Perhaps we need a coach who has been effective with grooming young quarterbacks. We just might have our franchise quarterback in our young heisman trophy winner.
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As you know, there will be a new coach. Whatever that means for the QB situation, well, we'll see. My guess is that it certainly is the end of experimenting with Boller
-- Bill O.

What do you make of the verbal committment Bisciotti made to Billick a few months back? Did things change that dramatically for Steve between then and now or do you think he knew then that he'd be pulling the plug on Billick at the end of the season?
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Rob,
Jamison Hensley in his most recent update had Bisciotti saying that he gave indications that he was bringing back Billick but not a promise. Make of that what you will. However, Bisciotti said he simply changed his mind.
-- Bill O.

This is the beginning of a complete change not just the coaching. The veterans who have been coddled and give free range will now have to adjust to a new boss and that will bring problems. All those who think that Billick was the problem will now have the opportunity to see if they were right.

Prediction: Rex Ryan takes over as head coach. Rob Ryan comes in to coach defense. No-name QB genius comes in to coach offense.

Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think he earned the dismissal.

He sacrificed every offensive coordinator he had to protect himself from responsibility for the constant, anemic offense.

His teams got more & more undisciplined as his tenure continued and they looked less and less prepared week after week this year to the point where it appeared that the offense had just met each other in pregame drills.

That's the coach's job...to get his team physically & mentally prepared to play every week.

Whether he couldn't tell when they weren't ready to play or could and did nothing about it, I don't know.

But, either way, he didn't do the job.

It was time. I respect and appreciate what Billick did for the Raven's and for Baltimore. I hear that the final decision was influenced by Bisciotti asking players in the locker room before the Pitt game whether Billick had "lost" them and if so, could he get them back. The answers were yes, he's lost us and no, he can't get us back. End of story. Here's to a new era for Baltimore. It might take some time, but we will head in a positive direction. Go Raven's in 08!

Billick did a lot of good in this town and he should be remembered for that. His biggest mistake was being loyal to adult, professional players who didn't return that respect and performance to him. I can't imagine Art Modell would have handled this personnel move in this fashion.

It would appear that all of the disappointments of the last few years devolve back to the decision to draft Kyle Boller; and then force-feed him upon the organization to justify the expense of the first and third round picks. Had Billick and Ozzie been willing to write off Boller as the HUGE mistake that he was/is; things would be far different now.

I like Rex as Head Coach and Rob on Defense. A defensive coach has to understand Offense, and what better person then Rex to build a new offense!! And the players love Rex.

Love the Rex and Rob show on D.
What do you think of Mike Martz for offensive coordinator? or Sam Wyche
Both are great with young QB's.
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Ken,
Martz is reportedly about to be fired in Detroit and I believe Sam has had some physical issues that might be a factor.
-- Bill O.

Billick is laughing all the way to the bank. He took a team assembled by another regime and went to the Super Bowl. With all the talent on the Ravens back then, they should have made several more runs. Billick did not work very hard to come up with special game plans and he constantly spouted positive thinking nonsense that was a smokescreen for his shortcomings. He will probably become a TV commentator and get paid a lot of dough in addition to his golden parachute with the Ravens. God Bless America. This guy is slicker than P.T. Barnum.

I think Brian Billick is a good guy. He was there for his players, but his failure to energize the offense was his biggest problem. The "smash mouth" is dead and gone. The NFL is an offensive game now. The rules have been adjusted to favor the offense. We need a coach who will take control back from the players and have more discipline. Bring in an offensive mind coach with fresh new ideas and who can get the most out of the players Baltimore is going to keep.

A change was needed. No matter who came in as O-coordinator Billick would have input as to who it was and hence, we all would get the same offense..one that was not working. Time to clean house and those who don't like the new coach..well, go and get out because we don't need to totally tear this thing down unless it is necessary. Health is the biggest issue and few cogs here and there and there is a enough talent to make a run again...promote Rex, promote the LB coach who is highly touted by Rex as the next D-coordinator...bring in a proven offense mind (not a hyped one like Brian was)...and we don't need a genius, just an effective O-coordinator...add a player here and there...we'll have a 4th place schedule...if done right, we'll all sample the post season again...maybe as soon as next year.
A coach will always be undercut by a divided or lost locker room and it will show up on the playing field no matter what the sport is. Brian had a good run but it was clear he started losing the locker room over 2 years ago. It was time. If it is not Rex as the next head coach, which would be a proviabial slap in the face, then I would hope for someone with a strong presence and one that commands respect...like the big jaw himself Bill Cowher! I don't see Rob Ryan leaving the Raiders and I don't see Martz coming here either.
Well I kow some Ravens fans got their New Year's wish...the same ones wishing for Peter to sell the O's..well that won't happen...he'll leave the team to his sons...you thought Peter was bad...I have insiders that tell me his sons are worse. So the moral of the story...be careful what you wish for my MD brothers and sisters!!!
Just give me a .500 seasons O's...a franchise QB for the Ravens (if Troy is not it...jury is out until preseason)...and another Ravens playoff run...is that too much to wish for? Peace.

When the inmates run the asylum there can be nothing but trouble.

For those who think Billick took "talent" that was assembled prior to his arrival...........

What was the Ravens record prior to him coming here? 16-31-1 Where in there is any indication that there was talent? We sucked prior to him coming here. I agree that a change was needed, but do not minimize the contribution he made to instilling a culture of winning in the franchise.

What now?

Don't you fire the head coach with some sort of gameplan for his replacement?

Brian Billick should be remembered for the good things he did for this team. A lot of comments state that he lost the locker room. He did. He didn't keep a tight riegn on the "super stars" of the team. This is also true. But he brought a lot of pride back to Baltimore, with the Super Bowl run. And, he was very entertaining at times. But I agree that the Ravens need a change. Hopefully, Steve and Ozzie take their time and do this right. Let's not use the retreads that have been used by half the teams in the league. There are some great young minds out there that deserve a chance to take on a Head Coaching position. Look at the teams that are putting up the big offensive numbers this year. The o-coordinators from the Patriots and the Cowboys, should be concidered. But I also like Rex Ryan. It seems that the better Defensive coordinators have done great jobs with their teams offensive output!! Just a thought.

Hey- give me $15 M to sit around the next 3 years and I could learn to cope...

Bout Time!!

Game Management, Clock Management, Play Calling, Practice Regimine-----------BADDD!!!

Got caught off guard by the onsides kick last night------And if your a coach and you know your opponent is running out of time----The onsides is very possible---napping again!

A comment to Chris P's note: If we would have used Magahee correctly we would have one two or three more games----Smash mouth is preferred----Ask any decent coach and he will tell you if he can run the ball he will. We need an effecient passing game and a better Quarterback to run the NEW ATTACK. We need to push the ball up the field a bit more when we throw. We need one gadget play per game, just to keep opponents guessing.

Walt S

Why would you want to bring back anyone from this current coaching staff? Rex Ryan was in the right place at the right time. Before that there was Mike Nolan and Marvin Lewis. Lewis and Nolan and Jack Del RIo were the ones that laid the foundation for the defense.Remember Buddy Ryan? Great "D" coordinator but not a great head coach.

The Ravens have a great front office, Whomever Steve and Ozzie select will be best for the team. We have no choice but to trust them. Have faith.

It has just been reported that Billick called Jim Fossil to ask if they could become best friends again. Jim was rushed to the nearest hospital after an uncontrolable laughing disorder. Jim will be fine.

The guy who said Peter Angelos' sons are even worse than the father is correct, from what I've heard. It will be a rocky road.

Baltimore may be in for a rocky road as far as the Ravens are concerned as well, since Bisciotti has laid down his marker as not a man of his word. "Make of it what you will," the reporter writes.

Will a winner want to work in such an organization for such a devious and/or indecisive guy? Can you picture the next Parcells or Belicheck(?) agreeing to work under Bisciotti?

Don't hold your breath--and good luck to all in Baltimore in the New Year.

The time was long past due on Billick. I don't know why Ozzie gets a pass, though. It is now obvious that Phil Savage was the one making the shrewd personnel decisions. I honestly wouldn't mind if they blew up the whole team and started from scratch with some professionals -- i.e., players who play harder and thump their chest less. Ray Lewis' act is getting tiresome. Ed Reed is a gifted player who would rather play "Lone Ranger" than teammate. If J.O. goes, one of our first picks needs to be a stud O-Lineman because neither Terry, Gaitiher or Yanda is a legit tackle at this point. Rolle needs to go. We need a cover corner and a nickel back. Cory Ivy may be the worst CB I've seen in decades of watching and covering pro football. Troy Smith certainly hasn't proven he's the answer, although he deserves to compete for one of the three QB spots next year. If they bring back McNair, I'll be as disgusted as I was about them waiting so long to fire Billick and will not watch any games with Mr. Sissy Arm at QB. They still need a legitimate deep threat at WR. It wouldn't break my heart if Mason was cut loose if it helps the salary cap situation. He had 103 catches, half of which were for three yards or less. I would like to see a wholesale infusion of really talented younsters that would grow together on the field and bring a whole new culture to the locker room. Perhaps a whole new group would give the new coach a chance to start something new and exciting. Maybe I'm naive, but there have to be some players around that "get it", rather than spend 24 hours a day kissing themselves and preening in front of a mirror. I wouldn't mind Ryan as HC and Martz as OC, but Martz is supposedly headed to SF. Anyway, I am enthused about the prospect of a new beginning. With Billick, there never was ANY chance our offense was going to be anything but putrid. Happy New Year!

Good riddance to bad rubbish. It's a good day in B-More, baby!!

I have no problem with Billick falling now, but I hope everyone remembers what is was like before he arrived. ..the Baltimore Ravens mattered so little people didn't even make fun of us...we were simply non-existent. Good luck Brian and thanks.

Are the Ravens looking for any minorities for the head coaching job. I would not mind Rex getting a shot, but since Biscotti has blown up the entire coaching staff, we need to continue with a racially diverse group.
Billick had lost some of the positive regard after the Grbec fiasco. Grbec clearly had some issues. Continuing to not only stick with Boller and give him false accolades simply doomed him.

Now that the wicked witch is gone, we can look forward to some progress. I, like a lot of fans, want Rex to have his shot. He knows the players on both sides of the ball and their abilities. That goes a long way. If not Rex, then I vote for Josh from New England.

Best case scenario, Make Josh from New England head coach and retain Rex as defensive co-coordinator, and bring in a strong candidate for offensive coordinator.

Rex as head coach is not a bad idea. It's hard in most situations in life to adjust to chance when it's everything and all at once. Rex, gives the team an anchor. My fear is, if Steve doesn't give Rex is forty acres an a mule, we will lose him to another team. I can see the day coming when we has fans can hold our heads up high and finally said we have the best defense and OFFENSE in the NFL. Here's to 2008.

Long overdue. THE most overrated coach ever. Well, maybe except for Spurrier. This man won because of the fire within Ray Lewis. Period. Ray Lewis and crew of great veterans took the hapless 2000 Ravens onto their backs and won a Super Bowl IN SPITE of Billick. As Ray's talent's have declined, so have the results of the team. I have no idea why anyone thought this blow-hard had coaching skill. Show me a mediocre player that he pulled up...anyone? NO! He pulled DOWN good players. He never had a QB? WHAT? He had a Super Bowl winner and threw him away in Dilfer. The he had a pro-bowler in Grbac who he made cry and who retired rather than play again. HE wanted Boller. HE threw out Anderson. My God...even Redman looks good in Atlanta. Then he tried to refuse to start Smith...why? Because Kyle is the future. Future of WHAT? Perhaps Kyle should move in with Billick in his new farm. Thanks Billick for taking what should have been a 10 year run and making it a 2 year heart-breaker...

Time for Marty as head coach-he'll weed out the trouble makers and get respect back where it belongs.And,his offensive coach,Cameron, will be available soon from Miami.They did pretty well in San Diego.At least this gives you a duo that has produced before.

Marty has never produced in the playoffs. He is a great regular season coach, but it ends there.

Time for Marty as head coach-he'll weed out the trouble makers and get respect back where it belongs.And,his offensive coach,Cameron, will be available soon from Miami.They did pretty well in San Diego.At least this gives you a duo that has produced before.

Good trio? Rex as Head Coach, Rob as Def Coord and Mike Martz as Off Coord.?

Modell really screwed Cleveland. Where he is in all of this? How come nobody mentioned that? Beyond that, Billick is just another chump. As a Browns fan, I'm sorry to see him go. Wish Oz would come back to our side!

Seriously now, Bilick is just another one of those opportunistic coaches who makes the best of someone elses success. He got lucky.