Iggy's Raven's Report - 10 September 2009

Commentary

Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Preseason is done. Stick a fork in it. No big surprises in the game. Starters were rested, and the game was played by bench warmers and those struggling to make the team. Season opener against Kansas City should be a pleasant experience, except for the fact that we always have troubles with them. Defense will rule, and you should see a more productive Flacco.

Orioles: Loss prediction holding at 98, but that may be optimistic with 16 games against Boston, New York, and Tampa, all of which give us headaches.
On Friday, I presented the Frederick Keys Game ball to the birthday boy neighbor. One thing with kids, is that you can usually gauge their real reactions, and he was truly appreciative of the gift.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): No new news.

The Als maintained their 3 game lead on Hamilton, the next best record in the division. BC (4-5) will visit Montreal on Saturday night for a rematch.

Blast: No new news.

Mariners: Offensive Coordinator Mike Moyseenko, who guided the Baltimore Mariners to the league’s number one ranked rushing offense and an average of 48.8 points per game in the 2009 season, has agreed to return for his third season with the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team. In addition, the Baltimore Mariners have announced Wide Receiver Aaron Yarbough and Defensive Back T-Wuan Prather have signed contracts to return to the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team in 2010.

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

Iggy's Predictions

• Week 1
  • Team that must not be named over Tennessee (+5½). I am sure glad that we didn't draw this straw, but it should be a rough match, given their two histories.
  • Baltimore over KC (+10½), but take the points. KC always gives us problems, for some unknown cosmic reason.
  • Tampa (+5½) over Dallas. Dallas enters the twi-light zone when they go into Tampa.
  • Cincy over Denver (+4½). Bengals have done well against broncos at home.
  • Saints over Detroit (+13½), but take the points. Too many points to give up for a season opener.
  • Indy over Jax (+7½), but take the points. Jags have covered 4 of last 5 in Indy. Should be a close game.
  • Atlanta over Miami (+4½). Miami struggles against Atlanta, and is not familiar with their stadium (2nd visit since 1980)
  • Minnesota over Cleveland (+3½), but take the points. Vikings struggle in September, and the home team should keep it close.
  • Houston over Jets (+4½), but take the points. Rex Ryan gets a rocky start, and will just miss his first win.
  • Philly over Carolina (+½). Carolina just can't "put away" the Eagles.
  • Niners (+6½) over Cards. Will be a close game, and SF will cover, if nothing else. They seem to have luck in the desert.
  • Seattle over the Rams (+7½). Rams just don't have what it takes to play with the hawks these days.
  • Washington (+6½) over Giants. Strange division. Road teams do better than home in divisional matchups.
  • Bears (+3½) over Packers. Da Bears like playing in Green Bay.
  • Pats over Buffalo (+10½). Bills struggle against Patriots. Adding points doesn't seem to help. Maybe T.O. could?
  • Chargers over Oakland (+9½). This one has blow out written all over it.