Does the NFL Fear Roger Goodell’s Ray Rice Testimony?
By Brett Foote
Sep 19, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media at a press conference at New York Hilton. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to Lunchtime Links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption. Today we wonder if the NFL fears Roger Goodell’s Ray Rice testimony, look at the expert picks for week eight, Haloti Ngata’s versatility, Elvis Dumervil’s shot at another sack title, and some people didn’t even know Justin Forsett was still playing.
"The Baltimore Ravens are going to extend their first-place lead in the AFC North over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to most of the ESPN prognosticators.Of the 13 experts, 10 picked the Ravens to beat the slumping Bengals. The point spread for this game is even. The Ravens are looking to start the season 6-2 for the fourth time under coach John Harbaugh (2010, 2011 and 2012).Here are the official ESPN predictions (with their prediction record for the Ravens in parentheses):"
Does the NFL Fear Roger Goodell’s Ray Rice Testimony?
"NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been ordered to appear in the appeal case for Ray Rice, which will be heard over the next few weeks.Does the NFL want Goodell to testify in the Rice appeal? How significant is the history of attorney Peter Ginsberg to the Rice appeal?Watch as Adam Lefkoe goes in-depth with Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole."
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Haloti Ngata Displaying Versatility
"There is seemingly no limit to Haloti Ngata’s versatility with the Baltimore Ravens.The defensive lineman stops the run, intercepts passes, has served as a blocking back and last Sunday took over as the long snapper for injured Morgan Cox against Atlanta.Ngata calmly stepped in as the emergency snapper on a fourth-quarter extra point and got the job done."
A Lot of People Didn’t Know Justin Forsett Was Still Playing
"The highlights were few and far between in the first half of the Ravens’ season-opening 23-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals last month.With Ray Rice suspended — and about to be released the following day — and fill-in starter Bernard Pierce managing just 17 yards on six carries as the Bengals led 15-0 at halftime, the Ravens began feeding the ball to their 5-foot-8 veteran newcomer considered little more than a temporary placeholder for Rice at the time of his signing. Baltimore fell short that day but discovered one of its greatest reclamation projects in recent years as Justin Forsett finished the afternoon with a game-high 70 yards on 11 carries."
"Round 2 of a fierce AFC North rivalry will commence in Week 8 when the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens face off. The two divisional foes will face each other for the third time in Baltimore’s past nine regular-season games.The Ravens watched their 2013 season end with a loss at Cincinnati, which eliminated Baltimore from playoff contention. The two teams then squared off in their 2014 opener in Baltimore. However, the Bengals again escaped with a win, 23-16."
Elvis Dumervil Could Make a Run at Another Sack Title
"With the NFL season nearing its midpoint, Ravens linebacker Elvis Dumervil is in contention to win his second sack title.Dumervil led the league in sacks in 2009 when he had 17 playing for the Broncos. Heading into Week 8, Von Miller of the Broncos leads the NFL with eight sacks, but Dumervil is tied for second place with seven sacks along with Marcell Dareus of the Bills, Everson Griffen of the Vikings, Justin Houston of the Chiefs, DeMarcus Ware of the Broncos, and Willie Young of the Bears."