Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Capitals #6 for bang for your buck in ESPN Ultimate Standings, other D.C. teams in 90s - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Capitals #6 for bang for your buck in ESPN Ultimate Standings, other D.C. teams in 90s
ESPN The Magazine compiled the "Ultimate Standings" a ranking of all of the teams in the traditional four major sports. "The eight major categories that make up the Ultimate Standings were created based on feedback from fans about what they want most from their favorite teams (click here for a more detailed account of the method to our madness.)"
The Capitals led the way for Washington teams, coming in 6th overall and behind the Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings amongst NHL teams. After that though, it gets really rough for Washington fans as the Redskins, Nationals and Wizards come in 92nd, 97th and 98th respectively in the overall survey. The Nats are 27th in baseball, the Skins 25th in the NFL and the Wiz are 21st in the NBA. The Nats came in higher than I expected and the Skins maybe a little lower than they should be. I think the Wiz got a bum rap in this since they were a perennial playoff team until they had two all-stars miss most of last season.
While far from being scientific, this certainly interesting and ought to be reviewed by the front offices.
Shame on me, I'm letting myself be amused by Marion Barry now - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, June 22, 2009
Shame on me, I'm letting myself be amused by Marion Barry now
Hogs Haven talks with Marion Barry about the Redskins and DC United - Hogs Haven At this point, I'm no longer offended by that tax-cheat, philandering, crack smoking Mayor for Life, Marion Barry. I am actually finding him amusing more than anything now. How weird/wrong is that?
In this interview, he throws two other D.C. mayors under the bus for messing up new stadiums in the district for the Redskins and DC United. It also reminds me how unbelievable it is that Nationals Park got built.
The Lerners are on the list because they have seemed only concerned about cash flow and the team is losing. If they draft and sign Stephen Strasburg, they'll likely be off the list. I think they are coming around a bit -- later than they should have, but signing Adam Dunn and extending Ryan Zimmerman shows some hope. I think they won't be on the list next year.
Is Snyder really worse than the Cincinnati Bengals Mike Brown? Snyder runs the Redskins like a fantasy team, but he can't be that bad can he? The Redskins are at least competitive most years. Abe Pollin cracks neither side of the NBA list and Ted Leonsis is not on the NHL list, though I am a little skeptical that he is not one of the five best owners in hockey. Nobody else in sports is as open about running the team and is anybody more fan friendly?
Not surprisingly, Peter Angelos is the worst MLB owner after 11 consecutive losing seasons. Under him, the Oriole Way means cowardice, unaccountability, pettiness, scapegoating and demands for subsidies from the Nationals.
25 years ago, the Colts were taken from Baltimore - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
25 years ago, the Colts were taken from Baltimore
On March 29, 1984, Robert Irsay moved the Colts out of Baltimore under the cover of darkness to Indianapolis, an unworthy destination. In observance of the anniversary, the Sun has a number of articles in Baltimore Colts section that basically say "let's get over it already." Yes, there is a bit of irony in those statements since the paper's Web site has a regularly updated section a generation after the fact, but they are probably right. In the end, Baltimore got a new team, one that won a Super Bowl, and stadiums for football and baseball. The new team, the Ravens, came from Cleveland, but the NFL did the right thing and insisted the colors and name be left behind there and put a team back there three years later.
I have said before that while I hope for nothing failure and misery when it comes to the Orioles, I have sympathy for the Colts fans who were on the wrong end of what was likely the worst sports team move ever. Why move out of a football crazy city to an irrelevant midwestern city? The Colts left because of the absolutely belligerent and incompetent Irsay (Sports Illustrated), a drunk who shopped the team for years despite strong fan support. The team only after he died. His son, Jim Irsay, still owns the team and missed an obvious chance to redeem the family legacy when he did not return the colors and logos to the city of Baltimore. Perhaps it was because he was high (Indy Star). The Indy side of the story is here if you care.
On a lighter note the reporting of the move has been, shall we say, imprecise over the years.
D.C. teams in Bizjournals 2008 rankings - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
D.C. teams in Bizjournals 2008 rankings
Another ranking of teams from the four traditional big sports. Here is a look at how Washington franchises, minus D.C. United, did.
"Bizjournals analyzed the performances of all 122 franchises in the NBA, NFL, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League in the 2008 calendar year. The top scores went to those teams that were strongest at the twin missions of professional sports -- winning games and making money."
41. Washington Capitals (10th in NHL) 41-60 42. Washington Redskins (12th in NFL) 41-60 82. Washington Wizards (19th in NBA) 81-100 113. Washington Nationals (28th in MLB) 101-120 only better than the Orioles and Pirates
I would expect the Capitals to rise in 2009, the Redskins to stay about the same, the Wizards to fall and the Nationals to rise. Three of these teams were in the playoffs in 2008, but none of them advanced. In 2009, it will likely be just one postseason appearance for Washington unless the Nats pull off a miracle. The Redskins have alerady missed the 2009 playoffs and the Wizards may be offically eliminated already.
I wish I could find the complete 2008 Turnkey Team Brand Index too, but it is behind a paywall.
Is Terrell Owens D.C. bound? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Is Terrell Owens D.C. bound?
Sources: Cowboys cut T.O. - ESPN That groan you heard this morning was the sound of thousands of Redskins fans in and outside the Beltway processing the thought that not only could Terrell Owens be Dan Snyder's latest Offseason Champions-style acquisition, but the former Cowboy could wear the sacred #81.
Speaking of Redskins, a friend wants to renew his season tickets but cannot make it to most of the games. Anybody interested in buying some of his tickets?
# posted by dl004d :
Friday, February 27, 2009 4:27:00 PM
We've got our own tickets to renew. But if your friend cannot find any takers, Redskins Replay is a great idea which allows you to donate the tickets back to the Redskins for a tax write off. They also happily take donated parking passes as well.
# posted by Caps Nut :
Saturday, February 28, 2009 10:37:00 AM
Where are the seats? How much is face value per ticket?
# posted by dl004d :
Saturday, February 28, 2009 2:38:00 PM
2 tickets in section #428, around 15 rows from the top of the stadium, in the middle of the row. Visitor's side, around the 43 yard line. Also a green-lot parking pass (worth $35/game)
Each ticket is worth $78, I think.
# posted by WFY :
Saturday, February 28, 2009 4:48:00 PM
Tempting, but no thanks.
# posted by David :
Saturday, February 28, 2009 5:31:00 PM
I demand credit for your title!
# posted by Brad :
Saturday, February 28, 2009 8:58:00 PM
Mel Kaufman dead at age 50 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Mel Kaufman dead at age 50
Kaufman, Linebacker On Super Bowl Teams, Passes Away - Redskins.com Mel Kaufman (who wore #55) has died. I was wondering why searches for him were showing up on site stats. It seems liked he, Rich Milot and Neil Olkewicz were the Redskins three linebackers for the entire 1980s. In fact, it was just 1979 through 1987.
Pro Bowl prediction - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Pro Bowl prediction
Coming off a moderately successful Super Bowl prediction, I thought I would finish off my 2008-09 NFL Prognostication with a prediction on the league's annual All-Star game.
The NFC led by Kurt Warner will take on the AFC, led by...
THIS IS THE FREAKING PRO BOWL! WHO CARES? ARE YOU REALLY THAT DESPERATE TO GAMBLE?
Super Bowl XLIII prediction - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 30, 2009
Super Bowl XLIII prediction
Time for one last NFL playoffs prediction! We've got the established Pittsburgh Steelers against the upstart Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. The two teams, which were briefly one during World War II, have some other similarities as well. Both have been owned by the same families since the 1930s. Both were generally awful for a large part of their existence. We know that the Cardinals had not won a championship since 1948 and only one other playoff game before this year. They also moved twice, from Chicago to St. Louis to Phoenix (actually Tempe) and even changed their location to Arizona. Many people forgot that the Steelers stunk for their first forty years in the league before breaking through in the 1970s. They have a huge fanbase spread out as Western Pennsylvanians have moved elsewhere for generations. The Cardinals on the other hand, don't have much a fanbase anywhere, including Arizona.
Okay, enough with the history. My pick is simple -- the Pittsburgh Steelers will win Super Bowl XLIII, it is a LOCK. They are more talented and experienced than the Cardinals in almost every way. They have a better defense, a strong enough offense and Super Bowl experience. The Cardinals may have better receivers and a quarterback with twice as much Super Bowl experience, but I think the Steelers secondary and pash rush offsets that enough. I expect the Steelers to win by at least 10 points.
DAMN YOU! HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO US? I asked you one stinking favor, and you had to jinx us, didn't you? I will leave it to Erica to figure out an appropriate punishment for you, as I know she also cheers for the Black & Gold when it comes to the NFL.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Friday, January 30, 2009 8:48:00 AM
"My pick is simple -- the Pittsburgh Steelers will win Super Bowl XLIII, it is a LOCK"
Making a prediction on who will win the Super Bowl based on the quality of the players does not always work.
There have been plenty of "better" teams that lose the big game because they play very conservatively. The other team gets a huge lead and the momentum carries them through to a win.
Sure, 9 games out of 10 the Steelers would win. But whether they'll win this Sunday is not a sure thing at all.
# posted by Pack127 :
Friday, January 30, 2009 11:43:00 AM
test
# posted by Anonymous :
Friday, January 30, 2009 12:14:00 PMPost a Comment
Best Obamicon ever - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 26, 2009
Best Obamicon ever
I know that Obamicon.me is so last week, but on Run Up the Score!'s Facebook profile, I saw perhaps the best one to date:
Well, that was some bad prognositicating - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 19, 2009
Well, that was some bad prognositicating
0-2 in NFL picks this weekend! Now, I need to figure out who is going to win the Super Bowl. Frankly, I am disappointed that a northeast corridor team is not in the game this year. Erica is pretty happy about the Steelers though.
NFL Playoffs: Conference Championship predictions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 16, 2009
NFL Playoffs: Conference Championship predictions
HOME team capitalized
Baltimore over PITTSBURGH The Steelers beat the Ravens twice this season by a combined seven points. Even though the Steelers are at home and have a strong defense and better offense, I have a gut feeling the Ravens defense is just going to be better. This means I expect a low scoring game of course. I think the Ravens overcome having a rookie QB in Joe Flacco and the Steelers lose another AFC Championship game at home.
Philadelphia over ARIZONA I do not think of the Eagles as a team of destiny, just a better team than the Cardinals. Either way, the NFC will send a Cinderella team to the Super Bowl. I think the Eagles have the focus they will need for some reason, having been in this situation so many times before.
These picks are for recreational purposes only and should not be used by degenerate gamblers.
I will be attending Sunday's game. For what its worth, the Steelers are 7-2 when I see them play at Heinz Field (9-2 overall). Of course, I've never been to a playoff game.
Glad you picked the Ravens! Go Steelers!
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Friday, January 16, 2009 10:33:00 AM
Wrong on both Accounts
# posted by Wiley :
Monday, January 19, 2009 2:27:00 PM
Post a CommentNFL Playoffs: Semi-finals predictions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 09, 2009
NFL Playoffs: Semi-finals predictions
HOME team capitalized
Baltimore over TENNESSEE This is a tough one to pick because there are two big reasons the Titans are supposed to win -- playing at home against a rookie quarterback. However, I think the Ravens defense will mess with Kerry Collins enough that the Ravens find a way to win.
CAROLINA over Arizona The Cardinals won their playoff game for this century last week. The Panthers are a better, more complete team and play in the Eastern time zone which is not a place the Cardinals tend to win in.
NEW YORK GIANTS over Philadelphia The Eagles and their playoff beards seem to have momentum, but was beating Minnesota in the 72° Metrodome that big of an accomplishment? . I don't think so; It would have been one thing if Minnesota had not benched Gus Ferotte, The Eagles are also the same team that got swept by the Redskins and tied Cincinnati. I expect an ugly game as the Giants have had a lot of time off and only one win in the last month, but learned to win last year.
PITTSBURGH over San Diego Although a recently concussed Ben Rothliesburger could hurt the Steelers and that their home field advantage is not great in the playoffs, I cannot get over the fact that the Chargers are coached by Norv Turner. Sure, the Chargers won last week, at home but I am not a believer in Norv. I mean the man was intimidated by a 17 year old at a Friendly's carry-out window. I don't have any against him though.
Besides, the Steelers typically wait until the AFC Championship to blow it.
These picks are for recreational purposes only and should not be used by degenerate gamblers.
I think this game could go either wya. We'll know in the first quarter how the game is going to go, and its entirely on the health of Big Ben. The Steelers will have lousy field position all-day but as long as Ben doesn't turn the ball over, I think the Stillers win.
And you are correct about this round of the playoffs for the Steelers. Since 1992, the Steelers are 5-1 playing at home after a bye in the playoffs but 1-4at home in AFC championship games.
# posted by TMBC :
Friday, January 09, 2009 2:56:00 PM
Isn't next week the Semi-Finals???
# posted by Caps Nut :
Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:28:00 PM
NFL Wild Card weekend predictions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, January 02, 2009
NFL Wild Card weekend predictions
HOME team capitalized
Philadelphia Eagles over MINNESOTA VIKINGS Philly is hot and can probably put off the inevitable meltdown at least a week. That game is not yet sold out either, shame on you Minnesotans.
ARIZONA CARDINALS over Atlanta Falcons Kurt Warner finds a way to win one more playoff game, the first home game for the Cards since they were in some mid-western city, though I cannot remember which one. Indianapolis Colts over SAN DIEGO CHARGERS Norv Turner vs. Peyton Manning in the playoffs -- this will not end well. Bandwagon fans in Indiana get to soak up another win from a team they never deserved. The upside for the Chargers are they get to stay in San Diego while Colts will be punished by going back to Indiana.
Baltimore Ravens over MIAMI DOLPHINS Baltimore's defense > Miami's wildcat offense, but thanks for being interesting.
A similar consolation for the Chargers applies to the Dolphins -- the ocean temperature is 74° this time of year.
These picks are for recreational purposes only and should not be used by degenerate gamblers.
2009 New Year's sports resolutions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2009 New Year's sports resolutions
A New Year means it is time for resolutions -- here are my sports ones:
Go to Penn State for homecoming for the first time in three years
Go to the Blue White Game, maybe even see most of it this year
Attend Opening Day for the Nationals
Attend July 4 Nationals home game
Get my son clothes for my respective teams
Go to a Nats vs. Red Sox game, call anybody with a B on their hat a poseur
Go to a Nats vs. Baltimore game, boo the visitors a lot
The rest are more goals than resolutions:
Organize office field trip to Nats or Caps game
Attend at least one home game of the Nationals, Capitals, Redskins, Wizards and DC United
See a NL team that I never have before (MIL or ARI)
See the Nats in Philly and/or Pittsburgh with friends from the opposition
One thing that may be seen as an omission is a visit to new Yankee Stadium. I don't want to see the old one while it is being dismantled. Maybe in 2010 I'll go.
As for real resolutions, not really my thing and I would not blog them anyway.
Why wasn't Sammy Baugh above the scroll/fold on Post? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Why wasn't Sammy Baugh above the scroll/fold on Post?
The greatest Redskin of all (if not the greatest D.C. athlete ever), Sammy Baugh, died last night. For some reason, washingtonpost.com did not feature this news above the scroll as of 9:45 a.m. Their local competitors washtimes.com and dcexaminer.com both had Baugh in their carousels. On the print edition, Baugh's passing is only noted at the bottom. The front page of The Wash. Times has the news on the fold. Even the Philly Daily News had Baugh's passing noted on the back (sports) page.
Baugh made football in this town and revolutionized passing. He was also one of the greatest punters of all time and an excellent defensive back. His #33 is the only number officially retired by the Redskins. He was the only quarterback to lead the Redskins to multiple titles (1937 and 1942). I hope the Redskins honor him with a #33 patch on their uniforms for the rest of the season.
Depending on the source, Baugh may have never returned to Washington after retiring in 1952, preferring life on his Texas ranch.
The Bengals?! Clearly I picked an excellent time to align myself with D.C.'s football team - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Bengals?! Clearly I picked an excellent time to align myself with D.C.'s football team
For Redskins, a Dead Giveaway - The Post BENGALS 20 REDSKINS 13 So, ya, this is going well. Now, if they would just wear the white, burgundy and gold striped socks with their burgundy pants, maybe they would win. I fear Jim Zorn will not be given a chance to come back.
I might be mad if I had actually watched the last two games.
Wait a minute, the Redskins? Seriously? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Wait a minute, the Redskins? Seriously?
While I prefer College Football, I find myself occasionally watching the NFL. It was not always that way though. Through my freshmen year of college, Sunday football was appointment television. I even borrowed a housemate's TV every weekend during the fall. For about 15 years I even had a favorite team -- the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, that made for an interesting childhood growing up in the D.C. suburbs, though I will note that Northern Virginians while disappointed with my choice generally handled it well, as it met they had a rival to talk trash with though we didn't call it talkin' trash in third grade. Pennsylvanians however, did not handle well at all, just belligerent and hateful about the whole thing.
Anyway, I have asked Editor-at-Large Maxamillian Schlorndorf to interview me about this decision.
MS: The Redskins?
WFY: I know, weird isn't it?
MS: But you were a die-hard Dallas Cowbooys fan growing up. It kind of defined you, to a fault even.
WFY: Ya, I know.
MS: How could you abanndon the 'boys?
WFY: All the players I liked grew old and retired. Even seeing them on Thanksgiving day does not arouse one bit of sentiment. I have never been to Texas. Besides, Penn State football is much more important. Even Yale (my dad's alma mater) has been getting me more excited than the Cowboys for several years.
MS: So why adopt the Skins?
WFY: I want to be ideologically consistent and root for the home team (and the Yankees) across the board . I think it will set a good example for my son too, though he gets to make his own decisions on who he likes.
What other team would I adopt? The only other places I have lived were North Jersey (for about the first two years of my life) and two parts of Pennsylvania for college. The only possible choice based on those locales would be the Giants, but if I am going to switch NFC East teams, I might as well go for the local one. I know all of the history too.
MS: The Redskins are not much a choice though. I mean they are owned by Dan Snyder.
WFY: Yes, the Dan Snyder factor is defintely an issue -- it seems he's more interested in making money off the team and controlling the message than winning. However, he has been behaving a little better since Joe Gibbs came back. I am not excusing his behavior though, I am adopting the Redskins despite him owning them.
It should also be noted that my friend David paved the way to this by becoming a Redskins fan in his 20s. I figure if he can make that leap, so can I.
MS: When did the switch happen?
WFY: It kind of began when Gibbs came back. It was a reminder of my childhood. Also, the book True Believers by Joe Queenan made a compelling case for rooting for the home team.
MS: Didn't True Believers also make the case you are never allowed to switch teams?
WFY: Yes, I almost sent Queenan a letter asking for a ruling on the matter. I was going to make the case, cite 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and so forth. Then I would ask him if his answer would be at all different if former team was the Dallas Cowboys.
MS: So, will you be buying Redskins jerseys and all of that?
WFY: Doubtful, unless it is ironic. More likely might be an ironic t-shirt like the ones Mr. Irrelevant sells. No money for Dan Snyder. Besides, I'm not big on burgundy and gold, I like blue.
MS: Well, you will at least be watching all the games right?
WFY: Not necessarily. I might turn them on when I get a chance, but ultimately, I don't have any appointment television outside of Penn State football.
MS: At least you will hate the Cowboys now, right? You are going to renounce your past.
WFY: Nope, in fact I won't hate any NFC East team. I am pro-Northeast Corridor and even rooted for the Giants in the Super Bowl last year. I am pretty dismissive of the Eagles though.
I am not going to renounce following the Cowboys either. I will still look back fondly at those teams and players, especially Danny White, Bill Bates, Jim Jeffcoat, etc. I reserve the right to wear a Cowboys jersey while I am eating a turkey leg on the couch during the fourth quarter of the Thanksgiving game.
MS: Who do you even like on the Redskins?
WFY: I am pro-Jim Zorn, I think is a refreshing kind of head coach, though he ought to start winning again. Oh and Sonny on the radio team because, well he is Sonny.
MS: How about some actual players?
WFY: Chris Cooley is pretty fun and Jason Campbell has a shot at being a solid quarterback. Clinton Portis can be entertaining and plays with heart.
MS: Sounds like you are not much of a Redskins fan?
WFY: Pretty much, I think of myself as more as a Washington fan than anything. In the past I called myself "The World's Most Casual Hockey Fan" which really isn't true anymore, so how about I call myself the "The World's Most Casual Redskins Fan" instead? My emotional investment will be seriously lower than the Nationals and Capitals, probably about the same level as the Wizards and D.C. United.
MS: You gave this a lot of thought, didn't you?
WFY: Waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy too much.
MS: Anything else you want to add?
WFY: They should wear the right color combinations instead of going monochromatic. Oh and beat Baltimore on Sunday night.
hey guys, check out this article! http://www.fanzak.com/fzrants/Two_teams__The_same_sad_results
# posted by james :
Wednesday, December 03, 2008 6:50:00 PM
As your brother and a "Yurasko Insider," I found the interview disturbing.
# posted by Christopher :
Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:17:00 AM
Post a CommentOld NFL logo lives on as favicon - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Old NFL logo lives on as favicon
Yesterday, I noticed that on some NFL.com pages (i.e. Redskins schedule) the old logo is still being used as the favicon. Note the curly L.
I applaud this development since the old logo was fine and not in need of fixing as noted in my August 30, 2007 post, NFL shield: Fixing what wasn't broken.
Redskins going monochromatic - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, November 03, 2008
Redskins going monochromatic
Two Redskins items:
They going monochromatic and wearing all burgundy tonight. Bad move, bad move.
They should play at home on every Presidential Election Eve, it would be a great Monday Night Football tradition. There is the Redskins prediction of election outcome too.
When do we get a parade? D.C. now tied for longest title drought - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, October 30, 2008
When do we get a parade? D.C. now tied for longest title drought
With the Phillies World Series win, Washington is now tied with Minnesota's Twin Cities for the longest title drought amongst 4-team major league markets (NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA). Coincidentally, both the Redskins and Twins won their titles in the Metrodome in Minneapolis after their 1991 seasons, though the Redskins came in January 1992. Technically, the Twin Cities have the longest drought, but I'll still call it a tie.
There is an asterisk on this though -- Washington has only been a 4-team major league market since 2005 when we got baseball back. There was not a hockey team in the Twin Cities for most of the 1990s for some reason either. D.C. United has won MLS Cups since 1996, but soccer is generally regarded as the fifth pro sport.
Of the four big league teams here now, my predictions for the most likely to end this streak.
CAPITALS: They are young, have the reigning league MVP in Alex Ovechkin and should just be entering their prime in the next season or so. On paper, the thing most likely to hold them back is goaltending while the most likely thing to move them ahead is their stable of goalscorers. Also, relying heavily on Russains could become problematic now that Russia is moving back to some Soviet-era behaviors.
REDSKINS: After many years of mediocrity, the Redskins have made the playoffs two out of the last three years and are 6-2 this season. They have a strong nucleus, a young quarterback, Jason Campbell, who seems to have turned a corner and a fiery, intelligent coach, Jim Zorn. They have the potential to make a deep playoff run with the team they have right now and may for another couple of years. With some breaks, they could win it all. Working against them is their owner, Dan Snyder, who has historically been meddlesome. Snyder may have learned to back off from the Joe Gibbs experience though.
WIZARDS: The Wizards (nee Bullets) have become a periennel playoff team in the last few years, but after breaking through in 2005, they have not won another playoff series, being eliminated by Cleveland annually. When healthy, they have a strong core with Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, but they have not played together too much lately. Even when these three are healthy, the Wizards are not much for defense though. It appears that the team will continue to make the playoffs for the foreseeable future, but a championship seems unlikely unless they have excellent health and good luck.
NATIONALS: They are young, lack power and get by with scrap heap pitchers exceeding expectations. After starting off well with the Lerner family ownership, the franchise seems to be spinning its wheels and backing off of "The Plan" to build a strong team through the farm system. 3B Ryan Zimmmerman, C Jesus Flores, OF Elijah Dukes, OF Lastings Milledge and P John Lannan provide a foundation, but not a spectacular one. Zimmerman could be a star with good health and perhaps some protection in the lineup. Dukes, who is the Nationals most exciting player, has to overcome some very strong character problems to meet his enormous potential and Milledge still has room to grow. Flores is a highly regarded young catcher, but he needs to improve his batting to become a cornerstone. Lannan has the makings of a solid middle of the rotation starter who could win 15 or more in a strong season. There is little hope of anything more mediocre for the foreseeable future, though if the system producers a few pitchers and a slugger in the next few years, they could contend.
D.C. has another eight seasons to avoid matching Philadelphia's recent title-less streak. Hopefully, it won't come to that but at least we are better off than Cleveland, whose three teams have not brought home a title since 1964.
What do you mean "we"? You aren't even a Redskins or Wizards fan, are you? (You are no longer an NFL fan, as I recall).
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Thursday, October 30, 2008 1:44:00 PM
Good luck to your sports teams. I hope you don't have to wait as long as I did for a parade!
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Thursday, October 30, 2008 2:17:00 PM
I occasionally take in a Wizards game, they are fun.
Saturday football is better than Sunday football, but I watch more Redskins than anyone else. I could see converting if not for two things:
Dan Snyder
That team I used to passionately follow until about ten years ago is the Redskins arch-rival. It would be quite an odd turn of events to switch, no? Perhaps I ought to ask Joe Queenan for some guidance.
# posted by WFY :
Friday, October 31, 2008 7:46:00 AM
WTOP's Dave Johnson: Putting Baltimore first - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, September 08, 2008
WTOP's Dave Johnson: Putting Baltimore first
This morning, WTOP sports led with the Ravens win over Cincinatti and devoted the largest part of the sportscast to Baltimore's football team. I'm pretty indifferent to the Ravens other than I am glad Baltimore got a NFL team again, even if they have to wear purple. I am not going to suggest that the NFL is not important, if the Redskins had played yesterday instead of Thursday, it would have made sense for them to lead off in sports. I will suggest though that local teams like the Nationals are more important than non-local teams like the Ravens. The Nationals came from behind and won in 14 innings yesterday (The Post) and are broadcasted by WTOP's sister station WWWT.
Even if you accept that non-local NFL games trump local MLB games, I would argue that the Ravens are not even the second most popular team in BeltwayLand. That position is probably held by the Giants with the Eagles, Jets, Steelers, possibly the Patriots and even Cowboys more popular than the Ravens, so why not focus on them if D.C. teams don't matter too much? Perhaps sports director Dave Johnson's bio offers a hint:
Before breaking into sports Johnson was a disc jockey at several stations in Baltimore. His first job was at a station that played Sinatra music and then he went on to "spin records" at rock and country stations.
A graduate of Towson University...
It is not a stretch to suggest that Johnson's colors run purple & black and orange & black instead of red, white & blue and burgundy & gold. He is even wearing Ravens colors in his photo. It is an ongoing pro-Baltimore trend that also rewards the bad behavior by anti-Washington baseball owner Peter Angelo$. Johnson should shape up and focus on the real home teams.
Dave Johnson here nice blog!!!actually we thought the rookie story (Flacco)was a neat one so we led with that...nationals got bumped because it was an nfl monday..although is still used highlights in every cast.BUT i grew up a colts fans but never made the switch to ravens..as I kid i remeber the ted williams senators..thanks again for listening
# posted by Anonymous :
Monday, September 08, 2008 4:38:00 PM
Thanks for responding, though I'll note there was no mention of the Nationals in either the 6:45 or 7:15 sportscasts. They had the night off, but they are back tonight.
# posted by WFY :
Tuesday, September 09, 2008 8:08:00 AM
Post a CommentRedskins prediction - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Redskins prediction
Not that I have any stake in the outcome of their season, but I think the Redskins go 9-7 and back into the playoffs. Jim Zorn will be a solid, if unconventional, coach here.
Save the Babe! A Laufenberg retrospective - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Save the Babe! A Laufenberg retrospective
Rich Tandler has a great piece of QB Babe Laufenberg, the perienniel preseason darling for the Redskins in the mid-1980s. Every year, he'd have an exciting preseason and then get cut. He bounced around the sport for several years after his Redskins glory days, before ending his career as a Cowboy in Troy Aikman's second year. He finished that season and it did not go well. He stuck around Dallas and overcame a speech impediment (Ft. Worth Star-Telegram) to become a Cowboys broadcaster and local sports anchor.
Wearing white after Labor Day in the NFL - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, August 08, 2008
Wearing white after Labor Day in the NFL
White at Home in the NFL - UniWatch Timothy Brulia, a fellow with too much time on his hands, compiled a list of when NFL teams have worn white at home since 1957 for UniWatch. It is excellent scholarship for those into uniforms. All but the Raiders and Seahawks have worn white at home at some point.
By the way, the Redskins, who just enjoyed their best weekend of the 2008 season, are wearing white for their first four home games and burgundy for the last four home games (Redskins Blog). That means one less blue jersey game for the Cowboys (possibly a violation of the social contract, by the way) who come to Raljon in November. At least the Redskins' pants combinations are going to be correct white-burgundy, burgundy-white. I think they are still wearing black shoes.
The Redskins should definitely wear white when the Cowboys come to town. I love when the Eagles do that too, because the Cowboys HATE those blue jerseys!
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Friday, August 08, 2008 1:20:00 PM
After one game in Burgundy jerseys at home, the whites will come back out.
Of course since this got out early, it may not happen at all because the fans reacted so badly to Schottenheimer's insistence on wearing the dark jersey at home.
Personally, who really cares?
# posted by Caps Nut :
Saturday, August 09, 2008 5:19:00 PM
I miss when the Giants would wear white when they hosted the Cowboys. That policy died in New York when Parcells left.
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Sunday, August 10, 2008 7:42:00 PM
Why is Wallace Herman Richardson in the news? http://tinyurl.com/6sxqcu
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Sunday, August 10, 2008 9:17:00 PM
Caps Nut: Jersey choices are determined before the season, so any midseason change would require permission from the visiting teams.
Everybody cares too.
# posted by WFY :
Monday, August 11, 2008 11:11:00 AM
Back in 1994, the NFL celebrated its 75th anniversary as all the teams wore throwback jerseys in Week 3. Some teams wore the jerseys the rest of the season. Most returned to their modern jerseys the following week. The New York Giants were one of those teams. But after starting 3-0, the Giants lost 7 straight. Seeking a spark, the Giants switched back to their throwbacks, and promptly finished the year in a 6-game winning streak. So the uniform policy isn't that strict as far as getting permission.
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Monday, August 11, 2008 3:51:00 PM
Brad: I doubt the Giants switched jersey colors though, they probably stuck with blue. Changing from colored jerseys to white ones would require the other team's permission.
Dan Snyder buys WTEM - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Dan Snyder buys WTEM
Dan Snyder Expands Radio Empire - The Post In an effort to control the message and provide "unfiltered" coverage of the Redskins, owner Dan Snyder has purchased WTEM, the market's original sports radio station.
Since taking over the Redskins in 1999, Snyder has made a number of deals to control both the media and the message. In addition to purchasing the Triple X radio stations in late 2005, the Redskins buy time on local TV stations to air upbeat, magazine-style shows such as "Redskins Game Day" that are produced by the team.
That is a pretty tame way of putting it. Snyder comes off as incredibly petty and insecure about himself and his team. Once again, he has bought his way out of criticism, if there is even much of it on WTEM; I don't know, because I don't listen to sports radio.
One wonders how Snyder would hold up in a media market that did not provide so much favorable coverage of the team. Clearly, he doesn't see it, but I think reasonable people realize that the Redskins have traditionally been subject to coverage that is far from harsh. Can you imagine Snyder owning a team in a place like New York or Philly? He couldn't have handle it.
Snyder has faced some backlash over the years, but not enough that he hasn't been able to fill FedEx Field every Sunday. He has the luxury of a devoted fanbase and a season-ticket waiting list that has spanned generations. Moves like this though and the mediocre gameday experience is probably going to cut it into that soon. Ten years from now, he could find himself in a really tough spot, maybe five if the Redskins can't win regularly.
Lastly, I wonder if Bonneville is going to switch 3WT to sports radio. They have very little original programming now and already carry the Nats and Caps. They must be thinking about it a little bit.
I haven't listened to 980 in years so I have no idea about their Skins coverage. But it seem to me that football teams lend themselves to criticism rather easily. If your team wins, they rule! If they lose, they stink! I listen to Redskins Radio from time to time and I have heard them criticize the Skins when its deserved. But I have no idea how that compares to other media outlets.
Now if you want to talk about their lack of hockey coverage.....
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Thursday, June 05, 2008 11:49:00 AM
Pop quiz: Redskins colors - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Pop quiz: Redskins colors
New Redskins coach Jim Zorn thought the Redskins colors are maroon, black and yellow. Can Nationals do much better?
The correct answer is burgundy and gold of course. I almost want to cut the guys who said maroon a little slack, as well as the guys who said red and yellow. At least Manny Acta and Ryan Zimmerman (among others) got it right. Nick Johnson though -- disappointing. How can you live, work and play in Washington for three years and not know the correct answer?
Perhaps during training camp, the Redskins can be asked what colors the Nationals wear. In fact, it'd be a fun quiz for all D.C. teams.
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Will there be a Terrible Towel on his coffin?
Legendary broadcaster Myron Cope dies at 79 - Post-Gazette The Maryland Bureau Chief tipped me off that Cope who was "so bad, he's good" as a long-time Steelers broadcaster died today at age 79. He was credited with inventing the Terrible Towel.
I remember on Thanksgiving Sunday we were driving back from seeing family friends in Michigan and we found a Steelers game. We agreed the broadcasters were awful. Later, through the magic of NFL Films, I became more familiar with his work and became a fan of him. Not a Steelers fan though (except for Super Bowl XL).
Myron will be missed, although listening to him 2002-04 was a little painful because he clearly was in decline (no jokes that he was "always" painful to listen to). But yes, I am among those "yinzers" that would turn down the TV broadcast and turn up Myron. He loved the team and really brought the game to life. And of course, I found him entertaining and funny!
I was sad he wasn't on-board during the Super Bowl XL campaign, but at least he was alive to see it. I will finish up by saying: DOUBLE YOI!!!
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 12:27:00 PM
For me, listening to Myron was like repeatedly smashing a brick into the back of my head. But I understand he was pretty much a god of broadcasting, kinda like Mel Allen was. Of course, the Steelers never fired Myron, did they?
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:47:00 PM
TMBC: I read somewhere that listening to the radio coverage while watching the game was a "unique Pittsburgh tradition." Um, no. Redskins fans used to "turn the TV down and the radio up" to listen to Sonny, Sam and Frank. Buffalo fans did it too and I'll bet Colts fans did for Chuck Thompson and Raider fans for Bill King.
Brad: Allen was fired by the sponsor, Ballantine Ale. Back in the day, sponsors bought the broadcast rights and decided who would call the games.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 3:50:00 PM
WFY: I don't claim that it is a Pittsburgh-only tradition. But I've heard Sonny and Sam, and they are not nearly the "unique" radio personalities that Myron was. I think every town probably has one or two announcers that fans swear is the best, so we are probably no different with our admiration of Myron. I just know that none of the others made up a song with lyrics such as: "Deck the Broncos there just Yoncos....FA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA."
Brad, No, the Steelers never fired Myron. He and his buddy (Joe Gordon?) had an agreement that when Joe told Myron he was "slipping", Myron would resign. Joe gave him the word during the summer of 2005. I think the Steelers knew it was coming a few years ahead of time, which is why they expanded to a 3 man booth a few years earlier.
# posted by TMBC :
Wednesday, February 27, 2008 7:08:00 PMPost a Comment
maroonandblack.blogspot.com still available - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, February 11, 2008
maroonandblack.blogspot.com still available
New Redskins head coach Jim Zorn got off to an inauspicious start (DC Sports Bog) when he mentioned that Redskins colors were "maroon, black and yellow." I immediately thought that Maroon and Black would be a great name for a new Redskins blog, so I checked to see if it was available.
I am almost disappointed to see that it is still around. Somebody step up to the plate or more appropriately, behind center.
Also, lost in all the Zorn coverage is his tendency to run fake field goals when he was the Seahawks holder and the NFL Super Pro Club booklet that he was in.
Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, February 04, 2008
Tabs use the same headline in slightly different ways
I had expected at least one of the tabloids would have gone with "WE WIN." The Daily News cover shown was a wrap-around; there were two regular covers today too. The NY Post's back cover is shown.
The right team won and restored order to the New York vs. Boston rivalry; take note Yankees. It has been fun being on the Giants bandwagon.
How I might design this week's Sports Illustrated cover - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, February 03, 2008
How I might design this week's Sports Illustrated cover
DC Sports Chick notes that amazon.com has a special book on sale. Make sure to pay attention to the tags at the bottom.
Just in case amazon removes the page, I have uploaded a screengrab for posterity.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION: I believe the Giants won the game more than the Patriots lost it, but I couldn't resist putting that cover together last night.
# posted by DCSportsChick :
Monday, February 04, 2008 8:21:00 AM
Post a CommentSuper Bowl XLII live-blogging - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Super Bowl XLII live-blogging
UPDATED 10:33 p.m.
Jimmy Johnson never got over the '87 Fiesta Bowl. Neither did Vinny Testaverde, heh.
Belichick took off his red sweatshirt. He looks devastated. Good.
I expect at least one NY tabloid to have the headline WE WIN on one of their covers tomorrow.
UPDATED 10:28 p.m.
Enjoy this moment Eli, we'll like you for a little while because you saved us from another damn Patriots/Brady Super Bowl win.
The PATRIOTS CHOKED!
UPDATED 10:23 p.m.
"Certainly knew what they were doing, apparently?" Huh.
Who dressed Howie Long tonight?
So, is the Ewing Theory now the Tiki Theory?
Somebody get Terry a cough drop.
I love having a former MVP present the trophy. Good to see Doug Williams.
Um, nice suit commissioner. Manning is MVP. Who'd of thunk it?!
UPDATED 10:06 p.m.
THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL! THE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL!
New York (or NJ) triumphs over Boston (New England), things are right in the world again!
UPDATED 10:05 p.m.
The Patriots are quitting!
UPDATED 10:00 p.m.
DOWN GOES BRADY! JAY ALFORD, COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATIONS PENN STATE REPRESENT! :25 to go. 2nd down
UPDATED 9:57 p.m.
MANNING TO BURRESS FOR SIX! HOLY FECKING SCHNIT!
Giants 17 Patriots 14
Here comes the obligatory Europe!
UPDATED 9:52
WOW. How did that happen? Manning, mobile, David Tyree somehow there?
UPDATED 9:50 p.m.
Oh, that damn Bush song.
They get the first, despite no Pilsbury Throw boy. You owe us Tom Coughlin! UPDATED 9:47 p.m. Play of the ball game, right here, fourth down. Put in LORENZEN!
Ben Rothliesburger singing that damn pina colada song. That might haunt my dreams tonight.
Oh boy, Push It.
Manning, throwing off of his back foot, great.
Great open field, special teams tackle by Ray Ventrone. There, now I've assured that I will get hits for people looking for Ray Ventrone for the rest of eternity.
UPDATED 9:40 p.m.
Brady to Moss, d'oh!
14-10 Patriots
Time for Manning to become a hero.
UPDATED 9:38 p.m.
Hey, Brady, throw it to the guys in white.
Come Giants D, you didn't even have to play for the first ten minutes of the game.
UPDATED 9:33 Uh oh, the Patriots are waking up. The bananas aren't working for the G-men.
UPDATED 9:29 p.m. The Will Ferrell Bud Light ad was great.
If I were Manning, I'd be really mad at Plaxico Burress for letting up after that great scramble. If I were Burress, I would be mad at my parents for giving me a name that sounds like a dental hygiene product. He could put the game away if he catches that throw.
UPDATED 9:21 p.m.
If the Giants can't hang on, we will live in a world where Wes Welker is Super Bowl MVP.
The e-trade baby isn't bad.
I think I could get into the show House. The character seems to be based on the Ombudsman's repressed id.
UDPATED 9:13 p.m.
Agent Zero and G-Whiz!
TOUCHDOWN GIANTS! Somewhere in Maryland, a former R.A. is having a flashback to somebody playing Temco Super Bowl at 2 a.m.
BEGINNING OF THE FOURTH QUARTER
Finally a big play! Shockey in the booth, ha!
Oh boy, Fox is doing the game so we get lots of celebrity shots!
Where the hell was Lucy? Coke blew a great gag!
How nice of Dateline NBC to let Chris Hansen punt today.
Prediction -- next team to score wins.
I think the Chester Pitts (oboe player) ad is the best of the night.
We've got almost two full quarters without a score.
Too humid? In the desert! Open the roof.
UPDATED 8:50 p.m.
Ah, throwing deep into triple coverage, always a good decision. I thought I was watching Anthony Morelli.
Going for it on 4th and 13 at Giants 30 wasn't a horrible call by New England, but they should not have gone so deep.
Shrunken heads are better than Shaq on a horse.
Does anybody still consider Carmen Electra hot?
Brady is all out of sorts. I like it.
The panda ad will anger some people.
HALFTIME SHOW
Erica "Tom Petty isn't getting any younger."
Tough start on "American Girl", by "Freefalling" he was doing okay and he finished strong with "Running Down a Dream"
HALFTIME
I think Terry Bradshaw must have taken a horse tranquilizer.
Good game so far, a few turnovers, some punishing runs and Brady is making mistakes and getting sacked.
I like the ad with Justin Timberlake getting racked.
It is time to retire the Rocky theme.
UPDATED 7:33 p.m.
Did anyone catch who the half-time show performer is today?
Hey Belichek, the guy in the red shirt always dies!
Tom Brady sacked twice in a row!
Several punts in a row, Madison Ave. rejoices.
Manning intercepted -- PUT IN JARED LORENZEN! I want a 290 lbs QB in the game.
UPDATED 7:05 p.m.
Enormus carrier pigeons should be funnier.
Nice kickoff New England.
Wanted looks like a stupid movie.
Patriots score, PAT good. I hope you enjoyed your lead Giants, it might be gone for good.
I can't recall a first quarter of a Super Bowl any game going so quickly. Thanks Giants! Two possessions it turns out.
Doritos singer -- not terrible.
UPDATE 6:46
16 plays, 9:59 time of possession, only 3 points.
UPDATE 6:41 P.M.
The Patriots defense is getting manhandled so far.
Kelvin Gilbride? I wonder if Buddy Ryan just shot the television.
Brandon Jacobs just bulldozed the Patriots for seven. Sweet.
Phoenix has a pretty unimpressive skyline, I think Tysons Corner has a better one.
UPDATED: 6:25 P.M.
How many captains do they need?
Wasn't Steve Young a backup under Walsh?
Is the spin on the coin different because Ronnie Lott is missing a finger?
The roof is closed, boo!
Jordan Sparks was fine.
NFL people reading the Declaration of Independence -- take that limeys!
Minister of Propoganda's Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships) -------------------------------
A quick moving, low scoring game works well for those of us watching only for the commercials. The Doritos 'big rat' spot made me laugh out loud. The Budweiser ads need new life...no cares about the horsies anymore. The Pepsi-Timberlak ad was funny only because it featured copious amounts of boy-band crotch pain.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:02:00 PM
Minister of Propoganda's Half Time Report. (sponsored by the dignity that comes from not surrendering to crass corporate sponsorships) --Part II -------------------------------
Never send a well-worn folk singer to do a Rock n Roll god's job. At least he won't be joined by Britney Spears...Oh good, no new tunes. Keep the proles from fidgeting too much if they don't recognize the tunes from their local Bennigan's soundtrack.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:09:00 PM
okay, i'm not even sure what the hell that challenge was...but it just doesn't feel...American.
Why do you hate our freedoms, Mr. Bellachik?
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:39:00 PM
Regarding the panda ad: I've seen more delicate humor scotch-taped to the inside of job-johnnies on construction sites in the South. (yes, i was there...don't ask).
Coke balloon ad fell flat. It's never been that nice in November in Manhattan. And have we forgotten the deadly Bullwinkle balloon incident?
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:08:00 PM
Was it bullwinkle that almost killed someone? I could have sworn it was Garfield.
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:20:00 PM
tonight...the E-Trade baby will haunt my dreams.
Hola! degrading Latino stereotype! Meet my friends, the Asian panda mockeries.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:23:00 PM
The E-Trade baby eats McRibs in the pit of hades of my nightmares this eve...
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:28:00 PM
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:32:00 PM
dammit. now i wanna be in a bar, drunk and screaming.
oh wait, when don't i?
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:40:00 PM
You've got what, two nights of that left?
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:51:00 PM
Tom's Lenten sacrifices this year:
1. No chocolate.
2. No wheat.
3. Only water to drink til Easter Sunday.
TWH MofP of the WWN
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:54:00 PM
So, you'll be mainlining cheez whiz for 40 nights, no?
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:56:00 PM
YAAAAAAYYYY!!!!!
but NE has three timeouts left, no?
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:57:00 PM
Indeed
# posted by WFY :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 9:59:00 PM
i had to leave cheese on the table...too many meatfree days on the liturgical calendar...i can tolerate only so many cheese-less salads.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:01:00 PM
It's doubly sweet.
The Giants get to win. The Pats get to lose. heh.
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:11:00 PM
The Belachik post-game was priceless... "but...but...but we cheated and everything! how could we lose?" *ad lib*
# posted by Anonymous :
Sunday, February 03, 2008 10:36:00 PMPost a Comment
A quick look at Super Bowl XLII - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
A quick look at Super Bowl XLII
QUARTERBACKS
Giants -- Eli Manning -- no personality, pulled draft day stunt
Patriots -- Tom Brady -- 3 rings, dates super-models, baby daddy and full-fledged celebrity
Neither are likable, but Brady ruined 1999 Senior Day
CITY
New York -- capital of the world
Boston -- nice in its own right, but not New York
ACTUAL STADIUM LOCATION
Giants -- East Rutherford, N.J.
Patriots -- Foxoboro/Foxborough, Mass.
Foxborough is probably a nicer place than Easter Rutherford, but I like Jersey more.
UNIFORMS
Giants -- throwbacks, stripes on the whites jerseys, black shoes, classic helmet logo
Patriots -- modern with unnecessary accents; flying Elvis logo, white shoes
Duh.
FIELD SURFACE
Giants -- rug
Patriots -- rug
They both lose.
STADIUM
Giants -- Bland, boring stadium with excellent sightlines from every seat. Jimmy Hoffa may buried in one of the end zones there.
Patriots -- Unique features
It would be a slam-dunk for the Patriots if they hadn't turned into a bunch of babies and torn up the grass.
FAMOUS FAN
Giants -- Carl Brutananadilewski
Patriots -- Bill Simmons
Not even close -- Carl!
The Giants win on almost all of the above points which will probably be the only winning they do today. Not surprisingly, I'm pulling for the G-men, a triumph of Jersey provincialism. I would really like to see them win and restore balance to the Force in the New York vs. Boston rivalry, but I don't expect it. I anticipate the Patriots winning big and running up the score.
Nobody outside of the Northeast cares? - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 28, 2008
Nobody outside of the Northeast cares?
I've overheard or read that nobody outside of the Northeast is going to care about this Super Bowl. Riiiight. Like nobody outside of Illinois and Indiana cared about last year's Super Bowl. It is the Super Bowl, people care. Either way, about 40 million people live within the "footprint" of those two teams. That is something like 13% of the entire U.S. population. Throw in expatriates (no pun intended) and there are probably at least 50 million people who live, lived or are only a generation away from living in the Northeast. I expect higher ratings for this year's game.
By the way, memo to the NY Post -- calling the Giants "America's team" is silly, even if it is sort of true for a day.
If I were Bill Belichek, I'd put that tabloid in every player's locker this week.
Random YouTube magic: End of good NFL broadcasting - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Random YouTube magic: End of good NFL broadcasting
The NFL ignored the social contract when it sold rights to NFC games to Fox, ending 38 years of CBS coverage. This was the last few minutes of the final telecast.
Well done, even with the cheesy syth music. Terry Bradshaw was restrained back the and not acting like a buffoon every second he was on camera.
The opener before that game was also quite good:
It isn't a stretch to say that my diminishing interest in the NFL began with the move from CBS to Fox. Several factors, primarily my passion for Penn State football, contributed of course, but this was the beginning. By 1997, the NFL wasn't appointment television every Sunday anymore.
I was pleased when CBS got the NFL (though the AFC) back and they do a pretty good job when they're aren't going gah-gah for the Patriots, but it is still a far cry form the glory days.
Svrluga moving to Redskins beat - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Svrluga moving to Redskins beat
My hopes that Barry Svrluga would become a columnist primarily focused on the Nationals have been dashed. Fishbowl DC reports that Svrluga will be the third reporter on the Redskins beat. That is a well-earned promotion for him in the sense that he'll be at 16 games instead of 162, plus reporting on the top teams in the market.
I don't have a problem with The Post having three writers on the Redskins beat, but I disagree with their decision to rarely run columns about the Nats, Capitals, and D.C. United. I think it reflects a poor editorial decision, particularly when they are still committing a beat-writer to cover a team ninety minutes away that is owned by someone who is openly antagonistic to D.C. It would be nice to have a Nats column other than Thomas Boswell's weekly one, wouldn't it? The Caps don't even get columns that frequently.
Going as far back as 2006, we've known that Svrluga would be leaving the beat this year. It sounds like he'll be around for spring training and the early part of the season and then he is off to the Olympics in China. A new beat-writer is going to be groomed and the position appears to be open right now, so get your clips and resume together now. As for Svrluga, hopefully this is another stepping stone to his rightful place as a full-fledged columnist. He'll have baseball, football, college basketball and even hockey (from his days with the News & Observer in Raleigh, I think) on his resume. We might see some real diversity of column topics in the Sports section if/when he gets his promotion.
Recap: NFL Championships - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 21, 2008
Recap: NFL Championships
I went one for two with my picks yesterday. I'm not shocked that the Giants won, but I couldn't see picking Eli Manning over Brett Favre, despite that he looked very uncomfortable out there yesterday. It was a good, exciting game though, and my boss will be happy, which is a plus. I really enjoyed watching two old teams battle it out in old school uniforms on real (dormant) grass in subzero weather. Good stuff.
I didn't see much of the first game, but the Patriots winning was fait accompli.
We'll have a Northeast Corridor Super Bowl -- too bad its being played in Arizona. Move it to the Yale Bowl!
NFL Championship predictions - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, January 20, 2008
NFL Championship predictions
New England over San Diego Green Bay over Giants
I know, BOLD!
The trickiest part is picking who I want to win. Do I fallback in Northeast Corridor provincialism and go with Giants and Patriots or do I cheer for teams who actually play on natural grass instead of rugs? Then there is the Norv factor, how do I feel about my former customer?
Hopefully the games will be competitive because in the end, I'm rooting for football.
Myron Cope ailing - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Myron Cope ailing
Hall of fame broadcaster still hospitalized - Post-Gazette The Maryland Bureau Chief noted that it doesn't sound good for former Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope. The article didn't contain the "no more updates about his condition" line, so there is still some hope that the septuagenarian can recover from pneumonia that has had him hospitalized since November.
Recap: Divisional playoffs picks - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, January 14, 2008
Recap: Divisional playoffs picks
I went 3 for 4 this weekend, erring only with Indy vs. San Diego game; I don't make it a habit to pick Norv Turner to win a playoff game. That's okay though, because I like it when the Indy Colts lose. What did Indiana ever do to have a football team, much less one like the Colts any way?
Giants over Dallas -- CORRECT Colts over Chargers -- WRONG Packers over Seahawks -- CORRECT Patriots over Chargers -- CORRECT
Another Gibbs era ends - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Another Gibbs era ends
Joe Gibbs Resigns as Redskins Head Coach - The Post I think Joe Gibbs picked a good time to leave and his two playoff appearances in four seasons make his second tenure a success. Getting a team owned by Dan Snyder to the playoffs is a major accomplishment.
Despite a long-lost Vienna Donuts napkin with Gibbs signature that called me a "super fan" I am not nor ever have been a Redskins fan. I enjoyed having him back again though and wish him Godspeed on his future.
I'll have fun with the media overkill (D.C. Sports Bog) too, because Redskins football is SERIOUS business.
A good December for D.C. sports - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
A good December for D.C. sports
Yesterday, I caught a few minutes of the Capitals latest dismantling of Ottawa on Comcast SportsNet. During a break in play, a graphic stated that for the first time since 1995, all local teams had a winning record in December.
Steinberg on Chief Zee and Crazy Ray - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Steinberg on Chief Zee and Crazy Ray
Dan Steinberg had a great DC Sports Bog post the other day about Chief Zee and the late Crazy Ray. These "opposite numbers" in the Redskins vs. Cowboys rivalry were unofficial mascots for many years and clearly they had a good time with each other. Crazy Ray died this past March and Chief Zee was the memorial service. These two were a great part of the rivalry.
Take your Cowboy hat or feathered headdress off to Steinberg for this great post; it needs to be in the Sunday Sports section.
Get well Fatso! - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Monday, November 12, 2007
Get well Fatso!
The throwback - The Sun Recently, a reporter watched a recent Ravens game with all-time great, Art Donovan. The Bronx born former Colt is one of my favorites of old NFL Films. Unfortunately, he was been hospitalized recently:
"Broke my femur on a cruise with my wife, in Italy," he said. "I'd walked back to my cabin after dinner with half a plate of spaghetti when I leaned in to open the door. Turns out it was already open so I fell flat on my face like something from the Keystone Kops.
"They drove me to an American hospital in Rome, 3 1/2 hours away. Road must've had 15,000 potholes. I almost bounced out of the ambulance.
"At the hospital, when they lifted me into the bed they put my head halfway through the wall and knocked me out. So I said, 'Don't touch me. If I'm going to die, it'll be in the United States, not in the Middle East somewhere.' "
A week later, Donovan was flown home to Baltimore for surgery. He said he would have kissed the ground if he could have.
"I swear to God, I was so happy as we neared the airport that I didn't care if we crashed, as long as it was on American soil."
# posted by Billy Ray Smith :
Friday, August 31, 2007 2:12:00 PM
What was the deal with the weird number of stars on the old shield? Did they represent something ... like the number of states at the time the NFL was founded?
I also like the rotation on the football on the news one.
# posted by Josh :
Friday, August 31, 2007 8:12:00 PM
Josh: I believe the number of stars represented what they could fit in the shield.
Amen, Billy Ray.
# posted by WFY :
Friday, August 31, 2007 9:07:00 PM
I like the new logo just fine. But I do question the need for a "leaner, meaner version of the iconic logo" (as the USA Today says the league wanted). Given the off-the-field scandals, perhaps leaner & meaner isn't the way to go.
# posted by dl004d :
Saturday, September 01, 2007 9:26:00 PMPost a Comment
7 out of 101 and 2 out of 10 - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
20. The Stanley Cup playoffs (late spring, various NHL cities).
Sure it was the first round, but I did this in 2002 twice, both at MCI Center, both Capitals losses to Tampa Bay.
34. MLB Opening Day (April, various cities).
2005: Nats at Phillies* 2006: Nats vs. Mets 2007: Nats vs. Marlins*
*Actual Opening Day
41. An NBA game from courtside (winter-spring, any NBA city). You'll never again say they don't hustle.
1992 - Bullets vs. TrailBlazers - my mom got us company tickets.
61. Midnight Madness (October, all over the country). An annual late-night party at campuses across the country. (Say hi to Larry Eustachy if you see him.)
1999 (maybe 1998 too, I don't remember) at Penn State - It was technically "Late-Night Madness." You can debate whether this really counts though since it was Penn State and that was during the good old days when the were mediocre.
90. Little League game (spring, early summer, everywhere).
D.C. teams and Richmond - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Friday, June 08, 2007
D.C. teams and Richmond
Winning over Richmond - Times-Dispatch A look from Richmond's paper of record about what kind of marketing Washington teams are doing in Virginia's capital. In short, the Redskins are very active down there while the Wizards are getting more active. The Capitals focus most of their out of town marketing on Baltimore, but have a little bit of history in Richmond. D.C. United has a friendly relationship with the Richmond Kickers. The Nationals want to expand their reach there seeing it as the "largest out of town source for fans." In a more perfect world, they'll be able to snag the city's AAA team from Atlanta, but don't count on it.
NFL scheduling idea - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Thursday, April 12, 2007
NFL scheduling idea
Wouldn't it be cool if the NFL assigned each team a regular out of conference opponent annually? Since so many teams from opposite conferences play in a the same or an adjoining state there are several natural rivalries just waiting to happen.
Intrastate
Redskins vs. Raves Cowboys vs. Texans Rams vs. Chiefs Giants vs. Jets 49ers vs. Raiders Dolphins vs. Buccaneers Eagles vs. Steelers
Adjoining states
Browns vs. Lions Bears vs. Colts Cardinals vs. Broncos (shared corner might have to do)
Beyond those teams there are some other rivals that are kind a little forced, but commonality can be found between some of them.
William--Your memory is amazing. The Washington Warthogs!! I'd like to say that brings back memories; but, the only memory I have is saying "hey look, there's an indoor soccer league; it probably won't last long, but the teams got a decent name."
And I had to google Diplomats.
My money's on the summer-season Federals.
# posted by Jack Tatum :
Thursday, April 12, 2007 1:11:00 PM
R.I.P. Crazy Ray - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
R.I.P. Crazy Ray
Unofficial Dallas Cowboys mascot Crazy Ray (Chief Zee's opposite number) has died. He had been in declining health for several years and was destitute before savecrazyray.com was created to raise money for Ray and his wife.
Check out this video of Crazy Ray defeating Chief Zee.
Norv - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Norv
Ever since Norv Turner was (inexplicably?) hired to be the head coach of the San Diego Chargers I have been meaning to write about him. Back in the mid '90s when he was the Redskins coach, he occasionally visited the carryout window at the Oakton Friendly's (since closed) where I worked. What struck me the most about Turner was that he seemed uncomfortable in his own skin. He was not what I would have expected out of "a leader of men." Perhaps I threw him off when I thanked him for doing such a good job turning Troy Aikman into such a good quarterback.* Anyhow, he was quiet and polite and his kids were well behaved. I think almost all of them ordered orange sherbet. Also, he drove a Buick LeSabre initially, followed by a Cadillac Seville.
It should also be noted that Friendly's was not far from the Oakton Pettibon's restaurant which also closed down. I wonder how often Turner passed his predecessor's restaurant?
For the record, in some ways I think Turner got dealt a bad hand. I recall hearing that he tried to cut Michael Westbrook after the helmet incident against the Giants, but GM Charley Casserly voided it.
By the way, I once met Joe Gibbs at the long-lost Vienna Donuts (nee Mister Donut). If I recall it was spring time and he was wound up really tight. He signed an autograph on a napkin that said "To a super fan." If he had only known. I also met Riggo in the same place one August, probably the same year. He was kind of withdrawn, though he was really flattered by my compliment of his color commentary during a recent preseason game. I think this was during the "transitional period" after he lived in a van down by the river for a while and his emergence as a football pundit.
*I was a hardcore Cowboys fan from about 1983 to 1997 or so, making for an interesting childhood at times. After a couple of years of Penn State football, the NFL paled in comparison. I no longer claim any NFL team as a favorite, though I tend to root against dome teams.
# posted by Billy Joe DuPree :
Thursday, March 01, 2007 2:06:00 PM
I remember that Westbrook incident very well. I was jumping up and down in 134 Hamilton Hall and yelling at the TV "The Emmitt Rule! The Emmitt Rule!" That game also had Gus Ferrotte celebrating a touchdown run by helmet-butting the concrete wall and having to leave the game. Ahh, never had so much fun watching a game that would end in a 7-7 tie.
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Saturday, March 03, 2007 10:26:00 PM
Post a CommentSuper Bowl XLI live-blogging (for a while at least) - William World News - William F. Yurasko's blog
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Super Bowl XLI live-blogging (for a while at least)
PREGAME
Audio/Video problems -- must be the weather
Billy Joel didn't butcher the anthem which is saying a lot since its Billy Joel.
This year's Jessica Simpson ad for Pizza Hut is not as annoying.
Washington Nationals, Nats, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Redskins
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