Matt Birk Has His Ring. Oh and So Does Bryant McKinnie.

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens center Matt Birk (77) holds his son on his shoulders after winning Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Birk never won a ring with Minnesota. He left town allegedly due to philosophical differences with Brad Childress and landed in Baltimore. Maybe Birk would get his long-awaited shot at the championship with Ray Lewis and the Ravens. But with Baltimore’s roster aging and Joe Flacco seeming to stagnate in his development, it began to look like Birk would never get that chance. Just goes to show, you never know in the NFL. Flacco blossomed in 2012 and that aging defense pulled itself together for one last run. After some offensive shuffling, the Ravens got things together and rolled right to the Super Bowl.

Birk was there starting at center for the Ravens as they beat the 49ers to claim their second championship as a franchise. And Birk had an old Minnesota teammate on his side too. Bryant McKinnie. The former Love Boater started 2012 on the bench but after Cam Cameron’s ouster and the Ravens’ offensive make-over, McKinnie was once again in starting at left tackle. He played pretty well down the stretch blocking for Ray Rice and protecting Joe Flacco. Both Birk and McKinnie were key to the Ravens’ victory run. Both should feel good about their championship.

But you know who shouldn’t feel good? Randy Moss. He made his second trip to the Super Bowl and was once again denied. Moss just didn’t seem into the game Sunday afternoon for some reason. How can you not be up for the Super Bowl? How can you loaf around out there looking disengaged? I guess Moss really does play when he wants to play. I doubt he will be back with San Francisco in 2013. I doubt he will be back anywhere. Maybe he still has some skills left but if he’s not willing to put himself out there for his team, what does it matter?

McKinnie is the only of these three guys who is sure to be back in 2013. He still has a lot of bills to pay and needs the money. There’s no reason for Baltimore to not keep him on. Birk, maybe will be back. He won’t commit one way or the other. My guess is he’ll walk away now that he has his ring. Moss might want to keep playing but who will sign him? Probably no one. Happy way for Birk to go out, sad way for Moss. McKinnie, he’s still rolling. If he can make weight. That’s always an issue with him.

Congrats to the former Vikings who got their rings. Maybe 2013 will be the year for their old team.

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