Watercooler B.S.

CAPS PREVIEW 2008

2008-10-10T10:50:00.019-04:00

TIME TO GET JACKED UP FOR THE CAPS!!!

Caps open up tonight against Atlanta and the lines have been announced by Bruce Boudreau:

Line 1: Ovechkin-Backstrom-Kozlov
Line 2: Laich-Fedorov-Semin
Line 3: Fleischmann-Nylander-Clark
Line 4: Brashear-Steckel- Bradley

The defense pairings were as follows:

Morrisonn-Green
Erskine-Poti
Schultz-Jurcina

The extras were Boyd Gordon and Eric Fehr. Gordon was assigned to the fourth line while Fehr skated with the third.

Goalies:

Jose Theodore

Brent Johnson

1st LINE

First, the four forward lines look pretty glorious. You’ve got the Ovie, Backstrom, Koz line back in tack for the full year under Boudreau. Backstrom is poised to have an even bigger year this year as reports say he looks poised and confident now that his rookie year is in the books. This line should dominate the score sheets.

2nd LINE

The second line, which played together frequently down the stretch last year, really seemed to gel with Fedorov in the center. Semin’s confidence and toughness took off last year after playing with Fedorov. Apparently Semin doesn’t speak very good English, and prior to Fed’s arrival, the only guy he could authentically communicate with on the team was Ovechkin. Fedorov has been an incredible mentor and friend to Semin, and this should translate to increased production for the two. Laich had a breakout year last year, as he grinded out over 20 goals, with both skill and grit. This line will also be very strong.

3rd LINE

The third line is intriguing and likely the most improved aspect of this team. Nylander, who was putting up numbers before Boudreau came last year, got hurt early in the Boudreau tenure, and was out for the year. He is back healthy and motivated, and could eclipse 90 points this year. Clark, who also was out for the whole Boudreau run, has recovered from his groin injury and is ready to match his 20 goal form from 2 seasons ago. He’s a grinder like Laich, with perhaps even more skill. He’s also back wearing the captain’s C. The interesting third wheel on this line is Fleischmann. He was signed last year to an extension and he’s shown flashes of brilliance but overall his play has still been spotty. He’s wearing a new number this year, 14 (43 before), so hopefully he will shed his inconsistent past. The good news for the Caps is that they aren’t “all in” on Flash. If Flash doesn’t produce, he’s got up and coming players Eric Fehr, and also minor league upstart Chris Bourque waiting in the wings to take his spot. Between those three, the Caps will get production from this line spot.

4th LINE

The fourth line is the checking line, which really was a winning x factor last year. Bruisers Brashear and Bradley will drop the gloves with anybody, and Steckel is one of the top faceoff and penalty kill men in the league. Boyd Gordon does all the same stuff and will rotate in with this line as well. This line isn’t going to score a lot of goals, (although they have proven they can score) but that is not what they’re there for. They provide an emotional and physical lift for this team, and look for them to be a big momentum changer when this team comes out flat every now and then.

DEFENSE

These four lines are competitive with any four in the league. The questions and concerns come in the defensive pairings. We really only have 3 good defensemen, Green, Morrison and Poti. Erskine is good at times, but can be inconsistent and commits stupid penalties which prevent him from being very good. Jurcina is not very good most of the time, and decent only some of the time, which is a problem. When he’s focused he can be solid, but he takes some terrible angles, makes some dumb passes in his own zone, and also commits flaky penalties. Couple him with the guy I like to call “shady” Jeff Schultz, and you have a really mediocre defense pairing. I have never gotten the whole Schultz project. He was actually drafted by us 4 slots BEFORE Mike Green, and in his defense was only 22 last year. However, he was really tentative, whenever he got the puck he was like the kid in gym class that sucked, he hurriedly passed the puck to someone who was good. He was not physical, which was astounding considering he’s about 6’5 230 pounds. These issues could be understandable for a young defensemen, but for some reason he logged more ice time than any other defensemen on our team in the playoffs last year. We love this guy! He plays ALL THE TIME! I feel like there’s something I’m missing here. Are we just touting this guy because the organization drafted him in the first round? Are we just hoping he gets better on the fly? I don’t know, but word is he’s working on being more physical this year (whatever that means) and handling the puck better. The good news is we also have Karl Alzner, a top pick from a couple years ago who tour up Juniors last year (he was defensemen of the year) waiting in the minors to likely take over one of our defensemen slots mid-year. Course, he’ll be an NHL rookie.

GOALTENDING

We lost Huet at goalie, and picked up Theodore. Theo was the top goalie in the league back in 02’ and has won multiple playoff series, which is what we like about him. What I don’t like about him is how his career GAA matches up with Huet’s-

Theodore . ...vs. ..Huet

2.65.....................2.43

I know you’re thinking, that’s not much, but over the last three years Theodore’s GAA has been in the mid 3’s while Huet’s has been in the mid 2’s. Huet’s GAA last year as a Capital was 1.63. Most of Theodore’s years where he was in the low to mid 2’s were early in the decade. Dicey to say the least.

OVERALL

Everyone is talking about how great the Caps can be, and I’m not going to argue, but I’m not ready to say we’re a cup contender. The reality is we lost to Philly in the playoffs, who got beat pretty easily by Pittsburgh, who got beat very easily by Detroit. We may in fact be the third best team in the league, but that doesn’t mean we’re on the brink of winning the cup. Detroit is so good we could be three defensemen and a good goalie away from just COMPETING with them. What the Caps should do this year is try to establish themselves as the best team in their conference. They can do this by beating Pittsburgh, which is no easy task with Crosby and Malkin. Luckily for us Pitt’s other stud, Martin Hossa, signed for half the money to play for Detroit. If Pitt got him back, I don’t think we could beat them. I think we’ll probably make the conference finals and lose. Still a great and exciting year. The reality of the NHL is simple. At least half the teams in the league have a problem consistently scoring goals. Just by being a good offensive team that can score goals, you’re in the top 10 of the whole league. Sample in some good defense and goaltending and make your offense GREAT, and you’re a top 3 team, which is where the Caps should be.

If you’re a DC sports fan and you went to sleep last year after the Skins lost the wildcard game last year in Seattle and just woke up today, get up and scream because we’re about to have two solid winners in DC who came out of nowhere. The Caps and Redskins. Sit back and enjoy DC, it’s going to be a hell of a winter!!

Skins take down Dallas

2008-09-28T22:15:00.010-04:00

I first would like to apologize for taking this long to post this, Blogspot has been having problems - freezing for the past 2 days. Thanks for waiting because I wanted to make a quality post that would be entertaining. I make sure I gather all the information together first then give you my Picasso. F- Blogspot...I better post this before it locks up on me again....

In case you missed it here are all the key plays of the game:

Jim Zorn has to be the biggest surprise of all this year. But nothing is more surprising than what he did after the game. The 3 Cheers - Hip Hip Hooray! Was first done by Legendary Skins Coach George Allen. When a reporter asked Zorn after the game if he did that because of Allen- Zorn was CLUELESS. He said he never knew that cheer took place and he used to do it in Seattle for Coach Holmgren when he came back and coached a great game in the playoffs. Here is something else very interesting...

George Allen did this Cheer after the Redskins Beat the Cowboys in 1971. Allen was the first Coach to beat them in Dallas Stadium when he took over the team in his first year. Now Zorn did the EXACT same thing. Norv never won in Dallas, Marty never won in Dallas, Spurrier never won in Dallas, Joe Gibbs Never won in Dallas, BUT JIM ZORN WON.....

He does the same cheer that Allen did not knowing about it??? After Allen Beat Dallas in their stadium? That is erie. I think its a sign, A good sign. That things are changing for the good around here.

But one thing that is constant about our team is our passionate owner Dan Snyder. I have always been a Dan Fan, because he is willing to do whatever it takes to put the best possible product on the field year in and year out. In case you missed it after the game Snyder was seen in the locker room Hugging Jim Zorn and Yelling at the Players.....

Snyder either is excited that his team finally won in Dallas since he's been the owner, had several millions dollars on the game, had a bet to sell Six Flags to Jerry Jones if we lost or is sexually frustrated.

Either way, that's how passionate an Owner should be about his team.

MY GRADES:

Jason Campbell: A +

No Turnovers yet in 4 straight games. Campbell was 20-of-31 for 231 yards. He made several look offs to make the best pass. Inside the Red zone he looked comfortable, even without the Big Receivers in the game. He's doing it with the guys we've had for years, chemistry has arrived.

Clinton Portis: A

Got his first 100 yard rushing game (121 yds) of the season. The best run I have seen since his first game as a Redskin. The 30 yard sprint was what I have been looking for all year.

Santana Moss: B +

Didn't get in the endzone - the 6 game TD streak was snapped - which tied the franchise record. 8 catches for 145 yards.

Randle El: B

I don't get why he has to praise Allah every time he scores or does anything? He still doesn't get many yards after catch but got in the endzone and made a few key catches.

James Thrash: B+

He was running the TD route so hard he fell before the snap. It paid off because the coverage was about 2 steps behind him.

Casey Rabach: F

Cost the Redskins 2 TD's. One of which was an unbelievable play by Campbell avoiding the sack. How does a Center get an illegal down field lineman on the 5 yard line? Even if you thought Campbell was going to scramble hes a big boy and could fall forward 5 yards.

Chris Samuels: D

2 Sacks given up in the 1st Quarter. He is over matched all the time, Campbell is having to scramble and move around the pocket almost every pass. Keep it up Chris, you will be in the Pro Bowl yet again at the End of the Year.....

The BIG DEFENSE: A

I had to put this all together because it was a team effort to shut down the Leagues most powerful offense. Chris Horton another pick- Steal of the draft. Springs had great coverage on T.Uh-O. holding him to 2 catches for 11 yards in the first half. Springs went down with a calf injury Carlos Rogers came in and handled t, he had several nice deflections. Now remember we did this all WITHOUT JASON TAYLOR!! I mean we really proved that we are still a great Defensive Unit that can stop anyone.

Fun Stat:

***Tony Romo in his Career is 1-3 against Washington and 22-6 against everyone else***

The next two video's show why everyone hates Dallas Cowboy fans. Check out this guys shirt, plenty more things can be said about these guys but I will leave it up to you....

Well Dog my Cat!! I can get that on Ebay??

For some reason now I find Van Halen less appealing...

I feel like Ricky Bobby is going to come run on the screen and yell "SHAKE N' BAKE"

Just a couple of hilarious lines....

Start at 12 seconds "Just talk your trash baby, you dont have to come up with a...a......a.....a..(DADAThis is where my brain is sapose to werk?) stupid B.S. reason.

"WEAAAAAK!!!!" 1:00

"Yea, we got PacMan say what you want about him Homeboy can play - You kant doubt dat" 2:57

"We are the most Hated team in the league - BAR NONE" 3:28

Juan Dixon Signs Back with the Wizards- Eddie Too

2008-09-24T13:44:00.004-04:00

Juan Dixon has come back to the area he loves. The Former Maryland Terp was selected the Most Outstanding Player of the 2002 Final Four for helping Maryland win the national championship, then was picked in the first round of that year's NBA draft (17th Overall) by the Wizards.

He will wear # 8, because of course Caron Butler wears his # 3. After 6 seasons with various teams in the league (Portland, Toronto, Detroit) he comes back to the Wizards.

First off, I'd like to say that I am happy he's back but where he will fit in is the question. I think he should replace DeShawn Stevenson at SG. DeShawn is dead weight. His antics are one thing but his inconsistent shooting is my main peeve. Dixon could fit in nicely.

Now what does this do about the Production of Nick Young? We got rid of Roger Mason Jr. because the fact we want Young to get more playing time. Could Dixon Run the Point while Gilbert is Out?

On that note, I think that this was a publicity stunt to get us interested in a team with out Arenas. They owe the fans something for this stunning injury to Arenas. Bringing Dixon here could be it.

I like Dixon for this reason here:

"I'm excited to return to the area and to resume my career with the Wizards," Dixon said. "I'm looking forward to the start of training camp and I'm ready to step in and contribute wherever coach [Eddie] Jordan and the team sees fit."

Juan Dixon is a team player. He will try to fit into our system however he can. We need more guys like this on the team. None of this "Im not getting enough minutes" ie Brendon Haywood. But if we compared everyone to Brendan Haywood then Kwame Brown would be an All-Star.
We also Extended Eddie Jordan contract thru 2009-10 season. Making Jordan the 3rd Longest Tenured Coach in the NBA. Eddie is the man, his substitution schemes are sometimes shady but overall a good coach that players want to play for. Jordan's record over five Wizards seasons is 196-214, but that includes a rebuilding 25-57 mark in his first year. Since then, he is 171-157.

Let me know what you think of the Juan Dixon Deal and how will he fit in our rotation? Before AND after Arenas comes back.

Week 3 Recap: Cardinals (2-1) vs. Skins (2-1)

2008-09-23T10:25:00.014-04:00

This past Sunday, the Skins had a huge win. Not because if we didn't win, we would be heading to play the two toughest teams in the NFC next with a 1 and 2 record, but because we had yet another win against a possible playoff wild card contender.

With wins against New Orleans (1-2) and Arizona (2-0) - we have already solidified a tie-breaker ahead of those teams for a NFC wild card spot. I know its early to talk about playoffs but to have these things in place is worth mentioning.

MY GRADES:

Jason Campbell: A

He has yet to have a turnover- 0 INTS and 0 Fumbles. 4 TDs with a 100.1 Quarterback Rating - The next two games will really test his abilities.

Clinton Portis: C+

68 yards and a TD. For a "Supposed Top 10 Back" not having a hundred yard game yet is unacceptable. I am still waiting for him to break out...

Santana Moss: B+

7 Rec 75 yards and a TD, 2nd Game in a Row Winning TD

Chris Cooley: B

7 catches 72 yards 10.3 a catch...No TD but almost rumbled in for one. He needs to be apart of the offense more.

Lee Torrence: D

He is getting praise as if he found the cure for cancer! He had no idea where the ball was in the air - thus the ball bounces off his helmet. It was a very lucky play, he was in the right place at the right time but for the amount of press he received - he gets a barely passing grade.

Reed Doughty: Needs to Transfer Schools

Galudet please take him, he has one year of eligibility left....(Believe it or not he had 9 tackles, 7 solo but gave up TD to Fitzgerald)

Carlos Rogers: B

Great Awarness to snag the ball in the air for the game changing INT. If you told me that Rogers and Smoot would both have an interception before Laron Landry did, I would have called you a Liar. I guess they are both like retarted kids- I don't understand their "abilities" or lack their of.

Rocky McIntosh: A

10 Tackles and a Forced Fumble. He has Forced Fumble in back to back games.

Chris Samuels: C

1 False Start in the first Quarter. Keep it coming big fella - I smell that Pro Bowl....

Jason Taylor: B

He had 3 tipped passes in the game including 2 in the redzone. On a 2nd and Goal play and then a 3rd and Goal play. Hes a factor, but won't be in Dallas

Durrant Brooks: B

4 Punts 42.8 Avg, 2 Inside the 20. Longest 56 yards. Brooks isn't their to make tackles- so don't get upset if he looks like a kicker (because he is a kicker) going to tackle a RB...

Todd Yoder: A+++++

What more can you ask of this guy? Ok, maybe a reinactment on why Chris Cooley showed his D-Tip on his blog. But instead I will take his first TD of the season.

Overall: A-

The Cardinals coughed up their FIRST 2 turnovers of the year. Collectively our Run D gave up over 100 yards rushing. I would like to have seen that better but coming from a pass happy team I will take it. Arizona was held to under 200 yards Passing. This was a big win for a team and a town that needs an excuse to pull the razor blade away from their wrists.

Arenas has THIRD KNEE SURGERY

2008-09-18T09:35:00.010-04:00

Yes, you heard it right, Gilbert Arenas had a 3rd Surgery that will now put him on the bench until at least December. Of course there are several words that come to mind maybe like:

NOOOO!!!! NOT POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

or

DAGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Besides of obvious that we have paid this guy $111 million full knowing that he had a gimpy knee, apparently he wasn't even fully recovered from that injury in the first place. "This was a proactive procedure that will enhance his rehabilitation process," said Dr. Marc Connell, the Wizards' team physician. The Key word is: ENHANCE

He was still hurt and we were all to believe he was going to be fine and full strength coming into the season. No wonder why we hadn't heard any coverage about him practicing in August. I don't think he ever did.

There are several "Red Flags" that go off when hearing this "Surprise Surgery":

The Final Season Ticket Invoices were sent to the Fans. Meaning that if you hadn't re-upped your tickets by last week you wouldn't of been a Washington Wizards Season Ticket Holder for the 2008-2009 season.

Hmmmmmm, was this a strategic cover-up to not tell the fans that Arenas was going to have surgery - AGAIN?!?!?! Make sure they cash in their money for tickets and then we will tell them their superstar is out. Great Business Model.

Abe Polin was swindled again. The Old dirty baste rd, that literally looks like death wheeling around attempting to run over your toes in a wheelchair, paid extra money to a guy who's injury could be career ending. We are at the Luxury Tax limit because of Arenas Contract, not allowing us to sign anyone else to fill the void unless they take the league minimum. MJ Please where are you??

Did Arenas know he had to have this "Clean Up" Procedure before the signing? I think YES. Did the Wizards know about this Procedure? I say YES. But in order to not cause a big uprising in the fans, it was the don't ask, don't tell policy.

Now the Washington Wizards Franchise is attempting damage control. I heard this story at 5pm yesterday - But for some reason it wasn't on any 11 pm news OR Comcast Sports Net Coverage they have every night. Fishy, huh?? Right now they are trying to find as much info on Dee Brown so they can pump into our face telling us "We are okay people! WE HAVE DEE BROWN!!!"

Don't tell me about AD either. "He has a RING!!" Yea and he was on the bench when he got it. Now the Wizards have proved they can stay afloat without their top all-star. But why do I want to tread water when I can sit on a yacht? I am tired of hearing the old "When we had all of our guys we were the Best team in the Eastern Conference" Yes that might be true but WE WILL NEVER HAVE ALL OUR GUYS!!

Did you know that Nick Young has only played 13 career games with Gilbert??? That is Astounding. Shocking. Appalling. Sickening.

He has had 3 surgeries in 17 months. An injury that has been about 2 years. I won't be able to stomach Phil and Steve giving me all the "Excuses" during the games to why Arenas won't be playing.

Are you ready to deal with the constant struggle of......

"When will he be back?"
"How will we work him in?"
"Will he Start?"
"Will he come off the Bench?"
"Will he get hurt again?"

I can't handle that drama again. Yet we are right around the corner from hearing it all over again. Because there is "NO TIMETABLE" for his Return. Well I guess I'm just going to have to Quote a Wise Man that said:

"HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT!?!?!"

Mississippi Talk - Jason Campbell, Fred Smoot

2008-09-16T14:53:00.006-04:00

The State of Mississippi has one major flaw (among many others): Speech

Trying to understand the Talk of Jason Campbell or Fred Smoot (Both from Mississppi State) can give some people a headache. But for others it can be quite the comic relief......

Jason Campbell is Country.......

Smoot Smack......

Dumb and Dumber....

Mike Sellers LunchBox Awards......*Note Phonics

Now, Santana Moss is from Miami but he sounds like he talks with Marbles in his mouth. 10 points to anyone who can figure out what Santana Said???

Work Edtic.....and the Go Go Gadget Feet

Week 2 Recap: Saints vs. Skins

2008-09-16T11:08:00.004-04:00

WOW, What a game!! I'll admit I wrote us off when we were down two possessions with under 8 minutes left. Zorn's Offense was clicking, everyone was making plays, but the strides taken were much bigger than anticipated.

The Jason Campbell and Santana Moss Connection has officially hit stores this past weekend. The game winning pass (Which I've seen about 20 times - because apparently that was the only highlight of the game according to the major networks) was a thing of beauty. After a solid 3 years of working together the "Long Bomb" to Santana via Campbell hit full stride- literally.

The problem used to be that Campbell would overthrow or under throw Santana by 5 to 10 yards. This would either cause an missed TD pass or a bad INT. The throw was a perfect spiral, hitting Moss in the hands - with out breaking his stride - something we haven't seen since the Monday Night Miracle Dallas game. Brunell occasionally was able to hit Moss in stride but it was a rarity. Utilizing Santana's speed with out having him to slow down, jump, or break a tackle - is how we MUST use him.

In Week 1 Redskins: 5 players caught passes for 133 yards and 1 TD

In Week 2 Redskins: 9 players caught passes for 321 yards and 1 TD

Last Season, the Redskins did not have one game with at least 9 different players catching a pass.

The most exciting thing about the game was that we finally found a Safety!!!

Playmaker doesn't even describe Chris "Dreads" Horton. He had 2 INT's and a Fumble Recovery. His second interception was actually the most impressive one. The ball was tipped at the line of scrimmage, Horton was half turned around was able to locate the ball and snag it out of the air. His awareness is higher than Smoot and Rogers combined. I can't tell you how many times I see a ball deflect in the air and see those two guys not realizing it until it hits the ground. The Flashing White light that goes off during a fire drill is what Reed Doughty needs to locate that ball. In his first start of his career he does not disappoint.

Grades:

Jason Campbell: A

He made several play calls on his own at the line of scrimmage - Glimpse of Promise

O-Line: B +

Only 2 sacks given up.....Samuels did not have one. They were more focused than before- not as many penalties

Santana Moss: A

Week 1: 5 catches for 37 yds......Week 2: 7 catches for 164 yds

Chris Cooley: B

Had a huge 3rd down catch to keep the drive alive, won't be the last. Not enough broken tackles to get an A

Special Teams: F

Gave up a Punt Return TD to Bush, Brooks had several bad punts, Missed extra point. This isn't that big of a deal because these things are extremely fluke and correctable

Clinton Portis: B

Great Blocking led to those two TD's but still is lacking that burst...

Mike Sellers: A

He was the Blocking Stud on the Team this week. Crushed over guys esp. on Portis 1st TD.

Notables:

Taylor got his first sack and Skins fans got their second scare of a possibly injury.

Landry had 2 nice coverage plays preventing a TD and a big 1st Down

Fred Davis and Malcolm Kelly had their first catches of their career- Each for 6 yards

Week 1 Recap: Giants vs. Skins

2008-09-08T10:58:00.006-04:00

In one word: Unprepared. Our team was not prepared for the battle that they faced. Zorn's offense fell short of anything noticeable. On first downs we ran the ball 13 out of 16 times. Sound familiar? Yea that's the Joe Gibbs Offense. Now I don't mind running the ball, but if you are Zorn, and going to come in here with the "Unleash the hounds" mentality it better happen. Michael Vick's hounds at least fight until the other dog is dead. We take the last 3 and half minutes and run the ball - when were down 2 possessions. We just whimpered back into the cage and let someone put a belt around our neck...

Nobody on either side of the ball could catch. Santana dropped at least 2 balls, Smoot at least 3 and Rogers had 2. The one guy on our team with the BEST HANDS gets the ball thrown to him once - and catches it mind you.

The Giants had been preparing for this game for weeks. When they asked Antonio Pierce before the game he said, "I hope the Redskins have been preparing as much as us". Well we didn't. Instead of focusing on our first week opponent, we were still trying to figure OURSELVES OUT. How can you prep for a team, if your still prepping your offense and defense?

It showed. At least 2 false starts from Randel El! Don't get me started on the O-line. The decision to put Heyer in to the starting spot is appalling. I know, I know, we want our "Young Guys" to get experience and this is our future.

But what happened to the Redskins Motto: SCREW THE FUTURE, WIN NOW!?!?!

Jon Jansen only has 2 years left as an NFL Player. Why not use him? He's not the greatest O-lineman but hes good. He's a starter anywhere else in the league. Play him. Heyer comes in a gives up a Sack on the first offensive play for the Skins!! Then so he doesn't get beat on the next play- he tries to get a head start on his man and gets a False Start. Back to Back Jacks!!

Then Samuels got 2 holds that were just awful to watch. Especially the last one. His "Tackle" on Kwiniamfromsouthafricauka, was pitiful. Samuels "Swears" he didn't do it intentionally. But, of course he did. He remembered last year when he got beat and got Jason Campbell sacked against the Bears - Dislocating JC's Knee Cap. Oh and don't forget about when he let Zach Thomas beat him against Miami in Week 1 last year. He sacked Campbell and rolled onto the back of Jansens leg - Breaking it. 2 Season ending injuries all from Mr. Samuels himself. So no wonder why he wasn't gonna let that happen again. The game was over and he thought to him self "Wouldn't it be some shit if I got Campbell hurt in Week 1 off of my missed block?" Then proceeds to Dive straight at the knees of Kwiniamfromsouthafricauka....

If I had to take one thing positive out of the game, It would be Clinton Portis' Block out of the back field. The "Sheriff Gonna Chip Block" yaaaaaaaa. It was fantastic. Finally Kudos to Broadcasting team for catching the block on replay because they usually go unnoticed. FYI look who's man it is.....

Chris Samuels will make the Pro Bowl YET AGAIN....Don't worry Watercooler B.S. will be here to keep all his B.S. STATS!!!

ALSO, Chris Paul's Video from Week 1 is now posted.... Sorry for it being late but I couldn't find it until after the game. Next time I'll get it early...Enjoy!!

What time is it? Game Time Whooo

2008-09-04T13:43:00.006-04:00

Well its finally here, opening night. The entire nation watching your every step, a new coach, a new offense, a new mentality. It's put up or shut up. Taking on the defending champs in their own backyard. The key to this entire season is whether or not Jason Campbell can perform. Now I know I am not creating some kind of revelation with this one, but some writers feel that they discovered gravity. Of course its on Jason Campbell hes are starting Quarterback!!

But the pressure isn't really on as much as you think. Believe it or not Campbell already has a head start on the rest of his class. The quarterbacks chosen in the First Round of the 2005 NFL draft have done very little:

Alex Smith (Drafted # 1) 49ers, just was demoted to back up this season after 32 games in which he threw 19 TD's and 31 INT's. Big Bust

Aaron Rodgers (Drafted # 24) has played in only 7 games with 1 TD and 1 INT to his name. But he finally is getting to start after taking over for Favre. Not Proven Yet

And Now the Valedictorian of that Class:

Jason Campbell (Drafted # 25) He's thrown 22 TD and 17 INT's in 20 Starts.

J.C. stats aren't that spectacular but they are pretty impressive compared to his fellow classmates.

If the West Coast Offense can click for Campbell we will be in business. A layman's explanation of the West Coast Offense is that it is a series of short passes 11 yards or Less. It is proven that if you throw a ball over 12 yards your Interception Rate goes up immensely. This will work for our "Little" Receivers.

Santana has to have a big season starting with tonight. But I think that the Skins will come out and run a bit. The game is a long 4 quarters and have plenty of time to pass. But how do you know if the WC offense is working? There will be constant rhythm and almost feels as if the offense is in the "Hurry Up". The Pass will set up more quick runs. Scoring drives will take nearly no time off the clock (which can be a good and bad thing) but is it always very exciting to continuously pick up first downs.

Our D this year will be like previous years and be the staple of the Washington Redskins. I promise you that Jason Taylor will play to night (even though as I write this he is Questionable). Taylor is a FOOTBALL PLAYER. He is a Pro Bowler, who has 130 consecutive game streak on the line. He takes Pride in that. He once played 5 games with a broken arm. Enough Said. A "Sprained Knee" isn't goin to stop this guy and neither is the Giants Left Tackle.

Predictions: The Skin's Should Win. The fact is because you are missing the "Big Three" in G-Town. Strahan, Osi, and Shockey. They were a HUGE part of their success. We have more additions than subtractions this year. I think we can be 10 and 6 this year. Let me know what you think. If you want to cheat and wait till after the game tonight to predict that's fine with me........

Washington Redskins 2008 Final Cuts

2008-09-02T12:56:00.003-04:00

*Matthias Askew, DT
* Ryan Boschetti, DT
* Nehemiah Broughton, FB
* Devin Clark, T
* Andrew Crummey, G
* Derek Devine, QB
* Vernon Fox, S
* Derrick Frost, P
* Horace Gant, WR
* Curtis Gatewood, LB
* Patrick Ghee, S
* Jason Goode, TE
* David Holloway, LB
* Cedrick Holt, CB
* Maurice Mann, WR
* Marcus Mason, RB
* Fred Matua, G
* Billy McMullen, WR
* Anthony Mix, WR
* Babatunde Oshinowo, DT
* Matteral Richardson, CB
* Matt Sinclair, LB
* Dorian Smith, DE
* Burl Toler, WR
* Danny Verdun-Wheeler, LB
* Todd Wade, T
* Tavares Washington, T
* Byron Westbrook, CB

24 of 28 = 86 % Correct

Of the 4 guys I missed here is the reasoning :

Boschetti - Thought we were keeping 5 DT instead kept 4

Fox- Surprise Cut! No one figured on this one...

McMullen - Fell into the peer pressure, I had him originally cut. I knew we would only keep 5 WR's and call up anyone if someone got hurt.

Richardson - Should of Kept him but was Cut (Kept 5 instead of 6). He had 2 Ints (1 for TD) and several nice plays.

Terrible Kept decisions: Hamilton and Giesinger

Great Calls: MARCUS MASON, TODD WADE, DERRICK FROST

I knew Mason was going to be cut after the 1st Preseason Game. He's overrated and can't fit into a already crammed back field. He is a classic guy that tries out or is drafted by a Washington team because he's a local product (i.e. Jason Goode, Laron Profit, Juan Dixon, Steve Blake, Byron Westbrook). We want to try to "fill the seats" with these players, instead of filling the Championship Trophy Cabinet. Word also is that Mason was a poor Pass Blocker and made several mistakes on special teams *Cough* Fumble *Cough*

Todd Wade got cut because he is not versatile enough and was hurt for 98 % of the Preseason. Fabini, Heyer, Rinehart, and APPARENTLY Geisinger can all play Guard and Tackle. Wade is strictly a Tackle.

Now on to DERRICK FUCKIN FROST, Oh how I hate thee. Your Bitter - Quite Bitter. To hate on the Redskins that gave you a home for 4 F-ing Years is absurd.

"I feel like I was dealt with dishonestly," Frost said. "I want to thank [special teams coach] Danny Smith for the three years he gave me here, and I feel like he always treated me well, and I will continue to think that. But I think we all know who made the decision, and when you've got a draft that isn't starting to look so good, you're going to do whatever you can to make it look as good as possible"

Frost is hinting that because our other draft picks are "busts" (Even though they haven't played a snap of real football) we HAD to keep Brooks to say we got "something" out of this draft. No Derrick. You and You alone were the sole reason you were cut.

Frost is an emotional player. Look it up in the Dictionary.

Emotional Player (adjective):
1. pertaining to or involving emotion or the emotions while playing sports.
Example: After punting an above average ball, makes the tackle on the returner and pulls his helmet off to yell and scream. Thus, causing a 15 yard penalty and putting the opposing team in field goal range.

2. subject to or easily affected by emotion
Origin: Brendan Haywood slamming the ball through the hoop after a foul was called 5 seconds earlier, thus proceeding to hang on the rim and yell into the camera.

Frost proceeds to go to other reporters and say more things:

"They said the competition was even, but it definitely wasn't,"

said Frost, who averaged 45.5 yards gross and 32.3 net to Brooks' 42.8 and 34.5. "I started the last game and I definitely outplayed him after they said it was even going in. It was a sham. There was no competition. I think [special teams coach Danny Smith's] hands were tied."
You haven't out played anyone. Ever. Period.

Vinny Cerrato summed it up the best: "We think Durant can be more consistent than Derrick was the last three years"

BINGO! Johnny tell him what he's won!!! A punter that will finish in the top 1/3 of guys in the league.

Frost just signed yesterday to the Green Bay Packers. Have fun with that one, can't wait to watch him shank some more punts.

But I do agree with Frost when he says it "wasn't even". Of course it wasn't. WE KNEW YOU SUCKED. Someone in the organization went up to Zorn before the draft and said, "Hey we need to draft a punter because the one we have isn't good" Someone already had the scouting report on Frost, thus the reasoning for the Pick. Its not Brain Surgery. Punters and Kickers should be replaced every 2 years unless you find a Pro Bowler.

I'm a kid in a candy shop now that Frost has been cut. I feel as if a burden has been lifted off of the Redskins. The feeling you get when you know you will never see this sorry guy in a Redskins Uniform anymore i.e. Taylor Jacobs, Rod Gardner, Trung Canidate, and Heath Shuler.

I can't wait for the Season to Start....

Time for a Good Ole' Fashion PUNT OFF!!!!

2008-08-28T10:01:00.018-04:00

Place your bets!!! During tonight's game vs. Jacksonville, Derrick Frost and Durant Brooks are going to have a "Punt Off" to see who will make the team.

TALE OF THE TAPE

FROST VS. BROOKS

Punts: 12 vs. 10

Avg: 45.5 yds vs. 44.2 yds

Net: 32.3 yds vs. 33.7 yds

Longest: 65 yds* vs. 60 yds

Inside 20: 3 vs. 3

FROST kicked against the Bills and Panthers.

BROOKS kicked against the Indianapolis Colts and New York Jets.

*This punt happened last week against the Carolina Panthers. IF this was the regular season it would have been THE LONGEST PUNT IN FROST's 4- YEAR CAREER. FYI- Brooks Career Longest was in College for 76 YARDS

THE X FACTOR---------CHANCE OF RAIN: 100%

Its is going to be a Muddy, Rainy, and Sloppy Game. When a football gets wet, it becomes extremely heavy and hard (Keep the dirty jokes to yourself). When you attempt to kick it, the moisture from the rain will weigh the leather down, causing punts to fall short. This separates the Men from the amateur soccer players. You must punt the ball with tremendous force just to get it 45 yards.

Hang time will be an interesting thing. Brooks usually has more hang time (Higher Net Avg.) but because of the rain its any one's game. One shanked kick could be the end to a Bogus family Legacy or a 6th Round draft pick.

A botched hold on a FG or Extra Point could decide the fate of one of these "Gladiators". But my prediction is that Durant Brooks will be the winner and shake the hand of Jim Zorn and then molest the wife of Derrick Frost.

Redskin's Nicknames

2008-08-27T10:00:00.003-04:00

On Chris Cooley's Blog he has complied a list of nicknames that the players refer to each other by, I thought it was quite funny. Here it is.....

- Ladell Betts – Buttsie

- Santana Moss – Tana Man

- Fred Davis – Boozie/Booze dog/Anything that you can incorporate with booze.

- Ethan Albright – Red Snapper

- Shawn Suisham – Shizam

- Khary Campbell – Moo-Stash/Mu-Stash/I can't figure the better way to spell it.

- Shawn Springs – Blue Foot

- Fred Smoot – Fredlacio/Smoot is notorious for making up new nicknames for himself, this can change on a daily basis.

- Mike Sellers – Fat Boy/He has "Dat Boy" tattooed on his arm, but Fat Boys is way cooler.

- Marcus Washington – Mwatt

- Carlos Rogers – Los/Like I said, there would be some no brainers.

- Dometric Evans – Meat

- Ryan Boschetti – Greasy Meatball

- Warren Simmons – Rennie/The tight ends call him "Sweets."

- Colt Brennan – McGarrett/Dt. Jack McGarrett

- Derek Divine – Calves

- Stephon Heyer – Wookie/Chewey/Just making the Wookie call

- Todd Yoder – RRRRRRNNNNNYoder/Roll your r's, add some n sound and then Yoder.

- Brian Kozlowski – K-O-Z Lowski/I know he is gone, but he is my friend and I love that nickname.

- Todd Collins – Rainman

- Chris Cooley – When I first came to the team everyone called me Archie. I don't even know why, but it started with the coaching staff. I actually think Joe Bugel didn't know my first name until last year. Cool-Dog is also an old standby.

Captain Chaos has one weakness: ONSTAR

2008-08-27T09:50:00.002-04:00

The Best Part is when it says: Would you like to Cancel? Yes or No......And Cooley Yells - CANCEL!!!! haha

Chris Samuels gets Schooled Literally....

2008-08-25T12:15:00.010-04:00

I've decided not to give grades to the Redskins this week because the entire team failed. I'm going to be like that "Cool" teacher you had in school who said;

"Ladies and Gentleman, I am going to pass back your tests. They weren't exactly good. So here's what I am going to do: These grades will not count, we will study, and take the test again on September 4th. Please work a little harder and not make so many careless mistakes. You all may go home............Except for Chris Samuels YOU STAY AFTER CLASS!!!"

Chris walks up to the teachers desk.....

"Now Mr. Samuels, what has been wrong with you lately? Ever since we have drafted you, you have been a constant underachiever. Each year we give you a Pro Bowl because of your size and likability. Sure entertaining the class with your occasional free style rap is fun, but this class isn't about fun. Its about performing well. When you take a test like you did over the weekend and fail miserably, who does it effect? It effects your classmates, Chris. Now when you get ran over, fall on your back, and cause a fumble - Now that makes YOU look stupid. Don't you remember last year when you didn't try your best? You got your class mates Jason Campbell and Jon Jasen season ending injuries. But for some reason you still made the PB Honor Roll. This is just unacceptable for this to happen again year after year. I don't know what to do with you? How about you stay after school each day for the next 4 months and study with Grounds Keeper Bugel. Yes, I know he's a little crazy, but its for your own good. NOW GET OUT OF HERE!! BEFORE I EVEN LOOK AT OUR PAYROLL AND REALIZE YOU'RE THE REDSKINS HIGHEST PAID PLAYER......"

Here is my cut list through Preseason Week 4

Oshinowo, Babatunde (ALREADY CUT)
Askew, Matthias

Keep 5 Cut 2 Total: 7

DE
Smith, Dorian (ALREADY CUT)
Wilson, Chris

Keep 5 Cut 2 Total: 7

CB
Holt, Cedrick
Westbrook, Byron
Keep 6 Cut 2 Total: 8

S
Ghee, Patrick
Hamilton, Justin
Vernon Fox (ALREADY CUT)

Keep 4 Cut 3 Total: 7

TE
Goode, Jason
Keep 3 Cut 1 Total : 4

Gant, Horace
Toler, Burl
Mann, Maurice
Mix, Anthony
Keep 6 Cut 4 Total: 10

QB
Devine, Derek
Keep 3 Cut 1 Total: 4

P
Frost, Derrick
Keep 1 Cut 1 Total: 2

RB
Mason, Marcus
Keep 3 Cut 1 Total: 4

OL
Clark, Devin
Crummey, Andrew
Geisinger, Justin
Matua, Fred
Washington, Tavares
Wade, Todd
Keep 8 Cut 6 Total: 14

Sinclair, Matt
Gatewood, Curtis
Holloway, David
Keep 6 Cut 3 Total: 9

FB
Broughton, Nehemiah

Keep 1 Cut 1 Total: 2

Long Snapper: 1

Kicker: 1

TOTAL: 80

Final Roster: 53

The main dilemma that is faced when making roster cuts, is that when a player is placed on the "Practice Squad" he is up for grabs to the rest of the league. Any team can call up one of your "PS" guys and offer them a contract. This is why everyone is so worried about Marcus Mason. Because even if Mason gets on the practice squad - someone - even a NFC East Rival can sign him. So he HAS to make the team and be on the opening day roster other wise another team with most definitely sign him. But I still say he will be cut.

**Also keep in mind that these numbers are subject to special teams. What I mean by that is you can technically keep any number of players for added depth on the team for their position. i.e. The Skins can keep 5 DE's but that will take away another Depth Chart contender at another position. Usually the final cuts come down to who ever can contribute on special teams. **

The Nats: Can I get a Baker's Dozen??

2008-08-21T10:51:00.014-04:00

The streak continues. 12 loses in a Row for the Washington Nationals and add another shutout in their column. The National League and MLB record for being shut out the most in a season is the 1908 St. Louis Cardinals with 33. But, the most for an American League team is 30. guess which team has the record? The 1906 Washington Senators. As of last night, the Nats have been shutout a whopping 19 times by opposing pitching, with certainly a few more in the hopper. I’ve been sitting around trying to figure out why you can’t get any negative publicity regarding the Nats, and I figured it out. Nobody is watching the games in the first place. The post did a story showing that only 9,000 people TOTAL watch the games at night. To show you how bad this is, D.C. United has 11,500 people watching their games. D.C. United has more fans than the Washington Nationals! The viewing radius has to be around 5 million people, and the NATS only get 9,000 fans a night to turn on their TV’s to watch the team. This is because the team is literally UNWATCHABLE. I’m a big sports fan and I watch games literally every night. I’m an O’s fan, but I’ll switch back and forth and try to suck down a couple of innings of Nats baseball because I’m not a punk that watches reality TV. I blame the management of the NATS for their troubles, as they only care about making money, and they continue to put the most budget of products out each and every year. A couple of simple things that drive me crazy about the NATS:

1. Sign back your own players. I’ve casually watched the Nats for their first four years of existence and I would venture to estimate there is approximately 30-40% turnover in the roster each year. It’s not like their replacing these players with better players, they’re swapping scrub for scrub. I’ve compiled a list literally off the top of my head of the players who’ve played here for the last few years, made solid contributions, and left. Please add additional names of those I may have left off.

Brian Schneider, Nook Logan, Tarnell Sledge, Brad Wilkerson, Ryan Church, Joey Eisen, John Rauch, Alfonso Soriano (all-star), Jose Guillen (one of the top RBI men in baseball this year), Vinny Castilla, Jamie Carroll, Felipe Lopez.

I know there are more pitchers I’m leaving off the list, but the pitching staff’s have been so forgettable here that I didn’t know there names in the first place. Each year, not only do fans have to watch them lose, they watch them lose with new players who they know nothing about and have no history with whatsoever. Considering the team has no history to start with, this may not be a great strategy to build a fanbase.

2. False Hope. Its humiliating and degrading to listen to Johnny Holiday, Ray Knight and Bob Carpenter relentless commentary pushing the company line night after night on the NATS. I like all three of these guys, but it gets insulting to me and hurts their credibility (and the quality of the broadcast) when they’re constantly acting like this team is close to being good or touting these journeymen players as if they’re the future of our franchise. Just shoot me straight boys. Tell me why after four years, we have exactly one young player with talent, Zimmerman. ONE. I know the farm system was bare, but what’s the organization doing??? Who did we get for the all-star we let go, Soriano? Nobody. Nice rebuilding job. This is a Lerner/Kasten/Bowden get rich quick pyramid scheme. Many Acta is the middle manager caught in between. In ten to fifteen years when the DC money dries up, these boys will be throwing their bags of gold into the back of a pickup truck and hightailing it out of town to their next money making scheme.

I classify the Nats this way. I live in Grosvenor, and a few years ago they built a very nice Strathmore hall for plays and art shows and other artsy type events. It’s a new, nice facility, though of course not spectacular (much like the NATS stadium). Not too many of the common folk pay much attention to it, but there is a select niche audience that probably goes to several shows a year and thinks it’s a neat recreational activity that’s “something to do.” Sounds a lot like the way DC is receiving baseball. Not many of the common folk are paying much attention to it and the ones that do, while they do it regularly, they are just doing it as a recreational diversion. That may be good enough for you, but its not for me. You guys can screw around with your new little play toy all you want, but don’t call me until this organization is ready to man up and start focusing on winning ball games.

Ethan Albright Craps Excellence & Madden Craps in Depends

2008-08-19T09:44:00.012-04:00

In 2007, Ethan Albright was "Lowest Rated" Player in Madden 07. In 2008, the same thing. Last week, Madden '09 came out. Albright- coming off of a Pro Powl year, finally John Madden Football gave him the credit he deserved. I don't think its the Pro Bowl that did it, I think that it was this letter Ethan wrote two years ago that circulated around the internet that really had Madden choking on his Bloomin' Onion. Now keep in mind it is extremly vulgar and I'm not sure of the authenticity of the letter....

To: John Madden
CC: Electronic Arts Sports
From: Ethan Albright
Re: Being the worst rated player on Madden ‘07

Hi, John, my name is Ethan Albright. I play line for the Washington Redskins. You probably already knew that, so I’ll continue. I am writing in regards to the overall player rating of 53 that I have received in Madden NFL Football 2007. I feel that this is f*cking bullshit. Ahmed Carroll was rated a 78 and the Packers just cut his ass on a Tuesday morning after his performance in a Monday night game. That is pretty terrible. The worst part is that his overall rating was sniffing 80.

You know what, John? Two can play this game. I rate you a f*cking 12. I rate you a f*cking 12 in Ethan Albright Football 2000-ever… except for in the category of ball-licking. That is where I will spot you a 98 rating. You will receive this score because I will never give your blubbery ass a 99 in any category. Take that, pencil-dick. Go do Al Micheals or something. Boom.It’s also pretty wonderful that my awareness rating was 59. You make it sound like I wake up in the morning, helplessly shit and piss myself, then lose three of my teeth before I discover that I am trying to eat a rock for breakfast.

F*ck, John, I understand you saying that I am slow and lacking athleticism, but a rating like this pretty much labels me as retarded. Rod “He Hate Me” Smart has a 52 in this category. Electronic Arts is saying that seven rating points separate me and the breathing embodiment of the perfect oxymoron. Rod Smart struggled to arrange words in sentence form. Cave men had better hold of the English language. The only actions that separate point values of ignorance at this embarrassing level are things like using your own toothbrush to wipe your ass. I basically edged out Rod by my lack of shit teeth. If I take a night school class, could you bump me up to a 60?I guess I just can’t fathom the fact that I am the absolute worst player rated out of the entire NFL.

F*ck, man, there are some shitty guys out there. Amongst everyone, I was rated the absolute worst.I have received the impression that you feel that I am lacking in the agility category. I should consider a walk through my living room where I don’t crash through a wall or kick over furniture a resounding success. My agility rating on your game is 33. It makes it sound like I just topple over if I start walking too fast. Ted Washington is rated a 40 in agility. He is listed at 365 pounds. If Ted Washington tied a white lady up and made her wear a metal bikini, he’d look just like Jabba the Hut.John, you are such a dick. I also noticed that my kick return rating was a 0. I was rated a f*cking zero? So you feel that I shouldn’t even receive a 10, or even a 5? You are pretty much saying that I couldn’t even fall forward on a ball kicked in my direction. I would just stand there and let the ball bounce off of my face. F*ck that, John, I returned an onside kick 6 yards in 2002. You should have just slapped a - 4 on me and had the EA staff ambush me with paintball guns.

Finally, I would like to comment on an unlikely topic, my pass coverage ratings. I see that I am a better at man-to-man coverage (31) than zone (21). F*ck me sideways with a lunchbox. Where did these scores even come from? How much time is spent coming up with the pass coverage ratings of offensive lineman? Can I have that job? Let’s see here, I think that Orlando Pace would be slightly better at jumping intermediate routes than Larry Allen. While I’m at it, I can assign the passing ratings for offensive lineman as well. I can use mine as a guide.I was rated with a throwing power of 17 and accuracy of 16. Orlando Pace has a 22 power and 17 accuracy rating. Did someone at EA really put time into figuring out that Orlando Pace edges out Ethan Albright in both throwing power and accuracy? I will challenge him any day.

My horrible passer ratings are of greatest misfortune to my son, Red Beard Jr. The poor boy is not only hideously ugly and covered by freakishly large freckles. He also has to suffer through playing catch with me and my senile-elderly-woman-type passer ratings. A session of tossing the pigskin usually consists of me missing my son by thirty yards in sporadic directions. I led him in front of a fire truck once and my wife kicked my ass. This is because of my 76 toughness rating. Yes, a 76 is far better than the other ratings, but I’m a f*cking lineman, damn it. NFL Linemen are considered to be synonymous with toughness.

According to your game, I am a retarded, uncoordinated, pussy-ass f*ckwad that can’t fall on a kickoff, throw, or spell. I am, however, slightly better at manning up on a receiver than dropping into zone coverage. You lose your mind more and more each year, old man.F*ck you, John. Please expect to find red pubes in various meals you consume for the rest of your life. If you f*ck with Ethan Albright, you call down the thunder.

Rot in Hell,

Ethan Albright

Preseason Game 3 - Redskins Grades

2008-08-18T10:48:00.003-04:00

Jason Campbell: C

He looked quite mediocre and did not look comfortable in the pocket. He is still trying to keep composure in the pocket, maybe he needs more "Patches O' Houlihan" Training.

O-line: C

The line looked very average as well. Chad Rinehart looked terrible, he gave up a sack and several backfield tackles for loss on our RBs. He is still a Rookie; guys in the NFL are a lot faster than in college. Although, his was playing the toughest position on the O-line, the Blindside Left Tackle. He should be used at guard only.

D-Line: B+

Tipped pass after Tipped Pass- I counted at least 5. Pressure was just alright, but just the fact that the D-line showed enormous depth through out the game was very exciting.

Durant Brooks: B+

Frost's job is slowly deteriorating before his eyes. Durant had a 60 yard Punt that was completely over looked by the announcers’ because Brett Favre apparently was blinking on the sidelines. He only averaged 43 yards over 6 punts but two of those punts he had to pull back because we were punting from midfield. He also was perfect at holding the ball on FG's and Extra Points - he's never been a holder in his career.

Rock Cartwright: A

The Rock is in the Building!! 6 carries for 90 yards (15 yard avg) plus 3 catches outta the back field. He really put his shoulder down and ran through the hole extremely hard. There goes Mason's Chances of getting 3rd string.

Marcus Mason: B-

Mason came in again after halftime against the 3rd stringers. 9 carries for 55 yards. Solid numbers but I doubt the team wants to dress 4 RB's on game day. He will be on the practice squad at best (Which is considered being cut), especially after Rock's performance at RB and on KR.

Jason Goode: A

Great catch by Goode on the Game winning drive. The pass was rushed by Colt because of pressure, but Goode snatched the ball from the Safety and chugged into the end zone. I like this guy, but no one can tell a story like Todd Yoder....so he will be cut.

Shaun Suisham: A+++++

After watching Mike Nugent miss that 20 yard field goal at the end of the game, Suisham looks like Mark Mosely. Suisham made Two routine FGs in the 30 to 40 yard range. Until he misses an extra point he is still "the guy".

Lorenzo Alexander: A

I can't believe it. Lorenzo looked great on Defense, running down the backs and causing a few deflections. He was so absent on Defense in previous years, but he showed his worth on Saturday. Rumor has it that Jim Zorn placed the Watercooler B.S. cut list on his locker before the game-I'll do anything to motivate our players. Ryan Boschetti and Chirs Wilson are on the bubble now.

Devin Thomas: C

He did not register a catch, but several of the throws were out of this range. One pass that Todd Collins threw was tailing towards the sidelines, Devin reached out and made a great two handed catch, but did not drag his feet and his body was ruled out of bounds. Thomas is still very raw, hes only played two football seasons in his college career.

The Secondary: B

Besides the first drive, the secondary looked pretty good. Chris Horton was back after a "Stomach Virius" a.k.a Dieaherra that kept him out of last weeks game. He played well, recorded 6 tackles (4 solo) and Matterial Richardson also pled his case to make the team with several nice plays. Everyone except for Bryon Westbrook played well. Westbrook was god awful- Again. A fumble and lackadaisical plays on Defense will surely end this guys career. But at least we know he will have a nice box seat when the Eagles play the Skins.

Overall: C+

This was the least offensive production of the preseason. We rested a lot of guys (Portis, Randel El, Thrash, Smoot) as they try to found out who they are going to keep on the Roster. Remember one good game won't necessarily give you a spot on the team, but one bad one could end your career. But hey, 3-0 in the preseason is more than anyone could have predicted.

Brett LOVES Warren more than Green Bay

2008-08-15T14:42:00.011-04:00

Add Favre to the list of sellouts. Yes, I know you already can put two and two together to figure out what I am talking about. But, the real issue is why did Favre comeback after retiring with the Packers to now play for the mediocre NY Jets? One Reason: STATS

Now a days, a player that stays with one team their entire career is hard to find. Darrell Green and Cal Ripken, Jr. proved their loyalty to their team and organization, but especially THE FANS. They retired with dignity.

Favre is added to an Elite Sellout List. A list of players that left their life-long teams for their own personal "Pursuit of Happiness"- to hold an NFL record.

Exhibit # 1: Emmitt Smith

Emmitt played 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. Holds the all-time career rushing yards with 18,355. Surpassing Walter Payton (16,726 yds) during his last season as a Cowboy. Fantastic, Great, Congratulations Emmitt! Retire on top!! Not so Fast. Instead of hanging it up - he plays two more budget seasons with the all-time WORST team in the NFL; the Arizona Cardinals. Just so he can tack on an extra 1,500 rushing yards to put a "lil" space between him and Walter.

Exhibit #2: Jerry Rice

Jerry played 15 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. Jerry holds the all time record in just about EVERYTHING receiving related. Although 98% of those receiving records were achieved with the 49ers he kept playing. He went and played 3 seasons with the Oakland Raiders, 1 Season with the Seahawks, and 1 Season with the Denver Broncos. The added TD's, Yards, and now Oldest player with blah blah blah Stats to his resume. These extra seasons put Jerry comfortably as the undisputed leader in these stat categories. With 207 Career TD's and 22,895 receiving yards seem to be untouchable receiving records. Without those "added" years playing for various teams, Jerry would not have the cushion that he has now.

Exhibit #3: Bruce Smith

Bruce played 14 Seasons for the Buffalo Bills. Bruce is the all-time leader in Sacks with 200. The Former title holder Reggie White had 198 Sacks. But wait did he beat that record in a Bill's uniform? OF COURSE NOT. He played for the Washington Redskins for 3 Seasons from 2000 to 2003. Bruce broke the record in 2003, his last season of his career. Could he of hung it up with the Bills? Yes he was considered a Buffalo Bill through and through. But instead played for a record - not a championship - with a team that actually despised him.

Exhibit #4: Joe Montana

Joe played 13 Seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He attained the Best Passer Rating of all time (but Steve Young later past him), Most Career All time Post Season TD's (45) and Yards (5,772) with his most impressive stat in my eyes ZERO interceptions career in Super bowl games(He won SB 4 times). He had an elbow injury for 2 years, Steve Young replaced him, and it looked as if Joe would retire. But stubborn Joe was released by the 49ers, and played 2 more seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Nobody remembers these players in any other uniform than the one they started with and they will be forever known as a Cowboy, Bill, and 49er. BUT WAIT! Those record books don't tell you which team they achieved those stats with! I bet you the fans know.

Now its your turn Mr. Brett Favre. Your most consecutive starts by an NFL Quarterback (253) is a record. But not the All time record by a NFL Player, 270 games DE Jim Marshall is still in front of him. As of last season, he beat Dan Marino's Career TD's and Passing Yards Records. Favre wants to keep these records alive and to continue to add on more numbers. Favre also holds the Career INT record -- I bet you that is the one record he doesn't want to improve on.

I have no respect for Brett Favre. This guy wants to leave a team, a town, that has named streets, steakhouses, and golf tournaments after him. (Yes there is a "Brett Favre's Steakhouse" in Green bay, Wis.) He could walk into any place in the state of Wisconsin and be considered a God. Now, that legacy is tarnished. Yes, there are many, many, fans that still support Brett, but keep in mind the season hasn't started yet. Once people see him transform from the "fresh cut grass" Packer Green to the "Moldy, penicillin, green" color you find on your leftover pizza sitting in your fridge, Jets jersey - their love will change. What if he wins a Superbowl?? He will be known as a Green Bay Packer and New York Jet. Not just a Packer.

Favre = A Ticketmaster Outlet on a Saturday Morning

If Darrell or Cal decided to leave the Redskins or Orioles, I would forever be scared on the incident. To be able to look back on their careers as a FAN, to know that they are inshrined in the Hall of Fame SOLELY as a Washington Redskin or Baltimore Oriole gives me chills. I love that stuff about sports. Guys that play their hearts out for ONE TEAM, WIN and LOSE with that ONE TEAM. Support ONE TOWN. Now thats respectable.

When the Skin's finally make the first story on Sportscenter Saturday night, I hope its Shawn Springs intercepting Favre or Jason Taylor piledriving him into the ground. If only he had CLASS, retired, been a local hero to everyone - instead of stooping to the likes of these other players to further their statistical career numbers - I would have respect for him.

Im glad Mary dumped your ass....

Hometown Looka Likes

2008-08-13T14:03:00.005-04:00

That's all Folks--Your Cut!!

2008-08-11T10:47:00.010-04:00

After two Preseason games I am willing to give you my cut list. Currently they're 81 players on the Redskins roster. Only 53 spots are needed for the season opener (Although only 48 dress, 5 are designated practice squad). This means the players also known as "Dreamers" become the security guards of America.

Before I give you the list, let me brace you right off the bat. Marcus Mason will be CUT. Some of you may not believe me, but yes he will. This Running Back's Biggest Claim to fame...Attended Georgetown Prep in Maryland...He is the all-time leading rusher (5,700 yards) in Maryland high school history...He also is the all-time leader in career touchdowns and points scored...Named Area player of the Year by The Gazette his junior and senior seasons...As a senior was named Metro Offensive Player of the Year by The Washington Post.

Added to that Resume.....getting cut from the Redskins 2 YEARS in A ROW. The Depth Cart at Running Back is too deep:

1. Clinton

2. Ladell

3. Rock

4. Mike

Now for Mason to make the squad, he would have to be the 4th option at Running Back. This same problem has been happening to Re-occurring RB now transformed FB - Nehemiah Broughton. Nemo has been on the Practice squad for 3 years. Last year he was on the IR. Now because of the depth at RB (CP, LB, RC) he changed to a Full Back. Now instead of competing against 3 guys he’s only got one - Mike Sellers. He is doing anything to make the squad- but it won't happen again.

Mason is an above-average-at-best player. For our team, finding a spot for him will be tough. Mason performed extremely well last preseason and got cut. Same Competition - Same Result. Unless this "west coast" offense requires a 4th RB, this is just a pipe dream for Mason.

Maybe he can return kicks?

Nope. He will still be behind:

1. Rock

2. Ladell

3. Antwaan

4. Santana

There isn't a spot, and that fumble didn't help his cause either.

***Please use Homer Simpson Voice when reading***

Here is my cut list (In no particular order) :

1. Richardson, Matteral

2. Holt, Cedrick
3. Westbrook, Byron
4. Huntley, Kevin

5. Oshinowo, Babatunde

6. Alexander, Lorenzo

7. Broughton, Nehemiah

8. Wallace, Rian

9. Gatewood, Curtis

10. Fincher, Alfred

11. Sinclair, Matt

12. Frost, Derrick

13. Devine, Derek

14. Shelton, Eric

15. Mason, Marcus

16. Ghee, Patrick

17. Hamilton, Justin

18. Goode, Jason

19. Gant, Horace

20. Toler, Burl

21. Mann, Maurice

22. Mix, Anthony

23. Matua, Fred

24. Geisinger, Justin

25. Crummey, Andrew

26. Moore, Kareem

27. McMullen, Billy
28.. Washington, Tavares

Still one of the Rookie WR's could get cut as well, if they do not make it back from injury. Thus, making one of the WR's currently cut make the team. I am curious who shouldn't be on this list or who should...... Let me know what you think.

GOING OUT OF BUSINESS SALE: "Bennigan’s and Derrick Frost for pennies on the Dollar!!”

2008-08-06T11:03:00.020-04:00

For those that don’t know, Bennigan’s was essentially put out of business this week, with only select locations staying open which are run by local franchisee’s, all corporate operations have been halted. The Bennigan’s on Rockville Pike was one of these casualties. I bring this up why? Because in a few short weeks, you’ll likely see another family business come to an abrupt end.

That business is the Frost family football legacy.

Punter Derrick Frost of the Redskins, whose been punting for the Skins since 2005 will by my account certainly be beaten out this year by 6th round draft pick Durant Brooks. Why am I so certain of this? Not because Brooks is a sixth round pick- hell we’ve used a third round pick before on a punter and cut him!! (circa Ed Bunn, 1993 third round pick from UTEP, who never played a GAME in a Skins jersey, not because of injury but because of SUCK, thanks Charley Casserly) but because of why he was on the team in the first place: the good ole boy network.

Frost’s stats were a paltry 41.0-yard overall average which ranked him 28th of 32 punters in the league last year, and his 36.4-yard net average placed 22nd. Considering this was his third year with the team, (his numbers for all three years were in the lower half vs. other punters in the league) you would wonder why he even had the job that long in the first place.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Joe Jackson Gibbs and his hall of fame legacy. This is a direct quote from an article on Redskins.com from 2005, Frost’s first year with the team.

"In the mid-1970s, the elder Frost was in St. Louis Cardinals training camp when Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs was the St. Louis offensive backfield coach. Just a few years later, Frost was a graduate assistant on a Northeast Missouri State team that featured current Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams as the quarterback."

Yes, you read that right. We kept a professional player who was mediocre in a prominent role on our team because of a tie to his father by our coaching staff. Last time I checked, this is pro ball, not High School JV. It’s after I read stuff like this that I realistically believe we will be a better team with a new coach than we would’ve been if Joe returned for a fifth painful year.

It’s also interesting to note: After finishing 21st in the league in punting average in 2006, Frost was given a fresh two year contract. He still has one year remaining on the contract, yet that didn’t stop the Redskins from drafting a punter suddenly after three seasons of Frost’s mediocrity.

He got the contract when Joe Gibbs was team president. As soon as Gibbs hit the parking lot at Redskins park and hopped in his Nascar, no sooner was a fresh young punter brought into Redskin park via the draft, with the team paying no mind to the fact they still had Frost under contract. Kinda makes you wonder why Joe didn’t bring in serious competition for Frost two or three years ago? Or at the very least NOT give him a multi-year contract, right??

So what, Joey Punchclock?!!?!! There’s worse things someone could do than hire a serviceable at best punter that they know first hand is a “good kid.” Maybe Frost will prove his merit and win the kicking job outright this year? At first glance I’d say you might be right, but listen to these comments from a Yahoo article on our punting situation:

During the offseason, (Special Teams Coach Danny) Smith had a blunt conversation with Frost, showing him on paper that the Redskins "didn’t have an NFL punter" in the playoff loss to Seattle at the end of last season. Frost punted eight times in that game, and Smith said "not a single one of them had a hang time of 4.5 seconds—the benchmark for a decent punt." A 33-yard effort in the fourth quarter gave the Seahawks good field position to score the go-ahead touchdown.

"Derrick is in the middle of the pack in punting in this league,’ Smith said. ‘He’s not a bad punter, and he’s not one of the elite guys. I think he can do better. He had an off year, he would admit that as well. He’s had slumps in the past that he’s come out of. This particular year he didn’t really come out of it. That generated this competition.”

You take those comments from Smith and you couple them with Frost’s family background to Gibbs and Williams and it can’t help but make you think Smith would’ve canned this guy a long time ago if he didn’t have to answer to his bosses. This is the kind of bunk that goes on with a High School roster not a pro roster....Derrick's Mom runs the school consession stand, just let him punt...

This whole situation makes me sick, just thinking about how competitive every game is in the NFL, how fine the line is between winning and losing, and to think we might have been more concerned about doing people a “solid” keeping old comrades on the roster, while our competitors are fighting tooth and nail to defeat us.

Look, I have a heart too and I like to see good people taken care of, but this is the NFL. If you’re into that kind of thing there’s plenty of jobs open as guidance counselors or social workers where you can make a living doing favors for people. These people are making millions for a reason. There’s a lot on the line. Save the "People helping People" stuff for retirement. That’s why I’ll say again, "Thanks for cleaning up the organization Joe, and thanks again for the titles 20 years ago, just don’t let the door hit you on the way out!"

Back to Frost. What was his response to Smith’s critical comments? Just this past week he said, “I don’t feel right now that I’m hitting the ball as well as I should be, but I’ve had plenty of bad weeks of practice and plenty of good games following it, so I’m not real concerned.”

Fair enough. Except what about these comments made by Frost in 2005 on Redskins.com. "I think I'm a better punter than I was last year, but I'm still not where I want to be."

Hmmm… do you see a pattern developing here???

The good news is all the family ties are being thrown out the window this year, which is why I’m so certain Frost will be beaten out.

From the same Yahoo article, Smith said it will be easy to determine a winner (in the punting competition)—just simply look at the numbers once the preseason games are done. Gross yards. Net yards. Hang time.

“We’re going to lay it on the table and match those numbers up,” Smith said, “and keep the best guy.”

The way Smith went out of his way to emphasize that the competition is based on production can’t help but make me think it wasn’t always this way in the past. And I think when the proof is in the pudding, there won’t be any Frosting left (I know, cheesy but I couldn’t resist).

So when you’re drowning in your tears over the fact that you can’t stuff your gut with a Monte Cristo from Bennigan’s anymore, smile and know that we’ll at least have a punter with a 4.5 second hang time.

Now that’s one business decision I can certainly live with.

Durant Brooks- 76 yard Punt

2008-08-06T11:00:00.002-04:00

Hall of Fame Game Grades

2008-08-05T14:39:00.006-04:00

Offensive Tackles: C-

Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels couldn't look worse. Several missed blocks and a couple of sacks make these two Old men Bucket List candidates.

Interior Line: B+

Pete Kendall, Randy Thomas, and Casey Rabach looked fantastic. Solid pass blocking and opened up holes for the underachiever Rock Cartwright, or I like to what I like to call him "The Coin Toss Specialist". Also, Chad Reinhart had an amazing game, showing a promising future for the O-line. He will be very valuable this year because he can play guard and tackle.

Jason Campbell: A

5 for 5 and a pretty TD. I will take it.

Todd Collins: D

Although he was 5 for 6, Collins was sacked, hurried, and fumbled the ball. He looked very confused and unsure of himself. I guess 12 years of Al Saunder's playbook will make any good football player erratic.

Colt Brennan: A+

Fantastic! 9 of 10 123yds 2TD's. Yes I know he played against the 3rd String but he looked spectacular in the RedZone. He has a knack for finding the open guy when the pressure is on.

QB Performance Overall: B+

As a group only 3 passes weren't caught (Although there were several bad throws that were called back for defensive penalties). Zorn's QB expertise looks to be paying off...before you know it we will have our own Matt Hassleback!! (Remind me why that’s a good thing again???)

Surprises:

Safety Chris Horton (7th Round Pick outta UCLA). This guy just put him self on the Map. He recovers the onside kick to start the game, then records 2 sacks blitzing off the outside corner. If he didn't make a tackle he was with-in 5 feet of the guy who did. I hope he makes the team and gets significant playing time. We all need a Dreadlocked DB to root for!!!

Rob Jackson: The KANSAS STATE DE showed us that he has potential- With the only other Sack in the game. He has a big frame and if he gets on the NFL Workout plan he will be a forced to be reckoned with. He and Erasmus James could be our DE's of the Future.

Fred Davis: I didn't think that we would go right at him off the bat. We did and we have a lot to look forward to. He caught a 5 yard pass and turned it into 10 - It took 3 guys to bring him down. He's a mini Antonio Gates. (The only reason I say mini is he’s gotta get into the weight room too). I can see everything unfolding now, 1st and goal on the three: Goal line formation Double Tight End. Play action: Cooley OR Davis. Pick your poison.

THE FANS: I knew we were going to have a good turn out...But not THIS GOOD. Check out all the Burgundy and Gold:

OVERALL: A

I have seen many a terrible performances during the Preseason's BUT this was a great game all around. Offense looked sharp, Defense (With only 2 starters playing Shawn Springs and Reed Doughty) looked great. We didn't try to pull out all our guns yet- ah la Spurrier with a 30 point win in his Preseason Debut. Zorn showed control and poise. He didn't look as if he has the slightest concern on his face. Even though it is Preseason, Skin's fans should be happy.

Gilbert's Mega Pool

2008-07-31T16:06:00.011-04:00

Courtesy of DC Sports Blog these are the pics of Gilbert Arenas new Pool:

The reader provides some facts, which he gleaned from one of the contractors:

* The stone for the "mountain" cost nearly half a million dollars.

* There are three different fish tanks, one going in the "grotto," one in the front hall, and one in the basement. Their normal retail price would have been about another half-million.

* The tank in the basement will have a recess with a couch in it so Gil can "relax and look up at the fish."

Good to see his $111 million dollar contract is going to good use. Its okay this guy deserves it!! Agent Zero is gonna have one hell of a party when that thing is finished. WOW!

Caution: Deaf Children at Play

2008-07-30T13:24:00.024-04:00

Peyton and Eli’s father gave them his football knowledge; Reed Doughty’s father gave him two bum ears. Reed Doughty is Deaf. What? I said, Reed Doughty is Deaf! What!? Forgetta about it….

It all makes sense now. His Redskins profile reads as, graduating from Northern Colorado as the school's first-ever three-time Academic All-American and had had a perfect 4.0 gpa in sport and exercise science. I guess being deaf really allows you to focus and concentrate. I’ve been meaning to try that sometime.

His football IQ – Off the charts. His senior year, Doughty led all I-AA players in 2005 with 159 total tackles (76 solo) while recording 10 or more tackles in 10 of 11 games. He also finished with four interceptions, eight pass deflections and three forced and recovered fumbles. This was a patented Joe Gibbs guy; that’s why he drafted him as a sleeper 6th round pick.
Coaches and players were oblivious to his hearing disability. Skins safeties coach, Steve Jackson would call out plays and critique Reeds play – but Doughty would keep making the same mistakes.

Reed is no stranger to adversity. With already being the “token white guy” on the skins defensive unit, he was the butt of many jokes from players.

"We knew that if you were not sitting right next to him, he wasn't going to hear exactly what you said to him.” Says, safety Vernon Fox. I can only imagine what was being said by other teammates on the field or in the locker room. "It kind of became a running joke for a little while," Fox continues. ”We all kind of knew, it became obvious, he had a hearing deficiency." I guess after Vernon yelled several times “Hey White Boy, carry my pads back to the locker room!” didn’t work, he knew something was up. You can’t get anything past Vernon Fox, except maybe a 30 yard pass. (Sorry Nick)

Secondary coach Jerry Gray said, "We would call his name, and he'd never respond." Cartwright! Cartwright! “He said Cartwright - no one responded so he hung up. Who’s Cartwright? I’m Cartwright. You’re not Cartwright. I KNOW IM NOT CARTWRIGHT!!”

“It's not that I can't hear at all, I'm hearing impaired," Doughty said. "But this was the first year that I'd talk to my wife and I'd have to say, 'What was that, sweetie? What did you say?' It was time to do something."

Reed I have something to tell you. I’m cheating on you with Todd Yoder. He’s just more of a man than you are.

“What was that, sweetie?”

Oh nothing, I just said I really love that MTV News with Kurt Loader.

Doughty recently began using hearing aids in both ears. The good news for redskin’s fans is that Reed does NOT use them on the field for fear of damaging the devices. Great. Wonderful. I guess the half million dollar check he gets each year won’t help him with his crappy health care insurance he receives from the NFL.

“I'm actually going to have a conversation with him about this. I'm intrigued by it." Said Head Coach Jim Zorn. You’re intrigued by it? Have you never met a deaf person before Zorny? Can’t you just hear the training staff coming and telling Zorn about Reed’s deficiency…

“Coach, Reed is deaf” No, he’s our strong safety. “No, Coach, he’s hearing impaired” What does that mean? “Reed Doughty can’t hear anything we tell him” Ohhhh, that would explain why the gatorade still tastes like urine. I told him not to use the cooler as a bathroom. I’m intrigued, I need to investigate this hearing impaired thingy.

This just shows how much confidence we had in # 21. We don’t need another safety, we got Sean Taylor. Let’s just draft a slow deaf white guy to back him up. Nothing will ever happen to Sean. Ooops

I like Reed though, he has always has been the underdog his whole life. I think he will make an impact this year due to the other great players around him. I mean if Ifeanyi Ohalete can make a career off of tipped passes why can’t Doughty?

Next time I see Reed Doughty I am going to tell him he’s my favorite player. What? He’s my favorite player. What? Ok, I changed my mind.

Video of the Day

2008-07-25T14:24:00.002-04:00

You can watch this 100 times and still Laugh. I don't watch Soccer but I might have to now...

Thomas and Landry Injured

2008-07-25T10:59:00.005-04:00

During Thursday's practice Devin Thomas the Skin's, 34th pick in the Draft, pulled his right hamstring. As of right now he is going to miss the Hall of Fame game on August 3rd.

Thomas was hurt while reaching over his head to catch a pass from Jason Campbell. "I was running a route, the ball's in the air, and I felt something just grab at me" said Thomas. "It locked up on me, just like a cramp and I couldn't put any pressure on it."

Overall he is only expected to miss 2 weeks of Training Camp. But what a huge 2 weeks he is going to miss.

As a Rookie, this is the time when you have prove to Zorn that you have the abilities to be on the field. He is going to have to just "mentally" play the game from the sidelines.

LaRon Landry did not practice at all either on Thursday, because he was nursing a strained left hamstring. He shouldn't miss more than a couple of days.

"I don't think it's that bad. I don't think it's as bad as Devin's is" said Zorn.

Well I guess that’s a good thing? Or is that another way of saying how bad Thomas' injury was?

Year in and year out, it seems the Washington Redskins have the WORST medical training staff in the NFL. We have so many pulls and strains, I understand it is the player's responsibility to stretch and take care of them selves, but come on!...Something is up with this training staff. Smoot had a hamstring injury that lasted the entire season...

What should we do about this?

"Heyyyy You GUYS!!!! IM BACK!!!" - Jay Gibbons

2008-07-24T02:25:00.027-04:00

A couple of months ago, the Mitchell Report brought the dark side of Major League Baseball to light. With-in the report, several "High Profile" and "Marquee" players were mentioned- tarnishing whatever legacy or hall of fame hopes one might of had.

However, this player is none of the above.

Jay Gibbons, incase you forgot, was the over swinging goon that used to lurk in the right field corner of Camden Yards. As if he were a troll charging a toll to anyone who crossed over his "Bridge" of Eutaw Street. After recording the third out of an inning, watching this oafy-goliath jog back to the dugout was like watching "Sloth" from The Goonies chase after Chunk for a candy bar.

After giving Gibbons several chances to prove his worth to the O's (In 2003 he batted clean-up for the O's being the only power bat in the lineup - .277 Avg. 23 HR 100 RBI's) they cut him on March 30, 2008 for "Reasons related to Baseball Performance". A fantasy career that seemed too good to be true- hit rock bottom.

When you get "dumped" by an organization it is hardly ever mutual. Similar to that one girl in high school who you dated that was outta your league and then finally came to her senses. Like any man, no one likes to be dumped. You cross your old lover off the list as if your favorite Running Back was drafted one pick ahead of you in your Fantasy league. The last thing you want to do is profess your love to the girl in a letter that you slide in her locker after gym class. Gibbon's on the other hand did that to ALL 30 MLB owners, begging that he is a "changed man".

In a letter by Gibbons, the desperation used was as bad as "Will you go out with me?? Circle: Yes or No". Stating hopeless remarks as "All I need is a chance -- any chance -- anywhere." Or when all else fails bring up your stats; "I have played seven seasons in the big leagues and have hit 20-plus homeruns in three seasons and have hit .277 in three seasons (2003, 2005 and 2006)."

"At 31 years old, I have NO DOUBT that my best baseball is ahead of me." That's laughable.

The Sloth has a soft side though, "I am so willing to prove myself as a player, and a person, that I will donate ALL of my minor league earnings to your Club's charity. In the event that I earn the right to play at the major league level, I will gladly donate a significant sum to that same charity." What a SAINT!! Get out your wallet and write a blank check to the United Way!!! But before you cash in your 401(k) because you are soo touched by the selfless act of this young man, get the facts.

When the O's cut Gibbons he still had 2 years remaining on a 4 year contract he signed in '06. He was still OWED 12 Million Dollars! Instead of eating at the Old Country Buffet like the rest of us schlubs, he is living the American Dream. A Beautiful Blonde Wife, a Mansion, and fame that was unearned. While Orioles fans are still paying for his honeymoon.

But don’t worry just as in The Goonies, the Sloth is given a second chance to prove he is not some juiced up, ugly, waste of space. He was signed July 23rd, to the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A Team (The Long Island Ducks) in Huntsville, Ala.

I look forward to possibly seeing this freakshow out on the field again. Attempting to reclaim any respect he might of had from any Joey Punchclock O's fan. But if he slips just once as he swings from his rope on the Pirate ship of Major League Baseball, he might end up being locked up in someone's basement shackled, sleeping on a pile of money.

Malcolm Kelly Freestyle: Chris Samuels getting nervous

2008-07-23T13:37:00.006-04:00

Chris Samuels better watch out he's not the only Redskin with Freestyl'n ability. Meet Malcolm Kelly the Washington Redskins Second Round Draft Pick - Rapping after the Big 12 Championship.

Jason Taylor to wear # 55

2008-07-23T10:44:00.003-04:00

Jason Taylor came out Tuesday morning sporting a #55 Jersey. Apparently Andre Carter did offer to give Taylor his beloved # 99, but after talks with his wife they decided on 55.

Now his wife must be quite the "persuader" (she must of held out the booty) because Jason will be wearing his Brother-in-Law and Former Teammate, Zach Thomas' Number. When Taylor was in college at Akron, he wore number 33, but in the Senior Bowl he wore 55. Taylor has a superstition about number repetition, but deiced not to pick 77. Because the Skins will be putting Taylor on the Roster as a LB and DE the Number 55 might be necessary.

I think this is a good move for Taylor to "close the door" on such a haunted past of terrible losing records and uncoordinated tangos. This could be a sign that JT wants to start fresh and look forward to winning a championship.

What is going to be the new "Hype" of the season will be the Redskins vs. Cowboys Match-up OR the Battle of “Who wants to Marry a White Girl”.