Fishing For Fisher

  Derek Fisher.  He has been on the Los Angeles Lakers, winning championships with Kobe Bryant.  After being on Oklahoma City Thunder last year and losing to the Miami Heat, Derek Fisher left to go to the Dallas Mavericks.  After suffering a knee injury this year, Fisher asked for the Mavericks to release him around Christmas time because he wanted to spend more time with his family.  Now, he participated in the Thunder's practice on Tuesday.  Head coach, Scott Brook, has not clarified if Fisher will play Wednesday night.  He will not retire quite yet, and this is his last chance.  If Derek Fisher doesn't play well or prove his point that he still has basketball left in him, this will most likely be his last season.  Maybe Fisher can win a championship in his last season, like Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL, sending him happily into retirement.

By Ameen I.

"Elite" or Not?

Is Joe Flacco an elite quarterback? I would say no, because almost every elite quarterback doesn't have his break out year five years into his career. Last year Flacco did well himself, but could not lead a talented team past the championship game. This happened multiple times to him.

The reason I wanted to know if Flacco was "elite" or not was because he wants 18 million dollars from the Ravens. That is only 2 million short of what Bree's got last year. Bree's had the most out of all players to so that would make Flacco the second highest money maker. Even after Flacco won a Super Bowl MVP I don't think he should get that kind of money.

Do you think Flacco should make 18 million dollars from the Ravens after this one stellar season. Post your answer in the comments box!

By David B.

Comeback Come Short

The Super Bowl as most of you already know the winner was the Ravens, but the reason why is because I think the referees missed a clear pass interference on the last play of the game. Also the Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco played just well enough to win the MVP as he had 3 touchdowns all in the first half and 287 yards with no interceptions. Which is really good even compared to Collin Kaepernick who had 302 passing yards and 1 passing touchdown. He also had 1 interception and 62 rush yards and 1 touchdown with his legs.

The comeback in this game wouldn't have happened if it weren't for a power outage in the beginning of the third quarter. Because it gave the Niners time to regroup after going down 21-6. Then the Niners exploded and scored 25 points in the rest of the game. The Ravens would only score ten points, but it was enough for them. Even though their running game was terrible the Ravens still pulled it out. The Ravens, Ray Rice had only 59 yards and no touchdowns compared to 49er's Frank Gore who had 110 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. The reason the Ravens won was because they spread the ball around to 7 different players and the Niners only gave it to 4 different players. Micheal Crabtree definitely did all he could with 1 touchdown and 109 yards and Vernon Davis had 104 yards and 6 receptions, both of them on the Niners. Boldin had 6 receptions and 104 yards for the Ravens. Even though Jacoby Jones only had 56 yards, but it was on one pass for a touchdown. Jones also had a 108 yard touchdown return the longest in play-off history.

Congratulations to the Ravens and Joe Flacco Super Bowl MVP.

By David B.

A Harbaugh Superbowl

The New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens in a thriller last year, and had an early first quarter lead.  The first quarter score was 3-0 with the Patriots on top, just like last year in the AFC Championship.  Although, the Patriots couldn't convert inside the 25 yard line, while their special teams forced the Ravens inside their 20 yard line.  Then, the Patriots tried a fake punt, but the Ravens called a timeout forcing the Patriots to actually punt.  Just before that, during the national anthem, Ray Lewis was very emotional and was crying.  In the first quarter Aaqib Talib went out with a hamstring injury and did not return.  In the second quarter, Tom Brady connected with Wes Welker for a touchdown.  Then, Tom Brady crossed the line of scrimmage and a referee got in the way of Brady and stopped him from possibly having a first down, but sending the drive to fourth down.  At halftime, the score was 13-7 Patriots.  The Ravens 7 points came from Ray Rice with a rushing touchdown.  The Ravens had many costly personal foul penalties, including one on Ray Lewis.  In the third quarter the Ravens brought it.  Joe Flacco hooked up with Dennis Pita for a touchdown.  At that time the score was 14-13 Ravens.  Later in the third quarter Flacco connected with Anquan Boldin for a touchdown,  giving the Ravens a 21-13 lead.  In the fourth quarter Flacco connected   with Boldin again for a touchdown.  Shortly after that, Patriots running back Steven Ridley fumbled the ball and the Ravens recovered.  In Ridley's defense, he was lit up and the ball bounced off his knee.  He would go out with a head injury and would not return.  Then, Tom Brady was intercepted in the fourth quarter, a costly turnover.  With one minute left in the game Tom Brady was looking for a touchdown but instead found himself losing the game to the Baltimore Ravens.  In two weeks the Baltimore Ravens will be going to New Orleans to play the San Francisco 49ers.  This is special for two reasons:  Ray Lewis is in his last NFL game and brothers Jim Harbaugh and John Harbaugh coaching different teams in the Superbowl.  Both teams fought hard and the Ravens came out on top.  The final score was 28-13.  Joe Flacco was 21-36, 240 yards, and three touchdowns.  Tom Brady was 29-54 320 yards, one touchdown, and two picks.  Wes Welker had eight receptions, 117 yards, and one touchdown.  The most impressive thing though, is that the Ravens shut out the Patriots and scored 21 unanswered points.  By Ameen I.  

                                                                                                                                                                    

Ravens vs. Patriots

As most of you know the Ravens suffered an AFC Championship game loss to the New England patriots. Did you know that with that in mind the Patriots are still have a 9.5 percent lead in the predictions for the favorite to win Sunday's game against the Ravens.

I believe that the prediction is wrong and that they have an equal shot at this game as Patriots do. Although the Patriots offense is a force to be wrecked with. They have a star quarterback named Tom Brady who has lead his team to the Super Bowl last year, but came up short to a familiar foe the New York Giants who they lost to 3 years before. Also Brady has great running back behind him, Stevan Ridley who has a total of 1,263 yards this season and 12 touchdowns. An advantage is given to the Ravens though because star tight end, Rob Gronkowski has broke his forearm again and can't play next week.

The one major thing that keeps the Ravens in games and in the playoffs completely is there defense. Starring Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Both of these players are experienced veterans coming to ends of their careers. Reed has not had a stellar season, but he does have 4 interceptions and he brings experience to the locker room as well as the huddle. Ray Lewis has been out for half the season, the important thing is that he has come back and has played well.

Ray Lewis (Left) And Ed Reed (Right)

       By David B.

Play-offs

The NFL play-offs have just finished the divisional round and are on to the league championship. The teams that are left are the Ravens, Patriots, Falcons, and 49ers.

The Niners will play the Ravens for the NFC Championship. The Ravens have won the past two games they played, when they were underdogs in both of them. The Colts were a higher seed when they played the Ravens in the wild card round, but they were projected to win by many. Also the Ravens played the #1 seed  Broncos who were the heavy favorite to win the game. Although the Ravens came out on top by a field goal in OT. The Ravens have indeed had a great run, but I believe it is the end of the line for the Ravens. I think the Patriots have to much talent. I predict that Matt Ryan and the Falcons can come away with win and a Super Bowl chance.

Young quarterback Collin Kaepernick and defensive end Aldon Smith I think can lead this 49ers team to victory against a veteran Patriots offense. Smith has 19.5 sacks and an interception. The more impressive numbers come from Collin Kaepernick who has 415 rushing yards and 1814 passing yards in only 13 games. He also has a passer rating of 98.3 and a total of 15 touchdowns. The Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has put up numbers like no other and so has running back Stevan Ridley. Ridley has 1263 rushing yards on a whopping 290 rushing attempts. Brady has 4827 passing yards with 34 touchdowns and has not thrown a single interceptions in the play-offs. I Believe the #2 49ers will win this game and move on to
the big game in New Orleans.
                                  Matt Ryan         Ray Lewis        Stevan Ridley    Collin Kaepernick

By David B.

Ayanbadejo's Twitter harassing of the Patriots Offense

Brendon Ayanbadejo a lineman of the Ravens makes uncalled for shots at the Patriots offense on twitter. ESPN.com

Broncos vs. Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens were down 35-28 when Jacoby Jones caught a 70 yarder from Joe Flacco with only 31 seconds. That would send the game to overtime. Then the game was sent to double OT and that is when Baltimore's Justin Tucker sent a 47 yard field goal through the uprights.

The one player that did the most for the Ravens was no other than running back, Ray Rice. Rice racked up a total 130 yards on 30 carries with a touchdown. He didn't do it alone he had help from quarterback Joe Flacco who had 331 yards with 3 touchdowns. Wide Recievers, Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith were the ones catching the passes most of the time with Smith catching 2 of his 3 passes for touchdowns. Also Boldin had 6 catches for 71 yards.

The Broncos put up a great fight though with Peyton Manning playing well, but not well enough. The main reason the Broncos lost was because Manning through 2 interceptions and Flacco didn't throw any. Plus Knowshon Moreno had only 32 rushing yards, before he hurt his knee getting taken out of the game.

         By David B.

The Final Battle? Lewis VS. Manning

The Denver Broncos have had an extreme regular season run of an 11 game winning streak. Also, Peyton Manning himself has a 9 game win streak over the Ravens, including his time with the Indianapolis Colts.

This could be the final battle for Ray Lewis's 16 year career. Ray Lewis will get 3 more chances to play in NFL games. Ray Lewis will only get to play in all of them if the Baltimore Ravens win their next 2 games against the Broncos and the winner of the Patriots-Houston game.

The Ravens opponent, the Denver Broncos have the top 5 regular season offense. The reason why is because of one off season addition, Peyton Manning. He had a break out season averaging 290 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 67 completion percentage, if Manning can do this the Broncos will be the 65% favorite. But, if the Ravens keep him to a 65% or below completion rating, get 3 or more sacks, and 1 interception. Then, the Ravens will have a 65% chance of winning. Overall the Denver Broncos are the 67% favorite.

 

By David B.

Play-off Recap

8 teams faced off over the weekend, but only 4 will made it out. Those teams are the Texans, Packers, Seahawks, and Ravens.

Texans- The Texans win over the Bengals was a hard fought battle to the end. The game was in the Texans favor until the end. When the Bengals made a run at it, but the Bengals never did grab the lead from the Texans. So it would end in a score of 19-13 Texans on top. Next week the Texans will play the Patriots. 

Packers- The Green Bay Packers played the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers had the lead through the whole game. Except for a tie in the early first quarter. One problem that might have lead to a loss for the Packers is that they had to punt 7 times and Minnesota only punted 5 times. They made up for that by getting 3 touchdowns. The final score would turn out to be 24-10 Green Bay on top. They're going to play the 49ers next week. 

Seahawks- Seattle played an unlikely foe, the Redskins. The Redskins were unexpected to make the play-offs, but it happened and it looked like they would upset this Seattle team. The Redskins took a 14-13 lead into the locker room in the second half, but when RG3 came out after hurting his knee in the second half. The 'Skins fell apart and ended up falling short of the Seahawks 24-14. So the Seahawks will get a shot against the Falcons next week.

Ravens- Baltimore would take the lead and keep it in the second half after the first half ended in a 3-3 score. Then it was all Baltimore and the Colts couldn't stop them. It ended with the Ravens leading 24-9. The Ravens will move on to play the Broncos.

By David B.

Lewis Planning to Retire

After 17 seasons in the NFL, Ray Lewis will retire at the end of this season. "It's time for me to create a new legacy" Lewis says.
In his career, he has recorded 41.5 sacks and 31 interceptions. He was also made 12 Pro Bowls, named first-team All-Pro 7 times, and was voted Defensive Player of the Year twice. There's no doubt that Lewis will be a Hall of Famer. The Ravens will probably be looking for someone to replace him in the draft.
Who should the Ravens get to replace Ray Lewis? Post what you think in the comments!
By: Tarky L.