Phew, that was a close one

In what has been a largely disappointing offseason thus far, the Ravens agreed to terms with Ray Lewis today. Thank God. Losing Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard to the Jets was rough enough, but losing Ray Ray would've been lights out. Yes, he's getting up there in years, but he's the team leader and is to the team what Cal Ripken was to the Orioles. It's impossible to envision him in another uniform. ESPN.com blogger James Walker gives his thoughts on it here and here.

The team also made up for the loss of center Jason Brown by signing six-time Pro Bowler Matt Birk.

For those that have access to ESPN Insider material, Doug Gottlieb has a little piece on what Alabama and Georgia should be looking for in their respective coaching searches. Personally, I want Mike Anderson of Missouri. He's a Birmingham native, did wonders at UAB, and currently has Missouri in the upper tier of the Big 12. Plus, he's a Nolan Richardson guy, meaning he could bring a version of the "40 Minutes of Hell" to a program that's had an incredibly boring offense for years upon years.

The Mountain West has proposed an eight-team playoff to the BCS. I'm sure the committee will treat it with the utmost respect...

MWC: Daddy, can I have a Playstation 3?
BCS: Well kiddo, why ruin the toys you have now? [Dad picks this off the shelf.] There, this is just as good.
MWC: But Dad--
BCS: Hush now, boy, this is just as good.
MWC: Daddy!
BCS: I said simmer down, son. [Pops eyes the 17-year-old busty blond at the register the way Tim Tebow eyes his next pair of jorts.]