dc.

I disagree. It hit the Eagles player in the arm and changed direction AFTER the bounce when his foot was out of bounds. Having never been touched in bounds, it should have been considered illegal procedure.

Jealous. Have a blast!!!! On a side note ... Ron, your name saddens me but it's not your fault. In fact, I hope it is an omen. Stick around.

http://blogs.extremeravens.com/ravens/2009...ds-already_155/ http://blogs.extremeravens.com/ravens/2009...ds-already_155/

Remember how well Boulware was able to play with that harness, though? Send Suggs around the corner every damn time.

I've been quiet for a while because, like most, the Teixeira deal just killed me. I know it wasn't the O's fault, but I just fel deflated after that whole mess. Uehara hardly changed that. But this deal is giving me a little life. I think MacPhail is playing out his gameplan perfectly. I don't think we should deal Roberts. At least not now. Wait until mid-season and, supposing we haven't been able to sign him long-term, find a contender that's dying for a good lead-off guy. There are bound to be plenty of them. The Yankees might even be one because Damon and Cano certainly will not be cutting it. In terms of the rest of the plan? I have heard that MacPhail has put the free agent push into neutral. He thinks (and he appears to be right) that the prices of many players are falling fast because no one is looking to sign. Once signings pick up again (they have started a bit in the last week), MacPhail will probably slide in and grab one or two more guys - a pair of pitchers, nothing special. And I think that's where we want to be for this season. We aren't contending this year. The "big" signing doesn't HAVE to happen right now. It's probably more important for it to happen next year than this year, even. This year is going to be about continuing to groom Adam Jones and our younger pitchers, and starting to groom the likes of Wieters, Pie and others. So what's our next move? Continue to be patient. In Pie and Wieters, we now have the Baseball America prospects of the year from 2006-2008. Possibly 2009 if Wieters stays in the minors long enough. And then? Continue to be patient while Troy Patton, Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, Jake Arrieta, David Hernandez, Brad Bergeson and Brandon Erbe all continue to grow. Look at that. I just named SEVEN MAJOR PITCHING PROSPECTS the O's have. Most of whom who have never seen time in the majors. And that doesn't include a few we have already seen and who might do good thins (Albers, Waters, etc). The first four I mentioned, even, are considered some of the best young pitchers in the game. We are a completely different organization than we were even 18 months ago. And in 18 more months, we're going to be basking in it.

The Cubs have reached agreement with the Orioles on a deal that will send Pie to Baltimore for left-hander Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson, according to major-league sources. For Olson and Williamson???? After demanding Roberts for 18 months??? Sign us up, Baby!!!! Pie-Jones-Markakis... Scott at DH. Huff at 1b. And Wieters coming on up!

I wouldn't call what we play a 3-4... even though Suggs is technically a LB. We tend to play Suggs, Bannan, Ngata and Pryce along the line... and sub in Lord knows how many others. Peppers would be a freak to have on this D though. And if Pryce heads out or we find out Gregg is done for good, we could certainly use him. ... Anyway, I heard the cap projection for next year will be around 120m... I don't know what our number is now though

Washington was the one who got hurt in that game, I thought. Rolle definitely was in and screwed up at least one big play. Ivy was in for Washington and was on Ward. Rolle was on Holmes and got his butt beat.

Six years/64m. Amazing move and deal for the O's!

Also... am I mistaken or did Rolle give up the two biggest pass plays on the Steelers big game-winning drive in Week 15? He gave up at least one of them when he 'fell' ... but really he got turned around by his man. Bottom line... we are in this game no matter what.

Since when was Rolle the cornerstone of our defense? I honestly think he was the worst of our 4 DBs at any given time on the field... he plays too far off his man, his coverage is weak... Did anyone else last week see on Chris Johnson's screen pass when Rolle, who was 10 yards downfield and in position to tackle, turned and ran WITH Johnson upfield??? I mean... basics say you ATTACK the ball carrier... at worst you slow him down and someone else gets him... Rolle instead gave away 20 extra yards in what turned into the Titans largest offensive play and gave Johnson life. Walker, Ivy... I hate em. Naka and Zbs... would be interesting. No matter what... Rolle needed help over the top at all times. The other four options will need that kind of help too. It's really almost negligible in my mind. It's going to matter a whole lot more how we get to Ben. But even Suggs loss could be negated if everyone man steps up... McClain knows how to rush... so let him rush... and use JJ to cover.

I don't make predictions for big games. Just can't do it. I will say this though... When people said we'd struggle against the Giants because of their run game and because of their defense... I was worried. When people talked about how strong the Titans are and how hard it is to get pressure on Collins... I was worried. etc etc... Not necessarily about the game as a whole... but those struck me as legitimate issues to worry about. When I hear what people are saying about tonights game... I am baffled. I am not worried about Willie Parker. I am not worried about Ben throwing deep. I am not worried about getting pressure on Ben. So I have my worries... but I am baffled by the media at the moment.

Definitely love newegg, but it's not my place for non-of items. Still, nothing beats being overwhelmed by the awesomeness of technology when you walk into a big entertainment store.

Again, it used to crack me up... but its worn thin.

I'm the opposite, Crav. I used to tell the CC reps to bug off... but it never bothered me. So what if they are on commission? As long as you know it and don't let them get you... ...but Best Buy is not the place for me. Something always rubbed me the wrong way. Deals were never that good. Prices were crazy high on lots of things. Still are. I just have never been a BB fan. Might have to go take advantage of CC's sales, though...

His columns have gotten worse and worse and worse ever since the Red Sox got good... now all his teams are good and he's awful. He spent an entire column one time explaining why fans of other teams didn't know what its like to be so good and then so bad (referring to the Celtics in recent years until last). This after whining about Yankee fan entitlement his whole life. Bottom line... the more "right" a game feels... the more picking it should make you nervous. I just don't pick.

He picks the Steelers (and their -6) over the Ravens... with this below it... This from the fella who went 0-4 last week. And the guy who knows, like me, that the more you "love" about a game... the more you stay away. Love the match-up for Pitt? Fine. Can't argue that. Love the way they played last week? Against the league's 25th ranked defense. Ok. And giving up 25 points? Fine. Love Ben throwing deep? To Ed Reed's waiting arms. Did you notice the Titans never went deep... for a reason. Love playing a rookie on the road? Only rookie to ever win 2 playoff games and the same rookie who led the entire NFL in road QB rating? Love the way Fast Willie ran? What about his 43 yard, 2.8 per carry average against the Ravens in six career games. Love the Pittsburgh special teams? I still take Stover. Love that Baltimore never ever should have escaped Tennessee? Shouldn't that actually scare you. They weren't supposed to... they did... they've done that a lot this season. Love the thought of an NFL playoff game making sense? What makes anyone think a game might make sense this week?!

A portion of it...

Rushing more than 4 or 5 is actually counterproductive. Some guys with Scounts, Inc did the research, rushing 6 or more is not effective. It's too easy to make the quick pass. 5 is the blitz. More than that, unless done perfectly on the perfect play, is going to get you burned.

I'd say... look for lots of zone sets with Nakamura and Zbikowski in ... I actually wouldn't mind that ... as opposed to bringing Oglesby or Stone or whoever to cover... In fact, given that Rolle always needs help over the top anyway... using Walker/Ivy and adding Zbikowski or Nakamura as the help doesn't feel that bad. ... It's still all going to come down to pressure on Ben. I am still kind of smirking at all the analysts saying that Willie Parker changes this game... for the Ravens better I still believe.

Well so long as people want to leave on of this defenses biggest contributors behind next year....

Well first, Ray is not prototypical in his size for an ILB. He was devalued at draft time- much like Emmitt Smith- because he was too small. And did you not read the part where I mentioned that tackles are not a real star - really they aren't. And outside of tackles, ray's numbers are not enough to make him best player. Meanwhile, my argument was not that Leonhard makes people better through motivation or emotion, but through his play. His ability to complete his assignment, beat his man, and fill gaps makes everyone else better - and look better.

And Ravens opponents... we should know these already... AFC North twice each - Steelers, Bengals, Browns AFC West - Chargers (A), Chiefs (H), Raiders (A), Broncos (H) (I think) NFC North - Packers, Vikings, Bears, Lions (no clue on home/away) AFC Wilds - Colts (H), Patriots (A) (yikes!)

First, I think that's an exaggeration. But second, as funky as this sounds, at least the others don't come out and say publicly... "pssssha... I deserve this." That was my favorite. The City Council approved small salary raises for high city positions... almost secretly. There was very little reported on them. When it came out people were upset. And Dixon's response to the recommendation that, at least this year, she donate some of her raise to charity? "No, I won't do that. I deserve it. I deserve my 2.5 percent for everything I do for you people." ... What I really don't get about that example, however, is why the raises go into effect so quickly? That's screwy. In the Fed, you can't vote for your own raise in salary... well, you can... but you don't get it unless you are reelected.

Actually... here's how I'll end it... How many games did you tell me you missed this season again? 7? 9? More than that? I missed two - and saw at least half of both of them. It's not about a feeling... it's about what I have seen on the field from Leonhard. Actually seeing something makes it more than "just a feeling." Meanwhile... I could continue and go into the fact that "prototypically' Ray Lewis was too small for his position. And that, because tackles are not an official league stat, Ray's numbers say he is far from the best defensive player of the last 10 years. And yet, that is something I think we could all disagree with because sacks, interceptions and fumbles don't solely define a middle linebacker.