Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Ravens Trade for Cornerback Josh Wilson


The Baltimore Ravens trade a conditional 2011 fifth round draft pick to acquire fourth year cornerback Josh Wilson. This move adds significant talent and experience to a injury ravaged position.

Wilson, born and raised in Maryland, is a celebrated speedy returnmen owning an average of 25 yards/return and a kickoff returned for a touchdown.

Despite his impressive kickoff return acumen, he will be called upon by the Ravens to play if not start at the cornerback position. Wilson started 12 games last season, intercepted two interceptions last year returning both of them for touchdowns.

His resume shows he is a dangerous player when he gets the ball in his hands and no team can ever have too many of those types of players. Lardarius Webb's uncertain return to the active roster and Fabian Washington's continuous recovery from the ACL injury he suffered last season leave a desire for some like Josh Wilson who can slid into the position and play well.

Ravens fans have good reason to be excited even though Wilson is not the "best" cornerback in the league. He is an upgrade from most of the defensive backs on back-end of the depth chart. The next stepping stone for Wilson is passing he conditioning test, an obstacle Terrance Cody and Walt Harris struggled with this past offseason. 

J.Cole- It Won't Be Long



Another cut from J.Cole's upcoming album. The optimistic piece tells the story about the struggles of poverty and how one day he will overcome all of it.

Terrance Cody has Knee Surgery. Expected back in Two Weeks.

Defensive tackle Terrance Cody missed the last preseason game versus the New York Giants due to sore knees. Cody had a torn meniscus, the extent of which was so severe he had to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee and is expected to be out two weeks.

His future absence coinciding with his second round counterpart Sergio Kindle leaves the Ravens top two draft pick in this past year's draft missing from the season opener versus the New York Jets.

Fortunately Cody will not be out long and should comeback in pretty good shape ready to aggravate offensive lines in a few weeks.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Justin Beiber, Kanye West and Raekwon- Runaway Love Remix



Pop icon Justin Beiber has overcome any boundaries listeners have tried to put around him by collaborating with the likes of east coast rap legend Raekwon and cocky trendsetting rapper Kanye West.

The First of Many Roster Cuts: Doug Dutch

It is that time of year again when teams talk about who will make the regular season roster, who will be sent to the practice squad and who will simply be cut. This year is no different and the Baltimore Ravens have already begun the process with one of their first roster cuts.

CB Doug Dutch, acquired by the Ravens through a trade with the Washington Redskins, was cut today. He was a reserve corner who no one expected to make the final roster. He is now available for any team to pick up.

Each team is required to cut their roster down to 75 players by tomorrow. Dutch's release is the first of many to come. By this Saturday, each NFL team must reduce their roster down to 53 players.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Wide Receiver Ferris Wheel Keeps Turning.

 
The Ravens lose wide receiver Dante Stallworth (broken foot) for eight weeks after a win versus the New York Giants in the third preseason game changing the season’s early season appearance.

Just as Stallworth was starting to find a rhythm with Flacco in this offense and becoming a better punt returner, things turned for the worse. Derrick Mason expressed his feelings saying," It's a setback, it's a huge setback not just for us but more or less for him." Stallworth broke his foot, one that will need screws for repair, during the game (on which play I am unsure).

Not only was Stallworth hurt but Mark Clayton suffered a concussion after a helmet to helmet hit from Antrel Rolle. Clayton's injury isn't as serious and won't remove him from action for as lengthy a time as Stallworth but it will cause him to miss some practices this week and maybe the last preseason game. Clayton was a part of the offense's potency last night catching a 20 yard pass from Flacco.

All this discouraging news about injury may lead way for a glimmer of hope. Third year receiver Marcus Smith started clicking with quarterback Troy Smith at the helm. He caught his first NFL touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the Ravens up 24-3 before the Giants scored their one and only touchdown. He finished the day with four catches and 29 yards. M.Smith showed he has strong hands and toughness to make a catch in the endzone and take a hit simultaneously.

We all hope Stallworth and Clayton recover as soon as possible. Concussions don't have timetable so Clayton could be back very sooner or later than expected. As a result of the succession of changes, receivers like Demetrius Williams, who did not play list night due to an ankle injury, Marcus Smith and David Reed all have an opportunity to slide in a roster spot.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Kanye West- Monster featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Bon Iver and Nicki Minaj



Kanye West has collected a cast of animated and renown artist to show the world monsters walk among us. I can see alot people really going crazy when West performs this song in concert.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Can Jason Phillips make the team?

Former fifth round draft pick Jason Phillips has a tough task ahead of him as he tries to find a place as a member in the Ravens' logjam of linebackers.

Phillips has put forth good performances in his first two preseason games this year. Gathered a total of eight tackles, one sack and one forced fumbled. He is proving to us he can become the tackling machine the Ravens drafted him to be.

Even if he does show himself capable of improving and developing into a special player, he has so much talent in front of him that making the roster will be difficult. Jameel McClain, Tavares Gooden and Dannell Ellerbe are all young players on the rise but none have yet to play a complete game. Gooden has the speed to excel in pass coverage but slacks against some of the better tight ends in the league. Dannell Ellerbe is a great run stopper but can be a vulnerability on passing downs. Since Jameel McClain has joined the Ravens in 2008, he has only impressed as a pass rusher and special teams player finishing his rookie season with 2.5 sacks, two safeties and 16 tackles.

The only way Phillips will make the final roster is if he is a standout special teamer. Missing significant time his rookie year has really hindered his development. Watch Phillips in the next two preseason games as he makes more steps in either direction. Either he gives the organization a reason to keep him or he finds himself on the waiver wire or worse.

Nicki Minaj- Check It Out



Nicki Minaj joins forces with Will.I.Am to make quite a catchy pop tune. Definitely has a spot reserved in the future pop radio rotations.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Rick Ross- King Boss


A man who claims to be the boss with a voice reminiscent of the 2006 Rick Ross talks about being a boss and his special lady. No chorus but once you listen you will get the idea.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Harbaugh says Kindle is not out for the season

After speculation that rookie Sergio Kindle will not return to the team this season, Harbaugh said he has not ruled out Kindle.

On July 22, second round pick Sergio Kindle  fell down the stairs and fractured his skull. The cause of injury was a seizure. He is now recovering at his home in Texas but has yet to sign a contract with the Ravens.

The NCAA Football '10 game cover-boy was drafted with expectations of becoming a dynamic pass rusher and proved to be such in college. He finished his tenure at Texas with 16 sacks and 43 tackles for loss.

It is evident by looking at the Ravens' 32 sacks last season that the defense could use another force coming off the edge. Even though Antwan Barnes had shown flashes of dominance, he could very well play this season just as inconsistent as his previous few. Many in the organization recognize not only Barnes' potential but the risk associated with waiting for him to reach his full capability. Kindle fell far below his projected first round spot and showed the ability to contribute immediately. These reasons explain why Kindle was drafted by Baltimore.

It is a tragedy to see him miss action without ever really getting any NFL experience but if all goes well. We may see Kindle on the practice field in early December. Those few weeks are much better than nothing.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Mikey Rocks (The Cool Kids)- Foreign Features


Sir Michael Rocks - Foreign Features from illRoots.com on Vimeo.

Half of rap duo The Cool Kids, Mikey Rocks, is venturing out and doing some solo work. Here in "Foreign Features" he practices his storytelling. Good luck for M. Rocks

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Ravens leave Fedex Field victorious. Offense still coming together.




After surrendering three points on the 63 yard opening drive, the Ravens sharpened up and took the win from the Redskins with a big special teams play and a solid defensive outing.

The offense struggled with opposing pass rush at times but still got a few first downs through the air. Quarterback Joe Flacco finished the day without a touchdown or an interception. He completed 9 of his 16 attempts for 76 yards.  Ray Rice made his first preseason appearance this year getting 17 yards on three carries and a 12 yard catch for a first down. Rice's showing would have been a pretty good one had he not fumbled the ball. Fortunately it was recovered by wide receiver Anquan Boldin who had one catch for 21 yards. He and Dante Stallworth both had fumbles but Stallworth's resulted in a turnover when the Redskins recovered the loose ball. Ball security was shaky in the first half for the Ravens offense but translate to points for the opposing team.

The offensive line seems to be behind a bit struggling to protect Flacco when the Redskins applied some aggressive 3-4 blitzes. This weakness is not an unexpected one as starter Jared Gaither is out for the entire preseason but is expected to start during the season when he heals from a back tear. The young offensive line is still working on pass protection nuances but looked to have the run blocking aspect down.

When Marc Bulger took the helm, the offense instantly got into two-minute-offense mode. He quickly fired off two passes down the field to Dante Stallworth while running back Jalen Parmele ran hard between the tackles for tough yards. The drive ended with a 42 yard Billy Cundiff field goal. 

Once the first team receivers came off the field, rookie David Reed got his chance to show the world why he deserves a spot on the team. Reed went up and grabbed his first NFL catch with a corner hanging on him. His other catches were very similar in execution. I got to see exactly what Ossie Newsome and Eric Decosta were so high on this young man. He went up and snatched the ball out of the air when it was thrown in his direction similar to how teammate Anquan Boldin does. He definitely has potential but is not there yet. He dropped a tough but catchable red zone pass later on during his time at receiver.

Antwan Barnes did not have as dominant a game as he did last week versus Carolina but his counterpart Terrell Suggs did. Suggs had two tackles, one of which was a sack, making last night’s game a tough one for rookie Trent Williams. The defensive end/linebacker has returned to form and should be accumulating a high number of sacks this season just like he has done during his eight year career.

Cary Williams posted his second interception in two games, dodging various players while he returned it 29 yards in the other direction. Fabian Washington had a solid night as well not getting beat deep and even breaking up a pass in the redzone. Even though Redskin receiver connected with McNabb deep for a 45 yard catch, the secondary had a decent game. Some of the coverage on intermediate routes has to get tighter. Travis Fisher and Prince Miller were getting exposed by Santana Moss on with slants and crossing routes.

The star of the second team defense was second year linebacker Jason Phillips. He flew through the middle of the Redskins offense to sack Rex Grossman, force and recover a fumble all on the same play. He has really come on recently but will have a difficult time winning a spot on the 53 man roster. The injury he suffered at the end of his senior year in college kept him from really playing much in his rookie season so he is behind the other linebackers ahead of him at that position. His special team performances this preseason will be key in evaluating his value.

The play of the game belongs to Haruki Nakamura. Nakamura took the hiked ball on a fourth down fake punt and ran 51 yards down the field to the two yard line. The play was so impressive because of the agility and straight line speed he demonstrated. Once he had the ball in his hand, there was a defender in his face to tackle him but he made a sharp cut and turned up field making three or four other would-be tacklers miss in the process.


Friday, August 20, 2010

Incarcerated Rapper Lil' Wayne Has Number One Song on iTunes


Lil Wayne with Drake's assistance has risen to the top of the downloading charts on iTunes despite being unable to promote any of his projects because of the jail stint he is currently serving.

"Right Above It", a Kane Beatz production featuring labelmate Drake, is Wayne's next promotion single off of his upcoming EP I'm Not A Human Being. Track can be found below in case you haven't heard it already.

The Training Camp Ship Has Sailed. A Few Players Stand Out.

To the glee of many players, training camp is over. No more two-a-days just regular practice and film room sessions from here on out. We saw a select group of players improve and establish themselves as noteworthy contributors.

Tom Zbikowski- Who knew this third year player would come into training camp as the starting free safety and play so well? He was solid last season at the position but seems to have really come to training prepared to succeed as a free safety while Ed Reed nurses his hip.

His hardwork really translated to the field in the first preseason game when he had two highlight plays back-to-back. On third and long, he sacked quarterback Matt Moore and forced a fumble recovered by the Panthers. Then on the very next play he displayed his quickness by returning a punt 28 yards. Zbikowski's hard work and on-field performance has reassured the Ravens nation that the defense will not be extremely vulnerable in the backfield without Ed Reed because Zbikowski will be there.

Ed Dickson- Dickson had been enthralling audiences for months in offseason workouts with his reliable hands and up-field agility. He brought all of those qualities and a great work ethic to training camp where he seemed to have pulled slightly ahead of Dennis Pitta in the race for the number two tight end spot.

Against the Panthers, he had two catches for 26 yards, one of which brought about a first down when Marc Bulger and the rest of the offense were backed up in their own end zone. He appears to be a willing downfield blocker and a difficult matchup for linebackers, two characteristics of a great tight end. Expect Dickson to contribute significantly in the next three preseason games as the coaching staff gets a good feel for his strengths and his weaknesses.

Training camp is over but the evaluation process is not. Dickson and Pitta will continue to be compared as the team prepares their depth charts and Ken Hamlin could supplant Tom Zbikowski if he plays head over heels better than Zbikowski in the coming weeks (not very likely). Tomorrow the Ravens travel down to Fedex Field about an hour from Baltimore for another preseason exhibition. The starters will get a little more start time I am looking forward to seeing how much continuity this team has so far especially with young players like Dickson and Zbikowski getting a lot of snaps.

Kanye West- Power Remix featuring Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz

Kanye West - Power Remix (feat. Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz) by globaluploader

Jay-Z, Kanye West and Swizz Beatz together for a remix. For the record,  yes it's as lyrical and energetic as the features make it sound. Who has the better verse? Big brother or little brother? Listen here.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Drake- Miss Me (Official Video)


Drake "Miss Me" from John W on Vimeo.


Drake gets personal time with a stripper, lip syncs Lil Wayne's verse while a recording of the incarcerated rapper plays behind him and shows his array of facial expressions all in this video. Watch it here.

John Legend, The Roots- Wake Up Everybody featuring Melanie Fiona and Common



John Legend, Melanie Fiona and Common relay positive messages that stand threw the test of time. Really liking the '70's theme that accompanies Common's verse. Shouts to vh1.com

Still Looking for Cornerbacks to Step Up in Preseason

The concern about the Ravens' secondary is justified and is something still to think about. The group had a good showing versus the Carolina Panthers one week ago but has not proven they can match up against top-tier receivers.

J.Cole- Blow Up



"Gary Coleman just died... life is short."

This punchline sums up how tenacious J.Cole really is in his raps. This song looks to be another stellar cut from Roc Nation's golden child.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Which player is "right" for the tackle position?


Defining the starting right tackle has been an ever changing process for the Ravens this offseason. Injuries have rattled the position leaving the team with the difficult task of placing a talented player at the position

This confusion all started in the overly-scrutinized Organized Team Activites (OTA). Second year player Michael Oher earned praise for his play while filling in for the injured starter Jared Gaither last season so the coaches switched the two around putting Oher at left tackle and Gaither at right tackle in the offseason.

Not long after this move was made, Gaither got hurt and was unable to workout with the team in OTA's. The Ravens drafted raw talent Ramon Harewood in the sixth round of the draft with expectations of him developing into a contributory player years down the road.

As time lapsed and OTA's became training camp, players like Jared Gaither and Oniel Cousins were still struggling with injuries so others like David Hale, Tony Moll and Ramon Harewood were lining up with the first team.

Here we are now staring down the second preseason game. A game where evaluating the second and third team is crucial. Unfortunately Jared Gaither is expected to remain out for another few weeks because of a small tear in his back. Oniel Cousins is still improving his conditioning after missing most of the offseason workouts and about a week of training camp.These absences may cause him to miss a little more time in the preseason. This subtraction depletes the depth at the position and leave former Green Bay Packer Tony Moll and rookie Ramon Harewood as the primary choices.

Clearly Tony Moll's resume (44 games, 18 starts) communicates that he is the more experienced player between the two but Ramon Harewood's potential may lift him into a preseason start so the coaching staff and the world can see exactly what he can do against another first team pass rushes.

Tell me, which Raven will be starting at right tackle this Saturday?

Trey Songz- Bottoms Up featuring Nicki Minaj (Official Video)



Trey Songz has all the women even Nicki Minaj shaking in this spastic music video for "Bottoms Up", the first official single from Songz upcoming album Passion Pleasure & Pain.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Snoop Dogg- Luv Drunk featuring The Dream



Snoop Dogg is trying to wring every available dime out of his tenth full album Malice in Wonderland, released December 8, 2009. The featured combination of Snoop Dogg and The Dream seems to work out ok here again but this time the final result is not nearly as catchy or worth promoting as "Gangsta Love", their other collaborative effort and first single off of Malice.

Here the music video clip is a typical video made for the online audience including only part of the song. Perhaps the purpose is to keep fans from forgetting about Snoop Dogg while he works on new material but "Luv Drunk" is not a spectacular song and will be overlooked.

Nicki Minaj- Ice Cream Man

Nicki Minaj- Ice Cream Man (Prod. by Zaytoven)

Could be a 13 year old girls favorite song even though the subject matter is more adult than it first appears. "Ice Cream Man" does nothing good for Minaj's catalog and is not album quality.

Longtime Gucci Mane producer Zaytoven (Usher- Papers, OJ Tha Juiceman- Make the Trap Say Aye) did not help make the track any more desirable despite his track record.
The one thing Minaj proves here is she is willing to try almost anything even if it's to her detriment.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Bun B Deals With Crowd Heckler the "Trill" Way




"Don't ever say Bun B did give a ***** a chance."

-Bun B

Lardarius Webb Expressed His Dissaproval of Returning in Preseason

 Lardarius Webb, one of the most promising defensive players on the Ravens, tore his ACL last year versus the Chicago Bears. That injury has deprived him of a full rookie season and the opportunity to participate in this year's training camp.

Many are anticipating his return, coaches and trainers alike are noticing his progress in practice even allowing him to workout twice-a-day now (not with the team because he's on PUP) but the question now is: When will Webb return to the gamefield?

When a reporter asked him whether returning for any of the preseason game was an option he said the following,“I’m hoping it’s not. For what? I’m still, like, seven months, and we still have a lot of work to do. We have to make sure it’s right before I come back on.”

This response has myself as well as a few other taken aback. Rarely do you hear a player say he doesn't want to come back soon even if the likelihood is slim to none. I agree rushing his return could reinjure him and cause him to be M.I.A for even longer than hoped but what part of Lardarius spoke in that interview? Was it his body or his mind? Was he feeling the aches in his knee while he was questioned or is he just lacking confidence that the healing knee would be able to hold up?

Kid Cudi - Wylin Cuz I'm Young featuring Kanye West



Kanye West and Kid Cudi explain to the world why they live so care free. Chorus is a voice sample similar to another of Kanye West's productions, "Jockin Jay-Z". Both rappers are all business on this one not messing around with singing or trash talk going in with unique 16 bar verses.

This track can be found on Kanye West's most recent mixtape Good *ss Mixtape.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Ravens Let Go Long Snapper Matt Katula, Bring Back Defensive Back Brad Jones

Longtime long snapper for the Ravens, Matt Katula, was cut on Friday after not playing in the 18-12 win versus the Carolina Panthers Thursday night. His removal makes rookie free agent Morgan Cox, Tennessee College product, the only snapper on the team.

Defensive back Brad Jones was brought back on the same day. Jones participated in several offseason activities but was released during the summer. He was brought back likely to provide more depth at the corner position while Lardarius Webb (ACL), Fabian Washington (ACL) and Chris Carr (hamstring) heal from their injuries.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Lance Cade Dead at Age 29.


Former wrestler and father Lance McNaught (stage name Lance Cade) was found dead at age 29 today. His cause of death is heart failure.

McNaught wrestled with the WWE on and off during his career. He was under WWE contract from 2003 to 2008. He was released after struggling with painkillers. A few years ago he was released after suffering a seizure caused by a painkiller overdose. Came back as a developmental talent but never returned to the level of popularity he once reached.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Ravens Showcase Quality Depth Versus Panthers

The Ravens defeated the Carolina Panthers, 17-12, in the first preseason game for both teams. Defense reigned as the final stat books counts a total of 12 sacks on the night.

Flacco looked sharp ending the night completing eight of his twelve pass attempts and throwing for a total of 120 passing yards and a touchdown. Zbikowski and Prince Miller both shined in the return game with long punt returns for 28 yards and 57 yards respectively.

Fabian Washington and Ray Rice were no goes tonight as Washington is still healing from a knee injury. Rice was just resting and is expected to see more action later in the preseason. Meanwhile, LeRon McClain held down the running game rumbling for 21 rushing yards on only four carries.

The secondary really neutralized the Panthers' wide receiving core that was without Steve Smith. Corners like Prince Miller, Cary Williams and Doug Dutch prevented Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen from connecting deep with their core of young receivers. They took a long stride in the right direction tonight in convincing everyone that they can hold down the back end of this defense but still have improvements to make.

The most concerning thing I noticed was the lack of stable pass protection by the offensive line. All three quarterbacks has trouble staying upright. In one drive, Marc Bulger found himself running for his life in consecutive plays like he did during his time behind a shady offensive line in St. Louis.

The next preseason game is down the highway at Fedex Field in Landover, Maryland on Saturday, August 21. I will be looking to see the Ravens' pass rush continue its fierce efforts. Antwan Barnes was really flying around the edge and often disrupted the pocket but who else besides the starters can be depended upon to improve the pass rush that ranked only 18th in the league with 32 sacks last season?

Novel featuring Joell Ortiz & Colin Monroe- Walkin on Air

Novel f. Joell Ortiz & Colin Munroe- Walkin on Air

Novel is working on his own solo album and recruited friend Joell Ortiz and underground hip hop's best white chorus-man Colin Munroe. Together these men talk about how high that special women in their life makes them feel.

Couple who gained national attention because of "foul ball incident" appear on Today Show



Question: When did Harry Smith become an expert on gender behavior? Honestly, what the guy did is not that bad. It is not the first and won't be the last time some is hit by a baseball in the stands. Why must the guy's manhood come into question?

9th Wonder and David Banner Both Responsible for the "Death of a Pop Star"

Producer 9th Wonder and rapper/producer David Banner are set to release a collaboration album called "Death of a Pop Star" in November.

This collabo baffles me. Usually 9th works does full albums with more lyrical rappers ie. Murs and Little Brother but here he is joining forces with a down south mainstream whom I see as his opposite. Apparently their views on hip hop and the black man's plight brought these two closer together than they ever imagined.

Below is the first promotion video for this mixtape turned album. The track is called "Slow Down". Judging from Banners ability to adjust to 9th Wonder's mid tempo beats this project could just work out. One thing is for sure, David Banner fans will liken themselves to this project but the rest of the world may not be impressed by Banner's subpar lyrical ability. Watch the science fiction style music video below for a preview of what's to come.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Kanye West- See Me Now featuring Beyonce and Uncle Charlie


This song was performed a few week ago in acappella form at twitter's headquarters.  "See Me Now" is a lighthearted rap song about Kanye's usual topics: women,  jewelry and his rap skills. On a more sincere note, the chorus vaguely refers to his late mother, Donda West.

Kanye is pulling some popular names to support this next album. Kanye and Beyonce have a four line semi-duet and Uncle Charlie adds even more soul to the bass heavy track.

As he declares in the song, he is back and in a major way. 2010 could end up being Kanye's year if he continues on the path he is on. Kanye's forthcoming untitled album has been pushed back to October of this year.

The Ravens cannot afford to trade any linebackers

I have heard the talk about the Ravens scavenging the market for a cornerback and being willing to acquire one my almost any means. Many have proposed a scenario where the team trade one of their linebackers for a starting cornerback. As desperate as the Ravens look for solid cornerback depth, they do not have alot of disposable talent at the linebacker position. 

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Cassidy- Drumma Bass



Cassidy and Swizz Beatz supply the club with another bounce with "Drumma Bass, song suspected to be on Cassidy's next studio album CASH (Cassidy is a Straight Hustler). The heavy bass tune kind of follows a tired formula that rappers think fans have not already begun to reject. This song would have gotten some significant attention perhaps in 2006 but it is a new day and the mainstream is looking for new concepts and new people.

Although it is not Cassidy's best work, it is better than some of the recent commercial music he has released in the past few years (Henny & Bacardi).

Rihanna is tied for the most number songs in history

In a short five year career, Rihanna has already accomplished a remarkable feat of making or featuring in six number one pop songs according to Soundscan. Her name rose even higher on the list when Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie", a song in which she is featured, shot to the top of the charts two weeks ago and remains the incumbent.

The 22 year old pop star has four of her own number one hits and vocally contributed to two more. Songs: S.O.S, Take a bow, Umbrella and Rude Boy were all her own solo works while T.I's "Life Your Life and current number one "Love the Way You Lie" by she and rapper Eminem are all songs carved in her impressive discography.

Congratulations to Rihanna as she can hold her own next to the likes of Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey in the record books.

The players to watch for Thursday night.

The Ravens are playing their first preseason game this Thursday versus the Carolina Panthers. This game is significant only to those paying attention to the depth at each position on the roster. Most do not expect to see a championship performance by the first team offense/defense as they won’t play beyond the first quarter.
Below are a few players to keep an eye on:

• Tom Zbikowski- By the looks of things Ed Reed will not be returning in the near future so the free safety battle is a crucial one in this training camp. Zbikowski started four games at free safety on this defense last season and grabbed two interceptions in the process. He worked hard during the offseason to improve his already above average speed and quickness. His performance and effectiveness in the defensive backfield will be monitored as he competes with veteran safety Ken Hamlin for a starting position during the regular season.

• Dannell Ellerbe, Tavares Gooden and Jameel Mcclain- To the surprise of many Jameel Mcclain has started with the first team in several training camp practices this year. This move is a testament of the faith the coaching staff in his ability to play inside as well as outside linebacker. The battle is not a two man battle despite Gooden starting next to Ray Lewis in the first couple week and Ellerbe starting in both playoff games even after Gooden returned from his injury. Expect each of these men to get as many reps as possible in this game.

• Billy Cundiff and Shayne Graham are both aiming for the sole kicker position on the roster. It's pretty fair to assume the Ravens won't do as they did during the 2008 season and keep two kickers on the roster. There will be a winner and a “not winner” (not necessarily a loser). However in this first game they will probably alternate so the two can be compared in the same game, in the same conditions.

• Second year defensive lineman Paul Kruger has converted from outside linebacker to 3-4 defensive end. He gained some weight so his body could effectively perform at his new position and has performed moderately well in the 1-on-1 drills in training camp. He will be watched as he takes the field probably with the second team to rush the opposing quarterback, who may possibly be rookie Jimmy Clausen.

Fabian Washington is an intriguing player coming back this year from a season ending injury ACL tear but was exclude from the list above because there is a serious likelihood that he will not see any action in this first game as trainers and coaches encourage a slow comeback. He has been practicing only once-a-day during training camp so he not quite physically ready for game action. Expect him back in action toward the end of training camp.

Monday, August 9, 2010

John Legend and The Roots on GMA

Grammy award winning R&B singer John Legend and eclectic hip hop band The Roots have joined forces for an album called Wake Up which they are promoting in the following videos. "Hard Times" is an upbeat revelatory song about the difficulties of everyday life. "Shine" is more reminiscent John Legend's past work because of the slower tempo. Both songs are set to appear on the album dropping on September 21.

John Legend and The Roots- Hard Times


John Legend and The Roots- Shine

Friday, August 6, 2010

Drake- What If I Kissed You

Drake- What If I Kissed You | HipHopDX.com

Drake is preparing the world for his new R&B mixtape with a couple internet leaks. One of which is "What If I Kissed You". It's not clear if this song will be one of the cuts included on the tape but it is definitely a radio friendly ballad.

The Ravens cut cornerback Walt Harris

The Ravens organization has decided to cut 35 year old cornerback Walt Harris eight days into training camp. Harris has had trouble contributing during camp because of his limited availability. Harris alongwith Terrance Cody both failed the conditioning test on their first attempt. His physical ability may have

This news comes almost simultaneously with that of the signing of rookie free agent Curtis Hawkins, former LSU standout. Harris was nothing more than an extra body on the roster and has essentially been replaced. Plus Fabian Washington seems to be making a steady recovery shedding the non-contact jersey a few days ago.

Update-2:27: Correction, Walt Harris has not been cut, he has been placed on the training camp Injured Reserve list (IR). His struggle with injury has made it hard for him to practice so he will be given time to properly prepare his body for game action.

Eminem and Rihanna deliver after weeks of anticipation



Eminem's lyrics serve as a dialogue for the action we are witnessing between the two main characters trapped in a paradoxical  relationship as a red-headed Rihanna brings passion and emotion to the chorus. Definitely Eminem's best music video in years. The main characters are not only played by Megan Fox (Transformer films) and Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings and Lost tv series) but raging flames join them in the forefront.

The story illustrated is one some relatable to numerous people. "Love the Way You Lie" may just become one of biggest records of Eminem's career and part of that credit would be given to this music video directed by Joseph Kahn.

Kanye West- Power (Official Video)



It is being called the "Portrait of Power".The somewhat cryptic music video for Kanye West's most recent single "Power" is reminiscent of some 14th century art. West is surrounded by an excess of beautiful women while two men slowly move to smight him. What does that mean? You figure it out. Artistic value of the video is through the roof the only negative is the short length of the clip. Only the first verse is featured.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

One week from today it begins...

On August 12, 2010 the hardwork and game planning that has taken place all offseason will begin coming to fruition when the Ravens take on the Carolina Panthers in an ESPN televised game at home in their first 2010 preseason game.

This game is in many ways is an extension of training camp itself and holds implications only involving the roster position battles. The Ravens have been fighting against themselves on the field for months now so the eagerness to hit and showcase their ability against another football team will be visible.

The secondary has been in question this offseason and the front office has responded by signing a few older veterans, trading for an undrafted cornerback and working on developing the young talent they already had in the locker room. The solidarity of this group will be tested on a wide receiver core in the Carolina that is not as talented as the one they have faced and held their own against in training camp. Steve Smith's health is not one hundred percent after breaking his arm in a flag football game. This is the position to watch because there are many questions to be answered. How ready game action is Fabian Washington? Can Walt Harris really contribute on the field? Which safety can better secure the backfield? Which young talent will make plays and an impression on the coaching staff?

The best part about the first preseason game is the fan excitement. No there are neither playoff nor record implications but seventh month delay for live Ravens football in a stadium or on television comes to an end. It is time to cheer for our favorite teams again.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Source Magazine Awards OG Trill album Five Mics


Bun B released the next addition to his Trill series, Trill OG, yesterday and is getting rave review for his work. Revered hip hop publication Source magazine gave the album its highest possible rating, five mics.

Trill OG features a litany of rappers like: Drake, 2Pac, Pimp C, Jeezy, Yo Gotti, Twista and more.

Trill OG is the first album since Lil Kim's Naked Truth album in 2005 to receive the honor and only the fourth album by a southern rapper to earn the honor (D.O.C- No One Can Do It Better, Outkast-Aquemini and Scarface-The Fix).

Below is the conclusive Boi-1da produced track by Drake and Bun B called "It's Been a Pleasure". Bun B and Drake reflect on their time in the hip hop forefront and conclude the time has "been a pleasure".
  
Bun B- It's Been A Pleasure featuring Drake

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Game- Street Riders featuring Akon and Nas

The Game ft Nas, Akon - Street Riders | Audio | Rap Basement

Game is responsible for this dark ode to the streets.Yes folks, Akon does still contribute to hip hop music and his work still sounds pretty decent. This track can be found on the Game's Brake Light mixtape released today on the internet.

Nas sounds a lot more aggressive than he was on the Distant Relatives album and it is refreshing to hear him attack the beat. Game is definitely primed to get the R.E.D Album in the hands of his fans. However a quality mixtape such as this should hold them off for a while.

Wale has the internet buzzing about "nothing"


Washington D.C rapper Wale has released his long anticipated mixtape, More About Nothing, through his twitter page and other online media. He has not released any official complied works since his debut album Attention Deficit.

Wale's 2008 Seinfeld sampling work The Mixtape About Nothing was acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It expanded his exposure even further and featured guest spots from artists like Chrisette Michelle, Bun B and Pusha T. This mixtape is a follow up of sorts.

One of the songs leaked was "Eye of the Tiger", a song about how the Tiger Woods debacle went down from the perspective of Woods himself.

The tracklist is below:

Monday, August 2, 2010

Bun B- Countin Money featuring Yo Gotti and Gucci Mane (Official Video)



Bun B, Yo Gotti and Gucci Mane all talk about an original topic in hip hop, money. The video is the first official for a song on Bun B's upcoming album Trill OG. Definitely appeals to the radio stations and the 106 & Park demographic with verses from two of the most popular southern rappers on the scene today.

Quarterback John Beck traded to Redskins

John Beck, the Dolphins' 2006 second round pick and the Ravens' third string quarterback last season, has been traded to the belway rival Washington Redskins. In exchange, the Ravens will receive undrafted free agent cornerback Doug Dutch.

5' 11" 205 pound Dutch spent the 2009 season on the Redskins practice squad and will come in only to provide depth at the position. He will not supplant Chris Carr, Travis Fisher or Walt Harris in the pecking order in fact the likelihood of him making the 53 man roster isn't high because he does not have much time to learn the playbook and get comfortable on the defense. Injuries have ravaged the Ravens defensive back core so the Ravens made a move in response to the changes.

Beck was getting buried on the depth chart. Last year Beck was third string quarterback behind Joe Flacco and Troy Smith plus the Ravens signed veteran quarterback Mark Bulger this offseason. Most expect Bulger and Smith to back up Flacco in that order in 2010. The Ravens will not keep four quarterbacks on the roster so Beck likely would have been waived if he were not traded.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Tackles running on "E"

Today we saw the majority of the tackles miss practice today for a variety of reasons.

Jared Gaither's reason for missing practice remains somewhat mysterious after being carted off the field with "back spasms" He reportedly suffered from cramps. He was unseen part of the day while doctors tested his blood to assure a more serious problem didn't exist. He was spotted on the sidelines watching practice in shorts.

Tony Moll missed his first training camp practice of the year today for reason also unknown. He has remained tight-lipped about his condition. More information will soon be revealed.

Oniel Cousins is still on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list because he is recovering from the surgery he had on his esophagus.

Young tackle Stefan Rodgers was also unseen during practice today.

These absences put tackles Joe Reitz and Ramon Harewood on the field with the first and second team respectively. Third year player Reitz practiced at right tackles with the first team and rookie Harewood practiced at the left tackle position with the second team. Harewood excelled at one on one dirills today holding his own against almost every opponent.