Ravens’ Ayanbadejo rips Patriots for Spygate, “gimmick” offense

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 14, 2013, 7:20 AM EDT
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Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo watched the Patriots beat the Texans, and he wasn’t impressed.

Ayanbadejo, whose Ravens will travel to New England on Sunday for the AFC Championship Game, wrote on Twitter during the Patriots-Texans game that he thinks the Patriots’ offense is a “gimmick,” and that the Patriots do things that he views as cheap shots.

Although Ayanbadejo plays linebacker, he actually won’t see much of the Patriots’ offense on Sunday: Ayanbadejo is almost exclusively a special teams player, and he didn’t get a single snap on defense on Saturday against the Broncos. But Ayanbadejo didn’t only talk about the Patriots’ offense. Ayanbadejo also brought up the Spygate scandal, when the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick were disciplined by the league office for taping opposing coaches in violation of league rules, and the fact that New England cut wide receiver Tiquan Underwood the day before the Super Bowl last year.

It’s surprising that Ayanbadejo, an intelligent man who’s well respected around the NFL, would choose to give the Patriots bulletin-board material heading into the AFC Championship week. Perhaps Ayanbadejo was trying to fire up his own teammates. He has certainly assured that the Patriots will be fired up to see him on Sunday.

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94 responses to “Ravens’ Ayanbadejo rips Patriots for Spygate, “gimmick” offense”

  1. The only talk that matters is what the teams do on the field Sunday night.

    Right now, this is just another scrub hating.

  4. First of all, you can’t possibly be surprised; they have been doing the ‘hurry-up’ all season.

    Second, it’s the defense’ job to stop them, not the Patriot’s job to wait until the defense is all ready.

  7. As a Ravens’ fan, let me be one of the first to say that this is not how intelligent Ravens fans and the majority of their organization think. Its not a gimmick when the other team simply insn’t as quick to the line as you are, its called taking every advantage that you can. Hope Ayanbadejo is ready for it Sunday night.

  8. I actually think that quick snap thing they do in the redzone and goal line situation, although gimmicky (as in it will soon be figured out) is quite innovative because they aren’t that physical of a team in order to convert those redzone/goalline situations as often as they do when they use it.

    But a simple adjustment to make is have 3-4 designated goalline formations/plays before the game that everyone memorizes and just yell out a quick number to represent them and don’t even huddle on defense.

    Easier said then done.

  9. It’s not as if the Patriots use of the hurry up isn’t well known. The texans got caught with their pants down, pretty simple. You have to be ready when you know it’s coming.

  10. A lot of Madden gamers would accuse the Ravens for cheesing by throwing vertical routes to Torrey Smith every other play.

    Dude needs to do his talking on the field before he gets slapped by Ray Lewis.

  12. Eh, he’s a nobody. I dont think this does much to hype anyone up.

    I expect a great game and a hopeful Ravens victory, as they shouldve gotten last year.

    My only concern is if Flacco can keep it together for another week AND some of the age of the Ravens D. They square off against a much younger, faster Pats Offense.

  13. I hope Brady hangs 50 on ’em Sunday, and this week, Ray-Ray will be crying because he got his butt handed to him.

  14. Not sure what the play is here bro?

    It’s obvious that spy gate was largely irrelevent to their success cuz they’ve been to the big show since then, often times by going through us.

    And dink-dunk at a fast pace isn’t a gimmick, it’s smart, within the rules, offensive playcalling. It stresses the defense out and forces them to panic. If you don’t like it, stop it.

    As for dropping players before big milestones, didn’t we just drop Sergio on the eve of the playoffs?

    ???

  15. Sour grapes before the game with the Pat’s? Ayanbadejo must not have any confidence in his playing skills against them.

  19. Im neither a Patriots nor a Ravens fan, but this is just silly. So a guy who is not going to see the field much at all has decided to talk trash? What’s next, trash talking water boys? This is like calling someone out for a fight and then having your friend pinch hit for you while you weasel out of it. If you’re going to talk like this, at least be someone that’s actually going to be on the field for more than a handful of snaps.

  21. It’s surprising that Ayanbadejo, an intelligent man who’s well respected around the NFL…

    Even more surprising, and unlikely, that any man who tweets that garbage is an intelligent man.

  22. Everyone calls Oregon a gimmick and that’s not a story. This is the same thing. The real strength of oregon isn’t the read option but the flurry of plays due to quick snaps. That’s not a gimmick that is here to stay. No story here

  23. The great thing about Twitter is time and again it proves each team has a knucklehead or two that actually think they have something relevant to say. The reality is most fans dont care about their opinions but rather how they play and match-up. Don’t say it play it.

  24. When will people learn that smack talk & runing off at the mouth does more harm than good? Just look at the Jets, Ryan embraced an atmosphere where you say what you feel, and look at them now, they can’t get a GM.

  26. The Ravens just went into Denver as a 10pt underdog against the team everyone had already deemed SB bound, and won. Denver has a top 5 O and D mind you. Now they go into NE, a team they already beat this year with Cam freakin Cameron as our OC, and without the 2011 DPOY in T Sizzle. A team who just beat down the Texans, but the Texans are a team who has lost several winnable games down the stretch, has NO offense to speak of, and D has been abysmal as of late. But AGAIN….9.5pt underdogs for Baltimore.

    I think the Ravens have more than enough bulletin board material for this week.

  29. I’m sure Ray and the rest will have something to say to this guy as the third quarter is winding down and the D is “gassed” because Brady is showing them the “gimmick.”

  33. As Dolphin fan this is not good news for us the Jets or the Bills going forward and especially the Ravens for next week. The last thing you want to do is fire them up. We need them over the next couple of years to quietly fizzle out and slow down not to get all mad and angry. The Ravens should put a statement out that Brenden Ayanbadejo had concussion related symptoms and wasn’t quite the ticket when he sent the tweet.

  34. Spygate comments getting old…
    Pats are best team in AFC…Best coach, best qb, best wr-welker, underrated d..
    Let’s go Patriots….How can anyone not love Hoody ??? he is awesome..How can u not love Brady ?????
    as a diehard Steelers fan, I appreciate greatness…Go pats

  35. Being that Ayanbadejo is the 53rd player on the Ravens roster,it is understandable why he feels the way he does about Underwood since next time it could be him that is cut.

  37. This is why Hockey>>>>>Football. Football is all contrived gimmickrackery..

    1. Leta all line up in this contrived, league approved position..

    2. ok..hut hut. Snap. {Whistle} OK somebody twitched before the snap. DO over, 5 yards back…..

    Really? This is entertaining?

  38. What he may be referring to is what he sees as dishonorable ways of playing the game. Where it becomes like war. Win-at-all-costs and leave loyalty and chivalry at the door.

    Lining up and running a play before the other guys are lined up and ready outside of a clock management or challenge-avoiding scenario.

    Or cutting guys willy-nilly just to get one inch of competitive advantage.

    He’s probably attacking the cut-throat way Billichek runs the factory over there.

    But it’s a thin and valueless point.

  39. “LOOK at me! my avatar is a picture of me working out naked and i think i can talk my team into the Superbowl!”

    There is something about being a Raven where they always think they can talk their way to championships. hasn’t happened this decade. I wonder if that culture will change once the most (self)important defensive player ever retires on Sunday?

  40. It’s only a gimmick if it can be stopped (i.e., the wildcat). Unfortunately Ayanbadejo won’t have any impact on stopping it as he probably won’t see any defensive snaps this week either.

  41. As a Bear fan, I like Brendon. He was a great special teams player in Chicago, pro bowler.

    Brendon, put 1 more point on the board than the Pat’s….until then you need to mute yourself and play the game.

  43. I see a lot of people attacking him personally or his amount of playing time, but look at what he said. What isn’t true?

    The Patriots haven’t won anything since being exposed, and their offense IS a gimmick. They hike the ball barely before the ref can set the ball.

    Doesn’t matter anyway. The 49ers will crush either in the Superbowl

  44. Pats fan here and I truly love watching that Ravens D. Harbaugh has done a fantastic job maintaining an aging team while keeping their edge. If you are a football fan you cannot dislike what the HOF’er Ray Lewis brings to the field and I look forward to this game and hope it is a classic.

    Though the Ravens always have someone open their mouth. I guess it is part of football lore and needed to make them perform. Rarely does it work and often times you look ridiculous. I can only imagine it hurts your individual chances of long term employ by the NFL especially given you are not a starter. Most teams will not put up with added distractions from a back-up.

    Sunday is going to be awesome.

  45. You sure it wasn’t the big mouth “T-Sizzle” from “Ball So Hard University” who said this garbage?

  46. I hate the Patriots as much as the next person, but they’ve been to five Super Bowls in the Brady era, and made the playoffs just about every year. It’s not a gimmick, and if it was, then everyone in the league is a moron for not figuring it out.

  48. I’m a Ravens fan and completely disagree. I thought the quick snap after a big play is brilliant. After you punch them in the mouth why let them stagger back to their corner and catch their breath.

  49. @ reed20fence,
    nice post, thanks.

    Ravens players used to talk a lot of stuff, but the past few years, they’ve actually not done that. They were pretty cool after last year’s AFCC.

    And Ayanbadejo isn’t as smart as the author may think. He clearly doesn’t understand that what he wrote, “mano y mano”, actually means “hand in hand”. LOL

    I think the Ravens starters should be angrier at this dude than the Pats should. After all he wrote a check his teammates, not himself,will have to cash.

  50. His mouth is writing checks that his teammates will have to cash.

    With a bunch of seemingly classy guys on the Ravens squad I’m surprised they don’t have more of an influence over this guy. Check out his Wiki, he redefines “journeyman.”

  51. I hate the Patriots. But their “gimmick” offense is one of the best in the history of the game and they have set records. Instead of complaining about it, how about you gameplan to stop it.

    This guy sucks. Go back to tweeting about political issues where your opinion is relevant! Oh wait…

  52. The very last thing I would do is piss Brady off, or challenge him. He will make you pay!! Im not even a pats fan, but dont light no fire under them!! Be humble & say little, let your play do the talking!!

  53. Like I’ve been preaching since the Cleveland ravens inception. Classless organization. That has been nothing but the bridesmaids maid! Steeler fans can’t win in this matchup cause we hate both the ravens and the pats. But I hate the crybaby ravens more and hope Brady puts up a 50 burger on this luckbox of a team! And boom goes the dynamite…

  55. Ayanbadejo – Don’t the Raven’s run a hurry up style offense? I clearly remember throughout 2012 your offense running the hurry up? I know you ran it the first game against the Bengals, so is it only a gimmick when other teams run it?

  58. “If so you see the hurry snap offense catch em b4 they set up.”

    He doesn’t even know the rules. If they don’t change players, the offense does not have to wait for the defense to get set.

  59. rockthered1286 says:Jan 14, 2013 7:59 AM

    The Ravens just went into Denver as a 10pt underdog against the team everyone had already deemed SB bound, and won. Denver has a top 5 O and D mind you. Now they go into NE, a team they already beat this year with Cam freakin Cameron as our OC, and without the 2011 DPOY in T Sizzle. A team who just beat down the Texans, but the Texans are a team who has lost several winnable games down the stretch, has NO offense to speak of, and D has been abysmal as of late. But AGAIN….9.5pt underdogs for Baltimore.

    I think the Ravens have more than enough bulletin board material for this week.

    That “no offense to speak of” hung 40+ on you a month or two back in one of the worst beat downs of the season. Now put your foot in your mouth and go back to bed troll.

  60. Anyone who thinks the Pats are going to blow out the Ravens just hasn’t been paying attention the last few times these teams have played. The Ravens probably should have won last year’s AFC Championship in Foxboro, and would have done so if not for a dropped/broken up touchdown pass to Lee Evans and a missed chip shot FG by Billy Cund-Whiff. Then, earlier this year, the Ravens beat the Pats in Baltimore by 1. I expect this one to go down to the wire, too.

    Oh, and btw, that was a LAME attempt by Ayanbadejo to get under the Pats’ skins. As a rule, guys who aren’t going to play more than a handful of snaps should keep their yaps shut (or, in this case, keep their texting fingers still).

  61. How is it a gimmick to use the rules and discipline to your advantage, that offense is a literal machine, and it is all discipline a testament to Belichick and JMD. Every team in the NFL. Would kill to have that efficient of an offense and to catch defenses with their pants down. It is stupid to call it a cheap shot game plan.

    This will be a close game or I can see the pats jumping out early and keep the Ravens playing catch-up but in the end it probably won’t be close 48-21 pats

  63. Lol at a guy who’s essentially a nobody special teamer spouting off.

    Funny that he thinks the Pats are a gimmick and its not on the defense to get to the line on time. Nice way of excusing failures by the Texans.

  65. The other thing is he’s commenting on things he doesn’t have a clue about. The Pats told Underwood ahead of time that he would be cut the day before the Super Bowl so he expected it.

    Its not like he was expecting to play and they crushed the guy as Ayanbadejo seems to be implying.

  66. “The Patriots haven’t won anything since being exposed”

    Yeah right. The most regular season games of any team in the league. The division championship every year but 1 I believe. Two AFC Championships.

    That’s a whole lot of “anything” that fans of most teams would be ecstatic if their teams had won.

  67. Will these guys ever learn… obviously not… If I have written it here once … I have written it a thousand times… Trash talkers always end up eating their words or better getting fed back them during the game.

    Ravens are a great team… and I won’t let some guy who probaly won’t be in the league in two years change my opinion of them.

  68. If either team needs any of this non-existent “bulletin board material” at this point in the season, they need their priorities examined. Yes. THIS will make Belichick go, “oh hell no, they disreepected us, now we’ll HAVE to play towing for sure!” Riiight.

  70. Well, I think he accomplished what he wanted to accomplish. Non-Raven fans finally know who he is because we sure didn’t have an inkling of an idea BEFORE this comment.

  72. Can’t wait for the Patriots to become like the 49ers did after all those successful years they became stinkers. I’m so tired of this Pats era it’s getting old. New decade we need a new dynasty/era. Come on NFL can you fix something up? Who’s w/ me?

  74. Simply unreal that this guy is talking trash after the Holiday TDs. I wish the Patriots were the kind of team that allowed for this kind of BS on social media just for one day to lay in to this clown (they don’t and it’s part of why they win so much and I hate the Pats but respect this part of their operation). And what kind of idiot thinks that in the world of big money football, that you should wait til the opponent is set if you see an opportunity to take advantage.

  76. I like Brendon but this just comes off sounding like sour grapes. Even if it is a “gimmick”, who cares? It’s not illegal. the Wildcat is/was a gimmick. You just have go out there and man up and stop it. As far as giving the Patriots bulletin board material to fire them up, that’s non sense! It’s the AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! I’m pretty sure they’ll be plenty fired up with or without bulletin board material. Should be another great battle just like last year. Go Ravens!

  77. The players that count on the Ravens’ team – Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Ray Lewis – have huge respect for the Patriots. Brendon Ayanbadejo? Who is he?

  78. Another knucklehead that hasn’t won anything or done anything in his career opening his mouth. It will be nice to send Him and Ray packing

  79. The “hurry up” sure worked against the Giants, didnt it?

    They also popped off before they beat them, so its no big deal – good for Ayanbadejo.

  81. Reminds me of when Buffalo complained about Cincinnati’s no-huddle offense and tried to get it banned before the AFC Championship game. Then they “invented” it the next year and rode it to 4 straight Superbowls.
    It’s called INNOVATION Brandon!

  82. Lots of pats fans here- This Raven is only telling the truth on what everyone who isnt from boston thinks.

    The offense is a cheap gimmick. The Pats are only able to gain points by tiring out the defense. Every game they start slow and score once the Defense is tired enough.

    Brady is the worst kind of hall of fame QB- He only won through cheating with the spygate and the fact he played in the AFC- he should have never been in the first SB (tuck rule cheat) and should have lost the other two (spygate cheat). Brady should be 0-5 in super bowls right now- he is the second coming of Jim Kelly.

  83. Haha man that’s called a GAMEPLAN, and that gimmick of an offense put up the most points ever in a season this year. It really shows discipline and a high iq by the offense to be able to move that quick, And I’m not a Pats fan. Really shows how good of a coach Bellicheck is and how good of a qb Brady is. Denver does somewhat the same, just not in sync yet like the Pats are. Don’t whin because your offense isn’t as good or as quick as the Pats are. And how can you talk trash when you won’t even be facing that offense? You saw what happened to Watt when he wanted to disrespect the Pats, he cried and stomped his feet all the way HOME. Once again I’m not a Pats fan, but in football you want whatever advantage you can have, and to say its equivalent to a cheap shot in a fight is ridiculous, that offense is just that good.

  85. I wonder if this moron thinks play action passes are cheap too since they are an attempt to deceive the defense. What the heck does he want, the offense to have to wait until the middle linebacker gives them to OK to snap the ball?
    Idiots like him should not be allowed to air their deep thoughts in public.

  86. First, for the people who think Ayanbadejo is a nobody, how often do special-teamers play until they’re 36? And how many of them are 3-time pro-bowlers, and 2-time all-pros? Second, I understand that the Patriots are “smarter” and “more disciplined” for being able to run this offense and there is nothing illegal about it. I think what BA was saying is its not the most honorable way to win a fight. I personally wish he didnt say it, but I do think there is some truth to what he said.

  88. You won’t hear anything from the Pats responding to this. They’ll just quietly go for two every score and go for every fourth down they can. As the score approches 45-7, you’ll see Brady run a keeper to the Ravens sideline right towards the backup. As he grabs his crotch and points at the scoreboard he’ll remind Ayanbadejo that he’s going home to a supermodel, the Pats are going to the Superbowl, and Ayanbadejo is going back home to Twitter.

    And this isn’t even coming from a Pats fan. You know who the great players are? Here’s a hint, they aren’t the ones posting on Twitter…

  89. Did I just read that? The Patriots can only score points after they tire out the defense?

    Oh, I’m sorry, lets stop the game until you catch your breath and are well rested. The receivers are running too fast? We’ll have them slow down so you can stay with them.

  90. The only way Belichick and Brady can win is to cheat (Spy Gate) or take cheap shots. They plan it, practice it, and play it. Brady came from the “backup” ranks and has to use all the leverage he can to keep a leg up. If the Patriots played straight up football without their ways of trying to cheat or cheapshot the other team, they would be nothing more than a mediore team with no Superbowl titles.

  91. Who said Ayanbadejo was respected or intelligent? Being book smart does not equal mature or having the smarts to keep quiet when necessary.

  92. Wow……sounds like most people think New England is the God of all teams and Billicheck and Brady are the best ever. Billicheck gets credit for defense winning with a defense Parcells put together. Ever since McGinest, Harrision, and Bruschi left their defense has been garbage. As far as spygate did it happen….yes. Brady is a good qb but if you get him rattled and pressure on him hes not as good as advertised. Not saying Bellichek and Brady are bums by any means but they get too much credit. I know they have 3 super bowl rings but give credit for the tuck rule on one of those. Then all I know is that they are 0 – 2 since spygate in the super bowl.

  93. numberonesteelerhater says:
    Jan 14, 2013 11:41 AM
    The only way Belichick and Brady can win is to cheat (Spy Gate) or take cheap shots. They plan it, practice it, and play it. Brady came from the “backup” ranks and has to use all the leverage he can to keep a leg up. If the Patriots played straight up football without their ways of trying to cheat or cheapshot the other team, they would be nothing more than a mediore team with no Superbowl titles.

    3 5 Hey you won and by a large margin…that is the most ignorant rant by a raven fan so far…watch out ravenator you have competition.

  94. numberonesteelerhater says:
    Jan 14, 2013 11:41 AM
    The only way Belichick and Brady can win is to cheat (Spy Gate) or take cheap shots. They plan it, practice it, and play it. Brady came from the “backup” ranks and has to use all the leverage he can to keep a leg up. If the Patriots played straight up football without their ways of trying to cheat or cheapshot the other team, they would be nothing more than a mediore team with no Superbowl titles.

    3 6 so following your logic the Pats would be like the Ravens…sounds right to me….

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