Iggy's Raven's Report - 25 September 2008

Commentary

Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Flacco proved that he is human after all. One thing I have liked is that he hasn't forced the ball. Well, his completion percentage was up, but so was his picks. The first, he just missed the defender, and the flea flicker was a bad throw (short) into quintuple coverage. It just wasn't there. The Defense dominated, handing the offense the game, not 5 minutes into the second half. RB by committee is working. Please don't mess with it. Special teams was special, and could have been more so had it not been for the one flag, negating a good runback.

Next up is the evil stealers. Their fans have been mild this week after being man-handled by the Pheagles. The secret is the Blitz, Blitz, Blitz. Their front line can't even hold their own Jock strap, and the Eagles announced that to the league on Sunday. We must bring special teams, because Offense is not going to win this game. Look for a low scoring affair as the defenses dominate the game. Field position will be crucial.

Orioles: I looked back at our recent results, and I can flag the exact point to which we went from fighting for respectability to a pathetic grease spot. August 18 opened a 16-game stretch against playoff contenders (Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees, and Rays). We failed miserably during that period, and have not recovered since. Our pitching was pathetic until the past week when we have gotten about 7 quality starts, but the offense hasn't been there. The prospects for a better season next year are looking better right now. Let's just finish the season with a better record than the nads, I mean gnats.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C.: The Palace USA loses their team captain, Val Teixeira, has signed for Chesterfield after a successful trial.

Next up is a 1PM Sunday afternoon match against Saskatchewan (8-4, tied with Calgary for 1st in the West). Montreal now leads the Argos by 4 games in the standings.

Blast: The Blast will open the 2008-09 season on November 15 at 1st Mariner Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and the opponent will be announced soon. The full 2008-09 schedule will be released at the end of September. Tickets for the home opener, and the entire season, will go on sale in October; season tickets are on sale now.

Mariners: Open Tryouts on October 12.

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

• World Series: Tampa Bay Rays over the Cubs in 6 games. You heard it here first.
• Week 3:
  • Atlanta (-4½) over KC. KC is in utter disarray. At least Larry Johnson finally found the endzone
  • Buffalo (-8½) over Oakland, but take the points. Oakland might even win this one... but I think not. Oakland is definitely improved this year.
  • Giants (-13½) over Cincy, but take the points. 13½ is a lot of points to give up. Palmer shall show for this game to make it interesting. ...and interesting it was!
  • Pats (-12½) over Miami, but take the points. Pats couldn't cover these spreads with Brady. What makes you think they can cover it without him? Although, they are playing Miami... Once again, Miami has proven to be the twilight zone team for the Pats
  • Tennessee (-4½) over Houston. Tennessee has done very well so far. I anticipate that will continue. Tennessee is looking good so far
  • Tampa (+3½) over Chicago. This will come down to a field goal, but I place the over/under at about 15 as defences dominate. I was right about the FG, just not the Over/Under
  • Washington (-3½) over Arizona, but take the points. This is a different Cardinal team then the one that left the NFC East. Fortunately for the Cards, it is a different Washington team that is still there. Home field advantage wins it here. One score was the difference. I only pegged it at a FG and not a TD.
  • Carolina (+3½) over Minnesota. Carolina is looking better than most people give them credit for. I guess I gave Carolina too much credit
  • Denver (-5½) over New Orleans. New Orleans showed their road game last week, and Denver is not a friendly place to play. Maybe the Saints are rebounding... too bad they could knock Denver off their high horse.
  • SF (-3½) over Detroit. The Niners are emerging, will the Lions are submerging. Now the real test: Niners at the Saints!
  • Seattle (-9½) over the Lambs. Rams might be able to cover at home, but they have no shot, even against the wounded birds, on the road. What poor team is going to give the Lambs their first win?
  • Baltimore (-1½) over Cleveland. What? They couldn't even give us the full 3 point home field advantage? Win this one, and I just might be Wacko for Flacco! Right now, I am just cautiously optimistic. Two words: D-Fence (okay, it was only one, but it sounded better as two)
  • Indy (-5½) over Jacksonville. Both teams have been struggling lately, but Peyton will find his place this week. I guess the first scheduled bye week is coming a bit late for Indy
  • Pheagles (-3½) over the Evil steelers. Philly is a force to reckon this year in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the steelers will get their first real test of the season. Then again, I said that last week. Apparently, the Steelers have a weakness on the front line
  • Dallas (-3½) over Green Bay. Green Bay can definitely show some flash without Favre, but 3½ and a trip to Dallas doesn't entice me to pick them. Dallas is looking scary!
  • Chargers (-9½) over the Jets. Charger will put the Jets defense to the test. Not that the Jets D is bad, but the Chargers have so many weapons, it will be hard to anticipate. Favre may be in NJ, but the Jets are still the Jets.
  • This Week: 13-3 Straight Up; 12-4 Against the Spread
  • This Season: 29-18 Straight Up; 30-17 Against the Spread
• Week 4:
  • Cleveland (+3½) over Cincy. Battle of the cellar dwellars will start Cleveland back to respectability.
  • Jax (-7½) over Houston. Houston just ain't clicking this year, and Jax is start to show some talent.
  • Denver (-9½) over KC. KC just can't run with the big boys this year. Do they play the Lambs?
  • Carolina (-7½) over Atlanta, but take the points. Atlanta has shown promise this year and I won't be surprised to see them win!
  • Jets (-2½) over 'Zona. 3½ might have been enough to sway my thoughts, but this should be a good game.
  • Saints (-6½) over the Niners, but take the points. Once again, I feel the Niners are moving up, but the trip to NO, won't produce a win.
  • Tampa (-1½) over Green. Battle of the Bays goes to the better D.
  • Tennessee (-3½) over Minnesota. Tennessee is the new power in the South division.
  • Diego (-7½) over Oakland. Although oakland is greatly improved, Diego is on a mission to reverse the 0-2 start.
  • Buffalo (-8½) over the Lambs. Maybe the home field will give the Rams a boost, but that is not where my money would go.
  • Dallas (-11½) over the skins, but take the points. Too many points for the war that has been waging since before the NFL started.
  • Pheagles (-3½) over da Bears. Philly's O will be better than Chicago's D.
  • Baltimore (+7½) over Pit. Prime time games are a twilight zone for us, but Philly showed us what to do: Blitz!