Bleacher Report - Articles by Shamira Tucker

Ravens Still a Team to Fear in The AFC (CBS Correspondent Article 3)

Shamira Tucker — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:11:02 -0400

If you look across the AFC at all of the teams, the Baltimore Ravens are one team that consistently performs well. Yes, they have had their fair share of problems to deal with just like any other but so what? Offense was the main issue but things are finally starting to come together in that area, at last!

In the entire AFC, the Ravens and Steelers are some of the best along with the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos.

Within the AFC North, you have the Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns. Of those four, the Ravens and Steelers are the two strongest teams.

The Ravens were "close but no cigar" in the playoffs this past season, missing it by just a bit and finishing 11-5. But with a rookie head coach and QB, they did an amazing job at turning the team around from the disastrous season they had the year before.

Joe Flacco had become the first rookie QB in NFL history that won his first two playoff games which took the Ravens straight to the AFC Championship. A place they had not been since 2000.

Not to mention rushing 52 times for 180 yards and 2 TDs plus a career long 38-yd. TD run and pulling off a phenomenal 43 yard reception just to name a few accomplishments. Quite spectacular for his first go around in the NFL and what a way to start!

Putting that aside and moving on...

The strength of the team is almost rock solid. Let us take a look back at last year on defense. The top three leaders were Ray Lewis leading in tackles with 84 solo and 76 assists. Age is nothing but a number, with 14 years in the league and he is still proving he can get the job done on the field come game time.

Bart Scott came in second with 54 solo tackles and 50 assists followed by Terrell Suggs with 62 solo tackles and 40 assists. Need I say more? Baltimore's defense is still one of the, hands down, top three best in the league.

Ed Reed led the defense on INT's with 9. Beware when he is let loose on the field because you do not know where he may show up and what he has up his sleeve. Do not sleep on this team.

Special teams definitely stepped in when duty called. Brendon Ayanbadejo led with 18 solo tackles and 12 assists. Next in line was Tom Zbikowski with 19 solos and 4 assists and Jameel McClain rounding out third with 8 solos and 9 assists. I was quite impressed with special teams this past 2008-2009 season. They showed they meant business.

On offense punting averages, kickoff returns, completion percentages, passing yards, rushing yards, average gain per play, first downs and average gain per pass and per rush were all quite high numbers.

These guys held their own and proved their worth to all of those disbelievers out there in the world of football.

On defense the number of sacks was low which is something a team typically wants. That just goes to show one of the ways in which Baltimore's defense is one of the best in the league and continues to remain so.

Despite some injuries sustained throughout the season, the Ravens players showed they were true warriors of endurance and vigor. They battled it out despite being a bit bruised and banged up but that did not matter.

For this Ravens team, the impact of their future playoff chances for the 2009 season should be rather high. When the players recovering from injuries last year are back to 100% all will be back in order. Avoid penalties as much as possible, step it up on third down conversions and tighten up on the offense and WIN WIN WIN. Piece of cake!

We have all the right players that will be key on offense and defense so my concern is very little. Numerous changes were made during the off season but you must have the right ingredients for a team to thrive in all the right ways which includes a remarkable head coach that Baltimore has in John Harbaugh.

With that said, keep an eye out for the Baltimore Ravens because they are more and more back on track, gaining steam, where they need to be. Soon enough they will once again reign supreme as kings of the AFC.

Feature Interview: What I Would Ask Ray Lewis (CBS Correspondent Article2)

Shamira Tucker — Sat, 16 May 2009 20:30:43 -0400

Ray Lewis is my number one favorite NFL player and undeniably one of the greatest linebackers in the league. If I was ever given the chance to interview him one day it would be a great honor and dream come true. Below are some of the questions I would ask in a feature interview.

First of all, I would like to say thank you for being here and congratulations on a highly successful season.

Question One: How do you feel the 2008-2009 season went for the Baltimore Ravens?

Thankfully, you were re-signed with the team Ray, Terrell Suggs franchised and there was a lot of speculation about what could have occurred or may still occur with the team and possible moves that are yet to be made.

Matt Stover was not re-signed, McAlister was released, Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard went to the Jets. Lorenzo Neal is gone as well.

Question Two: How do you feel those moves as well as others that were made may affect the team in the upcoming season and overall?

Rex Ryan is now the Head Coach of the New York Jets. That left big shoes to fill here in Baltimore.

Question Three: Do you think the team will be able to easily adjust to Rex Ryan's successor, Greg Mattison?

Question Three-A: Because I am sure you had a close relationship, how were you personally affected by Ryan's leaving the Ravens?

Your team has always performed well in the draft and Ozzie Newsome does an amazing job. With that said...

Question Four: How do you think the team did on draft picks?

Question Four-A: Would you have made different selections in the draft?

I know you are the emotional and spiritual leader of this team, especially on defense. But if you were the Head Coach...

Question Five: Would you make any changes on offense and defense and why?

It may be too early to say but

Question Six: What do you see happening in the 2009-2010 season for the Ravens?

Last but not least, you have had an incredible 13 year, going on 14 year career in the NFL. Numerous victories, countless phenomenal plays that you have made and the list could go on.

Question Seven: What are some of the most memorable or favorite moments of your career?

I look forward to the day you get inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and I know that is bound to happen in the future. But for now I anticipate the start of the season and to watch and see what the men of purple and black have in store. Good luck to you and your team and thank you for joining me today.

Baltimore Ravens: So Close Last Year. Can They Go All The Way in 2009?

Shamira Tucker — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:33:21 -0400

I am sure most of us can agree that the Baltimore Ravens did a phenomenal job this past 2008-2009 season. Even though it ended in a disappointing loss in the Playoffs. But what a turn around for the team, with terrific draft picks that were made, the right element with Coach John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco on fire his rookie season!

Once again we proved to all of those doubters out there that the Ravens aren't a team to sleep on... They are still a solid performing team. Those holes in offense were patched up and we got out of that slump, from the previous season, and back on top of playing as one of the best.

Now onto my realistic expectations for the 2009-2010 NFL season.

The Ravens can make it to the playoffs again. But how do they get there? First of all, they need to keep Joe Flacco healthy. He made a few "classic" rookie mistakes last year but he will come back playing even more impressive than his debut season.

But what gave me hope that we had finally found something special in a QB, was in the third quarter of the home opener where Flacco made a 38 yard TD run. WOW! I knew the Ravens were onto something good.

The offense still needs to acquire some more strength. Eliminate what weaknesses still may exist on that side of the fence. It can be done. Point blank, the offense needs to develop more of a bond, a trust with one another. You could see some uncertainty periodically during games. Effective communication is key.

What also needs to happen is getting back to normal on being a top performer in third down conversions and in the red zone. Last season was just a bit of a disappointment in that area.

Avoid penalties as much as possible. Some mistakes that were made on the part of some players were careless ones that could have been prevented. Don't slack on performance, stay "in the zone" at all times and don't let your focus be broken.

What it will also take to exceed this upcoming season will be team unity on the part of the players, coaches and staff working together cohesively all the time.

Another is OFFENSE, OFFENSE, OFFENSE has to be up to par, nothing less. We have the right players to get the job done but they must play tenaciously every single game and not let the other team see them sweat. They must stay resilient.

The Ravens can't afford to lose their top players during the season. But rookies always have their time to shine and contribute to the team whenever their team calls on them. Hardly ever have they let the team down when they needed them the most.

Defense needs to get back to being healthy due to some injuries sustained throughout last season. Hopefully all those that were a little banged up will be in peak performance playing shape by the time pre-season rolls around. It was a relief that Ray Lewis was re-signed and Terrell Suggs franchised. Two MVPs in my book.

What could potentially be some downfalls or obstacles for the Ravens in 2009 are the fact that Rex Ryan left big shoes to fill in Baltimore. Finding the right fit will be a good test to the team. How well will everyone click and work together?

That will be interesting to see what the team decides upon.

Another stipulation may be that the offense still is not exactly where it needs to be but practice makes perfect. Good draft picks were obtained that should be a wonderful help. There still is a ways to go before the Ravens offense can be on that same magnificent pedestal as their defense, one of the best in the league; to be feared.

The team of purple and black will once again be a force to be reckoned with. Just making sure the team overall is on top of their game is crucial. Making the right play calls is just as important. But the Baltimore Ravens are going to come back being refreshed, robust and ready to play smashmouth football this year.