That being said, I have NEVER gone to a preseason game where I will be more confused about this football team than the one I will go to tonight. I have NO IDEA what to expect. Will the Ravens treat this like they normally treat the 4th preseason game? I mean, I remember seeing Jay Graham carve up the Giants some 9 years ago; and thinking “maybe they found something there.” But I don’t know if we’ll see Allen Patrick in the 4th quarter tonight; or if they might stick with Ray Rice. And who the hell is Casey Bramlet?
To call this team maddening right now wouldn’t even be fair. This whole “we’re rebuilding but trying to win now” thing is REALLY wearing me down. I can’t actually get excited about the team because they’re not actually capable of winning many games. I can’t actually get excited about the future because I’m not really sure which players are a part of their plans for the future (outside of Flacco and Rice). The John Harbaugh era certainly doesn’t have me excited, as I have no idea if he is capable of being a NFL Head Coach.
I’m going to the game tonight (mostly because I’m trying to impress a girl); but I’d honestly rather watch NC State play South Carolina. Thanks so CB in Northeast for the tickets though; he’s listener of the month for the entire month of September!
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Wednesday’s WNST Blogs:
Casey Willett says Bramlet, Cameron have history
Casey Willett still wonders if Boller will play in ‘08
Casey Willett not concerned with Heap
Anne Boone-Simanski says Powell, Gentile to sign autographs
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Amanda Comak says Birds pound out 16 hits in win over Sox
The Official Site provides numerical evidence of win
The Official Site’s Amanda Comak says 7-9 hitters in lineup went 6-9 at plate in win
The Official Site’s Amanda Comak says Cabrera’s MRI negative, but no decision made yet
The Official Site’s Amanda Comak says Jones, Sherrill due back Sept. 1
White Sox Official Site’s Scott Merkin says with loss, Chicago’s AL Central lead down to 1 game
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Liz ‘effective’ in win
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Cabrera’s next start in jeopardy, not season
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Mora, Huff, Millar homer in win for Birds
The Sun’s Dan Connolly and Bill Ordine say Birds ‘don’t appear’ to be making deal before Aug. 31
The Sun’s Bill Ordine says Markakis gets league leading 15th outfield assist in win
The Sun’s Dan Connolly says Guthrie, Kazmir have struggled against each others’ teams
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Davis, Reimold, Snyder all assigned to Fall League with Wieters
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Roberts played on scheduled off day due to Cintron’s food poisoning
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Cabrera might need extra day of rest
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Arrieta joins stellar group of Carolina League award winners
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck can’t understand why no one pursuing Huff for trade
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says ‘hopes remain high’ for pitching prospect Britton
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Olson gives up three runs on four hits over 7 innings on farm
The Examiner’s Jim Williams says O’s will be in HD more next season
The AP says Cabrera will play catch before decision made on next start
The AP’s David Ginsburg says Roberts has 3 RBI on scheduled night off
Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales says Danks struggles as Sox fail to sweep
Chicago Sun-Times’ Chris De Luca says White Sox were hoping for ‘better showing’ from Danks
Chicago Daily Herald’s Scot Gregor says reliever Broadway gave up 7 runs on 9 hits over 4 innings
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Ravens trade 2 picks to bring back Douglas
The Official Site says Wilcox thinks alma mater Appalachian State can hang with LSU
The Official Site says Cody waived
The Official Site says rookie Patrick not worrying about final cuts
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Leonhard ‘making most’ of chance to fill in for Reed
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Newsome believes Boller ‘could play’ in ‘08
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens ship late round ’09 pick, conditional ’10 pick to Tampa for Douglas
The Sun’s Ken Murray thinks starters need extra work tonight
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Cody’s career with Ravens comes to unfortunate end
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Newsome’s future will be tied to Flacco
Aaron Wilson says roster to be set after tonight’s game
Aaron Wilson says Boller injury won’t require surgery immediately
Aaron Wilson says Ravens assume Douglas’ 4 year, $10.1 million dollar contract
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says Flacco ‘frontrunner’ in QB Derby
The Examiner’s Gary Lambrecht thinks Harbaugh ‘wants’ to name Smith starting QB
The AP says starting QB will be game time decision tonight
The AP says Douglas due $1 million base salary this season
ESPN.com Scouts Inc shows you how Ravens will bring pressure
ESPN.com’s James Walker says scout Kidd thinks Flacco’s ‘accuracy must improve’
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Steffy wants to ‘rewrite’ Maryland career in final season
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Gronkowski different type of player in ‘08
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says two major road tests face Terps
The Sun offers Terps’ depth chart
The AP says former Terp Merriman will play with knee injury
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Steffy ‘moved’ by Dr. Bias
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Ralph not happy with practice
Washington Post’s Matthew Rennie says Delaware won’t name starter until Saturday
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps don’t have tape on either potential Delaware QB
Washington Post’s Eric Prisbell says Terps considered ticket value
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Brown, Jackson could see field together
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says freshmen Terps will see field
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Portis’ playing time won’t be predetermined
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Ralph hopes Delaware offense similar to ’07 Hens
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps, Mids will both be tested by FCS teams
ESPN.com’s Pat Forde doesn’t care for Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich itching to see Portis take field
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh spotlights freshman Meggett (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says Dr. Lonise Bias speaks to Terps (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
Washington Post’s Josh Barr says Gilchrist advisor Woody officially on staff at South Florida
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Mids ‘confident’ in Bryant
Go Mids’ Christian Swezey offers “what to watch” in Navy-Towson (must subscribe)
LOYOLA LACROSSE:
The Official Site says former Hounds Prout, Spack help Rochester win MLL title
SWIMMING:
The Sun’s Brent Jones says Phelps will host season premiere of SNL
ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel says Michigan’s Rodriguez would play Phelps at WR
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Congratulations to Michael Phelps on the chance to host Saturday Night Live. Say what you will about the direction the show has gone in recent years, but being a SNL host is still a pretty significant thing in greater pop culture. We certainly all remember that many of the all time great skits in SNL history have involved athletes; be it Jordan with the Superfans, Peyton Manning for United Way, etc. Michael will get the chance to extend his fame; as swimming alone will not be enough to maintain him as the world’s most popular athlete. I’ve heard that he will also make an appearance at MTV’s Video Music Awards; which is pretty cool as well.
I would still suggest that before returning to Baltimore; Michael’s people make sure they have plans drawn up for the Michael Phelps Foundation; as he will have a great deal expected from him-be it fair or not. He really is going to be not only the most significant athlete to have lived in Baltimore; he might well be the biggest celebrity to have ever lived in the city-at least for the first few months he’s back.
-I expect the Orioles to be careful with the way they use both Adam Jones and George Sherrill over the last month of the season. They know how good Adam Jones can be; so he has nothing to prove over his last month. They are hopefully still looking to move George Sherrill; so I don’t think they will risk overworking his arm over the last month of the season. I expect him to pitch in save situations ONLY-not tie games.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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