I probably hate...my own teams in 2007!

So the world of sports in Baltimore and the state of Maryland has been pretty bad this year. 2007 started off with the Ravens getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs, only to lose in the next round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Colts, who everyone in Baltimore hates. So the only achievement from a 13-3 record is being AFC North Champions for 2006. My how the times would change...

The Orioles continued their losing ways, winning only 69 games in 2007 and being decimated by injuries. There were some bright spots thought, such as Cal Ripken Jr. being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Erik Bedard pitching like the first ace since Mike Mussina. Plus, we also had some great young pitchers show that they had good stuff. But the Orioles have also dealt with the fall out of the Mitchell Report, which named Brian Roberts and Miguel Tejada as steroid users (among several other one-time Orioles). Good thing we hired Andy MacPhail who traded Miggy the day before the Mitchell report. At least it looks like the Orioles have direction now...building towards the future rather than just signing washed up former stars to fill holes in the lineup. But don't forget about losing to Texas 30-3. And remember, the Orioles were winning that game 3-0 at one point...
In basketball, its really bad when a team goes on a 30-0 run...in BASEBALL, its called the most embarrassing loss in the modern area of the game.

Maryland's men's basketball team tore through the second half of the ACC schedule like a bat out of hell, earning a #4 seed but losing in the 2nd round of the NCAA tourney. What people wouldn't give to have DJ and Mike Jones back now...

Maryland's football team was up and down like you wouldn't believe. After being decimated by injuries and academics to the offensive line, Maryland was literally almost pulling people off the street to play. Maryland managed to lose to UNC but beat two top 10 teams in Rutgers and Boston College, posting a 6-6 record and earning a trip to the Emerald (nut) Bowl in San Fran. At least Maryland knows who their quarterback is, as Chris Turner has gone from third string to hero over the course of the season. The kid is good. Hopefully they can beat Oregon State and finish 7-6.

Back to a few teams previously mentioned. The Ravens have been terrible in the 2007 season, which might be the worst season in the franchise's history. So far, the team is 4-11, in the middle of a 9 game losing streak. Steve McNair looked more like Medicare McNair through the first part of the season, fumbling like Kyle Boller on speed. After suffering more injuries than I though possible (I believe pro bowlers on the Ravens missed over 160 games due to injuries), the Ravens are in the middle of a 9 game losing streak, the longest in franchise history. The last time the Ravens won was on October 14th against St. Louis. And the teams the Ravens did beat ( the Jets, Cardinals, 49ers and Rams, are a combined 18-42). The Ravens secondary is TERRIBLE without C-Mac and Samari Rolle and is also bad without a solid pass rush, which the ravens have really lacked all season (the loss of Pryce to injury and AD to free agency has killed the Ravens). But as bad as the Ravens are, Maryland's men's basketball team might be worse.

After opening the season 5-2 with loses to UCLA and Missouri, Maryland beat Illinois at home and then faced VCU in the BB&T Classic. The BB&T has been like kryptonite to Maryland, with this year being no exception. Maryland lost and people said "that's okay, they're young." Maryland than slipped by Morgan State, who was playing without a few of their guards and lost a close game to Boston College. Maryland now say at 6-4 going into games against Ohio University and American. Cupcake games for the Terps to regroup, right? WRONG. Maryland lost BOTH GAMES AT HOME. Tell me the last time Maryland has lost back to back non-conference games at home. It might be before Gary's time at Maryland. Maryland's 1 and 2 guards aren't fast. Vasquez and Hayes were outrun by American's guards and just drove right past them to the hoop. And James Gist, who should adopt Mike Jones' old nick name of "WHO?" since no one knows where he and his senior leadership have been, has played like a timid freshman. It doesn't get too much easier for Maryland as they have to play a very good Delaware team Friday, who has a transfer from Georgetown and from Nebraska on their roster and at Charlotte, which won't be an easy game on the road. The Terps also play Savannah State (who is 284 in the RPI...if we lose this, I'm done) at home , as well as Holy Cross. Holy Cross is actually a good team, currently 7-2 and 74th in the RPI.

Maryland basically needs to win out its non-conference schedule, making them 10-6 going into the start of ACC play. I'd say Maryland then has to go at LEAST 10-6 in the ACC if they want to get into the NCAA tournament, but at this point, they might be lucky to get into the NIT or the other new post season tournament that is starting this year.

I wouldn't bet on either of the above scenarios happening....I'd plan on suffering through what might be one of the worst seasons Maryland's men basketball team has had in a long time...

Just to add a little extra information, I got this from the Washington Times today, Dec. 28th. "They've suffered consecutive nonconference home losses for the first time since January 1989 and stumbled into Christmas with six losses for the first time since 1949-50"

Happy New Year and lets hope for a better 2008!