Featured

Facebook Q&A – Wide receiver, Jimmy Smith, and Vonta Leach

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Kris Jones

We’re back for another installment of our Facebook Q&A Session. It appears that since Bryant McKinnie resigned, most of the questions have shifted from the offensive line to the wide receiver position. After attending a few press conferences with the Ravens 2013 draft class and with one open practice to the media in the books, I’ll try to shed some light on what is happening in Owings Mills. Note: If you aren’t one of the 33,000+ people on our Facebook page, please join the party and “like” us HERE. Wide … Continue reading →

Rolando McClain’s future still in question after guilty plea

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Kris Jones

It has been an offseason to forget for linebacker Rolando McClain – an offseason that could resonate for the rest of his life, as he’s on thin ice with the Ravens and the rest of the NFL. Shortly after his season ended with the Oakland Raiders, McClain was pulled over by police for illegal window tint. McClain was upset and signed his citation, “(Expletive) Y’all,” and said that was his real name. For McClain’s smart aleck actions, he was arrested for providing false information to police. Our friend Jeff Zrebiec … Continue reading →

Are Reed and Doss Tough Enough?

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

When the Ravens drafted David Reed in 2010 they believed the Ute would be a player with precise route running skills and good hands. He wasn’t and isn’t a burner and won’t often gain separation on deep routes but he does possess good ball skills and has the ability to make a catch in traffic. Add it up and at best Reed could be a No. 2 wide receiver in the NFL. Running with the scout team, Reed has had a tremendous amount of success competing against the Ravens No. … Continue reading →

Undrafted FA Interview: Offensive lineman Jeff Braun

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Joe Wedra

The Ravens signed 14 players who took part in rookie minicamps the previous week, and those guys all now hope that they can make enough impact to earn a spot on the team. One of those players is Jeff Braun, an offensive lineman from West Virginia. Jeff didn’t get drafted, but he now hopes that he can find a home with the Ravens’ organization. Though Braun is listed as a guard in most places, he shared with me that he isn’t limited to playing guard, but could end up playing … Continue reading →

No competition for Sam Koch or Justin Tucker this season

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Kris Jones

For the third time in as many seasons, the Ravens’ 2012 training camp was closed to the public. However, Ravens fans still followed the action as closely as they could through every outlet possible. Last year, no storyline was greater than the kicking battle between incumbent rookie Justin Tucker and 2011 AFC Championship Game scapegoat Billy Cundiff. The Ravens couldn’t have asked for more from Tucker, who ultimately beat out Cundiff, during his near flawless rookie campaign when he hit on 30 of his 33 field goal attempts (90%). Tucker … Continue reading →

Sifting Through the Options at Wide Receiver

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Joe Wedra

It’s been an offseason unlike any other in Charm City. It would be hard to argue that there has been an organization that has done more than the Baltimore Ravens through just about three months after winning Super Bowl XLVII. Started by the record-breaking contract handed to Mr. Super Bowl MVP, Ozzie Newsome has been working every angle to ensure another playoff run for John Harbaugh’s ‘Mighty Men’. Of all of the needs that have been addressed, the one that wasn’t might be the biggest talking point for fans. Many … Continue reading →

Former Towson Tigers connect as Ravens during rookie mini camp

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Kris Jones

On the third and final day of rookie mini camp, a local duo connected for a 45-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone on the final play before the air horn sounded to end practice. Whether the pass from former Towson quarterback Grant Enders to his fellow Tiger wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard was actually a touchdown is a moot point – their offensive teammates celebrated like it was. Enders’ pass appeared so far ahead of Sheppard that it looked to be way overthrown – that was when … Continue reading →

A Golden Opportunity Stares Down a Few Ravens

Posted on May 6, 2013 by Carey Stevenson

The 2013 NFL draft came and went with no significant additions made to the wide receiver or tight end positions. It was a bit of a shock considering most of the draft prognosticators, fans and even the organization itself hinted to those being positions that would be addressed. Take former Raven Anquan Boldin out of the equation and there isn’t a ton of production at that position. In fact there’s hardly any. The tight end position still lacks a legitimate blocker and currently is occupied by two pending free agents … Continue reading →

TALE OF THE TAPE: Elam will make his living in the box

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Kyle Casey

When the Baltimore Ravens released veteran strong safety Bernard Pollard in March, finding his replacement became one of the team’s priorities heading into the draft. The team wasted no time filling that void, selecting Florida’s Matt Elam with the 32nd pick in the first round. The heavy-hitting, athletic safety is a near clone of Pollard. He has the same playing style, and in terms of strengths and weaknesses, they’re quite similar. Elam, however, is a player who has exceptional range in run defense and brings a high-speed mentality to a … Continue reading →

To be Successful it Takes More Than Talent in the NFL

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

The Ravens were on the clock during the 2009 NFL Draft as they prepared to make the 88th overall selection in Round 3. They turned in the pick: Lardarius Webb, a 5’10”, 179 pound cornerback from Thibodaux, Louisiana’s Nicholls State. Immediately I thought back to a conversation I had with Ravens Assistant GM Eric DeCosta about a very similar selection they made back in 2006. Then while on the clock with the 87th overall pick the Ravens chose 5’11”, 182-pound cornerback from Natchitoches, Louisiana’s Northwestern State, David Pittman. DeCosta shared … Continue reading →

Williams could make an instant impact for Baltimore

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Kyle Casey

Entering the 2013 NFL Draft, one of the biggest concerns for the Baltimore Ravens was whether or not they would address the nose tackle position. They reloaded the defensive line by signing veterans Marcus Spears and Chris Canty in free agency, but both figure to play almost exclusively at defensive end in Baltimore’s 3-4 defense. Nose tackle was still a looming uncertainty, with the underachieving Terrence Cody being the only true nose tackle on the team. Sure, Haloti Ngata may be moved inside to start at nose tackle, but with … Continue reading →

Potential Weapons for Flacco

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Joe Wedra

The Ravens wasted no time signing undrafted free agents immediately after the draft. Inking 14 of them to deals, we might just see the next NFL star come out of one or two of these prospects. Of those players, some may represent needed help for Joe Flacco. Let’s take a look at some undrafted rookies that have the best chance to make an impact and be some of Flacco’s biggest targets. Gerrard Sheppard, Wide Receiver, Towson: The hometown wide out has a chance to make the team simply because the … Continue reading →

Ravens Keep a Step Ahead by Hiring Spagnuolo

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

After the Ravens won Super Bowl XXXV it was no small secret that the key to the team’s success CLEARLY was found on the defensive side of the football. During the 2000 season head coach Brian Billick fielded arguably the greatest defense of all time and the maestro of the unit was none other than Marvin Lewis. Predictably, Lewis was courted by a few organizations to be their new head coach, but it’s often difficult for teams to wait on Super Bowl winners. Many clubs just believe that there’s not … Continue reading →

An Undrafted Free Agent Who Could Become a Fan Favorite

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Ray Holly Orange Coast College Running Back

Baltimore has always had an affinity for the underdog. We embrace the lunch pail guys – players who get the most out of relatively limited physical skills, constantly delivering maximum effort and eventually exceeding expectations. Players like Kelly Gregg and Jim Leonhard come to mind. Last season, a player who during training camp was often referred to as “a poor man’s Ray Rice”, Bobby Rainey became a fan favorite. While Rice backups Anthony Allen and Damien Berry struggled to make an impact, Rainey flourished and tapped into Baltimore’s underdog affinity. … Continue reading →

The Face of Ravens’ OC Jim Caldwell

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Tony Lombardi

Whether it was on the sidelines as the skipper of the Indianapolis Colts or in the coach’s booth above the field as the interim offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, the look on Jim Caldwell’s face was always the same. Stoic. Seemingly detached. Expressionless. Unemotional. Dispassionate. Dazed and confused. Recently the media was invited to a chalk talk session with the team’s coordinators: Jim Caldwell (now, officially the “OC”); Dean Pees; and Jerry Rosburg. Not having had any real exposure to Caldwell I expected his portion of the session to … Continue reading →

Brandon Williams won’t walk on his hands anymore; benches 500 lbs.

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Kris Jones

Now that the draft has concluded and rookie mini-camps have began, Ravens fans will begin to familiarize themselves with the team’s freshest faces. During the week since Brandon Williams was taken off the board by the Ravens in the third round (94th overall), no one on the roster has received more attention. Even though most haven’t heard of Williams before last week, the 335 pound defensive tackle has found himself routinely standing out in small places. While in school at Missouri Southern State, Williams played his way into being named … Continue reading →

First Impression: Arthur Brown’s size shouldn’t be an issue

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Kris Jones

For second-round pick Arthur Brown, tape has significantly both helped, and hurt, his career. During his collegiate days at Kansas State, Brown’s game tape showed a linebacker with a tremendous amount of upside, projecting well for a transition to the NFL. However, the tape measure has hurt Brown, as the majority of his criticisms lie within the fact that he can be labeled as “small” by traditional linebacking standards. At first glance, Brown’s 6-0, 241-pound frame is likely the reason he slid down the board in the second round before … Continue reading →

Ravens Hire Steve Spagnuolo

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Ravens PR Staff

Steve Spagnuolo, former head coach of the St. Louis Rams (2009-11), has joined the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff, it was announced today by head coach John Harbaugh. Spagnuolo’s full-time position with the team is senior defensive assistant. “Steve had a number of opportunities in the league right now, and we’re excited he picked the Ravens,” Harbaugh said. “He comes to a staff that we believe is very strong, and he makes us even better. His wealth of NFL coaching experience speaks for itself, and he’ll help us across the board. … Continue reading →

Which McKinnie will the Ravens get?

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Ken Weinman

I’ll admit that I’m very happy the Ravens resigned Bryant McKinnie. I didn’t want Kelechi Osemele to play left tackle, as I think he can be a Pro Bowl-caliber left guard, and I think we can all agree that Michael Oher can’t handle it. They weren’t going to be able to trade up and get one of the elite left tackle prospects in the draft so they didn’t have a lot of other options. Branden Albert would have been a great fit but the price was way too rich for … Continue reading →

THE MAILBAG: Why Are Cody and Reed Still on the Team?

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Will Spencer

Will Spencer from DraftBreakdown.com answers draft related questions presented here just as they were posted on our Facebook Page. Why didn’t Ravens address their WR concerns earlier in the draft? Who is Flacco gonna throw to other than Smith, Jones and Pitta? T. Doss and D. Reed are not ready yet. – Samir Begic I think the team expects Dickson to take a larger role in the offense this year and don’t forget that Ray Rice is always a threat out of the backfield. While David Reed’s status might … Continue reading →