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GRAPEVINE - RAVENS & NFL NEWS & RUMORS

An end zone allergy? (Photo by Ravensfan1996)

Posted On: 9/20/06

Written By:

Tony Lombardi

As mentioned in my blog yesterday, Sunday�s game is a pivotal one for the Ravens. Win and it sets them up extremely well for the foreseeable future. Lose and they�ve really answered nothing. The questions that the team needed to address will still remain and nearly all of those questions will be centered on the offense.

The Ravens haven�t exactly been an offensive machine in Cleveland over the last two seasons. In fact, they haven�t scored an offensive touchdown there since 2003.

Some folks have taken exception to the grade that I gave to Steve McNair following Sunday�s game. The grade I handed out to the Ravens� offensive leader was the same grade that Derrick Mason gave the entire offense � �F.� My question to those that disagree with the grade (and all are certainly entitled to question it): If Kyle Boller had turned in that performance, would he be deserving of an F?

This week in his Monday morning QB column, SI�s Peter King gave out awards as he normally does. His Defensive Player of the Week for week 2 was Packers� DE Aaron Kampman. Kampman had 4 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 QB hurry, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. King goes on to say that he could have given the award to the Eagles� Trent Cole or to Ed Reed?

Huh?

In NFL.com�s GAMEBOOK, Reed doesn�t have one single statistic. Now I realize that his objective on Sunday was to play centerfield and bracket Randy Moss over the top. But Reed isn�t credited with one single stat � no tackles, no passes defended, no nothing.

Hey Pete, what about AD? The man had 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 1 pass defended, 1 interception and a safety in a winning effort dominated by the Ravens defense! In case you didn�t notice, the Packers lost 34-27 at home � not exactly a memorable day for the Pack.

While I�m beating up on Pete and keeping in mind I actually enjoy his work, he goes on to say that a Chargers v. Bears Super Bowl is looking mighty enticing. Given Pete�s track record in the prediction department, folks in San Diego and Chicago can officially cancel their travel plans to Miami in February. It ain�t gonna happen!

Billy Volek got his wish yesterday when he was traded to the San Diego Chargers. "He's awfully enthusiastic about joining a team with the quality that the Chargers represent," said his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. "This is a nice opportunity for Billy to go to a team that is playing very well right now, and has a need for a veteran quarterback." It�s also a great way to go from 0-2 to 2-0 overnight. The price for Volek�s services is a sixth round pick that could climb to a fifth if Volek participates in 50% of the Chargers� offensive plays this season.

Back to Cleveland, Kellen Winslow is stirring the pot again although this time it isn�t with a crotch rocket�instead he�s talking out of the other end. "Some of the coaches might be holding us back a little bit," Winslow said. "We have nothing to lose. I don't mean to try and go behind their backs or whatever, but we're 0-2, we have nothing to lose, let's go. Let's air it out. Let's run the ball. Let's make plays. Let's be exciting."

Cleveland? Exciting? Is that possible?

Winslow later said that he spoke with head coach Romeo Crennel about not being used more and for being taken out during certain third down offensive packages. "[Romeo] said he'll take care of it," Winslow said, "so I'm pretty sure it's going to be taken care of." This one should be interesting to watch. Winslow as offensive coordinator�wonder how Maurice Carthon will handle this if he�s force fed Winslow�s demands.

While watching the Jaguars v. Steelers on Monday Night, it was pretty obvious that Troy Polamalu�s shoulder is causing him some problems. The physical All-Pro plays with reckless abandon but this shoulder could be a season long issue given his style of play. He missed at least three tackles on Monday. Polamalu will likely try to play through it but playing through it and performing at his usual level particularly when supporting the run are two different things. Keep an eye on this situation.

Seattle kicker Josh Brown�s field goal attempt which was blocked by the Cardinals this week barely lifted three feet off the ground. It was the third FGA blocked by a Seahawks� opponent this season. "I don't want all our field goals to wind up on the Discovery station as one of the adventures of all time," coach Mike Holmgren said. "We have got to fix that."

In other kicker developments, the 46-year-old Morten Andersen was signed by the Atlanta Falcons to take the load off Falcons all purpose kicker Michael Koenen. Watching Koenen attempting to get the ball through the uprights was reminiscent of watching Charles Barkley trying to hit fairways in Celebrity golf outings.

How much do you appreciate Matt Stover? With the Ravens red zone inefficiencies, his accuracy is vital to the Ravens� success. Stover's current streak of 26 consecutive field goals is a career best for the highly dependable kicker.

�An offense with an allergy to the end zone. A league-leading defense that won't allow a touchdown. This must be encoded in the Baltimore Ravens' genes.� That�s from USA Today�s Larry Weismann.