The Changeover Begins...

We all knew it was coming, it was just a matter of when. The inevitable changeover in the Baltimore sports landscape from the last-place Orioles to the Super Bowl seeking Ravens is complete. With the Ravens first regular season game only a few weeks away, local sports fans are quickly forgetting about the O's and devoting their full attention to the Purple and Black.

As of now, the O's are in last place in the AL East and have the 3rd worst record in all of baseball at 51-75. The team is going through it's annual late-season swoon as they have only won one series since the All-Star break. Orioles fans and even team president Andy MacPhail had mild expectations for the season. Those lowly expectations are coming into fruition.

Fortunately, all hope is not lost for the O's. The young pitching staff is showing signs of potential dominance and the O's offense only has a couple glaring weaknesses. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, David Hernandez, and the former AL ROY contender Brad Bergesen have all shown how well they can pitch in the majors. They have also shown how there is a lot of work to be done before the staff becomes respectable. The light at the end of the tunnel that everyone speaks of is visible for the birds. For now, that light is being blocked by a different type of bird, a Baltimore Raven.

Baltimore's proudest and most elite sports team is proving that they have the capability to bring another Lombardi Trophy to the city. In their first two preseason games, the Ravens have showed what they're capable of when their first team is on the field. I know not to look too far into preseason results (the Detroit Lions were 4-0 last year in the preseason), however, the Purple and Black have dominated nearly every stat category in their first couple games. The Passing attack looks formidable even without a star wide receiver. The running game looks solid and it appears Ray Rice has the tools to be a exceptional primary back. The defense is a year older but doesn't appear to have lost their intensity even with the departure of Bart Scott and the injury to Terrell Suggs. The only unresolved spot on the team is the kicker, a position which doesn't usually make or break an entire team. I'm confident the Ravens will resolve the kicking dilemma one way or another.

There's a lot to look forward to this year with the Ravens. Joe Flacco has a year under his belt and Ray Lewis stays with the Ravens to lead one of the most dominant D's in the game today.

As for the O's, their time will come, just not this year. Let's Go Ravens!

RIP Steve

While he only played two seasons for our Baltimore Ravens, I consider it an honor to have watched Steve McNair play in a Raven uniform. He'll always be remembered as a Tennessee Titan, as he should be, but he'll also go down as one of the toughest and grittiest players in NFL history.

During his time in Baltimore, it seemed like he was always on the injury report with a strained back, sore shoulder, or bruised ribs, among many more injuries. Regardless of the ailment, he persevered and led the Ravens during the 2006 season when they went 13-3 and won the AFC North. At the end of his career, it appeared his injuries finally caught up with him as the perennial hall of famer was forced to call it quits after 13 seasons.

However, his past statistics and achievements take a backseat to today's news that McNair, 36, was tragically shot and killed in Nashville. It is unclear exactly what happened but when it comes down to it, a young man and woman lost their life due to an act of gun violence.

On my way home today, I heard a piece of the Sporting News radio show during which they were discussing the link between professional athletes and violence. As of now, it does not appear that Steve McNair put himself in any danger. However, professional athletes, especially NFL players, seem to find themselves in the middle of dangerous situations. Sean Taylor, Darrent Williams, and Steve McNair are just a few of the athletes who have recently been killed or involved with gun violence. Their deaths give creedence to the notion that high-profile athletes are targeted more often than average joes. I've got to believe that professional athletes are going to feel more inclined to protect themselves.

Would you feel comfortable with more athletes wielding firearms for protection? Occasionally, professional athletes are the danger as seen through Tank Johnson's and Plaxico Burress' off the field gun-related problems. It is a very complicated issue that may never be fully resolved. As for now, our prayers go out to the McNair family as they mourn the loss of a true competitor.

RIP Steve

The Stover Question

10-10 game. 4th down. 57 seconds left in the 4th quarter. AFC championship game berth on the line. From 43 yards out. Who do you want kicking? Steve Hauschka? Graham Gano?

No way.

You want Matt Stover. Sure, his range may be limited but I want the most accurate kicker in the NFL on my side. At a spry 41 years old, the Ravens most trusted offensive weapon in team history deserves to kick again. He earned it last January when he nailed the 43-yarder to seal it against the Titans.

Some cite his weakening leg and increased unreliability for reasons why the Ravens should move on. I cite the game-winning field goals and the ability to come into the most tense situation without crumbling under the pressure for reasons why he should kick for the Ravens. In a recent Baltimore Sun article, Mike Preston explains Stover's primary problem is that he has been too good for too long.

It's hard for me to doubt Ozzie Newsome's decision making, as he is the sole reason for why this team is able to reach such great heights. I don't know for sure if he made the decision to let Stover go but whoever did should come forward and fully explain why the Ravens are putting their money on the unproven youngsters, Graham Gano and Steve Hauschka. It's possible that one of those two can help the Ravens make a Super Bowl run. However, I would prefer that the Ravens re-sign Stover to kick field goals under 45 yards and keep one of the two young kickers on the roster to kick field goals over 45 and man the kickoff duties.

The Stover question is as easy to solve as the phrase which best summarizes the situation. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

So let me ask again. 4th Quarter. Season on the line. A chance to play for a spot in the Super Bowl. Who do you want kicking? I want Matt Stover. Do you?

This and That: O's, Ravens, and Blast??

First off, congratulations to the Orioles for winning what will be an opening day game not soon forgotten. The win yesterday against the Yanks means a lot to Orioles fans dedicated to sticking through the rough times. The O's ace, Jeremy Guthrie, looked strong and the underrated offense came through when they needed to. Unfortunately, the bullpen allowed the Yankees to creep back into the game. Although there are 161 games remaining, the Orioles surely kicked off their season on the right foot.

The signing of Samari Rolle to a four-year contract surprised me quite a bit yesterday. I was almost certain his days as a Raven were through when he was released a few weeks ago. Now that the Ravens have seem to solidified their secondary , they can focus on going after a WR or OT in the first round.

The under appreciated Baltimore Blast are hosting the NISL Championship game this Saturday. Believe it or not, the Blast have won more championships in the past decade than any local professional sports team. They will be shooting for their fifth championship in the past seven seasons, talk about success. Attendance at the dump, also known as First Mariner Arena, has been rising steadily as well. The Blast averaged a healthy 7,500 fans this season, a number that blows away the competition in the NISL. So what if the pregame celebrations are only one step above WWE? Maybe you Baltimore sports fans should pay a little respect to your most dominant local team. Then again, it is American soccer.

A point of interest about last night's NCAA Championship game: According to college basketball rules, a team must wear the exact same jersey, the only difference being the number on the back. Apparently, a few of the North Carolina Tar Heels wore slightly different jerseys from the rest of their teammates in last night's game. The rule states that when a player enters the game wearing a different jersey from the rest of their team, two technical foul shots are awarded to the other team. If the refs had payed very close attention last night to the Carolina jerseys, Michigan State may have been awarded technical shots. Just something to think about...

Why the Ravens should go after Plaxico

Here's what the Ravens need on offense: a receiver who can go up and catch any pass from Joe Flacco. Plaxico Burress has proven that he is one of the most capable large recievers in the NFL. What the Ravens don't need is someone who may cause off-field distractions. The Giants signed Plaxico knowing that he occasionally got into scuffles or trouble. Until his absurd shooting incident, Burress stayed out of trouble and rarely feuded with Eli Manning or Tom Coughlin.

I'm pretty sure that Ray Lewis would whip Plaxico into shape if he caused any problems for the Ravens. I"m also pretty sure that John Harbaugh has taken full control over his team and wouldn't let someone like Burress cause any trouble. However I understand that it may be nice for Flacco to have a young wide receiver to develop with. The Ravens most dire need is at cornerback and Ozzie Newsome may want to have the first round pick to go after a defensive player. If the Ravens sign Burress, they wouldn't have to go for a wide receiver in the first round.

Either way, the Ravens are going to be taking a gamble. Either they risk using a low first round pick to go after an unproven but potentially effective WR or they go after one of the best WR's in the game with off the field issues. What would you rather the Ravens do?