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TWEAKING THE RAVENS: PART TWO Defense was Ravens' strongest unit in 2011, but now there are questions

By Matt Vensel, The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 22:33:00 EST

Matt Vensel: The Ravens' defense was the team's best unit in 2011, ranking among the NFL's elite in sacks, scoring defense and yards allowed per game. But you could argue that the defense has the most question marks entering this offseason. The team will need to start planning for life after Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, find a pass rusher to pair with linebacker Terrell Suggs and make sure the defensive swagger doesn't leave with coordinator Chuck Pagano's departure.

Korean baseball's governing body has banned O's scouts after Kim signing

By Eduardo A. Encina — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 22:29:00 EST

The Orioles' signing of a South Korean teenage pitching prospect has prompted Korean baseball officials to consider imposing stricter rules on major league clubs looking to sign the nation's top young talent. Last month, the Orioles signed 17-year-old Kim Seong-min, regarded as South Korea's top left-handed high school pitching prospect, to an international free-agent deal. The move has since drawn outrage from the South Korean baseball community.

Mike Preston: Count Harbaugh as one of NFL's best coaches

Mike Preston — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 18:02:00 EST

Columnist says John Harbaugh's name should be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy.

Terrell Owens says he can still play, cites the Ravens to prove his point

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 10:42:00 EST

Ravens Insider : Terrell Owens is currently playing for the Allen Wranglers of the Indoor Football League. T.O. said Wednesday that there is no question he can still help an NFL team. And he cited the Ravens as a team that proves his point. "You look at the AFC championship. The Baltimore Ravens the past two years brought in two guys they thought could get the job done. It comes down to crucial catches and they didn't make those catches. So I am definitely aware of my talents."

TWEAKING THE RAVENS: PART ONE With these three adjustments, the Ravens' offense could be humming

By Matt Vensel, The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 18:02:00 EST

After being on the cusp of a Super Bowl trip, Ravens have only minor changes to make

In the first of a three-part series, Baltimore Sun staff writer Matt Vensel analyzes the Ravens' offense and looks at three ways the team can improve on that side of the ball in 2012. It starts with quarterback Joe Flacco getting more in tune with his young and promising receiving corps, but the offensive line and running game will also be key areas to watch in the offseason. Vensel will look at the 'D' and special teams next.

Loyola's Shane Walker, transfer from Terps, has Olympic hopes

By Don Markus , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:51:00 EST

Transfer from Maryland could play for England in Olympic Games

The past and future for Shane Walker is back home in England. He left there in 2005 to pursue a basketball career in the United States that included playing for two high schools in three years and a college career that began at the University of Maryland and will end next month at Loyola. He will return to London this spring with hopes of playing for the host country in the Olympics this summer.

Ravens Insider: How did Joe Flacco fare when pressured?

By Matt Vensel — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:30:00 EST

For Thursday’s newspaper, I began a three-part series called “Tweaking the Ravens” and I started by tweaking the offense. A big chunk of the analysis piece ( you can find it here ) was about the importance of continuity and stability for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who took a step forward in the team’s recent postseason run.

Bergesen loses arbitration hearing to O's, will earn $800,000

By Dan Connolly — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 13:18:00 EST

Orioles right-hander Brad Bergesen lost his arbitration bid Thursday, giving the team its seventh consecutive victory in the process.

Orioles will have two additional scouts on pro assignments

By Dan Connolly — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 17:32:00 EST

A couple of months after moving its pro scouting department under one umbrella that would focus primarily on amateur scouting, the Orioles have decided to put a little more emphasis on monitoring the minor leagues.

Lacrosse players planned alcohol intervention too late for George Huguely

By Tricia Bishop , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 9 Feb 2012 21:37:39 EST

Testimony in murder trial also includes rescuers' attempts to revive defendant's girlfriend

George Huguely V was getting drunk four nights a week in his final month of college, and his lacrosse teammates at the University of Virginia were considering some kind of intervention at the close of the 2010 season, a friend testified Thursday in Charlottesville Circuit Court.