March 2005 - Baltimore Ravens Wiretap

Billick Lives To See Another Year

May 17, 2014 8:45 PM

In an announcement that confirmed rumors of the past two weeks, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti informed players at a team meeting Wednesday morning that Brian Billick will return as head coach in 2006. There have been strong indications from both players and assistants that Billick would be back for an eighth season. One player contacted Monday by ESPN.com who also had been interviewed by Ravens management about Billick's ability to lead the team back to the playoffs said then that the coach "already [seemed] to know something about his future." Other sources within the team said Billick had been apprised as long as two weeks ago that he and his staff would likely return. Billick, 51, has a 67-51 record, including playoff games, since taking over the Ravens in 1999. He has a year left on his contract. "We have an ongoing and extensive process to find ways to win," Bisciotti said in a statement. "This included a thorough evaluation of Brian Billick. Collectively, we concluded that continuing with Brian as head coach gives us the best opportunity to win."

ESPN

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Ravens To Seek A Trade For Lewis

Sep 6, 2014 5:20 PM

Regardless of running back Jamal Lewis' production during the last month of the season, the Ravens' current plans are to designate him the franchise player and then seek a possible trade. A team would have to give up as many as two first-round picks for Lewis but could surrender less if it reaches an agreement with the Ravens. Several teams have inquired about Lewis, who seems intent on talking his way out of Baltimore. As for backup Chester Taylor, he's not the long-term answer, not in this offense, anyway. If Taylor becomes the featured back, the Ravens need to have a more diverse offense, one in which the running back becomes more of a weapon as a pass catcher out of the backfield. If the Ravens stay in the current system with Taylor as the featured runner, he'd wear down by the final quarter of the season.

Baltimore Sun

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Lewis Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery

Sep 6, 2014 11:51 PM

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis underwent season-ending surgery on his torn right hamstring Wednesday, concluding a frustrating year in which he played in only six games. Lewis has been sidelined since Oct. 23, when he left in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Chicago Bears. The two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year worked hard to return from the injury, but finally decided surgery was the best route. The operation was performed in south Florida. "It was the right thing to do. It gives him the maximum rehab time, multiple opinions," Ravens coach Brian Billick said Wednesday. "He sought them all, we sought them all. It was great that we were able to come to a resolution. I'm sure he's comfortable with it."

AP

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