Fabian Washington is the man

As Fabian Washington walked around the Raven's facilities, he "had a smile on his face." Who could blame him given the tremendous extravagance that the facility offers.

Washington isn't the only person in Baltimore that should be smiling though. Every Raven's fan should be grinning ear to ear with the arrival of Washington. He cost a mere 125th draft pick, and the payoff should be much better. Washington brings with him much needed depth at the cornerback position.

In his three season in the NFL, Washington has racked up 123 total tackles and 5 interceptions. More importantly he brings youth and experience. Washington is only 24 years old, yet has played in or started 45 NFL games. He can learn the finer points of the position (that he doesn't already know) from Chris McAllister and Samari Rolle. He will be an integral part of the defense immediately and hopefully for a long time to come.

Kyle Boller or Joe Flacco?

Jamison Hensley has a great read over at the Baltimore Sun. I particularly agree with his assessment of the quarterback position, "Boller should start the season, but Flacco might be the one who finishes it."

Baltimore Ravens Draft Review

Well the 2008 draft has come and gone. All in all the Ravens did well, but they left room for improvement in free agency. The team adequately addressed the significant needs at the offensive skill positions, but failed to add youth at the corners.

I think the team failed overall with their defensive selections. Taveres Gooden is a quality ILB and fills a need with the team. I am confused by the selection of two Safeties. The team needed one to support Reed and Landry, but two? Corner Back was an issue that needed to be addressed with this draft and wasn’t. Both of these guys play as safeties and are built as such. I can’t imagine the Ravens will try to convert either to CB. So we entered the draft with glaring needs on the offensive lines and at CB. Unfortunately we leave the draft with the same two needs (more so the corner position than the offensive line). Even though there are some issues, I have to reiterate that the team did well with the offensive skill positions. Two wide receivers, two running backs, and a stud of a quarterback. Here is a breakdown position by position:

1. Joe Flacco,QB-Deleware (18)

6’6, laser rocket arm. He absolutely has the strongest arm in 2008 crop of QB’s. Kyle Boller also had the strongest arm in his class. Joe Flacco is talented and intelligent, but he has yet to face NFL caliber competition. He has the potential to be great, but needs some time to develop. I hope the Ravens will hold him out of the starting lineup so he doesn’t suffer from Boller or David Carr syndrome. He has some escapability issues because of his size, so the O-line will have to protect him. If he has time to pass, he can develop into an outstanding pocket passer.

2. Ray Rice, RB-Rutgers (55)

Bowling ball. Rice is quick, patient, and strong. He is a great addition as a back-up running back. Rice’s style of play differs from McGahee’s which will provide the team with more offensive option. Many people underestimate his blocking abilities as well.

3. Tavares Gooden, ILB-Miami (71)

Originally a question mark because of an unproductive first half of his college career, Gooden has developed into a prototypical Miami linebacker. He has the athletic ability to fill Ray Lewis’ shoes under his tutelage. I’m excited about this pick more than any of the others.

4. Tom Zbikowski, S-Notre Dame (86)

He hits hard! He really hits hard. Zbikowski is also a quick guy. Expect him to immediately jump to third on the safety depth chart. Good pick up for the Ravens.

5. Oniel Cousins, OG-UTEP (99)

From what the college analysts say, Cousins is a good talent. He is inexperience and raw, but can develop into a quality NFL player. Many experts compare him to the Colts’ Tony Ugoh. Hopefully, Jonathan Ogden stays on for one more year to guide Cousins development.

6. Marcus Smith, WR-New Mexico (106)

He had big numbers while playing with the Lobos. Smith is a tall guy that is willing to go up and fight for the ball. We’ll keep a close on him. He can either become great or disappear in two years.

7. David Hale, OT-Weber State (133)

I don’t know much about Hale, but ESPN seems to think he will peak as a back-up Right Tackle.

8. Haruki Nakamura, S-Cincinnati (206)

I was disappointed with this pick more than any others. I honestly question why the team drafted another safety. Granted Ozzie and others know quite a bit more than I do, but I wish we would’ve used this pick to draft a corner. He stands 5’9, lacking the necessary height to be a good corner. I think Nakamura will be a great special team’s player because of his pension for making big tackles.

9. Justin Harper, WR- Virginia Tech (215)

He is a big guy, but can get pushed around from time to time. He needs to bulk up and learn how to push off a corner at the line, but he has the athleticism to become good.

10. Allen Patrick, RB-Oklahoma (240)

I think this pick is a steal. With 927 yards in 13 games (5.8 per carry) he has impressive stats for a 7^th round pick. Patrick is a hard runner nosed runner and has faced good competition in the Big 12, so I expect him to get a chance after putting in his time on special teams.

Ravens select Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco! Flacco! Flacco!

With the 18th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Ravens select Joe Flacco.

My bet: He starts by week 10.

Ravens trade their first round pick

The Raven's just traded their first round draft pick to the Jaguars. This is a good decision in the grand scheme of things.

Matt Ryan went early. The Ravens feel like they'll be able to pick up either Flacco or Henne late in the first round. The details of the trade haven't been revealed yet, but hopefully it involves an extra second round pick for the Ravens.

A Draft Day Poem

The NFL draft is finally here,

Time to hang with friends and shot gun some beer.

Praise your team or yell at their mistake,

For your team's future may be at stake.

Buckle up for a never-ending day,

The draft goes on and on, but you have to see every play.

Tomorrow is the day that can instill hope,

But if goes wrong make sure you bought some dope.

This is a big grocery list

Which illustrious college quarterback should the Raven's draft? Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Chad Henne, or Brian Brohm?

I want them all. Give me Matt Ryan, the All-American frat boy.


I want Mr. Gangley, bucktooth, Joe Flacco.


Send the beer bellied Chad Henne my way.


Obviously I would take the potentially corrupted (by Bobby Petrino) Brian Brohm.


One of the four prospects is bound to succeed.

Steve McNair...a little late

As every football fan knows by now, Steve McNair has retired from the NFL. McNair is undoubtedly one of the great quarterbacks in history. He is one of three quarterbacks to throw for more than 30,000 yards and run for more than 3,000. He never won a Super Bowl, but did win a co-MVP with Peyton Manning. I think he deserves a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame.

The disappointing part of McNair's career is that he didn't spend his prime in Baltimore. The city never got to see McNair at his finest. We saw a shell of the former Oiler/Titan that could score at will when partnered with Eddie George. Anyway, congrats on a great career and I hope you get hired on as a quarterbacks coach somewhere soon.

Matt Stover's e-mail sweeps the nation

Raven's place kicker, Matt Stover, recently sent an e-mail to player reps from around the league in an effort to campaign for the end of Gene Upshaw's term as the leader of the NFL player union. The Sports Business Daily analyzed what fans were saying about Stover's e-mail. They found that 59% of of bloggers around the country approve of Stover's message.

This is another example of the influence of the Baltimore Ravens. Matt Stover stepped up to the plate and hit a home run that will hopefully lead to end of Gene Upshaw's influence.

Orioles have the best record in the AL

I had to capture this while I still can. The Baltimore Orioles, the same team that released all its quality players and won't be a competitor again until 2011 at the earliest, has the best record in the American League. They are also tied with the Brewers for the best record in Major League Baseball.

Draft Needs

Story of the day:

"The offense can run, courtesy of McGahee, but last year could not pass. For the Ravens to win, they need to be able to do both, and if Ogden retires without a real replacement, they may not be able to do either."

Chris Henry = Inmate 17294720289

Tony from "The Best Baltimore Ravens Blog" wrote a post today about passing on the newly available Chris Henry. As many of you probably know, Henry is the former receiver of the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been touted as a talented, promising, and gifted football player that just can't stay out of trouble.

That could be a slight understatement. He has given minors alcohol, beaten minors to a pulp, stolen cars, etc. Tony argues correctly that the Ravens shouldn't entertain the idea of hiring Henry for his services, but my question is "was that even a possibility?"

The Ravens have had legal issues throughout the years, most notably the Lewis contingent in the organization, but I can't imagine that they would ever bring such a crime ridden individual into the franchise. The only two teams in the NFL in which I can even envision the possibility of Chris Henry landing a roster spot are the Dallas Cowboys with Jerry Jones and the Oakland Raiders with Al Davis.

Matt Ryan is a franchise QB

Story of the day:

"In the NFL, when you draft a quarterback in Round 1 and it doesn't work out, it's sort of like moving on from a bad break-up. You're going to feel a little bit skittish the first time you try to get back out there. You don't want to just grab the next quarterback who comes along, because the misery is too fresh, and your judgment is cloudy."

Pre-Season schedules are out

The Baltimore Ravens season will begin between August 7 and 11. Though the official date has yet to be determined, the opponent is set in stone. The Baltimore Ravens will kick their pre-season off against none other than the Super Choke Champions, the New England Patriots.

Now obviously pre-season wins and losses prove absolutely nothing, but I really hope Terrell Suggs hurts a key player on the Patriots offense.

It feels good to know NFL football is only months away.

Just another mock draft

You can check out the opinion of the "experts" here, but obviously mine is better.

1. Miami Dolphins: Jake Long, OT, Michigan. He is just an unbreakable wall. Without question, he deserves the Orlando Pace type draft hype.
2. St. Louis Rams: Chris Long, DE, Virginia
3. Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College. Sad to see him go. If he makes it to the eighth pick somehow the Ravens will surely gobble him up.
4. Oakland Raiders: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
6. New York Jets: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
7. New England Patriots: Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
8. Baltimore Ravens: Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy. I would love it if the Ravens used this pick to add some youth to the aging CB core. Ideally the Ravens then get the chance to select either Chad Henne or Joe Flacco with their second round pick.
9. Cincinnati Bengals: Keith Rivers, OLB, USC
10. New Orleans Saints: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
11. Buffalo Bills: Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma. Best wide receiver in the entire class. I don't care if he has knee issues. The major concern with wide receivers are their hands, and he only dropped two balls in his entire college career.
12. Denver Broncos: Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
13. Carolina Panthers: Derrick Harvey, DE, Florida
14. Chicago Bears: Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
15. Detroit Lions: Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
16. Arizona Cardinals: Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
17. Minnesota Vikings: Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida
18. Houston Texans: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
20. Tampa Bay Bucs: DeSean Jackson, WR, Cal
21. Washington Redskins: Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
22. Dallas Cowboys: Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
24. Tennessee Titans: Kentwan Balmer, DT, North Carolina
25. Seattle Seahawks: Gosder Cherilus, OT, Boston College
26. Jacksonville Jags: Calais Campbell, DE, Miami
27. San Diego Chargers: Dan Connor, LB, Penn State. I think he will be much better in the pros than people give him credit for. He has the field awareness of Derrick Brooks, just needs to add some size.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
29. San Francisco 49ers: Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
30. Green Bay Packers: Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas
31. New England Patriots: Boo hooo watch some film while you are watching your pick pass you by. Forget about the fact that you picked 7th.
32. New York Giants: Pat Simms, DT, Auburn

Priceless

AFC North

Story of the day:

"The Bengals, Baltimore and Pittsburgh have won the last three AFC North titles.

In 2008, at least forecasting from early April, Cleveland could get its turn atop the division."

Steve McNair is old

The Steve McNair question mark is still one of the primary topics of conversation for the Ravens this off-season. Since asserting that he's coming back for the 2008 season, he has been participating in team workouts. John Harbaugh recently said, "he's doing well, he's getting healthy."

Shouldn't he be healthy already?? He started six games last year, he's had an off-season filled with rehab, his activity has been very limited. The fact that he hasn't fully recovered from his injuries is a sign that his body is old and frail, not the young pro bowler he once was. I wouldn't put my stock in McNair and I hope Harbaugh isn't.

Quartback attack

Story of the day:

"First-year Ravens coach John Harbaugh has not officially committed to Steve McNair as their starting quarterback, but it’s likely McNair’s job to lose.

He wants an open competition for the quarterback job and said the Ravens will consider McNair, Boller and Troy Smith for the starting role."

Ray Lewis can stay as long as he wants

Jamison Hensley reports in the Baltimore Sun that the Ravens are looking to lock Ray Lewis up for a few more years. Lewis' contract expires after the 2008 season. Steve Biscotti asserted that if Lewis were to enter into free agency, the Ravens would outbid any potential suitors.

There has obviously been debate about Lewis' rising age and declining activity on the field, but with 112 tackles last season he was still the statistical leader of the Ravens. More integral than anything is the importance Ray Lewis has at the emotional and spiritual leader of the team. He has the undeniable ability to make his teammates play better. He is also the race of a franchise that's currently struggling. When Ray does retire, the next in line to succeed him as "the man" is Ed Reed, but until that time comes Lewis should be given whatever he wants. He can get a 4-year extension worth $40 million, all of which is guaranteed for all I care. He could ask for fluffy bunnies and gum drop rainbows, curly french fries, and the worlds largest yarn ball. He deserves it all.