Ravens geared up after long wait for Super Bowl
BY DAVID GINSBURG Associated Press
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
1/23/13 at 4:21 AM
OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The only reason why Matt Birk brought his aching knees and battered body to training camp for a 15th NFL season was to get to the Super Bowl.
The 36-year-old Birk was bothered by neck, elbow and knee injuries during his previous three years with the Baltimore Ravens, yet he never missed a start. During the offseason, the six-time Pro Bowl center underwent surgery to repair varicose veins in his legs.
Still, Birk knew the Ravens had a shot at a championship, and he wanted to be a part of it.
"At this stage in my career, losing takes a lot out of you," Birk said. "I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think there was a legitimate chance that I could help the team."
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.
"It means a lot for all the guys to have an opportunity to be a part of that," coach John Harbaugh said. "To be able to be involved with that as a leader is a huge thing."
Birk endured 11 fruitless years in Minnesota, reaching the playoffs five times without a conference title. Then, after joining the Ravens as a free agent in 2009, he was part of three more playoff runs that ended short of the Super Bowl.
Now, Birk is poised to be part of the NFL's biggest game.
"It's great, obviously," he said. "That's the goal. ... That's why you play."
Reed, 34, has earned nine Pro Bowl invitations in 11 years with Baltimore and has long been recognized as one of the finest free safeties in the game. But he never got into the Super Bowl until now, and to make it even sweeter, his first appearance will be in his home state of Louisiana.
"It's been a long time coming, but it takes time," Reed said. "We've built up to this."
Teammate Jacoby Jones, who grew up in New Orleans, will be making his Super Bowl debut in his sixth season. After the Ravens beat New England 28-13 in the AFC championship game, Reed prepared for a trip to familiar territory with Jones in tow.
"I really don't have any words for it," Reed said. "I'm just thankful to be going home and for the whole of New Orleans to see some hometown guys."
The Ravens failed to win the AFC title game in 2008 and 2012 under Harbaugh before finally breaking through.
Quarterback Joe Flacco, who needed only five years to get it done, takes delight in seeing some of his older teammates finally heading to the Super Bowl.
"No doubt about it, I am excited for everybody that has been in the league as long as those guys have been," he said. "To have this opportunity is pretty cool."
NFL Playoffs
Wild-card round
Jan. 5
Houston 19, Cincinnati 13
Green Bay 24, Minnesota 10
Jan. 6
Baltimore 24, Indianapolis 9
Seattle 24, Washington 14
Divisional round
Jan. 12
Baltimore 38, Denver 35, 2OT
San Francisco 45, Green Bay 31
Jan. 13
Atlanta 30, Seattle 28
New England 41, Houston 28
Conference championships
Sunday
NFC: San Francisco 28, Atlanta 24
AFC: Baltimore 28, New England 13
Super Bowl
Feb. 3
At New Orleans
Baltimore vs. San Francisco, 5:30 p.m. (KOTV-6, KYAL-97.1)
Associated Images:
Baltimore inside linebacker Ray Lewis (left) and free safety Ed Reed celebrate after their win against New England in the AFC Championship game Sunday in Foxborough, Mass. MATT SLOCUM / AP
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