Did Macdonald take a veiled shot at last seasons defense?

[BASF]

During the press conference, at the 31:50 mark he was asked, "Your Ravens guys described your philosophy as flexible and adaptable. When did that become the most important thing to you? And why is that the identity of your defense?"

He takes a second to gather his thought, and then his answer is, "Well, the offenses out there are too good to run just three things and say, 'Hey, we're gonna beat ya'"

When he starts his answer, JS looks over at him and kind of smirks at the run three things. Then looks at someone off camera and smirks again.

 

[kidhawk]

Someone please tell him no matter how many schemes he runs, they won’t work if nobody tackles

 

[hoxrox]

I think he was just speaking in general terms.

But I could see how Seahawks fans could interpret it that way.

 

[James in PA]

Yep, this quote was posted in another thread. To me it was the most memorable quote from the presser. And frankly, it was so refreshing to hear.

 

[Chukarhawk]

Yep, this quote was posted in another thread. To me it was the most memorable quote from the presser. And frankly, it was so refreshing to hear.

the other one was "I'm calling the plays, until I can trust you to do it on your own" or something to that effect.

 

[Seahawker]

Ravens 37- Seahawks 3

 

[James in PA]

the other one was "I'm calling the plays, until I can trust you to do it on your own" or something to that effect.

Yep, loved that one too. Was relieved to hear that for sure.

 

[Chukarhawk]

After that interview I have no doubt that JS knocked the cover off the ball with his choice for HC.

 

[Jerhawk]

Oh yeah that was definitely a parting shot.

I wasn't a fan of Clint Hurtt doing it to Ken Norton a few years ago because we all knew Pete was the one calling the shots.

Now, I liked it because it means there actually WILL be change, despite what the Carroll Sympathizers want to say

 

[keasley45]

During the press conference, at the 31:50 mark he was asked, "Your Ravens guys described your philosophy as flexible and adaptable. When did that become the most important thing to you? And why is that the identity of your defense?"

He takes a second to gather his thought, and then his answer is, "Well, the offenses out there are too good to run just three things and say, 'Hey, we're gonna beat ya'"

When he starts his answer, JS looks over at him and kind of smirks at the run three things. Then looks at someone off camera and smirks again.

Absolutely. Its obvious John has an ally in his view of where the Hawks need to go and his opinion of what we were - a team that was underperforming because of the way it was being led, the ideas that were driving it, and the lack of authority in maintaining a standard of excellence.

To that last point, i think it was also notable that he made it a point to underscore that 'being there' for your players means supporting them, and also sometimes calls for 'tough love'. All things that ere obviously lacking and that will go a long way to taking this team from what it was last year to considerably better with more concrete and unified / competent coaches.

 

[KinesProf]

If he did, it was deserved.

But I don't think so. The man seems so measured and intentional with everything he says. I got a Navy Seal / Wall Street executive vibe off of him.

 

[Parallax]

Someone please tell him no matter how many schemes he runs, they won’t work if nobody tackles

I'm sure he'll devote more than 15 minutes a practice to tackling. At least until they get it down cold.

 

[Parallax]

If he did, it was deserved.

But I don't think so. The man seems so measured and intentional with everything he says. I got a Navy Seal / Wall Street executive vibe off of him.

That's an interesting juxtaposition. One I've never thought of.

 

[chris98251]

Base cover 2, prevent, and goal line, did I miss anything?

 

[JustTheTip]

Yep, this quote was posted in another thread. To me it was the most memorable quote from the presser. And frankly, it was so refreshing to hear.

In the end this is a big part of why Holmgren fell off as a coach. He was more adaptable than Pete, but still insisted on the same high level concepts regardless of the talent he had and how defenses were changing. Holmgren's concepts were at least creative. Pete relied almost entirely on hyping up superior talent. You don't have to be creative when you are both motivated and significantly better than your opposition.

 

[KinesProf]

That's an interesting juxtaposition. One I've never thought of.

Yeah, he's not necessarily stone cold; but there's a certain assassins' like precision to him. But then you throw in the "soft skills" that he likely picked up while doing his Masters in Business Management.

Juxtaposed with Pete, who might be my favourite sports personality/leader of all-time, who was more along the lines of friendly cult leader (think Hank Scorpio from the Simpsons), or highly successful Barnum and Bailey / The Greatest Showman figure.

 

[JustTheTip]

It is also why Reid has outlasted Holmgren for so long. He is very good at understanding his talent and other criteria and continuing to adapt.

 

[Parallax]

Yeah, he's not necessarily stone cold; but there's a certain assassins' like precision to him. But then you throw in the "soft skills" that he likely picked up while doing his Masters in Business Management.

Juxtaposed with Pete, who might be my favourite sports personality/leader of all-time, who was more along the lines of friendly cult leader (think Hank Scorpio from the Simpsons), or highly successful Barnum and Bailey / The Greatest Showman figure.

So many contrasts. Someone else said this; I'm just paraphrasing. One does less with more; the other more with less. One skips the details; the other is all about them. One focuses on competing now; the other is willing to take a short term hit to invest in the future. One is risk adverse; the other takes smart risks.

 

[RolandDeschain]

During the press conference, at the 31:50 mark he was asked, "Your Ravens guys described your philosophy as flexible and adaptable. When did that become the most important thing to you? And why is that the identity of your defense?"

He takes a second to gather his thought, and then his answer is, "Well, the offenses out there are too good to run just three things and say, 'Hey, we're gonna beat ya'"

When he starts his answer, JS looks over at him and kind of smirks at the run three things. Then looks at someone off camera and smirks again.

LMAO. Amazing.