A “Ray” of Light

A “Ray” of Light
by Robert McIntosh

When you think of the Ravens’ playoff run to Super Bowl XLVII, what do you think of?   Is your first thought of quarterback Joe Flacco growing into the big playmaker that the Baltimore Ravens had been waiting for since he was drafted?  Or is it Ray Lewis’ looming retirement and riding off into the sunset, using the Super Bowl as the final podium to showcase his Hall of Fame worthy linebacker skills one last time?

Did you forget about Ray Rice?  With these other storylines, I can’t blame you.

It’s easy to forget about the All-Pro Running Back, out of Rutgers University, who gained 1,621 yards from scrimmage during the regular season, while crossing the goal line 10 times on the ground and through the air.  If it weren’t for Flacco’s spectacular playoff run and Lewis’ swan song, the New Rochelle native would be one of the lead stories in this year’s Super Bowl against the 49ers.   It seems to be fine with the Ravens' star.  He has only one thing on his mind this week.

When asked about the Super Bowl, Rice responded, “Obviously, we are going to enjoy this.  Obviously, we are going to get to work this week, but you get down there, there’s nothing like it.  I said I have never been to a Super Bowl game.  I have been down to a few Super Bowl appearances, but I told myself I’m never going to one unless I’m playing in it.  This is the one that I finally get to say I’m playing in it.”

Rice still has his head on his shoulders.  While he will do all he can to hoist the Lombardi trophy, he understands there are greater misfortunes than losing the Super Bowl.

“There are people out there really hurting, fighting cancer and all kinds of sicknesses, and here I am playing at the Super Bowl. What do I have to complain about?”

If you don’t have a dog in the fight, Rice is a good player, and even greater guy, to root for this weekend.

Colin Kaepernick: Calm and Quiet at the Top

Colin Kaepernick: Calm and Quiet at the Top
by Daniel Holzhauer

If 2011 was the “Year of the Quarterback,” then 2012 was the Year of the Young Quarterback. Four players who entered the season with no career NFL starts led their teams to the playoffs, but after all the talk that surrounded rookies RG III, Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson, it is Colin Kaepernick that's left standing.

"My dream was to play in the NFL. I wouldn’t say my dream has come true yet. There’s still a lot of work to do,” said Kaepernick at the Super Bowl XLVII media day.

Kaepernick did not say much else to the media, but everyone else was more than happy to praise him.

“Colin deserves all the credit for the way he's produced, the way he's acquitted himself in these games. Our team has great faith in him. The thing you see in his eyes is the competitive fire, the poise beyond his years,” said 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. “Colin has worked extremely hard. He has studied extremely hard. He's a wonderfully focused young man and competes like a maniac.”

But this was not supposed to be Kaepernick's year. In 2011, former number 1 overall draft pick Alex Smith and the 49ers were just two Kyle Williams fumbles away from Super Bowl XLVI. Heading into week 10 of this season, the 49ers were 6-2 and Smith was completing over 70% of his passes. It looked like the QB-in-waiting would have to wait longer.

A concussion suffered by Smith in that week 10 game against the St. Louis Rams presented Kaepernick with an opportunity and started a controversy in front of everyone. On Monday Night Football, against a Chicago Bears defense that had already forced 30 turnovers, the Kaepernick era began.

Kaepernick threw two touchdowns in the game and showed off his huge arm, connecting with Williams for a 57-yard pass. The controversy was short-lived, and the young quarterback from the University of Nevada rewarded his coach’s confidence by leading his team to the Super Bowl.

With just seven starts under his belt, Kaepernick is not worried about experience.

He simply said, “I've always been prepared for this.”

2013 Super Bowl

The Big Game is less than a week away. Which Brother are you going for in the HarBowl? San Francisco 49ers or Baltimore Ravens? How do you enjoy the game?

Here's a sneak peak at the Super Bowl Game Program Cover.

Welcome Back...

After a long hiatus, we're back with new posts and new contributors.  We plan on being more active and interactive in 2013.  Thanks for sticking around and reading and we're sure you'll continue to be entertained.  Don't be afraid to comment on posts, voice your opinion on topics, or recommend your own.  We'd love to hear from you, agree or disagree, right or wrong.

- PSP