Iggy's Raven's Report - 6 May 2010

News & Commentary | Schedule | Relevant Football Links | Predictions

Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Now that the post draft speculation is over, the lines are quiet once again. I scavenge the news articles and here's what I can summarize for you. The Ravens did well in the draft and, with the free-agent acquisitions, stand to poised for a break out season. All the pressure will be on Joe Flacco to use the weapons he has been given. Defensively, we are still aging, and need the next Ray Lewis to come forward. The Corners stand to be our biggest challenge as we try rehabilitate the injured Webb and Washington, as we make do with Foxworth.

Orioles: Last week, I said there was no end in sight. Then what do they do? The crank out 4 in a row, and the first home sweep of the Red Sox since 1998 when they took a 4-game home stand from the Bosox. That latest binge of wins has us shooting for 43 wins, which would place us 8th on the all time worst list, alongside the 2003 Detroit Tigers. We still need 13 more wins to catch the 1899 Cleveland Spiders (20-134). We'll call it the Spider-watch.

After watching a few games in their entirety this weekend, I will share these nuggets. Trembley can't manage his pitchers. Our starters are doing quite well for a while, but when we have to go to the bullpen, Trembley feels obligated to start every inning with a new reliever. As my Dad used to say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." We currently sit 1½ game behind Houston to relinquish the title of worst team in Baseball so far this season. When's training camp open?

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): Crystal Palace (0-3-0) lost their 3rd straight game of the season, this time a 1-0 loss to AC St. Louis (1-4-0) on Saturday. Next game is even further on road as they head out west to visit the first place Vancouver Whitecaps (2-1-1).

Alouettes: CFL coaches and officials have a taller order on their upcoming draft, not knowing which Canadian players are likely to play in the CFL, versus those that are likely to be enticed to join an NFL team.

Blast: Nothing to report.

Mariners (See website for more details): The Baltimore Mariners (8-0) added separation between them and 2nd place Harrisburg (5-2), pounding them 50-17 this past Sunday. Wyoming (6-0) of the West Division is also undefeated. The Mariners are off this weekend, before hitting the road for back to back road games at Fayetteville (2-5) and Richmond (2-5).

Capitals (See website for more details): That ain't right.

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		8:00 PM
Saturday, August 21	@Washington Redskins		7:00 PM
Saturday, August 28	New York Giants		7:30 PM
Thursday, September 2	@St. Louis Rams		8:00 PM
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
- Conference Quarterfinals (Iggy's Record: 7-1)
  - 1. Washington over 8. Montreal in 6 games. Home ice advantage AAAARRRRGGGGG!!!!
  - 7. Philly over 2. Devils in 5 games. Flyers have owned Jersey this season. Did anyone believe me?
  - 6. Boston over 3. Buffalo in 6 games. Boston won season series 4-2. ... and the post season series as well!
  - 4. Penguins over 5. Ottawa in 7 games. pittsburgh is just a menace in all sports. %*&^@$*^ pittsburgh
  - 1. Sharks over 8. Colorado in 6 games. Season series was split, so I'll go to home ice advantage to make a difference. Another Bullseye
  - 2. Chicago over 7. Nashville in 5 games. Hawks only missed #1 seed by a point (and possibly a tie breaker) ...Took them 6 games
  - 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. Bullseye
  - 5. Detroit over 4. Phoenix in 7 games. Those darn wings just never die easily. Series tied at 3 games at press time.
- Conference Semifinals
  - 4. penguins over 8. Montreal in 6 games. They've had their number all season... unfortunately
  - 6. Boston over 7. Philly in 7 games. This should go down to the wire.
  - 5. Detroit over 1. San Jose in 6 games. I'd much rather the Sharks win, but those damn Red Wings...
  - 2. Chicago over 3. Vancouver in 7 games. Another match down to the wire.
NBA
- Conference Quarterfinals (Iggy's Record: 5-3)
  - 1. Cavs over 8. Bulls in 7 games. Chicago is one of the few teams that have given the Cavs problems this season. Cavs in 5.
  - 2. Magic over 7. Bobcats in 6 games. Magic have the advantage in the outside game. Magic in 4
  - 3. Hawks over 6. Bucks in 6 games. Could be tought. Hawks have cooled off significantly since a strong start to the season. Atlanta in 7
  - 4. Boston over 5. Miami in 5 games. Boston swept the season series. Look for more of the same. Boston in 5
  - 1. Lakers over 8. OKC in 6 games. It's the Lakers... Maybe 5 games then... Lakers in 6
  - 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 mnore depth. Spurs in 6
  - 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. Suns in 6
  - 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. Utah in 6
- Conference Semifinals
  - 1. Cleveland over 4. Boston in 7 games. Boston has been a problem for the Cavs All season.
  - 2. Orlando over 3. Atlanta in 5 games. Magic should work their magic.
  - 1. Lakers over 5. Jazz in 6 games. Jazz should win a couple games, but that's all.
  - 7. Spurs over 3. Phoenix in 6 games. I like the Spurs. Although my research says take Phoenix, my gut says take San Anton

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net