New offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak has had some time to implement his offense with the Baltimore Ravens. The offense had a solid day in their second practice, their first one with the pads on. Kubiak was available for a presser after practice. He had some good things to share and he shed some light on what the Ravens offense is looking to get done.
Joe Flacco was seen stretching out after starting practice. There was some concern that he was injured but Kubiak cleared that up for the media.
“Joe [Flacco] was fine. He was trying to stretch out. It’s a long day, a tough day of practice, first day in pads. Throwing motion sometimes gets different when you put the pads on. He had an excellent practice.”
This is a new scheme for Flacco as well. Kubiak uses a lot of west coast offense principles in the passing game. This transition should help reduce the 48 sacks that they gave up last year which tied the Ravens with the Buffalo Bills for 28th in the NFL. He spoke about how they plan to cut down on the sacks.
“His ability to go through progressions to me is exceptional. He’s bought into the things that we teach with the feet. We teach to read with your feet and get the ball gone. We have to cut the sacks down. That’s a big point of emphasis. The best way to do this is to get the quarterback to get rid of the ball.”
Kubiak has been known as a quarterback friendly coach. He was a backup quarterback to John Elway when they played for the Denver Broncos. His experience as a quarterback has made an impact on where he calls games from. Kubiak said that he will call the offensive plays from down on the field instead of the box.
“I plan on being on the field because I’ve done that for the last eight years. I have Rick Denison up in the box for me so it’s a rhythm, something that I’ve done most of my career. I will be down there so I can be there for Joe when he comes off the field so that we can talk.”
When asked about the offense, Kubiak says that he’s been “very impressed. He pointed out that the team has adjusted well and emphasized how important it is for Flacco to be very comfortable with the system.
Much has been made about the Ravens utilizing zone running concepts and how that matches their personnel. Kubiak offered some insight on his scheme. He also talked about needing to establish continuity among the offensive line.
“We are going to run the ball well. We are a zone team, a rhythmic team that does the same thing a lot of different ways. That’s the way we teach. Our guys are responding to it. The most important thing is that we have our five [offensive line] together everyday for every rep. We run a gap scheme too. We do both. Everyone says that we are a zone team which we are, that is our base teaching but we are going to run gap schemes, we have big physical guards in KO and Marshall. We are going to let them go down too. We will do what we have to do to move the football.”
The Ravens have three players that have played in Kubiak’s system before in tight end Owen Daniels, wide receiver Jacoby Jones and running back Justin Forsett. Kubiak pointed out that these players will help him get the other players familiar with his offense.
“Owen Daniels knows what we do. He’s able to talk to Dennis. When we are in there coaching then we walk out on the field he can show him that this is what we want. Jacoby has been a great help as well. Justin has helped Ray and those guys. Those three guys being familiar with what we are doing helps me it has a few more coaches on the field.”
Steve Smith never played for Kubiak before but having a veteran like Smith always helps when it comes to being a mentor for younger guys. Here are Kubiak’s comments about Smith and his impact:
“The first thing that jumps out with Steve Smith is that this is year 15. It’s amazing to play that long. It tells you how he takes care of himself. The juice that he has as a player at this stage in his career is so impressive. He’s a confident, energizing person on the field. He has a background in some west coast stuff from a few years back. Steve loves to play, loves to compete. When you get to that stage in your career, you see a few young guys and how they have a chance to be a really good player. That’s what I see from Steve. I see him responding. We have some really good looking, young receivers out there. It’s going to be a very competitive situation. Butler and Davis have done some good things. Campanaro is out there now and competing. I think Steve sees that they have a chance to help out team and he’s just trying to help them all.”
The opportunity to work in the classroom and teach his offense has been re-energizing to Kubiak. Getting the opportunity to install a new offense and test it against the Ravens defense is a challenge. It’s one that Kubiak welcomes and he has enjoyed it. It is a refreshing change after the exhausting year that he spent as the head coach of the Houston Texans last year. Kubiak was emotionally spent. His health was is jeopardy also when he collapsed as he walked off the field during a November game against the Indianapolis Colts. This is a new opportunity and Kubiak has full intentions of taking advantage of it.
