Misinformation is in the air...

Long time, no blog. With the draft coming up a week from Saturday, I just wanted to throw my 2 cents out there. There are so many mock drafts that say so many different things. Add to that the fact that no NFL team is going to tell you which way they are leaning and what you get is the time for misinformation.

If the Ravens, or any other team for that matter, states publicly that they like a player then they don't. Everything is a smokescreen. As anyone who listens to my radio show knows, I'm a big Matt Ryan fan. I think he exhibits "it". He looks like a young Ben Rothlesberger to me. He already shows more leadership qualities as a division one QB then Kyle Boller shows right now. Face it, The QB of the future isn't currently on this roster. You need to find him. If Matt Ryan drops to eight then that search is over.

If Ryan is gone, I truly believe the Ravens will trade down. Unless a guy like Gholston or Jake Long is somehow sitting there for them, they can trade down a few picks and still get one of the corners (Talib--if he stays away from the Bong, McClendon, Jenkins, Rodgers-Cromartie).

I think that Ravens fans should hope that Matty Ice is sitting there at eight though. Also I've been reading in different places that Dennis Dixon could be a steal for the Ravens (or someone else) in the middle rounds. Slow your roll everybody! Until last season Dennis Dixon was platooning with Brady Leaf (yes Ryan's little bro) at QB for the Ducks. I am a big Oregon fan and I felt Dixon was going to win the Heisman before he got hurt, but this guy smells a lot like the second coming of Akili Smith (One year Oregon QB wonder that flamed out hard).

Prior to last season, Dixon showed the consistencey of an internet stock and made decisions that even Kyle Boller would say "That wasn't smart". I like Dixon as a college QB but I dont know if he can make the transition to the NFL. JD Booty and Erik Ainge show much more NFL potential to me.

Until next time...

Why so much blind love for Boller?

As I was doing my show this weekend (Saturdays and Sundays 3-7, unless pre-empted on 105.7), I got to talking about the Ravens QB situation. I have long contended that of the three QB's on the roster, only Troy Smith should return next season (and only as a backup, I don’t see this guy as the club's QB of the future).

I think Steve McNair looked way too much like Willie Mays with the Mets, and not at all like the guy who was once an NFL co-MVP. Kyle Boller on the other hand, has never looked like either. He has just been consistently inconsistent (unless you count the part that he hasn't won a road game since ‘04—that’s consistency?).

He's given you rare glimpses of brilliance (the nationally televised games at home against Green Bay and Minnesota at the end of the ‘05 season, the 4th down pass he threw to Mason in the back of the end zone at Buffalo this season that got the club back in the game), but more often than not, he has stunk the place up.

This is no longer a rookie or second year player. He's had 5 yrs to show us SOMETHING. I'll give you that Brian Billick didn’t give quarterbacks a chance to succeed in Baltimore, but at least give us Grbac in ‘01 or McNair in 06. Give us a reason to hope. He has given us nothing on the football field but frustration. I understand that he's a fantastic human being. I know that every fan that has ever met him loves the guy. Think about this though, Ghandi and the Dhali Llama were/are considered fantastic human beings. How good a QB would they have been? I'd bet they'd stink too.

Maybe in Baltimore, we need a QB with a bit of a mean streak because the ultimate nice guy has bombed worse than Ishtar.

Is There a Ryan Curse?

Why is it that Rex Ryan can’t seem to get over the hump and get an NFL head coaching job? For that matter, why are guys like Garrett and Spagnuolo getting deals that pay them 3 million and over two million respectively after only one season as coordinators and Rex has had a top 6 defense for three years and is reportedly making around $1.5 million?

In my opinion, the answer is simple, his dad!!!

Buddy Ryan was a legend as a defensive coordinator. He won a ring in Super Bowl III as part of the coaching staff of the Jets team that defeated our Colts, and he was the architect of the 46 defense in Chicago that dominated opponents as the Bears steamrolled their way to the 86 title.

As a head coach, things weren't as easy. He was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 86-90, and of the Arizona Cardinals from 94-95. During both those tenures, Ryan showed the uncanny ability to find talent (guys like Byron Evans, Seth Joyner and Clyde Simmons were amongst his later round draft finds). He was also beloved by the majority of his players at all his coaching stops and nothing reinforced that loyalty more then Ryan's decision to ostracize himself from the "Scab" players in 1987. Buddy told his temporary troops, and I’m paraphrasing here, “I don't know who you are, I don't want to get to know you, and I don't care who you are. I'm only coaching you because the NFL says I have to. This is only temporary so don't get too comfortable.”

Yet despite field tons of talent (in Philly), he never won a playoff game. The fact that Buddy couldn't win big games by itself wouldn't hurt Rex, but add to that the fact that to say Buddy was politically incorrect (that’s putting it mildly) and then problems begin to rear their ugly heads.

Buddy’s pro players union stand during the ‘87 strike did not win him any friends in management. Buddy Ryan has never been one to bite his tongue to save someone's feelings. He even had a much publicized feud with Bears coach Mike Ditka during the club's run to the Super Bowl.

Ryan is a man's man who did things on his terms, but in doing so burned more than a few bridges – which brings us to Rex…

There still is an "Old Boys" network of sorts amongst NFL front offices. These guys have long memories, and they remember some of Buddy's words and actions (including punching offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride on the sidelines when both coached for the Houston Oilers). In my opinion, a lot of these guys are reminded of Buddy when interviewing Rex. I feel that Buddy's past is held against Rex, especially when interviewing for Head Coaching positions (how else can you really explain Atlanta's decision to hire Mike Smith over Rex Ryan).

This is a terrible injustice to Rex Ryan, and I for one hope that Rex will be able to remove himself from his father's vast shadow in the future.

Belichick shows his true colors

One second... That's all the time Patriots coach Bill Belichick had to wait to cross the field and congratulate supposed friend Tom Coughlin on one of the biggest upsets in NFL history, and on being Super Bowl Champs. Bill couldn't wait. In showing his impatience, he also showed his true colors. Coach Belichick showed himself to be a pompous, classless, sore loser, who thinks he is more important then the game. I hope he is fined for this display. I hope that former Pats employee Matt Walsh has that tape of the Rams walk through before Super Bowl 36. I hope Roger Goddell has no choice but to suspend Bellichick for this. I hope this is a one year suspension. I hope Belichick's legacy has been harmed irreparably. I hope the water in the Pacific is just as Andy described it. I hope....

Congrats also go to new Redskins coach Jim Zorn -- winner of the "Only man left willing to be a head coach under Dan Snyder" award.

A game for the ages

Just finished watching Super Bowl 42 and all I can say is WOW!! Seriously though, who really thought the G-men could pull this one out (show of hands please). What a performance from Osi, Strahan, Tuck, Pierce and the entire Giants Defense. These guys could probably tell you what kind of gum Mr. Brady was chewing. They were on him on almost every pass the Pats’ QB threw. A fantastic effort! To hold that team to 14 pts is an amazing accomplishment in itself (held them to 7pts for most of the game), but add to that the effort of Eli Manning and the Giants offense and you get a game for the ages.

Eli & Co. didn't take advantage of early red zone opportunities, but because of the defense, they were in the game late, paving the way for Eli to officially become "the man". Two TD passes, great decision making abilities, and some Vick-like escapability. Eli was the MVP of this game, and sorry New England, but the Giants are the BEST in the NFL for this season.

How great must Archie Manning feel right now? His sons win back to back Super Bowls and both times his kid takes home the MVP hardware. As a father his heart has to be swelling with pride right now. On the flip side, what must be going through Bill "MR Personality" Belichick's mind right now. Most "experts" are already calling the 18-0 start a waste because they didn't finish the job. Now, he has to worry about another "spygate" tape – this one of the Rams’ Friday walkthrough before Super Bowl 36. If the Commish gets his hands on this tape, it could be a one year suspension for the Pats head man.

Finally, a report has come from ESPN that says the Ravens are giving serious consideration to trading their #1 pick to Philly for Donovan McNabb. When I first heard this news I was against it for many reasons, but if the Ravens were planning to use that pick to take someone like Brian Brohm, I'd much rather get McNabb. If healthy (I know big if) McNabb is part of that 2nd tier of QBs in the NFL (Palmer, Romo, Big Ben, McNabb, this year’s Favre) below Brady and Peyton but guys who can win you games and put up big numbers. If they can figure out the cap issues, it may not be so bad after all. They can still draft a QB later and that guy and Troy Smith can learn under Donovan. Plus, with him the team is right back in the hunt. In today's NFL you need a good QB to win, and a healthy McNabb would give the franchise the best QB they've ever had.

PS--Congrats to Willis MaGahee for making his first trip to the Pro Bowl. If Willis stays on the field in the coming seasons it will be the first of many. Cam Cameron will see to that…

I think I've seen the light...

I know, I know. I was a Martyball guy. I screamed from the mountaintop that this team needed discipline, and Marty was the guy to give it to them. After letting the John Harbaugh hire marinate for a few days though, I've changed my tune (I, like the owner, have the right to change my mind).

With this Harbaugh signing, Steve Bisciotti is really sticking his neck on the line. Marty would have been the SAFE hire. You know he'd bring the team regular season success, but you are also aware of his postseason failures. John Harbaugh is a hire that sort of follows in the mold of the Pittsburgh Steelers model. Mike Tomlin is only their franchise's 3rd coach in thirty plus seasons. When Brian Billick was fired, Steve Bisciotti said he was looking for the "next hall of fame coach". What he also was saying was that he was looking for a long term answer. He doesn't want to be looking for a coach every few years and with Marty there was a limited shelf life. John Harbaugh succeeds and he's our coach for probably the next ten seasons.

I think all the talk out there comparing Bisciotti and Peter Angelos is completely unwarranted. If anything, I think Bisciotti almost kept Billick for the wrong reasons because he didn’t want to be seen as a meddler. To me, Harbaugh is an even better fit than Jason Garrett as well (plus if the guy doesn't want to be here, then screw him). Harbaugh has a confidence and intensity about him that fits with this team and this town. Garrett to me seems to be much more cerebral. Plus, people don't seem to realize that Harbaugh has been an NFL coach for 10 seasons while Garrett is finishing his third.

People also fail to realize that in Romo's breakout season of 2006, Tony Sparano was calling the plays for Bill Parcells while Garrett was still the QB coach in Miami. Garrett didn't create Tony Romo. Looking through the history of the league, a lot of successful head coaches got their starts coaching special teams (Marv Levy, Dick Vermeil, Mike Ditka, and Bill Cowher to name a few), and just because a guy has never been a coordinator, doesn’t mean he wont be a good head coach (Andy Reid was the QB coach for the Packers and he's worked out ok, Mike McCarthy had one season as SF's OC--the team finished dead last in offense--he got the Packers job and that has worked out).

Most importantly to me as a Baltimorean, when Harbaugh has success, he's our guy!!! He hasn't done it anywhere before. He's no retread. His story begins here, and when people think back to John Harbaugh they will think Baltimore.

They'll be searching so long...

As I sit back and ponder why the hell Marty's kid was interviewed for the head coaching position...

Ozzie Newsome. Dick Cass and Co. have a major decision on their hands. They took the right step by firing Brian Billick (13 win seasons are nothing but window dressing if you cant win in the playoffs, something Billick hadn't done since the 01 season). Now comes the hard part, who's next?

I love Rex Ryan as our defensive coordinator, but if we are going to change the mindset in the locker room, we've gotta go all the way. Unfortunately, Rex is part of the old regime. Some new guard (guys without NFL head coaching experience) candidates are interesting. Jason Garrett and Jim Caldwell are both young offensive guys, that seems to impress league wide. Tony Sparano looks promising as well but it looks like he's been reeled in by a Tuna. Lets just cross John Harbough & Brian Schottenheimer off the list. Seem like nice guys but not good enough!!!

Then you go to the old guard guys (Marty Schottenheimer & Bill Cowher). It looks like the chin is adamant that he wont coach in the NFL till 09, so that leaves us with Martyball. Don't cringe, this is the perfect guy for this team at this time.

This team is in dire need of discipline and Marty will bring that big time. He doesn't care who you are, you do things his way. The guy has had only 2 losing seasons in 21 years of coaching (98 & 03). I know, what about the 5-13 record in the playoffs you say?

Well you can't deny he hasn't had sucess in the playoffs but was it his fault Marlon McRee fumbled last year after picking off Brady? Was it his fault that Ernest Byner fumbled as he was on his way in for the tying touchdown in Denver, or that his kicker in KC couldn't make a FG against Indy. The guy is absolutely due!

Add to that the fact that he will supposedly bring Cam Cameron in as his OC and the idea becomes even more attractive (Im drooling just thinking about the kind of season Magahee could have in Cameron's offense). Let's not even consider trading draft picks to Cincy for a guy with one winning season in 5 and zero playoff wins (if that's decently sucessfull like a Sun columnist says, then Billick's bust is being prepared in Canton).

Jason Garrett seems like an attractive candidate, but don't forget, so did Billick. Martyball in 08 is the way back to the playoffs and possibly, the promised land.

Screw Clinton, Obama, McCain and Huckabee its Schottenheimer/Cameron in 08 for me!!!!