salamander

I would pay (not much, but maybe $10-$20) to see an interview with Jim McNally. Forget Tom Brady. McNally has been suspended indefinitely by the Patriots; pay the man $50,000 for a tell all interview and I bet he spills more than we can imagine. He seems just like the type of blabber-mouth I would never want involved in my conspiracy. Put a spot light on him. Make him feel like a star. He's worked for the team for decades I doubt this is the first time he has cheated for them.

You are spot on. However, it is very likely that someone in the Pats organization will, or already has, paid the fired employees an even bigger fortune to keep their mouths clamped shut. Even a ton of money would be a drop in the bucket to the Pats and be worth every penny to buy lies the NFL won't be able to dismantle with more denials or silence. You are right though. The fired employees are the key to spilling the beans.  The Pats could very well attempt to slam the door shut with a shady deal, if they haven't done so already. 

My expectations are high for this year. However, I have some concern about how quickly all the pieces can fall into place, new OC, new players, etc... Just want us to work out a lot of the inevitable kinks in the off season. Start opening day smoking hot and ignite on fire throughout the season. Get to work guys and lets be ready to dominate on offense.

Even if Pitta comes back better and healthier than ever, I know I will be nervous every time he gets the ball, hoping Dennis doesn't go down with an injury. Broke my heart to watch him collapse with the second injury. Seems like Pitta is clear on trying to come back. I support Pitta in whatever decisions he makes. Good luck Dennis. With you all the way and wishing you continued health.

Awesome, salamander, I couldn't have said it better myself!

Back at ya Maniac. Your posts on Deflategate are excellent. I just hope Goodell doesn't cave in to the bully tactics and phony indignation.

I hope Kraft keeps up his aggressive outlandish posturing to drive a permanent wedge between Kraft and Goodell. The best chance of Goodell holding firm with the warranted disciplinary actions is if Goodell is finally fed up Kraft's self righteous blustering. I hope Goodell's buddy buddy days are over with Kraft knowing that their personal relationship is beyond repair. Stick to your guns Goodell.

Baltimore has been wishing for a dominant offense for so many years but has always been a few pieces short. For the first time, I am feeling that the Ravens may just be a real force to be reckoned with on offense. Too early to count my chickens yet but I feel optimistic enough to have a pack of Depends near by in case I can't contain myself come game times this year.

Would be a real hoot if Pats fans dumb enough to donate their money to super rich Kraft would wake up one morning and find that the website and funds simply vanished in to thin air, along with the die hard fan who suckered them out of their hard earned dollars. The rest of the nation would enjoy a good chuckle.

I understand the revolving door realities of the NFL. In my childhood, it was great to follow "our guys" year after year. Always a bit sad to say good bye to some of my favorite players so damn often. I am all for the salary cap so I know all I can do is shake my head as another 1 follows the money........so thanks again Webb for taking less $ to stay with your Ravens family...that's a rare but appreciated gesture of loyalty.

I am very curious to see how Camp develops and I hope we don't give up on him too soon or allow somebody else to pick him up for a song. Camp seems to be the kind shifty, tough smaller guy who could potentially give our opponents a real headache. My fear is that we let Camp move on elsewhere and he goes on to become a viable Welker type weapon for another team. Man, that would sting.

Whew. Good thing you didn't make the mistake of being a Pats or Brady fan Vanessa. I must say Vanessa, you have marvelous taste in your choice of the Ravens and Reed to immortalize.

Every time I watch another 1 of the interview replays of Brady's smug, smirking and condescending attitude in response to the illegal substitutions or Deflategate, I am astonished. Brady's delusional sense of entitlement to bold face lie is truly astounding but certainly won't win him any Oscar's....especially now that he is exposed.

No point in waiting for humble apologies from anyone in the Pats camp. Brace yourselves for another round of righteous indignation and/or whining that they are the victims of a witch hunt. Nice to see Brady at least knocked off of his pedestal. Problem with Brady is not that he needed to read the rule book. No, he read it alright. He just got caught defying it.

Maybe if we put the statue at another entrance???

 

I mean, the O's have the jersey numbers in one place at Camden Yards, but we have to realize there is a "qualifier"...  or you're gonna have statues everywhere around the stadium.  And I think we can, just maybe not out front there.  People can see the different players all the way around the stadium, maybe.

 

We requested Ray's statue be placed there from the Unitas family, I believe.  And they were honored.  Not sure we should crowd up that section of the stadium entrance....  Just my opinion.

I agree Mom. Plenty of options for other places besides the stadium entrance. Other statues could be additional points of interest, aesthetically pleasing and pay tribute to our growing Ravens history.  Love it. I'm in. 

Unitas and Lewis are franchise defining players. When you mention the Colts, the majority of fans in and out of Baltimore would cite Unitas as the player that they feel best represented the Baltimore Colts. Surely there will be those commenters who disagree but in reality we know its Unitas. Same is true for Lewis. For the Baltimore Ravens Lewis is the defining player. Was Ogden, Reed and others great players for Baltimore, absolutely, but once again, when defining the Ravens, most people would cite Lewis as that player. That is old school and that is new school. These are the two players who best represent the old and the new and there needs to be NO MORE STATUES. 2 teams, Ravens and Colts, 2 defining players, Unitas and Lewis.

You do make a very good point. However, I see it a bit differently. Yes, I agree that both Unitas and Lewis are the most iconic players for the Colts and the Ravens but the success of the franchises was also due to other great players who contributed to our team victories and team history. Since this is a team sport, I don't see a need to limit the statues or choose 1 player to represent the team at the exclusion of other iconic players. I think adding sculptures could be a great tribute to our Ravens history rather than detract from the accomplishments of Lewis or Unitas. The front office can determine who, what and where but I am all for honoring some other legendary players.

Oh, and by the way, I am glad Ed spoke up that discipline should come down on Brady for Deflategate.... while showing the infamous clip of Brady's deliberate raised leg aiming for Ed's crotch.

A statue of Ed Reed outside of M&T? Why not? Ed was being gracious by responding, "It isn't up to Him". It doesn't mean Ed would not be touched if the Ravens chose to honor him with a statue. Open the debate about who else to include? The front office can certainly figure it out. Last time I looked, there was plenty of room outside of M&T and the statues only add another point of interest and pride.

I love to see the guys from smaller schools get their shot in the NFL. Those smaller school players do not get the hype and exposure that benefit the big school players. I just hope that Walker has a massive chip on his shoulder to motivate him to put in the intensive work needed to prove himself and earn a spot. Good luck Walker. Rooting for you all the way

Although I would not want to help the Steelers have an advantage which could give them another win in the division, I believe Brady being suspended is the bigger issue. Never thought I would see the day or circumstance that I would ever deviate an inch in the pleasure of any opportunity or factor to watch the Steelers go down, but I don't see any way around facing meaningful consequences to Brady that don't involve a much deserved suspension. Like other player disciplinary suspensions in the league, the punishment of suspension starts with the next game on the schedule. What lousy timing, huh? Steelers must be celebrating at their possible good fortune in all this mess.

The entire Wells report was over 200 pages…. Are you sure you read the WHOLE thing lol?

Yes. I read the whole thing. Interesting read actually.

When I saw the Top 100 show last night and Joe popped on the screen at 97, I reacted with a very irritated "No Way". It's a good thing that Joe is so chill and doesn't care too much what others think about him. I hope Joe is lights out next year. Joe is certainly worthy of more respect from his fellow players as well as the media.

Read the entire Wells report last night. Brady was far more directly involved than I thought the NFL would ever end up concluding...or maybe admitting. Wells exposed Brady as a liar as well as a cheater. Kudos to the Wells investigation for being fair and impartial. Now I want the NFL to bring down the hammer on the Golden Boy with the same force others have gotten for a lot less.

Nothing in football was more exciting than watching Ed Reed intercept a pass but it was the run back afterwards that took the play over the top. As soon as Ed came down with a ball, I knew something crazy could be coming next....the high risk laterals, street ball in the NFL. Ed brought a unique level of dynamic play, and I loved every minute of panic when Ed would start running those interceptions back. Thanks Ed for every panic attack I ever experienced watching you play.

After reading the actual Wells Report I can understand better how long this may have been going on. Texts and references to deflating footballs are mentioned in May 2014 before the season even started and probably longggg before that. All the hoopla about the unusual circumstance where McNally went into a locked bathroom makes sense with additional disclosures. The refs say there is an approximate 20 minute window of opportunity every game to tamper with the footballs when the refs do field warm ups. On any given day, a staffer could potentially deflate the balls in the relative privacy of the refs locker room. The difference necessitating sneaking the footballs into a locked bathroom on this particular day is this....the locker room area for the refs where the approved footballs are kept had a crowd in there the night of the Colts game watching the end of the other playoff game. There was no privacy, as is the norm for an opportunity.

       So, were the footballs likely deflated during the Ravens playoff game, as well as other regular season games? You betcha.  One of the staffer's biggest paydays was just before the Raven's game with Brady giving him signed jersey, etc. The RAVENS game is the game where the outcome could have been influenced. We will never know the answer to that question. I don't want to wonder if a level playing field could have made a difference. Cheaters and liars have no place in his game. I am  disgusted with Brady for being such a smug entitled liar as well as a cheater   

Such a great experience to watch Ed all of these years. The excitement Ed brought to the game roaming the outfield and watching him and Ray psyching each other up are memories burned deep in my brain and heart. Love ya Ed. Canton awaits.

Hey Grapple, up to page 27 now and my jaw is still on the floor. This report has exposed Brady as a blatant liar. The standard of the preponderance of the evidence, more likely true than not, allows Wells to string it all together. The Pats legal team responded like jerks and are exposed as well for contradicting the statements that the Pats were expected to aid the investigation, not be a blockage to get to the truth of the matter. Wells is taking no prisoners so far. If the NFL doesn't come down hard I am going to be mad. Could not be more clear that Brady is due some heavy consequences himself beyond the staffers. Brady is front and center in all that went down.