I didn’t take MUCH from attending the season-ending press conference held by Steve Bisciotti and John Harbaugh yesterday; but a couple things jumped out at me……..
1-Steve Bisciotti WON’T tell Ozzie Newsome to “break the bank” in order to re-sign Ray Lewis….
This team can’t afford to mortgage anything just to bring Ray bank. I want Ray back as much as anyone; but if he decides he’s in it for the money; then the Ravens need to try to spend some money on Bart Scott and make sure they don’t lose both of their inside linebackers.
2-Bisciotti is hoping for a “hometown discount” from Ray
If Ray is as committed to helping the Ravens win this season as we hope he is; then this is a reasonable expectation. Ray wants to make money; but if the difference in bringing back a Terrell Suggs is $2 million per season; it is not terrible to hope Lewis will make the sacrifice to help the team. That being said; he doesn’t HAVE to do it. Ray has every right to say “I need to receive every penny I can.” But Bisciotti, and Ravens fans everywhere; can always hope.
3-The Ravens aren’t likely to use the Franchise Tag on Ray
I don’t know how I feel about this. I understand the concept that this might be ‘disrespectful’ to Ray; but knowing how important he is to the team; I don’t think I’m necessarily as against this as some people are.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say……
Best of Wednesday’s WNST Blogs:
Drew Forrester offers high praise to Ngata, Lewis, Suggs, Reed, Koch
Casey Willett says Pagano, Fangio most likely candidates to replace Rex
Drew Forrester says Ravens don’t want to have ‘annual negotiations’ with Lewis
Casey Willett says Hue Jackson, Clarence Brooks not going anywhere……at least yet
Alex Thomas says Flacco’s long run, win over Skins amongst highlights for ’08 Ravens
Nestor Aparicio says Harbaugh thought Rolle could have returned for Super Bowl
Chris Bonetti says Greyhounds have tough MAAC stretch ahead
Rex Snider says Philly fans don’t particularly hate Ravens
Ed Frankovic says Caps send Alzner back down to Hershey
RAVENS:
The Official Site says Bisciotti ‘doesn’t see’ Ravens using franchise tag on 52
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Bisciotti ‘hopeful’ Ravens can re-sign 52
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Bisciotti ‘hopes’ Lewis will give Ravens ‘hometown discount’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Bisciotti feels better now with ‘long-term coach’ and ‘long-term quarterback’
The Sun’s Rick Maese says Ravens ‘striving for consistency’
Newsday’s Erik Boland says ‘intensity’ got Ryan Jets’ job
The Sun says Browns could be approaching deal with Kokinis
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says Bisciotti thinks Ravens value 52 more than other teams would
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says Ravens definitely keeping defensive coordinator position ‘in house’
The Examiner’s Steve DeClue says Ravens have no ‘heir apparent’ to Ryan
Aaron Wilson says Bisciotti’s friendship won’t interfere with Newsome’s work in attempting to sign Lewis
Aaron Wilson says Ravens feel Harbaugh has ‘identity’
Aaron Wilson says Pettine left for New York with Ryan
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Bisciotti won’t tell Newsome to sign Lewis under ‘any circumstances’
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Lewis will command ‘high price tag’
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Ravens, Lewis expected to hit negotiating table ‘pretty quickly’
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Birds finalize 6 year extension with Markakis
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds to announce Markakis extension at news conference today
The Sun’s Ray Frager announces Birds’ Spring Training radio schedule
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. would like to see Justin Turner start at 2nd for Norfolk
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says only Belle, Tejada have had higher annual salaries than Markakis will in O’s history
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Spring Training issues stem from Angelos’ fears
The Examiner’s Jay Trucker doesn’t expect anything particularly worthwhile to come from Markakis presser
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says deal would keep Markakis in Baltimore through 2014
The AP says Markakis’ deal includes $2.1 million signing bonus
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Duke should have rebounding edge over Terps
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps could use Buck Williams
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says win over Virginia 400th ACC win ever for Maryland
The Examiner’s Sean Welsh says Terps winning thanks to free throw shooting
The Examiner’s Sean Welsh says Neal expected to become a Terp
The Examiner’s Dylan Waugh says Terps managed to beat Virginia without huge game from Vasquez
Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg says Dupree acting as ‘hype man’ for Bowie
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Gary doesn’t want rebounding pressure on Milbourne
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says even Gary ‘inspired’ by Neal
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Terps used defensive switch to shut down Landesberg
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says ‘less is more’ approach might help Terps with outside shooting
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps have twice beaten last undefeated team in last 15 years
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Burney still ‘sore’
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says former Terps Gist, Osby ‘thriving’ in Europe
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm thinks Terps ‘on the fence’ to make Tournament
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter profiles prospects playing for former Terp Gatlin (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says DeOnte Arnett came to Maryland for ‘engineering’ program
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Turner will have chance to move into 2nd place on Maryland’s all-time passing list
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Fokou in Mobile for Senior Bowl this weekend
TOWSON BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Tigers drop 5th straight CAA contest at James Madison
The Sun says Nwankwo, Rocky Coleman each score 13 in loss
NAVY BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Chris Harris, Mark Veazey score 20 each as Mids beat Holy Cross
The Sun’s Todd Karpovich says Mids improve to 3-1 in Patriot League with win
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Mids now only trail American in Patriot League
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Avworo tallied 7 assists in win over Crusaders
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Mids best with A. Teague on floor last night
NAVY LACROSSE:
Inside Lacrosse’s Sean Burns says Mids burning to avenge last year’s loss to Army
UMES BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Neal Pitt scores 24 as Hawks win at North Carolina Central
UMBC BASKETBALL:
Boston University Official Site previews Terriers/Retrievers tonight
UMBC LACROSSE:
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Bobby Atwell will miss season with ACL injury
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site previews tonight’s MASN contest with St. Peter’s
MT. ST. MARY’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site previews tonight’s visit from Central Connecticut State
MORGAN BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Kevin Thompson honored by MEAC
The Official Site previews Saturday’s contest with Howard
BALTIMORE MARINERS:
The Official Site profiles WR Scorpio Brown
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Congratulations to SunTrust Athlete(S) of the Morning Will and Antonio Barton; who combined to score 40 points last night as Lake Clifton followed up their win over St. Frances with a 68-29 DRUBBING of Dunbar.
-Boston U 67, UMBC 61-This Retrievers team is still banged up.
-Loyola 70, St. Peter’s 67-Hopefully the lumps they took earlier in the year are now paying off for the Greyhounds.
Recapping “Who Knows Drew” from this morning….
-Drew would rather pay $18 to see Stephon Curry and Davidson than $33 to see Tyler Hansbrough and North Carolina.
-If he had to take President Obama to a Baltimore sporting event this Spring; Drew would rather have him sit in the bleachers on Opening Day at Camden Yards than the Preakness infield or the Maryland/Hopkins lacrosse game at M&T Bank Stadium.
-If Bruce Springsteen were to get sick and not be able to play the Super Bowl halftime show; Drew would pick the Beastie Boys over Pearl Jam and R.E.M. to replace him.
-Drew WOULD bet $250 that Tiger Woods wins two majors this year……if he got the right odds.
-If Drew could pick any goalie and any shooter for one penalty shot; he’d go with Guy LaFleur and Dominik Hasek.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
Comments on Facebook