Image from baltimoreravens.com.

Our Ravens are certainly not twiddling their thumbs during the lockout.

Image from festival-cannes.com.

Apparently, outside linebacker Terrell “T-Sizzle” Suggs is currently in France at the Cannes Film Festival. Suggs is president and CEO of a film production company, Team Sizzle Worldwide.

One of Sizzle’s films, When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things, is premiering at the prestigious French festival. Team Sizzle Worldwide, indeed! Best of luck to Suggs and the film!

(T) Coach John; (B) Coach Jim. Images from baltimoresun.com and espn.com.

to the NFL refs who have to work the 49ers-Ravens game Thanksgiving night in Baltimore (provided there is a season).

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will face off against the new head coach in San Francisco: his brother Jim.

As any good Ravens fan already knows, these are two coaches who are not afraid to show their emotions.

The league should line up the thickest-skinned officials available for this first-time ever battle of NFL coaching brothers.

In the infamous words of the Jets Bart Scott, “CAN’T WAIT!”

Image from baltimoreravens.com.

The recent “super tornado” that destroyed parts of Alabama struck Ravens fullback Le’Ron McClain much too close to home. McClain was born in Alabama and attended the University of Alabama before coming to the Ravens.

The Pro Bowl fullback has been involved in a number of tornado-relief efforts, both in his home state and in Baltimore.

The Baltimore event is actually happening today. Here are the details if you are able to contribute:

92Q Jams & Le’Ron McClain present

                                   Baltimore for Bama

WHERE: Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center, 1100 E. Fayette St., Balto., MD 21202

TIME: TODAY, TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2011, 4 PM TO 7 PM

NEEDS: Clothes, Shoes, Toys, Food (nonperishable only), and Monetary Donations

Images from baltimoreravens.com.

SHOWN IN IMAGES

LEFT SIDE:

(Top) LB Ray Lewis; (Bottom) LB Jameel McClain

RIGHT SIDE:

(Top) L-R: CB Fabian Washington; RB Ray Rice

(Middle) L-R: WR Justin Harper; CB Lardarius Webb; G Ben Grubbs; G Tony Moll

(Bottom) L-R: CB Cary Williams; S Dawan Landry; CB Fabian Washington

In reviewing my recent posts, I notice that I have come across as somewhat more favorable toward the owners in the NFL lockout. This leaning does not reflect my actual feeling because I am firmly in the middle with regard to the lockout. I refuse to believe that there is no middle ground; both sides are going to have to make concessions if we are to see any football this fall.

Nonetheless, I wanted to do a post that would even out the tone of my posts of late. In the media today, the image of the professional athlete is often not a postive one. Yet, the fact that untold numbers of athletes contribute large amounts of time and money to their local communities cannot be disputed.

Last year, I didn’t write about the charitable efforts of the Ravens during the holiday season, and I’m taking the opportunity to do so now. Many thanks to all of the Ravens involved in helping those in need in Baltimore as well as in their hometown communities.

Ravens #21, CB Lardarius Webb. Image from baltimoresun.com.

Apparently, the Ravens top draft pick, cornerback Jimmy Smith, had his sights set on Lardarius Webb’s #21. Thankfully, Lardarius was not havin’ it!

Webb has done nothing but work hard and BALL since he’s been here, and has developed many fans. He rehabbed from a serious injury and still played exceptionally well last season. I’m glad he didn’t cave in to an NFL-unproven rookie who many teams wouldn’t even take a chance on. Props to you, Webby!

Image from nfl.com.

I might be upset with the NFL, its owners, and its players as a result of the lockout which may or may not be over as I type. However, no amount of anger at the league can keep me from watching the draft.

I absolutely love the draft and all of its assorted posturing and grandeur. 2011 Draft Day 1 is now over and didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed every moment of:

• Roger Goodell getting booed loudly by the fans
• #1 pick Cam Newton getting booed even more loudly by the fans
• The ridiculously huge diamond watches worn by several of the draftees in attendance that someone must have been giving away (I joke here; I know full well that ice that nice comes at a price!)
• The giant players in their sharp tailored suits
• The moms, dads, and assorted family members in their best attire
• The agents with just as many dollar signs in their eyes as the aforementioned family members
• The perfect unchanging nature of draft pundit (and native Baltimorean) Mel Kiper’s hair
• The constant props given to the Ravens and Steelers when our hapless AFC North mates the Browns and Bengals inevitably pick in the top 15 or so
• The satellite shots of draftee homes filled to the brim with camera-hogging relatives
• The neverending numbers of ESPN football *analysts* ready to argue the merit of each and every pick
• The oddball shenanigans surrounding the Ravens selection (for a second straight year mind you)
• And last but not least, the loud, obnoxious, belligerent fans who come out year after year to support their team (and by support I mean wild cheers and/or jeering boos)

The first night of the draft reminded me of why I love football; in the midst of the foolishness that is this lockout, I needed a reason to care again. No matter how dirty the goings-on behind the scenes, and no matter how arrogant some of its players past and present may or may not be, football represents opportunity and I mustn’t give up on it so quickly.

Players are given the chance at glory in addition to potential wealth beyond their wildest dreams; fans are given the opportunity to back a winner (or just a club) and escape the mundane for a few hours every Sunday. For these reasons, let’s hope that a resolution will happen so that the 2011 season is saved, and I can get back to my usual commiserations about my Ravens.

Image from cafepress.com.

Well, it took a few months, but I am 100% officially annoyed with the NFL—owners, league, and players. I find it ridiculous that absolutely no agreement can be reached with regard to the most popular sport in the U.S., even with the involvement of court-ordered mediators.

But what REALLY set me over the edge this week was the league’s release of next year’s schedule. So Commish, you’re telling me that the owners and players cannot come to terms and the league won’t use replacement players, but you are perfectly confident that there will be a full season next year that won’t at all have been impacted by the time lost to the lockout?? Makes no sense at all and this is the venture into lunacy that I just can’t buy.

Releasing that schedule makes fans, vendors, and stadium workers believe that there will be a full 2011 season. Why lead us on like this? With each passing day, I grow more disillusioned by all of the posturing and shenanigans. At this point, I don’t even know if I’ll watch any football next year.

Image from barnesandnoble.com.

A fan is suing the NFL in an effort to end the lockout of the players. The plaintiff, a Cleveland Browns fan, has a seat license for tickets and believes that the lockout violates the terms of his license agreement.

I don’t know if his case will go very far, but I applaud this fan for his serious attempt to end the insanity. I know that many fans spend money well in advance of the season on seating agreements and tickets, so if any of them already have paid money for next season, then this seems to me quite a legitimate complaint. Someone needs to do something because the clocking is ticking on any real chance of having a full 2011 season.

Here are a few articles that should help explain what’s going on TODAY (potential draft boycott, court date set)…who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am, however, happy to report that the sports media sentiment seems to be turning in favor of the players…that’s my perception anyway.

S Tom Zbikowski. Image from baltimoreravens.com.

UPDATE, 3/12/11: Zibby knocked out his competition and emerged victorious. Congrats! 

——————————————————————-

Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski will fight his second professional bout tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Several Ravens have vowed to attend and show their support for “Zibby”.

What happens in Vegas might stay in Vegas, but I just want all Ravens—a victorious Zibby included—to make sure they come back to the team!

Good luck, Zibby!