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Brian's Archive
I am one of many Baltimore fans who is excited about the game this weekend with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The rivalry with the Steelers is as passionate and intense as any in football. What makes this game so unique is what is at stake this late in the year.
In the nine years I was the Head Coach of the Ravens, we were .500 (a 9-9 split) in the regular season. What was unique about our games was that, except for the playoff game in 2001, seldom were both teams good in the same year. It seemed that when we were good the Steelers were having an off year and vice versa. Certainly the games always had some ramifications for each team with regards to the division and possible playoffs, but rarely has it had this level of impact, this late in the year, for both teams. I can’t imagine what that will do to the level of intensity in what is already a very intense environment. Indeed, the team that is able to keep their composure and use the intensity to their advantage is likely to be the winner.
I will also be interested in seeing how many Ravens fans give up their seats to the well-traveled Steelers fans. As I noted earlier, if the late game here in Baltimore were in a year where the Steelers were not in the divisional or playoff picture, the number of Steelers fans wiling to pay the premium on tickets was limited.
Obviously, in if the Ravens were at home late in the season and it was the Steelers who were going to the playoffs and the Ravens were not, you might understand how some Ravens fans might be willing to part with their tickets for a nice profit.
This year, with all that is at stake, if you find yourself setting next to a Steelers fan, then you are pretty much going to know the depth of loyalty the person who normally sits next to you has for his team. When said fan returns to his seat vs. Jacksonville two weeks later, at the very least he should buy the beer. At which point you are free to pour it on them.
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December 11th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Brian,
Not to be pedantic but when addressing financial gain the word is “profit”. Prophet is a Raven’s fan who knows we will beat the Steelers. Thanks for your service to the Ravens. I’m glad you remain a fan.
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December 11th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Coach: I am glad to see that you are above holding a grudge against our team; I would have been surprised had you acted otherwise (I mean that as a compliment). In light of the paramount influence that money has on the game (gambling, player salaries, etc.) I hold no grudges against any season ticket-holder who decides to pay for the whole season by selling his/her tickets to 1 game, albeit to our rival. Many times the Ravens’ games are just as enjoyable watching from an HDTV in the comfort of one’s home with family/friends. Heck, how else can we enjoy your game color commentary?
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December 11th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Looks like Brian has achieved Baltimorean status.
98% of the Steelers fans in the stadium will have gotten their tickets from brokers. I doubt many real Ravens fans have sold, though some my have had to given the current economic situation.
My wife couldn’t go last week, so I had a buddy in from England (that’s right) with me. He has a seat elsewhere for this game before he heads back. Now THAT is well-traveled.
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:03 am
well put!
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:13 am
you are right coach
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December 12th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Hey Brian-
since ‘96 my tickets have gone from $35 to $80 per game,parking has gone from $20 to $45 per game,
beer, soda, water in the stadium has gone up….
everyone can keep raising the prices while outside of the “game” the cost of living i.e. gas, electric (up 84% in the last 2 years w/ BGE), propane, groceries has also increased…..IF I CHOOSE to sell my tickets on eBay for select games (to supplement my season tickets) to the eBay auction WINNER and that individual happens to be an opposing teams fan then so be it. Ravens fans also have the ability to purchase those tickets & the tickets from the brokers as well (maybe more Ravens fans should buy available tickets)…..I enjoy going to to the games but really in the grand scheme of things like family, a child’s college tuition, etc, it certainly is not a be all end all as it is for some people. As far as loyalty goes players are not loyal, coaches are not loyal, (OWNERS are not loyal), Baltimore found that out in 1983 and you did last year.
BTW a person who is getting paid $15 million over the next 3 years NOT to do their job shouldn’t be commenting on finances of Johnny Lunchbox.
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December 12th, 2008 at 11:25 am
[...] Brian Billick says Ravens-Steelers at ‘whole new level’ this weekend [...]
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December 12th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I agree 100%, Coach. My seats will NEVER have a rival team’s fan sitting in them. There are too many Ravens fans willing to pay at least the face value in order to see one game per year. In a row with 11 seats, we have the center 3 and a broker has the 4 on each side of ours. You never know who you’ll be sitting with from game to game. We have been lucky so far this year in that no loud, ignorant, opposing team fan has been seated near us. I’m not as optimistic about what we’ll encounter in Section 146 this weekend, though. Hopefully, the Ravens 12th Man drowns out the oppostion. GO RAVENS!
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December 12th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Johnny Lunchbox-
You are lame. Coach is right and I agree with him. I have been a PSL owner in the upper deck since the start- 13 years. Sell your ticket if you must but make sure it goes to someone who bleeds purple. As in the old colts days you have an obligation to help the team. Handing your tix to the enemy may be your right but it is still wrong….
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December 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Coach Billick,
Anybody who owns PSL’s and season tickets still considering selling their tickets to a visiting Steeler fan on the day of the game please reconsider and instead offer them to me at a discount….
I’ll use it to root for the Ravens and buy the beer to pour on top of a nearby Steeler fan!!!!
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December 13th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
To lunchbox, if things are that bad why don’t just sell your season tickets. Maybe get a partime job on sundays? Better yet why don’t you just go root for the squealers…Good stuff Coach…
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December 13th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Brian, you rule man!