It is often said that three years is a sufficient waiting period before grading an NFL team’s draft class. While that amount of time isn’t gospel, it is a fairly useful metric to determine the success of a draft. Three years ago, the Baltimore Ravens hauled in a 2010 group of prospects that consisted of seven players. They traded out of the first round, but ended up with two second-round picks. Let’s take a look at each pick with a grade for each: Sergio Kindle, Linebacker (Round 2, Pick 43) … Continue reading →

When the Ravens announced their initial class of 14 undrafted rookie free agents, the list contained a familiar local name in Towson wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard. Along with his college quarterback Grant Enders (tryout), Sheppard made a trip a few exits around I-695 to Owings Mills to audition for the coaching staff during a mandatory rookie minicamp that concluded on May 5. Following the final practice, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called the Towson products, “NFL-quality guys,” even though it’s possible that their professional careers may be over before they … Continue reading →

Full Disclosure – I’ve been a huge sports fan all my life. I would be watching a lot of sports and sporting events even if I didn’t work in the sports world.  I started collecting sports memorabilia when I was in my teens and I am proud of my collection.  I understand the mind of the sports fan. At least…I thought I did. Then Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones became a contestant on Dancing With the Stars. I have not watched one second of the show and frankly don’t plan … Continue reading →

Dennis Pitta signing his restricted free agent tender was the big news of the day, but it wasn’t the only news. The Ravens also announced that they have signed four undrafted free agent rookies. Cornerback Moe Lee was brought in for a tryout and signed. He will try to make the team as a backup secondary player in a defensive backfield that has a lot of new pieces. Lee isn’t an overall speedster, but he had decent numbers during his college career at Utah. He played at California Community College … Continue reading →

Based on their efforts on the field during the 2012 season, Ray Rice and Torrey Smith are already “officially” champions. However, they’ve been champions in the community ever since they showed up in Baltimore, and they proved that once again this past weekend. Already working six days per week during the football season, these men spend their off days leveraging their celebrity to help make an impact on the community they now call home. These players are idolized by both children and adults alike, but one thing that commonly slips … Continue reading →

Does the NFL need to step up to the plate even more to help rookies as well as vested players regarding how they conduct themselves off the field? Each year the NFL holds it’s mandated NFL Rookie Symposium, but is that enough? Let’s be honest – everyone can remember when they were younger (of if you are younger now) and what it was like to have some money in your pocket. Now, chances are the money we had pales in camparison to what NFL rookies make, but you get the … Continue reading →

With the likes of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed departing from the Baltimore Ravens, the main question everyone has been asking is, “Who will step up as the leader in the Ravens locker room?” To begin the search look no further than Haloti Ngata and Terrell Suggs. They know what it takes to lead men. They have watched it and they should have no problem using their seniority and their Super Bowl rings to prove how much work will be and should be done around the castle. But luckily for … Continue reading →

It’s been a wild offseason in Charm City and the moves that the team has made have all been notable. Every hole has been filled except for the one that many fans wanted complete the most—another wide receiver. I have no problem with Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones being the top two on the depth chart, but it gets shaky at best after that. I previously wrote an article addressing the talent that is already on the roster and may be able to fill the void. Is it possible that … Continue reading →

Today we learned that the Ravens acquired center A.Q. Shipley from the Indianapolis Colts for a conditional seventh round pick. The condition? Shipley has to make the team, otherwise the Ravens owe the Colts nothing. The acquisition of Shipley should NOT be interpreted as a lack of confidence in the team’s probable starting center Gino Gradkowski but more as an acquisition of value and one that can elevate the level of competition in camp. If Shipley earns a spot on the team’s 53-man roster, the Ravens essentially get a 26 … Continue reading →

When the Baltimore Ravens traded for Indianapolis Colts center A.Q. Shipley on Thursday, the news came as a bit of a surprise. Just two weeks ago, the Ravens drafted Colorado State-Pueblo offensive lineman Ryan Jensen, who figured to be penciled in as the team’s backup center in 2013, assuming second-year center Gino Gradkowski is ready to assume a starting role. However, the exact opposite may be the case, as the Ravens gave up a conditional 2014 draft pick for Shipley, meaning this wasn’t just a casual move for another camp … Continue reading →

Coaches often believe that competition can make a player perform better. In football, more and more coaches want players to beat out others when it comes to their job — that way it gets the best out of people. The Ravens certainly appear to be big believers in that theory. Take a look at what they’re doing with their centers for the upcoming season. They could have easily handed the job over the Gino Gradkowski after he spent a year under the watch of veteran Matt Birk, who retired after the … Continue reading →

When the Ravens re-signed Bryant McKinnie last week, it made their offensive line better in three postitions. With McKinnie staying put in Baltimore with his new two-year contract, the only unknown on the offensive line heading into OTA’s, mini-camp and training camp is who will win the starting center spot vacated by Matt Birk, who retired after 15 seasons and six Pro Bowl appearances. Heading into camp, the favorite to win the job is Gino Gradkowski, a fourth-round selection in 2012 who backed up Birk and started and played well … Continue reading →

The Baltimore Ravens have acquired C A.Q. Shipley, pending passing a physical, from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a conditional 2014 draft pick, general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome announced Thursday morning. Shipley, a 6-1, 309-pounder, enters his second NFL season having seen action in 14 games (five starts) with the Colts in 2012. He also played on special teams in the Colts’ Wild Card contest at Baltimore last season. Originally selected by the Steelers in the seventh round (226th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft, Shipley … Continue reading →

Ray Rice will be hosting his 2nd Annual Ray Rice Day at Calvert Hall College High School on Saturday May 11 from 8am until noon. The day will feature football related activities, skills drills, and non-contact 7 on 7′s, as well as fitness and nutrition information for both boys and girls ages 7-13 provided by Ray, his teammates, his high school coaches, and other volunteer coaches from the Towson University football program. Approximately 600 kids are expected to attend this free event, one that was filled via online registration within … Continue reading →

Four undrafted free agents’ dreams of making the Ravens ended on Tuesday, as the organization waived a few of the guys they brought in for rookie minicamps. Among the cuts was tight end Murphy Holloway, who was trying to make a transition from the basketball court to the gridiron after advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the March Madness tournament while playing at Ole Miss. Holloway will apparently try to resume his career playing basketball, as he tweeted the following when the decision: “ @Murphys_Law31: Back to the hardwood couldn’t … Continue reading →

One of the pleasant surprises of the 2012 Baltimore Ravens season was the play of rookie running back Bernard Pierce. The third-round pick won the backup job almost by default during training camp, one that was marked by nagging injuries for the rookie from Temple. However when he began to hit his practice stride his presence was felt as a between-the-tackles runner to complement starter Ray Rice. He was active for all 16 regular season games as well as the four postseason matchups. It wasn’t until the second half of … Continue reading →