McClain has retired from the NFL to get his life together after legal problems off the field have taken over the forefront of his mind.

McClain’s college coach Nick Saban told the Baltimore Sun that McClain is doing right by Baltimore by retiring at this time.

“For the Ravens, Ro’s being fair to them,” Saban said. “What he’s saying is that he’s not ready to play rather than them having to release him, where someone else can claim him. They can retain his rights.

“I think he likes the Ravens organization. I think he likes John, I think he likes Ozzie. He appreciates the fact that they gave him an opportunity, so I think he’s doing the right thing.”

“Ro did a great job for us,” Saban said. “I’ve had a real close relationship with him, and we’ve talked about it a couple of times. I think Ro is just in a place where he doesn’t think he can do his best.

“I think he’s a prideful guy, and he’d like to get things straightened out personally and then decide whether he wants to go on and play football or not.”

McClain is due in court to answer disorderly conduct and resisting arrest charges on July 9.

He stated that a return to Baltimore could be in the cards.

“Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions,” McClain said in a statement via his agent. “Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together. Beyond that, I’m not sure what the future holds for me, including football.

“This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future. God willing, maybe I’ll play for them one day.”

The post Nick Saban: Rolando McClain is being fair to the Baltimore Ravens appeared first on Players View.

Jones who spent the first act of his career as an afterthought of the AFC-rival Houston Texans, not only was a highlight players in the Ravens Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers, he was a big play magnet for their entire playoff run.

For his efforts, Jones and his he fleet-footed touchdown celebrations have caught the eye of the casting directors for ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.

The program has featured other NFL greats such as Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice.

According to the Associated Press, Jones was the first contestant announced for the program during a commercial that ran during the Academy Awards on Sunday evening.

It’s hard to focus on simply football when you have a limited window to build a brand.

365 days ago, nobody would have predicted his star to rise to such heights.

Only the future will display if he can juggle all of this and giving the Ravens another year of showstopping performances.

The post Baltimore Ravens Jacoby Jones to join Dancing With the Stars appeared first on Players View.

That did not stop him from paying his respects to San Francisco 49ers wunderkind Colin Kaepernick who came this close from engineering the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history.

Suggs appeared on the Jim Rome show and proclaimed “that kid’s the truth.”

“Going into the game, I thought it was all hype,” Suggs said. “He’s only had nine starts and then I’m going down the line at the teams he’s playing and I’m like ‘OK, alright, he’s got some good stats, but we will see.’”

The Ravens did see but it took Kaepernick nearly two-and-a-half quarters and a blackout to get going.

The electric fashion in which Kaepernick shook off the side effects of what appeared to be a blowout in progress was impressive.

According to Suggs it’s also worthy of respect.

“When you go in there and you’re playing a guy like that, I hate quarterbacks, but that kid is the truth and I have the upmost respect for him,” Suggs said.

Suggs has always been one of the most polarizing figures on the Ravens.

He is quick to defend his team on one hand and usually downplay the competition.

In this turn, not only did he tip his hat but he he predicted that the big game has not seen the last of Kaepernick.

“I don’t think he needs to hold his head down at all because he’s going to play in a few [Super Bowls],” Suggs said.

Suggs has had a busy media week. He spoke his peace on the subject of his quarterback Joe Flacco’s contract situation on the NFL Network’s Total Access program.

“He deserves to get paid,” Suggs said on Friday. “Where he scales at, that’s between our front office and his agent. But he definitely deserves it. The man has a championship ring and you reward your champion by paying him.”

The post Terrell Suggs proclaims Colin Kapernick the truth. appeared first on Players View.

In his case people consistently probe the 36-year-old for answers about his exit from the game.

A post-Super Bowl tweet from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers did little to help Birk’s quest to take some time before announcing his decision.

Incredible postseason run by Flacco, congrats to Lewis and Birk in their finale. How long til football starts?#tweetstilthen

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) February 4, 2013

Does Rodgers know something that Birk is not owning up to quite yet?

Birk painted a picture on indecision when he spoke with the Associated Press on Saturday.

“For me, before my physical well-being, if I feel like I can do it again or if I want to do it, I need to make sure that it’s good for my family,” Birk said. “It’s a big sacrifice on their part, on my wife, and I have six kids. You have to coordinate a lot of things and you have to make sure everybody is on board.”

“I mean, I always say that I’m playing until I’m not,” Birk said. “Every year is just exhausting, and after the way [the 2012=13] season ended [a loss in the AFC title game], it takes a while to process those emotions.

Birk stated that his next step will figure into his decision making.

“People say, ‘What are you going to do when you’re done?’ and that’s probably why I’m still playing,” he said. “The unknown is scary in some ways. You’re never going to be able to replicate some of the feelings, some of the emotions that you get playing this game. But … if this is as good as it gets for you, then you’re in trouble. You need to realize all of this is going to be gone someday. It ends for everybody.”

“Whatever’s going to happen is going to happen,” Birk said. “[My wife] is a planner. She likes everything planned out. She asks me all the time, ‘Is this it?’ I say, ‘I don’t know.’ It makes her mad. She wants to know. She’s like everybody else.”

Birk may want to pass her Rodger’s cell phone number. He seems to have the answer.

The post Will Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk retire? appeared first on Players View.

Ray Lewis has always been an emotional person.

Whether it was rage or laughter he has always worn his heart on his sleeve. 

Once he announced his retirement, it seems that his emotions hit overdrive.

After each victory gave a round of spiritual praise and tears.

After defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, the man that Deion Sanders calls “Sugar” actually fell to the ground in the middle of the field and sobbed.

It all fed into the perfect material for a Saturday Night Live parody.

Comedian Kenan Thompson impersonated Ray during a  over-the-top faux interview segment that has nearly spot-on accurate.

Some felt that it was insulting.

Lewis told the media that included USA Today that he thought it was funny.

“I laughed so hard,” said Lewis during a Super Bowl media session. “I was in tears last night laughing about it.

“It’s good to be able to joke about certain things,” Lewis added. “What I do is very serious but for them to put it in a skit and for him to play it the way he did, it’s awesome.”

So Ray cried as people made fun of him crying?

That is an infinite loop of emotion that nobody could have seen coming.

The post Ray Lewis cried over SNL skit appeared first on Players View.

On Saturday we posted his affinity for taking a full-frontal approach to interviews.

On Sunday comes the word that Pollard does not see a long-term future for the game as a whole.

He told CBS writer Clark Judge that change is on the horizon.

“Thirty years from now,” he said, “I don’t think it will be in existence. I could be wrong. It’s just my opinion, but I think with the direction things are going — where they [NFL rules makers] want to lighten up, and they’re throwing flags and everything else — there’s going to come a point where fans are going to get fed up with it.

“Guys are getting fined, and they’re talking about, ‘Let’s take away the strike zone’ and ‘Take the pads off’ or ‘Take the helmets off.’ It’s going to be a thing where fans aren’t going to want to watch it anymore.”

But in the meantime, Pollard is stating that the game will only get more vicious.

“The league is trying to move in the right direction [with player safety],” Pollard said, “but, at the same time, [coaches] want bigger, stronger and faster year in and year out. And that means you’re going to keep getting big hits and concussions and blown-out knees. The only thing I’m waiting for … and, Lord, I hope it doesn’t happen … is a guy dying on the field. We’ve had everything else happen there except for a death. We understand what we signed up for, and it sucks.

“Like I said, I pray it never happens, but you’ve got guys who are 350 pounds running 4.5 and 4.4s, and these owners and coaches want scout-run blockers and linemen to move walls. At the same time, they tell you, ‘Don’t hit here, and don’t hit there, or we’ll take your money.’ Like I said, I hope I’m wrong, but I just believe one day there’s going to be a death that takes place on the field because of the direction we’re going.”

Will these thoughts impact the way that Pollard plays football? After all he has been nicknamed the Patriot Killer for the number of injuries that he has laid on New England.

“It’s not going to change the way I play,” he said. “I’ve been taught to play one way my whole career, my whole life, and I’ve never been a malicious player. I play the game hard and physical, just the way our defense does. You can’t play it any other way because it means you’re thinking. And in a fast-paced game, you can’t play that way.

“I know who I am. So does my family and my teammates. Like I said, I’ve never been a malicious player. If you ever get a chance to meet me outside of football, I’m a cool dude who loves to laugh and loves to have fun. But I’m an old-school player who is going to hit you and who loves to tackle and is going to continue to do what I can to help the team.

“We are defenders. And when I talk to people I ask them, ‘How would you behave if someone kicks in the door and is going to come into your house? Let’s see how you defend your house; let’s see how you react.’

“I protect. Someone comes in who’s unwanted, and you see what happens. The switch goes on. Football is a violent sport, and sometimes bad things happen. Some people don’t like it. But at the end of the day, I’ve got to feed my family, and this is how I do it.”

As long as there is a NFL, somebody will do it.  30 years from now another hard hitter will sit back and lament the same bleak outcast.

The post Bernard Pollard predicts the death of the NFL. appeared first on Players View.

The Baltimore Ravens linebacker is a noted advocate for same-sex marriage.

That is his business.

He told the New York Times via Fox Sports that he has big plans to put his favorite cause  front and center each and every time that he gets an iota of camera time.

The report states that he has contacted another same sex supporter Brian Ellner and Michael Skolnik who is an editor at  Global Grind.Com and has close ties to rap icon/political activist Russell Simmons.

“Is there anything I can do for marriage equality or anti-bullying over the next couple of weeks to harness this Super Bowl media?” Ayanbadejo wrote in an e-mail, according to the Times.

“It’s one of those times when you’re really passionate and in your zone,” Ayanbadejo told the Times. “And I got to thinking about all kinds of things, and I thought: ‘How can we get our message out there?’”

If the Ravens win Ayanbadejo has plans to visit the The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but hopefully someone from the Ravens media relations department pulls him aside to tell him that this is not the move to make.

Right, wrong or indifferent, sports is a place where people from different walks of life can find refuge from the various agendas that populate society’s other outlets.

In short, not very many people are trying to hear about this issue when they watch Super Bowl coverage.

There is a time and a place for everything.

Brendon Ayangadejo should limit his  rhetoric to calling the 49ers offense a joke or a gimmick.

The similar diss aimed at the Patriots was much more welcome than this.

Not because he is right or wrong but because he is infringing on the fan’s right to the experience that they came for.

The post Brendon Ayanbadejo to use Super Bowl as same sex platform appeared first on Players View.

The runaway winner this year thus far is Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard.

The New York Times is reporting that Pollard has given them plenty of information to chew on.

When he spoke to them on a variety of topics that include his knack for taking out members of the New England Patriots, he knew exactly what to say.

“This is a violent sport,” Pollard said. “I ask you the question: If I came to your house with the doors locked, and I just kicked it down and tried to steal stuff, you’re going to defend your house, right? So that’s the stand I take. We got grass behind us, and we have an end zone that we have to defend.”

Then there was an incident in which Pollard decided to freak out a reporter who borrowed the chair from his locker to interview another member of the Ravens.

“I’m going to use my fist on you!” Pollard said and subsequently smiled. “I’m joking, man. Don’t sue me.”

The Times writer Scott Cacciola noted that the reporter looked ” terrified.”

What really seemed to dump Pollard into the off-the-beaten-path role is the fact that he’s conducted his interviews in the nude.

Cacciola wrote in the Times piece “Pollard’s confidence reveals itself in the locker room, where he has no qualms about being naked. He will conduct full interviews in the nude. Pants are the enemy. When local journalists gave Pollard their “good guy” award after the 2011 season for being accommodating, they presented him with a pair of boxer shorts, in the hope that he would wear them. His own teammates have encouraged him to use a towel or two.” 

Umm.. yeah.

Pollard is who Pollard is and he doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him.

“I really don’t care if you like me,” he said. “I really don’t care if you don’t like the things I say. It’s not going to stop me from being who I am.”

And right now he’s a one-man jackhammer that has placed a target on the back of every offensive skill player of the San Francisco 49ers.

Thankfully the NFL requires players to wear uniforms with their pads.

The post Bernard Pollard takes a full frontal approach to the media. appeared first on Players View.

Regardless of how much good Lewis does people will choose to bring it up as they see fit.

People will choose to color it and doctor it up as they see fit.

It’s simple, as of late if Ray Lewis kicked a fan’s team out of the playoffs on his last run at a title, the most disgruntled and classless of the bunch have said ‘ well he’s a murderer and a thug.’

The rhetoric has gotten so out-of-control that there are adults that followed the case that have forgotten what happened 12 years ago in Atlanta.

The bottom line is that Lewis was charged with obstruction of justice in a murder trial.

He pleaded guilty and because he is a famous football player he dug into his pockets to settle lawsuits with the family members of  two victims.

Now,  Reginald Oakley he was charged with murder. He is also coming out with a book at some point in the future.

He spoke to USA Today and provided them with some information about the evening that claimed the lives of Richard Lollar and Jacinth Baker.

Of course Oakley doesn’t give up all the details because well..you know the book and all.

He is also trying to cash in on the evening by writing a screenplay about the events that took place outside of an Atlanta nightclub in 2002 during the events surrounding that season’s Super Bowl.

“I can tell it like this, not that I owe (Lewis) any type of protection,” Oakley said this week. “What happened, it wasn’t our fault what happened. It happened, but we didn’t instigate none of what happened. We had a great time and were on our way to the limousine to go back to our hotel, and those guys came out, for whatever reason. I think it was to rob (Lewis) because it was a dark alley and they were standing at the alley. I think it was just an opportunity for them to do whatever they had in mind.”

Oakley did not testify at the trial although Lewis did.

Now Oakley wants to state that Lewis was targeted  ”because of the way he was dressed.”

“It definitely was self-defense because no one was expecting anything like that,” Oakley said. “Everyone was having a great time. We had a great weekend. It was so unexpected and happened so fast.”

Another person in the Lewis entourage that evening was contacted by the paper.

“It’s a shame that he was even in that situation,” Kwame King said. “He had nothing to do with it, and it’s a travesty that he even had to go through that ordeal. That’s my only statement. Thank you.”

Oakley stated that Lewis knows about his publishing ventures and he is ”not thrilled about it because he’s trying to put it all behind him.”

“I’m sure there are some things he’d rather not talk about. If you were in a situation like that, and you know how the media and public is, you wouldn’t want to talk about it either. It’s a tough situation to be in.”

When pressed for serious details about the evening Oakley keep his mind on his money and his money on his mind.

“I can’t,” Oakley said. “I can’t. I talk about that in the book. … I can’t answer that right now.”

The post Ray Lewis co-defendant speaks up appeared first on Players View.

He might be the leading tackler, or he may simply be the emotional leader he’s been during the final few months of his career.

But don’t believe for a minute, that although this is Joe Flacco’s team, this is anything but Lewis’s game.

While the Harbaugh brothers will be grabbing all the attention, the spotlight will be on Lewis, as he gets ready to play his final 60 minutes of a Hall-of-Fame career.

He’ll run onto the field alone because for one final time, what would a Ravens’ introduction be without a Ray Lewis pre-game entrance?

He’ll come out of the tunnel a champion once before, but will be looking to walk away on top. Something every athlete dreams of but very few get to do.

And after tearing his tricep on October 14th against the Dallas Cowboys, a chance at storybook ending seemed bleak.

Many wondered if we had seen the last of Lewis.  Many wondered if he’d be able to play in his 17^th postseason game of his career.

All signs pointed towards an early retirement.  An early-exit.  A sad goodbye for the seven-time All-pro.  A legendary career finished. The two-time defensive player of the year was ready to embark on his journey towards Canton, Ohio, a little sooner than we all expected.

And we certainly all would’ve wished for.

This wasn’t the way the 13-time Pro-Bowler’s career was supposed to end.  Not this way.  Not with an injury, during the regular season.

Lewis was destined to go out on his own terms, and no one else’s.

Lewis spoke with the Baltimore Sun after the Ravens defeated the New England Patriots to advance to the Super Bowl on Sunday.

“There’s something special in our locker room,” Lewis said. “There’s a certain type of love we have for each other. For me to come out and say this was my last ride and for me to be heading back to the Super Bowl for the possibility of a second ring, how else do you cap off a career?

“How else do you honor your fans and give them everything you cheer for? Baltimore is one of the most loyal places I’ve been around since 1996. The greatest reward you can give them is another chance at a Super Bowl. The last ride, I can only say I’m along for the ride.”

Yes the last ride.

And after announcing his retirement on January 2nd, Lewis returned just four days later, ready to write the final chapter of a memorable career.

Now, he’ll get the chance to finish his legendary career with a storybook ending.

Returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since winning the Super Bowl MVP award in 2001, Lewis gets the opportunity to finish his career the same way Jerome Bettis did – with a Super Bowl championship.

But unlike Bettis, there will be no homecoming for Lewis, who returned to his hometown of Detroit for Super Bowl XL.

Unlike Bettis, who was victorious in his only Super Bowl appearance, this time will not be Lewis’ first Super Bowl appearance. But, it’ll certainly be his last.

After the final 60 minutes of Lewis’ career are over, his greatest moment on Super Bowl Sunday won’t be his final pre-game dance routine in front of thousands at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

It’s not even going to be the end of a 17-year career that surely will take him to Canton, Ohio, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame when he’s eligible for induction four years from now.

It will be hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy and then saying goodbye for one final time.

Many people will look back at the Ravens of the past decade and remember their dominant defense and their win against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.

They might remember multiple missed playoff opportunities, Lee Evans’ drop from a season ago, and how they came oh-so close, so many times.

But they’ll certainly remember Joe Flacco’s 70-yard pass to Jacoby Jones, the greatest play in Ravens playoff history, which allowed Lewis’ farewell tour to continue.

Others will remember Lewis pregame ritual or his emotional speeches.

But well never forget the final ride Lewis took us on.

I certainly enjoyed it.  Hope you did too.

So one day, Lewis and Bettis will meet again.  It won’t be in Pittsburgh or Baltimore.  At Heinz field or M&T Bank Stadium.

It’ll be in a small town in Ohio.

Lewis’s new home away from home.

The post Ray Lewis prepares to take his final bow on his own terms appeared first on Players View.

During the last press conference before his New England Patriots vie for a Super Bowl against the surging Baltimore Ravens, Belichick stepped away from his usually stoic demeanor to display excitement for the road ahead.

“I think the players have done a good job this week, they’ve worked hard to get the scouting report, and new information on the Ravens, practiced well, good energy, I think the team is excited to play,” Belichick told the Boston Globe. “If you can’t get excited for the AFC Championship game, I don’t know what you can get excited for.

“This is what we’ve worked all year for, this opportunity, and I know that everybody wants to make the most of it. The attitude is good, we’re looking forward to playing a great football team, going out there and knowing we need to play our best to beat them. But that’s the way it should be.”

The battle is a rematch from the 2012 contest that was physical, dramatic and for Baltimore fans anticlimactic.

Players View Prediction

Wade Thompson:  I want the Ravens to win the game. Let me say it before we get into this. I am a Patriots fan and I believe in them as a team and a staff.

I think you have to be inhuman to not pull for Ray Lewis and those guys to get it done.

So you know, I am rooting for them but I think the road ends here.

Adrian Glover: I can’t recall a time when you have ever picked against them.

Wade: You stick with what works. The Patriots are a machine. They just roll on and on.  We discuss the emotion of this game so much from the Ravens perspective.

You don’t think Tom Brady is feeling emotional? This could easily be Wes Welker’s last run with him.

We all know that.

After two Super Bowl losses to the Giants, you don’t think there is a huge chunk of him that wants to prove his relevancy in the now?

It’s been a long time since he won a title.

There’s guys on that squad that need this game just as bad as the Ravens do.

Adrian: I love having this discussion in the post-season. I think we tend to throw out the stats and focus on the human element of these games more in the playoffs.

To your point, I agree with that. But if you want to play that card, here is the difference between the two teams.

The Patriots are willing to be motivated by Brady.

The Ravens will die right now for Ray.

Ray is not just their leader on the field.

He has led these mean in life.

He has answered phone calls in the middle of-the-night just to counsel guys.

He prays with them and for them.

As much as Brady means to the Patriots, Lewis means at least two times more.

As for the game itself, I love what Jim Caldwell has done with the Ravenms offemse.

He has simplified things for Joe Flacco.

He has feature the running game more.

Has in short kept the best and threw out the rest.

Caldwell figured out that there is certain things that this group can do well.

He just sticks to that and as they evolve within that plan, they are getting more lethal.

Wade: Yes but the Patriots defense is not the joke that it used to be. They have evolved as well. That should be a heavyweight fight.

Adrian:  True. As for Lewis vs. Brady, I don’t see the Patriots winning that. You know I get that they can be methodical and score points against the Texans. Houston is a team with a lot of question marks all over their defense.

Tell me this. With Rob Gronkowski out, who is going to offset the momentum that thus defense is playing with?

Welker should have a good game.

We are waiting on Aaron Hernandez to return to star form. Not alright form, but star form. Brandon Llyod has only done so much and Deion Branch is not scaring anybody…at anytime…ever again.

Wade: Shane Vreen stepped up last week. I think they found a gem with him.

Adrian: Really? Every now and then the Patriots have a running back that explodes and has a great game because they catch a defense sleeping. What’s up Steven Ridley?

Wade: I’ve got New England. Their pedigree, their coaching and their talent will take them to the Super Bowl.

Adrian: I’ve got the Ravens to avenge their 2012 loss.

The post Predicting Ravens at Patriots; Bill Belichick is excited for the game. appeared first on Players View.

It seemed all but certain that Lewis would fly south upon retirement.

The lure of perhaps taking  a coaching position of some sort at the University of Miami seemed to tempting for him to turn down.

According to reports that is not to be the case.

According to SI.Com, ESPN has broken out the checkbook and will bring Lewis onset for their NFL programming.

The deal is reportedly of the multi-year variety and will place Lewis in a “significant role” for the network’s Monday Night Countdown broadcast.

Lewis will also participate in other programming as well.

ESPN’s willingness to accommodate Lewis’ scheduling needs has played a big factor into their ability to get him on board.

The retiring linebacker will attend all of his son’s game  on “The U’s” roster this upcoming season, rendering it impossible for him to be available for many Sunday morning broadcasts.

How this will impact other Monday Night Countdown  regulars such as former Minnesota Viking Chris Carter,ex-Denver Bronco Tom Jackson, coaching great Mike Ditka or retired journeyman wideout Keyshawn Johnson remains to be seen.

It’s doubtful that host Chris Berman will be going anywhere.

Lewis is certainly a larger-than-life figure that can command anyone’s attention.

Squeezing him into the existing panel of five would feel a bit like overkill.

Jackson has provided the program with it’s lone defensive viewpoint.

Carter and Johnson while very charismatic, have drawn the ire of certain current players.

New York Jet’s linebacker  Bart Scott infamously called out Jackson and Johnson during his now-legendary post-game interview in 2010 after the Jets knocked the New England Patriots out of the playoffs.

Carter’s former apprentice Randy Moss opened fire on him after Carter called him a quitter on another ESPN show.

Lewis has long been a mentor and diplomat among his peers, it’s unlikely that he would find himself in a similar situation.

The network has yet to comment.

Well as they say…’c'mon man.’

The post Ray Lewis to join ESPN appeared first on Players View.

It was unavoidable.

His recent injury may have expedited the process. But time puts its stamp on everyone. Even Ray Lewis. 

In a report on the league’s website, it is being reported that Lewis announced that he was retiring during a team meeting on Wednesday.

Ray Lewis told the team today “this will be my last ride.”

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 2, 2013

“Everything I’ve done is to make another run at the Lombardi,” Lewis said Wednesday.

“That’s one thing I shared with them,” Lewis told the media “I said, ‘I’m going to give you everything that I got because this is our last one. And wherever it ends, I didn’t come back for it to end in the first round.”

Two of the team’s higher profile players that will have to carry the torch of  Lewis commitment to the team commented on the situation.

“I can’t picture Baltimore without him,” running back Ray Rice said.

“It’s amazing and it’s sad all at the same time,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said.

Indeed.  You can’t really put what Lewis has mean to the sport of football into a few quotes.

Players View will feature extensive coverage on Lewis moving forward into the playoffs and what will eventually be his last game.

The post Ray Lewis is retiring appeared first on Players View.

The Baltimore Sun is citing team sources that are claiming that Lewis will more than likely face the New York Giants in a pivotal game for both teams.

The report stated that “early indications” are that Lewis will attempt to play.

Sources also told the paper that a firm decision will be made on Saturday and that  ”the decision will ultimately be up to Lewis and the team’s medical and coaching staff.”

At some point the Ravens will have to learn to walk tall without the veteran’s inspirational yet dominating presence.

In the short-term, they need as many hands on deck as they can have in what should be a heavyweight-brawl for survival.

Players View Prediction:

New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens 

Adrian Glover:  This game can go either way. You have two Super Bowl caliber teams that are under performing late in the season.

Wade Thompson:  I am going to go with the Giants. They beating they took at Atlanta was very uncharacteristic for them. They should come out hungry and humble. They need it more. The Ravens are already in and they can’t afford to drop a single game going forward.

Adrian: I agree with some of that but in the big picture, the Ravens completely understand that this must be a get-right game for them. They can’t just lose out and  start playing like champions when they feel like it.

The key is Ray Rice. They have to feed him the football. Joe Flacco should not throw the ball more than 12-15 times for the rest of the year. He can take his deep shots. But offensively it should be Rice as the workhorse with short-intermediate throws to Anquan Boldin and Dennis Pitta.

If they do that, they will beat the Giants. If they come out and allow Flacco to keep trying to prove that he is some sort of hero, it will be another crucial loss.

Wade: You think Ray Lewis  is going to play? If  he does, it will be a big help. But until the Ravens prove that they will exercise some sort of patience with their offense, I am going with their opponent. That opponent this week is the New York ” Football” Giants.

Adrian: Speaking of those sleeping Giants, Tuck may not play and Bradshaw is limping back into the lineup. I think we can say that Victor Cruz is not going to match the magic that he created last year. On the other side of the field Hakeem Nicks is still struggling to get separation from defenders. I don’t know what has happened to them but I am not investing in another Cinderella season for Big Blue.

Adrian Picks: Ravens

Wade Picks: Giants

The post Predicting Giants at Ravens; Ray Lewis expected to play appeared first on Players View.

The aggressive safety is stepping up to provide answers as to why his team has fallen from being a Super Bowl pick to a group that many think won’t get past the first round of the playoff tourney.Pollard told the team’s website that the state-of-team-affairs is not pretty.

“We’re not good at a lot of things right now. We’re going to be exposed. We’ve been exposed,” Pollard said. “And now it’s time for us to go back to work and figure out how we can fix that?”

From these eyes it appears to be as simple as forcing the offense to resort to power football with running back Ray Rice as the engine.

Chew up the clock and revert back to the Joe Flacco experiment next year after you franchise him.

It’s doubtful that after his recent performance that Flacco has done much to win the big money deal that he covets.

Pollard understands that the time is now to right the ship.

“We got to make a freaking run,” Pollard said. “For us, man, we dug a hole. We can’t complain. We did it. We [threw] this thing away. We [threw] it away. As a team, we got to come together and we got to fix it. Everybody is talking about, ‘What happened?’ Well, what happened is us.

“We are the problem. We have to fix this issue. Everybody is talking about, ‘Well, you’re in the playoffs,’ Well, who cares? Because the way we’ve played, who cares about the playoffs? If we don’t fix it, that’s going to carry over to the playoffs. And we don’t want that to happen. We have to come together.”

That is nothing but the truth serum of humility speaking. But he and the team are still excited to be guaranteed a playoff spot.

“Whether we backed in, whether we slid in, it don’t matter. We’re in the playoffs,” Pollard said. “There’s so many teams that would love to switch positions with us right now that you have to be grateful with where you’re at. We worked our butt off to get nine wins.”

“We dug this hole that we’re in. We can’t blame nobody but ourselves,” Pollard said. “I’ve said this from the get go, and I’ve said this my whole career, it takes some people to eat humble pie before they realize the things that they need to do. We don’t like this situation we’re in. We don’t like losing three straight games. Nobody does. But it’s just to the point now where we have to get back at it.

“We dug the hole, now we got to find a way to get out of it. It starts with great preparation this week.”

This is not good news for a New York Giants team that is one more loss away from a complete and total 2012 knockout blow.

The post Bernard Pollard claims that the Baltimore Ravens have been exposed appeared first on Players View.

Yahoo Sports is reporting that Ray Lewis could return by Week 15 to face the Denver Broncos.

The report states that Lewis has been “aggressively treating” his triceps injury with a plasma therapy and that he could return to practice this week.

The Ravens are desperate for a championship this year so that this group of players can enjoy one together.

Ravens’ defensive pupil linebacker Terrell Suggs represents that comeback mentality to the fullest as he himself returned from what was thought to be a season-ending Achilles injury.

“I don’t think anybody believed me outside of this organization,” Suggs said. “But I’ve been fighting for these guys for 10 years. Ray [Lewis] believed me. Right away, he said, ‘These are the doctors to see.’ He told me about the stem cells. He was on it. He might as well have been my rehab specialist.”

Suggs spoke on Lewis’ chance for a comeback.

“He keeps saying, ‘Just hold it down till I get back,’ and we believe him,” said Suggs. “He’s gonna do whatever he possibly can to get back. No, [it's] not crazy. If anybody can do it, it’s him.”

“We’ll see in another couple of weeks,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said Sunday. “Stay tuned.”

Said Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “I would say it’s possible. We can’t put Ray out there until he’s ready to win those battles. But if it can be done, yes, we want to do it.”

And it looks like the stage could be set.

The post Ray Lewis could return before playoffs appeared first on Players View.

He quickly submitted for an appeal which was reviewed by arbitrator Ted Cottrell who sliced his suspension down to a $50,000 fine.

Had he upheld the league’s original sentence, Reed would have lost an entire game’s pay valued at $423,529.

“The rules of the game have changed a whole lot since I got in the league,” said Reed to the Baltimore Sun. “Over my career, I’ve never been that guy. I don’t plan on being that guy. It’s a shame it even came to this point. That’s what the NFLPA was saying, that’s what [Ravens president] Dick Cass was saying.”

“It’s a shame it even came to this point, being that I’ve been on the other side of hits that have been illegal towards me. I’ve got a lot of respect for that organization, the Steelers, and the other teams in the league. I never played the game that way. I know just as well as I can do the hitting somebody else can, too. I have football camps I’m not teaching that to my kids. It’s something we have to deal with as players. It’s a shame we have to do that.”

In a letter to Reed today, Cottrell wrote: “I have determined that your actions were egregious and warrant significant discipline. However, I do not believe that your actions were so egregious as to subject you to a one-game suspension without pay. Player safety is the league’s primary concern in the formation of playing rules and all players are expected to adhere to those rules or face disciplinary action. I hope in the future you will focus on ensuring that your play conforms to the rules.”

Still Reed balked at the idea that he is a player that tries to intentionally decapitate other players.

“It really needs to be discussed for a fine to come down like that so harshly for that hit,” Reed said. “Over my career and for them to go back to 2010 for me scratching Drew Brees on the head, even the one that happened in Week 2 with Michael Vick, c’mon, man. I’m going for the ball. It’s a contact sport. It’s a lot that needs to be done with it, man. I’m just glad I can play with my teammates. I’m not happy with the $50 grand, but what can you do?”

With the swarm that this situation created, the NFL has accomplished its mission of painting itself as the violence police.

What is collateral damage in the entire thing is the next dent that the front office has taken in the eyes of the fans who view situations such as this as the witch-hunt’s that they really are.

The post Ed Reed’s suspension is overturned appeared first on Players View.

Reed’s helmet-to-helmet collision with Steelers’ receiver Emmanuel Sanders was not the first time Reed has gotten in trouble for similar Hits.

According to the NFL, the incident marks the third time that Reed has been disciplined by the league for similar strikes against defenseless players.

On September 23, 2012 against the New England Patriots, Reed was penalized for unnecessary roughness and fined $21,000 for striking a defenseless player, wide receiver Deion Branch, in the head and neck area.

On December 19, 2010 against the New Orleans Saints, Reed was penalized for roughing the passer and fined $10,000 for unnecessarily striking the quarterback, Drew Brees, in the head and neck area.

According to the statement, Reed is not allowed to practice nor be with the Ravens this week. He is due to return on November 26^th.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was surprised when he heard the news.

“I didn’t see that one coming, so it was surprising,” Harbaugh said Monday.

Harbaugh also feels that the appeals process won’t drag out Reed’s availability to the Ravens one way or another.

“My understanding was (an appeal is) going to be heard very quickly for that reason, so we should have a decision by Wednesday,” he said.

Although imposed by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Merton Hanks, said NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations Ray Anderson spoke out on the decision.

“We cannot tolerate repeated violations of rules, especially rules related to player safety,” said Anderson. “We will continue to take the strongest possible action to deter these types of violations and protect our players.”

Looks like the Chargers may have caught a break this week.

The post Ed Reed suspended for one game by NFL appeared first on Players View.

Earlier this week, Lewis returned to the team for a visit and was a welcome sight according to Terrell Suggs.

“It was good to see the general, the head of your cavalry out there in good spirits,” Suggs told the Ravens’ website. “He seemed ecstatic. There’s a good change getting him back this year to push our season to the max.”

Lewis stated that the feeling is definitely mutual.

“It’s truly great to be back with my teammates,” Lewis said in a statement. “I’ve really missed these guys and the feel of being around the team and in the locker room.

“I am focused on rehabbing and getting my arm and body as strong as they can be. I will speak in person when I know a little more about my progress. I’m working hard and looking forward to coming back and helping this team. But right now, the focus should be on the guys playing, and I’ll be the biggest cheerleader I can be for them.”

With the Oakland Raiders coming into their house on Sunday, a cheerleader of his magnitude certainly won’t hurt.

Players View Prediction:

Wade Thompson:  As long as they feed Ray Rice the football, Baltimore will be fine.  I don’t think we need to sit around every week and talk about their injuries.

Adrian Glover:  I agree with that.  The Ravens are dead talk has really gotten out-of-hand and I still have them as the team to beat in the AFC.

That being said, when it comes to this game, the Raiders are banged up and they still have Carson Palmer throwing the football. They have a lot of talent in that receiving corps going to waste there.

I like Baltimore to win this one.

The post NFL Picks: Ray Lewis lifts Ravens spirits as they prepare for Raiders. appeared first on Players View.

#10 The Cowboys Collapse Continues

Everything about the Dallas Cowboys is in disarray as yet another season sits at the brink of disaster. They are 3-5 with allegedly enough talent to fill a Pro Bowl roster yet they consistently under perform.

The only thing about Dallas that is consistent is that they are inconsistent.

Whether it’s the erratic offensive play calling or the mood/tempo of this team, this all lands squarely in the lap of head coach Jason Garrett.

As with many tragedies there comes a little comedy such as the report that owner Jerry Jones was “locked out” of the team’s locker room after their defeat at the hands of the Atlanta Falcons.

#9 Redskins Look Ahead To 2013.

Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has said some stupid things before but I can’t think of much that tops what he said Sunday after his group lost to the Carolina Panthers.

Shanahan’s post-game comments ran in the Washington Post and they reeked of defeat.

“A must-win game is to give you a chance to play for a playoff spot. At the midway point when you’re 3-5, it’s got to be a must-win, obviously, to get in the hunt. When you lose a game like that, now you’re playing to see who, obviously, is going to be on your football team for years to come. Now we get a chance to evaluate players and see where we’re at.

“Obviously we’re not out of it statistically,” he said. “But now we find out what type of character we’ve got and how guys keep on fighting through the rest of the season.”

There is a shred of optimism hiding in there but you hate to see a coach use a term like “evaluate players” at this stage of the game.

Shanahan’s biggest mistake here can be denying his rookie quarterback the opportunity to mentally believe that all things are possible.

If you are not out of it statistically, then refrain from using the e word until you are.

#8 Chicago Bears Hang 51 On The Titans

The Bears/Titans game looked like a real-time simulation of a Madden video  game. The only problems is that the personnel controlling the outcome were not evenly matched and you have to be embarrassed for Tennessee.

“In my 50 years of owning an NFL franchise, I am at a loss to recall a regular-season home game that was such a disappointment for myself and fans of the Titans,” owner Bud Adams told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “We were grossly outcoached and outplayed from start to finish today.

“At this time, all aspects of the organization will be closely evaluated, including front office, coaches and players over the next seven games. If performance and competitiveness does not improve, I will look at all alternatives to get back to having the Titans become a playoff and championship football team.”

There goes that evaluation word again. It hits a little harder when it comes from the guy that writes the checks huh?

#7 Baltimore Bounces Back

They may have shut down the lowly Cleveland Browns but after the world was predicting that the sky was falling, the Baltimore Ravens showed up and got a victory.

How they won was just as important as they got running back Ray Rice involved early and often.   Defensively they held the Browns to 15 points that were all scored by kicker Phil Dawson.

A Ravens defense that allows no touchdowns is waving from familiar ground.

#6 Christian Ponder Is In A Slump

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder’s stats from Sunday’s loss to the Seahawks are 63 yards, 1 interception, 0 touchdowns and a 37.3 quarterback rating.

This is the second time within the past three games that Ponder has failed to break the 100 yard mark in-the-air.

Receiver Percy Harvin has now passed into the ranks of the veterans. He needs to stop antagonizing his coach on broadcast TV and uplift his boy.

#5 Atlanta Can Win In A Lot Of Ways

PV has noted that at times Falcons running back Michael Turner appears to have lost more than a couple of steps.

But as shown against the Cowboys, he can still get to where he needs to go when teams are forced to blanket his team’s arsenal of weapons that can catch the ball.

Turner’s second half touchdown and 102 rushing yards put Atlanta in the win column for the 8^th time this season.

“It’s ‘football tough’” Turner told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “It’s going to be like that sometimes. We have just got to figure out ways to get better and finish and score touchdowns.”

He and his fellow backs in Jacquizz Rodgers and Jason Snelling may no longer be the team’s crutches but when all else fails, the can still set the pyrotechnics off in the Georgia Dome.

#4 Doug Martin Stomps All Over The Raiders

Tampa Bay’s rookie running back Doug Martin rushed for a franchise-record 251 yards and four touchdowns to lead his team to a 42-32 over the Raiders on Sunday.

Martin who was born in Oakland, assisted the Buccaneers (4-4) in their fight for a wildcard playoff berth as his record-shattering day breathed life into their season

Out of Martin’s four touchdowns, three were over 40 yards, two were over 65 and one of which was a 70-yard push.

Incredible.

#3 Aaron Rodgers Makes Something Out Of Nothing

Once again Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers uplifted he and his team out of dire circumstances and rolled right over the competition.

Rodgers’ favorite target in Greg Jennings was out and will be for some time, his other primary guy Jordy Nelson excited early with an ankle issue as he battles a hamstring problem.

None of that was an issue as Rodgers dialed up Randall Cobb’s number and proved that he can make anybody a star.

Cobb’s two touchdowns in the Packers’ 31-17 victory over the Cardinals proved that his desire, speed and ability are the perfect complement to Rodgers’ ability to find anyone, anywhere on the field.

Once Cobb can improve his conversion ratio of targets to actual catches, he will be yet another lethal option for Green Bay.

#2 Peyton Manning Is Peyton Manning

There is only so many times, we can use the what if’s as they pertain to Peyton Manning’s current stint as the Denver Broncos quarterback.

The fact is that Manning played four solid quarters of football against the Cincinnati Bengals despite turning the ball over.

When the Broncos fell behind late in the game, Manning came through and drove a ruthless dagger in the hearts of a good Bengals team coming directly off a bye.

For two straight games, Manning has played four quarters of football that is typically associated with his last name.

Now that the wins are coming, the sky might be the limit in the AFC.

#1 The Colts Keep On Keeping On

After defeating a surging Dolphins team to go 5-3, the Colts welcomed their Leukemia-stricken head coach Chuck Pagano into their locker room for perhaps the most emotional moment you could ever see in pro sports.

Pagano’s spirit, faith and determination obviously is pumping adrenaline through this team and they are closer than they think to being a legitimate playoff contender.

Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck may not have the headlines that RG3 is grabbing but he has a much more valuable asset in his pocket.

Andrew Luck has the wins.

The post 10 NFL Observations From Week 9 appeared first on Players View.

Lewis is having surgery to repair his torn right triceps on Wednesday and the Baltimore Ravens are holding out hope that he will suit up again if the team makes the playoffs.

They have placed the reserve/injured – designated for return label on Lewis which in layman’s terms means that he will be able to return as early as December 15^th.

The likelihood of that happening is highly unlikely, but as he stated today on the team’s website, coach John Harbaugh is holding out for the possibility of a miracle.

“There’s an opportunity [for him to return] and we are going to keep the door open,” he said.

Regardless of what happens, Lewis will not be a distraction to his team by engaging in any type of retirement talk.

He told his former teammate and current analyst Shannon Sharpe that he won’t make a decision about potential retirement until after he completes his rehab process and even then he won’t speak publicly until the Ravens have concluded the 2012 season.

Sharpe told USA Today that Lewis stated ‘right now, I need to stay positive for my team.’

In what has to be a bit of good news, linebacker Terrell Suggs participated in practice for the first time this season as he came off the PUP list.

Suggs participated in stretches but the Ravens could deploy him at anytime between now and November 7.

“He’s worked really hard,” Harbaugh said. “He’s done a great job with the rehab.  He’s followed the protocol.  He had no setbacks throughout the course of the whole deal.  So, that’s a credit to him and a credit to the doctors and to our trainers.”

The post Ray Lewis could play again in 2012 as Terrell Suggs returns to practice. appeared first on Players View.

#10 The Atlanta Falcons Need To Step Up

You can only dodge bullets for so long and for the third week straight, Atlanta almost gift wrapped a victory for a team that they should have defeated.  The old football proverb about good teams finding a way to win only goes so far.

#9 The Dallas Cowboys Are The Unluckiest Team In Sports

The evidence that the Cowboys are cursed is so convincing it’s ridiculous.

But wait a minute.

Do they just find a way to collapse in crucial moments?

I’ll take curtain number two for $500.

How could coach Jason Garrett and his quarterback Tony Romo BOTH mismanage the closing seconds of their game against the Ravens is beyond me.

There is no reason why they did not run at least one more play to edge their kicker closer for the game winner.

It was sloppy, it was clumsy and it was something that even a high school group could have pulled off.

#8 The Jets (Sorta) Got Their Swagger Back

They were not crushed by the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football as predicted, they were just defeated.

They used that minimal slice of self-esteem and went back to the ground-and-pound formula that works for them and stuck it to the Colts.

The Jets may not even make the playoffs but they can at salvage some sort of dignity in this a year where they have lost a lot.

If they can pull off a Week 7 victory over the Patriots, seriously all bets are off.

#7 The Packers Showed Up For Work

Aaron Rodgers dismantled the Texans defense in the offensive display of strength that we have grown accustomed to.

They did it with an injured and disgruntled Jermichael Finley, a patchwork running game and without their number one receiver Greg Jennings.

J.J. Watt had a few moments to shine but as a whole his now mortal Texans team got it handed to them. Speaking of which…

#6 The Texans DO Need Brian Cushing

When linebacker Brian Cushing was lost for the year on Monday night, the Texans and even Cushing himself issued propaganda that stated that with or without Cushing they were as good as ever.

The Packers dismantled that theory as they tore up the second level of the Texans defense on Sunday night.

You don’t replace a guy like Cushing but they are certainly second-guessing trading ILB Demeco Ryans to the Eagles for almost nothing in the off-season.

#5 The Eagles Are Almost Down For The Count

Unless their fans, their local media and their team unites and learns to look at the bright side of things, the finger pointing is going to break the will of this team.

Yes they have not generated sacks, yes Michael Vick needs to protect the football and yes the offensive line has some work to do.

These things are the self-evident.

But with the Cowboys slipping on banana peels, the Redskins only winning every couple of games or so and a win over the Giants, the Eagles can still easily take the NFC East.

Like the song says, “Don’t Worry Be Happy.”

The post Top 10 NFL moments of week six appeared first on Players View.

The big story coming out of that game is the injuries to first-round draft cornerback Morris Claiborne and his parallel for the Ravens Lardarius Webb

Claiborne was assisted off the field late in the second quarter after he drew a pass interference call defending a touchdown.

If he does not reenter the game, it will be extremely hard for the Cowboys to stop the Ravens aerial attack led by Joe Flacco.

In the other secondary Ravens’ cornerback Webb also left the game in the first half with what appears to be a pretty severe leg injury.

As we post it’s a four-point game in favor of the Ravens.

Either the Cowboys’ Tony Romo or Flacco will take advantage of a depleted secondary to take this game over.

Players View will update these and other NFL stories as Week 6 continues to play itself out.

The post Lardarius Webb and Morris Claiborne exit the Ravens vs Cowboys game with injuries appeared first on Players View.

Lewis has recently sold a few wolf tickets in regards to shutting down the Cowboys running game and Vickers did not take too kindly to that according to the Star Telegram.

“That’s just the way he feels,” Vickers said. “I don’t remember him being Whodini or anything like that. He is entitled to his own opinion and if that is how he feels, that’s cool too. Kudos to him.”

“You see me I stay ready for whoever,” Vickers said. “Names don’t scare me man. Teams don’t scare me. I’m a man before anything. So I let other men just talk. See me in between those lines. That’s how I get it down. Like that.”

“He is Ray Lewis that’s all I know,” Vickers said. “That’s all I know. I don’t judge players by other people. I judge them how they react toward me. You can feel in a blank on that one. I played against them my whole career.

“I’m still here, standing tall, still mean, still stiff. They are going to have to jump me. You feel me. They are going to have to jump me man. That’s what it’s going to be. I’m coming with it. They know I’m coming with it. I know they’re coming with it. Let’s meet in the lines. That’s just how it goes.”

Vickers is accustomed to playing the Ravens twice a year as an AFC North veteran. He may not be physically intimidated but he should be smart enough to know that it’s not a good idea to give Lewis a reason to play inspired.

Sometimes, it’s better to simply say ‘we’ll see on Sunday’ and leave it at that.

The video below that we found from 2010 demonstrates that Vickers and Lewis have had a problem with each other for a long, long time. The ” Ray slap him” comment does not belong to PV.

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He wrote a very non-confrontational piece on his thoughts on the subject for the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Birk is from Minnesota and played for the Vikings so it is not a surprise that chose his native platform on which to speak.

Here is a relevant chunk of it below, presented as is from the Star Tribune.

The union of a man and a woman is privileged and recognized by society as “marriage” for a reason, and it’s not because the government has a vested interest in celebrating the love between two people. With good reason, government recognizes marriages and gives them certain legal benefits so they can provide a stable, nurturing environment for the next generation of citizens: our kids.

Children have a right to a mom and a dad, and I realize that this doesn’t always happen. Through the work my wife and I do at pregnancy resource centers and underprivileged schools, we have witnessed firsthand the many heroic efforts of single mothers and fathers — many of whom work very hard to provide what’s best for their kids.

But recognizing the efforts of these parents and the resiliency of some (not all, unfortunately) of these kids, does not then give society the right to dismiss the potential long-term effects on a child of not knowing or being loved by his or her mother or father. Each plays a vital role in the raising of a child.

Marriage is in trouble right now — admittedly, for many reasons that have little to do with same-sex unions. In the last few years, political forces and a culture of relativism have replaced “I am my brother’s keeper” and “love your neighbor as yourself” with “live and let live” and “if it feels good, go ahead and do it.”

Personal feelings aside, what is striking about Birk’s piece is that he did not get in the gutter with curse words.

Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has been very vocal about the issue yet his rebuttals in the written form have always been littered with a certain level of vulgarity that forces him to come across as ignorant.

He has stated on his Twitter account that he will respond to Birk’s feelings, so at the very least he will be heard.

“Remember, Matt has the right to his views, just as I have the right to poke holes in logical inconsistencies ”

But in doing so will he hurt the issue that he supports more than he will help it?

The post Ravens center Matt Birk speaks out against same sex marriage appeared first on Players View.

But to be honest,  around here there is a ongoing debate as to how well the real referees will perform during their first week back on the job.

They have stated that they have spent a great deal of time watching the film of the first three weeks of NFL games so that they can keep up with the current environment.

That more or less translates into they have gotten together with a tray full of greasy snacks and a few brews to sit back and make fun of their replacements.

If they are like most adult men that watch sports, the real refs most likely made a drinking game out of it.

The rules were simple. One shot for every bad pass interference call.  It’s doubtful they made it through the first half of the first game.

Fitness buff Ed Hochuli probably exchanged sit-ups for shots. Who needs P 90 X now?

Seriously, the climate is so hot right now on this issue that as they take the field Thursday to maintain order during a nationally televised game, can you imagine the pressure that they are under?

Their return guarantees that the NFL Network will draw record numbers for a Thursday night game.

Time Warner added them to their program listings just in time.

The world will be watching because by and large folks want to see perfection at work.

They will receive a standing ovation akin to anything that you have ever seen.

The story has built up to this point and to their credit the powers-that-be got them back on the field at just the right time.

Hardcore fans understand that these guys will make mistakes. The hardcore fans just want justice to be served during the replay process.  That’s what it is there for.

The true perversion of the game took place when upon replay bad calls were upheld.

The hardcore fans understand that there will be errors. But they can count on the real referees not to throw a yellow flag for a phantom pass interference penalty just because somebody thinks they saw something fishy going on.

Not to disrespect the casual fan but it’s been my experience with talking with plenty of them this week that there is an air of an impossible end result at work with them.

There is a feeling in that group that suggests that barring a few errors once or twice a year, that the real referees will bring perfection via officiating to the sport.

That is not now or ever going to happen.

The refs are no different than the athletes. They need a season of adjustment to get used to being back on the field to get cranked up.

Calling pre-season games is as much of a trial run for them as it is the teams on the field.

Tonight and through this weekend, I’m ready for the mistakes especially as it pertains to the new rules.

I’m ready for drags on the timeline as they get together to sort a few things out.

The Colts and the Steelers are happy to take the early bye week this year because things should on-and-popping by next week.

Things will be a little off to get started but a guy like Mike Carey will get in the zone and fast.  Matter of fact, he’ll start ejecting players if they bring the MMA-style atmosphere that they have been getting away with thus far to his game. He does hold the record for doing that sort of thing.

That’s the value of the real referees. We know them and what to expect from them.  Whether we realized it or not, they were a huge part of our experience as observers.

Now that they are back, be prepared to cut them some slack for a couple of days. They will need it.

Check out Mike Carey sorting out a skirmish in a way the replacement referees never would have below.

The post How will the real NFL referees perform during their first week? appeared first on Players View.

Jones died early Sunday morning in a northeast Virginia motorcycle accident the team has confirmed to the media.

Smith also relayed his pain on Twitter.

I can’t believe my little brother is gone…be thankful for your loved ones and tell them you love them…this is the hardest thing ever.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Torrey Smith after the passing of his brother, Tevin,” the Ravens said in a statement.

“Torrey’s priority is his family,” coach Jim Harbaugh said in a statement. “We understand that completely.”

“This is devastatingly sad, sad news,” Harbaugh added. “Torrey and his family are a close, special family, and our hearts and thoughts reach out to all of them. Our hearts ache today. We pray for Tevin, his mother, Torrey and the rest of the family. God bless Tevin.”

The team is letting Smith decided whether or not that he will play in Sunday night’s game that pits the Ravens against the Patriots in a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game.

The post Torrey Smith loses his little brother in a motorcycle accident appeared first on Players View.

Players View tends to write pretty favorably about the Ravens as they play an inspired brand football that is exciting to watch.

When Joe Flacco sat at the podium yesterday and more or less passed the buck for his team’s loss onto the replacement refs, it became clear that they are the new scapegoats.

“The NFL and everybody always talk about the integrity of the game. I think this is kind of along those lines,” Flacco said.  ”Not to say these guys are doing a bad job, but the fact that we don’t have the normal guys out there is pretty crazy.”

Flacco’s performance in the second half of their contest against the Eagles was erratic to say the least.

The replacement refs had nothing to do with the balls that he overthrew downfield to open receivers.

Yes, there was a bad call made that cost them a touchdown late into the game. But there was also a bad call made on a touchdown catch that would have sent them to the Super Bowl last season as well.

The regular refs called that game.

Last week he grinned and stated that he just got “more expensive.” Until he can shine from week-to-week, he’s justifying why the Ravens are not rushing to cut him a long-term check.

Flacco is just one guy out of many that are taking to the streets to voice their opinion that ‘the replacement refs did it.’

Some of the worst calls in the history of sports have been made under the watch of the regular NFL crews.

I can’t think of a single game out of the thousands upon thousands that I have watched at all levels of the game where bad calls were not made.

It is what it and while defensive backs are getting away with murder at the moment, aside from some of the embarrassing popcorn moments, the replacement refs are not that bad.

The popcorn moments are calling a city by a different name or giving a team extra time out.

As stated, we can’t look at four-to-five blown calls in a game and take them to task for it when the regular crews run at nearly the same speed.

Like everybody else, I want the regular guys back just because I am used to them, their faces and their voices.

I can look at a crew and know for the most part that I can expect a lot of holding calls or a lot of talk back with coaches that like to scream at them.

The regular guys can’t be bullied.

That is what we are really missing at the moment.

In truth, the replacement refs are so eager to get it right that we are witnessing players at times punking them into making calls from the first whistle.

In each game that I have watched I’ve bared witness to as the play is ending, a player rolling over directly to a referee and getting the flag thrown just because the  ref is visibly thinking ‘ this guy is a professional I guess I should take his word for it.’

It doesn’t happen a lot but it’s happened in every game at some point.

The worst thing that a referee can ever do is listen to a player and the replacement refs do have a tendency to listen.

They also have a tendency to let things go that should not be let go.

In the Rams/Redskins game on Sunday, you would have thought the Rams are employing Deebo from the Friday movies and former rap mogul Suge Knight there was so much dirty play that was tolerated.

Then when the Skins’ Josh Morgan finally had enough, he drew a flag for an infraction that was minor compared to what his team had dealt with all game.

The question is does this kind of thing happen with the regular group? It has and when they return it will.

The point to all of this is that, these guys are not giving us a season that should cause wins and losses to have asterisks by them in the record books.

Just like the regular guys they make stupid mistakes and at times they are not consistent.

Where they really falter is that they are overwhelmed by the stage that they are running.

And who knows? If this lockout does not end, they may end up closing the gap between themselves and the faces we have grown to know so well.

In truth, we are scrutinizing them so much harder than we do the regular refs.

The good thing that could come out of this is that when the regular refs do come back we will watch them just as hard.

And then and only then will we see fewer bad calls.

The post Why we blame the replacement referees for everything appeared first on Players View.

The snarky comment was in relation a question asked about his on-again, now off-again talks with the team in regards to a long term deal.

According to an ESPN report, the talks are not only shelved, they are at the point where the process will have to start over and head back to square one.

Of course the Ravens have the option of franchising Flacco after this season for the next two years but to do so they would carry almost $40 million dollars over two seasons in making those moves.

The most likely situation is that Flacco will play well and get paid well and the Ravens won’t shoot themselves in the foot in doing so.

Will get Drew Brees money? He’ll probably command close to it but his deal certainly won’t be as front-loaded as the Saints’ leader’s is.

Stay tuned.

The post Report states that Joe Flacco and the Ravens have killed contract negotiations appeared first on Players View.

According to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Goodell spoke out on Wednesday in support of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.

You will remember last week Ayanbadejo was placed in the center of a firestorm that was started by an elected official in Maryland for supporting the belief that gays have the right to be legally married.

The core premise for those that did not see the story is that it was requested by the elected official that the Ravens put a muzzle on Ayanbadejo as his employer and temper his right to speak out on his personal beliefs.

That drew the ire of many and somehow the Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe dove so deep into the situation via his blog, that he kind of stole the spotlight from the other parties involved.

All of the grandstanding from everyone aside, Goodell stood up on and supported Ayanbadejo’s right to speak his mind.

“I think in this day and age, people are going to speak up about what they think is important. They speak as individuals, and that’s an important part of democracy.”

The statement is simple and perhaps even a tad bit forced but in supporting to the players to a certain degree on a hot button topic, Goodell for once took an opportunity to stop acting like Simon Legree.

I do think that by emphasizing that Ayanbadejo is acting as an “individual” that the commish took the seriously corporate way out instead of going all in to allow the shield to completely protect his people.

But hey it’s all about taking baby steps.

The post Roger Goodell speaks up for Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo appeared first on Players View.

#1 San Francisco 49ers

They entered the year as a top five team and the manner in which they bullied the Packers puts them in the number one spot.

#2 Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals are not a bad football team. The Ravens made them look like one by finally launching their offense into light speed.  This gave their high-motor defense the opportunity to take lambs out to slaughter once the Bengals had to play from behind.

#3 Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons offense is as good as advertised. Their third quarter blues seem to be a thing of the past. Next up is a Monday night date with Denver and CB Brent Grimes is done for the year. Let’s see how long they can stick in the top 3.

#4 New England Patriots

The bloody nose that was seen all over the world got it done again. NE’s defense and running game stepped up after years of being ridiculed. Now can Brady get some protection? Can the quarterback figure out how to get his wide receivers back into the highlight reel?  Dynamic things will happen if the Pats can complete their picture.

#5 Green Bay Packers

They are not ready to exit the top five just yet but the Packers need to rally the troops and blow out a huge team win to maintain their air of supremacy. Reality has just spoken.

#6 Dallas Cowboys

They legitimately smashed the champions of the world in their own house on Banner Day.  That has to send them deep into the top ten. It may not last very long but for now the Cowboys are the class of the NFC East.

#7 Houston Texans

As predicted, the Texans did take their collective belt off to the Dolphins. It wasn’t pretty and they earned a bump for it.

#8 Chicago Bears

The Bears new look offense rolled out the top guns and in a show of strength proved that they can suddenly run, pass and catch extremely well. Now that they have all three phases of their offense on point, the NFC North just became very complicated.

#9 Denver Broncos

On both sides of the ball the Broncos looked solid and in particular Peyton Manning looked efficient and able to throw a dagger when he has to.

#10 New York Jets

Remember that theory that stated that maybe the Jets were playing a bit of pre-season possum? That was confirmed in the Sunday spectacle that saw them humiliate the Bills. It was super ugly.

#11 New York Giants

Should one loss be cause for a team to drop from the top spot to out of the top 10? In this case yes. The Giants spent a lot of time talking about their NASCAR defense that sputtered out on the track.  WR Victor Cruz could not get his head in the game and their rookie running back got way to emotional after he fumbled during his first pro contest. They will be fine but for right now, they are on the outside looking in.

#12 Philadelphia Eagles

The joke was that the Eagles pulled off getting an extra preseason game by drawing the Browns as their first opponent. Yet what happened? The Browns outplayed them from pillar to post and had it not been for a late game splash of greatness, the Eagles would be 0-1. This time it was not the defense that had the problems as this explosive offense rained turnovers.

#13 Washington Redskins

They walked into the Super Dome and essentially cracked the whip on the Saints. The only thing is that Redskins coach Mike Shanahan took his foot off the gas and let the Saints get back in it.  This could have been the OMG win of the week.

#14 San Diego Chargers

After surviving Oakland’s early flourish of big hits and physical play, the Chargers opened the gate and won with confidence. Free agent pickup Robert Meachem showcased what he could do for San Diego and why he is missed already in New Orleans.

#15 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs got a pretty serviceable win against their division rivals the Carolina Panthers.  The connection between Josh Freeman and his new receiver Vincent Jackson is still not quite there.

#16 Arizona Cardinals

I suppose a win is a win. This is especially true seeing that the cornerback tandem of William Gay and Patrick Peterson held rookie phenomenon Russell Wilson in check all day.

#17 Detroit Lions

Yes they won but they barely got passed the Rams in one of the sloppiest games I’ve seen in a long, long time.

#18 Cincinnati Bengals

Marvin Lewis needs to talk to his squad after they had their faces mushed in the turf on Monday Night Football.  The Bengals are a better team than how they performed during week one.

#19 Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers were built to play great defense and run the football down people’s throats. On Sunday they did neither very well.

#20 Carolina Panthers

The Panthers need to find new ways to deploy their quarterback as the Buccaneers just rolled out a blueprint on how to limit him.  WR Louis Murphy looks to have the potential to help in that cause.

#21 New Orleans Saints

Now we see why the absence of Sean Payton means so much.

#22 Seattle Seahawks

Memo to Seahawks receivers: Help your quarterback on game winning drives. That is all.

#23 Cleveland Browns

They defensively crushed the Eagles for 99-percent of the game yet a string of offensive blunders made it all mean nothing.  If Brandon Weeden fails to show –and-prove the new owner may start asking to see how second-stringer Colt McCoy handles the pressure.

#24 Kansas City Chiefs

They tried to keep it close with the Falcons for the first 30 minutes but it became glaringly obvious that they need to work on playing 60 minutes of football

#25 Tennessee Titans

Every single player that took the field in powder blue and white on Sunday played uninspired and flat. Hey Chris Johnson this is supposed to be your return-to-glory year remember?

#26   Oakland Raiders

Once the Raiders clean up their stupid mistakes they will win games.  The question is ‘when is that going to happen?’

#27 Buffalo Bills

With Fred Jackson out and Ryan Fitzpatrick pulling the trigger, the Bills could be doomed for another season of mediocrity. C.J. Spiller looks ready to rock so perhaps coach Chan Gailey will wise up and give backup QB Tavaris Jackson the keys to the family car before it’s too late.

#28 St. Louis Rams

They may have played the Lions close but they also played the Lions dirty. Sam Bradford must continue to emerge as a game changer for the Rams to elevate themselves out of the cellar.

#29 Indianapolis Colts

The whole they are ready to win now thing? That’s on hold for a few weeks.

#30 Minnesota Vikings

In a battle of returning running backs Adrian Peterson was phenomenal. But when as a team you have to go down to the wire to beat Jacksonville, there’s problems that need to be addressed.

#31 Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert has not progressed very much at all if you let their first game’s tape tell the story.

#32 Miami Dolphins

Easily the worst in show.

The post NFL Power Rankings Week Two appeared first on Players View.

He recently sent a letter to Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Bisciotti. Within that letter he stated his displeasure towards the actions of linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo.

Below is the meat and potatoes of the whole deal.

“I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player,” Burns wrote.

“Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other.

“Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement,” Burns continued. “I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.

“I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing.”

The issue of Same-Sex marriage is not the problem here. It’s the idea that a representative of the people can contact someone’s employer and basically demand that an employer silence his employee for speaking out for his beliefs.

Ayanbadejo spoke out about it on Twitter: “Football is just my job it’s not who I am. I am an American before anything. And just like every American I have the right to speak!!!”

If you notice on the letter itself that was featured on Yahoo, Burns cc’d the “media” on this affair so he is subject to all of the scorn and ridicule that comes his way.

He sounds like something of a crackpot but at the end of the day, does he really expect the Ravens to sit him down and say ‘ no more of that thinking for yourself stuff?’

C’mon…

The post Maryland politician pushes Ravens to punish Brendon Ayanbadejo for political views appeared first on Players View.

That was just one piece of history from the life of one of the greatest football men of all-time.

Modell was a large cog in the machine that helped shape the current way that we enjoy the NFL.

He’s a big part of the reason why Monday Night Football even exists.

Today, those that knew him as a person and not a sports figure paid tribute to his life.

Former Ravens president David Modell issued this statement:

“Sadly, I can confirm that my father died peacefully of natural causes at 4 a.m. this morning.  My brother John Modell and I were with him when he finally rejoined the absolute love of his life, my mother Pat Modell, who passed away last October.

“’Poppy’ was a special man who was loved by his sons, his daughter-in-law Michel, and his six grandchildren. Moreover, he was adored by the entire Baltimore community for his kindness and generosity.  And, he loved Baltimore. He made an important and indelible contribution to the lives of his children, grandchildren and his entire community.  We will miss him.”

Hall of Fame tight end-turned-analyst Shannon Sharpe said:  “Art talked with me every day when I played in Baltimore. He knew everything about what was going on in my life. He showed real concern. But, it wasn’t just me. He knew the practice squad players’ names. He treated them the same. He was out at practice when it was 100 degrees and when the December snows came. I loved playing for him.”

Players View salutes the life of Art Modell, he was and will always be a true architect of the game.

The post Ravens owner Art Modell passes away at 87 appeared first on Players View.

The Ravens announced the move on Sunday.

Though the Ravens were quick to point out that they still hold Cundiff in high regard, they still felt the need to waive him along with tight end Davon Drew, receiver Devin Goda, offensive lineman Addison Lawrence, cornerback Jordan Maybin, center Cecil Newton, long snapper Patrick Scales, quarterback Chester Stewart, and receiver Patrick Williams.

“Billy had a great camp, the best he has had with us,” Coach John Harbaugh said.  “He showed, like he always has, a toughness and an ability to come back and be a top-flight NFL kicker.  These decisions are never easy, and this one was difficult for all of us — Ozzie [Newsome], Jerry [Rosburg] and me.  Of course, that says something about Justin [Tucker], the way he has kicked and our belief in him.  But, that does not say something less about Billy.  Billy was ready in every way to be our kicker.  He’ll kick in the NFL.  He’s a very good kicker and an even better person.”

Obvious eyes will look towards Cundiff’s blown kick in the AFC Championship Game last season.

Cundiff could have single-handedly given the Ravens a shot at going to the Super Bowl had he not missed a 32-yard field goal in the waning seconds of that contest.

To think that it has nothing to do with his dismissal, I think is naïve.

Think of it like this. Would Tucker have even been in camp to begin with had Cundiff come through for Baltimore when they needed him the most?

Exactly.

History is littered with guys that miss and make the big kick.  It’s the guys like Adam Vinatieri that we tend to remember fondly and that stick around for a long, long time.

The post Ravens cut veteran kicker Billy Cundiff appeared first on Players View.

Besides proclaiming that veteran safety Ed Reed will return this year, Pollard recently told the Ravens website that he’s not concerned at all about facing a multitude of the league’s best QBs this year.

“You’ve got so many people saying what we can’t do, who we’re facing, how many quarterbacks can do this, what offenses do that,” he said.

“It does not matter, because when the whistle blows and you’re between those white [lines], you can’t stop us.”

This front office has done a great job as far as getting players in here to help this team win, and obviously, that’s what we’re about,” Pollard said.

Well, looking at the Ravens schedule, I can see why he has to get amped up now, to handle his business.

In the regular season the Ravens will face, Andy Dalton, Mike Vick, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning and Tony Romo amongst others.  The closest thing to aerial relief that they will face will be a date with Matt Cassel.

I can see why Pollack is politicking for Reed’s return.

The post Baltimore Ravens S Bernard Pollard brushes off facing 11 Pro Bowl QBs in 2012 appeared first on Players View.

He has speculated that he’s not sure how much time he has left in him and his counterpart in the deepest area of the secondary Bernard Pollard is understanding, yet not so happy about it.

Pollard recently did a radio interview with Houston’s KILT and expressed his feelings about Reed potentially not playing in 2012.

“Oh man I don’t know, Pollard said.” “This is a business and Ed and I have had these talks before but whatever he decides to do we back him 100 percent. The guy is a heck of a football player, he’s been a heck of a football player his whole career and for me it’s exciting playing with him. I guess I will put this out there, he better not leave me hanging so we’ll be alright.”

Reed is reportedly also going through some sort of contract issue with the Ravens as well, so his quasi- retirement talk could just be a chess move.

As long as Ray Lewis is a Raven, it’s hard to imagine there not being some sort of solution in the mix.

The post Benard Pollard says Ed Reed “better not leave me hanging” appeared first on Players View.

“I could have been more clear that I was referring to those viewpoints. I totally believe that the Patriot and Saint coaches and players earned those championships. Bill (Belichick) and Sean (Payton) both know that.
“There has been some distortion about what I said.

“The original tweet indicated I pointed the finger at Bill Belichick and mentioned Bill’s name. I did not. I have so much respect for Coach Belichick and the job he does and has accomplished in his Hall of Fame career.

I called him to remind him of my respect for him. I also reached out to Tedy Bruschi, who rightfully defended those Patriot players and coaches on ESPN, to tell him that I agree with him that the Patriots earned every victory.”

It’s understandable why John issued this apology “publicly.” How he feels privately is an entirely different matter.

Week three these two teams will get it on again.

The post Ravens coach John Haurbaugh apologizes for slamming Patriots appeared first on Players View.

John appeared on  a local Baltimore radio station and was asked about the New Orleans scandal. Somehow that ended up being turned around and became a semi-discussion about the Spygate situation.

Last I heard, Spygate is now officially off-the-clock as the dirtiest NFL scandal of all-time.

“In the end, everything is brought before the light of day,” Harbaugh said. “Even the thing in New England, no matter whether those things had any impact on whether they won their championships or not, they got asterisks now, it’s been stained. So to me, it’s never worth it. You’ve got to figure out ways to use the rules to your advantage.”

Yes, the Ravens are still feeling perhaps salty about come controversial calls made in the AFC Championship game. You can’t blame them. You would feel that way as well.

Yes, the Saints are an NFC team so there is most likely zero bad blood there to speak of.

Yes, it was more entertaining for all parties involved for John to speak on the Patriots.

In the end, Patriots vs. Ravens 2012 just got a little bit spicier.

Click here to listen to the entire interview.

The post Ravens coach John Harbaugh calls Patriots Super Bowl wins “tainted.” appeared first on Players View.

Since last season, the productive back has lobbied for a new long-term deal as he has played out his rookie contract.

Today via his Twitter account, the Rutgers standout posted a message to all young players coming into the league.

“To all college athletes getting ready to enter the NFL just remember the business side of the league is rough #fact.”

The message set off a mini-storm of responses from fans that Rice responded to respectively.

There is no question as to if Rice will join the team. It’s a matter of when as the team works with his agent to get him a deal that presumably works for both parties.

QB Joe Flacco did report today and he too wants a new deal although he has one full year left on his contract.

The post Ray Rice Tweets Sage Advice To Incoming Players As He Skips Workouts. appeared first on Players View.

Each of these teams have needs to fill and in most cases less that two million dollars left to spend to fill them.

Let’s take a look.

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Cap room: $1,166,000

The Deal: When reports surfaced just before the start of free agency that the Falcons were going to enter the Mario Williams sweepstakes, the front office rolled their eyes and said ‘yeah right.’

Williams was the right guy available for the team at simply the wrong time.

Money or lack thereof is most likely the primary reason why MLB Curtis Lofton was allowed to slide to their bitter division rivals the New Orleans Saints.

This year the Falcons are shelling out big bucks to guys like Matt Ryan ($11.5 million), the franchised Brent Grimes ($10.43 million) and Roddy White ($5.5 million).

In those three players the birds have 27.43 million dollars invested out of the $120.6 million dollar salary cap allotment for 2012.

Other Falcons that are getting large chunks are CB Duanta Robinson ($5 million) and RB Michael Turner ($5 million).

It’s not a help either the team is coming off the hip for guys like DE bust Jamal Anderson ($990,625.00) that are not even in the roster anymore.

With no room to breathe and a couple of other roster spots to fill, the Falcons will buy low and make very few waves going into next season.

The post The Five NFL Teams With The Least Amount of Cap Space. appeared first on Players View.

“As we have in the past, placing the franchise designation on a player allows us to keep negotiating on a long-term contract,” Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome said. “Our goal is to keep Ray Rice a Raven. We’ve done this with other outstanding players through our history, including Haloti Ngata a year ago.”

Rice put up six games where he rushed for over 100 yards in 2011. He has great hands in the screen game and he gives his body up without question.

He has become a staple on a team that has consistently been an AFC contender. To many he has become the new face of the franchise as the “other Ray” MLB Ray Lewis heads into the sunset of his career.

As they work out a long term deal, for now it is assumed that Rice will make $7.7 million in the upcoming season.

The team can now move onto the contracts as QB Joe Flacco is presumably next in line although he has one year remaining on his contract.

The post Ravens franchise Ray Rice promises to work out long term deal. appeared first on Players View.

Ryan Madson

Thought: Shouldn’t all of this Eli will surpass Peyton talk be better served after they are both officially out of the league? I think some folks would feel stupid if Peyton comes back somehow and eeks out another ring. Especially if …well I’ll save that for after the Superbowl.

Thought:  Is anybody really surprised at the string MMA related steroids “controversies?” C’mon now.

Thought: As MLB teams continue to do their business in the free agent market, do we look at deals such as the Cincinnati Reds pick up of relief pitcher Ryan Madson and say ‘wow that relief pitcher is the missing piece that they need.’ And if we do, do we do it on the scale of similar NFL free agent acquisitions?

Thought: Now that former Green Bay OC Joe Philbin has taken the Head Coach gig in Miami, should QB Matt More watch his back? Matt Flynn after all is considered a free agent prize. When training camp opens can you imagine media phrases such as ‘the Dolphins are having a good old fashioned Matt-Off.’ Yeah…

Thought: Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice turns 25 years old today. Do you think OC Cam Cameron will wise up and give him 25 or more touches in today’s AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots? C’mon Cam it’s his birthday.

Thought: Ryan Braun accepted his MVP award last night dignity and style last night. Good for him. Most people have not taken the time to review the true circumstances surrounding his situation. Unless something sincerely conclusive pops up, we salute Braun and the manner in which he is holding his head high. Here’s to the hope that supporters such as ourselves will not end up with egg on our face.

 Thought: If you think all of the coaches changes are no big deal within the NFL, you are wrong. Look at the 49ers. Some teams will become much worse and some teams may be playing for glory this time next year. That is presuming that the Myans were wrong.

The post Eli Manning, Peyton Manning,MMA, Ryan Madson,Miami Dolphins,Matt Moore, Matt Flynn and Ray Rice Are All In Thoughts For Today appeared first on Players View.

 New York Giants @ San Francisco

The Giants have looked so unstoppable that it’s hard to argue with their success. They have consistently beaten the teams that none said that they could beat. In many ways they are already the class of the NFL. Regardless of how we feel they will get it done, they will get it done. It won’t be easy, and it probably won’t be pretty but the Giants walk out of San Francisco NFC champions.

Prediction: Overtime win on an Eli Manning TD strike to Victor Cruz.

Baltimore @ New England

Baltimore’s offense was inefficient last week against a Houston defense that has just found it’s swagger.  The same could be said for the New England group however, Ravens HC John Harbaugh is not Broncos Jon Fox and vice-versa.

The Patriots defense simply will not give Tom Brady the chances he needs to match strikes with Ravens RB Ray Rice. Brady will most likely need more opportunities than usual to score as the Ravens front seven will smother him and their secondary will make plays.

Prediction: Ravens win a balanced contest 24-17

Thus…

Our Super Bowl prediction is Giants vs. Ravens with the huge storyline being Eli attempting to win it all in the house his brother built.

The post Playoff Predictor: Championship Round appeared first on Players View.

Terrell Suggs Must Indeed " Ball So Hard."

If they are seriously having identity issues behind the scenes, this could be the poison dart that cuts another season short for them.

A team divided with drama does not operate well. It is a team that tries to prove each other wrong by forcing plays on the field to simply say ‘I told you so.’  It is a team that mentally is not united and walks on the field with an aura of distrust.

If anyone can reel all of that back together it is a leader like linebacker like Ray Lewis.  To what extent this going on, we simply don’t know.

For all we know, the interviews could be the old bait-and-switch to get people such as us to feel this way and overlook observations on how the Ravens will approach this game on the field.

That might distract us, but it certainly won’t distract Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady.

It’s not a secret that the Ravens are a better team at this point when the run more and throw less. But if you look at their opponent this week, in the New England Patriots, Flacco might have the game of his life. That defense was used and used again during the regular season.

It got to the point where many people that played fantasy football had success rotating their QBs all year long based on the Patriots factor.

Question:  “Who are you playing at QB this week?”  Answer:  “Whoever is playing the Patriots.”

So you see the stage is set for Flacco to lick his chops and defeat an icon in the AFC Championship game on his home turf.

BUT, the Ravens probably should simply stick to the formula that has allowed Terrell Suggs to become the charter member in Ball So Hard University.

The Ravens defenders hate Tom Brady. I don’t care about all of this talk about burying the hatchet. On Sunday it will be on.

Suggs will be looking to blast Brady every chance he gets. If they blitz Lewis from that MLB position, he will be looking to physically dismantle Brady. If Haloti Ngata gets his moment in the sun… you get the picture.  That is just how the Ravens defense rolls.

But they will need rest to feed their fire and that is why the Ravens offense will most likely look to having a ball control type of game.

There is too much at stake to try and experiment with building Flacco’s reputation. This should be the old get-in-and-get-out- with- a- victory- type- of- game that we saw in the 2009 playoffs victory.

If offensive mastermind Cam Cameron values his situation there that is the game that he will call.

After the dust settles on the 2012-2012 campaign, he can take all of the time he needs with Flacco to take that next step in the off-season. Head Coach John Harbaugh has to have at some point this week put his foot down and make it known how this team should operate offensively.

We’ll discuss our thoughts on who will win the game in our playoff predictor. For now…let us leave you with this.

The Baltimore Ravens are built right now a certain way to win…if they choose to.

-Adrian Gregory Glover

The post The Baltimore Ravens & The Hallowed Halls Of Ball So Hard University appeared first on Players View.

Ray Rice & His Mentor Ray Lewis Are Two Major Keys To The Ravens Success

The Texans were moving the ball against one of the greatest defenses of all time and the Ravens offense was sputtering like an engine without oil.  In short, Baltimore seemed as if they were dropping out of Ball So Hard University.

The Ravens were steadfast defensively in the second half of the match-up with safety Ed Reed completing the transaction with a game winning interception that lifted the Ravens to the AFC Championship round to face the surging New England Patriots.

The end result of this game is not a shock. The Ravens when at their best have been the class of the AFC for not only this season but last year as well.  They were supposed to crush the Texans and send a message to Tom Brady and his minions that it was about to be on and popping.

But, they allowed a young albeit extremely talented Texans group show up and keep the game close for way to long. Shout-out to Arian Foster and J.J. Watt.

What continues to befuddle many is how Baltimore’s offensive coordinator Cam Cameron seems to be on this weird death-ride with his QB Joe Flacco.

Every team must have an identity within all three phases of the game.  The Ravens are best suited offensively to pound the football with RB Ray Rice touching the football at least 25 times a game.

28% of their game plan should be devoted to deep shots down the field to Torrey Smith and Aquan Boldin. The other five percent should be passes distributed to their tight ends.

This formula is a culmination of numbers assembled from games when the Ravens have dominated the situation from the first whistle to the last one.

Every few games, the decision is made to try and seemingly let Flacco pass his way into respect and possibly a better contract.

The playoffs are not the stage to try to inject a formula that does not work so well.  Flacco for all of his hooting and hollering in the media prior to the game was a liability to his club yesterday.

The numbers will display that Flacco passed for two TDs in the victory but sorry Jay-Z, numbers can lie sometimes. The truth is in both situations, Flacco was given the rock with excellent field position.

Now, when the situations presented themselves for Flacco to take over the game and assert his dominance, he was mediocre at best.

The Ravens desperately need to get the memo that their defense and special teams will not always be there to save their offense’s behind when they consistently produce three and outs because they decided to try and get their “Green Bay Packers” on.

It doesn’t matter how predictable it may be, Ray Rice needs to touch the ball 25 times next week or they will be in serious trouble when they visit New England.

Their defensive group lead by  Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata, Ray Lewis and Reed tends to always be in kill and destroy mode when especially when they are rested.

Joe Flacco

Yesterday, the Texans dominated the game in the time of possession battle in the second quarter. Is that the defense’s fault? Yes and no.

But the bottom line is that when your guys don’t even have enough time to sip on a Gatorade before they have to step back on the field to defend their home turf, you make their collective job a lot harder.

Joe Flacco is not a bad quarterback .However, he needs to remove the chip that is on his shoulder in his quest to try and prove that he is an elite one.

Nothing screams elite more than beating Tom Brady at home in the AFC Championship Game. Nothing screams elite more than a Super Bowl ring. Nothing screams elite more than being a leader, who as Reed was quoted yesterday as saying in regards to his entire team “win(s) by any means necessary.”

-Adrian Gregory Glover

The post Why Are The Baltimore Ravens Letting Joe Flacco Ignore The Secret To Their Success? appeared first on Players View.

Saturday January 14

New Orleans @ San Francisco

The Saints are prone to dropping games when they really count against teams that they should beat.  That should equal to a finger looking good smash-fest for a 49ers team that most people have forgotten about since they faded into bye week obscurity.

The only problem is figuring out which week will be their off week as we predicted a similar fate against a surging Lions team that is an offensive machine.

The San Francisco business model is much different than how the Lions do business. They are a bunch of bullies defensively and they have a ball control offense that will limit the amount of chances Drew Brees has to strike gold.

Still, the 49ers secondary can be had. So do we bet against the Saints good fortune or bad habits? Tim Tebow seems to be absorbing all of the pixie dust so we go with the Saints and good fortune.  But…well… yeah good fortune…but in a scary one.

Predicted Score: New Orleans 17, 49ers 14 in OT.

Denver@ New England

This is an easy pick either way. You can ride the train of Tebow-Mania and get your feelings hurt or you can embrace the likelihood of Tom Brady taking off his belt again under the stewardship of his head coach Bill Belichick and returning offensive guru Josh McDaniels.

I’m going to keep it all of the way real and say I don’t have a clue what’s going to happen in this David vs. Goliath match-up.

I will say this, the Patriots have been post-season cast-offs since the Giants beat them in their vanity quest in 2007/2008.

I’ll also state that Bill Belichick has a habit of outsmarting himself at times. In their first meeting (a.k.a. The Mile High Meltdown) last month, Belichick deployed TE Aaron Hernandez more so than usual to great success. This mind game worked wonders as Hernandez played with Tebow at the University of Florida.

Belichick manipulated both Tebow’s love for his team mates and his competitive nature in one masterful stroke that ended with Tom Brady running for a Tebowesque TD.

This go-round Belichick breaks out the nuclear guns by importing the guy who drafted Tebow onto his sideline.

One of the best ways to beat yourself is to poke your enemy in the eye with a sharp stick. As we have witnessed over and over again, Tebow’s emotions run high.

Another thing we have witnessed is that New England’s secondary is as suspect as a three dollar bill.

BUT, will it surprise anybody if the Patriots put an end to Tebow’s surge once and for all? Nope.  But I get paid to make a call so…

Predicted Score: Patriots 35, Broncos 28 in a Tom Brady fourth quarter ha-ha-ha- special

Sunday Jan. 15

Houston @ Baltimore

Some games are hard to pick but this one is so easy, I am surprised I have used this many words to talk about it. If Ray Rice gets more than 15 touches, Ball So Hard University simply stomps out the Texans. If Flacco has to win it, it gets trickier but either way Baltimore is playing furious football right now.

Predicted Score: Baltimore 42, Houston 17 with Houston scoring that many points in garbage time.  

New York Giants @ Green Bay

There are a lot of known unknowns about the Packers right now. For one we don’t know how effective WR Greg Jennings is going to really be. We also don’t know how well their patchwork offensive line will gel after key injuries.

The known part of this equation is that the Giants pass rush is the best in the business at the moment.  They are mauling people right now.

The Packers running game is their weakness and by failing to bring stability to that part of their attack, they may have already doused the flame on their illusions of a “2peat.”

So, this is what legends are made of right?  If Aaron Rodgers uses his elusive nature to beat the stunts and blitzes he can find a guy like Jordy Nelson deep all day long in the Giants secondary.

If the Giants once again beat the unbeatable they will most likely become the favorites next week regardless of who wins in the 49ers/Saints affair.

BUT, even if the Giant’s kill Rodgers, backup QB Matt Flynn is licking his chops for a save-the-day moment to get his free agency weight up and the Packers secondary always seems to come through in the clutch.

Predicted Score: Packers 31, Giants 24 with Green Bay’s defense returning a game winning interception in the fourth quarter.

The post Playoff Predictor: Divisional Round appeared first on Players View.

Yes! I'm #1!

1.  Patriots
#1 Seed AFC
A scary thought for the NFL is that no one is talking about the number one seed in the AFC.

2.  Saints
#3 Seed NFC
 The difference between an appearance in the Super Bowl and falling short will be a home game in the NFC Championship.

3.  Packers
#1 Seed NFC
 Matt Flynn’s 480 yard, six touchdown performance makes you wonder if the Packers wide receivers make Aaron Rodgers great, or if Rodgers makes the wide receivers great.

 4.  Giants
#4 Seed NFC
This team reminds me a lot about the 2007 Giants.  And yes, we all know how that season ended.

5. Niners
#2 Seed NFC
If the montra, “defense wins championships” still holds true, the 49ers are the team to beat.

6. Ravens
#2 Seed AFC
Despite going undefeated at home all season, Baltimore is extremely fortunate they have a first-round bye because the Ravens will not be making it out of the divisional round of the playoffs.

7.  Lions
#6 Seed NFC
If there’s one player who can lead the Lions to their first playoff win in over two decades, Calvin Johnson is that guy.

8. Steelers
#5 Seed AFC
An injured Ben Roethlisberger, to go along with Rashard Mendenhall’s torn ACL, spells a new AFC champion this season.

 9. Houston
#3 Seed AFC
The Texans will defeat the Bengals, but their first playoff appearance in franchise history ends in the next round.

Really? Really?

10.  Falcons
#5 Seed NFC
Matt Ryan has failed too win a playoff game in four NFL seasons.  In 2012, nothing will change.

11. Cincy
#6 Seed AFC
Andy Dalton, who has never lost when playing at Reliant Stadium (twice in high school, once at TCU) magical season will come to an end.

12.Denver
#4 Seed AFC
Tim Tebow must complete more than 46.5% of his passes; otherwise, the AFC West champions will be going home.

The post NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Power Rankings appeared first on Players View.

1) Was it a malicious attack  or was it a mistake in the heat of the moment? Lions DT Ndamukong Suh tries to explain himself after the Lions Thanksgiving Day defeat.

2) Led by OLB Terrell “ T-Sizzle” Suggs , the Baltimore Ravens stomped a nine-sack mud hole in the San Fransico 49ers as both teams fought in the “Harbaugh Bowl.”
3) Dallas finds a way to “barely” squeak by Miami in a one point last second contest. 4) Andre Deveuax suspended 3 games! Watch the play that has the hockey world in flames! 5) Is The NBA lockout coming to an end? The video explains why Black Friday may not be so black for basketball fans.

The post Sports Log November 24th: The Day In Video appeared first on Players View.