Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Questions for the Ravens Blogger

by Rexx on Nov 26, 2008 9:35 AM EST Comment 10 comments

Hey guys, remember me? This is Rexx, the lead blogger over at Baltimore Beatdown. A lot has happened since we started off our surprisingly successful season with a win over you guys. Although the teams are heading in differenct directions at this point in the season, the Bengals are still a dangerous team and could lull an opponent into thinking they can just walk in and you'll lay down for us. Unfortunately, that just doesn't happen in the NFL and if the Ravens take the Bengals lightly, you'll gladly whip us and severely damage our playoff chances.

While I don't see that happening, you may feel differently. So drop me some questions and comments and I'll be back the rest of the week to answer and trade talk with you about our two teams, just from a different perspective than a Bengals fan. At the same time, feel free to stop by our site to post your comments and opinions as well. Feel free to talk trash, but no personal attacks (like the Browns' fans do all the time) just because you don't like our poster's opinions. Thanks!

See you!

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Questions

1) I’ll be the first to admit that I’m surprised by the Ravens success, especially considering all the new pieces you’ve added over the off-season. What addition during the off-season (player, coach, whatever) would you say is the most significant?

2) Willie Anderson was loved in Cincinnati, and I make no bones that he was my favorite player during his time here, even though he lost a step, he was a leader and a friend to all his teammates. How has Big Willie worked out for your offensive line?

3) Ed Reed and Ray Lewis do not appear to have lost a step. Of your entire defense, which player is the one that Bengals fans might not know about, that’s risen since we last met during the first week?

4) What’s Joe Flacco’s best strength (his arm, his decision-making, maturity, leadership, patience, etc..)?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 26, 2008 10:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Answers

1. You’ve got to point to rookie QB Joe Flacco. Not even part of consideration at the start of Training Camp to be the starter, he ended up by default (injuries) getting the last two exhibition game starts and just ook over from there. He is still a rookie but playing well above what anyone could have imagined. In the Ravens last five victories, he has ZERO turnovers. Ray Rice has made an impact a RB, Fabian Washington and Jim Leonhard on defense and of course head coach John Harbaugh and new o-coordinator Cam cameron deserve props as well..
2. Willie has been a welcome addition. He never complained about his original backup role but has come in and played great, regardless of losing a step. And yes, he appears to be a great teammate and was hurt by his release by the Bengals.
3. Everyone says that Ray is old and has lost a step. He is the smartest player in the league, pores over tape every week and is stilll the best sideline to sideline. Evey team gameplans for him and therefore, neglects the lesser known players. LB Jarret Johnson is a great example, as he has played like a beast. DT Haloti Ngata has two interceptions and keeps the o-linemen off of Ray. Ed Reed is Ed reed, and despite having a hurt neck/shoulder, looked like the old Ed Reed in the win over the Eagles.
4. Flacco has the pocket poise of a veteran, sometimes too much. He can run better than his 6’6" size should, although he is no speed demon. His arm is as strong as any in the league and once he gets his accuracy down will be a star in this league for a long time.
Great questions, keep ’em coming. Thanks!

Rexx

by Rexx on Nov 26, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ray

I believe that Ray Lewis’s contract is up after this year. Do you see the Ravens going after him, and do you think Ray would be willing to go elsewhere (to an under achieving team, with a former D-Coordinator as head coach), for more money?

I think if he still have some gas left in the tank, that he could play a major role steering the Bengals in the right direction.

by R.F. Mehl on Nov 26, 2008 4:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good question.

Because from my outside understanding, Ray Lewis is as big of a leader inside the lockerroom as he is on the field. Furthermore, isn’t Ray like some de facto person that players go to for advice? Chad went to him once.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Nov 26, 2008 6:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ray is the mentor for the younger guys

Plus, players throughout the entire league (85 included) have gone to him for football and other career advice. There is a huge University of Miami presence in the league and it seems Ray is the defacto “head” of the “U.” They all seem to work out together in the offseason, regardless of what NFL team they now play for. Despite the media and fans, I can’t think of another player that garners the respect of Ray Lewis. That is why his contribution is so much more than just between the whote lines each Sunday.

If you’ve been to a Ravens game and seen how he enters from the tunnel through the smoke and flames, and does his dance to get the fans stoked, you’d understand. It never gets old for me and the other fans who see it each home game. You just have to be there to understand.

Rexx

by Rexx on Nov 26, 2008 7:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i’ll add..you might pick up Billick to get you to .500 and motivate you. i’m not a big fan of his but for .500 he’ll get that and is a great bs’r for damage control.

by raven on Nov 30, 2008 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ray will stay

Ray Lewis and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti have become close friends. Bisciotti said he will do whatever it takes to keep Ray in a Ravens uniform through the end of his career. We will pay what it takes to make sure he finishes as a Raven. I am not worried about this at all. Sorry to disappoint you guys.

Rexx

by Rexx on Nov 26, 2008 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bisciotti?

What happened, is Art Modell dead? If so, we’d like to send you a brand new one by the name of Mike Brown, who is this particular WKRP’s Mr. Carlson.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Nov 26, 2008 10:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bisciotti bought the team in 2003 I think

Art Modell is still alive, but in poor health. I’ll pass on Mike Brown however.

by math_geek on Nov 26, 2008 10:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is a big issue w/ me.

Yes, Steve Bisciotti bought the team from Modell over two years. He is now majority owner (I actually think the Modell’s still have 5%) and is a great one, having learned from Modell to leave the decisionmaking to the experts, Ozzie, etc. (hear that Peter Angelos, owner of the Baltimore Orioles!?). Anyway, the Cleveland fans hate Modell so much they’ve made it their passion to do whatever it takes to keep him out of the Hall of Fame. Had he not moved the team, he would have been first ballot Hall of Famer for all he did for the NFL. Did you know that at the time of the sale, he was the only owner in the NFL whose only business was owning an NFL team? He didn’t have the finances behind him like a lot of the other owners (Jerry Jones, Daniel Snyder) that made and continue to make their money in oil, etc. Therefore when he began to run out of miney he went to the Mayor of Cleveland to ask for help and a new stadium to raise revenues. When they refused he had no other choice and while we Baltimore fans wanted and tried the legitimate way to get an NFL expansion team but were stonewalled by then-Commissioner Tagliabue, we finally opened our arms and wallets to Art.

He is in poor health and it would be a travesty of justice not to induct him in the Hall before he passes away. I know the Browns’ fans are bitter over this, but it still jerks my chain every time I hear his name.

Rexx

by Rexx on Nov 27, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs