Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis is upset with the National Football League’s rules regarding the preferential treatment of its quarterbacks. During today’s 27-21 loss to the New England Patriots, the Ravens’ defense was flagged twice for roughing-the-passer penalties, resulting in the continuation of two drives and then two scores for the Patriots.
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 …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Franchise player designations were announced today for the 2009 National Football League free agency signing period that begins on February 27. A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents. The salary offer by a player’s club determines whether the franchise player designation is exclusive or non-exclusive. An “exclusive” franchise player — not free to sign with another club — is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year as of April 17; or 120 percent of …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
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, …read more

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National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
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 …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs retracted his bounty on Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward today. Claiming his comments on an Atlanta sports talk radio program were inappropriate (translated: the NFL threatened him with significant disciplinary action), Terrell clarified the situation:
“We, the players, don’t pay each other to take another player out of the game. As I said before, we prepare to stop the other team’s best players every week. Those are the players who can beat you with big plays. For example, we’ve focused all this week on stopping the Raiders’ running backs. We’ve focused …read more

Blogging the National Football League, Blogging the NFL
Franchise and transition players for the 2008 NFL free agency signing period that begins on February 29 were announced today. Don’t know what a franchise or transition player is? Here’s your quick 101. A club can designate one “franchise” player or one “transition” player among its veteran free agents. The salary offer by a player’s club determines what type of franchise player he is. An “exclusive” franchise player — not free to sign with another club — is offered a minimum of the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position …read more