Ravens Rumors + News + Blog + Draft 2012: Ravens Mix

Ugly Loss

2011-11-15T11:08:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

So here we are, at 6-3. Beat Steeler twice. Beat the Jets and the tough Texans. But lose to Titans, Jaguars, and Seahawks. Huh?

The topsy-turvy season of the Ravens continues. And we won't mention the egg they nearly laid to the Arizona Cardinals.

Special teams - pitiful. Offense - pretty woeful. Defense - just tired out.

I don't know what kind of tricks Coach Harbaugh has in his bag, but it may be time to use them. We still have four division games left plus contents against the 49ers and Chargers.

Preseason hopes are starting to sour. Not sure what this franchise has left in the tank, but they better get it in gear quick before the season is gone.

2011 Season with a Thunderous Boom

2011-09-12T11:32:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

The NFL lockout scared me but that is now over. After going 3-1 in the preseason (the only hiccup being a loss to the highly overrated Iggles) I had a feeling the Birds of Baltimore would have another great season. Yes, I was saddened by the loss of Mason, Heap, and McGahee but I figured Ozzie Newsome knows what he is doing, as his track record clearly indicates.

I am not fortunate enough to be able to go see Ravens games in person. I was close to M&T Bank Stadium yesterday and witnessed the flyover prior to kickoff from a rooftop deck. Then I ran inside to watch the game, and what a game it was!

After some early big gains given up by the Ravens defense, I was impressed with all the turnovers they caused. Looked a lot like the dominant D of 2000 and other squads under Rex Ryan. Awesome showing guys. Made the Steelers look like preschoolers out there.

Throw in a Flacco and a Rice who did not make any errors and you had the perfect recipe for success as the NFL season began in full. Yesterday was important to 1) remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy of 9/11/01 and; 2) smash a hated division rival with a major statement victory. Mission accomplished on both counts.

Not a lot to say that has not already been reported in the press and in the cheers of purple/black fans all over the region. So we look forward to seeing the Ravens on the road for the next two weeks. If that is how we deal with a Super Bowl contender, this could be a VERY good season here in Baltimore.

Will There Be A Season?

2011-02-15T11:21:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

The Green Bay Packers are world champs (and my brother is grinning). The hated Steelers got beat to the delight of the Baltimore faithful. And now we look forward to the 2011 season.

There have been a few changes made to the coaching staff since the Ravens existed the playoffs and the rumors about which players will remain or go are abundant.

The biggest concern is the CBA which expires on March 3. If a new agreement is not in place, a long lockout could ensure and perhaps shorten or even end the 2011 season.

I have no control over such things and therefore I am not going to get upset. Right now I have baseball to look forward to and the NFL currently is an afterthought.

Not sure when I will post again. But in the football off season, if you want to read a good story, pick up Michael Oher's I BEAT THE ODDS which is available now. It is the true tale of his life and his rise to prominence in professional sports.

Until next time...

Sun Sets on Another Season

2011-01-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

I have had a few days to simmer and stew, but it does not help. There were 4 divisional playoff games last weekend and all the teams I wanted to win (Bears, Packers, Jets) won except the game that mattered most. Ravens infuriated their fans with another postseason meltdown and worse - a loss to the hated Steelers who now have a 3-0 record against this Baltimore franchise in the playoffs.

Yes, the cheating Patriots are gone although it means I had to swallow my disdain and root for the Jets. Classic franchise rivals Chicago and Green Bay advance too, with crybaby Favre home looking like a fool while is old team keeps moving forward. So there is a certain satisfaction seeing New England, Philadelphia, and other franchises I despise now sent home, but the pain of seeing the Ravens blow it again is difficult to bear.

First off, we had a huge lead. Huge. And then the mistakes came, again and again. Interceptions, a fumble, and a D who could not prevent the scores.

Is it no coincidence that since Rex Ryan left following the 2008 season our DEF has gotten progressively worse? Is it all him? Or did Father Time play a role too? And for the 2nd year as Jets head coach, his team is going further in the playoffs than the Baltimore Ravens.

There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Cam Cameron as OC for the Ravens but that was muted when Harbaugh announced his retention. Funny that with all the weapons and with Cameron, Saunders, and Zorn all on the offensive staff we still were worse than 2009. Is it the play calling or is it the players?

I for one am still not convinced that Flacco is your future. Maybe have him compete for the job next year with Bulger. Despite winning a lot of regular season games, he seems to crap out at the most inconvenient times. A Dan Marino or Joe Montana he is not.

And then we have the aging defense. Should the DC be the scapegoat for the dip in excellence? If Rex was still here could they be better? Honestly, I do not know. Age and injury take their toll on anybody over time and maybe the time in the sun for the glorious Ravens D has passed.
I am not a coach or a trainer, so I do not know for certain.

Losing never sits well. If you are a real fan, you hate to lose and for the end to suddenly arrive. The Ravens have done very well as a franchise since 2000. 7 postseason appearances in 11 years. Not bad at all. Throw in a Super Bowl win and you have a very elite franchise.

But when you fall short of expectations, the questions are always going to linger. Do you still have it in you? Can you bounce back? The offseason for the purple and black begins now with roster and coaching staff evaluations and overhaul. It could be a very different-looking team come August.

PS - Baseball spring training opens in a month. That should take our minds off the NFL for a while.

Smash the Curtain

2011-01-11T10:01:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

We hate them. Yes we do. Baltimore's number 1 rival. Possibly the biggest rivalry in the NFL these days, even more so than Packers/Bears or Steelers/Browns.

Since the appearance of this NFL franchise in Baltimore in 1996, the Steelers have been our toughest opponent. They own the advantage in head-to-head meetings at 20-12 (includes 2-0 in the playoffs) and have 6x the titles that we do overall, including 2 to our 1 since 1996.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steelers%E2%80%93Ravens_rivalry

If you really examine the philosophies of the teams and their base city, Baltimore and Pittsburgh are not all that different. Smash mouth football based on the run and defense with a blue collar fanatical fan base to back them up. In fact, all 4 AFC North cities have similar blue collar origins though there are not as many Bengal and Browns fans out there.

Back to the opponent at hand... the Pittsburgh Steelers represent the golden franchise in the AFC if not the whole NFL. They do everything legit and legal unlike New England, and have six Lombardi trophies to show off. Getting past the Steelers this week will solidify the Ravens as a real championship level team as well as vanquish the demons of Steel City bad memories for good.

Both game played against the Steelers this year were won by 3 points or less. Both teams won on the road. Now with the Ravens coming off a huge offensive performance in their victory over Kansas City, the expectations are higher that they can repeat that level of output.

Standing in their way is a vaunted defense and a franchise that is the nemesis to everyone in Charm City. I will say for the record that I respect the Steelers. They win, they have a classy family who owns the team, and they are the professional team that that inspires the most pride in Pennsylvania (unlike the felon embarassment Philadelphia franchise coached by the Big Hoagie). That being said, I want to beat them silly. I am tired of them always being in the hunt. And their fan base grows in number and arrogance with each winning season. It needs to stop now.

The Ravens of old were visible last Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium by holding the Chiefs to a mere 7 points. With the question mark hovering about Ed Reed and his current family situation, it is a slight worry that any personal distractions could dull the focus of the team. I highly doubt it and if there is any team that fires up Baltimore, it certainly is Pittsburgh.

They mirror each other.

They don't like each other.

They respect each other.

Not it is time to get what that black and gold team has. Another title.

Let's go purple and black!

Wild Card Excitement

2011-01-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

After a near implosion again yesterday, the very lucky Ravens will head west next weekend to take on the rejuvenated Kansas City Chiefs, making their first postseason appearance since the 2006 season.

The Cincinnati Bengals once again had the Ravens number. Marvin Lewis, once the highly respected defensive coordinator in Charm City, weaved his magic to keep the game very close in what was likely his last appearance as the Bungles head coach. Two field goals in the first half helped the Ravens to a 6-0 lead at the half.

Defensively, the Ravens were themselves. Two interceptions by Ed Reed and two fumble recoveries by Ray Lewis and another by Ngata put the team in good positions but the offense, by and large, went nowhere. Blame Flacco, the offensive line, penalties, Cam Cameron, whomever... but it was a nail biter there towards the end. The Bengals were in the red zone but squandered the opportunity by not getting a TD on 4th and goal and the Ravens ran out the clock.

At 12-4 with the 5th seed, the Ravens have to take the road route to the Super Bowl much like they did back in 2000. Kansas City who surprised a lot of people this year is the first test. Whoever wins that game will go to Pittsburgh in the divisional round.

For Coach Harbaugh and his team, making a third straight postseason appearance is very humbling. First time it has happened in the franchise's brief history. Brian Billick, in all his time here, only made the postseason 4 times himself. So this team is on the right track, and only if they can get their offense out of neutral for four full quarters, they could be a major force in the post season.

If the Ravens are one and done this year, then I would expect some major staff and player changes in the off season.

But, most experts and media loudmouths are going with the seasoned Ravens team this week on the road in Missouri. Let us all hope for once, that they are right.

Postseason Greetings

2010-12-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

For the third straight year, the Baltimore Ravens have advanced to the NFL second season by securing a playoff birth yesterday following the 20-10 victory over Cleveland. The Wild Card is theirs for the moment with a possible chance to obtain the division crown next week with another win and a Steelers loss.

For coach Harbaugh, this season has been a struggle. The lofty expectations of making a Super Bowl run have been dealt numerous blows with injuries, offensive ineptitude and weekly defensive meltdowns. He now has temporarily quelled the fans backlash by winning his 30th game in 3 seasons and making the playoffs in the process. Very few coaches have done what he has done especially in their debut job as head coach in the NFL.

With three straight wins now, the Ravens look forward to hosting the banged up Bungles on January 2 in Baltimore. A victory would make them finish at 12-4 and be a serious contender for this years title. Despite an aging and slowing defense this team still has the overall talent to compete and should not be taken lightly.

The lack of offense is what concerns me and numerous other fans. Key weapons like Heap are hurt but the lack of production out of WR studs like Boldin make me question the genius of Cam Cameron. Twice this season we have scored 37 points but most often it is in the range of 20-25 per game. Not exactly overpowering in the modern NFL.

So now, we sit and wait. Wait for another win over a lowly opponent. Wait and see where exactly we are seeded in the playoffs. And then wait to see if we can actually make some noise this postseason.

Here is to a great new year with more Raven's victories in January 2011.

Near Choke

2010-12-15T10:03:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

After another meltdown by the defense against Houston on Monday night, the Ravens escaped with their lives and held end for a 34 -28 victory over the Texans thanks to a late INT returned for a touchdown.

Fans who stayed up to witness this debacle had words of anger for Coach Harbaugh, Cam Cameron, the Ravens D the following morning. For the 8th time this season, the Ravens D could not hold a lead and gave up numerous long drives to allow the Texans to hang with them the whole game. Combine that with an offense that went from cruise to sputter after halftime, and you had a recipe for disaster.

No one in reality should complain about having a 9-4 record. Seriously. But with the lofty postseason expectations put on this team, we see the same mistakes week after week and it seems that no improvement has been made in a few areas that are for lack of a better word, problematic.

1) Defense holding lead

2) Questionable offensive play calls

3) Running game that is non-existent

We blew games to Atlanta, Pittsburgh, New England because we could not hold them. And don't even mention the disaster against the Bungles back in September. Like many fans, I am questioning the level of talent and the resolve of this current club. Is it the players? Is it the coaching? Or is it the age of the veterans?

The New Orleans Saints, winners of Super Bowl 44, will be here on Sunday. And while they might have trouble playing in the cold due to being a dome team, their offensive firepower - if clicking - could spell major problems for the Ravens.

And with a division title not looking so rosy now, any loss can cost us positioning for the wild card too. There are some worried people these days here in Birdland, and count me among them.

Still Seething

2010-12-09T07:08:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Those dang Steelers! Ruined our 8 game win streak at home! How come we can't beat Big Ben?

These are the ranting we heard starting Monday after the Ravens came up short to Pittsburgh on Sunday night. Boy, this town was mad.

I will dissect the game a bit and show us where we went wrong.

1) Should have aired it out more. As Mason says, we have the weapons so why not use them.

2) The defense seemed to let up on Ben in the 2nd half. Whose call was that?

3) Not going for that field goal was clearly a bad decision.

4) Joe fumble cost us the game. I am not that impressed with Flacco. You think that by his 3rd year in the pros, he would have grown a bit more. He is no Bollerish bum, but I thought his level of consistent excellence would have gotten a little higher by now.

So, at 8-4 the Ravens now look up to Pittsburgh in the standings. They have only themselves to blame for this loss. Couple that with a dumb defeat to Cincinnati back in September and that is why they are now in second place.

So even if we win out and finish at 12-4, that still may be only good enough for a wild card. Shows you how good and competitive the AFC is. Houston is next, who is reeling themselves. We will be in Texas on Monday night trying to right the ship. I don't want to say it is easy pickings, but it won't be as difficult as an AFC North game.

Interesting that in 6 postseason appearances (2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009) that the Ravens have only 2 division titles (2003 and 2006) while the rest were wild card appearances including the 2000 Super Bowl run. Now, we were in the AFC Central from 1996-2001 until the league reformed in 2002 after the Texans were added. Now with 4 divisions of four in each conference, it is a little easier than before to win a division.

Win at Houston and the title can possibly get a little closer.

Lose another game, and the playoff picture gets muddier fast. Welcome to December in the NFL.

Time For A Purple Out

2010-12-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

As we enter Week 13 of the NFL, the Ravens sit with an impressive 8-3 record and tied for the AFC North Division lead. Technically we are ahead due to a win over Pittsburgh back on October 3, so this Sunday night's match up on NBC has more at stake than just two rivals squaring off for the second time this season.

Of the three losses thus far this year, only one was legit. Choking to the Bungles is practically unforgivable and New England probably cheated just like they have done for years under Bill Belicheat. Only Atlanta, who staged a stupendous comeback in the final minute against the Ravens defense really deserved the win. They are red hot and a great team especially when playing at their dome in Georgia.

So after eeking out a victory last weekend against Tampa Bay, the Ravens - even with all their injuries - have to make a stand against Pittsburgh this Sunday night. Pride, playoff positioning, and bragging rights are all at stake here as these two running and defensive teams face off for the final time in 2010.

From what I have seen from the Ravens as of late, I am cautiously optimistic. Our defense is not feared these days, and we don't cause nearly as many turnovers as we used to in our heyday. Offensively, Ray Rice struggles due in large part to an ineffective line in front of him. Winning on Sunday will not be easy but if the mistakes are minimal to non-existent, it could be a well earned W.

Incluind this Steelers contest, 3 of the final 5 games are at home with the only away games being those at Cleveland and Houston. I myself, fearing that there will be a lockout next year and since I have not gone to a game in over 2 seasons, am going to see the Bengals when they come here in January. It should be a third straight playoff appearance for Harbaugh and the Ravens (fingers crossed) and perhaps a strong push towards Super Bowl 45.

Who knows what to expect though, right?

No Ground Lost

2010-11-17T06:57:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

After our loss last week to the Falcons on Thursday night, the Ravens were in a position to fall into second place in the AFC North. Lucky for us, the Steelers, the Browns and the Bungles all blew their games over the weekend as well.

There has been a lot of press lately about the supposed demise of the Ravens defense. How they are no longer feared, how they are aging rapidly etc. There was a time when they were the best defense on the planet, bar none. But the loss of Rex Ryan and the passage of time will take its toll and as with anything, no one is on top forever.

So, with a still better than average record of 6-3, the Ravens go into Carolina this week seeking victory #7. The last time these two squared off in the regular season, the Panthers came up with the win back in 2006. But with only 1 win so far this season, it looks like the Panthers are going to be the underdogs.

With 4 home games left in the schedule, it is time for these Ravens to show us what they are made of, here and now. The NFL is wide open as there are no clear cut favorites in either conference at the moment. So it is still any one's game (unless of course you only have 1 win to your credit currently - then it is safe to say you are already eliminated).

The time for urgency is now. If this team is a legitimate contender, the Ravens need to show everyone that they still have the fire and the talent to bring home the gold. If not, well I hope we will all enjoy the lockout next year.

Short Week

2010-11-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

The Ravens may have beaten the upstart Dolphins on Sunday, but they have little time to rest. Their next game is this Thursday evening, down in Atlanta as they play the Falcons on the NFL Network initial Thursday broadcast for this season.

Sure, the Birds did knock out Miami in a 26 - 10 grudge fest. We did improve to a healthy 6-2. But the defensive side of the ball - what was once the golden goose for the Ravens and the mark of the franchise - allowed a lot of rushing yards and certainly showed signs of its age.

It was a game with little drama as the Ravens scored on their first possession and never looked back. The Dolphins came in having won all their games on the road thus far and looked to continue that streak. But alas for aqua and orange fans, the Ravens made the big plays in the end and added another W to the column.

The next two games for Baltimore are against NFC South opponents on the road. A dome game at Atlanta and then a game in Carolina who as of today, only have one win in what will likely be their head coach's final season there. Atlanta is currently a first place team and will the tougher of the two opponents.

The first half of the season is over. Overall, I would give the Ravens performance to date about a B. Certainly room for improvement on the DEF and special teams side, and more TDs from Ray Rice. But we as fans of the purple & black really have no room to complain. A winning team and a lot of support from the community makes the Ravens the most beloved team currently in Baltimore.

Perhaps a few more wins will put us a little closer to another playoff berth for Coach Harbaugh.

Squeaker

2010-10-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

What everyone assumed to be a cakewalk game, turned out to be a classic nightmare for Ravens fans. The Buffalo Bills, a franchise suffering from a decade long despair, came in to M&T Bank Stadium and shredded the Ravens secondary and nearly walked away with a win.

I didn't even write an article here last week because I figured there was not much to say about the Bills coming to town. The excitement was supposed to be the Super Bowl XXXV team from 2000 that was to be honored at the game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick and crew showed Coach Harbaugh and his team that no team in the NFL is to be taken lightly. Just look around the rest of the league. The Rams have won a few games, the Redfaces are actually a decent team while the Cowboys and Vikings are floundering at best.

Even with the return of super safety Ed Reed, the defense looked lost, old and confused. Sure it will take a while to gel but a team like a Buffalo is supposed to be like a 60 minute practice where you sharpen your skills. Now with the bye week, the Ravens can lick their wounds from the New England defeat (lousy cheating franchise) and the Buffalo scare.

Many more tough games still remain on the schedule. I hope this team gets it together and fast or else our hopes for a deep postseason run will evaporate in a flash.

Northern Bound

2010-10-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

This week, the Ravens journey to Taxachusetts, home of the 3x winning Super Bowl Patriots. Tom Brady also threw 50 TD passes in a season, and recently became the fastest QB to a certain number of wins. You know what I say? Stick it.

This is a franchise that to put it mildly, was terrible for most of its existence. Then all of sudden Belicia arrives and poof - dynasty. Uh huh... We all know the truth. Cheating. 7 years of cheating. And what did the NFL do about it. Well they took away a draft choice and then also fined the coach. Oh boy!

So all those accomplishments from 2000-2007 were allowed to stand. Even though they are fraudulent, the wonderful commissioner allowed them to stand. I know what that team really stands for and I do not trust that coach to this day.

So, why are people still talking about how great the Patriots are? They are truly a puff of smoke. And they can be beaten. The Baltimore Ravens are considered by many to be the best team in the NFL at the moment and whacking the chowdah cheaters in their own home would solidify that status.

Yes, I am very bitter about New England. They are still worshipped and feared when in reality, they are jokers. Their coach should have been banned for 5 years for stealing signs and their titles revoked, but this is the NFL, which stands for Neanderthal Felon League these days.

All I want is for Flacco, Rice, and our WRs to take it to New England and leave them with cleat tracks all over their faces. Very few teams make my blood boil the Patriots and the see them fall would do my pride good.

The road to Super Bowl 45 is a long one. We know the Ravens will lose a game or two more this year. I personally do not want it to be in Foxboro.

Denver arrives

2010-10-08T06:36:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

The Broncos will be here this weekend at M&T Bank Stadium bringing their 2-2 record to town along with their aerial attack against the high-caliber Ravens defense.

After their stunning win last week in Pittsburgh, the Ravens have been flying high with attitude and emotion. This sets the stage for a possible letdown in front of the home crowd if they are not too careful. We saw what Cleveland did a few weeks ago when they came to town. If this time wants to be considered an elite level squad, they need to use this weekend to make a statement to the rest of the NFL.

This also could be the weekend that the offense comes to life. We caught glimpses of it against the Browns with the Flacco to Bouldin connection, but the running game need to step it up as a complement to the passing game. Ravens fans hate seeing one dimensional football (see Billick years) and a well-rounded team has a better shot at beating an opponent.

The heart of the Ravens schedule is still forthcoming as we all know. Being 3-1 means squat. My message to the team is not to rest on its laurels and keep pounding away. They look good right now but as always, there is a lot of room for improvement.

More next week...

Bringing Down the Steel Curtain

2010-09-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

I will admit that I respect the Steelers. As a PA native, they are a great run team and have been owned by the same family for generations. Wonderful history, six titles, and a slew of immortal players give them bragging rights over almost any other franchise. That being said, this weekend - I hate them.

While Charm City and Steel City have many similar aspects, these two teams and towns have a deep dislike for one another. Probably because they are the only 2 consistent teams in the AFC North who constantly vie for the top spot, and because they are both entrenched in defensive based strategies with a powerful running game. In essence, they are mirror images of each other.

While Big Ben is out this weekend (people around here refer to him as Rapistberger), the Ravens should not take the Steelers lightly. Last week, they squeezed out a win over the Browns who with a no-name RB really gave the vaunted D-line a lot of trouble. So while this game is a rival match up of the leagues best defenses, it also will be a test for the Ravens who look to continue their offensive surge and for the surprising Steelers who at 3-0, look to maintain their winning streak with a backup QB.

The Ravens usually do not perform well at Heinz Field. Maybe it is the awful turf or the curse of the terrible towel, I don't know. I expect a low scoring affair that hopefully will end in a W for us, but I am not all that optimistic. The Cleveland Browns exploited what may be the new weakness for our defense, and a talented Pittsburgh team can, in theory, run rough shot over us.

The time is now to right the ship. Injuries to Ed Reed and the question mark over Ray Rice's status notwithstanding, we should be the Bergerless Squealers. Our team is loaded with veterans and leaders, and if they dig deep enough, it could be a good feeling on Monday morning for Baltimore.

Let's pray for our Birds! Go Ravens!

Bungling Away

2010-09-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Losing to Cincinnati is dreadful, so I am going to take the Peter Schmuck approach today and just rant and rave a bit in short bursts.

Scoring 19 points in two games is a joke if you want to win your division. What year is this anyway - 2000?

The defense is once again carrying this franchise. The Cam Cameron offense with the other "geniuses" on staff is not showing any progress thus far.

I hate to say it, but Flacco may not be the answer. I was always pulling for Troy Smith (OSU) vs. a guy who played at 1-AA Delaware. With Troy gone, and Bulger behind him, Joe better step it up fast before he goes to the pine.

WRs are another weak link thus far. I hope Boldin and TJ are worth the money in the end.

I miss Ed Reed.

Ravens better pound the Browns by 10-15 points if they want to regain some respect in this league. After that game it starts to get really tough.

Still 14 left to go so why panic? But problems needs to be addressed ASAP before they become unfix able.

Week 1 - In The Books

2010-09-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Rex Ryan ran his mouth. Rex Ryan lost in the marquee match up of the week. And while the Ravens squeaked by in points, they really did dominate a hapless Jets team. Yes!

The vaunted and re-tooled Ravens offense did not manifest in week one. That is OK, because with Ryan as a HC, you know his defense is always going to be prepared. But it is the old reliable, the Ravens D (minus Ed Reed) who took the Jets to school before a national audience and sounded their bell - and then some.

With the J-E-T-S in the rear view mirror, we now get to face the Bungles and their dual loudmouth WRs in Chad Johnson (I refuse to call him Occowhatever) and Mr. Owens. The Bengals were brought back to earth last week in Massachusetts and will be out for blood in their home opener, which happens to be against a division rival.

Am I scared? No. Can we lose? Of Course. This is the NFL and unless you are the 1972 Dolphins, you will lose along the way. The 2007 cheater Pats are not a real team since they thought they were above the law.

I see us beating Cincinnati but only by a few. This offense with Boldin and TJ needs time to gel and a few preseason games is not enough time. It might be a season to remember here in Charm City but it will take time to get our legs firmly on the ground.

More opinion and insight next week as I will dissect the Ravens game then.

NFL - I am back!

2010-08-31T08:54:00.001-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

It has been over 1 year since I last had anything to do with the NFL. After the abysmal decision to let Michael Vick return to the league and then the audacity of a team to sign him, I boycotted the NFL for a full year. I did not watch, did not follow, did not wear my merchandise.

Let me state that I am still angry the NFL. I think the Commissioner with his supposed "law and order" stance is a farce. The league is full of thugs and criminals and seems a far cry from the dominant sports entity it was in the 90's and 2000's. Quite honestly, it is slightly above the NBA in terms of its sliminess these days.

I came back this year to watch the Ravens. I own a ton of Ravens stuff including furniture and jerseys. I am a member of a local Ravens Roost and I love football. Last year I had to sustain myself on college football and the MLB Network to get me through the winter. I lost a year of my pro football life and sometimes it makes me sad.

But now I have returned to support the rebuilt Ravens in their quest to make a Super Bowl run. Not sure I can actually afford to get to a game this season but I will be rooting for the purple & black as usual. In my next report, I will breakdown my season predictions regarding the Ravens regular season. Starting 3-0 in the preseason is a positive sign.

The NFL countdown begins.

WORDS FROM THE GURU

2010-05-03T17:26:00.000-07:00

Pre Mini-Camp Thoughts

Now that the draft is over… it’s time to go to work. Pre season mini-camps and OTA’s are important enough and I guess we can talk some about what’s going on. All though there are no pads, the more players you have participating in voluntary programs, the better your team is usually. This is a big part of the year for the younger players and guys that suffered injuries. There’s a long list of returning players who everyone is looking to get better. Paul Kruger, K.J. Gerard, Justin Harper, Marcus Smith, Eron Riley, Lamar Divens and Jason Phillips are all looking to earn playing time.
Hopefully our new additions at WR can get on the same page with Joe Flacco. I would love to see McClain get more carries too. But let’s look at the 3 things that WILL determine how far this season goes. Check back, but I promise. If these 3 things happen, the Ravens will be at least in the final 4.

#3) Put the RUSH in Pass RUSH once again
To have a truly elite defense, you have to do 2 things. Force turnovers (we’re great at it) and get after the other QB (not so good at it). For the past 2 seasons, our pass rush is getting worse and worse. Watching us play the Bengals and not touch Carson Palmer in TWO 4th quarters last year. Whether they blitzed or sent 4….they were getting locked out. No one was coming free from a blitz, and no one could DEFEAT A BLOCK…and get home. This has to change and quickly. It doesn’t matter who’s playing DB, if the QB is back there 6 seconds…someone is getting open. We need more sacks, more QB hits, more QB pressures…more making QB’s uncomfortable.

#2) The O-Line has to take a step forward, not backward
Understand in sports, especially football nothing stays the same. Either you’re getting better, or you’re slipping…there is no in between. Our line is young except for the wily Vet Matt Birk, but we need guys to get better. Oher and Gaither need to be in better shape (especially Gaither… if he was in shape he wouldn’t be hurt all the time). Grubbs and Yanda need to be EVEN more dominant, really start to get that GREAT push all the time. The thing with lineman are they need to be ready and IN SHAPE. When lineman start getting fat, slow…that’s when they start playing bad (see Vikings LT Mt. McKinney). If our line can take that next step to be a top 3 unit in the league…watch for us to win 12-13 games.

#1) Joe Flacco takes the final step and starts playing up to his full potential.
Let me just say, Joe is the man to me. He’s had the best beginning to a career I can remember and has all the tools… BUT!!! It’s time to take the TRAINING BRA OFF!!! For goodness sakes, let this kid change plays at the line. I was glad to see him getting mad at Cam Cameron in that playoff game vs. the Colt. (BTW...one of the WORST called offensive games in the HISTORY of football) He may not lead the league in yardage or TD’s but simply put he has to play better. He’s got to get them into better plays; he has to STOP missing WR’s. Now he’s got a good enough group to make plays all over the field, he’s got to prove people right. I also would like to see him run more, because he is a pretty good athlete, would like to see that pocket get moved around some. Also, Joe… Hit the squat rack ok. No reason some extra-regular tackle from the raiders should make your hip swell up. If Joe can ward off silly injuries, see the whole field, and start using that arm to put the ball any and everywhere… we can go to the Super Bowl

The Guru's Report Card

2010-04-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

WORDS FROM THE GURU

As my 1st blog for SportsMixed, I’ve been appointed the great responsibility of grading the Baltimore Raven’s draft. Now I’m not like some other bloggers from Baltimore who need Mike Mayock or Todd McShay to form an opinion (Stay classy Baltimoresun.com) With that being said…Let’s get to it… We’ll break it up in Day 1, 2, and 3. All of these grades are my own and were made as the picks rolled in.

DAY ONE:
If you’re like me and have seen every draft since 1992…you see how this works and why some teams will NEVER win consistently. (Looking at you Jacksonville Jaguars or should I say L.A. Jaguars) Ozzie pulled another one, found a team willing to trade back into the 1st round for a QB (UHH Tebow???) and restocked his picks. Picking up a high 3rd round pick and a high 4th round pick to drop 18 spots in what seems to be a very deep draft
DAY 1 grade: A
While not the sexy choice, to get more picks in a deep draft probably was the best move.

DAY TWO:
Patience is a virtue if you’re a Raven’s fan. Picking up Sergio Kindle with the 43rd pick is like stealing. It’s literally like DeNiro and Kilmer robbing a bank in Heat. Everyone agrees he’s a top 20 talent, but his knee has drawn a lot of concern. All I’ll say is Texas is on TV a TON…and I remember him making a lot of plays…so he wasn’t THAT hurt. Look for him to get in multiple packages rushing the passer and making plays. Probably won’t take JJ’s spot this season…but he projects to. Also have to remember, he came to Texas as a MLB and played in a NFL type system… where he was standing on running downs as a LB, and down at DE on passing downs. The Raven’s benefit from another “whisper” campaign, like with Mike Oher last year …gotta love it.
Ozzie just kept the thievery going by grabbing the Imposing NT Terrance Cody. Getting him at # 57 is just incredible value. Think getting a 52” LCD 1080p from Wal-Mart for 400 bucks on sale!!! Ngata and he on the interior just isn’t fair…. You can nit-pick all you want about his weight, but Vince Wilfork is AT LEAST 375 lbs and he’s the top NT in the game….Another pick that could have been made at 25 and wouldn’t have raised eyebrows.
And to finish off the grand larceny, TE Ed Dickson was picked 70th in the 3rd round. A big time play maker with great hands and the ability to spread out wide and create match-up problems. He has the body to develop into a decent blocker. He ran a low 4.6 at his pro-day and at 6’4” 250; he’s got all the measurables. (I really like this kid, Oregon is a team I watched 4-5 times this fall. Not sure why he wasn’t targeted more there, he’s a good player) On another note, coaching in the NFL is a big key here…proper technique, hand placement, and leverage must be taught.
Day Two Grade A+
When you trade down for more picks, then use said picks to get PROVEN players, at GREAT value, who were HIGH on the board. It’s what’s known as a W my friends.

DAY THREE:
At pick #114 the Ravens grabbed another TE in Dennis Pitta from BYU. While at 1st, I was highly agitated, since corner is the biggest need…OR SO IT SEEMS!!! When a team drafts the same position with 2 straight picks…they’re speaking… and they’re saying, “this position on our team SUCKS…and we need some dudes NOW” Todd Heap is the only TE on the team other than Devon Drew, who now, isn’t making the team. Pitta was a BIG-TIME target for BYU. The Ravens basically shored up this position for the short and long term. Between Dickson and Pitta the Ravens will get some plays out of the #2 TE.
David Reed was our pick at #156 and I think it’s a good one. He’s really sudden and explosive and brings something to the table in the return game. His 91 yard TD on YouTube is worth checking out. The key for him is learning how to run routes and get open in the league. If he can get on the SAME page with Flacco, look for him to play some. He has real tackle breaking ability. And even though he runs in the low 4.5 range, he plays a lot faster.
Art Jones was picked next at #157, and again it seems to be a nice value pick. With some other corners getting claimed they most likely figured get best available and that very well could prove to be Jones. Highly thought of, but got hurt and needed surgery in November. Also this kid was playing NT when he’s built to play 3-4 DE. Has good pass rush moves and as a 5 tech, would be a factor in the run game. If healthy, look for this kid to get into the rotation. I caught his game against Cincinnati and he consistently played on THEIR side of the line.
Ramon Harewood was the pick in the 6th round. Not much info on this huge Tackle/Guard prospect from Morehouse University. There are reports online he ran a 5.18 40 yard dash time at his pro day…..at over 340 lbs. Worth a pick in the 6th round to see if he can develop into a player in a few years.
Day 3 Grade: B+
Would have been an A, but they didn’t grab a corner. Anyone who watched the Ravens play last year wanted to see them grab at least one cover guy.
Overall Grade: A
The Ravens have stayed true to their board and made their team better for the short and long term. Not much more you can ask from a draft. Also don’t have to spend money on a 1st round pick. All these guys will be in camp, on time. When you couple these draft picks with guys who didn’t really contribute last year (Kruger, Phillips, Gerard, J. Riley, and M. Smith) the future looks real bright. If they can find 1 young corner who can contribute as an undrafted FA this draft is an A++. (This is VERY likely people, they find gems)

Stallworth Signing Leaves Fans Questioning Ravens' Front Office

2010-02-18T23:18:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs

February 19, 2010

Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens signed free agent wide receiver Donte' Stallworth to a one-year contract worth $900,000. Generally, a Ravens fan would have two possible gut reactions to seeing that news crawl across the ESPN Bottom Line (or a similar news ticker):

A) That's good! He's gives the Ravens some speed that they currently lack at that position, and the Ravens need that desperately.

B) What? Wasn't he suspended this whole year for killing somebody?

Neither reaction is incorrect. Stallworth automatically becomes the fastest wideout on the roster and has the potential to improve quarterback Joe Flacco's deeper passes so that he can worry more about being accurate on a given throw than overshooting his target. Stallworth also hasn't shown that speed in over a year - last March, he was charged with vehicular manslaughter after killing a pedestrian while driving under the influence of alcohol, and he was consequently suspended for the 2009 season by the NFL.

The shrewd part of this signing is in the facts and figures: Stallworth's contract is pretty low for a veteran (mostly due to his undesirable status as a criminal), and he has shown that he can produce solid numbers for a No. 2 receiver, catching 70 passes for 945 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2005 for the New Orleans Saints. Economically speaking, that sounds like a low-risk and potentially high-reward acquisition.

The more important aspects of this signing are, unfortunately, a lot less measurable. The intangibles of the Stallworth signing make up a veritable powder keg of negative publicity that could really hurt Baltimore if he doesn't play a considerable role in the offense in 2010. For one, the fact that he signed with the Ravens perpetuates Baltimore's "thug" reputation among the rest of the NFL. The stream of off-field incidents involving Cincinnati Bengals players in recent years has helped divert attention from the Ravens, but they have yet to really shake the "bad boy" label, one that they have been desperately trying to erase in the wake of investigations involving Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis earlier this decade. The "second chance" philosophy that owner Steve Bisciotti stands by is admirable, but at the moment, it may not be great for business.

The larger issue at play, however, is the direction the Ravens' front office is taking in remaking the receiving corps to better complement Flacco's development as (hopefully) a franchise quarterback. The need for a dynamic No. 1 wide receiver has been staring GM Ozzie Newsome and director of player personnel Eric DeCosta in the face for quite some time now (nearly two calendar years), and in that time, they have yet to make a significant move to take the pressure off a solid-but-aging Derrick Mason. Signing Stallworth is no more an improvement to the offense than was the signing of Kelley Washington from among a group of ho-hum candidates who worked out for the Ravens last May. At best, it's incremental progress for a team that needs serious receiving talent as quickly as they can get it.

How is this year's situation any different from last year? Fans are sharing the same whispered rumors about Anquan Boldin and Brandon Marshall today that they ooh-ed and ahh-ed about before last year's draft. It's clear that Newsome and Decosta are not willing to part with high draft picks or shell out considerable cash to sign a free agent receiver, and neither one of those reservations is necessarily a bad thing. On the other hand, limiting the team's acquisitions primarily to the NFL draft is risky and shrinks the pool of talent considerably.

Given Flacco's success in the passing game this season (3,613 yards, 21 TDs, 12 INTs), some might say that the Ravens don't need any additions at all, but for all the hits Mason has taken in the past two seasons, he's aging at a rate that far exceeds almost any other receiver in the league, meaning that he probably won't be catching passes for too much longer (he turned 36 last month). For a team that needs (and has needed) a quality young receiver immediately, the lack of activity in the Ravens' front office is nerve-racking. The expectations of automatic performance and production that will be demanded of a rookie receiver (assuming Baltimore takes one in the draft) are unhealthy and may hamper his development. Realistically, unless that rookie has talents comparable to a Percy Harvin or a Michael Crabtree (minus the attitude), he shouldn't be reasonably expected to put up good numbers until at least his second or third year.

So now the Ravens are really stuck. They didn't get Mason a replacement to groom or a sidekick to team with last offseason, and the prospects seem restricted to the draft this year. If Mason decides to retire before the start of the 2010 season, their receiving corps will hardly be any better than that of the Browns, Raiders and Rams, all of whom were ranked near the bottom of the barrel in passing offense this year. If that happens, Ravens fans will have only one question for their front office.

Guys, what's going on up there?

For Ex-Raven Adalius Thomas, A Tale of Two Cities

2010-01-12T18:48:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs
January 12, 2010

The last time the Baltimore Ravens met the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs, Adalius Thomas was wearing a purple jersey.

That was the 2006 AFC Divisional Playoffs. This is now.

Almost three years removed from agreeing to a $35 million contract with the New England Patriots in the spring of 2007, Thomas has not been anything close to the All-Pro caliber player that Bill Belichick thought he had acquired.

In the three seasons he started for the Ravens' defense, Thomas averaged nearly 80 tackles and over 9 sacks each season, including a Pro-Bowl campaign in 2006 and a league-leading 3 non-offensive touchdowns in 2005. Thomas saw time at linebacker, cornerback, defensive end and special teams, maximizing the rare speed and strength he possessed in his 6'2", 270-pound frame. He was a smart player that grew to be a fan favorite in Baltimore, a face of Rex Ryan's vaunted defensive unit.

When he signed with the Patriots on March 3rd following the 2006 season, the Ravens were sad to let him go, knowing they had lost a good player to higher pay. Since that time, however, the phrase "I wish we had Adalius back" has not been common refrain. Role players and stars alike, including Jarret Johnson, Jameel McClain, Trevor Pryce, Brendon Ayanbadejo and Terrell Suggs, have taken over different parts of Thomas' former duties and have played well in those areas.

Thomas, on the other hand, has suffered in the painfully cold New England weather and similarly frigid playing environment that is Bill Belichick's locker room. After being elected a defensive captain at the start of the season, Thomas has been frozen out twice, deactivated from the 45-man game roster against Tennessee and Carolina despite being healthy. The second time was the result of being one of four players late to an 8AM meeting on a morning when traffic was congested due to a morning snowfall.

Said Thomas: "Sending somebody home, that’s like, ‘You’re expelled until you come back and make good grades.’ Get that [expletive] out of here. It’s ridiculous."

In his three years with the Patriots, Thomas' numbers have been significantly less than billed.
He hasn't had an interception or scored a touchdown since 2007, and his sack total in that time has been 14.5, barely half of his production level in Baltimore. Much of Thomas' decreased stat totals may have had to do with his progressively diminishing playing time (he played just over 50% of New England's defensive snaps this season), but that's also a chicken-or-egg rationale that might suggest he wasn't playing as well in the first place.

Thomas will probably not survive the offseason in New England (even if he wants to) unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. Under the present salary cap terms, the Patriots would owe Thomas a figure north of $4 million for the next two seasons if they were to release him at this time. At 32, he still has a few good years left in the tank and could be an attractive free agent pickup (if he is released) for teams looking to shore up their pass rush, but his disgruntled public behavior and recent under-performance won't help him in that regard.

So much for the grass being greener in New England.
--

Sources: Boston Globe, ESPN

Video Interference: Ravens-Raiders Referees Weaken Integrity of NFL Officiating

2010-01-04T17:53:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs
January 4, 2010

With 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Oakland Raiders, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco took a 3rd-down snap and dropped back to pass, not knowing that the footsteps he made in the ensuing six seconds would potentially change the NFL's use of instant replay in future seasons.

Flacco evaded pressure from the Raiders defense and started to scramble toward the line of scrimmage, seemingly intending to advance the ball a few yards across the line of scrimmage with a short run. As he approached the line, Flacco spotted running back Ray Rice alone in the endzone. Flacco then rifled the ball to Rice in an attempt to score a touchdown in the waning moments of the half, but the pass sailed over Rice's head and fell incomplete.

The problem with Flacco's decision was that he had already passed the line of scrimmage at the moment he released the ball. According to NFL rules, such a play constitutes an illegal forward pass, a penalty that demands a five-yard penalty on the Ravens and a loss of down; additionally, because the action occurred within the last two minutes of the game, it required a deduction of ten seconds off the game clock.

Everyone watching the game knew Flacco had committed a penalty. In spite of the obvious infraction, no official called a penalty on the play.

There is a general understanding among football fans that instant replay cannot be used as a tool to call penalties that are not originally called during the course of the play. The next five minutes of television shattered this understanding entirely.

Knowing that Flacco almost certainly committed a penalty, the NFL officials in the replay booth took the play into their own hands, calling for an official video review of the play (which they are legally allowed to do with any controversial play within the final two minutes of the half). After reviewing the play, the officials determined that an illegal forward pass did occur and penalized the Ravens for down and distance in relation to the previous play.

Under league rules, the wording of the instant replay policy allows the instant replay process to be used in helping determine whether or not an illegal forward pass occurred; in the spirit of the law, however, this application was probably intended to clarify whether or not an illegal forward pass is made during an attempted lateral, not when the pass was intended for a down-field target. When a play like that occurs, such as the famed Music City Miracle, then the penalty is appropriate, but in this situation, the results could have been disastrous for the Ravens.

The outcome of the play was an incomplete pass, leaving 12 seconds on the game clock before halftime with the ball on the Oakland 15-yard line. Because of the penalty instituted by the replay booth, the field goal attempt ended up being snapped from the 20-yard line, meaning it was 37 yards long. Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed the attempt wide to the right side, meaning the Ravens had less than a one-touchdown lead (14-10 rather than 17-10) heading into halftime.

Did Cundiff's miss ultimately affect the end result of the game? No. But the significant role that the officials played in altering the circumstances of the kick could be crucial in future games. The way in which the penalty was called, even if it was the correct call, sets a precedent that is dangerous if not counter-productive to the review process.

Imagine a similar situation in which there are less than two minutes left in the game and the ball is spotted just inside field goal range. Then imagine that the offense throws an incomplete pass, but the booth chooses to review how many people were on the field at the snap of the ball. (This assumes that the excess of people was an accident, as it is unlikely that an NFL team would actually try to run a play with 12 players.) After review, the officials agree that there were 12 offensive players on the field at the time of the snap. The offense is penalized five yards and is now out of field goal range, despite the fact that the result of the play did not help them at all.

It's scary to think that officials who aren't on the field can have such an impact on the game, but that potential is now on the table. Just don't blame Joe Flacco.

Ravens vs. Steelers: Keys to the Game

2009-12-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

By Ben Butanis

The NFL schedule-makers know what they're doing.

Let's face it: when the Ravens' schedule for the 2009-2010 season was released, we all circled December 27 on the calendar.

While the Cincinatti Bengals (9-5) are the surprise of the AFC North, this game between the Ravens and Steelers will go a long way in determining which team will likely take one of the AFC wildcard spots.

Here are the keys to the game for the Baltimore Ravens:

1) Take down Ben Roethlisberger early and often.
Ben Roethlisberger's ability to elude tacklers and extend plays is what makes him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the NFL. With Ladarius Webb joining Fabian Washington on IR, the Ravens were forced to sign CB Corey Ivy to play at corner and on special teams -- which weakens an already suspect secondary. But here's a little known secret: Corey Ivy can't cover anyone. Neither can Frank Walker, or for that matter, Chris Carr. In order for the Ravens to have any success Sunday, the pass rush will need to take Roethlisberger to the ground early and often -- or Roethlisberger will pick the secondary apart.

2) Get Le'Ron McClain 15-20 touches in the running game.
Ray Rice has, without a doubt, been the team's MVP this season. He's a threat to take it to the house every time he touches the ball, and it's important to keep him heavily involved. But the Ravens will need to use McClain to wear down the Steelers' defense. The Ravens/Steelers matchup always boils down to which team is more physical -- this one won't be an exception.

3) Joe Flacco avoids costly interceptions.
This seems like a no-brainer. Flacco threw an interception in Week 1 (Kansas City) and Week 2 (San Diego) and the Ravens won those games. Since Week 2, in winning efforts, Flacco has been perfect (eight touchdowns, zero interceptions). But over the course of the six Ravens losses this season, Flacco has tossed nine interceptions. Interestingly enough, the Ravens are +9 in the turnover battle, while the Steelers are -5.

Fearless prediction: Steelers 24, Ravens 21
As much as I'd like to see the Ravens win, I don't see them being able to contain the Steelers' passing game with such a depleted secondary. The loss of Ladarius Webb has been the most costly injury this season -- Webb showed the ability to cover extremely well, be a physical run stopper and provide explosiveness in the return game. While Corey Ivy should be able to cover Joey Galloway (recently signed to replace the injured Limas Sweed), I don't see the combination of Frank Walker/Chris Carr being able to effectively stop Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes.

Notes: The Ravens can clinch a playoff birth this week by first beating Pittsburgh, THEN A) Jacksonville AND either the Jets or Broncos lose, OR Miami, the Jets and Broncos all lose...John Harbaugh explains why the Ravens signed Corey Ivy and not Chris McAlister...Troy Smith wants to be more than just a Wildcat quarterback...ESPN's James Walker says the Ravens plan to start Chris Carr at corner against the Steelers...Michael Oher is Jeremy Green's (Scouts, Inc.) #1 Rookie to Watch and his pick for rookie of the year for Week 15...If you haven't seen it yet, ESPN has an interesting video about Ray Lewis' view of Baltimore City...Browns QB Brady Quinn is out for the rest of the season...Mike Holmgren has accepted the GM position for the Cleveland Browns.

Ravens vs. Steelers: A One-Round Prize Fight to Save Baltimore's Season

2009-11-29T02:21:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs
November 29, 2009

For fans of the Baltimore Ravens, there exists no phrase in the English language that evokes as much hateful emotion as "Pittsburgh Steelers." The words themselves are difficult to say without a sarcastic sneer on one's face, testimony to the acrid feelings shared by all Baltimoreans on any given Sunday when "that black and gold team" wins. No fans are more familiar with Ben Roethlisberger's habit of escaping the pocket and finding an open receiver; no team knows and respects and loathes the other team's defense as Baltimore despises Pittsburgh. The mere mention of last year's AFC Championship game gets the blood pumping at exponentially high levels in fans crossing the Ostend Street bridge toward the stadium gates. Not even the Bronx Bombers themselves eclipse the Steelers' mark for "Most Hated Baltimore Opponent." I won't speak to Pittsburgh's most hated opponent, but here's evidence of the lengths the team will go to make sure the Ravens feel unwelcome.

Pick your generic insult: somewhere, that jab will be sold on a t-shirt outside M&T Bank Stadium in the hours before tonight's game. Whatever the normal price of your ticket may be, it just went up $100. If you think you've seen Ray Lewis fired up this season, you haven't even come close. All-black Ravens jerseys or normal home colors, rain or shine, NBC or Section B, Row C, this is a game you will not want to miss, wherever you pledge your team allegiance. It is, like most years, the best game the AFC North has to offer.

Last year, the margin of victory in each of the three games between these teams was a single digit (3, 4 and 9). This year's editions of each rank in the top ten in total defense, points allowed and rushing yards allowed. Both have had two tight losses to division leader Cincinnati and other games where they were oh-so-close but could not pull out a win. With records near the .500 mark, both teams would love to have this game to help their push for the sixth AFC playoff spot, but the Ravens need it most. As they stand at 5-5 with games still to play at Green Bay, home against Chicago and then in Pittsburgh on December 27th, their season is riding on the outcome of this game.

Fans are well aware that the conditions of tonight's game are such that the Ravens are already in a good position to succeed. Clear weather, relatively low winds and 71,000 of their loudest, closest friends will support them in their efforts, but simply having Uncle Mo' on their side won't be enough to get the job done.

Thanks to Derrick Johnson, the Ravens have been spared the experience of facing Steelers starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has completed more than 68 percent of his passes this season and has an uncanny knack for wriggling out of tight situations. This is a colossal advantage for Baltimore: because backup quarterback Charlie Batch was also injured in last week's Steelers-Chiefs contest, the task of leading the Steelers' offense now falls to third-stringer Dennis Dixon, a man who has exactly one pass attempt in his two years in the NFL. Dixon's lack of experience should give the Ravens plenty of opportunities to create confusion; the ideal result would be for Dixon to struggle so much that the Pittsburgh offense becomes one-dimensional, allowing the Ravens to focus on running back Rashard Mendenhall and eliminate any hope Pittsburgh has of sustaining long scoring drives. The flip side is that Dixon gives the Ravens more to worry about, since he is quick on his feet and dangerous in the open field in a way that Roethlisberger simply is not.

When the Ravens offense takes the field, the key is distribution. In recent weeks, Joe Flacco has thrown 62 percent of his passes to wideout Derrick Mason or running back Ray Rice, which is a departure from early-season games in which complementary receivers Mark Clayton, Todd Heap and Kelley Washington were more involved. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron needs to implement a balanced attack in which the Steelers cannot target one receiver without the risk of giving up a big play. Additionally, backup running backs Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain should carry the ball at least 5-10 times between the two of them to change the pace of the offense and make sure Rice doesn't tire early. If the Ravens are forced to rely on their inconsistent special teams play, they will have sorely missed their mark.

For the Steelers, this game will be about minimizing the decisions Dixon must make in the pocket and finding different ways to get the ball into the hands of Mendenhall and wideouts Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes as quickly and safely as possible. The running game will most likely be the focus of Ray Lewis and Co., so Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, if he is wise, should use Dixon's ability to scramble on pass plays to his advantage. I expect the Steelers to play their normal brand of smashmouth defense with or without injured safety Troy Polamalu; their bigger problem is fixing the play of their special teams unit, which allowed a crucial touchdown to Kansas City last week. Return man Stefan Logan will also need to make a big play if the offense sputters under Dixon's control, or the Steelers may be out of luck.

Although the season's end is a long way away, the winner of tonight's matchup will determine which team sets themselves on the path to the final playoff spot. Because they still have a home game left against the Ravens, the Steelers would be less hurt by a loss, but that's not the case for Baltimore. This is a make-or-break game with all the trappings of playoff intensity. If the Ravens lose, they cannot point the finger at anyone but themselves.

Former Ravens Coach Billick Among Notre Dame's Replacement Options

2009-11-28T19:30:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs

According to a report made yesterday afternoon, former Ravens coach Brian Billick is being considered as a candidate for the presumed opening at Notre Dame following the expected firing of head coach Charlie Weis at the end of the season. The report stated that sources close to the situation say Billick is thought to be "a strong and viable candidate for that opportunity."

Why It's Smart
Billick is a religious man, so he shouldn't have trouble adjusting to South Bend's Catholic attitude. He's also a offensive-minded coach, which meshes well with the Irish's traditionally pro-style offense. He's a very open, personable, outspoken guy, which is something Notre Dame football needs from the face of their program. He believes in his players and will defend them tooth and nail.

Why It's Dumb
Considering Billick's well-known propensity for running laid-back training camps, he doesn't seem like the kind of coach needed to hold college kids accountable for their actions. Granted, we're not talking about Tennessee here, but when you're 18 or 19 years old and you're on Notre Dame's football team, your head can swell very quickly. He last coached in college as a graduate assistant in the early '90s, and if Weis' struggles are any indication, he may have significant trouble in his first few years (if he makes it that long).

Ravens' Play in Loss to Colts Proves They Still Have a Chance

2009-11-23T00:56:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs
November 23, 2009

Colts 17, Ravens 15 is a long way from what I thought the score would be, and in that respect, I'm very pleased, but at the same time, I'm upset because they had a shot to win that game and they blew it. Economists talk about absolute and relative gains; the former measures a gain compared to a previous level, and the latter measures a gain in comparison to the gains of other competitors. For the Ravens, this game showed huge improvement from the level at which they played last week, but relative to what it could have been, it was a disappointing defeat.

Some things genuinely impressed me about the Ravens' play. The defense held the Colts under 100 yards rushing and 300 yards passing. They were helped in large part by mistakes that Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning made, but he doesn't make mistakes if he's not struggling, so give the defense credit for making him work. RB Ray Rice is a hoss, and his play elevated the entire offense in the second half. They didn't have a touchdown to show for it, but they did move the ball, which they've had difficulty doing in the last few weeks. Quarterback Joe Flacco and wideout Derrick Mason were on the same page for the first time in a while, and the offensive line did a phenomenal job against the Colts' dynamic defensive end duo of Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis. (Nowhere in the box score does either name appear. As far as personal battles go, Freeney is eating crow right now. Michael Oher was right.) Baltimore had only 2 penalties for 20 yards.

On the flip side, the Ravens went 0 for 4 in red zone scoring opportunities, including one occasion when they couldn't pound it in despite having a 1st-and-goal situation. The offense was turnover-free for the entire game before Flacco forced a pass to Rice over the middle that was intercepted by Gary Brackett. It looked like a dumb call from this fan's armchair: passing the ball when you're in the red zone is especially dangerous for a team that runs as well as Baltimore, although they did have 15 passing first downs today. What really bothers me is the fact that the play was called with under five minutes remaining in a close game, one which the Ravens were in position to take the lead even if they didn't move the ball very far (granted, Peyton Manning is a nightmare when pressed for time, but the point still stands).

The defense remains an enigma. They intercepted Manning twice (with the help of DBs Dawan Landry and Ed Reed) and forced a fumble in a key scoring situation for the Colts. They also gave up at least four big plays (20 yards or more) and were unable to register even one sack all day. I like Reed for his play-making abilities, but seeing him in a return situation is nerve-racking, knowing what one does about Reed & ball security during his interception returns. CB Fabian Washington continues his inconsistency, getting beat by Colts wideout Pierre Garcon on a long pass early in the game and then later deflecting a pass intended for tight end Dallas Clark that ended up being an interception. I wouldn't wish an injury on anyone, but Washington's injury might be the best thing for him right now, given his recent lack of solid play. CB Lardarius Webb should get even more chances with Washington hobbling around on crutches.

The Ravens' kicking game made huge strides: newly signed kicker Billy Cundiff was called on four times in the first half, and he hit all four attempts to pull Baltimore within 14-12 at the break. Speaking in relative terms, however, the Ravens were in no different a place today than they were against the Vikings a few weeks ago: a field goal would have won the game, and with everything hanging in the balance, Cundiff missed a lead-changing 30-yard attempt wide right from the left hash mark. He has never missed a field goal inside 30 yards. A game of inches, or so it is said.

Should Cundiff have had another chance to win the game? Yes, if the Ravens had kept the ball inside the Colts' 20 late in the 4th quarter. However, might the offensive strategy have been different if Baltimore had been leading 18-17 on that fateful drive? (I understand the Colts might have changed their tactics on their drive with 7 minutes to play, but I think there was too much time remaining for Colts coach Jim Caldwell to have said "This is it, we need to go for it.")

This loss was incredibly tough to stomach, but there were a lot of redeeming qualities about this game. Th question remains whether or not there is enough silver in the linings for Ravens fans to keep hope alive. I, for one, believe there is. The Chiefs, Lions and Raiders (God bless all of 'em!) put together late rallies to beat all three of the Ravens' AFC North foes within the last minute or in overtime. Kansas City even managed to rattle Ben Roethlisberger enough to force Charlie Batch into action. It's likely that Roethlisberger will be ready to go by next week, but it would a big plus for the Ravens to not have to face his uncanny pocket-escape abilities. With Troy Polamalu out, Sunday Night Football is shaping up to be Baltimore's best shot to take the Steel Curtain for all they're worth.

As playoff implications go, the Ravens will be looking to the San Diego Chargers to widen the gap in the West between themselves and the grossly overrated Denver Broncos. They're on their way, having thumped Denver 32-3 at Mile High on Sunday. The Broncos play three more division games (two against the Chiefs and at home against Oakland) as well as thee others against the Colts, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. The Chargers finish divisional play next week against Kansas City at home and then face the Browns, Cowboys, Bengals, Titans and Redskins to finish out the year. It would help a lot if the Titans are able to beat the Texans tonight, but beyond that, the race is tough to call.

Ravens-Colts Pre-Game Notes 11/22/09

2009-11-22T03:06:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs

Injuries (includes only those players who are unlikely to play)

Ravens

LB Terrell Suggs (Out)

TE Todd Heap (Questionable)

Colts

S Antoine Bethea (Questionable)

Significance: Heap is not a big deal, at least not compared to others at his position who will be key performers in this game (i.e. Dallas Clark). He's had less than five catches in each of his last three games and has been held under 50 yards receiving in all of them, so don't expect him to have much of an impact. He hasn't scored since week 2, but saying that he's due to have a TD is optimistic.

Bethea's having a banner season thus far (64 tackles, 3 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles), so it would make things a lot easier on the Ravens' receivers if he were on the sideline. With backup Aaron Francisco officially listed as "out" on the NFL.com injury report, losing Bethea could be a real blow to the Colts' D if he were to aggravate his foot injury.

Suggs is the real concern on this list. His stats aren't great this year, but he's a focal point of the Ravens' pass rush, and without him, Jarret Johnson and Trevor Pryce will have to work harder to free themselves in pressure situations. The Colts have the best passing offense in the league, and damage control should be Baltimore's primary concern against the headcase that is Peyton Manning. If they can keep the Colts under 30 points, they will have done their job.

Other Concerns

It worries me somewhat that defensive coordinator Greg Mattison doesn't think the defense needs to do anything special to combat the Colts' prolific air attack. In games against pass-heavy teams so far this season (Chargers, Vikings, Patriots), the Ravens are 1-2. Manning hasn't lost to the Ravens since 2001, including a 2006 playoff battle with the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. However you slice it, this situation doesn't look favorable to John Harbaugh at the moment. It's about time that Ed Reed and Fabian Washington rose to the occasion: if they don't contribute when the Ravens really need them, they'll have difficulty helping the team much at all for the next six weeks.

Prediction: Colts 34, Ravens 23. Billy Cundiff hits 3 field goals in his debut, and the Ravens manage to save face offensively in a game that was otherwise a forgone conclusion at kickoff. The Bengals play Oakland and the Steelers face the Chiefs, so if there's gonna be a change in the standings this week, it will be the Ravens falling farther behind. Let's hope they make a decent game of it and nobody gets hurt.

Too Legit to Quit: Baltimore Ravens Midseason Report

2009-11-17T17:30:00.000-08:00

By Tyler Springs

This article was written on Monday 11/16/09, prior to the game against Browns. A post-Browns game update is tacked on at the end.

For lack of better phrasing, this is awkward.

Clearly, the Ravens were not expected to be sitting in third place in the AFC North at 4-4 heading into Week 9. The offense has been unexpectedly good; the defense, unexpectedly bad. At times it seems that fate has conspired against John Harbaugh's team: Mark Clayton's hands were just a little slippery in New England; Steve Hauschka got a bit nervous in Minnesota; the officials may have been overzealous with their flags in the first Bengals game, although that wasn't necessarily the determining factor in the outcome of the game. There have been moments where second-year players Joe Flacco and Ray Rice have looked spectacular, and others where they have disappeared or been flat out bad. These are uncharted waters for a team that is used to relying on its defense to preserve games. The offense is ranked in the top ten in the NFL in points per game and yards per game, but the normally top five defense has been less than impenetrable, falling all the way down to 19th in pass defense and 13th in average yards allowed. Still, as much as Baltimoreans everywhere wanted to shoot their television sets during last Sunday's game in Cincinnati, there is reason to believe that things can turn around. I was a skeptic like many others. But having tried to analyze what happened to a supposedly good team in the last few games, I've found evidence that, although improvement is needed, this team can still make the playoffs. Save that cyanide for at least two more weeks - there's football yet to be played. I'll start with an issue that may be the most obvious, but still needs to be analyzed.

Staying Grounded
In every win so far, the Ravens have compiled more than 100 yards rushing and held their opponents under that mark. The only instance in which those statistics did not lead to a win was the Week 4 matchup against the Patriots, and it's not a reach to say that the Ravens could have (and probably should have) won that game. Whatever happens in the upcoming weeks, it is absolutely imperative that the Ravens get the ball to each of their three running backs, even if that means only handing off to McGahee and McClain a handful of times. Ray Rice has been the workhorse of the three, but it's important that he stays fresh so he can still be effective later in the season. Rice has carried more than 15 times only twice this season, in wins against Kansas City and Denver. However, be careful not to misconstrue this as him being the focus of the offense correlating to Baltimore wins, as the Ravens are only 2-3 when he gets 20 touches or more.

Balance is important, and it's Cam Cameron's job to find and maintain that equilibrium in sharing carries and mixing runs with passes, but running comes first. In the last few weeks, it's been difficult for Cameron to maintain the pounding ground attack that Baltimore thrives on because the Ravens have fallen behind early and have been forced to pass in order to get back in the game. In every loss, quarterback Joe Flacco has attempted more than 30 passes. In the brilliant season he had last year, Flacco averaged just over 26 attempts per game, and although he has played well for a second-year player, he's still young and given enough chances, he will make mistakes. As dumb as it may sound, Cameron has to control Flacco's opportunities...rein him in, so to speak. Those extra opportunities are the ones that get him in trouble - he's not yet good enough to carry the team by himself, and if he tries to force things and hope for the best (a la Brett Favre, on occasion), he will get in trouble.

I know that stats should not define an offensive gameplan, and I'm not qualified enough to assess Cam Cameron's tendencies as an offensive coordinator, but when it's not clear whether he should call a run or a pass (e.g. 2nd and 5, or something to that effect), it's not a bad idea to keep the ball on the ground. It's safer, and it seems to be more effective. Of the remaining teams on the Ravens' schedule, only two have run defenses ranked higher than 15th: Pittsburgh (1st) and Green Bay (4th). Those games will be difficult, but previous contests against the Vikings and Bengals have shown that Baltimore can at least be competitive against highly ranked run defenses.

On the other side of the ball, the Ravens have to take care of business against opposing running backs. They sorely missed the presence of hole-clogger Haloti Ngata, who did not play in last week's loss to Cincinnati because of an ankle injury; consequently, the Bengals rolled up more than 140 yards on the ground en route to a win. Ngata's mammoth size (6'4", 345 lbs) allows the Ravens to play with only three down linemen, which creates more blitz opportunities for the linebackers. Without the big fella, Baltimore tends to use a four-man front, which has not been as effective in controlling the line of scrimmage. Ngata is questionable for tonight's game against the Browns, but regardless of whether or not he plays, defensive coordinator Greg Mattison must find a way to keep Cleveland running back Jamal Lewis contained. Regardless of what happens against Cleveland, Ngata's playing time needs to be monitored and, if necessary, limited in the coming weeks in order to minimize the risk of exacerbating his injury; it may be risky for the Ravens to keep Ngata on the sidelines on third and short situations, but unless the play occurs at a crucial momentum turning point during the game, it's better to hold him back. I'm not an expert on the Ravens' defensive scheme, but in a situation where Ngata is not on the field, it would seem logical for Mattison to use five or six players to control the line, depending on the situation. The Packers are the only team left on the Ravens' calendar who are ranked in the top half of the NFL in rushing, which bodes well for the defense. They have a bigger (although related) problem to worry about.

Pressuring the Quarterback
The injury to Ngata and the lack of youth on the defensive line has prevented the Ravens from getting much pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season. The defense has just 17 sacks so far, which is half the number accumulated to date by the league-leading Vikings. In each of their wins, the Ravens have sacked the opposing quarterback at least twice, but that won't necessarily be enough to keep them in future games. In games against teams who pass at least 30 times per game, the Ravens are 1-1 (lost to the Vikings, beat the Chargers), and four of their remaining opponents rank among the top twelve in the NFL in passing offense (Pittsburgh, Chicago, Green Bay, and Indianapolis).

Whatever it takes to rattle the opposing passer, the Ravens have got to find a way to do it. Clearly, the secondary is not as capable as those of years past, but playing more inept defenders in coverage is not going to help the situation. This is where the D-line becomes vital to the survival of the team: if they can't rush the opposing quarterback's decision-making process, the Ravens secondary will look worse than a tomato going through a Cuisinart. Again, I can't say I have a bottomless knowledge of the intricacies of the Ravens defense, but given the personnel on the depth chart, it appears that the speedier linebackers and defensive backs would be the likely blitzers while the older D-line would serve to clog up the trenches. The stats support this idea to an extent (Jarret Johnson and Terrell Suggs are among the top three sack leaders on the team), but Chris Carr is the only defensive back who has registered a sack this season. Tonight's game against the Browns would be an ideal situation in which Mattison could test out a few blitzes that utilize the secondary, since Cleveland's offense is very weak (next to last in the NFL). Dawan Landry has been a ghost this season, so why not use him and Carr to try and make an impact in some way other than defending the pass?

2nd Half Prospective
I've covered the two points that I think are most important. Ravens fans are buzzing right now about Steve Hauschka's lack of execution, but I'm honestly not worried about him. Harbaugh's a special teams coach, and he had faith enough in Hauschka to release the Ravens' all-time scoring leader before this season began. The field goal against the Bengals was not as game-changing as people are making it out to be, and I think most of them will admit that. The kicking will come around, and a game against the Browns should give Hauschka a good chance to get some confidence back with a few simple extra points. Assuming he recovers from his recent woes, the plan for the rest of the season is plain, although not simple. The Ravens need to go at least 6-2 in the second half, and that means running the table on non-conference opponents. Basically, Baltimore needs to steal a win from Indianapolis or win one of their two meetings against Pittsburgh, neither of which will be easy. But the Ravens got themselves into this mess, and it's time for them to mop it up, starting with Cleveland tonight.
--

Post-Browns Update

Good Things
Rice had 20 carries for 89 yards and a touchdown, and the Ravens compiled 134 yards on the ground, helped by 13 carries from McGahee late in the game. Flacco only had to attempt 18 passes in the entire game, and he didn't turn the ball over. The defense held the Browns under 100 yards rushing AND 100 yards passing, sacking Brady Quinn four times and hitting him another four. The secondary accounted for four TFL, one sack, two interceptions and three passes defended.

Bad Things
There were at least three occasions last night on which the Ravens had 3rd-and-short and chose to pass rather than run and didn't convert. One of them was a halfback pass to Todd Heap that Ray Rice underthrew, which was an incredibly risky call in the fourth quarter with only a two-touchdown lead. (Anything less than 17 points worries me, even against the Browns.) The offense sputtered, converting only 4 of 14 third downs, but most of the blame for that is on their performance on first and second down, as many of the attempts came in long yardage situations (i.e. 3rd-and-5 or longer).

Ugly Things
Steve Hauschka missed one of two field goal attempts and had one of his extra points blocked. Sadly, those mistakes cost him his roster spot. (So much for my vote of confidence.) The Ravens were forced to punt seven times, scored one offensive touchdown and pieced together only 274 yards of total offense against the worst defense in the league (their average yards allowed in a game is nearly 400). Seven penalties cost them 43 yards in field position, helping them maintain their position as the 4th most penalized team in the league.

Looking Downfield
If Baltimore continues to underachieve, they will feel heavy repercussions, and soon. The undefeated Colts come to town next week, followed by the Steelers on Sunday Night Football after Thanksgiving. Anything less than a massacre will be merciful in both cases.

Bengals Maul Ravens: By the Numbers

2009-11-09T05:21:00.000-08:00

By Ben Butanis
Ray Lewis is more than willing to talk to the media when the Ravens are winning. He has no problem being the face of the franchise when the defense is one of the best in the league.

He loves talking about Joe Flacco and Co. when the offense is moving the ball and finding the end zone.

Tellingly, Ray Lewis was nowhere to be found after the Bengals' dominating 17-7 win at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.

By the Numbers:
4.65: Cedric Benson's average yards-per-carry against the Ravens this season. With 34 carries for 117 yards on Sunday and his 120-yard game in Week 5, Benson became the first running back to reach the century mark in two consecutive games against the Ravens since Ricky Williams did it in 2002-03.

54: The number of total yards the Ravens offense accumulated in the first half. Joe Flacco was off -- he either released the ball too high or held on to it for too long.

2-to-1: The time of possession, in favor of Cincinatti. The Bengals held the ball for 40 minutes, which, in the NFL, is virtually impossible. It speaks to the tenacity of the Bengals' defense and the ineffectiveness of the Ravens offense.

38: The distance of Steve Hauschka's missed field goal in the fourth quarter. The field goal would have brought the Ravens within seven points. After Matt Stover's two field goals (from 22 and 37 yards) helped Indianapolis beat Houston, there are a lot of people questioning Ozzie Newsome's choice to not re-sign him during the offseason.

5: The number of passes caught by Ravens receivers. Derrick Mason, who was shut out in Week 5, caught three of those for 31 yards -- but Flacco threw to him 13 times.

80: The Ravens' total number of penalty yards. The Bengals were penalized one less time, but amassed 40 less yards. This tendency begs the question: Does this team have any discipline?

Look on the Bright Side:
In a game that all facets of the Ravens' gameplan failed, there is one bright spot: CB Ladarius Webb is the real deal. With Ed Reed trying to arm tackle, Dominique Foxworth and Fabian Washington slipping all over the field, and Dawan Landry downright awful in coverage, Webb was the only solid player in the secondary. Webb plays with physicality, turns his hips well in coverage, and wraps up when he tackles.

As a returner, he runs straight ahead-- unlike Chris Carr, who runs laterally.

Webb needs to be starting -- he played extremely well after Fabian Washington left the game with an injury.

Ravens vs. Bengals: Keys to a Ravens Victory

2009-11-05T07:27:00.000-08:00

By Ben Butanis
The Bengals compiled 403 total yards against the Ravens in Week 5, including the final 80-yard drive capped off by Andre Caldwell's 20-yard touchdown catch.

Cedric Benson looked like Walter Payton. Carson Palmer was barely touched all day. And the Ravens' defense drew 10 costly penalties, including three on the final drive.

This game is a must-win for the Ravens (4-3). They trail Pittsburgh and Cincinatti, both of whom are 5-2, in the AFC North -- but Cincinatti is 3-0 in the division.

In order to beat Cincinatti this week, the Ravens must:

1. Stop Cedric Benson.
I agree with Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun. Benson's success on the ground really opens up the Bengals' passing game -- something at which Carson Palmer and Co. don't need help. Benson gashed the Ravens defense for 120 yards in the opening contest, the first running back to gain over 100 yards against the Ravens in 40 games. The defense is eager to start another streak.

The task of stopping Benson may be even more difficult this time around. DT Haloti Ngata missed practice Wednesday. Ngata is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered last week against the Vikings. If he can't go Sunday, Justin Bannan should get the start.

2. Set the tone early: Get pressure on Carson Palmer.
Last week, the Ravens showed they could get pressure on Kyle Orton. Jarrett Johnson hit Orton on the first play of the game, and that set the tempo for the rest of the game. The defense played fast and physical -- for the first time this season.

Palmer isn't a mobile quarterback, and if given time, he will pick the secondary apart. A decent cornerback in the NFL is able to cover a receiver for three seconds; the elite corners can do it for four. The Ravens can't allow Palmer four seconds.

3. Avoid stupid penalties.
Chris Carr's illegal contact penalty. Ray Lewis' unnecessary roughness penalty on Chad Ochocinco. Pass interference on Frank Walker. All three were stupid (albeit questionable) penalties on the Bengals' final drive.

The Ravens are penalized at an alarming rate. Through seven games, they have 53 penalties for 520 yards (averaging 7.6 for 74.3 yards a game).

You can get away with penalties against bad teams -- but teams like the Bengals, Colts, Steelers, and Packers have the ability to make you pay for your mistakes. The Ravens need to start playing smart football -- starting this week against Carson Palmer.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Bengals 20

Notes: Joe Flacco is the Ravens' MVP, according to Kevin Cowherd...Michael Oher's story is making quite an impression in Hollywood...Oher is ESPN's No. 2 Rookie to Watch in Week 8...Apparently L.J. Smith is waiting for his big break...funny, I thought you had to earn your playing time in the NFL...hard to catch a break when you're injured all the time ...The Ravens are 10th in ESPN's Week 8 Power Rankings...The Steelers are seventh and Cincinatti is sixth...Chiefs' running back Larry Johnson is 75 yards shy of Priest Holmes' franchise record of 6,070...but fans have started an online petition to general manager Scott Peoli to bench or deactivate Johnson so he won't break the record...Raiders head coach Tom Cable has spoken with Al Davis about allegations concerning Cable's history of violent behavior towards women...the National Organization for Women wants Cable suspended...There's trouble brewing in Big D between Roy Williams and Tony Romo...No. 2 receiver Miles Austin has 21 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns in the last three games...The Titans (1-6) picked up their first win of the season last Sunday, but RB Chris Johnson believes they can finish the season at 10-6...Steve McNair, Jr., son of the late Ravens quarterback, has committed to play wide receiver for Southern Mississippi.

Ravens vs. Broncos: Ravens' Win Ends Broncos' Winning Streak

2009-11-03T09:32:00.000-08:00

By Ben Butanis
Three teams went into Week 8 undefeated: the Saints, Colts, and Broncos.

After the Ravens crushed the Broncos 30-7 on Sunday (and both the Colts and Saints barely edging their opponents), there remains only two.

Coming out of the bye week, the Ravens needed to prove they were a legitimate contender in the AFC North.

The Good:
1. The Defense: After allowing two consecutive 100-yard rushers, there were questions about the toughness of the Ravens run defense -- and the ability of the secondary to stop the pass. Jarrett Johnson's big hit on Kyle Orton on the first play from scrimmage set the tone for the rest of the game. Ed Reed was flying around and hitting hard.

Fabian Washington and Dominique Foxworth have been criticized for their poor performances. Both played well and finished tackles, rendering Brandon Marshall (four catches, 24 yards) and Eddie Royal (two catches, 10 yards) ineffective.

Although Orton was only sacked twice, the blitz packages designed by Greg Mattison provided consistent pressure.

This game (hopefully) symbolizes the return of a quick, physical, and dominant Ravens defense we all remember.

2. Ray Rice: Rice continues to prove he's one of the team's most valuable players. His late touchdown definitively put the game out of reach. And with how well Joe Flacco is playing, the Ravens have a great young tandem to look forward to watching for years to come. You can't help but be impressed by this guy.

3. Special Teams: The coverage unit swarmed all over Eddie Royal and pinned the Broncos' offense back all day long. Ladarius Webb's 95-yard kick return to start the second half proves he is the most explosive kick returner the Ravens have. Steve Hauschka rebounded from his game-losing 43-yard kick against Minnesota with a 3-for-3 effort against the Broncos (from 43, 35, and 31 yards).

The Bad:
1. Penalties: The Ravens seem unable to stay away from penalties. This week, they amassed eight for 94 yards -- including two pass interference calls on the Broncos' only scoring drive. Derrick Mason's 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty -- while understandable -- is still unacceptable. The Ravens were rolling on all cylinders so the penalties didn't factor much into the outcome, but they can't do that against great teams.

Check back later in the week for key matchups in the upcoming Ravens/Bengals game.

Notes: Joe Flacco impressed Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, who compared him to AFC North rival quarterback Ben Roethlesberger...Haloti Ngata left the game in the third quarter with a sprained ankle, but John Harbaugh is being quiet about the injury...it isn't expected to be serious...Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston believes the Ravens have re-discovered the winning formula...John Harbaugh explains benching Frank Walker against the Broncos...Steve Hauschka said missing the game-winning field goal against Minnesota better prepared him for the Broncos game...ESPN's James Walker states a good pass rush is essential for the Ravens...If you haven't seen it yet, check out Woody Paige's article about the Broncos loss...Former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis will retire at the end of the 2009 season...Apparently George Kokinis is responsible for the Browns being terrible...the Browns fired Kokinis after hiring him as their GM less than a year before.

Ravens vs. Vikings: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly...and the Inexcusable

2009-10-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis
I just couldn't bring myself to blog about this game until Wednesday.

Steve Hauschka effectively eliminated the Ravens' comeback hopes with a missed 44-yard field goal at the end of regulation as the Ravens fell to the Vikings, 33-31, on Sunday in Minnesota.

Against the Patriots, the Ravens lost because of their offense (Mark Clayton's drop). Against the Bengals, the defense gave up the game-winning score with less than a minute left. And against the Vikings, it ultimately came down to Hauschka's leg -- and the special teams unit failed.

The loss drops the Ravens to 3-3 heading into their bye week.

The Good
Joe Flacco: Flacco had another career day, completing 28-of-43 passes for 385 yards and two touchdowns. Flacco completed several tough passes across the middle and withstood pressure all day to make great plays. He threw for 196 yards in the fourth quarter alone.
Ray Rice: This game was Ray Rice's best game as a pro. He only carried the ball 10 times, but gained 77 yards on the ground and scored twice (see 1:42 and 4:11). He also led the team in receptions and yards (10 catches, 117 yards) for the second straight week.

The Bad
Ravens' Defense: After not allowing a 100-yard rusher in 39 straight games...they have two runners in consecutive weeks reach the century mark. The secondary is playing terrible football. Fabian Washington was benched in favor of Frank Walker in the second half. For the second straight week, the defense was unable to stop their opponent when they needed it.
T Michael Oher: Granted, Oher had to go up against one of the premier defensive linemen in the league in Jared Allen, but Oher garnered two false-start penalties in the first half. Allen finished with 7 tackles: a sack, four tackles for losses and two quarterback hurries. Oher will be a terrific tackle in the NFL, but he had a rough game on Sunday. Incidentally, Allan and Oher shared some words after the game.
Greg Mattison: Mattison isn't to blame for the defense's inability to stop the Vikings. But Mattison is responsible for the "vanilla" defense we're seeing on the field. In order to mask the weaknesses in the secondary, Mattison needs to dial up more exotic blitz packages.

The Ugly
CB Frank Walker: Walker was playing because John Harbaugh benched Fabian Washington. Walker was called for pass interference (39 and 58 yards) in the fourth quarter alone. But good news Ravens fans: he's moving past the calls...I don't usually like to question John Harbaugh's decisions, but Walker was torched in preseason by third and fourth-string receivers -- why is he even on the roster? Walker should've been cut...but who should have his roster spot?

The Inexcusable
K Steve Hauschka: Missing the game-winning 44-yard field goal is horrific. Missing it in a dome -- no wind or weather -- is inexcusable. The snap from Matt Katula wasn't great, but Sam Koch was able to get the ball down. If Hauschka hopes to have a career in the NFL, he has to make this kick -- it doesn't get much easier. No wonder Joe Flacco didn't watch. (WNST.net) Of course, John Harbaugh is sticking by his kicker...but for how long?

Notes: The NFL trade deadline has passed with no big news...The Baltimore Sun's Jamison Hensley wonders if the Ravens defense is beyond repair...the AP's David Ginsburg says the Ravens' biggest problem is giving up the big play...SportingNews' Dennis Dillon says Ray Rice is an up-and-comer in the NFL...CB Samari Rolle probably won't play for the Ravens this season...CBSSports.com writer Peter Prisco has the Ravens at 15 in his power rankings.

The Ravens are off next week. Check back the following week for the keys to the game against the undefeated Denver Broncos.

Ravens vs. Vikings: Keys to the Game

2009-10-16T05:07:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis
Coming off of two consecutive disappointing losses, the Ravens (3-2) travel to Minneapolis to square off against an impressive undefeated Vikings team, featuring the league's best running back and an unretired NFL legend.

And the Vikings defense isn't too shabby, either. Anchored by DE Jared Allen, the Vikings' D leads the league with 18 sacks and nine forced fumbles this season.

In order for the Ravens to pull off the upset in Minnesota, they need to:

1) Force Brett Favre to make plays (by stopping Adrian Peterson).
Facing the Vikings offense, you really need to pick your poison: they're capable of beating you through the air or on the ground. Only the Saints (36) and Eagles (31.8) average more points per game than the Vikings (31.2). Brett Favre has been playing extremely "un-Favre-like" -- he has nine touchdown passes and only two interceptions to go along with a 69% completion rate -- and a 104.1 quarterback rating. Adrian Peterson leads the league in rushing touchdowns (7) and is six yards behind league-leader Cedric Benson's 487 total rushing yards.

If the Ravens are able to contain Adrian Peterson, they put pressure on Favre. When Favre is forced to make plays, throughout his career, he tends to throw a costly interception or two. But if Peterson is effective early, it opens up the play action -- which the Ravens have struggled with so far this season (i.e. New England).

Player to Watch: MLB Ray Lewis.
The Vikings' offensive line is one of the best in the league, and their ability to run the ball effectively will hinge on how well Ray Lewis is able to shed his blockers and get to Peterson. But let's be clear: stopping Peterson won't fall to just one person -- he's too strong and quick. The Ravens cannot miss tackles, and if they can't bring Peterson down, they must hold on until someone else comes to help. ESPN offered some advice for the Ravens on how to tackle Adrian Peterson.

2) Keep Jared Allen in check.
Allen is far and away the most explosive player on the Vikings defense. He plays with a high motor and thrives on hitting the quarterback. Allen already has 6 1/2 sacks and three forced fumbles this season, and if the Ravens must contain him in order to give Joe Flacco adequate time to throw downfield. Allen certainly made former Ravens QB Kyle Boller look bad last week...or maybe it was just Boller making himself look bad...yeah, that's probably it.

Last week, the Bengals were able to get early pressure on Flacco and maintain coverage on the receivers -- an effective means of controlling the Ravens offense. You can bet the Vikings were taking notes.

Player to Watch: T Michael Oher.
LT Jared Gaither (neck) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, and he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday -- which means the task of stopping Allen will probably fall to Oher, who did a nice job against league-leading sack leader Antawn Odom last week.

3) Run the football.
Last week against the Bengals, Willis McGahee had one carry for a two-yard loss and Le'Ron McClain didn't touch the ball. In order to negate the Vikings' pass rush, the Ravens must get the run game going. Much like the Ravens will look to take Adrian Peterson out of the game, they need to get their running game going. By effectively running the football, the Ravens open up the passing game and give Joe Flacco more time to go downfield.

Player to Watch: RB Willis McGahee.
McGahee is more physical than Ray Rice, and the Ravens really have an opportunity to wear down the Vikings defense. I'd like to see McGahee and McClain share the bulk of the carries, with Ray Rice in on passing downs. Time for the Ravens to get back to smashmouth football.

Prediction: Vikings 21, Ravens 17

Notes: C Matt Birk will play in Minnesota for the first time since signing with the Ravens this offseason...Birk spent 11 years playing for the Vikings after being born and raised in Minnesota...Cam Cameron addressed WR Demetrius Williams' lack of playing time...Rush Limbaugh is pissed about the NFL denying him a chance to own the St. Louis Rams...Marshall Faulk may join the investment group to purchase his former team...SportingNews' Vinne Iyer picked the Ravens to upset the Vikings, 20-17... Raiders WR Javon Walker wants to be traded...Panthers LB Jon Beason apologizes for calling out DE Julius Peppers...Titans DE Kyle VandenBosch is the latest victim of the ridiculous "roughing the passer" rules...Lions QB Matt Stafford is still out with a knee injury...49ers WR Michael Crabtree will make his debut on Oct. 25...Broncos WR Brandon Marshall may finally be getting his big pay raise.

Ravens vs. Bengals: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

2009-10-13T04:57:00.001-07:00

By Ben Butanis
Andre Caldwell's 20-yard touchdown reception from Carson Palmer with 22 seconds remaining capped another disappointing Ravens loss on Sunday to AFC North rival Cincinatti, 17-14.

The Good:

KR Ladarius Webb: Webb showed (albeit on one kickoff) that he was more explosive as a kick returner than Chris Carr. Webb returned his kickoff for 43 yards, while Carr returned two for a total of 42 yards.
RB Ray Rice: Ray Rice lead the team in both rushing and receiving yards. He had 143 all-purpose yards (69 rushing, 74 receiving) including an impressive 48-yard touchdown catch.
LT Michael Oher: Oher looked good playing left tackle. It was up to Oher to stop Antawn Odom, who led the league with eight sacks going into Sunday's game. Odom left Baltimore with eight sacks.
Ed Reed: Reed was a game-changer. Reed picked off Carson Palmer in the second quarter and took it 52 yards for the score to give the Ravens a 7-0 lead at the time. Reed also forced a Chad Ochocinco fumble which was recovered by Dominique Foxworth on the Ravens' 25-yard line with 1:30 left in the second quarter. Ochocinco probably would've scored.

The Bad:

No pressure on Carson Palmer: The Ravens defense was unable to put pressure on the quarterback for much of the game...again. Without pressure from the pass rush, Carson Palmer was able to pick apart the secondary. Palmer finished with 271 passing yards, going 18-for-31.
Not stopping Cedric Benson: For the first time in 40 games, the Ravens defense gave up 100+ yards to an opposing running back.* Cedric Benson (120 yards on 27 carries) really opened up the Bengals' offense. Benson made the Ravens miss, and Haloti Ngata said the team needs to tackle better in the future. (WNSTV)
Dominique Foxworth: Foxworth really struggled covering the bigger Bengals receivers. Most notably, Foxworth gave up a 73-yard reception to Chris Henry in the second quarter during which Foxworth inexplicably stopped running after Henry caught the ball. Foxworth caught up with Henry at the 5-yard line, and the Bengals offense eventually settled for a field goal.
What about McGahee and McClain?: While Ray Rice played well, what happened Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain? McGahee had a carry for a 2-yard loss, and McClain didn't touch the ball.

The Ugly:

Joe Flacco: Flacco threw two interceptions, including a costly one to Johnathon Joseph in the endzone. On the play, Flacco never took his eyes off Todd Heap and Joseph read him like a book. Flacco just overthrew a wide open Mark Clayton on what would've been a clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter, although in Flacco's defense, I want to see more effort out of Clayton on that play. Especially since he dropped the pass in New England. But I'm not still bitter.
Ravens receivers: I know I mentioned this in the "Good" section, but Ray Rice led the team in receiving yards. While it's great to have a dynamic all-purpose running back, there needs to be some output by the receiving core. Todd Heap caught seven passes for 41 yards. Oh, by the way: Derrick Mason didn't see the ball all game. Mason said the Bengals deserved to win. (WNST.net)
Penalties: The Ravens gave up 76 yards on 10 penalties, including three for 30 yards on Cincinatti's last drive. Of course, there are questions to the legitimacy of the calls, but one thing is for sure: Ray Lewis crushed Chad Ochocinco (better view here, go to 3:48). But like John Harbaugh said, "I'm not thinking about it. I just think we have to play better. The idea is to play so well that those things become irrelevant." (Jamison Hensley)
Chris Carr: Carr was picked on all game. Let's face it: the guy can't return kicks and really struggles in pass defense. Sorry Ozzie, you whiffed BIG on this signing. Let's see what Ladarius Webb can do at nickel.

* The Ravens' defense has given up 100+ rushing yards over the 40 game time, but not to one specific running back. Most notably, the Ravens gave up 207 rushing yards against the Giants in Week 11 of 2008. Brandon Jacobs (11 rushes, 73 yards, two touchdowns) was injured in the second quarter, giving way to Ahmad Bradshaw (9 rushes, 96 yards). Derrick Ward added 44 yards on 11 carries.

Next week the Ravens (3-2) travel to Minnesota to take on Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson, and the Vikings. Check back later in the week for Ravens keys' to the game.

Notes: Baltimore Sun columnist Mike Preston believes John Harbaugh's "defining moment as coach is at hand"...SportingNews' Clifton Brown ranks the Ravens 14th in his latest power rankings...Harbaugh does not expect the NFL to fine Ray Lewis for his hit on Chad Ochocinco...Ochocinco asked the Commish not to fine Lewis via Twitter, saying the hit was "clean and part of the game"...The Bengals need to sell a "significant" amount of tickets to avoid being blacked out this week...David Tyree and Ronald Curry worked out for the Ravens Monday...Browns coach Eric Mangini may be in trouble concerning RB James Davis' mysterious knee injury...Former Jaguars WR Matt Jones will visit with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers...In case you missed it, there were five lead changes in the fourth quarter of the Jets/Dolphins game on Monday Night Football...Reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton oppose Rush Limbaugh's bid to own the St. Louis Rams because Limbaugh made his money by "appealing to the fears of whites"...Redskins players defend head coach Jim Zorn, CB Carlos Rogers say problems start with ownership.

Ravens vs. Bengals: Keys to the Game

2009-10-09T06:01:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis
The Ravens and Bengals will battle for AFC North supremacy this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. In order for the Ravens to win this game, they need to do the following:

1) Keep Chad Ochocinco quiet.
By now, you've probably heard of the Twitter feud going on between Ochocinco and several Ravens players. Ochocinco has called out Dominique Foxworth and Fabian Washington, calling Dominque Foxworth "Vivivan Foxworth," and telling them they'll "kiss the baby."

Incidentally-- if you don't know what he means by "kiss the baby" -- he uses the phrase whenever he gets the best of an opposing defender.

Ochocinco also stated he'd punch Ray Lewis in the mouth. Ray just laughed at him. Good luck with that. Ray is probably looking to hit him like he hit Kellen Winslow last season.

But perhaps the most interesting thing Ochocinco stated this week is that he has a touchdown dance planned for the Ravens: "The Ricky Bobby." With any luck, the Ravens will be up by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, and it may be worth it to see Ochocinco score just to see the celebration. Hopefully it will look like this.

Player to Watch: CB Dominique Foxworth.
Foxworth will probably cover Ochocinco most of the day. Ochocinco has experienced a rebirth of sorts with the return of Carson Palmer. Going into Sunday's game, he is tied for second in the NFL with 3 touchdown receptions -- trailing only the Giants' Steve Smith (4). I'm not too worried about Cendric Benson; it is likely the only way the Bengals will score on the Ravens is through the air -- and Ochocinco is the biggest threat.

2) Control the battle of field position.
Chris Carr has been a big disappointment in the return game for the Ravens. For someone that was supposed to bolster special teams, Carr has been skiddish and fumbled the opening kickoff against the Patriots last week. Plus the loss of special teams ace Brendan Ayanbadejo (torn left quadriceps tendon) takes away the leader for a young and struggling squad.

Player to Watch: CB/KR Ladarius Webb.
Webb will be seeing more time as a kick returner, while Carr's role may be limited to returning punts. Webb has quick feet and good burst, and as long as he's able to hold onto the ball, has the opportunity to become the team's first option at returner before the end of the season.

3) Keep Antawn Odom away from Joe Flacco.
Odom is tied with Denver's Elvis Dumervil for the league lead with eight sacks. Odom started the season on fire, recording two sacks in the season-opener against Denver, then compiling five in Week 2 against Green Bay.

Player to Watch: OT Michael Oher.
Oher really impressed coaches last week when he made the transition from right to left tackle following Jared Gaither's neck injury. Gaither is optimistic about playing. "There's a great chance that I play this week," he said. "I'm going to try my best, and I'm going to go out there and give it everything I've got." But should he not be available, the Ravens will be extremely comfortable starting Oher at left tackle.

Prediction: Ravens 31, Bengals 17

Notes: Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is 7-5 against the Ravens in his career...Patriots RB Fred Taylor had surgery on the ligaments in his right ankle and could be done for the year...Former NFL tackle Roman Oben apparently really hates the idea of Rush Limbaugh owning an NFL team...Giants QB David Carr is expected to start Sunday against the Raiders...Eli Manning has started 82 consecutive games but is dealing with inflammation in his heel...Lions QB Matt Stafford apparently isn't sure whether his kneecap was dislocated...I've had a dislocated kneecap, I wouldn't want to start against the Pittsburgh Steelers the next week...49ers first-round pick Michael Crabtree finally signed a six-year contract Wednesday for $32 million and is expected to play in Week 7...Steelers S Troy Polamalu has practiced for two straight days and is nearing a return, but is still a game-time decision against the Lions this weekend.

Patriots Drop Ravens

2009-10-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis

Mark Clayton dropped the critical fourth-down pass from Joe Flacco, and the Ravens went on to fall to the New England Patriots, 27-21, in Foxborough on Sunday.

"It was a perfect ball. I dropped it," Clayton said. "I just wasn't able to come up with it, and it cost us the game. (WNST.net)

"It hurts tremendously because you want to win the game and you want the ball in a critical situation. To not be able to come up with it is tough."

There were several questionable calls by the referees -- the overwhelming majority of them in favor of Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Twice, the Ravens stopped Tom Brady and the Patriots on third down, only to have a referee call an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty extend the drive. Haloti Ngata inadvertently hit Brady in the head on one, Terrell Suggs glanced off Brady's knee on the other. (Interestingly enough, there was no penalty thrown against the Patriots on the same play Jared Gaither was hurt. Watch Joe Flacco's knee get hit, late, by the defensive lineman. Granted, Gaither "helps" him in that direction...not unlike how Suggs was "helped" towards Brady.)

Both drives resulted in a Patriots touchdown.

Coach John Harbaugh, who received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of his own, declined to comment on the officiating after the game.

Luckily for us, Ray Lewis spoke up.

"That's embarrassing to our game. It's embarrassing for them to treat one person on a football field different from anybody else. You've got to let the game take care of itself like it just did. But when you call penalties like that, it takes away from the love of the game because you can get a Tom Brady to walk by you and say something like, 'Oh, that's a cheap one.' Wow." (Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun)

Ed Reed wasn't as upset as Lewis, but still managed to comment on the poor officiating.

"It's very frustrating when you're playing your heart out and with just the slightest little touch or push, we'll give someone 15 yards or a first down," said Reed. "To go off what you just said, a couple weeks back, I saw Brett Favre come back and hit a guy low. You're saying guys can't hit a quarterback low, but they can come do it to us? Hold up, I thought this was football." (Albert Breer, SportingNews.com)

Now, let's get something straight.

Even with the officiating, the Ravens were still in position to win. Had Clayton caught Flacco's pass, the Ravens would have the ball within five yards of New England's goal line with time to score -- and a timeout. And had Clayton caught the touchdown pass (which he should have) a few plays before, the drop never happens.

While he is receiving all the criticism, Clayton isn't the only one to blame for the loss.

Cam Cameron dialed up 49 (!) pass plays. Ray Rice had a great game -- 11 rushes for 103 yards along with five catches for 49 yards. With those numbers, why didn't he see the ball more? On a fourth and short, why didn't the 6-foot, 260 pound wrecking ball Le'Ron McClain get a carry?
Joe Flacco threw his first interception in the red zone all season. And Chris Carr, who was signed because of his ability to return the football, fumbled on the opening kickoff.

The Ravens (3-1) square off against a Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) team that is a freak play away from being undefeated in a battle for first place in the AFC North this Sunday.

Check back later in the week for key match-ups in this Sunday's game.

Notes: Ravens LB Brendan Ayanbadejo tore his left quad and will be placed on IR for the rest of the season...the Ravens are expected to sign LB Prescott Burgess from the Patriots' practice squad to replace Ayanbadejo...LT Jared Gaither is back in Baltimore after leaving on a stretcher during the game ...the 6'9'' Gaither was too large for the MRI machine in Foxborough...he has movement in all extremities and expected to make a complete recovery...Dwan Edwards' recovered fumble (caused by Terrell Suggs) in the endzone was the first of his career...Former Patriots S Rodney Harrison told Tom Brady to "take off the skirt and toughen up" on NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast...Right-wing talk show host Rush Limbaugh is reportedly interested in buying the St. Louis Rams.

Ravens vs. Patriots: Keys to the Game

2009-10-01T07:16:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis

In order for the Ravens to beat the Patriots this weekend, they must:

1) Get pressure on Tom Brady.

This is a no-brainer. Brady is one of the calmest, most composed quarterbacks in the league -- and given time, he can pick any defense apart. But Brady is battling his inner demons -- he has been skiddish so far this season when the pocket collapses...it may take him some time to recover mentally from the horrendous knee injury he suffered last year.

- Player to Watch: Ravens DL Haloti Ngata. If Ngata is able to disrupt the running game and consistently pressure Brady, the Ravens have a great chance to win.

2) Contain Wes Welker.

It appears Welker will be healthy enough to play Sunday. While Randy Moss is the clear #1 receiver (and deep threat) in New England, Wes Welker is the most important. Welker is Brady's go-to guy, and one of the best possession recievers in the league. The Patriots typically try to go to Welker early and often, which forces defenses to double-team him -- leaving Moss in single coverage...and we all know what Moss is capable of doing against single coverage. Welker is too quick to be covered by a linebacker, and Moss usually requires a double-team. Welker is most effective when Brady gets him the ball on short passes, which Welker can turn into big gains.

- Player to Watch: Ravens CB Fabian Washington. I have to think the Ravens are willing to give up the occasional big play to Randy Moss. Ed Reed is in the back of Tom Brady's mind every time he throws down the field. "You don't break the huddle and think, 'Let's just run this play without seeing where he's at.' He'll be exactly where he's supposed to be. It might not be what the defense is supposed to be, but he'll be where the ball is," Brady said. (Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun)...Dominique Foxworth is more physical than Fabian Washington, and I expect Foxworth to try jamming Moss at the line quite a bit. If Washington is able to keep up with Welker, it almost forces the Patriots to try going downfield to Moss...where Ed Reed lurks.

3) Establish the running game early.

The Ravens are averaging 34 points a game through the first three games of the season. While Joe Flacco brings credibility to the passing game, the strength of this offense lies with the running game. Flacco has been able to make big plays at key times, but the Patriots are a disciplined team. The most effective way for the Ravens to open up the offense will be with the play-action -- but first, they need to establish the run.

- Player to Watch: Ravens RB Ray Rice. McGahee has played better than Ray Rice so far and has been unstoppable in the red zone, but Ray Rice will need to spread out the Patriots' defense. With Rice on the field, the Patriots will need to account for him as a runner and receiver. If Rice is able to get out on a few screens and runs well between the tackles, expect the offense to put up some big numbers again this Sunday.

Prediction: Ravens 27, Patriots 24

Notes: LB Prescott Burgess, released by the Patriots, passed through waivers and signed with their practice squad...Burgess was traded earlier this season from the Ravens to the Patriots for a conditional 7th round draft pick...The spread for the Ravens/Patriots game is currently sitting at Patriots +1...which is interesting because the home team always gets +3...Ravens LB Brendan Ayanbadejo was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award for an interception, sack, and six tackles against the Browns last Sunday...2nd round draft pick Paul Kruger is anxious to play and, in spite of rumors stating otherwise, hasn't refused to play special teams...he has even volunteered to play as a backup tight end...Ray Lewis was limited in practice Wednesday with a head injury, but appears to be fine...former Ravens returner Yamon Figurs was waived by the Detroit Lions...former Ravens kicker Graham Gano was signed by the UFL's Las Vegas team, coached by Jim Fassell...Michael Vick's agent reported Wednesday that the Eagles' quarterback signed a new endorsement deal with Nike, but Nike has since denied the rumor.

Ravens had a good practice.

2009-09-28T20:28:00.000-07:00

by Arjan

In Europe, soccer teams will sometimes play teams from lower divisions to warm up for the season. Usually it will be a blowout and very entertaining. It's like that time you gave it your all in a fight and then your brother still kicked the ever living snot out of you.

Well, Baltimore, this was your feel good game of the year. Nothing could go wrong. Nothing did go wrong. It was my understanding that Ray's injury was a setup, leading Cleveland to believe there was hope. Also, little known fact, the offense was blindfolded for most of the game. And McGahee held up his part of the bargain when he claimed to be untouchable. (This statement has not been confirmed).

Next week, the beatable Patriots will welcome us with open arms. I'm thinking redemption time from 2 years ago when we had them stopped on 4 & 1, but it was negated by a time-out call from Rex Ryan, giving them another shot at a first down and they capitalized. We all remember Bart Scott throwing the penalty flag into the stands. I was actually there and caught the flag and threw it even further.

All kidding aside, we will see who we are next week Sunday at 1. I'll see you there!!

Ravens Take Care of Cleveland

2009-09-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis
The Ravens were 13 point favorites heading into the game against the Browns Sunday.

They won by 31.

Unlike so many Ravens teams in the past, this team is getting it done on both sides of the football. Joe Flacco spreads the ball around. Willis McGahee is unstoppable in the redzone, leading the league in rushing touchdowns with six. Derrick Mason looks as good as ever.

Flacco went 25-for-35 for 342 yards, including a 72-yard touchdown strike to Derrick Mason in the fourth quarter. And it appears Cam Cameron has taken the reigns off Flacco -- the offense spends quite a bit of time in the no-huddle offense.

The defense looked great, getting pressure on Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson, and picking off four errant passes. The Ravens limited the Browns to 168 total yards. This was a much better defensive effort than we've seen the last two weeks.

And the special teams kept returner Josh Cribbs in check -- something they've struggled to do in years past.

"It feels like a marriage now," Terrell Suggs said. "Everybody is doing their part." (Jamison Hensley, Baltimore Sun)

Granted, it was a game they were supposed to win -- but it was complete domination from start to finish.

Next Sunday, the Ravens travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough to take on a suddenly beatable Tom Brady and the Patriots. Think there may be a phone call to Rex Ryan this week? Yeah, me too.

Check back later in the week to see the key matchups for the upcoming game.

Notes: I don't hear any Ravens fans berating Ozzie Newsome for waiving Derek Anderson in 2005 now...Derrick Mason became the 23rd player in NFL history to haul in 800 catches...Dominique Foxworth, who picked off an errant Brady Quinn pass, has been showing marked improvement each week...Former Ravens QB Kyle Boller went 16-for-31 for 161 yards and two touchdowns for the St. Louis Rams -- is there a quarterback controversy brewing in St. Louis?...Carson Palmer's touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds remaining completed an impressive Bengals comeback against Pittsburgh (1-2) -- a beautiful thing for all of us that dislike the Steelers.

Ravens disrespect lifted?

2009-09-22T13:29:00.000-07:00

by Arjan

This week ESPN dropped a huge bomb on us. The Baltimore Ravens are currently "the team to beat" according to the powers that be.

1 (10)

Ravens

2-0-0

They're balanced on offense and tough on defense. (Chadiha)

Although a fair statement, some Ravens fans rather play the disrespect card, the underdog. Coach John Harbaugh isn't happy either.

“We don’t care. We don’t particularly want that,” he said Monday. “That’s not a place we’re comfortable with. I’m going to tell you what: There are a lot of great teams in this conference. That game could have gone either way. To me, that’s the crazy nature of the NFL. It’s early. It’s week 2. But I’m proud of our football team. They won a tough game, on the road, early in the season.” (Qouted from Ken Murray's post on Ravens Insider, Baltimore Sun)

Some want to have the Tom Brady or the Peyton Manning show, where you are expected to make it deep into the playoffs and make it look easy. The Ravens just want to play like Ravens. That's all. No matter the outcome, they will come at you 60 minutes. They don't need the cute ratings, the stats. They just want to draw blood. And when it comes to be that time where games are important, they will be there, and they will come at you for 60 minutes. That's all.

A message to the Cleveland Browns: The Ravens are not the team to beat, you are. Whatever happened in the last two weeks, whatever happened in the second half, it doesn't matter anymore. Prepare to defend yourself, for this Sunday, someone's gonna let the dogs out. And they only get to play 60 minutes a week.

Extra Extra: Ray Crushes Lightning Bug

2009-09-20T19:59:00.000-07:00

by Arjan

Wow...what else can you say. I had the sound turned down on my tv and I still heard the "Big Bang". What a play, what a finish. Thank you 52, thank you. You proved me wrong again, for it was just yesterday I was telling my wife how #5 was taking over for #52. Nope. Not yet, he is still the general.

Anyone remember the one thing Ray always wanted real bad, besides his very own Ngata... an offense to take some time on the field. Right now, week two, before Sunday & Monday Night Football, the Ravens are the #1 scoring offense in the AFC. 69 points, only to be overshadowed by Drew Brees and his 93 in the NFC. Next up, Favre and Peterson with 61 points. The Buffalo Bills have 57 for 2nd in the AFC.

Next week the Browns (0-2) who just lost to the Broncos badly. Word is they don't have enough talent. I think they have plenty of talent, just no one to use it. Ravens 3-0 maybe??? Can't wait. Good night Lewis. Good night Flacco. Sleep tight... I know I will.

Ray Lewis Hit Video:Chargers Darren Sproles

2009-09-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Ray Lewis video of game ending tackle for a loss versus the Chargers to end the game. Watch this clinic on how you are supposed to play defense, down goes Darren Sproles.

LT out vs Ravens

2009-09-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

by Arjan

         Last weeks Chargers vs Raiders game provided many interesting statistics for the Ravens. The Chargers lost several statistical battles vs a weaker opponent. Here are some:

3rd Down Conversions           C- 42%    R- 50%
4th Down Conversions               0              1
Total Offensive Yards               317          366
Average Offensive Yards           5.1           5.6
Rushing Yards                           77           148
Sacks                                  1              3
Time of Possession              28:23       31:37

With LT out Michael Bennett figures to get most of the reps. However highly touted he might seem, he did not play in their season opener. Outside of Darren Sproles one kick off return for 66 yards, his best punt return was 8 yards and out of 9 running plays, his best run was 7. LT & Sproles combined for 77 yards. The Ravens allowed 29 yards rushing. This team has a knack for hurting people with a ball.

Overall this is good news for the Ravens. Phillip Rivers, not so good news. This might just become another slugfest in which the Ravens will come out on top with a better defense. Prediction: Ravens 34 Chargers 24.

Ravens: Make or Break

2009-09-18T15:12:00.001-07:00

by Arjan

Right now, in the back of your head, it's dark. It's so dark, it's scary. And as you try to understand what's in the darkness you come a little bit closer. Just a little bit closer. Little more. Then it hits you. Joe Flacco is 4 real. Haha. High fives everybody. Fist bumps temporarily allowed. But it is still scary, because you think about Joe Flacco and from behind this other dark force comes darting to you, and it hits you. Ray Rice is 4 real. Last weekend we saw 501 yards of complete domination. It was so good, Jerry Jones kicked himself in the ass again for last year's home finale. The Ravens now own a little thing called: "The Element of Surprise." And as we prepare for the Chargers @ 4:15 this sunday, tell your mom, tell a friend, tell a neighbor, these ain't the Ravens we are used too. This team can blow up on both sides of the field. It's so good, I advise you to watch next year practice scrimmage games. An unstoppable force vs an immovable object. Yeah Ravens fans, enjoy yourself this year, because this time it's a while different kind of ballgame.

Mason to Play in 2009!

2009-08-01T10:55:00.000-07:00

Various media sources are reporting that Derrick Mason will come out of "retirement" and return to the Ravens.

The move puts the Ravens back in Super Bowl contention - without Mason the Ravens were prepared to name Mark Clayton the no. 1 receiver.

Mason retired approximately a week after the murder of close friend and former Ravens quarterback Steve McNair.

Although signing Terrell Suggs to a long-term contract, signing 1st round pick Michael Oher and bringing in CB Dominique Foxworth are all very important for this team, no offseason move will have more impact on the Ravens this season than Mason's return.

Ravens Sign Michael Oher to 5-Year Contract

2009-07-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis

At approximately 9 p.m. this evening (July 29), the Ravens agreed to terms with their first round draft pick, OT Michael Oher.

I must admit, when the Ravens first drafted him, I wasn't too thrilled. Like the majority of you, I was shocked when the Ravens failed to take a receiver (which they still desperately need, especially with the retirement of Derrick Mason).

But with Oher anchoring the right side and the mammoth Jared Gaither playing left tackle, the Ravens have two extremely promising tackles to protect Joe Flacco.

Much of Todd Heap's time last season was spent assisting the right side of the offensive line protect Flacco, which subsequently removed him from the passing game. I expect to see Heap used quite a bit differently this season. While the subtraction of Derrick Mason hurts quite a bit, we should view the Oher signing as Heap's re-introduction to the offense.

Lack of Enthusiasm

2009-07-29T05:47:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

This is my last blog entry, but as of Monday, I am boycotting the NFL. The reinstatement of Michael Vick is the last straw for me and this league, so I will not be supporting it in any way.

This includes: watching games on TV, going to NFL games, playing fantasy football, buying merchandise, or even wearing merchandise that I already own. And I do have a ton of Ravens merchandise at home including Ravens furniture (which I cannot afford to replace).

Sucks too, because I love football. And I adore the Ravens. But I cannot endorse a league that gives scum like him a chance to regain his old life and all the riches that come with it.

RIP Steve

2009-07-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

I don't want to rehash what has already been in the news. But I think Steve McNair was one of the best football players of the last 20 years. Heart, desire, intensity, and a focused determination were his best qualities.

He has been called a warrior and a great teammate. No matter what personal issues may come to light during the course of this investigation, I will always remember him for being a good player and person on the field. Even when as a Titan he carved up the Ravens from time to time, I always respected him. To the kid from Alcorn State, I salute you.

Why I am not worried about losing Rex Ryan……

2009-05-26T14:22:00.000-07:00

By Mike Griffith

When I listen to the entire national media break down the 2009 ravens, the thing they harp on the most is the loss of Rex Ryan and of Bart Scott. Well boys and girls, I am not worried at all.

The Ravens have had 4 defensive coordinators over the previous 8 years, Marvin Lewis, Mike Noland, Jack Del Rio and Rex Ryan. Between all 4, the Ravens have not finished lower then 6th in overall defense. The one constant has been Ozzie Newsome (I bet you thought I was going to say Ray Lewis). Ozzie has done an amazing job of finding personnel who can fit the scheme of the defense. Great role players who do a great job, in recent years names like Cory Ivy (Free agent), Jim Leonard (Free Agent) and Will Demps (Undrafted free agent) come to mind. Drafting Adalius Thomas in the 6th and Kelly Gregg in the 6th round of the draft. That doesn’t even get into all the big name players they have drafted/signed. Greg Mattison, the Ravens new defensive coordinator, will do a great job, he’s a very experienced coach that is well liked. He had a lot of great football minds around him and it doesn’t hurt to have at least two hall of fame players on your defense.

Oh, and for all of you who are worried about losing Bart Scott, do you remember Ed Hartwell who wore #56? Who played inside linebacker next to Ray Lewis for a few years? Who signed a big free agent contract with another team? Who when not in the Ravens scheme and playing next to Ray fell off the face of the earth? Who just a few years later out of football? The guy Bart Scott replaced?

Exactly…. I am not worried either.

A quick glance of the Ravens 2009 schedule:

2009-05-23T08:16:00.000-07:00

By Mike Griffith

Every year in early April, after the big spending of the free agency period and before the draft comes, until recently, little talked about event, the release of the upcoming season’s football schedule. I and others like me are licking our chops to get a look at it and envision how it will affect our lives for those 4 months. I look for prime time games, home games, and start to figure out how to plan my entire fall and winter around it. For example, when I read that the Ravens open at home against the Chiefs on September 13th at 1 PM, I knew immediately that I would be skipping church that day to tailgate.

I want to just take a moment to break down what I see in the Ravens schedule.

NO MONDAY NIGHTT GAMES AT HOME!!!!!! - I know what the media says that “the players and coaches don’t like games that are not on Sundays at one” well, um… I AM NOT A COACH!!! I love going to a home Monday night game. In a town where we have been left behind by one team, and snubbed by the league for years after that, we feel disrespected by the league and prime time on the national stage gives us a sense of pride and excitement. Everything from being under the lights to seeing pictures of our city broadcast to a national market. I feel robbed that a team that played in the AFC championship has two Monday night games on the road and none at home.

Sunday night at home vs. the Steelers week 12. - The Ravens allegedly requested not to play the Steelers in Pittsburgh in prime time, so as the football gods would have it, we get them at home in prime time, its our only scheduled prime time appearance at home, except for any possible flex schedule games.

The Detroit Lions week 14 at home. - Now, maybe you are laughing. Who cares about the 0-16 Lions? Well, in 2005 the Ravens traveled to Detroit and had the worst collapse in Ravens history. 22 penalties (tied for most in history) and 2 players ejected in a 35-17 loss. Being someone who traveled to the game to witness this in person. As a fan that was ripped to shreds by bitter Detroit fans at Ford Field, this game is payback to excise some recent ghost of the Billick era.

Based on how everything has played out, from the Jay cutler gaggle that hurt Denver and didn’t help Chicago enough, to the Farve distraction in Minnesota (if he plays or not it will hurt that team, but that’s for another time), the re-re-building in both Cincinnati and Cleveland, the mediocrity in the NFC north, and at risk of looking like a homer, I expect the Ravens will go 12-4 this season. Below are my win-loss predictions:

1. Sun, Sep 13 Kansas City 1:00 PM Win
2. Sun, Sep 20 at San Diego 4:15 PM Loss
3. Sun, Sep 27 Cleveland 1:00 PM Win
4. Sun, Oct 4 at New England 1:00 PM Loss
5. Sun, Oct 11 Cincinnati 1:00 PM Win
6. Sun, Oct 18 at Minnesota 1:00 PM Win
8. Sun, Nov 1 Denver 1:00 PM Win
9. Sun, Nov 8 at Cincinnati 1:00 PM Win
10. Mon, Nov 16 at Cleveland 8:30 PM Win
11. Sun, Nov 22 Indianapolis 1:00 PM Loss
12. Sun, Nov 29 Pittsburgh 8:20 PM Win
13. Mon, Dec 7 at Green Bay 8:30 PM Win
14. Sun, Dec 13 Detroit 1:00 PM Win
15. Sun, Dec 20 Chicago 1:00 PM Win
16. Sun, Dec 27 at Pittsburgh 1:00 PM Loss
17. Sun, Jan 3 at Oakland 4:15 PM Win

Heap Sidelined for Second Straight Minicamp

2009-05-19T16:37:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis

Todd Heap isn't participating in his second straight minicamp because of an ongoing back injury sustained during practice last January.

Todd Heap is hurt. Not exactly breaking news.

The eight-year veteran is a fan favorite, and when healthy, can be one of the best receiving tight ends in football.

If you ask me, Heap is on borrowed time in Baltimore.

The rift between John Harbaugh and Heap last year is already well documented. Recently, the Ravens have loaded up on tight ends.

By signing L.J. Smith in the offseason, the Ravens took out an insurance policy against Heap. Smith, a former starter for the Eagles, is a solid blocker that can slip upfield and make catches. Quinn Sypnewski is expected to return after undergoing major surgery for a knee injury that occurred during training camp last season. The Ravens currently have Isaac Smolko and Edgar Jones on the roster, and they took East Carolina's Davon Drew with the 149th overall pick of this year's draft.

There were also some draft day rumors that the team was prepared to ship Heap and a second round pick to Arizona for disgruntled wide receiver Anquan Boldin had Oklahoma's Brandon Pettigrew fallen to the Ravens at 26.

I'm not saying the deck is stacked against Todd Heap, but it appears the Ravens are possibly preparing to move away from the oft-injured tight end.

Perhaps it's time.

Ravens Officially Sign WR Washington

2009-05-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

By Ben Butanis

It will be interesting to see how the signing of WR Kelley Washington and the “retirement” of OT Willie Anderson affect the Ravens this season.

By “retiring” Anderson, the Ravens free up almost three million dollars in cap space. The move makes sense because Anderson reported to minicamp overweight and is still dealing with knee issues. But the team still owns the rights to Anderson, meaning if there are more injuries on the offensive line this year, we could see him return.

Hopefully Michael Oher can hold down the right side this season, freeing up Todd Heap and L.J. Smith to give Joe Flacco some offensive help.

The only thing I like about the Kelley Washington signing is that it’s a one-year contract. He isn’t the answer Ravens fans – and probably the front office – are looking for at wide receiver.

I get it. The guy is 6-foot-3. He gives Flacco a big target in the red zone. But Washington has 73 catches over six years in the NFL, including a whopping one reception in pass-happy New England last season. Not exactly the deep threat the team needs.

Spring Is Here

2009-05-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

To be quite honest, I am not following the NFL right now. Sure the draft is over and the Ravens did well again, but it is only May. And that means my focus is on MLB at the moment.

Kudos for getting Michael Oher in the draft. Should fit right in with a team on the rise. Ozzie Newsome is the best GM in the league.

Second, the recent acquisition of John Beck from the Dolphins gives us three competent players in the QB position. Now we don't have to sweat when Boller goes in like in years past.

Third - and this is a non-Ravens topic - I cannot stand Brett Favre. Just stay retired fool. I know you are not bright enough to ever be in a front office or in a broadcasting booth, but just leave the NFL alone. Stop this I am retired, now I am not crap. I am still mad at you for taking the records from a legit QB in Dan Marino. Now your annual soap opera has worn thin and the dumb yet desperate Vikings are entertaining the thought of bringing this INT-prone prima donna back again. Ugh!

More on the NFL and the Ravens in about a month. Perhaps by then some of the other football-related circus stuff will be settled.

Draft Day

2009-04-23T05:59:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Compared to MLB, I know nothing about the NFL. And when it comes to draft time, I know even less. Given the fact that Ozzie Newsome is the best GM in the league, I think he will be fine in making our picks.

Look at last year... we took Joe Flacco. I admit I was not sold on the guy probably up until November but in hindsight, it was a steal. The Ravens do have a first rate track record when it comes to first round picks with only a few minor blips (yes, Kyle Boller is one).

Jonathan Ogden, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed were all first round picks who should end up in Canton. Will this year produce a similar find? We don't know yet but we have to see what we need most. What areas could the Ravens use help at right now?

My thinking includes a CB, WR, LB, and kicker. But like I have said before, I am not a football guy so my gut impressions really mean squat.

All of this is speculation of course until the weekend comes to a close. Then the next few weeks after that can be spent analyzing who we did get and why we may have passed on others. If the NFL Draft is your version of heaven, then have a great utopian experience this weekend.

Welcome Back Ray!

2009-03-10T09:24:00.000-07:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Not that many of us thought you would leave anyway. And not that any other team shoved you the love either. Whatever the reason, you are back where you belong and you will retire here as a Raven. All is right in the universe.

Now the rest of the team needs to get reassembled. With the losses to the Jets and Rams, we have a few holes to fill. But Ozzie Newsome will do his thing and all the open spots will be filled by competent people. Have faith in his judgment as his decisions have been pretty good over the last decade.

My biggest concerns have been the off season distractions of the past several days. As of right now, Matt Stover is no longer a Raven. Been with the team since the days in Cleveland and is the holder of several NFL records. To be unceremoniously phased out is not cool, especially without a proper explanation. I find that rude to someone who has given so much to the franchise. Maybe he will be back, maybe he won't? That seems to be the position of the team at the moment.

Now Derrick Mason seems to be disgruntled. Asking for an extension of his current deal, he says he'd rather be let go or traded now if they don't want him after 2009. For a guy who is almost 36 (and still very good), it is smart to want to stay but demanding an extension or else may not be the best way to go.

The draft is about six weeks from now, so the team focus will be on that for the moment. Welcome to the NFL off season... signings, free agents, trades and demands from now until training camp. Stay tuned!

Offeason Blues

2009-03-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Jason Brown, Bart Scott, Chris McAlister, Jim Leonhard - all gone. And that may not be all of them. Yes folks, the 2009 Baltimore Ravens will look quite a bit different from the franchise you knew and loved.

Matt Stover is still a question mark for the future. Kyle Boller will certainly not return, and I doubt Samari Rolle will either. Sure we still have Suggs, but who will be his teammates is still up in the air.

The big unknown at the present time is Ray Lewis. Having mouthed off a bit after the AFC Title game, he has no other takers. He is easily one of the best linebackers ever, but age is slowing him down. And with the downturn in the economy and the salary cap out there, no one was going to meet his demands. Not even punk owner Dan Snyder who collects players on his roster like we did with baseball cards went after Ray, but I think that was more of a pride thing seeing as he loathes the existence of the Ravens. And why is that Mr Snyder? Probably because we are a model franchise who drafts well and puts itself into contention most of the years. The Napoleon-like Snyder has built a sub .500 joke that may make tons of cash, but is always outside looking in come the post season.

Back to the Lewis topic... I bet he will be back in part because he loves this town and in part because there are no other takers. His image is wounded a bit for sure having taken a major gamble and watched it blow up in his face. But as the poster boy for the Ravens since 1996, we certainly want him to finish his career here.

Stay tuned for more developments during the next few weeks. And let's hope and pray that Rex Ryan is done pillaging our roster this offseason.

What's the deal?

2009-02-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

Written by John V.

I'm having a real hard time trying to understand what John Harbaugh is doing with this team. Let me explain. I understand the move to tag Terrell Suggs completely. Now, how did we let Ray Lewis, (who is considering a return now that he didn't receive the offers he thought he would) Bart Scott, (who reunited with Rex Ryan in New York to solidify a 3-4 defense in need, and Jason Brown (probably the best offensive lineman we had with the exception of Ben Grubbs) all go to explore other options instead of tying them down? One of our biggest problems for years was the offensive line. So we start to see a nice future ahead of us with Jason Brown, Ben Grubbs,and Chris Chester, and what happens? Brown is living it up in St. Louis with a $37.5 million contract. Bart Scott just received a $48 million contract from the Jets. Now you might think that we didn't have the money. Possible, but the NFL salary cap limit rose another $4 million the night before free agency because something triggered in the collective bargaining agreement. That had to give us a little more leverage. Chances are we're also going to lose Jim Leonhard to the Jets as well, which is bad because we're now losing depth. Our one signing so far was a $24 million contract to an unproven defensive back named Domonique Foxworth. Now I was a huge fan of Fabian Washington coming here, but Foxworth, not so much, at least not for the price we had to pay. For a guy who only had 1 interception last year, and only 4 in his entire career, $24 million seems a little steep don't you think? As stated on ESPN and NFL Network, Foxworth is only somewhat effective as a cover corner on a team with a good pass rush, but then again, who isn't? As I stated earlier, Ray ray is considering a return to Baltimore which would be nice for a couple reasons. One, he's Ray Lewis the face of the franchise and undisputed leader of the team. Two; he can mentor the other linebackers that we might take in the draft. Rey Maualuga's draft stock dropped at the combine, but look at last year for example. A good workout isn't everything and the Jets found that out the hard way when they drafted the so far bust Vernon Gholston. He himself is a Godlike specimen, in that he was the strongest and fastest of d-lineman and linebackers. James Laurinaitis is another top middle linebacker prospect who could resemble an A.J. Hawk. While Maualuga's stock as fallen, that could be good news for the Ravens because they might not have to trade up to get him. Who knows though? The way this off season is going, Harbaugh might draft a running back or a safety, or some other meaningless position. I see Ray Lewis coming back to play for Baltimore and mentoring his replacement Rey Maualuga for years to come. I see the Ravens moving up in the second round and drafting a corner or an outside linebacker, like a Alphonso Smith or a Marcus Freeman. I see them being a little more aggressive in free agency and going after a player like Ronald Curry who is quite underrated and has potential to be a solid number 3 receiver. I would love to see the Ravens draft offense this year again with players like Deon Butler and Derrick Williams, both of Penn State and both very underrated. Hey, I can dream can't I?

Out with the old...

2009-02-19T08:35:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

And so it begins, the breakup of the team that we loved so much. It comes down to age, money, and chemistry. That is professional sports for you. Not all things last and we know it.

Chris McAllister was the first big name to be cut loose. One of the last three remaining players from the 2000 Championship team, but the one who seemed to be the most expendable. Injuries, attitude, and a decline in production led to his being let go. Who is next? Let us take a few guesses here...

Samari Rolle? Todd Heap? Trevor Pryce? Kyle Boller? Who do we need and who can we easily replace? Not questions that can be answered so easily. What about Derrick Mason, a 35 year old WR?

That list does not include the free agents who we have yet to sign. Ray Lewis (who I will look at in a further column later) and Bart Scott need to be signed or allowed to walk. The franchise tag has been put on Terrell Suggs has been franchised again, so we know at least he will be back.

Next year's core team could look a little different. Is it smart to chop up a team that went to the AFC title game or is it better to replace the parts now that are wearing down before the truck itself dies? I am sure that Ozzie Newsome knows what he is doing. In fact, his track record says he is quite capable at building a winner.

The Super Bowl just ended and the free agency period is about to start. We already lost defensive guru Rex Ryan to the JETS. I fear that the worst is yet to come.

Hang on to your helmets folks as the off season puzzle assembly is about to begin.

Rebuilding begins...

2009-02-17T19:32:00.000-08:00

Written by: John V.

Although he had a successful rookie season, Joe Flacco has yet to prove himself as the quarterback of the future for the Ravens. Don't get me wrong, he has some potential, but 14-12 touchdown to interception ratio isn't that impressive. He's not Ben Roethlisberger. He can't win you the game. Last year was a great but deceiving year for our Ravens. Ray Lewis and that Raven Defense won us a lot of those games especially towards the end. You can't be a one dimensional football team and expect to win the Super Bowl. I hope Cam Cameron works with him this off season to strengthen his passing ability. I noticed in quite a few games last year, he was calm and collect in the pocket, but almost to the point of being oblivious. It almost seemed like he didn't know the pass rush was getting there. I'm not saying he is a bust, I am saying that he definitely needs to improve his basics. He made some unbelievable plays last year. They need to sure up that offensive line, which is much improved since last year. They have one of the best backfields in the NFL with McGahee, McClain, and Rice. Derrick Mason is getting old and Mark Clayton is somewhat inconsistent, even though he is extremely talented. The Ravens need to go out and get a solid number 1 or number 2 receiver, because the rest of the receivers are unproven.

Chris McAlister, the best corner in the history of the organization, was released to clear some much needed cap room. This marks the rebuilding of an Aging Ravens' defense. Baltimore isn't known for making a huge splash in the free agent pool, but the players of past that have proven to be worth the investment, have paid their dues. They being Steve McNair, if only for a year, and Derrick Mason. Ray Lewis has 3 productive years in which offenses will have to account for him in their game plans. Ed Reed will be 31; Samari Rolle will be 33; and Trevor Pryce will be 34 heading into next season. All of these players are taking up a lot of cap room that could be used to bring in younger players. They are all more injury prone than they have been in previous years. They have a solid defensive front with Bannan, Edwards, Ngata, and Douglas. The linebacking core is in question with the loss of one of the Big 3, although look for the Ravens to add to that through the draft. The secondary is a concern at the corner position now having lost number 21. As I mentioned, Rolle is getting old, but Fabian Washington has some potential to step up to that left corner position. Frank Walker and Corey Ivy give nice depth but lack the talent and consistency to be a starter. Dre' Bly is a free agent and could be a nice fill in at corner, but it would only add to the Ravens' list of players over 31. The Draft is the way to I think, maybe look in the second round or try to snag Lito Sheppard from Philly. He lost the starting job this season to superstar free agent Asante Samuel, but filled in nicely in nickel and dime packages. Corey Ivy is getting old, and Drayton Florence would be a nice pick up, even though he was a disappointment last season. The safety position is deep with Landry, Zbikowski, Leonhard and obviously Ed Reed.

The point is the Ravens need to get younger, and the release of Chris McAlister mark the beginning of the long and usually treacherous road of embarrassing and shameful seasons. Joe might have showed up at the wrong time, and could take a good bit of the blame. The Ravens have always signed older and proven players rather than take the risk of young, one year wonder players. The upcoming year should prove to be interesting to see which direction the offense goes in and how the defense will fair against the test of time.

Raven's Leaf?

2009-02-11T04:06:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Let us rewind back to 2003. It was in the NFL Draft that April in which the Baltimore Ravens used their first round draft pick on Ryan Leaf. Our offensive "genius" head coach had finally found his quarterback, or so we were lead to believe.

Kyle Boller represented stability at the QB position, which had seen constant turnover since the days of Vinnie Testaverde in 1996-97. He was the anointed one and started nine games prior to an injury that sidelined him the rest of the year. Anthony Wright took the team to the playoffs and an AFC North crown, though we lost in the Wild Card round to Tennessee.

In 2004, Boller had his only full season without injury and the Ravens finished 9-7 but missed the playoffs. In 2005, he suffered from turf toe that limited him over the season, and the Ravens finished 6-10 and out of the playoffs. Boller showed flashes of brilliance in games against Green Bay and Minnesota, but the season was already lost. And in 2006, he was replaced by Steve McNair who brought leadership and experience to a team that lacked offensive presence.

In the 3 seasons that the Ravens have made the playoffs during the Boller era, none was really his doing. 2003 (Wright), 2006 (McNair), 2008 (Flacco). An although his numbers are not that bad (20-22 record as a starter; 71.9 QB rating), he is the franchise leader in TD passes, yards, and other offensive categories.

My question to everyone out there is, can this player be our Ryan Leaf? I mean the franchise intended to build an offense around this guy, but instead he never became the player we thought we had and it was the defense that carried the team during those seasons. Ryan Leaf is the poster child for NFL busts, having set back a franchise for many years. Boller is certainly not on that level of a complete disaster, but it can be argued that the gamble the Ravens took (and lost) on Boller did negatively impact the team for several years.

It is almost certain that part of the reason for Billick's demise is that he was forever linked with the Boller blunder. And it is fair to say that Boller will no longer be a Raven in 2009 and beyond, which most fans will welcome. After 6 seasons it is sure time for him to go.

The real question to ponder is not about whether the Ravens gave him enough chances, but rather if he is Charm City's Ryan Leaf? A hot topic that certainly will be debated now and into the future, I am sure.

Introduction

2009-02-09T21:54:00.000-08:00

Written By: John V.

Here's a big question that buzzing around the league...Everyone knows the big story this off-season with the Ravens; just whom are they going to keep? With rumors circulating about a possible hometown discounts, Baltimore could easily be helping out another team tremendously by not signing one of the premier linebackers they have to offer. Ray Lewis, first ballot hall of famer, is the unconditional leader of the squad. When people think Baltimore, they think great defense, and they think number 52. He’s still a very big contributor in that he makes plays even at his age, but so does Bart Scott. Scott doesn’t bring anywhere near the emotion Lewis does. Ray Lewis is the face of the franchise, and you can’t lose that leadership, even if he is 34. He has probably 3 more productive years left in him and you know he’s going to want big money, so the question arises again, who do you keep. Ray Lewis made it clear earlier today that he doesn’t believe in a hometown discount and I quote. “I don’t play any less, so why should I get paid less?” True, but come on Ray, we know that there’s not much left in the tank. Bart Scott is a very talented linebacker and can hold his own against pretty much anyone. Terrell Suggs is the best pass rusher on the team. He’s going to want a lot of money considering his versatility. I say let go of Scott; a great linebacker that will be a nice fit somewhere. The Ravens could be considered the Penn State of the NFL in that they are Linebacker U. Think about who they’ve lost, and yet haven’t lost. They lost Adalius Thomas a couple years ago, Jarret Johnson filled in nicely, and you wouldn’t even know he was gone. Not to mention there are some more defensive stars on the rise. Although quiet, they are effective. They being Antwan Barnes and Tom Zbikowski. Zbikowski filled in with Jim Leonard in the secondary fill the vacany left by an injured Dawan Landry. While Barnes is entering his third year, he has major potential. His speed around the edge is almost Robert Mathis-like. Even the he isn't as strong as Suggs, he is indeed faster and will be a nightmare in the coming years. We all know Ozzie Newsome is a fantastic GM and knows talent when he sees it, at least on the defensive end (Kyle Boller). The upcoming draft is filled with linebackers, and don’t be surprised if the Ravens use one of their high round picks replacing one of the big three. I'm thinking they should move up and draft Rey Maualuga from Souther California. He resembles a Lofa Tatupu from Seattle. He's very consistant and physically gifted, I can see him as a great fit for the Ravens.

Consistency

2009-01-31T07:01:00.001-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

The Baltimore Ravens as a franchise are over the .500 mark dating back to 1996. Not a lot of professional teams can say that they are in the black in terms of wins.

Looking back on the past decade, the one thing that the Ravens are known for around the league, aside from defense, was the inability to keep the franchise moving in the same direction. Credit Brian Billick for getting the city back on the map by winning Super Bowl XXXV in only his second season, but also blame him for failing to keep the ship going steadily in the same direction. Look below at Billick's record:

1999 (8-8)
2000 (12-4) - won Super Bowl
2001 (10-6) - lost to Steelers in 2nd round of playoffs
2002 (7-9)
2003 (10-6) - lost to Titans in wild card round
2004 (9-7)
2005 (6-10)
2006 (13-3) - lost to Colts in playoffs after 1st round bye
2007 (5-11)

The man did win a Super Bowl with the greatest defense of the modern era, but how many more titles could we have won had he not been the coach? The pattern of ping-ponging back and forth from a good team to a lousy one got old fast. The core of the Ravens had basically been the same over several years (aside from the revolving QBs), so why is it that this franchise did not accomplish more?

This is where my jealousy of Pittsburgh really rises. They are the model of consistent winning in the NFL. How many AFC title games have they been too? How many playoff appearances have they had? While I certainly do not like that team, I do respect them for their ability to always be in the hunt.

The questions of what might have been will always linger. Should we have kept Dilfer? Should Billick have been canned sooner? As we move forward in the off season and reflect on a wonderful 2008 squad, we should be proud of our beloved franchise and use the mistakes of the past as motivation for the future.

Most of us expect to be in the playoffs next year too, which is certainly attainable. Kudos to Mr. Biscotti, the front office, and Coach Harbaugh for turning a 5-11 team and a depressed fan base into happy campers.

Next topic: Kyle Boller

Ravenstown Pride

2009-01-28T12:05:00.000-08:00

RAVENSTOWN'S PRIDE

If you're like most Baltimoreans, you felt your gridiron heroes would be on the building side of things and had prepared yourself for a long year. The draft went well with the pick up of a highly touted Joe Flacco and some good players on both sides of the ball. Training camp emerges with the normal excitement to see our favorite players up close and get an autograph or two. Preseason begins and all the sudden the season looks in jeopardy! Illnesses and injuries plague us to opening day. The season looked all but finished before it was to begin, a rookie behind center, a rookie head coach, some grumbling among the veterans, and a injury prone running back lead us to believe we would be lucky to finish at .500 for the year.

Along comes, an OFFENSE?! Joe Flacco's cool demenor and aggressive play not only revved up the fans, but brought a team unity that has not been seen since the Ravens were Superbowl Champions. For once the dominating defense we've all come to love had a productive counter-part in the offense. Plays downfield, spectacular catches by the wideouts, hard-nosed running by the backs and of course devasting defense put the Baltimore Ravens back into the playoffs! The offense line was superb. Most felt with the loss of future Hall of Famer Jon Ogden, Baltimore's line would be too inexperienced to handle the AFC North. They proved everyone wrong, their strong pass protection and run blocking kept producing first downs and more importantly rested our defense. With this new found respect between the offense and defensive players a strong team was built and it showed. From the locker room to the field, players and fans alike seemed to have not only higher expectations, but more fun!

This off-season has a lot of work to be done. Contracts to be re-negotiated, injuries to be addressed and coaching vacancies to be filled. As long as that respect remains and the business side of the NFL doesn't effect our new found pride, The Baltimore Ravens, will not only be the team to watch in the AFC North, but the entire National Football League.

It is to you, Baltimore Ravens, that we thank you. Not only for your exciting season, but for the passion you brought back to us. We look forward to another great year upcoming and Ravenstown Pride is back because of you!

Ravens Free Agent Linebackers

2009-01-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

Written By Bad Boy

As expected the Ravens lost Defense coordinator Rex Ryan to the JETS as their new head coach. It was only a matter of time for a team to give Ryan a shot at being a head coach. Will Ryan have enough talent on the defensive side of the ball up there in the big city of New York to execute his style of defensive play? Only time will tell! The big question is which Ravens free agent line backer will follow Ryan to the JETS.

Which leads me to this question for the Ravens in the coming weeks. If you can’t sign all 3 linebackers, “Who do you keep?”

Obviously, Ray Lewis is the heart and soul of the defense, not to mention the face of the franchise. He is the leader of the team as a whole and the fire that ignites it. Ray has said that he would like to stay and end his career in a Ravens uniform. That being said, Ray will probably demand at least a 3yr. deal with a huge signing bonus. Do you upset the fans and let Ray go to another team looking for that leader on the defensive side of the ball. Or, do you gamble and hope his body has at least another 2 good solid years left in the tank.

Terrell Suggs is a no-brainer to me. You have to sign him to a long term contract. With out Suggs pass rushing skills, the defensive backfield will get lit up no matter who is back there. Suggs has proven that he is an elite pass rusher in this league. His pass rushing presence forces opposing quarterbacks into making mistakes. Suggs will get signed and remain a Raven for years to come.

Which leads me to Bart Scott. Unfortunately Bart might be the odd man out this year. Bart has all the tools to be a top tier linebacker in this league. However sometimes Bart’s over aggressive style of play, sets him up out of position when he is suppose to be covering a RB out of the backfield. I honestly think Bart will be in either one of two uniforms next year. The JETS or COWBOYS. Both teams would love to have him in the middle of their defenses. And, I believe Bart would be a great addition wherever he may go.

Setting the Standard

2009-01-21T08:15:00.001-08:00

By Robert Braun

Rex Ryan is clearly one of the top defensive coordinators in the league, but will that success follow him as a head coach?

He does have a lot of things going in his favor when he moves his office to the New York Jets. The Jets run Ryan's beloved 3-4 defense, they have an underachieving first round pick in Vernon Gholston who, under you know who's tutelage, could finally start proving to people why he was taken so high in the draft.

But he also inherits a very shaky QB situation, Brett Favre will most likely retire, and Kellen Clemens is well......Kellen Clemens, they will probably look to the draft to fix that one.

Also, Ravens assistants turned head coaches are a combined 130-141-1, and carry a meager playoff record of 1-4.

Jack Del Rio: 50-46 (1-2 in the postseason)
Marvin Lewis: 46-49-1 (0-1 in the postseason)
Mike Nolan: 18-37
Mike Singletary: 5-4
Mike Smith: 11-5 (0-1 in the postseason)

(Whats up with the Ravens and people named Mike?)

Rex Ryan ?-?

We'll see.

Fade to Black

2009-01-20T03:24:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

I needed a day to let it sink in. The 2008 has come to an end. A 23-14 loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh has closed the book on this Cinderella story.

Back in September, who could have imagined a team with a rookie QB and a rookie head coach coming off a 5-11 season in 2007 would go to the AFC title game? After 2007, the Ravens lost Jonathan Ogden and Steve McNair to retirement while Brian Billick got the boot. What a miraculous turnaround in only 12 months. None of us, not even the most ardent of fan, could have predicted this in such a short amount of time.

And while we are saddened by the ending of the season, we need to focus our attention to the future. Defensive genius Rex Ryan is leaving to become an NFL head coach. Terrell Suggs, Bart Scott and Ray Lewis are all free agents. It is quite possible that next year our squad will look radically different.

The off season for the NFL will begin after the Pro Bowl. Trades, free agent signings, and preparing for the draft will all commence soon. The 2008 season will be one to remember for sure in the short history of the Baltimore Ravens franchise. Let's take this momentum and build on it. This is a team that could and should be in the hunt again next year. We'll be back.

By the way, Go Cardinals!

Bucking the Odds

2009-01-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

By Chris Benassi

Most of the so-called experts in the world of football commentary and analysis will tell you that the Ravens will be competitive in this weekend’s AFC Championship, but will fall short. All year long the analysts and sports the gambling industry had been banking on the idea that the 2008 Baltimore Ravens would be average at best. At first glance, how could you blame them? A rookie coach, rookie quarterback, and new offensive coordinator would spell disaster for most clubs, but then again these Ravens aren’t your ordinary football team.

With a fresh start, John Harbaugh set out to dominate two of the less glamorous statistics this season: time of possession and turnover margin. This was absolutely brilliant because it allowed the defense to control the game. We all remember Trent Dilfer in the 2000 championship run. That season the Ravens ranked first in time of possession (33:22) and third in turnover margin (+13). While the defense will get a lot of the credit, it was Trent Dilfer’s management of the game that equally contributed to the Ravens success. This season’s Ravens ranked second in time of possession (33:19) and first in turnover margin (+23).

This is the recipe for Baltimore success. We don’t need a quarterback to throw for 300 yards in a game. We don’t need to score 30 points per game either. With our stellar play on the defensive side of the ball, all we need is to not turn the ball over and control the clock. That is something that Kyle Boller didn’t understand, and that is why he will never start for the purple and black again.

As a society we are enthralled with the idea of scoring. Whether it has to do with a new relationship, sports team, or business success, we are so passionate about scoring. The last time I checked, a touchdown is only good if you stop your opponent and a three percent raise is only good if the cost of living increase is less than three percent. That idea is also why Baltimore has been bucking the odds all year. Winning when no one else thought they could.

Yesterday the Ravens were six point underdogs going into Sunday’s game. I’m sure that Ray Lewis and company don’t care one bit.

Bring on the Black & Gold

2009-01-15T04:37:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Round 3 - Charm City vs. Steel City. The ultimate grudge match that a lot of us wanted to see (except maybe Browns fans) is upon us this Sunday.

Earlier this year, the Steelers won in a Monday Night overtime victory and then (based on your perception) stole a second game from the Ravens in December at M&T Bank Stadium. Now, with a rare third game in the same season, the Ravens have a monumental chance for revenge.

Most national columns and publications think the Steelers are too tough. Lots of people want to see a Commonwealth Super Bowl (Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh) in a cross state showdown. I am a PA native, and I don't care for either team. While maybe the NFL would like the match up, people here in Baltimore would love to send the bumblebee-colored jerseys home on vacation after Sunday.

The Steelers have the home field advantage. Terrible turf, rowdy fans, and weather is on their side. Several key Ravens are injured including Suggs and Rolle. We have a rookie QB and head coach. The NFL gods are against us and want a sixth Lombardi trophy in Pittsburgh. I say nuts to all that.

People forget that the Ravens are a very good road team, especially in the playoffs. A team of veterans who is hungry and out for revenge is a dangerous combination. The Steelers lost the last two AFC title games at home... let's try to make it three.

Harass Big Ben to no end. Force him into errors and keep Mr. Cheap Shot Ward out of the picture. Keep the game close, no turnovers on offense, let the "D" wage war for field position, and allow Matt Stover the opportunity to win it for us.

I see the Ravens coming out on top 13-10, just like last week. Keep those fingers crossed!

Championship round picks

2009-01-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

By Robert Braun

Well here it is guys, the final 4 and who would of thought we would even be talking about half of these teams by now?
Well lets get to it, here's my picks for the conference championships.
　
AFC Championship Game

Ravens @ Steelers

A defensive slug fest to say the least, these teams have given us two of the best match ups seen during the regular season with the Steelers edging Baltimore by a combined seven points in both contests. So many questions; can Flacco handle the newest Steel Curtain on the second biggest stage in the NFL? Will the Ravens prove to be too much for a Steelers offense that(despite vastly underachieving this season) have always seem to come through when it matters. I'm not going to try to answer any of these my prediction simply comes down to this.....

....given the heated rivalry between these two teams I don't have Pittsburgh beating Baltimore three times in one season.
　
Ravens 17-10
　
NFC Championship Game

Eagles @ Cardinals

If the AFC championship is primed to be a defensive struggle then the NFC is looking to be the opposite. The Cardinals have shocked America, their long lost defense finally joined the party in the wild card round and haven't left yet. Ask Matt Ryan, ask Jake Delhomme, every week this postseason I picked the Cards to loose and each week they've proved me wrong. In the other corner we have Donnovan McNabb and Andy Reid making only their fifth NFC championship appearance this decade(despite always being on the "hot seat" in Philly). Remember though, Mcnabb hasn't had a great game yet in the playoffs, solid but not great, and you know come the postseason he's at least good for one.

I'm going with the Eagles in whats going to be a QB duel we remember for a long time.
　
Eagles 35-31
　
　
　

Purple Rain

2009-01-13T20:10:00.000-08:00

By: Robert Braun

The Baltimore Ravens success this season has been a combination of their old defensive beliefs and a new high energy offense. This time last year the Ravens were sitting at home Watching the AFC Championship from their living rooms just one short year later they are getting ready to compete with their bitter rivals for a Super Bowl appearance.

This team was suppose to be rebuilding not resurrecting. John Harbaugh doesn't get enough credit in my eyes, he has finally managed to heal that offense/defense rift that has torn Baltimore apart throughout the better part of this decade. This was done with a no nonsense attitude in training camp and player accountability that was never seen when Brian Billick was at the helm. It hasn't hurt that Harbaugh made exceptionally smart choices when putting together his coaching staff either.

First, he gets Rex Ryan to stay and continue working with this stellar defense which has been the Ravens staple throughout their teams history. Rex Ryan has done some of his best work there, with his defense's finishing 5th,1st,6th,and 2nd in his 4 years as defensive coordinator, his insane blitz package's give even the best quarterbacks nightmare's. But defense has never been a problem in Baltimore, the question this season is how would the offense be different with "offensive genius" Brian Billick out of the picture.

Ravens fan's got the answer when Cam Cameron was hired to be the offensive coordinator. After being cast out of Miami last year Cameron, a proven offensive guru(though not the best head coach), came to the Ravens who were notorious for having a painfully bad offense. Cameron's work in San Diego is still being shown off as he was the one who developed Philip Rivers into the (should of been)All Pro QB he has become. Not to mention L.T. enjoyed his most prosperous season's with Cam calling the shots on the sideline.

But that was with an incredibly talented roster with L.T. and Antonio Gates, and(for a brief moment) Drew Bree's. Anyone should be able to score points with guys like that right? So how would Cameron get the Ravens, with a much less talented offense, to produce? That's where Joe Flacco came in.

After getting his job by a stroke of fortune when Kyle Boller was put on I.R. for the season and Troy Smith was ruled out for a couple weeks, the kid from Delaware has proven that even as a rookie he is a natural leader. Flacco brings a new dimension to the Ravens offense that was only seen by the Ravens this decade when Steve Mcnair was in uniform. The younger and much healthier Flacco should hope to give them a lot more years than Steve did and you can believe after having such a great rookie campaign he's going to be given a lot more freedom in this offense come next season but for now he's going to keep playing safe football, the playoff's isn't the time to let your rookie QB go nuts. Flacco's poise and accuracy in the pocket have me thinking he has a very bright future ahead of him.

The Ravens head into Pittsburgh Sunday playing on house money, nobody though they would be this far so they can't disappoint anyone now. But they don't see it that way, they realize they have a great opportunity and want to ride this momentum they have all the way to Tampa.

Regardless of the results Sunday Baltimore can look at this season as a success. For that they can thank their old friends, the defense.But they also owe a lot of credit to their new friends as well.

Familiar Territory

2009-01-10T05:38:00.000-08:00

Written by: Peter Coolbaugh

Ravens fans, we have been here before. Rewind back to January 2001. The Titans were the # 1 seed in the AFC, and looking to advance to their second straight Super Bowl.

In come the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, with a smothering defense and a surprising 12-4 regular season record. This upstart team is in the playoffs for the first time ever, and happen to beat the favored Titans on their home field and advance to play Oakland in the AFC title game.

It is now 2009. The 6th seeded Ravens again go into Tennessee with the arrogance and ability to take out the “best team in the league”. A rejuvenated Kerry Collins has led a defense-minded squad back to the top of the NFL heap in hopes of capturing the first NFL title for the franchise.

Will this be the end of the road for the 2008 Cinderella Ravens, who rebounded nicely from a 5-11 floundering club just a year earlier? Or will the purple & black finally succumb to the more “experienced” playoff team?

Saturday evening will bring all the answers. As a Ravens fan, I want to see them go all the way. As a football realist, I also know a rookie QB and head coach have limits. Time to watch and hope and pray.

Ravens Defense Keys First Round Win Against Miami

2009-01-04T14:06:00.000-08:00

Written by: Andrew Mindzak

The season just keeps getting better for the Baltimore Ravens. Turning around a 5-11 record last season into an 11-5 record this year, the Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9 on Sunday to move on to the next round in the playoffs. The Dolphins who only had 13 turnovers all season which tied an NFL record, had 5 against the ferocious Ravens defense. Chad Pennington, who threw only 7 interceptions all season, had 4 on Sunday.

Heading into the second quarter tied at 3, Ed Reed picked off a Pennington pass, and ran it back 64 yards for a touchdown to put Baltimore up 10-3. Reed also picked off another pass at the end of the third quarter giving him two picks on the day. All in all, the Ravens had 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 3 sacks, a partridge in a pear tree, and a blocked extra point. The Baltimore Defense allowed only 276 total yards, 52 of which coming on the ground as they had no problem stopping the Dolphins 'Wildcat' formation.

Offensively the Ravens only turned the ball over once on a Le'Ron McClain fumble. Joe Flacco wasn't spectacular, but with his defense playing the way they did, he didn't have to. Flacco completed only 9 of 23 passes for 135 yards, and ran in the final score of the game with just under 4 minutes remaining to seal the game up. The most important stat for Flacco is that he did not turn the ball over. The Ravens rushing attack was led by McClain who ran for 75 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown. Willis McGahee added 62 of his own yards, 48 of which came on a huge fourth quarter run to set up Flacco's rushing touchdown. Derrick Mason led all Baltimore receivers with 4 catches for 71 yards.

Next up for Baltimore is a trip to Tennessee against the #1 seeded Titans. These two teams met in early October in Baltimore, which saw the Titans pulling out a 13-10 win. Both teams rely heavily on stellar defenses and a strong running game which will make this game a low scoring defensive battle and certainly one that will be fun to watch!

On to the Playoffs

2008-12-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

Written by: Andrew Mindzak

After finishing 5-11 just one year ago, the Baltimore Ravens are headed back to the playoffs. On Sunday, the Ravens defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-7 to clinch the #6 seed in the AFC. Their next game will be on Sunday in Miami, against the surprising Miami Dolphins, who had an even bigger turnaround than the Ravens. Just last year, the Dolphins went 1-15, and then amazingly finished 11-5 this year. Even though the Ravens will be on the road, they are the early favorite, and with their defense and running game at full strength, why wouldn't they be?

Baltimore started off the first quarter slow against the Jags, going down 7-3 heading into the second quarter. David Garrard found Alvin Pearman for a 23 yard TD pass to put the Jags up 7-3. Once the second quarter started, however, Baltimore turned the heat up. The Ravens scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 24-7 lead at the half. They would tack on another Matt Stover field goal in the third quarter before wrapping up a 27-7 win to give them a wild card spot in the AFC playoffs. Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco completed 17 of 23 passes for a career high 297 yards, helping Ravens fans completely forget that mistake called Kyle Boller. Le'Ron McClain ran for 70 yards and 2 scores, and Mark Clayton caught 4 passes for 128 yards to lead the way.

The Ravens will play the Dolphins next in Miami on Sunday at 1:00pm EST. Baltimore played the Dolphins once this year, beating them 27-13 in Miami in mid October. The game was closer than the 14 point margin would indicate. Miami actually out gained the Ravens, and kept within 1 touchdown until about 6 and a half minutes left in the game, when Willis McGahee punched in the final score of the game. With Miami playing even better now, this game will certainly be an exciting one to watch. If Baltimore pulls out a win in Miami, they would face the Tennessee Titans in the next round.

Ravens Beat Cowboys, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

2008-12-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

Written by: Andrew Mindzak

This game was doomed from the start for the Baltimore Ravens. Playing on the road in Dallas against a Cowboys team desperate for a playoff birth in their last game at Texas Stadium. Baltimore had to face the same Cowboys who just dismantled the World Champion Giants the
week before, beating them 20-8. And if that wasn't enough, T.O. and company seem to be on the same page (at least for now, so don't go holding your breath). The Ravens however, had different plans.

Baltimore beat the Cowboys 33-24, and Le'Ron McClain ran for 139 yards on 22 carries including the exclamation point 82 yard TD run with just over a minute left in the game to extend the Ravens lead, much to the chagrin of the 63,000 on hand. Joe Flacco had a pretty solid game, completing 68% of his passes for 149 yards and 1 TD pass. Willis McGahee also ran for over 100 yards, the majority of those yards came on a 77 TD run the drive before McClain broke free for his long TD run.

The game was low scoring early on, with the Ravens leading 9-7 at the half thanks to three Matt Stover field goals. The third quarter saw Baltimore adding another TD on a 13 yard pass from Flacco to Derrick Mason. With Baltimore now up 16-7, the stage was set for a crazy fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Dallas and Baltimore traded field goals until Tony Romo found Terrell Owens for a 7 yard touchdown which cut the Ravens lead to 19-17. On the first play from scrimmage, McGahee took off for a 77 yard touchdown run extending the Ravens' lead back to 9. Dallas answered right back on their next drive as Romo hooked up with Jason Witten for a score as the Cowboys reduced the lead back down to two. Baltimore came right back with McClain who, on the first play from scrimmage yet again, broke off an 82 yard TD run putting the Ravens up by 9 again.

That run provided the game's final score, and possibly ended the Cowboys playoff hopes, all the while helping the Ravens solidify their playoff hopes. Baltimore still holds on to the last wildcard spot, but with the Dolphins and Patriots breathing down their necks, they will most assuredly need to beat the Jaguars at home next weekend to get

Ravens Forecast - Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Sun in Two Weeks

2008-12-15T20:13:00.000-08:00

By: Andrew Mindzak

After losing a tough game to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens lost the division, but not playoff aspirations. Currently, the Ravens are sitting at 9-5 and hold the last playoff spot over two other 9-5 teams, the Dolphins and Patriots. They have two games remaining and if they win out, they will make the playoffs.

The Ravens next opponent is the Dallas Cowboys who just came off a big win against the Giants on Sunday night. After the game Tony Romo, Jason Witten, and Terrell Owens were all smiles, but when things get tough, we will see how long their happiness lasts. The Cowboys defense has been playing well of late, as they have great ability to get to the quarterback, which is evident in their league leading 53 sacks. Baltimore's pass defense, which leads the league in interceptions and allows the 2nd fewest passing yards per game, should keep Tony Romo in check, however. The Ravens are 6th in the league in rushing offense, so look for a combination of Le'Ron McLain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice(depending on his bruised leg) to lead their offense. The Ravens should be able to shut down Romo & company, and if rookie sensation Joe Flacco can prevent turnovers, Baltimore has a good chance to steal this tough game in Dallas.

Baltimore closes their season against a very disappointing Jacksonville Jaguars team. Many had predicted the Jags to be a playoff contender, however they are 5-9 and in last place in the AFC South division. The Ravens play them at home, which should give them a distinct advantage over Jacksonville and their very ordinary defense. A heavy ground attack should give Baltimore the win they will most certainly need.

The good news is that the Ravens control their own destiny, and even though their last two games will be tough, they are very winnable. If Flacco can keep the offense moving in the right direction, the defense will take care of the rest, all the way into the playoffs.

2008-12-06T07:48:00.001-08:00

Ravens vs Bengals, Time, Live Score, TV

2008-11-28T14:02:00.000-08:00

Ravens vs Bengals
Time:1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS

Ravens vs Eagles

2008-11-23T07:52:00.001-08:00

Ravens vs Eagles
Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX

Ravens-Giants|Preview, Ravens Game Score,TV,Recap

2008-11-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

The Ravens at Giants- game time Sunday, November 16, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live Ravens game score on this page. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Giants is on CBS. Find Ravens game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest Ravens blog talk and rumors. Always get the latest Ravens game preview,score, news and more at Ravensmix.com!

Wanted Ravens Fan Talk! Are you a big Ravens fan with something you want to share, we will post all civil items submitted to FanTalk@Sportsmixed.com in the Ravens blog section. Wanted Ravens Featured Writers! Ravensmix.com is looking for 3-5 writers to write on a more regular basis about the Ravens, if interested please contact us at Writers@Sportsmixed.com

Ravens vs Texans|Preview, Ravens Game Score,TV,Recap

2008-11-08T22:50:00.000-08:00

The Ravens at Texans- game time Sunday, November 9, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live Ravens game score on this page. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Texans is on CBS. Find Ravens game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest Ravens blog talk and rumors. Always get the latest Ravens game preview,score, news and more at Ravensmix.com! Submit all game talk for the Ravens to FanTalk@Sportsmix.com, all submissions posted.

Ravens vs Browns Previews and Talk|Live Game Ravens Score

2008-11-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Ravensmix.com - The latest live Ravens Score,News and Talk! The Ravens at Browns- game time Sunday, November 2, 1:00 PM ET. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Browns is on CBS. Find Ravens game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest Ravens blog talk and rumors. Also find the opponents game spin.

Ravens-Dolphins|Preview,Ravens Game Score,TV,Recap

2008-10-16T22:06:00.000-07:00

The Ravens at Dolphins- game time Sunday, October 19, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live Ravens game score on this page. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Dolphins is on CBS. Find Ravens game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. Always get the latest Ravens game preview,score, news and more at Ravensmix.com!

Ravens-Colts|Preview,Game Score,TV,Recap

2008-10-07T17:15:00.000-07:00

Always get the latest Ravens score, preview, news and more at Ravensmix.com! The Ravens at Colts - game time Sunday, October 12, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live game score on this page. Also find Ravens game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Colts is on CBS.

Ravens-Titans| Ravens Score Live,TV,Game Preview, Recap

2008-09-30T18:18:00.000-07:00

Always get the latest Ravens score, preview, news and more at Ravensmix.com! The Ravens at home vs Titans - game time Sunday, October 5, 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live game score on this page. Also find game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Titans is on CBS.

Ravens-Steelers| Ravens Score Live,TV,Game Preview,Recap

2008-09-29T16:12:00.000-07:00

Always get the latest Ravens score, news and more at Steelersmix.com! The Ravens at Steelers - game time Monday, September 29, 8:30 PM ET. Get the latest live game score on this page. Also find game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Steelers is on ESPN. Monday Night Football

Ravens vs Steelers Score-Game Preview,TV,Stats, Time, Recap

2008-09-24T22:15:00.000-07:00

The Ravens at Steelers - game time Monday, September 29, 8:30 PM ET. Get the latest live game score on this page. Also find game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Steelers is on ESPN. Always get the latest Ravens score, news and more at Ravensmix.com! Monday Night Football

Ravens Score vs Browns -Preview, Recap, TV, Time, Game Stats

2008-09-17T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ravens vs Browns
Final Score 28-10 Ravens Win
Always get the latest Browns score and more at Brownsmix.com!
The Ravens at home vs Browns - game time Sunday, September 21, 4:15 PM ET. Get the latest live score on this page. Also find game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Browns is on CBS.

2008-09-16T10:18:00.000-07:00

Ravens vs Texans Score-Preview, Recap, TV, Time, Game Stats

2008-09-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

The Ravens at Texans - game time Sunday, September 14, 4:15 PM ET. Get the latest live score on this page. Also find game previews and recaps for the game instantly updated from local and national news in addition to the hottest blog talk and rumors. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Texans is on CBS. Always get the latest Ravens score and more at Ravensmix.com!

2008-09-08T20:32:00.001-07:00

Ravens vs Bengals, Time, Live Score, TV, Stats, Photos, News

2008-09-02T18:13:00.000-07:00

The Ravens vs Bengals at home on Sunday, September 7, at 1:00 PM ET. Get the latest live game score and photos right on this page. Also get the latest talk and game news after the game updated constantly from local and national news and blogs. TV coverage of the Ravens vs Bengals is on CBS. Always get the latest Ravens score at Ravensmix.com!

2008-09-01T16:13:00.001-07:00

Ravens lose to Vikings, Score, Stats, News, QB Battle

2008-08-17T09:48:00.001-07:00

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Minnesota Vikings by a score of 23 to 15. The real story in the game for the Ravens was trying to get closer to determining who will start the year as the starting quarterback. The Ravens appear to have determined that first round pick Joe Flaco will not be that person as the coach says he is behind Troy Smith and Boller for the starting job. Troy Smith made his first start in the battle for the starting quarterback job and did not pull away from Boller with his showing. Smith's stats on the day were 3 of 5 for 25 yards and no touchdowns and one interception, he also had three carries for 35 yards. Kyle Boller went 8 of 12 for 40 yards no touchdowns and an interception. The rookie Flaco went 10 0f 15 for 74 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. The Ravens were led in rushing by rookie Ray rice who had 8 rushes for 77 yards and a touchdown, Rice had a long run of 42 yards. Ernest Wheelwright led the Ravens with 5 catches for 37 yards in receiving.