MR

Geez...With all the holiday activities, I didn't even know the Ravens finally smartened up and fired that moron Billick! I kept hearing he was coming back (and for the life of me, couldn't figure out WHY), but just read on ESPN.com that they handed the guy his walking papers! I've NEVER seen a more arrogant coach in my life (including Bellichick), after winning just ONE Super Bowl, as if he had anything to do with it! His defense, and only his defense won that season for him! Hopefully you guys can turn it around, now that you got rid of that guy!


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:Geez...With all the holiday activities, I didn't even know the Ravens finally smartened up and fired that moron Billick! I kept hearing he was coming back (and for the life of me, couldn't figure out WHY), but just read on ESPN.com that they handed the guy his walking papers! I've NEVER seen a more arrogant coach in my life (including Bellichick), after winning just ONE Super Bowl, as if he had anything to do with it! His defense, and only his defense won that season for him! Hopefully you guys can turn it around, now that you got rid of that guy!


John from Boston

This was something that caught me off guard. Billick did deliver a Super Bowl here. However, as he even said, the life span of an NFL coach in any one city is around 10 years. It was just time. He needed to go.

He gave a classy exit speach.

"It has been a great ride with the Ravens and the fans here. My family and I have grown to love this area, and this is where we will continue to live. I've always bragged that this is the best organization, and it is because of the people here. They are the most competent. They made my job easier because of the support they give to make sure the focus is always about finding a way to win. In particular, my relationship with Ozzie Newsome is special. I think the way we worked is the way coaching and personnel should. I'll miss our scrimmaging about how to make things work for the team.


"The passion, the dedication and the willingness to work by the players is so appreciated. Even in this difficult season, they fought through it. My respect for the players - every single one who has played for the Ravens in the last 9 years - is hard to articulate. They have my complete respect and admiration.


"I believe in the partnership that Steve Bisciotti has assembled. The process does work. I was part of that. He had to make a hard decision, and he did what he believes is best for the Ravens. We are friends and will remain friends."

The Ravens will turn it around. The organization has always been top notch. Probably a 9 and 7 next year, and back into contention the following year.

Billick pissed off the Ravens' owner a few weeks ago when he publicly said he was either going to be coaching the Ravens or be a TV commentator next year. In other words, if he was fired, he had no intention of coaching anywhere else, which means the Ravens would have to pay him his salary anyway. I had a feeling that was the final nail in his coffin.

They should interview Rex Ryan.

AR wrote:They should interview Rex Ryan.

I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:They should interview Rex Ryan.

I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

AR wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:They should interview Rex Ryan.

I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

No, I hope not. Al Saunders from the Redskins is my pick.

Interesting article about how too much emphasis is placed on coaching: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ook/071218

AR wrote:Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

They might call Bill Cowher, but he certainly won't listen. Cowher has made it VERY clear that he will not coach in 2008, as he wants to see his youngest daughter finish school. Also, Bill Cowher is from North Carolina, and lives in the state. I suspect that the Carolina Panthers are going to keep John Fox as their coach for one more season, and then fire him at the end of next season (he's definitely overstayed his welcome). Once Fox is fired, Cowher is the guy Richardson (the owner of the Panthers) is going after, and will probably land!


John from Boston

NealIsGod wrote:I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

According to the report on espn.com, Billick's entire staff was also fired with him. That certainly doesn't mean they can't bring Ryan in for an interview. I just don't see it happening. Usually when an owner purges a staff like this, it's because he truly wants to start over, and by hiring an old assistant coach, that doesn't send the starting over message to the fans! It's just not something that usually happens in the NFL.


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:

AR wrote:Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

They might call Bill Cowher, but he certainly won't listen. Cowher has made it VERY clear that he will not coach in 2008, as he wants to see his youngest daughter finish school. Also, Bill Cowher is from North Carolina, and lives in the state. I suspect that the Carolina Panthers are going to keep John Fox as their coach for one more season, and then fire him at the end of next season (he's definitely overstayed his welcome). Once Fox is fired, Cowher is the guy Richardson (the owner of the Panthers) is going after, and will probably land!


John from Boston

That's my impression as well. Cowher will end up in Charlotte.

Cohwer is going to end up in Miami. That's my guess. The guys a proven winner and that's what Miami needs most right now is someone who knows how to win.

Enigma869 wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

According to the report on espn.com, Billick's entire staff was also fired with him. That certainly doesn't mean they can't bring Ryan in for an interview. I just don't see it happening. Usually when an owner purges a staff like this, it's because he truly wants to start over, and by hiring an old assistant coach, that doesn't send the starting over message to the fans! It's just not something that usually happens in the NFL.

Yup, I agree. I just hope they don't hire some retread like Schottenheimer or Dennis Green.

Enigma869 wrote:

AR wrote:Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

They might call Bill Cowher, but he certainly won't listen. Cowher has made it VERY clear that he will not coach in 2008, as he wants to see his youngest daughter finish school. Also, Bill Cowher is from North Carolina, and lives in the state. I suspect that the Carolina Panthers are going to keep John Fox as their coach for one more season, and then fire him at the end of next season (he's definitely overstayed his welcome). Once Fox is fired, Cowher is the guy Richardson (the owner of the Panthers) is going after, and will probably land!


John from Boston

Cowher will go where the money is.....The Tuna said he'll never be in the NFL again more time than I can say and HEEEEE's BACK!!!! Dan Snyder will BC over 10 million whoch is what he'll want to come back. He'll be in Washington.

e-

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:They should interview Rex Ryan.

I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

No, I hope not. Al Saunders from the Redskins is my pick.

Interesting article about how too much emphasis is placed on coaching: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ook/071218

Being a Patriots fan, but living in Pittsburgh, you guys deserve Bum Phillips or someother ass clown like that....The Ravens suck and have their players are on AARP. What's Ray Lewis??? 54???

e-

chf34jmac wrote:Cohwer is going to end up in Miami. That's my guess. The guys a proven winner and that's what Miami needs most right now is someone who knows how to win.

The only possibility that Cowher ever ends up in Miami is if Parcells keeps Cameron (which probably isn't likely) for another year, and waits a year to hire a coach. Again, Cowher isn't coaching in 2008, according to everything he has said. He could obviously change his mind, but he seems pretty adamant about it. Parcells will more than likely hire a "name" coach, but I would be shocked if it were Cowher. If Cowher ends up anywhere, other than Carolina, I'll be very surprised!


John from Boston

Soto All The Way wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:

AR wrote:They should interview Rex Ryan.

I'll bet Bisciotti wants no remnants of Billick's staff to remain. He will want to put his own stamp on the team.

Think they will call Bill Cowher? That would be beyond weird!

No, I hope not. Al Saunders from the Redskins is my pick.

Interesting article about how too much emphasis is placed on coaching: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ook/071218

Being a Patriots fan, but living in Pittsburgh, you guys deserve Bum Phillips or someother ass clown like that....The Ravens suck and have their players are on AARP. What's Ray Lewis??? 54???

e-

Ok Ed2, who beat the Steelers this week? If we suck, what does that say about your 2nd team?

And without the refs, the Pats would have lost too!

AR wrote:Ok Ed2, who beat the Steelers this week? If we suck, what does that say about your team?

Come on Ed...You know he said he is PATRIOTS fan! I'm pretty sure even though your Ravens played their absolute best game of the season against Ed2's Patriots, they still didn't quite get the victory


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:

AR wrote:Ok Ed2, who beat the Steelers this week? If we suck, what does that say about your team?

Come on Ed...You know he said he is PATRIOTS fan! I'm pretty sure even though your Ravens played their absolute best game of the season against Ed2's Patriots, they still didn't quite get the victory


John from Boston

Stolen. You know it too.

I do equate it this way. In a championship fight you never let it go to the judges. The Pats lost that game, but the Ravens needed to win decisively, the refs and the league were not going to let them just squeek bye.

AR, I agree the Baltimore are is nice; a helluva lot nicer than any other city in the northeast corridor to be sure. We've been over that a million times...NY, Newark, Philadelphia, AC, Wilmington, Dover, and Trenton. ALL shitheaps. So I can see him saying and meaning that, however; to say Baltimore is the best organization is a stretch. I highly doubt, no let me be more direct. Baltimore is not at the same level as Dallas, Pittsburgh, Denver, Green Bay or especially, New England. They definitely are better than the shitty bottom feeders, mainly St. Louis, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Oakland. He went on to say how good the staff and front office was. How the Hell do you have a good staff, when you have Rick Nuehisel as your QB coach(the worst QB's in the league)? I cannot believe UCLA hired him. He left Colorado and UW on probation. Westwood thinks they have a guy who can rival Pete Carrol. Hahahaha. Speaking of Pete; THAT's who Baltimore should go after, but he would be a fool to leave SC for Baltimore or any other job for that matter. He is God here.

Rockindeano wrote:AR, I agree the Baltimore are is nice; a helluva lot nicer than any other city in the northeast corridor to be sure. We've been over that a million times...NY, Newark, Philadelphia, AC, Wilmington, Dover, and Trenton. ALL shitheaps. So I can see him saying and meaning that, however; to say Baltimore is the best organization is a stretch. I highly doubt, no let me be more direct. Baltimore is not at the same level as Dallas, Pittsburgh, Denver, Green Bay or especially, New England. They definitely are better than the shitty bottom feeders, mainly St. Louis, Cincinnati, Atlanta and Oakland. He went on to say how good the staff and front office was. How the Hell do you have a good staff, when you have Rick Nuehisel as your QB coach(the worst QB's in the league)? I cannot believe UCLA hired him. He left Colorado and UW on probation. Westwood thinks they have a guy who can rival Pete Carrol. Hahahaha. Speaking of Pete; THAT's who Baltimore should go after, but he would be a fool to leave SC for Baltimore or any other job for that matter. He is God here.

If I said the Ravens were the best organization, I mistyped. I just think they are a quality organization. Top tier. Unlike the team impersonating a sports franchise playing baseball here.

Edit - gotcha - Billick said that. He's off there a bit, but a classy thing to say anyway.

I definitely agree the Ravens are a top tier organization, no doubt.

Rockindeano wrote: Westwood thinks they have a guy who can rival Pete Carrol. Hahahaha. Speaking of Pete; THAT's who Baltimore should go after, but he would be a fool to leave SC for Baltimore or any other job for that matter. He is God here.

Well we agree that Baltimore is a great city. It's a city I've visited, and enjoyed it very much. It's no Boston, but a great city, nonetheless As for Pete Carroll...The guy should stay where he is. As you said Dean, the guy is God in SoCA. Pete Carroll was an embarrassment of a coach with New England and the Jets. That "ra ra" bullshit doesn't work in the NFL and never has. When Pete Carroll was in New England, I said then that his act belonged in college, where younger kids buy into it. Some guys are simply not cut out for the pro game. Ask Dennis Erickson, Steve Spurrier, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, and Rick Pitino in basketball...the list is ENDLESS!

If Carroll has two brain cells connected, he'll stay where he is. Kudos to him for making USC a respectable college football program, once again. I predict that if Pete Carroll came back to the NFL again, he would bomb, once again! That said, I've heard endless rumors that his mission is to go back to the NFL to prove he can be successful at that level. He really has nothing to lose, because he knows if he falls on his face (which I think he will) that he will still get the college job of his choice, immediately upon being fired from his next NFL gig!


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:Well we agree that Baltimore is a great city. It's a city I've visited, and enjoyed it very much. It's no Boston, but a great city, nonetheless

Yeah, when I was there last year, I saw the entire Corridor, and I rated Boston highest, followed by Providence and then Baltimore. The rest should be imploded. Filthy dirty cities, one after another.

Pete Carroll was an embarrassment of a coach with New England and the Jets.

I wouldn't say embarrassment. He and Drew got them to a Super Bowl and they darn near won it.

That "ra ra" bullshit doesn't work in the NFL and never has. When Pete Carroll was in New England, I said then that his act belonged in college, where younger kids buy into it. Some guys are simply not cut out for the pro game. Ask Dennis Erickson, Steve Spurrier, Lou Holtz, Nick Saban, and Rick Pitino in basketball...the list is ENDLESS!

It goes the other way too. Charlie Weiss probably thought he could walk, err, waddle into South Bend and win on name alone. Nu huh.

If Carroll has two brain cells connected, he'll stay where he is. Kudos to him for making USC a respectable college football program, once again.

I'd say it's more than respectable. The best program in the NCAA. Hell, the only reason they aren't in the BCS championship game is they play in the toughest conference. Had Oregon's Dennis Dixon been hurt when SC played them, they would be in and favoured over LSU. OSU backs in by playing a weak OOC schedule and in a weak conference. Gee, must be nice.

I predict that if Pete Carroll came back to the NFL again, he would bomb, once again! That said, I've heard endless rumors that his mission is to go back to the NFL to prove he can be successful at that level. He really has nothing to lose, because he knows if he falls on his face (which I think he will) that he will still get the college job of his choice, immediately upon being fired from his next NFL gig!

I think if the condition is right, he would go. I am loking at Miami and see Parcells down there. That is a championship waiting to be won. Parcells and Carroll? Are you kidding me. He could have all that jack and a Lombardi trophy, and stick it to Billick at the same time.

[quote="Rockindeano"]
Yeah, when I was there last year, I saw the entire Corridor, and I rated Boston highest,
[quote]

I knew you had impeccable taste, Dean!


[quote="Rockindeano"]
I wouldn't say embarrassment. He and Drew got them to a Super Bowl and they darn near won it.
[quote]


Come on Dean...You're one of the best sports fans I know, and you come up with this? Pete Carroll did NOT get the Patriots to a Super Bowl! Bill Parcells was the coach of the Patriots team who lost to Green Bay in 1996, not Pete the Poodle (his nickname the Boston media gave him)! The guy was honestly NEVER taken seriously by very many in Boston, and not really respected as a head football coach.

[quote="Rockindeano"]
It goes the other way too. Charlie Weiss probably thought he could walk, err, waddle into South Bend and win on name alone. Nu huh.
[quote]

We agree here, Weiss is a guy who should go back to the NFL and stay there! Also, he is a classic example of a guy who is probably not cut out for being the head guy. He needs to stick with being an offensive coordinator!

[quote="Rockindeano"]
I'd say it's more than respectable. The best program in the NCAA. Hell, the only reason they aren't in the BCS championship game is they play in the toughest conference.
[quote]

I also agree that USC is WAY more than "respectable". I really used the word to indicate that USC has a VERY proud history, and before Carroll got there, they seemed to have lost some of that, and he definitely put them back on the map and made them relevant again!


John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:

chf34jmac wrote:Cohwer is going to end up in Miami. That's my guess. The guys a proven winner and that's what Miami needs most right now is someone who knows how to win.

The only possibility that Cowher ever ends up in Miami is if Parcells keeps Cameron (which probably isn't likely) for another year, and waits a year to hire a coach. Again, Cowher isn't coaching in 2008, according to everything he has said. He could obviously change his mind, but he seems pretty adamant about it. Parcells will more than likely hire a "name" coach, but I would be shocked if it were Cowher. If Cowher ends up anywhere, other than Carolina, I'll be very surprised!


John from Boston

Parcell's could get Cowher to come out of retirement a year early if he tried hard enuff.
If I were Parcells, I'd be making 2 phone calls this week.
First, I'd call Cowher's Agent and Fax over a contract w/ the Salary Block EMPTY w/ a note
reading, "Bill, you tell me what you want!"

Second, I'd be on the phone w/Donovan McNabb's Agent...

The press conference with Steve Bischotti and Ozzie Newsome was something else. This was not an easy decision.

Carlitto H@kk wrote:
Second, I'd be on the phone w/Donovan McNabb's Agent...

Um, why? McNabb is awful. I would rather have Testaturdy come back and play for me than that POS McNabb.

the ravens will basically be rebuilding around troy smith.ogden will be retiring more than likely and mcnair won't be around but another year or so.as far as kyle boller i have no clue but i don;t think he is the future QB.

mikemarrs wrote:the ravens will basically be rebuilding around troy smith.ogden will be retiring more than likely and mcnair won't be around but another year or so.as far as kyle boller i have no clue but i don;t think he is the future QB.

I'm not unconvinced that the Ravens won't go after that QB from Boston College.

So far, I kind of like Troy Smith though and he deserves a look. Boller is not the answer. McNair was hurt and is a warrior. His contract may dictate he returns, but if Bischotti eats Billicks contract, Steve may be in the same boat.

What would some of you non Ravens fans suggest?

AR wrote:

mikemarrs wrote:the ravens will basically be rebuilding around troy smith.ogden will be retiring more than likely and mcnair won't be around but another year or so.as far as kyle boller i have no clue but i don;t think he is the future QB.

I'm not unconvinced that the Ravens won't go after that QB from Boston College.

So far, I kind of like Troy Smith though and he deserves a look. Boller is not the answer. McNair was hurt and is a warrior. His contract may dictate he returns, but if Bischotti eats Billicks contract, Steve may be in the same boat.

What would some of you non Ravens fans suggest?

I really like that QB from Boston College, Ryan. Perhaps they may go for Alex Brink of Wash St or even Booty from SC.