December 2008 Archives

A potential trade between the Rockies and Nationals involving (SP) Tim Redding and (CF) Willy Taveras fell apart after one player failed his physical ESPN. It's not mentioned which player failed the physical, but Redding did have foot surgery a few weeks ago. If it was Redding, then it's too bad the Nats couldn't due more to sweeten the trade offer like toss in a Kearns to dump some salary and one of the many corner outfielders on the roster plus receive a mid round pick back in the draft. Hopefully this trade isn't completely dead.

For a power pitcher, it's always been interesting to watch Redding throw against pitchers in games. He gave up multiple hits to pitchers in one game that included a home run. He danced around the plate showcasing his pitches, instead of blowing three fast balls right by the pitchers. Redding rarely made it to the 7th and sometimes 6th innings. The third time through the order gave him difficulties. Although it is true that the Nationals need more pitching, the addition of a potential leadoff hitter that can steal bases and compensate for others in the outfield with his speed and defensive abilities would have been welcomed in Nationals Park.

Is it true that the Nationals could be courting Manny to play in DC? Washington Post - Manny. Let's hope not. This is Manny at 36 and not 28 or 30. Manny may not be the big draw some would think, where Soriano was in his prime and was a draw to the game when he play here.

Manny also brings all of his wonderful clubhouse charm and for a team that already has several players with a troubled past the Nats will need more than just a slugger. There's so much speculation and rumor floating about, but with so much on the line going into the second season in a new ball park the Nats should aim higher.

The winter meetings in baseball are heating up as the holiday season approaches. Will Santa Claus bring Nationals fans the slugger and pitching they so desperately need or will fans receive a lump of coal? Trade rumors are fluttering about with most pundits perceiving the Nationals as an afterthought. It's known who the Nats are interested in and what their needs are, but will any prized free agents want to dance in DC? Boswell reported earlier in the Washington Post that an eight year deal for Teixeira may fall short of Boras ten year asking price, but will at least force our local team into the equation and a decision. ESPN also has reported the rumor of 8yrs at $20M per yearESPN Buster Olney.

After a spirited performance the past few weeks, an injured Clinton Portis discusses his play during the Baltimore game as the string of losses continues Portis talks on 980. Apparently missing practice was brought up in a post game interview by Zorn. A candid Portis aired his thoughts on the John Thompson show.

That may be the title of a Paul Simon song, but it also describes the Redskins playoff chances. After starting the season 6-2, Washington lost to the Baltimore Ravens 24-10 and slid to 7-6. Stop me if you have heard this before, but the offense was a no show.

The first half was well fought by both defenses. Unfortunately the Redskins also turned over the ball twice in the first 6 minutes, letting the Ravens score 14 points. Other than that, no scoring occurred the rest of the half. That's simply not good enough. The Ravens defense has been legendary almost since the team fled Cleveland for Baltimore. Facing Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and crew, nobody expected the Redskins to function normally. Problem was that we lost both Jon Jansen and Chris Samuels to injury and were down to the last available offensive lineman.

The offense was erractic and ineffective as usual. The defense preservered and managed to keep the game within reach. Midway through the 4th quarter, the Redskins only trailed 17-10. But then one long drive with LeRon McClain pounding the ball sealed the fate. Mark Clayton caught a TD pass to seal the game at 24-10 with 3 minutes left in the game.

Now the Redskins only chance to make the playoffs is to winout the rest of the season. Of the remaining opponents, only Cincinnatti next week looks like a sure victory, but as we witnessed with St. Louis, it's not money in the bank. They'll also need help from other wildcard contenders.

As the first part of the new basketball season comes to a close and as the students prepare for exams, the Terps received more than a passing grade. They weathered a tough storm after being beaten by Gonzaga and Georgetown in the Old Spice Tournament. They bounced back to defeat Michigan this past week and GW in the BB&T Classic this weekend. The local tournament has proved to be a tough challenge the past few years.

Two wins against Big Ten schools Michigan State & Michigan should help down the road when selection Sunday occurs on an individual level, but should also elevate the ACC conference when determining a choice between the two possible bubble teams from these conferences to enter the NCAA Tournament. The narrow victory versus Michigan looks good on the resume after Michigan defeated Duke as long as MD continues to defeat the teams they should beat and win some key games in the ACC.

In the only local men's basketball tournament, the Terrapins routed the George Washington Colonials 76-53. Landon Milbourne lead all scorers with 20 points. The win marks the second in a row for Maryland as well as the first win over GW in 3 years in the BB&T. The Terps put up a strong offensive showing with 4 of the 5 starters in double figures. While the Colonials are not a ranked team, the win is a psychological victory. In the next month, all of the games will be at home in mostly winnable contests. Georgia Tech will be the first ACC game and it is at home on January 10. These next few games should allow Gary Williams to test out different lineups and see what his team can offer.

On a related note, there are good things and bad things about the BB&T Classic. Once a great tournament showcasing two local teams and two usually ranked national teams, it's now all "local", if you call Blacksburg, VA local. With Virginia Tech and Navy to round out the tournament, it is now closer to the local tournament some of the founders had envisioned. What's bad is now it's no longer a true tournament. Maryland played GW in one game and VT and Navy in the other. No championship game or consolation game is available. This has been the case since 2005, but with all local teams now, it seems even more needed so there can be local bragging rights.

The Maryland Terrapin men's basketball team has been off to a rocky start. As usual for most big conference teams in the early part of the season, several small local teams were scheduled. Sloppy games and narrow victories have been on par. Vermont took them to overtime, although their head coach was a recent Gary Williams assistant.

Since Thanksgiving, however, the schedule has been closer in competition to some of what they will see in the later part of the season. A Turkey Day win over Michigan State, then a loss to cross-town rival Georgetown ended November. However, the key game which didn't seem like it at the time, was the win over Michigan last week.

In this ACC-Big Ten Challenge game, the Wolverines are a far cry from their Fab Five days. The Sports Freak and I attended the game expecting a close, but sloppy game. Shawne Merriman, currently of the San Diego Chargers, was on hand to run his annual charity function at the University of Maryland. The game started the way we thought it would. Both sides couldn't seem to get in much rhythm and the Terps were playing the way they've been playing all season. MD's 13 for 41 shooting in the first half was beaten by Michigan's 13 for 37.

The Redskins face another tough defense while working through their own offensive issues. The Redskins need to accomplish the following tasks to help earn a victory against Baltimore.

• Not succumb to the Ravens pressure and hold onto the football
• Win the battle of field position
• Special teams could break open a tight game with a big play
• Don't allow Flacco to get in rhythm. Falling behind by two scoring possessions could be too much for the Skins to overcome against the Ravens defense

The Giants won a Super Bowl behind the strength of their defensive line. They lost Strahan and Osi this season due to retirement and injury and are still winning games with the pressure the front four can provide along with a steady offense. Throughout the 1980s the Redskins front four was able to apply pressure during the game, as well as, as on key plays.

Since the Redskins last Super Bowl victory, the team has largely relied upon the back seven and elaborate defensive schemes to put pressure on opposing teams. The back seven this season and for the past several seasons has done a tremendous job especially with the leadership & play of Fletcher.

Some would say that the two most powerful positions in the DC area are the President and quarterback of the Washington Redskins. It's important to place things in the proper perspective. The Thursday morning after the election and after reading all the papers and articles, as well as, watching the news programs, the feeling of pride in our nation and empathy for the President Elect for how much there is to complete with so many people within the United States and abroad having so many expectations for President Elect Obama was just so overwhelming.

Not since FDR have so many people needed a President to do so much. The list of issues to tackle is long and ever expanding. To see and hear so many individuals rejoice at the recent election deomonstrates how great a democracy can be to encourage and inspire so many people made everyone proud to be an American and brought many individuals together.

A quick start to the season had the hopes of many Redskin faithful also unified and running high behind their team and quarterback. With a new coach, a new passing scheme, another new offense for Campbell to master, pass blocking assignments to call for quarterback, and high expectations for the rookie receivers to open up the passing game, all of the questions were soon forgotten as the Redskins accumulated wins in an effort to chase down the Giants,

The feeling of hope after such a quick start to the season had fans dreaming of playoffs and altering the expectations that began the season. Now after expectations have been raised and affirmation of legitimacy to the coaching staff and play calling, the offense has sputtered. The recent string of losses has drawn ire on Campbell's shoulders. Are all or some of the criticism heaped upon him fair? Wise: On Campbell

"To boldly go where no man has gone before" was the opening line in the original Star Trek series. This is how The Sports Freak felt while venturing out for what was to be some light shopping for the first time ever on Black Friday. Big Money Tony entertained notions of shopping at 5 AM, but ultimately decided later in the day would be a better time. After constant prompting by Tony to replace a camera, I ventured out sometime before noon. Expecting to find swarms of people, bustles of packages falling and being taken off of shelves, and the noise of such a large volume of shoppers in stores only part of this was true. Mental preparation is a vital part in sports and as such I was prepared for the high contact sport of shopping on Black Friday. The list was short and so was the misson.

On a cold and blistery Friday night, it's a movie fan's worst dilemma to decide between multiple good action movies. HBO has just started showing the original Predator with Arnold and Carl Weathers. While on the Encore networks the original Robocop is on along with Sudden Death and Jean Claude Van Damme. Two 1980s classic action flicks and Die Hard at the Stanley Cup Finals with JCVD and Powers Booth.

I realize that the title of this website is not "Penn references on PTI," but I can't refrain from pointing out yet another one. Tonight's episode featured a segment about Brandon Jennings, a basketball player who decided to play professionally in Europe rather than attend college in the United States. Tony Kornheiser noted that Jennings is behind other guards on the depth chart, including former University of Pennsylvania player Ibby Jaaber. A quick search on Wikipedia reveals that former Penn star Jerome Allen also once played for the team that Jaaber currently plays for, Lottomatica Roma in Italy.

On Sunday, the Redskins honored Sean Taylor by putting him in the Ring of Fame. Former NBC4 sports anchor, George Michael hosted the ceremony at Fedex Field prior to the sloppy game against the New York Football Giants. The day was somber and dreary because of the rain, which seemed kind of appropriate for the event. It was only about a year ago when Taylor was shot at his Florida home when intruders broke in thinking the house was empty.

It was mentioned that being put in the Ring of Fame usually meant the celebration of a great Redskins career. As Michael said, this was was different. Taylor was being honored for the career that could have been.

Also in attendance were Taylor's family including his mother and father, fiance and young daughter. His father Pedro said a few words to us in the crowd. Then the current Redskins took the field with Clinton Portis coming out last waving a #21 banner. When the cover finally came off Taylor's name in the ring, the crowd roared. Too bad that was the last time on Sunday we had anything to cheer about.

Thanks for checking into this delayed version of the voting. The shock of a tie from the last vote as well as Thanksgiving got in the way. Vote for your favorite Redskins Cheerleader! This week of voting pits Michelle S versus Shannon. Thanks to our friend Q for these pictures. At the end of the season, we will match up the winners to choose the favorite of the year. Vote early. Each week we'll bring you a new matchup. Vote on the right sidebar.

The results are in!