OK, so I'm about 6 months early, but it'll be a Happy Thanksgiving if we see this matchup. Both the Maryland Terrapins and the Georgetown Hoyas are currently scheduled to play in the Old Spice Classic during the 2008 Thanksgiving weekend. I say currently scheduled because who knows what GT might do. They never gave MD back the gentleman's agreement of the home and home game.
The Redskins weren't able to acquire a pass rushing defensive end in the draft so the next option was to go shopping at Costco. Not much is lost in the signing of Erasmus James. Skins new DEGiving up only a conditional 7th Round Pick next year seems like quite the low price.
Have the Skins finally figured out the system of paying league veterans at the appropriate value and level? For those fans that are also Nationals fans, GM Bowden has often found gems from other teams scraps. The first couple of years without ownership and tied to a low payroll the only players Bowden could sign to a contract were players that were coming off of injuries or bad years. That was why they could be signed to such a low contract and were available. Hopefully this will be in the past as new ownership will spend money in offseason acquisitions and will be bolstered by an improved farm system.
The Redskins appear to have taken a page from Bowden and have gone bargain shopping. The signing of James is all upside. If he recovers from health concerns, passes a physical, makes the team, stays healthy, and performs anywhere near to the level that NFL scouts thought as he was a former first round pick then the Skins will have found a short term solution to their pass rush woes. It's alot to ask and nothing to lose.
Memorial Weekend came and went. The weekend marks the start of summer for all intensive purposes. It provides an opportunity to know our country's history better and pay tribute to all of our troops past and present. It also marks a time for the Indy 500.
It was good to see that Cart and IRL have patched things up after the split years ago that allowed Nascar to take the lead in racing. For years my father and I would watch the Indy 500 together. It's set apart from all else as the track provides ample space to cars designed for speeds in excess of 200 MPH to circle an oval track and pass one another on a long afternoon.
The "Glow Puck" may be making a come back in the broadcasts of NHL games. Versus may be looking into the possibility of enhancing the viewing experience and follow up on Fox's glow puck.
Mel Kiper of ESPN fame has often called out NFL General Managers for not understanding the draft and saying they just don't get it. The same comments could be made about Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHL Owners. While the NFL, NBA, & MLB research and invest time and money on their own to enhance the viewing experience in person and on television the NHL lets the networks foot the bill and pays the price in the end.
So I'm torn. I want the umpires to have the tools to effectively call the games. But I don't want 3 hour games to turn into 4 hour games. While it didn't factor in the win loss column, in the Mets-Yankees game yesterday, a Carlos Delgado home run was waved off even though it was real.
No, not me, Big Money Tony. Tony Kornheiser accepts a buyout from the Washington Post. He of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption and Monday Night Football. Also less known for his radio show on 3WT Radio, which is one of my "go to" radio shows even though I live and die on the iPod. In previous versions of the radio show, I blasted the show, which in hindsight, I was blasting that radio station. Even possibly less known about Mr. Tony is that he is a regular panelist on Full Court Press, a local show hosted by former sportscaster George Michael (not the singer) and also his more than occasional stints on the Redskins Report, also host by the same George Michael on WRC4.
Big Money Tony's streak of wins has come to an end. It should have come as no surprise if everyone knew how the evening started. I met BMT at his client's office as I exited metro. We happened to have a parking permit for our seats to last Friday night's game. As BMT's vehicle was being pulled from the garage, he had to run back upstairs to grab something. The parking lot attendant then had to move the vehicle over a second time. As I stepped inside I tipped the attendant. BMT then came down and jumped inside ready to go. I told him I had tipped the parking lot attendand to which he uttered damn. He had tipped the attendant, too.
We joked about going back to say there was a misunderstanding and ask for a tip back. Then it dawned on me. Wasn't this a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode? Maybe one of the lurkers on the site would be able to chime in? In any event the smug remarks forshadowed the pounding the Marlins gave the Nats on Friday and then twice over on Saturday.
There have been rumors online that Seattle has sent scouts to Reds games. Could Griffey be going back to where it all started?
Why not bring Griffey to DC? The Nats haven't had a star like Griffey since Soriano left in free agency. Having a player like Griffey in center field would move Lastings to LF and create more depth in the OF. It would also provide Zimmerman and Johnson more protection in the line-up. Holding onto Lastings and Zimmerman would be key, so who would the Nats need to give up besides a couple of prospects?
Yesterday, Olaf Kolzig, the long time starting goalie for the Washington Capitals, decided he would not be returning to the team next season.
He's been the only goalie that I associated with the Caps since I started really paying attention about a decade ago. It's tough to see Olie the Goalie, Godzilla, leaving the only NHL team he has played for. Kolzig led the team to it's only Stanley Cup Finals berth in 1998. It appears he knew for sure the end was near when the Caps didn't start him for Game 5 against the Philadelphia Flyers, with the team down 1-3 in the first round. I actually discussed that with some hockey fans. Whether they were going with the "hot hand" or just trying to ride with Cristobal Huet, it made Kolzig's decision easier.
Good luck to you Olie. Here's hoping we see you in net somewhere this winter.
To follow up on the initial story of Feel The Power, I had taken a trip to Orlando a little over a week ago and when I looked for towels to dry my hands I noticed something. I didn't see any towels, but what I did find was the competitor. The dryer isn't as strong or fast as Feel The Power. I guess now we know why the name fits, because anything less wouldn't be powerful enough.
The Nats found themselves taking the Braves, Cubs, and Pirates series at home this past week. Not only did the streaky Nationals find some hitting but you could see how much fun the players were having. Winning has also made it easier for Manny to find time for players like Boone to receive more playing time and contribute making it a happy clubhouse.
The winning isn't the only change at home recently. The Nationals also changed the look of the HD Scoreboard. Now it shows both lineups and the live stats of the batter and pitcher. It also displays balls, strikes, pitch count, and mph. It looks fabulous and provides all the stats one could want.
Now on to more important things that being food of course. As BMT and I share a partial plan, we've been able to take in some of the cuisine at the new ball park. After sampling some of the dogs, I prefer the Hebrew National Dog and for a dollar more than the Nats dog it offers a lot more flavor. The Kosher Dog follows a close second and the potato knish was a tasty treat with less salt than a pretzel. The chili mac at Hard Times tastes great too.
We also tried the cafe in center field as we were seated and had waitered service. The view to home plate was fantastic and the chicken caesar salad was pretty good. The chicken was nice and juicy. We may never need to go back, but if we do I'll remember to ask for more dressing. Gifford's Ice Cream even on a mild is always a nice treat.
The only thing lacking was finding the cuisine of the visiting city. I had read that Nationals Park would provide a taste of a Chicago dog when the Cubs came to town and I walked around the concourse level to no avail. Anyone that's had a Chicago dog done right knows just how delicious it is.
This is taking a rivalry too far. Running over an opponent on the field of play might be warranted, but fans running over opposing fans in a parking lot is too far. But I don't have to tell you that, or do I?
Sure, I can't stand Philly fans of any sport, nor the Dallas Cowboy fans (especially those who have never been in Dallas, let alone Texas). I find it hard though that no matter how drunk I am, I would run another human being over.
I may be a week late with this, but I can't just dismiss the disparity among the regular season records of the teams in this year's NBA playoffs. The NBA playoffs are a 16 team tournament to decide the championship. Teams play 82 games in the regular season to determine which 16 teams get the chance to compete for the championship. This year, the NBA has determined that the Atlanta Hawks, with a record of 37-45, have earned the right to compete for the championship while the Golden State Warriors, with a record of 48-34, did not win enough games to compete for the championship.
Why? Why? Why?
In a brillant move that benefits no fans, the NCAA has granted Washington, DC the Congressional Bowl..
What purpose does this serve? RFK or Nationals Park? First of all, RFK should be demolished so Daniel Snyder can build the 1 million capacity retractable dome. Second, why ruin a perfectly good baseball park with a football game? Apparently after rejecting the +1 championship, they thought yet another bowl game to add the to 670 we already have makes it so much better.
The participants are going to be something like the 10th best ACC team and one of the service academies. I hope Navy, the participant for the first Congressional Bowl, makes it to a BCS bowl so the Congressional Bowl organizers will have to scramble for the Coast Guard Academy's football team.
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