The Ravens are a mess, and there are no easy solutions to their problems.
They have a head coaching issue and problems with their quarterbacks and offensive coordinator.
A troubled situation became even more bizarre yesterday, when coach Brian Billick said he was coming back next season, but no one in the organization could confirm he had spoken with owner Steve Bisciotti.
Billick has three years remaining on his contract, which is reportedly worth $5 million a season. But this season of great expectations has been a great disappointment, including a current team-record seven-game losing streak.
Billick has been harshly criticized this season for his play-calling and time-management abilities, and rumors continue to circulate about club officials recently meeting with former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher, rumors those same officials deny.
But you have to wonder about Billick's statement. Was he making it to rally the players before they play the winless Miami Dolphins on Sunday? After a futile effort against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night, was he making the statement because he felt he had lost the team?
Billick is feeling the pressure. He has heard the rumors. He wants an endorsement from the owner.
The sweat is pouring down his brow. He often appears confident, but Billick is high maintenance and needs his ego stroked by those around him in the Castle.
After the embarrassing loss to the Colts in which the Ravens trailed 37-7 at halftime, Billick knows his fan base is eroding, but he wants some assurance.
The problem is that Bisciotti isn't expected to talk until after the end of the season. Billick wants to force his hand now, and, after embarrassing losses to the Colts and Steelers and the midnight meltdown against the New England Patriots, who can blame him?
Most of the players like Billick as a person but find him inept as an offensive coach. The pace and tone of practices between the offense and defense are entirely different, with the defense operating at a higher level.
Like most businessmen, Bisciotti doesn't want to pay Billick the rest of his contract for doing nothing, but he would rather pay the money than continue to be embarrassed.
Billick has been reluctant to turn the play-calling over to offensive coordinator Rick Neuheisel, but he might save his job if he did so in the remaining three games.
