Cheers & Jeers - Wednesday, May 7, 2008

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Wednesday, May 7, 2008

POSTED May 7, 10:42 AM

An impressive opening act

Devin Thomas went ahead of him in the draft. Don’t look for that to be the case when the season rolls around, however. At that point, Malcolm Kelly, the Redskins third second-round pick, should surpass Thomas.
That’s what those who studied both in college say will happen.
And based off minicamp, that’s easy to believe. Thomas’ routes weren’t as sharp as Kelly’s, nor did he make as many plays. He flashed his potential, with some downfield runs.
But Kelly, drafted 17 spots lower at 51st overall, is the one who was more impressive.
“Thomas has more explosive abilities, but he’s not as polished and more of a project,” said Chris Landry, who served as a scout on three teams and remains a consultant to a handful of teams; he’s also a co-host of two shows on FOX Sports Radio. “Kelly is closer to his potential right now. He’s a big, strong-handed receiver. With his size he can make plays in traffic. His route-running is solid. His ability to line up in the slot or line up wide as a strong receiver in that offense is where he can help immediately.”
The Redskins also could use Kelly’s 6-foot-4 frame in the red zone, giving him another chance to help faster. Yes, Thomas has size, too — he’s 6-foot-2. But Kelly is more versatile, right now, in the scoring area.
“In terms of physical gifts there’s not much that Thomas doesn’t have,” said another former scout, Russ Lande, who runs The Sporting News’ War Room. “Kelly doesn’t have Thomas’ explosiveness, but he knows how to use his body. He’s a competitive runner after the catch.”
One more area should enable Kelly to play more right away: his blocking.
“He’s the most competitive blocker I’ve ever graded,” Lande said. “His routes are so-so; but he has great hands and he knows what he’s doing a little more than Thomas.”

O’s future at the plate looks meek

The numbers aren’t pretty for the Orioles’ offense this season.
Baltimore, which entered Tuesday night’s game in Oakland 16-16, ranks 12th in the American League with a team batting average of just .246 and is 10th in runs scored with 132.
Outfielder Luke Scott leads the team’s regulars in hitting with a .283 average and Nick Markakis, who is working his way out of a slump himself, is tops on the club with just six home runs.
Pitching, which is ranked in the top half of the American League in nearly every category, has been the Orioles’ strength. And several pitching prospects in the minors may be ready to contribute soon.
But there’s less hope for an offensive boost from the farm.
Nolan Reimold, a 24-year old outfielder at AA Bowie, has been hampered by injuries, but might be one of the team’s best home-grown offensive options.
“When he is healthy he [produces],” said Ben Badler, assistant editor at Baseball America. “If he can stay healthy he could be a nice addition in the outfield with [Adam] Jones and Markakis.”
Reimold has played in 31 games this season, batting .257 with 3 home runs and 10 RBI.
Another area of concern for the Orioles is shortstop, where Luis Hernandez has been equally inconsistent with his glove and his bat (.234 average). But no immediate options appear to be available.
Recently demoted Brandon Fahey is not the answer. And there really isn’t a premiere prospect who could be put on the fast track to Camden Yards.
“Since [Cal] Ripken Jr. left, the organization has struggled to find that shortstop to play everyday and Hernandez doesn’t seem to be working out and doesn’t seem to be who they are going to develop in the future,” Badler said. “It’s not clear who it will be, it’s one of their weaker position in the farm system.”

Second guessing: A time machine would be helpful

Step back » What happened to Eight Belles at last weekend’s Kentucky Derby was a tragedy, but anyone blaming the jockey or owner are simply looking for a scapegoat and a way to rationalize an unfortunate accident.

Where’s Santana? » The New York Yankees had a chance to trade for Johan Santana. But they didn’t want to part with their young pitchers. Um, care to reconsider? Phil Hughes is out for two months and Ian Kennedy was sent down to the minors. They were a combined 2-10.

Bad strategy » The Detroit Tigers bolstered an already potent offense. But they’re 14-19 because the pitching staff is 28th in the league with a 4.98 ERA. Cleveland, 14-17, didn’t address its inconsistent offense and now it’s 24th in runs scored with 132.

Bust-ed » Cedric Benson went from a bust to getting busted. He was the fourth overall pick in 2005 and has done zippy. Now he’s charged with drunken boat operation and resisting arrest. Think they’d still like to have Thomas Jones?

It’s 2008 » With the shot clock frozen but the game clock running, Chauncey Billups’ three-pointer at the end of the third quarter Monday should have been waved off for coming too late. But when officials watched the replay, they could not verify the timing. Yet TV replays, which officials could not watch, were able to.

Not so easy » It appears that even voters for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award simply don’t take the time to watch New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. Kobe, who had never before won the award, was the easy choice. Paul, who means more to his team than any other player, was the educated one.

Honesty Policy » We think it doesn’t get much better than an Ozzie Guillen tirade, but everybody needs a little internal monologue. The White Sox skipper treated us again this weekend, but he might be on thin ice if he keeps it up.

Playoffs?? » Let’s have one in major college football. At the end of the day, the reason we don't is the bowl system makes too much money. It’s sad to again see the NCAA choose cash over student athletes and something that fans, alumni and schools have wanted for decades.

The Rock is ready to roll

It didn’t take long for the news, or, rather, the words to travel. When the Redskins drafted corner/returner Justin Tryon in the fourth round, he guaranteed being able to return kicks to the 50-yard line.
Some laughed. Others seethed just a bit. Count Rock Cartwright, the Redskins’ returner, among the latter.
“These young guys think they can come in and return the ball to the 50-yard line like they say,” he said, “then we’ll see.”
Oh, so you heard?
“I definitely heard that,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Cartwright, who averaged a career-best 25.8 yards per return last season, re-signed in the offseason. Now he faces much competition — not just from Tryon — this summer. Rookie receiver, and second-round pick, Devin Thomas, returns kickoffs. Washington also signed returner/receiver Jerome Mathis.
“I really have no control over that,” Cartwright said. “My stats and production speak for itself.”

In case you missed it

The Minnesota Vikings continued to move further away from their party boat image last week by putting defensive end Kenechi Udeze, who is undergoing treatment for Leukemia, on the reserve-non-football-illness list. This move makes Udeze ineligible to play next season, but guarantees him his $807,500 salary, so he won’t have to worry about finances during his treatment. Udeze was signed to a five-year deal as a rookie out of Southern California in 2004, but was diagnosed with the disease in February.

On the record

“It came down to my big [butt] against their little skinny legs. No matter how strong you are, if you [are posting-up a guy with] skinny legs, you have a better center of gravity.”
— TNT analyst, and C&J favorite, Charles Barkley on how he excelled against bigger defenders, illustrating how players should approach Orlando’s Dwight Howard.

“In between pushing, I am going, ‘Honey, are you OK?’ and ‘Are you breathing? Are you OK?’”
— Cynthia Rodriguez on her husband, A-Rod, who passed out during the birth of their daughter four years ago.

By the numbers

0 » Second round series won by the New Orleans Hornets. They lead defending champion San Antonio two games to none. The Spurs have never rallied from such a deficit.

8 » Batters walked by Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in five innings in a 6-3 win over Detroit. He is the first pitcher to walk that many batters and get a win with just five innings pitched since 1997.

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Cheers & Jeers
The Baltimore Examiner's Dave Carey and the Washington Examiner's John Keim review the daily buzz around the sports world with their insight and analysis. Feel free to give us your take at caj@examiner.com