Mark Viviano's Blog

Ordinary Joe?

The Ravens say they got their man by maneuvering in the 2008 draft to get Delaware quarterback Joe Flacco with the 18th overall pick. I'm skeptical about the pick for a few reasons. The Ravens insist their draft philosophy is to pick the best player available. I find it hard to believe they had Joe Flacco ranked in the top-20 of all players in the draft. Maybe they did, but if they did- the Ravens were probably the only team to consider him so highly. That being said, if Flacco turns out to be a star NFL quarterback, then the Ravens will be applauded for recognizing a talent that no one else quite saw. Ozzie Newsome, Eric DeCosta and their scouting staff are very good. If they hit on the Flacco pick, which at the moment looks like a reach, then kudos to them.

For all of the work all of the teams put into scouting and drafting college players (and it's a job I admire and will put into the category of things I neither could do nor would want to do), the process is ultimately a dice roll. Everyone in the league can agree that a certain college player projects as a sure-fire pro, no problem getting a consensus. The problem is when that player hits the practice field- anything's possible including that sure-fire college stud being an NFL dud. So, it amuses me that all 32 teams will have glowing things to say about their draft class. They're all excited, they all did well, so they say. Fact is, we'll find out down the road that they did not all do well. It's the nature of the draft.

Joe Flacco was drafted 5 years to the day after the Ravens picked Kyle Boller in the 2003 draft. The Ravens raved about Flacco's abilities and potential. In fact, what they said sounded a lot like this quote: "(He) has size, intelligence, huge arm strength, great personal charisma and great character. He's very intelligent and yet he's just scratching the surface of how far he can go." Those are the words Brian Billick had for Boller exactly 5 years earlier. Was Billick wrong? Well, not necessarily, but we should never confuse optimism and hope (no matter how glowing the potential) with the likelihood of actual productivity. Fact is, no one knows how good Flacco will actually be- no one.

As we like to say," that's why they play the games." Everything for now is just talk. Let the games begin, and we'll see if Flacco is more than an ordinary Joe.

Feeling A Draft

The NFL draft is like shopping at a surplus store like Odd Lots. The inventory varies day to day: maybe they stock up on an overrun of some good lawn furniture one day. Another day, it's rakes and shovels. Hey look over there- a shipment in of surplus khaki pants. Problem with a store like that- and a problem for some teams in the NFL draft- if you go in looking for dishes, and at the time you go shopping all they have is lawn furniture, rakes and pants, you can't fill your need for dishes. So you buy some khakis because you figure you could use them at some point, even though you don't really need them now. Don't really need a new rake, but this one is pretty good. But you really NEED dishes. Wait a minute, you find some paper plates on the shelf. These will work just fine. I've filled my need. I mean, at least I got SOMETHING.

Consider your need for dishes like an NFL team's need for a quarterback. You go into a draft seeking the next Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Well, that's not a likely find, so you'll settle for a Drew Brees or a Donovan McNabb. You just want to avoid buying a Ryan Leaf or an Akili Smith...but if that's all that's available.

Just like those surplus stores, the NFL draft is unpredictable inventory from which to choose. Go back to the Ravens first year in the league, 1996. Say they went into the draft looking for a QB from that crop. There wasn't a single quarterback worthy of being taken in the first round. Tony Banks was the first taken: 2nd round, 42nd player overall to St. Louis. In all, 8 QB's were picked in that paltry 1996 draft...and none of them ever played in a playoff game. So you wait a year. You'll get that QB in 1997. No you won't. 11 quarterbacks were taken in that draft, but only 2 were worthy of a choice before the 3rd round: Jim Druckenmiller and Jake Plummer.  Jake is the only QB from that draft to play in a playoff game. That's 2 entire drafts and 1 QB who threw a pass in the postseason.

So, think of that as the Ravens go shopping for the "quarterback of the future" in the 2008 draft. Matt Ryan, Chad Henne, Joe Flacco? All quality candidates for the need, right? Who knows? You may end up coming come with paper plates.

The NFL draft is like shopping at a surplus store like Odd Lots. The inventory varies day to day: maybe they stock up on an overrun of some good lawn furniture one day. Another day, it's rakes and shovels. Hey look over there- a shipment in of surplus khaki pants. Problem with a store like that- and a problem for some teams in the NFL draft- if you go in looking for dishes, and at the time you go shopping all they have is lawn furniture, rakes and pants, you can't fill your need for dishes. So you buy some khakis because you figure you could use them at some point, even though you don't really need them now. Don't really need a new rake, but this one is pretty good. But you really NEED dishes. Wait a minute, you find some paper plates on the shelf. These will work just fine. I've filled my need. I mean, at least I got SOMETHING.

The Ballpark Scene

An Orioles-Yankees series at Camden Yards always brings a unique energy and excitement to the park, and I witnessed that and more in the first visit to Baltimore by the Bronx Bombers in 2008. The first thing that struck me is what appears to be a new, open relationship between the O's and the Baltimore Ravens. I don't recall ever seeing such open acknowledgement of the football team in town, but they were strongly present for the Yankees series. Recently retired quarterback Steve McNair was honored with a highlight video played on the centerfield video board before he threw out the ceremonial first pitch in the series opener. In the Sunday series finale, new Ravens coach John Harbaugh did the honors, tossing to Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. On Saturday night, quarterback Kyle Boller was in attendance surrounded by offensive lineman Adam Terry, Jason Brown and Marshall Yanda who were all seated near the press box. In a classic "Hollywood" moment, Nick Markakis hit a screaming foul ball back toward the Ravens seats, and Boller got a hand on the sizzling shot, but failed to make the catch (left me wondering whether Boller might have injured himself...now that would be a classic mishap, wouldn't it?). Other sightings for the Yankee series included Cal Ripken and son, movie director Spike Lee (who sat in the front row near the Yankee on-deck circle wearing a number-two New York jersey to show his allegiance to Derek Jeter) and Bob Ferry (former Baltimore Bullet player, ex-GM of the Washington Bullets and father of Danny Ferry). I had the opportunity to sit with former Oriole Ken Singleton (who now calls Yankee games on TV) and Suzyn Waldman of the Yankees radio team (here's a "bet ya didn't know" tidbit: Waldman ran the 1982 NY Marathon).

Beyond the peripheral stuff, the O's stole the show by winning 2 of the 3 games from the Yankees- far outplaying them in the first 2 games, winning 8-2 and 6-0. The Yankees are riding an impressive streak of 12 straight playoff appearances that looks to be in jeopardy. They looked to be a step slower than the O's at times. The best pitching performance they got in the series was by 35 year old Andy Pettitte. The Yankees may somehow find a way, but the O's are showing signs of coming to life. They're not likely to end their run of 10 straight losing seasons this year, but there's noticeable improvement. All noted in a lively weekend at the Yard.

Know Your Role

The 2008 Baltimore Orioles are not supposed to be very competitive. Most pre-season predictions suggest the O's rebuilding project will bring more defeats than victories for a year or two, and that's understandable. So, what are we supposed to make of the team's surprisingly good play to start the season? It has the players pumped up, the fans excited and the media....skeptical. What a bunch of wet blankets we are, those of us in the media! Why can't we just be positive and be uplifted by the Orioles unexpected early success? Why? Because that's not our role- at least not those of us who chose to maintain some semblance of objectivity and credibility in our jobs.

The role of the reporter and commentator needs to be reviewed here. I say that because some veteran O's players have reacted angrily to continued suggestions by the media that despite a good start, the team remains destined for a losing season. Let me illustrate with an analogy.

Let's say we all agree that we'd like for the weather in Baltimore to be warm and sunny tomorrow. But WJZ meteorologist Bob Turk has studied the computer models and his read on the atmospheric conditions has led him to fashion a forecast for clouds and rain. Is Bob being negative? No, he's dutifully applying his knowledge to the best of his ability to put his most educated guess toward what may occur in the weather. He's reporting, or forecasting, what he sees likely.

I hope that analogy helps. If I still think the Orioles are likely to lose more games than they win (despite a good early record), I'm basing my opinion on current conditions as they lend themselves to a likely outcome. If it's sunny in the morning, and the weather man says it's likely to rain in the afternoon, he's not trying to ruin your day- he's just spelling out a likely occurrence. Can the weather man be wrong? Of course he can. And, can the "negative" media be forced to eat crow if the O's continue on a miracle path for 162 games? Of course they can. Let's allow the season to play out, but while so doing- let's all know our roles.

Happy New Year

Cal Ripken sitting in the stands behind home plate, eating peanuts on Orioles opening day: that's a site that I took in that said "baseball" to me. The start of another Major League Baseball season is like New Years Day for those of us who love the game. I'm not going to get all poetic or dramatic about it, but baseball is and always has been an integral part of my life. I count on baseball to mark the start of spring, provide the backdrop for summer, and lead the way to autumn. There's no hurry to see it start, and certainly no hurry to get through its six months of play. But once it arrives, baseball settles in to be part of the daily discussion, or at the very least it's background noise, sports muzak.

Orioles opening day comes with some angst attached for some fans and observers. 10 straight losing seasons and the likelihood for an 11th temper the enthusiasm for a new start. I get that and I hear and understand the concerns and complaints. Far be it from me to suggest the downtrodden O's fan should just enjoy the fact they have a team. No, I can't say that. Because you have a team, you want a competitive team. The O's are on a path set by Andy MacPhail to be competitive in a few years. Delayed gratification is a tough sell after 10 years of losing, but at least MacPhail can sell a tangible plan. I sense O's fans are buying in, but the process of buying in could wear thin as a losing season wears on. This will be an unusual season in Baltimore for that reason and I'll be keeping an eye on how the fan base handles it.

Besides that: Happy New Year! Well, I'm happy anyway. Here's hoping you can find the most simple joy somewhere in the change of seasons.

Hoops History

There's nothing like being on site for a historic sports happening and celebration. UMBC's victory over Hartford in the America East Conference title game was a memorable occasion for the outpouring of joy on the court at the RAC at the completion of a resounding Retrievers victory. The explosion of excitement when the student body rushed the court took my breath away. 22 years of Division One basketball, and UMBC finally reached the NCAA tournament- the event the players have been watching on TV since they were kids, dreaming that some day maybe they could actually play in it.

Senior Brian Hodges was a freshman four years ago when Randy Monroe took over as coach and UMBC finished 10-and-18. Two more losing seasons before the breakout year: 24-8, a regular season and conference tourney title, and that coveted ticket to the NCAA "Big Dance." They all danced on the court, joined by students, teachers, athletic director Charlie Brown and school president Freeman Hrabowski.

There were hugs, back slaps, tears of joy and looks of disbelief. Hodges couldn't stop smiling. Why should he?

The following day, the euphoria continued with the nationally-televised NCAA pairings on CBS. The anticipation was electric. UMBC knew they'd be a low seed, it was just a matter of which big school they be matched up against. Then their school name popped up on the bracket along with Georgetown, and the place went wild. They slapped high fives, hugged and laughed- again, that unbridled joy. And talking to the players after the pairing was announced, I couldn't help but notice how confident they were despite being a number-15 seed facing the number-2 seed powerhouse Hoyas. None of them blinked when speaking of their confidence. Few outside observers will give them a real chance to beat Georgetown, but those Retrievers are believers.

UMBC is not likely to beat Georgetown (don't try to tell them that), but this season and the weekend of celebrating that first-ever NCAA tournament bid have already provided memories the players, coaches and fans will hold forever.

Best Of Ed Block

Kudos to the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation for another memorable banquet. The 30th annual event will go down as one of the best ever thanks to the players who were honored and the stories of inspiration they shared (in addition to the excellent organization and presentation provided by the Ed Block staff).

O.J. Brigance was recognized with the "Tops in Courage Award" as he battles the onset of Lou Gehrig's disease. A former player and now the Ravens director of player development, Brigance was diagnosed last summer and is suffering from increased paralysis of his limbs. The condition has no known cure and is fatal, and one's inclination is to reach out to Brigance with pity...until you talk to him. O.J. doesn't want pity. In fact, he embraces the disease as a challenge and reasons that it's his purpose in life to bring awareness to the ailment by talking about it and establishing a foundation to help find a cure. In what was the most touching moment of the night (to me), Brigance stood before a crowd of 1,500 and thanked his parents for giving him life, and thanked his wife for giving him the will to continue to live. So, I'm left not feeling sorry for him, but feeling inspired by him. Thank you, O.J. Brigance.

Florida Report

Some observations after "bird watching" at O's spring training in Ft. Lauderdale for 9 days:

New centerfielder Adam Jones has the look of a star in the making.  Hope that's not a curse on the kid, but he's a smooth athlete with a strong, fluid swing and appears graceful in the outfield.  Also impressive about Jones is his manner:  intelligent, engaging, and genuine.  He impressed me with his passion for baseball's past.  He's read up on Jackie Robinson and the Negro League stars to know the pioneers who came before him.  Impressive.

Melvin Mora is revitalized.  Maybe it's all the young players around him (no more Miguel Tejada at shortstop), but Mora seems to have sipped from the fountain of youth this spring.  He joked with me that he's dyed his hair.  It'll be interesting to see how Mora handles a season in which there are bound to be some growing pains with the youth around him. 

George Sherrill doesn't look like a Major League pitcher.  Amidst all the tall trees on the pitching staff that the O's have acquired in their off-season trades, it's easy to miss Sherrill who's short and squatty for a pitcher.  He's another guy that gives you reason to root for him:  he endured years of independent league baseball in pursuit of his big league dream.

Luke Scott may be the nicest Major Leaguer I've ever met.  Picked up in the trade from the Astros, he works hard and does so with a smile on his face.  He plays the game (and practices it) like I believe I would if I were so blessed to play in the big leagues.  Scott is a devout Christian but he's careful not to force his beliefs on anyone else.  His philosophy is:  if you ask about his faith, he'll talk about it.  Otherwise, he's content to enjoy the experience of being a pro athlete and that's evident in the way he goes about it.  And not to be lost in the discussion about the good nature of some of the good guys, some of them are pretty good baseball players, too.

Matt Wieters has the look of a future stud, a cornerstone for years to come.  He's a big dude with a commanding presence behind the plate, and he's still growing.  Think Joe Mauer, Wieters looks like a keeper.  Again, we'll see.

The 2008 Orioles will be young and hungry...and prone to the mistakes of youth.  I'm pretty sure they'll lose a lot of games, 90 or more.  Andy MacPhail told me that fans should watch this team with an eye toward the future:  look for some of that God-given talent to grow for the future, he says.