Ravens Draft

The 2007 NFL Draft is over and the Ravens selected the following players:

Round 1 (29th Pick): Ben Grubbs, G, Auburn
Round 3 (74th): Yamon Figurs, WR, Kansas State
Round 3 (86th): Marshall Yanda, G-T, Iowa
Round 4 (134th): Antwan Barnes, LB, Florida International
Round 4 (137th): Le'Ron McClain, FB, Alabama
Round 5 (174th): Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State
Round 6 (207th): Prescott Burgess, LB, Michigan

I'm not sure how the "experts" will grade the Ravens' draft, but I'm ecstatic. According to a lot of the analysts, Grubbs was one of the 15-18 best players in the draft. Finally, after years of neglect, the Ravens have addressed the offensive line the past 3 years, selecting Grubbs, Yanda, Chris Chester, Jason Brown, and Adam Terry in the first 4 rounds. Those 5 may be the Ravens' starting offensive line in 2008. Even next year I could see Grubbs, Chester, Brown, and Terry joining Ogden in the starting lineup by the end of the year.

I would argue that much of the Ravens' offensive problems over the last 8-9 years has been because of the o-line (except Ogden). Mike Flynn, Edwin Mulitalo, Bennie Anderson, Keydrick Vincent, Harry Swayne, and Tony Pashos had 0 Pro Bowls combined as Ravens. They were good run blockers at one time but pass protection has been an issue for years, making it hard to sustain drives. On top of that they lack athleticism (other than Ogden), making it difficult for the Ravens to run plays like sweeps, traps, and screens. This new group of linemen will give the Ravens' offense much more flexibility. It will also help them match up better against teams like the Colts, who have used their d-line's athleticism to shut down the Ravens running game.

The pick of Figurs is more for the return game than as a receiver. BJ Sams is coming off of a broken leg, may be suspended for his 2 DUI's, and is an unrestricted free agent after next season. His injury late last season really hurt the Ravens because his replacement, Cory Ross, could not generate anything in the return game.

Antwan Barnes is a 'tweener from a smaller school, similar to a 2000 6th Round Ravens' draft pick named Adalius Thomas. It took AD a couple of years before he cracked the Ravens' starting lineup so I wouldn't expect him to be a contributor right away.

Le'Ron McClain was one of the top FB's available. With the loss of Ovie Mughelli this is a good pickup. The Ravens will rely less on the FB with Willis McGahee but I like the pick if for nothing else than to provide depth.

Troy Smith is a very intriguing pick. As the last pick of the 5th round it's a worthwhile gamble. He has very strong leadership skills to go with a strong arm. The knock on him is that he's only 6'0'' so he may not be tall enough to play in the NFL. With the Ravens he'll likely be the #3 QB next season, learning the game from Steve McNair. In '08 Kyle Boller will likely be gone (whew-hew!!!) so he'll become the back-up. By that time we should have an idea as to whether he can become the QB of the future. I think the Ravens have finally figured out that Kyle Boller isn't.

Prescott Burgess is a guy that Ozzie Newsome noticed was in just about every play for Michigan. He will get the chance to make the team on special teams (like Bart Scott and Adalius Thomas before him).

Now I'll be interested to see who the Ravens sign as undrafted free agents. They have had success here with Pro Bowlers Bart Scott and Priest Holmes and other major contributors like Mike Flynn and BJ Sams.

Only 3 months until training camp starts! (I need it, the way the O's are playing. Please sell the team Angelos!)

What defines a "sport"?

When I was in business school, I had an assistantship in the MBA Program Office. (For the most part, the job consisted of stuffing envelopes and entering data.) One day several co-workers and I debated whether certain "events" truly were "sports." After hours of discussion, we came up with 5 simple criteria for an event to qualify as a sport, which have passed the test of time (7 years!):

1. The winner cannot be determined by a judge. (Sorry boxing, gymnastics, & figure skating)
   
2. It must have a ball, puck, or similar object.
3. It cannot be a subset of another sport. (e.g. running in a race cannot be a sport as running is part of many sports; the long jump isn't a sport on its own because there is jumping in many sports)
4. Time cannot be part of the scoring. (This eliminates any and all racing)
5. Heart rate must increase by at least 20 beats per minute for the vast majority of participants (in average physical condition) at some point during the normal course of the game.
   

Let me be clear, just because something is not a sport doesn't mean it isn't competitive or that there isn't athleticism involved. Selling toothpaste is competitive but it's not a sport. Ballet requires a lot of athleticism but it's not a sport.

Number 5 causes some controversy. Does it eliminate golf? On the PGA Tour you have to walk the course so I would say golf is a sport. However, bowling is not (sorry Dad). Neither is curling.

My thoughts on the NBA & NHL Playoffs

Early season thoughts on the O's

The O's are about 10% through their schedule. There are still 147 games to go but some strengths and weaknesses are starting to show:

Early Strengths

1. The bullpen: Not only have the big free agent signees performed well, the O's have gotten strong performances from 2 unlikely sources: Jeremy Guthrie and John Parrish. This is the best O's 'pen since the '97 wire-to-wire team under Davey Johnson. It feels like if the O's have the lead after 5, they've got the game. The big concern right now is whether they'll wear down due to overuse.
2. The lineup (against right-handers): The O's are 6-1 in their last 7 games against a RH starter. The only loss - Justin Verlander's dominating performance last week at Camden Yards. With Markakis, Huff, Gibbons, Patterson, and Roberts from the left side and Tejada from the right side, mediocre right-handers (of which there are plenty) are going to get hit.
   

Early Weaknesses

1. Team defense: It's downright brutal. The O's have given up a ton of EARNED runs that even an average defensive team doesn't give up. This will improve some with the return of Jay Payton and Ramon Hernandez, but they'll still be below-average. Tejada looks terrible at shortstop - no range and poor footwork.
2. The lineup (against left-handers): The O's are 2-4 against lefties, including today's win against Scott Kazmir. Again, they'll be helped by the return of Payton and Hernandez. But even with those two in the lineup the O's will be starting 3 left-handed hitters against most lefties. And Brian Roberts, a switch-hitter, is weaker from the right side.

Jury is still out

1. Starting Pitching: A week ago I would have said that this looks like a strength, with a string of strong performances. But Bedard has looked shaky (over 5.00 ERA in 4 starts), Loewen is throwing way too many pitches, Jaret Wright is on the DL after one good and one bad outing, and Steve Trachsel saw his ERA balloon from 2.63 to over 5.00 over the course of 10 batters last night. Cabrera didn't look great last time out but he is throwing strikes and is finding a way to win when he doesn't have his (very) dominating stuff.
2. Bench: A week ago I would have said this looks like a weakness, but Chris Gomez, Freddy Bynum, and Jon Knott (who the hell is he?) played well this week. Paul Bako and Alberto Castillo have done a nice job filling in for Hernandez although there have been way too many passed balls.
3. "The Quest for 82": It's going to be close. The starting pitching, particularly Bedard, has to get better so that the bullpen doesn't burn out in July. Everyone in the AL looks better. Even though the O's just went 5-1 against the Royals and Devil Rays, those 2 teams look improved. I'm very impressed with the core of young position players the Devil Rays have. If they get ANY pitching, they're going to be very good in a couple of years.

Outstanding Blog on Angelos & the Media

This is a great blog from baltimoresun.com. Make sure you read the 2nd comment from Douglas. To me this hits the nail on the head.

Maese Space Blog

This is so frustrating! Sell my team Angelos!!!

2007 Ravens Schedule

The Ravens' 2007 schedule was released today. (Schedule) The opponents were already known based on Ravens' record last year and the divisions the AFC North is scheduled to play this year. What wasn't known was the dates and how many games would be on national television.

Based on my initial look at the schedule, I like it. There were a few things that jumped out at me:

• Starting on the road - again. It's such a freakin' coincidence that the Orioles are home just about EVERY year the weekend the NFL opens up (OK, it's only 7 of the last 9. And of course Angelos would never do a petty thing like trying to stick it to the team and the owner that Baltimore loves.)
  
• Playing consecutive games at San Diego, home on Monday night against the Patriots, and home on Sunday night against the Colts in late November and early December.
• Playing 5 of their first 8 games on the road.
• Playing Cincinnati at home 6 days after playing at Pittsburgh on Monday night.

First, I love playing those 3 straight games against the other 3 2006 AFC division winners. Under Billick, the Ravens usually play their best football from late November on. I'd rather see the Ravens playing those teams at a time when they're playing their best.

While the Ravens play a lot of road games early on, their schedule is softer early on. This will give them a chance to get some wins while they get adjusted to a new running back and learn how to play defense without Adalius Thomas.

Now that Monday Night Football has moved to ESPN, I hate it. It's no longer the showcase game of the week (that's Sunday night) and you get a short rest. I hate having to play Cincy and Indy on short rest because they're really good and the Ravens don't match up well with them. But that's the price you pay for having a really good season the year before.

Angelos at it Again

The improved Orioles come home for the Home Opener, off a near sweep of the Yankees in New York. So what does Angelos do? He decides it's a perfect time for a little revenge against the man who organized the fan protest last year:

O's Deny Press Credentials

I love the garbage that the Orioles spew out as to why they denied Drew Forrester and Nestor Aparicio credentials:

Angelos BS

Of course, it isn't true. Just like the lies that spew from Angelos and his henchman after other vengeful, disgraceful acts. Check out the blogs on this site that provide the truth:

WNST responds

Mr. Angelos, your ownership of a once-proud franchise is an absolute disgrace. Sell my team!

To all Colts fans (Baltimore & Indy)

I highly recommend this site: Colts Heritage

This site is asking the NFL Hall of Fame to do the right thing: take the former Baltimore Colts out of the Indianapolis Colts section. If you visit the HOF now, you will see Johnny U, Gino Marchetti, Raymond Berry, Lenny Moore, et al in the Indianapolis Colts section, despite the fact that they never played one down in Indy! Here is the quote from the site:

"The Baltimore Colts will never play another NFL game but at least their memory should remain alive. Our primary purpose is to start and present this petition including your signature to the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the hope that it can influence the Hall to properly recognize the careers of those distinguished Baltimore Colts. They earned your respect and adulation as players and they deserve your support in preserving their legacies.

1. Bring the Colts back to Baltimore
2. Restore the Colts logos and colors
3. Affect Indianapolis' history in any way
4. Direct any lingering frustration towards Colts’ ownership (past or present)

Let's be clear... Charm City is Ravenstown. Baltimore no longer dons the blue and white. It now bleeds purple. The city has its own home team just as the Colts have a home in Indianapolis. Yet the players who left parts of their broken bodies on 33rd Street at Memorial Stadium no longer have a home. They are aging and unfortunately some have passed.

The time has come to distinguish these men in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as Baltimore Colts. Besides, does Indianapolis really want Baltimore's players in its exhibit? Would you want theirs?

Restoring the Baltimore Colts’ tradition is a simple yet grossly overdue change that will enable future generations of fans to understand the relevance of Baltimore in the NFL’s remarkable history and to enable the accomplishments of these men to echo in eternity.

It’s the right thing to do.

Together, let's stand up and be counted. Together with this petition we can make a difference."

So far the site has over 27,000 signatures, including Johnny U's son, Joe, several other former Baltimore Colts, and mine. :)