Anquan Bolden Traded to Ravens Gets $25 Million Extension

wire

-1

2010-03-05T19:55:00-05:00

Playerpress

275 7824 The Arizona Cardinals have traded receiver Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens for their third and fourth round draft picks and then agreed to a three-year, $25 million extension with his new team. The extension includes $10 million in guaranteed money. <o:p> </o:p> Boldin, who was entering the final year of his contract, got two of his wishes today, being traded and expanding his bank account. <o:p> </o:p> Boldin, 29, caught 84 passes for 1,024 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals last season. He has had at least 1,000 yards receiving in five of his seven NFL seasons. <o:p> </o:p> However, Boldin has had a hard time staying healthy and has been injury prone throughout his NFL career. He has not played a full 16 game season in five of his seven seasons with the Cardinals. <o:p> </o:p> With the retirement of Kurt Warner and the release of Antrel Rolle, the Cardinals have had a busy off season when it comes to losing key players. <o:p> </o:p> The Ravens have been looking to upgrade at receiver for several years now, and Boldin certainly fills that spot, as he should provide an instant upgrade for Joe Flacco and the passing attack. <o:p> </o:p> The Ravens also bolstered their receiving corps with the signing of Donte' Stallworth when they signed him to a one-year deal in February.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-03-05T19:55:00-05:00

7824-anquan-bolden-traded-to-ravens-gets-25-million-extension-

Yes 123.125.66.96, 66.249.68.210, 75.172.191.160, 63.215.202.234, 174.49.134.175, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.95.55, 96.246.186.6, 64.13.147.187, 211.43.152.54, 204.236.198.91, 67.202.63.158, 89.151.116.59, 216.24.142.47, 67.207.201.144, 70.106.53.15, 75.101.232.27, 67.202.5.6, 174.143.213.49, 67.202.7.134, 74.201.117.226, 96.244.2.183, 38.104.134.114, 208.74.66.62, 64.246.135.98, 65.52.26.149, 142.166.170.104, 70.37.70.230, 171.66.107.45, 207.230.144.240, 24.126.108.4, 206.53.157.54, 69.251.97.15, 192.251.125.85, 166.137.11.15, 208.54.85.61, 208.54.85.77, 67.195.115.214, 142.166.170.101, 72.44.54.68, 69.147.112.168, 174.36.241.155, 66.249.67.165, 72.44.48.172, 97.238.226.18, 75.221.51.210, 142.166.170.100, 71.92.126.84, 198.105.46.63, 166.137.11.51, 83.149.199.55, 75.199.227.216, 84.126.53.102, 208.74.66.39, 166.137.10.113, 174.129.70.181, 70.110.208.157, 211.43.152.56, 76.115.251.233, 65.184.199.167, 162.83.60.178, 69.147.112.169, 66.108.252.26, 146.201.152.119, 166.205.8.58, 151.196.44.78, 174.120.16.66, 83.149.199.54, 208.54.90.71, 166.137.8.105, 71.95.178.68, 68.49.23.245, 98.64.51.19, 98.233.228.17, 74.125.75.3, 76.127.210.99, 98.176.92.243, 24.151.92.198, 75.147.17.41, 173.59.253.98, 67.165.204.123, 76.104.21.159, 174.129.90.99, 174.207.128.207, 68.171.233.90, 67.195.113.247, 68.50.53.52, 204.236.236.41, 71.255.218.233, 207.114.17.170, 174.26.3.113, 64.12.117.16, 68.49.226.145, 216.18.20.8, 80.101.143.253, 206.53.153.189, 173.79.137.184, 108.97.172.8, 69.143.56.245, 96.239.142.77, 206.53.157.95, 24.182.45.21, 71.224.4.167, 98.177.143.128, 24.44.221.189, 72.220.175.57, 174.18.35.29, 74.106.224.145, 99.60.0.252, 68.3.172.42, 65.182.40.121, 69.251.145.199, 206.53.157.211, 72.85.42.34, 108.2.226.23, 74.70.47.164, 173.66.126.23, 174.129.97.71, 174.129.151.126, 166.205.138.86, 97.238.185.123, 69.125.94.219, 98.239.125.73, 98.231.209.114, 75.101.232.109, 76.117.185.106, 66.249.68.236, 205.188.117.15, 188.40.157.21, 132.235.123.161, 98.218.34.76, 216.54.60.248, 75.132.22.180, 98.26.58.86, 68.55.31.1, 66.231.138.229, 156.33.174.61, 76.21.248.157, 64.210.199.233, 174.129.106.64, 68.171.233.162, 148.168.40.4, 75.69.38.251, 149.166.217.133, 71.17.252.11, 69.68.72.234, 12.177.113.59, 166.137.137.8, 68.98.120.162, 208.54.90.57, 130.126.208.210, 74.103.116.167, 67.80.77.35, 192.12.13.2, 209.249.53.52, 71.193.239.61, 75.101.190.114, 68.171.234.80, 66.235.124.57, 75.21.201.141, 64.107.2.29, 206.53.153.177, 208.54.90.78, 66.190.68.212, 67.170.230.119, 85.17.226.119, 206.53.147.91, 206.53.157.134, 68.55.65.22, 98.113.27.254, 64.178.170.26, 206.53.157.58, 38.99.96.233, 206.53.157.101, 99.149.196.43, 75.1.50.184, 71.179.187.95, 24.170.230.217, 71.245.170.53, 64.233.172.6, 206.53.157.33, 98.204.213.63, 123.92.198.212, 75.40.157.237, 97.124.97.33, 166.205.137.5, 98.165.85.224, 183.89.90.193, 67.16.94.2, 65.91.116.34, 206.53.147.71, 69.243.28.121, 206.53.147.89, 68.127.144.8, 75.146.249.61, 71.74.150.141, 68.33.26.23, 206.53.157.42, 190.102.4.29, 166.205.9.2, 166.137.11.62, 68.171.235.74, 99.33.57.71, 74.240.75.136, 206.53.147.76, 65.0.68.205, 206.53.157.235, 174.150.223.160, 71.22.164.109, 174.21.230.86, 81.94.194.34, 81.94.206.226, 174.60.121.3, 24.171.73.149, 12.231.221.98, 71.193.33.53, 206.53.153.85, 68.50.133.127, 209.249.53.187, 174.129.85.40, 82.98.146.99, 76.220.58.33, 68.28.147.121, 174.37.80.225, 87.250.252.241, 208.54.14.105, 208.67.143.225, 123.125.66.92, 166.205.10.199, 66.172.194.105, 192.234.136.23, 206.53.157.39, 69.143.242.252, 98.204.150.149, 166.188.230.235, 74.202.85.162, 206.169.46.5, 192.216.61.102, 161.186.93.10, 204.128.192.4, 68.82.242.183, 68.194.199.65, 170.190.198.100, 66.60.132.218, 166.233.174.110, 192.91.173.42, 166.137.9.242, 38.118.77.23, 64.32.255.82, 76.26.175.168, 67.174.73.207, 69.250.46.91, 67.218.116.131, 75.101.219.83, 204.128.192.3, 69.255.85.199, 98.204.206.246, 184.73.226.116, 216.152.101.64, 166.205.8.75, 69.250.164.112, 158.12.18.115, 216.136.63.6, 66.249.68.8, 206.53.147.77, 173.120.23.93, 142.166.170.103, 75.105.219.18, 69.137.58.228, 66.57.41.55, 66.249.68.145, 66.60.230.133, 64.88.170.40, 66.249.65.36, 216.49.223.99

Anquan Bolden Traded to Ravens Gets $25 Million Extension

No Anquan Bolden, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, NFL

Anquan Bolden Traded to Ravens Gets $25 Million Extension

administrator

wire

2010-02-27T16:53:00-05:00

Playerpress

93 7728 Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has said that he is interested in Terrell Owens. After a year with the Bills, T.O. is set to test the waters once again in the free-agent market, and the Ravens are one team that could use some receiving help. <o:p> </o:p> Harbaugh has worked first hand with Owens before from their days with the Eagles. With the Ravens leading receiver Derrick Mason headed for free agency, and probably headed elsewhere, Harbaugh knows that his team could use some additional help at the receiver position.   <o:p> </o:p> "We're interested in T.O., we're interested in all the guys who can make us better," Harbaugh said Saturday at the scouting combine in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Indianapolis</st1:city></st1:place>. "I think he's a good guy and a good player." <o:p> </o:p> Harbaugh admitted that they have been watching tape of Owens' 2009 season and feels that he was much more effective than maybe he has received credit for despite his limited production. <o:p> </o:p> With the Bills last season T.O. had 55 catches for 829 yards and 5 touchdowns. <o:p> </o:p> This is not the first time that the Ravens have showed interest in Owens. Back in 2003, the 49ers made an attempt to trade Owens to the Ravens, but T.O. coerced a deal with the Eagles instead. <o:p> </o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-02-27T16:53:00-05:00

7728-ravens-interested-in-terrell-owens

Yes 76.97.188.228, 123.125.66.130, 67.202.11.49, 174.129.90.99, 216.24.142.45, 216.24.142.47, 89.151.116.54, 174.129.142.69, 72.44.49.134, 174.129.107.161, 72.13.91.40, 66.249.68.236, 75.101.170.136, 65.52.25.231, 208.74.66.38, 208.74.66.36, 142.166.170.104, 142.166.170.102, 70.37.70.228, 64.233.172.6, 128.8.132.13, 142.166.170.103, 216.129.119.81, 67.195.114.230, 88.162.35.120, 96.244.14.20, 213.191.247.199, 174.37.205.67, 174.129.152.40, 67.202.10.201, 68.57.170.45, 222.255.28.54, 71.22.164.109, 83.149.199.54, 66.249.67.250, 166.137.8.108, 72.44.48.172, 72.44.54.68, 128.241.112.231, 216.18.20.8, 72.44.34.118, 68.50.130.118, 71.62.100.41, 38.99.96.233, 67.195.115.214, 72.3.223.26, 174.36.60.25, 67.202.40.201, 216.24.142.46, 38.99.68.202, 75.101.197.164, 67.207.201.161, 74.208.125.5, 89.151.116.59, 216.220.216.198, 123.125.66.66, 89.151.116.61, 64.178.165.154, 174.129.42.87, 87.250.252.241, 204.236.192.27, 76.69.177.199, 212.247.15.161, 66.249.68.174, 174.129.237.157, 66.172.194.105, 66.249.68.184, 142.166.170.101, 68.28.147.114, 67.195.113.247, 206.83.86.2, 132.54.1.202, 66.249.68.233, 67.244.95.83, 38.98.19.111, 66.249.67.186, 66.249.68.37, 67.218.116.131, 218.28.29.236, 119.63.198.58, 65.222.151.125, 66.249.68.172, 64.13.222.190, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.68.40, 71.255.218.233, 66.249.67.238, 216.129.119.11, 85.17.171.225, 66.249.68.8, 142.166.170.100, 204.10.196.94, 76.0.176.228

Ravens interested in Terrell Owens

No Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh, Terrell Owens, T.O., Buffalo Bills, NFL

Ravens interested in Terrell Owens

231

featured columnist

wire

2010-02-17T13:08:00-05:00

Playerpress

150 7537   After being cut by the Cleveland Browns a few weeks ago, wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has found a new home with the Baltimore Ravens.   Stallworth signed a one-year $900,000 contract. According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated, Ravens management has given the move thumbs up on signing Stallworth. GM Ozzie Newsome, explained the move on the Raven's official website.      “He made a huge mistake,“There’s no doubt about that. He has paid a significant price for that and, as he has said, he carries a heavy weight. As (owner) Steve (Bisciotti) has said, we believe in second chances, and Donte’ does deserve that.”   Stallworth was sent to jail after he accidentlly killed someone last year while drunk driving.   96.246.112.236

2010-02-17T13:08:00-05:00

7537-ravens-pick-up-stallworth-

Yes 123.125.66.125, 66.249.68.187, 186.137.25.72, 174.37.205.68, 96.246.112.236, 67.202.7.151, 67.202.40.201, 216.24.142.46, 75.101.232.27, 64.13.147.187, 89.151.116.54, 65.52.22.222, 64.233.172.6, 72.13.91.40, 204.236.198.91, 208.74.66.39, 70.37.70.228, 174.129.89.199, 75.101.147.15, 74.201.117.226, 38.104.134.114, 67.207.201.151, 69.36.233.15, 123.125.66.121, 76.97.188.228, 207.126.22.254, 174.37.205.76, 64.62.134.170, 75.233.95.97, 12.187.22.90, 134.126.142.145, 88.162.35.120, 85.137.147.12, 173.58.231.220, 38.99.96.233, 72.30.142.248, 24.115.156.215, 69.251.253.57, 82.166.163.10, 67.195.37.188, 98.237.128.216, 76.202.225.179, 83.149.199.55, 174.21.243.205, 67.184.208.223, 95.17.26.58, 98.196.7.120, 67.220.192.215, 96.244.90.17, 174.129.95.55, 216.24.142.45, 70.37.70.230, 89.151.84.35, 174.129.107.161, 65.52.22.215, 174.129.104.29, 204.236.206.142, 85.114.136.243, 222.66.117.50, 174.129.115.46, 77.251.255.231, 142.166.170.103, 142.166.170.104, 68.175.123.127, 216.99.185.50, 69.2.168.214, 67.195.112.114, 75.233.173.189, 83.149.199.54, 86.132.64.182, 214.16.48.100, 74.208.125.5, 195.229.237.39, 72.44.48.172, 66.249.67.206, 67.215.108.20, 24.182.45.21, 76.100.4.181, 174.129.142.69, 98.117.47.116, 128.231.22.125, 64.100.32.148, 68.28.115.122, 166.137.9.49, 74.107.104.72, 139.84.80.102, 68.55.135.22, 24.9.98.48, 71.179.40.229, 72.44.54.68, 205.188.116.67, 173.62.201.193, 81.198.244.72, 208.75.212.156, 174.49.212.12, 170.37.244.10, 75.151.183.186, 89.162.46.16, 135.245.8.4, 98.233.173.71, 68.57.249.23, 87.250.252.241, 142.166.170.102, 64.12.117.9, 24.184.113.178, 79.99.6.106, 95.24.222.183, 67.195.112.88, 66.249.68.212, 216.129.119.11, 77.88.50.37, 94.23.15.84, 66.235.124.57, 123.125.66.131, 38.100.8.50, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.67.147, 173.145.85.255, 66.249.68.175, 68.70.66.123, 67.16.94.2, 67.207.125.122, 66.249.68.251, 97.21.92.76, 67.195.115.214, 24.167.63.73, 72.30.142.237, 216.129.119.14, 66.249.68.143, 208.253.76.99, 67.195.114.230, 66.249.67.55, 65.200.199.106, 66.249.68.236, 97.10.168.39, 67.195.113.225, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.68.81, 66.249.68.172, 96.255.186.9, 63.215.202.234, 68.32.167.136, 67.195.113.247, 96.236.217.72, 64.26.112.5, 69.140.107.122, 66.249.68.227, 72.243.31.202, 66.249.68.145, 93.136.129.27, 66.249.65.36

Ravens Pick Up Stallworth

No Baltimore Ravens, Donte' Stallworth, Ozzie Newsome

Ravens Pick Up Stallworth

writer

article

2010-01-08T15:03:00-05:00

Playerpress

Yes

149 6913 First off, I want to wish a happy and healthy New Year to everyone. <o:p></o:p>  We started off strong this season and then hit a little bit of a rough patch before getting going again. You don’t realize when you’re going through it, but adversity sometimes builds strength and camaraderie. It’s difficult when you are going through it, but when things get tough during the season and you come out of it as a team, it helps you out, especially during this time of the year.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Personally, it’s been a little bit of a difficult season for me with two tough injuries. But I’m 100 percent now and I look forward to getting out there for the playoffs. In fact, the whole team is feeling good; everyone is healthy. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> It’s a great accomplishment to be part of the playoffs again. There are some teams that haven’t been to the playoffs in 8-10 years, so we’re proud of where we are. It’s definitely a great feeling for us to know that we now have a chance to compete for the championship.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We know what we are going to get from the Patriots – hard-nosed football. But we’re playing good football right now in all phases of the game: special teams, defense and offense, so it’s down to business.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Can’t really wait for Sunday. It’s gonna be exciting. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for <a href="../../../">www.playerpress.com</a> runs at <a href="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/">www.jaredgaither71.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jaredgaither">www.twitter.com/jaredgaither</a>. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> 76.97.188.228

2010-01-08T15:03:00-05:00

down-to-business

Yes 67.195.111.172, 67.195.112.159, 174.37.205.85, 66.249.68.143, 123.125.66.29, 142.166.3.122, 174.37.205.76, 66.150.224.245, 174.129.95.55, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.27.223, 65.52.19.122, 75.101.232.231, 70.37.66.245, 67.220.192.215, 64.13.147.189, 89.151.116.61, 74.201.117.226, 69.36.233.15, 174.129.141.109, 75.101.170.136, 64.191.203.34, 38.104.134.114, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.45, 208.74.66.62, 208.74.66.38, 216.39.58.78, 67.202.57.190, 174.133.177.66, 216.129.119.81, 66.249.67.229, 123.125.66.114, 83.149.199.55, 89.151.116.54, 98.206.151.145, 71.56.63.213, 174.129.157.222, 69.175.61.50, 74.220.215.225, 87.117.234.197, 208.118.60.156, 174.120.106.66, 74.53.86.18, 174.127.132.160, 88.208.200.37, 75.101.233.125, 69.65.3.187, 66.147.242.188, 142.166.170.104, 174.133.61.66, 4.78.248.3, 74.99.89.230, 75.101.174.137, 72.44.33.94, 173.9.12.237, 64.184.179.75, 94.23.15.84, 142.166.170.100, 216.129.119.14, 200.126.226.16, 72.30.142.161, 67.202.15.176, 87.250.252.241, 76.250.116.10, 96.10.10.100, 142.166.170.101, 76.97.6.83, 119.63.198.56, 216.129.119.11, 74.53.3.132, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.65.109, 38.99.97.126, 216.24.142.47, 216.24.131.119, 202.131.30.146, 61.247.222.46, 71.196.198.230, 69.58.178.30, 66.249.67.162, 66.249.67.134, 67.195.115.42, 75.126.140.19, 98.233.144.148, 66.249.68.139, 142.166.170.102, 67.195.114.42, 195.42.102.25, 66.249.68.248, 209.191.123.35, 119.63.198.36, 66.249.68.245, 65.55.106.161, 65.55.207.78, 65.55.106.112, 76.107.161.89, 68.118.202.136, 218.28.29.236, 61.247.222.82, 61.247.222.45, 205.209.170.18, 65.55.216.33, 66.249.67.214, 123.125.66.74, 66.249.68.163, 69.115.241.123, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.106.233, 119.63.198.46, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 65.55.106.134, 38.99.97.10, 67.195.111.47, 66.249.68.212, 202.131.30.149, 38.99.97.138, 142.166.170.103, 66.249.68.187, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.106.231, 201.254.109.248, 95.24.222.183, 69.58.178.31, 67.195.112.88, 202.131.30.148, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 92.146.32.12, 173.160.69.28, 145.100.100.190, 174.129.83.241, 67.195.115.214, 205.209.170.10, 123.125.66.96, 67.195.113.225, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.114.230, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.68.37, 66.249.68.233, 91.205.175.4, 208.115.111.249, 207.46.195.229, 65.55.110.184, 207.46.195.242, 202.131.30.147

Down to Business

No Jared Gaither, Baltimore Ravens, NFL

Down to Business

895

athlete

article

2009-12-08T00:25:00-05:00

Playerpress

123 6442 Reactions to the Ravens' loss Monday night in Green BayThe Ravens' playoff chances took a huge hit Monday night when the Green Bay Packers dominated Baltimore on both sides of the ball.   A couple of common issues once again plagued the Ravens during a close loss. First and foremost, the secondary is no longer one of the elite units in the NFL. Without Ed Reed in the lineup, they are probably one of the worst. Even with Reed, the Ravens secondary has been mediocre and unable to stop the elite passing attacks in the league.   Not all of that can be blamed on the Ravens' secondary. The Ravens had no pass rush against Aaron Rodgers, allowing the Green Bay QB to pick apart the Ravens' secondary. It became apparent during the game that the Ravens are really missing outside linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs. Suggs is one of the top pass rushers in the NFL when he is healthy. Teams have to account for Suggs and that opens up opportunities for others on the defensive line.   Paul Kruger and Jarrett Johnson have filled in admirably when stopping the run, but they are not putting enough pressure on QBs. That is a huge problem for the Ravens right now.   Another big issue for the team is the confidence of Joe Flacco. Flacco has been plagued lately by bad decisions at the end of games. I think the interception against Indy and the pick in the endzone early in the fourth quarter against the Packers made Flacco gun-shy at the end of Monday's game.   The Ravens still had a shot, getting the ball down by 10 with a 1:30 left. However, for some reason Flacco refused to throw the ball down the field. I am not sure why that is. I mean, take a shot, right? There were only 10 pass interference penalties in the game, maybe you get lucky.   A large part of his struggles tonight are probably due to an outstanding effort by the Packers' defense. But still something clearly isn't right with Flacco. He doesn't seem to be making all the throws he made earlier in the year and that concerns me as a Ravens fan. It will be interesting to see how Flacco and the Ravens bounce back against the Lions Sunday.   96.246.118.137

2009-12-08T00:25:00-05:00

ravens-defense-missing-sizzle-playoff-run-starting-to-fizzle

Yes 68.205.19.138, 66.249.68.227, 63.215.202.234, 69.63.178.247, 200.126.226.16, 123.125.66.101, 174.37.205.76, 66.249.67.206, 67.195.112.159, 69.63.179.35, 208.118.60.155, 75.101.242.214, 68.60.211.9, 76.97.188.228, 123.125.66.55, 66.249.68.230, 67.195.111.172, 69.250.223.156, 95.108.157.251, 67.218.116.134, 92.241.182.23, 119.63.198.52, 216.129.119.11, 67.218.116.131, 216.129.119.14, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.139, 72.14.164.156, 142.166.3.122, 74.32.67.79, 66.249.68.195, 70.84.239.90, 67.195.110.158, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.67.229, 212.227.136.205, 218.28.29.236, 66.235.124.59, 72.30.142.161, 71.87.112.13, 74.6.8.89, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 68.37.27.54, 161.231.132.16, 161.231.132.15, 85.25.124.167, 123.125.66.40, 166.137.137.153, 95.133.168.17, 207.241.228.152, 66.249.68.137, 74.53.3.132, 69.115.241.123, 66.249.68.219, 66.249.68.166, 66.249.68.108, 66.249.68.143, 66.150.224.245, 166.137.136.207, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 65.55.207.22, 80.239.22.7, 65.55.207.137, 66.249.65.109, 67.195.114.243, 67.195.112.254, 65.55.207.75, 66.249.67.170, 67.195.114.42, 66.219.58.34, 38.113.234.181, 67.195.115.42, 195.42.102.25, 65.55.106.163, 66.249.68.245, 96.230.30.69, 65.55.106.227, 66.249.68.149, 96.231.199.10, 71.92.119.169, 67.195.111.47, 65.55.106.182, 99.97.157.140, 123.125.66.89, 67.195.112.85, 65.55.207.132, 65.55.207.26, 66.249.68.212, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.106.137, 67.195.112.114, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 38.99.97.10, 66.249.68.155, 65.55.216.53, 142.166.170.103, 65.55.107.183, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.207.29, 95.24.222.183, 77.88.50.37, 67.195.112.88, 66.249.68.173, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 67.195.115.214, 91.205.175.4, 123.125.66.128, 66.249.68.81, 67.195.113.225, 207.46.195.239, 208.115.111.249, 207.46.204.189, 66.89.163.178, 207.46.195.223, 174.129.237.157, 66.183.61.131, 207.81.167.36

Ravens defense missing 'Sizzle,' playoff run starting to fizzle

No Joe Flacco, Ravens, Packers, Terrell Suggs, Monday Night Football, NFL

Ravens defense missing 'Sizzle,' playoff run starting to fizzle

1734

writer

article

-1

2009-11-25T10:46:00-05:00

Playerpress

143 6227 Watching the Ravens lose last Sunday to the Colts, I couldn't help but wonder where has the three-headed running attack gone this season?    Watching the Ravens lose last Sunday to the Colts, I couldn't help but wonder where has the three-headed running attack gone this season?   Ray Rice has been spectacular this season, but Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain haven't seen enough carries to be effective. Part of the reason the Ravens went 13-3 last season was their ability to finish off drives with touchdowns in the red zone. A large part of that was McClain, who accumulated a career-high in touches, yards and TDs.   For some reason, the Ravens seem reluctant to give the ball to McClain on short and goal-to-go situations. On three attempts at the 1-yard line against the Colts, the Ravens were unable to punch the ball in. I liked the play call on the quick QB sneak as the Ravens were trying to catch the Colts off guard and unset.   However, I don't understand why they didn't take one shot with McClain on the next two plays. It seems that the handoffs to the deep back in the goal-line situation gave the Colts an opportunity to break into the backfield and stop the play before it started. The upback McClain would have gotten the ball quicker and had a head of steam heading into the line. If I'm the Ravens, I like my chances with McClain in that situation.   I realize that it may not have mattered in the end because Peyton Manning would have likely had the ball at the end of the game and would have led the Colts to a winning score. However, these situations are likely to continue to crop up with the Ravens playing all of these close games. With all the recent offensive failures, one has to wonder if the Ravens will have the confidence to execute down the stretch.   At 5-5, the Ravens are facing a tough road to the playoffs. They have a trio of 6-4 teams sitting in front of them including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens must solve these offensive woes with the Steelers visiting Baltimore this Sunday night. The Ravens can't afford to lose another divisional contest and fall another game behind Pittsburgh.   The Ravens are running out of time and their defense isn't what it used to be, so their offense has to get going now. 76.97.188.228

2009-11-25T10:46:00-05:00

thought-on-last-week-s-ravens-game

Yes 68.205.16.161, 66.249.68.242, 69.63.178.246, 71.226.77.53, 63.215.202.234, 76.97.188.228, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.227, 89.151.84.35, 174.129.95.55, 208.74.66.39, 208.74.66.61, 91.121.89.155, 64.233.172.6, 174.129.58.57, 70.37.66.245, 91.121.53.183, 89.151.116.52, 72.44.57.45, 75.101.139.240, 142.166.3.122, 216.129.119.81, 174.36.228.154, 75.101.197.164, 70.37.92.166, 174.129.104.29, 123.125.66.101, 123.125.66.116, 66.249.67.206, 71.166.107.67, 72.44.48.172, 142.166.170.103, 66.249.68.174, 72.192.206.90, 216.24.142.47, 75.101.170.136, 142.166.170.101, 216.129.119.11, 67.195.111.161, 67.195.37.172, 67.218.116.131, 207.67.117.178, 119.63.198.25, 89.253.70.223, 207.114.11.130, 218.28.29.234, 66.249.65.200, 67.195.112.159, 92.241.182.24, 66.249.65.199, 195.128.18.18, 90.193.54.63, 67.195.110.158, 67.228.189.217, 216.129.119.14, 69.250.70.27, 70.50.189.162, 66.249.67.174, 67.218.116.134, 66.249.68.36, 66.249.68.172, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 216.129.119.12, 66.249.67.170, 66.249.67.229, 66.249.68.178, 38.105.83.11, 72.14.164.185, 66.249.68.152, 123.125.66.99, 66.249.67.110, 70.84.239.90, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.195, 66.249.68.233, 87.250.252.241, 212.227.136.205, 218.28.29.236, 91.205.174.49, 91.205.173.243, 216.129.119.40, 85.25.124.4, 71.233.45.116, 85.25.124.167, 65.55.207.101, 65.55.207.26, 207.241.228.152, 74.53.3.132, 123.125.66.100, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.143, 174.133.177.66, 66.249.68.139, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 80.239.22.7, 65.55.110.178, 65.55.207.47, 65.55.207.27, 67.195.114.243, 24.192.75.115, 66.249.68.137, 67.195.115.42, 38.113.234.181, 38.113.234.180, 66.249.68.248, 195.42.102.25, 209.191.123.35, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.68.212, 67.195.111.47, 165.236.72.244, 71.197.224.188, 66.249.68.204, 65.55.207.48, 65.55.215.75, 123.125.66.90, 65.55.106.109, 67.195.112.114, 67.195.37.188, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 66.171.117.167, 129.234.193.111, 65.55.207.98, 66.249.68.164, 65.55.207.51, 91.205.175.4, 67.195.110.171, 95.24.222.183, 67.195.112.88, 77.88.50.37, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 123.125.66.127, 66.249.68.81, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.115.214, 65.55.109.130, 67.195.113.225, 208.115.111.249, 207.46.204.181, 207.46.199.45

Thought on last week's Ravens game

No Ravens, Colts, Ray Rice, Steelers, NFL

Thought on last week's Ravens game

1734

writer

article

2009-11-18T22:24:00-05:00

Playerpress

Yes

204 6122 We hit a little bit of a bump, but it’s good to get a win and get back to it. We went back and took at look at ourselves … what we were doing wrong … and then we went out and corrected it. Football’s a team game, but each individual has to look at what they are doing to help you collectively turn things around.  We have tough back-to-back games coming up against the Colts and Steelers. They are good teams, but we know we are a good team, too. We just have to go out there and handle our business.   I really felt the pain of seeing Haruki and Josh Cribbs having to get carted off after having gone through it. I said a few prayers for them while they were down and I pray they will be back playing and healthy.   The movie about Michael Oher – The Blind Side – comes out this week. I’d really like to see the movie … I think it’s going to be real good. We’ve joked with him a little bit, but a lot of the guys can’t wait to see the movie. To see a person come from where he’s had to -- being homeless and everything, to compete at the highest level against the toughest competition – is really great.   Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.jaredgaither71.com. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jaredgaither 76.97.188.228

2009-11-18T22:24:00-05:00

back-on-track-2

Yes 67.202.11.49, 66.249.68.242, 208.74.66.39, 208.74.66.42, 89.151.116.59, 70.37.65.176, 67.202.63.158, 75.101.170.136, 216.24.142.47, 75.101.232.27, 79.99.6.106, 89.151.116.61, 75.101.187.3, 166.137.134.155, 76.97.188.228, 64.191.203.34, 216.24.142.45, 216.24.131.118, 216.39.58.78, 67.202.38.165, 75.101.232.231, 74.201.117.226, 38.104.134.114, 67.218.99.195, 70.37.92.166, 216.129.119.81, 166.137.135.180, 200.126.226.16, 66.249.67.174, 67.202.10.201, 67.18.5.134, 123.125.66.42, 211.115.109.14, 98.196.7.120, 174.36.228.155, 67.195.112.109, 38.99.68.206, 72.44.48.172, 83.149.199.55, 64.233.172.6, 72.44.46.110, 72.89.112.249, 174.129.101.63, 69.63.178.247, 123.125.66.52, 72.218.150.36, 67.195.114.233, 119.63.198.11, 68.49.119.187, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 38.108.180.131, 66.249.68.200, 174.127.132.10, 67.218.116.134, 66.249.68.227, 130.246.45.90, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.112.159, 116.125.140.10, 221.215.1.224, 173.75.191.29, 24.35.44.24, 66.249.68.174, 63.240.26.232, 206.83.86.2, 218.28.29.234, 72.20.109.34, 66.249.65.200, 124.107.85.117, 58.246.76.76, 92.241.182.24, 120.28.64.85, 24.8.163.103, 216.129.119.12, 202.54.61.99, 216.129.119.14, 200.177.228.4, 70.50.189.162, 67.218.116.131, 216.129.119.13, 195.128.18.18, 123.125.66.55, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.68.172, 163.1.5.153, 217.14.6.210, 38.105.83.11, 69.58.178.28, 67.195.111.172, 66.249.68.152, 72.14.164.156, 142.166.3.122, 70.84.239.90, 66.249.68.195, 87.250.252.241, 216.129.119.11, 212.227.136.205, 65.55.106.133, 93.132.189.95, 67.195.110.158, 67.218.116.166, 211.233.79.166, 216.129.119.41, 218.28.29.236, 65.55.207.48, 88.159.73.53, 174.127.132.124, 66.249.68.233, 68.50.38.141, 65.55.106.138, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 24.205.240.178, 67.184.237.194, 85.25.124.167, 207.46.199.201, 123.125.66.23, 65.55.37.202, 207.46.199.191, 66.249.67.229, 207.46.199.183, 74.53.3.132, 65.55.207.122, 66.249.68.166, 65.55.51.111, 66.249.68.143, 66.249.68.139, 65.55.106.181, 66.150.224.245, 69.250.181.34, 207.46.199.180, 174.133.177.66, 222.231.42.204, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 207.46.199.193, 80.239.22.7, 207.46.199.190, 65.55.109.109, 65.55.106.159, 207.241.228.152, 71.126.150.194, 66.249.65.109, 67.195.114.243, 207.46.199.185, 65.55.216.54, 66.249.68.137, 69.58.178.30, 207.46.199.188, 65.55.109.11, 38.113.234.181, 65.55.106.229, 69.63.179.35, 65.55.51.114, 195.42.102.25, 209.191.123.35, 67.195.115.42, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.51.69, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.245, 98.244.105.173, 75.121.73.38, 209.202.168.76, 65.55.106.109, 71.252.171.54, 67.195.111.47, 123.125.66.92, 116.125.140.3, 38.99.96.108, 66.249.68.212, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.106.205, 173.14.248.157, 65.55.207.78, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.72, 142.166.170.103, 208.115.111.245, 95.24.222.183, 69.58.178.31, 75.67.246.13, 66.249.68.187, 67.16.94.2, 116.125.140.8, 65.55.207.76, 85.17.146.75, 194.199.16.252, 91.64.35.229, 91.205.175.4, 123.125.66.90, 67.195.114.230, 65.55.110.99, 67.195.113.225, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.184, 66.249.68.37, 66.249.68.107, 208.115.111.249, 66.249.68.40, 66.249.68.145

Back on track

No Jared Gaither, Baltimore Ravens, NFL

Back on track

895

athlete

article

2009-11-05T19:23:00-05:00

Playerpress

144 5951 To quote Clark Griswald in Christmas Vacation, "Hallelujah, holy sh*t!"  We've been waiting all season for a defensive effort like the beat down the Ravens enacted on the Denver Broncos last Sunday in Baltimore, Mary-land.   From the very first play of the game when linebacker Jarrett Johnson sacked Kyle "Jason Lee look-a-like" Orton, it was apparent that Ray Lewis and Company were playing with an unrivaled-in-2009 intensity.  It was refreshing.  It was also interesting...considering it came on the heels of some reports (ie. unreliable sports blogs - UNLIKE this one) that Ray Lewis, at the expense of defensive coordinator Greg Mattison's credibility, started calling the defensive plays in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings.    I mention it because it's worth reporting - the Ravens came back in a big way during the second half in the Metrodome, and all year the players have been publicly supportive of Mattison.  Coach John Harbaugh runs a very tight ship when it comes to what is said to the media.  Just ask any reporter -- his press conferences and interviews are bland, vanilla, cliche-ridden, and much like the Yankees' 27th World Series: BORING.    Regardless...something got shaken up this week...meetings were held...game plans were changed...and it's my personal belief that Ray Ray had some input as to what the coaching staff could do to play to the defense's strengths. Or at the very least…what the coaching staff could do to hide the defense’s weakness (aka. the secondary).    <div> <div>As has been said all week – it was by far the most complete game of the season. It was light years more satisfying than the Cleveland beat down because, well, that was Cleveland; and this was an undefeated Broncos club that had former Ravens coordinator Mike Nolan at the defensive helm. It had week one savior (and former Ravens Super Bowl hero) Brandon Stokley lining up in the slot. And it had girlfriend-beating, cop-inducing, and Anita Marks love child Brandon Marshall anchoring the receiving corps. </div> <div> </div> <div>Somebody find Ladarius Webb some playing time! I mean, if that’s the kind of performance we see from the secondary when Frank Walker is made inactive…we may have to stick with that philosophy. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Now we face the Cincinnati Bengals. In the Queen City. Which is, in fact, the third largest city in Ohio. That’s right…third. But wait…another interesting fact: Cleveland is the second biggest behind…Columbus! And you thought Columbus was only famous for it’s NHL franchise. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Unfortunately, I was correct in predicting that the Bengals were going to give us fits this year. Quarterback Carson Palmer is back, his receivers are still great, and they’ve got a rejuvenated Cedric Benson running the ball. What I DO like about this game, though, is that Cinci is wildly unpredictable. You might get the Bengals that routed the Bears, or you might get the Bengals that almost lost to the Browns. The law of averages is on our side. To wit, let’s take a look at their games since week three:</div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>Week 3 – great come-from-behind win against the Steelers at home Week 4 – terrible win at home over Cleveland (would have been a tie if Palmer hadn’t lobbied to Marvin Lewis to go for it on fourth and 11 with time winding down in OT, and it was a QB scramble on a broken play that set up the winning field goal) Week 5 – last minute, but gutsy nonetheless (and playing for their defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who had just lost his wife unexpectedly) win versus the Ravens in Baltimore Week 6 – laid a turd at home in a 13-point loss to the Texans.  Week 7 – smoked the Bears at home by 35. Week 8 – Bye. Week 9 – By my calculations, they’re due for another turd. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>And I want nothing more than to believe that last week’s Ravens defensive effort against the Broncos wasn’t a one-hit-wonder. I want nothing more to believe that the Ravens defense is back – that Mattison and his players have finally found common ground in what has been up to this point an uneven, unspectacular, and at times, unwatchable defensive performance. </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> <div>It is still mind boggling that my worries lie with the defense, and that I haven’t even mentioned the offense. Cool Joe Flacco seems to relieve that anxiety. Despite “top-notch” receivers. Despite Brandon Marshall. I no longer fear our offensive production. As long as linebacker Terrell Suggs <a href="http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/blog/2009/11/suggs_bengals_did_us_a_favor_by_winning.html">backs up his claim</a> that the Bengals loss taught them something, we’re looking at a win on Sunday and at least a 2nd place tie in the AFC North. And one week later, we can now root for the Broncos. </div> </div> 76.97.188.228

2009-11-05T19:23:00-05:00

ravens-buck-the-broncos-look-to-bludgeon-bengals

Yes 98.218.13.164, 66.249.68.227, 38.98.19.111, 200.126.226.16, 67.195.115.163, 123.125.66.17, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.107.161, 66.249.67.238, 174.36.241.148, 123.125.66.24, 66.249.68.162, 205.128.224.6, 67.202.46.241, 68.236.242.82, 63.88.13.250, 156.80.10.181, 65.210.20.60, 204.85.194.205, 169.229.143.3, 198.180.131.16, 38.108.180.140, 216.129.119.14, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.113.245, 67.195.111.246, 63.70.138.182, 218.26.170.84, 69.250.186.255, 67.195.37.186, 216.129.119.11, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.209, 66.249.68.91, 67.218.116.134, 66.249.68.25, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.207, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.67.205, 66.249.68.200, 66.249.67.208, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.114.222, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 66.249.68.235, 66.249.67.206, 123.125.66.40, 67.195.37.172, 216.129.119.12, 66.249.68.174, 77.222.131.40, 85.10.209.67, 63.223.124.237, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.112.159, 216.129.119.41, 67.195.111.161, 206.83.86.2, 218.28.29.234, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 92.241.182.24, 216.129.119.40, 195.128.18.18, 67.195.111.172, 65.98.224.5, 70.50.189.162, 67.195.110.158, 66.235.124.54, 66.249.68.230, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 66.249.68.172, 71.181.32.73, 66.249.67.229, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.178, 88.146.126.140, 72.14.164.162, 142.166.3.122, 66.249.68.139, 70.84.239.90, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.209, 66.249.68.233, 212.227.136.205, 123.125.66.51, 218.28.29.236, 65.55.207.133, 65.55.207.47, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 85.25.124.167, 64.180.84.175, 66.249.68.138, 207.241.228.152, 74.53.3.132, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 123.125.66.29, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 66.249.65.79, 67.195.112.254, 65.55.110.110, 64.180.84.115, 66.249.68.137, 128.2.212.85, 65.55.207.120, 65.55.207.70, 38.113.234.181, 195.42.102.25, 207.81.166.116, 65.55.109.180, 173.183.76.251, 66.249.68.212, 66.249.68.245, 24.207.133.158, 67.195.114.42, 123.125.66.62, 65.55.215.74, 67.195.111.47, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.50, 65.55.110.53, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 91.205.175.4, 67.195.112.114, 142.166.170.103, 95.24.222.183, 38.100.8.50, 65.55.215.75, 67.16.94.2, 123.125.66.93, 67.195.113.225, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.114.230, 66.249.68.66, 208.115.111.249, 67.195.115.214, 207.46.195.242

Ravens Buck the Broncos; Look to Bludgeon Bengals

No Baltimore Ravens, Ray Lewis, Jason Lee, Kyle Orton, Brandon Marshall, Joe Flacco

Ravens Buck the Broncos; Look to Bludgeon Bengals

writer

article

2009-10-28T21:40:16-04:00

Playerpress

145 5842 For someone who reads a TON of local and national football columnists, articles, power rankings, and the infamous "grades" throughout every Monday during the NFL season, the bye week for me is torture. Being a football fan, unless my team was already sitting at the top of the NFL heap (pun marginally intended), or they went out and acquired a game-changing player, the bye week only means that the team will sink in the eyes of the media.Not that the media really matters – except they are the ones with intimate, first-hand knowledge of the goings on in the locker room, clubhouse, and the Castle out there on One Winning Drive – but who doesn’t like reading more positive than negative things said about one’s team?  And especially when my beloved Baltimore Ravens have hobbled (I refuse to use the word “limped” simply because all three consecutive losses were winnable games) into their bye week at 3-3, each day until next week’s game feels like an eternity. My previous Sunday consisted of a bunch of half-hearted game watching as I prayed to the football Gods that the Bengals and Steelers would lose. No such luck considering Cincinnati embarrassed the Bears and Pittsburgh took another step to reasserting itself as one of the best three teams in the AFC. Dammit all.  It gets even worse when you consider the remaining schedule – and if you agree with the popular opinion that the Ravens will have to go 7-3 down the stretch to sniff the playoffs. The next five games: Broncos, Bengals, Browns, Colts, Steelers, and Packers. Teams with a combined record of 25-12. And if you remove from that equation the putrid stench that is Cleveland, we’re talking a combined record of 24-6. Ouch. Double ouch. As my daughter Katie would cry as she gets taken down by an older child, “Ole man, ole man, ole man, ole man. Ole man, ole man, ole man, ole man…..[and on she would go until she was rescued].” But wait…it gets better. The Broncos, like the Ravens, are coming off their bye week. Fair enough – two teams who have had a chance to get some much needed rest will be squaring off. But wait…we play the following week in Cincinnati – who will be coming off of their bye week. Ugh…that’s no good. So then we travel to Cleveland…who…coincidentally, will be coming off their bye week. Are you kidding me? So then all we have to do is play the Colts – who have complete and utter mental domination over us. So in effect, a team who didn’t get a bye last year is playing three consecutive games – two on the road – against teams coming off of their own respective bye weeks. The schedule is what it is…and I’m saying exactly what it is: unfortunate.  But no Ravens blog is complete without the obligatory “hey, we can still do this – the season’s far from over” diatribes. So here it goes… It’s tough not to feel confident about the Baltimore front office going out on a limb and choosing Joe Flacco in the first round after <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4597239">reading this article</a> (thanks to Jonny L. for the link). I mean, it’s easy to say that now – after witnessing what Joe Cool did last year and thus far this year – but Ravens management realized this two years ago and had to pull some strings to hop up to #18 in the first round and snag him.  And his second year compatriot, Ray Rice, leads the AFC in all-purpose yards (766). "I don't want to be known as just a running back," Rice said Tuesday. "I want to be known as an all-purpose back." You are, Ray. Keep it up.  But alas, to quote Bill Parcells, “You are what you are.” But besides being 3-3, what...who...are the Ravens? Are we a team that runs the ball? A team that passes the ball? A team that can stop the run? The very foundation of a franchise that has developed so many telling traits and characteristics over the past decade has been called into question this year.   A team predicated on a bruising running game and impenetrable defense all of a sudden is taking the shape of a pass happy offense and porous defense. People in Baltimore are angry (what else is new)…but you have to wonder why, with three running backs that I would say match up just as well as any rotation in the entire league, we’re not pounding the ball…eating the clock…keeping opposing offenses off the field and, more importantly, keeping our notably vulnerable defense off the field???  Just like the last verse of Billy Joel’s “’Keeping the Faith” paralleled new coach John Harbaugh’s first year as head coach in 2008 (which I wrote about but can’t find the article for the life of me), the Ravens and their fans might find some hidden truths inside the Grateful Dead’s “New Speedway Boogie.” Interpret it how you will…there are subtle hints referencing the nay-sayers and arguments raging in this town, the Ravens attempt at finding an offensive identity, and those that hope there are better days ahead: <div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> Please don't dominate the rap, jack, if you've got nothing new to say. If you please, don't back up the track; this train's got to run today. I spent a little time on the mountain, I spent a little time on the hill. I heard someone say "Better run away", others say "better stand still".</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> Who can deny, who can deny, it's not just a change in style? One step done and another begun and I wonder how many miles.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> You can't overlook the lack, jack, of any other highway to ride. It's got no signs or dividing lines and very few rules to guide.</div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"> One way or another, one way or another, One way or another, this darkness got to give.</div> </div> 98.218.13.164

2009-10-28T21:40:16-04:00

bye-week-blues-a-new-speedway-boogie

Yes 98.218.13.164, 66.249.68.248, 69.63.178.247, 66.249.68.165, 72.205.21.185, 75.101.181.32, 200.126.226.16, 76.97.188.228, 123.125.66.112, 66.249.67.136, 174.36.228.154, 72.30.78.232, 65.222.217.211, 74.12.46.26, 123.125.66.42, 173.54.224.244, 67.195.115.163, 67.195.113.245, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.68.245, 67.195.37.95, 216.129.119.14, 208.43.229.66, 67.218.116.131, 68.49.119.83, 174.129.87.184, 66.249.68.218, 66.249.67.245, 119.63.199.8, 66.249.68.67, 66.249.68.162, 67.195.111.246, 64.13.159.88, 89.253.70.223, 75.73.161.98, 66.249.68.227, 174.129.81.149, 66.249.67.202, 205.128.224.6, 198.180.131.16, 216.129.119.12, 174.127.132.10, 66.249.68.179, 66.235.124.54, 218.26.170.84, 38.105.83.13, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.67.174, 216.129.119.43, 67.218.116.166, 67.218.116.164, 67.195.37.186, 65.55.37.186, 123.125.66.113, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 216.129.119.41, 216.129.119.44, 67.218.116.133, 67.195.115.85, 67.195.37.172, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.207.119, 206.83.86.2, 218.28.29.234, 173.212.195.148, 67.195.110.158, 92.241.182.24, 65.55.207.131, 195.128.18.18, 84.243.201.167, 70.50.189.162, 66.249.68.230, 123.125.66.103, 163.1.5.150, 66.249.68.209, 66.249.68.172, 66.249.68.85, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 65.55.106.135, 65.55.207.46, 71.181.32.73, 217.14.6.210, 67.195.111.172, 38.105.83.11, 72.14.164.162, 66.249.68.91, 142.166.3.122, 70.84.239.90, 65.55.106.111, 87.250.252.241, 212.227.136.205, 65.55.106.159, 218.28.29.236, 66.249.68.139, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 65.55.207.52, 85.25.124.167, 195.210.57.83, 66.249.68.233, 123.125.66.35, 65.55.207.72, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 66.249.68.137, 65.55.110.119, 94.75.231.12, 65.55.107.181, 96.244.16.116, 66.249.65.79, 38.113.234.181, 195.42.102.25, 67.195.115.42, 67.195.114.42, 38.100.8.50, 24.12.144.247, 69.181.57.245, 194.80.32.10, 123.125.66.79, 67.195.111.47, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.37.188, 66.249.68.212, 65.55.207.125, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.207.74, 142.166.170.103, 95.24.222.183, 65.55.106.203, 67.16.94.2, 123.125.66.83, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.113.225, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.68.43, 208.115.111.249

Bye week blues: A New Speedway Boogie

No Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, The Grateful Dead, New Speedway Boogie, Billy Joel, Baltimore Ravens

Bye week blues: A New Speedway Boogie

writer

article

2009-10-22T12:14:00-04:00

Playerpress

136 5751 Despite the fact that I spent 45 minutes writing a very profound article on Monday night, linking a myriad of quotes and sites to the various points I was trying to prove, I ended up inadvertently erasing everything prior to publishing it...which caused quite a stir in the Delaney household considering I started punching my couch screaming "No, No, No."  Mind you, on a Monday night...my mother-in-law stays with us.  I'm sure it was rather jarring.And here we are on a Thursday night now...and I feel like I can only conjure up 64% of the solid gold writing I was cranking out on Monday.  However, I am watching "The Beast Of Bray Road" on Chill Network...which, for the Halloween season, is great tv viewing.  The werewolf has already mauled a gentleman's innards and been shot by the man's wife.  Gotta love the end of October.  <div>Sticking with the horror theme topic, the Ravens' season has been a lot like the Big Bad Wolf, the Loch Ness Monster, Alpengeist, the Hurler, the Tidalwave...that is to say, like a roller coaster.  As I wrote so poignantly on Monday night, we need to review the up’s and down’s of the season --- but we can’t overlook what I try to illustrate in this space when rubber hits the road: cold hard facts.</div> <div> </div> <div>The secondary is horrendous. The league knows it and it has been exploited to no end. Cornerback Dominique Foxworth was given starter’s money to play like a back-up; Fabian Washington was freakin’ BENCHED last week for getting picked in the end zone. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the first time in Washington’s football career (high school, college, and pros) that an offense ran a play to pick off a cornerback. He even admitted that he should have been benched. Unfortunately, Washington’s woes give way to Frank Walker..and we all know where that’s headed: 39 yards downfield for the opposing team after some sort of passing interference penalty. It pains me to have to describe the level of play of Dawan Landry. The man misses more tackles than any Ravens player I’ve ever seen. I understand he’s coming back from a spinal cord contusion; but if he can’t perform, he needs to vamos. Sit…adios…aloha…fare thee well….toot-a-loo…bon voyage…bye bye…see ya…). (Just like the dumb blonde doesn’t realize that the werewolf is about to eat her face off outside the car, the Ravens defense needs to wake up and smell the awful creature that lies beneath. Aka. Bad defense). Recognize your shortcomings and do whatever you can to compensate. </div> <div> </div> <div>And so we’ve reached a low point on the roller coaster ride. Let’s hang in for the upswing…</div> <div>We’re 3-3. In reality, we could be 6-0. Don’t discount that. You only need to look at our next opponent, the Broncos, to see that theory in full effect. They win on a fluke play in week one, beat the Pats in OT, and get two special teams TD’s from Eddie Royal in San Diego. The media is disrobing for the Broncos and they are giving the Ravens the cold shoulder because we’re losers of three straight. You know what? Maybe that’s warranted. But if the refs don’t protect Brady…if the defense has any backbone against the Bengals, and Hauschka makes that kick (or Frank Walker learns the rules of defense), we’re sitting a LOT prettier than 3-3. </div> <div> </div> <div>It’s worth mentioning from a big picture standpoint because every Ravens fan knows that the Steelers are getting better with every game.   Somehow, Roethlisberger is throwing for 400 yards under the radar, and Polamalou is getting healthy and is once again a force to be reckoned with…as much as it pains me to write such things…it’s a truth and a fact and the sooner we admit that, the sooner we can get on with the reality of our remaining schedule. And I haven’t even mentioned playing the Bengals in the Queen City yet. </div> <div>Re: the rest of the schedule: As David Putty said in response to Elaine’s admittance that she’s going to hell for stealing his Jesus fish, “It’s gonna be rough.” </div> <div> </div> <div>AND YET…we’re good enough to have been in every game that we’ve lost. We’re good enough to have won every game that we’ve lost. We’ve got a sophomore quarterback, from a Division I-AA school, no less, who is looking more and more like the guy we want calling plays for the next 15 years. The problem is that our defensive stalwarts need to step up. Maybe not Ray-Ray…the guy is working overtime given all of the hits his taken, bestowed, and the injuries he’s doled out, not to mention the careers he’s changed (Edward George, I’m looking in your direction)…but Terrell Suggs needs to start pressuring the opposing quarterback. It’s no secret that once we start getting pressure, the secondary won’t look QUITE as bad (although it will still get burned from time to time)…</div> <div> </div> <div>The Broncos look like they’ve been winning games with smoke and mirrors. They’ve got a quarterback that is much like Trent Dilfer of 2000: don’t lose the game for us. Mike Nolan has their defense prepared to play every week. Their receivers are good…not great…but Brandon Marshall – when focused – is one of the most unstoppable receivers in the game. The minute this week that I hear Anita Marks yearn/beckon/call/mention his name longingly as someone we should have pursued in the off-season, I will guarantee a nasty email to her…the likes of which I will post on this site as evidence. </div> <div> </div> <div>At this point in the night, the werewolf has eaten the boyfriend in the car (who was taking naked pics of his blonde bimbo) and is now feasting on the lower half of the blonde. Actually, she only has one leg now…and she just passed out. God speed, dumb blonde. I’d knock on wood for you…but I wouldn’t want to use up all of my knocks for the fourth quarter against the Broncos.  Which we are inevitably are going to need. </div> 76.97.188.228

2009-10-22T12:14:00-04:00

ravens-season-is-favre-from-over

Yes 98.218.13.164, 66.249.68.248, 69.63.178.250, 123.125.66.110, 72.205.21.185, 67.202.46.241, 67.228.11.210, 74.107.74.26, 174.36.241.158, 72.30.78.232, 76.97.188.228, 174.129.157.215, 174.129.107.161, 24.93.183.154, 66.249.67.136, 174.129.81.149, 83.149.199.55, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.47, 72.30.79.93, 123.125.66.20, 66.249.68.165, 216.251.219.128, 205.128.224.6, 71.248.118.99, 67.218.116.131, 216.129.119.11, 67.218.116.163, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 64.13.159.88, 67.195.111.246, 66.249.68.227, 216.129.119.43, 66.249.67.238, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.115.163, 67.218.116.132, 66.249.68.162, 67.218.116.164, 216.129.119.40, 216.129.119.44, 216.129.119.14, 218.26.170.84, 67.195.114.233, 74.107.120.168, 38.98.19.111, 67.195.112.109, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.37.99, 66.249.67.174, 123.125.66.44, 94.169.191.51, 65.55.207.126, 85.23.32.40, 66.235.124.57, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 67.195.37.172, 66.249.67.206, 67.195.112.159, 67.195.111.161, 66.249.65.199, 218.28.29.234, 173.212.195.148, 85.113.244.201, 65.55.207.99, 65.55.106.160, 66.249.65.200, 92.241.182.24, 123.125.66.35, 70.50.189.162, 67.195.110.158, 195.128.18.18, 77.88.50.36, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 71.181.32.73, 65.55.106.155, 38.105.83.11, 72.14.164.144, 142.166.3.122, 70.84.239.90, 65.55.106.131, 65.55.207.48, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 218.28.29.236, 66.249.68.233, 123.125.66.103, 93.174.93.104, 123.125.66.42, 195.210.57.83, 67.195.111.172, 85.25.124.4, 173.48.23.210, 85.25.124.167, 65.55.207.95, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 66.249.68.139, 123.125.66.66, 67.195.112.254, 67.195.114.42, 38.113.234.180, 67.195.115.42, 195.42.102.25, 65.55.107.237, 66.249.68.212, 67.164.62.245, 150.70.84.44, 67.195.111.47, 65.55.207.138, 64.13.159.83, 123.125.66.59, 38.99.96.252, 65.55.207.131, 91.205.175.4, 142.166.170.103, 67.195.112.114, 95.24.222.183, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.53, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 66.249.68.174, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.113.225, 66.249.68.66, 208.115.111.249, 67.195.115.214, 123.125.66.125, 207.46.204.197

Ravens season is Favre from over

No Baltimore Ravens, NFL

Ravens season is Favre from over

writer

article

2009-10-18T10:54:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

227 5677 First off, I want to thank everyone for their prayers, their concern, and the calls from my family and friends over the last couple of weeks. I’m doing pretty good now… getting stronger and looking forward to getting back in there.   <o:p></o:p> I got hurt on really what was one of our basic passing plays. I was driving a guy to the ground and Joe got hit and he and another guy came down on top of me and landed on the crown of my head. Immediately, numbness and a tingling shot through my right arm and I had some pain in my neck. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> A whole bunch went through my head; more than I can put down here. It was kind of scary. I was worried and started praying that I was going to be OK, that it was nothing real serious. My legs were OK, but I just had no feeling in my arm.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> We took an X-ray at the stadium and the spine looked OK. And when we were in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, I started to get the feeling back in my arm a little bit. I got to the hospital and we took X-rays and an MRI … I was only there for about five minutes when I knew everything was going to be OK and it was nothing real serious. My arm was just real weak. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> But as I said, I’m getting better and getting stronger. And again, I want to thank everyone for their prayers and their concern. Ravens fans have been great and I am glad you support me. I want to pay you back by getting back in there and giving you my best performance. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> We’ve had two tough losses in a row … two games we believed we should have won. But we have to learn from the games and turn around and give it 110 percent the next Sunday. The Vikings are a good team and we look forward to the challenge of playing them today. <o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> The thing about a loss is that you try and take something from it the same as you take something from a win. You learn from both. That’s how you become a great team.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle with the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for <a href="http://www.playerpress.com/">www.playerpress.com</a> runs at <a href="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/">www.jaredgaither71.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/jaredgaither">www.twitter.com/jaredgaither</a>.<o:p></o:p>  201.254.119.56

2009-10-18T10:54:00-04:00

i-m-ok

Yes 200.126.226.16, 66.249.68.248, 74.242.226.197, 72.44.61.86, 70.32.121.67, 75.101.139.76, 70.37.65.219, 38.99.68.206, 216.24.142.46, 216.24.142.47, 174.129.141.109, 208.74.66.60, 74.3.208.147, 174.129.93.37, 67.202.63.158, 174.129.111.78, 216.24.142.45, 71.251.175.136, 128.121.156.55, 64.233.172.6, 123.125.66.25, 76.97.188.228, 74.201.117.226, 38.104.134.114, 69.36.233.15, 216.39.58.18, 174.129.107.161, 66.249.67.136, 67.202.38.165, 174.37.205.76, 98.209.76.26, 83.149.199.55, 98.117.193.86, 72.30.142.117, 67.228.11.210, 128.241.112.231, 72.30.79.93, 67.83.175.188, 88.88.223.224, 216.27.72.70, 24.35.91.103, 24.148.22.125, 174.46.170.180, 96.246.113.122, 165.82.109.65, 117.195.160.179, 124.120.115.134, 94.70.45.192, 61.144.17.146, 190.102.209.159, 114.128.123.162, 125.24.44.38, 124.129.70.175, 112.142.151.213, 60.177.16.196, 218.250.23.140, 190.230.121.153, 69.138.72.95, 61.7.144.43, 124.122.36.158, 222.123.187.183, 125.24.2.115, 218.58.59.73, 121.63.112.212, 118.173.142.163, 118.174.12.25, 113.53.1.164, 69.63.178.247, 58.8.93.179, 24.35.44.24, 174.46.170.181, 218.28.29.234, 209.196.192.7, 69.248.176.108, 67.195.115.229, 201.254.103.22, 174.46.170.179, 67.202.15.176, 205.232.41.49, 72.30.78.232, 71.191.45.50, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.68.165, 66.58.229.219, 123.125.66.19, 67.218.116.131, 67.195.37.107, 66.96.220.69, 72.30.142.125, 96.10.10.100, 67.218.116.133, 216.129.119.14, 115.238.66.253, 65.55.105.221, 119.63.199.22, 216.129.119.13, 67.218.116.130, 67.195.115.163, 67.218.116.164, 216.129.119.41, 66.249.68.245, 64.13.159.88, 67.218.116.166, 67.218.116.134, 216.129.119.40, 66.249.68.227, 216.129.119.43, 67.218.116.162, 174.46.170.182, 89.253.70.223, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.111.246, 66.249.68.162, 205.128.224.6, 198.180.131.16, 218.26.170.84, 63.98.58.254, 38.105.83.13, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.242, 123.125.66.38, 67.195.37.186, 66.249.67.174, 69.58.178.31, 94.23.238.27, 65.55.106.111, 24.132.42.251, 66.249.68.200, 92.241.182.23, 94.169.191.51, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 65.55.106.204, 67.195.37.172, 212.117.187.100, 67.195.111.161, 65.55.106.183, 66.249.68.174, 195.113.214.214, 194.8.75.155, 173.212.195.148, 92.241.182.24, 123.125.66.115, 67.195.110.158, 70.50.189.162, 65.55.207.120, 195.128.18.18, 66.249.68.230, 66.249.68.172, 67.195.112.159, 77.88.50.36, 65.55.106.210, 95.108.157.251, 195.210.57.83, 38.105.83.11, 69.58.178.28, 38.99.98.16, 66.249.68.152, 72.14.164.173, 142.166.3.122, 65.55.207.51, 66.249.68.195, 70.84.239.90, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.111.172, 212.227.136.205, 218.28.29.236, 123.125.66.104, 123.125.66.29, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 74.96.114.137, 85.25.124.167, 66.249.68.139, 88.198.102.115, 87.230.79.240, 92.24.155.95, 65.55.108.243, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.143, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 66.249.65.79, 65.55.216.55, 123.125.66.78, 38.113.234.181, 65.55.106.137, 67.195.115.42, 195.42.102.25, 66.249.68.212, 67.195.111.47, 38.100.8.50, 67.160.195.160, 67.195.114.42, 71.185.243.119, 65.55.106.138, 64.13.159.83, 65.55.110.17, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.76, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 62.75.218.97, 65.55.107.238, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.107.182, 142.166.170.103, 38.99.97.65, 208.115.111.245, 95.24.222.183, 67.195.112.88, 67.16.94.2, 174.129.83.241, 67.195.113.225, 66.249.68.236, 67.195.113.247, 67.195.115.214, 66.249.68.37, 208.115.111.249, 207.46.204.186, 66.249.68.40, 123.125.66.61, 91.205.175.4

I'm OK

No Jared Gaither, Ravens, Baltimore, NFL

I'm OK

895

athlete

article

2009-10-15T19:57:00-04:00

Playerpress

161 5649 It really irks me that despite what the Ravens have said this week about not blaming the refs for their embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Cardiac Cats last Sunday, their comments REEKED of accusation.   Let's review some of the comments:   "I felt like I went around him and batted the ball down," cornerback Frank Walker said. "But we haven't watched film yet, so I could be inaccurate. I really didn't think he was going to throw the ball because he was covered."   Yes, Frank.  You did go around him...about a second too soon.  Which, in "pass-is-in-the-air" time is an eternity too early.  Especially when the defense -- self admittedly -- has a reputation of being smash mouth...has a bad boy image...doesn't understand why refs would be looking for them to be knocking the helmets off of <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2347665">"vulnerable" receivers </a> (go to the 1:10 minute mark - compliments of E-licious) jumping up to catch uncatchable passes.  Get my drift?  And Frank has a history of SPITTING into opponents' faces.  What doesn't make sense here?  If it walks like a duck, and it smells like a duck, and it covers opposing receivers like a duck, it's probably Frank Walker.  Or Chris Carr.  Or Dominique Foxworth.  Case closed.  Don't even mention Ed Reed.  As the RRRF (Rock Ridge Raven Fan) says...and I agree...Reed is playing more hurt than he'll ever let on.  Probably because he knows how awfully terrible his surrounding cast is, and he has no choice.   Another comment that reeks of blame:  ""It really [stinks] to get penalized for playing physical football like that," defensive end-linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "I'm not sure if Ray hit him in the head. I'm not sure Chris Carr did illegal touching. I'm not sure if Frank Walker did illegal touching. In a game that close, I think it has to be 'Hands down, I got to call that.' "  Guess what?  Ray hit him in the head, Terrell.  That's why his helmet flew off.  And who says, "...did illegal touching?"  Suggs makes it out to sound like Chris Carr is a registered sex offender.    I think the only Ravens defender who manned up to the putrid stench of that last Bengals drive was linebacker Jarret Johnson.  "You're going to have penalties," Johnson said. "What bothers me is the way we played against the run and the way we let the ball get downfield. The way we played against that run, I take that really personal. That's something we got to fix."  In other words, 'If we're going to committ ridiculously stupid infactions, we better be ahead by 20 points so it doesn't freakin' matter.'   Okay, enough about the secondary.  That was harsh.  Look at it from Cincinnati's perspective:    They shut down our wide receivers.  Bracketed them...cut off the deep ball...not even a scent of a passing game.  It looked bad that we checked down so often to Ray Rice, but we had no choice.  Go back and watch the game and look how many times Joe Flacco's first reads were downfield and how many times he frustratedly (that's right...frustratedly) dumped it off.  The Bengals game ball went to defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and the team rallied around him.  Despite how you may think our team played...had that been the Ravens rallying around Greg Mattison after his wife just died unexpectedly, you could almost guarantee four sacks, three picks, one of which is a pick-six...or something like that.  In other words, give them some credit.  And some empathy.  Zimmer and his family need it.    With that being said, let's focus on the two minutes of decent football we played:   Ray Rice's catch for what looked like a paltry three yard gain (not to mention a pummeling by three Cincinnati defenders) turned into one of the most electric touchdowns of the young season.  It was awesome.  It was further evidence that Rice is ready to live up to the hype bestowed upon him by all of the national media before the season.  Speaking of which - damn the national media putting us #1 in the power rankings a few weeks ago.  I bet they didn't knock on wood after they did that and it SCREWED us.  Let that be a lesson to all of ye Ravens fans...for the love of GOD knock on wood when the game is close and you elicit a positive comment in the fourth quarter!!    And we'll finish this portion off with Ed "Nerve Impingement" Reed's interception for a touchdown that put the Ravens ahead in the early going.  It's unfathomable that it was his 13th......13th!!!!!!!!!!!!!...career defensive touchdown.  Utterly amazing.   Annnnnd...we're done talking about the good part.    Personally, it wasn't the most enjoyable trip on Monday morning's 9:40am Southwest flight to Louisville, KY, to meet with a new client.  In case you don't know your Kentucky geography, the closest major NFL city is Cincinnati.  And we took the client out to dinner at a bar in the area equivalent to Baltimore's Power Plant Live on Monday night.  And Monday Night Countdown played in high definition at the bar in direct view of our table.  And the Bengal's tiger stripe flashed incessantly on the screen.  Ach!   With the past once again behind us (isn't the past ALWAYS behind us???), we're off to the twin cities to face an undefeated Minnesota Vikings team on Sunday.  Which, by some sort of scheduling gaffe, is the only stadium in the NFL in which the Ravens have yet to play in franchise history.  Unbelievably (at least to me), a LOT of local and national "experts" are picking the Ravens to win.  These are probably the same folks that predicted the Ravens to win last weekend by an average score of something like 32-10.  And yes, I was the one who said, "Um...it ain't gonna be that easy."  (From last week's post: "In the end, as my displaced California friend put it today - this game [against the Patriots] will hopefully only make them stronger.  We will certainly get a chance to see how they respond next week against the Cincinnati Bengals - who are not-so-surprisingly (at least to me) a relevant team again and tied with Baltimore for the AFC North lead.")    Irrelevent right now.  Harbaugh has preached and maintained a focused team from day one of his tenure in Baltimore.  As evidenced by benching McGahee and cutting McAlister last year - two very unfocused players at the time.    And as he will say to the team this week and as I will continue to reiterate in this space from week to week throughout the season - the ultimate objective is to go 1-0 this week.  Apparently, Brett Favre has <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-10-15/favre-lewis-share-respect-admiration">great respect for Ray Lewis</a>.  Let's hope the Ravens secondary has great respect for Favre and his bevy of receivers.  You know they're going to be set on stopping running back Adrian Peterson - just as the Packers were.  However, the Packers lost because Favre sliced and diced them on a national stage.    The Ravens' defense needs to play within the rules of the game.  They need to play clean, hard, football.  Anything less and, despite the lobster and filet, it's going to be a rough flight home to an uncharmed city on Sunday night.  76.97.188.228

2009-10-15T19:57:00-04:00

bungled-in-baltimore

Yes 76.97.188.228, 174.129.155.45, 174.129.111.78, 72.30.142.117, 67.195.112.118, 205.128.224.6, 66.249.68.248, 206.53.153.120, 71.246.79.163, 156.80.10.181, 12.28.187.13, 166.137.4.27, 204.85.194.205, 12.69.19.134, 67.228.11.210, 96.244.151.148, 173.67.8.81, 128.241.112.231, 68.28.169.232, 38.98.19.111, 98.218.13.164, 200.126.226.16, 68.25.17.226, 69.63.178.249, 68.49.119.83, 71.55.93.110, 66.249.67.136, 72.71.170.197, 69.250.186.255, 206.53.147.35, 119.63.199.47, 67.180.253.173, 166.137.5.30, 98.204.154.179, 63.70.138.182, 72.30.79.93, 209.183.246.81, 65.55.105.214, 12.189.199.68, 174.46.170.179, 123.125.66.52, 216.129.119.11, 66.249.68.165, 119.63.199.57, 67.218.116.131, 65.55.108.241, 78.33.237.147, 66.249.68.245, 72.30.142.125, 216.129.119.41, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.67.238, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.111.246, 66.249.68.162, 68.236.242.82, 216.129.119.14, 125.16.65.6, 91.181.100.220, 67.195.113.245, 218.26.170.84, 67.195.112.109, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.37.186, 123.125.66.44, 193.1.88.12, 65.55.106.134, 92.241.182.25, 65.55.106.182, 65.55.207.52, 85.25.124.132, 66.249.67.81, 67.195.111.161, 67.195.112.159, 94.23.238.27, 66.232.97.32, 218.28.29.234, 173.212.195.148, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 92.241.182.24, 67.195.110.158, 65.55.108.242, 123.125.66.102, 70.50.189.162, 195.128.18.18, 66.249.68.230, 65.55.207.117, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 71.181.32.73, 204.12.248.194, 38.105.83.11, 38.99.98.16, 72.14.164.147, 142.166.3.122, 70.84.239.90, 87.250.252.241, 212.227.136.205, 218.28.29.236, 123.125.66.46, 123.125.66.50, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.106.234, 85.25.124.4, 173.48.23.210, 85.25.124.167, 67.195.111.172, 66.150.224.245, 66.249.68.143, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 207.241.228.152, 123.125.66.127, 67.195.114.243, 66.249.68.139, 38.113.234.181, 67.195.115.42, 195.42.102.25, 209.191.123.35, 65.55.106.108, 67.195.114.42, 65.55.207.28, 24.159.26.56, 71.252.171.54, 98.215.41.171, 194.80.32.11, 67.195.111.47, 65.55.109.192, 65.55.104.62, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.124, 65.55.107.217, 65.55.106.160, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 65.55.207.95, 142.166.170.103, 67.195.37.188, 91.205.175.4, 95.24.222.183, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 67.195.115.214, 208.115.111.245, 67.195.113.225, 207.46.204.189, 66.249.68.81, 66.249.68.174, 208.115.111.249, 66.249.67.43, 67.195.113.247

Bungled in Baltimore

No Ravens, Harbaugh, Brett Favre, Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, Terrell Suggs

Bungled in Baltimore

writer

article

2009-10-12T00:05:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

185 5570  This week, the Bengals battled in Baltimore for the top spot in the North.  The Steelers paid a visit to the lowly Lions and the Browns sought after their first win in Buffalo.    Cincinnati Bengals 17 Baltimore Ravens 14     By this part of the season, some surprise teams are beginning to show that they are for real.  For the third week in a row, the Bengals came from behind, this time to beat the Ravens in Baltimore.  Cincinnati has now completed the first half of divisional play, winning all three games.  Carson Palmer completed 18 of 31 for 271 yards and orchestrated the fourth quarter comeback.  Another impressive performance came from Cedric Benson, who rushed for 120 yards.  It was the first time this season that the Ravens allowed a runner to gain more than 100 yards.  Meanwhile, the defense held the Ravens to 82 yards on the ground.  Baltimore began the season 3-0, but now they have lost two games in a row.  They will try to get back on track next week, but they have to go on the road to face the undefeated Vikings.  The Bengals host Houston next week.     Pittsburgh Steelers 28 Detroit Lions 20     The Steelers won for the second week in a row and improved their record above .500 for the first time since the first week of the season.   QB Ben Roethlisberger completed 23 of 30 passes for 277 yards, including 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.  The Steelers were very efficient in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on all 3 trips into the red zone.  They have scored touchdown on 8 consecutive red zone trips.  Both teams play games in their own division next week, the Lions go to Green Bay while the Steelers host the Browns.     Cleveland Browns 6 Buffalo Bills 3     With all of the excitement in the MLB playoffs, who does not enjoy a good pitcher's duel?  Sometimes, a low scoring game is the result of a strong defensive effort.  Other times, it just exposes two really bad teams.  Still, the Browns were able to come away with their first win.  It was the second consecutive week where the Bills lost to a previously winless team.  Cleveland's QB Derek Anderson completed 2 of 17 passes.  I think it is safe to say that most of the owners in the Playerpress fantasy league could find a QB that could complete more than 2 passes.  The Browns take their one game winning streak into Pittsburgh, while the Bills travel to New Jersey to face the Jets.     Coming up next week...     The Ravens have a difficult task in going to face Brett Favre and the undefeated Vikings in Minnesota.  Cincinnati will try to hold on to the top spot in the division as they host the Houston Texans.  Cleveland and Pittsburgh play a divisional game.   76.97.188.228

2009-10-12T00:05:00-04:00

afc-north-week-5-review

Yes 218.241.174.166, 123.125.156.135, 209.59.96.122, 220.181.53.226, 66.249.68.248, 68.71.33.85, 174.46.170.180, 72.30.79.93, 65.55.105.221, 174.46.170.179, 24.3.190.170, 216.129.119.11, 123.125.156.130, 66.249.68.231, 216.129.119.44, 119.63.199.41, 74.6.8.115, 66.249.68.165, 67.218.116.133, 203.198.129.106, 209.249.53.69, 65.55.108.242, 72.30.78.232, 65.55.105.217, 209.249.53.71, 61.145.121.124, 209.47.251.243, 67.195.111.246, 65.55.207.100, 119.63.199.46, 66.249.68.218, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 67.195.113.245, 123.125.66.32, 66.249.68.227, 114.127.246.36, 66.249.67.238, 89.253.70.223, 190.102.206.48, 66.249.68.162, 67.195.115.163, 216.129.119.14, 218.26.170.84, 218.25.99.135, 38.105.83.13, 195.210.57.83, 210.21.63.141, 66.249.68.209, 66.249.67.174, 210.51.10.197, 66.249.68.242, 69.58.178.31, 200.177.228.4, 67.195.37.186, 189.8.36.90, 202.44.4.85, 24.132.42.251, 94.169.191.51, 67.218.116.131, 66.235.124.8, 38.108.180.81, 66.249.68.200, 92.241.182.25, 67.195.114.222, 85.25.124.132, 123.125.66.54, 120.28.64.77, 94.23.238.27, 65.55.106.235, 218.28.29.234, 173.212.195.148, 65.55.106.109, 65.55.207.30, 66.249.65.199, 66.249.65.200, 92.241.182.24, 67.195.110.158, 65.55.108.243, 195.128.18.18, 123.138.18.114, 70.50.189.162, 217.25.26.215, 92.241.182.23, 95.108.157.251, 123.125.66.24, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.139, 38.99.98.16, 72.14.164.156, 142.166.3.122, 67.195.111.172, 70.84.239.90, 66.249.68.195, 66.249.68.233, 212.227.136.205, 87.250.252.241, 67.195.112.159, 218.28.29.236, 85.25.124.4, 85.25.124.167, 123.125.66.45, 65.55.207.27, 66.249.68.143, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 67.195.112.254, 38.113.234.180, 38.99.97.33, 38.101.148.126, 67.195.115.42, 195.42.102.25, 66.249.68.212, 173.74.46.80, 71.96.9.209, 76.194.239.174, 67.195.111.47, 123.125.66.58, 65.55.106.209, 64.13.159.83, 65.55.207.51, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 67.195.37.188, 62.75.218.97, 67.195.112.114, 95.24.222.183, 38.100.8.50, 65.55.218.159, 67.195.115.214, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.67.78, 66.249.68.37, 208.115.111.249, 66.249.68.8, 208.115.111.245

AFC North Week 5 Review

No Browns, Bengals, Ravens, Steelers

AFC North Week 5 Review

793

writer

article

-1

2009-09-29T13:06:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

166 5379  Week 3 in the AFC North provided divisional play all around. The Steelers went to Cincinnati and the Ravens played the Browns.  One game was very close and included a fourth quarter comeback and the other was a complete blowout.     Cincinnati Bengals 23 Pittsburgh Steelers 20     Maybe all that time in the preseason on HBO taught the Bengals a thing or two about drama.  Or maybe the reality series <a href="http://www.playerpress.com/teams/bengals/hard-knocks-no-5-final-cuts">Hard Knocks</a> (Eric Ball article) showed them not to follow the script.  The script probably would have called for the Bengals to roll over.  They were trailing 13-3 at the half, and 20-9 early in the fourth when Cincinnati  missed a field goal.  Pittsburgh had won 6 in a row against the Bengals and another win in Cincinnati seemed probable.  But quarterback Carson Palmer orchestrated two fourth quarter touchdown drives.  The two point conversion failed on the first, which would have made it possible to tie with a field goal.  But the two point conversion on the second TD led to the 23-20 final.     For the Steelers, it continues to be a struggle after the Superbowl continues.  Most Superbowl champions do not repeat, and even the runner-ups usually do not return.  Perhaps the Arizona Cardinals at 1-2 are also feeling it.  There is a target on the back for the champions of each league.  Pittsburgh hosted the opening night festivities, and beat the Titans in the opener.  But losses to the Bears and Bengals leave them at 1-2.     Baltimore Ravens 34 Cleveland Browns 3   The other divisional game placed the undefeated Ravens against the winless Browns.  The line before the game was nearly two touchdowns, and Baltimore covered that easily.  Quarterback Joe Flacco completed 25 of 35 attempts for 342 yards and a touchdown.  His counterpart for Cleveland, Derek Anderson threw three interceptions.     Coming up in week 4... The 3-0 Ravens are one of 7 undefeated teams in the NFL.  They travel to New England to take on the Patriots.  The Bengals play the Browns in a divisional game, and the Steelers hope to get back on track when they host the Chargers. 76.97.188.228

2009-09-29T13:06:00-04:00

afc-north-week-3-review

Yes 66.249.68.248, 123.125.156.133, 220.181.53.230, 114.127.246.36, 72.30.142.117, 202.188.222.2, 123.125.156.132, 174.46.170.179, 222.124.212.196, 205.216.16.70, 66.249.68.165, 72.30.142.125, 203.147.4.68, 123.125.66.108, 67.218.116.131, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.245, 210.51.10.197, 67.195.113.245, 66.235.124.8, 212.138.69.18, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.68.162, 67.195.111.246, 218.26.170.84, 38.105.83.13, 200.44.112.147, 187.4.65.30, 66.249.68.200, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.115.179, 67.195.37.186, 24.132.42.251, 123.125.66.111, 221.215.1.224, 94.169.191.51, 71.238.254.92, 110.8.253.100, 92.241.182.25, 67.195.114.222, 221.238.17.245, 85.25.124.132, 65.55.106.227, 118.175.22.69, 66.249.68.235, 208.96.213.149, 123.138.18.114, 213.135.96.34, 208.115.111.248, 120.28.64.77, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.111.161, 94.23.238.27, 218.28.29.234, 77.88.51.29, 65.55.106.159, 200.177.228.4, 124.107.85.117, 92.241.182.24, 211.162.208.50, 120.28.64.85, 208.115.111.246, 67.208.234.6, 70.50.189.162, 67.195.110.158, 195.128.18.18, 123.125.66.44, 66.249.68.230, 66.249.68.172, 92.241.182.23, 95.108.157.251, 38.105.83.11, 72.14.164.159, 142.166.3.122, 70.84.239.90, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.209, 212.227.136.205, 66.249.68.233, 218.28.29.236, 85.25.124.4, 72.30.142.241, 85.25.124.167, 123.125.66.49, 66.249.68.219, 174.133.177.66, 66.249.68.139, 66.249.68.143, 195.113.214.214, 208.115.111.249, 65.55.207.95, 208.115.111.245, 38.113.234.181, 195.42.102.25, 67.195.111.47, 64.13.159.83, 62.75.218.97, 129.234.193.111, 67.195.112.114, 66.249.68.212, 95.24.222.183, 38.100.8.50, 91.205.175.4, 67.195.113.225

AFC North Week 3 Review

No Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns

-1

AFC North Week 3 Review

793

writer

article

2009-09-21T21:07:00-04:00

Playerpress

292 5264 With time winding down on a blistering day in San Diego, where a non-capacity crowd of 66,000 suffered through 100 degree heat and other fans who didn't go to the game were probably out jogging...or is it "yogging," - it might be a soft "j," the Chargers -- who had torched the Ravens secondary for 436 yards -- had one final opportunity to get a first down and eke out a win.  Up until that point in the game, San Diego wide receivers had used the smaller Baltimore cornerbacks like Shaq would would use Brendan Haywood...that is to say...they had been making them look silly all day.  Vincent Jackson, ye of 6'5" stature, had smoked the Ravens for 141 yards and a score.  It was fourth down and two yards to go, surely, the Chargers were going to pass.   And then something happened that made Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis' eyes explode like the lights at the end of The Natural.  He saw Darren Sproles, ye of only 5'6" stature, in an eerily familiar offensive set.  He could barely contain his excitement as he crept and lurched toward the line of scrimmage.  Ray summarized the outcome brilliantly: "When the game was on the line, as soon as Philip dropped down, I shot and he was there. He was there, man."   For thirteen-plus years he's been making plays of that caliber...day in and day out.  In a highly anticipated matchup on Sunday, he just happened to make the play when it mattered the most.  His desire, his intensity, and his preparation (see: film study) might be unparalleled in NFL history.  He's not the best linebacker of our generation by happenstance.  The man is a preacher and football is his religion.    The game, apart from that last play, was otherwise so entertaining and so telling on several different levels.  Some bad, more good, and it is OH SO NICE to be sitting at 2-0 after a cross-country road game that, when you consider the remaining schedule, we had to win.   -- We know, as I've said before, that we have depth at cornerback, but we don't have two bon a fide starters.  Or, as has been argued recently, we don't possess a shut down corner.  I think we can all agree that the Ravens don't have very tall corners.    -- Philip Rivers passes for over 400 yards.  Yawn.  He had to heave the ball all over the place: the Chargers offensive line was being held together by duct tape; they were gashed by injuries (although popular opinion in and around Charm City indicates that LaDanian Tomlinson playing would have actually benefited the Ravens...I tend to agree); they couldn't run the ball (Sproles rushed 10 times for 26 yards); and they would have had to fire Norv Tuner in mid-game if their game plan didn't include the phrase "Exploit the height advantage!"  Not to mention the fact that they have a pretty darn good quarterback at the helm to begin with.   Rifling the ball all over the field was THE only way they were going to win.   -- "Bend don't break" actually worked!!!  A buddy of mine recently quipped "The only thing the prevent defense does is prevent the [defensive] team from winning the game!"  And in reality, it's a reasonable argument - what good is protecting against the big play when you just let the offensive team march down the field in several smaller plays and eventually score anyway?  But not on Sunday, baby.  Time and time again the Chargers entered the red zone against the Baltimore defense -- and three of those times in the first half they were within the five yard line -- and they came away with field goals at best.  San Diego ran 13 plays within the Baltimore 20 yard line, and the combined outcome of those plays netted the Rivers Aerial Show minus-2 yards.    -- So far, Baltimore's offense looks Bo Jackson-in-Techmo Bowl unstoppable.  I know, I know, I have already upon wood knocked, and there is still room for improvement (you've got to catch that ball, Mark Clayton!), but our running game is operating full steam ahead and our passing game is not far behind.  Flacco wasn't off the charts like he was in week one, but he was an efficient 17-26 for 190 and two touchdowns.  He's spreading the ball around, and he's taking what the defense is giving.  Our running backs are catching the ball well out of the back field, Todd Heap is relevant again...and let's not forget that Flacco isn't throwing to Wes Welker and Randy Moss.  Temper the expectations here.    But I can't NOT be excited, dammit!  This is the first true offense we've had since I started liking football (granted that's been all of 10 years, so I'm a relative novice), and it's unbelievably refreshing to see the defense suffer a quick strike score against them in the opening minutes (the 81 yard catch and scamper by Sproles), and then come right back down the field and retaliate.  I used to think, "Okay, we've got to find some way of scoring again.  Maybe special teams...maybe an Ed Reed pick six...something!"  Now I'm starting to think, "We have a competent offense.  Unless we screw up...we're going to put up some points eventually."  Yes, the offense has arrived.    -- There's no real reason to worry about the defense.  It's funny to even type that..."...no real reason to worry about the defense."  For 10 years we've been associating "worry" with "offense,"  and Baltimore fans have met the unfortunate circumstance (sarcasm!!) of actually complaining about the defense!  Shame on you, talk radio callers!  SPOILED we are!    The fact of the matter is - we do go up against numerous good to great quarterbacks this year: the Steelers (twice), Pats, Packers, Vikings, Bears, Colts, Bengals (twice) all have above average quarterbacks.  Do we need to get more pressure up front?  Yes...absolutely.  Everything starts with that; because once we get pressure, the secondary is going to look that much better.  Ed Reed will be able to start hawking around for the tipped passes, the floaters, the ducks.  Against San Diego he was trying to pick up the slack for everyone else.  As Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding once explained the geological reasoning behind Andy Dufrain's ability to escape from Shawshank Prison: "That's all it takes really...pressure, and time."  Give Greg Mattison and our defensive line some time....they'll eventually bring the pressure.    And I really don't make a habit of betting against anyone playing on Ray Lewis' side of the ball.  They guy is a football hero...   "The hero always makes a play in the end," linebacker <a href="/topic/sports/brendon-ayanbadejo-PESPT000301.topic" title="Brendon Ayanbadejo" class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT000301">Brendon Ayanbadejo</a> said. "Who did you expect it would be?"   More of the LOVELY quotes from today's Sun article: "That is a team that knows how to win football games at the end. I guess Ray Lewis knows a little more," coach John Harbaugh said. "He made the greatest play I've ever seen." Defensive end <a href="/topic/sports/football/trevor-pryce-PESPT005988.topic" title="Trevor Pryce" class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT005988">Trevor Pryce</a> couldn't think of a bigger play that he has witnessed in his 13-year career. "I played with <a href="/topic/arts-culture/john-elway-PEHST000623.topic" title="John Elway" class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PEHST000623">John Elway</a> and <a href="/topic/sports/terrell-davis-PESPT001707.topic" title="Terrell Davis" class="taxInlineTagLink" id="PESPT001707">Terrell Davis</a>, and that's up there with anything I've seen them do," Pryce said. "Just the magnitude of the play. It's fourth down-and-game to go. It's the kind of stuff that you write in 'Remember the Titans.' It doesn't happen in real life. But today it did. It couldn't have happened to anybody else but him." 76.97.188.228

2009-09-21T21:07:00-04:00

ray-lewis-plays-like-a-raven

Yes 66.249.68.248, 65.55.106.158, 173.73.78.129, 72.30.79.93, 174.46.170.179, 174.46.170.181, 72.30.78.232, 59.36.98.10, 66.249.68.165, 123.125.66.27, 72.30.142.125, 70.118.220.48, 66.249.65.51, 65.55.105.229, 67.152.240.2, 67.202.34.153, 66.235.124.56, 216.15.53.42, 65.55.207.133, 67.195.113.245, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 65.55.51.70, 65.55.106.182, 66.249.68.123, 66.249.68.227, 76.252.40.197, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.68.162, 151.151.21.104, 38.98.19.111, 198.180.131.16, 174.46.170.185, 65.55.51.111, 65.55.207.119, 67.195.111.246, 218.26.170.84, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.202, 66.249.67.174, 66.249.68.242, 123.125.66.36, 67.195.115.179, 65.55.207.48, 67.195.112.109, 66.249.68.182, 94.169.191.51, 67.218.116.131, 71.238.254.92, 65.55.106.159, 38.108.180.81, 66.249.68.200, 188.92.75.82, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 67.195.37.186, 208.115.111.248, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.112.159, 67.195.111.161, 218.28.29.234, 65.55.106.234, 92.241.182.24, 123.125.66.35, 208.115.111.246, 70.50.189.162, 65.55.107.179, 195.128.18.18, 66.249.68.230, 67.195.110.158, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 38.105.83.11, 88.146.126.140, 66.249.68.139, 72.14.164.185, 70.84.239.90, 65.55.104.20, 218.28.29.236, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.107.230, 123.125.66.29, 123.125.66.103, 67.195.111.172, 65.55.109.26, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 65.55.207.138, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 208.115.111.249, 66.249.65.79, 208.115.111.245, 207.241.228.152, 123.125.66.97, 38.99.97.33, 38.101.148.126, 195.42.102.25, 65.55.207.123, 209.191.123.35, 216.129.119.14, 38.100.8.50, 75.121.73.38, 68.112.149.131, 67.195.111.47, 24.98.254.92, 24.151.86.248, 67.195.112.114, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.207.118, 123.125.66.84, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 65.55.218.160, 67.195.114.230, 129.234.193.111, 95.24.222.183, 77.88.50.37, 67.16.94.2, 67.195.113.225, 65.55.109.192, 207.46.199.15, 91.205.175.4, 207.46.195.225, 66.249.68.174, 66.249.68.66, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.113.247, 123.125.66.71

Ray Lewis Plays Like A Raven

No Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Ray Lewis, Philip Rivers, Todd Heap

Ray Lewis Plays Like A Raven

writer

article

2009-09-15T15:10:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

432 5158 It was a great start to what I believe is going to be a great season. We got a win and everybody came out healthy, so that’s definitely a positive. <div> </div><o:p> </o:p> It was an interesting game. We knew at 24-24 what we had to do … we had to go down the field and score and that’s what we did. Starting the season by winning a close game like that is a great experience. When you win a blowout, it improves your confidence. But when you play in a tight game where you score in the last five minutes to win, it improves your confidence even more. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Now we get a day off to rest up and take care of the body.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Next up, it’s the Chargers. Shawne Merriman. He’s a Terp and he’s doing pretty well with the Chargers. They run a 3-4 so I’ll be seeing him most of the time. It’s great going up against a player like that. On a lot of the teams, the defensive ends are the best players on the defense … the best players on the team … sometimes even the best players in the league. You know you are going to have to compete at a high level when you go up against a player the caliber of the D-ends in this league. It gives you something to look forward to. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> The Chargers are a real good team and we are already focused on them. I hear people saying that it’s a big game, but every game is a big game. You can’t worry about what it means to the AFC standings or anything like that. You can’t get that far ahead of yourself. You just have to go out and play your game.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> We have a slogan on the Ravens: WIN. That stands for What’s Important Now. Right now, for us, the Chargers are What’s Important Now. Not 15 games down the road.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle with the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for <a href="http://www.playerpress.com/">www.playerpress.com</a> runs at <a href="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/">www.jaredgaither71.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter @jaredgaither.<o:p></o:p>  201.254.118.25

2009-09-15T15:10:00-04:00

win-whats-important-now

Yes 66.249.68.248, 71.255.216.239, 66.249.67.136, 213.180.209.10, 65.55.106.110, 174.46.170.180, 174.46.170.179, 142.51.217.156, 66.249.68.165, 66.235.124.59, 123.125.66.31, 222.231.42.192, 66.96.220.69, 222.231.42.189, 65.55.106.107, 115.238.66.253, 75.71.89.113, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 66.249.68.218, 67.195.115.163, 216.104.15.138, 67.195.113.245, 71.116.42.218, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.68.162, 205.128.224.6, 67.195.112.168, 174.46.170.185, 76.110.47.117, 218.26.170.84, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.209, 65.55.207.100, 116.125.140.9, 123.125.66.54, 195.39.210.202, 66.249.68.200, 64.6.225.4, 67.195.37.186, 124.115.0.16, 67.218.116.131, 66.249.68.242, 71.238.254.92, 195.206.96.13, 195.148.124.67, 76.73.13.206, 67.195.112.109, 71.237.236.165, 38.108.180.81, 188.92.75.82, 92.241.182.25, 85.25.124.132, 66.249.68.174, 67.195.37.172, 67.214.21.168, 208.115.111.248, 123.125.66.51, 67.195.111.161, 89.253.70.223, 218.28.29.234, 66.249.65.199, 222.231.42.196, 124.115.0.157, 92.241.182.24, 208.115.111.246, 123.125.66.24, 67.195.111.172, 67.195.110.158, 70.50.189.162, 195.128.18.18, 91.205.174.49, 95.108.157.251, 67.195.114.248, 66.249.68.172, 92.241.182.23, 163.1.5.153, 65.55.207.22, 38.105.83.11, 65.55.106.133, 72.14.164.156, 70.84.239.90, 222.231.42.184, 67.195.112.159, 87.250.252.241, 218.28.29.236, 123.125.66.15, 123.125.66.102, 222.231.42.188, 66.249.68.166, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 38.100.41.66, 195.113.214.214, 208.115.111.245, 208.115.111.249, 123.125.66.68, 67.195.114.243, 67.202.15.176, 65.55.207.120, 123.125.66.121, 222.231.42.185, 166.203.27.5, 38.99.97.33, 195.42.102.25, 216.129.119.14, 67.195.115.42, 76.107.161.89, 68.191.157.1, 89.204.225.174, 66.249.68.212, 65.55.207.126, 67.195.111.47, 67.195.37.188, 64.13.159.83, 123.125.66.66, 123.125.66.118, 38.99.96.252, 65.55.109.73, 209.106.160.8, 67.195.112.114, 65.55.207.47, 95.24.222.183, 38.100.8.50, 91.205.175.4, 67.16.94.2, 209.249.53.187, 67.195.113.225, 123.125.66.86, 211.233.79.180, 66.249.68.66, 67.195.115.214

WIN: What’s Important Now

No Jared Gaither, Ravens, Baltimore, NFL, Chargers, Shawne Merriman

WIN: What’s Important Now

895

athlete

article

-1

2009-09-09T07:18:00-04:00

Playerpress

273 5043 It's time for a reality check for the fans of Baltimore - one that doesn't include a stop on the Tila Tequila late night circuit.    The Ravens made the AFC Championship game last year, lost to the Steelers -- the Super Bowl Champions -- three times by a combined 16 points, and have 18 of 22 starters back for the upcoming regular season...which is now just four and a half days away.   All of the talk in and around the Land of Pleasant Living is stained with purple Kool-Aid; talk of being serious contenders; talk of an improved offense and a defense, though missing a few key cogs, looking in tip-top shape through the preseason.  There is email banter about how we should have accepted the league's "invitation" to play the opening night game under the bright lights of Frank's Hot Sauce (aka. Heniz) Field in Pittsburgh on Thursday night - and how such a game would set an immediate tone for what is supposedly shaping up to be a run deep into January.    There must be questions, right?  There must be glaring weaknesses that continually prevent the Ravens from being mentioned in the same conversation as Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, and Indianapolis.  Yes, there is always bias in favor of anything Favreian and the big market teams (Giants, Jets, Bears, and Cowboys), but how can the Ravens, the team of a consistently dominant defense and a vastly improved offense, not be included when it comes to serious post-season discussion?  The answer, dear friends, is difficult to swallow for several reasons.    First of all, it's difficult to swallow simply because we've looked ridiculously good in the preseason.  Our first team defense has pummeled first team offenses and our first team offense has, at times, carved up and run over first team defenses.  But as any 2008 Detroit Lion or Indianapolis Colt will attest, preseason outcomes don't mean squat.    It's difficult to swallow because we haven't regressed or gotten worse any particular facet of our team:   Quarterback All reporters and scouts --  both locally and nationally -- are praising Joe Flacco.  From having another year of experience under his belt, to his command of the offense and the confidence he exudes on the field, all signs are pointing to a bigger year than his 2008 campaign (2,971 yards, 14 TD's).  When you factor in a healthy Derrick Mason and a healthy Todd Heap, combined with a formidable offensive line, all of a sudden 3,500 yards and 20 TD's are not out of the question.  Assuming the line and his primary targets remain healthy, at the very least he shouldn't regress.    Running back What's not to like here?  Le'Ron McClain was a stopgag solution last year -- for crying out loud we discovered him by default (!!!) -- and he gained 902 yards and scored 10 TD's.  Now he's our third option.  Willis McGahee, ye who was almost run out of town last preseason for showing up out of shape and carrying with him a mysterious/shady knee ailment, now has a younger running back breathing down his neck like white on Rice (literally).  It's resulted in McGahee looking like the back the Ravens thought they got two years ago when he was considered one of the AFC's elite runners.  And we haven't even gotten to Ray Rice.  Go look up the scouting reports on/in almost every respected web site or sports publication, and there is a sidebar on how and why Ray Rice is going to have a breakout year.  Sports Illustrated with its "Spotlight" blurb...espn.com with its "Fantasy Stars" blurb...and now Baltimoreregister.com with "Delaney's going to agree with the experts" blurb - Ray Rice is poised for a big year.  The kid was known at Rutgers for running between the tackles, but with his size and his ability to be shifty catching passes out of the backfield, he adds a dimension to the offense that is extremely difficult to guard against.  Oh, and throw in the freak of nature that is Michael Oher and Smarty Jones (aka. Harvard graduate) Matt Birk, and the Ravens have a beast of an offensive line to block for the three-headed monster coming out of the back field.  Final determination: running backs will improve!    Wide receiver This is perhaps the most ballyhooed position coming into (and out of) training camp.  "We need a playmaker," bemoaned the morons of Baltimore.  "Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall at any cost," demanded the transplanted Miamians.  Guess what, Anita Marks?  You've got a one-year contract that is up after Ravens season; and you have no vested interest in this city or OUR football team after you take your scraggly butt back to Miami to look for a better radio gig, so of course you want the Ravens to sacrifice their long-term outlook for the tedious prospects of short-term success: it makes for better radio conversations.  The problem here is this: surprising teams -- teams like the 2008 Cardinals, 2007 Giants, and 2000 Ravens -- are a dime a dozen these days.  Parity reigns supreme in the NFL, at least when it comes to the playoffs.  No one can predict who is going to shock the world in 2009.  And the Ravens getting one good receiver is not going to guarantee a ring; so I'm willing to take my chances with the receiving corps we have, plus Kelley Washington, plus possibly David Tyree (at the time of this post he was set to take a physical but was still unsigned), and combine that with: a good defense, an improved quarterback, and a better offensive line, and I'll take my chances.  I'm willing to admit our receivers aren't notedly better, but we're not notedly worse, either.  It's a push.    I'm not going into our offensive line here (or our tight ends, for that matter), because I think everyone will agree that we haven't regressed in either area.  On the O-line we are young, we are versatile (Oher played left tackle in college and we found a servieable back-up with the Derrick Martin trade for lineman Tony Moll), and we are huge - Jared Gaither and Oher comine to measure over 13 feet and weigh close to 650 pounds.  With our tight ends, if Heap can stay healthy, there's no question that he will rebound on his 2008 statistics.  Often times being held back as a blocker to protect the rookie quarterback, Heap will once again prove to be a valuable offensive weapon - provided he can stay healthy (and to his credit, many of his injuries are a result of him stretching to catch a pass over the middle or jumping between defenders in traffic).    In the interest of time, and probably your attention span, we'll take the entire defense as one category and then move on to the controversial nonsense...   Defense Rex Ryan is gone.  Boo hoo.  A few weeks ago, he was laughing about and applauding the fact that a few of his players were getting into fist fights during practice.  Yeah, that's a great sign of things to come.  I'm of the opinion that the Ravens -- offensive or defensive players -- were always at their worst when they were undisciplined.  Whether it's missing a key block, a block in the back, unecessary roughness -- or, in new Jets linebacker Bart Scott's defining moment, throwing a referee's flag into the crowd at a pivotal moment on national television -- I'm a firm believer that a team must have discipline to be successful.  Look no further than polar opposites New England and Oakland for proof on that theory.  In other words, good riddance, "Mad 'Backer," let me know how Jamie Sharper and Ed Hartwell are doing these days.  Who knows, maybe you can sell them some hot sauce.     Jim Leonard also left - but with Dawan Landry coming back (and lest you forget that he was more than capable two years ago), that doesn't concern me.  The cornerback situation makes me a little anxious because they gave Dominique Foxworth starter's money when he didn't start the majority of games in any season until last year, and while Chris Carr adds a lot of depth to that position, I feel like we don't really have one true "starter" at cornerback.  (Yes, Fabian Washington was a first round pick, but he needs to show more consistency in my book.  He can prove his worth, and I honestly think he will this year - but as of right now, his track record is too spotty to consider him a great corner.) So, in the end, we have depth at corner, but nobody who is "shut-down"-worthy.    The defensive line and linebackers hardly need mention here.  With Haloti Ngata, who is probably THE best player in the NFL never to have started a Pro Bowl (which is crazy, considering he's only entering his fourth season), and an insane amount of depth at linebacker (SO insane, in fact, that we had 27 other teams' scouts at the Ravens' preseason games - feasting on the potential cuts), I'm going to go out on a limb and specifically refute Bart Scott's jab at head coach John Harbaugh.  Scott claimed that Rex Ryan was the real head coach of the Ravens last year; when in fact, apart from installing a game plan and calling the plays, Ryan (and every other defensive coordinator we've had) will always play second fiddle to the real head coach of the Baltimore defense -- Ray Lewis.  Not to go on a tangent here (I could write an entire column about this), but there's a reason that the Ravens defense has groomed defensive coordinators and sent them onto bigger and better coaching jobs around the NFL during Ray Lewis' tenure as the defensive band leader: Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan, Mike Nolan to name a few.  There is one person that the defensive players answer to - and that person has anchored the defense since 1996.  Ray Lewis has been, is, and always will be until he retires, the field general of that defense.  Defensive players play beyond their potential because of him.  They'd rather answer to a coach on the sidelines after a mistake than to have to look Ray in the eyes in the defensive huddle answer to his passion.    Now: The ugly As positive as we've been up to this point, and as fired up as I was today at work reading about and anticipating the start of the upcoming season, it causes me great grief and reflection to see that the (love 'em or hate 'em) foremost NFL writers of the country today (Peter King as the main culprit) have predicted the Ravens to finish no better than 9-7 and barely make the playoffs as a wild card.    One only needs to look at our schedule to figure out why.  A quick glance and assumption at what THEY thought as they went through Baltimore's schedule (key word: THEY, this is not my thought on the season): KC - win @ San Diego - loss CLE - win @ New England - loss CIN - win @ MINN - loss Bye DEN - win @ CIN - win @ CLE - win IND - loss PITTS - loss @ Green Bay - loss DET - win CHI - win @ PITTS - loss @ OAK - win   That's not unfathomable, honestly.  You could trade a home Pittsburgh win and a Chicago loss, but that's pretty much what the "experts" would say.   Do I think that's how it will play out?  No way.  Our defense is too good; Flacco too improved; our offensive line too overpowering; our running game too versatile - we have the tools to gring out and wear down opponents.  And we have the game plan to finesse and trick our opponents into quick scores.  Unpredictability will serve us well.      However, think of this:  Last year we had the wonderful element of surprise.  NOBODY thought we would be as good as we were.  Nobody thought that Le'Ron McClain would preserve key wins by pounding opponents into submission in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter.  We owned time of possession last year.  We were huge underdogs in the 2008 opener against Cincinatti for God's sake!    Everything is reversed this year - <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bal-sp.ravens08sep08002022,0,7063028.story">as The Sun wrote earlier this week.</a>  Coming off of a 5-11 season, the Ravens played the fourth-best teams in the divisions they were scheduled to play (apart from their own).  This year, we'll be playing the second-best teams, and our schedule is brutal for a November-December stretch: Indy, Pittsburgh, at Green Bay, Detroit, and Chicago.  Granted, four of those five are at home, but Indy has given us fits in recent years; at last glance we were 0-3 in our last three games against the Steelers; and Chicago is much improved with Jay Cutler.  Let's hope that we're healthy.    When it's all said and done, though - there's nothing but optimism heading into Sunday.   (Push sarcasm button.......now).  The painstaking research that has been poured into this article has proven that the Ravens are an improved team in many areas - tangible and intangible.  The schedule is what it is: formidable - and our defense is what it is: dominant.  History has shown that you don't bet against Ray Lewis.  History has also shown that the last time the Ravens went undefeated in the preason was 2000, and I'm pretty sure something special happened that year.    It's no coincidence that my daughter ran around the house on Labor Day with a Flacco bobble head going, "Wacc-o.  Wacc-o.  Wacc-o."  The season is finally here.  Start mixing the Kool-Aid.   76.97.188.228

2009-09-09T07:18:00-04:00

reality-check-for-the-baltimore-ravens-the-good-the-bad-the-suggs-

Yes 66.249.68.248, 199.173.225.33, 206.205.114.221, 174.46.170.180, 66.249.68.165, 72.30.142.125, 123.125.66.40, 64.13.159.87, 206.227.128.10, 65.55.207.75, 65.55.207.54, 66.235.124.57, 65.55.106.185, 66.249.68.245, 75.33.202.251, 67.202.15.176, 66.249.67.133, 195.210.57.83, 66.249.68.227, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.67.238, 67.195.113.245, 66.249.68.162, 76.110.47.117, 67.195.115.179, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.242, 67.195.112.109, 123.125.66.20, 66.249.67.174, 67.195.37.186, 65.55.207.118, 66.249.68.182, 67.218.116.131, 71.238.254.92, 38.108.180.81, 92.241.182.25, 67.195.37.172, 208.115.111.248, 89.253.70.223, 65.55.207.53, 67.195.111.161, 77.88.51.29, 66.249.65.199, 92.241.182.24, 123.125.66.15, 70.50.189.162, 67.195.110.158, 195.128.18.18, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 38.105.83.11, 88.146.126.140, 72.14.164.194, 70.84.239.90, 74.62.154.166, 65.55.207.73, 63.70.138.182, 67.195.111.172, 87.250.252.241, 123.125.66.19, 66.249.68.139, 123.125.66.25, 208.115.111.246, 67.195.112.159, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 216.25.247.243, 66.249.68.143, 38.100.41.66, 208.115.111.249, 123.125.66.87, 67.195.112.254, 208.115.111.245, 38.99.97.33, 65.55.106.179, 38.101.148.126, 195.42.102.25, 66.249.67.239, 216.129.119.14, 174.58.220.146, 24.6.180.215, 67.195.111.47, 65.55.106.136, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.112.114, 66.249.68.212, 123.125.66.82, 38.99.96.252, 38.105.83.12, 129.234.193.111, 67.195.37.188, 91.205.175.4, 38.100.8.50, 67.16.94.2, 65.55.207.25, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.113.225, 66.249.68.66, 123.125.66.59

Reality check for the Baltimore Ravens - the good, the bad, the Suggs

No Ravens, Derrick Mason, Joe Flacco, Todd Heap, Willis McGahee, Ray Rice, Rex Ryan, Bart Scott

Reality check for the Baltimore Ravens - the good, the bad, the Suggs

writer

article

-1

2009-09-09T07:11:53-04:00

Playerpress

471 5009 There are few things that make me change the station quicker than anything Anita Marks says (take note, 105.7 The Fan management - this blog is read by 5-7 people a week), but unfortunately, she isn't alone in her certifiably insane advocacy of trading away our future for the likes of troubled Denver wide receiver / toddler Brandon Marshall.     Yes, Marshall has put up elite receiving statistics over the past two seasons - to the tune of 206 receptions and 2590 yards.  He is a physical specimen, possessing such talent that one of the best cornerbacks in the game, Oakland's Nnamdi Asomugha, said Marshall is "the toughest guy to bring down, one-on-one."  Asomugha's defensive breatheren, Brandon Flowers of Kansas City, has been quoted as saying, "Brandon Marshall is a defensive lineman playing wide receiver. He wants to inflict punishment on you. He wants you to try to tackle him so he can shove you off of him and get more yards."  That's extremely high praise for a 25-year old wide receiver who's just entering his prime.    Wait...maybe I'm insane?!  Why wouldn't every single fan in the entire league want a player of that caliber?  Why is a player like that even involved in trade discussions?  Has the mile high air inflicted permanent damage on the Broncos' general manager?    Oh, I'm sure Marshall's gotten into a bit of trouble in the NFL.  But who hasn't?  I mean, as long as he's not shooting himself in the leg or making it rain in a Vegas strip club, there's really nothing wrong with him, right?  WRONG!  Here's a brief history of Brandon Marshall run in's with the law:   October, 2004: Misdemeanor charges of trespass, resisting arrest without violence, disorderly conduct, refusal to obey and assault on a police officer. (Later dismissed) April, 2005: Retail theft of $20 bed sheets at Burlington Coat Factory. (Later dismissed) June, 2006: Reports of domestic violence, no charges ever filed. December, 2006: Was named as a possible cause that ultimately led to the death of cornerback Darrent Williams via drive-by shooting after spraying champagne on night club patrons. January, 2007: Incident with his own father that reportedly included gun shots. No charges were filed. March, 2007: Reports of domestic violence, no charges filed. March, 2007: Arrested for false imprisonment and domestic violence, charges were later dismissed after attending anger management classes. June, 2007: Reports of domestic violence, including an “accidental cut” on his girlfriends thigh and a rock thrown at the passenger side of her friends’ car. No charges were filed. June, 2007: Police respond to “fight-in-progress” call and find girlfriend with noticeable bruises and scratches. No Charges filed. October, 2007: Cited for driving under the influence, BAC of 0.116. January, 2008: Girlfriend files for temporary restraining order, was later lifted. March, 2008: Domestic violence call, ultimately resulting in Marshall fleeing the scene. Girlfriend would then file for another temporary restraining order. August, 2008: Suspended for three games by the NFL. After appeal, the league reduced the suspension to one game without pay plus a fine. September, 2008: Charged with two misdemeanor counts of simple battery as a result of the incident the previous March. September, 2008: A year after being cited for DUI in Denver, Marshall pleaded guilty to the lesser offense of driving while ability-impaired. He was sentenced to one year of probation. February, 2009: Became engaged to then girlfriend Michi Nogami-Campbell, a different female than the one named in the incidents above. March, 2009: Marshall and Nogami-Campbell seen in a physical altercation. Situation is “under review” per the NFL. The league later cleared the air on the March, 2009 situation and said that (at least as of now) that Marshall would not have to miss any games for the upcoming season. However, he is still to go on trial for his 2008 arrest. If convicted, do not count out a possible game or two on the sidelines.    He must be one helluva sweet talker, because the majority of these incidents involve those closest to him: his girlfriend, his fiance, his father, and charges were either not filed or dismissed.    I mean, who doesn't steal an occasional bedsheet, throw an occasional rock through a window, beat up the occasional girlfriend/fiance, and get named in the occasional death of a teammate.  This is the attitude that the cynical, jaded NFL fan takes in this day and age because we've become numb to news like this.  But the problem is...in the real life of those involved in these incidents, these things aren't funny.  People are getting shot, cut, hurt, and even killed.    I don't know how long these numbskulls (those wanting General Manager Ozzie Newsome to trade at least at first round pick - and probably much more - for this degenerate) have been following the Ravens, but a player like Brandon Marshall doesn't exactly fit the John Harbaugh "Raven mold."  Just ask Chris McAlister how much crap the coaching staff and front office is willing to put up with.    But, let's entertain these numbskulls for a second and completely forget about Brandon Marshall's involvement in over 18 incidents where police were called or reports were filed in the past five years (according to the list above, which is probably incomplete).  Is he an exemplary teammate and consummate professional?  Is he even an average teammate?  If he was, he wouldn't be on the trading block, would he?  If he was the type of player around which you build an offense, why is he walking while his teammates jog, swatting balls to the ground that are thrown his way, and punting balls across the field instead of handing them to the ball boy (I mean...the freakin' BALL BOY - what did HE do to deserve that???) -- all while the cameras were rolling no less.  Oh, and he said that he is refusing to learn the playbook.  Yep, textbook definition of "exemplary teammate" and "consummate professional" right there.  This kind of stuff infuriates me to no end!!!    What infuriates me even more, though, is the fact that Anita Marks is leading the idiot brigade on the March to Insanity and still they want Brandon Marshall as a Baltimore Raven.  Let's make a deal with Anita Marks:  She has to date Brandon Marshall for three years, and there is a no-trade clause in her contract.  She can't have a restraining order against him, and she can't install shatter-proof glass in her car.  Wait a minute, she rides a Victory motorcycle - she doesn't have windows.  Ouch.      We have a franchise quarterback, with a strong arm, who has looked exceptional in preseason action.  Yes, Derrick Mason is a year older, but I think we've only gotten better in our wide receiving corps with the addition of Kelley Washington and with Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams getting more experience (and hopefully healthier!!!).  Are our receivers above average?  Individually, our receivers are probably average at best.  But I don't think our passing game is average at best - not with a quarterback at the helm who is the type of player that makes everyone around him better.  Not with a (knock on wood!!!) healthy Todd Heap.  Not with a much-improved Ray Rice who may figure more prominently in the passing game this year.    NEED another wide receiver?  No.  Would we LIKE another quality wide receiver?  Sure.  But we don't need OR want a wide receiver <a href="http://community.kdvr.com/_Sources-Smiths-Torn-Meniscus-Marshall-Extension-Discussed/blog/634226/96399.html">whose teammates talk about him off the record </a>like Scott Garceau probably talks about Anita off the record:   “He is killing his image;” “We don’t know what he is doing. Sometimes you can’t tell whether he’s coming or going;” “He can’t be trusted. I can’t put my name to vouch for how he’s acting right now;” “He’s acting like an idiot, this is not the way to get his money.” More specifically one defensive starter said, “Brandon is (edit) up, because if you look at it this is his contract year and he could be playing in a system totally geared around him. He is such a stupid (edit).”   I think that says it all.  But mark my words, this argument won't die.  Hell, in four years these same idiot fans will probably want us to draft Oregon's LeGarrette Blount.  What a bunch of suckers.    And on another note...it's good to be back ranting.  And the good folks at Players Press have coerced some Ravens to blog on this site as well.  Let the good times roll! 205.128.224.6

2009-09-09T07:11:53-04:00

baltimore-doesn-t-need-brandon-marshall

Yes 65.208.151.117, 66.249.67.136, 65.55.207.94, 66.249.68.248, 68.218.61.67, 71.237.31.35, 163.251.184.2, 24.123.212.24, 24.94.86.210, 174.46.170.181, 66.249.68.165, 123.125.66.44, 64.13.159.87, 24.9.38.139, 66.235.124.56, 96.255.178.139, 66.249.68.231, 67.195.113.245, 70.238.165.241, 66.249.68.218, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 195.210.57.83, 65.55.106.207, 66.249.68.213, 66.249.68.227, 66.249.68.182, 66.249.67.238, 65.55.108.241, 67.195.115.163, 38.98.19.111, 12.29.38.14, 66.249.68.162, 68.236.242.82, 72.30.142.241, 218.26.170.84, 67.195.112.109, 38.105.83.13, 66.249.68.209, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.174, 75.121.0.160, 70.176.124.139, 174.129.114.74, 123.125.66.33, 164.62.7.74, 74.12.48.84, 66.190.131.191, 74.36.44.184, 67.218.116.131, 166.137.4.181, 71.238.254.92, 38.108.180.81, 67.195.114.222, 66.249.68.200, 92.241.182.25, 98.171.162.251, 207.19.143.2, 63.215.202.4, 174.16.252.229, 63.215.202.234, 208.115.111.248, 67.195.111.161, 89.253.70.223, 67.195.112.159, 65.2.49.192, 218.28.29.234, 66.249.65.199, 92.241.182.24, 123.125.66.16, 67.195.110.158, 70.50.189.162, 71.48.133.56, 65.55.207.52, 195.128.18.18, 65.55.106.208, 95.108.157.251, 92.241.182.23, 217.14.6.210, 38.105.83.11, 66.249.68.139, 72.14.164.194, 70.84.239.90, 87.250.252.241, 66.249.68.233, 67.195.111.172, 218.28.29.236, 123.125.66.52, 123.125.66.32, 208.115.111.246, 24.126.236.177, 71.60.9.36, 74.190.45.227, 66.249.68.143, 66.150.224.245, 174.133.177.66, 65.55.216.9, 38.100.41.66, 208.115.111.249, 66.249.67.245, 65.55.108.242, 207.241.228.152, 123.125.66.87, 67.171.225.187, 66.249.71.120, 67.195.112.254, 94.75.231.12, 38.99.97.33, 166.137.137.131, 66.249.68.212, 195.42.102.25, 67.195.115.42, 216.129.119.14, 208.115.111.245, 38.100.8.50, 65.55.107.180, 96.245.254.214, 76.88.63.215, 194.80.32.11, 205.209.170.18, 69.251.187.144, 67.195.111.47, 64.13.159.83, 65.55.110.68, 67.195.112.114, 123.125.66.75, 65.55.110.124, 38.99.96.252, 65.55.207.125, 67.195.37.188, 65.55.106.157, 67.16.94.2, 24.35.41.68, 91.205.175.4, 67.195.115.214, 67.195.113.225, 66.249.68.37, 74.227.106.26, 66.249.68.174, 66.249.68.40, 66.249.68.8, 96.244.41.162, 123.125.66.89, 174.129.152.208, 174.129.237.157, 66.249.68.145, 67.195.113.247

Baltimore Doesn't Need Brandon Marshall

No Brandon Marshall, Derrick Mason, Denver Broncos

Baltimore Doesn't Need Brandon Marshall

writer

article

2009-08-25T13:55:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

475 4900 I’m feeling good … healthy. I’ve got some minor dings here and there but I’ve been able to stay healthy throughout camp. I work out hard going into camp so I can stay healthy. <div> </div> <o:p></o:p> It’s been a productive, good overall camp. Everyone came in a good shape and everyone is doing what they were expected to do coming in. The rookies have all been doing pretty well – especially Michael Oher. Man, he’s doing great filling in at that right tackle spot. He’s playing really well.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> We’re healthy and that’s key now – to stay healthy. But we’re still pushing hard, looking to improve.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Overall, the team is looking pretty good. We’re playing real well together and starting to jell, be it on special teams … defense … especially on offense.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> You can also see the difference in Joe Flacco. He’s showing more maturity … more confidence. He’s stepping into a leadership role, but he’s balancing things and doing a tremendous job of still being Joe.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> It was pretty good to go against Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, Mike Kracalik, Marques Douglas and the Jets last night. It’s rare when so many people leave one team and go to another. Most of the time, you get maybe one or two guys that leave, but to have four players and two, three coaches it’s really rare.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> I think Rex Ryan was really trying to get that “W” against us. But it was good practice for the young guys on defense going against that two-minute drill. That’s really priceless for them to get that experience and it doesn’t really happen a lot. They came down and tried to get in, but Lardarius Webb made a good play to stop them at the end of the game.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> We broke camp on Sunday … it’s great to sleep in your own bed, cook your own food and relax in your own environment. Don’t get me wrong – it’s great to be around the guys at camp, bond and everything, and the Ravens are a first-class organization and hire great chefs to cook for us – but its great to be home. You just feel better when you sleep in your own bed and cook your own meals. Even though the food is good at camp, some times you just don’t feel like eating what they’ve prepared.<o:p></o:p>  <o:p></o:p> Plus, as everyone knows by now, I love to cook. <o:p></o:p> Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle with the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for <a href="http://www.playerpress.com/" target="_blank">www.playerpress.com</a> runs at <a href="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/" target="_blank">www.jaredgaither71.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter as jaredgaither.<o:p></o:p>  96.246.109.170

2009-08-25T13:55:00-04:00

oher-flacco-stepping-up

Yes 67.195.112.118, 123.125.66.29, 66.249.68.248, 65.55.106.228, 72.30.87.97, 220.181.94.231, 72.30.79.93, 65.55.106.227, 174.46.170.181, 67.195.115.159, 174.46.170.179, 66.249.68.165, 65.55.105.220, 66.249.67.136, 67.195.113.245, 123.125.66.25, 65.55.207.45, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.218, 202.131.30.149, 208.115.111.246, 67.195.115.163, 66.249.68.162, 66.249.68.227, 65.55.207.136, 38.105.83.13, 65.55.107.181, 66.249.68.209, 67.195.114.233, 65.55.108.242, 66.249.68.200, 66.249.68.242, 61.247.222.83, 67.195.112.109, 124.115.0.141, 124.115.0.171, 71.238.254.92, 65.55.106.156, 67.195.37.186, 123.125.66.45, 92.241.182.25, 67.195.37.172, 208.115.111.248, 89.253.70.223, 65.55.207.93, 202.131.30.148, 61.135.249.203, 218.28.29.234, 79.32.73.27, 67.195.111.172, 195.128.18.18, 65.55.207.137, 66.249.68.193, 95.108.157.251, 163.1.5.153, 72.14.164.192, 66.249.68.152, 202.131.30.150, 66.249.68.195, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.207.121, 66.249.67.131, 67.195.110.158, 66.249.68.139, 65.55.107.182, 202.131.30.147, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.109.163, 67.195.112.159, 174.133.177.66, 66.249.68.143, 65.55.106.207, 74.6.8.89, 208.115.111.249, 74.6.17.165, 208.115.111.245, 202.131.30.146, 88.131.106.24, 123.125.66.66, 38.101.148.126, 195.42.102.25, 67.195.114.42, 218.28.29.236, 67.195.111.47, 65.55.106.133, 67.195.112.85, 67.195.112.114, 66.249.68.204, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.37.188, 66.211.109.29, 38.107.191.85, 65.55.207.47, 88.131.106.31, 123.125.66.129, 77.79.182.46, 62.75.218.97, 61.247.222.82, 95.24.222.183, 67.195.112.88, 65.55.207.74, 38.100.8.50, 67.195.115.214, 91.205.175.4, 66.249.68.236, 67.195.113.247, 66.249.68.37, 207.46.204.186, 66.249.68.66, 123.125.66.91, 66.249.68.8, 94.41.204.195

Oher, Flacco Stepping Up

No Jared Gaither, Ravens, preseason, Baltimore, NFL

Oher, Flacco Stepping Up

895

athlete

article

2009-07-23T00:21:00-04:00

Playerpress

Yes

643 3948 Was down at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Pikesville this morning to do some cooking with the executive chef for a Rave-TV spot.We cooked steaks, garlic mashed potatoes, onion rings, fish and scallops. We shared the food with the camera crew and some other people down there. Cooked the last one and brought it home for me though, and was real good. <o:p> <img width="0" height="0" alt="" src="/uploads/Image/gaitherfood3.jpg" /></o:p> It was a great time … really fun. And I learned a couple of things for the kitchen. The chef said the food was pretty good and I did a pretty good job.<o:p></o:p> <table width="200" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <th scope="row"><img width="215" height="168" alt="" src="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/images/gaither_food1.jpg" /></th> <td><img width="215" height="168" alt="" src="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/images/gaither_food2.jpg" /></td> </tr> <tr> <th scope="row"><img width="215" height="168" alt="" src="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/images/gaither_food3.jpg" /></th> <td><img width="215" height="168" alt="" src="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/images/gaither_food4.jpg" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   I’m winding down my workouts now and trying to get a little rest. Just gonna relax … that’s key. Camp starts Monday … actually, it starts Wednesday, but everyone gets there on Monday. People are looking forward to kicking the season off.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> It hasn’t been that hot of a summer, but it always seems to happen this time of year … players are always joking that the coaches pray to the football gods to crank up the heat. It’s mellow, mellow, mellow … then the third day of camp it’s 100 degrees. Always happens – especially out in Westminster, where there’s no trees. It’s gonna be a sauna out there.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I really look forward to training camp, though. Camp gets you ready for the first preseason game and the preseason games get you ready for the season opener. It’s exciting to finally see the whole team out there. It’s another year, we want to get better … progress.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I was definitely surprised when I heard about Derrick Mason. It came out of nowhere. I guess my feelings are kind of mixed … I want to see him playing, but I also want to see him do what’s best for him and his family. He’s got a wife and small kids. I want to see him do what he wants and if retiring is gonna let him spend more time with his family, then he deserves to do that. He’s done a lot for the NFL and a lot for the Ravens.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> He was a key player for this organization. But we have some guys coming back like Demetrius Williams … and we’ve got Mark Clayton … Marcus Smith. They should be able to step up.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I’m looking forward to see what the defense looks like. Rex Ryan was a loss – both as a coach and as a person – but we have moved on. Those guys are tough over there. I want to see some of the different stuff they throw at us and the other teams. When you change coaches, you change things enough that you wind up with a new product. And sometimes it fits your players better. I’m looking forward to see how they produce.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Jared Gaither is an offensive tackle with the Baltimore Ravens. His blog for <a href="http://www.playerpress.com/">www.playerpress.com</a> runs at <a href="http://www.jaredgaither71.com/">www.jaredgaither71.com</a>. Follow him on Twitter as jaredgaither.<o:p></o:p>  0.0.0.0

2009-07-24T00:21:00-04:00

chef-jg

Yes 65.55.106.139, 72.30.79.93, 65.55.106.158, 174.46.170.181, 95.223.4.171, 67.195.115.159, 72.30.78.232, 174.46.170.179, 65.55.105.216, 66.249.68.165, 65.55.108.242, 66.249.68.248, 67.195.115.163, 83.167.62.168, 67.195.113.245, 64.13.159.88, 66.249.68.245, 66.249.67.133, 195.210.57.83, 219.142.53.30, 62.56.145.7, 65.55.107.179, 174.46.170.184, 67.195.111.246, 38.105.83.13, 124.115.0.139, 71.238.254.92, 67.195.112.109, 65.55.207.93, 65.55.207.134, 66.249.68.200, 92.241.182.25, 98.233.143.41, 66.249.67.174, 63.215.202.4, 67.195.114.233, 66.249.68.242, 66.249.67.239, 67.195.37.172, 128.249.107.38, 66.249.68.227, 61.135.249.203, 66.249.68.193, 208.115.111.248, 89.253.70.223, 218.28.29.234, 123.125.66.29, 65.55.106.157, 195.128.18.18, 67.195.112.159, 65.55.106.160, 163.1.5.153, 67.195.111.172, 72.14.164.192, 66.249.68.139, 66.249.68.233, 65.55.207.121, 124.115.4.204, 87.250.252.241, 65.55.106.155, 67.195.110.158, 208.115.111.246, 207.46.199.200, 174.133.177.66, 123.125.66.35, 65.55.207.102, 207.46.199.188, 38.101.148.126, 208.115.111.249, 123.30.6.3, 67.195.114.243, 207.46.199.184, 208.115.111.245, 65.55.106.138, 195.42.102.25, 75.126.140.19, 65.55.109.96, 67.195.114.42, 66.249.65.79, 38.100.8.50, 66.249.68.212, 218.28.29.236, 65.55.207.77, 66.249.67.49, 88.131.106.30, 123.125.66.119, 64.13.159.83, 67.195.37.188, 97.83.13.0, 65.55.207.76, 65.55.231.29, 207.46.194.207, 67.195.112.114, 95.24.222.183, 65.55.106.112, 77.75.73.123, 91.205.175.4, 77.75.77.123, 123.125.66.62, 66.249.68.43, 207.46.204.233, 67.195.115.214, 81.149.203.127, 66.249.68.145

Chef JG

No Jared Gaither, Ravens, Camp, Derrick Mason, Rex Ryan

Chef JG

895

athlete