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Ravens players react to Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy

Luke Jones

As we all try to process the unthinkable tragedy that took place in Newtown, Conn. on Friday that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the news devastated me not only as a person but as a former educator. Taking great pride in my five years as a fifth grade teacher, I struggle to find words to respond to such a heinous act. When I was teaching, we would conduct lockdown drills several times a year and I would always have at least a few students — older than the ones at Sandy Hook, mind you — who would grow uneasy, even though they were fully aware that we were only conducting a drill. As we gathered in a corner of the room with the classroom door locked and the lights off, I would always reassure my kids by saying there was a 99.9 percent chance that we’d never need to do this because of a dangerous situation, but we needed to be prepared just in case. The thought of that 0.1-percent scenario actually playing out breaks my heart as I found myself thinking about the hundreds of students I worked with over

Yanda, Pollard absent from practice for third straight day

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Two more players returned to the practice field for the Ravens on Friday, but the status of Pro Bowl guard Marshal Yanda and safety Bernard Pollard remains in doubt as both missed their third straight workout ahead of Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos. Fullback Vonta Leach (ankle) and defensive end Pernell McPhee (thigh) were present and dressed out to practice for the first time this week during the portion open for media viewing, but Yanda (ankle) and Pollard (chest) haven’t practiced all week. Yanda is dealing with a significant ankle sprain while Pollard aggravated the sore ribs he’s played with for most of the season. Should neither Yanda nor Pollard play this weekend, Bobbie Williams and James Ihedigbo would presumably fill in at their positions. Linebackers Ray Lewis (triceps), Terrell Suggs (biceps), and Dannell Ellerbe (ankle), defensive lineman Arthur Jones (shoulder), tight end Ed Dickson (knee), and running backs Ray Rice (hip) and Bernard Pierce (back) were all present after all practiced in some capacity on Thursday. Of that group, the three linebackers are considered to be the only question marks. Lewis remains on injured reserve and would need to be placed on the 53-man

New offensive coordinator Caldwell planning to call plays from booth

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Holding court with the media for the first time since being promoted to the Ravens’ offensive coordinator position, Jim Caldwell plans to remain in the same spot during game days as he did as the quarterbacks coach. Caldwell worked from the upstairs booth during previous games and plans to remain there in his first game since succeeding Cam Cameron in the play-calling duties. Wide receivers coach Jim Hostler will then be on the sideline and relay Caldwell’s calls to quarterback Joe Flacco “That’s my plan, but obviously, that could change,” Caldwell said. “Whatever John [Harbaugh] wants me to do, that’s where I’ll be. At this point, that’s where I plan to be.” Calling plays from upstairs will not only give Caldwell a better view of what the defense is trying to do but will keep him away from the chaotic nature of an NFL sideline with players and staff members often chirping in the heat of the moment during game action. He has received tips from Hostler, who served as the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers in 2007. Despite having never served as an offensive coordinator before, Caldwell expressed confidence in his ability to

Ravens CB Asa Jackson suspended four games by NFL

Luke Jones

Ravens rookie cornerback Asa Jackson has been suspended four games for a violation of the NFL’s performance enhancing drugs policy, the league announced Tuesday. The fifth-round pick from Cal Poly will begin his suspension immediately, meaning he will miss the final three games of the regular season and not be eligible for reinstatement until the day following the Ravens’ first potential postseason game. “We are aware of this matter, but due to the confidentiality of the program, we are unable to provide additional comment on the situation,” the Ravens said in a released statement. Jackson was inactive for the first 10 games before playing in the Ravens’ last three contests due to injury problems at the cornerback position. He has recorded one special-teams tackle but has yet to see any time as a defensive player. The Ravens hadn’t announced a corresponding roster move as of Tuesday afternoon.

Ravens' playoff picture for Week 15

Luke Jones

Picking up the pieces from a difficult 31-28 overtime loss to the Redskins and the subsequent firing of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron on Monday, the Ravens still have a clear path to the postseason entering Week 15. Baltimore has done everything but mathematically clinch a trip to the postseason for the fifth straight year. Only one Powerball-like scenario exists in which the Ravens would miss the postseason that involves the Ravens losing their last three games, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati both winning in Weeks 15 and 17, and those two playing to a tie in their Week 16 meeting. The Ravens can clinch their second straight AFC North division title with a win over the Denver Broncos or losses by both the Steelers and the Bengals this week. Another extremely unlikely scenario exists in which the Raven could secure the division crown with a tie , a Pittsburgh loss or tie, and a Cincinnati loss or tie. Beating Peyton Manning and the red-hot Broncos won’t be an easy chore, but the Ravens will at least have their ticket for the postseason officially punched by way of a tie with Denver, a Cincinnati loss or tie, or a Pittsburgh loss or tie.

Yanda, McClain exit Sunday's loss with injuries

Luke Jones

LANDOVER, Md. — The Ravens added injury to the insult of a disappointing 31-28 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins with the loss of two more starters on Sunday. Pro Bowl right guard Marshal Yanda exited in the fourth quarter with a right ankle injury and didn’t return while starting inside linebacker Jameel McClain left Sunday’s game in the third quarter with a neck injury and was sidelined for the remainder of the afternoon. Coach John Harbaugh confirmed X-rays were negative on McClain’s neck. “That’s good news,” Harbaugh said of the preliminary results. The immediate status of Yanda remains a mystery as there was much concern over his injured ankle following the game. The sixth-year lineman was helped to the sideline as he put no weight on his right leg before being carted to the locker room. Following the loss, Yanda left the Ravens locker room using crutches but was able to put some weight on the ankle as he moved to the team bus. Veteran Bobbie Williams filled in at right guard in Yanda’s absence while McClain was replaced by former practice squad member Josh Bynes in the second half. The Ravens were already without starting inside linebacker Dannell

Morning Reaction Picks and Comment – Week 14

Luke Jones

Here are this weekend’s picks as The Morning Reaction will pick every NFL game this season. Drew Forrester finished 10-6 last week while Luke Jones was 8-8 in Week 13. Forrester is 128-62 through 13 weeks and Jones is 122-68 overall. Official standings are only kept based on the NFL picks. (Editor’s note: Drew and Luke both correctly picked Denver to beat Oakland on Thursday night.) To hear their full explanations, click HERE. Ravens at Redskins: Baltimore 22-17 (Drew), Baltimore 27-24 (Luke) Chiefs at Browns: Cleveland 20-16 (Drew), Cleveland 20-17 (Luke) Chargers at Steelers: Pittsburgh 27-20 (Drew), Pittsburgh 23-17 (Luke) Cowboys at Bengals: Cincinnati 30-17 (Drew), Dallas 27-20 (Luke) Titans at Colts: Indianapolis 38-10 (Drew), Indianapolis 31-21 (Luke) Jets at Jaguars: New York 19-10 (Drew), Jacksonville 13-12 (Luke) Bears at Vikings: Minnesota 24-21 (Drew), Chicago 24-20 (Luke) Falcons at Panthers: Atlanta 23-20 (Drew), Atlanta 25-14 (Luke) Eagles at Buccaneers: Tampa Bay 33-17 (Drew), Tampa Bay 27-16 (Luke) Rams at Bills: Buffalo 31-20 (Drew), Buffalo 21-20 (Luke) Dolphins at 49ers: San Francisco 27-3 (Drew), San Francisco 26-13 (Luke) Saints at Giants: New York 41-33 (Drew), New York 31-24 (Luke) Cardinals at Seahawks: Seattle 27-9 (Drew), Seattle 21-17 (Luke) Lions at Packers:

J. Smith returns to practice; Suggs, Ellerbe, Dickson absent on Wednesday

Luke Jones

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — On the same day linebacker Ray Lewis returned to the practice field, the Ravens also saw second-year cornerback Jimmy Smith in action for the first time since undergoing sports hernia surgery. Smith practiced on a limited basis Wednesday in his first on-field activity since before having the surgical procedure on Nov. 15. Coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week he expected the cornerback to increase his level of activity, but it was unclear whether he meant Smith would be on the practice field. “Jimmy Smith continues to get better, so he will be moving around a little this week,” Harbaugh said on Monday. “We’ll see how that goes.” The Ravens were without three starters as linebackers Terrell Suggs and Dannell Ellerbe and tight end Ed Dickson did not partake in Wednesday’s practice. Suggs declared himself a “game-time decision” against the Washington Redskins as he tries to play through a torn right biceps. Ellerbe and Dickson were both given “a chance” to return to action this week after missing last Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of the two players, Ellerbe is considered to be further along than the Ravens’ starting tight end. Since Lewis has not

Suggs exits in fourth quarter with arm injury

Luke Jones

Suffering a surprising 23-20 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers to snap a 15-game home losing streak, the Ravens hope that’s the only significant loss suffered on Sunday after linebacker Terrell Suggs left the game in the fourth quarter. The five-time Pro Bowl selection left the field holding his right arm, signaling to the training staff immediately as he walked to the sideline. He was soon thereafter taken to the locker room for further examination, and the Ravens only confirmed he had left the game with an arm injury and didn’t return. “No immediate word on Terrell Suggs,” coach John Harbaugh said after the game. Suggs declined talking to reporters in the locker room, only declaring he would be “all right” before leaving. Opinions were mixed in the Baltimore locker room on the severity of the arm injury as a few expressed serious concern over Suggs’ status while others thought the linebacker would be fine. Should Suggs miss any extended amount of time, the Ravens would be forced to go back to some combination of Paul Kruger, Courtney Upshaw, and Albert McClellan at the outside linebacker positions. The Ravens can only hope for the best as Suggs is reexamined on Monday.

Ogden, Modell named semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration

Luke Jones

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden and late owner Art Modell were named among the 27 semifinalists in consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013 on Friday. The first ever draft pick of the Ravens in 1996, Ogden was taken with the fourth overall pick and played 12 seasons in Baltimore, earning trips to 11 Pro Bowls as he was regarded as the best left tackle in the league for a large portion of his career. Ogden was a key member of the Super Bowl XXXV championship team of the 2000 season. Modell was the longtime owner of the Cleveland Browns before moving his franchise to Baltimore in 1996 and maintained control of the Ravens as they raised the Vince Lombardi Trophy for the owner’s first Super Bowl title. Current Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti bought the team from Modell, purchasing a 49-percent stake in 2000 before acquiring the remaining majority stake in 2004. Despite being regarded as a pioneer in viewing television as having a prominent role in taking the NFL to unprecedented heights, Modell’s candidacy for the Hall of Fame has been thwarted on multiple occasions in the past because of the controversial move

Morning Reaction Picks and Comment – Week 13

Luke Jones

Here are this weekend’s picks as The Morning Reaction will pick every NFL game this season. Drew Forrester finished 11-5 last week while Luke Jones was 7-9 in Week 12. Forrester is 118-56 through 12 weeks and Jones is 114-60 overall. Official standings are only kept based on the NFL picks. (Editor’s note: Drew and Luke both correctly picked Atlanta to beat New Orleans on Thursday night.) To hear their full explanations, click HERE. Steelers at Ravens: Baltimore 30-10 (Drew), Baltimore 23-13 (Luke) Seahawks at Bears: Chicago 24-16 (Drew), Chicago 27-17 (Luke) Vikings at Packers: Green Bay 34-17 (Drew), Green Bay 31-14 (Luke) 49ers at Rams: San Francisco 27-10 (Drew), San Francisco 26-13 (Luke) Cardinals at Jets: New York 20-10 (Drew), New York 13-12 (Luke) Panthers at Chiefs: Kansas City 24-13 (Drew), Carolina 14-13 (Luke) Colts at Lions: Indianapolis 23-20 OT (Drew), Detroit 24-21 (Luke) Jaguars at Bills: Jacksonville 24-20 (Drew), Buffalo 21-14 (Luke) Patriots at Dolphins: New England 44-17 (Drew), New England 38-20 (Luke) Texans at Titans: Houston 23-10 (Drew), Houston 17-14 (Luke) Buccaneers at Broncos: Denver 23-21 (Drew), Denver 27-20 (Luke) Browns at Raiders: Oakland 20-17 (Drew), Oakland 17-14 (Luke) Bengals at Chargers: Cincinnati 28-20 (Drew), San Diego

Ngata, Reed, four other Ravens leading way in Pro Bowl voting

Luke Jones

Learning the 9-2 Ravens have six players leading their respective positions in voting for the Pro bowl is no surprise, but the list of names is a change from the past with linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs missing large portions of the season with injuries. Free safety Ed Reed, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, and fullback Vonta Leach each made the Pro Bowl last season for the Ravens and are once again leading their respective positions in the voting. Joining them are cornerback Cary Williams, strong safety Bernard Pollard, and kick returner Jacoby Jones when the latest voting totals were released on Wednesday. Often maligned by Ravens fans, Williams has played better as the season has progressed and is tied for the AFC lead with four interceptions. Pollard leads the team with 82 tackles this season with the perennial leader Lewis being sidelined for the last five games with a torn right triceps. Neither defensive back has been selected to the Pro Bowl in their respective careers. Jones appears to be the favorite in the AFC to go to Honolulu as a kick returner after being named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season. He has returned

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