Ravens sign Bulger

Chin up, Marc, you're not on the Rams any more.

The Ravens surprised their fans by signing former Rams QB Marc Bulger to a 1-year deal earlier this week.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Ravens signed themselves abother QB, since it was pretty certain that Troy Smith would not enter the 2010 season a Raven after demanding trades last season, leaving John Beck as the only other QB on the roster aside from Joe Flacco. But it was kind of shocking to see the Ravens pick up Bulger.

Many fans in the NFL may envision Marc Bulger having a big fork stuck in his back. And many of those fans may be Raven fans.

But that is unfair.

Bulger, who was the Rams QB from 2002-2009, was at one time a very good QB, having thrown for more than 20 TD's and 3,800 yards three times in his career. But then sometime around 2007 the Rams became one of the worst teams in the NFL and Bulger's career, and health, suffered for it.

Bulger missed 7 games last year, and hasn't put up decent numbers since 2006. That's to be expected. The Rams were awful. If they were a Major League Baseball team, they'd be, well, the Orioles. And when the Rams selected Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford with the first overall pick in the 2010 draft, it was the end of Bulger's career in St. Louis.

It was pretty obvious that Bulger wouldn't be signed as a starting QB this offseason. Despite the Rams struggles on offense these last few years, Bulger turned the ball over too much and couldn't stay healthy. But at 33 years old, I still think Bulger has something left in the tank.

And the Raves, who are legit Super Bowl contenders heading into the 2010 season, need a back-up QB better than John Beck. No disrespect to Beck, I think he'd be a fine back-up and maybe even a decent starting QB in the NFL, but the Ravens need a more experienced QB on the team in case something happens to Joe Flacco (God forbid).

With Flacco injured and Beck the starting QB, the chances of making the playoffs would be decimated. But with Bulger, who will once again be playing behind a great OL and actually have some good WR's to throw to, the Ravens would still be considered playoff contenders.

And that's what it all comes down to: insurance. Joe Flacco is the franchise QB and after improving during his second season in the NFL in 2009, he is poised to break out and become a top 10, or even top 5 QB in 2010.

But it is nice to know that Marc Bulger, and not John Beck, will be the one coming into the game if tragedy strikes Baltimore and Flacco is injured.

The higher the expectations, the harder they fall

I'll be the first to admit, I expect the ravens to have a great 2010 season and go deep in the playoffs. The words "super" and "bowl" shouldn't sound strange to Ravens fans using them in the same sentence.

But I am not ready to buy tickets to Dallas just yet. And here's why.

In the past, the Ravens have done very poorly with heightened expectations. Most of the time, they were Brian Billick coached teams, and that might say something about Billick's coaching style. He was always better rallying troops who were viewed as the underdog. His coaching in the 2000 season and throughout the playoffs was completely brilliant. But unlike Bill Belichick, Billick wasn't very good at keeping the Ravens focused and motivated when the world viewed them as a legitimate threat.

Here's a look at some of the more hyped Ravens teams that ultimately disappointed.

Year: 2001
The Hype: The Ravens had just come off a Super Bowl win, had seemingly upgraded at QB (Elvis Grbac > Trent Dilfer) and had landed themselves a preseason reality show (Hard Knocks) that would make even third string special team players household names. Many fans and local sports personalities predicted the Ravens to repeat.
What Went Wrong: Second year RB Jamal Lewis and OL Leon Searcy were injured early in training camp and missed the entire season with injuries. Without a running game, the Ravens became one-dimensional offense and Elvis Grbac cried on the sidelines.
What Happened: 10-6, clinched a playoff berth the final week of the season, beat Miami 21-3, lost to Pittsburgh 27-10.
Disappointment Level: 8. The Ravens were legitimate candidates to repeat before Lewis and Searcy were lost for the season.

Year: 2004
The Hype: The Ravens had won the AFC North in '03 and Jamal Lewis had rushed for over 2,000 yards. Kyle Boller, who was injured mid-way through the 2003 season, was back and expected to improve drastically in his second year. Deion Sanders made a comeback had joined the team late in training camp.
What Went Wrong: Boller never really improved and the Ravens' offense routinely went three and out. Jamal Lewis was suspended for 4 games. Despite the Raven's horrid offense, the defense routinely won the team games, but couldn't hold a lead at home against the Bengals late in the season, ultimately costing the Ravens a trip to the playoffs. John Feinstein's book, Next Man Up, explores this troubled season with great precision.
What Happened: 9-7, missed the playoffs.
Disappointment Level: 6. Outside of Jamal Lewis, the '03 Ravens were one-dimensional on offense. 2004 wasn't very surprising in retrospect.

Year: 2005
The Hype: The Ravens on defense were still a threat and had missed the playoffs by only one game. Many expected that Boller would finally "get it" in 2005 and the Ravens would go to the playoffs.
What Went Wrong: Boller was injured in week 1 and missed the next eight games. Anthony Wright, who'd filled in well for Boller in '03, was a disaster. Ray Lewis missed 11 games and the wheels fell off the wagon.
What Happened: 6-10, missed the playoffs.
Disappointment Level: 5. Many people thought Boller getting injured was a blessing in disguise, which should tell you where people's hopes were headed into the season.

Year: 2007
The Hype: In 2006, the Ravens had gone 13-3 under newly acquired QB Steve McNair and clinched a first round bye before losing to the Colts at home in the second round of the playoffs. In '07, the Ravens were expected to at least make a repeat playoff appearance with newly acquired RB Willis McGahee.
What Went Wrong: Steve McNair looked like a geriatric and was shelved with arm and groin injuries in week 6. Boller never fared any better and injuries to Todd Heap, Samari Rolle and Chris McAllister devastated the team even further.
What Happened: 5-11, missed the playoffs.
Disappointment Level: 9. Many fans expected a repeat of 2006.

Year: 2009
The Hype: The '08 Ravens were a pleasant surprise. Rookie head coach John Harbaugh and rookie QB Joe Flacco lead the Ravens to a 11-5 record and a trip to the AFC Championship where they lost to the Steelers. IN '09, Flacco was supposed to improve mightily and the Ravens were supposed to waltz into the playoffs.
What Went Wrong: It started off so well. But the kicking game was inconsistent, the defense couldn't stop opposing offenses and Flacco was injured in week 6 despite playing the entire season.
What Happened: 9-7, made the playoffs, beating the New England Patriots 33-14 before losing to the Colts, 20-3.
Disappointment Level: 7. The Ravens cost themselves several games on turnovers, missed field goals and poor coaching. Despite all that, they made the playoffs, annihilated the Patriots, who they hadn't beaten since the Browns moved to Baltimore, before rolling over again for the millionth time against the Colts. Still, it could have been much, much sweeter.

So there you have it. Every time the Ravens are picked as favorites, they falter. And with the high expectations in 2010, here's to hoping that history doesn't repeat itself.

2010 Schedule Released

9/13 @ NYJ
9/19 @ CIN
9/26 CLE
10/3 @ PIT
10/10 DEN
10/17 @ NE
10/24 BUF
10/31 BYE
11/7 MIA
11/11 @ ATL
11/21 @ CAR
11/28 TB
12/5 PIT
12/13 @ HOU
12/19 NO
12/26 @ CLE
1/2 CIN

A few notes on the Ravens schedule:

- A very tough start to the season. On the road for two before coming home, and the week 2 game will be a short week since the week 1 game at New York Jets is a Monday Night game. Four of the first six games are on the road.
- Since Ben Roethlisberger was suspended for 6 games today, the Ravens caught a break in playing at Pittsburgh in week 4.
- It will be interesting to see how the Ravens play in New England after blowing the Patriots out of Gillette Stadium in the first round of the playoffs last year.
- The bye comes at the perfect time: right at the mid-way point.
- All in all, it's a pretty tough schedule, but the Ravens got a couple of breaks that should help them on their way to a third playoff appearance in a row.

Ravens bring back Mason

The Ravens re-signed Derrick Mason, who has lead the Ravens in receiving the last 4 of 5 seasons.

The Ravens signed Derrick Mason this week, bringing back the 36-year-old veteran WR who caught 73 passes for 1,028 yards in 2009. Mason was Joe Flacco's favorite target during the last 2 years, so it's a good thing that Flacco will have a familiar face to throw to with newcomers Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth joining the receiving corps.

Mason had garnered interest from the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. The Patriots were after Mason when he originally signed with the Ravens in 2005.

With Boldin, Mason, Stallworth and Clayton likely to round out the WR position, the Ravens are poised to have their best season in the passing game since 1996, the year Vinny Testaverde passed for over 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns.

Going off of Flacco's stats in the first 6 games of the 2009 season -- before he was injured in Minnesota -- Flacco was on pace to pass for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. When healthy, and with the additions of Boldin, Stallworth and the return of Mason, I'd actually be surprised of Flacco doesn't eclipse those numbers in 201o.

Following the re-signing of Mason, the Ravens are still able to sign one more big-money free agent under the rules in place for the uncapped 2010 season. But I think the Ravens are more inclined to use the draft to fill positions of need following the departure of DL Justin Bannan for Denver and the potential losses of coveted OL Jared Gaither and DL Dwan Edwards.

So with the signing of Boldin and Mason, the offseason has been very positive thus far for the Ravens. Hopefully it will keep getting better.

The Boldin and the Beautiful

The Ravens reeled in Anquan Boldin for a 3rd round pick in 2010 and a 6th round pick in 2011. The Ravens also got a 5th round pick from the Cardinals in the trade.

The Ravens finally did it.

They finally went out and got themselves the bonafide #1 WR they've needed since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1996.

The Ravens have had some decent WR's in the past: Michael Jackson, Derrick Alexander, Qadry Ismael, Derrick Mason...but none of those WR's had the game changing potential that Anquan Boldin possesses.

The Ravens landed Boldin from Arizona for a 3rd rounder in 2010 and a 6th rounder in 2011. They Ravens also got a 5th round pick from Arizona. I'd call that a steal.

They then locked up Boldin to a 4 year, $28 million dollar contract extension, meaning that he's signed through 2013.

There isn't much downside to landing Boldin. Of course there are the injury problems, which can't be overlooked. In his 7 year career, Boldin has played 16 games only once. So getting onto the field is definitely Boldin's biggest issue.

But when he's on the field, look out.

Boldin has a 79.2 yards per game average during his career. In 2005 he had a whopping 100 YPG receiving for the year. Granted that was 5 years ago, but Boldin is still 29. He's got some mileage left on him, the question is just how much is left?

The only people smiles bigger than mine right now have to be Cam Cameron and Joe Flacco. Boldin gives Cameron a weapon that should immensely change the way the Ravens run their offense. He isn't primarily known as a deep threat, but he is known for yards after catch (YAC). Boldin gives Flacco a weapon and a safety valve. Previously, it was Mason, who was an excellent route runner. But Mason at 35 was too old to have that responsibility on his shoulders. With Boldin, Flacco has a younger and more explosive security blanket at his disposal. And on top of that, Boldin makes every other WR on the field that much more dangerous too. Boldin should see a lot of double coverage, which will allow Donte Stallworth, Mark Clayton and possibly Derrick Mason (if re-signed) to make plays in single coverage. Gone are the days when Ravens WR disappear for games at a time.

Am I setting my sights too high? Maybe. But there's no denying it. Boldin is the real deal.

My hats off to Ozzie Newsome for going out and doing what the fans wanted since the final seconds ticked off the clock in Indianapolis. It was the right move and the price wasn't that steep.

Welcome to Baltimore, Q!

Mock Draft Round Up

It's that time of year when people hungry for football talk start predicting the NFL Draft. And with the Ravens having needs at the WR, TE, DL and DB position, there are any number of ways the Ravens could approach the draft. Here are a few of the predictions from mock drafts around the Internet:

The New NFL Draft predicts that the Ravens select TE Aaron Hernandez from Florida.

If Jermaine Gresham was healthy I would say he is the top TE in my 2010 NFL Mock Draft. At this time I have Hernandez surpassing him as the top TE because of his health and his ability to make plays. I have the Ravens taking Hernandez because they need another weapon for the Ravens young QB Flacco to throw to. I also think WR is a very likely option here but I have the top WR in this 2010 NFL Mock Draft already being taken.

Draft Countdown has the Ravens picking WR Arrelious Benn from Illinois.

Few teams do a better job on Draft Day than Ozzie Newsome and the Baltimore Ravens but one area in which they have struggled a bit is wide receiver. The Ravens got a real scare when Derrick Mason unexpectedly decided to retire this past offseason but he ultimately revered course, which bought them at least one more year. Still the thought of going into a season with Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams and Kelley Washington had to have been a wakeup call and you can bet they will take the appropriate steps to avoid that rather terrifying scenario. A prized recruit who Ron Zook somewhat surprisingly lured to the Illini, Arrelious Benn is a great athlete with an ideal blend of size (6-2, 220) and speed (4.40) who has the ability to be a vertical threat and create in space. Benn didn’t have the big junior season everyone was expecting but for the most part that can be attributed to lackluster quarterback play and it certainly isn’t an indictment of his talent. If they decide to look elsewhere the Ravens could also use some additional help at cornerback, especially if Fabian Washington leaves as a free agent in the offseason, and it might be time to bring in an eventual replacement for Todd Heap at tight end as well. However, at the end of the day finding a future #1 wideout must be the Ravens main priority.

NFL Draft Dog has the Ravens taking OLB Sergio Kindle from Texas.

At 6' 3" 250 pounds, he figures to be an ideal outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Kindle can really come off the edge and get to the quarterback.

NFL Draft Blitz has the Ravens selecting WR Demaryius Thomas from Georgia Tech.

Something tells me the signing of Donte Stallworth is not the answer to the Ravens receiving issues. In fact, it speaks volumes to their desperation at the position. Thomas has the ability to one day make this a position of strength [for the Ravens].

And Football's Future predicts the Ravens selecting WR Golden Tate from Notre Dame.

Adding Joe Flacco and Ray Rice the past two years has given the Ravens life on offense. In order for them to take the next step however, they need a playmaker at wide receiver.

So there you have it, 5 different mock drafts and 5 different players selected. It should be interesting for Ravens fans on draft day.

A look at Flacco's 2009 season

Joe Flacco's potentially stellar 2009 season was disrupted by a foot injury suffered in week 6.

Toward the end of the season and during the playoffs, it felt like many Ravens fans had a change of heart when it came to Joe Flacco. On message boards and sports talk shows, fans wondered if Flacco was good -- or healthy -- enough to lead this team to the promised land. (Keep in mind this was also combined with much bitching and moaning about the Ravens WR corps for most of the season.)

My take is that Flacco is definitely good enough to take this team to the Super Bowl. I don't doubt it for a minute. Here's why...

The injury that Flacco suffered in the Week 6 game at Minnesota (he had his foot stepped on twice) affected him for the rest of the season. All you have to do is look at the numbers:

Flacco before injury (6 games):
12 TD
5 INT
279 YPG

Flacco after injury (10 games):
9 TD (4 of which came in the CHI game)
7 INT
193 YPG

Flacco in playoffs (2 games):
0 TD
3 INT
111 YPG

That is a huge difference before/after the injury he suffered. Had Flacco not been injured he was on pace for 31 TD, 13 INT and 4,352 yards. That's on pace with Drew Brees, the MVP of the Super Bowl -- and with a WR corps that many Ravens fans demand be blown up this offseason. And they're going to get their wish. Rumors are swirling that the Ravens are currently negotiating a contract extension with Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin.

So the verdict is undeniable. The injury Flacco suffered in week 6 disrupted what could have been an even better 2009 season for Flacco. He looked worse after the injury than he did as a rookie in 2008, with less poise in the pocket and little ability to move outside of it.

The biggest improvement the Ravens can benefit from next season is a healthy Joe Flacco, regardless of whether they are able to trade for Boldin. When healthy, Joe Flacco is a pro bowl caliber QB, as he showed during the first 6 games of the season.

So relax, Ravens fans. It's still OK to be wacko for Flacco.