Blog

Ravens:
NFL Schedule expected to be released Wednesday night. My money is on a prime time game IN Pittsburgh… Some analysts suggest the Ravens may trade down in the draft to get more picks… Rolando McClain tried coming back but retired again… Rice has reported in better condition, apparently beating his weight problem from last year (Bad Iggy). I still expect him to be suspended between 2 and 4 games. Ravens would do well to “steal” a page from Pittsburgh book, and proactively suspend Rice, hoping that the league sees our punishment as just and not impose a potentially stiffer sanction.

News and Personal Thoughts:
Congratulations to the Maryland Women’s basketball team who made it to the Final Four.

Ravens:
Ravens sign TE Owen Daniels, which was kind of expected given his connections with the new Ravens coaching staff… Ravens sign backup running back Justin Forsett, who is looking to rebound after an injury plagued season in Jacksonville… Ravens resign Terrance Cody… John Harbaugh sold his house for $2.1M in less than a week, after reportedly moving to another home in the Baltimore area. Apparently he needed a bigger mortgage.

Ravens:
The Ravens are great, but they still can’t fill the void left by a decade plus of no football. It was 30 years ago this past weekend that they were stolen in the middle of the night. Something that I will never forget. Read about a comparable fan’s experience here… Ray Rice married his fiance in an effort to show the courts that things are fine between them, although the charges were upgraded to aggravated assault… LeGarrette Blount and Maurice Jones-Drew were linked with the Ravens as potential free-agent signings, but both chose other venues… NFL approved increasing goal post heights by 5 feet, and to implement a 2-week preseason experiment where extra points are at the 20 yard line, unless the team declares their intent to go for 2 point, where it will be placed at the traditional line of scrimmage. Expansion to 14 team playoff structure is pushing forward, and could happen as early as this season, but they need to iron out a few obstacles first, which includes WHEN the games will be played, and WHO has broadcasting rights. Original NFL plans called for a Friday and Monday night game, but traditionalists are balking at the proposal, wanting to overload Saturday and Sunday with 3 games each.

Ravens:
After the initial flurry of activities, the Ravens have been moving more slowly. Ravens acquire center Jeremy Zuttah from Tampa Bay Buccaneers for middle round 2015 draft pick… Sadly, squealers won’t lose a draft pick for Tomlin’s near tackle on Jacoby Jones. Originally, I thought that a draft pick was too severe, but now I think they should just flip flop out draft picks for this year… 21 rules changes are to be proposed to the owners this week. Most significantly is an increase to the height of the goal posts to eliminate kicks going indeterminately over top… Ravens signed Free Agent Darian Stewart (Rams) as James Ihedigbo is expected to sign elsewhere… Rams, Raiders and Chargers are all prime candidates to relocate back to Los Angeles, although the Chargers are starting to look less likely.

Ravens:
Ray Rice losing weight, to get be in better shape for next season, so he doesn’t take a, ahem, beating… ILB Daryl Smith signed to 4-year deal… Panthers WR Steve Smith signed to a 3-year deal… Michael Oher signs with the Titans.