Yikes! Crazy Ravens Fan Selfie From Skyscraper
Please get down!
I'm getting queasy just watching.
We already knew Ravens fans were confident (more on that below), but I don't think "confident" is the right word here.
Gutsy? Bold? Crazy?
Rooftopping photographer and Ravens fan Daniel Lau (note the hat), took a selfie from the top of a ridiculously high skyscraper in Hong Kong, which was featured on PetaPixal.com and can be seen in a Facebook video below (mobile users tap "View in browser" at the top of the page to see).
Lau climbed to the very top of The Center, which is the fifth-tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong and stands at 1,135 feet tall. Then, Lau pulled out his "selfie stick" and captured the crazy shot.
What I don't understand is why Lau and his friends are eating bananas. WHY ARE YOU EATING BANANAS?! The wind gusts are big enough to make it look like the group is flying through the air, but that's just how windy it gets up there.
To top it off, Lau suddenly takes out his cell phone to check whatever just buzzed. That's got to be worse than distracted driving, right?
Please don't fall.
Ravens Fans Are REALLY Confident
You can't faze Ravens fans.
Not even after an 8-8 season.
Ravens fans have plenty of confidence heading into the 2014 season, more than most NFL teams. Turns out, they're the fifth-most confident group in the league, according to digital marketing company Prime Visibility.
Prime Visibility reviewed approximately 20 million social media mentions across Twitter, Facebook and thousands of sports forum communities, and the Ravens received an 84.7 percent ranking based on how often the team was mentioned positively versus negatively.
Through some fancy math algorithms, Prime Visibility calculated those mentions to mean fans expect Baltimore to finish first place in the AFC North with a 12-4 record.
So who's more confident than Ravens fans? Of course, it starts with the defending champs …
Seattle Seahawks, 87.53 percent
San Diego Chargers, 86.59 percent
Carolina Panthers, 85.78 percent
New Orleans Saints, 85.46 percent
And we have to take a pulse on the AFC North. Those pesky Steelers fans aren't very confident this year. They are the 26th-most confident (73.47 percent), Bengals are No. 15 (78.01 percent) and the Browns are No. 30 (65.20 percent).
What We'll Be Saying About AFC North In February
It's August – a time of optimism in the NFL with 32 Super Bowl-bound teams.
While everyone *thinks *they are primed for playoff bliss right now, what will we actually be saying in February when the final results of the 2014 season are in?
The peeps at NFL.com previewed the AFC North, looking at each team's biggest change, concern and surprise. It finished with a prediction for February.
Here's how writer Marc Sessler sees the division unfolding:
**Pittsburgh Steelers: Division favorites*** *Change we can believe in: A youth movement that has made the defense faster and more dynamic. "Pittsburgh had the look of a team slow-burning toward decline, but this year's draft and free-agency haul restocked the Steelers at key positions and has them rolling into the season as the AFC North's team to beat," wrote Sessler.
Biggest concern: Cornerback depth
Training camp surprise: Fourth-round rookie running back Dri Archer, who has turned heads with "outrageous speed and moves."
What we'll be saying in February: "We'll be talking about how the Steelers are – once again – a player or two away from returning to dominance in the AFC," wrote Sessler.
Predicted finish: First place in the AFC North
Change we can believe in: An improved offense under new play caller Gary Kubiak and an enhanced offensive line.
Biggest concern: Without an NFL start at right tackle, Rick Wagner is an untested commodity, says Sessler. Also, the secondary is an injury away from "potential disaster."
Training camp surprise: First-round rookie C.J. Mosley has been a "revelation."
What we'll be saying in February: "We'll be asking if Gary Kubiak deserves another head-coaching opportunity after guiding Baltimore's offense back to the AFC playoffs," Sessler wrote.
Predicted finish: Second place in AFC North
Change we can believe in: The promotion of Hue Jackson to offensive coordinator
Biggest concern: The coordinator switch on offense may be an upgrade, but losing former Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer to the Minnesota Vikings is "concerning" for the defense.
Training camp surprise: First round cornerback Darqueze Dennard, who Head Coach Marvin Lewis called "the best rookie corner I've seen."
What we'll be saying in February: "We'll ask how Dalton can adjust to his third coordinator in as many seasons after Hue Jackson becomes the next coach of the Cowboys," wrote Sessler.
Predicted finish: Third place in the AFC North
Change we can believe in: New head coach (and former Ravens assistant) Mike Pettine, who appears to be a "legitimate leader."
Biggest concern: "Billed as the summer's juiciest quarterback battle, Johnny Manziel and Brian Hoyer have been worse than bad; they've been boring," wrote Sessler. "The small sample size from both passers has been an uninspiring collage of poorly thrown balls and general confusion under center. It's too early to panic over the rookie, but Hoyer can no longer be billed as the "secure" veteran for Pettine to lean on until Manziel irons out the kinks."
Training camp surprise: Second round guard Joel Bitonio and his raw power and footwork. He is an immediate starter.
What we'll be saying in February: "We'll be talking about the Browns as the best last-place team in the NFL – but one still burning with questions at the game's most important position," Sessler wrote.
Predicted finish: Fourth place in the AFC North
Quick Hits
- How the Ravens' 2014 draft class has fared. [ESPN]
- Here's a vote of confidence for backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Clifton Brown was asked if the Ravens will look to upgrade over Taylor before the start of the season. Brown's reply: "I think they will stick with Taylor as the backup. I seem to like Taylor better than most people. His preseason work has not been stellar. But his mobility is a weapon, and I think his accuracy has improved, even though it shows more in practice than in games. If you bring in somebody else, that quarterback would have to learn Gary Kubiak's system quickly, and I'm not convinced that would be an upgrade. If Joe Flacco missed a game or two, could the Ravens win a game or two with Taylor? I think so. Would the Ravens be OK if something happens to Flacco long-term? No way." [CSNBaltimore.com]
- The third preseason game may be the last opportunity for Joe Flacco to test the offense before the regular season. [The Baltimore Sun]
- Rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro is making an impression in the preseason. "The fourth-round draft pick has displayed a powerful running style, steamrolling through tackles to become the leading rusher in the NFL with 130 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries through two preseason games," wrote Aaron Wilson. [The Baltimore Sun]
- Tight end Owen Daniels remains sidelined, but he is not injured. Daniels hasn't practiced in the last week, but that's because team trainers want to rest him as he works through leg soreness. Daniels has said in the past that he is 100 percent recovered from his leg injury last season. [The Baltimore Sun]
OT Jah Reid has a head injury and is going through the concussion protocol, according to John Harbaugh. — Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 19, 2014
- Looks like rookie defensive end Brent Urban had surgery on his torn ACL yesterday … @urbanlegend96: Drippin in #swagu pre-op
.@HomeDepot is always helpful! pic.twitter.com/VnNC0Ky1q7 — Joe Flacco (@TeamFlacco) August 19, 2014
