68 not 96

The world of college basketball is safe. It looks like the NCAA tournament will expand but only to 68 teams. I'm not going to toot my own horn (well, yes I am) but I've been saying all along this what they should do. If they expanded to 96 teams, a .500 North Carolina team would have made it into this year's field. With 68, it just adds 3 more teams (like Virginia Tech, Mississippi State, and Rhode Island this year) and that will not make the tournament watered down.

I really feel like this has saved basketball. I like the fact that their is a NIT, CBI, and CIT. Those teams should be rewarded with postseason but should not have a shot at the title. It's like college football. I love the bowl season and I think teams should be rewarded with postseason play but not a shot at the big prize. (Don't get me started on why college football doesn't have a tournament...ubsurd)

Games will stay put on CBS but all games will now be shown via TNT, TBS, TruTV and CBS. The contract with CBS and the NCAA is supposedly worth $10.8 billion. That's a whole lot of coin.

All in all, I'm happy that the greatest sporting event has not been tainted and to be honest, I'm happy to see that CBS retained the rights. I guess I'm just a sucker for a little Gus Johnson and a fantastic opening jingle.

5 Bold Draft Day predictions

1. Albert Haynesworth will be a Lion: We have all heard the whispers that this could happen but Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan said 'no way.' I'm calling their bluff. Albie for a 2nd rounder.

2. Jason Campbell will not be a Redskin by Saturday: I don't know where but when Mr. Irrelevant is selected on Saturday, good ole JC will be packing his bags

3. The Skins will trade down: When Haynesworth becomes a Lion (see #1) the Lions will select Russell Okung. The Bucs love Gerald McCoy and that will leave Ndamukong Suh at 4. Skins don't want him, they want Trent Williams. Plenty of teams want Suh and will try to trade up to get him. That will leave Washington in a pretty spot to trade down and still get their man, Trent Williams.

4. Colt McCoy will be a Redskin: Following the trade of Haynesworth, the Skins will have the second pick in the 2nd round and hence them drafting McCoy. It's no secret that Mike Shanahan likes to groom young qb's and with McNabb their for two years that will leave plenty of time for him to learn under a future hall of famer.

5. Jimmy Clausen will be a top ten pick: You didn't think I could make bold predictions without talking about Jimmy did you? I believe a team is going to move up to get him (like the Jets did for Mark Sanchez last year) and I think that team will be....drum roll please......the Seattle Seahawks. They have the 6th and 14th pick. They will not pick him at 6 (they will get Eric Berry) but they might need to trade up to get him before 14. Matt Hassellback is on his last stand in Seattle and he would be great to learn under. (Let's be serious Charlie Whitehurst is not a starting NFL quarterback)

Once again these are BOLD predictions. They are not suppose to be right but who knows. Every draft throws plenty of curve balls and I expect no different from this year's installment.

Merry Draft Day eve, everybody

Gem from Strasburg; Future looks bright for Nats

Stephen Strasburg is dealing so far for AA Harrisburg. Today he threw 5 innings and allowed just one hit while striking out 7 and walking one. He continues to impress and the future is starting to light bright for the Nats. Strasburg has pitched 12 1/3 innings allowing one earned run (5 runs altogether). His ERA is at a microscopic 0.73 and he has struck out 17. In his first start at Altoona he did get hit around a bit but his defense didn't help out when he needed it.

People who were expecting him to just strike out everyone he faces are getting a little crazy. But its the minor leagues! The minor leagues aren't for rejects people. A lot of these players he's going against are going to be in the major leagues just like Strasburg. He will continue to get better and better and he will be the ace of the Nats very soon.

How about that closer of the future? He's doing just fine. In five appearances, he has allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings of work. He doesn't have the 100 mph fastball like Strasburg but he has some filthy stuff. When I saw him pitch in Altoona he looked more impressive than Strasburg. The batters he faced didn't know what to expect. He struck out two on nasty sliders. He is legit. That's all I have to say.

So looking into the crystal ball...here's the potential rotation for 2011:

1. Stephen Strasburg
2. Jordan Zimmermann
3. Jason Marquis
4. Chien-Ming Wang
5. John Lannan

That's not too shabby, huh? Let's all just cross our fingers that Zimmermann and Wang fully recover.

Durantula Needs Zen Master 101

As the the first round of the 2010 NBA Playoffs begins this weekend, Los Angeles Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson is already in vintage Zen Master form. After comments earlier in the week about Oklahoma Thunder Forward Kevin Durant's receiving "superstar" treatment from officials, Durant responded by saying that he felt "disrespected." Come on, Kevin. Where have you been your entire life? This is how the Zen Master operates, by getting in opponents' heads. If anything, KD should take the comments the exact opposite way, as a sign of RESPECT. It's either respect or Jackson is right and knows he can get inside his head as easily as he is.

Phil's response when he heard Kevin Durant felt disrespected was classic Phil.

"I really don't know what he was upset about. It really wasn't that upsetting. He shot the most free throws in the league; he made the most free throws in the league. He shot the most shots in the league; he made the most shots in the league. I voted for him on the All-Star team; he made the All-Star team. We know he's a great player, congratulations."

Another possibility is that Jackson realizes that he is heading into the playoffs trying to defend a title riding a horse, in Kobe Bryant, that has been playing almost 3 straight years of basketball and realizes that Kevin Durant and his Oklahoma City Thunder have a legitimate chance of upsetting them in the first round. They did win 50 games on their way to an 8 seed in the Western Conference, a number that would have had them tied with Boston for the 4th seed in the weakling Eastern Conference. That being said, Phil Jackson is about as smart and savvy a basketball coach as there is out there and you can't luck your way to 10 rings, I don't care who you have on your teams, so if everyone else in the league knows that Kevin Durant is a force to be reckoned with, don't you suppose that maybe Ol' Philly Boy might have an inkling too, and is trying to do what does best and get inside the mind of the talented YOUNG and playoff GREEN Durant? I stress the words "young" and "green"because at 21 years old and heading into his first career playoff series, that is exactly what the Durantula is.

Will the Durantula infest the Staples Center or will he be yet another victim left in the wake of the Zen Master? Find out tomorrow as action tips off at 3 pm EST.

Breaking News: Theodore pulled for Varlamov

After allowing 2 goals in just over the first 9 minutes of the game, Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau pulled goaltender Jose Theodore in favor of last year's playoff sensation, Semyon Varlamov. The Caps are in an early 2-0 hole here in Game 2.

Canadiens v Caps

AND HERE...WE...GO. It's playoff time here in Washington, D.C. and you know what that means...ROCK THE RED!!!!

Looking at the landscape of Washington sports, it's pretty grim. The Wizards are coming off their second straight dismal season with few bright spots to speak of. The 'Skins are coming off another dissapointing season to say the least but their is the hint of change out in Ashburn as we await the Shanahan era. The Nationals, well, we know the end result of that.

The Washington Capitals have the pressure of the Stanley Cup playoffs on their shoulders, but more than that, they have the expectations of winning which has not been the case since early 90's when the 'Skins were dominant. For the most part, I think this city EXPECTS this team to win it all and that is always a dangerous thought. Look at the last 3 months with who was expected to win and the end result; Colts lose in Super Bowl & Kansas loses in 2nd round upset to Northern Iowa. Winning is hard enough and this Caps team now has the pressure to win it all, whereas last year they were a great team but not expected by many to win it all.

The Presidents Trophy winners have the weight of the city on their shoulders. Will it be too much to bear? We will find out in a few short weeks, but the much anticipated Game 1 matchup starts in 20 minutes and in the great words of Brent Musberger "I'm looking live atop Verizon Center" and I cannot wait.

UNLEASH THE FURY!!!!!!

Strasburg's debut

Tomorrow night, I will breakdown what I picked up from Strasburg's first professional start in Altoona.

What to do with Mike Gonzalez?

The Baltimore Orioles signed closing pitcher Mike Gonzalez this past offseason to a 2 year, $12 million contract. So far with the O's in 2010, he has looked, well, awful. He has blown two of three saves attempts and his one save this season did not come easy. He loaded the bases in Tampa but was able to get Ben Zobrist to fly out to right field. So what should the O's do? Keep him as the closer. And that's what they will do. Listen everyone, before you start burning down his house let's look at the facts. In 2006, as the Pirates closer he was 24-for-24 in save opportunities and had an ERA of 2.17. Last year with Atlanta, he was 10-for-17 but wasn't the everyday closer. His ERA was 2.42. Let's calm down people. His career numbers are very impressive. Entering the 2010 season, he's 14-16 with an ERA of 2.57 in 302 games. In the saves department, he is 54-for-66 in his career. Also, he has never pitched in the American League before, let him get acclimated to his new league.

Yes, he has blown two saves in three chances this year and yes that is dreadful. Did he deserve to get booed when he was relieved yesterday? Maybe. But did he deserve to get booed entering the game yesterday? Absolutely not. How do you think he felt running in from the bullpen in his first game in Baltimore with O's and getting booed? To quote Charles Barkley, "that's just turrible."

Orioles fans, you need to remain patient for now. This man will produce and he has proved that in his career. But come July and he is blowing every other save, then boo it up Baltimore.

Opening Day at Camden Yards

That unique smell of crabcakes, the Chesapeake Bay, and Miller Lite is in the air which means it must be Opening Day here at Oriole Park at Camden Yards(by the way it is also freezing up here and I don't have nearly enough layering to sit through a 3+ hour game). A new season brings new expectations and hopefully for this team, new results.

With an incredibly talented, but inexperienced core of young players highlighted by Adam Jones and Matt Wieters the Orioles are clearly a team on the rise but now it's time to turn potential into results. Unlike the team to the south in our nation's capital, this Orioles team has prospects up and down the lineup along with the pitching rotation and it seems pretty clear that Anndy McPhail has a plan in place for this team to compete in the AL East in the near future.

Let us not forget that only two seasons ago the Tampa Bay Rays knocked off the two titans in the East and later were crowned AL Champions. The O's may not be on that same level yet but the similarities are there; 1) A do it all CF in Adam Jones & B.J Upton 2) The top prospect in the game for their respective years Evan Longoria & Matt Wieters 3) A pitching staff headlined by a bunch of young kids in their starting rotation that have the ability to learn on the fly while experiencing the success on every fifth day.

Look, I'm not saying the Orioles are going to make the playoffs, or even be in contention during the dog days of July & August, but this team will be a force in the near future and could be the next feel good story in baseball restoring this franchise and this city to where it should be.

Nyjer Morgan; A true leadoff hitter

The Washington Nationals are taking on the Philadelphia Phillies today in the final game of a 3 game series to open the season at Nationals Park. Having not been competitive in the first 2, the Nats have gotten off to a good start today thanks to Nyjer Morgan's leadoff triple of SP Kyle Kendrick. Morgan has been one of the brightspots through the first two games of the Nationals' season with a couple of hits along with two stolen bases. In this game already he has tripled and scored a run and with that he has now gotten on base and scored in the 1st inning in two of the three games in this series.

We always talk about building around guys like Ryan Zimmerman and Stephen Strasbugh and with good reason, but teams need leadoff hitters like Morgan to make the offense go. His combination of speed, hustle, and defense make him one of the key pieces for the Nats this season and in the future. The guy is an excellent bunter and base stealer on offense and one of the best defense CF's "sabermetrically" speaking.

Nyjer Morgan is the guy I'm keeping my eye on this summer as the Nationals continue to progress toward the team this city and the baseball fans that support them deserve

Millions lost in one trade

Last night was a great day for Redskins Nation as they got a 6 time pro bowl quarterback in Donovan McNabb but Easter was not so great for one man. His name? Jimmy Clausen. It seemed for a while that the Redskins were on the fence whether to draft Clausen or not. Now, there is no chance for Clausen to land in D.C. That means a drop in the draft and a loss of millions of dollars.

Should you feel bad for him? Not really because regardless of where he is drafted he will become an instant millionaire but how many millions will he get? Looking at last year's draft, Matt Stafford, the #1 overall pick to the Lions, received a 6 year $72 million contract ($41.7 million guaranteed). Compare that to Mark Sanchez, the #5 pick to the Jets, received a 5 year $60 million contract ($28 million guaranteed). But guess what? Clausen isn't going #5 this year (unless there is a trade). He may go #6 to Seattle or #9 to Buffalo. In all likelihood, Clausen will fall to Buffalo at the #9 spot in this draft. In retrospect, last year's #9 overall pick, B.J. Raji, received a 5 year deal worth $28.5 million ($18 million guaranteed).

Because of the arrival of Mr. McNabb in D.C., Clausen will miss out on about $10 million guaranteed. Am I crying for him? No. But I now know at least one person who was very upset when they heard the news of Donovan coming to Washington.

One Game Does Not A Season Make

After games like today's 11-1 Opening Day loss to the Philadelphia Phillies all I can think about is what my dad used to say when I would want to dwell on a loss..."One game does not a season make" I'm really not sure why he says it that way and I doubt he coined the phrase but the point still resonates and it is up to the Nationals to not let this be sign of the 2010 season. The season is way too young to think here come the same old Nats. Things looked great out of the gate with DC's John Lannan matching the legendary Roy Halladay pitch for pitch....until the 4th inning and the second time through the daunting Phillies lineup and a leadoff walk, hanging slider homerun, and 3 consecutive base hits later the Nationals slim 1-0 lead became and 4-1 deficit and eventually an 11-1 final.

Despite the lopsided score the Phillies scored nine of their eleven runs in two innings (5-run 4th and 4-run 7th.) That being said, it means that this Nationals team had one of the same problems in Game 1 of 2010 that they had through all 162 in 2009: AVOID GIVING UP BIG INNINGS. To their credit, after the game, the Nationals were not hanging their heads and remained confident in the fact that today's game is going to be the exception and not the rule in 2010. They believe it, it's now up to the National over the next 162 games to make the rest of the world believe it too.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Nat's Manager Jim Riggleman on what it was like meeting President Obama before the 11-1 loss: "That's like asking Mrs. Lincoln how she liked the play"

Opening Day, Where Hope Springs Eternal

Opening Day....A clean slate...Every year, for some teams this is the closest to the top that they will come, for some it is merely the first day of their quest toward a Ring. The latter has been the case for the visiting Philadelphia Phillies in recent years, but for their hosts, the hometown Washington Nationals the former has been so. That can all change with a fresh start and the four letter word that Opening Day brings all fans: HOPE.

That is definitely something that Washingtonians can have as the Nationals have had a busy offseason signing seasoned veterens like starting pitcher Jason Marquis (who has never missed the playoffs in his first 10 years in the Majors), Closer Matt Capps, Pitcher Chien-Ming Wang (even though he starts the season on the 60-day DL, this a low risk, high reward, as the man he wins ballgames, no flair, just wins) and Catcher Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez. The biggest move I think is Pudge because the man can flat out catch...Period. Few catchers can handle a pitching staff, especially one so young, like he can. He signed in Florida and helped lead them to the World Series title in 2003 and then signed with the Detroit Tigers and took them to the World Series too. Both of those teams were toiling in irrelevance before he got there and neither has been the same since his time there.

This Nationals team really started to come together under Manager Jim Riggleman last year and this year in spring training and I believe they will have an impact on what is already always a tight race in the National League East as they will not the be division whipping post they have been in seasons past. My advice to the Washington Nationals...Aim for .500, play every game to win, and never think you don't deserve success.

As I sit here waiting for President Brack Obama to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day I am reminded of the words of Andy Dufresne in The Shawkshank Redemption, "HOPE is a good thing, maybe the best of the things and no good thing ever dies."

McNabb to be Welcomed to Redskins Nation Tomorrow

The Washington Redskins will hold a press conference at noon Tuesday to announce the acquirement of Quarterback Donovan McNabb from the Philadelphia Eagles for a 20.10 2nd-round pick and either a 3rd or 4th round pick in the 2011 draft. This draft seemingly came from nowhere and instantly gives the Redskins the credibility they have been looking for at the quarterback position since the Mr. Snyder purchased the team and really, when you think about it, since Joe Theismann. With that quarterback issue seemingly resolved the Redskins will most likely now look to build their decimated offensive line with the #4 pick. They would be smart to take Russell Okung, the 6-5, 300 lb tackle from Oklahoma State, who it's worth mentioning was one of the few offensive linemen that could actually handle Brian Orakpo in college, relatively speaking of course.

More to come on this exciting new chapter in Washington Redskins history, but right now I am at Opening Day for the Washington Nationals as the take on the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies at 1:05p. President Barack Obama will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch and I hope to bring you video footage later on.

Should the Redskins go after Jimmy Clausen?

Here we go, my first blog about a Notre Dame player. First lets start with Todd McShay. He hates Clausen. I don't know if it is because he just wants to bust Mel Kiper's balls or just because he doesn't like him but I would love for someone to shut him up (I'm looking at you Terry Tate). He has no creditability and no NFL scouts respect him (that I learned from an article on profootballtalk.com). Clausen is very talented and he grew up a lot at Notre Dame. Arriving in a hummer to verbally commit to play for the Irish was a little much. He was an ignorant ass his freshman year but this past season he seemed to grow up. He played through torn toe ligaments and was sucker punched in the face at a bar prior to the Stanford game and might have had his best game in his career that weekend (23-30 340 yards 5 TD 0 INT). His stats on the season were simply incredible (161.43 passer rating,3722 yards, 28 TD, 4 INT). And that was without his top receiver, Michael Floyd, for six games. He is an amazing talent and I truly think he will be a solid NFL quarterback.

Onto the Redskins. Should they draft him at 4? My personal belief is no. As a Notre Dame fan and a Skins fan, I would love nothing more than to see Clausen in Burgundy and Gold but it shouldn't happen. After watching Jason Campbell this year I truly believe he should be given a shot with a proven line. He makes some mistakes but he also had an absolute moron calling the shots for him (Yes you Jim Zorn). The Redskins need to draft Russell Okung and sure up that line. Okung could truly improve their line next year and if Campbell doesn't succeed then you look QB next year. (Donovan McNabb will possibly be a free agent...I'm just saying)

More on Jimmy. I know everyone is drooling over Sam Bradford right now but I think Clausen will have a better NFL career. I'm not being bias, I think that Bradford is damaged goods. After going down against BYU I was nervous for him but then when he got slammed by Texas, that was it, he's donzo. Give him one hit in the NFL and his career could be over. Clausen played all last year in a pro-style offense and was dominant. If he had any defense (God it was awful to watch ND's defense) he would have been a finalist in New York. Charlie Weis was an awful head coach but he was a brilliant offensive coordinator and Clausen proved to have a big pair downstairs leading the Irish back in 4 of their 6 victories last year. He also has the arm strength and accuracy to make that tight pass.

To sum up:

Clausen will be better than Bradford.
Redskins should draft Russell Okung.
Todd McShay and Jim Zorn are very similar.