Billick to remain in the Ravens nest 
ucking:
During a serious 10-minute meeting with the players and coaching staff Wednesday, Bisciotti ended any speculation surrounding Billick's status for next year.
"We have an ongoing and extensive process to find ways to win. This included a thorough evaluation of Brian Billick," Bisciotti said in a statement. "Collectively, we concluded that continuing with Brian as head coach gives us the best opportunity to win."
Billick led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory after the 2000 season, guiding the wild-card entrant to a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Jan. 28, 2001. He is 61-42 overall, including his three postseason appearances.
His current contract runs through the 2007 season, but speculation surrounding his job security began after a team that many picked to reach the playoffs stumbled to a 2-6 start. Billick never spoke in terms that made it seem he was worried about his future, and his confidence was rewarded Wednesday.
"As I have always said, I'm very thankful and appreciative to be part of an organization and a group of people that we have here," Billick said. "The ability to deal and go through the difficulties that a team and an organization does, and to deal with it the way that we have, is very important to me. That's why I covet being here."
The news was received enthusiastically by the players, who now have one less thing to think about as they head into Sunday's finale in Cleveland.
"I've always been a fan of Coach Billick. I think he runs the program the right way," tight end Todd Heap said. "I'm excited we have this continuity going forward. Everything was kind of up in the air. But now we can lay that to rest and focus on what we can do as a team to get better for next season."
The only time the Ravens fired a head coach was after the 1998 season, when then-owner Art Modell dismissed Ted Marchibroda before hiring Billick away from the Minnesota Vikings, where he served as tight ends coach and offensive coordinator from 1992-98.
"With Ted, I don't think we were headed in the right direction. With Brian, it seems like we are," veteran linebacker Peter Boulware said. "I was relieved; it closed the door on that."
Billick is currently tied for fourth in NFL seniority with Philadelphia's Andy Reid among coaches with their current teams, trailing only Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher (14 years), Tennessee's Jeff Fisher (12) and Denver's Mike Shanahan (11).
"The majority of the guys are happy he's back. ... I don't know of anyone that's not happy about it," said kicker Matt Stover, who has been with the Ravens since their first season in 1996. "Some people say that change for the sake of change -- new blood or a new voice -- is a good thing. I disagree. You have a guy that's taken you to a Super Bowl, and now it's just a matter getting us back."
Linebacker Bart Scott approved of the decision -- and its timing.
"It lets the guys know," Scott said. "It's great to have Brian back. He's a great coach. The important word is stability."
Perhaps no player was happier than quarterback Kyle Boller, who has received unwavering support from Billick despite struggling for much of his three seasons in the league.
"I'm excited. Brian has been behind me through everything, when a lot of coaches would have given up on me," Boller said. "It's a great move by the organization."
Although the heat on Billick appeared to substantially subside in the wake of the Ravens' first winning streak since November 2004, he was delighted to have his status addressed before the conclusion of the season. "Things happen very quickly at the end of the season," Billick said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do at the right time."
ucking: During a serious 10-minute meeting with the players and coaching staff Wednesday, Bisciotti ended any speculation surrounding Billick's status for next year.
"We have an ongoing and extensive process to find ways to win. This included a thorough evaluation of Brian Billick," Bisciotti said in a statement. "Collectively, we concluded that continuing with Brian as head coach gives us the best opportunity to win."
Billick led Baltimore to a Super Bowl victory after the 2000 season, guiding the wild-card entrant to a 34-7 rout of the New York Giants on Jan. 28, 2001. He is 61-42 overall, including his three postseason appearances.
His current contract runs through the 2007 season, but speculation surrounding his job security began after a team that many picked to reach the playoffs stumbled to a 2-6 start. Billick never spoke in terms that made it seem he was worried about his future, and his confidence was rewarded Wednesday.
"As I have always said, I'm very thankful and appreciative to be part of an organization and a group of people that we have here," Billick said. "The ability to deal and go through the difficulties that a team and an organization does, and to deal with it the way that we have, is very important to me. That's why I covet being here."
The news was received enthusiastically by the players, who now have one less thing to think about as they head into Sunday's finale in Cleveland.
"I've always been a fan of Coach Billick. I think he runs the program the right way," tight end Todd Heap said. "I'm excited we have this continuity going forward. Everything was kind of up in the air. But now we can lay that to rest and focus on what we can do as a team to get better for next season."
The only time the Ravens fired a head coach was after the 1998 season, when then-owner Art Modell dismissed Ted Marchibroda before hiring Billick away from the Minnesota Vikings, where he served as tight ends coach and offensive coordinator from 1992-98.
"With Ted, I don't think we were headed in the right direction. With Brian, it seems like we are," veteran linebacker Peter Boulware said. "I was relieved; it closed the door on that."
Billick is currently tied for fourth in NFL seniority with Philadelphia's Andy Reid among coaches with their current teams, trailing only Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher (14 years), Tennessee's Jeff Fisher (12) and Denver's Mike Shanahan (11).
"The majority of the guys are happy he's back. ... I don't know of anyone that's not happy about it," said kicker Matt Stover, who has been with the Ravens since their first season in 1996. "Some people say that change for the sake of change -- new blood or a new voice -- is a good thing. I disagree. You have a guy that's taken you to a Super Bowl, and now it's just a matter getting us back."
Linebacker Bart Scott approved of the decision -- and its timing.
"It lets the guys know," Scott said. "It's great to have Brian back. He's a great coach. The important word is stability."
Perhaps no player was happier than quarterback Kyle Boller, who has received unwavering support from Billick despite struggling for much of his three seasons in the league.
"I'm excited. Brian has been behind me through everything, when a lot of coaches would have given up on me," Boller said. "It's a great move by the organization."
Although the heat on Billick appeared to substantially subside in the wake of the Ravens' first winning streak since November 2004, he was delighted to have his status addressed before the conclusion of the season. "Things happen very quickly at the end of the season," Billick said. "It just seemed like the right thing to do at the right time."
