Many Ravens fans are upset about the team’s decision to not host training camp at McDaniel College next summer. I opined on this topic this past Saturday in a piece entitled A Summer Tradition is no More. Even prior to committing my livelihood to covering the team, I made regular trips out to McDaniel. It became a traditional day with the boys that included an early morning round of golf, followed by lunch and then the afternoon practice, usually in sweltering conditions. Well I guess we’ll always have those memories… But back to those upset fans… I consider myself a fan as well only with a little bit more access. And it has been my experience that the Ravens usually come around to appeasing their “customers.” And while taking away a tradition hardly qualifies as appeasement, I do believe that the Ravens have some other new and exciting things in store that will offset the loss of McDaniel sojourns and replace them with new traditions. Time wil...

This week’s meltdown in Seattle seems to have pushed several fans over the edge. And on that note I present to you perhaps a long overdue edition of Letters to TL… What in the world is going on with Sergio Kindle? The Ravens pass rush has been subpar for a few games and I would think his speed off the edge would help. Jeff in Bel Air Jeff, from what I’ve been told the collateral damage from the skull fracture that Kindle suffered back in 2010 when he fell down that flight of steps in Austin, TX is a loss of hearing in his left ear. That creates problems for Kindle as it relates to pre-snap defensive adjustments. It may be that Kindle never amounts to anything more than a situational pass rusher and special teams and even that might be an optimistic outlook. For the life of me I can’t understand how the Ravens abandon the running game so quickly. Why is this team so pass happy and when will they realize how important it is to just say, “Run Ray Run”...

The Ravens appear to be the cream of the crop in the AFC. If you had to give me one weakness this team has that could keep Baltimore out of the Super Bowl, what would that be? The Ravens offensive line is a work in progress and the starters have been slow to gel, leading to inconsistencies and too often leaving Joe Flacco open to blind side hits. Left guard Ben Grubbs is struggling with turf toe and has missed three starts. Five-time Pro Bowl C Andre Gurode is a quality sub but in addition to getting acclimated with his new surroundings, he’s occupying a position that he hasn’t played in years. If this group doesn’t play better, Flacco despite his toughness (he’s taken every single snap since he’s been a Raven) might not be enough to keep his consecutive games string alive. Is this the best Ravens team under John Harbaugh? This is the Ravens best team since Harbaugh took command of the Baltimore sideline. They have more playmakers on both sides of the ...

I read your Practice Notes and after doing so I’m a bit concerned about the position of backup QB. You weren’t particularly kind to Tyrod Taylor. Is there any chance that Mark Bulger remains in Baltimore as the No. 2 behind Joe Flacco? Larry in Fallston The rumors that once swirled about Mark Bulger’s inevitable departure seemed to have calmed a bit. Now that could be attributed to the labor situation and the focus upon it. But I’ve heard that Bulger may not be Arizona’s first choice as their 2011 signal caller. Many have assumed that because Bulger, like Kurt Warner, flourished in Mike Martz’ offensive system in St. Louis. Consequently they conclude that he could be nearly as effective in Arizona as Warner once was. But those who share that opinion overlook the fact that Bulger isn’t as physically tough as Warner and Arizona doesn’t exactly protect the QB very well – second to last in the league with 50 sacks allowed. The guess h...

On our Facebook Page Ravens 247 we asked, “Have the NFL's labor issues changed your love for the game?” I thought to present more of a yes/no kind of question but after reconsidering, concluded that the open-endedness of this question might make for more interesting responses.   We’ll let you be the judge. Here are the responses that we’ve received, completely unedited…   NOTE: All names have links to that responder's personal Facebook page.   Justin Turner Love for the game? No. The players? No. The NFL? Yup Jeff Everhart Millionares Vs Billionares... If it wasn't for the billionares, the millionares wouldn't have a job. I only care about us (the FANS) thathave to pay $100+ just to see a game. In Baltimore We've seen what Angelos can do to morale Linda Tolley ‎>I still Love the game. The NFL is however a whole different story. I lost All respect for them when they allowed a certain "monster" back into the NFL a...

Yesterday I posted a Q&A inspired by recent emails. I was accused of picking out only the softball questions by loyal site visitor Richie G from Dallas. He wanted answers to the following questions instead. He asked, so I’ll deliver… Was Al Saunders ever considered as continuity replacement Cam - why not or, if considered, why was he not hired? Organizationally the team is keeping mum on follow up questions regarding Cam Cameron and they are at least publicly showing solidarity in their support of John Harbaugh’s decision to keep the offensive coordinator. No one will say what really went on behind closed doors when owner Steve Bisciotti confronted Harbaugh about the team’s lackluster offense but the guess here is that Bisciotti left that room demanding accountability. The result is as Bisciotti described, Cameron “under fire.” I believe that the lack of a new collective bargaining agreement saved Cameron’s job. It’s tough to ush...

It has been awhile since I’ve done this Q&A but recently I received several emails on a few different Ravens related topics so I thought, ok…let’s revive Letters 2 TL again! Do you think there will be a 2011 season and if so when do you think the owners and players will agree to a new collective bargaining agreement? Joe from Parkville There absolutely will be a 2011 season! From what I can tell, the owners have most of the leverage in these negotiations which from the outside looking in seem almost childishly petty so far. My guess is that the owners will make the players sweat a bit as part of an effort to weaken their union and eventually strike a new deal that will look like a win for the owners – and it will be. As for when this will happen, I think sometime after the 2011 Draft (April 28-30) and before training camp. I’ll predict more specifically a Memorial Day-ish settlement. Matt Birk is getting up in age and his effectiveness seemed to d...

  I asked the members of our Ravens247 Facebook Group to briefly state their thoughts on how they will remember Steve McNair. Here’s what they had to say, unedited and uncut…   The more details that surface about McNair's personal life, the more sadness I feel for his family. His death is a tragic loss for football as he was a hero on the field. But the details of his death have taken away from his status as a hero off the field. ~ Richard Frank   Similar to how D. Mason was playing the end of last season with just one arm, I will remember Steve persevering with incredible results despite being a " walking M*A*S*H* unit… he will be missed ~ Lawrence Plumhoff   Loved him as a Player. Not as a Playa! Catch my drift. No excuses! Didn't like the situation he was in get out. Don't cheat. One of the Ten Commandments is Thou Shalt NOT Commit Adultery. But it's OK if you’re a Superstar. Sorry T. That's why I'm not married. I ...

Right on, TL [regarding "He's no ordinary Joe]!  This guy can flat out.....play!  Imagine what he will be able to accomplish when he's got more than one wide receiver who can get open!  His composure, poise, accuracy, etc. belie the fact that he's a rookie with only 10 starts under his belt.  In fact, he plays more like a veteran than a rookie and is doing it without the benefit of a supporting cast outside of Mason.   Sunday's "beat down" merely confirmed what many of us have suspected all along - with so many injuries to so many key personnel and little in the way of "playmakers" on offense, this team is not ready for "prime time"!  However, the season has still been a success and with a legitimate QB for the first time in franchise history, the future, as "they" say, is.....looking bright!   See ya,   Jerry B   TL, You’re right on regarding Flacco.  Thi...

TL, Troy Smith should be names starter?  Why?  Did he win the competition in training camp?  Well per your site’s Ravens Quarterback Watch: Boller won, especially if looking at the last week, days 12 – 17.  But who cares about honest competition?   Joe Flacco is your starter of the future, correct?    Isn’t one of the biggest critiques of the way Boller was trained that he didn’t have the opportunity to learn from a veteran?   Well Smith is not exactly an experienced veteran now is he? Do you want to ask the teammates and fans to go through two consecutive years of braking in a new quarterback?  That is exactly what will happen if Smith starts this year.  He will go through a learning curve this year, then Flacco the same learning curve next year.  That is not fair to the Ravens players or fans.   Do you want a quarterback competition again next year?  If Smith performs O...