Coffee On The 50

I Almost Forgot

2009-11-23T18:52:00.001-05:00

The Lukin’s headed back east for Thanksgiving week and in less than 24 hours, I’ve learned a few things. Or should I say, I’ve remembered a few things.

First of all, to borrow from Wedding Crashers lore, Maryland is all about crab(cakes) and football. Upon landing at BWI, Lauryn and I checked crabs off the to do list right away as we picked our way through nearly a dozen jumbos between us. My fingers still sting from the Old Bay and I’ve been thirsty ever since, but man are they good. LA may have a leg up on the Charm City when it comes to spicy tuna and fish tacos, but the crabs here in Bawlmawr are second to none. How could I forget?

Day two had a similar feel to Sunday mornings in Los Angeles, with football scheduled to take up most of the day. But a few differences distinguished the East vs. the West. First, the weather. It was cold, yet seasonably warm. Same temps at The Grove would be considered cold, unseasonably cold. Second, everyone in town is wearing the same jerseys. Back west, it’s a mix of Chargers, Giants, Bears, Pats, Eagles, Raiders, 9ers…I even saw a Jaguars jersey one week at the bar (the Jags could use him in the stands). In any case, everyone in MD was wearing purple and black. And its not just Heaps and 52s any more. Its evolved to include white Rice(s) and Flacco’s in all shapes and sizes.

Of course the time difference was hard to get used to as the early morning wake up was necessary just to make sure we saw kickoff. A venti peppermint mocha took care of that and we were off and running. The game was back and forth and full of field goals – a true flashback to the days when Lauryn and I were running up the sidelines at the big crabcake. Even Matt Stover was there – unfortunately he was wearing a horseshoe on his helmet, how strange. But the game would come down to the end and despite outplaying the undefeated Colts, Indianapolis managed to stay that way with a late interception by Flacco and an unnecessary fumble by Reed. Watching the game from start to finish made the loss sting, even more than the Old Bay. We were once again watching the home team and the heartbreaking finish was just that. How could I forget.

In Case Mason Retires Again

2009-08-07T03:00:00.002-04:00

If Derrick Mason decides to re-retire, the Ravens may have their answer at wide receiver. None other than Snoop Dogg visited training camp in Westminster on Thursday and showed a few moves - both at the mic and on the field.

Watch it here.

Joe Flacco is in complete command at Ravens training camp - Ross Tucker - SI.com

2009-08-03T03:25:00.001-04:00

Flacco, Ngata and Rice getting high praise from P.King and SI.

Joe Flacco is in complete command at Ravens training camp - Ross Tucker - SI.com

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Just the beginning?

2009-07-26T04:16:00.001-04:00

I can only hope...

Training camp (sans Mason, but with Suggs & Flacco) starts soon!

The End

2009-01-18T22:37:00.003-05:00

It was a battle right to the end. Unfortunately, Troy P0lamalu performed a near perfect Ed Reed impersonation to close out the Ravens 2008 season. The team had a chance. Despite being outplayed most of the game, just like last week, Baltimore was in it in the fourth quarter and was down just 2 with five minutes to play. But it was not to be.

More importantly, on the Ravens next possession, Willis McGahee took a pass down the middle and was immediately pummeled by the Steelers Ryan Clark.

Clark Hit On McGahee
Uploaded by beisbolct

The shoulder-to-helmet hit left Willis lying on his back for more than 5 minutes as Clark was walked off the field with the help of multiple teammates. With the Ravens huddling around McGahee, and Ray Lewis praying on the sidelines, Willis was lifted on to a stretcher and carried off the field. Phil Simms, Jim Nance and even most of Steeler Country were left speechless and you could even hear a few words of encouragement from the Pittsburgh fans as McGahee was wheeled into the tunnel.

The first words out of the team is that McGahee had movement in his arms and legs, but was experiencing 'significant neck pain'. Clark may have ended Willis' season a few minutes early, but Polamalu ended this magical season for Baltimore two weeks too soon.

Numerous Light Snow Showers

2009-01-18T14:29:00.004-05:00

Not sure what that means, but that's what they're predicting.

It's going to be an epic battle, snow or snow, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. I won't mind watching out west, where its close to 80 today, but I wouldn't mind running the sidelines in that weather one more time. It should be a classic and hopefully will deliver another classic moment like this hit on Big Ben.

Thank You Sports Illustrated

2009-01-15T01:37:00.003-05:00

These are two of the three images Sports Illustrated choose to put on their cover for their January 19th issue. (There was also a third cover featuring Tim Tebow, but that's not what is important here).

What is important is the fact that despite the fact that Arizona was on one of their regional covers last week, the Steelers have been on the cover this season already (side note - the cover in question was a photo taken from the last Ravens-Steelers battle and pictured Joe Flacco flat on his back after a sack, talk about rubbing it in), and Ray Lewis delivered a made-for-the-cover-of-any-magazine-poster-billboard-bus shelter-screensaver hit on Titans Fullback Ahmad Hall last weekend - Pittsburgh and the Cardinals are on the cover this week. What does it all mean? Here's hoping the SI Cover Jinx makes its triumphant return and delivers an Eagles-Ravens Super Bowl in Tampa.

PS - Since SI felt the Ray Lewis hit wasn't cover-worthy, I wanted to make sure to point out that it is absolutely blog-worthy. Enjoy:

Let's Go....Chargers!

2009-01-11T04:16:00.001-05:00

The Ravens won again!

Despite being out-played, the defense stepped up and not only forced 3 key turnovers, but they came as the Titans were on the verge of scoring, with one fumble recovered on the one yard line! The result was the second playoff win for Joe Flacco as a rookie - an NFL record - and a trip either San Diego or Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship game. You can probably tell who I'm rooting for, but only because I hope to be in attendance. Of course Ravens-Steelers III would make for some good TV.

It was a tense game today and watching from afar made Lauryn and I long a little for the cold air and honky-tonk of Nashville. The city has treated us well in past years, including an exciting come from behind victory during the 2006 season, which also included a tremendous steak dinner at The Stockyard the night before.

We wish all our feathred friends luck next Sunday and a week's worth of soaking in the excitement of still being in the playoffs - and just one win from the Super Bowl. That's ridiculous to even write, but it's the truth and hopefully we'll be in the stands for the celebration.

For now, lets root for San Diego and a warm weather war on the left coast.

Dolphins for Breakfast

2009-01-04T19:20:00.003-05:00

No, Mike and I aren't cooking Dolphin on the BBQ, but the Ravens made a meal of the Miami offense this morning as Baltimore advanced into the next round of the playoffs. (We did use the barbecue, however, in true tailgating/balcony-gating fashion....and the eggs and sausage tasted even better than normal with the taste of the open flame).

Now on the West Coast, we watched the playoffs over breakfast as Ed Reed and Joe Flacco led the Ravens to their first playoff win in 8 years. The game started with a scare, as LeRon McClain fumbled at the fifty to set the Dolphins up for an early field goal. However, the rest of the game belonged to the black birds with 4 interceptions, including one returned by #20 for 6!

As the game winded down, we did see a few of our former feathered friends on the sidelines as they attempted to catch the traditional Gatorade shower on film. Jeff, Tim - you guys looked like you were in perfect position. Unfortunately, FOX seemed to miss the celebratory shot, so I'm not sure how that worked out - did Harbaugh get wet? FOX did manage to interview Ed, Joe and T-Sizzle after the victory and all seemed set on the challenge ahead as the Ravens now travel to Tennessee to face the Titans.

Baltimore lost to the AFC South champs earlier this year on a late TD pass from Kerry Collins. It was a typical defensive struggle, but the Ravens were still finding themselves in late September and should be ready to battle in Nashville Saturday afternoon. We'll be watching, although this time we get to get loud over lunch.

Returning to the Scene of the Crime

2008-12-15T01:23:00.003-05:00

A little late on the post, but Lauryn and ventured back to the Charm City during Thanksgiving week and made a stop at M&T Bank Stadium for some good ol fashioned Ravens stuffing - stuffing the run that is - against the Philadelphia Eagles.

We started the day in familiar surroundings as we walked the field during pre-game, making stops to see coaches, security guards, front office executives and RaveTV crew members that we had spent many a season with. We also had Lauryn's parents with us this time around and we made sure to pose for a quick picture before heading up to the stands to watch....as fans!

The pre-game introducts were still as pyrotechnic as ever, complete with a Nelly-soundtracked entrence for #52. The game itself breezed buy, with little offense in the first half, but a whole lot of purple and black on D, enough to kick Donovoan McNabb to the curb in the 2nd half. Lauryn and I were in the control room as the 3rd quarter began and we all were shocked to see that #5 was hiding in a winter coat on the sidelines. Of course his replacement, Kevin Kolb, did not fare so well against Ray, Reed and T-Sizzle so the game did not prove to be the end of the DNabb era, but Baltimore did win big to give us at least something to be thankful for.

The Chef?

2008-09-12T16:57:00.003-04:00

The sport blog godfather himself, Bill Simmons, gave a nod to the Ravens in his Friday column and the topic was a suggested nickname for #5. I can't argue with his choice (see below) but I'd like to submit a few suggestions myself: Flacc Jacket, Flaccido Domingo, Joe-Fla, or my personal favorite, FlaccJacks. What do you think

Here's Simmons' take:

You know, I enjoyed Joe Flacco's work last week -- his teammates responded to him and so did the fans. But he needs a nickname. Joe Flacco makes him sound too much like a chef. Couldn't you see him starring in "Cooking with Joe Flacco" or "Joe Flacco's Barbecue Extravaganza" on the Food Network? So that got me thinking … couldn't his nickname be "The Chef?" For one thing, again, he sounds like a chef. As far as I can tell, nobody in sports has ever had the nickname "Chef" before, and it kinda makes sense for a quarterback since he's the one who has to cook all the ingredients, so to speak. Plus, we've only had one other "Chef" -- the Chef from "South Park" -- and that couldn't have worked out any better. So that's my vote: The Chef, Joe Flacco. But I'm willing to hear any and all suggestions.

Speechless (+ golf clap)

2008-09-11T01:05:00.002-04:00

I don't know whether to applaud or not.

Flacctopia

2008-09-08T03:55:00.002-04:00

We were spoiled.

Lauryn and I may have moved from the National Football League to the National Pastime this summer, but our passion for the men in purple came with us. For the first time since we moved to California, the NFL was in full swing on Sunday and we took in the action on SIRIUS Satellite Radio in the car, at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood,and on NFL.com in my office. And when the game ended just as Clayton Kershaw was throwing his first pitch, we came to realize a few things about the Ravens:

1. "Let's Go Flac-co" is not going anywhere anytime soon
2. Ray Rice is lucky that fumble didn't cost Joe and Coach Harbaugh their first victories
3. The defense still can dominate and sure has fun doing it
4. Carson Palmer was not a good fantasy football selection (I passed on D-Nabb to take him!)
5. The terms, 'naked bootleg' and 'double reverse' had to be dusted off the shelves at the Baltimore Sun
6. Nothing can compare to watching the game from the sidelines

So although Lauryn and I now spend our gamedays at Dodger Stadium, we'll still be rooting for the Ravens this season, pinning our hopes on the former Delaware Blue Hen. We may be 3,000 miles away, but the Flacco fan club has a Los Angeles affiliate that I'd like to officially name "Flacctopia" -- t-shirts coming soon to a blog near you.

Ray Didn't Even Visit Us

2008-07-16T02:41:00.003-04:00

Apparently Ray Lewis was in Los Angeles recently, and he didn't even look Lauryn and I up. Turns out, he was only a few minutes away as he tried to get into a club with Ray Allen. Unfortunately for #52, the Celtic sharp-shooter isn't that popular in SoCal these days after Boston took out the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The result? They both got denied from a club called "One Sunset".

Here's the 'story'.

Here's the club.

Oh Really...

2008-07-12T01:24:00.005-04:00

The Lukin's leave for LA and all of a sudden there's a chance Brett Favre could join the purple and black, putting them in prime contention for a Super Bowl run. Oh really...although with Peyton and Brady in his way, Favre may opt for the welterweight division and try to stay in the NFC. Even so, the Ravens, in contrast to the odds for SBXLIII listed in my last post, have an 8-1 shot of landing the legend (according to ESPN). Only the Bucs and Panthers apparently appear to be better fits. Oh really!!!!

8-1 Baltimore Ravens: This could be a real possibility if Favre really wants to play this season. Baltimore is a decent team in need of a quarterback. Sure, the Ravens took Delaware QB Joe Flacco in the first round of the April draft. But no one would blame the Ravens for holding off on the Flacco era in favor of Favre for a year or two. If Favre wants to come back, Baltimore could be a place to consider.

Not so fast, however. Favre may be the type to hold grudges. And I'm sure this memory won't help any. Not only that, Aaron Rodgers actually saw some playing time towards the end of that game will Brett stewed on the sidelines. Bet you didn't think you'd see Favre and Boller share the masthead again. To be continued...

75-1?

2008-07-11T20:05:00.003-04:00

Sportsbook.com announced their odds of winning Super Bowl XLIII and the Ravens are considered a 75-1 longshot at flying home from Tampa with the Lombardi Trophy. That's the same odds as the Rams and just slightly better than the Lions?!!? (Sorry Mike) But the real quesiton is how the Cardinals and Raiders could be given a better chance? Is it really going to be that long of a season?

****

Arizona Cardinals * 50 - 1
Atlanta Falcons * 100 - 1
Baltimore Ravens * 75 - 1
Buffalo Bills * 50 - 1
Carolina Panthers * 40 - 1
Chicago Bears * 35 - 1
Cincinnati Bengals * 60 - 1
Cleveland Browns * 25 - 1
Dallas Cowboys * 6 - 1
Denver Broncos * 50 - 1
Detroit Lions * 80 - 1
Green Bay Packers * 25 - 1
Houston Texans * 60 - 1
Indianapolis Colts * 7 - 1
Jacksonville Jaguars * 12 - 1
Kansas City Chiefs * 100 - 1
Miami Dolphins * 90 - 1
Minnesota Vikings * 18 - 1
New England Patriots * 7 - 2
New Orleans Saints * 20 - 1
New York Giants * 15 - 1
New York Jets * 35 - 1
Oakland Raiders * 50 - 1
Philadelphia Eagles * 20 - 1
Pittsburgh Steelers * 14 - 1
Saint Louis Rams * 75 - 1
San Diego Chargers * 7 - 1
San Francisco 49ers * 80 - 1
Seattle Seahawks * 25 - 1
Tampa Bay Buccanneers * 40 - 1
Tennessee Titans * 40 - 1
Washington Redskins * 50 - 1

The Great Divide

2008-05-29T11:57:00.004-04:00

There is an unwritten rule among those in the sports media that is universally accepted from Syracuse to San Francisco, Biloxi to Baltimore. A code of conduct that has not only dictated the coverage of both collegiate and professional athletics, but one that has managed to create a gaping hole in ideology between the two main constituencies of sport. The mandate, which has spawned both books and blog postings of the same title, reads something like this (remember, it is unwritten): no cheering in the press box.

It is this underlying law that has proceeded to divide those that cover the games, and those that consume them. It is this philosophy, I believe, that has helped give rise to the battle between bloggers and beat writers and one that was clearly prevalent in a recent media report on the new Ravens regime under new head coach, John Harbaugh. The story correctly pointed out the changes instilled by Harbaugh during his first few months in office and the writer seemed to appreciate the disciplinary tone Harbaugh has brought to the table. However, the divide between the media and the Ravens fan base was made abundantly clear in the following statement:

“I applauded when Harbaugh canned the TV show, Ravens Wired. The only thing more contrived and scripted was pro wrestling.”

Full disclosure. I am not only a contributing blogger for BaltimoreRavens.com, but I have worked as a production assistant for the RaveTV crew that produces Wired and my wife is the lead editor and a producer for the show. That being said, I contest that not only does the report shine on a light on the great divide, but the statement is just not true.

First of all, Wired was not scripted. I spent more than 30 games listening from the players’ perspectives and have never seen any member of the Ravens organization or RaveTV crew hand a script to a player. Nor have any players written a script prior to their appearance. It is unscripted drama at its finest: every snap a chance to score, every man on a mission. And the microphone gives fans a chance to watch it all unfold as if they were lined up behind center. It must be a decent idea considering every Sunday Night and Monday Night telecast now features at least one wired player, while the NFL Network has even broadcast entire games with as many as 12 men on the field wearing the mic.

I will concede that a player knows when he will be wired and may be prone to talking more, or less as they case may be, when he is being recorded. But the beauty of Wired was the ability to give fans, not the press, an otherwise unknown glimpse into the action on the field. A show for the fans that this columnist apparently ‘applauded’ when he learned of its cancellation. Is he hoping fans become less engaged with a team that went 5-11 last year? Did he think that Wired was causing fans to become too attached to a particular player? Did he forget that just about every telecast already has about a dozen cameras and microphones covering the game for the network and NFL Films ensuring the players’ words and actions are being seen by millions? Does he really think the extra 50,000 Baltimore fans listening in would force a player to lose focus?

Why should the media be allowed to hear what the players have to say after the game, but fans should be banned from listening to what was said during the game itself? I contest that the reactionary quotes during post-game press conferences are far more ‘scripted’ than the sound bytes recorded during the game when players know that their statements are being recorded by at least a dozen voice recorders and a handful of cameras. How else to explain the fact that when a coach actually goes ‘off-script’ after a game, he not only ends up on YouTube, but a Coors Light commercial awaits him in the future.

It may sound like I am pulling a sentence out of context and portraying the statement as if it were the headline. Sound familiar? But know that I am not writing this story to convince or even suggest that Coach Harbaugh bring the show back. This is his team and his prerogative. What I will say is that the reporter’s take on the subject sheds a light on the long-standing gap between the media and the masses. Wired is a show for the fans. A show that has not only received praise from those who support the purple and black, but from those that award such work. The RaveTV team was awarded an Emmy for an episode of Wired from the 2006 season, which presented a game from Jonathan Ogden’s point of view. Subsequently, they were nominated for another Emmy this year for a 2007 episode that focused on former Ravens head coach, Brian Billick (Emmy’s to be awarded in June). In essence, the reporters’ peers have continued to honor the show, while he fires empty ammunition.

I even have some, albeit brief experience on the matter. I offer two anecdotes related to the rule that will leave you in no doubt as to why I blog rather than cover a beat. The first occurred during my sophomore year at Syracuse University. As a second year staff writer for The Daily Orange, I earned a chance to report on the big boys on campus (i.e. the football team) after spending my first year toiling away on the track and field beat. I was assigned a profile story on one of the Orangemen and was asked to watch the game from the press box, before venturing into the locker room after the game to get a few interviews for my piece. During the first quarter of play, the Orange got on the board with a long scoring play. I did what any sports fan would do – I clapped. Blasphemy! I received a few stares and gawking glances before my Sports Editor calmly informed me that clapping (i.e. cheering) was frowned upon in the press box.

Cut to 2006. As previously mentioned, I have worked with the RaveTV crew for the past two seasons and during an early season trip to Cleveland, I found myself on the field as Matt Stover lined up to kick a game-winning field goal. I was perched in the end zone as the ball flied through the up-rights, at which point I proceeded to lift my arms up in victory, fist pumping during my sprint back to the bench to catch the reaction shots from the team.

Now, how would you react? If you are reading this, I can only assume you are a fan of the Ravens and would have joined me in my jubilation. In addition, I bet you would have loved to hear what our wired Raven that week, Todd Heap, would have said to Stover upon his return to the bench. Come to think of it, I bet the media would too.

Flacco Drops Back to Pass

2008-04-28T16:53:00.004-04:00

Well it didn't take long for Joe Flacco to take the reigns of the Ravens quarterback position, at least according to the techies at EA Sports. With Leather has screen shots from Madden '09 of many of the top draft picks from this weekend's draft. Among the photos is a shot of Flacco calmly dropping back to pass at M&T Bank Stadium and perhaps a sign of things to come, a preview of the Cincinnati Bengal's top pick, Keith Rivers, sacking Kyle Boller in the snow. Unless the Charm City receives some unseasonably cold weather week 1, this would have to be a prediction for their November 30th match-up in Cinncy. Which begs the question, is Joe Flacco truly the QB of the future (i.e. 2009)?

Refresh Your Memory

2008-04-27T12:36:00.003-04:00

Memories are not written in pencil. They cannot be erased.

They can be ignored. Selectively misremembered. And over time, even forgotten. But just four months removed from the final snaps of 2007, the memories of a 5-11 season should still have been fresh in the minds of RavensNation: the Phil Dawson double-doink; the Patriots 4th and forever; the Dolphin disaster. All marquee moments for all the wrong reasons that should have been stewing and simmering in their subconscious all winter long. But judging by the thousands of Ravens faithful that made their way to M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday for the 11th Annual Spring Football Festival, I have a feeling they forgot. Or maybe misremembered.

From the moment the gates opened at 2:00, fans of all ages raced through the concourse, seemingly sprinting away from all of the perils the men in purple faced last year, reaching out for what lies ahead for the Ravens in 2008. Children ran towards the field for a rare chance to punt, pass and kick on the same surface they now shared with their gridiron heroes. Adults ran towards the various autograph areas to be the first in line to meet the men they root for; not only to have them sign their memorabilia, but in many cases, to simply shake their hand and wish them luck this year.

As a Spring Football Festival Volunteer, I had the honor of escorting one of the Ravens in attendance to his various appearances and autograph sessions. I choose to chauffer Adam Terry, a fellow Orange alum, who was scheduled to sign and make a stop in to see those fans giving blood as part of a blood drive for the Red Cross. Luckily for me, Terry arrived early and we had some time to relax. And if you had the choice of anywhere in the stadium to kick up your feet for a few minutes, where would you choose? The owner’s suite of course.

The players were granted access to Steve Biscotti’s suite on Saturday and when I arrived, I found myself watching the NFL Draft coverage with a few guys who knew a thing or two about being drafted on day one: Todd Heap and Willis McGahee. Of course Matt Stover was there too and he jokingly told Heap and McGahee that he was just three picks short of earning the title, Mr. Irrelevant, given to the guy drafted last each year. I think Matt turned out okay for a 12th rounder.

Once the Ravens in the room realized the Ravens in Owings Mills were going to trade down from their 8th pick, Terry and I headed to the autograph zone where he was joined by Lee Vickers. Terry, an offensive lineman, joked to Vickers, a back-up tight end, “You’ll get three fans, I’ll get six.” As it turns out, they both signed more than a hundred signatures in varying shades of sharpie on items ranging from helmets and footballs to license plates, pennants and even t-shirts people were still wearing. A few fans also had jerseys for the guys to sign, although surprisingly none were their jerseys. The collection included a vintage Vinny Testaverde, a purple Kelly Gregg and even a pink Todd Heap.

The fans filing through also had time to take photos and talk it up with the guys behind the table. Among the conversations Terry tackled was one with a young boy who had Terry sign his football, only to ask, “Who’s that?” as he pointed at the freshly minted signature in black sharpie. Terry responded, “That’s Adam Terry right there. You don’t know who he is.” Terry added with a smile, “But you will.”

Speaking of guys you may not know (yet), Saturday’s festivities revolved around another cause for renewed optimism as the Draft was in full swing as fans roamed the stadium. The topic of the day appeared to be the potential of a new quarterback coming to the Charm City. And in a conversation I overheard while waiting in line for hot dogs confirmed, Ravens fans have a way with moving on:

Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “Looks like [Matt] Ryan’s going to Atlanta.”
Hot Dog Line Guy #2 – “Is that confirmed?”
Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “It’s what they’re reporting.”
Hot Dog Line Guy #2 – “ Okay…[Joe] Flacco then, right?”
Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “Yea, you don’t want to pay that much money to a quarterback anyway.”

Just like that. It took 3 ellipses (…) to forget about one potential face of the franchise and start rooting for a slightly taller one, with some logic thrown in. Of course Ryan would be taken by Atlanta with the 3rd pick in the draft, evoking a chorus of “Boos!” and “No’s!” on the club level, and eventually Flacco was picked by Baltimore, which received cheers across the stadium and most likely made the hot dog guys feel pretty good too.

Although the draft dominated the SmartVision video, additional performers on Saturday included Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, the Ravens Cheerleading squad and the Ravens Playmakers, all of whom drew their fair share of crowds and onlookers. It’s worth noting that the fans who flocked to meet and greet the women who root for the Ravens included men, women and most of all, children.

The kids out on the field, however, provided their own entertainment. At one drill, kids practiced passing routes: out-routes, curls and apparently, ‘twists’. This was typically the result of a boy or girl running too fast for their own feet as they routinely performed full 360-degree rotations when they tried to stop themselves and turn to catch the ball. Another tactic that proved entertaining, if not effective, was performed by one boy who was no taller than the waist of the SFF Volunteer throwing the passes. The boy sprinted to a spot downfield, turned and almost begging for the ball, held up his outstretched arms. The problem, unfortunately, was when the ball flew towards him, the arms stayed straight, resulting in a bounce off the chest, up in the air, and down to the ground. But fitting for a Ravens fan, even a young one, the memory faded fast as he sprinted back to the sideline with a smile.

For RavensNation, the dawn of spring allows us to not only refresh our memories, but to replace them. Let’s hope this year’s are written in sharpie.

2008 NFL Draft Blog - Live

2008-04-27T11:03:00.015-04:00

Okay, I'm a little late to the party as I spent all of day 1 of the 2008 NFL Draft working for the Ravens at their 11th Annual Spring Football Festival. I may have missed the chance to blog the big picks live, but I did get to watch some of the coverage in Steve Biscotti's suite alongside Willis McGahee, Todd Heap, Matt Stover and Adam Terry. So don't feel too bad for me. (Editor's Note: My SFF recap will be posted in the next day or two.)

I'll recap the first two picks quick and I'll try to add links and video throughout the day:

1. Joe Flacco - QB, Delaware (Rd 1, No. 18)
The Ravens rumors went back and forth as the draft began, with Sal Pal reporting that Baltimore was looking to trade up to #2 to get Matt Ryan. Apparently the Rams wanted too much and the Ravens decided to move down the line instead, trading with the Jaguars and settling into the 26 slot. But that wasn't enough as the Ravens brass in the war room wanted to make sure they got their guy, so after trading back up to 18 with the Texans, the Ravens made a Blue Hen the new face of the Baltimore franchise.

2. Ray Rice - RB, Rutgers (Rd 2, No. 55)
Finally, Ray Rice is on my team. Let me explain. Four years ago, Rice had committed to play his college football in Central New York at my alma mater, Syracuse University. But the 'Cuse fired their head coach before what would have been Rice's frosh season, Paul Pasqualoni, after years of mediocrity. Rice reversed course and chose Rutgers, leading the Scarlet Knights to national prominence for the first time in 30 years.

Now on to day 2 and after all their maneuvering on the first day of the draft, the Ravens have 9 picks today. 9! It's time to build a team.

3. Tavares Gooden - LB, Miami (Rd 3, No. 71)
Another #52 from Miami. Could lighting strike twice? The ESPN crew pointed out that most of the Ravens current linebacking core are entering the final contract year and Gooden is a good bet to add depth and possibly start in his sophomore season.

4. Tom Zbikowski - S, Notre Dame (Rd 3, No. 86)
The boxer! Zbikowski is actually an amateur boxer, but he was also the heart and soul of Notre Dame the last few years, regardless of the team's record. His all out hustle and hard hits made him a man to avoid if you were playing against the Irish.

5. Oniel Cousins - G, UTEP (Rd 3, No. 99)
I've never heard of this guy. But how many guards do you really know in the NFL Draft? In fact, how many guards do you know who are actually in the NFL and not on your favorite team. It's a lackluster position, but the NFL Network guys describe Cousins as "mean" and another "Harbaugh guy". Well, I couldn't find any YouTube clips for Cousins, but here are some 2007 UTEP highlights - I'm sure he played a role in some of those runs.

6. Marcus Smith - WR, New Mexico (Rd 4, No. 106)
A tough wide receiver who also excels on special teams sounds about right for Harbaugh and for the Ravens. Although Mason, Clayton and Williams comprise a sound triumvirate of wide outs, the one knock on all of them have been their ability to go up and catch the tough pass in traffic. This guy is strong and finished among the top ten in the bench press among wide receivers at the 2008 Combine. No video on Smith either, but here is some soothing footage of the 2006 Albuquerque International Balloon Festival.

7. **TRADE** The Ravens traded their 2nd pick of the 4th round (No. 125 overall) to the Oakland Radiers for CB Fabian Washington.

8. David Hale - OT, Weber State (Rd 4, No. 133) Another offensive lineman, another name you and I didn't know until now. But take a look at his profile photo on NFL.com - can you say Tony Pashos 2.0?

9. Haruki Nakamura - FS, Cincinnati (Rd 6, No. 206)

It took a while, but after watching 72 guys go off the board, the Ravens finally had a chance to make another selection. Their choice? Haruki Nakamura, another hard-hitting safety with a nose for the ball and work-ethic worthy of a special teams slot for Coach Harbaugh.

10. Justin Harper - WR, Virgina Tech (Rd 7, No. 215)
Another wide receiver for the Ravens whose height, 6'4" was probably the most important stat to focus on in the war room. On the same team as Eddie Royal, its only fitting that his most memorable play in college was caused by Royal in the 2008 Orange Bowl:

11. Allen Patrick - RB, Oklahoma (Rd 7, No. 240)
The final pick for the Ravens in the 2008 NFL Draft was the back-up at OU to the breakout start of the 2007 Draft, Adrian Peterson. Patrick split time with AD in '06 and served as the featured back for the Sooners in '07. One can only hope he still keeps Peterson on speed dial to get some advice on how to handle defensive fronts in the NFL.

McNair to Retire

2008-04-17T10:44:00.002-04:00

A 1pm press conference has been scheduled for today to announce the retirement of Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Steve McNair. Earlier this year, new Ravens Head Coach, Jon Harbaugh, announced that McNair would enter training camp as the starter. Now what?

With just quarterbacks Kyle Boller and Troy Smith on the roster, it seems likely that Baltimore will be scouting for a new signal caller next weekend during the NFL Draft. Matt Ryan is the #1QB in the field, but if he's not around when the Ravens are put on the clock to make the 8th pick of the day, the most likely scenario would be that Baltimore would use their 2nd round pick to solidify the position. The candidates would then include Louisville's Brian Brohm, Delaware's Joe Flacco (Yes, Delaware), and maybe even Michigan's Chad Henne or University of San Diego's Josh Johnson.

Of course Harbaugh could be on the phone with his friends from Philly right now asking about D-Nabb - this Orange alum could only dream - but today certainly signifies a changing of the guard for the purple and black. We'll miss you Steve. High five! (see below)

Any Given Sunday, Plus One Saturday and a Monday

2008-04-15T15:17:00.006-04:00

Good thing we finished last.

The 2008 NFL schedules were released on Tuesday and the line-up did not offer too many surprises for the Ravens as their opponents for the upcoming season were set on New Year’s Eve. And although we are lined up against two of the most competitive divisions in the league, the AFC South and NFC East, not to mention the internal battles in the AFC North, it could have been worse. Just ask the Steelers, whose Division Champion hats and t-shirts also included a free trip to New England and a visit from the Chargers in 2008. Not the most appealing parting gifts.

And don’t expect the Dawg Pound’s frowning faces to change much after seeing that their first 10-win season since re-entering the NFL earned them a Thursday night battle with the Broncos, along with a trip to Buffalo in November for a Monday Night game. That’s ‘night’ as in no sun and abundance of chill in the air.

As for the Ravens, their last place finish resulted in a return trip to Miami along with a visit from the Raiders. The mantra of the NFL is ‘Any Given Sunday’ but spending an October afternoon under the Florida sunshine sounds slightly more attractive than a night fight fought within the swirling winds off Lake Erie. Apparently the Bills don’t love the weather at the Ralph all that much either as they will play a home game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto for their first of five regular season games to be played at the home of the CFL’s Argonauts. Appropriately, they will take on the Dolphins, who inaugurated the NFL’s London experiment last season. (The Chargers and Saints will play across the pond on October 26th this year.)

Among the marquee match-ups for the men in purple and black this season is a pre-Thanksgiving squabble with Coach Harbaugh’s former flock from Philly. The Eagles come to the Charm City on November 23rd, just one week after the Ravens battle the Super Bowl Champion Giants in New York. The NFC East tour is completed with a battle of the beltway’s played in Baltimore on December 7th against the Redskins and a Saturday Night prime-time match up with the Dallas Cowboys in what will be the last regular season game played in Texas Stadium (Fitting, considering the Ravens are the only current NFL team never to have played there). Regardless of how the Ravens fare during the first nine weeks of the season, they will be sure to play a role in the fortunes of at least one division as they take on all NFC East foes after week 10.

The Ravens are also scheduled to make at least one more appearance with a national audience watching as they once again travel to play Pittsburgh under the lights on a Monday night. Last year, the Steelers stung quick, scoring 5 touchdowns in a swampy first half that ended in a 38-7 defeat. But unlike 2007, the Men of Steel wont have their 75th Anniversary team looking on as they did last November. Seeing Jerome Bettis, Terry Bradshaw and Lynn Swann outside the locker room before the game sure made me nervous.

The Ravens will close out the regular season at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It should be a competitive game with former Ravens defensive coach Jack Del Rio bringing his surging Jags to town; however, the day will belong to a few other former Baltimore footballers as December 28th will mark the 50th Anniversary of The Greatest Game Ever Played. The 1958 NFL Title Game was played in Yankee Stadium and saw Johnny Unitas lead the Baltimore Colts over the New York Giants to win the Championship. The magnitude of the game was amplified by the fact that the title tilt was the first football championship to be nationally televised, the after-effects of which are still evident today with games across the border and across the Atlantic.

On the surface, the 2008 Ravens schedule appears competitive, yet balanced, with only one pair of back-to-back away games (Indianapolis – 10/12 and Miami – 10/19) and based on last year’s records, an easier first-half to ease our way into the season. Of course that was the prominent sentiment among fans and the media last spring as well. So back to the NFL mantra, on Any Given Day, defeat is just a bounce off the crossbar away. This year, let’s just hope the bounces go our way.

2008 Ravens Schedule

1	Sept. 7	Cincinnati Bengals	1 p.m.
2	Sept. 14	at Houston Texans	4:15 p.m.
3	Sept. 21	Cleveland Browns	4:15 p.m.
4	Sept. 29 (Mon.)	at Pittsburgh Steelers	8:30 p.m.
5	Oct. 5	Tennessee Titans	1 p.m.
6	Oct. 12	at Indianapolis Colts	1 p.m.
7	Oct. 19	at Miami Dolphins	1 p.m.
8	Oct. 26	Oakland Raiders	1 p.m.
9	Nov. 2	at Cleveland Browns	1 p.m.
10	Nov. 9	Bye
11	Nov. 16	at New York Giants	1 p.m.
12	Nov. 23	Philadelphia Eagles	1 p.m.
13	Nov. 30	at Cincinnati Bengals	1 p.m.
14	Dec. 7	Washington Redskins	1 p.m.
15	Dec. 14	Pittsburgh Steelers	1 p.m.
16	Dec. 20 (Sat.)	at Dallas Cowboys	8:15 p.m.
17	Dec. 28	Jacksonville Jaguars	1 p.m.

Ghost of Draft Day's Past

2008-03-13T17:22:00.004-04:00

Who am I?

While reviewing the Baltimore's Sun's photo archives from all 12 Ravens draft classes, I came upon this photo of a wide-eyed gun-slinger from the Pacific Northwest. He seems harmless enough, with a cockeyed grin and numberless jersey. But the 6th round pick would come back to haunt Baltimore football fans, and the rest of the NFL, as he played his way into an improbable Pro Bowl nod and a new $26 million contract. Oh, what could have been...

Next Brother Up

2008-03-12T00:51:00.005-04:00

You may have read the stellar career statistics for our newest Baltimore Raven, Brendon Ayanbadejo: 124 special teams tackles; 4 forced fumbles; 2 fumble recoveries. You may also be aware that he was named to his second straight Pro Bowl in 2007 as a special teams ace. But what you probably haven’t heard is that Brendon was recently a guest security guard on The Jerry Springer Show; shaves his chest; teaches kids football on his day’s off; has better looking toes than his brother Obafemi; and can do a scary impersonation of Serena Williams.

I couldn’t make that stuff up and if you don’t believe me, there’s proof. That’s because Brendon and his big brother Femi - who also happened to be on the Ravens 2000 Super Bowl squad - star in their own reality TV show, airing right now at BrotherUp.com.

The website is home to more than a dozen episodes showcasing the life and times of Brendon and Femi Ayanbadejo, brothers who have both played in the NFL. But don’t expect any Wired clips or highlight reels; the shows are strictly a window into their worlds off the field. The opening credits confirm it as they read, “These are the Adventures…Of Two Brothers in the NFL…Off the Field. Brother Up.”

The phrase ‘Brother Up’ sounds kind of cool if you don’t think about the grammar for too long, however, the show was originally called Bears Brothers, but things didn’t quite work out as the brothers planned. The show began in the Summer of 2007 when Femi arrived in Chicago with plans to join Brendon as a member of the Chicago Bears. But as revealed in the episode appropriately entitled, “The Cut”, Femi was released by the Bears before the duo could do any damage together on the field.

Fortunately, fans were treated to fresh footage of the Windy City siblings away from the game with plot lines equal parts Entourage and Curb Your Enthusiasm. For those without HBO, basically the brothers would find themselves in situations ranging from fashion shows to comparing each other’s feet. From Halloween parties to playing HORSE at the gym. Throughout it all, however, the cameras provided a unique insight into not only the life and times of the second Ayanbadejo to wear Baltimore black and purple; but even more telling, a candid portrayal of professional athletes in their personal time.

So what can Ravens fans learn about the newest member of the flock? Other than the chest shaving, Brendon does like to take care of himself, or as he says, “Maintain my sexy.” The maintenance program includes manicures, pedicures and the occasional botox treatment, but as seen in the episode, “Who’s the Man?”, he also feels right at home in the weight room. Especially when he’s competing against Femi. (Note: Brendon won the BrotherUp bench-press/pull-up/basketball triathlon.)

Of course there’s also plenty of VIP parties, diamond studded watches and designer sunglasses, but the most prominent personality traits on display for the public is Brendon’s pride. He takes pride in his Nigerian heritage; he takes pride in teaching the kids of Hamlin Park the game he loves; he takes pride in the journey he and his brother have taken from the projects to the pros; and he takes pride in the accomplishments that he has worked so hard to achieve.

In a rarely witnessed moment that athletes of all ages can relate to, the first episode in the series follows Brendon to a local convenient store. His shopping list includes Chapstick for his brother and a few copies of the Chicago Tribune. Okay, more than a few. That’s because the sports section featured a photo of B.A. that practically filled the front page. His reaction resembled the same smiles you would see on the faces of high school kids who find their stats in a box score or a highlight on the local news. And even after ten seasons of soul searching in football leagues around the globe, Brendon still beams when he sees his name in print. It’s affirmation of great achievement and perseverance. A reminder of all that he has endured to get to this point. But the best news for Baltimore fans – he’s not satisfied with a lead story in the Sunday paper. “When it’s all said and done,” says Ayanbadejo, “I’m trying to be the most notorious special teams player in the NFL.”

The adventure continues in the Charm City this season.

Ayanbadejo is Ours!

2008-03-06T12:08:00.004-05:00

The Ravens made their first free agent signing today with the announcement that former Bears linebacker, Brendon Ayanbadejo. For those unfamiliar with the Pro Bowler, here's a helpful tool to help you tell your friends: