Bill, isn't Boller already under contract for 2008? Or am I missing something?
--------------------------------------
Kevin,
Thanks for writing. That's true he signed a one-year extension in September. I meant to remove that from the Bodog list. When I get those guys, I'll let them know. Although it occurred to me that they may have meant signing him beyond 2008 but it's unclear.
-- Bill O.

Didn't Boller already re-sign with the Ravens during the year? Is Jim Fassel in the mix seriously? I thought he moved to Antartica because the buzz on him is so low. Talk about taking a team to a Super Bowl and then dissapearing into obscurity.
--------------------------------------------
Rick,
Someone else asked about Boller and I thought the Bodog guys were talking about re-signing him past 2008. But it's clearly unclear so I took the Bollerpart off. It just begs too many questions. And yeah, Fassel has zero chance, that's why I made the comment about taking those odds with at least a small grain of salt.
-- Bill O.

Just as someone who commutes from Baltimore to Iowa City to see Ferentz' teams play live, I am fascinated and discomfited by his enduring appeal to the NFL (and people like Michigan).

I'd certainly take him over a 31 year-old, but the 31 year-old took himself off the board.

I played ball with Jason Garrett's older brother at Oberlin; interesting, thoughtful family. But with this franchise, why experiment?

Thus, given that defense is the soul of this team, I can't imagine that Rex and a strong OC are not the answer. Ending the Rex era imposes huge program risks: you run the risk of the defense declining or imploding, before there's an offense.
---------------------------------------
Thanks for the thoughtful contribution. The more you think about this, the more sense Rex makes. Obviously, the OC is a critical hire but if you re-tool on both sides of the ball, you're putting the program back one, maybe two season.
-- Bill O.

Is it just me or do these people have absolutely nothing better to do with their time than make light of a tense situation? Of course, why not make money from other's misfortune (or hard times as the case may be). Still, it does bring up discussion about starting QB play. Is it just me or was Troy Smith playing well enough to be a consistent starter? Why would anyone who consistently watches the Ravens believe in these bettor's odds that someone will replace him as head signal caller next year?
-------------------------------------------
Well, they make him the favorite among the three guys on the roster but what's interesting is that the actuall favorite is someone not yet on the team. And, you know, that's probably on the money. No pun intended.
-- Bill O.

what about bill cowar,mike tice ,shottenheimer always good to bring in a coach who has players he can bring in but at the same time see if rex ryan would be able to stay and learn from the head coach. or stealing someone from cleveland like they did to us. Also mcnair troy boller neither are the answer everyone knows that we must get a new vet qb or look in the draft.

Marty is too old. Bisciotti is a successful, relatively young executive, and you don't hire subordinates you are not comfortable with, cannot communicate with -- you don't hire subordinates from another culture and time.

But I suppose if Rex has some of his father's ingrained defiance, Bisciotti will have a problem with that, too.

But I think, given the age of this defense now, you don't want to tear it down and rebuild it next year. They have a few years of superior performance left in them. If I were doing the hiring I would keep Rex as HC or pay him like Greg Williams (pay him like a HC), because you can't impose radical change on proud, veteran personalities like Lewis.
-----------------------------------
I am very familiar with Buddy ... I covered him in Philly ... Rex and Buddy are two different personalties. Rex is much more flexible and politic.
-- Bill O.

Wow. The fact that anyone wants to consider Mike Tice as a possible assistant or coach in this league is a joke. We have attitude problems on our team, why would you bring in a coach who has been known to get walked all over? We need to bring in a coach that demands respect, like a Bill Cowher, like a Marty Schottenheimer or maybe evan a guy who has worked in the system and the team: Rex Ryan and Mike Singletary. And I must say Troy Smith was the only Ravens QB to not throw an interception this year, he's a heisman trophy winner and with a better group of recievers (Todd Heap and a free agent) he should look even better than he did in the last game. I wouldn't get down on the team just yet, we had so many starters injured and unhappy with Billick and it will be interesting to see how motivated and happy they'll be under a new coach with a NEW SYSTEM!!!

Well, then I hire Rex as HC and I hire his brother as DC -- provided that there is a kick-***, truly vested and powerful OC. No wasted time, much less years, as the transition ensues.

If Steve McNair is even on the team next year, that loud bang you hear will be me commiting suicide. Film at 11. I will auction off the popcorn concession to pay funeral expenses.
--------------------------------------------------
Don't do anything rash, from one sports writer to another, put down the pastrami sandwich and back away from the buffet, let's talk about this. ... really, thanks for writing, it's refreshing ... and you don't want to miss Brian Billick's critiques of the Ravens next season ... I know, I just raised your anxiety level, didn't I.
-- Bill O.

As much as I'd love to see Rex stay in our house, I think an interesting name being thrown around is Singletary. Do you believe there is a scenario where Rex is head coach, and singletary either OC or DC (or vice versa)?? I think there are a few other head coaching prospects out there that may get scooped up by the falcons.

Also, have you heard any buzz about McNabb coming to the ravens? I heard something brief on a pre-game show a week or two ago, but nothing since. My last thought is he would end up on the Bears.
-------------------------------------------
Pete,
I think it is plauible that if Rex is the head coach, Mike could be the DC for a couple of reasons. Certainly because they served on the same staff and also because Mike Singletary was one of Buddy's favorite players ever.

As far as McNabb is concerned, I don't believe he's leaving Philadelphia. The Eagles think they have a good team and they have every intention on making a playoff run. They wound up 8-8 and lost a bunch of games by a field goal. Donovan finished the season strong. Kevin Kolb got zero snaps. McNabb isn't a free agent ... he only leaves in a trade. And that would cost someone big. So I don't see where the Eagles are eager to get rid of him and even if they were so inclined, the asking price is going to make other teams pause.
-- Bill O.