Listen, you didn't want to go outside today anyway, so check out my "News Item" column in the print edition of the Baltimore Sun or go to the Sun Web site and take a look at it right here. I'll warn you that the first item is about NASCAR, but I think you'll get a chuckle out of it and there are plenty more opinions and quips for your reading enjoyment.

Later tonight, I'll have another column up stating my opposition to an expansion of the current baseball playoff format, which seems to be a done deal if you listen to Bud Selig or players union chief Michael Weiner. It apparently is just a question of when and how.

While I'm rambling, here's my take on today in college football. I think at least two of the remaining big-time unbeaten teams will go down later today, and it's possible that all of them will. If so, look for a one-loss team to sit atop Boise State and TCU in the new BSC standings tomorrow.

The most interesting game -- to me -- is USC/Oregon. I think the Ducks will survive this trip to Los Angeles, but it could be a very exciting and action-packed game and it will be televised nationally on ABC at 8 (EDT).

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: News of the day
        

If you recall, I basically bailed on the Texas Rangers after they blew a lead in the first game of the American League Championship Series. I was sure that blowing the opportunity to get a leg up in the series would be their undoing, but they won the next three games in a row and disposed of the Yankees in six games.

I'm similarly inclined to believe that Cliff Lee's clunker on Wednesday night will be a major blow to their chances of winning the world title, but I'm not going to hang myself over the ledge again. I'll just wait and see what happens.

I picked the Rangers at the outset to win the Series in six games. I like their offense and thought Lee was a lock to win at least two games. It can't go down exactly that way now, because Lee could not possibly pitch a third time in a six-game series. Guess I'll have to settle for seven.

Right now, I'd be betting the opposite of anything I predict. I'm in a monster slump, as evidenced by my standing in the Staff Picks section of our Ravens coverage. It would be embarrassing if I had any shame.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (34)
Categories: Just baseball
        

...take a look at my latest column analyzing the sports question that was part of the recent Sun Poll. You can read it in today's print edition or find it on the Baltimore Sun Web site right here.

The question at hand is what percentage of Marylanders would root for the Ravens or Redskins if they met in the Super Bowl. I'll admit to a little bias here, but Redskins fans will want to read to the end.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Shameless plug
        

Normally, I'm not an instant replay basher, but Sunday night's game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers highlighted a problem with the NFL replay system that really must be corrected to maintain the credibility of the sport.

Everybody knows that there is some homecooking built into the replay protocol, but it shouldn't be allowed to change the outcome of the game the way it did on Sunday night. The Packers got a phony touchdown when Andrew Quarless landed out of the end zone and bobbled a touchdown pass out of the sight of the officials.

NBC went to a commercial quickly after the touchdown and didn't show a definitive replay until after the commercial break. The Packers lined up and kicked the extra point before the Vikings could challenge the play. If the roles had been reversed, the replay would have gone up on the scoreboard to alert the home team.

OK, so the system gave the Packers at least the difference between a touchdown and a field goal (four points) in a four-point game, but that's just part of the problem. The Vikings also had two disputed plays in the end zone, but the Packers had sufficient time to challenge and two touchdowns were overturned. One of them was clearly the right call. No problem with that. The other was a great catch by Visanthe Shiancoe that was overturned because the officials claimed that the ground helped him catch the ball.

Personally, I don't think there was compelling evidence to overturn the play. The guy had possession all the way and simply landed on the ball. The announcers opined that it might have moved in his hands slightly. I couldn't see that, so I have trouble thinking it was obvious enough on replay to take away a great play. That was another four points, since the Vikings kicked a field goal instead.

If you want to go outside the confines of last night's game, you don't have to go far. The Miami Dolphins feel they got a win stolen from them yesterday because of a poorly administered replay on that goal line fumble by Ben Roethlisberger.

There is no perfect system, of course, but it should not be this imperfect and -- in this case -- so favor the home team that it decides a very high-profile game. The point of the replay system is to get plays right, not to create a whole new dimension of home-field gamesmanship.

I don't have that much sympathy for Brett Favre, whose selfish I'm-going-to-make-a-big-play-no-matter-what-the-risk style of quarterbacking both kept the Vikings in the game and ultimately took them out of it. I know it's being reported that he was playing on a damaged ankle, but that doesn't change the fact that his gunslinger mentality is a two-edged sword that ultimately cut the wrong way on Monday night.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)
Categories: Just football
        

The bye week couldn't come at a better time for the Ravens, because it will give Todd Heap a chance to recover from the head/neck/shoulder injury he suffered in the New England game and aggravated today. But Heap did not second-guess the decision to play today.

Of course, he didn't. He scored two touchdowns and was a huge factor in the Ravens' recovery from two early 14-point deficits.

"I don't like to sit out,'' he said. "If there is a possibility of playing and if I can play at the level I expect of myself, I'm going to be out there."

By the way, if there's anybody out there who still questions whether Heap is tough enough, you haven't been paying attention.

The bye should benefit a number of players, including Ed Reed, who looked gimpy at times today with quad soreness, and Terrell Suggs, who got leg-whipped late in the game.

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

The Ravens were in great danger of suffering a damaging loss to the winless Buffalo Bills in overtime when Ray Lewis stole the ball from Bills receiver Shawn Nelson and the Bills were charged with an unsportsmanlike penalty to put the ball in field goal range.

The Ravens held Nelson up for a long time, but the officials apparently didn't think his forward progress had been stopped.

To that point, it didn't look like the Ravens were going to be able to stop Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, who had already thrown four touchdown passes and seemed to be able to drive the Bills offense at will.

Well, all's well that ends well. Billy Cundiff drilled a 38-yard field goal for the win.

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The good news is that Ed Reed is on a rampage. He has forced a fumble and intercepted two passes in his first game back from hip surgery, returning the second interception to the Bills' 9-yard line before the Ravens fumbled the ball right back.

The bad news is that he looked gimpy after breaking up a pass play right before the interception and he was slow to get up after being up-ended at the end of his exciting return. He came off the field with minor assistance, but has returned to the defensive backfield.

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Just football
        

The Ravens took advantage of a variety of fortuitous events to score 17 points in a span of 72 seconds from the end of the first half through the early seconds of the second half, but it was the way they overcame a bad break that was really the key to the rally.

When the officials reviewed an apparent fumble by Joe Flacco and ruled him down by contact, they clearly said the ball should be placed on the 25-yard line, but nobody noticed that it has been spotted at the 30. The Ravens lined up for a 48-yard field goal instead of a 43-yarder, but Billy Cundiff nailed it anyway.

If not for that, the chain of events that led to the touchdown in the final minute before intermission could not have happened.

Open question: When was the last time -- if ever -- that there were as many as 44 points scored in the first half of a Ravens game?

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Bills just went 91 yards in 11 plays to take a 17-3 lead on another touchdown pass by Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the boo birds have surfaced. The Ravens are in the midst of a textbook letdown and they need to recover right now or this could be a very deflating afternoon.

I'm trying to figure out how the Ravens have 49 yards on five rushing attempts and they have only five rushing attempts halfway into the second quarter.

Guess they want to prove to everyone that they aren't too conservative.

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Just football
        

The Ravens obviously have decided to keep us in suspense for awhile. The defense allowed the Bills to drive down the field for a touchdown on their second possession and Josh Wilson just fumbled away the kickoff deep in Baltimore territory.

Fasten your seatbelts.

It's going to be a bumpy ride.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Just football
        

Ed Reed didn't exactly tiptoe back into the defensive lineup after coming off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He started the game and he was the guy who blasted receiver Roscoe Parrish and knocked the ball loose for a huge loss.

Scoring update: The Ravens moved the ball pretty well on their second possession and have taken a 3-0 lead on a 41-yard field goal by Billy Cundiff.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Just football
        

Not this time. Joe Flacco threw on each of the Ravens' first three offensive plays today, completing one of them for a short gain before handing the ball over to the Bills. Don't know if Cam Cameron and Flacco were trying to make some kind of point, but the Bills secondary was not listening.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Just football
        

It makes me all warm and fuzzy to watch Navy delivering a brutal beating to Notre Dame at the new Meadowlands Stadium. The Mids just scored again to take a 35-10 lead over the fightless Irish.

This has nothing to do with my former status as a USC fan, though I'm sure there are some residual anti-Irish feelings swimming around in my subconscious. I'm just happy to see Navy nailing down their third victory over ND in the last four years after going four decades without a single in in the historic series.

Ricky Dobbs looks very much like the Heisman Trophy candidate he was supposed to be before he got banged up and the Mids got off to a slow start this season. He's got three rushing touchdowns and Alexander Teich has just shredded the middle of the Notre Dame defense.

Today's plug: The noon game pre-empted my WBAL radio show, so you'll have to settle for my Saturday "New Item" column, which you can read right here. I'll also have an Orioles column up a little later today and in tomorrow's print edition.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Just football
        

Just so you don't think that I've been loafing the past few weeks, take a look at my lengthy interview with Brian Billick. It just went up on the Web site this morning -- so you can read it right here -- and it will be part of our 10th Anniversary Super Bowl Commemorative section in Friday's print edition.

I hope you enjoy it. Billick delivers some interesting insights that you may not have heard before and lets us see the 2000-2001 postseason through his eyes.

Here's a quick excerpt in which Billick talks about one of his most memorable moments of that championship season:

There are so many of them. There's one that comes to mind. I knew how good this defense was. We're playing the Cleveland Browns, and they're terrible. And we were all about shutouts. This team wanted to break the all-time shutout record. I forget what it was. We had like six or something [actually four], and we were going for it. We're playing Cleveland, and the guys all week thought, "This is one we're going to get," and then Cleveland comes out on the opening drive and goes 86 yards to score. We're down 7-0. At home. So I'm walking down toward the defense, they're going to come off and I'm going to do my coaching thing, and Ray -- I remember like yesterday -- Ray and Rod Woodson are coming off the field and look at me and go, "Don't say a thing." Basically saying: "We got this. Don't say a word." So I make an immediate left turn to the Gatorade, figuring: "OK, you got it. I'm out." You'd have to check the exact number. We gave up 86 yards in that first drive, and we gave up like 112 yards on the day. The rest of the day, they were pissed off. The ability to crank up to that level, that they could hold themselves accountable and knew that they were that good -- that's when I realized, wow, this is a special, special group.

Of course, I only had a small part in the special Super Bowl retrospective, so you'll want to read all the stories and take a happy trip down memory lane. You can even read Ken Murray's original game story from Tampa if you click here.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Just football
        

My latest column -- on the NFL's expressed intention to crack down on intentional helmet-to-helmet hits -- is up on the Web site right here and also is part of a package on the league's evolving policy regarding player safety.

If you haven't already, you also will want to click on this story by my Sun colleague, Ken Murray, who reacted to Tuesday's news and delivers a very well-researched and well-reported analysis of the league's attempt to get a handle on dangerous hits and their effect on the victimized players.

While I'm plugging everything in sight, you can get another side of the story at Ravens Insider from Kevin Van Valkenburg, who thinks it is going to be very hard to enforce an effective ban on violent helmet hits.

When you get done, let me know what you think?

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Just football
        

Once again, my baseball acumen has been called into legitimate question, since I really felt the Rangers suffered a fatal blow when they squandered that big lead in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series.

They not only bounced back the next night in Arlington. They have dominated the Yankees over the last three games. If not for that one inning in Game 1, this series would be over -- assuming the same chain of events.

The Yankees are not just up against the wall. They are wounded. Mark Teixeira went down with a very painful hamstring injury -- perhaps a tear that could end his postseason. Does that mean this series is over?

No, but the toughness that has been shown by the Rangers over the past few days makes it hard to imagine they will fold now.

Of course, I have been wrong before.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Just baseball
        

The Orioles coaching situation remains in limbo, but I'm guessing we'll start to get some clarification over the next few days. Buck Showalter is expected back in town to meet with Andy MacPhail and Peter Angelos, and the coaching staff should be high on the agenda since it'll still be a few weeks before they can wade deeply into player acquisition.

Jeff Zrebiec said on my WBAL show on Saturday that Buck has been in touch with all the coaches, but that little has been finalized. By all accounts, the coaching staff is Showalter's call, but you can bet there will be more accusations of meddling by Angelos when the final staff is announced, because at least one or two of the current coaches are going to be retained.

Here's your chance to look like a genius. Tell me who stays and who goes and -- for bonus points -- name three possible newcomers. If you end up running the table, you'll win my undying admiration.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Just baseball
        

This won't go down as the most devastating loss in Ravens history. It's just a disappointment after the way they played through the first three quarters. It probably came down to one bad defensive call in regulation, when the Ravens did not attempt to pressure Tom Brady on that third down play that went for a touchdown to Deion Branch.

If the Ravens had forced the issue and prevented that strike, the Patriots would have had to kick a field goal and then would have had to go down the field and score a touchdown to send the game into overtime.

The Ravens had a 10-point lead with one of the best defenses in the NFL, but credit Tom Brady for waking up down the stretch and making several big throws when it counted.

The thing that was most frustrating to watch, however, was the lack of offensive movement in overtime. The Ravens were on the road and there were times when they looked like they were playing for the tie.

By the way, the oddsmakers apparently are pretty smart, since they posted the Patriots as a three-point favorite.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Just football
        

What is it about regular season games against the Patriots. It seems that every one of them comes down to some stupid mind cramp on the part of the Ravens. This time, it was LeRon McClain getting baited into a personal foul after the second down of the Ravens last possession.

Okay, I can't say it was decisive. The Ravens had done little with any of their possessions after the third quarter and they still would have had a third and long, but it affected the field position and, well, it was dumb. Simple as that.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Just football
        

It's easy to say now that the Patriots are driving the field, but the decision to punt at midfield on fourth and a half yard was too conservative for my taste. The Patriots already had shown they could move the ball and the punt surrendered what little momentum the Ravens still had in the game.

The decision only emboldened the Pats, had just scored on a clutch third-down pass from Tom Brady to Deion Branch.

So, here we are at the two-minute warning with the Patriots knocking at the door. Let's see what happens.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Just football
        

So far, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and quarterback Joe Flacco have done an outstanding job of mixing up the offensive gameplan and using every weapon at their disposal. Even Todd Heap, who took that cheap helmet shot earlier in the game and appeared to be done for the day, came back and made a big catch over the middle. If anybody ever says the word "soft" about him around me, I'm going to head butt you with my giant melon so you'll know what it feels like.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Just football, Just football
        

Though you could take issue with the Jalen Parmele's decision to run the kickoff out of the end zone -- and the procedure penalty that forced the Ravens to start at their 7-yard line -- the Ravens' first drive was impressive, even if they did end up settling for a field goal. They held the ball for more than eight minutes and drove a total of 86 yards before Billy Cundiff converted an easy kick to give them the lead.

Nice start.

Can't ask for too much more than that.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Just football
        

Now that you all have gotten to see why I decided against a career as a stand-up comic, we can all re-focus on the more important matters at hand -- another big day of football and Game 2 of the NLCS tonight.

If you're trying to think of some way to pass the last excruciating hour before the Ravens kick off to the New England Patriots (and I guarantee the Ravens will kick off), you can take a look at my column about today's game right here.

Instant update: So much for my first prediction. The Ravens did get the ball first and have mounted a pretty nice drive after starting out deep in their own territory.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Shameless plug
        

If you've been wondering where I've been the past day or two, I have been scratching another item off my bucket list. I competed in the "Baltimore's Funniest Celebrity" competition on Thursday night at Martin's East. The event benefitted the RBaby Foundation and the University of Maryland Hospital for Children and was a lot of fun. Unfortunately, The Sun's Kevin Richardson was there to videotape the proceedings -- just like he was for my pro wrestling debut -- so I'll never be able to live this down.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 7:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Schmuck being Schmuck
        

There are a lot of people around here who certainly hope so, since the prospect of another New York Yankees World Series isn't exactly an appetizing thought for most of the fans in this region.

My gut says no. The Yankees are made for this kind of situation and the Rangers are going to be a bit starstruck. The world title hopes of the Rangers basically rest on the talented shoulder of Cliff Lee, and I have to believe he blinks at some point in this series. The home-field advantage might help a little, but I've got to go with the Yankees in six.

Once again, for all of you who think I picked the Steelers to win a couple of weeks ago (wrongly, I'm happy to say) because I'm somehow anti-Ravens, I certainly am not a Yankee lover. If I could wave my magic wand and designate a winner, I would choose the Rangers, if only for the sake of variety.

Same goes for the NLCS. I grew up a San Francisco Giants fan, though my loyalties in that regard have become diluted over the years, and would like to see Bruce Bochy get a chance to manage in the Fall Classic, but I just don't see them getting past the Phillies. They've got the pitching to do it, but they don't really have the complete team that it will take to beat Philadelphia.

Hope I'm wrong on both counts. Does anybody else share my mixed feelings?

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)
Categories: Just baseball
        

Nobody can be surprised that Cliff Lee beat the Rays last night to send the Rangers into the ALCS against the Yankees, but I am surprised at the way the Rays came unraveled. They are generally a very good fundamental team, but they allowed the Rangers to basically steal three runs and ran themselves out of an opportunity.

There wasn't much of a margin for error against Lee to begin with, and they used it up in the early innings. He gave his usual clinic on how to be overpowering without overpowering velocity. His postseason performances should be required viewing for every young pitcher how throws under 93 mph.

Rays starter David Price had nothing to be ashamed of, but he wasn't nearly as pitch-efficient as Lee, who got tougher as the game went on.

Orioles update: Buck Showalter underwent knee surgery this week, which explains why there has not been any news on the 2011 coaching staff. If you want more info on the subject, check out Jeff Zrebiec's latest post on the Orioles Insider blog.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 6:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)
Categories: Just baseball
        

Sorry, but I just got back from a couple of days off and spent the day putting together a Ravens column for tomorrow's print edition. Of course, you can take a look at it right now if you click here.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Just football
        

The Denver Broncos aren't one of the top five teams in the NFL, so I'm not going to pass off today's game as some kind of final referendum on the quality of the Ravens, but it was an important victory for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, it was a win that preserved the momentum and credibility that they carried out of Pittsburgh last week. But I thought going in -- and I said it in my most recent column -- that it was also important to dominate a decent team to reinforce the nationwide opinion that the Ravens are one of the top three games in the league.

Don't think you can argue that right now. They beat the Jets (who are getting similar props) and the Steelers on the road and they would have beaten the Bengals in Cincinnati if they could have held onto a couple of interceptions. Mind you, there are no invincible teams in the NFL. There really is tremendous parity. But the Ravens have made a big statement over the past two weeks and now we'll see if it will extend to New England next Sunday.

The only blemishes on this victory were the opening red zone snafu and the two deep passes to Brandon Lloyd that kept it from being a total blowout. Still, the only place it wasn't a blowout was on the scoreboard. The Broncos were overmatched.

The Patriots will be a tall order. They are the fourth likely playoff team (though the Bengals are no longer one) the Ravens will face on the road in six weeks. That's why this has been the toughest stretch of the season. Now, they can end up no worse than 4-2, which would be okay if they weren't already 4-1.

I know one thing. They won't be going into Foxboro scared. They dominated the Patriots at Gillette Stadium in last year's playoff game, and you could make the case that they are a much better team now than they were then.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 9:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Just football
        

Apparently, screwing up the first drive just got the Ravens offense and defense even more fired up. Joe Flacco led the Ravens on long touchdown drives on their next two possessions to take a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter and Kyle Orton has not been able to get the Broncos offense in gear.

It kind of reminded me of that scene in "Blazing Saddles" when Gene Wilder warns everyone about Mongo.

"If you shoot him, you'll only make him mad."

Better news: Ray Rice looks like his old self. He has run the ball very effectively and elusively, though I'm hoping he saves his best for the first offensive play against the Patriots next week in Foxborough.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Just football
        

The Ravens looked like they were going to waltz right through the Denver Broncos defense on their first possession of the game after Joe Flacco's 58-yard completion to Ed Dickson and a couple of succeeding quarterback keepers. Then it got ugly.

The Ravens appeared to score on a six-yard QB draw -- one official signaled touchdown -- but ended up with the ball spoted at the one. Then Willis McGahee stutter-stepped to a pair of no gains and the Ravens tried to pull a rabbit out of their playbook on fourth down.

Now don't misunderstand. If the Ravens had run another running play or a quick pass and come up empty, I've got no problem with that. That would still have left the Broncos sitting at their own goal line. But the Ravens inserted Haloti Ngata in as an eligible receiver and tried to run a pass play to him in the left flat. Somehow, the play deteriorated into a 14-yard sack and Ngata limped off the field.

It was a ridiculous outcome. The Broncos were bailed out of both a red zone situation and field position hell because the Ravens got a little full of themselves. Time will tell whether they will live to regret it.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Just football
        

If you haven't already, you can take a look at my latest "News Item" column right here and let me know what you think of my various opinions on the news of the week. And, if you're one of the brave ones, you can call and talk to me about it on the radio show at noon. Just tune in to WBAL (1090 AM) or WBAL.com.

We'll talk about the Orioles offseason and ramp up to tomorrow's game between the Ravens and Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium. Check it out.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Shameless plug
        

Former Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce explained this week that it was the charisma of Jets coach Rex Ryan that convinced him to sign with the Jets instead of waiting to rejoin the Ravens this week.

“It’s a thing where you’ve got to say, ‘OK, who has it and who doesn’t?’, Pryce said on ESPN Radio New York "Rex has it. He has something about him. There’s a difference in him as a head coach, you don’t see him as much, whereas as a coordinator, you’re around him for eight hours a day. As a head coach I see him 10 minutes in the hallway. … But some people just have that effect on other people. It’s said that those people often become President.”

Wow, Rex for president? I'd vote for him just to count the bleeps during his inaugural address.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Just football
        

This story just won't go away. Former Orioles star Roberto Alomar was sued by an ex-girlfriend last year for allegedly having unprotected sex with her without informing her he was HIV positive. Now, his soon-to-be ex-wife, who stood behind him at the time and called the charge "a vicious lie" has included the same charge in a divorce filling in Florida, according to the New York Post.

If it's true that Alomar is HIV positive, that's very sad. If it's true that he knowingly exposed women to the virus, that's reprehensible.

Here's a link to the story on our Web site.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (44)
Categories: Just baseball
        

I'm going to agree with Kevin Cowherd on this, which is an upset in itself. The notion that the Ravens might let down at home against the Broncos is silly. Maybe if it were a road game, where they didn't have the crowd behind then, it might be harder to bounce back with another intense performance, but I think Joe Flacco and Company are going to want to put some real points on the board and increase the momentum heading into the Patriots game next week.

Sweet. Randy Moss won't be in New England by then.

If you want to read Kevin's column -- which he was nice enough to do on one of my column days because I was on a nother assignment -- check it out right here.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Just football
        

There are so many report cards in today's Baltimore Sun, I feel like I'm back in school. Jeff Zrebiec put a letter grade on each of the players who appeared in uniform for the Orioles this year, and you can see if you agree with him right here. Mike Preston also delivered a report card on the Ravens through the first quarter of the season, which you can read here.

Confidential to Brian M: That B- is from Jeff Zrebiec, not me.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 8:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: Just baseball, Just football
        

Don't know about you, but I can't help getting a nice warm feeling when I think of the Tampa Bay Rays ending up with the top American League seed in the postseason. They needed the Yankees to lose their last two games against the Red Sox, but were the last team standing today and will face the Texas Rangers in the Divisional Series.

This is a team without a fan base and without an adequate salary budget, but they have done the right things behind the scenes and have a terrific manager in Joe Maddon. They've proven that it can be done more than once without a $150 million payroll, which means the Orioles cannot use that as an excuse anymore.

There are a couple of games still going. The Rays are in extra innings in a game they really don't have to win and the San Francisco Giants have a two-run lead over the surprising Padres in the fourth inning, trying to wrap up the NL West tile. I grew up a Giants fan, but have to admit I'd like to see the Padres win this game force a wild card playoff with the Braves tomorrow.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 5:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Just baseball
        

If the Ravens had not come back to score a last-gasp touchdown today, they'd be cursing the fates and bemoaning a series of mistakes that nearly prevented the victory. They turned the ball over a couple of times in the third quarter and committed a couple of costly offsides penalties -- one of which kept the Steelers' fourth-quarter touchdown drive alive.

The Ravens were able to avoid the the kind of costly penalties have undone them in the past. The Steelers were the team that were on the wrong end of damaging flags for most of the afternoon.

The only bad news: The Ravens running attack is all banged up. Willis McGahee got his bell rung and Leron McClain was shaken up late in the game. With Ray Rice running on a bruised knee, it'll be another interesting week of injury reports.

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Posted by Peter Schmuck at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Joe Flacco grew up today. He floated a fourth-down pass at a critical moment in the Red Zone on the Ravens second-to-last possession, but kept his wits about him and staged a one-minute game-winning drive that ended with a great touchdown strike to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

Better still, the Ravens nailed it down with an acrobatic interception by Ray Lewis in the waning seconds.

If you're a Ravens fan, it truly doesn't get any better than this. Enjoy.

And, yes, I picked the Steelers to score the three-point win, so go to town. I'm going to enjoy every bit of the abuse I'm about to take.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 3:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)
Categories: Just football
        

The head-to-head hit James Harrison put on Willie McGehee was a brutal example of the intensity of this game. It also is going to change the game, since it looks like Willis suffered a consussion that could knock him out for the rest of the game.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Just football
        

Like everybody else, I'm very surprised at the amount of offense that has been produced in the first half, most of it by the Ravens. Joe Flacco has been cool as a cucumber (never understood that expression) and he has gotten just about everybody involved.

Don't be too disappointed in the final possession. Michael Oher got called for that obvious hold, but it may have been the right thing to do. The last thing the Ravens want is Flacco getting blindsided in the Red Zone and risking a turnover.

I'll take 10-7 and the ball coming out of halftime.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Just football
        

I'm pretty sure everyone will agree that the way Joe Flacco moved the offense first two Ravens possessions was quite a revelation. Did anyone suspect he Flacco might be able to carve up the Steelers secondary the way he did, even weathering a big hit-and-drop by Todd Heap?

I'm going to pat myself on the back a little here. I said in my Saturday column that the Ravens might be better served by turning to tough-running Willis McGehee instead of forcing too much out of a banged-up Ray Rice. McGahee has been very effective so far, and his touchdown run was a thing of beauty.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Just football
        

If you were looking for a watershed day in Baltimore sports, I guess today would be right near the top of the list. The Orioles wrap up the 2010 season with a chance to sweep a four-game series from the Detroit Tigers and there's a fairly important NFL game going on over at Heinz Field.

I'm guessing you know how important that game in Pittsburgh is -- even at this early stage of the season -- but why don't you check out my column on the subject right here if you haven't already. It'll be good for my self-esteem, which has been sagging since my deflating defeat at the MCW event in Dundalk a few weeks ago. Kevin Eck continues to duck me, by the way, so I may have to go on a "Bum of the Month" tour. I wonder if Roch has any nights off coming up.

There's a lot of great reading material on the Orioles and Ravens in today's newspaper and on the Web site, including a voluminous profile of Peter Angelos by Childs Walker and Jeff Zrebiec's story about Andy MacPhail's offseason plans.

While you check all that out, I'm heading for the man cave to watch the Ravens.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: News of the day
        

We all know that Jeremy Guthrie has been all over the map during the course of his up-and-down major league career, but I'm not hearing a lot of talk about trading him anymore. Last night's eight-inning, two-hit, one-walk performance in his last start of 2010 was just one more indication that he has finally graduated.

I'm sure there are skeptics, but here's why I think he has finally figured it out. I realize that he has had good stretches before, but the toughness he has displayed bouncing back from a miserable 1 1/2 seasons makes me think that he finally is established as a go-to starting pitcher.

Keep in mind, he led the league with 17 losses last year and suffered as much as anybody from the swings and errors of outrageous fortune that was the first half of the 2010 season. He was 3-10 in mid-July, which means that he had lost 27 games over that season and a half, and that should have been enough to rip the rest of his confidence completely off the bone.

It didn't. He has been terrific since the All-Star break, delivering 10 quality starts in his final 14 games...and most of them high quality starts. In nine of those games, he went deep and gave up two runs or fewer against strong competition.

This one's a keeper.

Today's plug: Tune in at noon for Sportsline on WBAL (1090AM) and WBAL.com. We're going to have to pack a lot of talk into half our usual timeslot because of the Navy/Air Force game, but we'll look back at last night's doubleheader sweep and look ahead to tomorrow's big showdown between the Ravens and Steelers. Feel free to join in the conversation. If you're out of the are, the toll-free phone number is 1-800-767-WBAL.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (55)
Categories: Just baseball
        

It was great to see Chris Tillman wrap up the season with a strong performance against the Tigers on Friday night. He has faced Detroit twice this year and given up just two runs on four hits over 13 2/3 innings.

Obviously, he has had some big ups and big downs at the major league level this season, but he clearly is a very young guy who is going to require some patience. He's working to expand his pitch repertoire and showed last night why he has been a very highly regarded prospect both in both the Mariners and Orioles organization.

His name almost certainly will pop up in some trade rumors this winter, but he isn't going anywhere unless it's in a deal for a big-time power bat.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Just baseball
        

While the Orioles were blowing out the Tigers in the seventh inning, a squirrel sprinted onto the field and made a mad dash from right field through the infield and up the left field warning track. Guess it was just lucky Luke Scott wasn't packing.

My first instinct, of course, was to get down there and try to save it from any potential harm, but a squirrel is a little faster than there's always the risk that it might be a truly rabid Orioles fan.

I'll just rest on my animal-loving laurels from spring training. Some day I'll tell you about the time I went into a burning house to rescue a parakeet. True -- really dumb -- story, but a story for another day.

Posted by Peter Schmuck at 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Just baseball