Players Stick to Playing, Bloggers Stick to Blogging
Did anyone else notice Ravens CB Jamaine Winborne’s blog on NFL Players Association web site? It reads as follows:
Reflecting on the Season
01/08/08
It was definitely good to close the season out with a win and I think it came at a really good time, because we had been working hard, but we just couldn’t get the games to break our way at all. We knew we had talent and that we could win, so it was a stepping stone for us to get ready to compete and go to the Super Bowl next year.
It’s definitely exciting going into the offseason without a coach, and it’s a little nerve-wracking at the same time. You’re excited, because you have a new coach coming in so it will be something different. Since I’ve been there, it’s always been the same thing. Not that that’s a bad thing, but something different makes you anxious, and at the same time you’re kind of nervous. Things are going to change, for the good and for the bad. There’s going to be a little bit more work on our part, as far as learning a whole new system on both sides of the ball. I’m looking forward to it.
I think it was good that I played in every game, because there are now 32 teams that got to see me play, and that’s a good thing. If for some reason it doesn’t work out in Baltimore, I can possibly get along somewhere else. It’s good to get out and compete. No one wants to be hurt or inactive, and I was lucky and not inactive at all this year. I got to play in every game, which was a stepping stone for my play and my future in the NFL.
Next time if you are looking for a new team you might want to keep it from the bloggers. You know how they can get carried away with every little tidbit of information….
Baltimore Ravens Coaching Options
The Baltimore Ravens coaching search continues. As time goes on, it seems as if the game plan for the Ravens front office is to interview every possible candidate and see who most impressively answers the question of: How do we get the ball in the end zone on offense?
Here are some possible candidates to replace Brian Billick:
Joe Gibbs: Just kidding.
Rex Ryan: Ryan was the Ravens defensive coordinator for the past three years. His defenses ranked in the top six every year and in 2006 were ranked first during his tenure. Those are rankings that would make Marvin Lewis jealous. It may be a tough sell as the Atlanta Falcons and the Miami Dolphins are also actively pursuing him. Ryan is one of the only defensive coaches the Ravens are looking at, but may seem to be the best fit as he is familiar with the team, front office, and players.
Josh McDaniels: The New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator, McDaniels is only 31 years old. The young gun approach could work for some teams, but a veteran laden team like the Baltimore Ravens may not give him the respect he needs to buy into his system. Seeing as he only completed his second season as a coordinator, it may be too early to declare him a legitimate Baltimore Ravens head coach candidate. Plus his stock is way up considering he was able to ride a healthy Brady to Moss connection to record setting NFL offensive numbers. Last time I checked the Ravens do not have anyone like that at quarterback or receiver.
Tony Soprano (no not the guy who lives in New Jersey): Soprano is basically an offensive line coach, but did some play calling for Dallas in 2006. He is most likely a long shot because he seems to be a front runner for a job in Miami now that Bill Parcells is calling the shots.
Brian Schottenheimer: The Jets offensive coordinator. That’s right, Brian, son of Marty, is a potential candidate. Let’s just hope that Ozzie Newsome just wanted to ask him if his father was available to coach. Marty has little respect for a veteran team (just ask Bruce Smith). Redskins’ fans will understand the plight of Marty ball. Back to Brian, hey at least he knows what it is like to work with an under-performing veteran quarterback and a disappointing younger gunslinger.
There are many more coaches to list with and discuss but at that rate the list will be as long as the Mitchell report and just as circumstantial.
Current front runner as the Baltimore Ravens: Rex Ryan, but at this rate it has been pretty tough to handicap.
