It has been 7 weeks. What just happened Baltimore? Where have all our Ravens gone? I’ll tell you what happened, the Baltimore Ravens organization is in mass salary shedding mode. Bisciotti and Newsome are playing the shrewd business man game. They have a product that sells, they have a product at the top of its’ market, they have the upper hand. It’s time to ride the wave and make some cash. While they are on top, why not increase ticket prices, why not renovate the 15 year old stadium with 35 million dollars of upgrades, why not unload salary and dump over-priced contracts? Where are they going to find $120 million dollars to over-pay the Super Bowl QB with a new contract? The time is right for “re-building”, they have an excuse, they  breakdown the championship team and blame it on  ”the salary cap”.

Nice purge Ravens, it’s not the first time you have done this, is it? Well they didn’t really purge in 2001, they just didn’t renew the contract for the leader of the offense, Super Bowl winner, Trent Dilfer. I guess they did learn some lessons from that screw up. This time they kept the QB and are letting 40% of the starters go. Ok, two are retiring. Hey, it might work. Just hard to swallow in such a short turnaround time. And Horribaugh, I know you are just on for the ride, so who is going to drive the bus now? It appears the Ravens Nation and front office need an SOS in the form of a ”Message in the Bottle” – The Police.

My outlook hasn’t changed, I’m old school, you don’t get rid of the people that got you there. The Ravens organization lost me when they let Trent Dilfer go after winning the Super Bowl in 2001. At that time, the possibility existed for the Ravens to create an NFL dynasty with that defense. Ray-Ray in his prime and they had an offensive leader. The Ravens front office blew-it then. And unless the front office can pull the Easter Bunny out of a hat, they have lost me again, with the “roster purge” of 2013.

This whole Salary Cap excuse - not buying it. They are in panic unload mode, they made to many promises they can’t keep, they extended contracts and monies beyond their means, they got lucky with the Super Bowl win. They had two high salary veterans retire and they still were above the salary cap? Oh that’s right they have a new 20 million dollar man. We just won the Super Bowl – time to raise ticket prices. Come on Ravens – who you trying to kid? Ok, you got your quarterback and made him one of the richest NFL players ever. Good move. Now what do you have? Defense is devastated. Offense may survive. Although losing Boldin, was just plain…………..”fixed”. Nice brotherly bet payoff, huh? By the way, I’m calling it now – the San Francisco 49ers with a real head coach – Jim Harbaugh, just won Super Bowl XLVIII.

Offensively, the 20 million dollar/year mans go to wide receiver - is gone. The heart of the offensive line, the veteran center, the man who called the blocking schemes and delivered the ball to the 20 million dollar Flacco, retired. Defensively – the heart and one of the greatest of all-time, Ray Lewis – retired. The inside linebacker who picked up the slack when Ray was out – Dannel Ellerbe – gone to Miami. The defensive end, Paul Krueger, finally coming into his game – gone to the Browns. The smash mouth sticker of the defense, Bernard Pollard – gone to the Titans. The surprisingly reliable defensive back who picked up with the loss of Lardarius Webb – Cary Williams, gone to the Eagles. And finally the artery that fed the heart, the second in command on defense and one of the greatest safeties of all time – Ed Reed – gone to Houston. All were starters – all are gone.

The Ravens could pull this rebuilding, salary restructuring off. Hey, they pulled off the improbable ”Ray-Ray, Last Dance, Super Bowl Run”. Let’s see who they replace these guys with. Elvis Dumervil? Could be a start, even though I think this cat is carrying some excess baggage. Now a new DB in Mike Huff from Oakland. Mike who? We all knew Ray-Ray was done. We figured Birk was on the same boat. And Mr. Two Tickets to the Hospital, Ed Reed………..is one plough-over from a juiced up fullback to be put the DL, for the rest of his career. The loss of Ellerbe and Pollard hurt. The line backing crew is in dire straits. At least “Ngata Chance” is still here! Or will they dump all hope?

Are the Ravens just letting it ride this year? Are they grabbing the cash while they can? Are they really rebuilding? We’re not going to know until November. Let’s also see what they say about the “salary cap” next year, after they have adjusted to the 20 million dollar/year one man contract. Hey, I am a Flacco fan. Always have been, always will be, he’s a leader. I am not a fan of the obnoxious sports salaries and contracts. It has ruined the game. Bottom line – The Ravens won another Super Bowl and that is cool. Watching the exodus of the players that got them there - is not. And “O” yeah, no Ray Lewis next year. Cha, cha, changes……….time to face the strange.

D.I.Y.

Fedman

In the coming weeks, I will be doing a four part 2013 Orioles season preview in which I will tell you what you can expect from every player who played significant time for the Orioles or another team last season.  I will be dividing the series into starting pitchers, relief pitchers, infielders (and catchers), and this editions subject, the outfielders.  Hope you enjoy!

2013 Orioles Outfielders Preview 

Nate McLouth – McLouth was arguably the biggest surprise for the Orioles last season.  Starting the season at Norfolk (after having disappointing campaigns in Pittsburgh and Atlanta), McLouth was eventually brought up due to injuries to Nick Markakis and Nolan Reimold.  He had a solid season of 55 games for the team and was a huge part of the playoff run, even batting third and leadoff at some points in the season.  However, we’ve seen this type of production from Nate before, only to have a disappointing follow up season.  McLouth will have to fight for a starting job with Nolan Reimold this season in order to prove that he can be a consistent contributor.

Last season’s numbers (in 55 games):  .268 BA, 7 HR, 18 RBI

2013 Prediction: .262 BA, 16 HR, 70 RBI

Nick Markakis – It was frustrating watching Markakis sit on the bench during key games down the stretch and throughout the ALDS.  Knowing what a tremendous season Nick had had during the regular season filling in at the leadoff spot, will always have fans wondering what could have been if he had played during the playoffs.  Nonetheless, those injuries were rare instances (one being a cheap shot from C.C. Sabathia) and Markakis is expecting to play a full season even though he is dealing with a minor neck injury.  It remains to be seen where Markakis will bat in the lineup.  It all depends on what the Orioles can get out of Brian Roberts or Nolan Reimold at the leadoff spot. It is however, nice to know that Markakis can be a valuable fill in at that spot if needed.

Last season’s numbers (in 104 games): .298 BA, 13 HR, 54 RBI

2013 Prediction: .289 BA, 16 HR, 75 RBI

Nolan Reimold – Reimold played a mere 16 games last season but in that time showed the potential he has shown throughout his time in Baltimore.  It’s been injuries that have held Nolan back.  In those 16 games last season, Reimold was on a tear.  He was on pace for 45 homers and was batting .313.  Obviously no one expecting that kind of season from him but it would be nice to see what he can do in a full season.  If he can stay healthy, I expect him to take over the left field job at some point in the season.

Last season’s number (in 16 games): .313 BA, 5 HR, 10 RBI

2013 Prediction: .270 BA, 15 HR, 55 RBI

Xavier Avery – Avery was a pleasant surprise last season and filled in nicely during his short time in the big leagues.  He added some needed speed and base stealing prowess (stealing 6 bases) to a team devoid of both last year.  At only 23 years old, I don’t expect him to get much playing time this year unless the injury bug hits the Orioles again but it’s good to see such potential in a young player.

Last season’s numbers (in 32 games): .223, 1 HR, 6 RBI

2013 Prediction: .240, 2 HR, 15 RBI

Adam Jones – I guess this is the one you all have been waiting for.  After signing his long term deal last season, Adam went into a bit of a slump which carried into a postseason in which he had two hits and batted an abysmal .077.  However he had a stellar first half of the season which kept his numbers afloat throughout the season.  Let’s hope the post season let down and experience makes Adam “stay hungry” this year.  He is the face of the franchise now and he needs to be the leader both off the diamond and on it.  The biggest positive we can take from his 2012 season is that he played every single game.  You do not find that much anymore and that is huge impact no matter how you are playing.

Last season’s numbers (162 games): .287 BA (career high), 32 HR (career high), 82 RBI

2013 Prediction: .290 BA, 30 HR, 90 RBI

Check back next week when I preview the relief pitchers and in the meantime, listen to WNST’s Weekend Warriors every Saturday 9AM-12PM, like us on Facebook here, and follow me on Twitter here.

We are now one month away from the start of training camp and there are several questions surrounding the Ravens. Will they sign Ray Rice and Joe Flacco to long term extension before the start of the regular season? In the case of Ray Rice they don’t have a month to get things ironed out. The Ravens and Ray Rice’s agent have until July 16th to work out a deal or Rice will play this season under the franchise tag which will pay him a more than generous salary of 7.7 million! In Flacco’s case, he is in the last year of his rookie contract and in my opinion the Ravens are getting off cheap for what he has done for this organization in his first four years. Four playoff appearances, two AFC championship appearances and if it wasn’t for Lee Evans (maybe the biggest goat in Baltimore sports history) he would have at very least a Super Bowl appearance and in my opinion a world championship! They both deserve to be paid and the Ravens have a history of taking care of there own and I believe they will with these two up and coming superstars.
Who will replace Terrell Suggs? This is the 100 million dollar question. They will need a collective effort all around. Kruger, McPhee, and Kindle( if he can stay away from stairs) all need to take there games to a whole new level. It isn’t possible to replace Suggs, he meant to much to this team last year. He was the Defensive player of the year, you can’t just replace that. The whole team needs to step up, especially the offense and I think they will. Torrey Smith is primed for a breakout season, building off of his tremendous rookie season. The tight ends Pitta and Dickson are going to be huge and don’t forget Boldin and newcomer Jacoby Jones. He is another speedster who can blow the top off defenses. The offense is primed to take a huge step forward this year and lend a helping hand to the defense who has bailed them out so many times before.
The Ravens are facing a very tough schedule in 2012 and the media is already starting to count them out and all we have had is OTA’s. In the Ravens case its better to be counted out and be the underdog, they thrive in that role. Everyone is saying Suggs is out, Lewis is another year older, Reed doesn’t show up for mandatory workouts, but what they are forgetting is that we have a young talented team. Our secondary is primed to be the best in football with Webb, Smith, and Williams at corner and Reed and Pollard at safety. The defensive line is stout with Ngata, Cody, and McPhee. The offense lead by Flacco, Rice, Boldin, Smith and the tight ends, I like my chances. Lets all take a deep breath and see what happens when the ball is finally kicked off on Monday night September 10 at M&T Bank Stadium when the Bengals come to town. Everyone repeat after me in Ozzie we trust! Let’s Go Ravens!