Billick's news conference
Ravens coach Brian Billick was trying to take the glass-is-half-filled approach after Sunday's 19-14 defeat to the Buffalo Bills.
The positives included:
* Perennial All-Pro tackle Jonathan Ogden's return to the lineup, albeit for only a dozen snaps, after missing the past six weeks with a sprained foot and hyperextended toe. "He played well," Billick said. "As Jonathan said, 'I don't know if I could have gone the whole game.' It has to do with playing shape, it wasn't the foot. I think Jonathan feels very good about where he is today and how he came out of the game. We got done what we needed to get done in that regard.''
* The performance by Kyle Boller, who has shown signs of maturity in his fourth year, and is expected to return to the No. 2 role behind Steve McNair against the Pittsburgh Steelers Nov. 5. "When you look at the film and the circumstances Kyle played with, and the pressure he was under in a number of instances because of the young line, you can't help but come away and feel that Kyle played very well. He made a couple of incredible throws with guys in his face. Not perfect, obviously things could have been better, but he played very, very well in my opinion.''
* That his team's next game, against the Steelers at Heinz Field on a Monday night, will be for first place in the AFC North. "That's where your focus has to be,'' Billick said. "That's all you need to know. It's still way too early (to think about the playoffs). All you can ever ask in this game is: 'Can I play a game that matters in November and December?' Otherwise, you're just being greedy. We're playing in November for a chance to lead the division. Am I satisfied with 4-3? No. From an analytical standpoint, do I have to be because we're 4-3? Yeah. We are what we are. We earned the 4-3 both good and bad. Can we be optimistic about our future in terms of who's coming back to us and we get to play three division games. We will impact the division standings one way or the other over the next three games that we play."
Billick said that he expected everyone but tight end Daniel Wilcox, sidelined since the Cleveland loss with a sprained foot, to return for the Steelers game. That includes cornerback Chris McAlister, who sat out Sunday's loss in Buffalo with a knee injury.
The Ravens will return to the practice field next Monday.
Comments
I wish the Ravens would fire Brian Billick, that's what the problem is, not the players, it's the system and imagine if we had creativity in the offense what we could do. enough is enough. we have a good owner and a great gm, so lets get ourselves a good coach that can make this work before we waste this chance. We are a good team and it makes me sick to see them lose to Cleveland and Buffalo. pathetic!!!!
Posted by: tim | October 22, 2007 5:33 PM
I completely agree, Billick is a joke. Every single coach in the league can out coach him. We are the biggest disapointment in the league right now. Billick being a offensive genius is like calling Mike Vick an animal lover. No O in years, and saying you would rather win a 34-31 game instead of a 10-6 game, when your defense is the only thing keeping your team afloat is a travistee. Fire Billick and we will win! Last year was, the team was that good we should have won then and we should be winning know.
Posted by: Chris Williams | October 23, 2007 6:11 PM
What do you expect him to say ??? .. he's STILL a good PR guy ... the trouble is, that's ALL he's good at right now ....
8^(
Posted by: Thom from Dundalk | October 24, 2007 9:06 AM
is it not being creative when the quarterback goes out for a pass.our problems are a result of poor play ,penalties, some bad play calling and at times some poor officiating. a lot of these things should improve when we get most of our starters back..
Posted by: r2d2 | October 24, 2007 9:25 AM
Brian Billick.....MR. Billick needs to be coaching in the Northwood Pee Wee Footballleague. The guy has been anything but consistent as a head coach at making the right decisions. I mean have we forgotten that the year we won the Super Bowl we had a lot of dumb plays being called on 1st and goal and so on. We have major talent but never seem to figure out how to utilize it unless it's a defensive player. I agree that our GM and Owners are doing a good job with the ball club with the exception of one thing. They resigned Brian Billick which was not smart. Lets go after Bill Cowher next season and drop Billick and his " I see a lot of maturity and promise," boy Kyle Boller. I mean can the guy even throw a 30 yd pass and if he can can he throw it accurately. I'm sick of this Billick guy and have been for yrs. Please I'm begging the football gods send us a talented coach!!!
Posted by: Roy Noel | November 1, 2007 6:38 PM