Ray Lewis can and will inspire anyone and everyone March 29, 2012

Ray Lewis somehow found his way into the Stanford men’s basketball team locker room before the Cardinal’s NIT Semifinal against UMass.  Not surprisingly, Stanford won the game.  Thanks to deadspin for sharing first.

Mike Mussina: great Orioles talent, but HOF? March 28, 2012

Mike Mussina, for so many in Baltimore, defines the dawn of a dark era.  The losing seasons had started three years prior, but his bolt north to New York crystallized the reality that the glory days had died. In theory it’s hard to blame Mussina.  He received an extra year and 16 million more from [...]

Loyola’s dream journey thanks to Jimmy Patsos March 15, 2012

After watching Jimmy Patsos navigate the media, supporters, and all manner of well wishers in Pittsburgh, it’s hard to believe they ever had the NCAA Tourney without him.  A relentless, restless connoisseur of life he creates a vacuum the moment he leaves a room. A quality practice started Thursday followed by a trip to the [...]

Bounty Gate March 2, 2012

The New Orleans Saints, through encouragement (financial and emotional) intentionally injured other players. Old fashioned bounties prove alive and well in the NFL. Hey, it’s a violent game.  Despite the league’s sometimes hypocritical desire make the game safer, football comes with pain and injury.  But this goes way too far.  You can imagine the scene directed by Martin [...]

Post football journeys February 24, 2012

The end of football season delivers a hollow feeling. We invest so much time, energy, and sometimes emotion (still human) into covering the Ravens that the abrupt conclusion leaves one numb. Two weeks or so to digest a particularly stunning finish, and the benefits to unfootball season come clear. I see my family again! I [...]

Delusions of (what’s the opposite of grandeur?) January 20, 2012

Foxborough, MA The Patriots arrive in the AFC Championship game with a 14-3 record, home field advantage as the number one seed, and having just eviscerated the Broncos 45-10. The Ravens meanwhile show up as the 2 seed and having just eeked past playoff nubie Houston. Las Vegas says the Ravens are a 7.5 point [...]

A Plus on the Ravens January 14, 2012

3 year old Garrett Kellner knows more of the Ravens and what they do than I’d say 80% of Ravens fans. This is who completely remarkable, and while a bit long, I encourage you to watch the entire thing. Thanks to Ravens Media Relations Director Chad Steele for first pointing this YouTube video out on [...]

Arrival time for Joe Flacco January 12, 2012

Despite Joe Flacco putting up nearly identical statistics to in 2011 as he did the last two seasons (Joe threw for 3,613  3,622 & 3,610 yds the last 3 years), Flacco is a very different quarterback right now. Different in style of play and different in his communication skills. The first three years with Joe, [...]

Catching Up January 5, 2012

The Ravens playoff run has taken its toll on my time with this blog. My apologies. Here is my latest AP men’s basketball ballot. I will check back in soon with a Ravens playoff preview. In the meantime, Terps fans enjoy this 1. Syracuse 2. Kentucky 3. North Carolina 4. Duke 5. Baylor 6. Ohio [...]

Top 25 Ballot and look, a new number 1. Again. December 12, 2011

1. Ohio State 2. Syracuse 3. Kentucky 4. Duke 5. North Carolina 6. Louisville 7. Baylor 8. Xavier 9. Connecticut 10. Kansas 11. Pittsburgh 12. Missouri 13. Marquette 14. Mississippi State 15. Wisconsin 16. Florida 17. Georgetown 18. Indiana 19. Illinois 20. Michigan 21. Alabama 22. Texas A&M 23. Virginia 24. Michigan State 25. San [...]