Billick Fired

Brian Billick was fired as coach of the Baltimore Ravens on Monday, less than a day after his team concluded a disappointing 5-11 season and less than a year after receiving a contract extension through 2010. Players were told of the dismissal as they packed up their lockers at the team's practice facility. Only a few weeks ago, Billick proclaimed that he would return in 2008, but Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti, who does not speak to the media during the season, made no public statement to that effect. "I just changed my mind," the owner told The Baltimore Sun on Monday. "I can't explain it to you. It's the toughest decision I've had to make." Billick won Super Bowl XXXV in his second season with the Ravens, and led the team to a franchise-best 13-3 record in 2006. But Baltimore lost a team-record nine consecutive games this season before ending the skid Sunday with a 27-21 win over Pittsburgh. Billick was confident that he would be coming back next season, and was very surprised by Biscotti's decision to let him go. During the last week Biscotti was seen talking to key players and staff members about Billick's coaching. Apparently most of the players lost confidence in him, which lead to his firing.