The chain gang- 2014 Baltimore Ravens
The truck in the picture belongs to Commissioner, Roger Goodell. This is outside the NFL offices at 345 Park Ave. in New York. He has cut his vacation short to deal with some of the more recent arrests of Baltimore Ravens. Not pictured is cornerback, Jimmy Smith. That photo should be available soon at your nearest United States Post Office.
Since walking off the field on December 29th following the 2013 season ending 34-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Baltimore Ravens lead the NFL in arrests. There have been 15 arrests for the other 31 NFL teams for a % of 0.48. The Ravens lead this category at 5.0.
Lorenzo Taliaferro – WR. Destruction of property. Drunk in Public.
Deonte Thompson – WR. Drug Paraphernalia, 29 grams of Marijuana. “Is it possible to have drugs, and not have drugs?“ Case was dismissed in Florida due to insufficient evidence.
Jah Reid – OG (Backup) 2 counts of battery in altercation at strip club. 5.4 40 yard dash time did not help in alluding law enforcement.
Jimmy Smith – CB Possession of cocaine in ladies purse in ladies bathroom with unconscious woman. “Do you know who I am? I play for the Ravens.“
Ray Rice – RB Aggravated assault charges for knocking out girlfriend with punch. Surveillance video shows Rice dragging unconscious girlfriend from elevator. Ray’s attorney says “video doesn’t tell full story.”
All five players attended the team meeting with owner Steve Bisciotti and Director of Player Personnel Harry Swayne. The theme for the conference was for respect and acceptance in the workplace. General Manager Ozzie Newsome was present at the meeting as well.
"As a league, we have a conduct policy," Newsome said, via Garrett Downing of baltimoreravens.com. "Being a member of the league, we will follow that A to Z. Up until we get to that point, he falls under the personal policy of the league. We will allow the league to take its position before we have to take any."
It may be too late for the Baltimore Ravens to take actions. With multiple four game suspensions or more looming, it may be that the Ravens will not be able to fill their roster with competitive NFL players. When they are penalized for not having seven men on the line of scrimmage, it won’t be because one player forgot to go in. It will be because they don’t have any to put in. There is one avenue they may want to check before mailing in the season.
In the 1970 home opener on September 20 at Harvard Stadium, the most memorable event in team history occurred. Prior to the opening kickoff, the public address announcer asked for Bob Gladieux to report immediately to the Patriots locker room by Gate A. Bob had been sitting with his friend having already had a couple of beers. His friend had left his seat to go buy another round. Gladieux hustled downstairs, and was told to get dressed quickly. The team was shorthanded because one of the players was in a contract dispute with management.
Gladieux was nicknamed “Harpo” by his friends for his frizzy blond hair. He was running downfield just minutes after leaving his end zone seat. When his friend returned to his seat with the beers, he was all alone. He looked out on the playing field and saw that Number 24 for the Patriots had made the tackle. The public address announcer said “first and ten Dolphins. Tackle made by Bob Gladieux”.
There are 71,008 paying customers that file into M&T Stadium in Baltimore each week. If Ozzie Newsome is as good a talent evaluator as they say, he should no problems finding a few volunteers to help him out.
Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire.
Follow me on Twitter at @_prmurphy
For more of my articles, click here.
