Hauschka Tried Out For Falcons
Good luck to former Ravens kicker Steve Hauschka, who was cut by the Ravens last week after missing four field goals in nine games.
Yesterday, Hauschka got a chance to make it back on an NFL roster by trying out for the Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons kicker Jason Elam, 39, has missed six field goals this season, giving him an uncharacteristically and career-worst 62.5 percent field goal percentage.
Hauschka was joined by Sam Swank, Brandon Coutu and Shane Andrus in the tryout in front of the Atlanta coaching staff. No news is known whether any kickers made an impression.
Roethlisberger Still Expected to Play
Not much has changed since yesterday. Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin still expects to have his leader, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, on the field this Sunday night to battle the Ravens.
“When we were able to do appropriate testing yesterday, he was symptom-free,” said Tomlin via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He felt fine. So we’re proceeding with caution, but we will monitor him each and every day this week as we push forward towards game day, because if any symptoms re-occur or he feels less than fine, we’re going to act appropriately.
“I’m not acting on Ben convincing me of anything,” Tomlin said. “We have independent medical experts, Dr. Maroon and company, who are recognized internationally.”
Suggs Targets Steelers Game for Return
Aaron Wilson reported that Pro Bowl outside linebacker Terrell Suggs is “confident that his sprained right knee isn’t going to end his season, and he’s targeting the Baltimore Ravens’ game next week against the Pittsburgh Steelers for his return.”
Meanwhile, safety Troy Polamalu (knee) is “questionable, at best,” and offensive guard Chris Kemoeatu (sprained MCL) is out for a few weeks, according to the Post-Gazette.
Former Raven Fein Died of Accidental Overdose
According to the Kitsap Sun, medical coroner Greg Sandstrom ruled that former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Tony Fein died of an accidental overdose.
Toxicology reports found that Fein died of “acute opiate intoxication,” a combination of morphine and Alprazolam, a drug used to treat anxiety.
It was unknown Tuesday if Fein had a prescription for either drug. At the time of his death, Fein’s lawyer told the National Football Post that Fein committed suicide.
Freeney Gives Little Credit to Gaither and Oher
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney isn’t giving tackles Jared Gaither and Michael Oher credit for preventing him and Robert Mathis from notching a single sack or tackle in the Ravens’ 17-15 loss to the Colts.
“When they passed the ball, they pretty much left two guys on us to deal with, and the ball was gone,” said Freeney via the Baltimore Sun. “Stats don’t always tell the true picture of what’s really going on. Based on how much attention they gave us, that means less receivers go out and less points for them.”
Former Raven Ivy Signs With Steelers
Veteran cornerback Keiwan Ratliff was released by the Steelers yesterday, and taking his place is former Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy.
After playing for Baltimore for the past three seasons, the 32 year-old Ivy was let go by the Cleveland Browns during final cuts in September. Last season with the Ravens, Ivy had 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks.
Evidence the NFL is Conspiring for the Ravens
A new conspiracy theory is brewing.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says he’s “uncovered compelling evidence that the NFL actually is conspiring in favor of the Ravens.”
Schmuck points to a pair of disputed calls overturned in the Ravens-Colts game and the fact that coach John Harbaugh was allowed to throw his red replay flag a record four times.
The theory also directed attention to the fact the Ravens are still in playoff contention despite losing several “must-win” games and five of their past seven games.
“Going into Sunday, there were four non-division leaders in the AFC (including the Steelers) with the same record or a better record than the Ravens,” said Schmuck. “Three of them lost. Two of them lost games they were supposed to win and the third, the Denver Broncos, appears to be in a state of complete collapse after getting off to a 6-0 start. The only winner was the Jacksonville Jaguars, who face one of the tougher remaining schedules in the conference.”
But, if somebody was really conspiring to help the Ravens, wouldn’t it have been less conspicuous just to allow the Ravens to punch the ball in the end zone from the 1-yard line in their loss to the Colts on Sunday? That’s seems more plausible than the Steelers losing on purpose to help out their arch nemesis.
I’m just saying.
