Iggy’s Ravens Report – September 25, 2012

Iggy’s Ravens Report – September 25, 2012

 

News & Commentary

 

News and Personal Thoughts:
NCAA Lacrosse has approved a couple changes for next season, including a 30 second shot clock instead of the subjective stall warnings. This was favorably received, although questions remain about shot clock placement for players and coaches on the field. It is unclear whether or not there will still be a time limit to clear the ball. Offensive players will now be allowed to have shooting strings up to, but not touching four inches from the top of the crosse.

Ravens:
Refereeing is what it is, and after the Monday night game, it is clear there is a problem (Green Bay’s apparent Interception that was ruled a touchdown that cost them the game.) As stated at the meeting Monday, the only real solution is for coaches to pull their teams from the field until the real refs return, but that can never happen because the coaches are controlled by the owners, and the owners are the ones locking out the officials. On to the Ravens game, the offense performed well and protected Joe enough to score some points. Special teams didn’t cost us the game, and are split seconds away from breaking one. Defense is… well… not the defense we are used to. Get used to high scoring games this year because without a strong pass rush, good quarterbacks will pick us to pieces. The Pats lost because a lack of running game prevented them from running out the clock. The defensive scheme was to “bring the house” on most plays, which makes for a very physical game, and forced the Pats to pull the TE back for blocking, limiting Brady’s options. It worked to the point that we got the win. Just stock up on the pepto. You are going to need it this season… and the kick was good!

Orioles:
The Orioles have a 90% of making the playoffs, but division championship dreams take a major hit with every loss. At press time, the O’s are 2 games back in the loss column, with 7 games left. Best hope is for a tie, but get used to the idea of the wildcard game because the yankees are hot, and have a bunch of pansy bed-wetters left on their schedule (Minnesota, Toronto and Boston). The Magic number is 5 to clinch a playoff spot, and 8 to clinch the top Wild card position.

Alouettes
The Als (8-4) defeated Toronto (6-6) at home on Sunday, 31-10, to open a 2 game lead on the Argos in the division. The Als will travel to 3rd place Hamilton (4-8) on Friday.

Blast:
2012-13 Schedule has been posted. The Blast have also announced that they will partner with the family of Daniel Borowy, 17 year old victim of shooting at Perry Hall High, to create the “Goals for Daniel” program, to help the family defray the medical costs after he has undergone 3 surgeries.

Chesapeake Bayhawks: (Home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium)
Nothing to Report.

Charm:
Nothing to report.

Capitals (See website for more details):
NHL is in a lockout, and the preseason Caps game in Baltimore has been canceled.

Wizards (See website for more details):
The Washington Wizards announced their preseason schedule. Single game tickets to go on sale September 28 (Friday).

Mystics (See website for more details):
The Mystics finish the season with a WNBA worst 5-29 record, after dropping their final 13 games. The Mystics have announced that they will not renew the contract of Coach and General Manager Trudi Lacey.

D.C.United (See website for more details):
United (15-10-5) posted back to back 1-0 wins over the last week, first beating Philadelphia (8-14-6) last Thursday, and then followed that up with a win at home against Chivas USA (7-15-7) on Sunday. The 4 points moves DC into a virtual tie with New York for 3rd place, 4 points ahead of Houston, who presently sits in the final wild card spot. DC is 3 points behind Chicago and 5 points behind KC for the conference lead with 4 games left.

What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, never mind. No one is reading this anyway so you probably won’t know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!

Schedule

2012 Preseason
Date Opponent Time Result Thursday, August 9, 2012 @Atlanta Falcons 7:30 PM W 31-17 Friday, August 17, 2012 Detroit Lions 8:00 PM L 27-12 Thursday, August 23, 2012 Jacksonville Jaguars 7:30 PM W 48-17 Thursday, August 30, 2012 @Saint Louis Rams 8:00 PM L 31-17 2012 Regular Season Date Opponent Record Time Result Monday, September 10, 2012 Cincinnati Bengals 18-14 Overall, 11-6 Home 7:00 PM W 44-13 Sunday, September 16, 2012 @Philadelphia Eagles 1-1-1 Overall, 1-0-1 Away 1:00 PM L 24-23 Sunday, September 23, 2012 New England Patriots 1-7 Overall, 0-2 Home 8:20 PM W 31-30 Thursday, September 27, 2012 Cleveland Browns 19-7 Overall, 10-3 Home 8:20 PM Sunday, October 7, 2012 @Kansas City Chiefs 3-3 Overall, 2-0 Away 1:00 PM Sunday, October 14, 2012 Dallas Cowboys 3-0 Overall, 2-0 Home 1:00 PM Sunday, October 21, 2012 @Houston Texans 6-0 Overall, 3-0 Away 1:00 PM Sunday, November 4, 2012 @Cleveland Browns 19-7 Overall, 9-4 Away 1:00 PM Sunday, November 11, 2012 Oakland Raiders 6-1 Overall, 4-0 Home 1:00 PM Sunday, November 18, 2012 @pittsburgh steelers 14-21 Overall, 6-12 Away 8:20 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012 @San Diego Chargers 4-4 Overall, 2-4 Away 4:05 PM Sunday, December 2, 2012 pittsburgh steelers 14-21 Overall, 8-9 Home 4:25 PM Sunday, December 9, 2012 @Washington Redskins 3-1 Overall, 2-1 Away 1:00 PM Sunday, December 16, 2012 Denver Broncos 6-3 Overall, 5-0 Home 1:00 PM Sunday, December 23, 2012 New York Giants 3-1 Overall, 1-0 Home 1:00 PM Sunday, January 30, 2012 @Cincinnati Bengals 18-14 Overall, 7-9 Away 1:00 PM

Relevant Football Links

Iggy’s Predictions

  • Week 3
    • Giants over Carolina (+1.5). Giants should play better for the whole game, although there is turmoil at RB. They played better alright…
    • Dallas over Tampa (+7.5), but take the points. After last weeks collapse, the boys will either folder like a cheap suite, or actually play football this week. What’s up with Dallas? Right on prediction.
    • Indy over Jax (+2.5). I believe the odds makers. Luck will be 2-1! Lost this one at the end of the game.
    • Cleveland (+3.5) over Buffalo. I’m still not sold on Buffalo playing football; Browns are 2-0 as the dogs so far this season. Does Buffalo have a half way decent team this year?
    • Jets over Fins (+3.5). The Hot Dog will find a way. It took OT, but Jets win, but don’t cover.
    • Saints over KC (+8.5), but take the points. Not sure that the Saints can put anyone away, and KC has the #5 Offense right now (despite their ugly losses) Who’d have thunk it? Saints winless after 3 weeks!
    • Bengals (+3.5) over washington. RG3, meet an AFC North defense. AFC North defense, EAT RG3! Believe me yet? RG3 is NOT the 2nd coming, although the faithful claim that it’s his supporting staff that is failing them.
    • Bears over StL (+7.5), but take the points. Rams are showing more than people have been giving them credit for. Rams crushed.
    • Niners over Minnesota (+7.5). You need to give Minnesota more points than that! Guess the Niners aren’t invincible.
    • Detroit over Tennessee (+2.5). Detroit has something to prove while Tennessee has been proving all the wrong things lately. Freaky game! 46 4th quarter points, and the first overtime extension rule implementation… plus the musical city miracle play.
    • Falcons (+2.5) over Chargers. This will be a good game! Flip a coin, but don’t miss a play! Chargers are still pretenders.
    • Eagles over Zona (+4.5), but take the points. Philly can score, but have failed to cover the spread twice in two weeks, while Arizona has been surprising thus far, and are at home. Zona is 3-0??
    • steelers over Oakland (+4.5). Why couldn’t this have been in Oakland? THE RAIDERS!!!!
    • Houston over Denver (+1.5). Another great game to watch. I waffled 3 times already on this one, with no good reason. Is Manning washed up? Not yet.
    • Baltimore over NE (+2.5), but take the points. I usually won’t take any odds under a FG, but this will come down to the very end — make it or miss it, this will be close! How often does 2.5 points actually turn the game?
    • Packers over Seattle (+3.5). Green Bay has the edge on so many fronts, but this is in Seattle… Packers should have beaten Seattle…
    • This Week:: 8-8 Straight Up, and 8-8 Against the Spread
    • Season:: 29-19 Straight Up, and 27-21 Against the Spread
  • Week 4
    • Baltimore over Cleveland (+12.5), but take the points. I hate giving up that many points, but this offense could cover it… but can the defense?
    • San Fran over Jets (+3.5). San Fran will rebound with a stellar effort against a team that is not as good as their record indicates.
    • Pats over Buffalo (+3.5). Should would like to see Tom Brady cry again, but after they dropped below .500 for the first time in 9 years, I don’t see that hole getting that much bigger.
    • Seattle over Rams (+2.5). Are the Refs on the Seahawk payroll this week too?
    • Falcons over Carolina (+6.5). Atlanta could have the complete package this year.
    • Detroit over Minnesota (+4.5), but take the points. Detroit is better than their record, and Minnesota is not as good as theirs.
    • KC (+.5) over Sand Diego. KC has most yards gained in the NFL, and that has to count for something, right?
    • Houston over Tennessee (+12.5). Titans have the 2nd worst offense in the NFL right now.
    • Bengals overs Jax (+2.5). Cincinnati should crush them.
    • Denver over Oakland (+6.5) but take the points. After last weeks win, Raiders might be able to give Denver a run for their money.
    • Arizona over Miami (+6.5), but take the points. Cards didn’t get to 3-0 by accident, and Miami is better than most give them credit.
    • Tampa over Washington (+2.5). I just want to see the skins fans whine some more. Music to my ears.
    • Packers over Ain’ts (+7.5), but take the points. Packers should be pretty ticked off after Monday night. Saints have problems.
    • Giants (+2.5) over Philly. Philly can’t cover the spread to save their life.
    • Bears (+3.5) over Cowboys. How can they favor the boys after 2 lackluster efforts, back to back?

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net