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Ravens

Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith breaks the news about himself?

Luke Jones

Multiple reports have speculated about the imminent signing of first-round pick Jimmy Smith, but it appears the cornerback decided to break the news himself. The 27th overall pick announced on his verified Twitter account late Thursday night that he will officially sign his contract on Friday. “Ok.. its official I sign tomoro..” [sic], Smith wrote on his Twitter page. Of course, there’s always the slim chance of his account being “hacked” like many athletes have claimed after foolishly spouting off on Twitter, but it appears the Ravens will have all eight draft picks under contract in time for the second day of practice. If Smith proves correct, he wouldn’t be the first athlete to break his own news in an era when social media rules over all. And he certainly won’t be the last.

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens thrilled with Kindle's return to field

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — A year ago at this time, Ravens linebacker Sergio Kindle was in a hospital bed, uncertain of his future quality of life, let alone whether he would ever be able to play football again. But as the Ravens returned to the practice field for the first time since the end of the 134-day lockout, coaches and players alike couldn’t help but take satisfaction in seeing Kindle’s smiling face as he stepped on the practice field for the first time in over a year. Coach John Harbaugh even noted that Kindle smiled as he took — and passed — the dread conditioning test to which every player is subjected. None of it means Kindle will approach the potential he once had when the Ravens selected him with the 43rd overall pick of the 2010 NFL draft, but it’s a large step forward from where the 23-year-old was 12 months ago. Another test will take place over the weekend when the Ravens can go live in practice for the first time. “It’s great for him as a person,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the No. 1 thing — what he’s overcome and to be out there. He looked good. Obviously,

What the hell do these people want from Joe Flacco?

Nestor Aparicio

I love it when Joe Flacco talks dirty. Somehow it hasn’t raised a lot of eyebrows or created a ton of conversation just yet but Joe Flacco’s “Welcome Home” meet up with the media on Wednesday afternoon sure created some stir in my mind. Perhaps a lot of folks haven’t heard it yet or really processed it the way I did but you can listen here. About his skills, Joe Flacco said: “I’m pretty damned good.” And you know what? I agree with him. And his perspective on the whole situation – “there’s only one good quarterback and 31 others who aren’t” – is dead on. Joe Flacco “gets it.” Look, I was as dumbfounded as the rest of you when the Ravens picked him three years ago, especially when on draft day the organization managed to keep it a state secret about their affection for the pride of Newark and all of Blue Hendom. Small school kid, almost geekish in his passion for football, sports and very little else, but he’s made everyone in the scouting department look like a genius with three consecutive January road playoff runs and wins every year. He’s done everything that Kyle Boller —

With veteran targets gone, Flacco wants ball in his hands

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Even putting aside the 134-day lockout that ended earlier this week, it was anything but a typical offseason for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. There was the firing of quarterback coach Jim Zorn and rumblings that offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and Flacco weren’t on the same page. With two years remaining on his current contract, Flacco expressed a desire for a new long-term contract in the midst of labor unrest. Amid criticism from national media and peers such as Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley about his ability to win earlier this summer, Flacco married his high school sweetheart and saw his wedding photos become a viral sensation. But none of that topped Monday’s news of the Ravens’ intentions to release his two longtime targets, Derrick Mason and Todd Heap, who were responsible for securing 33 of Flacco’s 60 touchdown passes over his first three seasons. Suddenly, Flacco finds his safety net torn away, with only Anquan Boldin and a number of young question marks remaining. “I had no idea anything like that was going to happen, I really didn’t,” said Flacco, who expressed strong hope that both can be brought back. “You expect to come back and see

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens tight end Dickson replacing "Superman" with Heap's exit

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Second-year tight end Ed Dickson filled in for an injured Todd Heap over the final month of the 2010 season, but in the back of his mind, he knew the veteran was on his way back. It looks like he’ll have no such safety net this year as the Ravens intend to officially release Heap on Thursday to save salary cap room. While some hope remains for Heap’s return at a reduced cost, Dickson finds himself as the projected starter entering training camp. “It means a lot to me that they have that much faith in me,” said Dickson, who weighed in a few pounds heavier than last season. “I’ve been here one year. Like I said, all I can do is improve my game. I can come out in training camp and play my game and just try to get better everyday in camp and work to getting that starting position. They didn’t sign anything over to me right now. I still have competition, and I love competition.” His biggest competition is fellow 2010 draftee Dennis Pitta, selected in the fourth round, and third-year player Davon Drew. Dickson played in 15 games last season, catching

Mason says it's up to Ravens to decide if he returns

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — On a day when players were thrilled to return to the Ravens training facility, receiver Derrick Mason faced the sobering possibility of leaving a place he’s called home for the final time. Though it doesn’t become official until Thursday, the 37-year-old wideout will be released in a cap-saving move, along with veterans Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, and Willis McGahee. Mason was at the facility for his exit physical and met with general manager Ozzie Newsome. After spending the last six seasons in Baltimore, becoming the Ravens’ all-time leading receiver, Mason remains upbeat and willing to return — if the Ravens want him. “If they want me back, I’m back,” Mason said. “That’s all I can say. Now, if some other team wants me, then I think that’s one of those things you have to look at. My first thought would be to come back here. This has been my football home for the last six years, so why leave it so abruptly? I’m going to do what I can, and hopefully they’ll do what they need to do in order to try to bring me back. If not, hey, I can play football.” Mason caught 471

Live from Owings Mills: Ravens back to work, react to key veteran cuts

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — With the training complex alive with players and media alike for the first time since draft weekend, the Ravens leave a long labor war behind them and thankfully turn their full attention to preparations for the 2011 season. Tuesday’s voluntary report day included the likes of Ray Rice, Domonique Foxworth, Lardarius Webb, and Terrence Cody while rookies took the opportunity to gain their bearings in a facility in which some of them haven’t been able to set foot. Players had the option to take their physicals and conditioning test a day ahead of Wednesday’s report date for those under contract. The entire team will meet for the first time at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, according to coach John Harbaugh. “The heat broke, the players will be happy, it cooled down a little bit, they’re just in time!” Harbaugh said. “We have labor peace and we have a break in the heat wave.” While players expressed their enthusiasm for returning to work, Monday’s news of the impending cuts of veterans Derrick Mason, Todd Heap, Kelly Gregg, and Willis McGahee put a damper on an otherwise exciting day in Owings Mills. Some players such the third-year cornerback Webb

With 2011 Ravens training camp in Westminster history, community finally feels cruel reality of lockout

Luke Jones

On a night in which Baltimore was abuzz with the legendary rock band U2 playing a monumental show at M&T Bank Stadium, Ravens fans took a hit unlike any they’ve felt in the 16-year history of the franchise. With Wednesday’s announcement of the Ravens moving their 2011 training camp from McDaniel College in inviting Westminster to the inaccessible confines of their training facility in Owings Mills, the NFL lockout just became very real for fans and a local community itching for the annual return of football in late July. The annual day trips to a Wednesday morning practice — accompanied with a stop at Baugher’s for breakfast or dessert or Harry’s Main Street Grille for lunch — will be wiped out, even as the owners and players appear to be moving closer to an agreement to end the more than three-month-long work stoppage. The economic impact on the Westminster community will be substantial as an estimated 112,000 fans flocked to the Carroll County town in late summer of 2010. “We’re disappointed we won’t be back at McDaniel and in Westminster this summer. We delayed the decision as long as we could,” said Ravens vice president of operations Bob Eller in

Who can concentrate on sports with U2 landing a spaceship in Baltimore?

Nestor Aparicio

For the 70,000 who will gather tomorrow night for a hot, steamy Baltimore sermon from Bono and U2 under the stars in the Charm City, the journey with the lads from Dublin began somewhere. For me, it all began with a simple little video called “I Will Follow” from just another nameless, faceless MTV Euro band with punker haircuts. I’ve now witnessed all of this U2 growth and glory over the past 30 years and I haven’t missed a tour since The Unforgettable Fire, when I camped out with Richard Abrahams in the Towson Hecht’s parking lot to score tickets. So while I’m planning a giant pool party at the Tiki Barge tomorrow that moves over to the Stalking Horse for some pre-show refreshments and Bud Lights, just know I’m not the average tourist U2 fan. This one’s kinda special for me — the most relevant band in the world is playing six blocks from my crib and I’m treating this like a national holiday. But I’ve got 27 years worth of blood on the bricks with Bono and the boys. And their music has helped create the soundtrack for the story of my life. I could tell you about

For Ravens' new Smiths, support is key, but in different ways

Luke Jones

Draft picks have been linked together throughout the history of the NFL, the 16-year existence of the Baltimore Ravens being no exception. Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in 1996, two future Hall of Famers selected with the first two picks in franchise history. A year later, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper were chosen in the first two rounds, completing a linebacker trio that led one of the greatest defenses in league history to the Ravens’ only Super Bowl a few years later. More recently, Joe Flacco and Ray Rice came off the board as the 18th and 55th overall picks in 2008, signifying a transition from a decade of defensive domination to a heightened attempt to create more balance on the offensive side of the football. But no other pair of draft picks in franchise history has perhaps produced as unique a dichotomy in some ways but common threads in others as cornerback Jimmy Smith and wide receiver Torrey Smith in the first two rounds this weekend. As the two top draft picks were introduced to the local media in Owings Mills on Saturday, the two sat between general manager Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh, the juxtaposition of their

For Ravens’ new Smiths, support is key, but in different ways

Luke Jones

Draft picks have been linked together throughout the history of the NFL, the 16-year existence of the Baltimore Ravens being no exception. Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in 1996, two future Hall of Famers selected with the first two picks in franchise history. A year later, Peter Boulware and Jamie Sharper were chosen in the first two rounds, completing a linebacker trio that led one of the greatest defenses in league history to the Ravens’ only Super Bowl a few years later. More recently, Joe Flacco and Ray Rice came off the board as the 18th and 55th overall picks in 2008, signifying a transition from a decade of defensive domination to a heightened attempt to create more balance on the offensive side of the football. But no other pair of draft picks in franchise history has perhaps produced as unique a dichotomy in some ways but common threads in others as cornerback Jimmy Smith and wide receiver Torrey Smith in the first two rounds this weekend. As the two top draft picks were introduced to the local media in Owings Mills on Saturday, the two sat between general manager Ozzie Newsome and coach John Harbaugh, the juxtaposition of their

Baltimore loses its No. 1 fan with passing of William Donald Schaefer

Nestor Aparicio

There will be a lot written and said about the honorable William Donald Schaefer today in Baltimore and throughout the state of Maryland. I can honestly say that I knew the man a little and as a kid who grew up watching him shape the landscape of my beloved hometown and later knew him in the “real” world, what you saw was what you got: he loved Baltimore and he loved Maryland and he literally put the “public” in a phrase that has now become trite: public servant. Schaefer served us all, especially those of us who love sports. I’m not sure Schaefer could recite the statistics of the 1958 Colts or the 1966 Orioles, but he could recite the statistics for what the economic impact and loss of the Colts did in 1984 and the value of the Orioles playing baseball in downtown Baltimore in 1992 and beyond. Every time I see a crowd like the pathetic one last night at Camden Yards, I think of what Schaefer would really think of the travesty the Orioles have become in terms of economic impact to stimulate the downtown business district. There’s no way he would’ve been Mayor and watched this

Get prepared for the summer of the NFL S**tstorm because it has arrived

Nestor Aparicio

I wanted to give the NFL skirmish 48 hours and a full weekend to let my emotions settle before I officially opined and got long-winded and loud-mouthed. So for those of you who love my rants and tirades, this blog is for you. For those of you who don’t like facts, figures, education and well-founded opinions about business in America circa 2011 and having a corporate and civic soul, this is a not going to be a happy read for you today to start your week. To whom much is given, much is expected. (That’s always been my battle cry and unrequited expectation from Orioles owner Peter Angelos, who has taken hundreds millions of dollars from our citizens only to leave our city empty and penniless on summer nights with 14 years of mostly last-place baseball.) And even though I know I should’ve known better knowing what I know about money, greedy people, big business and political influence (if not sheer corruption) I expected this NFL money grab to end somewhat amicably with both sides getting more than their fair share of wealth and happiness. But, the demon seeds of greed have given way to what has now become standard

Do you really care about this NFL money brawl?

Nestor Aparicio

I saw all of this coming three years ago in Palm Beach, Fla. at the NFL’s annual winter meetings amongst owners, NFL front office leaders and coaches. The owner’s voted to terminate the collective bargaining agreement, the words “uncapped year” become all the rage and here we are now at the fringe of a full-scale work stoppage, meltdown and the end of the world as we know it. I’ve spent a LOT of time over the past three years talking to virtually everyone I know in the NFL community about every facet of this negotiation in the hopes that I’d somehow be “expert” on what’s happening down in D.C. this week. I really thought that fans would be thirsty for what’s really happening behind the scenes and that somehow, there could be a happy ending behind the red, white and blue shield for 2011 football. Now that the witching hour has arrived it’s become very clear to me that the issues that are making the fight — percentages, salaries, trust, open books, medical insurance and a myriad of other arguments that have made 66 rounds of negotiating feel worthless — none of these are of any interest to most NFL

With latest win, Pittsburgh isn’t just our Daddy — but now our Granddaddy, too

Nestor Aparicio

These postseason losses are getting harder and harder for Baltimore to shake off. Like you, I awakened on Sunday to the sounds of silence. Like you, I spent the better part of Saturday night and all day Sunday and parts of the last two days trying to figure out and process just what the hell happened after 6 p.m. at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Drew, Glenn and I have a little tradition going now where we shoot the postgame “gut reactions” as we cross the Fort Pittsburgh Bridge back into the city and as we chatted that same sick, sinking feeling grabbed me as I saw the city and the bridges behind me as we pulled out of the city – we lost to Pittsburgh again and we have to wait another year (at least) and wait for the stars to align yet again to have a chance to vanquish our oppressors. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTWmmvvef4Y[/youtube] No matter the opponent, all of these postseason wins and losses take on memorable twists and turns but this recent vomiting of a 14-point, halftime lead to the dreaded Pittsburgh Steelers after blowing the home field advantage six weeks earlier on a blown assignment on Troy Polamalu

5 lowest moments of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry

Luke Jones

You have to remember where you’ve been in order to get where you want to go. In this case, Ravens fans can only hope it’s a trip to the AFC Championship after a win at Heinz Field on Saturday after countless disappointments against their biggest rivals. Perhaps you’ve clicked this link because you’re a football masochist, secretly preparing yourself for the worst should Baltimore fall short yet again with the stakes as high as they’ve been since the conference championship game two years ago. A bloodcurdling look back at the low points in the history of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry reminds us that as enjoyable as the highs have been for the Ravens, the lows have been that much more devastating over the 15 years the two teams have battled on the gridiron. Beating the Steelers on Saturday would immediately become the greatest Baltimore moment in the rivalry’s history while a loss would only mark the latest chapter of bitter disappointment. With a few honorable mentions to get things started, here are the five lowest Baltimore moments of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry: Honorable mention >>>

Confessions of a lifetime of hatred for Pittsburgh from a real Baltimore sports fan

Nestor Aparicio

It’s a big, emotional week of football in Baltimore and the reason it’s so significant is because of our civic desire to have another purple parade at the Inner Harbor and the sheer nausea we all feel in the pits of our bellies about the fact that at 8 p.m. on Saturday night this could be the worse loss of our lives all over again. Just like all of our January losses to the likes of Indianapolis and Pittsburgh and Cleveland and New York. Or, it can potentially extinguish the 40 years of domination from the city of Pittsburgh, but specifically the Steelers and their arrogant, obnoxious fan base here in the region. This is an epic throwdown between two cities that don’t like each other but a rivalry that is so embarrassingly lopsided that it makes the Roadrunner look like a winner. I’m up to my eyeballs in rattlesnakes throwing parties, organizing bus trips and running WNST.net – 12 hours of radio, the daily newspaper, text service plus all of our social media endeavors on Facebook and Twitter that truly is Baltimore’s best and most comprehensive sports coverage in the world. And for those of you who know me,

Top 5 moments of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry

Luke Jones

Saturday marks the 33rd meeting (including playoffs) between the Ravens and Steelers in the 15 years since the NFL returned to Baltimore. With Pittsburgh holding a 20-12 all-time edge and always coming out on top when the stakes are at their highest, the highlights are admittedly scarce from the Baltimore perspective despite the matchup blossoming into the most intense rivalry in the NFL. A conflict bred from off-field venom and disdain (circa 2001) has morphed into mutual respect and even tighter competition in recent years as the last six meetings in the regular season have been decided by four or fewer points (the Steelers won 23-14 victory in the 2008 AFC Championship). The divisional-round encounter will add another memorable chapter to Baltimore-Pittsburgh lore, but before looking ahead to potential triumph or bitter disappointment, we look back at the top 5 moments (with a couple honorable mentions added for good measure) in the history of Ravens vs. Steelers — from the Baltimore perspective. And for our Pittsburgh brethren lurking and ready to chime in, be sure to check back later in the week for the five worst moments in the Ravens-Steelers rivalry. Honorable mention >>>

All Pittsburgh bustrips and major purple party on sale now!!!

Nestor Aparicio

With the Ravens moving on to Pittsburgh for a 4:30 p.m. AFC Divisional Playoff game this Saturday, WNST proudly continues out tradition of taking you to the game and planning the best purple pre-game parties on the planet. You can buy tickets for our bustrip ($350 all inclusive) or our Purple Playoff Pep Rally & Indoor Tailgate Party at the Pittsburgh Westin ($12) here now…

Are you headed to Kansas City? We have two great Saturday parties for you!

Nestor Aparicio

Are you going to Kansas City? We have two great purple pep rallies set for Saturday! As always, WNST.net has scouted the local terrain and we’ve put together two fabulous Miller Lite Purple Pep Rallies in Kansas City on Saturday. We’ll consider it a “day-night doubleheader” for all of the traveling fans of the Ravens who want to convene and have some Baltimore-style fun. You can buy tickets for the events in Kansas City HERE!!! Here are the details: Saturday 810 Zone Sports Bar Meet And Greet (11 a.m. ‘til 3 p.m.) We’ll gather at Kansas City’s No. 1 sports bar, The 810Zone, at Country Club Plaza for some pre-game food, cocktails, spirit in a great, friendly Midwestern environment. The folks at the 810 are owned by local radio station WHB-AM, who we consider our best radio friends in America. We’ll have a great buffet all afternoon and all of the games in the game room are included in the purchase price. MENU includes: Nacho Bar Cordon Bleu “Purple Balls” Wings done different ways Baked Ziti Pot Stickers Queso and chips Veggie and fruit tray Spinach Dip Many Miller Lite & cocktail specials as well ADMISSION: $15 in advance, $20

Yes, we’re doing a bustrip to Kansas City for Ravens playoff game

Nestor Aparicio

It takes a special individual to join us on these crazy adventures, but we are planning a once-in-a-lifetime Miller Lite Purple Playoff Roadtrip via bus to Kansas City this weekend. The trip is on sale here at WNST.net NOW… Here are all of the details on the trip, which is “priced to fly” considering that flying to Kansas City this weekend would cost almost $600 alone on Southwest Airlines: Sure, it’s a long ride but we’re doing our best to get you to Kansas City! KEEP COMING BACK HERE FOR MORE UPDATES ON THIS TRIP!!! PLANS ARE EVOLVING but this will be another great WNST.net classic! Our Miller Lite Purple Playoff Express will depart Baltimore at 5 a.m. Friday from White Marsh with a stop at I-70/Security at 5:30 a.m. and we’re off to Kansas City for three days of fun and adventure. We’ll have parties planned for Saturday and you’ll have a full day to recoup and enjoy your stay in the Country Club Plaza area, a beautiful area of Kansas City. We will depart for Baltimore immediately following the game on Sunday afternoon for Baltimore. We will return home sometime mid-morning on Monday. Trip includes: Snacks and Miller

Live from Owings Mills: Heap set to return Sunday, E. Reed back at practice

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Completing their final practice of the calendar year, the Ravens are aiming for a positive start to 2011 against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore (11-4) saw two player return to the practice field Friday and appears to be in good shape physically for the regular-season finale. To no one’s surprise, safety Ed Reed (neck) was present at the open portion of practice, confirming speculation that Thursday was an impromptu day off for the veteran dealing with a number of ailments over the last few seasons. “It was just precautionary,” coach John Harbaugh said. “He was a little bit tight, and we just felt like giving him a chance to recover a little bit and rest up. We do that with some guys this time of year.” Also returning to the practice field was linebacker Prescott Burgess (illness) after missing two days with the flu bug that has worked its way through the training complex in Owings Mills in recent weeks. Safety Tom Zbikowski (back) and linebacker Tavares Gooden (shoulder) did not practice and were the only players not participating fully in the Friday session. Zbikowski was not expected to play against

Live from Owings Mills: Heap a game-time decision as Ravens eye playoff spot

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. –With a festive mood surrounding the training complex at 1 Winning Drive, the Ravens were making final preparations for Sunday’s showdown in Cleveland. Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers maintaining control of the AFC North with a convincing victory over Carolina Thursday, the Ravens will clinch their third straight playoff berth with a victory over the 5-9 Browns, losers of four of their last six. Tight end Todd Heap practiced for the third straight day, an indication that the veteran will have a realistic chance to play Sunday after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. He was seen running pass patterns during the portion of practice open to the media on Friday and is listed as questionable on the team’s official injury report. “I think he’s done really well. He just told me he felt very good [after Friday’s practice],” coach John Harbaugh said. “I think we’ll wait until game time, just to see for sure and see how it feels up there with the weather and everything and make a decision right before the game.” The Ravens have been cautious with their starting tight end, given his history of hamstring issues during his 10-year career.

Ravens CB Wilson discusses Friedgen firing and Terps football

Luke Jones

The abrupt firing of Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen has garnered plenty of negative reaction from those connected to the program on a variety of levels. So it was surprising to hear Ravens cornerback and former Terrapin Josh Wilson’s comments supporting the decision to remove the man with whom he shares a special bond and even invited — along with Friedgen’s wife Gloria — to his wedding. “Whatever the decision is that [athletic director Kevin Anderson and the university] made, I think they made it in the best interest of Maryland football,” Wilson said. “Whenever they make a decision like that, they’re looking out for the future and what’s best for the team. If they felt that was the best thing to do, then so be it and I support them.” Wilson’s bond with Friedgen runs much deeper than his four years in College Park from 2003 to 2006. Working as a graduate assistant at Maryland in the early 1970s, Friedgen briefly coached Wilson’s father Tim, who went on to play eight years as a fullback in the NFL. Tim passed away due to a heart attack in 1996 when his son was only 11 years old, but Josh would

Heap out, Washington questionable in Houston tonight

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Though most of the week’s conversation has been focused on the fallout from the loss to Pittsburgh, the Ravens made final preparations Saturday for a meeting with the 5-7 Houston Texans on Monday night. The team practiced indoors Saturday although the Reliant Stadium roof is currently scheduled to be open for the prime-time encounter in Houston. “I thought we had a very good practice today, and I thought we had an excellent week of practice,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “One thing about our guys, they’re professionals. It’s a tough loss, and I think everyone has a tough time getting over it – fans, coaches, players. [This team] means a lot to all of us.” Tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) and cornerback Fabian Washington (thigh) were again absent from practice Saturday. Heap was officially ruled out for Monday’s game after not practicing all week with an injured hamstring sustained on the first play of the game last Sunday. Harbaugh held one last sliver of hope following Saturday’s practice before Heap was ruled unfit to go against the Texans on the injury report. “Realistically, it would probably be tough for him to get back,” said Harbaugh, who

A Dear John letter…

Nestor Aparicio

Dear John: It’s Pittsburgh week here and we’re finally on the cusp of getting to the promised land of having some home “Festivus” games in January. And it’s all come down to this: if we win this week and vanquish the Steelers, who have been our oppressors as a community since 1971, we’re probably going to have a week off to watch the playoffs on TV and then have some home cooking. And maybe some folks will even bring those ridiculous purple towels back for another meeting with the Steelers here in Baltimore in January. But if we lose – and let’s be honest – we’ve NEVER won this kind of game at home on your watch – we’ll be back on the road to Jacksonville or Indianapolis or San Diego or Kansas City for Week 1 of the playoffs. That is, if we even get there at all, because we all know nothing is automatic in the NFL. This is an open letter and I think this is going to be a trial way of communicating and writing what I think about what you’ve done and what you’re doing here as the leader of the 53 Mighty Men. I

The biggest story in Charlotte wasn’t on the field — it was in the stands!

Nestor Aparicio

It’s been an interesting couple of days of meltdowns, chill outs and re-energizing the batteries for me since the wild weekend in Charlotte when our Baltimore fans essentially went down there and took over the entire city. After a 48-hour marathon of parties, beer drinking, tailgates, football and bus rides my plan on Monday was to do as little as Andy MacPhail for a day and I can honestly say I failed. Even when I wasn’t trying, I STILL got more done than the Orioles did on Monday and Tuesday. But seeing the “old media” coverage of the magnificence of the events in Carolina was almost laughable given how many miles I put on the tread seeing Baltimoreans of all walks of life come to life in Charlotte on Saturday and Sunday. If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, I’ll show you what I’m seeing and when I see it. This is what I saw Saturday night: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA0xYf3IeQk[/youtube] It really occurred to me as I perused the field from the 20-yard line and saw thick swaths of purple throughout the teal building and everywhere in concourses and stands that Sunday was a transcendent day for Baltimore fans and sports.

The 'fall' of the Ravens defense started many Aprils ago

Luke Jones

If you’ve been wearing out your Greg Mattison dartboard over the last several weeks, you’re probably not alone. After all, the current Ravens defensive coordinator is solely responsible for the fall of a once-dominant unit all the way to 10th in the NFL, right? (As an aside, how spoiled are we to be frustrated with a unit still better — statistically — than 22 other defenses in the league?) From eliminating the submissive three-man rush to playing tighter, press coverage in the secondary, Marvin Lewis, Mike Nolan, or Rex Ryan would be coaching this defense to the elite level it enjoyed over the last decade instead of the mortal status it currently holds. If only it were that simple. Placing blame on a few individuals is common practice (Mattison, maligned cornerback Fabian Washington, and, until recently, “overrated” linebacker Terrell Suggs are popular targets these days), but the defensive problems run far deeper. Personnel issues, aging stars, a key injury (anyone remember Domonique Foxworth?), and — perhaps — coaching shortcomings have left the Ravens with an above-average defense pursuing ghosts of dominance on the M&T Bank Stadium turf. Truth be told, the current deterioration of the Baltimore defense began years ago,

Are you going to Carolina this weekend? Join our WNST Purple Pep Rallies

Nestor Aparicio

The size of the party crowd kept growing – hence the delay – but WNST.net is poised to host the biggest Purple Pep Rally we’ve ever thrown for any road trip in our history in Charlotte this weekend. Based on the overwhelming amount of interest we needed to find a space big enough to handle all of the purple fans traveling from Baltimore and we’re proud to announce two awesome parties — one on Saturday night at Whisky River at The Epicenter of Charlotte and a Bojangles/Miller Lite picnic tailgate just two blocks from the stadium on Sunday. IF YOU WANT TO BUY TICKETS FOR THIS WEEKEND, CLICK HERE… If you are already booked on the WNST Miller Lite Roadtrip to Carolina your party passes are INCLUDED in our package. There will be no party at the Tilted Kilt in Charlotte — our group outgrew the space there and we had to move the party to a bigger location! I’ve never, ever seen this volume of interest or email for parties. I think half of Baltimore is headed to Charlotte this weekend! These events WILL sell out so please plan to join us and sign up early!!! TICKETS TO BOTH

Hey Baltimore sports fans, it’s Twitter not Spitter

Nestor Aparicio

The game is all set for Thursday night and I’m all set to jump a plane to Birmingham, Alabama and make my usual drive through the lovely eastern part of the South toward Atlanta for another Georgia Dome visit and a Thursday night date with Matt Ryan and my old pal Mike Smith’s Falcons. Now that Le’Ron McClain has been found innocent by Park Avenue, I suppose we can move the topic from “spitter” to “Twitter”. If you are NOT “on Twitter” (as they say) let me make an impassioned plea for you to try it tomorrow night and follow along (or just follow from the front page here at WNST.net or in our LIVE CHAT) and see all the fun you’re missing by not getting completely caught up in the mobile fun of gameday with feedback. Over the last 18 months, WNST.net has moved from a “little radio station” into the most-viewed and relevant Baltimore sports media site in the new media space. Come see what all of the fuss is about tomorrow night when we crush the coverage of the Falcons-Ravens game. Along with Chris Pika and Glenn Clark, we’ll be in Atlanta. Thyrl will be at HighTopps

Ray Lewis past, present and future: Will he be a Ray of Light in the future?

Nestor Aparicio

The really interesting part of watching all of this Baltimore football history unfold around me in so many ways is watching us all age. I don’t think there was a person in the stadium Sunday that didn’t have some anchor to identify emotions that are tied to the 2000 Ravens and what that Super Bowl did for the spirit and soul of our community during 2001. And there was no one in the crowd who wasn’t 10 years younger and wasn’t thinking about pulling out whatever Whiskey Joe’s memories or whatever emotional bond we all have to Jan. 28, 2001. These stories and memories have surfaced with a variety of interesting and fun comments on Facebook this week but all of this Super Bowl XXXV frivolity – and apparently the Ravens had one whopper of an internal party on Saturday night with all sorts of interesting “fallout” – has made us all misty

Ray Lewis past, present and future: Celebrating the Ray of today

Nestor Aparicio

People still ask me every day of my life what Ray Lewis is like and if I don’t put forth any other theories about No. 52 over the next few days just know this: he is very complex and leads a complicated and very full life with tons of responsibilities and obligations that I wouldn’t care to list or profess to know a whole lot about. But I’m convinced there’s no time for “down time” being Ray Lewis circa Nov. 2010. And I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t want to trade places in life with him. Because I really don’t think it’s easy being Ray Lewis. First, I’m not around the team six days a week anymore. Because I’m running this awesome web and new media company that occupies every waking moment of my existence these days and I because I have the great Glenn Clark to chase the team every day as Baltimore’s best Ravens beat reporter, I only encounter Ray Lewis twice a week – on Wednesday during media day and Sunday after the games in the locker room. Despite my 15 years of ups and downs with him, I’m just another guy with a microphone and a

Ray Lewis past, present and future: Is it safe to say the Ghost of Ray has passed?

Nestor Aparicio

I was sitting in a Canton restaurant six weeks ago doing a WNST.net sales presentation and out of the corner of my eye I caught a purple flash. There, larger than life was the familiar sight of Ray Lewis coming down on Darren Sproles on the San Diego turf last fall on all of the flat screens at once in a jarring HD highlight reel, then pounding more running backs, belting quarterbacks and creating that beautiful purple havoc that we’ve grown to love to watch on Sunday afternoons in Baltimore. The volume was down but it didn’t take me long to realize that Steve Sabol and a series of former Ravens coaches were doing a roundtable conversation about the career of Ray Lewis and I realized this was the NFL Films special that was shot in Orlando back during the NFL Owners Meetings that I attended. It was the same day when I spent time with all of these same people – Jack Del Rio, Mike Smith, Marvin Lewis, Rex Ryan, Mike Singletary – for a coffee table conversation book I’m working on about the lineage of Baltimore coaching and leadership. In case you missed any of the segments on

Reed, Ayanbadejo activated from PUP, Gaither to IR and E. Jones released

Luke Jones

Ed Reed is officially back. In a move first reported Friday night, the Ravens have officially activated Reed from the Physically Unable to Perform list, meaning the All-Pro safety will see his first action of the season against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday after missing the first six weeks of the season while still recovering from offseason hip surgery. Also returning from the PUP list is linebacker and special teams standout Brendon Ayanbadejo, who suffered a torn quadriceps against the New England Patriots last October. Speculation had persisted that the team would wait until after next week’s bye to activate Ayanbadejo, but the 34-year-old will instead see his first action in over a year on Sunday. To clear room on the 53-man roster, the Ravens placed offensive tackle Jared Gaither on Injured Reserve and released reserve linebacker Edgar Jones. The move ends Gaither’s season and perhaps his career in Baltimore. The projected starting right tackle had only practiced once since Aug. 5 after suffering a thoracic disc injury on the first day of full-squad practice in Westminster. The roster move ends a tumultuous year for Gaither, who battled a foot injury during the OTA schedule and unexpectedly reported to training

Reliving Super Bowl XXXV glory means so much more to Baltimore

Luke Jones

We’re always told not to live in the past in all walks of life, and the devotion to our sports teams is no exception. It’s the same accusation we spew toward our adversaries in western Pennsylvania who constantly bring up their team’s six Super Bowl rings — particularly the four won in the 1970s — as a measure to claim their superiority over Baltimore and its fans. We should always be looking forward instead of celebrating past achievements in the rear-view mirror, right? In contrast, Baltimoreans tend to romanticize the 2000 season in which the Ravens rose from relative anonymity in their fifth season to capture the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The feat emphatically recaptured Baltimore’s place in the National Football League after a 12-year absence had left the tradition-rich city without an identity — or professional football. The lackluster offense and poor quarterback play that led to a five-game touchdown drought left those Ravens with a mortal 5-4 record before embarking on an 11-game winning streak to close the season as the top team in the NFL. It’s the ultimate case study that has provided hope in nearly every season since, as fans overlook the Ravens’ deficiencies — such as

Was Sunday a 'Dilfer-like' epiphany for Flacco?

Luke Jones

You just knew it was coming. On a rainy, dreary start to the work week in Baltimore, fans bask in the afterglow of one of the finest regular season wins in franchise history. The Ravens went to Pittsburgh and did exactly what they had been unable to do since 2006. Ben Roethlisberger or not — and Steelers fans are doing everything they can to remind you the Super Bowl-winning quarterback was missing from yesterday’s game — critics can no longer question whether Joe Flacco can win at Heinz Field. The third-year quarterback finally orchestrated a game-winning, comeback drive in the final seconds, even if a major assist went to the Baltimore defense for setting him up on a short field. And with Sunday’s win vaulting the Ravens into the national eye as the slight front runner among legitimate Super Bowl contenders at the quarter pole, I began thinking about Trent Dilfer. Yes, he is still the most revered quarterback in franchise history with the Ravens sporting a laundry list of failures and journeymen at the quarterback position over their 15-year history. With Sunday’s enormous victory, someone had to bring up the Super Bowl XXXV winners and the quarterback who led

Bench Flacco for Bulger? Are you people on dope?

Nestor Aparicio

In the era of the internet, it doesn’t take long to ferret out the bitchers, moaners, whiners, complainers and bridge jumpers on a fall NFL Sunday afternoon. Being the social media zealot that I am, it’s easy to feel the temperature of the never-ending Baltimore “barstool” here at WNST.net during our Purple Haze live chats as well as all over Facebook and Twitter during games. For an old fart like me, it’s quite compelling (if not entertaining) to gauge the shaky and ever-changing morale of the purple fan base during each possession, each drive and each success and failure by the Ravens. To say Sunday’s performance by Joe Flacco was a hot button would be an understatement. I could only hope that the Orioles 14-year free-fall would have such relevance and concern to the Baltimore sports community. Sure, Flacco stunk. He stunk early and often and looked bewildered at different points during the first half of a 5-for-18, 23-yard first half. The second half started with a solo burst of offensive success as Flacco led the team into the Bengals’ end zone on the initial drive but in the end it wasn’t good enough as he threw four interceptions in

Is Mark Sanchez really a fruitcake? We’ll find out tonight as Ravens visit Jets

Nestor Aparicio

If you don’t watch Hard Knocks on HBO, you won’t get the humor in the headline but I have a hunch you will be watching tonight as eight months of sports silence in Baltimore and a revenge game on national TV for Jets coach Rex Ryan should whet your appetite for the deliciousness of the next 17 weeks and beyond. Tonight, the Ravens finally play football. For real… I have been quite silent this summer as the Orioles have continued to tank it en route to a last-place finish but today I recommit to telling you what I think during the football season. I’ve been busy 24 hours a day building the new WNST.net that many of you are enjoying daily via our many means to reach you: the Morning Newspaper, text service, Facebook, Twitter, AM 1570, this very website at WNST.net, etc. The Orioles are winning and no one is watching while the Ravens have been dormant since that dark night in Indianapolis eight months ago but have once again captured the imagination not only of the local marketplace but they’ve become the national media darlings and are expected to be in Dallas in early February by many pundits.

A Dear John letter…

Nestor Aparicio

Dear John: It’s Pittsburgh week here and we’re finally on the cusp of getting to the promised land of having

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