Ravens vs. Steelers is a Bitter Rivalry

Preach on James Walker. Preach on.

"Welcome to the most underrated rivalry in the National Football League. It involves toughness, familiarity, hatred, mutual respect and, on Sunday, the AFC North division title. There is never a shortage of excitement when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens meet. But when you think of the NFL's top rivalries on a leaguewide scale, this one rarely comes to mind."

Ravens Defense Ranks High In Every Category

The Baltimore Ravens defense is and has been one of the best in the NFL for over a decade. They currently rank no worse than 3rd in any of the major defensive categories. This week they face one of the two defenses that can challenge them for the title of "Best defense in the NFL." The Pittsburgh Steelers have been really impressive this year playing behind former Raven, James Harrison. This will undoubtedly be a clash of titans.

Joe Flacco for Vice President

I like the idea of Joe Flacco for Vice President of the United States. He knows how to spell "potato" and doesn't own a shotgun, which he uses to shoot unsuspecting victims. By all accounts, Flacco would be one of the best VPs in history.

Baltimore Ravens Moving Up in NFL Power Rankings

The world wide leader finally moved the Ravens up to single digits in the NFL power rankings. They now rank 7th in the NFL. Here is the full top ten:

1. Titans
2. Giants
3. Steelers
4. Panthers
5. Colts
6. Bucs
7. Ravens "The Ravens aren't asking for respect. As winners of seven of their last eight, they're taking it." -James Walker
8. Cowboys
9. Cardinals
10. Patriots

Here are 7 Ravens Cheerleaders to celebrate our ranking of 7 in the NFL power rankings. I'm really just using any excuse I can to post photos of Ravens cheerleaders.

Ed Reed Should be Defensive Player of the Week

Vote for Ed Reed for 'Defensive Player of the Week' at NFL.com

Battle of the Beltway Goes to Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens took the field Sunday Night in a game against the cross-town rival Washington Redskins that had major playoff implications. The Ravens came out victorious with a score of 24-10. This win allows the Ravens to keep pace in the AFC North Division race, just one win behind the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Redskins's chances of making the playoffs got significantly worse. They are competing with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles for a wildcard spot in the NFC.

Ed Reed=Good

The Ravens defense was fantastic. They battered Clinton Portis to the point of forcing him out of the game. Their blitz packages worked all night, allowing Terrell Suggs to tip a Jason Campbell pass into the waiting arms of Ed Reed. Reed finished the night with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Did I mention that he ran the touchdown in backwards. The rest of the defense played well. Terrell Suggs was moving quickly around the field, abusing back-up offensive linemen. Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, Bart Scott and Fabian Washington all made their presence felt throughout the game.

Joe Flacco=Bad

Ravens QB Joe Flacco played a terrible game. He seemed out of sync and distracted by the cold weather. Even when he completed passes to Todd Heap and Derek Mason they were floating ducks that were only caught because of outstanding plays by the receivers. The Raven's offense only found their rhythym when they took the ball out of Flacco's hand and put it in the workman-like hands of Le'Ron McClain who carried the team on the fourth quarter drive that sealed the victory.

Jason Campbell=Ugly

No game commentary here, Jason Campbell is just ugly. I actually think he is a really good QB, but man he needs to wear a Ladanian Tomlinson style dark visor.
The Ravens have won 7 of their last 8 games and are looking good. This week's game is huge because it is against the Pittsburgh Steelers, its for a share of the AFC North lead and its at M & T Bank.

Haloti Ngata Needs His Props

Jeffri Chadiha shines some light on a story that hasn't received enough attention around the NFL. Haloti Ngata has been an interior force for the Baltimore Ravens, but has received very little national acclaim and certainly no pro bowls invitations.

He is the anchor of a defensive line that helps make up the 2nd best defense in the NFL. Its time to get Haloti out there for the world to see. Its time for him to make his first pro bowl team.

Ravens' Backfield Ready for End of Season

The Ravens' three headed monster in the backfield really increases the team's chances of not only making the playoffs, but winning some playoff games. Splitting time between Willis McGahee, Le' Ron McClain and Ray Rice has helped to keep all three fresh. They provide the Ravens with a more potent rushing attack than most teams in the NFL because they are not only good, but they aren't worn down through 13 weeks of the season.

John Harbaugh and Cam Cameron have made this team a late season threat because of their insistence to build a three person tag team to run the ball. The run game should carry the offense against tired defenses for the remainder of the year.

Plaxico Burress' Gun Shot Wound Makes You Think

For those of you that don't know, New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself while in a nightclub this weekend. He is in all kinds of trouble for carrying and firing a concealed weapon, which he apparently didn't have a permit to do. If you want more info on the story you can check it out here, here, here, or here.

Though this situation does directly affect the Ravens right now, it does provoke thoughts about the safety of professional athletes. Let me preface this by saying the vast, and I do mean vast, majority of pro athletes remain incognito and out of the public eye for negative events. We think of athletes as controversial figures because there are a very vocal minority that frequently find themselves in precarious situations. More often than not, that negative situation doesn't escalate to the point of violence. Why then do so many athletes own a gun or employ a secuity staff that carries guns?

Most Ravens fans remember the trouble both Ray and Jamal Lewis found themselves in not too long ago. Then there are stories like Richard Collier and Sean Taylor who are most certainly the victims in their violent interactions. Clearly there is a spotlight on these athletes because of the nature of their job and the payout of that job. It is something that they all think about. They wonder how many people know where they live, who they can trust and many more questions that most of us never have to worry about.

Its not that I'm condoning the ridiculous actions of Matt Jones who drove around looking to buy some white powder for a pick-me-up or even Plaxico Burress who appears to just be stupid and selfish. I am however making the case that we can't expect athletes to simply sit at home and watch Pirates of the Caribbean on their projector screens. They deserve to have lives too, but under certain cautions. I don't think an athlete should ever own a gun, but I am not opposed to hiring security guards who own guns LEGALLY.

Ravens and Steelers in a playoff race

Steve Garceau made the claim on BaltimoreRavens.com that it is a two horse race between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the final 4 weeks of the season. I agree that no other AFC North team (Ohio teams) are able to win because that simply can't be argued at this point, but this isn't just a two horse race.

The Steelers and Ravens both have intensely difficult schedules ahead including a second match-up against each other. If you remember, their first match up was a bruising, hard-fought 3-point game that the Ravens lost in Pittsburgh. If both teams want to make the playoffs, they both have to keep winning. The Patriots and Dolphins are nipping at their heels for a wild card spot.

Baltimore Ravens declaw the Cincinnati Bengals

Well the Baltimore Ravens did it again. They dominated yet another opponent, with this week's victim being the Cincinnati Bengals. The 34-3 victory was as dominant as a win could be.

The Ravens beat the Bengals in total yards (451 to 155), completion percentage (66.6 to 36.4), turnovers (0 to 1), possession time (38:58 to 21:02) and almost every other major positive statistic.

Mark Clayton stood out with one TD reception and one TD pass, his first since high school. In total he had 164 yards receiving and 32 yards passing.

It also has to be noted that Ray Lewis led the defense again, with 7 total tackles. This is a team effort, but Lewis, Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, and Terrell Suggs have been stand outs.

The Ravens are now 8-4, winning 6 of their last 7 and find themselves in a good position to secure a wild card spot. Lets not get ahead of ourselves though. The team still has to play the Redskins, Cowboys, Steelers and Jags. There will be some tough games ahead, but for now Baltimore is partying.

Ravens Best Texans 41-13

What they're saying around the web:

Associated Press: The Baltimore Ravens have won four straight, rookie Joe Flacco is showing the poise of a veteran and Ray Lewis looks as good as ever.

Sporting Life: The Ravens' stifling defence intercepted Sage Rosenfels four times. Two of those picks led to second-half touchdowns, as Baltimore erupted for 29 points after intermission, a second-half season high.

Baltimore Sun: The Ravens' fourth straight win - their longest streak since December2006 - improved them to 6-3 and moved them into a first-place tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers (who have the tiebreaker edge because they beat the Ravens this season).

FanHouse: The Ravens offense was able to move the ball at will, with both the run and the pass, and really were only stopped when they made mistakes or penalties. TE Todd Heap and RB Willis McGahee had huge games with two touchdowns for each. Rookie quarterback, Joe Flacco played for the most part, a very poised game.


One Winning Drive: Haloti Ngata showed sheer dominance throughout the game. From snagging an interception in the red zone, forcing an interception, and nearly blocking a punt, Ngata is having a Pro-Bowl year.

East Coast Bias: The team sorely missed Trevor Pryce last year, and it's showing now with him present. Pryce and Haloti Ngata are eating up four linemen by themselves, much as Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams did for the Ravens' 2000 championship run. This defense is not as strong as that one - just look at the corners - but this offense is better than that one too. The similarities are eerie, really.

Knee-Jerk Reaction: Ravens/Texas

The Ravens put together another impressive win today against the Houston Texans. The team is firing on all cylinders and has proven they are a contender.

The veterans are meshing well with the young guys.

It feels great to see Todd Heap's name on the scoreboard again.

Ravens are #4 in power rankings

Bill Simmons, ESPN's Sports Guy, put out his most recent NFL power rankings. He placed the Ravens at #4 in a group with the Steelers and Panthers. Simmons' only knock on the Ravens was a rookie QB at the helm. What he fails to realize is that rookie QB is playing better than a lot of veterans around the NFL.

John Harbaugh gives his team a break

The Baltimore Sun recently wrote a piece about the fact that the Raven's haven't had a Monday off since the season started. As they say in the story, most teams are given Mondays off if they win their game that weekend. It takes guts for a rookie head coach like John Harbaugh to tell his team that they have to change tradition and work through their usual weekly break. It is those kind of guts that have gotten the Ravens to the position they're in today. The team needed to work through its hiccups, growing pains, and infamiliararity with each other.

That said, it is time to start going easier on the players. The 2008 season is now more than half over and there are plenty of bruises/injuries in the Ravens locker room. Harbaugh gave the team their first Monday off this week and he should continue to do so. He now has to walk the line of keeping his team fired up, prepared and rested all at once.

Chris Johnson heads list of offensive rookies

My ranking of the NFL's top 10 most impactful offensive rookies mid-way through the 2008 season:

1. Chris Johnson: 715 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Johnson is the most physically talented rookie of this class. From his now famous 4.24 time in the 40-yard dash to his breakaway game speed, he has impressed everybody who has seen him play. At this point in the season, he is the rookie of the year. Johnson and LenDale White are a scary and dynamic one-two punch.

2. Matt Ryan: 1661 passing yards, 9 TDs, 85.4 passer rating: Ryan is playing like a veteran. He is leading an Atlanta Falcons team that had no expectations coming into the season. He seems to have all the skills to become a quality QB for an extended period of time in the NFL. He has already led a John Elway style comeback.

3. Matt Forte: 641 rushing yards, 4 TDs: Forte has single-handedly made Kyle Orton's job easier. He has made the Chicago offense two-dimensional. We'll see if he can do the same thing for Rex Grossman.

4. Joe Flacco: 1464 passing yards, 5 TDs, 75.6 passer rating: Young Mr. Flacco, from a small Deleware football program has lived up the hype. He is learning on the job, and learning at record rates. He is now used to the speed of the NFL game and is actually throwning/catching/running long-bombs almost every week. Its early, so I don't want to say he is the quarterback of the future, but he is certainly the quarterback of the present.

5. Steve Slaton: 538 rushing yards, 5 TDs: The Mountaineer is fast and quick all at the same time.

6. Eddie Royal: 461 receiving yards, 3 TDs: He came onto the scene with a huge first game. Since then he has peeter out a little but, but his presence coupled with Brandon Marshall still makes the Broncos offense one of the most dangerous in the league.

7. Tim Hightower: 242 rushing yards, 7 TDs: Hightower should actually be known as "garbage goal." He has become the master of short TD runs, much in the same way Brandon Jacobs was for the NY Giants a couple years ago. Last week Hightower ran for over 100 yards and a TD. Has he replaced Edge James as the #1 back in Arizona?

8. DeSean Jackson: 525 receiving yards, 1 TD: Jackson may have some butter fingers at times, but he adds life to an Eagles offense that has lacked a downfield threat since TO went to Dallas.

9. John Carlson: 244 receiving yards, 2 TDs: The one bright spot on the Seahawks offense. He is by far the best rookie tight end. Dustin Keller is the only one that can compare, but even he is well behind Carlson in production.

10. Jonathan Stewart: 352 rushing yards, 5 TDs: Stewart has filled a necessary role in Carolina. Watch out for the Panthers further into the season because Stewart gives them great depth in the backfield.

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.

Jonathan Ogden Retires

Jonathan Ogden has officially retired from the NFL. He played 12 arduous season with the Baltimore Ravens, in which he was nominated to 11 Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl. Ogden was the Ravens first draft pick in franchise history, picked fourth out of UCLA. After his rookie season, Ogden was moved from left guard to left tackle where he served as the anchor of the Raven’s offensive line for 11 years to follow. Ogden became labored because of injuries, the most debilitating of which was his big toe on his left foot.

Ravens fans are going to have to suffer through the fact that Jonathan Ogden will no longer be lining up to protect the backfield. It is impossible to replace a player of his caliber, but it is even harder to replace his character. He served as a symbol of stability as the franchise evolved. He portrayed himself as a versatile public figure that could be stoic, hard-nosed and whimsical when the situation called for it.

He will unquestionably be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame. The mountain of a man from St. Albans High School in Washington, DC gave his career to the Ravens and will be remembered as such.

Ray Lewis to the Cowboys?

The Ebony Bird just posted a story about ludicrous rumors of Ray Lewis heading to Dallas to play for Jerry Jones. They credit hall of fame WR Jerry Rice with the story, who is clearly senile in his old age. Check it out...

Do you believe Tim Donaghy?

Former NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, will soon plead guilty to fixing basketball games for profit. Before he signs his name on the dotted line of purgatory he is making strong claims that he's not the only guilty member of the NBA. Donaghy asserts that other referees called games under ulterior motives, mainly that NBA front office officials instructed refs to call games certain ways. Donaghy argues that games were skewed and called certain ways to ensure that more popular teams and team owners won important playoff games.

My heart goes out to NBA fans. No fan should have to go through mental questions of whether or not your favorite sport is fixed. No fan wants to think that his or her sports heroes are rendered useless because they can't win unless the league allows them to. No fans should have to question his or her love and devotion to a player, team, or sport.

I hope these allegations are proved to be false. I also hope that this is a phenomenon pertaining solely to the NBA. I would hate to think the NFL also wants to fix games to allow more popular teams to win games. The one game that comes to mind in short memory would have to be the Ravens vs. Patriots on Monday Night Football, December 3, 2007. Obviously I am biased, but the calls at the end of the game were blatantly in the Patriots favor.