Since I've barely touched this thing the past few months, I feel as if maintaining it regularly is a moot point.
For the next-best thing, follow me on Twitter @theFRANCHISE325
I might dust this thing off after awhile.
Stay sharp, folks.
- theFRANCHISE
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Preseason Preview: 2009 Baltimore Ravens
As preseason in the NFL draws near, Ravens fans are ravenous as the purple-and-black rises again in Baltimore. After a remarkable 11-5 campaign, the Ravens are anxious to prove that their success in 2008 was no fluke.
A look ahead at storylines to watch in preseason:
- Joe Flacco's Development: The second-year QB out of Delaware has a lot to prove after an impressive rookie campaign, marked by two road playoff victories and a trip to the AFC Championship game. As much promise as Flacco showed, the verdict is still out as to whether he is merely a game manager or a playmaker. The retention of QB coach Hue Jackson should help Flacco avoid the sophomore slump, as will the addition of Michael Oher to the offensive line. However, the question marks at WR could be just one of many contributing factors to a disappointing encore by "Joe Cool."
- Changes on Defense: As with any winning team, parity always hits the hardest in the offseason. This was never more evident with the departure of such notable names from the Ravens defese in Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, and mastermind Rex Ryan. To offset these losses, the Ravens promoted LB coach and former Florida defensive coordinator Greg Mattison as Ryan's replacement. Mattison has promoted continuity all offseason by taking input from the veterans, while putting his own touches on Rex Ryan's masterpiece. At LB, Tavares Gooden and Jameel McClain will battle for spot duty in Bart Scott's stead, while the return of former starter Dawan Landry from injury should fill the void at safety. However, as good as the Ravens have been in promoting their "next man up" philosophy, the effects of the turnover this offseason remains to be seen.
- Offensive Chemistry: Under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens finally assembled a decent passing attack to complement their punishing ground game. However, both aspects of the offense are threatened by the spate of minor injuries and the constant rotation of an offensive line already in flux. Additionally, the WR position still has question marks from last season, despite the return of the briefly-retired Derrick Mason. With no WR taken in this past draft, GM Ozzie Newsome has put his faith in this current crop of receivers to improve upon last season. That success will hinge upon whether all 11 starters can work as one this upcoming season.
- Terrell Suggs' Contract: After two years of being designated the franchise player, Terrell Suggs was rewarded with the richest contract of any LB in NFL history. However, with a bigger paycheck often comes a bigger decline immediately thereafter. Many big-money players have struggled to live up to their big extensions in recent years, and it remains to be seen whether the spotlight of Suggs' dollar signs will distract him from his play.
A look ahead at storylines to watch in preseason:
- Joe Flacco's Development: The second-year QB out of Delaware has a lot to prove after an impressive rookie campaign, marked by two road playoff victories and a trip to the AFC Championship game. As much promise as Flacco showed, the verdict is still out as to whether he is merely a game manager or a playmaker. The retention of QB coach Hue Jackson should help Flacco avoid the sophomore slump, as will the addition of Michael Oher to the offensive line. However, the question marks at WR could be just one of many contributing factors to a disappointing encore by "Joe Cool."
- Changes on Defense: As with any winning team, parity always hits the hardest in the offseason. This was never more evident with the departure of such notable names from the Ravens defese in Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, and mastermind Rex Ryan. To offset these losses, the Ravens promoted LB coach and former Florida defensive coordinator Greg Mattison as Ryan's replacement. Mattison has promoted continuity all offseason by taking input from the veterans, while putting his own touches on Rex Ryan's masterpiece. At LB, Tavares Gooden and Jameel McClain will battle for spot duty in Bart Scott's stead, while the return of former starter Dawan Landry from injury should fill the void at safety. However, as good as the Ravens have been in promoting their "next man up" philosophy, the effects of the turnover this offseason remains to be seen.
- Offensive Chemistry: Under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Ravens finally assembled a decent passing attack to complement their punishing ground game. However, both aspects of the offense are threatened by the spate of minor injuries and the constant rotation of an offensive line already in flux. Additionally, the WR position still has question marks from last season, despite the return of the briefly-retired Derrick Mason. With no WR taken in this past draft, GM Ozzie Newsome has put his faith in this current crop of receivers to improve upon last season. That success will hinge upon whether all 11 starters can work as one this upcoming season.
- Terrell Suggs' Contract: After two years of being designated the franchise player, Terrell Suggs was rewarded with the richest contract of any LB in NFL history. However, with a bigger paycheck often comes a bigger decline immediately thereafter. Many big-money players have struggled to live up to their big extensions in recent years, and it remains to be seen whether the spotlight of Suggs' dollar signs will distract him from his play.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Summer '09
theFRANCHISE Radio WILL be back SOON...BELIEVE IT.
In the meantime, post-show playlists might be getting a change; it's too much work for me to update the blog regularly (yes, I know, all I need to do is copy-and-paste), so rather than do that, I might wait until the end of each month to post the whole month's slate (four shows' worth).
That, or you'll just have to listen to find out what I played. ;)
In the meantime, post-show playlists might be getting a change; it's too much work for me to update the blog regularly (yes, I know, all I need to do is copy-and-paste), so rather than do that, I might wait until the end of each month to post the whole month's slate (four shows' worth).
That, or you'll just have to listen to find out what I played. ;)
Sunday, May 3, 2009
New Regulars on theFRANCHISE Radio?
For those who listened this past week to theFRANCHISE Radio, first off, I thank you for listening, of course. But that aside, I featured two songs from WVUD's very own Gooz b/k/a Pe$0 in anticipation of his upcoming mixtape, A Fresh Kid From the Bronx. I hope you were feeling those tracks as much as I'm feeling them, 'cause they (and possibly more from the mixtape) will probably be getting regular play on the show for the next few weeks!
Not to be outdone, however, I was just sent a mixtape from one of my high school buddies that totally caught me off-guard. At first, I thought it'd just be a little somethin'-somethin' that a bunch of dudes in a dormitory put together.
Damn, for a project cooked up and concocted in a dorm room, I was definitely more than impressed.
I can't talk too much about it right now because I'm still gathering info, but long story short, I've never quite had a reaction to a mixtape or album like the one I've had to this one.
I'm still waiting on an edited version, but don't be surprised to hear a lot more independent hip-hop and R&B on the show VERY soon...QUALITY independent music, at that!
Not to be outdone, however, I was just sent a mixtape from one of my high school buddies that totally caught me off-guard. At first, I thought it'd just be a little somethin'-somethin' that a bunch of dudes in a dormitory put together.
Damn, for a project cooked up and concocted in a dorm room, I was definitely more than impressed.
I can't talk too much about it right now because I'm still gathering info, but long story short, I've never quite had a reaction to a mixtape or album like the one I've had to this one.
I'm still waiting on an edited version, but don't be surprised to hear a lot more independent hip-hop and R&B on the show VERY soon...QUALITY independent music, at that!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Upcoming Slate For May
Even though this week's show isn't even done yet, I've definitely got big plans for the last set of broadcasts for Spring semester!
Keep in mind that theFRANCHISE Radio will continue during the summer, possibly in more than one timeslot -- INCLUDING more LIVE broadcasts!
Over the coming weeks, though, I'll be having more guest interviews and guest playlists, as well as a wider variety of music gradually introduced each week. Who knows? One week, you might hear Third Eye Blind, another week, you might hear Motorhead. We'll see...
Also, be on the lookout for the YouTube version of the show! I'm looking into getting a camera for each weekly recording session, and I might even be able to arrange something for the live broadcasts this summer, as well. Think of it as a show-behind-the-show type deal...
I'll have a draft analysis article up soon, covering this past weekend's NFL Draft, and I'll be handing out draft grades for my Baltimore Ravens. Best believe that Mel Kiper's got NOTHING on me!!
(Well, ok, maybe that's a lie)
Either way, be sure to tune in this week for arguably the BIGGEST show in the HISTORY of theFRANCHISE Radio! Again, bringing YOU, Blue Hen Nation, the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between; making it do what it do for the 302 EVERY Friday night, and ALWAYS starting your weekend off right! Giving you what you want, what you need, and what you gotta have -- PLEASE believe! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, the VOICE of the University of Delaware! This Friday night, 11PM!
(Did I mention you should really, really, REALLY tune in?)
Keep in mind that theFRANCHISE Radio will continue during the summer, possibly in more than one timeslot -- INCLUDING more LIVE broadcasts!
Over the coming weeks, though, I'll be having more guest interviews and guest playlists, as well as a wider variety of music gradually introduced each week. Who knows? One week, you might hear Third Eye Blind, another week, you might hear Motorhead. We'll see...
Also, be on the lookout for the YouTube version of the show! I'm looking into getting a camera for each weekly recording session, and I might even be able to arrange something for the live broadcasts this summer, as well. Think of it as a show-behind-the-show type deal...
I'll have a draft analysis article up soon, covering this past weekend's NFL Draft, and I'll be handing out draft grades for my Baltimore Ravens. Best believe that Mel Kiper's got NOTHING on me!!
(Well, ok, maybe that's a lie)
Either way, be sure to tune in this week for arguably the BIGGEST show in the HISTORY of theFRANCHISE Radio! Again, bringing YOU, Blue Hen Nation, the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between; making it do what it do for the 302 EVERY Friday night, and ALWAYS starting your weekend off right! Giving you what you want, what you need, and what you gotta have -- PLEASE believe! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, the VOICE of the University of Delaware! This Friday night, 11PM!
(Did I mention you should really, really, REALLY tune in?)
Monday, April 27, 2009
Preview of 5/1/09's Show
Rarely have I walked away from the studio feeling so good about a show, but I've gotta say...this week's show could possibly be one of the best, if not the best, episode of theFRANCHISE Radio thus far.
For the first time ever, I had a full house for an interesting roundtable session that definitely resulted in more talking than I've done on the show in a while. In fact, I'm almost hesitant to leave material on the cutting room floor, just because of how good the vibe was. Even in-between segments, we kept talking and we made the recording session go A LOT LONGER than intended.
This (through my ever-present co-host, DJ Heartbreaker, of course) gave me the idea of possibly investing in a camera to capture these recording sessions on video for your viewing pleasure. I swear, we could've made an entire YouTube SERIES out of just the behind-the-scenes stuff. Lots of laughs and lots of deep discussion. Plus, realistically, our segment on hip-hop definitely could've gone for a lot longer than 10 minutes -- and actually did, because we continued talking even after I shut the mics off to get the next segment prepped.
This could definitely be a regular thing, and you've definitely gotta tune in this week as myself & H-Beezy play host to special guests Gooz (one of WVUD's many in-house talents and resident rapper) and Khalid Bilal (representing UD's Black Student Union and Khulamani Theater Troupe). Things got real interesting when H-Beezy showed up late and it went from a three-man circus to a four-man show.
And, as always, this week's playlist is CRAZY. I've got a brand-new album cut (always exclusive for Blue Hen Nation, of course!) from Ciara's upcoming new album "Fantasy Ride" WEEKS before it hits stores, as well as a couple of surprises along the way.
Trust me, even though this week's show has more talking, it's easily one of the best shows I've ever done. But, you be the judge when you tune in to theFRANCHISE Radio, this Friday night @ 11PM, only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, or WVUD.org!
For the first time ever, I had a full house for an interesting roundtable session that definitely resulted in more talking than I've done on the show in a while. In fact, I'm almost hesitant to leave material on the cutting room floor, just because of how good the vibe was. Even in-between segments, we kept talking and we made the recording session go A LOT LONGER than intended.
This (through my ever-present co-host, DJ Heartbreaker, of course) gave me the idea of possibly investing in a camera to capture these recording sessions on video for your viewing pleasure. I swear, we could've made an entire YouTube SERIES out of just the behind-the-scenes stuff. Lots of laughs and lots of deep discussion. Plus, realistically, our segment on hip-hop definitely could've gone for a lot longer than 10 minutes -- and actually did, because we continued talking even after I shut the mics off to get the next segment prepped.
This could definitely be a regular thing, and you've definitely gotta tune in this week as myself & H-Beezy play host to special guests Gooz (one of WVUD's many in-house talents and resident rapper) and Khalid Bilal (representing UD's Black Student Union and Khulamani Theater Troupe). Things got real interesting when H-Beezy showed up late and it went from a three-man circus to a four-man show.
And, as always, this week's playlist is CRAZY. I've got a brand-new album cut (always exclusive for Blue Hen Nation, of course!) from Ciara's upcoming new album "Fantasy Ride" WEEKS before it hits stores, as well as a couple of surprises along the way.
Trust me, even though this week's show has more talking, it's easily one of the best shows I've ever done. But, you be the judge when you tune in to theFRANCHISE Radio, this Friday night @ 11PM, only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, or WVUD.org!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Updating on Draft Day '09
Today is, of course, the start of the 2009 NFL Draft and the beginning of a (hopefully) long journey for the future of the NFL.
But before I get into that, a little bit of business first:
1) For the astute listeners out there, last night's episode of theFRANCHISE Radio was a rebroadcast of the previous week's show -- hence why a playlist hasn't been posted. Plus, to be perfectly honest, I felt that it was a throwaway show to begin with since it was mostly a platform to promote this coming week's Young Jeezy concert @ UD. A possible shake-up of the show may be coming soon, so look out for that...
2) Meet the Media Day 2009 was a decent success. Not as overwhelmingly great as I thought it'd be, but we got rid of a lot of pamphlets (always a good sign), and we had a decent amount of visitors to the table. I was waiting for one visitor in particular...but that's a different story for a different day. And we won't discuss that here. :)
3) theFRANCHISE Radio will, of course, continue this summer even after the school year is over -- and I will most likely broadcast live for the first time since Winter session! There's also the outside chance of two or three shows per week, but that all depends on logistics and my own availability, so we'll see...
4) Yours truly was interviewed by UD's own television station, STN49, on Media Day so look out for that soon (as well as a cheap plug for my show). Also, look out for the quickie bumper promo I recorded for STN's Mics & Lights as well. Nothing too fancy (just read off a cue card), but in retrospect, I should've at least added my own personal touch to it. Oh well. STN might be getting a little bit more of theFRANCHISE before my time at UD is done!
And now, getting back to the draft (which is just now getting under way), here's my list of guys I wouldn't mind picking up in the 1st round:
1) Darrius Heyward-Bey
2) Jeremy Maclin
3) Knowshon Moreno
4) Rey Maualuga
5) Vontae Davis
6) Malcolm Jenkins
7) Tyson Jackson
8) Michael Oher
9) Aaron Curry
10) Jason Smith
Note that the list doesn't indicate skill level, and is only representative of the players I'd personally love to take with the 26th overall pick. That's the only reason why Curry and Smith round out my top ten; they likely won't be there at the 26th spot, but if they were, I'd definitely jump on either one of them.
I've recently started Twittering, too, so look for me on Twitter, as well...
But before I get into that, a little bit of business first:
1) For the astute listeners out there, last night's episode of theFRANCHISE Radio was a rebroadcast of the previous week's show -- hence why a playlist hasn't been posted. Plus, to be perfectly honest, I felt that it was a throwaway show to begin with since it was mostly a platform to promote this coming week's Young Jeezy concert @ UD. A possible shake-up of the show may be coming soon, so look out for that...
2) Meet the Media Day 2009 was a decent success. Not as overwhelmingly great as I thought it'd be, but we got rid of a lot of pamphlets (always a good sign), and we had a decent amount of visitors to the table. I was waiting for one visitor in particular...but that's a different story for a different day. And we won't discuss that here. :)
3) theFRANCHISE Radio will, of course, continue this summer even after the school year is over -- and I will most likely broadcast live for the first time since Winter session! There's also the outside chance of two or three shows per week, but that all depends on logistics and my own availability, so we'll see...
4) Yours truly was interviewed by UD's own television station, STN49, on Media Day so look out for that soon (as well as a cheap plug for my show). Also, look out for the quickie bumper promo I recorded for STN's Mics & Lights as well. Nothing too fancy (just read off a cue card), but in retrospect, I should've at least added my own personal touch to it. Oh well. STN might be getting a little bit more of theFRANCHISE before my time at UD is done!
And now, getting back to the draft (which is just now getting under way), here's my list of guys I wouldn't mind picking up in the 1st round:
1) Darrius Heyward-Bey
2) Jeremy Maclin
3) Knowshon Moreno
4) Rey Maualuga
5) Vontae Davis
6) Malcolm Jenkins
7) Tyson Jackson
8) Michael Oher
9) Aaron Curry
10) Jason Smith
Note that the list doesn't indicate skill level, and is only representative of the players I'd personally love to take with the 26th overall pick. That's the only reason why Curry and Smith round out my top ten; they likely won't be there at the 26th spot, but if they were, I'd definitely jump on either one of them.
I've recently started Twittering, too, so look for me on Twitter, as well...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Show Updates
Alright, folks, it's been a minute since I've updated this thing properly, so I apologize, first and foremost. Classes have been hectic, but I'm head above water, so it's all good.
If you've been keeping up with the broadcasts, I haven't been plugging the blog as much as I used to, for this very reason. But, when I go back to doing live shows, I'm hoping to be as consistent as I used to be with my updates.
Currently, I'm exploring podcasting options (minus the music, for copyright reasons), and I'm looking to maybe do an internet version of my show, but more talk-oriented than music-oriented. Maybe a return to the Sportscage or Sports Roundtable? We'll see.
As for playlists, I have them written, but I don't have the time to put together a proper streaming playlist nor post them here (yet, I have the time to write this entry...ironic, huh?). So, bear with me, and I'll eventually get the online side of things caught up.
For right now, here's a few announcements to get you through:
- Thursday, 4/23: Joe Flacco @ National 5 & 10 on Main Street, Newark, DE. Not sure if it's a signing or just a promotional appearance, but either way, the former Delaware QB returns to his old stomping grounds so you know it's a must for Ravens fans (and UD football fans) to show up! I personally may not be there due to scheduling conflicts, but if I do, look out for me in the purple customized #1 Ravens jersey! (The one with the ridiculously long last name...)
- Also on Thursday, 4/23: The University of Delaware's Black Student Union is holding a Spirit of Hip-Hop Day, all day @ the Trabant Patio. This event is a part of BSU Week (which, coincidentally, coincides with Greek Week on-campus), and there'll be plenty of activities and things to do with great music, so stop by! I'll probably make an appearance there as well, so be sure to say what's up!
- Friday, 4/24: Meet the Media Day @ the Trabant Patio, 11AM-4PM! Be sure to stop by and meet all of the media groups on-campus and get to know us better! Organizations such as STN, aUDio, UDress, and of course WVUD will be on-hand with lots of free stuff and activities! Be sure to stop by the WVUD table where we'll have a remote DJ booth and you can be on-air (sorta) with yours truly, theFRANCHISE, and all of our great on-air talent!
- Thursday, 4/30: Young Jeezy featuring special guest Drake @ the Bob Carpenter Center! Tickets are still on sale ($25 for UD students with ID, limit 4 per ID; $30 general admission), but quantities are limited! Doors open @ 7pm, show starts at 8! Be on the lookout for a possible intervew with Jeezy to air after the concert exclusively on WVUD! This event is presented by the Cultural Programming Advisory Board (CPAB). Yours truly will NOT be at the concert due to scheduling conflicts, but if I could've gone, best believe I would've brought you, Blue Hen Nation, the exclusive interview with Young Jeezy to theFRANCHISE Radio the following night.
And as always, for the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between; making it do what it do for the 302 every Friday night, and always starting your weekend off right, giving you what you want, what you need, and what you gotta have, please believe -- it's theFRANCHISE Radio, only on 91.3FM, WVUD-Newark, the Voice of the University of Delaware!
Be sure to tune into this week's show, Friday @ 11PM!
If you've been keeping up with the broadcasts, I haven't been plugging the blog as much as I used to, for this very reason. But, when I go back to doing live shows, I'm hoping to be as consistent as I used to be with my updates.
Currently, I'm exploring podcasting options (minus the music, for copyright reasons), and I'm looking to maybe do an internet version of my show, but more talk-oriented than music-oriented. Maybe a return to the Sportscage or Sports Roundtable? We'll see.
As for playlists, I have them written, but I don't have the time to put together a proper streaming playlist nor post them here (yet, I have the time to write this entry...ironic, huh?). So, bear with me, and I'll eventually get the online side of things caught up.
For right now, here's a few announcements to get you through:
- Thursday, 4/23: Joe Flacco @ National 5 & 10 on Main Street, Newark, DE. Not sure if it's a signing or just a promotional appearance, but either way, the former Delaware QB returns to his old stomping grounds so you know it's a must for Ravens fans (and UD football fans) to show up! I personally may not be there due to scheduling conflicts, but if I do, look out for me in the purple customized #1 Ravens jersey! (The one with the ridiculously long last name...)
- Also on Thursday, 4/23: The University of Delaware's Black Student Union is holding a Spirit of Hip-Hop Day, all day @ the Trabant Patio. This event is a part of BSU Week (which, coincidentally, coincides with Greek Week on-campus), and there'll be plenty of activities and things to do with great music, so stop by! I'll probably make an appearance there as well, so be sure to say what's up!
- Friday, 4/24: Meet the Media Day @ the Trabant Patio, 11AM-4PM! Be sure to stop by and meet all of the media groups on-campus and get to know us better! Organizations such as STN, aUDio, UDress, and of course WVUD will be on-hand with lots of free stuff and activities! Be sure to stop by the WVUD table where we'll have a remote DJ booth and you can be on-air (sorta) with yours truly, theFRANCHISE, and all of our great on-air talent!
- Thursday, 4/30: Young Jeezy featuring special guest Drake @ the Bob Carpenter Center! Tickets are still on sale ($25 for UD students with ID, limit 4 per ID; $30 general admission), but quantities are limited! Doors open @ 7pm, show starts at 8! Be on the lookout for a possible intervew with Jeezy to air after the concert exclusively on WVUD! This event is presented by the Cultural Programming Advisory Board (CPAB). Yours truly will NOT be at the concert due to scheduling conflicts, but if I could've gone, best believe I would've brought you, Blue Hen Nation, the exclusive interview with Young Jeezy to theFRANCHISE Radio the following night.
And as always, for the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between; making it do what it do for the 302 every Friday night, and always starting your weekend off right, giving you what you want, what you need, and what you gotta have, please believe -- it's theFRANCHISE Radio, only on 91.3FM, WVUD-Newark, the Voice of the University of Delaware!
Be sure to tune into this week's show, Friday @ 11PM!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Long Term vs. Short Term: The Anquan Boldin Debate
Although this is a topic that is based around Anquan Boldin, this actually extends beyond just Boldin. Rather, this is a topic that encompasses all of the risk/reward decisions made with football personnel.
That topic is the eternal struggle between long term and short term benefits.
Whenever a transaction is made, the school of thought behind each move boils down to its long term and short term benefits. When an organization decides to draft a young, unproven player with loads of potential over a proven veteran whose future is in doubt, the team makes the acquisition with the hopes of reaping long term benefits. Conversely, a team that decides to sign that proven veteran over an unsure prospect, does so with the expectation of benefitting in the short term.
Other than money, the common denominator in the Anquan Boldin debate boils down to long term vs. short term; Ravens fans that support the signing of Boldin, expect the team to be immediately poised for a Super Bowl run, while fans that argue against Boldin, expect a receiver to be drafted that will help the team win multiple Super Bowls in the future.
However, the fallacy of that logic is the assumption that a Super Bowl (or more) will even be won. Regardless of how playoff-ready a team is, there is no guarantee that an acquisition will seal that team's fate, for better or worse.
In other words, the signing of Anquan Boldin does not resign the Ravens to the fate of winning only one Super Bowl, or even reaching the Super Bowl for that matter. On the other hand, the drafting of a wide-receiver does not guarantee that the Ravens will win multiple Super Bowls, let alone one at all.
No single transaction is a win-now or win-later proposition, as one player does not make a team, no matter how large of a financial strain he is; the only way that one player can have a negative effect is if he does not produce or does not fit with the locker room.
At the end of the day, the question that needs to be asked is, will the team improve regardless of the action taken? In this case, no matter what the Ravens do, the team is subjectively better (on paper) this offseason than it was in the last. The team has done nothing astronomically wrong to prevent itself from making another playoff run, and fans will still have a reason to cheer in Week 1.
That topic is the eternal struggle between long term and short term benefits.
Whenever a transaction is made, the school of thought behind each move boils down to its long term and short term benefits. When an organization decides to draft a young, unproven player with loads of potential over a proven veteran whose future is in doubt, the team makes the acquisition with the hopes of reaping long term benefits. Conversely, a team that decides to sign that proven veteran over an unsure prospect, does so with the expectation of benefitting in the short term.
Other than money, the common denominator in the Anquan Boldin debate boils down to long term vs. short term; Ravens fans that support the signing of Boldin, expect the team to be immediately poised for a Super Bowl run, while fans that argue against Boldin, expect a receiver to be drafted that will help the team win multiple Super Bowls in the future.
However, the fallacy of that logic is the assumption that a Super Bowl (or more) will even be won. Regardless of how playoff-ready a team is, there is no guarantee that an acquisition will seal that team's fate, for better or worse.
In other words, the signing of Anquan Boldin does not resign the Ravens to the fate of winning only one Super Bowl, or even reaching the Super Bowl for that matter. On the other hand, the drafting of a wide-receiver does not guarantee that the Ravens will win multiple Super Bowls, let alone one at all.
No single transaction is a win-now or win-later proposition, as one player does not make a team, no matter how large of a financial strain he is; the only way that one player can have a negative effect is if he does not produce or does not fit with the locker room.
At the end of the day, the question that needs to be asked is, will the team improve regardless of the action taken? In this case, no matter what the Ravens do, the team is subjectively better (on paper) this offseason than it was in the last. The team has done nothing astronomically wrong to prevent itself from making another playoff run, and fans will still have a reason to cheer in Week 1.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
POSTPONED - theFRANCHISE Radio, 3/27/09 Broadcast
It looks more and more as if the special Birthday Edition of theFRANCHISE Radio, to air this Friday night (3/27), likely won't make it to air. Other than technical difficulties, I'm also pressed for time and it looks as if I won't be able to get things done on the production side by the deadline.
However, all signs point to the show continuing next week, as I bring you a special Spring Break Edition of theFRANCHISE Radio! Of course, with this week's postponement, this'll probably be an even bigger show than originally planned as I'll likely combine this week's birthday theme with the spring break vibe.
What does that mean? More new music, and more ways to start your weekend off right on a Friday night, regardless of whether you're in the 302 or any other area code!
Again, I apologize for the delay, but bear with me, because next week, I'm coming back even stronger!
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Friday nights, 11PM-1AM; only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark or WVUD.org!
However, all signs point to the show continuing next week, as I bring you a special Spring Break Edition of theFRANCHISE Radio! Of course, with this week's postponement, this'll probably be an even bigger show than originally planned as I'll likely combine this week's birthday theme with the spring break vibe.
What does that mean? More new music, and more ways to start your weekend off right on a Friday night, regardless of whether you're in the 302 or any other area code!
Again, I apologize for the delay, but bear with me, because next week, I'm coming back even stronger!
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Friday nights, 11PM-1AM; only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark or WVUD.org!
Friday, March 20, 2009
theFRANCHISE Radio - 3/20/09 Broadcast (Radiothon '09 Edition)
3-20-09 Broadcast
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Making it do what it do for the 302 every Friday night, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark -- the Voice of the University of Delaware!
theFRANCHISE Radio - (Late) 3/6 & 3/13 Broadcasts
So, I'm really, really, really behind on my playlists, and I never got around to uploading a streaming playlist of the last show I posted...and I won't have time to do one for the ones in this post, neither! Things have been really hectic lately with Radiothon, but all will be explained during tonight's broadcast!
As a concession, I'll immediately post a streaming playlist of TONIGHT's show -- EARLY! Keep in mind, tonight's show is shorter than usual because of Radiothon (as was last week's playlist), but next week, things go back to normal! Or, as close to it as possible, because next week's show will be a SPECIAL Birthday Edition of theFRANCHISE Radio! I'm turning the big 2-0, and in honor of that, I'll be planning a few things up my sleeve -- and you'll have to tune in to find out!
Meanwhile, here's the last two shows back-to-back, text only unfortunately...
3/6/09 Broadcast
1) Kanye West ft. Dwele - Flashing Lights
2) Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & One Republic - The Way I Are (Rock Remix)
3) Ciara - Echo
4) Chamillionaire - She Gonna Already Know
5) Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z
6) Jamie Foxx ft. T-Pain - Blame It
7) Keri Hilson ft. Lil' Wayne - Turning Me On
8) Bobby Valentino - Tell Me
9) 50 Cent ft. R. Kelly - Do What It Do
10) Slum Village ft. Dwele - Closer
11) Kidz in the Hall ft. Estelle - Love Hangover
12) T.I. - Whatever You Like
13) Erykah Badu - Honey
14) i15 - Lost In Love
15) Novel - Makes You Happy
16) Slim ft. Yung Joc - So Fly
17) The-Dream - Fast Car
18) Bobby Valentino ft. Yung Joc - BEEP
19) Charles Hamilton - She's So High
20) Foxy Brown ft. Blackstreet - Get Me Home
21) J. Holiday - Don't Go
22) Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience
23) Dwele - Bodyrock
24) Amerie - That's What U Are
25) Destiny's Child - Feel the Same Way
26) Faith Evans - I Love You
27) Nina Sky ft. Rick Ross - Curtain Call
28) Joe - That's What I Like
29) 112 ft. The Notorious B.I.G. - Only You (Remix)
30) Nas ft. Keri Hilson - Hero
3/13/09 Broadcast -- RADIOTHON '09 EDITION
1) Ryan Leslie - Diamond Girl
2) The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, & Nate Dogg - Running Your Mouth
3) 2Pac ft. Digital Underground - I Get Around
4) Foxy Brown ft. Blackstreet - Get Me Home
5) Royce Da 5'9" - Let the Beat Build
6) Royce Da 5'9" - It's the New
7) Chamillionaire ft. Magno - Do Your Thing
8) Nelly - One & Only
9) Novel - Makes You Happy
10) J. Holiday - Don't Go
11) Kanye West - Flashing Lights (LIVE )
12) Jay-Z - I Know (LIVE)
13) Jay-Z - Party Life (LIVE)
14) Keri Hilson - Slow Dance
15) Kidz in the Hall - Wheels Fall Off
16) Kidz in the Hall - Driving Down the Block
17) Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls
18) Slum Village ft. Dwele - Closer
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Making it do what it do for the 302 every Friday night, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark -- the Voice of the University of Delaware!
As a concession, I'll immediately post a streaming playlist of TONIGHT's show -- EARLY! Keep in mind, tonight's show is shorter than usual because of Radiothon (as was last week's playlist), but next week, things go back to normal! Or, as close to it as possible, because next week's show will be a SPECIAL Birthday Edition of theFRANCHISE Radio! I'm turning the big 2-0, and in honor of that, I'll be planning a few things up my sleeve -- and you'll have to tune in to find out!
Meanwhile, here's the last two shows back-to-back, text only unfortunately...
3/6/09 Broadcast
1) Kanye West ft. Dwele - Flashing Lights
2) Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson & One Republic - The Way I Are (Rock Remix)
3) Ciara - Echo
4) Chamillionaire - She Gonna Already Know
5) Jay-Z - Jockin' Jay-Z
6) Jamie Foxx ft. T-Pain - Blame It
7) Keri Hilson ft. Lil' Wayne - Turning Me On
8) Bobby Valentino - Tell Me
9) 50 Cent ft. R. Kelly - Do What It Do
10) Slum Village ft. Dwele - Closer
11) Kidz in the Hall ft. Estelle - Love Hangover
12) T.I. - Whatever You Like
13) Erykah Badu - Honey
14) i15 - Lost In Love
15) Novel - Makes You Happy
16) Slim ft. Yung Joc - So Fly
17) The-Dream - Fast Car
18) Bobby Valentino ft. Yung Joc - BEEP
19) Charles Hamilton - She's So High
20) Foxy Brown ft. Blackstreet - Get Me Home
21) J. Holiday - Don't Go
22) Raheem DeVaughn - The Love Experience
23) Dwele - Bodyrock
24) Amerie - That's What U Are
25) Destiny's Child - Feel the Same Way
26) Faith Evans - I Love You
27) Nina Sky ft. Rick Ross - Curtain Call
28) Joe - That's What I Like
29) 112 ft. The Notorious B.I.G. - Only You (Remix)
30) Nas ft. Keri Hilson - Hero
3/13/09 Broadcast -- RADIOTHON '09 EDITION
1) Ryan Leslie - Diamond Girl
2) The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Fabolous, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, & Nate Dogg - Running Your Mouth
3) 2Pac ft. Digital Underground - I Get Around
4) Foxy Brown ft. Blackstreet - Get Me Home
5) Royce Da 5'9" - Let the Beat Build
6) Royce Da 5'9" - It's the New
7) Chamillionaire ft. Magno - Do Your Thing
8) Nelly - One & Only
9) Novel - Makes You Happy
10) J. Holiday - Don't Go
11) Kanye West - Flashing Lights (LIVE )
12) Jay-Z - I Know (LIVE)
13) Jay-Z - Party Life (LIVE)
14) Keri Hilson - Slow Dance
15) Kidz in the Hall - Wheels Fall Off
16) Kidz in the Hall - Driving Down the Block
17) Charles Hamilton - Brooklyn Girls
18) Slum Village ft. Dwele - Closer
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Making it do what it do for the 302 every Friday night, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark -- the Voice of the University of Delaware!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
theFRANCHISE Radio - 2/27/09 Broadcast
This is just a placeholder for last Friday's show...I've been busy, but I'll get around to posting the streaming playlist eventually. In the meantime, here's the text version of the playlist. There were some technical difficulties with one of the songs, hence the shortened length of the broadcast. Hopefully, this Friday's show will go off without a hitch!
Getting the party started...
1) T.I. - Swing Ya Rag (ft. Swizz Beatz)
2) Rick Ross - The Boss (ft. T-Pain)
3) 50 Cent - I Get It In
4) Chamillionaire - She Gonna Already Know
5) Kidz in the Hall - Driving Down the Block
Slowing it down a little...
6) Nina Sky - Curtain Call (ft. Rick Ross)
7) J. Holiday - Come Here
8) Usher - What's Your Name (ft. will.i.am)
9) The-Dream - Rockin' That Thang
10) Jay-Z - I Know (ft. Pharrell)
Speeding it back up and riding it out into the next hour...
11) Swizz Beatz - Top Down
12) DMX - Get It On The Floor (ft. Swizz Beatz)
13) Chamillionaire - Do Your Thing (ft. Magno)
14) The Fixxers - Can U Werk With That
15) Lil' Wayne - Mrs. Officer (ft. Bobby Valentino)
16) Kanye West - Robocop
Top-of-the-hour, keeping it grown...
17) Jamie Foxx - Blame It (ft. T-Pain)
18) Bobby Valentino - BEEP (ft. Yung Joc)
19) i15 - Lost in Love
20) Mario - Music For Love
21) 50 Cent - Do What It Do (ft. R. Kelly) -- EXCLUSIVE!
Turning it down a bit with that babymaking music...
22) R. Kelly - Skin
23) 112 - U Already Know
24) Jodeci - Freek'n You
25) Keri Hilson - Turning Me On (ft. Lil' Wayne)
26) Cassie - Me & U Remix (ft. Ryan Leslie)
Ending the night on a good note...
27) NE-YO - Single
28) Pleasure P - Boyfriend #2
29) Lucy Pearl - Dance Tonight
30) Slim (of 112) - Sweet Baby
Be sure to tune into next week's show for more from:
T.I.
Ryan Leslie
NE-YO
Jay-Z
T-Pain
Kanye West
and MORE!...
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Making it do what it do for the 302, every Friday night, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, or WVUD.org!
Getting the party started...
1) T.I. - Swing Ya Rag (ft. Swizz Beatz)
2) Rick Ross - The Boss (ft. T-Pain)
3) 50 Cent - I Get It In
4) Chamillionaire - She Gonna Already Know
5) Kidz in the Hall - Driving Down the Block
Slowing it down a little...
6) Nina Sky - Curtain Call (ft. Rick Ross)
7) J. Holiday - Come Here
8) Usher - What's Your Name (ft. will.i.am)
9) The-Dream - Rockin' That Thang
10) Jay-Z - I Know (ft. Pharrell)
Speeding it back up and riding it out into the next hour...
11) Swizz Beatz - Top Down
12) DMX - Get It On The Floor (ft. Swizz Beatz)
13) Chamillionaire - Do Your Thing (ft. Magno)
14) The Fixxers - Can U Werk With That
15) Lil' Wayne - Mrs. Officer (ft. Bobby Valentino)
16) Kanye West - Robocop
Top-of-the-hour, keeping it grown...
17) Jamie Foxx - Blame It (ft. T-Pain)
18) Bobby Valentino - BEEP (ft. Yung Joc)
19) i15 - Lost in Love
20) Mario - Music For Love
21) 50 Cent - Do What It Do (ft. R. Kelly) -- EXCLUSIVE!
Turning it down a bit with that babymaking music...
22) R. Kelly - Skin
23) 112 - U Already Know
24) Jodeci - Freek'n You
25) Keri Hilson - Turning Me On (ft. Lil' Wayne)
26) Cassie - Me & U Remix (ft. Ryan Leslie)
Ending the night on a good note...
27) NE-YO - Single
28) Pleasure P - Boyfriend #2
29) Lucy Pearl - Dance Tonight
30) Slim (of 112) - Sweet Baby
Be sure to tune into next week's show for more from:
T.I.
Ryan Leslie
NE-YO
Jay-Z
T-Pain
Kanye West
and MORE!...
theFRANCHISE Radio: Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Making it do what it do for the 302, every Friday night, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark, or WVUD.org!
Monday, February 23, 2009
theFRANCHISE Radio - 2/20/09 Broadcast
theFRANCHISE Radio - Bringing Blue Hen Nation the finest in hip-hop and R&B and everything else in-between! Now on FRIDAY NIGHTS, 11PM-1AM! Only on 91.3FM WVUD-Newark or WVUD.org!
2-20-09 Broadcast
Preview of the next show:
Jamie Foxx
Bobby Valentino
Chamillionaire
NE-YO
Mario
Lil' Wayne
AND MORE!
Whether you're in the dorms or out on the town, be sure to tune in Friday at 11PM!!
2-20-09 Broadcast
Preview of the next show:
Jamie Foxx
Bobby Valentino
Chamillionaire
NE-YO
Mario
Lil' Wayne
AND MORE!
Whether you're in the dorms or out on the town, be sure to tune in Friday at 11PM!!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
2008 Baltimore Ravens Positional Grades: Defense
Under defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, the Baltimore Ravens' defense furthered its reputation for "Organized Chaos," finishing in the top ten for the 9th time in 10 seasons.
Ranked 2nd in the league, the Ravens' defense took a backseat only to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Against the run, the Ravens finished 3rd, averaging a meager 81.4 yards per game. Even more impressive was the fact that Baltimore did not allow an individual 100-yard rusher for all 16 regular season games, furthering a streak that dates back to 2006.
Against the pass, Baltimore finished 2nd in the league, allowing an average of 179.7 yards per game, highlighted by a league-best 26 team interceptions. In addition to 12 fumbles, the Ravens' defense forced a league-leading 38 turnovers.
Though Rex Ryan's exotic blitz packages were susceptible to big plays, there were few offenses that could find the endzone with ease, as the Ravens allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the league (244) for an average of merely 15.2 points per game.
Defense wins championships, as the Baltimore Ravens had proven in 2000. With the same formula, the 2008 Ravens were only one game away from experiencing déjà vu.
Linebackers (A+): Ray Lewis started all 16 games at middle linebacker for the first time since 2003, when he had won his second Defensive Player of the Year award. As far as the city of Baltimore was concerned, No. 52 proved once again that he was still No. 1. Lewis played as if he was 10 years his junior, recording 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions, in addition to recovering 2 fumbles. His 2008 campaign marked his 11th 100-tackle season in his 13-year career, and earned his 10th trip to the Pro Bowl.
Opposite Lewis was the equally-impressive Bart Scott with 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections to his credit. Both men struck fear into opposing receivers over the middle, and terrorized running backs that dared to run between the tackles.
On the outside, Jarret Johnson quietly had a career year with 57 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. Opposite of Johnson, hybrid linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs notched another trip to the Pro Bowl under his belt as the team's designated franchise player. With 68 tackles, 8 sacks, 9 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), Suggs significantly raised his price tag as he enters the free agent market along with teammates Lewis and Scott.
Should the Ravens' trio of star linebackers be disbanded in the offseason, the future looks bright with young talent on the bench. Antwan Barnes played well on situational downs, and undrafted rookie free agent Jameel McClain continually surprised with every snap, recording 2 safeties as well as 2.5 sacks in limited action.
Defensive Line (A-): With the absence of Kelly Gregg due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason, nose tackle Justin Bannan filled in admirably, recording a career-high 45 tackles, including 1 interception on a deflected pass. Not to be outdone, Pro Bowl snub Haloti Ngata had 2 interceptions to his credit to accompany his 55 tackles and 6 pass deflections. Both men played well at the point of attack, often stopping runs in the backfield and freeing the Ravens' myriad of blitzers between gaps.
After an injury-plagued 2007 season, Trevor Pryce returned to form, providing pressure on the edge and notching 4.5 sacks along the way. Terrell Suggs, in his hybrid role, saw fewer snaps as a rusher with his hand down, giving more opportunities to Marques Douglas, the returning Raven who had spent the past three seasons in San Francisco after initially making his mark in Baltimore.
As the offseason gets under way, question marks abound as the Ravens attempt to find a balance of youth and veteran experience on the line. The future of Kelly Gregg is presumably in doubt with the outstanding play of Justin Bannan in his absence; the coaching staff's decision will be contingent upon the rehabilitation and recovery of his knee. However, given the Ravens' penchant for acquiring talent with versatility, the defensive line should have an encore performance in 2009.
Secondary (B-): Despite a promising start to the season with 3 interceptions in 5 games, veteran Chris McAlister missed the remainder of 2008 with a nagging knee injury. On the opposite end of the field, Samari Rolle also lost significant time, missing 6 games due to a shoulder and neck injury. In their stead, offseason acquisitions Fabian Washington and Frank Walker played well, combining for 64 tackles and 26 pass deflections, but only 2 interceptions.
With an NFL-high 9 stolen passes, however, Ed Reed more than made up for the secondary's dearth of interceptions in the first half of the season. Free agent acquisition Jim Leonhard also had a breakout campaign in the absence of the injured Dawan Landry, who missed most of 2008 with a neck injury. Leonhard demonstrated great versatility, returning kicks in addition to playing virtually every down at safety. Reed, meanwhile, made his case for his second Defensive Player of the Year award before losing out to the Steelers' James Harrison.
The secondary's weakness, however, was in giving up big plays, as much of the Ravens' scheme revolved around cornerbacks playing man coverage, with safeties shading areas vacated by blitzers.
With the likely departure of Chris McAlister due to age and alleged disciplinary issues, the Ravens will be in the market for a young starting cornerback to take his place. Additionally, the future of Samari Rolle remains in doubt with his injury history and cap figure both working against him. Regardless of any departure, Baltimore's patched-up secondary played well with reserves coming off the bench, and will look to improve upon their depth in the offseason.
Ranked 2nd in the league, the Ravens' defense took a backseat only to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers. Against the run, the Ravens finished 3rd, averaging a meager 81.4 yards per game. Even more impressive was the fact that Baltimore did not allow an individual 100-yard rusher for all 16 regular season games, furthering a streak that dates back to 2006.
Against the pass, Baltimore finished 2nd in the league, allowing an average of 179.7 yards per game, highlighted by a league-best 26 team interceptions. In addition to 12 fumbles, the Ravens' defense forced a league-leading 38 turnovers.
Though Rex Ryan's exotic blitz packages were susceptible to big plays, there were few offenses that could find the endzone with ease, as the Ravens allowed the 3rd-fewest points in the league (244) for an average of merely 15.2 points per game.
Defense wins championships, as the Baltimore Ravens had proven in 2000. With the same formula, the 2008 Ravens were only one game away from experiencing déjà vu.
Linebackers (A+): Ray Lewis started all 16 games at middle linebacker for the first time since 2003, when he had won his second Defensive Player of the Year award. As far as the city of Baltimore was concerned, No. 52 proved once again that he was still No. 1. Lewis played as if he was 10 years his junior, recording 117 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions, in addition to recovering 2 fumbles. His 2008 campaign marked his 11th 100-tackle season in his 13-year career, and earned his 10th trip to the Pro Bowl.
Opposite Lewis was the equally-impressive Bart Scott with 83 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 5 pass deflections to his credit. Both men struck fear into opposing receivers over the middle, and terrorized running backs that dared to run between the tackles.
On the outside, Jarret Johnson quietly had a career year with 57 tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 pass deflections. Opposite of Johnson, hybrid linebacker/defensive end Terrell Suggs notched another trip to the Pro Bowl under his belt as the team's designated franchise player. With 68 tackles, 8 sacks, 9 pass deflections, and 2 interceptions (both returned for touchdowns), Suggs significantly raised his price tag as he enters the free agent market along with teammates Lewis and Scott.
Should the Ravens' trio of star linebackers be disbanded in the offseason, the future looks bright with young talent on the bench. Antwan Barnes played well on situational downs, and undrafted rookie free agent Jameel McClain continually surprised with every snap, recording 2 safeties as well as 2.5 sacks in limited action.
Defensive Line (A-): With the absence of Kelly Gregg due to a knee injury suffered in the preseason, nose tackle Justin Bannan filled in admirably, recording a career-high 45 tackles, including 1 interception on a deflected pass. Not to be outdone, Pro Bowl snub Haloti Ngata had 2 interceptions to his credit to accompany his 55 tackles and 6 pass deflections. Both men played well at the point of attack, often stopping runs in the backfield and freeing the Ravens' myriad of blitzers between gaps.
After an injury-plagued 2007 season, Trevor Pryce returned to form, providing pressure on the edge and notching 4.5 sacks along the way. Terrell Suggs, in his hybrid role, saw fewer snaps as a rusher with his hand down, giving more opportunities to Marques Douglas, the returning Raven who had spent the past three seasons in San Francisco after initially making his mark in Baltimore.
As the offseason gets under way, question marks abound as the Ravens attempt to find a balance of youth and veteran experience on the line. The future of Kelly Gregg is presumably in doubt with the outstanding play of Justin Bannan in his absence; the coaching staff's decision will be contingent upon the rehabilitation and recovery of his knee. However, given the Ravens' penchant for acquiring talent with versatility, the defensive line should have an encore performance in 2009.
Secondary (B-): Despite a promising start to the season with 3 interceptions in 5 games, veteran Chris McAlister missed the remainder of 2008 with a nagging knee injury. On the opposite end of the field, Samari Rolle also lost significant time, missing 6 games due to a shoulder and neck injury. In their stead, offseason acquisitions Fabian Washington and Frank Walker played well, combining for 64 tackles and 26 pass deflections, but only 2 interceptions.
With an NFL-high 9 stolen passes, however, Ed Reed more than made up for the secondary's dearth of interceptions in the first half of the season. Free agent acquisition Jim Leonhard also had a breakout campaign in the absence of the injured Dawan Landry, who missed most of 2008 with a neck injury. Leonhard demonstrated great versatility, returning kicks in addition to playing virtually every down at safety. Reed, meanwhile, made his case for his second Defensive Player of the Year award before losing out to the Steelers' James Harrison.
The secondary's weakness, however, was in giving up big plays, as much of the Ravens' scheme revolved around cornerbacks playing man coverage, with safeties shading areas vacated by blitzers.
With the likely departure of Chris McAlister due to age and alleged disciplinary issues, the Ravens will be in the market for a young starting cornerback to take his place. Additionally, the future of Samari Rolle remains in doubt with his injury history and cap figure both working against him. Regardless of any departure, Baltimore's patched-up secondary played well with reserves coming off the bench, and will look to improve upon their depth in the offseason.
Friday, February 13, 2009
2008 Baltimore Ravens Positional Grades: Offense
Under offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, the Baltimore Ravens' offense fared much better in 2008 after a dismal showing in 2007.
Ranked only 18th in the league, the Ravens' offense centered much around its 4th-ranked rushing attack. Though Baltimore finished 28th in passing, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco played efficiently, averaging 7.1 yards per throw. Key third-down conversions helped the Ravens lead the league in time of possession, averaging 33:22 per game.
For the first time in franchise history, the Baltimore Ravens' defense now had an offensive counterpart that was no longer offensive to watch.
Quarterback (B-): Barring injury or elimination from playoff contention, rookie Joe Flacco was never expected to assume the starting role. But the season would turn out to be full of surprises, as the Ravens were also never expected to post 11 wins and advance to the AFC Championship game after a dismal 5-11 finish the previous year.
Though Flacco's TD to INT ratio was underwhelming (14 TDs to 12 INTs), his numbers improved dramatically after throwing only 1 TD to 7 INTs in his first five games. A breakout performance in Week 7 began a run of 13 TDs to only 5 INTs en route to the team's 9-2 stretch towards the playoffs.
An efficient showing in the AFC Wild Card round, however, was followed by a shaky performance in the AFC Divisional round. Despite Flacco's penchant for improving upon bad performances, the Pittsburgh Steelers' #1 defense proved to be too much for the rookie -- a recurring trend when Flacco faced consistent pressure in the pocket.
Regardless of the sour ending to an otherwise magical season, Flacco showed signs of promise that Baltimore has found its quarterback of the future.
Running Backs (A-): With LaDainian Tomlinson's multi-faceted role as the featured back in San Diego, it was assumed that Cam Cameron would have similar success with Willis McGahee in Baltimore.
However, nagging injuries to McGahee led to a change of plans -- plans which resulted in the surprising emergence of converted fullback Le'Ron McClain as the new starter in town.
Along with rookie Ray Rice, the aptly-named "Three-Headed Monster" became the centerpiece of a brand-new offense that hadn't had consistency since the days of Vinny Testaverde and Earnest Byner. Baltimore's ground attack pounded opposing defenses into submission and, by virtue of the three-man rotation, kept each rusher reasonably fresh into the final stretch of the season.
Save for a lackluster performance in the AFC Championship game, the Ravens' backfield rarely failed to find success against opposing defenses. With a year's experience under Cam Cameron's offense, the "Three-Headed Monster" will look to have a repeat performance in 2009.
Wide Receivers (C-): Veteran Derrick Mason was again the team's leading receiver and Joe Flacco's main target throughout the year. Despite a shoulder injury that greatly limited his mobility, Mason played valiantly in the season's final stretch and throughout the postseason.
Mason's fellow receivers, however, were largely underachieving. Former-1st round selection Mark Clayton showed signs of potential after an underwhelming 2007 campaign marred by injury and personal issues. Unfortunately, that potential was not enough, as Clayton disappeared often throughout the year. Yamon Figurs, drafted primarily for his return skills, did not develop into the speedy deep threat in which he was envisioned in the absence of the injured Demetrius Williams. Rookie Marcus Smith saw little playing time and was deactivated for much of the season.
Regardless of whether Derrick Mason chooses to retire this offseason, one of the team's top priorities remains at the WR position.
Tight Ends (D+): Once one of the premier tight ends in the league, Todd Heap had visibly lost a step. Although his role had changed into that of a blocker, his catches were limited both by his role and by his physical ability. In the first half of the season, Heap led the team in dropped passes and never returned to form as a threat over the middle and in the red zone. Daniel Wilcox was used more as a receiver than Heap, but also had a negligible impact on the passing attack.
With Todd Heap's skills and future in doubt, the Ravens may choose to pursue his eventual successor in the 2009 NFL Draft.
Offensive Line (B+): With the retirement of veteran stalwart Jonathan Ogden at left tackle and the release of veteran center Mike Flynn, fourth-year guard Jason Brown became the elder statesman of the NFL's youngest starting offensive line. With Brown's move to center came an opportunity for Cam Cameron to experiment with an unbalanced line, taking advantage of each lineman's flexibility and athleticism. The last-minute acquisition of former Cincinnati Bengals left tackle Willie Anderson provided veteran leadership for a unit already playing well beyond their years.
In spite of their youth, the unit performed admirably against the league's top defenses, although they had allowed 33 sacks, good for 18th in the league. Collectively, the offensive line was greatly responsible for the success of Baltimore's "Three-Headed Monster" as well as Joe Flacco's surprising rookie campaign. Despite injuries to key starters, the depth of the line proved to be a strength of the unit, and will prove to be a strength of the team for years to come.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
theFRANCHISE Radio - 2/3/09 Broadcast (Late)
Late post of the last show of Winter session...look for an update on the new timeslot soon!...
2-3-09 Broadcast
2-3-09 Broadcast
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
2000 Baltimore Ravens Retrospective
Thugs. Outcasts. Bullies. Malcontents. The 2000 Baltimore Ravens earned every label they were given, including an unlikely one -- champions.
Over the course of 20 games, the Ravens played every down with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their arrogance belied the inferiority complex that permeated the locker room. Every week was a battle to silence the critics. Every penalty was another subject to dissect under the narrow microscope of the public eye. Every tackle was criticized for its raw violence. Every pass was dismissed as another mistake waiting to happen. The nation was on pins and needles, waiting for the Ravens to fail.
And yet, with every small failure, came a larger victory for the purple-and-black.
Based on their inability to reach the endzone, the Ravens would need to steal touchdowns in order to steal victories. Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis' unit set single-season NFL records for fewest points and rushing yards allowed, and was one of the league leaders in takeaways.
In an offensive-minded league, the Ravens played a brand of football that was against the grain, emphasizing physicality over finesse.
Lewis entered the season having faced double-murder charges stemming from a January 2000 stabbing at a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. After lengthy proceedings that painted him a criminal in the court of public opinion, Lewis reached a plea bargain that reduced the charges to obstruction of justice.
Despite being absolved of all direct involvement, No. 52 was still Public Enemy No. 1 outside of Baltimore. In stadiums across the nation, Ray Lewis was the leader of a band of thugs.
The team rallied around its fallen leader as he delivered a dominant campaign, garnering AP Defensive Player of the Year honors as his teammates pounded opponents into submission.
An AFC Wildcard victory at home over the Denver Broncos sent the Ravens on the road to face the Tennessee Titans the following weekend. Earlier in the year, Baltimore was the first team to defeat the AFC Central champions in their new stadium, adding another layer of drama to an already-intense rivalry. Appropriately, the man most reviled in Tennessee would have the last laugh. With a late interception return for a TD that sealed the game, Ray Lewis silenced the Nashville crowd. The collective gasp of the entire nation would extend the following week, as the Ravens handily defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship to advance to Super Bowl XXXV.
The Baltimore Ravens were on a collision course with the top-seeded New York Giants, continuing the immortal battle between the Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object. The Ravens' offensive ineptitude and perceived arrogance made them supreme underdogs entering the game.
However, as they had done all season, the Ravens persevered against all odds.
The Giants were rendered ineffective on both sides of the ball, with their lone TD delivered by WR Ron Dixon on a kickoff return immediately matched by Baltimore WR Jermaine Lewis on the ensuing kickoff. The series of events, sparked by Ravens CB Duane Starks' 49-yard INT return for a TD, marked the first time that three consecutive TD returns were recorded in NFL history.
By the final whistle, the Ravens had thoroughly dismantled the Giants and permanently etched their way into the history books. With a defense that was historic in its own right, their emotional leader would again have the last laugh. With the Lombardi Trophy hoisted high above his head, Ray Lewis bulldozed his way into NFL history, becoming only the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP award -- and the first on the game-winning team.
The final tally read 34-7, but the ultimate victory for the Baltimore Ravens was not reflected on the scoreboard.
Rather, the only number that mattered was one: One Super Bowl ring. One dominant defense. One team left standing. One city of Baltimore.
Over the course of 20 games, the Ravens played every down with the weight of the world on their shoulders. Their arrogance belied the inferiority complex that permeated the locker room. Every week was a battle to silence the critics. Every penalty was another subject to dissect under the narrow microscope of the public eye. Every tackle was criticized for its raw violence. Every pass was dismissed as another mistake waiting to happen. The nation was on pins and needles, waiting for the Ravens to fail.
And yet, with every small failure, came a larger victory for the purple-and-black.
THE FORMULA
The Ravens were anything but perfect. Baltimore's inconsistency on offense was well-documented, having scored no offensive touchdowns for five consecutive weeks. Ironically, head coach Brian Billick was hired for his offensive expertise in Minnesota, having helmed the Vikings' record-setting unit in 1998.Based on their inability to reach the endzone, the Ravens would need to steal touchdowns in order to steal victories. Defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis' unit set single-season NFL records for fewest points and rushing yards allowed, and was one of the league leaders in takeaways.
In an offensive-minded league, the Ravens played a brand of football that was against the grain, emphasizing physicality over finesse.
THE LEADER
In spite of their physical and mental toughness, there were trials that tested the team's will -- none greater than that of their emotional leader, Ray Lewis.Lewis entered the season having faced double-murder charges stemming from a January 2000 stabbing at a Super Bowl party in Atlanta. After lengthy proceedings that painted him a criminal in the court of public opinion, Lewis reached a plea bargain that reduced the charges to obstruction of justice.
Despite being absolved of all direct involvement, No. 52 was still Public Enemy No. 1 outside of Baltimore. In stadiums across the nation, Ray Lewis was the leader of a band of thugs.
The team rallied around its fallen leader as he delivered a dominant campaign, garnering AP Defensive Player of the Year honors as his teammates pounded opponents into submission.
THE JOURNEY
With such an unorthodox approach to the game, no one expected the Ravens to bully their way into the Super Bowl. Yet, with 7 consecutive victories after a 5-4 start to finish 12-4 in the regular season, Baltimore found a way to secure the fourth seed in the AFC, and refused to look back.An AFC Wildcard victory at home over the Denver Broncos sent the Ravens on the road to face the Tennessee Titans the following weekend. Earlier in the year, Baltimore was the first team to defeat the AFC Central champions in their new stadium, adding another layer of drama to an already-intense rivalry. Appropriately, the man most reviled in Tennessee would have the last laugh. With a late interception return for a TD that sealed the game, Ray Lewis silenced the Nashville crowd. The collective gasp of the entire nation would extend the following week, as the Ravens handily defeated the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship to advance to Super Bowl XXXV.
The Baltimore Ravens were on a collision course with the top-seeded New York Giants, continuing the immortal battle between the Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object. The Ravens' offensive ineptitude and perceived arrogance made them supreme underdogs entering the game.
However, as they had done all season, the Ravens persevered against all odds.
THE TRIUMPH
Despite their lack of production on offense, the Ravens delivered the opening salvo with a TD strike from QB Trent Dilfer to WR Brandon Stokley. With an early 10-0 lead headed into halftime, Ray Lewis would ensure that the Ravens never lost their lead.The Giants were rendered ineffective on both sides of the ball, with their lone TD delivered by WR Ron Dixon on a kickoff return immediately matched by Baltimore WR Jermaine Lewis on the ensuing kickoff. The series of events, sparked by Ravens CB Duane Starks' 49-yard INT return for a TD, marked the first time that three consecutive TD returns were recorded in NFL history.
By the final whistle, the Ravens had thoroughly dismantled the Giants and permanently etched their way into the history books. With a defense that was historic in its own right, their emotional leader would again have the last laugh. With the Lombardi Trophy hoisted high above his head, Ray Lewis bulldozed his way into NFL history, becoming only the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP award -- and the first on the game-winning team.
The final tally read 34-7, but the ultimate victory for the Baltimore Ravens was not reflected on the scoreboard.
Rather, the only number that mattered was one: One Super Bowl ring. One dominant defense. One team left standing. One city of Baltimore.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
AFC Championship Preview: Ravens-Steelers, Round III
THE JOURNEY
September 29th, 2008 -- the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers clash at Heinz Field on Monday Night Football, in rookie QB Joe Flacco's first NFL road game and national television debut. Despite an impressive showing, the Ravens would fall to the Steelers in overtime, 23-20.December 14th, 2008 -- the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers meet in a late-afternoon showdown at M&T Bank Stadium, in a battle for the AFC North divisional crown. A controversial touchdown within the final minute of the game would be the deciding score, as the Ravens would again fall to the Steelers, 13-9.
January 18th, 2009 -- the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers square off one last time at Heinz Field in the AFC Championship game, with a trip to Super Bowl XLIII at stake.
After a 5-11 campaign in 2007 that brought about a coaching change and, in effect, a cultural change, the Ravens were seemingly resigned to a rebuilding year without postseason aspirations. However, the hiring of John Harbaugh as the third head coach in franchise history would prove to be the instant catalyst for a season characterized by growth and filled with pleasant surprises.
With a brand-new team philosophy ("W.I.N. -- What's Important Now") and a unified locker room, the Baltimore Ravens completed the 2008 regular season with a 6-game turnaround, finishing at 11-5 and headed into the postseason as the sixth seed in the AFC.
Two games later, the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship, just one game away from the Super Bowl in Tampa, FL -- the site of the Ravens' first Super Bowl victory, 8 years ago. Appropriately, just as they vanquished two opponents in the playoffs whom they had previously played in the regular season, the Ravens must once again face a familiar foe -- this time, the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers, whom they had failed to defeat twice in 2008 by a mere total of 7 points.
Their two previous meetings were marked by controversial calls that directly impacted the momentum of each game; Jarret Johnson's personal foul penalty extended a Steelers drive that would result in a TD that sparked Pittsburgh's eventual comeback in the first game, while the second game's infamous TD catch by Santonio Holmes speaks volumes in itself.
THE KEY
Just as penalties played a factor in both games, so too did physicality, as both teams flexed their muscles and lived up to their hard-nosed reputations. In both meetings, neither team had a true offensive advantage as old-school defensive football was on display, as with every Ravens-Steelers game.The Ravens' and Steelers' bread-and-butter on offense has traditionally been the ground attack, and this season is no exception. However, even with a healthier Willie Parker in the Pittsburgh backfield, the stingy Ravens defense has not allowed Parker to have success against them throughout his entire career. On the other side, Baltimore's Le'Ron McClain has found a measure of success against the Steelers' stout defense this season, but will likely struggle due to the wear-and-tear of having played 17 straight weeks without a bye.
Though defense will rule the day, this rematch will be decided by turnovers, with the team committing the fewest mistakes, walking away the victor. Rookie QB Joe Flacco has been mistake-free this postseason, having yet to take a sack nor commit a turnover en route to becoming the first rookie QB to win two road playoff games in NFL history. However, the Steelers have been the bane of Flacco's existence this season, having posted his worst performance of his young career against Pittsburgh in their Week 15 matchup. Flacco will need to stay true to the team's formula for success by taking care of the ball and making smart throws. However, managing the game will not be enough against the Steelers, and Flacco will need to make plays to ultimately put points on the board that will win the game. This meeting will be the biggest test of Flacco's development as a QB, and the biggest priority will be to protect the football to ensure that his team punches their ticket to Tampa in two weeks.
Should Flacco avoid costly mistakes, the onus will be on Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger to deliver in what will likely develop into a high-pressure, clutch situation. Though Roethlisberger is masterful at keeping plays alive and thrives under pressure, he must be conscious at all times of All-Pro FS Ed Reed's location, or risk throwing an interception that will likely lead to the game-winning score.
In the biggest game of the season for both teams thus far, there is no room for error -- especially for the team that wishes to play in the biggest game of their careers in two weeks.
THE GLORY
On Sunday, two identical teams in the same division with the same goal will square off. Both teams will beat their chests and pound their counterparts into submission. With pride, glory, and an opportunity to compete for the sport's richest prize on the line, a mere whistle will not be enough to contain the seismic activity after each snap. The game will be a lesson in physics, brutality, and athleticism, as the nation will learn the limits of the human body when subjected to the human equivalent of a car crash.Every inch will count. Every second will be one more step towards the sport's biggest stage. Every tackle, every catch, every throw, every run -- every play will make history.
This Sunday's game is the football equivalent of a heavyweight title bout. This is the age-old battle between the Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object.
For Ravens and Steelers fans, this Sunday is the real Super Bowl.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
theFRANCHISE Radio - 1/13/09 Broadcast
(Note: Spitz B's "Last Love" can be found on his Soundclick page)
1-13-09 Broadcast
Be sure to tune in next week for music by:
112
50 Cent
Jaheim
T.I.
Lupe Fiasco
Ciara
Kanye West
Kidz in the Hall
AND MORE!
theFRANCHISE Radio -- Tuesdays, 1PM-3PM, 91.3FM, WVUD-Newark: the Voice of the University of Delaware!
(Preview of next week's show coming soon!)
1-13-09 Broadcast
Be sure to tune in next week for music by:
112
50 Cent
Jaheim
T.I.
Lupe Fiasco
Ciara
Kanye West
Kidz in the Hall
AND MORE!
theFRANCHISE Radio -- Tuesdays, 1PM-3PM, 91.3FM, WVUD-Newark: the Voice of the University of Delaware!
(Preview of next week's show coming soon!)
Monday, January 12, 2009
AFC Divisional Round Recap: Ravens Reverse Titans' Fortunes
When the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans squared off, both teams were unable to manufacture points despite one team's statistical dominance over the other. In the end, costly mistakes by the home team and its starting QB and a late-quarter comeback would propel the away team to a surprising 13-10 victory.
Sound familiar?
In a rematch of their Week 5 contest, the sixth-seeded Ravens and the top-seeded Titans put on a repeat performance in the AFC Divisional Round, but with reversed roles and the opposite outcome.
This time, Kerry Collins would be the QB to make the crucial mistakes to cost his team the game, not rookie Joe Flacco. This time, the Titans offense would run roughshod over the Ravens defense, yet fail to put points on the board when necessary. This time, the Titans defense would render the Ravens offense virtually ineffective until the final quarter.
This time, the Titans would have no one to blame but themselves for the loss, rather than the Ravens.
To be fair, Collins played reasonably well, as he completed 26 of 42 passes (61.9%) for 281 yards and a QB rating of 71.6. However, his second-quarter INT thrown to former Titans CB Samari Rolle in Baltimore territory was one of several mistakes made throughout the game that marred an otherwise great team performance. The absence of C Kevin Mawae proved to be great when two snaps on crucial possessions were mishandled. Additionally, key fumbles by the Titans in the red zone took away scoring opportunities on promising drives, giving the Ravens new life.
Though the Ravens were able to control the clock in their last meeting, Baltimore's three-headed monster was nowhere to be seen this time, as Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee provided minimal gains while banged-up rookie Ray Rice was used primarily as a blocker. Instead, the Titans' dynamic duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White would help Tennessee win the time of possession battle, but failed to be the difference-maker in spite of their numbers.
The Ravens defense limped through the majority of three quarters, yet managed to provide key stops that would give their rookie QB every opportunity to keep them in the game. The turning point came when Flacco converted a crucial 3rd-and-2 with a long completion to Todd Heap to keep the drive alive; the play was marked by a delay of game penalty that was seemingly missed by the officiating crew, as the ball appeared to have been snapped a full second after the play clock expired.
In spite of the penalty, Tennessee's defense still allowed Baltimore to advance the ball on that play as well as an additional 20 yards in the plays that followed, giving veteran Matt Stover enough range to complete a 43-yard kick that would prove to be the game-winner.
With the victory, Joe Flacco became the first rookie QB in NFL history to win two road playoff games, and the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship game to face the second-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Thus far, the Steelers have defeated the Ravens in two close games this season, both with questionable calls that directly impacted the finish. Their third meeting will prove to be epic, as the Ravens have only beaten the Steelers once in their last 8 meetings in Pittsburgh, while the Steelers are 2-4 in their last six AFC Title games.
Regardless of statistics, records, and other measurable quantities, the only numbers that will matter on Sunday is the score when the clock strikes zero. The road to Tampa goes through Pittsburgh, and both the Ravens and Steelers will relish every moment of it, from kickoff until the final gun.
Sound familiar?
In a rematch of their Week 5 contest, the sixth-seeded Ravens and the top-seeded Titans put on a repeat performance in the AFC Divisional Round, but with reversed roles and the opposite outcome.
This time, Kerry Collins would be the QB to make the crucial mistakes to cost his team the game, not rookie Joe Flacco. This time, the Titans offense would run roughshod over the Ravens defense, yet fail to put points on the board when necessary. This time, the Titans defense would render the Ravens offense virtually ineffective until the final quarter.
This time, the Titans would have no one to blame but themselves for the loss, rather than the Ravens.
To be fair, Collins played reasonably well, as he completed 26 of 42 passes (61.9%) for 281 yards and a QB rating of 71.6. However, his second-quarter INT thrown to former Titans CB Samari Rolle in Baltimore territory was one of several mistakes made throughout the game that marred an otherwise great team performance. The absence of C Kevin Mawae proved to be great when two snaps on crucial possessions were mishandled. Additionally, key fumbles by the Titans in the red zone took away scoring opportunities on promising drives, giving the Ravens new life.
Though the Ravens were able to control the clock in their last meeting, Baltimore's three-headed monster was nowhere to be seen this time, as Le'Ron McClain and Willis McGahee provided minimal gains while banged-up rookie Ray Rice was used primarily as a blocker. Instead, the Titans' dynamic duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White would help Tennessee win the time of possession battle, but failed to be the difference-maker in spite of their numbers.
The Ravens defense limped through the majority of three quarters, yet managed to provide key stops that would give their rookie QB every opportunity to keep them in the game. The turning point came when Flacco converted a crucial 3rd-and-2 with a long completion to Todd Heap to keep the drive alive; the play was marked by a delay of game penalty that was seemingly missed by the officiating crew, as the ball appeared to have been snapped a full second after the play clock expired.
In spite of the penalty, Tennessee's defense still allowed Baltimore to advance the ball on that play as well as an additional 20 yards in the plays that followed, giving veteran Matt Stover enough range to complete a 43-yard kick that would prove to be the game-winner.
With the victory, Joe Flacco became the first rookie QB in NFL history to win two road playoff games, and the Ravens advance to the AFC Championship game to face the second-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Thus far, the Steelers have defeated the Ravens in two close games this season, both with questionable calls that directly impacted the finish. Their third meeting will prove to be epic, as the Ravens have only beaten the Steelers once in their last 8 meetings in Pittsburgh, while the Steelers are 2-4 in their last six AFC Title games.
Regardless of statistics, records, and other measurable quantities, the only numbers that will matter on Sunday is the score when the clock strikes zero. The road to Tampa goes through Pittsburgh, and both the Ravens and Steelers will relish every moment of it, from kickoff until the final gun.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
AFC Wild Card Round Recap: Ravens Run Wild Over the Dolphins
The sixth-seeded Baltimore Ravens entered the AFC Wild Card round screaming like a banshee, and exited much in the same way in a resounding 27-9 road victory over the third-seeded Miami Dolphins.
In a rematch of their Week 7 contest that marked the turning point for both teams, the Ravens came out on top by virtue of their victory in the turnover department; Baltimore's defense forced five turnovers, highlighted by two Ed Reed interceptions including one returned for the game's first score.
Though the Ravens' offense began on a sour note with a Le'Ron McClain fumble, the Dolphins only managed a field goal and would fail to score for much of the game. Miami's vaunted Wildcat offense was rendered ineffective by the Ravens defense for the second time this season, with RB Ronnie Brown managing only 19 yards on 12 carries as the Dolphins' leading rusher.
Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron leaned heavily on the ground attack, as QB Joe Flacco was unable to move the ball as efficiently as in recent weeks. Le'Ron McClain finished the day with 75 yards and a TD, while Willis McGahee reeled off an impressive 48-yard run en route to McClain's score. Despite completing only 9 passes on 23 throws, Flacco was masterful in his elusion of the Dolphins' pass rush, taking no sacks and also committing zero turnovers.
Although the Dolphins managed to get in the endzone on a Chad Pennington TD pass to Ronnie Brown in the final quarter, Miami's fate was seemingly sealed when kicker Dan Carpenter's PAT was blocked. On the ensuing possession, Flacco would score on a QB draw to secure the lead and the Ravens' victory.
Pennington, known for his efficiency all year, was victimized by the Ravens defense and threw 4 uncharacteristic interceptions; the Dolphins had only turned the ball over an NFL-record-low 13 times in the regular season, while the Ravens' defense led the league in interceptions with 26.
With the Dolphins' magical season over, the Ravens advance to the AFC Divisional Round and travel to Nashville to face the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in a rematch of their Week 5 meeting, which the Titans won 13-10 on a last-minute drive highlighted by a controversial roughing-the-passer call.
In a rematch of their Week 7 contest that marked the turning point for both teams, the Ravens came out on top by virtue of their victory in the turnover department; Baltimore's defense forced five turnovers, highlighted by two Ed Reed interceptions including one returned for the game's first score.
Though the Ravens' offense began on a sour note with a Le'Ron McClain fumble, the Dolphins only managed a field goal and would fail to score for much of the game. Miami's vaunted Wildcat offense was rendered ineffective by the Ravens defense for the second time this season, with RB Ronnie Brown managing only 19 yards on 12 carries as the Dolphins' leading rusher.
Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron leaned heavily on the ground attack, as QB Joe Flacco was unable to move the ball as efficiently as in recent weeks. Le'Ron McClain finished the day with 75 yards and a TD, while Willis McGahee reeled off an impressive 48-yard run en route to McClain's score. Despite completing only 9 passes on 23 throws, Flacco was masterful in his elusion of the Dolphins' pass rush, taking no sacks and also committing zero turnovers.
Although the Dolphins managed to get in the endzone on a Chad Pennington TD pass to Ronnie Brown in the final quarter, Miami's fate was seemingly sealed when kicker Dan Carpenter's PAT was blocked. On the ensuing possession, Flacco would score on a QB draw to secure the lead and the Ravens' victory.
Pennington, known for his efficiency all year, was victimized by the Ravens defense and threw 4 uncharacteristic interceptions; the Dolphins had only turned the ball over an NFL-record-low 13 times in the regular season, while the Ravens' defense led the league in interceptions with 26.
With the Dolphins' magical season over, the Ravens advance to the AFC Divisional Round and travel to Nashville to face the top-seeded Tennessee Titans in a rematch of their Week 5 meeting, which the Titans won 13-10 on a last-minute drive highlighted by a controversial roughing-the-passer call.
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