http://gridironfans.com/forums GridironFans.com - RAVENS News en Wed, 22 May 2013 06:39:22 GMT vBulletin 5 http://gridironfans.com/forums/rss/ravens/images/misc/rss.jpg http://gridironfans.com/forums http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223818 Tue, 21 May 2013 17:11:48 GMT The Ravens have signed fourth-round outside linebacker John Simon to a four-year deal, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports. Under the NFL slotting system, Simon was slated for a $2.546 million deal that includes a $385,652 signing bonus. The Ravens now have three unsigned draft picks: first-round safety Matt Elam, second-round inside linebacker Arthur Brown and third-round defensive tackle Brandon Williams. Simon is expected to compete for playing time at strongside outside linebacker behind Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw and also for a role as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=35119)
Under the NFL slotting system, Simon was slated for a $2.546 million deal that includes a $385,652 signing bonus.

The Ravens now have three unsigned draft picks: first-round safety Matt Elam, second-round inside linebacker Arthur Brown and third-round defensive tackle Brandon Williams.

Simon is expected to compete for playing time at strongside outside linebacker behind Elvis Dumervil and Courtney Upshaw and also for a role as a situational pass rusher and on special teams.

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223818 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223781 Tue, 21 May 2013 02:27:51 GMT Baltimore County police say the Reisterstown home of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was burglarized over the weekend, and $2,000 and two guns were stolen. Police spokeswoman Cpl. Cathleen Batton said Monday that the burglary happened between 8:30 p.m. Friday and 12:50 a.m. Saturday. Batton says Rice was out of town for the weekend, but a friend was staying at the home in the 2400 block of Tufton Springs Lane and reported the burglary to police. Batton says the burglar apparently forced his way in through a rear window and ransacked portions of the home. Batton says surveillance video shows the burglar. Source: Sports Illustrated (http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2013-05-20/ray-rice-home-burglarized-guns-cash-stolen-baltimore-ravens-running-back)
Police spokeswoman Cpl. Cathleen Batton said Monday that the burglary happened between 8:30 p.m. Friday and 12:50 a.m. Saturday. Batton says Rice was out of town for the weekend, but a friend was staying at the home in the 2400 block of Tufton Springs Lane and reported the burglary to police.

Batton says the burglar apparently forced his way in through a rear window and ransacked portions of the home. Batton says surveillance video shows the burglar.

Source: Sports Illustrated]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223781 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223579 Fri, 17 May 2013 01:51:47 GMT
Clayton, 30, battled numerous injuries that ended his career after seven seasons, finishing with 260 receptions for 3,448 yards and 14 touchdowns. He last played in an NFL game two years ago.

The 2005 Ravens first-round draft pick from Oklahoma announced the retirement on his official Facebook account:

"Time to Retire..

I'm now in the Dungeon working on my new career! NFL as I know it will be something I watch from now on. Ill be retiring this summer and moving on to other things. I'm feeling good and I would like to keep it that way.

I've sacrificed, hurt, bleed, cried, given up and got back up, fought injury after injury and poured all I had into my craft as it pertains to football. The Lord allowed me to go into and grow in some amazing environments. T-Birds of Oklahoma little league, Workman Jr High, Sam Houston High School (Arlington TX), The University or Oklahoma, The Baltimore Ravens Organization, and The St Louis Rams..

I tried my best to give all I had and leave each organization better than when I arrived from attitude to performance..

Big Thank You! To all my family, fans, and Gigantic Support System.. I wouldn't have accomplished what I did without you guys..

Easily the hardest decision I ever made in my life, but right one..

I will continue to lean on you and serve you with my life as I enter into new endeavors.."

Source: Baltimore Sun]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223579 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223595 Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:21 GMT
In a statement Thursday, one day after he "retired" from the Baltimore Ravens in the wake of his third arrest in 16 months, McClain, 23, said his priority right now is cleaning up his off-field situation. The linebacker said he hopes one day he will be on the field again.

"Clearly, my decision to retire has raised some questions. Quite simply, I love football, but I have decided at this time it is in my best interest to focus on getting my personal life together," McClain's statement read. "Beyond that, I'm not sure what the future holds for me, including football."

"This was entirely my decision and the Ravens have been very supportive during this process. I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me and wish them the best of luck in the future," McClain said. "God willing, maybe I'll play for them one day."

Source: SBNation.com]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223595 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223442 Wed, 15 May 2013 17:15:54 GMT The Baltimore Ravens announced that linebacker Rolando McClain is retiring from the NFL at age 23. The Ravens placed the inside linebacker and former first-round pick on the reserve/retired list Wednesday afternoon, General Manager Ozzie Newsome announced. “Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL,” Newsome stated. “We have placed him on the Reserve/Retired list.” McClain signed a one-year contract with the Ravens on April 12, but was arrested just 10 days later in his hometown of Decatur, Ala. It was the latest in a string of off-field problems for McClain since entering the league in 2009 as the eighth-overall pick. Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=35003)
The Ravens placed the inside linebacker and former first-round pick on the reserve/retired list Wednesday afternoon, General Manager Ozzie Newsome announced.

“Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL,” Newsome stated. “We have placed him on the Reserve/Retired list.”

McClain signed a one-year contract with the Ravens on April 12, but was arrested just 10 days later in his hometown of Decatur, Ala. It was the latest in a string of off-field problems for McClain since entering the league in 2009 as the eighth-overall pick.

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223442 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223488 Thu, 16 May 2013 03:59:34 GMT
"I got to sit this one out, man," Pollard told WJZ-FM in Baltimore, via ESPN.com. "If I didn't have a vacation, I wouldn't come in anyway. That's just the type of player I am."

Pollard acknowledged he was "stunned a little bit" by the Ravens' decision to release him after the season but that he has no animosity for his former teammates or Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome.

Pollard did make it clear, however, there are individuals he'd rather avoid.

"At the end of the day, I know what happened, I know what took place," Pollard said. "I'm sorry, I just don't want to be in the room with certain people."

Pollard never mentioned John Harbaugh by name, but there's speculation Pollard's exit was tied to an Oct. 31 incident in which he spoke out over the coach's choice to practice in full pads.

Source: NFL.com]]> Tennessee Titans SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223488 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223284 Mon, 13 May 2013 20:18:48 GMT
"Now that guys know that I'm a threat out of the backfield, I got to use my hands a little more," Rice said Sunday, via the Baltimore Sun. "I get pushed a lot coming out of the backfield, and that's a sign of respect, but if I can get my hands and get out on pass routes and continue to get open for Joe Flacco."

Rice's 61 catches last season were his least since his rookie year.

Source: FFToolbox]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223284 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223277 Mon, 13 May 2013 20:07:08 GMT
Pitta, 28 in June, set career highs in catches (61), yards (669), and touchdowns (7) in a breakout 2012 campaign, he finished as the No. 7 overall fantasy tight end. Pitta's production is likely to continue to increase in 2013 with Anquan Boldin gone to San Francisco.

Pitta is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season. The Ravens have stated they want to sign Pitta to a long-term deal and negotiations are likely to go on throughout the season.

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223277 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223062 Thu, 09 May 2013 15:39:58 GMT Looking to add some competition for Gino Gradkowski and more versatility along the offensive line, the Ravens agreed to send a conditional 2014 draft pick today to the Indianapolis Colts for center A.Q. Shipley, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports. The trade will become official when Shipley passes a physical. Shipley, a seventh-round pick out of Penn State by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009, started five games at center for Indianapolis last season and saw action in 14 total games, at 6 feet 1 and 309 pounds, Shipley can also play guard. He was expendable because the Colts have veteran starting center Samson Satele returning, along with 2012 fourth-round pick Khaled Holmes. With the Ravens, Shipley is expected to compete with Gradkowski for the starting center spot, which became open when Matt Birk retired. Source: The Redzone (http://theredzone.org/BlogDescription.aspx?EntryID=34893)
The trade will become official when Shipley passes a physical.

Shipley, a seventh-round pick out of Penn State by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2009, started five games at center for Indianapolis last season and saw action in 14 total games, at 6 feet 1 and 309 pounds, Shipley can also play guard.

He was expendable because the Colts have veteran starting center Samson Satele returning, along with 2012 fourth-round pick Khaled Holmes.

With the Ravens, Shipley is expected to compete with Gradkowski for the starting center spot, which became open when Matt Birk retired.

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223062 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223112 Fri, 10 May 2013 02:26:09 GMT
The charge stemmed from McClain writing profanity on a ticket for a window-tint violation on April 21 instead of signing his name.

Circuit Clerk Jessica Hayes said Thursday municipal Judge Billy Cook Jr. dismissed the charge at the prosecution's request. She says McClain pleaded guilty to the window tint violation and paid a $182 fine.

The former Butkus Award winner at Alabama still has other cases pending in his hometown as he is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court June 20 on reckless driving, a no proof of insurance citations from May 2011 and a July 9 municipal court date on charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

Source: Associated Press]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=223112 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222977 Wed, 08 May 2013 04:06:27 GMT
As McClain continues to deal with the aftermath of an arrest in his hometown of Decatur, Ala., on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest nine days after being signed to a one-year contract with a maximum value of $1.1 million, the Ravens are allowing the process to play out in the court system.

McClain pleaded guilty to a window tint violation Monday and had a false information charge dismissed.

McClain has been involved in several off-the-field issues since the Oakland Raiders drafted him in the first round with the eighth overall pick three years ago. Since entering the NFL, McClain hasn't reprised the All-American and Butkus Award winner form he displayed at Alabama.

"I think this about McClain, he deserves a second chance," Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta said during The Baltimore Sun Sports Forum. "If you asked him, he would probably admit to making some mistakes. We think he warrants a second chance. Obviously, he's an Alabama guy.

"We have a relationship with a lot of Alabama players. We get a lot of good information from Alabama because of Ozzie Newsome's relationship with the school. So, we think he deserves a second chance."

Source: Baltimore Sun]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222977 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222922 Tue, 07 May 2013 15:18:49 GMT
Assistant general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged Monday night that the Ravens might not be done adding veteran help.

"I think the hunt goes on," DeCosta told The Baltimore Sun. "We're still working. The roster is not set. We're always evaluating. We're always looking at guys. Guys get signed, guys get cut.

"Our pro personnel department looks at all available players and we'll make a decision at some point of what we want to do at that position. There are definitely some players out there. We'll consider all options."

After trading Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens are hoping a combination of Jacoby Jones, Tandon Doss, David Reed, LaQuan Williams and Deonte Thompson will fill the void. DeCosta said the team is especially "excited" about Jones, who fit in well last season and exploded during the playoffs as a return man, still, Jones doesn't fit the mold of a reliable No. 2 option.

Around The League's Chris Wesseling included just one wideout -- Brandon Lloyd -- on his list of top free agents still looking for work. Lloyd was jettisoned by the New England Patriots and would give Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco an interesting field-stretching option across from Smith.

Source: NFL.com]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222922 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222797 Sun, 05 May 2013 20:10:58 GMT
The first-round draft pick lined up at free safety, playing with an obvious confidence.

"It went well," Elam said. "I got better every day. I'm improving. I'm very comfortable and very smooth out there. It felt great. I'm very excited to be with the best and start working with the vets. "

A consensus All-American selection from the University of Florida, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Elam was the final pick of the first round after recording 176 tackles, 24 for losses, five sacks, six interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons for the Gators.

What impressed Ravens coach John Harbaugh about Elam was how he took charge in the secondary and is quickly becoming knowledgeable about the defensive scheme.

"Matt really picked things up quickly, same for [second-round inside linebacker] Arthur [Brown]," Harbaugh said. "He really did a nice job of communicating in the back end which isn't usual for a rookie. Most rookie defensive backs all defensive players have a tough time with the communication part because they're not confident enough to make the calls.

"He's smart. He picked it up quickly. He jumped back there quickly and made the calls with force. He was very forceful back there and played fast. He looked good."

Source: Baltimore Sun]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222797 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222931 Tue, 07 May 2013 17:10:13 GMT Baltimore Ravens linebacker Rolando McClain pleaded guilty to a window tint violation and a charge of providing police with false information was dismissed on Monday in Decatur, Ala., as part of an agreement before his scheduled court date on Thursday, per the Baltimore Sun. McClain signed an expletive on the name line rather than his real name resulting in the false information charge. He paid a fine of $186 online to settle the charge of the window tint violation. McClain, who signed with the Ravens after being released by the Oakland Raiders, still has two other charges pending against him for reckless driving and driving an uninsured vehicle. Those charges are scheduled to be heard in court next month. Source: National Football Post (http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/McClain-pleads-guilty-to-one-charge.html)
McClain signed an expletive on the name line rather than his real name resulting in the false information charge. He paid a fine of $186 online to settle the charge of the window tint violation.

McClain, who signed with the Ravens after being released by the Oakland Raiders, still has two other charges pending against him for reckless driving and driving an uninsured vehicle. Those charges are scheduled to be heard in court next month.

Source: National Football Post]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222931 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222721 Sat, 04 May 2013 00:47:42 GMT
They also waived running back Lonyae Miller and officially announced six rookie contracts previously reported by The Baltimore Sun: fourth-round fullback Kyle Juszczyk (Harvard), fifth-round offensive tackle Rick Wagner (Wisconsin), sixth-round defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore, sixth-round center Ryan Jensen (Colorado State-Pueblo), seventh-round wide receiver Aaron Mellette (Elon) and seventh-round cornerback Marc Anthony (Cal).

They've now spent $2.605 million, 47 percent of of their allotted $5.517 million rookie pool. That leaves $2.911 million remaining to sign first-round safety Matt Elam, second-round linebacker Arthur Brown, third-round defensive tackle Brandon Williams and fourth-round outside linebacker John Simon.

Here are the undrafted free agents: offensive guard Jeff Braun (West Virginia, Winters Mill), cornerback Jose Cheeseborough (Florida International), outside linebacker Brandon Copeland (Penn, Gilman), offensive tackle Jordan Devey (Memphis), tight end Matt Furstenburg (Maryland), offensive tackle Rogers Gaines (Tennessee State), wide receiver Omarius Hines (Florida), running back Ray Holley (Louisiana Tech), tight end Murphy Holloway (Ole Miss), defensive end Will Pericak (Colorado), wide receiver Gerrard Sheppard (Towson, McDonogh), quarterback Nathan Stanley (Southeast Louisiana), Troy safety Bryden Trawick and offensive tackle Joe Unga (Midwestern State).

Source: Baltimore Sun]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222721 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222709 Fri, 03 May 2013 21:14:45 GMT
Spagnuolo has been a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.

His background with Ravens coach John Harbaugh stems from their days as fellow assistant coaches with the Philadelphia Eagles on Andy Reid's staff. They are close friends.

Spagnuolo coached linebackers in Philadelphia and Harbaugh was the special teams coach.

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222709 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222695 Fri, 03 May 2013 18:35:43 GMT
Even as he was taking visits and garnering offers from the San Diego Chargers and the Miami Dolphins, McKinnie said he was holding out hope that the Ravens would make him an offer.

And they did Thursday, reaching agreement with McKinnie on a two-year contract with a maximum value of $7 million that includes an undisclosed signing bonus, incentive clauses, weight clauses and workout bonuses, according to a source. The Ravens' contract was the best financial offer.

"I'm excited to be back," McKinnie told The Baltimore Sun on Friday morning. "I didn't really want to leave anyway. I like being in Baltimore."

"It was definitely like recruiting, like college again," McKinnie said. "It was nice, I got to meet some people, but I ended up back here. I'm still in Baltimore and that's a great thing."

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222695 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222651 Thu, 02 May 2013 20:54:22 GMT
It's been an up-and-down run in Baltimore for McKinnie, he's clashed with the coaching staff at times because of his weight and his attitude, but the Ravens simply didn't have any palatable option on the roster. It was expected that he was going to find a better offer elsewhere, but GM Ozzie Newsome sneaked in at the buzzer to close the deal.

Source: NFL.com]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222651 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222666 Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:04 GMT
It could be a season eventually spent on injured reserve for Lewis-Moore after starting out on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

The Notre Dame standout tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a national championship game loss to Alabama in January. He detached his medial collateral ligament in the same knee the previous season against USC.

"He's a guy that we're going to bring along and rehab," general manager Ozzie Newsome said after the draft. "If we get something out of him in 2013, it's a plus."

With Alabama being his alma mater, Newsome was at the game where Lewis-Moore got hurt and was already familiar with the Texas native and former blue-chip recruit because of his strong play for the Fighting Irish.

"I had already watched him on tape," Newsome said. "We had good grades on him. We believe in our medical staff. Now with ACLs, there is predictability in his recovery. We have some players that can play the position, but if we get into the middle of the season and he's completely ready to go, there are no players on the street when you get to October and November. To be able to pull somebody like that out of the bullpen could be a bonus for us."

Source: Baltimore Sun]]> Baltimore Ravens SteveRobWhatever http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222666 http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222541 Wed, 01 May 2013 14:39:49 GMT
McClain expects to be cleared before the start of the 2013 season and is running and lifting weights at the team training complex in the meantime, when asked if he's confident that he'll be able to resume his career after getting hurt last season against the Washington Redskins, McClain replied: "If you don't believe in yourself, who else will? Fortunately, this is a good situation for me. Everything is going the way it should."

The injury did not require surgery but the severity and location of the spinal injury initially created doubt about his future in the NFL. "I'm doing good, I'm doing great," he said. "I'm running around full speed, working out, lifting weights with no problems, nothing on my end. I can do everything." McClain recently went to Los Angeles for a week to work out with a special trainer to aid in his rehabilitation from the injury. "That was a great experience to get to work with him on a lot of techniques for how to put myself in a great position every time," McClain said. "That experience was definitely useful. I'm going to go back out there to make I'm sure I'm keeping up with the technique."

Ravens coach John Harbaugh is cautiously optimistic about McClain's prospects of regaining his health and getting back on the field, where the defending Super Bowl champions need him at inside linebacker following Ray Lewis' retirement and Dannell Ellerbe signing with the Miami Dolphins during free agency. "That will be important for him," Harbaugh said recently. "But it's just the healing process. There's a certain type of a bruise that happens that caused his issue, but it's going away, on schedule. We don't know for sure, but I'm approaching it as if Jameel is going to be out."

Source: The Redzone]]> Baltimore Ravens Sweets http://gridironfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222541