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....................................

Dear Ozzie,

Let me start by saying I'm one of your biggest supporters. When the Ravens needed a WR in free agency and/or the draft and we didn't get one, I told naysayers, "Don't worry... In Ozzie We Trust". In my mind, you are one of the top GMs in the league and there is a reason you've been nicknamed, "The Wizard Of Oz". You make a way out of no way, that's what you've been able to do. From re-signing Ray and Suggs, to replacing Adalius Thomas and still being dominant... you've always known how to build a team.

Then the bomb dropped. Drew Bennett, a player that you had just signed less than a week ago, veered off of 1 Winning Drive and took the Derrick Mason Highway and retired from football. The reason? An old knee injury that resurfaced.

I dunno when there was ever a time to hit the panic button.. but dammit now is the time!



What the hell?!

Last season this team went to the AFC Championship with an average WR corp. This season, Ravens fans were expecting to return there, and possibly make a serious Super Bowl run, if only they added a talented WR. Now, I will say that I liked the Kelley Washington signing. I do think he'll be a diamond in the rough for us. But c'mon Oz... you and I both know this is not enough.

We know that you contacted Arizona about a price tag for Boldin. And one would at least THINK you sniffed around on the Brandon Marshall ordeal. Even though that guy has tons of baggage, no one can deny his talent. But nothing came out of either situation. Nada. Zero. Zilch.

Then there's the available WRs left on the market. Picking through the list of WRs at this point is like ordering crabs at the final hour before they close. Nothing! Epic.... Fregging... FAIL!



Ozzie... please.... My family are season ticket holders. And we want to be happy. We want happy times in Baltimore. The Orioles can't do it so we rely on YOU for to stay competitive. We want Flacco to throw TD's, not running for them, looking like a bobble head doll.


We love purple and black and we support you and the organization through thick and thin. But dude.. the patience is thinning like Homer Simpson's hair....

Do you have Plaxico's attorney's number??? Is Joe Horn on speed dial?? Can you see what Marvin is doing??? Hell I'll even take Ashlie Lelie if he's healthy. But dammit if Mason is really going to retire, you have to fix this... not tomorrow or next year or in 2 years... but NOW!!! This is stressing me out... I'm about to resort into tears Ozzie... Tears!!! Lawd help me I dunno if I can take anymore disappointments

No pressure, mmkay?! Just saying... I'm an anxious fan who's ready to add a playmate to that Lombardi trophy. It called me and said it was lonely. See what you can do.

Sincerely,


A Pissed Off NFL Chick

If you are a Ravens fan like myself, your face right now either looks like this



or this




Fans are shocked of the news that WR Derrick Mason has abruptly decided to retire after 12 NFL Seasons.

Who knows why Mason decided to retire. It could be for a number of reasons. Derrick once publicly stated that he would like a new contract this offseason. So maybe money was the issue. Or it could be the sudden passing of longtime teammate and friend, QB Steve McNair. Who knows, really, what caused this sudden retirement.

While Mason has announced his retirement through his agent's website, jocklife.com, he hasn't officially filed retirement papers, leaving some fans to speculate if this is simply a knee jerk reaction and that Mason may renege on his decision later on. At any rate. This is a HUGE...... let me say this again.. HUGE loss for the Ravens.

This is a team that has already gone through it's share of changes this offseason. Rex Ryan to the Jets. He takes Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard with him. All 3 were key components to the Ravens roster. But the loss of Mason is worse than the 3 of those combined.



Everyone knows the Ravens are a running team, and I don't see that changing any time soon. But the loss of Mason will mean that WRs Mark Clayton, Demetrius Williams, Kelly Washington and Marcus Smith will have to take over the team. Whoopty doodly doo!!!

Excuse me if I don't sound too excited.....

Clayton is inconsistent in getting open, Williams is inconsistent in being healthy, Washington is inconsistent in his ability to stay on a team and Smith is inconsistent because he doesn't even get much action thrown his way.

To make matters worse, the options available in free agency right now are slim to none. Marvin Harrison has health problems. Plaxico Burress has legal problems. Matt Jones has drug problems. Hell everybody has problems.

*Okay NFL Chick... breathe in.... breathe out...*

The Ravens can re visit the possible trade of Anquan Boldin or Brandon Marshall. But the Cardinals will almost certainly raise the trade value of Boldin now, because the Ravens could be desperate. Marshall is a PR nightmare,so I can't see the Ravens compromising the team integrity.

Which brings us to The Man... the one and only.... Ozzie Newsome. Now let the record show, I've defended Ozzie this past offseason, even after coming out of the NFL Draft without a WR. Ozzie believes in the best player available approach and I totally respect that. Even while fans were screaming mad that we didn't draft the likes of Robiskie, Nicks and Maclin, I said, "Don't worry. In Ozzie We Trust".



*SIGH*

Let's be real here. In order for the Ravens to beat the Steelers they need to have receivers that can make plays to be competitive and contend. But, I'm going to stick with that mantra. I think Ozzie Newsome is hands down one of the best GM's in the league, and I am sure that he can pull the Ravens out of a tight situation. While the lack of depth at WR is a big, glaring hole at this point, I will keep my trust in him. As hard as it is right now... I stay true to my word.

There is a cliche' that rings true. Whenever a door closes, a new one opens. I think the loss of Derrick Mason speaks volumes. But I also think his absence could bring out the best of Clayton, Williams and Washington. Also think that Ozzie will work around to clock to see that the Ravens find a player they can count on to step up and make the attempt to fill the void that Mason has left behind.

Derrick Mason, if you actually are retiring, thank you for the hard work and great plays you've made during your 4 seasons in Baltimore. If you do decide to change your mind, I welcome you back with open arms.

What will the Ravens do now?? Only time will tell...