Baltimore Ravens

The stage was officially set after Sunday's two Conference games for the 43rd Super Bowl. The Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers both jumped over their last hurdles to go to the big dance. But don't ask either coach if they'll be satisfied with just making it. They want to win it! I'll bring you a in-depth 7 part preview of the big game as I'll give my prediction on the game on the 7th and final post. So let's get to it! This is the 'intro' post to the 7 part series.

Continue reading "Setting the Stage: Arizona Cardinals"

 

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!  

Continue reading "Predictions Conference Championships"

Well here we are again ! One game away from the main event. If you would have asked me around mid-season  for my Conference Championship finalists , I would have never anticipated these match-ups

Continue reading "NFL Championship Match-Ups : "Unlikely ..."

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I have many friends who are Ravens fans including my younger brother who was a member of the Baltimore Ravens’ marching band (and he may be a part of them again in the near future.)  He was, even if it was somewhat obliquely, a “Raven.”   He and I spend just about every Raven’s game texting back and forth.  He’s too young to really remember the Raven’s success of the early 2000’s.  He had just turned 9 when the Raven’s won the Super Bowl and all he really remembers about it is me (a lifelong Giants fan) fuming for most of the game and storming out when it was over.  So for his sake, I like to see the Ravens win. 

Continue reading "Heads or Hearts on Championship Weekend"

g his name to Luke Steelerstahl for the Pittsburgh Steelers AFC Championship game Sunday versus the Baltimore Ravens.

Talk about a bold move. Talk about team pride. It's one thing for some of us to devote our e-mail addresses, screennames, or even tattoos to our favorite sports teams/players, but this is taking a huge next step.

Continue reading "Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl ..."

 

The crystal ball had a dreadful performance this past week, posting a woeful 1-3 record.  This is playoff time, so that is totally unacceptable!  The crystal ball started off 1-0, but then dropped its last three for the weekend!  Anyway, that puts the crystal ball at 3-5 for the post-season, and 36-31-1 overall.  That’s five games over .500 (.537 to be exact).  Hopefully the crystal ball will perform better this coming week, as the pressure mounts in the Championship games!  Let’s take a look back, and review what happened last week.    

Continue reading "Divisional Round Review"

 

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!  

Continue reading "Predictions Divisional Round"

  Drew Brees won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award.  I can’t argue with that pick.  Anytime you come within a deep out route of Dan Marino’s single season passing record, you can be the Offensive POY.Mike Smith was Coach of the Year.  I can’t argue there either.  Any of the successful rookie head coaches, Smith, Sparano, and Harbaugh, could have won this award.  Smith had the toughest situation before the season started and led the Falcons to the playoffs.  The Patriots franchised Matt Cassell.  That was a no-brainer.  Sure, on the surface, $29 million next year for two quarterbacks seems steep.  But the salary cap is going up about $28 million next year.  Take away the $14 million they are giving Cassell and this still have about $14 million more to spend next year than they did this year.  They sure up the most important position on the offense.  Plus, if they trade him they get a 1st and 3rd round pick.  Who knows, there may be a team out there that is only a good QB away from going to the next level.  Hello Buffalo? (And if you think the Pats won’t let Cassell go to Buffalo talk to Lawyer Milloy or Drew Bledsoe.)Did you see Lil’ Wayne on 1st and 10 on ESPN2?  When I heard he was going to be on I set-up the DVR because I had to watch.  Get this….he was really good.  He knows his sports.  His points were lucid and made lots of sense.  He made some statements that were bold and polarizing, which is what you want out of a talking-head.  I must say this though.  Skip Bayless said he loves Lil’ Wayne’s music and thinks Tha Carter III is Weezy’s Purple Rain.  Am I to believe Bayless really listens to hip-hop?  No offense Skip, but you are probably most buttoned up lily white person on ESPN’s roster.  If you’re not, you are in the team photo with Woody Paige and Marty Smith. 

Continue reading "Quick Hits and Playoff Week 2 Picks"

  

           Each week I will answer questions submitted by my loyal readers.  I personally read every single email I receive.  I will pick out the best five or so to use for the weekly post, as I won’t be able to answer all of them.  I will also answer one or two questions on my daily posts as well.  Now it’s time to open the mail!  

Continue reading "Reality Mail Bag - 01/08/09"

When I was a sophomore in high school playing on the JV basketball team, we went into our Christmas break undefeated and feeling pretty good about ourselves. Over the break we were scheduled to play one game against a team from the division below us. We practiced a few times, nothing too serious, and went into the game feeling good. But the week and a half layoff killed us and we lost by four, our only loss of the season.

Continue reading "Picks for the NFL weekend"

ad only thrown 7 INTs all season; he had 4 against the Ravens!  You cannot do that against the Baltimore Ravens and expect to win.  It’s just not going to happen!  Ed Reed is by far the best safety in the NFL today.  By the time he’s done playing, we may have to use him in the same sentence as Ronnie Lott…that’s a mouthful!  The Dolphins had a tremendous season, but it’s now over.  With Parcells staying in South Beach, look for the Fins to make a serious run next year!  The Ravens will travel to Tennessee next week…that’s going to be a gooden!  

Continue reading "Wildcard Weekend Review"

Thin-slicing. It is the act cutting through all extraneous information and getting to the key items that characterize something. Malcolm Gladwell wrote an entertaining and informative book on thin-slicing called Blink.

Continue reading "Thin-slicing Week 1 of the NFL Playoffs"

win their 5th straight game (hopefully).

Winners - Houston Texans

2) Baltimore Ravens @ Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys kept their playoff hopes alive as they took down the Giants in a physical drag-out type of game last week. For this one, Tony Romo is listed as having a 'back contusion', but is expected to start the game. Thats good news, but I wouldn't expect otherwise. This game is just as big as last Sunday night against the Giants. The Ravens also have a lot to play for as they try for an AFC wild card bid. If the Ravens defense has their way, they'll have Romo on his heels. But who do I think will win this game? Good question. I pick Dallas. They just have too much talent. Baltimore has a lot to play for, but Dallas is Dallas. I pick Dallas! I think Romo and co will find a way....any way to win against Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Joe Flacco and company on Saturday night in the last game played at Texas Stadium.

Continue reading "NFL Week 16 Predictions"

 

           Last year, the Cowboys sent 13 players to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.  Granted, a few of those players made it by name alone, but for the most part they deserved it.  When you go 13-3, as the Cowboys did last year, you tend to get a lot of coattail votes.  This year the ‘Boys will be sending only 5 players. 

Continue reading "Snubbed"

I have to give where credit is due. I have made no secret about my unyielding criticism of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. I have pointed out time and time again, Roethlisberger is not playing "up to snuff" this season and has not earned his $100 million paycheck. I've called him out more than a few occasions and even labeled him "Big Bend" for his propensity to hold onto the ball too long and expose himself to countless sacks.

Continue reading "BIG BEN LEADS NOTORIOUS STEELERS COMEBACK"

Another week is in the books in the National Football League as we head to Week 15. But first let's take a look back at the week that was...Week 14! (my tongue is getting twisted) Several surprising outcomes this past Sunday including a few of the games I picked. I went a disappointing 1-3 in my picks. Very poor performance on my part. I'm finally realizing I'll never have a grip on the NFL. It's the most inconsistent professional sport out there. Any team can lose on any given week. But enough sulking, let's get on to this week's Fallout Report!

Continue reading "NFL Week 14 Fallout"

en the season ends.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

4) Washington Redskins @ Baltimore Ravens

The 7-5 Washington Redskins will take on the 8-4 Baltimore Ravens

Continue reading "NFL Week 14 Predictions"

/> Last Week's Record: 2-2

*Classic NFL Films music hits*


1) Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans

Last time I checked this was a pick-em in Vegas. The Ravens rough and tough defense heads into Houston to battle the Texans at Reliant Stadium. Houston will be without starting quarterback Matt Schaub for up to a month or beyond with a torn MCL suffered in last week's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Back up Sage Rosenfels will get the call and before I make a prediction for this game. While I was watching the Broncos/Browns game on Thursday night. They showed a graphic for the AFC Playoff Picture and crazy enough...I saw the Texans logo! A long shot, but hey it's Week 10. Still 7 more weeks of football to be played. I'm going to go with the homer pick and pick the Texans here. If this game was being played in Baltimore, I would pick the Ravens in a heartbeat but the Texans have played good at home.

Continue reading "NFL Week 10 Predictions"

I pick the Cowboys in this one.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

2) Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

One team is coming off a blowout loss while the other lost in the closing seconds. Honestly...this was a tough pick. Do you go with the team that got stomped last week or the team that barely loss? It's a toughie. I'm going to go with the gut though and pick the Ravens. Baltimore's defense will prevail here. Might be an ugly low-scoring dragout of a game. Flacco needs to not turn the ball over to give the defense and the rest of the team some breathing room. This is a game either team can take on paper, but like I said I pick Baltimore in this. Now I hope I'm right.

Continue reading "NFL Week 7 Predictions"

          The crystal ball was two up and two down for the week.  Even though that is an improvement, it still doesn’t cut it!  Good thing this is for entertainment purposes only…or I would be in the poor house!  Let’s take a look back and see what happened: 

Continue reading "Week 5 Review"

It was an interesting week in the National Football League. A few surprises, a big meltdown by one team and one bruised and battered team found a way to win a big prime-time game. Let's get right to it--game by game.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

ease....

*Classic NFL Films music hits*


1) Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens

This is why the NFL Sunday Ticket was invented. This has the makings of a great game and like that Sunday Ticket commercial goes with Jimmy Kimmel: "The Browns and Bengals had a TD fest through the air....and guess what? You probably missed it because you don't have Sunday Ticket!". Anyways this is one of the tougher picks of the week for me. The Titans are unbeaten going against another great defense in the Ravens. Many people are saying the Titans will win this game because for one: "their the better team" and two: Ravens are coming off a hard fought Monday Night game against the Ravens. Well I personally think the Ravens will win this game because I believe the adrenaline from Monday nights game will carry over to this week. Flacco did make a few mistakes against the Steelers, but he showed great poised. I'm taking Baltimore in this one.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Predictions"

          

           Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots, was accused by Al Davis of “tampering” with Randy Moss prior to their trade a year ago.  The Raiders received a 4th round pick as compensation in the deal.  Davis alleges that the Patriots had a secret workout with Moss prior to the negotiations, which would violate NFL rules.  Bill (here’s a surprise) denies the accusation. 

Continue reading "...Then It's Probably A Duck!"

           This week two head coaches were relieved of their duties…fired!  First, Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, and now, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, why?  Jim Haslet replaced Linehan.  What’s the difference, the Rams are horrific!  Kiffin is being replaced with O-line coach, Tom Cable…who?  Yeah, that’s right, I never heard of him either! 

Continue reading "Instant Gratification"

           Once again, my crystal ball failed me.  I don’t understand what happened…I shined it up last week.  I even purchased a stand for it…so now it sits on top of the mantel.  I’ve treated it with the utmost respect.  For who?  For what?  (Yes…that was a shot at Ricky Watters!)  Once again, I was one up and three down last week…not good…awful…embarrassing even!  I have to do something different for next week…maybe I will punish it…have it stand in the corner…or give it a time-out!  Something has to give…and I’m not backing down!  Let’s take a closer look and see what went wrong: 

Continue reading "Week 4 Review"

hard Mendenhall (Rookie RB for the Pittsburgh Steelers) sent his buddy, Ray Rice (Rookie RB for the Baltimore Ravens) a text message.  So why is that football news?  Because LB Bart Scott of the Ravens made it so!  Mendenhall’s text was only intended for his buddy Ray.  It claimed how great of a day Rashard was going to have against the vaunted Raven’s Defense.  Ray Rice took it upon himself to let his defense know about the text message…Bart Scoot took offense.

Continue reading "Bulletin Board Material"

ns New York Giants fans! The last time your team was in the Super Bowl they were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens. They certainly have a tall order this time – but it is doable! With statistics and the law of averages on their side, they have a shot at ruining perfection for the New England Patriots.

Continue reading "I stand corrected!"

Dolphins can sleep tonight! They will not go winless this season as they managed to stave off the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. When Matt Stover’s 44-yard field goal attempt was no good, the Dolphins answered with their longest drive this season! Yeah Dolphins!

Continue reading "A streak-breaking day for Florida NFL teams!"

Brian Billick isn't going anywhere if the reports coming from the owner of the Baltimore Ravens Steve Bisciotti are true. According to various sources he will have Billick back at the helm of the

Continue reading "Ravens Decides To Stay With Billick?"