(DC) The News4 Sports Court

Globetrotters Game On Saturday

2008-03-12T13:08:00.001-07:00

How cool is this?

I get to play in the Globetrotters game on Saturday at the Verizon Center. The only thing is I am playing against the Globetrotters, meaning that I will get clowned on, dunked on, and crossed-over on, for the Washington Generals.

If you Google the Globetrotters, you will find their Web site, which tells you all about their players with names like "Big Easy," "Buckets," "Handles," and "Flight Time."

If you Google the Washington Generals, you will find a site about a non-profit business organization.

There is actually a Wikipedia page that has some info on the Generals, who have lost more than 13,000 games to the Globetrotters.

Perfect. No pressure to perform, and anything I can add to the Generals -- which isn't likely to be much -- is a bonus.

Hopefully we can pull off the upset. If you don't have anything to do on Saturday, game time is 1 p.m. at Verizon Center.

Spring Training: Pitching In

2008-02-26T06:35:00.000-08:00

I was standing outside the clubhouse at spring training when I ran into one of the friendliest players I've met this season.

Keep an eye out for Garrett Mock. He's a pitcher who was acquired by the Nationals along with fellow pitcher Matt Chico for Livan Hernandez in the trade two years back. He's been in the Nats' system, but nursed some injuries and finally feels like this is his season to make a good impression.

What caught my attention was the camouflage hat and hunting shirt he was wearing and the belt buckle that read "Texas." But he struck up a conversation about how unbelievable it is just to be at spring training -- that the food they have is amazing and that the way the Nats organization treats them is like gold.

It was refreshing to hear him talk that way in a clubhouse with a lot of guys who are definitely appreciative, but don't quite have the wonderment attitude any longer. I read that he was the first person to go up to Elijah Dukes, the Nats new outfielder, in person and introduce himself, welcoming him to the club -- classy.

Another pitcher who left an impact was John Lannan. Last season, he got the unexpected chance to come up here with the Nats from the minors with a handful of games, and he made the most of it. Because of that, he is looking at a chance to earn one of the five starting spots.

I had my camera in hand when I saw John, and he knew it was the same one he has so he showed me how to do a cool effect on the camera with color. He told me that at the end of last season, he went to Spain and traveled across Europe a bit to clear his mind. I think that's awesome.

He also let me take a picture of the shirt he bought when he was over there that he happened to be wearing ... in English, it means, "Where is .... my beer, my tapas, my ham?"

I'm also attaching a picture of my photographer, Jimmy Mathis. Jimmy's wife, Christy, knows that he is possibly the most patient man in the world, and on this trip he was great ... even when we were accidentally locked out of our edit room with minutes to spare, Jimmy remained cool, calm and collected and really worked his butt off to make sure things were right.

He is my NASCAR buddy and, now, a spring training guru ...

-- Lindsay

Spring Training Odds & Ends

2008-02-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

I'm sitting in the airport waiting to board my flight home, and I have a bunch of pictures to post from spring training, so if I don't get to it on this flight, I'll do it this afternoon.

First, a recap of yesterday's business...

It was the first day position players were required to report. They didn't actually have to show up, but just check in. However, a bunch of players like Ronnie Belliard and Willy Mo Pena did make an appearance on the practice field and took some swings yesterday.

It was hilarious because the day before, I was in the clubhouse waiting for interviews and I saw Belliard walk in -- he had his shades on and was wearing a white tank top with his big duffel bag slung over his shoulder. As soon as he saw a couple teammates sitting at a table, he bursted into loud conversation, slapping hands with them and giving hugs. It was really like the movie "Major League." That's how it was on the field yesterday, too -- players obviously were so excited to see one another after months away.

Some other interesting things about the clubhouse: The back of it is stocked with a bigger variety of food than a Safeway. They have a spread of individual cereals, breakfast bars, bagels, peanut butter, yogurt, fruit, Pop Tarts, chocolate milk, regular milk and, of course, whatever catered main lunch course arrives that day like Boston Market.

The first time in the morning that we are allowed in the clubhouse is right around the time the players are fixing themselves breakfast and we, the media, of course keep our paws off. However, I did accept a sample from pitching coach Randy St. Claire, who was carrying around a bag of homemade deer jerky. It was fabulous ... Seriously, I love that stuff, and I've had beef jerky and turkey jerky, but never deer jerky, and certainly not homemade. He uses a special concoction that includes liquid smoke and, let me tell you, he should sell that stuff.

Anyway, the Major League clubhouse is a bit different than an NFL locker room in that they have a lot more downtime in there, and so it's common to see the players snacking on a bagel while reading the USA Today sports section or doing a crossword puzzle or something before they take the field.

The big story yesterday was the Nationals announced a surprise press conference at 3p.m. to introduce us to new outfielder Elijah Dukes, who was traded to the Nats from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays this off-season.

Dukes has a history of off-the-field problems -- serious issues that the Nationals know they will have to help him overcome if he has a chance to succeed in DC. He brought along his 3-year-old son to the presser, and I felt Dukes was genuine. He said the biggest change he had made to help himself was learning to rely on others for support. It seems the Nationals are doing everything possible, including having him under constant supervision, to make sure he doesn't stray.

I'm looking forward to talking with him again and following his progress... Oh man, I'm boarding and I have to go so, I'll send pictures later...

Thank goodness for a window seat!
L

Spring Training: Day Three (Space Shuttle!)

2008-02-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

Day three at spring training -- I'm about to run out to the practice field so I just have a minute, but Manny Acta, again, held court this morning at his daily press conference.

A lot of talk was about outfielder Lastings Milledge, who will arrive today along with the position players. Milledge has had issues off the field but worked with Manny in the Mets organization. It was interesting to hear Manny talk about how people shouldn't judge and how he feels he will be able to have success here in the Nationals system. I know players plan to make sure that he has the support he needs to stay on track.

Also, just walked outside to see the space shuttle Atlantis land. It landed at 9:07 a.m., so as the players were walking to the fields, Nick Johnson and some other guys stopped by photographer Jimmy Mathis, who was desperately trying to find the shuttle in the sky :) ... We definitely heard the loud boom when the shuttle broke the sound barrier coming into the atmosphere (apparently, it shook the glass up here in the press box so loud that one of the writers ended up under a table), but we didn't actually see it.

Anyway, I have to go outside now to grab some interviews ... will write more later.

-- Lindsay

Spring Training: Day Two

2008-02-19T16:03:00.000-08:00

So it's Day 2 here at Space Coast Stadium –- as expected, clear skies, but a touch cooler out. Even the players were wearing long-sleeved warm-ups.

I actually had to make a Wal-Mart purchase and buy a fleece because I definitely did not show up prepared for my liveshots. However, great selection if you're in the market.

Again, it was pitchers and catchers reporting today with some of the position players, like Ryan Zimmerman and Dmitri Young, who have come in to get a head start on things.

The biggest competition will be at first base, between Young and Nick Johnson, who is returning after missing all of last season because he suffered a broken leg in 2006 and saw setbacks in his rehab.

Johnson looks strong and ready to fight for his position. He has been watched like a hawk, and today he shared a funny story with me. When he was rehabbing and basically learning how to walk again, it was the same time that his 2-year-old daughter, Brianna, was learning to walk, and she began mimicking her dad and dragging her left leg with a limp.

Also, today, I caught up with Young, who told me that he went to a salon to have his nails painted black -- manicure and pedicure. He did it just to mix things up. He is one player that has reported looking ready to compete to hold his starting spot. When asked today if he would take a backseat to Nick if Nick wins out and is completely healthy, he said “We’ll have to see about that.”

It's gonna be interesting.

I have to run and do my liveshots ... will write more later.

-- Lindsay

Spring Training: Day One

2008-02-18T12:53:00.000-08:00

Today, we arrived at Space Coast Stadium at 7:45 a.m. to check in. It is so nice being in this sunshine (although myself and my photographer, Jimmy, were caught in a rainstorm running to our car already). There is a tremendous vibe around Nats camp. It started with Manny Acta’s 8 a.m. presser.

He talked about how he doesn’t care about predictions and how expectations don’t mean anything to him, but it is clear how drastically different this ballclub is heading into this season versus the unanswered question of pitching that loomed over the Nats last February.

Today, we watched John Patterson take his first work on the mound after missing most of last season with injury. Besides the other strong starters, like Jason Bergmann and Shawn Hill, this bullpen was battle-tested last season and the confidence can only benefit.

The Nationals announced they have signed three-time All-Star second baseman Bret Boone to a minor-league contract. It's interesting because Bret is obviously a star of the sport, who hung up his cleats back in 2005, but he is the older brother of Aaron Boone, the Nationals utilityman who signed on as a free agent in December, and the son of Bob Boone, Nationals Asst. GM/ Vice Pres. Of Player Development.

After the pressers, we headed to the practice field where we watched Patterson take the mound for the first time.

Pitching coach Randy St. Claire says he looks relaxed, like his mind looks clear. Patterson is healthy and will battle to be the starting pitcher on Opening Day.

Besides recovering from an elbow injury that had him sidelined most of last season, he appears to have taken on a different attitude. He’s gotten rid of his long hair with the highlights that rivaled Jim Bowden’s last season (just kidding). He was married over the off-season and has become more serious about his training.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of odds and ends to report from our first day down at spring training. There is a family with a dog that wears a Zimmerman jersey -- I’m not sure if this is the same one that had a “Schneider” jersey on the other day ... as in the Schneider who was traded to the Mets.

But Dmitri Young was stopped by the family and asked to take multiple pictures. I snapped one to show you, too. Dmitri, also has painted his fingernails black for some reason. I have to run and get ready for my first liveshot from Florida but will write more later ...

Cheers!

Corndogs, Daytona And Off To Nats Camp!

2008-02-17T19:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, we’ll drive up the road to Viera, Fla., for our first day of coverage of spring training. I’m really looking forward to it, but right now I am still thinking about one of the most exciting Daytona 500 finishes I’ve seen.

Today, before arriving in Melbourne, Fla., I had the chance to drive to Daytona, watch some of the race, try a corndog for the first time and then head on up the highway. I listened to the rest of the race on the radio and got to my hotel with 12 laps left and sat in the lobby watching the end with two NASCAR fans I had never met before but who I ended up yelling at the television with. (I realize this is not very classy, especially in a hotel, but I was pumped up!)

I cannot believe Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch were able to get around Tony Stewart to win that race. I would have bet money that it was going to be a 1-2 Stewart-Busch history-making finish for Toyota at Daytona. But it wasn’t to be, and Stewart looked like he was about to cry after the outcome of the race. He even said it was the most disappointing moment of his career.

I also was surprised that Kyle Busch couldn’t find the drafting help he needed to get the win. He had the best car out there and led 86 laps of the race. Forget about the notion of Toyota presenting too steep a learning curve for Gibbs to run for a championship. It’s the buzz in the garage -– those guys are going to dominate and this is going to be a heckuva lot more exciting to watch than I initially thought.

On the other hand, I was happy to see Ryan Newman get the win. It had been an 81-race winless drought. He’s such a great driver and has one of the best senses of humor in the garage. He once looked at my bright red pit shoes while I was waiting to interview him and asked, “How long did the doctor say you have to wear those?” ... that’s his style of humor, but seriously, he has a reputation of being extremely hands-on with his car.

It's ironic because one of the things I went to Daytona to do was set up a story I’ve been trying to do with Ryan Newman’s crew chief that I want to tell for you, the viewers. It's an incredible story about what his crew chief has overcome and what his local tie is and the fact that they made it to victory lane is even more exciting.

I snapped some photos while at the track for you to take a look at. I was able to get up to the spotters stand because I wanted to get a different perspective of the track, which was incredible, and I hope you can tell through the photos. Speaking of perspectives, it's still weird to see all the Dale Jr. fans wearing the green 88 shirts, but great to see Junior squeak out a top 10 finish in his Hendrick debut.

I’m exhausted and going to bed now. For the record, I’m not crazy about corndogs, but felt I had to be a good sport -– I was pleasantly surprised. We’re leaving here at the crack of dawn so I’m logging off and I can’t wait to check back in with news from Nats camp!!!!

-- Lindsay

From A To Zorn

2008-02-10T19:59:00.000-08:00

Who would have thought on Thursday when we ran a quick story on Jim Zorn parking in the head coach’s parking space that he was really going to be the head coach?

I said on the air in jest that the Redskins might have their candidate in house because Zorn is already parking in the Joe Gibbs’ parking spot. New Redskins Executive VP Vinny Cerrato even told me today that he was watching on Thursday and said, "You nailed it." I wish. Nobody had a clue about this one. Ironically, when we shot that video of Zorn pulling out of that parking space he was headed to Dan Snyder’s house to start the interview process for him becoming the head coach. No wonder he didn’t want to talk!

One of the only people outside of the Redskins organization who knew about the process was former Congressman and Hall of Fame receiver Steve Largent. Zorn had to cancel dinner plans with his old Seahawks buddy to dine with Snyder and secure what is one of the most improbable head coaching hires in recent memory. Largent was sitting in the front row as his best friend was introduced as the Redskins new Chief.

It was an interesting press conference to say the least. Zorn nervously rambled for about 15 minutes, hitting on most of the talking points that I’m sure he went over with Snyder: Tradition of the Redskins, comfort level with already having a staff in place, and following a legend like Joe Gibbs.

There were a couple of do-overs that I’m sure Zorn would have liked. He praised the person who came up with the idea of only having 10 defenders take the field in the game after Sean Taylor’s death (that was Gregg Williams idea) and he called the Redskins colors maroon and black.

Zorn did not sound like a head coach. It’s something that I’m sure will be breathlessly talked about on sports radio for the next month, but you know what, I like it. I like him. He’s not afraid to poke fun at himself, even praising a Washington Post headline that said "QB Sneak."

“They got it right," he said. "I sneaked my way in here.”

He also got a room full of chuckles when he referenced a poll that said his approval rating was 41 percent. “That’s better than the president.”

Zorn admitted that he was surprised -- even shocked -- that the Redskins were giving him the opportunity to become a head coach when he’s never even been an offensive coordinator.

After the press conference, Zorn made the rounds doing countless interviews for print, radio and TV outlets. He even held a Redskins helmet when talking to our Lindsay Czarniak and said with a smile that he was informed that it was burgundy and gold, not maroon and black. The guy is not perfect and lord knows there are plenty of head coaches who think they are pretty darn close.

This is either a gutsy or an idiotic move by Snyder and Cerrato. For Snyder, this move seems to go against every fiber of his being. After striking out with big names like Pete Carroll and hot names like Steve Spagnuolo, he settled for Zorn. There is no doubt that the public outcry against Jim Fassel forced Snyder to re-evaluate hiring the former Giants head coach, which at one time seemed like a lock.

Fassel is none too happy about being strung along for a second time by Snyder. I have already seen Jim Fassel say that Jim Zorn now has three jobs he’s never had before: head coach, offensive coordinator and calling the plays. Fassel is right. Zorn will be learning on the job and, just like for Jason Campbell, the learning curve will be steep. We will suffer and celebrate with both of them along the way.

As Redskins fans, of which I am one, we have become hardened and cynical during the Snyder era. Too many losing seasons, botched free agent signings, and head coaching whiffs to believe that a head coach without so much as one year of NFL coordinator experience can lead us to the promised land.

Yes, the entire hiring process was remarkably unorthodox, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt folks, and the dealer isn’t changing -- at least not in our lifetime.

It’s not blackjack, but that doesn’t mean we can’t eventually get 21. Jim Zorn is a refreshing change of pace from the sanitized, rehearsed, and water down pool of retread head coaches who are still out there. The true test for us not only as fans but for Dan Snyder as an owner will be sticking with this guy.

Let’s give Zorn a chance. Remember, Joe Gibbs came to Washington as a first time head coach with that “awe shucks” Opie Taylor personality and, you know what ... it worked out pretty well for him and for us.

Poor Pats Fan

2008-02-04T01:05:00.001-08:00

Antonio Pierce and Geoff Pope

2008-02-04T01:00:00.000-08:00

Eli and Spike

2008-02-04T00:50:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from on the field after the game

Gregg Williams to Dallas?

2008-02-03T22:13:00.000-08:00

According to the Dallas Morning News, Gregg Williams has already talked to the Cowboys about joining their All-Star defensive staff.

The link is below:

Click Here

Giants Rule

2008-02-03T22:12:00.000-08:00

What an amazing finish. For three quarters this game was painfully boring ... and then the ending was magnificent.

I must admit after Tom Brady marched the Pats down the field and hit Randy Moss for the TD, I thought it was over. Eli Manning thought differently. I agree with what his big brother Peyton said in the locker room after the game. The play where Manning somehow escaped the pass rush and threw downfield to David Tyree and Tyree made and insane catch will go down as one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history.

Just like the rest of the media, I thought the game was over and went on the field to conduct some interviews only to be ushered off so they could play the final second.

They herded all of us anywhere just so we would be off the playing field. I weaseled my way to the Giants bench right after seeing Tom Coughlin get a Gatorade bath about 5 feet in front of me.

Funny line by backup Giants QB Anthony Wright: “This is the longest one second in NFL history.”

It was and it was well worth the wait for the Giants.

Some nuggets from after the game
-------------------------------------------

*Osi Umenyiora told me the turnaround point this season for the Giants was the goal-line stand against the Redskins. Who would have thought at that point the Giants would be Super Bowl Champs?

*I saw Tiki Barber wrap up an interview with Eli in the tunnel after the game by giving him a hug. I guess the hatchet is buried.

*Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo just smiled when I asked him about his interview with the Redskins on Tuesday and said he was enjoying the moment. I don’t know what kind of head coach he would be but he seems like a hell of a good guy.

*Remember the other Giants defensive coordinator got his first head coaching job after a win in Super Bowl XXV? His name: Bill Belichick.

*Former Howard DB Geoff Pope didn’t play, but he was just elated to be on the sideline. He will get a Super Bowl ring after helping Giants beat Dallas and Green Bay in the playoffs. Even though he wasn’t in uniform, he may have been the fastest guy on the field.

Arizona Mountain State Park

2008-02-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pics from yesterday. photographer Dan Buckley and I took a short and tiring mountain bike trip through the Hills in the Sonoran desert outside of Phoenix.

Super Bowl Pre-Game

2008-02-03T12:34:00.000-08:00

I'm just getting ready to head over to the stadium for the Super Bowl. As I'm sure the rest of you have been doing for much of the morning I've been flipping back and forth throught the pre-game coverage. Just Saw Terrell Davis pass out in a fighter plane. I think it was ride with the Blue Angels or something. Pretty funny. Deion can't stop laughing. Also watching Teddy Bruschi with his kids on the field before the game. What a thrill that must be for the kids.

Oh ya, for the two of three of you who might be wondering I went to the Hosptal this morning and got my stitches out. Still a little black and blue but my eye is healing nicely after getting banged up in basketball game on Wednesday.

As I've said all week long, my brain is telling me the Patriots will win, but I'm really not that smart so I'm picking the Giants in OT. Hopefully if all goes well I will be talking to you from the field after the game.

Cheers and thanks for reading the blog
Dan

Hall of Famers

2008-02-02T16:55:00.000-08:00

Now this is a good day to be a Redskins fan. I had a feeling that this would be the year for Art Monk. After a long wait, the man who was at one point the leading receiver in NFL history is finally headed to Canton along with Darrell Green.

Green is going in on his first try, making him a first-ballot Hall of Famer. That's kind of like the if the Hall of fame fielded a football team, the first-ballot guys would be the starters.

I've been in the room when the announcement was made several times before but this was a bit different. Not only do I cover the 'Skins, but I root for them, too. Have rooted for them since I was a kid. I even went to Art Monk's football camp a couple of times and idolized him not only for the way he played the game but the way he carried himself on the field. He was all class all the time. Congrats to Art and thanks for coming on live with us in our 6 o'clock newscast.

Darrell getting in was a stone cold lock, but it was still cool to see him there with his whole family.

He was the first one to talk on the podium and he was emotional saying this was the most nervous he's been. You could really tell how important this was and how much it meant to him.

Skins owner Dan Snyder was also there.

I got a chance to talk to Snyder about the coaching search and he didn't give me much but did say that he hopes to announce a new head coach next week.

The Big game is tomorrow.

PREDICITION

Giants win in Overtime.

Fantastic Friday

2008-02-01T13:37:00.000-08:00

So things are starting to crank up here in Phoenix. Radio row is more crowded, the teams are more serious and the parties kick it up a notch.

Only the head coaches talked today -- no players. Boring.

Coughlin and Belichick aren't exactly the most riveting personalities. Interesting nugget though from Belichick: The best quarterback he's ever coached ... NOT TOM BRADY! How about former Baltimore Colts QB Bert Jones. He called Jones the best pure passer and athlete at QB that he has coached.

I sat down with Doug Williams for a piece that will air around 5:45 today. I love talking football with him. It's such a treat for a kid that grew up watching him to chat about Super Bowl XXII, when he torched the Broncos for 35 points in the second quarter.

Here's the list of other guys we saw or talked to for our prediction piece that we will be doing. Almost to a man they said the Pats would win, but expected the Giants to keep it close.

Adam Sandler (sort of -- he was in a mob of fans -- got a two-second answer when he walked by)
Kyle Turley, Chiefs offensive lineman
Brian Mitchell, won Super Bowl XXVI with Skins and he's on WTEM
Shannon Sharpe, won Super Bowl XXXII and XXXIII with Broncos and XXXV with Ravens
Desmond Howard, Super Bowl XXXI MVP, 1991 Heisman winner, former Redskin, ESPN analyst
Jared, from Subway (he's buddies with Strahan so he picked the Giants)
Kurt Warner, former NFL MVP '99 and '01 and Super Bowl MVP XXXIV, also a former Giant)

We will also be talking to Darrell Green in the 6 o'clock sports segment. Keep your fingers crossed that he gets into the Hall of Fame tomorrow (and Art Monk, too).

Finally, my eye is feeling better, but looking worse. Thanks to all those who sent e-mails.

Couple of funny comments today from people we talked to:

Doug Williams: "The camera got you, huh?"
Kyle Turley: "Basketball ... suuurrrrrre..."
Desmond Howard: "Hate to see the other guy."
One of my buddies: "Took the NFL experience a little to seriously, huh?"

Plax and The gap tooth wonder Michael Strahan

2008-01-31T21:48:00.000-08:00

2008-01-31T21:44:00.000-08:00

Photographer Dan Buckley and Me outside of the Giants desert hotel:

Thursday Super Bowl Pics

2008-01-31T21:40:00.000-08:00

This table #10 at Giants media session today.

Former WVU RB Kay Jay Harris and some of his buddies playing spades. Hey if your not going to see the field this is the way to get some pub.

Super Bowl Week -- Thursday

2008-01-31T14:27:00.001-08:00

We spent today with the Giants, and I can't tell you how laid back these cats are.

Unlike some of the other Super Bowls I have covered, these guys are loving all the media attention. Maybe it's because they're used to it in the Big Apple.

Antonio Pierce told me that he was actually sad that today would be the last time players were able to talk to the media. Maybe he was pulling my leg, but he seemed to enjoy yucking it up -- not as much as he enjoys seeing Dan Snyder taking a beating in the press though.

Antonio said he loved his days with the Skins and he still has a house in northern Virginia. But he does not miss Snyder. Pierce said it actually brings a smile to his face to see Snyder get bashed during this coaching search.

As promised, we talked to Geoff Pope. The former Howard cornerback spent the entire season on the practice squad and then made his NFL debut in the playoffs. Talk about a rush. He also played in the NFC Championship game against the Packers and played well.

Plaxico Burress says he was very impressed with Pope throughout the season at practice. The only thing that sucks for Pope this week -- he still doesn't know if he will get to play or not. It all depends on the health of the other DBs, and you can be sure if they can go, they will go, which means that Pope might be watching from the sideline. We are running a story on Pope in a few minutes at 5:45, so if you can, check it out.

Right now we are here at what they call the domestic compound. It's an area outside of the stadium in Glendale where all the satellite trucks park and reporters from all over the country do their live shots.

I am efforting some pictures, but apparently I don't have the right card reader. I'll hit a Radio Shack tonight and try to get you some pics from out here in the Valley of the Sun.

Perfect weather today. In the 60s, which apparently is cool for Phoenix this time of year.

I'll check in later.

-- Dan Hellie

Dan Hellie's Super Bowl Bound

2008-01-30T14:55:00.000-08:00

Here we go! Right now I'm waiting at the airport with photographer Dan Buckley for our flight to the desert.

Buckley has been to Super Bowl after Super Bowl over the years with the Sports Machine, so he is a wily veteran. For me, it's my fifth trip to the big game, and it never gets old. By now I know what to expect. The schedule of events every year is basically the same but the media contingent is always growing. The NFL issued a record 4,800 credentials this year. As we saw at media day yesterday, not everybody credentialed for this event is an actual journalist.

There will be plenty of time to talk about and break down the game. For the record, I would like to see the Giants win because I'm rooting for Eli. I admit it I'm a Manning lover. Cool family. How often to you have a NFL quarterback dad with two NFL QB sons? I also graduated from the U. of Tennessee with Peyton so I've been a Manning fan for a while.

Tomorrow we will likely head to the Giants media availability to talk to Geoff Pope, who is a rookie from Howard University. He signed a free-agent contract with the Dolphins but was cut before the season started. I'm sure at the time he was bummin', but how lucky was this dude? He got dumped by a team that won ONE game all season and landed with the Giants. Now he's going the Super Bowl.

There was a point today when I did not think that I would be making it to Phoenix. At least not today. I had a little mishap during a pickup hoops game around lunchtime. I was going for the loose ball and got T-boned. Busted just above the left eye. Dizzy for a minute, then a little blurry vision, and then blood.

Not good, I thought.

"Reverend Ron" and Gary, two of the regulars at the thrice-weekly game, said, "Oh yeah, that will need stitches." So it was off to the ER at Suburban Hospital I went. They stitched me up nicely. Two layers.

It was kind of a funny conversation I heard at the ER between the nurse and the doctor: "Which is less likely to show up on TV -- black or blue thread?"

They decided on blue, so I have 7 blue stitches above my eye. By the time the plane lands I need to think of a better story! Chasing a loose ball in pick-up basketball? Not that sexy of a story!

One doc suggested that I could say I was hitting on Giselle and Tom Brady popped me. I don't think Mr. Brady has anything to worry about.

Anyway, when you see me reporting from Glendale tomorrow with some blue stitches you'll know it wasn't because I kept asking Steve Spagnuolo about the Redskins job.

I'll be blogging all week, so I will talk to you again tomorrow.

-- Dan Hellie

Nationals Stadium Progressing

2008-01-30T11:05:00.002-08:00

I had the opportunity to tour the Nationals new stadium this morning for the first time since last July.

The speed at which they are moving is impressive, and there is no question in my mind that the place is going to be gorgeous. But, how in the world can they get this done in less than 60 days?

Right now, I'd say the players won't have any issues. The locker room is gorgeous, the field looks in tip-top shape, and since that's all that really matters, of course they'll be done.

Latest Stadium Images:
Dugout View
View From Outside Park
View From Inside Park
Locker Room View
View Of Scoreboard

The stadium will also be ready for the fans in their seats. It'll just be a matter of getting to the seats ... but once you sit down you will be fine.

The new video scoreboard is up and running, and boy is it huge! One problem though for day games will be the sun glare on the screen. I guess all stadiums face this, but it seemed to be very difficult to see clearly around noontime.

Overall, this entire area has an opportunity to be just what the city envisioned -- a vibrant, revitalized area in the tradition of Chinatown and the Verizon Center corridor. It just might take a little longer than the taxpayers are prepared to wait.

When Camden Yards opened up in Baltimore in the early 1990s, it was only a part of the already established Inner Harbor. The Nats stadium is the starting point for this community, but the opportunities abound to make it a destination point. Now can the baseball organization keep up its part of the bargain by fielding a competitive team?

I figure they'll need a good season this year to overcome the shortcomings of the stadium in the present, but a couple of years from now, let's hope the baseball product lives up to the promise that the stadium has.

Super Bowl Media Day Fun

2008-01-29T13:27:00.000-08:00

Giants Punter Jeff Feagles, 41, is so old, "When he punts, he farts dust." So says Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.

When asked if she could marry him, Tom Brady replied to a so-called reporter in a wedding dress: "I have a few Ms. Bradys in my life ... I'm a one-woman man." (This week maybe.)

And thus another Super Bowl Media Day is in the books out in Arizona. The event is much more for the late-night comedy talk shows than the sports writers of the world these days with Jay Leno, David Letterman and others sending crews to the desert.

The players have two more media sessions when they'll answer more serious questions coming on Wednesday and Thursday. There is no other event other than the Super Bowl that spends so much time promoting itself, and that is why the game seldomly lives up to the hype.

Everybody in the Super Bowl has somebody in the media covering them. All local stations from major metropolitan areas tend to go to the big game because odds are good somebody on one of the two team rosters is from their area.

We are priviledged to have several folks from the D.C. area in this year's game, including former Howard University star Geoff Pope.

So that is why 4,800 media members are credentialed for the events associated with one 60-minute football game.

When you think about it this way, Super Bowl is the perfect name for an event like this. You throw a super amount of people into a big bowl and stir it up.

A Peak At Parallel Potential

2008-01-16T09:12:00.000-08:00

Athletes are judged as much on performance as they are on potential. Potential is why you chose a player for your pickup team and why GMs chose players when forming teams.

Both of D.C.’s professional winter teams -- the Caps and Wizards -- have shown strong potential. As fans we now wait for the consistent performance that could make them great teams.

The Caps have lost one of their leading goal scorers in Michael Nylander, and their franchise goaltender Olie Kolzig is slumping. Yet they still came out and beat Ottawa, one of the best teams in the NHL, in thumping fashion.

Of course All-Star and millionaire Alex Ovechkin nets a goal, but you get another solid defensive performance from Mike Green, who also scores on the power play.

Green is the scoring defenseman the Caps have not had since Sergei Gonchar left. The young Green has shown a better ability to play the body and better decision-making on holding the line than the veteran Gonchar did. If I had a soda for every time Gonch pinched and got burned or couldn’t take a guy out in front of the net, I’d be set for life ... OK, at least for a week.

All those mistakes seem to be forgotten when a defenseman scores a goal here or there, but hockey players will tell you, it’s as much what you do WITHOUT the puck as it is what you do WITH the puck. The Caps have potential with players and potential as a team.

As for the Wiz, they’ve beaten the best team in their league, Boston, back to back, home and away, without their big star, Gilbert Arenas. Then Tuesday night, they lay an egg against the Knicks, who have become the laughing stock of the NBA.

After Saturday’s win over the Celtics, I asked Antawn Jamison if it felt as if the win wasn’t as much a boost of confidence as it was validation. He agreed and then said doing it IN Boston might be a different situation, but that it, too, could be done. Why not? So we had potential reached on Monday night, potential pilfered on Tuesday night.

The winter teams have what it takes: potential. If they can perform on it, we're in for some fun.

When do playoffs start?

-- Sports Photog #2