OPENING GAME, 2013: For the first time since 2003 the Super Bowl Champions will be opening the season on the road. The fact that it is Baltimore is not a surprise to me. I despised the NFL in the Expansion Debacle and can honestly say that I snarl at them after this move. 

First, people have been dumping on the Orioles for depriving the fans of the ability to celebrate the Super Bowl champions. There are too many moving parts in rescheduling a baseball game to single out the home team, but I d...

THE CITY THAT CAN'T REEEEEDDDD: Except when the Texans come to town. Ed Reed has accepted the Texans' deal and will not be a career-Raven. He has taken his two tickets to Houston and will help their defense with the talents that he has left.

 It is a sad time, since Ed was a game-changer at times. Of course, he also was a free-lancer that left CB's exposed. And he left us at times saying "that is Ed being Ed". He has talent in the tank, but the Ravens have chosen to go in a different direction...

GUTTING THE DEFENSE: With the players that have moved on, people see the team as being vulnerable. The National Talking-Heads are calling the changes a major hit to the SB team and local airwaves are filled with references to a "rebuilding year" and a 3-13 year. The theory is that a team that wins the SB should not make changes to the degree that have hit the Ravens and expect to "repeat". The influx of youth will have the team step back and there are those who are threatening to dump their P...

WIPING THE SLATE CLEAN: The last few days have seen a major change in the Baltimore Ravens - and not just in the roster moves. This appears to be a change in the deeper character of the team. The changes are not just related to age/cap space/market values. IMHO this is the bigger change to a true TEAM identity - and a shift to an team with a focus on offense for now.

 1. Boldin: Right now he is the only offensive change; although McKinnie is probably the next one and Leach can still be a cap c...

FREE AGENCY: At midnight March 8/9 , the FA circus begins with the ability of teams to negotiate with players from other teams. Although they can not be signed until Monday afternoon, we will have a ton of leaks from both agents and teams about the possible deals. Big names will be spread across the media as teams look to land a game-changer.

 Historically, the Ravens do not participate in this round of FA. They will tender their players based on the value to the team and will push to reach a ...

DEAL IS DONE (ALMOST): The reports are that the Ravens and Flacco have a deal, that will be signed on Monday. The preliminary report is that it is 6 years, 120.6 Million (Jay Glazer, Fox Sports). The guaranteed portion and the details are still to be released.

 

Move on to the other UFA's. For me, target Ellerbe first.

JOE FLACCO: Let me see a show of hands for those who are tired of hearing about the contract negotiations every day. Breaking News !!! There is no deal !!! Breaking News !!! The Browns will give up two first-rounders and pay a ton of money if the Ravens do not give him the Exclusive Tag !!!

 Please. March 4 is the first date to wake up to the negotiations; and that is just to hit the snooze alarm. The Ravens have to designate Joe with one of the two Franchise Tags, just to be able to negotiate...