It appears my vacation coincided with an interesting week with the Ravens signing of Marc Bulger, Vasquez being drafted in the 1st-round of the NBA Draft, and the departure of University of Maryland Athletic Director Debbie Yow.
Here are my quick thoughts on each of these events.
Marc Bulger – I like this signing from the Ravens. For me it feels very similar to the addition of Trent Dilfer prior to the Super Bowl run. I’m not comparing the respective statures of Tony Banks and Joe Flacco, but I think there are similarities to be found in adding a veteran with extensive experience prior to a year with vast expectations. Flacco has started every game of his 2 year career. The odds are not with him making it through a 3rd season unscathed. I know that if Flacco goes down, I’ll feel better about Bulger’s ability to win a game for the Ravens vs. relying on Smith. The last 3 years have been rough for Bulger, but he has played in 96 games and thrown for nearly 23,000 yards. He has been sacked an awful lot of times (138 times from the start of the ’06 season). After he spends sometime holding the clipboard in Baltimore, I think he will begin to feel and look refreshed. If the Ravens are able to get the rumored 6th round pick for Smith, this will look even better.
Greivis Vasquez drafted in the NBA 1st Round – Vasquez was selected 28th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies, and I could not be happier for him. As the college season ended, and most of the draft sites had Vasquez projected as a mid-2nd rounder, I felt for him. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Vasquez continued to work. This should not have surprised anyone that has followed Vasquez. From the days he arrived at Montrose Christian under Coach Stu Vetter, all Vasquez has done is work to improve. Continually knocked for the things he could not do, many people were late on appreciating all the positive things about him. While things may not have gone as planned against Michigan State in the tournament, Vasquez leaves Maryland with the last laughs. He helped lead the Terps to a shared regular-season conference title with the eventual National Champion, and improved his game enough to earn a 3 year guaranteed contract in the league. The Grizzlies are instantly my new favorite team, and I look forward to seeing Vasquez earn his minutes. If Greivis continues to work as hard in the pros as he has in getting there; Mike Conley might soon be looking over his shoulder.
UMD Athletic Director Debbie Yow leaves for NCST – First, credit should go to Jeff Ermann and InsideMDSports.com for reporting some-time ago that Yow to NCST was a realistic option. Frankly I should have seen this coming with her known non-existing relationships with Coach Williams, and Coach Friedgen – coupled with the upcoming August retirement of University of Maryland President Dr. Mote.
If you have poor relationships with the Head Coaches of the two revenue driving sports, and no longer have the President in your corner; leaving seems inevitable.
I respect that Yow was able to balance the Athletic budget, and I respect her attempt to make the Terrapins competitive in 28 sports. However, I will agree with the masses that believe she seemed to forget that College Sports at the highest-level begin and end with the Men’s Basketball, and Football teams. More importantly, I will agree that the University needed an end to the dysfunctional relationships that existed between the Athletic Department and the Coaching Staffs of the Basketball and Football teams.
Jeff Barker of The Baltimore Sun reported today that Maryland will hire an interim A.D.
John Feinstein of The Washington Post detailed on his personal blog why many will not miss Yow.
http://www.feinsteinonthebrink.com/index.php?id=2493004728911411645
As the dust settles in College Park, and a new President and Athletic Director arrive; it will be interesting to see what that new leadership thinks about Maryland as a possible member of the Big Ten conference.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.