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Luke Jones

Andy MacPhail says very little on MASN

Luke Jones

If you’re watching the Orioles take on the Red Sox tonight, you saw general manager Andy MacPhail join the MASN telecast in the top of the third inning.  The problem is he said nothing of real substance. In addition to discussing the Orioles’ plans for a new spring training facility in Sarasota, MacPhail discussed the possibility of Chris Tillman being promoted to Baltimore in the near future. “We haven’t finalized anything,” MacPhail told Gary Thorne and Buck Martinez.  “We do recognize that all of his Bowie pitching mates [from 2008] are already here…I would expect that we’ll see him this year; I can’t tell you exactly when yet.” If the Orioles are planning on promoting Tillman—and WNST’s Drew Forrester has reported that they are—the organization is blowing a golden opportunity to cultivate some excitement—not to mention ticket sales—for next week’s series against the Kansas City Royals.  With Tillman being the first of the “Big Three” to be promoted, it’s unquestionably a debut many fans would want to witness. MacPhail did express pleasant surprise in talking about Brad Bergesen’s development at the big league level.  He praised the 23-year-old’s poise and ability to throw strikes and induce ground balls. The general

Training Camp Preview: 5 Under-the-Radar Players

Luke Jones

With only a week to go until the first practices for the Ravens’ quarterbacks, rookies, and select veterans, it’s time to consider what players flying beneath the radar could play a major part in the 2009 season. Undoubtedly, injuries will occur, and the coaching staff will look to the next man waiting to step into a larger role.  One can simply look back to last season to see how critical it is to have these types of players. Fullback Le’Ron McClain, safety Jim Leonhard (now with the New York Jets), and guard Chris Chester were little more than afterthoughts entering training camp but went on to make major contributions to an 11-5 season that ended with the Ravens coming up short in the AFC Championship. Who are this season’s players currently flying under the radar that could be key contributors this season? Here are five names to keep an eye on this summer: 1.  Chris Carr Though this free-agent signing lacked the local appeal of Domonique Foxworth (Maryland and Western Tech) or the pedigree of Matt Birk (six Pro Bowl selections), Carr will play a critical role with special teams and the secondary. The fifth-year defensive back provides exceptional return

Wide receiver update: Ravens to work out D.J. Hackett and 3 others

Luke Jones

After Derrick Mason abruptly announced his retirement last week, the Ravens will try out former Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Hackett on Friday. Hackett was invited to try out during OTAs but chose to work out with the Houston Texans instead.  The 28-year-old caught 13 passes for 181 yards and no touchdowns in 2008, his only season in Carolina. He has 118 receptions and nine touchdowns in his five-year career. The other three receivers set to work out have not been identified at this time. With Mason and coach John Harbaugh scheduled to meet this week, it figures to be an interesting time in Owings Mills leading up to the start of training camp at McDaniel College next week. Quarterbacks, rookies, and selected veterans will report on July 27.  WNST.net will bring you live reports, audio, video, and blogs from Westminster. luke@wnst.net

Complete recap of the Terrell Suggs/John Harbaugh Press Conference

Luke Jones

Terrell Suggs downplayed the importance of signing one of the richest contracts in NFL history, but there was no mistaking how seriously the Ravens wanted to keep the Pro Bowl linebacker in Baltimore. Facing a 4 p.m. deadline, Suggs and the Ravens agreed to a six-year, $63 million contract Wednesday morning, eliminating the possibility of Suggs playing under the franchise tag for a second straight season.  The 26-year-old linebacker is relieved to continue his career in Baltimore. “I consider myself a player of the fans,” Suggs said.  “I play for them.  I love the cheers that I get when I’m running out of the tunnel, and I’m just glad that we finally got back to football, and that they wanted me [in Baltimore] and I wanted to be there.  Ozzie [Newsome] and everybody, we all wanted the same thing, and we just had to agree on the little stuff.  Both sides compromised a lot, and now we came to an agreement” The deal includes $33.1 million in bonus money, second only to Peyton Manning’s bonus from a deal signed in 2004.  Suggs now becomes the highest-paid linebacker in the history of the NFL, though he was quick to downplay the

Let the wide receiver speculation begin

Luke Jones

The surprising news of Derrick Mason’s retirement—even if it’s a negotiating ploy—has sent shockwaves through the city of Baltimore, especially for the large portion of Ravens fans that had already been clamoring for an impact receiver during the offseason. While many are making the comparison to Steve McNair’s abrupt retirement in April 2008, the Ravens had more time to prepare in that situation.  If Mason goes through with his intentions to retire, the Ravens will have to treat it similarly to how they dealt with Jamal Lewis’ season-ending knee injury in the early stages of training camp in 2001. Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Marshall and Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin will undoubtedly come up as potential replacements for Mason, but it’s highly unlikely we’ll see either player reining in passes from Joe Flacco. Neither the Broncos or Cardinals are in the business of doing the Ravens any favors, so unless you’re willing to surrender multiple first-day picks, forget either one.  With Mason’s retirement, these teams will view the Ravens as being backed into a corner, so the asking price would be even higher. The other obstacle continues to be the salary cap.  Mason’s retirement would save $3 million in space,

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The first half is in the books, and the Orioles are right where most of us thought they would be—last place and out of contention. While it’s certainly been frustrating watching the Orioles’ inconsistent play, the club has also provided some excitement with the greatest comeback in club history—against the Red Sox, no less—and the unveiling of rookies Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Nolan Reimold, and the much-hyped Matt Wieters. The 40-48 record and last-place standing does not reflect the positive strides made in the first half of the season.  Yes, there’s still a long way to go before we’re talking about the Orioles contending with the three heavyweights in the AL East, but as more youngsters join the fold, it’s easy to see this organization is in much better shape than it’s been at any point since 1997. Will it be enough to put the Orioles back in the playoffs in the next few years? Only time—and the willingness to acquire missing pieces via trades and free agency—will answer that question. It will be interesting to see how active general manager Andy MacPhail will be as the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline approaches.  Aubrey Huff, Luke Scott, Danys Baez, Jeremy

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

The first half is in the books, and the Orioles are right where most of us thought they would be—last place and out of contention. While it’s certainly been frustrating watching the Orioles’ inconsistent play, the club has also provided some excitement with the greatest comeback in club history—against the Red Sox, no less—and the unveiling of rookies Brad Bergesen, David Hernandez, Nolan Reimold, and the much-hyped Matt Wieters. The 40-48 record and last-place standing does not reflect the positive strides made in the first half of the season.  Yes, there’s still a long way to go before we’re talking about the Orioles contending with the three heavyweights in the AL East, but as more youngsters join the fold, it’s easy to see this organization is in much better shape than it’s been at any point since 1997. Will it be enough to put the Orioles back in the playoffs in the next few years? Only time—and the willingness to acquire missing pieces via trades and free agency—will answer that question. It will be interesting to see how active general manager Andy MacPhail will be as the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline approaches.  Aubrey Huff, Luke Scott, Danys Baez, Jeremy

Orioles’ future on display Sunday

Luke Jones

The Orioles may be approaching the All-Star Break in a familiar position—out of contention—but their promising future will be on display Sunday afternoon, both in Baltimore and St. Louis. Rookie right-hander Brad Bergesen—the Orioles’ biggest surprise of the first half—will take the hill in the Orioles’ final game before the break, but two other young pitching prospects will highlight their talents before a national television audience in St. Louis. We’ve heard the numerous reports about the Orioles’ “Big Three” of Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and Jake Arrieta, but how many fans have actually seen them pitch? Probably not too many. We’ll get the chance to see Tillman and Matusz on Sunday, as the two prospects will take part in the Futures Game at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.  Arrieta participated in last year’s game.  The annual contest features some of the most promising minor leaguers in baseball. The 21-year-old Tillman—one of the key pieces acquired in the Erik Bedard trade—appears to be the next in line for a promotion to Baltimore, pitching to a 7-5 record and a 2.50 ERA with Norfolk.  The Triple-A prospect was recently rated as Baseball America’s eighth-best overall prospect in its midseason report. Tillman, 6-foot-5,  is

Remembering Steve McNair

Luke Jones

With the tragic news of the passing of Steve McNair on the Fourth of July, it’s difficult to contemplate his legacy, both in the NFL and here in Baltimore. McNair will not only be remembered as the man who helped lead the Baltimore Ravens to their best regular season record, a 13-3 mark in 2006, but also as a worthy adversary playing for the Tennessee Titans. Prior to the league’s switch to the current AFC North division format in 2002, the Ravens’ fiercest AFC Central rival was the Titans with McNair and running back Eddie George leading the way.  The tenacious McNair was a feared opponent for the Ravens’ vaunted defense, breaking Baltimore hearts in the 2003 Wild Card matchup at M&T Bank Stadium. My favorite memory of McNair will always be his preseason debut as the Ravens’ quarterback against the New York Giants in 2006.  Though McNair played only one series, he led the team on an 80-yard drive, culminating with a 6-yard touchdown run. The electricty in M&T Bank Stadium—for a preseason game no less—was palpable and set the tone for what would be a memorable 13-3 regular season.  After witnessing quarterback after quarterback fail to lead the

Orioles’ July will be pivotal on different levels

Luke Jones

Any baseball fan will tell you the 162-game schedule is filled with peaks and valleys.  You’re never as good as your highest point—such as a nine-run comeback win—or as terrible as your lowest moment—like a five-run blown lead in the ninth inning. This year’s World Series champion is bound to undergo at least a five- or six-game losing streak, and even the worst team in the majors—I’m talking to you, Washington—will manage to win five or six games in a row at some point this season. The difference between the good teams and the not-so-good teams in Major League Baseball is an ability to heighten the peaks while shortening the dark valleys. The Orioles’ last two games are a perfect example of how exhilarating—and sobering—the game can be in less than 24 hours.  After completing the greatest comeback in franchise history Tuesday night, the club collapsed in the ninth inning on Wednesday, blowing a 5-1 lead in an eventual 6-5 loss in 11 innings. How will the Orioles respond to these two polarizing contests?  If we look at the club’s body of work this season, the west coast trip—and the month of July—will not be pretty. From the pleasant 6-3

Red Sox-Orioles Facebook News Feed

Luke Jones

If you’re not familiar with the phenomenon that is Facebook, this won’t be the blog for you. Anyone keeping an eye on the popular social networking site while watching the Orioles’ miraculous comeback victory over the Red Sox on Tuesday night inevitably saw a variety of angry wall messages and statuses (10-1) that gradually transformed into reserved hope (10-6) and, finally, jubilation (Orioles win, 11-10!). While viewing all of these messages, I imagined what the Facebook news feed would look like describing this wild game and the various people involved.  It might go a little something like this: * 24,000 Boston fans are attending the event “Red Sox vs. Orioles at Fenway Park South.” * 7,969 Baltimore fans are attending the event “Getting Drowned Out by Obnoxious ‘Sahx’ Fans in My Home Ballpark.” * Adam Jones created the group “Outfield Walls Hurt.” * Orioles fans ended their relationship with Rich Hill. * Dave Trembley left the group “Give Your Pitcher the Quick Hook.” * Luke Jones says it’s time to watch old episodes of The Office while keeping an eye on the game. * John Smoltz’s status:  “I really hate rain delays.” * Rich Hill’s status:  “I’m doing a rain

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

31-62. No, it is not the Washington Nationals’ current record (22-51), but it’s the Orioles’ record against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards since 1998. And despite what many would have you believe, the fans donning pink and green Boston hats and representing The Bandwagon Red Sox Nation haven’t hurled a single pitch or hit a single home run in those 62 losses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as frustrated as anyone to see Camden Yards invaded by Red Sox or Yankees fans 18 times every season, but pleas to Orioles fans to buy those tickets are a waste of words.  Nothing will change until this becomes a winning organization again. Because of their strong national following, the Yankees and Red Sox have a strong representation wherever they go, whether it’s in Baltimore, Kansas City, or Los Angeles.  The only way to contain—not eliminate—the number of Red Sox or Yankees fans is to field a winning team that fans want to pay to watch. Just look at the Ravens’ annual war with the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.  In the years in which the Ravens are competitive and in the playoff hunt, the number of Steelers fans is considerably

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

31-62. No, it is not the Washington Nationals’ current record (22-51), but it’s the Orioles’ record against the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards since 1998. And despite what many would have you believe, the fans donning pink and green Boston hats and representing The Bandwagon Red Sox Nation haven’t hurled a single pitch or hit a single home run in those 62 losses. Don’t get me wrong, I’m as frustrated as anyone to see Camden Yards invaded by Red Sox or Yankees fans 18 times every season, but pleas to Orioles fans to buy those tickets are a waste of words.  Nothing will change until this becomes a winning organization again. Because of their strong national following, the Yankees and Red Sox have a strong representation wherever they go, whether it’s in Baltimore, Kansas City, or Los Angeles.  The only way to contain—not eliminate—the number of Red Sox or Yankees fans is to field a winning team that fans want to pay to watch. Just look at the Ravens’ annual war with the Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium.  In the years in which the Ravens are competitive and in the playoff hunt, the number of Steelers fans is considerably

Where does Ray Lewis rank among the greatest players of the decade?

Luke Jones

Leave it to “The Worldwide Leader in Sports” to jump the gun on an otherwise interesting promotion for the network this week. We’re still over two months away from the start of the 2009 season—the last season of the decade—but ESPN.com has decided it’s time to hand out its NFL all-decade honors.  I guess we don’t need to bother playing this season. The Ravens were well represented with Ray Lewis and Ed Reed being named to the all-decade defense while the first draft pick in franchise history, Jonathan Ogden, was the lone Raven on the all-decade offense.  Fullback Lorenzo Neal was also named to the team, but his one season in Baltimore hardly constitutes him as an all-decade representative for the Ravens. The Ravens were also ranked the fifth-best team of the decade. ESPN closed out the week by revealing their top 25 players of the decade on Friday, and this is the list with which Ravens fans are sure to take issue.  Lewis, the only player to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice this decade, ranks only ninth, behind defensive ends Jason Taylor (fifth) and Michael Strahan (eighth). With all due respect to Taylor and Strahan,

Four down, two to go for the Ravens

Luke Jones

The Baltimore Ravens have signed third-round pick Lardarius Webb to a three-year contract with a reported $530,000 signing bonus. The Nicholls St. defensive back is the Ravens’ fourth draft pick to sign a contract, joining linebacker Jason Phillips, tight end Davon Drew, and running back Cedric Peerman. The remaining unsigned picks are offensive tackle Michael Oher (first round) and linebacker/defensive end Paul Kruger (second round). Considering the Ravens typically have not negotiated with their draft picks until July, the chance of both Oher and Kruger reporting to training camp on time appears likely. If Oher would sign prior to July 27, it would mark the third year in a row in which the Ravens have signed their first-round pick before the start of training camp.  The Ravens’ last two first-rounders were quarterback Joe Flacco (2008) and guard Ben Grubbs (2007).

Despite improved talent, O’s still making same old mistakes

Luke Jones

When looking from afar, it seems nothing has changed this year from the last 11 seasons of baseball.  Stuck in last place with a 32-39 record, the Orioles appear destined to complete their 12th-straight losing season of baseball. But despite the lack of improvement in the win-loss department, anyone paying close attention this season can see the improved talent level at several key positions. The outfield of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Nolan Reimold appears set for the future, and Matt Wieters—you may have heard of him by now—may be the new face of the franchise if numerous scouting reports from all around baseball are legitimate. And, of course, there’s the pitching.  We’ve already seen promise from Brad Bergesen and David Hernandez, and a plethora of arms waits at Triple-A Norfolk. While the talent level is vastly improved from the teams of the past decade composed entirely of over-the-hill veterans and undeserving young players, a major problem still plagues the Orioles despite the promises made by manager Dave Trembley two seasons ago. Stressing the importance of playing the game the right way, we heard reports of the team taking infield practice before games and focusing on fundamentals in spring training.

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles certainly didn’t show the Phillies any “Brotherly Love” by completing a three-game sweep this weekend. I attended the first two games of the series on Friday and Saturday night and had a great time.  Citizens Bank Park may lack the charm of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but the wide-open concourse is an excellent feature for those wanting to grab a snack or cold beverage without missing a pitch. It was a pleasure meeting many of the rabid Orioles fans on the WNST/Miller Lite Bus Trip, and it was even better high-fiving and celebrating the closing moments of Saturday night’s comeback win with them! Here are the 5 W’s and 1 H for the week: 1.  Who will be the best player not named Blake Griffin to come out of this year’s NBA Draft? The 2009 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday night, and the Los Angeles Clippers have already committed to taking power forward Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), the surest thing in this year’s draft class, with the No. 1 pick. After Griffin, there is plenty of talent but many question marks.  From Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet to international point guard Ricky Rubio to Davidson’s Stephen Curry, there is

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles certainly didn’t show the Phillies any “Brotherly Love” by completing a three-game sweep this weekend. I attended the first two games of the series on Friday and Saturday night and had a great time.  Citizens Bank Park may lack the charm of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, but the wide-open concourse is an excellent feature for those wanting to grab a snack or cold beverage without missing a pitch. It was a pleasure meeting many of the rabid Orioles fans on the WNST/Miller Lite Bus Trip, and it was even better high-fiving and celebrating the closing moments of Saturday night’s comeback win with them! Here are the 5 W’s and 1 H for the week: 1.  Who will be the best player not named Blake Griffin to come out of this year’s NBA Draft? The 2009 NBA Draft takes place on Thursday night, and the Los Angeles Clippers have already committed to taking power forward Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), the surest thing in this year’s draft class, with the No. 1 pick. After Griffin, there is plenty of talent but many question marks.  From Connecticut’s Hasheem Thabeet to international point guard Ricky Rubio to Davidson’s Stephen Curry, there is

Notes from Ravens Rookie Camp

Luke Jones

The Ravens’ newcomers have a final opportunity this week to get acclimated to the NFL before reporting to McDaniel College for training camp on July 27. The offseason OTA schedule concludes this week with a rookie camp, allowing coaches to work more closely with the team’s six draft picks and numerous rookie free agents vying for a regular season roster spot.  “It’s obviously a different atmosphere and tempo because the vets aren’t here,” coach John Harbaugh said.  “It’s a little slow.  We take a little more time between reps.  I don’t want to say it was more teaching, because there is a lot of teaching when the [veterans] are here, too.  But it was a little more fundamentally-oriented, a little simpler with the calls, but they did a good job.” The rumors circulating about Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall were a hot topic at the training facility in Owings Mills.  The disgruntled receiver wants to be traded, and the receiver position is an area of concern with Derrick Mason (shoulder), Mark Clayton (foot), and Demetrius Williams (ankle) all slowed by injuries this offseason. Earlier in the offseason, the Ravens explored a trade for Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin, but the Cardinals’

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles’ team-wide offensive drought has mercifully come to an end, as Orioles’ hitters accumulated 21 runs and 41 hits over the weekend in their series win over the Atlanta Braves. As is often the case, the Orioles’ offense starts with Brian Roberts at the top of the order.  The second baseman went 6-for-10 over the weekend, driving in four runs, walking three times, and stealing two bases. The offense will try to keep it going against the New York Mets who were trampled by the cross-town rival Yankees on Sunday, 15-0.  Luckily, the Orioles will not face Johan Santana, though the southpaw gave up nine earned runs in the series finale in the Bronx. The series begins Tuesday with Jeremy Guthrie (4-6, 5.52 ERA) taking the ball against the Mets’ Mike Pelfrey (4-2, 4.68 ERA). Here are the 5 W’s and 1 H for the week: 1. Who would have thought rookie Brad Bergesen would be the Orioles’ best starting pitcher when pitchers and catchers reported to Ft. Lauderdale in February? In his last four starts, Bergesen is 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA and averaging eight innings per start.  The right-hander continues to throw a heavy sinker, keeping the

How to write your own Orioles blog

Luke Jones

As much as we all love the Orioles here in Baltimore, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to write about them, particularly during this recent team-wide offensive slump. After all, there are only so many adjectives for describing the same disappointing play we’ve seen over the last two weeks—not to mention the last 12 years. In an effort to have some fun,—something lacking in Orioles games lately—I’ve created an Orioles blog template for you to write your own game recaps.  It works just like the old Mad Libs you used to play with your friends.  I’ll give you some key word choices to make before putting them in the rest of the article. And remember, no cheating! Here it goes: 1. A ranking (i.e. second, third) ______________ 2. Day of the week ______________ 3. MLB team other than the Orioles, or make up another like “Sister Catherine’s School for the Blind” ______________ 4. A random baseball score (i.e. 7-1) ______________ 5. Adjective for bad ______________ 6. Another score smaller than your first choice ______________ 7. Choose Luke Scott or Nolan Reimold ______________ 8. A current Orioles starting pitcher ______________ 9. Adjective for bad ______________ 10. A current Orioles non-pitcher ______________ 11. A

Another listless effort at the Yard, O’s fall 6-3

Luke Jones

Another missed opportunity and another series loss. Despite jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, the Orioles fell to the Seattle Mariners, 6-3, losing two out of three in their return to Camden Yards. The wait for the Orioles’ offense to snap out of its two-week long funk is nearly as long as the seventh inning bomb Russell Branyan hit off Brian Bass that still hasn’t landed yet. The pitching has performed—or not performed—just as we expected entering the season.  Despite ranking 13th out of 14 American League teams in ERA (5.17 entering Thursday night), young pitchers such as Brad Bergesen and the recently-demoted David Hernandez have shown glimpses of hope.  The bullpen has been solid—and at times, exceptional—when starters have been knocked out early over the last few weeks. What we didn’t foresee was the mediocre performance from the Orioles’ bats, expected to be a strength in 2009.  The offense ranks ninth in the American League, hitting .264 entering Thursday.  Orioles’ hitters are batting just .222 in the month of June, leading to the recent collapse into the lonely, deep cellar of the AL East. So, how did the Orioles respond tonight with a chance to gain a much-needed

The O’s are “Wacco for Flacco”

Luke Jones

If you’re heading down to Camden Yards tonight, you just might see the Orioles’ director of scouting Joe Jordan donning a purple Joe Flacco jersey. No, the Ravens quarterback isn’t switching sports—though baseball was his second best game—but you might see his brother at the hot corner in a few years. Earlier today, the Orioles used their 31st round selection to take third baseman Mike Flacco.  The younger Flacco (22) had a great year at CCBC-Catonsville this season, hitting .399 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in 46 games.  At 6-4 and 220 pounds, it’s clear that Joe is not the only athlete in the family blessed with size. Realistically, this is little more than a good public relations move on the Orioles’ part, but why not take a shot on him in the 31st round?  If he somehow makes it to the major leagues in a few years, it would be a marketing goldmine for both of Baltimore’s professional teams. I briefly spoke to Joe after practice concluded in Owings Mills on Tuesday, and the Flacco family was very excited about Mike’s draft chances and mentioned the Orioles were interested. If the Orioles are really on top of

The O's are "Wacco for Flacco"

Luke Jones

If you’re heading down to Camden Yards tonight, you just might see the Orioles’ director of scouting Joe Jordan donning a purple Joe Flacco jersey. No, the Ravens quarterback isn’t switching sports—though baseball was his second best game—but you might see his brother at the hot corner in a few years. Earlier today, the Orioles used their 31st round selection to take third baseman Mike Flacco.  The younger Flacco (22) had a great year at CCBC-Catonsville this season, hitting .399 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs in 46 games.  At 6-4 and 220 pounds, it’s clear that Joe is not the only athlete in the family blessed with size. Realistically, this is little more than a good public relations move on the Orioles’ part, but why not take a shot on him in the 31st round?  If he somehow makes it to the major leagues in a few years, it would be a marketing goldmine for both of Baltimore’s professional teams. I briefly spoke to Joe after practice concluded in Owings Mills on Tuesday, and the Flacco family was very excited about Mike’s draft chances and mentioned the Orioles were interested. If the Orioles are really on top of

Ravens release Training Camp Schedule

Luke Jones

For those of you looking to plan your day trips to McDaniel College in Westminster to watch Ray Lewis, Joe Flacco, and the men in purple, the Ravens released their training camp schedule this afternoon. Quarterbacks, rookies, and select players will report on Monday, July 27—with the first practices taking place the next day—while the remaining veterans report on Wednesday, July 29.  The first full-squad practices open to the public take place on Friday, July 31. The last summer camp practices open to the public will take place on Saturday, August 22. Don’t forget, WNST.net and AM 1570 WNST are your best sources for updates, news, and analysis as the Ravens begin their 14th training camp at McDaniel College. The full schedule can be found here.

WNST notes from Ravens passing camp

Luke Jones

The Ravens are holding their last full-squad voluntary passing camp this week before wrapping up the OTA schedule with rookie camp next week. This week’s workouts are focused on game planning for their three AFC North opponents.  Coaches and players have discussed opposing personnel and simulated game-week preparation for the rookies and newcomers.  The team focused on Cincinnati Monday, Cleveland today, and will examine the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday. Coach John Harbaugh borrowed this approach from his days with Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid. –  Todd Heap continues to make his way back from a back injury suffered at the end of last season.  Harbaugh is encouraged with the veteran tight end’s work this week, particularly on Monday. “Todd seems like he’s really come along,” Harbaugh said.  “He did more yesterday probably than he did today.  I think he was a little bit sore from the workload yesterday, but that’s a good sign.  Once you get to the point where the injury’s not causing the soreness and the workload’s causing the soreness, now you can start working your way to where you need to be.  Significant progress, and hopefully, he can do a little bit more tomorrow.” Despite the

Looking ahead to training camp

Luke Jones

With the Orioles in last place and owning the second-worst record in baseball, Baltimoreans are obviously looking ahead to the Ravens reporting for training camp on July 27—only seven weeks away. The team holds another passing camp this week, as we continue to focus on several key positions. As we look ahead to 2009, key departures include linebacker Bart Scott (New York Jets), center Jason Brown (St. Louis), safety Jim Leonhard (Jets), cornerback Chris McAlister (unsigned), offensive tackle Willie Anderson (retired), Lorenzo Neal (Raiders), tight end Dan Wilcox (unsigned) and defensive end Marques Douglas (Jets). In addition to selecting six players in this year’s draft, the Ravens have added cornerbacks Domonique Foxworth (Atlanta) and Chris Carr (Tennessee), center Matt Birk (Minnesota), tight end L.J. Smith (Philadelphia), quarterback John Beck (Miami) and receiver Kelley Washington (New England). With so many new veterans and rookies in the fold, training camp in Westminster, Md. figures to host several key positional battles as the Ravens prepare for their opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 13. The following is a look at five key positional battles—in no particular order—to watch during training camp at McDaniel College. 1.  Inside Linebacker The departure of Scott

Top 10 Reasons Why the Orioles Can’t Win on Sundays

Luke Jones

Any Orioles fan paying attention to Sunday baseball—and if you haven’t, I envy you—knows how putrid the team’s fortunes have been dating back to last season. The Orioles were an astonishing 3-21 in Sunday games last season and are trying to top that mark with a 1-8 record so far in 2009. While most will point to Dave Trembley’s tendency to use Sunday as a day to rest several starters, I decided to dig much deeper into the issue to determine why the Orioles cannot win on Sundays. From the home office in Glen Rock, Pa., I bring you the Top 10 Reasons Why the Orioles Can’t Win on Sundays: 10.  The good Lord said to rest on Sundays, and darn it, we’re going to do it! 9.  Felix Pie keeps forgetting to pick up the Sunday doughnuts.  Can’t that guy do anything right? 8.  The Orioles have some very serious U2 fans in the clubhouse: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbNuIqiVPbU[/youtube] 7.  As a nod to Dugout Club sponsor Chick-fil-A, the club has decided it is also closed on Sundays.  The pesky issue of the other team continuing to show up still needs to be resolved.  Not to worry, the same individuals handling the

O’s Offense, Hill take the usual Sunday beating

Luke Jones

The Orioles completed a 1-5 road trip with a 3-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon. Oakland rookie Vin Mazzaro was outstanding, stifling Orioles hitters for 7 1/3 innings and scattering five hits.  He is now 2-0 and has yet to allow a run in 13 2/3 innings of major league work. Here are a few thoughts, as the Orioles will make their way home to start a three-game series with the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday: – The good vibes of Matt Wieters’ major league debut last Friday have quickly faded away.  The rookie catcher is hitting .143 (4-for-28) and has yet to drive in a run.  The Orioles are 2-7 since Wieters was promoted. – To say the Orioles are slumping offensively would be an understatement.  The offense has managed just 13 runs in their last eight games.  I don’t care if you have the 1971 starting rotation; you’re not going to win many ballgames with that output. The hitters’ approach at the plate varies from listless to trying to hit a five-run homer with the bases empty.  It’s painful to watch, quite frankly. – Who would have thought Brad Bergesen would be the team’s most reliable

Willis McGahee leaves murky picture for Ravens' running game

Luke Jones

As Willis McGahee laid on the field following a violent hit from Steelers cornerback Ryan Clark late in the AFC Championship game, it was the culmination of a bitterly disappointing season for the Ravens running back.  McGahee would prove to be okay, but his future with the Ravens beyond this season is up in the air. After rushing for 1,207 yards and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2007—his first season with the Ravens—McGahee reported to training camp out of shape and was slow to learn Cam Cameron’s offensive system last season.  It was quite apparent that McGahee was in John Harbaugh’s doghouse and remained there for much of the season, as Le’Ron McClain became the primary option in the running game with Ray Rice getting a large number of carries as well. It didn’t help that McGahee dealt with several nagging injuries throughout the season, including knee, eye, and ankle problems, as he finished with a career-low 671 yards.  In fact, McGahee had virtually disappeared from the offensive game plan before rushing for a 77-yard touchdown against Dallas in Week 16 and later scoring two touchdowns in the conference championship game before the violent collision. Conventional wisdom

Orioles fall 3-2, lose series to Seattle

Luke Jones

UPDATE:  The Orioles missed a golden opportunity to take a road series on Wednesday night, losing 3-2 on a walk-off single by Adrian Beltre in the bottom of the ninth inning .  The Seattle third baseman drove in all three runs for the home team. An outstanding effort from Brad Bergesen (see below) was wasted as the Orioles could only score two runs on 10 hits.  Having two runners picked off and another caught stealing certainly won’t help you win many ballgames either.  Baserunning continues to be an Achilles heel for this team. Luke Scott continues to be the only hitter doing much of anything lately, driving in both Baltimore runs. The Orioles (24-30) are off Thursday before starting a three-game set in Oakland on Friday. ***** 12:20 – The Orioles’ offensive struggles continue tonight as they’re tied 2-2 in the eighth inning. Brad Bergesen has pitched a heck of a ballgame.  Manager Dave Trembley left himself wide open for criticism by leaving the rookie starter in the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Bergesen got Adrian Beltre—who hit a two-run homer in the third—to ground out to end the rally.

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

Despite a disappointing end to the four-game series with Detroit, it was encouraging seeing an energized crowd at Camden Yards this weekend. Matt Wieters may be off to a slow start at the plate, but that won’t dampen the enthusiasm for the 23-year-old catcher.  National pundits are calling him the most hyped prospect since Bo Jackson. It was clear the organization was going to bring up the rookie to debut in front of the home crowd, but a west coast trip might be the best thing for him.  It allows Wieters to simply play baseball without the bright lights of Camden Yards or the primetime audience.  I look for him to start showing what he’s capable of doing at the big league level during the trip, but will many Orioles fans be watching late at night? Here are the 5 Ws and 1 H for the week: 1.  Who will win the NBA Finals?  It’s not the highly anticipated Cavs-Lakers series, but the Orlando Magic continues to prove the doubters wrong.  Dwight Howard is a man possessed down low, and it’s doubtful the Lakers will have anyone to stop him—short of Andrew Bynum using six fouls and hoping Howard falls

Winning with Wieters

Luke Jones

It’s hard not to smile tonight if you’re an Orioles fan. Matt Wieters made his major league debut, Brad Bergesen pitched a gem, and Luke Scott said, “What’chu talkin‘ ‘bout, Willis?” twice tonight, as the Orioles won their fifth game in a row by defeating the Detroit Tigers, 7-2. The big story of the night was obviously the debut of the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball, and he delivered—just not with the bat.  The young catcher called a great game to help Bergesen pitch one of the best games of any Orioles pitcher all season long. Bergesen pitched 8+ innings, scattering seven hits while striking out three and walking none.  After several promising starts that fizzled with struggles in the fifth or sixth inning, it was encouraging to see him work so deeply into the game. Scott continues to annihilate Tigers pitching, hitting a grand slam in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth, both off Tigers starter Dontrelle Willis.  Four home runs in two games against Detroit.  When the streaky Scott is locked in, his power is as good as anyone else in baseball. It was great to see 42,000 people give a rousing

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

I hope you’re having a relaxing Memorial Day weekend.  In addition to the cookouts, sports, and fun with family and friends this weekend, let’s be sure to remember the fine men and women serving our great country throughout the world. With this in mind, it was great seeing Hall of Famer Bob Feller on the Orioles-Nationals telecast this afternoon.  At 90 years old, Feller has amazingly spent over half his life as a member of the Hall of Fame (inducted in 1962).  That’s just hard to comprehend! In addition to his remarkable career with the Cleveland Indians, which included a no-hitter on Opening Day in 1940, Feller served four years in the U.S. Navy.  He put his baseball career on hold immediately after the attack on Pearl Harbor, enlisting on Dec. 8, 1941.  That’s the stuff of a true hero. Now, it’s time for the 5 Ws and 1 H for the week: 1.  Who have you most enjoyed watching in the NBA Playoffs this year? Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are the obvious headliners, but Orlando’s Dwight Howard has been a man among boys in the paint (averaging 16.4 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game), and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony

Tillman leaves the game after two innings in Norfolk

Luke Jones

Chris Tillman, one of the Orioles’ top pitching prospects, was pulled from his start tonight at Norfolk after throwing 33 pitches in two innings for the Tides. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_05_23_rocaaa_noraaa_1&did=t568&sid=t568 Barring any news regarding a possible injury, the outing would be comparable to the number of pitches thrown in a side session.  Could he be the starting pitcher on Tuesday night against Toronto? Update:  MASN’s Roch Kubatko reports Tillman left the game due to tightness in his groin, ending any chance of him receiving the start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays. Norfolk’s Jason Berken would appear to be the most likely choice to get the start.

O’s-Nats a far cry from potential Ravens-Redskins rivalry

Luke Jones

Despite MASN’s best efforts—and I’ll leave the jokes to you on how good its “best” actually is—to market the Battle of the Beltway between the Orioles and Nationals, the matchup is no more a rivalry than any other team the Orioles play this season. Regardless of their close proximity and the background story of Peter Angelos’ effort to keep baseball out of D.C. and his subsequent ownership of MASN, it’s tough to get excited about two of baseball’s worst teams facing off six times every year. Perhaps one day the Orioles-Nationals will bring the same flare as Yankees-Mets or Cubs-White Sox, but that idea seems to be little more than a pipedream here in 2009. This brings us to another potential geographic rivalry that has failed to take off due to the sheer lack of games they’re able to play.  The Ravens and Redskins both have rabid fan bases and would figure to form a special rivalry, if not for the fact that they play only once every four years under the current structure of the NFL. Since 1996, the Ravens have played Washington only four times, winning games in 1997, 2004, and 2008 and losing in their 2000 Super

O's-Nats a far cry from potential Ravens-Redskins rivalry

Luke Jones

Despite MASN’s best efforts—and I’ll leave the jokes to you on how good its “best” actually is—to market the Battle of the Beltway between the Orioles and Nationals, the matchup is no more a rivalry than any other team the Orioles play this season. Regardless of their close proximity and the background story of Peter Angelos’ effort to keep baseball out of D.C. and his subsequent ownership of MASN, it’s tough to get excited about two of baseball’s worst teams facing off six times every year. Perhaps one day the Orioles-Nationals will bring the same flare as Yankees-Mets or Cubs-White Sox, but that idea seems to be little more than a pipedream here in 2009. This brings us to another potential geographic rivalry that has failed to take off due to the sheer lack of games they’re able to play.  The Ravens and Redskins both have rabid fan bases and would figure to form a special rivalry, if not for the fact that they play only once every four years under the current structure of the NFL. Since 1996, the Ravens have played Washington only four times, winning games in 1997, 2004, and 2008 and losing in their 2000 Super

Orioles Black Magic – Feel It Bring You Down

Luke Jones

For baseball fans, there are few things finer in life than getting home from a long day of work, cracking open a cold beer, and turning on the ballgame to relax and have some fun.  It’s an escape…a reprieve…part of the fabric of Americana. The problem in Baltimore is this ideal experience is no more than a distant memory or a faraway dream.  The reality is watching the Orioles this year—and for the last 11 seasons—feels more like taking out the trash or doing the laundry.  It feels like an obligation to a family member that you cannot avoid.  Diehards continue to watch, looking for any glimmer of hope such as the sparkling play of young Adam Jones. However, for every bright spot like Jones, the continued improvement of Nick Markakis, and the desperate hope for the crop of minor league pitching, there is the horrendous starting pitching, foolish baserunning, and invisible late-inning offense.  Quite frankly, it’s not easy—or enjoyable—to watch. No matter how much MASN tries to brainwash its audience—and believe me, it’s propaganda at its finest—the obvious and painful truth is staring us right in the face. Orioles Magic energized the Charm City in the late 1970s and

Ravens serious about building on last season

Luke Jones

The words voluntary and veterans do not cross paths very often in the NFL. Just take a look at the voluntary OTAs (Organized Team Activities) around the league, and you’ll find a plethora of veterans exercising the choice to skip passing camps.  After all, these camps are really designed with rookies and young players in mind, players trying to make a strong early impression with the coaching staff.  In reality, you don’t expect to see Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, or Trevor Pryce at these voluntary camps. You wouldn’t know it by taking a look at the Ravens’ attendance this week. With the only notable absences being Haloti Ngata (taking college classes) and Terrell Suggs—who has yet to sign his franchise tender and is technically not under contract—the Ravens appear hungry to build upon a surprising 2008 season in which they were only a late touchdown drive away in Pittsburgh from going to the Super Bowl. It would be easy to rest on their laurels.  After all, the future looks bright with an apparent franchise quarterback finally in place and a returning core of dominant players on both sides of the ball. Perhaps it’s a fear of repeating what happened in

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

It’s easy to call the 134th Preakness a failure, but it would be more prudent to give the Maryland Jockey Club another year or two to see what can be done to bring the masses back to Pimlico.  The decision to prohibit patrons from bringing their own alcohol was obviously a major change to the culture of the Preakness, but creative thinking should be able to revive attendance. However, will officials have another year or two to accomplish this?  It remains to be seen with the bankruptcy of Magna Entertainment Corp., the owner of Pimlico.  The state government is taking measures to keep the Preakness in Baltimore, but nothing is a sure thing at this point. Here are the 5 Ws and 1 H for the week: 1.  Who do you expect to be in the Orioles’ starting rotation by year’s end?  We’ve already seen two of the five Opening Day rotation members (Alredo Simon and Mark Hendrickson) replaced, and more changes are sure to come as the season continues. The next starter on the chopping block would logically be Adam Eaton (2-4, 7.93 ERA).  The most likely candidates for a promotion at this point are Chris Tillman (4-0, 2.03

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The first half is in the books, and the Orioles are right where most of us thought they would be—last

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

The first half is in the books, and the Orioles are right where most of us thought they would be—last

Remembering Steve McNair

Luke Jones

With the tragic news of the passing of Steve McNair on the Fourth of July, it’s difficult to contemplate his

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

31-62. No, it is not the Washington Nationals’ current record (22-51), but it’s the Orioles’ record against the Boston Red

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

31-62. No, it is not the Washington Nationals’ current record (22-51), but it’s the Orioles’ record against the Boston Red

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles certainly didn’t show the Phillies any “Brotherly Love” by completing a three-game sweep this weekend. I attended the

5 W's and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles certainly didn’t show the Phillies any “Brotherly Love” by completing a three-game sweep this weekend. I attended the

Notes from Ravens Rookie Camp

Luke Jones

The Ravens’ newcomers have a final opportunity this week to get acclimated to the NFL before reporting to McDaniel College

5 W’s and 1 H

Luke Jones

The Orioles’ team-wide offensive drought has mercifully come to an end, as Orioles’ hitters accumulated 21 runs and 41 hits

The O's are "Wacco for Flacco"

Luke Jones

If you’re heading down to Camden Yards tonight, you just might see the Orioles’ director of scouting Joe Jordan donning

Looking ahead to training camp

Luke Jones

With the Orioles in last place and owning the second-worst record in baseball, Baltimoreans are obviously looking ahead to the

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

Despite a disappointing end to the four-game series with Detroit, it was encouraging seeing an energized crowd at Camden Yards

Winning with Wieters

Luke Jones

It’s hard not to smile tonight if you’re an Orioles fan. Matt Wieters made his major league debut, Brad Bergesen

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

I hope you’re having a relaxing Memorial Day weekend.  In addition to the cookouts, sports, and fun with family and

5 Ws and 1 H

Luke Jones

It’s easy to call the 134th Preakness a failure, but it would be more prudent to give the Maryland Jockey

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