It's football and it's on television.
For some of you, that's probably enough reason to watch tonight's Ravens-New York Giants preseason game (8 p.m., WBFF/Channel 45). But there are those of us who have something of an allergic reaction to the idea of exhibition games in which most of the regular starters barely play long enough to necessitate washing their uniforms afterward.
It turns out we could be wrong. OK, it turns out I could be wrong.
Take the word of no less an authority than Stan White, the veteran Baltimore sports yak personality who makes his debut as a Ravens radio analyst tonight on 98 Rock (WIYY/97.9 FM).
"What you're really looking for are guys who will add to your team," White said this week. "If they're really good fans, they want to see if their team will be better than last year."
So after the regulars have taken a seat, while your tall glass of the Official Soft Drink of the sports media column (advertisers, your drink here) still has plenty of ice and your bowl of Official Crunchy Snack Food of the sports media column (another advertising opportunity) remains half-full, be on the lookout for players who will emerge as key backups or special teams contributors.
White pointed out that these parts of preseason games gave fans their first real exposure to the likes of Adalius Thomas, Will Demps and Bart Scott.
Earlier in the game, White said, the focus will be on new quarterback Steve McNair, to "see how he has adjusted to a different offense, to the terminology."
In the new radio team's terminology - as laid out in a news release - White is being called the Minister of Offense and fellow analyst Rob Burnett the Minister of Defense. Play-by-play man Gerry Sandusky has no such title, though let me suggest that if Sandusky reads any commercials, he could be the Ad-Minister.
(Folks at 98 Rock, that one was free. Now, if you want to be the Official Loud Music Station of the sports media column, we'll talk.)
"I will be analyzing the Ravens offense most of the time, the same way I did when I was a linebacker," said White, a former Colt.
One of the wrinkles in the 98 Rock/WBAL broadcasts will be the "Celebrity Sideline Reporter" - kudos for capitalizing it, but where is the word "Official"? - and the first one is Maryland basketball coach Gary Williams. Sure, it's just preseason, but you think Williams might get on the officiating crew?
No call
