(AFC Title game reaction): “THE BENGALS! THE BENGALS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!” Narrator: That right there is a Ravens fan’s worst nightmare. Watching the Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC Championship in Kansas City in what many people in this city claimed should have been theirs. It’s a pain to witness. We dealt with the same thing a decade ago when we couldn’t get over the playoff hump mostly due to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus we had to watch them in 2 Super Bowls before we could get a taste of it in 2012. With many people describing the future of this organization as troublesome, there is a sense of doubt starting to kick in. But we need to believe in a different way. Marylander: THE RAVENS WILL BE IN ARIZONA NEXT FEBRUARY!
CHARM CITY BEASTS
Starring Lamar Jackson, John Harbaugh, Greg Roman, Don Martindale, Mike Macdonald, Eric DeCosta, Ozzie Newsome, Sashi Brown, with Dick Cass, and Steve Bisciotti. Guest Appearances by the Salty Marylander, and Ravens Mascot Poe.
(Season 2) Episode 19: Scheming Plans to Take Back the North
Created by Bragging Rights Sports
Narrator: There have been massive transitions made at the Under Armour Performance Center. After what can be considered as the most agonizing season in franchise history, the Ravens have decided to make a few changes in the front office and the coaching staff. Many fans were claiming for the Roman Empire to pack his bags after the Steelers game in Week 18. (They still are) However, there was one thing people forgot to realize. He never got to use his full offense because of the injury bug. In G-Ro’s defense, Boy Wonder Johnny Harbaugh is convinced that he can have a strong bounce back next year in 2022. With their 2 Pro Bowl caliber RB’s coming back next year he will have all of the tools to work with. However the Ravens did make a change to their coordinator room. Wink Martindale after 4 productive seasons as Defensive Coordinator resigned after a long conversation with Harbaugh. His contract was set to expire, plus the Ravens wanted a new look on defense. Luckily for Martindale, the Giants saw him on the market and quickly snatched him up for the same role. Searching for their next Defensive Coordinator, the Ravens needed someone who could adapt to the modern offense. Unlike previous times Harbaugh didn’t go for an old friend from Philadelphia or from within. He went for a young mastermind from the University of Michigan. MIKE MACDONALD! (Inauguration measure played by Marching Ravens) Many Marylanders including myself claimed that this man would restore the legacy of the BALTIMORE DEFENSE. However others outside of the city claim that they won’t recover from losing Martindale! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (This chirping is coming from Bengals and Browns fans) PAUSE.
Narrator: As I was saying. Macdonald’s reputation at Michigan with Captain Khaki was insane. He took an underachieving defense with no expectations and turned them into a juggernaut overnight. Not to mention he was a huge reason for why the Wolverines overtook Ohio State and Penn State as BIG10 Champions. This man made Aidan Hutchinson the #1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Plus he turned David Ojabo into a possible Top 10 pick. Look at what he could do with Odafe Oweh and Patrick Queen. 2 promising linebackers nearing the prime of their careers. Plus Tyus Bowser should be back by training camp after suffering an achilles tear in the game against Pittsburgh in Week 18. Also I didn’t even mention the best part. Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey will both be back next year according to Eric DeCosta. When healthy this is perhaps the best CB duo in the league. If Wink had success coaching those 2, who knows what Mac can do. The only weakness could be on the D-Line. Despite having the top run defense in the league, there will be a transition in that room. Calais Campbell, and Brandon Williams are both FAs and are nearing retirement. And they probably can only afford one of them. Not to mention Derek Wolfe is coming off a serious back injury. Justin Madubuike, and Broderick Washington had solid 2nd seasons, but they may need one more excellent piece up front. The man that EDC has his eyes on in that role is Jordan Davis of the University of Georgia. He was the captain of their National Championship defense. At 345 pounds, he would be a perfect fit for this defense with his abilities to stop the run and pressure the QB. (“We need the next Haloti Ngata” -Marylander)
The addition of Macdonald isn’t the only move the Ravens have made this offseason. Dick Cass, their longtime team president, retired after the season. This honestly stings me, Cass made the gameday experience at M&T Bank Stadium one of the best in all of the sports. He made Ravens games enjoyable to attend, and gave fans great memories. All of the effort he put into the stadium renovations in 2019 was to me what led to the birth of the Blackout. Without those renovations, they don’t have the most fire night game intro in the league, they don’t convince the fans to wear one color to a specific game, and they aren’t one of the leaders in the league in stadium technology. This man along with Bisciotti has made the Ravens into the organization they are today. Now the time has come to find his replacement. And just like Ozzie Newsome, they hired a former executive for the Cleveland Browns. Sashi Brown. Marylander: WAIT A MINUTE! HOW DID DICK CASS TURN INTO SASHI BROWN!? GOD ITS LIKE THEY WANT TO GO BACKWARDS! Narrator: Woah, woah, hold it right there. Marylander: Why? HE WAS WHY THEY WENT 0-16! Narrator: Yes you can say that, but Sashi was the least of their issues. Marylander: Oh right they have Jimmy Haslam and Hue Jackson was the coach. Narrator: He was the man that allowed them to gain all of the players they have now. Myles Garrett, Nick Chubb, Denzel Ward. Those players were acquired by Brown. Plus when he was with the Wizards he ruined the future of the Lakers with the Westbrook Trade. Marylander: Oh, now I see your point. RAVENS GOING TO SUPER BOWL LVII! Narrator: Already hoping for a trip to the desert, like the optimism.
Cass’ departure isn’t the only figure of M&T Bank Stadium that they have lost to retirement. Their longtime PA Announcer and top reporter for Fox 45 Bruce Cunningham retired after 31 years with the station. Just like Cass, this is another pill for me to swallow. Cunningham was what made the energy at the stadium what it is today now with Greg Davis in that role. Whenever I heard the phrase “13 time Pro Bowler, 2 Time NFL Defensive Player of the Year” before Ray Lewis came out to Hot in Herre, I like every fan was screaming my head off. I miss hearing Lee Greenwood, and U2 being played before every home game. There is one phrase that describes Cunningham’s enthusiasm. “Baltimore, ITS 3RD DOWN!” Whenever he said that especially in the Ray Era you knew there would be a big stop coming. He was a big piece of my childhood, and him being in the PA Booth and Press Box was a blessing. Take care of him, Football Gods.
Now we get to talk about the foundation of the team. And we all know who this starts with. PLANET LJ! Just like Joe Flacco a decade ago, Jackson is expected to play out his 5th year option without a contract. And similar to Flacco, he has had to watch a division rival and conference foe in a Super Bowl before he can even get there. Lamar’s main focus this offseason is not the contract. He is trying to get back on the field as quickly as possible. However a sports blogger for the newly named Washington Commanders thinks otherwise. In a well written article he claimed that the Ravens should really consider trading Jackson. Marylander: OH THAT IS A FAKE HEADLINE! ERIC DECOSTA AND HARBAUGH ARE NOT FALLING FOR THIS! Narrator: I agree with you. He probably wants the Commanders to get the franchise QB they have been missing since Joe Theissman. But speaking of those rumors, Harbaugh has claimed that Lamar is our guy, and we will do what we can to get a Super Bowl. (Thank god ESPN and NFL Network haven’t made that headline or rumor) With Mark Andrews being the runner up for Pro Bowl MVP, they are certainly going to try. Planet LJ isn’t the only one that will likely get his 5th year option. Marquise Brown is expected to get his for the 2023 season. I feel like this is a smart move. Wherever Jackson goes, Hollywood will go with him. It’s been this way since their childhood. Hollywood himself believes that with Lamar at 100% he can get close to 1400 yards receiving. Not only does Lamar have Hollywood, Rashod Bateman is a rising star, and Devin Duvernay has been rumored to be used as a Deebo Samuel type option back. This also includes the fact that both Dobbins and Edwards are returning next season too. If this team is healthy next year they could be on a mission towards Arizona in February of 2023. Perhaps no one has optimism like this than the guest that’s about to join us now. Ladies and Gentlemen, he is a 10 time Pro Bowler, 6 time All Pro, 2 time Super Bowl Champion, and has served in 4 AFE Military Tours. Now in his 24th year with the team, please welcome the official mascot of the Baltimore Ravens, the one and only Poe.
Narrator: Hi Poe, how are you doing today?
Poe: WHISTLING (I’m doing great, Hi everyone! Clap your hands if you love the Ravens!)
Narrator: Love the spirit Poe, I see you brought me a protein shake.
Poe: WHISTLING (Yes, it has Old Bay in it as well as fruits and vegetables)
Narrator: Let me take a sip… OH THATS SPICY! But hey what’s Maryland without Old Bay and McCormick spices?
Poe: WHISTLING (It’s just the way we like it. I also have a crossword puzzle for you to solve.)
Narrator: Oh that looks tough but I think I can do it.
Poe: WHISTLING (Good luck, also I have a game for you too)
Narrator: What is it?
Poe: WHISTLING (Pictionary)
Narrator: I think I’ve heard of that game. Isn’t it the one where someone draws a picture and the others have to guess what it is in 30 seconds?
Poe: WHISTLING (Yes it is)
Narrator: Alright, fire away Poe. Lets see, you’re drawing a person. He’s got a cap, he has a headset, he’s pointing at someone, this is hard, he has the Ravens logo on the cap. He wears a T-Shirt, oh and time just ran up. Poe I’m wondering what it is? Let me guess, is it Harbaugh?
Poe: WHISTLING (YOU ARE CORRECT!)
Narrator: All right, I can play these kinds of games.
Poe: WHISTLING (You are very good for a 1st time player)
Narrator: Anyways Poe, I brought you in to talk about the state of the Ravens franchise, plus some of my favorite memories of you and the team.
Poe: WHISTLING (I’m excited to hear about it)
Narrator: First of all, how was your experience at the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas?
Poe: WHISTLING (I loved it, I’m bummed we didn’t make the Super Bowl, but it’s fun to see all of my friends again.)
Narrator: I hear you were giving Victor, and Rowdy (The Vikings and Cowboys mascots) a hard time since they were only waving to the cameras.
Poe: WHISTLING (I wanted them to flex on the camera like I was, so when I saw them, I said “That’s all you’re doing, just waving, just flex for the cam one time.”)
Narrator: Yeah looks like you were the cool kid in town among mascots in Vegas.
Poe: WHISTLING (Being in the Pro Bowl isn’t a treat, it’s a popularity contest of who is the coolest mascot, and I think I won that.)
Narrator: You also gave Roary the Lions mascot the business during Mascot Training Camp in 2018 during the meetings.
Poe: WHISTLING (He was playing with his note papers because Staley was chucking them at him. If I wanted to, I would have roasted Staley too. I told those 2 to cut out that nonsense.)
Narrator: You must be super disciplined and I’m guessing you are a smart mascot when it comes to learning.
Poe: WHISTLING (You got that right)
Narrator: Well you and Mark Andrews were totally satisfied with your trips to the Pro Bowl weren’t you?
Poe: WHISTLING (I agree, he should have been Pro Bowl MVP instead of Justin Herbert)
Narrator: Maybe he’ll get it next time, but we need to be in the Super Bowl next year.
Poe: WHISTLING (ABSOLUTELY!)
Narrator: Which leads me to the next topic, the 2 of us both attended Super Bowl XLVII almost 10 years ago, when the Ravens beat the 49ers. I remember my week very well, I’m wondering how it went for you?
Poe: WHISTLING (I mean it was unbelievable. Of course I was at Super Bowl XXXV with my brothers Edgar and Allen, but I wasn’t as popular then as I am today. This experience was awesome, because I felt like we were going to win it right from the start.)
Narrator: I don’t think I’ve ever heard this story, Edgar and Allen were with you at the Super Bowl pre-events but not at the game. What did you guys do?
Poe: WHISTLING (The 3 of us were walking Bourbon Street, and Ravens fans were like, where have your brothers been. I said, retirement duties but I decided to bring them back for the Super Bowl. We were collecting beads, and necklaces all week. It was lively. I really enjoyed the NFL Experience at the Convention Center.)
Narrator: I was there that Saturday, I don’t remember seeing you or your brothers there. Although I did run into Ray Rice, and Michael Oher while I was walking near Bourbon Street. They were pulling into their car, and my family happened to see them, so they rolled down the window, and we told them good luck.
Poe: WHISTLING (That must have been cool)
Narrator: Early in that game we jumped on them 28-6 and it was going to be a blowout, what was your reaction to that early lead?
Poe: WHISTLING (IT WAS FUN! My favorite part of the game during the game was chilling on the sidelines at halftime, eating popcorn and those Old Bay protein shakes while watching Beyonce. I was jumping like crazy in the 1st Half, so I decided to chill out at the half)
Narrator: You must have been starving! What was that feeling when the power went out, I thought I was going to throw up because we didn’t know what would happen. What did you do?
Poe: WHISTLING (I was with the cheerleaders, they felt exactly the way you did. My 1st point of view was that the 49ers were quitting, but then I said, OH NO!)
Narrator: I agree with you Poe, because San Francisco came back… ONLY TO STOPPED AT THE 5 YARD LINE!
Poe: WHISTLING (THAT’S RIGHT! It was the best feeling of my career, because I could embrace the celebration. Plus I got to celebrate with my brothers too)
Narrator: If we go to the Super Bowl in Arizona next winter, you think you will bring your brothers with you.
Poe: WHISTLING (I’ve been telling Harbaugh to bring them back, but he mostly has ruled them out, Although I like Rise and Conquer)
Narrator: I don’t think I ever met Edgar and Allen. I bet they were fun to watch.
Poe: WHISTLING (Well when they were in action I wasn’t as STRONG as I am now. Back then I was designed to look like a lineman. But now since 2015 I have lost 40 pounds by going to Merritt Athletic Clubs)
Narrator: WOW YOU ARE ONE HARD WORKER!
Poe: WHISTLING (Yes I am.)
Narrator: Poe, one of my favorite memories outside of the Super Bowl, was the first time I met you.
Poe: WHISTLING (When was that?)
Narrator: It was during the 2009 playoffs at a local sports bar in Timonium. I was kind of scared of you at first because you’re so much bigger than I was back then. I was only in 2nd grade back then, but then I felt loved by you once you grabbed my back. I remember that weekend because we beat the Pats in the Wild Card game on the road.
Poe: WHISTLING (Thank you. I love it when fans reach out to me and give them comfort. I love hearing from them.)
Narrator: Poe do you think we can make a Super Bowl run next year with the team we have?
Poe: WHISTLING (TOTALLY! Even when I get down, I always tell myself to believe in myself and my team. One of these days our dream will come true, and we will get our shot in the Big Show)
Narrator: I agree. Do you think Lamar can win it all?
Poe: WHISTLING (Oh for sure! I believe that he will carry us to glory. If we almost made the playoffs without him. We can go all the way with him leading us.
Narrator: Poe before we wrap up today, I’ve got something for both of us. Cue the music! (Hot in Herre playing)
Poe: WHISTLING (I love this song!)
Narrator: Here we go! Here it comes. Unleash the Squirrel Dance! (Nelly: OH!) Oh, Ah, Oh, AAAAH! Let’s go!
Poe: WHISTLING (My boy, thanks for the love!)
Narrator: Ladies and Gentlemen, he is the mascot of the Baltimore Ravens, give it up one more time for Poe!
Poe: WHISTLING (Keep in touch bro, I would love to be a regular guest)
Narrator: Alright, I’ll think about it, you’ll definitely have a role.
Poe: WHISTLING (SOUNDS GREAT! See you soon!)
Narrator: Thanks Poe! What do you think, Salty Marylander?
Marylander: RAVENS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL IN ARIZONA! YEAAAAAAAH! (Tune in for the Charm City Beasts free agency special in a few weeks. Prepare the optimism)
Bragging Rights Sports 