Learning about and learning how to use the computer was one of my favorite subjects in school. I have learned how to use many different types of computers and computer programs over the years. I have used Apple, Dell, and IBM computers - each with different features that I enjoy using and working with. I have also learned how to use Microsoft word to help me write stories and articles about my life as well as using the internet as a tool for communication and research. I got so good at it that I became known as the Computer Wiz Kid during my time in school. If the teachers had trouble getting the computer to do what that they wanted, they would pull me out of class to them fix the problem.
Today using the computer is one of my favorite past times. I like the computer for many reasons such as using it to express myself through my writing. It allows others to access my writing to better learn about me. It also allows me to communicate with people I may not be able to communicate with otherwise.
- Charlie Rachel
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Orioles 2011 Season Preview
The Orioles will try to end their streak of 13 straight seasons with a losing record, during the 2011 season. The Orioles made some key additions to their lineup and pitching staff that should make them a contender in the AL Wildcard, if not the AL East and help them build off their strong finish to the 2010 season under Buck Showalter.
The Orioles addressed a lot of holes in their offense during this past offseason. They added Mark Reynolds and Vladimir Guerrero to provide power to a line-up that has not had a true power hitter in a few seasons. J.J. Hardy was also added as an upgrade at shortstop. He will provide a little power and solid defense to the Orioles 2011 lineup. They also added veteran first baseman Derrek Lee. Lee has been a solid defensive first basemen and provides another quality batter to the lineup. The additions of these veterans to the lineup will continue to further the development of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Matt Weiters. If veteran Brian Roberts is able to remain healthy for the entire season, then the Orioles' lineup has the making of a feared lineup.
The Orioles also added some key pitchers to strengthen their pitching staff, which showed improvement as the 2010 season ended. Closer Kevin Gregg was added to finish out games for the Orioles in 2011, which was an adventure in 2010. Justin Duchscherer was added to strengthen the rotation and provide veteran experience to a young group.
If things are able to come together for the Orioles in 2011, then it could be a special year. I look for the Orioles to have a very good year, building on the strong finish to last season. I think if they play as well as they did after Buck Showalter took over, they have a shot at making the playoffs and even contending for a World Series, which would be a fete that has not been accomplished since 1983. It is great to see the optimism back in Baltimore.
- Charlie Rachel
The Orioles addressed a lot of holes in their offense during this past offseason. They added Mark Reynolds and Vladimir Guerrero to provide power to a line-up that has not had a true power hitter in a few seasons. J.J. Hardy was also added as an upgrade at shortstop. He will provide a little power and solid defense to the Orioles 2011 lineup. They also added veteran first baseman Derrek Lee. Lee has been a solid defensive first basemen and provides another quality batter to the lineup. The additions of these veterans to the lineup will continue to further the development of Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, and Matt Weiters. If veteran Brian Roberts is able to remain healthy for the entire season, then the Orioles' lineup has the making of a feared lineup.
The Orioles also added some key pitchers to strengthen their pitching staff, which showed improvement as the 2010 season ended. Closer Kevin Gregg was added to finish out games for the Orioles in 2011, which was an adventure in 2010. Justin Duchscherer was added to strengthen the rotation and provide veteran experience to a young group.
If things are able to come together for the Orioles in 2011, then it could be a special year. I look for the Orioles to have a very good year, building on the strong finish to last season. I think if they play as well as they did after Buck Showalter took over, they have a shot at making the playoffs and even contending for a World Series, which would be a fete that has not been accomplished since 1983. It is great to see the optimism back in Baltimore.
- Charlie Rachel
Friday, February 11, 2011
Ravens Playoff Game 2 Recap
The Ravens played against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the playoffs. This was the third meeting of the season between the two teams, with each team winning at the others home field during the regular season. In those games, the defenses dominated, holding the scoring to a minimum. The same cannot be said about this game.
The Steelers scored first with a good opening drive, but on their next two possessions, the Ravens forced two critical turnovers. The Ravens' offense turned those turnovers into 14 points and helped the Ravens jump out to a 21-7 lead going into halftime. The Ravens had all the momentum in their favor heading into halftime and it looked like the Ravens were going to run away with the game.
In the second half, it was the Ravens turn to give away points and allow the Steelers to get back into the game. Ray Rice fumbled the football, opening the door for the Steelers to score on a touchdown pass, which made it 21-14. On the Ravens' next drive, Joe Flacco overthrew a pass that was intended for Todd Heap and was picked off by the Steelers. The Steelers offense added another touchdown after the interception, tying up the score at 21 heading into the fourth quarter.
With 1:33 left in the game, the Steelers scored the go ahead touchdown, making it 31-24. The Ravens had a last minute chance at coming back, but a fourth down pass dropped by T.J. Houshmandzadeh ended the game and the Ravens' season.
The Ravens' offense was once again ineffective in the second half and put their defense in a bind, which seemed to have been the story of the season for the Ravens. The Ravens will need to address a few issues in order to get over the hump in 2011.
- Charlie Rachel
The Steelers scored first with a good opening drive, but on their next two possessions, the Ravens forced two critical turnovers. The Ravens' offense turned those turnovers into 14 points and helped the Ravens jump out to a 21-7 lead going into halftime. The Ravens had all the momentum in their favor heading into halftime and it looked like the Ravens were going to run away with the game.
In the second half, it was the Ravens turn to give away points and allow the Steelers to get back into the game. Ray Rice fumbled the football, opening the door for the Steelers to score on a touchdown pass, which made it 21-14. On the Ravens' next drive, Joe Flacco overthrew a pass that was intended for Todd Heap and was picked off by the Steelers. The Steelers offense added another touchdown after the interception, tying up the score at 21 heading into the fourth quarter.
With 1:33 left in the game, the Steelers scored the go ahead touchdown, making it 31-24. The Ravens had a last minute chance at coming back, but a fourth down pass dropped by T.J. Houshmandzadeh ended the game and the Ravens' season.
The Ravens' offense was once again ineffective in the second half and put their defense in a bind, which seemed to have been the story of the season for the Ravens. The Ravens will need to address a few issues in order to get over the hump in 2011.
- Charlie Rachel
Ravens' Wild-Card Game Recap
The Ravens traveled to Kansas City during Wild-Card weekend. The Chiefs, who won the AFC West with a 10-7 record, had one of the top rushing attacks in the NFL in the regular season.
As it turned out, the Chiefs were not able to get anything going offensively and ultimately were smothered by the Ravens' defense. The game was close for much of the first half, as the Ravens went into the half leading 10-7. A close game turned into a blowout in a matter of thirty minutes as the Ravens' defense forced five turnovers and helped the offense extended their lead to 30-7. By forcing five turnovers in the game, the Ravens extended their streak of forcing five turnovers in wild-card games to three straight seasons.
The Ravens' offense fed off of their defense in this game. The Ravens' offense was able to rack up 390 yards of offense and scored 30 points. Joe Flacco had a big game, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdown passes, one to Anquan Boldin and one to Ray Rice. Todd Heap also had a big game, with 108 receiving yards on the day.
The Ravens will head to Pittsburgh next Saturday, renewing one of the league's fiercest rivalries. They split season series with the Steelers, with each team winning on the others home field.
- Charlie Rachel
As it turned out, the Chiefs were not able to get anything going offensively and ultimately were smothered by the Ravens' defense. The game was close for much of the first half, as the Ravens went into the half leading 10-7. A close game turned into a blowout in a matter of thirty minutes as the Ravens' defense forced five turnovers and helped the offense extended their lead to 30-7. By forcing five turnovers in the game, the Ravens extended their streak of forcing five turnovers in wild-card games to three straight seasons.
The Ravens' offense fed off of their defense in this game. The Ravens' offense was able to rack up 390 yards of offense and scored 30 points. Joe Flacco had a big game, throwing for 265 yards and two touchdown passes, one to Anquan Boldin and one to Ray Rice. Todd Heap also had a big game, with 108 receiving yards on the day.
The Ravens will head to Pittsburgh next Saturday, renewing one of the league's fiercest rivalries. They split season series with the Steelers, with each team winning on the others home field.
- Charlie Rachel
Ravens Week 17 Recap
The Ravens entered Week 17, the final week of the 2010 regular season, looking to accomplish a few things with a win against the Cincinnati Bengals. First off, the Ravens entered the game looking to end their five-game losing streak to the Bengals. They were also looking to gain momentum heading into the playoffs. Also with a win and a Steelers' lose the Ravens would win the AFC North. This would give the Ravens the number two seed in the AFC and would give them a first round playoff bye.
The Ravens were able to build a little momentum heading into the playoffs, as they were able to win a close one against the Bengals and extended their winning streak to four games and ended their five-game losing streak to the Bengals. The Ravens' defense played well in the game as they forced five turnovers and held the Bengals to seven points. The offense did not play particularly well, but did its part not to lose the game.
Even with the win, the Ravens were not able to win the AFC North because the Steelers blew out the Browns. Because of this, the Ravens are the number five seed in the playoffs and will travel to Kansas City in the first round of the playoffs.
- Charlie Rachel
The Ravens were able to build a little momentum heading into the playoffs, as they were able to win a close one against the Bengals and extended their winning streak to four games and ended their five-game losing streak to the Bengals. The Ravens' defense played well in the game as they forced five turnovers and held the Bengals to seven points. The offense did not play particularly well, but did its part not to lose the game.
Even with the win, the Ravens were not able to win the AFC North because the Steelers blew out the Browns. Because of this, the Ravens are the number five seed in the playoffs and will travel to Kansas City in the first round of the playoffs.
- Charlie Rachel
Ravens Week 16 Recap
Ed Reed led the charge as the Ravens won their sixth straight game against the Cleveland Browns. The defense held the Browns to 250 yards of offense and forced three interceptions; two by Pro Bowl bound Ed Reed. The defense only gave up 10 points and only three of those points came after the first quarter.
Joe Flacco had two key touchdown passes in the game. The first of those touchdown passes came in the first quarter when Flacco connected with T.J. Houshmandzadeh to put the Ravens ahead 10-7. The second touchdown pass came in the third quarter as Flacco connected this time with Derrick Mason to seal the victory, 20-10.
With the win the Ravens improved their record tp 11-4 and clinched their third straight playoff berth. They also have an outside shot of winning the AFC North with a win in Week 17 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens will also need the Steelers to lose against the Browns in Week 17 in order to win the AFC North and clinch a first round bye in the playoffs.
- Charlie Rachel
Joe Flacco had two key touchdown passes in the game. The first of those touchdown passes came in the first quarter when Flacco connected with T.J. Houshmandzadeh to put the Ravens ahead 10-7. The second touchdown pass came in the third quarter as Flacco connected this time with Derrick Mason to seal the victory, 20-10.
With the win the Ravens improved their record tp 11-4 and clinched their third straight playoff berth. They also have an outside shot of winning the AFC North with a win in Week 17 at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens will also need the Steelers to lose against the Browns in Week 17 in order to win the AFC North and clinch a first round bye in the playoffs.
- Charlie Rachel
Ravens Week 15 Recap
Ray Rice, who had a career day versus the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints, carried the Ravens to victory. Rice ran for 153 yards, caught 5 passes for 80 yards and scored two touchdowns to lead the Ravens to a 30-24 victory. The Ravens' rushing attack was very strong throughout the entire game and took some pressure off of Joe Flacco, as well as their defense.
The defense held strong to prevent their 9th blown fourth-quarter lead of the season, as the Saints were on the verge of a comeback late in the fourth quarter, trailing 27-24. Defensive End Cory Redding picked off a Drew Brees pass, to seal the victory for the Ravens.
The win ended the Saints six-game winning streak and helped the Ravens improve to 10-4 overall on the season and 6-1 at home. The Ravens will take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, the same Browns team that gave the Ravens a strong challenge in Week 3 in a 24-17 ball game. The Ravens also look to extend their winning streak versus the Browns to six straight.
- Charlie Rachel
The defense held strong to prevent their 9th blown fourth-quarter lead of the season, as the Saints were on the verge of a comeback late in the fourth quarter, trailing 27-24. Defensive End Cory Redding picked off a Drew Brees pass, to seal the victory for the Ravens.
The win ended the Saints six-game winning streak and helped the Ravens improve to 10-4 overall on the season and 6-1 at home. The Ravens will take on the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, the same Browns team that gave the Ravens a strong challenge in Week 3 in a 24-17 ball game. The Ravens also look to extend their winning streak versus the Browns to six straight.
- Charlie Rachel
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