RGIII is available

The Rams have confirmed that they are willing to trade the #2 overall pick. Rumors have it that the Redskins are willing to trade for it. The asking price will be at least two first rounders plus additional picks. Depending on what the additional picks are, I would be willing to make this trade. We need to get that franchise QB. This year's class is thin at that position and we have to make a run at him. Other options include Manning which I don't think is an option. Flynn who the Skins are apparently not interested in. Tannehill who is a second tier college QB. Other FAs who are not that great and really aren't the long term answer to our QB situation.

The more I see/hear about RGIII, the more I like. I have long said that one of my biggest pro's for him is his discipline (coming from a military family) and his cockiness. I believe all great QBs need to have that quality as that is what separates them from others. There is a difference b/t cockiness and arrogance. All great players should have that swag that says that I can beat you no matter what. Arrogance is more talk than action. RGIII seems like the kind of guy that is willing to work hard and prove he is as advertised and he also seems like a guy that wants to prove that he is better than Luck. Lets not forget his tremendous physical abilities.

The biggest con for him though is that he has not played in a pro style offense. Also, would the Shannys try and control him too much and not allow him to use his abilities. The Shannys do like roll out plays and RGIII could use his athleticism for that. I know they want an athletic QB as that is what they hoped they were getting with Mc5 and then their reason for liking Beck. Elway and Cutler were both athletic. RGIII may fit well into their system.

The word is that the Skins have the inside track because of Shanny's relationship with Fisher and Allen's relationship with the Rams GM. Still, nothing is for certain and there is much that can happen with the Rams pick. No doubt they want to engage into a bidding war. I like that we want to enter the bidding but I just don't want to overbid because if we do and RGIII is not as advertised, it could set us back big time.

Bud Select 55 SUCKS!!!!

Tried this "beer" over the weekend and it is horrible. It doesn't even taste like beer. I suppose less calories means less taste. Anyway, a warning to all, do not drink this unless you don't like beer.

Huguely guilty of murder

For those that have been following the case of the UVA lacrosse player, George Huguely, charged with killing his ex girlfriend UVA women's lacrosse player, Yeardley Love, he was found guilty. After nearly nine hours of deliberation Wednesday, a jury found George Huguely V guilty of second-degree murder and grand larceny involving the death of Yeardley Love. Huguely was found not guilty on all other charges.

Second-degree murder in Virginia is defined as murder with malice that is not premeditated. It carries a sentence of five to 40 years. A sentence of grand larceny ranges from one to 20 years.

After delivering the verdict, the jury deliberated for almost two hours and recommended a sentence of 26 years, 25 years for the murder charge and 1 year for grand larceny.

Seems like a fair sentence. It's sad all around. There really are no winners in this case. A young woman is dead and a young man has thrown his life away. He will spend the next couple of decades in jail and even when he comes out, it is hard to imagine he will be able to thrive. Personally, I don't think it was premeditated so it seems appropriate to not get first degree murder charges. I do believe he went over there that night to do harm. I do not think he intended to kill her. It seems like a guy that had an alcohol problem and anger issues and things went too far. It's too bad for him but it is really too bad for Yeardley Love and her family. Again, there are no winners and it's sad that something like this had to happen.

What the hairy heck?!!!

His arms are almost as big as Deepie's. Seriously, If Landry can't go this year, this guy should just give up football and become a bodybuilder. Seems like that is where his head is. Actually, not sure he can do that given all the ink on him. Still, what the heck is this guy doing. Seems to me he is spending too much time lifting and not enough time rehabbing or getting the proper treatment to be football ready.

The thing is for what ever reason he is opting to not get surgery to correct his achilles. He didn't do it last offseason and we saw how far he got without it. Experts have said that he will not be fully healthy unless he gets the surgery. Instead he continues to try alternative treatments including platelet therapy. It won't work. He is probably too concerned about the surgery causing him to not be able to lift for several weeks.

I like Dirty 30 but I really can't see the Skins giving him an expensive long term deal. I don't think we will franchise him because that will go to Fred Davis. If Laron can get someone to bite on a long term deal, good for him. Otherwise, if we can get him on a short term incentive laden deal to prove himself healthy I'm all for it.

The Senate voted and the Caps lose!

A better performance last night than the one in Carolina but still pretty bad resulting in a 5-2 loss. The third period was much better than the first two but we still seem to make too many mistakes. The first goal was a softy Vokoun allowed and the second was a play Wideman needs to make instead of allowing his guy to go right around him basically unmolested.

Special teams continue to be a HUGE concern. At least, they didn't quit and showed some life in the third period and getting two goals (including one off of Perreault's chicklets).

So the Caps will come back home and play a Friday night game against Montreal followed by a Saturday matchup against Toronto. These are two games we need to win. If we do, we may actually find ourselves back in the playoffs but we just need to put together all around good efforts for the full games. The home game will be interesting because the Caps have lost 3 in a row and I believe 5 of their last 6 and there is no question there will be a different vibe at Verizon. If we struggle, the fans will let them know. It will be a bitter pill for this team that is so used to success and fans appreciation. I do feel like this team is pressing and frustrated so it's going to be interesting to see what happens.

UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

CP wants to come back to the NFL

After a year off, CP has been going public about his desire to return to the NFL. He is 30 years old but wants to prove he still has it. He claims he is more focused and more spiritual and that he is willing to take a backup role but wants to find the right situation.

I think the real reason is that he didn't like the way he went out and also that he is like 77 yards shy of reaching the 10,000 yard mark and that is something important to him.

I like CP and I'd like him to reach that mark but at 30 years of age I'm not sure what type of opportunities he will be given. Hopefully he can land some where and have some success and then go out on his terms.

Caps caught in the eye of the Hurricane

PATHETIC!!!! Caps get demolished 5-0 against the worst team in the Eastern Conference. Beaten in EVERY aspect of the game. We were out shot, out hit, out hustled. Gave up a PP AND shorthanded goal. There was nothing positive about this game. It was the worst showing I had seen under Hunter's watch. The worst showing since a game earlier in the year against the Sabres when we were dominated against a ridiculously undermanned Sabre team that was pretty much playing their AHL team because of all of their injuries.

I REALLY don't understand the direction of this team. Frustrating because we cannot score any goals. I can't remember the last time I heard of Ward or Halpern or Beagle or anyone other than Ovie, Brower, or Semin scoring a goal. There is no movement. There are too many turnovers. It's just bad play all around. Not sure if it is coaching or players but it's pathetic. Frankly, I don't even know if it is worth making a trade because we don't seem close to making a solid run for the Cup this year. I would almost rather keep younger talent and/or draft picks to try and rebuild with some younger guys.

Because of the sad state of the SE division, we still find ourselves in the thick of things with several games to play but with the kind of efforts we have seen recently, there is no reason to believe we will get into the playoffs. Obviously, I am very disappointed as I keep hoping for better fortunes in the next game but continuously get surprised at the lack of effort. Will be interesting to see how this team responds over the last few weeks of this season and then what happens in the offseason particularly if we do not make the playoffs.

LINSANITY!!!!

I never heard of this guy a couple of weeks ago and now he's all over the place. Interesting because he is getting attention both good and bad. Jason Whitlock twittered something about Lin's anatomy which was TOTALLY inappropriate. Then Floyd Mayweather mentioned that the only reason why he was getting attention was because he is Asian and he wasn't doing anything different than black players. Someone always has to play the race card.

What makes the story so interesting is that this guy came out of no where and is lighting it up. Sure, he is Asian and that is part of the story but he is proving to be a star in the league. Also of interest is that he is articulate and a Harvard grad and not your typical young NBA guard. He was overlooked by a number of teams and he was finally signed by the Knicks and was sleeping on his brother's couch. It is literally LINSANE!!!

What I love about the story is that even though he is getting all this attention, he is continuing his strong play. A few nights ago, he outdueled Kobe and the Lakers and then last night he hits the game winning 3 pointer. This guy is a marketer's dream. Hopefully the guy can keep it up.

Luck vs. RG3

If you thought the Cam Newton-Blaine Gabbert-Jake Locker competition made for some interesting drama last spring, you ain't seen nothing yet. The Andrew Luck vs. Robert Griffin III discussion is 10 times more intriguing and is just getting started. I spoke to the draft's top two quarterbacks last week in Indianapolis, and they both clearly want to be No. 1. But while Luck approached most topics with caution, RG3 is not the type to back down from a fight or politely tip-toe when it comes to his intentions. He believes the momentum is on his side, and he's determined to show the Colts why he's the best bet in the coming 11 weeks or so.

"Perception is reality, and at the beginning of the year I wasn't on many radars,'' Griffin said. "I did have a lot more ground to cover than he did. [Luck] was the de facto Heisman winner and the de facto No. 1 pick. We already took one of those from him and we plan to continue to go out there and do that. Whether it's with the first pick in the draft, a playoff win, or who goes to the first Super Bowl.''

The more I hear about RG3, the more I like him. He seems like an incredible talent but more importantly, he is disciplined, smart, and has that cockiness which are all qualities a top level QB must have.

Whitney at her finest

Before all of the craziness, Whitney's performance of the National Anthem before the 91 Super Bowl still stands as the greatest rendition I have ever heard. Pretty unbelievable.

Caps suck!

For the first time all season, I have the feeling that the Caps will not make the playoffs. I watch most of their games and their play all season has been inconsistent. Last night's game against the Sharks they were able to finally outshoot a team and double their typical number of shots but the quality of shots are not that great. Additionally, they look frustrated and pressed and don't seem to be playing good hockey. They also can't do the simple things right like crowd the net. They make things too easy for the other team.

Missing Backstrom and Green don't help. Green seems to make the machine run and Backstrom helps Ovie out immensely. With no time table on those guys returns, it is looking difficult.

Guys like Hamrlik, Knuble, and Ward look old and out of place. Too many defensive lapses with Schultz and Carlson out there. I do like Wideman and Orlov but things just don't seem to click like in years past.

The trade deadline is less than two weeks away so it will be interesting to see what McPhee tries to pull off.

Terminator and Rambo take on their next role

The movie is called two old men sitting in the hospital.

Actually, it was a chance meeting for them as they were both in the hospital to get shoulder surgery.

Must be a sad day for matar.

Whitney dead!

Sad but no real surprise. For the last couple of decades she is probably better known for her drug use and erratic behavior over her songs.

What is wrong with people?

I know people like trends and stuff but first there was planking, then there was Tebowing, and now there is Bradying. I am amazed by how people take the time to pose in these positions and then take pictures of themselves and post it online. Then that this starts making news. Just seems like a colossal waste of time.

Peyton can't throw the ball

From the NFL Network:

Being able to make "all the throws" is a prerequisite for NFL quarterbacking, which, right now may discount Peyton Manning. [Manning] is more injured than people realize, Mike Lombardi of the NFL Network told Bill Simmons on his podcast today. "He can't throw the ball," Lombardi said. "I've talked to people who've caught the ball for him. He can't throw the ball to his left. He can't throw the ball across his body, because he doesn't feel it. People that catch the ball for him say he doesn't really have velocity on the ball yet." Manning was cleared to play last week. But Lombardi says being cleared to play and being able to play are two very different things.

"He CAN'T throw the ball." There is a problem when a QB can't throw the ball. If we make any type of play on Manning, I will be extremely disappointed.

Interesting sound bites from the Super Bowl

It was a thrilling Super Bowl but the one thing as fans we don't get are the sounds from the game and the audio clips of players, coaches, and even referees. NFL Films released a few interesting sound bites taken from the game.

Bill Belichik talking about his defense on the Giants game winning scoring drive: "This is still a Cruz-and-Nicks game. I know we're right on them. It's tight, but those are still the guys. Make them go to Manningham, make them go to (Bear) Pascoe. Let's make sure we get Cruz and Nicks."

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was also miked for NFL Films and after watching the replay of Manningham's grab, he said, "He caught it."

Before the Bradshaw's game winning score, Patriots Jerod Mayo and Vince Wilfork are overheard telling players in the huddle: "We gotta let them score, got to let them score."

The Patriots had been forced to give up the ball after receiver Wes Welker failed to make a tough catch that would have given the Pats a key first down as they tried to eat up the clock.

Referee John Parry, talking to another official, was caught on tape saying of the Welker play: "That was the game."

Among other interesting audio released by the league, Giants players were trying to figure out the health of Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. He had suffered a high ankle sprain in the AFC title game and didn't appear to be at full speed in the Super Bowl.

In the third quarter, Giants linebacker Michael Boley says: "Hey, 87's a (expletive) decoy, he's a decoy. … He's about to be outta here."

The price for RG3

According to the Miami Herald, the St. Louis Rams have the second pick and coach Jeff Fisher recently said his team is open to trading the pick to the highest bidder. That pick can be used to select Robert Griffin III. So what would it cost a team for the second pick? A lot. It will take at least two first round picks and probably closer to three first round picks. And it might actually take this years No. 1, next year's No. 1, the 2014 No. 1 and possibly something else like a third or fifth rounder thrown in there.

If that is the price, as a Skins fan, I wouldn't want to do that. That is mortgaging a fair amount for a guy that I like but would not want to bank that much on. We are still rebuilding and I would rather select other players/needs and get a QB with our second pick.

Happy Birthday Robs!

Let us all rejoice and celebrate the birth of our favorite Pear lover...Robs!

Is Eli elite?

Prior to the football season, Eli Manning was asked by the media if he considered himself and elite QB in the same class as Tom Brady and others. First, it's a stupid question because how is Eli supposed to answer this? There is only one answer he can give and that is to say that he does believe it. I suppose he could downplay the question and give some type of B.S. generic answer back but he said that he did believe he was elite. That answer gained national attention and caused several debates among the "pundits."

I will say this. I never thought a whole lot of Eli prior to the season. He was a solid QB but didn't seem like anything spectacular. However, watching him play this season, I do really believe he has proven that he is elite. Obviously, he had big accomplishments this season but watching him on the field, it seems like he has matured and has supreme confidence in his abilities and understanding the game. He is the unequivocal leader on that team and kudos to him for stepping out from Peyton's shadow. Frankly, at this point who would you rather have and who has had the better career, Peyton or Eli?

As a Skins fan, I still don't like the Giants or Eli but I will say that I have gotten a lot more respect for Eli and do believe he has proven that he a top QB in this league. Good job, Elisha!

Giants beat Patriots for the title

I don't care for either team. I was just looking for a good game. I also thought it was interesting that it was a rematch of the Super Bowl a few years back.

The game didn't disappoint. It came down to the wire but the Giants were able to pull out the victory. There are four key plays that I can think of and their order of importance from least to most include:

1. Tom Brady's intentional grounding on his first drive. Interesting in that you don't expect that type of play from a guy as seasoned as Brady. Kind of helped to set the tone of the game.

2. Cruz fumbling inside NE's 10 yard line and a Pats recovery only to be overturned because of NE having too many men on the field. Cruz ended up scoring a TD on that drive. HUGE turn of events.

3. Manningham's sideline catch on the gamewinning drive. Great catch on the sideline and his ability to keep both feet in bounds. Lost in the catch is the great throw by Manning on that route. It was a defining play in the game.

4. Welker's drop that led to the Giants game winning drive. It was a moderately difficult pass in that it was behind him and he had to spin around to catch it but it's a catch he admittedly says he makes all the time and one that he HAS to make. There wasn't anyone around him and if he catches it, it's a first down inside of Giant territory. The Pats could have knocked off a lot more time off of the clock and it is pretty safe to assume, they would have gotten a FG out of that drive. Welker seems like a good dude so it is tough for him as that is a play he will remember for the rest of his life. I know his teammates say that it wasn't just that one play that lost the game and it is true to some degree but I have often said that most football games are decided by a handful of plays and that was one of them. You expect your stars and big time players to make plays and Welker came up short on that one. At the moment of that play, it doesn't matter what had taken place in the game prior. It was set up for that moment and his catch and he didn't come through. Ultimately, it appears it cost his team the Super Bowl.

In the end, an exciting game. I thought the Giants would win as they seem to be the more complete team. They also came in as the hotter team. There is no question that they are the champions having beaten the best on their road to the Super Bowl. Disposing of GB at Lambeau and then traveling across the country and taking care of the 49ers at Candlestick and then the seasoned Pats in the Super Bowl. I don't care for the Giants but I respect their accomplishment and they deserve congratulations. I remember earlier in the season JSR making fun of the East and claiming the North's (particularly GB's) dominance. I suppose the East is better than he thought.

Until next season...HAIL SKINS!!!

Kudos to Deepie

In his never ending quest to emulate his one and true idol, me, Deepie built himself a bar and got himself a kegerator. After polishing off a keg of Modelo Especial, he was faced with the internal strife of what beer would be the next to fill the kegerator. He sent me a note the other day and settled on Samuel Adams Alpine Spring. Sam's description of this new beer is as follows:

"Brewed especially for the season, this bright citrusy unfiltered lager is both satisfying and refreshing. It’s the perfect transition from winter’s heavier brews to the lighter beers of summer. Borne of our brewers’ many trips to Germany, Alpine Spring features a unique blend of lager attributes: the balanced maltiness and hoppiness of a Helles, the smoothness and slightly higher alcohol of a traditional spring bock, and the unfiltered appearance of a Kellerbier. The beer is brewed with Tettnang Noble hops to add a unique, bright orange-citrusy aroma and flavor."

The description sounds delicious and in speaking to Deepie, the sweet beer nectar did not disappoint. Congrats to Deepie for his grog!

This is a GREAT letter

In August of 1865, a Colonel P.H. Anderson of Big Spring, Tennessee, wrote to his former slave, Jourdan Anderson, and requested that he come back to work on his farm. Jourdan — who, since being emancipated, had moved to Ohio, found paid work, and was now supporting his family — responded spectacularly by way of the letter seen below (a letter which, according to newspapers at the time, he dictated).

Rather than quote the numerous highlights in this letter, I'll simply leave you to enjoy it. Do make sure you read to the end.

(Source: The Freedmen's Book; Image: A group of escaped slaves in Virginia in 1862, courtesy of the Library of Congress.)


Dayton, Ohio,

August 7, 1865

To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee

Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this, for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Colonel Martin's to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living. It would do me good to go back to the dear old home again, and see Miss Mary and Miss Martha and Allen, Esther, Green, and Lee. Give my love to them all, and tell them I hope we will meet in the better world, if not in this. I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in the Nashville Hospital, but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a chance.

I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me. I am doing tolerably well here. I get twenty-five dollars a month, with victuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for Mandy,—the folks call her Mrs. Anderson,—and the children—Milly, Jane, and Grundy—go to school and are learning well. The teacher says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go to Sunday school, and Mandy and me attend church regularly. We are kindly treated. Sometimes we overhear others saying, "Them colored people were slaves" down in Tennessee. The children feel hurt when they hear such remarks; but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson. Many darkeys would have been proud, as I used to be, to call you master. Now if you will write and say what wages you will give me, I will be better able to decide whether it would be to my advantage to move back again.

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years, and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor's visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams's Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past, we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers, in making us toil for you for generations without recompense. Here I draw my wages every Saturday night; but in Tennessee there was never any pay-day for the negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire.

In answering this letter, please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up, and both good-looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve—and die, if it come to that—than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits.

Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

From your old servant,

Jourdon Anderson.