Moving on....
There's always a lot of media hype and over-analysis leading up to the Super Bowl. But I always get a kick out of some of the side stories. For instance, today I was reading an article about how President Obama said that he would "have to think long and hard" about letting his son (if he had one) play football. Obviously, referring to the physical and sometimes violent nature of the game. But come on Prez, playing football is a right-of-passage for a young boy. Let me guess....I'll bet your fictitious son idolizes Tom Brady? (By the way, Raven's hard-hitting, future HOF safety, Ed Reed also backs the President's thinking on this.)
Reed isn't the only Baltimore safety who has thoughts on the direction of the game. Bernard Pollard predicted that the NFL won't be around in thirty years if it continues to throw flags on every highlight-reel hit. He feels that fans are going to eventually get tired of it. By the way, Pollard was the Raven who knocked the New England running-back unconscious in the AFC championship game. Ouch!
Of course, everyone knows that the Harbaugh brothers will be coaching against each other in the Super Bowl. But a lot of people don't know that San Francisco head coach, Jim Harbaugh was the Raven's starting quarterback in 1998.
Not surprising, Ray Lewis is the topic of conversation for various reasons. First off, the Super Bowl will indeed be his last game ever. Winning another Super Bowl ring would be the perfect ending to a Hall-of-Fame career. I'm sure Ray would want nothing more than to join the likes of John Elway, Jerome Bettis and Michael Strahan as great players who ended their career with a Super Bowl win. But hold on loosely and don't let go......
Lewis was the recent subject of a Facebook message that was posted by the wife of New England receiver, Wes Welker. Clearly bitter after the Raven's victory over her husband's team in the AFC Championship, Mrs. Welker tweeted:
“Proud of my husband and the Pats,” Anna Welker wrote. “By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis’ Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!”
Ladies, I know it's probably natural to want to protect your man. But leave the trash talking to the guys. I know Mrs. Welker has since apologized and Lewis says that he has no hard feelings over it.
But actually, we're not quite done with Ray just yet. Now, there are reports that the Raven's linebacker used deer-antler spray to recover from a triceps injury earlier this season. Deer-antler spray, you say? I've never even heard of it either. But apparently this crazy spray contains a substance (IGF-1) that happens to be banned by the NFL. So, expect the Ray-haters to have a field day with the convenient timing of this one. (By the way, do you think that the St. Louis Rams ever use this stuff? Or maybe they maybe a different spray for ram horns?)
And perhaps even more surprising, Joe Flacco actually got into a little bit of trouble this week. Yes, Cool Joe! When asked about the possibility of a Super Bowl being played in Denver (on the heels on next year's Super Bowl in New Jersey), the usually reserved Baltimore QB responded, "I think it's retarded". Was it blown out of proportion? Sure, it was. But, unless he's making a guest appearance on South Park, probably not the best choice of words for Joe.
Of course, Joe is likely gong to ask for some big money when his new contract is negotiated. If the Ravens win on Sunday, Joe will definitely be riding on the money train. Bring home the bacon, Joe!
In other news surrounding the big game:
kw
Reed isn't the only Baltimore safety who has thoughts on the direction of the game. Bernard Pollard predicted that the NFL won't be around in thirty years if it continues to throw flags on every highlight-reel hit. He feels that fans are going to eventually get tired of it. By the way, Pollard was the Raven who knocked the New England running-back unconscious in the AFC championship game. Ouch!
Of course, everyone knows that the Harbaugh brothers will be coaching against each other in the Super Bowl. But a lot of people don't know that San Francisco head coach, Jim Harbaugh was the Raven's starting quarterback in 1998.
Not surprising, Ray Lewis is the topic of conversation for various reasons. First off, the Super Bowl will indeed be his last game ever. Winning another Super Bowl ring would be the perfect ending to a Hall-of-Fame career. I'm sure Ray would want nothing more than to join the likes of John Elway, Jerome Bettis and Michael Strahan as great players who ended their career with a Super Bowl win. But hold on loosely and don't let go......
Lewis was the recent subject of a Facebook message that was posted by the wife of New England receiver, Wes Welker. Clearly bitter after the Raven's victory over her husband's team in the AFC Championship, Mrs. Welker tweeted:
“Proud of my husband and the Pats,” Anna Welker wrote. “By the way, if anyone is bored, please go to Ray Lewis’ Wikipedia page. 6 kids 4 wives. Acquitted for murder. Paid a family off. What a hall of fame player! A true role model!”
Ladies, I know it's probably natural to want to protect your man. But leave the trash talking to the guys. I know Mrs. Welker has since apologized and Lewis says that he has no hard feelings over it.
But actually, we're not quite done with Ray just yet. Now, there are reports that the Raven's linebacker used deer-antler spray to recover from a triceps injury earlier this season. Deer-antler spray, you say? I've never even heard of it either. But apparently this crazy spray contains a substance (IGF-1) that happens to be banned by the NFL. So, expect the Ray-haters to have a field day with the convenient timing of this one. (By the way, do you think that the St. Louis Rams ever use this stuff? Or maybe they maybe a different spray for ram horns?)
And perhaps even more surprising, Joe Flacco actually got into a little bit of trouble this week. Yes, Cool Joe! When asked about the possibility of a Super Bowl being played in Denver (on the heels on next year's Super Bowl in New Jersey), the usually reserved Baltimore QB responded, "I think it's retarded". Was it blown out of proportion? Sure, it was. But, unless he's making a guest appearance on South Park, probably not the best choice of words for Joe.
Of course, Joe is likely gong to ask for some big money when his new contract is negotiated. If the Ravens win on Sunday, Joe will definitely be riding on the money train. Bring home the bacon, Joe!
In other news surrounding the big game:
- Beyonce is scheduled to perform in this year's half-time show. Do you think it will be live or Memorex?
- On Tuesday, the 49'ers Randy Moss claimed that he was the greatest wide receiver of all time. I've got two words for you, Randy....Jerry Rice.
- San Francisco cornerback Chris Culliver got himself into some hot water by making anti-gay comments. In his words, "he can't be with the sweet stuff". Apparently, he wasn't referring to Splenda...
- I just read today that Dan Marino fathered a child through an extramarital affair and paid millions to keep it secret. Who does he think he is? Arnold Schwarzenegger??
- San Francisco QB Colin Kaepernick loves burgers from Red Robin. So, the restaurant has agreed to give him free burgers for life if he leads the 49ers to victory on Sunday. Hey, if Chick-fil-A gave me that same offer, I'd lead the Detroit Lions to a Super Bowl victory!
There's definitely a lot going on as we inch closer to Sunday. No matter what happens at this point, it has been a phenomenal year for me and all my fellow Raven's fans. Keep the faith and let's bring another championship back to Baltimore!
kw
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