Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Embarassment #1 avoided.
Things (e.g. Running game) clicked, and that propelled us to a team record tying
win. Harbaugh played it smart, pulling Rice, Flacco, and other key players at
the right times to avoid serious injury.
The playoff picture is still not in our hands, but with Denver (8-5) and Jacksonville (7-6) both losing, the picture is brighter, but the one thing that has not changed is that we MUST still win out. Jacksonville (Indy, NE, Cle) has a tough road to maintain their lead, while Miami (TN, Hou, Pit) and the struggling Jets (Atl, Ind and Cin) could have a tough time keeping pace as well. The 5 seed is not even out of the question with Denver going up against (Oak, Phi, and KC), but the Ravens have the head to head tie-breaker over the Broncos. Win, Win, Win, and we could be in.
My realistic take is that we will not win out, and probably end up at 9-7, and possibly a tie breaker short of the playoffs. While contemplating the post season, ask yourself if we really belong there? I think maybe, but I still see holes in the secondary, an O-line that can't give Joe time or provide consistent run blocking, and a lack of a pass rush.
Next up are the Bears, who can be tough, despite their record. They just played the Packers closer than we did, and can provide an unexpected resilience that could take the game down to the wire. I expect a win, but this one won't be as pretty as the Lions game. (Yes, I have a warped sense of pretty!)
Orioles: The Orioles make a key acquisition of Kevin Millwood, who can provide a veteran presence towards the front end of the rotation. Also important was the resigning of Matt Albers and Cla Meredith to return some familiar faces to the bullpen. The O's declined to make an offer to pitcher Brian Bass.
Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C. (Home games at UMBC): No new news.
Alouettes: No new news.
Blast: The Baltimore Blast (2-1) defeated the Monterrey La Raza (2-2), 14-13. The Philadelphia Kixx (1-3) come to town on Friday Night.
I am gauging interest in a field trip to see the Blast play this season. So far, I have 3 people (self included) interested and we are discussing dates, so please email me if you are interested. Bueller?
Mariners (See website for more
details): The Baltimore Mariners have added three rookies to their training camp
roster including two former Maryland prep stars, Richan Gaskins (Eleanor
Roosevelt) and Delannie Spriggs, Jr. (Northern), and Damon Harrison a standout
at Malcolm X. Shabazz High School of Newark, New Jersey.
Jeff Tyler, the
6’6”, 280 pound offensive lineman that bolstered the Baltimore Mariners’ league
leading rushing attack in 2009, has re-signed with the American Indoor Football
Association (AIFA) team, which is set to kick-off its third season at 1st
Mariner Arena in March 2010.
Brandon Beal, a St. Louis, Missouri native who
showed his versatility while lettering for four seasons at Northern Illinois
University (NIU) has signed a deal for the 2010 season with the Baltimore
Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA). Beal is projected
as a potential defensive end, linebacker, and receiver.
What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, nevermind. No one is reading this anyway so you probably won't know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!
| 2009 Preseason | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Time | Result | |
| Thursday, August 13 | Washington Redskins | 1-0-0 | W 23-0 | |
| Monday, August 24 | New York Jets | 2-0-0 | W 24-23 | |
| Saturday, August 29 | @Carolina Panthers | 3-0-0 | W 17-13 | |
| Thursday, September 3 | @Atlanta Falcons | 4-0-0 | W 20-3 | |
| 2009 Regular Season | ||||
| Date | Opponent | Record | Time | Result |
| Sunday, September 13 | Kansas City Chiefs | 1-0-0 | 1:00 PM | W 38-24 |
| Sunday, September 20 | @San Diego Chargers | 2-0-0 | 4:15 PM | W 31-26 |
| Sunday, September 27 | Cleveland Browns | 3-0-0 | 1:00 PM | W 34-3 |
| Sunday, October 4 | @New England Patriots | 3-1-0 | 1:00 PM | L 27-21 |
| Sunday, October 11 | Cincinnati Bengals | 3-2-0 | 1:00 PM | L 17-14 |
| Sunday, October 18 | @Minnesota Vikings | 3-3-0 | 1:00 PM | L 33-31 |
| Sunday, November 1 | Denver Broncos | 4-3-0 | 1:00 PM | W 30-7 |
| Sunday, November 8 | @Cincinnati Bengals | 4-4-0 | 1:00 PM | L 17-7 |
| Monday, November 16 | @Cleveland Browns | 5-4-0 | 8:30 PM | W 16-0 |
| Sunday, November 22 | Indianapolis Colts | 5-5-0 | 1:00 PM | L 17-15 |
| Sunday, November 29 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-5-0 | 8:20 PM | W 20-17 (OT) |
| Monday, December 7 | @Green Bay Packers | 6-6-0 | 8:30 PM | L 27-14 |
| Sunday, December 13 | Detroit Lions | 7-6-0 | 1:00 PM | W 48-3 |
| Sunday, December 20 | Chicago Bears | 1-2 Overall 1-0 Home |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, December 27 | @Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-18 Overall 4-10 Road |
1:00 PM | |
| Sunday, January 3 | @Oakland Raiders | 5-1 Overall 1-1 Road |
4:15 PM | |