Cundiff expected back despite big miss

--Despite wide receiver Lee Evans' dropped touchdown pass and kicker Billy Cundiff blowing a chip-shot field goal in the AFC Championship Game, the organization isn't holding a grudge.

Evans was unable to maintain control of an accurate Joe Flacco pass in the end zone as New England Patriots cornerback Sterling Moore ripped it out of his hands. And a seemingly hurried Cundiff managed to sail a 32-yard chip shot wide left during the final seconds of a 23-20 loss at Gillette Stadium.

"This is like watching your kids in high school play basketball," Bisciotti said. "You don't scream at your neighbor's kid because he's not passing it enough. They become like sons to you, so you feel for them. You can't get mad. This business is about managing your mistakes and managing your failures. Inopportune things like that kill these guys, and I die with them.

"I don't lash out. You end up caring for these guys. You know how much time and effort they put in. It breaks your heart that somebody has got to be the goat, but if we had lost 35-10, then there'd be a lot of goats. It would be easier to spread the blame and the arrows wouldn't be pointing in one direction or another."

--After signing a five-year, $15 million contract a year ago when he made the Pro Bowl, Cundiff went 1-for-6 from 50 yards and beyond last season.

He made only 28 of 37 field goals during the regular season, suffering a left calf injury that affected his kicking greatly in December. Although the Ravens seem to be comfortable with bringing back Cundiff as their kicker for next season, he's expected to face competition at training camp this year after going unchallenged heading into last season.

Following the Ravens' state of the team press conference, Newsome indicated that he won't judge Cundiff on one isolated, pivotal play.

"You can't think of one play," Newsome said. "It's the whole body of work that we'll use."

--Change is coming to the Ravens' roster. They have 13 unrestricted free agents.

"We all know the locker room will not look the same, it's never going to look the same," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "That's why a lot of us were really harping on getting it done. We'll deal with whatever the offseason brings."

--Middle linebacker Ray Lewis, 36, has already declared that he has no intentions to retire.

And free safety Ed Reed, 33, is also expected to return for at least one more season.

Based on both legendary defenders' health and age, the Ravens will likely begin plotting contingency plans this year to eventually replace them within the next year or so.

Both are under contract for 2012.

Lewis is due a $4.95 million base salary and carries a salary-cap figure of $6.85 million.

Although he led the Ravens' defense in tackles last season, he missed four games with a right toe injury and was much less of a factor in pass coverage on third downs.

Reed fell to three interceptions during the regular season, but played well in the playoffs despite a sprained left ankle, a nerve impingement in his neck and a shoulder problem.

He's scheduled to make $7.2 million in base salary next season and has a hefty salary-cap number of $8.5 million.

--Veteran outside linebacker Jarret Johnson is an unrestricted free agent the Ravens would ideally like to keep.

Johnson, 30, is one of the most durable players in franchise history, but fell to 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season.

Because Johnson is one of the tougher, higher-character players on the team and there's no proven replacement on the roster, the Ravens and his agent may be able to work something out on a short-term deal. Both sides are sufficiently motivated.

"I want to retire as a Raven," Johnson said. "I hope to be a part of it, but business is just business. It's going to work itself out."

--The Ravens finished 12th in scoring offense, averaging 23.6 points and 15th in total offense with 338.7 yards per contest.

And they decided to retain offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and are negotiating a new contract with him.

"I'm looking at these trends, and a logical businessman would say that we're making progress," Bisciotti said. "So, I don't know if I have a message for that 10 percent of the fans with that vitriol. I just don't have an answer for them. I just don't. I'm sorry."

The Ravens finished 10th in rushing offense, gaining 124.8 yards per game after finishing 14th in 2010 when they averaged 114.4 yards.

About the only area where there was marginal progress was in the passing game.

The Ravens went up one spot in passing offense, climbing to 19th overall and averaged 213.9 passing yards per game after finishing 20th in 2010 with 208.4 passing yards per game.

"We think our numbers are going to continue to go forward," Bisciotti said. "We think Joe and Cam together will get that done in year five rather than scrapping that, getting a new offensive coordinator, trying to install a new system. I think they're getting pretty comfortable with each other."

--Although Joe Flacco outplayed New England Patriots star quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game as he passed for 306 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Brady tossed two interceptions with no touchdowns, he was under considerable scrutiny all season.

Known for his stoic personality, Flacco rarely shows emotion.

And Bisciotti theorizes that might be why Flacco is so often under fire.

"I think that it is perceived as a weakness when you're young, and yet, we had John Unitas here and he didn't scream and yell at people, either," Bisciotti said. "A lot of people take offense that Joe doesn't get mad at wide receivers, like literally, when the camera is on them and they drop balls. And Joe said, 'I don't expect them to yell at me when I throw at their ankles sometime. That's just part of the game, and they're not going to get over it quicker if I yell at them.'

"That's just not good enough for people. They're like, 'Bad answer,' and I'm thinking that was a pretty good answer. People want to see fire in their athletes. We know Joe has it, but should we get him a coach and tell him to fake it and be a 'rah-rah' guy and the next thing, he's focused on something other than what we want him to focus on? I think he is going to be extremely successful, and I think he's going to have rings, and I think he's got 10 years of his prime to show it, and I think that he will be rewarded for his personality in the long run, and hopefully our fans will."

--As the Ravens head into what shapes up as an important offseason of business decisions, they'll still have general manager Ozzie Newsome's experience to rely upon.

Newsome has no intentions to retire.

The Ravens have contractually designated Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta, 40, as their general manager in waiting.

"I enjoy coming to work every single day, I work with good people," Newsome said. "I enjoy coming to work. I don't know if I have a bad day. I might make a lot of mistakes, but I don't know if I have a bad day at the office. With the people that are in the building, I really, really enjoy what I do.

"I don't know how much longer. I want Super Bowls. Steve (Bisciotti) and I talk about two Super Bowls and three Super Bowls. Once I get to that point, I'll start deciding. This is a great place to come to work at."

--Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs' resurgent season didn't go unnoticed. He was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Suggs recorded a career-high 14 sacks, leading the NFL and setting a franchise single-season record with seven forced fumbles.

"I want to thank the Ravens organization, my teammates, my position coach, Teddy M. (Ted Monachino), all of our defensive coaches, and, most importantly, the city of Baltimore," Suggs said. "Our fans are the NFL's best. I've always said that I play for our fans, and this honor is a tribute to them. I'm very appreciative of Ravens Nation and their love and support throughout the past nine years."

Suggs registered 70 tackles, two interceptions and six pass deflections for the AFC North champions as they made it to the AFC championship game and lost to the New England Patriots.

Suggs was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time last season as the Ravens finished third in total defense and scoring defense and first in red-zone defense.

"Terrell Suggs is a premier player," coach John Harbaugh said. "He's one of the best players in the NFL. He's one of the premier defensive players that everybody game-plans around. He gets blocked every different kind of way a guy can get blocked.

"He still finds a way to make plays. Plus, he's one of the best leaders I've been around. This guy is one of the hardest-working guys I've ever been around. He's part of the heart and soul of our team and our defense."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"It gets a little complicated. I don't want to say too much or too little. I have a lot of faith and trust that something good will happen no matter what, but I know it's a business. People can be here one day and then gone tomorrow. Will a new chapter open up for me? I don't know, but I have faith that everything will be all right." -- Pro Bowl offensive guard Ben Grubbs on his pending free agency decision after being paid $2.995 million in the final season of his rookie deal.

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