Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer, shows off one of his Gold Medals, but don’t you want to see his Raven’s jersey?

Olympic hero Michael Phelps is a huge Raven fan.

After winning one of his races and setting a world record, his Mom handed Michael Phelps a Baltimore Ravens Jersey with all the players signatures on it. When someone asked Michael can we see it? Michael handed them the jersey. No, the person meant can we see the gold medal!

When Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti read that he suggested we get a jersey signed by the team and find a way to wish Michael “good luck” from all of us. We got a jersey made with Phelps name on the back with the number 08. All the players signed it, and we were able to get it to his Mom, Debbie, who will give it to Michael before his first swim in Beijing.

Michael is from Baltimore and will return there after the Olympics.

‘Bullet’ heading home
Bowman announced in April 2008 that he was leaving Michigan and returning to Baltimore after Beijing to serve as CEO of North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Phelps, who is nicknamed the “Baltimore Bullet,” will return home as well after four years in Ann Arbor. Phelps and Bowman met at NBAC, which is also where Katie Hoff trains.

source

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Michael Phelps is a Ravens fan

Brian Billick could not get his message through anymore

Coaches come and coaches go.

Someone has to take the blame for a bad season and it is usually the coach, even though he has little control over what players he has or what teams they play or if guys get injured or … well, you get the idea.

Coaches can be the biggest control freaks on the planet and yet have so many things they do not control.

Brian Billick had the Ravens at 13 – 3 last year, but the team ended dead last in the division this year.

Some one had to be blamed. Brian was blamed.

Billick was fired Monday, less than 24 hours after his team concluded a season of high expectations with a disappointing 5-11 record. His entire staff, including defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, also was dismissed.

“I believed that it was time for a change, I believed that we have the nucleus of a team that can get back to the Super Bowl, and we felt that in the next five years we had a better chance with a new coach than leaving Brian in that position,” said owner Steve Bisciotti, who made the decision after consulting with team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome. source

That is owner speak for: Hey, we are not going to blame me!

NFL other firing news The Dolphins’ latest shake-up began before noon when new boss Bill Parcells fired general manager Randy Mueller and two other members of the player personnel staff. source

Tired ears

Unfortunately football players are human and after a while the message the coach preaches goes in one ear and out the other side of the helmet. It just wears out and does not work anymore. If you begin to lose it gets even worse.

“Sometimes the message can get repetitive after a while,” 12-year offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden said.

It is not like Billick was lost or something. This was still the same guy that took the Ravens to victory in the 2001 Super Bowl. But the NFL is the world of what have you done for me lately and lately was not too good.

NFL Football Fan Question Who will coach the Ravens next year?

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Coach Brian Billick fired from Ravens

Let’s take a look at the NFL Playoff picture.

NFC
Dallas, Green Bay, Seattle, Tampa Bay, and Giants are in.
Dallas has the home field advantage.
Green Bay gets a first round bye.
The Giants got one of the wild cards.
Minnesota gets the other wild card with a victory or Saints loss.

Comments – Dallas, Green Bay, and Seattle all look pretty solid. Is Tampa really in the playoffs? Wouldn’t you love to see Brett Favre get one more ring!

Knocked out - Arizona, Atlanta, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and St. Louis. Wow, Chicago after a dominant Super Bowl year! Detroit in spite of Kitna’s 10 or more wins prediction. Up and coming San Francisco was never up and coming.

AFC
New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville are in.
Jacksonville is one of the wild cards.
Cleveland needs a victory or Titans loss to get the other wild card.
Tennessee needs a victory, and it won’t be easy, facing the Colts, if they are to get the other wild card.

Comments – New England looks incredible. Colts and Chargers are solid, but will eventually have to visit New England. Name one Jacksonville player. Cleveland can continue the Derek Anderson story.

Knocked out - Baltimore, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, N.Y. Jets, and Oakland. Baltimore after a surprising playoff year last year with great defense. Poised to be in the playoffs Denver never could get it really rolling. Now we know the real reason Saban left Miami.

NFL Football Fan Question Who are you picking to win each conference?

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NFL Playoffs – who is in and who is not

Towards the end of the game, the announcers showed Pittsburgh’s stadium and all of its bright yellow seats with no fans in them and remarked “All you can see is a sea of mustard in a house built by ketchup”.

That of course is in reference to the Heinz ownership of the club.

Steelers won 38 – 7.

But more indicative was the fact that the Steelers were so far in front on this rainy night and the Ravens looked so helpless that all of the Steeler fans went home.

The announcers kept making references to possible Baltimore offensive records for least this and least that.

The Pittsburgh fans were treated to a lot of the old time Steeler greats showing up at the game to watch one of the current Steeler greats.

Hall of Famers galore lined the Steelers’ sideline, with Terry Bradshaw and Mean Joe Greene, Jack Ham, Mel Blount and Franco Harris out front. No wonder the Baltimore Ravens probably thought they were playing all of them and the current day Steelers, too.

Ben Roethlisberger tied the Steelers’ single-game record with five touchdown passes in the first half and Pittsburgh put on a Steel Curtain-like defensive show by forcing four turnovers before halftime in a 38-7 victory over Baltimore on Monday night. source

James Harrison from Kent State had a career game and was seemingly in every highlight after the game.

Harrison, a one-time non-drafted free agent who became a starter after former Pro Bowl linebacker Joey Porter was released during the offseason, seemed to torment Ravens quarterback Steve McNair on nearly every down. Harrison had two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and interception and 2 1/2 sacks before halftime in a Jack Lambert-like performance. Lambert, coincidentally, was one of the few members of the Steelers’ 75th anniversary all-time team who didn’t attend.

Big Ben, having one of his best seasons, was hurt in the game, but came back to play in the 4th.

Roethlisberger, still in the game with the Steelers holding a 28-point lead, was pushed to the turf by Terrell Suggs on a 45-yard completion to Holmes in the third quarter, but returned early in the fourth quarter after having his right hip examined. He finished 13-of-16 for 209 yards and his five TD throws gave him a career-record 20 in half a season, two more than his previous single-season high of 18.

So where were the Ravens and what has happened to them? They are 4 – 4 and facing an increasingly difficult schedule.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has it rolling with Big Ben playing well and the defense all over the field. They are 6 – 2, first in the AFC North, with a comparatively easy schedule for the rest of the season.

NFL Football Fan Question Did you use Heinz ketchup during this game?

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Steelers leave Ravens feeling helpless

Drew Brees for MVP?

The Squibster has a full plate, so have a seat and get out your knife and fork, because we are going to eat some beef.

The NFL starts tonight with a marquee match up of the Indianapolis Colts vs. the New Orleans Saints. It just does not get any better than this. Peyton vs. Drew. The AFC and Super Bowl champ vs. the NFC runner up.

By the way, that NFC runner up that lost to the Chicago Bears, those NFC runner-ups. Did you get the feel that the weather had a big impact on that game. It was cold and windy and seemed to favor the Bears big time.

Being up here in the North it would be great to see college bowl games played sometimes in the North. Yeah, there would be less fans, but maybe the run oriented North teams would have a big advantage in the cold and the snow.

Of course, you have to be able to beat all the Division 1-AA schools on your schedule! (Could not resist, being a big Spartan fan).

NFL Time Out for blatant promotion: Check out this new Lion’s blog by my friend Mike Keating.

Peyton like us?

Today on the radio one of the national sports guys was discussing how Peyton is the only Superstar that is overwhelmingly loved by all of us. He looks like us, not real good looking. He lives in the Burbs. He is not married to a super model. Peyton Manning seems most like us.

Drew is big time

Jay Glazer at NFL on Fox is handing out his annual awards and picks Drew Brees for MVP!

2007 MVP: Drew Brees. Just didn’t want to go along with everyone else and say Peyton Manning. Manning is clearly the league’s most effective player but that’s too easy of an answer. In sticking with my reasoning, Brees and head coach Sean Payton have had a full year to figure out how to use Bush, McAlister and Co. even better. Better? Scary thought. LT will also get votes because one thing the man does is work his butt off. Tomlinson is always looking to improve, despite being on his way to becoming the most productive rusher in NFL history. But in the end, Brees should light up the skies over Louisiana again. source

One big thing in Drew’s favor is that most of the great teams are in the AFC, Colts, Pats, Chargers, and Ravens.

Freeney having a good time

Getting back to the Colts, it was a big off season for Dwight Freeney.

The Indianapolis Colts made Freeney the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history with a six-year, $72 million contract that included $30 million in guaranteed money. The deal was completed as Freeney was still enjoying the spoils of the franchise’s first championship in 36 seasons with last February’s 29-17 victory over Chicago. source

Freeney’s sack numbers were down last year, but he was also double teamed most of the time and other teams spent more time running against the worst run defense in the NFL, thus leaving fewer opportunities for sacks.

Dwight doesn’t care about that stuff. He is ready for the new season and enjoying being the Champ. It has its advantages.

“People around town want to take care of you,” said a laughing Freeney, referring to some of the complimentary dinners he’s received at Indianapolis’ finest restaurants. “You walk around here and you hear guys saying, ‘Hey champ!’ That means a lot, especially when you think about so many guys who were great players in the Hall of Fame who didn’t get to win one like Barry Sanders and Dick Butkus.

Will Drew Brees be the MVP?

Will Peyton continue to be loved?

Will Dwight Freeney get his sack numbers up?

Well, you will have to watch the games to see that and right now the game is in the third quarter, so your intrepid author has to go.

Oh, and check out the poll and vote!

NFL Football Fan Question Will you be watching the games?

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Peyton Manning vs Drew Brees – it’s a Mumbo, it’s a Jumbo

Will Peyton Manning be carrying another trophy

The Squibster has been open with you and admitted that the Patriots are his leader to win it all.

You have not been open with me!

Starting today there will be a poll to pick the Super Bowl winner.

If the team you want is not in the poll, then leave the name in the comments section and it will be added to the poll the next day.

Get ready to put some money down!

Huh?

There is a new theory going around calling the crowd correct. It kind of goes like this. You may not pick the right team and the Squibster may be wrong (kind of getting used to that), but with enough votes the true winner will emerge.

Who knows maybe we can pick the winner and make some money in Vegas!

Peyton Manning and the Colts

As for Peyton and the Colts, he is getting some support from Fox Sports Peter Schrager in his Power Ratings. Peter has the Colts ranked number 1. Here is what he has to say:

The Colts defense took a huge hit over the off-season. Nick Harper, Cato June, Mike Doss and Jason David are all gone, with a host of second-year, third-year and rookie replacements filling in. Meanwhile, injured DT Booger McFarland is out for the year as well. Indy’s new defensive backfield will be tested early and often this season — starting right away Thursday evening against the Saints. On offense, Indy doesn’t seem to have missed a beat. Peyton Manning played flawlessly in the preseason. The D is a question mark, though. Then again, it’s not like the unit was the Steel Curtain last regular season, either. The champs are still No. 1 in my book. But there are plenty of teams right there with them. source

Patriots, Chargers, and Saints

Peter has the Patriots 2nd, the Chargers 3rd, and the surprising Saints in 4th.

The Chargers should have won it all last year. They were just not mentally ready to face the Patriots. The Chargers could not have played a dumber game. It was mental mistake after mental mistake. Will they be ready this year? That probably lands in the area of how much Philip Rivers has improved.

Ravens, Bears, and Broncos

The Ravens are listed 5th with a rock solid defense, even without Adalius Thomas, and also they picked up McGahee.

The Bears are listed 6th with Cedric Benson taking over at running back and Devin Hester playing some wide receiver.

Another big surprise is the 7th ranked team the Bronco’s.

The D-line will be the big question mark in Denver this season. If the unit can hold its own, Denver could quite possibly give the Chargers a run for their money in the AFC West. If not? Well, then it could be another year of watching the playoffs from home. D.J. Williams, Champ Bailey, Dre Bly, Travis Henry, John Lynch, Jay Cutler and receiver Javon Walker could all be Pro Bowlers come February. But it’ll be the effectiveness of the defensive line that makes or breaks Denver’s season.

Will Peyton lead them to the Super Bowl and another ring? Let’s get those votes in and find out!

NFL Football Fan Question If you want a team not in the poll can you leave the name in the comments?

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Post from: EveryJoe

Peyton Manning and the Colts – can they return to glory?

Ray Lewis chortles – They made my group number 1!

Hey, it is time to rank the linebackers, only we don’t have to do it because FootballOutsiders.com did it for us.

How about we get in the mood first.

Squibster will now perform his psychic act.

Here goes. –You have always dreamed of being a vicious 6′ 4″ 250 pound linebacker. A true animal waiting to destroy everything in your path.

You do not care about pain, in fact you love it!

You want to crush people, now! Grrrrrrrr.

How about that, read your mind. It wasn’t too difficult. Spending endless days in cubicles typing into our computers makes us want a masculine outlet and linebacker is as good as it gets!

Number 1 Linebacking crew

Baltimore Ravens. Guess the title gave it away, but without that would you have guessed a unit could lose Adalius Thomas and still be ranked number 1? Not a chance.

Ray Lewis and Bart Scott man the inside. While Lewis’ best days are behind him, he’s still the leader of this unit and the man who keeps everyone in line. You’ll see the occasional superlative moment (and reasonable consistency), but he’s no longer the player who defined his position in the early part of this decade. Scott took his first opportunity as a full-time starter and enjoyed a breakout season. He finished sixth in the NFL in Stop Rate and was the Head Quarterback Terrorizer among Baltimore’s linebackers with 9.5 sacks, 11 hits and 15 hurries. source

Not bad, heh? Ray Lewis in the declining years is still better than most any linebacker in the league and you have Bart Scott next to him. Grrrrr.

The third linebacker in that group will be Terrell Suggs most of the time, although there will be others.

Number 2 Linebacking crew

San Diego Chargers. Dude, Shawne Merriman, roids or not, this guy is awesome.

If we were compiling a separate list for outside linebackers, the Chargers would take the top spot in an absolute rout. Shawne Merriman led the league in sacks despite missing four games last season after testing positive for steroids. Merriman claimed the test results came from a tainted supplement, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disclosed in April of this year that Merriman has tested clean in 19 of the 20 drug tests he’s taken. It may be difficult for some to get over the stigma, because at his best, Merriman does things that simply defy belief. When Walter Jones pushes you to the ground on a pass play, and you somehow get up, get past the NFL’s best left tackle and still pick up the sack … well, people are going to wonder. source

They also have Shaun Phillips with his 11.5 sacks and you have to feel bad for the guy that was a half a sack. What happened to the other half of him?

Number 3 Linebacking crew

Chicago Bears. What else? Now that Briggs resigned to line up with Brian Urlacher this unit is ready to rip some heads off.

As good as Briggs is (and as improbable as his return to Chicago would be after this season), the defense belongs to Brian Urlacher. Urlacher continues the Chicago tradition of great middle linebackers, and may be the most versatile of the Bill George/Dick Butkus/Mike Singletary line. His closest antecedent of that group is George, the Hall-of Famer who played for the Bears from 1952 to 1965 and is credited by some as the first middle linebacker, a position he may have created when he dropped back from his middle guard spot in the five-man lines of the time and began defending the aerial game. George picked off eighteen passes in his career. Urlacher has long been regarded as one of the best in the modern game against the pass, and he matched his career highs in 2006 with three interceptions and six passes defensed. Though he didn’t record a sack last season, he was credited with 10 quarterback hits, the most of any inside linebacker. source

Think of going across the middle and catching a bullet pass and then catching Urlacher. Ouch!

There you have it. The top 3. Would list out more for you, but have to hit the weight stacks and dream of being an NFL Linebacker some more.

NFL Football Fan Question Do you dream of tackling people?

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Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs – Raven linebackers getting some love