Anyways, with a fleeting connection I found out that the Ravens’ pass rushing prodigal son, defensive end/linebacker hybrid Sergio Kindle received a DUI on Monday morning. Perhaps he was out celebrating something that probably wasn’t worth it.

“Kindle’s blood-alcohol content measured 0.17 percent, far above the legal limit of .08 percent, according to the charging document. The paperwork offers new details of the 23-year-old’s arrest in a gold Cadillac sedan that police said was swerving and following another car too closely on northbound U.S. 1 and speeding at 70 mph on Route 32.” – per Baltimore Sun.

Kindle’s Twitter account has since been suspended and I can imagine that a very serious chat is imminent between Kindle and his people and Ravens brass. Like the one Cameron feared in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Maybe the Ravens part ways with Kindle. Maybe they don’t. If they do, be thankful that the front office waited to offer Kindle a contract because he could be getting paid second round money.

Gift cards, its a common topic, but nonetheless an annoying gift to both give and receive. When we exchanged gifts at Christmas dinner this year I wanted to  be the first to give all of my gifts out to each person because I wanted everyone else to forget about how terrible they were by the time the ceremonial exchange was over. Because all of my gifts were gift cards. My mother gave my grandmother a gift card, and before she even looked it at she said, “I have no idea what I’ll use this for but I will find something.” The gift card was in fact to her salon that she goes to every Saturday with a standing appointment at 6:30 a.m. for the last thirty years. Hopefully she will find something to use it on.

But that is how the gift card goes. It says ‘I have no idea what to get you because I see you three times a year and I’m hoping you either eat, shop, or sleep at this place for less than $25.’ No other present outwardly displays how the giver sees the worth of the recipient, usually to the displeasure of the latter.

Personally I hate receiving gift cards, my immediate family have abandoned this little song and dance and just give me cash as a gift. The family friends and what not are still unfamiliar to how awesome cash is as a gift. Even giving a check, which says ‘Sorry I didn’t feel like going to an ATM so, sign it, look up your account number, and drive to the bank and cash it or deposit it if you want the money,’ to which I respond,’absolutely.’ Family friends of ours still send me gift cards. Which sucks. And it also sounds ungrateful but deal with it. A friend of my mom’s sent me a Starbucks gift card. Nothing against Starbucks but the last time I had it, I thought I was going to lose control of my bowels and go into some sort of anaphylactic shock because of a caffeine overdose. I like Dunkin Donuts coffee, but I still wouldn’t want a gift card from there. Two reasons. First, I would rather not get a gift card to a place I do not usually go to, just so I do not have to look up an address and write a thank you note to a person I hardly see. And secondly, I would feel much more compelled and enthusiastic about writing a thank you note to someone who instead of sending me a gift card, sent me cash — even a check — i’ll cash it when I drop your thank you note in the mail, which will be around mid to late January.

Back to the second thing. Dressing rooms. I hate dressing rooms. Why do they auto-lock? They don’t want people stealing the pins that prick you when you try on the ugly clothing that’s left to be picked over following the massacre of the black friday vultures? I hate asking some hipster who’s wearing black framed glasses with a purposely loose tie and a vest to unlock a room so just I can exchange pants that were too small. It’s frustrating. Instead, equate the dressing room with the airplane bathroom. A self-serving practice which clearly explains when said room is either vacant or occupied. Imagine every time you had to drop one 13,000 feet in the air you had to call a flight attendant over to guide through the labyrinth of aisles knocking on each bathroom door before she unlocked it so you can finally do your business. It would be terrible, and imagine if the flight attendant didn’t like you, they could just not open it or you would have to wait until a room opened up and catch it before it closed and locked.

Finally, the phrase that makes me cringe during the course of gift giving. I did not hear it during this holiday season, but someone out there said it. I know it. However, I was unfortunate enough to hear it during my birthday in the fall. “I knew you wouldn’t like it.” Why would someone say something like that to another human being? I knew you wouldn’t like it. Oh really but you got it for me anyways what does that say about you? Did you not care enough to keep looking for something that I might like? You just settled for something that you knew I wouldn’t like? You could have just sent me a check. So now I have to go back to the store you got it from, ask the guy to open up a dressing room so I can get something else and then stop at the post office and the bank on the way home to cash some checks and drop off some thank you notes. Thanks for ruining Christmas.

By the way, amidst the holiday season the Ravens managed to beat a somewhat scary Cleveland Browns team and clinch a playoff spot for the third straight year. On Friday, I’m leaving to go out of town to catch some bowl games, minimal posting will occur, if any. Probably no photos either, I never understood why people take the time to take so many pictures looking like they are having fun when they could be out actually having fun. Apparently in this day and age, pursed lips and peace signs are the universal signage for “Look at me! I’m having a freaking blast!” But that’s enough griping for one day. Happy new year.

The Ravens have spoken and they have chosen none other than the source for my fantasy football team name in wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth. Probably for good measure, the Ravens’ website gives no reason why the team nominated Stallworth who hasn’t done much of anything this season except being somewhat decent on end around runs and getting injured.

Last year the Ravens nominated safety Dawan Landry whose neck turned into flubber on national television, Landry then worked his way back to a starting role the following season. Well, like gruesome neck injuries and personal perseverance, the Ravens have apparently have seen similar courage and sportsmanship in Stallworth.

The Ed Block Foundation is geared towards ending child abuse and all that stuff that Bob Ley talks about on Outside the Lines. But why not nominate someone like Michael Oher and piggy back off all that Blind Side nonsense that’s still lingering around on HBO and just in time for his book that is coming out sometime that isn’t today. However, Stallworth is a worthy candidate and he will be a positive representative of the organization, but if Braylon Edwards is at the event as well, don’t sit them at the same table.

When asked about his Pro Bowl ballot Suggs answered,

“Phillip Rivers. Peyton Manning.[pause]…And Ryan Fitzpatrick.”

And why he picked Fitzpatrick? Suggs said, “Why Fitzpatrick? He’s a good player. He’s from Arizona, you know. I played against him in high school. He was good – but he wasn’t that good.”

Logic looks good to me. If you’re from Arizona then you get Suggs’ Pro Bowl Vote. Conversely, if  you did not  receive Suggs’ Pro Bowl vote, then you are not from Arizona. Sorry Brady formal logic prevails over your MVP season in the eyes of defensive end Terrell Suggs.

Suggs’ hatred for Brady stems from the beatings Brady has put on the Ravens the last several years with the exception of last year’s playoff game. Meanwhile, the Patriots are playing their best football right now and stirring the pot or getting in the hair (see what I did there) will only add fuel to the fire come playoff time. We will just have to see if the Ravens can have a repeat performance of last year if they do in fact face the Patriots come January.

Anyways, here is the new site, it can also be accessed by typing thecitythatreeds.com for the URL.

So, go there, comment and click on the ads so I can get paid bitches.

Instead of playing out his one-year $745,000 contract for the Ravens, wide receiver Drew Bennett gives the Ravens the ol’ ‘no that’s OK’ and retires instead.

Bennett’s retirement was chalked up to old age and a deteriorating body. “After an off-season of workouts and rehab, I thought I was ready to play again, but it became apparent over this weekend that while my mind is willing, my body will not be able to make it through another NFL season,” Bennett said. “I have been blessed to have the opportunity to play in the NFL for as long as I have, but it is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life.“

Sounds like Brett Favre, circa June 2008. Really, you’re that tired? You made one catch last year. And you’re tired.

Now, with training camp less than 24 hours away, Baltimore’s wide receiver core has more holes to fill than a Heaven’s Gate reunion. The Ravens are expecting the wide receiver formally known as Derrick Mason, to make a decision on his return to football by the middle of this week.

Being shot once I would think causes a good bit of baggage on one’s self. But to  have another incident where someone tries to dispose of you again, this time shooting seven times has to be emotionally and physically daunting.

Dwight Dixon, Harrison’s accuser, was shot seven times late Tuesday morning and still remains in critical condition in a Philadelphia hospital.

“Dixon was convicted of a misdemeanor in January for lying to police about the 2008 shooting. His lawyers said he lied because he feared Harrison, who at the time was a member of the Indianapolis Colts.”

OK, so ESPN can longer hide behind that corporate policy bullshit, because Harrison was not arrested let along convicted last year of shooting this man the first time.

Yet, low and behold there was the story on ESPN’s headlines.

However, ESPN has finally put up on their website saying that no criminal report will be filed. The Lake Tahoe Police Department have taken the same apathetic attitude as the worldwide leader, saying they won’t look at the Roethlisberger case unless there is a criminal report.

As for Harrison, this recent hiccup will probably dispel any hope Harrison had of ever playing with the Ravens, they don’t want that sort of baggage to an old injury prone receiver.

See, joke’s over Derrick, get back to work and restore the natural order of things.

There were too many signs that pointed to Mason comeback, he would practically be forced to comeback due to Mason’s financial situation. I spoke with a source close to the Ravens brass and they said that apparently Mason’s wife had recently left him after the season and that he would also owe the Ravens money for services lost or whatever sort of legal spin you would want to throw on his situation.

So, a giant I told you so is in place if Mason does show up on Monday to report to camp.

Harbaugh and Mason spoke last night and Harbaugh said he was hopeful that Mason would have a change of heart by next week.

“He’s ready physically. He’s in good shape and he’s healthy. He just wants to decide if he’s mentally ready,” Harbaugh said. “It’s really open right now. I’m optimistic and hopeful that he’ll be there, but if he’s not there, we’ll … support and respect his decision either way.“

Good to know.