Terrell Suggs, Roddy White Trash-Talking Film Session
There's nothing like two NFL stars watching film of their best career highlights together, and talking a little trash while they do so.
That's what former Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs and Falcons four-time Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White did when they got together for NFL Network's "The Sessions."
And what's a Suggs highlight reel without a sack on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger? Not only was it great to re-live T-Sizzle taking down Big Ben in Week 7 last year – with one arm despite a Steelers double-team – but it's even better to watch Suggs' reaction to his own play.
"Look at this with the one arm!" Suggs said. "Ah! With two people on me! See, they always do that. They don't want me to get off at Heinz Field so they always keep somebody watching me."
And why not follow a Big Ben sack with a Matt Ryan takedown?
The Falcons made the mistake of not double-teaming Suggs early in the highlighted 2010 primetime matchup. Suggs got around the corner, and as soon as Ryan saw Suggs bearing down, the quarterback wisely dropped to the turf.
"When they DON'T double team the kid," Suggs said as he watched a clip of the sack. "Come all the way around. Bend it. And lose my mind: AAAAAHHHHHH! Hulk smash!
"God bless, Matt Ryan. Just get down, let me get the stat."
Unfortunately, Ryan and the Falcons ended up having the last laugh of the game. White hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds remaining for the victory. There was controversy on the play, however.
White appeared to shove then-Ravens cornerback Josh Wilson with his right hand to get free and sent Wilson tumbling to the turf.
Suggs: "Did you push my guy?"
White: "I did not touch him."
Suggs: "My guy is on the ground!"
White: "He fell."
Suggs: "He fell? So you're just wide open because you're that good."
White: "The pressure got to him."
Suggs: "That ended up winning the game. I remember that. That hurt."
There's much more entertaining commentary. Check it out.
Ex-Raven Quarterback Appearing On 'The Biggest Loser'
Remember Ravens quarterback Scott Mitchell?
Think back to 1999 when then Head Coach Brian Billick dubbed him the starter, but Mitchell only held onto the job for two games after throwing four interceptions and one touchdown in two losses. He played two more seasons with the Bengals after that, then called it quits after an 11-year NFL career.
We haven't heard much from Mitchell since. Until now.
The former Ravens quarterback is appearing on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," a reality television program that helps contestants lose weight. The person who loses the biggest percentage of weight wins a* *cash prize.
Mitchell, 6-foot-6, now weighs 366 pounds, which is a 126-pound gain since his final playing days in 2001. Now 46 years old, Mitchell suffers from sleep apnea and a poor diet, according to the TV show’s website. It also reports that he is currently a bill collector after resigning from being the head football coach at his high school, Springville (Utah) High.
Catching up with The Baltimore Sun back in 2007, Mitchell said he didn't like the way his football career ended.
"Being benched [by Billick] was devastating," he admitted. "I had always thought of myself as part of the solution, not the problem. …
"You almost wish you were injured so you'd know definitively that you can't play anymore. My last year, I contacted every NFL team and offered to fly in for a tryout. Nothing. Finally, one morning I got up and said, 'It's over.' Then I sat on the grass and had a good 20-minute cry. I'll probably miss playing for the rest of my life. But I've moved on."
5 Guys That Have Impressed, 5 That Haven't
We're nearing the midway point at Ravens training camp, and The Sun's Jeff Zrebiec offers his thought on five Ravens who have impressed, and five who haven’t.
Who Has Impressed
OLB Terrell Suggs: "There have been stretches where Suggs has taken over practices and seemingly gotten to the quarterback whenever he wanted."
ILB C.J. Mosley: "Ravens officials are muting their excitement over the first-round pick – at least publicly – but he has been better than advertised."
WR Kamar Aiken: "Two weeks ago, most thought that the 25-year-old, who has been released by three different organizations, had virtually no chance to make the team at one of the Ravens' deepest positions. However, Aiken is making plays all over the field."
CB Jimmy Smith: "The improvements Smith has made the past couple years are on display every day in practice. He competes hard and he has been making plays on the ball throughout camp."
RT Rick Wagner: "The best thing that you can say about Wagner -- or any offensive tackle for that matter -- is that he hasn't been very noticeable."
Who Has Not
LT Eugene Monroe: "Monroe is a veteran who knows how to get himself ready for the season, so there's no concern here. But he has struggled to deal with Terrell Suggs for much of camp."
SS Matt Elam: "The second-year player doesn't seem to be making a lot of mistakes. You'd just like to see him around the ball more."
OLB Elvis Dumervil: "He's another guy who knows how to prepare and will probably turn it on the closer that it gets to the start of the season."
TE Crockett Gillmore: "Consistency remains elusive, though that's hardly surprising for a rookie."
FS Terrence Brooks: "It's hard to truly evaluate the rookie because he's getting most of his reps with the second- and third-stringers. But that in itself is slightly disappointing for a player who some predicted would start immediately."
Gary Kubiak Envisions More Screen Passes
The Ravens have rarely called screen passes over the years.
Since 2001 they've only thrown 123 screen passes, which are the fourth fewest in the league during that span, according to ESPN.
But new Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak might be changing that trend, saying that this year's squad has the chance to be a "pretty good screen team."
For the record, Kubiak isn't known for using screens much. During his eight seasons as head coach in Houston, he ranked 20th with 163. The reason why he likes the idea in Baltimore, however, is because of guards Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda. Both are big, physical and can get out and run downfield.
"They're two of the most physical guards in the league, but they have athleticism for their size," wrote ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "For a screen pass to work, offensive linemen have to run and get in front of the running back in the flat.
"Screen passes can be an effective weapon. It's a high-percentage short pass to a running back that can generate yards if the offense gets downfield blocking and the defense is caught blitzing."
Quick Hits
- @aceandsmitty: Having a good laugh with @digital_12. #ravennation #jacobyjones #Stevesmithsr training camp grind helps time go by!!! #agent89 [Instagram]
- @mosley32rtr: Truly blessed!!! Words can't describe my emotions for tomorrow! 32/57 it's that time
- @Ravens: Hey @49ers- Looking forward to your visit this week! Hopefully you'll feel right at home in #Baltimore. #HarbCamp [Twitter]
- The preseason opener will have greater meaning for Osemele after returning from his back injury. [the Baltimore Sun]
- Marlon Brown wants to avoid being a one-year wonder after tying the Ravens' rookie touchdown record last season. "At the end of the day, I just want to be a guy who is consistent, who is reliable, who you can count on every day, not just on certain days," Brown said. "I just want to keep being consistent every day." [ESPN]
- The Ravens' retooled offensive line is the key to their success. [ProFootballTalk.com]
