... after all, wouldn't want to strain anything.
As I type the United States is down 1-0 to Ghana less than 25 minutes into their round of 16 World Cup soccer match. In a tournament being played in South Africa, Ghana is the last African country playing.
Not to be selfish, but I'd appreciate it if the Yanks pull this one out. NFL Training Camp is still too far away.
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I'm pleased that O's right fielder Nick Markakis has taken more of a vocal leadership role, at least publicly, in the last week. First, he provides a critical but not offensive interview regarding his team to The Baltimore Sun.
Then, Nicko requests a meeting with Balmer owner Peter Angelos. The two reportedly talked over dinner in Little Italy.
I know it probably doesn't mean anything tangible, but it's nice to see that someone on Eutaw Street actually gives a damn about the direction of this team. Nicko probably only signed that 6-year, $66.5 million contract with the Birds because he knew he was worth well more to them than any other team in an open market, but now that he's locked in, I'm glad he's having conversations with ownership about improving the performance of the team, rather than demanding a trade to a contender.
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The signing of backup quarterback Marc Bulger by the Balmer Ravens was excellent. Seriously. But only if Ozzie can find a team willing to give up draft picks for former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.
Last season showed that the brief experimentation in 2008 with the "Suggs Package," where Smith and Joe Flacco were both on the field, wasn't going to play a large role in the team's offensive future. The Ravens want Flacco to be the one taking all the snaps, because he's the one that can make the most happen with the ball in his hands every single play. They want Flac to be like Manning or Brady. And you don't take snaps away from Manning or Brady.
Even if Smith only fetches a late-round pick, Ozzie can find value there in 2011.
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For my fellow UMBC alums, are you aware that the school changed its mascot logo back in May? I know, I know, not exactly breaking news ... but I've been wondering what folks' thoughts are. I kind of like it. From umbcretrievers.com:
What do you think? Is it an improvement? Or a terrible mistake?
Either way, the Retrievers will need to stick with this thing for a while. It's only been ten years since their last logo change, and having a schizophrenic mascot isn't exactly a good thing for a program's image.
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At the half, the US is still down 1-0 to Ghana, and has looked pretty weak so far.
How many days until Training Camp?
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