The Ravens sat on an early lead against the Browns last Saturday, which led Joe Flacco to lobbing a request through the media to his offensive coordinator.
“There [have] been games this year where we’ve come out throwing the ball because we’ve been down a lot, and you guys have all complained about it,” Flacco said via the Baltimore Sun. “And now this week we came out and we honestly played conservative, and when we didn’t, we missed a couple of plays.
“I wish you guys would help me out a little bit and start complaining that we played a little bit too conservative and put pressure on our coaches not to do that.”
Flacco said it with a laugh to show it was all in good fun. But he was only half-joking. Like any good humor, there was a large element of truth to it.
Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron responded during the week.
“Number one, I’m not going to listen to anything you guys say,” Cameron told reporters Thursday. “But no, we’ll listen to what Joe has to say. I almost thought of telling Joe, ‘Those words are hurtful. You’re not coming to the pancake social.’”
Well played. Cameron says the team looked more conservative than they intended against the Browns because of a lack of execution. There were three drops and a Flacco interception in the second half.
Without Anquan Boldin, the already-limited Ravens passing attack looks more erratic. Ray Rice should be the centerpiece of the offense.
Then again, the Ravens would be playing to the Bengals’ defensive strength by simply pounding the ball this Sunday. They need Flacco to come through.
“I know this, Joe and I will be on the same page,” Cameron said.
If not, Flacco and Cameron could be playing on the road next week instead of enjoying a bye.