[News] Late For Work 8/11: Remember What Happened Last Time A Player Retired Like This?

[sami]

Theres a big difference between running for a stopwatch and running with a football in ur hands and the goaline insight. Some players have football speed which makes them faster than when they are on a running track. I think Waller is one of those.

As for Joe Flacco getting into the hall of fame....he cant even get onto a pro bowl team (I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it).

Edited August 11, 2015 by sami

[ken_j]

I think Brian Billick should go into the Raven's Ring of Honor. He had an 80-64-0 win-loss record, an AFC Championship, a Super Bowl Championship with no true franchise QB and an average (at best) offense. Seven of his assistants became Head Coaches and 4 are still in Head Coaching positions. If you listen to Billick's comments on TV, it is clear that Brian Billick is a Baltimore Raven through and through.

[MichaelJ34]

Cam newtons scuffle and they think SSS was the distraction? LOl ok so what is th distraction now Carolina? And as of about 40 minutes ago another event in the Jets locker room gets Geno knocked out with a broken jaw. I am so glad we have leadership & coaching

[RavensBaltimore]

Not to be a stick in the mud, but if anyone is playing HARDER and practicing MORE INTENSELY or STUDYING MORE FILM since Smith is retiring, then we have a problem here. One would think, with the money they make and the small window they are offered to win the Super Bowl, that everyone should have been all in before Smith announced his retirement.

I agree with everything you said, but there seems to be some type of intangible affect when players have some type of extra sentiment to rally around. No one is actually going to work harder or physically do anything different because of it, but it seems to strengthen the team's bond and help players stay in the mindset of playing for one another and not just themselves. Not that the Ravens don't do that already, but this just gives them one more thing that the whole team can get behind and believe in, and that's probably a good thing.

[runcontrol]

The Colts would be a terrible bet. Last year, they won an easy division, beat an injury depleted Bengals team, led by Andy Dalton, then beat a broken down Peyton Manning who couldn't get anything on his throws, then got embarrassed by the only healthy team they faced, showing that they didn't belong there. I'm not sure they fixed their defense, and Luck turned it over a lot last year when asked to carry the team. We have a much better defense, a much better run game, a much better postseason qb, and if our young WRs/TEs can make a quick impact, our offense could be at least as good as theirs overall. Yet their odds are 3.25/1 and ours are 11/1? That shows you how brainwashed people are by media hype.

 

Proof that the media is buying into the fantasy hype of the Colts.  Luck, Hilton, Gore and Johnson are seen as fantasy football stars, so to have all four on a real  team must mean the team will be great.  I am so sick of hearing about how Luck is the next elite qb.  The guy has yet to post a 62 comp% and he usually has too many interceptions.  Sure he throws for a lot of yds and tds when all his receivers are healthy(his numbers dropped when Wayne missed half of 2013). But until last season his comp% was been terrible. If Gore still has something left in the tank and the Colts use him enough they have the ability to be a scary team.  Their one downfall will be their defense.  

[Bohica5]

Joe's not going to the Hall until he can Consistently beat teams that he is suppose to beat! Until then keep dreaming dude.....and get consistent!!

[Jerome C]

Wow these are some pretty terrible odds.

[GO_Ravens]

Waller ran a 4.46 at the combine so it's not a surprise that he is burning people. I say feed that man the ball and he will win most of the 50-50 balls that are thrown up for touchdowns.

[KidNme]

Yep, Smith going "All in" will definitely help our team.

Because SSS is so loved by the players and fans, you want the best for him and I DO think it will add a little something extra to their efforts on the field and off, just like it did when the players wanted to let Ray go out on top. I think it is good to think SB from the 1st pre season game instead of us losing 3 out of the 1st five and hearing the players quote how long a season it is. It's not a long season, it is only 16 games and if you lose more than 4 of them, you may not make the playoffs so having the all or nothing attitude from the start may be a good thing. At least I don;t think it will hurt any!

[RavensBlood2Bone5220]

I think it's a no brainer that coach Billick goes in the ring of honor. He coached us to our first Super Bowl Championship and he was the driving force of The Ravens "us against the world" mindset during Ray Lewis' legal troubles.

[stampedehero]

Brian Billicks induction in the ring of honor appears like a natural choice. SSS has been a core of the team player for the Panthers but if we go all the way to the SB and win it, I believe SSS will go in as a Raven. Joe Flacco has eight years of steady play and injury free.   Make that nine years and another SB.

[20306cab]

Even if Smith helps the Ravens to a SB title, there's no way he should go in as a Raven. I love the Ravens, but I wouldn't even feel right about that, and I doubt even Ozzie would expect that. He almost helped the Panthers to a SB victory a few years back and spent 13 of 15 years there. I'm not sure how the NFL decides what team a guy goes in as, so I guess it's possible. The MLB HOF changed their policy from letting the player decide, to letting the Hall decide what cap they where upon induction, when Wade Boggs was over the hill and finished with the Red Sox. Tampa needed a name player to draw fans because they were awful. So they overpaid for Boggs with the stipulation in his contract, that he enter the Hall as a Devil Ray. Utterly ridiculous. I like Billick as a TV guy, but he was a terrible coach. Was lucky to work with Ozzie and have the greatest D of all time. I did admire the way he stood behind Ray during the turmoil and took a lot of heat from the holier than thou media for basically telling them to "stick it." So I guess he should go in just for that.

Edited August 12, 2015 by 20306cab

[RavenManiac#7]

Sorry, but I just don't think Billick should go into our Ring of Honor. I've always felt that he really didn't do much to contribute to our SB win under his tenure. I think he just rode his way to the win on the back of Ray Lewis. Billick was just fortunate enough to be the coach when we had, arguably, the greatest defense the league has ever seen. Remember, he came here with the reputation of being an "offensive guru". That was the very words used to describe him. He was supposed to be an offensive minded coach. Our offenses under his leadership were always weak and he couldn't recognize a QB if he tripped over one. Sorry, but I just can't see it. The only, and I do mean Only, thing I thought he did well was the way he handled the situation with Ray Lewis' problem. He stood by him. But, really, what else could he have done. One act of loyalty to his most valuable player, I don't think, warrants him a place in our Ring of Honor. Just one fan's opinion.

[RavenManiac#7]

One more point about whether Billick is deserving of Ring of Honor status. If he was a coach so great to be given that honor, how come he has never received an offer from any other team to be their head coach? With as great a turn-over rate that exists in the NFL, don't you think it strange that a SB winning coach hasn't been given another chance by ANY other team? Couldn't it be that NFL owners, GMs, and insiders recognize that he just isn't that good as a head coach. Think about it. Let's keep our standards extremely high for this precious honor. That's what I think we should do. And if a guy Does deserve it, there shouldn't be any question about it. It should be unquestionably obvious.

[RavenManiac#7]

All this talk about SSS's retirement announcement providing extra incentive to the rest of our players to "dig a little deeper", "play a little harder", "give a bit more effort" confuses me to some extent. I just Can't understand that kind of philosophy. When I played sports, Any sport, I didn't hold Anything back EVER. There wasn't any digging deeper, playing harder, giving a bit more. I gave ALL I had to give on Every play. I'm not just blowing hot air. I mean this. My competitiveness was so strong that it didn't allow me to play any other way. And I wasn't even playing professionally. Well, technically, anyway. There was a little bit of semi-pro way back there. But the concept is clear. I had No more effort to give. I just don't get it. That's why I never understood that, "he'll put it all on the line because it's a contract year for him" attitude. I don't know. I just don't get it. That's all I have to say about it, but it IS the truth about how I played and how I feel.

[jmids1975]

Looks like a lot of our "fans" have already forgot what Brian Billick did to and for this organization to put it on the map as a serious contender. Are we already that type of fan base with the short attention spans and even shorter memories?

Anyone who has been here with this team from the start should have no hesitation about Brian's place in the Ring of Honor. I could make a list of reasons but I won't because a true Ravens fan would already know every one of those reasons.

[bioLarzen]

Anyone knows anything about today's LFW? Should have been live about an hour ago, but it's till nowhere.

[HoldingCall]

One more point about whether Billick is deserving of Ring of Honor status. If he was a coach so great to be given that honor, how come he has never received an offer from any other team to be their head coach? With as great a turn-over rate that exists in the NFL, don't you think it strange that a SB winning coach hasn't been given another chance by ANY other team? Couldn't it be that NFL owners, GMs, and insiders recognize that he just isn't that good as a head coach. Think about it. Let's keep our standards extremely high for this precious honor. That's what I think we should do. And if a guy Does deserve it, there shouldn't be any question about it. It should be unquestionably obvious.  

Since when should this team's vote, my vote, or yours depend on what other owners or GM's think pertaining to the Ravens? Players and coaches will always have those who question their ability or effectiveness. Whether he makes it or not remains to be seen but besides Harbaugh, Billick was by far the most effective coach the Ravens has had. He won a Super Bowl and had one of the top ranked defenses in the history of the game. That said, I don't know what the Ring of Honor is based on so I accept whatever decision the team decides.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

Looks like a lot of our "fans" have already forgot what Brian Billick did to and for this organization to put it on the map as a serious contender. Are we already that type of fan base with the short attention spans and even shorter memories? Anyone who has been here with this team from the start should have no hesitation about Brian's place in the Ring of Honor. I could make a list of reasons but I won't because a true Ravens fan would already know every one of those reasons.

 

First, for what Billick did as a coach for our city and being the HC of the first SB team in our franchises history, yes he does deserve to be in the RoH.  

 

That said, you need to also realize that it was also Billick who got rid of Dilfer and brought in Garbage, I mean Grbac and destroyed any chance of a repeat in doing so.  Then it was also Billick who went against OZ on Boller and we all know how Boller turned out.  We had easily top 3 ranked defenses in his years and his ego wouldn't budge from Boller and wasted several opportunities for a Championship.

 

That's the real story of what Billick did for our franchise! 

[jmids1975]

First, for what Billick did as a coach for our city and being the HC of the first SB team in our franchises history, yes he does deserve to be in the RoH.  

 

That said, you need to also realize that it was also Billick who got rid of Dilfer and brought in Garbage, I mean Grbac and destroyed any chance of a repeat in doing so.  Then it was also Billick who went against OZ on Boller and we all know how Boller turned out.  We had easily top 3 ranked defenses in his years and his ego wouldn't budge from Boller and wasted several opportunities for a Championship.

 

That's the real story of what Billick did for our franchise! 

So if Trent Dilfer were our quarterback in 2001, we would have repeated? Come on, it was Jamal Lewis' torn ACL that was the death nail for that season and we will made it to the second round of the playoffs. And "Billick went against Ozzie"? Fact check... Ozzie decides who we draft. There is input from many sources but ultimately it is his decision. Billick did not have veto power over Ozzie. And anyone who believes otherwise is very much kidding themselves. Brian Billick was an offensive coach who put aside his ego for the sake of what worked in 2000. To become a power running, field position team went against his basic instincts. But he did it because it worked and we won. A Head Coach is just that, a Head Coach. He is not just responsible for the offense or just the defense, he is responsible for the entire team. But he was smart enough to know that lightening would not strike twice. And going after a better quarterback was the right move. Obviously, we did not have a lot of luck getting a franchise quarterback. And ultimately, that led to his downfall. But to assume that is strictly on him is asinine. He brought us our attitude. He treated his players like men. He let their personalty become our identity. And after 2001 and the cap purge of 2002, we were right back in the playoffs in 2003 with most of our notable, veteran talent gone. THAT is good coaching. 2006 was our year. Our inability to get past the second round of the playoffs that year was gut wrenching. But it was our best regular season in Ravens history. That is the only year we had a seriously legit shot at a second Super Bowl ring. "Wasted several"? That is exaggerating. Before Billick we did not know what winning was. And since him, we have done it pretty consistently. He laid the foundation.

[ajf3030]

If you have been in M&T, and don't agree with Billick being in the Ring of Honor, you have some sort of problem. Michael McCrary is in the Ring of Honor. Billick was a 'terrible coach'? It doesn't matter what kind of talent you have in the NFL, 'terrible coaches' don't win the Super Bowl. Billick won a Super Bowl with the consensus worst starting QB to ever win one (even though I love Dilfer), a rookie runningback, NO legitimate threat at receiver, and an offense that went 5 games without scoring a SINGLE TOUCHDOWN... in his 2nd season. He's a terrible coach because he had some sub-par seasons? If you coach 9 years and win one super bowl, that's a successful coaching career. Furthermore, while we did have the greatest defense of all time, the majority of coaches would have tried to make that team something it wasn't and cost themselves a Super Bowl. I've always thought that Billick was the ONLY coach who could have won a Super Bowl with that team because of how he embraced the character of the team.

[Moderator 3]

Anyone knows anything about today's LFW? Should have been live about an hour ago, but it's till nowhere.

Guess Sarah was late for work.

[January J]

Guess Sarah was late for work.

touché.

[January J]

All this talk about SSS's retirement announcement providing extra incentive to the rest of our players to "dig a little deeper", "play a little harder", "give a bit more effort" confuses me to some extent. I just Can't understand that kind of philosophy. When I played sports, Any sport, I didn't hold Anything back EVER. There wasn't any digging deeper, playing harder, giving a bit more. I gave ALL I had to give on Every play. I'm not just blowing hot air. I mean this. My competitiveness was so strong that it didn't allow me to play any other way. And I wasn't even playing professionally. Well, technically, anyway. There was a little bit of semi-pro way back there. But the concept is clear. I had No more effort to give. I just don't get it. That's why I never understood that, "he'll put it all on the line because it's a contract year for him" attitude. I don't know. I just don't get it. That's all I have to say about it, but it IS the truth about how I played and how I feel.

calm down soldier we believe you. Your right that players should already be giving 110% individually... But like it was already stated, when a guy like SSS goes out it just gives the team as a whole this energy and motivation that is hard to explain. Ofcourse the ravens were giving their all in 2012 .. But when Ray Lewis announced his retirement it obviously gave them this crazy morale boost that propelled them all the way.

As far as which team he retires as a member of- that should be completely up to him. He may have played 13 years as a panther but felt that the 2 years he spent here was more impactful in his life or career. Esp if we send him out with a lombardy

Edited August 12, 2015 by January J

[RobHolthause]

According to Sports Insights, the Steelers have a better chance of winning the AFC than we do? Man, we never get ANY respect. We have a MUCH better team than them this year!

[January J]

Back to bein the good ole underdog, right where we like it.