Baltimore Ravens Fire Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron

In the midst of a two-game losing streak and a string of disappointing offensive play, the Baltimore Ravens have fired offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. 

UPDATE: Monday, November 10 at 3:00 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun has more information on the potential basis for Camerons's ouster:

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Hearing major disconnect on the sidelines yesterday with coaches part of impetus for this move, but had been brewing for long time.

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) December 10, 2012"

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Disagreements over protection schemes among the issues that bubbled over

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) December 10, 2012"

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UPDATE: Monday, November 10 at 12:40 p.m. ET by Timothy Rapp

The Ravens officially announced the firing of Cameron on the team's website:

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Cam Cameron has been removed as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and former Quarterbacks Coach Jim Caldwell has been promoted into his position.

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Head coach John Harbaugh had the following comments on the decision:

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My charge—our responsibility as a coaching staff—is to maximize the opportunities for our team to win, and we can still reach all of our goals for this season.

With our coaches and players, the solution is in the building. We are going to make the most of our opportunities going forward, and this change gives us a better possibility to achieve our goals.

“There is a very human side to this. Cam is my friend, he taught me a lot about coaching, and he is an outstanding coach. Personally, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as a coach. Cam has been a significant contributor to all of our successes over the past four, almost five, seasons.  Deservedly, he is highly-regarded, and we owe thanks to him for what he did for the Ravens.

“It’s not about fair or unfair, right or wrong. My responsibility is to the whole team and what’s best for them right now. We need a change. Our plan and our goals are to win games, win our division and get to the playoffs.

"We have a lot of work to do, and we have the coaches and players in place to achieve our goals this season. We are working on that right now. I'm excited about where we are and where we are going."

"

---End of Update---

From Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun:

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#Ravens have let go Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator. Jim Caldwell will take over.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiecsun) December 10, 2012"

Jim Caldwell was the team's quarterback coach and was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-2011 before joining the Ravens this offseason. 

Cameron was often a source of criticism in Baltimore, namely for under-utilizing star running back Ray Rice. Despite a lot of talent on the offensive side of the ball, the Ravens rank 18th in total offense this season.

The Ravens have also struggled with a lack of consistency from week to week, often going from huge offensive outputs to paltry showings just a week later. Nonetheless, the team is 9-4, has a two-game lead in the AFC North and could still earn a bye for the playoffs.

The team closes with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals—a brutal stretch of games. Was this the right time to make a major coaching move?

That remains to be seen, but pulling the trigger at this point in the season means the Baltimore front office was clearly fed up with Cameron's offense and feared keeping him around would jeopardize the team's playoff aspirations.

It was a bold move, and one that could potentially backfire in a big way. Then again, perhaps a shakeup in the coaching staff is exactly what this offense needs.