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Each week, Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley will answer fans' questions about the Ravens. To submit a question, e-mail sports@baltsun.com. Write Hey, Jamison! in the subject field and provide your name, the city you live in and phone number so we can verify the e-mail.
HEY, JAMISON: Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is reportedly averse to blitzing. Instead, he emphasizes fundamentals, not risk-taking. So, after six games, it appears that either his message isn't getting through to the players or the fundamentals that he's emphasizing aren't appropriate for the game. Either way, whatever he's doing isn't working. Which will change first - the coordinator or the players? Bruce Anderson Ellicott City
HEY, JAMISON: What were the Ravens expecting from Mattison & the D? They MUST HAVE known his schemes were vanilla and that he did not favor blitzing, AND ... that was OK with them, so ... are they surprised with the results? AND, now what?Richard Greenberg Dallas
HEY, BRUCE & RICHARD: I am surprised that the Ravens are currently No. 19 in defense. This group has enough talent to easily be in the top 10. But then again, I'm easily surprised. I'm still scratching my head that Michael Irvin is still on "Dancing with the Stars" (full disclosure: My girlfriend, Abby, makes me watch this).
As for the scheme, my thinking is the defense on takes the personality of its coordinator. Mattison has a more reserved disposition than Rex Ryan, and it shows in their styles of defense. I would like to see the Ravens move players around and attack from different angles the way they did under Ryan. But I wouldn't say Mattison's defense is totally vanilla. Heck, the Ravens gave up a touchdown to Randy Moss in New England because they blitzed safety Ed Reed in the red zone. So, I would describe the defense as more French vanilla (side note: Fellow beat reporter Ed Lee doesn't like this kind of ice cream, but he wouldn't turn it away, either).
The Ravens will have to answer some questions this offseason about their defense. Nose tackle Kelly Gregg and defensive end Trevor Pryce aren't getting younger. Linebacker Tavares Gooden hasn't convinced coaches that he should be the full-time replacement for Bart Scott's spot. And cornerback Fabian Washington is a free agent at the end of the season. So, there could be some changes in personnel, but don't expect an overhaul in the starting lineup. And don't expect a change at coordinator. It's going to take more than one bad season for Harbaugh to even think about getting rid of Mattison.
HEY, JAMISON: Did I tell you or did I tell you? In the Sept. 18 "Hey, Jamison" article you published my question about concerns with Steve Hauschka and the fact that his kicks are always trailing to the left. WHAT GIVES??? I know, I know, cut him some slack or whatever. But seriously, we are putting our hope on this guy's shoulders and this is what he comes up with? And you know you can't blame it on the wind, either. Steve faced the biggest kick of his career to date. Is this what we are going to struggle with this entire season? Until the ball comes off his foot straight, I am still not convinced.Bryan Main Cleveland
HEY, BRYAN: Step slowly away from the panic button. In fact, hide it for another six weeks before taking it back out again. If you're tempted to hit it before that time, go down to the Warehouse District and get a few drinks.
When it comes to young kickers, you have to have patience. I know it's difficult. In Matt Stover's rookie season (1991), he made only 16 of 22 field-goal attempts (72.7 percent). He missed two tries in a two-point loss at Cincinnati that season. Should the Cleveland Browns have cut him?
Hauschka does have to prove himself. He needs to show that he can hit a game-winner. He also has to get more distance on his kickoffs. Unfortunately, it will take time to evaluate him properly. I'm not saying that Hauschka will be kicking for the Ravens for the next decade. But I know it's too early to cut him.
HEY, JAMISON: Defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is reportedly averse to blitzing. Instead, he emphasizes fundamentals, not risk-taking. So, after six games, it appears that either his message isn't getting through to the players or the fundamentals that he's emphasizing aren't appropriate for the game. Either way, whatever he's doing isn't working. Which will change first - the coordinator or the players? Bruce Anderson Ellicott City
HEY, JAMISON: What were the Ravens expecting from Mattison & the D? They MUST HAVE known his schemes were vanilla and that he did not favor blitzing, AND ... that was OK with them, so ... are they surprised with the results? AND, now what?Richard Greenberg Dallas
HEY, BRUCE & RICHARD: I am surprised that the Ravens are currently No. 19 in defense. This group has enough talent to easily be in the top 10. But then again, I'm easily surprised. I'm still scratching my head that Michael Irvin is still on "Dancing with the Stars" (full disclosure: My girlfriend, Abby, makes me watch this).
As for the scheme, my thinking is the defense on takes the personality of its coordinator. Mattison has a more reserved disposition than Rex Ryan, and it shows in their styles of defense. I would like to see the Ravens move players around and attack from different angles the way they did under Ryan. But I wouldn't say Mattison's defense is totally vanilla. Heck, the Ravens gave up a touchdown to Randy Moss in New England because they blitzed safety Ed Reed in the red zone. So, I would describe the defense as more French vanilla (side note: Fellow beat reporter Ed Lee doesn't like this kind of ice cream, but he wouldn't turn it away, either).
The Ravens will have to answer some questions this offseason about their defense. Nose tackle Kelly Gregg and defensive end Trevor Pryce aren't getting younger. Linebacker Tavares Gooden hasn't convinced coaches that he should be the full-time replacement for Bart Scott's spot. And cornerback Fabian Washington is a free agent at the end of the season. So, there could be some changes in personnel, but don't expect an overhaul in the starting lineup. And don't expect a change at coordinator. It's going to take more than one bad season for Harbaugh to even think about getting rid of Mattison.
HEY, JAMISON: Did I tell you or did I tell you? In the Sept. 18 "Hey, Jamison" article you published my question about concerns with Steve Hauschka and the fact that his kicks are always trailing to the left. WHAT GIVES??? I know, I know, cut him some slack or whatever. But seriously, we are putting our hope on this guy's shoulders and this is what he comes up with? And you know you can't blame it on the wind, either. Steve faced the biggest kick of his career to date. Is this what we are going to struggle with this entire season? Until the ball comes off his foot straight, I am still not convinced.Bryan Main Cleveland
HEY, BRYAN: Step slowly away from the panic button. In fact, hide it for another six weeks before taking it back out again. If you're tempted to hit it before that time, go down to the Warehouse District and get a few drinks.
When it comes to young kickers, you have to have patience. I know it's difficult. In Matt Stover's rookie season (1991), he made only 16 of 22 field-goal attempts (72.7 percent). He missed two tries in a two-point loss at Cincinnati that season. Should the Cleveland Browns have cut him?
Hauschka does have to prove himself. He needs to show that he can hit a game-winner. He also has to get more distance on his kickoffs. Unfortunately, it will take time to evaluate him properly. I'm not saying that Hauschka will be kicking for the Ravens for the next decade. But I know it's too early to cut him.
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Nice diplomatic non-answer vis-a-vis Mattison, mentioning neither his lack of experience nor the absence of pressure. Of all the guys to blitz, don't cite Ed Reed, the only guy who know's what he's doing back there in coverage.
AgentMacGyver (10/30/2009, 4:54 AM )