No one like maze and blue?

Perhaps Bill Martin shouldn't have been flying, boating or whatever the hell he was doing when the Les Miles camp was alledgedly trying to contact him.

Now that Miles has stayed and been extended at LSU, Rutgers Greg Schiano said, Ill keep chopping in Piscataway. I love the loyalty.

Can you believe that no one wants the jobs at Michigan and Arkansas? A coach from Boise State told UCLA, NO!

What the hell is going on out here?

Im staggered that those jobs have been turned down by these people with little or no fanfare. Their AD's wave a jet and cash and these guys who coach at seemingly less programs in terms of national stature say no we like it here in the weeds of college football.

Michigan called Ball State coach Brady Hoke. Brady Hoke! Hoke did a solid job for the Cardinals. Memo to Bill Martin......call Jeff Bower. Unassuming guy like that guy Ohio State hired who has done ok......

Could someone please get K.C. Keeler's number for these guys? How about Bud Foster the fine defensive coordinator at Va. Tech.?

It appears has if some good assitant coaches could finally get a shot since so many head coaches are turning down what could be lucritive jobs. What will Duke, SMU and Georgia Tech do if Paul Johnson says no?

Jerry Glanville anyone? Jack Pardee at Houston? Maybe someone like Earnet Byner, the Redskins running backs coach could get a shot. Jeff Jagodzinski did ok at BC this year didnt he?

If NFL teams wont hire Rex Ryan, why not Arkansas or SMU? Hey lets resurect the old Southwest Conference...SMU, TCU, Houston, UTEP, Arkansas State, yee-hah.

Fans of Michigan, Arkansas, and UCLA have to be in disbelief that people arent knocking their doors down to be coach. Loyalty. Jim Grobe, I love it....Spurns Arkansas to stay at WAKE FOREST! Great for him. Sometimes you dont always have to have the biggest name, just the best coach.

Michgan should call Brian Kelly and hire him today.

Arkansas, Tommy Bowden said no. Why not Skip Holtz? His Dad did ok there.

UCLA.....hmmm...Bronco Mendenhall....make the call....

Congrats to my friends Slim and the Malone's and their horse Full Boat...winner at $55....

Joe Miller and I will have the Maryland 4A Final tonight on Comcast CN8 at 7pm....Live from M&T Bank Stadium......

Geez all this over a coach from NAVY!

Who would have ever thunk it. A coach from Navy is the hottest property being sought from Texas to Georgia to North Carolina, and oh yeah, they would like to keep him in Maryland.

Rumors are circulating by the minute. Coach Johnson has met with Ga. Tech, SMU, Duke wants him and boy could they use him.

Someone even posted of critical staff meeting on Thursday for the Navy coaches. Just thought I'd mention my SOOOOOuuuuuuuurrrrrceeeeeees tell me there is no meeting and all coaches are on the road. I know I have a tape to give one of them and he isnt there and wont be! If there were a meeting he would be!

I love the internet age. Its full of fun, freedom and false information.

Kudos to colleagues Dave Ausiello and Bill Wagner who have done a good job keeping up with this story. Just thought I would chime in after seeing some incredulous information being bandied about.

HEISMAN TIME
My ballot. No I dont have one but if I did...
1. Tim Tebow
2. Darrin McFadden
3. Chase Daniel


College Hoops
I was in heaven Sunday at the BB&T. 12 rows from the floor and watching three games. Some observations. Scheduled on the same day as a Redskins home game, I was upset about the crowd. Three decent games and I thought more folks should have been there.

George Mason is decent. Point guard play was there down fall on Sunday. Too many turnovers.

Greg Sprink of Navy is a more consistent outside threat than anyone on Marylands roster.

GW-See post about George Mason.

Rutgers women had a huge win on Tuesday, beating Maryland by eight. Id say they have recovered from the IMUS mess......

MONDAY MUSINGS

How many ways can the Redskins rip my heart out?

Memo to Jason Campbell....You cannot throw an interception on your final possession. There is not get em next time with 0:00 on the clock......

Joe Gibbs, did someone kidnap him yesterday? You knew he was going FG on 4-1 at the TB three-yard line........

The ugly part is the Redskins are still in it..8-8 could be good enough in NFC....

College FB
Sweet action on Saturday from Maryland. The Terps most complete effort of the season in swamping N.C. State, 37-0.

Who needs Josh Portis anyway? What will Fridge do next year? This guy was third string....Portis must be really good........

Missouri
What an effort by the Tigers on Saturday night. I like Gary Pinkel. He did a great jon at Toledo and now he is #1 in the country. Looking forward to a Missouri-WVU....Oh wait....there is one more week for this to change.....Could get Ohio State vs. Georgia, Kansas, LSU, Oklahoma, USC, and maybe Va. Tech..........

How will George Bush and the foreign legion effect navy's preparation against Army?

Bo Pellini and Turner Gill have permission from current employers to talk to Nebraska.

College Hoops
I know, I know........Yes I was watching Maryland-UCLA yesterday......womens hoops.....Terps were down 71-58 with five minutes left......they closed out on a 21-4 run to win.......They are real good this year and they did it without their coach who was at home 25 weeks pregnant.

Kansas-Arizona Men was a great game last night. Jayhawks by four in OT and George Mason beat South Carolina to finish 3rd at Disney World.....

George Mason Does It Again

Disney World was not kind to Kansas State last night, as George Mason beat the Wildcats 87-77.

Mason is off to a 4-0 start and this senior laden team as that look again of being able to make a run later in the season and clearly now is the team to beat in a tough CAA.

Bob Knight and Texas Tech avoided the upset bug in Alaska , beating Alaska-Anchorage.

Questions to Ponder on Black Friday and yes I did wear all black today....Not on purpose.

Will Joe Gibbs go back to being conservative Joe after opening up against the Cowboys last week?

Is Maryland's backcourt slumping or just overrated? Today they get Lehigh.

Arent you rooting for a Brett Favre victory over the Patriots in the Super Bowl? Yes I know that means my Redskins wont make it..

Will the over-under on the Navy-Utah Pointsettia Bowl be 85? Bet it is one of the most entertaining bowl games of the season.

Don't you think LSU-USC would be the best bowl game? Did you see USC last night, I think a game of Trojans and Tigers would be awesome.

Isn't it time Virginia Tech Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster got a head coaching job? Steve Orsini at SMU are you listening?

Didn't Caps GM George McPhee wait too long to get rid of Glen Hanlon as coach?

Shouldn't Tim Tebow win the Heisman Trophy?

Isnt Caron Butler a really good player? Perhaps one the top-five steals in NBA Trade History.

How good is Tim Tetrick? He's about to break a nine-year old record for victories in a season by a harness racing driver.

Will the Maryland 4A winner be the winner of tonights Sherwood-Quince Orchard game?

Happy shopping.......

Simply Thanks

Thanksgving 2007

What to be thankful for on the sports landscape?

As a fan of Navy, I'm thankful to the administration who gives me the chance to work with some incredible student-athletes. Some have litterally given their lives eventually in service to our country. We have an AD who works to get his coaches the things they need to win. The NAAA works hard to keep our banner program funded from coaches to equipment and beyond. Not to mention, do many mid-majors have a facility like Alumni Hall for hoops? Thanks to the Navy basketball coaches the years who have helped my sons become high school basketball players. You really didnt think it was all me did you?

Thanks to 86, Deli-Meat, Phat and the rest of the folks who make it fun to talk Navy Sports on Gomidshipmen.com. Perhaps one day 86's kid and my kid can play in an NCAA Lax Title game at M&T.

Can you believe the Wizards have won six straight? Thanks to Eddie Jordan and Ernie Grundfeld for an awesome job in the Nations Capital. Just think a rested Gil for the playoffs?

Im trying to think of something to thank Joe Gibbs for as coach of my Redskins. Oh well. Hey, Joe Gibbs Racing did sign Kyle Busch to drive the #18 next year...Thanks Joe.

Thanks to Joe Gross for his many years of service to our community paper, THE CAPITAL. Like with all columnists, you may not always agree, but Joe has become a name that all you say is Joe Gross and people know your talking about THE CAPITAL.

Thanks to Bill Wagner for his outstanding coverage of Navy. Bill turns out a lot of work about the Mids despite the fact he is also the Sailing reporter, and contributor to high school sports in THE CAPITAL as well.

Thanks to Joe Miller for being not only a great broadcast partner but a great friend and fellow graduate of Southern High.

Thanks to Scott Zolak and the rest of the CSTV crew for a great season of Navy Football coverage.

Thanks to Steve Hopp, Bill Lusby and the staff at WNAV for its continued support of Navy and local sports.

Thanks to my friends like Slim, Scott, Andrew, git-r-dun, Dan Duncan, CD Nutz and Too Shady, and The Announcer-Composer who still make working in the harness racing industry a lot of fun. Thanks to all the folks on Horseplop.com who make it entertaining as well. Can't go a day with out my Horseplop!!!!

Thanks to all the coaches at the youth and high school level who are dedicated to helping our youths have constructive things to do instead of hanging out on the streets, the malls etc......

And finally, If you can read this.....thank a teacher........

Happy Thanksgiving.....

Monday Musings

The Redskins played the Cowboys a lot closer than I thought....question? Will Joe Gibbs try and throw that much next week against Tampa Bay?

I love watching early season basketball. What a huge win for Scott Drew and Baylor against Notre Dame. Cleaning up after the Dave Bliss mess hasnt been easy but that is a nice win as was Winthrop over Georgia Tech.

Tonight Maryland-UCLA......

I love womens hoops. But the same ole problem exists. Last night, #7 (Rutgers) played at #12 (George Washington) and won by 25!!!!!!!!! I know its early, but give me Tennessee and Maryland in the Womens final, even if Brenda Frese is out on Maternity leave.

Tip, plan the pregnancy for June like I did....No conflicts....:)

Friday, Forfeits,and Football

Wow. We have a lot to discuss today.

Yet another Maryland High School has had to forfeit games, and this time, its a team already in the playoffs. Cancel that bus ride to Indian Head Chopticon, Lackey, the 3A South Region Champs are now coming to Morganza.

The Chargers join teams in PG, Howard, and Frederick Counties who have had to give up wins. As Vince Lombardi said, "What the hell is going on out here?"

I have often wondered whose job it is to check on these kinds of things because when reporters call schools, the AD says call this person, who then says I have no knowledge of whats going on....Perhaps schools need to take a page from the NCAA book and assign a compliance officer whose job is to check on residency issues, academic eligibility etc......just an idea...

Georgetown
My son played basketball with Georgetown's Austin Freeman a couple of years ago. Freeman helped him with is free throw shooting and my son said, "Dad, He's really good."

Last night, Freeman had a thunderous jam for the Hoyas as they routed Michigan. Just think how good he and fellow frosh Chris Wright will be in January.

Maryland
The CAA is really good people. Last night, Northeastern was the latest CAA team to be a headache for a high profile conference team. The Huskies fought back from a six-point halftime deficit before losing to Maryland in Overtime. James Gist had a career best 27 for the Terps.

Unless Maryland's guards start making better decisions and stop fouling, the Terps will stuggle badly Monday with UCLA.

MIAA B CONFERENCE TITLE GAME
Joe Miller and I call the action of the MIAA B Conference title game on CN8. The game will air Saturday at 12:30 and should be a great game.

Scott Zolak and I will call the action of Navy and Northern Illinois, live on CSTV at 3:30 on Saturday.

Is it basketball or Football?

I have seen a lot of basketball games early in the season that couldnt match Saturday's Navy-North Texas game.

The Mids, somewhat dejected by the result, confirm as a result of their feeling the higher standards they hold themselves too under Paul Johnson. NOTE: Navy would have excepted any victory by 12 in which it scored 74 int he 90's.

This week, Northern Illinois. No Garrett Wolf...thank goodness.

Kudos to the turtles for a good effort against BC. Ralph Friedgen has done a very good coaching job keeping his team above water when it could have packed it in with all the injuries.

With the start of hoops season, lets take a quick look at some of the locals so far.

MARYLAND
Struggled late with MEAC Power Hampton. Mr. West nearly derailed Maryland's trip west to KC on Monday night. Maryland committed some foolish fouls, but Gist looks like he is growing into solid post man for Maryland who is solid at guard with Hayes and Vasquez.

NAVY
Mids split a pair to open the season. Besting Longwood on Friday Greg sprink fired in 28 in an 88-72 win in which the Mids posted 13 three-point shots. After a struggle in the first 20 minutes against Drexel, Navy outscored the Dragons by four in the second half after cutting 20-point deficit to eight. This group is ready to elevate in the Patriot League standings.

LOYOLA
This will be a fun team to watch. They can score, with Brown and Israel. Jimmy Patsos has a real shot with two MAJOR scorers to go to the NCAA Tournament.

TOWSON
Tigers beat Loyola handily, the question is, how does Towson compete in a brutal CAA this year? I mean come on, Mason, VCU, ODU, Drexel just off the top.

GEORGE MASON
See above. The CAA is loaded. Home wins will be a premium. Mason has enoug veterans though to get road wins which will be the ultimate decider in this league. Laranaga is CAA's best bench boss in a league of underrated coaches.

The Aftermath

Talking to Navy's football players after practice yesterday, it was awesome to hear some of the things I heard. Players not giving coach-speak, being honest about still trying to get the magnitude of the win for the program against Notre Dame behind them and moving on to the MEAN GREEN of North Texas, who by the way have the same amount of wins as Notre Dame.

Coaches getting in the grills of players not focused. Players trying to get each other to focus.

This is why Navy's program has been as good as it is under Paul Johnson. His players know where they stand how they have to play. They don't associate winning games with making themselves superstars. The win for the program and then themselves. Its still awesome to watch the highlights.....but hey, Navy is still not bowl eligible.........yet.....

Can I get frequent driving miles? Longwood Friday, Mt. St. Mary's saturday.....

urgh

No better time then Saturday...

We know Navy has struggled on defense. Its not for lack of effort. I watched as the coaches, with lunches in hand, headed in for more closed door film sessions. It could be continued simplification, better tackling, or guys just lucking out and being in the right place when a ball is tipped.

Arguably, only Temple may be worse on offense than the team Navy will play on Saturday. However, Notre Dame is big enough, to try and run the ball 40 times if it wants and try to physically overpower Navy.

For years, people laughed when Navy Coach Paul Johnson said week after week, "We have little margain for error,''. This year he is proving to be a prophet.

We know Notre Dame has won 43 straight. We know ND is bigger. We know, well, Notre Dame is Notre Dame.

I think Paul Johnson has a chance though against a younger, inexperienced Notre Dame defense to do some things and if Navy can posess the ball and score Touchdowns, they can win this game. Even if the defense can hold ND to some field goals!!!!!Just Field Goals on some drives. (Again I promise you the coaches are working their Arssses off)

Navy has its best offensive team since 1963 heading into this game. The nations number-one ground game against the bigger, powerful object. Navy cannot turn the ball over. Period.

"We can't hurt ourselves at all. This is a great opportunity if we can play the way we are capable of,'' running back Adam Ballard said.

How about special teamer and former hoopster Corey Johnson. Last week Johnson made multiple stops on special teams and now goes back to his native Indiana to play against the Irish.

"Every kid in Indiana dreams about playing for Notre Dame growing up. I'm so thankful that Coach Johnson gave me a chance to try out for one, and now to be contributing and going to Notre Dame to play is awesome,'' Johnson said.

Finally some fact and opinion.

Fact:Notre Dame has won 43 in a row.
Opinion: I say only 42 of 43, Navy didn't lose in 99, Perry Hudspeth won it for Notre Dame.

Fact: Kaipo has more touchdowns than Notre Dame's golden QB's.
Opinion: Kaipo plays the whole game Saturday and hits Barnes and Reggie for at least one each.

Fact: Charlie Weis gets paid a lot of green to coach the green and gold.
Opinion: Paul Johnson is the best coaching value in all of college football.

This week's Comcast Game of the week is Mt. St. Joseph at Gilman. CN8 Saturdya night at 7.

Navy tailgate show begins at 12:30 Saturday at www.wnav.com

Thanks NCAA

First no football playoff, now today I can't even get my kid registered with the NCAA Clearinghouse...Apparently they are moving from Iowa to Indianapolis.



great.......

NAVY vs. MARYLAND 2010

Navy has announced an agreement has been reached with the University of Maryland to play in the season opener in 2010. The game will be played on September 4, 2010 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

The Mids and Terps staged a memorable game in 2005, with Navy falling 23-20. The game was sold out as 67,809 looked on.

There had been reports that the 2010 contest might not take place, but both schools realize the economic value of the game, as well as the terrific boost it will give both programs locally in terms of media coverage and promotion.

"The game in 2005 was a memorable event and terrific game," said NavalAcademy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk. "Everyone enjoyed theatmosphere and a rematch certainly seems in order. M&T Bank Stadium is afirst-class venue and we appreciate the Baltimore Ravens organization andits help in making this game possible.

The Baltimore Ravens may be the best NFL team to deal with in terms of putting on an event. It hasn't been long since both sides went to the Ravens and the MSA, and this deal took place relatively quick once in got to those two groups. The Ravens are first class in hosting events like this as they have with the 2005 matchup and as hosts of the Army-Navy and Navy-Notre Dame games.

"This game is special to many Marylanders and we are pleased it will beplayed in the 2010 season," said Maryland Director of Athletics Deborah A.Yow.There are still many people locally who don't realize Navy plays Championship Subdivision football, and many are shocked to find they lead all of the Championship Subdivision in rushing. ( I Hate saying that)

Navy is seeking its fifth straight bowl game, while the Terps are coming off an appearence in the Champs Sports Bowl. Both teams have four wins, with Navy's road to six slightly easier. Both teams have been hit by serious injuries and shows how well coached they are to still be in contention despite major issues. Who knows who will be left for the Terps to suit up at season's end, maybe they can dress my colleague Heather Dinich from the Baltimore Sun, she may have some eligibility.

Navy has been one of the best stories in college football and one of the hottest properties. The Mids have been able to secure Bowl tie-ins well in advance over the past couple of season due to the tremendous world wide fan support the Mids have. Navy has been popular on the West Coast, plaing in San Diego, San Franciscom and headed back to San Diego this year if they get to six wins. The Mids host Delaware at 1pm Saturday on CSTV, with Scott Zolakm a former Terp, joining me for the broadcast. Yes, that was a plug.

How good each team will be in 2010 remains to be seen, one can only hope both Paul Johnson and Ralph Friedgen are still at both posts. Either way, for once the fan will be the winner in this case, and in a lot of cases in sports lately, thats not the case.

Did anyone know the World Series was starting?

I guess Im rooting for Boston since Jason Veritek is my favorite baseball player. Do you know who Boston is playing? Colorado, Rocky Mountain High, ok, No John Denver, but they play spirited baseball. I think Boston got it's wake up call from Cleveland. Bo Sox in six.

NAVY
The Mids take on Delaware this Saturday, 1pm on CSTV, and will be looking for it's fifth win of the season. Six wins gets Navy another trip to San Diego in December. Last week, Navy was its on worst enemy against Wake Forest, with three huge turnovers. Ill be at practice today to get a Kaipo report. Get ready for a steady diet of Omar Cuff. He's a great running back for the Hens.

Maryland
Tell me you didnt have to talk some Maryland fans down off the ledge Saturday after the loss to UVA?

While I felt Maryland got hosed on the critical replay, and what was dumbfounding, was no one saw the real thing that happened on the replay. The UVA RB lost the ball before he ever got to the yard marker......Why have replay officials if they are not going to officiate?

It was a solid effort by the Terps, but UVA has better players, especially Chris Long, son of NFL HOF DL Howie Long. Terps are playing with subs on OL and Long ate them up at a critical time. Safety proved to be huge.

Navy Hoops picked seventh? No way..so say some coaches

The Patriot League is full of some terrific student athletes and great basketball coaches. Today the mens coaches gathered at the ESPN Zone in Baltimore to discuss the upcoming season, one which is as wide-open as any season ever.

Holy Cross lost two great players in Torrey Thomas and Keith Simmons. Bucknell lost the big man Chris McNaughton, who actually played against Ralph Willard's Crusaders this summer in Europe and won by 31.

The coaches in this league are as good as any mid-major in the game. They are a great group to talk hoops with as well.

some of the comments offered:

Bucknell's Pat Flannery: " I just want to acknowledge the folks from Army and Navy and I appreciate what the stand for"

Holy Cross coach Ralph Willard "I knew we lost two key people in Thomas and Simmons and our trip to Europe showed us how much we lost their leadership as well"

Army coach Jim Crews "I can be having a really bad day and when these guys come in the gym, they can turn it around for me in a heartbeat with their work ethic and great attitude"

Navy Coach Bill Lange " I think we are having fun. We have great chemistry with this group and I hope that this can continue to build into something special as the season and games approach"


The preseason poll looks this way:

1. Holy Cross
2. Bucknell
3. Colgate
4. Lehigh
5. American
6. Army
7. Navy
8. Lafayette........

Kyle Roemer returns for Colgate and this could be the year for the Raiders if they stay healthy. I think Army and Navy can be better than 6 and 7...and will be....

Its wide open race......March cant get here fast enough.......

Tim Clifford was voted preseason POY........I'll go with Greg Sprink or Jerell Brown......

Both I think will have more chances to score and thus maybe have better numbers than Clifford.....

Refreshing

In the past two days I have had the chance to talk to some stellar student athletes.

Players and coaches for Navy and Wake Forest were a breath of fresh air, polite, well spoken, and obviusly well versed on the teams they were about to play.

Jim Grobe of Wake and Paul Johnson at Navy are a true credit to their profession. Neither will Bullsh** you. They tell you the truth. How many coaches will tell you they underestimated a team and how hard the would play? (Grobe on Army).

Johnson will flat out tell you when his team is not playing well.

The Wake and Navy players this week have been great examples of what we all wished student athletes would and could be. They are a credit to their families, coaches and schools.

I think this game is one of the most entertaining on the Saturday schedule. A shoot out again.....Hope your watching, CSTV 1pm......If you cant, Navyallaccess at 1pm....

What the hell is going on out here?

The late Vince Lombardi once said that and now its the best way to describe what is happening in college football.

Those of us who want the BCS to blow up got a HUGEEEEEEEEE step toward that today when top-ranked LSU and number two-ranked California lost. Thank you Kentucky and Oregon State.

Now Ohio State will assume the top spot. USF and BC in tow, my goodness.

How can you not love this season of college football. If we had a playoff at the end, 35 teams could lay claim!!!!

I stiil think the two best teams I've seen are Florida and LSU. Conference play means so much in this deal and both have lost critical games to teams in the league. The SEC is the best league top to bottom.

Just when it looked like the Big East was moving on up last year, it is quickly crashing down. The latest victim, the UC Bearcats.....Losers to Louisville, thank god for my man Kragthorpe....His team only gave up 24 today for one week he can breathe..........

NAVY
What's a another defensive injury? Ketric Buffin is the latest to be downed by the injury bug for the Midshipmen. A broken arm will keep him out 4-6 weeks.

The nations most exciting team hosts Wake Forest this week in Annapolis in a game televised by CSTV Saturday at 1pm.

Finally
Hard to believe but its true....My wife is pregnant with #3.............yay!!!!!!!

NFL Tomorrow......talk to u then

Finally

Navy finally returns to the gridiron tonight when they face the Univeristy of Pittsburgh at Heinz Field at 8pm on ESPN. Pre-game coverage begins on the Navy Radio Network at 6pm on www.wnav.com. Bob Socci and Omar Nelson have the call on the radio.

Just how good is Pittsburgh? It really hard to tell. The wins over Eastern Michigan and Grambling aren't much. The only lost 17-14 to Michigan State and then got blown out by UCONN and UVA.

Pitt is playing its third quarterback, depends on a talented freshmen running back and has a defense statiscally rated #9 in the country.

Navy has been simmering, playing its only game in a 21-day period. Perhaps with the nature of the first five games, the break came at the right time. The Mids should be fresh. If they play turnover free football, a win against a Big East team could be at hand.

Navy must block the perimeter players for Pitt consistently. If they do that, they will get win three in a row.....

Are u Kidding me?

It is quite clear the Dallas Cowboys are headed for a dream season. You don't win games like the Monday night debacle against Buffalo if your not. Nick Folk, not once, but twice, put it through from 53 yards...and by the way, coaches please stop calling timeouts as the ball is getting ready to be snapped........enough already......


REDSKINS
Hello Andre Carter and welcome to the Washington Redskins. Carter's best performance as a Redskin helped Washington drub Detroit, and who is coaching the Lions anyway? Mike Martz, Rod Marinelli, Matt Millen, Wayne Fontes, Monte Clark? We saw Martz as much as Marinelli.....pretty soon Washington will bring Art Monk out of retirement to replace Brandon Lloyd.......

Navy
The Mids are inching closet to playing again.....A wednesdat night tilt against Big East foe, Pitt. There is no question Navy should be able to move the ball against Pitt, if the D can keep improving and hold Pitt to 20-under, the Mids have another chance to win on the road. Pitt is on its third QB and you know they will try and run it down Navy's throat. Haberer, Wimsatt and Spencer could have 55 tackles between them this week....game time 8pm on ESPN...

GOOD BYE BCS......Almost....

USC loses, South Florida is in the top-five? Who? Miami of Florida, Florida, Florida State? No ....USF..

LSU with the heart of a champion and some gutsy calls by Les Miles.....Not sure I agreed with the last fourth down call, but man he has some intestinal fortitude. What a performance.....A clear #1 right now.

Can someone please explain to me what and how Virginia Tech beat Clemson so soundly with so little O? Please lose the purple Clemson.....

Army won a game it had no business winning, but kudos for making a big play at the end of regulation......

Maryland got another big win despite losing more and more bodies.......

Baseball

Can you say Colorado vs. Cleveland......I can.......How about this little bit of trivia......

Todd Helton and Seth Smith play for the Rockies...Both backed up Manning's in college in football......Helton behind Peyton, and Smith behind Eli....

CAPS
Yes the Caps......I know its only two games, but man this is a different team. Fresh faces, better D, this may be a fun team to watch in 2007-08......

Celtics
Watched Garnett post 19-16 today in Italy for Boston against Toronto....yikes to teams in the East.....

Redskins
Give me the Skins 34-31 tomorrow against the Lions....

Back from Bermuda

Wow what a country........21 miles with my wife on the back of a moped........whew.....

Navy

Are u kidding? Wednesday....Good spirited workout today.

Talked to Anthony Gaskins about playing on Wednesday..

"It does seem odd being Friday and not having agame, but we are excited for the opportunity to play and show people what Navy Football is all about,''.

Wednesday....?

More as the weekend continues....

FRIDAY>>>FRIDAY>>>FRIDAY

What a big football Friday it is, as South River hosts Old Mill in a game to be televised tomorrow night by tape delay at 7pm on CN8 Sports. The Seahawks are kicking themselves after they were kicked litterally by a last second field goal against up start Chesapeake last week. The loser maybe in trouble in the county race with two losses........

The other good game tonight is Southern hosting Arundel. The Bulldogs, like South River, fell unexpectedly to Northeast last week, 21-20, after shutting out Severna Park, 7-0.

Navy
You may have heard Navy is playing this weekend. Some team called Air Force. I have been impressed with both teams student-athletes this week in talks with them. Well thought out answers, the politeness and manners and very few if any "you know's". I love this job.

A record crowd is expected for a glorious 77-degree day. The last four games have been decided by 16 points. The Mids have won them all. The offense has only stopped itself this season. Can they keep it up? Will JB Have to clse again? If Kaipo can continue the way he threw ball last week, the Mids are in business.

One thing is for certain, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun has his team focused. The last few years AF players were in some cases very brash and open about being better than Navy. There hasn't been as much of it this year.

By the way, Fisher DeBerry, splitting time at his homes in South Carolina and Colorado Springs, where he has a house for sale if your headed out that way. Bring 2.5 Million with you......

Game time 1pm tomorrow on CSTV.

Elliot a lot of fun

Last night DC 101 Morning man Elliot Segal and his crew were out at Rosecroft and we had a great time with the DC 101 promotional team as well as the local rock group Rome in a Day who were great.

Elliot with mad props on the radio this morning for us and as always we are much obliged.....

NAVY
Air Force week continues, and while Army and Navy have great respect for each other, it's quite apparent Navy and Air Force just want ot punch each other in the face....

"Every play almost end in a fight, thats how hard each team goes at it,'' said Navy Wide Receiver O.J. Washington.

For years Air Force had literally a lease on the trophy as no one could take it away, now Navy has visited The White House the last four years and has another opportunity to go see President Bush before he leaves office.

We will be at practice today.....

GUNDY
Much has been made across the country about Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's tirade against Jenni Carlson of the Daily Oklahoman.

Frankly, if you thing someone is writing proposterous stuff, you should call them out on it..Put me in Coach Gundy's corner here...his first obligation is to his players and school and if he feels either has been shed in a negative light without facts...He has the right to defend them in public...

Monday Musings

On first and Goal to go at the one-yard line, I turned to my colleague George Wallace from WTOP Radio and said, "watch, they will screw this up", thats how predictable the Washington Redskins, my favorite team sine the womb have become. You knew something strange was going to happen. Justin Tuck, while laying on the ground, tripped up Ladell Betts to save the Giants 24-17 win yesterday.

In the press conference came the all to predicatble "we're in it all together line", meanwhile over in the Giants locker room it was mild jubilation, and yes the Giants knew the Redskins were running left. Tuck submarined two Skins, getting great leverage, and was two yards in the backfield at the time of the trip. Who said Notre Dame didnt have NFL caliber players?

Frustration abounds in the Nations Capital today, I guess more sprints for my basketball players tonight.......Just Joking...

NAVY
The Mids were resilient Saturday in coming from behind against Duke. Jarrod Bryant is becoming one of the games best relief pitchers, I mean QB's, and the effort and non-quitting by the Mids when most teams would have quit, has to be praised.

Kaipo was solid in the air. Should Navy be able to get half of 217 in the air every week, man how great will that be?

This week its Air Force, with a new coach for the first time since I was in high school. What will Troy Calhoun have up his sleeve this week to try and re-claim the CIC from Navy which has been firmly bolted down in Annapolis for four years. Yes, Shawn Carney still plays for the Falcons. His name is sure to come up a lot this week and the physically-gifted singal caller for the Falcons tries to get his first win against Navy.

Will Navy's defense bet better? In the second half of the last two games, statiscally, Navy has been better after halftime and had a chance to beat Ball State. While you might expect a high scoring game, the rivalry seems destined for 24-21.

TERPS
Writers in the ACC may want to bring Pepto as an offering to Ted Roof of Duke and Ralph Friedgen of Maryland. Can you lose in any more painful a way than these two teams did on Saturday?

Next up for Maryland? No not Florida Directional or Azusa Pacific, it's big, bad, fast, Ray Rice and Rutgers on the road. I know Ralph gets paid a lot, but man he may need a hug this week.

PREPS
Looking ahead to Friday, Joe Miller and I have a good Anne Arundel County matchup as Old Mill heads to South River. The Hawks will be looking to recover from a stunning loss to Chesapeake last week, which could hurt come playoff time, especially when it come to playing home or away, losing eight points will hurt.The game will air on CN8 Saturday at 7pm....

Off to see the Unbeaten Skins

Ill be reporting on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and NFL Network on Sirius..........

Wow, what a day.

In one of the longest days of my life, which started at 6am with community yard sale, and ended at near midnight at the Croft, all I can say is wow.

The performance and guts shown by Navy was tremendous. Ketric Buffin and Jarrod Bryant. Bobby Doyle andZerbin Singleton. Mr. Clutch, Joey Bullen, remember him? Air Force will never forget him.

Its 1:23 am and Im tired.....But what I saw from the kids on the blue jerseys today and their leaders who coach them was near miraculous. If you don't think Paul Johnson has a feel for whats happening in a football game, your blind. His decision and sense the Kaipo may have been spent and insertion of JB In the Navy O provided a spark the team needed at that time. That said...Kaipo looked Johnny U for the first eight passes.

More tomorrow......

IT'S FRIDAY

One day away from College football action. I'll be in Annapolis with Scott Zolak calling the action of Navy and Duke on CSTV 1pm kickoff. Joe Miller joins me for the Navy Tailgate Show starting at 11am on 1430 WNAV-AM.

Paul Johnson made a cogent point this week when he talked about the fact that Navy is giving up much more yardage on the gound this year and that is as much a reason as to why they havent been able to get people off the field.

Duke threw the ball a lot last week, but expect Justin Boyle and friends to take a shot at things on the ground.

Navy is having no trouble moving on offense. The key this week may be finishing drives. Touchdowns, instead of field goals and it remains to be seen who will kick. We know Matt Harmon will kickoff but the placement game could be up in the air until kickoff.

REDSKINS
The Redskins are cautiously flying high after a 2-0 start and face a wounded Giants team, 0-2, on Sunday at 4:15. Can Jason Fabini continue to play well at guard? Can the defense continue its solid play?

Eli Manning and company miss Tiki Barber more than any blue shirt will admit. The Giants lack on field leadership and Michael Strahan can't provide it since he's still counting up how much he will pay his ex-wife in alimony.

Ill be doing reports for NFL Network on Sirius, Fox Sports Radio and ESPN Radio this Sunday from the game for those with an affiliate in your area.

PREPS
I stood waiting Southern to take last night's game seriously against winless Northeast. They waited too long and now Northeast is no longer winless.

Michael Tibbs was dynamite throwing and running for the Eagles in a 21-20 win in Harwood. The lacrosse player ran for 146 and threw for 107.....

Durelle Evans was solid for Southern in a losing cause, rushing for 138 yards in the second half.

Severna Park drilled Annapolis, 42-15. Wow. Who would have thunk it.....The Falcons had been offensivly inept until last night.

Maryland
Mark it down , Maryland will win at Wake Forest tomorrow. The Demon Deacons are not making the same plays they did in close games last year. I think Maryland can run a little and the could be enough. Keon Lattimore is playing very well for Maryland. Jordan Steffey, please throw deep to Darrius Heyward-Bey...Just once......

Wednesday Musings

Navy Cornerback Darius Terry and Eric Kettani joined Adam Ballard, Shun White and Antron Harper at the top of the Navy Interview list today. What a breath of fresh air both guys were. Check it out at Navy All-Access on Navysports.com.

Coaches were animated and pushing hard today at practice in preparation for the Mids encounter with Duke. Some words were spoken that couldn't be translated in the Football Coaches dictionary, but, would you expect anything less?

Navy fans have become spoiled to a certain extent, feeling the Mids can just roll out the Triple Option Tractor Trailer and run over and through people. Sometimes they can, but as Paul Johnson has said every week his entire career at Navy, the margain for the Mids is small and last week was proof.

The coaching staff has further simplified on defense. Good news, Irv Spencer practiced today and looked good. Paging Nate Frazier. Paging Nate Frazier. The big fella needs to come to play Saturday as coach Johnson stressed the need to stop the run and said one of the differences this year, is teams success running against the Mids where in the past Navy did a decent job against the run.

Trust me, practice intensity from the coaches is at a high level this week, the demand for effort is there, we'll see if the execution is as well.

NASCAR
I have to be careful here since I'm a Nascar fan. But lookout. Nascar fans on Mountain Dew? I'd rather see them with a Bud Light in their hands. Dale Earnhardt Jr., unveiled the new #88 AMPED up Dew Machine on Wednesday. We know Mountain Dew gets your body going fast, maybe they can put some in his gas tank..The only time Jr. has been in the winners circle lately was to congratulate Martin truex Jr. when he won. Apparently he heard Jr. over the loud speaker and reported to Victory Lane.

Redskins
Randy Thomas had surgery on his torn Triceps muscle Wednesday. Out at least six......back just in time for Dallas? Good luck.

Preps
We will be in Harwood on Thursday night watching the Alma Mater, Southern at 2-0 takle on Northeast. Coach Russ Meyers team has two good wins coming in, over Largo and a shutout of Severna Park.

Johnson says Kaipo a go

"He's fine he hasn't missed any time" the words of Navy coach Paul Johnson as he talked about his teams upcoming game with Duke....more later after practice...

Buddy,staff working hard

Spoke with Buddy Green and Ivan Jasper.......Coach Green and his staff are hard at work shaping a plan to defend Duke and working with talented, but young players....Darius Terry was a beast in a losing cause...He graded out well......

coach Jasper says Kaipo is ready to go and so is Jarrod if need be...He has great confidence in both and while Jarrod did fumble you can see they have prepared both very well to play as both tore up Ball State's defense..

Len Shapiro Rocks

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/18/AR2007091800835.html

Tuesday

I had to check again to make sure I wasn't dreaming....Redskins 20 Eagles 12........Joe Miller's Cornflakes tasted a little stale today.....Anyone for some Kevin on the Kolb?

Going to Navy today....Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis 19-23 last week....three scores.....Should be another tough test for the Mids.....A must win at home before AF comes to town......Don't want to be on a three game downer.

Reminder most high school games are on Thursday this week.....No work Joe and I......I will be at Northeast-Southern game Thursday night with a recap on here Thursday night....

Looking ahead

Headed over to Navy tomorrow to talk with Buddy Green and Ivan Jasper......and the announcing at Rosecroft tomorrow night....watch live on CBSSPORTSLINE.com click on live racing

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Laron Landry with a big hit....the skins are 2-0....My god it could be a great year :))))))

Giants up next wow 3-0......maybe.......yikes

seen this movie before

Carlos Rogers is stealing money from the Redskins Organization.....Nice hit by the Cyborg........Sean Taylor

getting nervous

somehow the Eagles always find a way....Come on Joe Dont run three dive plays here..........20-12 Skins 6:30 left

3 sacks for skins

thats more than they have sacked McNabb this decade

Jason Campbell

Jason Campbell is growing leaps and bounds....Portis nicely done.............20-9 Skins

McNabb

Wow is he much slower now

Barkley

I love Chuck Barkley........

COOOOOOOOLEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYY

He hangs on this time......Thanks for the timeout Andy Reid.....That was awful awful awful for the Redskins and then a miracle........10-6 Skins

Jason Campbell is growing........Auburn wishes he was still there.........Joe Gibbs hello? Earth to Joe? inexcusible

Welcome to my world

Im watching my Redskins go toe to toe with the Eagles...6-3 Birds.....2nd quarter........Hopefully you'll find this a place to get news, a laugh, and hey talk to me.......more as the game progresses..........As a Skins fan, 6-3 against the Eagles is big news for us...