But the next few weeks might not be quite as exciting.
There is a QB controversy; and it’s not for good reason. No one on the roster is a legitimate NFL QB…..yet. We hope they find one.
Terrell Suggs might want to be in Camp; but he won’t be for a while. It’s not a good sign for a player whose future in this town is in question.
Ray Lewis wants a contract that the Ravens shouldn’t even THINK about giving him. The idea of 52 playing as the franchise player next year seems crazy; but it could happen.
This O-Line is a MAJOR question mark. Will Gaither, Yanda, Grubbs, Brown, etc. prove to be the types of talent we were praying they would be?
There isn’t much depth at WR or TE. Someone has to catch passes.
The secondary MIGHT be better. MIGHT.
John Harbaugh has never even been a Coordinator; more or less a Head Coach. Do we REALLY know he’s ready? Rex Ryan expected to be a Head Coach this season; Cam Cameron was a Head Coach just a season ago.
And two of the stalwarts in the Ravens’ greatest era of football-Jonathan Ogden and Brian Billick-won’t be there.
But yesterday WAS exciting. It’s good to have football back.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Monday’s WNST Blogs:
Bob Haynie says ‘barring injury, Adam Jones will become the greatest centerfielder in Orioles history’
Drew Forrester says base running blunders costing Birds
Casey Willett says Harbaugh introducing W.I.N. mentality
Lonnie Nelson says Sunday’s loss was tough for Palace’s quest to make playoffs
Mark Bouchard says Harbaugh must toughen up Camp
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says homers from Jones, Hernandez help lead Birds past Jays
The Official Site provides numerical evidence of win
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Birds can put distance on Jays in battle for cellar tonight as Olson faces Marcum
MLB.com’s Scott McNeish says Scott nabs AL Player of Week honor
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Jones’ ankle felt ‘fine’ in return last night
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Birds, Loewen must reach new deal as position player allowing him to be sent back down to farm
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Walker ‘eager’ to rejoin pen
Blue Jays Official Site’s Jordan Bastian says Litsch can’t get out of fifth in loss
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko say Cardinals, Brewers could be in Sherrill market; he wants to stay
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says only 44 of 89 pitches strikes for Liz in win
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says former Bird Gibbons expected to sign minor league deal with Brewers
The Sun’s Bill Ordine says keeping fans’ interest may be challenge for Birds
The Sun’s Dan Connolly thinks Elrod’s #44 will never be retired by Birds
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Trembley told Liz ‘nice going’ after outing
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Birds giving away Scott t-shirts in August
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Birds sign 14th round pick Beal
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says Millar dropped to 8th in lineup
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko doesn’t think Birds will go 1-25 on Sundays this year
The Examiner’s Jay Trucker says Mora gets big two run single in 6th
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Trembley keeping tabs on young pitchers in organization
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Birds win 3rd in last 4
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says Walker to throw simulated game today
Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Liz gives up 3 runs over 5 2/3
Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Beal picked signing with Birds over playing at Maryland
The AP’s David Ginsburg says Jones added infield single in addition to homer
Toronto Globe and Mail’s Robert MacLeod says Litsch disappointed with performance last night
Toronto Star’s Mark Zwolinski says 12k see Birds beat Jays last night
Toronto Sun’s Mike Rutsey says Jays fall back to cellar after loss
Fox Sports’ Aram Tolegian has Birds 19th in Power Rankings
Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan says Jones “Player to Watch” in 2nd half for AL East
Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan has Birds 19th in Power Rankings
RAVENS:
The Official Site introduces 2008 Media Guide
The Official Site gives you chance to vote on team’s pregame music
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Flacco officially signs 5 year deal
The Official Site says Harbaugh in no rush to name starting QB before Week 1
The Official Site says Flacco going to work as if he is starting QB
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says moving operations to Westminster not easy process for organization
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Harbaugh ‘enthusiastic’ as first Camp as Head Coach kicks off
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Flacco proves to be ‘the man’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says competition for QB job opens today
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Suggs’ arrival date ‘up in air’
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Harbaugh ‘needs to be consistent, not back down from confrontation’
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Pryce, D. Williams amongst injured vets to report yesterday
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Lewis/Ravens battle could get ugly
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Nakamura first Raven to report
The Examiner’s Eric Detweiler says Ravens rookies aware not everyone making team
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder doesn’t expect Suggs practicing by Friday
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder says first Camp as Head Coach much different for Harbaugh
The Examiner’s Eric Detweiler says Zbikowski “fighting” for roster spot
Aaron Wilson says Ravens hoping this final QB competition for many years
Aaron Wilson says Harbaugh expects Camp to be ‘tough’, ‘hard’
Aaron Wilson says Ravens get all other Draft picks signed
Frederick News-Post’s Stan Goldberg says Flacco doesn’t view signing as ‘big deal’
ESPN.com’s DJ Gallo says Flacco can be the man
Sporting News War Room considers Scott, Lewis, Suggs amongst Top 20 LB’s
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Terps picked 5th in ACC Atlantic
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says long offseason coming to close for Friedgen
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Navarre ‘more comfortable’ playing DT
Washington Times’ Gary Yantis says E. Williams struggled on golf course
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says E. Williams considers Blacksburg ‘scary’ place to play
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps receive 147 points in ACC voting
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says potentially available scholarship would go to Otulaja
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says Ralph not looking forward to facing Johnson, Navy’s offense
Florida Times-Union’s Bob Thomas says Friedgen excited about bringing back depth
CBS Sports’ Gregg Doyel considers Friedgen ‘questionable hire’ in ACC football problems
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter checks in from Reebok Camp (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter checks in from NIKE Pro City League (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh checks in from Reebok Camp (must subscribe)
The Official Site offers parking, fan info for Navy game
MT. ST. MARY’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site offers Summer Preview as Eers try to defend title
NAVY BASKETBALL:
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says passing, shooting important to Navy’s incoming class
REAL MARYLAND:
The Official Site says team parts ways with Head Coach Gonzalo
The Official Site’s Max Lom says team signs Hunte to training roster
HORSE RACING:
Washington Post’s John Scheinman says Magna loses Executive Vice President
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Here’s the skinny on Jim Palmer vs. Ray Lewis today. Palmer of course played 20 seasons in Baltimore; winning 3 Cy Young awards and 3 World Series titles. He was a 6 time All-Star and won 4 Gold Glove awards. His number 22 is retired by the Orioles; and he was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1990. Ray Lewis is entering his 13th season in Baltimore; he has made 9 Pro Bowls and has been a 7 time All-Pro (6 times on the 1st team, once on the 2nd team). He is a 2 time AP Defensive Player of the Year; and he was the MVP of his lone Super Bowl title (XXXV). Three World Series titles mean my vote goes to Palmer.
-Kudos to the Ravens for getting all of the Draft picks signed. It is good to know everyone will be practicing today.
-When I first read Bob Haynie’s statement about Adam Jones; I was taken back. But he’s absolutely right. I might even go a step farther. Adam Jones might also be the most important player in Orioles history.
Take a step back.
Jones is going to be GREAT. He’s going to be absolutely magnificent for years to come. He is the real deal. (As Bob said, barring injury.) More importantly; Adam Jones has the personality to be a marketable figure for the Baltimore Orioles in what we are HOPING will be a great rebuilding process leading to a genuine turnaround. He can be the absolute CENTERPIECE or everything the Orioles do over the next few years. If this rebuilding works; Adam Jones will be the fulcrum. Adam Jones will be the piece that carries it. He will be the star. Markakis might be a better player; but he doesn’t have Jones’ personality. Jones is CRUCIAL to the next 5-10 years of Orioles baseball.
-Voters are right to pick Maryland football 5th in their division. They have no reason to expect anything more…..yet. But if Ralph keeps his guys at least a bit healthier than last year; they have the kind of depth (especially on the O-Line, at LB, and at WR); and the home run talent (DHB, Da’Rel Scott, etc.) to be VERY surprising. But they still have to find a QB.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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