All I've heard recently is that the Ravens can't afford to lose Ray Lewis. He is the Raven's most valuable player, no doubt. What if Ray Lewis suited up for the Jets or Cowboys next season? Sure, either of those teams would improve instantly. But would the Ravens suddenly become a team that falls out of playoff contention?
The key for the Ravens, if they cannot scrounge up $13 million+ to sign Ray Lewis, is that they need to take advantage of the money not spent on Lewis. Anquan Boldin is a perfect example of a player the Ravens should acquire with that extra cash. The Ravens have always lacked a tall, standout wide reciever. In addition to signing Boldin and giving Flacco guys to develop with, the Ravens should seriously consider signing a solid cornerback if they don't draft one.
At this point in the offseason, it's hard to predict what's going to happen but the Ravens must make some moves if they want any chance at winning a Super Bowl.
The Terps surprised me this past weekend by winning on the road for the first time this year. Beating Georgia Tech is nothing to gloat about but a 4-5 record is commendable considering how poorly this team has been playing recently. Let's not forget that the Terps lost by a combined total of 5 points at Miami and Florida State. The Terps could theoretically be sitting at 6-3 if they pulled those two games out. That's just how it's been going for almost every team in the ACC this year. Most teams have had multiple frustrating losses.
Last year around this date, the Terps were 6-3 in the ACC and looking like an NCAA tourney team. Of course we all know that they collapsed down the stretch and limped into the NIT. Unfortunately, I don't forsee a reversal of fortune for the Terps this year. With games against Duke, UNC, Clemson, and Wake Forest left to be played, it looks like another NIT year.
Showing posts with label Ravens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ravens. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Welcome!!
First things first: I love all things sports related in the state of Maryland. The Orioles, Ravens, and Terps are my favorites, but don't be surprised if I bring up Hopkins lacrosse or even the Baltimore Blast. Every week, I will post my take on any of the aforementioned teams and their current state.
Perhaps I am motivated to begin a blog simply because the shocking success of the Baltimore Ravens and the emergence of a Real quarterback in Joe Flacco has raised my spirits and optimism for local sports. It was only one year ago when the Ravens endured one of their most dissapointing seasons in franchise history following their most successful regular season.
The Orioles were blindly moving forward and looking towards the future with a false sense of hope.
The Maryland Terrapins football team failed to pose a significant threat in the ACC yet again.
Finally, the Terps men's basketball team failed yet again to make the NCAA tournament forcing their fans to root for underdog local teams like Mount St. Mary's, Coppin State, and UMBC.
As of now, ALL of those teams have reversed their fortunes. Amazingly, without using the Yankee method of spending carelessly, these teams have carefully restructured themselves starting from the top. The reigns were handed over to new (not necessarily more experienced or more knowledgable) people. Brian Billick out, John Harbaugh in. Whoever was running the show for the O's out, Andy MacPhail and the beacon of light, in. The more lenient Ralph Friedgien out, the more intense Fridge in (maybe due to the concern over his lack of job security). With the exception of the wandering Terps basketball team, the O's, Ravens, and Terps football program all have legitimate reasons to feel optimistic about the future.
BK's Take on the state of the Maryland Terps Men's Basketball team:
The Maryland men's basketball team, on the other hand, should not feel optimistic. Local recruiting has all but vanished, the legendary Gary Williams is past his prime, and the loyal fans are starting to lose faith in one of the most succesful ACC programs of the past two decades. It's almost sad that a team who won it's first National Championship and an ACC Championship in the past decade has failed to find any kind of consistency recently, missing the tourney 3 times in the past 4 years. It would only make sense to relieve Gary Williams of his duties after this season if they fail to reach the tourney yet again. If Athletic Director Debbie Yow lets go of Gary, she will take on the burden of replacing a living legend. A younger and perhaps Baltimore based (for recruiting purposes) head coach would be the optimal choice for more consistent success down the road. Do I hear a faint Boooooooth cheer? The program can't afford to miss out on former local talents such as Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and even the Miami star Jack McClinton. This program will return to the tournament one day, but I don't suspect the team will be lead by Gary Williams when it happens.
Thanks for reading! Although I wandered and was a bit abstract, I wanted to get my point across that local sports are or will be on the rise. Expect another post in about a week.
--BK
Perhaps I am motivated to begin a blog simply because the shocking success of the Baltimore Ravens and the emergence of a Real quarterback in Joe Flacco has raised my spirits and optimism for local sports. It was only one year ago when the Ravens endured one of their most dissapointing seasons in franchise history following their most successful regular season.
The Orioles were blindly moving forward and looking towards the future with a false sense of hope.
The Maryland Terrapins football team failed to pose a significant threat in the ACC yet again.
Finally, the Terps men's basketball team failed yet again to make the NCAA tournament forcing their fans to root for underdog local teams like Mount St. Mary's, Coppin State, and UMBC.
As of now, ALL of those teams have reversed their fortunes. Amazingly, without using the Yankee method of spending carelessly, these teams have carefully restructured themselves starting from the top. The reigns were handed over to new (not necessarily more experienced or more knowledgable) people. Brian Billick out, John Harbaugh in. Whoever was running the show for the O's out, Andy MacPhail and the beacon of light, in. The more lenient Ralph Friedgien out, the more intense Fridge in (maybe due to the concern over his lack of job security). With the exception of the wandering Terps basketball team, the O's, Ravens, and Terps football program all have legitimate reasons to feel optimistic about the future.
BK's Take on the state of the Maryland Terps Men's Basketball team:
The Maryland men's basketball team, on the other hand, should not feel optimistic. Local recruiting has all but vanished, the legendary Gary Williams is past his prime, and the loyal fans are starting to lose faith in one of the most succesful ACC programs of the past two decades. It's almost sad that a team who won it's first National Championship and an ACC Championship in the past decade has failed to find any kind of consistency recently, missing the tourney 3 times in the past 4 years. It would only make sense to relieve Gary Williams of his duties after this season if they fail to reach the tourney yet again. If Athletic Director Debbie Yow lets go of Gary, she will take on the burden of replacing a living legend. A younger and perhaps Baltimore based (for recruiting purposes) head coach would be the optimal choice for more consistent success down the road. Do I hear a faint Boooooooth cheer? The program can't afford to miss out on former local talents such as Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and even the Miami star Jack McClinton. This program will return to the tournament one day, but I don't suspect the team will be lead by Gary Williams when it happens.
Thanks for reading! Although I wandered and was a bit abstract, I wanted to get my point across that local sports are or will be on the rise. Expect another post in about a week.
--BK
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