The “wildcat” offense took the football-world by storm in 2008. The Miami Dolphins became the face of this unconventional offense that consisted of running back Ronnie Brown taking direct snaps, removing the quarterback for his conventional duties.
The “wildcat” was supposed to become a long term option but quickly became a fad. While it initially took coordinators by surprise, and results were effective, it wasn’t long until defenses found a way to thwart this unconventional formation.
The “wildcat” appears sporadically and though it’s not nearly as common as it once was, one quarterback isn’t too happy about his offense and the decision to leverage this offense.
Courtesy: CBS Sports
The Baltimore Ravens faced the New York Jets over the weekend and in lieu of the stagnant offense, Jim Caldwell, the offensive coordinator for the Ravens, included a new wrinkle in the playbook. Joe Flacco lined up as a wide receiver while a new face lined up behind center. The new face was backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
Taylor was a standout performer while at Virginia Tech, using his arm and legs to an Orange Bowl berth his senior season. Taylor is the perfect fit for the “wildcat” as he possesses the speed and ability to throw the ball to counteract defenses stacking the box.
The addition was somewhat successful; Taylor garnered two first downs including a 17-yard scamper but also had losses of six and seven yards. Flacco, the $120 million man, wasn’t too pleased with the addition and spoke out about his disdain for the offense.
Flacco said the “wildcat” is a high school offense and while speaking with the Baltimore Sun, he issued the following statement:
“I don’t care how we use it in the game — successful or not successful, after a big play, not after a big play,” Flacco said. “I don’t care where it’s used; I’m just not a huge fan of it. I’m the quarterback. I want to be behind the line of scrimmage. I want to be taking the snaps. That’s really the only thing. I don’t necessarily take it personally either in terms of our offense trying to get better. I just think it makes us look like not an NFL team.”
The reigning champions have not lived up to the billing and the previous statement sums up the frustration that Flacco is feeling. Paid as an elite quarterback, Flacco is feeling slighted that the Ravens would implement such an offense that was originally put into place for franchises that were lacking a talented signal-caller.
Usually mum, Flacco’s decision to speak out is comforting. You will not see the New England Patriots run such an offense or the Denver Broncos. The decision to include the “wildcat” adds fuel to the fire that Flacco isn’t elite. True or not, the implementation of the “wildcat” speaks to a stagnant offense which is led by Flacco.
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Courtesy: Yahoo Sports
hough the average fan would pinpoint Flacco as the culprit, the Ravens offensive woes speak to the front office’s inability to successfully put the necessary pieces in place for the franchise to repeat. Ozzie Newsome, viewed as one of the league’s best general managers, has not put in place an offensive line or receiving core necessary to achieving success. And, the “wildcat” doesn’t help Flacco’s reputation amongst the NFL community.
As the Ravens approach the final five-games of the season, Flacco will have to improve the rather stagnant offense to ensure he doesn’t line up as a wide receiver. At 5-6, the Ravens will need to finish at least 4-1 to stay in contention and as usual, the microscope will be on Flacco.
If the reigning Super Bowl champs have aspirations of stiff-arming the competition from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, Flacco will need to shoulder the load and repeat his postseason performance from 2012.
