HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BABY…GOT YOU ON MY MIND ~ The Baltimore Ravens close the book on the 10th-year celebration of their arrival in Baltimore with a return to the city of their origin – Cleveland, Ohio – to play the Browns on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006, at 1 PM. 

Ten years ago, Baltimore fans voted on naming the newly arrived team, the “Ravens,” in a Baltimore Sun telephone poll that was announced on March 29, 1996. It was only fitting that fans would again be involved in voting for the Top 10 in each of the favorite Ravens’ categories.

The Ravens’ 10-year celebration was launched last spring on an interactive website where fans could vote on their Top 10 favorites in a number of categories, the most prominent categories being the Top 10 players, plays and moments.

The No.1-ranked player, play and moment, included:

Player: Ray Lewis

Play: RB Jamal Lewis’ 82-yard TD run vs. Cleveland on 9/14/03, which was a team record (longest TD rush from scrimmage), leading to his NFL rushing record of 295 yards rushing in the game 

Moment: Super Bowl XXXV 34-7 victory over the N.Y. Giants 

The No. 1 quote went to Brian Billick, whose words were spoken after the divisional playoff victory at the Titans in 2001: “When you go into a lion’s den, you don’t tiptoe in. You carry a spear. You go in screaming like a banshee and say, ‘Where is the son of a bitch?’”

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL, THEIR FATHER’S HELL…DID SLOWLY GO BY ~ "Parents, hug your kids every chance you get.  Tell them you love them every chance you get because you don't know when it's going to be the last time." That’s Tony Dungy, showing remarkable restraint and composure after burying his eldest son, James, on Tuesday in Lutz, Fla.  Dungy, certainly guided and strengthened by a strong faith and spiritual convictions, lovingly recalled his 18-year-old son who died in an apparent suicide last week as a "mama's boy" with a "compassionate heart."  

OK..JUST A LITTLE PINPRICK…THERE’LL BE NO MORE AAAAAAAAAAAAAH…BUT YOU MAY FEEL A LITTLE SICK ~ In a story published by the New York Times, the national spokesperson for Viagra had this to say about his continuing steroid scandal: "I wish I could pinpoint exactly what happened.  I would think it was the B-12. I'm not certain of that; I can't prove it.  I wish I could have turned in the vial for testing but when I found out, it was long gone and I couldn't come up with it. If something happened that I'm not aware of, an intentional act by someone else, I don't know. I can't rule out anything."  Rafael Palmeiro also told the Times that he blames no one but himself for what happened.

"I'm going to take the responsibility, me being careless and taking something I wasn't knowing if it was clean, having full trust in what I was getting. It was careless, stupid, naive of me to think it was safe."

Hey Raffy, maybe if you pinpoint the pinpoint, you’ll have your answer.  But anyway, thanks for this riveting disclosure.  We all feel better now about the years of lying, deceipt, cheating and lack of clutch hitting.  By the way, The Gin Mill’s softball team is looking for a new first baseman in case you are interested.  But they say it’s BYOB-12.

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY….MONEY ~ Peter King astutely observed that , “The salaries of the top six hitters in the 2006 New York Yankees batting order: 1. Johnny Damon CF $13 million 2. Derek Jeter SS $19 million 3. Alex Rodriguez 3B $21 million 4. Gary Sheffield RF $13 million 5. Hideki Matsui LF $13 million 6. Jason Giambi 1B $17 million.  The 24-man roster of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox, plus the manager, coaching staff and general manager, did not earn as much as the $96 million these six players will make this year.”

AND I DON’T INTEND…ON LOSING AGAIN ~ "We have an ongoing and extensive process to find ways to win. This included a thorough evaluation of Brian Billick.  Collectively, we concluded that continuing with Brian as head coach gives us the best opportunity to win."  That’s Ravens’ owner Steve Bisciotti.

WHAT YOU WANT…BABY I’VE GOT IT…WHAT YOU NEED…YOU KNOW I’VE GOT IT ~ When Bart Scott was asked to explain the significance of Steve Bisciotti addressing the team Wednesday morning, he said, "That just shows the great respect that he has for us, and it's respect back to him. We have tremendous respect for him, because he does things out of the box. He does things that other owners don't do. That makes you feel important, that he's man enough to come to us and tell us how it is, instead of hearing it on the news or flashing on the bottom of ESPN or having one of our siblings or parents or friends call us and tell us what's happening, and we're supposed to be the ones closest to the situation. We respect that he lets us be the first one to find out about our future."

BURNITZ BABY BURN…BURN THAT MOTHER DOWN ~ Mike “Rip Van Winkle” Flanagan awoke from his long winter’s nap and decided to get out his pen.  Word is the O’s pending a physical and a few minor contract details will sign Jeremy Burnitz to a two year $12 million deal.  The 36 year old Burnitz hit .258 with 24 homers and 87 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs last season and is said to be an above average outfielder.  Why does this team even bother?  It’s pretty funny how they chase a player down for years and then the player finally relents when he willingly accepts the Orioles’ overspending.  With that in mind, Kevin Millwood should be ready for Spring Training in Ft. Lauderdale in 2011.

HEY JOE, WHERE YOU GOIN’ WITH THAT GUN IN YOUR HAND? ~ The USA Today has posted their 2005 All Joe Team, awarded annually to those lunch pale, team oriented, unsung types, two of which are Ravens.  First there’s Kelly Gregg described as a “Fireplug with legs who uses that physique to leverage well against the run.”  And then there’s the Ravens MVP Adalius Thomas who the USA praises for his versatility.

YOU GOT ME UNDER PRESSURE ~ Word is the Browns think Kyle Boller is now for real if he gets time to set up in the pocket.  However they are convinced that they can force him into the same mistakes Ravens fans have been accustomed to if they can get some pressure on him.  Gee, what a cutting edge innovation.

YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME…BABY…YOU DROPPED A BOMB ON ME ~ During the Browns Steelers game on Christmas Eve, a fan ran out of the stands onto the field.  Browns linebacker Kenard Lang said the first thing he thought of was the man might be a suicide bomber.  Not Steelers' James Harrison.  The former Raven in a form that the WWE would be proud of, slammed the unsuspecting fan to the ground but refrained from delivering the deathly cannonball knee.

ALL THE LEAVES ARE BROWN…AND THE SKY IS GREY ~ Here are some Brownie Bites: The Cleveland chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America voted Reuben Droughns as the Browns' Player of the Year.

Center Jeff Faine, whose right biceps was torn Dec. 18 at Oakland, has been told he should be 100 percent by April 1.

The Browns are winless against AFC North opponents this season and they are down to their last chance at winning a division game in 2005-06.  They have never gone winless in their division, not even during the expansion season of 1999.

While the Browns are looking for their first division win, the Ravens are looking for their first win on the road this season and their first since November 14, 2004 against the New York Jets. According to Brian Billick, "Something's got to give, I guess."

Well, it could end in a tie, right?

I NEED A LOVE TO KEEP ME HAPPY…BABY WON’T YOU KEEP ME HAPPY ~ When the news filtered down that Brian Billick would return, Kyle Boller must have been elated that his step-dad…uh, I mean his biggest supporter would be returning.  "I'm excited. Brian has been behind me through everything, when a lot of coaches would have given up on me," Boller said. "It's a great move by the organization."

Not so fast Kyle.  Coach hasn’t exactly given any indication that you are still his man for the 2006 campaign.

DON’T KICK DON’T BITE DON’T SLEEP AT NIGHT IT’S SHAKE A LEG…SHAKE A LEG…SHAKE IT ~ Looks like B.J. Sams (lower leg) will give it a go this Sunday.  He practiced and is expected to start after missing Sunday's game.  Hey, how about letting Deion try a couple of punts on Sunday? 

HEAD GAMES…THAT’S ALL I GET FROM YOU HEAD GAME…AND I CAN’T PLAY THEM ANYMORE ~ SI’s Don Banks had this to say recently about the Green Bay Gunslinger whose “bullets” have been off the mark often this season: “I know he's a living legend and all, but 28 picks in 15 games for Brett Favre and he still gets a free pass (no pun intended). Trent Dilfer wouldn't get the same treatment, and they both have earned exactly one Super Bowl ring. Just an observation, Cheeseheads. Don't try me on charges of treason and slander.”  Comparing Favre to Dilfer is like comparing Jerry Rice to Travis Taylor.

Banks goes on to say that, “The only way Norv Turner survives in Oakland is if owner Al Davis can't get anyone to take the Raiders coaching job. And don't worry, he'll find someone. He could always give Jim Fassel a call.”  And I bet Fassel answers that call too!  FYI, the Ravens host the Raiders next season.