THE GRAPEVINE: THE BUZZ AROUND OWINGS MILLS & THE NFL

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GRAPEVINE - THE GRAPEVINE: THE BUZZ AROUND OWINGS MILLS & THE NFL

Who might be willing to step up big for AD's services?

Posted On: 12/27/06

Written By:

Tony Lombardi

THE GRAPEVINE: THE BUZZ AROUND OWINGS MILLS & THE NFL

* Back during the 2000 season, the Ravens adopted the mantra “If we win, we’re in” as they closed in on a playoff berth towards the end of that campaign. This week the mantra could be, “If we win, we’re on vacation.” Word coming out of Owings Mills is that Brian Billick will give his team off until next Saturday should they win on Sunday. A similar approach to the down time has worked for the Ravens after their bye during Week 7 and then again during the 10 day span between games with the Bengals and Chiefs (11/30 to 12/10).

* Speaking of the Bengals, a team that the Ravens have struggled with in recent years, they will need help in order to gain an invite to the post season dance. In order to make the playoffs Cincinnati will have to beat a prideful Steelers team in the Queen City and they will need the Jets to lose to the visiting Raiders or the Broncos to lose in Denver to the 49ers while the Chiefs beat the Jaguars in KC. No truth to the rumors that Art Shell and Al Davis have been receiving flowers, candy and designer eye patches from Marvin Lewis.

* That sound of feet hitting the streets from a slightly elevated position is the sound of fans and media pundits jumping off the Cowboys bandwagon after their Christmas Night gift to Philadelphia. The leap of limited faith might even include a couple of Cowboys.

"It's not necessarily embarrassing that we lost to [the Eagles]," T.O. said. "I was embarrassed by the way we played offensively."

Receiving side kick Terry Glenn added, "I don't think we're trying to win; no, not on offense. You have to execute and get everybody involved. I try not to let it get to me. Man, I've been fighting it all year. I'm trying to be a team player, but there's no reason for it. No reason for it.

"I'm not alone. The whole offense is frustrated," Glenn said. "They are looking around saying, 'Why can't we do anything when we have all these weapons?' "

* Everybody say “AHHHHHHHH”: The following teams have already picked up their coats and have checked out for the season -- at least mathematically: Arizona, Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, Oakland, Miami, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay and Washington have all been eliminated from playoff contention. Breaks your heart, doesn’t it?

* Nobody asked me but here’s how I see the AFC playoffs shaking out: Denver goes into New England where the Patriots get even. The Colts will host the Jets where Eric Mangini’s Cinderella Story ends. That will send the Patriots to San Diego and the Colts to Baltimore resulting in an AFC Championship game here at The Vault where the Ravens will host Tom Brady & Co.

* Back in 1990 the NFL adopted the 12-team playoff format. Since that time, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds have been very successful going a combined 51-13 after a first round bye. Bring your “A” game on Sunday Baltimore. A message to the 12th man -- there’s no reason not to let it all hang out this week! And all of you not so motivated seat occupiers that get your panties in a twist when someone stands up to cheer in front of you, get over yourself. Better yet, join the fun. You just might like it.

* "It's disappointing that it ended here at this field, our opportunity," Steelers coach Bill Cowher said after his team was exposed a second time this season by the Ravens. "What we have to do right now is go to Cincinnati, and we have to do everything we can to finish on a winning note."

Is that the sound of a coach focused on ending the season on an upnote or a career on an upnote? Cowher plans to let folks in on his personal agenda upon the conclusion of the season. It’s beginning to sound more and more like he won’t be back. That would be a loss for the NFL and certainly a blow to the Steelers but if he does go that route and he does move to North Carolina as some expect, don’t be surprised if the Redskins and/or the Panthers come knocking on his door bearing gifts after the ‘07 season should those franchises continue their recent struggles.

* "It definitely wasn't our expectation at the beginning of the season," inside linebacker Larry Foote said of finishing with an 8-8 record, "but that's our goal right now." And if Foote and his mates are successful, the only winning record out of the AFC North will be that of your Baltimore Ravens.

* Poor, poor pitiful us? The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kevin Goheen recently wrote: “The Bengals knew they faced a daunting challenge when their schedule came out last spring and that has been a factor in their 8-7 record with one game remaining in the regular season.

“Cincinnati is 3-5 against teams that currently own winning records, including Sunday's 24-23 loss at Denver. The Bengals and New York Giants came into the season having to play against teams that went a combined 139-177 last season, a .543 winning percentage, the toughest strength of schedule percentage in the NFL.”

I think Goheen skipped math class. Can someone get him a tissue and a calculator?

* Is it just me or did Steve Young look a bit glassy-eyed during ESPN’s telecast of the Jets @ Dolphins? Too much eggnog there No. 8? Later during the telecast, Young joined the MNF crew in the booth and one of their topics was Dolphins’ injured QB Daunte Culpepper. Young chastised the former Viking by saying that he needs a stronger work ethic and he needs to stop skipping team meetings. Culpepper watched the game from his suite at Dolphins Stadium and heard Young’s statements. He then made his way to the broadcasting booth to confront Young.

Young eventually emerged from the booth and the two talked for several minutes with Joe Theismann standing nearby. The discussion was described as diplomatic and ended with Young tucking his tail between his legs.

''I made the mistake of not calling Daunte himself,'' Young said afterward. ``He was doing rehab, he was doing all kinds of other things. He tells me he wasn't [missing meetings]. He looked me straight in the eye. Joe [Theismann] is going to fix it on the air for me.''

What ESPN should fix is there studio show. Chris Berman’s act is old and Michael Irvin is too often a babbling fool who can’t be objective.

* So come on and let us know…will you stay or will you go? The coaching carousel will soon begin and it could get a jump start from Dolphins’ head coach Nick Saban. It’s no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide covets Saban’s services but for now, at least publicly, Saban is denying any interest. Forgive me though for reading between the lines but Saban’s recent statements about missing the teaching aspects of college and his semi-joking remarks about his job being in jeopardy given the expectations of the Dolphins and their underachieving record, leaves me to believe that there are legs developing with this story. Where there’s smoke…

* Speaking of staying or going, are the networks over marketing Brett Favre and the hapless Packers these days or what? Last game at Lambeau…last game v. the rival Bears…last game of his career? Sorry but count me among those who expect No. 4 to return in ‘07.

* From No. 4 to No. 3: Remember Patrick Ramsey? You know that former first round QB who was supposed to jump start his career with a change in scenery. Recently Ramsey was demoted to No. 3 on the Jets’ depth chart. The buzz is that Mangini wants the move to be a wake up call for the former Redskin. Sorry there Eric but Ramsey hasn’t awoken since the 2002 NFL Draft. It might soon be time to take a No. 2 on this No. 3.

* Word is that the Ravens and representatives of Adalius Thomas have engaged in very casual discussions about AD’s future. Clearly the Ravens want to bring back the Pro Bowler but don’t expect sentimental value to force Ozzie Newsome to stray from his policy of “right player, right price.” And that price will be set by a market that will have more cap space in ‘07. Among the teams with ample space will be the San Francisco 49ers. The Niners have made strides this season and AD could find the Bay Area as a welcoming destination. San Francisco has roughly $40 million of cap wiggle room to play with and don’t forget, AD is very familiar with the NFL’s sharp dressed man and Niners head coach Mike Nolan.

* "Our scouts did a great job. Obviously there was some panic mode come draft time, because you can't assume a fifth-rounder is going to start. But he's not your typical fifth-round guy. He's very poised, and he's a big hitter. Alongside Ed Reed, we have two guys … who can stroke you." That’s Rex Ryan on promising rookie Dawan Landry.

* For the fourth time in six games, the Ravens’ defense held their opponent to a third down conversion percentage of less than 20 percent. This week the Steelers were held to 4.3% (2 of 14); the Falcons were just 2 of 11 for an 18.2% success rate; the Ravens pitched a shutout against the Browns (0 for 11) and in the first meeting with the Steelers, the Ravens held Roethlisberger & Co. to a conversion rate of 8.3% (1 of 12). On the season the Ravens kept Pittsburgh in check on third down 89% of the time.

GET OFF THE FIELD!