Big Ben Provides Big Test of Race In America
By: Sef Gold
As the investigation lingers into the events at the Capital City nightclub, various reactions about Ben Roethlisberger have emerged on the scene. In addition to dominating the headlines, Big Ben’s situation will provide this country with a test of how far we have come as a society concerning the issue of race.
At [...]
Browns Clearing Out Under-performers
By: Sef Gold
Last summer, they were competing to be the starter. Now they will be seeking employment elsewhere. Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn can now call themselves ex-Browns. Add the Kamerion Wimbley trade and it becomes clear that Mike Holmgren is wasting no time getting rid of recent Browns first-round draft picks.
The signings of [...]
Embracing Your Inner Malcontent
The Bengals off-season so far has certainly made headlines. It is clear that Mike Brown never took a chemistry class in school given the past histories of the players that the Bengals have pursued, worked out, or signed this free agency period.
Most say that chemistry isn’t important if you are winning and it’s never good [...]
The day that changed the franchise
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com writer
During the off-season of the last four seasons there have been many big time wide receivers available and pretty much all of them were linked to the Ravens. Every time a new name came out the prognosticators would always say ” there is interest from the Ravens”. Obviously, there was no [...]
T.O A RAVEN? NO THANKS!!!
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com Writer
Anyone who listens to Baltimore Sports talk radio, knows that even in the off-season, the Ravens are the pulse of the city and every Ravens fans has their idea for how to better the team. The consensus among all fans is that the Ravens need to acquire a legitimate number one [...]
Do Not Over-Value the Combine
By: Sef Gold
Indianapolis resembles a bee hive this week with all the buzzing about who ran the fastest 40-yard dash or who could bench press 225 pounds the most times. The NFL Combine features many drills and opportunities for young athletes to impress NFL personnel, yet impressive drill statistics do not necessarily translate to a [...]
He may not be a “Ravens type of guy”, but Cromartie would be a good move for the Ravens
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com writer
One of the toughest positions to play in football is the position of corner back. Often left on an “island”, a corner back is often left to fend for themselves against a receiver and often have to read the mind of the receiver and guess what route they will run. Very [...]
Speculation Shines for NFL Stars
By: Sef Gold
As the off-season looms closer to free agency and the 2010 draft, rumors fly around like bats in a cave. Some teams focus on landing a big free agent while others hope for a solid draft all with the goal in mind of reaching the playoffs. As usual, here are some recent AFC [...]
Start the Re-Shaping Process
By: Sef Gold
Now that the season is officially over, optimistic fans have the opportunity to gleefully cheer each move of their team as the reason why next year’s Super Bowl win is coming. For all of those out there, here is an opinionated update on the AFC North.
Steelers:
Once again the news out of Pittsburgh comes [...]
Super Bowl is No Time to Tighten Up
By: Sef Gold
Compared to the Indianapolis Colt’s decision making, Dwight Freeney’s injured ankle looked as loose as a rubber band. During the second half, Freeney was obviously troubled as he was lying on the sideline table in pain. Colts’ fans are probably bothered as well. In the end, Indianapolis’ conservative coaching choices cost them a [...]
Resting Starters Revisited
By: Sef Gold
Only one thing can be said to all the media members who condemned the Colts for resting their starters: Don’t quit your day jobs. There is a reason why Jim Caldwell and Sean Payton are head coaches in the Super Bowl and all the others are simply spectators. In the article “Resting Starters [...]
Prelude to Official Off-Season is Full of News
By: Sef Gold
For the next six days, don’t bother entering a barbershop without an opinion on whether the Colts or Saints will be holding the Lombardi trophy. Now that Super Bowl week is here, most of the country will be debating, analyzing and predicting how the events of this Sunday’s game will play out. For [...]
A Successful Franchise Starts Off the Field
By: Sef Gold
Since the Cleveland Browns returned to the NFL, there has been more chaos than a Godzilla film. Constant personnel turnovers, multiple staph infections and poor draft choices have distanced the franchise from an elite status. If an organization does not have the proper structure, it will never improve despite coaching and player swaps.
With [...]
Take Note Ravens, in the Modern Day NFL, offense is King
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com writer
There is an old adage in the NFL that says ” offense wins games, defense wins championships,” and since 1998, this has been an adage the Baltimore Ravens franchise has take to heart. Stout defense led to the Ravens hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in 2001 , but given the current state [...]
Free Agency in an Uncapped World
Speculating about the draft in January is playing pin the tail on the donkey. It’s a trendy thing to do and it gives Mel Kiper a job, but usually those who do end up looking like donkeys. Players will move up or down the “big boards” after Senior Bowls and “Pro Days” and with the [...]
Four Ways to Spruce Up the Pro Bowl
By: Sef Gold
Somebody call Sherlock Holmes. A detective must be needed to investigate the latest controversy that has major media outlets up in arms. Yes, the big commotion this week is about the Pro Bowl being moved to the week before the Super Bowl. No matter when the game is played, the Pro Bowl will [...]
Uncapped year a tease for Baltimore
This off season is going to be one of the most challenging things Ozzie Newsom has ever had to deal with. The final 8 rule and collective bargaining agreements made for the 2010 un-capped year, including this coming off season severely hinders the Baltimore Ravens from signing any key unrestricted free agents.
There is a plethora [...]
Rookie Formula Works for Second Straight Season
By: Sef Gold
Next time New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is indulging in his 7,000 calorie a day diet, he may want to consider inviting his former boss to share some flank steak. In a season where Ryan’s Jets eerily mimicked the 2008 Ravens, the blueprint has been set for how to start a [...]
Changes on the horizon, not necessarily a bad thing
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com Writer
The Ravens playoff trip this season marked just the second time in team history that they have made the playoffs in back to back seasons. The other time it happened was in the 2000-2001, and 2001-2002 seasons. After that the Ravens were forced to dismantle the team, leaving virtually no carry [...]
Big-spending offseason status questonable for the ravens
After the Baltimore Ravens, dropped their divisional playoff game to the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night, many fans are wondering what is going to happen next. There are a lot of questions that will be addressed within the next month or two, leaving the quite a few players in jeopardy of staying with the team.
The [...]
Second Receiver Might Be Ravens’ Missing Piece
By: Sef Gold
When it comes to the number of movies made about the life of an NFL player, the Ravens beat every other team in the league. Unfortunately, this is not connected with winning the last game in February. In the playoffs, elite teams shine like the Lombardi trophy and any weaknesses in a squad [...]
Shift in identity
by: Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com Writer
For the last decade, the identity of the Baltimore Ravens has been stout, physical defense that instilled fear in the heart of its opponents. Despite some early season struggles, this Ravens defense was once again a major factor in the Ravens reaching the divisional round of the playoff. It may be [...]
Top 10 List for the Bengals Off Season
Everyone loves lists. They are the fodder for the ADHD world that everyone lives in today. The advent of e-mail was supposed to streamline business and personal communication for the world. Now people don’t even read their e-mails all the way through. They just want short brief bullet points to solve the world’s problems.
That doesn’t [...]
Ravens will do it again, this time against Manning and the Colts
The Ravens travel to Indianapolis as seven point underdogs to take on the top seeded Colts. Much like the previous match up against New England, the Ravens face a team that they have had little success against. The Ravens are 2-8 against the Colts all time, having lost the last seven meetings. Will the Ravens [...]
Baltimore Gets Another Opportunity At Redemption
By: Sef Gold
Flash back to 1995. Art Modell decides to pack up shop in Cleveland and make the voyage to Baltimore. Thus, the Ravens are established. Much has changed in the 14 seasons since Baltimore reclaimed a spot in the NFL, yet during the Ravens tenure, they have failed to truly get revenge on the [...]
Why Not? And I’m not Talking About the 1989 Baltimore Orioles
By: John Harvey, AFCNT.com writer
After a dominating performance in the Northeast, the Ravens will head to Indianapolis where their task only gets tougher. Once again, and rightfully so, the Ravens are not favored to win this weekend. The fact that the purple and black are once again underdogs is only one of a few key [...]
Lookout Indy, the Ravens are coming!!!
by Marco Romanell, AFCNT.com Writer
The Ravens look to shock the nation for a second consecutive week by defeating the AFC’s top seed, the Indianapolis Colts, at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night. The Ravens made a statement against the Patriots and more of the so- called “experts” are giving them a chance to win this [...]
Right on time
The Baltimore Ravens played one of their best games this past Sunday against the New England Patriots. The 33-14 victory avenged a 27-21 loss earlier in the season in which the Ravens arguably outplayed their counterpart.
The team couldn’t have picked a better time to start playing their best football. For the second consecutive year, Baltimore [...]
Disappointing End to a Great Season
On Saturday, in front of a sellout home crowd watching only the second playoff game in Cincinnati since 1990, saw the Cincinnati Bengals fall to the New York Jets by a score of 24-14. A game in which the Bengals were able to run the ball very effectively against the NFL’s number one rushing defense, [...]
At Least They Made the Playoffs
By: Sef Gold
Darrelle Revis didn’t need a phone booth or a paper bag. He didn’t even need to be in New York City. All one of the league’s best cornerbacks had to do was show up in order to take Chad “Johnson” out of Saturday’s game. The way Cincinnati played in their brief playoff appearance [...]