So its Friday. Purple Friday to be exact and after a week of dealing with the lost to the Seahawks, you are finally ready to put that purple gear and support our beloved Ravens. NOT SO FAST!!! Some of you who proclaim to be fans have done nothing but talk bad about the team since Sunday. Flacco this, Ray Rice that, & a whole bunch of woulda, coulda, shouldas, that amount to about nothing at this point because we are still the team to beat! My problem is the ones that are nothing more than fairweather fans. The ones that are fans after a win but was never one when they lose. Here's what I say: Either you're with us or against us but be true to whatever you are. No time for fakes or phonies!

I love the Ravens and I am a diehard fan, I couldn't stop being a fan if I tried. I have been bleeding black and purple since 1996. I can still remember this city hoping for then NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to give Baltimore the ball back! (Remember that campaign) I remember sitting and hoping that Baltimore would be awarded an expansion team. (never happened of course) I remember sitting and hoping that the rumor was true that Al Davis was considering moving the Raiders to Baltimore. (yes I would have taken the Raiders) But as luck would have it or I think it was destiny that Art Modell had a deal in place to bring his team to Baltimore. Finally, the dream was realized and since that day I have been the biggest Ravens fan with undying love and support.

Now, I'm in no way saying that you can't be a fan and not be critical of the team or players when we lose. (Titans, Jaguars, & Seahawks. I'm just saying) I'm also not saying you can't be vocal about the team or the organization when you think they are making mistakes. That is your right to do so, but don't sit around and bad mouth the team when really under the cover of darkness you are really wearing black & yellow. Ok, maybe that's a little bit extreme but you know what I'm saying and you know you are! Be true to your team no matter what, in good times and especially the bad times.

Now after the lost to Seattle Sunday, we need to get into combat mode. So let me set the tone for you. Close your eyes and think about Ray Lewis (the greatest of all time) giving his pre-game talk to the team with all the intensity. You then see Ed Reed studying the quarterback, Terrell Suggs with that cocky look on his face, Ray Rice down on one knee watching the field, & the Iceman Joe Flacco going through the motions preparing for the game. (follow me so far?) You feel the vibe from the crowd, Poe getting the excitement of the crowd up even more, and then you hear the announcement that the team is about to hit the field. It's game time and people we do what we came to do and that's be the best team in the NFL. We have a date with destiny for February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis. So Bengals get ready because with or without Ray Lewis playing Sunday... we will bring it! Go Ravens!!!