By Zach Wilt, on May 10th, 2012  The NFL Network is ranking their top 100 players of 2012 and even worse than you watching it, is me writing about it.
It’s a perfect excuse to talk football while nothing is really going on. Well played, NFL.
Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was recently ranked number 74, which is too high in Baltimore and too low for former NFL veteran and current ESPN analyst Damien Woody.
“I’m sorry but the players voted Joe Flacco higher than Tony Romo…..really?!?! You’ve got to be kidding me!!!!,” Woody tweeted this morning.
I guess Woody thinks that a guy with a one postseason win is better than a guy with five. To be fair, Romo has three more regular season wins than Flacco… in two more seasons.
By Ross Gore, on May 9th, 2012 Today former Texans wide receiver, perennial fantasy football sleeper and major contributor to the Ravens playoff win last year Jacoby Jones, became the newest Baltimore Raven. For those who don’t remember Jones inexplicably tried to field a punt with Cary Williams bearing down on him in the second round of the playoffs last year. When Jones bobbled the punt it resulted in the Ravens jumping out to an early 7-0 lead over the Texans and an eventual win. Five months later Jones will enter camp trying to help the Ravens by not bobbling the ball but holding onto it.
 Jacoby Jones fumbles a punt against the Ravens in the second round of NFL playoffs. There is a lot to like about Jones signing. First, he is an incredible physical specimen: 6-foot-2 1/2, 210 lbs. and a 4.49 forty-yard dash time. Simply put, he has all the physical skills needed in a #1 wide receiver. Jones’ physical attributes shouldn’t be quickly dismissed despite his lack of production in Houston. When players with these skills/attributes “get it” they become stars. In past NFL seasons players like Miles Austin, Vincent Jackson and Brandon Marshall were all recent “projects” with similar physical skills who’ve developed into #1 wide receivers out of nowhere. More analysis on Jones and how he fits into the 2012 Ravens after the jump.
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By Zach Wilt, on May 4th, 2012  Ravens training camp as we know it is dead, but today the team announced details of three open-to-the-public practices this summer.
- Saturday August 4 at M&T Bank Stadium
- Sunday August 12 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis
- Sunday August 19 at Stevenson University Mustang Stadium in Owings Mills
“We know we can’t duplicate the fan experiences we had at McDaniel College, but these opportunities will give many people an opportunity to get up close and personal outside of our home games,” Ravens president Dick Cass said in the team’s press release.
Thanks for thinking of us three times a year, Mr. Cass.
If you can’t make these three practices, you’re out of luck. All other practices will be at the Ravens complex in Owings Mills. Unless you have a super secret special badge, can punch in the 20 digit combination and pass through a retina scanner, you’re not watching a Ravens practice.
In addition to these three practices, John Harbaugh and members of the coaching staff will host the Ravens Football Clinic and Joe Flacco will host a “Passing Academy” with Tyrod Taylor at McDaniel College.
The Ravens also donated $100,000 to help McDaniel finish the construction of their new on-campus stadium.
By Zach Wilt, on April 24th, 2012  If you’re interested in donating to the Baltimore Ravens, please make your checks payable to Ravens Salary Cap Relief Fund and send them to:
1 Winning Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117
I don’t know if fan donations can help cure salary cap quandaries, but the Ravens could use just about anything they can get right now.
Aaron Wilson tweeted on Monday that the Ravens are just $1.653 million under the 2012 salary cap which is obviously making their long-term negotiations with Joe Flacco and Ray Rice difficult. Of course, Rice isn’t making it any easier. He still hasn’t signed his $7.7 million franchise tender.
We’ve heard that negotiations with Flacco were going rather swimmingly, while Rice was frustrated with the negotiations process.
By Patrick Guthrie, on April 23rd, 2012 
With the Nationals on a 10 game home stand and MLB.tv blacking out Orioles games, I didn’t get to see too much of the O’s this week. From what I did see, Brian Matusz got a raw deal due to some predictably poor defense in Anaheim, Wei Yin Chen had yet another very strong outing, and the offense looked great in some spots (Jones and Wieters) and rough in others (Reynolds hasn’t had a hit in nearly a week). But despite not seeing much of Baltimore this week, there is one thing I do know.
Cam Cameron is ruining Joe Flacco. How the hell is Joe supposed to build a successful career with shoddy schematics? No one will ever know how good Flacco can be until Cam’s parking spot is empty, and his playbooks are halfway through the shredder. This is how Ravens fans introduce themselves around here, and Baltimore was in the AFC Championship game last year.
At the same time, O’s fans acknowledge that there’s some talent on the pitching staff. Tommy Hunter won 13 games with Texas, Jake Arrieta’s stuff is cough syrup nasty, and Brian Matusz was once considered good enough that people still wonder what’s wrong with him. If Baltimore fans had their way, Cam Cameron would have had an appointment with Ned Stark’s barber months ago. Which leaves me scratching my own head as to why Rick Adair’s is still under an Orioles cap.
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By Zach Wilt, on April 16th, 2012  If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Baltimore sports fans, it’s that we like to see passion. We want our favorite athletes to care, even if it means they get angry when things don’t go their way.
That’s why when Joe Flacco says he’s the best quarterback around (nothing is going to ever keep him down), we rally behind that ridiculous statement.
Reading Brittany Ghiroli’s postgame comments about Brian Matusz has to make fans want to see the struggling young lefty succeed. ”Brian Matusz met with the small group of traveling reporters and was about as angry and frustrated as I’ve ever seen him after a start,” Ghiroli writes.
Much like the early years of Joe Flacco, fans in Baltimore were previously frustrated to hear some of Matusz’s comments after his struggles in 2011. From the quotes in Ghiroli’s post, I don’t think O’s fans will be concerned any more.
“I’ll remember this feeling, because I never want to have it again,” Matusz said.
You can’t help, but root for a guy with that level of determination.
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By Zach Wilt, on April 16th, 2012  In a way, football began today in Baltimore. The Ravens first day of their voluntary conditioning program kicked off at the Ravens facility in Owings Mills.
Though the word “voluntary” is in the name, fans often breathe a sigh of relief when their team’s stars show up happily to get in shape for the upcoming season. Unfortunately for Baltimore fans, that was not the case with Ray Rice, who has et to sign his $7.742 million franchise tender.
Rice tweeted on Monday morning, “To all college athletes getting ready to enter the NFL just remember the business side of the league is rough.”
It must be tough making $7 million to play a sport.
According to Aaron Wilson at the Carroll County Times, Joe Flacco, who is also seeking an extension, was at this morning’s workouts.
By BSR Staff, on April 5th, 2012  There is finally a flying car! RussianMachineNeverBreaks.com‘s Peter Hassett joins the program to talk Capitals hockey, the guys predict the Orioles 2012 season and discuss Joe Flacco’s bold comments.
The Boss, Matt Sadler, joins the show to give his take and intimidate the other panel members. Dave Gilmore also pops by to discuss the Caps and Flacco.
Join Zach, Patrick and Matt for this week’s edition of the best sports podcast in Baltimore, the BSR Podcast.
Here are some of the topics discussed on this week’s show:
Joe Flacco Thinks He’s The NFL’s Best Quarterback
- In a recent radio interview, Ravens QB Joe Flacco said that he doesn’t consider himself a top-five quarterback, he thinks he’s the best in the NFL.
- The guys examine how much the media is to blame for blowing Flacco’s comments out of proportion.
- Patrick compares Flacco’s comments to some of Rex Ryan’s.
Interview With Peter Hassett Of Russian Machine Never Breaks
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Podcast: Play in new window
By Zach Wilt, on April 4th, 2012  Maybe this is a good sign for the Ravens. Last offseason Eli Manning proclaimed that he was an elite QB who should be in the same conversation as his brother, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Six months later he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy.
Flacco took it one step further. ”I assume everybody thinks they’re a top-five quarterback,” he told WNST. ”I mean, I think I’m the best. I don’t think I’m top five, I think I’m the best.”
This scene immediately comes to mind.
“I don’t think I’d be very successful at my job if I didn’t feel that way. I mean, c’mon? That’s not really too tough of a question.”
You shouldn’t be surprised by Joe Flacco’s comments. He’s in the middle of contract negotiations for a long-term deal. What did you expect him to say?
Flacco went on, ”It’s not about the money. It’s about what you feel you deserve.”
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By BSR Staff, on March 29th, 2012  Somehow the conversation always comes back to Olivia Munn The Ravens Maniac, Goob of RaveOnTV, stops by the show to discuss his new gig, living a blogger’s lifestyle and break down the Ravens offseason.
The guys also give their 2012 MLB awards predictions and look into the future with their division winners, wild cards and World Series winners.
Dave Gilmore joins the podcast to explain BSR’s inaugural Summer Movie Fantasy League and the guys set the draft order. Tune in for a special episode on Friday when the guys draft their movies.
Join Zach, Patrick and Matt for this week’s edition of the best sports podcast in Baltimore, the BSR Podcast.
Here are some of the topics discussed on this week’s show:
Orioles Headlines
Interview With Goob
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Podcast: Play in new window
By Zach Wilt, on March 22nd, 2012  Torrey Smith is easily the most likable guy donning Ravens purple. The Virginia native and Maryland Alum became a fan favorite during his breakout rookie season in 2011 and looks to build on that campaign with (potentially) some new weapons on offense in 2012.
This, Smith live chatted with Ravens fans over at BaltimoreRavens.com and answered questions ranging from his opinion on Joe Flacco’s mustache to what he thinks about Ozzie Newsome drafting another receiver.
As the Ravens look to sign their franchise QB to a contract extension, one of Smith’s responses stuck out to me the most, his defense of Joe Flacco.
When asked why he thinks the medis disrespects Flacco he responded, “Because they need something to talk about.”
“..He has won more games in his first 4 years than any other qb in NFL history…” he added. ”He played one hell of a game in the AFC championship and put is in position to go to the Super Bowl…All he does is win..When he gets a ring he will get his respect..His stats are better than most of the greats over their first 4 years in the NFL..I think folks should judge him in time…He is still very young for a QB and he will get a ring sooner than later.”
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By Dave Gilmore, on March 20th, 2012  The NFL is benevolent socialism in a vacuum. Most people understand this, but few fans encourage their teams to act on it. Perhaps the fact that our country fought a 50-year Cold War against socialism that many fans still remember makes it hard to embrace this reality. It’s a shame really, because exploiting the cheapest labor possible at every position under the salary cap is exactly how you weather a system that knocks everybody down to the middle eventually.
As the first wave of free agency transactions have come and gone, the Ravens find themselves poached of some of their (previously) most efficient talent. Fans are upset, naturally, at the loss of integral pieces to the puzzle such as Jarret Johnson and Cory Redding. But the way the NFL is structured, losing players to the free market can often help a team more than it hurts.
I appreciate Johnson, Redding, Ben Grubbs, Tom Zbikowski, and the other players lost and leaving for their contributions. As newly signed free agents, they are all likely overpaid. Good for them, and good for the Ravens for not entering bidding wars to maintain the status quo.
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By Justin Ford, on March 15th, 2012  The Ravens have always employed the ‘best player available’ philosophy in the NFL Draft and there is no reason to believe they will waiver from that strategy this year. Over the next month and a half I will be posting about players I believe the Ravens are or should be targeting in the draft. First up, Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill.
Stephen Hill
Position: Wide Receiver
College: Georgia Tech
Height: 6′ 4″
Weight: 215
- Ozzie Newsome said it himself at the “State of the Ravens” address: he will look to improve the team at wide receiver this off-season. The Ravens have their possession wideout in Anquan Boldin and their deep guy in Torrey Smith, but what they are missing is their ‘big’ receiver. Stephen Hill stands 6′ 4″ and weighed in officially, at 214 pounds.
- His game tape shows exceptional hands. He often makes plays above the head of the defensive back, which is referred to as ‘going up the ladder’. He makes all his catches with his hands and away from his body, as opposed to trying to trap the ball against his chest.
- Hill’s speed is a questionable area. He blazed at the combine, running a 4.31 forty, which was best among all wide receivers, but his game tape does not suggest he plays at that speed. He has more build up speed, he gains momentum as he continues to run, as opposed to just blow you off the line speed like Mike Wallace possesses.
- Hill played in the triple option offense at Georgia Tech so he could have some issues translating to an NFL playbook early. While I don’t share the concern that he will have problem learning the route tree, I think Hill will struggle more with “on the fly” or “option” reads. Contrary to what the Madden video game would have you believe, there are very few NFL passing games that have routes set in stone. Wide receivers need to read the defense, see the same thing the quarterback sees and adjust accordingly. This will be Hill’s biggest obstacle in his rookie season.
Outlook: Stephen Hill is a talented wideout with all the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. He will struggle with certain aspects of the NFL game, but what rookie doesn’t? The Ravens would be lucky to find Stephen Hill still on the board come pick 29.
Justin Ford lives in Carroll County, MD. He has been playing and coaching football for 13 years. Follow him on Twitter- @JRFord0
By Zach Wilt, on March 13th, 2012 The Ravens paced a first round tender on Lardarius Webb and a second round tender on Dannell Ellerbe on Monday which put them at an estimated $8 million under the salary cap. Not a whole lot flexibility as the Ravens would like to also retain Jameel McClain.
Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times says that the Ravens are preparing for a long negotiation with Joe Flacco. ”The Ravens are saving room for a potential blockbuster contract extension for quarterback Joe Flacco that may take several months to negotiate,” Wilson tweeted.
A blockbuster extension huh? One like Mark Sanchez’s five-year, $58.25 million extension?
Is that really a good idea for the Ravens right now? He’s a free agent after this season. Would it be better for the Ravens to hold off on that “blockbuster” deal?
By Zach Wilt, on March 12th, 2012  For years Ravens fans have been talking about taking the shackles off and Joe Flacco and letting him fly as free as a bird, soaring through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl. The talk radio shows are always populated by callers wishing that Cam Cameron would just let Joe be Joe and make decisions or call audibles at the line of scrimmage.
Over at Ravens24x7.com, Tony Lombardi brings up an interested point about those handcuffs, noting that Flacco is one of the few NFL quarterbacks who does not wear the cheat sheet arm bands commonly seen in today’s game.
Lombardi writes that the arm band “gives a quarterback ample time to survey the defense and determine pre-snap if the play called in the huddle will work” and believes Flacco doesn’t need one because he’s not calling the shots on offense.
He points out that the Ravens have run only 61.7 plays per game over the past three seasons, ranking 23rd in most plays called on average during that span.
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When Brian Matusz Gets Angry
That’s why when Joe Flacco says he’s the best quarterback around (nothing is going to ever keep him down), we rally behind that ridiculous statement.
Reading Brittany Ghiroli’s postgame comments about Brian Matusz has to make fans want to see the struggling young lefty succeed. ”Brian Matusz met with the small group of traveling reporters and was about as angry and frustrated as I’ve ever seen him after a start,” Ghiroli writes.
Much like the early years of Joe Flacco, fans in Baltimore were previously frustrated to hear some of Matusz’s comments after his struggles in 2011. From the quotes in Ghiroli’s post, I don’t think O’s fans will be concerned any more.
“I’ll remember this feeling, because I never want to have it again,” Matusz said.
You can’t help, but root for a guy with that level of determination.
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