Business is Picking Up

In a short amount of time, everything in DC sports has changed. The biggest news being that the NBA and the players have come to an agreement and will have a basketball season.

In my heart, I didn't think there would be an NBA season this year. When news came out over the weekend, I was stunned. I have missed watching Wizards games already and after Christmas I will get my wish. While I don't expect these guys to be world beaters, I do think the young guys might be better than many believe.

The Capitals made a bold move, with the firing of Bruce Boudreau. Now I am not a hockey guy but I do want the home teams to win. From the looks of things, it was time for a change. hopefully Dale Hunter can get his best players to buy into his system and be team leaders. A team as talented as they are can turn things around. Just making the playoff isn't the goal. The goal it to play your best, or hit your peak,when you get to the playoffs.

If the rumors are true, and the Nationals are interested in Prince Fielder, then I will be a happy man. That is if this part of the whole plan. The plan that involves resigning Zimmerman, another starting pitcher, and a center fielder. Hopefully the pitcher will be a top of the rotation guy and the center fielder a top of the order guy. Add a few guys to the bench and bullpen and mix. Congratulations,  you have a good team. Just how good will have to been seen.

Seeing the Redskins win on Sunday was good. That long losing streak will be a blessing in disguise. The Redskins are not the team they had been the last few weeks. I am not saying they are good yet but the team is being rebuilt. Roy Helu showed that he should be the feature back. The more their young guys play well, the closer they are to being a good team. While my eyes are on potential future QB's, I can't hope for my team to lose. The benefit of having extra picks means you should be able to get almost whoever you want in the draft.

I believe the DC sports Landscape is being rebuilt. Hopefully these teams can get it together and DC fans can show their pride.

College QB Watch

Another week of college football has come and we get another chance to see how the top quarterbacks did. Of the four QB's we looked at before. Robert Griffin III looked the best. Griffin and the
Baylor Bears went up against Landy Jones and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Griffin had 21 completions in 34 attempts. Threw for 479 ans 4 touchdowns. Jones had 36 completions in 51 attempts. He threw for 447 yards and 0 TD's with 1 int. Watching the game it is clear that Griffin looked better than Jones. In defense of Jones, he was missing his receiver Ryan Broyles. Baylor beat Oklahoma 45-38.

Andrew Luck did well on Saturday also. He had 20 completions in 30 attempts. He threw for 257 yards and 2 TD's and 1 Int. Luck didn't have his best game today, but when the pressure was on he did his job. Here is a clip form that game.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7260383

Matt Barkley had 36 completions in 51 attempts. He threw for 323 yards with 4 TD's and 1 Int. He isn't my choice for the Skins, but he did well yesterday. USC defeated #4 Oregon 38-35.

College football is getting close to bowl season and this is the time to watch these guys. To me is seems like the top two are Luck and Griffin III. will the Skins be able to get one of them? Which QB's are you interested in the Skins getting?

Where did our Hate Go?

Most people that know me would probably tell you that I'm a hater. As a youngster all my friends would like this musical group or that tv show, but I'd always find something wrong with them. It used to bother me, but I've grown to be a proud hater.

I've always hated the Dallas Cowboys. Watching them lose warms a special place in my heart. But, lately, I've been developing a strange hatred for my own team - the Washington Redskins.

This hatred almost makes me indifferent to the Cowboys. I'll admit I've employed a few of their services on my fantasy teams, but it was strictly business. Don't get me wrong, the star still makes my stomach turn. Hopefully, it makes this team's stomach turn on Sunday.

These guys don't hate each other like they need to. Maybe Tashard Choice can come in and help. He feels jilted by his old team. Maybe the guys who are from here can help. There's a time for war and a time for peace, and now is the time for hate.

For Skins Fan's, Time to Familiarize with QB Prospects in Draft

Could Baylor QB Robert Griffin III be the Skins next signal caller?

If you have been following the Redskins, you know their offense needs a major overhall. This team is in need of more help on the O-line, more wide receivers, and even another running back or two. All of that takes a back seat though, as quarterback has to be a top priority.

One of the best ways to get a quarterback is to get a high pick in the right year. The skins have been doing their best to compete for a high pick and this just might be a good year for QB's. There are a few names on top of every list and there is one name always on top of those list.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This is the time of year that should be the most enjoyable to a DC sports fan. The Wizards should be playing about 3 or 4 nights a week. The Skins should be entertaining us on Sundays. The Caps should be winning. And the Hot stove should be heating up for the Nationals.

Instead, the NBA is at war with NBPA, The Skins have imploded very early in the season. The Caps are in a rough spot. But, at least the stove is heating up and the Nationals are ready for it.

I was born in 78 and I don't remember the fist few years of my life.  The Wizards have only made it out of the first round of the play-offs from then till now once. So my memory of the Wizards is losing. Even with that, I miss my team.


Right now I should be writing about how John Wall has looked so far this year. How our draft picks look or how Kevin Seraphin or Andray Blatche are doing. Instead, its silence. At least, that's what it is to me.


This is a bad time for this work stoppage. The Wizards are in the middle of a rebuild. These young guys need to play to get better and for management to make good decisions about their next steps.


There is still time for a season, I know, but unless a deal is made soon, this could get ugly.



The Skins on the other hand are playing. But they have been a huge disappointment.  The defense is better but not good enough. The offense needs major help. They are rebuilding like the Wizards, but they have not done much to regain the trust and respect of their fans.


This team seems to have been run by fools since the early 90's. How else do you explain them ignoring their offensive and defensive lines in the draft for so long. Well them ignoring the draft for so long is even worse.


I remember the greatness. I remember the neighbors shooting fireworks when Doug Williams led the Skins to Super Bowl victory. I remember being 14 - 2 on the way go winning another one. I just can't accept this recent version of the team.


I have no doubt that the Caps recent struggles will be behind them soon and that the Nationals will be big players next month at the winter meetings. I only wish I could have the Skins at least look decent and to watch the your Wizards grow into a contender in a few years.

Reputation's Ridin'

There ain't a lot of smiling going on right now.

 I'm sure Mike Shanahan's fans had an "EMMITT, NOOOO!!!!" moment when Mike Shanahan proclaimed that he would put his reputation at stake in his support for Rex Grossman AND John Beck as quality NFL starting QB's. Where's a Delorean when you need one, Mike?

Four straight losses after a 3-1 start has this team in pure frustration. Everyone's asking why and the finger consistently points to Mike Shanahan. In his first year, he traded for John Beck and Donovan McNabb. Weeks before being benched, McNabb was paid a few extra million to ride the bench.

I understand the available quarterback options were less than ideal during the offseason. So, they chose not to draft a QB or sign a free agent. It's a risky move, but somewhat justified in an attempt to tool a 3-4 defense which we HAD to have. Here is the reward - an anemic offense and a decent defense and a head coach with a tainted reputation talking rebuild.

Living on the Edge: Center Fielder

Will "Bossman Jr" be the next center fielder for the Nats?

Living on the Edge is a series of articles, looking at ways the Nationals can improve from almost being .500. Some teams get stuck in this area. This gray zone of sorts is dangerous. In dating terms it is "Friend Zone". 

The National have not been shy about their needs. On top of that list is center field. The free agent market is bare in that department. After Grady Sizemore, there isn't much left. The problem with Sizemore is his history of injuries.

Ring of Honor Wrestling Introduction Pt 1

Ring of Honor is home to the best wrestling available today. Due to their product, my boycott of WWE has been enjoyable. I don't miss watching RAW and I have enjoyed the action that ROH provides. Their two main stars are Davey Richards and Roderick Strong.

Davey Richards is the ROH Heavyweight Champion. Richards whole life is fighting. He trains as a MMA fighter would. He traveled the world training learning his craft, trying to be the best fighter in the world. Richards intensity is second to none.

Roderick Strong on the other hand is an arrogant jerk. He is talented and doesn't feel he has to work as hard or other, like Richards, to be the best. Strong is more concerned with being the center of attention and women. To make matters worse, Strong has a life intervention expert. His name is Truth Martini and I wouldn't trust him with leftover lasagna.

These are just a couple of the memorable athletes you will find in ROH.

There's still a shot.

Half-Way through the season, Skins appear lost.

Facing the midpoint of this season, the Washington Redskins find themselves in familiar waters again - the brink of losing the entire season or delaying the inevitable....This is a common sentiment of many Redskins fans.

Who can blame us? Every year this team inspires many would be comedians. They've giggled through Snyder's impatience, Spurrier, Zorn, Gibbs II, coaching "searches", overpriced free agents, lack of respect for the draft...Vinny Cerrato! It's been brutal. 

With Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan aboard, it's been advertised as a new era for the Redskins. The team would be run as a first class organization versus the dysfunctional operation it had become. Old habits being hard to break, the McNabb fiasco had new comics appearing nationwide.

After a hot 3-1 start, the Redskins have dropped three straight and look to be in free-fall mode. 

Recent decisions appear to have taken positive momentum from this team and only new decisions can help
them. One recent decision is the signing of Tashard Choice, ex Cowboy. Maurice Hurt being promoted 
from practice squad to start at left Guard is another one.

Out of 12 drafted rookies this year, 9 are on the active roster with many of them expected to make huge 
contributions. Shanahan's talent evaluation will now be under spotlight. If these young guys look bad, 
Shanahan's regime becomes very shaky.Look for solid things from Sunday's game.

Living on the Edge: Nationals Starting Rotation

C.J. Wilson is the top FA pitcher this year.

 With The Nationals on the edge of being a .500 team, I am doing a series called Living on the Edge. This series will look at the different things the Nats can do to improve their record next year. Part one of the series is the starting rotation.

One of the nationals priorities this off-season, is to bolster their starting rotation. As it stands now, it will be 1. Stephen Strasburg, 2. Jordan Zimmermann,  3. John Lannan, and 4. Ross Detwiler. Chein Ming Wang would be a logical addition, since the team wants him and he wants to come back.

There are problems with this rotation though.Strasburg will be on an innings limit, just as Zimmermann was this year. Also Lannan is the only one who has won 10 games in a season. They could sign Wang who won 19 games twice in his career, but he hasn't come close to staying healthy for a whole season since 2007.