Dan Kolko Archive
Prior to the Ravens drafting Joe Flacco two years ago, it was clear that the team needed a franchise quarterback. Before the Anquan Boldin trade two weeks ago, it was clear the Ravens needed a No. 1 wide receiver. Check...and check. What were probably the two most glaring long-term holes ... Read More
Frank Walker has experienced a topsy-turvy ride in Baltimore. It'd be hard to argue otherwise. According to Walker, who is an unrestricted free agent, that ride soon might be coming to a close. Walker tweeted yesterday that he's close to signing a deal with a new team. ... Read More
There's been talk for a while now that Paul Kruger would be better off as a down defensive end than an outside linebacker. With Kruger getting ready to start his second pro season, it appears that position change might be getting put in motion. ... Read More
Dwan Edwards has had a busy offseason, making three free agent visits. Apparently, the most recent one has resulted in a deal with the Bills. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Buffalo has reached an agreement with the Ravens' free agent defensive lineman. Edwards met with the Bills earlier today, ... Read More
After not tendering Edgar Jones a contract two weeks ago, the Ravens announced today that they have re-signed the reserve tight end. Jones is a solid special teams contributor who provides depth at tight end and also has experience on the defensive side of the ball as a former linebacker. ... Read More
Boy, Rex Ryan had an eventful weekend. The Jets' head coach underwent a surgical procedure that he hopes will help him fight obesity and he also added a future Hall of Famer to his roster in running back LaDanian Tomlinson. No big deal. ... Read More
I wanted to watch Haloti Ngata's guest appearance on the Food Network show "Ace of Cakes" last night, I really did. But this time of year, you can't compete with Big East and ACC Tournament basketball. ... Read More
In Sept. of 2008, Anquan Boldin was struck by a brutal helmet-to-helmet hit from Jets safety Eric Smith. (If you you've got a strong stomach, you can check out the video of that frightening hit right here.) The shot knocked Boldin unconscious, fractured his sinus membrane, and left doctors needing ... Read More
Despite questions about retirement and whether he would sign elsewhere this offseason, Derrick Mason and the Baltimore Ravens were too good a match for the 13-year veteran not to return. Mason feels comfortable in Baltimore, he works well with quarterback Joe Flacco, and the Ravens know that when healthy, Mason ... Read More
Derrick Mason is back, and with his return, the Ravens now boast a fairly strong receiving corps. The Ravens have announced that Mason has signed a two-year contract that will keep the 13-year veteran in Baltimore, and give them a steadily improving group of receivers that also includes Anquan Boldin, ... Read More
A day after visiting with the Ravens, free agent defensive back Marlin Jackson has inked a deal elsewhere. Jackson has signed a two-year contract with the Eagles, according to ESPN. ... Read More
We now know that Derrick Mason won't be the Ravens' No. 1 wide receiver in 2010, but it still looks like there's a good chance he'll return to Baltimore and will be a part of an improved receiving corps, according to multiple reports. Mason has yet to draw much interest ... Read More
While Anquan Boldin was the man of the hour during his introductory press conference late yesterday afternoon, there were still a few topics unrelated to the three-time Pro Bowl receiver that were tossed GM Ozzie Newsome's way. One of those was the situation surrounding wide receiver Derrick Mason. Asked about ... Read More
He's only been in Baltimore for a day, but Anquan Boldin already has a grudge against the Steelers. OK, so it's only a joking grudge, but the Ravens' newest wide receiver still wants to get a little payback against the team that stole the Lombardi Trophy from his Cardinals in ... Read More
Ozzie Newsome says he made a mistake. The Ravens GM admitted today that he should have drafted Anquan Boldin back in 2003, but was blinded by the Florida State wide receiver's "measurables" - a reference to Boldin's horrific 4.71 40-yard dash time. Seven years later, Newsome got a chance to ... Read More
Troy Smith's agent, Ralph Cindrich, has made it pretty clear over the last couple months that the Ravens' backup quarterback wants to be traded. But just in case anyone forgot, Cindrich sent us another reminder. ... Read More
The Ravens will welcome wide receiver Anquan Boldin to Baltimore with a press conference at 2 p.m. this afternoon, and you can watch it happen live on MASN. Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh will be joining Boldin at the press conference, and the three will take ... Read More
In case you missed it, there was a Ravens-related winner at the Oscars last night. Sandra Bullock, who played Michael Oher's adoptive mother Leigh Anne Tuohy in The Blind Side, won the Oscar for Best Actress. Unfortunately for Ozzie Newsome, there are no rules that give extra draft picks to ... Read More
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome never enjoys giving up draft picks, but I think he slept OK last night. Yesterday's trade that sent the Ravens' third and fourth-round selections to the Cardinals for wide receiver Anquan Boldin and a fifth-round pick was a necessity and dramatically improves a receiving corps in ... Read More
Anquan Boldin leaves the Cardinals as their all-time leader in receptions, ranking third in receiving yards, and fifth in receiving touchdowns. He joins the Ravens hoping to make just as big an impact in Baltimore. ... Read More
You've wanted it for over a year, and now it's done: Anquan Boldin is a Raven. ... Read More
The Anquan Boldin sweepstakes has kicked into high gear. After multiple reports over the last half hour claimed that the Ravens and Patriots were the two teams heavily involved in negotiating a trade for the Cardinals wide receiver, the NFL Network is now reporting that New England has dropped out ... Read More
It might not exactly satisfy your free agent fix, but the Ravens made their first move since the start of the free agent period by agreeing to terms with exclusive right free agent defensive tackle Lamar Divens. Divens, who originally came into the league in 2008 as an undrafted free ... Read More
Before I decide to slide into bed, here are a few more RFA tenders to pass along, according to a league release: The Ravens gave wide receiver Mark Clayton the second-round tender. He will earn 110 percent of his 2009 salary, which would put him at nearly $2.3 million for ... Read More
As expected, Julius Peppers found a suitor early. And as expected, the Ravens didn't make a move right off the bat. But that doesn't mean there isn't any news to pass along. Despite all the hype surrounding Brandon Marshall and the possibility of him ending up in Baltimore, the Ravens ... Read More
OK, so we're still six months away from actual games. But exactly 20 minutes from now, the 2010 free agent period officially gets underway and the offseason madness kicks into high gear. We should see a couple of the big name unrestricted free agents go off the board very early ... Read More
The Ravens have given Troy Smith the low tender, according to the backup quarterback's agent. The move opens up the possibility that a team in need of a quarterback could swoop in and sign Smith to an offer sheet, given that it would only cost them a fifth-round pick (the ... Read More
We still have yet to hear which tender the Ravens have given to a few of their restricted free agents, but until I've got more news to pass along, I thought I'd do my best to break down how the RFA period works. It's a complicated process, although after today, ... Read More
Can't say I saw this coming: Despite another frustrating season from wide receiver Demetrius Williams, the Ravens are reportedly planning on keeping him around. According to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post and The Carroll County Times, the Ravens have given Williams the low RFA tender, which would pay the ... Read More
The tenders keep coming in. You ready for some more? Here we go: Cornerback Fabian Washington announced via his Twitter account that the Ravens have given him the first-round tender. The former first-round pick is coming off a torn ACL that will limit him in the team's offseason workouts. ... Read More
The RFA tender news is coming in fast and furious today. The latest update concerns Ravens left tackle Jared Gaither, who, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, received the first-round tender from the team. That means Gaither is due for a contract of around $2.3 million if he stays in Baltimore. ... Read More
For some time now, the Broncos have sent out signals that explosive yet troubled wide receiver Brandon Marshall is on the trading block. Today, they made that point blatantly clear. The Broncos have placed just the first-round tender on their 25-year-old wideout, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. ... Read More
When the Ravens announced that they had added Ted Monachino as their new outside linebackers coach last week, it was only natural to wonder if the hire was correlated to Terrell Suggs' sub-par 2009 season. A few days ago, while in Indianapolis for the NFL Combine, head coach John Harbaugh ... Read More
Last year around this time, the Ravens slapped the franchise tag on Terrell Suggs for the second straight season, meaning the linebacker was guaranteed a one-year contract. It also meant that Suggs was not required to participate in team minicamps while he and the Ravens tried to negotiate a long-term ... Read More
At the risk of seeming like I'm trying to set a world record for most consecutive posts talking about a wide receiver, I've got an update on two guys that have been linked to the Ravens for the last few months. The San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Chargers ... Read More
The latest word out of Indianapolis is that the Ravens have had discussions about Terrell Owens and are considering signing the much maligned wide receiver. Talking with reporters during the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach John Harbaugh admitted as much, saying that the team has done its homework on Owens ... Read More
Already in Indiana for the Combine, John Harbaugh made a little pit stop last night. The Ravens' head coach went from Indianapolis to Bloomington to catch an Indiana-Wisconsin game, and to watch his brother-in-law, IU coach Tom Crean, in action. Harbaugh didn't pick the best night for a visit. ... Read More
There's less than four hours left for teams to officially use their franchise and transition tags, but don't expect the Ravens to slap either of the tags on one of their unrestricted free agents before the 4 p.m. deadline. Some might question why the Ravens won't tag wide receiver Derrick ... Read More
As promised, here is a list of guys I'll be watching out for at the NFL Scouting Combine, which officially gets underway today in Indianapolis. The on-field action begins on Saturday when offensive linemen, specialists and tight ends will kick things off. I'll admit, I haven't had a chance to ... Read More
The Ravens announced they've hired a new member of their coaching staff today, and it's a guy that linebacker Terrell Suggs is pretty familiar with. Ted Monachino will be the fresh face amid the Baltimore coaching ranks; he will serve as the team's new outside linebackers coach. ... Read More
What do you look for in a defensive end? Strength? Speed? Toughness? The number of back handsprings he can do in a row? ... Read More
Although I follow the Capitals and enjoy going to games at the Verizon Center, I would never watch a hockey game that featured two teams I don't know. I like watching players that I'm familiar with, and outside of the guys on the Caps, I don't know many others around ... Read More
When Derrick Mason spoke to reporters a couple days after the Ravens' 2009 season came to a close, he said he was leaning towards retirement. Exactly a month later, it sounds like Mason is leaning back in the other direction. In an interview with BaltimoreRavens.com, Mason said that he is ... Read More
Step one of the Ravens' wide receiver rebuilding plan is complete: Get someone under contract. Prior to yesterday's signing of Donte' Stallworth, Marcus Smith had the most NFL game action of any receiver guaranteed to be in camp in 2010, so the first piece of the puzzle is now set. ... Read More
The posts are coming fast and furious today. I'll remember this in a few weeks when I'm struggling to come up with new topics to discuss. This one comes with some disappointing news regarding a media favorite. Tight end Quinn Sypniewski, who recently underwent a surgical procedure to his left ... Read More
At the team's recent "State of the Ravens" press conference, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti said that he's willing to take a risk on a player with previous character issues. Today, he followed through on that statement. Bisciotti, GM Ozzie Newsome and the rest of the Ravens front office apparently feel ... Read More
Donte' Stallworth made what he has previously called a "tragic lapse in judgment" when he killed a pedestrian while driving drunk back in March of 2009. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail (he served 24 of the 30), two years of house arrest, eight years of probation and ... Read More
Recently, I asked you guys if you would be interested in having embattled wide receiver Donte' Stallworth join the Ravens. Now, the decision has been made for you. The Ravens have announced that they have signed the 29-year-old Stallworth to what is being reported by multiple outlets as a one-year, ... Read More
We've discussed how there will be fewer unrestricted free agents on the market this offseason because of the rules that go along with an uncapped 2010. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean that there won't be any shake-ups to NFL rosters within the next two or three months, even to the ... Read More
I'm hearing we're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. Isn't that just fantastic? For a month or two now, we've known who the Ravens will be facing once the 2010 season gets underway, but I'm not sure if I ever touched on that information all that much. ... Read More
We talked the other day about how the Ravens choose to view players who have gone through off-field issues. I think we're all familiar with the Bengals' history regarding such players. ... Read More
When I stepped foot outside today, my neighborhood looked like something out of one of those apocalyptic disaster movies. There weren't any people in sight, I could barely spot cars beneath all the snow, and icicles were dangling from the top of the nearby houses. The place looked like a ... Read More
There seems to be a growing number of players throughout the NFL who have experienced off-the-field issues, be it legal problems or questions about their character and ability to mesh in the locker room. In addition to age, injury history, contract demands, and a myriad of other factors, those off-the-field ... Read More
Last week, we went over a long list of wide receivers the Ravens could add via the free agent market. As of yesterday, a new name can be added to the discussion: former Browns receiver Donté Stallworth. ... Read More
Can't say I saw that coming. Peyton Manning has the ball trailing by seven points late in the fourth quarter, you just assume the game will soon be tied. That's the script we've seen time and time again. Didn't turn out that way last night. ... Read More
The Ravens' propensity to commit penalties frustrated a lot of fans this season. They aren't alone. Asked during this week's "State of the Ravens" press conference what drove him crazy when watching his team this season, owner Steve Bisciotti pointed to the Ravens' high penalty numbers. ... Read More
Brace yourself, Maryland; this is going to be an interesting weekend. Every time I've gone online or heard a weather update on TV the last 24 hours, it seems like the accumulation estimate for the upcoming snowstorm has risen by another few inches. A foot; 18 inches; two feet; hey, ... Read More
This has been a busy couple weeks when it comes to the Ravens' coaching staff. Former quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson left to join the Raiders and was replaced by Jim Zorn, and former Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees was added as Baltimore's new linebackers coach with former LB guru Vic ... Read More
Over the last few weeks, we've talked at length about the high likelihood of the 2010 season being uncapped and the complex rules that will be put in place should the owners and players fail to reach a new CBA. If a deal can't be reached by the March 5 ... Read More
Troy Smith's agent, Ralph Cindrich, caused a bit of a stir a few weeks ago when he Tweeted during the Ravens' playoff run that his client wanted to be traded. Smith supported that statement last week, telling an ESPN Radio affiliate that he would like to play for the Cleveland ... Read More
A couple weeks ago, at his end of the season press conference, head coach John Harbaugh said that despite the fact that Ed Reed is considering retirement, he expected his six-time Pro Bowl safety to return next season. At today's "State of the Ravens" press conference, Harbaugh reiterated that message. ... Read More
Last offseason, the Ravens coaches and front office members insisted that they already had the wide receivers that they needed to help Joe Flacco expand the passing game. They pointed to Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams as a playmaking trio to build around. Today, at the "State of ... Read More
While the list of restricted free agent wide receivers features Pro Bowlers and high-ceiling guys, the list of unrestricted free agent wideouts leaves quite a bit more to be desired. If the Ravens are looking for a big, playmaking wide receiver, they might not find it below, but they will ... Read More
Is it spring yet? I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a little sick of all this snow. I'll take 75 and sunny as soon as possible, please. I'll be braving the conditions (and the inevitable post-snow traffic) to head out to Owings Mills today for the yearly ... Read More
Throughout much of 2009, it seemed like a near certainty that veteran defensive end Trevor Pryce and running back Willis McGahee would part ways with the Ravens at the end of the season. ... Read More
I'm going to be honest with you. I tried to watch the Pro Bowl last night, and only made it through about half an hour before I had to flip to something else. And yes, that something else was the Grammys. ... Read More
Just four days after losing Hue Jackson to the Raiders, the Ravens have found a new quarterbacks coach, and they're going with a guy familiar with the Mid-Atlantic area. The team has announced that they've hired former Redskins head coach Jim Zorn as their QB coach. Zorn got the nod ... Read More
Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is expected to announce his retirement in a press conference today. Is he Hall of Fame worthy? Well, let's see... ... Read More
It would be fair to say that Paul Kruger was a little displeased with his amount of playing time in his rookie year. Now, with the 2009 season behind him, it will interesting to see how much game action Kruger sees in the coming years. ... Read More
Without a doubt, Paul Kruger's finest moment as a rookie came back in the Ravens' Week 12 win over the Steelers. With the game in overtime, Kruger picked off Pittsburgh quarterback Dennis Dixon and returned the interception 26 yards to the Steelers' 28. Six plays later, Billy Cundiff booted through ... Read More
As Lardarius Webb works his way back from a torn ACL, he's heard the talk that he might be out through training camp and possibly through part of the regular season. But Webb isn't thinking about any of that or setting any timetables for himself. All the Ravens' rookie cornerback ... Read More
There are a number of factors which will limit the Ravens' attempts to upgrade their roster via free agency or trade this offseason. Barring a shocking late implementation of a new collective bargaining agreement prior to the March 5th deadline, the 2010 season will be uncapped. ... Read More
It must quite a busy Tuesday morning around Ravens headquarters. Just a couple hours after it was reported that Hue Jackson is leaving Baltimore to take the offensive coordinator position in Oakland, the Ravens announced that they've hired former Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees as their new linebackers coach. ... Read More
Reports yesterday indicated the Ravens made an addition to their coaching staff. Today, they've had a departure from the group. Quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson, who has been instrumental in the progression of Joe Flacco over the last two seasons, has accepted the offensive coordinator position with the Oakland Raiders, according ... Read More
After beating the Patriots in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, the Ravens have reportedly brought on one of New England's high-ranking coaches. According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Ravens have hired Patriots defensive coordinator Dean Pees to be their linebackers coach. ... Read More
So, boys and girls, your Super Bowl XLIV match-up is set: We'll see the Colts and the Saints duke it out down in Miami two weeks from now. Anyone care to put down an early prediction? ... Read More
This probably isn't the way we all hoped we'd be spending Championship Weekend, but it should still be a fun day nonetheless. ... Read More
Fans and media members have been calling for the Ravens to add a playmaking wide receiver for a few years now. But when the Ravens' receivers themselves start asking for help, that's a telling sign. ... Read More
So far, we know where one of the Ravens' free agent wide receivers stands regarding his future with the team. Actually, no, I take that back. We have no idea where Derrick Mason stands. ... Read More
Jared Gaither had an injury-filled 2009 season. The Ravens' left tackle dealt with neck, foot and ankle ailments throughout the year, causing him to miss a total of five games. That missed time, Gaither says, will inspire him during his offseason workouts throughout the next handful of months. ... Read More
Michael Oher had an exceptional rookie season, finishing second in the AP Rookie of the Year voting and proving that he was more than deserving of being the Ravens' selection with the 23rd overall pick in the 2009 Draft. Oher was the Ravens' starter at right tackle seemingly from the ... Read More
Recently, an ESPN report claimed that quarterback Joe Flacco's hip/quad injury left him unable to sit down on the Ravens' flight back from Oakland following their regular season finale against the Raiders. Flacco also appeared to have a legitimate limp at times in the Ravens' postseason run. His movement looked ... Read More
As I mentioned earlier, the Ravens' kicking job will likely be up for grabs when offseason minicamps roll around a few months from now, but one guy who'd like to lock himself in as Baltimore's kicker in 2010 is the one who finished the 2009 season handling that role - ... Read More
This entry is primarily about a former Ravens kicker, but I'm going to start it off with news about a current Ravens coach. That might seem like an unusual mix, but hey, I make the rules around here. ... Read More
Earlier this afternoon, during his final press conference of the season, head coach John Harbaugh addressed the possible retirements of safety Ed Reed and wide receiver Derrick Mason. And as far as Harbaugh is concerned, both Reed and Mason will return next season. ... Read More
We just got out of head coach John Harbaugh's season recap press conference, which as could be expected was pretty darn lengthy. Harbs was up at the podium for nearly 40 minutes, recapping the 2009 season and answering questions about how the roster will shape up as the team prepares ... Read More
Just a few days after a tough playoff loss to the Colts, it has to be tough for the Ravens to look back on the 2009 season and reflect on all that they've accomplished since minicamps began last spring. It was a season of ups and downs, one that had ... Read More
After having a team meeting early this morning and then some positional meetings as well, the players filtered into the locker room today to clean out their lockers and say their goodbyes. The post-season locker cleanout day is always a weird one. ... Read More
The first words out of Derrick Mason's mouth during this afternoon's locker room cleanout session were pretty cut and dry: "I'm done." But from there, things got a lot more uncertain. ... Read More
Now that the Ravens' 2009 season has come to a close, there will be plenty of time to both reflect on the last five months of football and look forward to the next few months of roster maneuvers. ... Read More
Another long day of travel finally got me back to Charm City a few hours ago, just in time to see the Vikings wrap up their dominating win over the Cowboys. Is it just me, or has this been the most bland first two rounds of the playoffs in quite ... Read More
Coming off a game where they put up 33 points, the Ravens were unable to get much of anything going against the Colts' fast, yet vulnerable, defense. Indy allowed an average nearly 340 yards of offense during the regular season, but last night, the Ravens struggled to pick up first ... Read More
Coming into this game, we knew the keys would be the Ravens playing smart, taking care of the football, and playing well in the red zone on both sides of the ball. That didn't happen. ... Read More
Shortly after having their season end after falling to the Colts 20-3 in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, the Ravens were dealt another major blow: Six-time Pro Bowl safety Ed Reed says there's a "50-50" chance he'll choose to retire. ... Read More
In last weekend's 33-14 Wild Card win over the Patriots, the Ravens jumped out to an early lead, ran the ball with ease, and played smart, sound football. Tonight, their season came to a close because they were unable to duplicate any part of their performance in New England. ... Read More
Ed Reed somehow had two interceptions on one Colts drive. And neither stood up. ... Read More
A Peyton Manning 10-yard touchdown pass to Austin Collie late in the second quarter gave the Colts a 10-3 lead, and another TD pass to Reggie Wayne with three seconds left in the half made it a 17-3 Indy advantage. Those scores came within two minutes, three seconds of each ... Read More
3-3 through one quarter of play. Not too shabby. After a 45-yard field from Matt Stover put the Colts on the board on the first drive of the game, a key special teams penalty (which apparently happens to this team every single week) put the Ravens in bad shape offensively. ... Read More
After watching Joe Flacco move around during pregame warm-ups, I can report that the Ravens quarterback appears to be moving without much, if any, pain or stiffness in his injured right hip. It should be noted that the press box here at Lucas Oil Stadium is approximately 4.5 miles from ... Read More
The inactives have been released, and there's really nothing surprising to pass along. Rookie linebacker Paul Kruger is inactive for the second straight game, which might cause a mini revolt in Baltimore but really isn't big news. The Ravens are very healthy, and someone has to sit. Kruger's lack of ... Read More
