Ravens to Move Training Camp to Owings Mills

In the words of Allen Iverson, "practice, we talking about practice." Baltimore Ravens fans are upset because the team has decided to change where they hold their training camp. For years, the team has held training camp in Westminster at McDaniel College. Due to the NFL lockout, they had to move it to their normal practice facility in Owings Mills. Due to the permits from Baltimore County, as of now fans are unable to attend. Many fans feel that they are losing a type of connection with the team. But what is more important here, watching the fans practice and getting an autograph, or when the season begins, cheering them on as they pummel the Pittsburgh Steelers at home 35-7? With the big picture being the Super Bowl, being well prepared is everything.

Former Ravens defensive tackle, Michael McCrary recently indicated the importance of facility in Owings Mills. He stressed the fact that there is a lot more equipment even pointing out the fact that there is no need for players to wait in line for a cold tub. McCrary also made fans aware of the limited amound of practices due to the new collective bargaining unit. So if there is less time for error. You have only a few times to get it right. As a fan, it is more important for the Ravens to practice in the best facility and recieve all the best treatment. Remember they still have their own radio shows, and they still are very active in the community. If this helps build a Super Bowl, well then practice in Owings  Mills, keep the fans out, and lets see winners in January and February.

Big Brother Harbaugh defeats the little brother on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is usually a day in which families come together, eat all the food they can and watch football, and in some families, they even play in their backyards before the NFL games start. For Jack Harbaugh, his two boys may have been eating dinner together, but they certainly were not playing in the backyard, instead they were engaging in a coaches duel. In the end, it was John Harbaugh, head coach of the Ravens (8-3) leading his team to victory over his brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers (9-2) 16-6.

The Ravens knew going into this game that they would have one their biggest challenges to date. The 49ers who had one loss coming into this game which game in overtime against the Dallas Cowboys (7-4), have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Ravens rising offense knew that this would not be an easy game.

This game ended up being a battle of two of the leagues most prominent defenses. Neither team scored a touchdown until the 4th quarter. The Ravens had a very tough time running the ball, but unlike other games, they still managed a balance attack.

The Ravens defense played one of the best games of the season. Ledby Terrell Suggs who had three of his own, the team totaled for nine sacks and was able to hurry 49ers quarterback 12 times. The 49ers defense would not be outdone as they were able to hold Ray Rice under three yards per carry.

Joe Flacco, who came to Baltimore when coach Harbaugh came, would not disappoint his coach in the teams  quest to gain the victory for their coach. Flacco managed the game well, with a couple of big plays on third down to keep drives alive, along with the games only touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta in the fourth quarter. Flacco finished 15/23 for 161 yards .

The Ravens have a long week as they prepare for the division rival Cleveland Browns. The Browns have the number one pass defense in the league, so this will be a very important week of preparation for Cam Cameron and the Ravens offense.

Week 12 NFL Predictions (102-60)

Green Bay vs Detroit  Packers

Miami vs Dallas  Cowboys

Baltimore vs  San Francisco Ravens

St. Louis vs Arizona  Cardinals

NY Jets vs  Buffalo Jets

Cincinnati vs  Cleveland  Bengals

Houston vs Jacksonville  Jaguars

Carolina vs Indianapolis Colts

Tennessee vsTampa Bay  Buccaneers

Atlanta vs  Minnesota Falcons

Oakland vs  Chicago Raiders

Seattle vs Washington Redskins

New England vs Philadelphia Patriots

San Diego vs Denver Chargers

Pittsburgh vs  Kansas City Steelers

New Orleans vs  NY Giants Saints

When the 2011 schedules were release, if someone would have said that on Thanksgiving Night, Jim and John Harbaugh would be going head to head in a matchup that could be a potential Super Bowl Preview, they would have been accused of craziness. If someone would have said that out of the two teams, Jim would be coaching the team with the better record, again, they would probably be crazy. Both is true. The San Francisco 49ers (8-1) travel to Baltimore to take on the Ravens (7-3). The 49ers have one of the best defenses in the league, while their quarterback is still learning his identity. However, he has a coach that understands his limits and does not try to push him above them. The Ravens have been able to defeat the good teams, including their rival, AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers twice, but have struggled against teams under .500, including loses to Jacksonville and Seattle. But when the Ravens play a well balanced game, their chances of winning rises. Understanding this, look for the Ravens to use a balanced attack, and take advantage of the fact that the 49ers had to travel 3000 miles on short rest. In their first head to head matchup, This one is for John.