Baltimore Ravens’ LB Cody Out Again?
July 31, 2007
Dan Cody, a second year linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens will miss the preseason and possibly the entire 2007 season after hyperextending his knee in May.
This is the third extensive knee injury Cody has had in his brief NFL career. During his rookie season, he sprained his right ACL in the first practice of the 2005 mini-camp. Last November, he tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There are rigors of the sport, there’s bad luck, and then there’s red flags. The first two could be totally attributed to Cody’s health concerns over the past two seasons, but in a world where even golfers might be on the juice, you have to look at chronic musculature and ligament injuries with a discerning eye.
Not implicating, just saying.
Bill Walsh (1931-2007)
July 30, 2007
Legendary college and NFL coach Bill Walsh has died of leukemia. He was 75 years old.
“We should call what many teams currently run exactly what it is — the `Walshian Offense,”’ Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick, who worked under Walsh with the 49ers in 1979-80, said in a statement today. “I could never repay him for how he helped me.”
Perhaps his greatest impact on the professional ranks of the NFL was his creation of the Minority Coaching Fellowship program in 1987. Former Ravens and Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis was among the coaches who went through the program, which was later incoporated as a league-wide initiative.
Top Ten Cities Doing It Scott Van Pelt Style
July 30, 2007
Bloggers are sluts for attention. We try to post meaningful, ridiculous or humorous comments to increase hits, we whore ourselves out to be linked by other big sites, some of us even e-beef with other commenters because we wouldn’t dare have the balls to do it in a bar or sports arena.
So in honor of you all who aren’t very funny, who don’t get love from big sites, or are likely to be punched out in a bar in front of your girl, here’s my top ten cities representing on ScottVanPeltStyle.com from our first 12 days of existence. (courtesy of Google Analytics) If you can’t have charisma or courage, at least you can rep your hood.
1.New York
2.Austin, TX
3.Atlanta
4.Phoenix
5.Houston
6.Chicago
7.White Marsh, MD
8.Washington DC
9.Charlotte, NC
10.Louisville, KY
Considering that my wife and I live in White Marsh, MD., thanks for the love from the South. I’ll post this every week, and even though this blog focuses on Baltimore-Washington sports, I will try to do a post on the leading city’s biggest news story as a lame reward.
Brandon Lloyd Sucks as a Receiver, and as a Rapper
July 30, 2007
A story recently was done about how you can’t figure out Redskins receiver Brandon Lloyd. Somewhat of a standout in San Fransisco, he hasn’t accomplished much in Washington.
Although history has always proven differently, some athletes still believe they can moonlight as MC’s. On that note, check out Lloyd’s Sucker Freestyle and accompanying interview, in which he counts Fabolous and Lil’ Wayne as his rap inspirations.
*Notes - Shout out to http://sportswrap.berecruited.com/ for this content, and take special joy in mocking B Lloydz’ lyric, “Come to my crib, I’ll show you how to break down a quarter and a pound.” Gotta love those drug references from a millionaire athlete playing in the city known for King of Cocaine Rayful Edmond.
Don’t Go Blank On Blatche
July 30, 2007
Not that Jared Jefferies panned out in New York or anything, but the Wizards are making moves to sign similar swingman Andray Blatche to a three-year, $11 million deal.
Blatche averaged slightly under 4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, but his 6-11, 248 pound frame is size that the team sorely needs, and will look to develop the second year forward with extended playing time.
It’s no secret the Wizards have an extended history of letting good players go to develop elsewhere. Hell, with the departures of Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Rasheed Wallace all in some form thanks to the Wizards/Bullets, the Pistons championship banner should read ‘2003 NBA Champions (Via Washington). At least Grunfeld knows this, and knows when to hold em’ and when to fold em’.
Blatche may never be Kevin Garnett, but it’s remotely possible for him to be Jared Jefferies with a pair.
Donaghy and the Wizards
July 29, 2007
Tomorrow will begin a new week of analysis, speculation, rumors and conspiracies for the NBA in the wake of the Tim Donaghy investigation. Here the Washington Post’s Wizards Insider blog discussing Donaghy’s role in several Wizards games from this past season.
Two games are called into question; a home victory against the Atlanta Hawks in March, and an April victory against the Indiana Pacers on the road. Both games of the down-to-the-final-shot variety. But there was one other game that didn’t go so well for the Wiz; an April away game at New Jersey from which one blogger characterized some of the officiating as ‘headscratching.’
Hmmm.
One would think the Wizards aren’t a big team to bet on, given their propensity to watch other teams score the ball as much as home fans enjoy Gilbert and Co. going to work offensively. The Wiz kids allowed 104 ppg last season, good enough for third worst in the league behind Golden State and Memphis.
And you thought hometown hero Kevin Durant and Greg Oden came at a good time? In the face of this controversy, their timing was absolutely great.
On Honeymoon
July 19, 2007
until August. For more details, check out 60daystoheaven.com
Until then, enjoy my above listed wedding website and other quality blogs listed to your left. See ya’ll in August!
The Baltimore Orioles - Mysteriously Popular and Valuable. Nationals - What We Thought They Were
July 19, 2007
Somehow, someway, a poll done by New York-based research firm Harris Interactive shows the Baltimore Orioles are in the top-half of the most popular baseball teams. The Washington Nationals on the other hand, are the most unpopular baseball team in America. Conducted in June of this year with more than 2300 US residents around the country, the Orioles tied for 13th on the list. The New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves held the top two slots, respectively.
Even more shocking, the Orioles are the 14th most valuable franchise in Major League Baseball, with an estimated worth of about $395 million. Completely surprising for a club that had its hometown fans stage a walkout late last season to protest their losing ways. It’s not good news to see that a hometown team is profitable and recognized when they’ve been known for coaching carousels and general mismanagement. It wouldn’t be a stretch to think that Cal Ripken has more to do with both statistics than meets the eye.
Too bad for the Nats. They just haven’t been able to put it together since coming from up North, and it’s disappointing as DC has a long history with quality baseball.
How much can two metro areas take?
Mr. Finnerty Heads to Loyola
July 19, 2007
When exonerated former Duke lacrosse player Collin Finnerty made his decision to attend Loyola (MD) public last week, you can bet the local papers were rejoicing at the potential of Pulitzer coming up from Durham as well.
Thus far, the coverage has been simple and basic in the Baltimore Sun and Baltimore Examiner, respectively. Oh, but when the fall semester rolls around, the opportunities for features and exclusive interviews will be golden around the evergreen campus.
Think about it; life after a nationally scrutinized, racially-charged rape charge for a privileged athlete, attending a well-to-do school in a city with similar racial divides to Durham, NC. How is it making new friends, leaving old ones, and living with the shadow of doubt everyday?
This is right in the Baltimore media’s wheelhouse. Let’s see if they hit it out with unbiased coverage of Finnerty’s past, present and future, or whiff with sticky, sentimental stories of redemption.
Kevin Durant Signs Seven-Year, $60 Million Nike Deal
July 18, 2007
The pride of Suitland, MD has achieved the second part of the hood basketball dream.
Kevin Durant’s agents confirmed today that the second overall pick of this year’s NBA Draft has signed a seven-year, $60 million endorsement deal with Nike. The deal includes a $10 million signing bonus, and is the second largest in NBA rookie history.
The phenom from the University of Texas is capitalizing on a true summer of love from media and companies alike. He was featured in ads for NBA Live 08 along with Gilbert Arenas, and he will also be the cover athlete for NCAA College Basketball 08. You know the kid is savvy; he allegedly turned down a $70 million dollar deal with adidas, which provided for a $12 million bonus. Gilbert must’ve told them how bad adidas is for business.
Despite all that, Durant still has a heart for those looking up to him. Sources are saying that he is interested in making pricing for his first shoe affordable for the masses. Maybe the Marbury movement is more powerful than we thought.
