Honorable Mention: Women’s College Basketball-Virginia @ Maryland (Monday 8:30pm from Comcast Center live on Comcast SportsNet); Boxing: Friday Night Fights-Teon Kennedy vs. Chris Martin (Friday 9pm from Las Vegas live on ESPN2); High School Basketball: Franklin @ Perry Hall (Wednesday 6:30pm), Perry Hall @ Catonsville (Friday 7pm)

10. G. Love & Special Sauce (Friday 8pm Rams Head Live); Bootsy Collins (Wednesday 7:30pm Baltimore Soundstage), Charm City Devils (Saturday 7pm Baltimore Soundstage); Smithereens (Friday 6:30pm & 9:30pm Rams Head on Stage); Rebelution (Sunday 8pm Fillmore Silver Spring)

You can’t pay me to say something negative about G. Love. Unless you pay me with money. I’ll lie about anything for money.

I believe Bootsy Collins is a Cincinnati Bengals fan but I’m willing to look past that. I mean, the man did do this…

Charm City Devils are just…just awesome….

I saw Rebelution at Artscape once. Pretty good…

9. George Lopez (Saturday 8pm D.A.R. Constitution Hall); “Contraband” opens in theaters (Friday); Baltimore County Restaurant Week (Thursday-Monday)

George Lopez is only sorta funny sometimes and while Contraband might be okay I can’t tell you I’m really looking forward to it.

So let’s talk about Restaurant Week. As you know, Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium is one of my personal favorite spots in Baltimore County. What you might not know is that the breakout star of “Monday Night Live” for the 2011 season was the Santa Fe Fries…

I would have taken a picture of a full plate, but there was never a full plate. Never.

You know how it works. 15 positive football observations, 7 “not so” positive football observations and one “oh no” moment from outside the world of football.

(As a reminder, we don’t do Baltimore Ravens analysis here. We do PLENTY of that elsewhere. This is about the rest of the world of football.)

15 Positive Observations…

1. Matt Flynn may have just earned himself a boatload of money Sunday.

Perhaps Flynn’s success had much more to do with the Green Bay Packers’ scheme & wide receivers and even the Detroit Lions’ less than exceptional defense than the former LSU quarterback himself. But as he enters free agency, Flynn may have just made himself a viable option for teams that won’t enter 2012 with Andrew Luck on their roster.

Of course, 80 of his 480 yards and one of his five touchdowns came on this play to Ryan Grant. I’m pretty sure Ryan Chell could have made this throw…

The Packers can sit back and wait to find out who they’ll play in the divisional round while the Lions get to visit the Superdome next weekend. But I’d say it’s pretty much a toss-up as to who has the more difficult road ahead.

In an unrelated story, the Packers went with Pat Lee as their kick returner for the New Year’s Day game. He did something stupid…

And one more-here’s Packers LB Brad Jones handling a fan who ran out onto Lambeau Field…

2. The New England Patriots scored 49 unanswered points Sunday. I’m not really sure how to follow that up.

Much like the Fins a week earlier, the Buffalo Bills worked Charm City into a lather with hopes of ruining the Pats’ run to the Number 1 seed. Also much like the Fins, the Bills for some reason must have thought New England would quit when they fell behind early. But after spotting the Bills 21 points, the Patriots would go on to score the next 49.

But they can’t possibly win the AFC of course because their defense isn’t good enough.

Right.

You’ll see a lot of funny things in 2012. I’ll go ahead and guess that there won’t be many funnier than this Drayton Florence flop…

Also of note in this game was Bills WR Stevie Johnson, who exposed a “Happy New Year” message on an undershirt after scoring a touchdown…

It’s a shame Tom Brady didn’t have a “Happy 28 Point Beatdown” undershirt to respond with. For a semi-decent receiver, Johnson is about a full-fledged clown.

3. I still have no idea why he’s headed to Arkansas State, but Gus Malzahn made the Chick-Fil-A Bowl a lot of fun to watch.

Before departing his Offensive Coordinator gig at Auburn, Malzahn pulled out a bunch of tricks (including a Statue of Liberty Play of all things) to help beat Virginia in the Georgia Dome…

Elsewhere on New Year’s Eve Levi LaVallee and Robbie Maddison were doing extreme sport jumping of some sort on ESPN that may or may not have been amazing. None of us really know and none of us really bothered to watch. But technically it happened!

How did I spend my NYE you ask? At a place I can’t name because they aren’t a sponsor. They ARE however the home of Sweet Potato Tots and the “Billy Goat’s Gruff”…

It was a 14 out of 10.

4. There’s something about David Akers throwing a touchdown that I really enjoy.

I’d show you video of the play, but it’s not available on YouTube. Instead, those of you who REALLY wanna see it can check it out here and the rest of you can look at this picture of Elsa Hosk. We’ll all meet back at the local saloon.

The San Francisco 49ers clinched the #2 seed in the NFC thanks to their win over the St. Louis Rams. In Baltimore, we just want to say Thank You again. We can’t really say it enough.

The Rams will fire Steve Spagnuolo according to reports. Also according to reports, it will be cold this week.

5. Credit Gary Kubiak for not kicking an extra point Sunday. Now it’s time to go win a Wild Card playoff game.

The Houston Texans didn’t need to beat the Tennessee Titans Sunday for any tangible reason. They didn’t, thanks to Kubiak’s decision to go for 2 late (a decision that backfired after a Joel Dreessen false start and a snap sailed over the head of QB Jake Delhomme-who replaced a banged up T.J. Yates). Let’s take a look at the video board…

Earlier in the game, Bryan Braman made an awesome play…

The Texans host the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the postseason. If they win, the Texans visit M&T Bank Stadium in the divisional round. I would think most of us would be pretty happy with that matchup, especially considering the Steelers could be another option.

6. Texas A&M’s Ryan Swope is probably the best receiver you didn’t talk about this season.

Here’s video of the Aggies’ win over Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas. You voted it “the video I’m least likely to watch this week” in an informal poll I just took…

Here was Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald’s reaction when he found out I was going to show the highlights of the game…

7. For as much as we laughed at them this season, the Philadelphia Eagles look capable of being dangerous in 2012.

Of course, that’s the only if Michael Vick stays healthy…and we all know that’s a significant “if.”

The highlight of the day in Philly happened well before Philly kicked the tar out of the Washington Redskins. It happened when Skins OC Kyle Shanahan tried to pump his team up before the game. It was HILARIOUS…

Kyle Shanahan makes Cam Cameron look popular.

Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco’s appearance on “Monday Night Live” with teammate Brendon Ayanbadejo, Glenn Clark, Nestor Aparicio and Luke Jones has been of great interest around the country. The interview has appeared at ESPN, NFL Network, NFL.com, SI, NBC Sports, CBS Sports, Comcast SportsNet and countless other places around the internet and other forms of multi-media.

Heck, even a certain FM sports talk station in Charm City referenced the interview on-air and online, although they wouldn’t mention where it came from.

The opinions of Flacco’s comments have varied from analyst to analyst, fan to fan and even from WNST contributor to WNST contributor.

So here is the transcription of some of Flacco’s more interesting answers from Monday’s show at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium. You can hear the segment in question here.

(Thanks to our friends at SportsRadioInterviews.com…)

On fans reacting and sometimes overacting to wins and losses:

“Yeah it’s pretty hilarious. I mean everyone reacts week to week and I mean most people really have no idea what really went on in the game and how everybody played and what was supposed to be happening. I can look at an NFL game and say ‘hey this is what I thought should have happened’ but I can be way off base because I don’t know what they game planned for the week and things like that. It’s funny to see all these things. I mean look at Tim Tebow. I like Tim, but you have a tendency to want to, I don’t want to see Tim do bad, but look what happens after he wins a football game. If you watched Sportscenter today it was Tim Tebow then something else, Tim Tebow then something else, and Tim Tebow then something else. When we beat the Steelers were we on TV? No. I couldn’t even find a Baltimore Ravens highlight. I think that’s kinda the way it is around Baltimore. We don’t always get our respect but you gotta deal with it and go out there every week and just win football games.”

On the idea that there are hurdles that he needs to get past to gain peoples respect:

“It’s pretty funny. It really means nothing at the end of the day. We beat the Steelers. Just because Ben wasn’t playing doesn’t mean anything. All those games are just as important. To be honest with you, in the regular season since I’ve been here we’re .500 against those guys and if you were to ask people they would probably say we have just one win against them. It’s funny to hear that kind of thing. It just kinda goes with the territory. You just have to continue to take it, deal with it, and not really worry about it. As far as winning the big one we’ve won a lot of big games around here. The other thing is quarterbacks are not the only guy on the team to win football games. When we do win football games I don’t seem to think that a lot of people say ‘hey Joe Flacco won that football game.’ When we lose the football game that might be the case but obviously that’s not all reality. As a quarterback it’s your job to go in there and realize that and be the guy that goes out there and plays the same way every week and puts your team in position to win football games. That’s what I’ve been doing I think and that’s why we’re 10-3.”

Whether or not he pays attention to other QB’s around the league and what they are doing:

“I don’t necessarily pay attention and every week look at that and see that. I guess every now and then you do and just see kinda what they’re doing but I don’t watch the TV shows a lot. Like I said every now and then you see it and you hear it. You just do. You can’t help yourself a little bit.”

Whether or not he heard the criticism before the season started about him being the reason the Ravens didn’t have a better season:

“Last year we were a 12-4 football team. I mean we didn’t win the division because Pittsburgh had a tiebreaker and we won a playoff game. Yeah it’s not what everybody wants to hear and we didn’t win the Super Bowl but it was a pretty good year by our football team and I had a pretty good football season myself. You go home and all you want to do is not be criticized and it does seem like that. And hey my standpoint is I just think we’re disrespected as an organization when it comes to the media. We’re not a very big market, the bottom line is we don’t need a lot of help because we have a great fan-base every week and we win football games. We’re not a losing football team that needs to be out there in the media and be talked up like we are all-world. We are. We go out there and play and win football games. People usually look for a reason to put us down and where does that go to? It goes to the quarterback because we have a good defense. Teams want to see us run the ball and they want to see our defense win games. When we don’t do that and don’t win a football game where does the blame fall? Onto the quarterback. What are you gonna do? You’re the quarterback. You’re one of 32 guys that has the position that you have and it’s really not even that much because not everybody plays every week. Hey that’s why most of these guys, including myself get paid the way we do because we’re the guys that have to deal with it at the end of the day. When we don’t win they’re going to put it on us and that’s the bottom line.”

Whether or not he feels like his role in the offense has continued to evolve:

“The biggest thing for me is just the fact that when you come in as a rookie you don’t know a lot of guys, you’re a little bit uncomfortable, and you’re put in the starting spot and you’re just trying to play well. As you’re around a team, as you’re around guys you become more and more comfortable in your own skin and you become more and more comfortable to voice your opinion. Now we have a lot of young guys on the team so you have to do that. Before we were a pretty veteran offense and a pretty veteran team and a lot of those guys have developed those skills ten plus years in the NFL. It’s not my job to come in here and tell them to change something or something like that but it is my job to kinda get these young guys up to speed and mold them into the kind of player that I want them to be and they want to be. I think I’m able to be more comfortable in my own skin and voice my opinion a little bit more.”

Here’s the video…

What do you think?

I’ve allowed myself over 30 hours to drink up the comments made by former University of Maryland football coach Ralph Friedgen on my radio show Thursday afternoon.

In that time, I’ve heard from Terrapins fans around the globe. I’ve seen the interview written about by national outlets like ESPN, CBS Sports, USA Today, New York Daily News, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, Washington Times, Washington Post and more. I’ve been told the interview has been discussed on national and local radio shows, TV shows, message boards and more. I thank everyone who passed along the conversation via Facebook, Twitter and more traditional conversation.

The interview, which happened live Thursday on “The Reality Check” on AM1570 WNST.net, can be heard here in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault. I wholly encourage you to listen to the entire interview, as the context can be lost in transcription.

Of course, here’s the part where I share with you the transcription again, courtesy of the Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens…

Clark: I think the one thing everyone wants to know is what are you up to right now?

Friedgen: Well, right now, I’m sitting on my deck looking over the marsh into the — reading a USA Today.

Clark: Not a bad life.

Friedgen: No, I’m enjoying it very much. I do miss our players. I don’t miss all the other stuff, but I do miss the players. I miss the interaction with them. I miss dealing with them. I’m a little bit surprised I don’t miss all the stuff that goes around.

Clark: Well, you did it —

Friedgen: Forty-three years. I may get back into it. I may have a couple other things that pop up. I may be back, so we’ll see.

Clark: Is it tough for you to watch? Have you sat down and watched any Maryland games or is it tough for you to do that. I know you love the kids, but I also know you’re a Maryland alum, and it’s got to be a little painful.

Friedgen: Well, it’s not painful because I watch it for the kids. I could care less about Maryland. I’ve burned my diploma. I’m flying a Georgia Tech flag right now.

Clark: [laughing] That’s hurtful coach. I don’t want to hear that. I’m a Maryland alum.

Friedgen: Well, they talk about Maryland pride. They didn’t show me a whole lot of Maryland pride, either getting the job or getting fired.

Clark: OK.

Friedgen: I had a unique experience. I couldn’t get the game last week so I had to go to a sports bar to watch it. I never knew all that stuff went on, people cheering for all this stuff. It was a whole new experience. My daughter came down this week. I went fishing with her. I’ve never done these things with my kids. She caught a 28-inch redfish. She was ecstatic. I never experienced some of this stuff. It’s like my whole life has changed. I’m kind of catching up on some things I probably should have done a lot earlier in my life but haven’t been able to do it.

On Belmont Stakes Day (June 11, 2011) if anyone was watching TVG (one of the horse racing networks) you may have seen this… co-hosts Ken Rudolph & Todd Schupp were on set at Belmont Park talking about the Late Pick-4 (races 10-13) when a guy walks behind them yelling, “Play all the Joses!!!”. Translated, in each of those four remaining races on the card, there was at least one jockey with the first name of “Jose” with a mount.

Race 10 had two Joses… Lezcano on #2 Bold Hawk (25-1) and Espinoza on #1A Mission Approved (21-1).  Race 11 (Belmont Stakes) had Jose Valdivia, Jr. on #3 Ruler on Ice (24-1) and Lezcano on #7 Monzon (28-1).  In the 12^th race Lezcano was on #5 Dr. W (8-1) while Espinoza was aboard #8 Russian Sage (7-2). In the finale, race 13 Lezcano rode #6 A Rod (6-1) and Espinoza #7 Austerity Measures (44-1).

Jose Espinoza               Jose Lezcano                             Jose Valdivia, Jr.

Source: Horseracingnation.com

So if you would have taken the subtle hint from the loud mouth, a $1 Pick-4 Part-Wheel bet on 1, 2 w/ 3, 7 w/ 5, 8 w/ 6, 7 cost a total of $16. Well, race 10 (1st Leg) was won by Jose Espinoza on #1A Mission Approved then race 11 (2nd Leg), Ruler On Ice won the Belmont Stakes with Jose Valdivia, Jr. in the irons.  

In the aftermath of the Belmont Stakes, while the TVG on-air personalities discussed what has just occurred and killing time prior to the next race, the “Play all the Joses” guy appears in the background again, this time yelling at them, “I told you… ALL THE JOSES’!!! “.

So you know what’s coming… in the 12^th and 13^th races, jockey Jose Lezcano is aboard both winners, #5 Dr. W in the 12^th and #6 A Rod in the 13^th.  The winning late Pick-4 combination of 1-3-5-6, based on a $1 wager returned $56,349.

There was another oddity that played out a few races earlier at Belmont that day, also involving the Pick-4 wager. Starting in race 8 and ending with the Belmont Stakes (race 11), for the minimum amount (50 cents) if you were eccentric and wanted to guarantee winning this Pick-4 bet, thus having every horse in all 4 races (i.e. ALL-ALL-ALL-ALL ticket), costing a mere $2,430 you would have won $35,524.25. Go figure.

If you have any similar stories from Belmont Day or any day at the track I’d like to here them, so please comment.

Onto the television ratings, that from year to year can be very misleading. Every year on the first Saturday in May, when thoroughbred horse racing takes center stage for the running of the Kentucky Derby, fans of all levels of interest have hope that this will be the year we witness the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. Then two weeks later the anticipation turns to anxiety as we desperately hold onto hope that the Derby winner can prevail in the Preakness. If he does, then it’s a ratings bonanza for the network covering the Triple Crown. But if he doesn’t, the Belmont could sink into ratings hell.

Even though the Belmont could not offer a Triple Crown possibility, they could offer the next best thing, a rubber match between the Derby winner Animal Kingdom and Preakness winner Shackleford. That’s what NBC Sports sold and the public bought it.

The overnight rating for the race portion was a 4.8, up 55 percent over the overnight for the race portion of the broadcast last year on ABC. The pre-race portion of the broadcast, from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. EDT, received a 2.6 rating, up 86 percent over the pre-race last year of 1.4.

NBC is in the first year of a five-year contract to broadcast all three races of the Triple Crown. That’s great news for both NBC and thoroughbred horse racing, not so much for ESPN and its parent ABC. In addition, ESPN bit itself “where the sun don’t shine” on Memorial Day, the day the Indianapolis 500 is run.

The ESPN website poll question was “What is your favorite race?” There were 3 answers to chose from… Daytona 500, Indy 500 or Kentucky Derby. The results showed…

     Kentucky Derby   43%

     Daytona 500         36%

     Indy 500                21%

So much for the theory that thoroughbred horse racing only appeals to a very small audience.    

Tuesday turned out to be Decision Day as far as the 137^th running of the Kentucky Derby goes. The connections to both The Factor and J P’s Gusto made official on what was widely speculated over the past week, that they will not be entered to run in the Derby on May 7th. Their defection allows Shackleford and Twinspired to move into the #19 and #20 slots of the graded stakes earnings list, which dictates the pecking order for starting in the Derby.  

In a shocking announcement, Tom Durkin who is the race caller at Aqueduct, Belmont, Saratoga and has called the last 30 Triple Crown races for NBC Sports, stated on Tuesday that he would not be calling the Kentucky Derby, Preakness or Belmont for the network carrying the Triple Crown series, citing stress. No joke! In fact Durkin revealed that three days before last years Derby, he was in a Louisville psychiatrist’s office getting hypnotized.

So ten days prior to the Kentucky Derby, NBC Sports must decide on their new voice of the Triple Crown. It’s not like having ten days to find a new host of The Tonight Show. There are a couple dozen race callers across the country who could easily take the reins, but in reality the short list (IMHO) should look like this (their home track/state and my odds on their chances are also shown)…

Larry Collmus (Mt. St. Joseph HS product; Monmouth and Gulfstream) 2-1

Mark Johnson (Churchill Downs) 5-1

Dave Rodman (Laurel and Pimlico) 10-1

John Dooley (Arlington and Fair Grounds) 20-1

Trevor Denman (Santa Anita and Del Mar) 100-1

Collmus is the favorite thanks to the national attention he received for one of his calls last August at Monmouth Park involving a stretch duel between two horses named The Wife Doesn’t Know and My Wife Knows Everything.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpSmprqptSk[/youtube] 

Recent Derby workouts… Uncle Mo  @ CD 5f sloppy 1:01.69 breezing

                                             Midnight Interlude @ CD 6f sloppy 1:13.51 breezing

                                             Santiva  @ CD 4f good  49.22 breezing

Even though no official word was released about Uncle Mo’s status for the Derby, no announcement is needed as two separate actions sealed the deal. First, Uncle Mo’s workout on Tuesday morning served noticed that he’s fully recovered from the GI infection that was detected shortly after his 3^rd place finish in the Wood Memorial. Second indication, Uncle Mo’s stablemate Stay Thirsty obtained the services of Ramon Dominguez for the Derby. If Uncle Mo wasn’t going to run, Pletcher would have given the Stay Thirsty mount to his #1 rider, John Velasquez, who has ridden Uncle Mo in all of his races.

48 hours ago, Bob Baffert had three (3) potential Derby starters…Jaycito, The Factor and Midnight Interlude. He is now down to one, his Santa Anita Derby upset winner Midnight Interlude who was unraced as a 2 year old.

Today’s Derby trivia question: Midnight Interlude did not make his career debut until January 29^th at the age of 3. That is, he was unraced as a 2 year old. Who was the last Kentucky Derby winner that was unraced as a two year old and in what year did he win?

Answer to Monday’s Derby trivia question… Since 1929 when a gelding named Clyde Van Dusen won the Kentucky Derby, only two other geldings have won this race. They are Funny Cide (2003) and Mine That Bird (2009).

NBC SPORTS GROUP REASSEMBLES TRIPLE CROWN

Multi-Year Agreements to Renew Preakness Stakes and Reacquire Belmont Stakes

Previously Announced Kentucky Derby Extension Now Includes Increased Programming

More Than 25 Hours of Triple Crown Coverage on NBC and VERSUS

NEW YORK – February 22, 2011 – The NBC Sports Group will broadcast all three legs of horse racing’s prestigious Triple Crown, renewing the rights to the Preakness Stakes and reacquiring rights to the Belmont Stakes. As previously announced, NBC and Churchill Downs, Inc. renewed rights to the Kentucky Derby. This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC aired them in 2005. The agreements were announced today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Sports Group, Tom Chuckas, President and Chief Operating Officer, Maryland Jockey Club, and C. Steven Duncker, NYRA Chairman. Like NBC Sports’ agreement with Churchill Downs, each agreement announced today gives NBC exclusive rights to the Preakness and Belmont through 2015.

The agreements include coverage of the Black Eyed Susan Stakes and other Preakness-day and Belmont-day programming on VERSUS.  Additionally, expanded Derby week programming including the Kentucky Oaks and Derby day programming will air on VERSUS. In all, the NBC Sports Group will broadcast more than 25 hours of Triple Crown coverage (detailed schedule to be released at a later date). Financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

“Everyone at NBC Sports Group is delighted that the Triple Crown has been reassembled. We are now uniquely positioned to significantly expand the reach of these iconic events with extensive coverage on VERSUS,” said Ebersol. “As we previously announced, we are continuing our long-standing partnership with the Kentucky Derby. To add this extension with the Preakness while reacquiring the Belmont gives our new NBC Sports Group the three most important events in thoroughbred racing. And we want to thank Churchill Downs Incorporated and CEO Bob Evans for his leadership in paving the way for the Triple Crown to return to NBC.”

“We are pleased to renew our broadcast partnership with NBC Sports,” said Chuckas.  “Our relationship with NBC allows us the opportunity to reach more than just sports fans.  The partnership not only affords us the stature and exposure of a continued presence on network television but provides the added benefit of NBC’s consistent promotion through the Kentucky Derby leading into the Preakness.”

“We are thrilled to return our premier race to NBC Sports,” said Duncker. “They have done a terrific job covering horse racing, including their Kentucky Derby and the Preakness broadcasts over the prior decade. With an excellent production team that has pioneered innovative camera angles, and a tremendous group of on-air talent that offers unique insights into the races, NBC Sports will be a great partner for the Belmont Stakes.”

NBC SPORTS AND HORSE RACING: The NBC Sports Group is now the exclusive home to Horse Racing’s Triple Crown.  This marks the first time that all three races will be on one network since NBC last aired the Triple Crown in 2005.  NBC has been the exclusive home of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes since 2001.

KENTUCKY DERBY: In the 10 years that Churchill Downs and NBC Sports have been together the event has experienced remarkable growth. The Kentucky Derby is now seen by 7.4 million more viewers than the last Kentucky Derby broadcast by ABC in 2000 (16.5 million vs. 9.1 million, up 51 percent). The shared vision of Churchill Downs and NBC Sports’ successful ‘Big Event Strategy’ to assemble the broadest possible audience led to the 2010 Kentucky Derby being the most-watched Kentucky Derby in 21 years, in addition to the year prior which was the most-watched Derby in 20 years.  Last year’s Kentucky Derby averaged 16.5 million viewers, the most watched Kentucky Derby since 1989 when Sunday Silence won the Derby (18.5 million).

PREAKNESS STAKES: Since NBC Sports began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous seven years.  Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 69% in the 10 years on NBC compared to the previous seven years on ABC.

BELMONT STAKES: NBC Sports broadcast the Belmont from 2001-05, including three straight years in which the Belmont had a Triple Crown at stake.  The 2004 Belmont featuring Smarty Jones racing for the Triple Crown was seen by 21.9 million viewers, the most for a Belmont broadcast since Seattle Slew captured the elusive Triple Crown in 1977.

Since its involvement in the Triple Crown, NBC Sports has been honored with 11 Eclipse Awards for its thoroughbred racing coverage, Preakness (2002-03-05-06-08), Kentucky Derby (2007), Belmont (2004) and Breeder’s Cup (2001).  Additionally, NBC Sports has won three Eclipse Awards in the features category: 2002 on War Emblem (Preakness broadcast), 2005 Afleet Alex (Kentucky Derby broadcast) and 2009 Mine That Bird (Preakness broadcast), and the 2005 and 2006 Preakness broadcasts were nominated for the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Sports Special.

Happy Wednesday!

It’s a Happy Wednesday for me because it’s time to name “The Greatest Song(s) of All Time This Week.”

As I posted on Facebook last night, the retro version of TGSOATTW is the song “Wounded” by Third Eye Blind. There will never be a day when the song won’t mean the world to me…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffMWFsidCDk[/youtube]

As far as the NEW version goes, I also showed my hand on Facebook last night. (A reminder that you can be my friend on Facebook by searching “Glenn Clark” and adding the goofy guy in the pink shirt who is dancing at a wedding.)

When we look back on 2010 in the future, there is no doubt in my mind that we will remember it as “The Year of Cee-Lo Green.” For as great as “F*** You” is, there’s something even more amazing about “Old Fashioned”…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKzHCQCHvYY[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. WNST.net’s Drew Forrester says future of horse racing in jeopardy as David Cordish wins Anne Arundel County slots vote

Well…now we know.

I’m completely torn on this entire situation.

On one side, I ABSOLUTELY think David Cordish will create a world-class facility. I think it will be outstanding both on the interior and the exterior; and I think it will attract money from both inside the Old Line State and from elsewhere. His track record makes me believe he’s going to do a hell of a job.

On the opposite side, I also think the vote is an unquestioned blow to the state of horse racing in Maryland-at least for the short term. Immediate slots revenue at Laurel might not have been the BEST solution for the future of the sport in the state, but it was probably the best option right now.

The issue now is all about what the Maryland Jockey Club and MI Developments do moving forward. They’ve stated that this will mark the end of live racing at Laurel Park, with Pimlico instead hosting 40 days of live racing in the Spring.

While that might be a necessary move, it clearly isn’t the best option for the sport. The MJC (and MID) will have to go back to the drawing board and consider other options. Is it time to shift focus to a new track? Is it time to explore options for slots in Baltimore? Is it time to think about how the facilities could be better used?

I do not believe this has to be the final nail in the coffin for the sport in the state. But I DO believe it has the potential to be if the folks involved aren’t willing to immediately change course.

It’s going to be an interesting stretch over the next few months.

2. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says John Harbaugh, Ozzie Newsome would be interested in Shawne Merriman if he clears waivers

Here we go…

I’ll say this much. If I was the GM of the Ravens, I’d pass on “Lights Out.” I think risking a roster spot in season on a guy whose career has been marked in recent years by injuries and ineffectiveness is a questionable judgment at best.

But I’m not saying that because I believe the team doesn’t have pass rush problems.

The team has MAJOR pass rush problems-there’s absolutely no question about that. I’m worried that there might not be an in season fix for the Ravens.

But I DON’T think the answer should include taking a risk on a player who is surrounded by more question marks than the book “Are You My Mother?”

Now-could Shawne Merriman end up in Charm City? Maybe. There’s almost no chance any NFL team claims him off waivers, so he’ll be available. If he passes a physical and is humble enough to understand that he isn’t the Pro Bowl player he was at the beginning of his career-maybe he’s a fit.

It certainly doesn’t smell like it though.

3. Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens not interested in Randy Moss

We knew this-but now we don’t even bother having to mention it anymore.

The Ravens aren’t interested in Randy Moss…even if they should be. To me, this is one of those “right player, wrong time” situations.

Randy Moss would be the PERFECT compliment to Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Donte’ Stallworth (I’ve never thought TJ Houshmandzadeh was a logical fit myself); but it’s not something that can be forced.

If the Ravens had an offseason to meet with Moss and discuss his role and what their expectations were for him-they might be in a place where they could feel more comfortable in adding him to the mix. But adding a player like that in the middle of the season is dangerous.

But then again…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueaHLHgskkw[/youtube]

4. National Football Post has Ravens 4th in power rankings

Which seems about right, considering Sarah Longbottom was ranked 3rd. (Thanks The Smoking Jacket!)

5. WNST.net’s Glenn Clark lists Haloti Ngata amongst NFL MVP candidates

And a few things before we move on from the Ravens…

-A reminder that we will be out at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills today, as the Ravens return to the practice field. John Harbaugh, Joe Flacco and others are scheduled to meet with the media following practice-you’ll hear from them throughout the day on AM1570 WNST and at WNST.net.

-Did you miss Greg Gumbel with Drew Forrester Wednesday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST? He’ll be at M&T Bank Stadium Sunday to call Ravens-Dolphins for CBS. Make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net today to check it out! Some other things you can hear in the Audio Vault today include…

• Lomas Brown (ESPN)-who went around the NFL with Drew Wednesday
• Craig Calcaterra (“HardballTalk”-NBCSports.com)-who wrapped up the MLB season with Drew Wednesday
• KC Keeler (Delaware Football Coach)-who previewed the Blue Hens’ visit from Towson Saturday and talked Joe Flacco with Drew Wednesday
• Reed Harris (WEC GM)-who discussed the UFC/WEC merger and the future of both companies with Thyrl Nelson and John Rallo Tuesday on “The MMA Report”
• Kirk Hinrich (Washington Wizards Guard)-who discussed the start of NBA season in DC with Thyrl Tuesday on “The Mobtown Sports Beat”
• Steve Johnson (Bowie Baysox Pitcher)-who talked about his former San Francisco Giants teammates winning the World Series with Rex Snider Tuesday on “The Afternoon Drive”
• Nate Davis (USA Today)-who went around the NFL with Rex Tuesday
• Jamey Eisenberg (CBSSports.com)-who talked Fantasy Football with Rex Tuesday

It’s all in the Audio Vault. See what I did there? I planned your day for you again. This is getting a bit ridiculous.

6. The AP says Orioles declined option on reliever Mark Hendrickson, give him $200,000 buyout

So long Mark, we’ll always have the memories…

Like….ummm….

In all honesty, Hendrickson was serviceable at times, and was downright EFFECTIVE for stretches against left handed hitters.

I don’t think anyone is crying for the guy when he walks away with $200,000 either. What a nice life that must be…

7. The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Juan Samuel apparently coming back to Birds

I will admit that I’m surprised. I’m not stunned, but I’m surprised. I thought Juan Samuel made a statement about what he was going to do moving forward when Buck Showalter was hired-so I didn’t expect him to end up back in Orange and Black.

Of course, Samuel likely thought there was a chance he could end up filling one of the managerial vacancies around Major League Baseball. Clearly this news means that he’s not in the picture for the Pittsburgh Pirates job, and the Milwaukee Brewers decided to go elsewhere when they hired Ron Roenicke yesterday.

As it appears that he’s coming back, hopefully he’ll be able to make a contribution. Sadly, I don’t think that contribution will be 30 home runs.

8. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli says corner infield power bat, shortstop, starting pitching biggest areas of need for O’s

Like Dan Aykroyd said to Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, “Great kid, you’ve identified it, the next step is washing it off.”

Andy MacPhail knows what the team needs-now he just needs to go get it.

No problem, right?

Can I add one more name to the Orioles’ shopping list this offseason? I’d like for them to add Jorgie Porter. (Thanks Guyism!)

9. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Maryland preparing for either Jacory Harris, Stephen Morris to be under center for Miami Saturday

This is a MAJOR question mark.

Against some teams, the dropoff from starter to backup wouldn’t be the most significant situation facing an opponent.

But if the Terps don’t have to face Harris when they play the Hurricanes Saturday, it is UNBELIEVABLY significant.

It doesn’t mean they’ll win. But it DOES mean they’ll have a chance, which I wouldn’t think they’d have if Harris played.

10. The Diamondback’s Conor Walsh says Terrapins women picked up double double from Alyssa Thomas en route to exhibition blowout over Gallaudet

The inappropriate joke of the day would be something along the lines of “Well-at least the Bison players didn’t have to hear any trash talk from the Terrapins at Comcast Center while they were losing…”

I wouldn’t say that though, because I’m not inappropriate.

Exhibit A: It would be inappropriate of me to NOT pass along this picture of Sofija Milosevic. (Thanks Totally Crap!)

And finally, I leave you with this.

This is the end of a real live Canadian Football League game. Honestly. I don’t understand any more than you do (Thanks Deadspin!)…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5BFaykcxGg[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Wednesday!

It’s a Happy Wednesday for me because Joaquin Phoenix is back on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight on CBS. Why is this a big deal? You may remember their last get together…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBoGNBSLYRY[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP says NFL fined Ravens coach John Harbaugh $15,000 for striking official in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati Bengals

I know a lot of folks are fired up because New York Giants RB Brandon Jacobs only got a $10,000 fine for throwing his helmet in the stands. I wouldn’t be so fired up. The league has to make a statement that it is not okay to make physical contact with an official. The way they do that is by levying heavy fines.

John Harbaugh knew he was wrong when he made physical contact with an official. It doesn’t mean his argument wasn’t valid, it doesn’t mean he was trying to harm the official he made contact with.

It just means he was wrong to do it. He’ll remember that the next time he approaches an official with frustration.

2. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says Jared Gaither not expected to play Sunday vs. Cleveland Browns

And if I was in the Baltimore Ravens’ front office, I would admittedly be getting frustrated with not having Jared Gaither on the field. If this was supposed to be a 6 week injury, it is hard to stomach him not being able to get back out on the field.

That being said, no one in the organization is debating whether or not Gaither is hurt. He’s clearly dealing with a fairly significant injury, or at least an injury to a significant part of his body.

At this point, the Ravens probably must consider getting Oniel Cousins and/or Tony Moll on the field more. Marshal Yanda is still expected to be the starter with Chris Chester at RG, but thus far the results of that experiment have been uneven at best.

3. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says Ravens released OT Devin Tyler, CB David Pender from practice squad

We’ll always have the memories.

Looks like the Ravens will need some practice squad help this week. NFP said Tuesday the team tried out OL Xavier Fulton and Marc Dile; as well as CB’s John Bowie, Coye Francies and Ray Fisher.

But if the Ravens REALLY need practice squad help, I think Helen Lindes would make a fine option. (Thanks Guyism!)

4. Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Tavares Gooden could miss 4-6 weeks with shoulder injury

And a few more things before we move on from the Ravens…

-There was no announcement regarding the roster move made by the Ravens to activate CB Cary Williams from suspension. There was a 4pm deadline yesterday. The team hasn’t said a thing. I’m sure we’ll find out by the time John Harbaugh speaks to the media today.

-The Ravens return to practice at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills today, with their focus shifted to their home opener Sunday against the Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. We will have full coverage throughout the day on AM1570 WNST, at WNST.net and on Twitter (@WNST). We’re expected to hear from Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis and many more Ravens players; as well as conference calls with Eric Mangini and Joshua Cribbs. Make sure you stick with us!

5. The AP’s Howard Ulman says Ty Wigginton homered as Orioles crushed Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park

They didn’t just win, they punished the Red Sox in every single way. So much so that even Glenn Clark managed to drag himself away from the season premiere of “Glee” to watch the game a bit.

I’m kidding. I didn’t watch any of Glee last night. It’s still waiting on my DVR.

What else can I say here? This late summer version of Spring Training has been a lot of fun. When they play another real game, I hope it’s just as exciting!

6. The AP/WNST.net offer numerical evidence of win

The Birds got help from some other folks besides Wigginton last night.

Brad Bergesen gave up just one run on five hits in six innings (plus four walks) to improve to 8-10.
Adam Jones was 3-4 and scored a pair of runs.
Nick Markakis was 2-5 and also scored a pair of runs.
Brian Roberts went 1-3 and walked twice, also scoring two runs.

So go look at the numbers. Then come right back here. Divya Lalitha will be waiting for you. (Thanks The Smoking Jacket!)

7. The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Brian Roberts injured shoulder but didn’t exit Tuesday night win over Sox

And before we move on from the O’s, a couple of things…

-INF Julio Lugo rejoined the team last night in Beantown after dealing with a pinched nerve. According to MLB.com, Buck Showalter is in no rush to get him back on the field.

-The Birds will try to polish off a sweep of the Sox tonight at Fenway Park. First pitch between John Lackey and Kevin Millwood is at 7:10pm and the game can be seen on MASN.

8. Baltimore Business Journal’s Ryan Sharrow says M&T Bank Stadium awarded 2014 NCAA Lacrosse Final Four

Did you miss Drew Forrester’s chat with Maryland Office of Sports Marketing director Terry Hasseltine Wednesday on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST? Make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net to hear Hasseltine’s thoughts on the Final Four, the World Cup, IndyCar racing, etc.

Some other things you can hear in the Audio Vault include:

• Rich Dubroff (Carroll County Times)-who talked Ravens and Orioles with Drew Wednesday morning
• Mike Wilkening (Pro Football Weekly)-who went around the NFL with Drew Wednesday morning
• Rex Hoggard (Golf Channel)-who previewed the TOUR Championship and Ryder Cup with Drew Wednesday morning
• Matt Mitrione (UFC Fighter) and Reed Harris (WEC General Manager)-who joined John Rallo and Thyrl Nelson on “The MMA Report” Tuesday
• Johnny Rhodes (Former Terrapins Guard)-who discussed the upcoming Gary Williams event at Sports Legends at Camden Yards with Thyrl Tuesday
• Gregg Rosenthal (ProFootballTalk.com/NBC Sports)-who went around the NFL with Rex Snider Tuesday

It’s all in the Audio Vault. Once again, I’ve planned your day for you. Just send all checks to 1550 Hart Rd.

9. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Maryland OL Justin Gilbert out for season, RJ Dill and Pete DeSouza to start at OT

Clearly Ralph Friedgen’s Terps could use some help on the O-Line. I think they should seriously consider Christina De Kerpel. (Thanks Busted Coverage!)

10. NavySports.com says Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland to host Midshipmen clash with Notre Dame in 2012

I’d REALLY like to go on this trip. Mostly for this reason…

And finally, I leave you with this.

It’s time to think about “The Greatest Song of All Time This Week.” Here’s my new version of TGSOATTW; as John Legend and The Roots got together to record a new cover album called “Wake Up!” The song is called “Hard Times”, and it is QUITE good…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOgkRniSNTs[/youtube]

And the “retro” version of The Greatest Song of All Time This Week? In honor of Barry Aparicio’s 26th birthday today-he told me his favorite Michael Jackson song of all time is “Man in the Mirror.” It’s a good song, he’s a good man, so happy birthday Barry…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9lq8oaK5Mw[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens returned to work at 1 Winning Drive Monday following their 15-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. Head Coach John Harbaugh held his weekly press conference Monday afternoon, here are some of the highlights from the session:

-Harbaugh had no update regarding the MRI on LB Tavares Gooden’s injured shoulder. “We’ll see, he’s got the MRI so I don’t know” said Harbaugh, adding the injury to Gooden “looks a little more serious because he had to get a MRI.” RB Ray Rice briefly left the field in Cincy with an ankle injury but was able to return. Harbaugh said Rice was out on the practice field Monday and “looked okay.”

-Harbaugh confirmed that CB Cary Williams had returned to the team Monday following a two game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The team has not made any roster decisions yet, but Harbaugh confirmed the team would do so before the 4pm deadline Tuesday. Should Gooden not be facing a long-term injury, potential candidates to be roster casualties are believed to include DT Lamar Divens, LB Jason Phillips and DE Paul Kruger. CB Prince Miller is not an option to be cut, his roster spot counts for the first three weeks after he was signed off the New England Patriots’ practice squad.

-Harbaugh declined to comment on whether or not the team considered pulling QB Joe Flacco at any point during the game for backup Marc Bulger, saying “there are a lot of conversations that take place. Some of them are meaningful and some of them aren’t.” When asked about whether it was difficult to hear fans clamor for a QB change, Harbaugh responded “I haven’t heard any of it, I haven’t seen any of it, so It’s no problem for me. Nobody’s got a better prospective on it than us in-house. We like our football team, we like our players. We’re not one bit concerned about our talent level at any position. We know we can win with the guys we’ve got and that’s what we intend to do.”

-When asked about the apparent frustration shown by WR Anquan Boldin during the game, Harbaugh said “I expect our guys to be frustrated if we’re not playing up to our capabilities as a team. That doesn’t bother me at all.” Harbaugh added “I think the main thing is that you corral that and you focus it on the next play and how you play football. Anquan does that, I think all of our guys do that for the vast most part.”

-Regarding the “animation” he used to describe the QB strike zone to an official Sunday, Harbaugh said “I’ll make sure that I let (Ron Marinucci) know that I was over the line in my animation.” As far as whether or not he expected to receive a fine from the NFL, Harbaugh thought he “should be okay.”

-Harbaugh said he had no update on the process of signing LB Sergio Kindle. ProFootballTalk.com/NBC Sports reported Sunday that Kindle was expected to sign a one year tender as early as Monday.

NOTES: Hear from John Harbaugh NOW in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net……The Ravens are off Tuesday, they will return to work Wednesday at 1 Winning Drive to begin preparations for Sunday’s home opener against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium……WJZ reported Monday that assistant Offensive Line Coach Andy Moeller was arrested Saturday morning for driving under the influence (DUI) and faces seven related charges. Moeller was arrested for DUI once before in Ann Arbor in 2007 while an assistant coach at Michigan.

-G