Free Kicks

Okay, so this time we aren’t doing an all-anything edition, just three stories from three sports with only a little Maryland-centric stuff thrown in there. I felt like going old school today, that’s all. Windsor and Falco are in Charlottesville covering the Maryland baseball team’s series against the juggernaut Virginia Cavaliers and are just hoping not to see a sweep. Good luck on that, guys. Meanwhile, I am in Baltimore to line up for the kick…

Jay Cut-loose
At the beginning of this saga, I was firmly in Jay Cutler’s camp. Josh McDaniels was not happy enough to have a Pro Bowl quarterback who put up incredible numbers to overcome an awful defense and nearly win the division (okay, so they blew a 3 game lead with 4 to play but still). Josh McDaniels was simply an arrogant Bill Belichick protégé who simply had to have “his guy” regardless of how full the cupboard was at his new place. As the weeks wore on however, I realized that while McDaniels may be an over-his-head punk with delusions of grandeur, Jay Cutler still had the opportunity to play. He would have put up his numbers and year from now when Cutler went to another Pro Bowl all would be forgotten. You don’t have to like someone to work for them. He could have spent this time shoving it in McDaniels’ face how wrong he was to look to trade him. Instead he didn’t return McDaniels’ calls and wouldn’t meet with the team again. Josh McDaniels handled this situation just about as badly as he ever could have, refusing to tell Jay that he was “his” quarterback. But Jay Cutler was simply immature in his response by not being the bigger man and stepping up. Good luck in Chicago, Jay. You sure as heck won’t put up huge numbers there.

Rotation far Older than Most Predicted
At the beginning of Spring Training, the Orioles had plenty of young arms ready to battle it out for the three remaining spots in the rotation after Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara. Dave Pauley, Hayden Penn, Brad Bergesen, Rich Hill, Brian Bass, and others were supposed to inject some youth (and serve as a bit of a stopgap) for the younger pitchers working their way through the system. Instead, one by one they flamed out, and the only one who might be with the club on Opening Day is Brian Bass in a relief role. Why did this happen? Did we fans overestimate these AAAA talents and hope that one (or all) of them could round out an improved rotation? I did. While the Orioles are left with pitchers who didn’t get a sniff of other free agent interest in Adam Eaton, Mark Hendrickson, and Alfredo Simon, at least they will be able to dip into Triple-A early if necessary and have a range of options, it is disappointing to see all the young talent flame out so quickly. The O’s still have more pitching depth than they did last season, but it is very dicey.

Did the Wizards Just Do Something Right?
It has been since… well since before the season that we on ATH mentioned the Wizards. That’s for a few main reasons. 1) Their management is god-awful. 2) We just aren’t that into D.C. teams (when I do root in hockey and basketball, I root for the 76ers and even the Flyers). And 3) They are simply a terrible, terrible team. However, last night I saw something that shook my faith in existence- the Wizards hosted the Cavs and outscored them in every quarter but the 4th, showing consistent scoring to keep Cleveland at bay and taking the win, 109-101. It is no coincidence that this win comes just days after Gilbert Arenas decided to grace us all with his presence on the court after months of refusing to observe his contract because the team was too bad for him. He failed to note however, that the team was bad because of him and the huge salary that put the Wiz up against the cap. However, I digress. With Arenas, Butler, Jamison, and Haywood on the court at the same time healthy for one of the first times this season, this team finally started to play like it is capable of- the 4th or 5th best team in the East. It is too little too late, but it gave Wizards fans something to be optimistic about for next year.

Eddie Jordan Fired as Wizards Coach

The Washington Post has reported that Eddie Jordan has been fired as Wizards head coach this morning. Jordan is the second head coach already fired this season in the NBA, the first being P.J. Carlesimo from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Wizards without Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood have started the season 1-10. Though Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler have been solid, and Nick Young and JaVale McGee are continuing to grow, no other player has shown effectiveness for Washington.

But this is not the fault of Eddie Jordan. This problem was entirely on management. The front office can't put a decent, healthy team on the court. They spend $111 million over six years to keep Gilbert Arenas, who may be more harm then good with his injuries, the fact his teammates play better without him, and his running mouth. They let Roger Mason go, who is averaging 15 points a game with the Spurs. With the re-signing of Jamison for $50 million over four years (that was fine, he is an All-Star forward), the Wizards basically spent $161 million dollars to stay the same. Yes they got to 43-39 last year plus the playoffs, but it that really worth spending all that money?

There is nothing to suggest that the Wizards have a strong future. Arenas is rarely healthy. Young and McGee look like rising players, but they have a way to go. Worse, Etan Thomas, Brendan Haywood, Antonio Daniels, and Darius Songalia combined this year average 12.3 points per game. This season, those four are making over $17 million combined. So how is this Jordan's fault?

Eddie Jordan was not a great coach. But he was a good one. He got his team in line when the star got hurt, and his teams made the playoffs the last four seasons. You can't blame him because of injuries and terrible team management by the front office. He did not deserve this.

(Photo credit: NBA, all salary statistics provided by HoopsHype.com)

Free Kicks

The Ravens are 6-3, currently in playoff position and taking aim at the Superbowl champ. The Terps, despite being run roughshod over by a Hokies squad that was more than beatable, still control their own destiny in the ACC. It almost makes you forget about the O’s, huh? It’s funny, I think Orioles fans have bought in so deeply with the rebuilding process that this offseason has a distinct flavor from the recent past. There is an optimism in this team, a belief in the future, and a faith in MacPhail that things will turn around. I know Barack Obama is the President Elect, but as far as Baltimore is concerned, Andy MacPhail is the symbol of change. However, the fans aren’t all so patient. Let’s just line up for the kick…

Rebuilding Takes More than a Year

I am hearing far too much talk about which of the Mannys, Sabbathias, and K-Rods the Orioles should go after this offseason. All of a sudden we are mentioning these big name players (yes I am including MarkTeixeira in this), who will command overpriced salaries and exhaust the budget we should be saving for Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts (if we don’t trade him), and other Orioles who can be with us for the longer term or have shown their commitment to the organization. We should be focusing this offseason on who we can trade away for prospects (though few Orioles would command much value), and pick up free agents as stopgaps until a true franchise player can work his way through the system.

For instance, forget Orlando Cabrera at shortstop, think about Edgar Renteria instead (and even that might be a push). We had a great first half of last season, but this is all about the future. Is this team ready to make a run? Absolutely not. So why shell out the big money for a player who will be leaving before we have a team ready to make the playoffs? I know I have said this before, but it bears repeating: the rebuilding project takes time, but don’t get tempted to think a high-priced bat right now will be any shortcut in the long run.

A Slow Week for College Football? Not for the Carolinas…

The Terps could get a great deal more attention than they are accustomed to this week as they take on #16 UNC this week in College Park due to the seeming absence of big games this week. I will leave the preview to compatriots here at ATH, but UNC is on an absolute tear this year and it will take Maryland’s best to stop them. Maryland, however, comes with their best about 50% of the time… and their worst the other 50%. Personally, the most intriguing game this week will be watching Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks head into Gainesville to take on #4 Florida. I know many Redskins fans hate Spurrier, but I have always had a soft spot for the Ol’ Ball Coach. So what if he couldn’t coach in the pros, he is still a great college coach and honestly, he couldn’t be doing any better at South Carolina. I mean, they don’t have a history of excellence, they are in the toughest conference in the country, and at least Vandy has academics to fall back on to draw someone in.

Wizards Get a Win (Finally)

Did someone cast a spell on the Wizards? Last year, this team was playing loose and confident without Gilbert Arenas for stretches of the season. This year they seem dazed and confused, unable to get any sort of rhythm going and seeming to be just waiting for their stars to come back before they can start the season. Even Jamison admits that the locker room needs a shakeup, with someone needing to step up and give the team some direction. Sorry boys, there isn’t much more time to wait. Luckily for the Wiz they play in the East, where any team with even the slightest amount of discipline can make the playoffs. The Wizards could sleepwalk through December and still manage to make a run for a solid playoff spot. The other teams in the division, particularly Charlotte, Miami, and Atlanta are all young teams that will likely struggle down the stretch. With Arenas and Haywood coming back, this team will be ready to make a run for the postseason. Don’t get too worried Wizards fans; that’s why it’s a long season.

Free Kicks

Wow, we have been so focused on College Football this week, huh? From The Express to Tommy Bowden to Ralph Friegen and the entire ACC coaching situation we have officially entered the heart of football season. #11 Florida vs. #4 LSU. #5 Texas vs. #1 Oklahoma. #17 Oklahoma St. vs. #3 Missouri. This is a good weekend for college ball, don’t blink. However, I think it is time to switch gears a little, focus on some non-college football for a bit- but once Saturday comes, don’t forget to line up for the kick.

Trouble Brewing

For as long as I have been making Ravens predictions for this season, I have been anticipating the biggest problem being injuries on defense. It is difficult and sometimes unfair to anticipate injuries- they are largely unpredictable and by no means the fault of the player. On the other hand, one cannot help but look at the injury report and see that it may be coming to fruition. Two defensive tackles, including stalwart Kelly Gregg are on IR, which will force Ngata and Bannon to play much more than they should. Dawan Landry is out and will be out for a while longer after his horrific injury and Samari Rolle continues to recover from neck surgery earlier this month. With backup linebacker Antwan Barnes questionable but likely to play, that is but a short list of defenders already going down.

The Ravens also don’t have a bye week to look forward to after the Texans game was moved in Week 2. The defense currently ranks 1st in the NFL, allowing fewer than 200 yards of offense per game- as the injuries mount however, the entire unit could suffer. With the team relying on the defense for field position (and points) behind a rookie quarterback and a classic inept Ravens offense, injuries will be important to watch down the stretch- and it’s only Week 6!

The Lesser of Two Ev- No, Just the Red Sox

Two Division opponents, one easy choice. It is easy to identify with the Tampa Bay Rays. They are perennial doormats, not finishing anywhere above 4th place since their inception in the mid 90’s (oddly enough, around the same time the O’s went “south” as well). They were built in much the same way as Andy MacPhail plans to build the Orioles- through the farm system, with a few shrewd free agent signings and trades (the Scot Kazmir robbery of the Mets for one). They struggle to put fans in the seats, and are your typical fan base unaccustomed to winning and numb to losing. This could change all that, but for now they are everyone’s underdog.

The Red Sox are the new Evil Empire. Gone are the days of claiming to be the little guy against the big bad Yankees. No team with a payroll over $100 million is ever an underdog, period. Red Sox fans are garish, obnoxious, and generally offensive in their claim of both moral superiority for having been losers and team superiority for being consistent winners as of late. There is nothing to feel sorry for in Boston, nothing to sympathize with, nothing to relate to- and no reason to root for the Sox over the Rays. Some might consider this series a wash for O’s fans with two division opponents after one another. For me, it is all about the little guy- Floridians might not care, but I care about the Rays.

Flesh Wounds

Consider this the opening shot of Around the Harbor to your 2008-2009 basketball season. You could also consider it the second injury-related post in a single Free Kicks- hey, it happens. Either way, you have to be nervous if you are a Wizards fan right now. With Gilbert Arenas out until December (which isn’t too nerve-wracking as the Wiz did pretty well without him), you could rely on Antwan Jamison to pick up the slack. But then he went down with a knee strain, followed up the very next day by Brendan Haywood’s wrist surgery which is likely to put him out for at least 4 months. Backup C Eton Thomas is back healthy, but it could take a while for this unit to gel until the stars of this team can take over. Basketball is all about chemistry, and with players coming on and off the injury list the first month of the season could put the Wizards in an early hole in the Southeast.

Luckily, it’s the Southeast. Miami and Charlotte are still years away, and Atlanta barely got into the playoffs last year (I won’t believe that the Hawks are a threat until they win with consistency). Additionally, Dee Brown is twice the point guard he is made out to be, and his time in Turkey added some much needed maturity and polish to his game. His quickness will make him an excellent change of pace from Arenas and enable the Wizards to distribute the ball much more effectively to get more players involved in the offense (not that the offense has traditionally been a problem).

Juan Dixon returns to Washington

Juan Dixon has returned to the Washington Wizards, according to the Associated Press. No word on how long the contract is or what his salary will be, but it is confirmed he's returning.

Ever since leading Maryland to the 2002 NCAA Championship, he has been everywhere. He was drafted by Washington 17th overall in 2002 and served out his three-year contract. He then signed with Portland for two years, where the Trail Blazers tried to remake the Maryland guard combo of Dixon and Steve Blake. Dixon had his best year in 2005-06, averaging 12.3 points and 2.0 assists per game. In 2006-07, he was traded to Toronto, who would trade him to Detroit the next year.

He's never been the star Maryland fans hoped he would become. He was never able to transition his solid three-point shooting from college to the NBA. Though he had a decent year in 05-06 with Portland, he's never had that breakout year that many have waited for. But he has been a decent player off the bench for most teams.

He'll be 30 years old once the season gets underway in Washington. I'm not sure how much time he'll get. He definitely won't start over DeShawn Stevenson at shooting guard, and Dixon probably won't be made a point guard since he's never been one. He won't even be the backup shooting guard; Nick Young is a rising guard for the Wizards, and has a solid shot. So Dixon overall probably won't see a ton of time. But it is good to see him back around the area, and I hope that he gets some sort of stride with Washington.

(Photo credit: Loyola athletics)