when did people stop coming to games?

I can't believe that Billick needs to know the reason why he was fired! He can't be that stupid...our offense has stunk every single year. We have played musical chairs with our quarterbacks. We were embarassed when we lost to Miami this year.

I hope he does land a job in the NFL again...maybe even in our division. I would like nothing else than to watch him kill another team's offense the way he did ours.

Sounds like sour grapes, Mike, because he wouldn't talk with The Sun. Move on and find a new target.

Mike:

What the interviews made crystal clear to me was how much character Brian has. He has consistently supported his players, even those who recently threw him under the bus on their radio shows or with little whispers that you ran with in your columns. The tone of your blog is pretty defensive (and neglects the obvious impact of injuries on 2007) which is not surprising given your longstanding bias against him. I've always thought it was kind of comical how you and certain others ranted against him from your little soapboxes but never really understood the jealousy/disdain. It's almost as if BB took your lunch money. Brian will be missed by much of the community which is more than would be the case were you to move on to greener pastures.

billick was a b.s kinda of coach he rode a good horse when he arrived and
won a super bowl.. i think the win was
in spite of his being head coach.
he couldn't tell a quaterback with
nfl potential if he fell over him. his
play calling was weak and his dealings with the team and the media was full of self serving b.s.

listen to you wishing BB good luck. As if you didn't do your best to help him out of town. Unlike you, BB was gracious and all class on the radio. He could have easily trashed you for the years of negativity, classless comments and name calling you seemed to love so well. And now you wish him well???? If it wasn't so pathetic it would be funny.

You couldn't leave it alone, had to get the last word. Why not take the high road- you got what you wanted- he is no longer the coach.

Hey Mike,

Now its time to rip into Ozzie if our offense remains a joke. Last time I checked, the Great OZ puts the roster together. This is the same roster that for 11 years never had a big time QB or WR. Some of these QBs & WRs left and never amounted to anything anywhere else so who is to blame? Well, except for D. Anderson who, I thought, Oz let go. Just looking for some fairness buddy, or we can just blame the special teams coach we got to replace BB.

How come McNair is allowed to cite injuries as a reason for the team's 5-11 record, but you fail to mention them whenever you write about Billick's performance last season. And we're supposed to believe that you don't have an agenda? You don't deserve Billick giving you the time of day.

I was wondering if you have started to dig up dirt on John Harbaugh yet. I know you'll miss the slanderous zingers you heaped on Brian Billick and there must be a certain degree of withdrawal going on inside you.

As soon as you start to bash Harbaugh, and I would guess that would begin with the teams first loss, it will be apparent to all that you have no objectivity, only vitriol.

I know it makes you mad that Brian Billick is a multi millionaire, and you are not. Get over it, your not as highly regarded.

Wow. It was always pretty clear that Mike Preston's adversarial relationship with Billick affected his reporting, but this post just takes it too far. Preston is supposed to be a professional. "Love ya."? Are you serious? Preston and The Sun can complain all they want about not getting an interview from Billick, but he shouldn't have to do an interview with anyone, especially someone like Preston who slammed him at every turn. The Sun should be better than these "posts." The Ravens Central Blog shouldn't read like a fan message board with these kinds of posts from a so-called columnist.

Mike, this sounds to me like someone who is whining and crying cause they got slighted by a former coach. you got your way Billick is gone... this makes you look childish

Billick was extremely classy in those interviews. That article sounds like sour grapes Mike. You'd be nothing without Billick. He's the reason you have your own column. You're a negative writer and Billick's ego and abrasiveness was easy to attack. I'm glad he told the Sun to pound sand. Good luck writing articles without him. Love ya.

Mike, are you serious? I understand that columnists are supposed to stir it up. However, this blog sinks to a new level of unprofessionalism and childishness. You could learn a lot about being a man from Brian Billick.

Mieky mikey mikey, you just couldn't let it go.
Good luck in finding someone else to rip.

Billick was right on the mark about not talking to The Sun. It is no small wonder that The Sun is a shrinking paper. There's a difference between offering honest criticism and doling out condenscending personal attacks or sanctimonious opinions. The front page consistently attacked a decent and honorable governor (regardless of whether one agreed with his politics), the business section employs a naderite as a columnist who revels in attacking local employers, and the sports page columnists must enjoy reading their own "superior" opinions. Where is contemplative critical thinking that considers and respects the opinions of others and offers thoughtful insight to illuminate the points it seeks to make? Obviously not within the pages of The Sun. The editorial board at The Sun must not realize that most remaining subscribers to The Sun, like myself, remain so only because it's not convenient to log onto the internet at their kitchen table in the morning while they eat their breakfast. We certainly don't buy the paper for the quality of its content. Or, like Orioles fans, we hope against reality that things will improve.

Why did Billick's interviews require any response from you? He didn't attack you personally. To the contrary, he handled himself with class while you make some juvenile reference about losing to a Lemon. Your inability to let go of this jealousy you have for Brian's intelligence and success is beyond pathetic.

To those who say Billick does not deserve an answer, you are just like Preston - only hearing half of the story. The reason the question is valid is because he was told as recently as the day before the Pittsburgh game, which we won, that things were going forward as planned with him as head coach. The answer he is due, is "what happened to change things in one day"? That IS a legitimate question. If he hadn't been told anything to the contrary, then the decision to let him go would have been based on the W's and L's, but it was the changing of the mind at the last minute that Brian deserved an answer to. And not a public answer, but a private answer from the owner, Steve Bisciotti,

Bernie Jacobs wrote: "he rode a good horse when he arrived and
won a super bowl.. i think the win was
in spite of his being head coach."

Can you tell me what year the Ravens phad a winning season before Billick arrived? ... I'm waiting ... still waiting ...your having trouble because the answer is never. They never even played .500 ball before Billick arrived. He may not be a great coach, but give him his due. BILLICK BROUGHT THE SB TROPHY TO BALTIMORE. He was never given a great QB to work with, so that blame needs to get spread around a bit,

Brian coached the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in spite of one of the most controversial distractions in the history of sports - Ray Lewis' murded trial! It's funny that no one remembers how Brian shouldered that distraction, so that his players could focus on winning the big game. Brian defended and stood by a player with questional character, only to have that same individual stab him in the back with the media after a 13-3 season. Think long and hard about the coach we just let go. He was the 3rd winningest coach in the NFL, among active coaches. It's a shame that Baltimore rejected a guy, simply because he was intelligent. I really wish BB well, and I won't be surprised to see him affiliated with another SB victory before the Ravens ever make it back - can you spell Karma Bisciotti?

Ummmm, I'm with Ken... last time I checked, the Ravens weren't crying over lack of attendance, because TYHERE WAS NONE!!!!! Poor excuse of writing at it's finest........

Ever wonder why Billick's eyes are brown???

This article make you & the Sun look bad. Why not have you cover Martin O'Mally with the same type of criticism------ohhhhhhhhhhhhh that's right raising tax's,The Gas & Elexctric & giving illegals rights can't be worse then what Billick did

Sad----real sad

Mike,

I see nothing wrong with your blog, BB was forever in a day a polite excuse maker. He was dismal as a headcoach and he sure did know quarterbacks...didn't he! I do think the great OZ is next for blame if the offense continues to struggle as I believe you have stated in past columns.

BB is quite alike to our Gov'ner he will say what you want to hear and do something completely different to suite his own agenda...

Keep up the fair reporting Mike...

why is it necessary to respond to brians interview ? he has the right to comment just like you when and where he feels like it nothing negative came from his responses and he had opportunities to do that . progress on to the new direction of the team , the sun has started to do that but lets put the energy into that instead of rehashing old stuff

For all of you who continue to jump down MP's throat for every column, you should read and/or listen to other sports writers in other cities.

They would have ripped BB much more than Preston ever could with all of the talent that was on this team for the last 6/7 years.

The Philly press would have had a field day; the NY press would have splashed all kinds of personal attacks on Billick; and because Mike writes a few 'Billick must go' columns, you guys cringe.

This is why everyone considers Baltimore sports fans 'small market' and quite possibly why we're always crying for respect.

Mike,

Stop....Please stop. I have been critical of the offense for years and of the offensive coordinators for years but you take things to a personal level on a consistant basis. It's like going to a restaurant and not liking the dish that is prepared so you call the servers mother fat and ugly.

wow... bitter, party of one! this is sad, mike, and i'm not one of those people who constantly supported billick and thought you picked on him too much. but your bitterness towards BB is so obvious here, and in my opinion so unprovoked. just to be clear, Brian said he could understand WHY he was fired, what he wasn't sure about was why the front office changed their mind literally overnight after assuring him both publicly and privately that he was coming back. and quit saying people stopped coming to games- you are making it sound like the early 80's colts and you KNOW that is not true.

Brian was all class on the radio. You might had never liked the outcomes of some seasons here, but Brian has taken the high road, and good for him.

Class is something that is shrinking in todays society, you can just read this article and find out.

Mike, I admire your work and your criticism of Billick has always been warranted and fair. He had serious flaws in his coaching style and if not for a couple of all-world players on his D, that win/loss record would have been a lot worse.

Billick brought a lot of the criticism on himself. He never took responsibility, he was arrogant and he tried to patronize journalists and the media in general. As a journalist myself, I hate when people do this to me and I'd be lying if I said it did not invite retalitation and bias to some degree.

If any journalist should be criticsed here it is Steve Davis. The guy is a kiss up and cuddles up to Compu Coach ( sorry Mike, I have use it).Davis gave Billick softball type questions so he could push his agenda. That "interview" was worse than some of the interviews I have seen involving the lovey-dovey Redskins media with Joe Gibbs.

Since this is one of your last posts on the Billick era, I admit I am disapointed however that you did not throw in one more "compu coach" reference for old times sake.

BB siad he didn't know why he was fired because he had just been told a day or so before that he was being retained. I think he was saying he din't know what changed overnight.

Bash someone and then tell them you love them and want an interview! R U Kidding. I hope he declines to talk to you. Typical reporter love the team when they win and then bash the the head coach when they lose. If the team does not fair well next season you will bash Hardbaugh and say it was a bad decision to hire him.

The reason Bisciotti owed and explanation to Billick is why he suddenly changed his mind. Nothing changed significantly with the Ravens from the time Bisciotti indicated Billick would be back. The decison to fire him was a sudden change of couse and given that I would have expected Biscotti to tell Billick why he decied on the change. As for not talking to the Sun given that for most of his time as coach all the Sun did was find reasons to rip him (some justified some not) why would you expect him to talk with amyone now. Mike preston practically made it his personal mission to get Billick fired.

Wow, these grapes taste pretty damn sour. Hey Preston, why should Billick do you the favor of an interview when you've done nothing but slam him for years? He owes you nothing.

The Sun is a joke.

You can criticize Brian's brashness or criticize his playcalling (I sure have!) but to criticize his character at this point is ridiculous. I think he always said the right things and acted the right way to the media and in front of the microphones, even as his own players threw him under the bus. No coach, NONE, could have saved last season...sure the playcalling may have given us 3 more wins, but is 8-8 really the goal? Would he have been fired if we'd beaten the Dolphins? Probably. But don't criticize his character because he didn't give YOU an interview...remember when reporters used to actually report?

Mike,

Have you ever thought that maybe BB was right? Maybe what this town needs is a true sports reporter? Not someone biased and with an axe to grind. Happy grinding.

What is the over/under on how long Harbaugh has before Preston attacks him week after week like he did to Billick. I agree with Billick going but never thought a columnist should set a teams agenda and Preston tried to every week.

"Responding to Mike P's Blog, Responding to Brian B's Interviews"

Your blog entry had nothing to do with me, Mike, so why do I feel it necessary or appropriate to respond? Funny, I was thinking the same about why you felt it necessary or appropriate to respond to Brian's interviews.

Thanks but no thanks. I'll do the difficult job of "grading" the Ravens on my own this year buddy. Too negative - even for Baltimore...even after this coah has left the building.

You've lost a reader.

I can not believe you mix your comments about Billick with Hillary Clinton's political campaign. All Politicians change their moods, including Obama. Leave the sports alone, don't put other ingredients in it.

Let it go Preston, its done. He's out of town and you haven't found a new target to make a career of trashing. He's handled the situation w/ total class, he didn't even take a (deserved) shot at you when given the chance. He lost his job days after he was told it was secure. That warrants an explanation. Just be happy he brought a champioship back to the city and find someone new to throw under the bus.

Apparently Hillary Clinton has only changed moods twice in 9 years because that's how often Billick switched offensive coordinators. And last I checked every game has been sold out for years. This is a mindless rant from a sports columnist. It's embarrassing and reeks of jealousy.

Bottom line is Billick is Ravens history now. Bisciotti only owes Billick $15mil over the next 3 years.

If Billick doesn't know why he was fired, then he is the only person in the football world who doesn't know why.

How ever, if he needs closure, let Billick hash these facts over. There has been no offense since his arrival as an "Offensive guru and QB mentor". He had the opportunity to "Groom" 29 QB's in his tenure and let players like Derek Anderson go. Oh and the QB on the worst team of the league that beat the Ravens, Cleo Lemon. His offensive schemes were terrible. That's just breaking the ice for Billick, and yet its still more than enough of a reason.

But its all history as of now. The Ravens have a new future with John Harbaugh as the coach, so let's all move on with expectations of the future.

Billick became too smug after the new contract and had to go . None of those on his team honestly liked the way he was directing the team especially Steve Biccioti . His method was so orchestrated that everyone knew what the offense was doing at all times . Let's hope that Harbaugh will lead this team the way one can expect .

I'm pretty sure Augustus "Gus" Haynes would not stand for this so-called reporting.

Preston is right. He granted his interview to "Bull Dog" and his crew because they were kissing his butt constantly over the years. Tell Billick to take his 15 million and move on with his life. We all need to move forward. This team needed a fresh face and sometimes organizations need to make changes. Billick has had many opportunities to defend his coaching style and decisions, but he always offers rebuttals with alot of words and no substance. I can see why the players would tune him out. In his radio interview, he basically said nothing, and I am glad we have a new coach. "It is What it is"! Get over it Billick.

All you guys who where willing to throw Billick in front of a train - now - all of a sudden are taking up for him.
Remember Miami - remember NO Offense for Years??

I think Mike responded to Billick's question regarding why he was fired and why 'things changed in a day' . Since Billick asked these questions publicly , he was exposed to Mike and other media members' second guessing comments. Mr Billick , relax , enjoy your 5 million for three years and move on . As a bonus , if you ever see Bisciotti again , why not ask him directly if you still want to know?

Hey Mike,put a cold towel on your head.Billick no longer represents a threat to you or the Sun.That is the way in which you treated him for most of his years in this town.Let"s see if you are able to fairly report on Harbaugh without goimg negative right away.

I was at the Colts game. By the 3rd quater, there were more Colts fans in the stands than Ravens fans. It was a shameful performance. The Ravens were beaten in there minds before they came on the field and that's what we saw all year. The team played like it couldn't win or didn't care. Don't tell me about Billick's ability to inspire and coach the team! He should have been fired for that game alone!

Way to stir up the great unwashed, Mike. Don't they get it yet that you love to push their buttons and they respond in droves, thereby justifying your baiting of them. It's truly funny to watch it happen everytime. I think you should play devil's advocate, not be some "homer" who writes what the fans want to hear! Keep it up.

The man won 80 games, made the playoffs 4 times, won a Super Bowl, and gave Baltimore the most exciting decade of sports since the 1960's. But, yeah, he was a pretty bad coach I guess.

Mike:

You have said you liked Billick, but you were certainly one of those calling for his head. No surprise he didn't want to talk to The Sun.

The only reporter there whom he really got along with was Jamison, and he was so ticked at the columns you and others wrote no surprise he doesn't want to talk to you.

You are right, Steve Davis is a Ravens shill, but hey, that's what he was paid to do... be a shill.

Look at the Redskins at Sonny Jurgenson with Dan Snyder... there's one at every team.

However, I think the Ravens made the right call to fire Billick. Brian did a great job, but the fact is that he had lost the team. When he couldn't find a solution to stop the losing, they were gone.

Yes, injuries were a huge part of it, but the only game in the last few they showed up for was the Patriots, and that's because NE was undefeated at the time.

Good call Bisciotti. Needed change of scenery. Tough call but I think the right one and you shouldn't feel bad for calling for it.

As far as the attendance, the last couple of games this year were embarrassing. I was there watching people leave in droves before halftime of the Colts games and the tens of thousands of Steeler fans that got tickets from Ravens "fans". Losing football games is one thing on the field, but when it affects the bottom line of attendance, merchandise and concessions something has got to be done.

Isn't this unique. Mike Preston slamming Brian Billick. Same ol' same ol'. One must wonder how you will ever dream up something new to write about. I guess your career is now over. As BB once said, "That's why players play, coaches coach, and writers write." And in your case, Mike, that's why whiners whine. While Billick is a cerebral, media-saavy, master motivator, you, Mr. Preston, seem like someone that tries to pretend he knows more than he actually does.

I don't think Brian would have had an explanation due if he was fired from the start. He was told he was coming back for this season and then had a 180 on him, I think he deserves to be told why the 180 happened.

Having said that, I wish him well, but I'm happy he is gone, it is well overdue for change in Baltimore.

No offense for years because there has been no talent on offense for years. Ozzie combed the scrap heap for qb's, wr's and lineman for years while the defense got old hurt and tired.

Ozzie is a one pick pony. First round, defense..other than that Ozzie is a below average in talent evaluating. His 2nd and 3rd round picks are a joke.

He should have been canned w/ Billick and the old, head case spoiled brat thug players he's acquired should have been sent packing with him.

And how is this team in cap trouble again? Please quit Ozzie!

And Rex Ryan's defense got smoked by Cleo Lemon.,

I cant understand the logic of fans in baltimore.Watching the ravens has been like watching peewee football.Whenever the ravens played well coached teams,it always became apparent who the better prepared team was.watching the colts playoff loss to the colts was embarassing.The defense adusted,but as usual,nothing on the offensive side.I really question what the fans were looking at.Sad.

Maybe you should point the finger at the so-called 'leader' of the team, Ray Lewis. He should have stood up like a man and challenged his teammates, instead of blaming the coach. Lewis' backstabbing of Billick should be a topic for your column. After what happened in Atlanta, Billick stood up for this guy more than ANYONE, and look at the thanks he got. Ray Lewis was/is the face of this franchise, not Brian Billick. It's time we had a new face. Ray Lewis needs to move on and be a locker room problem for some other team. Ray's bravado and trash-talking are pretty silly when neither he nor his teammates can back it up on the field. It's about time the defense was held accountable. They got free passes from Billick for their lack of control (stupid penalites, personal fouls, etc.) and poor play (getting torched by mediocre receivers). Lets hope Harbaugh holds EVRYONE on this team to the same standards, instead of playing favorites.

what is with this bb love fest? this guy is a spin doctor superstar, so self serving. it worked again, poor brian, steve didn't tell him why. the last poll i saw showed 75% of the fans were in favor of letting bb go. no more flawed offensive schemes (jamal is running just fine in clev), no more ruining guys carreers like fassel(elway thought he was responsible for rejuvating his career), no more lack of clock management, passing when everyone knew we should have been running. what a feel for the flow of the game this guy has. the guy couldn't manage the x's and o's for a pee-wee team. i credit bb with the organizational skills and moxey needed by our young team to get them to and finally winning that 2001 superbowl, but he did all that with smoke and mirrors. the organization is now old enough for a solid management team with real coachng credentials and i think we have one in place.

Bitter grapes Mike? You as a columnist know it is different than as a reporter. You're able to give your views and opinions without the whole input and view that Billick and others in the Ravens organization may have, informed only by YOUR sources and YOUR observations. The print media sells papers by being critical and controversial, as you often are (to my and others' enjoyment of course), but it is petty to resent access to TV or Radio media because they have a softer approach. They are dealing with someone on the spot, and presenting their analysis right there to the interviewee, while you have the luxury of safely going back to a newsroom to type up a criticism. Why would he want to deal with someone who sold papers by skewering him. I haven't heard qoutes form players saying he lost the locker room, only the observations of people like you.

Billick in his interview never said that Bisciotti owed him an explanation, it was your colleague David Steele who said he should have had one. And as an employer and one who has hired and fired people before, if I tell someone one week they are with me for next year, and the next tell them they are fired, I should explain myself. Bisciotti never did offer a cogent explanation during his press conference. Once McNair went down after the 2nd play, Ogden never at full strength, top pass rusher down, and two starting corners out, the Ravens didn't have the depth to compete much less than be one of the league's "elite". If you or anyone else thinks a Harbaugh or someone else could have eked out more than two more wins than Billick with last year's injured squad, you're deluding yourself.

Knocking Billick and Radio guys for him not making the rounds at the Sun is petty of you and the other reporters. The guy doesn't work for the NFL and has no obligation to talk to a newspaper. In a 3 hour Radio interview, you're not going to be misqouted. At least not until the Sun or someone else grabs a snippet spoken out of context, and without the voice inflection and meter that might show a person's intent. It seems clear the real reason he went to these sources for live interviews was so that people could get his poinions unfiltered.

You people sure have short memories. With all those years of offensive mediocrity, It was time for him to go. Preston did nothing but tell it like it was. A 13-3 team one year, and the next, we can't beat the worst team in the league. Ridiculous. He had to go, no explanation needed.

Love the last line Mike......too funny!!!

A head coach usually gets fired because he's NOT DOING THE JOB HE WAS HIRED TO!! During the playoffs, SD beat Indy and nearly upset NE, both ON THE ROAD with a bunch of injuries to All-Pro players like LT and Gates, so you can't chalk it all up to injuries. Billick coached the team to 7-9 after the sal-cap purge. He didn't have all the players then, so 5-11 is supposed to be because of injuries? LOL

It's hard for me to understand why BB needs a reason for his dismissal. You were an NFL head coach. You know how precarious that job is, else, why did you take it in the first place? It goes with the territory. Reminds me of the SB35 highlight film and what BB said to Oz when the game was almost over. Oz said, "You should have done this last year!" and BB replied, "Oh no, then you can only go down from there!" Exactly. He won a SuperBowl in his second year, and hasn't come close since. Any wonder why 7 years later he was let go?

All of the on-field things that you mentioned about Billick are undeniable. But you don't think the owner owes the coach an explanation when he is fired? Especially one that has been here nine years and won the organization a Super Bowl? I dare say you would be a little upset if the higher-ups at the Sun come to you tomorrow and tell you that you're out of a job without any explanation! There is a way to do things professionally, and not having an exit meeting (or whatever you want to call it) with the coach is not it. You're coming across as a bitter ex because you're not getting an interview. You wanted the coach gone. You got it. Now move on to your next target.

Brian Billick got treated the same way he treated Trent dilfer. I guess what goes around comes around. Just think Trent got fired after winning a superbowl.

Thanks for the laughs Mr. Preston. I'm having a tough day and this was a nice elixir to sooth my mood.

I think some people responding to this blog are slightly dellusional. No lack of attendance? Really? How many of you were actually at the Ravens vs. Steelers game? I was there, and all I saw were Steelers fans. So explain to me this 'no lack of attendance' argument again, because I don't buy it. People sold out and abandoned this team last year. If they didn't, I would not have been having to deal with mouthy Squealers fans all night long.

I've come to the conclusion that most fans are idiots - or at least they are unfamiliar with the nature of competition in the NFL. The undermanned Ravens did indeed come to play under Billick. By and large we got their best effort. Some nitwits here mention the Colt game as an embarrassment because we were blown out and didn't look prepared. Of course - we had just played our most inspirational game of the year in the narrow loss to the Patriots. Naturally - the team didn't achieve the same emotional pitch against the Colts. This happens ALL the time in the NFL. It is the nature of the competition. Billick did better than most at getting the Ravens ready to play. Some fans were just too oblivious to notice.

Allow me to make a comment on behalf of like-minded Baltimore Sun Sufferers..."WAAAH!" The Sun cried like babies when Ehrlich told Olesker to get out of the room for not being an ethical journalist. Ehrlich, Republican, bane of the Sun's existence, was voted out in favor of the Sun's golden Boy. Now, Billick doesn't want to give the Sun access. Go ahead and cry about it. It's another example of people not wanting to be pushed around by the intellectual lightweights at the Crab Feast Table Covering. You can't have it both ways Bill...Report and be fair. If you have an opinion, that's fine, but don't cry when your opinion makes things tough for you to do your job. Ask Rush Limbaugh about that on ESPN...

It is funny to see so many people backing bb.Some of you blame ozzie but remember itwas billick who wanted boller so bad,it was the defense led by Marvin Lewis that carried the team to a superbowl win .Someone even had the nerve to blame Ray Lewis,said he wasn't looking out for his team.The man has been here for what twelve years,has given his heart and soul to this team,he finally got tired of the defense having to carry this .And as far as no fans in the stands did you see the colts game the seats were empty at half time the pittsburgh game had thousands of terrible towels waving,Billick was the head coach of a superbowl winning team,he will always have that ring but the credit goes elsewhere .Wow this is crazy can't wait till next season

Billick never said he needed a reason for his dismissal. He never said that he didn't understand why he was fired. He was asked if he was given a reason for being fired - to which he answered "no".

It's pretty simple and straightforward, but misinterpreting the facts gives Preston something to write about. And it is fairly obvious that he can't actually think of something else to write about other than Billick.

Jerry you and the other Billick haters are missing the point. We are not posting on here defending Billick saying the timing wasnt right we are saying why does Preson need to keep harping on Billick even after he is gone. Billick did not once name Preston and continued to show class, the sun should also and so should you. Look at his stats......

No team with an offensive lin as inept at pass blocking as ours will have a potent offense. Look at Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, when he he was constantly pressured, and didn't get the seven seconds or more he was used to getting on pass attempts. He put up 14 points, and struggled. Our offense wasn't poor because of Billick or Boller, but because of terrible offensive line play. Never saw that in a Preston column.

People can rightly question Billick's schemes and/or his message, but he brought more to the table than that. He created a winning attitude and brought respectability to the most hated team in the NFL. He served as the lightning rod for ALL of the criticism for this team and organization over the last 9 years; he constantly came to the defense of his players on each and every occasion and never once blinked. I can only hope that those who wanted him removed so badly will come to understand that there was and still is much more wrong with this team than Brian Billick.

Mike Preston is no John Steadman.

Mike,

I am not going to grant you an interview until you take every word back!

Coach B

I personally support Mike and his role with the newspaper. Without him, virtually NO ONE would question the Ravens and their moves (or non-moves, when it came to Elvis Girbac, Kyle Boller, etc.). The radio guys RARELY question what the Ravens do.

Keep it going MIke, I like what you do.

kudos to mike preston!!!! i love your columns mike keep up the good work i havent always agreed with you but its refreshing to get a honest point of view and one thats not watered down
by the team who ever the bosses are at the sun give this man a raise!!!!!

I think there's a lot of interesting things flying around about Billick right now.

While I don't agree, and really have never agreed with Prestons columns, where was all this Billick support lat year? You guys all seem to be just as fair weather as MP does.

Billick, for all the things he lacked, never lacked character. He never rolled his players under the bus, and I saw a previous poster mention Billick didn't take responsibility for what happened? I never heard him divert the blame, he always said "We'll have to do x,y, and z better". When Rex called that timeout during the New England game, Billick didn't roll him under the bus. Billick never rolled on his players, in fact everyone was overly critical of him sticking with players when he should have made some changes. Yeah, his message may have grown old when the same problems continued to present themselves (discipline on the field, lack of points, players not playing hard, etc), but he always stepped up the the plate and was the fall guy.

I do, however think it was time for a change because his message just wasn't getting across any more. So he does a radio interview, STEERS CLEAR of the question about MP (when he could have easily launched an attack and said all of the things he probably has wanted to say for a while), and MP finds it necessary to lash out again. I've always found your criticism of Billick to be without merit, personal, and childish. And I think you're the last person to talk about what is fair to Billick.

LOL @ Billick writing another book. This one better be entitled: "How to kill an NFL offense".

Kudos to Mike Preston for telling it like it was. BIllick sucked. He should have been fired after the 2005 season or even before that. He's nothing but an inept, arrogant BS artist. I sincerely hope he ends up coaching the Browns or the Bengals so we can guarantee those games will be easy ones for our DC to prep for. Brian Billick has no integrity, no honor, and no business wasting any more Ravens fans' time.

Coach Billick has responded!!!!

Mike,

I am not going to grant you an interview until you take every word back!

Coach B

Posted by: Brian Billick | February 27, 2008 3:56 PM

You rock out here in Huntington Beach, CA
You were the best coach that I can remember, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything you ever said with the media. Handled like a true gentleman and head coach. Wishing you the best with you and your family decisions! Glad to hear you are doing well and have read these blogs that ultimately support you!
Jason

look, this guy should have been gone three or four years ago. anytime he mortgages the future (the top notch defense of the ravens) on a so-called quarterback no other team had even thought about drafting until at least the fifth round , if then, he wasn't working with a full deck. he certainly cost the ravens playoff appearances during that time. i don't believe he'll ever coach in the nfl again especially if a team takes a really good look at his years hear. now if you want to given him some pom poms so he can be a motivational cheerleader for some team, maybe that'll work, but a serious head coaching job, absolutely not. i sincerely believe that baltimore was the only place that he could have stayed as long as he did because people here have the tendency to want to hear people just talk without producing.

I do not remember you being this cynical in school. What has happened to you? What did Brian ever do to you? I have met him several times and he is a very gracious and intelligent man. When other coaches on Sunday drive up and go into the building, he took the time to interact with fans. Mike I think you need to examine what is really going on here.
P.S. Please don't do this to Harbaugh
I love having football in Baltimore.

Cathy (VonNordeck) Hughes

this is one more reason the sun has such a poor following. he's GONE! pick a new target. how long will it take you to rip harbaugh apart??

Mr. Preston I head Peter S. crying/whining on Wbal about the whole Billick thing. Boo-hoo...
During his tenure with the Ravens Coach was available to all in the media. NOW a former coach he does not lose his media savy title just b/c he choose not to meet with those that lied-spied and acted like a middle school children. **Note to HARBUAGH_watch out for Ray Preston Lewis...and his little boys too.

Yet another bunch of sour grapes from Mike Preston. I have no problem with objective reporting or criticism, which Billick deserved for his lack of offense. However, Mike Preston made it personal and took the "if you don't agree with me you are obviously an idiot" route. Mike, you have your bully pulpit and I guess you can use it any way you want. But don't whine because there are consequences for your approach. Brian Billick showed he was the better man this week.

Mike, you're 100% correct about Billick and the kiss-ups at WBAL. It's been known for a long time that the stations sports announcers were scared to death that the Ravens would pull the plug with the station just like the Orioles did. Consequently, Steve Davis and company refused to say anything negative about them and, in the process, killed any objectivity they may have had. The worse the Ravens played, the more incestuous the relationship became. Billick could do no wrong and the fans were almost always wrong because, silly them, they actually believed what they saw on the field. Billick was first and formost like a very good used car salesman. He's very charming, glib, and convincing during an interview. In other words, he can talk-the-talk but he can't walk-the-walk. Steve Davis seems to be a hot headed egomaniac who thinks that his position and fast talking talent always makes him right.
It's ain't so, Steve and you just can't stand to have another person with a different opinion than yours. Make that a BETTER, MORE ACCURATE opinion. Mike Preston, you're the
man!

Hate the sin, but love the sinner...your intent may be a critical analysis, but your impact is a subjective, personal attack.

Actually, all of this is starting to look another bad WWE drama.

Mike, If the Sunpaper would print what was said, instead of what you wanted to be said, Brian may have interviewed with you !

I have absolutely no problem with Mike Preston. There have been too many mondays the past few years feeling like **** because of the dismal showing of the Ravens. I needed insight into the Ravens problems and I feel Preston did a good job "grading" the Ravens. Preston did not just hone in on Billick--he stated the facts when someone did a good job and a lousy job.

Just remember this, when that fired Ravens offensive coordinator (Fossel ??) interviewed for the redskins head coaching job, and got turned down, he said: "IT WAS A MISTAKE TO HAVE BEEN AN ASSISTANT WITH THE RAVENS."

How can anyone blab about Prestons "mistreatment" of Billick when his own assistant is trashing him???

You all weren't complaining about Billick when we won the superbowl.
Before Billick arrived the Ravens were not a very good team. Wasn't Ogden, Lewis already here before him when they were no better than a .500 team.
How many superbowls has Jeff Fisher been and won. In one and lost. Why is he not fired and gone. I think Billick was a good coach not a great one. Billick was very good with the media by always taking the blame when deserved and was great with the fans and having his players do the same. I guess after two or more losses John will get the bash of Preston too.

For all the professed hatred for Mike, there sure are alot of responses to the blog. If it bugs you that much, why read it. I'm not afraid to listen to someone that has an opinion different than mine.

Mike's high school classmates are ripping him. This is trancendent comedy!

I glad Mike is not getting too close to the coaches as most journalists do because you do lose all objectivity when you do. You can't help it.

I agree with Mike on Billick as a coach. I agree with everyone on here that, while an arrogant guy, he is a decent guy.

It is appropriate and correct to criticize Billick. The problem was always the tone, summarized by the "Love ya" ending which is so beneath the Baltimore Sun it is unbelievable.

I really don't understand all the concern for BB, when in the past several years Mr. BB has blamed and fired two offensive coord.'s and when watching the team performance it was still the same. Just as in many aspects in life it was time for a change and that was the owners decision to make that change. Not Mike or anyone else's.

Mike you failed to mention the number of injuries Brian had to deal with. We lost our starting quarterback and you did not mention that. Mike you took shots at Brian for years. Since Brian is gone who is next for you to trash?

Boy, Mike. They sure rip you in your column here. Looks like nobody likes you. Maybe you ought to go to another town and complain.Your obviously not a Ravens fan, and the Ravens obviously aren't a fan of you.

Enough already, good riddance. Almost every nationally televised game our team were out coached, including the one were he blew kisses to the other team!. Each game they never looked prepared. Again, for 100th time our defense won that Superbowl, anyone remember who the MVP was, it wasn't anyone on the offense. Billick had full control of this team, I'm tired of hearing how he never had the QB, or WR he wanted, injuries or not you must be able to adapt, the Giants played with injuries, so did the Chargers they both had winning seasons. Every year all we got were excuses, well he's finally gone. If he wasn't a millionaire he'd be selling Hyundais at Antwerpen. I'm surprised at you Baltimore and how short your memory is.

I agree with some of the blogs on here that Mike is just holding Brian and the Ravens accountable for their decisions. I think Mike gives the Ravens their due when they make good decisions and he lets him have it with both barrels when they make bad ones. And that's how it should be. Its called the free press!!! Why, in God's name, would we want every reporter to be a Brian Billick sycophant! There needs to be another opinion. After all, this isn't The Sun editorial page!

I didn't see the interview being from New Jersey but let's face it, Mike Preston is Mr. Negative and probably a little ticked that he had no part of the interview. I could expound more on Mr. Preston's frustrations but that would be pure speculation on my part.

It was definitely time for a change but all that said injuries were a huge factor this season that everyone seems to forget. All that said, the offense did not appear ready to play in that horrendous effort in week one with six turnovers against what is a bad defense. Billick deserves credit for winning a Superbowl in Baltimore and he was also a great motivator the majority of his time here. It's just that 3 of the last 4 years the message grew stale, thus it was time for a change. Let's move forward.

I'm sure Mr. Glass Half Empty will give us plenty of before and after the fact analysis and negativity in the future. Love Ya Mike

prediction - Billick will be the Sam Wyche for the new millenium. A fairly beloved coach with his original team (in Sam's coach the Bengals), later to be picked up by a fairly mediocre teams (in Sam's case it was the Bucs, in Billick's case it will probably be the 49ers or the Jets) and will come in talking the same good stuff/bs, but will crash and burn....

You need an Ozzie to make a great team, and there aren't many of those!

Wow Preston! Bitter much????

Hang in there Mike. I agree with you 100%. For most of the past 5 years or so I have been frustrated that Billick, Boller, and even the great Ozzie have been given too much of a free ride when it comes to bad decisions.

Brian Billick is the one who guided an offense which could not score a TD in 5 weeks, only to be saved by Marvin Lewis and the greatest defense ever.

Does anyone remember the last time RB Priest Holmes had less than 1000 yds in a full season? He was on BB's bench.

Does anyone remember Elvis Grbac's tremendous contributions to Ravens' history?

The dismissal of SB QB Trent Dilfer?

The stubborn refusal to give up on the obviously untalented Kyle Boller, while letting Derek Andersen flounder on the practice squad, then join our hated rival to beat the crap out of us for the next decade? (Yes decade......Brady Quinn will never get a chance unless DA gets injured)

Mike, I think you frequently hit the nail on the head, as many in this town are too timid to do. Keep it up. The critics on this blog are in a small minority if you talk to fans in this town.....my seats were going on StubHub if Billick wasn't fired.