Can Someone Explain to Me what the rationale could be no Rice in 4th?

[Saticon3]

Seriously. I'm sure its been covered elswehere, but I missed it. Not just this last Steeler game, but at other times too- Rice is unarguably the best player on the offense-- I'm not a real knowlegeable fan like a lot here, I've never played at any level other than flag & pick -up, and don't begin to know the intricacies of the game--

but anyway, I'm sure there is some reason why Ray Rice would not be given the ball once in the 4th quarter that escapes me. Is he in the doghouse? Injured? Does/was the coaching staff figuring every one on the Steeler defense was keying on Rice and heading his way until assured the ball went somewhere else and he wouldn't have any success? If that's it, well doesn't he still find success at times- as in a 35 yard TD run?

I just don't understand what the coaches thinking would be on this, am mystified.

[PEZ]

No one can explain this.

Just checked the stats. Arian Foster has 283 carries whereas Ray Rice has only 198 carries.

It's a definite problem!

[OriginalColtsFan]

Nope. There is no rationale whatsoever.

[Saticon3]

Nope. There is no rationale whatsoever.

But, there has to be--- maybe not a good one, not one that makes sense to us, but it has to be a conscious plan on the coach's part---there is SOME reason that they have, it may be an entirely stupid one, but there has to be one. The coaches apparently won't tell us, but I'm sure that they have one. Something is either going on behind the scenes, or we have a genius at work thinking because the opponents' defense is focusing so much on Rice that all the other brilliant plays will work. That's the only thing I can figure, unless, as I said, something behind the scenes is at work.

Well, I guess some other plays have worked, but the players didn't execute- such as dropped passes, poorly thrown passes, fumbles, ball- holding, etc-- but still you'd think they would see that for whatever reason, they were not working, and at least pop a Rice play in there every so often.

[AFKAR7]

It's inexcusable and won't change until Cam is gone.

[OriginalColtsFan]

But, there has to be--- maybe not a good one, not one that makes sense to us, but it has to be a conscious plan on the coach's part---there is SOME reason that they have, it may be an entirely stupid one, but there has to be one. The coaches apparently won't tell us, but I'm sure that they have one. Something is either going on behind the scenes, or we have a genius at work thinking because the opponents' defense is focusing so much on Rice that all the other brilliant plays will work. That's the only thing I can figure, unless, as I said, something behind the scenes is at work.

Well, I guess some other plays have worked, but the players didn't execute- such as dropped passes, poorly thrown passes, fumbles, ball- holding, etc-- but still you'd think they would see that for whatever reason, they were not working, and at least pop a Rice play in there every so often.

You'd have to ask the guy making the calls -- Cam Cameron.

[NYCRavenFAN]

They weren't going to wear Rice out for this game, thats why. We have a lot more football to play.....

[PEZ]

They weren't going to wear Rice out for this game, thats why. We have a lot more football to play.....

Wear him out? That's pretty funny!

[Ravens2006]

It'll be interesting to compare schemes from this Sunday to the '08 game vs. the Redskins. With the Ravens up 7 points in the 4th quarter, the Ravens RAN THE BALL ON 11 CONSECUTIVE PLAYS. Then after sucking in the Redskins DBs to cheat on the run, Joe beat them over the top for a long-ish TD to basically ice the game. Cameron Cameron's offense ran the ball on 15 out of 16 plays during the decisive part of the 4th quarter.

Hard to believe it's the same guy running the offense... while over and over the last two years we've moaned and groaned about them basically getting completely away from the running game for long stretches in a lot of games. This O-line is going to struggle against good defenses when you ask them to pass protect too much, it's an absolute given.

[durango46]

They weren't going to wear Rice out for this game, thats why. We have a lot more football to play.....

wear him out....lol

wouldn't want to do that in the most important game of the year.....Now everyone is wondering will they still get in or will they lose out ? which BTW is a distinct possibility


Cam needs to go

[OriginalColtsFan]

It'll be interesting to compare schemes from this Sunday to the '08 game vs. the Redskins. With the Ravens up 7 points in the 4th quarter, the Ravens RAN THE BALL ON 11 CONSECUTIVE PLAYS. Then after sucking in the Redskins DBs to cheat on the run, Joe beat them over the top for a long-ish TD to basically ice the game. Cameron Cameron's offense ran the ball on 15 out of 16 plays during the decisive part of the 4th quarter.

Hard to believe it's the same guy running the offense... while over and over the last two years we've moaned and groaned about them basically getting completely away from the running game for long stretches in a lot of games. This O-line is going to struggle against good defenses when you ask them to pass protect too much, it's an absolute given.

The Ravens O-line struggles in pass pro AND when trying to run the ball, especially in short yardage situations. It's really a no-win proposition, compounded by the sheer predictability of Cam's clearly offensive offense.

[DkBlue]

Maybe they thought with Ike Taylor out they could exploit a green cornerback at crunch time?

[NYCRavenFAN]

wear him out....lol

wouldn't want to do that in the most important game of the year.....Now everyone is wondering will they still get in or will they lose out ? which BTW is a distinct possibility

Cam needs to go

It wasn't the most important game of the year........get over it.

[durango46]

It wasn't the most important game of the year........get over it.

oh really

could have eliminated their arch rival from the AC North Title
could have clinched a playoff spot
lost any chance at a #1 seed
the defense was totally exposed by a dinosaur
they had EVERYTHING in their favor and failed miserably




nah not that important

[OriginalColtsFan]

It wasn't the most important game of the year........get over it.

Sounds kinda like what John Harbaugh said. So the two of you must really have something in common. (Not that that's a good thing; just sayin...)

[AFKAR7]

Maybe they thought with Ike Taylor out they could exploit a green cornerback at crunch time?

Maybe during the game but in the 4th after getting that TO in your end of the field and with a 7 point lead you go to your best player to help put away the game.

[Andy in Hagerstown]

Wally Williams was on "The Fan" this morning and he said it is beyond logic. He said he talked to several people around he league and they had never heard of putting in your backup rookie RB ahead of your starter for an entire series. He went on to say that if he were Ray Rice he'd be having a serious talk with Cam.

When asked if he thought the Ravens would ever fire Cam as long as they are winning he said no. But he did go on to say that just making the playoffs isn't enough anymore and the fans are getting tired of the same things happening every year.

I've been finding myself almost hoping for a late season collapse. We could have that collapse, still mak the playoffs and that might prompt a change. No way to know for sure but things do need to change at least with Cam and perhaps even with Pees.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Wally Williams was on "The Fan" this morning and he said it is beyond logic. He said he talked to several people around he league and they had never heard of putting in your backup rookie RB ahead of your starter for an entire series. He went on to say that if he were Ray Rice he'd be having a serious talk with Cam.

When asked if he thought the Ravens would ever fire Cam as long as they are winning he said no. But he did go on to say that just making the playoffs isn't enough anymore and the fans are getting tired of the same things happening every year.

I've been finding myself almost hoping for a late season collapse. We could have that collapse, still mak the playoffs and that might prompt a change. No way to know for sure but things do need to change at least with Cam and perhaps even with Pees.

Without also getting rid of Harbaugh, it's like rearranging the lounge chairs on the deck of the Titanic -- nothing will fundamentally change. Harbaugh will STILL choose sub-par coordinators.

[NYCRavenFAN]

Sounds kinda like what John Harbaugh said. So the two of you must really have something in common. (Not that that's a good thing; just sayin...)

Harbaugh gets paid for the comments......but I agree with him.

[tigercruise]

It wasn't the most important game of the year........get over it.

Oh but I disagree. It will turn out to be the most important game of the year. A win last week and they're in the playoffs; now they may not get there at all. If we lose to the Skins on Sunday, I don't see us beating the Manning brothers nor Cinc in Cinci.

And, if last weeks game isn't a sure indication what an idiot Cameron is, nothing ever will be. Rice out for the 4th qtr is totally mind boggling. It's just another example of the pattern of horribly poor coaching we've seen out of Cameron for a very long time now. I honest believe the biggest problem on this team is coaching - all of it!