baltimoresun.com sports blogs

TNA Impact: Another episode of 'As Mick Foley Turns' [Ring Posts]

2009-11-20T21:33:04-08:00

I can’t believe I am actually typing this sentence, but it sure looks as if Mick Foley is turning heel. Again. On Thursday night’s episode of TNA Impact, Foley was portrayed as insecure and paranoid because he wasn’t given a head’s up about Hulk Hogan joining TNA and TNA president Dixie Carter is not returning his text messages.

Mason says Ravens need to correct penalties and score early [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T15:31:49-08:00

The Ravens lead the league in penalty yards (633) and are tied with the Philadelphia Eagles for third in penalties (67). Wide receiver Derrick Mason said penalties have disrupted the offense's rhythm. "We can't continue to say, 'They’re correctable, they’re correctable,’ and not correct them," he said. "That’s like saying when a child grows up, as he’s growing up and he’s always getting in trouble and you figure, ‘I’ll straighten him out, I’ll straighten him out.’ Well, when he gets 15 to 16 [years old], you can’t straighten it out because he’s set in his ways. We’ve got to get this stuff corrected and make sure – and it is especially critical in our first drive – that we score some points." Ed Lee

O's make minor move [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-20T14:30:48-08:00

The Orioles claimed 26-year-old catcher Craig Tatum off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds today and designated left-handed pitcher Chris Waters for assignment. It's a minor transaction that gives the O's a good defensive guy to add minor league depth and maybe compete for the backup role behind Matt Wieters. I still have to believe the O's will re-sign Chad Moeller to be the backup/mentor for Wieters. The club declined his option for 2010 to save room on the 40-man roster, but indicated that Moeller could come back under the same terms as last year. If that happens, it likely would be after the Winter Meetings in December.

Heap listed as questionable [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T13:16:55-08:00

Ravens tight end Todd Heap did not participate in Friday's practice after all, and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Colts with a rib injury. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle) had limited participation, but insisted after the practice that he would play against the Colts. Already listed as out are linebacker Terrell Suggs and special teamer Matt Lawrence, both with knee injuries. Center Matt Birk (neck), quarterback Joe Flacco (knee), and linebackers Tavares Gooden (concussion) and Jarret Johnson (shoulders) practiced today and are probable. The Colts' lengthy injury list lists five players as out and six as questionable. Among those who will miss the game are defensive backs Kelvin Hayden (knee) and Aaron Francisco (ankle) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee). Among the questionables are defensive end Dwight Freeney (hip), safety Antoine Bethea (foot) and wide-out Pierre Garcon (ankle). Freeney and Garcon both had full participation in Friday's practice, however.

Running to Australia [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-20T13:12:22-08:00

When I interview an athlete, I always want to know what got him or her started in the sport at which he or she excels. What piqued the interest in that particular sport? When Amanda White Pagon ran for Dulaney, I wrote a few stories about her and watched her amazing success stories pile up one after another, but I never knew why she first started running. I asked her that when I talked with her a few weeks ago for today's Alumni Report. She said she wanted to run to Australia. “In elementary school, we had this gym teacher from Australia and she did this program to get kids interested in running. She said, ‘We’re going to run to Australia.’ We had these little cards, 50 miles on a card and they were broken into 50 squares and each square was broken into fours for a quarter mile. You could run at recess and the teacher could tally it for you or you could run at home and parents could initial them. “What always worked with me was some motivational thing like that, trying to reach some goal, so this was very cool, because in our hallway, she had this big line and as the kids ran more and more on their cards, the line got longer and we started getting closer to Australia.” Except for the occasional 5K, she didn’t run much after her sophomore year at Dulaney, concentrating mostly on swimming and playing a few other sports. Still, an elementary school teacher with an irresistible goal introduced her to the sport she still can't leave behind. Oh, and by the way, it’s 9,785 miles from Baltimore to Sydney, Australia. Years later, Pagon raced in a triathlon there.

Two WWE Hall of Famers signing autographs in Dundalk [Ring Posts]

2009-11-20T13:03:46-08:00

WWE Hall of Famers and former tag team champions The Iron Sheik and Nikolai Volkoff will be signing autographs at the Steel Cage Memorabilia stand in the Plaza Flea Market in Dundalk on Sunday between 12 and 2 p.m. For more information, go to steelcagememorabilia.com

Weekly recruiting roundup [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-20T12:39:48-08:00

The fall signing period ended this week with a couple of notable Maryland-related developments. On Monday, St. Anthony (N.J.) power forward Ashton Pankey committed to the Terps, giving Maryland a four-man class which also includes Tucson (Ariz.) Santa Rita point guard Terrell Stoglin, Montrose Christian shooting guard Terrence Ross and Miller School (Va.) small forward Mychal Parker. Then on Thursday night, Maryland target Tobias Harris committed to Tennessee. So how does Maryland's 2010 recruiting class stack up nationally? • Rivals.com has UM at No. 17 -- without including Pankey's pledge. • Scout.com lists Maryland at No. 19 overall. • ESPN.com also pegs Maryland as having the 19th-best class. • And MaxPreps.com -- also without including Pankey's commitment -- ranks the Terps as the No. 10 class in the country. Analysis: Ross and Stoglin should develop into a nice 1-2 punch at the guard spots for Gary Williams. • The Washington Post's Steve Yanda spoke to Scout.com's Dave Telep about Pankey's commitment. "He went from not being very physical inside to doing a good job on the glass and playing with some intensity," Telep said. "The thing with him is he's always been a guy who's had talent and ability; he just hadn't gone out and done it with any kind of intensity or consistency, and I felt toward the end of the summer he was starting to do that, which is a really good sign. My evaluation on him won't be complete until I see him during his senior year, but I think he's got a chance to be a guy who makes a living underneath the basket as a rebounder and an impact-type player. I haven't seen a whole lot of offense out of him outside of that, but he looks like a guy who's pretty good right around the basket." • Ross will wait until the spring to sign his letter of intent to Maryland, according to The Washington Post. "He's going to wait until the spring," Montrose Christian Coach Stu Vetter said, adding that Ross remains committed to Maryland and that academically he could have signed this week had he chosen. • Former Maryland small forward target Justin Coleman transferred to Huntington (W.Va.) Prep this week. Coleman's list of potential suitors includes Marquette, Arkansas, Xavier, Kansas, Kentucky and Providence, according to Fulford. • The Maryland women's basketball program signed the No. 2-ranked class in the country this week. Click here for the official release. Football recruiting • Bishop McNamara wide receiver Brandon Coleman told Rivals.com that he has narrowed his list of schools to three. “It’s between Rutgers, Maryland and Syracuse,” he said. “I might try to do an official to Syracuse in January. I like the same things about them as the other schools. I visited there over the summer and they were interesting.” • Norcross, Ga., offensive lineman Max Garcia told Palmetto Sports that he will likely choose between Maryland, Clemson and Vanderbilt before the end of the year. "They all have their pros and cons," said Garcia. "In the end, I have to go where my heart is telling me to go. I just want to go somewhere I am comfortable. Somewhere I can get along with the players and coaches and somewhere with a good journalism school." • Phil Kornblut reports that Clemson running backs coach Andre Powell plans on checking out two Maryland commitments at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy. Powell also will see LB David Mackall (6-3 245), a native of Baltimore, and LB Lorne Goree (6-1 210), a native of Silver Spring, MD. • Matt Robinson's Atholton squad takes on River Hill tonight for the Class 3A regional championship. The Raiders hope to avenge a 35-14 loss to the Hawks in the regular season. That said, Atholton scored twice on touchdowns of 90 and 80 yards from Kalvin Seamonson to Matt Robinson in that game. Something tells me that the River Hill secondary has been working especially hard this week on making sure that doesn’t happen again. Hawks coach Brian Van Deusen does expect them to try, however. “I’m sure they’re going to come out and try that again, when you’ve got a kid like Matt Robinson you’ve got to,” he said. • Terps commitments Titus Till and Rahsaan Moore lead Wise against C.H. Flowers on Saturday in the Class 4A South regional championship. The Pumas fell to the Jaguars 14-12 just two weeks ago. "That was a humbling loss," Moore said. "We learned a lot from that game. They came out and made the plays. We had the lead twice and they still beat us. Their offensive line is excellent and their running backs are really good. We have to find a way to stop them. We're definitely going to be ready for them this time. We're going to walk off the field with a win this time." • Terps quarterback commitment Tyler Smith will battle for a playoff victory and a Pennsylvania state record tonight. Lancaster Catholic's Kyle Smith and Wilson Area's Tyler Smith are not related, but they are second and fourth, respectively, on Pennsylvania's career passing chart. Both are taking aim at Downingtown East graduate Pat Devlin's record of 8,162. Kyle Smith has 7,771 going into tonight's District 3-Class AA semifinal against Middletown. Tyler Smith has 7,721 yards - just 41 yards shy of No. 3 and former Wilson Area standout D.J. Lenehan - going into tonight's District 11-Class AA semifinal at Allentown Central Catholic. • The Washington Post profiled DeMatha offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio and his younger brother Cyrus this week. Both are Maryland targets. Arie is not focusing on recruiting until next week, but it is believed that Alabama and California rank near the top of the several dozen schools to offer him a scholarship, with Maryland, Miami, Tennessee, Notre Dame and New Mexico among those still in consideration.

Edwards will appeal fine [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T11:34:16-08:00

Ravens defensive tackle Dwan Edwards said today he will appeal the $5,000 fine he got from the NFL for hitting the Browns' Joshua Cribbs on the last play of Monday night's game. Cribbs caught a pass and lateraled the ball to a teammate. As he turned up field, he was unaware that he was in Edwards' path. Edwards ran through him and went after the ballcarrier. Cribbs had to be carried off the field on a cart and was taken to a Cleveland hospital, but has recovered since then. Edwards said there was no intent to hurt Cribbs. "I feel bad," Edwards said. "I definitely didn't want to hurt anybody. But if he wouldn't have been hurt, I don't think there would have been a fine. I'm glad he's all right."

Heap says he's a game-time decision [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T10:38:12-08:00

Tight end Todd Heap said he will know Sunday whether he will be able to play against the Indianapolis Colts. Heap was hurt in the first half of Monday's 16-0 win at Cleveland. He played in the second half but left the field with a couple of minutes remaining while holding his left side. "It’s going to be sore. That’s the biggest thing," Heap said. "I’ve been battling all week. So, we’ll see how it goes on Sunday." Heap said he had an x-ray and nothing is broken. 'It’s getting better day to day," he said. "Hopefully, it keeps getting better and we’ll go from there."

Quick hits on WWE Superstars [Ring Posts]

2009-11-20T10:31:08-08:00

• The Mark Henry-Cody Rhodes match on Thursday night’s episode of WWE Superstars was better than I expected. I was surprised – but not disappointed – that there was no outside interference from MVP or Ted DiBiase Jr. It was an impressive win for Henry. He really seemed to be over with the crowd, but, unfortunately, I think the crowd noise was enhanced in post-production.

Former Annapolis wrestler leaves lasting life impression [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-20T09:40:08-08:00

Andrew Wall, a former Annapolis High School wrestler who graduated in 2005, died this week. A funeral service will be held Saturday at St. Mary's Church, 113 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, at 9 a.m. His life's story was short -- he just turned 23 last Saturday -- but over those limited years he seemed to have made lasting impressions on everyone he met. More than 22,000 messages from family and friends at his Caringbridge.org website attest to that. Wall had been an active, healthy young man until one day about six months ago when he collapsed while working in a field at an organic farm in Makawao, Hawaii. He was rushed to the hospital and found to have a brain tumor. He was returned to Maryland and had been in the care of his family in Annapolis since. "I heard and his former teammates, who were some of his best friends, heard when it happened," said Tom Sfakiyanudis, who coached wrestling for 10 years at Annapolis High, including those years when Wall competed. "It has hit everyone around here pretty hard. He had a lot of close friends on the team and they were all keeping in touch through the entire ordeal." Sfakiyanudis described Wall as "a wonderful kid", who didn't start wrestling until high school but worked hard in practice to excel. "Andrew worked his way up quickly," Sfakiyanudis said. "I remember he won us a big match his junior year when he was wrestling at 171 pounds. We were competing against Broadneck and it came down to his match. He pinned the guy to win us the whole match." Messages at Caringbridge.org come from friends he had made at age 7, from ICU nurses who took care of him in Hawaii after he collapsed, from the Severn women's rugby organization, from Mount St. Mary's rugby captain and a classmate, from friends in California, Texas and Utah, from friends he made three years ago on a United Kingdom study trip. They come from his former teachers at the Mount, from families of his former wrestling teammates and from the family whose farm he lived and worked on in Hawaii, who say he made such an impression on them they are building a memorial on the farm to him. All of those messengers, first expressing support for his recovery and then sympathy and compassion at his loss, all talk about a young man who was kind and caring, patient, thoughtful, genuine, and a "lover of all things food." They talk about his huge smile, his king-sized hugs and his gentleness. And all of them talk about the impression he made on their lives and how much they'll miss him. A wonderful legacy for his family, now saddened by his loss, to remember.

O's Markakis takes 21 kid patients to Ravens practice [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T09:19:19-08:00

Nick Markakis' Right Side Foundation took 21 pediatric patients from Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital to Owings Mills today for a day at the Ravens' practice facility. It is the third event the Orioles' outfielder has sponsored under his Fund for 21 program. Previously, Markakis and his wife Christina have taken underprivileged or sick kids from Maryland-based organizations to the ESPN Zone and the aquarium in June, and to Oriole Park in September. The children watched part of the Ravens' Friday practice, got a tour of the facility and had lunch. - Ken Murray

Heap back on practice field [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T09:11:55-08:00

After missing two straight practices, tight end Todd Heap (chest) returned for today's practice and caught passes in the early portion of the workout the media was allowed to see. All injured players were on the field, in fact, except for Terrell Suggs (knee) and Matt Lawrence (knee), both of whom have been scratched from Sunday's game against the Colts.

Orioles: Free agent letdown [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-20T08:53:01-08:00

The free agent market has been open for almost 12 hours and the Orioles still haven't signed John Lackey. What's the deal? I'm just reinforcing the point that we wait breathlessly for the opening of the free agent market and then sit back and wait another month or two for something to happen. Of course, that didn't keep ESPN from trotting out baseball analyst (and former Sun reporter) Tim Kurkjian on SportsCenter right after midnight last night to kick off this year's free agent frenzy. Obviously, the Orioles aren't in on Lackey, but they'll be in a lot of rumors. They'll be used by some teams and they'll have a legitimate shot at some medium guys if they really want to sign one or two of them. I'll be interested to see if they are aggressive with some of those comeback pitchers like Erik Bedard. That's where a team could catch lightning in a bottle and be much more competitive than they might appear on paper. But it'll be awhile before we have a real clue. Today's shameless plug: You need to rush to the radio right now and tune into WBAL (1090 AM) or WBAL.com for The Week in Review with me, Clarence Mitchell IV and state senator Jim Brochim. We'll be butting heads from noon to 3 p.m. on a variety of subjects, from Sheila to Oprah and everything in between.

Fallston soccer maintains excellence [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-20T08:34:16-08:00

The soccer teams at Fallston enjoyed a rarity last year when both made it to the state championship game, each falling just short of bringing home titles. This year brings an even more impressive surprise: Both teams are right there again. The Fallston boys brought back only three starters, but picked up where it left off with standout forward Mikey Antinozzi leading the way. The girls team lost its entire front line and key players at midfield, but relied on defender McKenzie Hannahs and the back line while the new offense came together. Saturday night at UMBC Stadium, the Fallston supporters will get a double dose of soccer as the team compete in the Class 2A state championship games. The Fallston girls will take on Winters Mill at 5 p.m. with the boys game against Marriotts Ridge to follow at 7:30.

Who are the top players in Baltimore football history? [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T05:20:41-08:00

No game is bigger for a Baltimore NFL fan than Colts vs. Ravens. With Sunday's game at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Colts holding a six-game winning streak in the series, we thought we'd look at the best players to grace Baltimore uniforms, either Colts or Ravens. Since the Ravens are still waiting for their first player who predominantly wore purple and black throughout his career to enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was much easier to come up with Colts. Begin the debate. We're sure we left somebody out. 1. John Unitas: The greatest quarterback to play the game. Father of the two-minute drill led the Colts to two NFL championships and defeated the New York Giants in 1958 for the title in what has been dubbed "The Greatest Game Ever Played." 2. Ray Lewis: The master of mayhem for 14 years in the middle of the Ravens' defense. A tackling machine in his prime, with the ability to change games by himself. Revered around the league and willing mentor to all who seek his advice. 3. Gino Marchetti: Captain of the two-time world champions, he was one of the most feared pass rushers in NFL history. Lightning quick, No. 89 was named the best defensive end of the NFL's first half-century. 4. Lenny Moore: Had unparalleled success as both flanker and running back, making All-NFL at both positions. "Spats" scored a touchdown in 18 straight games, an NFL record that stood for 40 years. 5. Raymond Berry: Unitas' favorite target, he set an NFL record for career receptions. One of football's all-time clutch receivers, he ran perfect routes and caught 12 passes in the 1958 title game. 6. Jim Parker: His crushing blocks launched Moore's runs and saved Unitas' skin. He made All-Pro eight straight times - four at guard and four at tackle - and started 139 consecutive games. 6. (tie) Jonathan Ogden: First draft pick of the Ravens' era, cornerstone of the offensive line as an 11-time Pro Bowl left tackle. Among the greatest players of all time at his position.

Can Ravens exploit Colts' banged-up secondary? [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-20T03:00:00-08:00

The Ravens will be without Terrell Suggs, but the Colts’ defense has been hit harder by injuries. Indianapolis could be starting three backups in the secondary, including rookie cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey. But offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the younger Colts are “playing as well, if not better” than the injured starters. “They’re a Cover 2 team, and so, in a lot of ways, there are ways to protect young corners, and they do an outstanding job of that,” Cameron said. “They’re not just putting those guys out there in Cover 1, man-to-man coverage, single coverage all day. That’s not happening. If that were the case, then you’d say, ‘OK, go out and throw it to the two young corners all day.’ But they’re not doing that. They’re smart. You’ve got to attack this defense from all 11 guys. It’s an outstanding defense, obviously one of the better defenses in the league.”

Calvert Hall's Lee headed to Towson [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-19T22:55:00-08:00

Calvert Hall small forward Damion Lee will play college basketball just a few miles down the road from his high school. The 6-foot-6, 195-pound small forward signed with Towson on Wednesday, picking the Tigers over Quinnipiac. “It’s a great feeling,” Lee said. “I was thinking about waiting until the spring time, but then the opportunity arose after the visit and I just felt it was a good decision for me to make.” Lee, a Baltimore Sun All-Baltimore County selection who averaged 11 points and seven rebounds as a junior, took an official visit to Towson last weekend. While he initially gave some thought to leaving the area for college, seeing the Tigers’ 82-71 win over Miami of Ohio helped make his decision easier. “I liked the fan support,” Lee said. “Their student section was pretty rowdy. I just think next year, we’re definitely going to build on that and keep the energy up and just hopefully turn Towson into an NCAA tournament team.” Lee will be the fifth Baltimore-area player on Towson’s roster next season, joining Braxton Dupree (Calvert Hall), Troy Franklin (Mount Carmel), Isaiah Philmore (John Carroll) and Danny Smith (Archbishop Spalding). Calvert Hall coach John Bauersfeld thinks Lee will fit in well with the Tigers’ up-tempo style of play. Bauersfeld said Towson’s staff was impressed by his skills “and his heart.” “I think Towson does a really nice job of letting their wings have a lot of freedom,” Bauersfeld said. “I think Damion really feeds well off that and he has very good basketball IQ. He can really score, put the ball on the floor and do a lot of different things. And he liked what he saw when he watched Towson play. ... He’s great on the offensive boards and they really like the little things that he does, and also his personality. He’s a great person and he’s very coachable. And I think that stuck out to them.” Lee, who plans on studying either business or communications, moved with his mother to Maryland from New York before his freshman year. At the time, staying in the area for college wasn’t his highest priority. But now that living close to home for the next four years is official, Lee couldn’t be happier with how things turned out. “The atmosphere is great,” Lee said, “and I can’t wait to play there next year.” Baltimore Sun photo of Damion Lee by Gene Sweeney Jr. / Jan. 23, 2009

Looking at an Australian paper’s coverage of Hogan-Flair brawl [Ring Posts]

2009-11-19T21:06:47-08:00

A reader from Australia sent me a link to a story that appeared in the The Daily Telegraph, an Australian newspaper, about the recent brawl between Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan that took place at a press conference to promote The Hulkamania Tour. The paper covered the incident with Hogan being bloodied up by Flair as if it was a legitimate scuffle. As a journalist, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Maryland's graduation report card [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-19T18:22:18-08:00

The latest NCAA graduation success rate figures are out, and two Maryland teams – women’s soccer and women’s swimming – recorded perfect, 100-percent scores.

Some other sports, including men’s basketball and football, didn’t fare as well. The team’s coaches said both programs have made progress that is not reflected in the current figures but will be in future years.

The data released this week covers the four freshman classes who entered from 1999 through 2002.

“We’ve graduated eight of our last 10 players and our three seniors are on schedule to graduate, and our underclassmen are doing very well,” men's basketball coach Gary Williams said.

Maryland has said in the past that the rates for men’s basketball were lowered by players leaving to pursue professional careers. Men’s basketball’s rate was 8 percent, men’s tennis was 17 percent, men’s cross country-track was 57 percent and football was 60 percent.

Last year’s announced rates were 10 percent for men’s basketball and 68 percent for football.

“It varies year to year when you have attrition,” football coach Ralph Friedgen said. “I think you have to look at the whole body of work. This year is probably a little lower. Next year I think will be higher.”

The so-called “Graduation Success Rates” counts incoming transfer students and mid-year enrollees. It does not penalize schools for transfers who leave in good standing.

Prediction Friday: Ravens-Colts [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-19T17:08:48-08:00

Back to football for a weekend.

It’s Prediction Friday, so dust off your crystal balls.

Or just go with the opposite of what I say. Although, like just about everyone else, I did correctly predict Monday’s Ravens’ win in Cleveland.

This one, though, is going to be a little tougher for the Ravens (Who says I am not a football expert? How about that for inside analysis?).

Honestly, I don’t see the Colts blowing out the Ravens as some prognosticators have hinted. I think the Ravens will be down early, make a solid comeback, maybe make it 20-17, and then, ultimately, lose on a fourth-quarter drive by Peyton Manning.

I just don’t see the Ravens’ D hanging with Manning for four quarters.

My call: Colts 27, Ravens 17. Manning is the game’s hero, throwing three TDs, two to Reggie Wayne.

Sorry, doesn’t make me feel good either. I’m a native Baltimoron, remember. Predicting the Indianapolis team, whatever they are called, to win in Charm City will always be painful.

But it’s happened before, and I assume it will happen again.

Daily Think Special: Predict the score and hero of Sunday’s Ravens-Colts game.

Tobias Harris picks Tennessee [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-19T15:29:49-08:00

Tobias Harris, the five-star forward from Dix Hills, N.Y., has made his decision. “I’m going to be playing my college basketball at the University of Tennessee,” said Harris, who announced his decision live on ESPNU Thursday night. Harris picked the Volunteers over Maryland, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse and West Virginia. “I really had a great relationship with Coach [Bruce] Pearl and Coach [Tony] Jones,” Harris said. “It’s just a family atmosphere down there. I got along with the players real well and it’s just a great opportunity and fit for me.”

Thursday's injury report [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T14:16:56-08:00

As reported earlier, tight end Todd Heap did not practice for the second consecutive day due to a chest injury suffered during Monday night's 16-0 shutout of the Cleveland Browns. Linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has already been ruled out because of a sprained ligament in his right knee, did not practice. Running back Matt Lawrence (knee) was on crutches earlier today and has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts. Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (sprained right ankle) was limited for the second straight day. Center Matt Birk, who did not practice Wednesday due to a neck injury, fully participated today. Joining him were linebackers Jarret Johnson (left shoulder) and Tavares Gooden (concussion) and quarterback Joe Flacco (knee). Three Colts starters -- defensive end Dwight Freeney (hip), cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) and free safety Antoine Bethea (foot) -- did not practice for the second consecutive day. Kicker Adam Vinatieri (right knee) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee) also did not participate for the second straight day. Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (ankle) was upgraded to full participation after not practicing Wednesday.

Ravens: How will you welcome Stover back? [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-19T13:46:34-08:00

Just finished reading Jamison Hensley's story about new Colts kicker Matt Stover -- which you can read right here -- and it got me to wondering just what kind of reception he should get on Sunday when he trots onto the field at M&T Bank Stadium with a horseshoe on his helmet. Well, I know what kind of welcome he should get. The guy was a great player here for all of the Ravens history until this season and didn't ask out of town, so I think he should get a standing ovation. I realize that he signed with the one team Ravens fans did not want him to sign with, but the guy wanted to keep playing and that was the best opportunity. You know you would have done the same thing in his situation. I know if The Sun laid me off tomorrow and I was offered a job at the Indianapolis Star, I'd certainly have to consider it. Now, for the question. What kind of welcome will he get? And will your long-held high opinion of him change if he kicks a game-winning field goal as the clock runs out? Getty Images

Dino Gregory's December return [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-19T13:41:16-08:00

How much does Gary Williams value Dino Gregory?

Well, enough that the Maryland coach was ready to anoint the power forward as a starter when I spoke with Williams before the season began.

Gregory gives the Terps an energetic big body on defense and on the boards. He also brings something that Jordan Williams and James Padgett lack -- experience in ACC games and in postseason play.

I think many fans began to appreciate Gregory only when there was the possibility of his missing a number of games.

As it turns out, he will have missed eight games by the time he returns on Dec. 12.

Gary Williams wasn't providing details about Gregory's suspension, which remain private. I'm looking for some more info if possible. Violations of team or university rules can draw a whole range of penalties, depending on the severity of the alleged infraction and whether it is a first offense.

Angelina Love video interview [Ring Posts]

2009-11-19T12:50:35-08:00

Here is an interview I conducted with former TNA Knockout Angelina Love last weekend at Steel Cage Memorabilia in Dundalk. Before anyone asks why certain questions weren't asked, she told me before the camera started rolling that she did not want to discuss anything regarding her release from TNA. And yes, that is SoCal Val talking in the background.

Cleveland Melvin makes decision [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-19T12:39:31-08:00

Former Lake Clifton standout Cleveland Melvin is headed to the Big East. Melvin, a 6-foot-8, 210-pound forward, committed to UConn today, picking the Huskies over DePaul, Memphis, Seton Hall and South Florida. “It was kind of hard to choose because a lot of colleges were recruiting me heavy,” Melvin said. “But at the end, I chose UConn because it’s ... just a great staff and has great coaches. They support me, they just love me and have so much respect for me. I think I can improve my game there next year.” Melvin's commitment comes one day after the end of the fall signing period. Even though that means he will wait until spring to sign his letter of intent, Melvin was ready to end his recruitment early. “He visited UConn for Midnight Madness,” said Anthony Lewis, Melvin’s AAU coach with Cecil Kirk. “Then he went back on an official visit last weekend. He had two more visits scheduled on his docket -- Seton Hall and Memphis. The question for him became whether he wanted to extend this thing to the spring or whether he was going to make the decision now. He decided he was just going to be done with it and commit.” Melvin, a Baltimore Sun first-team All-Metro selection last spring, averaged 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks per game as a senior, helping the undefeated Lakers to the Class 3A state championship. Melvin is now doing a post-grad year at Notre Dame Prep in Fitchburg, Mass., where he has teamed up again with former Lake Clifton point guard and Cecil Kirk alumnus Antonio Barton. Melvin’s summer on the circuit ensured his status as a legitimate high-major prospect. “His summer was huge,” Lewis said. “He had the opportunity to [showcase his game] on the major stage, a major platform. That’s not anything against Lake Clifton -- that’s all of high school. You’re limited by where you can travel because of the rules and the number of games they can play because of the rules. So just having the ability to be seen at that [AAU] level was huge.” Melvin agreed with his coach's assessment, noting that Lewis told him after his high school season that he would earn those scholarship offers playing for Cecil Kirk. “When I went on the circuit for the summer, we had a really good team and I think I proved [myself],” Melvin said. “It was a great summer for me because I had gotten a lot more colleges looking at me, so it was great. Coach Anthony Lewis, he’s a great coach. He helped me get through everything. He’s just a great coach.” Lewis, who also coached former UConn standout and current Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, thinks Melvin is the perfect fit for the Huskies’ system. “I think his style of play [fits well at UConn],” Lewis said. “He has almost freakish athleticism. He just has really, really good athleticism. And you couple that with the ability to get to the bucket, put it on the floor and knock down the mid-range shot, and he’s just a natural fit for an up-tempo type of team. He’s also long and can guard the perimeter, so he gets out. I see him as a 3-man, maybe a 3/4 in that set. He just has that ability. He’s worked very hard to expand his game beyond the mid-range. So I see him doing very well [at UConn].” Melvin said he's enjoying his time at Notre Dame Prep. The Crusaders are 8-1 and he's one of the leading scorers thus far. He'll finish school in the spring and move to Storrs, Conn., in the summer. “It’s kind of weird [being away from Baltimore] but I’ve got to get used to it,” Melvin said. “When I go to school next year, it’s going to be exciting. ... Jim Calhoun is a great coach. He’s put a lot of NBA players into the league. Rudy Gay, Ben Gordon, Josh Boone, all of them had great impacts on their teams. ... I’ll be coming in playing with Kemba Walker, a great point guard, and [hopefully getting] a lot of playing time.” Baltimore Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / Feb. 23, 2009

Mattison: team "aware" of Browns' fourth timeout [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T12:39:17-08:00

The fact that the Cleveland Browns were allowed to call a fourth timeout in the second half of the Ravens' 16-0 shutout on Monday night was not lost on the Ravens. The mistake was first reported by Pro Football Talk. "We were aware of that," defensive coordinator Greg Mattison said. "[Linebackers coach] Vic [Fangio] was upstairs and he was adamant about the fact that that was the fourth timeout." Mattison also took a question about the fine assessed to defensive tackle Dwan Edwards. According to ESPN, Edwards was fined $5,000 for leveling wide receiver Joshua Cribbs at the end of the Monday night's game. "The hit [by] Dwan, like I said, I don’t comment on the officiating," Mattison said. "But I want every one of our defensive players – when they’re going to the football and if someone is in their way – they’re going to go after them. They’re going to do it within the letter of the law and the rules and play physical football. That’s what Dwan has done in the last three, four weeks."

Stover clarification [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T11:29:20-08:00

In Thursday's article on Matt Stover, I wrote that he previously worked out for the Cleveland Browns because there was a published report about it. Stover has since texted me to say that the Browns called him but he didn't try out for them because he didn't want to be a quick fix.

Suggs: 'No doubt in my mind that I should be back' [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T11:24:35-08:00

Speaking for the first time since getting hurt, linebacker-defensive end Terrell Suggs said his sprained right knee isn’t a season-ending injury. “There is no doubt in my mind that I should be back this year,” Suggs said. “That’s the plan. That’s where I’m at with it.” Suggs was injured in Monday’s 16-0 win at Cleveland when Browns quarterback Brady Quinn hit Suggs’ knee on an interception return. The three-time Pro Bowl player said he hasn’t seen the hit, but players have told him that it was a dirty hit. “That’s exactly what it felt like,” he said. “But I haven’t seen it so I can’t really say one way or another. I’m more upset that I’m going to miss this game. I’ve got to get back for that rivalry.” Suggs seemed disappointed that Quinn only received a $10,000 fine from the NFL. “If I wouldn’t have gotten the same fine, then it’s definitely not fair,” Suggs said. “But he’s a quarterback and I’m a linebacker. That’s just the world we live in. If they were to say that it was the other way around, then you can say it’s fair.” Suggs is one of the liveliest players in the locker room, joking with teammates and flashing a big smile. But there was a different tone with him Thursday. “I’m really crushed that I’m going to miss my first game,” he said. “That [stinks]. I was trying to beat Ozzie [Newsome, who never missed a game]. It really sucks I get to miss this game where we get the opportunity to do something great.” Suggs said he hasn’t been ruled out for the Ravens’ Nov. 29 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “That’s the game you definitely don’t want to miss,” Suggs said. “Hopefully, I can miraculously heal and try to get back to play.” The Ravens needed their top pass rusher in the next three weeks when they play quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers. “This couldn’t come at a worse time,” Suggs said. “I’m very disappointed. I got to make sure I’m a professional and do everything in my power to get back so I can help my team go on this run. I want to be a part of this.”

Terrell Suggs' first comments since injury [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T10:58:26-08:00

Terrell Suggs spoke to me today for the first time since the hit he took from Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn in Monday night's game. "I’m going to try to get back for the black-and-gold game. You know we live for that game." I asked him if he thought Quinn's hit was a cheap shot. "I haven’t seen the film. A lot of the guys [Ravens] say it wasn’t a clean hit. I heard he got fined $10,000. If it was me and I hit a quarterback like that would I have gotten fined only $10,000?"

Q&A with Reservoir soccer player Katlyn Axenfeld [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-19T10:33:13-08:00

Brock Lesnar's career in limbo? [MMA Insider]

2009-11-19T09:39:36-08:00

I've been a little under the weather this week, which is why I haven't been posting as much. But I did catch the great WEC show last night. Great main event. The WEC is the most underrated promotion in MMA. Those fighters simply do not get the credit they deserve.

On a sadder note, it looks like Brock Lesnar's health situation is a lot more serious than first thought. Here's a great story by Yahoo's Dan Wetzel on the situation. Dana White said Lesnar had a hole in his intestine and that his doctor thinks he hasn't been right for more than a year. He also said he doesn't know at this time if Lesnar will ever fight again.

It would be a tragic end to a career that was starting to show real promise, but it's still far too early to assume Lesnar is finished. No matter what your thoughts on Lesnar's quick ascent may be, I think everyone is hoping the big guy can make a full recovery.

Just a sad situation, but hopefully it's just a minor setback in the grand scheme of things. The rumor now is that the UFC will have an interim heavyweight championship, and that match will probably involve Cain Velasquez and Shane Carwin.

Chat wrap: Ravens Q&A with Jamison Hensley [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T09:32:38-08:00

Baltimore Sun Ravens beat reporter Jamison Hensley talked about the team's upcoming matchup with the Indianapolis Colts, the impact of Terrell Suggs' injury and more during a live chat today. Click below to read the full transcript. Live Ravens chat with Jamison Hensley

Off Topic: Get Married Like a Raven [Ravens Insider]

2009-11-19T09:32:01-08:00

This isn't a newsy post, and it has nothing to do with the Colts game or the state of the team. But that's ok. Just ignore it if it's not your thing. But I wanted to post this video -- which has been bouncing around the net today, but I saw it first on Kissing Suzy Kolber, my favorite NFL humor blog -- just as a nice reminder of how much the Ravens matter to some people. They mattered so much to this couple they entered their wedding reception wearing a Ray Lewis (groom) and Joe Flacco (bride) jersey, and then the groom did a pretty spot on Ray-Ray dance. I wouldn't do this at my wedding, but I'm glad there are people out there who care this much that they would do it at theirs.

Baltimore Ravens Wedding from Casey Carter on Vimeo.

Orioles: What, me worry? [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-19T08:51:38-08:00

Actually, I am a little worried about the direction the Orioles may take this offseason, because Andy MacPhail has painted himself into a corner with his stated desire not to trade any of the top prospects for offensive help. That wouldn't bother me if the free agent market -- which opens for business tomorrow -- was heavy with run-producing corner infielders that could be had for reasonable years and salary, but the choices are fairly limited and none of them is a slam-dunk fit for this team going forward. I believe the Orioles have to go out and get at least one decent middle-of-the-order bat, and I'm starting to wonder if they're willing to spend even the medium money it would take to do that. I'm afraid there might be a disconnect between the front office, which may be dispassionately looking at the team and figuring that there's no point in spending much if there is little chance of competing for a wild card berth next year, and a disintegrating fan following that wants to see the team take a tangible step forward in 2010. In which case, we may see another half effort to upgrade the batting order. There may be some nuts and bolts logic there, but you can't remove the fans from the equation. They need to be reassured that the club is really moving forward, and you're not going send that message by conceding another 90-plus loss season. That doesn't mean you have to throw the plan out the window, but you can't steer around every opportunity to improve because a player might block one of your unproven prospects. The Orioles need to upgrade offensively at first and third base and they have prospects who have a chance to pop over the next two years at those positions. That is an argument against giving out big multi-year deals to fill both holes, but in the DH league, you still have the flexibility to sign or acquire one quality corner infield guy without really blocking anyone. If we wake up in February with Michael Aubrey projected at first base and Ty Wigginton at third, it's going to be very hard to convince the paying customers that the team will ever be willing to do what it takes to really compete in the American League East.

Going rogue [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-19T08:12:10-08:00

Okay, you all know I'm not a negative guy. Just ask the unwashed horde of angry baseball posters who have been accusing me of shilling for the Orioles all year. But three days shy of the Ravens' upcoming showdown with the Indianapolis Colts, I just don't see how this team can walk out of M&T Bank Stadium with a win. I suppose it's possible I'm being too pessimistic, because the Vegas oddsmakers opened wagering on the game Tuesday with the Ravens a slight -- very slight -- favorite. The line has moved back in favor the Colts, but it's still being bet as a surprisingly even game. I can't see it being particularly close. Sorry. I hope I'm wrong and everyone gets to take a shot at me here Sunday night for jumping off the bandwagon. In the meantime, here's my full column on the subject, which appears in today's print edition and is up on the Web site.

SoCal Val video interview [Ring Posts]

2009-11-18T20:18:01-08:00

Here is an interview I conducted with TNA's SoCal Val last weekend at Steel Cage Memorabilia in Dundalk. Angelina Love makes a cameo.

Which free agent/trade chip is most likely to become an Oriole in 2010? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-18T18:59:16-08:00

Friday is the start of free agency in Major League Baseball.

It’s also NFL Prediction Friday at the bar, and I can’t break tradition, unless, of course, I am off and am too lazy to file a blog entry.

And that’s not the case this week. So we’ll do our Ravens predictions – as usual – on Friday. Today, we are talking baseball.

The Orioles need more talent, we all understand that. And they have some money to spend; besides a couple option buyouts, they are not on the hook in 2010 to pay anyone who has already been cut or traded. That, in itself, is refreshing.

But just because they have money to spend, that doesn’t mean the most coveted free agents – guys such as Matt Holliday and John Lackey – are coming here. In fact, they are not. Those guys will get beaucoup bucks from current contenders. And the Orioles won’t – and probably can’t – outspend the biggest boys on the block.

They will, however, be in the mix for a lot of second-tier (and third-tier) free agents. And, given the economy, they may be able to have their pick of that litter. My guess is this winter they end up with a first baseman and third baseman through free agency as well as at least one starting pitcher and possibly a late-inning reliever. And here’s betting none gets more than a two-year deal with an option.

I don’t know exactly whom the Orioles will land, but I have my guesses. And I am sure you do, too.

Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec and I have played an offseason game for years in which we go three to five rounds deep and draft the most likely players to become Orioles for the upcoming season. Last year Jeff’s first pick was Cesar Izturis. I had Mark Hendrickson and Ty Wigginton in my stable. So we are pretty good at this.

I want you in this year. If you had to bet the house on one Major League player – a free agent or a trade chip -- that will end up on the Orioles for 2010, who would it be?

This isn’t who you want – we’ll have plenty of time for that – but who you expect to be running down that orange carpet in April. The free agent or trade target you look at and say, “Yep, he’s an Oriole in 2010.”

Here’s my first-round draft pick: Third baseman Pedro Feliz.

Now it is your turn.

Daily Think Special: Which free agent/trade chip is most likely to become an Oriole in 2010?

Orioles: Making sense of today's roster moves [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-18T17:37:40-08:00

The Orioles moved six players onto the 40-man roster today in anticipation of Friday's deadline for submitting their protected list to MLB. The O's added pitchers Brandon Erbe and Luis Lebron and infielders Josh Bell, Brandon Snyder, Rhyne Hughes and Pedro Florimon, bringing the roster to a full 40. That leaves a few recognizable players exposed to the Rule 5 Draft -- including shortstop Blake Davis and recently acquired pitcher Steve Johnson -- and leaves room to question why certain journeyman-type players are still on the 40-man. The Orioles kept pitcher Chris Waters, for instance, even though he didn't seem to be on the radar when the Orioles needed help at several points last season. There is a plausible explanation: If there are some players still on the 40-man who seem more expendable than some who were left unprotected, keep in mind that somebody is going to have to be moved off the roster for every player acquired or signed during the offseason. If the entire roster was filled out with young players the team does not want to risk losing on waivers, that would create a disincentive to upgrade the roster through free agency. The team instead is gambling that -- in the case of Johnson -- no major league club is going to pick up a pitcher who has never played above Double-A and keep him at the major league level for the entire 2010 season. That's probably a fair bet.

Mini-Me to host Raw in Baltimore [Ring Posts]

2009-11-18T17:07:57-08:00

It’s official: Diminutive actor Verne Troyer, best known as Mini-Me in the Austin Powers movies, will be the guest host for Raw a week from Monday in Baltimore at 1st Mariner Arena, WWE announced it on its Web site today.

Video: Ric Flair busts open Hulk Hogan at press conference [Ring Posts]

2009-11-18T11:41:47-08:00

At a press conference in Australia to hype their matches on the Hulkamania Tour, Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan engaged in a brawl that resulted in Hogan bleeding profusely from the forehead.

Why Bryn Mawr deserves to be ranked No. 1 [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-18T11:28:18-08:00

With Garrison Forest, Broadneck, Severna Park, Westminster and South River all huddled at or near the top of the Field Hockey Poll all season, Bryn Mawr, 18-3-1, may have been surprised to find itself at the top of heap in the final poll published in Tuesday’s Sun. But while all those other teams got the attention during the season, the Mawrtians quietly set about building a resume that deserved the final nod. “I was surprised when I heard,” said Bryn Mawr coach Jeanette Budzik, who noted Garrison Forest’s No. 1 ranking the last two years and Severna Park’s long domination before that. “But I think it was something our kids deserve and accomplished. “It is an honor to be No. 1. Everyone works really hard to get to that spot and if you’re in that position you’re in such strong, great company. No. 1, the Top 10, 15 or Top 20, it’s a great place to be. And the kids appreciate being recognized this year. To be at the top, it’s really incredible. “There’s a lot of excitement at our school.” Westminster was headed for No. 1, going into the final game with an 18-0 record. But Severna Park, who knows how to win championships, stopped the Owls, 2-1, in the title game for a state record 19th 4A state crown. The Falcons went into the championship game ranked No. 3 and finished 16-2. They made an argument for No. 1 with the victory over Westminster and with its semifinal and regular season wins over No. 5 South River. But the Falcons lost twice -- to unranked Severn, 1-0, and to No. 8 Broadneck, 3-0, when the Bruins were ranked No. 1. But besides South River and Broadneck, who did Severna Park play? The Falcons played the hand they were dealt. Positioned in Anne Arundel County they have to play the other Anne Arundel County teams. And the Falcons played them hard, beating up on the competition -- 11 shutouts and 121 goals scored attest to that. But through the regular season and playoffs they faced only three ranked teams, Broadneck, South River, a team they beat by a goal in the regular season and by strokes in the playoffs, and Westminster. Then there was Bryn Mawr.

Get this! Ravens favored [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-18T11:18:08-08:00

Believe it or not, most of the oddsmakers opened the action on the Ravens and Colts game with the Ravens posted as a one-point favorite. The line has fluctuated over the past 24 hours, with the early bettors moving the Colts up to -1 today and some outlets listing the game as dead even. I'm obviously missing something. If you had told me yesterday that I could get the Colts as an underdog in Sunday's game -- or a pick-em -- I would have taken out a huge home equity loan and bet the house on them. I figured the Colts would be about a 6 1/2-point favorite, and I would have considered that conservative. But the guys in Vegas are a lot smarter than me -- either that or somebody didn't get the memo on Terrell Suggs -- so that line should bouy the spirits of Ravens who could not take a lot of solace in Monday night's 16-0 victory over the Browns. I scanned some of the internet betting sites, to see if I could get the lowdown on this, but I still don't see it. There's just no way to look at this from a pure football perspective and see it as an even game, though strange stuff happens every week in the NFL. The only bit of gambling information that I found to support a line like this is the fact that the Ravens have been strong against the spread (13-5 in their last 18 games) after a straight up win the past couple of years. But that should be offset by the fact that the Colts have a similar recent percentage in the same situations. To further offset that, the Ravens are 0-5 against the spread in their last five Sunday games coming off a Monday night game. All I can say is that I hope the oddsmakers are right and I'm wrong. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the Colts will be listed as a 3 1/2-point favorite by Sunday, which would be a pretty significant four-day shift in an NFL betting line.

Quick hits on ECW [Ring Posts]

2009-11-18T11:14:37-08:00

• It was nice to see CM Punk back in the Land of Extreme on Tuesday night’s episode of ECW. Punk was all over the show and came off like a guy who was visiting his high school after having become a big success.

Loch Raven boys soccer on an unexpected roll [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-18T08:23:12-08:00

When Loch Raven boys soccer coach Joe Fielder was asked back in August how many starters he had back from last year's team, he didn't need any time to consider or any extra fingers or toes to help count. The answer was one. So the Raiders' impressive run to Saturday's Class 1A state title game -- against four-time defending champ Pocomoke -- is particularly rewarding. The Raiders (14-4-1) hope to have one more win left in them to bring home a state title. Game time at UMBC Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday. "We've overachieved all year. Whether we're playing good or bad, we seem to find ways to score a goal here and there to stay in games," said Fielder, whose only returning starter is junior defender Kevin Moyer. Strong two-way play from center midfielder Seth Moses has been a big key to the team's success. Along with leading the team in scoring with 10 goals, Moses has dominated the middle of the field with gifted skills and a high work rate. -- Glenn Graham

Two Poly prospects will wait to sign [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-18T08:14:02-08:00

Poly coach Renard Lewis isn’t afraid to admit that the Engineers' success this season will depend largely upon the effectiveness of two seniors -- forward Montray Clemons and combo guard Jeffrey Joynes. “Definitely it’s pivotal,” Lewis said. “They are my two seniors I’m really going to be relying upon. I think they’re going to be up to the challenge. They’ve definitely been putting in a lot of work in the weight room and their games individually on their own. They’re just really focusing on winning this season and putting us in a position that we can get down to Comcast Center, which is a goal we set for ourselves. Our team is going to go as far as they take us.” Clemons, a 6-foot-7, 220-pound small forward, is “at minimum, a mid-major Division I player” in Lewis’ opinion. Clemons played for Cecil Kirk this summer but tore a ligament in his knee in July. Although his AAU season was cut short, Lewis said many schools have expressed interest. “He’s gotten some interest from the University of New Orleans, Quinnipiac, Mount St. Mary’s, Lehigh, UNLV, Texas A&M and Miami,” Lewis said. “I think they really want to see how he progresses because [of his injury].” Lewis said Clemons, who averaged about 15 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior, is completely recovered from his injury and looks better than ever on the court. “I mean he’s more than back to normal,” Lewis said. “... He’s actually on the floor and putting on a show. This is probably the best that I’ve seen him look [in awhile]. I can really see the progression in terms of strength, the things he’s able to do on the floor and him being able to finish. At 6-7, he’s dunking all over the place and I really expect him to have a monster year.” Joynes, 6-2, 205 pounds, is a “big, strong kid” that is a little more under the radar. Lewis thinks that could change this season. “He’s starting to get some recognition,” Lewis said. “He played with Baltimore Assault for awhile and then just started working on his game [individually]. He’s starting to get some Division II inquiries. Everything is going to be predicated on our season and how productive he is. But at 6-2, with the ability that he has, he’s definitely a Division I player. I’d say low- to mid-major Division I.” Joynes averaged around 13 points, six rebounds and four assists per game as a junior. He played mostly at the 2-guard spot last season, so Lewis’ goal for this year is developing Joynes’ point guard skills. “We’re working with him on his ball-handling responsibilities at point guard this year,” Lewis said. “But he’s a kid that can flat-out shoot the ball. When he puts it on the floor going to the rack, nobody’s going to stop him because he’s such a strong guard. ... Offensively, we’d like to see him improve his ball-handling skills a little more and his point guard mentality. Those are the things we’ll work on. I call him a bully guard, though. He can post you up from the guard position and he’s going to cause trouble. You really can’t deal with him because he’s too strong.”

Joppatowne's Waibel is Ravens' Coach of the Week [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-18T06:56:07-08:00

Joppatowne football coach Bill Waibel was named the Ravens' High School Coach of the Week after guiding the No. 5 Mariners to a 49-30 regional semifinal victory over Bohemia Manor Friday night. The Mariners (11-0) had not allowed that many points all season, but Waibel said the defense, which came into the game giving up an average of 5.2 points and had not allowed more than 14, played well. “We had three turnovers in the first half, and it gave them a short field,” Waibel said in a news release. “But we were able to take care of the football in the second half and make adjustments on the offensive line, as far as blocking schemes go. We challenged our team to go out and play to our ability.”

Really, how much has Matt Stover's absence hurt the Ravens? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-18T06:09:08-08:00

I was a little late getting going this week, sort of like the Ravens in Cleveland on Monday night.

As we know, a win is a win. But that one was not particularly inspiring. At least the Ravens don’t have to face an undefeated team on a short week this Sunday.

As for our free tab of the week based on the prediction for Sunday’s game, you’re all paying. Because the house won. Or at least I came the closest on both sides to predicting the 16-0 win. I had 24-6, and so did Frederick McMurray (a drink chip your way).

We all assumed a Ravens’ beating for the Browns, but most of us overestimated the Raven’s offense. There were three customers who predicted shutouts; the closest was 27-0.

So, yeah, the Ravens won, but there were plenty of red flags from that game. Most alarming was the continuing number of yellow flags. There’s a fine line between aggressive and stupid.

Monday also marked the end of Steve Hauschka’s Ravens career. Missing a 36-yarder and having an extra point blocked was not the way he needed to rebound.

Now the Ravens are kicker shopping with a more than a week to go before Black Friday. Not a good sign for a team that still has playoff hopes.

Forget Monday-morning quarterbacking, the Hauschka decision should create some Wednesday-morning placekicking. It’s pretty obvious the Ravens should have stuck with fan favorite Matt Stover this season. His accuracy is definitely missed.

But how much? What I mean is how much different would this Ravens’ team be with Stover, who is now with Sunday’s opponent, the Indianapolis Colts? Would it still be in “long playoff run, Super Bowl talk” discussion?

One school of thought is that Stover would have given them a win against Minnesota and possibly one against Cincinnati. The other way of thinking: Stover is a kicker. If your team is lamenting the loss of its kicker, it’s got bigger problems than missed field goals.

My opinion: Stover would help, for sure. But unless he can cover 6-foot-4 receivers, provide a pass rush and get to the line of scrimmage without a false start, I am not convinced Matt Stover is the difference between a playoff Ravens’ team and an also-ran.

Then again, I am a baseball guy by trade. School me, people. Learn me, football gurus.

Daily Think Special: How much has Matt Stover’s absence hurt the Ravens?

Orioles: Going to market [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-18T05:50:26-08:00

The opening of the free agent market on Friday won't generate nearly the same level of anticipation around here as last year, when fans could fantasize about big-ticket players Mark Teixeira and A.J. Burnett before the Yankees had time to snap them up. The Orioles have the same basic needs this time around -- a big-swinging corner infielder and a frontline starting pitcher -- but the dynamics of the market are considerably different. Here's the latest list of free agent corner infielders that Andy MacPhail has to choose from if he doesn't want to give up any of his core pitching prospects to make a trade: First base Hank Blalock TEX Russell Branyan SEA Carlos Delgado NYM (B) Nomar Garciaparra OAK Jason Giambi COL Ross Gload FLA Aubrey Huff DET Nick Johnson WAS (B) Adam LaRoche ATL (B) Kevin Millar TOR Robb Quinlan LAA Matt Stairs PHI Mike Sweeney SEA Jim Thome LAD Chad Tracy ARZ Third base Adrian Beltre SEA (B) Geoff Blum HOU Craig Counsell MIL Joe Crede MIN Mark DeRosa STL (B) Pedro Feliz PHI Chone Figgins LAA (A) Troy Glaus STL (A) Jerry Hairston NYY Mike Lamb MIL Melvin Mora BAL (B) Juan Uribe SF If you recall, the name that was buzzing around late this last season was Nick Johnson, but I'm trying to figure out how to cast a guy who has a total of 13 homers over the past two years and has never driven in 80 runs in a season as an upgrade. Personally, I'd like to see the Orioles make a real play for third baseman Adrian Beltre. The guy is coming off an injury-diminished 2009, but hit at least 25 home runs the previous three seasons. He'll be in some demand, but might consider the Orioles because of his close relationship with shortstop Cesar Izturis. Our beat guy, Jeff Zrebiec, thinks that Pedro Feliz is the most likely third base possibility. The best player available at third is Chone Figgins, who would be an interesting choice if there was any chance he would consider Baltimore.

Ravens get some love from ESPN.com [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-18T04:59:19-08:00

Well, I guess somebody was impressed with the Ravens' 16-0 road victory over the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, because they moved up from 14th place to 11th place in the ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings. Of course, those are the same Power Rankings -- along with SI.com -- that had the Ravens as the best team in the NFL after Week 3 but who's counting. This week, ESPN ranks the Ravens as the best 5-4 team in the sport, jumping ahead of the Eagles, Texans and Falcons. They could jump back to No.6 or 7 with an upset victory over the Colts this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. If you're holding your breath on that, you might turn blue. My first take of the week on the Ravens/Colts showdown will be posted on the Web site later today.

Notes from a 71-42 win [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T20:00:36-08:00

*The Terps won't always shoot well (43.1 percent against Fairfield). But they seem to consistently scrap. Landon Milbourne (eight rebounds) and Sean Mosley (seven rebounds) play much bigger than their actual size -- and they need to. Mosley found himself playing some power forward against the Stags.

*Greivis Vasquez knew the question was coming. Sure, Maryland won the past two games and that's what matters most. But Vasquez knows that when a team's senior leader shoots 6-for-25 in his first two games, the media will pounce on it.

Vasquez said the key is to remain "calm" and "let it come to me."

I can't help but think that he's almost trying too hard when he gets in a shooting slump. He seems to be overthinking his shots. It's like in baseball when a pitcher aims the ball too much instead of trusting his body.

But Vasquez had six assists and now has 19 in two games. He also collected his 500th career rebound.

*Former Terp Walt Williams has joined the Terrapin Sports Radio Network broadcast crew, joining Johnny Holliday and Chris Knoche.

Terps pull away with defense [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T18:52:05-08:00

Like last year, the Terps made up for their relative lack of size against Fairfield with inside toughness and defense.

The Stags turned the ball over five times in the first three minutes of the game. That was an indication of what was to come tonight.

Fairfield had 25 turnovers and the Terps won, 71-42.

Landon Milbourne was especially tough inside (eight rebounds).

For the second game in a row, the Terps won despite a subpar shooting night by Greivis Vasquez, their senior leader.

Vasquez missed eight of his first nine shots and finished with seven points. Vasquez was three for 14 but had 13 assists in the opening-game win over Charleston Southern.
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No Jin Soo Choi [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T17:04:36-08:00

Forward Jin Soo Choi is nowhere in sight as the Fairfield game is about to begin.

He sprained an ankle in the season opener and appears unable to go, leaving Maryland thin in the frontcourt.

Terps hoops starting lineup [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T16:52:16-08:00

Looks like the same starting lineup for Maryland tonight as in the season opener.

Greivis Vasquez-G
Eric Hayes-G
Sean Mosley-G
Landon Milbourne-F
Jordan Williams-F-C

It's a step up in competition for the Terps tonight. They beat Charleston Southern in the opener. Tonight, it's Fairfield (2-0) from the MAAC. The Stags rebound the ball pretty well.

A strange episode of Raw [Ring Posts]

2009-11-17T16:43:04-08:00

Before I get into discussing the specifics of Monday night’s episode of Raw, I want to make a comment about ratings. If the numbers for this show end up being below average, WWE definitely will not be able to blame it on strong competition from “Monday Night Football.” Take it from someone who actually sat through the Ravens’ 16-0 win over the Browns, it was about as exciting as a 60-minute Iron Man Match between The Great Khali and Vladimir Kozlov. The Ravens looked about as inspired as Kevin Nash at a house show, and the Browns’ offense was more pathetic-looking than a Lacey Von Erich chokeslam.

Pikesville football double trouble for Sparrows Point [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-17T15:01:05-08:00

In last weekend’s regional football semifinal, Pikesville probably faced the most highly-motivated team in the entire state tournament bracket – Sparrows Point. A week earlier, the Pointers had a chance to beat Pikesville on the last play of the regular-season finale, but Panthers linebacker Nolan Hart tipped the ball away from a Sparrows Point player in the end zone to seal a 35-28 Pikesville win and the top spot among Baltimore County’s Class 1A teams. That brought up Part Two for the rivals: the Class 1A North region opener. “We knew Sparrows Point was going to come out and be excited, because the week before they lost on the last play of the game, so they knew they could beat us and our kids knew that too,” said Panthers coach Jamie Willis. “I told them they’re going to come out on top of their game, especially emotionally, and they did. They jumped on us. They threw the ball down two series in a row and went up 14-0.” The Panthers didn’t fold. Shortly after Sparrows Point's second touchdown, quarterback Jeremy Downing wanted to pass on third-and-12, but the Pointers covered his receivers, so he scrambled for a first down that led to Pikesville’s first touchdown. “He makes plays,” Willis said. “He’s that kind of kid, so it got us moving a little bit and got us into the game emotionally and from that point on, we played probably our best football.” The Panthers reeled off five unanswered touchdowns to take the lead for good, led offensively by Downing, Bradley Garfield, Daniel Shear, Kion Wright and DeVohn Gilmore. They went on to win, 42-20, and earn a trip to Thurmont to meet Catoctin (10-0) for the regional crown Friday night. That was the eighth straight win for Pikesville, which started the season 0-2. Willis said the leadership of his 21 seniors played a key role in their success in a season in which they matched a program-best 8-2 record. “We started the year 0-2 with a bunch of turnovers and then we got a bye week,” Willis said. “We knew we had to get better and they just continued to lead us. Right now we're playing our best football, so they led us to where we are today.” Willis, a second-year head coach who took the Panthers to the regional final last season after they had gone through five losing seasons, also noted the defensive play of linemen Robert Gibson, Pat Murdock, Brent Hiken and Jaron McQueen, defensive ends Shear and Taymar Davenport, linebackers Hart and Tim Bailey, corners David Johnson and Shawn Markow and safeties Gilmore and Corey Cutler. Next up for the Panthers, who had never gone past the first round of playoffs until last season, is another familiar foe: Catoctin. They fell to the Cougars, 50-13, a year ago at home. “We played them last year in the same game,” said Willis, “so we know who they are. I think they expected us to be here again and we knew they were going to be here again. My kids are looking forward to it. We’re going to have to play a flawless game to beat them. They’re a very good team.”

What did we learn on MNF? [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-17T12:38:49-08:00

I'm sure there's a way to spin last night's game at Cleveland Browns Stadium as a something other than another less-than-satisfying performance by a Ravens team that needed to make some kind of statement in advance of back-to-back home games against the Colts and Steelers. But I can't come up with anything off the top of my head. The Ravens played one of the worst teams in the NFL and managed just one offensive touchdown, which doesn't bode well for what might happen when Peyton Manning starts flinging the ball around M&T Bank Stadium. Everyone seemed to agree that the Ravens needed to start quick against the hapless Browns, but neither team scored in the first half -- the first time that has happened in the NFL this season. Once again, Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense got things going early in the second half, but nine of their 16 points came off Browns turnovers. The inability to make an offensive statement in this game left MNF analysts Steve Young and Matt Millen wondering -- like the rest of us -- just how the Ravens expect to compete against two of the best teams in the AFC the next two weeks. The Ravens again had trouble moving the chains in the first half. Steve Hauschka missed another field goal. The defense pitched a shutout, but I'm even sure what to make of that after watching Brady Quinn struggle all night. I'm not trying to be negative. Really, I'm not. But in this case, I don't think you can say that a win is a win and ignore the obvious.

Ravens: Hauschka is history [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-17T12:37:37-08:00

Though no one can be shocked to hear that Steve Hauschka was released by the Ravens today, I also don't think anybody should be happy about it. He's a good kid and he just had his NFL dream shattered, so there is nothing to celebrate here. This is the point where everybody knows that the Ravens should never have let Matt Stover get away, even if the logic of moving ahead with a young kicker made perfect sense last summer. The fan emotion attached to the situation is further magnified by the fact that Stover will be coming home on Sunday in an Indianapolis Colts uniform. Talk about your worst nightmare if you're an old Colts fan here in Baltimore. I really hate to see the Ravens give up on Hauschka, but I don't see how they could get around it. That missed field goal in Minnesota put him on notice. His miss during the Ravens attempted comeback against the Bengals last week put him on double secret probation. And last night's early miss (combined with a blocked PAT) left the team little alternative going into back-to-back games against the Colts and Steelers that team officials -- at this point -- can only hope come down to a field goal.

Lake Clifton's Selby featured in USA Today [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-17T12:09:16-08:00

Lake Clifton's new point guard Josh Selby is on the front of the Sports section in Tuesday's USA Today. The story that goes with the photo is about the hotbed of point guards in the Baltimore/D.C. area that will be on display in the coming season. Selby, who transferred from DeMatha, is the second-ranked point guard and No. 4 overall by Rivals.com. Mount St. Joseph senior guard Eric Atkins, last year's Baltimore Catholic League Player of the Year, also was mentioned in the article. He is the No. 14 rated point guard in the country.

Ravens: No-cuddle offense [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-17T11:47:12-08:00

Okay, I know nobody came here to read me gloat about that unlikely Cal State Fullerton victory over UCLA early this morning on ESPN, so let's resume the conversation about the Ravens' 16-0 victory over the Cleveland Browns. There are two pretty clear sets of people here. Those who think the Ravens proved they are not a playoff-caliber team by failing to score in the first half against the feeble Browns, and the glass-half-full crowd that thinks any road win is a good win. I'd like to be in the glass-half-full crowd, but after watching the Ravens manage one significant offensive play in 60 minutes of what could loosely be described as football, I can't even find the glass. That's right, the long pass to Derrick Mason that set up the only Ravens offensive touchdown was really the only play of any consequence by Cam Cameron's offense, which is going to have to look a lot more like the Ravens did in September to have any chance of competing with Peyton Manning and the Colts this weekend. Whenever the Colts come to town, it opens old wounds for football fans in Baltimore, but I doubt anybody's going to have time for that this week. There's plenty to worry about right in the here and now.

Titans win: No, not those Titans [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-17T11:37:13-08:00

Frankly, I wasn't all that excited about ESPN's 24 straight hours of college basketball...until my Cal State Fullerton Titans upset UCLA at Pauley Pavilion in last night's double-overtime midnight matchup. I'm still yawning after staying up until nearly 3 a.m. to see the end. Got to wonder about UCLA. The Titans were picked to finish seventh in their conference and UCLA got just about every call from the Pac-10 offciating crew and still couldn't outlast one of their cannon fodder preseason opponents. The Bruins are in a rebuilding year, but that still shouldn't happen to a program of that magnitude. I'm not whining after a victory, but Fullerton was smothered under the rim down the stretch and UCLA did not get called for a single personal foul for the first 15 1/2 minutes of the second half. If they were that good, they wouldn't have been behind almost the entire game.

Meet Ashton Pankey [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-17T11:33:19-08:00

By the time he was 12, Ashton Pankey had a pretty good idea that he would play college basketball. The 6-foot seventh-grader was a good student who wasn’t enamored with the game just yet, but that changed in hurry, especially after throwing down his first dunk that year. “From seventh to eighth grade I grew from 6 feet to 6-6,” Pankey said. “That’s when I had my previous growth spurt. ... At seventh grade, I wasn’t as serious about basketball. During high school, I became more serious.” The Maryland-bound power forward has made that abundantly clear the past three years, first while starring for Archbishop Molloy in Queens, N.Y., and then as a junior with the legendary St. Anthony High program in Jersey City. Pankey’s seventh-grade predictions about playing college basketball came into focus during those earlier high school years. He knew he wanted to leave the New York area, essentially eliminating St. John’s and Seton Hall from contention. When Maryland came calling this summer, Pankey found what he was looking for athletically and academically. “I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level of basketball, and one thing I dream of is being a pro,” Pankey said. “I work my hardest and do what I need to do, and I think Maryland is going to give me the best chance [of realizing that dream]. And it’s not just basketball. Maryland’s one of the best schools in the country in terms of academics, too.” Pankey and his mother, who he calls his “best friend,” visited College Park over Halloween weekend. It didn’t take long for Maryland to convince Pankey’s mother that it was the best place for her son. “I mean [her approval] was very important, but at that point, I was just so stuck on Maryland that I thought even if she didn’t like it, I was going to go there anyway,” Pankey said with a laugh. Pankey will likely be counted on to do what he does best -- rebounding and shot-blocking -- as a freshman at Maryland. Off the court, Pankey said he’s already friends with Terps freshman James Padgett from their New York playing days and he looks forward to connecting with the rest of the team -- not to mention the Maryland fan base. “I want them to know that they can expect ... that I’m going to do my best to help the team win, play my hardest and just have a great time,” Pankey said. “I want to interact with the fans. I’m a great person and I’m not mean. You can come at me as a friend.” Here’s an introduction to Pankey. Name: Ashton Pankey Birthdate: May 16, 1992 Birthplace: Bronx, N.Y. Hometown: Bronx, N.Y. Nickname: None Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 Position: Power forward High School: St. Anthony (N.J.) Junior statistics: “About 10 points, two to three blocks per game." Rankings: Rivals.com -- Three stars. Scout.com -- Three stars, No. 36 power forward. ESPN.com -- 91 rating, No. 40 power forward. Other schools considered: Drexel, Hofstra, Houston, Rice Favorite pro basketball player: Amare Stoudemire and LeBron James Favorite pro basketball team: Cleveland Cavaliers Favorite all-time Terp: Steve Francis Favorite music: Lil Wayne, Drake, Kanye West, Jay-Z Favorite book: The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski Favorite movie: Coach Carter Favorite TV show: SpongeBob SquarePants Favorite food: “I like everything.” Favorite high school class: Math Favorite thing about College Park: “The atmosphere. It’s a friendly atmosphere around there.” Hobbies: “Going out to the movies, chilling with friends. I don’t have a lot of down time for myself during the season. Besides basketball, I don’t really do much.” Intended major: “Probably business.” Something that not many people know about you: “I’m friendly. A lot of people think I’m conceited, [but I’m not]. So if you see me outside one day, come and talk to me. I won’t bite.” Best basketball moment: “When I caught my first dunk. It was great.” Role model: “Michael Jordan [because] he’s the best basketball player ever.” Why Maryland? “I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level of basketball, and one thing I dream of is being a pro. I work my hardest and do what I need to do, and I think Maryland is going to give me the best chance [of realizing that dream]. And it’s not just basketball. Maryland’s one of the best schools in the country in terms of academics, too.”

BCL to establish Hall of Fame [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-17T10:34:07-08:00

Jack Degele, Commissioner, Baltimore Catholic League (BCL), a highly competitive high school boys’ basketball league currently comprising seven private schools, has announced the establishment of the Baltimore Catholic League Hall of Fame to honor past players, coaches and administrators beginning with the first year of the league in 1971-72. Fans of the BCL can nominate candidates for the inaugural class of 15 inductees from Nov. 13 through Dec.31 by logging onto http://www.baltimorecatholicleague.com/. The class will be announced at the annual BCL luncheon on Feb. 24, and will be honored at a banquet on March 13. Criteria for nomination includes:

Turner is out, but Scott may return [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T10:14:10-08:00

QB Chris Turner (knee) has been ruled out of the Florida State game. That means another start for backup Jamarr Robinson.

"They told me Sunday there is a 50-50 chance he (Turner) could be ready for the last game," coach Friedgen said.

But RB Da'Rel Scott (wrist) may return. Scott will practice today (non-contact) with a brace that allows motion in his hands.

Coaches will assess how Scott is faring and whether he can hold on to the ball adequately enough coming back from his injury. Then a decision will be made on whether he can play.

Also out are safety Kenny Tate and punter Travis Baltz.

Arundel's Harris worth watching too [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-17T07:40:05-08:00

There’s more than one state record setter on Arundel’s No. 1 football team. R.J. Harris can sometimes get overshadowed by quarterback Billy Cosh, who breaks his own state passing records every game. Harris, however, is setting some records of his own. He’s the one catching most of those passes. The senior wide receiver scored one touchdown in Friday’s regional semifinal win over Annapolis to boost a couple of his own state records. He has 25 receiving touchdowns this season, breaking the old mark of 23 shared by two of his former Wildcats teammates, Brandon Johnson-Farrell in 2007 and Alec Lemon in 2008. He also holds the state career mark for most receiving touchdowns with 45, which also broke a two-year old Johnson-Farrell record of 40. When asked recently about the state records, Harris said he didn't even know he was getting close to any state records. "To tell you the truth, I had no idea about it. My dad told me about it (after he broke the first one), but I had no idea. It felt great, because I worked hard, but that wasn't my goal. My goal wasn't to set records. Of course, it's fun and all, but our main goal is to win a state title."

The Cosh Watch [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-17T07:30:36-08:00

Add yet another state record to Arundel quarterback Billy Cosh’s resume. With 14 completed passes in Friday night’s 18-6 regional semifinal win over Annapolis, the senior raised his career total to 562. That breaks the record of 548 set by North County’s Mike Pfisterer in 2000, a record Cosh tied the previous week. Cosh now holds 11 state records -- 10 outright and one shared. Eight of those records, including the shared mark of seven touchdown passes in a game, are overall state records. The other two are public school records. With 108 career touchdown passes, Cosh needs six more to break the state overall record of 113. Cosh, who is headed to Kansas State, is creeping up on one more Pfisterer record. He has 849 career pass attempts behind Pfisterer’s 902. Time is winding down on Cosh’s high school career with only three more weeks left to play if the No. 1 Wildcats make it all the way to the state Class 4A final. Of course, he will be playing in the Maryland Crab Bowl on Dec. 19 at Towson University's Johnny Unitas Stadium, but those stats won't count toward his high school totals.

Here is the specific Terps TV info [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T06:23:51-08:00

You know the numbers: Maryland has been on ESPN360.com seven times this season.

But the Terps game against Florida State on Saturday will be on television locally. Specifically, it's on WJZ-TV (CBS 13) in Baltimore and on WTTG-TV (Fox 5) in Washington. Kickoff is at noon.

It's the fourth TV game for Maryland football this season. The others were California on ESPN2, and Virginia and Clemson (both ESPNU).

Maryland and the four guards [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T05:00:33-08:00

You like small ball?

I do. I've enjoyed watching the Phoenix Suns in recent years because they relied so much on speed and precision and passing and running, And then there's that guy. Nash.

The Terps are playing some small ball, too. I wrote a piece for today's paper about how Gary Williams said he may occasionally play four -- count 'em, four -- guards at once.

It's partly out of necessity, of course. Maryland finds itself thin up front these days, as you all know.

Obviously you're gambling when you play four guards. You know you could have a defensive and rebounding liability. Williams tempers that by playing more zone defense than he's accustomed to.

But, as a coach, you hope that you can make up for such liabilities with speed and quickness that can create advantageous matchups on offense.

Sure, it's challenging for a guard like Sean Mosley to move inside and cover a forward. I expect we'll see that against Fairfield tonight.

But the upside for the Terps is that Mosley gets to maneuver on offense against a larger man who may seem slow and lumbering by comparison.

Williams notes that Villanova has played this style. And done it pretty well.

Answer to my Twitter trivia question: Steve Nash had 28 points and 12 assists as Santa Clara beat the Terps, 91-79, in the 1996 West Regional. As if you didn't know.

Gary Williams on the new bigs [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-17T04:00:50-08:00

Here is something I'd been expecting Gary Williams to say.

He's got two freshmen, Jordan Williams and James Padgett, who both had solid opening games against a less-than-ACC-caliber opponent. They've stirred up a lot of excitement.

But they're freshmen -- not "one-and-done" freshmen ready to leap to the NBA, but rather talented first-year guys who need work.

Here is what Williams said about them in advance of tonight's Fairfield game:

"It’s nice to see the excitement around them. At the same time, it takes time," the Maryland coach said.

"There will be games where they’re good and there will be games where they appear to be a little confused because they’re playing on a team with eight players that basically were here last year."

Let's not forget who Padgett and J. Williams are, and who they are not.

Unbeaten football teams down to four [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-16T17:50:05-08:00

And then there were four... Five football teams went into last week's action with perfect records, but only four made it through. Arundel, River Hill, Joppatowne and Forest Park all won their regional semifinal playoff openers. Boys' Latin, however, ran into revenge-minded Archbishop Spalding and fell 12-0 in the MIAA B Conference championship. The Lakers won the first meeting 20-0, but saw their season end at 10-1. Arundel, River Hill and Joppatowne move into the regional finals at 11-0 while Forest Park moves on at 10-0. Here’s a look at how these teams advanced and who’s next: No. 1 Arundel The Wildcats had one of their tightest margins of victory this fall in getting past Anne Arundel County rival Annapolis, 18-6. It was their 21st straight win over a county opponent. All-Metro quarterback Billy Cosh completed 14 of 21 passes for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Joseph Blackwell had 21 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Michael Coombs had three interceptions and Bobby Partilla made 13 tackles. Next up: No. 6 Old Mill (9-2) at home Friday at 7 p.m. for the Class 4A East crown. Coach Chuck Markiewicz’s Wildcats aim to end their top county rival’s season the same way it started – with a loss to Arundel. On Sept. 5, Arundel won the opener, 34-27, and that remains their closest game this season. The teams combined for nearly 1,000 yards of total offense and Cosh was 29-for-45 for 347yards with four touchdowns. Blackwell, in his Wildcats’ debut after transferring from Spalding, ran for 174 yards on 28 carries and one touchdown but also caught three touchdown passes from Cosh. R.J. Harris caught 13 passes for 206 yards. For Old Mill, which knocked off previously unbeaten North Point Saturday, Josh Furman gained 219 yards on 13 carries and scored two touchdowns in that first meeting while Jason Clements gained 143 yards on 24 carries. No. 2 River Hill The Hawks, who moved to Class 3A after winning back-to-back state 2A titles, are posting some impressive numbers, including a school record 70 points scored in Friday night’s shutout of James M. Bennett. That was their 39th straight win and the 100th career victory for head coach Brian Van Deusen. It was also the fifth shutout for a defense that allows only 6.5 points per game. In rolling over the Clippers, Kevin Johnson scored three touchdowns and Nick Bonhag had three as seven different Hawks scored touchdowns. Next up: No. 15 Atholton (10-1) at home Friday at 7 p.m. in the Class 3A East regional final. The Hawks were the only team to beat the much-improved Raiders this season, coming from behind for a 35-14 decision three weeks ago. The Raiders got the jump on River Hill when Kalvin Seamonson threw 90- and 80-yard touchdown passes to Matt Robinson to take a 14-7 lead into halftime. River Hill quarterback Harry McLaughlin turned that around with a 13-yard touchdown pass to John Michael on the opening drive of the second half. The Hawks kept rolling with 212 of their 393 yards of offense in the second half while the defense stopped the Raiders, who managed to gain just 38 yards in the half. Johnson and Brent Kluge each scored a Hawks touchdown. No. 5 Joppatowne The Mariners had a little trouble holding onto the ball early in Friday’s game leading to three Bohemia Manor touchdowns, but their stingy defense continued to play well and Jake McGinnis had 15 tackles en route to a 49-30 victory. Epe Henriques ran for four touchdowns, gaining 292 yards on 25 carries as the Mariners made up for allowing more points than they had allowed in a game all season. Next up: Havre de Grace (7-4) at home Friday at 7 p.m. in the Class 1A East region final. The Mariners rolled over their Harford County rival, 35-0, three weeks ago, and coach Bill Waibel said the hardest part of coaching toward this week’s game is convincing his players that the Warriors are capable of beating them. He said his team played particularly well in their first meeting with Henriques and Chris Wright combining for almost 300 yards rushing. The Warriors like to throw the ball and they rebounded with a 45-24 win over Fallston and then a 12-6 win over Snow Hill Saturday in terrible field conditions on the Eastern Shore. Forest Park The Foresters have won some close, exciting games this season, but perhaps none tighter than Friday night’s 19-18 win over Carver. Delron Dantzler scored the game-winning touchdown late in the first half after Travis Fonseca’s long pass to Andrew Allen set up the short run. The Foresters held on and got a big defensive play when Carver pulled within 19-18 and went for the conversion to win. Facing a quarterback sweep to the outside, Forresters Allen, James Queen and Abel Hill got through the line and smothered the ball. Next up: No. 8 Dunbar (10-1) at Poly Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Class 1A North regional final. The competition gets a whole lot tougher for the Baltimore City Division II champion Foresters when they meet the co-Division I champion Poets, who have won three straight state 1A titles and seven straight regional crowns. Foresters coach Damon Bomar said his players were disappointed that the Poets were not on their regular-season schedule, but as the team continued to win, he told the Foresters they might get to play them in the playoffs. “If they want to be the champions, they’ve got to beat the champions,” said Bomar. “I think it could be a good game, but it’s a great opportunity for Forest Park.”

Ashton Pankey commits to Maryland [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-16T14:20:22-08:00

St. Anthony (N.J.) power forward Ashton Pankey committed to Maryland today, giving the Terps their fourth commitment of the 2010 recruiting class. Pankey, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound senior, chose the Terps over offers from Houston, Rice, Drexel and Hofstra. He joins Tucson (Ariz.) Santa Rita point guard Terrell Stoglin, Montrose Christian shooting guard Terrence Ross and Miller School (Va.) small forward Mychal Parker in Maryland's class. “I think it’s a win-win situation,” said Jeff Rivera, one of Pankey’s AAU coaches with the New York-based New Heights program. “I think it’s a great fit for both Ashton and the University of Maryland. Obviously, Coach [Gary] Williams has seen him and Coach [Chuck] Driesell was following him around this summer and has been to a number of his workouts at St. Anthony's. I think it’ll be good for his potential. Hopefully everything will work itself out.” Rivera has coached New Heights for the past four years. While it’s tough for big guys to distinguish themselves in an “unorganized and mostly guard-oriented” AAU setting, Pankey has done his best to stand out on the circuit. “In AAU basketball, there’s really not much organization -- it’s a lot of run-and-gun,” Rivera said. “But Maryland was intrigued by his athleticism. He’s a terrific athlete that can run up and down the floor and beat a lot of big men down the floor. He’s a good leaper and the kid just rebounds the basketball. A lot of times I’ll ask myself, ‘How the hell did he get that rebound?’ A lot of other big men are still on the first jump and he’s on his second.” Kimani Young, New Heights’ athletic director and a former standout player at UTEP, cited Pankey’s athleticism, rebounding and shot-blocking prowess, and ability to step out and hit the 15-foot jumper, as strengths in his game. Maryland is the right place for Pankey to tap into that potential, Young said. “Absolutely I think they got a steal,” Young said. “But I think in some regard, he got a steal, too. He’s going to a great program with a great coach and great tradition. ... [Maryland] saw him and identified that the potential is there. And you can do that when you have two or three big guys that are young and getting better at the same time. He’ll fit right in with that mix.” Pankey took an official visit to College Park on Halloween and followed that up with a trip to Houston last weekend. But ever since Maryland started recruiting Pankey last summer, Rivera had a feeling that would be his destination. “His mother didn’t want him to just go to school for basketball,” Rivera said. “She wanted him to go to a good school where he could get a good education. When Maryland was getting involved, I knew that would satisfy for him what he wanted in a school. He wants to compete at the highest level and challenge himself playing in the ACC, so I thought it was a great fit.” Check back with Recruiting Report later this week for more on Pankey’s decision.

Jesse Ventura to host Raw next week [Ring Posts]

2009-11-16T12:47:11-08:00

Jesse Ventura will return to his pro wrestling roots next Monday when he serves as guest host for a three-hour Thanksgiving-themed episode of Raw, WWE announced in a press release today.

'You'll always be good' an anthem for field hockey's tournament teams [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-16T12:01:26-08:00

Sportsmanship at the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Assocation's state field hockey championships over the past three weeks has been first class on and off the field. Along the way teams have won by the slimmest of margins — take Severna Park's 4-3 strokes victory over South River in the 4A East Regional final. While others have been blown away. Some teams played in good weather, others in the worst, with heavy rain, cold and swirling winds. But in all cases fans and players took the weather, the refs' calls and the outcome of games with grace. Paint Branch lost to Westminster, 4-0, in the state semifinals, and its fans earned the MPSSAA sportsmanship award for the tournament. But my on own personal sportsmanship nod goes to the young boy who was hanging over the grandstand railing Saturday after his previously undefeated Westminster Owls had lost in the 4A title game. Most of the young women who had seen their undefeated dream ended by Severna Park, 2-1, at Washington College were in tears as they crossed the playing field to cheers from fans for both teams. As they stood waiting to receive their second-place tournament awards, this young boy shouted: "No matter what," he yelled, "you'll always be good." It was so purely from the heart it had to bring a smile. And one of the nicest things about it is that it could have been directed at any of this year's tournament teams in appreciation of jobs well done. Sandra McKee

Orioles: And the envelope please [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-16T11:26:50-08:00

The American League Rookie of the Year is about to be announced by the Baseball Writers Association of America, but there's no sense anyone here getting their hopes up. The Orioles had a couple of legitimate candidates emerge during the season, but Brad Bergesen's season was cut short by injury and Nolan Reimold's raw numbers -- though solid in relation to other rookie hitters this year -- just aren't impressive enough to overcome the big pitching performances from Rick Porcello, Jeff Niemann and Andrew Bailey or top position candidate Elvis Andrus. I'm guessing Reimold finishes fifth in the balloting and Bergesen sixth.

Orioles: ROY voters pitch shutout [The Schmuck Stops Here]

2009-11-16T11:25:54-08:00

Obviously, no one should be surprised that Andrew Bailey was just announced as the American League Rookie of the Year after the great season he had out of the Oakland A's bullpen, but I am a bit surprised that neither Brad Bergesen nor Nolan Reimold registered a single point in the balloting. Reimold either led or ranked highly among AL rookies position players in all the Triple Crown categories for much of the year, but his final numbers weren't impressive enough to get any love from the BBWAA selection committee. I think Brad Bergesen would have been in play if he had not had his leg cut out from under him late in the season. You could have made a case for the second and third place guys (Elvis Andrus and Rick Porcello), but there was no room for such ambivalence on the National League side, where Chris Coghlan's terrific offensive stats made him the third Florida Marlin to be named Rookie of the Year. Oh well, maybe those guys will have an easier time sneaking up on the rest of the league next year.

Hard work pays off for Reservoir's Zaycer [Varsity Letters]

2009-11-16T11:09:06-08:00

There have been plenty of standout performances in the girls soccer playoffs so far, but Reservoir senior forward Stephanie Zaycer stood out in the crowd this weekend as she helped the Gators advance to their first Class 3A state championship game. In the team's 2-0 semifinal win over Hereford, Zaycer battled hard to win a ball in the right corner before sending a perfect pass in front that led to the game-winning goal early in the second half. Later in the half, she headed home a header in front for insurance. What's special about Zaycer's performance was the work she put in long before the second half of Saturday's win. The senior barely saw playing time in the beginning of the season at midfield, but when coach Josh Sullivan was looking for some help at striker midway through, Zaycer jumped at the chance. "In the middle of the season, I was working my butt off at practice and I started getting more playing time as the season went on. And then finally near the end of the season, I really picked it up and for the playoffs I've started," she said. After creating some fine scoring chances in the first half only to see shots go off the post or stopped by Hereford goalie Kelsey Wirtz, Zaycer stayed with it in the second half to find a big reward at the end of the day. "Steph is a great story because she didn't play a whole lot at the beginning of the year and about halfway through I was searching for another striker," Sullivan said. "The last six or seven games, she's been unbelievable. She's the workhorse." The Gators will play Tuscarora in Thursday's state final set for 5 p.m. at UMBC. The teams met in a season-opening tournament and the Gators came away with a 2-1 win. Zaycer didn't see any time in that game, but she will certainly be a factor this time around.

Weekend wrap — Moore, Till lead Wise [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-16T08:29:40-08:00

Two Maryland commitments were instrumental in Wise’s 6-0 win over Eleanor Roosevelt in the Class 4A South Region semifinals Saturday. Titus Till intercepted a pass inside Wise’s 5-yard line in the second quarter and Rahsaan Moore rushed for a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter for the game’s only points. "I was just looking for a hole on that right side," Moore told The Gazette. "I wanted to follow a block from the fullback [Quentin Gartrell] and find a hole. I found one on that side and we scored. It was a tough fight. It was frustrating in the first half because we had some good drives and we had too many penalties. Then we were on defense almost the whole third quarter. We rely on our defense a lot. They came up with a big stop in the fourth quarter." • UM quarterback commitment Devin Burns made the play of the game for Carver in its 28-21 win over Burke County in the first round of the Georgia Class AAA playoffs. With the score tied at 21 late in the fourth quarter, Carver coach Dell McGee decided to run a play on fourth down rather than punt from the Carver 28. There was a foot to go for the first down. Burns took the snap, stepped quickly to his right and raced 72 yards for what proved to the winning touchdown in a 28-21 Carver victory in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs. • Maryland athlete recruit Matt Robinson found the end zone once in Atholton’s 14-13 win over Wilde Lake in the Class 3A East regional semifinals. Wilde Lake scored first Friday night on a 5-yard run by [E.J.] Gilman with six minutes left in the first half. Atholton answered on its first drive of the second half with a 17-play, 70-yard, nearly eight-minute drive, capped by a 4-yard pass from Kalvin Seamonson to Matt Robinson in the corner of the end zone. Robinson also contributed seven tackles and two sacks on defense. • Terps quarterback pledge Tyler Smith threw for three touchdowns in Wilson Area High’s 44-19 win over Pottsville in the Pennsylvania District 11-AAA semifinals. Smith completed 15-of-27 passes for 197 yards, pushing his season total to 2,850 yards and his career total to 7,720, third-highest in state history. • UM defensive end recruit Ian Evans helped Hammonton to a 30-0 win over Winslow Township in the South Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals. Hammonton, led by Maryland-bound defensive end Ian Evans, did a great job limiting [Winslow Township quarterback Bill] Belton on long runs. • The high school career of UM tight end commitment Nermin Delic ended Friday with Northwest Whitfield’s 40-3 loss to Southwest DeKalb in the first round of the Georgia Class 4A playoffs. “We worked hard all season long,” Delic said. “We had to work through a lot of adversity to finish the season strong and nobody even gave us a chance to make the playoffs. I felt like we did all we could to compete against this team, they’re one of the best in the state of Georgia.” Basketball recruiting • Adam Zagoria spoke with Tobias Harris’ father, Torrel, after the five-star prospect’s weekend trip to College Park. “I don’t think Coach Williams gets enough credit for his success as others coaches around the country. I consider him a future Hall of Famer. I went with my sons, T.J. and Terry, and the coaches to watch the football game while Tobias, Tyler and the Maryland players went to the movies. • St. Anthony (N.J.) power forward Ashton Pankey will announce his college choice today. Maryland and Houston are his finalists. • The Raleigh (N.C.) News & Observer checked in this weekend with five-star forward C.J. Leslie, who will wait until spring to sign. The only visit he's taken is to Kentucky, but he said N.C. State is still on the list, along with Florida, Oregon, Georgia and Connecticut, and there is no leader. • Tony Mitchell, a five-star small forward who was briefly a Maryland target, has committed to Missouri. He is expected to complete signing papers by Wednesday, thus joining what is now a four-player recruiting class for Missouri that should rank among the top 20 classes in the country. • Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) point guard Sterling Gibbs, a 2011 prospect, updated NBE Basketball Report on his recruitment. “St. John’s, Maryland, Seton Hall, Rutgers, Virginia, Pitt, Indiana, Tennesse and Providence,” responded Gibbs when NBE asked which schools are actively recruiting him.

Comment of the Week [Ring Posts]

2009-11-16T01:05:52-08:00

The featured Ring Posts comment of the past week goes to Elevation, who responded Friday to the entry "A big ‘legend’ takes up space on TNA Impact.”

UFC 105 and more injuries [MMA Insider]

2009-11-15T19:52:17-08:00

UFC 105 was an entertaining night of fights and you’re rarely going to find me complaining about a free card with some big fights on it. I was surprised to see Dan Hardy beat Mike Swick and I think he has zero chance against Georges St. Pierre, when that fight does happen. I was also surprised to see Michael Bisping bounce back into the win column but it’s one he needed in a big way.

What didn’t surprise me? Randy Couture getting the decsion over Brandon Vera. I’ll say this, Vera put up a better fight than expected. And I’m not exactly on pins and needles waiting to see Randy fight again. But if there was any shadow of a doubt, you had to know Couture was getting the decision. He’s earned too much respect over the years and he’s always getting those decisions.

This is a classic case of having to definitely beat the champion to win the fight, although it’s Couture’s history that puts him in that champion class. It’s a dumb thought but it does exist.

I think Couture did a good job of pushing the action but did he definitively win the fight? Meh, but he did enough to win it. And that’s all that matters.

Time to refocus on UFC 106 this weekend and the mounting injuries plaguing many of these cards. GSP and Anderson Silva are still on the mend and Dana White said at UFC 105 that Brock Lesnar has taken a turn for the worse. Lesnar’s been hospitalized and has a ‘very serious’ secondary illness in addition to mono. It’s going to be awhile before we see Lesnar fight again, which sucks, since he's been out so long.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who was supposed to headline UFC 108 with Cain Velasquez, has pulled out of that fight with a staph infection. Who could replace him? Not Shane Carwin? He’s recovering from knee surgery.

Bring TNA to your town [Ring Posts]

2009-11-14T20:05:44-08:00

TNA president Dixie Carter posted the following on her Twitter account: Tell TNA to bring a live show to YOUR hometown in 2010. Starting Monday, vote for your city at TNAwrestling.com/demandit. Your voice counts!

Chris Jericho’s momentum comes to a dead stop on Smackdown [Ring Posts]

2009-11-14T15:49:39-08:00

The first-ever singles match between Chris Jericho and The Undertaker did not end the way I thought it would on Friday night’s episode of Smackdown. With Jericho on a roll as of late and the triple threat match for the world heavyweight title between Jericho, The Big Show and champion The Undertaker set for Nov. 22 at the Survivor Series pay-per-view, I expected there to be some type of non-finish due to interference from Big Show. Instead, Undertaker made Jericho tap out to Hell’s Gate. So much for that roll that Jericho was on.

Friedgen talks about the loss [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-14T13:55:34-08:00

Here is Fridge on the loss:

ON THE 'GAP'
"There is a gap (between Maryland and Virginia Tech) right now. One of the things that I hope that will close it is when some of our younger guys mature and grow up. We have to go out and recruit (too)."

ON MARYLAND'S ATTITUDE
.
"I don’t see guys with attitudes, I don’t see guys pointing fingers. I’m waiting for it to collapse, I really am.But they keep coming back"

ON WHAT HE SAID AT HALFTIME

"I said, 'We're better than we’re playing right now. I’m disappointed in our energy."

Tate, Baltz likely lost for year [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-14T13:41:10-08:00

Safety Kenny Tate (high ankle sprain) is probably lost for the season, coach Friedgen said.

Also likely lost is punter Travis Baltz (broken finger).

Can things get any worse for the Terps this season?

Said Fridge:" I’m seeing plays I haven’t seen in my whole coaching career. You just wonder what spell are we under."

Virginia Tech 36, Terps 9 (final)

Terps punchless [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-14T10:39:56-08:00

And the beat goes on.

Virginia Tech has four first-half touchdowns and 12 first downs. The Terps have seven first downs, zero touchdowns.

Jamar Robinson (73 passing yards, including a 21-yarder to Torrey Smith) can't get the offense going, although he is improving

Meanwhile, the Hokies made it 20-3 on a 10-yard swing pass to Dyrell Roberts with 11:37 left in the second quarter. The extra point failed.

The lead became 27-3 after Tyrod Taylor threw over the middle to Jarrett Boykin midway through the second quarter. Safety Jamai McCollough swiped at the ball and missed, leaving Boykin to race into the end zone to complete a 64-yard play.

Virginia Tech 27, Terps 3 second quarter
Terps turnovers: zero

What impressed you most? [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-13T19:16:34-08:00

What impressed you most tonight?

Sean Mosley continuing to shoot well from outside (on top of everything else he was already doing last season)?

The freshman bigs' performance in their regular-season debut?

Don Markus will have the coverage for you, and I'll return to preview and cover Tuesday's Fairfield game.

A big “legend” takes up space on TNA Impact [Ring Posts]

2009-11-13T16:37:12-08:00

As usual, there was a lot going on during Thursday night’s episode of TNA Impact. Raven made his surprise return. Mick Foley’s face was burned as the result of a fireball thrown at him by Raven. Desmond Wolfe laid out Kurt Angle – again. TNA world champion A.J. Styles was pinned by Samoa Joe in a non-title match. TNA world tag team champions The British Invasion were pinned by Beer Money in a non-title match. Team 3D turned heel. D’Angelo Dinero turned babyface. Traci Brooks’ disability was acknowledged for the first time on TV and became the basis for an angle. Scott Steiner attacked Bobby Lashley in his hotel room while a horrified Crystal Lashley looked on. And TNA ripped off Raw’s guest host concept by having Super Dave Osborne involved in the show.

Weekly recruiting roundup [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-13T08:03:42-08:00

After this weekend, the Maryland men's basketball program could have another addition to its 2010 recruiting class. St. Anthony (N.J.) forward Ashton Pankey, who took an official visit to College Park last weekend, was scheduled to visit Houston this weekend. After that trip, the three-star prospect will make his decision. “He really liked Maryland and I know he wants to be able to compare Maryland to another school,” [St. Anthony coach Bob] Hurley said. According to ESPN.com's Christopher Lawlor, Maryland has a very good chance of landing Pankey. Several sources feel Pankey, a Bronx, N.Y., resident, is a lock for the Terrapins, but it's the policy of coach Bob Hurley that players visit at least two schools, developing a point of reference and allowing comparison of programs. • The final two visits for five-star forward Tobias Harris are on tap for this weekend, according to ESPN.com. Harris will likely wait until the spring period to sign his letter of intent. Maryland has been recruiting ESPNU 100 PF Tobias Harris (Brookville, N.Y./Half Hollow) for some time and he has been to College Park on numerous occasions. According to InsideMDSports.com, he'll arrive in Maryland Friday, spend the weekend there and then fly to Georgia Tech on Sunday for his final official. He'll then spend a day or two considering his options before announcing his decision next Wednesday on ESPNU. • Tucson (Ariz.) Santa Rita point guard Terrell Stoglin signed his letter of intent to Maryland on Thursday, according to the Arizona Daily Star. "There was a lot of pressure from the hometown people, but I had to do what was best for me and my family," said Stoglin, referring to the constant questions of whether he would change his mind and stay in Tucson. • The Diamondback spoke with Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer about Maryland's three commitments. “[Terrence Ross] is a really athletic wing who can shoot, maybe not as good a playmaker off the dribble as some other guards at his position,” Rivals.com national college basketball recruiting analyst Jerry Meyer said. “But nonetheless, he can shoot the ball a lot better than a lot of guards at his position.” Football recruiting • Maryland quarterback commitment Devin Burns is scheduled to visit Georgia this weekend, but the three-star prospect told Rivals.com that Terps fans shouldn’t be concerned. [Burns] says he is set with the Terrapins. “Oh yea. I am real excited about going there. I talk with the Maryland coaches every week. Coach (Ralph) Friedgen is the real deal and very down to earth. He’s a father figure and someone you can talk too [sic].” • Pittsburgh Penn Hills wide receiver Brandon Ifill has set a date for his decision, Rivals.com reports. “I haven’t taken any visits lately, but I’ve actually set up two official visits for December,” he explained. “I’m going to Pitt for the weekend of December 11, and I’ll be at Maryland for the weekend of December 18. Once I’m done with those I’ll make my decision on December 21.” • Norcross (Ga.) offensive lineman Max Garcia will decide between Maryland, Vanderbilt and Clemson, which he visited last weekend. “I like Clemson because it’s close to home,” Garcia said last week. “They have a need at left tackle and some other positions, so it’s a place I think I could impact the program in the first couple of years.” • Forestville wide receiver Antonio Belt told Rivals.com that he’s more focused on his team’s playoff game against Dunbar on Saturday than recruiting. Belt claims three scholarships at this time from Maryland, Rhode Island and Temple. “I haven’t been thinking about recruiting,” he said. “My coach told me other schools are interested, but I’m just thinking about the playoffs right now.”

Prediction Friday: Ravens-Browns [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-13T05:05:06-08:00

We’re going from the outfield to the open field today.

It’s Prediction Friday, which in recent weeks could be called, “Dan’s Wrong Friday.”

I can’t seem to figure out these Ravens, at least not as well as opposing offenses.

The gut says the Ravens roll on Monday Night Football. That the maligned defense feasts on a weak Cleveland Browns’ offense.

And that the Ravens’ offensive line beats down the Browns’ defensive front, allowing Ray Rice and company to run wild while Joe Flacco gets time to pick apart the secondary.

But the gut has been so wrong so often this season when it comes to the Ravens that I am not sure whether to trust it.

My best guess is that the Ravens’ win 24-6. Rice has two TDs and over 100 yards rushing to be the hero of the game.

Now, it’s your turn. Predict the score and the hero on Monday Night Football. Are you betting on Jekyll or Hyde to show up?

We’ll give you an extra day to contemplate this one. We’ll leave this up until Monday’s game.

Daily Think Special: Prediction Friday: Ravens-Browns.

Could Terps run the option next year? [Tracking the Terps]

2009-11-12T15:28:21-08:00

Could Maryland run a Paul Johnson-style option offense next season?

Coach Friedgen isn't ruling it out.

The subject of the option came up at Fridge's media availability today during a discussion about Georgia Tech's success with it this season.

Fridge, who has used a variation of the option when he was offensive coordinator at Georgia Tech, said he'd think about it for the Terps next year.

"(Redshirt freshman) C.J. Brown and I think (transfer) Clay Belton could do it," the coach said. "
"I’d like to get back to doing some of that stuff if you can get the right guys."

Digital Harbor's Usher ready to sign [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-12T15:28:18-08:00

When Texas A&M-Corpus Christi opens its season Friday against Oregon State in Lubbock, the Islanders will have one assistant coach from Baltimore on the sideline (Kevin Norris, Lake Clifton) and two local players on the court (Kevin Palmer, Parkville and Terence Jones, Lake Clifton). Dunbar senior Derrell Edwards, a Texas A&M-Corpus Christi commitment, will likely be paying attention to the game from afar, as will Digital Harbor’s Davon Usher, who pledged to the Islanders last week. He plans to sign his letter of intent during the fall period. Usher, a 6-foot-5, 183-pound shooting guard, visited the campus over Halloween weekend and liked what he saw, calling Corpus Christi “a smaller version of Miami.” Knowing so many people affiliated with the program from his hometown didn’t hurt matters either. “I think that’s what drove me to want to go to the school even more,” Usher said. “Basically, it’s like a Baltimore family down there. I already knew guys from Baltimore who went to the school and the coach [from Baltimore] who’s there. Me and Derrell basically grew up together. Now we’re just going down there together and getting work done. He committed and he really wanted me to commit. We came to a good decision, somewhere we were going to play together, have fun and win.” Usher, who averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds as a junior for the Class 1A state champion Rams, said he has been friends with Edwards for years. The two suited up for Nike Baltimore Elite last summer on the AAU circuit and talked occasionally about going to the same school. “Actually that same day [I committed], his school was playing my school in the football game,” Usher said. “I couldn’t talk to him until after the game, but he was real excited. We were on the phone for about a half hour, talking about what our plans were going to be like when I’m down there. We’re real close outside of basketball.” Digital Harbor coach Johnnie Grimes said George Mason and UMBC were also looking at Usher, thanks in part to his strong summer on the AAU circuit. Grimes said he thinks Usher will fit in well with Norris as one of his coaches and Jones and Edwards as teammates. “Coach Norris, he knows the style of basketball that Baltimore guys have and [Davon] has that same type of quality that Kevin Palmer has,” Grimes said. “He’s long and ... he’s a very, very good knockdown shooter. He passes the ball very well at 6-5 and he dribbles well. I think the key for him [in college] is going to be the way he shoots the ball. ... It probably was the perfect fit. With Kevin being down there and Terence coming in, it’ll be perfect.” While Corpus Christi is nearly 1,670 miles away from Baltimore, Usher said the distance didn’t bother him. Granted, the city’s Miami-like atmosphere was a definite attraction. But having a home away from home certainly had its appeal as well. “I was kind of thinking that it’s real far,” Usher said, “but [now it seems like] more people from Baltimore are going there than people from Texas. But it’s just good. It’s nice that you have a chance to go somewhere like that, especially being from Baltimore. A lot of people from Baltimore don’t even get a chance to get out of the city, so it’s a blessing and a good opportunity to go across the country and play basketball.” Baltimore Sun photo of Davon Usher by Gene Sweeney Jr. / March 13, 2009

Meet Whitney Bays [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-12T08:13:38-08:00

Whitney Bays remembers July 9th like it was yesterday. The Maryland forward commitment was playing with the West Virginia Thunder in an AAU tournament in Lexington, Ky., when she tore her ACL. She had surgery on July 16 and has been rehabbing ever since. “When it happened, of course it was devastating,” Bays said. “But I’ve come to realize through it that everything happens for a reason. I’ve definitely become a better basketball player and person because of it. I just try to put everything in perspective, because it’s just the little things we take for granted, like walking and jumping. I told my mom I’ll never complain about running again in my life. It was like an eye-opener in that it showed me how much I love basketball.” Bays, who will miss her senior season, has found other positives in her situation. She and classmate Laurin Mincy, who also tore her ACL and will miss her final year of high school basketball, have bonded over their respective rehabs. Like Mincy, Bays will spend time helping her high school program, while also focusing on her future in College Park. “My physical therapist is having me do running and getting my body in shape and getting ready for what college is going to be like,” Bays said. “In high school, I wasn’t necessarily doing that. So I’m really excited to play at a big Division I school. It’s an opportunity that a lot of people don’t get and I’m glad that I’m blessed to be in this position and have this opportunity.” Bays was the fifth and final senior to commit to Maryland for the 2010 class, which is ranked No. 1 in the country by some recruiting analysts. Bays said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join. “I knew they were getting a great recruiting class when I was trying to make the decision, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Bays said. “The coaches are great and I think all five of us all felt the same way and saw the same things. It was just right for all of us.” Here’s an introduction to Bays. Name: Whitney Bays Birthdate: June 6, 1992 Birthplace: Huntington, W.Va. Hometown: Huntington, W.Va. Nickname: None Height: 6’2 Position: Forward High School: Huntington High Rankings: ESPN Hoop Gurlz -- No. 13 player in the country. Junior statistics: 25 points, 12 rebounds Other schools considered: Georgia, Virginia Tech, Florida State Favorite pro basketball player: Candace Parker Favorite pro basketball team: Boston Celtics Favorite all-time Terp: Len Bias Favorite music: “Lil Wayne, Dixie Chicks. I like all kinds of music.” Favorite movie: Love and Basketball Favorite TV show: Fresh Prince of Bel Air Favorite book: “I read magazines more than books. I like Sports Illustrated and Cosmopolitan. Favorite food: Ice cream Favorite high school class: Gym Favorite thing about College Park: “That’s a hard one. I like a lot of stuff. Probably the team and the staff.” Hobbies: “I used to play volleyball and I like hanging out with my friends. I love playing pickup -- basically any sports. I like playing football with a bunch of guys, [and] I’ll play baseball and home run derby.” Intended major: Undecided Something that not many people know about you: “Probably that I actually like listening to country music. And I’m really close with my sister. A lot of people get us confused as twins. She’s 19.” Best basketball moment: “Probably right now, signing with Maryland.” Role model: “One is my sister because she always knows how to handle everything. She approaches everything the right way. If it‘s a bad situation, she always looks at it as a positive. [Another role model is] my mom, just because she‘s always there for me. When I have kids, I want to become that type of mom. And God [is also a role model]. I’m very religious, so I have to add that in there.” Why Maryland? “It just felt right. You hear everyone say that and when some people told me that, I didn’t know what they meant. [I thought], ‘What are they talking about?’ But everything just felt right. Everything clicked. I could see myself playing there. The team was great and just everything went good. There wasn’t anything I could point out that was wrong with it.”

Randy Couture and UFC 105 [MMA Insider]

2009-11-11T21:36:44-08:00

UFC 105 is this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. It is actually a very solid card. Randy Couture is back in action after an entertaining bout with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and he's taking on Brandon Vera. Vera used to be an exciting fighter and Couture used to be a champion, but this isn't a bad fight. Especially because it's a free show on Spike.

Both men need a win. It's Couture's return to light heavyweight and if he loses to Vera, who has been less than impressive in his fights recently, there won't be a ton of interesting fights left for him. You can't have one of the most storied fighters in the UFC ending his career with a .500 record (he's 16-10 right now).

I'm also excited to see Mike Swick vs. Dan Hardy. I don't think either makes a good matchup with Georges St. Pierre but this should be another entertaining bout. And say what you will about Michael Bisping (OK, I will -- he's overrated and lost to Matt Hamill), but pairing him with Denis Kang should be interesting as well.

I don't think it's as good as the Strikeforce show on CBS, but it will be a solid weekend for MMA fans.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, Inc.)

Reports: Tsafack picks Memphis [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-11T19:43:17-08:00

The Memphis Commercial Appeal and Scout.com reported earlier today that Miller School (Va.) center Hippolyte Tsafack committed to Memphis and is expected to sign during the fall period. Tsafack, a powerfully-built forward with a developing skill set, is a three-star prospect according to both Rivals and Scout. National Hoops Report ranked Tsafack as the No. 5 “sleeper” of the July recruiting period. He visited Memphis and Maryland in October before making his decision. Maryland's focus remains on St. Anthony (N.J.) forward Ashton Pankey, who will make his decision after visiting Houston this weekend.

Who are the three best defensive outfielders in Orioles history? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-11T18:22:31-08:00

It was an interesting day at the bar on Wednesday.

Lots of good discussion about the Orioles’ current defensive outfield situation.

And a few silly comments thrown in there, too. Everyone’s entitled to an opinion, but I am going to have to call a cab for some of you.

For the record, and in case it didn’t get spelled out Wednesday, I am happy for Adam Jones that he won a Gold Glove. I never questioned whether he is deserving; I simply said I was a bit surprised because I think he had a better defensive year in 2008.

And I do believe, at this point in their careers, Nick Markakis is a slightly better defensive outfielder, though Jones has the potential to be better as his career unfolds. Plus Jones plays center field, and that does mean something.

The important thing for beleaguered Orioles fans is that you have both of them for a long time. Enjoy that.

The overall discussion – and some of the rants about the Gold Glove going mostly to center fielders – got me thinking.

If you were to use the current Gold Glove rules – that is, choose three overall outfielders, not necessarily one each from left, right and center – to represent the Orioles’ all-time best defensive outfield, who would be in it?

As much as I don’t like the “three center fielders approach” that the Gold Glove committee uses, it’s true that when I think of the best defensive outfielders in O’s history, I immediately think of center fielders, before I shift to the left and right.

So here’s the task at hand today: If you were to give out Gold Gloves to three Orioles outfielders throughout the years, who would win?

There’s no question Paul Blair is one answer. Even if you never saw him play – and I don’t have clear memories of him in Baltimore – he probably should be on your list. Everything I have ever heard from players and fans is that Blair was the best defensive outfielder to ever wear an Orioles uniform. And he has eight Gold Gloves to prove it.

So he gets my first award. I think I have to give the second to Al Bumbry, who was the guy I watched growing up, and that little guy had serious hops before we ever referred to jumping ability as serious hops. Plus, he had his share of outfield assists.

The third is tricky. Mike Devereaux is probably my ultimate answer, but that leaves Jones (the only other Orioles outfielder with a Gold Glove) off the list. That also would deny Nick Markakis, Brady Anderson, Steve Finley, Frank Robinson and Jackie Brandt, among others, the award.

There is no wrong answer here. Pick three outfielders (yes, it can be all center fielders) to receive the Orioles’ all-time Gold Glove. I’d love to hear the reasoning behind your choices.

Daily Think Special: Who are the three best defensive outfielders in Orioles history?

Mount St. Joseph's Beaumont makes decision [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-11T10:07:15-08:00

Thanks to a little southern hospitality, Ryley Beaumont’s college decision was easier to make than expected. The 6-foot-6, 195-pound forward from Mount St. Joseph was weighing offers from Elon, Fairfield, Longwood, Loyola and Quinnipiac. Visits to Elon, N.C., however, stood apart from the rest. “It was great weather both times actually. I love it down south,” Beaumont said. “A lot of people down there are welcoming. They don’t just walk by and snub you or give you the cold shoulder. I think it goes to the coaching staff as well. They’re all examples of [southern hospitality]. They’re all really nice people.” Beaumont, a Baltimore Catholic League second-team selection who averaged 19 points per game as a junior, committed to the Phoenix over the weekend. Beaumont had visited Elon with his father during the summer and liked what he saw. Before committing, however, he wanted approval from his mother and sister. It didn’t take much convincing once the Beaumonts arrived in Elon earlier this month. “My mom and sister immediately loved the school, the coaches and everybody,” Beaumont said. The coaching staff was a major draw for Beaumont. Matt Matheny, a North Carolina native, spent 16 seasons as an assistant at Davidson before taking the head coaching job at Elon last March. Beaumont said he’s excited to join a program that’s embarking on a new era. “[Matheny] was [at Davidson] with Steph Curry and their Elite Eight run,” Beaumont said. “I know he’s a great coach and the whole staff is very warm and welcoming. They’re just generally good people. It’s nice to be surrounded by those kinds of people.” Pat Clatchey, who has coached seven current Division I players at Mount St. Joseph, said Elon is a perfect fit for Beaumont from a basketball and academic standpoint. “I just think he’s really developing into a very good all-around player,” Clatchey said. “I think [Elon] really likes his versatility as a player. He can score in a variety of ways. He can shoot, he can move well without the ball and he has a nice mid-range pull-up. I think they really like him because he’s very committed to becoming the best player he can be. He’s willing to put in the work, both in the weight room and the gym. I think he’ll be a successful player at the next level.” Beaumont, Gaels point guard Eric Atkins (Notre Dame) and shooting guard Matt Miller (Seton Hill) will all sign their letters of intent this week. Beaumont said he’s excited that he and his teammates have finished the recruiting process. “It’s just nice to get the decision done with before the season,” Beaumont said. “Now I can get with my teammates, focus on the season and hopefully get to that championship.” Baltimore Sun photo of Ryley Beaumont by Gene Sweeney Jr. / Feb. 13, 2009

Darius Kilgo talks Terps commitment [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-10T08:40:53-08:00

A sense of hopelessness came over Darius Kilgo on Saturday. The Maryland defensive tackle commitment sat in front of his computer, following the Terps’ every move as they took on North Carolina State. Kilgo said monitoring Maryland’s 38-31 loss “wasn’t that frustrating” -- other than the fact that he wasn’t there to help. “Absolutely [I wanted to be there] because they’re a young team and I feel like I can contribute,” Kilgo said. A standout lineman at Weddington High in Matthews, N.C., Kilgo received offers from East Carolina, Illinois, Michigan State, South Carolina and Tennessee. But Maryland, according to Kilgo, was “the first school to offer.” “They were always on my mind because the coaches were always calling me throughout the recruiting process,” Kilgo said. “They were just saying I could come in and possibly play as a freshman, so I just need to come in and work hard.” Plenty of hard work has already been done. Kilgo, 6 feet 4, checked in at 315 pounds as a junior. Now he’s down to 280 and can’t help but notice how much his footwork and stamina has improved -- something that should please his future position coach at Maryland. “Me and Coach [Dave] Sollazzo have been talking a lot. We’re starting to build a relationship,” Kilgo said. “He’s just a great coach. He’s always fired up and I like that about him. He always has energy.” Kilgo will continue following the Terps from afar, while readying for the stretch run of his high school career. When he arrives in College Park, Kilgo will be ready to hit the ground running. “I’m not going to let Maryland down,” Kilgo said. “I’m going to work my hardest and try to contribute as much as I can.”

What's next for Fedor? [MMA Insider]

2009-11-09T09:22:40-08:00

CBS had an entertaining night of fights Saturday and while a few of them were closer than I anticipated, there were no real shockers. Fedor did what he does, even if it wasn't as quickly as he's been doing it lately, and Jake Shields won with a terrific ground performance. And I had little doubt about the fights involving Gegard Mousasi and Fabricio Werdum, although they were both in some tough spots at points in their bouts.

The big question for CBS has to be, what's next for Fedor? It isn't like Strikeforce has a ton of interesting matches for him, especially with a heavyweight champ that likely won't fight in the U.S. anytime soon. Is anyone dying to see him fight Werdum? What about Dan Henderson if they sign him? He's probably a little small but I don't know who else could be on the horizon for Fedor.

That's why I wish he was in the UFC. Not so Dana White would win that whole thing, but just so we could see him fight Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture, among others.

Weekend wrap — Six scores for Burns [Recruiting Report]

2009-11-09T07:59:51-08:00

Devin Burns saved one of his best offensive performances of the year for Carver (Ga.) High’s regular-season finale. The Maryland quarterback commitment threw for five touchdown passes and rushed for a three-yard score in the Tigers’ 48-15 win over Northside. Burns, who sat out the second quarter as Tiger reserves played, came back with pinpoint passing as he hit three different receivers for scores in the second half and ran for another. • UM tight end recruit Nermin Delic made big plays on offense and defense in Northwest Whitfield’s 43-33 win over Paulding County (Ga.). The Bruins seemed to be in control when Delic blocked a punt midway through the second quarter, setting up his own 21-yard touchdown catch from Chad Keeter two plays later for a 22-12 lead with 4:09 left in the half — but as it turned out, they still had plenty of work to do. • Terps fullback commitment Rahsaan Moore found the end zone once in Wise’s 14-12 loss to C.H. Flowers. Down 12-6 after a fumbled snap on a punt set up Wise's Rahsaan Moore for a three-yard touchdown run, C.H. Flowers embarked on a 17-play drive that began with just more than three minutes remaining in the third quarter and ended with Jaguars senior Reginald Woods scampering into the end zone with 6 1/2 minutes remaining. • Maryland athlete pledge Matt Robinson caught one pass for five yards and led Atholton with seven tackles as the Raiders beat Glenelg, 14-13. After a short pass play to midfield, [Glenelg quarterback Gage] Trawick spiked the ball and then tossed a pass intended for Shane Kellaher at the goal line that was broken up by Matt Robinson as the clock expired. • Terps defensive end recruit Ian Evans’ Hammonton (N.J.) squad fell to undefeated Egg Harbor, 23-19. Hammonton needed a big play, and after it took over on its 15, [Nick] Crescenzo hit Ian Evans for a 31-yard gain. Eight plays later, Josh Baez went 1 yard for a touchdown with 10:33 left in the game. The extra point sailed wide left, and Hammonton trailed, 23-19. • UM quarterback commitment Tyler Smith threw for three touchdown passes in the first half of Wilson Area (Pa.) High’s 41-0 rout of Notre Dame-Green Pond. Basketball recruiting • A decision from Miller School (Va.) center Hippolyte Tsafack could come soon. Memphis should hear something this week regarding 6-8 forward Hippolyte Tsafack, who visited Memphis last month and is deciding between the Tigers and Maryland. • Testudo Times took a look at the Twitter page of Ashton Pankey, the St. Anthony (N.J.) power forward who visited College Park over the weekend. • Visits to Maryland and Georgia Tech are next on Tobias Harris’ itinerary after the five-star prospect checked out West Virginia this weekend. “They’re losing Da’Sean Butler and they might lose Devin Ebanks so [Bob Huggins] wants me to come in and play the roles they’re playing. It sounds good,” Harris said. • C.J. Leslie’s mother told Adam Zagoria that her son “probably won’t sign until the spring.” Leslie had in-home visits with Kentucky, Maryland, Seton Hall, Arizona State, Georgetown, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Florida International and Oregon.

What must the Ravens do to have a successful second half? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-08T14:39:50-08:00

OK, I think we can all admit this now.

The Bengals are a lot better than we thought. Even better than they looked last time around. There were only five bar patrons this weekend that predicted a Bengals win.

CB, Mike B., Steven and Rich all get a free drink chip for picking the right winner. And T.J. gets a free drink tab all week for his guess: 24-13 Bengals. It was the closest to the 17-7 outcome.

Here comes the tough part. I’m not really sure what to say here about Sunday’s loss. They simply looked like an overmatched team.

The Ravens have dropped to 4-4 and don’t have an easy road ahead. They have to play the Pittsburgh Steelers twice, as well as the Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.

They do face a trifecta of bad teams – and must wins – against Cleveland, Detroit and Oakland.

So they need to win those, at least split with the Steelers and then win two of three against the Colts, Bears and Packers to get to 10-6.

It can be done. But the Bengals are in the driver’s seat and the Steelers are riding shotgun. So the Ravens have to excel in the second half to make it to the playoffs.

There’s definitely a lot of season left. But even the most optimistic Ravens fans have to be disappointed in the first half. The question is can they do enough to make the playoffs?

Or maybe the real question is what must they do on the field to make the playoffs?

Daily Think Special: What must the Ravens do to have a successful second half?

Prediction Friday: Ravens-Bengals [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-06T08:05:07-08:00

Before we get to the Ravens today, I have some Orioles info to pass on.

Bodog.com, an online gambling site, set its odds for winning next year’s World Series, and the Orioles are 75-1 longshots. The only clubs worse off are the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Nationals. They are all at 100-1 to win the 2010 title.

So, yeah, aren’t you glad it’s Prediction Friday and we have the Ravens to discuss?

(By the way, here’s a drink chip to CSB Jack, who predicted the exact score of the Ravens’ 30-7 victory over the Broncos. Of course, he cheated and submitted it after the fact while the bar was closed. But I am offering a chip anyway for his creativity.)

Now, for your predictions (you must submit before the Bengals’ game, Jack).

For the record, I will not be overlooking the Bengals the way I did in Week 5, when Cincinnati won in Baltimore, 17-14. But I am still going with the Ravens to win.

I am sticking with the same theory I had for the Broncos game (though I didn’t write it). The Ravens need this win more than the Bengals. If they lose, they drop two games behind Cincinnati and also will lose the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Ravens aren’t talking about desperation, which admittedly is a bit of a stretch at Game 8. But this one is pretty darn important.

So I say the Ravens win 17-10 on a Kelley Washington 23-yard TD reception from Joe Flacco in the fourth quarter.

We’ll make Washington the game’s hero. Why? No clue.

Daily Think Special: Predict the winner, score and hero of Sunday’s Ravens-Bengals game.

MMA on CBS [MMA Insider]

2009-11-04T23:22:43-08:00

MMA returns to CBS this weekend as Fedor takes on Brett Rogers and Strikeforce assembles a fairly entertaining card overall.

ESPN.com gives a quick breakdown on the two main fights, but I think it's pretty clear that Fedor and Jake Shields are going to win.

This is a big show though because it is Fedor's U.S. prime-time debut and it marks the first real MMA show on CBS. EliteXC was a joke and even the most casual fan now recognizes that. I know plenty of UFC fans were angered at the mention of EliteXC and their CBS deal.

How do casual fans feel about Strikeforce and CBS? At least they are marketing the right fighter. One of the sport's all-time greats instead of the biggest fraud in the sport's history. I think, at least, we can all agree that this will be good for the sport, right?

It seems like Fedor is a heavy favorite (-500, it seems) and there seems to be little money headed Rogers' way. Has there even been more of a sure thing than Fedor winning this fight? Especially with his superior ground game and Rogers lack of a ground game?

Even still, I can't wait for this show. It's about time to see Fedor back in action.

Which athlete's life story would you like to see become a movie? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-04T17:32:14-08:00

Yeah, it’s true I have been away too long.

But you have to give me credit for coming back with a flourish, getting half the bar stirred up about Mark Teixeira in November.

I may not be bright, but like they said about me during my entire educational career, I can stir it up.

Now, to answer the question posed from Rob K. and the other regulars, my time off was not Steve Phillips-esque. There was no forced vacation, no revealing text messages and no rabbits in pots during the entire week the bar was dark.

I simply took some time off after the long baseball season, but it had to be delayed a little bit.

So everything’s cool and there is no need to Google my name with “arrest” or “fired.” Certainly not yet, anyway.

Today’s topic is something we have hit on before. But it has been 18 months or so.

Wednesday evening I attended a screening of “The Blind Side,” the movie based on the book that was based on the life of Ravens’ offensive lineman Michael Oher.

I’ll give you my thoughts about the film at a later time.

I really enjoyed the book and was eager to see how it translates to the big screen. I also was also looking forward to seeing Sandra Bullock for 90 minutes. That’s one of life’s small pleasures.

Plus, this one movie is going to open up a whole lot of cool topics here for the next couple of weeks. Let’s get one out of the way quickly.

Oher’s story – a disadvantaged teen living from home to home was befriended by a rich family that helped him realize his potential – is an inspiring one and deserves to be told.

My question is this: Which athlete’s story – local, national or international -- would you like to see made into a movie? One that already hasn’t been told by Hollywood.

This is a serious inquiry, but I am sure we’ll get some jokers to chip in, and that’s cool too. Just keep it clean.

Daily Think Special: Which athlete’s life story would you like to see become a movie?

Injuries, Kimbo Slice and Pat Barry [MMA Insider]

2009-11-03T22:49:07-08:00

Brock Lesnar still isn't healthy enough to resume training, so rumors are swirling that he won't be able to fight Shane Carwin on Jan. 2 at UFC 108. Another bout rumored for that card, the middleweight title fight between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort, will also be pushed back as Silva still is rehabbing his elbow. And now it looks like Georges St. Pierre may not return before March, as he's still rehabbing from the injury he suffered at UFC 100.

While some bouts are being pushed back and fighters are taking a little longer to heal, at least there's some good news this week. It looks like the bout between Kimbo Slice and Houston Alexander is close to official. It will be on the TUF finale card and it should be a heck of a fight. Neither guy has much of a ground game, both will be going for quick knockouts. Smart money has to be on Alexander but at least Kimbo fans will have one (final?) chance to see him fight. Alexander, a light heavyweight, and the heavyweight Slice will likely fight at a catchweight.

A great read about Pat Barry cashing his $120k check from UFC 104.

Finally, it's a big weekend on the horizon with the return of MMA to CBS. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers ... is anyone crazy enough to throw their cash behind Rogers? Anyone?

Would you be willing to give Mark Teixeira a mulligan? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-11-03T17:34:01-08:00

I am back. The bar is open. Hope you are thirsty.

Not sure where to start. We could talk about the Ravens and that big win against the Denver Broncos. But that’s old news now.

We could talk about the upcoming game against the Bengals, but we still have some time for that.

We could discuss the Orioles’ recent moves, but they are so minor they are not worth your hard-earned two cents. Instead, we are going to rehash one of our favorite subjects – at least since this dive has been open.

While I’ve been off, I have been keeping one bleary eye on the World Series. And one thing is apparent to me: Baltimore’s curse on previously favorite son Mark Teixeira seems to working.

At least partially.

Teixeira, a career .290 hitter, is batting .172 this postseason. He has just four extra-base hits in 67 plate appearances in the New York Yankees’ three playoff series.

Still, heading into Wednesday night’s Game 6, Teixeira is one win away from a World Series championship ring, the ultimate prize that Baltimore’s voodoo doctors kept away from Mike Mussina for all those years in pinstripes.

If Teixeira wins one – and I’m pretty sure he is going to – we’ll have to line up shots on the bar for many of you.

When Teixeira signed with the Yankees last December and said at his news conference that he dreamed of being a Yankee and wore a Yankees hat to Camden Yards, many of you immediately cursed him.

Deep down, though, you know how good he is. And you also know what the Orioles most need right now to compete is a power-hitting first baseman in his prime who is either a switch-hitter or a right-handed hitter. Teixeira, who grew up in Severna Park, really was the perfect fit.

I am not asking you to cry over spilled beer. But here is my fictitious scenario for the day. Assume for a minute that Tex could opt out of his Yankees contract after one year and that shiny ring on his finger if he said he wanted to come home.

Would you let bygones be bygones and welcome the prodigal son into the Orioles’ nest? Or did he lose you forever at that press conference, no matter how much he would help your team?

Here are the ground rules: If he came back, he wouldn’t have to apologize for his previous comments. He wouldn’t have to give back his ring. He’d still cost the Orioles $180 million or so. But he’d be with the Orioles at a time when they could really use him.

Well, what do you do?

Daily Think Special: Would you be willing to give Mark Teixeira a mulligan and an olive branch?

Shogun-Machida: Immediate rematch [MMA Insider]

2009-10-26T23:07:09-07:00

This doesn't happen too often. While both parties agreed to it, rematches like this, especially with a title on the line, usually don't happen so quickly. Yet, it appears Dana White and both Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua have signed off on it so the rematch is a reality.

The first one was an enjoyable fight to watch (from my perspective) and I think the rematch will be even better. I definitely feel like it won't make it to the judges this time around. I also feel like the Machida backlash will force him to do more in the next fight. I wouldn't be surprised if Shogun felt the same way, since he won the fight and still wasn't awarded the victory.

This seems like the right call. Especially since there's no one knocking on the door for a title shot at light heavyweight. With Rampage out of the picture, the Rashad Evans-Thiago Silva winner seems poised for the next shot, and neither of those guys can make as interesting a fight as Shogun part two.

I think the lack of quality challengers has a lot to do with it, because other fights have had controversial decisions but weren't given immediate rematches. The Rampage-Forrest Griffin fight comes to mind.

Lesnar out of UFC 106 [MMA Insider]

2009-10-26T23:04:38-07:00

In devastating news, Brock Lesnar was forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout with Shane Carwin at UFC 106 in November. The match will now be held at UFC 108 on Jan. 2.

Lesnar has been suffering from an illness that sounds an awful lot like H1N1, but is unconfirmed. Lesnar reportedly claimed it's the sickest he's been in his life and his people say he wouldn't have near the time needed to train for a big fight.

Instead, the Forrest Griffin-Tito Ortiz rematch will be moved into that slate instead.

Tough news, but this sort of thing happens. You can catch the full story here at Yahoo.

Shogun was robbed [MMA Insider]

2009-10-25T00:42:54-07:00

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua fought a very tactical fight against a difficult opponent in UFC light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida and Rua fought it to perfection. He landed a flurry of devastating leg kicks and while the fight was extremely close, it's hard to see Machida as the winner in this bout. You could argue that Shogun won 49-46, but even most rational fans had to assume Shogun was going to be announced as the winner when it was declared a unanimous decision.

Rua completely took Machida out of his gameplan and looked much more like the Shogun of old. The Shogun of old, however, would've finished the fight. The Shogun we saw at UFC 104, however, certainly did enough to win. He was never in too much danger and really controlled the tempo of the fight. He threw some ferocious kicks to the legs and body of Machida and handled the "elusive" fighter very well. He should've won that fight. I thought Machida looked as surprised as the fans at the Staples Center were when he was announced as the winner.

Some will argue that the challenger has to take the belt from the champion and that any close fight will go to the current champ. That wasn't the case with Forrest Griffin and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Even so, I felt (as many other writers, fans in attendance and both Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg) that Rua did more than enough to get the decision.

Outside of Rua getting robbed, it was a pretty enjoyable show. I thought the prelim fights on Spike were terrific. I was surprised that Chael Sonnen handled Yushin Okami the way he did but I thought it was a good fight. Joe Stevenson looked terrific and Cain Velasquez dominated Ben Rothwell. I still don't think Velasquez is ready for Brock Lesnar, though. I'd like to see Velasquez face someone like Nogeuira or even Frank Mir before getting a shot at Lesnar. Anthony Johnson had a sick knockout as well, but his came against a fighter with no chin.

Overall, a pretty enjoyable night of fights, outside of a highly controversial decision. Even though he lost, Rua proved he's a fighter to be reckoned with again at light heavyweight. And, more importantly, it showed that Machida is human. He was thought to be one of the most unbeatable fighters in the UFC but that was simply not the case Saturday night. He still doesn't belong in the St. Pierre/Anderson Silva class, not yet.

Although I would've loved to see Rua win, just on the chance that Dana White would make that Shogun vs. Anderson Silva fight. That would be a great one to watch.

UFC 104 worth a buy? [MMA Insider]

2009-10-23T10:34:38-07:00

UFC 104 is this weekend and outside of the Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua bout for the light heavyweight championship, there’s not a whole lot of intrigue.

I’m excited for the Joe Stevenson-Spencer Fisher fight, but the rest of the card? Take it or leave it.

I’m curious to see how the PPV sells since it’s headlined by a pair of Brazilians. Both great fighters but I’m curious how the casual fan will support it. I’m still on the fence. This may be one show I catch at a sports bar instead of shelling out the 50 bucks.

I wish we could see the Yushin Okami-Chael Sonnen fight, but what are you going to do? Cain Velasquez and Ben Rothwell could be a decent fight, but not for second billing.

I don’t know though ... if PRIDE Shogun shows up, that main event might be worth it.

Can Shogun beat Lyoto Machida? [MMA Insider]

2009-10-22T07:22:18-07:00

The odds aren't in his favor. Right now, the line on the Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Lyoto Machida fight for the light heavyweight title is Mauricio Rua (+375) vs. Lyoto Machida (-550). If you're not a degenerate gambler, like I used to be, this essentially means Machida is a heavy favorite.

It's hard to disagree because Shogun hasn't looked overly impressive in any of his fights in the UFC. He was a legend in PRIDE and if that Shogun was in this fight, it might be more even. But with the unpredictability of what we'll get from Shogun, shouldn't he at least be given better odds? He was once considered the top light heavyweight fighter in the world by some analysts.

In the UFC, he lost to Forrest Griffin and was injury plagued until beating Mark Coleman more than a year later. Both his UFC wins, over Coleman and Liddell, aren't over guys exactly in their prime. Or even close to it.

Machida, on the other hand, has been fantastic lately. He's shaken the unfair label of being a "boring" fighter by winning the knockout of the night honors in his last two bouts, taking down Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans. Machida is near the top of his game, and it's not really known where Rua is.

Smart money is on Machida, but is anyone going to back Rua?

Predict the 2009 World Series winner and its MVP [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-21T17:08:38-07:00

Interesting talk about Philadelphia and its fans on Wednesday.

Like I said before, I think most of you are going to need a sidecar for the Phillies bandwagon as it gears up for the World Series against the New York Yankees.

Stranger things can happen, but Phillies-Yankees looks inevitable.

So, assuming that is the case, break it down for me. Call it Thursday’s Pre-Prediction Friday.

(We are shutting the bar down today and will be back in early November to talk Ravens and the hot-stove league. Make sure you check back shortly after Halloween.)

I want your predictions for the World Series: The winner, the number of games and the MVP.

Here is my thought: Your hated Yankees win in six games. Robinson Cano gets the MVP. There’s no insider information here. Just a hunch.

Have a great week or so and, to quote Rob K. quoting an ad campaign, stay thirsty.

Daily Think Special: Predict the World Series winner and MVP.

UFC counterprogams Fedor [MMA Insider]

2009-10-21T14:19:11-07:00

Fedor Emelianenko makes both his Strikeforce and network television debut on Nov. 7 when he takes on Brett Rogers on CBS. The UFC, as it frequently does, has put together a solid special to compete against that telecast. The UFC will be airing a special of previously unseen-on-cable main events.

The UFC has done something similar before, when it showed past pay-per-view shows on Spike, but it has never collected a series of main events like this. It could be a really cool special and it's a great chance for a new fan to get introduced to some of the biggest stars in the sport. I don't think it will outdraw the CBS card, but it's definitely a smart plan on the UFC's part.

Here's the lineup for the show.

UFC 102

RANDY COUTURE vs. ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA

This highly-anticipated battle featured UFC legend and former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, Randy Couture, against former PRIDE heavyweight and then UFC interim heavyweight king, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

UFC 103

VITOR BELFORT vs. RICH FRANKLIN

A battle of veteran former UFC champions featured former light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort returning to the Octagon against former UFC middleweight champ Rich Franklin.

UFC 101

BJ PENN vs. KENNY FLORIAN

Lightweight champion BJ Penn, in his second title defense, took on top contender Kenny Florian in a battle of Brazilian jiu jitsu experts.

UFC 101

FORREST GRIFFIN vs. ANDERSON SILVA

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva moved up in weight class for a non-title bout against former UFC light heavyweight champ and “The Ultimate Fighter 1” winner, Forrest Griffin.

What's your feeling about Philadelphia sports teams and their fans? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-20T17:20:31-07:00

Back to baseball for a day.

(But a quick programming note first. With the Ravens’ bye week coming up and the Orioles rather silent, I am going to be shutting the bar down, likely for the rest of October. That means probably no Prediction Friday this week or next, but we’ll get back to sports talk in early November. Thursday will probably be the last day for a while, but I’ll leave the key under the door in case you guys need an emergency drink.)

Anyway, I was in Philly on Monday and watched the Phillies come back to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers and go up 3-1 in the National League Championship Series.

In the preseason I predicted the Dodgers would win the World Series. Technically, they are still alive, but I don’t see it happening now. The Phillies are a very good team with a great offense and a dependable – if not formidable -- rotation.

So I am pretty sure they’ll represent the NL again in the World Series.

Now I know if they play the Yankees in the October Classic, this place will suddenly become South Street South. But otherwise I am curious as to hear what Baltimore fans think about the success in Philadelphia.

There was a time when the two cities had a little geographical rivalry, especially between the Orioles and Phillies, who met in the 1983 World Series.

I went to a Pennsylvania college and the number of Philadelphia sports fans there grossly outnumbered Baltimore/Washington or New York area fans.

And so I had a lot of Philly sports shoved down my throat in four years.

It has been a long time since I have been a fan or hater of any particular sports team, though. So I want your opinion on the Phillies and Philadelphia sports in general.

To be honest, I think this Phillies team is pretty likeable. Also, two men with Orioles ties that I respect, third base coach Sam Perlozzo and assistant GM Scott Proefrock, are in line for a ring, and I’d like to see that happen for their sakes.

Plus, after the initial celebration wore off, Philly Phanatics were pretty darn civil and respectable this year as the fans of the defending World Champions. They didn’t seem to flaunt it the way a certain crew up north has recently. I think part of it is that Philly fans are so used to falling short that they were waiting for someone to wake them up this year.

So I don’t have a problem if they repeat. But do you?

Daily Think Special: What’s your feeling on Philadelphia sports fans and their teams?

Which 2008 Raven does this year's team miss the most? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-20T05:32:30-07:00

Now that Ravens fans are a bit on the disgruntled side, there has been a whole lot of remorse getting tossed around the bar.

Usually we save that kind of second-guessing for old flames at 1 a.m. But I’ll indulge you all today.

The Ravens broke up their long-term relationships with several players/personnel last offseason.

The list of those hitting the road included linebacker Bart Scott, kicker Matt Stover, defensive back Jim Leonhard and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, among others.

Each name has been brought up in the last few days, with that “I never should have dumped him” tone.

You could argue the Ravens could use all of them back here. But which one do they miss the most? Is there someone else from the 2008 team that they need right now?

Sure, some left on their own accord, others the Ravens chose not to re-up. Point is, they aren’t here anymore.

It’s time to cry in your beer over spilled milk.

Daily Think Special: Which 2008 Raven does this year's team miss the most?

What do you take away from Sunday's Ravens' loss? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-18T16:49:49-07:00

Let’s get the obvious out of the way first.

That was one heck of a game at the Metrodome Sunday. I know it didn’t end the way most of you wanted, but it couldn’t have been much more entertaining.

And Joe Flacco couldn’t have looked more like vintage Brett Favre if he had worn Wranglers and retired in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Ravens lost and have dropped three straight. What was a season of immense possibilities (3-0) is now one of confounding mediocrity (3-3).

Several of you picked the Vikings to win this one, but no one was real close to the 33-31 score. So I am giving the free bar tab this week to Space, who predicted a 24-23 Ravens’ loss. He wins because he knew this would be a nail-biter that would end poorly.

Steve Hauschka missed the game-winner, but he didn’t lose this game. The secondary did. It was a concern before the season started and it’s absolutely alarming now.

Sure, there are plenty of positives with this team. It has heart, and Joe Flacco, despite his inexperience and inconsistency, is often a pleasure to watch. That said, it may not matter if other teams can slice apart the Ravens’ pass defense.

That’s what I take from Sunday’s Ravens’ loss. Great game, but if the secondary doesn’t improve, the Ravens won’t get far in the postseason, if they make it at all.

Daily Think Special: What do you take away from Sunday’s Ravens loss?

Prediction Friday: Ravens at Vikings [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-16T05:47:19-07:00

You’ve made it to another Prediction Friday.

We are serving double shots of Purple Moose (or Purple Jesus in some parts) in honor of the Ravens-Vikings game in Minnesota. So line up.

I am no longer predicting blowouts. I have learned my lesson.

I think the Ravens win, because I don’t think they’ll lose three in a row heading into the bye week. Pretty scientific, huh? And some of you thought I was just a baseball guy.

I look at it like this: If the Vikings defensive front can keep up its impressive season, get past the young offensive line and pressure Joe Flacco, there could be some serious trouble for the Ravens. It Flacco can get some time, though, the Ravens should put up points, especially if they can add a balanced running attack as well.

Adrian Peterson is going to get his, as will old man Favre. But I still like the Ravens in this one, 27-24, on a late touchdown pass to Derrick Mason (remember him?)

I’ll give Flacco the hero of the game tiebreaker for three TDs, including a Favre-esque, game-winning drive.

Daily Think Special: Predict the score and hero of Sunday’s Ravens-Vikings match-up.

MMA on The Simpsons [MMA Insider]

2009-10-15T23:49:09-07:00

The Simpsons took its shots at mixed martial arts on a recent episode and Dana White was less than thrilled about it. He spoke with USA Today about the episode and said his chief complaints where showing kids doing MMA moves on the playground and the depiction of fans that go to fights.

"We like fighting," White said to USA Today. "But to make it sound like the UFC crowd is this bloodthirsty crowd that shows up and just want to see people get their (butts) kicked — that's not true. That's the stigma that the mainstream has of us. ... The Simpsons program will show you how mainstream we're not," White said.

The only interesting thing about this is the final point White made. That episode proves how mainstream the sport isn't yet. There are a ton of people out there with horrible misconceptions. I can't even count how many people still call it "no-holds barred" or still have that conception of "two men enter, one man leaves."

But does this episode upset people? I find myself more in the "screw it" phase. If people want to have misconceptions about the sport, fine. Smart people understand it's a sport with highly skilled and highly trained athletes and not two drunk guys locked in a cage. As for everyone else, who cares?

Cool event to benefit Wounder Warrior Project [MMA Insider]

2009-10-15T23:41:32-07:00

Just got an e-mail about a very cool event happening in the area this weekend benefiting a great cause. Make sure to check it out if you're around on Saturday. Here's some information from the news release.

"The Second Annual Mid-Atlantic Hopper Challenge (the Hopper) is coming to Crossfit BWI in Glen Burnie on Saturday, October 17, 2009 starting at 8:00 a.m. The CrossFit fitness competition features 143 athletes competing all day for two things – bragging rights and a great cause. All proceeds from the event go to support the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Hopper is a charity fitness competition to benefit The Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to severely injured U.S. Armed Services members during the time between active duty and transition to civilian life. WWP’s amazing work focuses on helping these men and women establish bright new futures for themselves and their families. The majority of the prescribed workouts performed by CrossFit athletes are named after fallen soldiers so this particular cause is near and dear to their hearts.

This year’s competition will be hosted by CrossFit BWI, an established CrossFit gym in Glen Burnie, Maryland. “We’ve already passed capacity for the Hopper with 143 athletes (97 men and 46 women) competing and we hope to be able add a few more from the waiting list. In addition to the 143 athletes, we expect at least another 250 spectators. This year’s competitors come to the Hopper from an incredible nine states and 25 CrossFit gyms,” said event organizer, John Alanis."

--If you want more info, you can check it out at http://www.midatlantichopper.com

What's your hope for the Yankees this postseason? [Connolly's Corner Sports Bar]

2009-10-14T19:45:56-07:00

Well, the good news from Wednesday’s discussion is that there still are plenty of passionate opinions about the Orioles, despite their continual losing.

You may not care as much as you once did, but you still care. And that’s important.

I understand some of you believe it is ridiculous that most of the coaching staff (and Dave Trembley) can be back after the team lost 98 games and stumbled through consecutive losing season No. 12.

I say to that what I said to the picking up of Trembley’s option: There isn’t enough talent to make a true judgment on the coaching staff.

But, trust me, it is expected that if this team is disastrous again next year, there will be a housecleaning -- even if, again, it’s not the coaches’/manager’s fault. It won’t matter.

One quick point about Wednesday’s discussion: Juan Samuel has re-upped as third base coach, so he will not be bench coach. He probably would have been good at that position, but look for the new hire to have catching experience.

OK, moving on. We haven’t talked much about the baseball postseason. So we let the premature ending of the Red Sox season pass without any comment. Shame on all of us.

The Yankees are still alive, though, and they are worth discussing. I have talked to several Orioles’ fans as well as some friends who are just baseball fans. And the thoughts are all over the board when it comes to these Yankees.

Some traditional Yankee haters are unhappy that the Bronx Bombers are back in the ALCS. Yet at least one Yankee hater I know wants to see the Yankees get to the World Series, so they can lose to Joe Torre. He figures they can suffer that indignity while the whole world watches them suffer.

I ran that theory by another Yankee hater, who admitted that is a sweet scenario but said he didn’t want to leave it to chance. He’ll root for the Angels, and if they falter, then he’ll root for whomever plays the Yankees in the World Series.

Another O’s fan told me that he views this Mark Teixeira-led team much like he did Mike Mussina’s Yankees. He has cursed them and hopes Tex never wins a ring.

Then there’s another interesting theory. A writer I know said he’d like to see the Yankees win it all, just to show that you can go from a non-playoff team in one year to a champion if you can buy the three best players in a free-agent market. He says it will further expose baseball’s economic disparity for the sham it is. I get that, but I also told him it’s not a news flash and it’s not going to change a thing.

One last side of the Yankees coin. A diehard Orioles fan told me he wants to see the Yankees win, because he now hates the Red Sox more, and if the Yankees win, it’ll most pain Red Sox Nation. And that will give him tremendous pleasure, since he doesn’t harbor the illusion that the Orioles can top either in his lifetime.

So which camp are you in?

Daily Think Special: What’s your dream scenario involving the Yankees and this postseason?

Frank Mir and Anderson Silva? [MMA Insider]

2009-10-14T00:40:35-07:00

Frank Mir was at the WEC 43 weigh-in and during a Q&A session he said he’d love a chance to fight Anderson Silva at heavyweight. Could we ever see that fight?

Silva has talked about possibly fighting at the heavyweight level in the future and Silva-Mir could be an intriguing bout. If he was going to go to heavyweight, Mir would make good sense. Silva wouldn’t be able to handle Brock Lesnar’s size and the only other heavyweight superfight would possibly be Randy Couture, and I don’t think he’d give Silva any more trouble than Forrest Griffin. In the end though, it doesn't make much sense for Silva to move up to heavyweight, so it's one wish Frank Mir probably won't see come true.

Mir also seemed to talk down a possible rematch with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, saying he’d simply knock him down again. That’s the fight I think makes the most sense for Mir, provided he gets past Cheick Kongo at UFC 107.

Check out the full account at yahoo.com.

Also, the UFC officially announced the first bout for The Ultimate Fighter 10 finale on Dec. 5. In a bout between rising stars in the light heavyweight division, Matt Hamill will face Jon Jones. I love this fight and cannot wait for it. Jon Jones will be a star someday but Hamill is severely underrated (in my book).

Bill Belichick talks lacrosse [Faceoff]

2009-09-30T12:54:38-07:00

The New England Patriots are spending this week preparing for a visit from the Ravens Sunday, but that didn't stop Patriots coach Bill Belichick from talking a little lacrosse during a conference call with media members who cover the Ravens on Wednesday.

Belichick, who grew up in Annapolis and graduated from Annapolis High School, spent at least five minutes of his 15-minute conference call discussing lacrosse.

Regarding his relationship with Johns Hopkins and coach Dave Pietramala, Belichick said, "It’s a strong one. Coach Pietramala has been a good friend. Certainly enjoy talking to him and exchanging ideas about coaching and preparation and things like that and stats and players. I know the sports are different and all, but coaching is still coaching to a large degree and handling your team, there’s a lot of carryover even though the sports are different. He’s given me the opportunity to be around his teams, on the practice field, at games, and in meetings and in preparation. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve taken a lot of things that he’s done and incorporated them into some of the things that we do – more in terms of coaching and preparation style and that type of thing. He’s come up to visit us here a few times in training camp and at games, and I have a great exchange of ideas with him, and he’s been a huge help. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he’s done and what he’s done with that great program, which I’ve always admired – even though I grew up at the Naval Academy and bleed blue and gold. But being that close to Hopkins and the program that they run there from when he was a player until now as a coach, I just have tremendous respect for him and the entire Johns Hopkins lacrosse program. It’s first class and they do things the right way. It’s been a great opportunity for me to watch them up close and see how they do some of the things they do so well."

An inspiration passes away [Faceoff]

2009-08-05T18:58:56-07:00

Longtime Middlebury College lacrosse field manager Peter Kohn passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack last Saturday while on a fishing trip near his home in Cape May, N.J.

Mr. Kohn, a former field manager at the Park School, suffered from a mild form of autism, but was a beloved member of the lacrosse community. I didn't know Mr. Kohn, so here are links to two publications that have much deeper perspective on Mr. Kohn's impact on the sport.

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2009/08/05/longtime-middlebury-lacrosse-field-manager-peter-kohn-passes-away/

http://www.laxmagazine.com/blogs/badder/080509_peter_kohn

With or without Bayhawks, MLL Finals are coming to Annapolis [Re: Lax]

2009-08-05T08:46:44-07:00

The Bayhawks beat Chicago last weekend. Now they're rooting for the Machine this weekend. The Bayhawks enter the final week of the season with a chance at postseason life. They had to beat the visiting Chicago Machine last Saturday to get to this point and they did, in overtime on a Matt Abbott goal. Now they need Chicago to beat Long Island this weekend while they must beat the Cannons, Thursday in Boston, which is not so easy. The Bayhawks travel to Boston for a Thursday night showdown with the Cannons. If these two things occur, the Bayhawks would make their first championship weekend appearance since they won it all in 2005. Whether the Bayhawks make the championship weekend or not, it will be held in Annapolis Aug. 22-23. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is a great place for the games and the Baltimore crowd will have a chance to redeem itself as a lacrosse-supporting town. These will be the best four teams in world, loaded with local talent, playing for a title in what is the infancy of pro lacrosse. When history is made, the people living through it rarely know it’s happening around them. Early NFL and baseball championships are now legendary, and so will some of these early MLL finals 50 years from now, regardless of what pro lacrosse league exists then. Baltimore is the lacrosse town. The fields around town have been alive with summer leagues all season and there are tons of lacrosse people not going to the beach that weekend, especially since the Ocean City Lacrosse Classic tournament is the weekend before. Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is just 30 minutes away from Baltimore and tickets are pretty cheap at $21-30 for a weekend package, plus $10 for parking each day in the stadium parking lot. You’d pay that $10 even if you wanted to park there to shuttle to the Naval Academy or walk around Annapolis. You can buy tickets here. The crowd at the last game against Chicago was, for the first time I’ve seen, mostly kids. There were kids everywhere having a great time. The Bayhawks will be in Annapolis again next year and they have a special 2010 season ticket deal going right now for less than $100. Now that’s recession proof. Plus, if you buy twop tickets now, you’ll get a Bayhawks autographed ball. To reserve your tickets, contact the Bayhawks at 866-99-HAWKS (42957) or by visiting the Bayhawks website.

A star is born [Re: Lax]

2009-07-22T15:03:59-07:00

A few years back I watched Herkimer win a national junior college championship with an exciting young goalkeeper named Brett Queener. He was the national junior college player of the year that season, but he stood out for other reasons, too. When the team was on the sideline and after the game he was basically a showman. It was like he was the post-game entertainment. He looked like Shia LaBeouf and he held everyone’s attention effortlessly. I guessed that day that the kid might be destined for greater things than JUCO glory. Queener went on to play at the University of Albany and was the difference in many wins, while usually impressing even in the losses. He would bring the ball down on offense probably more than coach Scott Marr really wanted him to, but he was a huge morale boost and mood lightener for two great seasons at Albany. His whole family is in the game. His dad coached him at Penn Yan Academy in the Albany area, his brother Brice played at Georgetown and his sister Sarah coaches at Claremont McKenna in southern California. Queener went on from Albany to play and star in Major League Lacrosse for Toronto. In his rookie year he was voted onto the All-Star team. The All-Star game was this past weekend in Denver and for the first time in my life, I had the impression that the MLL could possibly succeed long term, and it was all because of Queener. The funny part was, while Brett was exciting in the goal during the second half and the crowd loved his play, it was his halftime antics that really showed his true talents and potential value to the suffering league. The halftime was a condensed version of the NBA’s night before All-Star party with a series of skills competitions. Normally I would have skipped this part of the event, but I gave it a chance and was amazed at what I saw. The three competitions tested accuracy, shot speed and creativity. The accuracy test was won by Toronto’s Merrick Thompson, who barely bested Toronto’s Joe Walters. The fastest-shot competition was won by Boston’s Paul Rabil with a 111 mph shot, believe it or not. The freestyle shot or creative shot competition is most like the NBA’s slam dunk competition. Props can be used. One guy had a lacrosse head on each end of his shaft and a ball in each, trying to shoot both. He didn’t win. The thing gets pretty campy. At one point a Drew Westervelt imposter (Matt Danowski) pretended to multi-fake the goalie while the real Westervelt shot the ball into the net effortlessly from the first row of the stands, sitting with fans. True corn. I almost turned it off when Steven Berger used a specifically modified skateboard to kick a ball up to himself. But the most ridiculous and stupid trick shot was yet to come and it was Queener who would stoop so low and oddly, save the show. Across the field a John Deere was cruising toward the action and on its flatbed back was a fake-beard-wearing Queener who shot video of the audience as he approached, ditched the camera just before they approached the goal and dove off the back of the mini-truck toward the goal and goalie. He shot the ball mid-air as he dove, scoring past the token keeper and landing face down in the cage. It was ridiculous and yet actually funny. Like actual-world funny. Like “the kin folk said, Jed move away from here, Californy is the place you ought to be” funny. Queener won the first round but there was a second round. After a dumb Rabil/Berger combination and the two-headed guy, it was time for Queener again. He held the crowd for a couple minutes like a fine comedian as he did a Michael Jackson spoof tribute complete with one glove, a moonwalk and a shot on the cage to boot. It was as if someone had hired a Jack Black or Robin Williams to come up with some lacrosse routine. Queener was brilliant. The players behind him were in stitches and without even putting a hard or trick shot on goal walked away with the award hands down. The kid is talented and lacrosse isn’t his best game. The question is: will the league somehow figure out how to translate his electricity to the dwindling league and revive it before it’s too late? They are much more prone to feature a Paul Rabil, especially after the amazing 111 mph shot and really dominating on the field, but as a celebrity personality, he’s as boring as Pete Sampras. He’s got a self-satisfied thing going on that is the exact opposite of Queener’s drive to entertain us at every moment. I’m not dissing Rabil. Sampras was an all-time great tennis player and ruled an era, but tennis went down the crapper under his reign. Queener is John McEnroe. And McEnroe captured the imagination of a generation, love or hate him. Queener has this ability if the league can just figure out how to make a Toronto goalkeeper the goofy goateed face of professional lacrosse.

Tragedy strikes Virginia lacrosse again [Faceoff]

2009-07-13T16:16:51-07:00

For the second time in eight months, the Cavaliers program has lost a valued family member.

On Saturday, Michael Colley, an assistant sports information director who fielded all media requests connected to the Virginia lacrosse team died during a walk while vacationing with friends in Virginia Beach, according to the school. Colley was 46.

Colley's suddent death comes on the heels of the death of former short-stick defensive midfielder Will Barrow, whose body was found in his Charlottesville apartment on Nov. 22. Although Newsday reported it was an apparent suicide, no one from the Cavaliers has confirmed that initial report.

Colley was in charge of the football and lacrosse teams at Virginia and was a tireless representative for both teams. I can remember covering last March's seven-overtime thriller between the Cavaliers and Maryland, and Colley had worked up sweat trying to feed the media as much information as he could despite working outside in 50-degree temperature. And he still found a way to get us reporters an opportunity to interview whomever we requested.

My condolences to the Colley family and the rest of the Cavaliers.

Maryland State of Lacrosse Games this weekend [Re: Lax]

2009-07-09T10:13:21-07:00

This weekend the Maryland State of Lacrosse Games will be held in Howard County. The tournament, held at Patterson Park in previous years, will host men's and woman's elite teams, men's masters and grand masters teams. Even though it's a Maryland tournament, teams from as far as New York and Charlottesville will be playing. The level of play is typically very high with former college All-Americans dotting the landscape along with many all-club and all-pros, as well. Games will be played at Cedar Lane East grass fields, Cedar Lane West field turf stadiums, Western Regional field turf stadiums and Rockburn Park field turf complex. Saturday will feature round-robin play and Sunday will culminate with afternoon championships. The event is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield and CareFirst of Maryland and DC. There will be a lacrosse village at Cedar Lane West, featuring food venders, lax vendors, hardest shot contests and a tournament bull roast. The champions and MVPs will be presented Saturday evening at the lacrosse village. The tournament has been run for years by Jim Huelskamp, a friend of mine and author of the 1992 book Indoor Lacrosse, The Story of the Major Indoor Lacrosse League -- a great history of the professional indoor game. He played in the league after starring at Salisbury. For more information and directions to all the fields go to LaxClassic.com.

Many college refs not paid in 2009 [Re: Lax]

2009-06-30T11:47:15-07:00

When the firm that assigns and pays referees for a large portion of college lacrosse games defaulted on payments to the officials this spring, it wasn’t an issue that reached the fans or the media. In early June, the season was over, but John Powers of the Boston Globe broke the story, directly affecting about a dozen schools in the paper’s coverage area. I started calling around to see if the refs were paid and which schools were affected locally. The company that owns the AssignByWeb service is called PaymentsFirst. They are in Philadelphia and serviced many schools and conferences in many sports for five years before 2008. Some of their reported customers are/were Quinnipiac, MIT, Mount St. Mary's, York, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, Colby, Army and Navy. They had a contract with conferences like the ECAC and even the college lacrosse oversight body, the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association. More than 50 lacrosse-playing schools had paid in advance but were, in fact, not paying the referees that called the games. The USILA has used the AssignByWeb service for a few years. As you can see in this excerpt below from the USILA Web site, the proposed services were valuable and less expensive that previous methods of assigning and paying lacrosse’s college referees. Section II. On-Line Services - The USILA has contracted with assignbyweb.com to provide online services. 1. Services include: A) Posting all game assignments by date and school B) Posting all post game officials evaluations C) Posting all costs associated with officials fees and travel 2. This replaces the ECAC Program used in 2004 & 2005, at savings of over $15, 000 per year. 3. This new system will allow DAA's to precisely judge officials' travel to allow scheduling to be done with school expenses in mind. The system was working. AssignByWeb was paid in advance by the schools to administer and pay the referees who officiated their lacrosse games. By the way the story goes, the company was paying out to each season with the fees from the next season. When they hit the summer season with no college sports going on, they ran out of money and the spring referees did not get paid. In fact, referees in winter sports stopped getting paid in January when the problem was reported to the ECAC and the USILA along with the individual colleges in many cases. Powers reported that the USILA “alerted the Athletic Directors of its member schools in mid-April, telling them that it was clear they couldn't expect payment from the company and asking them to pay the officials directly.” College referees make between $150 and 250 per game plus mileage. And many of them did. Many of the schools were horrified that the refs were not paid and felt swindled by the company that had their money and would not release it to the referees. Many of the schools started paying the referees the wages they were owed and then manually for the games remaining in 2009. They were back to cutting checks and assigning refs and out the $5,000 or more they each had to deposit with AssignByWeb for the services they did not receive. Roy Condon, USILA's district assigner for New England told Powers that "at least a third [of the schools] have already paid. Another third are sending out W-9s [tax forms]. And probably another third are awaiting a legal response." As it turns out, PaymentsFirst was not authorized by the state of Pennsylvania to transmit money and has been prohibited from operating until it receives a license, according to Powers. I have copies of some of the e-mails flowing back and forth between schools and referees and have seen evidence of schools attempting to pay the referees promptly, but others have claimed that payment would be forthcoming but they do not know when. They have mentioned possible litigation against PaymentsFirst and have noted the inconvenience this has caused all of the parties. The only problem with the wait-and-see approach is that the referees don’t work for PaymentsFirst and should have been paid immediately after the situation was brought to the attention of the schools. In some cases, the schools kept requesting referees after the problem surfaced and still did not promptly pay them. If the school knows at some point that the ref is not being paid and still assigns the ref without making some other arrangement for payment, then they are somewhat complicit in the offense against the referee, regardless of their initial victim status. I should have to explain this to institutions of higher learning? I won’t name the schools that I’ve been told have not made payments even now, as we end the month of June, but fully expect them to do the right thing.

Team USA dethrones Australia [Re: Lax]

2009-06-27T13:50:09-07:00

I really enjoyed watching the women’s World Cup championship Saturday morning on the webcast from Prague in the Czech Republic. I spoke to a few college coaches who were watching the same way this week. The U.S. women held the Aussies to a low scoring output with a dominant defense, anchored by Devon Wills in the goal. Colorado’s Caroline Cryer exploded on offense with three goals in the 8-7 win. I am not one to boast but I once said, in this blog, that for the U.S. to win Cryer would have to be the MVP. She was edged out by Wills for the honor. I am also not one to dwell on my lesser moments, but I also wrote, just last week, that the Aussies would be too much for the Americans in the final, even after the U.S. “upset” the Australians in the round robin game. I really thought the Aussies had another year in their “dynasty”, while, with the loss, they have no dynasty at all, just a great win in 2005. In fact, I think what we witnessed in the earlier matchup between these finalists, was the shift from Australian domination, up 9-4 at halftime, to the youthful and talent-rich Americans, who won that game patiently 10-9, completely stopping the Australian juggernaut. The U.S. just finished the Aussies off today in the final with patient offense, great coaching, perfect defense and special performances by Wills, Cryer, Kristen Kjellman -- who may be the best player in the world -- and Michele Dejuliis, the leader of Sue Heether’s American squad. Team USA led throughout the second half after a 3-3 intermission. The Australians attempted a comeback with three straight goals, but Wills stopped the tying shot with less than a minute left. The U.S. was the better team, both days. We likely also witnessed the end of the career of Sarah Forbes, and the end of domination by the world’s previously number one player, Jen Adams, who, could not, as I asserted the other day, score a goal at will, or at least not on Wills. Congratulations to Team USA, the Czech hosts and the FIL for what looked like another set of great games!

U.S. Women upset Australia [Re: Lax]

2009-06-23T14:00:55-07:00

I root for the U.S. whenever they play other countries in other sports. I have been covering lacrosse as a journalist for so long that I don’t ever root for any team under any circumstance. I sometimes root for outcomes that may help the game grow or get a particular coach a milestone victory or other human circumstances that transcend the field of play. But I have no favorite teams, even the U.S. in the World Games or Women’s World Cup, which is being played this week in Prague. In fact, just yesterday the U.S. upset the world champion Australians 10-9 after trailing at the half 9-4. There was such a stark difference in the play of both teams from the first to the second half of this game that my skepticism rose for a moment, thinking perhaps that all was not as it seemed in Prague. In the first half the U.S. was obviously outgunned and overwhelmed by the Aussie barrage. Stacey Morlang led off the scoring, but two-time Tewaaraton winner Hannah Nielson was effortlessly quarterbacking the Aussies to a slow and steady crushing of the U.S. team. She fed Jen Adams, perhaps the best player in the world (if it’s not Nielson) twice for scores in the first. Morlang, Nielson, Adams, Sonia LaMonica, Sarah Mollison, Alicia Moodie, Courtney Inge, Sarah Forbes and Loyola recruit Tegan Brown make up an offense that I thought, even before the games began, would be unstoppable. The defensive unit of Megan Barnet, Tess McLeod and goalie Sue McSolvin were shutting down the Americans. This same unit scored not a single goal in the second half. Not one. They led 9-4 at half and lost 10-9. They let long periods of time pass while the U.S. worked the ball around without ever playing defense with close to the level of intensity employed in the first half. There was no desperation or even urgency in the play of the Australians, even at the end. Jen Adams took a few shots but did not really try to win the game the way I might have expected and was not even in the game at some critical times. She can score one goal at will, last time I checked. This was, at the very least, an acceptable loss for the ladies from down under. Methinks they like the underdog role 100 percent more than the huge favorite role they had to bear until this game’s end. I'm not suggesting anything of a conspiratorial nature occurred, but now the pressure is firmly on the Americans. I am not saying the Aussies threw the half, although after watching, I can’t help but at least entertain the notion. It may have been that I witnessed the result of the worst coach’s halftime speech ever, or that all of the sudden, the best team in the world just forgot how to win, or even how to really play. I have watched quite a few men’s teams at international events play a 3/4-speed round-robin game against their likely championship game foe. They narrowly lose the first matchup and yet they never panic or really try to win the game. Not like they would in an elimination game. They aren’t really that upset afterward. That’s the way this seemed in Prague -- IN THE SCOND HALF. In 2005, Australia tied the United States 7-7 in the round-robin game, before throttling them in the final. I’m not taking away anything from the Americans who obviously played with intensity throughout and really did pull off a comeback win. They have come back to win against England and Canada in these games, as well, which is a good sign and a bad sign at the same time. But they are now the only 4-0 team at the Games and enter the medal round as the new favorite and No. 1 seed. They have some great players. Attacker Caroline Cryer is very, very good. The midfield is the strongest unit with Caitlyn McFadden, Lindsey Munday, Acacia Walker, Tewaaraton winner Katie Chrest, Sarah Bullard, Sarah Albrecht and two-time Tewaaraton winner Kristen Kjellman. And the 'D' is solid with Amber Falcone, Michi Ellers and Regina Oliver. In the U.S. cage, Devon Wills was the first-half victim and Megan Huether was the second-half hero. I must say that for whatever reason Amy Appelt is not on this squad, I personally am disappointed that she is not on the field representing the U.S. for a second time and think we are a lesser team without her, just as we were in Annapolis in 2005. This is a very good U.S. team, but so was the 2005 squad. The 2005 Australia squad may have been the best team I ever saw. Any team with each of the headline stars from the University of Maryland championship dynasty, Sascha Newmarch, Sarah Forbes, Jen Adams, Courtney Hobbs and Sonia Judd (LaMonica now) had a good chance in 2005 to take that honor without up-and-coming stars Sarah Mollison, Stacy Morlang, Kate McHarg and Hannah Nielson and the incredible unknown Sarah Falcione. This 2009 team has a mature Morlang, Mollison and Nielson. Jen Adams and Sonia LaMonica are at their prime and might be better now than last year. They looked that way yesterday for a half. I talked to one of the top coaches in the land today and they said, after watching the game on the internet as I did, that the U.S. comeback looked legitimate to them and that the Aussies just lost their focus. I am sure that my very knowledgeable friend was right, but I would think twice about putting any money on the U.S. in the final based on the outcome of the last game. Like anyone bets on women’s lax. Click here to see the game.

Pietramala staying in Baltimore until at least 2015 [Faceoff]

2009-06-19T07:21:46-07:00

Johns Hopkins and coach Dave Pietramala agreed to a two-year extension that will keep Pietramala with the Blue Jays through the 2015 season, the school announced earlier this morning.

Pietramala recently wrapped his ninth season and became the second-winningest coach in the program's history as he has compiled a 106-30 (.779) record at Johns Hopkins. He has guided the Blue Jays to national championships in 2005 and 2007 and runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2008. The team has qualified for the NCAA tournament in each of Pietramala's nine seasons.

"We are fortunate to have the finest men's lacrosse coach in the nation leading our program," athletic director Tom Calder told the school's website. "Dave Pietramala's coaching resume speaks for itself, but the success our players have had in the classroom and their extensive involvement in community service initiatives is something that we also take great pride in. The manner in which Dave and his players represent Johns Hopkins is exemplary and we look forward to many more years with Dave leading our program."

"The dedication our administration has shown to the men's lacrosse program during my tenure is remarkable," Pietramala was quoted as saying. "Our coaches and players recognize the privilege it is to represent Johns Hopkins University and we take that privilege very seriously. It has been exciting to coach so many fine young men and we look forward to working with another outstanding group during the 2010 season. We look forward to building on the tradition of Johns Hopkins lacrosse under the leadership of our new President, Ron Daniels."

Review & preview: Three teams under the radar [Faceoff]

2009-06-12T08:00:00-07:00

Last June, I published my version of the 2009 preseason poll and added another entry of three teams that I thought had potential. So in keeping with that tradition, here are three teams that did not finish above .500 and missed the tournament this past season. But what they do have is intrigue in either the form of returning players, a new head coach or a campaign that just fell short of the tournament. In alphabetical order, the teams flying under the radar are:

OC summer ball [Re: Lax]

2009-06-11T09:56:37-07:00

If you are "down the ocean" for the summer and want to play some lacrosse, the summer pickup games start again on Wednesday (June 17). It will be a little different this year. They will be playing in Ocean City at the Third Street fields next to the bay and there is a cost to rent the field. There will be a fee of $30 for the summer (six sessions) or $5 per night. The games will be each Wednesday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. See you there next week!

Review & preview: Premature poll Part 4 [Faceoff]

2009-06-11T08:00:00-07:00

Here is the final installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 5 to 1.

Unless there are confirmed reports about certain players planning to use fifth years of eligibility, this space will assume that seniors in 2009 will not be back next season. Unannounced fifth-year seniors and potential transfers will affect the rankings that come out next February, but here are the teams that I think will fall between Nos. 5 and 1.

UMBC visiting the Far East [Faceoff]

2009-06-10T13:38:47-07:00

The Retrievers will take their game overseas as participants in the International Friendship Games as part of an 11-day tour to Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan. The players and coaches from this past season’s team will leave Baltimore on Thursday and join in commemorating the 20^th anniversary of this event.

"We have a great relationship with the Japan Lacrosse Association [JLA]," coach Don Zimmerman told the school’s website. "This past fall, they sent a team over here and after the game, we had a tailgate for them. One of the principle ideas of the JLA is ‘Lacrosse Makes Friends.’ We understand that and give them the opportunity not only to play, but to socialize. As a result, they are always excited for UMBC to come over and participate in this event."

The Retrievers will compete against the Under-20 Toyko squad and the Japan National
squad on Saturday before facing the Under-22 Japan National Squad in Edogawa Stadium in an International Friendship Game on Sunday. The team will play against two collegiate teams on Tuesday before heading to Nagoya the following day.

The squad is scheduled to tour the Nagoya Castle and the Toyota Motor Corporation on Thursday, June 18 and will take part in a clinic the next day. UMBC will then compete in the second International Friendship game against the Nagoya Regional squad on Saturday, June 20 before returning to Baltimore on Sunday.

Fans can follow the team by logging onto www.umbcretrievers.com and going to "The Dawg Blog." Several players will be submitting entries during the trip.

Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part 3 [Faceoff]

2009-06-10T08:00:00-07:00

Here is the third installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 10 to 6. Thursday will be the last entry, featuring the teams ranked from Nos. 5 to 1.

Bill Tierney heads west [Faceoff]

2009-06-09T11:57:52-07:00

As first reported by Inside Lacrosse, longtime Princeton head coach Bill Tierney agreed on Monday to assume the same position at Denver after 22 years with the Tigers. It’s a surprising development considering that the 57-year-old Tierney was considered the face – and some would say raspy, passionate voice – of a Princeton program that captured six national championships under Tierney’s tutelege.

Tierney’s presence should pay immediate dividends for Denver, which endured a disappointing 7-8 campaign this past spring after two trips in three years to the NCAA tournament and witnessed the dismissal of three players and the resignation of head coach Jamie Munro.

Tierney’s background as a defensive whiz should improve a Pioneers unit that surrendered 10 or more goals in seven losses. His prowess at recruiting should make Denver a quality destination for blue-chip prospects. And with the Pioneers moving to a revamped Eastern College Athletic Conference, they suddenly become Loyola’s primary contender for the league title.

So what does this mean for the Tigers, who were 390-354-19 before Tierney and 238-86 under Tierney? Associate head coach David Metzbower, who just completed his 20^th season at Princeton, becomes the leading candidate to succeed Tierney. But don’t be surprised if the Tigers make a run at Cornell coach Jeff Tambroni, who has guided the Big Red to at least a share of the last seven Ivy League titles, or one of the young up-and-coming Ivy League coaches like Harvard’s John Tillman or Brown’s Lars Tiffany.

Tierney to Denver not just another coaching change [Re: Lax]

2009-06-09T11:16:14-07:00

This is not just another coaching change. Can you imagine how many times a school has asked Princeton’s Bill Tierney to leave the Tigers and lead their program? Johns Hopkins, Maryland, North Carolina, Duke and a few others are among the programs rumored to have approached Tierney in the past. Tierney said yesterday that this opportunity at Denver was one “that I never thought would come my way." That makes me assume he’s had Denver on his mind for a while and it was just a matter of waiting out Jamie Munro, a much younger man who had the job for the last 11 years. Whether it was Munro or the university that made the decision, Jamie resigned on May 7 after posting a 91-70 mark at Denver. I am not trying to fuel speculation, but did the school know of Tierney’s interest before Munro’s departure? I’d fire any coach in the land to get Tierney. This is not just another coaching change. Bill Tierney is not just another coach. He’s the best. This will change the game and he knows it. In his statement yesterday he said, "The expansion of the game to the West is exciting. If we are truly going to make lacrosse a nationwide sport, we need for some programs out there to become great. I think I can help Colorado lacrosse become the launching pad for that movement." He’s exactly right and he’s the only one who can do that in my eyes. If Petro or Zimmerman or Desko were headed to Denver, I would say they sold out for the money, and that the money was likely wasted. But Tierney will have Denver in the final four in three years. A national championship will be won within five years. I have no doubt at all. The others would do as well as Munro out there, which was admirable, in my opinion. This is not just another coaching change. My guess is that Tierney is now the highest paid coach in college lacrosse history, if he wasn’t already that at Princeton. Denver is coming as close to buying a championship as you can come. With it they finance the expansion of the game’s geographic center. Denver was a hotspot already with great pro crowds and huge growth on the youth level, but Tierney will exponentially improve the area in a few years. The Denver summer camps will become a must for blue-chip players. He will draw some of the finest high school players in the land immediately, albeit, perhaps not of the academic caliber he is used to. But that will be a new twist, too. Imagine Tierney being able to recruit kids with less than a 1400 on their SATs. Princeton's academic standards were always a barrier for most kids that would have played for Tierney if they could have. This is not just another coaching change. Tierney will make the state of Colorado a rival to New York and Maryland as a lacrosse hotbed in short order. He will expand the attendance of Denver lacrosse games from an average of 1,300 fans (2,000 for the Notre Dame game) to over 10,000 in a year’s time. He should be able to capture much of the 15,000-person crowds that attend Colorado Mammoth (NLL) and Denver Outlaws (MLL) games. College lacrosse at the top level has usually done better than any other levels of the game in lacrosse hotbeds. This increased attendance, especially by kids, will exponentially grow the game in Denver, eventually. This is not just another coaching change. It will limit a Denver recruit’s access to local Division I lacrosse for a while. That is the short-term downside to such rapid change in an area like Denver, at least for some of the kids there. In 2009, the Denver team included 12 players from Colorado while the Princeton team had none. The whole field of NCAA tournament participants included seven players from Colorado. Under the Tierney era, it will take some improvement in the local high school lacrosse for Colorado kids to make the Denver team in the near term. But in a few years, the make-up of the Denver roster may look more like Princeton or other big NCAA teams than the local team it is now. Eventually it will help Denver kids, but the immediate impact will be a negative one, I would think. Every great coach who takes over a program utilizes what he has while he brings in who he wants. That usually means that each class is exponentially better than the last and that kids who start as freshman each year might not start again after their first season. I saw it happen at Georgetown as they went from being an obscure team of Northern Virginia and Montgomery County kids to a national powerhouse with mostly New York and Baltimore kids. The building blocks of these rising teams are often very temporary and it can get awkward as every year freshmen replace the starters. This is not just another coaching change. This is a change to the game that will benefit our sport greatly. I’ve always moaned about the exclusivity of champions at the Div. I level and suggested that it would take a conspiracy of players to choose a school like Denver or some other outlier to grow the game, but I overlooked this method, thinking Tierney would live out his years at the Ivy League institution where he is an institution. But this will do the trick nicely. Believe me, with yesterday’s news the conspiracies just started. Great high school juniors and sophomores are thinking “Go west young man” as of today! The best kids at Gilman and West Genny and Wilton and Malvern and Georgetown Prep have widened their horizons in a day. The geographic borders of potential greatness just expanded five-fold. This is not just another coaching change. The applications for the new opening at Princeton will likely set a record. It is the best job opening in years. I can’t imagine someone other than David Metzbower getting the job. Tierney’s longtime assistant is the top assistant in the game and he could provide a seamless transition. He is the recruiter and a strategic mastermind who Tierney always shared credit with when they won championships. The national job search may just be a formality. This is not just another coaching change. This is Tierney’s last job. He’s looking to be near family and find a spot to live out his post-collegiate coaching life, too, and what place better than Colorado. His old friend Fred Acee was the coach for years at Air Force and Tierney understands the great quality of life awaiting him. I have always envied the coaches that have a niche in some community that is comforting. Hank Janczyk stands out to me in a small town like Gettysburg. What a life he has up there! I am sure Princeton was a comfort to the Tierneys, but it’s not exactly a retirement mecca, despite the slow pace that the pretty Main Street facade evokes. I am surprised a little that Tierney did not go to Jacksonville, but he must be a mountain guy instead of a beach guy and the hotspot for that type of living is just where he’s headed. He is also headed into lacrosse immortality. He’s already legendary for his coaching. Now he’s attempting to achieve something far more important, something so rare, perhaps only he could do it. Good luck, coach!

Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part 2 [Faceoff]

2009-06-09T08:00:00-07:00

Yesterday, I released the first installment of a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season, publishing the teams ranked from Nos. 15 to 11. Wednesday will feature Nos. 10 to 6 and Thursday, Nos. 5 to 1.

Review & preview: Premature 2010 poll Part I [Faceoff]

2009-06-08T08:00:00-07:00

Here is one observer’s attempt to take a crack at a preseason and premature poll for the 2010 season. I will break up the top 20 into four installments with today’s entry looking at teams ranked from Nos. 20 to 16. Tuesday will feature Nos. 15 to 11, Wednesday Nos. 10 to 6 and Thursday Nos. 5 to 1.

Review & preview: Johns Hopkins [Faceoff]

2009-06-04T07:14:08-07:00

Here’s the final installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Next week, we’ll unveil our take on next season’s top-20 poll. Today, we take a spin with Johns Hopkins.

Updates on Maryland's Brian Farrell and Brian Phipps [Faceoff]

2009-06-03T11:00:00-07:00

It sounds like junior Brian Farrell will return to his previous position as the Terps’ long-stick midfielder after dabbling with a close defenseman’s position this past spring.

Coach Dave Cottle didn’t go as far as to confirm that move, but his comments seem to suggest that sophomore Brett Schmidt, who moved from long-stick midfielder to close defenseman when Farrell was lost for the season after suffering rib and lung injuries just three games into the year, will remain in that position. Farrell will likely return to his old spot.

"I think Brian will be a guy that we use on faceoffs and play some down low, but he’ll also play some pole because he’s really dangerous going from defense to offense," Cottle said, adding that the school plans to help Farrell apply for a medical redshirt that will give him two more seasons of eligibility. "Not only is he a good defender, but he also will help us in transition."

Cottle also said that junior goalkeeper Brian Phipps is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee on June 16. Although recovery usually takes about 12 months, Cottle said Phipps tore the ACL in his right knee in August of his senior year at Severn and was ready for season opener.

"We hope that he will be ready," Cottle said.

Review & preview: Maryland [Faceoff]

2009-06-03T08:00:00-07:00

Here’s the penultimate installment of a new series that checks in with the seven Division I programs in the state to give a glimpse into the past and the future. Today, we take a visit with Maryland.

Navy and Loyola to meet in regular season for first time since 1943 [Faceoff]

2009-06-02T11:28:02-07:00

In addition to scheduling a regular-season contest against Towson for the first time since April 12, 1997, the Midshipmen agreed to renew a series with Loyola. The two programs have not played against each other since a playoff game on May 15, 1993 and a regular-season contest on April 3, 1943.

The Greyhounds will replace Navy’s game against Ohio State in the middle of February, and Midshipmen coach Richie Meade joked that it only took him 10 years to figure out that a trip to Baltimore is more economically feasible and less physically taxing than visiting Columbus, Ohio.

"Loyola is right down the block," he said. "It made a lot of sense. I think we’re a good game for them, and they’re certainly a good game for us. I think the games will draw great crowds, and I think there will be a lot of local interest. They will be big games. We play in some big games, but we need to play in more big games. I think that helps you."

Notes from Foxborough [Re: Lax]

2009-05-31T12:47:51-07:00

What a final! So, after all the complaining I always do before the playoffs about the monopoly on the title by a few schools, I am always so impressed by how these teams pull it off year in and year out that I forget to complain. This year, either the Syracuse kids pulled off the win of the young century or the lacrosse gods were just playing with our heads. I mean, this comeback was not just unlikely -- it was unnatural. Cornell had just played perfect defense for 2.9 games against the best teams in the nation. They held Princeton to four goals, Virginia to six goals and then Syracuse to seven goals before it all fell apart. Or did it? Is there a better defensive feat than deflecting a critical pass to an open attacker with five seconds left in a national championship game? The Big Red had the game won with 27 seconds left and possession of the ball, but after a behind-the-back desperation pass by Stephen Keogh on a ground ball followed by a backhanded, tipped pass from a double-covered Matt Abbott -- which is now called the "Immaculate Deflection" -- was caught by a falling Kenny Nims who landed at his man’s ankles while shooting and scoring the equalizer with 4.5 seconds left. It was truly a miracle in Foxborough. While the faithful never faltered, everyone I was with knew it was over the minute it went to overtime. We kept it to ourselves because Richie Moran, the legendary coach of those Cornell champions in the 1970s, sat only a few seats away and we knew how much he wanted it. He deserved it, really, as did Jeff Tambroni, Max Seibald, John Glynn and Jake Myers, but like so many others in the short history of the college game, it was yanked from their grasp at the last moment by those lax gods I mentioned. It was hard to see Richie after the Jamieson goal. As the Orange stormed the field, I turned away from his direction. I did not want to invade his very public private moment of despair. He wanted it so bad for all those guys. They’re still his guys, decades after his retirement from coaching. Roy Simmons, the legendary retired coach of the victorious Syracuse team, referred to the players as “his boys” in a discussion with us at the Syracuse tailgate after the game. He was as happy as Richie was sad, I imagine. The game of lacrosse is not without its growing pains from the rapid popularity, geographic growth and advancement into the mainstream. Each year more and more news organizations join the throng covering the final four weekend. And each year, members of the media with no real lacrosse knowledge increase in numbers. Ever since I’ve covered the NCAA tournament, the members of the media have selected the tournament MVP and the All-Tournament team. There have always been disagreements in the process, but over the last five or six years only the flashy make the cut, while the subtle goes unappreciated in the voting. One defenseman makes this year’s team, after each team held an explosive offense to small numbers and then played a defensive classic against each other. The blaring absence of Syracuse defensman Sid Smith is stunning. He held Duke’s Ned Crotty, who led the nation with 76 points, to two assists and then Sunday held Cornell’s Ryan Hurley to one goal and two assists while lending a big hand in keeping Max Seibald to only two goals. He made the check that stole the initial and crucial overtime possession from Cornell, which led to Cody Jamieson’s winning goal. If you watch that last Cornell possession, Smith just stalks Hurley with his feet, playing perfect position and only laying one check to take the ball. Then he gobbled the ground ball and started the immediate clear. That’s the type of play that is totally missed by the “new media”. All the guys on the list below are quite deserving, though. I wouldn’t take it away from anyone, but Smith was very possibly the tournament MVP and did not even make the team. Here’s this year’s All-Tournament team: Matt Abbott, Syracuse, Senior, Midfield John Glynn, Cornell, Senior, Midfield Ryan Hurley, Cornell, Junior, Attack Cody Jamieson, Syracuse, Junior, Attack Matt Moyer, Cornell, Senior, Defense Kenny Nims, Syracuse, Senior, Attack Rob Pannell, Cornell, Freshman, Attack Pat Perritt, Syracuse, Senior, Midfield Max Seibald, Cornell, Senior, Midfield Joel White, Syracuse, Sophomore, Longstick Midfield Speaking of Jamieson and Smith, in the blog I recently wrote, noting the geographical origins of the NCAA Division I field of players, I noted that there were only two Native Americans in the whole group and implored coaches to do more to recruit the descendants of the game’s fathers. Well, those same two Native Americans made the two most critical plays in the 2009 National Championship overtime. And they are great friends. As soon as Cody knew his final goal had gone in he immediately located Smith, some 80 yards away and ran right to him without stopping for any of the celebrations in between. He knew who he needed to celebrate with. Bureaucratic red tape pertaining to the transfer and acceptance of grades from a community college almost had Jamieson missing this postseason like he missed most of the season. His presence deepened the already potent Syracuse offense. Both potential opponents in the final, Virginia and Cornell, had played Syracuse already this season, but not with Jamieson in the lineup. On a funny note, when Virginia beat Johns Hopkins by 11 in the quarterfinals, the sports information department at UVa. sent a release with this heading: "Virginia Men's Lacrosse Romps Past Johns Hopkins 19-8", but when they were beaten by Cornell by nine, they sent the following: "Cavaliers Fall to Cornell 15-6 in National Semifinal". Good thing they didn't lose by two more goals. They just barely avoided a romping, I guess. I thought Syracuse wouId win by one in overtime but over Virginia. In the semi I predicted a halftime score of Virginia 8, Cornell 2. The halftime score was Cornell 9, Virginia 2. A local win in the Foxborough final. You might have noticed that both Cornell and Syracuse are STX teams. STX is the lacrosse manufacturer from Baltimore and they supply some of the best teams in the game with all their gear. In this case, while the game was out of town and the teams were from upstate New York, all of the gear on the field on Memorial Day was from right here in Charm City!

Between final fours [Re: Lax]

2009-05-21T15:22:30-07:00

I just got back from the MCLA Tournament in Denver. For the second year in a row, Michigan and Chapman battled in the final with the Wolverines taking the title. The final was a great game. Chapman, having lost in the final last year, had only one goal this year and that was to win the championship. It was a tremendous heartbreak losing to the same team again. But Chapman played Michigan better than anyone all year. The Wolverines finished a second 20-game undefeated season with the win and now stand at 40-0 in the last two years. In the Division II tournament, St. Thomas defeated Dayton in the final. On the final day, the Dick’s Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions event was held at the complex. Some 200 youth teams played all day long on 20 or more fields. I saw teams from Utah, California, Texas and lots of Colorado kids. The whole state is getting good at the youth level quickly. Denver is a hotbed in the making. And they support their pro teams better than any other town, so they are already a top lacrosse community. They hosted a great event and the facility was first rate with plenty of parking and perfect fields under clear skies. While I was gone Gilman won the MIAA A Conference championship as I thought they might. Congratulations to them and to Calvert Hall, which would have been a fine champion also. The Bayhawks lost in the opener to Toronto. If you missed it, Toronto comes back in a week or so for another game in Annapolis. But the big news while I was at the “other college championships”, was the NCAA quarterfinals where Johns Hopkins and Maryland were eliminated while Duke and Cornell found their way in against likely finalists Virginia and Syracuse. I was stunned that UNC lost three to Duke in a year. I was stunned that Cornell held Princeton to four goals. I am encouraged that we could see a Duke-Cornell final. That would be my hope. I have nothing against Virginia and Syracuse, but I’d just like to see the group of recent champions expand. There are some very interesting games Saturday and possible match-ups for Monday in Foxborough, Mass. The first is the Duke-Syracuse game. These teams have never played and that makes it very interesting to me. I would imagine we’ll see an offensive affair with any real defensive standout performance being the difference. If any of the Orange or Blue Devil stars are shut down, that would be the difference. Virginia already beat Cornell 14-10 in Charlottesville in early March. Both are better teams now. I love the play of Max Seibald and Rocco Romero. I saw them play together years ago on a team in Vail and knew then that both were special players. Coincidentally, Rocco is from the Denver area but graduated from Boys’ Latin in Baltimore before going to Cornell. Virginia has the tools to limit or surpass both of the Cornell stars but so did Princeton, on paper. I was so ready for a Princeton-Virginia semifinal that Cornell-Virginia seems like a good game to me. But then I look at the Hopkins-Virginia game and see that Virginia is hitting on all cylinders now. This one may not be close after all. But we can hope for a good game. A Cornell win would be a huge upset. But if they won, the matchups for the final would be sweet either way. Cornell always plays Syracuse tough and they have a tradition of upsetting the Orange. They lost a 2007 semifinal thriller to Duke, which was one of the most exciting games I’ve seen. A rematch of that game is appealing to me, especially for the national title. If Virginia wins the semifinal they could face Syracuse in a battle of traditional contenders. The game, which has a 70 percent likelihood of occurring, in my opinion, would be well played, hard fought, and exciting to watch. But the result would just add a notch to a crowded gun handle either way and blend in well with the history of the game. Should Virginia face Duke in the final, the fun begins, because the best team in the nation and the most touted team in years would have to beat a team they just can’t beat statistically. The Blue Devils have beaten the Cavs seven times in a row, winning every game since 2005. The last time they played was the semifinal of the ACC tournament. Duke beat the top-ranked team 16-5. Virginia lost the first meeting of 2009, 15-10. But a Duke win would mean they beat two conference teams three times each in the same season. That is a massive achievement in any sport. It may be too much to ask for should the Blue Devils survive the battle with Syracuse, which should take a lot out of them. If Virginia cruises in their semifinal they could have an advantage they would need to pull out a trend-breaking win against their conference nemesis. Again, the fact that they would be playing for a title makes that game very attractive. A Cornell-Duke final would mean that a new champion would be crowned and would join the group of modern-era winners, a most elusive feat, but in this case, a sure thing for one of the two teams and all of us. Cornell beat Duke in Durham earlier this year by a score of 10-6. I love this matchup and would already be happy that the game’s glass ceiling had been cracked. That said, dreaming of this final Monday matchup is as close as I will get. It is far less likely that Cornell will play Duke in the final then it is that the 2009 final between Syracuse and Virginia be called one of the greatest games ever played. Either way it will be great for the fans in attendance. See you up there!

Stranglehold on NCAA lacrosse; weekend picks [Re: Lax]

2009-05-15T15:26:21-07:00

I hate it when I’m right. Well, that is, only when it comes to picking NCAA tournament lacrosse games each year. But if you’re sick of my cynical rants about college lacrosse’s glass ceiling, stop reading now. In the words of Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett, “The rich get richer, the poor get the picture.” The title monopoly is just a never-ending cycle of the best players picking the same four or five schools that win the title and so on and so on. Once again this past weekend, that rusty nail was driven home. As you know by now, all but one of the first-round games were won by the higher seed. The one upset was Maryland over Notre Dame, and was that even considered an upset? In the interests of real growth in the game and Notre Dame’s last two first-round losses -- to Johns Hopkins in 2007 and Syracuse in 2008 -- anything that gets the Irish deeper into the tournament would be an upset. In the traditional sense of lacrosse, Maryland beats Notre Dame every time. But on that same note, the Terps also lose in the next round to Syracuse every time. Notre Dame is one of the programs I am counting on in my lifetime to break the stranglehold on the NCAA hardware. Duke is another team who has a chance. But these teams, when they have strong years, ultimately lose when expected in the bracket -- and often by a goal in overtime, like the outcome was fixed. It’s not, which is a shame, because we could do something about that. But it’s just the cycle of self-interest that is known as human nature. Why do people always choose the restaurants with the longest waiting lines? The game suffers from free will, common sense and the desire to win. We don't want to change those things. It will have to work itself out in time. Maybe at some elite camp somewhere this summer, the top five or 10 recruits for the class of 2012 will initiate a conspiracy to all go to Notre Dame or maybe Jacksonville. Unfortunately, that’s what it may take to pull off a real insurgence in lacrosse -- one that gives us real change at the top, not just Notre Dame becoming seeded in the tournament, or Delaware making it to the final four, or Maryland losing in the championship. We’ve seen those things before, and they just tease us. With that said, here are my picks for this weekend: Syracuse beats Maryland Virginia beats Johns Hopkins Princeton beats Cornell UNC beats Duke You may think UNC over Duke is an upset, but it's not in the long-term perspective. If, by some strange circumstances, Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Duke made the final four, I’d bet the house on the Blue Jays. I can't even imagine Maryland vs. Cornell or Duke in the final. Johns Hopkins beats Cornell, or the Blue Jays beat Duke just sounds much more probable. Again, I hope I am wrong. I hate it when I’m right.

Big weekend for local lacrosse teams [Re: Lax]

2009-05-15T15:03:23-07:00

This will be huge weekend for lacrosse teams -- both at the college level and in the pros -- from the state of Maryland. In Major League Lacrosse, the Bayhawks open their season at 7:30 tonight at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. They host the Toronto Nationals, which are coached by Dave Huntley. His son, Kevin, plays for the Bayhawks. The Bayhawks are loaded this year with attackmen Andrew “Buggs” Combs, Jake Byrne, Spencer Ford, Huntley, and Scott Urick. The midfielders are Kyle Dixon, Kevin Buchanan, Hunter Lochte, Jed Prossner, Ben Rubeor, Justin Smith and Brian Vetter. On defensive midfield, they just traded for Benson Irwin who joins Billy Glading and Loyola assistant Dan Chemotti. On close defense, Shawn Nadelen returns for his ninth MLL season. He is flanked by Ronnie Staines, Greg Vetter, Zack Burke and Kyle Sweeney. In the cage, they feature Chris Garrity and Chris Collins. Alex Smith gets things started at the faceoff X. That's quite a squad! For tickets, contact the Bayhawks box office at 1-866-99-HAWKS (42957), or go to the team's Web site at http://www.washingtonbayhawks.com. At the college level, Maryland has the unenviable matchup against defending national champion Syracuse at Hofstra at noon Saturday. The Terps are coming off the upset of undefeated Notre Dame, but the road likely ends in Long Island this weekend. They sure could use some fan support up there. It's only a six-hour drive for the faithful. The first game Sunday at the Naval Academy is between Johns Hopkins and No. 1 Virginia at noon. This should be a classic with the Blue Jays as the underdog -- like they are ever really the underdog. I am thinking this game will end in an overtime victory for Virginia, but don't count out Johns Hopkins. These teams know each other well and excellent preparation will be evident on both sides. The Duke Blue Devils will take on ACC rival North Carolina for the third time this season in Game 2 on Sunday at Navy. They will faceoff around 2 p.m. Can Duke beat the Tar Heels three times in one season? Billy Bitters is on a tear, and Duke is in destiny-overdue mode. This will be a wonderful game and perhaps a second overtime contest between the two teams. I think UNC will pull this one out to deliver a long-awaited return to the final four. To purchase tickets for these games, call the Navy ticket office at 1-800-US4-NAVY. Also Sunday at 1 p.m. in Baltimore, Stevenson will host Gettysburg in the Division III final four. Paul Cantabene's Mustangs pulled out the win over Salisbury Wednesday and face the Bullets, who they pounded early in the season. It's Stevenson's first final four, and they look like they can go to Foxborough if they don't blow up. Cortland or Middlebury will be waiting for Stevenson in the championship if it wins Sunday.

The NCAA teams by the numbers: A recruiting perspective [Re: Lax]

2009-05-05T15:00:26-07:00

Just out of curiosity, I looked at the rosters of all the teams that made this year’s tournament from a recruiting and geographical perspective. It surprised me in a few ways and, while not a full look at the Division I recruiting scene, it is quite telling. Here are some of the results.: Of the 16 postseason teams, 146 players are from Maryland, while 201 are from New York. No wonder, Syracuse has 28 New Yorkers and 1 kid from Maryland, while Siena has 40 from their home state and none from ours. Not surprisingly, Maryland has the most from Maryland with 32, while UMBC is second with 26. Both have some New Yorkers though with 11 and seven respectively. UMass has 11 kids from Massachusetts, Brown has eight and Maryland has four. Undefeated Notre Dame has an even number of players from Maryland and New York with 10 apiece. The Irish have no one from Indiana on the squad. Indiana has lacrosse, but no players in the field this year. That will change rapidly if Notre Dame wins a championship in 2009. Lacrosse is the national sport of Canada and Canada is the reigning indoor and outdoor world champion, but only 14 Canucks are found on these teams and nine are at Cornell. Cornell has more New Yorkers, though, with 15. The team with the fewest amount of states represented is Siena with six and the one with the most is Princeton with 13 states plus Canada in the mix. Syracuse, Maryland and Cornell are tied for second with 12 states and some Canadians. Some other interesting numbers are also found in the data. Duke relies heavily on the state of Connecticut for recruiting with 9 kids from the state, which has 36 players in the 16-team field. Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have a few more with 39. New Jersey has 55. California surprised me with 18. Who has more kids from Ohio than anyone? Maryland with six. How about Nevada kids? Maryland again with two. Who has the most kids from Virginia? Yep. The Terps with seven. The University of Virginia has only five. How about North Carolina recruits? Um ... the Tar Heels with seven. Duke has only two. Hopkins has a good mix of blue-chippers with 15 from Maryland and 10 from New York. But Hopkins also has the only recruit from Arizona. Only seven Coloradans and seven Illini are in the field. There are 12 from North Carolina, 11 from Ohio, nine from Michigan, five from Rhode Island. There are three players apiece from Washington D.C., New Hampshire, Texas and Georgia. There are two each from Tennessee, Delaware, Maine and Nevada. There’s only one Australian. He’s at Maryland. Cornell has the only Minnesotan. Princeton has the only Montanan. Siena has the only Oregonian. Syracuse has two members of the Iroquois Nation. The whole field has two members of the Iroquois Nation. That is sad. More coaches need to attend the Nation’s Cup in the fall and see the talent that exists at the all-aboriginal tournament.

Tewaaraton Award finalists announced [Re: Lax]

2009-05-05T14:54:16-07:00

The Tewaaraton Award finalists were announced this week. The nominees for top collegiate men's and women's players are: 2009 men's finalists: Matt Abbott, Syracuse Ned Crotty, Duke Danny Glading, Virginia Zack Greer, Bryant Max Seibald, Cornell 2009 women's finalists Jillian Byers, Notre Dame Carolyn Davis, Duke Amber Falcone, North Carolina Caitlyn McFadden, Maryland Hannah Nielsen, Northwestern I am very happy that Zach Greer made the list. Seibald should win the award once, but Crotty may take this year’s trophy. Now that Matt Abbott is in a smaller group, he looks more attractive as a potential winner as well. Still, none of these guys is the best in the land. The best player, in my opinion, is really Virginia’s Danny Glading. I think he is the most talented lacrosse player in this group. This may be his last chance to beat Crotty at something. Of course, some of these guys have a few more games to play on the big stage and how they do will have an impact. On the women’s side, what a job it was to pick five players. Nielsen should have this one locked up, in my opinion. Maryland’s Caitlyn McFadden could pull off the upset, on the field or at the Tewaaraton awards. Jillian Byers is such an exciting player with a joy for the game. I’d love to see her sneak in. I was stunned to see my dark-horse favorite, Duke’s Caroline Cryer, not make the final list. She is so good. Cryer has 40 goals and 32 assists while Carolyn Davis has 59 goals and 15 assists just as a comparison with her teammate. Both are amazing. I thought both would make the final list. I have seen Cryer play for years now and if women’s lacrosse was the NBA, she would win three or four of the next 10 MVP awards. Her potential is that strong. But there is no women’s pro league so athletes like Cryer and Hannah just play club ball if they continue at all after college. Some play World Cup, but that’s only held every four years. It’s a shame that there is no platform for athletes like these to continue developing as great lacrosse players for all to see.

First-round NCAA predictions [Re: Lax]

2009-05-04T05:24:58-07:00

I like the field this year. No teams left out got totally robbed. Maybe Loyola has an argument but they had a couple of chances to state their case in close games against this field and did not. Bucknell and Colgate proved they could play with this field but not consistently. Georgetown had no chance after losing to Penn State. So here are my picks for the first round. Also, be sure to check out the Lacrosse Pool Contest at E-Lacrosse this week! Villanova @ Virginia I’ve seen a Villanova-type team beat a Virginia-type team. It was the Drexel at Virginia upset a few seasons ago. I don’t think I will ever see such an upset again, much less in the playoffs. Virginia is just too strong in this matchup. They are the legit No. 1 seed in my opinion. This one's a ten-point win. Brown @ Johns Hopkins Hopkins is a team with character, because of their failings. They have had to overcome all year long. And they are better than their record. Their losses are close ones to good teams. Close losses and close wins build character. They will need all of it to beat this Brown team, perhaps the best I’ve ever seen. Brown is coming off a loss to Princeton where they really never got out of the gate. They were embarrassed. Hopkins is coming off an emotional victory over a Loyola team they had beaten, and then let back in the door and had to go to overtime to close out. This is going to be a close game and I have no pick. They are even. Both would lose to Virginia in the second round. Hofstra @ Cornell These are two teams with chips on their shoulders. They want to be included among the top programs, but usually fall short. This will be the most fiercely contested game because both need respect, though the result doesn’t prove anything. Each of these teams needs to go to the final four to consider their seasons a success. I like Cornell by three. UMass @ Princeton Princeton is all that. I like this team. UMass will have to play better than they have all year to win and Princeton will have to crumble. But when’s the last time you saw a Bill Tierney team crumble? They will be prepared and know they belong in the final four. Princeton by six. Navy @ Duke The big upset potential in the first round is most likely right here. I like the matchup of Navy’s physical play and discipline against Duke’s strong offense. This will be a fun game to watch. I think Duke will pull it out but it may take overtime. UMBC @ North Carolina I like these teams equally. They are coached by two of my favorites in Joe Breschi and Don Zimmerman. This will be another great game and I really can’t pick the winner. Both can beat Duke or Navy in the next round. Another Duke-UNC game would be very interesting. But UMBC can be a final four team, too. They have the most exciting offense this year and the best keeper in the land in Jeremy Blevins. Maryland @ Notre Dame Because we don’t know enough about Notre Dame through comparative scores, you could sum up their chances against Maryland this way: If Irish transfer Will Yeatman would have been their best player this year, then they will lose to Maryland, because he’s not Maryland’s best player. But if I know Kevin Corrigan teams well, they would insist that there are no stars on the Irish squad and that they use teamwork to do things that individuals cannot do. That may be enough to beat Maryland in South Bend. In the Terps’ games I’ve seen this year, cohesive offensive teamwork has been their shortcoming. Remember, I picked the Terps to be in the final four before the season. On paper they are still that good to me. Travis Reed is a wildcard they don’t play enough. I thought he would be the star of their offense this year. He’s done very well despite his more limited role, but I saw something different unfolding for the Terps this year with him in the middle of it all. I was wrong. I’ll take Notre Dame in a two-point game. Siena @ Syracuse This would be the largest upset in lacrosse history if Siena beat the Orange in the dome. Siena has a well-deserved sense of accomplishment just getting into the tournament and Syracuse would be devastated with a loss here. But it’s really about the players. If Siena was up 10 at the half, John Desko could pull every starter, put in a whole team of guys who haven’t played much this year and still win the game. The toughest contest Syracuse will play this week will be in practice against these same second-teamers. I’ll take Syracuse, a little to a lot.

Last call for Medium Well [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-30T09:34:05-07:00

The last call I took as an employee of The Baltimore Sun was from a gentleman who was bugged because hearing "Alfonso Soriano" was making him think of a former Orioles pitcher with sort of a similar name, but he just couldn’t figure out who it was.

After thumbing through some old media guides, I finally determined he was thinking of Armando Benitez.

So, at least on my last day of work, I made one person happy.

No doubt, my involuntary departure from The Sun Tuesday will make some other people happy, too. Over the years, through a couple of stints of writing a sports media column and, more recently, a blog, I often have been told what a moron I am and how I’ve wasted a reader’s time with my drivel. (I did like hearing from one commenter about how it was my "dribble" that was so offending. If this guy had ever seen me play basketball, he would have known just how right he was.)

There was even the occasional local media personality who found it much easier to dole out criticism of those in the sports world than to receive some critical words himself.

Unlike Mark McGwire, I am here to talk about the past. This layoff came on roughly my 24th anniversary of arriving at The Sun.

I was originally hired as a sports desk slot man, a job in which one serves as the last editing eyes on type before it is printed in the newspaper, before being promoted to different editing duties. Since getting into the newspaper business in 1979, most of my time has been spent as a sports editor of one kind or another. It was always my goal to make the game stories, columns and features that went through my hands as clear, informative and accurate as possible. I wanted headlines and captions to reflect the tone of articles to which they were attached. And though there were times I had to take a writer’s prose and turn it into English, I never thought it was my job to make his or her story read as if I had written it.

I hope, even as the world of journalism -- sports journalism in particular -- continues to shake out, that there continues to be a place for those who take care of the words.

I also hope there is still a spot for those who have a sense of place, who understand what is important to the readers. Despite 20-plus years as a Baltimore area resident, I was told by a native colleague how I would never understand what "Baltimore" on the Orioles road jerseys meant because "you’re not from here." Ah, but he is, and so I would listen to him and others who grew up here when it came time to make judgments on things such as story play and photo choices. He is still at The Sun. I hope they keep listening to him and others like him, who are unwavering in their devotion to the old Colts and the pizza at Squire’s in Dundalk.

I leave with no real regrets except that I am leaving. Well, OK, I regret that higher-ups nixed my headline suggestion for Cal Ripken’s 2,131 night, "Cal touches home," in favor of the correction-in-waiting "Immortal Cal."

It has been an honor to work with a collection of talented writers and editors and to help produce sports coverage for the passionate, dedicated fans of Baltimore. I hope to pop up soon with a new sports media blog and would love to continue wasting your time. You can reach me at rfrager@gmail.com.

Oh, and one more thing for those who might care: I was Mr. Flip.

-- Ray Frager

Last night's Emmy scores [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-28T07:15:31-07:00

The Sports Emmy Awards were handed out last night, and the totals went like this: NBC 10, HBO 8, ESPN 6, CBS 5, Fox 5, Fox SportsNet 3, TNT 2, ABC 1, NFL Network 1, Showtime 1. Those totals include some shared Emmys for talent appearing on two networks and shows produced by two and also add Web site awards for networks.

The on-air individuals honored:

Studio host: Bob Costas

Play by play: Jim Nantz

Studio analyst: Terry Bradshaw, Tom Jackson

Event analyst: Cris Collinsworth

A few comments: Good to see Jackson recognized. He has been the best thing about ESPN's NFL studio coverage for a long time. ... Bradshaw? Not so much. ... How about Jay Bilas for a share of the studio Emmy? ... You would expect to see NBC leading the way after an Olympic year.

Mayock and McShay's final mock drafts [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-27T08:41:54-07:00

In the last mock draft posted by NFL Network expert Mike Mayock (helpfully placed in the sports media blog by The Dallas Morning News' Barry Horn), Mayock correctly predicted the "reach" for Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey by the Raiders. Mayock also had the Ravens' first-round pick, Michael Oher, going at No. 10.

Here is the last mock by ESPN's Todd McShay (through No. 16). He also had Oher going at 10.

For those of you keeping score, each correctly predicted seven of the top 16, with McShay getting the first four up until the Jets-Browns trade at No. 5 and being right on six of the first eight.

Radioactive thoughts [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-26T14:45:53-07:00

A couple of observations that occurred to me while I was on a drive from New Jersey back home Saturday (it was a bar mitzvah this time; I've consumed my weight in whitefish salad over the past two weeks):

So who's the more provincial in radio coverage of the NFL draft, Philadelphia or Baltimore?

I was listening to Philadelphia's all-sports station, WIP, after the Eagles had picked Jeremy Maclin, the Missouri wide receiver, in the first round. That was all I heard about over the next hour-plus. Not a mention of players being selected by other teams during that time.

Later on the drive (let's not even discuss the turnpike traffic), when we got in range of WBAL, I heard the station's draft program, and Gerry Sandusky kept updating the players being taken (by then, it was the second round), not solely focusing on the Ravens.

And, in Maryland, the only toll I had to pay was heading north over the Tydings Bridge.

# # #

Years ago, I had the pleasure of sitting in the booth with Jon Miller as he called an Orioles game on radio. He kept a little egg timer in front of him, something he had read about from the great Red Barber. When the sand would run out, it was a reminder to give the score again.

Somebody give one to Fred Manfra. Tuning in on the same drive, we were looking for an update on the Orioles game after having been listening to the draft. We had to wait through several minutes, until the half-inning ended, before getting one.

If the likes of Barber and Miller don't think you end up repeating the score too often, then it sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

40-yard times: hit or myth (plus Friday basketball report) [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-24T13:15:05-07:00

Darrius Heyward-Bey's 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine has been reported over and over in the sports media (including in The Baltimore Sun) as the fastest of all prospects this year, 4.3 seconds.

Very impressive. Except that the time -- like those assigned to just about all football players -- is probably best described by a word that used to be referred to as "a barnyard epithet." In other words, wrong.

No one is arguing Heyward-Bey isn't fast, but is he faster than the 'roided-up Ben Johnson was at the 1988 Olympics? Track experts figured out that when Johnson made his gold-medal-for-the-moment run, he covered 40 yards in 4.38. This piece about 40 times is four years old but well done and worth reading for NFL fans fed these inaccurate times by the league and the media.

# # #

On a gorgeous afternoon in the New America, the Sun pickup basketball game resumed. For the record, six appeared: Pesky Andy, Stevie G., B-Hop, Mr. Jones, Dead Man Walking and (making his debut) The Donald. It wasn't too bad for our first outing, until the dreaded injury happened. Pesky Andy was tripped up by Mr. Jones and went sprawling on the blacktop, his hand landing under his body and his face smacking the ground. Early diagnosis: sprained hand and scraped, bloody patches on his face.

Photo: Getty Images

NFL draft numbers [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-23T08:50:18-07:00

Neil Best of Newsday has posted some stats regarding the NFL draft that have nothing to do with times in the 40 but are worth a look nonetheless.

Fair warning [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-22T21:27:52-07:00

It appears the Friday Sun pickup basketball games are returning, so that means updates here. I'm certain many of you went into withdrawal during the absence of any mentions of Pesky Andy, Stevie G., Maryland Matt and B-Hop. If the Boy Columnist doesn't sprain his ankle while tying his sneakers, maybe he'll actually show this year.

Update on Vasquez [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-22T10:02:30-07:00

Comcast SportsNet now says there will not be an exclusive interview with Greivis Vasquez Thursday. Maybe Vasquez could be announcing his plans today.

Greivis Vasquez to reveal plans on Comcast SportsNet [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-22T09:13:16-07:00

Maryland's mercurial guard and critic of Conference USA, Greivis Vasquez, will announce his plans for next basketball season during Comcast SportsNet's SportsNite on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Vasquez will tell Chick Hernandez whether he plans to enter the NBA draft.

Won't you take me to Hockeytown [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-21T22:59:36-07:00

Fox 1370 Sports is carrying Caps playoff games, and talk guy Jerry Coleman was talking hockey Tuesday. The station certainly is differentiating itself from Baltimore's other sports stations, especially when you consider 1370 also carries the Wizards and thus talks NBA more than the other locals.

That's not to say you won't hear plenty of Ravens and Orioles talk during 1370's local shows, but I'd be curious to know how many listeners are drawn to the station by the NBA and NHL presence.

CBS floating in the stream [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-21T09:00:34-07:00

Thanks to Fang's Bites for pointing out this Business Week piece about CBS, which apparently is collecting loads of dough from sports fans who want to watch events online. That might include the next Super Bowl, because CBS reportedly has approached the NFL about streaming the game.

Less screaming at ESPN [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-20T21:56:21-07:00

Yes, I'm late to this, but I have an excuse: I was out of town for my niece's bat mitzvah and wasn't checking in on sports media news. (So what's my excuse for all the other times? I'll think of something.)

Anyway, Stephen A. Smith is leaving ESPN. Before Smith confirmed the news, it was reported by The Big Lead (warning: typically salty language in the comments).

I always found Smith best in small doses, useful for presenting contrarian positions but usually far too dismissive of opposing points of view. Still, Smith vs. Skip Bayless on First Take was a great way to waste five minutes of your time.

Boom goes the dynamite on WNST [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-17T15:14:34-07:00

WNST's King of Baltimore Sportstalk competition landed a clip at Deadspin this week. A fellow named Chris had a bit of trouble remembering some names and seemed stunned by the fact that people affiliated with baseball were dying.

For a look at more of the folks who would be King, go to the station's Web site.

In other news ... [Ray Frager's Medium Well]

2009-04-16T09:19:48-07:00

You've probably heard this morning's news that John Madden is retiring from announcing.

In a related story, Frank Caliendo just put his house up for sale.