dc.

Schmuck posted midgame that no one with the Ravens had any info... so if Tex was there, it was as a normal fan and PA had invited him without the Ravens knowledge.

Terps won 1-0. WOOOOO NATTY CHAMPS.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/sch...a_cloud_of.html Walt Coleman changes his announcement post game... The ball did the break the plane, he, of course, just misspoke during the game when he FAILED TO MENTION THAT AT ALL and when THE REPLAYS SHOW OTHERWISE!

What really bugs me is that Walt Coleman's nickname should be "inconclusive." Walt "Inconclusive" Coleman. If I remember correctly, he overturns fewer calls than anyone in the league. He never turns things over. It's always inconclusive. When the first replay did not go our way, I expected it. Inconclusive. Do I agree? No. But fine. That's Walt Coleman. The second replay? I just don't get it. Unless someone can explain to me that being in the endzone, without the ball being in the endzone, is a touchdown... then no, I just do not get it. I feel like we have seen that play many times before. A guy catches the ball with his feet or heels in/on the line... but the ball is outside and he falls out and it's placed at the six inch line. Why is this different? And what bugs me most? Coleman never mentioned where the ball was. It was as if he did not even consider it. He just said feet, possession... period.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/sch...or_control.html Schmuck can't deny anything... but he doesn't entirely believe it. He first heard about it on his own radio show yesterday. Then he heard reports that it had been on ESPN, but he hasn't been able to get any confirmation from them. The poster at O's Hangout is well-trusted, but reported it well after the rumors started on Schmuck's radio show earlier in the day... Could all be true... maybe it is... maybe Buster Olney will break with it soon... but so far, nothing confirmed.

Because true collectors want a pristine item... pure ball, no marks, no damage (unless game-used)... and a pure signature... perfect for display... perfect to show the power of the image... Same reason personalized autographs fetch less... aside from the fact that there are a whole lot fewer Ken's out there...

Cravn, that's entirely uncalled for. Ridiculous. Dungy's son had serious emotional problems - problems that affect almost half of this country at some point in their lives. If every father quit their job to babysit a depressed son or daughter, we'd have no workforce in this country. To be dense enough to blame his child's depression on Dungy is beyond disrespectful. It's downright rude and obscene. Just another misconception to add to the list. I sure hope no one in your family ever has to deal with depression and anxiety - I hope no one ever has to - but the odds are that it will strike your family. It probably already has. But being the great, hardass father you are, you probably just want them to "shake it" and be a man.

PA has always been pretty good at the "wooing" side of things. But it hasn't really convinced anyone to play for him. But everyone from Miggy to Vlad Guerrero to Brian Jordan has gotten the star treatment... planes flying to pick them up, expensive dinners with PA, etc etc... Pleased tosee PA is using the power of the Ravens, though...

I shall chant with all my chanting powers.

Who said they are going to cut to Vinatieri every time? Or Dungy every time? It says they are included. Again, you may not enjoy it. But you can't judge it having not even watched a moment of it.

Yeah, I think the added no-names on all the objects are hindering you... You should put a minimum bid... that way you know you cat get the amount of money you want. If no one gives it up, then you keep the balls. Also put in a 'sell now' price... Obviously significantly more than the minimum... you might get a bite on that too, sometimes.

A whole lot left to shake out... Lowe and Byrd are apparently both on the radar... along with many others. And who knows about trades. If we don't get anyone else - outside of Uehara - I'd expect to see Waters up again... Liz, Sarfate and Albers are all possible too. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing Albers go. He did a great job in the pen in long relief (just like Sarfate in short relief). May not be able to translate it, but ... worth a shot. Maybe the openings, though, like the catching opening... will pressure us to bring up some youth that we have heard talk about but haven't seen... Bergeson, Tillman, etc.

In the biggest game of the season to date... I still trust Stover to put it all together.

Traitor perhaps? Crav, I respect your hometown heroism and homerism... but this is taking it too far. Watch the game. Enjoy the game. Judge it for yourself before you let anyone else tell you what is or isn't in it or what you will or won't feel from it. If you like it, great. If you don't, then come on here and rant like crazy. Personally, I'll enjoy watching the game... and ignore most of the commentary (regardless of who it's by).

Back to the National Title Game. Beat St John's in the Final Four last night... 1-0 in extra time. Will face UNC in the Final on Sunday. On paper... the Terps should win it... 22-3 Terps against the 15-7 Tarheels. The Terps have won 15 straight for crying out loud!

Again. That was not a defense of Billick's coaching, his time here, or his coaching style. He didn't get the job done in the final years. He never got the job done offensively. He lacked something. BUT... again... that does not mean that his GOALS for the offense were right. It doesn't mean Billick doesn't know how to run an offense. They are separate questions. Does Billick know what makes NFL offenses successful? YES Was Billick able to communicate that and adapt it effectively to his players on the Ravens? NO But does the second question in any way mean that he is clueless about NFL offenses? NO

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basebal...0,3236628.story Andy MacPhail is my new best friend.

The point Spen is making is that we have to decide what Tex is actually worth. Even with Tex, this team is not going to compete in 2009. So if he is going to ask for absurd numbers, beyond his value, why should we pay them? Because he's a hometown boy and the fans want him so bad? I mean, don't get me wrong, good PR never hurts and I want Tex... but not at any cost. There will be big bats available next year... and the year after... we do not HAVE to break the bank.

Our players inability to grasp the concepts or schemes Billick was running does not mean Billick has no clue what he's doing... it means he had a communication problem. Ironic, of course, considering he is a communication guru as well. But still, the point remains... what Billick wanted to do and what Billick was able to do are probably two very, very different things.

I dont know if they are friends... considering they played, what, 12 years apart? I also know that the Sox were always looking to gt Tek back... so the tie doesn't bother me. Also - the O's are offering more money per year for only 7 years... if they add a year, they would likely lower their per-year salary which could just make them one of the gang again

Mentioned in the other post... We're in the final four... with teh Red Sox, Angels and Nats. Boras is implying that regional ties are important... maybe eliminating the Angels? We made a 7 year, 140-150m offer. Nats and Angels are both at 8 for 160ish. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/basebal...0,3105554.story

I am fine with the Izturis signing. There wasn't exactly a lot out there in terms of short stops... Renteria and Furcal, but neither were ever on our radar it seemed. We needed a stop-gap. Izturis will do the job and be a fine #9 hitter. Freel excites me, though. I think he is an energy that should be fun to have around... kind of like Millar. And much more positive and less ego than Payton. If we can sign Tex, I'm willing to call this a great off-season for the batting side of the team... and adding Huff would help. Roberts - 2b Jones - cf Markakis - rf Tex - 1b Huff - dh Mora - 3b Scott/Freel - lf Wieters/Zaun - c Izturis - ss Pitching wise? We gotta land someone. At least ONE. ... btw ... on Tex Schmuck says the O's are definitely in contention. The O's, Nats, Angels and Red Sox appear to be the last four left. MacPhail is pushing hard... implying that this off-season would not be successful without landing Tex. Boras is being stingy about giving out info... he has said family and area are a bit part of Tex's decision (perhaps eliminating the Angels?). Regardless... I'm excited.

Not too surprising. Will start to move other free agents, though... Burnett, Garland, etc, are sure to follow quickly...

Love Beach Boys, love Chipmunks... As far as jokes go... Dr. Demento's Christmas/Holiday Albums get me laughing like nothing else... Otis Redding and Bing Crosby singing White Christmas... And to really make me somber... James Taylor's Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

I think Wieters signed a major league deal... so the arbitration rules do not apply. He is getting paid already.