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Winters Mill’s hoops title makes up for lost time

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Mar 19, 2008 12:00 AM (171 days ago) by Matt Palmer, The Examiner
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Winters Mill teammates celebrate their win over Randallstown in the 2A final. The win secured Carroll County’s first state championship since Harry Truman was president of the United States. — Arianne Starnes/Examiner

Winters Mill teammates celebrate their win over Randallstown in the 2A final. The win secured Carroll County’s first state championship since Harry Truman was president of the United States. — Arianne Starnes/Examiner

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - For 61 years, Carroll County high school boys basketball was Maryland’s also-ran and afterthought.

If the drought for a county team winning a state championship had lasted one more year, it would have qualified for social security.

There was no reason to expect Winters Mill to be the team to end such a streak of futility in the Class 2A State Tournament. The Falcons had six losses, and weren’t going to make it past Prince George’s County’s Gwynn Park in the semifinals.

No way. No how.

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Basketball fans across the state already had engraved the trophy for the Yellow Jackets, who had gone 25-1 playing in a county that’s nationally known for producing great players. If for some reason a miracle happened, then the Class’ two-time defending champion, Randallstown, would likely be waiting for the Falcons in the final.

Again, there was no chance Winters Mill would beat the Rams, who had won the 3A title in 2005, the year before they moved to 2A to begin their back-to-back title run.

It would take a run worthy of Villanova during the 1985 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament or an upset on the level of the New York Giants beating the undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII for Winters Mill to leave Comcast Center a champion.

The impossible needed to happen at the Comcast Center in College Park this past weekend.

And it did.

Coach David Herman’s squad vanquished both of those Maryland basketball giants en route to claiming Carroll’s first state championship since Harry Truman was president of the United States.

The Falcons’ tournament run brought madness to March. The 58-56 victory over Gwynn Park Friday featured a game-winning shot by guard Devon Lesniak that called to mind Bryce Drew’s buzzer-beater in Valparaiso’s upset of Ole Miss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in 1998.

The 54-47 shocker over Randallstown in the title game was like Duke taking down undefeated, defending champion UNLV in the Final Four in 1991.

About the only person who could say he expected his team his team to slay so many dragons, was Herman.

Even that is hard to believe.

“We’re a new school, we come from an area that [hasn’t won] in 61 years,” Herman acknowledged. “I know how good they are and how good they could be. I’m not going to sit here and say this is something I predicted or whatever, but I know they have a lot of ability and I believe in them a lot.”

Herman was right. If basketball junkies didn’t know about Penn State-bound guard Cammeron Woodyard before, they certainly do now. His 35 points and 21 rebounds during the two games couldn’t be overlooked.

Randallstown coach Kim Rivers routinely sees some of the best talent in the state, and sometimes the country playing in highly competitive Baltimore County league. He called Woodyard, “probably the best player we played against all year, all around.”

Not only are Maryland high school basketball teams aware of Woodyard now, they’ve been put on notice.

Carroll County teams, much like Howard County’s once-underestimated boys’ basketball teams, aren’t doormats anymore. They can play and they can win state championships — even if it takes 61 years to do it.

Matt Palmer is a staff writer for The Examiner who regularly writes columns about the NFL, Major League Baseball and other sports. He can be reached at mpalmer@baltimoreexaminer.com.

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Comments from Examiner Readers

6:50 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 5, 2008 re: "Freshly-released Colts DVD a slap in the face to Baltimore fans"

 Examiner Reader said:
I just came across this crappy article...hard to believe what kind of filth floats around on the world wide web...get over yourself Baltimore...Indy tore your guts out on your own home field en route to a "history" making superbowl..how does that taste(a year later)

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8:02 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 14, 2007 re: "Time to scrub the Orioles clean"

 Examiner Reader said:
For Matt Palmer to compare Aubrey Huff's vile and outrageous behavior with Kevin Millar's throwing out the first pitch at a World Series game at Fenway Park is totally idiotic. Let's send Palmer and Huff packing and hold on to Millar.

 87 agree | 75 disagree
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10:54 PM MST on Tue., Nov. 13, 2007 re: "Time to scrub the Orioles clean"

 Examiner Reader said:
Excellent summary and solution. The Orioles are not the team they used to be and hopefully McPhail and Trembley can bring back the old days when it was fun to go to the games and a feeling of pride came from the fans.

 93 agree | 100 disagree
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12:21 PM MST on Tue., Nov. 13, 2007 re: "Time to scrub the Orioles clean"

 Tom from Frederick County said:
Huff, Tejeda, Millar, Hernandez,and Peyton for starter, then if Bedard doesn't want an extension ship him to. I have been an Oriole fan since 1978, and none of these seem to fit into a mold of the old orioles. I can stand losing, as long as they hustle and show some pride. This group does neither. Give them all away and start over.

 86 agree | 88 disagree
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12:21 PM MST on Sat., Oct. 27, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Bob from Anne Arundel said:
Please! Comparing Millar to a guy making it with his ex-girlfriend while the wife is watching?! The O's should be thankful they have a ballplayer like Millar that's still willing to play in Baltimore. He gives it everything he has every game he's in the lineup. He cooperates with the Baltimore media, he's approachable, likeable to the fans. . .give the guy a break! The O's are light years away from competing with the Red Sox and Yankees anyway. So why not let the guy have some fun in the OFF-SEASON. You act like he threw out the 1st pitch on Opening Day at Fenway, while he's wearing an O's uniform. He still comes to play when he's in an O's uniform. That's what really counts.

 117 agree | 101 disagree
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7:06 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
This is the most unintentional homoerotic story I've read in a long time. Quentin Tarantino would have a field day. AD made fun of your tie, so he's a bad guy? That's the worst you could come up with? Take it easy on the Brian Billick koolaid.

 117 agree | 110 disagree
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3:55 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "True Thomas grows with Pats"

 Examiner Reader said:
Even if AD was seeking the limelight in Baltimore last year, his point in the SI article was simply that the Patriots team does not do so. He did not claim the Ravens tendency to do so was a bad thing, and just emphasized a difference between the two teams. Certain people are getting bent out of shape over an innocuous comment. Is there a point to this article?

 109 agree | 104 disagree
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1:12 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "True Thomas grows with Pats"

 Examiner Reader said:
Some of you're comments regarding AD are completely false, and any person who actually knows the man will tell you these accounts are false. You sound like a biased jerk who was denied an interview. Also, AD & Ray have already kissed and made up, but I guess that isn't worthy of your crack reporting.

 113 agree | 127 disagree
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12:21 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "The real Thomas emerges in New England"

 Examiner Reader said:
We'll keep him thank you very much and we'll continue to let you deal with a broken down defense led by an Atlanta thug.

 128 agree | 98 disagree
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12:03 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
Lewis, we're talking Millar here. Mr. Palmer, you sound like a little whiney little school girl. Grow up and write a real article. I felt like I was back in high school after reading it. This is why I still read the sports section in the Baltimore Sun. Roch all the way! lol

 111 agree | 89 disagree
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5:38 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "The real Thomas emerges in New England"

 MainePatsFan said:
Wow. Sounds like a whole lot of personal bias leaked into this story. What did AD do to this beat writer exactly, ignore a dumbass question of his? When AD was paying more attention to the national media in the locker room last year it must have really struck a nerve. There's no crying in Beat Writing! Only sour grape-tasting smear stories long after they're gone, right? We love AD up here, thanks. Oh and when Ray-Ray cries his way out of B'more we'll be glad to have him come play too. Of course he'll have to leave the chest-beating and lame endzone dances back in Losermore.

 109 agree | 124 disagree
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6:38 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Towson Baseball player & fan said:
Lighten up everyone. Millar is a baseball fan. I can't stand the BoSox or the Yankees. But I'd consider it an honor to throw out the first pitch at either venue. Great to hear how he sat and watched a baseball game with his wife for the first time ever. How cool is that? Good for Millar. BTW, it's the BoSox over the Rockies in the Series. The edge is only based on the "Cubs Factor." E.g. Remember the time the BoSox were in the series with former Cub Buckner? I guess its a good thing the O's picked up McPhail, Trembley and Kranitz? All former Cubs. Not good. Not good at all.

 113 agree | 86 disagree
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3:41 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
Who Cares! Wouldn't you still support the team that actually one you a world series? If I was him, i'd wear my old Red Sox jersey while on the field playing for the Orioles.

 114 agree | 90 disagree
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11:32 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
When the Orioles put a competitive product on the field, then maybe I might care about this. We are nowhere near the level of the Red Sox and Yankees. So lighten up guys, wasn't it great to see an Oriole on national television involved in agame that matters? You might never see that again.

 98 agree | 99 disagree
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11:22 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
It seems people in baseball have forgotten the emotional attachment fans have with their teams. Or maybe they don't want us to have an emotional attachment except when they are charging us up the whazzoo. This was a kick in the face to a true Oriole fan.

 121 agree | 102 disagree
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11:05 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
Oh come on man...what in the heck are you writing for a highschool paper?

 122 agree | 74 disagree
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10:25 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
One player does not a team make. Look at Manny Ramirez, he pretty much hates playing for the Red Sux, has tried to be traded away for 3 seasons, but Boston would be crazy to let him go. Players get traded back and forth in real life just as much as they do as baseball cards. Baltimore's problem is getting the right set and leaving it well enough alone.

 106 agree | 79 disagree
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10:23 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
OMG!!!!!! Mr. Millar was an important part of the Red Sox winning the Series a few years back. He is one of the few current Orioles that hustle and understand how the game is played. His mojo helped the Red Sox win, too bad it hasn't rubbed off on his Oriole teammates. I commend the Orioles organization for allowing Kevin to do that. It wasn't done out of malice toward the Orioles. Boston, in a way, was showing respect to Kevin for helping them win. The Orioles season is over, another horrible season in the books. It would have been one thing if the Orioles were still playing. But since our season is over what is the harm? Besides, we'll never see our players in the World Series.

 101 agree | 94 disagree
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9:14 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 reader said:
The orioles are traiters to Baltimore.

 109 agree | 84 disagree
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9:06 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
I think this article is stupid and petty. The comparison to throwing out a pitch at another team game vs cheating on one's spouse is inane. Is Mr. Palmer having a bad week at home?

 106 agree | 84 disagree
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8:02 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor to Orioles?"

 Examiner Reader said:
I do NOT think the Orioles should consider letting Kevin Millar go -- right now he's the heart and soul of the team and gives his all. I was stunned when he came out to throw the first pitch, but the Orioles did give their OK. And if they hadn't, how petty and small we would have appeared as a team and a city!

 106 agree | 85 disagree
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6:32 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor?"

 Examiner Reader said:
You guys need to get a grip. It is a sport and a business. Get some perspective. If this petty nonsense is what keeps you up at night I suggest you move to San Diego. In case you haven't heard they are having real problem out there. This does article doesn't merit the space to store it.

 107 agree | 115 disagree
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6:06 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor?"

 Gotta Love Millard said:
How silly. Millard is a good guy who played hard for the Orioles. Why anyone would write spew against this man is beyond me. I did not see anything hateful in what Millard did. Matt Palmer is wrong on this one.

 106 agree | 88 disagree
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5:43 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Is Kevin Millar a traitor?"

 reader said:
Kevin is just another self centered ball player who only cares about himself. What else is new?

 107 agree | 106 disagree
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5:11 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 17, 2007 re: "Mazzone never had the chance to succeed"

 Al said:
Terry Crowley, whose overaggressive offenses have ranked in the bottom half of the league in runs every season but one, when it was sixth, inexplicably keeps his job, but Mazzone is gone after two bad years. Nine inept years vs. two, and Crowley gets to keep encouraging O's hitters to swing early, and expand the strike zone when ahead in the count. Yet another idiotic choice by the home team, which needs a hitting coach who preaches plate discpline, as the Yankees and Red Sox do.

 98 agree | 87 disagree
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10:55 AM MST on Tue., Sep. 4, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
Do you know anything about football? You obviously know nothing about the University of Maryland football team.

 157 agree | 118 disagree
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6:40 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 CK Terp said:
The author of this article is so ignorant it's funny. To think that Fridge named Steffy the starter only to make Portis hungrier? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Steffy won the job on the field, and his play Saturday confirmed that it was the right choice. Yes, it was Villanova. But it is a sign of things to come this season. Steffy is smart, confident, and talented. With the studs RB's in the backfield, all Steffy needs to do is be smart and limit mistakes and this team will be fine. I think there's a reason nobody's ever heard of Matt Palmer....worst sports writer ever.

 137 agree | 122 disagree
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6:03 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
Dumb article, or dumbest article ever? Hard to say

 82 agree | 115 disagree
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12:18 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
Mr Palmer: You're an idiot. Did you see the game Saturday? Jordan played well, will be fine and have a good season. Youre assumption that Coach was holding back Josh on purpose to make him hungrier made me laugh and realize you have evidently seen nothing of practice since last spring. The speculation that you and others made about Josh has been overboard and unrealistic - s though he was going to step right in and lead the Terps to the promised land. For some reason he was so talented, he wouldnt need a learning curve. You're no more credible in your assumptions than some of the nut jobs on the internet who think they know better than RF. I hope Josh learns his lesson and gets his act together and comes back strong in 2008. Yes, he is talented and has the potential to be something special. Unfortunately he made a serious mistake in judgement and will pay dearly for it. We still love him and want him back but as far as this season being over, you couldnt be more wrong.

 153 agree | 103 disagree
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12:04 PM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 UMDFAN said:
Terps will be fine without Portis. It is a team sport...Steffy is capable and Turner will be his backup. Lattimore, Ball, DHB, Haynos, and the "O" line will all step-up and make it easier for Jordan. Jordab looked great on saturday, and yes its not WVU or Ritgers or FSU, but he certainly seemed in control, except for one bad throw in the end zone. I am sure Ralph was satisfied with his play. And that is really all that matters.

 141 agree | 87 disagree
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11:52 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
That was one of the funniest articles I've read in a while...can't stop laughing. While losing Portis is not good for the Terps, the author's lack of experience/understanding of the situation is obvious. In the end, he comes across as an unintelligent buffoon trying to sensationalize a bad situation into an end all and it comes across as a cheap sales pitch for "The Examiner". Unfortunately, this at best will only further undermine "The Examiner's" credibility as a worthy news source and expose the knuckle head author as the cheap, shameless self promoter who really doesn't have the aptitude to understand the situation's true place in the bigger scheme of things.

 142 agree | 117 disagree
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10:44 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
this was written tongue-in-cheek, right? Because I was wondering our season could be over because the back-up QB can't play...

 163 agree | 110 disagree
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10:19 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Examiner Reader said:
Little hasty..there are a lot of players on the field and intangibles that lead to Ws. You may be eating some crow on this one. Thanks for the extra inspiration to our players!

 119 agree | 90 disagree
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9:43 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Ron said:
I thought Rick Maese was the biggest idiot in Baltimore. Apparently not.

 141 agree | 118 disagree
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9:41 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 Bob said:
Matt, Next time just write "I haven't the slightest clue about what I'm writing about." It'll save you and the reader a lot of time.

 143 agree | 111 disagree
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8:46 AM MST on Mon., Sep. 3, 2007 re: "Terps in trouble without Portis"

 FREDTERP said:
Palmer, so I may seem like a bitter person, you were the person that came attacking Steffy and I might say in a pompous posting manner. "Vitriol", can't take the truth! Steffy is a solid quarterback. Have you watched any Maryland games this decade. Trust the Fridge. THE SPIN STOPS HERE.

 157 agree | 117 disagree
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7:02 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 15, 2007 re: "Getting to know ‘The Accused’"

 Bewildered in Baltimore said:
I am an avid reader of Matt Palmer's Columns and even though I do not always agree with his opinions, they usually make some sense all the way through. This column on Barry Bonds (I do not agree with Palmer once again on a subject) started out rather cohesive but somewhere in the middle he started talking about Jim Morrison and NBA players and sprinters that had nothing to do with Barry Bonds. What is he trying to do? Confuse us by just throwing a lot of names out there? He had a good column and ruined it with about 300 words of nonsense that makes him sound like he is on his first day as a sports writer. What gives Matt? What gives?

 161 agree | 167 disagree
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6:39 PM MST on Tue., Aug. 14, 2007 re: "Getting to know ‘The Accused’"

 Examiner Reader said:
Matt Palmer; Your statement: "Babe Ruth’s home run swing was fueled as much by strength as it was by alcohol" Is absurd. Alcohol is not a performance-enhancing drug, it's just the opposite.

 149 agree | 150 disagree
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8:49 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 25, 2007 re: "Michael Vick's star quickly dimming"

 Because said:
Vick and Bonds do not have to be convicted of anything to be loathed by fans and non-fans alike.

 165 agree | 141 disagree
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3:51 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 25, 2007 re: "Michael Vick's star quickly dimming"

 WHY said:
Michael Vick has not even been to trial and people are already convicting him. What have you done in your life? Are you better then me, Vick, or anyone else. I dont agree with killing any animal, but; it is so crazy how they target athletes, celebs, and others in the public eye. I hate it. Lets say he is found guilty. Im sure he makes up a small precentage of dog fighting in the world. Lets get the real killers. Not someone that impacts others in so many ways. If you have never sinned in your life I accept whatever you have to say about any wrong doing on his part. The sad thing is Im not even a huge NFL fan or a Vick fan. But enough is enough. "Who has not sinned cast the first stone."

 161 agree | 159 disagree
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1:53 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 23, 2007 re: "Michael Vick's star quickly dimming"

 Examiner Reader said:
Michael Vick is a LOSER and a sick SOB. The apple does fall far from the family tree, lets not forget his brother Marcus's stand up behavior that got him 'sacked' by the Hokies Football team. This guy is guilty, period. He funded the house - in his name. Where did the money for all those dogs and equipment come from? hmm? BS that he didn't know what was going on. Even if he knew, but took no additional part in it (but fund the means of course) - he is just as guilty as the person who killed the dogs. Vick needs to GO. He is bringing all of football down with him. And what for a C+ quarterback that can't even get them to the playoffs. Take a seat Vick - Actually take a LONG hike - and I hope the folks at PETA meet you in a dark alley.

 142 agree | 175 disagree
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1:06 PM MST on Sat., Jul. 21, 2007 re: "Michael Vick's star quickly dimming"

 Leadership skills said:
Jeez. Now we're witholding applause in part because a guy doesn't show "leadership skills." Have another glass of white, pal. And don't forget the cheese.

 163 agree | 170 disagree
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12:24 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 28, 2007 re: "Tejada deserved better treatment"

 Examiner Reader said:
How about all the times Tejeda doesn't run hard to first base. What about the selfishness shown last week when he couldn't even swing a bat, and yet begged to be in the lineup just to add to his streak? I don't know if he doesn't care anymore or if all the losing has changed him, but Miguel just doesn't show the fire or leadership skills that merit a huge ovation. So forgive us for not cheering half hearted effort for another selfish player.

 168 agree | 184 disagree
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9:52 AM MST on Thu., Jun. 28, 2007 re: "Tejada deserved better treatment"

 Examiner Reader said:
He got few cheers because there weren't that many O's fans there! Whenever the Birds play the Yanks or the Sox, Camden Yards is full of those fans, and not so full of Birds fans. Thanks Pete!

 214 agree | 175 disagree
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