Going to Camp tomorrow…I can’t wait to see the lightly fast feet of Mt. Cody

I definitely don’t feel it’s a foregone conclusion that they are going to win the North and I definitely don’t feel the division is “theirs to lose”…

With injuries to Ed Reed and Kindle fracturing his skull (as Pat eluded to), this division has become much more of a 2 team race.

Now the Bengals, who were one of the league leaders in rushing last year, have added all the folks Pat talked about to add a passing attack to the run game. Let’s also not forget that, with decent players around him, Carson Palmer is still an elite QB in this league.

A few weeks ago I thought the Ravens would be the only team going to the playoffs from the North with 3 AFC East teams making it…now I’m saying the East and North each get a wild card and the 2 games between the Ravens and Bengals are going to be much bigger for both teams this year than matchups with the Steelers.

Finally, in regards to the Bengals upping the ante. Let’s also not forget that they have one of the Top 5 Defenses in the league…a great front 7 and, arguably the best CB tandem in the league (don’t get mad by that statement Jets fans, it may very well be true).

The Ravens had a great off season, but a terrible week or so leading up to training camp. Ed Reed bitching, Kindle fracturing his skull, the comments circulating around Troy Smith and Marc Bulger. Ultimately these issues are not the end of the world, but I like to see the Ravens get things running smoothly again and have a great camp.

Ryan – we might have the fifth oldest roster in the league, but we have that mix of veterans and contributing young soon-to-be-stars that wins championships…hopefully we can stay relatively healthy this year (knock on wood).

Speaking of the Bengals adding combustible players to the roster in the offseason….you wrote this before they signed T.O! Powder keg ready to explode. I think the Ravens need to get off to a fast start in order to secure at least one home playoff game. Also, if the last few regular season games have little significance because the Ravens have already locked up a playoff berth, they can give needed rest to the 5th oldest roster in the league. Depth is key!! Go Cowboys!

USA is what it is. Why do we have to be equal to football or baseball? Who cares? We will improve soccer slowly, incrementally, and by sending our best to compete with the best, just as Every nation does (Beckham at Milan and Madrid, Fabregas at Arsenal, Torres at Liverpool (with Alonso) and Barbatov at Man U as well as Henry at Arsenal and Barca…Every Italian who plays for Milan is on National Team. Every Spaniard who plays for Barca is on National Team. But many top stars even at the largest and best teams plays for clubs outside their country home league (Germans may be an exception). But even these club teams are sprinkled with the worlds best from Togo, Uruguay, Korea, and yes, USA.

Even Powerhouse Spain just won their first ever World Cup, and the great Holland has never won. Spain never even got to a finals. Russia and many other good teams like Ireland did not even qualify for the 2010 Cup tournament. England has won only at home in 1966. And France and Italy went out in the Group early stage. So lets keep perspective. As someone who played in collegein the 1970s against Bruce Arena, I can assure you the trajectory has been steeply upward. Steeply! USA Soccer glass if half full.
If there is anyone to sack and replace, go after Sunil Gulati and the cronies at US Soccer, not Bradley, who is a Horatio Alger boy makes good story of some serious proportion. Small town Jersey boy makes the Woeld Cup? Has a fantastic record, dominates his region, reaches top 20 rankings, beats Euro teams for the first time, and plays a well thought out, properly talent suited style based on athleticism, endurance, fortitude, midfield dominance and counterattack, and making the most out of Very limited attacking talent. Bradley is a hero (OK replace him but give him his full due).

I would be willing to bet that he hasn’t been 100% for an entire year since his 2nd or 3rd in the league (even including his tremendous season a couple of years ago).

I think both him and the Ravens realize he’s close to retiring and, want one season with him at a full 100% to make a Super Bowl push…there’s no better season than this one for that.

This guy hasn’t missed all that many games in his career but, he has also played the majority of them at closer to 80% than 100.

Tim – actually Reed has averaged over 14 games per season during his career. He has some serious injuries, but up to this point he’s found a way to get on the field for the most part. That being said, I wouldn’t be surprised if he retires in two years or plays for another five. I agree though that the Ravens need him more in December and January then they do in September and October.

I think his thought process, and the teams, is that he’ll sit out the first 6 games so that he can be 100% healthy for the bulk of the season and playoffs (something we haven’t seen out of Ed Reed in a while).

If this is his last push, he wants to go out w/a bang and both him and the team realize that the Ravens can go 4-2 without him and need him much more come Dec-Feb than they will in September.

I personally think this is Ed’s last year and, with as talented as the Ravens are, he doesn’t want to risk watching a 2nd round playoff exit from the bench when he could be the piece of the puzzle that puts them in Dallas come February.

I hate the Troy Smith talk more than anything. People are playing the race card when it has nothing to do with why he doesn’t start. I hope he goes to the Bills and plays and then everyone sees that he is just mediocre and nothing more than a decent backup.

Ed received a 6 year deal in 2006 that basically paid him 40 million. This really was good money fitting of a NFL defensive player of the year. There was a solid bonus up front and a nice chunk of the contract was guaranteed. There were also two hefty bonuses added in for years two and three of the contract. Reed isn’t owed any money in arrears for his great play…he has been compensated fairly.

I just wish he wouldn’t say stuff like “Troy Smith is a better QB than Marc Bulger.” Add that in with Flacco’s comments and I wouldn’t want to be in Marc Bulger’s shoes coming into training camp. 100% of people in this community and who follow the Ravens love Ed Reed. He doesnt need to make statements to become a polarizing figure. Just shut up, rehad, and be a good teammate. period.