Iggy's Raven's Report - 22 April 2010

News & Commentary | Schedule | Relevant Football Links | Predictions

Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: The schedule has been released, and the schedule guides were about as kind of the referees usually are: Plain evil. 4 of the first 6 games are on the road, mostly against 2009 playoff teams. If we can survive up until the bye week, we could have a good 2nd half of the season. We open at 7 PM Monday night in the Meadowlands, against the Jets. Other features are a Thursday night in Atlanta, and then back to back prime time games against Pittsburgh and a visit to Houston. In what could be the division title on the line, we are set to host Cincinnati for the final game at home. Pittsburgh may be bowing out the season with the signing of Leftwich, Brainlessberger suspended for 6 games and now being offered on the trading block for whatever they can get.

Orioles: How bad is it? The current goal for the season is 20 wins to surpass the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134). As easy as that may sound, it might not be achievable. Our current pace has us winning 21 games. I'll keep you posted.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): Crystal Palace (0-1-0) dropped their season opener to the Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-0-0) by a 1-0 score at UMBC Stadium. The Palace played a very tough game, but, as is usually the case with soccer, one misread on a lobbed pass cost us the goal and the game. Next game is Saturday at 8 PM against the Puerto Rico Islanders (0-0-0) at home, before hitting the road for 5 straight away games (must have the same schedulers as the Ravens)

Alouettes: Nothing to report.

Blast: Nothing to report.

Mariners (See website for more details): The Baltimore Mariners upped their record to 6-0, defeating the defending AIFA champion Reading Express (3-3) 51-27. The Express jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, and C.J. Cipra cut the lead to 7-6 with a couple early field goals. Then it was all Baltimore after that. Saturday night, the Mariners will travel to play the Fayetteville Guard (2-3). The Mariners have a 1½ game league on Harrisburg (4-1).

Capitals (See website for more details): Caps are up 3-1 on the Canadiens are poised to take the series if they can continue to ride their current momentum. Likely second round opposition will be 7th seeded Flyers, who are up 3-1 on the Devils.

Wizards (See website for more details): No comment.

What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, nevermind. No one is reading this anyway so you probably won't know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!

Schedule

2010 Preseason
Date	Opponent		Time	Result
Thursday, August 12	Carolina Panthers		TBA
Saturday, August 21	@Washington Redskins		TBA
Saturday, August 28	New York Giants		TBA
Thursday, September 2	@St. Louis Rams		TBA
2010 Regular Season
Date	Opponent	Record	Time	Result
Monday, September 13	@New York Jets	5-1 Overall 1-1 Away	7:00 PM
Sunday, September 19	@Cincinnati Bengals	15-13 Overall 6-8 Away	1:00 PM
Sunday, September 26	Cleveland Browns	15-7 Overall 8-3 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 3	@Pittsburgh Steelers	11-19 Overall 4-11 Away	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 10	Denver Broncos	5-3 Overall 4-0 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 17	@New England Patriots	1-5 Overall 1-3 Away	1:00 PM
Sunday, October 24	Buffalo Bills	2-2 Overall 2-1 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, November 7	Miami Dolphins	4-5 Overall 1-1 Home	1:00 PM
Thursday, November 11	@Atlanta Falcons	2-1 Overall 1-1 Away	8:20 PM
Sunday, November 21	@Carolina Panthers	0-3 Overall 0-2 Away	1:00 PM
Sunday, November 28	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1-2 Overall 0-1 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, December 5	Pittsburgh Steelers	11-19 Overall 7-8 Home	8:20 PM
Monday, December 13	@Houston Texans	3-0 Overall 2-0 Away	8:30 PM
Sunday, December 19	New Orleans Saints	3-1 Overall 2-1 Home	1:00 PM
Sunday, December 26	@Cleveland Browns	15-7 Overall 7-4 Away	1:00 PM
Sunday, January 2	Cincinnati Bengals	15-13 Overall 6-8 Home	1:00 PM

Relevant Football Links

Iggy's Predictions

NHL:
- 1. Washington over 8. Montreal in 6 games. Home ice advantage
- 7. Philly over 2. Devils in 5 games. Flyers have owned Jersey this season.
- 6. Boston over 3. Buffalo in 6 games. Boston won season series 4-2.
- 4. Penguins over 5. Ottawa in 7 games. pittsburgh is just a menace in all sports.
- 1. Sharks over 8. Colorado in 6 games. Season series was split, so I'll go to home ice advantage to make a difference.
- 2. Chicago over 7. Nashville in 5 games. Hawks only missed #1 seed by a point (and possibly a tie breaker)
- 3. Vancouver over 6. LA in 6 games. Cannucks won season series 3-1, but only led LA by 2 points in the overall standings.
- 5. Detroit over 4. Phoenix in 7 games. Those darn wings just never die easily.
NBA:
- 1. Cavs over 8. Bulls in 7 games. Chicago is one of the few teams that have given the Cavs problems this season.
- 2. Magic over 7. Bobcats in 6 games. Magic have the advantage in the outside game.
- 3. Hawks over 6. Bucks in 6 games. Could be tough. Hawks have cooled off significantly since a strong start to the season.
- 4. Boston over 5. Miami in 5 games. Boston swept the season series. Look for more of the same.
- 1. Lakers over 8. OKC in 6 games. It's the Lakers... Maybe 5 games then...
- 2. Dallas over 7. Spurs in 6 games. Spurs finished the season strong, and could actually win this series, but the Mavs are bigger and have more depth.
- 6. Portland over 3. Phoenix in 6 games. Portland won the season series, but this could come down to home court advantage. I'm still going with Portland for the upset.
- 4. Denver over 5. Utah in 6 games. They tied for the division title, and Denver won out on the tie-breaker. Talk about determining the true division champion! Nuggets lead season series 3-1, and now have home court.

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net