2009 September

Juan Dixon is Homeless

On September 30, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

You know you want to sign him.

Juan Dixon, who averaged 5.2 points and 2.4 assists per game last season with the Washington Wizards, is still an unsigned free agent as NBA training camps get underway. He’s in Atlanta now and is apparently a long shot to make the team. I hate to say it, but this could be the end of the NBA line for the greatest player in Maryland basketball history.

Juan’s numbers were down last year from his career averages, mainly due to nagging injuries, the coaches’ insistence on playing him at the one, and the general sucking tar pit that was the 2008-2009 Washington Wizards. I think he could still provide instant offense off the bench for a good team, but he’s no spring chicken any more (31 in October, Jesus, I’m old) and I’m not sure if he’ll get that shot. We’ll keep an eye on this and see if anything materializes. Best of luck to him.

(Image credit: NBA.com)

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Jordan Williams Was Just Breaking up A Cat Fight

On September 30, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

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I didn’t really want to blog about this, because I really don’t think it’s a big deal, but whatever here goes. As most hardcore fans already know, Jordan Williams — only our freshman center and kinda the linchpin of the team’s hopes this year — was charged with misdemeanor assault following an “incident” Aug. 8. Ah, the good old “incident.”

As of yesterday, we have more information on the “incident,” and it does indeed seem to be much ado about nothing. So here’s what — allegedly — took place on that not-really-very-fateful night. There was a girl fight outside a mall. Meow! Jordan tried to break it up. Some other guys who were there wanted to see said girl fight, so they “took issue” with Jordan’s attempt to stop it. (I love that phrase — “took issue” — like they retired to the drawing room for Brandy Sidecars and a spirited debate on the merits — nay, the very historicity – of the girl fight. Jolly good, Governor!) Then the guys mixed it up a little bit.

That’s it. Of course, this is all according to Jordan’s attorney, so take it with a grain of salt. He technically faces jail time, but given that he’s never been in trouble before, plus the circumstances of the case, and I’ve got a car in my driveway that says he starts and plays the season without interruption. His court date is Monday. So we’ll see.

Don’t forget to vote for Shell Games for Best Terps Blog in the Mobbie Awards! This means you, guy just looking for a Kate Gosselin picture.

(Photo credit: The Baltimore Sun)

Tagged with: Basketball • Incidents • Jordan Williams

Shaun Hill's Still Got The Skills…And His Rhymes Is Ill…and He Writes With Quills…

On September 29, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

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As you probably know, former Terp Shaun Hill, who led us to the Orange Bowl in 2001, is the starting QB for the 49ers. Last Sunday, he stood toe to toe with Brett Favre until Favre apparently threw some kind of game-winning touchdown. Maybe you caught the highlight somewhere. In any case, interesting parallels between these two guys, as Hill holds his own in an unlikely NFL career.

Favre also won the statistical battle Sunday (24-for-46, 301 yds, 2 TDs, 1 pick), but Hill was more economical, going 15-25 for 195 and the same 2 and 1. In their own respective ways, both these guys have become folk heroes to fans and writers. Every Favre story begins with something like “The Ol’ Gunslinger is still just a kid out there,” followed by some reference to his trimming hedges in Mississippi like he’s Forrest Gump. It’s actually a national law now that Favre stories include all this — go ahead, look it up. Meanwhile, there’s a similar common narrative on Hill now, along the lines of, “He’s not flashy, he’s just a journeyman farm boy from Kansas, but you know what he wins ball games OMG he’s like Everyman,” and so on. I’m not comparing them skill-wise…just riffing is all.

On the season, Hill currently ranks 26th in passing yards, but he’s 11th in quarterback rating — above Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez, and Philip Rivers, among others — and only has one INT. And of course, his team is 2-1 and atop their division.

As a final Terps note, Hill’s two TDs went to another Terp standout, Vernon “Duke” Davis, who’s averaging 56 receiving yards a game and is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. Nice.

Don’t forget to vote Shell Games for Best Terps Blog! We may not be the biggest blog on the block, but we’re proud, we’re scrappy…and we want that Cinderella slipper. Thanks a million!

(Photo credit: TahoeFlyFishing.com)

Tagged with: Football • Shaun Hill • Terps in the pros • Vernon Davis

big wins for maryland soccer and field hockey

On September 28, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Ian

Feeling down? Kevin Tangney has one word for you: GOOOOOOAL!

Are you feeling a little down because Maryland football sucks this year?

Do you miss the thrill of basketball season?

Does the Fall remind you of all the promises you made but never kept?

Well I say, fret no more, friend! There is more to life than football, basketball, and lamenting. There is soccer and field hockey! Maryland had a weekend of victory in these venerable Fall sports.

On Friday, in front of the biggest crowd ever to fill Ludwig Field, the #4 ranked and defending NCAA Champion Maryland Terrapins men’s soccer team upset #2 UNC. Terrapin captain Kevin Tangney booted in a desperation shot in the 88th minute to propel the Terps to the win. With the win, Maryland will likely secure the #1 spot in tomorrow’s rankings.

If that wasn’t enough excitement for one weekend, the #1 ranked defending NCAA Champion Maryland Terrapins field hockey team dismantled #3 ranked Wake Forest this Saturday. Four different Terps scored in the 4-1 victory. I tuned into the Game Tracker and saw the score was 1-1 at halftime. The Terps poured on three goals in a nine minute span during the second half to beat their ACC rivals.

There are many reasons to be proud to be a Terp these days. These two first class athletic programs are near the top of the list.

Tagged with: field hockey • Kevin Tangney • Soccer

Vote for Shell Games!

On September 28, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

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So Shell Games is up for a Mobbie Award…woo-hoo! It’s an award the Baltimore Sun gives each year to the best blogs in Maryland. Shell Games is in the Best Terps Blog category (duh). We’re definitely the underdog, but we really want to win. Reader votes determine it…so we’re asking for yours. If we’ve ever made you laugh, or even informed you in some way, we’d love to get your vote. And if not, perhaps I can appeal to your pity. That is not something I am above. Doesn’t a well-rounded person…like you…want to help out…a pathetic blogger…like me? Come on. The Terps stink right now. I have so little. And if I win, we’re all going to Sizzler!* I’ll even make it rain on the sneeze guard.**

To vote, click on the link above or the Mobbies widget to the right. Thank you so very much.

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* — I may not be able to pay for you. Actually, maybe you could spot me, bro? I’ll get you back I swear.

** — May not rain dollars.

Tagged with: Baltimore Sun • Jack Germondooooo • Shameless appeals • The Media • The Mobbie Awards

Punter Travis Baltz injured, Turner to just throw long interceptions on fourth down

On September 28, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

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Adding injury to insult, punter Travis Baltz is out at least two weeks after a late hit during Saturday’s loss to Rutgers. The best player on our ~~special~~ teams is said to have a “very swollen” ankle.

Great. Thanks so much for that, Rutgers special teams player Steve Beauharnais. Nice surname. What is that, some kind of foo foo breakfast sauce? Guess who’s getting a flaming bag of dog poop punted against his dorm room window this week. If you said “Steve Beauharnais,” you are correct.

But on the field, where do we go from here? If Baltz misses extended time, what chance will he have of meeting Ray Guy? How will the offense function without its safety net? They can’t fumble on EVERY possession. For those times when a turnover didn’t happen, backup Ted Townsley and place kicker Nick Ferrara combined for a 32-yard average and one bobbled snap. Powerhouse. By comparison, Baltz was averaging about 40 yards and — if you can believe it — has ZERO turnovers on the season. Not exactly filling the shoes there, backups. What would Ray Guy think? We need to get you all one of those inspirational message bracelets. WWRGT. So that you may never forget.

With the Terps needing to reassess the goals of their season, Baltz and his run for the Ray Guy Award could have taken on a role similar to that of Zach Greinke and his bid for the Cy Young Award, which is currently the only thing keeping Kansas City Royals players and fans coming to the ballpark. Baltz ranks 63rd in the nation in punting and fifth out of nine guys on the watch list. Perhaps not Ray Guy material, but he could have rebounded. We could start taking a knee for the first three downs. Heck, punt on first down. Would it change things THAT much? See, this is outside-the-box thinking. Are you reading, Fridge? You can’t put a price on this stuff.

(Photo credit: Some woman named Anne)

Tagged with: Football • I think I just like to say "Ray Guy" • Ralph Friedgen • Travis Baltz

After 1-3 start, time to move the goalposts

On September 27, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

Let me just state the obvious. Forget about contending. Forget about a bowl game. Forget about respectability. After a 34-13 drubbing at home to Rutgers, maybe the Terps need some new, slightly more modest goals. How about mediocrity?

But before that, the game. At this point, it’s clear this is not a good team. I know, I know…this limb’s gonna snap!!! But seriously, their problems seem more intractable each week. Saying this team would be good “if they just stopped committing turnovers” is like saying the alcoholic would get better if he just stopped drinking; it’s obvious there are deeper demons after five more giveaways yesterday. Da’Rel Scott, for whatever reason, suddenly can’t hold on to the football. Chris Turner made some horrific decisions. And of course, there’s the pitiful O-line, which caused the almost comically awful play in the Terp end zone when Turner tried to throw it away to avoid a safety but instead just dribbled it onto the turf. Touchdown Rutgers.

The defense just plain sucks right now. Alex Wujciak, the unit’s leader, got 17 tackles and played well, but made no tackles for loss and forced no turnovers. That sums up the unit: they just don’t make plays. Just the opposite, in fact; they’re extraordinarily susceptible to big plays, as evidenced by Joe Martinek’s late TD runs of 29 and 61 yards to ice the game.

Torrey “Darrius Heyward-Bey” Smith continued his great but baffling play, finishing with 237 total yards but fading out of the offense in the second half. They’ve gotta get him the ball. I repeat: they have got to get him the ball. Don’t overthink it. Ride him into the ground.

I’ll stop there with the criticisms. Now, back to the goals. Since, for all intents and purposes, we’re playing for pride now, let’s do just that. Here’s a bold new goal: let’s try to not be the ACC’s worst team. The conference is weak. Duke and UVA should be Ws, right? Right? Bueller?

Final thought: it looks bleak, but I’m not taking up the torch and pitchfork yet. We’ve still got some eminently beatable teams on the schedule, and in the weak-as-my-grandmama ACC, much is possible. If the Terps, knowing they’re not gonna contend, can just keep their heads up and claw their way back to the pack, it won’t be a lost season. If nothing else, they’ve gotta beat Duke. It’s so important to have goals! Even if you have to change them all the time.

Tagged with: Bad Losses • Da'Rel Scott • Football • Ralph Friedgen • Torrey Smith

terrapins look to stay on top of the field hockey world

On September 26, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Ian

Muracco has been a scoring machine so far this year. And she's purdy.

Right now, as I’m writing this blog post, the #1 ranked Maryland Terrapins are hosting the #3 Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a clash between two field hockey titans. The last time these two teams faced each other was for the 2008 ACC Championship as part of Maryland’s Award Tour. The Terps are so dominant that they’ve been awarded every ACC player of the week awardso far in the first three weeks of 2009. Maryland is 9-0 coming into this game, with three shutouts. Their play has been dominating thus far, and the team is averaging a five goal margin of victory and outshooting their opponents 172-63 through nine games.

Emma Thomas (25pts) and Katie O’Donnell (37pts) continue their dominant play from last year. The Terps have benefitted from great play by Nicole Muracco, who leads the team with 14 goals so far this season, and Janessa Pope, who stepped up big with a goal and an assist in the victory over #9 Boston College. That performance earned Pope ACC Player of the Week honors for last week.

As I write this post, the Terps and Deacons are tied 1-1 at the half, and Muracco has the Terps lone goal. Reports from College Park are that she scored by charming her way past the defense. We’ll be recapping this game and more as the season goes on. Go Terps, beat Wake!

Tagged with: field hockey • Jessica Pope • Nicole Muracco • the ladies

Another game on ESPN360, another game I'm not gonna watch

On September 26, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

So for the third consecutive week, the Maryland game will be on ESPN360. As a review, unless you are willing and/or able to switch to an Internet provider (like Verizon) that purchased rights to ESPN360, you can’t watch the game live. Happy footnote to Verizon customers: you’re paying for ESPN360 whether you use it or not!

Smaller Internet providers want the FCC to ban this practice, claiming it’s unfair that ESPN strikes deals with the big guys for ESPN360, and then forces customers to switch carriers if they want to watch it. In the meantime, I’m never switching for ESPN360. F that. Bunch of shameless blood-swillers.

To me, the argument that the Terps ”aren’t good enough to be on TV” doesn’t hold up. Since when did a team have to earn its way on to the television set? Are fans of inferior teams less deserving of TV games, or do they forfeit the right to follow their lovable loser team in whatever manner they see fit?

For now, I’ll just keep listening on the radio (106.7 in D.C. market) or watching the Sunday replay on good old Comcast SportsNet. ESPN could funnel games of local interest to the ABC affiliate, but noooo. So just keep it up. Put the whole season on 360. See if I care. Hell, extend it into basketball season. Come on, ESPN. Is that all you got? EASIEST TIME I EVER DID!!!

Tagged with: ESPN360 • Football • The Media • Verizon

A Rutgers-Maryland preview from the late Michael Jackson

On September 25, 2009, In Maryland sports, By Scott

michael_jackson_031605 Hello. I’m Michael Jackson. The entertainer? I recently passed away very quietly after a long bout with vampirism and hospital-grade anesthesia. What? Is that weird? I don’t think so. I think dying is very sweet. Very charming. And now I’m back! To spread a message of hope. And to handicap the Rutgers-Maryland game.

You didn’t know I was a football fan? I love football; it makes you wish, and dream. It provides a break from reality…sometimes I really needed that. Can’t you just picture me on a Saturday afternoon, lounging on my $750,000 rainbow-colored hippopotamus couch, a plate of corn dogs in one hand, ice cold glass of bat milk in the other? That’s a good lunch for me.

For the Maryland-Rutgers game, lots of weird parallels. It’s like Maryland holds up their hand in the mirror, and there’s Rutgers, and they’re waving, but at the same time, and they’re perfectly aligned! You know? No? Shamon over here and I’ll show you. First of all, both teams lost big in their openers–Rutgers lost to Cincinnati 47-15, and we all know about the Terps. Hee hee! But Rutgers is 2-1 now, while Maryland is 1-2. Both teams gamble with blitz-happy defenses, but the Rutgers defense locked down after its loss, surrendering just 22 points to Howard and FIU, while the Terps have surrendered approximately 822 points. Both have a two-headed RB monster — Joe Martinek and Jourdan Brooks for Rutgers, Scott and Meggett for the Terps. Rutgers starts an unproven freshman at QB (although he might be injured), and Maryland starts an unproven senior (just kidding Chris — a-HEE HEE!).

Even their stadium situations are eerily similar in an Opposite Day kind of way (Yaaay! I LOVE, I mean, I HATE Opposite Day!). Maryland’s ticket problems in its newly expanded stadium are well documented, but meanwhile Rutgers is packing its newly expanded stadium. It’s cra-zee! Almost as crazy as that Bubbles thing. Want to know a secret? There was no such thing as Bubbles. He wasn’t real! It was just some chimpanzee that I was having intercourse with. Sexual intercourse.

Bottom line: it’s a broken record for the Terps – and I should know about breaking records. If Maryland can get its O-line and running game working, they have a chance. If Torrey Smith can light up star CB Devon McCoury like a jheri curl on a Pepsi shoot, they have a chance. If Bruce Campbell returns at left tackle and can help slow down pass rush specialist Jonathan Freeny (Dwight’s second cousin), they have a chance. If they can play mistake-free, they have a chance.

But as with Billie Jean’s paternity suit, there are many ifs. And I don’t see that Maryland’s home field advantage is as strong as in years past. I would rank it behind the home field advantage I enjoyed at Neverland, although I had wine and special locks and Ferris wheels and wishing trees and hospital-grade anesthesia. As previously mentioned. Wheeee! Sorry, Terps, but I love my Scarlet Knights. But do not be melancholy. I love you all forever.

Love always,
Michael.

Prediction: Rutgers 27, Maryland 16

Tagged with: Bruce Campbell • Da'Rel Scott • Davin Meggett • Football • Rutgers • Special guest bloggers • Torrey Smith