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 According to The Sun’s Ken Murry…
Noooooooo. Who cares if Frank couldn’t cover my grandmother (she runs a wicked post route), where will we great stories like this, this and this? Somewhere out there this morning, Tuna is crying into his pillow over this news. So Ravens fans, now that we have Boldin locked up, what do you want to complain about? We still have the refs obviously. Maybe the corners? Seriously though, wow. Hats off to Ozzie and Co. for bringing in the player that this organization has desperately needed for so long. I could gush and gush but I figure I’ll pass along what everyone else is saying about our new stud receiver… Ozzie on not drafting him the year he took Boller and Suggs:
Coach Harbaugh:
From the man himself:
Is it September yet? Rumors have been flying that Texans’ receiver Kevin Walter is high on the interest list for the Ravens. Let me chime in and say I don’t like this for a few reasons . Walter is a #2 and looked great playing next to super stud Andre Johnson. Please take note that there is no Andre Johnson playing in a purple and black uniform demanding double teams. Interest in obtaining Brandon Marshall seems to be declining so in my humble opinion, it’s time to focus on another #1. While I’m not in the head of Ravens management, I surely hope they don’t want to put the hopes of the passing game on the back of Walter. I would also like to send a big thank you to the Detroit Lions. By overpaying Nate Burleson to the tune of $25 million ($11m guaranteed), it will most certainly drive up the price of any receiver being considered. Please keep your sucking to yourselves and leave the rest of the league out of it! Sorry for the lack on content lately, things have been nuts so it’s time to jump back in. Here are the tenders the team announced this week. OT Jared Gaither (first round) FB Le’Ron McClain (first round), CB Fabian Washington (first round) QB John Beck (second round) OL Chris Chester (second round) P Sam Koch (second round) S Dawan Landry (second round) OL Tony Moll (fifth round) QB Troy Smith (fifth round) The low tender on Troy should be interesting to watch as teams will surely be wanting a proven backup. Will he get a chance to start somewhere…who knows?
 Tight end Quinn Sypniewski has been released after failing a physical according to the team website. He tore his ACL during one of the 2008 mini camps and went on to miss the next two seasons. Chris Chester handled most of his “jumbo” blocking assignments last year. With Heap getting older and LJ Smith not really contributing last year, tight end is a definite draft need this year. 
Stallworth actually possesses a terrestrial being inside of his head named Nicco, not kidding. See said quote provided by the folks over at Deadspin. “Immediately after Mathis made the tackle, Stallworth pounded the ground and then started punching his legs as if they were defective. Stallworth said that was punishment from his alter ego, Nicco, whom Stallworth has described as an extra terrestrial being that resides on Mars when the receiver is off the field. “Yeah, that was him,” Stallworth said. “That wasn’t me.” You often hear inmates say they’ll do anything to just pass the time, I wouldn’t really know since I’ve never done hard time before, but I imagine it has to be something like playing for the Browns. The Ravens signed Stallworth and Nicco to a one-year deal, the terms have yet to be disclosed. 
Stallworth is coming off a year long suspension, after being convicted of involunatry manslaughter due to hitting a pedestrian in Miami, FL. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years house arrest, eight years probation, and 1,000 hours of community service. One thing that the Baltimore Ravens believe in, second chances. “There was a time I felt the mistake I made was the end of the world for me. I’ve had trouble putting it into words,” said Stallworth “So, when teams started inviting me for workouts and the Ravens called, I was excited. It means a lot that they would be willing to take a chance with me. I have a lot of people I am thankful for, and that now includes the Ravens. I can’t let any of these people down, including my family, Commissioner (Roger) Goodell and the Ravens”. Through his seven years in the NFL, Stallworth has averaged 625.5 yards and 42 catches. His best season came in 2005 for the New Orleans Saints, where he totaled 70 catches for 985 yards and seven touchdowns. This is an interesting pick for the Ravens, but a good one in my opinion. Stallworth will have to apologize for the rest of his life for happened that tragic morning in Miami. I think that we can all, given the situations surrounding Ray Lewis and Jamal Lewis, say that second chances are good and welcoming here in Baltimore. Let me be the first to say, that I welcome Stallworth to the Ravens and hopes he does well. Over the next few weeks I’ll be using Mel Kiper’s mock draft to introduce you to some of the players that could be wearing purple and black next season. The first choice Mel has listed is a little bit of a head scratcher on the surface but we’ll get to that. With the #25 pick, Mel lists Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham as a great fit to replace Pro Bowler and Ravens legend Todd Heap. The reason that this might not make sense is because tight end isn’t in the top three requirements for a team in dire need of a wide receiver, outside pass rusher and shutdown corner. Heap’s tank is quite empty just yet so it would seem that he wouldn’t even see much time unless he could unseat the vet. On the flip side of that is the plain fact that Gresham is by far the best and most complete tight end in this year’s draft class despite missing his senior season due to injury and that he would give Flacco an explosive option. Positives : Huge target at 6′6″ and 260lbs Great hands and athleticism Can stretch the field with his speed. Should have huge YAC numbers Would give Flacco an option that would be more than a safety valve. Gresham had 950 yards and 14 touchdowns in his last healthy season Negatives: How will he recover from surgery to repair torn cartilage? Needs to bulk up to become more effective blocker Bottom Line: This guy is going to be a star in the NFL. He is the total package with his size and ability to get open to create huge plays. I think he would be an exceptional pick for the Ravens for a few reasons, first and foremost is that Heap isn’t getting any younger and there is virtually no depth at the position. Normally that wouldn’t be enough to justify selecting him but watch the video and you’ll see why. In an offense that relies on short, quick hits to Ray Rice as a major component of the offense, a player like Gresham could be huge with his ability to sneak into the secondary and run off a play for 40-50 yards. While it doesn’t provide the explosive, huge play receiver most Raven’s fans want to see, he could add a surefire offensive weapon for a still-developing young quarterback in need of reliable targets.
Congratulations to the Super Bowl XLIV Champion New Orleans Saints! Peyton, you’ll always be second best to the late, great Johnny Unitas! Howdy Ravens Nation. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to write so I figured I’d catch up on some of the recent Raven’s news. Welcome Jim Zorn! I love love love this move by the team to put a strong coach with Flacco as he continues to grow as the franchise QB. While his tenure with Washington was an absolute train wreck, he has a strong resume bringing along quarterbacks (see Hasselbeck). For those of you who say they are picking up a loser coach, take a look at what Cameron did after a 1-15 season in Miami. The staff of coaches on this team was already one of the strongest in the league so the addition of Zorn is the cherry on top of the ice cream. Ravens play well in Pro Bowl In a game that looked more like Madden than actual football, Ray Rice managed to break off some nice runs for the AFC squad. The big highlight for me was watching Ray Lewis do what he does out there which is totally control a defense. The fact that he was calling the offensive plays before they happened was another glimpse into the brilliance of this future HOF’er. No increase in ticket prices This is very good news for the fans. Considering that the team is coming off of two straight playoff appearances and a trip to the AFC Championship game, it is actually pretty amazing to see no increase. Represent Towson! This isn’t Ravens news but gotta represent for my alma mater. Jermon Bushrod will feel the love from all of Baltimore County this weekend as he protects Drew Brees from Dwight Freeney (or Mathis if he can’t go). It’s been tough holding on to the glory of Landeta so this is a big win for us. A Towson Tiger in the Super Bowl…almost brings a tear to my eye. |
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With the biggest news coming from the NFL since the Super Bowl, fans must realize that the Ravens in fact signed two players this cold Wednesday morning/afternoon depending on when you wake up. Donte’ Stallworth and his alter ego.
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