Another bird is about to leave the nest. The details are still being ironed out, but Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed and the Houston Texans are close to a deal as reported by NFL.com’s Albert Breer on Wednesday.

Reed texted Breer to say he would sign on Thursday. Details have not been disclosed, Breer said they  are working on a two-year deal.

Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed to Sign With Houston Texans

The 34-year old Reed is likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He played 11 seasons in Baltimore. He is a nine-time Pro Bowler and the 2004 Defensive Player of the Year. He had 70 career interceptions with the Ravens.

Aside from his ball hawking capabilities on the field, Reed was a leader in the locker room. Head coach John Harbaugh spoke about his leadership:

“He was a great leader,” Harbaugh said. “Our relationship has just blossomed. It’s been good, but this year with Ed especially, we really just got close. The leadership he brought to the team, through Ray’s [triceps injury], was really fantastic.”

The Ravens let Reed test the free agent market to see if he could find a better deal. The Ravens did the same with newly retired linebacker Ray Lewis in 2009, Lewis decided to stay with the team. Reed’s story has a different ending.

While Reed hinted at retiring in the past, he changed his tune and decided to go for the money even if it meant leaving the team he played for his entire career. He admitted the decision wasn’t easy:

“It’s definitely tough, but after 11 years, you pretty much understand things about the business. After leaving a program like Miami and being around the great people in Baltimore, I think the transition (to his next team) will be all right.”

Reed is the sixth defensive starter to leave during this year’s free agency. He follows in the footsteps of linebackers Ray Lewis, Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe, cornerback Cary Williams and safety Bernard Pollard.

Reed is one of my favorite Ravens so it will hard to say good-bye. I will never forget watching him on game day, his ball hawking skills are legendary and will land him in the Hall of Fame someday. I’m thankful that Reed remained a Raven for so long, I will miss him. Good luck in Houston.

The World Champion Baltimore Ravens are supposed to host the Thursday Night Football game on September 5, but a scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles may put a wrench in their celebratory game.

The Orioles are scheduled to play the Chicago White Sox the same night. The ballpark and stadium are next to each other and share parking lots so there is no chance of both games happening at the same time.

Will Baltimore Ravens Host 2013 Home Opener?

The National Football League (NFL) ruled out a Wednesday night game due to the start of the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah).

The NFL was supposed to announce the Ravens opponent for the September 5 game during the NFL owners meeting in Arizona on Monday, but was delayed pending the outcome of the game location.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Major League Baseball (MLB) Commission Bud Selig are in talks about the issue; they hope to reach a compromise. The possibility of a double-header has been suggested.

Goodell, admitted he grew up an Orioles fan, would like to see a double-header:

“As a little kid who grew up as an Orioles fan, to have the Orioles game in the afternoon and then go to the Ravens Super Bowl championship celebration for the kickoff game would be a great day,” Goodell said. “We hope that’s the way it will happen.”

Another option is to have the Ravens play on the road, but Goodell said it would be wrong to move the Super Bowl celebration away from the fans; it is something he hopes does not happen.

The conundrum is wreaking havoc in Baltimore; hopefully a fair solution can be reached soon. The 2013 NFL schedule will be released before the Draft on April 25 so there isn’t much time to get it done.

I understand both sides of the argument, but I think that the Orioles should accommodate their neighbors and agree to change in start time. The Ravens won the Vince Lombardi Trophy, they are the bigger draw and the Ravens can provide them with fair compensation to overcome the money they will lose from the change in game time.

The Orioles may benefit from a double-header as fans could make a day and night of supporting their local teams. I would go to both, would you?

What do you think? Who should be bigger person, Orioles or Ravens?

It happened again. Another Baltimore Ravens defensive player left the nest on Thursday. Cornerback Cary Williams signed a three-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The contract is worth $17 million, $10 million guaranteed.

Williams broke the news via Twitter:

“I just want to thank the Ravens for the opportunity and Ravens Nation for all the love & support,” Williams tweeted after the deal was announced. “Baltimore will always have a special place in my heart!”

The Ravens offered Williams a three-year deal for $15 million before the start of last season. He turned it down and played under the restricted free agency tender and tested the market this offseason.

Baltimore Ravens CB Cary Williams

Williams started on the practice squad of the Tennessee Titans before coming to Baltimore. He worked his way up to starter.

Williams started every game the last two seasons. Last season he had 75 total tackles and four interceptions, two in the playoffs.

His departure was expected. Williams is the fifth defensive player to flee the nest this week, other departures include linebackers Ray Lewis, Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger and safety Bernard Pollard.

Safety Ed Reed met with the Houston Texans on Thursday; he is expected to sign with them.

This wasn’t surprising news. Williams had a good season, but he was hot and cold. I was either yelling at him because he screwed up or I was cheering for him because he made a spectacular play or interception.

He is replaceable and unlike most of Ravens Nation, I’m not sweating his departure.

The Baltimore Ravens made more waves in Wednesday‘s free agency frenzy when they cut safety Bernard Pollard.

Pollard broke the news by tweeting this to his followers:

The news was surprising since releasing him only saves the Ravens $1 million against the salary cap. Pollard carried a $3.25 million salary hit and was due a $500,000 roster bonus on Saturday.

Baltimore Ravens Cut S Bernard Pollard

Pollard previously played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.

Last season Pollard had 98 tackles, two sacks and six pass deflections. During the playoffs he had 17 tackles and four pass deflections.

Pollard was part of the recent departure of several defensive players including linebackers Paul Kruger, Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe. Safety Ed Reed is also a free agent and is currently visiting other teams.

I was surprised by this move, but I’m ok with it, he can be replaced. Pollard’s next team will be his fourth and some have speculated there must be a reason for that, maybe there is more than meets the eye and why the Ravens cut him.

Happy Football New Year! As of 4pm Tuesday, the free agency period opened in the National Football League and all hell broke loose in Baltimore.

The Baltimore Ravens lost two linebackers; one was expected to leave, the other was not.

While fans were still reeling from Monday’s trade of wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers, their outside linebacker Paul Kruger decided to leave for AFC North rival Cleveland Browns. Kruger signed a five-year deal worth about $40 million, $20 million guaranteed.

The Ravens drafted Kruger in 2009; he was a second round pick from the University of Utah. He was one of their top free agents; in 2012 he had 9 sacks, 5.5 in 2011.

Baltimore Ravens LB Dannell Ellerbe Signs With Dolphins

Then in a surprising move, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe agreed to a five-year, $35 million contract with the Miami Dolphins.The 2009 undrafted free agent from Georgia stepped up when Ray Lewis was out last season with a torn triceps. The Ravens were expected to resign him until Ellerbe threw them a curveball.

The Ravens made one move and signed former Giants defensive linesman Chris Canty to a three-year deal for $8 million, $2.8 million guaranteed.

NFL analyst and former Ravens head coach Brian Billick addressed the motives behind the Ravens moves today. He said they learned from the lessons of the past and drew on the expertise of the organization.

He added that the Ravens set a line of how much they would pay to chase good deals. In 2001 they over extended themselves on veteran players, then had to recoup their losses and learned that they couldn’t keep everyone.

Billick believes that Ellerbe crossed the line of how much the Ravens were willing to pay; they didn’t want to chase him. He said it is a buyer’s market and that Baltimore has its nucleus in quarterback Joe Flacco and will fill in around it.

Losing two linebackers in one day was upsetting to Ravens fans, but they need to trust the process. While I knew Kruger would leave, I was shocked about Ellerbe. I admit I was miffed about it, but I trust Ozzie, he is rarely wrong when it comes to deciding who to keep and who to let go.

Part of winning a Super Bowl is the rebooting that happens the following season. The Ravens have their franchise quarterback. The 2013 season just began; there is plenty of time for Ozzie to fill in the pieces.

Ravens Nation needs to calm down and stop sweating the loss of Kruger and Ellerbe; things have a way of working out…

There was mayhem in Baltimore Monday afternoon when the Baltimore Sun reported that the Ravens traded wide receiver Anquan Boldin to the San Francisco 49ers for a sixth round pick.

In 2009 Boldin was traded to the Ravens from the Arizona Cardinals. He became the one of the top receivers in Baltimore; he was the all-time leader in Ravens playoff history with 616 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Boldin was set to earn $6 million this season. The Ravens asked him to take a $2 million salary reduction or be released. Boldin refused the reduction in salary and became an unrestricted free agent. The 49ers swooped in and offered a trade and the Ravens took them up on their offer.

Boldin is currently on a charity trip in Africa.  He needs to pass a physical before the deal is official.

Ravens Trade Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin

Originally Boldin said that if the Ravens cut him he would retire, he reconsidered and continued his football career.

Comcast SportsNet’s Brent Harris said this is the business of the National Football League. The Ravens had three choices; pay, release or trade Boldin, they opted for the trade. They made out well considering they would have gotten nothing had they released him.

Releasing Boldin begs the question of who will take his place. The Ravens have other receivers; Jacoby Jones and Torrey Smith; however their No. 4 receiver, Tandon Doss, is injury prone and unproven.

The Ravens are likely to look for a free agent receiver, one who will cost less than $6 million. They generally don’t make moves without a plan in place and I have faith in general manager’s Ozzie Newsome’s ability to find a suitable replacement.

I’m not going to lie, I was sad about losing Boldin, but football is a business and there are no guarantees. Derrick Mason and Todd Heap were good receivers and the Ravens cut them. At the time, there was an uproar; but they were replaced and all was right in the world. I have faith that the same thing will happen again.

The Baltimore Ravens decided to part ways with guard Bobbie Williams. The Baltimore Sun reported that the Ravens terminated his contract on Friday.

Before playing in Baltimore, Williams played for the Cincinnati Bengals. After losing Ben Grubbs last year due to free agency, the Ravens signed Williams to a two-year, $2.925 million contract with an $800,000 signing bonus.

Baltimore Ravens Release Guard Bobbie Williams

The 36-year old guard had six starts in Baltimore and played in 12 games. He was a non-factor during the playoffs due to injuries. During his absence the Ravens shuffled their offensive line and improved their game.

Terminating his contract will save the Ravens $800,000 in cap space.

Williams won his first Super Bowl with the Ravens and even though he sat on the sidelines during the playoffs, head coach John Harbaugh had positive things to say about Williams:

“Bobbie was a bigger part of the puzzle to win the Super Bowl than most people know,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “This is an outstanding person, and we loved having him on the Ravens. His maturity, leadership, practice habits and the way he played were all impressive for us. To come in here for one season and fit the way he did says a lot about him. We are all better for having Bobbie on the Ravens for a season.”

General Manager Ozzie Newsome went on to say:

“His contributions and significance to the team went far beyond his play on the field – and he responded on the field every time we called him. Bobbie is first-class in every way. You could not find anyone from the Ravens who got to know him this year who would say anything but good things about Bobbie. We thank him for helping us win the championship.”

The Ravens offensive line is skewing younger with these guards on the roster: Kelechi Osemele, Jah Reid, Gino Gradkowski and Jack Cornell.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice has been an advocate of anti-bullying. Earlier this week, 12-year old Baily O’Neill, a student at Derby Township School in Pennsylvania, was beaten so badly he had to be placed in a medically induced coma. Tragically he died of his injuries.

Rice mourned O’Neill’s death and posted this message on his Facebook page:

“I don’t know if we will ever get to a point where bullying is actually considered a CRIME, rather than ‘kids being kids’ or a ‘playground incident.’ … But, I DO KNOW THIS: I will NOT give up my fight. Every day I will continue to fight AGAINST bullying and fight FOR kindness.”

Baltimore Ravens Running Back Ray Rice

Thursday he joined Maryland lawmakers to push for the passing of the Cyberbullying Prevention Act. The act, introduced by Baltimore County Delegate Jon Cardin, would prevent people from using the Internet to threaten minors.

Under the bill violators would be charged with a misdemeanor, if prosecuted, violators would serve a year in prison and/or face a $500 fine.

While Rice was not present at the hearing in Annapolis, Maryland, he submitted a written statement to legislators in support of the bill. WBAL TV sports reporter Keith Mills read Rice’s statement.

Rice asked his fans for help and encouraged them to speak out at the hearing.

Last summer Rice held an anti-bullying rally, “A Ray of Hope”, at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

Rice said of Bailey:

“Bailey – my little buddy, I will not let you become just another bully statistic,” Rice wrote. “You are my inspiration and one more angel that will help me continue the fight for kids everywhere. You are going to help me save lives. RIP my little friend.”

Sadly it seems like bullying is constantly in the news. I think it’s great that Ray Rice is active in the fight against it. He is a positive role model and has the potential to influence many. Keep up the good work.

After resigning their Super Bowl XLVII MVP quarterback Joe Flacco to a six-year, $120.6 million contract on Monday, the Baltimore Ravens can now focus their attention to resigning their other free agents.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said that if they did not use the franchise tag on Flacco, they would not use it on another player. He stayed true to his word when the tag deadline came and went on March 4.

Comcast SportsNet.com posted a clip from ProFootball Talk on how the Flacco deal will affect other Ravens. It will give them flexibility now; the deal is cap friendly this year and next. The first year cap number is $6.8 million. Flacco’s contract gave them room to resign other players.

Who is next for the Ravens?

Ravens free agents include safety Ed Reed, linebackers Dannell Ellerbe and Paul Kruger, cornerback Cary Williams and offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.

Newsome and Ravens ‘capologist’ are likely crunching numbers this week to see how they can work their magic.

ESPN’s Jamison Hensley believes that Ellerbe should be the Ravens next priority:

“On paper, he doesn’t appear too important,” Hensley wrote. “He’s a former undrafted player who has 14 career starts. But, by the Super Bowl, Ellerbe was the Ravens’ best player on defense.”

Ellerbe stepped up when newly retired linebacker Ray Lewis was on the injured reserve last season and since linebacker Jameel McClain is currently on the injured reserve with a spinal contusion, Ellerbe will be needed to fill Lewis’ shoes.

I agree with Hensley. Ellerbe proved his worth while Lewis was out and he played well during the playoffs and Super Bowl. He’s an every-down player; the Ravens really need to keep him.

Contract negotiations between the Baltimore Ravens and Super Bowl XLVII MVP quarterback Joe Flacco ended when they came to terms on a new deal. The news broke Friday evening by Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer. The new contract will be signed on Monday.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter later reported that the six-year, $120.6 million deal makes Flacco the highest paid quarterback in the National Football League, well at least until the Packers get their deal done with Aaron Rodgers.

Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco

The deal was reached well before the Monday deadline. If an agreement was not reached in time, the Ravens would have been forced to franchise tag Flacco.

Flacco’s five-year, $29 million rookie contract expired at the end of last season. Last July the Ravens tried to work out a new long-term deal for about $15-$16 million/year, but Flacco believed he could earn more and turned it down. He bet on himself and won, now he is smiling all the way to the bank.

The deal frees up space against the salary cap and now the Ravens can turn their attention to signing other free agents such as linebackers Paul Kruger and Dannell Ellerbe and safety Ed Reed or using the franchise tag.

I did my happy dance when I heard the news. I always had faith that a deal could get done before the Monday deadline, but honestly thought it would come down to the wire. I have always believed in Flacco; now the Ravens do too, they put their money where their mouth is.

Congratulations Flacco! I am proud of you and I can’t wait to see you play again. Enjoy your payday, you deserve it!