Tim over at Extreme Ravens has an excellent in depth review of the Ravens roster issues. This is the kind of article I wish I had time to write. Nice Work. He also projects the release of Jamal Lewis.
See it HERE
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Ravens Management Talks
In the yearly end of the season conference, Biscotti, Billick, and Newsome talked about the Ravens past and future.
From a fans perspective, it was some different talk then we have heard before. At the risk of sounding like I am dissecting Alan Greenspan, Biscotti said some interesting things:
He was referring to a quote he made earlier in the conference regarding how the team built a "Super Bowl Team" in 2001 and mortgaged the next few years for it. Reading between the lines though, I wonder how that feeling (building vs. buying big names) will carry over into the talks that the Ravens will be conducting with the free agents.
It seems safe to assume Billick has corrected the path he was on, going from 6-10 to 13-3.
The two most notable players up for free agency are Adalius Thomas and Jamal Lewis. Talks haven't begun with either player. Lewis recently came out and said bone spurs slowed him down in 2006. He has battled injuries among other things for many of the past few years, and it will be interesting to see which direction the Ravens will go with him. There has been speculation the team may franchise Thomas, but that is just speculation at this point.
Jonathon Ogden has considered retirement, while Jarrett Johnson, Tony Pashos, and Mughelli may try free agency.
We will see how it goes, and I will keep you updated here.
Article HERE
From a fans perspective, it was some different talk then we have heard before. At the risk of sounding like I am dissecting Alan Greenspan, Biscotti said some interesting things:
"We've got a lot of young guys on this roster, so I think that we're prepared to try and build this team and not take those big shots," stated Bisciotti, who recently completed his seventh year involved with the franchise. "That Super Bowl and trying to repeat [as] Super Bowl [champions] was very unique, it was my first couple of years here. I don't think we need to do that."
He was referring to a quote he made earlier in the conference regarding how the team built a "Super Bowl Team" in 2001 and mortgaged the next few years for it. Reading between the lines though, I wonder how that feeling (building vs. buying big names) will carry over into the talks that the Ravens will be conducting with the free agents.
It seems safe to assume Billick has corrected the path he was on, going from 6-10 to 13-3.
The two most notable players up for free agency are Adalius Thomas and Jamal Lewis. Talks haven't begun with either player. Lewis recently came out and said bone spurs slowed him down in 2006. He has battled injuries among other things for many of the past few years, and it will be interesting to see which direction the Ravens will go with him. There has been speculation the team may franchise Thomas, but that is just speculation at this point.
Jonathon Ogden has considered retirement, while Jarrett Johnson, Tony Pashos, and Mughelli may try free agency.
We will see how it goes, and I will keep you updated here.
Article HERE
Ray Lewis pulls out of Pro Bowl, Scott in
Ray Lewis took himself out of the Pro Bowl due to an injury sustained during the Colts game. He will be replaced by Bart Scott. Article HERE
The Ravens will have six players at the game; Reed, Ogden, Thomas, Suggs, McCallister and Scott.
The Ravens will have six players at the game; Reed, Ogden, Thomas, Suggs, McCallister and Scott.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
The End.
I am on a self imposed media blackout. I didn't watch the post game, I haven't watched ESPN, I haven't looked at the paper. This is the playoffs, and half of the teams go home each week. 50%.
In the end, the defense upheld its tradition, and upheld its reputation. Unfortunately, the offense upheld its tradition also.
I may take a week or so off. I want the dust to settle. I want the emotions to settle down. I don't want to write about so and so being mad about such and such. Cock and reload. Time to prepare for next season.
In the end, the defense upheld its tradition, and upheld its reputation. Unfortunately, the offense upheld its tradition also.
I may take a week or so off. I want the dust to settle. I want the emotions to settle down. I don't want to write about so and so being mad about such and such. Cock and reload. Time to prepare for next season.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
The Other Team..
Not Ravens news, but congratulations to Cal Ripken on getting elected to the Hall of Fame.
Source HERE
Ripken was picked by 537 voters, appearing on 98.5 percent of ballots, falling just short of the record percentage of 98.84 set by Tom Seaver when he was selected on 425 of 430 ballots in 1992. Gwynn was just behind with 532 votes, 97.6 percent.
Source HERE
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Here Comes the Playoffs
Well, they are finally here. The Ravens finished 13 - 3 which secures them 2nd spot in the AFC, and a first round bye. The Ravens will play the top seeded winner from the Wild Card games this weekend. San Diego plays the lower seed winner.
Games this weekend:
Saturday - Kansas City at Indy 4:30 & Dallas at Seattle 8:00 pm
Sunday - Jets at Patriots 1:00 pm & Giants at Philly 4:30 pm
One thing that strikes me this season vs. previous years, is the strength of play overall in the NFL this year. Last year, The top four teams in the AFC were New England (10-6), Cinci/Pittsburgh (11-5), Indy (14-2) and Denver 13-3. In the NFC, short of Seattle (13-3), all of the division winners were 11-5
This year, All of the AFC division winners have 4 losses or less. The Patriots are on a 3 game win streak, Baltimore is on a 4 game win streak, and the Chargers are on a whopping 10 game win streak.
The last few weeks have really shown some cracks on some teams, especially the Bears. They seem in a state of flux, which is not where you want to be come playoff time. The quarterback position, despite attempts from the front office to say it is "normal" seems to be up in the air, with the staff and fans second guessing Grossman at the first signs of weakness.
Happy Watching
Games this weekend:
Saturday - Kansas City at Indy 4:30 & Dallas at Seattle 8:00 pm
Sunday - Jets at Patriots 1:00 pm & Giants at Philly 4:30 pm
One thing that strikes me this season vs. previous years, is the strength of play overall in the NFL this year. Last year, The top four teams in the AFC were New England (10-6), Cinci/Pittsburgh (11-5), Indy (14-2) and Denver 13-3. In the NFC, short of Seattle (13-3), all of the division winners were 11-5
This year, All of the AFC division winners have 4 losses or less. The Patriots are on a 3 game win streak, Baltimore is on a 4 game win streak, and the Chargers are on a whopping 10 game win streak.
The last few weeks have really shown some cracks on some teams, especially the Bears. They seem in a state of flux, which is not where you want to be come playoff time. The quarterback position, despite attempts from the front office to say it is "normal" seems to be up in the air, with the staff and fans second guessing Grossman at the first signs of weakness.
Happy Watching
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