The Brian Billick play-calling era began in earnest on Sunday, as the Ravens? head coach hopes to rejuvenate a talented but stagnant offense.
Since firing his friend and offensive coordinator, Jim Fassel, last week, Billick has been quiet on the matter other than to say he wants to improve the productivity of the team. Billick remained mostly silent Monday when he spoke to the media for the first time since taking over the offensive decision-making.
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When asked what kind of changes fans could expect in the offense, Billick said, “We?ll see. Hopefully we?ll produce more.”
While Fassel routinely made calls from a booth above the field, Billick said he likely will not send anyone up top on game days.
The Ravens boast some of the most prominent names in the NFL when it comes to offense, but they rank 28th in the NFL as a unit. Running back Jamal Lewis, who ran for 2,066 yards in 2003, has just 352 yards in six games. Quarterback Steve McNair, the NFL?s co-MVP in 2003, has thrown five touchdowns and seven interceptions.
McNair returned to practice Monday for the first time since suffering a concussion in a loss to Carolina on Oct. 15. McNair initially agreed to interviews following practice Monday but was not made available for comment about the change in offensive coordinators. Lewis left the locker room without comment Monday.
Players had mixed feelings about the differences between Billick and Fassel?s offenses. Most said a change was needed, but some were surprised to see Fassel leave.
“Something was necessary,” tackle Jonathan Ogden said. “It was a little drastic, but something had to be done along those lines.”
Ogden said he was hoping for a game-day performance by the team that “hopefully is a little more well-oiled than it has been.”
Receiver Derrick Mason, the team?s sharpest critic for its lack of offensive productivity, said players must perform. Mason did not have a catch against Carolina.
“Obviously, we?re not changing anything dramatically on offense, so what does that tell you?” he said. “It tells you the players have to execute and make the game plan work, somehow, some way. I?m hoping and I have confidence that regardless of who?s calling the plays, with the week off, we can come back and make this offense go.”
Center Mike Flynn echoed Mason?s sentiments. “I feel confident about it,” Flynn said. “[Billick] came in and we have an idea of what we?re going to do. We?ve got to get in the right place at the right time, and then it comes down to the execution and that?s on the players.”
Ogden said that is where the pressure should fall.
“Bottom line is … it doesn?t matter who you?ve got making the calls ? Bill Walsh, it don?t really matter ? if you don?t go out and do it,” Ogden said.
Getting offensive
» The Ravens currently rank 25th in the league in passing offense, averaging 177.3 yards per game.
» Baltimore?s rushing attack is ranked 26th at 94.3 yards per game.
» Before Fassel arrived in 2004, the Ravens were ranked 31st in passing (144.5) and ninth in rushing (128.9).
