The ONLY thing I can say is that after last night’s game, I still don’t know that the Ravens won’t be a terrible football team in 2008.
I still don’t know that there is a QB on this roster.
I still don’t know that John Harbaugh is a competent coach in the NFL.
I still don’t know that the Ravens will win more than 4 games this season.
But I also didn’t expect to learn those things from this game. It was a preseason game. It was so irrelevant that Bill Belichick didn’t even bother to tell his players there was a game scheduled last night.
I think Kyle Boller was exactly what we know Kyle Boller can be. When plays were scripted for him on the first drive, he was fine. When he actually had to do some quarterbacking; he made mistakes.
I think Troy Smith was exactly what we know Troy Smith can be. When he was zeroed in on a receiver, he found him. When the pocket collapsed, he made things happen. But when it came to just making throws; some were WAY off. And the diving catch he made on the sidelines might have been humorous; but if he had hurt himself; he would have entered into Bill Buckner-like lore.
I think Joe Flacco was exactly what we know Joe Flacco can be. That being said, we have absolutely no idea what Joe Flacco can be, and we don’t have any better idea after last night’s game.
It WAS nice to see Fabian Washington make two picks though. That will be my one lasting image from preseason contest number 1. Heck, I’ll even forgive the Ravens for giving an actual player Jamal’s number-if Fabian can continue to play.
Overall, I’d give the first game an Incomplete. We just didn’t learn much of anything.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Thursday’s WNST Blogs:
Drew Forrester says Boller ‘separated himself’ in QB race
Keith Melchior just wants Ravens to stay healthy in preseason
Ken Zalis thinks McGahee could be fantasy bust this season
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Harbaugh begins preseason career with win over Patriots
The Official Site’s Kristen Deahl says Washington gets two picks in Ravens debut
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says despite good signs from Boller; T. Smith will get next start
Patriots Official Site’s Michael Parente says Belichick considered loss ‘good learning experience’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Boller displays ‘same old bad habits’ in win
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Boller did good things, ‘really stupid things’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Figurs played well at WR; even better as returner
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck wonders if Ravens would be interested in Pennington
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says last night was vintage Boller
The Sun’s Mike Preston says ‘true barometer’ won’t come until 3rd game
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Prude added late INT to finish game
Aaron Wilson says Cameron thought Boller ‘okay’ in win
Aaron Wilson says Ravens won without 11 starters
The AP’s Howard Ulman says Flacco ‘looked like rookie’ in win
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Scott trying to help toughen Rice in practice
Boston Globe’s Christopher Gasper says Pats can’t find backup QB in loss
Boston Herald’s Karen Guregian says Pats suffer 5 turnovers in loss
Providence Journal’s Shalise Manza Young says Pats unable to get things going without Brady, Moss, Welker
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says ‘perspective’ helped Huff get back to stardom
The Official Site’s Amanda Comak says Bradford traded to Tampa for player to be named
Rangers Official Site’s Shawn Shroyer says Mendoza counters Guthrie tonight at Yard
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Roberts not committing to anything about future
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Birds save $4.5 million in Bradford deal
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds weighing ’09 options for Johnson
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Rangers’ Boggs to start for injured Murphy
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Matusz situation ‘status quo’
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck thinks Waters will start Sunday, Penn will start in Cleveland
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says MacPhail wanted to see young relievers, can use money freed up in Bradford deal
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck happy for Olson as he prepares for Orioles Hall of Fame induction
The Examiner’s Sean Welsh says “Why Not” will be remembered as Olson honored
The Examiner’s Jay Trucker wonders if Birds miss innings eater Trachsel
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Birds will replace Bradford on roster before tonight’s game
Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Jordan believes ‘slow progress’ being made with Matusz
SI’s Gennaro Filice keeps Birds 18th in Power Rankings
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Friedgen pleased with Costa, Covington amongst others
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Ralph thought Portis had 2nd good day in a row
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Terps want ‘vocal leadership’ from Barnes
Washington Post’s Josh Barr checks in with prospect Ankrah
Washington Post’s Josh Barr says Penn State commit Thomas could still visit Maryland
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem profiles Philistin’s continued improvement (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem looks at Tate’s move to defensive side (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Dorsey ‘most athletic’ of ’08 WR class (must subscribe)
Turtle Sports Report’s Seth Hoffman says Allen gets another INT in practice (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Examiner’s Dylan Waugh says Caner-Medley to play in Italy
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh looks at Vinson’s Vegas Camp (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Terps to spend Thanksgiving in Cancun
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Mids set ticket sales record again
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Deliz will be first to serve as captain; play another season
NAVY BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Robinson to receive humanitarian award from Hall
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says former McDaniel assistant Johnson joins Tigers’ staff
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Wright helping community over summer break
COPPIN BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Eagles named amongst top 100 programs of last 23 years by ESPN
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says Mitchell pleased with guard depth in ’08 class
OLYMPICS:
Mt. St. Mary’s Official Site says former lady hoopster Krumberga competing with Latvia
Maryland’s Official Site says Edu helps lead US Soccer past Japan in opener
The Sun’s Candus Thomson says Hoff ‘more mature’, ‘determined’ in Beijing
The Sun’s Rick Maese says Hoff more deserving of praise than Torres
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Maryland boxer Russell forced to withdraw after not making weight, suffering dehydration
The Sun’s Rick Maese says Melo wants parade with Phelps after winning golds
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Phelps wants to do something ‘sport has never seen’
USA Today’s Vicki Michaelis says Spitz thinks Phelps will be ‘unbelievable’ in Beijing
Sporting News’ Jay Weiner says Phelps won’t need ‘luck’ in Beijing to get to 8
Yahoo! Sports’ Dan Wetzel says Phelps ‘should dominate’ Olympic headlines
HORSE RACING:
The Sun’s Sandra McKee says local horsemen happy to have racing back
Thoroughbred Times’ John Scheinman says Laurel meet starts today
Washington Post’s John Scheinman says horsemen understand track cuts
CRYSTAL PALACE USA:
The Official Site says tickets now available for playoff game Wednesday (and little else)
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Palace still alive for third seed
MARINERS:
The Official Site’s David Harrington says Mariners retain Simpson as Head Coach
BALTIMORE COLTS:
The Sun’s Mike Klingaman says 50th anniversary of “Greatest Game Ever Played” to be celebrated Dec. 27 at M&T Bank Stadium
ARENA:
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Hasseltine hired to lure major events to state
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-The Ravens SHOULD be interested in Chad Pennington…if this was June. But because it is August 8; the Ravens can’t afford to disrupt their current QB carousel to give Pennington the chance to compete. Pennington is NOT a sure fire starter on this (or most other) team(s). The Ravens COULD have used a veteran on the roster; but Kyle Boller will have to do. It is just too late to make that move.
-A player to be named later might not seem like much for Chad Bradford, but finding a team to take $4.5 million worth of salary off the Orioles’ hands IS pretty significant. Bradford will help the Rays; and the money will help the Orioles……we hope. Hayden Penn deserves the chance to get into the rotation; as Dennis Sarfate really never has had the stuff to be a big league starter anyway.
-Josh Portis had a 2nd consecutive good day in practice? This reminds me of when he won the Heisman Trophy for me last year as my QB in NCAA Football 2008 on Playstation. Can someone get me a Portis jersey? I’m also going to need a Fabian Washington jersey while you’re shopping.
-I will admit-I will probably take some time to watch the Olympics. It is a shame that I don’t know when Michael Phelps’ important races are on live; as I would actually like to watch them. I’m hoping to find some sort of “Phelps TV Schedule” online somewhere.
-The Ravens are helping to honor the ’58 Colts and the Greatest Game Ever Played in ’58? Can they also foot the bill for a ’66 World Series celebration?
-Best of luck to Terry Hasseltine in trying to lure more major sporting events to Maryland. Make sure they build you the arena first.
Talk to you Monday, have a great weekend.
-G
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