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2011 Draft: A Win for the Baltimore Ravens

In 7th and Final Round: RB Anthony Allen

Round 6: Ravens Pick Up QB Tyrod Taylor

ESPN: John Harbaugh on the Ravens Draft Decisions

Round 5: Ravens Back to Back Picks - CB Chykie Brown and DE Pernell McPhee

Round 4: Ravens Select WR Tandon Doss

Jimmy Smith and Torrey Smith Introduced as Ravens Today in Baltimore

Torrey Smith excited to be a Raven

WELCOME HOME TO BALTIMORE TORREY SMITH!

This is getting ridiculous...

Which AFC North Team Had Best First-Round Pick?

According to a SPORTSNATION poll on ESPN's AFC North Blog:


As of 4:15 p.m. 7,652 fans have voted:


Which AFC North team had the best first-round pick?
Pittsburgh: Cameron Heyward 34%
Cleveland: Phil Taylor 26%
Cincy: A.J. Greene 23%
Bmore: Jimmy Smith 17%

ESPN Retracts Statement: Lockout Expected Not Official

Owners get stay of injunction, lockout back on

From NBC Sports Report: (full story)

Although the players were being welcomed back to team facilities this morning because of Judge Susan Nelson’s injunction to end the lockout, that is changing this afternoon.

ESPN is reporting that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has granted a temporary stay of the injunction and reinstated the lockout, meaning players will now be told to hit the road, and doors to team facilities are being locked this afternoon.

Ravens News: Afternoon Update

NFL's Royal Family: Ray Lewis earns a spot on their list

NFL.com decided to combat the overwhelming media coverage of today's royal wedding by compiling a list of the members of the NFL Royal Family claiming:

The NFL does not reward people for merely being born into the right family. In this league, you have to work for your honors.

Who were the half-dozen players who made the cut? (courtesy of NFL.com - click for explanations of each pick)

#6 - Court Jester: Chad Ochocinco 

#5 - Sergeant at Arms: Ray Lewis

#4 - Prince of New England: Tom Brady

#3 - Prince of Indy - Peyton Manning

#2 - Queen: Rita Le Blanc

#1 - King: John Madden

Risk vs. Reward: Selecting Jimmy Smith

The fan reaction on Twitter to the Ravens first round draft selection was mixed to say the least. In the moments leading up to the draft, some were saying that they were willing to look past some of the character flaws in Jimmy Smith because they knew that Ray Lews, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs would be able to straighten him out. Others felt that it wasn't the job of the Ravens defense to babysit this player with the troubled past and hoped the Ravens would make a different selection. There's no question about it, there was certainly a great deal of talent left on the table when the Ravens made their 26th  27th pick selection. Why did the Ravens decide to take such a gamble?


Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun summed it up pretty well in my opinion:


"And when a team is close to making the Super Bowl, it has a tendency to look the other way. The Ravens turned their heads Thursday night. They looked away, and then toward a possible Super Bowl."


Preston believes that Smith is a natural fit into the Ravens defense and is confident in that Smith will be a definite contender for the starting cornerback position over Dominique Foxworth, Lardarius Webb and Chris Carr. 

"Because they blitz so frequently, their cornerbacks are often exposed one on one. The Ravens have a lot of munchkin cornerbacks, but no one nearly as big and physical as Smith, who specializes in press coverage."


Unlike some fans who believe that the defense will be able to shape up this young player with such potential, Preston thinks that it will be up to Smith to clean up his reputation on his own.


"Smith's turnaround will have to come on his own, and the Ravens are willing to take that chance. With Smith, the Ravens have a cornerback who comes up strong in run support. Smith is smart and instinctive and reads and reacts quickly."


According to the Baltimore Ravens website, John Harbaugh respected Smith for revealing his questionable past rather than hiding it. Harbaugh is confident in Smith's character and desire to move on and make the most of this new opportunity:


Smith freely acknowledges that he’s made mistakes. According to a report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Smith flunked three drug tests at Colorado. He also told teams about two alcohol-related arrests for minor-in-possession and an arrest for third-degree assault in a restaurant.
 
“He didn’t try to hide anything.  He put it right out there for the whole world to see.  He’s going to have to deal with that, and we’re going to have to deal with that.  That’s OK.  This guy, I think, is a good person at heart.”


Smith claims that he wasn't nervous that he wasn't drafted until the 27th round despite the fact that he had top 10 talent and felt that he was going to the Ravens all along. 


“I feel like everything happens for a reason and I was destined to go to the Ravens,” Smith said. “So, I guess that’s the way things worked out. I’m very happy with it and not disappointed by any means.”


“I don’t expect anything,” Smith said of a starting role. “I just expect to go out there and do everything that they want me to do. If they need me to start, then I’m going to start. If they need me to play special teams, then I’m going to play special teams. Whatever they need, then that’s what I’m going to do.”


Here is a look at some of the media buzz surrounding the Ravens first pick as well as the fans immediate reaction. 

Live Recount of the NFL Draft 1st Round Picks!

Steve Porter Outdid Himself Again... NFL Draft Remix!

Joe Flacco Included in ESPN's Top 10 QB's

ESPN released a list Tuesday of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL. Joe Flacco split the 10th place spot with Dallas Cowboy's QB Tony Romo.

ESPN's James Walker speculates whether or not Flacco deserves to be named among the most elite in the league. Check it out!

Here's the complete list courtesy of ESPN.com:

1. Tom Brady, Patriots
2. Peyton Manning, Colts
3. Drew Brees, Saints
4. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
7. (tie) Michael Vick, Eagles
7. (tie)Matt Ryan, Falcons
9. Eli Manning, Giants
10. (tie) Joe Flacco, Ravens
10. (tie) Tony Romo, Cowboys

Latest Lockout News: Afternoon Edition

NFL Draft Updates from the Ravens Staff

Tom Zbikowski Fails Drug Test

What happens if the players show up for work today?

Too Early To Get Excited?

According to Ravens Insider Aaron Wilson:

According to ESPN, the NFLPA sent the following e-mail to players: "Be advised any player going to work tomorrow is doing so under the ruling that Judge Nelson rendered today. Judge Nelson's court order prevents the clubs from locking out players under contract, so they can show up for work. Unless and until the judge issues an order for a stay [delay of the injunction], the teams will be in violation of Judge Nelson's order if they don't allow access."

Jerry Coleman's Exclusive Interview With Joe Flacco

Sports With Coleman's very own Jerry Coleman caught up with Joe Flacco for an exclusive interview about workouts during the lockout, his confidence in the defense and whether or not he cares if the Ravens draft a quarterback. Listen here!

Ray Lewis Locker Room Speech at Elon's Spring Game

I must have watched this 50 times and picked up on something different every time. Athlete or not, everyone can take something away from this video...

Instant Fan Reaction: 2011 Schedule

Ravens 2011 Schedule Analysis

According to ESPN's AFC NORTH Blog:


Baltimore, after a 12-4 season, caught the biggest break among AFC North teams with a 31st-ranked strength of schedule. Based on last year's records, the Ravens have the easiest schedule in the division and the AFC conference. 

RAVENS 2011 SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED

With 5 Prime Time games, a Thanksgiving contest between the Harbaugh brothers at home and STEELERS AT BALTIMORE to start off the season, I am totally excited for football season!

(Schedule courtesy of Baltimoreravens.com)

DATE                               OPPONENT                                  PLACE                                                        TIME
Sun.       Sept. 11            PITTSBURGH STEELERS            M&T BANK STADIUM                             1:00 p.m.
Sun.       Sept. 18            at Tennessee Titans                      LP Field                                                      1:00 p.m.
Sun.       Sept. 25            at St. Louis Rams                           Edward Jones Dome                               4:05 p.m.
              
Sun.       Oct. 2               NEW YORK JETS                          M&T BANK STADIUM                             8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sun.       Oct. 9               BYE
Sun.       Oct. 16             HOUSTON TEXANS                      M&T BANK STADIUM                             4:05 p.m.
Mon.     Oct. 24             at Jacksonville Jaguars                   EverBank Field                                         8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sun.       Oct. 30             ARIZONA CARDINALS                  M&T BANK STADIUM                             1:00 p.m.
 
Sun.       Nov. 6              at Pittsburgh Steelers                      Heinz Field                                                8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sun.       Nov. 13*          at Seattle Seahawks                        Qwest Field                                              4:05 p.m.
Sun.       Nov. 20*          CINCINNATI BENGALS                  M&T BANK STADIUM                             1:00 p.m.
Thurs.    Nov. 24            SAN FRANCISCO 49ers                M&T BANK STADIUM                             8:20 p.m. (NFL Net.)
 
Sun.       Dec. 4*             at Cleveland Browns                       Cleveland Browns Stadium                   1:00 p.m.
Sun.       Dec. 11*          INDIANAPOLIS COLTS                   M&T BANK STADIUM                             1:00 p.m.
Sun.       Dec. 18             at San Diego Chargers                   Qualcomm Stadium                                8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Sat.        Dec. 24             CLEVELAND BROWNS                  M&T BANK STADIUM                             1:00 p.m.
 
Sun.       Jan. 1*              at Cincinnati Bengals                       Paul Brown Stadium                               1:00 p.m.           

   
 

Ray Rice and His Bobblehead

Ravens News: April 13

Ravens News: Weekend Wrap Up and Early Week Updates

Ravens News: April 6

ESPN's AFC North Blog: Ravens are having contract issues

According to James Walker, ESPN's AFC North reporter, the Ravens are built to win right now which is probably the reason why the team is running into contract issues. The Ravens have several key players seeking big money deals. 


Starting quarterback Joe Flacco brought the issue to the forefront this past weekend when he expressed disappointment with playing out the fourth year of his rookie contract in 2011. Flacco, who is signed for two more years, led Baltimore to three consecutive playoff appearances and set career highs in yards (3,622), touchdowns (25) and passer rating (93.6) last season. It's understandable that Flacco has his sights set on a new deal. But looking at Baltimore's big picture, it's also easy to see why the team wants to wait until 2012. 


Baltimore also has decisions to make on the rest of its 2011 free-agent class, which includes cornerback Josh Wilson, safety Dawan Landry, fullback Le'Ron McClain, cornerback Chris Carr and offensive tackle Jared Gaither. Backup running back Willis McGahee also is expected to be released, and the Ravens will attempt to bring him back at a lower rate. 


Things will get even more tricky in 2012 when players like Flacco and starting tailback Ray Rice will be looking to cash in. Flacco is not expected to play out the fifth year of his rookie deal and Rice, a 2008 second-round draft pick, is wrapping up his four-year contract. Those two deals alone will take up much of Baltimore's resources next offseason.

The Ravens should once again be a contender next season. But with such a talented roster, it will be difficult to financially keep this entire group together for multiple years. Aging leaders such as linebacker Ray Lewis (35) and safety Ed Reed (32) also will not be around forever, which is why Baltimore needs to take advantage of this window and try to make another Super Bowl run.

Flacco organizing practice at end of the month

The lockout might be in full swing but that doesn't mean that they players aren't working hard and training on their own. 


According to the Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider, Joe Flacco is trying to organize a practice at the end of the month for the Ravens wide receivers, tight ends and maybe the running backs. If the lockout wasn't going on right now, this would be about the time that Flacco would begin throwing with his teammates over at Ravens headquarters. 


“We’ll probably do a week-long thing of throwing and working out,” Flacco told The Baltimore Sun.

“Most of the players today are going home and working out no matter what,” he said. “The biggest thing we’re missing now is that the coaches can keep an eye on you. I don’t know if they’re going to feel comfortable. But it’s not a bad thing for us. We don’t have to deal with the coaches for a little bit. We’re still going to be working out and throwing and catching.”

Flacco added, “Everybody is going to come back in shape. That’s the most important thing. In modern football, everybody is doing that anyway whether it’s organized workouts or not. You’re not going to see any letdown, at least from us. I think with the team we have we'll benefit from this kind of thing because everybody will be doing that and we can trust guys to do that.”

Large turnout for Haruki Nakamura's benefit for Japan

According to Ravens Insider, Aaron Wilson:

An overflow crowd of thousands greeted Baltimore Ravens safety Haruki Nakamura on Saturday during an emergency relief charity event at Ripken Stadium where $60,000 was raised.

A Japanese-American, Nakamura quickly organized the event along with the Red Cross to assist Japan after it was ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and the dangerous spread of nuclear radiation last month.

“When we were pulling up, I had goosebumps,” Nakamura said. “It was crazy. It’s not what we expected. It was a small idea, and this is huge. It’s awesome. It means a lot. It shows how much people really care.”

Nakamura was joined by quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice, free safety Ed Reed, defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, cornerback Chris Carr and former Ravens wide receiver turned broadcaster Qadry Ismail.

Roughly 3,000 people paid either $50 for one autographed item or $100 for a pair of autographed items or purchased raffle tickets with all proceeds going toward the Red Cross International Relief Fund to benefit those affected by the catastrophic events in Japan.

Flacco voices his disappointment about contract

Joe Flacco doesn't believe that it is necessary for the Ravens to wait another year to grant him a long-term contract extension. He voiced his opinion that he is disappointed by the franchise's decision not to launch negotiations until the 2011 season is over. 


The start to the 2011 season will mark Flacco's fourth year with the Ravens and his fourth year of a five-year contract with a maximum value of $30 million. 


During the NFL combine, the Ravens spoke to Flacco's representation saying that they wouldn't address his contract until next year. 


Ravens Insider, Aaron Wilson reports Flacco's thoughts:

“I played three years, you would think either you know that you like me or you don’t like me,” Flacco said Saturday at Ripken Stadium during teammate Haruki Nakamura’s Red Cross relief event to benefit Japan. “I think if you like me you would know. Hey, if it’s not the way they do things, it’s not the way they do things. We’ll see what happens a year from now.

“I would much prefer that we get something done right now because in a year from now I’m going to be thinking, ‘Hey, they already made me play one year without another contract, what’s the harm in playing another year and seeing what happens after that?’”

Flacco also emphasized that his goal is to play in Baltimore for a long time. 

“Of course it is,” Flacco said. “It’s incredible here, it’s great here. I don’t think there’s any question about that this is where I want to be long-term.

“It’s just a matter of doing what’s going to be good in terms of signing that deal and I’d like to do it as soon as possible. If they feel differently, they feel differently. When they eventually do want to do something, I’ll see if that’s something that’s going to benefit me.”

Update: Ed Reed

jamisonhensley Jamison Hensley 

#Ravens safety Ed Reed said he is still rehabbing hip after last year's offseason surgery. He said he is healthy and could play today

20 hours ago 

Harbaugh on Prescott Burgess: ‘He’s got a role on our team if we can make it work’

The Baltimore Ravens did not offer Prescott Burgess, reserve linebacker and special-teams contributor, a restricted free agent tender. As reported by Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post, John Harbaugh does have interest in bringing him back. 

"Ideally," coach John Harbaugh said at the NFL owners meetings when asked if Burgess was in the Ravens' plans. "I always say I can't ever say I don't want a guy back. I want them all back. Yet you want to find
a way to make your team better in different ways. I think he's a proven special teams guy.

"He's a proven backup linebacker and I think on another team he could possibly be a starting linebacker. That's something that Prescott is going to have to decide. He's got a role on our team if we can make it work."

Will you watch Le'Ron McClain's reality show?

As fans may (or may not) already know, Le'Ron has been using his spare time in the off season to produce and promote his own reality TV show, 'Beyond the Jersey.'

B'more Birds' Nest offers weighs in on the subject:

McClain is planning to test the free agency waters this offseason, so season two of “Beyond the Jersey” may be filmed in an entirely different city. Once that happens, I’ll probably lose all interest in the show, but for now I’m interested enough to check it out. Mostly for all the behind the scenes football footage and to see some Ravens’ players outside of the usual press conference setting; I could really care less what Le’Ron McClain does in his personal time though, and watching show after show of him having parties and rollin’ to the club doesn’t sound like my idea of quality entertainment.

Check out the preview below and tell me what Y O U think!

Talking With Taylor

I tried out my first podcast this week as a journalism class assignment and I'm really excited to hear what you all think! It ended up being a little longer than I anticpated so I broke it up into two pieces, one for each interview. I am only posting the first interview today and will have the second interview up later this weekend.

Guest 1: Luke Jokes, WNST.net
 

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Born in Baltimore but now living right across the line in southern Pa., Luke Jones' mind is filled with sports trivia and random movie quotes. His favorite sports memories include attending the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV victory parade in the pouring rain and watching Juan Dixon and the Terps advance to the Final Four at the Carrier Dome in 2002 (making snow-heavy Syracuse bearable for one day). His least favorite memory is a variety of trips to Camden Yards to see Red Sox or Yankees fans take over the ballpark. After winning WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk competition last year, he now writes for WNST.net, covering the Orioles, University of Maryland basketball and football, and Ravens training camp.
(Picture and bio from http://bit.ly/gYXZJf)


Coming soon:

Guest 2: Christ Stoner, Baltimore Sports and Life



Baltimore Sports and Life is run by Chris Stoner, a 30 ish native of Catonsville, MD a suburb of Charm City. Chris has appeared as a guest on ESPN 1300, FOX 1370, and WNST 1570. Baltimore Sports and Life has been mentioned or linked to in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, MASN, and the City Paper. In 2010 the readers of the Baltimore Sun named Baltimore Sports and Life as the third best Oriole blog, and the winner of both the Ravens, and Terps categories. The blog has corresponding Facebook and Twitter pages, with links found on the front-page.
(Picture and bio from http://bit.ly/flrvyB)

History says Landry could leave Ravens

According to the Baltimore Sun's Ravens Insider:

The Ravens have let the starting safety opposite Ed Reed walk two other times. After the 2005 season, the Ravens didn’t re-sign Will Demps even though there wasn’t an experienced replacement on the roster. Then, two years ago, the Ravens allowed Jim Leonhard to go to the New York Jets because Landry was a less expensive alternative as a restricted free agent.

Now, Landry could be the one who becomes an unrestricted free agent when a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. The team’s second-leading tackler last season, Landry would be among the top four safeties available (Philadelphia’s Quintin Mikell, New Orleans’ Roman Harper and San Diego’s Eric Weddle are the others).

The Ravens might not feel the need to get into a bidding war over Landry because they have Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura already on the roster. Zbikowski started six games last season when Reed was on the physically-unable-to-perform list.