Baltimore's beloved Ray Lewis was recently featured on ESPN's Sunday Conversation with Sal Paolantonio. Ray was questioned about his defensive coordinator changes, whether he REALLY thought about leaving Baltimore (he says, "Heck no" and laughs), Joe Flacco, and the death of Steve McNair.

Two petty things I noticed in this interview. The first thing I noticed, was that ugly silver bullet looking vest he has on. The second, is Ray when says, "Child Please", the term used often by Chad Ochocinco, which I can't stand. That's Ocho's saying, find your own, Ray. But other than that, as usual, Ray gives a great interview. This is a must see for Ravens and Ray Lewis fans alike.

If you've missed the breaking news in the NFL, Michael Vick finally has found a home. Vick agreed to sign a 2 year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, going to his first team since being released from prison. The first year of the deal, Vick will make $1.5 million with a 2nd year option at $5.2 million.

Most people are surprised by the Vick-to-Eagles signing, but I'm not. Vick is not a threat to take McNabb's job, in my opinion. Backup QB Kevin Kolb just went down with a strained knee ligament earlier this week. So Vick could be backing up McNabb, at least until Kolb returns.

For the most part, I think we can all agree that Vick will be a great wildcat player. Philly is stacked with offensive weapons and Vick only enhances that roster. Vick has previously played in a West Coast offense, so it should take little time for him to learn the playbook.

This Sunday Vick will be on 60 Minutes in an exclusive interview with James Brown. I'm glad Vick is getting a second chance and putting his past behind him. Hopefully this interview will allow him to speak once and for all about his experience, so he can have closure so folks can move on and just let the man do what he does best... play football.

Here is a sneak peak of the interview on Sunday. This will be a good one, I suggest everyone check it out.



Petty Sidenote: I'd love to see the PETA people come to Philly and protest. Philly fans don't play, they protect their own, and PETA doesn't know what's gonna hit them if they do. They better stay away



In other NFL News, Browns WR Donte Stallworth has been suspended for the 2009 season, from his fatal accident which killed a pedestrian earlier this year.

While some people think that Stallworth's sentence is too harsh, personally I have no real issue with it. Stallworth needs to thank God that he's not sitting in jail for that long. A DUI is a serious offense, and killing a pedestrian while under the influence is even worse. But even with that said, I feel for him, because I can't imagine playing a roll in the death of a person.

In an E:60 interview, Stallworth talks about the night of the accident, what led up to the it and how it affects him to the day. It was a very good interview and I thought he was pretty sincere when say he still thinks about it. Here's a snippet of the interview with ESPN's Michael Smith:



The show aired earlier this week, so check your local listing for the re-run. I hope this is the time to reflect and to learn how to move on for Stallworth. I fully expect him to be ready and motivated as ever next year. The Browns could really use him this year, but since most folks think the Browns will suck anyway, he can save it all for next season, when (hopefully), the Browns start to turn it around.

Today is the day that football is officially back! Preseason starts today and I'm so excited, I'm about to lose my mind!!!!

I have so many friends that love football. I mean, LOVE it! But some of them never had the opportunity to go to a stadium and see a game live. So I figured, why not help the virgin fan have a great game day experience? Why not start... now?!

I've been to many a game in my lifetime. Some at my home stadium (which happens to be M&T Bank Stadium, one of the loudest places to play), and some away. But I definitely learned that going to a game is a world of difference away than sitting on your couch at home, or watching it at a bar.

So, I decided to come up with football stadium etiquette. So once you guys and gals finally get to see your favorite team up close and personal, you'll fit in just fine

Etiquette #1- Tailgate, Tailgate, Tailgate!!!


Tailgating is hella fun, especially if you love to party. Most fans go to the stadium at least 3 hours before kickoff, have their food on the grill, their cold beer (or hard liquor) flowing, and music blasting. It's a block party outside, except it's under any weather circumstance. I usually go to the stadium about 2 hours prior to the game, without knowing anyone who actually tailgates, and starting mustering up convos with people. After about 10 minutes, they're asking you, "Do you want a plate?" or, "Want a cold one?" and I happily say, "SURE!! Thanks!". You meet new people, whether they root for your team, or against them, and just have a blast. I recommend this for everyone to do at least one time, go to the game early and tailgate. You will be hooked like Pookie was addicted to crack on New Jack City

Etiquette #2- Eat and Drank Before You Get There


If you aren't going to tailgate, then this is the next best thing for you to do. Spending money at a stadium is pointless. It's like throwing money away. If you're a functional glutton or alcoholic, then this is NOT the place for your wallet. A personal pizza and 3 beers is about $50 easily.

Find a bar or lounge around the stadium's perimeter before the game. They usually have kickoff specials on appetizers and certain types of beer. For $20, you can order some buffalo wangs (yes, WANGS!) and 3 beers. And it'll hold you for the entire time during the game (unless 3 beers does NOTHING for you). But this is a recession, spending $50 just cause isn't like it was 3 years ago. Spend your money wisely people.


Etiquette #3- Take plenty of pics of your experience.

From the crazy fan that is WAY too pressed to show his team spirit, to the murals, pictures and statues at the stadium.

Unless you are a season ticket holder or an away game traveler, who knows if this will be your last game. And even if it isn't, it's a great thing to look back on, and show family/friends your experience. I take pics at every stadium I go to. It's great to walk down memory road.


Etiquette #4- Get in your seat about 20 mins before kickoff.

Most teams have introductions that they go thru before kickoff.

Some are really good and entertaining, it gets you fired up and ready for football. Some kinda suck, but if you're a guy, then there may be some busty cheerleaders to look at. Either way, the intros are usually really cool. Something I think everyone should see.

Etiquette #5- Sitchoazz down when needed.

Now, as a Ravens fan, we know the game of football *pops collar*. We know when to stand, when to yell, when to sit.... kinda hard to explain, we just know what to do and when to do it. If you are confused, just follow suit. Please don't be the fan that, when the offense needs us to be quiet and calm, you're yelling and standing the entire time. I can almost guarantee that someone (presumably drunk) will look at you like so

and then curse you out and possibly start a fight with you. You don't want to go out like that. Sitchoazz down!

Etiquette #6- Be respectful, if you are the fan of the opponent.

Football is supposed to be a fun event, but you do find people that take the game a little more serious than they should. Let me tell you, I've heard plenty of stories and seen plenty of fights, all because someone was acting a fool. Here's the thing, it's cool to go to an away game and root for your team on the road. But don't go in hostile territory, showboat or bragging. It will NOT... I repeat... W-I-L-L N-O-T ... end pretty.

I've seen an opposing fan get his face bashed in, I've heard stories of beer getting spilled on them, objects being thrown at them, and ladies flashing their boobs in front of small children, all in the name of defending their home ground. Cheer your team on, but don't come in talking about, "We're gonna kick your azz!!!" or, "That's why we stomped you last year in your house!", YOU'RE gonna get stomped in their house if you don't shut up. Usually home fans pick on opposing fans in a good spirited way... but saying the wrong thing will make it turn ugly quick. Remember, you're in their house. And don't look for security to help you out either. They're usually fans of the home team so it may take a while to respond to your azz whupping.


There you have it Guys and Gals. If you follow by these rules, you will have the best time ever! If you don't... you'll probably have a good time still (unless you ignore my last rule, then you'll be in the hospital). But enjoy your experience like it's your first and last. Football is back, life can't get any better than this.

Pigskin Loving Lady shows us SI's new cover with Redskins QB Jason Campbell on the cover. Is this the year Campbell shows the haters that he's worth a 1st round pick??? Only time will tell but check out the cover.

MKRob shows us which 1st rounders from this year's NFL Draft have gone to the bank already with new contracts, and those still waiting for their money to roll in. Find out if your favorite player has been signed already (unless you like Crabtree the Diva).

Mind Pinball has a new home. Wanna know where that is?? Click here to find out.

Ravens Gab ponders if Ravens DT Haloti Ngata is next up to bat for a big contract. Find out what the word on the street is regarding the one of the cornerstones on the Ravens D.

What Does Ray Lewis and Hines Ward have in common??/ According to Ed The Sports Fan, they are the NFL's Natural Born Killaz. Want to know what makes a player a NBK or who else is on the list?? Check his blog out to find out more.

The AFL is officially over??? Say it ain't so!! Looks like it's a reality and Sistah Sports discusses the demise of the struggling league. Looks like football fans will be finding something else to watch during the off season.

What did Rod Woodson tell ESPN's AFC North blogger James Walker about Ed Reed?? Go to The City That Reeds and find out what the Hall-Of-Famer said about the Ravens safety

Well, looky looky here!!!!


So Snoop Dogg, AKA Snoop Doggy Dogg, AKA Snoop D-O-double-Gizzle was in Westminster for the Ravens morning practice, by a special invitation from Ray Lewis.

Snoop was in town for his Blazed and Confused Tour which was nearby in Columbia. He came to check out Ravens practice, cheering on players and even the Ravens offense, who played well today against the defense.

Mr. Doggy Dogg, a well known Steelers fan, was having fun with the players and coaches, joining in their huddle and chanting Ray's known moniker, "Any dogs in the house" "woof, woof, woof"

But the most noticeable thing about today's appearance was..... he had on a Ravens floppy hat and no black and gold was anywhere in site. Could Snoop be walking to the the other side???

I doubt it!

But Snoop was enjoying his time at Ravens training camp today, doing interviews with Ray, doing ladder drills with Frank Walker (although if I could be quite frank,I wonder if he was C walking instead) and just hanging out.



I'm a huge fan of Snoop. I've always loved his music and he reminds me of when hip hop was at it prime (another topic for another day LOL), but I love my squad far more than Mr. Gizzle. He's coming to unfamiliar territory, and one has to ponder if he's taking notes to send to his friends over there in Latrobe. Oh, c'mon, I know I'm not the only one who thought about this.


The good thing is, Snoop loves more players in purple and black than just Ray Ray. When asked who his second fave player was, he said the following:

"Ed Rizzle does the crazy fah-shizzle on the football fizzle, ya dizzle."

As you guys and gals know, I love me some Twitter. It's one of the best inventions since white sliced bread as far as I'm concerned. With twitter you can read folks thoughts and interact with your fave celebs/ athletes, while getting the latest breaking news, all rolled in one.

But with the growing popularity of Twitter, comes the Twitter haters. There are some that have taken certain steps to show that they don't like the intimate tweets made regarding... anything.

Case in point #1- Antonio Cromartie Fined


The Chargers CB was recently fined $2500 for tweeting about "nasty food" at the Chargers facility during training camp.


Come on now..... How many times have you had a potluck or even have a cafeteria at work and came across some food that was down right disgusting??? When you talk to your friends at the end of the day, you say to them, "Man... today I had some food that was nasty as hell..." and continue to tell the story. What Cromartie did was no different. He was speaking his mind.

Now, I follow Cromartie (click here to add him to your follow list), and he doesn't say off the wall things often, so you know he's upset at this point. Hell, I know I would. Because of his fine, last night Cromartie tweeted this after a practice:

"man we had a grt practice 2day The defense flow around we made a lot of plays every1 knows I have 2 watch wht i say now cause i got fined"