Ravens got a boost when McNair came to town

July 4, 2009

When former Ravens quarterback Steve McNair came to Baltimore in 2006, he was near the end of his career, but at the beginning of something special for the Ravens. Not only did McNair lead the Ravens to the playoffs that season, but he eventually became the model for a franchise that had been haunted by poor quarterback decisions.

Recent columns

• It's definitely Harbaugh's team now

  June 23, 2009

  A year ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was a rookie, leaving us to wonder how he was going to take control of this team. With such strong player personalities, the question was when this was going to become Harbaugh's team.

• No question: Ravens are now Harbaugh's team

  June 22, 2009

  A year ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was a rookie, leaving us to wonder how he was going to take control of this team. With such strong player personalities, the question was when this was going to become Harbaugh's team.

• Ravens should steer clear of receiver Brandon Marshall

  June 20, 2009

  The Ravens have brought in their share of troubled players in the past, but none would have had more run-ins with the law than if the Ravens trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

• Ravens should steer clear of Brandon Marshall

  June 19, 2009

  The Ravens have brought in their share of troubled players in the past, but none would have had more run-ins with the law than if the Ravens trade for Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall.

• Will Gregg's knee hold up in Ravens minicamp?

  June 16, 2009

  Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg's knee has survived several offseason minicamps, but the big test comes in late July when training camp opens. That's when something has to break.

• Ravens' Gregg will be ready

  June 15, 2009

  Ravens defensive tackle Kelly Gregg's knee has survived several off-season minicamps, but the big test comes in late July when training camp opens. That's when something has to break.

• Ravens might have unearthed another gem

  June 13, 2009

  The Ravens might have hit the rookie-free-agent jackpot again.

• Ravens' Gerard showing he may belong

  June 12, 2009

  The Ravens might have hit the rookie free agent jackpot again.

• The Ravens: 10 things you'll want to know

  June 9, 2009

  The Ravens have begun another passing camp at The Castle, and the team hopes it will find some answers heading into training camp.

• Former Raven wants to kick again in the NFL

  June 6, 2009

  Matt Stover has come to grips with his life after football. If his phone rings in late July or August, he is prepared to continue his career as one of the NFL's best kickers.

• For Ravens, no tight end in sight

  June 2, 2009

  The Ravens have not declared a tight end state of emergency yet, but they are keeping a cautious eye on the position.

• Offensive efficiency a priority for Ravens

  May 31, 2009

  As the Ravens work through offseason minicamps, they have two priorities for the offense heading into training camp, which opens in late July.

• Late struggles cost Cornell the title

  May 26, 2009

  F - No. 5 Cornell had the perfect game plan to upset No. 2 Syracuse in the NCAA Division I men's title game Monday, but there were several in-game decisions that cost the Big Red.

• Depth will be key to Syracuse victory

  May 25, 2009

  FWhen it comes to overall depth, few teams can match Syracuse, and that will be the major factor in today's Division I championship game between No. 2 seed Syracuse and No. 5 Cornell.

• For Duke, third time only does more harm

  May 24, 2009

  The next time Duke gets an opportunity to play in the NCAA Division I men's Final Four lacrosse tournament, maybe it should borrow former first lady Nancy Reagan's line, and "just say no."

• Virginia freshman Stanwick goes from couch to hot seat

  May 23, 2009

  FNearly a year ago, Virginia attackman Steele Stanwick lay on a couch in his Roland Park home watching the NCAA Division I men's lacrosse final four on TV.

• Virginia twins provide double trouble for foes

  May 19, 2009

  About 30 minutes after Johns Hopkins had absorbed one of the worst playoff losses in the school's history, Blue Jays coach Dave Pietramala made it a point to state the obvious, but it was a comment that was long overdue.

• Balance of power is in Duke's favor

  May 15, 2009

  During the previous two seasons, Duke coach John Danowski used the star system to fuel his offense - almost everything ran through All-America attackmen Matt Danowski and Zack Greer. The Blue Devils are using the same offensive system in 2009, but it's now built on balance and a team concept.

• Hopkins' Boland turns it around on field, in classroom

  May 14, 2009

  Johns Hopkins junior attackman Chris Boland was one of those guaranteed success stories that almost didn't have a happy ending.

• Syracuse looks promising for another NCAA title

  May 8, 2009

  The 16-team Division I men's lacrosse field is as balanced as ever as far as talented teams, but No. 2 seed Syracuse received the best draw and has the best chance of winning a second straight national championship.

• Loyola couldn't beat teams in NCAA field, didn't join them

  May 4, 2009

  The Loyola Greyhounds can complain all they want about not making the 16-team NCAA Division I lacrosse tournament, but they shouldn't. They don't have anyone to blame but themselves.

• Teams await fate as NCAA tournament selection looms

  May 2, 2009

  When Villanova upset Hofstra on Wednesday in a Colonial Athletic Association semifinal, it sent shock waves through the world of lacrosse, especially on Maryland's campus in College Park.

• Early report card: Ravens better than last year

  April 28, 2009

  The draft experts are weighing in, and the grades for the Ravens are all over the place.

• Oher isn't flashy, but Ravens tackled big need by drafting him

  April 26, 2009

  The Ravens took out an insurance policy on quarterback Joe Flacco on Saturday night. When they moved up three spots in the draft to select Mississippi offensive tackle Michael Oher with the No. 23 overall pick, they were basically protecting their investment of a year ago, much as the Indianapolis Colts did nearly a decade ago after they selected Peyton Manning.

• Ravens right to save the best for first

  April 25, 2009

  The NFL draft is full of suspense for the Ravens on Saturday because of their position in each round. Because they are drafting so late, much of what they do will be decided by who picks in front of them.

• For Ravens, offensive tackle is better pick

  April 21, 2009

  Logic dictates that the Ravens need to select a wide receiver in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft, but if the team took an offensive tackle with that pick, it might be a better choice.

• Terps stumbling as other programs step up

  April 18, 2009

  There are a lot of questions surrounding Maryland's troubling season, and there haven't been any quick-fix solutions, but all the problems might be cured in time for the team to make a successful playoff run.

• Ravens draft: the good, the bad and the huh?

  April 14, 2009

  Since moving to Baltimore from Cleveland for the 1996 season, the Ravens have been one of the NFL's best performers in the annual draft. They have had their share of great picks, but some busts as well.

• Hit the pause button on instant replay in college lacrosse

  March 26, 2009

  College lacrosse has grown rapidly through the years, but it's not ready for the big time yet.

• Sorry R. Lewis, but Ogden is best Raven ever

  June 14, 2008

  It has been the source of a major debate for years. Who is the best Raven - Jonathan Ogden or Ray Lewis?

• Zimmerman sticking it out at UMBC

  June 11, 2008

  The first time I met Don Zimmerman was in 1987 when he was the coach at Johns Hopkins. He was as intense then as he is now. He would leave a trail after the game from pacing the sideline. He would run a fast break with his team going down the field.

• In end, Billick couldn't overcome offensive struggles

  January 1, 2008

  The Ravens' Brian Billick became like the emperor with no clothes on, with his greatest weaknesses as a head coach becoming exposed more and more every year.

• Modell has waited long enough to get into Hall

  November 26, 2005

  Maybe this year the Pro Football Hall of Fame committee will invoke a statute of limitation on the Ravens' move from Cleveland to Baltimore after the 1995 season and vote former majority owner Art Modell in as a member.

• Williams now has wisdom to complement his speed

  May 5, 2004

  WITH THE U.S. Olympic trials about two months away, sprinter Bernard Williams is no longer running from his past or struggling with his future.

• Modell stands first in league for heart, generosity, spirit

  December 27, 2003

  OUR FIRST MEETING didn't go well. On Feb. 9, 1996, only minutes after he announced that his Cleveland Browns were moving to Baltimore, Art Modell was whisked away by bodyguards to a limousine about 100 feet from the stage.

• Star deserved far better than treatment he got

  July 27, 2003

  WHEN Eddie Murray is inducted into the Hall of Fame today, Major League Baseball will show an appreciation of the superstar that he didn't receive as a player, either nationally or in Baltimore.

• There's nothing marketable about the Bryant situation

  July 10, 2003

  ACCORDING TO some of the nation's top marketing directors, a lot more Kobe Bryant sneakers should have been sold this week. Maybe we can expect other promotions and sales soon, like "Free Kobe" T-shirts, or a new sitcom, Kobe Comes to the 'Hood.

• Lacy was a grand champion for biggest of sports' causes

  May 17, 2003

  WASHINGTON - As the letters from senators and congressmen were read, and tributes came from athletes, peers and family, maybe the most touching words came from former Colts and Hall of Fame running back Lenny Moore.

• Pro Football Hall fumbles in shunning of Modell

  January 9, 2003

  THE ABSENCE OF Ravens owner Art Modell's name from the list of 15 finalists for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003 was expected. There is still too much passion and, in some cases, disdain when his name is mentioned.

• An era passes, leaving Baltimore a different place

  September 12, 2002

  When former Baltimore Colts great and Hall of Fame quarterback John Unitas died yesterday of an apparent heart attack, so did an era in Baltimore when a professional athlete embodied the spirit and passion of a city.

• Other champions probably greater, but few teams have ever been tougher

  April 7, 2002

  THE PUNDITS and basketball junkies are already discussing the University of Maryland's place among college basketball's elite. But for those who engage in such dialogue, they might miss the story line of Maryland's 2002 national championship run.

• Take bow, champs, for all Terps who didn't

  April 2, 2002

  ATLANTA - The University of Maryland put its name in the history books and brought a championship banner to College Park last night as the Terps officially became an elite member of college basketball.

• Lifelong service to pro football should land Modell spot in Hall

  January 31, 2002

  NEW ORLEANS -- If Ravens owner Art Modell is not selected for Hall of Fame induction on Saturday, it would be an affront to the man, the game and the NFL.

• Gibbons' Muhammad faces different test

  September 21, 2001

  CARDINAL Gibbons running back Hassan Muhammad II should be concerned about pimples, dates and coming opponents, but instead he and his family have been educators and teachers about their Muslim faith during the past 10 days.

• Williams has goals beyond the finish line

  June 28, 2001

  THE LAST TIME I had seen U.S. Olympic sprinter Bernard Williams was eight months ago when he was delivering a speech about staying in school and away from drugs to youngsters at the Union Street United Methodist Church in Westminster.

• For Goodman, it's good to be common man

  March 5, 2001

  Towson University freshman point guard Tamir Goodman is close to becoming a regular student-athlete again.

• At home, Williams cuts a dashing figure

  October 7, 2000

  FORMER CARVER High School and U.S. Olympic track and field star Bernard Williams apologized Thursday about his posing, preening and flexing during the 400-meter relay team's gold medal celebration in Sydney last week, and said he is ready to move on with the rest of his life.

• Sure-shot D.C. officer Callahan takes aim at medal

  July 26, 1992

  BARCELONA, Spain -- Someone is always looking for a blood-and-guts story, the kind where Libby Callahan, her cap backward, sits atop a 20-story building and snipes a felon 200 yards away.