Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens / Image: Zuma Press

On one play, it appeared that Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs just swiped at and maybe brushed Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s legs, but didn’t really even “touch” him (UPDATE: After re-watching this, Terrell Suggs did bump Tom, but it wasn’t anything more than that). I would have to agree with Ray—that kind of preferential treatment is taking the issue of safety too far. I can understand protecting the quarterback to a certain extent, but when the game becomes touch football—or in this case not even touch football—it’s pretty ridiculous.

Ray expressed his displeasure in no uncertain terms after the game:

“Without totally going off the wall here, it’s embarrassing to the game. You can’t do that. Brady’s good enough to make a play. Let him make his own play. You can’t end the play like that, and then throw the flag. No, man. The embarrassing part is when he understands that, and he walks up to one of us and says, ‘Oh, that was a cheap one.’ That’s not football. And that’s the embarrassing part about it. Two great teams going at it, let them go at it. But you can’t stop drives like that, you can’t throw flags and say, ‘Oh, you touched the quarterback.’ Put flags on them. Put a red buzzer on them, so if we touch them, they’re down. But you can’t do that, when a guy’s on the ground, it’s over. Both of the drives they got touchdowns on—personal fouls that kept the drives going. That’s embarrassing to our game. Fine me, do whatever you please. I’m not speaking against anybody. It’s embarrassing, for them to treat one person on the football field different than everybody else. That’s what’s embarrassing about this game. You can NOT do that. You gotta let the game take care of itself like it just did. But when you call penalties like that, it takes away from the love of the game, because you can get a Tom Brady to walk by you and say, ‘Oh, that’s a cheap one.’ Wow.”

Source: SportingNews.com

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Ray Lewis Upset With Treatment of QBs

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is staying right where he belongs — with the only team he’s ever played for. After nearly a week of uncertainty and frustration, the team re-signed Ray to a three-year, $22 million deal today, most likely keeping him in Baltimore for the remainder of his Hall of Fame career. In a statement released by the Ravens today, Ray said:

“From beginning to end as a Raven … Wow! To be with the same team with the same fans for an entire career, that doesn’t happen in the NFL. The bottom line for me is that God always finishes first, and I prayed over this. Over the last six days, I took a backseat and waited to see what would happen. This is part of God’s plan, and I couldn’t be happier. For me to be here in an area that has become so important to me and my family, that’s special, very special. I don’t think an athlete can have a greater legacy than to be able to stay in one place for an entire career. I feel so fortunate that the Ravens did what they had to do to make this happen. Thank you. My heart is with the Ravens. My heart is with Baltimore and the great fans. What can I say? Here we go!”

Although I’m sure Ray wishes the Ravens would’ve offered a bigger dollar contract six days ago, he had every right to test the open NFL market for his services. After all, he’s coming off his 10th Pro Bowl season where he led the Ravens’ defense with 117 tackles. He also had 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. But what matters is how this ended — on a good note for both sides. Ray has more than earned that much as the face of this organization and one of the best linebackers to ever play the game.

Source: BaltimoreRavens.com, Photo: Newscom

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Ravens Re-sign Ray Lewis

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

My new best friends at Pepsi gave me a heads up on their SoBe Lifewater Super Bowl ad featuring NFL players Ray Lewis (Ravens), Justin Tuck (Giants) and Matt Light (Patriots). The 60-second SoBe Lifewater spot will mark arguably the first-ever Super Bowl ad cross over event — with the SoBe Lizards and stars from the upcoming DreamWorks movie “Monsters vs. Aliens” dancing alongside current NFL players in what promises to be among the most highly-anticipated commercials on Super Sunday. Get your 3D glasses ready.

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SoBe Lifewater Super Bowl Commercial

Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Baltimore Ravens safety Jim Leonhard is a perfect fit in the team’s complicated defensive scheme. And his natural athletic ability and competitive nature more than make up for his lack of prototypical physical dimensions. Originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as a rookie free agent in 2005, Jim joined the Ravens this year and he now finds himself not only starting at strong safety opposite perennial All-Pro and future Hall-of-Famer Ed Reed, but also returning kickoffs and punts. For a defense that has been hit hard by several season-ending injuries, the Ravens haven’t missed a beat thanks largely to Jim’s impressive contributions (currently 4th on the team in tackles with 53). I spoke with Jim after practice today, just a few days before the Ravens’ big showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the AFC North division lead.

• 0:08 – Back at full strength after a brief battle with the flu bug
• 0:25 – Ravens vs. Steelers rivalry, teams have similarities
• 1:06 – Bad blood between the teams is typical, physical game expected
• 1:37 – Week 15 and playing for the AFC North division lead
• 2:05 – Ravens have won seven of their past eight games
• 2:28 – Lack of size and an NFL life spent battling the odds everyday
• 3:02 – Playing the dual role: playing safety, returning kickoffs and punts
• 3:28 – Lessons learned playing with future Hall of Famers Reed and Lewis
• 4:20 – Learning and understanding the Ravens’ complex defense
• 5:14 – Ravens’ defensive game plan gets everyone involved
• 5:47 – Defense wants to get turnovers and score every game

Links: BaltimoreRavens.com, NFL Players, NFL.com

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EMQB Interview: Jim Leonhard

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The Baltimore Ravens have won four straight games. And “nobody” knows about it because teams like the undefeated Tennessee Titans, defending Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants and apparently overrated Dallas Cowboys have been grabbing all the headlines this season. Ravens two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Terrell Suggs is ok with that. In fact, he and the rest of his Ravens teammates enjoy flying under the radar — just as long as they touch down in Tampa at Super Bowl XLIII. I spoke with Terrell after his workday yesterday to discuss tomorrow’s should-be heavyweight slugfest with the G-men.

• 0:12 – The potential to be one of the best Ravens defenses ever
• 0:45 – Team has responded to well to McAlister, Landry injuries
• 1:17 – Outstanding play of rookie quarterback Joe Flacco
• 1:46 – Four game winning streak, offense scoring 33 points/game
• 2:20 – Ravens need to “take care of business” each and every Sunday
• 2:35 – No extra motivation playing defending Super Bowl champions
• 3:02 – Giants are not the team to beat, they’re one of the teams to beat
• 3:19 – Giants game matches #1 rushing offense vs. #1 rushing defense
• 3:39 – Not being noticed is motivation for the Ravens
• 4:05 – Terrell wants to be the best all-around linebacker in the NFL
• 4:46 – The face of the Ravens: Will Terrell Suggs follow Ray Lewis?

Links: BaltimoreRavens.com, NFL Players, NFL.com

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EMQB Interview: Terrell Suggs

The Baltimore Ravens have an identity crisis at the quarterback position. At the start of training camp, there was a three-way race between veteran Kyle Boller, second-year QB Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco. When the dust settled, Joe won the starting job by default — he’s the only one left that’s healthy enough to play. Troy is still feeling the ill effects of infected tonsils. And Kyle has a sore shoulder that might require surgery. That being said, some might argue that Joe earned the starting job on the field. He was 35-of-67 for 284 yards and no interceptions during the preseason. His quarterback rating was better than that of Kyle or Troy. And he threw Baltimore’s only touchdown pass. Still, he’s an unproven rookie.

Enter free agents Joey Harrington and Todd Bouman. It has been reported (in separate reports) that both quarterbacks signed with the Ravens, but both of those reports turned out to be false. Way to go ESPN. It is believed, however, that one of these QBs (or former Tampa Bay Buc Chris Simms) will, in fact, sign with Baltimore very soon. But with no familiarity with the Ravens offensive system, they would only be called upon to play as a last resort until they had some grasp of the playbook. Seems like the same old quarterback quandary for the Ravens. Ray Lewis and his defensive mates can’t be enthused.

Source: BaltimoreRavens.com

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Rookie Joe Flacco Will Start for Ravens

The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers lead the AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high eight players each. New England’s eight All-Stars equals a franchise high set by the 1985 Pats. The AFC roster includes 18 first-time All-Stars, including Cincinnati WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who leads the NFL with 101 receptions.

Among a group of talented AFC quarterbacks, four-time All-Star Tom Brady of New England, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,235), TDs (45) and passer rating (119.7), will be the starting QB in his fourth Pro Bowl. Tom is one of seven Patriots that will start for this year’s AFC squad. Joining him to aid the AFC passing attack will be Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning, who will make his eighth Pro Bowl appearance, and first-time selection Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, who ranks third in the NFL with 29 TD passes.

San Diego’s duo of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and fullback Lorenzo Neal have been named starters for a second year in a row. Earning his fifth Pro Bowl honor, L.T. ranks second in the NFL with 1,311 rushing yards this season and has passed the 1,200-yard rushing mark for the seventh consecutive year. Lorenzo, in his 15th NFL season, has been selected to his fourth Pro Bowl and third as a Charger. Adding to the AFC’s explosive backfield will be Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker and Joseph Addai of Indy. This is the second consecutive Pro Bowl trip for Fast Willie, who leads the NFL with 1,317 rushing yards. In his second NFL season, Joseph Addai ranks second in the AFC with 11 rushing TDs and will make his first Pro Bowl trip. Once again, Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor has been snubbed despite averaging a gaudy 5.1 ypc. He’ll need to lead the league in rushing to get consideration.

Four receivers are named to each All-Star squad. And it has to be nearly impossible to come up with just four. Chosen for the AFC’s 2008 team are New England’s Randy Moss, the NFL’s receiving yardage (1,343) and TD (19) leader. Randy records his first Pro Bowl appearance since 2004 (because he was lost in the black hole for several years) and sixth overall. Lined up across from Randy will be Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis, who will make his second All-Star game in consecutive seasons. Two first-time selections from clubs in Ohio will round out the AFC All-Star receiving foursome — Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, whose 13 TD receptions ranks second in the AFC, and the aforementioned T.J. Houshmandzadeh of Cincinnati. I know this is a very elite list of receivers and it’s incredibly hard to pick just four, but I could make a case for Wes Welker (Pats), Chad Johnson (Cincy) or even Brandon Marshall (Denver) in this group.

Representing the AFC at tight end will be nine-time all-star Tony Gonzalez (big surprise) of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego’s Antonio Gates, who will play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and start for the second year in a row.

Pittsburgh’s 10-year veteran guard Alan Faneca will make his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl trip and will be joined at the other starting guard position by first-time All-Star Logan Mankins of New England, who has helped pave the way for the league’s top-ranked offense. San Diego’s Kris Dielman, a former undrafted free agent who has been a mainstay for the Chargers offensive line this year, will make his All-Star debut.

AFC starting center Jeff Saturday will book his trip to Hawaii for his third consecutive Pro Bowl. First-time AFC All-Star Dan Koppen of New England will back him up.

Assigned to keep the pocket clean against a talented group of NFC edge rushers are a group of AFC All-Star tackles — New England’s two-time Pro Bowler Matt Light and first-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Peters of Buffalo. Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore will play in his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl in his 12th NFL season.

Lining up in the middle for the AFC defensive front are starting interior linemen Albert Haynesworth of Tennessee and New England’s Vince Wilfork. Both linemen will make their first appearances in the All-Star game. Accompanying Vince and Albert will be San Diego’s Jamal Williams, who has secured his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

Ranked second in the AFC with 11.5 sacks, Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen will make his Pro Bowl debut as a starter and will be joined by Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who will play in his second Pro Bowl in three seasons with the Titans and his first as a starter. Miami’s Jason Taylor will cap off this trio with the sixth Pro Bowl of his career.

Two first-time All-Stars — Mike Vrabel of New England and Pittsburgh’s James Harrison — will start at outside linebacker for the AFC. Mike has tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks and James leads the league’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks. Joining them at outside linebacker is Shawne Merriman of San Diego, who tops NFL linebackers with 11.5 sacks. Shawne will make his third consecutive All-Star game appearance.

Roaming the middle of the AFC defense will be middle linebackers Ray Lewis of Baltimore and DeMeco Ryans of Houston. DeMeco, the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of Year, will start in his first Pro Bowl, while Ray-Ray, a 12-year veteran, will record his eighth appearance in Hawaii.

Interceptions are plentiful for the trio of AFC All-Star cornerbacks. Starter Champ Bailey of Denver has earned his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and will be teamed up with two first-time All-Stars. New England’s Asante Samuel will start opposite Champ and Antonio Cromartie of San Diego, who leads the league with 10 INTs, will make his All-Star debut in his second season.

Indianapolis strong safety Bob Sanders earns his second consecutive AFC All-Star berth and Ravens ball-hawking free safety Ed Reed is a four-time Pro Bowl choice in six NFL seasons. Four-time Pro Bowl selection Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh will join them as a reserve.

The AFC special teams unit is comprised of four players, including two first-time Pro Bowl honorees. Cleveland kick returner Joshua Cribbs is making his first trip to Hawaii. Joshua leads the NFL with a 30.9-yard average and is tied for second in the league with two scores. Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas, who leads the NFL with 31 field goals and set the NFL record for most field goals in a game earlier this season, will make his All-Star debut. San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood, who will serve as the AFC’s special teamer, makes his second consecutive trip to Hawaii. Concluding the special teams group will be Oakland’s veteran punter Shane Lechler (third Pro Bowl). Shane leads the NFL with a 49.0 average and has placed 21 of his 63 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

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Patriots, Chargers Lead AFC All-Star Squad, 18 First-Time Selections Named