About Kurt Backert

Kurt's passion for the game began in the 60's watching the Colts on TV and at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. He began following the statistics of not only his beloved Colts but also those of the Colts opponents, with a keen eye on Vince Lombardi's Packers. His thirst for and attention to statistical detail would eventually lead Kurt on a journey to the world of fantasy football in the late 1980's where he's captured more titles than John Wooden's UCLA Bruins Kurt carries a distinction that no other fan of the NFL can boast about. He is the reigning NFL National Trivia Champion and he credits his Dad for passing on such passion for the game, something Kurt also hopes to pass along to his 9-year-old son.

No. 26

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Kurt Backert

As of this writing the Ravens have six draft choices at their disposal during the annual NFL Draft being held this year on April 25-26, the highest of which is the 26th overall pick. The speculation over who the pick will be has been overanalyzed to a point of near saturation. Will they go for a wide receiver such as Maryland’s Darrius Heyward- Bey or possibly a linebacker such as Rey Maualuga from USC, a solid choice to mentor under Ray Lewis? The Ravens historically have had … Continue reading →

Offseason News, Notes & Rumors

Posted on February 13, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, The Cardinals enter this off season as defending NFC champions but have a lot of loose ends to take care of; first is signing unrestricted free agent quarterback Kurt Warner, the second is keeping wide receiver Anquan Boldin; fellow wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has said that he would re-work his $40 million contract to free money to keep Boldin. Can Tim Hightower be an every down back? Edgerrin James does not want to stay with the Cardinals as of now; Hightower played well, but is not ready for … Continue reading →

Super Bowl XLIII News & Notes

Posted on January 30, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Recent Historical Note: Turn back the clock to week three of the 2007 season. Rookie head coach Ken Whisenhunt brings the Cardinals to Baltimore to face the heavily favored Ravens. The Ravens jumped to a 23-6 lead but Whisenhunt brought in veteran Kurt Warner to share snaps and ultimately replace Matt Leinart. Warner completed 15 of 20 passes for 258 yards. Anquan Boldin caught 14 passes for 181 yards and 2 scores from Warner as the Cardinals rallied to tie the Ravens. The Ravens would win 26-23 on a … Continue reading →

OLD SCHOOL: Cardinals v. Steelers

Posted on January 29, 2009 by Kurt Backert

As the Steelers and Cardinals get ready to clash this Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII, one might think that these teams have little in common. But did you know that this Sunday’s game will be the 68th contest between the clubs? Did you also know that in 1944 the clubs actually combined rosters to form one team? In the days leading up to and during World War II, our great country and its citizens were forced to make adjustments in order to survive. The NFL was no different. … Continue reading →

NFL NEWS & NOTES: Steelers fans show class

Posted on January 23, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, they enter Super Bowl XLIII with the worst regular season point differential in Super Bowl history, they scored 427 points and allowed 426. The 1979 Rams were the previous worst at a plus 14. Both the Cardinals and the 1979 Rams had 9-7 records , also the worst record of a Super Bowl team. Those Rams coincidentally lost Super Bowl XIV to the Steelers….Kurt Warner joined 2 exclusive clubs by winning the NFC championship. He becomes just the second quarterback to take 2 teams to a Super Bowl. … Continue reading →

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals, NFL History Repeats…..As it Always Does

Posted on January 18, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Before the Ravens clash with the Steelers today for the AFC title, the Cardinals will host the Eagles for the NFC championship. This will be the 76th NFL/NFC championship game. This will be the first for the Cardinal franchise since 1948 when they were located in Chicago, the fifth for the Eagles since 2001. This is just the third title game appearance for the Cardinals, a charter NFL member since 1920, and in both of their previous championship game appearances they have faced the Eagles, in 1947 and 1948, both … Continue reading →

News & Notes: Ravens @ Steelers

Posted on January 16, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Historical Note The Steelers swept the former Ravens, the Cleveland Browns all three games in 1994, just 2 years before their move to Baltimore. Hard to believe but the much hyped Bill Belichick is one of the few coaches in NFL history to lose to the same team three times in a season. The Steelers won both regular season games, 17-10 in Cleveland, then 17-7 in Pittsburgh. The Steelers won the AFC Central at 12-4 while the Browns were a Wild Card at 11-5. Belichick beat his mentor … Continue reading →

Ravens v. Titans News & Notes

Posted on January 9, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Historical Note: These teams have met in the in playoffs in their past lives. During the 1988 AFC Wildcard Game, the former Titans, the Houston Oilers beat the former Ravens, the Cleveland Browns 24-23 in Cleveland. Oiler running back Allen Pinkett scored 2 touchdowns to overcome 2 touchdown passes by Browns back up quarterback and former Baltimore Colt Mike Pagel who was actually the third string quarterback, playing not only for injured starter Bernie Kosar but also for his hurt back up Don Strock. Strock you may recall was the … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: It’s a circus in Cleveland

Posted on January 7, 2009 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, Edgerrin James’ 73 yards rushing was the key to the Cardinals 30-24 victory over the Falcons in their Wild Card game. They also neutralized the pass rushing of John Abraham, who went without a sack after recording 16 ½ during the season. The key this week for the Cardinals, more of the same, stop Julius Peppers of the Panthers who had 14.5 sacks this year and run the veteran James. When they met the Panthers in Carolina week 8, the Cardinals rushed for just 50 yards, in a … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Ryan wins Rookie of the Year Award

Posted on December 31, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, Kurt Warner broke the team record for touchdown passes in a season with thirty, breaking Charley Johnson’s and Neil Lomax’s record of 28 scores each but for them to win their first home playoff game since 1947 they will have to run effectively; they were last in the NFL with less than 74 yards a game on the ground, veteran Edgerrin James could be the answer this weekend against a Falcons’ run defense that allowed 127 yards a game rushing…Falcons, they are three point favorites on the road … Continue reading →

OLD SCHOOL: Baltimore v. Dallas

Posted on December 18, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Baltimore vs. Dallas The 1966 Playoff Bowl, January 9, 1966 The Baltimore Colts played the Dallas Cowboys on January 9, 1966 in a game that was known as the Playoff Bowl. This matched the second place teams in each division against each other in a game played in Miami a week after the NFL title game was played. Tom Matte Baltimore’s halfback turned quarterback stole the show that day in one of the most improbable performances in NFL history. Background After the 1958 NFL championship … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Baltimore winless in Texas Stadium

Posted on December 17, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Falcons, with the Rams at home almost a certain win their last game, this week’s game in Minnesota should decide if they are playoff bound, the Falcons are just 4-9 in Minnesota but did win the biggest game in franchise history there, winning the 1998 NFC championship game on Morten Andersen’s overtime field goal….Ravens, the Ravens have never played in Dallas, but Baltimore teams have won just one game there, the Cowboys first year in 1960 , with a 45-7 Colts win, that was at the Cotton Bowl, in 2 … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Ravens look to make it six in a row v. Steelers

Posted on December 10, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, with their victory Sunday over the Rams, the Cardinals clinched the NFC West, giving them at least one home playoff game, this will be the franchise’s first home post season game since they hosted the NFL championship game on December 20, 1947, when they were the Chicago Cardinals, they beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21 before 30,759 fans at Comisky Park to win their last title. …Falcons, Matt Ryan’s success this season has been based on his ability to spread the ball around, while wide receiver Roddy White will … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Redskins visit to Baltimore first since B. Jones era

Posted on December 4, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, even though rookie Tim Hightower is not playing well, there has been no talk of re-inserting Edgerrin James into the Cardinals’ backfield….Ravens, how long has it been since the Redskins came to Baltimore for a regular season game? Try November 6, 1978. Bert Jones, who would start only three games that year at quarterback due to a shoulder injury, outplayed the Redskins and Billy Kilmer that Monday night. Jones completed 10 of 19 passes for three scores, 2 to Roger Carr in a 21-17 Colts victory. Redskins’ head … Continue reading →

OLD SCHOOL: The NFL and Thanksgiving

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Kurt Backert

The NFL began playing football on Thanksgiving during their first season in 1920.The most important of the half dozen games played that day, November 25, 1920, was played between the Akron Pros with Hall of Famer Fritz Pollard and the Canton Bulldogs, the Pros won 7-0 in Akron all but clinching the NFL’s first championship with the victory. The Detroit Lions began their tradition of Thanksgiving games in 1934 with a 19-16 loss to the Chicago Bears. The Lions have played every Thanksgiving Day since then with the exception … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Ngata Honolulu bound?

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals: Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley is considered this year’s top prospect to fill a head coaching position in 2009 – an offseason that isn’t shaping up to be very promising for Arizona. Anquan Boldin probably will leave and Kurt Warner is a free agent and this all might point towards a “must win now” situation for Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt…Ravens: Haloti Ngata is having a Pro Bowl type of season, but to be an AFC starter he’ll have to win over the voters, players and coaches when they compare … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes: Flacco on pace with Unitas

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, Kurt Warner is on pace to throw for 32 scores, just 11 interceptions, and 5,048 yards, he has my vote as MVP as of today. He won the MVP award in 1999 and 2001, throwing for 41 touchdowns in 1999 and thirty six in 2001. That said he had more than 11 interceptions in both of his previous MVP seasons and the projected 5,048 yards would be a career high. If he wins this year that would give him the MVP award nine seasons apart, 1999 to 2008, … Continue reading →

NFL News & Notes Week 10

Posted on November 5, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Cardinals, Tim Hightower finally passed Edgerrin James on the depth chart and had a score against the Rams Sunday, James, the 10 year veteran did not have a carry Sunday…. Ravens, When is the last time a rookie Baltimore quarterback and rookie running back who started a game brought their team from behind as Joe Flacco and Ray Rice did Sunday. You have to dial it back to the last regular season game of 1956, rookies John Unitas and Lenny Moore were down 17-6 to the Redskins and won 19-17….Browns, … Continue reading →

Week 9 NFL News & Notes

Posted on October 29, 2008 by Kurt Backert

Hall of Fame nominees were named for the class of 2009 and Shannon Sharpe and Rod Woodson were among them. While both have ties to the Ravens and won a championship here, neither will enter the Hall as a Raven. The will go in as a Bronco and a Steeler respectively. Whether the are Hall worthy is a debate for another article but it would be a huge surprise if both are elected this year. Cardinals, Tim Hightower will take over as the starting running back over Edgerrin James, … Continue reading →

OLD SCHOOL: Will Bisciotti’s personnel instincts be rewarded?

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Kurt Backert

The big question on every Ravens fan’s mind is, “How will the team do with new head coach John Harbaugh leading the way?” Will the Ravens be better or worse off than they were with Brian Billick? Does the fact that Harbaugh was never a defensive or offensive coordinator make a difference? No one knows for sure – a new head coach can be the catalyst to a future dynasty or just another name in the NFL record book. But we can look to the league’s history to draw … Continue reading →