thundercleetz

http://m.aljazeera.com/story/2014521105210702370 http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/5/20/russia-china-bankdeal.html What happens when we get into a pissing contest with our national interests by trying to stick our heads where they don't belong: we just pushed together two countries who weren't friendly with each other to begin with but now have a common interest. This deal itself isn't anything to worry about, but it could be a precursor to something major if we don't get our act together. Whether that's five years down the line or twenty.

http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN0DZ17Z20140519?irpc=932

Kubiak's offense, Pierce and KO healthy, a full offseason with Monroe, and an upgrade at center and I think we certainly upgraded the run game. If Rice can get anywhere back to his 2012 version, which is possible given his weight loss, then our run game will be in excellent shape.

Those are really funny. Some of them moreso related to the value of a college degree nowadays, but the ones that had to due with the NCAA were good. Yes, there needs to be a determination of the "true cost" of going to college. Here's a good start: http://m.us.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303847804579479863693200386?mobile=y

Me too. Redshirt from last year. We are loading up on the defensive line. I like it because no one young guys will be depended on solely, we can develop a good rotation. Might even make Ngata and Canty more effective playing limited snaps.

I absolutely think the NCAA is a mess and student athletes should have some sort of compensation to cover living costs that are not covered by scholarship (UK coach Calipari outlined a good plan of what college athletes should be compensated for). However, what happens with women's sports? Heck, what happens for any sport other than college football or basketball (maybe baseball)? If we compensate based off of a "fair market value" as the article suggests, how would that work with Title IX as a true market rate for college sports other than basketball and football is probably close to zero?

Not necessarily. Seth Allen was the Terps leading scorer. Roddy Peters was a top recruit last year, as was Shaq two years ago. Faust was a top recruit three years ago. However, Faust graduated early, so he doesn't have to sit out a year. He wanted to go to a program where he could display his talents best for professional teams (whether it be the NBA or Europe). All programs are seeing this type of movement. College coaches are no longer given years to find success. Much like college football, if you cannot cut it in three to four years, you're done. As a result, college basketball coaches recruit the best players they can, even if you recruited a top recruit at that same position a year ago (see Peters leaving because of Melo Trimble). And who knows what last year's prospect is promised by the coach to get him to sign.

Agreed. Dan Duquette likes to think he is big on OBP but Boston outted him to get Billy Beane and later Theo Epstein. It's frustrating but I do realize we have a good team who's batting style is going to win us as many games as it loses us. What it comes down to is: can we get hot at the right time?

If you told me I could start my freshmen year I'd have to strongly consider it.

Ravens dish out some serious money as signing bonuses for these UDFA's. Ozzie is serious about his UDFA's.

It's Buckball, live and did by the big hit. Outside of Markakis and Davis (maybe Machado when he's on his game), we don't have guys who will take pitches and make consistent contact. Another reason why losing Wieters hurts a lot, he was starting to come around in this category.

This qualifies as familiarity nowadays? Do I have familiarity with Brian Billick's offense because I watched it when he was the Ravens' head coach? I can throw check down passes and INTs.

I'm scared to watch Black Fish (I don't have a strong stomach for animal cruelty), but hearing people talk about it made me research dolphins and I was surprised how incredibly intelligent dolphins are.

http://touch.baltimoresun.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-80201798/ This needs to happen.

Oh yeah, you're right. I didn't hear any advertising in Baltimore. I heard about it through Rogan's twitter. I agree, the venue could have certainly done better.

He announced presales around the same time 172 was announced in Baltimore. I don't think he sold out. I was going to go the day of and there were still tickets. What makes me even more bummed is Joey Diaz was performing too. That's one funny dude. I'm sure UFC will be back in Baltimore, and Rogan with it. I'll catch him next time.

That was a pretty good interview. Being Armenian also, a lot of the things she said were pretty funny. However, the Cenk interview was a lot better. Ana went too overboard with her opinions at times which I thought was a little annoying. I'm mad I missed out on Rogan when he came to Baltimore a few weeks back. Couldn't find anyone who wanted to go.

I'm sure he will. They hit it off really well. Rogan gets along with everyone though haha.

Cenk was on Joe Rogan this week and mentioned this interview. Great name. JRE with Cenk was really good.

I like Britton a lot more as a closer than Hunter. Hunter is a fly ball pitcher so there's always a good possibility of him giving up a home run like we saw against Miggy. That home run wasn't even hit all too well but it kept sailing. Unfortunately these types of balls fly off bats too much from Hunter. I'll take Britton's chances as a ground ball pitcher and our good defense. Tell Britton he only has one inning and he'll be throwing his sinker 94-95 MPH like we saw last night. We could really have something here. There is part of me that wonders what the new Britton would be like as a starter. However, his confidence is sky high and this team is in win no mode. Now is the time to put Britton as closer.

http://www.springwise.com/methane-backpacks-capture-cow-farts-turn-green-fuel/

Each guy will have a chance to carve out his role. We know what we have in Torrey, Steve Smith and Jacoby, but Campanero will have a chance at being our slot receiver. Brown and Mellette have an opportunity to be the big possession guy. Jacoby I'm sure will focus on returns, but he is able to jump in at either the X or Y, especially if someone else gets hurt. I like the group.

IMO our defensive front seven was just as big of a need as offensive line or wide receiver. As far as safety, I was not high on Ha Ha or Pryor being worth the 17th pick. I think we did well with Brooks.

Max, so I was following the draft on my phone and I guess ESPN didn't have the running back we drafted in their database at the time so our pick defaulted to their highest rates player remaining. Check out the picture haha.

Raven fans just like to complain. If we drafted Ha Ha or Pryor in the first round we would be complaining how we reached for a need and these guys aren't as good of safeties as previous first rounds (they aren't). Look at 49er fans complaining about taking Jimmie Ward (I like better than Ha Ha and Pryor btw). They are now the team that has taken two safeties with their past two first round picks. Eric Reid was bad last year too. No one on this board is a pro, or we'd be making good money working for one of these NFL teams. What is a fact is that we had a run of five straight playoff appearances with a win, as many playoff wins in that time as anyone else, and a Super Bowl.