Ravens:
With all the success of the Ravens, and human interest stories of how we got there, what does the media hone in on? Ray Lewis and the double murder charges of 2000 in Atlanta, and a publicity stunt by SWATS to claim that he used banned PEDs to recover and take the field. First of all, the double murder is 12 years ago. He did his time for obstruction of justice, and paid off the family of the so-called victims (true victims wouldn’t have found themselves in an alley fight). ’nuff said there. Now, with regards to the Deer Antler Velvet Spray, here is what I have summarized from the whole stink: There are small amounts of IGF-1 in the live antlers, but by the time the antlers get processed, little to no amount of the hormone can be passed on in pill or spray format (confirmed by JHU professor); There is no reliable test for the substance because it is so similar to a comparable human hormone; the players have not approved any test that might produce a positive result in this area. Long story short, this story came out of Boston after the Pats lost the AFC championship game, in what appears to me as a publicity stunt to get alternative natural medicines on the radar. I’m done with it. Move on.

Now that this “distraction” has taken over, Ray Lewis has been the center of attention (his preferred location), allowing everyone else to stay relatively low and focus on what they are in New Orleans for in the first place: prepare for the biggest game of their lives. Going by the Stats, the Niners have a better Defense, and the Ravens have a better offense. Flacco is currently on a post-season tear that ranks among the top 6 performance all time by any quarterback in the post season. If he can continue that progression for one more game, he will not only have back up his claim as being an elitest quarterback, but he will probably have the Super Bowl Ring to back it up. The Ravens have guaranteed that Flacco will be back with Baltimore next season, and the only question at this point is if it will be as a franchised player, estimated to be worth about $14.6M, or signed to a long term deal. I’ll discuss this more in the coming weeks.

Two weeks off is a long time to wait, but it does allow both teams to get healthy before the big game. Unfortunately, it can also destroy momentum. Current Vegas odds are still favoring the Niners by 3+ points, which suits the Ravens well, still carrying the “No Respect” card. Raven players have presented themselves more relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings then the Forty Niners, which could mean… just about anything. I predict a good game. Look for the Ravens to present a balance attack with runs and passes, with Flacco periodically testing the cornerbacks and stretching the field. On Defense, they need to be wary of the versatility of Kaepernick, and shut down gore. The real x-factor in the game will be special teams: The Ravens are certainly built to break one loose with Jacoby Jones… but the coverage team is almost as apt to give it right back. Anything goes, but GO RAVENS!

Iggy’s Ravens Report – January 23, 2012

News & Commentary

Ravens:
Unbelievable… Again! The Ravens are going to the Super Bowl. Let me say that again: The BALTIMORE RAVENS are going to the SUPER BOWL! We exorcised the ghost of Bob Irsay. Then we conquered the man, myth, and legend known as Peyton Manning (and the A-hole GM John Elway >*spit*<), and now, we defeated our own failures of years past. We earned this trip. We pulled ourselves together at the perfect time: the playoffs. By how, after 16 games, did we rise above the inconsistency that has plagued us for, oh…um… 5 years? There are many answers to that question. First, it is Caldwell. Jettisoning Cam Cameron was a long time coming. Caldwell understands quarterbacks. He understands Flacco. He understands how to use the weapons we have and build a plan around it. Next is getting healthy at the right time. Our "starting" defense didn't take the field at the same time until the playoffs, and now it shows what we can do. Thirdly, it is Bryant McKinnie. We renegotiated his contract to start the season with a bonus for snap counts and then benched him until the playoffs. He was the missing piece of the offensive line that has given Joe the time pick his receivers, and not settle for one in a panic. These are a few of the many factors that have come together at the right time, and given us a chance to become legendary, once again.

Well, now that we are here, can we finish what we started? Can we send Ray Lewis out with the biggest bang possible in this league? The answer is simple. YES WE CAN. But we need to find new motivation. There is no Irsay, Elway, Manning, Lee Evans, or Billy Cundiff to overcome now. If anyone, it is the San Francisco 49ers who have a chip on their shoulders. They lost the only previous meeting of two brotherly Head Coaches in NFL history 16-6 on Thanksgiving night just over a year ago. They have a very passionate head coach, and a 2nd year quarterback who continues to find ways to win. In our corner, is the winningest quarterback in the NFL over the last 5 years, an emotional Ray Lewis, and a 4+ point “underdog” rating to stoke our fire. We have experience, and are the only underdog team to have won this post season, and we’ve done it twice thus far. So, can we do it? We have the heart and we know what it takes. No it is only a matter of execution. Just take a few extra minutes in practice on special teams, please, or I’ll have to talk about another type of execution.

Ravens:
Unbelievable! That’s the only word I can come up with. In the 4th longest game in NFL history, the Ravens enter the come 9+ points underdogs and beat the top seeded Broncos on their home frozen turf. In a game that the Broncos literally gave away by failing to take this game and the Ravens seriously, Flacco hit 3 homeruns, and Corey Graham picked off 2 Peyton Manning passes that are sure to give him nightmares for months to come. The 2nd rates Broncos defense dared Flacco to beat them on deep balls, and he did. With time outs left and Manning as their QB, the Broncos twice let the clock expire instead of trying to drive for points. Finally, in something that should NEVER happen, Jacoby Jones got behind the corners AND the safeties for a 70 yard touchdown with less then a minute left. How do you obtain a #1 seed, and make those kind of mistakes and errors? Simple: You didn’t take your opponent seriously. After all, you just pounded their rotting dead body in to their own home turf a month earlier. The path was paved, but they walked on the grass: The frozen grass.

Now, after excising the demons of Irsay and Elway, the Ravens find themselves 9+ points underdogs again, this time to nemesis New England, where we have to go deep into our souls to remove our own demons from last year: Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff. Their memory, and it will be brought up every day for the next week, is what stands in the way of our destiny. What will it be Ravens? You are where I never thought you would be all season long. Prove me wrong again and take us to the show!

PS – Who says Suggs is a gimp (2 sacks), and Ray Lewis (17 tackles) is washed up and should have retired well before this year? Keep calling them that, and you will find yourself gimpy and washed up… and, so help me, if Dan Dierdork is broadcasting the AFC Championship game… … … I better not finish that thought.

Ravens:
Despite horrific officiating, the Ravens found enough luck to advance to the divisional round of playoffs by giving up 400+ yards of total offense, but keeping the colts out of the end zone. Ray Lewis lead the team in tackles, and showed great heart in his last home game with the team, while Ray “flu-like Fumble-itis” Rice should have had a few less carries. The next order is much stiffer, as the significantly underdog Ravens travel to Mile High Denver to face arch-nemesis Peyton Manning, who just schooled us last month. Hopefully playing with more heart and determination, the Ravens will need to depend on more big plays on offensive against a defense much better than Indy, and continue to shut down the opposing QB.

Ravens:
In a virtually meaningless game, the Ravens lost to the Bengals, on an afternoon where both sides rested key players to get healthy for the playoffs. Next up is the Colts on Sunday afternoon, where a healthy diet of Rice and Pierce could go a long way to making the next round of playoffs in either New England or Denver, since Houston collapsed worse than the Ravens in December… In other news, Ray Lewis announced that he will retire at the end of the season.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – December 18, 2012

News & Commentary

Ravens:
After 3 straight games of “Win and you are in” Division clinching matches (that we lost), the Ravens backed into the playoffs, thanks to the virtual pick-6 that Ben threw against Dallas in overtime. That’s right. pittsburgh put us in the playoffs. Now, back to our game, pass protection stank and running game never got running. The defense, despite their injuries, looked good for a while, but losing the time of possession battle did them in. If Flacco wants to back up his claims of being elite, then he can’t fumble the opening possession, and then throw a 98 yard pick 6, which forever changed the complexion of the game, turning what could have been a 10-7 half-time deficit into a 17-0 flop.

This week, Joe goes against the guy he is most apt to compare himself to: Eli. Both QBs numbers of the last several seasons are extremely comparable with only one glaring exception: Eli has a pair of Stupid Bowl rings, and Joe only has tidy bowl rings. This game can go either way with both teams sucking on Defense thus far this season, and both offenses have been as consistent as a random number generator. This game means more to the Giants, because a loss could toss them out of the playoff picture, where as Baltimore is already clinched a playoff spot, but are pushing for that ever elusive home playoff game.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – December 11, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
I hate deadskin fans almost as much as stealer fans. Week 16 game against the Giants has been moved to 4:25.

Ravens:
In a gutsy, late season desperation(?) move, the Ravens finally parted ways with Cam Cameron, after several heated exchanges between Harbs and Cameron on the sidelines of the deadskin game. Marked by repeated inconsistency on offense, Cameron had lost the support of the players, and finally the Harbaugh and the owner to prompt his removal and the promotion of Jim Caldwell (no, not Bob) as the new offensive coordinator. Caldwell stays as Quarterbacks Coach, leaving open the speculation of whether or not this is a permanent change, a temporary fix, or a trial period. Some have speculated that an off-season move will be made to bring in Norv Turner (Offensive Genius, but head coaching flop) next season. With Cameron trying to force an offensive scheme on the Ravens, Caldwell (Peyton Mannings former mentor, and head coach) has already demonstrated his charismatic flair with the players, and appears poised to develop a game plan more around our assets, then around his own personal agenda. This will be Caldwell first job as an offensive coordinator. A revision of the playbook is not necessary, as Cameron is expected to revive the no huddle offense, and
leverage plays already on paper, but seldom used by his predecessor.

The Pats demolition of the Texans last night virtually assures the Ravens of NOT getting a first round bye. A playoff berth can only be denied via collusion between the stealers and Bengals by virtue of a Week 16 tie, which would otherwise be unlikely. The Ravens hold tie breakers over both teams, regardless of the final three games outcome. Of all the possible playoff scenarios, the simplest is that a win gives the Ravens the division title. This will be third straight week that such a scenario has been possible.

This week, we face a hot Broncos team that has finally gotten use to Manning as their QB. Suggs and Lewis are expected to be back on the field, and will desperately be needed in an attempt to end Peyton’s 8 game personal win streak over Baltimore. Without sufficient pressure on Peyton to make bad choices, he will carve us up like a Thanksgiving Turkey. All he has to do is watch how 2nd and 3rd string QB beat us the last two weeks, and they will have to give him a drool bucket. Despite all our short comings, the Ravens seem to find a way to stay in most games, but what is important now is finding a way to win games and regain some confidence. This is our house. Let that be known. Let that be heard.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – December 4, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Can’t think after Sunday.

Ravens:
In the worst loss of the season, the Ravens loss to third string quarterback Charlie Batch, failing to lock up a playoff spot, and, worse yet, failing to push the stealers out of the 6th playoff spot giving them renewed hope, after their demoralizing loss to Cleveland last week. As it has plagued us all season, the front line failed to open up holes and protect Flacco, the defensive front line failed to put sufficient pressure on the quarterback, which then exposed the holes in our secondary, which were more glaring on Sunday then they have been all season. Play calling was once again horrible, as we failed to leverage Rice when we needed him the most. On a nationally televised game, we not only showed the country we are not an elite team, but truly the benefactors of a soft early schedule. If you think this is bad, just wait. With RG3, and the Manning brothers on the schedule, we may be hard pressed to win the 2 more games required to clinch up the division, and a home playoff game, never mind the first round bye. Washington is a trap game, and we can’t get in to a shoot out with Griffin. Last time I checked, he was among the league leaders in completion percentage, and can really do a number on us if we are not prepared… and to add insult to injury, Suggs has a torn biceps, but plans to play through it, further neutralizing his effectiveness.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 27, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Regarding Maryland’s move to the Big Ten, I consulted a few local experts, and after the initial shock wore off, they think it is a good move, and actually wish it was happening sooner. They are already tired of hearing “ACC” chants from opposing fans.

Ravens:
After floundering the first half, as we are used to seeing the Ravens virtually dead on the road, the offense came alive in the 2nd half, thanks to a tired(?) Charger Defense, gutsy pass plays by Flacco, creative running by Ray Rice, and possible a little help from the officials. After in depth analysis, I think the refs got the 4th and 29 conversion right, although the ball placement is very suspect both on the previous first down marking and the readjusted location. The defense has improved as young guys are maturing quickly, and having Suggs back on the front line adds a significant element for opposing O-lines to prepare for. Special teams may be subject to some turmoil in coming weeks as David Reed has been activated off the PUP. Ray Lewis is expediting his return and could be back as early as week 15. With a win on Sunday, and a Bengal loss, the Ravens would clinch the division title, but Cincinnati is playing at San Diego, and we know what they have to offer. Roethlisberger says it’s killing him to watch from the sidelines, and he claims he will try to play on Sunday against the Ravens, but we’ll have to see what the medical and coaching staffs have to say about that. 1 game is not more important than the man’s life if that dislocated rib is not completely healed. The stealers still hold the distinction of the number defense in the NFL, and the Ravens still need to get more creative and consistent on offense, otherwise this will be another close slug-fest. Running the rookie up the middle on 4th and 1 will not get the job done when the entire universe knows what’s coming. Fake the hand-off and send Joe on a naked bootleg to the left, with a TE emergency valve cutting across the middle. They would have gotten the 1 yard, and possibly a TD. No one was covering that for SD.

Iggy’s Ravens Report – November 21, 2012

News & Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
In a surprise move, bucking 60 years of history, Maryland announced that they will be moving to the Big 10 for the 2014. This will be beneficial for Football Basketball, Baseball and Soccer, but detrimental to Lacrosse. The Big 10 will reported pay the $51M ACC separation fee, and Maryland stands to make $24.7M in broadcasting revenues (as opposed to the ACC’s $17M), with an anticipated increase to somewhere in the mid-$40M within 5 years. Lacrosse will suffer, no longer belong to the ACC. The Big 10 has no organized lacrosse league with only a handful of schools fielding teams, insufficient to hold a conference tournament and well short of the requirements to establish an automatic NCAA bid. Maryland could join an associate league, like the ECAC (Loyola) in Men’s lacrosse, or just play independent. Most notably, Maryland may suffer on the recruiting front without their ACC alliance with perennial powerhouses such as Duke, Virgina, and North Carolina. And, of course, leaving ACC buys local law enforcement about 10 years of riot-free route 1 traffic, without the twice a years Duke basketball games!

Ravens:
The Ravens did not win on Sunday night as much as pittsburgh gave the game away. The stealers failed to run the ball, left in an obviously injured Leftwich, failed to manage the clock, and lost the turnover battle. The Ravens, on the other hand, failed to produce any semblance of offense. Granted pittsburgh has the number 1 ranked D in the NFL, we still had no game plan AGAIN. The stealers made our defense look good. An injured 2nd string QB was rather ineffective, and the return of Suggs had the stealer O-line so confused, they didn’t know how to stop Kruger from breaking free. That pressure covered for the holes in the secondary, although the reserve players covered the field well. This week, the Ravens will need to do more against a better offensive team that isn’t running around like a chicken with it’s head chopped, as pittsburgh was doing on Sunday. Rivers will dissect us given the chance, and these west coast trips also seem to revive the twilight zone (No, not the cheesy teenage vampire books/flicks… we’re talking the realm where anything can happen.)