Tag Archives: NFL

NFL pushes back date of 2014 draft

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2007 NFL Draft
A scheduling conflict at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall has pushed back one of the venue’s most popular annual events. Next year, the 2014 NFL Draft will be delayed roughly two weeks from its typical start date. The first round will begin during prime time on Thursday, May 8th, and will conclude with the final three rounds on Saturday, May 10th, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. Last week, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked for his thoughts on the potential shift in dates for … Continue reading →

A Knucklehead Retires: The end to Rolando McClain’s NFL career

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Raiders McClain
The Rolando McClain experiment in Baltimore is over, as the former linebacker has pulled the plug on his career full of knuckle-headed mistakes. “Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL,” Ravens general manager and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome said. “We have placed him on the Reserve/Retired list.” A once promising career is now over at the age of 23. After being drafted with the eighth overall pick in 2010 by the Oakland Raiders, McClain’s mistakes led him to being released prematurely, not even receiving … Continue reading →

Super Bowl Fun Facts: History Favors the Ravens in XLVII

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harbowl 600
The Harbowl. The Bro Bowl. The Battle of Bays. Call Super Bowl XLVII what you will but one thing is certain. It will be a match-up of evenly matched teams, similar on many levels except at the game’s most important position – quarterback. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is a classic drop back passer while Colin Kaepernick is a new breed of quarterback whose legs present a bigger concern than even his capable laser-like arm. Kaepernick is the sexier pick. He’s the new breed and the flavor of the 2012 … 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 →

The postseason is Ed Reed’s time to shine

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Ed Reed Playoffs
Evident patches of grey hair on Ed Reed’s head show that father time is beginning to catch up with the future Hall of Fame safety. Reed is still relatively young (34), but in football years, he’s on the level of someone at a senior citizens home playing bingo five times per week. His body is battered and bruised but his mind still remains one of the best to ever be covered with a helmet. Reed’s knowledge of not only the game but of managing his body after an 11-year tenure … Continue reading →

#ChuckSTRONG is bigger than a game

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chuckpagano2
Simply put, football is just a game. This season has presented plenty of reminders that there are things in life larger than sports. The same players we idolize and who appear to be larger than life are constantly humbled and reminded that they’re human like everyone else. If you need further proof, ask Torrey Smith, Victor Cruz or the Dallas Cowboys and Kansas City Chiefs organizations how quickly lives can change by the actions of someone else off the football field. In the midst of tragedy, there are stories of … Continue reading →

FILMSTUDY: Higher denomination coinage – def. notes vs. Bengals 12/30/12

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ravensdlinebengals
The Ravens have played outstanding dime defense the last 7 weeks. During that time, they have played with 6 DBs 17 times and surrendered just 14 yards (0.8 YPPA) including 3 sacks and 2 turnovers.  Until yesterday, the current stretch had all been 3rd or 4th down with 4+ yards to go.  However, on the Bengals last meaningful series Sunday, the Ravens went to it on 2nd and 9. There are risks with getting personnel substituted after a successful conversion or a gain that sets up 3rd and short, but … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Bengals 23 Ravens 17

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taylorbengals
Each year Marist University conducts a poll asking Americans what is the most obnoxious word or phrase used in casual conversation.  For the fourth consecutive year the top choice was, whatever. So with apologies to all Americans, here’s our reaction to a Ravens 23-17 loss in their regular season finale to the Cincinnati Bengals: whatever. As many suspected, head coach John Harbaugh treated this game like a meaningless pre-season tune up, opting to sit most of his starters well before the first quarter had ended. With a post-season home game … Continue reading →

Black Monday? Not in Baltimore

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pinkslip
Black Monday:  1. The first day after Week 17 in the NFL where many head coaches, their staffs, and general mangers are handed pink slips. 2. Typically the first step in what is known as a “rebuilding phase” for struggling professional franchises. “It must be Black Monday, coaches and GM’s are getting pink slips like it’s cut day during training camp.” For as many as 13 NFL franchises, Black Monday is a serious possibility as 20 teams have already began their offseasons. In Baltimore, Ravens fans are spoiled when it … Continue reading →

KIDZ KORNER: Some lessons from an ugly game

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tyrodbengals
Sunday’s preseason-esque game proved to be the sleeper we all expected. Starters sat (well, not all…) and in the end, both teams left the field satisfied. Cincinnati went home as the 6th seed, and the Ravens solidified the 4th seed, looking ahead to face the Colts. We did learn some things, however – some good, some bad. Let’s take a look at the “Top 5 Things We Learned from Sunday’s Game”: 5: Bernard Pierce is a crucial asset to the team: Pierce proved on Sunday that Ozzie struck gold in … Continue reading →

Time for less Suggs, more Upshaw and Kruger?

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krugersuggs
Given that he’s the reigning Defensive Player of the Year – at least until Von Miller, J.J. Watt or Geno Atkins is crowned this postseason – I’m sure what I’m about to say won’t be well received by everyone. However as we head towards the postseason and the Ravens try to position themselves for a run at the Lombardi Trophy, one thing is becoming glaringly obvious with each passing week: Terrell Suggs isn’t effective in his current role. Now, let’s put that into context. This is a guy who has … 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 →

Ed Reed’s fine exposes more Goodell inconsistencies

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goodellpuppet
Ed Reed has once again been fined by the NFL “suits” who cozy up in the league offices. And, once again, it’s an absolute crock. When Reed files his taxes for 2012, he’ll see plenty of additional write-offs to his taxable income for “charitable contributions,” because according to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, Reed has been fined $55,000 for his “helmet-to-helmet” hit on Giants’ wide receiver Victor Cruz. In case you weren’t aware, all NFL fine money goes to various charities, thus allowing players to deduct it from their taxable … Continue reading →

Flags continue to be a thorn in Ravens’ side

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refthrowflag
As the Ravens prepare for what will essentially be a glorified preseason game Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, they must utilize this time to get healthy and fine tune their team. One major area of concern: penalties. Heading into the final game of the regular season, the Ravens have been the flagged fifth-most times (120) in the NFL, but have given away the most yardage to penalties (1025). After practice on Wednesday, I caught up with right tackle Kelechi Osemele to ask if there is anything the team can work … Continue reading →

One on One: Kelechi Osemele

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osemele
In a 2012 draft class that is shaping up to be average at best for the Ravens, rookie right tackle Kelechi Osemele has been a bright spot. From Week 1, Osemele has entrenched himself along the starting offensive line at right tackle, even though he told Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun he’d prefer to play guard. Osemele has been a model rookie, doing what the coaches ask and even though his offensive line has been under some criticism, he’s tuned out the negativity and remained extremely positive. Common football fans … Continue reading →

KIDZ KORNER: Caldwell’s influence was on full display against New York

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caldwell
During the 33-14 dismantling of the Giants, significant players made major strides. Joe Flacco led the bunch, throwing for over 300 yards and playing virtually perfect. He must have read my last article. While #5 did play great, he has to keep it up throughout the playoffs if he wants to earn respect. Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce had efficient games as well, both going over 100 yards. Many were surprised to see such a breakout game for the offense, but there was one guy who wasn’t – Jim Caldwell. … Continue reading →

Tucker on his first NFL season: “I’m having a blast”

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justintucker
Elevated blood pressure comes with the territory of being a passionate football fan. Fans invest much of their time, energy, and hard earned money to watch men play a game – one that will largely dictate their attitude and behavior in the following days. For Ravens fans, it seems all too fitting that a young man who has seized one of the most stressful situations that their team faces just so happens to be the son of a cardiologist. Justin Tucker came into training camp as a 22-year old recent … Continue reading →

Yanda faces tough task in Bengals’ Atkins

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yanda
Marshal Yanda’s play at right guard had been the bright spot on an inconsistent Ravens offensive line. Yanda is playing under a five-year, $32 million contract extension that he signed days after the lockout ended, and his value was never more evident than two weeks ago against the Denver Broncos. Snapping a streak of 44-consecutive starts, Yanda was sidelined with an injured right ankle. Despite the stat sheet showing only three sacks allowed, quarterback Joe Flacco spent most of the game running for his life. Even though he plays alongside … Continue reading →

FILMSTUDY: Defensive notes vs. Giants 12/23/12

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ellerbeeli
During the Denver broadcast, Gumbel quoted Harbaugh as saying the Ravens needed “more yards, more first downs, and more snaps.” The Ravens were outsnapped for the 9th time in 10 games versus Denver.  However, they reversed that trend against the Giants, outsnapping New York by a whopping 81-45 margin en route to a 33-14 win. The Ravens would knock down Eli Manning 9 times including 3 sacks in 31 drop backs, and allowed just 3.8 YPP.  Manning had been sacked an NFL-low 16 times entering the game. The Ravens are now … Continue reading →

RAVENS REPORT CARD: Ravens 33 Giants 14

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ricetdgiants
The reigning world-champion New York football Giants came to Baltimore with their playoff lives at stake. Question was, which Giants team would the Baltimore Ravens see? The Giants who were shutout 34-0 in Atlanta a week prior?  Or the Giants who had crushed a good Packers team and a surging Saints squad in home contests in weeks 12 and 14? It wasn’t an easy game to predict. After all, the Ravens were reeling, losers of three straight and playing just as poorly at home as on the road. They came … Continue reading →