I'm from out of town, but I know that Arthur Blank didn't hire the Philly GM for Atlanta because he thought Jeff Lurie was too willing to give him up. Now, you have Rex Ryan whose current team, that knows him best, didn't hire him as a head coach. I think that decision spoke to Blank also.

So, I think it is very easy to understand Blank's thinking when you know Blank's past decision making process.

OH LORD. You just REALLY don't get it, do you? Frank Gansz, Jr?!!! We could barely figure out how to stop teams on kickoffs before they reached our 35. We had TONS of penalties on ST. We kick to Cribbs in a game against Cleveland we should have never lost. And you want GANSZ JR., back?

Gansz, Foerster, Billick, and those strength and conditioning coaches are the FIRST ones that needed to be fired and never re-hired. Dude. You're on some kind of downward spiral these days. NOTHING you pick makes sense, from suggesting we give up draft picks for Marvin Lewis, to endorsing Marty as the only choice for HC, to advocating that Falcons needed to select Rex as their HC, to recommending Gansz as ST coach. Dude. You really don't get it.

Maybe Ryan is just a bad interviewee? All three teams he was up for are in dire need of organization and discipline. Although Ryan might be a brilliant football mind, he also comes off as a big softy who is only concerned with Xs and Os.

I think Cameron will have the ability to squeeze out a decent offense with the talent that is there until he can acquire some of his own players.

Really, Gansz is going to be kept? I assumed Harbaugh would take over S/T duties.

Wow. A blog entry by Mike Preston without any sarcasm or ridicule. It almost seems as though this was just thoughtful analysis and insight, without any attempt to be funny or any cheap shots.

Mike,

Now that we've hired Cam Cameron what do you think the chances are that we go after Philip Rivers in free agency? Obviously Cameron was the offensive coordinator for Rivers' first 3 years in San Diego. Rivers can void the final year of his contract and enter free agency this year. While Rivers likely would not be on the field until mid to late summer as a result of his recent ACL surgery, this might not be a significant hurdle because of his familiarty with coughlin, and the similarities between the offensive talent in baltimore and san diego (talent running backs that are threats in the passing game as well, athletic tight ends that are possibly the best receivers on both teams, and a solid though unspectacular group of wide receivers. additionally, the ACL shouldn't be huge cause for concern since Rivers was not a mobile quarterback to begin with. Anyway, what are your thoughts on this possibility and the quarterback situation in general?

Mike,

Any concern with the reports that the Miami locker room turned on Cameron by the end of the season? I read that Joey Porter yelled Cameron down at a team meeting. Is there any truth to this, and do you see this as a major issue for next season?

Interesting. Something in Ryan's file...Yeah, what would that be ?
I´d really like to know WHY he got snubbed. Get on it, Mr Preston.

As for the coaches to be retained and added, whazzup with your man coach Thurman? There´s a feather on your grin.

I personally believe Rex would have a hard time dealing with the media, and that's what keeping him from a top job. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and there's a chance he could blow up in a tough situation. He could benefit from some media training.

This was a GREAT move. Cameron is well respected and has shown he can make an offense better. If we can keep Ryan, we will have all the pieces in place - minus that whole QB thing. I suggest you not reach for one in the draft, but let one fall to you in round 2 (Chad Henne, Flacco), take the best player available in rd 1 (Kiper suggest the DT out of USC, or a top DB) and let Boller play this year. I think he might surprise people with a different system in place. Not the long term answer, but one that will get us through this year - competitive - and prepare the young QB for the future. While I don't think Troy Smith is the answer, who knows so that isn't a bad back up plan. As for McNair - sorry Steve, we appreciate your work here, but time to go!

Mike,

When will Cameron's radio show air next season?

Can you ask Harbaugh if he'll allow the ridiculous players' shows to continue next season?

Maybe they could substitute film review, or extra practice time instead? Nah, that sounds ridiculous as well.....

Thanks

Ok here it one of the solutions: They both have coached at U of Indiana, out of which a VERY RARE WR is coming out. PLEASE DRAFT JAMES HARDY!!!!!!

I agree with you Mike, Cam Cameron will be a good fit for the Ravens. Also, you mentioned in a previous article about the possible line up of the offensive line. Again I agree. I think with Ogden (lt), Grubbs (lg), Brown (c), Yanda (rg) and Gaither (rt). offers great potential, and if Ogden retires, they could always insert Terry at left tackle.

so mike.....you don't think Kyle will step up?....now we have an actual offensive direction i think he will shine.....please give him a clean chance......since he has had NO offensive direction since he has been here...... and he will be resigned next year if he performs accordingly...

Maybe Ryan doesn't interview well. Maybe Ozzie and Steve asked him how he would fix the offense and he didn't have a good answer. Interviewing is an art and it takes lots of practice. There are classes Rex Ryan can take that will help him improve his interviewing skills. I strongly recommend that he consider them.

If you don't clean house,then the defense wiil still have their own agenda.You're right,there is something strange with Rex,in as much as he isn't getting any offers.Must be something everyone else sees,but we don't.Maybe Billick rubbed off and the rest of the league don't want a country club atmosphere like Mr Egotist ran.

These guys look like they have a decent theory about why Ryan isn't getting jobs:

http://nationallampoonsplog.com/index.php/2008/01/23/no-fatties-league/

They need to draft DE Calais Campbell from Miami (go back to the U). He's a 6'8", 280 lb. underclassman. You saw what happened to our pass rush when Pryce went down. Although this kid is just the type of player to explode at the combine and vault into the top 5. Address CB in rd. 2 or 3, if not both. I don't see any good FA QBs becoming available and if Biscotti truly believes, as he says, that we can make the postseason next year, it's not going to happen on the arm of a rookie. Therefore it'd be senseless to burn our highest pick in a while on Matt Ryan or Brian Brohm. Draft Colt Brennan in round 3 or 4, see who becomes an FA after 2008, or draft another QB after 08.

If Ryan is serious about wanting to stay, they should retain him. Well respected and well liked, he could help ease the transitioning of a new head coach. What's really curious, however, is why he's been passed over for two years in a row for a head coaching position and why, if he wants to stay, the Ravens don't seem very anxious to keep him. Guess we'll just have to......stay tuned!

I think the hire was a very good one. One thing nobody ever talks about on these blogs is the fact that good players make great coaches. if you don't have any talent then you won't win any games. Everybody always say's that this guy or that guy can't coach that , they had a chance before and they didin't do very well. Let's face realilty the ravens have a very poor offensive line and until they address that and get it good the ravens will continue to struggle. I hope they bring in a good coach for both lines because that is where they win or lose games.As for all the player shows on the radio, i think that should stop, all that does is give them a forum to create problems for the team. I think john will create some much needed disipline on this team and certainly won't play favorites regardless who you are.

Colt Brennan? Please review the Senior Bowl reports. You will see Brennan won't make it in the NFL - PERIOD. Take Ryan if you can in the first round. If not, take Henne or Falco in the second after we take a great DT or DB in round 1. Brohm will not be a first round selection.

The reason that Ryan did not get a head coaching job is the fact that the defense was the most penalized unit in the NFL. Their behavior and discipline was atrocious. The final result, would you want that type of stuff from your NFL team if you are an owner? Yeah, the players love him and he is a good coach, but he does not know how to handle the discipline factor. His players show no respect on or off the field. That is why the Ravens hired Harbaugh, he is a no nonsense energetic coach. That is why the Falcons hired Smith. Did you see the Jaguars this year? They were good and their were no hot-dogs on the field. Just good team play. If I was an owner, I would look for more of an overall leader than Ryan. If he is Def Coordinator this year, he needs to real those guys in or he may never get a head coaching gig.

What's with everybody talking about drafting a DT? We have two studs in Gregg and Ngata. Drafting for depth is fine if you're the Patriots, but we have serious needs at CB, DE, and arguably linebacker.

The reality is that Rex is seen as has father, Buddy -- a great def coord, but as a Head Coach, known mostly for choking on a pork chop.

skaybaltimore.........next time you post a comment about past ravens coaches, get a clue...and perhaps put blame, where blame is due......coaches aren't on the field during games, over paid players are......maybe they should be let go..