Titan Takes Ugly Cheap Shot At Ravens Coach
What is wrong with people? Specifically, Titans tight end Chase Coffman?
Coffman was fined $30,000 by the NFL for a cheap shot (see video below) last Sunday on an unidentified Ravens assistant coach, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer. The coach was well, well outside the field of play when he was absolutely clotheslined.
"This may be the cheap shot of the year," Glazer said.
The ugly shot came after quarterback Zach Mettenberger was picked off. Instead of going after the defender, Danny Gorrer, Coffman blindsides the unsuspecting coach, lays him out, and then drags his cleat over him.
"The Ravens were absolutely furious about this," said Glazer. "[Titans Head Coach] Ken Whisenhunt called John Harbaugh to say, 'Look, it wasn't intentional.' The Ravens didn't really buy that."
Glazer believes the fine of $30,000 wasn't enough because of the damage and serious injury that could have been caused.
To put the punishment in perspective, the amount represents nearly five percent of the $601,000 Coffman is scheduled to make this season, according to ESPN. Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan was fined $100,000 for being a repeat profanity offender. Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was fined $50,000 for not talking to reporters for the entire season. Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was fined $30,000 for dunking on the goal posts. Finally, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick was fined $10,000 for wearing headphones that weren't endorsed by league sponsor Bose.
Coffman's action was much worse and was worthy of a suspension, says ESPN's Jamison Hensley.
"Coffman should be ashamed of himself, wrote Hensley. "The NFL should be equally embarrassed for only fining him $30,000 for the blatant cheap shot. Coffman's action was shocking, violent and appalling. If the NFL would've given him a one-game suspension, few outside of the Titans organization and NFL Players Association would've argued it."
UPDATE: The assistant coach that was knocked down is Tony Coaxum. He is working as a season-long intern for Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
Mobile users tap "View in browser" at the top of the page to see the cheap shot.
Ravens Move Into Second Place (For Now)
Without playing a single down yesterday, the Ravens moved from fourth to second place in the AFC North … for now.
The ascension is due to the Cleveland Browns losing to the Houston Watts, I mean Texans, 23-7. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals traveled to the Superdome and beat up on the New Orleans Saints, 27-10.
Thanks for nothing, Saints. Ravens could have been in first place had you beat Cincy.
Here's a warning to any Ravens fans that travel to New Orleans next week for the Ravens-Saints Monday night showdown. What's that saying at M&T Bank Stadium? Oh yeah, "don't be a jerk."
Well, watch out for this jerk.
Ravens fans can thank defensive end J.J. Watt for single-handedly dropping the Browns, knocking them from the top to the bottom spot.
Watt had five tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, two roughing the punter penalties and a touchdown catch. Yes, the Texans lined him up as a legit wide receiver and he scored with this sick catch … and then he egged on Brownies fans (because he can).
Below are the AFC North standings:
Cincinnati Bengals: 6-3-1
Baltimore Ravens: 6-4
Pittsburgh Steelers: 6-4
Cleveland Browns: 6-4
The Ravens currently win the three-team tiebreaker, which is the best win percentage in games among those three teams. Baltimore has a combined 2-1 record against Cleveland and Pittsburgh, which propels them to second place.
However, the standings will change again after the Steelers take on the Tennessee Titans (2-7) tonight. If Pittsburgh loses, Baltimore will remain in second place because they would beat the Browns in a head-to-head tiebreaker. If Pittsburgh wins, Baltimore will be bumped to third place because the Steelers will have a better 7-4 record.
Will Saints Lose Three In A Row At Home?
One of the reasons the Saints were favored to beat Cincy was because New Orleans rarely loses two in a row at home. So it would be even rarer to lose three times in a row with the Ravens coming to town.
"I'm not sure if the Saints losing consecutive games at home, is good news or not for the Ravens, who play there in [8] days," tweeted 105.7 The Fan's Jerry Coleman.
If the Saints miss tackles and don't show much life against the Ravens, they could easily drop three in a row.
"The Saints barely showed much of a pulse, at home, in a huge game," wrote CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora. "No one wants to win the NFC South. And the AFC North has absolutely embarrassed those teams on a regular basis. Could the Saints really lose three in a row at home? Baltimore comes to the dome next Monday night. They drop that one and someone else might actually win that division. Can't help but wonder if Rob Ryan is made to walk the plank at season's end as well."
Hensley: Will Hill, Steve Smith Need To Step Up
The call for quarterback Joe Flacco to bring his "A-Game" after the bye in order for the Ravens to make the playoffs has been heard.
But besides Flacco, a fan asked Hensley who else needs to step up for the final push to the postseason.
"Taking Joe Flacco out of the conversation, the two players who need to step up after the bye are wide receiver Steve Smith [Sr.] and safety Will Hill. Smith has disappeared the past three weeks, which has coincided with the offense slumping. Earlier this season, Flacco went to Smith on third downs and when defenses blitzed him. Even though he plays a different position than tight end Dennis Pitta, Smith became Flacco's new security blanket. The Ravens' offense won't get back on track without Smith getting more involved.
"The other player who has to raise his game is Hill. He has certainly shown flashes (like when he broke up the third-down pass last Sunday), but the expectation is for Hill to make more plays when he gets comfortable with the defense. Many forget that Hill has only played four games, so there is still a learning curve. Hill's range and athleticism is the Ravens' best hope in cutting down big pass plays, which have been a nagging problem all season."
Quick Hits
- Left tackle Eugene Monroe is trying his hand at another business outside of football: real estate. "The 27-year-old player founded a development firm in February with a former college teammate," wrote Natalie Sherman. "The business, 4th Down Partners, is one of a group of investors in the $250 million redevelopment planned between Federal Hill and M&T Bank Stadium in Sharp-Leadenhall." [The Baltimore Sun]
- A large crowd greeted wide receiver Michael Campanaro when he returned to his alma mater River Hill High School for a toy drive. [The Baltimore Sun]
- For linebacker Arthur Brown, getting a starting job is a process. "No doubt, it's a process, and your patience will definitely be tested," Brown said before the Ravens' bye week. "The main goal is to stay focused and keep your eyes on the goal. I just take it one day at a time. I'm definitely ready whenever they need me. My confidence is the same as it ever was. It's being tested, it's being tried, but there's an opportunity to grow from all of this." [The Baltimore Sun]
- Why is Jah Reid (broken hand) on the roster when undrafted rookie James Hurst is a capable backup at tackle? "Jah Reid may not be on the roster much longer," wrote Hensley. "He broke his hand last week, and coach John Harbaugh said the team is still discussing their next move with him. No one would be surprised if Reid is eventually placed on injured reserve. No one will argue that Reid has been a big disappointment since the Ravens drafted him in the third round in 2011. But he's better than the offensive tackles currently available in free agency. If Eugene Monroe or Rick Wagner got hurt, James Hurst moves into a starting role and Reid would be the primary backup at that point. So, he is one injury from figuring into the team's plans. That's why the Ravens are taking their time during the bye to make a decision." [ESPN]
- Could Elvis Dumervil win his second NFL sack title? [CSNBaltimore.com]
- Federal drug enforcement agents showed up unannounced Sunday to check at least three visiting NFL teams' medical staffs as part of an investigation into former players' claims that teams mishandled prescription drugs. Which teams were not disclosed. [Associated Press]
