Russell Street Recap

The era of Fantasy Football has ushered in a new breed of fan. Their compassion towards players is anesthetized by their own fulfillment. What’s in it for me? Did my fantasy team win? As quickly as they’d bench, trade or cut an underperforming player in the fantasy world, they seek the same knee-jerk treatment for the players in the real world. And then there are those old school fans. They’ll tell you stories about how tough players used to be. How they weren’t coddled like today’s athletes. Both need to open their eyes to reality.

Many fans believe that Tyreek Hill and Kareem Hunt and players with character red flags represent a significant portion of NFL players. That's not true AT ALL. In fact, it's safe to say that the good guys in the NFL, as a percentage, surpass the percentage of the general population.

Recently, Tony Lombardi had the great pleasure of being the guest speaker at a Ravens Nest 14 Meeting. After sharing some insight, a few stories and hosting a Q&A, one of the members approached him and asked how he knew before everyone else, that Dean Pees was retiring. Generally RSR is not in the news breaking business but this piece of breaking news was an exception. The Nest member asked Tony about the source of the information. "Sorry, I can't reveal that", Tony said. So, to corroborate Tony's story, the Nest Member went to another source who quickly labeled him a hack. Press play for the rest of the story...

Russell Street Report writers were regulars on 105.7 The Fan...until an April Fools Joke ruffled the feathers of CBS Radio management. Tough to believe, right? Here's the rest of the story.

The Ravens and PA Announcer Bruce Cunningham appear to have amicably parted ways. At least that's how they are playing it publicly. But was it really as simple as Cunningham deciding he no longer had the passion for the job or was it more? In this recap we dare to speculate.

Up until his stellar performance against the Eagles, Trace McSorley has been rather inconsistent during Ravens training camp and the preseason. His outing in Philadelphia strengthened his case to make Baltimore's Final 53 Man Roster. But was is enough? Will the Ravens carry 3 quarterbacks again in 2019?

The Andrew Luck retirement announcement was a shocker. It’s a huge blow to the Indianapolis Colts – a team with Super Bowl aspirations. It’s a huge blow to the NFL. No one wants to see that kind of talent in the prime of his career, leave the game. But it happened and it saddens all who love the National Football League. Unless your a Colts fan, then it ticks you off and inspires you to boo a class act like Luck.

We are now two weeks into training camp and the Ravens offensive line concerns still linger. Many have the same questions now as they did when camp started. Who will play left guard? Has Matt Skura improved enough in the offseason to adequately handle the center position? Recent scrimmaging against the Jacksonville Jaguars did little to calm the O-Line concerns.

Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman has several new weapons to tinker with this season. And if those weapons gel, Baltimore's offense could soar to unprecedented heights. Here's why in our latest Russell Street Recap...

RGIII will miss a few weeks after suffering a fractured thumb on his throwing hand during the team’s practice at M&T Bank Stadium this past Saturday night. The injury sets the team back a bit because at the moment, they’ll be forced to go with two quarterbacks in camp and that’s a heavy load to handle for Lamar Jackson and Trace McSorley. The Ravens are likely to sign a backup QB as soon as today and the pickings are thin. The names of Brock Osweiler and Josh Johnson have been bantered about but there’s one player out there who schematically is a perfect fit for the new Ravens offense.

They were among the best growing up, right through college. But now they are faced with unprecedented challenges as they try to alter their futures forever. Will the Under Armour Performance Center be the field of dreams that hopefuls imagined? Ravens training camp is underway in Owings Mills, MD.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell champions the notion of integrity. But it's only lip service. Goodell only does what he believes is best for “the shield”. He’s as disingenuous as they come. He regularly feigns contriteness. It’s his go-to PR move and he pulls it out whenever something happens in the league that might deliver a monetary blow. And his so-called "zero tolerance" policy really doesn't exist and his mangling of the Tyreek Hill case is further proof.

There are many stories from Ravens training camp and there will be more. Some have faded from memory. Others have and will become folklore. Here are a few...

According to my count the Ravens have 10 uniform combinations. But which one is the best?

There's a divide amongst Ravens fans. Some fret the departure of Joe Flacco and fear the future with Lamar Jackson. Some believe Lamar will be a star. In this Russell Street Recap we explain why Lamar, if he were a stock, is on the rise.

Former Ravens receiver Tandon Doss had an impressive camp back in 2012 and the media took notice. When asked to comment on Doss’ development, then Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said, “Let’s see how he does when we introduce the threat of contact.” Cameron wasn't sold on Doss and this situation calls to mind the challenges that coaching staffs face when evaluating players who seldom have live contact during practices and too often wear only shorts and jerseys without pads. This Russell Street Recap is brought to you by BmoreAroundTown.com.

With 2:47 left to go in Super Bowl 47 and the Ravens clinging to a 34-29 lead, San Francisco faced a first-and-10 at the Ravens 40. Colin Kaepernick handed the ball to Frank Gore who rambled 33 yards down the left sideline but if not for an unsung play from a Ravens defender, Gore would have scored and Baltimore's sports history could have been forever altered.

In the 2013 AFC Championship Game the Ravens took a 21-13 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter On the ensuing drive, the Patriots offense seemed to be gaining some momentum. Taking over at their own 16, Brady moved his offense to his own 39 following a 12-yard completion to Brandon Lloyd. We’ve seen Brady’s act before. There was cause for concern. But then it happened...

Staring at a third-and-13 from the Broncos 3 in OT, the Ravens, despite the Mile High Miracle to force overtime, were in danger of letting the game get away. But Joe Flacco and his favorite target had an answer

Let's admit it, the 4th and 29 check down from Joe Flacco to Ray Rice was a bad play made possible by two things: Ray Rice's determination and a key, crushing block, without which the Ravens probably don't go on to win Super Bowl 47.

The unsung plays in Ravens history that paved the way to greater glory. Without these plays Baltimore's sports history would be severely altered.

July 4th marked the 10th anniversary of Steve McNair’s tragic death. Perhaps like many of you I attended a holiday party that day, the spirit of which was heavily dampened as the sad news spread. It's hard not to feel for McNair’s family – his four boys and his wife and their pain. And it's puzzling how and why someone who to the outside observer had it all, could even put himself in such a compromising position. Ten years later, those thoughts haven’t really changed. Brought to you by Tiki Lee's Dock Bar of Sparrows Point, MD

Ravens Training Camp kicks off in full swing on July 25 at 8:45 AM at team headquarters in Owings Mills, MD. The Ravens have done a great job of making the practice fields more conducive to fans with expanded seating and an increased number of invites to PSL owners. Yet it’s still not the same as those summer days and nights at McDaniel College.

On July 3, 2019, we celebrated our 16th anniversary at Russell Street Report. We owe that to our loyal followers to whom we are deeply indebted and our great staff that consistently delivers superior content. Thanks to both, we're able to "Do What We Love, Love What We Do!" We hope this little trip down memory lane will inspire you to pursue your dreams.

Johnny Unitas is clearly the greatest quarterback Baltimore has ever had. But who is second, Joe Flacco or Bert Jones? Courtesy of Primary Residential Mortgage.

We’ve all heard it before that the NFL Draft is a science but if true, first round busts wouldn’t exist and Tom Brady never slips to the 6th round. Projecting player development is the key. Some kids peak in college. Others peak as professionals. We all tend to see a player as static – in other words, he is who he is. But there's a flaw in that way of thinking and here's why...

Given a city in decay and its perceived dangers, coupled with Steve Bisciotti's doubts that he will own the team for the rest of his life, could Baltimore lose the Ravens if the MD Stadium Authority and team can't agree to a new lease?

It was late July of 2016. Another hot, muggy day on the fields at One Winning Drive. The linebackers and running backs gathered together for a drill. An undrafted free agent linebacker, number 48 stepped up to take his turn. Across his back was a name that I hadn’t yet learned to pronounce. Onwuasor.

The Ravens are hosting former Tampa defensive tackle and recently turned free agent Gerald McCoy. And given the logjam of talent in the team’s interior defensive line, you might wonder why Eric DeCosta covets such a player who is likely to be a bit pricey. But maybe there's more to the story...

Cleveland is the same city that busted up its stadium and threw pieces of it on the field during the Browns final game in 1995. This is the same city that hurled beer bottles on to the field during a game, peppering players and game officials. This is the same city that is home to fans that tackled a young Jets fan because the Browns lost and the youngster wore his Jets colors.

With all of the attention given to defending the pass in the NFL, might it not be a good idea for offenses to shift their focus towards attacking faster but lighter defenses with the run?

When the Ravens courted Eric Weddle prior to the 2016 season, they had competition for the then 3-time Pro Bowler. The competition? None other than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eric DeCosta was heavily involved in recruiting Weddle and when Weddle’s tenure in Baltimore ended upon his release, there were no hard feelings. In fact Weddle suggested that he could be working for DeCosta down the road. Here's the rest of the story on this stand up guy!

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.

RSR is a program that delivers Ravens analysis and insight. From game previews to reviews; X’s & O’s to salary cap. Hosted by Tony Lombardi and Miles Goodman the Russell Street Report features local and national expert guests, fan Q&A, fan commentary and video, live musical artists and the one and only Baltimore Ron! This is can’t miss entertainment for the most avid fan to the casual fan. Check out the website RussellStreetReport.com daily for all of your Ravens news and updates.