I can’t help but think that part of the reasoning for the timing of Brian Roberts’ admission HAS to be based on the fact that Brian CLEARLY wants out of Baltimore. Brian used careful words when speaking to Jeff Zrebiec before the Winter Meetings; and I think he wants a fresh start post-admission somewhere else. The Orioles should give it to him.
I’m not surprised to see Brian’s teammates/members of the organization come out in support of him. If anything, I’m surprised by how many writers/bloggers/talk show hosts in Baltimore are NOT supporting him. Normally the good guys get the benefit of the doubt.
Moving forward, the Cubs probably remain interested in Brian, and the Orioles NEED to make this deal happen. Thanks Brian, but a day later, I still think your time has come and gone.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say…
Best of WNST’s Tuesday Blogs:
Rob Long has Ravens 24th in Power Rankings
Rob Long doesn’t feel sorry for Roberts
Ray Bachman doesn’t buy Roberts’ one time user theory
Drew Forrester says O’s screwing it up ONCE AGAIN
Matt Bender humorously looks at O’s publicity mis-management
Nestor Aparicio says Roberts in tough place when he used
Bob Haynie WANTS to believe Roberts, but can’t
RAVENS:
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Pro Bowlers 52, Reed, J.O. now have 24 Hawaii bids combined
The Official Site announces Rolle as Ed Block Courage Award Winner
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Jason Brown thinks Smith brings ‘swagger to huddle’
Seahawks Official Site’s Mike Kahn thinks team ‘woke up’ for Baltimore game with Carolina loss
The Sun’s Rick Maese says Biscotti too ‘loyal’ to Billick
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens have 4 wins, 3 Pro Bowlers
The Sun’s Mike Preston doesn’t think Smith ‘answer to team’s QB problems’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Miami loss not 1st Ravens embarrassment
The Sun’s Edward Lee tells special story about relationship between challenged girl and Adam Terry
The Sun’s Edward Lee says stats bad; turnover differential worst in NFL
The Sun’s Mike Preston tells Sporting News Ravens will find ways to play Smith in final games
The Examiner’s Matt Palmer says strength in face of epillepsy earned Rolle Courage Award
The Examiner’s Matt Palmer says ‘dominant’ Reed deserved trip to Hawaii
Seattle Times’ Jose Romero says ‘Hawks won’t take Ravens for granted
Aaron Wilson says Ravens desperately grasping for ‘pride’
Aaron Wilson says Reed starter, 52 & J.O. alternates for Pro Bowl
ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli says J.O. got in on reputation
Ravens Roost’s Mike Zoran says injuries, O-Line made Ravens 4-10
B-More Bird’s Nest says Long slated to Ravens at Number 6 Pick in Draft
Ravens Touchdown’s “Stephen” says Neuheisel closer to UCLA
Ravens Touchdown’s “Stephen” says Suggs, Stills 1st alternates for Pro Bowl
Ravens Touchdown’s “Stephen” says Ngata, Gregg deserved Pro Bowl love
The Ebony Bird’s Jarrett Carter says Ravens ‘definitely’ worst in NFL
Baltimore Beatdown’s “Rexx” STILL thinks Billick botched Sunday’s game
Mind Pinball’s “tws392000″ says last two games should be treated as tryouts
Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer thinks Joe Thomas belonged over J-O
Real Football 365′s Connor Byrne has only Falcons behind Ravens in Power Rankings
East Coast Bias’ J-Red dreams up Billick firing
Wizard of Odds’ “Dawizofodds” says Neuheisel ‘frontrunner’ for UCLA gig
Seahawks.net says ‘Hawks will have to beat Ravens’ Pass ‘D’
Fanhouse’s Josh Alper says Boller better with open offense
ORIOLES:
The Official Site’s Spencer Fordin says B-Rob wants forgiveness
The Sun’s Sheil Kapadia says national media thinks O’s got best of Tejada deal
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko thinks M’s interest in Bedard will die with Silva signing
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko not sure he believes B-Rob
The Sun’s Kevin Van Valkenburg says Roberts faced difficult decision in whether to fight allegations or admit and apologize
The Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says Birds stading behind Roberts
The Sun’s Bill Ordine says Roberts avoiding prosecution by admitting
The Examiner’s Ron Snyder very surprised to see B-Rob on Mitchell Report
The Examiner’s Sean Welsh says Roberts probably won’t be suspended
The AP’s David Ginsburg says Roberts admits after previously lying
Washington Times’ Tom Knott says apologies of Roberts, others mean little
Camden Chat’s “duck” says no one talking about closer issues
Dempsey’s Army’s “hrb” buying what Roberts selling
Oriole Magic’s Anthony Amobi says admission explains Roberts’ previous silence
Oriole Post’s “Maryland Orioles Fan” (Anthony Amobi, right?) says easy for Roberts to admit after caught
The Loss Column’s Neal Shaffer willing to give B-Rob benefit of doubt
The Wayward Oriole wonders if Roberts admitted to get out of Baltimore (we have a winner!)
Steroid Nation’s “grg51″ says if Roberts REALLY sorry, he’d give back money
MLB Trade Rumors says Birds could be interested in Dotel closing
Fanhouse’s “PostmanR” says 2005 season big problem in Roberts’ story
TERRAPINS FOOTBALL:
The Sun’s Roch Kubatko says ST Coordinator Rychleski takes same job at South Carolina
The Sun’s Matt Bracken says future Terp Meggett ‘broke out’ during Senior campaign
Washington Post’s Marc Carig says Rychleski wanted opportunity in SEC
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Rychleski came with Ralph in 2001, will leave after Emerald Bowl
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says Terps have sold half of allotted Emerald Bowl tickets
Washington Times’ Patrick Stevens says more money for Rychleski at SC
TERRAPINS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Thursday’s game at JMU ‘homecoming’ for Toliver
NAVY FOOTBALL:
The Sun’s Sandra McKee says Gladchuk working on nailing down future Bowl plans
The Sun’s Sandra McKee says Mids’ FB’s try to out-do each other
Salt Lake Tribune’s Lya Wodraska says Utes having fun while in SD to play Navy
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says Ballard making up for missing Bowl game last year
The Examiner’s Dave Carey says trip to Poinsettia Bowl included Zoo excursion for Mids
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says drag racing Gaskins ruled Navy’s Go-Kart day in San Diego
Annapolis Capital’s Bill Wagner says Niumatalolo treating SD trip as reward for Mids
Washington Post’s Christian Swezey says Niumatalolo’s Head Coaching debut big deal to Polynesians
Go Mids breaks down Navy-Utah (must subscribe)
MT. ST. MARY’S BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says win over Winthrop gives Eers longest streak since ’95-’96
Carroll County Times’ Bob Blubaugh says win over RPI 38 Winthrop BIG for Mount
Frederick News Post’s Stan Goldberg says Mount’s 6th straight biggest win of season
TOWSON BASKETBALL:
The Official Site says Tigers can get back to .500 with win over Lafayette tonight
MCDANIEL BASKETBALL:
Carroll County Times’ Josh Land says McDaniel suffers first loss at Mary Washington
LOYOLA LACROSSE:
The Official Site says Hounds picked 3rd in preseason ECAC poll
UMBC LACROSSE:
The Official Site announces 2008 Schedule, including opener in Florida vs. Delaware
HORSE RACING:
Washington Post’s John Scheinman says state racing industry seeking state money for purses
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-It’s hard to argue with Reed’s or 52′s inclusion on the AFC Pro Bowl team, but J.O. CERTAINLY didn’t belong. Kelly Gregg and Haloti Ngata also obviously deserved consideration on the team, but that didn’t happen, and when you lose 10 games; you can’t be mad about something like that. I am going to go out on a limb (not at all) and say that this will be the final trip to Hawaii for both J.O. AND 52.
-The Orioles SHOULD bring in Octavio Dotel if they can get him for a 1 year deal. Chris Ray is your closer of the future, but it would help the development of the team’s other young players if they could feel as though there was someone who could close games on their roster. It does not stunt anyone’s growth since your long-term plan will be back in place in ’09.
-Congratulations to Coach Rychleski on the job at South Carolina. SEC Football is head and shoulders above EVERYTHING else, and he has done an EXTREMELY good job at Maryland. Think of all of the All-Conference/All-American/etc. players the Terps have had on Special Teams. Brooks Barnard, Adam Podlesh, Nick Novak, Dan Ennis, Steve Suter, etc all come to mind.
-The Terps should be able to sell a few more than 5,000 tickets to a Bowl game in San Francisco. 8,000 would help to make a statement for Bowl games in the future.
-SERIOUS Congratulations to Coach Milan Brown and the Mountaineers of Mt. St. Mary’s. The Winthrop team you beat last night is not only a good team now (who recently beat Georgia Tech), but they are also an indicator of what you want your program to become. Don’t think about it too long, but enjoy this one. This was a big win.
-My pick for tonight is Towson hoops vs. Lafayette. The Tigers are offering a package deal for that game and their women’s game beforehand. Go see some local hoops.
Talk to you tomorrow.
-G
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