Quote
You can count quarterback Joe Flacco among those who believe the Ravens’ play-calling become too conservative in the second half of last Saturday’s win over Cleveland.
The Ravens led by 20 points late in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium, but failed to tack on any points in the final 21 minutes as the Browns rallied with two touchdowns.
Baltimore held on to win, 20-14, but Flacco said afterward he was “disappointed” the game became as close and tense as it did.
On Monday, Ravens coach John Harbaugh disputed the notion that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who calls the plays, eased up in the second half, pointing out that three dropped passes, two by tight end Ed Dickson, curtailed drives.
“The biggest issue in the second, obviously, was the drops,” Harbaugh said. “If we catch the ball … those drives are going to be extended and we’re not going to be punting … It’s pretty simple what happened in the second half, I think.”
But some numbers support Flacco’s contention that the play-calling became conservative. The Ravens ran on slightly more than half of their plays (15 of 28) in the first half, but stayed heavily on the ground in the second half, rushing the ball on 22 of 34 snaps.
In his weekly session with reporters Wednesday, Flacco re-stated his case.
“We didn’t come out and play like we wanted in the second half, obviously,” Flacco said. “I think there have been games this year when we’ve come out throwing the ball because we’ve been down a lot, and you (reporters) have all complained about it. Now, this week we kind of came out and we honestly played conservative. And when we didn’t, we missed a couple plays, whether it was a drop or a missed throw here (or there).
“I wish you guys would help me out a little bit and start complaining a little bit that we play a little too conservative and put pressure on our coaches to not do that.”
If that’s not a gentle jab at Cameron, I don’t what is.
Cameron will speak to the media Thursday.
http://www.csnbaltimore.com/football-baltimore-ravens/news/Flacco-Play-calling-was-conservative?blockID=620634&feedID=6703fucking cam..