It’s a big, emotional week of football in Baltimore and the reason it’s so significant is because of our civic desire to have another purple parade at the Inner Harbor and the sheer nausea we all feel in the pits of our bellies about the fact that at 8 p.m. on Saturday night this could be the worse loss of our lives all over again.

Just like all of our January losses to the likes of Indianapolis and Pittsburgh and Cleveland and New York.

Or, it can potentially extinguish the 40 years of domination from the city of Pittsburgh, but specifically the Steelers and their arrogant, obnoxious fan base here in the region.

This is an epic throwdown between two cities that don’t like each other but a rivalry that is so embarrassingly lopsided that it makes the Roadrunner look like a winner.

I’m up to my eyeballs in rattlesnakes throwing parties, organizing bus trips and running WNST.net – 12 hours of radio, the daily newspaper, text service plus all of our social media endeavors on Facebook and Twitter that truly is Baltimore’s best and most comprehensive sports coverage in the world. And for those of you who know me, you know what a massive time commitment it is being a washed up sports talk show host and new media entrepreneur of the station that no one listens to but the website and social media that everyone in Baltimore seems to visit and read.

This whole “Pittsburgh vs. Baltimore” thing takes on such a personal, vitriolic part of my inner soul that it’s almost best that I not focus on it too much and keep my head down and wait for the game at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday to release that part of my energy.

But some jackasses from the “out of town media club” (which encompasses the greater part of the whole local scene outside of WNST.net) have written, said and defended their typically insensitive and uneducated remarks just to remind us how out of touch and clueless they really are about what this community is about and WHY the Ravens are important in the first place.

Nothing in the local sports community divides like Baltimore vs. Pittsburgh. The Colts thing, while far from dormant, is now a distant second place. And the “I Hate Washington Club” is shrinking because the Redskins and Nationals are weak and irrelevant and the Capitals are the fastest growing brand in Baltimore and I have statistics to prove it.

And the out-of-town media geniuses all talk about expertise, ethics and journalism while all taking a chunk of your Orioles/MASN money to hush up criticism of an oozing, open sports cancer in Baltimore while waving purple pompoms in January like they really care about the Ravens and like they invented Festivus.

To anyone with half a brain from Baltimore, it’s insulting.

I attended a Smart CEO event last Thursday night where I was summarily subjected to a pair of morning show faux sports imposters from Boston and New York standing in front of a room full of mostly Baltimore upper-crust businessmen and patronizing them

Before big games for local teams, Drew Forrester and I have a tradition on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST.

I’ll say something to Drew along the lines of “Hey Drew, would you give up golf for three months if the Ravens were to beat the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday night?”

Drew will respond with something like “Glenn, would you exchange Maryland having a 6-10 ACC record for the Ravens beating the New England Patriots Sunday afternoon?”
Then I’ll throw out something silly like “Drew-how bout this? The Ravens beat the Pittsburgh Steelers Saturday afternoon, but the Philadelphia Flyers win the next two Stanley Cups.”

And he’ll finish it up by saying “Okay Glenn, the Ravens win the AFC Championship Game; but you can’t go to Chick-Fil-A again until Training Camp.”

They’re goofy, they’re hypothetical and they don’t really mean anything.

It’s just two radio goofs doing a wacky bit on a morning show.

With the Baltimore Ravens again prepared to play an incredibly important game, we’re not going to be wacky anymore.

Instead, we’re manning up a little bit. In hopes of seeing a Ravens victory Saturday at Heinz Field, we’re going to be willing to make a sacrifice.

We’re not going to make a silly bet. It would be much to easy for us to call up to a radio host in Pittsburgh (like Greg Linnelli, who I happen to like a lot) and say something along the lines of “If the Ravens win, send me a case of Iron City. If the Ravens lose, I’ll send you a case of Natty Boh.”

We’re not doing that.

We’re not going to make some sort of weird bet about what we would do if the Ravens were to lose. Some folks might say something along the lines of “If the Ravens lose in the Steel City Saturday, I’ll wear a Hines Ward jersey to work Monday.”

That might make Matt Vensel smile; or certainly the Steelers fan who is in charge over at 105.7, but we’re not interested in any scenario that involves the Ravens losing.

So we’re not doing that either.

This city NEEDS a Ravens victory Saturday.

So we’re going to make a sacrifice in hopes of seeing a Ravens victory Saturday in the Steel City.

That’s why this Monday, Drew and I will head right down the street to the Royal Farms store on Providence Road in Towson. It’s just a Joe Flacco to Anquan Boldin TD pass away from our location here at 1550 Hart Rd.

From 12-1pm, we will stand outside the store wearing sandwich boards that read…

“THANK YOU RAVENS” on the front, “FOR BREAKING THE FOUR DECADE LONG CURSE” on the back.

That’s it. We’re willing to sacrifice our time and our comfort (Weather.com says 38 degrees right now) if the Ravens win Saturday.

It means something to us.

We hope it means something to you.

We want to have you join us. You can bring your own signs, you can bring your own face paint, wigs, purple camo pants, whatever you want to bring.

It’s a holiday (Martin Luther King Day), so many of you will be off work or off school. For those of you who still have to go to work (we’re on the air Monday morning), we’re purposely doing this during lunch hour so you can take a few minutes to stop by.

Our friend Frank Schilling from Royal Farms has offered to chip in free coffee to keep everyone warm. We’ll have Ray Lewis Old Spice t-shirts to give away. There’s even a rumor that the folks from Tastykake will come by to give away treats as well (we’re working to confirm that right now).

We’re asking you to commit now to being a part of what we’re going to do.

We’re willing to make a sacrifice because Charm City needs this “psychological burden” (as Head Coach John Harbaugh explained Monday) lifted.

We’re willing to make a sacrifice, but it’s going to be fun.

But it’s all dependent on a Ravens win.

If they don’t win Saturday, it’s unlikely we’ll have gotten off the ground by Monday.

If they do, it’s ABSOLUTELY worth the sacrifice.

If you’re in, just let us know.

-G

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens (13-4) returned to practice Tuesday, beginning a short week of preparation for Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at Heinz Field.

The Ravens are 0-5 in games started by Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger since hiring John Harbaugh as Head Coach (including the 2009 AFC Championship Game). Harbaugh said Tuesday he’s ready to see that number change.

“It bothers me a lot” said Harbaugh. “I’d rather that we won. We want to win those games. Obviously, he’s a really good quarterback. It seems like we see great quarterbacks a lot. We’ve beaten our fair share, but we haven’t beaten him. It’s our turn.”

Roethlisberger was complementary of the Ravens despite an 8-2 record in the AFC North rivalry in games he’s started. In a Tuesday conference call with Charm City reporters, Roethlisberger said there was one particular factor that allowed for his success in the series.

“Getting lucky” said the two time Super Bowl winning QB. “That’s all it is. I don’t think there’s any magic recipe other than I guess I’m lucky.”

Roethlisberger went on to say that despite his career success, he doesn’t always enjoy playing the Ravens.

“As a competitor, you love (the rivalry). But I hate playing the Ravens because they’re so good. Every single person and every scheme, everything they do challenges you. They’re good.”

Ravens LB Jarret Johnson told reporters Roethlisberger deserves praise, but isn’t the only reason the Steelers have had success against the Ravens.

“When he gets out (of the pocket), he’s killed us” said Johnson. “I think their defense is a big part of (their success), it’s not just him.”

Johnson was also skeptical of Roethlisberger’s theory of being “lucky.”

“I don’t know about that. They’re a good team. There’s one thing about this (rivalry). If you win this game, you’ve earned it. There’s luck that falls in every game (but) if you win these games-for us or them-you’ve earned it.”

PRACTICE REPORT: The Ravens held a walkthrough Tuesday which was closed to the media. No official injury report was released Tuesday either.

One player who was a participant in Tuesday’s walkthrough was S Ed Reed, who had left the team following their AFC Wild Card playoff win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Reed had traveled to Louisiana to spend time with his family after his brother (Brian Reed) went missing following a jump into the Mississippi River. The younger Reed is presumed dead.

“Ed was here” said Harbaugh. “Ed got back and he practiced, he went through the meetings today. He was in good spirits, he seemed like he was doing pretty well.”

Ravens players were happy to see their Pro Bowl teammate return.

“(That’s) your leader” said CB Josh Wilson. “You always want your leader back. You need him back there to talk it up. I’m just glad for him to be back and just get back to business.”

Reed declined an opportunity to speak with reporters.

NOTES: Hear from Harbaugh, Johnson, Wilson, G Ben Grubbs, CB Chris Carr and WR Derrick Mason now in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault at WNST.net……The conference calls with Roethlisberger and Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin are also available in the Audio Vault……Director of College Scouting Joe Hortiz joined Drew Forrester Tuesday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST, that chat is available in the Audio Vault as well……Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta is scheduled to join Forrester Wednesday at 8:15am, LB Dannell Ellerbe is scheduled to join Forrster at 7:40am Thursday……The Ravens will return to practice Thursday. LB Ray Lewis, LB Terrell Suggs, QB Joe Flacco and TE Todd Heap are scheduled to meet with reporters

-G

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — I’d love to tell you more about the 30-7 beatdown the Baltimore Ravens (13-4) handed the Kansas City Chiefs (10-7) in an AFC Wild Card playoff matchup Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, but there’s not too much to say.

The Ravens were really good. The Chiefs had one good play.

However, the Ravens win (coupled with the New York Jets’ stunning 17-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts Saturday night at LucasOil Stadium) sets up a storyline that is ABSOLUTELY worth writing about.

The Ravens’ road to a potential Super Bowl XLV berth will now take them directly to Heinz Field for a divisional round showdown with their heated AFC North rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4).

It’s going to be a fun week.

“I think every year (except last year) we’ve had to play Pittsburgh in order to advance” said WR Derrick Mason after Sunday’s game. “They got the best of us that first year, we didn’t get a chance to play them last year. What (a) fitting way to play them again to advance.”

The Ravens of course SHOULD have to go through the Steel City to reach the AFC Championship Game, right? What else could possibly define the success of a season?

Through 18 weeks, the teams’ season has been defined by a crushing 13-10 loss in Week 13 to the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. When they get together next Saturday, the Ravens will have a major opportunity to re-write the story of their campaign.

“It’s going to be just like it always is” said QB Joe Flacco. “It’s going to be a big, physical football game. It should be a lot of fun to play in and a lot of fun to watch. We’re excited about it.”

This of course brings us to the unfortunate part of the story. The part where we have to remind everyone that for all of the success the Ravens have had since John Harbaugh became Head Coach (this makes four playoff wins in three seasons), they’ve never beaten the Steelers when QB Ben Roethlisberger has played.

For this season to not end in heartbreak, that is obviously going to have to change.

“It seems like poetic justice” said Harbaugh. “Whatever we can pour into that game, whatever we can draw from, it’s going to important because they’re so good.”

The reality is that there’s a cosmic feeling about playing the Steelers in the postseason. There’s something a little more special about knowing everything will be on the line against the team most despised by football fans in Charm City.

With no offense to anyone in KC, but things were supposed to happen this way. A Chiefs-Steelers contest would have meant little for the “football gods.” Ravens-Steelers was just meant to be.

“It’s personal between the two cities” said LB Terrell Suggs. “It shouldn’t surprise you that these two teams (are) in the fight and at each others’ throats every year. This is the NFL at its best.”

If the Ravens are finally going to vanquish Big Ben and the Steelers; they’re going to need to continue their stout defensive play. They allowed just 161 yards against the Chiefs and forced five turnovers. Over their last three games (regular season wins at the Cleveland Browns and against the Cincinnati Bengals plus the playoff victory), the Ravens defense has given up just 24 points and forced 14 turnovers.

Of course, the Steelers are plenty capable of playing good defense as well, their unit finished the regular season as the top defense in the league.

This is how it was supposed to be all along. If the Ravens are going to get back to the Super Bowl, the Steelers were always going to stand in their path.

In the days following the Ravens’ Week 13 loss, I wrote about the dynamic between the two teams, sensing the urgency that surrounded Baltimore’s struggles in the rivalry.

“If John Harbaugh is going to succeed as the Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens, he is going to HAVE to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

Less than six weeks later, Harbaugh will get another crack.

There will be no hyperbole necessary this week. If Harbaugh and the Ravens don’t beat the Steelers, the season will end without a trip to the Super Bowl for a third straight year. Making matters worse, the Steelers get a chance to play for their second Super Bowl trip in three seasons and their third in six years.

It doesn’t take a football historian to understand the significance.

And this time, there will be an added level of emotion surrounding the game.

Following the win over the Chiefs, the organization presented S Ed Reed with a game ball-meant to be given to the entire Reed family.

Over the weekend, a search for Reed’s little brother (Brian Reed) was called off. The younger Reed had jumped into the Mississippi River while being pursued by police, leading many to presume he was dead.

Reed played with a heavy heart Sunday, but made an emphatic statement when accepting the game ball.

In postgame video captured by CBS, Reed told his teammates “my brother…he loved football. But he’d want to beat Pittsburgh.”

It had to be this way.

-G

NOTES: Hear from Harbaugh, Flacco, Reed, Mason, Suggs, TE Todd Heap and LB Ray Lewis now in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault at WNST.net……The Ravens will be off Monday due to the short week before Saturday’s game……C Matt Birk is scheduled to join Drew Forrester on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST Monday at 9:30am

2-5 isn’t quite 2-10-1.

That being said, 2-5 might not be a totally fair representation.

Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh has learned a tough lesson this week following his team’s heartbreaking 13-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday.

In Baltimore-much like in Columbus, Ohio-fans simply won’t accept rivalry losses.

John Cooper was a tremendous college football coach. During a head coaching career at Tulsa, Arizona State, and Ohio State that spanned from 1977-2000; Cooper posted a 192-84-6 record and tallied nine conference championships.

Cooper was the head coach of the Buckeyes from 1988-2000. He went 111-43-4 during that span, claiming three Big Ten titles. Cooper guided the Buckeyes to bowl appearances in 11 of his 13 seasons and finished with a losing record only once-his first season in Columbus. Cooper counted wins in both the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl during his time as the Buckeyes’ head man, and played in bowl games on New Year’s Day or later an impressive nine times.

Cooper had incredible success as the Head Coach at Ohio State. The type of success that might have earned him the right to determine his own fate. “Might have” if not for one glaring problem.

2-10-1.

As head man in Columbus, Cooper’s Buckeyes posted just a 2-10-1 record against the Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State’s biggest rival.

It wasn’t just that Cooper’s teams struggled in their regular season finale against the opponent alumni and fans despised the most. The bigger problem was that Ohio State’s battles with Michigan regularly determined the final outcome for the Buckeyes’ season.

In 1993, Ohio State entered the Michigan game with a 9-0-1 record, but a 28-0 loss in Ann Arbor cost them an outright conference title. In 1995, Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George lead the Buckeyes back to Ann Arbor with an undefeated record and national title dreams. After a 31-23 defeat, the Buckeyes were sent to the Citrus Bowl instead.

1996 provided the greatest heartbreak for the Buckeyes in the John Cooper era, as they entered the Michigan game again undefeated and ranked #2 in the country. The Buckeyes had a 9-0 lead at halftime against Lloyd Carr’s Wolverines, but ultimately fell 13-9 at home.

OSU would eventually win another game against Michigan under Cooper in 1998, but they never posted back to back wins in the series under his guide. Cooper was fired following an 8-4 campaign in 2000. While academic and off-field troubles surrounding the program played a role in his firing, his record against Michigan ultimately played a major role.

In fact, when new coach Jim Tressel took over in Columbus he made a point to put special emphasis on the Michigan rivalry. After the former Youngstown State head coach was hired by the Buckeyes, he made a memorable halftime speech at a Ohio State-Michigan basketball game, according to ESPN.com…

“I can assure you that you will be proud of our young people, in the classroom, in the community, and most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the football field.”

Following Sunday’s loss, Harbaugh now holds a 2-5 record against the Ravens’ heated AFC North rivals, including the 2009 AFC Championship Game.

(Every Ravens fan knows that both of Harbaugh’s wins in the rivalry came in games where Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger was not on the field. That’s why the 2-5 record may not be such a fair representation.)

In 2008, Harbaugh’s second loss to the Steelers cost the Ravens a shot at the division title and forced them to hit the road in the playoffs. After a hard fought divisional round win over the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, the Ravens appeared flat when they hit the field for the conference title game at Heinz Field. Harbaugh’s third loss to the Steelers cost the Ravens a trip to Tampa Bay to face the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

(Harbaugh’s first loss to the Steelers-a Week 4 Monday Night Football defeat early in 2008-was also a loss that could have earned the Ravens home field advantage had they won the game. Week 4 losses just don’t tend to be quite as agonizing as losses in Week 15.)

Harbaugh’s fourth loss to the Steelers wasn’t quite as crushing. Despite losing in the Steel City in late 2009, the Ravens held on to earn a Wild Card playoff berth via a tiebreaker after the teams finished with matching 9-7 records.

Harbaugh’s fifth loss in the series shapes up to be as crushing if not more than any of the others. Had the Ravens held on for a Week 13 win over the Steelers, they would have controlled their own destiny (and actually held a one game margin of error) to win the division, receive a first round bye and host a playoff game in the divisional round.

The Ravens were a home win over the Steelers away from having a significantly clearer path to Dallas and a chance to again play for the Vince Lombardi Trophy this season.

We know now that the path isn’t so clear.

Had Sunday’s loss been to the Cincinnati Bengals or Cleveland Browns, it would have been difficult for fans to stomach. Sunday’s loss was particularly costly, and it would have left a dark cloud hanging over Charm City no matter who the opponent had been.

Yet because it was a rivalry loss, because it was the Steelers, there is simply no doubt that the black cloud left by the defeat remains darker than anything that came from fires on The Block or in Mt. Vernon.

(As an aside, does anyone see symbolism in the fact that the city has dealt with multiple REAL black clouds after a Steelers loss?)

The fact is, this fanbase CANNOT stomach losses to the Steelers, especially not losses of such magnitude. Losses hurt, but losses to the Steelers are absolute gut punches.

As Drew Forrester and I opined last week on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST, this city doesn’t look at a Ravens loss to the Steelers as a NFL loss. The city tends to look at such losses as a loss to the city of Pittsburgh in general. There’s a natural feeling that it wasn’t a football team that won on Sunday night, but instead the entire Western Pennsylvania area.

It leads to frustration, pain and anger. As I wrote immediately following Sunday night’s game, the ability for fans to be rational goes completely out the window after a loss to the Steelers.

Harbaugh found that out Tuesday night during his radio show on WBAL.

A caller to the show questioned Harbaugh on the job status of DL Coach Clarence Brooks, one of the more respected assistants on the Ravens’ staff.

Harbaugh didn’t handle the question well, chiming back “Clarence Brooks does a great job. We will fight our tails off. If that’s not enough, then find another team to root for” according to the National Football Post.

It wasn’t the only time Harbaugh lost his cool during the show. Again according to NFP, Harbaugh also explained at one point: “if you’re not proud of this football team, then you don’t know football.”

Harbaugh probably didn’t handle the questions the best way he could have. There’s no doubt that his frustration reflected poorly with the fans who were listening, even if his answers were fair.

But the problem wasn’t the response. The problem was the result.

Ravens fans are NEVER going to be accepting of losses to the Steelers.

When the Ravens lose to the Steelers, the fanbase is going to respond poorly. This won’t be the last time a John Harbaugh-coached Ravens team plays the Steelers with major AFC North or overall playoff ramifications. In fact, the majority of the games the two teams will play against each other will be played with a lot on the line.

While college football and the NFL aren’t similar in many ways, this is an area where the rivalry is much like Ohio State-Michigan.

It isn’t just a rivalry because the two teams (or fanbases) don’t like each other. Ole Miss and Mississippi State don’t like each other, but their games rarely mean much of anything in the SEC. Ravens-Steelers games regularly mean a lot in the AFC.

The comparison is something John Harbaugh should really understand. John went to Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor. His father (Jack Harbaugh) was an assistant under Bo Schembechler at Michigan. His brother (Jim Harbaugh) was a quarterback for the Maize and Blue. (Jim’s teams were 3-1 against Ohio State.) Ohio State-Michigan is in John Harbaugh’s blood.

In that way, Harbaugh probably understands well what happened to Cooper at Ohio State. Hopefully that understanding can be transcendent.

If John Harbaugh is going to succeed as the Head Coach of the Baltimore Ravens, he is going to HAVE to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.

There’s just no getting around that.

Harbaugh is not in jeopardy of being run out of town like Cooper was at Ohio State.

I repeat, Harbaugh’s job is NOT in jeopardy. Certainly not at this point anyway.

But if he’s going to succeed here long-term, he’s going to HAVE to beat the Steelers. If not, a few annoying calls to a radio show will turn into general discontent, and eventually a much more vitriolic fanbase.

That’s what happened to Cooper in Columbus.

Harbaugh doesn’t have to win EVERY game against the Steelers. Since taking over at Ohio State, Tressel has gone 9-1 against the rival Wolverines, which isn’t a realistic expectation for Harbaugh against the Steelers.

But he has to start winning SOME meaningful games against the Steelers, or the Ravens won’t accomplish the things they need to for Harbaugh to be successful as a Head Coach.

And if 2-5 is a pace that continues for Harbaugh against the Steelers, Harbaugh’s story will likely have a similar ending as Cooper’s.

-G

BALTIMORE — Following the Baltimore Ravens’ (8-4) loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) Sunday night at M&T Bank Stadium, I bumped into veteran FoxSports.com NFL writer Alex Marvez on our way to the losing and winning locker rooms respectively.

Marvez has seen plenty of rivalry games during his time covering the league, but stopped for a second and shook his head almost in disbelief.

I said back to him “of all of the losses to Pittsburgh…for some reason…this one feels like the worst.”

He nodded in agreement. I then added “this couldn’t happen.”

There’s still a part of me that believes that.

I understand the hangover feeling that will play out throughout Charm City this week. In fact, “hangover” might not be a good enough word to describe it. “Coma” might be a better choice. I understand that I might as well forget about the word “rational” for 72 hours or so. I understand that this city will not recover from this one quickly.

This one really COULDN’T have happened. Not like that.

This really does feel worse than any of the losses to Pittsburgh before.

It’s hard to compare to the 2009 AFC Championship Game because the stakes were much higher at Heinz Field that day. But even with the reality of a trip to the Super Bowl being only a late scoring drive away, that one didn’t feel quite so crushing.

Much like the Ravens’ earlier loss at Heinz Field that season (on Monday Night Football), there was a feeling of “we were probably just fortunate to be here.” The Ravens had a rookie head coach in John Harbaugh and a rookie starting quarterback in Joe Flacco, and it appeared as though the heartbreak would be lessened by the likelihood of multiple return trips to that level in the future.

More so, the Championship Game was a game that the Steelers thoroughly dominated. The Ravens hung around thanks to a couple of pass interference calls in the endzone, but it never felt like they truly deserved to win that day.

The 2008 loss at M&T Bank Stadium felt similar to the disaster Sunday night, as it was a game that the Ravens controlled throughout, but couldn’t put away. The loss hurt because it ended amidst the controversy of a Santonio Holmes TD catch

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens (8-3) returned to practice Wednesday at 1 Winning Drive with their sights set fully on Sunday’s AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) at M&T Bank Stadium.

Wednesday’s media availability session had the feel of a true “rivalry week”, with much of the discussion around the building surrounding the nature of the rivalry.

“The hairs on your back grow when you get a Baltimore-Steelers type game” said LB Terrell Suggs. “This is definitely hands down the most physical game in the National Football League. That’s why everybody is so crazy about it.”

LB Ray Lewis said he expected the atmosphere Sunday night to be “crazy.” Lewis added, “it’s one of those games that you have to be a part of. When your legacy is done, you look back at these games right here.”

Pro Bowl RB Ray Rice said the rivalry is based in respect.

“That’s first and foremost about the Pittsburgh Steelers. We respect them. That’s what the rivalry is all about. I’ve learned that this rivalry has less talk involved in it. It’s more with your pads.”

Rice couldn’t hide from his excitement about the rivalry though, adding “these are moments that you live for.”

Since 2008 (the first season in Charm City for Head Coach John Harbaugh and QB Joe Flacco), the Steelers have won four of their six matchups with the Ravens, including one in the 2009 AFC Championship Game (both Pittsburgh losses have come without QB Ben Roethlisberger). Harbaugh said he expected “a tight game”, noting that the series was “about as close as it can get.”

(Harbaugh said he believed the Ravens had been outscored 77-76 over the six games, but the Ravens have actually been outscored 113-100 during the stretch.)

LB Jarret Johnson probably summed up the nature of the rivalry best.

“It’s just really intense. We know each other, we’ve been playing against each other for years. You’re familiar with the guy across from you. It’s just a super competitive, physical game. It’s a lot of fun.”

PRACTICE REPORT: Given the cold and rainy weather, the Ravens split practice time between their indoor facility and outdoor field. S Tom Zbikowski (foot) was again a participant in practice despite missing the Ravens’ Week 12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Harbaugh said the Ravens were “confident (Zbikowksi) can go” Sunday, Zbikowski was not listed on the Wednesday injury report.

OT Michael Oher (knee) was also on the practice field after being forced to leave the Bucs game early. Oher told reporters Wednesday “I’m good” and “I definitely want to play.” Oher was listed as a full participant Wednesday.

OL Chris Chester (illness) returned to practice for the first time since being hospitalized November 18 with an infection stemming from cellulitis. Chester is expected to be available Sunday and was a full participant Wednesday.

FB Le’Ron McClain (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday and is not expected to be available Sunday. S Dawan Landry (head) was a limited participant Wednesday.

TE Ed Dickson (thigh) was a full participant in practice Wednesday after missing the Ravens’ win over the Buccaneers.

For the Steelers, S Troy Polamalu (ankle) and DE Aaron Smith (triceps) did not participate in practice Wednesday. OT Flozell Adams (back), DE Nick Eason (knee), CB Bryant McFadden (hamstring) and Roethlisberger (foot) were limited participants.

NOTES: Hear from Harbaugh, Lewis, Rice, Suggs, Oher, Johnson, Flacco and DT Haloti Ngata NOW in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net……DT Arthur Jones will join Drew Forrester on “The Morning Reaction” Thursday at 7:15am on AM1570 WNST……Terry McAulay’s crew will officiate Sunday’s game……The Ravens began the process of putting playoff tickets on sale Wednesday……The Ravens will return to practice Thursday; coordinators Greg Mattison, Cam Cameron and Jerry Rosburg are scheduled to meet with the media

-G

Happy Thursday!

It’s a Happy Thursday for me because I just bought my tickets to the 12:30pm 25th anniversary screening of “Back to the Future” Saturday in White Marsh.

AWE.SOME.

To celebrate the occasion, here’s “Johnny B. Goode” from Marty McFly & The Starlighters. Playing all your 80′s movie hits, right here on WNST.net…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEeF9r_8JMA[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. WNST.net’s Glenn Clark says Ravens split on new NFL head-hunting policy

It’s an interesting dynamic.

Defensive players (like Terrell Suggs) noted that they supported the concept of protecting players, but that they couldn’t afford to alter the way they played the game.

Offensive players (like Willis McGahee) were clearly much more supportive of the idea. Willis joked that he wished Steelers safety Ryan Clark had been given a heavier punishment for his hit in the 2009 AFC Championship Game.

But players on both sides were together in the having only a small level of awkward, uncomfortable support for the strengthening of punishment towards guilty parties.

The real issue is that while players WANT to be protected, they don’t want it to come at a potential monetary cost.

This issue isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s going to be continuously debated until the offseason and the negotiation of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Players don’t want to give ANYTHING up. As Ray Lewis pointed out yesterday, they need to “fight it”, even if they might agree with the theory at heart.

And if you think players are divided on the issue now, wait until the first player is suspended for this type of hit. If it’s Dannell Ellerbe, or Haruki Nakamura, or any of those players-it will be an even bigger issue at 1 Winning Drive.

2. The AP’s David Ginsburg says S Ed Reed returned to practice field in Owings Mills Wednesday

And that is CLEARLY a welcome sight to Ravens fans, there’s just no question about that.

That being said, there really is no guarantee that Ed will be on the field this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. My gut says he will-but my gut also says that it could be a more responsible decision for John Harbaugh and company to hold him out and buy themselves two weeks for Ed’s health (and the health of LB Brendon Ayanbadejo-who also returned to practice yesterday) and to make roster decisions.

The one thing that NO ONE can argue with is the fact that the Baltimore Ravens improved yesterday with the return of Ed Reed.

3. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says Tom Zbikowski, Todd Heap missed practice Wednesday

Harbaugh said Zbikowski “has a chance” to play Sunday-he seemed MUCH more upbeat about the likelihood of Heap getting on the field.

If Zbikowski CAN’T play, I don’t think I’d be alone in suggesting that the Ravens consider going with veteran NFL safety Adam Archuleta…..’s wife Jennifer Walcott. (Thanks The Smoking Jacket!)

4. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says Willis McGahee not upset over benching, ‘happy’ he wasn’t traded

Willis maintained that he wasn’t punished. That’s fine. My guess is that the truth is somewhere close to that, but maybe not EXACTLY that.

In the meantime, Willis also made a point that by not going through as much wear and tear behind Ray Rice as he did earlier in his career, he’s adding years to his career. That’s a great attitude to have-I hope he really believes it.

And like I said, I would have been more than willing to trade Willis McGahee. To Dallas. For Cliff Lee.

Short of that, the Ravens ABSOLUTELY did the right thing in holding on to their veteran back.

5. The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Buffalo Bills DL Dwan Edwards clarified perceived negative comments about Charm City

A few things before we move on from the Ravens…

-We’ll be back out at 1 Winning Drive today, so make sure you’re following us on Twitter (@WNST), tuned into AM1570 WNST and checking WNST.net for updates. We’re expected to hear from coordinators Cam Cameron, Greg Mattison and Jerry Rosburg.

-Did you miss Ravens punter Sam Koch with Drew Forrester on “The Morning Reaction” Thursday on AM1570 WNST? Make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault at WNST.net today to check it out. Other things you can hear in the Audio Vault include…

• Harry Swayne (Ravens Director of Player Development)-who shared his Super Bowl XXXV memories with Drew Thursday before Sunday’s reunion
• Ed Hottle (Mustangs Football Coach)-who joined Drew Thursday for the Stevenson Coaches’ Report
• Steve Beuerlein (CBS Color Analyst)-who previewed Ravens/Bills with Drew Thursday
• Our Morning Reaction “Cheap Shots from the Bleachers”-as I took a shot at the UFL and Drew took a shot at Jen Royle
• Tons of audio from 1 Winning Drive Wednesday-including Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Reed, McGahee, Suggs, Ayanbadejo, Josh Wilson, Haloti Ngata and Derrick Mason
• Patrick Johnson (Former Ravens WR)-who joined Rex Snider Wednesday on “The Afternoon Drive” to discuss SBXXXV memories
• Kevin Lempa (Maryland Safeties Coach)-who joined Thyrl Nelson Wednesday for “The Terrapins Coaches Report” to preview Saturday’s game against Boston College
• Duane Starks (Former Ravens CB)-who joined Thyrl Thursday on “The Mobtown Sports Beat” to talk Super Bowl memories
• Edwin Mulitalo (Former Ravens OL)-who also talked SB memories with Rex Thursday

It’s all in the Audio Vault. I’ve planned your day again. Just say “thank you.”

6. CSNBaltimore.com’s Pete Kerzel says Brian Matusz, Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, Adam Jones should be Orioles’ ‘untouchables’

Eh…I guess. Matusz for sure, Wieters probably…I could understand a scenario in which Andy MacPhail parted with the others.

You know who else is “untouchable” in my mind? Szorcsik Viktoria. (Thanks Busted Coverage!)

7. The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds won’t get shot at Japanese SS Hiroyuki Nakajima

So instead…GO GET REAL PLAYERS!!!

Jeff of course paints the picture that we’re all afraid of anyway…that this means the Birds will probably bring back Cesar Izturis.

They’ll still have the World Series in October next year, right?

8. The AP says Maryland picked 6th in preseason ACC basketball poll

I feel like this is probably the range where I’d have the Terrapins myself.

I don’t get the feeling they’re going to be a BAD team by any stretch of the imagination. They have plenty of returning talent-starting with Jordan Williams. The question for the guys returning is whether one of Cliff Tucker, Sean Mosley or Adrian Bowie can become a consistent scorer. We’ll have to see.

The other question surrounds trying to get contributions from the newcomers. Mike Parker looks like the guy with the most raw talent, but Ashton Pankey and Terrell Stoglin could be quicker to contribute in their roles.

They’re probably middle of the road-somewhere between 4th and 8th.

6th works.

9. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Gary Williams won’t allow Terrapins to use Twitter during hoops season

This is really interesting. I’m not surprised given some of the “questionable” Tweets that have been sent out by student athletes in College Park and elsewhere-but it is still interesting.

Apparently North Carolina has already done the same thing-so we’ll have to see how quickly other NCAA teams will adopt a similar policy. My guess is that it won’t take long.

Not every student athlete uses his Twitter account for another opportunity to be stupid. Unfortunately…some do. Enough that this type of policy has to be considered.

10. Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Ralph Friedgen believes Terps have no margin for error with penalties

Speaking of penalties, did Russian spy Anna Chapman ever receive any? After seeing her on the cover of Russia’s Maxim, I feel as though if she hasn’t yet-she shouldn’t in the future…

And finally, I leave you with this.

Boomer Sooner and I are going to get the chance to hang with Darius Rucker before his show tomorrow night at Pier Six Pavilion. My first question for him? PLEASE PLAY “HOLD MY HAND!!!!”….

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQ3hLudXKgA[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens (4-2) returned to work Wednesday at 1 Winning Drive, continuing preparations for Sunday’s contest with the Buffalo Bills (0-5) at M&T Bank Stadium.

The NFL levied hefty fines Tuesday towards multiple players for dangerous hits in Week 6 games and threatened suspensions for future helmet to helmet contact. One of the hits that lead to a significant fine was a helmet to helmet hit made on Ravens TE Todd Heap by New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather. Meriweather was fined $50,000 for his hit. The new policy was a hot hot topic in the Ravens locker room Tuesday, as Head Coach John Harbaugh and Ravens players had varying opinions about stronger enforcement.

Harbaugh gave full support to strengthening enforcement of the policy, saying “I think whatever it takes to enforce the rule to make sure that guys respect the rules is something that obviously needs to be done.” Harbaugh however went on to add that he didn’t think a more strict policy would have much effect on his team. “If you look at our track record this year-not to say it couldn’t happen to us-but our guys have really tried to get those hits in that area that aren’t helmet to helmet on the defenseless guys.”

Future Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis said hits like the ones that lead to fines from Week 6 are simply part of football. “Those are hits that (when) you go into your defensive room-you’re getting praised for” said Lewis. “I have to back those players and tell them-just keep having fun, just keep playing the game.”

RB Willis McGahee was the victim of a crushing hit by Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark in the 2009 AFC Championship Game. McGahee said “they should have done that when I got hit and I was laying on the ground.” McGahee added “I guess it’s getting out of hand right now, so they’ve got to protect the players and protect the person that’s providing the hits.”

LB Terrell Suggs added the rule was a “double-edged sword” and that he was split on whether or not he supported strengthening the policy. “I have no problem with them enforcing (the rule); but the amount the guys were fined-that was a bit excessive.” Suggs pointed out that football “is a physical sport” and that football players “are the gladiators of (the) time.”

Lewis pointed out that he expected players to continue to fight the penalties that will come with a strengthening of the policy, which could remain an issue well into what is expected to be a period of labor unrest this offseason.

REED, AYANBADEJO RETURN: S Ed Reed and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo appeared on the practice field Wednesday for the first time this season. Both have missed the first six weeks of the season while on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

Reed was coy about his status for Sunday’s game, saying “I feel good” but admitting that he needed to get back into a football feel and see how his body would react to getting back on the practice field. He admitted that he and the organization “definitely talked about” the possibility of him missing Sunday’s game and returning after the team’s Week 8 bye.

Reed said “just being around the guys on the field” was what he missed the most during the time he’s missed this season.

Ayanbadejo didn’t offer a guess as to what his status would be for Sunday’s game, saying it was important to just get through Wednesday’s practice and see how his body reacted.

There was no reason to believe either player would be held out of contact during Wednesday’s practice.

PRACTICE REPORT: Reed and Ayanbadejo weren’t the only Ravens who returned to practice Wednesday. DE Paul Kruger (knee) and CB Josh Wilson (hamstring)-who each missed the Week 6 loss in Foxborough returned to the practice field as well. Kruger’s status for Sunday’s game is still very much up in the air, but Wilson is expected to be available. Both were listed as limited participants in practice.

Also limited in practice were LB Jarret Johnson (back), WR Derrick Mason (ankle/finger), S Haruki Nakamura (back), RB Ray Rice (ankle) and WR Marcus Smith (back). LB Edgar Jones (thigh) was listed as a full participant in practice.

Safety Tom Zbikowski (foot) and TE Todd Heap (neck) did not participate in practice Wednesday. Harbaugh said the team got “good news” on MRI’s for both players Monday, saying Zbikowski has “got a shot” to play Sunday and “I think Todd will be” on the field Sunday.

LB Tavares Gooden (shoulder), OT Jared Gaither (back) and WR Donte’ Stallworth (foot) remained out of practice, they have all been ruled out for Sunday.

For the Bills, OT Cornell Green (knee) and CB Terrence McGee (back) did not participate in practice Wednesday. LB Keith Ellison (knee), LB Arthur Moats (elbow) and NT Kyle Williams (ankle) were all limited participants. TE Shawn Nelson and S Bryan Scott were full participants.

NOTES: Hear from Harbaugh, QB Joe Flacco, McGahee, Lewis, Suggs, Reed, Ayanbadejo, Wilson, DT Haloti Ngata and Mason NOW in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net……Punter Sam Koch is scheduled to join Drew Forrester Thursday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST at 7:00am……McGahee did not appear concerned with his lack of playing time in the Ravens’ loss at Gillette Stadium, saying “I’m like a lightswitch. I can cut it on and cut it off. It was off that game. I wasn’t tripping about it. We were winning, it really didn’t bother me.” McGahee was not on the field for a single play in the team’s loss……Bills DE Dwan Edwards joined members of the Charm City media contingent for a conference call, saying “I had a great time and played with a bunch of great players. I learned a ton about football and the game and being a professional and stuff like that. So, in terms of that, it was a good experience.” Edwards returns to Baltimore Sunday for the first time since signing with the Bills in the offseason, he was a 2nd round pick of the Ravens in the 2004 NFL Draft……The Ravens will return to work Thursday at 1 Winning Drive, coordinators Cam Cameron, Greg Mattison and Jerry Rosburg are scheduled to meet with the media before practice

-G

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — My headline was going to read “Ravens In Real Hole After Another Crushing Loss in Pittsburgh.”

The first line of the column was “It wasn’t pretty. There’s no ‘but’ coming here. It just wasn’t pretty.”

The good news is that no one will ever have to know how the rest of the column went.

The Baltimore Ravens (3-1) re-wrote their recent history thanks to a 17-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers (3-1) Sunday at Heinz Field. While the teams are tied atop the standings in the AFC North, the Ravens now get a leg up in the race by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Ravens were in REAL danger of falling two games AND a tiebreaker behind their rivals from the Steel City; especially crushing considering the Steelers played the game without starting QB Ben Roethlisberger.

But in just two minutes, all of that changed.

I had written my postgame column ahead of time because everything about the recent history of the Baltimore Ravens suggested that the game was over. When QB Joe Flacco’s fade pass to WR Anquan Boldin sailed out of bounds with just more than 2:30 to play in the game, it appeared as though the team was doomed to fall to 0-4 in Western Pennsylvania since Head Coach John Harbaugh joined the team.

In two and half minutes, it was easy to believe that a stupid penalty (like Frank Walker a season ago, LB Jarret Johnson on Monday Night Football in 2008 or Daren Stone in the 2009 AFC Championship Game), a costly turnover (like the pick six Steelers safety Troy Polamalu brought home in that same AFC title contest) or a poor coaching decision (like the decision to NOT attempt a short field goal on 4th and goal from the three was shaping up to look like) would cost this team as it had so many times before.

Of course we know it didn’t. Although, when a flag came out on a late Daniel Sepulveda punt; I don’t think I was the only Charm City resident that chuckled at least a bit thinking “that’s going to be how they lose this time?” Clearly it wasn’t, as the call was a hold on the punting team; but sometimes familiar feelings are hard to shake.

Of course, it might now be time that we learn how to shake them.

In marching his team downfield in the final 1:08 and finding WR TJ Houshmandzadeh for what would end up being the game winning touchdown, Flacco re-wrote not only his own history; but the entire recent history of the Baltimore Ravens and perhaps the AFC North.

The Ravens are a team that can do this type of thing now.

“I think those are the drives-if you go back and look at the (Joe) Montana’s, the (John) Elway’s, we can always remember those drives” said future Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis. “For Joe to do that on that defense-the throws he made, the decisions he made, that’s what makes a great quarterback.”

He might not be “great” yet, but if he’s going to get there, this is the type of step he had to take.

It wasn’t just Joe Flacco however. The offensive line that has been fairly criticized at times this season held firm in the most important moments. Houshmandzadeh and Boldin both made a pair of catches on the final drive. RB Ray Rice helped in blocking. They did it all without having a single timeout.

Before that, the Ravens defense remained calm as the Steelers took the ball over. They didn’t allow the Steelers to pick up what would have been a game-clinching first down. The punt return unit pressured Sepulveda’s kick, adding ten yards of field position after Tom Zbikowski made a critical fair catch.

As Harbaugh said after the game, the Ravens “did it together.”

And together, they did what was necessary to alter the opinion of every fan and analyst that has taken the opportunity to point out their faults.

No one will ever again be able to say that Flacco hadn’t lead his team from behind to win in the final two minutes of a game.

No one will ever again be able to say that Harbaugh, Flacco, Rice, OT Michael Oher and others had never won in Pittsburgh.

I know first hand. I wrote the column that included all of those things.

Never again.

-G

Hear from Harbaugh, Flacco, Houshmandzadeh, Lewis, Rice, Johnson, DT Haloti Ngata, FB Le’Ron McClain, RB Willis McGahee, LB Terrell Suggs & WR Derrick Mason NOW in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net.