Baltimore Beatdown at Ravens Year End Press Conference
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 4, 2010 7:00 AM EST
21 comments
For those of you who caught the Baltimore Ravens year end Press Conference live on TV today, you might have heard me ask a question about the possible future induction of former Ravens owner Art Modell into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Those of you were weren't so lucky can either watch it on replay, online and just check out some of the comments here and on the earlier FanPost that some loyalists to The Beatdown have already posted.
As an invited member of the media, I was able to sit, watch and participate in the Q&A with the Ravens owner, Steve Bisciotti, GM Ozzie Newsome, Head Coach John Harbaugh and Team President Dick Cass. After the conference was over, some gathered at the front of the room for an informal conversation with Bisciotti for more comments on the team.
Apparently, my topic of Modell's induction into the Hall of Fame was a popular one.
Bisciotti continued: "I think it's a disgrace. I don't understand the writers and why they figure they can forget about the shit that Lawrence Taylor did and say we're not here to judge what he did off the field and just looked at the guy and said he's one of the greatest. Well, Art Modell is one of the greatest owners of all-time. They've completely singled him out and I don't understand how the writers can with a clear conscience say I love this power that I have to keep him out of the hall. I think it's a terrible injustice."
Beatdown: "But if you ask the Cleveland fans, they'll say they hope he dies a slow death and they'll do whateve rthey can to keep him out."
Bisciotti: "I don't feel sorry for them at all. Literally, within four months of Art Modell pulling up the league promised them a new team and said you have to give us a new stadium, and they produced a new stadium. The whole thing with Art just galls me to no end. Art wasn't a very good owner, he was one of the best."
Obviously, there was a lot of discussion about the current state of the Ravens, the issues with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and specific free agent and draft moves the team might be looking at but of course declined to give any specifics. It was great being at the Castle, which is truly a wonderful place to visit and I just cannot imagine the thrill of being on this team and enjoying it's benefits for the players on a regular basis. Most of the local media was there and some of them were friendly, such as Aaron Wilson, who writes for the Carroll County Times and National Football Post. I also saw many of the others, including Fox 45's Kristen Berset, who is sort of difficult to miss in that group. It was also good to see some of the team's interns who were so helpful to me this past summer while at Training Camp.
Check out the photos I took:
Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti:
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome:
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh:
Ravens New QB Coach, Jim Zorn:
Fox 45 Baltimore Sports Reporter Kristen Berset:
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Kristen Berset...
Apparently I need to get some updates for Ravens news from Fox 45 now…. any other pictures of Kristen? (we know you asked her to be in a picture with you)
Focus...
Man, you need some glasses or better focus on that camera lens of yours! He-he. But hey, at least the most important snapshot was clear (although the angle of the picture was a little off)!
You missed the best part,
as she threw her shoe at me and yelled “Security!” after the 50th photo was snapped.
(just kidding….it was nly 30 or so)
aka 'Rexx'
Here is the Ravens' Official Transcript with my question and Ozzie's answer:
From your perspective, what can be done to eliminate the "Cleveland blockade" and get [Ravens minority owner Art] Modell nominated to be in the Hall of Fame?
(NEWSOME) "I think there is a movement in the city of Cleveland that is changing what people think of Mr. Modell. There have been former players that have called me personally and wanted me to address Mr. Modell about a willingness to do anything that they could do to help in promoting him to get to the Hall of Fame. I don’t know what it is going to take. I wish I… If I knew, I would have had it done five years ago. I don’t know. But I do know this, you guys are around those scribes. When we are in the playoffs, the majority of those voters are there. If you would take some of your time to talk to the guys that are on that voting committee… I got the opportunity in New England. I could look in that press box, and there were a number of those voters there. You’re asking us to do our part, are you doing your part? There’s a part that you can do also to help us to bridge that gap to honor a man that needs to be honored in Canton."
aka 'Rexx'
And here is the entire videotape of the Press Conference
from BaltimoreRavens.com here.
For my question, you’ll have to wait or go to the 37:18 mark.
aka 'Rexx'
Was a good press conference
I felt everyone at the table was honest and thorough with their answers. I liked that people didn’t back down from basically telling Ozzie, Steve and John that they must make huge moves this off season if this team stands a chance next year and into the future.
I got the strong feeling from everyone that we are going to be very aggressive in the off-season. I am more comfortable after hearing what they had to say. Would not be surprised to see some serious money spent in the next few months and some serious talent wearing purple next year.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Other Then WR...
What exactly are you considering huge moves?
What I got out of this is they were going to focus on keeping all their restricted free agents and would be open to making one big trade for a WR, though they don’t want to give up more then a single draft pick at most in any deal.
DE possibly. Maybe even a CB considering that Webb might not be back till mid-season. And we might make a bunch of moves in Free Agency with WR. I could see us drafting 2 or 3 or signing 2 or 3 guys.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I work part time at Shenk and Tittle to pick up some extra cash and Lar Dar was in our store the other day. His gait looked like shit… I would not be surprised he gets PUP’d this upcoming season. He did sign our counter though… that was cool of him.
Shenk & Tittle
My son has an interview for an Asst. Mgr. position this Tuesday. Anything he needs to know? Thanks!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Feb 5, 2010 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
The one in Westminster? Cuz that would be a crazy coincidence.
Be early, don’t ramble, and make it seem as if you long term career goal is to be in retail management. There is nothing that will get you ignored faster by the regional than to be overqualified or seem as if this is just a temporary job until something better comes along.
DB's are the #2 concern
I think its obvious we need WR and Dbacks – but also we could really use a TE- Todd Heap is old and the biggest impact LJ Smith has this year was a holding penalty in the playoffs.
Thanks for the insight
I really appreciate your efforts in relaying stuff from the press conference that some of us way-over-worked types just don’t have the time to follow. Kudos all!
Here's a take on my instigating of the "Modell in the Hall question:"
from BaltimoreRavens.com. Click here to read their story, but alas, no credit about me starting this whole talk.
aka 'Rexx'
Modell getting into the HOF at any point will have no impact on our 2010 season. I paid $6 for a can of beer under Art and $7.50 under Biscotti. I don’t care if they get elected head of their households when all’s said and done.
Down here in S.C. it is $3.50 for acan of beer in B.O.A. stadium.
The night is darkest right before the dawn
by Baltimore Warrior on Feb 10, 2010 6:54 AM EST up reply actions
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