WELCOME BACK

Happy "NO SHAVE" November!

The Hunks Under Center have returned. We have resurrected this blog like Lazarus and a lot has happened in the past year...heck, in the past week!

-Our beloved 'Birds put B-More back on their away uni's.

-The Ravens D is no longer their "O" - I used to use the restroom when the offense took the field, now I pinch it 'til commercial. 

-The "Suggs" package is something truly to behold.

-Rich Eisen, is correct, a name like Flacco is perfect for Baltimoreans to say der, hon!

-The University of Maryland football team is two ACC wins away - a la home games against UNC and FSU - from heading to Tampa (where I'm writing this now).

-The basketball team, however, is in preparation for the beginning of the season, where they will face Bucknell, Friday night.

FYI: I'm watching the Heat-Blazers game on ESPN while I write. I think it's incredibly sad to see a nice facility, carrying an entertaining product with way too many empty seats. This organization won a world title just a couple years ago, and after one miserable year - the arena attendance is dreadful to see (like Oriole Park in the fall). If the NBA dared to have teams in Oklahoma City, Charlotte, Portland, and Oakland, one would hope once the First Mariner Arena is ever renovated, that NBA Commish David Stern would look into the possibility of a team in Charm City.   

Speaking of the Miami 'faithful'...I recently moved from Bel Air to Palm Beach County, FL. The family and I bought tickets off stub hub for the 'Fins-Ravens game. A) The stadium was nowhere near full capacity. B) There was a sea of purple tailgating, walking to the stadium, and in the seats. Granted, the 'Fins are one of the biggest surprises this season, yet Dolph'fans are Pittsburgh-esque when it comes to throwing "their team" under the bus. 

One quick story...on our way back to the car, after the game, this Miami "fan" was crying out how he wished they drafted Quinn instead of Ted Ginn. I wish I was there last week after Ginn's huge game AND to hear his cries after watching Pennington manage an effective game plan the last few weeks. Seriously bro, Pennington, according to some TV experts, is having a better season than Rodgers and Favre! Personally, I am rooting for Miami to win the East...by default. Big Willy raised me to loathe any sports team from New York and Boston

I will say this - this town is incredibly faithful to their collegiate athletic allegiance; something I wished was evident back in the 410. The compassion seen each Saturday will knock your flip flops off.  

Time for the Last Call...

Derrick Mason is a beast. 85 is making a clear, strong statement to Flacco and the rest of the offense by telling the media he WILL play in this Sunday's game in the Meadowlands against the New York Football Giants. Mason knows that this team is peaking, and his role is crucial to the offense, now more than ever. 5 to 85 has been quite the security blanket for us (man, that has a sweet ring to it). Thankfully, MClay, Heap, and Yamon have all contributed significantly this season allowing Cam to spread it out and keep opponents guessing on defense. 

As for a prediction...don't hope for a cookie-cutter outcome like Super Bowl XXXV. I am confident with the purple and black. Stay tuned later in the week for a score. 

Be Real.

-bj