Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: U-G-L-Y. That sums up
preseason game number 2. First, QB's ain't shaping up. Flacco is not shaping up
to be the right now guy. Boller never was. Smith... well, I hope he can be.
Secondly, they wanted to open up the offense this season, but I don't think they
meant to open up the line font line to the other teams defense. They need more
solid play on the O-line, to give the QB's time to show what they can. I can't
make too much of a judgement on the RB's, FB's, TE's and WR's, and we can fill
in those details later, but I am just not seeing the adequate protection
necessary for anyone to step up at Quarterback, or to give us a chance to run a
controlled offense. Defense will shape up. It always does.
Smith has been announced as the starter against the Rams, and we will get a good look at him then. I expect Smith to win the starting job for opening day, but my optimism for a positive season is low. Early forecasts are calling for Cloverland to win the division, followed by pittsburgh, Cincincy and then us. So many missing pieces, so little time.
Orioles: Orioles have been playing .500 ball lately, but they need to do better to account for a poor July which sent them 5 games under .500. Unfortunately, with the series which started on Monday against Boston, the O's play 15 straight games against playoff caliber teams (Boston, Yanks, White Sox, Rays and then Boston again). If they can hang in there during this stretch, 16 of the final 22 games are at home, and that just might be the momentum they needs to finish the season respectable. Don't let the 5th place fool ya. In any other division in baseball we would not be in last.
Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C.: Crystal Palace (USL2 11-8-1, 34 points), won their home opening playoff match against the Harrisburg City Islanders, but it took a 7-5 Penalty kick decision to settle the 6-6 draw. Unfortunately, that sent the Palace to Charlotte to face the regular season champion Charlotte Eagles. The Palace jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but couldn't hold it, and dropped the match by a 2-1 score. Charlotte will play the Cleveland City Stars in Cleveland for the Championship on Saturday.
Alouettes: The "Stallions" (5-3) won their third in a row by leveraging a strong second half performance to oust the 2nd place Toronto Argonauts (3-5) by a 32-14 score. Anthony Calvillo was 27-of-41 passes for 379 yards and the 3 TDs, and now leads the league with 20 TD passes. Running back Avon Cobourne also contributes 200 yards in total offense with 107 yards on 16 carries, and 5 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. The Als have the week off, and will next play on Friday, 29 August, hosting the BC Lions (4-3, in a 3-way tie for 2nd in the West).Blast: (No change from last weeks report) Rumor has it that the new league has been formed, but not yet named. Also, rumor has it that a location for a new arena has been identified just west of downtown. This will allow the current facility to operate until the new building is opened in 2010 or 2011. However, Ed Hale, owner of the Blast, needs to figure out a new business plan, since the only way he has kept the team afloat is to build and sell advertising boards on the side of the current facility. This may not be an option with the new structure. Also to note is that the plans call for an 18,500 seat arena, which would be enticing to new and relocating NBA and NHL candidates. May be we can get back to the big leagues in a few other sports, but do we have the fans with the financial resources to support them?
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!
| 2008 Preseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Time | Result | |
| Thursday, August 7 | @New England Patriots | 7:30 PM | W 16-15 | |
| Saturday, August 16 | Minnesota Vikings | 7:30 PM | L 23-15 | |
| Saturday, August 23 | @Saint Louis Rams | 8:00 PM | ||
| Thursday, August 28 | Atlanta Falcons | 7:30 PM | ||
| 2008 Regular Season | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Record | Time | Result |
| Sunday, September 7 | Cincinnati Bengals | 13-11 Overall 8-4 Home |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, September 14 | @Houston Texans | 2-0 Overall 1-0 Away |
4:15 PM | |
| Sunday, September 21 | Cleveland Browns | 11-7 Overall 6-3 Home |
4:15 PM | |
| Monday, September 29 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-15 Overall 4-8 Away |
8:30 PM | |
| Sunday, October 5 | Tennessee Titans | 9-8 Overall 5-5 Home |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, October 12 | @Indianapolis Colts | 2-6 Overall 0-3 Away |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, October 19 | @Miami Dolphins | 2-5 Overall 0-4 Away |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, October 26 | Oakland Raiders | 4-1 Overall 3-0 Home |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, November 2 | @Cleveland Browns | 11-7 Overall 5-4 Away |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, November 16 | @New York Giants | 3-0 Overall 1-0 Away |
1:00 PM* | |
| Sunday, November 23 | Philadelphia Eagles | 0-1-1 Overall 0-0-1 Home |
1:00 PM* | |
| Sunday, November 30 | @Cincinnati Bengals | 13-11 Overall 5-7 Away |
1:00 PM* | |
| Sunday, December 7 | Washington Redskins | 2-1 Overall 0-0 Home |
1:00 PM* | |
| Sunday, December 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-15 Overall 6-7 Home |
1:00 PM* | |
| Saturday, December 20 | @Dallas Cowboys | 2-0 Overall 0-0 Away |
8:15 PM | |
| Sunday, December 28 | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-9 Overall 4-4 Home |
1:00 PM* | |