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.

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.

At long last, the birds are singing again, the mountains are majestic, and the planets have aligned.  You are probably asking yourself “Hey, Steve! Why so freakin’ happy?”  It could be that I’m graduating in August, perhaps it’s because I landed a sweet summer job, or maybe on Sunday I get to see two of my good friends finally tie the knot.  While this does bring me great joy and happiness, ESPN topped all of that with the following news:

GRUDEN JOINS MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, REPLACING KORNHEISER!!!!!!

Did you hear what I said?! REPLACING KORNHEISER!!! This is just as good as the Ravens winning the Super Bowl and rubbing it in the face of Tagliabue after he had to hand us the Lombardi trophy. Finally, a fresh start to replace the mindless ramblings of the Kornheiser.  A man who has actually won a Super Bowl, not a man who wraps himself in his “I Hate Baltimore” blanket and dream about it.  Kornheiser is GONE, and I couldn’t be happier. I am thrilled that this change was made and Korny decided to step down.  I respect Gruden and believe he should not have been fired, but it will be a pleasure to hear him call our two prime time games on ESPN against Cleveland and Green Bay.

So long you biased, Baltimore-hating, bald-headed, sorry excuse for a comentator.  Have fun with that other windbag Michael Wilbon on PTI.  We are finally free and justice has been served on ESPN.

In a very brief, mandatory mini camp that lasted three days and five practices, the Baltimore Ravens learned a lot in just a short amount of time.  Many Ravens fans had questions about the offensive line, the wide receivers, and linebacker positions.

Joe Flacco looked like a seasoned veteran out there in mini-camp. The coaching staff, the players and many reporters stated that he has really grown into the leader of the Ravens offense. It will certainly be exciting to see what Bazooka Joe can do now with a year under his belt.

Michael Oher, the Ravens first round draft pick this year, stepped right into the right tackle position after Adam Terry and Willie Anderson were a no show with knee injuries.  Coach Harbaugh stated that there will be an open competition between the rookie, Anderson, and Terry to see who will protect the right side of Joe Flacco.

The Ravens went a little crazy getting so many free agent wide receivers to come to mini camp.  Coach Harbaugh wanted to get a solid wide out to complement Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, and Demetrius Williams.  Out of the four wide receivers that were invited to mini camp, Harbaugh’s staff was very impressed with former Bengals and Patriots wide out Kelley Washington.  Young talents like Justin Harper and Marcus Smith also had strong showing during mini camp.  There is also a strong desire to learn more about rookie free agent wide outs Isaiah Williams and Eron Reily.

With the departure of Bart Scott, there were questions of who would join Ray Lewis at middle linebacker in the Ravens 3-4 defense.  The coaching staff was very impressed with Jameel McClain, who the led the NFL in safeties last year.  The staff was very impressed with his transition from outside to inside linebacker.  This may be the case but, however, it seems like Tavarus Gooden has that position locked up.  The Ravens stated that he has fully recovered from his injury and is ready to go.

The battle for the next Matt Stover has begun between Steve Hauschka and rookie Graham Gano.  Although Hauschka is the likely starting kicker, the coaching staff stated they were very impressed with both of these young men during mini camp.

Since Lorenzo Neal has not re-signed with the Ravens yet and there are rumors of him going to Oakland, there is a chance that Le’Ron “Freight Train” McClain will move back to his original role as a blocking full back.  McClain has accept this notion and states he is ready to create running room for pro bowl running back Willis McGahee and Ray Rice.

There are a lot of injuries for mini camp and here is the list, according to baltimoreravens.com, of the injured players:

Willie Anderson (knee)
Adam Terry (knee)
Marshall Yanda (knee)
Derrick Mason (shoulder, duh)
Mark Clayton (undisclosed)
“Completetrius” Williams (ankle)
Ben Grubbs (ankle)
Fabian Washington (neck/shoulder)
Chris “Baby You Can Drive My” Carr (shoulder)
Frank “Bounty Hunter” Walker (shoulder)
Samari “Shake, Rattle and” Rolle (groin)

* Chris Berman got NOTHIN on me!

The good news for everyone on this list is that they are expected to make a full recovery and will be in training camp when it starts this summer. There is a question mark on Derrick Mason, however, as he could miss training camp after his surgery to repair his scapula and labrium. We will all have our fingers crossed and hope D-Mase and the other can get healthy for the start of the season.

Reports indicate that four free agent wide receivers will be in Ravens mini camp this weekend in Owings Mills.  Those wideouts include Kelley Washington, D.J. Hackett, Jerry Porter, and Tab Perry (damn no Anquan Boldin, oh well).  Let’s take a closer look at these potential future Ravens:

Kelley Washington

Kelley Washington spent his first four years in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the third round in 2003.  He signed with the New England Patriots in 2007 as a free agent and was a member of the AFC Championship team.  In 2007, Cam Cameron was looking to secure a spot for Washington as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins.  During his career in the NFL, Washington has caught 73 catches for 869 yards and nine touchdowns.

D.J. Hackett

Hackett is coming from playing with the Carolina Panthers, who posted the second best regular season record in the NFL. He played three seasons with the Seahawks, including the NFC Championship team back in 2005. Last year, he only caught 13 passes for 181 yards and no touchdowns.

Jerry Porter

The savvy veteran will come into Ravens mini camp, looking to join the team that knocked him and his Raiders out of the race for Super Bowl XXXV back in 2000. In 10 games with Jacksonville last season, he caught 11 passes for 181 yards and no touchdowns.

Tab Perry

This one is a head scratcher for me. Perry was originally drafted by the Bengals, and last year with the Dolphins, he did not play due to an injury.

Perhaps Harbaugh and the Ravens can find a diamond in these somewhat forgotten wide receivers.

For the first time in the illustrious history of this website, one person has made Jackass of the Week for the second time.  She is our “favorite sports chick”:

Anita Marks

(Oh wait, that’s former WCW Champion Diamond Dallas Page, but the similarities between Anita and “The Master of the Diamond Cutter” are striking!)

On Wednesday, as I regretfully came back into Anne Arundel County from Baltimore County knowing that my coverage of WNST 1570 AM would soon fade out and I would have to switch to “The Fan” or go to my iPod, Anita did the stupidest thing anyone could possibly do. She and Scott Garceau (I hold Scott only guilty of second hand stupidity for this one) began to break down the schedule of the Ravens marking the wins and losses.  Her bold prediction: 10-6 (thanks for the winning record, genius).

The damnedest thing about all of this, THE SCHEDULE WAS ONLY RELEASED FOR ONE DAY!! Are you absolutely kidding me Diamond Dalla….Anita Marks (even I get confused sometimes).  It’s WAAAAYYYYY too early to predict where the Ravens will be next year without have a set roster, the draft has not happened yet, and there could still be trades in the work (i.e. Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards).

Scott stated, after Anita baited him into this, that it was too early to start predicting, but Anita kept right on going with it; trying to make herself sound credible.  I’m sorry, for all the Anita Marks fans out there (the two or three that are out there), but I can’t wait until her contract is up.

Time to go, Anita! I would much rather have Amber Theoharis on there doing the show than her because:

1) She’s way better looking.

2) Her show the A-List was one of my favorites.
3) She’s great on live television.
4) She knows what she’s talking about because he’s from the Baltimore area.

Amber over Anita should be the new rallying cry for the new ultimate sports chick in this area. Anita, you can go out with a bada-Bang (another DDP reference) or you can skip away, little girl. Skip away!

After requesting a trade from the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals, the Baltimore Ravens have expressed their interested in obtaining pro bowl wide receiver Anquan Boldin.

Boldin has been expressing his dislike with the way the Cardinals organization has handled his contract.  The Cardinals said they would be entertaining offers for the pro bowl wide out.

The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants have also expressed interest in obtaining the services of Anquan Boldin.  Most likely it will take a first and third round pick and possibly another player to get Boldin to Baltimore.

Many media outlets have the Ravens picking up another wide receiver in the draft, such as Darrius Heyward-Bey or Hakeen Nicks. This trade, if Baltimore were to make it happen, would eliminate the guess work of how a rookie quarterback would do making an impact right away.  It’s no secret, the Ravens want to build on their momentum from last year’s AFC Championship run.  What better way than to get this explosive and tough wide receiver to complement a great possession wide out like Derrick Mason, an outstanding slot receiver in Demetrius Williams, and two solid tight ends like Todd Heap and L.J. Smith(not to mention the return of The Mighty Quinn Sypnewski).  The Ravens need to GET ON THIS before he winds up with Eeore in NY or Mc-I’ll Be Outstanding for One Year and Get Hurt the Next- Nabb in Philly.

Because it’s never too early for me to start ripping on the biased sports media that is ESPN! Today, we take a look at a man, an insignificant man, who I’ve had a hatred for a LOOOONNG time.  That man is former Steelers running back (seriously)

Merril Hoge

It is no secret this man LOVES the Steelers! He wraps himself in his Steeler bed sheets every night before he is tucked in, we watches old tapes of himself playing for the Steelers every morning, kisses his picture of Terry Bradshaw before he leaves for work and drinks coffee out of his Steelers travel mug.  Every chance he gets, he mentions how he played for the Steelers on every ESPN NFL related show.  No matter how bad the Steelers are doing, guess what, Merrill picks them to win the Super Bowl! Big shocker!

I mean come on, Merrill, who do you think you are, Franco Harris. This guy talks like he single handily brought those Super Bowl championships to Pittsburgh.  Yes, you led the team in receiving and passing four out of the seven years spent with Pittsburgh, but what did that result in… No championships.  That just means every other wide out on that team was awful.  You NEVER broke 1,000 yards in your career, passing or rushing, and 32 fumbles in 7 years in Pittsburgh doesn’t merit you any kind of Ring of Honor recognition.

I mention all of this because during the unnecessary waste of time that was the 11 day spectacle of the schedules being released, Hoge was in full blown Steeler love fest mode.  Even when discussing other teams schedules and being asked which he thinks will be the toughest opponent for them, it was the Steelers and no one else.  Not the Ravens, Colts, Patriots, Vikings, Chargers….no sir, just the lucky, horseshoe up the butt, Super Bowl Chump Steelers.

He discussed what do you look for on the schedule first, and he proceeded to tell us as if Chuck Noll or Bill Cowher (who ever was coaching at the time) gave two craps about what Merril Hoge thought of the schedule.  You know what the Steelers coaching staff thought before every season, Merril “do we really need someone with a girl’s name on our team?”  or “how many fumbles do you think Hoge will have this year” (Hoge finished his illustrious career with 32 total fumbles, nice hands, feet).

Merrill get off your Steeler high horse.  No one knew who you were until you bombarded the viewing audience with your Steeler Love.  Dial it down, and be fair and balanced like Trent Dilfer.

Ravens training camp will be once again held at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD.  On July 27th, rookies, quarterbacks, and select veterans will begin training camp.  The rest of the team will follow on July 29th.

Ravens fans can come out and get up close and personal (Jamal Lewis almost ran me over a couple of years ago and I had to hold up Ed Reed from barreling over me like I was Ben Roethlisberger, Reed is a big boy to try and stop) on these dates until the squad return to Owings Mills (also, Todd Heap totally ignored me when I asked for his autograph, so I had to settle for Wade Richey, yippie).

More information has not been given as of right now, but stay tuned and we will have the complete schedule for you, but as of right now, July 27th is the date you need to mark down and you can come out and see the purple and black get ready for another Super Bowl run in 2009.

Earlier this week, we saw the end of the Boller Era in Baltimore when former Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller signed with the St. Louis Rams as their new backup quarterback to Marc Bulger.  Ravens fans had mixed emotions about Boller here in Baltimore.  While some call him a bust, others felt he had real potential and was rushed into the starting quarterback position too soon.  However, there is something that you cannot deny Boller; that he was all heart.

To his credit, every time there was criticism, Boller took it on the chin and never pointed the blame to anyone but himself.  He took hits that normally quaterbacks would cower and become trigger happy, but Boller stood in there and took hit after hit and kept on coming.

Despite all of that, Boller will never be a starting quarterback in the NFL because of two words: Happy Feet.  He was too erratic and too spastic in the pocket.  Comparing him to a Joe Flacco, Boller seemed nervous when the pocket collapsed.

Kyle Boller leaves the Ravens as their all time leader in pass completions (746) and yards (7,846).  In his six-year career in Baltimore, Boller threw 45 touchdowns and 44 interceptions.

I am not sad to see Kyle go because I never thought he was that good of a quarterback.  However, he did personify what being a Raven was all about, and that was heart.  Thanks Kyle, it’s been painful at times, but we wish you nothing but the best in St. Louis and whereever else the NFL takes you.