BMore Wired – Episode 14: Baltimore Ravens, NFL Preview
By Joe Serpico
The dog days of summer are over now that football is finally back. We give our predictions on the Baltimore Ravens and NFL season on Episode 14 of our podcast, BMore Wired.
September is my favorite month. Not only do I happen to have a birthday this month, but there is nothing more exciting than the Baltimore Orioles being in a playoff chase, the Maryland Terrapins getting the season started with a win and the Baltimore Ravens beginning their season in a couple days. There is plenty to talk about here at BMore Wired.
We are coming off a masterful performance by Ubaldo Jimenez, pitching the first complete game for the Orioles since Miguel Gonzalez did so nearly two years ago to the day. Those are the types of performances they are going to need from Jimenez with Chris Tillman on the disabled list, and Yovani Gallardo and Wade Miley being so inconsistent.
We bring our first reoccurring guest to the show with Sunglass Guy joining us once again. We talk about the lackluster showing at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the series against the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees. The O’s are drawing in the interest from fans, but the turnout has been anything but good for Baltimore.
This week in our seven random stories that we call “7s” we span the sports world with some highs and some lows:
1. San Francisco 49ers fullback Bruce Miller was arrested for punching a 70-year-old man this weekend. Colin Kaepernick is happy his name is out of the news for a few minutes.
2. USC linebacker Jabari Ruffin was suspended for half the game after stomping on Alabama corner Minkah Fitzpatrick‘s man parts. That’s a big no-no in the guy code.
3. One of the more touching moments of the weekend was Nebraska taking a delay of game penalty to honor their punter Sam Foltz, who tragically died in a car accident this summer. It was one of those moments that made the hair on your neck grow.
4. The Atlanta Braves are interested in bringing in former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. Sounds like a cash grab.
5. Los Angeles Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker took a 105 mph hit off the head on Sunday and had to get surgery after the hit. That had to hurt.
6. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had an interesting start to their season when half the team fell over running out for the pre game festivities. It was a scene right out of the movie The Replacements.
7. The Philadelphia Eagles got a first-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings for Sam Bradford. How is this guy still garnering first-round picks is beyond me.
With that, we switch the discussion to football, starting with Maryland football. They started of the DJ Durkin era with an easy win over Howard, and our score prediction was almost on point. The Terps got six rushing touchdowns from six different players, and that’s what you should expect from the offense all season long.
The Ravens start the season on Sunday and it’s been a wild few days at The Castle. Justin Forsett was let go, but brought back, Devin Hester is now a Raven and a few players were released that were not expected. We invite Adam Bonaccorsi, blogger for Russell Street Report, to break down the Ravens.
Next: Episode 13 - Jeremy Conn Joins the Show, CFB Preview
We end the show with our predictions for the NFL season. We are in agreement that a New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl is the likely scenario, with the Cards finally getting the job done. We also give our picks to win each division, the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.
Agree with us? Think we have lost our minds? Let us know what you think and continue to conversation on Twitter at @BMoreWired. Until then, cue the music.