Russ Grimm - the first Hog to be a Hall of Fame Inductee

It's about damn time they get a player from the Hogs into the HOF. The Hogs are one of the best if not the best offensive lines in history and it's a shame they took this long to recognize Grimm. Hopefully Joe Jacoby will be next in line.

My Take on Albert Haynesworth and the Jamaal Brown trade

To put it in simple terms, Haynesworth is a piece of shit. I normally don't have a problem with people getting paid whatever they are due. People who come to the games watch the players play. They don't watch the owners sit and eat caviar in the owner's box. That's why players are deserving of the money they get. However when players don't play that's when things bother me. Especially when Haynesworth accepts a $21 mil check in April and still demands a trade. The team themselves let Haynesworth seek a trade but if he couldn't then he would be given the option of taking the check and playing with the Redskins. He took the check but hasn't been practicing at all. Even if this is all smoke and mirrors this is complete and utter bullshit tactics by Haynesworth.

The Skins has given Haynesworth the option of playing as an end on the 3-4 which operates like a DT in a 4-3, a position he seems to want to play. The Skins have given him all the room in the world but he hasn't given an inch. To think he took $21 mil just like that from the organization almost makes me not want to go to another game in FedEx Field for the next 10 years knowing that this man has taken some of that ticket revenue in his pocket and presumably will show us nothing this upcoming season.

In other Skins news, they have reportedly traded either their third or fourth round pick for Jammal Brown. Either way we won't have a third or fourth rounder because the trade is somehow linked to McNabb. You can read the details of it here because it's a little complicated.

Ensuring that we give up at least our 3rd round pick next year is pretty foolish but we don't have much choice when it comes to tackle. The nice thing is that Brown did go to the Pro Bowl however he is coming off an injury laden season. To be honest it seems like the same old, same old and it never changes. Another veteran with a history of injuries. And because we haven't been smart about our draft picks we have to continue our never ending cycle of giving up our future in cheap young talent for more expensive high priced, unmotivated free agents because the cupboard is empty except for the two or three marquee signings we get. The cycle never ends and what's worse is that Shanahan is forced to do this trade or else the offense will continue to be a joke with that swiss cheese offensive line we have now.

Clearly hoping for the best but anticipating for the worst. In fact this is the least hyped I've been for the start of a Redskins season in a long time and that's saying a lot. Maybe it's because I've seen the same sweeping changes happen again every 3 to 4 years and now I'm just immune to it.

John Wall on ESPN the Mag

Just wanted to put it out there that both of our young stars John Wall and Stephen Strasburg landed the covers of ESPN the Magazine and Sports Illustrated on the same week. I didn't bother to put up Strasburg's cover because they're using the same Getty image I used in the blog post 2 weeks ago. However you can see Strasburg's cover here.

The Phenom Makes His Long Awaited Debut

For one day baseball's eyes laid on the Nation's capital. In the most hyped debut in my recollection Strasburg shattered expectations completely. 14 k's in his debut a franchise record and the most strikeouts in an MLB debut since 1971. His fastball can be seen topping 101 mph. His curve has a hook that is just as deadly. Underlying all of this is his almost flawless command allowing 0 walks in the 7 innings he's played.

We all know the cautionary tale of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Jim Riggleman knows all too well of how Wood was overused in the '98 season as the manager of the Cubs. Everyone has the worst case scenario in the back of their minds which is why people are treating Strasburg with care and rightfully so.

Will Strasburg continue to pitch the way he did against the Pirates? Let's be honest he is still a rookie and is not a finished product. But clearly he has the stuff to back it up and his composure is of a very even demeanor. He has the tools that most 32 year old vets never had in their lifetime. Barring any freak injury Strasburg is on track to greatness. Hopefully the Nats can also keep pace with Strasburg's progress as well.

Start of a New Era: Say Hello to John Wall

I was really not expecting the Wizards on winning the draft lottery. I was thinking they get a 5th pick and get a Wesley Johnson and see the Wizards go back to where they were prior to getting the big 3. Nothingness. Now all of a sudden they get the next best thing in John Wall. I cannot believe it and with Ted Leonsis coming in as new owner there seems to be 2 good reasons to have faith in the Wizards in the future and to watch the team this upcoming season.

Our team was horrendous last year but we did get to see the blossoming of Andray Blatche who put up double-double numbers when he started. Although he was a prima donna last season he should be given another chance this season. Al Thornton is also another young player that can round out the young nucleus. Gilbert Arenas is nowhere near his almost MVP form when he was once the great Hibachi but maybe it is a blessing they did keep him. I'm not expecting much from him but we do need some sort of veteran in the team. After all we only have 6 players under contract.

Also I love this video. The John Wall dance craze in UK and the state of Kentucky.