Washington Football Players Fight at Practice

((ht: csnwashington.com))

As of today, we're going to start calling the Washington NFL team the Shleprocks.

Why? Because no matter what they do, things never end well.

The the latest episode, two players, WR Andre Roberts and DB Bashaud Breeland got into a scuffle during practice.

The reason according to CSN Washington; Breeland was covering Roberts too tightly.

And yes punches were thrown before the two were separated.

Defense Strong and Anquan Boldin Stronger As The 49ers Grab A Win

((HT: BASTA Bay Area/Baichwal))

The 49ers came out strong today, in their usual style, with a strong defensive performance coupled with a solid offense. The entire team seemed to click, especially the defense, as they went out and began the game by forcing a three and out then scoring a touchdown. This three and out involved a nine yard sack by Aldon Smith, on the second play of the game, proving that he is unquestionably back to football and ready to return to his form and play amazingly. He seemed extra quick on the field, working extremely well with his fellow Smith, tackle Justin Smith, to basically hassle Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III through the game. In total, he finished with two huge sacks today, giving him two sacks in his first two games of the season. He looked great on the field, and fortunately seemed to work well with Ahmad Brooks, who was benched for the second half of last week’s win over the Giants, because he felt that his playing time was being cut into too much by the returning Smith. Today, however, both players managed ample field time, and they were both strong points in the 49ers’s overall stellar defense.

After Aldon Smith’s sack and Washington’s three and out on the drive, the 49ers picked up the ball with great field position on their own 41 yard line. From there, Kaepernick looked stellar leading the offense, as he managed to get the 49ers into the end zone with only five plays: three passing and two rushing. On this drive Kaepernick connected with Anquan Boldin twice, for 18 yards and then a beautiful 30 yard score to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead. This touchdown came on a gorgeous corner route, where Kaepernick perfectly landed the ball in Boldin’s hands for the easy score. You can view this touchdown below:

Anquan Boldin’s 30-Yard Touchdown Catch

After this score, the game was quiet for a while, as neither team scored until the second quarter. Until Washington’s score, the 49ers defense was perfect, as they forced RGIII and the ‘Skins to punt to end all four of their offensive drives. Unfortunately, this perfection had to come to an end, as the defense allowed Washington’s rushing attack to get going, allowing a one-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game 7-7.

The 49ers looked like they might lose the game momentum with this score, but they were extremely efficient to end the first half. With 5:33 to go in the half, they began a long drive from their own seven yard line that eventually resulted in a field goal. They ran twelve plays to pick up 70 yards, including six pass plays, four rush plays, and one sack. The highlight of this drive came on fourth and two at Washington’s 48 yard line. Vernon Davis was only able to pick up 12 yards on the previous play, even though the 49ers needed 14 for the first down after the sack. However, in his usually aggressive style, coach Jim Harbaugh decided to go for it on fourth and two, with only eleven seconds remaining. Kaepernick executed another brilliant pass on this play, this time a 25 harder to Michael Crabtree for the first down at the Washington 23. In a beautiful feat of athleticism, Crabtree rose up, snagged the ball, and managed to land both feet barely inbounds before tumbling to the ground out of bounds, keeping possession of the ball all the way. This play may have been the highlight of the game, due to both its importance and sheer athletic beauty. You can watch the brilliant catch below, beginning at 1:10 in this highlights video:

Game Highlights (Michael Crabtree’s 25-Yard Catch)

Going into halftime, the 49ers had now regained the momentum, and the lead, with a 10-7 score. Unfortunately, as has been the theme this whole year, they came out of halftime looking a whole lot worse than they did going in. The 49ers were held scoreless in the third quarter, with three rather ugly possessions. The 49ers were forced to punt twice, the first on a three-and-out, and Kaepernick threw an interception on a questionable pass intended for Boldin. To his credit, Washington had just put a rookie cornerback into the game, so Kaepernick wanted to test him, and see if Boldin could power through him for easy yards. However, he overthrew this specific ball to Boldin, allowing the rookie defensive back to come up with his first career interception. Also, on a side note, this interception was Kaepernick’s first in 129 passing attempts, as he has been really good as of late at not making errant throws. Hopefully, this one interception can be chalked up to a little bit of overeagerness in going after the rookie, and it should be a single mistake that is not repeated, as Kaepernick has made great strides in his control this year.

To begin the fourth quarter, this trend of fruitless offense continued, as the 49ers almost immediately punted again on a three and out. On the next offensive drive, Frank Gore actually fumbled the ball, in an incredibly unexpected moment. This is Gore’s second fumble of the season, with his first happening last week against the Giants. Once again this fumble was very unusual, as Gore is usually a very sure-handed back, and all of the laudatory comments made last week about the veteran still apply. Last week, I wrote:

“[Frank Gore’s] fumble was his first of the season, and it is very possible that it will be his last, simply because he has averaged 2.5 fumbles per season in his last four. Frank the Tank is called a tank for a reason: he is strong and sturdy. So, the 49ers coaches and their fans should put this fumble behind them if they have not already, as Gore is still a stellar running back and the workhorse for the 49ers.”

Obviously, Frank Gore just fumbled again today, therefore he did fumble again this season, but he is still Frank the Tank, and he is still an extremely strong and sturdy running back, and one of the most reliable in the league.

Gore’s fumble today, was also the 49ers’ second fumble of the game, as Carlos Hyde had one on the first play in the second quarter. Both running backs fumbled today, but Hyde’s fumble is the only one that deserves any worry, as he is a rookie running back and each and every one of his moves needs to be scrutinized, to make sure he can really be the future franchise rusher for the 49ers. Fortunately, this fumble was Hyde’s first of the season, so there is no need to worry about his fumble either. Overall, neither of these fumbles were very noteworthy, as neither Gore nor Hyde’s playing time will be affected, and the 49ers still managed to come away with a win.

Also, on a positive note, Washington were extremely inept at capitalizing on the three turnovers they forced. Simply the fact that they forced three turnovers off the 49ers was surprising, for two reasons, however. Firstly, this is the largest number of turnovers the ‘Skins have forced this season. Secondly, the 49ers were +10 in their turnover differential coming into today’s game, and only +8 leaving it, due to the fact that they gave up three turnovers, and only earned one of their own. Hopefully this sloppiness was just a fact of today, as the 49ers prey on turnovers, and their season is made or broken based on this statistic. Back to the positive note, Washington only managed three points total off of their three turnovers. More specifically, they only earned one field goal that came after a long drive following Gore’s fumble. So, although the turnovers hurt the 49ers statistically, they were not too big of an issue in the game, especially seeing as the Niners still came away with the win.

After the ‘Skins field goal, they went up 13-10 on the 49ers. This score fortunately did not last long; however, as the 49ers scored on their next offensive drive. This drive was 75 yards long, and it took eight plays, four passing, three rushing, and a sack. This sack came on the first play of the drive setting the 49ers back six yards. An interesting statistic is that Colin Kaepernick has been sacked 15 times on first down this season, the most in the league. Although this number sounds menacing, its simply an interesting fact, and nothing to get too worried about. From here, the 49ers managed to create a slow and steady, but successful offensive drive, as they broke into the end zone on a Carlos Hyde four-yard touchdown run, in a little under five minutes. This score gave the 49ers a 17-13 lead, and the final score for the game.

After this touchdown drive, the 49ers defense was strong again, as it prevented the ‘Skins from scoring. They forced one punt, but unfortunately the offense was not able to completely drain the clock due to the fact that Washington had and used all three of its timeouts. However, they very quickly ended Washington’s final drive, with a resounding defensive play. Justin Smith sacked RGIII hard from the back, forcing him to cough up the ball, right into the waiting hands of Ahmad Brooks. Brooks caught the ball to recover the fumble at the Washington seven yard line, sealing the game for the 49ers. This play was huge as it gave the 49ers the win, but it also gave Brooks a large role in the win, showing that the 49ers administration still trusts him, even after his questionable sideline antics last game. This fumble was also a sack, and it was the fifth one that the 49ers managed on Griffin III, as they completely dominated the ‘Skins offensive line.

From a statistical point of view, the 49ers completely dominated the game today, except in turnovers and rushing. They managed 246 passing yards to Washington’s meager 77, and their offense was generally more fruitful. However, Washington’s star running back Alfred Morris had a field day as he picked up 125 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Even so, if you add up all of the ‘Skins’ offensive yards, you only get to 213, as they were generally held in check.

Colin Kaepernick was pretty good today, and probably better than his stats show, as he finished the game 20 of 29 for 256 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also rushed for 14 yards on nine attempts, but the Washington secondary mainly kept his rushing game in check. Anquan Boldin was the favorite target of Colin Kaepernick today, as he was a monster on the field. He recorded 137 yards and a touchdown, catching nine of his twelve targets, including one where he took a helmet-to-helmet hit, where the safety fell down dazed, but kept running to pick up five more yards. Boldin is a monster, and almost super-human when he gets going, and today was one of those days as he put on a showcase on the field. Michael Crabtree also had a reasonably good day today, although it pales in the face of Boldin’s, as he caught five of seven targets for 58 yards, including his stellar one mentioned above. Fullback Bruce Miller also had a respectable day, working hard as the all-around player that he is, and picking up 40 passing yards while catching all three of his targets.

On the other hand, the rushing attack was rather weak today, as Frank Gore only picked up 36 yards on 13 carries, and Carlos Hyde had a similarly poor day with 16 yards on seven attempts. Add to the fact that they each fumbled the ball once, and you get to a really quite poor day for the rushing attack today. Hopefully, they can get back to running the ball well, without fumbling at all, as they will need their rushing attack to be strong this Thursday, for the Thanksgiving matchup against the division rival Seattle Seahawks.

The Seahawk’s beat another division foe, the Arizona Cardinals today, giving them the same 7-4 record as the 49ers. Currently as it stands this is the NFC West standings:

1 Arizona Cardinals 9-2

T-2 Seattle Seahawks 7-4

T-2 San Francisco 49ers 7-4

4 St. Louis Rams 4-7

The Rams are effectively out of the playoff chase, but all of the other NFC West teams have a legitimate chance at making it. Today, the Seahawks proved that even the Cardinals, who are tied for the best record in the NFL, are mortal, and they pushed them down to a still stellar 9-2 record. The Seahawks and the 49ers play this Thursday, and the winner of this game will most likely be in the lead for a wildcard spot in the NFC. Currently, both teams are tied for the second Wild Card spot, and it is very possible that three teams from the NFC West make the playoffs, with both Wild Cards in this division. Above all, it is imperative that the 49ers win this Thursday, as a loss will make the road to the playoffs exponentially harder. So, hopefully, they can win this Thanksgiving, to keep their playoff hopes alive, while also defeating the hated Seattle Seahawks.

NOTE: We will not be addressing the Washington football team by their current official name due to its highly offensive nature. We will instead by addressing them by their city or a nickname, until the organization changes its name. This move is part of a boycott effort that is being followed by many people and organizations, including entire television stations, like CBS, and ex-football legends. We respectfully ask that the Washington team changes its name, due to the fact that it is currently a racial slur against Native Americans.

Morning Wrap: Washington Analyst Brian Mitchell; "This Team Has Sucked for the Last Few Years"

((ht: awfulannouncing.com))

Give credit to former Washington football star and current CSN Washington football analyst Brian Mitchell. He did not hold back Sunday night when trying to describe the team after their loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-7.

Among the gems used to describe the performance...and the team over the past several years:

"This team has sucked over the last few years and as a former player I'm embarrassed to watch this junk over and over again"

"Embarrasing. This is atrocious. It's despicable. It's pathetic. I think it's asinine."

He also went on to say that it doesn't start and stop with the poor play of franchise QB Robert Griffin III. Adding that everyone on the squad bore some responsibility.

Mitchell was amazed the team somehow managed to put up a crappy performance coming off a bye and playing what was widely considered the worst team in the league.

Well said Brian Mitchell, well said.

Your rant from CSNWashington.com:

Add Washington to List of NFL Teams Trying to Ban Phil Simms

Okay, so we aren't huge fans of CBS Sports lead NFL analyst Phil Simms, but he's certainly not the worst guy on TV.

But according to the ignorant masses in Denver and Washington, he's a biased fool who should be off the air. Or at least that's the impression being put out.

Denver Bronco fans started this bizarre story by organizing a change.org petition after Sunday's Broncos/Chiefs game to have Simms removed. It's gotten over 28,000 signatures.

You can look at the petition HERE

The cover says :

To CBS

CBS please ban Phil Simms from Broadcasting anymore Bronco games. We do not know why he is assigned to the Broncos games every year. It is sure and complete torture for us Bronco fans to have to listen to his biased drivel every week. Please hear us out on this, we are tired of Phil Simms in Denver.

---sigh---

It's really sad to see how many moronic NFL football fans there are in the world. This may be a sterling example of it.

Among the gems:

"Phil Simms is one of the most biased broadcasters (Cris Collins worth is the other). He is supposed to broadcast the game not throws his worthless opinions always against the Broncos."

"I don't like his face"

"Just like news, sports commentary should offer fact and unbiased opinions. If one can't keep his jaded opinions out of the game, he shouldn't be paid to do the job"

"He obviously doesn't like the Broncos. It's not the fans fault his son couldn't play"

We're guessing these dumb asses don't understand an analyst is supposed to analyze and offer his thoughts and opinions about what is happening. Of course the face is another issue.

What's worse, it's growing. The mentally inferior fans of Washington's NFL team have started their own petition.

They, or at least the group in the petition, are angry he won't use the name of the team during the broadcast. Something tons of News organizations, businesses and others have began to do because it's...oh, a racial slur....

The comments are quite funny:

"If the man can't pronounce the word "Red-----" then he needs to go"

"I feel that he is disrespectful towards my heritage for not say reds--- and trying to speak for us as native Americans"

"Redsk--- is a term of love & strength"

The petition is approaching 1,000 signatures.

Okay, now we rant....

This is perhaps one of the most idiotic things we've ever heard. Sadly, you could take a poll of fans for just about any team in the pros or even college and they'll say the announcers are biased, the refs are biased etc.

It's the same misguided, blind, foolish logic the predominates almost every political argument too. People hear what they want to hear. You read a sentence about an issue to 100 people and it's likely at least 25 of them will not interpret it the way it's intended.

The stupidest part of all this petition stuff---the reasoning. Denver fans think he hates them because they, along with a couple other teams cut his son?

Really?

Much like politics, you can take someone's statement and spin it anyway that makes it okay for you. And these days, everyone on TV is accused of being biased because they might say something that YOU don't like or agree with. Just because they say it, (a) doesn't mean it's not true and (b) is being said because they hate you.

Yeah, we know, we are perpetuating stupidity by reporting on this, but it really pisses us off. The OSG has over 60-years of combined experience in Sports Media and to this day have NEVER met a play-by-play guy or a game analyst who've had or acted on any vendetta against any team they've covered.

We challenge anyone who can prove (not offer opinion) that someone has it out for their team to come forward. **And no, Phil Simms criticizing one of your players for missing a block doesn't count***

Haha! Washington Football Players Videobomb ESPN

((ht: cbssports.com))

Okay, admittedly, this is pretty funny.

Check out a handful of Washington's NFL team players as they videobomb an ESPN live TV report early Monday.

In the 1st Instagram video, you can hear...and see Pierre Garcon telling DeAngelo Hall, Brian Orapko and Stephen Bowen to run outside. Garcon then pans up to the TV showing the guys in the background of the double box live shot.

The hilarity ensues:



And there's more. While this was going on, Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson rolled on the same thing from the training room.

Oh those wacky NFL guys....

Washington Post to Stop Using NFL Team's Name

((ht: washingtonpost.com))

The furor over the use of Washington's NFL Team nickname continues. And this time, while many will so...oh, okay, it's just the newspaper, nobody reads that anyway...it's not the point.

((Note--The Post's editorial board will not use the name, the Sports Department is free to do as they choose))

One of the most widely respected names in Journalism today has decided that the nickname should not be used for the simple fact that to a group of people, it's an insult.

The Washington Post and their editorial writers have decided they will not use said nickname when talking about the team.

This adds to the furor that's seen everyone from U.S Politicians, government agencies, former NFL officials and others weigh in on the subject.

Said the Post--"We don't believe that fans who are attached to the name have racist feeling or intent anymore than Mr. Snyder (Dan--the owner) does. But the fact remains: The word is insulting. You would not dream of calling anyone a (insert Washington NFL Team Name) to his or her face. You wouldn't let your son or daughter use it about a person, even in the privacy of your own home."

Read the Post's Editorial RIGHT HERE

What does it say that this action is taking place? That so many people, though not many team fans, are crying for a change?

We at OSG Sports (well, okay, me---Brother J-Dub is a fan of the team and probably won't adhere to this) wish to offer what little added heft we have to the debate.

We too will not use the name, rather we'll refer to them as Washington's NFL team or something similar.

Hopefully at some point Dan Snyder will open his eyes and realizing the marketing opportunity in front of him. That changing the name means multiple generations of fans will have the opportunity to spend money and buy team gear. That alone we'd think should be enough to prompt the change.

But Snyder, if nothing else does what he wants to do...and unfortunately it appears the "Name Change" will follow that same path....

Because we wish to present opposing arguments, here is former NFL coach and current ESPN commentator Mike Ditka stating it's "*&!#---"

US Patent Office Cancels Washington Redskins Patents

((HT: WJLA-TV))

How's that one for you...???

On the grounds that the Washington Redskins nickname is of a "disparaging manner," the United States Patent Office has decided to pull the team's patent because of the apparent "offensive nature to Native Americans."

Team owner Daniel Snyder has given the NFL office and Commissioner Roger Goodell the "over my dead body" response in changing the team's nickname (though, he doesn't understand that he could have two separate revenue streams if he played his cards right). And, now, the NFL has gone ahead and taken this ingeniously active maneuver.

Here's the early returns
The team can, obviously, appeal- which they may already be doing after the 2-1 decision. And, here's the decision in full for your reading pleasure...

U.S. Patent and Trademark Office decision canceling Redskins trademarks

Anyone want to print up some Redskins t-shirts with some funny sayings to make a mint in the near future...???

Brother J-Dub... the floor is yours...

Anti-Redskins Nickname Ad Running During NBA Finals

((HT: National Congress of American Indians))

The NCAI wanted to run this ad during the Roman Numeral Classic, but they weren't allowed to...

So, they're doing the next best thing...

Running it during the NBA Finals and the HQ is quite sure that the Washington Redskins won't like it


If Daniel Snyder would only see a change to the nickname as a different revenue stream instead of a roadblock to maintaining the "history" of the franchise, things might be better off.

But the HQ also knows that stubborn people will always be stubborn people.

And Now We Have A Letter From Congress Over The Redskins

((HT: ESPN/Olbermann))

In a letter written by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Representative Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the complaints are ramping up over the use of the Washington Redskins nickname. Cantwell is chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and Cole is a senior member of the appropriations committee -- and a member of the Chickasaw Tribe.

Read the letter in full here

Cantwell told the New York Times newspaper the tax-exempt status will be looked at if things don't change...

"You're getting a tax break for educational purposes, but you're still embracing a name that people see as a slur and encouraging it," Cantwell told Emmarie Huetteman of the Times.

More from Huetteman on the Cantwell-Cole letter:

“The National Football League is on the wrong side of history,” they wrote. “It is not appropriate for this multibillion-dollar 501(c)(6) tax-exempt organization to perpetuate and profit from the continued degradation of tribes and Indian people.”

The letter also refers to a recent case, unrelated to the N.F.L., in which the Patent and Trademark Office rejected a trademark application that included the term “redskin” because, the office said, it is a “derogatory slang term.” Ms. Cantwell said Sunday that lawmakers would consider the roles of that office, the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies in urging the team to change its name.

Commissioner Roger Goodell actually said in a recent press conference that 8 out of 10 who were asked thought the Redskins nickname was fine...

The HQ, on the other hand, would love to know the sample identified for this survey... and the Redskins are still the Redskins in all of this. Daniel Snyder, despite all the revenue that can be gained from having two nickname streams, is adamant he is not changing his team's moniker...

Redskins spokesman Tony Wyllie sent out this statement in an e-mail: "With all the important issues Congress has to deal with such as a war in Afghanistan to deficits to health care, don't they have more important issues to worry about than a football team's name? And given the fact that the name of Oklahoma means 'Red People' in Choctaw, this request is a little ironic."

So, yes, he really did go there...

Here's Chris Cooley discussing the idea with KO, who disagrees with 47 on his thoughts...


As do a lot of us in this topic...

Chris Cooley Defends Redskins Nickname

((HT: Olbermann))

Well, okay then...

Here's the segment with Keith...


Yeah...

The HQ is of the opinion that a LOT of people disagree with Cooley...

DEVELOPING: Skins Two Letters Off On Gruden Hire

So, instead of Jon, it's Bengals Offensive Coordinator Jay getting the top gig in Raljon...

Gruden was an offensive assistant on his brother’s staff from 2002-08 in Tampa Bay. Redskins GM Bruce Allen was the Buccaneers’ general manager from 2004-08.

Gruden’s also worked with Redskins’ coaches Raheem Morris and Sean McVay (in Tampa) and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett (in the UFL). Morris, McVay and Haslett worked with Mike Shanahan in the 2013 staff.

McVay looks like the guy who will be in charge of the Redskins 2014 offense...

Rich Tandler discusses the off-season problems with Larry Michael... it's a long segment...
((HT: CSNWashington))

Shanahan Officially Done In Washington

The Washington Redskins prefer to say that Mike Shanahan was relieved of his coaching duties, that must be the politically correct way to say you head coach was fired.

Here's Shanahan Monday morning in his final press conference after being told he was fired.

Thanks Washington Redskins

"Redskins fans deserve a better result." owner Daniel Snyder said. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”

“We are going to take a smart, step-by-step approach to finding the right coach to return the Redskins to where we believe we should be,” Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen said. "We will analyse accurately and honestly all of the decisions that were made over the past year."

Shanahan had one season remaining in his five year, $35 million contract signed in 2010.

We don't need to document all that was wrong with the Redskins this year, that dirty laundry was exposed on a daily basis by the four letter, NFL Network and other talking heads that cover the NFL.

Those of us in the OSG HQ are wondering who really wants this job.  

ICYMI: An Exciting, Imploding Week In The NFC Least...

((HT: NFL on FOX/NFL on CBS))

The Washington Redskins, inexplicably, went for two after scoring a touchdown with less than 20 seconds to go in regulation and pulled defeat from the jaws of overtime- losing in Atlanta 27-26...

QB Kirk Cousins did the team thing and fell on the sword for not getting the two-point conversion done...

“We just didn’t do enough to win,” Cousins said postgame. “Two interceptions that were on me. A fumble that you don’t want to have. The failed two-point conversion. That was on me. Those are four plays right there, that if they go differently, it’s probably a much better result.”

Dead head coach walking Mike Shanahan, decided he had had enough very quickly...
((HT: CSN Washington))


But that doesn't even to cover it...

Dallas was up 24-3 at the half and lost 37-36- the most prolific scorer on the day for the Cowboys was kicker Dan Bailey.

The biggest mistake of all the mistakes the Cowboys made in the second half was also the last mistake when Romo threw a pick that caused Dez Bryant to leave the field with 1:21 left in the game...

See...???


Dead head coach walking Jason Garrett threw his QB under the bus:

"The idea was to run the ball and make them use the clock; run it and if we throw it, throw high percentage passes, keep the clock going, and make them use their time outs," Garrett explained.

Romo changed the play...

"It's a run call that we have," Romo said. "We'll have it up three to five or six times a game. That specific time, obviously when I look back now, you should run the ball, because you throw an interception. You should never give them a chance to have the ball."

"It's something we have accompanying some runs if he gets a bad look; that's what happened on the interception," Garrett said. "It was run call, though, that he threw the ball on."

The fans had a meltdown of biblical proportions...
((HT: WFAA-TV))

Now, all that missing is Shea in Irving...

Atlanta Sports Talk Station Running Anti-Redskins Nickname Ads

From time to time, the HQ gets a heads-up on things that are just too "off" to be true...

Unless, they are true...

A sports talk station in Atlanta, 790TheZone, has drawn the ire of the ALS community with a completely unfunny work on Steve Gleason in the past and now, they may draw the ire of the National Football League for an ad campaign that the station may have actually allowed to purchase time...

We all know that the Washington NFL franchise is having issues over their nickname- as well they should...

As one of the "official" radio stations of the Atlanta Falcons, 790 runs a lot of Falcons content... the fact that they may be selling spots to the Oneida Nation on the topic won't play well...

From the Oneida about the spot they produced:

”Washington Reverend Graylan Hagler expresses his obligation as a faith leader to oppose the team’s use of a racial epithet. As Senior Minister at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in D.C., Hagler has spoken out against the D.C. team’s name for more than 20 years.

Hagler mobilized more than 60 D.C. faith leaders who sent a letter last week to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Washington team owner Dan Snyder calling upon the team to change its hurtful mascot.

“It is truly heartening to see religious leaders join the Change the Mascot campaign and recognize that this is more than a civil rights issue, it’s a moral issue,” said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter. “We thank the more than 60 clergy members who have expressed their united opposition to the derogatory R-word, and we hope that their courageous actions will inspire others across the country to do the same.”

The ad can be listened to hyah...

If the spot is being covered as a news item, that's one thing...
If the Oneida bought ad space, that's another and 790 just can't get out of their own way...

Here's part of the past discussions with the team, the owner, and the nickname in the past few months...
((HT: The Oneida/ESPN))

MIke Shanahan vs. The World: Wednesday's Edition

This too funny not to post or laugh about.

Pity the poor Washington Redskins....or more specifically embattled Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan.

Shanahan has taken a ton of heat this season. From the teams 3-10 current record to his decision in last years playoffs to let QB Robert Griffin III play while hurt and summarily rushing Griffin back to play this season and the anxiety of his notoriously impulsive team owner Dan Snyder, it's coming from all sides.

Oh, did we mention the national media?

Today's adventure comes on the heels of him announcing that Griffin will sit out the rest of the season and backup Kirk Cousins will be the starter for the last 3 games.

Already many don't understand the move--Is Shanahan trying to get fired? Is he trying to protect Griffin from his horrible line, and himself? Does he think Cousins is better? Has he lost his mind?

All of those question and more have popped up on Twitter and other places.

On to today's presser--

Wednesday is traditionally "Open Lockerroom" day in the NFL and with that, the coaches do their weekly preview interviews for the upcoming game.

Which in the case of Washington, is a battle with equally disappointing Atlanta (3-10)....

But today's highlight was Shanahan--who provided some serious gems:

((quotes--from USAToday.com))

"I don't talk to anybody off the record"---Uh, yeah

"Dan (Snyder) could care less about the other positions"---Interpret that as you will

"I don't know {if I'll be back next year} until I sit down with Dan. We'll find out what I think, I'll give him my opinions and he'll give me his opinions. Maybe we'll just hit it off and I'll get that 12-15 year contract. Maybe 3 years"---Uh, okay...

"I'm trying to be as honest as I can and I don't normally do that"--So what are you saying here?

Comedy gold Jerry, comedy gold.

A full story on today's adventures from CSN Washington RIGHT HERE

Video to come later--

Now is later, your video Courtesy of CSN Washington:

Shanahan Daring Washington To Fire Him, Now...

Or, if we paid attention to grammar...

"Shanahan daring Washington to fire him now..."

The football team has now heard, through their head coach's press conference, that he may sit his starting QB for the remainder of the season...

Drawing some raised eyebrows and cocked heads...

So, for the rest of the year RGIII-10 may be sitting while Daniel Snyder mulls over the idea that he may need a new coach- among other things...

Like a 100-percent healthy quarterback... or having Kirk Cousins battle Robert Griffin III for the starting spot in next season's training camp in front of a new coach...

But, there was discussion that Shanahan was so frustrated by the chumminess of the owner and the highly-paid QB that he had packed up his desk last season and was already ready to go...

He answered that question today by not answering it...
((HT: CSNWashington))


And the clock continues to tick on he and his son's career in DC...

Redskin Fan Blames Team For Lack Of Erection

{HT: CBS Washington DC}

Just when you think sports fans that the fortunes of the favorite team too seriously something comes along and bring it to a new level.

106.7 The Fan’s Holden and Danny on Tuesday is a radio show in the D.C. area and they asked fans how have the Redskins ruined your life.

We can understand being in a bad mood or just not caring about the Redskins anymore.

Then came Dave from Waldorf who just can get up for the 'Skins, literally.

“I think I’ve got ED or something man. I don’t know,” Dave said. “It’s because of these Redskins, man, I can’t do it.”

I hope Dave knows their is medication that can help, perhaps for four hours.

I would tell Cowboy fans to rejoice in this Redskin fans misery but why bother, they suck too.

Oneida Nation Wants Meeting With All 32 NFL Owners

((HT: WUSA-TV))

The Oneida nation leaders met with the National Football League in New York City to discuss the state of the Washington Redskins nickname and their feelings on it...

"Their feelings on it" are that Redskins owner Daniel Snyder should receive some kind of sanction if he continues to use the nickname in future seasons. The Oneida have even invited Commissioner Roger Goodell and Snyder to Oneida homeland.

Here's coverage of the meeting...
 

"We met at the request of Ray Halbritter of the Oneida Nation," the NFL said in a statement. "We listened and respectfully discussed the views of Mr. Halbritter, Oneida Nation Wolf Clan Representative Keller George and their colleagues as well as the sharply differing views of many other Native Americans and fans in general. The meeting was part of an ongoing dialogue to facilitate listening and learning, consistent with the commissioner's comments earlier this year."
But... the Bravehearts...??? Really...???

REPORTS: Washington Bravehearts or Washington Redskins?

((ht: cbssports.com))

Hmmm....are the fine folks at CBSSports onto something?

Well, TMZ has the same story and there's some interesting coincidences going on.

In the din of calls for the Washington Redskins to change their team name comes interesting news from Washington.

CBSSports.com and TMZ are both reporting Aris Madirossian, a man believed to be neighbors with Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, apparently has applied for a patent for the name Washington Bravehearts and also a web domain (WashingtonBravehearts.com) with the same name.

He also appears to have registered the LLC name of Washington Bravehearts, LLC.

Read more from CBSSports.com RIGHT HERE

TMZ gives us a look at the LLC agreement RIGHT HERE

TMZ also says that Snyder and Madirossian, though not currently in business together or know publicly as friends, have quite a few things in common and have a somewhat friendly or at least neighborly relationship.

Read more from TMZ RIGHT HERE

Yes, we are aware that this is all extraordinarily circumstantial evidence. This may just be a coincidence or even a ruse. And we are well aware that Snyder swore he'd never change his teams name.

But when the president weighs in on the issue and quite a few others follow suit, you have to at least consider it. And smart money says Snyder is.

And quite honestly, if can get away with the Bravehearts name, it is kinda cool if you think about it.

This will probably be cool the first few times they play it--after that...not so much:

Do Not Mispronounce Brian Orakpo's Name...

((HT: Awful Announcing/CSN Washington))

Apparently, Dick Stockton and Ronde Barber kept referring to the Redskins linebacker as "Orap-ko..."

Which did not go over well postgame...


Okay, the HQ considers itself warned, then...