The only interesting thing to come from yesterday’s Ravens Draft Luncheon (The “Liars Luncheon” if you will) was the conversation about the Ravens’ willingness to trade down from the 1st Round. The comments made by the Ravens’ front office staff yesterday really gave the opinion that the team feels good about their current personnel; and doesn’t think they desperately need an additional impact player immediately. (Although I think they know they need a receiver.)
The question for me will be how the Ravens have the first round receivers ranked. For example; let’s say their board has Michael Crabtree 1st, Jeremy Maclin 2nd, Darrius Heyward-Bey 3rd, Kenny Britt 4th, Hakeem Nicks 5th, and Percy Harvin 6th. The question will be how many of those guys the Ravens TRULY value in that spot. If only Nicks and Harvin remain on the board; will they consider trying to trade back to the 34th spot to get Harvin and acquire an extra mid-to-late round pick? I wouldn’t be stunned.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..
Best of Wednesday’s WNST Blogs:
Drew Forrester thinks Birds might find way to stick Baez on DL
Drew Forrester not expecting ‘much’ from Andino
Glenn Clark says Birds have worst odds in baseball to win World Series
Cliff Saunders picks Birds last in AL East
Chris Bonetti says Stephenson “Born Ready”, just not ready to make college choice
Bob Haynie chatting with future Terp Jordan Williams today
Keith Melchior says waiting for ’11 ‘fantasy’
Ed Frankovic says Mike Green scores twice as Caps top Islanders
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens will be ready to pick at 26th spot
The Official Site says Newsome not unhappy with current crop of receivers
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens wouldn’t rule out return of Rolle, Neal, Stover
The Official Site says Ravens offering fitness grants
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Cucchiella punked Ravens on April Fool’s Day
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens could consider trading down to acquire more picks
The Sun’s Mike Preston says DeCosta knows Ravens have good history at #26 (A certain number 52 was picked 26th)
The Sun’s Rick Maese says DeCosta thinks Ravens have ‘5-7’ players they like at #26
The Sun’s Childs Walker doesn’t think Gregg could hang with UFC Champ Lesnar
The Sun’s Ken Murray says Stover still option, but team likes Hauschka
The Sun’s Ken Murray says team has ‘desperate’ need at WR unless they sign Torry Holt
The Sun lists players on Ravens’ ‘radar’
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Hortiz happy with ‘depth’ of Wide Receiver class
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Pace still option for Ravens
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Ravens think Frederick native/former Syracuse star Fiammetta ‘sleeper’ in Draft
ESPN.com’s James Walker says having 26th pick gives Ravens ‘low’ risk in Draft
CBS Sports’ Rob Rang mocks DHB to Ravens
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Guthrie rocked for 8 runs, 10 hits in loss to Marlins
The Official Site offers numerical evidence of loss
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Birds swap Penn to Marlins for Andino
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Guthrie ‘frustrated’ with difficult Spring
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says with acquisition of Andino, O’s to release Gomez
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says between WBC and Spring Training; Guthrie has now given up 26 ER, 38 hits, 9 walks over 19 innings
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Baez, Johnson, Pauley all hit around in loss to Fish
The Sun’s David Steele says with Penn gone; ‘staff of future’ assembled by Flanagan, Duquette, Beattie now entirely gone
The Sun’s Rick Maese says Penn ‘had to go’
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. thinks Arrieta will be top pitcher in minors
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Trembley views Andino as ‘insurance’ for Roberts, Izturis
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says even Guthrie ‘concerned’ about performance
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says MacPhail confirms Birds will go with 13 position players, 12 pitchers after Penn deal
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Penn looking forward to ‘new start’ in Florida
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Gomez ‘released himself’ after hearing about Andino acquisition
The Sun says Jeter to lead off for Yankees against Birds Opening Day
Examiner Steve DeClue not sold on Andino
The AP says Penn happy Marlins wanted him
The AP says Zaun knows he’s only catcher ‘for now’
Washington Post’s CJ Holley says Andino brings .201 career average to Baltimore
SI’s Joe Posnanski believes the Wieters hype
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Danny Pearman got nice pay hike to head to Clemson
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh checks in with junior prospect J.R. Ferguson (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says RB Scott ready to break out (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh checks in with prospect Nick Forbes (must subscribe)
Terp Center’s Seth Hoffman says Seamonson working to find depth at LB
Turtle Sports Report’s Maddie McConnell checks in with OC James Franklin (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS LACROSSE:
The Sun’s John Weaver says fans who DVR’ed Virginia game missed much of it
The Diamondback’s Michael Katz says attack could still use ‘improvement’
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Diamondback’s Mark Selig remembers when Gary hired 20 years ago
The Diamondback’s Adi Joseph says Gary firing April Fool’s joke
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens thinks Kim would benefit from gaining 15-20 pounds
Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy says Dixon’s baseline jumper amongst most important Final Four plays this decade
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken recaps season for commit Natasha Cloud
LOYOLA LACROSSE:
The Official Site previews Saturday’s trip to Rutgers
TOWSON LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Wheeler found refuge with Tigers after failing to make team in College Park
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says punter Bill Shears recovering from foot injury on crutches
STEVENSON LACROSSE:
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Mustangs coach Cantabene believes Stangs developing ‘rivalry’ with Salisbury
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site’s Bob Socci says Niumatalolo more comfortable in 2nd Spring as head coach
Go Mids’ Adam Nettina says John Angelo working to return from concussion
NAVY LACROSSE:
The Official Site previews showdown with Terps Friday night
HORSE RACING:
The Sun’s Hanah Choh says John Cordish to bid on Pimlico, Laurel, Preakness
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-So long Hayden Penn. Wish there could have been something more.
-Not sure how I feel about the Cordish Company trying to buy Pimlico and Laurel. At heart, I like the idea. I think the Cordish family would be able to build the projects the right way; understanding that the areas surrounding the tracks need to help be part of the attraction itself. Pimlico can thrive in the area where it is; but the area needs an upgrade. That being said; I wonder how much Cordish is interested in competing against themselves. If they want slots at Arundel Mills; will they work as hard to attract people to Laurel instead? They’ve done things the right way for a long time, so this could be very good.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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