
There's a positive byproduct of the disgraces at a certain federal agency that has seized the imaginations of many in recent days.

Since winning the Super Bowl, the Ravens have undergone a dramatic transformation. Linebacker Ray Lewis and center Matt Birk retired, wide receiver Anquan Boldin was traded, and free safety Ed Reed, inside linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, sack specialist Paul Kruger and strong safety Bernard Pollard signed elsewhere or were released.
The first week of NFL free agency isn't over yet, and it's already becoming difficult to keep track of who's coming and going.
Matt Birk has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, the last winning a Super Bowl title with the Baltimore Ravens.

Although the Ravens have placed a high priority on signing quarterback Joe Flacco to a long-term deal, the team has no intention of overpaying potential free agents or having several players restructure their contracts in order to keep the current roster intact.
Until this Super Bowl, Joe Flacco always believed in himself more than many other folks did.

Flacco became only the sixth quarterback in 47 Super Bowls to throw for three scores in a first half, connecting with Anquan Boldin for 13 yards, Dennis Pitta for 1, and Jacoby Jones for 56.
The Super Bowl closes a tumultuous year for the NFL.
Bryant McKinnie stood in the middle of the Superdome and marveled at the spectacle that surrounded him.
Soon after arriving in New Orleans for the Super Bowl late Monday afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens found out exactly why this football game is different from all the rest.
The music blared in the Baltimore Ravens locker room Saturday as the players threw their football gear into black duffel bags lying in front of their cubicles.

Center Matt Birk, safety Ed Reed and guard Bobbie Williams head a list of longtime veterans who will be making their first Super Bowl appearance when the Ravens face the San Francisco 49ers on Feb. 3.

OWINGS MILLS, Md. | When the Baltimore Ravens last went to the Super Bowl, Art Modell was the owner, Brian Billick served as head coach and Trent Dilfer was the starting quarterback.

The Baltimore Ravens football team has become a case study for the First Amendment over the past month.
NFL punters are only seen on fourth down and heard from less than that. But with Minnesota voters weighing whether to ban gay marriage this fall, Vikings punter Chris Kluwe has emerged as a high-profile gay rights champion _ and a symbol of changing attitudes toward homosexuality in the sports world.
"I am Catholic, I am active in the pro-life movement, and I just felt like I couldn't deal with that," he said.
He said it was because of President Obama's support for Planned Parenthood.