Chris McAlister will be sorely missed.
I know about C-Mac’s off field issues; and I have no idea if I would really like the guy personally (although he has never been anything but nice to be in the times we’ve chatted in person and on the phone).
But this is about Chris McAlister the football player.
Chris McAlister the football player has been one of the 3 best Cornerbacks of this decade. Chris McAlister the football player completely changed the way opposing offenses would scheme against the Ravens. Chris McAlister the football player was quite possibly MORE important than the team’s LB’s, D-Lineman, etc.
I mean that.
I’ve talked to Chris’s teammates, coaches, and opposition. I can absolutely tell you that Chris was as polarizing in the locker room as you think he was. But I can also tell you that when offenses looked at how they would go up against the Baltimore Ravens, their gameplan was more about the Cornerback than it was ANY linebacker. Teams changed what they did based around Chris McAlister.
Can the Ravens win without C-Mac? Sure. But they BETTER go out and find a CB. Drew keeps saying “they’ll find someone”; but it isn’t that easy. Nnamdi Asomugha might be available; but he will cost you. Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, C.J. Moore, etc. are also options in the Draft; but there are no guarantees there.
I understand why the Ravens made the move wholeheartedly. $8 million is a high price tag. But if a Ravens corner gets beat over the top in consecutive games next season; that $8 million might not seem so pricey.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…..
Best of Monday’s WNST Blogs:
Ray Bachman thought McAlister got ‘bad rap’
Casey Willett says McAlister will be remembered off field as much as on field
Drew Forrester imagines his 2nd day covering the Birds in Ft. Lauderdale
Drew Forrester imagines his 1st day covering the Birds in Ft. Lauderdale
Nestor Aparicio reminds us Ravens came close to Super Bowl even without McAlister
Bob Haynie will remember McAlister for on field greatness, selfish play
Chris Bonetti thinks Drew would have gotten credentials for Spring Training had he been Japanese
Thyrl Nelson says Ravens could be undergoing ‘defensive makeover’
Keith Melchior says with McAlister gone; only 52 and Stover left from Super Bowl XXXV team
Casey Willett thinks Pie has ‘inside track’ to start in LF
Drew Forrester says Washington Post not covering Birds anymore
Chris Bonetti says Hounds have lost 5 straight now after falling to Canisius
Alex Thomas says many on Facebook don’t care that Phelps smoked weed
Chris Pika says some 4,000 were in Atlanta to see Loyola lacrosse
RAVENS:
The Official Site says McAlister ‘dealing with shock’ of being released
The Sun’s Mike Preston thinks Ravens should offer 52 no more than 3 years, $18 million
The Sun says Ivy could also leave to join Rex Ryan with Jets
Examiner Steve DeClue says releasing McAlister sign of Harbaugh wanting ‘team-oriented’ players
Examiner Tony Wisniewski says money saved on McAlister could be spent on free agents Lewis, Brown, Suggs, Scott
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Ravens left with Washington, Walker, Rolle at CB for now
Washington Post’s Mark Maske says Harbaugh thinks McAlister will be remembered as ‘one of the best to ever play for the Ravens’
The AP says Ravens save $8 million by releasing McAlister
ESPN.com’s James Walker not ‘shocked’ Ravens released McAlister
ESPN.com’s James Walker says releasing McAlister ‘leaves big hole’ in secondary
National Football Post mocks Vontae Davis to Ravens
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Jones expects ‘breakthrough season’ with O’s
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says Uehara ‘impresses’ in first bullpen session
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Rich Hill trying to regain ‘control’
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Uehara draws huge crowd for bullpen session
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Sherrill still won’t blame All-Star Game for injury issues
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck offers Spring Training schedule for minor league camp
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says difference in baseball possible issue for Uehara’s breaking ball
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Jones would like to see Brian Roberts get new deal
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck thought Uehara had ‘good velocity’, ‘good command’ of fastball
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says number of pitchers in camp forcing Trembley to do different things
The Sun’s Peter Schmuck says Penn at ‘crossroads’
The Sun’s Dean Jones Jr. says Wilfredo Perez could get to big leagues this season
Examiner Tony Wisniewski thinks David Hernandez should start season with Birds
Examiner Jay Trucker doesn’t think Danys Baez should remain with Birds
The AP says Wieters not being affected by hype
CBS Sports’ Larry Dobrow has Orioles 20th in power rankings
BLAST:
The Official Site says Bambut named NISL Player of the Week
TERRAPINS BASKETBALL:
The Official Site previews Maryland-Clemson tonight
The Official Site offers complete Terps-Tigers release (pdf)
Clemson Official Site previews tonight’s game
Clemson Official Site offers complete Terps-Tigers release (pdf)
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Terps remaining ‘focused’ through ‘chaos’
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Virginia Tech’s Allen suspended 1 game for giving finger at Comcast Center
The Sun’s Jeff Barker says Terps win when playing with more ‘urgency’
The Sun’s Matt Bracken recaps weekend for Terps commits, prospects
The Diamondback’s Mark Selig says Mosley more ‘hustle’ than stats
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Terps ‘on verge of bubble status’ going into tonight’s game
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Dave Neal thinks Terps need to finish .500 in ACC to make NCAA Tournament
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Greenberg ‘extremely disappointed’ by Allen’s ‘gesture’
Washington Post’s Steve Yanda says Gary ‘accused of mellowing’ when dealing with officials
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says ‘tough stretch’ will make Tournament eligibility difficult for Terps
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens has Terps 4th OUT in bracket
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says lone senior Neal helping Gary with leadership
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens breaks down Clemson with Tigers beat writer Williams
DC Examiner’s Kevin Dunleavy says Terps have ‘quieted critics’ (But certainly not silenced them!)
Columbia State’s Paul Strelow says Tigers had to ‘examine themselves’ after loss to Virginia
Charleston Post and Courier’s Travis Sawchik says Tigers ‘need more’ production from Trevor Booker
ESPN.com’s Joe Lunardi doesn’t think Terps one of first 8 out
SI’s Andy Glockner says Terps face ‘gauntlet’ to get in
Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan says Terps back ‘on bubble’
Terp Center’s Seth Hoffman says Mosley ‘perfecting’ defensive ability
Terrapin Times’ Mark Clem says season ‘fun’ again for Tucker (must subscribe)
Terrapin Times’ Dan Painter profiles Oak Hill prospect Pe’Shon Howard (must subscribe)
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Coleman named ACC Player of the Week
The Diamondback’s Greg Schimmel says team has enough talent to win another title
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Terps have 8 named Academic All-ACC
Examiner Steve DeClue says Terps have ‘winnable’ games on ’09 schedule
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens thinks Ralph will remind media about Academic accomplishment
ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich says trip to Cal next season will be major event for Turner
Terrapin Times’ Keith Cavanaugh says VA LB Chase Williams visits Terps again (must subscribe)
LOYOLA BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Barney scores 30, but Hounds blow late lead and fall to Canisius
The AP says Golden Griffins get 23 from Frank Turner in win
MORGAN BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Thompson honored again by MEAC
The AP says Holmes scores 16 as Bears beat Bethune-Cookman
The Sun’s Jeff Seidel says Wildcats slowed down pace, Morgan won anyway
SI’s Andy Glockner has Morgan IN
COPPIN BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says McKee scores 28 as Eagles beat Florida A&M
The AP says Eagles win 7th of last 8 games
UMES BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Hawks get 21 from Pitt in win over Norfolk State
UMBC BASKETBALL:
Vermont Official Site previews Catamounts-Retrievers tonight
TOWSON BASKETBALL:
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Tigers would be 10th seed in CAA Tournament if season ended today
TOWSON FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Vollano named RB coach
NAVY LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Mids remain 9th in polls
NAVY BASKBETBALL:
Examiner’s Tom Flynn says Midshipmen improving in Patriot League
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Official Site says Mids to celebrate 50th anniversary of Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Buddy Green responsible for 6 members of Navy’s ’09 class
DC UNITED:
The Sun says no public funded needed for new stadium in Prince George’s County
Washington Post’s Stephen Goff says United hopes to open 2012 season in PG County
SWIMMING:
The Sun’s Childs Walker says Phelps won’t face charges in South Carolina
The AP says Phelps glad South Carolina legal issue ‘put to rest’
HORSE RACING:
The Sun’s Bill Ordine says True Quality wins General George Handicap at Laurel Park
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-Congratulations to SunTrust Athlete of the Morning Rachael Sykes. The South Carroll runner won the 1,600 and 3,200 meter events at the 1A indoor track championship Monday.
-Clemson 84, Maryland 81. Something tells me Terrence Oglesby could play hero again…
-UMBC 75, Vermont 70. I think this one could be a pride issue. I’ll call for the upset at the RAC.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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