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Scott Garceau: Oz And O's

I don't want to hear that sure "Ozzie Newsome drafted an Alabama guy." I think it's more accurate to say that Ozzie Newsome drafted a terrific linebacker who played his college ball at Alabama. Newsome didn't use his first pick to "Roll Tide" he used it make his defense tougher.

C.J. Mosley is no Ray Lewis but he's got a chance to become the man in the middle who can lead the Ravens defense. He can play the run, drop into coverage and blitz the quarterback. Some NFL talent evaluators gave him a top 10 grade, so why were the Ravens able to land him with the 17th pick? Maybe because some teams were concerned with his injury history, the list includes shoulder surgery, a dislocated hip, and elbow - in all 5 surgeries, some just clean-ups. The Ravens knew all this and he passed their medical evaluation.

The Ravens could use a right tackle and Zack Martin would have been a nice fit but he went to Dallas at 16 the pick right before the Ravens. There are still plenty of quality linemen available and I'd expect the Ravens to grab one in day 2 of the draft.

While the best from college football were gathered at Radio City Music Hall the Orioles had me wearing out the last button on my remote. At The Trop' in St. Pete, the Orioles were having their own party as they completed a sweep of the Rays. They topped it off by beating one of the best pitchers in the game David Price.

O's fans would have been happy to take 2 of the 3 from the Rays on the road, but good clubs don't settle for that. Average hitters will give away at bats when they've had 2 or 3 hits in a game. It's human nature to settle for a 2-4 or 3-5 day. Great hitters won't settle for a 3-hit day they'll grind that last at bat like it's the 7th game of the World Series.

Matt Wieters can't catch, Chris Davis is DL'd and Manny Machado hasn't shaken the rust off yet, no problem Caleb Joseph behind the plate, Steve Pierce with the long ball and Tommy Hunter or Darren O'Day surviving the 9th for a save. The Orioles are in first place and the best might be yet to come.
 

 

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