tony Moehler, who had a DUI in the not too distant past. Castillo, however, has changed the Ravens' blocking schemes and his system simply isn't working. If the Ravens want to put their ground attack back on course, they must
immediately revert to last year's system or suffer a season of
consequences. His title is "run game coordinator", but somehow I feel Castillo is simply just acting as the offensive line coach at this point and that's taking its toll on pass protection for Flacco.
Flacco often had little time to throw yesterday as he frequently found the pocket rapidly closing around him. Joe took many hard hits and its actually impressive that he threw for over 350 yards even if he DID throw 5 interceptions. Without pass protection how can anyone expect Joe Flacco to execute with precision through the air? One could point to the fact that Gino Gradkowski's performance has been subpar thus far (and there's no denying that) but I still believe the blame falls on Castillo. There are simply too many pro bowl caliber offensive lineman on this team to believe that pure player error is to blame for a lack of pass protection.
If poor pass blocking and a non-existant running game aren't enough to make Flacco into a 5 pick player, then a massive number of injuries to the Ravens receiving corps certainly pushed him over the edge. Torrey Smith leads the AFC in receiving yards (435) and is playing at an unquestionably high level. Aside of Smith, however, the Ravens quickly found themselves without Marlon Brown (thigh injury) Deonte Thompson (concussion) and Brandon Stokely (groin). Joe was left with Tandon Doss, Ed Dickson, Dallas Clark, and of course Torrey Smith. Dickson is truly worthless as a pass-catcher a this point, Dallas Clark is physically timid and inconsistent, and Tandon Doss simply doesn't have hands. I would say the Ravens want to force Doss to make the plays they hoped he'd make after drafting him in the 4th round, but they simply ran out of other options yesterday as everyone else became injured. This team will shortly have an overabundance of wide receivers as Brown, Thompson, Stokley, and Jacoby Jones all return to health in the next 2 weeks, but the Ravens might be in serious trouble next week in Miami without consistent targets to whom Flacco can throw the ball.
At this point it should be clear that there are far bigger problems than simply Joe Flacco on this football team. He'll get credited for 5 interceptions in week 4 and will have to largely shoulder the blame for the loss, but Joe simply can't be blamed for his team's lack of ability to run the ball, lack of healthy receiving weapons, and lack of pocket protection from the offensive line. One team simply can't be lacking in all of those areas and expect a great performance from their quarterback regardless of how good he might be. The Steelers are going through a similar situation right now and simply can't win a game. Let's be thankful that the Ravens are not the Steelers. This situation is correctable, but I wonder if the Ravens are willing to take control away from Castillo in the way they took it away from Cam Cameron last season. This is a moment where Harbaugh must once again tell an old friend (Juan Castillo) that his system simply doesn't work for the Baltimore Ravens. Next week will be quite telling. If the Ravens can bounce back offensively on the road against a hot Miami Dolphins team then I'll say they're back on track. If the Ravens lose and the offense puts up another abysmal performance, then I truly fear for the Ravens' season.
DON'T LOSE FAITH BALTIMORE, WE'VE HAD THESE GAMES BEFORE
AS ALWAYS
GO RAVENS!!!
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