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Nestor Aparicio

Trent Dilfer and Rick Sutcliffe

Nestor Aparicio

If Trent Dilfer has thrown his final pass in the NFL – and it’s not a stretch to think that – I just want to be among the first to wish him well in his TV land retirement. Dilfer was released by the San Francisco 49ers yesterday and head coach Mike Nolan gave him a royal sendoff with quotes befitting a king, not a “back up” quarterback. Not only will he always be the starting quarterback of the Ravens “first” Super Bowl championship team, but he was always a class act, long after his short stay in Baltimore was complete. Our staff sees him on Radio Row at every Super Bowl and he’s always upbeat, funny and self-deprecating in the face of his career, his family struggles and his relationship with his teammates and peers. In case you missed it, Dilfer joined us for several segments on Radio Row in Phoenix six weeks ago. Here are the wnsTV clips: Part 1 here Part 2 here Part 3 here Part 4 here ********** Speaking of cool guys I’ve met in sports, one of my all-time favorites is Rick Sutcliffe, who was diagnosed with color cancer recently. “Sut” was the unquestioned leader

Orioles Tragic…feel it happen!

Nestor Aparicio

So, the 2008 Orioles season is upon us, and alas, here we go again! It’s another March. And another spring training of obvious less than mediocrity. This just in: the team is REALLY going to stink this year. Again. And the team is spending yet ANOTHER spring training in that slum in Fort Lauderdale while their other minor league facility remains a distant three hour trip across Alligator Alley in Sarasota. And it’s been yet another spring training where a 22-year old pitcher loses a season to something or another having to do with his pitching arm. And now reports are that No. 1 starter, Daniel Cabrera, has decided to blame the media for the fact that he can’t throw a strike. Where have you gone Sir Sidney Ponson? It’s another March with broken promises, no hope, endless and blind hope for the few left who are still imbibing the orange Kool Aid at the hands of the misguided ownership group apparently led more these days by John Angelos than by Peter. Buy media. Control the message. Ban anyone who has a legitimate question. Get rid of Aparicio and Forrester. Make Steve Davis and Peter Schmuck’s lives miserable. Blah, blah,

Ed Block and courage still inspires us all

Nestor Aparicio

Once again, it wasn’t about the football or the fame or the money. Last night, at the 30th Annual Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation, it was about the kids and about courage. Lemme give you a little background. Ed Block was the trainer of the Colts for many years during the halcyon days of Johnny Unitas and company. He was actually a  trainer to the first astronauts. He was a small man with a heart many times oversized, who loved kids and his Colts football players. This foundation was founded in the mid-1970’s by a Towson barber named Sam Lamantia, who honored Joe Ehrmann the first year at a small banquet. For many years the event and foundation was aided by my dear late friend John Steadman, whose ties to the NFL affored Lamantia a chance to turn this event into a national event, and it has been ever since 1984 when the Colts left Baltimore. They’ve raised millions of dollars. I’ve been to 17 banquets now – many years I’ve served as the M.C. of the Sunday night dinner, or the Sunday TV auction or the Monday night sponsor function (as I was two nights ago) and I’ve even

So much for the Van Halen reunion in Baltimore…

Nestor Aparicio

As most anyone who reads this site is aware, we are a radio station and website full of sports fans with a music problem. Virtually every member of our staff has this “hobby” list: 1. Sports 1a. Music/concerts Everything else just follows… So it is with a heavy heart and a silent guitar that I bring you the news that the Van Halen show originally scheduled for last night at the First Mariner Arena and then rescheduled for April 15th is OFF again! It says they’ll be rescheduling dates, but only time will tell. I missed the original Philly and D.C. shows in the fall. I was in San Diego for the Ravens-Chargers fiasco in November and skipped the concert after the game because my wife was sick with a cold and I was sick with Purple Frustration Fever. (My pal Rob went and is STILL bragging about it. My pal Kevin is STILL telling me how great they were in Philly during the beginning of the tour. And I missed it!) The last time I saw David Lee Roth with the original band was in 1982 on the “Diver Down” tour at the Capital Centre. (I actually own a

Yankee Stadium on ice?

Nestor Aparicio

Because you KNOW I have a major soft spot for hockey, I thought I’d throw this one up for debate. The NHL is getting serious about playing a hockey game at Yankee Stadium after the pinstripers end their season there next winter. If you saw the Buffalo game on New Year’s Day and you even THINK you might like hockey, then you know how cool a hockey game in the Bronx would be. Always makes me wonder “what if” on the subject of hockey and the NHL in Baltimore. If the Clippers would have entered the NHL in the 1960’s, what would’ve happened? Could Baltimore have become a good “hockey town” like Philadephia, Pittsburgh or St. Louis, who all DID get those franchises and did a pretty fair job with those markets? Or would it have been like Cleveland, another rust belt city that hockey seemed to “skip” en its route toward “cult like” status in other places? Where are my hockey people? If I ever got rich, the first thing I’d do is bring a hockey team to Baltimore…      

12th Annual Bud Light Charity Duckpin Bowling strikes Pinland Dundalk to benefit Juvenile Diabetes

Nestor Aparicio

More than 100 folks gathered last night for WNST’s 12th Annual Bud Light Charity Duckpin Challenge at Pinland in Dundalk. Lots of strikes, spares and beer drinking and pie eating. This year, we had TWO kinds of pie: pepperoni from Squire’s and dessert from Dangerously Delicious Pies. We were also drinking Bud Lights outta these supercool “bowling shaped” beer bottles. And they were only $1.25!!! Gotta love the “rollback” Dundalk pricing on a Saturday night!!! We’ll get the “official” financial tally this week, but it was in the “$2,000 range,” all to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Below is the “evidence” of all of the fun:  

Did you miss John Harbaugh on WNST yesterday?

Nestor Aparicio

Through the eyes of WNSTV, you can now SEE John Harbaugh’s in-studio visit to WNST. There are 14 separate videos (all in order) now available in the upper left tab bar that says: WNSTV. Click, watch, enjoy… Ironically enough, it was the first-ever visit by a Baltimore Ravens head coach to our actual studios on Hart Road.      

wnsTV is ALIVE with John Harbaugh videos and info

Nestor Aparicio

WNST’s continuing coverage of the NFL Combine in Indianapolis now has the following: Six individual videos of John Harbaugh’s post-press conference chats with the national media are available: Part 1 here Part 2 here Part 3 here Part 4 here Part 5 here Part 6 here Casey Willett has also loaded the entire 30-minute press conference (this was the “official” conversation from the podium, which we are not allowed to video stream) into our audio vault. If you are a Ravens fans, this stuff is fresh, interesting and pertinent to what is happening with the team right now as they prepare for the April draft. It’s been a great weekend in Indianapolis!        

Live from Iraq…it’s Brian Billick!

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve known for a few weeks that Brian Billick would be taking off after Valentine’s Day for a USO tour of Iraq with national broadcaster Ron Barr and some old friends from the West Coast. Last Monday, I received an email from one of my oldest friends, a guy named Dave Causey who I played Pop Warner football with in 1978 in Dundalk. Causey is my only “friend” in Iraq, serving our country, so I think about him a lot. Causey dropped me an email telling me that Brian Billick showed up on his base last week, and that his troops were tickled to spend some quality time with the deposed head coach of the Ravens. I told him to send along some pics and stories. This morning, I woke up in Indianapolis and I received this dispatch from one of his fellow soldiers: Nestor, My name is Major Pat Young, and I am serving with a childhood friend of yours–Dave Causey–here in Iraq. He told me that you were interested in our interaction with Brian over here in Iraq, and he asked me to write you a short note about my experience. Here goes…. When Ron Barr brought his

John Harbaugh meets the national media in Indy…

Nestor Aparicio

John Harbaugh met the national media in Indianapolis this afternoon and was peppered with questions regarding the following topics: These are running notes, NOT direct quotes… On Quarterback Needs to be strengthed. Going to use every resource. We have pretty good quarterbacks on our roster. Incumbent: McNair. On Combine: At other combines I was doing special teams and defensive scouting. I could move through the lobby quicker. It’s been fun. Guys I’ve known for years have been happy for me, happy that I got this job. They gave me key words of wisdom and warnings. On Special teams leading to the head coaching job: That was one of the cases we made (that being a special teams coach qualified Harbaugh…this brought a laugh). Being a special teams coordinator, one of the few guys who stands in front of the whole team every day. There are a lot of ways to be a head coach in this league. On preparing for strategy of the game: Being with Andy Reid and involved in those decisions in the past will help him moving forward. On New staff: The draft has been good team building for staff. They’ve been running intereference for me in

Live from Indianapolis…

Nestor Aparicio

There’s not much to say about the weather in Indy (cold, snowy) or the town itself (drab), but here inside the Convention Center and adjacent Hoosier Dome, all of the future stars of the NFL are prancing through and being judged on every aspect of their career, physicality and future. Instead of thinking too much — we’ve been here virtually every second since yesterday morning, I just thought I’d send back some notes. So far: There was a Jamal Lewis sighting yesterday, as the Browns and Phil Savage re-introduced Lewis back to Cleveland for four more years. Virtually every coach in the league is here and very available as they walk the convention floor. We’ve done some sitdowns with Ken Whisenhunt, Marvin Lewis, Mike Smith and Jack Del Rio. John Harbaugh will be speaking to the media at 4:30 today. (Fun story of the day: I saw Mike Tomlin greet Harbaugh with a “good luck and congrats” handshake at a hotel yesterday afternoon. I made sure Harbaugh knew that Tomlin didn’t really mean it!) We have approached a pair of Maryland Terps hopefuls, Dre Moore and Erin Henderson, and did sitdowns with them as well for both our audio vault

I love Indianapolis!!!

Nestor Aparicio

Well, not really…but it’s where you have to go if you want to find all of the NFL’s top prospects this weekend. The annual combine is underway under the big top that Bob Irsay built in the city that anyone born before 1970 loves to hate here in Baltimore. This is my second NFL combine (I went last year for the first time) and Casey Willett and I will be doing it up right: full interviews with scouts, coaches, agent, players and front office personnel from teams all around the league for AM 1570 and wnsTV. Unlike the Super Bowl, which is more schmooze-oriented for the week, the NFL Combine is serious business for every breathing person in the league. It’s literally a convention of hardcore football for a few days, where football and strategy and times and weights and fundamentals are all that’s on anyone’s minds. No parties, no MTV, no rock stars… The bad news: you always have to go to Indy to do it. It’s a city that’s connected via heated walkways, it has a vast convention center and dome and it’s centrally located. The worse part: the city is really one giant mall and EVERYWHERE I

Getting off the couch and seeing local sports in person

Nestor Aparicio

It’s easy to sit around and complain now that the “meat” of the sports season is over. When the NFL leaves my life, there’s this giant vacuum and emptiness that fills me, especially on the weekends. And the wait until September feels like forever right around now. While in my youth, I previously occupied my nights with the NHL, NBA and college basketball. Over the past decade, however, my focus seems to fall apart right after the Lombardi Trophy is presented and the NFL stars head to Hawaii for the most meaningless game of the year. During the 1990’s, when I first started doing radio, the shift was seamless. You got two weeks of downtime after the Super Bowl and it was time to hit Fort Lauderdale and get ready for another season of Orioles baseball at Camden Yards. Watching starting pitchers run wind sprints in the outfield in the 5th inning of grapefruit games was somehow appealing to me, just because the “hope” for baseball and an exciting season was just days away. But the Orioles don’t give us the warm fuzzies these days, even when pitchers and catchers have reported and exhibition games are a week away. They’re

A belated Valentine’s Day experience…

Nestor Aparicio

This is not a sports blog. Well, it kinda is at the end. But, yesterday was Valentine’s Day and if you haven’t purchased a Spa Treatment by Debbie (or flowers, or chocolate or been to Victoria’s Secret or all of the above), you’re probably already in some big trouble on the homefront. (If Momma’s not happy, NO ONE’s happy…) Last night, I used a great tip from our community blogger, Anne Boone-Simanski, and took my wife to the National Aquarium for their Valentine’s Night event, featuring “Love at Sea.” In general, my wife likes fish and dolphins and sea creatures, so it was more about her than me, but I dig the Aquarium, too. I saw pregnant male sea horses, cool rays and sharks, and the chocolate and unlimited wine kept my attention when the fish weren’t. The dolphins and the Australian exhibit weren’t open (I haven’t see the Aussie part yet, so I was bummed!), but there was plenty to see. As I walked through, I got to thinking that The National Aquarium is really a civic treasure for Baltimore. I remember when it opened with Mayor Schaefer and the duck and wet suit. But it’s still pretty spectacular

Is Brian Roberts next?

Nestor Aparicio

I have remained silent through most of the Erik Bedard fiasco and the Orioles continued fumbling of the offseason. What difference does it make what I think anyway, right? These 10 players they’ve acquired for Miguel Tejada and Bedard will either sink or sail on their own over the next three years. (My only personal observation: Andy McPhail is doing the best he can with what he’s got. And he’s inherited an organization in chaos, really.) At some point, I’ll chime in with what I really think — it’s a LONG season, there will be plenty of time and space for my thoughts — but for now I just read what my colleagues are saying and writing. This morning, SI.com’s Jon Heyman, an old friend of mine from The Sporting News days, checked in with some interesting observations regarding the Orioles. Heyman also had some choice thoughts on the reign of King Peter. Click here to read Heyman’s column on the future of Brian Roberts as an Oriole. Sometimes, I don’t need to bother writing stuff. Plenty of people are out there writing the truth about the Orioles. But most of the time, given the local “restrictions,” you don’t read

I still LOVE the good ole hockey game…

Nestor Aparicio

It’s been a few years since I’ve taken in a Washington Capitals game. Like, so long, I honestly don’t remember the last game I went to. It was probably in 2003 or 2004, and it was a midweek showdown with the Nashville Predators. Before I start, let me warn you today. This one might be long and ramble a little. The last two times I started rambling about how much I love sports, and why I love sports, it turned into a pair of books. This won’t be a book, but I could literally sit here all night writing about hockey and how much I love hockey. And about how much joy and fun I’ve had being a hockey fan. Every once in a while, it slips out – my passion for the game. Like on New Year’s day, when our pals Hockey Meg and Kenny Ballgame spent the day on our couch watching Sidney Crosby and the driving snow at Rich Stadium in Buffalo and witnessing the best side of hockey come out for all to see (even if most people were half hungover and lying on their couches). Hockey is a game for everyone and I truly love

Ray Lewis speaks out…

Nestor Aparicio

Pro Bowl week is upon us, which means most of the NFL’s biggest stars are gathered in one hotel in Honolulu and NFL Network has access to them all. Last night was Ray Lewis’ turn to join Rich Eisen and Marshall Faulk on the set with the breeze and the palm trees. Looking quite relaxed, Lewis chatted about the Indy-Baltimore rivalry with Faulk, as well as his brother’s draft prospects and his penchant for being an advisor to many NFL stars like Braylon Edwards, Chad Johnson about “how to be a man.” He discussed the departure of Brian Billick and the arrival of John Harbaugh, but only briefly.   Faulk asked him straight up: “Would you play somewhere else?” Lewis’ answer: “The business creates that. if you do go somewhere else, you go have a great career somewhere else. I believe your legacy is not upheld through a city. I believe it’s the way you play the game no matter what color jersey you have. “I’m a Raven for life — purple and black is what I do. The business side of it? If it takes off, it takes off.” He said he tells other players to work hard and

If you missed WNST today…

Nestor Aparicio

It’s only 3 p.m., but so far today our guest list: Terrell Davis Kelly Johnson Brian Baldinger Joe Theismann Kurt Warner David Dusek (PGA writer for SI.com) Robert Parsons (Baltimorean and founder of godaddy.com) Candice of WWE fame Jared (of Subway fame) Frank Caliendo (doing Madden AND George Bush!) Bill Romanowski Bob Baffert Jay Glazer of Fox Sports Barry Sanders Peter King of SI.com NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry Archie Manning Coming up: Todd MacFarlane Jim Mora Kellen Winslow Chad Johnson And, finally, Rod Woodson (and he’s always GREAT!)    

A note from a ‘guardian angel’

Nestor Aparicio

Everyone in their life has a mentor or a “guardian angel” who calls when they think you’re doing the wrong stuff or saying the wrong stuff. If you don’t, you should! So, yesterday my “surrogate Uncle” called me to blather on about Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, Ozzie Newsome, Brian Billick and John Harbaugh. He said I’ve been unfair. I argued, in a spirited fashion, that I can justify my opinions with facts. And that, yes, I really am concerned about the direction the Ravens are going with their new management structure. So, I advised him to do what anyone and everyone who disagrees with is free to do: write it on WNST.net! I’m not saying I’m “right.” I’m simpling saying they are making many recent choices that are not in line with what has been — for the most part — a winning formula. And some of it has appeared to be less than polite, in many cases, and downright embarrassing in the case of Jason Garrett. I think Ozzie Newsome should be making football decisions. He did NOT play a role in firing Brian Billick. And from there, every brick in the building changes dramatically and I think it’s

U2 in 3D and Cam Cameron

Nestor Aparicio

Before I begin any discussion of the Ravens’ offense or Cam Cameron, I must give you a very brief film review. I’m no Gene Siskel or Roger Ebert, but if you like U2 even a little bit, you really gotta get out to see this new U2 film, shot in 3D and produced by John and David Modell (yes, THOSE Modells). Full disclosure: I was at one of the four South American shows that were recorded to make the 85-minute film (Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paolo, Brazil). The other shows were in Mexico City, Buenos Aires and Santiago. It took nearly two years to get the film to the theatres, but it was well, well worth the wait. The production quality and 3D details are simply astonishing. When Bono reaches his hand out during “Vertigo” and you duck, well, you know you’re not watching your father’s tinny, cheesy 3D any more. I saw the show at the Maryland Science Center’s IMAX last night (strangely, the theatre was only 20% full) and there were definitely some shortcomings. First, I couldn’t order a beer to go with the show (they oughta fix that for the Friday and Saturday night shows at the

Cam Cameron in the mix for O coordinator?

Nestor Aparicio

Per Casey’s crack reporting, The Palm Beach Post is reporting that Cam Cameron could become the next offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. It also acknowledges that Pat Shurmur is in the mix. Click here for the story…

Boston & New York…again!

Nestor Aparicio

Unlike Saturday’s blog — where I rambled on and on about EXACTLY what I think of the Ravens’ job search and John Harbaugh’s chances of a winning season in 2008 (click HERE for that blog) — today I’ll simply offer a “Noteworthy Day.” * First, Suzanne Pleshette died this weekend and that really bums me out. Getting old sucks! First, Dan Fogelberg a few weeks ago, and now this! I love all of Bob Newhart’s stuff and I still think the final episode of “Newhart” was the greatest finale in TV history. I’m still stuck in the 1970s. * I don’t think I’ve ever had less energy for championship football than I did yesterday. I was kinda pulling for Brett Favre and Norv Turner, but I didn’t really care who won the games. Now, with Boston and New York descending upon the desert along with the WNST crew next weekend, it’ll make for big media business in Phoenix. Tom Brady vs. the “other” Manning. We’ll have five full days next week — broadcasting virtually all day from 10 a.m. straight through on WNST. (Just so you know, we’ll be giving you snippets of all of our Super Bowl work over

Harbaugh press conference play by play & notes

Nestor Aparicio

This will be a running blog from inside the press conference… The podium is Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome. Steve Bisciotti looks a little more well-rested. Art Modell is sitting in the front row of the auditorium. How Bisciotti got to John Harbaugh: Getting this to a manageable number was all on the “football people.” Coaches and reputations came from the football people: Eric Decosta, the Newsomes, Kevin Byrne, george Kokinis and Pat Moriarty. Bisciotti says it was very easy for him, because he’s hired many people. He also alluded to the blueprint from Art Modell’s search from 1998 that unearthed Brian Billick. There were six candidates. Bisciotti said he spoke to Art Blank in Atlanta. And he liked the process of his interior football management team. Bisciotti lauded Harbaugh’s family background. He then praised Art Modell’s legacy and support. Harbaugh spoke next. Art Modell gave Harbaugh advice, although harbaugh didn’t say what the “advice” was. Harbaugh said the committee asked very tough questions and that it was a very thorough effort and he enjoyed his two days of interviewing. Harbaugh said he can’t wait to get going. Harbaugh praised his family and wife, and spent

What I really think about the Ravens job search and John Harbaugh…

Nestor Aparicio

I’ve written lots of critical stuff over the past three weeks – all of it well-founded, well-sourced and honest about the Ravens’ coaching search. As much as some of the “traditional media” loves to portend that I’m some knucklehead, I’m VERY much a John Steadman-trained journalist at heart and I’m very heartened and flattered by the universal praise WNST’s coverage of the “Coachingate” saga has received. The WNSTeam rocked the coverage and I owe Casey, Drew, Ray, Adam, Rob and Bob a big “shout out” because I’ve never been prouder of our work as a radio station and a news source. My guys and gals just bust their ass here! I know we have the best people in town! Write and tell THEM that! I’ll warn you: this is long. I have a lot to say, I’ve been up late thinking some deep thoughts and you can consider this my “shoot” blog. This is what I REALLY think! Unabridged… Much of what I’ve written over the past three weeks has centered around criticism of Steve Bisciotti and his handling of the firing of Brian Billick and the process the job search entailed. I have seen some people on our message

UPDATED JOHN HARBAUGH INFO HERE !!!!!!

Nestor Aparicio

UPDATED at 6:45 p.m. It’s FINALLY official… John Harbaugh will be named coach of the Baltimore Ravens at a noon press conference tomorrow. Harbaugh issued no statement and immediately left The Bellagio and headed back to Philadelphia to retrieve his family. Senior V.P. Kevin Byrne addressed the media very briefly. Harbaugh will not attend the Senior Bowl. Instead, he will start to put his staff together immediately. WNST’s Casey Willett is reporting that current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback coach Pat Shurmur could be approached as the offensive coordinator. Cam Cameron’s name could also surface. It is also believed that Rex Ryan could be asked to stay as the Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. Ryan and Harbaugh know each other very well from their days at the University of Cincinnati and are friends. No terms for the deal were released, but it is believed that Harbaugh would receive in excess of $2 million per year (but no more than $3 million), and that a 4-year deal would be industry standard. It is believed that no assistants or potential candidates have been contacted as of yet. Byrne joked that “John might be calling people on his ride back to Philadelphia.” Art Modell was the

Damn…get it OVER with already!

Nestor Aparicio

The media is tired. The Ravens’ front office must be whipped. And the fans are worn out waiting. Every single sign that could possibly point toward the Ravens’ coronation of John Harbaugh as the third coach of the team is emanating out of The Bellagio. Reports from Philadelphia indicate that Harbaugh came down today ready to take the job. Harbaugh’s agent has been unabashed about his client’s desire to be here. And, again, it would be “The Ozzie Way” to call on the “next man up,” who Harbaugh has been all along. It’s been 18 days of waiting, it’s late on Friday (and we should ALL be out listening to Jimmy Buffett and having a TGIF cocktail), but we’re glued to the activity in Owings Mills. If they DO hire Harbaugh, I hope they have indeed found their “future Hall of Famer.” I’ve heard he’s a Hall of Fame person. I know many friends and associates of Harbaugh, and they all say he’s going to be an excellent head coach. We’ll keep you in the loop, and if you REALLY want to know FIRST, just join the text service. We’ve got you covered!

TGIF means John Harbaugh

Nestor Aparicio

John Harbaugh is in Owings Mills. The media stakeout has been greatly reduced. And once again, the unexpected is suddenly expected in Owings Mills. The Ravens told the media to go home yesterday. At some point, they “snuck” John Harbaugh into town. Can you blame them after what happened on Tuesday? I can’t honestly say I would’ve done it any differently. Here’s what I know… My sources tell me it’s “50-50” whether they offer him the job. At this point, it’s pretty obvious Harbaugh would take the job as quickly as they would offer it (which makes him a better person than Jason Garrett, in my opinion). While the rest of the traditional media was following the Marty Schottenheimer story, the Ravens FINALLY look like they’re doing things Ozzie Newsome’s way — the famed and much-discussed “PROCESS.” If the first 10 days of interviews and looks produced Jason Garrett as the best, and John Harbaugh as No. 2, then if Ozzie is running the thing it’s NOT a shock that Harbaugh is back. It’s the same way he runs the draft. Research it, rank it and then execute it. That’s been Ozzie’s history. Now, will they hire Harbaugh? Who knows?

A plea from Mt. St. Joe for Jim Schwartz

Nestor Aparicio

I don’t post all of the email I get — I think most people are catching on to the comments section of our blogs, and our FORUMS ARE OPEN above — just register and start writing your heart out! We have a self-service website. You can write as much as you like, anytime you want and everyone can respond accordingly, and hopefully, with some respect and dignity. But I did get an interesting email today and I’ll post it here with Steve’s permission… The Baltimore Ravens are interviewing their second round of head coaching possibilities this week and it has been leaked that Jason Garrett and John Harbaugh are the team’s #1 and #2 choice to replace previous head coach Brian Billick.   The team believes these two gentlemen are prime candidates, but for some reason they have left out a person from the pool of even first round candidates that has more experience than both Garrett and Harbaugh…Jim Schwartz.   Since Jason Garrett is the Raven’s #1 choice, he will be the person in comparison to Jim.   Jim Schwartz is the same age as Jason Garrett, 41, both being born in 1966.  Jim graduated from Mt. St. Joe

The situation room: Jason Garrett and Steve Bisciotti

Nestor Aparicio

So, today the Ravens might have a new coach, and as we’ve seen over the past 72 hours,  maybe they WON’T. Predictions are out this window at this point, and there are as many “scenarios” as there are coaching candidates. Below I will try to give you the flavor of what I’ve been sifting through as a 24-year journalist over the past few days. (I’ve gone old school here, calling upon every resource I have in the league trying to figure out what’s happening here!) Everyone in the league is buzzing about all of the changes on the coaching carousel and the six days off between games in mid-January usually lend themselves to the rumorama that comes with owners, coaches, agents and executives all jockeying for seats in the boardrooms of 32 NFL teams. Incidentally, almost unanimously my sources say that the stunt that Garrett pulled on Tuesday was very against the “etiquette” of how these job situations are handled. The whole notion of a “second interview” means that you’re coming to take the job. No doubt, Bisciotti talked money with Garrett’s team before he got on the plane Monday night. Garrett, and his slippery agent David Dunn, apparently didn’t

Wanted: An NFL Head Coach

Nestor Aparicio

OK, so this one is making the rounds on the internet. I haven’t seen it posted anywhere, but it’s quite funny (and I usually don’t find these things funny enough to post). Ask around, I have a lame sense of humor. But it’s kinda hard for me to argue with this particular pundit’s product. It’s closer to reality than fiction. Some people have too much time on their hands. I have a gift certficate to a local sponsor for $100 if you can prove to me that YOU are the author! But anyway, here it is: Any comments below are welcomed…and by all means, if YOU’RE this clever and creative, I wanna hear from you. I’d love for you to contribute to WNST!

Jason Garrett is gone…so now what?

Nestor Aparicio

Jason Garrett escaped the Bellagio about 20 minutes ago. He’s no doubt headed to Atlanta, the next stop in the “driving the stakes” up game, which is no doubt being orchestrated by agent David Dunn. Now, the only question is: Will Steve Bisciotti blink? We don’t know whether it’s the cash, the years, the power, the job, the wife, the family, the Cowboys, Jerry Jones — but for whatever reason, Jason Garrett left Baltimore today without becoming the Ravens’ head coach. It appears as though John Harbaugh is “next man up.” My sources (and I DON’T mean those in Owings Mills), who’ve been calling me all day in one capacity or another, tell me Harbaugh is gonna be a better head coach than Garrett. I’ve had three people tell me that today, all NFL insiders who know all of the interested parties. Special teams coaches have turned into Bill Cowher, Marty Schottenheimer, etc…you’ll hear all the names if they hire Harbaugh. But it’s going to be hard to explain to Ravens fans why they wound up with a special teams coach with a year on the defensive side instead of a decorated offensive guy. Rex Ryan, Marvin Lewis and Jim

Cam Cameron to the right, Dom Capers to the left

Nestor Aparicio

Reports have begun to circulate that if Jason Garrett accepts Steve Bisciotti’s offer to become head coach, he plans to bring deposed Miami head coach Cam Cameron and twice deposed NFL head coach Dom Capers to Baltimore with him as coordinators. Many outlets are reporting that Rex Ryan is the leading candidate in Atlanta as well. If Garrett never leaves for Atlanta and Jim Caldwell doesn’t leave Indianapolis (and it looks like Tony Dungy is departing there soon, if not by Monday), it would leave the Falcons job for Ryan if Atlanta was truly down to the reported “Final 3.” So, the drama continues. And if the Ravens are “trapping” Garrett in Owings Mills (as one media outlet indicated) — one way to make sure he’s staying for the day is to take his wife out on the town for four hours — it’ll be interesting to see if Jerry Jones gets that “final call” from Garrett before he inks with Bisciotti. Word is, the Ravens might be making it difficult for Garrett to leave the building, which is a strategy onto itself. Every story on the web sings Jones’ love for Garrett. And Troy Aikman loves him, too. And

Brill Garrett

Nestor Aparicio

Because the wife of the guy who isn’t yet coach has become a topic for our blogosphere today — you KNOW it’s a SLOW day at the stakeout — I found a few pictures of Brill Garrett. Hope she’s enjoying Baltimore, as Drew suggests, and I hope they hire SOMEONE really soon… The suspense is killing us and we’re so bored we’re surfing the ‘net for stupid stuff…       These photos are from 1998:      

The waiting is the hardest part…

Nestor Aparicio

We, at WNST, are very pragmatic about the journalism being employed today. Either Jason Garrett IS the coach of the Ravens, or he’s NOT. It’s like being pregnant. You are or aren’t. Right now, he’s not. Not yet, anyway. Comcast Sports Net says he IS. And while ESPN reports that he’s “been offered the job” with a report that no doubt came from Jerry Jones’ camp and/or the Garrett-led negotiation team of David Dunn. Meanwhile, ProFootballTalk is reporting that it “isn’t even close.” Who to believe? We will not be the media organization that reports something false first. We’d rather be second and accurate than first and wrong. We saw what happened with Orioleshangout last week in their phantom reporting of the Brian Roberts trade. When the deal is signed, we’ll bring it to you. And you’ll get it on the text service first. Just click here to join! It takes about 20 seconds to join, it’s free and it REALLY works. Just ask around town…it’s the best service we provide for our company and it’s REALLY COOL! Sign up, and the instant it’s confirmed, your phone will come to life. The 21st century is cool like that! Today’s signing

Wanna know why baseball is screwed up?

Nestor Aparicio

Just put on your television today and watch it in living, breathing color. Right now, as the stakeout in Owings Mills continues, I’m watching Donald Fehr and Bud Selig twist and turn and sliver and “bend” the facts while under oath in front of Congress in Washington, D.C. Watching these guys squirm and make excuses outta be on pay per view. Now, they’re gonna drag Miguel Tejada back for perjury investigation. Oh, and Peter Angelos is in the room as well, there to support Bud Selig. What a mess…    

Rex Ryan and the plane to Atlanta

Nestor Aparicio

While Jason Garrett tours the Bellagio with his wife this morning, the plane awaits him at BWI for a scheduled meeting in Atlanta. As we approach noon, you have to believe that he’s not conducting any business in Georgia until much later in the day, if at all. Turns out Rex Ryan was in Atlanta last night and this morning, meeting with new Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff. Word out of Atlanta is that Garrett was supposed to come there today, and Colts assistant Jim Caldwell would be there tomorrow. It’s starting to look like Ryan is moving to the front of the line for the Falcons job, which would allow Garrett to not have to answer the hard question from the Ravens: “Any interest in keeping Rex Ryan here?” It would be a perfect ending for all parties concerned if Garrett gets named head coach today, and Ryan winds up in Atlanta by Thursday. A nice, neat, happy ending. But if Caldwell winds up in Atlanta, it’ll be very interesting to see what happens with Ryan and his staff. The Ravens can still keep all of them because they are under contract for another year and have not been

Jason Garrett is STILL in Owings Mills…

Nestor Aparicio

Through our ground troops in Owings Mills (that’s Casey Willett), we have confirmed that Jason Garrett is STILL in Baltimore and still inside The Bellagio. We do not know the travel arrangements that were made for him to get to Atlanta or when he was scheduled to leave (most of the time, they do NOT fly commercially to job interviews…it’s usually a private lear jet). But we have confirmed that as of 10 a.m., he’s still in Owings Mills. A good sign, if you’re a fan of the team hiring Jason Garrett to be their third head coach. (By the way, I’ve been doing my own research on Jasn Garrett all morning and the reports are mixed. Everyone says he’s a great guy, very bright and knows football as well as anyone. The jury is out on whether he is a “leader of men.” That only comes with experience, and that he does NOT have. Bisciotti will be taking an extreme “leap of faith” with this one.) Casey Willett is in the building (as part of the stakeout). We’ll both be keeping you in the loop all day. Feel free to keep checking into WNST.net and if you join our

Where is Jason Garrett?

Nestor Aparicio

It’s not even 8 a.m. and the rumors are already swirling… “Jason Garrett is on a plane for Atlanta…” “He and his wife are downtown…” “They are in Owings Mills with Steve Bisciotti readying for an afternoon press conference…” Who the heck KNOWS what to believe? We know he arrived last night. We know the Ravens have pretty strong intentions of never letting him get on a plane to Atlanta this morning. And we know he’s a strong enough candidate that at some point in the next 48 hours he’s gonna be a head coach somewhere. A few people have asked what I know about him. I do not know Jason Garrett at all. I know a lot of people who DO know Jason Garrett and all of the reports are positive. He’s a classy, well-thought-of guy in NFL circles. I actually remembered last night that I met him one time. I was in Austin, Tex. in 2003 at a Bruce Springsteen concert with Brian Baldinger and Curt Menafee, and Garrett was with Troy Aikman at the hotel after the concert. I was there visiting Nils Lofgren and they were holding court in the lobby of the hotel. I shook

Garrett is in Baltimore tonight…

Nestor Aparicio

WNST has learned that potential future Ravens head coach Jason Garrett is in Baltimore tonight, along with his wife Brill. It is NOT at all unusual for the candidate to bring his wife along for a final interview and potential signing. Brian Billick brought his wife Kim for his first visit, and dined at a downtown steak house. The next morning, almost nine years ago to the day, Art and David Modell had hired the only coach that would bring their franchise a Super Bowl title. So, is it a done deal? Not JUST yet…but they’re doing the mating dance that usually indicates that Garrett will be the Ravens next head coach. Do the math: the Ravens went four days without activity and the instant Garrett ‘s team was eliminated he’s on a plane for Baltimore. It sure doesn’t appear as though the Ravens are waiting on Marty Schottenheimer, as some reports indicated today. Keep in mind, all reports indicate that Atlanta is next on the Garrett East Coast Family Tour. In NFL circles, this is usually the deal: The first choice gets the first stop with the bargaining chip being simple: “Sign me or I’ll get on the plane

Expect major movement on Ravens coaching search

Nestor Aparicio

Four more teams eliminated, four more sets of coaches for the Ravens to sift through before finding their next field general. The Dallas Cowboys’ surprise elimination will be sure to affect the Ravens search on a few levels in the next 24 hours. First, they’ve interviewed two of Jerry Jones’ guys (as well as guys like John Harbaugh, Brian Schottenheimer and Rex Ryan…and didn’t hire any of them), so it stands to reason that the Cowboys’ elimination held some deeper meaning inside the Bellagio. (But so could the Giants and Chargers’ staying in the hunt, if they have coaches whom the Ravens covet.) In the next few hours, we’ll probably find out what’s happening. If Jason Garrett is indeed the “clubhouse leader” — and there’s no reason to believe he’s NOT — then Jerry Jones’ next step would be to either promote Garrett to assistant head coach and talk him into staying as a “No. 2 in training” with a few million dollars until “Wade Phillips is done” OR fire Phillips today and name Garrett head coach OR allow his young “protege” to walk away. And that could to be Baltimore, Miami, Atlanta, Washington — or maybe even Indianapolis and/or

Yankee Stadium on ice?

Nestor Aparicio

Because you KNOW I have a major soft spot for hockey, I thought I’d throw this one up for debate.

Live from Indianapolis…

Nestor Aparicio

There’s not much to say about the weather in Indy (cold, snowy) or the town itself (drab), but here inside

I love Indianapolis!!!

Nestor Aparicio

Well, not really…but it’s where you have to go if you want to find all of the NFL’s top prospects

Is Brian Roberts next?

Nestor Aparicio

I have remained silent through most of the Erik Bedard fiasco and the Orioles continued fumbling of the offseason. What

Ray Lewis speaks out…

Nestor Aparicio

Pro Bowl week is upon us, which means most of the NFL’s biggest stars are gathered in one hotel in

If you missed WNST today…

Nestor Aparicio

It’s only 3 p.m., but so far today our guest list: Terrell Davis Kelly Johnson Brian Baldinger Joe Theismann Kurt

U2 in 3D and Cam Cameron

Nestor Aparicio

Before I begin any discussion of the Ravens’ offense or Cam Cameron, I must give you a very brief film

Boston & New York…again!

Nestor Aparicio

Unlike Saturday’s blog — where I rambled on and on about EXACTLY what I think of the Ravens’ job search

TGIF means John Harbaugh

Nestor Aparicio

John Harbaugh is in Owings Mills. The media stakeout has been greatly reduced. And once again, the unexpected is suddenly

Wanted: An NFL Head Coach

Nestor Aparicio

OK, so this one is making the rounds on the internet. I haven’t seen it posted anywhere, but it’s quite

Brill Garrett

Nestor Aparicio

Because the wife of the guy who isn’t yet coach has become a topic for our blogosphere today — you

Where is Jason Garrett?

Nestor Aparicio

It’s not even 8 a.m. and the rumors are already swirling… “Jason Garrett is on a plane for Atlanta…” “He

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