Early Reaction: Baltimore Selects Courtney Upshaw

Welcome to Baltimore Courtney Upshaw!

No First Round Pick For the Ravens In 2012

(Photo credit: http://bit.ly/IXtnJZ)

Despite my initial reaction to Ozzie's decision to trade out of the first round of the draft last night, I now realize that his prudence will ultimately ensure that the Ravens get quality picks in the following rounds. The trade landed us an early enough pick in the second round that there will still definitely be some big names left on the board.

According to the Baltimore Ravens website, Ozzie said that his decision was "a good business move" and that there are several players that the Ravens like who will still be available to them tomorrow.

Ozzie acknowledged that his decision was anticlimactic for fans who had been anxiously awaiting the 29th pick for almost three hours, but he still considered last night successful.

“You can’t control what’s going to happen,” he said. “As long as I’m here hopefully I’m picking No. 29, 30, 31 or 32. When you watch the board come off the way it did today, to have the ability to go back, acquire another player and still get a player you would have taken at your [original] pick, it’s good business for us.”


So the waiting game begins again until the second round starts tonight at 8pm! Hopefully, after tonight Ravens fans will have plenty of reason for celebration! In Ozzie we trust!

Last Minute Draft Assessment

As we continue to await the start of the 2012 draft - I offer my last minute assessment of the Ravens' needs for the upcoming season:

• Depth on the defense - After having lost Cory Redding and Tom Zbikowski, the Ravens are a little thin on the defensive end of things and could definitely afford to make an investment into some young blood.
• Receiver - We thought Lee Evans was going to be just what Flacco needed along with Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin, but he just couldn't seem to get the job done last season! I'd love to see the Ravens draft another young potential all-star receiver like they did with Smith last season.
• Left guard - After saying bye-bye to Ben Grubbs the Ravens need to make it a priority to fill this position. Joe Flacco is going to need all the protection he can get if we want to see him utilizing Ray Rice to his full potential.

Have I forgotten something?! Let me know your last minute thoughts!

Let the countdown begin!

Hey Ravens fans!

You can feel the excitement here in NYC, less than 3 hours until the start of the 2012 NFL Draft! Follow @tayloraboyd on Twitter for live updates or check your Facebook newsfeed for updates from Ravens Chick.

Can't wait to start the 2012 season with all of you!

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: