Rain Reigns

In a game that was to be a family feud, the battle of the beltway, the I95 fight & more importantly a football game that is as close to a regular season game as one can get in August, we got a rain dance from Mother Nature. One thing we did see that can’t be good is the numerous flags from the O and the O-line. I know there are a few new pieces but come on, it looked like a spring scrimmage for a college football team. I know I know, the constant delays in the game throws off unity, timing etc etc… These guys are pros and may not get much time in the final pre-season game. For a team with such high expectations and “the best Camp we’ve ever had” says Head Coach Brian Billick, they should be ready to roll. The D looked OK, not bad at all and NOT the Best I’ve seen. At the end of the day neither team got much out this one. It was too short to correct some of the bad mistakes made and did not allow the whole reason for pre-season, which is to get in sync and see what your backups can do.

Glenn Younes

Just Pre-Season…???

It’s Just a loss and it’s Just Pre-Season right? To many fans who want a win no matter what, it’s so much more than a Pre-Season game. Well let me tell you…. IT’S JUST PRE-SEASON & Nothing More! It’s a chance to try a few things, get in the “flow” and find some unity on the field, for the starters at least. For the rest it’s a chance to get used to the speed of the NFL, the new formation or scheme they are in and just feel what a NFL game feels like. To prove to the coaches and themselves that they can play at that level and do it in controlled chaos. Stay Healthy, learn a few things, find something new about their teammates and themselves. And as a Fan let me tell you why I know the NFL does not take Pre-Season seriously. Players who are suspended for the regular season, like Bengals Chris Henry (8 games)& Chief Jared Allen( 2games) can play in pre-season games. What a joke. If they are out they should be out. Practice yes Games NO. If the reason they can play is because these games are NOT real, which they are NOT, why should the fan have to PAY FULL PRICE for TIX & PARKING…. Back to the Ravens, they are going to be GOOD, we’re just not sure what level it will be.
Glenn Younes

OH the O!

The Ravens over the better part of the last decade have had one of the premiere D’s in the NFL and this year seems to bring much of the same. A stacked set of DB’s and Safeties will hold down center field, the D-Line will be strong along with the LB’s. The big question has always been the Offense. Are the tides changing, is a question we have to ask ourselves after the 1st pre-season game. WOW, did McNair look great or what? Willis looked like he was in mid-season form hitting holes and doing his slash and run thang. The wideouts seem more comfortable with the O and all and all they looked pretty good. If J.O. starts the season and Gaither can learn to play big time O-Line in the NFL this TOTAL TEAM LOOKS TO BE SCARY GOOD! I know it’s only Pre-season, but it’s all we have to go off of and I’d rather start off good and keep the MO going!

Glenn Younes

WILLIS & THE O

So the 1st scrimmage is over and we didn’t get to see too much, which was expected. What little we did see was that the Ravens looked like the Class of the two teams. After a 13-3 regular season in 2006 expectations are high for the Ravens as a TEAM and for the fans. Conventional wisdom tells us that the D will still be the backbone of this squad, even with the loss of AD. Top 5 in both yards and points allowed should not be unrealistic with the likes of ED REED, RAY LEWIS, LANDRY, C- MAC, BART SCOTT ETC… The O is where the concern has been and continues to be. Will Willis be the answer, MAYBE but the LINE will need to hold up and have some unknowns step up. One of the BIG losses that has gone unnoticed is that of FB Ovie Mughelli, who played a big part in the late playoff push, with not only his pass blocking & plowing the way for J-LEW but catching passes out of the backfield. He was a surprise multifunction back that seemed to always be ready for whatever role the coaches put him in. Can Willis pass block well enough to give and aging McNair time to get the ball down field? The reason Willis needs to do this and not the FB is because they will be running a SINGLE back set with Willis back there to open things up for both the running and passing game. Willis likes to be in a single back set, it suits his running style, allowing him to slash and get into some open space. Long story short, Willis is a HUGE improvement on paper and should be on the field too, but like anything new it’ll take some getting used to and don’t expect the O to be a finely tuned machine, at least not right away. FEEL FREE TO POST YOUR THOUGHTS AND REPLY…. GLENN YOUNES

Pre-Season Preview

Hello everybody, I'm Glenn Younes & I'm a Sports Anchor on XM Satellite Radio, XM 144. I've been in sports radio & TV for almost 8 years now and like you I have a true passion for sports and of course I LOVE THE NFL. I'm also a huge NBA fan so maybe I'll drop some basketball on you too. So, LETS GET TO IT. This season for the Ravens looks like it has all the necessary components to make a Championship run. The D should be as solid as ever, Haloti Ngata has a year under his belt, knows the NFL world now and has been able to digest the scheme twice as long as he was able to this time last year. Suggs will be Suggs, Ray will be Ray. Kelly Gregg, solid as ever. Bart Scott gets his chance to show everybody he belongs with the group of Pro Bowl Linebackers, & with the loss of A.D. the team will need it. Just like Ngata, Landry had a very solid rookie year & with time and understanding of how complex that position is in the NFL he could be scary good. With his size, speed, ability to learn quickly and cover 1 on 1, Ed and Chris McAlister will be able to dominate the secondary as two of the best CB / Safety tandems in the League. Oh yeah, you can't forget the Grandfather of the D-line in Trevor Pryce, what a surprisingly good season he had last year. Anything close to that type of productivity and the D should again be one of the BEST IN THE LEAGUE. Now like many things in life it takes two to tango and without decent production from the offense this team is just another good team with a good defense and that is NOT what we as Fans want & what the team wants. The addition of Willis McGahee should be a huge upgrade at the RB position. His shiftiness and bursts of speed should work well in the Rick Neuheisel scheme, along with opening things up for McNair and his wide array of TE's, HB's, FB's, and of course the wide-outs. The Line will miss Pashos, but Gaither may be a star in the making if he can make the jump to this level of play. All and all if most things click this season the Ravens may be looking at another Fantastic season with the chance to make some noise in the Post Season. Enjoy Training Camp and don't forget the Battle of the Beltway (scrimmage) with the Redskins at M&T this Saturday.... Glenn Younes

Ed Reed Hello

I was feeling that the first blog on this site should be from me, Ed Reed. I just want to welcome everyone to the site & thank you for supporting me throughout the years. This season is going to a special one I CAN FEEL IT. This blog is my way to keep up with everybody and allow you'll to read stuff from me, about my season and life. The main blogger will be a good friend of mine, Glenn Younes who is in the Sports Media Business and works for XM Satellite Radio. He and I will be blogging along w/ others, so check back here for the latest from me and my Bloggers! Enjoy the site, thanks for supporting me and I'll see you at the Stadium.... ED REED.