About Tony Lombardi

Tony is 24x7 Networks, LLC's founder (the parent of EutawStreetReport.com and RussellStreetReport.com) and has been contributing columns, blogs and inside scoops for the organization since its inception on July 3, 2003. His work has been featured on various sports websites and he has been a guest on several local and out of town sports radio programs. A diehard Fab Four fan, Tony aspires to settle down on a Florida Coast, is a frustrated musician who thinks beating on the steering wheel is akin to being John Bonham and no, he isn't related to THAT Vince Lombardi although his grandfather, uncle and cousin all share the name. Follow Tony on Twitter @RussellStReport or @RSRLombardi

The Time is Now for Jimmy Smith

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Coming out of college in 2011 he had all the coveted measurables of a shutdown corner – measurables that were often compared to those of Nnamdi Asomugha. In a league that has quickly morphed into a predominantly passing league the value at the position is at an all-time high. Who wouldn’t want a Nnamdi Asomugha? The comparisons while dangerous in that they could set an unrealistic level of expectation were hard to ignore given nearly identical height, weight, speed, intelligence and other Combine scores. Yet there was one major difference … Continue reading →

The Dance is Over! What’s Next?

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Prior to the 2001 season I recall feeling that on the heels of a Super Bowl XXXV Championship, the next season arrived too fast. I wanted to bask in the glow of a city of champions just a little longer. Starting the season meant that the title of “Defending World Champions” would only last another 5 months, save a repeat title. Of course the season ending knee injury to Jamal Lewis and then the loss of free agent right tackle Leon Searcy made the season an uphill climb from jump … Continue reading →

PFT’s Florio Takes a Vicious Swipe at Ray Lewis

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Whenever there’s a story about Ray Lewis originating from online publications not based in Baltimore, inevitably the topic of murder surfaces – usually in the comments section. The hate could be explained in countless ways and ranges from jealousy to insecurity to jadedness to ignorance amongst fans. Of course Ray made mistakes. He once ran with the wrong crowd. In the fleeting seconds after the Atlanta slayings he panicked given the potential consequences of his twice-removed connectivity to such brutal crimes. The details of the case (or lack thereof) are … Continue reading →

TWO MINUTE OFFENSE: Pay cut or else for Leach?

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Vonta Leach is in a league of his own and is far and away the best lead blocking fullback on the planet. Unfortunately for the three-time All Pro he is part of a dying breed and plays a position that in today’s NFL is as cutting edge as a Walkman. And that limits Leach’s marketability. This season Leach carries the team’s ninth highest cap figure at $4.33M and given that the Ravens invested a fourth round pick in FB/TE Kyle Juszczyk it stands to reason that Leach is a potential … Continue reading →

I Should Have Known Better

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

I feel like a Beatles’ song this morning. I should’ve known better. Yes, like nearly 99% of you I looked at the model of the Ravens Super Bowl Ring and thought it was a train wreck and personally I thought its origin was the middle of a Cracker Jacks’ box. Saying that it was ugly was a gross injustice to all things that are ugly. It looked hideous! I even wondered if the ring was a plant – that some clever member of the Ravens’ PR Department slipped the picture … Continue reading →

STEVE BISCIOTTI: The quiet hand that guides The Baltimore Ravens

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

During my days as a salesman for Bell Atlantic Capital, a now defunct company due to it being an acquisition target multiple times, I enjoyed the camaraderie of my co-workers; respected my superiors and greatly admired the company’s leaders. They fostered a fun and competitive environment, managing it in a way that inspired you to excel not just for monetary gain but also for pride – both individually and collectively. That’s a delicate balance to maintain but the leaders did it very well. Each year they rewarded salespeople who exceeded … Continue reading →

Who Will be The Lead Dog Now?

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Leadership has never been a problem for the Baltimore Ravens. Since their inception they’ve employed the quintessential field general whose name doesn’t even need to be mentioned. But now their lead dog, Ray Lewis is gone as is the Robin to his Batman, Ed Reed. So for the first time in a generation observers of the team are wondering where the team’s leadership will come from. We all want leaders. We all need leaders and when one leaves, you assess the damage and determine what’s left and what is missing. … Continue reading →

The Search for No. 2

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

The search for the Ravens No. 2 wide receiver may have ended before it even started. If recent OTA’s are any indication that player fox-trotted on to the field for the first time this spring just last week. His name – Jacoby Jones. Most will probably think that Jones doesn’t show consistency as a ball catcher and that making him a bigger part of the offense will diminish his effectiveness as a return specialist. Last year he led the league with a 30.7 average on kick returns, scored 4 TD’s … Continue reading →

Ravens Bank on Flacco’s Good Health

Posted on June 4, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Joe Flacco has played in 93 consecutive games in the NFL. In fact the last game that he missed was back during his freshman year at the University of Pittsburgh in 2004. To say the least Flacco is durable and his toughness is understated. During his 5 year career the Super Bowl XLVII MVP has been sacked 180 times in regular season play, once every 15 times he drops back to throw. And while this may seem like a lot, it is pretty close to being the league average during … Continue reading →

OTA NOTES: Flacco Spotted and the WR Games Begin

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

The Ravens practiced in their shorts and shells yesterday in conditions very similar to those they will be forced to endure when training camp begins in late July. This group of OTA’s is not mandatory and as expected, several players were not in attendance including: Terrell Suggs; Haloti Ngata; Marshal Yanda; Vonta Leach; Bernard Pierce; Marcus Spears; Chris Canty; James Ihedigbo (who did get on the bus bound for the Beach Bash along with teammates Omar Brown, Chykie Brown, Adrian Hamilton and Deonte Thompson); Chris Johnson; Antoine McClain. Many will … Continue reading →

BEING ROGER GOODELL: If I was Commissioner for a day

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Today the Ravens are back at it for the next round of OTA’s. We’ll be sharing our thoughts and insights from today’s practice and post-practice comments from Jim Caldwell and Dean Pees. Until then, and with the relative dearth of news from One Winning Drive, I thought I’d play the role of NFL Commissioner for a morning. Clearly my last name screams NFL, right? Although admittedly, when my last name was screamed during those formidable years it usually meant I was in trouble. Be that as it may and since … Continue reading →

TWO-MINUTE OFFENSE: Another Raven off to Cleveland?

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Joe Linta’s remarks about the Ravens were poorly chosen words that only Amanda Bynes would be proud of. That drum has been beaten to death and I promise I’ll only tap on the single-ply calfskin one more time… “I’ve never in my life seen a dumber move. I guess people can say, ‘Well, Joe was dumb, too.’ It could have been (dumb), God forbid, if he got hurt. But $1 million to Steve Bisciotti six years from now? That’s like 100 bucks for you or me today.” He said it. … Continue reading →

What’s in Store on NFL Opening Night?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

We all know why the Baltimore Ravens will probably be the only DEFENDING SUPER BOWL CHAMPION not to host the NFL season opener for a very, very long time. We’ve heard all the reasons, all of the excuses and fingered all of the potential scapegoats. My goat is Roger Goodell and the NFL owners. Driven by greed they disingenuously stuck it to the fans. Not moving the game to Wednesday, September 4 is a disservice to every one of you who for years has shelled out your hard earned dollars … Continue reading →

OTA’s: The NFL’s Daycare Center?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

One of the more interesting developments during the NFL’s modern era is the advent of OTA’s: Organized Team Activities. Most are labeled voluntary while others are mandatory. It’s those voluntary ones that really seem to get folks agitated. If a veteran fails to report to the voluntary camps, his commitment is questioned; his work ethic, challenged. If a player whose position on the team isn’t certain and he fails to appear at the voluntary camps, voluntary suddenly morphs into mandatory and that is met with the scorn of positional coaches … Continue reading →

Linta’s “Dumb” Talk Could Signal Problems for Flacco and the Ravens

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

If a realtor had disparaging things to say about you AFTER selling you a new home, would you do business with him or her again? If you purchased a new car and then overheard the salesperson saying how he or she hosed you by selling the highly profitable extended warranty that you really didn’t need, would you recommend that dealership? If word got back to you that your girlfriend was only seeing you because you had a nice car, a big bank account and a vacation home would you still … Continue reading →

Bernard Pollard is a fool

Posted on May 26, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Bernard Pollard is a menacing, physical presence on any defense. He’s a hard hitter and excels in the box. He has the ability to force turnovers and intimidate opponents. Like he was on the Chiefs and the Texans, Pollard was a solid contributor for the Ravens – and then he wore out his welcome. Perhaps he has a habit of doing that. On the down side, Pollard can’t cover a corpse with a blanket and his head hunting tendencies are being flagged more and more frequently. He’s in denial and … Continue reading →

Ravens look to fill holes

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

By most accounts the Baltimore Ravens have had a very fine offseason. Patience and experience have rewarded Ozzie Newsome & Co. Yet despite the extensive roster augmentation motivated by a goal to get younger and faster, there remain two big question marks as the team works their way through OTA’s in preparation for Training Camp 2013: 1. Who will play inside linebacker? 2. How will Jim Caldwell account for the loss of Anquan Boldin? It’s worth repeating that an offseason really can’t be judged until the Ravens (or any team … Continue reading →

Being Justin Tucker

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Two teams square off for nearly 60 minutes fighting each other, the elements and through the pain of injuries in order to secure the win. The game is close and winds down to the final seconds. One play, one kick will define the victors and the losers. Millions of eyes descend upon the player with the cleanest uniform on the field – the kicker. His teammates say next to nothing to him leaving him alone in thought and hopefully in focus. Opponents try to disrupt his concentration and his rhythm. … Continue reading →

Two Ravens Retire and a Former Raven Sounds Off!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Like many of you after hearing about the retirement of Rolando McClain, my eyes rolled back in my head like it was a slot machine. And for the Ravens, they may have hit the jackpot when the lazy underachiever decided to call it a career at the highly advanced age of 23. Immediately the skeptical among you wondered… Did he get arrested again? Will he have to do time on some priors? Did he flunk a drug test? Time will tell but THANKFULLY the polar opposite of Ray Lewis IS … Continue reading →

Ravens Look to Improve from “The Bottom Up”

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Clearly the most overlooked part of football is special teams. All too often they are taken for granted. Something that is as seemingly simple as a PAT doesn’t just become an automatic overnight. The perfectly fired snap, spun just right with the proper velocity and aimed towards the waiting hands of the holder. The ball consists of highly polished leather, slick by nature and almost eel-like when dampened. Within fractions of a second the holder places the ball on the turf, spins and angles it to the kickers liking and … Continue reading →