Last month, when former Colts coach Jim Caldwell abruptly became the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, Caldwell’s initiation featured a visit from his prized pupil in Indy -- Peyton Manning.
Four weeks later, Caldwell has had a chance to adjust. And he has adjusted well. As pointed out by Garrett Downing of the Ravens’ official website, the Baltimore offense generated 533 yards in a Week 16 thrashing of the Giants and a postseason franchise-record 439 yards against Caldwell’s former team in the wild-card round.
Now, Caldwell will try to help end a nine-game losing streak by Baltimore against Peyton Manning.
“There are some things I’m a bit more familiar with, but comfort and settled wouldn’t be an appropriate way to describe it,” Caldwell said. “Settled in for a coach is probably not an appropriate word. I don’t think we ever feel comfortable and settled in. I’m a bit more familiar with some things, I can put it that way.”
That’s still a better way to put it than the way it was with Peyton coming to town and Caldwell abruptly getting the job.
“That week was a little hectic,” quarterback Joe Flacco said of the shift from Cam Cameron to Caldwell.
Whether the Ravens’ offense keeps up with Denver’s inherently hectic but highly productive offense could be the key to this one. It’s one of the topics we addressed with former Ravens coach Brian Billick during Thursday’s PFT Live.