Bleacher Report - Articles by Laurie Rill

Baltimore Ravens Come Up Short after Two Controversial Calls

Laurie Rill — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 03:58:59 -0500

There are games when you get the breaks, and there are games when you don't. That's just how the NFL is.

Sunday, the Ravens simply didn't get the breaks.

Now, let me put this out there upfront—I'm not saying the ball didn't break the plane of the goal line on Santonio Holmes' game-winning touchdown catch. It might have. It was incredibly close.

But the point is the call on the field should not have been overturned. It was one of those plays where whatever call was made on the field should stand. There simply was not enough evidence to reverse the call, whichever way it was initially ruled.

But the Holmes touchdown catch wasn't the only review that didn't go the Ravens' way.

Back in the second quarter, the Steelers had a 3rd-and-1 from their own 29-yard line. Running back Gary Russell took the handoff up the middle but was stuffed by Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis. Russell appeared to be stopped about a half-yard short of the marker, but the line judge gave the Steelers a favorable spot and a first down.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh challenged the call, and referee Walt Coleman went to take another look.

Multiple TV replays seemed to show Russell getting stood up short of the 30-yard line, but the positioning of the cameras did not allow Coleman a definitive angle showing Russell's forward progress getting stopped. It sure looked to everyone watching like the Steelers were short, but Coleman did not see conclusive visual evidence. So he couldn't reverse the call.

The Steelers kept possession and 11 plays later Jeff Reed booted a 31-yard field goal, tying the game 3-3.

The refs can't have it both ways. If there wasn't an angle providing clear evidence to reverse the call the first time around, Coleman sure didn't have it on the Steelers' late touchdown.

For the replay system to work, there has to be consistency. That night there was none.

Neither play necessarily lost the Ravens the game; as Terrell Suggs said, the Ravens never should have put the officials in that position. This defense knows allowing a 92-yard drive with the game on the line just isn't acceptable.

The Steelers got the calls last night, they got the 10 points that came from the calls, and now they are division champs.

The Ravens were on the other end, and they are likely going to have to win their last two games to reach the postseason.

That's just how this game works sometimes.

Forget The Movies, Take Me To a Football Game!

Laurie Rill — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:36:34 -0500

Contrary to popular belief, not all women hate football.

Most women who are fans were brought into the football world by fathers & brothers. Like me for instance. In this case, she'll be happy to find a guy that shares common interests with her and her family. Which automatically builds up your chances of scoring a second date.

You can usually figure this out yourself by how she holds a conversation, the reason some women aren't interested in football is because they simply weren't introduced to it. I personally know this is what most girls tell me.

On the other hand, you have the girls who just don't care about it, while you're blabbing on about touchdowns and first downs, she's thinking about the need to get her nails painted and her hair highlighted and "oh, doesn't Paris Hilton's my new bff come on tonight?" If this is the case, take her to a mall.

If you're lucky enough to hit the jackpot with a female who enjoys sports, well then this is for you.

Women of high quality get asked out so often and go on so many first dates, soon they all start to fade together. It's always the same dinner, movie, & drinks. That's why the idea of going on a first date to the big game will really appeal to most women, because it's something most men don't even think about since they assume a girl couldn't possibly enjoy herself on a first date at a football game.

There's a number of good reasons to take her to the big game.

First, football is a fall/winter sport, meaning the weather is beginning to get chilly outside. It's perfect weather for snuggling up with someone underneath a thick Baltimore Ravens stadium blanket (yes, i had to sneak my Ravens in there somewhere)!

Second, people get very involved in the game.

"Why did he make that call?"

"It's about time they took Willis Mcgahee out."

"Do you think he can make that field goal?"

The conversation topics are endless, so you never have to have one of those "awkward silence" moments.

The last reason a football game is such a good place for a date is because being a football fan is a lot like being in a relationship. There are ups and downs, good times and bad, and times you wish you could just bail out, but in the end, you love that team (or person) and you just can't leave them (unless maybe you're a Lions fan).

So take her out to the game. Baseball and football games are great opportunities to let her see the true, cute side of you. When you jump up, yell, and scream for your home team, she'll witness your passion for the game. With fervor like that, she'll wonder what you're like in um, "other" areas of passion in your life, but remember, try to keep the cursing down to a minimum, or it's one, two, three strikes you're out…

Mark Clayton Helps Lead Ravens To Another Win Over Bengals

Laurie Rill — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:46:07 -0500

When Clayton took a hand off from Joe Flacco and ran toward the right sideline, I'm sure nobody expected him to loft the ball into the air behind Hall for a 32- yard touchdown in the third quarter. It was one of MANY highlights of the Ravens 34-3 victory over the Bengals on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.

The former first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma also caught five passes for a season high 164 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown catch.

Clayton threw his first touchdown pass in high school, but had yet to do so in his NFL career.

"We've known he could do it," Coach John Harbaugh said.

The Ravens have been practicing this and many other plays in practice, but this was the first time they unveiled this particular play in a game.

"I'm just thankful coach trusted me with the ball to make a play like that." Clayton said.

There was still more to come from Clayton, however, when he topped his TD pass with a 70-yard TD catch which gave Baltimore a 27-3 lead in the third quarter.

Clayton entered yesterday's game with just 23 receptions for 311 yards and two touchdowns, but this was a far different experience Sunday.

Clayton’s contribution drew some coverage away from Derrick Mason as Baltimore's offensive coordinator Cam Cameron was able to rely upon a complementary down-field target for a change. Mason caught six passes for 91 yards.

This was the Ravens' sixth road game in eight weeks...Baltimore swept Cincinnati for the first time since 2002. Ravens' starting RB Willis McGahee was active, but did not play. The Ravens have won six of their last seven games. The Bengals were eliminated from playoff contention before the game began.

I'm sure other Ravens fans across the nation are thankful to FINALLY have an offense in Baltimore, although the schedule doesn't get any easier. They face the now 7-5 Washington Redskins next week at M&T bank stadium in Baltimore. Both teams will be fighting to win a game that could easily tell which team will be going to the playoffs and which will not. Either way, the Ravens have a lot to be thankful for in Baltimore this season.