By Jake Russell
The Redskins and Ravens made their final round of cuts in order to complete their rosters as they prepare for their 2013 season openers. See how the Orioles and Nationals have done against division rivals over the past week. The Terps showed some life on offense against Florida International on Saturday while the Wizards experienced some movement in their front office.
The Baltimore Ravens finalized their 53-man roster this weekend by waiving S Omar Brown, WR Tandon Doss, TE Matt Furstenburg, DT Cody Larsen, G Antoine McClain, RB Bobby Rainey, OL Joe Unga, RB Anthony Allen, CB Marc Anthony, ILB Nigel Carr, RB Delone Carter, ILB Brandon Copeland, QB Dayne Crist, OT Jordan Devey, OT Rogers Gaines, TE Alex Silvestro, and C Reggie Stephens. The team terminated the contracts of TE Billy Bajema and QB Caleb Hanie and placed LB D.J. Bryant (knee) on injured reserve. The team was also awarded LB Robert James off of waivers from the Atlanta Falcons. The Ravens assembled their practice squad shortly after. It consists of WR Gerrard Sheppard, RB Jonas Gray, Furstenburg, Brown, Copeland, Larsen, Stephens, and Unga. Next game: at Denver Broncos, September 5, 8:30 p.m.
The Washington Redskins also set up their roster and practice squad this weekend. The team waived DL Chigbo Anunoby, WR Dezmon Briscoe (waived/injured), LB Marvin Burdette, LB Will Compton, RB Tristan Davis (from Exempt/Left Squad list), WR Skye Dawson, S DeJon Gomes, DE Dominique Hamilton, RB Jawan Jamison, WR Lance Lewis, C Kevin Matthews, CB Chase Minnifield, T Xavier Nixon, TE Emmanuel Ogbuehi, LB Vic So'oto, OL Tevita Stevens, and WR Nick Williams. The team terminated the contracts of NT Ron Brace, T Tony Pashos, and RB Keiland Williams (injury settlement). The team also placed OL Maurice Hurt on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list as well released CB Ryan Mouton and LB Roddrick Muckelroy from the Reserve/Injured list with an injury settlement. Washington added Compton, Hamilton, Jamison, Lewis, Minnifield, Nixon, Stevens, and Williams to the practice squad. Next game: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, September 9, 7:10 p.m.
The Baltimore Orioles (73-63) hit a rough patch against divisional opponents at a bad time. The team is 3-4 in the last week, having faced the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. The team beat the Cleveland Indians last night 7-2. New acquisition Michael Morse went 2-for-4 in his debut against the Yankees on Sunday. The team recalled catchers Steve Clevenger and Chris Snyder from Rochester and Wei-Yin Chen from the GCL Orioles. Catcher Taylor Teagarden and outfielder Eric Thomas were designated for assignment. Next game: at Cleveland Indians, September 3, 7:05 p.m.
The Washington Nationals (69-68) have faltered after a sweep of the Marlins last week, dropping two of three to the New York Mets and falling in their series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies last night. The team recalled pitchers Erik Davis and Ian Krol and catcher Sandy Leon last week. Next game: at Philadelphia Phillies, September 3, 7:05 p.m.
The Maryland Terrapins (1-0) opened up their season with a 43-10 win over Florida International. Quarterback C.J. Brown had an impressive return after season-ending ACL tear last season going 20-for-23 passing for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Star wide receiver Stefon Diggs caught five passes for 98 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown catch. Fellow receiver Deon Long caught nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. Next game: vs. Old Dominion, September 7, 4 p.m.
Washington Wizards VP of Player Personnel Milt Newton was hired as the general manager for the Minnesota Timberwolves last week. Newton had served as Washington’s VP of Player Personnel role for the last 10 seasons. He interviewed with former Wizards head coach Flip Saunders, who is now the Timberwolves’ president of basketball operations.
D.C. United (3-18-5) lost their Saturday road match to the New York Red Bulls 2-1. Nick DeLeon scored DCU’s lone goal. Tim Cahill and Lloyd Sam scored New York’s goals. Next game: at Chivas USA, September 8, 9 p.m.
The Bowie Baysox (71-71) were eliminated from the playoffs last week but concluded their season with 71 wins, marking their seventh straight season of finishing .500 or better. In a five-game series against the Erie SeaWolves that included makeups from previous games, the Baysox dropped three of those five games. The team closed out their home schedule by splitting a four-game series against the Binghamton Mets, including a 13-1 win in their home finale last Thursday.
The Washington Mystics (14-15) got even closer to .500 with their 85-80 overtime road win against the Atlanta Dream last Wednesday. Monique Currie, Tayler Hill, and Ivory Latta led the team with 15 points each. Latta continues to lead the team with 13.8 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. Crystal Langhorne leads the Mystics with 7.1 rebounds per game. Next game: at Connecticut Sun, September 6, 7 p.m.