Don't Get Too Excited About Week 3

Week 3 in the NFL was a sensational one ... that is already being way too sensationalized. Brett Favre is 28, not 38! The defending champs are no more! Tom Brady is great again! Drew Brees is a schlub, but Pierre Thomas will carry New Orleans all the way! (Okay, nobody's said that, but after what Brees didn't do for my fantasy team this week, I'm bitter.) Here's a few things to keep in mind when sifting through your NFL stories this week.

The NFC North looked strong at 4-0 this week ... But most divisions could do that with 3 games against the NFC West and 1 against the Redskins.

Titans and Dolphins apologists will tell you at 0-3, all is not yet lost. They're wrong. The Dolphins have to catch up to two AFC title contenders in their division and the Titans have to go 12-1 to catch up to the perennial 12-win Colts. Some food for thought for Tennessee fans: your schedule hasn't been that though. Neither the Steelers nor the Texans have a win outside of their game against you.

ESPN is going to try all week to convince you Terrell Owens is on the verge of a major breakdown in Buffalo. I don't like T.O. (pictured, right), but his press conference after the Bills' loss to the Saints made me angry, and not towards him. Terrible, terrible journalism. I've never heard so many loaded questions in my life.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is already being labeled as a colossal first round bust. For where he was taken in this year's NFL Draft, Heyward-Bey has been and will continue to be a bust. However, everyone knew that ahead of time, so is it fair? Did Heyward-Bey come out and say he was the best wide receiver in the draft? Or was he just a late first round prospect that the Raiders stupidly took at number 7? You already know this answer. Having the single worst starting quarterback in the NFL can't help his chances either.

Image source: http://media.photobucket.com/image/Terrell%20Owens%20Bills/Blainorama/terrell-owens2.jpg

In 4.3 seconds, a stock skyrockets

The NFL Combine may be the single most overrated event in professional sports. The fact that some people sit on their couches to watch guys in t-shirts and shorts run, jump, and weigh in is ridiculous. If you're lucky, you'll see a QB throw some easy routes to a wide receiver. Exciting stuff.

That said, it's still important. The 40-yard dash is the biggest aspect of the combine and can make or break a draft prospect's chances. Penn State WR Derrick Williams, for example, ran a 4.58, much slower than many expected and a time that will hurt his stock (he was a borderline day one pick as it was). His teammate, Deon Butler, ran sub-4.4, and may be picked before Williams.

On the other hand, Maryland's very own Darrius Heyward-Bey clocked in at 4.30, the fastest by a WR this year and the second-fastest since 2000. A 40-time doesn't single-handedly make a reciever a lower pick. Absolutely not. But it can really help a guy like Heyward-Bey.

Think about it from a GM or scout's point of view. Here is a guy who is 6 foot 3, 200 pounds. He's a big wide receiver, no doubt. He's also known for his speed. 2 years ago he burned Miami for 2 touchdowns on go-routes. The problem is, he doesn't have anywhere near the numbers of a guy like Crabtree or Maclin. Still, the size and possible speed is hard to ignore. There are lots of reasons for the low numbers - Maryland's offesne, a weak-armed QB, no other threats in the passing game, etc. You project him to be around 20-32 in the draft.

Then, he runs the fastest time of any receiver at the combine. He explodes to a 4.3 40-time. You also hear Michael Crabtree is out for 6-10 weeks (not like he'd slip a lot, still a top-10 pick). Oh, baby. Now scouts know he's not just fast, but blazing. Combine that with the fact that he's a big wide receiver and has no real injury history...you get a Randy Moss type wide receiver (I'm not saying he's as good as Moss, but the size and speed is similar). Heyward-Bey was faster than Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and many others who were more productive in their years in college.

In a mere 4.3 seconds, Heyward-Bey may have improved his stock from late first-rounder to mid-first rounder. To some, that may not be a big difference. I think it is. Before the combine, he was slated to go to a top NFL like Baltimore or Tennessee. Can you imagine Baltimore with a guy like Heyward-Bey? Flacco has a strong arm and can hit him in stride deep down the field. Cam Cameron likes reverses and Heyward-Bey is excellent at those. I don't even want to think about him in a Titans uniform. Now, however, he could rise to a team like Chicago, San Diego, or Minnesota, a mere four picks from Baltimore. An earlier team could feel a need to take a chance on a raw talent like Heyward-Bey's.

All scouts need to do is look at this video or this video.

Late Night Ravens Stream of Consciousness, Part Two

Now, as far as the offense goes, even if they don't do a single thing this entire offseason besides resign Jason Brown, the offense will be better next year. Why? Second year in a system instead of the first. Second year quarterback instead of a first. Your primary two runningbacks not named McGahee will be in their second year running the ball instead of the first. The offensive line may actually be healthy, and even if they're not, they can't be more banged up than they were this year. 

That being said, no matter what or how, the Ravens will upgrade at the wide receiver position this offseason. I don't care how they do it. Well, I do, but let's just say I don't for this sake right now. They could do it in free agency, or they may do it with a first round draft pick, or they may do it with a second round draft pick, or they could trade for one. Either way, they will get a wide receiver, and that will make them that much better.

How much better? Enough so that it will compensate for how far the defense will fall. The offense was ranked 18th this past year. If you put a great receiver on this team and Flacco progresses as he should, the offense may even crack the top 10 next year. A top 10 offense + a top 10 defense = success. 

Almost done. To elaborate more on the wide receiver position, I'm glad reports are now that TJ Houshmandzadeh is not going to be a Raven next year, because he's exactly the kind of wide receiver they don't need. He talks a lot, and he's a possession guy. Derrick Mason fills that role wonderfully. I see some mock drafts with the Ravens taking a Percy Harvin, the small speedster from Florida. He's also exactly the kind of guy the Ravens don't need. Mark Clayton fills that role wonderfully. Who do the Ravens need? They need Darrius Heyward-Bey, who can run by most corners in the NFL, or they need Anquan Boldin, who will out-physical all corners in the NFL to get by them, and has the same effect. How are they going to get either one of those guys? Well, Heyward-Bey will be simple to get. Odds are he will be there when the Ravens look to draft at pick 27. There's a slight chance a team like the Dolphins will take him a pick or two beforehand, but odds are against it. Now, there's no chance at all he's still around for them in the second round, so if they want him, they're going to have to pick him with the first round.

I'm not sure this is the most prudent option, though, and I'm looking at Anquan Boldin (pictured, left) when I say this. Is Anquan Boldin worth a first round draft pick in the NFL? I'm not sure. Teams really value their first round picks; it takes an awful lot to give up one. I think the Cardinals, however, in looking to trade Boldin, will look for a first rounder. I think the Ravens will play with this offer, but Ozzie Newsome recognizes value, and I don't think he would do it. That's why (and of course this could change in the two and a half months before the draft) I see the Ravens taking a cornerback in the first round, maybe Alphonso Smith out of Wake Forest. That would leave the Cards seeking a second rounder for Boldin, and they will certainly get their fair share of offers for that. 

Listen to the situation that unfolds itself now. What are the Ravens needs for this offseason? 1) Wide receiver. 2) Cornerback. 4) Anything else. There's that much of a separation. I'm of the opinion that, if the situation plays out like I imagined there, the Ravens would trade their second and third round picks with a team like Detroit who has a very high second round pick, then trade that pick to the Cardinals for Boldin. It makes perfect sense. Why take an unsure thing with a second round pick in the draft when you can get a sure thing with it instead at the position you need? Just a thought there. 

I recognize that this entire post was speculative, and a lot has to go right to make me look like a guy who knows anything at all here. Look at these previous two posts, though, and if you have a problem with anything I've proposed, I would like to hear it. I recognize it's just as likely that Anquan Boldin is a Cardinal next year as everything I've talked about going my way, but it's just a string of thoughts that make sense to me. Hopefully they make sense to the Ravens. 

Posts to look for in the coming days:

1. How A-Rod kicked a recovering baseball world in the face. 

2. The overblown Ray lewis interview. 

3. The ACC vs. the Big East in college basketball.

4. Where Maryland stands after the GT game. 

(Photo Credits: USA today)

A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

First, it's long overdue, but best of luck to Maryland WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who officially declared for the NFL Draft on Wednesday. I know that as a Ravens fan, I'm hoping he falls into the second round so he can be wearing purple on Sundays (all accounts say that the Ravens are looking for a cornerback in the first round of the draft), but the Maryland student in me hopes that Heyward-Bey doesn't even make it until the second round. 

Maryland has ample people to catch the ball next year (Torrey Smith, Ronnie Tyler, for instance), but they will surely lack Heyward-Bey's game-breaking speed. One of my fondest memories as a Maryland football fan was against Boston College last year when Heyward-Bey took a reverse down the right sideline to the house. Whenever the ball was in his hands, he was a threat to go all the way. A fan favorite, he will be missed. 

On to other Maryland news, after the community recovered from the embarrassment that was Wednesday night, the team looks to move forward and start the ACC season 1-0 with a home win against GT today at 12:00. 9-7 in the ACC with one win over either Duke or Carolina will still likely get the job done, so Maryland fans should not completely despair yet. If they go their projected 6-10, though, it will certainly make for an interesting offseason. 

Of course, those stories are certainly overshadowed by the NFL Divisional Playoffs. People aren't exaggerating when they say this is one of the greatest sports weekends of the year. You have really the four best teams in the NFL playing at home against four teams who already won playoff games. There are always going to be great games during this weekend every year, but it will be especially true this week with all four of the games being played this weekend having already been played earlier in the season. 

I usually never post my picks on this, because there's nothing like losing your credibility for everyone to see, but why not? I went 3-1 last week in case you were wondering - that one loss also meant my projected Colts-Panthers Super Bowl could be no more. 

So, feel free to quote me, because I'm saying ...

Baltimore 21, Tennessee 10. The Ravens clearly outplayed them earlier in the season, and the Ravens are better since then. The Titans may be worse. Home field means nothing; the Ravens thrive on the road.

Arizona 24, Carolina 35. This was going to be my upset of the week until I learned Anquan Boldin wasn't playing. Yes, I do think Boldin means that much to the Cardinals. On the other side of the ball, I just don't see the Cardinals' run defense holding up two weeks in a row. 

Philadelphia 23, Giants 20. Philadelphia didn't even play that great against the Vikings and came away with a relatively easy win. I just don't think that the Giants can get through the playoffs without Plaxico; it's too easy to provide a gameplan on passing downs. 

San Diego 9, Pittsburgh 13. Pittsburgh's defense is not that of the Colts. Though I mean no disrespect to Sproles, who put out the performance of a lifetime last Saturday, I don't see him having the same kind of success this Sunday, and Rivers will suffer for it. 

(Photo Credit: Washington Post)

With Loss, Young Players Emerge

With the Maryland Terrapins' loss Saturday afternoon at the hands of the Boston College Eagles, a couple Terrapins emerged as key players next year in what will be a young receiving corps.

First, redshirt freshman Torrey Smith proved to Terps fans that he will be the #1 WR if Darrius Heyward-Bey declares for the NFL Draft (many believe that he will). Smith had 8 catches for 115 yards - 43 of which came on a long pass play that set up a touchdown by Chris Turner - as well as a touchdown of his own. Also, if he can continue to develop his return game, Maryland will only be that more dangerous next season.

Secondly, sophomore Emani Lee-Odai had 7 catches for 68 yards. Lee-Odai had some solid plays last season, but has not seen the field much this year. Saturday was his breakout game. He will fight with Smith, Ronnie Tyler, Laquan Williams, and Adrian Cannon for catches next year. The more options, the better.

And thirdly, redshirt freshman Lansford Watson had 5 catches for 31 yards. That may not seem like much, but Watson is a solid blocker and should be able to fill the void nicely for tight end Dan Gronkowski, who will have completed his M.B.A and may very well be playing on Sundays. Turner has already proved that he will throw to the tight end with some regularity - Joey Haynos had some big catches last season and Gronkowski was a key part of the offense this season. If Watson can make 5 catches a game next season, the Terps will be near the top of the ACC.

All in all, the Terrapins will be young at wideout. Heyward-Bey will most likely declare, leaving Tyler, Smith, Lee-Odai, Williams, and Cannon the (probable) top five wide-receivers. On Saturday, two of them, along with young tight end Lansford Watson, proved that they are capable of not only contributing, but making plays. Not to mention Ronnie Tyler - yet another redshirt freshman - has made key catches all season long for the Terrapins.

I know it's early to be looking forward to next season, but with a possible trip to Boise State looming, I can't help but want to overlook that (in my opinion) eventual loss.

Pick A Side

After the Maryland Terrapins lost 23-13 to the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday night, there was the usual varying reactions in Terpland. Some people shrugged it off, some started the same panic that followed the losses to Middle Tennessee St. and UVA. Now, of course, with me being fair and objective, I won't tell you how to think, so instead I'll lay out five points from the game and tell you why you could be optimistic or pessimistic about each one. Which one are you?

1. The Terps lost. 

The optimistic person can say: Out of the four remaining games, this was the one you thought you were most likely to lose. Winning in Blacksburg on a Thursday night is not something you do unless you play perfectly, and the Terps didn't play perfectly. They usually don't on the road. Anyway, nothing changes. All you need to do is win the Florida State game and one of the two other games you play this year.

The pessimistic person can say: Let's be real here. The Terps have played eight halves of football on the road this year. They've only looked good for one of those eight (the second half against Clemson). They've shown a complete inability to win on the road, so it's unlikely they will do so against Boston College. You may need that game, though, considering UNC is ranked and will be very difficult. 

2. Chris Turner lost his cool in the second half.

The pessimistic person can say: This is just further evidence that Turner is not the leader of this football team. He plays on pure adrenaline against the ranked teams, but when his team really needs him the most, he's just too frazzled to lead an adequate comeback. Did you see him the second half? He couldn't come within 5 yards of a receiver. The only reason it got interesting at all was because Heyward-Bey made a great play and we got lucky on special teams.

The optimistic person can say: We knew Turner wasn't a great leader coming into the season, or else he would have been granted the starting job. This is a very veteran team - just look the offensive line. The leadership role generally falls on the quarterback, but we don't need that. Turner hasn't been vocal all year - why would you expect him to be now? Plus, any quarterback who has never played that kind of game before would get riled. He's a junior, and this is his first major night game on the road in one of the hardest places to play in the nation. It's awesome he was as good as he was in the first half. 

3. Darren Evans ran for 253 yards against the Maryland defense.

The optimistic person can say: Evans had a great game. These things happen. It's bad that he ran for that much, but you really have to give the guy credit. He did have some huge holes, but he also had some miniscule ones that he just powered through. Either way, let's be real here and just say that our linebackers didn't tackle well. What this really was, though, was that Maryland wasn't sticking to what they do best - filling the gaps with their plethora of linebackers. If they had done that, Evans would have been competely contained. Cosh will realize that, and Maryland won't let the same mistake happen twice.

The pessimistic person can say: If we let VT run all over us like this, imagine what's going to happen when we play FSU. Stop saying "that's the game that matters" because if we put up the same rush defense against FSU, we'll lose by 30. Our tackling was terrible, and what's even worse is that we couldn't stop him in the second half, when our offense desperateley needed the ball. 

4. The Terps' character is in question. 

The pessimistic person can say: This team is a bunch of prima donnas and quitters. Whenever the going gets tough, they don't get going; they start thinking about going home. Did you see the offense at the end of the first half? Just chilling on the bench like there wasn't a thing wrong in the world. Friedgen no longer motivates this team. They play when they want to, and don't when they don't. It's pathetic.

The optimistic person can say: You're right, it should be questioned from before, because the Terps showed more character Thursday night than they have all year. They got blown out in the first half. Injuries were piling up. They could have quit, and this would have been another 58-7 type game. But did they? No. They outscored VT 10-6 in the second half. Look, they just didn't have enough to win the game, but they tried their hardest. Look at Heyward-Bey. He gets lit up on a failed 3rd down conversion and was down for a little while. When he was able to get up, did he look down on his trek to the sideline? No. He got up, and you could see the passion in his eyes as he was firing up his teammates. This team didn't quit against VT, the breaks just didn't go their way.

5. The Terps had -12 yards rushing.

The optimistic person can say: Well, I mean, you know ... Never mind, I got nothing here. That was terrible.

The pessimistic person can say: The blog won't allow me enough characters to talk about that.