YOU KNEW the time had come with each expression of disdain on Brian Billick's face Sunday. The coach shook his head in disgust at each penalty. He clutched his face after every dropped pass. The arms were folded in frustration from watching a veteran field a punt at his 3-yard line.
It was inevitable. Billick put on his boots yesterday because it was booty-kicking time.
Billick had been patient with his young team. But as the second half of the 2002 season begins Sunday with the Ravens playing host to the Cincinnati Bengals, the feel-good time is over. No more wrapping warm, fuzzy arms around the 17 rookie or first-year players. End the excuses.
After three minicamps, a training camp, four preseason games and eight regular-season games, these Ravens (3-5) are about to meet the real Coach Billick.
Finally.
There is a sense of urgency now, and for the future.
"I will be more demanding," Billick said. "It's time. We have been very even-tempered because I understood what we were dealing with. But to get where we want to go both this year and beyond, now the gloves come off a little bit. I'm going to tell them I love ya, but now that I know that you have been through certain things, and I see mistakes made in certain areas, then I'm going off on you.
"By the end of the season, there will be no doubt about what it takes to be professional and win in this league," Billick added. "And when I see something that isn't professional, trust me, the response will be direct, loud, and unless I can help myself, probably profanity-laden. I will regret that, but there can be no doubt what is needed to succeed."
The old Billick had to resurface. He is too passionate and competitive to become complacent. He would beat his mom one-on-one for a Super Bowl ring.
But this new approach is calculated and methodical. It's so Billick. The Ravens are at the crossroads. No Ray Lewis. No Michael McCrary. They have lost two in a row because of sloppiness. They had 13 penalties for 100 yards nearly two weeks ago against Pittsburgh and seven for 62 yards against Atlanta.
Then there is the carelessness, like cornerback Chris McAlister fielding a punt at the 3 Sunday, or big old offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden trying to pick up a fumble at the 2 instead of smothering it.
He must have had visions of Chris Berman yelling, "He could ... go ... all ... the ... way ... "
Nah.
Some time this week, the old Billick will get in the ear of rookie receiver Ron Johnson, whose penalties and dropped passes hurt the Ravens almost every week.
"Ron, I appreciate your effort," Billick might say. "You have outstanding potential to be great in a year or two, but if you don't stop killing us, you'll be selling Michael McCrary bobblehead dolls in the stadium next year."
Or worse yet, the Ravens could trade Johnson to the Bengals.
"Unless I'm missing my bet, these players will move on and get better from it," Billick said. "This group is not going to fall apart because I get up in their face."
If they do, too bad. Hit the road. Enough of the kissy-poo, goo-goo stuff. It's time for a reality check. The Ravens have met reasonable expectations for a five- or six-win season, but it's time to get this team in order for the future.
The Ravens have had reasonable success with Miami rookie safety rookie Ed Reed and Notre Dame rookie defensive tackle Tony Weaver, both high-round draft picks. And the Ravens found some sleepers in undrafted rookie free agents such as safety Will Demps and defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu. Second- and third-year players are starting to emerge and dominate like right guard Bennie Anderson, receiver Travis Taylor, linebacker Ed Hartwell, defensive end Adalius Thomas and cornerback Gary Baxter.
Yet those same young players are the reason Billick must now go to the whip. The Wall is upon us, the time of year young players become mentally and physically drained because they aren't used to playing this deep into the year unless they played at colleges that were bowl-bound every year.
Billick also has to keep an eye on veterans who might let down if the Ravens start losing.
"They'll get tired, make excuses if you let them, but I'm not going to let them," said Billick of the young players. "There is going to be a dip, individually and collectively, and we'll pay a price for it. But if we can weather it, then we're far ahead of the learning curve because most players don't learn about [it] until their second year."
"Shepherding these guys through it will be the biggest challenge of the second half," Billick added. "So far, these young guys have been doing everything they've been told as far as practicing, getting into training room and taking care of their bodies off the field."
The Ravens' main goal this season was to find players. If everything works as planned, a couple of offseason acquisitions will dramatically improve the team.
But until the final gun, Billick has a new game face, which is the same as the old one.
"I'm excited about this team and its potential," Billick said. "How often does a first-, second- or third-round draft pick come into his first year and get partial playing time? Our learning curve is high.
"Hopefully, at the end of the season, we'll know what areas we need to address," Billick said. "When it's over, we'll hit the ground running. We'll have cap room, the money to determine: Do we need a high-price free agent to address this position, or do we need a mid-level April or May good-buy-type-guy free agent? Can this be addressed by a high-round draft pick or a middle-round draft choice? Those are the four traditional areas you are going to get at. To come out and be able to identify those things are huge. That's why I can't afford to handle these guys with kid gloves anymore."
Next for Ravens
Opponent:Cincinnati Bengals
Site:Ravens Stadium
When:Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV/Radio:Ch. 13/WJFK (1300 AM), WQSR (102.7 FM)
Line:Ravens by 5 1/2
SunSpot:For more coverage, visit sunspot.net/ravens