Honorable Mention: Mixed Martial Arts-Bellator Fighting Championships 64 (Friday 8pm from Windsor, Ontario, Canada live on MTV2); Women’s College Lacrosse: Maryland @ North Carolina (Saturday 3pm from Chapel Hill, NC live on ESPN3.com); Soccer: Team USA Women vs. Brazil (Tuesday 7am from Chiba, Japan live on ESPN2), MLS-Seattle Sounders @ DC United (Saturday 7:30pm RFK Stadium)

10. Alabama Shakes (Saturday 8pm Rams Head Live); Cody Canada/Shooter Jennings (Friday 8pm Recher Theatre); Kevin Costner & Modern West (Tuesday & Wednesday 8pm Rams Head on Stage); Snow Patrol (Friday 7pm Saturday 8pm 9:30 Club); Moody Blues (Tuesday 8pm D.A.R. Constitution Hall); Of Monsters And Men “My Head Is An Animal” available in stores/on iTunes (Tuesday)

I’ll be at RHL Saturday night because I’m ALL IN…

I wish I could tell you I enjoyed The Moody Blues. Sadly I do not. But here’s this because there’s not much going on this week…

Now here’s Snow Patrol. Look, if Paul McCartney was playing this week I’d post something of his…

I think I posted the studio version of “Little Talks” by Of Monsters and Men last week. But I’m posting them again this week because THEY’RE REALLY FREAKING GOOD…

9. Mike Epps (Saturday 8pm 1st Mariner Arena); Kevin James (Wednesday 7:30pm Warner Theatre); Royal Comedy Tour feat. Bruce Bruce, Sommore, Mark Curry, Earthquake (Saturday 8pm Show Place Arena); “War Horse” available on Blu-Ray/DVD (Tuesday); “American Reunion” out in theaters (Friday)

We’re going to see “American Reunion” Thursday night/Friday morning at midnight in White Marsh. If you’re not going to see “American Reunion” Thursday night/Friday morning at midnight you’re a terrible human being and I don’t want to be your friend. So just make it simple and come with us. We’ll probably hit Tilted Kilt before then.

But honestly, if you don’t go see this movie you’re just the worst person of all time…

With future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis inching closer to the end of his career, the subject of the Ravens finding his eventual replacement is nothing new.

One of the most recent names to be discussed this offseason was Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict. However, character issues, a subpar junior season, and poor workout numbers have caused his draft stock to plummet from a potential first-round pick to a prospect some teams may remove from their boards entirely.

It’s a position similar to what current Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe faced three years ago. After being a second-team all-SEC selection as a junior at Georgia, a knee injury in his senior season and off-the-field questions dramatically changed Ellerbe’s draft fate.

“It went from starting out [projected to go in the] first round and getting hurt [as a senior],” Ellerbe said on AM 1570 WNST on Tuesday. “[I was] going into the draft having to work my way back up.”

Signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2009, Ellerbe made the 53-man roster and eventually grabbed the starting inside linebacker job next to Lewis by the end of his rookie year. Replacing an injured Tavares Gooden, Ellerbe started the final three games of the regular season and two playoff games. He finished his rookie campaign with 41 tackles and a critical interception in the regular-season finale that helped clinch a playoff spot.

His future appeared bright as it looked like the hard-hitting linebacker was realizing the potential scouts saw prior to his senior season in college.

But instead of building on his rookie success, Ellerbe showed up to his second training camp out of shape and lost his starting job to Jameel McClain. To make matters worse, an embarrassing showboating incident on an interception return for a touchdown in a preseason game in St. Louis carved out an even bigger spot in coach John Harbaugh’s doghouse.

Ellerbe has been trying to climb back up the ladder ever since as a backup. Injuries limited Ellerbe to nine games last season as he dealt with several ailments, including a sprained foot that left him on crutches following the AFC Championship game in New England.

His ability to play the run effectively has never been questioned, but, much like McClain, his pass coverage remains underwhelming.

Now entering his fourth season, the 26-year-old is looking to establish himself in Baltimore for the long haul.

“I still haven’t felt that yet,” Ellerbe said. “I still work year to year, and I’m still pushing myself every day. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that way. I just want to go out there and do my business and show that I belong in the league.”

Entering free agency with the threat of losing McClain, the Ravens placed the second-round tender on Ellerbe, who was a restricted free agent. He appeared to be in line as the favorite to start next to Lewis before a slow market for inside linebackers allowed the Ravens to re-sign McClain to a three-year deal last week.

The turn of events appears to have left Ellerbe in a familiar position as the primary backup and fighting to simply get on the field. With inside linebacker still a position the Ravens are likely to target in the draft, the end result of that final weekend in April could dramatically change Ellerbe’s fate in Baltimore.

Drafting an inside linebacker in the first few rounds would not only threaten Ellerbe’s standing on the depth chart, but it could push him off the roster entirely. With Ellerbe scheduled to make $1.92 million this season, the addition of a rookie inside linebacker could prompt general manager Ozzie Newsome to consider withdrawing the second-round tender to clear some cap room to address other needs — and make Ellerbe a free agent.

No matter how the offseason plays out, the 2012 season will be a big one for Ellerbe in trying to carve out a more prominent role for the future — in Baltimore or somewhere else. Planning to begin training with Lewis in a few weeks, Ellerbe would still like to realize that potential with the team that took a chance on him after watching his once-promising draft stock disintegrate.

“I love the fans and just love the atmosphere in Baltimore,” Ellerbe said. “So I’m definitely ready to get back and ink my deal. At the end of the day, it’s a business.  I understand that, but I love the Ravens. I would love to end my career in Baltimore.”

To hear Dannell Ellerbe’s entire conversation with WNST.net’s Thyrl Nelson, click HERE.

FOXWORTH ELECTED NFLPA PRESIDENT, SMITH RE-ELECTED EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Hasselbeck, Light, Moore, Watson join NFLPA Executive Committee during annual meeting

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (March 25, 2011) – Domonique Foxworth was nominated and elected without opposition as President of the NFL Players Association today at the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives Meeting. DeMaurice Smith was reaffirmed unanimously as Executive Director by the board on March 22.

“One of the most important things I learned from Kevin is about responsibility,” Foxworth, a free agent cornerback, said to the board following his election. “Players like to say, ‘The NFLPA is our organization.’ There is a wealth of experience and talent in this room, and I will reach out to each and every one of you about your interests and passions. If we work as hard as we did during the lockout now in peacetime, we will be the strongest organization in the world.”

Foxworth’s unanimous election to the post follows four years of service on the executive committee. In 2007, he was elected by the Broncos as a Player Representative and was named the Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year. In 2008, he ran and was elected as the youngest Vice President of the NFLPA Executive Committee.

Newly elected to serve on the Executive Committee are Matt Hasselbeck (Tennessee Titans), Matt Light (New England Patriots), Brandon Moore (New York Jets) and Ben Watson (Cleveland Browns).

They join current Executive Committee members Charlie Batch (Pittsburgh Steelers), Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints), Brian Dawkins (Denver Broncos), Scott Fujita (Cleveland Browns), Jeff Saturday (Green Bay Packers) and Brian Waters (New England Patriots) who were re-elected by unanimous affirmation. There are also two chairs for former players on the NFLPA Executive Committee, currently held by Cornelius Bennett and Jim McFarland.

With the 2012 election, Kevin Mawae, Sean Morey, Tony Richardson and Mike Vrabel cycle off the NFLPA Executive Committee.

“We don’t take on roles of leadership in order to pad our stats, build our resumes, or strengthen our positions,” Mawae said as he retired from the post of NFLPA President, a spot he held for four years. “We become leaders so that we can serve others who themselves don’t yet have the wherewithal, the knowledge, or the experience to lead. We don’t coerce, manipulate, or force. We simply serve.”

“It’s been a blessing,” Richardson said. “The biggest thing I’m proud of is taking advantage of every opportunity we were offered, from education to development to benefits, because if I didn’t do it, how could I tell the young guys they should be doing it? Every decision we made was for the betterment of our organization. My only agenda, ever, has been to serve the players.”

“We get a chance to play an amazing game and compete on the highest level, and I feel fortunate to have stood shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest men in this game,” Morey said. “I appreciate our leadership letting me talk, trusting me, helping me understand the negotiation process and keeping me disciplined and focused.”

Hasselbeck, a Boston College graduate, has been playing in the NFL since 1998 and owns nearly every single-season and career record for quarterbacks with the Seattle Seahawks. The three-time Pro Bowler was first elected to the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives in 2008. Off the field, Hasselbeck is involved with numerous charitable efforts, including raising funds and awareness to help provide clean water to those in need.

Light was first elected as a Player Representative in 2008 and has served continuously since. A graduate of Purdue University, his career in the NFL has consisted of four Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl championships. A member of the Patriots’ 50th Anniversary Team, he established the Light Foundation which provides youth with unique outdoor experiences to help them become stronger individuals and better members of their communities.

Moore is an offensive lineman with the New York Jets and graduate of the University of Illinois. He has served as on the NFLPA Board of Player Representatives since 2007 and was a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award in 2011. The Pro Bowl selection created the Moore Family Foundation to provide disadvantaged youth with positive holiday experiences, school supplies and other important needs.

Watson, a tight end for the Cleveland Browns, was first elected as a Player Representative in 2010. The graduate of the University of Georgia was a first round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. A Super Bowl Champion with the New England Patriots, Watson created a foundation to support charities that provide educational and enrichment opportunities. He is also a spokesperson for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteers for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

The 2012 NFLPA Board of Player Representatives Meeting continues through March 26.

CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Loyola University Maryland long-stick midfielder Scott Ratliff earned a weekly honor from the ECAC Lacrosse League for the second time this season, picking up Co-Specialist of the Week honors two days after the fifth-ranked Greyhounds defeated the Air Force Academy, 15-8, in conference action.

Earlier this season, Ratliff was named the Defensive Player of the Week after the first game of the year.

Ratliff was a major factor on both the offensive and defensive ends of the field, scoring two goals and assisting on another while picking up seven ground balls. He helped the Greyhounds’ defense hold Air Force scoreless for over 31 minutes of action while Loyola ran off 10 unanswered goals.

The junior from Marietta, Ga., scored twice in unsettled situations for Loyola, the first time coming to pull the Greyhounds within a goal, 3-2, with 45 ticks left on the first-quarter clock.

The Falcons scored four in a row to end the half, taking a 7-4 lead into the locker rooms, but Ratliff assisted on a J.P. Dalton goal 16 seconds into the third quarter after Loyola won the opening face-off.

That goal sparked a 10-0 Loyola run that saw the Greyhounds up 14-7 with more than five minutes to play in the game.

After assisting on the first, Ratliff scored the second goal of the run taking a Josh Hawkins pass before ducking-and-weaving around a defender and sending a low shot past Air Force’s Austin Fox to make it 7-6.

Ratliff helped Loyola control a 45-29 advantage in ground balls, tying with teammate Reid Acton for game-high honors with seven. He also was critical in the Greyhounds’ possession game as Loyola won 18-of-27 face-offs.

The Greyhounds are back in action on short rest this week. They host No. 18 Georgetown University at 7 o’clock on Wednesday, March 21, at Ridley Athletic Complex.

Already possessing an impressive recruiting class for next fall, the Maryland Terrapins added a fifth member to the group as power forward Charles Mitchell announced his commitment on Thursday.

A 6-foot-8, 250-pounder from Marietta, Ga., Mitchell is considered a four-star recruit and joins Shaquille Cleare (6-foot-9) and Damonte Dodd (6-foot-9) to form one of the most impressive frontcourt classes in the country.

Mitchell chose the Terps despite offers from Florida State, Tennessee, and others. He took an official visit to College Park earlier in the week.

Small forward Jake Layman and combo guard Seth Allen round out this fall’s incoming class for coach Mark Turgeon.

#8 Maryland (16-14, 6-9) vs. #9 Wake Forest (13-17, 4-12)
Thursday, March 8, 2012 | Noon | Atlanta, Ga. (Philips Arena)
ACC Network-WNUV 54 locally in Baltimore | Terrapin Sports Radio Network

Maryland opens play in the 2012 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in a first-round matchup with Wake Forest. The Terrapins beat the Demon Deacons, 70-64, on Jan. 11 in the only regular-season meeting between the teams this year.Terrell Stoglin had 20 points, with James Padgett and Sean Mosley adding 15 each in the victory that marked the first league game of the year at Comcast Center.

Sophomore guard Terrell Stoglin earned second team All-ACC honors on Monday in balloting by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. Stoglin remains atop the list of scoring leaders in the league with a 21.2 points-per-game average. He had 25 points in the last game of the regular season on Sunday against Virginia, becoming only the third Terrapin in history to reach 1,000 career points in only his second season.

Nick Faust earned a spot on the 2012 ACC All-Freshman Team on Monday. Faust has averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals in the seven games since he returned to the starting lineup after the season-ending injury to Pe’Shon Howard. It marked the third straight season the Terps have put a student-athlete on the league’s All-Freshman Team (Jordan Williams in 2010, Stoglin in 2011). Faust has six double-figure games in the last seven.

The Terrapins are the eighth seed in the ACC Tournament for the sixth time. Maryland is 5-3 in matchups with Wake Forest, including five straight victories. The Terps lost their first three tournament meetings with the Demon Deacons (1954, 1961, 1963), but turned things around with a win in the 1973 semifinals. The other wins have come in 1984, 2001, 2004 and 2009.

Scouting the Demon Deacons

Wake Forest finished the regular season 13-17 overall with a 4-12 mark in the ACC, getting its four conference wins over Virginia Tech, Boston College and Georgia Tech at home and also defeating BC in Chestnut Hill.

The Demon Deacons possess two of the top-six scorers in the conference in guard C.J. Harris and forward Travis McKie… Harris is fourth in the league with 16.8 ppg and is also the team’s top 3-point shooter, having connected on 48-of-111 attempts (.432) this season… McKie is sixth in the conference with 15.9 ppg and is averaging a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.

Wake is the best free-throw shooting team in the league (.736), led by Harris (.856) and McKie (.730)… Sophomore guard Tony Chennault is third on the team in scoring (9.3 ppg) and has a team-high 85 assists… Fifth-year senior forward Nikita Mescheriakov is fourth on the team with 7.7 ppg.

Upcoming

The winner of the opening first-round game will face top-seeded North Carolina at noon in Friday’s quarterfinals.

The Terrapins are in the top half of the bracket, meaning they would play in the 1 p.m. semifinal, with the championship game also scheduled for 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Follow the Entire Tournament

First-round coverage of all four games on Thursday will also be available on ESPNU nationally, with blackouts in the ACC geographic footprint.

Fans can also follow the tournament on Twitter: @ACCmbb, with hashtag #ACCTRNY

Maryland (16-11, 6-7) at Georgia Tech (9-18, 2-11)
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2012 | 2:30 p.m. | Atlanta, Ga. (Philips Arena)
ACC Network-WNUV 54 in Baltimore | Terrapin Sports Radio Network

CENTERVILLE, Mass. – Loyola University Maryland junior long-stick midfielder Scott Ratliff earned the first ECAC Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Week honor of the 2012 season Monday, the conference office announced.

Ratliff led the Loyola possession effort on Saturday afternoon as the Greyhounds defeated No. 19 Delaware, 13-8, to open the 2012 season. The native of Marietta, Ga., finished with game-highs of seven ground balls and two caused turnovers, and he also scored a transition goal for the Greyhounds.

His seven ground balls set a new career-high.

Ratliff helped Loyola overcome a 3-0 first-quarter deficit that the preseason Colonial Athletic Association favorite had built. The Greyhounds went 0-of-4 on face-offs, and the Blue Hens picked up nine ground balls to Loyola’s four, during that first quarter.

For the rest of the game, Loyola was 14-of-21 on restarts, and the Greyhounds led 30-19 in ground balls, thanks in large part to Ratliff’s efforts on the ground. Nearly three-quarters of the way through the third quarter, Loyola goalkeeper Michael Bonitatibus made a clean save on a point-blank Delaware shot, and he found Ratliff running to the top of the box to start a clear.

Ratliff executed a one-man clear, faked a pass at the top of the Loyola box to freeze an onrushing defender, and he then shot a low, hard shot for his fifth career goal.

The award is the second of Ratliff’s career after he earned the same honor from the ECAC on March 28, 2011.

Loyola is back in action against Towson University on Saturday afternoon at Ridley Athletic Complex. Face-off is scheduled for 1 o’clock.