Sizzle staying put

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Terrell Suggs is staying in Baltimore for a long, long time after agreeing to a six-year, $63 million contract today.  Gotta say I’m a little excited about this deal.  Suggs is 26 years old and is just an absolute machine who will only get better.  The contract includes over $33 million in bonuses which puts Suggs in stratospheric company (just slightly behind Manning).

Now this contract puts A LOT of pressure on the guy that brings pressure.  When you sign a deal giving you the biggest ever bonus for a defensive player, that comes with some pretty hefty expectations and I think he realizes that.

“I am glad it is over, and now we can get back to football,” Suggs said. “Getting this done took compromises on both ends. I wanted to stay in purple and black, the Ravens wanted to keep me in purple in black, and they stepped up and showed me that. This means a lot to me and my family. Now I can be a Raven for the better part of my career.”

With the recent news of Mason retiring, Suggs brings some sunshine to Baltimore today.   This issue has been hanging over the team for a few years so to be able to put it to rest is a big load off of everyone’s back.

Derrick Mason Retires

As a football blogger, the summer is a slow time and I tend to live under the “no news is good news” theory when it comes to the Ravens.  While it makes my life more difficult to find topics, quiet can be good (see Denver Broncos off season).  So driving home today my phone blew up with numerous messages about Derrick Mason retiring from the Ravens and that nice quiet calm flew out the window.

Mason had the following statement on the website JOCKLife:

“I have had a tremendous career and I played for two great teams, I had fun. In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I’ve had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all,” Mason stated. “Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end and I am ready to see what else life has to offer.”

“I have been thinking about this since the season ended. Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out…it was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important. It’s time right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but it’s going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard…played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help.”

I have to say, something doesn’t smell right with this.  The first thing that stands out is the fact he chose a blog site to make this announcement, not through a team press conference.   If this has nothing to do with the contract discussion, why do you not tell the team first?  Something tells me that there is a level of bitterness that is driving him to this decision.  The way he handled this essentially burns the bridge between himself and the team. Not exactly you want to see a great career end.

I also have to consider the impact that McNair’s death had on him.  These guys came up together and seeing one of your brothers pass away has to have an impact on you.  He may have just determined that he needs to be with his family.

So where does the team go from here?  I’m not going to get into the “we should have drafted a wide receiver this year” discussion in this blog.  I’ve given it a little time and let my head cool off.  While I’m bothered by the fact that the team didn’t target any of the middle/upper range receivers in the off season, I’m hoping the they can get through this.  We will see the hype that Clayton is a rising star and Williams can be a #1 but that time is not here yet.  Bottom line is that this move frees up about $3m in cap room with an unsigned Terrell Suggs.  Don’t expect any flashy moves.  Actually, I don’t know what to expect-your guess is as good as mine on this one.

No deal yet for Suggs

My first reaction upon reading today’s update in The Baltimore Sun on Suggs and his contract was to bang my head against the desk a few times.  I gave it a few minutes and decided to write instead.  After recent reports that the two sides were getting close to signing a deal, the Wednesday deadline is quickly approaching and there is nothing in place.  If it doesn’t happen before the deadline,  Suggs will once again receive the franchise tag and a salary of $10.2 million this year.

In a bit of news that does make me happy, The Sun quotes the following:

Suggs also disputed the notion that he is looking for a contract similar to the one given in 2007 to the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney, whose six-year, $72 million ($30 million guaranteed) made him the highest paid defender in league history at the time.

It is time to get this deal done!!!  With a defense in a huge transition phase, stability for a three-time Pro Bowler is absolutely necessary.

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.