Ravens. Steelers. Playoffs.
What more needs to be said?
Let’s take a look at the quotes, stats, and more, courtesy of Conrad’s Seafood.
RAVENS PLAYOFF HISTORY
KNOW THY ENEMY
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Head coach John Harbaugh on kicking off the NFL postseason:
“Everyone is the same right now. We’re all 0-0, and if you win, you advance. This team has faith – faith in each other and faith above. They found a way. They’ve persevered. We all have. We’ve had some different challenges this season, on and off the field. It speaks to the ownership, Steve Bisciotti, Ozzie Newsome, our coaches, the type of players we bring in here. We have a great organization, and I’m proud to be part of it. We’re excited for a chance to continue to compete.”
SiriusXM’s Rich Gannon on QB Joe Flacco:
“People don’t realize this about Flacco, but he oozes confidence. He’s not going to flinch. He has the utmost confidence. … One thing you respect about Joe is he doesn’t make a mistake and then become conservative. That’s not who Joe is.”
OLB Elvis Dumervil on setting the Ravens’ single-season sack record:
“It’s just a blessing. The sacks will come, and they come in bunches. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity with a great organization, great teammates. So many people played their parts. I’m just grateful to be in a great situation to be able to take advantage of it. … I can’t take all the credit. All the unselfish guys that I play with – Courtney Upshaw, give him a special shout out to help me stay fresh. We’ve got Pernell McPhee up the middle. Obviously, playing alongside Terrell Suggs, it really helps. I’m just with great players and taking advantage of it.”
TE Owen Daniels on the difference between Gary Kubiak, the head coach, and Gary Kubiak, the offensive coordinator:
“I never realized how good of a teacher he was. Being a head coach, you oversee a lot of things; you’re not as hands on. Now I can see him as a teacher in the meeting rooms, installing the offense, on the practice field really coaching the guys up. He’s a fantastic teacher. He’s going to be a head coach again someday – I guarantee it. I’m just happy to see him as an OC. We’re all lucky to have him as our OC right now.”
ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley on John Harbaugh:
“John Harbaugh is at his best as a coach when his team faces adversity because he knows how to get the Baltimore Ravens in the right mindset. … Harbaugh loves sending messages to his players. He’ll give them blue-collared shirts during training camp to promote their workmanlike attitude. He puts up signs throughout the facility like W.I.N. – ‘What’s Important Now.’”
HEY, YOU LOOK FAMILIAR! ~ Key Connections
Both Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (1998-2006) and Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau (1973-75) began their NFL coaching careers as special teams coaches for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Steelers defensive assistant Jerry Olsavsky finished his NFL playing career as a LB with the Ravens in 1998. Steelers DBs coach Carnell Lake was a member of the Ravens in 2001, his final NFL season.
Ravens Northeast area scout Andy Weidl spent two years (1998-99) with the Steelers as a player personnel assistant.
Steelers WRs coach Richard Mann served in the same capacity for the Baltimore Colts from 1982-83. Mann (1985) later was hired as the WRs/TEs coach for the Cleveland Browns, where he coached current Ravens general manager/executive vice president and Hall of Fame TE Ozzie Newsome (1978-90).
Ravens G/C Gino Gradkowski is the younger brother of Steelers QB Bruce Gradkowski. The Gradkowski brothers are natives of Pittsburgh and attended Seton-La Salle Catholic (Pittsburgh, PA) HS.
Ravens WR Torrey Smith and Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey played together at Maryland in 2008, while Ravens DE Chris Canty (2001-04) and Steelers TE Heath Miller (2002-04) were teammates at Virginia.
Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil and Steelers CB William Gay were members of Louisville’s defense during the 2003-05 seasons.
Ravens S Will Hill (2008-10) played with Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey (2008-09) and T Marcus Gilbert (2010) at Florida. Hill and Ravens S Matt Elam (2010-12) and Gilbert were Gators teammates as well during the 2010 campaign.
Ravens S Terrence Brooks (2010-13), who is on Injured Reserve, and DT Timmy Jernigan (2011-13) and Steelers LB Vince Williams (2008-12) were defensive teammates at Florida State.
Ravens WR Marlon Brown (2009-12) and DE DeAngelo Tyson (2008-11) were teammates with Steelers LB Jarvis Jones (2011-12) at Georgia.
LAUGH OF THE WEEK AT EXPENSE OF RAVENS’ OPPONENT
Let’s go back to the last time the Steelers made the playoffs…
[youtube]http://youtu.be/R0BQgRTWJaU[/youtube]
