Billick's news conference
What does the coach of a 4-7 team on a franchise-record five-game losing streak say to put a positive spin going into arguably the toughest game of the season Monday night against the unbeaten New England Patriots?
If you're Brian Billick, there's talking up Jonathan Ogden and not talking down anybody.
On whether Ogden is going to bounce back or continue to struggle, as appeared to be the case in trying to contain Shawne Merriman and other members of the San Diego Chargers Sunday:
"I think J.O. is playing well. Obviously it's taken a while to get into that rhythm, given that he's missed half the season. He's still one of the best tackles in the league, in my opinion. Where he's at physically ... you'd have to talk to J.O. about that. But he looks like he's playing pretty well to me. That was a stiff challenge the other day.''
On dealing with the disappointment:
"It's not a loss of confidence as much as it is a degree of frustration, and actually not even with the players. The instincts of every good coach that I've been around is, 'What can I do differently? They really do. They feel as though 'it's my fault,' the coach saying that. I feel the same way -- offense, defense, special teams, whatever. It's constantly, 'What did I not do this week that I could have done to prevent whatever happened, in terms of focus and practice and meetings, meetings with the coaches and bringing that extra degree of preparation?'''
That's about as close as Billick will come to taking the blame.
There was one piece of news to come out of today's news conference. Billick said that linebacker Jarret Johnson has a fractured thumb, and his status for Monday night's game against the Patriots is up in the air. Johnson got a lot of attention before the season as the only new starter on defense, and with Adalius Thomas coming to town with the Patriots, he would receive a lot more of the spotlight if he were healthy.
"If anybody can play with that kind of pain, it would be Jarret,'' Billick said. "Not too many guys are tougher. But obviously we have to see how the week progresses and see exactly what they can do with it.''
Thomas is talking with the Baltimore media on Wednesday.
Comments
If JO is "playing well", then I'm the next Ravens QB. Billick is really out of his mind. It's one thing to not throw players under the bus, but JO -- playing well? He's not only getting beaten like a rented mule -- his lack of conditioning is surpassed only by his lack of effort/interest out on the field. It seems pretty obvious that he only showed up for his paycheck, rather than going on IR, where he'd only receive half of what he's making now. And yet Billick can't seem to get out of his own way when it comes to dealing with the reality of this sad, wasted season. If Billick is still the head coach in 2008, look for a lot more empty seats at M&T, and a lot more hostility coming from the fans, starting with opening day.
Posted by: skaybaltimore | November 27, 2007 8:41 AM
Asking any player at this point in a losing season to "play with pain" is not only ludicrous, but also speaks volumes about the head coach's perspective! All of the Ravens "walking wounded" should be given the remainder of this year to heal and get ready for next season because, for all intents and purposes, this season is over!
Posted by: The "Armchair" QB | November 27, 2007 8:51 AM
What can he do differently?? Did he really say that??
Posted by: Jon Dey | November 27, 2007 9:36 AM
Billick......the worst coach in NFL history? Maybe. He just needs to hang it up along with this beat down of a season. Biscotti needs to fire him and grab a coach who knows how to let an offensive coordinator run an offense. Rex Ryan is still the man, if he knows anything about offense maybe he can run this team. He was going for a head position else where last season, why not let him take over here? As for monday with the Pats, there is a weakness in this team. Philly exploited that, now all we have to do is watch tapes and get the job done.
Posted by: RAVENLOCKETT | November 29, 2007 2:06 AM