MASNsports.com is your online home for the latest Orioles and Nationals news, features, and commentary. And now, you can connect with MASN on every digital level. From web and social media to our new mobile alert service, MASN has got all the bases covered.
Get the latest breaking news direct to your phone with our mobile texting service.
I've got a couple notes that I passed along yesterday on my Twitter account (if you're not already following me, get on that) but forgot to share here as well.
Please accept my apologies.
The Ravens reached injury settlements with offensive linemen David Hale and Stefan Rodgers yesterday, waiving them from the roster and releasing them from Injured Reserve.
Hale suffered a bruised tailbone late in training camp, while Rodgers battled a shoulder injury in camp and leg injuries during the preseason.
Also yesterday, the Ravens waived offensive tackle Andrew Gardner from their practice squad and used his spot to re-sign QB Hunter Cantwell.
The Ravens' train ride back from New York late Monday night must have been a fun one. After all the offseason preparations, all the hype and all the trash talk, John Harbaugh's crew played a smart, solid football game, and the head coach said yesterday that he felt like his players were able to exhale a bit after the game, knowing that their hard work had paid off and the first game was behind them.
"When the [schedule] first came out and you saw that it was going to be the Jets, [you think about] how good a team they are for one thing, but you're going to have to go up there and open up their brand new stadium," Harbaugh said. "So the emotions are going to run high just because of that.
"And the fact that we've got all these relationships with these guys, [playing the Jets in Week 1 is] probably something that's done two things: It's probably motivated us to have a great offseason in a lot of ways. Every single day you'd think you've got the Jets in front of you, so I think that helped make us a better team throughout training camp. Then [there is] the fact that pressure mounts. So to get that behind us, especially with a victory, is a chance to exhale."
While it must have felt great for the Ravens to get a big road win to start the season with all the emotions surrounding that game, there's little time to celebrate.
The Ravens now have a short week to prepare for another road trip and a big division game against the Bengals, last year's AFC North champions. Remember, this is a team that swept the Ravens last year and rolled to a 6-0 record in the division.
It might not be easy for the Ravens to mentally toss aside the Jets game after preparing for it all offseason. But that's what must be done.
"Here we are, five days away - five-and-a-half days away from [Monday night's game] - and we've got to play the Cincinnati Bengals, the reigning division champs, at their place," Harbaugh said. "So, that'll wipe that relief off pretty fast."
