Could Ignominy of Loss to Dolphins Cost Billick His Job?
One has to wonder if Sunday's loss to the previously winless Miami Dolphins perhaps could cost Baltimore Ravens Coach Brian Billick his job.
There have been rumblings in the second half of the season that Billick's job could be in jeopardy. But most recently, he has said that he expects to return and there have been reports that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti intends to retain Billick.
But in a season full of embarrassments for the Ravens, Sunday's defeat was the most embarrassing moment of all. Billick made questionable strategic moves, and the Dolphins avoided becoming the first NFL team ever to go winless in a 16-game season.
Billick is a Super Bowl-winning coach, and the Ravens were one of the league's top teams last season. But they have fallen apart this season, with eight straight losses and a 4-10 record. They're yet to develop a productive quarterback and a cohesive offense under Billick, and Billick's players came unraveled and lost their composure late in a nationally televised loss to the New England Patriots a few weeks ago. Since then, the club was routed at home by the Indianapolis Colts and lost to the Dolphins.
By Mark Maske |
December 17, 2007; 3:25 PM ET
| Category:
Ravens
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Posted by: Ryan | December 17, 2007 4:32 PM
Ironic if the play-it-safe FG costs him his job.
I think he kicked it solely so he would not have to face losing in regulation to the Dolphins, figuring if he loses in OT then he can blame it on bad luck, a coin flip, or something.
Posted by: ah | December 17, 2007 4:47 PM
Billick's loss to Miami was deliberate. He wants to force Biscotti to fire him and buy out his contract.
Posted by: the718 | December 17, 2007 6:30 PM
Billick has had 10 years to prove that he is the Offensive Genius that he touts himself as. The Ravens have had excellent personnel come through their organization and Billick has never put together the offensive powerhouse that he claims is his trademark. In fact the year the Ravens won the Super Bowl it was the defense that did it with a quarterback that understood how to manage the game so the defense would be in scoring position. This had nothing to do with Brian Billick.
He needs to go.
Now!
Posted by: D~ | December 18, 2007 11:58 AM
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The Ravens were terrible a couple seasons ago and everyone called for Billick's job and then they won 13 or 14 games the next season.
I think Biscotti sticks with Billick through Ray Lewis' tenure in Baltimore. If you bring in another coach there will surely be a couple seasons of turnover, or "rebuilding" and Ray-Ray is too old for that.
Keep sending those guys out there until Ray-Ray calls it quits, then bring in the new coach.