FESTIVUS 2009

From the 5GUYS...Everyone have a safe and happy holiday season! GO RAVENS!!

GAME 14: RAVENS 31 - BEARS 7

The Ravens gave all their fans an early Christmas gift as they turned four Chicago Bears turnovers into touchdowns and cruised to a 31-7 victory. The win put the Ravens at 8-6 and in the top wildcard spot in the AFC with two games to play in the season.

On a cold afternoon, one day after the largest December snowstorm in area history, Joe Flacco tossed four TD passes (two to Heap & one each to Mason and Demetius Williams) to lead the Ravens to the win.

With some of the guys out of town, the 5GUYS’ seats in section 540 were manned by Ron and his brother John and nephew Dan, along with Bryan & Billy Brown. Some of the guys did their pre-game 'Festivus' celebration at the Firehouse ( the Italian sausage was awesome) where they managed to drink for free (long story..)!

Marty braved the cold temps and enjoyed the victory (pictured with John Doub) after he spent the day before manning the ‘Snow Desk’ and reporting the blizzard of 2009 at WJZ. And Santa was in section 540 spreading his Christmas cheer and high-fives after every Ravens touchdown!

The Ravens continue their run to the playoffs next Sunday with a showdown in Pittsburgh with the hated Steelers…GO RAVENS and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

GAME 13: RAVENS 48 - DETROIT 3

After a disappointing loss to Green Bay on Monday Night Football the Ravens were hoping to regroup in the rain against the Detroit Lions. They did!

The 5GUYS braved the elements and did their pre-game at the Firehouse enjoying their awesome pit beef and chili! Joining the 5GUYS were Will Doub and Billy Brown, sons of Ron and Bryan, as well as David’s buddy Dwight and his daughter.

The Ravens got off to their normal slow start and only lead 3-0 at the end of the 1st quarter but then long TDs by Derrick Mason and Ray Rice in the 2nd quarter lead the way to a 48-3 drubbing of the lowly Lions.

Ray Rice continued his All-Pro season surpassing 1000 yards rushing and 1500 yards combined offense in the game.

Next week ‘da Bears come to M&T and the Ravens will look to continue their run to the playoffs!

GAME 11: RAVENS 20 - STEELERS 17 OT

The 5GUYS had an awesome time at the ‘Indoor Tailgate’ at Sports Legends Museum. Legendary Colts Gino Marchetti and Raymond Berry, both heroes of the 1958 championship game, were at the event signing autographs. After enjoying all the festivities at the pre-game party it was off to the Sunday night AFC Central showdown between the Steelers and the Ravens!

Joining the 5GUYS in Section 540 were two special guests, Ron’s brother Ed and Bryan’s co-worker Paul. The Ravens took an early 7-0 lead on a McGahee run but the Steelers tied it at 7 later in the period and it was close game all the way. A Billy Cundiff field goal tied the game 17-17 in the final minutes of regulation and sent the game into overtime.

After exchanging a number of punts in the overtime period the Steelers had very good field position near midfield but their drive was halted by a Paul Kruger interception which setup a game winning 29 yard FG by Cundiff….Ravens win 20-17!!!

Next the Ravens travel to Green Bay to battle the Packers on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field...queue up John Facenda :)

GAME 10: DOLTS 17 - RAVENS 15

The 5GUYS had their pre-game festivities along the Ravens Walk prior to the game with Peyton the Indy Dolts :) When the game started the Ravens continued their offensive struggles of the last two games as they failed to score a TD during the contest. The Ravens have scored only two offensive TDs in the last three games.

New kicker Billy Cundiff made 5 of 6 FG attempts but his failed 30 yarder (photo on left) proved costly, as did Ravens turnovers on their final two possessions. The Ravens now have their backs to the wall at 5-5. Next week they have a ‘must-win’ showdown with the Steelers at M&T…GO RAVENS!!!

GAME 7: RAVENS 30 - BRONCOS 7

After three tough loses the Ravens bounced back with a big win over the previously undefeated Broncos 30-7. It was good to see 'old school' Raven's football again; tough D, good special teams, hardnosed running game & efficient passing from big Joe.

The 5GUYS had another great tailgate at the Babe Ruth House. Dave's world famous chili was featured on the menu! Special guests were Dave's dad and Jay's step-grand daughter, Genevieve. Genevieve lives in the Pittsburgh area but is a huge Raven's fan!! She wears her purple proudly in enemy territory...WAY TO GO GENEVIEVE!!!

The Jeff Anderson clan also stopped by the tailgate.

Mary (Jeff's wife) was attending her first Raven's game..so Mary & Genevieve are both undefeated!! We may have to bring them back for all the games :)

The Ravens head to Cincinnati this weekend to battle the Bengals..GO RAVENS!!

GAME 3: RAVENS 34 - BROWNS 3

The 5 GUYS were joined by guest Rodney Benson for a pre-game tailgate at the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum courtyard. Yes, the Guys are special :)

Paul was the grillmaster as he prepared Jay's homemade burgers and spicy dogs. Yummy! As the Guys feasted they speculated on the outcome of the game, hoping the Ravens wouldn't take the lowly Browns for granted.

The Ravens didn't disappoint the Guys blitzing the Browns 34-3. Joe Flacco set the club single-game passing record for the second time in three games, while the defense picked four Brown passes.

It gets a little tougher for the Ravens next week as they travel to New England to battle the Pats.

GAME 2: RAVENS 31 - CHARGERS 26

While the rest of the Guys watched the Raven/Charger game from their living room sofas, Dave Kotowski and his beautiful wife, Donna, made the roadtrip to San Diego to personally root for the Ravens!

A week after Joe Flacco set career passing records, it was Phillip Rivers turn to do the same. But despite giving up 474 yards to the Chargers the Ravens defense was tough in the red zone not allowing a touchdown on San Diego's five trips inside the 20 yard line.

The game came down to a 4th and 2 for the Chargers at the Ravens 15 yard line in the closing seconds. The Chargers tried a draw play to Darren Sproles but future-Hall of Famer Ray Lewis dumped him in the backfield to preserve the Ravens victory!

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the happy final...Ravens 31 - Chargers 26

THE FAMOUS SECTION 540 PHOTO

Does this photo look familiar?

This official Ravens photo of Section 540 was taken during the Denver playoff game in 2001. A few years later it became the photo used for the Raven's THE LIST flyer promoting the Raven PSL wait list. Click the link below to see the flyer. Can you find the 5 GUYS?
You can also click on the photo on the right for an expanded view of the section 540 photo.
http://www.baltimoreravens.com/uploadedFiles/Tickets/listOrderForm.pdf

W.H.S. ALUMNI BASEBALL GAME

In the first ever Williamsport High School Alumni Baseball game Ron Doub proved after 35 years some things haven't changed. That he still CAN'T hit and that he still CAN get some outs with his 'little wrinkle'.

Ron popped out and grounded out at the plate...just like old times. But on the mound he escaped a bases-loaded jam to record the final three outs in the 12-9 win. Ron registered a strikeout for the final out.

The game honored long-time WHS coach Larry Wadel and players from 1973-1995 participated. Ron and two teammates from the 1973 team were the elder participants.
Oh ya, one thing has changed...the many aches and pains!!!!

GAME 1: RAVENS 38 - CHIEFS 24

After an awesome tailgate at the Rafferty’s the guys and guests Jeff & Jake Anderson and Bobby Buck were off to the 2009 Raven’s season opener. The Ravens were uncharacteristically generous to The Chiefs giving them 14 points on a blocked punt and an interception, but the Ravens offense and Joe Flacco both had record days as the Ravens prevailed 38-24.