I'd like to consider myself a neutral observer of the DC sports scene, able to take in the likes of the Skins, Wizards, and Terps without knee-jerk reactions (the Caps and Georgetown count as hometown teams too, but I've got nothing on them...yet). With that said, a few observations about the local sports franchises while you wait for the Nintendo Wii to be released...The Washington Redskins are some lucky S.O.B.s...So, two teams had their seasons on the line yesterday, playing at home, against solid teams: the Skins (vs. Dallas) and the Steelers (vs. Denver). And go figure, it's Washington that manages to save their season, at least for a week (Pittsburgh is D-U-N). Even the most devout Redskins fan has to admit the big man was smiling down on them yesterday afternoon. Dallas should've won that game on the T.O. bomb (nice hands pal) and REALLY should've won the game on Vanderjagt's 35-yard FG. Heck, you can't take anything away from the Skins effort on the block (Troy Vincent I believe), and Vanderjagt should be pummeled for his terribly low kick, but the 15-yard face mask call that set up Novak's game winner? A gift. Kudos to Nicky though for sacking up after pushing the 49-yarder wide right and (barely) nailing the 47-yard game winner. Yesterday in the NFL once again proved that no game is a gimme (seriously, did ANYONE have the Dolphins?), and fans of Dallas can bitch and moan all week about the couldas wouldas and shouldas, but the final tally is all that matters. I really cannot wait for Parcells to punch T.O. in the face on the sidelines during Week 13. A win is a win, and a 3-5 Redskins team going into Philly next week has this town once again thinking playoffs, which at least provides me more asinine sports radio to listen to for another week.
Gilbert Arenas is a godsend...I really hope the people of Washington realize what they have in Gilbert Arenas. He's an enigma wrapped in a riddle who just happens to be one of the best players in the NBA. He's the 2006 version of World B. Free (but better). I had the good fortune to see the Wiz home opener Saturday night against the Celtics, and the raucous pre-game intros were highlighted by Gilbert coming out in a Apollo Creed-esque robe, hoodie up...the Verizon Center went nuts. It didn't hurt that Arenas then proceeded to pour in 44 (with 6 assists) in the Wizards 124-117 victory over Boston. You could actually tell he wanted to make up for the Paul Pierce game from a year ago...which when you think about it is awesome. The guy takes every perceived slight or slap in the face and uses it as motivation...several times in the game a Celtics player hit a big bucket (there was ZERO defense played in this game), and it didn't matter if it was Gil's man or not, he proceeded to come back down the court and absolutely drill a DAGGER three or hit a twisting lay-up in the lane (always with contact). He would not be stopped. The Wizards are playoff-bound once again, and Whitney, I'm happy to win another case of beer off you if you think differently. One other game note: The retro jersey of the night goes to the 6'6", 250 lb. black guy in the Alabama Joe Namath "12" jersey. Well played sir.
Don't look now, but that really fat guy has his team in contention for a BCS bowl game (no, not Charlie Weis)...Sure, the ACC appears to be having a down year (a vast understatement I know), but I'm still impressed by the turnaround Ralph Friedgen has engineered at Maryland this season. 3-2 following a loss at Georgia Tech, the Terps appeared destined for another 5-6 non-bowl season. Now winners of 4 straight games (albeit by a total of 12 points), the Terps (7-2, 4-1) technically control their own destiny, as they face Miami, Boston College and Wake Forest in their last 3 games. The ACC Atlantic is theirs for the taking, and they can thank kicker Dan Ennis for keeping the dream alive. His 31-yard game winner against Clemson Saturday allowed Maryland to escape Death Valley with a 13-12 victory, and it was surely the inspiration for Terp alum Nick Novak's kick 24 hours later. Fridge celebrated by downing three pints of Chunky Monkey.
And finally, I'm all for hanging the bastard, but this is also a fantastic way to end his miserable life...
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Speaking of local sports teams, you gotta love this article from the DC City Paper...
Detroit Lions WR Roy Williams is having a Pro Bowl year, but he apparently still smokes crack:
Lions WR Roy Williams, appearing as a guest on Fox Sports Radio with Jim Mora and Dan Morriarty, asked about his QB Jon Kitna: "He’s the best quarterback in this league. He gets overlooked because we’re 2-6; we’re not a winning football team. He’s just the best quarterback in this league- he throws a great ball- easy catch-able balls. I’ll play with him any day."
"I'll play with him any day." That made me laugh.
What is the Paul Pierce game from last year? I only ask b/c I'm completely unaware of it and it obviously was somewhat of a big deal to Agent Zero and the Wiz.
Coincidentally, I was at this game too...nice salute from Arenas
I think I remember the replay of Pierce hitting the game winner in that game. I did not, however, have any idea of what led up to that. Awesome.
The 15-yard face mask, clearly a bad call, closed the book an a hideous day of officiating. Several blatant (so much so Buck & Aikman made multiple mentions) holds weren't called on Dallas linemen, so the refs compensated by flagging a questionable hold that negated a 35-yard gain for Washington. Taylor's "low" hit on Romo was erroneously flagged and leads us to perceive that any hit on a quarterback must be completely contained within the numbers on his chest or back.
Perhaps the face mask mistake was intended as an enormous make-up call. Obviously, we'll take it, but I do hope Gibbs asks the league for clarification on the roughing the passer thing. It's getting out of hand. Just put a couple of flags on the QB's belt and let's be done with all of this scary violence.
The Hoyas are 8th in the Pre-season AP Hoops poll...
gtb officially endorses bo schembechler as a guy who gets it:
http://www.deadspin.com/sports/college-football/bo-schembechler-gets-meta-on-us-212636.php
plus, how great a name is 'bo schembechler'?
Not as great as Dick Curl...
Drew has a take on the Skins/Boys game:
http://tonyhomo.blogspot.com/
God damn it...yet another of my TV shows has been canned. Now it's "Kidnapped" on NBC...
Flynn got me watching "Heroes" -- cancelled yet?
Hell no, that series is one of the few bright spots for NBC. I'm a sucker for comic book stuff, so I especially dig Heroes...
Oh, and my two cents on the Dead Schembechlers -- they don't kick it nearly hard enough to be using the Pistols' logo (they sound like a Blink 182 wanna-be band's wanna-be band), but they also gratuitously mention the M-state in its full spelling and pronunciation. Big no-no among the truly Buck-eyed.
SARSGAA-R-R-R-R-R-R-RD!!!
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