After analyzing some middle round options in part one (http://wnst.net/nfl/nfl-draft-prospect-watch-part-i/), this article will examine some players that could be available at the 32nd pick (Round 1).  With Free Agency taking a toll on the Ravens roster, whomever they draft in the first round, the hope would to garnish an instant contributor.

D.J Swearinger (S South Carolina)
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 208 lbs.
2012-2013 Stats: 80 Tackles, 2 Interceptions
Draft Projection: Rounds Late 1-2

Swearinger was one of the most dynamic safeties in college the past several years, playing different roles his entire career at South Carolina. He was a three year starter in the SEC and was a team captain of a highly rated defense his senior season. Though undersized at 5’10”, he makes up for his limitations, with his knowledge for the game, leadership and tenacity.

Though he is not a natural ball hawk, Swearinger is a physical safety, which can utilize his skills in coverage and run defense. He is a sure tackler, who could fill holes in the box, proven by his 2013 performance, with five games with at least 9 tackles. His versatility make him an ideal safety in the NFL, with the ability to cover bigger Tight Ends, while still having the strength to become an enforcer on the back end.

After speaking with him (along with Thyrl Nelson), he referred to his 2013 Arkansas game as his best representation of his skill set (13 tackles, Interception, Touchdown). Swearinger noted that in the game, he played several different positions including: Free Safety, Strong Safety, Cornerback and Nickel Corner (Listen to the entire interview at the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault http://bit.ly/ZHkuvG).

Interesting Fact: Swearinger played in every game for South Carolina since enrolling in 2009.
Player Comparison: Ryan Clark (S Pittsburgh Steelers)

DJ Fluker (OT Alabama)
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 339 lbs.
Draft Projection: Rounds Late 1-2

Fluker had the luxury of playing along-side one of the greatest offensive lines in college football history, who may have up to 5 first rounds picks when it is all said in done. He played RT for Alabama only out of necessity, as they had Outland Award Winner, Barrett Jones, in 2011 and former No. 1 recruit, Cyrus Koundaijo, in 2012, play LT the past two seasons.

He is massive lineman and mauler in the run game, who could overpower most defensive ends in college. For someone his size, Fluker flashes the great footwork to handle speed rushers if he were to play on the blind side. His size and physicality, coincides with the Ravens mold of offensive lineman that overpower the defense (especially under Andy Moeller and new assistant Juan Castillo).

Fluker recently told Glenn Clark, that playing at Alabama was to his advantage, down to the Strength and Conditioning Coach, physically preparing him to compete in the NFL. He also told Glenn he is up to the challenge to play on the left side of the line, if need be. Fluker is quoted as saying “I want to be the Ray Lewis of my Offensive Line (Listen to the entire interview at the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault http://bit.ly/X4OMfw).

Interesting Facts: Fluker has the longest arms in the draft at 36.3/4 inches.
Player Comparison: Andre Smith (OT Cincinnati Bengals)

John Jenkins (DT Georgia)
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 346 lbs.

2012-2013 Stats:50 Tackles, 2 Sacks
Draft Projection: Round 1

John Jenkins was the cornerstone to the Georgia defense, playing five different positions along the line, in a hybrid scheme. He told reporters at the combine, his most comfortable position is at Nose Guard, but could also fill in as a 2 (4-3 DT) or 3 technique (3-4 DE) in the NFL (Listen to the entire interview at the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault http://bit.ly/X4OMfw).

Though his other teammates have received a lot more hype (i.e. Jarvis Jones and Alec Ogletree), Jenkins was quietly the most important player to the Bulldogs. He is a space filling tackle, which is powerful at the point of attack. He can also penetrate the backfield, even as a pass rusher, to disrupt play timing.

Though he does not wow with stats, he was a two year starter on one of the best defenses in the country. He has excellent footwork and can dominate 2/3 an offensive line interior single-handily.

Interesting Facts: Jenkins said his highest weight total amassed 370 lbs, while playing in the SEC Championship game last year.

Player Comparison: Vince Wilfork (NT New England Patriots)

Alec Ogletree (LB Georgia)
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 242 lbs.
2012-2013 Stats: 111 Tackles, 1 Interception
Draft Projection: Rounds 1

Ogletree is more known for his off-field incidents recently, instead of his performance at Georgia last season. He was suspended for the first four games of 2012, due to a violation of team rules. Ogletree then was pulled over for a D.U.I. just before the NFL Combine.

Though he did miss the beginning of the season for the Bulldogs, he was ultra-productive when he finally reached the field (evident in his 111 tackles in just nine games). He has a ton of speed at the Linebacker position, initially playing Safety during his freshman season. Ogletree most impressive play came in the biggest moment, returning a blocked field goal late in the SEC Championship Game versus Alabama.

He told reporters at the Combine, that he has only played the Middle Linebacker position, but could learn to play outside as well (Listen to the entire interview at the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault http://bit.ly/X3pwEd). He fits in several different positions in a base 4-3 defense, but would strictly be an Inside Linebacker in the 3-4 scheme.

Interesting Fact: Ogletree won Georgia’s David Jacobs Award, as a player who, by example, portrays courage, spirit, character and determination.
Player Comparison: Thomas Davis (LB Carolina Panthers)

Tavon Austin (WR West Virgina)
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 174 lbs.
2012-2013 Stats: 112 Catches, 1289 Yards (Receiving), 12 Touchdowns (Rushing), 72 Rushes, 769 Yards (Rushing), 3 Touchdowns (Rushing)
Draft Projection: Round 1

Austin’s stats say it all; as an offensive weapons from all over the field. Though he played in a pass happy offense, Austin proved his skill set as a threat in the backfield as well. He may be small in stature, but is strong for his size and can handle the physicality of the NFL.

He was so impressive for the Mountaineers, he garnished Heisman notice for his senior season, especially for his 572 All-Purpose Yards (second most in FBS history) against a highly rated Oklahoma Sooners. Austin is a great return man, with four special team touchdowns in 2012.

Austin had an excellent Combine, running one of the fastest 40 times amongst everyone with a 4.34. He could be an instant impact player, with his ability to affect games in several different aspects.

Interesting Fact: Austin was “two-time Maryland high school player of the year set all kinds of state career and single-season records, a large share of which (34 touchdowns, 2,660 rushing yards — that’s 12.2 yards a carry) as a senior (NFL.com).”
Player Comparison: Percy Harvin (WR Seattle Seahawks)

*All images courtesy of NFL.com*

The Ravens were reminded of the silver lining of suffering free-agent losses on Monday with the NFL awarding them four compensatory picks for April’s draft.

After seeing a plethora of players depart last offseason, the Ravens were awarded with a compensatory selection in each of the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. This brings their total number of draft choices to 12, which already included their seven original picks as well as the sixth-round selection acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the Anquan Boldin trade last week.

Last year, Baltimore lost Pro Bowl left guard Ben Grubbs, outside linebacker Jarret Johnson, defensive tackle Brandon McKinney, safety Haruki Nakamura, defensive end Cory Redding, and safety Tom Zbikowski in free agency before signing unrestricted free agents Corey Graham and Sean Considine. This difference meant the league would award the maximum of four to the Ravens.

Compensatory picks may not be traded, but the high overall volume of picks gives the Ravens plenty of flexibility to move up the draft board if they so choose.

Here is the breakdown of the Ravens’ four compensatory picks:

4th (130th overall)
5th (168th overall)
6th (203rd overall)
7th (247th overall)

The Atlanta Falcons were the only other team in the NFL to be awarded four compensatory picks on Monday. Since 1994, the Ravens lead the NFL in compensatory selections received with 37.

As the NFL Draft approaches (April 25-27), the Ravens will examining many prospects on their big board.  The important thing is not only to find players that fit the scheme but also where they will be available.  The Draft is about value meeting needs, and here is a look at some of the value players that the Ravens may consider.

Bennie Logan (DT LSU)
Height: 6-3
Weight: 295
2012-13 Stats: 45 Tackles, 2 sacks
Draft Projection: Rounds 2-4

Logan had a somewhat disappointing year at LSU with lower Statistics than expected, playing around a defense full of high draft pick talent. Though they do not tell the whole story of Logan, who can eat up a lot of space.

In the thrashing during the 2011 National Championship Game against Alabama, Logan was one of the few LSU players to have a good game, notching 6.5 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He has the potential to be a force along the defensive line, which could several different roles as a 4-3 DT or 3-4 DE.

After speaking with Thyrl Nelson, Logan said during the NFL Combine, he had a tweaked Hamstring and will improve upon his numbers at his Pro Day. He feels he several different positions along the defensive line, no matter the scheme (Listen to the entire interview at http://bit.ly/12gZMZ9).

Interesting Fact: According to NFL.com, over the past decade, Logan’s number 18 has been awarded by the LSU coaching staff to the player who best represents what it means “to be a Tiger on and off the field.”

Player Comparison: Cory Redding (DL Indianapolis Colts)

Kiko Alonso (LB Oregon)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 246
2012-13 Stats: 81 Tackles, 4 Interceptions, 2 Forced Fumbles
Projected Round: 3-5

Alonso was a very productive player for Oregon, when he was on the field. His draft stock has taken a hit for issues off the field. He was suspended for the entire 2010 season for a DUI arrest, while also being suspended 2011 for 1 game due to an arrest. Alonso reportedly, broke into someone’s apartment and passed out due to intoxication.

He played in a hybrid 3-4 scheme, at the MIKE (Middle Linebacker) but also would fit in as a 4-3 SAM (Strong-side Linebacker). If it weren’t for his track record, Alonso could have gone as early as the beginning of the second round.

He told Glenn Clark that playing for Oregon prepared him to enter the NFL, because of the strive for excellence and “they are all about football.” Alonso said he met with the Ravens during the Combine, and it “would be an honor to play for that great defense (Listen to the entire interview at  http://bit.ly/XLDMyb). ”

Interesting Fact: Alonso won the 2011 Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Game against Wisconsin, with 5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and an interception.

Player Comparison: Rey Maualuga (LB Cincinnati Bengals)

Jamar Taylor (CB Boise State)
Height: 5-11
Weight: 192
2012-13 Stats: 51 Tackles, 2.5 Sacks, 4 Interceptions, 3 Forced Fumbles
Projected Round: 3-4

Taylor was an All Mountain West first teamer in 2012 for Boise State. He is physical corner, who excelled in press coverage in college. Taylor is a versatile defensive back, which can be used in many different situations including: man to man and zone coverages, setting the edge on run plays, and blitzing from the corner.

The major question is Taylor’s closing speed against some of the faster NFL wide outs. Though he may have answered many of his critics, running a 4.39 40 Yard Dash at the NFL combine.

During an interview with Glenn Clark, Taylor said he used to play on “grass, and dirt, and rocks,” growing up. He also said that even though he grew up in laid back San Diego, he has a “get work done” attitude (Listen to the entire interview at http://bit.ly/XLToSb).

Interesting Fact: Jamar Taylor was the strongest cornerback at the NFL Combine, with 22 bench reps at 225.

Player Comparison: Vontae Davis (CB Indianapolis)

Nico Johnson (LB Alabama)
Height: 6-2
Weight: 246
2012-13 Stats: 54 Tackles 2 Forced Fumbles
Projected Round: 4-6

Though he only started 5 games his senior year, Johnson still made a major impact for Alabama. His best game was against one of his toughest opponents, LSU, registering 12 tackles. Johnson is a natural 3-4 Inside Linebacker, playing in Nick Saban’s pro style defense.

He was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2009, while being a cornerstone for three National Title Teams. Even though he does not have blazing speed or athleticism, he makes up for it with a “lunch pail” attitude for the game.

Johnson told Thyrl Nelson and Damon Yaffe that playing at Alabama, he still had to push for playing time on such a talented roster. He was considering entering the military, until being offered a scholarship by Nick Saban and emphasizing get a good education (Listen to the entire interview at http://bit.ly/15lct35).

Interesting Fact: Nico Johnson played in every game for Alabama while a member of the Crimson Tide.

Player Comparison: Jameel McClain (LB Baltimore Ravens)

Kenny Tate (OLB/S Maryland)
Height: 6-4
Weight: 230
2012-13 Stats: 42 Tackles, 4 Sacks
Projected Round: 5-7

Tate was highly recruited as a top rated Wide Receiver, before converting to defense his freshman year. He spent most of his time at College Park as a Free Safety but switched to the SAM (Strong-side Linebacker) as a senior. His athleticism is evident in his versatility at several different positions, even though he had a knee injury, which forced him to sit out most of the 2011 season.

Tate played admirably his senior year at an unfamiliar position, where he had little experience. Teams will have to decide whether to continue to develop him in the box or utilize athleticism as a Safety. At defensive back, he would be a physical presence whereas at Linebacker, his speed would be an asset but would need to put on more bulk.

He told Glenn Clark, that he is “going in as Safety” and “has cut some weight.” Tate believes it would easier to move down to Linebacker than move backwards into the defensive backfield (Listen to the entire interview at http://bit.ly/13rjgcS).

Interesting Fact: When starting all 13 games in 2010 at Free Safety, Tate led Maryland with 100 tackles, while also having 3.5 Sacks, 4 Forced Fumbles and 3 Interceptions.

Player Comparison: Madieu Williams (S Washington Redskins)

* All Photos Courtesy of NFL.com.*

INDIANAPOLIS — Nestor Aparicio and I did a little bit of everything during our weekend at the NFL Scouting Combine.

We had fantastic sit downs with NFL coaches like the Bengals’ Marvin Lewis and the Falcons’ Mike Smith. We debated the merits of what’s next for the Ravens with top NFL analysts like CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora and NFL Network’s Albert Breer. We had private chats with Ravens executives, who stopped celebrating a Super Bowl XLVII victory awhile ago and are very hard at work in shaping the next Super Bowl team. We rubbed elbows (and I assure you I did so in the most insufferable way possible) with football royalty at Indy hotspots like the world famous St. Elmo steakhouse. We braved the throngs of reporters who wanted to talk to controversial future NFL players like former Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o and former LSU CB Tyrann Mathieu.

At the end of the weekend, I found one of my Baltimore Ravens-related opinions to have been solidified if not further strengthened.

The question of “what’s the most important thing the Ravens need to address this offseason?” is rhetorical. While Super Bowl MVP QB Joe Flacco is indeed an unrestricted free agent and in need of a contract, the Ravens aren’t debating the future of the QB position. They have their guy. Flacco will be under center (provided he’s healthy) when the Ravens open the season Thursday, September 5 at M&T Bank Stadium. They don’t need to address the QB position, they need to address the QB’s contract. It will either get done before next weekend and the Ravens won’t have to tag him or they’ll tag him and it will get done later in the offseason.

There isn’t actually a discussion about the future of the quarterback. The point is moot. Joe Flacco isn’t really the biggest issue for the Ravens this offseason because they already have an unequivocal answer at the position moving forward.

Therefore, when you ask the question there’s only one legitimate answer. The Baltimore Ravens MUST address left tackle before they do anything else this offseason.

There’s an odd roadmap to a bad scenario for the Ravens this offseason. LT Bryant McKinnie is an unrestricted free agent, coming off a turbulent season that included conditioning concerns, not showing up for Training Camp on time, having his salary cut right before the deadline to get a guaranteed contract, getting hurt but then ultimately being reinserted into the Offensive Line just in time to drastically change the trajectory of the Ravens’ O-Line and help lead the team to only their second Super Bowl title.

McKinnie has said he would like to return and has said that John Harbaugh told him after the Super Bowl he wanted him back. If the Ravens are indeed comfortable with McKinnie’s return and are able to work out the details financially, this scenario makes the most sense. It doesn’t address the position long term as McKinnie will turn 34 early in the season, but it goes a long way in establishing pass protection for a quarterback you’re investing an extraordinary amount of money in-and a quarterback that needs an amount of protection a bit different than your typical NFL quarterback.
(Continued on Page 2…)

The Ravens are taking an extensive look at the incoming draft class at this week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and are in position to make their greatest number of choices in recent memory with 11 draft picks.

Baltimore is scheduled to make seven draft selections — one in each round — and will have the 32nd, 62nd, and 94th overall picks through the first three rounds. However, the Ravens are expected to be awarded four compensatory picks — the maximum number — based on last year’s offseason in which they lost a plethora of unrestricted free agents including guard Ben Grubbs, linebacker Jarret Johnson, defensive end Cory Redding, safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski, and defensive tackle Brandon McKinney.

Compensatory picks for the 32 teams will be officially announced next month, which will determine the order of picks in the remaining rounds. These selections cannot be traded and are slotted beginning at the end of the third round and running through the seventh round.

Though these picks cannot be dealt, they do provide extra collateral for teams to be more aggressive in dealing their regular selections to move up the draft board for a coveted player. The Ravens’ draft history suggests a distinct aggressiveness to move out of their slotted picks, a likely occurrence this year considering they are picking so late in each round as the Super Bowl champions and have such a high overall number of selections.

Baltimore has drafted eight players in each of the last two drafts and general manager Ozzie Newsome has traded out of the first round in two of the last three years.

If the Ravens were to make all 11 selections in April’s draft, it would be the most of the John Harbaugh era, topping the 10 draft choices made in 2008. The only time in franchise history in which the Ravens drafted 11 players occurred in 2003 and the most they’ve ever selected in a single draft was 12 in 1997.

Obviously when setting the tone for the Ravens’ off-season, everything takes a back seat to resolving the Joe Flacco contract situation. The importance thereof is only magnified by the realization that there are so many questions still to be answered, so many decisions still to be made; but until the Ravens know for sure what their quarterback’s financial future may hold, everything else is essentially on hold. That however doesn’t diminish the fact that there are important decisions outside the QB position to be made before the Ravens begin their title defense and prepare for the 2013 campaign.

Conceding that the importance of Flacco’s deal is paramount to everything else, here are the next 5 major points of consideration for the Ravens to deal with this off-season in order to have hopes of a 6^th straight post-season trip.

#1 – Suring Up the Left Tackle Situation

If Flacco was the biggest difference maker for the Ravens in the playoffs, then further investigation is merited in determining what helped him turn his season, and his reputation, around. For my money, it began with the offensive line. After a season in the proverbial “dog house” Bryant McKinnie was finally given a chance to show and prove, and from there the offense never seemed to look back.

In the lead up to the Broncos game, no one seemed to have any concerns about the Denver secondary. Hindsight might suggest that to have been a result of the constant quarterback pressure the Broncos were able to count on from Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil. Without that pressure however, the Ravens found and readily exploited cracks in the Broncos secondary that no one seemed to know were there in the first place.

McKinnie and the Ravens began this season on unceremonious terms, and pretty much kept things that way until the end. Having proven his value, albeit over a 4-game stretch, there’s still no real assurance that the Ravens will or should trust McKinneie enough to agree to terms on a multi-year deal. On the other side of that coin, there’s no good reason to think McKinnie will feel any special brand of loyalty to the Ravens when others come calling on the open market.

What’s undeniable about the whole episode is that by replacing Michael Oher with McKinnie at LT, the Ravens were able to move Oher to his natural RT position where he represented an improvement over Kelechi Osemele. Osemele then moved to the LG position that the Ravens struggled to find an answer for all season too. This three-fold improvement made the Ravens line exponentially better; and no matter how they address LT going forward, any “solution” involving moving Oher and Osemele back to the positions they played for the majority of 2012 has to be considered multiple steps backward.

#2 – Replacing Jim Caldwell

Continuing with the theme of what was different for the Ravens offense at the end, the departure of Cam Cameron and the elevation of Jim Caldwell to the offensive coordinator position would seem to be the other major factor. The performance of Caldwell’s offense has been celebrated widely within the fan base, and certainly hasn’t been lost on the league at large either.

In an off-season where everyone seems dissatisfied with the impact of the Rooney Rule and the lack of minority hires made in filling head coaching vacancies, Caldwell will all but surely be a hot head coaching candidate at the end of next season. Even getting to the Super Bowl again, and therefore delaying the process for teams interested in Caldwell might not be enough to slow his roll.

In what looks to be a lame duck season for Caldwell with the Ravens, it’s important to figure out if the next guy in line is someone already on staff, or how the team can look to groom a next guy in line, potentially by hiring him as a quarterback coach / OC in waiting.

While the draft is 70 plus days away it’s never too early to predict what player the Ravens could draft in the first round. The Ravens have many needs so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ozzie Newsome trade out of the first round like he has done so many times before.

Here are several players that I think the Ravens will have the opportunity to draft in the first round.

Manti Te’o: linebacker, Notre Dame.
What a season for Te’o. He had a career year and was a Heisman finalist. But as we all know, his draft stock has collapsed because of the fake girlfriend hoax and his poor performance in the national championship.

It would be difficult to see Te’o falling all the way to pick 32. Pittsburgh has the 17th pick in the draft and the Steelers have a need at inside linebacker. Other teams in the 20’s that have a need at inside linebacker include the Chicago Bears at 20, the Bengals at 21, and the Packers at 26.

If none of these teams select Te’o, the possibility of Te’o suiting up for the Ravens in 2013 is a real possibility.

Like all draft prospects with character issues, Te’o could be a good fit with the Ravens because of the leadership within the locker room.

Arthur Brown: linebacker, Kansas State.
Brown is one of the more versatile defenders in this draft. Despite his size – 6’1” 228 pounds – Brown is a complete linebacker with exceptional speed. Obviously, that speed translates to his pass coverage ability, which is above average.

Brown would be a good fit because his speed allows him to run sideline-to-sideline and make plays. If the Ravens lose their best coverage linebacker, Dannell Ellerbe to free agency, Brown’s pass coverage ability would become that much more valuable.

Tavon Austin: wide receiver, West Virginia.
If you are going to pay Joe Flacco, why not give him toys to play with? Austin is the ultimate weapon because he can play multiple roles in an offense.

Austin is a poor man’s Percy Harvin. He did a little bit of everything at West Virginia, including contributions on special teams. Austin would make the Ravens offense much more versatile, and would be a much more attractive option to the Ravens if Anquan Boldin is cut.

Kevin Minter: linebacker, LSU
Minter is one of my favorite players in the draft. While he lacks elite athleticism, he is adequate in pass coverage and excels against the run.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl against Clemson is what pushed Minter into a first round projection. Minter finished with 19 total tackles and when he wasn’t making a tackle, he was somewhere around the ball.

Minter would be a great fit for the Ravens but with so many teams having a need at inside linebacker, Minter might not make it to pick 32 in the first round.

Honorable Mention: WNBA-Indiana Fever @ Washington Mystics (Friday 7pm from Verizon Center live on Comcast SportsNet); Tennis: ATP Garry Weber Open (Tuesday-Saturday 1pm from Halle, GER on Tennis Channel)

10. Bonnie Raitt (Sunday 6pm Pier Six Pavilion); Beach Boys (Friday 6:30pm Merriweather Post Pavilion); Neil Diamond (Thursday 8pm Verizon Center); Dave Matthews Band/Gary Clark Jr. (Saturday 7pm Jiffy Lube Live); Martina McBride (Wednesday 8pm Wolf Trap); Reel Big Fish (Friday 8pm Power Plant Live); Of Montreal (Thursday 8pm Recher Theatre); Lindsey Buckingham (Thursday 9pm Baltimore Soundstage), Lisa Marie Presley (Friday 8:30pm Baltimore Soundstage); Kelly Bell Band/Cris Jacobs (Saturday 7pm 8×10 Club); Robert Cray Band (Thursday 8pm Rams Head on Stage); Grouplove (Wednesday 7pm 9:30 Club); The Cult (Tuesday 8pm Fillmore Silver Spring); Bouncing Souls (Tuesday 7:30pm Black Cat DC); Ziggy Marley (Wednesday 8pm Howard Theatre), Little Richard (Saturday 8pm Howard Theatre); Keane (Thursday 8pm Strathmore); Rush “Clockwork Angels” available in stores/on iTunes (Tuesday)

I’ve already established that “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” is the greatest Beach Boys song of all time. Now I point out that I’m an absolute hack because I also enjoy this clip from Full House…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOZ5dEiZYCo

A lot of people know I’m a significant Dave Matthews fan. But do you know that I’ve proclaimed my all time favorite Dave Matthews tune to be THIS?…

And if you go see DMB don’t stay in the parking lot too long. Gary Clark Jr. is freaking AMAZING. You may remember him from a collaboration he had with Ray Lewis a few weeks back at the NFL Draft…

Wait…The Cult? Isn’t that the band that does the song from that commercial in that Super Bowl?

9. Star-Spangled Sailabration (Wednesday-Monday Inner Harbor, Fells Point, Locust Point); “Rock of Ages” and “That’s My Boy” out in theaters (Friday); Gilbert Gottfried (Saturday Magooby’s Joke House); Richard Lewis (Thursday-Saturday Baltimore Comedy Factory); Gary Valentine (Thursday-Saturday DC Improv)

Ryan Chell and I are going to see That’s My Boy Tuesday night. It will probably make six billion dollars and everyone involved will get new cars. It used to piss me off because I don’t really find Adam Sandler’s shtick to be funny anymore, but there are a couple issues involved. One-Adam Sandler sat down with us at the Super Bowl and was really nice. He even opened up about my idol Chris Farley, which is something I found out later he really never does…

Two-over the past few months I’ve developed a unique friendship with Happy Madison star Peter Dante, who might be the best human being on the face of the planet. He’s the guy on the right below…

So now I hope the movie is funny and they make a billion dollars. Damn you, nice guys.

The Ravens made a depth move Friday, acquiring 12-year veteran guard Bobbie Williams.

Williams, 36, spent the last eight seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. He started nine games for the Bengals in 2011, and missed the last three contests after fracturing his ankle.

Williams will likely be another intriguing piece to the puzzle that is the Ravens’ situation at left guard-which includes rookie Kelechi Osemele, 2nd-year man Jah Reid, and Williams.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh had some interaction with Williams in Philadelphia after Williams was taken in the 2nd round by the Eagles in the 2000 NFL Draft.

“Bobbie is a guy who has been in the league for a long time,” head coach John Harbaugh stated. “We’ve played against him, and we like his style of play and his demeanor as a person and as a player. We’re excited to have him as a member of our team.”

Out of 151 career games, Williams has started 130 of them.