Questions Surround The Washington Wizards

By Mark Bacon

My favorite season is beginning. Basketball season. The Washington Wizards (or Bullets, if you prefer), begin training camp at Towson University’s campus this morning. Questions surround the team as they seek to improve on their 46-36 record from last year and advance beyond the second round of the playoffs.

Just how committed are the Wizards to adopting small-ball this year? I’m sure they are going to use perimeter oriented lineups this season; the frequency remains the question. They have the players to do it and to continue utilizing the option over the 82-game regular season. That offensive scheme best exploits John Wall’s unique talents. The Wiz also want to remain physical. They’re among the league’s defensive leaders. I don’t think they plan on dumping the traditional frontline of Marcin Gortat and Nene Hilario completely.

But that begs the question, what exactly will be Nene’s role? He was the starting power forward during the regular season and postseason games, but he became backup center in the playoffs when Washington went with perimeter oriented play more often. Coach Randy Wittman has mentioned there could be some changes in the starting lineups this season depending on matchups. Nene could be used as the back-up in the pivot.

Most troubling to me is filling the leadership void Paul Pierce left behind when he signed with the Clippers. The team thinks the void will be filled  with the additions of Alan Anderson and Jared Dudley. Much also hinges on Otto Porter Jr.’s continued development. But Pierce’s off-court contributions will be difficult to replace. Anderson and Dudley are veteran leaders, but that responsibility will also fall on John Wall, as it should.

Does Otto Porter continue where he left off in the postseason? Coach Wittman hinted early this week that Porter is the frontrunner to replace Pierce in their starting lineup. Otto was at his best last season playing with the starters, particularly in the playoffs when he became an important component, averaging 10 points and eight rebounds over 33 minutes. Now in his third season, Porter could also see significant minutes at power forward.

Last, will Bradley Beal sign a contract extension before the October 31st  deadline? Beal wants the max and the team isn’t going to give him it yet. Beal stated this week he isn’t “worried about it” and is confident the two sides will come to an agreement. After July 1, will the Wizards be more willing to offer the max? I would hope it’s one of their primary goals. It won’t mean much if it doesn’t happen by October’s end, but the team should sign Beal for the long-term, while maintaining the most salary-cap flexibility possible for free agency next summer, and the desired signing of Kevin Durant. Imagine KD, Wall and Beal on one team. Nirvana for Washington Wizards fans.

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Giant Collapse / Capitol Failure

By Mark Bacon

The Washington Redskins fell to the New York Giants last evening before a nationally televised audience. Yet again. Their record on prime time games is abysmal. I can’t bring myself to look up the record, but honestly think they’ve won maybe 4 games out of 30+?

And beating the NYGiants? FDR was in the White House last time they accomplished that feat. They own us. If you thought otherwise, a blocked punt leading to a safety in the game’s opening moments likely convinced you otherwise. And it was all downhill from there.

Flush with the success against the Rams, “smash mouth” football was the new identity the Skins were claiming. But the physical reputation referenced — a simple, ground-and-pound game that made the start of this season enjoyable to watch — it was a trick that wasn’t fooling the Giants. And without superior toughness distorting action on the field? Washington, they looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL.

That bad; much worse than the 32-21 score indicated. The game was 25-6 late in the fourth quarter. The Skins weren’t able to simplify the game by establishing the run, controlling the clock and playing off their “Capitol Punishment” defense, their myriad flaws were revealed, a mess they had masked in the prior games by playing with incredible effort. But they don’t have the talent, the versatility or the composure to win — or even be competitive.

They can’t handle complicated. Play from behind? Nope. Kirk Cousins can’t throw them back into games. If there were any delusions about this team being better than advertised, last night served as a series of wake-up calls to the exaggerated optimism.

Washington’s new ground-and-pound approach, (MoJo, they call it, after RBs Morris and Jones) came with an asterisk. It’s not just a strategy. It’s a crutch. The team is rickety in several areas.

Fundamental, physical football serves as training wheels for this developing team. Take ‘em off, and Washington don’t know how to react. They’re bound to fall — and fall hard. Last night was a painful reminder.

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Sports Shorts, 9.23.2015

By Mark Bacon

Hall of Famer, Legendary Yankees Catcher Yogi Berra Dies at Age 90

New York Yankees legend and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra died Tuesday at age 90, the Yogi Berra Museum announced and the Yankees and MLB confirmed. Or, as I like to think, Yogi signed a long-term contract with that Great Franchise in the Sky. Considered one of the greatest catchers of all time, Berra was a three-time AL MVP who became at least as well-known for his unusual sayings as his Hall of Fame career.

Among his more famous Yogi-isms, as they became known
• "Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical."
• "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

He appeared in 14 World Series for the Yankees and won three MVPs in 1951, 1954 and 1955. He was also an 18-time All-Star and caught Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 Series. He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 1972. He remains the all-time leader among catchers in RBI, and is fourth in runs scored and home runs.

I suppose his passing is best summed up by perhaps his best-known Yogi-ism, "It ain't over, til it's over." And sadly, it's over. Godspeed Mr. Berra.

Timberwolves Cut Ties with Former 2013 No. 1 Pick Anthony Bennett

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2013 NBA Draft, Anthony Bennett has faced lofty expectations while his career has been derailed by injury. The pick itself raised many an eyebrow, with Bennett being picked before Nerlens Noel, Michael Carter-Williams and Dennis Schroeder. Bennett was part of the Kevin Love trade that brought Andrew Wiggins to Minnesota last season, and now, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the 'Wolves have cut ties with the young forward after just one season." Bennett is only 22 years old, athletic, can run the floor and needs to find the right situation, which very well could be with the team he ends up with. The 76ers could be a perfect fit.

Kevin Durant is Cleared for Thunder Training Camp

OKC All-Star Kevin Durant was fully cleared for training camp and he's back to playing 5-on-5 basketball without any restrictions. As of now, the procedures to repair his broken foot appear to have worked for KD and he's ready to make up for lost time during a 2014-15 season in which he missed 55 games. That's good news for Durant and good news for basketball.

Final Thought…

Maybe it's me, but the Olde English lettering used on the back of the University of Louisville Cardinals' football jerseys for the player's names is the UGLIEST TYPOGRAPHY AND WORST IDEA IN SPORTS UNIFORMS this year! Who approved this?! It is an abomination. Adidas has designed some nasty looking uniforms on the past, but this takes the cake. Do you agree? Leave your comment below.

The Trouble With RG3. Again.

By Mark Bacon

Things are going perhaps too well for the Skins right now. They're 1-1 after trouncing the STL Rams on Sunday and almost could be 2-0, tied for the NFC East lead.

Let’s rain on the parade, courtesy of Bleacher Report's Jason Cole, who reports quarterbacks Robert "Bob" Griffin III and Kirk Cousins "don't speak" and "can't even be in the same room" together.

"Simply put: they don't talk. They don't speak to each other, they don't communicate, they can't even be in the same room… because of the tension that exists between the two sides," reports Cole.

Yee haw! It wouldn't be a real Skins season if there weren't some Bob Tres dysfunction. Right? Right!!

What’s happening now? You would think it comes from RG3's camp,. It does.

"The problem here for Bob is this is a reflection on him. It's a continuation of a pattern where he simply doesn't get along with teammates," Cole says. "He's had problems with offensive linemen in the past, he's had problems with coaching staffs in the past. In other words, he has isolated himself from the rest of the team. That, to many people within the Washington organization, is an indication of his lack of leadership ability and his ultimate inability to become the starting quarterback and hold that position."

Tangible proof of RG3 lacking leadership. And Cousins previously praised Griffin for being incredibly professional about the whole process. But now? Things are going well under the new system, and the former Golden Boy can't deal with it. No more Subway ads? Bye bye adidas??

The good news for Washington? If the Redskins keep winning with Cousins under center, all of this will go away. Or should anyway.

But the trouble with Bob…? Enough. Cut him loose.

D.C. Update: Skins and Hoyas Edition

By Mark Bacon

THE SKINS: Sunday afternoon, roughly 50,000 fans were at FedEx Field for Washington's game versus the St. Louis Rams. Attendance, plus slumping Skins jersey sales and fire sales on RGIII jerseys, indicate the predicted trend for the D.C. based franchise’s season are true. Or are they?

The Skins defeated the St. Louis Rams, 24-10. The same Rams known for resurrecting “smash mouth football.” Washington counter-punched. It's a game some are calling D.C.'s best since 1991, the last year The Hogs played.

For the second consecutive week, Washington took an early lead at home; a 10-0 advantage after one quarter, their biggest lead after 15 minutes in three years. And it would get better!

The Redskins took a 17-0 lead into halftime after out-gaining the Rams 239-72 and controlling the ball for 19 minutes. It was the first time Washington shut out an opponent in the first half since Oct. 2011. “You’ve got to give a lot of credit to the Washington Redskins,” Fox color commentator David Diehl said, NOT something one hears very often.

The 17-point lead was built on the backs of Rookie RB Matt Jones, a bruising third round pick from Florida, and Alfred Morris, who combined for 132 yards on 17 carries in the first half (and ought to have a nickname by next week.) On Washington’s second drive of the game, Jones ran for a 39-yard touchdown one play after a 35-yard rush by Morris. Jones had 19 carries to Morris’ 15 and finished with 123 yards. Credit the same offensive line who were seriously questioned in the preseason after allowing Robert "Bob" Griffin III to be sacked 6 times in 8 snaps. A remarkable turnaround by the group. Credit Coach Bill Callahan, who has done a great job with the unit.

QB Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 27 passes for 203 yards and a 4-yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon late in the second quarter. He didn’t make any spectacular plays, was sacked twice, but never hurried, had no interceptions and did more than enough to win. Boring is better.

Next up. division rival the NY Giants on Thursday Night Football, televised nationally.

THE HOYAS: Georgetown’s Freshman class is deeper than people realize. The Hoyas expected Jessie Govan to be an impact big man during his first year of college basketball, but the potential roles of both Marcus Derrickson and Kaleb Johnson could be far greater than people envisioned. The 6-foot-7 Derrickson led Georgetown in scoring during the Hoyas' foreign tour in Italy last month and is an excellent rebounder who can extend the defense as a stretch power forward. Johnson meanwhile has good length at 6-6 and has already established himself as this team's best all-around defender. The lefty plays within himself on offense and knows how to probe the defense as he reads and reacts based on what the opposition is giving him. All three of these players are going to be in John Thompson III's rotation this year with Govan and Derrickson looking like eventual starters.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

By Raashaan Myers

     There is something different about Bobby Petrino 2.0. I was very excited when it was announced he had been chosen to come back for a second stanza as the University of Louisville head football coach as many where. While he definitely had some fences to mend and deal with venom and hate from both the local/national media and opposing fanbases. There was no doubt that Bobby was both the best and correct man for the job leading the Cardinal program into their voyage to the big time pigskin spotlight of the ACC. Now one season and 2 games into Coach Petrino's Back to the Future there are both things I like and dislike so far that are manifesting itself so far. All that being said there is one thing that definitely needs to change. The UofL football program needs Bobby Petrino to lay down the white hat and again wear the black hat. The Cards NEED mean Bobby back!

     It almost reminds me of those popular commercials "Hi I'm Bobby 1.0 and I have DirectTV, and I'm Bobby 2.0 and I have Cable". Well I'm here to tell you I am already tired of Bobby the Cable Guy and am ready to see the beast back on the sidelines. While I appreciate that upon his return Bobby did all the things necessary with the situation at hand being very open and available to the media, fans, and boosters. He was very candid and engaging in interviews and tried to be a much more likeable guy. That’s all fine and good but it seems to me that some of that Mr. Nice Guy has creeped into the locker room and may be the reason for some of the issues manifesting themselves on the football field.

     I could several former Petrino 1.0 players as friends that I have talked to and had conversations with and one overriding notion was apparent. Bobby demanded perfection from his guys and there was no room for debate. If a guy missed a blocking assignment he would immediately be yanked and given the 3rd degree and a 2nd offense would mean possible loss of your job. If a wide receiver dropped a pass no matter the difficulty of the catch because your job is to run the route to perfection and catch the ball. And turnovers? If you turned the ball over once you may not see the field again the rest of the game! This time around it seems to be more of asking for perfection and accepting less than. There was a good healthy amount of fear in making a mistake under the old regime that just doesn't to seem as prevalent. I think that mistakes right now still frowned upon, but I don't see the same rule with an iron fist as there was before.

     Now I don't want to make it seem like all that ills UofL will be taken care of by an attitude change but I do think that more swift and stern justice will help to clean up some of the issues. But the fact of the matter is that the offensive line while improving still has a LONG way to go and settling on a quarterback as well as a style of play that fits that quarterback need to be worked out as well. But at this point one thing is for sure. The old Bobby could really give this young UofL team a nice little boost of much needed attitude.

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Another Day, Another Several Thousand Laughs At The 'Skins Expense

By Mark Bacon

Several stories merited attention from the world of sports today. First, Tom Brady 1, NFL 0 is a big story. The Patriots QB had his DeflateGate suspension overturned, and is cleared to start when his team takes the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their NFL regular season opener. That's nice, I guess.

Second is news that former Georgetown University men's basketball star Patrick Ewing Jr. has joined the staff as the Director of Basketball Operations. Ewing Jr. is the son of former Hoya All-American and National Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing. In the words of Hoya coach John Thompson III, "Even as a player, Patrick ‘saw' the game through the eyes of a coach.  I'm very glad to have Patrick come back home and to be part of the staff." It's worth noting Ewing will replace former Hoya Othella Harrington, who is leaving the program. I'm happy for Patrick.

Third, alas, is the ongoing flood of foolishness pouring out of Ashburn, VA, headquarters of the permanently dysfunctional laughing stock NFL franchise Washington Redskins. And I never thought anything could top their transparent lunatic owner Daniel Snyder. Was I ever wrong.

Mind you, the 'Skins were once a mighty NFL powerhouse. Dignified. Admired. Respected. And above all, Winners. I grew up an avid fan, following their every move. I still do. But now it's like that car wreck you shouldn't look at while driving. But you still do. The 'Skins Drama has become a daily freak show. A dumpster fire raging out of control.

Today came the news the 'Skins first denied, and then confirmed. The wife of new Redskins General Manager Scot McCloughan had sent tweets to an ESPN reporter accusing her of trading sexual favors for scoops before deleting her Twitter account. The reporter, Dianna Russini, was formerly a sports anchor for Washington’s NBC station, WRC. She's terrific, by the way. Ms. Russini had reported in recent days that the Redskins’ front office was split regarding the future of Robert "Bob" Griffin III. In some corners, this might not have been such a big deal.

But let's look at where that news came from. From the team that keeps giving more and more drama. News of the TwitterGate came after a week in which the team’s starting quarterback, Bob Griffin said “I just work here,” and declining to confirm that he had a concussion as the team had announced. The 'Skins later announced that Bob had been cleared to play in a preseason game, then just as suddenly announced that the-player-formerly-known-as-RGIII had been ruled out of said preseason game, while national media reported the team was making a quarterback change, causing the team to issue with a “spaghetti journalism” accusation, in which the team actually did bench its franchise quarterback after declaring in the offseason that there would be no quarterback competition.

With me? Good.

Bob then issued a set-the-record-straight explanation on Instagram—that's thinking, eh!?— after his intern had accidentally liked a different Instagram post calling for the impeachment of the transparent lunatic team owner. (A move I applaud.) Oh, and team president and marionette, Bruce Allen, claimed that the franchise was “winning off the field.” Yayyy!!! I can't wait for the Colt McCoy QB controversy to begin, can you?

In that context, Wednesday night’s news caused a great deal of joke-making, at Washington’s expense. Some fans might find this to be a gleeful piling-on, a cheap bit of fun at the expense of a football team that deserves a break, and room to rebuild in peace. But it would be nice if the team could find a way not to be in the national headlines for general foolishness unbecoming a professional football franchise. For now, that goal seems out of reach.

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Has The Skins Big Top Finally Folded? (Or Is The D.C. Dumpster Fire Finally Out?)

By Mark Bacon

At approximately 12:30 pm EDST on August 31, 2015, Redskins Coach Jay Gruden  approached a podium at the team’s Ashbury, VA facility . He was jovial. “Hello,” he said to several assembled media members.

Then he flipped the franchise on its head.

“We do have news,” Gruden said. “We have announced that Kirk Cousins will be the starter for 2015.”

Naming a starting quarterback is one of the more basic moves a professional football franchise  can make, an announcement  signaling the team’s direction to players and fans. The Skins, however, do not operate in ordinary ways.

Coach Gruden announced then that Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback this season, not Robert “Bob” Griffin III.

Apparently the news that Cousins would replace Bob for the Redskins’ Sept. 13 season opener and beyond was months in the making, featuring more unbelievable twists than a straight-to-video slasher flick.

Griffin — the one-time franchise savior, for whom the team mortgaged its future in 2012 — was benched for performance last season, but reinstated in December. He was told at season’s end that he would face a quarterback competition in 2015 but then was handed the starting job in February.

He was given a full chance to resurrect his career in Washington — symbolized by a baffling one-year contract extension that team President Bruce Allen called “a no-brainer” — and frequently praised by coaches during offseason practices.

Then Griffin suffered a concussion, which he would not confirm, during a disastrous preseason game against the Detroit Lions on Aug. 20. He was cleared to start Saturday’s exhibition before being ruled out 24 hours later in a confusing 66-word team press release, and speculation grew that his final chance had already evaporated.

Radio hosts called the process a circus and a fiasco. And it is. But are the tents finally folding?

The few starters who addressed the situation in the Redskins’ locker room Monday were blase. They treated the news the way they might treat the release of a backup long snapper. Matter of fact responses from those who would talk to media. Primarily defensive players.

“I mean, I see all the stuff on Twitter — sources this, sources that — but that’s the outside stuff,” said Terrance Knighton , a former defensive star in Denver who has been in Washington for just a few months. “We have a culture in this locker room, a unified front, where we’re not going to let the distractions hurt this team. I mean, it’s not going to turn into a soap opera. You know, this is not the Kardashians.”

But if players weren’t acknowledging it, this was a landmark day for the franchise. In Griffin’s rookie year, he set NFL records, shared Thanksgiving dinner with owner Daniel Snyder, led Washington to its only division title of the 21st century and sold more jerseys in one year than any player in league history. 

His demotion appears to signal that Coach Gruden and first-year General Manager Scot McCloughan are in charge now, that this season will mark the beginning of McCloughan’s tenure more than the end of Griffin’s.

The coach emphasized that point by saying that Griffin’s benching was based on performance, not health. Gruden said he had named Griffin the starter in February because he “wanted to put all the distractions aside” but that the competition among quarterbacks had continued. He said that Cousins had “done everything right” in practices and games, that he “has taken a giant leap” over the last year and “gives us the best chance” to win. And he said that this was no short-term move, that Cousins “has earned the right to be the starting quarterback for 2015.” Remember, we're talking about the 'Skins.

Amid the decorations of an NFL locker room — board games, empty water bottles, discarded athletic tape — they were asked about spending 10 days at the center of a media storm 10 months in the making.

“We treat the quarterbacks like different players, but at the end of the day, man, it’s a position in football,” safety Duke Ihenacho said. “The good thing is that somebody was named. That’s all that matters to me. Somebody was named, and now we know who exactly to rally behind. It’s just not in the air anymore. Everything’s out there.”

Not everything. Griffin’s future remains unclear despite statements saying there have been no discussions about removing him from the roster. And what happens if Cousins gets injured or plays poorly?

“We’re going to do everything we can to surround Kirk the best way we can,” Gruden said. “Good strong running game, good strong defense, special teams and let him play.”

“I was more worried about how I’ve got to get back out there and practice today,” said outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, who is recovering from offseason knee surgery. “For us defensively, that doesn’t clear anything up. We’ve got a whole hell of a lot to worry about with us defensively before we start worrying about who’s playing quarterback.”

As players dressed, a team staffer stood with arms crossed in front of Griffin’s locker, telling reporters the former starter would not answer questions.

Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a team leader, repeatedly explained that he would answer questions only about the defense. “I’m not answering any quarterback questions,” he said. “I’m not even trying to get into that.”

Has the circus finally packed up the Big Top, and is rolling out of town? Hopefully. But Skins do not operate in ordinary ways.

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