Each morning, Monday through Friday, I'll hook you up with some reading material to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday -- that way I'll have an excuse to do the same at the start of mine.
Running it back:
The visiting Dolphins, who are 4-0 on the road, will try to quiet the Ravens and the M&T Bank Stadium crowd Sunday. ... The Ravens' interest in former Terp Shawne Merriman, who was claimed off waivers by the Bills on Wednesday, shows that their pass rush is a weakness. Speaking of the pass rush, Terrell Suggs isn't pleased with his production. ... Donte' Stallworth, back from an injury, gives Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco another weapon. ... Former big leaguer Wayne Kirby was added to Buck Showalter's staff. ... Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal as the Capitals beat the Maple Leafs in a shootout.
Hitting the links:
1. Ravens cornerback Fabian Washington is seeking a bounce-back performance Sunday [AP]
2. Kevin Cowherd: Joe Flacco was a better choice for the Ravens than Chad Henne [Baltimore Sun]
3. The Ravens are fifth in Don Banks' power rankings [SI]
4. They are still first in Jason La Canfora's rankings [NFL.com]
5. The Ravens are second in Mike Florio's [Pro Football Talk]
6. USA Today has the Ravens at No. 4 [USA Today]
7. The Ravens face a tough test in Dolphins outside linebacker Cameron Wake [National Football Post]
8. Ray Rice isn't surprised his peers view him as one of the NFL's most underrated players [Ravens Insider]
9. Fact and Opinion: The Orioles offseason [Baltimore Sports and Life]
10. Ralph Friedgen: "My staff hasn't gotten a raise in a while" [Terrapins Insider]
Today's shameless plug:
You said it:
"I was pleasantly surprised to see Ayanbadejo's write-up in the Huffington Post. That's the kind of forward thinking leadership this country needs. I hope he does run somewhere once he finishes his career in the NFL." -- Chris in Hawaii on Brendon Ayanbadejo making my list of Ravens with futures in politics
Today's water cooler question (your response could be published in b):
Now that Shawne Merriman is out of the equation, what can the Ravens do to improve their pass rush?
Video of the morning:
Aubrey Huff takes a big whiff of his magical rally thong at the Giants' championship parade [h/t to Hot Clicks]
Send me your funny and/or interesting links, photos, YouTube videos, blogs, Tweets, comments, emails, ideas, leads, etc. If I deem them to be worthy for the blog, I'll give you a plug. You can reach me at matt@bthesite.com, twitter.com/mattvensel and facebook.com/VirtualVensanity.
