When Nestor Aparicio told me Wednesday would be the day I would scribe my Baltimore Orioles preview piece, I chuckled a bit. I’m sure he had no idea of the symbolism involved.

If you listen to “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST (and you certainly should), you probably know that Wednesday marks the first time I’ve taken a vacation since returning to the Charm City airwaves in 2008.

I’m headed to Phoenix, which is where I lived and worked for two years after leaving CBS Radio here in Baltimore.

Just before departing CBS for the Valley of the Sun, I heard that Nasty was organizing an event called “Free The Birds”. I will admit now that upon hearing of the event, my thoughts (in my head and on-air) were along the lines of “what a blowhard.”

It wasn’t until I got to Arizona that I truly understood what Nestor was doing.

My only full season of MLB coverage in Arizona came in 2007. I was there for the end of the 2006 season and half of the 2008 season-but ’07 was my only full year of covering baseball-specifically the Arizona Diamondbacks.

It you’ll remember, 2007 was the year the D-Backs went on an improbable run to the NL West crown and a trip to the NLCS (where they would ultimately be dismissed by the Colorado Rockies).

The 2007 Diamondbacks were a special group. They were a young team (CF Chris Young, RF Justin Upton, SS Stephen Drew, 1B Conor Jackson and 3B Mark Reynolds were all at the beginning of their careers) with a few “journeymen” type veterans (1B Tony Clark, 2B Orlando Hudson and LF Eric Byrnes) sprinkled in.

Their pitching staff (led by stars Brandon Webb and Randy Johnson) was clearly what carried them to October, but even that group included some journeymen, as Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez held down rotation spots.

They were a fun team that found success from Opening Day until the postseason, and it made the entire summer in Phoenix sort of magical.

Every game in every series at Chase Field (and away from Chase Field) mattered. Every game had a story line. Every game had underlying drama.

Every game was discussed by sports fans the next day on radio, around water coolers and on social media accounts (MySpace was the most popular at the time) throughout the state.

As someone who wasn’t from Phoenix (and who actually went to Chase Field for three games in June looking like the above and below pictures), I had no emotional ties to the D-Backs. Yet as the season continued, I found myself more and more emotionally invested as the city where I resided came down with a case of Diamondbacks fever.

I even found myself in a public fight with Diamondbacks President/CEO Derrick Hall before NLDS Game 1 against the Chicago Cubs-arguing with him that the team shouldn’t play “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7th Inning Stretch because it would give too much encouragement to the Cubs fans in attendance.

I REALLY didn’t care in my heart whether or not the Diamondbacks won the series. My team (the O’s) had just polished off their 10th consecutive losing season. Yet for some reason, the magic of the Diamondbacks’ accomplishment had touched even a dyed-in-the-wool Birds fan like myself.

It was then…in October of 2007…that I finally understood what Nestor (and company) were trying to say.

I hadn’t experienced that type of feeling as an Orioles fan in a decade.

I haven’t experienced it since then of course either.

The last time a meaningful game was played in Baltimore was in October of 1997, when Tony Fernandez crushed both Armando Benitez and the dreams of every 14 year old kid at Perry Hall High School like myself.

I at least got to see a meaningful game as a high school freshman. We’re now approaching a time where area kids will enter high school having not been alive for a single meaningful baseball game.

It’s real.

After seeing the Diamondbacks’ magical run and the way even a transient city like Phoenix was carried away by a season of baseball-I knew that “Free The Birds” was about the desire to finally see the city of Baltimore again experience the same thing.

And we all know just how much the city of Baltimore really needs to experience something like that.

That brings us to the 2011 Baltimore Orioles.

What’s happened with this franchise since 1997 isn’t the fault of President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail, Manager Buck Showalter, DH Vladimir Guerrero or any other player, coach or front office member…with one glaring exception-but we’ll leave Peter Angelos alone this time.

Just because the past 13 seasons aren’t the fault of the overwhelming majority of the principles involved in 2011 season doesn’t mean that the issues surrounding the past 13 seasons can suddenly be ignored.

Whether they like it or not, the 2011 Baltimore Orioles carry the burden of the failures of recent teams.

Just as the 2010 Baltimore Orioles did…and the 2009 Baltimore Orioles did…and the 2012 Baltimore Orioles will if this team doesn’t succeed.

The team (and most notably CF Adam Jones, who recently made some colorful comments to the Baltimore Sun) will be reminded of that when they report to Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Friday, April 22nd to open a six game homestand against the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

It will be a somewhat painful reminder that what happened between 1998-2010 is still very much an issue to fans in Baltimore today.

The 2011 Baltimore Orioles will have to accept the desperation of a fanbase deprived of a winner for 13 cities every time they step on a baseball diamond.

We’ll find out over the next six months whether or not they can handle the responsibility.

The early returns have been questionable. Jones has popped off about the fanbase, Showalter took time in an interview to worry about the money Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is spending and how Yankees SS Derek Jeter stands at the plate.

The Orioles (and Orioles fans) cannot afford to waste their time this season worrying about anything other than winning baseball games.

They’re fighting a battle that won’t be easy. While most pundits agree this team is better than they have been in recent years-few believe they will be better than the Yankees, Red Sox or even the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. Few believe that meaningful games will return to OPACY after the All-Star Game this season.

The Orioles will look to do their best to prove those pundits wrong, and it won’t be easy.

In the meantime, they’ll have to try to win back an entire city. There will always be a group of hardcore fans that will support a team emotionally and economically no matter what the results are-but this team will look to re-establish a broader level of support beyond that group.

To do so-the only thing they can concern themselves with is winning.

In fact, the Orioles would be wise to channel Al Davis and consider a “Just Win, Baby” mentality for 2011.

If they do so-Jones won’t have to worry about who is in the stands when the Yanks come back to town this August. Showalter won’t have to worry about how much money any other team in Major League Baseball spends.

The 2011 Baltimore Orioles just need to worry about winning.

Nothing else.

If they can win even enough to have their name on the Wild Card race list when the Yanks visit this August-the feeling at those games will be even more special than what I experienced at playoff games in Phoenix in 2007.

-G

Thursday 3-Pointer

 #1 – 2011 Yankees: Underdogs and Overlords

A lot of things can come to pass over the course of a 162-game baseball season, but I’m having a hard time adapting to this perception of the Yankees cast as underdogs in the AL East. Perhaps the off-season realization that pinstripes don’t always sell themselves and that some people (even modern ballplayers) still value some things more than money isn’t sitting well with a team who has handed out more than their fair share of blank checks in recent seasons. Although the Yanks clearly aren’t as improved as the Red Sox since the end of last season, they’re still a 1/5 billion dollar juggernaut and a force to be reckoned with, regardless of their own futile attempts to make us believe otherwise.

If the Yanks do have one thing potentially working against them going forward, it may be the seemingly cumbersome oversight of the team by Hank Steinbrenner, whose mid-eighties King George act has only seemed to pick up steam in the months since his father’s passing. Never shy about taking shots across the bow at the opposition, after a round of contentious off-season negotiations with Derek Jeter, and another with CC Sabathia probably looming on the horizon, Prince Hank has turned his ire toward his own team and their front office of late too…a la 80′s George.

One thing’s for sure, Hank’s not George. For now though it appears that he’s working like mad at trying to be, which could mean opportunities ahead for their AL East contemporaries. It arguably wasn’t until George himself was forcibly removed from Yankees operations at the behest of Major League Baseball that the organization finally found the breathing room needed to be champions again. We’ll see if it takes as drastic a circumstance to make Hank realize the same.

#2 – Niets No More

Once the highly anticipated Carmelo Anthony trade took place on Monday, it seemed a safe bet that any other movement set to take place would pale by comparison and largely be an afterthought. That of course changed with the surprising announcement on Wednesday that the Nets had acquired the services of All-Star point guard Deron Williams from the Utah Jazz.

Call them the Niets no more…the New Jersey Nets, seemingly having learned their lesson after the speculation and disappointment surrounding their bid for Carmelo Anthony did a great job at keeping this one under wraps until it was done, and in Williams they have gotten a difference maker, and facilitator that will immediately help get Brook Lopez game back on track, and should provide compelling reasons for future free agents to consider New Jersey or Brooklyn.

After Jerry Sloan’s departure in the midst of his 23^rd season just a couple of weeks ago, apparently at least partially due to a rift with his star point guard, it seemed that the team had chosen the young guard over the old coach, and put the aftermath to bed. If nothing else the trade indicates that the team likely wasn’t feeling the same amount of love in return from their playmaker.

It also appears that Utah wasn’t willing to go through the day-in day-out drama next season that they saw the Nuggets having to deal with this year. Conspiracy theorists may also conclude that the uncertain nature of impending collective bargaining and the likelihood that the 2011-12 season may not go off as planned may have compelled the Jazz also to act now, while the getting was good.

No sooner did the news of the trade break than speculation began to abound about the potential return of Sloan to the Jazz now that Williams is no longer an issue. I’d have to guess no. Regardless of Sloan’s reasoning in leaving as he did, he denied reports that Williams was the issue and remained protective of both the player and team on his way out the door. I doubt he’d do a 180 on that stance. What’s more, Sloan’s replacement Tyrone Corbin was an internal promotion from Sloan’s staff, and a player that worked under Sloan for a few seasons as well. The Jazz made no bones from the day of his promotion that interim was not a part of his title. I doubt the former coach or the team would sweep the rug out from under Corbin this quickly. And lastly, without Williams it remains to be seen how the Jazz move forward. Derrick Favors has lots of legitimate upside but joins and already crowded Jazz frontcourt. Devin Harris has big shoes to fill, we’ll see if he’ up to the task. And who knows what the team will make of their draft picks? At least for now, it’s a step back for Utah that Sloan wouldn’t likely be excited about jumping back in with.

#3 – Talking Terps & Tourney

The Terps took the next logical step in attempting to solidify a respectable tournament resume with a win over Florida State on Wednesday. With 3 games remaining on their conference schedule, the most important and most dangerous looks to be the next, coming on Sunday at Chapel Hill. A win against the Tarheels would provide the Terps with their only signature caliber win before they put their case before the NCAA Tournament selection committee. It would also keep them on track to finish conference play with a 10-6 record, and a legitimate shot at a top 4 seed in the conference tourney, giving them a shot at one of the conference’s lower echelon teams and a pseudo-bye in the first round, seemingly providing more fodder to impress the committee.

The Terps sure had their fair share of respectable showings against legitimate competition in the early part of the season, but those likely won’t gain them much favor with the committee. What will though is a spirited run through the remainder of conference play and into the conference tourney. As susceptible as the rest of the conference has been all season, a run through the ACC tourney wouldn’t be out of the question, and would put any bubble issues to bed as well.

What’s certain about this team of late though, is that they aren’t the same team that played good teams close early on, nor are they the same club that dropped a few disappointing games in conference to teams that they arguably should have beaten. No, as young and frenetic as these Terps are, they remain a work in progress. In the last month or so, Pe’Shon Howard has shown a willingness to take and make the big shot, with a propensity to drive into traffic and find open shooters or finishers in the lane. Terrell Stoglin has unleashed the quickest first step seemingly since Steve Francis and is evolving quickly into an adept scorer with other components of his game playing catch up. And how can you ignore the recent growth of Dino Gregory? I’ve said a number of times that Gregory’s athleticism is both encouraging and frustrating. While it has been impressive at times, those times were too few and far between to be overly encouraged about. Recently though, Gregory has unveiled a mid-range game that will have to make opposing frontcourts think twice about stacking the lane to deny Jordan Williams.

In open space Gregory looks much more comfortable than he has at the rim this season. And in February these Terps look much more comfortable in their own skin than they did just a month ago. It’s encouraging to think what both might look like once March comes around…and beyond perhaps.

Happy Wednesday!

It’s a Happy Wednesday for me because I get to name a couple new “Greatest Song(s) of All Time This Week.”

Have you heard the new Kings of Leon CD “Come Around Sundown”? NO? This is no one’s fault but your own. You’re missing “The End”…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B-t-WDRuXQ[/youtube]

And in the “retro” category, TGSOATTW is my current Facebook status (add me as a friend by searching “Glenn Clark” and clicking on the best looking guy you find). It’s the amazing “Hunger Strike” by Temple of the Dog…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjNjJR9jUGo[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP says New England Patriots safety Brandon Meriweather fined $50,000 for hit on Ravens TE Todd Heap

The more you looked at the hit, the more you realized he was very deserving of being HEAVILY fined. Meriweather’s hit was ABSOLUTELY in the “cheap shot” realm-the type of hit that the NFL will be looking to lay out a suspension for moving forward.

With Heap having come back into the game Sunday-it appears as though he’s fine and it seems like we can move forward from Brandon Meriweather-gate.

Now-and a tip of the hat here to KDKA in Pittsburgh-the league IS doing something right in cracking down on hits where a player leads with his helmet. In order to that, it is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE and frankly downright SHAMEFUL that they are currently selling this picture of James Harrison’s fine inducing hit on Mohamed Massquoi…

In their “NFL Photo Store.”

The league should be absolutely ASHAMED.

2. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says John Harbaugh thinks “execution” cost Ravens in loss to Pats, not “conservative” play calling

Maybe I should just leave this one alone.

Of course…I won’t.

John Harbaugh is ABSOLUTELY right in this case. The Ravens’ failure to execute on big plays-mixed with New England’s consistent execution-were why the Ravens lost the game Sunday.

Sadly, Cam Cameron had nothing to do with Billy Cundiff kicking the ball out of bounds, or Le’Ron McClain’s personal foul, or Tom Brady finding Rob Gronkowski for 24 yards on 1st and 25, or Chris Carr not catching a Zoltan Mesko punt.

Those plays lost the game Sunday.

But that’s the end of it. As of this moment, I’m not discussing it any more.

I promise.

I think.

3. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says Trent Dilfer, Jonathan Ogden, Jamal Lewis, Michael McCrary, Rod Woodson amongst those expected in attendance for Super Bowl XXXV anniversary celebration Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium

The shame is that the entire team can’t be there. Brandon Stokley (Seattle Seahawks WR) has a game Sunday and Shannon Sharpe, Brian Billick and Tony Siragusa are broadcasting for CBS and FOX. Unfortunately, the Ravens do not have a home game this season that isn’t on a Sunday, so there really isn’t a game where the schedule would work out better.

And I’d like to take this time to honor these guys as well. To do so, here’s a picture of Petra Silander. Thanks Guyism!

4. Washington Examiner’s Jim Williams says annual Ravens-Redskins game possible if NFL adopts 18 game schedule

Which means I’ll have an annual opportunity to be flamed on Deadspin. Count me in!

Before we move on from the Ravens, a couple of things…

-The Ravens return to work at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills today, and we’ll of course be back out there with full coverage. Ed Reed and Brendon Ayanbadejo are scheduled to return to the practice field; and we’re expecting to hear from Harbaugh, Joe Flacco, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice and others while we’re out there. Stay tuned to AM1570 WNST, follow us on Twitter @WNST and make sure you’re checking WNST.net throughout the day!

-Did you miss Yahoo! Sports NFL analyst Jason Cole Wednesday with Drew Forrester on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST? Make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault today here at WNST.net to have a listen. Some other things you can hear in the Audio Vault include…

• Rich Dubroff (Carroll County Times)-who talked Ravens with Drew Wednesday morning
• Jay Jaffe (Baseball Prospectus)-who talked ALCS and NLCS with Drew Wednesday
• Matt Hendricks (Washington Capitals Forward)-who talked puck with Drew Wednesday morning
• Jamey Eisenberg (CBSSports.com)-who talked Fantasy Football with Rex Snider Tuesday on “The Afternoon Drive”
• Tuesday afternoon’s edition of “The MLB Report” with Rex and Allen McCallum
• Mike Goldberg (UFC Play by Play Voice)-who joined Thyrl Nelson and John Rallo Tuesday on “The MMA Report” to preview Brock Lesnar-Cain Velasquez Saturday at UFC 121
• Othello Henderson (Former UCLA and NFL safety)-who joined Thryl Tuesday on “The Mobtown Sports Beat” after being named as accepting money from Josh Luchs in last week’s SI story

It’s all in the Audio Vault, so make sure you check it out today. Of course you’ll want to thank me later for planning your day. I accept my Thank You’s in the form of CASH.

5. The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish won’t be an option for Orioles

Hear that sound? That’s the sound of me ripping up the World Series tickets I had already purchased for 2011.

Eh. Maybe instead Andy MacPhail and the Birds will spend their money on a real pitcher like Cliff Lee. I mean, I know they won’t-but it’s early and I’m tired. I guess I must be dreaming.

While we’re on the O’s, I wasn’t NEARLY as worked up about the Robinson Cano home run last night as some fans were. I giggled thinking about Jeffrey Maier, but it certainly didn’t anger me.

I love seeing the New York Yankees lose-TRUST ME on that. I was grinning from ear to ear. But unless it was Tony Torasco standing in Right Field, it wasn’t going to bother me that the Yanks got a questionable call.

If it had been Tony Torasco; I would’ve walked around Perry Hall Middle School completely dejected today just to remember the feeling.

6. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli says O’s prospect Ryan Adams named Player of the Week in Arizona Fall League

Unfortunately, Ryan got the bad news today that winning this award in the AFL DOESN’T mean you get a date with Kimbyr Leigha. Thanks The Smoking Jacket!

7. Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Danny O’Brien to start at QB for Maryland again Saturday against Boston College

And it looks like Ralph Friedgen is going to try to get Jamarr Robinson to learn the “Josh Portis Package”, so hopefully Robinson will actually take some time and learn the playbook.

Sticking with O’Brien seems to be the best way to go for the Terps, as he looks like he’ll give them the best chance to win. My guess is that a win won’t come against a tough Eagles defense Saturday in Chestnut Hill; but he might give them a chance to win next Saturday against Wake Forest.

8. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says new Terrapins AD Kevin Anderson guaranteed more than $400,000 this season

It’s a little bit more than Debbie Yow was making, but I think that was to be expected. The salary might also say something about why they went with Anderson for the top job in College Park instead of one of the rockstar names (UConn’s Jeff Hathaway, Oklahoma’s Joe Castiglione) who probably make more money staying where they are.

I feel like if I were putting together a contract for a significant job, it would read more like a concert rider than it would a real contract.

“Mr. Clark requests 4 Vitamin Waters and a table of Chick-Fil-A sandwiches in his suite for every game at Byrd Stadium.”

Sure it would probably cost me some cash, but it would be freaking AWESOME.

9. Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Navy will be without kicker Joe Buckley Saturday against Notre Dame

You don’t expect that this will make a difference against the Fighting Irish, but given that the last three games in the series (including two wins for the Midshipmen in South Bend) have all been decided by six points or less, this clearly COULD have an impact.

The bigger issue will be whether Ricky Dobbs and the Mids’ offense is back on track after a big second half against SMU. If so, this is certainly a winnable game in East Rutherford Saturday.

10. CAASports.com says Towson basketball picked to finish 10th (of 12) in CAA

But there’s good news! Despite being picked 10th, the Tigers still get to look at this picture of Melissa Satta…

And finally, I leave you with this.

Hat tip to Deadspin for this one. Somebody is WAAAY too excited about something that happened in Madden 11. (Language is ABSOLUTELY NSFW!!!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P0yfq2wDvU[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Wednesday!

It’s a Happy Wednesday for me because for the first time ever, I’m going to name CO “Greatest Song(s) of All Time This Week”.

And in one of those historic moments-I’m going to name both a hip-hop and a country song.

(Edit from GMC: Insert your own joke here about “that just means you’re replacing your six pack with a 40 in your pickup truck” or something like that. But be sensitive in the process. We’re always appropriate here.)

First, I will admit that my love for Hootie & The Blowfish might make me jaded, but Darius Rucker is ABSOLUTELY one of the greatest things to have ever happened to country music. This is “Come Back Song”…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIVtvgc8BPw[/youtube]

On the flip side, a lot of folks have said a lot of things about Kanye West in recent years. Not among them would be that his new single “Power” isn’t really freaking good…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96tTu9-aW9k[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. MLB.com’s Doug Miller says Wigginton played, didn’t hit in American League’s All-Star Game loss

I legitimately watched MAYBE six outs of the ASG last night. I was watching “Wipeout” on ABC, then flipped over to see Ubaldo Jimenez get a double play to get out of the 2nd; and I tapped out to go see “Despicable Me.”

So…my thoughts on “Despicable Me” are that it was GOOD…but your kids will enjoy it more than you will.

Thoughts on the All-Star Game? It happened. Brian McCann may have helped himself, as the Atlanta Braves have at least a chance to reach the World Series. As far as Ty Wigginton is concerned, he’ll always be able to tell folks he was a Major League Baseball All-Star.

So was Robert Fick. So was Ron Coomer. So was Steve Trachsel.

That’s all I’ve got for you.

2. Wall Street Journal says Peter Angelos believes George Steinbrenner ‘as synonymous’ as any great Yankees player

Kudos to “GNicks1024″ on Twitter (you can follow US @WNST) for the response of the day to Angelos’ statement:

Steinbrenner on Angelos “his name is as synonymous with losing as anyone to ever put on…well anything”

I think there’s a relevant discussion about the reaction to George Steinbrenner’s death in comparison to what the reaction would have been had the news been yesterday that Peter had passed away.

Not that I think that Peter will necessarily see the moment as a sort of “A Christmas Carol” situation and will suddenly wake up and decide that he needs to be a better person/baseball owner. But I guess there’s at least a hope that maybe “Ebenezer Scrooge” Angelos will see that just because your legacy looks bad right now, it doesn’t mean there’s no hope for you to be remembered in a different way at the end of your life.

Maybe.

He’ll have a long way to go to be remembered positively here in Charm City.

3. The Daily Record’s Liz Farmer says Birds ranked 20th of 30 MLB teams in Harris Interactive popularity poll

The real question is “how embarrassing must it be for the 10 teams that are somehow LESS POPULAR THAN THE O’S?”

I also thought it was a bit awkward when the teams MORE popular than the Orioles included…

4. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Mike Gonzalez gave up run, 2 hits; Mike Flacco drove in game winner for Aberdeen Ironbirds on farm

Well, we had hoped to catch up with Mike Gonzalez this morning, but we missed him. Hopefully he’ll hook up with Thyrl Nelson later today.

Guests who DID appear on “The Morning Reaction” today with Drew Forrester included John Feinstein (Washington Post), who previewed the U.S. Open and also discussed LeBron James and George Steinbrenner with Drew. Check him out at FeinsteinOnTheBrink.com and pick up his new book “Moment of Glory.” Former Oriole Ken Singleton-now a Yanks TV analyst for the YES Network also joined Drew to remember “The Boss.” Those interviews can be heard in the Audio Vault as well.

And before we move on from the Birds, I want to address Roch Kubatko’s note that the Orioles are interested in Mark Prior…

“TO DO WHAT?!?!?!? CERTAINLY NOT TO PITCH, RIGHT?!?!?!?”

Andy MacPhail’s undying fascination of players he was involved with in the Chicago Cubs organization has AT BEST been unhelpful for the organization; and has arguably HURT the organization. This….this is absolutely INSANE.

5. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says Ravens introduce new Training Camp autograph policy

The policy basically states that autographs are only available for children 14 and younger, and that players will only sign autographs after the morning sessions during Camp; none after the afternoon sessions. In fairness, the team had no REGULAR autograph signing sessions in the afternoon; but players would often wander over to the crowd in the past following the PM sessions.

Here’s what REALLY matters to me. If Nina Senicar were to show up at Training Camp, can I still get an autograph from her??? (Thanks Guyism!)

6. WNST.net’s Drew Forrester says new autograph policy in Westminster might send ‘wrong message’

And it might.

The reality is that there’s nothing wrong with a group of incoming seniors at Eastern Tech wanting to come over and grab autographs from Terrence Cody and Joe Flacco. In fact, that demand is EXACTLY what the organization should want.

Clearly there has been trouble with adults trying to bullrush kids for the chance to breathe near Sam Koch or Edgar Jones. I understand the organization’s need to address that. But there is a risk that if a group of high school or college students that WOULD have come out to Camp chooses NOT to come to Camp because they feel like they aren’t welcome to get autographs.

I’ve always thought that setting up some sort of “picture booth” would probably be the right way to do this. What’s popular with young people now is getting a “picture” with a pro athlete or celebrity-mostly so they can post it on Facebook. Hell, even I have an old picture with Ray Lewis somewhere amongst my Facebook pics. The difference is, there’s no real value in a “picture” to anyone besides the person who is IN the picture-so the unreal demand to get multiple signatures on multiple pieces of memorabilia.

It gets rid of the folks who are pushing to get autographs so they can sell them on eBay. It gets rid of the folks who want 10-15 things signed.

It still allows adults to get face time with the pro athletes they love. In fact, the Ravens could even handle all of it in-house with a photographer, and post the pictures at their official website; which helps their brand even more moving forward.

Ravens VP Kevin Byrne joined Drew this morning to explain the policy-if you missed it, make sure you hit the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault here at WNST.net to check it out.

7. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says rookies Ed Dickson, Arthur Jones officially signed deals

Also yesterday, the Marc Bulger deal was officially signed-so it was good news all around in Owings Mills!

It was even better news, Dania Ramirez is on the cover of August’s Maxim. Wait, that’s not news? News to me…

8. Fox Sports’ Peter Schrager thinks Walt Harris will win battle for #2 CB job at McDaniel College

Okay…with no offense to Peter Schrager, I think he’s missing something here.

1-The actual “competition” will be between Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington if both are healthy.

2-If they’re not; Harris, Chris Carr and Travis Fisher would all be in the mix.

3-Assuming a 36 year old corner who didn’t play at all last season can beat out much of anyone is probably not the safest of bets at this point.

If he’s healthy, the easy assumption is that Lardarius Webb will be the guy. If not, I’d rank the group:

Fabian Washington
Chris Carr
Walt Harris
Travis Fisher
Cary Williams
Prince Miller

9. The Sun’s Erica L. Green says Michael Phelps to give free swim lessons to Baltimore City summer school students this afternoon

This is a very good thing. I’ve said ever since he dominated the 2008 Olympics in Beijing that Phelps had some level of responsibility to return to Baltimore and be visible and involved in the community.

I know he’s been visible at Ravens games; and his Foundation has done some things for the community. But I haven’t been OVERLY impressed with his dedication (or his team’s dedication) to making that a priority.

You know what I HAVE been overly impressed with? Jenna Pietersen (Thanks Uncoached/Busted Coverage!)

10. Inside Lacrosse’s John Jiloty says Iroquois Nation will try to travel to FIL World Championships in Manchester, England one more time this afternoon

This story is crazy if you haven’t been following it. The Iroquois Nation plays in the World Championships every 4 years, but there is a passport issue this year that is preventing them from being able to fly into the United Kingdom. They don’t want to have to get U.S. passports because they have laws that protect them as a sovereign nation.

It’s unreal.

Speaking of unreal, how does GEICO keep making awesome commercials? The Randy Johnson snowball commercial is a CLASSIC…

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

And finally, I leave you with this.

Apparently this is some sort of riveting video of Terrell Owens getting dunked on at Rucker Park in Harlem that a lot of folks are worked up about. I’m clearly not the target audience for this video. (Thanks With Leather!)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVGaJam4J80[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Thursday!

It’s a Happy Thursday for me because the World Cup starts tomorrow, which gives us one more thing to pay attention to besides baseball. Some folks don’t think Spain should be favored to win the Cup. Apparently those people haven’t wandered over to Deadspin to see the UNBELIEVABLE way they moved the ball for a goal against Poland…

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

They’re…ummm…good.

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP’s David Ginsburg says Sabathia’s arm, Cano’s glove, Luke Scott’s glove helped Yankees top Orioles again

Another inspired performance last night at OPACY, and by “inspired” I mean ZZZZZZZ….

As if beating CC Sabathia wasn’t tough enough, Chris Tillman and Cesar Izturis (as well as Luke Scott) thought defense blunders might help the cause. Of course, Tillman threw pretty well and Izturis had two hits (if he gets 3 tonight, I owe Drew Forrester a dollar!), but sadly-you have to do more than one thing well in baseball to win.

Last night was really one of those “unwatchable” types of games we’ve grown so accustomed to. The weather sucked, the stadium was empty, there was no excitement, there was no interest, there was no passion, there was no way to enjoy watching the game.

16-43 now. Why shouldn’t the team be under .300? All of the hitters in the lineup are…

2. The AP/WNST.net offer numerical evidence of another loss

16,451 tickets sold to a game against New York???

This is BAD.

I certainly didn’t go to the game last night, so I can’t even begin to estimate how many folks might have actually been in the building-but if they can’t sell tickets when the Yanks are in town, they’re in real trouble.

And by “real trouble”, I mean that if future games against the Bronx Bombers and Boston Red Sox are attended at an equally poorly level; this franchise could be in trouble.

They have to make money. The MASN TV deal will help them a great deal over the next few years, but it can’t save the future of the franchise. Only winning can do that.

For the record, Garrett Atkins had a hit and a RBI last night. Take that, haters.

3. The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Rick Dempsey ‘wants to’ manage, hasn’t talked to Andy MacPhail or Peter Angelos

And apparently he’s only ever had one formal discussion with Andy MacPhail during Andy’s tenure in Charm City. Hard to believe.

I’m not as much in the Rick Dempsey camp as some others in town are. I think his relationship with Peter Angelos is one of the reasons why he’s NOT an ideal candidate. This team doesn’t need a manager that will work as a “yes man” for a DREADFUL owner. I don’t know that Rick Dempsey IS that guy, but I know he’s came off that way in interviews.

Speaking of potential managerial candidates, if you missed former Milwaukee Brewers/Detroit Tigers/Houston Astros manager Phil Garner this morning on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST, make sure you head on over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to check it out. Other guests this morning included our own O’s reporter Luke Jones; as well as our World Cup analysis with Loyola coach Mark Mettrick and Maryland soccer coach Sasho Cirovski.

4. WNST.net’s Luke Jones says Arrieta to make first start of MLB career tonight for O’s vs. Yanks

Well…no pressure.

Not exactly the way you’d want to make your major league debut, but I guess you have to make your debut against someone. When you’re debuting for the worst team in baseball, no matter who you go up against-they’re going to be better than you.

Of course, according to the man selected by “The Great Arbitrator” as “Apologist of the Morning” today-James Baker from Oriole Post-it isn’t fair. Baker says….

“Strasburg gets the Pirates; Arrieta gets the Yankees. If that doesn’t illustrate the gaping difference between the AL East and the NL East then I don’t know what will.”

Well James, I know this much. The NL East doesn’t have a single team in the division that has just 16 wins.

5. MLB.com’s Noah Rosenstein says John “T-Bone” Shelby’s son Jeremy Shelby amongst those selected by Birds on Day 3 of MLB Entry Draft

A lot of great players have been found on the final day of the Draft. Mike Piazza is of course the name that jumps out at everyone.

I’d break down more about the team’s picks in the 40th or 47th Rounds, but none of you would care. So instead I’ll pass along the picture of Alessia Ventura that was posted at Busted Coverage…

6. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Armanda Gabino, Rhyne Hughes had big night on farm

And before we move on from the Orioles, a reminder that the Birds ARE back in action tonight-Jake Arrieta faces AJ Burnett with first pitch at 7:05pm from Oriole Park at Camden Yards. You can see the game on MASN, where Eddie Murray has actually really added something to a series that would otherwise be dreadful to watch.

I’d say I think the Orioles could win tonight…if I thought the Orioles could win tonight. I really just hope Arrieta can go 6 innings. I’m just not necessarily expecting it.

7. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says veteran DB’s Ken Lucas, Walt Harris, Ken Hamlin trying out with Ravens during Passing Camp

What we know about these three:

-Lucas is a 6 foot, 31 year old veteran who has split his career between the Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers-having returned to the Emerald City last season. He compiled 6 interception seasons in both 2004 and 2005, but tallied just 1 a season ago.

-Harris is a 5’11″, 35 year old veteran who has played for the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006, but missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

-Hamlin is a 6’2″, 29 year old veteran safety who has split his career between the Seahawks and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a Pro Bowler in 2007, but played in just 12 games in 2009.

None of the players in this bunch is “the answer” in the secondary, but they could offer some help.

8. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Ryan Mink says team will wear black alternate uniforms October 10 vs. Denver Broncos, November 28 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, December 19 vs. New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium

A lot of people really care what color jerseys the team wears at home. While I think the black really IS a sharp look, I’m not the type of person that feels like it really matters that much.

You know who really DOES look good in black? Winnie Cooper herself, Danica McKellar. Thanks Maxim!

9. The Sun’s Ken Murray says Le’Ron McClain signed one year tender

The Ravens are back in action today at 1 Winning Drive, Luke Jones and I will be over in Owings Mills to cover everything going on-and if the team signs one of these veteran DB’s, we’ll get it to you via our WNST Text Service. Also make sure you’re following on Twitter, you can follow us @WNST.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Jared Gaither has returned to practice. My guess is no, but we’ll find out.

10. UMTerps.com says Xavier assistant Bino Ranson officially hired to join Gary Williams’ staff

We missed him this morning because he actually has a JOB to do, but we’ll have Bino with us tomorrow morning at 8:05 on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST.

In the meantime, a congratulations both to him and to the University, as this appears to be a tremendous hire. Bino’s connections to Juan Dixon clearly played a major role in getting the St. Frances Academy alum to College Park, and he’ll be expected to help keep Baltimore talent in-state.

I can already tell you he won’t get it all. No one could have swerved Josh Selby to Maryland instead of Kansas. But if he gets more than they HAVE been getting in College Park, it will make a lot of us happy.

11. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Maryland to open with Seattle, College of Charleston at Comcast Center in Coaches vs. Cancer Classic

Both of these are tricky teams, as the Redhawks got wins over Utah and Oregon State last season, while the Cougars managed to pick up wins over Davidson and North Carolina.

Should either of these games be trip-ups for a young Maryland team? No. Should I be tripped up by sexy pictures of Rachael Cordingley ahead of Team USA’s showdown with England Saturday? Well, maybe…

12. The Diamondback/Terrapin Trail’s Jeremy Schneider says Debbie Yow still doesn’t see Maryland leaving ACC for Big Ten

Don’t even get me started. I don’t like anything about the conference re-alignment situation, and I’m not convinced that Maryland would be helped by moving into the Big Ten in EITHER sport. Yes, it means they get Big Ten Network money, and games against Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State every few years at Byrd Stadium. But they lose hoops games against Carolina and Duke.

It might be good for money. It might be good for competition in basketball.

I’m just not sure I like anything about it.

13. The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Morgan State lost 2 basketball scholarships, 3 football scholarships due to academic progress

Rumor has it that by “academic progress”, they actually meant “disturbing fans”…

This is SOMEWHAT serious, but a difficult situation for Todd Bozeman and Donald Hill-Eley. To get talent in the MEAC, you have to take a shot on some kids that have less than desirable academic standards. It’s a tough spot.

And finally, I leave you with this.

Here’s the video of Jeremy Roenick crying after the Blackhawks beat the Philadelphia Flyers to win the Stanley Cup last night. I know he’s a tough guy and all, but isn’t there no crying in NHL Hockey???

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yNmnViwZ7U[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Wednesday!

It’s a Happy Wednesday for me because Bleacher Report (and this is DEFINITELY an example of knowing what you do well) put together a list of the “Top 25 Hottest Blondes in Sports.” The list features most of the names you’d imagine (Anna Kournikova is #2), but UNBELIEVABLY the #1 on the list is someone I’ve never heard of-Ana Paula Mancino…

Apparently she’s some sort of volleyball player from Brazil. Not that it matters. How does “Ana Paula Clark” sound?

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. The AP’s David Ginsburg says Kevin Millwood, Orioles hammered by Yankees

The Orioles are so bad that even Mark Teixeira figured out a way to get healthy in this one.

If there was ever a game when the score was not really an accurate portrayal of what happened, it was last night.

New York ran up the score, then at least had the decency to put in the backup QB and call nothing but run plays so as not to embarrass Juan Samuel’s crew. I don’t like Joe Girardi, but he’s done that a couple of times this season-and I thank him for it.

That being said, apparently some folks in town don’t understand that when Kevin Russo, Ramiro Pena and Chad Gaudin come into a game; nothing that happens after that point really matters.

It’s with that in mind that I congratulate our “Apologist of the Morning” as selected by “The Great Arbitrator” Drew Forrester this morning. Roch Kubatko’s recap of last night’s game over at MASN’s website was headlined “When 7 Runs and 15 Hits Aren’t Enough”, and the first line of the write-up read…

“The Orioles’ offense has been the subject of ridicule and scorn for much of the season, so it’s only fair to point out that it did plenty to deliver a win tonight.”

Look, the O’s did a heck of a job to scratch 3 runs across against Phil Hughes in 2 out situations when the game was still (kinda) in the balance. I’m not trying to take that away from them. But to say that scoring 4 runs after the game was already over means the offense did enough to “deliver a win” is basically admitting that you didn’t really pay attention to what was happening.

Or you’re just trying to apologize for another embarrassing loss.

Congratulations Roch!

2. The AP/WNST.net provide numerical evidence of loss

The remarkable thing about last night’s performance is that EVERYONE in the Orioles lineup had at least one hit…except of course Cesar Izturis. That’s significant because Drew bet me yesterday that Izturis would figure out a way to get 5 hits during the Yanks series.

I always appreciate free money.

Of course, the strangest thing about last night was how many times Yankees players decided to just let a ball drop in front of them instead of diving to make a play. I understand that Curtis Granderson’s slam meant the game was basically over before it had ever started; but the effort was at times downright Oriole-like.

3. The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Bobby Valentine, Eric Wedge early candidates to replace Dave Trembley

I don’t like anything about Eric Wedge as manager. In fact, I’d prefer Eric Matthews to Eric Wedge…

I don’t think I’d like Bobby Valentine either. I just don’t know that he’d be as interested in being ORIOLES manager as he would be in bring ANY team’s manager.

Bob Melvin is still my 1 seed, I’ll put together a Top 3 list at some point of guys I’d like to see get the job. Of course, I’d really just like to see someone who can WIN get the job, but it’s hard to force that amongst the qualifications.

4. WNST.net’s Luke Jones says Brian Roberts’ status for rest of season ‘very much in doubt’

Thanks to our buddy Kris Cumberland for forwarding me over what Roy Firestone had to say about B-Rob over at OriolesHangout.com…

“Its not just the injury..its the stop and start of any attempts at the rehab.
Im not even suggesting that Brian isnt a “gamer”. He is one of the toughest and most durable players this organization has seen in many years.
But if its not one thing ..its another.Its delays and pneumonia, and intermittent pain..I am very very worried and Im not talking about just this year.
This is very serious stuff.
I heard a very reliable source in the Orioles organization fretting about possible major back surgery..and even possible retirement.
This is not something I take as “loose talk.” Not if you knew who said it.
I hope I am 100% wrong, but I have serious doubts as to whether Brian will back at all this year.Really, what is the upside? To win a few games and risk even more serious setbacks?
Its just such a major loss to this ballclub, its almost incalcuable.”

I’ve been VERY concerned about Brian since the news first came down during Spring Training, and the club began posturing after that.

There has be at LEAST a concern that in a worst case scenario this could lead to the end of Brian’s career, and at LEAST there is a chance that this could make a significant impact on the rest of his career.

5. MLB.com’s Noah Rosenstein says UCLA closer Daniel Klein highlighted 2nd day haul for Birds in MLB Entry Draft

And after making the pick, Andy MacPhail called Klein and said to him “the good news is that we play the Yankees and Mets this week. We won’t be needing anyone for a save situation for the next few days. But if we somehow able to get a lead against the Giants next week, how quickly can you get to San Francisco?”

Worth pointing out from the group of players selected yesterday is 5th round pick Connor Narron, son of former Reds and Rangers manager Jerry Narron. I say “worth pointing out” because you might recognize the name, not because I think you’d know anything about the player.

But I hope he’s good!

6. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Chorye Spoone, Robert Andino impressed last night for O’s on farm

Before we move on from the Orioles, a reminder that they continue their series against the Bronx Bombers tonight; first pitch from Oriole Park at Camden Yards is at 7:05pm. The good news is that Stephen Strasburg isn’t pitching on MASN2, so there might be some people who are actually interested tonight!

CC Sabathia brings a 12-1 career record against the Orioles into the game against Chris Tillman, who has made 14 career starts. But I’m sure Tillman will do just fine! Our own Luke Jones will be at OPACY, you can join him for our “Orange Cush” chat here at WNST.net.

7. WNST.net’s Glenn Clark says Jared Gaither absent from Ravens Passing Camp Tuesday, John Harbaugh says absence not due to injury

Gaither was one of 10 Ravens not out at 1 Winning Drive, the list also included Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Willis McGahee, Matt Birk, Le’Ron McClain, Oniel Cousins, Trevor Pryce, Terrell Suggs and Jarret Johnson. Some players missed for health reasons (Cousins had a throat procedure), others were more puzzling absences (Gaither comes to mind).

You can hear from some of the guys who WERE there in the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault today; including John Harbaugh, Chris Carr, Todd Heap, Haloti Ngata, Shayne Graham and Derrick Mason. The Ravens are back at work in Owings Mills today and tomorrow; with tomorrow being the final OTA practice and the last chance for us to see the Ravens before Training Camp.

8. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says CB Chris Carr doesn’t see any ‘animosity’ between players, coaches after Ravens forfeited OTA’s

As I’ve said a few times, the only real “issue” in all of this is whether or not John Harbaugh has “lost” some or all of the locker room due to working them too hard, or forcing them to work longer days than expected. While clearly there are players who aren’t exactly thrilled with the amount of work they’ve been forced to do, it does not appear as though the locker room has been “lost.”

That being said, Harbaugh has to walk a delicate line moving forward, as he needs to continue to be tough with the team yet not offend them or cross the line. Hopefully he learned from this experience, and things will be fine moving forward.

Hopefully moving forward we will also see more pictures of Emily Scott from Ralph Magazine posted at Guyism…

9. BaltimoreRavens.com’s Mike Duffy says Ravens released OLB William VanDeSteeg

And as I said yesterday via Twitter (follow us @WNST), this is a shame because it means the team will no longer have anyone on the roster with lower case letters on the back of their jersey.

Ravens rookie TE Dennis Pitta isn’t going to be released any time soon; he joined “The Morning Reaction” today on AM1570 WNST. Make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault today to check it out. Other guests on the show included Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith (who previewed the Baltimore County World Soccer Festival), Rich Dubroff from the AP & Carroll County Times (who was at Nats Park last night and recapped “Strasmas”) and Baltimore Blast head coach Danny Kelly, who went around the World Cup.

10. The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says QB’s, rookies to start Training Camp practice July 27 in Westminster

Everybody head on over to the Best Western! Let’s get excited!

The first full squad practice is Friday, July 30th. Alert the folks at the Chick-Fil-A right down the street from McDaniel College, as a certain Glenn Clark will be there frequently. Especially now that they’ve added pickles to the Spicy Chicken Sandwich…

(Edit from GMC: I’m not cheating. My preferred Chick-Fil-A remains the Chick-Fil-A in Nottingham Square. In fact, I feel like I’ll be in the White Marsh area today…)

11. Inside Lacrosse’s Danielle Bernstein says Johns Hopkins’ Tucker Durkin, Maryland’s Jesse Bernhardt named to All-Freshman team

As a secondary honor, both the Blue Jays freshman and the Terrapins freshman get to have their name mentioned in the same post as a picture of Kelly Brook in lingerie they had over at Busted Coverage…

And finally, I leave you with this.

While I’m disappointed that they didn’t bring back Robert Randolph, I am excited that Wale will be headlining Artscape. In celebration, here’s a track he did with John Mayer…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pa9uYe6QAt8[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G

Happy Tuesday!

It’s a Happy Tuesday for me because I really find Aziz Ansari from “Parks and Recreation” to be quite funny. Not enough to spend hours watching the MTV Movie Awards, but certainly enough to head over to YouTube and giggle at this clip of him and Zach Galifianakis…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4T__lCzZgk[/youtube]

Let’s see what everyone has to say…

1. WNST.net’s Luke Jones says Orioles picked Miami Brito HS SS Manny Machado with 3rd overall pick in MLB Entry Draft

It isn’t that I’m not excited about Manny Machado, it’s just that I’m not really excited about any 17 year old anywhere.

(Edit from GMC: Please spare me your “Jailbait” comments. I’ve already thought of all of them.)

I hope that at some point Machado becomes a Baltimore Oriole, and if he does I hope he turns out to be a really good player. I also hope that Machado isn’t sitting in Frederick in 4 years the way Billy Rowell currently is.

I guess I’m just trying to keep things in perspective. Believe me, even I think it’s crazy that I’M trying to offer perspective-but getting excited about a kid who isn’t even old enough to VOTE might be okay for NBA fans, but not for baseball fans.

Hopefully we’re ALL excited about him in a few years though. It burns the HELL out of me that fans in Washington have something to be excited about tonight.

2. Miami Herald’s Manny Navarro says Machado has been compared to A-Rod, will now try to be next Cal Ripken

I pray to God that Manny Machado is a THIRD of the player either one of these guys has been.

The Orioles will continue making picks in the MLB Entry Draft today, starting with the 85th overall pick-the 3rd pick in the 3rd round. Luke Jones will check in with profiles on the players the team selects throughout the day.

I would do it myself…but…umm…I’d rather sit and watch clothes circle around my washing machine??? Hell, I’d rather watch the Orioles play.

If you need a distraction, consider Lorraine Van Wyk-who Busted Coverage let me know existed yesterday…

3. STATS’ Kate Hedlin previews O’s-Yankees series starting tonight at Oriole Park at Camden Yards

First pitch tonight is at 7:05pm at OPACY, Phil Hughes faces Kevin Millwood-if you’d like to avoid the 20,000 New York fans who will be in attendance you can check the game out on MASN. Luke Jones will be hosting our “Orange Crush” chat tonight at WNST.net.

I’d say I was picking the Orioles to win tonight…If I thought the Orioles were capable of winning tonight.

If you missed YES Network Yanks analyst Ken Singleton this morning with Drew Forrester on “The Morning Reaction” on AM1570 WNST, make sure you head over to the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault and check it out. Other guests this morning included Baseball Prospectus Draft analyst Kevin Goldstein and Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, who won his first Belmont Stakes (or Triple Crown race at all) with Drosselmeyer Saturday.

4. The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Troy Patton, Rhyne Hughes had big night for Birds on farm

And before we move on from the Orioles, a couple of things:

-Brian Roberts’ return has been delayed…again…and I get the feeling I’m not the only one who’s wondering if Brian Roberts will EVER be the same. In his Sun blog, Peter Schmuck pointed out that surgery is commonly an option with those dealing with herniated discs. If surgery is an option for B-Rob at this point, I have NO IDEA why the organization wouldn’t just have him go ahead and get it done.

-Congratulations to our “Apologist of the Morning”, from the Weaver’s Tantrum Blog…”Dave Mc”, as selected by “The Great Arbitrator”. Dave wrote something comparing Will Ohman this year to George Sherrill last year in terms of trade value. Here’s what he said in closing…

“I think we will find that Sherrill gets a healthier return than Ohman, but there are still plenty of teams that will put together a quality package for Ohman this year.”

And if by “quality package” he meant “player to be named later”, I think I’d agree with him.

5. WNST.net’s Drew Forrester says Ravens lose a week of OTA practices due to ‘inadvertant’ whistle-blower

Well…this is weird.

There was rampant speculation yesterday about who in the locker room out in Owings Mills may have been the one to blow the whistle on John Harbaugh and staff; with guesses ranging from Jared Gaither to Willis McGahee to even Rex Ryan. The word is that NONE of them were the guilty party, and that’s why I was a bit uncomfortable with speculating to begin with.

I’m really unmoved by this. A number of teams have been accused of running practices too long, or being too tough in practice, or something along those lines. In fact, a number of Cleveland Browns players were unhappy with Eric Mangini for something along those lines.

The only real issue here is whether or not John Harbaugh has run the risk of losing the locker room by being particularly tough in practice. It doesn’t appear as though that’s the case, so this shouldn’t REALLY end up being much of a big deal.

Credit where credit’s due: there’s a fake Juan Samuel on Twitter (@NotJuanSamuel) who Tweeted us last night (follow us @WNST) to say “Do not think too much “intensity” in practice will be a problem for my team. Or games for that matter.”

Well done.

6. National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson says Jared Gaither signed one year restricted tender

Which means Gaither should get a week of practice in now after injuring his foot, and before the team heads over to McDaniel College to get back to work at Training Camp in late July.

Apparently Gaither’s deal is worth $2.396 million. If I had $2.396 million, I feel like I could impress Catrinel Menghia. Maybe??? (Thanks Guyism!)

7. BaltimoreRavens.com’s John Eisenberg says Lardarius Webb looking at injury as ‘blessing in disguise’

There’s always a right way to say everything.

Before we move on from the Ravens, a reminder that we’ll be out there today at 1 Winning Drive for Passing Camp; and you will be able to hear all of the thoughts from John Harbaugh, as well as the players who are gathered out there today. Make sure you’re tuned in with Rex Snider and Ray Bachman throughout the day. Despite it now being the final week of OTA practices, I’m not expecting to see the likes of Ray Lewis and company present today.

8. D1scourse’s Patrick Stevens says Cornell’s Jeff Tambroni off Maryland lacrosse candidate list

Which will be a sign to some that maybe the Maryland job wasn’t quite the “anyone would want this job” gig some in College Park thought it might be.

In fact, in talking with Patrick and others who cover lacrosse, I’ve heard a few times that folks really believe the Big Red job is a BETTER job than the one that Dave Cottle just left.

It might be tough to stomach, but considering the fact that Cornell has reached the last two Final Fours and has clearly shown they are capable of winning a NCAA Championship; I think I might believe it.

9. The Sun’s Mike Preston says Stevenson coach Paul Cantabene has not been contacted regarding Terrapins job

Most in the lacrosse circles believe Cantabene, Albany coach Scott Marr and Syracuse assistant Lelan Rogers to be the three top candidates now that Tambroni and Mike Pressler have passed. I would assume that Maryland will get ONE of those three guys, but I’m guess Cantabene is probably third on the list.

My guess? Scott Marr gets the gig.

10. Testudo Times’ Ben Goldstein says former Terps forward Tahj Holden taking assistant job at Monmouth (via Adam Zagoria)

With Holden being a New Jersey guy, everything about this makes sense. Tahj is VERY bright, and should do a good job transitioning into the coaching profession.

A better fit than Tahj Holden taking a gig in the Garden State? How about the bikini Hayden Panettiere wore to the beach? (Thanks again, Guyism!)

And finally, I leave you with this.

Deadspin posted some sort of video of Mexican Wrestling today. I don’t understand it, but I love it…

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PH7SXtpj9SE[/youtube]

Flexing my mic muscles since 1983…

-G