Kelly Gregg & The Defensive Front

With a host of news new names like Cory Redding, Arthur Jones, Terrence Cody along with budding players like Paul Kruger, Kelly Talavou and Brandon McKinney its easy to overlook nose tackle Kelly Gregg a.k.a. “Buddy Lee.”

Kelly Gregg played sparingly last season coming off micorfracture surgery (knee) and it was reported he had a minor shoulder procedure this off-season so we didn’t see much of him in OTA’s.  Hopefully he’s now at full strength in training camp and will be ready to go by the season opener. With Gregg, Ngata and now Cody in the mix it will further beef up the line and improve options for sub packages. 

 Mike Duffy, www.baltimoreravens.com points out:

“Also, think about Kelly Gregg, whom I believe will have a throwback year. Microfracture surgery is typically a two-year injury, and while Gregg played well last season, he’ll be full-go in 2010. The return of the real Buddy Lee? I’m actually surprised Ravens fans don’t talk more about the defensive tackle situation. There is so much talent (Arthur Jones, Kelly Talavou, Brandon McKinney, Lamar Divens) and only so many roster spots. Take my advice and watch that position in training camp.”

Gregg vs. Cody?

Many analysts had predicted Cody would battle it out with Gregg in training camp. Of course we may have to wait for that battle as Terrence Cody did not passing his conditioning test at the start of training camp.  It is not good news if Cody can’t get on the field, but we should give this some time to see how it all plays out.

(Editor’s Note – Gene wrote this yesterday before it was announced that Terrence Cody did indeed pass his conditioning test Wednesday and was a full participant in practice.)

Sergio Kindle was ruled out of training camp with a fractured skull, Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced. The Ravens’ top pick in the 2010 draft, Kindle has some swelling but remains in stable condition at an Austin, Texas, hospital after falling down two flights of stairs Thursday night.

“I know one thing: we’re going to be very careful with that,” Harbaugh said. “We’re talking about a head injury playing football. It’s not something we’re going to be in a hurry to mess with.” General manager Ozzie Newsome is talking to the NFL management council on how the Ravens should proceed in contract talks with Kindle, who is the only unsigned rookie on the team. The Ravens have had an offer on the table to Kindle for a couple of weeks, but they probably will want to wait to see Kindle’s health status before signing him to a multimillion-dollar deal.

“I’m sure he’ll be signed,” Harbaugh said. “He’s a part of our football team. He’s a Raven. He’ll be here. But the timing of all that, we’ll just have to work all that stuff out.” Harbaugh provided more details about the night Kindle got hurt, saying the second-round pick was at a “function” with friends and stayed overnight there. “He got up in the middle of the night, took a wrong turn,” Harbaugh said. “It was pitch black where he was at and couldn’t see where he was going and fell down two flights of steps.”

Comcast Sports Net’s Brent Harris, longtime friend of Ravens Gab has the rundown on all the issues out of the first day of training camp.

It looks like Sergio Kindle will be out for all of camp as he will be unable to fly for the next three weeks. He may also end up on the PUP to begin the season. The team will take a cautious approach but you also have to wonder how it will affect his contract signing. Kindle is the lone rookie left unsigned as Terrence Cody came to terms in principle earlier Monday with a three year deal.

Arthur Jones was the first Raven in camp as he left Syracuse bright and early. He’ll need to impress the judges as he vies to get noticed in a crowded front seven.

Coach John Harbaugh is so excited and he just can’t hide it. He even wants to hug his players. (Watch the video, he did say it) 

Let the expectations begin. Can this team make a Super Bowl run? At this point any team can.

Lastly let me deliver a shameless plug and please ask you to check out the new and long overdue website CSN Baltimore. Why it took them this long I have no idea?

http://www.csnbaltimore.com/

Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb was tight-lipped about his chances of suiting up for Tuesday’s first practice of training camp, saying, “I don’t know if I’m going to be on PUP or not. Hopefully, I’ll be playing. So I guess we’ll see tomorrow.” Webb made four starts last season, filling in for Fabian Washington after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee on Nov. 22. But a month later, Webb tore the same ligament in his right knee. Without getting into too much detail, Webb said the knee is improving. “It feels like it’s getting good,” he said. “It’s getting better.” There has been speculation that Webb, a second-year pro drafted in the third round of last year’s draft, could miss the season opener against the New York Jets. For his part, Webb said he wasn’t considering that possibility. “My hope is to do as much as I possibly can,” he said. “To work back as fast as possible, but [be] patient. So I’m just waiting to see.”

 

Sergio Kindle is in stable condition after injuring his head only days before the team’s rookies are scheduled to report to training camp, the latest off-field incident for the Ravens’ first pick in the 2010 draft.

Kindle, 23, suffered the injury in a house he was visiting Thursday night in Austin, Texas, where it is believed he fell down two flights of stairs.

The former University of Texas linebacker has improved the past couple of days and should make a full recovery, according to a league source.

A second-round pick by the Ravens, Kindle will not report to McDaniel College with other rookies Monday when the team’s training camp starts. He is expected to be signed sometime this week, according to a league source.

Not sure what to say about the situation since there aren’t many details as to how he fell down two flights of stairs. There is speculation that he may not have been sober at the time. It’s only speculation but Kindle does have a history of drunken escapades.

In 2007, he was arrested driving while intoxicated while two years later he ran into the side of a building. An event that he explained happened due to texting while driving.

Here’s hoping that he recovers fully but that healso signs this week. I’d love to be able to focus on football for a change.

1. New Orleans Saints. Until you’re beaten on the field, the Super Bowl Champs are entitled to lay claim to the top spot. The Saints have a lot of cracks to fill, but until September rolls around, they must be given the benefit of the doubt.

2. Indianapolis Colts.  Last year’s Super Bowl runner-up is perennially dangerous, and there has been nothing to demonstrate that they will not be able to return to their winning ways. Peyton Manning is one of the greatest QB’s to ever play the game, no matter what tools he has around him, he still makes any team he’s on very dangerous.

3. Green Bay Packers.  This team has gotten consistently better every day of the off season. If the unit continues to mature, and Arron Rodgers continues to improve, they will be a force to reckon with.

4. Baltimore Ravens.  On paper this should be the most balanced and intimidating unit that Baltimore has ever been able to assemble. Two questions are all that stand between the Birds of Baltimore and a trip to Dallas. Can Flacco become the heir apparent to Johnny U?, and can Ray’s Legendary Linebackers and the upgraded Defensive Line compensate for the injury plagued secondary.

5. Minnesota Vikings.  This is one of the more well constructed teams in the NFL. All it lacks is a motivated and determined Quarterback. Love him or hate him, Favre has proven he has what it takes to get this leviathan rolling. The question is whether he comes back, and whether he can stay healthy.

6. New York Jets.  Rex went on a shopping spree this summer and brought in every player he could get off his wish list. Only time will tell whether the hodge podge of talent will pay dividends or succumb to too much ego in too small a locker room.

7. Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are always good. Execution is their problem. no one doubts the amount of talent they have on both sides of the ball, but of late its been a real issue getting the team to click. Wade Phillips must win this year or start job hunting.

8. Cincinnati Bengals.  Could possibly be the most underrated, most dangerous team in the game. I have nothing but good things to say about them. That being said, all depends on Carson’s ability to stay healthy and lead this team.

9. San Diego Chargers.  If they can get their players on board they’ll be great. If not, they’ll be middle of the road. Strife in the locker room is victory poison.

10. Miami Dolphins.  With the pieces they’ve added, no question they’re in position to make some noise. Have to hope however that Henne continues to grow, and Brandon Marshall can continue his Denver productiveness.

11. Atlanta Falcons.  As goes Matt Ryan. So go the Atlanta Falcons.

12. New England Patriots.  Old, tired, beat up. These are the death tolls of the Patriot dynasty. Still a sharp and deadly team, but very much in a state of decline. Need to find a way to right the ship.

13. Pittsburgh Steelers. So many problems there’s no real good place to start. That being said, ben or no Ben this is still a good team and will not go quietly into the night.

14. Houston Texans.  Fantasy Mega-Stars Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson lead this high powered attack. Inconsistency in other aspects of the game leave many questions to be answered.

15. San Francisco 49ers. The time is now for Alex Smith to earn his hype. Frank Gore and Vernon Davis should help out with that.

16. Philadelphia Eagles. The Kevin Kolb project is the only thing that has me intrigued enough to put the Eagles in the top half of the league.

17. New York Giants.  Will the real Eli Manning please stand up? This team has to get back on track quickly lest it be finding itself without a head coach.

18. Tennessee Titans.  Chris Johnson alone, does not a team make. Who knows which way this franchise is headed.

19. Washington Redskins. With aging tools to work with and some serious dead weight (Haynesworth). Can Shanahan the Magnificent work his patened magic to get the Skins back to respectability?

20. Chicago Bears. Jay Cutler has the eyes of the world upon his shoulders. He needs to prove that he’s not just a petulant child and grow up into the leader everyone thought he would be.

21. Arizona Cardinals. The world stopped spinning when Kurt retired and left Arizona in the hands of Matt Leinhart.

22. Detroit Lions. I believe in Jim Schwartz’ ability to turn things around in the Motor City. This could be the first big step for the Lions to earn some respect.

23. Seattle Seahawks.  Can Pete Carroll bring his winning touch to the NFL? Clearly he has a history of paying good players to come and produce for him, why shouldn’t that work now that it’s legal to do so?

24. Carolina Panthers. Does anyone have any clue what this team is about this year?

25. Denver Broncos. Josh McDaniels experiment take two. Let’s see what the Man-Child comes up with this year.

26. Kansas City Chiefs. Still rebuilding. Not much else to say.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars. Without Maurice Jones-Drew, this franchise is a UFL team at best. The only good thing about their existence is that they prevented Baltimore from being called “The Bombers.” Seriously! Who thought that name was a good idea?

28. Buffalo Bills. From bad to worse. Things aren’t likely to chance soon in upstate New York.

29. Cleveland Browns. Have some potential to be the spoiler, but not likely. This is just phase one of the Holmgren rebuilding plan.

30. Oakland Raiders. They have talent, just lack the pieces needed to make the talent shine. Raiders could be most likely candidate for the “I told you we’d be good award” handed out to most obnoxious barfly at the local pub when the team finishes 8-8.

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Re-tooling, re-building, re-launching, still losing.

32. St. Louis Rams. Coming Soon! The Los Angeles Rams!

Revealing exactly how the Ravens haven’t given him “support,” Ed Reed said the team refused to give him game film when he requested it a couple of weeks ago.

“I had to give an excuse, that’s what was told to me,” Reed told WBAL on Thursday. “This is the organization that you want me to play for.”

He added, “I got the text message to prove it, so this ain’t nothing I’m not lying about.”

Reed said he was still able to watch old film that he had, which is why he described the incident as “minor.”

The Ravens are aware of Reed’s accusation.

“If this happened, it had to be a misunderstanding of some sort,” said Kevin Byrne, the Ravens’ senior vice president of public and community relations. “We know Ed is a great student of the game and studies football video all the time. We encourage our players to do this.”

Another interesting twist as we start to get clarification over some of Reed’s disappointment with the team. Though I find it hard to understand why the team would refuse a player request for game tape. As usual there has to be more to this story and it may just be a simple misunderstanding or this could only be the start of much deeper issues between the All-Pro Safety and the Baltimore franchise.

As usual stay tuned.

In the mean time you can click on the link from Thursday’s interview Reed had with WBAL-TV’s Pete Gilbert. He responds to the off-field issues and why he’s upset.

http://www.wbaltv.com/video/24357510/index.html

Even though I’ve spent several days hanging by the pool I’m not crazy from the heat just yet. Today’s round table theme deals with Talking Heads. Not David Byrne’s band though I do love the song, “Once in a Lifetime”. but instead many Ravens have been very active behind the microphone giving interviews and opinions as we gear up to start another season.

The days go by, as we get closer to Training Camp as this Monday things get underway at least for rookies, quarterbacks and select vets. The money may not be gone for some but that doesn’t mean they don’t want more of it. Finally will this season be the one where Baltimore nabs it’s second title in franchise history or will they come up short ’same as it ever was’?

1) What should we make of the comments towards now 2nd string quarterback Marc Bulger? Joe Flacco seemed concerned with chemistry while Ed Reed stated he was “just another guy”. Will Bulger be able to fit in?

Jonathan Scruggs you’re up :

Joe is just doing what all good quarterbacks do. He’s sticking up for his men. Like a Company XO defending the training and integrity of the soldiers beneath him, Flacco is standing by Troy and John and letting the public know that he’s not exactly thrilled by the fact that one of them must inevitably be released. I have no doubt that Joe has the utmost confidence in Bulger as his backup, but the three young quarterbacks have been together since the beginning and none want to see one of their brethren cast off. I mean do you really want to be the one to tell Porthos that he’s out of the Three Musketeers because D’Artagnan has joined the group?

Gene Winner, your thoughts:

Anytime there is change it can ‘rock the boat’ as they say, and in this case the move may impact his friendships. Knowing the team can’t keep 4 Qb’s, means one of his buddies will be gone.  Also, Flacco knows that Bulger provides some real competition, so in a good way it is a motivational tool.  In the long run Bulger will help Flacco—a vet QB on the team is important. It does show the organization is serious about having capable depth behind Flacco.

And lastly, Jergs weighs in.

Anytime a new player comes into the locker room it can bring a level of uncertainty to the  team. It will take some time to develop the same camaraderie that Smith, Beck and Flacco seemed to have. Bulger’s signing signals change is ahead and that could mean one or both of Flacco’s back-ups will be out of a job. No one ever likes to see a friend out of work. As for Flacco I’m excited he actually spoke up and gave his opinion on something. This season is a big one for the young quarterback and I’m hoping that his comments are a sign that he will exert more leadership both on and off the field. He just defending his guys and hopefully Bulger will become one too.

2) Speaking of Ed Reed, he’s been unusually friendly with the media these days. What do you think of his recent statements about his injury, his contract and the notion that the Ravens organization “wasn’t there for him”? In addition, how should the Ravens proceed with this situation?

J-Sizzle :

When Ed signed his contract three seasons ago he became the highest paid Safety in the NFL. Since then ridiculously undeserved monster payouts have been handed out making him 7th or 8th on the list, and that doesn’t sit well. Ed knows how important he is. He knows that even when playing hurt he’s still the best in the game. As such Ed feels like he should be paid as the best.  That being said, Ed is an idiot. You want to demand more money? Fine, but don’t call out your team and demand more cash when there’s doubt as to whether or not you’ll even ever play again. You’ve got a bad hip, a bum neck, and lingering shoulder issues. Get healthy, play the game, and then demand your reward.

Gino Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner :

Don’t know what to make of the great awesome player Ed Reed, its sounding like he wants to be paid more. Did these differences begin last year? The organization never pressured him on his decision about retirement; they gave him his space.    Can you blame the Ravens for not wanting to discuss a contract with a player who was considering retirement and who has injury issues?  I think most fans would like to know why he waited until April to have surgery. 

Mr. J :

I realize that this all a part of the game that players play but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. Contracts are an internal matter and it’s something that should be discussed with the organization in private. It’s more surprising in Reed’s case because he traditionally shies away from the media like a vampire to sunlight. His comments have been interesting, that is if you can actually follow what he’s saying. His statements have been charged with emotion and it’s hard to tell exactly what he’s upset with the organization about besides the fact that he wants more money. His emotional reaction to things is somewhat understandable. He’s facing something no athlete ever wants to, the prospect that his playing days may be over.

3) Derrick Mason said in an interview “Anything less than a Super Bowl win, really, is a disappointment to us,” Do you agree that this year is -Super Bowl or bust?

Jonathan :

Every single team in the NFL has the same goal come September 7th. Make it to Dallas. Win it all. Whether you’re the lowly Rams or the mighty Ravens, anything short of the Super Bowl is ALWAYS a disappointment. This year it is hard to not be even more anxious to get over the hump  since the Ravens have gotten a lot better on paper and have made the playoffs the last two seasons. There’s no reason to think they should be able to win it all this year, especially with all the looming questions surrounding their rivals. This year has to be Super Bowl or bust. Just like every other year.

Gene: 

Why not go for it! Every team should have that goal in mind.  Of course you don’t want to forget that the journey is difficult and they will face challenges along the way. They need to take it one game, one play at a time, and remember that the talking is done of the field.

M. J. :

All the moves the franchise has made this off-season point to a now or never attitude. This is the deepest team in Ravens history. Of course every team dreams of championship victory in July but Baltimore feels that this could be their year. They have a solid top ten defense and with new offensive weapons like Anquan Boldin added to the mix there is plenty to be excited about. In order for these dreams to become reality though offense must be able to score on a consistent basis and not falter against the better defensive units. If that improves the Ravens could make an unprecedented third playoff appearance and possible beyond.

Sun, 09/26/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns
Sun, 10/10/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Denver Broncos
Sun, 10/24/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Buffalo Bills
Sun, 11/07/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Miami Dolphins
Sun, 11/28/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sun, 12/05/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Sun, 12/19/10 – Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints
Sun, 01/02/11 – Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

And if miss out on this sale, you can always get tickets through a Baltimore Ravens ticket broker..