Cameron defends usage of Rice

[OriginalColtsFan]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...,7248062.story

[yeah]

lol i guess theyre saving him

[PEZ]

They need to be more than "involved". They need to be effective!

[ivanbalt]

Cameron didn’t disagree with the notion that Rice needs and deserves a lot of touches, but he pointed out that other circumstances factor in, including the situation in the game. The Ravens trailed the Texans, 23-3, less than six minutes into the second quarter.

So what's his excuse for the Eagles game, which was close? Or last year's Seattle game, where the Seahawks only had a lead because of ST turnovers.

“We are at our best obviously when we execute, but when we get everybody involved,” said Cameron. “The more continuity we have, the more guys we keep involved. Obviously, we know Ray Rice is a huge part of that. But we’re at our best when [Anquan Boldin] is getting the ball, when Jacoby [Jones] is involved, when Torrey [Smith] is involved, and Dennis [Pitta] and Ed [Dickson] and Vonta [Leach] and our whole group.”

I'm assuming the Ravens didn't give Rice a big contract this year to just be one of the guys.

[Struds]

[QUOTE=ivanbalt;8180201]So what's his excuse for the Eagles game, which was close? Or last year's Seattle game, where the Seahawks only had a lead because of ST turnovers.


QUOTE]

5 plays of 3d and 1 or 2 yards to go and one of 4t and 1, and we passed all 6 times. We also failed to complete any of those passes.

Cameron didn’t disagree with the notion that Rice needs and deserves a lot of touches, but he pointed out that other circumstances factor in, including the situation in the game. The Ravens trailed the Texans, 23-3, less than six minutes into the second quarter.

Early in the game, the Ravens D was stopping Houston, and Rice was gashing them. Then, on two consecutive series, the game turned. On the first, it was 2d and 3 after Rice ran for 7 yards on 1st down; two passes later we punted. On the second, after Leach ran for 6 from near the goal line to make it 2d and 4, two pass attempts resulted in sack and sack/safety. That ended our slim chance to win that game.

To me, it's not the total number of carries. It's the refusal to run frequently (not always) in traditional run situations when you have one of the best RBs in the game.

[durango46]

Cam Spam

[FHT]

It's important to note that in Cam's (and other spread offense) the primary role of the Running back is to control the clock -- not to score points!

.... so Rice will be used when the Ravens are ahead to burn clock and control field position. When the Ravens are behind there is no need to control the clock -- hence no need for a Running Back.

[BiggSeth]

cameron looks more like a mashed potato man than a rice man.....

[OriginalColtsFan]

It's important to note that in Cam's (and other spread offense) the primary role of the Running back is to control the clock -- not to score points!

.... so Rice will be used when the Ravens are ahead to burn clock and control field position. When the Ravens are behind there is no need to control the clock -- hence no need for a Running Back.

Running backs are still key in keeping D's honest and gaining short yardage when needed. The Colts always had trouble getting short yardage plays if/when their RB wasn't effective, and it happens with other teams as well.

[jamesdean]

It is truly amazing to me how we go through this EVERY YEAR with this team. They have one or two horrible games where Rice invariably gets 10 carries or less, the critics scream from the hill tops and then BAM, the next game, he gets his 20-25 carries, resulting in a Ravens win. The problem with Cameron is he can't accept that this team in a running offense FIRST and always has been. They usually have offensive linemen who are pitiful in pass protection(this year is no different) but solid in run blocking. Joe Flacco is almost always effective when throwing from play action and stinks when faced with the alternatives. I don't know when the day is going to come that Cameron just accepts reality and the Ravens go back to what they do best but I sure hope it's sooner than later.

[RAVEN FAN]

i think CAM has his head in his butt.all we hear is excuses form him . wake and run this kid. of course we need to pass also we have to mix it up. i never see a end around.

[tigercruise]

Cameron is a bullheaded stubborn knowitall. The problem is, he doesn't know s--t.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Cameron is a bullheaded stubborn knowitall. The problem is, he doesn't know s--t.

And Harbaugh backs him. And Bisciotti backs Harbaugh. Therein lies the rub.

[durango46]

And Harbaugh backs him. And Bisciotti backs Harbaugh. Therein lies the rub.

exactly what I as referring to in the other thread. Accountability at the top. It's Harbaughs team.

I know the Ravens make it to the playoffs every year, but I feel this team has been good enough to win it all (not this year).
IMO, the Cam/ Flacco disconnect continues to hold this team back.

It baffles me why Harbaugh won't make a change given all the heat he's taken over the last couple of years ???

[OriginalColtsFan]

exactly what I as referring to in the other thread. Accountability at the top. It's Harbaughs team.

I know the Ravens make it to the playoffs every year, but I feel this team has been good enough to win it all (not this year).
IMO, the Cam/ Flacco disconnect continues to hold this team back.

It baffles me why Harbaugh won't make a change given all the heat he's taken over the last couple of years ???

That's why I keep referring back to the decision to re-hire Cameron as the death knell for the Ravens; at least for the offense. MORE than enough time has passed to show that something needed to be done to address and correct the problem between Cameron and Flacco. (And I'm not saying, and never have said, that Joe is perfect. But he is clearly being dragged down by Cameron and their visibly dysfunctional relationship.) So why in the world would the Ravens go and re-hire Cameron and perpetuate the problem? Well...even in the absence of any "link", it's clear that Cameron is here because Harbaugh feels a strong sense of loyalty to him. And all of this is happening under Bisciotti's watch. And that's a problem, IMO. A really big problem.