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Blackbird Singing - BLACKBIRD SINGING: Good morning America how are you?

A tip of the cap to New Orleans...
Posted On: 9/26/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi
BLACKBIRD SINGING: Good morning America how are you?
GOOD MORNIN’ AMERICA HOW ARE YOU?  DON’T YOU KNOW ME? I’M YOUR NATIVE SON…I’M THE TRAIN THEY CALL THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ~ I don’t know if it’s my optimistic outlook on life or if it’s a tendency that I have to not focus in on the negative but I must admit my embarrassment and naivety as it relates to the ongoing crisis in one of our nation’s most essential cities – New Orleans. 
 
Last night I expected the Saints to come back to Earth after a 2-0 start to their season and lose to the more talented Atlanta Falcons.  But the human spirit has a way of overcoming odds and it certainly was difficult not to get caught up in the emotion and will of that amazing crowd at the Superdome last night.  The Saints responded and fed of the energy.  That was very, very special.
 
Perhaps we all take certain things and liberties for granted.  I’m guilty of that at times.  Last night humbled me in a good way and I find it difficult not to root for the New Orleans Saints.  Their success and their existence in the Crescent City are vital.  The Saints are a symbol of hope in an area that could use a lot of it.  They offer a comfortable distraction, a peaceful oasis from the daily struggles and destitution that still grips the Big Easy.  What an ironic nickname for a city that hardly finds anything easy these days.
 
Here’s hoping that the Saints can successfully navigate this emotional wave through the NFL season and give our Cajun brethren a well deserved and sustainable emotional lift.  And to think that this franchise had given consideration to moving to LA or San Antonio...  How shallow do those discussions appear now?  How dangerous do the Saints look on the schedule now come October 29, the weekend leading into Halloween?
 
AIN’T THAT TOUGH ENOUGH…AIN’T THAT TOUGH ENOUGH ~ “It takes a man to play quarterback in this NFL. It takes a man to sit back there and take the hit and deliver the ball. ... I, myself, could not do what he does. ... Every time he got hit, he got up. He never missed a play. Charlie is an animal. ... That’s why this team rallies behind Charlie. That’s why this city rallied behind him.” That’s Braylon Edwards giving teammate Charlie Frye some well deserved accolades after an extremely gutty performance against the Ravens on Sunday.
 
WOKE UP, GOT OUT OF BED…DRAGGED A COMB ACROSS MY HEAD ~ Along with the Chargers, 3 of the next 4 Ravens’ opponents will be well rested come game time. San Diego is coming off a bye this week while next week’s opponent the Broncos will also be coming off a bye heading into the Monday Night showdown.  When the Ravens play at New Orleans on 10/29, both teams will be coming off bye weeks.
 
YOU JUST HOP OFF THE BUS GUS…YOU DON’T NEED TO DISCUSS MUCH ~ Thankfully Gus Johnson and his side kick Steve Tasker won’t be doing the Ravens v. Chargers game on the CBS broadcast this week.  He certainly seemed to be riding the Browns bus and its conductor Charlie Frye on Sunday when they were "punching the Ravens right in the mouth."  How many of you wanted to return the favor to Gus?  Curiosity got the better of me so I decided to google Johnson’s bio.  Turns out there are no ties to Cleveland.  He is from Detroit and graduated from Howard University in DC.  He’s done work for the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Timberwolves and is the current play by play voice of the New York Knicks.  I wonder if he ever punched Larry Brown in the mouth?
 
By the way, this week’s crew isn’t a happy day in the park either – Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon will bring the game to those who don’t make it out to The Vault.
 
I’M PAYING THE COST TO BE THE BOSS ~ As of late, Bart Scott has been the boss on defense.  Here’s what he had to say about the roar of the crowd: “You live to hear that sound, especially in an opponent’s stadium on those big hits. That’s what you talk about, when you’re talking about setting the tone and setting the tempo. That guy doesn’t really want to run in there next time because he’ll have to pay a price.”
 
HE’S A SMOOTH OPERATOR…SMOOOOOOOOTH OPERATOR ~ “McNair’s not going to turn into Peyton Manning and doesn’t need to. He’s not going to mess up or self-destruct or undermine the team. He’ll efficiently manage the game by wisely using what’s around him, which includes Jamal Lewis, TE Todd Heap, Mark Clayton and former Titans teammate Derrick Mason at wide receiver. McNair knows it’s sometimes okay to simply accept punting the ball and turning it over to Ray Lewis instead of the other team’s defense.” That’s the WASHINGTON POST’S Michael Wilbon on Steve McNair
 
BRING IT ON HOME…BRING IT ON HOME TO YOU…The Ravens’ are tied (Philadelphia) for the NFL lead in sacks this year, posting 16 over the opening 3 games of the season. In Sunday’s win over the Browns, the Birds had 7 total sacks, which tied for the 2nd most the defense has racked up in franchise history (also had 7 v. Bengals on 12/26/99 and had a record 9 vs. Philly on 11/16/97).
 
THUNDERBOLT AND LIGHTNING VERY, VERY FRIGHTENING? ~ The Ravens have faced the Chargers four times with the Ravens winning the last two meetings between the teams.  Three of the games have been played in San Diego.  The one game played at The Vault was on December 10, 2000, the day the Ravens clinched their first playoff berth and ending the ban of the “P” word.
 
J-TRAIN A-RUNNIN’ ALL NIGHT LONG…J-TRAIN A-RUNNIN’ ALL NIGHT LONG ~ Jamal Lewis in 2 games against the Chargers has averaged 4.3 yards per carry and 111.5 yards per game to go with 2 TD’s.  Of his 52 carries against San Diego, 15 have been for first downs.  Gee, I wonder if the other 37 were on first down and behind Ogden and Mulitalo. 
 
I’M WINNING AND I DON’T INTEND…ON LOSING AGAIN ~ Meanwhile Trevor Pryce has had success against the Bolts.  In 16 career games against the Chargers Pryce has a 13-3 record and he is 6-1 in games when he registers a sack.  Overall Pryce has 9 sacks against San Diego.
 
WE’LL GO DANCING IN THE DARK, WALKING THROUGH THE PARK AND REMINISCING ~ Recently the Chargers acquired Billy Volek from the Titans.  On Sunday at The Vault, Volek will get a chance to reacquaint himself with some former teammates as will a couple other former Titans.  FB Lorenzo Neal and LB Randall Godfrey will meet up with Messrs. McNair, Mason and Rolle, no doubt to talk about how they took it on the chin again from the Ravens at Adelphia Coliseum.  All six players played for the Titans during the memorable 2000 season.  Don’t know why, but I have this feeling that we’ll see Volek on the field Sunday.
 
WELL IT’S MURDER BY NUMBERS, ONE, TWO, THREE ~ When Terrell Suggs registers a sack (he’s had 33 ½ in his career) the Ravens are 21-5.  When he registers two sacks, the Ravens are 8-0.  Guess how many we want from T-Sizzle on Sunday?  Guess how important his return to the line-up is?...Going back to the 2000 season, the Ravens defense has allowed the fewest points per game in the NFL when playing at home where opponents have managed to score 748 points in 49 games for an average of 15.3 points per game.  Which begs the question Ravens fans, “ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE?!?”

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Posted On: 9/26/06
Written By:  
Tony Lombardi

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