brian billick

Opinions vary on why otherwise confident quarterback has struggled with particular scheme

Nobody does pre-game like NBC¿s ¿Football Night in America.¿ The telecast came out smoking Sunday with Bob Costas, Chris Collinsworth and Al Michaels sounding amped even for the pre-game to the matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

Both the Ravens and Steelers have been hurt by unsportsmanlike conduct penalties

This is what Fox Sports pays Brian Billick to do -- and he does it as well as anyone in any TV booth on the NFL.

Randy Edsall won't say who the Terps are starting at quarterback against Clemson. ... Derrick Mason has reportedly been traded to the Texans, meaning the Ravens will face their former wideout in consecutive games. ... The Ravens haven't forgotten about their uncomfortable second half against the Texans last season. ... Orioles amateur scouting director Joe Jordan interviewed this week with the Phillies for their vacant director of player-development position. ... The Jeremy Accardo era may be over. ... The IZOD IndyCar Series will return to the city on Labor Day weekend 2012 for the second Baltimore Grand Prix.

Santonio Holmes has been a 'Raven killer' dating back to his days in Pittsburgh

Ravens: No shortage of motivation for Ravens, Jets. Much more than bragging rights on line for two teams very familiar with each other.

John Harbaugh said Monday that the Ravens may sit Lee Evans and Domonique Foxworth until they are fully healthy. ... Harbaugh also revisited the decision to kick that fourth-quarter field goal in Sunday's loss to the Titans. ... Tuesday at 4 p.m. is the deadline for the Ravens to reach a long-term deal with Haloti Ngata. ... The Orioles beat the Red Sox, 6-5, in the first game of Monday's doubleheader before dropping a dreadful 18-9 shootout in which Brian Matusz didn't make it out of the second inning. ... Professional hockey returns to Baltimore on Tuesday night when the Capitals and Predators play in the inaugural Baltimore Hockey Classic.

With 13 new players and a renewed focus on running the ball, the Ravens may need time to grow

There will be no shortage of intriguing players to watch Thursday night when the Ravens play the Eagles in their first preseason game of the summer. Sergio Kindle. Torrey Smith. Domonique Foxworth. Terrence Cody. Ricky Williams. But the young man I'll be focusing my attention on is the rookie quarterback out of Virginia Tech.

As we have seen the dozen or so times Ed Reed gets his hands on the football every fall, the Ravens safety is a tough guy to track down.

Veteran safety Ed Reed hopes he'll see light work during summer drills so he can stay fresh

Mitch Atkins, making his Orioles debut and his first big league start, allowed just one run in six innings on Tuesday night, but Jim Johnson couldn't lock it down in the 4-2 loss to the Rangers. ... After several months of trying to play through a torn labrum in his shoulder, Luke Scott finally shut things down with hopes he can return in a few weeks after rest and rehabilitation. ... Brian Matusz¿s struggles continued in Triple-A Norfolk as he allowed four earned runs on seven hits, including two homers. ... Former Ravens fullback Lorenzo Neal was arrested for driving under the influence on the Fourth of July. ... Justin Lewis, Maryland's starting right guard last season, was dismissed by Randy Edsall on Tuesday. ... Baltimore native Steve Kolbe, the Capitals' radio play-by-play announcer the past 14 seasons, might not be back next season.

Former Ravens kicker Matt Stover speaks to students at Baltimore Community Foundation event. "There will be football in 2011," he says when asked about NFL lockout.

Matt Stover will announce his retirement from the NFL on Thursday, formally ending the memorable career of one of the greatest players in Ravens history.

Kevin Cowherd: Kicker Matt Stover stands toe-to-toe with greatest Ravens of all time

The NFL and the NFL Players Association are negotiating to prevent a work stoppage, and one of the big sticking points for the players is the owners' refusal to open up their books. Former Ravens coach Brian Billick thinks the players need to give it up.

The Ravens personnel staff is at the NFL's annual meat market in Indianapolis this week, prodding prospects to see which ones will pan out in the pros.

If you happened to tune in for the Celebrity Beach Bowl during Super Bowl weekend, you might have caught the diehard Ravens fan who did the Ray Lewis dance after catching a touchdown pass from NFL great Warren Moon. That was Kris Jones, who was the winner of DirecTV's 2010 Ultimate Displaced Fan contest.