Ravens retired early, gave game away to Patriots in 23-20 loss

The Baltimore Ravens gave a lot of hope and excitement for this 2010 season based off of off-season actions, but so far, many fans have been none to pleased with the 4-2, 2-1 record.

Coming off two big games–one being a huge 17-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a touchdown throw to T.J. Houshmandzadeh with 32-seconds left in the game in week 4, and eating the Denver Broncos alive in week 5 winning 31-17—Baltimore fans should be more than happy with their team.

But nonetheless, every talk show Sunday afternoon and Monday morning was full of fans bashing the Ravens and their performance after the Ravens basically gave away week 6’s game against the Patriots as they fell 23-20 in overtime.

The first three quarters of the game, the Ravens seemed that they would walk away with the win as they navigated the field in uncharted territory–not an easy feat at Foxborough, one of the hardest fields to travel to.

The Ravens were ten up for at least half of the game and in the third, with the score 20-10, the game should have been a slam dunk.

Key words: should have been. In the fourth quarter,

Sports logos controversy

When sports fans think of their favorite sports team–whether it be at the professional, collegiate or high school level, one of the first images that pops in their head is the team logo.

The raven with the Baltimore “B” for the Baltimore Ravens, the “D” with the devil for the Duke Blue Devils. The Gator for the Florida Gators.

I know that even in grade school I would sketch that interlocking N.C. for the University of North Carolina TarHeels on my binder.

So why are these logos such a big deal?

Recently, the University of Florida cracked down on two Florida high schools that have been using the UF gator symbol; at Palm Beach Gardens’ campus the Gator was depicted on the gym floor, team uniforms and other school property. The other school, Glades Day, received the same message: remove the Gators logo from your campus.

Collegiate Licensing Company, an Atlanta-based group that offers licensing protection services to more than 200  schools, recently asked a number of high schools to stop using college trademarks on team uniforms and school property that are trademarked to universities.

Closer to home, Westminster High School in previous years also was accused of stealing their Owl mascot picture from the Temple Owl.

What other schools out there have derived their logo and mascot based off of a big university? Why is this a big deal–should these colleges go after high schools, or are they making a fuss for no reason.

With so much going on with bowl games, recruiting and dealing with national recognition, should colleges go after small high schools using their teams logos and mascots?

What are your takes? is stealing a trademark that evokes emotion to fans wrong, or is this no big deal and the colleges should let it all go?

Baltimore Ravens joins list of contenders for 2nd annual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award

***NOTE FROM CCSPORTAHOLIC: this is a reposting of an article emailed from Tanya Rydners. Contact her for more inforation at Tanya.Rynders@mslworldwide.com *****

RAVENS OFFENSIVE LINE HELPS GROUND GAME POUND OUT IMPRESSIVE WEEK FIVE VICTORY OVER BRONCOS

Baltimore Wins Third Straight Behind Solid Protection From Offensive Line; Joins List of Contenders for 2^ndAnnual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC

CINCINNATI, OH (October 13, 2010)– The Baltimore Ravens put up a season-best 415 yards on offense, including four rushing touchdowns and 233 yards on the ground in a convincing 31-17 victory over the Denver Broncos Sunday afternoon. By doing so, the Ravens offensive line has joined this year’s list of contenders for the 2^ndAnnual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, presented byPrilosec OTC. The award honors the NFL’s best offensive line and will be presented during the week of Super Bowl XLV which will be played on February 6, 2011 in North Texas.

The Madden Most Valuable ProtectorsAward recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing consistent and reliable protection day in and day out, just as Prilosec OTC provides 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed. Last year, the offensive line of the Super Bowl Champions New Orleans Saints was named first-ever winner of the award.  For more information on the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC, visit www.MaddenProtectorsAward.com.

Baltimore running back RAY RICE (Rutgers) rushed for a season best 133 yards and scored two touchdowns as the Ravens ran out to a 17-0 lead and coasted to its third straight victory. The win allowed Baltimore to move past Pittsburgh into sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

The Baltimore offensive line was dominating throughout the game helping the Ravens pick up 17 rushing first downs while allowing just one sack and scoring touchdowns on three drives of 67 or more yards. As a result of the long drives, Baltimore dominated the time of possession (36:17 vs. 23:43 for Denver).  Providing the powerful protection up front for the Ravens were tackles MICHAEL OHER (Mississippi) and MARSHAL YANDA (Iowa), guards CHRIS CHESTER (Oklahoma) and BEN GRUBBS (Auburn) as well as 13-year veteran MATT BIRK(Harvard). The Baltimore offensive line has allowed just five quarterbacks sacks on quarterback JOE FLACCO (Delaware) all season, tied for 2^nd fewest in the league. JOHN MATSKO, a 37-year coaching veteran, is in his third season directing the Ravens’ offensive line.

“I really liked what I have seen from the Baltimore offensive line over the last few weeks,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN.  “Last week the Ravens line was extremely efficient in their pass protection in the win against Pittsburgh and this week their run blocking was exceptional allowing their running backs to pick up quality yards.”

Other offensive lines from around the league delivering powerful protection during Week 5 of the season included theDALLAS COWBOYS (370 net yards passing, and a 6.1 average yards per rushing attempt), NEW YORK GIANTS (414 total net yards including 117 yards rushing and 297 yards passing) and the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (506 total net yards including 431 yards passing).