The Ravens hit the Pat with a kidney shot.

RAVENS DROP THE PATS WITH BODY BLOWS

PACK AND CARDS SHOOT IT OUT IN THE DESERT

PETE CARROL & THE GARDEN OF EDEN

The Baltimore Ravens had never beaten the Patriots. The Patriots had not lost a home play game since the late '70's. So naturally the result was going to be a Ravens blowout... right?



The Ravens established dominance on the line of scrimmage from the outset, and along with three first-quarter turnovers from the Pats, it was over quickly. Joe Flacco was probably updating his Facebook status sometimes while the Ravens were on offense; he only threw 10 passes yesterday! After the first New England turnover, Baltimore pounded them with five straight runs from the NE 17 to go up 14-0. That was the first big gut shot. The Patriots went to a knee and took a standing-8 count to gather themselves, but the pattern for the rest of the was set.

Watching the Ravens offense operate on New England was like watching one of those old episodes of Batman starring Adam West, when the caped crusader and Boy Wonder would be in a scrum with anonymous henchmen. I was waiting for the "BOOM, ZAP, POW, ZONK" to come across the screen with each bone-grinding run.

The Patriots fans voiced their disapproval of their teams' performance by booing their team during the decisive first-quarter. Now maybe it's me, but considering the great run that they Pats had with the Super Bowls, division titles, etc., those people have nerve. In fact, they are spoiled; that's right I said it, SPOILED. Here in Philly we can boo our team when they bumble, and stumble; we haven't seen high nor low of an NFL title since 1960. We can, and will, and do share our misery.

Now people will be asking is this the end of the Patriot run of dominance. Actually, that run ended last year when Brady went down in week 1. Although it must be said, the Pats didn't appear to be the same after they let the Colts come back and beat them in week 10. I can't quite put my finger on it but they seemed "off" after that game. Next season the hungry young lion that is the New York Jets will want to square off with NE to lead the AFC East pride. So if your looking to kick definitive dirt on the Pats, you will likely get your chance in the latter stages of next season.


But let's shift our attention to Baltimore and what John Harbaugh has managed to accomplish in two scant seasons. I've always liked John Harbaugh. He oozes positivity. Once I was at the NovaCare Complex, when I saw John Harbaugh walk past wilting flowers which sprung to life in his presence. Seriously, that's true. Okay, the "flowers" were actually me, but my point remains. Supported by a crack front-office led by Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens will continue to smoothly transition a defense as it ages as well as get "Joe Cool" some proper toys to play with. It's obvious that the Baltimore Ravens are going to be an AFC contender for the next few years.


So I know everyone saw the Packers-Cardinals game, but did you notice the sequence of the last few plays. With the Cards driving into position to attempt the game-winning field-goal, Kurt Warner hit Early Doucet on a slant. Charles Woodson, the likely Defensive Player of the Year, goes for the strip rather than a sure tackle (don't get me started on tackling) which enables Doucet to gain yards making the attempt easier for the kicker. Arizona's Neil Rackers shanked the kick. Woodson should've thanked Rackers. The Cardinals score the defensive touchdown, when two plays earlier they almost gave up a sure touch down, and Rackers should've thanked the defense, or rather the Packers protection. The one serious issue that the Packers offense had came back to bite them on their bum yesterday. I would assume that THE priority for Green Bay G.M Ted Thompson this off season will be addressing the protection of his QB.


After the game was over I watched Warner go to his press conference and I thought, "It's been a strange, wild, disappointing, and exultant journey for this man." I marvel at the highs and lows that his career has taken.


Oh, speaking of Warner's press conference, I saw it when I turned on NFL Gameday Final on the NFL network. Goodness gracious my eyes felt severe pain having to watch those suits that Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin had on. I'm sure the High Def didn't help. But they looked like they had on Zoot Suits. Obviously Sanders and Irvin get their suits from the same place as Steve Harvey.


Lastly, Coach Dude, er Pete Carroll ended the speculation by being officially introduced as the new coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Dude, what is he doing? Did he really think this out? Look at the disparate climates of the two cities. He's gonna use some of that money for a huge shipment of Zoloft since he won't see the sun for days (hopefully) at a time. The Dude has to know this won't be fun. Pro players won't get hyped when Carroll has Snoop D-O-double gizzle show up at a team meeting, unless he brought a Wii and food for everyone. What I can't figure is that Carroll is been down this road, and it didn't end pretty. Now at USC, he's got it all. Great weather, job security, happiness. He's cast himself out of his Garden of Eden. Now one has to wonder is Coach Dude isn't getting while the getting is good with the NCAA snooping around about improper gifts for Reggie Bush, and Joel McKnight's "girlfriend's" SUV. I've seen every episode of "The Wire" four times, so I know about the front name on a car bit. But even if sanctions come down they won't be major, unless there's bigger dirt that the NCAA hasn't, but will, find.


Either way good luck to Coach Dude. Meanwhile there's a school waiting for his availability in say two-three years.

TOMORROW ON THE D-TRAIN DAILY: DONNIE #5 ALIVE