WNST, Nestor, Drew, Luke, Glenn and everyone involved with WNST did a remarkable job covering the Super Bowl from New Orleans the past couple weeks. Forget the remarkable packages that Nestor and WNST set up for fans, which in itself was a remarkable feat to pull off the way they did, but their media coverage was unbelievable.

I know that WNST goes down every Super Bowl, whether or not the Ravens are in it or not, but what they did is nothing short of remarkable and we as fans and listeners of WNST should be extremely thankful. The countless guests they had on their shows from Frank Caliendo to Emmitt Smith and everyone in between provided us listeners with great audio, interesting insight and the abundance of laughs that help get us threw the work day.

I will admit, that I occasionally listen to other stations, but without question, none, and I mean NONE of the other stations covered the Super Bowl, or even the Ravens, with the class, quality, and also quantity that WNST did. I am thankful to be a fan of two of the greatest professional sports franchises in sports, as well as all of our local college and soccer teams, but I am more thankful to be able to listen, read, and chat with the crew at WNST.

Please join me in giving WNST a HUGE pat on the back, and more importantly, an even BIGGER THANK YOU for everything they brought us during Super Bowl week and beyond!

The post How about a HUGE pat on the back for WNST appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

The Ravens offensive woes story continues. In 1996 it was Ted Marchibroda (the original author of “Hey diddle diddle , Lydell up the middle” and his 1,2,3 kick offense in the 70′s), then it was Matt Cavanaugh, then Jim Fassel, then Brian Billick, then Cam Cameron. Now it’s Jim Caldwell.  No matter who the offensive coordinator is in Baltimore, he WILL be blamed if the team continues the up and down roller coaster ride on the offensive side of the ball.

Cam Cameron was the scapegoat of a team that averaged about 30 points a game in 6 games at home and 18 points in 7 games on the road. Big wins against Cincinnati, New England, Dallas and Oakland at home and San Diego and Pittsburgh on the road were overshadowed by losses to on the road to Philadelphia and Houston, a terrible performance where they escaped with a 9-6 win at Kansas City, then losing to a 60 yr old immobile Charlie Batch at home and choking up a lead in the 4th quarter against an injured RG3′s replacement, Kurt, or is it Kirk, Cousins and then falling in overtime after a huge punt return put the Redskins in great field position in OT.

So why Cam Cameron and not Dean Pees?   When you look back on the season, it was the defense who gave up late leads against Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Washington, but yet held on to leads against New England and Dallas. On the road, they held KC to 6 points and SD to 13 points. Only against Houston was the defense totally exposed, but that was after the offense sputtered and stalled after taking a 3-0 lead early and giving up a safety which started the opening of the flood gates.

Does the defense get a pass because of all the injuries? With Cameron’s ejection from the palace this morning, it appears that way, for now. Starters Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith, Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis, and Dannell Ellerbee have missed multiple games on the defensive side of the ball. Only tight ends Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta have missed time on the offensive side.

Jim Caldwell has called as many plays in the NFL as I have, so it will be interesting to see what happens on Sunday when Peyton brings the Broncos to town. The defense is rumored to not like the no-huddle offense because if it fails they are back on the field after about 90 seconds. Manning will light them up if that happens. Actually with little Manning brother coming in a week later, the defense could really be strapped and the Ravens could well be 9-6 needing a win in Cincinnati to even secure a spot in the playoffs.

People have been calling for Cameron’s head for the last 4 years, just like they called for Marchibroda’s in the 70′s and late 90′s, Cavanaugh’s in the early 2000′s, Fassel’s and Billick’s in the mid 2000′s. Well, folks, with 15 days until Christmas, you got what you wished for.  Now who are we going to blame?  Flacco? Caldwell? Pees? Harbaugh? Ozzie?  Stay tuned, it’ll be a wild and unpredictable final 3 weeks of Baltimore Ravens football

Here’s another nice mess they’ve gotten us into…..

The post Here’s another nice mess…. appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

Three years ago when I wrote this in depth look at where the Baltimore sports media universe was heading, Twitter was truly at the dawn of its existence. The ability of mobile devices was far more limited and far less distributed. And the access to the genie of instant information in the palms of our hands that we’ve quickly become accustomed to will never go backward into the narrow bottle of the limited access of newspapers, television and radio waves.

Today, I will examine the current state of the Baltimore sports media experience and as much as many local journalists like to give “report cards” on the Ravens every Sunday night and Monday morning, I’m sure some folks will get their feelings hurt today.

I’ll tell you what I think about our competitors and the intentions of their bosses and their corporate, money-making media machines. Honesty. Candidly. Openly. As usual…

And, we’d love to hear what you think here in our “2012 State Of Baltimore Sports Media Survey” here.

One lucky survey entrant will win a trip next weekend to Cleveland on our Miller Lite Orange Roadtrip powered by Jiffy Lube.

As I’ve said over the past month, we’re trying to make WNST.net better every minute of every day so that we can be your primary source of Baltimore sports news and information on your mobile device.

Examining the Baltimore sports media business is the most important thing I do on a daily basis and while I rarely write about this stuff, it’s been my life’s mission to improve your experience as a local sports fan.

I find it almost hilarious and/or pathetic that anyone would listen to the radio station that calls itself  “The Fan” when the entire concept was drawn up in a board room in New York and never factors the actual “fans” into the equation when they assembled their corporate radio station team.

But competition is good. It sets the bar. At WNST.net, we’ve never ducked the obvious or taken Baltimore sports fans for granted – we know you’re judging us and comparing us every day because you utilize more than one outlet for your sports media consumption on a daily basis in 2012.

But we’re always striving to the be the FIRST place you go to get Baltimore sports information on your IPhone, Droid or mobile device.

In an effort to encourage you to give your feedback on the local Baltimore sports media scene, it’s only fair that I file my own report card.

So, who are the competitors and players on the local scene and where do you turn when breaking news happens in Baltimore?

My general overview of this is candidly clear: Baltimore is a lazy market on the new media end. I know how hard we work at WNST.net and I know what our resources are. I know the strengths and weaknesses of all of our competitors in the marketplace and many of the assembled group of “journalists” in the market have either been on my team, interviewed to be on my team or have cross-pollinated in something I’ve touched because I’ve been doing Baltimore sports media longer than virtually anyone in the marketplace.

My journey began almost 29 years ago in January 1984 at age 15 when Baltimore had three newspapers, three TV stations and a handful of AM radio stations that did local sports of any kind.

In 2012, there has been a mass fracturing in the way and convenience in which we consume media so many of the entities have “loose ends” in their coverage or holes in the strategy. Some of their portals to garner attention, feedback and building a trusted community of information are very old world and “lazy” for my tastes.

And before I begin defecating on all of our competitors – and that will be prevalent below – no less than two of these fossilized radio stations have the arrogance to call themselves “the only station that matters.”

It’s hilarious. And the truth is that WNST.net is kicking all of their asses in the only place that really matters – the internet and on your mobile device via instant access.

Here’s a report card from two weeks ago via Twitter:

Some will get their feelings hurt, but if you click to Page 2 you’ll see what I think of our “competition” at WNST.net…

The post Part 3: Which Baltimore sports media entities suck? Here’s my report card… appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

On a good day, I piss you off because I present a fact you don’t agree with or an argument or position in a debate that you dispute.

On my best days I force you to think about your position and offer a well-balanced analysis that makes you see through the Baltimore sports prism in a way that only eyes with 28 years of expertise and a lifetime of dedication to all aspects of local sports issues can bring.

That’s called value. That’s called engagement. That’s called trust. Hopefully, you view it as “expertise.”

That’s why you came to my radio show as “Nasty Nestor” 20 years ago or somehow found WNST AM-1570 or WNST in some capacity along our journey.

If you’re here reading this, you trust WNST.net as your source for Baltimore sports.

I know this because 50,000 of you engage in our community and through our partners via Facebook. More than 11,000 of you are Twitter followers, watching every Orioles, Ravens, Terps, Caps and most other major sports events with our hosts and experts in real time from anywhere your mobile phone gets service. Almost 7,000 have given me your phone number – perhaps the greatest trust other than your credit card number in the universe. And 15,000 of you have trusted us with that other cyber point of contact – your email address – so we can deliver Baltimore’s best morning newspaper e-style via your inbox.

And all the while, hopefully you agree that we’ve respected you as our audience and community and attempted to provide quality programming and web content while living through the inevitable growing pains of morphing from a tiny AM radio station into a web media power by utilizing technology to our advantage.

It’s a privilege for me personally and a labor of love that I’ve dedicated my life – truly and completely – to Baltimore sports media and being an advocate for local fans, businesses, charity and the community.

But here’s where I need your help. Today, I’m asking you to give me a report card on how we’re doing here at WNST.

We’d sincerely appreciate an honest appraisal of the way you use Baltimore sports media in 2012 and the way you view WNST.net, our competitors and, hopefully, some helpful suggestions on ways we could improve what we’re doing.

As an incentive, we’ll take one lucky winner and a friend to exotic Cleveland, Ohio for a weekend of football in November. And we’ll never sell or share your information. So, take a few minutes if you can and perhaps you’ll be our big winner!

TAKE THE 2012 GREAT BALTIMORE SPORTS MEDIA REPORT CARD HERE

Do we suck? Are we awesome? What are we missing? How can we better service you? What do our competitors do that you like? What do you love about WNST? What do you dislike about WNST?

Back when I was covering Baltimore Skipjacks hockey games on the roof of the Baltimore Civic Center and without a deadline in 1986 for The Evening Sun my wildest dreams couldn’t have imagined or predicted where my journalism journey was going to take me to tweeting from my couch in real time to tens of thousands of people in 2012.

It’s no secret to anyone who has adopted a smart phone, tablet or web-enabled device of any kind that real-time information is the new standard for communication. As Tommy Conwell once sang: “There ain’t no

SEE PAGE 2

The post Part 2: Anytime, anywhere – WNST.net delivering Baltimore sports to your mobile device appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

It’s the fans of the Orioles, Ravens, Terps, Caps and other issues of Baltimore sports concern that put us in business and keep us growing and healthy in 2012.

As has been our custom over the past two decades, I’m always available to receive emails at nasty@wnst.net concerning any issue at WNST.net. (Or as Peter Angelos famously lied to me in 1997: “I’m a very available individual…”)

Today, I’m asking you to give me a report card on how we’re doing here at WNST. We’d sincerely appreciate an honest appraisal of the way you use Baltimore sports media in 2012 and the way you view WNST.net, our competitors and, hopefully, some helpful suggestions on ways we could improve what we’re doing.

As an incentive, we’ll take one lucky winner and a friend to exotic Cleveland, Ohio for a weekend of football and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in November on our WNST Purple Football Roadtrip, courtesy of Jiffy Lube.

And we’ll never sell or share your information. So, take a few minutes if you can and perhaps you’ll be our big winner!

TAKE THE 2012 GREAT BALTIMORE SPORTS MEDIA REPORT CARD HERE

Do we suck? Are we awesome? What are we missing? How can we better service you? What do our competitors do that you like? What do you love about WNST? What do you dislike about WNST?

Every two years we do a major survey to gauge how we’re doing. But the media world changes and evolves at a frightening speed in 2012 with mobile devices, tablets and the instant distribution of thoughts, news, observations and information.

Many, many things have changed in the Baltimore sports media scene since I began working at The News American in January 1984. As a kid who saw that hot metal type line up on newsprint and then watched and learned at The Sun from 1986-1992 to doing sports radio locally and nationally, I’ve picked up many hints and plenty of help along the way to create a company that is boldly local, proudly independent and enduringly honest.

I’ve dedicated my entire life to Baltimore sports and to the journalism, information and analysis that goes with it. This is the only thing I’ve ever done with my life and I want WNST.net to be the best and biggest media company in the marketplace.

We want to be the media organization that serves you the best. Unlike our “small” AM radio signal, you can now take WNST.net everywhere in the world you go…

We’re always looking for a deeper level of engagement with the fans we already have via Baltimore sports. And more so than any other voice on the internet bringing you Baltimore sports reaction and analysis, we are striving for perfection and your attention at WNST.net.

In the old days, you had to go to your radio to get your WNST fix. Now, via mobile devices, we’re in your pocket everywhere you go, every hour of the day.

We’re hoping to connect with you in a more meaningful way and to better serve Baltimore sports fans as mobile grows and your tastes evolve. Over 21 years of doing radio and now almost 15 years of WNST as an entity, we’d like to strengthen our relationship with Ravens, Orioles, Terps, Caps, lacrosse and local high school programs.

Unlike morning shows with guys from New York and Boston and “experts” from the Washington suburbs and parts of upper Michigan and St. Louis, the crew at WNST.net is always local and has lived the history of Baltimore sports.

Now we’re asking you: has WNST.net done a good job of this?

Judging from every measurement we can find on the internet – Twitter, Facebook, Google Analytics, reaction to our posts and opinions, we’re doing a damned fine job.

But we can always be better.

This is where you come in…

In our market, quite frankly, it’s been about authenticity and credibility.

WNST builds our audience through quality programming, content and distribution. And then we build relevance for local marketers and businesses who keep us in business because of your support of their sponsorship of our programming and information.

When you support a WNST sponsor you directly affect our ability to improve and keep bringing you the best Baltimore’s best sports coverage divinely possible.

So, as Bruce Springsteen might say, bring on your Wrecking Ball and give us some feedback. We’re thick-skinned. Any constructive criticism or feedback is always welcome at WNST.net.

Once again, here’s a link to our report card and survey…

The post It’s time for a WNST “report card” & we need your help! appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

Yes, the primetime commercials were to many and to long. Yes, some of the background stories were to drawn out and dramatic. Yes, some of the interviews immediately following the event were to mundane and elementary. And yes, I threw my sofa cushions at the tube, after the 50th time I saw Matthew Perrys’ face and whatever new show of his they were jamming down our throats. They did such a good job, I don’t even know the name of the supposed upcoming sitcom. We had options………….. click.

What I dug the most was, Neil Peart drum roll please………….the camera angles/video coverage. I know it’s not new and I am getting old but, for some reason being with the athlete as they competed in their event blew me away. I was all about - the under water 50m pool shots, following the diver into the pool, running with the gymnast down the runway, surging across the mat, running with the track stars, the super slow motion replay, etc. etc. The under water on the floor of the pool looking up shots - extremely cool. Were we ever able to follow them during the race before from below? Maybe it’s the new HD flat screens? I don’t know, I’m old, I appreciate the little things alot more now. I will say, I am not a fan of the “in-your-face” camera shots immediately following their performance or while they wait for their scores. No reason to be a foot from their face when I believe there is a lens option called “zoom”. The video coverage enhanced my viewing time.

Number 2 on the “what I really dug” meter………….. Boxing analyst – Teddy Atlas. His commentary pre, during and post fight was unprecedented. He had the knowledge, he had the flare, he had the honesty and freedom to call it like he saw it. Analogies I had never heard before or would have ever dreamed of interjecting into a boxing match. FAN-tastic. Even though the boxing was for the most part – “fixed” – at least Ole Teddy Atlas was on board with it. “Some of these decisions, are making Olympic boxing a joke/no credibility.” “If they give it to the blue corner – I’m on a plane out of here.” Blue corner received the win……”Where do I go get our tickets.” (They didn’t leave).  His play-by-play man, Bobby Papa, was right there with him. “Where are they getting these judges? The judging at these games is why this sport is considered a farce.” FAN-tastic coverage, with so many more examples. If they ever come out with a DVD of the boxing coverage for the London 2012 Olympics ………….buy it………it’s a classic.

Number 3 – minimal bad press. Besides the inevitable “Fixes” – (badminton you kiddin’ me)? There were only a couple positive drug tests (so far). Really only one, that being the ”she-man” shot putter from Belarus. Let me tell you, you saw it………there were plenty more of the “she-men” running around.  The other positive drug test didn’t really count. That was the American judo guy – he inadvertently ate some marijuana brownies back in the states prior to going over. Uhhhhhhh yeah right. I wonder if the IOC uses the same testing labs as MLB and the NFL? There were minimal reports of  misdemeanors. There were no terrorists attacks, no Munich of 1972 from 40 years earlier. Nice job – British and friends security teams – give them a gold medal.

Number 4 – the USA women in anything. I heard the USA women alone, would have come in fifth for total medals vs. the rest of the world. The gals swimming was the surprise. In the last race of the meet, the 4 X 100 medley relay, the USA had 4 gold medal winners at their particular specialty, won at various distances. Soccer, water polo, basketball, beach volleyball (final match -both teams- USA), tennis, rowing, track, etc. You go girls.

For most of these athletes it’s a “Once in a Lifetime” – (Talking Heads), type deal. Although, for those at the top of their game, it seems as if there are more and more repeaters. When the Olympics changedthe participation status requirements from amateur to include professional – a new era was born. Now the athletes can recognize the potential income and sponsorship they can receive for their efforts. Stay off the drugs and go for it.

I encourage you to offer your top moments. Looking forward to 2014 Winter games in Sochi, Russia and 2016 Summer games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. U-S-A, U-S-A, U-S-A.

D.I.Y.

Fedman

The post Olympic Recap appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

The Good – All of it. Depending on your TV/computer package,  there is potential of up to 6 TV channels covering the events. And if you miss something, anything, you can find a replay of it somewhere, via the information highway. It’s fast, it’s furious, it’s entertaining and it’s only been 4 days. My highlights – Womens gymnastics - team gold, Phelps – medal #19, womens swimming – all of it, USA in anything. Extended coverage of the less popular sports: archery, table tennis (ping-pong at a serious advanced level), synchronized diving, badminton, rowing, etc. How about those Fab 5 Golden Girls

The Bad – Ryan Lochte over-load. Looks like NBC jumped on that bandwagon a little to early of that self-indulged individual. Way to blow the lead in the 4 x 100 freestyle swimming relay, Ryan. Take your arrogance and silver grills and go tryout for a numbnut on some bogus TV reality(?) show. I do not agree with the top 2 gymnasts from each country in qualifications advancing to determine the title of Best All-Around. The attempt of a “Fix” and the throwing of badminton matches – Chinese, South Koreans and Indonesia taking tournament into their own hands – http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/badminton/highlights-badminton-players-try-to-throw-match.html.

The Ugly – The Fix. Subjective judging – gymnastics, diving, boxing. I saw clear evidence of “The Fix” in each of these events and it is shameful. Gymnastics – did you see McKayla Maroneys vault last night? It was perfect, even in super slow motion. It stopped me dead in my tracks. I do not believe I have ever seen a more perfect execution of a gymnastics event. And neither had the commentators - Tim Dagget – “I would like the judges to explain where were the deductions?” Synchronized diving - identical dives, same degree of difficulty, Chinese NOT synchronized (85 points) - Mexicans nail it (72 points). It’s just wrong man. Columbia soccer player cold cocking USA player during match and the referees missing it -  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/30/lady-andrade-suspended-abby-wambach-punch-ban_n_1720132.html?ref=topbar.

The Olympics positives and negatives are running the gambit. Highs – USA womens skeet shooter Kimberly Rhode winning a gold medal (99 out of 100 clays) and medaling in her 5th olympics. Disappointments – Michael Phelps not winning his 3rd gold medal in his signature event - the 200m butterfly. Drugs (accusations) - 16 year old Chinese swimmer knocking 5 seconds off her best time and taking home the gold. Highly questionable. Unfortunately, there will be more on PED’s. The Thrill of Victory – Missy Franklin and Allison Schmitt and their swimming accomplishments. USA womens synchronized diving gold. What are your impressions of the games so far?

I am still waiting to catch Brooks ”The Tuna” Velour in the 50m freestyle swimming sprint final – http://mdlottery.com/mdlottery-tv/medal-madness-featuring-brooks-velour/  – best darn commercial I have seen in quite some time. Good, Bad or Ugly  – The London Summer Olympics 2012 – what a nice break.

D.I.Y.

Fedman

The post Olympic Bombardment appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

We are a week out for the 2012 games in London and I just don’t see the buzz. What has changed? Why has it changed? Does it really matter? Let’s be honest, when the Olympic games are held in a time zone that is not conducive for the viewing times of Americans, it seems not to matter. Back in the 70’s and 80’s the network that would televise the games would save all of the popular events for primetime on tape and with no real-time reporting of the Internet, and other mobile devices, it played live. Remember, in 1980, the hockey game between the United States and Soviet Union was played at 5PM in the afternoon, and shown in prime time. Most people thought they were seeing it live. The only people that knew what happened were the 8000 in the arena. If this game had been played today, we would have known the outcome and probably seen the highlights. Getting closer to us, Michael Phelps will be swimming all of his events in the morning or afternoon. Being that he is one of the poster boys of the Olympic games this year, you know that NBC is going to hold that footage until their evening programming. I know most will still watch, but is it ‘must see’? It will be interesting to see if NBC shows any of their ’go to’ events, swimming, or gymnastics live on the alternate stations they have.

The David versus Goliath mentality of the games for the United States is no longer applicable. You always knew that most of the other countries paid their athletes, but our athletes were considered ‘true’ amateurs. Again, the ‘Miracle on Ice’ hockey team represented the real love of the Olympics. Not only were we barely 15 years from the ‘cold war’, but also we had a bunch of college kids, and Mike Eruzione against the Soviet Union team with all the professional players. It was a perfect storm, David versus Goliath, with social implications. The games will never be that way again as I guess the United States has to utilize professionals so that they can stick their chest out, but is that the point. The first ‘Dream team’ of 1992 was fun, and was a curiosity, but unless you are a hardened NBA junkie, are you going to watch many of the games?

What made the games special was the fact that you really did not know these people until the two weeks in the summer or winter. Most of the sports represented were not made for Wide World of Sports, so you never got to see the athletes until the games. Did you know ‘Sugar’ Ray Leonard before the 1976 Games in Montreal? Probably not, unless you were a huge boxing enthusiast; even then, maybe not. Athletes like Teofilo Stephenson, the Cuban boxer who won 3 Olympic gold medals and never turned professional, made the games special because the only time you would see him would be in that 2-week span. Could you imagine the media coverage if he were fighting today?

The uniqueness of the Olympics has been spoiled by the oversaturation of the athletes.

Whatever it is, are the games on your viewing docket from July 27-August 12, or is it the Orioles, reruns or nothing at all?

(By the way, the modern pentathlon includes pistol shooting, fencing, 200 meter freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a 3-mile cross-country run. I had to look this one up!)

The post The Olympic Games: Do we Really Care Anymore? appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

I’ve spent 21 years learning about this stuff. I’m glad you found my blog to hear and watch my thoughts on where Baltimore sports media is heading over the next decade.

If you make it through this series, I’d love to hear your feedback at nasty@wnst.net

The post The State of Baltimore Sports Media (circa Summer 2012) appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.

Daniel Radov

Brett Dickinson

John Sears

Jeff Kryglik

Simon Habtemariam

Josh Levine

Adam McCallister

Mark Brown

Robert Testoni

Chris Cichon

Jeff Gilley

Andrew Tomlinson

Scott Zolotorow

All remaining contestants will continuing blogging, writing and tweeting about Baltimore sports over the next 10 days before our championship event at Hooters in Towson next Thursday.

The post Baker’s dozen: 13 invited to Baltimore Sports Media Superstar finals on July 26 at Hooters appeared first on We Never Stop Talking Baltimore Sports.