A little late on the post, but Lauryn and ventured back to the Charm City during Thanksgiving week and made a stop at M&T Bank Stadium for some good ol fashioned Ravens stuffing - stuffing the run that is - against the Philadelphia Eagles.
We started the day in familiar surroundings as we walked the field during pre-game, making stops to see coaches, security guards, front office executives and RaveTV crew members that we had spent many a season with. We also had Lauryn's parents with us this time around and we made sure to pose for a quick picture before heading up to the stands to watch....as fans!
The pre-game introducts were still as pyrotechnic as ever, complete with a Nelly-soundtracked entrence for #52. The game itself breezed buy, with little offense in the first half, but a whole lot of purple and black on D, enough to kick Donovoan McNabb to the curb in the 2nd half. Lauryn and I were in the control room as the 3rd quarter began and we all were shocked to see that #5 was hiding in a winter coat on the sidelines. Of course his replacement, Kevin Kolb, did not fare so well against Ray, Reed and T-Sizzle so the game did not prove to be the end of the DNabb era, but Baltimore did win big to give us at least something to be thankful for.
The sport blog godfather himself, Bill Simmons, gave a nod to the Ravens in his Friday column and the topic was a suggested nickname for #5. I can't argue with his choice (see below) but I'd like to submit a few suggestions myself: Flacc Jacket, Flaccido Domingo, Joe-Fla, or my personal favorite, FlaccJacks. What do you think
Here's Simmons' take:
You know, I enjoyed Joe Flacco's work last week -- his teammates responded to him and so did the fans. But he needs a nickname. Joe Flacco makes him sound too much like a chef. Couldn't you see him starring in "Cooking with Joe Flacco" or "Joe Flacco's Barbecue Extravaganza" on the Food Network? So that got me thinking … couldn't his nickname be "The Chef?" For one thing, again, he sounds like a chef. As far as I can tell, nobody in sports has ever had the nickname "Chef" before, and it kinda makes sense for a quarterback since he's the one who has to cook all the ingredients, so to speak. Plus, we've only had one other "Chef" -- the Chef from "South Park" -- and that couldn't have worked out any better. So that's my vote: The Chef, Joe Flacco. But I'm willing to hear any and all suggestions.
Lauryn and I may have moved from the National Football League to the National Pastime this summer, but our passion for the men in purple came with us. For the first time since we moved to California, the NFL was in full swing on Sunday and we took in the action on SIRIUS Satellite Radio in the car, at Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood,and on NFL.com in my office. And when the game ended just as Clayton Kershaw was throwing his first pitch, we came to realize a few things about the Ravens:
1. "Let's Go Flac-co" is not going anywhere anytime soon 2. Ray Rice is lucky that fumble didn't cost Joe and Coach Harbaugh their first victories 3. The defense still can dominate and sure has fun doing it 4. Carson Palmer was not a good fantasy football selection (I passed on D-Nabb to take him!) 5. The terms, 'naked bootleg' and 'double reverse' had to be dusted off the shelves at the Baltimore Sun 6. Nothing can compare to watching the game from the sidelines
So although Lauryn and I now spend our gamedays at Dodger Stadium, we'll still be rooting for the Ravens this season, pinning our hopes on the former Delaware Blue Hen. We may be 3,000 miles away, but the Flacco fan club has a Los Angeles affiliate that I'd like to officially name "Flacctopia" -- t-shirts coming soon to a blog near you.
Apparently Ray Lewis was in Los Angeles recently, and he didn't even look Lauryn and I up. Turns out, he was only a few minutes away as he tried to get into a club with Ray Allen. Unfortunately for #52, the Celtic sharp-shooter isn't that popular in SoCal these days after Boston took out the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The result? They both got denied from a club called "One Sunset".
The Lukin's leave for LA and all of a sudden there's a chance Brett Favre could join the purple and black, putting them in prime contention for a Super Bowl run. Oh really...although with Peyton and Brady in his way, Favre may opt for the welterweight division and try to stay in the NFC. Even so, the Ravens, in contrast to the odds for SBXLIII listed in my last post, have an 8-1 shot of landing the legend (according to ESPN). Only the Bucs and Panthers apparently appear to be better fits. Oh really!!!!
8-1 Baltimore Ravens: This could be a real possibility if Favre really wants to play this season. Baltimore is a decent team in need of a quarterback. Sure, the Ravens took Delaware QB Joe Flacco in the first round of the April draft. But no one would blame the Ravens for holding off on the Flacco era in favor of Favre for a year or two. If Favre wants to come back, Baltimore could be a place to consider.
Not so fast, however. Favre may be the type to hold grudges. And I'm sure this memory won't help any. Not only that, Aaron Rodgers actually saw some playing time towards the end of that game will Brett stewed on the sidelines. Bet you didn't think you'd see Favre and Boller share the masthead again. To be continued...
Sportsbook.com announced their odds of winning Super Bowl XLIII and the Ravens are considered a 75-1 longshot at flying home from Tampa with the Lombardi Trophy. That's the same odds as the Rams and just slightly better than the Lions?!!? (Sorry Mike) But the real quesiton is how the Cardinals and Raiders could be given a better chance? Is it really going to be that long of a season?
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Arizona Cardinals * 50 - 1 Atlanta Falcons * 100 - 1 Baltimore Ravens * 75 - 1 Buffalo Bills * 50 - 1 Carolina Panthers * 40 - 1 Chicago Bears * 35 - 1 Cincinnati Bengals * 60 - 1 Cleveland Browns * 25 - 1 Dallas Cowboys * 6 - 1 Denver Broncos * 50 - 1 Detroit Lions * 80 - 1 Green Bay Packers * 25 - 1 Houston Texans * 60 - 1 Indianapolis Colts * 7 - 1 Jacksonville Jaguars * 12 - 1 Kansas City Chiefs * 100 - 1 Miami Dolphins * 90 - 1 Minnesota Vikings * 18 - 1 New England Patriots * 7 - 2 New Orleans Saints * 20 - 1 New York Giants * 15 - 1 New York Jets * 35 - 1 Oakland Raiders * 50 - 1 Philadelphia Eagles * 20 - 1 Pittsburgh Steelers * 14 - 1 Saint Louis Rams * 75 - 1 San Diego Chargers * 7 - 1 San Francisco 49ers * 80 - 1 Seattle Seahawks * 25 - 1 Tampa Bay Buccanneers * 40 - 1 Tennessee Titans * 40 - 1 Washington Redskins * 50 - 1
There is an unwritten rule among those in the sports media that is universally accepted from Syracuse to San Francisco, Biloxi to Baltimore. A code of conduct that has not only dictated the coverage of both collegiate and professional athletics, but one that has managed to create a gaping hole in ideology between the two main constituencies of sport. The mandate, which has spawned both books and blog postings of the same title, reads something like this (remember, it is unwritten): no cheering in the press box.
It is this underlying law that has proceeded to divide those that cover the games, and those that consume them. It is this philosophy, I believe, that has helped give rise to the battle between bloggers and beat writers and one that was clearly prevalent in a recent media report on the new Ravens regime under new head coach, John Harbaugh. The story correctly pointed out the changes instilled by Harbaugh during his first few months in office and the writer seemed to appreciate the disciplinary tone Harbaugh has brought to the table. However, the divide between the media and the Ravens fan base was made abundantly clear in the following statement:
“I applauded when Harbaugh canned the TV show, Ravens Wired. The only thing more contrived and scripted was pro wrestling.”
Full disclosure. I am not only a contributing blogger for BaltimoreRavens.com, but I have worked as a production assistant for the RaveTV crew that produces Wired and my wife is the lead editor and a producer for the show. That being said, I contest that not only does the report shine on a light on the great divide, but the statement is just not true.
First of all, Wired was not scripted. I spent more than 30 games listening from the players’ perspectives and have never seen any member of the Ravens organization or RaveTV crew hand a script to a player. Nor have any players written a script prior to their appearance. It is unscripted drama at its finest: every snap a chance to score, every man on a mission. And the microphone gives fans a chance to watch it all unfold as if they were lined up behind center. It must be a decent idea considering every Sunday Night and Monday Night telecast now features at least one wired player, while the NFL Network has even broadcast entire games with as many as 12 men on the field wearing the mic.
I will concede that a player knows when he will be wired and may be prone to talking more, or less as they case may be, when he is being recorded. But the beauty of Wired was the ability to give fans, not the press, an otherwise unknown glimpse into the action on the field. A show for the fans that this columnist apparently ‘applauded’ when he learned of its cancellation. Is he hoping fans become less engaged with a team that went 5-11 last year? Did he think that Wired was causing fans to become too attached to a particular player? Did he forget that just about every telecast already has about a dozen cameras and microphones covering the game for the network and NFL Films ensuring the players’ words and actions are being seen by millions? Does he really think the extra 50,000 Baltimore fans listening in would force a player to lose focus?
Why should the media be allowed to hear what the players have to say after the game, but fans should be banned from listening to what was said during the game itself? I contest that the reactionary quotes during post-game press conferences are far more ‘scripted’ than the sound bytes recorded during the game when players know that their statements are being recorded by at least a dozen voice recorders and a handful of cameras. How else to explain the fact that when a coach actually goes ‘off-script’ after a game, he not only ends up on YouTube, but a Coors Light commercial awaits him in the future.
It may sound like I am pulling a sentence out of context and portraying the statement as if it were the headline. Sound familiar? But know that I am not writing this story to convince or even suggest that Coach Harbaugh bring the show back. This is his team and his prerogative. What I will say is that the reporter’s take on the subject sheds a light on the long-standing gap between the media and the masses. Wired is a show for the fans. A show that has not only received praise from those who support the purple and black, but from those that award such work. The RaveTV team was awarded an Emmy for an episode of Wired from the 2006 season, which presented a game from Jonathan Ogden’s point of view. Subsequently, they were nominated for another Emmy this year for a 2007 episode that focused on former Ravens head coach, Brian Billick (Emmy’s to be awarded in June). In essence, the reporters’ peers have continued to honor the show, while he fires empty ammunition.
I even have some, albeit brief experience on the matter. I offer two anecdotes related to the rule that will leave you in no doubt as to why I blog rather than cover a beat. The first occurred during my sophomore year at Syracuse University. As a second year staff writer for The Daily Orange, I earned a chance to report on the big boys on campus (i.e. the football team) after spending my first year toiling away on the track and field beat. I was assigned a profile story on one of the Orangemen and was asked to watch the game from the press box, before venturing into the locker room after the game to get a few interviews for my piece. During the first quarter of play, the Orange got on the board with a long scoring play. I did what any sports fan would do – I clapped. Blasphemy! I received a few stares and gawking glances before my Sports Editor calmly informed me that clapping (i.e. cheering) was frowned upon in the press box.
Cut to 2006. As previously mentioned, I have worked with the RaveTV crew for the past two seasons and during an early season trip to Cleveland, I found myself on the field as Matt Stover lined up to kick a game-winning field goal. I was perched in the end zone as the ball flied through the up-rights, at which point I proceeded to lift my arms up in victory, fist pumping during my sprint back to the bench to catch the reaction shots from the team.
Now, how would you react? If you are reading this, I can only assume you are a fan of the Ravens and would have joined me in my jubilation. In addition, I bet you would have loved to hear what our wired Raven that week, Todd Heap, would have said to Stover upon his return to the bench. Come to think of it, I bet the media would too.
Well it didn't take long for Joe Flacco to take the reigns of the Ravens quarterback position, at least according to the techies at EA Sports. With Leather has screen shots from Madden '09 of many of the top draft picks from this weekend's draft. Among the photos is a shot of Flacco calmly dropping back to pass at M&T Bank Stadium and perhaps a sign of things to come, a preview of the Cincinnati Bengal's top pick, Keith Rivers, sacking Kyle Boller in the snow. Unless the Charm City receives some unseasonably cold weather week 1, this would have to be a prediction for their November 30th match-up in Cinncy. Which begs the question, is Joe Flacco truly the QB of the future (i.e. 2009)?
Memories are not written in pencil. They cannot be erased.
They can be ignored. Selectively misremembered. And over time, even forgotten. But just four months removed from the final snaps of 2007, the memories of a 5-11 season should still have been fresh in the minds of RavensNation: the Phil Dawson double-doink; the Patriots 4th and forever; the Dolphin disaster. All marquee moments for all the wrong reasons that should have been stewing and simmering in their subconscious all winter long. But judging by the thousands of Ravens faithful that made their way to M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday for the 11th Annual Spring Football Festival, I have a feeling they forgot. Or maybe misremembered.
From the moment the gates opened at 2:00, fans of all ages raced through the concourse, seemingly sprinting away from all of the perils the men in purple faced last year, reaching out for what lies ahead for the Ravens in 2008. Children ran towards the field for a rare chance to punt, pass and kick on the same surface they now shared with their gridiron heroes. Adults ran towards the various autograph areas to be the first in line to meet the men they root for; not only to have them sign their memorabilia, but in many cases, to simply shake their hand and wish them luck this year.
As a Spring Football Festival Volunteer, I had the honor of escorting one of the Ravens in attendance to his various appearances and autograph sessions. I choose to chauffer Adam Terry, a fellow Orange alum, who was scheduled to sign and make a stop in to see those fans giving blood as part of a blood drive for the Red Cross. Luckily for me, Terry arrived early and we had some time to relax. And if you had the choice of anywhere in the stadium to kick up your feet for a few minutes, where would you choose? The owner’s suite of course.
The players were granted access to Steve Biscotti’s suite on Saturday and when I arrived, I found myself watching the NFL Draft coverage with a few guys who knew a thing or two about being drafted on day one: Todd Heap and Willis McGahee. Of course Matt Stover was there too and he jokingly told Heap and McGahee that he was just three picks short of earning the title, Mr. Irrelevant, given to the guy drafted last each year. I think Matt turned out okay for a 12th rounder.
Once the Ravens in the room realized the Ravens in Owings Mills were going to trade down from their 8th pick, Terry and I headed to the autograph zone where he was joined by Lee Vickers. Terry, an offensive lineman, joked to Vickers, a back-up tight end, “You’ll get three fans, I’ll get six.” As it turns out, they both signed more than a hundred signatures in varying shades of sharpie on items ranging from helmets and footballs to license plates, pennants and even t-shirts people were still wearing. A few fans also had jerseys for the guys to sign, although surprisingly none were their jerseys. The collection included a vintage Vinny Testaverde, a purple Kelly Gregg and even a pink Todd Heap.
The fans filing through also had time to take photos and talk it up with the guys behind the table. Among the conversations Terry tackled was one with a young boy who had Terry sign his football, only to ask, “Who’s that?” as he pointed at the freshly minted signature in black sharpie. Terry responded, “That’s Adam Terry right there. You don’t know who he is.” Terry added with a smile, “But you will.”
Speaking of guys you may not know (yet), Saturday’s festivities revolved around another cause for renewed optimism as the Draft was in full swing as fans roamed the stadium. The topic of the day appeared to be the potential of a new quarterback coming to the Charm City. And in a conversation I overheard while waiting in line for hot dogs confirmed, Ravens fans have a way with moving on:
Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “Looks like [Matt] Ryan’s going to Atlanta.” Hot Dog Line Guy #2 – “Is that confirmed?” Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “It’s what they’re reporting.” Hot Dog Line Guy #2 – “ Okay…[Joe] Flacco then, right?” Hot Dog Line Guy #1 – “Yea, you don’t want to pay that much money to a quarterback anyway.”
Just like that. It took 3 ellipses (…) to forget about one potential face of the franchise and start rooting for a slightly taller one, with some logic thrown in. Of course Ryan would be taken by Atlanta with the 3rd pick in the draft, evoking a chorus of “Boos!” and “No’s!” on the club level, and eventually Flacco was picked by Baltimore, which received cheers across the stadium and most likely made the hot dog guys feel pretty good too.
Although the draft dominated the SmartVision video, additional performers on Saturday included Baltimore’s Marching Ravens, the Ravens Cheerleading squad and the Ravens Playmakers, all of whom drew their fair share of crowds and onlookers. It’s worth noting that the fans who flocked to meet and greet the women who root for the Ravens included men, women and most of all, children.
The kids out on the field, however, provided their own entertainment. At one drill, kids practiced passing routes: out-routes, curls and apparently, ‘twists’. This was typically the result of a boy or girl running too fast for their own feet as they routinely performed full 360-degree rotations when they tried to stop themselves and turn to catch the ball. Another tactic that proved entertaining, if not effective, was performed by one boy who was no taller than the waist of the SFF Volunteer throwing the passes. The boy sprinted to a spot downfield, turned and almost begging for the ball, held up his outstretched arms. The problem, unfortunately, was when the ball flew towards him, the arms stayed straight, resulting in a bounce off the chest, up in the air, and down to the ground. But fitting for a Ravens fan, even a young one, the memory faded fast as he sprinted back to the sideline with a smile.
For RavensNation, the dawn of spring allows us to not only refresh our memories, but to replace them. Let’s hope this year’s are written in sharpie.
