Iggy's Raven's Report - 1 July 2010

Commentary

News and Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Ravens reached agreement with their 6th round draft pick (OT Harewood)... Mark Bulger is signed to a 1 year contract worth more than Flacco is making. If they don't find a buyer to trader Smith, they will have a competition for backup at training camp. Buffalo seems the best fit, but can a deal be struck? Smith wants to go to his hometown Cleveland, and that is unlikely since the Raven's don't want to send someone with his potential to a division rival... Ravens are currently 6th in the league's pre-season odds to win the Superbowl behind the Colts, Chargers, Pats, Saints and Cowboys... Former Stallion owner Jim Speros has been awarded a new minor league football team to begin play in 2011 in the Norfolk area... Steelers likely lost starting Offensive Right Tackle Willie Colon for the season to a torn Achilles... Benglas running back Cedric Benson is stupid, arrested for misdemeanor assault from an alleged bar fight.

Orioles: The O's (23-52) moved closed to "2nd to last place" (2 games behind the pirates, who are currently on a 6 game losing streak) by winning 4 in a row, and sweeping the "team that should not exist" nads from down the street. In a reversal of fortunes, the bullpen has turned in a spectacular performance over this streak, allowing only 1 run in 4 games, while the starting pitching has struggled significantly. Clutch hitting has improved slightly, but is still not anywhere near competitive. I was at the games on Friday and Saturday, and watched the O's scoring winning runs on an error (4th of the game for the nads), and a Wild Pitch. However, it may have sparked some confidence, and may help to lift them out of their doom and gloom perspective, and they will need it. After Oakland, the O's have 10 straight games against 40+ win teams before the all star break.

Next week, I hope to present Iggy's annual All-Star team, comprise of those who actually earned the honor, and weren't just the prom queen (or whatever).

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): Crystal Palace (3-7-3, 5th place NASL Conference) lost a home match against the NSC Minnesota Stars (6-8-2, 3rd place USL) on Saturday night. Game 2 of the home and home series will be on Sunday.

Alouettes: The Als open the regular season on the Road in Saskatchewan on Thursday, July 1.

Blast: Nothing to Report.

Mariners (See website for more details): The Baltimore Mariners closed the regular season with a perfect 14-0 record, defeating Reading (8-6, 4th place) by a 69-35 score, eliminating the Express from the playoff hunt. With Wyoming falling last week, the Mariners are the only team to reach that mark.
The Mariners will host the Eastern Conference Championship game on Saturday, July 10, and, will face the winner of 3. Erie at 2. Harrisburg. With a win, the Mariners will host the AIFA Championship Bowl on Sunday, July 25.

Bayhawks: The Hawks (4-3) lost their road match to the last place Toronto Nationals (2-5) by a 17-14 score, dropping the Hawks in to a 3 way tie for 2nd place with Chicago and Denver. Boston (5-2) has taken the lead in the division.

Capitals (See website for more details): Capitals selected Evgeny Kuznetsov in first round of NHL draft... Goaltender Jose Theodore received the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy tonight at the NHL Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, an award presented annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey... Ovechkin wins 3rd consecutive NHLPA MVP and nominated for ESPY as best NHL player... Ovechkin and Mike Green named to NHL First All-Star Team... Professional Hockey Writer's association honors the Caps as the best in the Eastern Conference, despite their early exit in their quest for the cup... The Washington Capitals are currently conducting an online auction for Caps-branded Maryland license plates. With the help of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, the Capitals are offering Maryland drivers the unique opportunity to bid on 31 of the first 100 license plates.

Wizards (See website for more details): Wizards have acquired former Nets forward Yi Jianlian and cash considerations in exchange for Quinton Ross. Yi averaged career highs of 12 pts, 7 Reb and 1 blocks per game in 52 games for the Nets last season... Wizards selected Kentucky Point Guard John Wall with the first overall pick in the draft.