The fans' take on Billick's firing

How Ravens fans reacted to the news

January 1, 2008

"I think it was an unjust firing. You have to look at his entire body of work as opposed to this season. I think it was a knee-jerk reaction." -- TEDD BODNER, GLEN BURNIE

"It's a good move. After a certain amount of time, you need a fresh face, someone more offensive-minded to maybe change up the conservative play-calling." -- CHRIS BERWIND, BALTIMORE

"My first reaction was 'Ahhh thank God.' His clock management was terrible. It's like he was always playing not to lose. I'm relieved. I'm actually happy. I think his message was old and it was time to move on." -- CHRIS CARNEY, BALTIMORE

"It was overdue. He didn't seem like he had his team together enough to win close games. It seemed like his team wasn't prepared for games, and as a head coach, that's your responsibility." -- TOM HUEGELMEYER, HIGHLANDTOWN

"I think it was a welcome surprise for the new year. It was something that we needed to have, obviously. You have a team that really doesn't respect him anymore. I think his ego got in the way a lot with his inability to step back and let someone else take charge. His almost blind belief in Kyle Boller really sealed his fate." -- BRENT BOWMAN, BALTIMORE

"He wasn't very creative. None of his plays ever really produced. Nine quarterbacks that were all halfway decent when they got here, and then they come here and they all stink." -- CARLOS OLIVER, BALTIMORE

"I don't agree with it. It's a team. Everybody should take the blame for this season." -- DOMANECK BRADLEY, BALTIMORE

"I don't think he commanded [the players'] respect anymore. It got to the point where the veterans wanted to take over. When that happens, you're not going to get them back." -- CHARLIE ROTHWELL, HARFORD COUNTY

"I was happy. He obviously didn't do his job. He tried to take the offense over, and it didn't work. I was proud to see the leadership looking to a new direction." -- DAN REDFIELD, BALTIMORE

"I think it's terrible. Ever since he won the Super Bowl, the expectations have been too high for him. The only thing he can do is coach. The players have to perform on the field. Every team has a bad year." -- MELVIN THIESS, BALTIMORE

"I have mixed emotions. I understand the decision, but on the flip side, who's out there? What move are they going to make?" -- JOE POLING, BEL AIR

"I half-expected it after the season they had. With the injuries they had, there's only so much you can do blaming the head coach. I think he's done a heck of a job with the Ravens over the years. He won a Super Bowl and took them to the playoffs over and over again. It's unfortunate he's taking the heat for an injury-plagued season." -- PETER BERRY, BALTIMORE

"I think he let his defense get old without putting a decent offense on the field. The last straw was in Miami when he went to kick that field goal, and the team wouldn't come off the field." -- MARK SIRACUSA, BOSTON

"He had to go. I don't think there's enough discipline. When you lose control of the team like that, you can't get it back." -- AMANDA GREENWELL, BALTIMORE

"We need a better offensive coach. You can't keep doing the same thing year after year. Either you improve it or you let it go." -- DARRYL CARTER, BALTIMORE

"He never was able to get the offense going. The Ravens have continued to struggle offensively, and they needed to make a change at the top." -- KEITH POLI, BREWERS HILL

Compiled by Patrick Gutierrez, Sun reporter