Author Archives: Derek Arnold

About Derek Arnold

Derek Arnold

RSR/ESR Senior Editor. Derek is originally from and a current resident of Pasadena, MD. He’s a graduate of UMBC and has been a lifelong Baltimore sports fan. In 2007 he founded B’More Birds’ Nest, where he wrote about the Ravens and Orioles before joining RSR in 2012. Derek’s work has been featured on Charm City Current, Bleacher Report, and other online sports sites. Follow Derek on Twitter: @BMoreBirdsNest 

GOOBVISION: AFC Championship preview and Tom Brady interview

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boobs2
In the latest installment of GOOBVISION, Goob takes a look back at the epic comeback in Denver, and sits down for a one-on-one interview with New England Patriots quarterback – and Uggs spokesman – Tom Brady. You’ll also get an eyeful of “Flacc-boobs” (you’ll see), and hear a stock report on sales of chap-stik skyrocketing due to all the Patriot ass-kissing going on around the country. Ray Lewis’ old teammate The Rock will show us what he thinks of all the ESPN “experts” picks. And finally, there’s something in there … Continue reading →

Justin Tucker’s game-winner…as seen from the stands

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tuckerkick
On Saturday evening, most Ravens fans watched Justin Tucker’s game-winning field goal soar through the uprights in double overtime in Denver from couches or sports bars in the Baltimore area. (Or, in my case, from underneath a pool table…don’t ask.) However, a couple thousand lucky Ravens fans were in attendance in the frigid temperatures at Sports Authority Field at Mile High to witness the thrilling victory in person. Speaking on behalf of all Ravens fans who weren’t there, I’d just like to say that we are very, very jealous of … Continue reading →

Brendon Ayanbadejo apologizes for Twitter comments

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ba51
During Sunday evening’s Patriots-Texans AFC Divisional playoff game – which was won by New England to set up a Ravens/Pats rematch in the AFC Champsionship game – Baltimore linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo took to his twitter account to give some commentary on the game. “B.A.” was critical of the Patriots’ “hurry up” offense, which often snaps the ball before the defense is lined up and ready for it, calling it a “gimmick.” Tom Brady & Co. were doing this with great success against Houston, and Ayanbadejo was clearly not a fan … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: Purple birds fly a Mile High

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photo (2)
It’s funny. In last year’s playoffs, Ravens fans became Broncos fans. During the Wild Card round, all of Baltimore was celebrating when Denver “Tebow’d” the hated Steelers right out of the postseason. HERE’S A VIDEO OF GOOB CELEBRATING/LAUGHING AT PITTSBURGH THAT HAS OVER 20K VIEWS. Then in the Divisional Round, we were hoping that the Broncos could pull the upset in New England, which would have brought the AFC Championship game back to Baltimore for a Ravens vs. Tebow showdown to go to the Super Bowl. Instead, Denver disappointed, getting … Continue reading →

New Ravens playoff anthem

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ravensnation
Matthew Edward, Fresh Competition, and Kenny Silk burst onto the scene last year with their Ravens anthem titled “Ravens Nation.” It was a kick-ass song to pump up Ravens fans for the playoff run, and included what’s probably my favorite lyric that I’ve ever heard on any of the various “pump-up” type videos floating around the web: Lombardi, I’m sorry, it’s a B-More party and the trophy’s leaving town In the arms of the flock to the city by the dock, Johnny U would be so proud Charm City’s feeling … Continue reading →

Rice seven times more likely to fumble in playoffs

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ricefumble
Ray Rice has been arguably the most valuable Raven over the past five seasons. There is little question that, without #27, a constant on the field who has not missed a game since his rookie season in 2008 – the Ravens would absolutely not have the NFL’s longest current playoff streak, making five consecutive postseason appearances. He has been one of the NFL’s most dynamic players since entering the league, and his contributions to the team’s success are not to be diminished. When the Ravens have lost over the past … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: Ravens-Colts in the Wild Card round

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ricecolts
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION Despite the fact that they fired their offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, following Week 14, the Ravens set several team records on offense in 2012: The Ravens set a single-season franchise record by scoring 398 points, averaging the NFL’s 10th-most points per game (24.9). Baltimore scored a team-record 254 points at home, producing the NFL’s fourth-best home scoring average of 31.8 ppg. Baltimore surrendered just 16 give-aways, setting a franchise singleseason record and tying (GB, NE and SF) for the NFL’s second-fewest turnovers (Was. was first with 14). Baltimore … Continue reading →

Mr. Modell brought the game back, Ray brought the passion back

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rayyell52
Sure, Art Modell was the one who brought football back to Baltimore. But Ray Lewis brought the passion for the game back. Since the arrival of #52, along with the franchise, way back in 1996, this has been Ray’s town, and Ray’s team. Ray’s “Squirrel Dance” became synonymous with Ravens fans – countless people did it at their weddings, including Goob himself. There isn’t a Baltimore fan out there who will ever hear Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” again and not instantly picture Ray gyrating in front of 70,000 purple-clad maniacs. … Continue reading →

Ray Lewis announces that he will retire following postseason

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raylewis
However far the Ravens get in the 2012 postseason, that’s how many games Ray Lewis has left in his illustrious NFL career. Today during the media portion of the locker room, Ray told reporters that this is his “last ride.” This came right on the heels of his telling the same group of assembled media that his triceps muscle is “100%.” Below are some more quotes from Ray, courtesy of J.Michael of CSNBaltimore.com. While many expected that this could possibly be Ray’s final season, hearing him announce it still comes … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: Still something to play for?

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ricebengals
BEATING UP ON THE BENGALS The Ravens have racked up four consecutive wins against Cincinnati, last losing to the Bengals during Week Two of the 2010 season. Four Ravens, in particular, have put up spectacular numbers against Cincinnati in their careers. Joe Flacco is 6-3 in his career against Cincinnati, and in his last four games against them (all wins), Flacco completed 67 of 94 passes (71.3%) for 824 yards, 5 TDs and 2 INTs (106.9 QB rating). Ray Rice has averaged 5.0 yards per carry in nine career games against … Continue reading →

John Harbaugh: King in the North

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kinginnorth
First off, let me say that I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Things kicked off wonderfully on Festivus (Christmas Eve Eve) as the Bengals won in Pittsburgh to eliminate the Steelers from playoff contention, then with the Ravens thoroughly dominating the New York Giants to seal their second-consecutive AFC North title. Now we get to spend our New Year’s Eve Eve watching the Ravens play those same Bengals in Cincinnati, in what will likely be nothing more than a glorified preseason game. While there is a remote … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: Should be a Super Bowl XLVI rematch

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elifrown
If Lee Evans could catch, today’s game between the Ravens and Giants would be not only a Super Bowl XXXV rematch, but a Super Bowl XLVI rematch. Unfortunately, as it stands, today’s contest is merely a game between the defending champions, who are moving in the wrong direction as the postseason approaches, and our purple and black, who are unfortunately doing the same. Both squads are desperate for a victory today. Though the Ravens have locked up a playoff spot, the AFC North is still up for grabs, while the … Continue reading →

Six Ravens win fan vote for 2013 Pro Bowl

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NFL: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
The NFL has announced the results of fan voting for the 2013 Pro Bowl, and six Ravens finished at the top of their respective categories. Only the Green Bay Packers had as many players that can say the same. On offense, Michael Oher and Vonta Leach led their categories, while Haloti Ngata, Ed Reed, and Bernard Pollard held down the defensive side of the ball. In addition, Jacoby Jones won the fan vote as a kick returner. Ravens fans will of course scoff at Oher (and to a lesser extent, … Continue reading →

Eli Manning talked to brother Peyton “a little bit” about the Ravens

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peytoneli
There are only 32 starting NFL quarterback jobs in the world at any given moment. There are roughly 311 million people US residents. If 49% of them are male, that makes 152,390,000. Based on census numbers, about 10.6 percent of males are between the ages of 20-34 (NFL quarterback age, give or take). Using these numbers, we get a figure of 16,153,340. Over 16 million men in the U.S. vying for 32 “dream” jobs. And two of those jobs are held by brothers. Hardly seems fair. But that’s the case, … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: Ravens vs. Broncos

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purpleforeheadfriday
START A NEW BATCH OF HOME-COOKIN’ The Ravens had their NFL-best 16-game (including playoffs) home winning streak snapped two weeks ago against Pittsburgh. They will hope to start a new streak against Denver, instead of having their first two-game home losing streak since 2007. The Ravens have scored an average of 34.0 points per game at M&T Bank Stadium this season, ranking as the NFL’s second-best mark among home teams. Baltimore has scored at least 31 points in four of six home games this season and at least 44 in … Continue reading →

NFL.com writer “fixes” Ravens offense

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Bucky Brooks, an analyst at NFL.com and NFL Network, posted an article today detailing how new offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell can fix the Ravens offense moving forward. Brooks watched the All-22 and coach’s film to reach his recommendations. However, most of these recommendations are pretty much exactly what Ravens fans have been screaming for for years. Things that, for whatever reason, the now departed Cam Cameron refused to do. Let’s take a look at what Bucky has to say: 1) Build the game plan around Ray Rice. HA. HA HA. … Continue reading →

Cam Cameron fired, Jim Caldwell takes over

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camray1
The rumors that surfaced this morning turned out to be true. On his radio show this morning, Dan Patrick stated that changes would be coming to the Ravens coaching staff. Several hours later, it was confirmed by several media outslets including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun on twitter, that the team had indeed relieved Cam Cameron of his duties as offensive coordinator. Jim Caldwell will take over the position. Caldwell, who is in his first year with the Ravens, served as the team’s quarterbacks coach to this point. He … Continue reading →

CRAB BAG: The non-rivalry rivalry

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IT’S NOT 10-2 (like it should be) BUT 9-3 IS STILL A GREAT START Baltimore is off to a 9-3 start for the second-straight season and just the third time in team history (2006’s 13-3 campaign and 2011’s 12-4 season). The Ravens also started 9-3 in 2011 and 2006. THE DIVISION IS STILL OURS TO LOSE Though they blew their opportunity to eliminate the Pittsburgh Steelers from AFC North competition last Sunday, the Ravens find themselves in a position to clinch the division again this week – though they will … Continue reading →

Lack of “convincing” wins leaves Ravens fans…unconvinced

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While the Baltimore Ravens are a very impressive 9-3, and currently hold a two game lead in the AFC North with just four games to play, the feeling among a large number of the purple faithful is one of unease. After losing what should have been – on paper – an immensely winnable game against arch rival Pittsburgh, who was starting third-string quarterback Charlie Batch, and in the process blowing the chance to completely eliminate the Steelers from AFC North title competition, many Ravens fans find themselves ready to jump … Continue reading →

Lewis, Suggs practice, one may play against Redskins (Updated)

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On Wednesday, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis returned to the practice field for the first time since tearing his triceps muscle during a Week 6 win over the Dallas Cowboys. In Lewis’ absence, the Ravens defense has held up admirably. The team has produced a 4-2 record since Ray last played, and until they allowed 23 points in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh (and Charlie Batch…at home…UGHGUGHGUGHHHH) they had led the league in fewest points per game allowed since their bye in Week 7 (14.5). Though Ray was back on the … Continue reading →