The Joe Flacco Show continues!

I saw this Joe Flacco highlights video over at the Ebony Bird. I've got to admit, initially I was wary of the Flacco selection, and frankly I'm reserving judgment until, well, the dude actually takes a few snaps in the NFL. But he looks pretty sharp in this video.

My favorite line from the video? "The Joe Flacco Show continues!" There's also a nice "Eli's Escape" at the 2:31 mark, and more than once he's compared to Ben Roethlisberger, whose name I finally feel comfortable spelling without having to double-check my accuracy.



I haven't posted any thoughts on this year's Draft yet, partly because, for Yardbarker, I blogged the entire draft live from Radio City Music Hall, and frankly I'm still tired as hell, but also because I felt pretty mediocre about most of the selections. Did we blow the Draft out of the water? Maybe, but either way we won't know that for a while. Do I feel like we had the best Draft in the AFC North? Sorry, Ravens fans. My vote goes to Pittsburgh. Did we get better? Sure, I guess. But what about CB? Maybe Fabian Washington is an answer, but I don't think he's the answer; frankly, I was hoping for at least two CBs this past weekend.

Interview with Ravens QB Joe Flacco

When the good folks at Reebok read Yardbarker's coverage of the 2008 NFL Draft, and saw that I have ties to Baltimore, they thought it would be a good idea for me to get on the horn with Joe Flacco, the newly minted face of Baltimore football. And a good idea it was, hon.

[Note to Joe: Start saying "hon" all the time. People in Baltimore will love you for it.]

Joe was in New York City when we spoke.

Prior to Flacco's selection (#18 overall) in this past weekend's NFL Draft, nearly all Ravens fans agreed that Baltimore needed a QB. A few of us like what we've seen in Troy Smith, but by no means is he a sure thing. Or even a safe bet. Also, Troy Smith never says "hon," so that's a black mark on his resume, definitely. A lot of fans wanted Matt Ryan. Not me. I think Matt Ryan is overrated. Frankly, I'm not sure who I wanted (or want) behind center. Baltimore's history of mediocrity at the QB position has made me skeptical and cynical of most every available option. Flacco is going to have to earn my support. No more unconditional love for Charm City QBs. At least not from me.

This year marks only the second time in franchise history that the Ravens have selected a QB in the first round. The first was Kyle Boller, who the team drafted only after a failed attempt to trade-up and select Byron Leftwich. This year was similar, because Flacco reportedly was second on Baltimore's list, behind Boston College QB Matt Ryan.

I asked Flacco if being second fiddle to Ryan is something that he's discussed with either Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome or anyone else in the organization. Not at all, he said. "They wanted me."

I went fishing, but Flacco wouldn't take the bait. Smart guy. And it's not like the Ravens didn't like Flacco. Far from it. Ozzie Newsome & Co. liked only two QBs this year: Ryan and Flacco. They weren't going to select Brohm, Henne, Booty, Woodson, Ainge, Josh Johnson or any of the other guys in this year's crop. It was Ryan, Flacco or bust.

The former Delaware QB has never been shy in his belief that he was the best gunslinger available this year. Better than Ryan. Better than Brohm. Better than Henne. And that was the first thing about which we spoke, just as soon as I finished welcoming him to Baltimore, and congratulating him for inking a deal with Reebok. Hey, dude's gotta eat.

What separates Joe from Matt Ryan? He believes it's his accuracy and decision-making. He also pointed out that he stays accurate under pressure. "I react well to pressure," he said.

Flacco wants the ball in his hands. So does Matt Ryan, but the difference is that Ryan too often puts the ball in the other team's hands. Eighteen (18) interceptions is far too many for a QB in his senior season. By comparison, Flacco had only 15 interceptions... during his entire career. Fans of Ryan frequently cite the fact that Ryan played with below-average wide receivers at Boston College; however, without ever having watched Delaware football -- at least not since my days at Villanova, back in the Brian Westbrook era -- I feel comfortable saying that Ryan's receivers were probably better than the Blue Hens at Delaware.

What impressed Ozzie? The Ravens sent Flacco a copy of the playbook, giving him only 24 hours to digest it. Run and pass protections. Formations. And so on. Flacco approached it calmy. "You can't act like it's overwhelming," he said. "They don't expect you to know it all in 24 hours. You need to have a basic understanding and be confident." Flacco aced his test. Ozzie and his crackpot staff of scouts also fell in love with the QB's size and arm strength. "I'm a big, strong kid," he said.

AFC North: "Ridiculous competition." he says. "Cincy is on the verge of being a good team, and of course Pittsburgh is there every year. Cleveland just missed the playoffs last year."

Advice for Ravens fans? Flacco suggests picking up a new Ravens jersey for this season, but even though #5 Flacco jerseys are already available for sale, he suggests buying one for a player "cooler" than him. Personally, I won't ever buy another Ravens jersey until Ray Ray retires. It's sacrilegious. But if Flacco pans out and Ray gets put out to pasture in a few years, I'd happily rock the jersey of a franchise quarterback. In the meantime, I'm sure we'll see plenty of white, purple and black #5 jerseys next season in Baltimore, all of which I'm sure will look excellent with purple camo.

Live from New York...

...it's Yardbarker at the NFL Draft. I'm excited to be live-blogging the event from inside Radio City Music Hall, and also about getting exclusive content from athletes, coaches, scouts and analysts prior to the weekend. I've already started getting some pretty good stuff. Last year I did it from home; this year will be even better. I hope you can stop by and check it out. I won't be posting anything here, though; you gotta go to the Yard.

How Jake Long to the Dolphins impacts the Ravens

If you're a Matt Ryan fan, smile and be happy that Jake Long is off the board. That increases the likelihood that DT Glenn Dorsey will be available at #3 for the Atlanta Falcons, which in turn increases the likelihood that Matt Ryan will not be headed to the Dirty Dirty. The Kansas City Chiefs (#5) also may want a QB, but the situation is less dire than it is in Atlanta.

If you're not a Matt Ryan fan, prepare to get used to him. It's looking increasingly likely that he may slip to Baltimore at #8. Another option would be the Chicago Bears trading up from #14 to select Ryan as the eventual successor to Rex Grossman and Kyle "Neck Beard" Orton.

In other news, Ozzie Newsome's mock draft is already 0-1.

TE Quinn Sypniewski injures knee

Day two of mini-camp and already the injury bug plagues the John Harbaugh era. Quinn Sypniewski suffered what is being called a possibly serious knee injury. "It does not look good," Todd Heap said. Fortunately Todd Heap is not a doctor, despite the fact that he's spent most of his career with them. I'm holding out hope that the injury is not serious.

Sypniewski injured himself during a non-contact drill, after making contact with OLB Antwan Barnes, who initial reports indicated was carted off the field along with Sypniewski. Fortunately that's not true; Barnes would be a bigger loss than Sypniewski. We'll still need to find another tight end, though, because Todd Heap is guaranteed to get injured at some point. Although losing Sypniewski would be a blow to the team, it would be a boon to my blog. Honestly, the dude's name is too hard to spell. It's bad enough I had to learn Roethlisberger.

Sypniewski declined comment on the injury.

Replacing Sypniewski: The Ravens may want to target Notre Dame TE John Carlson, who is a day-two guy in next weekend's NFL Draft, with good hands and sharp instincts. Not a good blocker. Or South Carolina's Andy Boyd, a nasty blocker who may slip through undrafted and be available as a free agent. Do we want a blocker or a pass catcher? Considering we don't have a proven QB, my guess is you go for a guy like Carlson, who can pluck balls when the QB checks down.

So long, Air McNair; Steve retires

Steve McNair reportedly had been working hard this offseason, but eventually ran out of steam and today decided to retire after 13 years in the league. Long enough to have played for the Houston Oilers.

D-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-amn, Steve; you old!

One possibility that warrants consideration is that Steve retired only because the team made it clear he was going to be cut after June 1 anyway: McMagic, we're going to give you a chance to leave Baltimore under your own terms, unlike those clowns down South who locked you out of the facility, which even though it may have been a smart business decision was undeniably cooooooold-hearted.

McNair's national legacy is tied permanently to the Titans franchise; however, he earned for himself a legacy in Charm City also. He took the '06 team on his shoulders, won games he should not have won (with serious help from the D and also Matt Stover), led Baltimore to a franchise-best record, and then the clock struck midnight before the team had a chance to dance with destiny. Steve McNair's career should have ended after the 15-6 loss to Indianapolis in the playoffs. It was clear then that his talent had faded. I say that not out of disrespect; the truth hurts. So does a decade-plus of getting beaten up by the Ravens defense, which happened frequently when McNair and the Titans were divisional foes with the Ravens (before the creation of the AFC North).

Moving forward in Baltimore, it's time to talk QB. A lot of people like Kyle Boller, but no one loves him, certainly not as a starter. Troy Smith has slightly more fans, and I'm one of them, but mostly the jury is still out. The Falcons need a DT in addition to QB, so if neither Atlanta (#3) nor the Chiefs (#5) draft Boston College QB Matt Ryan, there is a great chance he'll drop to Baltimore at #8, at which point he'll probably get snapped up by Baltimore. Mistake. Mistake. Mistake. Please do not do this. The guy is average at best, and it makes no sense to roll the dice and mortgage five years on a guy who probably is no better than Troy Smith, who IMO earned for himself a shot at the starting job by virtue of his success in limited time last season.

Chad Johnson hates the Bengals. Me too!

Chad Johnson dished out his harshest words to date, basically saying that the Bengals can F-off and die 'cause he don't want to play there, ya feel me? His words were slightly more polished. He's eloquent like that: "I don't want to play for the Bengals... I don't intend on reporting to anything."

I like Chad Johnson. As a lifelong T.O. apologist, I gave up any and all rights to criticize wide receivers who run off at the lip. But I'm still not sure why #85 is so angry with the Bengals. They're a good team with a strong offense. What they need is defense. Maybe a strong DT like USC's Sedrick Ellis, who 50/50 will be available at #9. Personally, I'd love to see Chad Johnson in Eagles green. McNabb needs a wideout, and Baltimore's talent at CB is thin, so please trade C.J. out of the AFC North immediately.

Sedrick Ellis: Pro Day Highlights

The schedule is here! The schedule is here!

The NFL released its 2008 schedule yesterday. A few thoughts regarding Baltimore's schedule:

Monday Night Football. Last year's prime-time game against the Steelers was a snoozer. One of the worst performances I have ever seen. This year it's back to Pittsburgh for Baltimore's only MNF game (week 4).

Saturday night in Dallas. I may try to go to this game. Either this or the Miami game. Depends on what the consensus is amongst my friends. My preference is Dallas. Saturday night. Big stage. A team that tanked last year against a team that hasn't won a playoff game in... how many years has it been? I lost count about five years back.

New York Football Giants. I love that we get a chance to play the defending Super Bowl champions. I also love that it comes immediately after the bye week, speaking of which: How great is it that the bye week is week 10 as opposed to much earlier in the season? I don't like doing research, and I'm not going to do it, but my gut tells me we haven't had a bye week this late in the season in a long time... maybe ever.

Overrated. Everyone is going ape$h1t about the Redskins playing in Baltimore. OMG! OMG! THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THOSE CITIES ARE NEAR EACH OTHER AND STUFF! OMG!

Interview with RB Darren McFadden

What's up, Ravens fans!? Sorry I've been M.I.A. this offseason, but honestly there hasn't been much to blog about. One or two minor signings, but that's old news by now. I haven't abandoned you, I promise; more as we get closer to the season and/or NFL Draft. In the meantime, I sat down with running back Darren McFadden earlier this week. You can watch the interview here, and also check out Darren's blog on Yardbarker.