The last couple of weeks the Ravens offensive and
defensive lines have been shaky. It’s important that the offensive line give
Flacco the time he needs. Just as important, the Ravens Defense needs to step
up their defense against an offensive running game.
Losing Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb this late in the
season has put a damper on defense and it is hard to consider replacing them in
the middle of the season. So, it is up to the coaches to adjust and make some
tough decisions on how to rectify what’s going on. The bye-week right now will
give the players some much needed rest. I think there needs to be a gut-check
of the coaches because they need to get these guys refocused otherwise we’re in
deep trouble.
The fans are going to be asking whether the problem
lies with the players or with the coaches. They might even start wondering if
we need a new defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator.
In my time, we had a few incidences where we lost
key players mid-season. In 1965, we lost Gary Cuozzo and Johnny Unitas. That
left us with no standing quarterback. Back then, we only had 40 active players,
unlike today where they have 53. The only way to bounce back from losing key
team members is for the rest of the team to step up. It’s important that
players be able to play multiple positions. I, myself, was listed in the top
ten most versatile players because I could play all the positions.
When Cuozzo and Unitas were both hurt, it was up to
me to stand up to the challenge and step in as the quarterback. It would never
have worked if the team had not adapted. The coaches and the quarterbacks helped
coach me through it. It was how they found they could capitalize on me rolling
out. I was basically a running-back turned quarterback.
In time of adversity,
other players need to step up. When I was acting as quarterback, I was never
touched. Everyone else increased their efforts to protect me. Even in this time
of adversity, we made the 1965 play offs.
I played 3 games as
quarterback. We were up against the fearsome foursome. During the 1960s and
1970s, the Los Angeles Rams defensive line had been referred to as the fearsome
foursome which included Rosey Grier, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen, and Deacon
Jones. We flew to LA and played out there. Of course, the Rams were favored. Yet,
my offensive line stepped line and defensive line stepped up to the challenge.
The defense was able to hold the Rams from scoring too much and the end score
was 20 Colts -- 17 Rams. After our victory against the Rams, we were
10-3-1—tied with the Green Bay Packers. Back then, ties existed. On Christmas
Day, we had to play in Green Bay. The game went into overtime with a score of
10-10. The Green Bay Packers won it with a controversial field goal that
appeared to be wide. (Following this incident, the uprights were extended and
officials were placed directly beneath the uprights to avoid future bad field
goal calls)
When adversity is at
hand, it’s time for everyone to do their part and step up. You win football
games in the trenches.
With this Bye week, the Ravens have time to think about their strategy and in doing so they have the potential to do great things this season.
