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Ravens

Just how good are the Ravens?

Nestor Aparicio

It’s not time to start printing playoff tickets just yet but if there’s any message that the Ravens sent to not only the Houston Texans but the NFL in general yesterday, it’s that this team is suddenly “for real.” Any team that can go on the road and paste a team 41-13 in November to go to 6-3 must be taken seriously as a January threat. Sure, it’s easy to say this: “Who have the Ravens beaten this year that matters?” The answer: Cleveland twice, Oakland, Cincinnati, Miami and now Houston – combined record of 13-29. Fair enough. But the next seven weeks will work all of that out. Are the Ravens a mediocre team that has bested a homely lot or an emerging playoff team waiting to break out and start beating some quality opponents? There is one thing we know for sure. With a date at the Meadowlands pending – and yes, we still have a handful of seats left on our “Miller Lite Purple Bus” to the swamps of Jersey this Sunday – the Ravens now control their own destiny in this chase for playoff football and a potential AFC North division crown. It’s down to the

Mailbag: A postcard from Cleveland

Nestor Aparicio

FROM THE MAILBAG: nestor: by the way, made the trip to cleveland last weekend. found the town and 99% of the people to be great. unfortunately there was one dude about 7 rows behind my 2 sons and i that seemed to have a problem with us wearing the purple. there were some pretty hairy moments, particularly after they scored 10 unanswered to take the lead. i thought i might be watching most of the 2nd half from the lock-up. needless to say, it suddenly got real quiet in the 4th quarter. we had a blast. signed, brad Hey Brad: Well done…send along a pic from the roadie and I’ll post it from now on… My videos are on wnstv…check ’em out… I go every year and I almost have a routine at this point. I love the RTA… I love the flight… I love Paninis…I always order the turkey and the cole slaw and fries are the bomb! I love paying $20 to a scalper for a ticket… I have great memories of Cleveland…from the 1995 World Series, the 1996 playoffs, Oilers trips back in the 1980’s, Indians games at the old ballpark, nights with Ohio’s finest in the

Will the Ravens extend Ray Lewis?

Nestor Aparicio

Ever since Drew Forrester posted his blog here at WNST.net yesterday about Ray Lewis and his pending return to the Ravens next year, folks have been talking. I’ve received several calls from inside the organization (and around the NFL) and the reports are mixed. Many think it’s a “done deal” and others, perhaps closer to understanding the business acumen of Ray Lewis circa 2008, think this is “part of the game.” Let’s start with the absolute obvious here: Twice this year Steve Bisciotti has publicly said what Drew wrote yesterday: Ray Lewis will remain a Raven for life. Bisciotti did this while appearing with the new Miami sidekick on a bad radio show in August and before that poolside at the Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla. at the owner’s meetings. (It’s kinda crazy that NFL Network was reporting that “WNST is reporting Lewis deal imminent,” etc. when it was simply Drew’s blog saying that he believes it’ll “get done.” We didn’t send a text. We didn’t write a headline screaming “Lewis signs 5-year deal with Ravens.” Drew simply put up an informed, sourced blog with good inside information.) But today – somewhat for sheer argument though I actually do feel

MUST I root for the Redskins tonight?

Nestor Aparicio

Tonight is the hardest place for any Steadman-reading, Eckman listening, WNST-enjoying Baltimoron to be. The kickoff in the ultimate matchup of our enemies — Steelers at Redskins — is soon at hand and I’m looking forward to the game. I hate them both equally. It’s so hard to separate. Given the standings in the AFC North and the miracle comeback yesterday in Cleveland, all we can hope for is that the Redskins can derail the Steelers for a few hours tonight and put us in a better position to earn a playoff berth. I won’t be singing “Hail To The Redskins” at any point this evening, but seeing Hines Ward and company get crushed down at Raljon won’t hurt my feelings an iota. The one Redskins fan I allow in my life — Chef Scotto — even called to see if I’d wish the Skins luck. I sheepishly admitted that yes, an old-fashioned burgundy and gold ass kicking of the Steelers would warm my heart and be the “neighborly” thing to do. Just like when he’s gonna need us vs. the Giants, Cowboys and Eagles in the coming weeks. So, yes, it’s shameful but I’ll be “on the bandwagon” tonight

The afterglow of Cleveland

Nestor Aparicio

Talk about snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. With just over a quarter remaining in yesterday’s key divisional AFC North matchup, the Ravens were 14 points down on the road, the Browns fans were coming to life with a chorus of “Hang on Sloopy” (don’t ask…just watch the video!) and the vultures were circling our black birds at Cleveland Stadium. Some of the Cleveland “faithful” had already begun to pile out onto the street to watch Bruce Springsteen perform before the Barack Obama rally, which was literally adjacent to the stadium (think as close as Oriole Park is to M&T Bank Stadium). The Browns had our rookie quarterback on the run. Our beaten defense had been pushed around for 30 minutes – or as Terrell Suggs said: “We were getting our asses handed to us.” And staring at a two-touchdown deficit on the road in a hostile environment, it didn’t feel as though a comeback was in the offering. Todd Heap hadn’t caught a pass. Willis McGahee was on the pine. The backend of the secondary, while not looking like Ike Booth and Donny Brady circa 1996 was still not Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle in their prime for

Off to Cleveland

Nestor Aparicio

It’s always the best way to visit Cleveland – in and out. So, I’m on the 8:05 flight and we’ll be checking in throughout the day on WNST.net. I’m checking out the parking lots in downtown Cleveland on wnsTV (always interesting). The folks there still have such venom for Art Modell that it’s impossible for anything mentioning the word “Baltimore” with them that doesn’t set them off. And it’s always a little “rowdy” in Cleveland on gameday. The atmosphere is always fun and threatening, because the home fans are inspired. Or at least until the guys in the orange helmets do something wrong. Then it turns into a home game for the Ravens. It should be a good game, maybe the best on the docket for the weekend for pure “who’s is going to win” debate. No C-Mac (we think, anyway). A two-game winning streak. The Browns receiving corps could make it interesting. Ray Lewis loves going to Cleveland. It’ll be 60 degrees. Close game. Could come down to Matt Stover. Hey, I’m just guessing. Gonna be a fun day…

Selig makes the right call in Philadelphia

Nestor Aparicio

Even the blind squirrel finds the nut eventually, my Mom once told me. And for once, Bud Selig and Major League Baseball did the right thing. Calling the game when they did in its suspended fashion was absolutely the obvious choice in deciding this sticky weather situation. Via the magic of the internet and the Comcast DVR, I’ve had quite an evening. My evening began at the Ravens team Halloween party to benefit Goodwill Industries at Dave & Buster’s at Arundel Mills Mall. My comrades Casey Willett and Ray Bachman joined me and we did a series of wnsTV interviews with Joe Flacco, Todd Heap, Jason Brown and Jameel McClain. It was a great party, raising over $100,00 for the charity and there were 15 Ravens players in the house, including co-host Mark Clayton, Haruki Nakamura, Adam Terry and a bunch of others. I got home at 10 p.m. I had both the World Series and the Tennessee-Indianapolis game set on the DVR. I got caught up in the baseball game before we even left the bar and joined it in real time. By 10:30, it was raining pretty hard and anyone who was watching had to be asking the

Ravens crush woeful Raiders, 29-10

Nestor Aparicio

The Raiders have played an interesting foil in the annals of Baltimore football history. There was the “Ghost To The Post” thriller on Christmas Eve in 1977. The Raiders were the first team to come to Baltimore to play the Ravens in 1996. And, of course, it was a trip to Oakland and a win in the AFC Championship Game in 2001 that took the Ravens to Tampa and a Super Bowl title. Today, however, the Raiders look to be a shadow of their famed black and silver pirate crest, a hapless franchise with second-rate talent and an owner that makes Peter Angelos seem sensible. What the hell happened to the “commitment to excellence”? We’ve seen some bad football teams roll into Baltimore since the Ravens came to town 13 years ago challenging the great Billy Jo Hobert, but today’s effort by the Raiders might’ve been one of the worst we’ve ever seen in the Charm City. That’s about as bad of a football team you’re gonna find with the red, white and blue NFL crest on it. Their offense was hopeless, the special teams were poor – making Jim Leonhard look like Dante Hall in his prime – and

Harbaugh’s handling of C-Mac situation is suspect

Nestor Aparicio

So this is where new head coach John Harbaugh is learning the pain, instead of the joy, of being an NFL head coach. There are only 32 of these jobs in world – captains of America’s favorite sports teams – and each of them brings a unique management structure and issues way beyond football. It’s about a LOT more than just drawing up the X’s and O’s and having a whistle on a string and being a gameday strategist. It’s truly a VERY-high profile corporate C.E.O. (and babysitting) position and when this week’s “off the field” activity of Chris McAlister and Terrell Suggs has led to the “on the field” benching of the team’s highest-paid player and resident passive-aggressive cornerback, unlike at Legg Mason or Aerotek, the media asks the questions the fans (customers) want answers to and they expect a straight answer. Or, like the other night on WBAL, some big-monied sponsor can call in directly to the coach to try to get an honest answer. And, honestly, as much as we realize the Ravens do have some rights to the privacy of their employees and how it’s handled, we don’t want to be lied to either. I get

Will benching be a wake up call for CMac?

Nestor Aparicio

The Ravens report back to practice again today in preparation for the Oakland Raiders this Sunday. The team is 3-3, far ahead of where many thought they’d be before the season began and are even about to go through the “soft spot” on their schedule with Oakland, Cleveland and Houston in the headlights. With a little luck, they could be 6-3 or 5-4 going up to the Meadowlands on Nov. 16th to play the defending World Champs. (BTW: Yes, seats are still available on our Miller Lite bus trip that day!) So, what the Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh need least in the world right now is a player controversy. But, it appears, as long as Chris McAlister is on the team that won’t happen. The team has now stated its “official” position on McAlister: he’s not one of the three best cornerbacks on the roster. He’s been demoted based on his “on field” play alone. Personally, I find that hard to accept. But as one member of the organization said yesterday, “Did you see the Colts game? Did you see Marvin Harrison torch him?” There are more rumors and opinions on McAlister’s personality, habits, activities and his decisions

A $20 ticket to Game 7 of the ALCS in Tampa on a victory Sunday night…

Nestor Aparicio

Needless to say it’s been a whirlwind first week of my 40’s. Some folks told me it’d get hectic on the other side of the hill but as Jimmy Buffett once sang, “I can’t run at this pace very long…” If you haven’t seen the videos on wnsTV, I hope you watch and enjoy them. What I’m basically trying to do is to put you “there” as Brent Musberger would say back in my childhood on CBS. We were there Sunday night for Game 7 and it was extraordinary fun, even for my wife who drove 240 miles at breakneck speed through the Everglades – faster than a hurricane – to see her team lose a dramatic decisive game. (Honestly, and trust me she hears this all the time, I’m done with Boston winning anything! Two baseball titles, bloody socks, Tom Brady comebacks, three Super Bowls and now a Celtics title – enough, already! I don’t openly root against the Red Sox because it does make my wife happy and at least they’re not the Yankees, but my heart ain’t breaking either.) But even as enthusiastic as the Tampa fans were – and those freaking cowbells are beyond obnoxious after

Are you or a friend headed south to Miami?

Nestor Aparicio

Every week someone sends me texts, emails or inquiries regarding roadtrip tailgates or events. Perhaps in the future, WNST.net will sponsor events for every roadtrip to bring Ravens fans together on the road but for now Baltimore’s ultimate roadtrip warrior, local DJ Bobby Nyk, has put together a charity event for this weekend’s trip to South Florida. Bobby is tireless in his efforts to do these parties on the road and we’re trying to help him get the word out. Below is his pres release. I will be at Toucan’s on Saturday and hope to say hello to everyone who is taking the purple south into the sunshine this weekend. •    COLUMBIA, MD, OCTOBER 11, 2008:  Bobby Nyk, Columbia based DJ and Raven enthusiast, in association with the Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation to help Abused Children, are proud to announce their collaboration for a fund raiser that is planned for Hollywood Beach, Florida on Saturday, October 18, 2008.  This event coincides with the Baltimore Ravens/Miami Dolphins NFL game the week end of October 19. •     “Bobby’s Beach Bash with Captain Dee” will be hosted by Toucan’s Oceanside Bar and Grill, 502 Broadwalk from 12 PM to 5 PM.  An

Another lost afternoon in Indy

Nestor Aparicio

If there was any doubt about where the Ravens stand amongst the elite teams in the NFL, this afternoon’s resounding thud in Indianapolis made it clear as most in the locker room said in the postgame: “There’s a lot of work to be done.” It was all beer, girls and giggles for a little while, John Harbaugh’s arrival as the new head coach of the Ravens and the likeable rookie from tiny Delaware leading the charge to a 2-0 record and near-wins in Pittsburgh and at home last weekend against the upstart Tennessee Titans. Today’s three hours in Indy (and it felt like the game lasted three days) made it clear that the stakes are a little higher as teams starts figuring out tendencies, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Oh, and that Peyton Manning guy is still pretty good, especially when he has time and healthy receivers. To a man, there were 53 very embarrassed and abused football players in the purple locker room at Lukas Oil Stadium. It was a licking of the century, by far the worst and most disappointing loss in team history, reminiscent of the waning days of the Ted Marchibroda era in 1998. The only game I

Ravens theme from locker room: “FINISH GAMES!”

Nestor Aparicio

After today’s late afternoon debacle, I had the honor of walking from one end of the Ravens’ locker room to the other and I heard at least six guys say the exact same thing over and over again: “We need to learn to finish games,” was echoed from Jarret Johnson to Joe Flacco, from Bart Scott to Willis McGahee. For the second time in six days, the Ravens let “the better team” come back from a hole and beat them with late errors and breakdowns. NFL coaches always accept physical breakdowns. If a guy beats you on a straight play, you tip your cap and get back in the huddle. But mental mistakes and stupid late penalities? Well, until the Ravens stop taking their licks 15 yards at a time at key junctures against teams with a lot of talent, they’ll never consistently win in this league. The Titans clearly woke up on the wrong side of the Inner Harbor this morning, picking several chippy, dirty fights in the first half. But in the end it was the Ravens and late hits to the head that cost the team a 3-1 start to the 2008 season. John Harbaugh now finally

Today we continue out education about the 2008 Ravens

Nestor Aparicio

The undefeated Tennessee Titans roll into town believing (as they should) that they are a Super Bowl contender. Sure, the Ravens are 2-1 and are one play, one red flag, one fumble, one whistle away from being 3-0. But today the Ravens will have the chance to show us whether they’ll be a very good team this year, or simply one of the many who will be playing “win one, lose one” style in the NFL. They’ll either sport a pedestrian 2-2 by the end of the day or they’ll be 3-1 at the quarter pole. And either one of them is perfectly acceptable to me. A month ago many us of believed they’d stink. A win today here against the Titans would make them 3-1 and they would be getting the kind of attention playoff teams will get from the national media. But let’s be honest: beating the Clevelands and Cincinnatis at home doesn’t earn you honors in the AFC in 2008. We’re pretty sure they both stink. But beat a 4-0 team and you’ve showed the entire NFL something. Concerns for the Ravens today: How will the offensive line and a max protect serve quarterback Joe Flacco against

It was fun for a little while, wasn’t it?

Nestor Aparicio

I suppose it was too much to ask for this season, this 3-0 thing. We went to Pittsburgh 57 strong on the Miller Lite Purple Roadie. We sat in the upper deck. We raised hell as the videos will attest. We really had a lot of fun and cheered a lot and had a lot of high fives. And when the Ravens were winning 13-3 at the half, it was one big freaking party as we looked out over the bright lights of Pittsburgh. Drew and Glenn were talking smack. The Steelers fans were strongly considering not returning to their seats in the second half and Joe Flacco was running around like Fran Tarkenton on the Heinz Field sod. I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier. (Well, at least not since 13-3 two years ago!) But the NFL is an unforgiving roller coaster as those few seconds of torture in the third quarter showed us. A bad punt, a bad penalty, a busted coverage, a missed tackle, a slip and sack and fumble combo for the quarterback – and voila – it’s suddenly a long ride home from Western Pennsylvania. Another loss in Pittsburgh. Another knife from Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh is a box of chocolates…

Nestor Aparicio

You never know what you’re going to get. Since 1996, I’ve been on all but two of these excursions. I’ve seen us lose close games and I have the memories of dread: •    The night Vinny Testaverde threw an interception to Rod Woodson from his knees and Eric Zeier came in and we lost 37-0 on Sunday Night Football. •    The playoff meltdown of Elvis Grbac. Enough said… •    The close loss on Monday Night Football a few years ago… •    And, of course, last year’s debacle. Thankfully, I watched that one from my hotel room in Tokyo via satellite. I think I was the only person in the Eastern Hemisphere watching the game. So, in a few hours, we’ll depart with a completely full bus for The ‘Burgh as they like to call it. We’ll be with a bunch of drunken ‘yins from donton in the upper deck playing for civic honor. And, hopefully, it’ll turn out better than Kyle Boller’s first disaster up there on that hot opener five years ago. I also remember the joy of a five-hour bus ride home after kicking their asses in the old ashtray while our fans draped a “Pittsburgh is Ravens

Let The Fun Begin! Who wants to go to Pittsburgh?

Nestor Aparicio

For those of you wondering, these are the good days. The ones where you wake up and all of the years of your sports fandom are rewarded with a magical start to a Ravens season where hopelessness was the offseason prediction. Three weeks ago, Las Vegas had the over/under on wins at six. And business wasn’t booming on betting the over, not even here at WNST where we all live to see the purple team win. We love ‘em, but who knew that they’d actually be any good, right? This is when the real fun happens when we get a real season when we never expected it. Look, they’re not the gonna win the Super Bowl every year and with the decade-plus-and-ongoing annual vomit the baseball team has served up for this community, we have to pick our spots. THIS, most certainly, is one of those spots. Get excited, yell loud, throw a WACKO 4 FLACCO sign in your car window or cubicle! Talk football at the watercooler and here at WNST. YOU ARE ALLOWED TO BE EXCITED!!! (If not now, then when? They could still finish 2-14. Who knows how this is gonna turn out? But I’m having fun!)

Update on Landry, other injuries…

Nestor Aparicio

The Ravens were quite concerned about Dawan Landry as was half of the city with that ugly hit just before halftime. By the postgame press conference, they had confirmed that he was in shock trauma and ability to move some extremities. Now, two hours after the game they have confirmed that Landry suffered a spinal cord concussion but has neurologically recovered. He will remain in shock trauma overnight for testing and observation. Other injury news: Willis McGahee has a laceration over one eyelid and got poked in the other eye. Samari Rolle has tingling in his right arm and will have tests done tomorrow. I will post an extensive Ravens blog in the morning with my excited thoughts about a 2-0 first-place start. Meanwhile, Joe Flacco’s postgame thoughts are on wnsTV. Purple Kool Aid, anyone?

Ravens game officially moved to Nov. 9th in Houston

Nestor Aparicio

Finding a fair answer to Ravens-Texans scheduling wasn’t easy. As the afternoon dragged on and the NFL powers-that-be stressed out and searched for a sensible solution, it became more clear that the “fallback” plan of moving bye weeks and keeping the schedule “in tact” might be the ONLY solution. For the Ravens and Texans, it means tomorrow BECOMES the bye week. Obviously, it’s more punitive to these two teams than anyone else, having basically forfeited the chance to go rest for a few days in the middle of a grueling season. Perhaps John Harbaugh will allow the Ravens a quick escape from tonight through Wednesday morning, but it’s not the same as a bye week on Nov. 9th, that’s for sure. The Cincinnati Bengals will be the only other affected party and it will essentially move their bye week back by three weeks, moving their game from Nov. 9th back to Oct. 26 with the Texans in Houston (assuming the stadium isn’t still trashed). Marvin Lewis would probably welcome a bye in November vs. October, but he clearly has bigger fish to fry at 0-1 with the way they played last week here. And it’s not like Roger Goodell is

How will Houston Texans leave town for game at this point?

Nestor Aparicio

Like the rest of you, I’m watching in horror at what’s happening in Houston right now. On the football side, it appears that New Orleans could be the first option but even that must be a sticky proposition right now and I’ll go into that later in this blog. But before I do, I’d prefer to address the “real world” issue by saying that i was up late and into the early morning tracking this storm because I have some other vested interests. I have family in Houston. I have friends in Houston. I have some really great memories of Houston. But seeing this storm roll through has been painful. We’re all praying for them but it looks quite messy and devastating. Glass everywhere downtown, buildings just devastated. Back to Ravens football and the game: Yesterday I took a straw poll of all of the folks around WNST and none of us really believed they were going to be playing this football game on Monday night at Reliant Stadium. All you had to do was look at the storm and see its tracking and know this was a bad situation. Now word comes out of Houston that Reliant Stadium has

Could this week’s Ravens-Houston Texans game get moved to Baltimore?

Nestor Aparicio

Well, the Baltimore conspiracy theorists are at it again around the Charm City. We got a mystery call at WNST today with a caller saying “the Ravens game is going to get moved to Baltimore this weekend if Hurricane Ike hits Texas.” So, I went into action making some calls to my league sources and investigating the possibilities. This is just a “top of mind” set of notes saying why it might — or might — not happen. First, the storm is tracking more west than northwest right this minute. Obviously, that could change. (And we’ll hope for the best for all the folks in Texas, Lousiana and Mexico. Hurricanes clearly suck. As a guy who left New Orleans literally the morning that panic broke out before Hurricane Katrina after a Ravens game three years ago, I have maximum respect for the devastation they bring and the way people’s lives are affected. I have pals who live in West Palm Beach, Fla. who literally don’t feel safe making any plans for September because they’ve seen the gas lines, property damage and general “freak out” that happens to citizens when evacuations happen.) Second, the Ravens would be the team LEAST affected

I had to laugh…

Nestor Aparicio

On my usual early morning tour of the world via my mouse, I clicked on ESPN.com this morning to see this headline: “Ravens rookie Flacco earns another start” And I thought to myself, wow, no one in the league or at ESPN must’ve seen the game on Sunday? Or, perhaps, they haven’t seen the Ravens or their quarterbacks play the past 10 years? I was thinking to myself: “Does America think Harbaugh is going to name Casey Bramlet the starter at this point?” I know, I know…it’s just a headline. But Flacco has turned this town sideways with his play on Sunday and now the expectations go through the roof. But we all wanna grab onto something with the Ravens being the “only game in town that matters.” It’s been 20 months since we’ve all had anything to be excited about with sports in Baltimore. And it ended with that thud in the Colts game and we’ve been dormant like cicadas ever since. (By the way, is it just me or have the Orioles disappeared and will be appearing next week on a milk carton?) But Flacco, that defensive play on Sunday and “Hard-Ball” have made us want to come

Joe Cool

Nestor Aparicio

I’d like to think as I approach my 40th birthday in a few weeks, I’m not as excitable as I was in my younger days. As a fan, I’ve been through all of the wins and loses, Super Bowls and World Series, thrills and disappointments. But today as the 13th season of Ravens football commences, it all came back to me, just why we all still watch the games and care so much. Today is what being a fan is all about. This is the “juice” and the beautiful reward of being a sports fan: that feeling you get when your team wins. The team has a fresh start with a fresh coach and fresh rookie quarterback, who is extremely likeable and calm amidst the storm. And I left the house this morning thinking the Ravens would have to do some special things to win, and specifically to stifle Carson Palmer, who I think is among the best in the business. The injuries have been dreadful. The play on the field has been less than inspiring. The age factor will haunt them each week of the season. And the lack of depth has felt hopeless. But instead of a loss

Hopes and fears for the 2008 Ravens

Nestor Aparicio

On every barstool and at every dinner table in Baltimore, the question comes: “How do you think the Ravens are going to do this year?” People ask me dozens of times a day everywhere I go around town. I’m not Kreskin, but the Las Vegas “over/under” line on wins is six. As in 6-10. Honestly, if you give me a dollar and make me bet on the Ravens at this point I’d take the under because I think they will need a myriad of positive developments to see 7-9. So, in the spirit of debate and with the ability to have your feedback in the comments, I will make this column a simple “point/counterpoint” in hopes and fears format. Hope: Ray Lewis can play at the same level he did last year for one more year in purple. Fear: This team might be bad enough early enough that Lewis will go back to being a complainer and a divider instead of one who unites the team. We’ll see how the “walk” year goes. Hope: Joe Flacco shows that he belongs in the NFL as a quality starting quarterback and shows the early signs you want to see from a rookie

Bouman in and Harrington leaves for BWI???

Nestor Aparicio

As the quarterback turns… Despite Chris Mortenson of ESPN reporting that Joey Harrington signed with the Ravens yesterday, our sources tell us that Harrington left Owings Mills today without officially becoming a Raven. Or did he? Is he flying away to go elsewhere or to get his bags and come back to Baltimore? We’re now hearing that Todd Bouman has become the frontrunner to be the No. 3 QB here… We dunno…but we’ll find out soon! They have to practice tomorrow, right?

Joe Flacco joins WNST as a blogger and weekly Tuesday guest

Nestor Aparicio

Even though we didn’t know he’d be the starting quarterback this Sunday, we’ve known for quite some time that Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco would be in our starting lineup at WNST. Beginning this morning at 8:30 a.m., Flacco will appear each Tuesday morning on the Comcast Morning Show with Drew Forrester. His segment will appear live on WNST-AM 1570 and be heard again in our audio vault on demand. He will also write a blog each Friday, one we’re dubbing “Joe Fridays.” We might even be texting out his three keys to the game on Fridays as well. The best part about this arrangement? We won’t have to guess what he’s thinking about all of this rookie stuff, being the starting quarterback (or even the backup) or how he’s handling Baltimore’s expectations. Now, we can just ask him and give it to you in his words. I’ve had the good fortune to get to know Joe and his family over the past few months and I really hope he has the kind of success that we want him to have in Baltimore. He’s a nice, polite, quiet kid who seems like being an athlete and an NFL quarterback comes

Flacco named starter for Sunday; Harrington rumored to be signed

Nestor Aparicio

The quarterback carousel and Labor Day news continues as John Harbaugh has named Joe Flacco the starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against Cinncinnati. Earlier in the day, the “who’s the backup?” story unfolded. The Ravens brought three QBs into Owings Mills today — Chris Simms, Todd Bouman and Joey Harrington and in the end have selected Harrington. Chris Mortenson of ESPN reported first (meaning the agent leaked it to him)… It’s been a wild and wacky weekend in Owings Mills as the Ravens try to rearrange the proverbial chairs on the deck and hope the ship doesn’t sink. Any NFL team that begins practice with a rookie as a No. 1 QB and two other guys who have never attended a practice and are ready to suit up for a game in six days is probably in trouble. Gonna be an interesting week…

UPDATE: Simms in Baltimore, Pittman waived

Nestor Aparicio

Updated at 2:27 p.m. Orioles broadcaster and Mr. Angelos employee, Jim Hunter, apparently boarded an airplane with former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms in Tampa this morning bound for BWI. MASN is reporting that Simms is heading to Owings Mills for a job interview. Meanwhile, the Ravens PR has released this: The Baltimore Ravens have waived the following player (injured): David Pittman (CB, 5-11, 185, 3rd-year, Northwestern State) Baltimore has also signed the following players to its practice squad: Nate Lawrie (TE, 6-6, 255, 4th-year, Yale) Marcus Mason (RB, 5-9, 215, 1st-year, Youngstown State) Bryan Mattison (DE, 6-3, 272, Rookie, Iowa) Matt Willis (WR, 5-11, 190, 2nd-year, UCLA) Not a surprise to see Simms in town given the Ravens’ frustrating quarterback depth situation. At best they only have two live arms for practice on Wednesday as they prep for the Bengals: Joe Flacco (who they don’t want to start but it appears that’s the way it’s going to be) and Casey Bramlet, who looked better coming off a plane 15 hours before gametime than most QBs have looked here over the last decade. Troy Smith’s illness remains a mystery (and the Ravens and NFL don’t ever discuss personal illnesses with media

A note from a ‘guardian angel’

Nestor Aparicio

Everyone in their life has a mentor or a “guardian angel” who calls when they think you’re doing the wrong stuff or saying the wrong stuff. If you don’t, you should! So, yesterday my “surrogate Uncle” called me to blather on about Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, Ozzie Newsome, Brian Billick and John Harbaugh. He said I’ve been unfair. I argued, in a spirited fashion, that I can justify my opinions with facts. And that, yes, I really am concerned about the direction the Ravens are going with their new management structure. So, I advised him to do what anyone and everyone who disagrees with is free to do: write it on WNST.net! I’m not saying I’m “right.” I’m simpling saying they are making many recent choices that are not in line with what has been — for the most part — a winning formula. And some of it has appeared to be less than polite, in many cases, and downright embarrassing in the case of Jason Garrett. I think Ozzie Newsome should be making football decisions. He did NOT play a role in firing Brian Billick. And from there, every brick in the building changes dramatically and I think it’s

Harbaugh press conference play by play & notes

Nestor Aparicio

This will be a running blog from inside the press conference… The podium is Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome. Steve Bisciotti looks a little more well-rested. Art Modell is sitting in the front row of the auditorium. How Bisciotti got to John Harbaugh: Getting this to a manageable number was all on the “football people.” Coaches and reputations came from the football people: Eric Decosta, the Newsomes, Kevin Byrne, george Kokinis and Pat Moriarty. Bisciotti says it was very easy for him, because he’s hired many people. He also alluded to the blueprint from Art Modell’s search from 1998 that unearthed Brian Billick. There were six candidates. Bisciotti said he spoke to Art Blank in Atlanta. And he liked the process of his interior football management team. Bisciotti lauded Harbaugh’s family background. He then praised Art Modell’s legacy and support. Harbaugh spoke next. Art Modell gave Harbaugh advice, although harbaugh didn’t say what the “advice” was. Harbaugh said the committee asked very tough questions and that it was a very thorough effort and he enjoyed his two days of interviewing. Harbaugh said he can’t wait to get going. Harbaugh praised his family and wife, and spent

What I really think about the Ravens job search and John Harbaugh…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve written lots of critical stuff over the past three weeks – all of it well-founded, well-sourced and honest about the Ravens’ coaching search. As much as some of the “traditional media” loves to portend that I’m some knucklehead, I’m VERY much a John Steadman-trained journalist at heart and I’m very heartened and flattered by the universal praise WNST’s coverage of the “Coachingate” saga has received. The WNSTeam rocked the coverage and I owe Casey, Drew, Ray, Adam, Rob and Bob a big “shout out” because I’ve never been prouder of our work as a radio station and a news source. My guys and gals just bust their ass here! I know we have the best people in town! Write and tell THEM that! I’ll warn you: this is long. I have a lot to say, I’ve been up late thinking some deep thoughts and you can consider this my “shoot” blog. This is what I REALLY think! Unabridged… Much of what I’ve written over the past three weeks has centered around criticism of Steve Bisciotti and his handling of the firing of Brian Billick and the process the job search entailed. I have seen some people on our message

Damn…get it OVER with already!

Nestor Aparicio

The media is tired. The Ravens’ front office must be whipped. And the fans are worn out waiting. Every single sign that could possibly point toward the Ravens’ coronation of John Harbaugh as the third coach of the team is emanating out of The Bellagio. Reports from Philadelphia indicate that Harbaugh came down today ready to take the job. Harbaugh’s agent has been unabashed about his client’s desire to be here. And, again, it would be “The Ozzie Way” to call on the “next man up,” who Harbaugh has been all along. It’s been 18 days of waiting, it’s late on Friday (and we should ALL be out listening to Jimmy Buffett and having a TGIF cocktail), but we’re glued to the activity in Owings Mills. If they DO hire Harbaugh, I hope they have indeed found their “future Hall of Famer.” I’ve heard he’s a Hall of Fame person. I know many friends and associates of Harbaugh, and they all say he’s going to be an excellent head coach. We’ll keep you in the loop, and if you REALLY want to know FIRST, just join the text service. We’ve got you covered!

The situation room: Jason Garrett and Steve Bisciotti

Nestor Aparicio

So, today the Ravens might have a new coach, and as we’ve seen over the past 72 hours,  maybe they WON’T. Predictions are out this window at this point, and there are as many “scenarios” as there are coaching candidates. Below I will try to give you the flavor of what I’ve been sifting through as a 24-year journalist over the past few days. (I’ve gone old school here, calling upon every resource I have in the league trying to figure out what’s happening here!) Everyone in the league is buzzing about all of the changes on the coaching carousel and the six days off between games in mid-January usually lend themselves to the rumorama that comes with owners, coaches, agents and executives all jockeying for seats in the boardrooms of 32 NFL teams. Incidentally, almost unanimously my sources say that the stunt that Garrett pulled on Tuesday was very against the “etiquette” of how these job situations are handled. The whole notion of a “second interview” means that you’re coming to take the job. No doubt, Bisciotti talked money with Garrett’s team before he got on the plane Monday night. Garrett, and his slippery agent David Dunn, apparently didn’t

Wanted: An NFL Head Coach

Nestor Aparicio

OK, so this one is making the rounds on the internet. I haven’t seen it posted anywhere, but it’s quite funny (and I usually don’t find these things funny enough to post). Ask around, I have a lame sense of humor. But it’s kinda hard for me to argue with this particular pundit’s product. It’s closer to reality than fiction. Some people have too much time on their hands. I have a gift certficate to a local sponsor for $100 if you can prove to me that YOU are the author! But anyway, here it is: Any comments below are welcomed…and by all means, if YOU’RE this clever and creative, I wanna hear from you. I’d love for you to contribute to WNST!

WOW…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve covered the team for 12 years and, just when you think you’ve seen it all, THIS happens. In 12 years, I’ve NEVER been lied to or led astray — NEVER — by anyone in the building in Owings Mills! (That’s what I’ve come to expect from the Orioles, not the Ravens!) Not one coach or player or front office person has EVER been dishonest with me, so obviously, it’s easy to buy into the credibility of all of your sources. Especially, when they’re all saying the same thing: Billick is the safest guy in the building. I’m floored, shocked beyond belief actually — but not TOTALLY baffled by it. * The team was 5-11. * Billick clearly had issues with some of the players, including Ray Lewis, who ultimately has won the war. *  The loudest fans were screaming at the top of their lungs to get rid of Billick, but that ALWAYS happens when a team is 5-11. (I gotta think Mike Preston is the happiest man on the face of the earth. It’ll be his best New Year’s Eve ever!) *  There were definitely some “disciplinary” issues that became an issue when the team started losing, and

Just how good are the Ravens?

Nestor Aparicio

It’s not time to start printing playoff tickets just yet but if there’s any message that the Ravens sent to

MUST I root for the Redskins tonight?

Nestor Aparicio

Tonight is the hardest place for any Steadman-reading, Eckman listening, WNST-enjoying Baltimoron to be. The kickoff in the ultimate matchup

The afterglow of Cleveland

Nestor Aparicio

Talk about snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. With just over a quarter remaining in yesterday’s key divisional AFC

Off to Cleveland

Nestor Aparicio

It’s always the best way to visit Cleveland – in and out. So, I’m on the 8:05 flight and we’ll

Another lost afternoon in Indy

Nestor Aparicio

If there was any doubt about where the Ravens stand amongst the elite teams in the NFL, this afternoon’s resounding

I had to laugh…

Nestor Aparicio

On my usual early morning tour of the world via my mouse, I clicked on ESPN.com this morning to see

Joe Cool

Nestor Aparicio

I’d like to think as I approach my 40th birthday in a few weeks, I’m not as excitable as I

Wanted: An NFL Head Coach

Nestor Aparicio

OK, so this one is making the rounds on the internet. I haven’t seen it posted anywhere, but it’s quite

WOW…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve covered the team for 12 years and, just when you think you’ve seen it all, THIS happens. In 12

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