Alright, so fantasy football season is creeping up on us again, and you know what that means – time to wrack our brains for a killer team name, especially if you’re repping Baltimore. I’ve been through this rodeo a good few times, and finding that perfect name, one that’s clever and shows your Ravens pride, well, it’s a bit of a ritual for me.
My Initial Brain-Dump Session
First thing I always do is just grab a piece of paper, or open up a blank document, and start jotting down anything and everything Baltimore Ravens related. I don’t filter at this stage, just get it all out. I’m thinking current players, for sure. Lamar Jackson is always a goldmine. Then you’ve got guys like Mark Andrews, Roquan Smith, Kyle Hamilton, Zay Flowers now too. I write all their names down.
Then, my mind wanders to the legends. You can’t talk Baltimore football without thinking of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Jonathan Ogden. These names just scream power and respect, so they go on the list.
After players, I think about Baltimore itself. Things like “Charm City,” “Ravens Flock,” “Poe” (the mascot, obviously), crabs, the Inner Harbor. Sometimes local lingo or inside jokes can spark something, though you gotta be careful not to get too obscure if your league mates aren’t all local.
Playing with Words – The Fun Part (and Sometimes Frustrating)
Once I have that raw list, I start messing around. This is where the real “work” begins. I look for puns, rhymes, alliteration. I try combining player names with common football phrases or pop culture references.
For example, with Lamar, I’d try things like:
- Lamarvelous
- Action Jackson
- Lamar the Star
Some ideas are instant duds. I remember trying to make a “Roquan” pun and just drawing a blank for a while. You try things like “Roquan and Roll Over Them” – a bit clunky, right? So, you discard and move on. It’s a trial-and-error process, definitely.
I also think about the vibe I want for my team name. Do I want it to be intimidating? Funny? Clever? This helps narrow down the options. For instance, something like “Ed Reed Between the Lines” has a nice, smart ring to it. “Lewis’s Hit Squad” sounds more aggressive.
Some Names I’ve Kicked Around or Liked
Over the years, I’ve seen some good ones and cooked up a few myself. Here are some of the types of names that usually come out of my process:
Player-Focused Puns:
- Lamarvel Cinematic Universe: A bit of a mouthful, but timely.
- Can’t Tuck This: Thinking of Tucker, our kicker.
- Flowers Power: Simple, effective for Zay.
- Likely to Score: For Isaiah Likely, obviously.
- Madubuike’s Mania: If he’s having a big year.
Classic Ravens Feel:
- Charm City Champs: Can’t go wrong with a classic.
- Nevermore Nightmares: A bit darker, playing on the Poe theme.
- Baltimore Bruisers: Straight to the point.
More General, But With a Nod:
- Flock You Like a Hurricane: A bit edgy, uses the fan base name.
- Purple Reign: Always a popular one.
What I’ve Learned Through The Process
The biggest thing is to have fun with it. Don’t overthink it too much at the start. Let the silly ideas flow. Sometimes the dumbest initial thought can spark a genuinely great name later on.
I also make sure to check if the name is already taken in my league. Nothing worse than settling on the perfect name only to find out someone else snagged it.
And, you know, try to pick something you’ll be happy with all season. It’s your team, your banner. Make it something you’re proud to see at the top of the standings!
So, that’s pretty much my go-to method for digging up a good Baltimore fantasy football name. It’s a small part of the whole fantasy experience, but it’s one I always enjoy tackling head-on. Now, to actually draft a winning team… that’s another story!
