NHL and NBA in Baltimore

Baltimore will always be a football and baseball town. I mean, crab cakes and football, that's what Maryland does, right? We used to do baseball too; hopefully again soon. But how cool would it be if Maryland did hockey and basketball too?

To some it may sound like an idea they have no interest in, but turn on a TV around this time of the year. The Capitals series against the Rangers that just finished up was insane, and the series against the Penguins that starts on Saturday should be much of the same. We are about to see an Ali vs. Frasier caliber fight with Ovechkin and Crosby going at it on the ice. And what about the NBA game that just ended tonight. The Bulls and Celtics went into 3 overtimes of madness in Chicago tonight, and the whole series has been nothing but drama and crazy finishes. Contrary to some belief in Baltimore and Maryland as a whole, hockey and basketball are exciting sports to watch sometimes, and how much more fun would they be if it was your hometown team playing?
I know two new teams in Baltimore would never be on the same level as the Ravens and O's to me, because that's the way I was brought up; loving Baltimore baseball first and Baltimore football after 1996, because that's all we had. But to see two new teams in two different sports for Baltimore to call it's own...I would definately be a fan.

The truth is, right now the NHL and NBA wouldn't even consider Baltimore as a spot for a new team. The reason for that is not because of lack of fans, or lack of a market, but the lack of a premier indoor sports venue. Oh wait, we have 1st Mariner Arena right? I think that that building already sucked when it opened in 1962. Baltimore is a top of the line city for sports in the NFL and MLB, so why shouldn't Baltimore have a state-of-the-art arena as well and attract an NHL and an NBA team? 1st Mariner Arena is obviously compeletely out of date to any one who looks at it. Its 14,000 seats are about 6,000 or 7,000 short of being big league caliber in terms of indoor sports, and technology in the building is non-existant.

I know there have been talks of a new arena being built. Apparently they are "still looking for developer and designers". These talks need to cease, and action needs to be taken. After watching the NBA and NHL all winter, I want a Baltimore team in those leagues to cheer for and call my own like I do with the Orioles and Ravens. I want that excitement for the few months between football and baseball season. It would be great for the city, and great for the city's fans. I have no doubt that arena would be packed for every game for each of the teams. People in Maryland love sports and we love our teams. Build somewhere for them to play, and those teams will be our own. Hopefully it won't be long before we see a beautiful new arena in Baltimore and two new teams to cheer for. Here's and idea for names: In the NBA, bring back the classic Baltimore Bullets name of old, and in the NHL, the Baltimore Pirates, because the Pittsburgh Pirates don't matter anyways, and what would look harder than a skull and crossbones on a hockey jersey?



J.F

Six Terps Signed as Undrafted Free Agents

In my post from yesterday about how the Terps fared in the draft, I said that there were a few players that I was surprised were not drafted, but that I thought would be picked up by teams as undrafted free agents. Just that has happened, plus a few more:

Jeremy Navarre, DL - Signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars

Dave Philistin, ILB - Signed by the Seatlle Seahawks
Edwin Williams, C - Signed by the Washinton Redskins

Scott Burley, OT - Signed by the Washinton Redskins

Chase Bullock, LB - Signed by the Arizona Cardinals

Isaiah Williams, WR - Signed by the Baltimore Ravens

All of these players will have the opportunity to work hard throughout the summer at their respective training camps, and try their best to make an NFL roster. Who knows, maybe come the end of August there will be 11 new Terps in the NFL (5 drafted, 6 undrafted free agents).

J.F

Five Terps Headed to the NFL

Out of 15 total Maryland Terrapins football players the declared for the 2009 NFL Draft, 5 were selected on Saturday and Sunday in New York City. Some will have a lot to live up to (Heyward-Bey), and others may fit great into their future team's makeup (Barnes). Read 'em and weep, here are the 5 Terps heading to the NFL:

1. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Wide Reciever - 1st Round, selected 7th Overall by the Oakland Raiders
2. Kevin Barnes, Cornerback - 3rd Round, selected 80th Overall by the Washington Redskins
3. Moises Fokou, Linebacker - 7th Round, selected 230th Overall by the Philadelphia Eagles
4. Jaimie Thomas, Guard - 7th Round, selected 236th Overall by the Indianapolis Colts
5. Dan Gronkowski, Tight End - 7th Round, selected 255th Overall by the Detroit Lions
   

I am surprised not to see Jeremy Navarre (DT), Dave Philistin (ILB), and Edwin Williams (C) on this list. Look for these three to be signed somewhere as undrafted free agents and make a run at a spot on a team throughout training camps this summer. I wish all of these former Terps above the best of luck in making their teams' rosters, and having great careers as NFL players.

J.F

3 Things That We Learned From the Draft

1. The Raiders never fail to leave people saying, "What just happened?":
With the 7th pick in the 2009 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...not Michael Crabtree...not Jeremy Maclin...but, Darrius Heyward-Bey, wide receiver from the University of Maryland. What? We all expected Heyward-Bey to go in the 1st round, but not in the top-10, or as the first receiver taken in the draft. Anyone who was watching the Draft on Saturday heard that pick, and turned their head to the side and looked at every person in the room as if to say, "Is that a joke?". I am a huge fan of DHB, I wish him the best in Oakland, and I hope he enjoys the fat paycheck coming his way; but, over Crabtree and Maclin? We will have to see if the Raiders know what they are doing.

2. The Ravens believe in their wide receivers:
Coming into this years draft, it was said by all that the Ravens top priority in the draft was wide receiver. Looking at the 6 players the Ravens selected: none of them are WRs. It looks like an Anquan Boldin trade is all but out of the question at this point, and that in 2009 the Ravens will most likely field the same receivers from last years AFC Championship team, maybe with the addition of a late free agency pickup. Mason will once again be the workhorse, with Clayton hopefully stepping up even bigger than he did last season, and we are all praying that Demetrius Williams finally stays healthy and has the break out year we've been waiting for. I'm content with them for the future, and with the job that they did last year, although I would still love to see that bona-fide #1 receiver wearing Ravens purple: for example, Anquan Boldin or Braylon Edwards.

3. Joe Flacco will be well protected and has a good chance at staying healthy for a long time:
Michael Oher, the 24th overall pick by the Ravens, will turn out to be a vital and valuable addition to this Baltimore team. At first, I was a critic of the pick. Me and B.J texted each other for an hour afterwards about how we were confused, and somewhat disappointed by the pick, and even how it could have been a pick to add to a package deal for Anquan Boldin. In my head all I was thinking was offense, offense, and offense, and I wanted to see Hakeem Nicks picked in the 1st Round by the Ravens, after Heyward-Bey and Pettigrew were off the board. But after thinking about it for a while, picking Michael Oher is an offensive pick, because it is a pick that helps to ensure the long term protection of our franchise quarterback, Joe Flacco. I now love the fact that the Ravens drafted Oher, and he seems to be a humble man with a great character; something that the Ravens stress. With Oher, Gaither, Birk, Anderson, and Grubbs forming the small army known as the Baltimore Ravens offensive line, Joe Flacco should have all the time in the world to find the best place to put the ball down field, and the running game will improve as well. I am now a huge fan of this pick, and I am looking forward to seeing Oher suit up in purple and perform on Sundays, hopefully as our new Jonathon Ogden.


J.F

HUC's 2009 Mock Draft

Who needs McShay and Kiper when you have the HUC?

1. Lions - (JF & BJ) Matthew Stafford - QB - Georgia
2. Rams - (JF & BJ) Jason Smith - OT - Baylor
3. Chiefs - (JF) Aaron Curry - OLB - Wake Forest; (BJ) Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU 
4. Seahawks - (JF & BJ) Mark Sanchez - QB - USC
5. Browns - (JF) B.J Raji - DT - Boston College; (BJ) Aaron Curry - OLB - Wake Forest
6. Bengals - (JF) Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas; (BJ) B.J. Raji - DT - Boston College
7. Raiders - (JF) Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech; (BJ) Jeremy Maclin - WR - Mizzou
8. Jaguars - (JF) Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia; (BJ) Michael Crabtree - WR - Texas Tech
9. Packers - (JF) Aaron Maybin - DE - Penn State; (BJ) Eugene Monroe - OT - Virginia
10. 49ers - (JF) Jeremy Maclin - WR - Mizzou; (BJ) Brian Orakpo - DE - Texas
11. Bills - (JF) Brian Cushing - OLB - USC; (BJ) Aaron Maybin - DE - Penn State
12. Broncos - (JF) Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas State; (BJ) Robert Ayers - DE - Tennessee
13. Redskins - (JF & BJ) Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
14. Saints - (JF) Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio State; (BJ) Brian Cushing - OLB - USC

15. Texans - (JF) Robert Ayers - DE - Tennessee; (BJ) Malcolm Jenkins - DB - Ohio State
16. Chargers - (JF) Michael Oher - OT - Ole Miss; (BJ) Knowson Moreno - RB - Georgia
17. Jets - (JF) Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia; (BJ) Everette Brown - DE - Florida State
18. Broncos - (JF) Clay Matthews - OLB - USC; (BJ) Chris Wells - RB - Ohio State
19. Buccaneers - (JF) Tyson Jackson - DE - LSU; (BJ) Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas State
20. Lions - (JF & BJ) Everette Brown - DE - Florida State
21. Eagles - (JF) Hakeem Nicks - WR - UNC; (BJ) Donald Brown - RB - UCONN
22. Vikings - (JF) Vontae Davis - CB - Illinois; (BJ) Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma State
23. Patriots - (JF) Larry English - DE - Northern Illinois; (BJ) Darius Butler - DB - UCONN 
24. Falcons - (JF) Rey Maulaluga - ILB - USC; (BJ) Vontae Davis - DB - Illinois
25. Dolphins - (JF & BJ) Darrius Heyward-Bey - WR - Maryland
26. Ravens - (JF) Brandon Pettigrew - TE - Oklahoma State; (BJ) Rey Maualuga - LB - USC
27. Colts - (JF) Chris Wells - RB - Ohio State; (BJ) Hakeem Nicks - WR - UNC
28. Bills - (JF) James Laurinatis - ILB - Ohio State; (BJ) Alex Mack - C - Cal
29. Giants - (JF) Peria Jerry - DT - Ole Miss; (BJ) Kenny Britt - WR - Rutgers
30. Titans - (JF) Percy Harvin - WR - Florida; (BJ) Alphonso Smith - CB - Wake Forest
31. Cardinals - (JF) Donald Brown - RB - Connecticut; (BJ) Percy Harvin - WR - Florida
32. Steelers - (JF) Eben Britton - OT - Arizona; (BJ) Max Unger - C - Oregon

Kevin Barnes: NFL Draft Hopeful, and Big Hit Machine

With the draft this Saturday and this stud of a University of Maryland cornerback, Kevin Barnes, most likely going in the 2nd-4th Round range, I thought I'd give a little flashback to a warm day in College Park this past September where he layed a vicious hit on Jahvid Best of California. I could watch this hit everyday for the rest of my life and it will never get old. We'll see where he gets picked this Saturday (or Sunday). I think he will definately be a solid pickup for whatever team gets him.

Bergesen Does Not Disappoint in 1st Major League Start

We knew that Brad Bergesen had good stuff in the minors, but who knew that he would be so dominant in his first career start as a major-leaguer? Bergesen started on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox and went 5.2 innings giving up only 1 ER on 4 hits; pretty solid numbers for the young pitcher, straight out of Norfolk.

Brad Bergesen showed command against the White Sox hitters, and his sinker looked practically un-hittable. He fanned 4 over his 5.2 innings in the game, and gave Orioles fans everywhere something to smile about after seeing sub par pitching starts in 3 of the 4 losses in Boston. If these are the types of pitching performances that we can expect from our young guns on the Tides and Baysox, then bring a few more of them up now, and get Simon and Eaton out of here. Put Brian Bass on the same plane. I loved seeing a young Orioles product succeed last night, and I hope that it is only foreshadowing the strong pitching prospects that will make their way into the O's rotation and bullpen over the next season or two.

It wasn't only the pitching that was hot in the 10-3 win last night though; the bats were on fire. Aubrey Huff jacked 2 long balls; one that sailed over the right field foul pole and onto Eutaw Street, and the other to the bleacher seats to put the icing on the game. Nick Markakis stayed hot at the plate and went 4 for 4 with 3 singles and a double, driving in 2. He currently leads the American League in RBIs at 18, and is 6th in batting average at .389. It is great to see multiple Orioles listed toward the top of all of the offensive statistical categories. Now let's just get O's at the top of the pitching categories and we might be a legitimate threat in the AL East.

I like the promise shown by Bergesen on Tuesday night. Sure, the kid's a rookie, every start isn't going to go his way this season. But, he showed us last night that he has the stuff to succeed at the top level, and I can't wait until his friends from Norfolk come into town as well.

O's vs. White Sox - Part II - Tonight at 7:05PM on MASN
Jeremy Guthrie (2-0) vs. John Danks (1-0)



J.F

Text Messages: NFL Draft Edition

As the draft gets closer and closer, everyone is wondering what the Ravens will do, and everyone has their own opinion of what will occur. The truth is, not even the Ravens front office knows what is going to happen right now. They have an idea of what they would like to happen, but until Saturday, nothing will be set in stone. Here is mine and BJ's text message conversation from earlier today, touching on some of our views for the upcoming draft and effects that it will have on the Ravens 2009 season, and future.

BJ: Some people are saying the Ravens will draft Pettigrew and then trade Heap and picks to 'Zona for Boldin

Me: I think that's stupid. I think they will trade McGahee and a pick, by Thursday if it's going to happen. We need Heap one more year.

B.J: And what about running back?

Me: We'll be fine with McClain, Rice, and one more, I would think. Maybe draft another RB in like the 4th. McClain ran the show last year.

Me: People I'd want if we don't get Boldin: Derrius Heyward Bey, Brandon Pettigrew, Rey Maulaluga, and maybe Nicks. People I don't want to waste a 1st round pick on: Larry English and Kenny Britt.

B.J: I'm not sold on Britt. That's the one thing with an underrated WR in the draft. They could be the next Housh' or they could be a repeat of Travis Taylor.

Me: Yea, I don't like Britt as a 1st rounder. I have a bad feeling about him.

B.J: I think the talent pool is shallow this year.
Me: I agree

So, there are some of our views on the upcoming draft. Both B.J and I feel that Boldin is the right way to go, although we may have to trade something valuable to get him. We will see as the week goes on. One thing we know for sure is that by Sunday night, the Ravens will have added a good list of future contributors to their roster, whether Anquan Boldin is included in that list or not. The NFL Draft will air on ESPN and the NFL Network on Saturday April 24th.

J.F

Big Man on the Farm: Nolan Reimold

Help is on the way; eventually. The Norfolk Tides lineup alone right now shows at least 4 or 5 players who are sure to have long careers in the Majors. We've all heard the non-stop talk about Matt Wieters, who is going to be a great Oriole eventually, but let's focus on another player in that Norfolk lineup right now who is putting up great numbers so far in this young season. That player is Nolan Reimold.

Reimold is a 6'6", 205 lb, outfielder who has been great at the plate so far in 10 games for the Norfolk Tides this season. In those games, Reimold has hit .457, with 3 HRs, 14 RBIs, 17 total hits, 8 runs scored, a double, and 4 walks. If those aren't great numbers 10 games into the season, I don't know what is.

In the 2008 season while at Bowie, Reimold played in 139 total games, batting .284 with 24 HRs, 84 RBIs, 29 doubles, 144 total hits, 87 runs scored, and 63 walks. By looking at numbers like this at the AA level, Reimold can be strong through a whole season, so look for his big numbers that he is putting up already in 2009 at Norfolk to continue through the summer months.

I think that it is very encouraging to see numbers like this being put up just one step from the majors, especially while we are seeing the likes of someone like Felix Pie struggle badly up to this point for the Orioles. Pie has not shown the strong fielding, strong arm, or strong bat that he was advertised as, and through 13 games I think that Orioles fans are already sick of seeing him struggle. Why not give Reimold a shot at it sometime soon, because from what I have seen so far, he could turn out to be a future familiar face in the Baltimore outfield. I think that if Pie continues to not put up the numbers that he is expected to, we could see a switch between he and Reimold, and Nolan could get his shot at the majors. When that day comes I don't expect Reimold to look back, but instead make a name for himself in Baltimore, much like Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis did, being brought up in the Baltimore system and breaking into the majors at a young age. Look for Matt Wieters to do the same, but we'll concentrate on him in another Big Man on the Farm segment.

J.F

Look-a-Likes: Featuring Gregg Zaun

So this could be the start of something new on H.U.C, who knows, but I thought it would be fun to call out some of the look-a-likes of Baltimore sports figures or any sports figures with other people (celebrities, friends from down the street, etc.) I will start out the (hopefully weekly) madness by this one:

Orioles Catcher Gregg Zaun AND Jackson Stewart from Hannah Montana (Jason Earles):

J.F