[Blogs] ‘Special’ Feeling Brewing In Baltimore

[BR News]

Head Coach John Harbaugh was beaming the first day players returned from the lockout.

The players were in shape despite the long layoff and the personal bond between them and the coaching staff seemed to pick up right where it left off.

It was then that Harbaugh sensed there was something unique about this year’s team. And a 3-1 start to the season has reinforced that feeling.

The Ravens stand alone atop the AFC North and have impressive wins over the Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams and New York Jets.

After Sunday’s 34-17 conquest at M&T Bank Stadium, Harbaugh stepped up to the postgame podium and tried to explain the feeling.

“I do sense something special with this defense and with this team,” he said. “I think there’s a spirit in this team that’s hard to describe and I wish I could put it in words for you.”

Two veterans who have played in more than 300 combined games – defensive end Cory Redding and center Matt Birk – helped their coach out in describing what the mood entails.

They feel it too.

Redding said it’s the unity the team feels from what has become a very tight locker room. As players have spoken to before, there are no cliques – in part because of leadership that touches each player and also because of the cornhole craze that has enveloped nearly every player.

That harmony translates to the field, where Redding said they know what motivates their teammates and can essentially flip that switch for each other.

“It’s the gel that you start to see the team form through the course of the season – when things are really clicking and guys are really trusting each other and playing as hard as they can for each other,” Redding said.

“We’re just having fun more than anything. You can do great things when you’re having fun.”

At the same time, there is a workmanlike attitude that has kept Baltimore focused on the weekly task at hand.

“It’s the way this team approaches work every day, practices and works hard,” Birk said. “This team isn’t afraid of hard work and that’s kind of the attitude of Coach [Harbaugh].”

As Birk said, it’s only October and good teams continue to get better over the course of the season.

But with the confidence the team has, there’s a devotion to do just that.

Even though the Ravens were given the whole week off for the bye, players have already been tweeting about workouts they’re doing by themselves and injured Ravens have been in the team facility getting rehab to try to make it back as soon as possible.

“We know we’re good,” Redding said. “We know we have the players, we know we have the coaching staff, we know we have the fans. We have this aura about ourselves.”

[url=http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2011/10/06/special-feeling-brewing-in-baltimore/]View the full article[/url]

[H8R]

A good attitude is contagious! Lets make it a special year, men!

[Purple_ICE 81]

our defense seems to be back to that dominant force that it was years ago. We have always had a good D but the past 2 or 3 seasons it has declined a little bit in the secondary and the d-line...but this year it has solidified, and our schedule is pretty easy this season I wouldnt be at all surprised to see us not only sweep our division...but lose 3 or less games. We got it we might not make it all the way but i betcha we make it to the afc championship!

[BigBullyDefense52]

The fans were LOUD Sunday Night! Lets make it even louder next Sunday!

[SteadyEd20]

It's our year boys

[scrock]

Can't wait for the Ravens/Texans game, BYE is good for them for rest bad for me with no Ravens football

[The Mom Gene]

I will be at the Ravens Texans game... There definitely is something brewing... and I don't think it's just in that Locker Room. It's everywhere... It's gonna be hard to take ANYTHING away from this team.

[DavidJGuyton]

cornhole craze?

[TheCityThatReeds20]

I believe tom jackson had ravens greeny bay in the spuer bowl last year. . .I think it was a year premature.

[payaso78]

The past Sunday was electrifying was awsome
somebody know what game will be wearing black uniforms?
go ravens

[Ravens in The Dena]

DavidJGuyton
Posted
A minute ago
cornhole craze?-- The players have Cornhole/Bagoo tournaments every day before and after practices. We not only have a great team to cheer for, but the Ravens Organization is truly a Family, and they embrace us fans like no other. Proud to have such a great team/ oraganization to root for

[Ravens in The Dena]

Posted
A minute ago
The past Sunday was electrifying was awsome
somebody know what game will be wearing black uniforms?
go ravens------- Thanksgiving night against San Fran

[rav3nfan]

If I'm not mistaken, it's corn toss, bean bag, bean toss.

[Raven4Life21]

I felt the same aura while tailgating before the Jets game... everybody is smiling and having a good time... there were minimal fights that i saw at the game... it just felt like there was something in the air... it feels good.. REAL good! Let's keep it up fellas!

[samiam6611]

Keep bringing the heat Pagano!!!

[The Greek]

keep these guys grounded coaches, dont let them get cocky

[Ravenskill88]

It is early but I am honestly not very scared of our AFC competition. The Steelers are appearing to be done.. I do not see them beating us this year again. The Colts are done without Manning. I am not scared of the Pats.. I know they are scared of us. We destoyed them a few years ago with a less talented and less aggressive defense, we will kill them now, plus they have no defense. The Jets well we already destroyed them it was no contest. The Texans, Titans, and Chargers are the only teams that worry me. Although Rivers chokes in the big games. Texans always fall apart at the end of the season as well. I am really curious how our Texans match up will go.. I would like a Tenn rematch as well but I guess we may see that in the playoffs.

[RavenFanatic1327]

harbaugh keeps coaching, cam keeps calling good plays,pagano keeps calling good plays.all of the positional coaches keep doing a excellent job.were gonna be on our way to a superbowl

[RexGdubb]

The ravens neva become complacent!The coaches will do a good job of doin that including the front office.We are 1 of the best organizations from top 2 the bottom!

[ElginDavid]

Coach Pagano will leave Ravens next season for Miami job opening....NEXT COACH UP??????

[Legendary Ravens]

I have that same feeling. In the immortal words of the great thespian and Godfather of Soul JAMES BROWN, "Brotha if you got your Soul, you got to feel this"

[TheBigPurpleBird]

@Ravenskill88 I agree with you on the concerns, Texans concern me as well as the Bolts. I wish Andre was healthy for this next game as I would rather see how we stack up now, and have a clear insight for what to expect in the playoffs, rather than be surprised then...I am concerned about the Pats though, they got a poor D but Brady is playing out of his mind right now and he can torch an over aggressive D. If you look at Tennesse, Hassleback had our number and we couldn't get pressure, they got VERY lucky with a bunch of the deep routes but our O couldn't answer like we needed too. Pats can do the same thing, and I am sure we are going to see them in the playoffs. Our D is playing out of its mind right now though, and once Carr and Smith are healthy, its going to improve even more....Smith needs some game time though so he can get used to the speed of the game, its pretty obvious when he plays that his coverage is solid, but he is a 1/2 second off on making a big play and he is still getting thrown at when/if in college, QB's wouldn't dare throw at him with the exact same coverage. Just saying he has to prepare himself for the NFL and he isn't quite there yet. (He is still better than most CB's in the NFL right now though)

[Ngata_loser]

Let's continue to establish the run to set up the pass...and we'll be on our way to a championship.

[TheBigPurpleBird]

Thought I would add another note, I like the CB we stole from Dallas, they need their head examined, not only is this guy going to be a starter on KR's and PR's, but I bet he is contributing on our nickle packages as well by Dec. I also got money that says he is going to take one to the house on a return this year, any takers?

[The Black Bird]

Superbowl baby!!!!!. We don't have to deal with Manning and the steelers are banged up. Let's go.

[bmorefan444]

Keep working and getting better. This team is good, but they can still get a lot better if they work at it.

[jrs034]

starting to remind me of 2000 keep it up

[FM751]

The Colts have proven with their 0-4 record that they are nothing without Payton Manning. I would be shocked to see them win 6 games this year. The Steelers are going to be hard pressed to make the play-offs with an aging team, a lot of injuries, and a weak offensive line.

[Lightlock]

I'm sure I'm not the only one enjoying the way we're able to cycle out players play after play to keep them fresh. It's a luxury to have this many healthy and talented players available to keep that kind of thing going, so here's hoping everybody comes back from the break 100% and stays up for the rest of the season.

[RabidRavensfan]

I'm feeling it too, it's contagious. Maybe I should see a doctor. But seriously, there is something special happening on the field and it can be sensed by everyone in the media, the stands and in the country. I can hear the boots just a shakin from the teams in line to face this SCARY D. Go Ravens!!!!!