Ravens top of the ESPN Week 3 Power Rankings

I am a surprised to see this, but the Baltimore Ravens landed at the top of ESPN's Power Rankings. Full list HERE

Scary Thoughts and Happy Thoughts

After viewing the first two games this season, I can't help but realize some of the talking heads were right. (That is a scary thought in and of itself.) I kept hearing about how Rex Ryan and Bart Scott leaving the Ravens would be the demise of last years #2 overall defense last year.

I always reply with the fact that there were a few defensive coaches who left the Ravens in the past and the Ravens survived just fine. A few of note include Mike Nolan, Marvin Lewis, Jack Del Rio, Mike Singletary, and Mike Smith.

This time I may be wrong and here is why (again bulleted for your convenience):

• 17th rank in yards per game allowed by the defense
• 23rd rank in points per game allowed by the defense
• 26th rank yards allowed per play
• 14th rank in forced fumbles
• 25th rank in fumbles recovered
• 21st rank in sacks

Come on defense what is up with that? How does that happen considering the secondary was mildly improved in the off-season with the acquisition of Foxworth. Was Rex's defensive schemes that important? Is Mattison's milder attack to blame? Perhaps they are letting up because the pressure is off? Oh yeah, the Ravens have an offense, and a good one, too! How good? See below:

• 2nd rank in points scored per game (2nd only to the ridiculous NO offense)
• 2nd rank in total points scored (again to NO)
• 2nd rank in total touchdowns scored
• 2nd rank in first downs (to NE)
• 2nd rank in 1st down percentage
• 5th rank in QB sacks allowed

I guess a W is a W and I will take it. Maybe it's just me, but this is strange...

Go Ravens!

NFL Waiver System

I had a recent conversation with my brother, and we were talking about who had recently been cut, and who the Ravens were/ should be interested in, and it turns out I didn't REALLY understand how the waiver system works. This is due mainly to the fact that the official NFLPA (NFL Players Association) document reads as easy as something by James Joyce.

So after some research, here is a quick primer on how the waiver system works. (bulleted for your convenience)

• Teams are required to have a 53 man roster.
• A player is put on the waiver system if they have four or less "accrued" years in the league (6 or more games, and some other small print such as IR or practice squad)
• If a player has more then four years, they become a free agent.

The teams with the worst record the previous season have first priority on players on waivers. If they pass, it goes to the team with the next worse record, and continues on down the list. The top teams from the previous season have to wait until the progression goes through the teams below them to see if they have a shot. That is why teams are often slow to speculate or react when a player that is seemingly a good fit (David Tyree for the Ravens) becomes available.

For those who enjoy punishment, you can find the full definition, in all of its legal glory HERE

Baltimore Ravens Talk is Back

Call it poor planning. Call it an inability to follow through. Call it what you will but this blog is back. And to quote a certain Mike from a certain 4 letter network, We are back and better than ever.

Am I the only one all but giddy over the prospect of the upcoming season? College football has begun. Mel Kiper is already reviewing the next draft class. Pre-season football is over and most NFL fans are eagerly awaiting the kickoff to the season with Thursday Night Football. It’s gonna be a good year!!!