Hey everyone!!!!! I just want to say sorry and how much I missed you guys in the blogging community. I've been sooo busy, that I've had no time for even myself. So, I decided to spew off a few things that's been going on with me, and with what's going on in the sports world. I hope to keep this as brief as possible, but I have a lot of ground to cover.
First off, I've decided to go back to school. It's not college, but it's broadcasting school. I told all of y'all out there that I wanted to be the next Bonnie Bernstein, and I intend on getting to that level at some point one day. I've been focused with that, so watch out, world!! Here I come
Secondly, I've decided to spend just about all of my spare time writing a book about.....what else?? Football. From time to time, I usually send out my thoughts about the Ravens to my friends and family, and they really find it enjoying (so they tell me, anyway). I know what you're thinking. This chick can't even spell properly, so how's she gonna write a book. Well, spell check is a wonderfuI thing. I get so sick of my girlfriends asking me about this, or that, so I decided to write a book and get women to understand the game a little better, in a way that ONLY women cen relate. So guys, look out for my book when it's done. Good gift to get your girl who wants to learn more about that wonderful pigskin sport.
Third, for some reason, my son's teacher decided to give his class a book report due EVERY Wednesday (my son, by-the-way, is 7 years old),so in addition to going to school and writing, I've been helping my son with his weekly book report. But that's okay. School (for the both of us) is out in 2 more months.
Okay, enough about me. That was just a recap of what I've been doing. So, let me put my 2 cents in on everything I can think of that I missed discussing with you guys on the net:
I love Brett Lorenzo Favre. This I must confess. But you're being an ####. Stop holding Green Bay hostage and just make up your mind!!!!! Do something, either retire and live on a farm, or come back and play mediocre for one more year. I don't think anyone cares anymore at this point. However, to play devil's advocate, if I were Brett, I'd probably do the same thing. In my mind, anyone stupid enough to give Favre that kind of power, to make up his mind whenever he's ready, deserves it. Who wouldn't take advantage of a legal situation if the opportunity arose (and I say legal, cause some of y'all are sick)??
* T.O.- Goodness, who cares..Never mind
*Barry Bonds- Okay, if you want to play the race card, that's cool if that's your style. But I'm black, and I have to admit, I think a lot of this you put on yourself. The change in your body, the sudden rise in hr's at bats, the "gifts" you got from Balco, your trainer getting arrested, the grand jury testimony....I could go on and on about why I think Barry has dug his own grave. but I won't. Because know there are a lot of people who will never see it that way. Oh, and by-the-way, your show's not that great. Actually kinda boring and sympathetic. Guess that can happen when you have editing rights.
* I don't think I've been this excited about the NFL Draft in quite a while. New Orleans holds the key to EVERYTHING that happens in the first round. Never do I remember a time where the pick of one team determines the outcome of what's going to happen. Can April 29th get here already? My TiVo is set!!!
Speaking of the draft, Vince Young will do alright in the NFL. Y'all get off his back! Yeah, I know he played most of his snaps in shotgun formation and yadda yadda. But with the right mentor, he has the potential to be something special. I don't see him sliding past the 10th pick in the draft. He's no Mike Vick. So all you Young haters, get it out of your system now, before it's too late.
* I like the move of Culpepper to the Fins. They surprised the hell out of me last season at 9-7 with Frerotte as their QB. Imagine what they can do with a healthy Daunte. Kinda scary.
* I hope everyone enjoyed Opening Day for their respected baseball teams. Unfortunately, by the 3rd game of season, no one showed up at Camden Yards to see the Orioles play the Devil Rays. Mainly because we suck. Even though they killed Tampa Bay the day before with a 16-6 win, they lost the next night 2-0. Again, Angelos, PLEASE sell the team!!!!!!
To Air McNair: Management in Tenn. is treating you like a step child. You don't need that! Although I understand they don't want to pay you that kind of money if you get hurt, come to a team that will appreciate you. We will give you what you're looking for, a chance at redemption. The Ravens have a nice cushiony spot, just for you. Ask Kerry. We told him we didn't want him, because we're waiting for you to be set free. What's that? The Ravens play the Titans on Nov. 12th IN Tenn? Revenge is sweet my friend (yeah, I'm sucking up. This town needs a QB that can make us respected, dammit!!).
Say what you will about my man Pedro. But he has huge coconuts he's carrying around. To hit Guillen like that, and KNOWING he's no longer a pitcher for the American League shows his fearlessness. Do I have to remind you guys of the Old Man Zimmer incident?? Okay, maybe I took it too far, but he's alright in my book. Other then that S Curl on his head, I mean. With heart like that, he gets a vote from me!!
Oh, one more thing, CONGRATS Lady Terps!!!!
The people of MD would like to thank you for bringing some type of winning to the state, since we haven't seen much of it in a while. With the expection of the Skins going to the playoffs last year, Ravens did bad last year, O's stink, Nats are still new, Wizards are still the Wizards and the men's Terps have done much of nothing since their Champtionship title. Thanks for making us Marylanders proud of something.
I'm so ashamed of myself....On my Saturday blog, I chose the Broncos to beat the Ravens with a score of 45-7, while insinuating that the 7 Baltimore points would be garbage points under 2 minutes. I was almost right. We did score 7 points, but they weren't garbage points, and it was a little outside of 2 minutes (2:19 to be exact).
People, I am a Ravens fan that has lost hope for this season. I've actually done that a long time ago. But I never expected us to play competitive football yesterday, against the Broncos.
But what bothers me is not that we lost, but the fact that WE lost. The Baltimore Ravens lost to themselves, as they have done for much of the season.
Going into this game, all I could think of was the week before, when Denver and KC were going back and forth, only for the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs, 31-27. It was a competitive game, something we Raven fans know not a lot about this season. I just knew that we wouldn't be able to match up to their style of play, and would get a big serving this past weekend.
But when I saw BJ Sams start off with an excellent kick off return, I thought for a millisecond that maybe, just maybe, we had a chance to win.
And we did. Throughout the game, we played competitive football. The defense played really well. They allowed the offense to make an attempt by forcing 3 and outs, and turnovers.
But then, here he comes. Good ol' #7. Kyle Boller himself, ladies and gentlemen. In Bawlmer, MD, people go from happy to sad when #7 steps on the field. We never know what to expect when he goes out.
So we grunt, and watch, and see the expected. Four turnovers. Three of them by #7, in the flesh. One turnover so dumb, my seven year-old wouldn't make the same mistake (fumbling the ball with no one around him). He makes my son's 8 yr-old teammate Jeremy look like Brett Favre with his play.
In the end, the fact of the matter is, we beat ourselves. This game, along with other games against Pittsburgh, Cincinnati (1st game), Chicago, and possibly Tennessee, were all examples that we didn't just lose games; we pretty much give them away.
So what do the Ravens do, now? First things first. Do you keep Brian Billick as your head coach next year? Up until yesterday, I would've said no. But looking at the game, seeing that the players have not given up on him yet, shows me that he still has some control on this team. There has been speculation that the locker room in B-More is divided, but so far, they've shown me that they aren't gonna lay down, not without a fight. Still, the system is terrible, and people are tired of hearing Billick give "educated answers" and making excuses. So I say, yes. He's a great coach, but time for something fresh to come to town.
Next question is the QB situation. Do you let Kyle stay? What are the options, if not? Well for starters, in all fairness, Kyle has not played a whole 2 seasons. Last year in the second half, he started showing signs that he would be an average QB at best. He did make some progress. However, from the preseason up until this point, something has gone wrong. He has all of these people to help him out, from Jim Fassel to Rick Neuheisel, trying to make him something that he is obviously not. He probably will never be anything more with a backup QB. He's too inconsistent for anyone to try and mentor him, something he missed out on coming to Baltimore. So yes, he should stay, but just as a backup. He already knows the system, and you can make him cap friendly. After all, who's gonna pick him up?
As for who his successor will be, there are a few things that could happen. Possibly trading for Philip Rivers, but we don't know how he will add up yet, since he's hasn't started in the league. John Kitna from Cincy or Matt Schaub from Atlanta are good options, but I've seen Kitna start for the Bengals in the past, and I'm not sold on him. Schaub is a very good insurance QB in Atlanta, so he may be a good pickup. But, in my opinion, Steve McNair would be a good pickup if he is to be cut from the Titans, due to his large cap number. He knows the Ravens very well from the AFC Central days, and he has Mason and Samari Rolle who were his former teammates, playing for the Ravens. He is also a team player, and was the Co-MVP just 2 seasons ago who, I believe, still has a lot of football left in him. Although he is very injury prone, if he is protected, he is very efficient at getting the balls to his guys.
Then there's my main man, Brett. But I know that he'll either stay in Green Bay or retire. Still, a girl can dream, can't she?
Jamal Lewis, bye-bye. He's a selfish football player that wants to dance and two step, rather then go through the holes and make something out of nothing, because he doesn't want to get injured in case he leaves Baltimore. Most people play harder when they are on the last year of their contract. There's the door, Jamal. You and your 2,000 yards of '03 can go. Don't let the doorknob hit you where the good Lord split you.
There are also the intangibles to look at. Offensive and Defensive lines need to be upgraded. The Offensive line has 4 players over the age of 30. And while the Defensive line plays with big hearts, they are undersized, and need at least one lineman that can plug a gap.
The offensive line and secondary coaches need to be let go as well. They have done a poor job of showcasing the talent that they have. People thought that Baltimore may have had one of the most talented secondary in the league, but turnovers have been very scarce for this bunch. And the offensive line can't hold a candle to the O-line of 2003, when Jamal had 2,006 yards.
Bottom line is, Baltimore is back at square one. A lot of people, including myself, thought this was a true playoff caliber team. But mediocre play and underachieving has been this team's M.O. from day one of the 2005 season. So it's time to say bye-bye to a lot of people that we either love, or hate.
So to Billick, Jamal, Kyle, and whoever else fits the bill: Thanks for your time here, but it's time for the Ravens move on to bigger and better things.
told all of y'all out there that I wanted to be the next Bonnie Bernstein, and I intend on getting to that level at some point one day. I've been focused with that, so watch out, world!! Here I come
