Ravens rank #29 in ESPN “Ultimate Standings 2009″

The yearly survey on how well teams meet the needs of their fans came out recently and the Ravens came in at #29 overall (out of 122 total teams).  They made big gains over last year’s #76 ranking.

Breakdown of the overall categories

Last Year’s Rank: 76
Title Track: 18
Ownership: 18
Coaching: 25
Players: 18
Fan Relations: 43
Affordability: 66
Stadium Experience: 27
Bang for the Buck: 51

You can see what a few changes can do on this list.  Sign a new coach, get the franchise QB and go to the AFC Championship in a year when no one expected it and you are going to jump big time.  Coaching improved 93 spots, player rating up 70 and fan relations up 62.

As a fan, my biggest complaint is the affordability category.  The Ravens come in at #66 and on top of that decided to increase ticket prices this year.  I understand the need to stay competitive but in such a tight economy, it doesn’t seem like a great move for hard working fans.

Overall, I ‘d say this is a pretty good showing for the team to have such improvement over last year.  Now just win the Super Bowl and let’s break the top 10.

Nashville Police Confirm McNair Slaying a Murder Suicide

Tennessee medical examiner Feng Li reported to the Tennessean that the murder of former Titans/Ravens quarterback Steve McNair was, in fact, a murder suicide.

According to Nashville Police, McNair was asleep when his mistress, Saleh Kazemi, shot him four times (twice in the head and twice in the chest) before sitting down next to McNair and taking her own life with a single gunshot to the temple. The murder weapon was found underneath the body of Kazemi and purchased several days before she took the life of Steve McNair.

Apparently, she had become distraught over McNair and his involvement with another women, she couldn’t bare to witness McNair with anyone else and selfishly took the life of one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and her own.

Yesterday, fans mourned the loss of McNair in Tennessee as the Titans organization opened LP Field so fans can come in to watch a video tribute for McNair and sign a book to give to his family. There will be a private memorial service for the fallen quarterback Thursday night (July 9th) for his family, friends, and teammates. Samari Rolle, Derrick Mason, and Ray Lewis are among his former teammates set to attend the service for McNair.

Steve McNair: 1973-2009

While being with family and friends during the birth of our great nation yesterday, I was overcome with shock and sadness as my phone blew up like fireworks on the 4th of July. Steve McNair, was tragically killed Saturday morning in what looks like an apparent murder-suicide.  McNair was shot several times, including a fatal gunshot to the head.

Steve McNair was a 13 year veteran in the NFL, spending 11 years with the Tennessee Titans and his final two years with our Baltimore Ravens.  He led the Titans to their first Super Bowl in 1999, where he came up just a yard short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.  In 2003, McNair was named co-MVP of the NFL along with Peyton Manning.  After a very public war with the Titans, McNair was ready to move to greener pastures.  He came to his old rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, in 2006.  While in Baltimore, he gave us some wonderful memories leading the Ravens to a 13-3 regular season record.

Steve McNair will be remembered for his toughness and all around athletic talents on the football field.  To those close to him, he will be remembered as a father, husband, and son.  Words cannot express the sadness I feel over his tragic and violent death.  Steve, you were one of a kind.  I loved to boo you when you came to Baltimore wearing that crappy Tennessee blue, and loved to cheer for you as a member of the Baltimore Ravens with your last second heroics in 2006.  God bless, Steve, and thank you on behalf of the Purple Milita here in Baltimore.

2009 Ravens Training Camp Schedule

Ravens 2009 Training Camp Schedule

DATE	MORNING PRACTICE START TIME	AFTERNOON PRACTICE START TIME
Mon, July 27	Quarterbacks, rookies and select players report to camp No practices and no autograph sessions
Tues, July 28	8:45 a.m.	3:30 p.m.
Wed, July 29	8:45 a.m. (No veterans)	3:30 p.m. (No veterans)
	All veterans report to camp
Thurs, July 30	Closed to public & media (Administrative day for coaching staff and entire team)
Fri, July 31	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
	98 Rock will broadcast live from the practice field for Bacon & Beer: The Training Camp Edition
Sat, August 1	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
Sun, August 2	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 3	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Tues, August 4	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
	Purple Day
Wed, August 5	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
Thurs, August 6	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
	Ravens Rookies Club Day
Fri, August 7	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sat, August 8	8:45 a.m.
	Club Level Day (Practice remains open to the general public)
Sun, August 9		2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 10		2:45 p.m.
	Stash from 98 Rock will broadcast live from the practice field
Tues, August 11	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
	Baltimore Football Alumni Day
Wed, August 12	Practice closed to public & media (Pre-Game Walk-Through)
Thurs, August 13	Preseason Game vs. Washington Redskins - 7:30 p.m.
Fri, August 14	Players Off
Sat, August 15	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sun, August 16	8:45 a.m.	2:45 p.m.
Mon, August 17	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Tues, August 18	8:45 a.m.
Wed, August 19		2:45 p.m.
	Military Appreciation Day
Thurs, August 20	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Fri, August 21	8:45 a.m.
Sat, August 22	8:45 a.m.	2:00 p.m. (Special Teams)
Sun, August 23	Practice closed to public & media (Pre-Game Walk-Through) Camp Breaks
Mon, August 24	Preseason Game vs. New York Jets – 8:00 p.m.

More roster moves

The Ravens signed another from the 2009 class today.  Linebacker Jason Phillips was the team’s fifth round pick and today agreed to a three year deal.  I haven’t seen numbers yet but will update the post as soon as something is released.

In other moves, the team released cornerbacks Anwar Phillips and David Jones.  Phillips was on the practice squad for most of last year and Jones was an undrafted free agent from Kentucky.

Ravens partner with Maryland Lottery

The Ravens announced an agreement today with the Maryland Lottery to sell scratch-off tickets bearing the team’s name and logo.  They join the Patriots, Texans and Redskins in taking advantage of a may vote by owners to allow teams to partner with state-sponsored lotteries.  The tickets will sell for $5 and  allow fans the chance to win prizes (tickets, jerseys, etc) as well as a top prize of $1 million.

Peerman signs contract

Rookie running back Cedric Peerman signed a three year deal worth $1.2 million.  The sixth round pick will also receive a $78,000 signing bonus.

Brandon Marshall a Raven?

Don’t count on it.  The folks over at Pro Football Talk have an article claiming that “rumors are flying in some circles that Marshall could land in Baltimore”.  Let me tell you right now this this will not happen.  Why in the world would Ozzie make a move to pay a guy in the neighborhood of $9 million when he’s facing criminal charges and can’t stay off the front page of the sports section (for all the wrong reasons)?  If he didn’t pull the trigger on Boldin, why would you even begin to believe he would do it for Marshall?

I will be the first to say I’m a little skeptical about the Ravens depth and quality at receiver.  With that said, the guys on the roster are not going to destroy the locker room or bring unnecessary stress to a strong, close knit unit.  After taking years to fix what was a not so gleaming public image, the last thing Baltimore needs is  a guy going to trial for beating his girlfriend.

Something else to keep in mind…how long do you think he would last in Harbaugh’s house?  We saw last year with McAlister that if you are going to conform to the new ways of this regime, you will find yourself on the bench and eventually out of a Ravens uniform.  If a vet like CMac can be shown the door, Marshall won’t even get to pull into the driveway.

Jets Love to Talk

It better be a big year for the NY Jets if they intend to back up all of the noise coming out of that camp this off season.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the highlights:

Rex Ryan – He said in a radio interview that he “never came here to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings” and said he wasn’t intimidated by the coach who led the Patriots to three Super Bowl championships this decade.

Rex Ryan – “I don’t know this Channing Crowder,” Ryan said without being prompted. “All I know is that he’s all tatted up, so I guess I ought to be nervous about him.”

Kerry Rhodes – We will be the best defense in the league this year. I feel for the offenses we’re gonna face.”

Calvin Pace – “I don’t think you’ll find a better team on paper.”

The AFC East is going to be fun to watch this year with the addition of Ryan.  He bring an energy to NY that is the polar opposite of Mangini and his reserved style.  While I think there a place for optimism, the boys in green better bring their A game this season or the “OTA Super Bowl Champs” are in for it.

Ravens Links

The team built a playground at Good Samaritan Hospital this week.  Players, coaches and front office staff spent the day building the equipment at the Child Development Center.  Article

The NFL announced Monday that Ravens coach John Harbaugh will be one of five current and former league coaches who will travel this month to the Persian Gulf region to meet with service members on the inaugural NFL-USO Coaches Tour. Article

Apparently there are high hopes for Rex Ryan this year.  Jets safety Kerry Rhodes put on his Twitter account this week — “We will be the best defense in the league this year!!!”  Note to Rhodes – You won’t even be the best defense in the AFC so good luck with that.  Article