Nine Lives

During his brief tenure in Baltimore, Steve McNair never really showed us what made him great. True he was a Pro Bowler (as an alternate) in 2006, a testament to his greatness given that his arm strength had long left him. McNair instead relied on guts, grit, and guile in leading the Ravens to a 13-3 regular season record.

But while we celebrate his career today in Baltimore, McNair was, and will be remembered as a Titan. His toughness and determination defined that franchise for a decade. He was the ultimate rival for the Ravens, famous for his battles with Ray Lewis, but always one you respected.

His brutal style of play cut short his career. Granted, 13 years far surpasses the average for a quarterback in this league, but there was nothing average about Steve McNair. His ability to shake off a bad throw as easily as shed a tackler was remarkable. But when you watch the tape of his highlights, of his amazing escapes, and vicious hits, the fact he lasted this long marks the last of his amazing escapes.

He walks away from the game today, able to walk away. No noticeable limps for number nine. He still has enough physical ability to for what he really wants, to simply be dad. To play catch in the back yard, to wrestle a little, to enjoy the good life.

He got out in time, maybe using the last of his nine lives, but out none the less.

Reality TV: I miss the scripts

Tiger Woods was supposed to charge up the leader board as never before, lay claim to his 5th Green Jacket, setting up two months of Grand Slam chatter as we ready for the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.

That was script A.

Script B would have been fine too.

Trevor Immelman, just four months following surgery to remove a tumor (he learned it was benign only after the surgery) from his back, holds off said charging Tiger with steely nerves and a birdie at the last for his first major championship.

Instead, it was like the writers strike never ended.

Script C stunk.

Tiger never challenges in the chilly, swirling winds of Augusta National. He turns illiterate in reading Augusta's fabled greens. He cards a pedestrian final round 72, never challenging Immelman for the lead.

And Trevor, congrats on the physical recovery and lifetime exemption to the Masters, but limping home with a 75 that included a double at 16 hardly invokes comparisons to Jack's back nine 30 in 1986. Or Tiger's record setting supremacy in 1997. Or even Phil Mickelson's birdie at the last in 2004.

I kept waiting for something dramatic to happen. Jim Nantz really kept waiting for something dramatic to happen. He finally mailed it in with his uninspired call of "Golf has a new major champion."

After Immelman inexplicably dunked it in the water on 16, I found myself rooting for a Van de Veldian implosian. And really, is that something that anyone without a core of pure evil should root for?

So often, Sunday at the Masters delivered with spectacular theater that we have come to expect it. But the course changes of added length and rough no longer allow, outside of perfect scoring weather conditions, thunderous roars through the magnolias. The course is just too hard if the winds pick up at all, or if the temperatures dip below 70. And despite what Al Gore will tell you, there still remains a good chance of a chilly April weekend in Georgia.

The 2008 Masters reminds us, that as much as we want them to, sports may not follow our scripts. Maybe enduring the occasional snooze fest really isn't that heavy a price to pay for the sheer joy of when talent, drama, and timing collide. Just right now, I feel a little case of buyers remorse.

Something Magic Happens

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One week in the books and the Orioles sit in first place. They have offered a surprisingly pleasant start to the season, riding a four game win streak and collecting contributions from so many places.

Just a word of caution though, the O’s had four game win streaks twice last April. They even rode a six game streak last May. I think we all remember how that turned out. I share this because a few delusional fans think this team will actually battle for first throughout the season.

That said, you can’t help but notice a different feeling about this team. Many malcontents are gone and those that remained seem genuinely changed.

Melvin Mora brooded like a prom queen runner up the last two seasons, griping about managers and teammates alike. That from a guy who signed a nice fat contract extension.

Now he embraces the role of elder statesman and teacher, working with the Orioles kiddie corps with a smile on his face.

In laugh out loud fashion, after the Birds 4th consecutive win on Sunday, Kevin Millar cranked up the song Orioles Magic in the clubhouse.

Reports say the players all chimed in, somewhat mocking the hackneyed but catchy tune, and somewhat mocking themselves.

That’s where we see the difference. For a decade, this team took itself too seriously. They weren’t a player or two away from contending with New York and Boston. They just acted like it.

Sunday they displayed humility through self deprecation. And that’s the most refreshing act at Camden Yards since Cal Ripken Jr. signed autographs into the wee hours of the night, night after night.

These guys know they’re still a few years out, that some of their key components are playing in Frederick and Bowie. But they also believe they will compete right now, that the days of embarrassing themselves like last August are behind them.

Opening Ceremonies

Oriole Park is not exactly standing room only today. The upper level bleachers in left field would certainly allow you to stretch out.

Still, it's a festive atmosphere and what the attendance lacks in numbers it makes up for in enthusiasm. A great reception for the players as they were introduced.

Well, not for all of them.

Aubrey Huff was heartily booed by about half the fans. Not just because he nowhere near lived up to his salary in 2007, but his comments about Baltimore being a "@&^#@ town".

I looked over to Cal Ripken Jr. (nice to see Cal here with his daughter and some of her friends) just after Huff's intro and he gave me a look conveying, "yeah, that's about right".

One other note, the new high def video screen in centerfield is unbelievable. Maybe now I can convince my wife we need to upgrade. I wouldn't even demand a screen that stands 25 feet tall.

Opening Day

Opening Day at Camden Yards, no matter the woes of the team, offers a celebration of baseball. This is a great baseball town that backs the team despite a decade of futility.

And this is the day that O's fans know they will enjoy. The team puts on a nice show, and this year offering tribute to the '83 World Series Title. Hank Peters, the general manager from the last championship will throw out the first pitch and Rick Dempsey, the Series MVP of course will catch.

Right now, glories past are all that fans have to celebrate when it comes to games on the field. But there is little doubt the team is moving in the proper direction, and by that I mean it has a direction. Andy MacPhail is making decisions based on what's best for the team in the long term. Not what suits Peter Angelos at any given time.

Rock solid proof of that comes from the decision to release Jay Gibbons. He will be paid nearly 12 million dollars not to play. A tough choice for any owner, but Angelos told MacPhail to simply do what needs to be done.

So while the prospects for success in the win column this year are about as dim as the light bulb running Eliot Spitzer's brain, the plan is in place for the long haul. In the meantime, try to enjoy the progress of the kids like Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Jeremy Guthrie.

Hating Duke goes too far

First disclaimer. I don't like Duke either. 99 percent of people born in the state of Maryland grow up not liking the Blue Devils. I'd bet 90 percent willingly say they hate the school. The school exudes arrogance, elitism, and a sense of entitlement that just feels wrong.

The face of the school is Mike Krzyzewski. His smugness combined with that angelic "I've never even thought of an NCAA violation" can give you the creeps. I'm just not buying all of his "Saint Mike" act. Coach K curses at least a third as much as Gary Williams, and that's a lot.

That said, I think we've taken this hating Duke thing too far.

The glorious venom spewed at Durham and Krzyzewski after the 2nd round loss to West Virginia went way too far. I didn't mind fans cheering against Duke, but to praise Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers as the conquerors of the "Evil Empire" was a joke.

Cheering for Bob Huggins at any level makes my skin crawl.

The former head coach at Cincinnati ran so far afoul of the NCAA rules as to have the school labeled without "institutional control". When you do so many things wrong, they need such a broad label.

Add in his D.W.I. conviction (and not the kind on a technicality, he was stinking drunk) that led to his termination finally from Cincinnati, to his jetting Kansas State after just one year in Manhattan for a better job in West Virginia, and he exemplifies everything that is wrong with a person tasked with leading young men. And let's not forget, that is ultimately the task of a college basketball coach.

To cheer this guy over Coach K, who's greatest transgressions, in reality, are a result of jealousy (yep I admit it), means as a society we need to take a collective breath and reevaluate.

Duke is fun to hate like the Yankees are fun to hate. They win too much, they seem to have everything handed on a silver spoon, they just don't seem to have earned it as much.

But Duke and Mike Krzyzewski should earn our respect, at least when compared to Bob Thuggins in Morgantown.

Right before my eyes

It still came as a surprise. I knew he could walk, had seen him on television. But watching Kevin Everett walk down the hallway of the Tremont Hotel Monday evening left me riveted.



He wasn't supposed to walk again. In fact, without the fantastic and immediate medical help from the Buffalo Bills staff, Everett would have died last September after making a tackle.



I watched him stroll down the hall as if he never had medical hiccup. A good pace, no hesitation, just a man moving with purpose.



The purpose Monday was part of the Ed Block Courage Awards celebration. Everett of course is the recipient, and probably the most deserving ever of the honor. That's not to insult any past winners, but he truly inspires.



The miracle of his survival, and now his prosering leaves him feeling a debt owed. He believes his purpose is now to inspire others, but it's not that simple.



Kevin Everett does not like the spotlight. He tolerates interviews, embracing them as much as he can, fighting a feeling of discomfort because simply put he does not like attention. And really, how much fun can it be to relive the worst moment of your life so continuously?



But just as wedge busting a tackling were his jobs prior, now he shares his story of hope and how to fight. His efforts, along with doctors, and as he believes a gift from God have brought him back to life. And not just any life, one filled with physical ability.



That possibility seemed so remote last September as he lay there on the turf, barely able to breathe, able to move nothing below his neck.



Watching Kevin Everett walk down the hall has become one of my favorite moments in doing this job. I don't know if it was a miracle, but I know with complete satisfaction that it was something very special.

House Cleaning

The Orioles begin the exhibition season today. Can't watch it though as MASN chooses only to broadcast three games before the season opener on March 31. Didn't Comcast used to broadcast about half the exhibition games? Nice way to drum up interest for a season that needs as much as possible. I don't get it.

The Terps haven't imploded yet. They still have a very good chance to make the NCAA Tourney. Winning two of three and one in Charlotte makes them a lock. That said, they way they've lost their last two games, with their seniors shrinking and their point guard combusting at crunch time, the conversation about what went wrong isn't entirely premature.

College lacrosse puts on its regular season showcase Saturday. Syracuse vs. Virginia at noon followed by Johns Hopkins vs. Princeton at M&T Bank Stadium. Four classic programs on a big stage early on gives the season some buzz. Meanwhile, the team worth maybe the most buzz in state quietly travels to Emmitsburg on Saturday. The Maryland Terrapins opened their season last week with a dominating performance at 4th ranked Georgetown. The Terps got four goals from freshman Greg Catalino. All told, freshmen scored nine of Maryland's 11 goals. That is scary good for Dave Cottle. Maryland seems to do better when away from the spotlight.

Roger That (was ridiculous)

e-mail Pete


There proved no shortage of reaction pieces to the deliciously distasteful (is that an oxymoron?) debacle on Capitol Hill Wednesday. And if you can’t get enough of wallowing in Roger Clemens misery, take a look here.

Since those that know more than me (and actually watched all of the nearly five hours of testimony) wrote so extensively I won’t offer much in the way of analysis. Although the image of Clemens staring down his accusers as if to say “you aren’t qualified to judge me” has been seared into my memory. There may be no more arrogant person on this planet.

What struck me most about these hearings was the Orioles had nothing to do with them. The last time Congress gathered to talk steroids we saw Rafael Palmeiro infamously waggle his finger and Sammy Sosa claim he knew not how to speak English.

As the Orioles begin their full blown reconstruction, they seem well distanced from the scandal and actually make us feel good in just talking about baseball. Palmeiro and Sosa are out of baseball. Miguel Tejada is traded. Jay Gibbons might disappear from the roster through a shear drop in talent. Brian Roberts might soon be traded and if not, at least he cleanly addressed his role and fans seem willing to believe his steroid chapter is completely written.

Meanwhile, imagine the new tenure for Joe Girardi. He takes over for Joe Torre and his first day of spring training is a deluge of questions about Andy Pettitte admitting not only his own use of HGH (which was more frequent than he admitted shortly after the Mitchell Report came out) but also his affidavit that says Roger Clemens admitted using as well. Pettitte might receive a warmer welcome in Saskatchewan than in the Yankees clubhouse.

So while much of the baseball world still must reconcile (my favorite most used word from Wednesday other than misremembered) with the scandal that won’t go away, the Orioles quietly chart their course towards respectability and contention. We may not see many wins this year, but at least the O’s are on track to regain credibility.

Credibility Conundrum

Lots of hard hitting questions at today's Congressional Hearing on Steroids featuring the Texas Two Stepper Roger Clemens. He continues to answer with passion that he never took steroids or human growth hormone... blah, blah blah...

This ridiculous waste of time lost all credibility when some elected idiot actually had the nerve to ask what uniform Roger was going to wear when entering the Hall of Fame.

And we're supposed to take this serioulsy?

Baseball, please clean up this mess so our Congressional leaders can return to their daily routines of importance like debating Diff'rent Strokes vs. Webster.

Hope breeds hope

e-mail Pete


The collective national assessment of the Orioles trade that sent Erik Bedard to Seattle for five players says Baltimore made a good deal. They not only received value, but value in numbers. Nice to hear given that we haven’t collected much praise about the Orioles for anything in a long time.

But national pundits don’t have to care about and watch a team that offers no number one, or even a number two starter. With Bedard gone who should Oriole fans count on as the guy to stop a losing streak, or match up with the rest of the A.L. East aces?

It’s simple to talk theoretically about blowing things up, and truly rebuilding the right way. But after a decade of losing, knowing that the ability to compete remains years away has to be tough for fans.

Or so I thought.

I spent Sunday afternoon as the emcee for a charity banquet benefiting the Arundel House of Hope in Glen Burnie. Fellowship, great food, thousands raised to help the homeless, and of course sports talk made for a delightful afternoon.

Everyone wanted to talk about the trade, and to a man (woman too) they were happy. Losing so often and so badly has toughened this fan base. A few more years of battling to stay out of the basement instead of contending for a division crown doesn’t bother this group. The dozen or so that I spoke with was happy for a clear path to reconciliation, looking forward to watching players develop. Makes sense the crowd would be hopeful at the “Bid for Hope”.

Will it still sting a little when Bedard tosses one of his complete game gems? Sure. But in three years when all the talent develops and the Orioles are ready to contend, they can then go land that number one starter in free agency. At least that’s what the plan says, and for the first time in a decade, it’s a plan the fans are willing to believe in.

They're back

It wasn't too long ago that come February, sports fans in Baltimore had spring training previews to ponder and little else.

We always had Maryland basketball, but right here in Charm City, it was kind of bleak. Scratch that. Completely bleak.

Morgan State has collected one winning season since 1980. The Bears went 15-14 in 1989. That's it since the Division II glory days of the 70's.

Loyola set all kinds of records for futility during the Greyhounds 1-27 campaign in the 2003-2004 season. In the two seasons prior to the arrival of Jimmy Patsos, Loyola combined for six victories.

UMBC has never made it to the NCAA Tourney and never won more than seven games in the America East Conference (okay, that one sounds worse than reality.. the Retrievers have only been in the AEC for five years.. still it ain't much)

Now five paragraphs in you might think I'm starting to pile on, treating our local teams with all the charm of a Bill Belichick post game press conference. Not the case at all.

Running through the misery of recent history makes this season all the more special.

All three have a chance to make the NCAA Tourney, collecting wins in bunches like we haven't seen in years.

Morgan State sits in first place of the MEAC with an 8-1 conference record. Todd Bozeman may have some baggage, but the guy can flat out coach. Eight games left in the regular season and the Bears are five games over .500.

We figured something was up when MSU nearly knocked off Connecticut to open the season. No doubt several factors can point the way towards the resurgence, but one stands out. Todd Bozeman demands defense first, and he gets it. Proof of that comes from Boubacar Coly. Not only has the 6'9" senior earned defensive player of the week honors six times. He's done it six times in a row.

The Greyhounds have the toughest road to March Madness, sitting in a tie for 3rd place in the MAAC at 8-4 in conference. But Loyola gets five of the last seven games at Reitz Arena after a stretch that saw the 'Hounds play eight of ten on the road. And by the way, they won seven of those ten games.

Not long ago, Jimmy Patsos had to encourage students to attend games with tee shirts and personal dorm visits. Now the seats are packed with an atmosphere worthy of being called special.

All this success with admission standards at the highest of levels. It's so tough, for a recent student athlete, most of his credits wouldn't transfer from Duke.

Randy Monroe has the lowest profile of the three coaches, but biding his time first as an assistant, and now the head coach in Catonsville has paid off. He demands pride in wearing the Retrievers uniform. He demands the kids care about each other and their school.

The pride shows.

His players don't feel like they're part of a satellite campus. This program is no longer Division I in name only. The RAC routinely fills up as the Retrievers pile up points and wins. UMBC enjoys a one game lead over Vermont in America East which really is a two game lead as the Retrievers swept the Catamounts this season (the same Catatamounts that three years ago knocked off Syracuse in the NCAA's).

Combine all this potential with the Maryland Terrapins resurgence from a lousy pre-conference schedule and we could have four teams to cover in March Madness.

We used to wonder if we'd cover anyone in the Big Dance. Now we might have to answer the question, how do we cover them all?

Tree Tops

e-mail Pete

I checked out the Lake Clifton boys basketball team on Thursday as the Lakers visited Poly.

You can take a look at the story on highschoolplaybook.com

Lots to like after watching Herman “Tree” Harried’s kids blister up and down the court. They play with a passion at both ends of the court you just don't see that often from high school kids.

It's a tribute to Tree as he demands that from them. He also demands discipline on the court and in the classroom. Not ground breaking stuff, but when you think about where these kids come from, the kind of home life many endure, and it is amazing.

Coach Harried provides the only adult male role model for several of his players. At first, many refused to embrace Tree as a resource. Tough love from a 6'7" task master, when you've never had a male authority figure hold you accountable, that's a scary prospect.

But watch the kids now. Before they take the court, the demonstrations of family and team blow you over. During the jayvee game, all 14 of the varsity players cheered their younger mates on. And not just lip service. Passionate rooting that the kids on the court couldn't help but feel.

Same thing then during the varsity game from the players on the bench. There were no discouraging looks or sighs of frustrationg that they weren't in the game. They were simply into the game cheering and encouraging, waiting their turns.

I know this is an incredibly glowing review from such a small sample. I'm not saying Coach Harried is perfect, that his players are infallible. I don't have the qualifications. But spending just one hour with his program made it abundantly clear that he is doing good things for his team and school, while his players respond with effort, respect, and passion. That deserves commendation.

It might come in the form of a state championship. Harried led the Lakers to the 4A Title in 1999 and has the depth and talent for a repeat performance.

It should be known though, he took greater pride in talking about how his 26 players (varsity and jayvee) all earned passing grades on their last report cards, than when talking about that '99 Championship.

Here's hoping he has bragging rights about both later this spring.

The wait is almost over

It seems more and more likely, imminent even, that the Orioles will send Erik Bedard to the Mariners for a host of prospects headlined by Adam Jones.

Losing your best pitcher, the only home grown ace on staff since Mike Mussina, can't help but sting for everyone that works for or roots for the Orioles. Especially since we only saw the tip of his likely greatness. A two month stretch last season in which he dominated more than any other pitcher in baseball. The Canadian Kid tossed a freaking 2-hit shut out in which he faced the minimum.

But what else can Andy MacPhail do? He has no depth on the major league roster, and little in the minors. The Orioles are a player or two or eight away. They need a total makeover franchise edition. This is how its done.

It will hurt. The next two years might actually see fewer wins than the embarrassing total of 69 from 2007.

The Bedard trade will unclog the traffic jam out of Baltimore. Brian Roberts will be next to go. And if anyone will have them, expect to see Aubrey Huff, Melvin Mora, and maybe even Kevin Millar ride out of town too.

After the carnage is complete, we may then start the judging. Can Andy MacPhail accomplish what he did in Minnesota? I can barely fathom how far down this franchise will plummet if so. Because yes, it can get worse. Just take a look at Kansas City.

Right for Once?

I like to make predictions. I also like to sing, play poker, and practice internet sarcasm. Glad my parents at least have the latter about which to be proud.

To prove the point, how about this take on the the Patriots trading for Randy Moss.

Whoops.

Anyway, every once in a while the sun shines in my direction, witness some preseason thoughts on the Terps Men's Basketball Team. Granted, the progress comes a month early, but it is here.

Oh, they went through some rough patches all right. After back to back home losses to Ohio and American I nearly wept at my ineptitude to see a team's potential (or maybe it was my two year old twins using my stomach as a trampoline). Regardless, the chances for a dramatic turnaround looked grim.

Then it happened. A few bright spots to start January followed by the biggest upset of the entire college basketball season to date: knocking off top ranked and undefeated North Carolina at home.

As for big picture relevance, the victory might mean little. The Terps still have an RPI rating in the 80's and enough bad losses to make the NCAA Tourney selection committee get all Simon Cowell on Gary's Gang.

But winning on Tobacco Road provides an amazing boost in confidence, not just for the gaggle of freshmen that earn plenty of playing time, but more importantly this season, for the veterans.

James Gist had to have a game like that. The senior forward is too talented, too experienced to throw up some of the clunkers amassed this season. He reminded everyone in college basketball why he earned a few comparisons to Len Bias as a freshman.

Same for Bumbale Osby and Greivis Vasquez. They hadn't executed that well against a quality opponent since the win at Duke last February.

And the impact on the freshmen? Titanic. When you get that first nationally relevant win that lands the cover of ESPN.com for 24 hours, it validates choosing Maryland in the first place. How much simpler is it for Gary Williams to preach in practice when he can point out "See? It works".

The chances for a repeat performance Sunday against Duke though seem slim. The Blue Devils pose very different problems than did the Tar Heels. They shoot the ball so much better and play at a slower pace. When Carolina continued to run all game long it demonstrated a refusal to recognize that simply fed the Terps game plan.

Another knock for Sunday, no chance Mike Krzyzewski allows Duke to look past the Terps as did their neighbors to the west. The Blue Devils come to Comcast Center fully prised of the Terps abilities and confidence.

No matter though. The groundwork for expectations has now been laid with more than preseason suppositions. The Terps have a real win under their belts and take the court Sunday with a chance for another.

The Harbaughs come to town

John Harbaugh is the Ravens head coach, but it feels like Steve Bisciotti hired the whole Harbaugh family.

His dad Jack coached for 41 years in the college ranks, winning a national title with Western Kentucky.

His brother Jim is the best known with a 15 year career in the NFL and now as head coach at Stanford. His first year with the Cardinal saw upsets over USC and Cal.

Another resource for John in the family comes from Tom Crean, the head men's basketball coach at Marquette. Crean has a Final Four under his belt.

All of that success at running teams has to be a big part of why Bisciotti would take a gamble on an unproven head coach. Bisciotti seemed to revel in hiring a guy that was off most everyone's radar, claiming he's made a pretty good living off hiring guys with thin resumes.

Do the Harbaugh coaches really make up for never having had to make real time game decisions? Doubtful, but John Harbaugh strikes as someone who's smart, but not brilliant. He won't get bogged down by the minutiae of every decision as we witness from Brian Billick over the years. You get eight seconds to make a decision, he'll make it. Now we just have to wait and see if enough of the decisions prove correct.

The Harbaugh Era Begins Now

John Harbaugh was hired as the Ravens head coach at 5:35 this evening. Baltimore puts its faith in a nine year NFL assistant with no head coaching experience at any level. But Harbaugh is charismatic, enthusiastic, but no nonsense. I've been told he's not the type to put up with any shenanigans.

Andy Reid was very enthusiastic about promoting Harbaugh for a job, and makes the same leap Reid made when hired by Philadelphia, from a position coach to head coach.

Harbaugh however has to deal with the fact he wasn't the Ravens first choice. But judging by the way he's handled everything else in his career, the former Miami of Ohio Redhawk won't let that bother him.

Search Continues

The Ravens are meeting right now with Eagles assistant coach John Harbaugh. It's the 2nd interview for Harbaugh with the Ravens, the first of which went very well. Harbaugh arrived at headquarters around 10:00 AM with the intererview expected to run through the afternoon.

Garrett's Gaff

Jason Garrett turned down the Ravens to stay offensive coordinator in Dallas. That alone has to hurt the Ravens pride. But then to learn he likely only used your opening as leverage to stay with the Cowboys for more money, and the term seething comes to mind here in Owings Mills.

Garrett said in his press conference with the Dallas media today that he really made up his mind Monday while meeting with the Cowboys offense. For those keeping a time table, that's the day before he travelled to Baltimore for a 2nd interview in which he "pondered" accepting the Ravens offer to coach.

Garrett used the Ravens plain and simple, and frankly the front office here should have seen it coming. He's not a seasoned player in these kinds of games. Recognizing that Jerry Jones would do whatever he could to keep him (especially after Tony Sparano left for Miami) was a must for Steve Bisciotti, Dick Cass, and Ozzie Newsome.

That miscalculation sends the Ravens back to square one with no slam dunk candidate lying in wait as plan B. John Harbaugh has the charisma and charm they seek, but with not even coordinator experience he would be a huge risk. Brian Schottenheimer has more experience, but his resume of leading an offense ranked worse than the Ravens wouldn't exactly thrill fans in Baltimore. "Yes, we got rid of Brian Billick for continued failure to score points, and replace him with someone who scored less. You got a problem with that?"

That leads us to Brian's Dad. He has the resume and clout to change the things in a locker room that needs changing, but how long could you realistically expect Marty Schottenheimer to stick around? He's 64 years old. Not to offend our AARP crowd, but a ten year run hardly seems likely.

So wow, what an indictment of Brian Billick. With his firing and the preceding coaching search that leaves nobody thinking a great answer can be found, the Ravens have made it clear. Their next coach needs just one quality. Don't be Brian Billick.

How could we be so wrong?

e-mail Pete


Norv Turner? The Norv Turner? He's 2-0 in the playoffs this season, riding an eight game win streak, with the same team that couldn't win a playoff game despite the best record in the NFL last season? That Norv Turner?

The term Norvulous takes on a whole new meaning. How could a guy that struggled so badly as a head coach in two different stints turn into a clutch post season leader?

And don't forget, his Chargers started the season 1-3 making him less popular in Southern California than wildfires and mud slides, just ahead of earthquakes.

One more who'd a thunk it. His quarterback has the maturity of a trust fund teenager planning her 16th birthday party with an MTV production crew in tow.

Yet here they are, the Chargers, in the AFC Title game

I have no insight as to how they turned things around with a coach sporting a 71-87-1 record (greatly improved by a 13-5 mark this season). I just can’t believe it.

Speaking of can’t believe.

I’m torn between thinking Terrell Owens should have gotten one of those Golden Globes and wondering if there’s a true imbalance. But what was not on the youtube clip, a follow up question about his relationship with Tony Romo, is it the best he’s ever had with a quarterback. That’s when Owens responded that he’s had great relationships with all his quarterbacks, that he always had their backs.

Somewhere Donovan McNabb and Jeff Garcia are still snorting milk out of their noses.

Ravens and Terps, nothing in common right now except this post

e-mail Pete


Nearly two weeks into the Ravens search to replace Brian Billick and we know as much as we did two weeks ago. The list of candidates really hasn’t changed and no real front runner has emerged, at least not publicly.

That’s how the Ravens operate. We aren’t going to know who they like or don’t until Steve Bisciotti stands at the podium introducing his new coach. I’d only get concerned if we’ve hit mid-February and the Ravens P.R. staff sends out an e-mail saying the process continues as several new candidates are set for interviews. Then we line up with pitchforks and torches to storm the castle.

We ventured to College Park earlier this week for a routine press meeting with Gary Williams and a few of his players. With the Terps coming off a nearly blown victory at Charlotte, combined with losses to American and Ohio universities already, I was beyond curious to gauge the mood of Coach Williams. He’s been known to bite the heads off of reporters during ten game win streaks, so this had the potential for something interesting.

What I found was a relaxed, upbeat, engaging Gary Williams. He didn’t mind discussing what had gone wrong this season and never got defensive. His only mini-diatribe came against CBS. He feels the network promotes March Madness so early and exclusively that it ignores a great regular season.

I’m not sure what to make of an anti-surly Gary but why not hazard a guess huh? I think he knows his team has talent, but too much of the depth comes from kids that just aren’t ready for prime time. He believes the future is great and so suffering through a tough season won’t matter in the big picture. He also has very likeable, pleasant, hard working kids. After a five year run in which his group of core players tested the patience of anyone that had anything to do with Terps basketball, the current kids are worth the wait.

That said, an RPI rating 65 spots below that of UMBC doesn’t sit well with anyone connected to College Park.

Because 2007 needed just one more story

Brian Billick won 18 more games than he lost over nine seasons with the Ravens, did so with character, flair, arrogance and integrity..

We always like to paint people and things as good or bad, but rarely is anything so black and white. Brian Billick did a lot better than most, like explain even the most ridiculous play call in a way that makes sense. Few have that ability.

Every Monday he stood there resolute to the task of winning the next game no matter how bleak the season. I was continually amazed at how he could stand there believing his team had a chance when we knew it had none.

Who's fault was that? Steve Bisciotti believed it was Brian's and that's all that matters. He fired the coach today saying that now they begin the process of finding somebody new.

Of course, they already have a plan we just don't know what it is. Credit the franchise, they tend not to make rash decisions without accounting for the future. Rex Ryan will get an interview, but it would be tough to see him promoted here. The players love him, but as their coordinator. It's a whole different world as head coach and tends to work better when you walk in without the relationships already intact.

Personally, I'll miss Brian. He was a stand up guy that gave the same amount of time to someone like me that he barely knew as a long time beat writer. If you asked a stupid question he acknowledged it, sometimes in brutal fashion. But ultimately he never shied away from backing his decisions, and he did not throw players under the bus.

It's a little ironic that one of criticisms of Billick over the years was that he took it too easy on players, when it seems the players dissatisfaction with the coach helped show him the door.

Provincial Pride Tough to Find

Tough to puff out the chest of late in Baltimore. The Ravens fall from elite status has Britney Spears thinking they've had it rough. The Orioles trade of Miguel Tejada officially signified the blowing up the team meaning a minimum three years before possible contention in the A.L. East. THREE YEARS MINIMUM. Then there's the Mitchell Report.

How can a team suffer through a 10 year losing streak and have connection to the most players named in the report? When does the performance enhancing start?

The Mitchell Report was comprehensive in length. 409 pages made for tough perusing. It delivered the big names as promised, but what passed for evidence seemed ridiculous at times. Brian Roberts is named in the report. He made "the list". Forever, the all-star 2nd baseman's image and career are tainted. And his crime to earn inclusion? Admitted steroid and HGH user Larry Bigbie claims that when Roberts was living with he and David Segui (also an admitted user), that Roberts never used steroids even while Segui and Bigbie were, but a year later said he had tried them once or twice. That's it.

I don't know if Roberts did or did not use. Bigbie was caught by the Feds with his hands in the syringe jar leaving anything he had to say as questionable.

Ultimately the Mitchell Report should prove useful as it made MLB take full notice and accountability for the steroid problem. This should be the platform from which the sport cleans itself. But that doesn't make throwing players under the bus an acceptable practice.

Regardless though of Roberts participation, the level of dysfunction in the Orioles clubhouse seemed to match the mess on the field. Andy MacPhail appears set to clean the slate and at least that's something.

To find though real local sports pride right now it's hats off to the Dunbar Poets for making good on defending their 1A State Football Championship. They dismantled all comers after suffering through the loss of their coach, Ben Eaton, just before the season began. Oh yeah, and offer up maybe the best running back ever from Baltimore in Tavon Austin. 92 career touchdowns, and he still has his senior season to go. Dunbar, thanks for carrying the mantle awhile.

Army/Navy; a running account

12:10 PM

The Army Parachute team is worth the price of admission. A dozen jumpers navigated 20 mile an hour gusts to effortlessly land on the turf at M&T Bank Stadium.

My first Army-Navy game and so far no let down. The atmosphere is as advertised. Great comment from CSN's Brent Harris, "this is the only game where the seats are filled 20 minutes before kickoff."

Most of the Mids I talked to earlier in the week figured Baltimore really wouldn't provide a home field advantage. But when they took the field, the crowd erupted with twice the effort than for that of the Cadets. Even in one of the greatest rivalries in sport, there are bandwagon fans as Navy rides a five game win streak. Kickoff on the way, more to come.

1:25 PM

The smallest player in the field just made the biggest play. Following an Army field goal to cut the Navy lead to 7-3, senior tailback Reggie Campbell took the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest touchdown return for a touchdown (actual quote from press box announcer) in Navy history.

Campbell has become one of the greatest big play specialists in academy history. Funny how his perception of the Army-Navy rivalry has chanced during his time in Annapolis. Before arriving to campus, he thought the game was played between actual soldiers. He laughed as he told me how he didn't understand the tradition or the meaning of the game. Safe to say he gets it now.

Speaking of now, a big turnover followed by a Shun White TD run and Navy has turned this from a defensive struggle into likely the longest win streak for either school in the rivalry's history. Six. 21-3 your score with 4:20 left in the 2nd quarter.

12:45 pm

Just a couple of minutes left in the first quarter and the score remains 0-0. A defensive struggle was the last thing we expected. The fewest points the Mids have scored in the last four games in 35. Army actually had the best chance so far. A 3rd down pass into the endzone hit Corey Anderson right in the chest, but Irv Spencer then followed the ball in to his chest dislodging the pigskin. A missed field goal followed. Can't say I think it's nerves, but maybe the cold. Hard to get warmed up.

Wait, the Mids just got warmed up. Zerbin Singleton breaks free on the pitch for a 38 yard Navy touchdown. 7-0 Midshipmen. Interesting that it's Singleton to break through. At practice this week, he repeatedly was chewed out by his teammates for seemingly not being in the right place at the right time. Guess he got the message.


1:43 PM

There's that man again. Just seconds left in the first half and Army chooses to punt to Reggie Campbell. We saw this last week in the NFL when the Broncos continued to kick the ball to Devin Hester and he continued to run free to the end zone. Campbell didn't actually reach paydirt, but his magnificent punt return of 45 yards gave Joey Bullen a FG chance from 51 yards as time expired. And Bullen Dawson's one over the cross bar for the 2nd longest field goal in Navy history. We head to the break with Navy on top 24-3
But even cooler than watching Campbell play X-Box with the Cadets special teams, was watching Roger Staubach throw the ball on the Navy sideline. The 1963 Heisman Trophy winner still has a rocket for an arm.

2:36 PM

Not much happened in the 3rd quarter except for another dose of Army heartache. The Black Knights drove all the way to the Navy one yard line, and fumbled. The sunken shoulders for the Cadets in white dragged back to the sidelines. The frustration of continued failure in such a titanic rivalry weighs heavily. In fact, any failure means more in this game. Navy punter Greg Veteto shanked a kick then proceeded to the sidelines where he paced for three minutes straight back. Nobody offered any words of encouragment, not because they're bad teammates, I just think they could tell he was so angry the "keep your chin up" would have to wait. And that's with Navy winning 24-3.

One other note from pre-game. The public address announced welcomed todays crowd to PSINet Stadium. What a bizarre time warp. Army I'm sure would have liked it. Back when it was PSINet Stadium, the Cadets weren't mired in a five game losing streak to Navy.

Surreality

13 years in the business, more than a thousand post game interviews, and I thought I had seen it all. Been cursed at, spit on (accidentally I think), endured smells that had to equal those of Saddam Hussein's little rat hole bunker, been cried on, and enjoyed side splitting laughter. But never had I conducted any at midfield before the game was actually over.

The protocol for covering NFL games allows reporters onto the sidelines for the last two minutes of the game, and to then access the field of play as soon as the game ends.

So Sunday afternoon, Phil Dawson misses a 51 yard field goal off the upright and cross bar, and it's on to the field in search of really fresh interviews (the ones on the field are better than in the locker room. So close to the end of the event, emotions are raw and filters often not yet working). I get to Matt Stover who's always good for a sound bite after a game winning field goal and he's right on cue. How great it feels, how badly they need a win.. and then lightning strikes.

Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson, in full view of the camera lens, runs up to us and says

We're going to overtime fellas. We're going to overtime.

Stover's face frowns and he says,

Yeah. Yeah.

The camera then pans left and Devard Darling, with arms spread wide in confusion belts out,

What
happened?

Great question. You see, being down the field is great because you see things you can't see from the press box or on television. You however also miss things. All we saw of Dawson's field goal attempt was it bouncing back onto the field. And common sense rang out, telling us the only way that happens is if it hit the cross bar and was no good. Common sense though apparently has loopholes.

Replays of course showed the field goal actually broke the plane and took a crazy bounce off the the goal post beyond the cross bar. What could be more fitting for a team constantly pummeled by the football gods for any and all grievances past.

Brian Billick's pained expression while hearing the explanation from referree Pete Morelli spoke volumes. Amazingly, the coach that so favors profanity laced tirades, simply turned began imploring his players to get ready for overtime.

They of course could not get ready. In a game so bathed in raw emotions, the Ravens could not recover from the celebrations that proved premature.

Looking then for more post game interviews, the only ones on the field to be found came from the Browns. I talked with Derek Anderson and he equated the day to that of a movie ending. Care to name it? I'm going with the Departed. Had the same kind of happy ending.

Laughter Hurts

Did you catch the end of the Ravens game in Pittsburgh Monday? Of course you didn't. You left after the second series of the second half. Once it became evident that the half time adjustments worked like Bill Belichik's new best seller "How to cheat in the NFL and not get caught", you went to bed or cried into your beer watching home videos of your Super Bowl Party from 1/28/01.

I had to work, had to keep watching. Rarely will I complain of my job but seriously Monday night left my head aching till Thursday morning. But not everyone seemed too distraught.

Obviously Mike Tomlin thoroughly enjoyed his first game of the rivalry. He laughed himself silly like a teenage girl after a Ravens 3rd down incompletion late in the game. It seemed a bit much, but he's only 16 so what do you expect.

No, the painful laughter came at the 4:23 mark of the 4th when the ESPN cameras caught a fairly boisterous chuckle on the sidelines between Steve McNair, Kyle Boller, and Todd Heap. The next shot pictured Jonathan Ogden also with a look of bemusement on his face.

I know that a four second moment of time caught on camera hardly defines the mood of a sidelines. For all we know Kelly Gregg broke wind while stretching to keep loose. And I certainly know football isn't life and death, that a little more laughter in the world probably makes it a better place.

But that doesn't mean the gestures didn't sting Ravens fans, or that they made you wonder just how much these guys cared about the worst loss this decade. The last place amusement seemed appropriate was on the face of Steve McNair.

For weeks the players kept saying that a win is a win and that this team is fine. When we saw the Ravens play with focus and purpose that could never be described as fine, the last thing to see on the sidelines was humor.

It's come this

e-mail Pete

Happy Monday Morning! The Red Sox won the World Series! Couldn’t have happened for a finer group of well mannered fans.

Managed to sweep the Rockies, and did it without Kevin Millar Cowboying anybody up in Denver. I don’t begrudge the actual team. A spectacular combination of hitting, pitching, youth, veteran leadership, and drive clearly had the Sox a cut above the rest of baseball. Hats off for getting it done not just with high priced free agents, but a collection of kids from the farm that will keep Boston in the post season for years to come. They’re not just planning the parade past Thaniel Hall for later this week they’re clearing late October on the Calendar for the next decade. Frightening.

But I will revisit the decision of Kevin Millar to not only throw out the first pitch in Game Seven of the ALCS at Fenway, but also openly solicit cheers on national television for his division rival.

Last time out I blasted Millar for gleefully representing his former mates, thus embarrassing his current fans in Baltimore. And I ripped the O’s for allowing Millar to take part in the Fenway festivities.

A few days later and my jaw remains unhinged. Not because of Millar’s actions, but rather a collective level of apathy from a large portion of Orioles fans. Orioleshangout.com is the home for hard core Baltimore baseball fans. The message board traffic following Millar’s shenanigans was like the inner loop of 695 at 5:00 PM on Memorial Day Friday. Much of which centered on how it wasn’t that big of a deal.

Many claimed the Orioles have far bigger problems and questioning the off season happenings of a player whom always seems to give his best effort just wasn’t worth the time. Many fans just simply didn’t care.

So it’s come to this. One of the most visible players for the Orioles rallies the dreaded rival Red Sox and the hard core fan base can’t even agree how crappy a thing that is.

What would the reaction have been in New York if Johnny Damon had pulled the same stunt? Apathy, indifference, and malaise? Try hostility, venom, and pure unadulterated anger.

Kevin Millar’s actions revealed a Josh Beckett fastball kind of scary problem for this once proud franchise. Fans have trouble even getting embarrassed by their club anymore. That kind of apathy leads to total ruin.

Don’t misread this though. I’m not blaming Orioles fans for their lack of concern. It just saddens me their team has so beaten them down with a sledge hammer of losing, steroid use and allegations, trade demands, and finally solicitous cheering of their rivals. Thank God baseball season is over.

Millar's Mistake

e-mail Pete


My jaw remains unhinged after watching the beginning of Game Seven last night of the ALCS. Not because the Red Sox rallied from the brink with three straight wins to reach the World Series. Rather because one of the most prominent faces of the Orioles, Kevin Millar, not only threw out the first pitch for the Red Sox, he read the Boston Lineup with more enthusiasm than Jimmy Fallon in Fever Pitch.

Didn’t see the beginning to Game Five, but his Cowboying Up for Boston was even worse.

Absofrigginlutely ridiculous.

Nauseating.

Embarrassing.

Stupid.

Any of the aforementioned appropriately describe the decision by Millar to take such an active role in cheering a division rival while still playing for Baltimore, and the decision by Andy MacPhail to let Millar trade in the orange and black for Beantown red and blue.

I get that what the Sox did in 2004 was beyond memorable, that they want to use it for inspiration this year. But even in Boston, they don’t get having Millar back to rally the Sawx. NESN’s coverage from Game Five had everyone kind of scratching their heads from Boston Manager Terry Francona to Red Sox broadcaster Jerry Remy.

The Orioles may have thought Millar was to simply throw out the first pitch and be done with it. But they know him. They had to know he’d go five steps farther. If he could still be playing in Boston, Millar would hop on Southwest in a heart beat for the $49 special and cab it straight to Fenway without ever checking in to a hotel. He of course got caught up in the festivities, the excitement of the post season, all the things we don’t have and won’t anytime soon in Charm City. His judgment, or lack thereof, comes as no surprise. His rally cry three years ago came with he and his mates titled as idiots.

The real frustration comes in allowing Millar the stage to embarrass everyone associated with, and that roots for the Orioles. How doesn’t the front office know that O’s fans hate the Red Sox. They hate that tens of thousands come to town taking over Camden Yards turning it into Fenway South. They hate that New England fans also have the best football team on the planet. Anyone seriously think the Red Sox needed Millar’s help?

A team leader shouldn’t be openly soliciting cheers on national television for a rival. It’s just that simple. If you can’t see why that hurts, why that’s wrong, and why it’s symptomatic of a growing tradition of losing, then you just don’t get it. And once again, that’s the case with the Orioles.

Saturday Night's All Right for Terping

Kind of lame? Sure, but I'm at work while you're hopefully not. In fact, I hope nobody reads this till Sunday. But watching Maryland face 19th ranked Virginia inspired me to get to typing. Napoleon Dynamite continues to lead the Terps on a surprising run of success. Who knew the best quarterback on campus looks more harmless than Elmo building blocks with Big Bird. Chris Turner somehow kept hidden the leadership skills that have everyone on College Park buzzing about football even though basketball season is underway. Turner will lead Maryland to a decent bowl game and a year end ranking in the top 25. There I said it.

Speaking of Maryland hoops, a very different feel encompased media day. Gary Williams made it clear that he likes this team. Not just the talent, but he actually likes the kids. Told me he doesn't have to motivate anyone to practice, that they really want more than to win, but to do it the right way. And the way he talked about this group made it clear that the last several years were not like this. He refused to ever publicly get down on his back to back, highly touted recruiting classes after the National Championship. He held his tongue. But now he has a very different chemistry working at Comcast Center, the kind that makes runs into the post season. It might be ugly early with six freshman and just two seniors with significant roles, but in February they might start ripping through the ACC. In fact, they will, earning a five seed or better in the NCAA's. There, I said that too.

A Day with Fred and Fans

As expected, the largest gallery at BCC for the first round of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship (from now on CESPC) belonged to the trio that included Fred Funk.

I caught up with Freddy at the Par 5 4th and you could see he was struggling a bit. One of the most accurate players in the game was pulling shots, then compensating and losing them right. But the more he went wayward, the better he scored. An amazing save from a horrible lie in a fairway bunker that led to a 40 foot birdie. And there is no fist pump celebration quite like Freds.

That came later at the 11th after he tree challenged tee shot left him to a flop shot to the sloped green, which he drained. The full energy, half pump had his gallery roaring. A solid round of two under for Funk has him right there in contention. But he was disappointed with the way he hit the ball. A surprise for him because he told us he went to a new driver two weeks ago and just couldn't miss. Same on the range this morning (which he said was fun because thanks to the fog for the first time in his life he was hitting them out of sight), then it disappeared when play began.

I talked about the greens being the courses best defense last night on our pre-tourney special Champions of the Game. But really, come Sunday, the most fit may fare the best. R.W. Eaks, sharing the lead with a round of 67, said this really isn't a walking course for these old guys. I can attest, as an out of shape sort of former jock, I'm whipped after one round myself. That also bodes well for Funk who might finally get his win in Maryland.