The Wait Is Over - Nike Releases New Ravens Uniforms

Overall, it looks like Baltimore will be playing in almost identical uniforms to the ones that they have been. I am glad to see that these look nothing like the rumored jerseys that were released earlier last year!

Click here to see more images!

Taylor's Top 5 2012 Draft Needs for the Baltimore Ravens

Never. Again.

In light of the NFL Combine last weekend, I've been thinking a lot about what the Ravens need to be looking for as we head into the 2012 draft. Here are the top 5 positions I think we should be looking to fill  in order to have the best chance at winning it all this season!

1) I said it last season and I will say it again, we need to find an inside linebacker. We are so lucky to have Ray Lewis for another season and we should utilize his presence to develop some new talent. Honestly, I think it would be worth a first round pick to draft an ILB. The Ravens have not drafted a LB in the first round in 15 seasons but with Jarrett Johnson returning at 31 years old and Jameel McClain as a free agent, there is no better time than now to introduce some new blood to the linebacking squad.

2) We need to find another center. Matt Birk has been a great asset for the Ravens but he is about to turn 36 and there are rumors that he has thought about retiring. In order to balance out our run-heavy offense, I think it would be a worthy investment to secure a strong center in this year's draft.

3) In addition to another center, we should look at drafting a new guard. Left guard Ben Grubbs is a pending free-agent and this year's draft pool doesn't feature a very strong mix of interior 0-lineman. For that reason, it would make sense for the Ravens to consider this position in the earlier rounds.

4) Clearly, we need to beef up our secondary. It continues to amaze me that Ed Reed is still in the game and while I appreciate all of the talent and experience that he brings, he wasn't as reliable last season as he has been for the Ravens in his younger years. We saw far fewer "Reeeeeeeeeed" plays and watching him staggering around in-between plays was kind of painful at times. It definitely would benefit the Ravens to find some new talent that could learn from playing alongside Ed while we still have him. It is also important to consider that our starting cornerbacks Cary Williams and Lardarius Webb are both pending free-agents.

5) Finally, I think we should look to add another wide receiver in this year's draft. We scored majorly last season in acquiring Torrey Smith and with a season of experience under his belt, he looks to be a promising deep-threat again in 2012. On the other hand, Anquan Boldin looks far less promising to me after a less-than impressive 57 catches for 887 yards and only 3 touchdowns last season.

I'd love to hear whether or not you agree or what changes to my list you would make! Leave me a comment on my 'Ravens Chick' Facebook account or  join the conversation on Twitter, @tayloraboyd.

Ravens Announce Additional Roster Changes

The Baltimore Ravens have also announced that they have released WR Lee Evans and CB Chris Carr.

(Photo credit: http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com)

According to the Baltimore Ravens website:

“Each year we have to make tough, difficult decisions to manage our roster,” Newsome said. “Chris Carr and Lee Evans were valuable Ravens, and both helped us get to the AFC Championship game and the brink of the Super Bowl last season with the way they played and the maturity they added to the locker room. Chris was instrumental in helping us earn the playoffs the last three seasons.

“As we talked about when we informed Chris and Lee of these moves, this does not close the door on them coming back to the Ravens.”

Baltimore Ravens Assign Franchise Tag to RAY RICE!

(Photo Credit: (www.blogs.baltimoreravens.com))

The Baltimore Ravens have reported that they have applied the franchise tag to Ray Rice today, Friday March 2. This tag protects him from free agency as his rookie contract with the Ravens neared its end! The one-year, $7.7 million deal is viewed as a precursor to an even longer contract extension following the 2012 season.

“As we have in the past, placing the franchise designation on a player allows us to keep negotiating on a long-term contract,” Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. “Our goal is to keep Ray Rice a Raven. We’ve done this with other outstanding players through our history, including Haloti Ngata a year ago.” (www.blogs.baltimoreravens.com)

"The fifth-year running back is coming off the best season of his career, where he rushed for 1,364 yards and collected a league leading 2,068 yards from scrimmage. He was selected to his second Pro Bowl and accounted for 16 touchdowns – 12 rushing, three receiving and one throwing." (www.blogs.baltimoreravens.com)

I have a feeling this will be welcome news to MANY Ravens fans!

Hello from New York City!

Hey Ravens fans,

I wanted to check in with a quick update about what I have been up to and when you can expect my blog to be up and running again! Instead of studying abroad this spring, I am studying "abroad" in New York City at New York University. I am taking some really innovative classes in social media stratgey that were not available to me at Lehigh. I have been absorbed in taking advantage of all that the city has to offer and for that reason, decided to take a little hiatus from blogging. I am so looking forward to having the opportunity to apply some of the great things I'm learning here at NYU to my Ravens blogging for the 2012 season! I look forward to bringing you all more of daily headlines and news content as well as more of my own personal content! I will be starting some posting again as we enter the 2012 NFL Draft coverage and cannot wait to connect with all of you as we prepare for the upcoming season! Thank you for your continued support and for helping me grow this blog into something that I never imagined possible. If you haven't already - follow me on Twitter @tayloraboyd or friend 'Ravens Chick' on Facebook! I will also be using my personal Pinterest account to post Ravens news, so if you'd like you can follow the board that I've created 'A Chick Who Digs Baltimore Ravens Football'.

Yours in black and purple,

 Taylor 'Ravens Chick'

Is anyone else still as sad as I am?

Nearly two days after the heartbreaking end to what looked like such a promising season, the loss still hangs heavy in my mind. I have been struggling with what to post as I grapple with the many emotions that I am experiencing. On one hand, I am proud that the Ravens made it as far as they did despite all the media criticism about their inconsistency. On the other hand, I'm flat out mad. I'm mad because this could have been Ray Lewis and Ed Reed's last opportunity to play for a Super Bowl title. I'm mad because Billy Cundiff has ONE JOB to do and he couldn't convert. Ultimately, my pride for the team and the city of Baltimore outweighs my frustration and disappointment that we lost when we were so very close to playing on the big stage. I found some of the post game videos pretty interesting as I was curious to hear what the coaches and players were feeling after suffering such a devastating blow. I know that no one wants to relive the sentiments following the game but I think that each of these videos is worth watching and I am proud of the composure that the Ravens possessed. Today is a new day, and we can only look forward to more growth from our Ravens next year!


I love the WNST guys! Two more great videos that I think other fans will relate to too!

Defense Propels Ravens to AFC Championship Game

It wasn't pretty but we managed to seal the win! Here is what the media had to say about the Ravens showing against the Texans, all I can say is thank goodness for our DEFENSE!


ESPN AFC North Blog:
Rapid Reaction: Ravens 20, Texans 13 - "It was an ugly and unimpressive win by the second-seeded Ravens, especially on offense. But Baltimore stepped up when it needed to do so, converting 17 points off three Texans turnovers. The Ravens improved to 9-0 at home and won a playoff game in Baltimore for the first time in 11 years. This also marked the fourth straight season that Baltimore has won a postseason game."


Quick Take: Ravens at Patriots - Three things that need to happen: "Protect Joe Flacco", "Cover the tight ends", "Get the ball in Ray Rice's hands"


'Ravens' Way' Won't Cut It In New England - "The "Ravens' Way" won't cut it next Sunday in the AFC Championship Game at top-seeded New England. This isn't to say that the Ravens can't win at New England. The Ravens have the talent to beat anyone this season (they're 7-0 against playoff teams). They just have to play much better than they did against the Texans to do so. The fans know it. The media knows it. And, most importantly, the players know it, too."


Ravens' Reed says he'll be 'ready to go' - "Reed said he rolled his ankle while leaping for a Hail Mary pass in the final seconds. He needed to have his arms draped over two trainers to get off the field. "I'll be all right," Reed said after the game. "I'll get treatment and I'll be ready to go." "


Ravens Insider - Aaron Wilson:
Baltimore Ravens' Report Card - "Quarterback - C+, Running back - D+, Receiver - C+, Offensive line -  D, Defensive line - C, Linebacker - C+, Secondary - A, Special Teams - B"

"Wild-card wins nice, but real playoffs begin in divisional round"

(Photo: http://bit.ly/A6vkO4)

"Before any of the four wild-card teams get their fingers fitted for rings, there are four reasons to chill out: The Packers, the Patriots, the Ravens and the 49ers."

(Photo: http://bit.ly/A6vkO4)

"Before any of these wild-card winners convince themselves that they will become the next underdogs-turned-champions, they'll want to look what's in front of them. Four very solid teams have yet to show their stuff during this playoff run, instead spending their weekends at home watching three games decided by 17 points or more.

Four teams had special performances Saturday and Sunday, showing the rest of the league why they belong. Now, four teams await, with every intention and hope of showing them why they don't."

Original post from NFL.com: http://bit.ly/A6vkO4

Baltimore Gets Painted Purple

While the Ravens might have earned themselves a Bye weekend, fans are hard at work painting the city purple and amping up the Ravens spirit!

City Hall - January 3, 2012

Federal Hill - January 3, 2012

Terrell Suggs vs. Skip Bayless on ESPN First Take

Congrats to Ray Rice!

NFL Power Rankings: Playoffs Edition

NFL.com

1. Packers

2. Saints

3. Patriots

4. 49ers

5. Ravens - "AFC No. 2 seed. If Cam Cameron leans on the run game in the manner he did last Sunday

in Cincy, this club can beat the Pats in the AFC. The Ravens can beat anyone, including the Packers. Still, they are the least likely of the top five teams to do it because A) the corners can be had (See: Week 15 in San Diego), and B) Joe Flacco's game hasn't progressed, though he was a very efficient 15-of-19 for 130 yards against the Bengals. Can Flacco ratchet it up should the Ravens get involved in a 30-27 contest? Of course, you can ask the same question of Alex Smith and the Niners, but their defense allowed 37 less points than the Ravens in '11. Either way, both of these defensive-minded teams are talented enough to make hay in the playoffs."

6. Steelers

7. Falcons

8. Texans

9. Lions

10. Giants

11. Bengals

12. Broncos

ESPN.com

1. Packers

2. Saints

3. 49ers

4. Patriots

5. Ravens - "The Ravens were an impressive 6-0 in a tough AFC North."

6. Steelers

Baltimore Ravens Take to Twitter to Celebrate

There's No Place Like Home For the Ravens in the Playoffs

Ravens Seal the Deal in Cincy and Win the AFC North

Following the win today against the Bengals, the Ravens secured a first-round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs! The road to the Super Bowl is closer in sight and now the team has a week to figure out how to maintain consistency in their post-season play. Here is what some of the team members had to say after the game:

Ravens To Send Seven To The Pro Bowl!

Ray Lewis

Terrell Suggs

Ed Reed

Haloti Ngata

Ray Rice

Vonta Leach

Marshal Yanda

ESPN AFC North Blog - AFC North Pro Bowl Analysis

Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

NFL.com
This week: 5
Last week: 5
"The Ravens rebounded somewhat nicely from last week's debacle in SoCal, but there remain some concerns. The Ravens couldn't hold their 20-point lead, and Joe Flacco went a pretty lame 11-for-24 for 132 yards. That's all his team needed, as the defense stepped up once again. A Ravens' win next week gives them both the AFC North and a bye. A Pats loss on top means home-field for John Harbaugh's club."

ESPN.com
This week: 5
Last week: 5
"Baltimore can clinch the AFC North for the first time since 2006 with a win over Cincinnati."

Santa Came A Day Early For the Ravens on Saturday

The Ravens win over the Browns on Saturday was just what they needed in order to redeem themselves from their ugly loss in San Diego! As we approach the final game of the season, here is the Monday morning media buzz about the Ravens win, the injuries they suffered and the playoff stakes at hand:

ESPN

AFC North Blog: High-stakes finales in division - 

"The Ravens and Steelers, who are both 11-4, have already clinched a playoff berth but they have plenty at stake. One of these division rivals could end up as high as the AFC's top seed -- with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs -- and one will finish as the No. 5 seed that has to play on the road in the first round."

AFC North Blog: Ravens failing to hit stride on playoff run - 

"The Baltimore Ravens are one win away from achieving all of their regular-season goals: the AFC North title, a home playoff game and a first-round bye. These are the rewards given to the best teams in the AFC. But, for the past two games, the Ravens are nowhere close to looking like the elite of the AFC."

AFC North Blog: Finales get flexed - 

"Both AFC North finales -- the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens atCincinnati Bengals -- carry playoff implications. That's why it's no surprise that both got moved to 4:15 p.m. ET kickoffs for next Sunday. Those games were originally scheduled for 1 p.m. So, by around 7:30 p.m. next week, we should know whether the Ravens or Steelers are the AFC North champions and whether the Bengals reached the playoffs."

RAVENS INSIDER - Aaron Wilson

Ravens rule roost, edge Browns to go undefeated at home

"Although the Ravens nearly squandered a commanding lead and transformed a routine game into something of an adventure in the fourth quarter, they generally thrashed the Browns on Christmas Eve to go undefeated at home this season."

Ravens notebook: Costly win for Baltimore - 

"It was a costly game for the Baltimore Ravens, suffering four injuries during their 20-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium."

Baltimore Ravens report card - 

"QB: C-, RB: B+, WR: D+, O-Line: C+, D-Line: C, LB: D+, Secondary: C+, Special Teams: D+"

Ravens have playoff mentality - 

“It’s big, man.,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said when asked about the importance of playing at home. “We want a chance at winning, and you’ve got a better chance to do it when you’re at home. And our fans, I consider myself to be a player of the people, and we are our best team when we’re in M&T and our fans are rocking. So, we definitely need a home playoff game by any means necessary.”

WNST

Week 16 Power Rankings

Luckily, only a small slide for the Baltimore Ravens following their loss in San Diego! Check out where they stand heading into the final two games of the season:

NFL.com

This week: 5

Last week: 3

"First, I was criticized for not having Baltimore higher based on two wins over Pittsburgh. Then I got harangued for moving them up after they handled the Colts. What will you say now? The bottom line for this franchise is quarterback play. The defense may have gotten whipped in San Diego, but Joe Flacco's two gift picks put that unit behind the 8-ball. This is still a solid team, but the fact is even Alex Smith has outplayed Flacco. That's     

saying something brother."

ESPN.com

This week: 5

Last week: 2

"All of Baltimore's losses have come against teams currently without winning records."