Ravens rookie running back arrested on misdemeanor charges

Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro was arrested during the weekend in Williamsburg, Va. and charged with destruction of property and public intoxication, according to Williamsburg Police Maj. Greg Riley.

Both charges are misdemeanors.

According to the police report, Taliaferro was part of a group causing commotion outside of a restaurant around 1:15 Saturday morning.

The group eventually got into a taxi cab, but the cab stopped shortly after beginning to drive off. The cab driver then got out of the car, signaled to a nearby police officer and showed the officer that one of his windows had been broken by a member of the group.

He identified that individual as Taliaferro.

Taliaferro left the scene, according to the report, but he was located about a block away and arrested.
Once in custody, Taliaferro admitted to having "consumed a good amount of drinks" prior to the incident
with the cab.

The arresting officer had also detected a strong odor of alcohol when he approached Taliaferro and said in the report that Taliaferro was unsteady on his feet, had bloodshot eyes and spoke with a slur.
Taliaferro told the officer he broke the cab window by accident, but the driver said the window broke as a result of Taliaferro pulling on it with both hands as he attempted to drive away.

Taliaferro is scheduled to appear in court June 3.

Taliaferro was selected by the Ravens in the fourth round of the NFL draft earlier this month.

He is the fourth Raven player to be arrested this offseason, joining fellow running back Ray Rice, wide receiver Deonte Thompson and offensive lineman Jah Reid.

Ravens' Matt Elam calls Calvin Johnson 'pretty old'

The Detroit Lions will face the Baltimore Ravens next Monday night with both teams having a lot on the line. Both teams are fighting for their playoff lives and whoever loses will find it tough to make it past the regular season.

The Ravens know they'll have to contend with one of the league's top offenses led by receiver Calvin Johnson. But for some reason like everyone else that goes against "Megatron" the Ravens defensive backs talk as if he's average.

Safety Matt Elam had a lot to say about Johnson including calling him "pretty old".

“Big, fast, athletic, unstoppable, freak,” Elam said.

“He’s pretty old, so I don’t know how physical he’ll be,” Elam said. “He’s a big guy, but he’s older. I guess when they get older they’re not going to be as physical, you know what I’m saying? We’re going to have to be physical, make him uncomfortable.”

Johnson does have a height and weight advantage against most defensive backs and the Ravens don't have a lockdown corner that can contend with Johnson. But that didn't stop others in their defensive backfield from chirping.

“We’re not going to get scared because of the name on the back of his jersey,” Chykie Brown said. “He puts his pants on just like we do. We’ve got to out there and do us — get physical on him, play tough on him.” 

Johnson doesn't get involved in any of the trash talking debates but let's his play on the field do the talking for him. I'm sure quarterback Matthew Stafford will make it a point to get the ball to Johnson.

Rich Gannon questions Matt Schaub's credentials

The Houston Texans are having some early season struggles. The team had two come from behind wins in their first two games and were thrashed by the Baltimore Ravens, 30-9 last Sunday. Hardly a convincing start for a team that's supposed to contend for the AFC's berth in the Super Bowl.

Texans quarterback Matt Schaub has come under fire from fans and local sportswriters. CBS Sports analyst Rich Gannon is the latest to pile on Schaub.

 On CBS Sports Network’s “Monday Morning QB,” Gannon was critical of Schaub and questioned his credentials and if he was the guy to lead this team.

“I don’t know that he can carry this football team,” Gannon said. “He’s a system guy. He’s a guy that (succeeds) when they’re running the football well. But it’s these kinds of mistakes that really bother me: not seeing a flat defender or a linebacker run in front of an angle route. … These are the things that you expect from an inexperienced rookie quarterback.

“If they’re running the football well and they’re dominating on defense, I think he can be that guy. But if they fall behind, Matt Schaub and the Texans struggle.”

Basically Gannon just said that Schaub doesn't have what it takes to get this team to the next level, while stopping short of calling him a game manager.

There's nothing wrong with being a game manager. The Ravens won a Super Bowl with one (Trent Dilfer). But when your turning the ball over that doesn't help the team. Gary Kubiak's dubious playcalling hasn't helped the offense too much either.

Schaub may not win a Super Bowl but before Texans fan jump off a ledge remember  Doug Williams, Joe Theismann, Mark Rypien, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson and Dilfer all won Super Bowls. Not exactly a group of Hall of  Famers.

Be happy, you could have a quarterback situation like the Cleveland Browns.

Ole Miss forward Murphy Holloway, gets a shot with the Baltimore Ravens

Former Ole Miss basketball player Murphy Holloway just completed his senior season in the NCAA tournament. Being a 6-6 power forward, Holloway figured that he was a long shot to make the NBA, even though he finished as the school's all time leading rebounder.

Instead of plying his trade overseas, Holloway has signed with the Baltimore Ravens. My guess is that he'll be trying out as a tight end.Holloway will be the latest former hardwood star to convert to the gridiron in the never ending quest for teams that try to convert undersized power forwards into pass catching tight ends.

Holloway was bypassed in the NFL Draft. He averaged 14.5 points and 9.7 boards as a senior.

I don't know his background as a football player but I figure he'll have a long way to go before he sees the field. But if Antonio Gates, Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzalez can hit it big why not give it a shot.

Broncos-Ravens highlight NFL week one schedule

After a devastating playoff loss sending the high flying Super Bowl ready Broncos home early, and sending the Baltimore Ravens on the road to win the second Super Bowl of legendary linebacker Ray Lewis's career. The Broncos have been chomping at the bit for the last 3 months to know when they will get their shot at revenge against the defending Super Bowl champs, and they won't have to wait long as the Ravens will be making the trip into the Mile High city on week one for a rematch of the double overtime thriller in Denver last postseason.

Bengals and James Harrison break off contract talks

Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker is still looking for a team. It looked like he would continue his AFC North tour with the Cincinnati Bengals but reports say that talks have broken down between the team and Harrison and the Bengals may go in another direction. The Bengals reportedly are interested in Karlos Dansby.

 Harrison was cut by the Baltimore Ravens before being picked up by the Steelers and making a name for himself. If he can't come to terms with the Benglas I don't see him staying in the division with the Cleveland Browns.

Harrison was asked by the Steelers to take a 30 percent pay cut but he refused. Even though Harrison is a five time Pro Bowler, he might have overestimated his value.

Joe Flacco to portray Johnny Unitas in upcoming movie

Joe Flacco became the highest paid NFL player and was the Super Bowl MVP. Flacco now will portray Baltimore Colts legend Johnny Unitas in a movie about Unitas' life. 

Joe Unitas told The Baltimore Sun that Flacco will play his father playing football in the final scenes depicting the Colts' 1958 championship game victory in "Unitas We Stand" .

Filming is scheduled to begin July 15 and is expected to last around nine to 12 weeks. Ideally, Unitas would like to release the movie timing it to the Super Bowl next year. Unitas said having someone with Baltimore ties play his father was important. Flacco said that he was honored to play the role of Unitas. Joe also hopes to film the entire movie in Baltimore.

"He does things the right way and is a good role model for kids and he gets what hard work is and does everything he can for the team. There are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between Joe and my dad. My production team is very fortunate and thankful that he's dedicated to help us and play my dad. I know he doesn't do a lot of things away from the game, and football players' time off in the offseason is very valuable. For him to take time away and commit to doing this is very humbling."

The movie is based on Tom Callahan's best-selling book: "Johnny U: The Life and Times of Johnny Unitas."

Ravens' Boldin told to take a pay cut or get cut

After winning a Super Bowl, Baltimore Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin is being asked to take a pay cut. If not he might be released.  

Boldin makes $6 million right now but the Ravens would like a more cap friendly number. Mainly to resign linebacker Danell Ellerbe who is a high priority and other pending free agents.

This comes after signing quarterback Joe Flacco to a massive new contract.

During a February interview with NBC Sports Radio, Boldin said he would retire if released by Baltimore. A source, though, said Boldin is having second thoughts about that statement. 

If released Boldin is still good enough where he could catch on elsewhere should he back off his retirement talk. If he likes Baltimore that much he'll take the pay cut so they can keep most of the team together.

Jim Brown says Browns fans need to move on

After watching the Baltimore Ravens clinch another Super Bowl victory, long suffering Cleveland Browns fans had to be stinging. Just for people who don't know, I'll give you the cliff notes version.

The Browns had been close to reaching the Super Bowl a few times, only to be snakebitten  at the wrong time (The Drive, The Fumble and Mike Davis' interception). Fast forward to 1996. The Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens. Since then the Ravens have become a successful franchise and claimed two Super Bowl trophies while the Browns haven't won a playoff game since their reincarnation.

Hall of Famer and former Browns great Jim Brown says that the Browns fans need to move on and let it go.

"That's old news now," Brown told me Saturday at "NFL Honors." "Baltimore has proven themselves on the football field. We can't take that away. Art did not make the correct move in my opinion, at the time. It hurt the people, but now it's time to get over it."   

Given the city's sports history and heartbreak I can see why it's a bitter pill to swallow but it's time to let those old wounds die. It's Baltimore's team now, so deal with it.

Matt Damon: Ravens only won because of injuries

Every team in sports has injuries. You'll never hear a coach say injuries was a reason for a loss no matter how true the statement might be. Think about it, you never heard former Cincinnati Bearcats coach, Bob Huggins, say that Kenyon Martin's blown knee cost him a national championship. The excuse is made for fans of a certain team and actor Matt Damon proves it.

Damon is a New England Patriots fan, who happened to blow the AFC championship game to the Baltimore  Ravens. To me the Ravens picked them off a year late, but no one on the Ravens blamed Lee Evans for dropping a surefire touchdown pass. But Damon has a reason why the Ravens went to the Super Bowl and not the Patriots. Injuries.

Damon says that if the Patriots were completely healthy, the Patriots and not the Ravens would be going to the Super Bowl.


"Lotta injuries," Damon said ... "They couldn't beat us full strength."

Sounds like he's using the Dan Gronkowski injury as a crutch for the loss. While it's true that cornerback Aqib Talib and Stevan Ridley were hurt, their injuries happened during game action. So that won't fly with Ravens fans.

When asked for his rooting interest in the Super Bowl, Damon replied, “I’m going for a healthy New England team, that’s the best team in the country, [Baltimore and San Francisco] are both pretty good. They’re like the same team, real similar.”

Spoken like a true fan.

LaMarr Woodley Takes A Jab At Joe Flacco

The NFL offseason is typically quiet this time off year, with or without a lockout. There hasn't been too much news being made except for players taking up other occupations, talking trash, holding POW's (player organized workouts), and taking up space on the police blotter. 

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley  has spent a little time amping up the hard hitting rivalry between the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. Woodley appeared on the NFL Network's All Access show and took a swipe at the Ravens, more specifically quarterback Joe Flacco. Woodley said that Flacco could never lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl since the Steelers stand in their way.

"No, not at all because they have to go through one team -- that's the Pittsburgh Steelers in that AFC Championship," Woodley said. "So in order for them to get to the Super Bowl, they have to beat us, and we're not gonna let that happen once we get that close. So that's not gonna happen in this lifetime."

He wasn't quite done there either. He did say that Cleveland's Colt McCoy would be a "great quarterback" and took a shot at the Cincinnati Bengals and their situation with Carson Palmer.

 "Well, honestly, when they play against us, it really doesn't matter whether he's there or not," Woodley said about Palmer and the Bengals.

You can't go against what he's said since the Steelers have ended Baltimore's postseason run the last two years. The tables might be turned if Baltimore can ever get them at home, but that's not guaranteed either since the Steelers play them well in Baltimore.

Tyrod Taylor: ‘I’m the most dynamic quarterback in the draft’

You know what they say, if you don't believe in yourself, no one will. Well, Tyrod Taylor has plenty of belief in himself. More than what you would hear from a sixth round draft pick. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. It's just that he has a long way to go to help the Baltimore Ravens.

Taylor was the ACC offensive player of the year and doesn't lack confidence coming into the NFL.

“I believe I can do it all,” Taylor said after being drafted in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens. “I believe I’m the most dynamic quarterback in the draft. I have the ability to move the pocket and keep the play alive, and I also have the ability to stay in the pocket and make every throw that they ask for. My style is kind of a mixture of all.



"I want to do whatever it takes to help the team and in the best situation. Most teams have talked to me as a quarterback. I’m evaluated as a quarterback. After talking to the Ravens’ coaching staff, they look at me as a quarterback and want to mentor me and mature me as a quarterback.”

You know what that means don't you? Wildcat package.

If Taylor is developed properly and is eager to learn, he could be a productive backup. He does have some skills as he passed for 24 touchdowns against 5 interceptions last season at Virginia Tech.

“I’m going to reach out to Flacco,” Taylor said. “We’re teammates now, so hopefully we can get some study sessions on and just help my progression. The lockout is difficult for a quarterback because you’re not able to get the playbook as soon as you can, but everyone is in the lockout. I’m going to try to reach out to Flacco, get in the playbook and learn it as quickly as possible."


Right now he's saying all the right things. Personally I would like to see him some success at the NFl level since there are a lot of doubters out there about him.


  

 

Quote Of The Week: Brian Billick

Former Ravens coach Brian Billick on why it’s so hard to get that first-round quarterback pick right. Money line: “I am living proof that if you miss on a first-round quarterback, as I did with Kyle Boller, you end up broadcasting games and writing about the NFL instead of coaching.”


Source: CBSSports.com

Bart Scott Let's Loose On Patriots And Ravens

It's the NFL offseason, there's a lockout and league news never stops. Whether it's criminal activity, players being involved in different activities, or just interviewing with the media, it's all NFL all the time and I like it. Except for the labor strife.

New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott had a few things to to say in an interview with Metro New York.  He complimented his coach Rex Ryan and backed up what Ryan said about guaranteeing a Super Bowl win. He also had some not so kind things to say about the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

“The Ravens don’t operate like the Ravens anymore. [Head coach John] Harbaugh changed everything. The Ravens aren’t that loose anymore,” Scott said. “We laugh, we joke, but then we go out there and put in a defensive system. We have our fun, and then on the field, we know what to do. If you study for the test, there’s nothing to be nervous about, right? If you don’t know what you’re doing, that’s when you can’t have fun. We know what we’re doing, but on the field, we back it up, too.”


Then he started in on Wes Welker and the Patriots. Remember when Welker mocked Ryan about the foot fetish ordeal? Scott hasn't forgotten it. He's keeping the rivalry stoked by adding more fuel to the fire.


“That’s doesn’t sound right, that kind of talk. That’s when you know they’re buying into us, when they start sounding like we talk,” Scott said. “Wes Welker start trying to be us, sounding like we do. That’s how you know they want to be us.”

I tell you the Jets are good for football. Not everyone likes their brash, cocky attitude, but they've backed it up. Mostly in the playoffs, where they've won every game on the road. Call me out if that's not true. If they can catch a little bit of luck the Lombardi Trophy will end up in New York. Besides, someone has to be the bad guy, right? 









 

Like Father, Like Son

Back in 1995 Gary Moeller was fired from the University of Michigan after a drunken outburst at a Southfield, Michigan restaurant.

Fast forward to 2011 and his son Andy Moeller, a Baltimore Ravens offensive line coach  pleads guilty to driving while intoxicated (DWI). Moeller was pulled over near Greenspring Ave. on Sept. 18 last year by a state trooper while drving 70 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone. The arresting officer detected a strong odor of alcohol and noticed him stumble during a field sobriety test with Moeller refusing to take a Breathalyzer exam.


This was Moeller's third alcohol-related arrest, including an acquittal of driving while under the influence and negligent driving last May 14 in Carroll County where it was determine that he wasn't driving the car and was parked, in the past four years. He was assigned to probation for driving while visibly impaired in Ann Arbor, Mich, in a December 2007 case.


Damn, I hate to rip the Moeller clan but it looks like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has said that Moeller will be terminated if there are any other alcohol related incidents.

Moeller needs to tone it down before he finds himself without a job.

Flacco Calls The Jim Zorn Firing A Personal Attack

When a coach is fired it's usually an indictment on how the coaches planning or teachings translate to the playing field, not the players themselves. If so there would be a whole lot of professional athletes out of work. Like any Detroit Lions or Los Angeles Clippers team. Apparently Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco doesn't think so. Flacco is pretty angry about the firing of his quarterbacks coach and feels it's a personal attack on his performance.


"I'm not happy about it, and they know I'm not happy about it," the third-year quarterback said.

"I also feel like a little bit like I'm being attacked," Flacco said. "You fire the quarterback coach. Usually when your fire a position coach, it's because you're not really happy with how that position did. And when I look back on my season and our season as a team, I mean, we won 13 games. I felt like I had a pretty good year and you're firing the quarterback coach? It's kind of an attack on me, I feel like."


"I'm not going to be happy about it, for a long time," he said. "This year will be what it is. We're going to be successful this year. I would have just liked him to be a part of it. He would have liked to be a part of it. And I think it would have been good for him to be a part of it.


"I think Jim was a great coach, I think he was great for our team. I think he was great for me. That's how I feel about it."

Joe, if it were a personal attack against you, you would be cut today. It's not though and you shouldn't take it as such. I know that sometimes players and coaches form a bond and they work well together, and that's probably what happened in this case. Flacco and Zorn had that kind of bond. Being a former quarterback in the NFL, Zorn's teaching probably went over well with Flacco and he probably taught him more than I'll ever know about the sport. I guess the Ravens didn't feel the same way about Zorn as Flacco did. He was there for only one season so I figure there was room to grow.

My guess is that there had to be some philosophical difference between Zorn, head coach John Harbaugh, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. There was a seven hour meeting of the minds and Zorn was questioned about his handling of Flacco. Alledgedly Harbaugh is going to give more playcalling control to Cameron. Behind those closed doors there had to be some disagreement. Harbaugh probably should've asked Flacco how he felt about it and came to a conclusion. But that's not how it works in professional sports.

Flacco had one of his best years statistically, and this is what happens to one of the coaches responisble for it.

Quick Playoff Predictions

The Divisional round of the playoffs has some good matchups this weekend. Here's my personal predictions on this weekend's action.

Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh- I have to take the Steelers in this one solely because of home field. Pittsburgh always seems to pull one big play out of their backside than the Ravens can. Steelers 17-13.

Green Bay vs. Atlanta- I'm having flashbacks to a playoff game from 1980 that also involved the Falcons. When they played Dallas at home and lost a 30-27 thriller in which they led most of the game. I see the same thing happening today with the Falcons losing a heartbreaker to the Packers. Packers 31-27.

New York vs. New England- The Jets need to ramp up their offensive game if their going to beat New England. The Jets do a lot of tough talking but right now their hurting and the Patriots seem primed to take advantage. For some odd reason I feel a blowout coming on. The Jets defense can only take them so far.
Patriots 30-13.

Seattle vs. Chicago- The Seahawks have somewhat become America's darling in the past few weeks. This could be a blowout or a tough defensive battle. However I do see the Bears coming out on top since they are at home and there is sure to be bad weather. Bears 20-10.

Terrell Suggs Doesn't Have To Say Much

Before the seaon started Baltimore Ravens linebacker fired the first shot in the Ravens /Pittsburgh Steelers feud. He wore a t-shirt that said  "You bet your sweet ass I hate the Steelers" at training camp.

Now he's wearing one that sums up how he'll always feel about the Steelers. It says "Hey Pittsburgh" with a
Raven telling the Steelers that they're number one. Unfortunately I don't have a visual for it.

This rivalry is old school. Almost like the old Raiders-Steelers rivalry. Old style football the way it was to be played.

Nah, there ain't no message," Suggs said. "Like I always say, I put on for my city. They rep their city and I'm repping mine. So, here we go. When it comes to football, it's the most physical game of the year. It's going to be a physical gang fight, just like the first two games were. "When we go down there, they always hit us with the number ones. I don't know how they act here because I've always been in the locker room by the time all the fans get here. I'm pretty sure we're hitting them with the number ones. It's whatever. We're just going to go play a football game."


There's no rivalry today that can equal the Ravens/Steelers blood feud today.