Dear Ozzie Newsome,

First off, let me commend you. You're one of the best GMs in this league, alongside Bill Polian, Bill Belichick and A.J. Smith. I trust your judgment in free agency and on draft day to the fullest. You've brought more diamonds than cubic zirconias to this still-growing Baltimore Ravens organization. You're awesome at what you do and for that, I thank you personally.

Okay, enough of the brown nosing. Let's get to the point of this open letter. The Ravens are a good team. I can't complain there. With the addition of Coach Harbs and Cam Cameron, the Ravens have once again become a quality team and have the tools to be consistent in the playoffs every year. But that's simply not enough anymore. Fans have tasted the playoffs for 2 consecutive years, (the first since 2000-2001 seasons) and even an AFC Championship appearance. But now, we are ready to take the next step- A Super Bowl berth and another Lombardi Trophy on display at The Castle-AKA-1 Winning Dr, Owings Mills, MD. So I'm sending this letter out of love. With the NFL Combine and draft coming, I figured I could help you with the glaring problems we have. You know.... in case you're too busy to notice.

The first thing the Ravens need is an upgrade at WR. They needed it last year, and they damn sure need it a year later. Their top 3 WRs on the team-Mason, Clayton and Washington- all are free agents. They were aiiiight for the 2009 season. But we still needed a #1 WR on this team to help Joe Flacco develop into the QB we all want him to be. And with all of them set to test the waters of free agency, this could get real ugly. The addition of Donte Stallworth was cool, especially since it was for peanuts. But let's be real, dude is a #3 WR at best. We need a #1. My suggestion- Bring back Mason, offer Clayton a deal, and make a move for Malcolm Floyd OR push for a Anquan Boldin/Brandon Marshall trade.


I like the idea of drafting the likes of Dez Bryant, Jordan Shipley or Golden Tate to this roster. But let's be real, your drafting of WRs has been like a game of Russian Roulette. Bring in an established guy who will help this team immediately and help my man Joe out.

The Ravens also need a CB, almost as bad as they do a WR. Fabian Washington is nothing but speedy CB who can't cover, LarDarius Webb may not be 100% by training camp, and Frank Walker sure as hell doesn't give me great confidence when he steps onto the field. It's cool if we could draft one this year. But if you take my advice and trade for Boldin or Marshall, then my guess is the 1st round pick is a goner. My next suggestion to you: Looking into Dunta Robinson. The Texans have said they are not going to franchise tag him for a 2nd year. We could really use a guy like him on this defense. Another suggestion is Antonio Cromartie of the San Diego Chargers. AJ Smith says he's shopping him around, and at one point the Ravens staff loved Cromartie coming out of the draft. He hasn't played as well he has did in previous years, but with Ray Ray being the ultimate motivator, I'm sure we can get more out of him.

Also, I need you to get rid of Frank Walker, the walking yellow flag, and bring in Leigh Bodden as a nickel corner. While I don't think Bodden is a starter like he used to be, he would be a great addition to this team for 3 or more wideout situations. I wanted him last year, but you didn't hear my plea. Well, I'm saying it again, so this time you can get the picture.

And lastly Oz.... I can call you Oz, right?! Lastly, please re-sign Haltoi Ngata soon, before it's too late. Ngata has 2 years left from his rookie deal and has played better and better as the years have gone on. Haloti finally got recognition and was voted to his first Pro Bowl this past season. But you and I both know he should have been added after his 2nd NFL season. Dude is a beast!

If you wait until his contract is up, he will almost guarantee more money than he would if you did it now. We saw what happened with Chris McAlister and Terrell Suggs, tagging them for 2 years before signing them to new deals. Let's not do that to Haloti. He's a great player and a good guy. Let's give him what he's due... Go ahead and pay that man.

That's it for now. Again, you rock. But this Ravens fan is tired of getting a taste and not getting it all. With the uncapped year and possible stoppage coming, the time is now to start gearing up. I'm not asking you to spend crazy money. I'm asking you to look into these avenues because we are a couple of key pieces away from being kinda like a big deal. I think I've covered everything the Ravens need to do immediately. Let me know if you need any more advice. I'm willing to help out anyway I can.

Sincerely,


Your Ravens Fan, Reeta-The NFL Chick

P.S.- Is it too much to ask about looking into bringing Julius Peppers here?! It is??? Okay....................................

It's that time of year, ladies and gents. I know how folks love then I tell people to "Sitchoazz Down". This time, I'm doing a season edition. There have been some owners, players and coaches who have been naughty in the 2009 NFL season, and simply need to be told to sit down. So I came up with an awards blog, to call them out.

I asked for participation amongst friends, family and of course Twitter and received an overwhelming response. Thanks to all who participated in my survey, you were extremely helpful.

For the owner and coach, the choice was pretty unanimous. It was the player that I received the most different answers for. What awards show is an awards show without theme music. Well, since all of these guys are losers, anyway, I think this music is quite fitting:



So without further ado, let's hand out the awards.

The Sitchoazz Down Winner for an owner IS.........................



By a landslide, Daniel Snyder.


Everyone knows this is the right choice. Since Danny Boy took over the Washington Redskins in 1999, he's done nothing but water down the organization. The last 10 seasons, the Redskins have a dismal record of 70-90, 6 head coaching changes, 2 playoff appearances, 0 division titles and one bad deal after another. We all remember when Deion Sanders came to town but there weren't many "Prime Time" moments during his tenure . But the most recent debacle, is signing "Fat Albert" Haynesworth to a record $100 million deal. While Haynesworth isn't a bust, he definitely hasn't held up his end of the bargain so far, given the huge contract he's received.

Snyder loves to trade away quality draft picks for players that he usually overpays for. He's neglected important positions such as his offensive line, and even had signs and t-shirts that said anything bad about him or the team, banned from the stadium. Did I miss anything?!


Honorable Mentions:

Al Davis, Oakland Raiders-

JaMarcus Russell and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Nuff said


Bud Adams, Tennessee Titans-

For flipping the bird at fans at the Bills game. It was gangsta, but c'mon man. You're too old to be doing stuff like that.



The Sitchoazz Down Winner for a coach IS.........................

None other than Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos.


This was another unanimous selection. McDaniels has done nothing but cause drama from the day he arrived in Denver to replace Mike Shanahan. It all started when McDaniels inquired about a possible trade for then-Patriots QB Matt Cassel. Crybaby Jay Cutler got his boxer briefs in a bunch and demanded a trade, which he was then granted and sent to the Chicago Bears. Then McDaniels had a falling out with WR Brandon Marshall during training camp and suspended Marshall.

When the regular season started, all was well when the Broncos went 6-0. The team was playing well and everyone was hugging and kissing, it was a big, soppy love fest. But then the Broncos went 2-8 down the stretch and slipped out of playoff contention. Once again, Marshell and McDaniels had another falling out, and McDaniels called Marshall out about an injury. Marshall and another teammate were then benched and were advised they were not allowed on the sidelines or in the locker room. Now the Broncos are almost certain to trade away their top offensive threat in the offseason, due to the conflict. Way to go rook! Scaring all of your good players away seemed to be the way to go in 2009 for McDaniels.

Honorable Mentions:

Rex Ryan, New York Jets-

Sexy Rexy, after the team lost to the Falcons, declared that his team was in fact out of playoff contention at 7-7, when they were still mathematically in it. Way to show confidence in your team. That, plus the fact that he looks 15 1/2 months pregnant gives him a mention.

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers-

Contrary to popular belief, I never once thought of Tomlin. But Steelers fans asked for him to be on this list. The reason? His "unleash hell" comments that he made after the Ravens OT loss. The result after: Losses to the Raiders and Browns. Yep, you unleashed hell alright. Sitchoazz down!


The Sitchoazz Down Winner for a player IS.........................

We actually had a tie for this recipient. I am pleased to announce the winners of the Player Award is none others than Broncos WR Brandon Marshall and Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell


Hmmm.... Marshalll looks a little shocked to have made my list. Actually, most folks that voted for McDaniels, voted for Marshall also. While they both come from the same organization, majority of the voters think that Marshall is just as much to blame as McDaniels in this petty battle for control. . In addition to the disciplinary problems Marshall faced during training camp, it's been reported that McDaniels benched Marshall in the Broncos finale because he was late for a therapy meeting. Add to the fact that Marshall has had off-the-field issues recent (he was accused of assaulting an ex-girlfriend) and in the past, and he's a shoe-in.

Russell is on the list because he's the laziest, fattest QB I think anyone has ever seen.

The former #1 overall draft pick has done nothing to keep his job. It's been alleged that Russell does not study film, not a hard worker and was eventually benched by Raiders coach Tom Cable because he was awful on the field. Russell recently missed his final team meetings to go catch a plane to Las Vegas, so yeah... clearly football isn't his priority. And by the looks of that ugly azz chain he wears, he's stealing money and getting away with it.

Honorable Mentions:

Larry Johnson, KC Chiefs/Cincinnati Bengals-

To put it kindly, LJ is a Douche Lord (ala Khloe Kardashian). Okay, I realize that wasn't kind at all. But so what. Johnson went on a twitter rampage, bad mouthing Chiefs head coach Todd Haley and afterward, calling followers gay slurs. Johnson was eventually let go and re-signed with the Bengals. Though he's been quiet since going to Cincy, his little tantrum gives him a clear runner-up spot in the awards show. He needs to do more than sit has ass down, he needs to STFU, too.

This week's sitcho azz down award goes to... Broncos WR Brandon Marshall.



Marshall was reported leaving the Broncos facility last week carrying boxes, not long after a meeting with owner Pat Bowlen.

Now, according to ESPN, the news is out that Marshall is requesting a trade from the Broncos.



Wow!


I think Brandon Marshall is a very good athlete. But as of right now, I think he's the last person to try and pull rank trade requests for the following reasons:

First, his medical condition. Marshall had hip surgery in March and has yet to practice. Now I'm sure that 85% or more of this trade has to do with money (his contract expires after next season). But right now, you don't really have the leverage.

Second, his off-the-field issues. By now, a lot of folks have seen your Outside The Lines episode.

You've been in alleged domestic abuse situations with at least two different women, you've been into bar brawls and fist fights and oh, by-the-way, you lied about a hand injury that severed an artery. If you are trying to pull a Cutler, please don't. Cutler was the QB of the team, and a good one. Not denying your talent, but I would think QB> WR on the NFL Important Chart.

This is another blow the Denver Broncos would love to avoid. Josh McDaniels is having probably one of the worst off seasons a rookie head coach can have. If I were a Broncos fan and you told me that Cutler was traded, Kyle Orton is my QB and Marshall will soon follow his former QB's footsteps, I'd jump off of a Rocky Mountain. I think Eddie Royal is going to be a great talent... but geesh your bread and butter being gone would make it a long season.

If I could tell Marshall one thing, it would be this:

Stay out of trouble and off of the Surgeon's table and you will either get that big contract or that trade you've asked for. Players that hold up their end of the bargain usually get want they want. Being a jerk and a possible medical liability usually doesn't get the same result.

Brandon Marshall, go sit down!!!!