BILLICK ON A CONTROVERSIAL SEAT

Brian Billick in his second season as an NFL head coach won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. The grandeur and commendation he earned for that achievement has been replaced by discontent and condemnation. Moreover he is on the threshold of losing his job if he fails to bring his underachieving team out of its season-long flunk. The Ravens signed two coaches known for their offensive expertise, strengthened the passing attack and drew up an aggressive defensive scheme that focused around the aptitude of middle linebacker Ray Lewis. It seems this season Baltimore (2-7) has minimal chances of reaching the playoffs. The team’s offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in 11 quarters and is averaging a disgusting 11.1 points per game. The defense has been unpredictable and is devastated by injuries. The variety of factors has added up to the kind demoralizing season that can get a coach fired, even if his Super Bowl ring isn't even 5 years old. When the Ravens won the 2001 Super Bowl, defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis received much of the credit because Baltimore set an NFL record for fewest points allowed in a 16-game season. Now that the Ravens can't score, Billick is receiving far more blame than offensive coordinator Jim Fassel or quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel, which is certainly not fair. Billick is not the only one to blame here. One has to look at players, at personnel, and everywhere." Even though the pressure associated with being 2-7 for the first time, Billick will work forward with the impression that he will return to the sideline in 2006.