Return to blogging and football prominence

It has been a long time since I have written a post. I had some major surgery, but have fully recovered. I missed writing, but had to focus on the healing process more than the blog.

Now on to football...

I am proud of the team the 2008 Ravens have become. I have been watching closely throughout the season. They started the year hot, hit a serious bump in the road, and rebounded with a team effort. The team is now sitting at 5-3, in playoff contention and coming off a season sweep of the rival Cleveland Browns.

My observations thus far:

1. John Harbaugh is steady under pressure. Lets not for forget that he is one of the youngest coaches in the league, skipped the period in the normal progression of being either an offensive or defensive coordinator before being a head coach and came from the NFC to the AFC. He has butted heads with star players when needed, added humor to interviews, made positive in game adjustments, and most importantly served as an example to other young members of the team.

2. Joe Flacco's most impressive trait is his character. Sure, Flacco has the physical tools to succeed as a quarterback in the NFL. He is tall, moderately mobile and has a laser rocket arm. It is his composure, desire to learn, and sheer intelligence that will make him a successful QB for a long time. Even when he makes a mistake he comes of the field and immediately talks to coaches about what he just saw.
3. Haloti Ngata is a monster. He is the anchor of a defensive line that has continued their record-breaking streak of not allowing a 100-yard rusher against them. He has assumed the lead role, which was previously held by Kelly Gregg. Ngata is an intimidater, a bruiser, and a all-out beast. That is not to say that Trevor Pryce, Terrell Suggs, and others haven't played amazing football, but Ngata has stood out.

4. Ozzie Newsome did a great job this off-season. This year's draft class (Flacco, Rice and the rest) and other pick-ups such as Fabian Washington have made all the difference this season. Without Washington to help in a secondary that seems to be the weak point of the team there would be even more long-yardage touchdowns against the Ravens. Needless to say Chris McAllister is the biggest disappointment of this year.

Its good to be back. There will be much more to come.