Was the difference Caldwell vs. Cameron?

[allenh]

WOW.... Woke up pinching myself this am...Flacco gets kudos for the execution, but would we be here Harbs hadn't changed OCs?

[OriginalColtsFan]

Absolutely. It's just a shame it took so long to make that move. It SHOULD have been done over the bye week. In fact, Cameron should never have been the OC for the past 2 years. But better late than never.

[durango46]

after the Cameron dismissal Flacco has taken it to another level

[ivanbalt]

Caldwell's play calling and the shifting of the OL. Amazing how good Flacco is when he has more than 2 seconds to make a play.

[OriginalColtsFan]

after the Cameron dismissal Flacco has taken it to another level

As did Brees and Rivers. No real surprise (except for the annoying as hell Cameron apologists, that is.)

[Eastside Terp]

if the ravens would have lost that game there would have been 10 threads on here complaining about all the ray rice runs on first down in the second half .....

[OriginalColtsFan]

if the ravens would have lost that game there would have been 10 threads on here complaining about all the ray rice runs on first down in the second half .....

The play calling was less than stellar, but still better than Cameron's. Not having Pierce hurt the game plan. And it took a small miracle (pass to Jones) to pull it off, but all in all, Caldwell > Cameron. No doubt about it.

[Far from home]

if the ravens would have lost that game there would have been 10 threads on here complaining about all the ray rice runs on first down in the second half .....

That did get kind of ridiculous - but there's a reality here that is being overlooked. The playcalling is much, much better.
Under Cam, the wideouts were blanketed. It seemed as if Flacco were throwing into double and triple coverage on every down.
The playcalling under Caldwell has given the receivers space to work. Even when they are covered, they normally have the spacing to make plays. How many times before Cam did we see a receiver go up over two guys to make a catch? How many times have we seen this over the last 5 weeks?

[Ravens2006]

I was fine with the run / pass balance overall. I just wanted to see them run a little more outside the tackles... some misdirection or quick pitch plays thrown in. What I did like about the number of runs though... I think it helped keep Miller and Dumervil at bay a bit. If Caldwell had asked them to drop in pass pro 45 or 50 times in regulation... I think the game could have gotten out of hand. And that's playing to your strength...

I think Cameron would have asked Joe to drop and throw it 45 or 50 times. And when Denver pinned their ears back and started getting to him, we'd hear griping about Joe failing on the road again, not beating the elite QB, etc.

[jamesdean]

In fairness to Caldwell, he's not going to overhaul the playbook this late in the season, especially in the play-offs. Cameron's approach was monotonous, repetitious, hard-headed, and void of any creativity. There were several games where he completely removed Rice from the equation. Since they adjusted the offensive line, the biggest difference is that Flacco is finally getting some time to throw the ball. But play calling will pretty much remain what it is. I'll look forward to next year when Caldwell or a new cooridinator will have the chance to construct his own system.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Watching Ryan throw to Gonzales time and time again on key 3rd downs drives home the point that Joe really has no true "go to" guy, yet he has still won and still keeps on winning. As I've said before, Joe wins IN SPITE OF:

1. poor coaching/play calling/schemes (during Cameron's tenure)
2. poor/inconsistent O-line
3. lack of a true "go to" guy (post Mason/Heap)

[durango46]

if the ravens would have lost that game there would have been 10 threads on here complaining about all the ray rice runs on first down in the second half .....

given the play of our special teams......the only thing that kept the ONE TRICK PONIES in the game

I can honestly say I would not have complained one bit

[durango46]

Watching Ryan throw to Gonzales time and time again on key 3rd downs drives home the point that Joe really has no true "go to" guy, yet he has still won and still keeps on winning. As I've said before, Joe wins IN SPITE OF:

1. poor coaching/play calling/schemes (during Cameron's tenure)
2. poor/inconsistent O-line
3. lack of a true "go to" guy (post Mason/Heap)

as Matty Ice makes another huge mistake

[OriginalColtsFan]

as Matty Ice makes another huge mistake

Ryan is good and I have nothing against him, but he's NOT better than Joe, despite what the press might think and say.

[bud]

The difference? It's black and white. In all seriousness, I hope Caldwell remains in that position in 2013. Rumor has it that he really doesn't want a coordinator job.

[RAVEN FAN]

if the ravens would have lost that game there would have been 10 threads on here complaining about all the ray rice runs on first down in the second half .....

RAY RICE runs 2 yards on 1st down and 2nd down . this is the same stupid plays that Cam called. it does not work how many times are they going to run this play next week.

[Far from home]

Watching Ryan throw to Gonzales time and time again on key 3rd downs drives home the point that Joe really has no true "go to" guy, yet he has still won and still keeps on winning. As I've said before, Joe wins IN SPITE OF:

1. poor coaching/play calling/schemes (during Cameron's tenure)
2. poor/inconsistent O-line
3. lack of a true "go to" guy (post Mason/Heap)

Sorry, the 2nd and the 3rd aren't really true.
This year, they weren't that good, but past years there were normally at least two pro bowlers. Even this year, Yanda is in the Pro Bowl.
Also, Boldin is a go-to guy, and he's always had Rice out of the backfield. Also, Pitta is really starting to establish himself. He almost seems like a wideout out there sometimes.

[Tootsie]

I have said for a long time Flacco shouldn't get the big contract. I'm seeing a different Joe with Caldwell as OC. He has made smarter decisions since Cameron left. Caldwell respects his players and allows them to have a voice. This team just seems different now. The first couple weeks it's a big adjustment. I think the team is playing very well. I will happily admit I was wrong and I think Joe deserves the big contract now.

[Slidemaster]

The O-line is the biggest difference.

Get two top flight Rookies for the O-line this draft, and let them go to work.

[Tootsie]

The O-line is the biggest difference.

Get two top flight Rookies for the O-line this draft, and let them go to work.

O-Line is playing great right now. Flacco was only sacked 1 time I believe.