Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Levar lives large-- O's woes continue...

The incredible odyssey that has become the NFL career of Levar Arrington took another turn yesterday near the interchange of Route 50 and the I-495 Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland. The onetime face of the franchise broke his arm and leg in a motorcycle accident; while the injuries are not life-threatening, they could spell the end of the linebacker's pro football career. He's currently re-habbing an achilles injury and turns 29 years old this week.

Jack London wrote "I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet". During his tenure with the Skins Arrington was just that-- a fascinating star streaking across the sky-- and unfortunately he flamed out with the team and, it appears, in the NFL much too soon. The possibilities of Levar might have outweighed the actual results-- but weren't the possibilities fun?

This week's other major development saw the Orioles fire manager Sam Perlozzo after two-plus seasons and a 122-164 record. While the O's were not getting things done under their skipper and had skidded to a halt in June (losing 8 straight and 13 of 15), the franchise is in need not so much of a mid-season tuneup as a complete overhaul. The team hasn't had a winning season since 1997 and the future isn't that bright (Nick Markakis the only young player producing at the big league level). Will this change be cosmetic or genuine? Wait until September 2009 when I write about the next managerial firing after two-plus sub-500 campaigns.

No comments: