If starting center Mike Flynn struggles early in the season, look for the Ravens to insert second year guard/center Jason Brown, out of the University of North Carolina. Brown has had a good preseason, and the Ravens like the nasty attitude he brings to the offensive line. He is a decent athlete and versatile. Flynn has struggled the last two seasons, but the Ravens were obligated to him contractually. Also, don't be surprised if the Ravens put backup guard Brian Rimpf on injured reserve. Rimpf has been hampered by a hamstring injury since the first week of training camp. Last year, the Ravens were hesitant in switching offensive linemen. They won't wait this time around because a lot of the younger players got playing time last season.

Posted by Mike Preston at 8:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for Ravens head coach Brian Billick to play his starters for more than a series tonight against the Redskins. Usually, the starters make only a cameo appearance in the final preseason game, but the Ravens didn't play well last week against the Vikings. Actually, they were horrible and lacked passion and intensity. Playing the starters extensively might risk injury, but it also might shock a team that has been notoriously slow coming out of the starting gate every year. Billick might need to try something different. After all, his butt is on the line this season. It's either win or get fired. This might wake some of the players up, and let them know that he isn't playing around anymore. The new Billick might need to try something different because the old Billick would just let this time slide going into the regular season.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

As long as Carson Palmer is healthy and the starting quarterback, the Bengals have to be considered the favorite in the AFC North. Regardless of how many of their players are on parole or wearing orange jump suits, Palmer is a special talent. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had been preaching all offseason that Palmer was ahead of schedule and most likely would start the season opener. He looked great against Green Bay Monday night. It was only the Packers, but Palmer displayed mobility, confidence and his arm was as strong as ever. There are certain players you like watching regardless of the uniform, like a Peyton Manning, Barry Sanders, John Unitas, Dick Butkus, Gale Sayers and Ray Lewis. Palmer is that kind of player. The Bengals may not have a good enough defense to win a Super Bowl title, but they have enough juice on offense to win the division again. To beat the Bengals, teams will have to combine a very strong running game with a stellar defensive effort.  The Bengals have enough offensive firepower to overcome a lot of defensive problems.

Posted by Mike Preston at 8:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

Few teams add players that can make an impact once training camp begins. If they were that good, they would not be available. The Ravens are stuck with this offensive line for the rest of the season. As I've written before, this is not Major League Baseball. You can't go down on the farm and bring up prospects. The Ravens, unfortunately, are contractually locked into all the starting offensive linemen. They gave right tackle Tony Pashos a new contract during the offseason. There are some rumblings that some of the other players and front office personnel would like to see second year player Adam Terry replace Pashos, but he is not much better. It's a soft offensive line. I have faith in only two players, left guard Edwin Mulitalo and left tackle Jonathan Ogden. I have concerns about Ogden rebounding this year because of the death of his father. In the past, Mulitalo and former right offensive tackle Orlando Brown had family members pass away close to or during the season, and neither played very well. I feel for Ogden because he is one of the nicest players in the league, not just on the Ravens. But if there is a player who can overcome adversity, it's Ogden, even though he looked lost Friday night against the Vikings.

Overall, the Ravens are pretty much stuck with this team. They want to make a run within the next two seasons before they tear it apart. I think the two-year run was one of the main reasons they brought back head coach Brian Billick for another season. It would have been unfair to bring in another coach for two years and then rebuild. It would have been tough on the new coach as far as setting a tone and implementing offensive and defensive systems.

Posted by Mike Preston at 8:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

The most disappointing aspect of the Vikings' debacle was the lack of attitude. We all know it's preseason, and a lot of teams lay down on the road. But the Ravens haven't won a road game since Reagan was in office. I thought the veterans would at least play hard for a quarter just to prove to themselves and this team that they could play on the road. There were too many penalties, the offensive line play was atrocious and the Ravens had no intensity. Minnesota just pushed the Ravens around. With that said, it was nice to see DE Trevor Pryce make some plays and provide some pressure. The front seven, on the first unit, was sound in stopping the run. WR Clarence Moore was sensational on two jump balls, and rookie punter Sam Koch had a big night.

Otherwise, we're just glad it was preseason, because that game was horrible to watch. Head coach Brian Billick appeared to be at a loss for words, but he wasn't. Most of them would have been unprintable.

Posted by Mike Preston at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

There are a number of people who think Chester Taylor will have a breakout year with the Vikings, but the Ravens made a smart move by not pursuing him hard during the offseason. Taylor got a big head from the success he had last season, and he was extremely moody. He let most of his teammates know that he did not want to return to Baltimore before the end of last season. It wasn't a shock that the Ravens weren't aggressive in negotiations. He was a malcontent, and the Ravens had to let him go.

As for B.J. Ward, his days were numbered after he disrespected Brian Billick in training camp when Billick was telling him to cut down on the contact during certain drills. Billick wasn't in Ward's corner last year, and thought about cutting him, but several assistant coaches supported Ward. Once they had the disagreement in training camp, it was virtually over. That's when Ward started coming down with the migraine headaches. He is definitely looking for some kind of injury settlement, and will probably get one.

Moore's hernia injury is legitimate. Soon after he came back, you could still see the pain in his face going in and out of cuts. Billick will keep Moore around. He likes tall and fast receivers. The kid does have potential.

Posted by Mike Preston at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

It will be interesting to see how Devard Darling plays Friday night against the Vikings. He has a habit of having strong preseason games, or several spectacular catches, and then he disappears. He certainly has the tools. He's not super fast, but has decent speed. He's got good size, and certainly has good hands. But just like Clarence Moore, he can disappear from an offense and drop easy passes that hit him in his hands. It's a good matchup with him and rookie Demetrius Williams competing for the No. 3 receiver spot. Williams gives the Ravens what they desperately need, a constant vertical threat. But he lacks experience, and like most rookies, will probably tire down the backstretch of the season.

Posted by Mike Preston at 9:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Aubrayo Franklin has become part of the rotation, and has played well in the preseason. Actually, he started coming on at the end of last season. He has power, and a burst. He is in his fourth season, so if he is going to break out, it's probably going to happen now. You can never have enough defensive tackles. I'm sure he'll get some playing time this season.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Ravens have no one but themselves to blame for most of their penalties. Since 2000, they wanted the bad boy image, and bad boys don't get any breaks. Ask the Oakland Raiders. As the old saying goes, be careful what you pray for. A lot of their penalties were from a lack of focus. It's one thing to get penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and late hits, and another to get 20 penalties for false starts, and another 16 for being offsides. Those are from a lack of concentration. It's too early to point to the Ravens' penalty-filled game against the Eagles last week as a lack of discipline. It was only preseason game No. 2.

The Ravens are trying new things on offense. They've put in some new things on defense. Mistakes are to be expected.  They should be penalized less this year than last. All the players have been made aware of the situation, so there should be more focus. Also, the Ravens were out of playoff contention early last year, and they were lethargic late in the season. Maybe this year they'll have more to play for, and some of the penalties will be erased.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

After two preseason games, the Ravens' defensive line has become more of a question mark than the offensive line. Defensive tackle Kelly Gregg is the only player who has consistently made plays. Defensive end Trevor Pryce was a non-factor in Denver last season, and hasn't been that impressive in Baltimore. Defensive end/outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is a good pass rusher, but often freelances too much, especially against the run. To become a premier end, Suggs has to play well against quality offensive tackles. He often disappears against tackles such as the Bengals' Willie Anderson. In these types of matchups, he has to at least come out with a draw.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the team's top pick out of Oregon, looked slow last week in his debut against the Eagles, but that was his first game. He may have been thinking too much, but there were times when he was overpowered. Reserve defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin has played well in spurts, but not consistently enough to challenge for a starting role. There are two new starters on the defensive line, and it might take time to find the right chemistry. Right now, though, it doesn't look promising, and the Ravens will miss linemen Anthony Weaver and Maake Kemoeatu early in the season. Both Weaver and Kemoeatu signed free-agent contracts with other teams during the offseason.

P.S. Head coach Brian Billick didn't know where punter Leo Araguz was when Araguz failed to attend practice Saturday. Billick admitted Monday that Araguz was with his wife who was giving birth. If Matt Stover's wife ever delivers on game day, we're in trouble. There would be no one responsible for getting the field goal team on the field in the waning moments.

Posted by Mike Preston at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

Haven't we gone through this before? Last year, Boller had a couple of good games against the NFC Comedy Central, and all these supporters were talking about how he turned the corner. Kyle is a backup, No. 2. When he becomes a starter again, we'll chat. Actually, I take that back. I don't want to talk about Kyle Boller ever again regardless if he wins the Super Bowl, or trips over his feet again. In this town, we're so used to talking about quarterbacks that we talk about them when there isn't a controversy.  Billick has moved on. Fassel has moved on. The players have moved on. I'm moving on. Let it rest, man.

Posted by Mike Preston at 8:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (24)
        

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome denied that he is having talks with the Jets about trading running back Musa Smith. New York is in desperate need of a running back, and the Ravens have a surplus with Jamal Lewis, Mike Anderson and Smith. Smith has been outstanding in training camp and the preseason. He has shown great burst and vision.

Actually, he was one of the few Ravens starters who actually looked fresh Thursday night. Defensively, the Ravens looked slow and sluggish. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata, the Ravens' top draft pick, was slow getting off the ball, and was knocked around a couple of times last night. Linebacker Ray Lewis had no burst, and was slow getting off blocks. Defensive ends/outside linebackers Dan Cody and Terrell Suggs didn't seem to have much energy, and defensive end Trevor Pryce has yet to make an impact in either practice or a game.

Oh well, it's only preseason. This game looked a lot like the Ravens/Giants game last week, only the Ravens reversed roles with the Eagles this time around.  As for the boo-boo in clock management at the end of the first half, it has to be offensive coordinator Jim Fassel's fault because he calls the plays inside the red zone. Right?

But I did hear the field goal unit wasn't as prepared to get on the field as it needed to be. Hopefully the Ravens learn from their mistakes, but they haven't in the past when it comes to clock management in the last two minutes of the half and games.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

I don't know if the Ravens will re-sign guard Marques Ogden, but I've been impressed with him working out on the sidelines with older brother Jonathan. His feet are twice as quick as last season, his technique improved and he looks like he has dropped about 15 to 20 pounds. Marques is 25 years old and he could be a late bloomer. He played at Howard, a small university, and sometimes it takes longer for these guys to develop. I know the desire is there to succeed. When I spoke with the brothers earlier this week, Marques said he had been invited to try out for the Cowboys on the same day his father died, and he declined the invitation.

As for last year, Jonathan is over Marques being cut by the Ravens. It was just another problem the Ravens had coming out of training camp and going into the regular season a year ago. Jonathan said he was impressed by the number of Ravens' players and administrators that came to his father's funeral, and he was very appreciative. Like other issues that surrounded this team last season, everyone has moved on.

Posted by Mike Preston at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

If the Ravens punting situation doesn't improve within the next game, the Ravens should take a hard look at veteran Sean Landeta. Neither rookie Sam Koch or veteran Leo Araguz were impressive against the Giants in the preseason opener.

Meanwhile Landeta, from Baltimore, is still on the free agent market. Landeta has a career average of 43.1, and has played on two Super Bowl championship teams. He is used to kicking in the cold having kicked in New York with the Giants, Philadelphia and Green Bay. The punting position is one of several positions still suspect coming out of training camp along with both the offensive and defensive lines.

But overall, a pretty good camp. Many people have wanted to know if this was Camp Cream Puff, and actually, it wasn't. We're not talking Tom Coughlin's boot camps here either, but head coach Brian Billick worked his players straight through the heat. There were no practices in the air conditioned indoor facility. When players got tired during the tail end of practices during the heat wave, Billick got after them. They finished strong knowing they have Tampa Bay at home in the season opener.

Overall, good work ethic and solid intensity. Has Billick changed? It's too early to tell, but so far he has been impressive. I like what I see in him, and this team. There are no complaints.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
        

Training camp ended today, and you get a sense that this team has more chemistry than the previous two the Ravens put out on the field. There is a sense of urgency, especially among some of the high profile veterans.

A year ago, running back Jamal Lewis was sulking because the Ravens reneged on a long term contract deal. Ed Reed and Ray Lewis were irritated because neither received a contract extension, and Lewis had already started to go into isolation. The Ravens publicly endorsed quarterback Kyle Boller, but privately the players knew he wasn't the answer.

It's a different feeling this year. Jamal Lewis and Ed Reed have new contracts. Ray Lewis is running around like a 21-year old again. Steve McNair has replaced Kyle Boller. More importantly, you see veterans like Derrick Mason, Ray Lewis, Reed, Samari Rolle and McNair stepping up and teaching the young players. So far, there are few malcontents.

The season is still very young, but there is a different attitude about this team. They were embarrassed last season when they were knocked out of playoff contention early in the season. They have something to prove, and you feel a hunger that hasn't been around for years.

Posted by Mike Preston at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Running back Jamal Lewis showed good burst and toughness against the New York Giants, but the Ravens also made a tactical move that helped Lewis and the running game. They moved Lewis up closer to the line of scrimmage than in previous years, and ran more quick hitters than stretch plays. There were times when Lewis hit the hole with his pads square, and he went through untouched.

Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel said the move was made to also help the passing game as far as getting running backs into routs quicker, and pass protection. Quick dives can also help out an offensive line because linemen don't have to hold the block as long.

Speaking of offensive linemen, Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden worked real hard Tuesday, and you can definitely see the progress. If there was any doubt about him wanting to come back this season, it has to be erased after Tuesday's workout. It was tough, and had Ogden on his knees twice during work sessions.

"If you think I look bad now, you should have seen me last Thursday," said Ogden, smiling, as he left the field.

Posted by Mike Preston at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
        

It will be interesting to see if the Ravens will have Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden ready for the final preseason game on Aug. 31 against the Washington Redskins. It appears doubtful if you've watched Ogden participate in limited workout drills at training camp.

Ogden hasn't participated in a team workout since training camp opened July 27. He hasn't worked out for three weeks because of the illness and recent death of his father, Shirrel, who was close with a lot of the players on the team. Ogden had hired a personal trainer during the offseason, and looked extremely fit at mini-camps. He looked close to his playing weight of 330 to 335 pounds, and seemed willing to make all the necessary adjustments to his training methods to extend his career another two or three years.

But he appears about 25 to 35 pounds overweight now, and the Ravens are working hard to get him back into playing shape. The Ravens are handling the Ogden matter with great sensitivity.

"You have to," said left guard Edwin Mulitalo, one of Ogden's best friends on the team, who lost a family member nearly a year ago at this time. "One thing I have learned is people grieve differently. There are certain things that remind you of certain situations with your father, and you can't escape that. I've told J.O. that I'll be there for him if needed, and that's all you can do."

Posted by Mike Preston at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Okay, I won't comment on Kyle Boller's performance Friday night if you won't. Please don't defend him, because it's just way too easy to knock him, like hitting a medicine ball with a baseball bat.

Posted by Mike Preston at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (27)
        

Obviously, there are certain things we all will be looking at tonight, like Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis, Ed Reed, Steve McNair and Mike Anderson.

But some other things you may want to watch are:

_No. 3 quarterback Brian St. Pierre: He has been impressive in training camp, and played reasonably well. He seems to know the offense, and appears comfortable going through his progressions. He doesn't have a real strong arm, but puts the ball in a spot where his receivers can go make plays. The only drawback is that some times he hangs passes. How long? Some times longer than a Ray Guy punt.

_Musa Smith: He has been just as impressive, nah, take that back, he has been more impressive than Anderson. Smith has shown good vision, acceleration and is cutting well. He looks a lot like the back the Ravens had two years ago when they thought he would some day replace Jamal Lewis. The kid runs hard.

_Receivers Romby Bryant and Devard Darling: At times, both have been spectacular.

_ Offensive line: Somebody has to have a birthday wish coming up soon. Please blow out the candles and pray this group gets better. Again, if this group gets better and they can keep McNair healthy, than the Ravens can be as good as any other team in the AFC North, especially with the Bengals trading in those bizarre uniforms for orange jump suits.

_Dan Cody: The motor is there, but is there talent to match?

_Trevor Pryce: I haven't seen a lot yet from this guy to get me excited. He looks confused in the Ravens scheme, but he still has time.

Posted by Mike Preston at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Two preseason games is enough, three is overkill and four is ridiculous.

In the past, four games may have been needed to get players in shape and install both offensive and defensive schemes. But now, NFL teams and players spend millions of dollars investing in off season weight programs and personal trainers to keep the players in shape year round. There are various mini-camps to install schemes, so training camp has basically become a time for bonding and developing team chemistry.

Two games are more than enough to answer some of the questions the Ravens face going into the 2006 season. Can Ray Lewis still run sideline to sideline? Does Jamal Lewis still run with power and authority? Is Steve McNair the quarterback of old, or just an old quarterback? Has the offensive line improved from a year ago? Has Ed Reed regained his Pro Bowl form?

That's basically what we want to know. Instead, by the end of the first quarter Friday night, we'll be seeing McNair and Lewis clowning on the sidelines wearing baseball caps. Todd Heap will be cracking jokes with Mike Flynn, and Chris McAlister will be working out plans with Samari Rolle and Ed Reed for touchdown celebrations.

Where is the intensity? It will be in owner Steve Bisciotti's box as he holds his breath and prays that no one gets hurt.

The best part of preseason is to see how many fans remain after halftime. For the most part, they leave after the customary visits the restrooms. The remaining fans are left scratching their heads wondering who the hell are these guys now playing on the field.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Outside linebacker/defensive end Dan Cody gets a free pass for another year. It's hard to evaluate him because he missed all of last season with a torn ACL injured on the first day of training camp. So, this is really his rookie season instead of his second.

Cody, the second round pick out of Oklahoma, looks good physically. He has broad shoulders, long arms and his 255-pound frames looks like it could handle another 10 to 15 pounds of muscle. It's definitely true about the motor; he is relentless in pursuing runners even to the other side of the field. He looks solid as far as run defense.

The Ravens, though, signed him to be a pass rusher, and he hasn't shown much so far. In college, Cody got away with speed, but he is going to need much more than that in the NFL. I haven't seen him do a swim, rip or spin move in training camp. He looks at little slow at trying to connect moves, possibly from trying to learn and install too much. Good pass rushers have a bread and butter or signature move, but they also have a backup move that becomes second nature if the first one fails. The best thing you can say about Cody right now is that he has a strong work ethic, and if the talent is there, he'll find it. He works that hard.

Posted by Mike Preston at 12:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Who is the best Raven ever, Ray Lewis or Jonathan Ogden?

I've been asked that question about two dozen times since last season, the Ravens 10th in Baltimore. If you judge on leadership, big play ability and impact, then it's Lewis. But from a pure technical standpoint, it's Ogden, without question.

Both are headed to the NFL Hall of Fame. Both could take away their opponent's  will to compete against them. Lewis was the NFL's most dominant player during the Ravens' Super Bowl run in 2000-2001. He has been the total package, a menacing force that could run sideline to sideline, and fast enough to cover a running back out of the backfield one on one. He also played behind two big, effective defensive tackles in Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams.

Ogden has never had that luxury. Each week, he has been on an island by himself, dominating the league's best pass rushers. Except for last season, there were no chip blocks from tight ends or running backs. Ogden has been a pure technician. Very seldom is he out of position. He has quick feet and exceptional strength in both his arms and hands. Once he locks out on a pass rusher, it's over. Never has a left tackle had his combination of speed and size. Not Anthony Munoz. Not Art Shell. There's a reason the Ravens took him at No. 4 overall in the 1996 draft, 22 spots ahead of Lewis in the same draft.

Lewis versus Ogden. It's a great debate. It's hard to believe the Ravens drafted two Hall of Famers with their first two picks ever.

Posted by Mike Preston at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

A reader recently asked me if I would be picking on quarterback Kyle Boller this season.

Sorry, but this is the new me. If Brian Billick can change, so can I. Like Billick last season when he met with his owner, I met with my new bosses and they told me I stir things up too much. They said I was arrogant, condescending, sarcastic, and they didn't like my management style. They said the other reporters in the locker room didn't like me, and if I didn't change, this would be my last season.

My Man Kyle, oops, there I go again...Mr. Boller has not helped his case here in Baltimore by tripping over the lines, fumbling snaps, throwing off his back foot, throwing while falling backwards, and fumbling without anyone touching him. He has not helped himself by being inaccurate on short passes, long passes, intermediate passes and trying to hand the ball off from his knees.

Now, with all of that said, I promise, I swear, I will not pick on Kyle Boller again......unless he plays.

Posted by Mike Preston at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)
        

I've been waiting to see if the offensive line has improved much from last season, and unfortunately, it has not. A lot of the younger players have re-shaped their bodies turning baby fat into muscle, but this group lacks skill and intensity. Maybe that will change as the season goes on, but I doubt it. I thought the Ravens should have made a serious run at Eagles right tackle Jon Runyan in the off-season, but they decided to stay put. Runyan is a good, veteran player, and downright nasty. He would have been the perfect bookend to left tackle Jonathan Ogden, and a great bodyguard for quarterback Steve McNair.

You have to admire current right tackle Tony Pashos. The guy has put in an incredible amount of time to become a better football player, but he still might not be good enough to be a consistently good player in the NFL. Ditto for third-year guard Brian Rimpf. Second-year tackle  Adam Terry has all the physical tools, but he lacks aggression. He's soft.  If you had his body with Orlando Brown's attitude,  you would have the perfect lineman. Right guard Keydrick Vincent hasn't shown much improvement from last season, and I suspect the Ravens won't hesitate pulling the plug on him early for second-year player Jason Brown or rookie Chris Chester, a second round draft pick. Chester has extremely quick feet, but needs a year in the weight room to add some bulk. He'll have a tough time rooting out big defensive tackles. The Ravens are obligated contractually to center Mike Flynn, but they have two larger holes to fill at right guard and tackle before they get to Flynn.

General manager Ozzie Newsome has always tried to have stellar tackles, and lesser-talented  guards and centers on the inside because they double-team more. It worked in 2000, but that philosophy might not work now. The Ravens have some good, talented skill players, and hopefully they can make more big plays than the offensive line lets up. If this offensive line comes together, the Ravens will have a good season, if McNair stays healthy.

Posted by Mike Preston at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

The Ravens finished their first week of training camp, and it was a solid and productive week. QB Steve McNair played reasonably well, and you had to be impressed with receivers Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and tight end Todd Heap. Two other young receivers that were impressive were rookies Demetrius Williams and tight end Quinn Sypniewski. The Ravens' depth at running back was impressive, but you still want to see Jamal Lewis, Mike Anderson and Musa Smith in more live action. Two obvious weaknesses were at fullback and on the offensive line. On the line, there is a lack of quickness and intensity.

Defensively, middle linebacker Ray Lewis looked good. He seemed to be carrying more muscle in his chest than in previous years. He looked like he had swallowed a suitcase. Like the old Ray, he set the tone in practice flying around to the ball. This defense wants to be good. You can feel that attitude coming from the veterans such as Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle and Ed Reed. Watch out for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. The big boy can play. Overall, this team is set and solid. The Ravens have a quarterback and some good skill players. The defense can still bring it. Now, if the offensive line can play...

It was just a good, solid week with the Ravens showing a good work ethic in the heat. Of course, there was some excitement over my column about the play-calling. As usual, it turned into something major because it involved Billick and myself. It was just a miscommunication between me and Jim Fassel. I should have pressed him more on a question, and he could have been more clear on the answer. The bottom line is that I'll take the blame. Regardless, Jim, Brian and I have talked about the situation and it's cleared up. As a matter of fact, Billick and I joked around about writing a book together when we've both retired. We have laughed about this whole thing.

We all still have good working relationships. There were no intended cheap shots even though the story has grown arms, legs and a life of its own while the three major guys involved have talked and moved on. It's life as usual.

Posted by Mike Preston at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (32)