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Blackbird Singing - INSTEAD OF ADAPTING TO RAVENS SHOULD RAVENS ADAPT TO MCNAIR?

A trip around the NFL and the world of sport in Blackbird Singing

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Posted On: 10/6/06

Written By:  

Tony Lombardi

PRESSURE...PUSHING DOWN ON YOU PUSHING DOWN ON ME ~ Steve McNair has been criticized for the velocity on his passes or lack thereof, since joining the Ravens.  Don't know if you noticed or not on Sunday, but his rollout pass to Mark Clayton for a 13 yard gain to set up the Heap TD reception, certainly had some zip to it.  Instead of the Ravens force feeding a playbook down McNair's throat that is about as cutting edge to football as DOS is to PC users, why not tailor the playbook more to McNair.  That rollout was a perfect case in point and such plays help to take some of the pressure off the O-Line.

 

THERE IS SAFETY IN NUMBERS AND NUMBER'S MY FRIEND ~ Since the NFL switched to the current playoff format, 46 teams have started at 4-0.  Of those 46, 38 went to the playoffs.  So if you are thinking odds and if history is an indication, the Ravens have an 83% chance of making the playoffs.  That other 17% and the Ravens offense scares you though, doesn't it?

 

SOME HEADS ARE GONNA ROLL ~ Last week against the Patriots, Bengals safety Kevin Kaesviharn was flagged for a helmet to helmet hit on Pats receiver Reche Caldwell.  Replays show that the official made an egregious mistake.  Marvin Lewis agrees: "His helmet never touched the other player and I don't think the other player's helmet ever got hit.  To me it looked like it was a shoulder to shoulder collision."

 

I AIN'T MISSING YOU...SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE...AWAY ~ Staying with Marvelous Marv for a moment, the Bengals' skipper listed Chris Henry on the inactive list against the Patriots despite the troubled receiver turning in his best career performances the prior two games.  When asked if he notice a difference in the Bengals with Henry out, Lewis said, "I did notice a difference, actually.  I didn't have anybody taunting, in anybody's face or anything like that.  That's where I noticed a difference."  Sounds to me like Marv has had enough.  Good for him.  Stay strong!

 

BRING BACK THAT LOVING FEELIN'...OH THAT LOVIN' FEELING ~ While chatting with Fox Sports' Chris Meyers about the current state of affairs in the Raider Nation, Randy Moss had this to say: "I'm doing good, man. I'm not even that too concerned with football right now. I'm just loving life."  Meyers forced the issue with Moss given his lackadaisical attitude and wondered if an apparent lack of interest in the team was common amongst the Raiders.  "I don't really want to single players out. I mean, I don't really know what the feeling is", Moss said. "But I know the feeling is bad, so that's saying no one cares about what's going on around here. I've said a few things. I've done most of the things I can do, and my thing is, if it's going to be relaxed, if I'm relaxed, then I guess that's what it is." 

 

Excellence was once the theme in Oakland.  Now it's more like a Commitment to Excrement.

 

WHEN THE WALLS, COME CRUMBLIN' DOWN ~ The Miami media has reported that a woman watching the Florida Marlins' season finale at Dolphins Stadium, was hit by a falling piece of concrete.  Investigators are questioning the structural integrity of the stadium, the host site for Super Bowl XLI.  The woman was treated by paramedics after being struck in the head by a 3-4 inch piece of concrete, yet she continued to keep score of the game.  If Steven L. Miles had a Miami-Dade County office, she'd be keeping score of more than just a meaningless Marlins game. 

 

CHANGE CHANGING PLACES...ROOT YOURSELF TO THE GROUND ~ Titans owner Bud Adams is a crusty, volatile guy.  Many questions have been lobbed his way about the security or lack thereof in Jeff Fisher's job.  During the preseason, Adams was quick to say, "Fisher's not going anywhere. He'll be here."

 

Recently however, the tone has changed and now the standard response is, "We've just got to see what happens this year."  Need a real estate agent there Jeff? 

 

Fisher's offensive coordinator Norm Chow certainly isn't ringing the bell of confidence either.  Recently when discussing QB Vince Young, Chow pondered aloud, "I just hope we're not getting him ready for the next guy, another coaching staff."

 

SEE ME, FEEL ME, TOUCH ME, CHANGE ME ~ Redskins coach Joe Gibbs has been an avid supporter of the often criticized Mark Brunell, who recently has given credence to his Gibbs' support.  Last week on his TV show Gibbs explained, "You're better off changing me than the quarterback."  Now there's something you won't hear on The Brian Billick Show.

 

WHO ARE YOU...WHO, WHO...WHO, WHO ~ Prior to the Bengals v. Steelers game a couple weeks ago, Marvin Lewis showed film clips of Cowher mocking the popular "Who dey?" chant after the Steelers beat the Bengals in the wild card playoff game last year.  The Bengals got the last laugh when they waxed the Steelers to drop them to 1-2.  Wonder if they've got any footage of Cowher imitating Ray's dance?

 

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME...DO YOU REALLY WANT TO MAKE ME CRY ~ Apparently Joe Torre doesn't want to hurt Alex Rodriquez, opting instead to hide the game's richest player and reigning MVP in the 6 hole.  If that doesn't work, he could be done in NY.  Hate to admit it, but I hope that batting order proves to be a deep six for the pretty boy.  He is pretty, just ask him.

 

I'M YOUR CAPTAIN, I'M YOUR CAPTAIN...ALTHOUGH I'M FEELING MIGHT SICK ~ Torii Hunter must be feeling mighty sick these days after his unnecessary gamble cost the Twins Game 2 of the ALDS.  I found it interesting that a bottle of Captain Morgan sat upon the top ledge of Hunter's locker.  Now that's something you wouldn't see these days in the Ravens locker room.

 

THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO THAT CAN'T BE DONE ~ In November The Beatles will release their newest adventure, Love.  Love is the soundtrack  used to accompany Cirque du Soleil's Love playing currently at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Co-producer and son of The Fab's infamous producer Sir George Martin, Giles Martin promises, "a way of reliving the whole Beatles musical life span in a very condensed period." 

 

It's easy...

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Enlarge Text Decrease Text Print this Article send this article to a friend Add This bookmark facebook twitter rss

Posted On: 10/6/06

Written By:  

Tony Lombardi