Ted Marchibroda was so positive, professional and gracious, and maybe that's why his achievements as a coach and his impact on the NFL's return to Baltimore often are overlooked.
Marchibroda, 84, died Saturday at his home in Weems, Va., and the accolades have poured in from across the country. Two tributes from current NFL head coaches, the New England Patriots' Bill Belichick and Cincinnati Bengals' Marvin Lewis, speak volumes about Marchibroda, who coached twice here in Baltimore, the last time from 1996-98.
"Because Buffalo didn't win those four Super Bowls and they had Jim Kelly and Andre Reed, people forget that [offense] was designed by Ted," said Lewis, who was the defensive coordinator under Marchibroda with the Ravens.