Ravens Roost #44 Beach Life

Love Me Some Chicken!

2012-02-25T06:53:00.000-05:00

Weekly Poop 2/22/12

2012-02-23T05:59:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Saturday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade. From Jo Ann: “The St. Pat's Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 17th, beginning at noon. We need people! We're going to wear t-shirts that have "2011--Ravens Sweep Stealers" on them and will carry brooms and dustpans. And please learn the words to the Ravens song. I hope to ask Frank to play that every 5th or 6th song. I need to get a count to order the shirts. Please call or e-mail me, with your shirt size. The more people we have, the better we look. Jo Ann.”

Ravens Poop

· Good news notes and nuggets from Sarah Ellison’s Blog here. It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.

Local Poop

· Friday, Saturday & Sunday – St. Patrick's Indoor Soccer Tournaments, Northside Park, 125th St. and the Bay. Great annual event that has grown larger over the past 20 years! Estimated attendance over 150 teams over four weekends. Please check schedule for age groups. Northside Park on 125th St. Registration, OC Recreation & Parks, Kim Kinsey or Lynda Brittingham, 410-250-0125. www.oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_&_Parks

· Friday, Saturday & Sunday – Reach the Beach Rec & School Open Nationals, Convention Center, 40th St and the Bay. One of the largest cheer competitions on the East Coast. The best of the best recreational & school cheer teams compete for a national title. Admission. Sat./Sun., 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. .Convention Center on 40th St. Call 877-322-2310 or email info@acdaspirit.com. www.acdaspirit.com

Funny Poop

· A Rabbi went to the barber shop. After his hair cut, he got ready to pay the barber and the barber said, "No Rabbi, I don't charge the clergy for haircuts." So the next morning the barber found a loaf of Jewish rye bread outside of his door step.

A couple of days past and a Catholic priest came in to get his hair cut. He got ready to pay and the barber said, "No Father, I don't charge the clergy for haircuts." So the next morning he found a bottle of wine outside his front door step.

A couple of days later the Baptist minister came in to get his hair cut and when he got ready to pay the barber said, "No Reverend, I don't charge the clergy for their hair cuts."

So the next morning, the barber found 15 Baptist preachers on his doorstep, ready to get their hair cut!

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Dance Tomorrow Night @ the Elks

2012-02-17T10:44:00.000-05:00

I'll be doing the "dopey white guy" dance...

Tix available at the door. C'mon out!

Weekly Poop 2/15/12

2012-02-15T06:38:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Saturday – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION! Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137^th Street Bayside. $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel. For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790.

Ravens Poop

Local Poop

· Friday, Saturday & Sunday – Seaside Boat Show, Convention Center, 40th St and the Bay. See over 300 boats, including sail, pontoon, inshore & offshore boats & wave runners. Boat accessories, crafts, insurance & finance representatives available. At the “Boat Show that Works for Kids,” all proceeds go to area youth programs. Admission. Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.-7p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Convention Center on 40th St. Charlie Dorman, 410-632-3676. www.ocboatshow.com

Funny Poop

· Three travelers, an American, a Russian, and an Egyptian, were circumnavigating the globe a la Jules Verne. The Russian man put his hand out and reached down into the clouds.

“Aaah!” he said. “We’re right over my homeland.”

“How can you tell?” asked the American.

“I can feel the cold air.” he replied.

A few days later the African man put his hand through the clouds.

“Aah we’re right over my homeland.” he said.

“How do you know that?” asked the Russian.

“I can feel the heat of the desert.”

Several more days later the American put his hand through the clouds.

“Aah, we’re right over Pittsburgh.” The Russian and the African were amazed.

“How do you know all of that?!” they exclaimed.

The American pulled his hand in and held it up for them to see. “My watch is missing.”

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Weekly Poop 2/8/12

2012-02-08T13:46:00.001-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Thursday – Monthly Roost meeting, 7:30pm @ the Blue Ox.

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Saturday, February 18 – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION! Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137^th Street Bayside. $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel. For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790.

· Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the tomorrow night’s meeting. You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop

Local Poop

Funny Poop

· An old maid wanted to travel by bus to the pet cemetery with the remains of her cat. As she boarded the bus, she whispered to the driver, I have a dead pussy.
The driver pointed to the woman in the seat behind him and said, "Sit with my wife. You two have a lot in common".

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Weekly Poop 2/1/12

2012-02-01T06:34:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Sunday – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Give your checks or mail them to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44. GO GIANTS!

· Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the February meeting. You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop

Local Poop

Funny Poop

· There was a man who had worked his whole life in a pickle factory. One day he came home and told his wife that he had been fired from his job.
She began to scream and yell, "You have given them twenty years of devoted service. Why did they fire you?"
"For twenty years I’ve wanted to stick my pecker in the pickle slicer," he explained, "and today I finally did it!"
The wife ran over and pulled his pants down to see what damage had been done.
"You look okay," she said with a sigh of relief. "So what happened to the pickle slicer?"
"Well," he said with hesitation, "they fired her, too."

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Key West Party @ the VFW......

2012-01-27T10:13:00.000-05:00

Please come out and support our Vets! We'll be having a festive time and playing plenty of songs you know by heart (and a few you probably don't). What else you gonna do on a Saturday at the Beach in the middle of winter? See ya there!

Joe Flacco Is a Great Quarterback, Even Though the Ravens Lost

2012-01-27T09:59:00.001-05:00

According to ESPN.com, Flacco told reporters after the game, "I don't know if I ever will prove anything." This is where I disagree with Flacco, because on Sunday he catalyzed what should have been a game-winning drive, proving he is up to the task of winning games in the clutch. Unlike Montana and Manning and other quarterbacks of years past, Flacco was simply not fortunate to have a sure-handed player on the receiving end of his would-have-been-game-winning touchdown pass.

Complete article here...

Weekly Poop 1/25/12

2012-01-25T06:13:00.001-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Tonight – No More Ravens Rap. Thanks everyone for a great season.

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Give your checks or mail them to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

· Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the February meeting. You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens season came to a sudden and heartbreaking end in a 23-20 loss to the Patriots in Foxboro. The Ravens outplayed the Pats and Joe Flacco was clearly the best quarterback on the field but in the end they could not make enough plays to win. Still, it was a great and exciting season and I’m proud to be a Ravens fan!

Local Poop

· Saturday, January 28 – Key West Party @ the Ocean City VFW, 66^th Street bayside. $15 per person gets you draft beer and rail drinks, appetizers, island music 2-4 and HH prices 4-7 w/island specialty drinks. Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest. 2-7pm. Contact Nelson Kelly @ 302.236.4171 for more information.

Funny Poop

· An elderly woman entered a large furniture store and was greeted by a much younger salesman.

"Is there something in particular I can show you?" he asked.

"Yes, I want to buy a sexual sofa."

"You mean a sectional sofa," he suggested.

"Sectional, schmectional." she bitterly retorted. "All I want is an occasional piece in the living room!"

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Joe Flacco: An Appreciation

2012-01-21T10:19:00.000-05:00

Kevin Van Valkenburg

2:24 a.m. EST, January 21, 2012

Dear Joe Flacco,

It's been a bizarre week, hasn't it? You're one win away from playing in the Super Bowl, and I think I've read approximately 11 million articles -- written primarily by people living outside the Baltimore metro area -- that seem eager to inform me just how truly terrible you are at playing quarterback in the NFL. Seriously, if I hadn't actually watched you play football the last four years, if I'd been locked in someone's windowless basement without Internet or cable, I'd almost conclude you stood accused of running a dog fighting ring or something. People seem genuinely annoyed you're playing in the AFC Championship game.

To be honest, I almost feel like someone is picking on my little brother. I say that because I pick on you fairly frequently -- mostly because I recognize how talented you are, and I expect a lot from you -- but I'll be damned if I'm going to let the rest of the world tee you up repeatedly without coming to your defense a little bit. Because unlike, say, 80 percent of the people so eager to dismiss you, I've actually watched just about every significant snap you've taken in your career. I might not know know as much about playing quarterback in the NFL as Steve Young, but at least I'm working with all the evidence. I'm not basing my weekly frustrations with you on a handful of games, or worse, highlights.

I've seen you play awful, and I've seen you play brilliant football. I've seen you stomp on the neck of the Steelers twice in Heinz Field, and I've seen you sleep-walk through losses to the Bengals in Cincinnati. I've seen you look rattled, and I've seen you look fearless. I've always believed the most honest evaluation of your play was acknowledging you were good, but not great. At least at this point in your career. (And frankly, I'm not sure why so many people consider that analysis such an significant diss. The truth is, an honest evaluation of my skills would probably conclude I'm a good writer, but I'm not a great one. I don't think that's anything to be ashamed of. If the Sun traded me to the Boston Globe for a writer to be named later, it doesn't mean readers would be doomed to read the journalistic equivalent of Stoney Case or Eric Zeier as my replacement. But people frequently talk about Flacco that way.) I've realized, however, the middle ground in any argument is never going to be easy to occupy. Nuance isn't particularly sexy. It doesn't make for great radio, and it wouldn't pay Skip Bayless' mortgage.

So for once, I'm going to say the heck with nuance. After watching the national media smack you around like a gang of partygoers taking drunken swings at a unibrowed pinata, I've come to praise you, Joe Flacco, not to bury you. The world beyond Baltimore Beltway seems to think you can't even lace up your cleats properly without stumbling, and it's reached the point of absurdity.

Sometimes I wonder, Joe, why people can't seem to grasp the fact that fantasy football stats don't exactly determine whether or not a player is actually doing his job, or whether he's a good fit for his team. Stats aren't irrelevant, Joe, and I don't want to cast you as a plucky 6-foot-5 football version of David Eckstein. But the idea that baseball statistics and football statistics can be viewed similarly is utterly ridiculous. In baseball, Barry Bonds can be a complete jerk and have an OPS of 1.422 and there is absolutely no doubt he's still the MVP. There is no more valuable person you can put in the line-up in his place, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't speak to anyone or if he refuses to run out ground balls. Intangibles in baseball are overrated. I'll take a guy who can actually hit over a guy who is dubbed "a good clubhouse influence" by the media every single time.

But football is a little different, Joe, and I think you understand this. Everything is married and fused together in football in a way that it's not in baseball. There is no one in baseball calling plays, dropping passes, struggling to get open or failing to give you enough time to throw. Baseball is like nine guys doing stand-up comedy and then calling it a "show," whereas football is like 53 guys throwing together on a violent Broadway play every week. Obviously, it isn't always pretty, but I think the fact that the people you work with know you're never going to miss a performance, and you're rarely going to flub your lines, actually matters a lot.

You know what I think a realistic projection for your career should be, Joe? Troy Aikman. Trent Dilfer brought this up with Sports Illustrated's Don Banks this week, and I was jealous when I saw it because it's a comparison I've been thinking about for awhile now, but I kept putting it off, and now it's going to look like I'm just parroting Dilfer's analysis, but you'll just have to trust me on this one. I do think you could be the Aikman of this generation -- at least a poor man's Aikman -- as long as you continue to progress. Aikman never threw more than 23 touchdowns in a single season. He never threw for more than 3,445 yards. But he was a unifying presence on a team with massive egos, he protected the football and was really good on third down. His career quarterback rating was 81.6. Even in 1993, the best season of his career, his quarterback rating was 99.0. He was stoic, and boring -- sound familiar? -- and he was one of the greatest game mangers of all time.

I'm going to admit, Joe, that I'm one of those people who initially was fooled into thinking Matt Ryan was better than you. In general, his game looks "prettier" than yours, and he puts up slightly better statistics than you do. But lately, I've come around to the idea that a lot of his success looks like the product of playing in a weak division and in a controlled environment. Put him in Giants Stadium against a good defense with the wind swirling in a big game and he looks like a noodle-armed check-down artist who can't handle getting pushed around.

You actually know how to throw a football in the wind, the cold, and the rain, Joe. Maybe I haven't given you enough credit for that over the years. You're Jersey tough. People who don't believe in you like to dismiss some of your playoff success by pointing to the wild card game against New England two years ago where the Ravens won 33-14, even though you were just 4-of-10 for 34 yards. But what few people know is your hip was so badly bruised in that game, you could barely push off it. And in the fourth quarter, with the Patriots threatening to creep back into the game, you scrambled for a key first down on 3rd-and-7, stretching the ball out over the marker with your right arm. Your teammates -- who knew the bruise on your hip was the color of eggplant -- have never forgotten the guts you showed that day.

I can't defend all your decisions. Sometimes I think Ravens fans, and Ravens coaches, try to cite your "intangibles" to excuse your mediocre play. I cringed when you took a sack against the Texans and knocked the offense out of field goal range. But in general, I think you tend to play well in big moments. You hit Anquan Boldin in the chest in the end zone in the fourth quarter last year against the Steelers in divisional the playoffs. I think if he had caught the ball, a lot of people might view your career differently. But you've never once blamed Boldin. I see quarterbacks throw tantrums all the time when their receivers drop passes. You might shake your head, but I don't know that I've ever seen you go beyond that.

There really is no position in sports like quarterback. There is some stuff that truly does matter that we simply can't quantify. Locker rooms are complicated chemistry sets, and if people don't buy in to the idea that the quarterback can get the job done, it can poison the whole thing. That's one reason I love football. We can break it down 1,000 different ways, but there is still a mysterious, undefinable quality that some quarterbacks have, something that allows them to lead while others follow. People have completely gone overboard trying to apply it to Tim Tebow, but they've been far too dismissive of it with regards to you. You dragged this organization out of the dark ages of quarterback play, and that wasn't easy. You won over a group of cynical veterans as a rookie and helped bring together a divided locker room.

I think people tend to assume playing opposite of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs is the easiest aspect of your job, and it's a luxury every young quarterback wishes he had. But there is flip side to it that we rarely discuss. When you have outsized personalities like Lewis, Reed and Suggs on defense, you're constantly being asked, either consciously or subconsciously, to not screw this up. To not take risks, and be happy winning games 21-17. Matthew Stafford can throw 60 passes, three interceptions, two jump balls to Calvin Johnson in the fourth quarter and he looks like a hero when he wins 49-35. Every time you throw a pass in the fourth quarter when your team has the lead, I feel like I can hear half the fan base let out a collective groan. That's a huge burden to bear.

The Ravens have asked you, over the years, to win your share of gunfights, but most of the time, they ask you to do it with a set of steak knives instead giving you a pair of six shooters. Fans who think you're going to morph into Drew Brees the day Cam Cameron gets a pink slip are kidding themselves a little bit, because you don't have Brees' lightning quick release and you're not the take-charge vocal leader he is. But I really do think you're going to take a step forward if you ever get the chance to run an offense where you're actually allowed to put three wide receivers on one side of the field. Or if you get receivers who can consistently catch. Anyone knocking your dip in completion percentage without acknowledging that your receivers have had trouble separating from coverage and holding onto the football this year is being extremely unfair.

We've arrived at a moment in your career, Joe, where the majority of football fans feel like one game is going to define you. It doesn't seem to matter that every single season you've been in the NFL, you've never failed to reach the divisional round of the playoffs, or that you've won more games than any quarterback in NFL history his first four years in the league. Instead, they look at you and they think "I just don't trust him in big moments."

But I look at you, Joe Flacco, and I see a reflection of this city. You're flawed, to an extent. People from afar tend to mock you and dismiss you. But we've seen you on your best days. We know what you're capable of. We know how much you've grown over the last four years, despite some obstacles put in your way. You don't have to be Tom Brady to win on Sunday. You just have to be the best version of yourself you can possibly muster.

Maybe you were right when you were joking around with the media last week. Maybe you won't get any credit, even in victory. But that's OK. Let everyone believe you're contributing almost nothing. Let them punch numbers into a spread sheet and point out your flaws while overlooking your strengths.

In the end, the man who holds the trophy writes his own legacy, no matter how large the chorus of nonbelievers may be.

Article here...

Byrne Identity: Shannon Sharpe: World Says Ravens Can’t Win

2012-01-21T07:27:00.000-05:00

Shannon Sharpe, Phil Simms and Chris Berman all give their take on Sunday’s matchup.

by Kevin Byrne
Jan 20, 2012, 12:20PM

Shannon Sharpe: World Says Ravens Can’t Win

Shannon Sharpe has heard it.
You've heard it.
The Ravens' players and coaches have heard it.
We – the Baltimore Ravens – can't win in New England.
Heck, I've seen a number of reports that say Bill Belichick's team has the easy path to the Super Bowl. The Patriots played at home against a Broncos team with a young quarterback that had been beaten up by the Steelers six days earlier. Now, New England gets a flawed Ravens' team whose “defense isn't what it used to be” and whose offense has been questioned all season. And, it's in the Pats’ backyard.
"Nobody gives you a chance," the Hall of Famer Sharpe, who helped the Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV in 2000, told the team yesterday (Thursday). Sharpe was in town to interview Ray Lewis for a feature that will be part of CBS-TV's pre-game show on Sunday.
"Nobody thought the Ravens could win in 2000. Joe Flacco, if we had you then, we'd have won easily and more than one Super Bowl," Sharpe told the team in the middle of the practice field at the end of the morning "walk-through."
"I was on a Broncos team that couldn't beat Green Bay (Super Bowl XXXII)," Sharpe said. "They were 12 points better, that's what the experts said. We won (31-24). You're like that team. You know better than the experts. Nobody gives you a chance, and I sense you like that.”

Just In Case, We’re Going To Show Up

"I know what you're saying to all those experts: 'Just in case, we're going to show up.' I can see it. You're going up there with an attitude. You know how good you are. You're the most complete team in the league. I jumped on you early. I said that back in September, and I'm still riding you. Doesn't matter if anyone else thinks you can win in New England. You know you can. You know last Sunday wasn't your best, and you still won a playoff game." Sharpe said.
And, Shannon said a lot more that was meant only for the players and coaches who surrounded him while a cold wind blew across the middle of our Owings Mills outdoor fields. Like he was when he was a leader on the 2000 and the 2001 Ravens, Shannon was powerful with his words, and every one of those was worth hearing. It was a privilege to listen.
Sharpe did have some advice for the players on the Ravens, especially the younger ones. "Listen, before you get on that charter flight on Saturday, tell your girlfriends, tell the wives, tell your friends and relatives to leave you alone. Tell them you'll call them at 6:30 after you've earned a Super Bowl trip. This is business. This deserves all of your attention. That Super Bowl trophy you have in the lobby of your building, it's lonely. She needs a partner, a roommate. That's what you're going to do."

Phil Simms Weighs In

Phil Simms, the winning quarterback and the MVP of the Giants' Super Bowl XXI victory over the Broncos, is broadcasting the game for CBS. Phil called to set up some phone time with coordinators Cam Cameron and Chuck Pagano.
"Do we have a chance Sunday, Phil?" The former quarterback did not hesitate: "Are you kidding? You match up well against the Patriots. Chance? I think it has a chance to be a great game."
That's all Simms needed to get started: "All these experts talking about the way you beat the Texans. Come on! That's one mean, good defense you just played. They're good, really good, and they played well against you.
"And, don't get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn't miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
Simms wasn't finished in his defense of Flacco.
"I'm not saying Joe played great against Houston, but he did play very well. I've watched and done many Ravens games. When people are open, and Joe is protected, he delivers. He is accurate. He is tough. He's one of the main reasons you guys keep going to the playoffs and win. Those who say Joe didn't play well against the Texans didn't watch the film. Has anyone talked about how well the Texans' defense played?"
Phil Simms and Shannon Sharpe, two people paid as NFL experts, have me even more fired up about going to New England. But, there's more...

Chris Berman, Who Picked The Ravens, Visited Too

In early September, ESPN's Chris Berman went on worldwide television and said: "The Ravens will win the Super Bowl this season."
We all loved to hear that.
A few weeks ago, Berman called and said: "I'll come visit you in a few weeks, when you're getting ready for the AFC championship."
"Well," I said, "I hope you get to make that visit."
Chris was right, and he was here Wednesday and interviewed Ed Reed for a feature that will be on ESPN's pre-game show this Sunday.
Chris Berman loves sports, and in particular, loves the NFL. And, he has fun with all of it. When he's around, he reminds you that weeks like this are supposed to be fun for teams and fans. His energy burst from his healthy 6-foot-5 frame. He's smart – a Brown University graduate – he's fun, and he gives everyone he meets an enthusiastic response. He's a joy to be around.
When Chris walked out to the indoor field to watch Wednesday's "walk-through," I heard a few "euoops" (the sound Berman makes when describing a fumble) from the players, and many of their heads turned. Coach Harbaugh noticed too. John asked Chris if he would say a few words at the end of the session.
"Boomer," as many of his friends call Berman, made sure (like Sharpe) he did not diss the Patriots. Chris stood in the middle of a large huddle and started: "I think some of you know that I predicted you would win the Super Bowl this year. Now, I can't say I'm rooting for you, but I like you – your coaches, your players – and you could make me look very smart if you win two more games.
"As kids, most of you dreamed of playing in the championship," Berman continued. "That dream is over. You're playing in the championship this Sunday. It's now time to do something about that dream. It's time to win that championship. And, if you want some advice from a guy who has been around for awhile: On Sunday, take 20 seconds and take it in. Maybe do it just before kickoff or in one of those long timeouts we in TV make you take. Look around. Feel it. Smell it. You're in a championship. You earned that. Enjoy that moment."
Well, I'm hoping for a lot of enjoyable moments in New England. I know it's not going to be easy. I know you'll be watching. Let's enjoy it. Here's what I know, there are four teams left. ... 28 NFL teams will be watching us. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are gone. A team we beat on Thanksgiving, the 49ers, said “Adios” to Drew Brees and the Saints. The Steelers are done. It's hard to get where we are, and we earned our right to be here. Let's beat Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots. How much fun would that be?!

Article here...

ARE YOU FIRED UP YET???

Stallion Playoffs Round 2

2012-01-20T17:26:00.000-05:00

Trust him when he tells you!

This'll be Donna & Tony in a Couple Weeks...

2012-01-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm jealous...

Weekly Poop 1/18/12

2012-01-18T06:12:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Be loud and be proud! Ox opens at 4, show starts @ 7. From Eileen: “For Ravens Rap - this Wednesday, Jan. 18th, we're planning a bit of a Media Blitz (Already coming reporters w/ OC Today, Dispatch, Daily Times & WMDT and working on WBOC) So they're showing up at 6pm, so we need as many of you there by then. (Of course, we still open at 4pm on show days). Steve will be addressing all of you, so it will be conducted like a mini press conference. We're telling the media I am inviting - that yes it’s for some publicity for Ravens Rap Show, but more importantly it's to inform everyone about the Involvement the Baltimore Ravens are having this year in conjunction with the Ravens Roost Parade. Also to show to the Ravens Organization what Steve has been telling them for years: how big people are around here for The Ravens --- therefore, their decision with this year's parade is a "Great One"!! We will be sending them a copy of show.”

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the February meeting. You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens beat the Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs 20-13. Now it’s on to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship and a return to the Super Bowl. Apparently the Ravens have no chance because the Patriots have Tom Terrific and the Ravens have the worst QB to ever buckle up the chin strap. We shall see…

Local Poop

Funny Poop

· After a woman gave birth to her baby, the Doctor stood solemnly beside her bed. "There is something I must tell you about your baby."

What's wrong?" the alarmed mother asked.

"Your baby is a hermaphrodite."

"What's that?"

"It means your baby has both male and female parts."

"Oh my God, that's wonderful!" the mother said. "You mean it has a penis and a brain?"

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Charm City

2012-01-16T19:26:00.000-05:00

We Are the Ravens Nation

2012-01-13T20:28:00.000-05:00

Round One of the Playoffs Stallion

2012-01-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

UR-URR-UR! Bingo Baby!

Weekly Poop 1/11/12

2012-01-11T06:30:00.001-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Be loud and be proud! Ox opens at 6, show starts @ 7. We need a good showing – Pappo goes to a significant expense to bring this show to OC and would appreciate a good turnout. If we have a good showing tonight he is going to try to get local TV coverage for following week. Steve did a great job on our meeting room, so let's support Blue Ox Ravens Rap. The Ravens are having a historic year, so let's show our support. If you can, contact Gary if you are going to show, or just show up.

· Tomorrow – Monthly Roost meeting @ the Blue Ox, 7:30pm.

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Give your checks or mail them by next meeting to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· PLAYOFFS! The Houston Texans come to town to take on the Ravens, Sunday, 1pm. The bus leaves 5 ½ hours before game time, which is 7:30am for the mathematically challenged.

· Te-Bow! Te-Bow! Te-Bow! Way to send the Terrible Towel-a-ban home! Be honest; watching Pittsburgh lose Sunday night was almost as good as watching the Ravens win!

Local Poop

· Saturday & Sunday – Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival 2012, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay. The Shore’s premier presentation of nautical & wildlife artists in residence. Noted painters, sculptors, model shipbuilders & multi-media artists highlight this annual show. Admission. Admission also includes entry to North American Craft Show. Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Donald A. Hastings, 410-524-9177. duckmandon@comcast.net or www.donaldsduck.shoppe.com

Funny Poop

· An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings currently on display. "I've got good news and bad news," the owner replied. "The good news is that a gentleman inquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all fifteen of your paintings."

"That's wonderful!" the artist exclaimed, "What's the bad news?" With concern, the gallery owner replied, "The guy was your doctor."

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

I wanna be Howie!

2012-01-10T10:06:00.002-05:00

Howard Livingston's move from Chicago to Key West, Fla., was part of a lifestyle makeover. His old wardrobe was the first thing to go.
"I had whole closets full of suits and dress shirts and ties and slacks," says the former co-owner and CEO of a firm that made diesel-engine parts. The dapper attire went straight to the Salvation Army. "It was an act of freedom," Livingston says with a laugh. "I decided, 'I'm going to go down there in flip-flops and T-shirts and see what happens.'"

More:
Six On, Six Off: From Corporate Chicago to 'Trop Rock' in Key West - SecondAct.com

Coach Harbaugh's Saturday Night Speech

2012-01-07T11:23:00.000-05:00

Coach spoke to the team last Saturday night before the Bengal's game...

“Men, we’re loose, light-hearted, we’re joyous, and we’re excited because we are something special,” Harbs began. “There’s not an easy way. Anything worth achieving isn’t going to be easy. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be great.

“Is there a man in here who doesn’t want to be great? … I am talking about greatness. Be the best. The best team, the best player, the best coach,” the head coach continued and began pointing at men around the room: “You want to be the best coach, the best rush linebacker – or best defensive player in football? Or, the best quarterback, best fullback, safety – the best football team in the world?

“There is only one way to be great. You have to take it,” John paused and then exclaimed: “Everybody agree? You have to take it. If you decide you want to be great, you will be. And, you can talk about fortune and misfortune, luck and connections and all the other stuff people make up excuses about in their lives. The people who do great things, accomplish at the highest levels, they decide to be great. And nothing gets in the way of that: not an opponent, not fortune, not fate – nothing.

“We’ve done the hard things – the work – to be here. We’ve earned this opportunity,” Harbs said. “Can you say this to yourself: ‘There will be nothing that stands between me and greatness.’ We decide what will happen, not the team in the orange and black. You will not allow that to happen because you will play every single play like your [football] life is on the line.

“When you line up tomorrow, there is only one thing: you and this moment. If you’re a corner, it’s just you and your technique against the guy across from you. On the offensive line, you are in that phone booth, and it’s you and that man across from you. Inside linebackers: you and the triangle read – that’s all there is in the whole world. And everyone plays every play like it’s eternity, like everything is at stake in that moment, because that could be the one moment that wins it for us.

“We’re going to go out there tomorrow with joy. We’re going to have a bounce in our step, and we’re going to have a light heart,” John continued. “We’re going to be nasty, tough men. That’s who the Ravens are. They have not seen this Ravens team. They don’t know what’s coming. Make the most of it!”

Excuse me now, I have to go run through a wall...

Read the whole article here.

Careful on 54 This Weekend

2012-01-06T14:57:00.000-05:00

TRAFFIC ALERT - Favorable Weather Conditions Allow for Route 54 Paving Work This Weekend Fenwick Island

In an effort to move the Route 54 Improvement Project toward completion, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that contractor Mumford & Miller, will be doing paving operations this weekend. Unseasonably warm weather will allow a portion of the project to be paved now instead of in the spring.

This chance to take advantage of the opportunity to do paving during the winter will benefit residents and businesses as DelDOT and the contractor push to finish the $8 million project by summer 2012.

Therefore, beginning on Friday, the contractor will be milling a portion of Route 54 from Zion Church Road to Laws Point Road from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paving of the same portion of roadway will occur on Saturday and Sunday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., with some possible finishing work occurring on Monday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Intermittent lane closures will be in place and Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be positioned to alert drivers of the work.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Relations at (302) 760-2080 or visit our website at http://www.deldot.gov/.

Link

Week 17 Ravens Highlights

2012-01-05T19:07:00.000-05:00

82PeRK is the man!

Weekly Poop 1/4/12

2012-01-04T06:22:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Wednesday, January 11 – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. From Eileen: “Since Ravens won & don't play until Sun 1/15, we will do the Ravens Rap show Wednesday, January 11th - thus skipping this week. But we need to get a count from you all a.s.a.p., please. And it's fine if you update the number 2-3x, but by Tuesday morning, January 10th, Steve needs a pretty accurate # of how many will be at the show. As he told Gary, he can't afford to have Bruce come down, if a majority of you won't be coming; like last week in particular, but we've been told, the #s have been dropping. Eileen.” Please email Gary by Tuesday, 1/10 at the latest if you plan to attend.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Give your checks or mail them by next meeting to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens beat the Bengals 24-16 to sweep the division, win the AFC North, and earn a first round playoff bye and home playoff game. The Ravens next game will be at home, Sunday January 15, 1pm against Houston, Denver or Pittsburgh. Here’s how it shakes out:

Saturday, Jan. 7
AFC: No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFC: No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)

Sunday, Jan. 8
NFC: No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at New York Giants (9-7), 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
AFC: No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8), 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

In addition to wild-card games, the NFL also released the schedule for divisional games:

Saturday, Jan. 14
NFC: Highest remaining NFC seed at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-3), 4:30 p.m, ET (FOX)
AFC: Lowest remaining AFC seed at No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (CBS)

Sunday, Jan. 15
AFC: Highest remaining AFC seed at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens (12-4), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)NFC: Lowest remaining NFC seed at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

· Ravens running back Ray Rice was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in five weeks.
Rice led all NFL running backs last weekend with 191 yards rushing in Sunday's 24-16 win at Cincinnati. He scored on runs of 70 and 51 yards to set the team single-season record with 15 touchdowns this year.
This marks the eighth time this season that a Ravens player has been named a player of the week. Rice has won twice to join wide receiver Torrey Smith and linebackers Terrell Suggs (three times), Ray Lewis and Jarret Johnson.

· The Ravens 2012 away games: Kansas City, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, Houston (and of course Cleveland, Cincy and Pittsburgh). Where do we want to go?

Local Poop

· Nothing to see here…move along…

Funny Poop

· A business man got on an elevator in a building. When he entered the elevator, there was a blonde already inside and she greeted him by saying, "T-G-I-F" (letters only).

He smiled at her and replied, "S-H-I-T" (letters only)."

She looked at him, puzzled, and said, "T-G-I-F" again.

He acknowledged her remark again by answering, "S-H-I-T."

The blonde was trying to be friendly, so she smiled her biggest smile and said as sweetly as possibly, "T-G-I-F" another time.

The man smiled back to her and once again replied with a quizzical expression, "S-H-I-T."

The blonde finally decided to explain things, and this time she said, "T-G-I-F, Thank Goodness It's Friday, get it?"

The man answered, "S-H-I-T, Sorry, Honey, It's Thursday."

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

· Congratulations, Ravens Roost #44 on your 3rd place win for AGH Penguin Swim!!

· Playoffs?!? Playoffs?!? Damn right!!

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

2012 Away Games...

2012-01-02T08:13:00.002-05:00

...(per Jamison Hensley) Kansas City, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, Houston (and of course Cleveland, Cinci and Pittsburgh).

Where do we want to go?

Playoffs!

2012-01-02T06:48:00.000-05:00

Tidbits from the Professor:

8. What is more important -- running or passing? Although this is a passing league, a running team could advance because of the lack of top quarterback play. Brady, Roethlisberger and Flacco are the only elite quarterbacks in the AFC playoffs. However, Roethlisberger is hurt and Flacco has had a non-elite year.

The Texans and Broncos are pure running teams. Four of the six teams are pretty well set in the backfield. The Texans are a bear to stop because of Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The Broncos have Willis McGahee and Tebow. The Bengals get tough yards from Cedric Benson. The Ravens' Ray Rice is one of the most explosive backs in the league. The Steelers have to work with Isaac Redman after finding out Mendenhall is likely out with a knee injury. The Patriots sprinkle in some running plays with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead and others.

9. What can we tell from how these teams did against other playoffs teams: A lot. The Bengals went 0-7 against teams that made the playoffs. The Broncos beat Cincinnati 24-22 in Week 2, but they lost by an average of 27 points to the Packers and Patriots, the only other playoff teams they faced. The Texans went 3-2 against playoff teams, the Steelers 3-4 and the Ravens 6-0. The Patriots went 1-2 against playoff teams.

10. Who is the favorite for the Super Bowl? Injuries to Roethlisberger and Mendenhall clearly give the edge to the Patriots. They are at home and they have Brady. The Steelers could be a great No. 5 seed, but they will be challenged to pass the ball with a quarterback nursing a high ankle sprain.

The Bengals, Broncos and Texans don't have the look of teams that could win two games in the playoffs. That could set up a Ravens-Patriots championship.

Read the whole article here.

AFC North Champs!

2012-01-02T06:09:00.000-05:00

With their 24-16 victory over the Bengals, Baltimore finishes undefeated in the division.

by Garrett Downing
Jan 1, 2012, 7:40PM

John Harbaugh said during the week that he could see turnovers playing a big role in deciding Sunday's game against the Bengals.

He was right.

The Ravens turned a fourth-quarter fumble by the Bengals into a Ray Rice touchdown, giving them a late two-score lead that they would hold as the knockout blow in the 24-16 win.

The victory completes a season sweep of the AFC North and makes Baltimore the division champs for the first time since 2006. The Ravens will enter the postseason as the No. 2 overall seed in the AFC, which gives them a first-round bye and at least one home playoff game.

"Our football team really wanted to win this game, and we really needed to win this game," Harbaugh said. "It was important to us to win this division."

The Ravens swept the only NFL division that will send three teams to the playoffs. Despite the loss, Cincinnati clinched the No. 6 seed because the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders both lost. The Steelers are in as the No. 5 seed.

Ravens at Bengals Game Highlights

"This is the best division in football," Harbaugh said. "It's not even close."

Bringing the playoffs to Baltimore was a goal at the start of the season, and it will be the first time under Harbaugh that the playoffs have come to M&T Bank Stadium, where the Ravens are perfect this season.

"To be able to win the division on the road to secure a home playoff game, the feeling in that locker room is like no other," running back Ray Rice said. "I can only imagine what the city of Baltimore is doing right now."

Getting to that point wasn't easy.

The Ravens started out hot, building an early 14-point lead in the first half, but the offense stalled in the second half and the Bengals rallied. The Bengals cut the lead to four points in the fourth quarter, and then had a chance to drive down the field and take the lead.

Cincinnati had the ball at midfield when Ravens outside linebacker and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Terrell Suggs forced a fumble on Cincinnati's tight end Jermaine Gresham, which Ravens' safety Bernad Pollard recovered.

The Ravens capitalized on the mistake, as Rice broke a 51-yard touchdown run to give Baltimore the late two-score lead.

"When the defense does something great like that and gets a turnover, as an offense you want to pay those guys back and you want to pay them back with a touchdown," Rice said.

Rice came up with several big plays in the game, as he also rushed for a 70-yard touchdown on the Ravens' opening drive. He finished with 191 yards and two touchdowns, and improved his season rushing yardage to a career-high 1,364 yards and a Ravens record 15 touchdowns.

The afternoon also put Rice in company with Marshall Faulk as the only two players in NFL history with 1,000 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards in multiple seasons.

Rice was the motor for the offense, which at times was efficient and effective.

Joe Flacco threw for 130 yards and one touchdown, but he had just four incomplete passes. Tight end Dennis Pitta had six catches for 62 yards and a touchdown. Pitta had the best day of his two-year career, as the Ravens used him as a receiver because they were without top wide receiver Anquan Boldin for the second-straight game and Lee Evans has yet to hit his stride.

But the offense went cold in the second half, as Rice struggled to find success and the passing game stalled. That gave Cincinnati an opportunity to close the gap, but Rice's late touchdown again gave the Ravens a two-score lead that was too much for Cincinnati to overcome.

"Obviously, that [touchdown] was the difference," Harbaugh said. "That was the key."

The Ravens built up the early lead after Rice broke the 70-yard run on the fourth play of the game. He ran between the tackles and right guard Marshal Yanda, who was doubtful to play due to thigh and rib contusions, cleared a path with a big block on Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga to put Rice off to the races.

Baltimore then added to their total as Billy Cundiff converted on a 42-yard field goal to give the Ravens a 10-0 lead. Cundiff was back as the starting kicker after missing last week with a calf injury.

Cincinnati got on the board late in the first quarter with a 46-yard field goal by Mike Nugent to cut the Ravens' lead to 10-3. Nugent also missed a 26-yard field-goal attempt in the first half.

The Ravens added a touchdown to take a 17-3 lead just before the end of the first half, as they drove 80 yards in 11 plays. Dennis Pitta's 9-yard touchdown grab capped off the drive, which was aided by Bengals penalties for holding, unnecessary roughness and illegal contact. The penalties gave Baltimore 25 yards and two first downs on the drive.

The Bengals got on the board first in the second half with a 25-yard touchdown run by Bernard Scott. Cincinnati started the drive at Baltimore's 48-yard line after Sam Koch's punt was partially blocked, and they took just five plays to get in for the touchdown, cutting Baltimore's lead to 17-10.

Baltimore then went three-and-out on the ensuing drive and the Bengals responded by adding another three points on a 46-yard field goal by Nugent, making the score 17-13.

The Ravens took a 24-13 lead on Rice's 51-yard touchdown, and Cincinnati responded with a 23-yard field goal with three minutes, two seconds left to make it an eight-point lead.

The Bengals had one more shot to tie the score, and they got into position where quarterback Andy Dalton heaved a "Hail Mary" to the end zone on the final play. The pass fell incomplete, which ended the game and gave the Ravens the AFC North title.

The AFC playoff picture is now set, as the Bengals will travel to Houston next week to face the Texans, and the Steelers will go on the road to face Denver. The Ravens will play the top-seeded team to make it out of the Wild Card Rounds, which could be Denver, Houston or Pittsburgh.

"This is one championship, and we still have two more that we're shooting for," Harbaugh said. "And that's a conference championship and a world championship."

Link

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T14:37:00.003-05:00

It took me two weekends, but I finally got my tree up!

"Sometimes when I reflect back on all the wine I drink I feel shame. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the vineyards and all of their hopes and dreams...If I didn't drink this wine, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. Then I say to myself, "It is better that I drink this wine and let their dreams come true than be selfish and worry about my liver."

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what the hell happened to your bra and panties.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink. When they wake up in the morning, that's as good as they're going to feel all day. "
~Frank Sinatra

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading."
~ Henny Youngman

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people are laughing WITH you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not."
~ Stephen Wright

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"When we drink, we get drunk. When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven!"
~ Brian O'Rourke

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause pregnancy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
~ Benjamin Franklin

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like a spaz.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza."
~ Dave Barry

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To some, it's a six-pack, to me it's a Support Group. Salvation in a can!
~Dave Howell

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One afternoon at Cheers, Cliff Clavin was explaining the Buffalo Theory to his buddy Norm. Here's how it went:

" Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... A herd of buffalo can only move as fast as the slowest buffalo. And when the herd is hunted, it is the slowest and weakest ones at the back that are killed first. This natural selection is good for the herd as a whole, because the general speed and health of the whole group keeps improving by the regular killing of the weakest members. In much the same way, the human brain can only operate as fast as the slowest brain cells. Excessive intake of alcohol, as we know, kills brain cells. But naturally, it attacks the slowest and weakest brain cells first. In this way, regular consumption of beer eliminates the weaker brain cells, making the brain a faster and more efficient machine. That's why you always feel smarter after a few beers."

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whispering when you are not.

Stallion Week 16

2011-12-30T16:27:00.000-05:00

Play action, play action, play action! Pass on the grass, run on the carpet!

Weekly Poop 12/28/11

2011-12-28T06:02:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Sunday – Penguin Swim to raise money for Atlantic General Hospital. Support the Ravens Roost #44 Team HERE.

· Tuesday – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Ravens Room open up to customers at 6pm, every show. Show starts @ 7pm, ending time may vary slightly.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Money due by 1/27/2012. Give your checks to Larry or Marie Gerst (302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens beat the Browns 20-14 to go a perfect 8-0 at home. As the saying goes, win at home and split on the road and that’s exactly what the Ravens are going to try and accomplish as they go to Cincinnati this Sunday for the season finale. Beat the Bengals, and the Ravens have a first round bye and at least one home playoff game. The NFL has moved the game start time to 4:15pm. If you care, the playoff seedings can go like this:

Postseason Scenarios

Bills at Patriots	Ravens at Bengals	Steelers at Browns	Seeds
Patriots win	Ravens win	Result doesn't matter	1-Patriots, 2-Ravens, 5-Steelers
Patriots win	Bengals win	Browns win	1-Patriots, 2-Ravens, 5-Steelers
Bills win	Ravens win	Result doesn't matter	1-Ravens, 2-Patriots, 5-Steelers
Bills win	Bengals win	Browns win	1-Patriots, 2-Ravens, 5-Steelers
Patriots win	Bengals win	Steelers win	1-Patriots, 2-Steelers, 5-Ravens
Bills win	Bengals win	Steelers win	1-Steelers, 2-Patriots, 5-Ravens

Local Poop

· Now thru Sunday – Winterfest of Lights has been named a prestigious Top 100 Event for 2011 by American Bus Association.

Northside Park, 125th Street & The Bay
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for those 12 years & older, and FREE for those 11 years and younger.

Enjoy this winter paradise created for the whole family! Take a ride through an animated wonderland on the Winterfest Express. Board the train and sing Christmas Carols as you glide past spectacular lighted displays including the Twelve Days of Christmas and your favorite fairy tales. Visit the Winterfest Village which is located inside a festive, heated pavilion decorated for the season. Buy a cup of hot chocolate at The OC Recreation Boosters cafe, browse the Yukon Cornelius Gift Shop for that special stocking stuffer or OC souvenir.

While in Ocean City, drive along the Avenue of Trees on Baltimore Avenue from 15th – 32nd Street. Be sure to visit all of Ocean City, Maryland to create a lasting holiday memory. More than one million holiday lights sparkle throughout the town on animated displays.

Funny Poop

· Saint Peter had a terrible cold and fever and didn't think he would last the day minding the Pearly Gates of Heaven. So he phoned Jesus to ask for the day off.

"Why, Peter," Jesus said. "You know your health is my first concern. Take as much time as you need."

As Jesus pondered who he might use to replace Peter, he decided to handle the job himself. It was a very slow day and no one approached the Gates until late in the afternoon, when in the distance, Jesus saw a bent, white-haired old man slowly making his way up the path with the aid of a gnarled cane.

As the man neared, Jesus said, "Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?"

"Well," replied the man, "I was hoping to enter the Gates of Heaven."

"We would certainly love to have you," said Jesus, "but we do have certain rules as to who can enter Heaven. Tell me, what have you done to deserve such an honor?"

"Actually, I have done nothing so wonderful myself," said the man. "I lived in a small town and led a simple life as a carpenter. But my son," he continued, "now HE was special!"

With pride in his voice he said, "I raised him to be a carpenter like myself and did my best to teach him right from wrong. And when he grew older, an amazing transformation overcame him and to this day he's known throughout the world and loved by all alike."

As Jesus listened to the story, a sense of recognition came to him. With a lump in his throat and a tear in his eye, he threw open his arms and cried, "Father!"

Emotional at this outburst, the old man threw open his arms and yelled, "Pinocchio!!"

· A woman walks into a tattoo parlor. "Do you do custom work?" she asks the artist.

"Why of course!"

"Good. I'd like a portrait of Robert Redford on the inside of my right thigh, and a portrait of Paul Newman on the inside of my left thigh."

'No problem,' says the artist. 'Strip from the waist down and get upon the table.'

After two hours of hard work, the artist finishes. The woman sits up and examines the tattoos. "That doesn't look like them!" she complains loudly.

"Oh yes it does," the artist says indignantly, “and I can prove it." With that, he runs out of the shop and grabs the first man off the street he can find; it happens to be the town drunk.

"Well, what do you think?" the woman asks, spreading her legs. "Do you know who these men are?"

The drunk studies the tattoos for a couple of minutes and says. "I'm not sure who the guys on either side are, but the fellow in the middle is definitely Willie Nelson!"

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

· Have a safe and prosperous New Year!

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Ravens Roost #44 2011 Members of the Year

2011-12-27T14:12:00.000-05:00

Gary Miller, President of Ocean City Ravens Roost #44, presented Bob and Mary Kendall the Member of the Year award at the Roost annual Christmas Party, December 17. The Kendalls were nominated by Roost #44 member, Sandy Taras, for their continuous money raising efforts throughout the year for the Roost annual scholarship awards which are presented to local high school seniors in June. Always traveling at their own expense to where Ravens players are scheduled to meet the public, they have obtained authentic autographed memorabilia which they raffle during the entire year. Through their efforts alone, they have raised thousands of dollars for the Roost scholarship fund. When complimented on their unselfishness and dedication their reply is always, "It's about the kids."

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T21:25:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas Roost #44

2011-12-23T21:01:00.001-05:00

It's a Shore Thing

2011-12-23T06:50:00.002-05:00

by Tim Landers. Enjoy!

Weekly Poop 12/21/11

2011-12-21T06:30:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Tuesday – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Ravens Room open up to customers at 6pm, every show. Show starts @ 7pm, ending time may vary slightly.

· Sunday, January 1 – Penguin Swim to raise money for Atlantic General Hospital. Support the Ravens Roost #44 Team HERE.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Money due by 1/27/2012. Give your checks to Larry or Marie Gerst (302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· The Chargers racked up 415 yards as the Ravens’ road woes continued in a 34-14 loss; however the Ravens clinched a playoff spot thanks to the Titans loss. The Ravens then dodged a major bullet when the 49ers beat the Steelers Monday night, allowing the Ravens to regain the #1 spot in the AFC North. The Cleveland Browns (otherwise known as the Factory of Sadness) come to town for our final regular season home game of the year, Saturday 1pm. We’ll see at least one home playoff game if the Ravens can win this weekend against the Browns and next weekend at Cincinnati.

Local Poop

· Now thru January 1, 2012 – Winterfest of Lights has been named a prestigious Top 100 Event for 2011 by American Bus Association.

Northside Park, 125th Street & The Bay
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for those 12 years & older, and FREE for those 11 years and younger.

Funny Poop

· Fred bought his wife a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas.

After hearing about this extravagant gift, a friend of his said, "I thought she wanted one of those sporty four-wheel-drive vehicles."

"She did," Fred replied. "But where was I going to find a fake Jeep?"

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

· As we do every year, my family and I will be decorating Jim Martin’s tree behind the Greene Turtle on Christmas Eve. Anyone that wants to join us is welcome. I’m sure we’ll head there after the game.

· Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Indy @ Ravens Highlights

2011-12-16T20:12:00.001-05:00

Thanks again to 82PeRK!

Stallion Week 15

2011-12-16T12:39:00.000-05:00

Stick to the program...

The Stallion is on blistering fire! Bingo Baby!

Weekly Poop 12/14/11

2011-12-14T05:44:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· Saturday – Ravens Roost Christmas Party @ the Cove Restaurant. 7-11 p.m. There will be a cash bar available for mixed drinks at happy hour prices. Music will be provided by our DJ, Mr. OC. A Chinese raffle will be held to benefit Atlantic General Hospital.

· Tuesday – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Ravens Room open up to customers at 6pm, every show. Show starts @ 7pm, ending time may vary slightly.

· Sunday, January 1 – Penguin Swim to raise money for Atlantic General Hospital. Support the Ravens Roost #44 Team HERE.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Money due by 1/27/2012. Give your checks to Larry or Marie Gerst (302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens beat the pathetic Team Irsay 24-10 in a game that was never in doubt. It’ll be a different story this week as the Ravens travel to San Diego to take on Phillip Rivers and the suddenly resurgent Chargers on Sunday Night Football, 8:20 pm. The Ravens lock up a playoff spot with a win.

Local Poop

· Friday thru Sunday – Walk Through Bethlehem, Lynnhaven Baptist Church, Pocomoke. Re-creation of history with stunning authenticity. The tour encompasses over 13,000 sq. ft. of real estate and a crew of roughly 100 volunteers in re-creating this historic event. The tour features Led by a guide, the interactive two-hour tour starts in Herod's palace in Jerusalem and leads to Bethlehem , where you will see Roman soldiers dressed in period clothes, a tax-collector booth, bread shop, salt shop, basket shop, fish house, carpentry shop, clothing store, coppersmith blacksmith, tannery, shepherd's home and, of course, the nativity scene. Throughout the tour, there will be live animals of the time, including goats, donkeys, sheep, cows, horses and even a camel. All people are dressed in period clothes and provide realistic re-enactment of the momentous historic event. Bring the whole family and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. Admission is free. Call 410-957-2858 for more information and to confirm dates and times.

· Now thru January 1, 2012 – Winterfest of Lights has been named a prestigious Top 100 Event for 2011 by American Bus Association.

Northside Park, 125th Street & The Bay
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for those 12 years & older, and FREE for those 11 years and younger.

Funny Poop

· Three men died on Christmas and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

"In honour of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

The man from England fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle", he said.

"You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said.

The man from Wales reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys He shook them and said, "They're bells."

Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".

The Irishman started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"

The Irishman replied, "These are Carols."

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

The Fletch Drinking Game

2011-12-13T21:33:00.002-05:00

Boy, what in the hell is the matter with you?

Purge all thoughts of The Chevy Chase Show or Snow Day and remember a time when Mr. Chase actually made you laugh. There was Caddyshack, National Lampoon’s Vacation, and Spies Like Us—but none could compare to Fletch. The most quotable movie ever made is a must-have for any self-respecting movie collection. So sit back, pop open a can of Coors, garnishee your wages, and prepare to laugh yourself into drunken stupor.

The Rules:

Print out this page and chill a generous reserve of your favorite vintage of beer. Keep a bottle of vodka, tequila, or gin nearby. (This is just a good idea anytime.) Pop Fletch into the VCR—if you’re lucky it’ll be on TV—and settle into the ass groove of your couch. Order a pizza and charge it to Mr. Underhill’s credit card.

Take One Drink When:

Fletch uses any of the following identities: Ted Nugent, Arnold Babar, Dr. Rosenpenis, Mr. Poon, Harry S. Truman, Igor Stravinsky, or John Cocktolstoyln.
Fletch charges something to Mr. Underhill’s account.
He uses a disguise (false teeth, doctor’s scrubs, bandages, wigs).
Larry assists him in any way (researching, scratching that hard to reach place on his back). Take an extra drink when she does both simultaneously. (Hint: Microfilm)
He uses a random Spanish phrase. (Example: Sierra del fuego.)
He gets his visit from Arnold T. Pants, Esq.
Provo, Utah is mentioned. (“It’s between Wyoming and Nevada. You’ve seen pictures.”)
He uses lingo to cover his ass. (Example: “He said he had melanoma, carcinoma…some kind of anoma.”)
He mentions his byline, Jane Doe.
Chick Hearn and Kareem Abdul-Jabar discuss Fletch’s mad b-ball skills. (“This gritty kid from the streets of Harlem really creates excitement.”)
Fletch actually shows up at the newspaper office. Do an extra drink every time Frank, his editor, yells at him.
He says, “Can I borrow your towel? My car just hit a water buffalo.”
He makes any mention of the Lakers.
He goes back to his apartment “for a second wind of beer and a wardrobe change.”
Every time Fat Sam uses the term “free junk.”
He asks for “a glass of hot fat, and the head of Alfredo Garcia.”
Any reference is made to bone cancer.
Anyone or anything gets whacked with a tennis racket. (It happens twice.)
You see a Stanwyk wedding photo anywhere (on desks, in photo albums, etc.)
Fletch uses his “service entrance.”
He tells Gail to call him Fletch.

Take Two Drinks When:
Fletch tells Gail to call him Irwin.
Gummy gets arrested.
You hear the phrase “no, never, never.” (Hint: It happens twice, one involves a tape recorder.)
He says, “It’s so simple, maybe you need a refresher course—HIIAA!—It’s all ball-bearings nowadays!”
Chief Karlin threatens to kill him.
He mentions his story about “off-track betting in the Himalayas.”
He shows a photo of the Mormon Tabernacle.
He offers to buy Frank some new deodorant.
You see a blown-up newspaper with the headline, “Leftovers are Haute Cuisine?”
You see the ugly dog photo over his bed.

Do a Shot When:
Maurice and Pierre Cavanaugh are mentioned.
Alan Stanwyk wears a Lakers jersey.
He tells Arnold T. Pants to “get [himself] a nice piece of ass.”
You see the “Mr. Potato Head” TV commercial. (Hint: Igor Stravinsky.)
Fletch says, “…that pederast, Hanerhan.”
Fletch sings his version of “Strangers in the Night.” (“Strangers in my pants…”)

Finish Every Remaining Drop of Alcohol in Your Possession If:
You can’t get the theme song “Bit by Bit” out of your head an hour after you finished watching. (Have you heard the news?/Makin’ all the headlines/Fletch is workin’ overtiiiiiiiiiiiimme!)

Stallion Week 14

2011-12-08T18:23:00.000-05:00

Trust him when he tells ya...

Ravens/Steelers

2011-12-08T06:39:00.001-05:00

Ravens, Steelers fighting to the end

By Jamison Hensley

The Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers don't face each other on the field for the rest of the regular season, but the AFC North rivals are engaged in the NFL's best battle over the next four weeks.

Both teams boast 9-3 records, the best marks in the division as well as the AFC. Both teams realize they can't afford another loss. And both teams know what's at stake.

The winner takes the AFC North title, a home playoff game and likely a first-round bye. The loser gets to pack its bags and head on the road for the postseason.

So, the Ravens and Steelers aren't fighting over supremacy of the division. They're fighting for a trip to the Super Bowl, based on recent history in the AFC and between the franchises.

The past four AFC champions have either been a No. 1 or No. 2 seed. The last fifth or sixth seed in the AFC to reach the Super Bowl was the 2005 Steelers.
The Ravens began talking about their quest for a top seed before the season began. Getting home field in this rivalry isn't only an advantage, it's a necessity. Baltimore is 7-2 against the Steelers at home since 2003, while two of the Ravens' past three seasons have ended in Pittsburgh.

Players on both teams anticipate Baltimore and Pittsburgh meeting in the playoffs once again.

"We’re going to have to see this team in January," Baltimore linebacker Terrell Suggs said after the Ravens won in Pittsburgh last month. "We just positioned ourselves for them to have to come to M&T [Bank Stadium] so we can do it.”

The Ravens and Steelers are the class of the AFC, even though they have the same record as New England and Houston. It's just difficult to think of the Patriots and Texans as serious contenders when New England has the NFL's worst defense and Houston has a third-string rookie starting at quarterback.

It's also difficult to think the Ravens or the Steelers will go to the stadium of their fiercest rival and leave with a victory. That's not to say it's impossible. Joe Flacco has led the Ravens on last-minute, game-winning touchdown drives on his last two regular-season trips to Pittsburgh's Heinz Field. And Ben Roethlisberger has thrown two winning, fourth-quarter touchdown passes in Baltimore in 2008 and 2010.

Still, both teams and their defenses are playing at a different level when they're in front of their home crowd. The Ravens have won eight straight games at M&T Bank Stadium, the second-longest current streak in the NFL (behind the Green Bay Packers). Baltimore has outscored opponents at home 175-95, beating the likes of Pittsburgh, Houston, San Francisco, Cincinnati and the New York Jets.

The Steelers are 29-9 (.763) at Heinz Field under coach Mike Tomlin, including 5-1 this season. Pittsburgh has outscored teams at home 159-77, defeating the likes of New England, Tennessee and Cincinnati.

What makes it so tough to beat these teams at their own place is Ray Lewis, Suggs, Troy Polamalu and James Harrison. Since 2008, the Ravens have given up the fewest points at home (13.4) and the Steelers have allowed the second fewest (15.7). Over that same span, Pittsburgh has given up the fewest yards at home (268.6) and Baltimore has allowed the second fewest (272.2).

The difference is the Ravens can decide their playoff future. If Baltimore wins the final four games, the Ravens will host their first playoff game since 2006.

"We know we control our own destiny," Ravens running back Ray Rice said. "Regardless of who we play, we've got to take care of business."

The reason the Ravens control their destiny is because they swept Pittsburgh in the regular season for only the second time in their history. Giving up that 92-yard drive to Flacco in the final minutes represents the difference between the Steelers leading the Ravens and trailing them.

Now, in order for the Steelers to win their sixth AFC North title, they have to finish one game ahead of Baltimore. That means Pittsburgh needs to win its last four games (home against Cleveland, at San Francisco, home against St. Louis and at Cleveland) and the Ravens need to lose at least one of their remaining games (home against winless Indianapolis, at San Diego, home against Cleveland and at Cincinnati).

"Coach Tomlin always talks about just playing," Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward said. "Don't look at Baltimore. We just have to worry about what we can do [and] take it one game at a time."

Ward added: "We just have to keep playing. We can't control what Baltimore does. If we do what we do, at the end, we might be there in the hunt of things."

For the Ravens and Steelers, the end of this season has a different feel because the teams aren't playing each other in December for the first time in five years. Instead of delivering knockout blows to one another, the Ravens and Steelers know that beating the other teams could hurt their rival just as much.

If Baltimore wins out, it likely will earn the top seed in the AFC based on a better strength of victory over New England and Houston. That would mean the road to the Super Bowl would go through Baltimore for the first time in the Ravens' 16-year existence.

“Our guys understand the importance of where we’re at," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said, "because if you’re going to be at this level, you’re not just competing against the team you have to play on Sunday."

Old Coach Interviews Current Coach

2011-12-08T06:28:00.002-05:00

Love these guys!

Weekly Poop 12/7/11

2011-12-07T06:42:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Ravens Room open up to customers at 6pm, every show. Show starts @ 7pm, ending time may vary slightly. Show is usually Wednesdays, except for Thanksgiving & possibly Monday or Thursday games.

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· December 17, 2011 – Ravens Roost Christmas Party @ the Cove Restaurant. 7-11 p.m. Cost: $25 pp which includes: Chef's choice of soup, house salad with fresh vegetables, choice from the following 3 entrees: Herb lemon roasted chicken breast with roasted potatoes and vegetables; 8 oz. sirloin topped with blue cheese crumbles and a mushroom demi-glaze with roasted potatoes and vegetables; or Jumbo fried shrimp with cheddar grits and fresh vegetable. Rolls and butter, spiced cheese cake, beer, wine, non alcoholic beverages and gratuity. There will be a cash bar available for mixed drinks at happy hour prices. Music will be provided by our DJ, Mr. OC. A Chinese raffle will be held to benefit Atlantic General Hospital. Cut off date to sign up is December 8^th. You can contact Tom Maly at 302-541-0780 or tmaly818@mchsi.com. Checks for this event can be mailed to Tom at 16 Avondale Drive Ocean View, DE 19970.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Money due by 1/27/2012. Give your checks to Larry or Marie Gerst (302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

· From our President: We are looking for additional items for the Chinese Auction at our Christmas Party on Dec. 17th. This is the main fundraiser for the RR44 Penguin Swim Team to raise money for Atlantic General Hospital. Direct money donations are also appreciated, and
can be made online by going to the web site HERE. You can donate to a particular team member or to the RR44 Team.
Please see if you can get donations from the local establishments you frequent and bring them to the Dec. meeting. Items for the silent auction can be gift certificates, bottles of wine or liquor, golf items, art work, etc. Anything you would buy chances to win. Thanks, Gary.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens ran all over the Brownies in Cleveland and rolled to a 24-10 victory. Ray Rice ran for a personal high 204 yards. Next up, the team from Indy comes to Baltimore to try and maintain their perfect season, 1pm. The bus leaves @ 7:30am.

Local Poop

· Saturday & Sunday – Walk Through Bethlehem, Lynnhaven Baptist Church, Pocomoke. Re-creation of history with stunning authenticity. The tour encompasses over 13,000 sq. ft. of real estate and a crew of roughly 100 volunteers in re-creating this historic event. The tour features Led by a guide, the interactive two-hour tour starts in Herod's palace in Jerusalem and leads to Bethlehem , where you will see Roman soldiers dressed in period clothes, a tax-collector booth, bread shop, salt shop, basket shop, fish house, carpentry shop, clothing store, coppersmith blacksmith, tannery, shepherd's home and, of course, the nativity scene. Throughout the tour, there will be live animals of the time, including goats, donkeys, sheep, cows, horses and even a camel. All people are dressed in period clothes and provide realistic re-enactment of the momentous historic event. Bring the whole family and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas. Admission is free. Call 410-957-2858 for more information and to confirm dates and times.

· Sunday – The Reindeer Run 5K, The Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. 5K starting and ending at The Atlantic Hotel in Berlin. $20 registration fee. Participants can run, walk or both. Activities include food and drink with Santa carriage rides beginning at 11am. Friendly dogs and baby stroller are welcome. Awards to top finishers. For more information, contact Lisa at 410-213-1078.

· Now thru January 1, 2012 – Winterfest of Lights has been named a prestigious Top 100 Event for 2011 by American Bus Association.

Northside Park, 125th Street & The Bay
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for those 12 years & older, and FREE for those 11 years and younger.

Funny Poop

· A golfer has been slicing off the tee on every hole. He asks his Irish caddy if he has noticed any obvious reasons for his poor tee shots, to which the caddy replies, “Aye, there's a piece of shit on the end of your driver.” The Golfer picks up his driver and cleans the club face, at which point the caddy says, “No, the other end.”

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

· On December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Territory, killing more than 2,300 Americans. The U.S.S. Arizona was completely destroyed and the U.S.S. Oklahoma capsized. A total of twelve ships sank or were beached in the attack and nine additional vessels were damaged. More than 160 aircraft were destroyed and more than 150 others damaged. A hurried dispatch from the ranking United States naval officer in Pearl Harbor, Commander in Chief Pacific, to all major navy commands and fleet units provided the first official word of the attack at the ill-prepared Pearl Harbor base. It said simply: AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR X THIS IS NOT DRILL. The following day President Franklin Roosevelt, addressing a joint session of Congress, called December 7 "a date which will live in infamy." Declaring war against Japan, Congress ushered the United States into World War II.

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Remember Danny?

2011-12-03T12:17:00.000-05:00

Run Chicken Run (with a little Led thrown in), live at the Green Parrot.

Man I miss Mellow Beach!

Goodbye Westminster

2011-12-02T18:05:00.001-05:00

Bummer.

Difficult Decision But Right One...

More here...

Stallion Week 13

2011-12-01T20:25:00.000-05:00

He's a true Baltimoron, he just lives in Florida!

Weekly Poop 11/30/11

2011-11-30T06:15:00.000-05:00

Roost #44 Poop

· Dates to Remember:

· Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox. Ravens Room open up to customers at 6pm, every show. Every Show you attend, you get two Free Raffle Tickets (1 Red, 1 Blue) EVERY Show two of the Red Prize tickets are pulled for prizes that night: about 30 minutes into show, for Ravens Merchandise or an Original Greene Turtle Gift Certificate. At the end of the show, another drawing; this one will always be Ravens Merchandise. The Red tickets, after each, show are discarded. The Blue Tickets are for the Grand Prize of a Ravens Trip for 2 to San Diego. The Drawing is TONIGHT & you must be present to win! You get a blue ticket for the Trip for every show you come to, so the more shows, the more chances. Show starts @ 7pm, ending time may vary slightly. Show is usually Wednesdays, except for Thanksgiving & possibly Monday or Thursday games.

· Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @

· December 17, 2011 – Ravens Roost Christmas Party @ the Cove Restaurant. 7-11 p.m. Cost: $25 pp which includes: Chef's choice of soup, house salad with fresh vegetables, choice from the following 3 entrees: Herb lemon roasted chicken breast with roasted potatoes and vegetables; 8 oz. sirloin topped with blue cheese crumbles and a mushroom demi-glaze with roasted potatoes and vegetables; or Jumbo fried shrimp with cheddar grits and fresh vegetable. Rolls and butter, spiced cheese cake, beer, wine, non alcoholic beverages and gratuity. There will be a cash bar available for mixed drinks at happy hour prices. Music will be provided by our DJ, Frank Berterman. A Chinese raffle will be held to benefit Atlantic General Hospital. Cut off date to sign up is December 8^th. You can contact Tom Maly at 302-541-0780 or tmaly818@mchsi.com. Checks for this event can be mailed to Tom at 16 Avondale Drive Ocean View, DE 19970.

· Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox. Cost: $23 pp. Time: 5:30 till? Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake. Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda. All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices. Money due by 1/27/2012. Give your checks to Larry or Marie Gerst (302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.

Ravens Poop

· The Ravens dominated on defense and special teams and the offense played balanced and error-free as the Ravens beat the 49ers on Thanksgiving night 16-6. On a night when our game was the most-watched program in the eight-year history of NFL Network and the most-watched cable program ever on Thanksgiving, the Ravens did not allow San Francisco into the Red Zone, sacked QB Alex Smith nine times and limited the 49ers to two long field goals. Next up, the Ravens travel to the Land of Cleve to play the Browns. This game has been flexed to a 4:05 start.

Local Poop

· Friday – Washington National Opera, 7:00pm - 9:00pm. As part of The Freeman Stage 2011 Off-Stage Series, we will be welcoming back Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Program. Overseen by Plácido Domingo, the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program is unique in guiding young opera singers, coaches/accompanists, conductors, and stage directors on the verge of international careers. Don’t miss this chance to hear world class opera in your backyard! Tickets are $10 per person, with kids 18 and under being free. This performance will be held at the Owens Campus of Delaware Technical & Community College, located in Georgetown, DE on Route 18. There will be limited seating, so buy your tickets today!

· Saturday – A Nutcracker Christmas Celebration, Julia A. Purnell Museum. An event inspired by the beloved Christmas ballet. See a display of nutcrackers and enjoy refreshments inspired by the Nutcracker. Children can work on a nutcracker craft to take home. Admission. Saturday, 10 am - 4pm at the Julia A. Purnell Museum in Snow Hill, MD. For more information, call Claire Otterbein at 410-632-0515.

· Saturday – Christmas Parade, Gold Coast Mall, 115th St. Wonderful holiday parade with school bands, floats, horses and llamas, marching units and Santa Claus. Many activities in Gold Coast Mall following the parade. Parade starts Saturday at 11am at 100^th Street and ends at Gold Coast Mall at 115th Street. Parade route subject to change. Contact Elaine Jarvis at 410-524-9000 or honijarvis@cs.com with questions. (Boy, it’s been a long time since RR44 marched in this parade. Just sayin’.)

· Sunday – Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645 Coats for Kids Golf Tournament, Eagles Landing Golf Course. Golf tournament at Eagles Landing Golf Course with ALL proceeds benefitting Worcester County G.O.L.D. and Buckingham Elementary School. Shotgun Start 10am. $30.00 per person, includes lunch at Eagles Landing. For more information, call 410-250-2645.

· Now thru January 1, 2012 – Winterfest of Lights has been named a prestigious Top 100 Event for 2011 by American Bus Association.

Northside Park, 125th Street & The Bay
Sunday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 5:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.

Admission is $5.00 for those 12 years & older, and FREE for those 11 years and younger.

Funny Poop

· An older couple is playing in the annual club championship. They are playing in a playoff hole and it is down to a 6 inch putt that the wife has to make. She takes her stance and her husband can see her trembling. She putts and misses, they lose the match. On the way home in the car her husband is fuming, "I can't believe you missed that putt!" "That putt was no longer than my 'willy'." The wife just looked over at her husband and smiled and said, "Yes dear, but it was much harder!"

Etcetera

· Got poop? Let me know! I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it. Your input is appreciated.

· Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.

· Life is short. Focus on the good.

· Long live the Joe Manchu!

Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go

And put that ball across the line

So fly with talons spread wide

Go in and strike with Ravens pride

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Ravens dark wings take flight

Dive in and show them your might

For Baltimore and Maryland

You will fly on to victory

Makes a Great Christmas Gift

2011-11-29T11:21:00.000-05:00

Decorate your man cave in style with authentic Ravens Eyes!

Order yours here today!

Ravens Highlights Harbowl Edition

2011-11-27T08:51:00.000-05:00

Thanks to 82PeRK! You are the best!