It was an exciting weekend in Baltimore sports from where I was sitting. Friday it was the O’s with some tailgating. That is not a mistake, Orioles and tailgating can go together but when you park in Lot A (closest to the stadium), be prepared to get a citation with that grill. Then on Saturday, our Ravens kicked it in Carolina with a W, bringing us one step closer to the regular season.
Yes it is only the preseason in the NFL— the undisputed king of all professional sports— but man oh man, these Ravens are impressive. One question: is there any need to DVR games now that the NFL network exists? I’ve watched many a times since Saturday on the network and have not needed the old DVR.
Anyway, Baltimore’s offense is pretty potent. Our boy, Joe Flacco went berserk with a 115.8 QB rating (23-for-28 with 247 yards). How great was it to see Todd Heap with that touchdown in double coverage?
My Heap jersey is fresh and styling once again and I’m hoping that this was just a sneak-peak of that vintage Heap that we have been longing for! Here is what he had to say regarding this exciting reception:
“Joe and I saw the same thing. The defense was playing man-to-man and the corners were off to the sides,” said Heap about quarterback Joe Flacco’s perfectly-placed ball in the back corner of the end zone. “It’s fun to start developing that chemistry early. Joe made a great throw and all I had to do was pluck it out of the air.”
This plucky tight-end makes it sound so simple. But I’m quite certain the entire Ravens nation was holding their collective breath after Heap missed earlier. When he made good, Ravens nation let out a bellicose sigh of relief. I’m also positive the fans of purple got on their feet and made some noise: HEEEEEEEEEAP!
Not to say that Baltimore didn’t have problems on the gridiron. It’s preseason and the first drive was ugly. The kicker sitch is probably the most glaring of problems, Graham Gano versus Steve Hauschka (holding the cards) is still up in the air (and wide right, I might add) when Hauschka missed a 27-yard gimme FG. So the case of giving Hall-of-Famer Matt Stover the call remains open as well. Stover deserves better.
I am hoping though that since Flacco hit up seven separate receivers and was poised while he delivered (hello- 115.8 QB rating) that people will drop the whole Brandon Marshall speculation. Enough already.
On to the Orioles: I have to admit, I’ve never really done a traditional tailgate before the black and orange take to the field (traditional as in a grill and uncooked food). But Friday’s game had tailgate on the agenda. It was planned months in advance so the rain and storms were not stopping this crew. Nothing a couple margaritas and a heavy-duty (ripe with some holes) tarp couldn’t handle.
Well, in lot A there is no tailgating, or at least one that requires a grill and any type of fire. But we prevailed, nearly picking up a citation for the sparks. Luckily, the stadium police cut us a break (it took two rounds of visits and two separate “policia” who got in on the act). So I wonder, is it just this lot that doesn’t allow tailgating?
That said, Friday night’s game was rain-delayed but turned out to be spectacular nonetheless. Not only did the O’s win (and win big!) over Cleveland but we got some imported entertainment as well. An inebriated out-of-towner (from Cleveland, if you can imagine that!) was front and center. It was quite a show.
Guess that is what happens when you drink a 30-pack plus! And I’m not talking about a youthful college student, I’m talking an older lady. Last call came too early for her yet her order for three more was fulfilled.
In addition, the wave was alive and well with the diminished crowd on this night. The wave went around five times! Five whole times consecutively. Talk about a revolution. The O’s bullpen even got in on the act. At least one of the guys in the bullpen stepped up as the wave made it’s way around the entire stadium. Good times.
September 1, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I never even thought to tailgate before an O’s game- it’s unheard of.
September 1, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’m guessing you are not alone, Michele, because not a lot of people do it, that’s for sure.
But why not? It was fun, aside from the weather and the whole police thing, that is. I think if we would have been in a different lot, nobody would have bothered us.
Back when the O’s were in the playoffs, it was that football tailgate atmosphere too. Won’t be long for the O’s to get back into it! Or so that is my hope…