Blogimore Ravens

It's been a minute

2009-06-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hi. How are you? Hello? Helloo hellooo helloooo?

Some random dude reminded me that I have a Ravens blog and then my homegirl Alana G hollered at me to let me know that former Ravens TE Daniel Wilcox commented on my "ESPN is Ray-cist" post over at Fanarchy and then I remembered a funny story that I never shared with y'all involving myself and a former Ravens player and then I decided to update Blogimore Ravens and then finally I got around to sharing said funny story: About a month ago I was on a random conference call, which was slated to include myself and two other people, one of whom I knew and one of whom I didn't know, and while Mystery Man Gary and myself waited for our common link to join the call, Mystery Man Gary asked me where I was from, and after I dropped San Francisco, he said, "No, I mean originally," and then I said Baltimore and then one thing led to another and then I realized the Gary on the other end of the phone was former Ravens CB Gary Baxter and then we proceeded to speak for nearly two hours and now I'm telling you that Gary Baxter has an impressively sharp business mind.

Baltimore Ravens: Michael Oher video

2009-04-26T06:53:00.000-07:00

I met Michael Oher and shot this video at his press conference yesterday in NYC. Homeboy is big. He talks about visiting Baltimore, going up against Baltimore's D in practice, and getting the call from Ozzie. I managed to drop "The Joe Flacco Show" into the conversation, which of course was my only reason for being there.

My favorite questions/answer was the first out of the gate.

Reporter: Do you like crab crake?
Oher: "Oh yeah, when I went on my visit there, I had shrimp."

Let's hope he understands football better than food.

Ravens: Michael Oher & Paul Kruger

2009-04-26T06:51:00.000-07:00

The Ravens added two cast members to the Joe Flacco Show yesterday: a Mormon defensive end out of Utah who was stabbed during a gang fight last year, and a formerly homeless offensive tackle who once had a 0.30¹ GPA in high school.

I'm not hating on either of 'em, though. Both have tremendous stories of courage, et cetera, et cetera, especially Oher, who doesn't really care what you think anyway. Besides, Oher had a 3.7 GPA at Ole Miss, which isn't so bad. That's what I had at Villanova, and look at me: I grew up to be a blogger!

Anything is possible, Michael.

1: I've also seen it reported as 0.60. Perhaps the GPA was weighted for an honors or AP schedule.

Blogimore @ 2009 NFL Draft

2009-04-24T00:11:00.000-07:00

New. York. City.

Putting a period after every word? How terribly lame and lazy of me.

Anyway, this weekend I'll be at Radio City Music Hall doing freelance work for Yardbarker. Caity, we're eating breakfast at wherever it is you work; Atlas Café is last year's news, Big Slice.

Ed. note: LIVE BLOG

The Joe Flacco Show needs more ammo, yes?

2009-03-17T18:15:00.000-07:00

This video is so tasty

2009-03-11T00:20:00.001-07:00

After only one dose of Ray Ray's 2008 highlights it's fair to say I'm psyched for next season.

Is there any reason besides ego to sign a SEVEN-YEAR deal?

2009-03-10T21:45:00.000-07:00

New, improved and unnecessarily 133.33% longer!

Burritos and cornerbacks and fake drafts! Oh, my!

2009-03-05T09:39:00.000-08:00

Some guys I don't know but whose site name I like asked me to participate in a blogger mock draft. So I did. I haven't checked out any of the other selections, and admittedly I didn't put a terribly great amount of research into Baltimore's selection, but I did enough to know that:

Malcolm Jenkins, gone
Vontae Davis, gone
Mike Mickens, taller than those guys from Vandy and Wake

With the 26th overall selection in the Football Burrito Fake Draft, BlogimoreRavens.com selects Mike Mickens, cornerback, Cincinnati:

"With the departure of C-Mac from an already depleted secondary, Baltimore needs a physical corner who can play the run and also take it the house when he gets his hands on the ball. Mickens projects to be that guy. He is a first-round talent with a second-round grade. He tore cartilage in his knee and had surgery in November."

The reign of King Ray continues in Baltimore

2009-03-04T18:42:00.000-08:00

KING RAY: "The bottom line for me is that God always finishes first, and I prayed over this. Over the last six days, I took a backseat and waited to see what would happen. This is part of God's plan, and I couldn't be happier. For me to be here in an area that has become so important to me and my family, that's special, very special."

Thank you, Ray, for coming back to Baltimore. I'm not really in the mood to buy a new jersey, and I made a commitment years ago to never even own another Ravens jersey¹ until you retire. The thought of you finishing your career elsewhere never occurred to me at the time. I suppose denial predates the Wildcat offense, eh?

But what's done is done, and what's done is a three-year deal that means Ray Ray will retire in purple. The agreed-upon offer ($22 million²) appears to be lower than the team's initial offer, so that means ~~Ozzie took my advice~~ for once I hit the nail on the head.

Might Ray be bitter for having to take less than previously offered? I don't think so. Well, I don't think he'll be upset with the Ravens or owner, Steve Bisciotti, who has never been shy about his desire to keep Ray. If Ray's going to be upset, and I imagine he is and will continue to be, I expect he'll direct that anger in two directions: his agent and the 31 teams who ignored him during free agency.

In other news, Baltimore inked a center who has been to the Pro Bowl six times: Matt Birk, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Vikings and who joins CB Domonique Foxworth, a Baltimore native, as the team's two biggest free agency signings besides Ray.

In other news, part deux, I reached out to the publicist and agent for Sizzle and K-Gregg, respectively, regarding Blogimore interviews, but so far mum is the word.

1: No, folks, not even Flacco.
2: No word yet on how much is guaranteed.

"Playing Hardball," by Ray Lewis

2009-03-04T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ray Lewis has a right to do whatever he wants with his contract negotiations, plain and simple and no two ways about it. It is his life and his career, and if he wants to play hardball and remain an unrestricted free agent, so be it. But his playing hardball has backfired seriously with even his most loyal fans. It literally has been weeks since I have seen or heard a pro-Ray comment from a Ravens fan, which itself is damn near a sign of the Apocalypse. By now, most fans don't appear to want him back, and at least one offered up the analogy that negotiating with Ray Ray at this point is like trying to save a bad marriage. Even if you win, you still lose.

Wednesday morning, Ravens beat reporter and Baltimore football guru Aaron Wilson wrote: "I've been told there's nothing going on right now with Ray." It has been suggested by Wilson that Baltimore may have lowered its offer¹, a move suggested last Sunday here on Blogimore. Contract negotiations are no different than craps in Vegas. Sometimes you roll the dice and lose, even if said dice are weighted with 10 Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl MVP. Markets set themselves. Rosters will too if you're not careful.

Do I want Ray back? Of course. But only if he wants it also.

Ed. note: Deal-in-principle rumored to be complete. No excitement here until after it has been signed.

1: The rumor has been three years, $24 million, $17 million guaranteed. That offer was almost certainly on the table at some point in time.

Apparently $17,000,000 doesn't taste very good

2009-03-04T00:21:00.001-08:00

Ray Lewis: "He has no market."

2009-03-01T20:15:00.000-08:00

Sports Illustrated's Michael Lombardi (also of The National Football Post) sent me a message via Facebook today about Ray Ray: "he has no market....hope you are well" [sic].

Ray has said, and I'm paraphrasing: "I don't play less*so why should I get paid less."

Well, for starters, Tom Brady did it, and he has more Super Bowl rings and he just married a supermodel. So it's not exactly a terrible strategy.

But let's play Ray's game for a second.

OK, Ray. It's business. Most teams previously in need of a middle linebacker have filled that void. The economy is in shambles and your personal demand appears to be also. If nobody is making you any higher offers, why shouldn't the Ravens pull their offer and throw another one back on the table, this one for fewer dollars? That's a scary thought, isn't it, Ray?

Th city of Baltimore and the Ravens franchise have supported you through thick, thin and then some. They gave you a reasonably fair offer and reportedly guaranteed you SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS. There is no reason to think you can't go back to the AFC Championship game and possibly the Super Bowl. You finally have a decent QB. Hell, a good one even. The Joe Flacco Show is legit.

Forgive my ignorance, but what seems to be the problem, Ray? Or is there no problem? Are you just rolling the dice for more money? Are you falling victim to the greed that seizes us all at some point? If that's the case, then Ozzie should pull the offer and low-ball your agent, see if anyone's willing to give you more.

Don't get me wrong, Ray. We still love you. But it's business, right?

* In the context of his statement, he was talking about effort and/or skill, not actual number of games played.

Would Ray Lewis retire?

2009-03-01T08:19:00.000-08:00

Not once during free agency has Ray Lewis said he'd love to return to Baltimore, but the job market for absurdly expensive middle linebackers with a rap sheet is drying up.

Dallas Cowboys: signed Keith Brooking.
Denver Broncos: signed Andra Davis.
New Orleans Saints: re-signed Jonathan Vilma.
New York Jets: signed Bart "You Done Fucked Up Your PlayStation Game" Scott.

Baltimore could reduce its offer on the table if convinced they're bidding against only themselves, or they could give Ray an ultimatum on the current offer (reportedly three years, $24 million, $17 million guaranteed). But the chances of either scenario backfiring are high. As strange as it sounds, even if the Ravens are bidding against themselves, the only chance to lock Ray Ray down might be to increase* the offer. This strange-as-it-sounds scenario holds more water by the day. Why would Ray sign an unchanged offer that has been on the table awhile? To do so may be to admit that he was unloved and unwanted by the rest of the league.

Would Ray Lewis retire? Egos are dangerous things, my friend.

* I believe a smoke-and-mirror increase would be sufficient, something that looks good on paper but has no additional impact on the team's financial obligations.

J.E.T.S. Bart Bart Bart!

2009-02-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

PART DEUX
It's official: "Scott picks Jets over Ravens"

Moral of the story: Don't listen to me

2009-02-27T12:17:00.000-08:00

Apparently the deal with Bart Scott and the Jets is not done.

Apparently negotiations with Baltimore are ongoing.

Apparently Bart wants to be the "center piece" [sic] of Baltimore's D.

Apparently I should blog only after the dotted line has been signed.

Apparently I find myself agreeing with a Steelers fan (Christmas Ape):

"I'm not a Ravens fan, obviously, but I think Ray-Ray has hurt his legacy with the hometown fans a bit with his antics this offseason, between the equivocating "God will decide where I sign" business and the chats with Ware. Probably not a huge dent overall, but from what I've seen on Ravens boards, it may linger for some time even if he comes back."

J.E.T.S. Bart Bart Bart!

2009-02-27T11:05:00.001-08:00

I had the opportunity to meet Bart Scott two seasons ago: first on the practice field and then in the locker room. It was the Friday before that weird home game versus the Browns, the one we lost after Phil Dawson's kick went through the uprights and then bounced back onto the field. It was the fourth loss during the longest losing streak (nine games) in franchise history. The mood in the locker room that Friday was upbeat. Probably not so much for the rest of the season.

I had a broken hand and elbow at the time, the same hand I broke again this year (awesome). When Bart saw me, he looked at my hand and said, "You done fucked up your PlayStation game."

We hung out in the locker room while he made fun of his teammates: Trevor Pryce for his "taco meat" chest hair, and Troy Smith (a.k.a. "Heisman") for doing bench presses and staying shirtless whenever he expects females to be around. Heisman responded with a bizarre rant about Cleveland and chest hair. Bart also made fun of Ray Ray for taking up so much space in the locker room. He is a funny dude.

I'll miss having Bart Scott on the Ravens, especially considering how well he played down the stretch. But Baltimore has a history of losing linebackers and being A-OK in the long run. Of course, said long run has always included Ray.

Best of luck, Bart.

Free will and free agency: Ray Lewis?

2009-02-26T09:50:00.000-08:00

The moment of truth has arrived. Now hit snooze and go back to bed for one more day, because free agency starts tomorrow, and the fate of Ray Ray will soon be determined. I suppose "fate" is the wrong word. Let's try that again: The free will of Ray Ray will soon be determined.

Will Ray Ray leave Baltimore for greener pastures? Or will the unwavering support of a city and organization that has supported him no matter what, even when he was charged with unspeakable acts and found himself the target of scathing hate in 49 0ther states, will that be enough to keep him in Charm City?

Ray, like any professional athlete, has to 'feed his family' and we all know that's tough to do with an $18 million signing bonus* instead of $20 million. So who could blame him if he didn't take qualitative factors into account, if it remained purely a quantitative decision. We're all struggling in this economy, and Ray Lewis is no different. Of course, it's possible that Ray's conversations with DeMarcus Ware were nothing more than indirect negotiating ploys, and the same goes for the fact that he hasn't trumpeted the P.R. horn about how much he wants to stay in Baltimore. It's possible that Ray wants nothing more than to stay in the city that has always loved him, to remain with the team with which he earned his hardware.

A few weeks ago, I wrote:

"I just received a text message from a friend and business colleague asking how I feel about Ray: 'Ray Lewis, Family, Country, God -- in that order' was my answer."

I met with with said friend and business colleague earlier this week. Until then I had no idea that she had been sitting on Ray's couch when we had that text-message exchange. In case you're curious, Keon Lattimore was there and is still trying to get into the league.

My friend and business colleague showed Ray my text message and reportedly he loved it.

Ray, you will never receive that sort of treatment in any other city. Sure, they'll love you when you sign, and they'll love you when you come out of that tunnel, but the minute you miss a tackle, or the minute you miss a game because you've got a torn whatever, that love and support will regress, regrettably all the way back to Atlanta in January of 2000.

I hate to pick at old wounds, but I'm doing it only to warn you that your "own fans" will do the same, if you sign elsewhere. Or you could stick in Baltimore for potentially a few less dollars and remember that life isn't all about dollars and cents. Oh, and side note: If you're looking for another ring, let's keep in mind that Joe Flacco has more postseason wins that Tony Romo.

Life is about doing what you love, where you love it, and with those you love and whom love you back. There are thousands of fans in Baltimore struggling with the economy and still supporting the Ravens, working hard and earning in a year what you could earn in one night with an appearance fee. There is talk of a statue in Baltimore. Ray Ray joining Johnny U. It is not a question of if, it is only a question of where. Do you want to be right next to Johnny or would you prefer your own real estate on the other side of the stadium? That is the only question, Ray.

What is your answer?

*I believe that Ray has reached Cal Ripken status, which is to say he's worth overpaying** even if it means the team will suffer, because there would be nothing greater for Ravens fans than to see Ray Ray retire in Baltimore, the captain of the ship steering off into the sunset, hopefully with a second ring on his hand.

**That's not to say the Orioles overpayed Cal, but he did have carte blanche to remain in uniform and in the starting lineup for as many years as he wanted, regardless of personnel.

Liar, liar, $8 million on fire

2009-02-19T17:31:00.001-08:00

Chris McAlister on getting cut from the Ravens, a move saving the team $8MM in cap money:

"I went in to take my exit physical and I sat down and talked to coach Harbaugh and we talked about how I felt about coming back and the offseason conditioning program. I left out of his office and he said we would talk in a couple of days. Two minutes later, I walked into the general manager's office and got cut. The whole way it went down is probably the most disappointing thing to me."

I hope this is not true, but why would Chris lie?

Assuming it's true, it means Ozzie and Harbaugh aren't on the same page, or more likely, that Coach Harbaugh manipulated McAlister's emotions for neither reason nor apparent gain. Cutting McAlister is probably the right business move, but it's a bummer to see him go, especially in such an ostensibly disrespectful fashion. He is one hell of a defensive back and one of the greatest players to ever suit up with King Ray.

Favorite players not on the Ravens

2009-02-18T14:15:00.000-08:00

Random post to kill time and strengthen my broken finger. Who knew that blogging and playing video games could be considered physical therapy/medical treatment?!!

Until he retired, Brett Favre was maybe my favorite player not on the Ravens. It wasn't until the end of his career that I really started to appreciate his game and approach. I admired the gunslinger mentality and his ability to ignore the cynical and holier-than-thou attitude of the sports blogosphere and media.

You: Brett was selfish!
Me: Brett is human.

So without further adieu, I present three of my favorite* non-Ravens**:

Donovan McNabb: How can you not love a guy who once threw four TDs on a broken foot? Philadelphia doesn't deserve this guy. Talk about fair-weather fans. The same ones who have been blasting him for years, the ones who booed him on Draft Day, well they probably went ahead and booked tickets for the NFC Championship this year in Arizona, don't you think? Yeah, the Eagles lost, but that's easy to do when you don't have anyone to catch the football. Another reason I like Donovan? I was born in Syracuse.

Marshawn Lynch: When I met Money Lynch in Arizona during the week leading up to Super Bowl XLII, he asked me what Baltimore was really like. He was curious after having watched The Wire. I told him it was like Oakland East, sections of it being scary and dangerous and, well, scary and dangerous. I suppose you could also say that Oakland, Marshawn's hometown, is like Baltimore West, which is all the more reason to love the fact that he plays in blue-collar Buffalo. His numbers aren't gaudy, but neither is his offensive line, and his stiff-arm is fierce. I wish he would stop getting arrested, though. Money, stay out of trouble. Another reason I like Marshawn? My favorite team before the Ravens was Buffalo. Die hard.

Hines Ward: Yikes. I'm putting myself at risk here. But keep in mind that my experience as a Ravens fan is different than most. I've lived in California for nine years, where there is far less Steelers-hatred than in Charm City. I probably know more Steelers fans out here than Ravens fans, and honestly most of them are decent people. I've heard the argument that Hines is dirty, and I'm dismissing it outright. He plays within the rules of the game, and despite being smaller than most of his opponents, more often than not he hits harder than the other guy. I don't enjoy watching him succeed, but I respect his game. I could say the same about Big Ben. Rest assured that I don't feel this way about Pittsburgh's entire roster.

* "Favorite" is definitely the wrong word for Hines. How about respect?
** Say a prayer that Ray Ray does not become eligible for this list.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh to Baltimore?

2009-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

The Ebony Bird: "There is a solid chance that this* could happen," but I'm not sold. TJH is a possession receiver, and we already have enough of those. Baltimore needs a deep threat** who can stretch the field.

*T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Baltimore next season.
**Clarence Moore need not apply.

Cream is the money, dolla dolla bill, y'all

2009-02-18T11:18:00.001-08:00

Nick writes, and I don't think he'll mind the excerpt, but if so let me know and I'll shrug my shoulders:

"In the wake of the Super Bowl, this is about as good as it gets for me... Outside of franchising Suggs and re-signing Ray Ray."

The moral of the story?
Beware of the deuce.

#2 on the Ravens roster?
QB Todd Bouman!

It's mid-February; do you know where your free agents are?

2009-02-16T12:05:00.000-08:00

Pittsburgh Steelers: Congratulations to the Steelers for winning the franchise's sixth Super Bowl. Now we're five rings behind, Ravens fans. Below is a note to the irate Baltimore fans who are angrily amending my entry to include the football championships won by the Colts:

I chose my words carefully. I did not congratulate Pittsburgh on its sixth championship; I congratulated the franchise. The Baltimore Ravens franchise has one, and only one, Super Bowl victory. I am not a Colts fan. I was never a Colts fan. I honestly don't really care all that much about Johnny Unitas. To me, Ray Lewis is the face of Baltimore football. Unless of course he leaves and plays somewhere else next season. If that happens, my head will probably explode, and my heart most definitely will.

Unrestricted free agent, Ray Lewis: I understand that it's business, and most of what I've heard from Ray is that he's not distracted by the contract talks, that the will of God will play itself out (or something like that). But please do not forget this: It is Ray's decision and Ray's alone. If Ray Lewis walks out on the city that has never ceased supporting him, even in the toughest of times, to take a higher paycheck and play elsewhere, I suspect that will permanently damage his reputation in Baltimore.

Ray, how badly do you want your statue next to Johnny U?

But that's not fair! This is business!

Who said anything about life being fair?

Old Bay, Ray Ray, Town business and the Sco

2009-01-30T09:31:00.000-08:00

Like NASCAR with no brakes* -- that's what I hope Arizona's side of the scoreboard looks like on Sunday night. But congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning the AFC Championship, and congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for surpassing all sorts of expectations, especially mine, during what turned out to be an excellent season, even if it did come to an unceremonious end. Fortunately I was in so much physical pain because of my busted hand --- do not defy doctors' orders and remove a cast prematurely! --- the emotional pain of losing was easy to swallow. Or I could have just smothered it with Old Bay, which goes well with everything. French fries, ice cream, emotional pain, et cetera.

I had surgery this week and it will be another six weeks, maybe eight, before I'm well enough to blog well, perfect timing considering I probably would have been lazy during February and March anyway. I mean, what is there to blog about? Joe Flacco is handsome. I hope Ray Ray stays. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah.

Seriously, though, if Ray Lewis leaves Baltimore, I will fall apart** -- not even Old Bay could fix that. I was surprised to hear T-Sizzle talk about hometown discounts so that he, Bart Scott and Ray Ray could all stay in Charm City. Ray responded by saying it was God's decision.

I was supposed to be in Tampa this week for the Super Bowl, but the universe had other plans for me. So here I am, stuck in the Bay. Not exactly a terrible place to be stuck. I mean, it's better than Pittsburgh, right? Who knows. I haven't been to Pittsburgh since the day before my 19th birthday (1997). Maybe it has improved? Steel is a booming industry, I guess.

My friend Diana ran into Marshawn Lynch on Wednesday at a club in Tampa. I met Money last year at the Super Bowl and have since become friends with him and a few of his cousins. His blood cousin Sam is a great artist -- check out Sam's MySpace page for some of his work. Anyway, Marshawn recorded a shout-out for me. My favorite part is that it's so dark you can't see anything, and you have to really pay attention to what Money is saying. If you're not fron The Sco*** or The Town****, this may not be easy. But if you are, you'll soak it up like rainwater: FamF1rst, Town business!

###

* Big ups to Marshawn.

** I just received a text message from a friend and business colleague asking how I feel about Ray: "Ray Lewis, Family, Country, God -- in that order" was my answer.

*** San Francisco

**** Oakland

Happy birthday, Joe Flacco

2009-01-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

Maybe on Tony Romo's birthday you can give him one of your two playoff wins? Poor Tony doesn't have any to call his own. Good luck this weekend, Joe. I won't respect you any less if you don't get the win.

PS: Get the win.

Blogimore Ravens placed on I.R.

2009-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

I spent yesterday at the hospital. The doctor said I need surgery on my hand. It is badly broken.

I'm not sure when I'll be blogging again. Part of me would rather not do it at all than to half-a$$ my way through the motions just for the sake of it. Especially since I can't use Photoshop very well right now.

Being able to use only your weak hand is uncomfortable and inconvenient and I wouldn't wish it upon ~~my worst enemy~~ Christmas Ape, but fortunately nothing will prevent me from watching another episode of Baltimore's hottest new drama this weekend: The Joe Flacco Show featuring Ray Ray and Fast Eddie Reed. Only one more episode until the highly anticipated Season One finale.