Terps: Stoglin, Faust keys to stretch run

Without getting overly dramatic about it, the Maryland Terps are at a critical juncture in their season.

Ambrose on Twitter: Players don't realize how many people are watching

Towson coach Rob Ambrose said Monday night that he’s not so much worried about the people he doesn’t know who have called his decision to ban his players from Twitter unconstitutional.

Famous Baltimore sports villains

Hines Ward may be on his way out of Pittsburgh, but he won't soon be forgotten by Ravens fans. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't made a decision yet on whether or not the wide receiver and his maddening, ever-present smile will be back in 2012, but here's a look at some other famous Baltimore sports villains. 

Turgeon handling Stoglin the right way

Maybe you heard: Mark Turgeon and Terrell Stoglin are having a little dust-up, it seems. A clash of wills is probably the better way to put it.

'Zaching' catching on at Maryland and abroad

Torrey Smith’s doing it. Dane Cook’s doing it. Your esteemed representatives in the Maryland House of Delegates are probably doing it, too.

Gisele Bundchen talks (bleeping) football

If you thought the folks in New England were over Gisele Bundchen's profane post-Super Bowl rip job of the Patriots' receivers, think again.

Raymond Berry's 'Super' Walk

As he carried the Lombardi Trophy to midfield after the Super Bowl Sunday, past a double row of giddy and groping New York Giants, Raymond Berry felt their glee.

Kevin Van Valkenburg: A fond farewell to The Sun and its readers

In the Spring of 2000, I was winding down my senior year at the University of Montana. And though I couldn't put the feeling into words, each day, I wandered around my hometown of Missoula feeling directionless. I had no plans after graduation. I had been rejected by about 50 newspapers I had applied to, seeking a post-graduate summer internship. I did my laundry in my parents' basement. The house I shared with three equally directionless roommates was six blocks from my childhood bedroom.

A Super Bowl even Ravens fans could enjoy -- sort of

At the Super Bowl party I attended yesterday, the host greeted us by saying: "No, I'm not over it. Yes, I'm still bitter. Beer and wings are over there."

Here's Matt Birk zip-lining with Roger Goodell

If Ravens center Matt Birk has decided to retire, he hasn’t announced it yet. Birk has, however, decided to go zip-lining with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Birk, a candidate for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, is in Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and hanging out with The Commish. This photo is courtesy of the NFL.

Former Terps offensive coordinator Gary Crowton to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Former Maryland offensive coordinator Gary Crowton is getting away from College Park.

Remembering JoePa: No man leaves an uncomplicated legacy

By the time anyone gets around to asking another person how he or she would like to be remembered, the answer is, almost assuredly, destined to be a footnote. The query makes sense only if that man or woman’s legacy is already shrouded in nuance and of some particular public interest. And it’s not like the answer will tilt the scales; not in the cacophony of chatter that crowds the internet.

I don't blame the Ravens who skipped the Pro Bowl

Four Ravens players have dropped out of the Pro Bowl, making the annual all-star affair less attractive to those Ravens fans who wish they had better plans Sunday afternoon. (Quarterback Joe Flacco withdrew from the annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge, too, but give the guy a break: He¿s a newlywed and his wife is pregnant).

A photo illustration of Pagano leaving Baltimore

The Indianapolis Colts will name former Ravens defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as their next head coach Thursday.

I hope Billy Cundiff has a good sense of humor

Poor Billy Cundiff.

Is Cam Cameron leaving? Don't bet the house

I was asked on "The Norris and Davis Show" on 105.7 The Fan this morning if I thought Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameronwould be back next season.

A final painful ritual for the Ravens

There's nothing quite like the locker room scene the day after an NFL team has been eliminated from the playoffs, a scene that's surreal and tinged with sadness, as the Ravensdemonstrated again Monday morning.

Pre-snap read: Ravens vs. Patriots

And then there were four. The Ravens have admitted their win over the Houston Texans last weekend wasn’t pretty. But who cares? They’re one win away from the Super Bowl. To make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in eleven years, the Ravens must beat Tom Brady and the top-seeded New England Patriots on their own turf. It will not be easy, but they have gone on the road and stunned the Patriots in the playoffs before.

Wild Joe's bye-week skateboard antics cause neighborly consternation

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been blitzed with criticism in the past year, starting with NFL linebackers LaMarr Woodley and Dhani Jones during the lockout and eventually, after a 12-4 season and another win in the playoffs, he was criticized by his teammate, safety Ed Reed, sparking a minor media firestorm this week.

Jarret Johnson tackles issue of trash-talking -- sort of

At Monday's news conference at the Castle, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson was asked about the trash-talking that will invariably take place -- think Terrell Suggs and Tom Brady yapping at each other again -- when the Ravens and New England Patriots meet for the AFC championship Sunday in Foxborough.

Randy Edsall deserves praise for hiring Brian Stewart, Mike Locksley

I have been critical of many things Maryland football coach Randy Edsallhas said and done over the course of his first season in College Park, but the moves he made in replacing his team's offensive and defensive coordinators are to be applauded -- on a number of fronts.

First and 10: Monday afternoon NFL power rankings

Because doing a full, 32-team list of power rankings is too much work for a Monday afternoon, I will rank the top 11 teams in the NFL after each exciting football Sunday (that's where the "first and 10" comes in). Here's how I rank them after a wild divisional round weekend that knocked out two of the top trophy contenders.

Harbaugh Bowl alert: Ravens, 49ers near Super Bowl

Ladies and gentlemen, we are a pair of Harbaugh wins away from two weeks of non-stop, around-the-clock Harbaugh family coverage. John Harbaugh’s Ravens and brother Jim’s San Francisco 49ers have advanced to the championships games of their respective conferences and are on the verge of playing in the Super Bowl.

Quick Hits on the Ravens' 20-13 win over the Texans

Sunday’s 20-13 win was ugly and it was too close for comfort, but that’s how the Ravens roll. And thanks to the play of Lardarius Webb, Ed Reed and the Baltimore defense, the Ravens are rolling to their second AFC championship game in coach John Harbaugh’s four seasons as head coach. They will play the New England Patriots on the road next Sunday, and if the Ravens pull off the upset, they are headed to the Super Bowl.

Pre-snap read: Ravens vs. Texans

After a much-needed bye week, the Ravens begin Phase Two of their quest for a Super Bowl title. This afternoon, they host the surprising Houston Texans, who overcame season-ending injuries to a couple of noteworthy players to win the AFC South and then advance to the AFC’s divisional round. The Ravens are experienced and confident, but they would be wise to not overlook the 11-6 Texans.

Morgan State officials to meet today about Todd Bozeman's future

A series of meetings today at Morgan State will likely determine the future of men's basketball coach Todd Bozeman.

Derrick Mason: all-time Ravens good-guy

Lost in Tebow-mania and all the NFL playoff hoopla this week was the fact that Derrick Mason, the former Ravens wide receiver who is the franchise's all-time leader in pass receptions (471) and yards (5,777), has quietly announced his intention to retire.

Looking at what the Ravens got for the Tebow pick

Remember when the Ravens traded down to select Sergio Kindle then Terrence Cody in the 2010 NFL Draft? The Kindle pick has been a big disappointment, but that trade benefited two teams in the NFL’s final eight.

First and 10: Monday afternoon NFL power rankings

Because doing a full, 32-team list of power rankings is too much work for a Monday afternoon, I will rank the top 11 teams in the NFL after each exciting football Sunday (that's where the "first and 10" comes in). Here's how I rank them entering the Divisional Round:

Tebow-mania bigger than ever this week

If you're sick of Tim Tebow stories, this figures to be a rough week for you, my friend.