The blog of Matt

The Draft Looms

2007-04-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

It's getting close, people. Very close.

In just about 24 hours we will know the fates of Brady Quinn, Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Gaines Adams, and the Washington Redskins' future at the 2007 NFL Draft.

In all liklihood, the sixth pick of the draft, held by the 'Skins, will go to a defensive lineman. But which one? Possibly Jamaal Anderson, or maybe 19-year-old Amobi Okoye, and if they are met with a miracle, Gaines Adams. Marred by a discouraging draft past, the Redskins need to grab a sure thing.

The more intersting pick, it seems, will be the first one, held by the Raiders.

Experts agree that it will be between JaMarcus Russell, the huge quarterback, and Calvin Johnson, the huge, almost ensured, talent.

The Raiders need a quarterback, that much is for certain. But with an owner like Al Davis, will they satisfy a need or satisfy the clearly aged mind of an owner gone stale?

Russell is huge and possibly solid. Johnson is possibly great and definitely solid.

If it were my money, I'd go with the sure thing, which is Johnson. It looks like the Raiders need a change in philosophy more than they need a great quarterback. A solid veteran with with a stabilized offensive structure to go along with an already fine defense would do loads more for the franchise than a rookie quarterback thrust into a bad situation.

Sure, the Raiders already have Randy Moss, but is anyone expecting him to stay around much longer with that attitude of his?

Go with Johnson, Mr. Davis. He's a good kid and a sure thing. Or you can trade the pick to the Redskins. Your choice.

What Should We Expect?

2007-04-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

Who are the Washington Redskins going to pick in this year's draft?

I really have no idea.

It seems like every year they need a run-stopping, quarterback-dismantling defensive end. But every year the 'Skins seem to instead trade the pick or grab themselves a defensive back or linebacker.

The Sporting News has speculated that the 'Skins have their eye on Alan Branch from Michigan. The 6-5, 324 giant appears to be a solid pick. If they pass on Branch they are said to also have their eyes on Georgia's Charles Johnson and Louisville's Amobi Okoye, the 19 year-old phenom.

Now people can say the 'Skins need a defensive end, but if a talent like Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson is still on the board (He won't be), then they need to take him. The old NFL mantra for making picks is to take the best player on the board, so we will wait and see what happens.

They may need a big 'ole defensive lineman, but I want Calvin Johnson on the team.

The team that seems to do most of their thinking with their eyes and not their brains has the No. 6 pick. I hope they choose wisely.

Tripping into the Playoffs

2007-04-20T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Wizards tried their very best not to make it to this year's playoffs. They lost two all-stars and won only two of their last nine, propelling them to the seventh seed in the eastern conference and cementing a first-round match with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Caron Butler, with his ailing hand still in a cast, said he believes he might be able to make an appearance in the first round if the series goes that long.

We'll see.

The Wizards have found it tough to consistently score for stretches like they used to. They simply can not do it like they once did. Gilbert Arenas and Butler are just that good. No team would be able to completely pick up the slack if they lost two scorers like those.

These playoffs might be a lost cause, but with a bench that has gained so much experience this season, the Wizards might make bigger waves next season.

The Cavaliers are a pretty big plate to down for a Wizards team missing its two biggest eaters.

Ethical Questions We All Should Ask

2007-04-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

Do we need to see the contents of the package sent by Cho Seung-Hui to NBC? Is it necessary to tell his story? Should we even be telling his story? Is this only fulfilling his final wishes?

It is not as simple as showing the pictures and videos and not showing them. NBC had a tough decision to make. I'm just not sure it was the right one at this time.

The tragedy happened on Monday Apr. 16. The package was delivered to NBC yesterday, Wednesday Apr. 18. Some of the contents were shown that night, including a menacing and self-iconic picture of Seung-Hui with guns drawn at either side. Today, some video clips were presented that included audio, as well as more pictures.

The question is, should NBC be showing these things so soon? Virginia Tech students interviewed on CNN told reporters that the pictures and video clips only brought them more pain and fulfilled a killer's wishes.

I do believe that the package's contents needed to be seen. However, it may be too soon. The nation will always mourn the lost, but process of mourning is still a new aspect in the lives of all of us.

What's done is done. Hopefully more thought may be given for future.

A Nation Mourns

2007-04-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

It is impossible to understand the tragedy that occurred in Blacksburg on Monday. The lives lost and the innocence taken is incalculable. People will now have to lead lives that will be forever marked by tragedy, and they will be the lucky ones.

The total count of lives lost ended at 33. No answers can be given to the family and friends of the 33. Those families, those friends, will carry on without some of the people they love most because they have to. They don't have a choice. They will cry. They will cry because they should cry. A nation cries with them.

In the 33 will be brothers, sisters, fathers, sons, daughters and heroes. They will be remembered because we refuse to forget.

Asking the question "Why?" is natural. We have to comprehend all of the events that just exploded before us. There has to be a reason. But we may find there is not. Will any reason satisfy the question?

Perhaps instead of asking why, we ought to ask "How?" How can this be prevented? How can we ensure that such tragedies do not match the 33?

How can we honor the lives lost?

By making sure when they were lost sense was found. Let us make sure that this is not repeated.

George Mason stands beside Tech, and so does the rest of the nation.

Strength From Within

2007-04-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

Did the Washington Redskins actually display some reserve?

The Redskins will not be getting heralded Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs--at least not yet. Apparently the Redskins were not willing to risk the present for the future.

Yes, you read correctly.

The Chicago Bears wanted Redskin's linebacker Rocky McIntosh to be part of the deal. The Redskins said--please sit down before you read on--no.

McIntosh, a rookie last season, did not even start for the Redskins until Dec. 24. According to Howard Bryant of the Washington Post, the Bears had had their eye on McIntosh going into the 2006 draft, and hoped that they could manage a deal where the disgruntled Briggs could be dealt for the youthful McIntosh and a few other incentives.

The Redskins appear to actually want to keep McIntosh for the future. They were unwilling to forgo his potential for a player that has already shown a capacity for unrest. This, my dear 'Skins fans, is a good sign.

It is becoming apparent more and more that the key to winning may actually be cultivating a base of players acquired through the draft. That means player you draft, you keep, unless it is clear that their talent does not match their paycheck.

For the time being, the Redskins appear to be sticking with Redskins.

Good for them.

A Season Ended With a Tear

2007-04-06T12:43:00.000-07:00

It's over, folks. The Wizards are done. There is no coming back.

After a season that started with such high hopes as well as high win totals, the Washington Wizards find themselves without the league's fourth leading scorer and three time all-star.

Gilbert Arenas was averaging 28.4 points per game and an even 6 assists before he collided with Charlotte's Gerald Wallace on April 4 at the Verizon Center. The collision essentially put an end to the Wizards season. It also put a tear in Arenas' knee.

Having already lost fellow all-star Caron Butler to a broken hand, the Wizards now are left to the mercy of their bench--a bench that cannot pick up the offensive slack left behind by two all-stars.

The Wizards are all but assured a playoff spot for the third straight season. The spot was supposed to be a stepping stone to a deep playoff run. Now it's just a hole for which to fall.

Fine, be that way...

2007-04-03T05:39:00.000-07:00

Be that way, basketball gods. Do this just to annoy me.

You guys had this guy win, again:

Why him?

Really, why?

Ok, ok it was a touching sight to see Joakim Noah run into the crowd after the game to find and embrace his mother (Who I thought I heard was a former Ms. Sweden?), but let's get to the facts.

Noah played a total of 21 minutes in the game for his Florida Gators. He had eight points and three, count 'em, three rebounds.

Now let's look at the stats of Ohio State's Greg Oden, who I referred to in an earlier post as a real man, to distinguish him from Noah, a boy in comparison. Oden played a manly 38 minutes, had 25 points and four times as many rebounds at 12. Those, my friends, are S-T-A-T-S. Noah's are just numbers. They stand alone in a universal void of which I care none.

I understand what some of you may be thinking (I say some of you under the naive assumption that more than one person is reading this). Florida won the game. Ohio State did not. Florida has Noah. Ohio State has Oden. Noah won. Oden did not. I cannot dispute those facts.

However...

Florida was the better team. Oden was the better player.

I Hope Noah's Ark Sinks

2007-04-02T17:09:00.000-07:00

Joakim Noah is back at the helm. His annoyingly frizzled hair and stupidly faint mustache will be seen again in the NCAA championship game tonight when his Florida Gators take on the Ohio State Buckeyes and Greg Oden (Whose ability to grow facial hair has the real potential to make even Fidel Castro jealous and possibly start another Cuban missile crisis).

I am here only to reveal the facts of these two talented big men, and the facts are this: Noah annoys the hell out of me and I hope Oden, who is a real man, destroys him. Whether you consider those to be real facts is up to you, but let me plead my case.

Oden is 280 lbs. and 7-feet of pure basketball gold. The man could floss his teeth with Noah's thighs.

Noah, on the other hand, is a mere 6-11 and 232 lbs. Hahaha. You might be asking yourself, "That's it?" Yes folks, that's it. Noah couldn't beat my mom in an arm-wrestling contest. My mom is a ferocious competitor, however, so she may already have an unfair advantage. She also would not complain if she lost (which would be impossible), unlike Noah.

I could go on. But I won't. Wait, yes I will.

So Noah's father was a pro tennis player. Does this give him free reign to act like a spoiled brat? Does this mean he can show boat at will because his father liked to return balls through his legs (Do not take that out of context)?

I'm done. I will not continue to write this disorganized and fragmented self-indulged rant against a skinny weakling.

This kid has never done anything to me. I have no real, tangible reason to dislike him. That being said, Oden, destroy him.

Please. For me.

A Good Bracket Broken

2007-04-02T16:50:00.000-07:00

Call me a homer. I picked G'town to take the tournament.

There is nothing I can do. I turned in my bracket half a month ago and I'm stuck. I could have made a preemptive strike and filled out more brackets to cover all my bases, but I don't do that sort of thing. No, I'm not like you soulless multi-bracketers out there. You know who you are. I choose one team and stick with them.

I chose wrong.

G'town had a good run. Winning eight in a row and 19 of their last 20 ain't bad.

Like the Hoya's, I am done.

VIP

2007-03-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

So Orioles' owner Peter Angelos visited Spring Training camp on Sunday.

Wow.

This is a story?

It is for ESPN and The Washington Post via Thomas Boswell.

An owner visiting his respective team's Spring Training camp should not be news. Angelos, 77, who purchased the team in 1993 and has seen them amass nine-straight losing seasons, should be at EVERY Spring Training camp because he is THE OWNER.

The owner, who has already lost fans because of the neighbor Washington Nationals, should lose many more for stories like these.

He already risks losing me.

Birds Chirping

2007-03-20T10:19:00.000-07:00

So Spring training is upon us. Soon another marathon baseball season will begin and we will find ourselves asking the yearly questions.

"Who will take the NL?"

"Who will take the AL?"

"Who will win the Cy and the batting title?"

"Who will test positive for HGH?"

Ahh spring.

The gleaming sun. The grasses so
green. The fresh sights and sounds.
The world anew. Barry Bonds' gigantic, steroid-induced glistening noggin.

I welcome spring and I welcome baseball. Steroids or no steroids, there's not much else that can compare with baseball in the spring. Well, except football in the fall.

Wiz Kids Are Not Handling Their Biz

2007-03-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

The Southeast Division leading Washington Wizards are scaring me.

They have Antawn Jamison back, Caron Butler looks to be in decent shape (Although as of this post, it is uncertain if he will play in the Wizards' next game), the rest of the starters are healthy, and they have a bench that has gained time and experience after making up for Jamison's absence.

They should be ready for the home stretch.

They are not ready for the home stretch.

In the last six games, the Wizards have won three in a row and lost three in a row. They are up by only a game to the Miami Heat, last year's NBA Champion, in the Southeast Division.

I demand a change before it is too late.

Shattered Slippers

2007-03-13T13:15:00.000-07:00

So it turned out the Patriots were not the Patriots of old.They sure could have fooled me three quarters into their CAA Title game against VCU.

This is a great learning lesson for the athletes and fans alike. History does not always buy a future. The Patriots learned that the hard way.

This year, it was the other team that came back after being behind at half. It was the other team that sat on their bench, swaying rhythmically, locked at the arms.

It was the other team that won.

Will VCU use this win to propel them to an improbable, downright impossible, Final Four appearance in the NCAA Tournament? Not a chance.

The slippers have been shattered. Now no one can wear them.

Captain of the Love Boat Returns

2007-03-04T18:48:00.000-08:00

Fred Smoot is back in the burgundy 'n gold.

May the feeble and weak of heart stay away from the shores of the Potomac, for Smooty is back sailing the high seas.

I'm worried less about Smoot's sailing exploits and more about his control of the Redskins secondary. They need help back there and they needed it before last season.

They also caught a new linebacker in free agency. He is 31 years old. Thrity-one. Not old in the classical sense, but old in the Matt-sense. They needed help there too, but thirty-one? I like London Fletcher, the linebacker from the Buffalo Bills, but thirty-one? He's also 5-10. Five-ten!

I want my linebackers 6-3 and I want them young.

That will be all for today.

Can the slippers fit again?

2007-03-04T18:27:00.000-08:00

The Patriots are a win away from CAA gold.

A repeat of last season? Not yet.

The Patriots are now on the radar, again, but they cannot recreate last season because they cannot live in the past. If they are to look back and compare themselves with what they were, they will not be able to look forward into what they can become.

Even if the Patriots win the CAA, gaining them an NCAA tournament berth, they have a long way to go to even rival last season. I speak not out of the pessimism of an old timer, but the guarded excitment band wagon veteran.

It's a slippery slope, the trail band wagons must take--and if Monday ends with a Mason CAA crown, a ton of people run the risk of slipping.

All-star Games

2007-02-18T20:51:00.001-08:00

I do not like All-star games.

I do not care who wins. I do not care who loses.

I like the events leading up to games. The events that show us which man can run the fastest and which can push the heaviest thing the highest.

I want these games change.

I want to see these guys compete in something out of their element.

I want All-star American Gladiators. Or better yet--All-star Real Gladiators.

I want to see Gilbert Arenas take his loud talk to the stone arena of yesteryear and fight a lion.

Then we will see who the real athletes are.

Coherent Ramblings

2007-02-18T20:48:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of the cold weather.

I'm tired of fighting for my life over iced snow to get to a car that takes 20 minutes to heat up so I can get to a class that I did not get enough sleep to pay attention to.

I'm tired of desperately hoping for a large enough amount of snow to fall for me to miss either school or work only to find just enough to make my drive trecherous, but not enough to be deemed close-worthy.

I want the sun.

The Time has Come

2007-02-04T12:57:00.000-08:00

The Indianapolis Colts are due. No, Peyton Manning is due.

I hate it when people say things like that in sports. Is anyone really due? Aren't they either good enough or not good enough?

That being said, the Indianapolis Colts are due--and so is Peyton Manning.

In honor of full disclosure, I greatly dislike Tom Brady (I wanted to say hate but I recognize the PC time in which we live). This dislike (hate) has made me an even bigger fan of Peyton Manning. The guy just gets it. He is as cerebral as they come, he has the intangibles, and dammit his father deserves at least one of his sons to get a win in the big game, and we all know Eli has a long way to go (My apologies to those of you who do not know sports and also to the people who dislike so many parentheses).

I dare not bore you with statistics or the extent of my admiration, but Peyton Manning will win this game because he has to--because he is due.