Cam Cameron fired? Confirmed!

     The Baltimore Ravens have fired Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron. As confirmed by the Baltimore Sun today, Quarterback's Coach Jim Caldwell (formerly of the Indianapolis Colts) will be Cameron's replacement as Offensive Coordinator. A source from the Raven's organization said, "Inconsistency and the lack of progression." lead to this decision.  The Ravens started strong on Sunday against the Redskins but the lopsided performance is not what any one wants to see this time of the season. The Ravens face Manning and his Denver Broncos next week at M & T Bank Stadium. Lets see if this change is the spark the offense has needed!


Let us know what you think about this! Email us at charmcitysportspodcast@gmail.com

Peace,

Mike

NFL caves to public pressure! Regular Ref's coming back!

     That's right, the NFL struck a deal with the NFLRA Wednesday. We can now go back to complaining about the regular ref's and the other bozo's can go back to stinking up their Division III, and Lingerie Leagues! "Our officials will be back on the field starting [Thursday] night," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. You read that right! They will be back tonight for the Cleveland vs. Baltimore game! So your TV's are safe from being smashed, and please no more holes in the walls! "This agreement supports long-term reforms that will make officiating better. The teams, players and fans want and deserve both consistency and quality in officiating." said Goodell.

     The Ref's will meet Friday and Saturday to vote on the agreement, if it is passed a clinic will be held for the Ref's following the vote. Commissioner Goodell went on to say, ""We look forward to having the finest officials in sports back on the field, and I want to give a special thanks to NFL fans for their passion. Now it's time to put the focus back on the teams and players where it belongs."

Below is a listing of the key terms of this agreement:

» Eight-year term covering the 2012-2019 seasons.

» The current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for current officials through the 2016 season (or until the official earns 20 years of service). The defined benefit plan will then be frozen.

» Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in 2017, through a defined contribution arrangement, which will have two elements: an annual league contribution made on behalf of each game official that will begin with an average of more than $18,000 per official and increase to more than $23,000 per official in 2019, and a partial match on any additional contribution that an official makes to his 401(k) account.

» Apart from their benefit package, the game officials' compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019.

» Beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field.

» The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL

Welcome back Ref's!!!! I don't think I have ever cheered for a ref before.....this is weird!

Peace and good vibes,

Mike

The NFL is losing integrity.

     Last night there was a report during the Pats vs. Ravens game stating that the NFL and the normal Ref's are not even close to an agreement. I can't speak for Greg, but after all the games I watched on Sunday I fully support a player strike! Below is a letter from the NFLPA to league owners. Let the NFLPA know what you think! Send them a message on twitter @NFLPA or you can follow my tweets @CaseRocker

MEMORANDUM

TO:   Owners of NFL Teams  

FROM:  NFLPA Executive Committee

DATE:  September 20, 2012

RE:  Your Lockout of the NFL Referees and the Negative Impact on Football

The NFL Players Association Executive Committee is calling on you to end the lockout of our referees.  We believe there is substantial evidence that you have failed in your obligation to provide as safe a working environment as possible.

Your decision to lock out officials with more than 1,500 years of collective NFL experience has led to a deterioration of order, safety and integrity.  This affirmative decision has not only resulted in poor calls, missed calls and bad game management, but the combination of those deficiencies will only continue to jeopardize player health and safety and the integrity of the game that has taken decades to build.

As we predicted and explained to you weeks ago, the removal of the veteran officials from regular season games left a group of your replacements who have proved to be incapable of keeping pace with the speed of the game. Coaches and players have complained of numerous errors and failures including: erratic and missed calls on egregious holds and hits, increased skirmishes between players and confusion about game rules. Many replacements have lost control of games due to inexperience and unfamiliarity with players and rules. 

The headlines are embarrassing: a scab working a game despite having been on the payroll of one of the teams, another who was assigned to referee a team he publicly supported on Facebook, and one who is a professional poker player when you propose even more stringent player rules on gambling.

It is lost on us as to how you allow a Commissioner to cavalierly issue suspensions and fines in the name of player health and safety yet permit the wholesale removal of the officials that you trained and entrusted to maintain that very health and safety. It has been reported that the two sides are apart by approximately $60,000 per team. We note that your Commissioner has fined an individual player as much in the name of “safety.”  Your actions are looking more and more like simple greed. As players, we see this game as more than the “product” you reference at times. You cannot simply switch to a group of cheaper officials and fulfill your legal, moral, and duty obligations to us and our fans. You need to end the lockout and bring back the officials immediately. 

We are all men who love and respect this game and believe that it represents something beyond just money. For our teammates, our coaches and our fans who deserve better, vote to end this lockout now.         

                                                            Sincerely,

Domonique Foxworth, NFLPA President                                     

Charlie Batch, NFLPA Vice President, Pittsburgh Steelers                         

Cornelius Bennett, NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors Chairman

Drew Brees, NFLPA Vice President, New Orleans Saints                          

Brian Dawkins, NFLPA Vice President                                        

Scott Fujita, NFLPA Vice President, Cleveland Browns                                        

Matt Hasselbeck, NFLPA Vice President, Tennessee Titans

Brandon Moore, NFLPA Vice President, New York Jets

Jeff Saturday, NFLPA Vice President, Green Bay Packers

Mickey Washington, NFLPA Former Players Board of Directors Member

Brian Waters, NFLPA Vice President, New England Patriots

Benjamin Watson, NFLPA Vice President, Cleveland Browns

Replacement Ref's are a disgusting joke!

Orioles Post Season Tickets info

     As promised in the latest Podcast available now for FREE on iTunes! Below is the official link on purchasing post season tickets for the Orioles!

  http://mlb.mlb.com/bal/ticketing/postseason.jsp


 Good luck!

 -Mike & Greg

Smack Talk?!?!

     Sunday 3:00pm is fast approaching and the anticipation of both Ravens fans and Pats fans is building! A few things to remember this weekend.

1. Remember that fans of the opposing team are people with feelings.

2. You are not paid by your team, so beating some one up that supports the other team will not earn you respect with Joe Flacco or Tom Brady.

3. Greg and Mike will not be drinking, but some people do so drink responsibly.

4. NEVER Drink and Drive!!!! EVER!!!!

5. Have fun and be sure the ones around you can also have fun....yes even if they are Pats fans!!!

     Today is Purple Friday in Ravens Land so today I decided to dress from head to toe in my Patriots gear. Let just say I have ruffled some feathers here in Baltimore! This is an AFC Championship match-up I have been waiting for since I moved down here from Boston back in 2002. I do not want to see a blow-out by either side. I really prefer the long hard fought out game like the Pats vs Raiders AFC Championship game a few years back.


     The Ravens need a game like this in their history. Their Superbowl win a few years back was a different time and a much different team. They had that energy, that look, the drive....ok their Defense carried them! But still! This years team I want them to perform well against the past but I am not sold, there is a large shadow in the back of my mind when it comes to the Ravens beating the Pats. I could be wrong, but I saw a giant wake up last weekend against Denver. Sunday we will all find out if that giant has returned!

Good Luck to both teams!

-Mike

Loose Lips Sink Ships

   As the Baltimore Ravens prepare to take on the New England Patriots Sunday in Foxboro, it seems the team is more interested in providing action through sound bites.  Ed Reed is a highly respected player around the NFL, and especially by Tom Brady and Coach Belichick up in New England.  For Reed to come out and make a comment about his quarterback looking rattled against the Texans on Sunday does not help the team in any way shape or form.  I'm a huge believer in team concept, and is why I've bought into how the Patriots roll and treat their interactions with the media for the most part.  The week headed into the conference championship game and for Reed to make those statements just doesn't seem to be helping the team.  If they need the extra motivation to get up for this game,  the Ravens are in big trouble already.   You shouldn't have to kick your teammates in the butt publicly to get them motivated in my opinion.

  What do you think?  Was Ed Reed out of line with his comments?  Or is it okay to take your teammates to task in the public media?

  I think Sunday will be a heck of a game for the record.  While actions do speak louder than words,  loose lips sink ships.  Maybe the Ravens should try zipping theirs before the ship bottoms out.

- Greg

No doubt in my mind!

     I don't know about you folks but I knew the Ravens had it all the way.....(ducks and watches the sky for lightning bolts!) What a game though, and man what a finish! Flacco to Boldin was hot when it needed to be, but I cringed when Rice could not get over the goal line. Flacco is a good QB. There I said it. What I see on that O line though is guys missing their blocks. Number 73 (Marshal Yanda) may as well have just stepped aside every time and said "There ya go boy, go get 'em!" There were very few plays where the D was stopped from getting to Flacco one way or another. I understand that is the job of the Defense, to knock down the O line to get pressure to the QB. The Offensive line must protect Flacco from the big hits that will come from the Patriots Defense if they want a chance at winning. The Ravens must bring an energy to the game like we have never seen from them on the road.

     Which brings me to the New England Patriots. How on earth are the Ravens going to shut down Gronkowski?!?! How are the Ravens going to own an angry Tom Brady who spews out hell fire and brimstone all four quarters of play?!?! How are the Ravens going to prevent Brady from reaching into the bellows and tossing thunder bolts that his targets are just not missing?!?!?! Ray Lewis has the ability of getting his team fired up but will Ed Reed and others that seemed to be there when it mattered be healthy enough to slay the New England beast? Tempting as it may be to rest and take it easy I am hoping for the Ravens sake they are all working hard and watching every reel they can find and making the adjustments they need to end out on top. I'm looking at you Marshal Yanda you need to block and protect your QB like your life depended on it!

Peace and good vibes,

     Mike

Texans welcome to the home of the real angry BIRDS!!

       So the first half of the AFC division has been set! Houston Vs. Baltimore. From what I saw it looks like next weekends game is going to come down to who can run the ball down the field. It will be important for Baltimore's defense to show up and shut down Houston's passing game. I realize there is only so much preparing professional football players can do.

       Whenever I hear pro players say things like "practice?!?!" I get a little miffed. Sorry but practice is what separates a flash in the pan and Legends. I'm reminded of Larry Bird. He would show up several hours before every game, not just playoff games but every game and practice taking the basketball and putting it in the net. So for the Ravens sake I am hoping more than just the coaching and QB watched video of yesterdays game. Houston has momentum on their side, I just hope Baltimore's season wasn't just one big tease! I am rooting for a Baltimore vs. New England Championship match. This is football and anything can happen!

UPDATE!!!! Like I said this is football and ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN!!! If you missed it you HAVE to watch the video I linked! Denver beats the Steelers in grand fashion and are set to face New England next week! Wow! I don't care who you are, if you love Football this play will just move you! Exciting Games coming to the AFC next week! Share your picks with us. Who is going to the AFC and NFC Championship games?

Good luck and enjoy the games,

-Mike   

Welcome to the Weekend!

Hey folks, quick update here!

We're headed for the weekend and the first round of playoffs in the NFL.  The Bengals and Texans on Saturday afternoon, and the Lions meet the Saints later that evening. Sunday features the Falcons taking on the Giants, while the Steeelers and Broncos get the nightcap.  My(Greg's) picks for the games:  Going to take the Bengals, Saints, Falcons, and wait for it...Broncos.  I like the underdog story that is the Broncos, Dalton is playing solid in Cincy, the Lions pass defense is vulnerable and they're playing against the top passing offense in the NFL, and the Falcons I'm taking because..to be honest I just don't care for the Giants! (Its the whole Super Bowl 42 loss I am not letting go of yet)

We'll see how the playoffs progress and the Ravens fair.  Should the Ravens make the Super Bowl, Mike and I will come up with a special game day menu to share with you!

Orioles are readying for spring training, making a few moves here and there.  Very interested to see what Dan Duquette will bring to the table as Vice President of the club.  He made some really good moves in Boston.  The trade of Heathcliff Slocumb for Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe, brining in Pedro Martinez, and drafting players like Nomar Garciaparra and Trot Nixon.  I'm anxious to see how he will go about retooling the Orioles farm system and what new players he will bring into the clubhouse at Camden Yards.  Hopefully, Angelos will stay out of the way a bit more and just sign the checks!

Did anyone watch the NHL Winter Classic?  Great game,  though the officiating played more of a role in it then it should have on play around the net.  I do love the idea of it though, hockey is meant to be played outdoors!  This was a fantastic and very innovative idea from the NHL.  Now if they could just arrange a pond hockey game.....

Heading for the exit question:  What song is in your head today?

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and a happy New Years!  Mike and I are going to keep working on our content here and improving the blog as well as getting back into podcasts very soon.  Thanks to those who are reading for your support of us!

NFL Post Season Grilling!

What will you be slapping on the grill this NLF Playoff season? Last weekend the wife and I decided it was a good weekend to fire up the smoker for the first time this winter. We went with a nice Black Angus Brisket from our freezer. The grill I use is the Brinkmann Smoke N' Grill Charcoal Smoker.


I really like the natural flavor you can get when using all wood charcoal. I don't have a lot of space for one of those big fancy smoker grills you see on the food network.

A book I picked up over the Christmas break was Dr. BBQ's Big-Time Barbecue Cookbook.

This book is full of really good ideas and one of his biggest points about BBQ is, 'how do YOU want the meat to taste?' So I have done just that. Let the Brisket thaw, and collect the seasoning I want for the marinade. Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Grill Mates Cowboy Rub, and some hot pepper mix Greg got me called Pirates Bite. Seasoned all sides and they the Brisket sit all night covered in the fridge.

Seasoned Brisket ready to sit over-night.

One thing I do that is a little different is sear both sides of the meat to lock in the flavor. SEAR THE MEAT?!?!? you ask? Yes I set my gas grill to sear which is close to 500 degrees. I sear both sides for under 10 seconds each. Then I wrap it in foil, but before I seal it any left over seasoning / marinade that is in the pan is scraped out and put into the foil with the Brisket. By now the smoker is to temp and ready for this fine slab of meat! This size Brisket only took about 4 hours in the smoker. Once you close the lid do not open the lid at all!! Let the meat sit and allow the low heat to do its work! Between 175 and 180 is where you want the meat temp to be.

175 - 180 is when your Brisket is done!

It is important to allow your meat to rest for a few minutes. 6 Minutes is nice amount of time for meat resting, also never slice your Brisket or any meat until you are going to serve it! If you slice your meat too early it will cause it to dry out and not taste tender and juicy. Below is the final result before we sliced and served.

The small fork belongs to our 3 year old daughter who just loves daddy's grillin'!

Let us know what you have planned for the grill this NFL Playoff Season! You can either comment here or let us know in an e-mail to charmcitysportspodcast@gmail.com Greg and I would love to hear from you!

Peace and good vibes!

-Mike

NFL Post Season is upon us!

Well howdy-do! How is every one doing in this new year? Greg and I are doing fantastic! We decided to take a step back these past few months and try to get to know the Baltimore / Washington sporting area a little better. Attended many O's games, been to a couple Cap's games, survived a Skins game, and still waiting for my Baltimore Grand Prix tickets........Wow.

Lets talk about the Grand Prix for a moment. So I wanted to go, Greg wanted to go. Tickets never came. I could not even find it on TV, digging deeper they gave broadcasting rights to Vs. Really Vs.?!?! This would have been huge for local TV! But after months now I am not the only person who was let down. Vender's involved with the event still have not been paid, Baltimore City has still not been paid, and people who were promised comp tickets never got them (on top of still not being paid). What were the Baltimore Grand Prix organizers thinking?!?! When the big investor wanted to pull out so close to the event that should have been a red flag for all involved.

Culture of secrecy hid Grand Prix's failure

NFL Post season is upon us! As the title reads above. December 11th Greg and myself visited FedEx Field for the Redskins vs. Patriots. What a game for us New England born boys! FedEx Field is a nice field if you can afford close seats.....

But the view from our seats did not have such a nice view of the field, we did in fact have a good view of the one EndZone!

The food and drinks were way over priced, and the stadium just looked like a rush job that was slapped together as cheaply as possible. Take a look at Camden Yards, or M&T Bank Stadium and the quality of building / venue is like night & day. Camden Yards reminds me so much of Fenway Park. After the game Greg and I just happened to come across the player buses! Right away we saw some New England players. I am not good with faces outside of helmets when it comes to football and hockey. The first person I see is Ochocinco.

At the time I was not sure if it was him or not so I didn't ask for a picture. A few other guys walk out to meet with family and friends, and who do I see right next to me?!?! The Lawfirm BenJarvus Green-Ellis!

Needless to say if it was not for the mingle session with the Pats players it would have been a disappointing visit to FedEx Field. It really made our year and every one there was cool about it. Enjoy these NFL playoff games and watch for our upcoming PODcasts on iTunes!

Peace and happy New Year!

-Mike

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The post Easter Blitz!

Wow what a weekend! The Redwings, Predators, and......CAPITALS are all moving on to the next round! Now I am hoping the Bruins can be the team that they are and beat the snot out of the Habs! In baseball The O's let the Yankers win, but the Red Sox rediscovered that they do have talent! And the Nationals are looking more and more like a legitimate MLB team......Go figure! NBA you ask? The Celtics sweep the Nicks, New Orleans and Chris Paul put their foot down and let the Lakers know its not gonna be a cake walk for them!

The NFL?..................Some players on their own have organized groups and held their own workout / training sessions or mini camps that way they are ready just in case things turn around quick.

In other news....Like me I am sure most of you are recovering from good times with friends and family yesterday. Whats the term? Ah yes, and detoxing from all the different types of sugar we consumed! Time to enjoy this sunshine and grab my Nike+ sneakers and record my miles walked!

-Case Rocker

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