There's no "I" in "team," but there is in "fight"

Posted on Mon May 12, 2008 at 10:20:59 AM EST in NFL
More on: Ravens, brawl, minicamp, NFL, Jim Harbaugh (all tags)

The Baltimore Ravens minicamp is a scary place to be these days. Not because Ray Lewis is there or because they've slipped from Super Bowl champs to the oblivion of 5-11 in 2007 or because Brian Billick is absent after spending the last nine years coaching the squad. The reason Baltimore Ravens minicamp is scary is because it appears to be more WWE Royal Rumble meets COPS than the gelling of a cohesive unit.

The Baltimore Ravens are doing more than merely fighting for jobs at their first mandatory minicamp under new coach John Harbaugh.

They're fighting each other, too.

Nearly all 85 players in camp were involved in a squabble Saturday that began when offensive tackle Oniel Cousins and defensive tackle Amon Gordon threw punches after running back Allen Patrick was taken down hard on a burst up the middle. All the players surged toward the middle of the field, and it was nearly two minutes before peace was restored.

"Guys are competing, so tempers flare a little bit," Harbaugh said.

Later during practice, which was held indoors because of rain, defensive backs Corey Ivy and Frank Walker came to blows during a blocking drill.

"Don't grab me, man!" Ivy yelled.

After the players were separated, veteran cornerbacks Chris McAlister and Samari Rolle spoke with Walker, who signed as a free agent during the offseason after playing with Green Bay in 2007.

"Chill out, man," Rolle said. "There's too much at stake."

Fights are bound to happen when guys are literally on the field, playing for their jobs. It's no biggie really, but it would be fun to watch. We can only hope the Dallas Cowboys show this level of dysfunction during their preseason drills.

Links:
[Yahoo!]: Harbaugh's Ravens brawl at minicamp
[BaltimoreSun.com]: Team showing fight under Harbaugh

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Odds and Ends: Jim Harbaugh takes the opening shot

Posted on Fri Mar 30, 2007 at 04:37:31 PM EST in College
More on: Jim Harbaugh, Odds and Ends, steroids, David Beckham, marathon, strippers, weird, dumb (all tags)

What did I say?

Jim Harbaugh just got the job as Stanford's coach and he's already making enemies. Harbaugh came out and said that USC's Pete Carroll would not be with the program come next year. Pete denied the statement and fired back with the ol' "And if he has any questions about it he should call me." Sounds like we have an old fashioned feud a brewin', too bad these two won't be suiting up when their teams get together on October 6.

In other news...

[Steroid Nation]: George Mitchell is taking his sweet time with this steroid inquiry

[Page Six]: Beckham says, why can't I check the menu?

[BostonHerald.com]: A marathon isn't squat after going to the moon and back

[Page Six]: LeBron like Karl Malone, loves big breaseses.

[The Big Lead]: Carl Pavano should go hang out with LeBron now

[AdFreak.com]: Christian Laettner has already ordered two boxes

And for all you ladies out there, here's a story to help you sleep a little better at night.

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