Ravens Can't Get Enough Crying Jordan Memes After NCAA Championship
It was an instant classic. In fact, some are already debating whether Villanova vs. North Carolina was the best NCAA championship game ever.
The thrilling ending came after UNC's Marcus Paige sunk an impossible double-clutch 3-pointer with 4.7 seconds left on the clock, nearly forcing overtime. But Nova's Kris Jenkins came right back and nailed the game-winning 3-point shot as time expired.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! #NationalChampionship https://t.co/POLVkUJnpj — NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) April 5, 2016
Ravens players were watching and reacting on Twitter while it was all unfolding, and they had mad respect for the heart shown by both teams.
Then the inevitable began. The legendary crying Michael Jordan memes began to pour in, just as they do these days for just about any defeat at any sporting event. However, Jenkins' shot just might become the unofficial sponsor of the crying Jordan meme.
Justin Forsett, Justin Tucker, Benjamin Watson and Michael Campanaro couldn't get enough of the memes. Many were retweeted with the laughing crying emoji, and Forsett, who correctly predicted Villanova as the winner, was the biggest retweeter.
pic.twitter.com/NmYRwhcAYh — #GOODWRK (@impercell) April 5, 2016
Steve Smith Calls Out Former Teammate Greg Hardy
Shortly after Greg Hardy's claims that he never hit a woman aired on ESPN Monday, former teammate and current Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith took to Twitter to voice his incredulity.
Photos surfaced last November that showed Hardy's then-girlfriend with bruises all over her body. Domestic violence charges were eventually dropped against Hardy, however, after his accuser accepted a civil settlement and chose not to testify against him.
Smith and Hardy were teammates at the Panthers for four seasons (2010-13).
Smith's comments are a continuation of his strong stance against domestic violence. From the time he was about 4 or 5 years old, Smith watched his mother endure a series of abusive relationships. One of the main purposes of the Steve Smith Foundation is help families affected by domestic violence. In 2015, he partnered with the House of Ruth Maryland, one of the nation's leading intimate partner violence centers.
"My mom is a Survivor #DV [domestic violence] and I am advocate against #DV," wrote Smith.
Noah Spence Presents Draft 'Dilemma' For Ravens
As Eastern Kentucky pass rusher Noah Spence tours the league, hoping to prove his checkered past is behind him, ESPN's Jamison Hensley views the prospect as a draft "dilemma" for the Ravens.
Spence is considered first-round talent who has been projected to the Ravens both as a No. 6 pick in the first round and as a No. 36 pick in the second round. The predictions are everywhere because pundits don't know how much teams will be concerned by his ban from the Big-10 after repeated failed drug tests.
"It will be tempting for them to take one of the draft's most talented pass rushers at No. 6 overall, but he's probably too big a risk to take at that spot with his questionable judgment," Hensley wrote. "Still, if Baltimore passes on him, he likely won't be available when the Ravens pick early in the second round.
"The level of interest in Spence could come from how he carries himself in these pre-draft visits. Last year, the Ravens brought in pass rusher Randy Gregory for a pre-draft visit but Baltimore concluded it wasn't going to use an early-round pick on him after meeting with him. Gregory fell to the second round because of his history with marijuana, and he's been suspended for the first four games this season after violating the NFL's substance abuse policy."
Expectations For Joe Flacco After Knee Surgery
Every time we get an update about Joe Flacco's progress after knee surgery, things seem to be going really well. The Ravens believe he's on track to return for training camp and doctors have raved about his commitment to the grueling rehab schedule.
Flacco once again confirmed over the weekend that he's feeling good and expects to be throwing passes come training camp.
While all this news is positive, Baltimore Beatdown's Michael Sedjro believes we should still give Flacco time to return to form this season.
"It will be interesting to watch Flacco in the early weeks of the season to find out if he [is] willing to hang in the pocket, take hits, and drive off his left leg, luckily not his plant leg," Sedjro wrote. "It took Tom Brady a full season to truly be back to form.
"Ravens fans should be patient. If Flacco does struggle early they should not be surprised but instead should be patient."
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