The week that will be (updated)
I'm sure everyone's just waiting around to see if the official scorer at Fenway Park robs Garrett Olson of a no-hitter tonight, but -- even if the Orioles tank the whole series -- this is shaping up as a pretty interesting week in local sports.
Of course, we're all on the edge of our purple seats waiting to see what gives with the Ravens QB situation, (Hint: It if's not Flacco, I'm going to look like a complete idiot) and the Redskins open the season against the Super Bowl champs on Thursday night. I don't normally say a whole lot about the 'Skins, but I'm slowly warming to the notion that there are some Redskins fans who can read, and I can use the Web traffic.
I'm pretty pumped about the opening of the NFL season now that I've been dragged kicking and screaming into the Fantasy Football world. Of course, in my 12-team league, I ended up with the 12th draft choice (Peyton Manning). Apparently, running backs are more valuable and I didn't get one who I've ever heard of, so it could be a long year.
I know it's against the rules, but I've got a waiver claim in on Navy running back Shun White (left), who set an Academy record with 348 yards in 19 carries against Towson on Saturday. If you're not really familiar with the lad, you might want to tune into ESPN on Friday night at 8, when the Midshipmen take on Ball State at whereever Ball State is located. The kid averaged 18 yards a carry. Gotta see what he does for an encore.
Don't want to leave out the Terps, who play Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, but I'm a little apprehensive after the post-Flacco Delaware Blue Hens kept them guessing until the final two minutes of their opener.
The only downside for me is that my USC Trojans have the week off to prepare for Stan White's overrated Ohio State Buckeyes, but I guess the extra prep time is a good thing.
The week just got more interesting: My compliments to MASN teammates Jim Hunter and Roch Kubatko for teaming up to reveal that just-released Tampa Bay QB Chris Simms is in town and working out for the Ravens. Hunter and Simms were on the same plane from Tampa to Baltimore. Still think Flacco starts this week, but Simms would change the whole QB dynamic going forward. It probably also means Kyle Boller is going on IR.
Gratuitous cheap shot: I wonder what Simms was thinking while Jimmy was telling him how well the Orioles are doing this year.
Baltimore Sun photo/Gene Sweeney Jr.
Comments
Pete, my man, don't lose site of the fact that you write for the BALTIMORE Sun. We don't go to the Washington Post for Ravens/Orioles coverage, nor would I expect that rag to cover Baltimore sports. Likewise, please don't make us sift through any Redskins coverage to get our Ravens/Orioles fix. Please don't turn this into a blog about DC teams, too.
Does that make us provincial? Sure. But it also means we know where we want to go for our sports fix and we also know to never go to the WaPo unless we want Redskins coverage; we would never go there to satisfy our need for Baltimore sports coverage.
Thanks and keep up the good work!
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Pete's reply: I thought I could stir up some anti-Redskins sentiment. I only mentioned that the game is on Thursday night. Won't be doing play-by-play. You know you'll be watching it and rooting for the Giants.
Posted by: Ron | September 1, 2008 3:01 PM
All of the QB debacle gives the Ravens an honorable out for Boller--
Sign Simms, and put him in the mix of competition.
Release Boller by giving him an injury settlement
Give Smith the job once he is recovered from his virus.
Flacco? He starts until Simms learns the system or Smith recovers.
Either way, its time to say Good Night Kyle.
Posted by: logiopath | September 1, 2008 4:03 PM
Yeah, some of us Redskins Fans can read. Also, some of us Redskins fans are O's fan also. So, Peter, knock it off trying to play comedian. Just remember you will never fill the shoes of Roch. He is the King when it comes to blogs in Baltimore. Good luck finding a quarterback Ravens. Maybe you guys should keep a quarterback who wins a superbowl for ya instead of running him out of town. Like they say karma is a b***h.
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Pete's reply: Glad you didn't take that personally. My son is a Redskins fan, also, so you I at least feel sorry for you.
Posted by: Neal | September 1, 2008 5:34 PM
The signing of Harrington doesn't look good for Casey Bramlet's future....
Seriously, Pete, does anyone know the details on Boller's shoulder injury?
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Pete's reply: Nobody's saying anything, but it was reported last week as a torn labrum. Might not be that serious, but I'm guessing he goes on IR.
Posted by: easywriter01 | September 1, 2008 5:37 PM
Hahaha @ "Redskins fans that can read". Gave me a belly laugh Pete. As soon as the O's season is over I'll be taking my hiatus from this site (now and then catching up with any stovetop news on my Birds), but being a diehard Skins fan, I really don't want to read much about the lowly Ravens (sorry to my nephew who loves them). It's been fun reading Roch's and now your blog Pete over the season and hopefully the front office will make some much needed moves as far as pitching goes. See you in the Spring.
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Pete's reply: We'll have plenty of baseball news, but you'll have to stick around to see what I do to the Eagles.
Posted by: nebraska_jeff | September 1, 2008 5:53 PM
Pete, I think people are underestimating to Joe Flacco. I think people need to understand that rookies aren't made to be perfect in the first year (Manning: 26TD, 28INT), Boller (got injured), no rookie is perfect.
I think Flacco is going to be an excellent QB, maybe even hall-of-fame material.
Posted by: Joshua | September 1, 2008 7:18 PM
If Kyle does indeed have a torn labrum there is no way he should throw a ball at all this season let alone try to complete a pass on the field. I am having surgery to repair my torn labrum in 9 days and it has been insanely painful to throw a softball from centerfield to the shortstop on my company softball team. I'm shocked he hasn't been put on IR or cut via injury settlement.
By the way I'm only 23 so it's not like I'm some broken down old man.
Posted by: Sean | September 1, 2008 8:21 PM
deadskin fans can read, your confusing them the steeler nation.
skins fans have more issues with math, (see salary cap)
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Pete's reply: My mistake.
Posted by: double b | September 1, 2008 8:39 PM
Rich Gannon come out of Delaware I hope he's that good.
Posted by: colt | September 1, 2008 9:35 PM
I don't know why the Ravens are only auditioning three QBs. If they all get the same protection Boller's been getting for five years, they're going to need at least half a dozen to get through the first half of the season.
Posted by: easywriter01 | September 2, 2008 12:57 AM
Pete, you crack me up! You know darn well that no Redskins fan can read! (Just kidding, Redskins fans!) Just remember that you are writing for the BALTIMORE Sun!
Posted by: Drew Johnson | September 2, 2008 2:25 AM