Iggy's Raven's Report - 22 May 2008

Commentary

Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: The NFL voted to opt out of the labor deal, which will take affect before the 2010 season. Net effect is that there will be no limits on free agency, salaries, etc. Bottom line is that the owners didn't like the last agreement because they had to share too much of their revenues with the players. Iggy's guess is that this is the owners way of pitching the current structure and starting from scratch. Expect this to drag out until the last minutes of the 2009 season because there are too many ego's to fit in one room, and neither side is going to be inclined to give in. I do expect them to sign a new agreement, but it will be drastically different than the current setup.

Orioles: A two game sweep of Boston followed with 2 of 3 from the nads meant a great 5 game homestand. This continued into New York where we pounded the traitorous Mussina for 7 runs in the first inning. Unfortunately, the skanks returned the favor in game 2, so game three could set the tone for our trip to 2nd place Tampa for the weekend. Chance of a respectable season is looking good still.

Mariners: Mariners (2-7) couldn't handle the road trip as the Carolina Speed (5-5) doubled up the Mariners, 72-36. Next up is their second road trip to play the Reading Express (7-2), where the team lost their season opener 36-27. Reading is in second place of our division, only ½ game behind the division leading Erie RiverRats.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C.: Crystal Palace Baltimore (4-0) continued their winning ways on the road this time. A penalty kick in just the 4th minute of play was all that was necessary the Palace kept their scoreless streak alive in this 1-0 win over the Bermuda Hogges. Despite their perfect record, the Palace are in second place, 1 point behind the Charlotte Eagles (4-0-1). Next up is a trip to Ludlow, Massachusetts, to play the 4th place Western Mass Pioneers (2-2-1) on Saturday. The following Saturday, the Palace will host the division leading Eagles.

What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, nevermind. No one is reading this anyway, so I will just butcher things up however I please, and you won't know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!

Schedule

Relevant Football Links

• NFL: Tie Breaking Procedures
• Sun: What they're saying about the Ravens (7 May)

Iggy's Predictions

• NHL
  • Philly over the Penguins in 6 Games. Boy was I wrong on this one. Pit wins 4-1
  • Detroit over Dallas in 6 Games. Hit this one on the head Wings win 4-2
  • Wings over the Penguins in 6 Games. I hate both teams. I hate Pittsburgh more.
• NBA
  • Boston over Cleveland in 6 games. It took them 7 games. I think the Celtics are trying to max out their playing team this year Boston won 4-3
  • Detroit over Orlando in 6 games. Magic is all gone. Pistons won 4-1
  • Lakers over Utah in 6 games. Lakers will win the championship, but Utah might be there toughest challenger on the way. Lakers won 4-2
  • New Orleans over San Antonio in 6 games. 7 games and the road team finally won one. Spurs win 4-3
  • Boston over Detroit in 6 games. The Celtics seem to like the drama, so don't be surprised if this one goes 7 games too. Celtics up 1-0
  • Lakers over Spurs in 6 games. I might have been wrong. The Spurs match up well against the Lakers. Maybe a suspenseful 7 games on this one.